The reported inventories are comprised of the following:
Inventories |
||
€ thousand |
2012 |
2011 |
|
|
|
Materials and supplies |
119,980 |
150,949 |
Work in progress |
74,954 |
98,387 |
Finished goods and merchandise |
349,049 |
370,714 |
Advances paid |
5,944 |
5,319 |
Total inventories |
549,927 |
625,369 |
The year-on-year reduction in inventories was mainly attributable to disposals in the amount of €56,626 thousand in connection with the sale of the controlling interest (70 per cent) in Linde Hydraulics.
