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[February 2002]
Imerys Reports on 2001
Imerys Group's businesses faced a difficult economic environment in 2001, with a downturn in the second half that was especially felt in the paper and refractories sectors, particularly in the USA. Imerys says that the diversity of the group's markets and the dynamism of its acquisitions enabled it to continue its growth and maintain its income.
Consolidated sales totalled 2,898.1 million euros, compared with 2,804.7 million euros in 2000. This represents a 3.3% increase, reflecting the impact of external growth operations (+7.9%) which also reduced the Refractories & Abrasives exposure to unfavourable conditions in the steel industry (acquisition of Treibacher) and opened up new markets in Ceramics & Specialties (acquisition of K-T in the USA).
The continual improvement in the quality of the products and services offered by the group, adds Imerys, allowed it to increase prices, which partially offset a significant fall in volumes due to weakening demand. At comparable Group structure and exchange rates, consolidated sales decreased 4.3% overall, broken down as to minus 1.4% in the first half followed by minus 7.3% in the second half.
Divisional sales performances saw consolidated sales down 2.3% for Pigments & Additives, up 1.6% for Building Materials, up 11% for Refractories & Abrasives and up 15.2% for Ceramics & Specialties.
ENDS