Jungheinrich AG's first quarter orders rose by 2% from EUR370 million (USD440.7 million) to EUR376 million (USD447.8 million), but net sales dropped 4% from EUR358 million (USD426.4 million) to EUR345 million (USD410.9 million).

Net income, at EUR8.7 million (USD10.4 million) just surpassed last year's EUR8.6 million (USD10.2 million) for the first quarter.

The 2004 results will be affected by plant closures in Leighton Buzzard (UK) and Argentan (France). The company said the transfer of production of IC engine powered forklifts from England to Moosburg, Germany, was proceeding to plan. Battery-powered pedestrian vehicles, which were produced in Argentan, would be transferred back to Norderstedt, Germany. Hand pallet trucks would be obtained from Chinese manufacturer Ningbo Ruyi Joint Stock Co Ltd.