Katjes :continuing growth

Katjes Fassin GmbH & Co, KG,continued to chalk up uninterrupted growth in 2004. Ranked third on the German sugar confectionery market behind Haribo and Storck,Katjes Fassin reported growth last year of 10 %.Sales in Germany totalled €158.1 m (2003:€143 m); sales abroad were worth € 22 m (2003:€ 21 m). Katjes’licorice products performed strongly alongside their fruit gums, thanks to advertising featuring Heidi Klum. There was considerable market share gain. Also driving growth were strong sales of the Ahoj sherbet brand – acquired in 2002 and a good performer in 2003 – again thanks to successful advertising (in this case with German entertainer Hape Kerkeling) as well as to distribution network expansion. In 2005 CEO Tobias Bachmüller is expecting further, double digit growth.