Milacron had strong start in 2017

Processing equipment maker Milacron showed a “solid growth performance” in 2016, and has seen a “great start to 2017,” the Cincinnati, Ohio-based company says.

Sales in the first quarter of 2017 were US$285.4 million, up 2.9% from sales of US$277.3 million in the same period a year ago. In the medical, packaging, and automotive end markets, sales were lower, with packaging up in the mid-single digits and automotive flat. Sales were higher in electronics, consumer goods, construction, and job shop/custom molders. By geography, sales in North America were lower while sales in Europe, China, and India were higher.

“The first quarter performance was bolstered by double-digit sales growth in our MDCS (Melt Delivery & Control Systems) segment, primarily driven by continued impressive performance in our hot-runner business, and high single-digit growth in our APPT (Advanced Plastic Processing Technologies) aftermarket business,” said Milacron CEO Tom Goeke. “Improving demand in North America and Asia was encouraging to start the year, and we are cautiously optimistic that markets will continue to recover in 2017.”

For the first quarter of 2017, sales for Milacron’s APPT division were US$156.6 million compared to US$156.1 million in the same period a year ago. “Excluding $0.9 million of unfavorable effects of currency movements, sales increased 0.9% over the prior year period,” Milacron said. “Operating earnings for the first quarter of 2017 decreased 78.6% to US$2.1 million compared to operating earnings of US$9.8 million in the prior year period.”

For the first quarter of 2017, sales for Milacron’s MDCS segment were US$99.8 million compared to sales of US$93.0 million in the same period a year ago. “Excluding US$2.2 million of unfavorable effects of currency movements, sales increased 9.7% over the prior year period,” Milacron said. “Operating earnings for the first quarter of 2017 decreased 9.6% to US$25.5 million compared to operating earnings of US$28.2 million in the prior year period.”

For Milacron’s Fluid Technologies segment, meanwhile, sales in Q1 2017 were US$29.0 million compared to sales of US$28.2 million in the same period a year ago. “Excluding US$0.8 million of unfavorable effects of currency movements, sales increased 5.7% over the prior year period,” the firm said. “Operating earnings for the first quarter of 2017 increased 12.2% to US$4.6 million compared to operating earnings of US$4.1 million in the prior year period.”