Church and Dwight reports strong organic sales growth

Church and Dwight has achieved strong organic sales growth, it has claimed, a statement that accompanies the release of its third-quarter financial results for 2009.

The firm’s reported net sales for the third quarter increased by 2.5 per cent to $646.2 million (390.6 million pounds), while its organic sales also grew by 5.7 per cent.

Consumer Domestic sales stood at $481.7 million for the period – representing a $36.9 million, or 8.3 per cent, increase on figures reported in 2008.

Additionally, gross margin increased to 44.1 per cent in the third quarter, compared to 39.8 per cent during the correlating period of last year.

Chairman and chief executive officer of Church and Dwight James Craigie commented: “The strong organic sales growth was driven by consumer appeal of our high quality premium products and value-oriented products, new products, carryover benefits of 2008 pricing actions and a record level of marketing spending.”

Earlier this year, Church and Dwight reported first-quarter net income of $62.2 million (41.7 million pounds) – a result it said reflected exceptional gross and operating margin expansion.