Trelleborg, Sweden – Sales at Trelleborg, which makes polyurethane automotive and oil field products, saleswere SEK 8.83bn ($917m) in the third quarter of 2019. This is higher by 6% than the same period in 2018. EBIT across the business fell 6% to SEK 1.21bn.
'The industrial trend is generally weaker in most geographical markets compared with the first half of the year,' said CEO Peter Nilsson.
He said the markets were affected by the trade conflict between the US and China, as well as the uncertainty related to Brexit.
Customers in the automotive and general engineering industries for the company's Sealing and Industrial divisions ordered less in the quarter than in the same 2018 period, he said.
Sales in the company's industrial solutions business rose by 8% between the third quarter of 2018 and 2019, to SEK 2bn. This compares with SEK 1.87bn the third quarter of 2018. Sales in North America and Europe were weaker than a year ago, the company said.
EBIT in the division declined by 2% to SEK 170m in the third quarter of 2019. This compares with SEK 174m the 2018 period. This was because of weaker pricing and some cost inflation. Like the rest of the company, the division is cutting costs. The benefits of this are expected in 2020, but may feed through sooner.
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