Beiersdorf sees growth following reorganisation in 2011

Beiersdorf has experienced year-on-year growth of 2.1 percent on a like-for-like basis in 2011, a period that saw the company undergo significant restructuring.

Preliminary sales figures from the company showed an increase in sales to 5.63 billion euros (4.71 billion pounds), with both its consumer and Tesa business segments seeing improvements.

Though performance in the consumer sector varied between regions, UK business was described as showing "extremely positive" signs, with other growth regions including Russia and Latin America.

This comes at the end of a year that saw Beiersdorf realign and strengthen the consumer health business by streamlining its portfolio, while also launching a major new Nivea marketing push to coincide with the brand's 100th anniversary.

For example, the firm engaged media specialist Brandbank last month to ensure its Nivea ecommerce sales channels are supported by up-to-date product images and data.

Thomas Quaas, chairman of the executive board at Beiersdorf, added: "Towards the end of the fiscal year, we took a second step in the form of fundamental decisions on the regional realignment of our consumer business that will improve our future profitability considerably."