Beiersdorf Reports Preliminary Fiscal 2009

The Beiersdorf Group’s sales and earnings within fiscal year 2009 were in the expected target range, according to a press release, with preliminary figures showing sales of €5,748 million (previous year: €5,971 million) and EBIT (excluding special factors) of approximately €585 million (previous year: €696 million).

The consumer business segment recorded organic growth of 1.2% and generated sales of €5,011 million (previous year: €5,125 million). The global consumer markets saw substantial variations in performance. China and Latin America achieved convincing double-digit sales growth; Germany, the company’s core market, once again had a very successful year after a strong previous year, while Eastern Europe and the U.S. also recorded a rise in sales. Sales in Western Europe declined. As predicted, provisional consumer EBIT amounted to roughly €556 million.

“Beiersdorf’s Group sales were down only slightly on the record figures recorded in 2008, despite the fact that the economic environment was hit by the crisis last year," said Thomas B. Quaas, CEO, Beiersdorf Group. "Although tesa recorded a decline in the industry sector, the consumer business segment slightly exceeded last year’s sales. Our realistic assessment at the beginning of the year allowed us to take the appropriate measures to counter the different effects on our two business segments. We reacted quickly and will maintain this flexibility, as the global economic crisis has led to a new reality with new structures emerging. The group will continue to be a success and increase its global market share in these new conditions: Beiersdorf will again grow faster than the market in 2010.”

All figures for 2009 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 4, 2010 in Hamburg.

Additional information is available from the company.

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