Favourable market conditions have helped BT Industries record SEK6.173 billion (USD814.4 million) in net sales for the 2004 first half, a 5% increase over the corresponding period last year.
The company's January-June financial statement said a market turnaround first noted in 2003 had continued this year, benefiting first the counterbalance forklift market, and later the warehouse segment, BT's biggest business area.
"The upward trend in North America has been reinforced, but sharp increases in demand are now being reported in a number of other markets as well," the company said.
Orders received in the first half rose by 12% to SEK6.725 billion (USD887.2 million), but the positive trend in warehouse truck orders had not yet translated to deliveries and higher invoicing.
Warehouse sales grew 1% to SEK2.756 billion (USD363.6 million), and counterbalance forklift sales grew 12% to SEK914 million (USD120.6 million).
CEO Per Zaunders said the "entire market" was growing.
"We are now clearly seeing evidence of the economic rebound we expected for some time," he said.
"The market and orders received are growing, and the situation looks bright.
"To secure continued short delivery times we are now working intensely to further improve production capacity to satisfy the rising demand."
BT said gains in counterbalanced forklifts resulted from BT's increased focus on the segment through its own Italian-manufactured products, as well as supply-chain cooperation with Toyota in certain markets.
"The strong positive development in the order intake has resulted in a growing order backlog ... a significant increase in net sales from higher deliveries during the second half of the year can be expected," the report said.
BT Raymond, the company's US arm, performed well in the first half, growing its order book by 14% to SEK2.323 billion (USD306.5 million) and lifting net sales 2% to 2.121 billion (USD279.8 million).
BT said the increased orders would positively affect BT Raymond's net sales later in the year.