CELEBRATING its 75th birthday, compressor manufacturer Bitzer is forecast to enjoy a 10% growth rate in 2010.
Delegates from all over the world were invited to Bitzer celebrations in Sindelfingen, Germany on December 4 and the party had much to celebrate according to CEO Peter Schaufler.

'The economic and financial crisis has certainly affected our business as well,' said Peter Schaufler. 'But despite the decline in order income from October to December 2008, the last year was the second best in company history,' he added.

Since July 2009, the order situation has stabilized says Schaufler who counts on a recovery next year. He said: 'Based on the results of 2009, we expect a growth rate of around 10% in 2010.'

'Amongst other things, this is due to our strong innovations as well as our ability to recognize and meet the requirements of the market,' he said.

In 2008, 2,700 employees generated sales of EUR 480 million. Schaufler took over Bitzer in 1979 and since then he says the company has grown achieving 'mostly two-digit growth rates'.

BITZER Kühlmaschinenbau GmbH was founded as 'Apparatebau für Kältetechnik' ('Apparatus Engineering for Refrigeration Technology') by Martin Bitzer in 1934.