Europe's biggest engine manufacturing groups have both recorded first-half sales growth, with Rolls-Royce figures up 16% and the Snecma group recording a rise of 8.1%. Both companies released figures for the six-month period to June last week. R-R saw its revenues rise to £1.5 billion ($2.75 billion), up £200 million on the same period last year, which the UK group says is "in line with its expectations". Sir John Rose, R-R chief executive, says a £4 billion orderbook combined with cost reduction exercises place the group on target to achieve a 10% return on sales. Meanwhile, the Snecma group's sales stood at €3.3 billion, an 8.1% rise over 2003's first-half figure of €3 billion. Jean-Paul Béchat, Snecma group chief executive, says sales figures adjusted for exceptional items and exchange rate fluctuations rose by 7.3% to €6.4 billion, up slightly on original forecasts for a flat period. Snecma propulsion sales rose by 9.6% to €2.2 billion.
Source: Flight International
