KCI Konecranes has attributed its first quarter sales growth to the acquisitions of SMV Lifttrucks AB (SMV) and Morris Material Handling Ltd (MMH) during the last quarter of 2004 (Forkliftaction.com News #174), (Forkliftaction.com News #191).

The group's total sales for the quarter ending March 2005 were EUR 192.7 (USD246.7 million), an increase of 26.6 per cent from last year's corresponding quarter.

All business areas reported growth and all market areas, except the Asia-Pacific region, posted growing sales numbers. In Asia-Pacific, sales remained at the same level as the March 2004 quarter.

Standard lifting equipment sales were EUR 64 million (USD81.9 million), an increase of 36.4 per cent from last year's corresponding quarter, and operating income for the sector was EUR4.9 million (USD6.2 million).

Special cranes sales were EUR61.3 million (USD78.5 million), an increase of 42.1 per cent from last year's corresponding quarter, and operating income for the sector was EUR1.3 million (USD1.7 million).