Stephanie Reuter
stephanie.reuter@hartmann.info
+49 173 3453885
Heidenheim, Germany - August 9, 2017. In the first six months of 2017, the HARTMANN GROUP, a leading international supplier of medical and healthcare products, achieved sales revenues of EUR 1,006.8 million and exceeded the prior-year figure by 3.4%, thus passing the one billion mark for the first time ever within a half-year period. As expected, growth in the second quarter was more restrained, due to among other things, changes in product range, connected with pending market launches within the Incontinence Management segment. Because of investments in growth, as reflected in particular in the greater expenditure for sales and marketing and the higher cost of raw materials and expenses for regulatory issues, the earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) were slightly lower at EUR 65.4 million (prior year: EUR 68.6 million). The Group's consolidated net income of EUR 45.4 million is nevertheless at the same level as last year (EUR 45.3 million).
"We are investing in "lighthouse projects" such as the Veroval® diagnostic devices that are crucial to our business segments' future positioning," comments Chief Executive Officer Andreas Joehle. "In return, we are prepared to accept this temporary slight dip in our EBIT margin. Moreover, we have a sound financial footing that also allows us to make targeted acquisitions, as our successfully completed takeover of the Lindor business in Spain and Portugal clearly shows."
HARTMANN achieved higher revenues in all of its sales markets. In Europe, the Group generated growth of 2.7% in sales revenues, with Germany making a disproportionately high contribution of a 4.1% rate of increase. In the non-European countries, sales revenues grew by 8.5%, also due to the positive effect of exchange rates. Here, organic growth was achieved above all in Africa, Asia and Oceania. The sales growth in the three core medical business segments, which accounted for 78.8% of the HARTMANN GROUP's total sales in the first six months of 2017, was driven to a large degree by innovative treatment and diagnostic concepts.
In the Wound Management segment, sales rose by 5.7% to EUR 224.4 million, with the Group's HydroTherapy treatment concept and its customized sets for wound treatment making a particular contribution to the growth. The Veroval® line of diagnostic devices launched in the second quarter enjoyed a high level of demand from pharmacy customers, thus contributing to the growth of the Personal Health Care sector.
The Incontinence Management segment recorded sales of EUR 319.5 million, which was the same level as last year. The strong rise in MoliCare Mobile sales revenues largely balanced out a decrease in revenues from classic products for moderately heavy to severe incontinence. The Lindor business that the Group acquired on June 30, 2017 will contribute to sales from the third quarter onwards.
In the Infection Management segment, sales revenues rose by 5.3% to EUR 249.7 million. Strategic initiatives aimed at improving hygiene compliance in the realm of hand and surface disinfection contributed to this growth.
The Other Group Activities segment saw sales climb by 3.7% to EUR 213.2 million.
The HARTMANN GROUP is one of the leading European providers of professional medical and care products and associated services. Every day, healthcare professionals and patients rely on HARTMANN brands in the segments of Incontinence Management (e.g. MoliCare®), Wound Care (e.g. Zetuvit®, Cosmopor®) and Infection Management (e. g. Sterillium®). This is expressed in our brand promise of “Helps. Cares. Protects.” HARTMANN generated sales of EUR 2.3 billion in the 2023 financial year. Founded in 1818, the Company sells its products and solutions in 130 countries around the world. For the future, the HARTMANN GROUP is currently implementing its strategic Transformation Program with its high-performance, customer-oriented and passionate team.
To learn more about the HARTMANN GROUP, visit www.corporate.hartmann.info.