Chinese direct for Durex condoms boosts SSL sales

Emily Ford & ,}

The builder of Durex condoms and Scholl shoes likely that annual sales for the year would be up by some-more than a fifth among fender direct in rising markets.

SSL International pronounced yesterday that it approaching sales for the twelve months to the finish of Mar to be in the segment of 795 million up by some-more than twenty-two per cent on the same duration last year. It pronounced this was due especially to the purchase of a determining interest in Beleggingsmaatschappij Lemore, a Russian condom maker, in Apr last year and the merger of Gainbridge, Ukraines greatest condom maker, in October.

Garry Watts, the companys arch executive, pronounced that both businesses were doing well and would minister around 120 million to organisation sales this year. Mr Watts pronounced that on an underlying basement sales of Durex and Scholl were approaching to enlarge about 4 per cent on the prior year. He pronounced that expansion in sales of Durex-branded condoms had been important in China, Poland and Germany, whilst Scholl footcare had finished well in Japan, France and Germany.

He added: The opening this year has been encouraging, notwithstanding the challenging mercantile sourroundings in the UK and Italy. Our core branded business continues to show great like-for-like expansion with strengthening positions in both grown and rising markets.

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SSL shares, that had risen by 78 per cent in the year prior to yesterdays announcement, rose 9p to 808p after the update. That values the company, which has mostly been seen as a probable takeover aim for Reckitt Benckiser, at 1.717 billion.

Analysts pronounced they were cheered by the actuality the association appeared to be enjoying improved distinction margins in Russia and China traditionally regarded as costly countries in that to do commercial operation than elsewhere. Sally Taylor, an researcher at JP Morgan Cazenove, said: This was a calming trading matter somewhat forward of expectations.