The Wacker Neuson Group started the year strong with revenue for the first quarter of 2018 (Q1/18) increasing by more than 9 per cent to EUR 371 million (EUR 339 million in Q1/17). All regions and business segments reported a rise in revenue. This growth was primarily driven by continued rising demand in European and North American construction markets as well as strong performance from the Weidemann and Kramer brands in the agricultural sector. When adjusted for currency effects, revenue increased at an even faster pace of 14 per cent relative to the previous year. Negative currency developments, in particular the US Dollar?s weak performance against the Euro, resulted in translation effects, which impacted revenue in the amount of EUR 16 million. The current strained situation among some suppliers is proving a challenge for manufacturers of construction and agricultural equipment, with bottlenecks among suppliers delaying deliveries to customers. Europe is the largest market for the Group, accounting for 72 per cent of its business. Revenue for this region rose 8 per cent to EUR 268 million in the first quarter of 2018 (EUR 248 million in Q1/17). Revenue for the Americas grew at an even faster pace than in Europe, increasing 13 per cent to EUR 92 million (EUR 81 million in Q1/17). Adjusted for currency effects, this corresponds to a rise of 29 per cent. ?In the US, we benefited from a number of trends including increased investments from rental chains stocking up on worksite technology such as generators and heaters. Our performance was also bolstered by strong sales of our US-produced skid steer loaders,? explains Martin Lehner, CEO, Wacker Neuson SE. Revenue for the Asia-Pacific region rose 16 per cent to EUR 11 million (EUR 10 million in Q1/17). Adjusted for currency effects, this corresponds to a rise of 26 per cent. Growth was particularly strong in China, where the Group started series production of mini excavators in January 2018.