Sinterom, a ferrous and non-ferrous materials manufacturer, posted nine-month turnover worth 4.7 million euros (16.4 million RON), up 3% against the similar period last year. The company's operating income rose by over 12%, to 0.7m euros (2.7 million RON) during the same period.

"We, like the entire industry, had to face a series of difficulties mainly related to the effect of utilities price hikes, as well as to the unfavourable situation of the industrial production in Romania. The salary costs rose by more than 20% against last year and we had to rally the incomes of our employees to those on the labour market,"Marcel Leonte, the company's general manager, told ZF Transilvania.

Given the trend of financial indicators over the first nine months, the company's officials estimate turnover will amount to 7.7 million euros (27 million RON) this year, rising by 29% against 2005, considering that early this year, it was expected to grow by 33%, to 8m euros (28 million RON).

"The main economic indicators will increase over the last quarter, mainly because of the export and of the products for the automotive industry, where Dacia-Renault is one of our main clients,"stated Marcel Leonte.

According to him, the company works with Dacia-Renault both directly and through intermediaries, currently supplying 10 products for the Logan model. "There are sintered parts, as well as parts obtained through mechanic processing, and we are about to produce a new highly complex product for the engine (...), early next year,"stated Leonte.

He also added the company, together with the Pitesti-based car maker, are considering developing other products, too. "We hope the contract signed with Dacia-Renault will account for some 15% of our turnover by the end of the year,"stated the general manager of Sinterom.

The company closed last year with turnover amoun