 |
2006-03-09 News Headlines
Saint-Gobain Ceramics,
Plastics and Abrasives Divisions sales up
Group sales climbed over 8 percent reports Saint-Gobain with contributions
from the High-Performance Materials Sector for Ceramics, Plastics and
Abrasives Divisions.
The following comments mainly relate to the Group’s 2005 consolidated
data excluding the impact of BPB.
Group sales climbed 8.4% on an actual structure basis, and 3.6% like-for-like.
At constant exchange rate, consolidated sales rose by 7.4% on an actual
structure basis and 2.7% like-for-like. Sales prices edged up by 1.9%
on average, while volumes were up by 0.8%.
BPB’s accounts are reflected in Saint-Gobain Group’s consolidated
data for 2005 as from December 1, the date at which they were fully consolidated
within the Construction Products (CP) Sector. The public tender offer
followed by a squeeze-out procedure launched on December 7 resulted in
the delisting of BPB shares with effect from January 9, 2006 and the acquisition
by Saint-Gobain of all of BPB’s capital on January 19, 2006.
Overall, all of the Group’s sectors reported like-for-like sales
growth in 2005.
As in the first half, the Group’s growth over the year was mainly
driven by businesses relating to the residential construction market.
The Insulation Division, in particular, turned in the Group’s highest
organic growth figures, at 7.1%.
- The Building Distribution Sector made the largest contribution to
growth in consolidated sales and operating income on a reported basis,
posting a 13.2% increase in sales and a 16.5% rise in operating income.
Thanks to recent internal progress and the positive contribution from
recent acquisitions (especially Dahl, Sanitas-Troësch, and Optimera),
the Building Distribution business registered a further improvement in
operating margin to 5.7%, as against 5.6% in 2004. Robust French and Scandinavian
markets continue to spearhead the Sector’s growth, whilst Germany,
and to a lesser extent the UK remain on a downward trend.
- The High-Performance Materials Sector reported a renewed increase in
sales and operating income on an underlying basis thanks to a sustained
improvement in the Ceramics & Plastics and Abrasives Divisions, which
continue to benefit from vigorous manufacturing and industrial investment
activity, notably in the US. Despite a recent upturn in volumes in Reinforcements,
falling sales prices dented the division’s profitability.
- Sales volumes continued to progress in the Flat Glass Sector, with an
upturn in the construction markets in both Europe and emerging countries
countering the drop in Automotive sales observed in the second half. Due
to the energy surcharge, sales prices for flat glass used in the building
industry are slightly up on average compared with 2004. However, certain
non-recurring start-up costs reported in emerging countries weighed on
operating income.
- Packaging registered a slight rise in like-for-like sales, mainly due
to price increases implemented throughout the year, in particular in the
second half. However, rising prices failed to counter the significant
impact on the sector’s operating income of the spike in the cost
of energy and particularly natural gas in the US.
- On the back of strong contributions by each of its businesses, the Construction
Products Sector posted the Group’s highest like-for-like growth
in terms of both sales, which jumped 6.0%, and operating income, up 13.6%.
Building Materials and particularly Insulation, with sales growth of 5.2%
and 7.1% respectively, continued to reap the rewards of buoyant construction
markets in the US and Europe, barring Germany. The Insulation business
also profited from intensified development and tighter legislation regarding
improved thermal insulation in homes, especially in the UK. Pipe sales
experienced a sharp turnaround in the last three months of 2005, which
took its organic growth to 5.6% for the full year. Increases in the cost
of raw materials were comfortably offset by significant price increases
implemented from early 2005 onwards across the Sector, driving up profitability.
Saint-Gobain has initiated a series of actions concerning the divestiture
program it announced at the end of 2005, and has launched a strategic
reflection process regarding Calmar. The findings of this process should
be known during the first half of 2006. Other divestitures are also being
considered.
Find information about Saint-Gobain.
Read a recent article from Saint-Gobain; 'Development of photovoltaic
products and experience of thin film layer deposits on glass by
Saint-Gobain Vitrage and Shell will produce the next generation of
solar panels.'
Post Jobs / Search Resumes
- Register for Free at our new interactive
database
Click
here to view more news headlines.
E-mail this page to a friend 
|
|
Changing
Jobs? View
Homes for Sale in the U.S.
Post Jobs
in the
Plastics Industry
News / Resources
- Polymers link Distrupol
provides plastics processors expanded range
- Certification, Training and Courses
from The American Management Association
- Specials this month at
Online Metals
-
Looking for a Study Program?
- All this Months News
- Request Your Free Dell
Small Business E-mail Updates!
Copyright - Unless
otherwise stated all
contents of this web site are © 1998/2006 JOBWERX.COM.
– All Rights Reserved. For permission to reproduce any contents of this
web site, please advise our Syndication department: Log onto HELP
|
