The Swiss water treatment products group, Christ, said on Friday it expected to have a positive result for the full year. It said it had moved into the black in the first half thanks to a 50 per cent increase in sales.

The group, based at Aesch near Basel, said it had standardised its project business, introduced EDP-based project management and streamlined group procurement.

The measures would allow it to operate faster, more flexibly and more cost effectively.

A statement said that a strong stock of orders, the positive half year results and permanent routine improvements would help the company achieve its goal of a turnaround.

First half sales rose to SFr78.2 million ($45.2 million) from SFr52.1 million, with net profit reaching SFr200,000, up from a loss of SFr2.5 million in the first half of 1999.

Christ recorded an order intake of SFr115.3 million in the first half, more than double the 50.3 million for the same period in 1999.

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