Givaudan Says Profitability Further Improved in First Half

Flavour Division sales totalled CHF 1,133 million, representing a growth of 12.6% in local currencies and 3.4% in Swiss francs. Asia Pacific reported a single-digit growth rate in the first six months versus good 2007 comparables.

11/08/08 In the first half year 2008, the business of Givaudan has proven resilient with above market growth in a difficult economic environment.

Sales totalled CHF 2,095 million, representing a growth of 13.5% in local currencies and 4.5% in Swiss francs. On a pro forma basis – which reflects the combined activity of Givaudan and Quest over the period ending 30 June 2008 and assumes that the acquisition had taken place on 1 January 2007 - sales increased by 3.0% in local currencies and excluding the ongoing portfolio streamlining. Including this effect, sales on a pro forma basis increased 1.7% in local currencies and declined by 6.5% in Swiss francs.
 
This good performance again reflects the strong complementarities of the combined businesses as well as the effective integration process which created practically no disruption. The EBITDA and operating profit margins in comparable pro forma terms improved by 1.2 and 0.4 percentage points respectively, despite rising raw material, energy and transportation costs. Net profit increased by 13.3% to CHF 94 million. Earnings per share were CHF 13.22.
 
Fragrance Division sales reached CHF 962 million, growing 14.7% in local currencies and 5.7% in Swiss francs. On a pro forma basis and excluding the impact of discontinued ingredients, sales showed a growth of 1.1% in local currencies and a decrease of 7.0% in Swiss francs. The moderate local currency growth was driven by the solid performance of the Consumer Products business and a double-digit sales growth in specialty ingredients. Sales in Fine Fragrances declined compared to prior year particularly due to heavy de-stocking in the earlier part of the year. Growth in the second quarter, driven by new launches, compensated substantially for this decline.
 
Flavour Division sales totalled CHF 1,133 million, representing a growth of 12.6% in local currencies and 3.4% in Swiss francs. On a pro forma basis and excluding the discontinuation of commodity ingredients and the St. Louis divestment, sales increased 4.6% in local currencies and declined by 3.9% in Swiss francs.
 
Asia Pacific reported a single-digit growth rate in the first six months versus good 2007 comparables. Accelerating growth in the second quarter driven by growth of the existing business and new wins in all major segments fuelled sales performance in the European and North American regions. Despite uncertainty about the macro-economic environment in the USA, the region continued to deliver strong incremental revenue from new wins. Latin America delivered strong growth in the second quarter, offsetting a weak performance in the first quarter.
 
The gross profit margin on a pro forma basis declined from 47.6% to 46.5%. As a result of increasing raw material, energy and transportation costs, Givaudan will continue to pursue price increases, whilst maintaining tight cost control and pursuing further efficiency gains.