Switzerland-based Rieter Textile Systems reported orders in 2006 for its machinery and equipment rose 46 percent, to 1,724.3 million Swiss francs ($1,388.1 million), compared with orders worth 1,182.6 million Swiss francs ($952 million) in 2005. The company, which divested its man-made fiber systems business in the fourth quarter of 2006, said the growth occurred across the entire staple fiber machinery business.

The company reported 2006 sales also achieved a record high of 1,400.7 million Swiss francs ($1,127.6 million), a 29-percent gain over 2005 sales, which totaled 1,085.4 million Swiss francs ($874.3 million). Rieter attributed the lower-percentage sales gain vis-?vis orders to increased delivery lead times owing to the high level of new orders.

According to Rieter, demand for its staple fiber machinery was particularly strong in Asia ?with India, Turkey, China and Bangladesh leading other markets. Other Asian countries contributing to the demand included Pakistan, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia.