GOETTINGEN, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today Sartorius, a leading international process and laboratory technology provider, released its preliminary unaudited figures for fiscal 2009. In the reporting period, business in both Group divisions showed substantially divergent trajectories. The Biotechnology Division, which contributes a good two thirds to consolidated sales, reported dynamic growth and attained a new level in operating profit. By contrast, the Mechatronics Division posted sales and earnings development that was severely impacted by the global downturn. Nevertheless, this division achieved a turnaround during the course of the year and closed 2009 with positive operating earnings. For the Group, operating profit was higher than a year ago, despite the difficult economic climate. Cash flows from operating activities rose by more than two and a half times compared with the year-earlier figure. For 2010, management expects sales revenue and profit to increase in both Divisions.
