SCHOPFLOCH, GERMANY - The Homag Group, manufacturer of woodworking machinery and turnkey systems, took in orders totaling EUR 142.1 million ($193.1 million) in the third quarter, representing a14% increase from the third quarter of 2012 and the company's highest third quarter order intake since 2007.

Dr. Markus Flik, Homag CEO, linked the company's third quarter success to positive results at LIGNA in May where Homag introduced its powerTouch touch-screen machine controls and airTec hot air edgebander, among other new products. "We were able to convince customers with our innovations there. This is now reflected in our strong order intake, which also benefited from our global presence in all markets."

Homag's third-quarter sales rose 4 percent to EUR 202.9 million ($275.8 million) and its order backlog reached EUR 229.4 million ($311.6 million) as of Sept. 30, 2013, 5.0 percent higher than where Homag's back orders stood on Sept. 30, 2012.

Homag's order intake of EUR 472.9 million ($642.3 million) for the first nine months of 2013 is 4.6 percent ahead of the three-quarter total for 2012. Total sales of EUR 574.9 million are 0.6 percent above the first nine months of 2012. Homag Group had 5,062 employees as of Sept. 30.

Homag said it anticipates turning a profit of EUR 15 million ($20.4 million) on approximately EUR 800 million ($1.09 billion) in total sales this year.

Homag recently issued two announcements, one updating its position in the flooring market and the other boasting installations of woodWOP/AlphaCAM software installations.

Homag said almost 900 of its double-end tenoners are currently in operation at flooring plants. about half of which are used for laminate flooring products.

Homag said that 850 installations of Homag CNC machines powered by woodWOP and Licom System's AlphaCAM CAD/CAM software have been achieved. The two companies set a joint goal of adding 150 more installations in the next year.

Homag is exclusively represented in the United States by Stiles Machinery of Grand Rapids, MI, and maintains a Canadian headquarters in Mississauga, ON.