VIENNA, Austria -- Austrian forklift and crane maker Palfinger, which manufactures the Crayler portable forklift, has reported reduced profits for the nine months to September, but says it expects the full year to be its second best in history.

Reuters said Palfinger's gross earnings fell 1.2 percent to 32.6 million Euro (USD28.77 million) "due to the difficult economic environment", though sales surged 10.3 percent to 257.1 million Euro (USD226.78 million). Net profit also slipped to 19.3 million Euro (USD17.03 million) from 20 million Euro (USD17.65 million)in the same period last year.