SIKA ACHIEVES STRONG DYNAMIC GROWTH IN FIRST QUARTER 2014
Sika AG /
SIKA ACHIEVES STRONG DYNAMIC GROWTH IN FIRST QUARTER 2014
. Processed and transmitted by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
* 23.3% sales growth (15.6% in Swiss francs) to CHF 1,206.2 million
* Sales gains in all regions
* 20.6% growth in the emerging markets
"The new Strategy 2018 is delivering positive results and we can record an
excellent business performance for the first three months 2014," said Jan
Jenisch, Chief Executive Officer. "Accelerated expansion in the growth markets,
our investments in new factories, the acquisitions we have made and the new
product launches have all had a substantial impact on Sika's growth in the first
quarter."
All Group regions contributed to the significant 23.3% increase in sales in the
first quarter of 2014, which was the fourth successive quarter with higher sales
growth. Despite a negative currency effect of 7.7%, turnover grew by 15.6% in
Swiss francs.
Sika achieved sales growth of 31.0% in the region EMEA (Europe, Middle East and
Africa). A slight upturn in construction activity in Europe, which was also felt
in the crisis-hit countries of southern Europe, contributed to this growth, as
did the acquisitions made in 2013. Furthermore, new product launches and the
mild winter had a positive effect on first-quarter business. In the region North
America, the construction markets developed positively and sales rose by 5.8%.
The accelerated expansion in the emerging markets is producing compelling
results. The region Asia/Pacific grew by 22.5%. In particular, China and the
countries of South East Asia generated double-digit growth.
Sales continued to develop at a high level in the region Latin America, rising
by 17.1%. However, the devaluation of a number of local currencies, which was
severe in some cases, resulted in high exchange rate losses.
Outlook
The Group confirms its 2014 growth target of 6% to 8% at constant exchange
rates, which is in line with the new Strategy 2018. Through further investments
in growth markets, the launch of new products, and the acquired companies, Sika
will continue to pursue its growth strategy this year. The strong currency
movements and framework conditions prevailing in some markets will remain a
challenge during the current financial year.
NET SALES IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF 2014
1/1/2013 - 1/1/2014 - Change compared to prior year (+/- in %)
in CHF million 3/31/2013 3/31/2014
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  in In local Currency Acquisition
CHF currencies[1] effect effect
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By region
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EMEA 477.5 609.1 27.6 31.0 -3.4 17.6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North America 135.1 136.0 0.7 5.8 -5.1 0.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Latin America 141.9 138.9 -2.1 17.1 -19.2 3.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asia/Pacific 202.4 222.1 9.7 22.5 -12.8 3.9
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other segments
and
activities 86.2 100.1 16.1 20.4 -4.3 0.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales
consolidated 1,043.1 1,206.2 15.6 23.3 -7.7 9.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Products for
the
construction
industry 805.4 946.4 17.5 25.7 -8.2 11.9
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Products for
industrial
manufacturing 237.7 259.8 9.3 15.1 -5.8 0.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] including
acquisitions
FINANCIAL CALENDAR
Half-year report 2014 Friday, July 25, 2014
Results first nine months 2014 Thursday, October 30, 2014
Net sales 2014 Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Media conference/analyst presentation Friday, February 27, 2015
on full-year results 2014
Sales first quarter 2015 Tuesday, April 14, 2015
47(th) Annual General Meeting Tuesday, April 14, 2015
SIKAÂ AG Zugerstrasse 50 CONTACT Dominik Slappnig
6341 Baar, Switzerland Corporate Communications &
www.sika.com Investor Relations
TELEPHONE +41 58 436 68 21
E-MAIL slappnig.dominik@ch.sika.com
SIKA CORPORATE PROFILE
Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a leading position in the development
and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping,
reinforcing and protecting in the building sector and the motor vehicle
industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 84 countries around the world and
manufactures in over 160 factories. Its more than 16,000 employees generate
annual sales of CHF 5.14 billion.
The media release can be downloaded from the following link:
Media Release :
http://hugin.info/100359/R/1777337/606659.pdf
This announcement is distributed by GlobeNewswire on behalf of
GlobeNewswire clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that:
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and
other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and
originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Sika AG via GlobeNewswire
[HUG#1777337]
