Swedish manufacturer Alfa Laval (STO: ALFA) reported sales for the second quarter of SEK 7.5 billion (US$868.7 million), an increase of 2 percent compared to the same period a year earlier. Profit was SEK 644 million (US$74.6 million).

All regions showed sequential growth except North America, where order intake decreased slightly due to postponement of projects at customers in the oil and gas sector due to lack of resources. In Asia, the company’s activities in China reported broad-based growth, since, according to Lars Renström, president and CEO, the wait-and-see mode that has characterized the last quarters’ investments seemed to have eased somewhat.

“Both equipment and process technology developed in line with our expectations, while the marine & diesel division arrived somewhat higher,” Renström said. “Marine showed good growth, mainly driven by larger orders for exhaust gas cleaning systems. Equipment was lifted by seasonal factors as well as successful product introductions within heat transfer. Process Technology was at an unchanged level; good growth for the base business due to a continued favorable business climate at the same time as slightly fewer large orders were booked,” Renström said.

For the first six months, sales for the manufacturer were SEK 14.1 billion (US$1.6 billion), an increase of 1 percent compared to the same period in 2012. Profit was SEK 1.3 billion (US$150.6 million).