Beiersdorf Gains 2.6% In First Half of 2012

• Beiersdorf AG officials said that the company’s performance in the first half of 2012 was in line with expectations, as organically, group sales rose by 2.6%. Group sales increased by 5.5% on the previous year to approximately $3.76 billion (€3,062 million). Operating result (EBIT) rose by 11.6% to $479 million (€390 million).

The main driver for the improvement in earnings was the company’s positive development in the emerging markets.

“On the whole, we are satisfied with how business developed in the first half of the year,” noted Stefan F. Heidenreich, chairman of the executive board of Beiersdorf AG. “The numbers reflect the first fruits of Beiersdorf’s strategic realignment. They show that we can generate profitable growth even under difficult macroeconomic conditions. We are on the right track with our moves to strengthen our brands and innovative capabilities, as well as expanding our presence and impact on the emerging markets.”

All of the company’s core brands contributed to the sales growth, led by an increase of 4.4% at Nivea, 3.1% at Eucerin, and 2.7% at La Prairie. Business development in the reporting regions was mixed, and was frequently influenced by macroeconomic developments in the individual countries.