DUSSELDORF – Henkel’s sales in the first quarter of 2012 were 4 billion euro, up 4.8% year-over-year.

The Adhesive Technologies business sector generated organic sales growth of 5.6%.

Net income for the quarter improved 30.3% to 378 million euro.

Adjusted operating profit improved 16.6% to 551 million euro, with all three business sectors contributing. Operating profit increased 25.2% to 538 million euro.
The Adhesive Technologies business sector recorded a sales increase of 6.2% to 2 billion euro. Organic sales rose 5.6%.

Adjusted operating profit in the Adhesive Technologies business sector showed a significant increase compared to the prior-year quarter, rising 16.9% to 289 million euro. Operating profit rose to 283 million euro, up 16.2% versus the prior-year period.

Total sales in Western Europe amounted to 1.44 billion euro, roughly flat with the previous year period. Sales in Eastern Europe rose 3% to 675 million euro. Nominal sales in the Africa/Middle East region went up 16.8% to 259 million euro. Sales in North America increased 10.4% to 746 million euro.

The Latin America region realized sales growth of 3.9% to 263 million euro. In the Asia-Pacific region, sales rose 9.7% to 589 million euro. Emerging markets of Eastern Europe, Africa/Middle East, Latin America and Asia (excluding Japan) recorded sales growth of 6.7% to 1.64 billion euro.

Henkel continues to expect organic sales growth of between 3% and 5% for fiscal 2012. For the Adhesive Technologies business sector, Henkel expects sales to grow in the mid single-digit percentage range.

EUR 1 = US$1.2845