Lindt & Sprüngli continues its long-standing track for growth

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG, Kilchberg, has made a successful start into the financial year 2014. Sales and profit growth in the first half of 2014 was once again well above the market average. As at June 30, 2014, Group sales reached CHF 1.2 bn. This represents a gain of 6.0% in Swiss francs and organic growth in local currencies of 9.2% against the first half of 2013. The operating profit (EBIT) stood at CHF 77.1 m, equivalent to growth of 17.7% on the comparable period of 2013. After deducting income taxes at the increased rate of 27.0%, the Group’s net income of CHF 55.8 m for the first half of 2014 was also higher than in the same period of 2013. In comparison with the previous year’s figure (CHF 48.8 m) this represents an increase of CHF 7.0 m or 14.3%.

This led to further market share gains in all important markets and strengthened accordingly the company’s already leading position in the premium chocolate segment. The acquisition of the US family business Russell Stover/Whitman’s, announced on July 14, 2014, is clear evidence of Lindt & Sprüngli’s determination to expand its position in North America and further enhance its already substantial contribution to the dynamic growth of the premium chocolate segment in the world’s biggest chocolate market. In response to the good overall progress of business and the accompanying above-average volume growth, considerable further investments have been made to expand the capacity of the production facilities in Switzerland, Germany, France, and the USA.

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