Rulmentul sales up 5%

Rulmentul Brasov logged approximately 30% lower losses in 2004 compared with the previous year. The losses were therefore down to 500,000 euros (20bn ROL). Its sales increased last year, according to the preliminary financial reports released by the company, reaching 33.5 million euros (1,354bn ROL), 5% higher in euros compared with 2003. Rulmentul officials did not comment on the financial results. The ball bearings makers in Romania, which manufacture under the RBR and UBR brands, export most of their output as the Romanian industry does not generate sufficient demand because of the lack of significant investments in technology. The RBR trademark was registered by Rulmentul Brasov nationally and internationally, while URB was registered by Uzina Rulmentul Brasov in 1961 and is valid through today as a generic trademark for all manufacturers in Romania. ZF