Beiersdorf maintains growth momentum in 2014

Beiersdorf has expressed satisfaction with its financial performance in 2014 following the publication of preliminary, unaudited figures for the year.

The company's sales total for 2014 came to 6.29 billion euros (4.82 billion pounds), up by 2.3 percent in nominal terms or 4.7 percent on an organic basis. Its consumer products business and tesa division both contributed positively to these results.

Beiersdorf's consumer business remained the key driver of its performance, with annual sales of 5.21 billion euros. Its three core brands – Nivea, Eucerin and La Prairie – all saw improved revenues compared to 2013.

Based on these numbers, the firm has confirmed its consolidated earnings margin guidance, excluding special factors, of 13 percent or higher, while revealing that it was able to increase its market share during the year.

Stefan Heidenreich, chief executive officer of Beiersdorf, said: "The stability and strength that Beiersdorf has achieved makes us confident about our outlook for 2015. At the same time, we are aware of the growing macroeconomic challenges in individual markets and are monitoring them closely."

This comes after the firm recently relaunched its open innovation platform Pearlfinder, in order to make it easier to form new collaborations and further improve its growth prospects.