Bucher Industries is creating a strong base in the USA for its Bucher Hydraulics division by acquiring Monarch Hydraulics Inc., Grand Rapids, Michigan. Monarch is a leading manufacturer of high-end power pack solutions in North America. It is the ideal partner to significantly expand business with Bucher Hydraulics and Monarch customers in the USA and elsewhere. Monarch's 2007 sales are estimated at USD 70 million. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

In the first 9 months of 2007, Bucher Industries grew sales by 20% to CHF 1 790 million. Order intake reached CHF 1 915 million, up 22% year on year. The positive full-year outlook for 2007 is confirmed.

Bucher Process, a division of Bucher Industries, has won a major order worth a total of CHF 21 million with an option for another CHF 9 million from the world's largest apple juice producer, Shaanxi Hengxing Fruit Juice Co. Ltd. in China, to supply state-of-the-art milling and pressing technology for producing apple juice concentrate.

The investigation against Bucher Industries AG has been launched on the grounds of three management transactions, representing a total value of CHF 608 811.40 or 0.03% of the issued shares, which the management member concerned conducted between 7 and 21 June 2007. Bucher Industries made the required disclosures to the SWX on 9 July 2007, immediately after gaining knowledge of the transactions.

Bucher Industries continued to perform well during the first half of 2007 on the back of favourable economic conditions. Sales were up 18% to CHF 1 224 million and order intake was up 19% to CHF 1 168 million compared with the same period last year. Supported by high capacity utilisation levels, Bucher Industries improved its operating result by 66% to CHF 94 million. The Group's net result climbed by 78% to CHF 68 million.

Bucher Industries is strengthening its municipal vehicle and winter maintenance equipment business by acquiring W. Gmeiner GmbH based in Kümmersbruck / Amberg, Germany. Gmeiner manufactures high quality salt and grit spreading equipment and generated EUR 9 million in sales in 2006. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

Bucher Industries continued to perform well in the first quarter of 2007. Order intake rose by 14% to CHF 627 million, an increase of 16% adjusted for acquisitions and disposals. Sales reached CHF 546 million, up 5% year on year.

Shareholders attending the 23nd annual general meeting of Bucher Industries AG on 12 April 2007 approved all proposals submitted by the board of directors. A dividend of CHF 2.50 per registered share will be paid from 17 April 2007 net of 35% withholding tax.

Bucher Industries can look back on a good year of business. 200 years after Heinrich Bucher-Weiss laid the cornerstone of Bucher Industries with his blacksmith's shop in Murzeln in Niederweningen, the group exceeded the CHF 2 billion mark for the first time with sales of CHF 2 087 million and achieved 7% growth, 5% adjusted for acquisition effects. Order intake increased by 11% year-on-year and amounted to CHF 2 163 million. Restructuring costs and impairments totalling CHF 34 million could be more than compensated. The operating result increased by 5% to CHF 124 million and the group's net result increased by 11% to CHF 96 million.

Bucher Industries increased sales by 7% to CHF 2 087 million in 2006, crossing the two billion-Swiss franc mark for the first time. Organic growth was 4%. Order intake reached CHF 2 163 million, up 11% year on year. Despite substantial restructuring charges, the group expects to post higher operating and net results than a year earlier.

Emhart Glass, a division of Bucher Industries, is taking over ICS/Inex inspection systems, Clearwater, Florida, a US-based manufacturer of glass container inspection equipment. Emhart Glass and ICS/Inex complement each other's product lines and market presence enhancing its worldwide glass container inspection business. The purchase price for the cash and debt free business will not exceed USD 14 million.