But despite the order increase – to 976 million Euros – sales in 2010 went down to 942 million Euros (compared to 1,112 million Euros in the previous year) because of the low number of orders in 2009.

The company says it made an operating loss (EBIT) of  66 million Euros.

“Signs of a recovery were apparent by the fourth quarter and an operational turnaround could already be achieved within this period,” a statement says, and for the 2011 fiscal year, a return to operational profitability is expected.”

A continued increase in demand in the growth regions of China, India, and Latin America, as well as successful appearances at industry trade fairs including Ipex (UK) and Expoprint (Brazil) were major factors driving ortders.

manroland says its export ratio increased to 80 per cent, with strong gains in emerging markets. Sales in the BRIC countries increased by 50 per cent from the previous year. The spare parts, maintenance and pressroom products businesses expanded and is expected to deliver fuirther growth.

Chief executive Gerd Finkbeiner says there was a clear upwards trend for incoming orders in 2010: “Our business in China, Latin America, and Germany was particularly strong.

“Our product innovations in both sheetfed and webfed offset printing, as well as our range of services were given an especially warm welcome,” he says.

“We are assuming, however, that we will not be able to sustain incoming orders and sales at the levels we had prior to the economic crisis. We have undertaken major financial and operational efforts to adjust our capacities accordingly, and we expect a satisfactory utilisation in the medium term.”

manroland had 7,147 employees worldwide (excluding external personnel and trainees) at the end of last year, with about 84 per cent in Germany. This is a decrease of about ten per cent from the previous year.

The company says numbers will be reduced to under 6,000 by the end of 2012.

manroland says it is expecting a continued economic recovery in the printing industry over the coming months. The company anticipates a moderate growth in sales for the current financial year 2011. The package of measures to ensure long-term independence, initiated in September 2010, is scheduled for implementation by mid 2012. The associated additional savings are estimated at 50 million Euros annually, and will be fully realised from 2013 onwards. In the medium term, manroland expects sales levels to return to well over 1 billion Euros a year. A return to operational profitability should be achieved in 2011.

• manroland will present the fruits of its styrategic partnership with Océ at the digi:media trade show in Düsseldorf (April 7-9). Exhibiting together for the first time, the two will show total digital production workflow (with subsidiary ppi Media) via interactive and multimedia presentations.