Isotope technology firm Eckert & Ziegler recorded a 5% increase in sales in its first quarter.
For the period (end-31 March), company had sales of 37.6 million euros, up 5% from the 35.8 million euros reported in the first quarter of 2016. The improved financial performance, which was significantly above budget, was due to lower costs and increased sales with profitable products, Eckert & Ziegler said.
The strongest sales gains were produced by the company's radiopharma segment, which increased by 17% to reach 11.3 million euros. Eckert & Ziegler said that significant sales growth was seen particularly in the U.S.
Sales in its isotope products segment increased 2% on a currency-comparable basis over the previous year's quarter. The company noted, however, that the 2016 first quarter sales figures included a nonrecurring, demand peak in the energy sector.
On the downside, Eckert & Ziegler's radiation therapy segment dipped by 6% to 6 million euros. The company pointed to raw material bottlenecks, which caused temporary supply difficulties for radioactive prostate implants at the beginning of the year.
The firm had quarterly profit of 3.7 million euros, up from 2.5 million euros in the same quarter of last year.
