Dominik Plonner
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dominik.plonner@hartmann.info
+49 7321 36 1312
In the 2018 financial year, the HARTMANN GROUP, one of the leading international providers of medical and hygiene products, achieved an increase in sales of 2.9% and an EBIT of €123.2 million despite a challenging environment.
“With the increase in sales we are in line with the growth rates of the previous years,” explains Britta Fünfstück, Chief Executive Officer of the HARTMANN GROUP. “The decrease in EBIT and consolidated net income turned out moderately. This reflects an unfavorable exchange rate development, increasing pressure on prices and margins across the industry, persistently high regulatory costs as well as expenses for sales and infrastructure,” highlights CEO Fünfstück. “Nevertheless, we will keep the dividend stable and propose €7.00 per share as in the previous year.”
Fünfstück continues: “We believe in our potential within an attractive industry environment. In order to leverage this and to sustainably develop our growth and earnings power, we will strengthen our competitive position and customer orientation. A rock-solid liquidity and financial position fundamentally support our future initiatives.”
The HARTMANN GROUP was able to increase Group sales within Germany (+1.6%, organic +1.9%), as well as in other European markets (+4.9%, organic +3.3%). In Germany, the Wound Management and Infection Management segments developed particularly well; in the other European markets, the Wound and Incontinence Management segments recorded strongdevelopment. The regions outside of Europe recorded a decline in sales (-2.8%, organic +1.3%) as a result of exchange rates.
Within the Incontinence Management segment, sales increased by 4.3% to €693.7 million. The incontinence brand LINDOR, acquired in 2017, contributed to this growth thanks to its strength in the Spanish and Portuguese market. Among the product lines, the pants from MoliCare® Mobile and the skincare line MoliCare® Skin enjoyed a growing level of customer acceptance.
Sales within the Wound Management segment rose by 3.6% to €474.2 million, driven by the focus on innovative and high-margin ranges. Here, a two-figure sales plus was recorded by superabsorbent wound dressings and the Hydro Therapy treatment concept. An encouraging rise in sales revenues was also recorded by the Mediset® pre-assembled wound treatment procedure tray.
In 2018, the Infection Management segment achieved growth in sales of 2.6% to €505.5 million, which, among other things, was driven by higher sales volumes for customized surgical procedure trays and specific single-use procedure trays for patient care. The single-use surgical instruments, surgical gloves and Sterillium®Med, a core element of the hand disinfection portfolio, also recorded dynamic growth.
In the Other Group Activities segment, which includes product ranges closely geared towards endconsumers and the retail business, the HARTMANN GROUP increased its sales by 0.7% to €446.2 million. Contributing to this, among other things, was growth from the KNEIPP Group, a leader in the area of bath products that was able to win over customers by continuing its strategy “Kneipp works. Naturally.”
The outlook for the global health industry remains positive in view of demographic change and an aging society. The demand for healthcare solutions that are cost-efficient and tailored to the customer's needs is on the rise due to increasing healthcare spending in developing countries, rising demands for nursing, increasing rates of chronic diseases, advances in medical treatment and new health technologies.
For the 2019 financial year, the company continues to expect moderate growth in the Group’s sales revenues and an EBIT between €102 million and €112 million.
CEO Britta Fünfstück: “By strengthening the competitive and cost position and by following a customer-focused innovation strategy, we will be even better positioned in the future to consistently leverage our opportunities within an environment that will remain challenging, but fundamentally attractive.”
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.