Elba Timisoara turnover amounted to 28 million euros (101.7 million RON), more than 18% higher than the level of 23.6 million euros (95.6 million RON) reached in 2004.

Timisoara-based Elba producer of lightening devices this year expects to derive turnover worth 34 million euros, more than 20% higher year-on-year.

After the first half, the company registered 23% turnover growth from the 14 million euros posted last year.

"The main factor that triggered the trend witnessed in the first half was the rising sales volume related to Dacia Logan," Teodor Mermeze, development and manufacturing manager with Elba, told ZF.

Elba also announced it started operating a contract for the delivery of automotive lighting components to a major global supplier, but the company's representatives did not provide any details on Elba's new partner on the automotive segment, as the two parties are bound by a non-disclosure agreement.

"In the second half, we expect to derive growth at least equal to the level reached in the first half.

"This depends on the trend of the car market, but we are doing our best to continue as a supplier for Dacia and to become a supplier for at least another major carmaker on the international market," Mermeze stated.

According to him, the partnership with Dacia-Renault accounts for approximately 40% of the company's turnover.

Investments the company has earmarked for this year target the development of production facilities and also the replacement of manufacturing technologies, with the main domains held in view being plastics injection and the coating of plastic and metal parts.

According to the company's management, the investment budget earmarked for 2006 tops 3 million euros.

Investments operated last year amounted to 4.7 million euros and were mainly aimed at car parts production.

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