Mar 02, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. Cardboard and corrugated board packaging specialists Model Group achieved consolidated sales of CHF 585 million ($538 million). Compared to the previous year, this represents a drop in sales of 16.5%, company said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. In the same period, the Group had a headcount of 2,916, compared to 2,924 in the previous year. Investment totaling around CHF 74 million ($68 million) was geared mainly towards expanding capacity at existing sites and modernizing the paper mill in Niedergösgen acquired in the previous year. In its principal markets of Switzerland, Germany, France, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Croatia, Model Group sold a total of 531 million square metres (-5.7 %) of corrugated board packaging and about 25,000 tonnes (-1 %) of cardboard packaging; 33% (2008: 30 %) of Group sales were posted in Switzerland. After the integration of the paper mill in Niedergösgen, which now operates under the name of Aarepapier, the Group's paper production, i.e. including the Thurpapier mill in Weinfelden, reached a new record annual volume of about 276,000 tonnes of waste paper based container board. This ensures that Model has a secure raw material base for its corrugated board packaging, which, in turn, enhances reliability of supply to meet customer demands. Business sentiment in Model's target markets at the start of the new year remains gloomy. Nevertheless, Model will maintain the increased investment pace that it adopted two years ago to improve competitiveness. It plans new investments of over CHF 80 million ($73.6 million), the largest single item of which is the completion of the new buildings and plant for Model Kramp GmbH in Hanau (Germany), which specializes in sophisticated packaging finishes and effects. Model Group delivers intelligent, innovative, high-value packaging solutions using cardboard and corrugated board, ranging from simple transport packaging to perfume boxes with sophisticated finishes. The Group consists of over 20 subsidiaries in seven countries.