German packaging and bottling machine firm Krones AG on Friday reported a 3.6% rise in first-quarter profits. Profits rose to €65.8 million ($70.7 million) from last year’s €63.5 million, with earnings per share improving to €2.08 from €2.01. Earnings before tax (EBT) climbed by 7.2% year-over-year to €89.0 million. Revenue for the first quarter increased about 4.0% to €1.25 billion from €1.20 billion in the previous year. There were fewer working days in the reporting period than in the prior-year quarter. In addition, Krones has consolidated the revenue of Netstal Maschinen AG, which it acqu…