No power train without Miba technology

Miba Friction Group
Of all business units, Miba Friction Group was hardest hit by the worldwide decline in
demand. All areas of business, including automobiles, construction machinery and
agricultural machinery, showed significant reductions in orders.
This business unit contributes 16.2 percent of total Miba sales. Miba Friction Group
generated EUR 51.1 million in sales in the past business year, a 33 percent decline from
the previous year. The decline in sales also contributed to negative earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of EUR -0.5 million (compared to
positive EBITDA of EUR 9.2 million the previous year).
Investment activities in the area of Friction were also very restrained at EUR 2.1 million,
compared to EUR 3.7 million the previous year. These investments were concentrated
largely in measures to increase productivity, primarily at the site in Roitham, Austria.
The site in Vráble, Slovakia, and the friction materials plant in the USA, Miba Hydra-
Mechanica, were just as affected by falling demand as the headquarters in Roitham.
Measures to increase productivity and reduce costs were introduced and implemented at
all sites.
Despite the turbulent economic climate, the Friction Group consistently invested
in R&D. Investment totaled seven percent of sales revenue in the past year. One of the
areas of focus for R&D in 2009-2010 was the development of a new friction lining for wind
turbines. This lining will have a higher energy load rating, thus increasing performance
without raising costs.
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