HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Siemens Gamesa’s quarterly earnings took a first quarter beating, but strong order numbers show there may be some light at the end of the tunnel for the recently-merged wind company.

The world’s No. 2 maker of wind turbines reported a strong increase in new orders in the first quarter, helped by a pickup in demand in key markets, such as India and the United States.

Siemens Gamesa’s first-quarter sales fell 23 percent to $2.6 billion, citing falling prices. It still kept its outlook for sales of $11 to $11.8 billion, pointing to stronger business in the second half of the year. New orders in the U.S. and a recovery of the wind market in India have the company projecting a positive 2018.

The company posted a first-quarter net loss of $43 million due to restructuring and integration costs and the U.S. tax reform, which resulted in a $44.6 million charge.

Siemens recently laid off 195 workers at the Fort Madison, Iowa, plant and closed another blade facility in Canada as it continues to trim its workforce to fall in line with demand.

Siemens, which holds a 51 percent stake in the company, will announce its quarterly earnings on Wednesday.