Pipes manufacturer Uponor (Vantaa / Finland; www.uponor.com) reported a first-quarter operating profit of EUR 14.6m, up 22.8% year-on-year on strong demand in key markets, except in Germany and the UK where sales declined. Group sales gained 7.4% at EUR 265m. Comparable operating profit, excluding restructuring charges and other items, was up 0.8% at EUR 15m. Operating profit margin was 5.5% from 4.8%.

Building Solutions - Europe sales climbed 1.1% to EUR 124.3m. Operating profit expanded 27.9% to EUR 6.3m, with the comparable figure down 11.2% as Germany was burdened with overcapacity while facing competitive pressures from OEMs and lower priced suppliers. In the UK, the weak currency made imported products less attractive.

Building Solutions - North America sales increased 10.5% to EUR 78.2m. Reported and comparable operating profits each saw a 3.9% decline to EUR 11m, partly caused by repercussions from the shortage in enhanced polymer fittings in 2016 and lower margins due to regional sales mix. Uponor announced separately a factory expansion in Apple Valley, Minnesota, with a EUR 16.3m investment that will add 5,440 m² in manufacturing operations space related to cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipe production. Completion is expected by January 2018. Uponor plans to hire more people due to the expansion.