Beiersdorf gets off to a good start in fiscal year 2012

Beiersdorf AG increased sales in the first quarter of 2012 by 6.9% compared to the previous year. The Consumer business segment recorded growth of 6.8%. "This performance is attributable to initial successes recorded by the new corporate strategy," the company stated. The company also benefited from a positive overall market trend in the first three months of 2012 after the weak business performance seen in Asia and Europe in the first quarter of the previous year. Positive calendar effects also contributed to the sales increase.

Group sales increased by a nominal 9.0% – a rise in organic terms of 6.9% – compared with the prior-year figure (€1,406 million), to €1,533 million. The operating result (EBIT) excluding special factors amounted to €198 million (previous year: €167 million). The EBIT margin was 12.9% (previous year: 11.8%). Consolidated profit after tax was the same as the previous year, at €125 million.

Consumer business segment

In the Consumer business segment, Beiersdorf increased organic sales by 6.8% in the first three months of the current fiscal year. EBIT excluding special factors was €164 million compared with €138 million in the previous year. The EBIT margin was 12.8% (previous year: 11.7%). Sales of the NIVEA brand rose 10.1% compared with the same quarter of the previous year. Dermocosmetics brand Eucerin generated sales growth of 7.8%, continuing its strong prior-year performance. La Prairie recorded a decline in sales of 1.2%.

"The global consumer markets turned in highly mixed performances," Beiersdorf informed. Europe recorded a 4% rise in sales. Germany saw 6% growth after a weak prior year. In Western Europe, sales grew by 1%, while 10.3% growth was seen in Eastern Europe, with Russia and Poland recording particularly dynamic performances. Sales in the Americas climbed 9.7%, with Beiersdorf’s Latin American operations being particularly successful (+16%). Sales in North America were up slightly (+0.6%) on the previous year. The company recorded a 12.7% increase in sales in the Africa/Asia/Australia region.

Beiersdorf confirms outlook for 2012

In 2012, the Group aims to improve sales as against 2011. The operating EBIT margin in 2012 should be approximately 11-12%. In the Consumer business segment, Beiersdorf anticipates growth in line with the market in 2012. The EBIT margin from operations will be approximately 11-12%.