KBAs second-quarter results showed an increase in sales and net income, but the companys order intake has fallen slightly.

Sales rose 31% to 389m (E619m) and were divided virtually identically between the web and sheetfed divisions. Net income increased by 76% to 22.9m.

During Q2 KBA received 2% fewer orders than 2000 at 463m, but its overall order level is 10% higher than last year at 860m.

KBA investor relations manager Jan Stradtmann said: We have the right product mix. Were now seeing the benefits from our restructuring programme and fixed costs are coming down.

Stradtmann added that sales of the Karat were beyond expectations, and things were on course for its absorption into KBA in January 2002.