Reckitt Benckiser mops up on sales
13 April 2012
HOUSEHOLD products giant Reckitt Benckiser topped analysts' expectations today with a 21% rise in 2003 pre-tax profits to £660m.
Sales growth of 7%, to £3.7bn, was among the strongest since the group was created through the merger of Reckitt with the Dutch Benckiser group in 1999.
It was powered by new products, said chief executive Bart Becht, with good performances from innovations such as the Dettol floor cleaning mop.
Products launched in the past three years account for more than a third of sales and an even higher proportion of profits. Launches for 2004 include a bladeless razor depilatory kit, which removes hair in three minutes.
The dividend total is raised 10% to 28p.
