Hamburg, March 3, 2011 – Beiersdorf AG released its figures for 2010. Beiersdorf’s Group sales rose by a nominal 7.8% to €6,194 million (previous year: €5,748 million). Organic sales rose by 3.1%. The operating result (EBIT) excluding special factors amounted to €699 million (previous year: €587 million), while the corresponding EBIT margin was 11.3% (previous year: 10.2%). Profit after tax excluding special factors rose to €425 million (previous year: €380 million). The corresponding figure for earnings per share was €1.84 (previous year: €1.65). As in the previous year, a dividend of €0.70 per share is being proposed.
“In December last year, we laid key foundations for Beiersdorf’s future success by resolving to introduce a package of measures and investments. In 2011, we will be concentrating on their systematic implementation, with the focus being on Beiersdorf’s core competencies, skin and body care. As part of this, Beiersdorf is investing an additional high double-digit million amount in the NIVEA brand during the latter’s centennial year. This will strengthen NIVEA in the long term.”, said Thomas-B. Quaas, Chairman of the Executive Board of Beiersdorf AG, at Beiersdorf’s Annual Press Conference.
Consumer Business Segment
In the Consumer business segment, Beiersdorf increased its organic sales by 1.6% last year. EBIT excluding special factors amounted to €599 million (previous year: €558 million), while the corresponding EBIT margin was 11.3% (previous year: 11.1%).
The three global skin care brands – NIVEA in the mass market, Eucerin for dermocosmetics, and La Prairie in the luxury segment – performed positively in 2010, albeit to different degrees. NIVEA achieved organic growth of 1.8% worldwide, Eucerin recorded global growth of 9.0%, and La Prairie recorded a 7.5% increase in sales.
Performance in the global consumer markets differed substantially. Business in the United Kingdom and Russia did extremely well, while developments in the other European countries were mixed. The Consumer segment recorded a slight decline in sales in Germany. Growth in North and Latin America was particularly strong. Sales in the Africa/Asia/Australia region were up slightly on the previous year.
Outlook for 2011
In 2011, the Group aims to match its 2010 sales, while in 2012 it expects to see renewed sales growth. The EBIT margin from operations at Group level will not entirely match the prior-year figure in 2011, but is expected to increase again the following year.
Sales growth in the Consumer business segment will be significantly affected by the plans to streamline the product range. However, sales growth in the core areas is expected to more or less offset the effects caused by the streamlining of our product range. As a result, sales in the business segment should be on a par with 2010 levels. The EBIT margin from operations will not match the prior-year level; however, it should rise again in 2012.
tesa anticipates that its sales growth in both customer segments will be slightly in excess of the market in 2011. The measures initiated in 2009 have now been completed and are fully effective. On this basis, earnings are expected to improve slightly on 2010.
[Text/Photo: Beiersdorf]
