Henkel untouched by crisis

In 2008, sales increased 8.1% to 14.13 billion euros, mainly on the company’s National Starch acquisition. Adjusted for foreign currency exchanges, sales rose 11.6%.

 Profits increased
31% to 1.23 billion euros. The 2008 results include a gain of 1.04
billion euros from the sale of the company’s stake in Ecolab Inc.Organic sales growth was 3%, falling within the
range of the company’s forecast for the year.
The integration
of National Starch boosted restructuring charges and expenses to 663
million euros, compared to 34 million euros the previous year.

“Despite the difficult economic environment, we sustained our
very good position. Once again, all our business sectors were able to
outperform their respective markets, with our businesses in the
emerging markets making a particularly strong contribution,” said
Henkel CEO Kasper Rorsted.

Henkel Hungary's
sales was HUF 79.5 billion, similar to the last year. 44.6% of total
sales was export. The volume decreased in the fourth quarter.

Despite the crisis
Henkel invested HUF 1.9 billion for developing in Hungary, first of
all in its plant in Kőrösladány.