Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG
Financial Year 2006: Again record results for the Lindt & Sprüngli Group – Sales exceed the 500 million US-dollar mark in North America
Consolidated sales: | CHF 2.586 billion | + 15.1 % |
EBIT: | CHF 296.9 million | + 19.4 % |
Net income: | CHF 209.0 million | + 21.0 % |
Dividend: | CHF 275.- / 27.50 | + 22.2 % |
Kilchberg, March 20, 2007: In a slightly improved economic but persistently challenging competitive environment, Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG once again reports record results in terms of both sales and profitability for 2006, thus exceeding its own targets.
The group’s sales amounted to CHF 2.586 billion, an organic growth of 13.7% in local currency terms and 15.1% in Swiss Francs. A special highlight worth mentioning is the passing of the 500 million US-dollar mark in North America. All other subsidiaries also contributed to the impressive overall growth. Through higher sales in every important market segment, not least owing to many innovative products and outstanding marketing activities, the Group once again outpaced the growth of the overall chocolate market many times over, leading to substantial gains of market shares.
At CHF 296.9 million the operating result before interest and taxes (EBIT) improved by 19.4% – the highest increase ever in the Group’s history. Net profit showed the same exceptional performance with an increase of 21% to CHF 209 million and a return on sales of 8.1% compared to 7.7% in the previous year. Group cash flow rose by 21.5% to CHF 312.6 million and the equity ratio was at 54.2% at the end of 2006.
The manufacturing of premium quality chocolate is becoming more and more complex and is quite capital intensive. It necessitates enormous expertise and state-of-the-art technology. This is especially true when, as it is in the case of Lindt & Sprüngli, every single production step – beginning with the selection and purchase of cocoa beans and ending with the finished and packaged product – is processed entirety in-house and under own control. It is all the more pleasing that the continuously rising demand for Lindt & Sprüngli products and the excellent course of business allow the Group to make significant investments into the expansion of the subsidiaries’ production capacities.
In light of these noteworthy results, the Board of Directors is proposing to the General Annual Meeting on April 26, 2007 an increase in dividend of 22.2% to CHF 275.00 (previous year CHF 225.00) per registered share, and to CHF 27.50 (previous year CHF 22.50) per participation certificate.