The IMA Group closed the first quarter of 2018 with consolidated revenues of €331.6 million, an increase of 12.6% compared with €294.4 million 31 March 2017.
In a statement issued by IMA group, the company said: "The positive results for the first quarter and the high level of the order book at 31 March 2018, together with the trend in April, enable us to confirm our forecasts of further growth for IMA during the current year."
If current conditions are confirmed in the coming months of 2018, the IMA Group estimates revenues of approximately €1.55 billion and a gross operating profit (EBITDA) of about €250 million.
The board of directors has also approved the merger plan for IMA to absorb Fillshape, a company held 80% indirectly through GIMA. This operation forms part of the project to simplify the corporate structure.
Alberto Vacchi, IMA's Chairman and CEO, said: “The results for the first quarter are positive and show the continuous growth in revenues, profits and the order book, which reached almost €1 billion thanks to the favourable trend in sales of automatic machines to the reference sectors."
"In light of these results and the positive trend seen in the month of April, with order acquisition higher than in the same period last year, we believe that we can look forward to the rest of 2018 with confidence. At the next edition of Ipack-Ima, which begins on 29 May in Milan, IMA will present new solutions for the tea, coffee, dairy, food and cosmetics industries, reflecting the strong commitment to innovation that has always distinguished the Group."