02.27.09
In fiscal 2008, Henkel increased sales by 8.1% to $17.9 billion. According to the company, the substantial increase is mainly attributable to Henkel's acquisition of the National Starch businesses in April 2008. All the company's business sectors contributed to this organic growth, with Laundry & Home Care and Cosmetics/Toiletries showing a stronger dynamic.
"Despite the difficult economic environment, we sustained our very good position in 2008. Once again, all our business sectors were able to outperform their respective markets, with our businesses in the emerging markets making a particularly strong contribution," said Henkel CEO Kasper Rorsted. "At the beginning of 2008, we initiated a global efficiency enhancement program in early response to the increasing economic difficulties encountered in the market. With this and the acquisition of the
National Starch businesses, we have been able to sustainably strengthen our competitiveness. Moreover, our heightened focus on our strategic priorities is already beginning to yield benefits."
Mr. Rorsted continued: "We know that 2009 is not going to be an easy year. At the moment it is difficult to predict how the economy as a whole is going to develop. However, we are well equipped and confident we will emerge from this difficult economic environment with our position strengthened."
The financial result for 2008 also reflects a gain of $1.3 billion arising from the sale of the company's stake in Ecolab Inc.
Sales in the Laundry & Home Care business sector rose organically by a
gratifying 3.8%, outstripping the rate of expansion in its markets. Nominal sales rose by 0.6% to $5.29 billion, with foreign exchange having a negative effect. The rise was primarily price-driven. Growth came mainly from the Europe/ Africa/Middle East region, with Eastern Europe generating the primary impetus. In Western Europe, on the other hand, sales remained below the 2007 level.
With organic sales growth of 4.7%, the Cosmetics/Toiletries business
sector significantly outpaced its markets. In nominal terms, sales rose by
1.5% to $3.8 billion, reflecting both the absence of marginal activities, divested to streamline the portfolio and the impact of adverse foreign exchange movements.
In the regional breakdown too, the acquisition of the National Starch businesses had a positive effect, promoting further sales growth in all regions. Europe/Africa/Middle East posted a significant sales increase of 4.5% to $11.2 billion. By contrast, sales in Western Europe underwent a slight decline. Sales in North America rose by 5.6% to $3.42 billion. Latin America continued to perform very well, posting an increase in sales of 12.8% to $989 million. In the Asia-Pacific region, sales grew by 40.1% to $1.9 billion.
In the fourth quarter, sales rose by 11.1% to $4.4 billion. In November 2008, Henkel successfully placed its 29.3% stake in Ecolab Inc., on the stock exchange. The proceeds from the sale amounted to $2.1 billion.
"Despite the difficult economic environment, we sustained our very good position in 2008. Once again, all our business sectors were able to outperform their respective markets, with our businesses in the emerging markets making a particularly strong contribution," said Henkel CEO Kasper Rorsted. "At the beginning of 2008, we initiated a global efficiency enhancement program in early response to the increasing economic difficulties encountered in the market. With this and the acquisition of the
National Starch businesses, we have been able to sustainably strengthen our competitiveness. Moreover, our heightened focus on our strategic priorities is already beginning to yield benefits."
Mr. Rorsted continued: "We know that 2009 is not going to be an easy year. At the moment it is difficult to predict how the economy as a whole is going to develop. However, we are well equipped and confident we will emerge from this difficult economic environment with our position strengthened."
The financial result for 2008 also reflects a gain of $1.3 billion arising from the sale of the company's stake in Ecolab Inc.
Sales in the Laundry & Home Care business sector rose organically by a
gratifying 3.8%, outstripping the rate of expansion in its markets. Nominal sales rose by 0.6% to $5.29 billion, with foreign exchange having a negative effect. The rise was primarily price-driven. Growth came mainly from the Europe/ Africa/Middle East region, with Eastern Europe generating the primary impetus. In Western Europe, on the other hand, sales remained below the 2007 level.
With organic sales growth of 4.7%, the Cosmetics/Toiletries business
sector significantly outpaced its markets. In nominal terms, sales rose by
1.5% to $3.8 billion, reflecting both the absence of marginal activities, divested to streamline the portfolio and the impact of adverse foreign exchange movements.
In the regional breakdown too, the acquisition of the National Starch businesses had a positive effect, promoting further sales growth in all regions. Europe/Africa/Middle East posted a significant sales increase of 4.5% to $11.2 billion. By contrast, sales in Western Europe underwent a slight decline. Sales in North America rose by 5.6% to $3.42 billion. Latin America continued to perform very well, posting an increase in sales of 12.8% to $989 million. In the Asia-Pacific region, sales grew by 40.1% to $1.9 billion.
In the fourth quarter, sales rose by 11.1% to $4.4 billion. In November 2008, Henkel successfully placed its 29.3% stake in Ecolab Inc., on the stock exchange. The proceeds from the sale amounted to $2.1 billion.