Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. reports record financial results

The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company has reported a rise in volume, sales and earnings for the fourth quarter as well as for the 2004 fiscal year. For 2004, earnings per share were $2.19, up 11% over the prior year, on a sales increase of 19%. In 2004, global sales climbed to $3.65 billion, an increase of $580. The sales gain reflects solid global volume growth and favorable mix from Wrigley s core business, as well as a 5% contribution from the Joyco acquisition that closed April 1, 2004. Translation of foreign currencies to a weaker U.S. dollar contributed 5% to the year s sales increases.
Sales in North America were up 9. In Wrigley s EMEAI region (principally Europe), sales were up 23% on solid volume growth, particularly in Russia, Ukraine, the U.K. and Spain. In Asia, sales were up 25%, primarily due to double-digit volume growth, with especially strong contributions from China, Vietnam and Taiwan. In both EMEAI and Asia, the Joyco acquisition contributed approximately one-third of regional sales increases.
"We are very pleased with the solid performance of our core business in 2004, particularly the positive product mix in the U.S. and the volume gains across EMEAI and Asia. Progress with expansion into new confectionery items continues, as does the successful integration of our Joyco acquisition," said Ronald V. Waters, Wrigley s Chief Operating Officer.