Baar,14.01.2009

Record turnover

Despite declining sales in the fourth quarter the construction chemical concern Sika made record sales in 2008. These amounted to 4.6 billion francs.

That figure corresponds to a 1.1 per cent increase over the previous year, according to a company press release Tuesday. This figure is short of the anticipated increase of 4.7 billion francs. Excluding negative currency influences, the sales increased by around 7.3 per cent.

In the fourth quarter the turnover in Swiss francs dropped by around 6.5 per cent while in other currencies a 1.3 per cent increase could be achieved. In the last quarter the negative currency influences combined with the (to an extent) high prices of raw materials could have an effect on the profit margins, as the enterprise communicated on Tuesday.

The regional development of the markets show that the regions India, the Middle East and Africa grew most strongly, with an increase of around 30,0 per cent in local currency, followed by Latin America with 24,5 per cent growth. In North America the sales increased around 7,0 per cent. With 0,9 per cent, growth was lowest in southern Europe. Sika wants to announce profit margin figures on 24 February.

Source/Media Partner: Neue Zuger Zeitung

(picture: Ernst Baertschi, Sika CEO)