Rocla's net sales grew two percent to EUR45.1 million in the January-June half, despite demand for warehouse machines and guided vehicles weakening considerably.

According to Rocla's financial report, demand for warehouse trucks fell 10 percent compared to 2001 figures and, in industry and technical trades, Rocla's strongest sales segments, demand fell even further. Warehouse truck net sales fell to EUR35.3 million, compared to first half 2001 sales of EUR36.6 million.

Rocla's consolidated operating profit was EUR1.5 million, down considerably compared to the EUR2.9 million posted for the same period in 2001.

But, despite the reduced demand for warehouse trucks, development of after-sales services and new products continued in the European market, and the Americas opened up as a result of Rocla's sales cooperation agreement with Mitsubishi-Caterpillar.

In September, Rocla's dealership agreement for Caterpillar forklifts will expand to Latvia and Lithuania in a strategy to offer full-range services in the Baltic Sea countries. In Finland, reception for Caterpillar had been promising, with more machines sold there in the first half than the entire 12 months of 2001, the report said.

Danish subsidiary Rocla A/S under-performed, but Rocla Rent, Rocla's leasing arm, grew more than 35 percent, increasing Rocla's leasing market position in Finland.

"The weaker profit was mainly due to declining demand for warehouse trucks, strong efforts in product development and after-sales services, and the accumulation of guided vehicle volumes," the report said.