Henkel
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
Led by hair color brands Palette and Brillance, hair product sales increased 19%, leading a 9.1% cosmetics/toiletries division growth in first quarter, Dusseldorf, Germany firm maintains. Division sales reached $444.2 mil. ([Euro]1=$.89) and profits grew 3.8% to $24.1 mil. Body care sales grew 4% largely due to European launch of Fa Wellness at beginning of 2001, CEO Ulrich Lehner tells analysts April 30, noting U.S. launch is not planned. Consolidated sales grew 8.7% to $2.93 bil. in quarter. Excluding exchange, acquisitions and divestitures, sales increased 3.2%. Net earnings grew 1.8% over prior-year period to $100.1 mil