MUNICH - Siemens announced that its fourth-quarter profits rose eightfold, in part because of higher earnings in its automation units.

The automation and drives unit, which includes electronics assembly placement equipment, delivered group profit of euro451 million (US$576.2 million) for the fourth quarter, up 31% year-over-year. Fourth-quarter sales rose 12% to euro3.5 billion (US$4.47 billion) year-over year with an increase in orders of 18%.

Demand reportedly was well distributed regionally, including growth in Asia-Pacific above 50% year-over-year.