At a ceremony in Linderhof Palace on May 25, 2011, Prince Luitpold of Bavaria, Bavarian Finance Minister Georg Fahrenschon and Siemens President and CEO Peter Löscher honored the first pioneers of the age of electricity. It was at Linderhof in 1878 that Sigmund Schuckert built – by order of King Ludwig II – the world's first power plant to use electric dynamos operating on the Siemens principle. "And today," said Peter Löscher, "we're once again on the threshold of a new age of electricity – one that will feature renewable energies, smart grids, electric mobility and a high degree of energy efficiency. As the history of Linderhof shows, visions can become reality."
Siemens AG has been recognized by the Strategic Account Management Association (SAMA) for its successful customer management program. Siemens CEO Peter Löscher accepted the award for the best key account management program, in Orlando, Florida. "Proximity to our customers is decisive for our business success. I myself spend more than half my time with customers," said Löscher. Regarding the award, SAMA President and CEO Bernhard Quancard explained, "Siemens impressed us with its ongoing cultivation of customer relationships, its fostering of promising and talented sales employees and its practical implementation of customer proximity at the Managing Board level."
We released our results for the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2011 on May 04, 2011. The conference call was broadcast live on the internet.
In the second quarter of fiscal 2011, Siemens achieved broad-based growth and increased new orders 28 percent year-over-year. Revenue climbed seven percent. All Sectors and regions contributed to growth in both orders and revenue. Income from continuing operations more than doubled due to a strong improvement in operating profit and proceeds from the sale of Siemens' 34 percent stake in Areva NP. "We've achieved outstanding, broad-based orders growth. We're raising our earnings forecast for fiscal 2011 to at least €7.5 billion," said Siemens President and CEO Peter Löscher.
"We've achieved outstanding, broad-based order growth. We're raising our earnings forecast for fiscal 2011 to at least €7.5 billion."
Five months before the launch of the fourth Siemens Sector, Infrastructure & Cities, the company has made a number of key decisions. The new Sector will be headquartered in Munich. The expansion of the global sales and marketing structures for the fourth Sector is also progressing rapidly. "We're systematically creating the foundation for participation in the fast-growing cities and infrastructure markets," said Siemens President and CEO Peter Löscher.
Siemens AG and its employees have demonstrated their profound concern for the victims of the natural disaster in Japan. The company's international fundraising campaign has collected €4 million in monetary donations to support those affected by the earthquake and its aftermath. Employees from 45 countries contributed a total of around €2 million. The company has matched this amount and, in addition, donated €2 million in kind to provide immediate assistance.
With the support of Siemens, Hamburg, as the European Green Capital 2011, today launched the rolling, interactive exhibition "Visions for future cities." In the coming months, the "Train of Ideas" will be showing over 100 environmental projects in its six exhibit cars and providing information on central topics such as energy and mobility. Through its participation, Siemens wants to give fresh impetus to environmental protection and create a communication channel for sustainable technologies that will reach all parts of Europe.
Siemens AG will increase its stake in the publicly listed Indian company Siemens Ltd. from 55.3 percent to 75 percent. During the offer period, which commenced on March 25, 2011 and closed on April 13, 2011, shareholders of Siemens Ltd. offered to sell Siemens AG a total of 29 percent of all outstanding shares. This was nearly 1.5 times the amount to be acquired. To reach the 75 percent figure, Siemens will acquire from the offerers, on a proportional basis, an additional stake of 19.7 percent. This move will enable Siemens to successfully further develop its business in India.