Hutchinson '05 sales up 5 percent on higher North American activity

Paris - French rubber products maker Hutchinson SA reported 5-percent higher sales in fiscal 2005, with business in North America leading the growth.

Hutchinson, the world's largest non-tyre rubber goods producer, reported Euro 2800 million in sales last year, with business in the aerospace and industry sector growing 18.4 percent to lead the way. Hutchinson's automotive sector, its largest at 62 percent of sales, reported a rather modest 3-percent growth, while the consumer products sector actually shrank by 1.5 percent "primarily due to lifeless European consumption."

Sales in North America grew 14.4 percent during the year - aided by the currency exchange rates - to Euro 728 million; the region now represents 26 percent of Hutchinson's global sales.

Capital investments grew 15.2 percent over fiscal 2004 to Euro 136 million, and spending on research and development was up 6.7 percent to Euro 143 million.

Hutchinson, a subsidiary of the French oil concern Total S.A., does not report earnings