FRANKFURT (Reuters) - German industrial gear maker Siemens posted better-than-expected earnings growth during the April-to-June quarter, buoyed by customers who are upgrading their electricity infrastructure and by demand for production software.

For its fiscal third quarter, Siemens on Thursday reported an 11% increase in operating profit before certain items to 3.0 billion euros ($3.3 billion), beating the average analyst forecast of 2.84 billion euros in a consensus posted on the group's website.

The maker of trains and factory automation systems confirmed its guidance for its fiscal year until end-September for revenue growth to be at the lower end of a range between 4% to 8%, when adjusted for currency swings, acquisitions and divestments.

Siemens said late on Wednesday that it aims to speed up the transition to a technology-focused enterprise by expanding its management board to seven members from five.

($1 = 0.9146 euros)