Beiersdorf continues on its profitable growth path

•       Organic Group sales growth of 0.7% (nominal: 6.9%) 
•       EBIT margin excluding special factors increased to 15.0%
•       Consumer lifts organic sales growth by 0.7% (nominal: 6.7%)
•       tesa achieves organic sales growth of 0.4% (nominal: 8.1%)
•       Outlook for 2015 confirmed 

Hamburg, May 7, 2015 – Beiersdorf AG, Hamburg, continued on its profitable growth path in the first quarter of the current financial year. Organic Group sales rose by 0.7%. In nominal terms, sales increased by 6.9%, from €1.596 billion to €1.706 billion. Both business segments contributed to this positive performance. Group EBIT excluding special factors improved to €255 million, up from €235 million in the previous year. The corresponding EBIT margin rose to 15.0%.  

“Business performance in the first three months of 2015 was in line with our forecast. Our sales were better than last year´s comparable high quarter. Our consolidated EBIT margin marked a new record level for Beiersdorf. After laying some important groundwork in the first quarter, we will pick up momentum over the coming months and consequently continue on our profitable growth path,” said Stefan F. Heidenreich, CEO of Beiersdorf AG.

The Consumer Business Segment delivered organic sales growth of 0.7% in the first quarter of 2015. In nominal terms, sales increased by 6.7%, from €1.323 billion in the previous year to €1.411 billion. EBIT excluding special factors improved from €193 million to €204 million. This corresponds to an EBIT margin of 14.5%, compared with 14.6% in the previous year. However, the prior-year figure was positively impacted by a non-recurring income of €10 million.

Organic sales growth across the regions was mixed:  

Sales growth in Europe amounted to 0.1%. Strong growth of 9.9% in Eastern Europe was offset by a 2.1% decline in sales in Western Europe. While clear increases were achieved in Spain, France, and particularly in Russia and Poland, sales in Germany, the UK, Italy, and in Switzerland remained below last year’s level.  

In the Americas region, Beiersdorf lifted sales by 7.8%, with growth being particularly strong in Latin America. Beiersdorf increased its sales by 9.4% in this region, led once again by Brazil. North America recorded sales growth of 5.3%.  

Sales in the Africa/Asia/Australia region fell by 2.5% against last year. This was primarily attributable to declining sales in China. Clear sales growth was achieved in India, South Africa, and Turkey.

tesa recorded organic sales growth of 0.4% in the past quarter. In nominal terms, sales rose by 8.1%, from €273 million to €295 million. This was due in particular to the positive trend in business with automotive industry customers. EBIT excluding special factors increased by 20.0%, from €42 million to €51 million. This corresponds to an EBIT margin of 17.2% (previous year: 15.5%).

At Group level, Beiersdorf expects sales to increase by 3-5% in financial year 2015 and a slight improvement in the Group’s EBIT margin from operations compared to 2014.  

In the Consumer business segment, above-market sales growth of 3-5% is forecast. The EBIT margin from operations is expected to be up slightly against the prior-year.  

tesa is also expected to generate sales growth of 3-5%. The EBIT margin from operations is forecast to be slightly below the prior-year level.