Beiersdorf continues to make progress

• Group sales rise 7.3%
• Consumer sales up 6.9%
• tesa achieves sales growth of 9.3%
• Group EBIT margin increases to 13.9%
• Outlook for fiscal year 2013 lifted

Hamburg, November 5, 2013 – Beiersdorf continues to make progress. Both the Consumer Business Segment and tesa achieved significant, above-market sales growth in the first nine months of 2013.  Adjusted for the impact of foreign exchange differences, the company increased its sales by 7.3%. In nominal terms, sales increased by 2.4%, from €4.566 billion to €4.674 billion. The operating result (EBIT) excluding special factors improved from €575 million in the previous year to €650 million. The EBIT margin reached 13.9%, compared with 12.6% in the previous year. Consolidated profit rose from €358 million to €433 million.   

“Our Blue Agenda is geared towards sustainable, profitable growth. We have been able to significantly increase sales and earnings thanks to a clear, disciplined brand strategy and successful innovations. Our market share has increased in many countries, both in Emerging Markets and for the first time in Europe, where we saw a clear rise in the third quarter,” said Stefan F. Heidenreich, CEO of Beiersdorf AG. 

The Consumer Business Segment delivered organic sales growth of 6.9% in the first nine months of 2013. Nominal sales increased by 1.7%, from €3.816 billion to €3.883 billion.   

NIVEA recorded organic sales growth of 7.3%. Eucerin generated an 11.1% increase in sales and La Prairie an increase of 5.4%.  

EBIT excluding special factors improved by 7% from €476 million to €510 million. The EBIT margin rose to 13.1% in the reporting period, compared with 12.5% in the same period last year.  

Organic sales growth across the various regions was as follows:  

In Western Europe, sales were on a level with the previous year thanks to a strong third quarter. Significant sales growth was achieved in Germany and the United Kingdom in particular. Sales in Eastern Europe were down by a modest 0.8% on the previous year.  

Beiersdorf saw significant growth in the Americas region, where sales climbed by 11.7%. The company generated strong growth of 15.5% in Latin America. The main driver here was again its healthy performance in Brazil. In North America, sales increased by 5.2%.  

Beiersdorf also recorded double-digit growth rates in the Africa/Asia/Australia region, with sales growth of 18.9%. This was primarily attributable to an improved performance seen in China.

tesa’s sales rose organically by 9.3% in the first nine months of 2013 and in nominal terms, by 5.5%, from €750 million to €791 million. EBIT rose from €99 million in the previous year to €140 million. The EBIT margin for the first nine months was 17.7%, compared with 13.2% in the same period last year. 

Beiersdorf is lifting its forecast for full-year 2013 as a result of the strong performance in the past months. The company is now aiming for Group sales growth of 6-7%. The consolidated EBIT margin from operations is now expected to be around 13%, compared with the previous estimate of around 12%. 

In the Consumer Business Segment, Beiersdorf is now predicting sales growth of 6-7% for 2013, with market growth estimated at 3-4%. This healthy sales growth will be further supported by targeted investments in innovations and in the emerging markets. The EBIT margin from operations is expected to exceed 12%.

The 2013 sales growth forecast for the tesa Business Segment is being raised to 6-7%. The EBIT margin from operations is expected to be around 16%.