Jungheinrich says it did not lose any ground in the world market last year, despite the weak economic environment.

In a preview report released ahead of the company's full-year financials announcement on April 20, Jungheinrich said its volume in Europe grew 2%, with greater demand for small warehousing equipment noted.

Total sales were expected to reach 2002 levels of EUR1.47 billion (USD1.83 billion), but the operating result was expected to be higher than 2002's EUR74 million (USD92 million).

Jungheinrich's projected figures did not include the burden from discontinuing its MIC SA business activities in France (Forkliftaction.com News #138). The closure would affect the annual financials by about EUR35 million (USD43.5 million), the company said.