The window profile group is planning production in Romania

The Profine window profile group achieved 4.0% overall growth in gross sales in 2005 to E721.9m, the company announced yesterday on the first day of the Fensterbau Frontale window system fair in Nuremberg. The German-based group, which includes the KBE, Kцmmerling and KME brands, said the “main growth driver” was eastern Europe where the company’s turnover increased by 17.5% to E179.7m.

Chief executive Gerhard Sommerer said the uneven window market in Europe grew by 4.8% in 2005 and has been forecast to increase further by 5.5% and 5.3% in 2006 and 2007 respectively. Benelux, Germany, Scandinavia and Switzerland, were the worst areas for Profine, with an overall 8.6% decline in sales to E185m. South-east Europe grew however by 6.4% to E119.8m and the rest of western Europe by 3.5% to E150.7m.

Production at Profine’s plant in Russia reached almost 23,000 tonnes in 2005 and is expected to rise to 40,000 tonnes in 2006 and around 60,000 tonnes in 2007. Land has been acquired in Romania with plans for production in the country, Sommerer said.