Beiersdorf Group increases sales in 2010

The Beiersdorf Group’s sales and earnings for fiscal year 2010 were within the target range announced on December 10, 2010. The Group’s preliminary results for 2010 show nominal sales growth of 7.7% to  €6,192 million (previous year: €5,748 million). On a like-for-like basis, sales were up 3.1% on last year. Adjusted EBIT (excluding special factors) rose to approximately €697 million (previous year: €587 million), while the corresponding EBIT margin was 11.3% (previous year: 10.2%).

Sales by the Consumer business segment (organic) increased by 1.6% to €5,320 million (previous year:   €5,011 million). However, performance in the global consumer markets varied substantially. Business in the United Kingdom and Russia did very well, whereas in the other European countries it was mixed. The Consumer business segment recorded particularly strong growth in North and Latin America. Sales in the Africa/Asia/Australia region were up slightly on the previous year. Preliminary Consumer EBIT, adjusted for special factors, was approximately €600 million (previous year: €558 million), corresponding to an adjusted EBIT margin of 11.3% (previous year: 11.1%).

 “Beiersdorf’s business segments performed very differently in fiscal year 2010. The Consumer business segment only recorded a 1.6% increase in sales. Despite clear successes in individual regions, we are not satisfied with the overall performance by the Consumer business segment in 2010. As a result, we resolved significant investments and restructuring measures for this segment in December. Although the effects of these measures will impact our results in the transitional phase, they will systematically restore our previous momentum,” said Thomas-B. Quaas, Chairman of the Executive Board of Beiersdorf AG.

All figures for 2010 are preliminary and have not been audited. The year-end financial statements for the Beiersdorf Group and Beiersdorf AG will be prepared by the Executive Board at the beginning of February and approved by the Supervisory Board at the end of that month. The Annual Accounts Press Conference and the Financial Analyst Meeting will take place on March 3, 2011 in Hamburg.

About Beiersdorf AG

Cosmetics company Beiersdorf AG is based in Hamburg, Germany, and has over 20,000 employees worldwide. Its sales in 2009 amounted to €5.748 billion. The company has been listed on the DAX since December 2008. Beiersdorf's NIVEA is the world's largest skin care brand*. Other names in its successful international brand portfolio include Eucerin, La Prairie, Labello, 8x4 and Hansaplast/Elastoplast. Subsidiary tesa SE is one of the world's leading producers of self-adhesive products and system solutions for industry, craft businesses, and consumers. Beiersdorf has more than 125 years of skin care experience and is known for its innovative and high-quality products.

* Source: Euromonitor, Skin and beauty products excluding perfumes and hair color by sales volume, 2009