The Bossard Group, a global fastener distributor based in Switzerland, reported sales were up 6.7% in the first four months of 2007 compared with the same period a year ago.
The distributor saw broadly based growth in Europe but sales in the U.S. fell by 10.9%. Bossard reported it had expected this decline, which confirmed a decrease in production previously announced by its customers. Sales in Europe grew 18.5% in local currency. All regions reported double-digit growth.
Overall sales for the first four months were (Swiss franc) CHF 204.1 million (US$167.7 million). Sales in the U.S. were CHF 60.7 million (US$49.8 million). Sales in Europe were CHF 117.6 million (US$96.6 million), and in Asia were CHF 25.8 million (US$21.2 million).
Currency translations done by MDM in this article are based on rates as of June  ; 5, 2007.
