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Medical textiles maker Hartmann posts 2% hike in H1 sales

18 Aug '14

3 min read

Revenues at wound care, incontinence hygiene and infection protection provider, German Hartmann Group rose 2.3 percent year-on-year to EUR 909.5 million in the first six months of 2014. Organic growth, net of exchange-rate and acquisition effects stood at 3.6 percent from a year earlier.

Consolidated net income increased by 23.9 percent from a year ago, to EUR 39.1 million in the January to June 2014 period. Hartmann said this shows that the strategic direction of the Group, with a clear focus on customer needs, has been well received in the market.

The strongest sales growth came from the Wound Management segment, which witnessed sales revenues rising by 3.4 percent year-on-year to EUR 199.6 million in the first half of 2014. Growth in particular came from modern wound care products, post-operative dressings and first-aid supplies, while sales of negative-pressure wound therapy system rose dynamically, Hartmann said.

In the Incontinence Management segment, sales revenues were EUR 309.2 million, a marginal year-on-year hike of 0.3 percent. According to Hartmann, MoliCare Mobile - the incontinence pants for mobile patients and Menalind professional - the skin-care range for the irritated skin of elderly people, showed good sales performance.

Sales revenues in the Infection Management segment grew 2.0 percent to EUR 217.8 million in the period under review. Especially in the product categories of surgical sets, hand and surface disinfectants as well as disposable surgical instruments, Hartmann achieved good growth.

Measures to promote efficiency had a positive impact on Hartmann Group earnings in the first half of 2014. Reorganization of logistics structures in Germany also had a positive effect on earnings. With the expansion of sales activities, especially in the field of modern wound care, Hartmann invested in future growth. However, continued price pressure from customers had an adverse impact on earnings.

EBIT increased by 19.9 percent to EUR 60.3 million and consolidated net income improved by 23.9 percent to EUR 39.1 million in the first half of 2014, compared to the previous year.

Hartmann Group continued on the path of a high equity ratio. The equity ratio was 53.7 percent at the end of the first half of 2014 and net debt of the Group on June 30, 2014 was EUR 61.9 million compared to EUR 118.5 million on the same date in the previous year.

Andreas Joehle, CEO of Hartmann Group said, “In the current year, through a permanent work program, we will also continue to work on the efficiency of our processes and implement measures to reduce costs and improve results. Overall, the Hartmann Group sees itself well positioned and expects moderate sales growth and a moderate increase in EBIT in 2014.”

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India