Shimano saw net sales increase 24.0% to ¥99.79 billion ($831.2 mm) for
the first half ended June 30 from ¥80.49 billion ($696.2 mm) during the
year-ago period. Sales increased in each of its three divisions as well
as in each region across the globe.

The bicycling equipment division, which had the largest share of sales
for the half, also saw the largest growth, with sales jumping 27.5% to
¥72.10 billion ($600.6 mm).  Operating income for the division
skyrocketed 45.4% to ¥12.36 billion ($103.0 mm).  Fishing sales
increased 16.3% to ¥25.97 billion ($216.3 mm), while operating income
jumped 63.1% to ¥1.95 billion ($16.2 mm). Other product sales grew 5.0%
to ¥1.71 billion ($14.3 mm).  Regionally, sales in North America
increased 7.9%, the slowest growing region for Shimano during the first
half.  Sales in the region were ¥11.38 billion with operating
income of ¥842 million ($7.0 mm).

For the company as a whole, net income grew 57.2% to ¥10.11 billion
($84.2 million). Following the strong first half showing, Shimano
announced that it expected net sales for the full fiscal year to
increase 14.5% to ¥195 billion while net income is expected to grow 42%
to ¥19.5 billion.