PDF, 1.2 MB - Pfleiderer AG

34 being focused: being better
107.7
Sales Rail Traffic BU
in million euros
95.9
02 01
supply and logistics, right through to quality management. Where logistics or costs constrain
that sleeper production is set up directly on site, Pfleiderer licenses local companies, coordinating
and monitoring supply quality and reliability. Pfleiderer products have an outstanding international
reputation thanks to our high quality standards and extensive know-how.
Sales/Orders on Hand
Capacity utilization at the plants based in Germany is very high, and the situation in Pfleiderer’s
foreign-based plants is similar. Customers tend to plan on a long-term basis when setting up
high-speed rail links in Europe. This means that the Rail Traffic Business Unit is experiencing a
constant level of activity, largely unaffected by economic cycles. A further factor for success
is the current favorable political environment, which supports the creation of new inter-city rail
links via “corridor projects”.
Freak effects such as the floods in Germany during the summer of 2002 also led to increased
demand. Pfleiderer was able to supply replacement sleepers quickly from inventories
set aside for such contingencies. Some customers postponed orders until 2003, a fact which
led to high ordering at the end of the year. Orders were further boosted by two major international
contracts for points sleepers awarded by Serbia and by Singapore.
Telecommunication
Production, Products
In 2002, the Telecommunication Business Unit downscaled its services to current market
conditions. Demand for transmitter stations, mobile and fixed networks was lower than usual.
This led Pfleiderer to place more attention on technical innovations for rooftop transmitters
and transmitter masts. One important extension to the product range resulting from this activity
is a universal lightweight base unit for transmitter stations. More attention was also given
to camouflage solutions using fiberglass as an answer to stricter urban planning requirements.
Other special mast solutions have also been developed, such as “tree masts” and “lamp
masts”, both made of spun concrete.
More consolidation among competitors is likely if the remaining network providers further
delay the UMTS network. In view of this consolidation pressure, resources and capacities
have been adjusted when planning for 2003. Our objective is to downsize the organization, but
maintain a presence through local project offices throughout Germany. This will enable us to
continue offering optimum quality and customer service and give us the means to react quickly
throughout the country when business picks up again.
Sales/Orders on Hand
Due to the current market situation in the telecommunications industry, order volumes have
fallen considerably, with order books becoming shorter. However, negotiations with mobile
phone providers in Germany look promising, with a positive start to the new fiscal year expected,
although ordering remains at a lower level overall.