Sartorius reports strong performance in first quarter of 2015

Sartorius has announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2015, during which it achieved double-digit gains in order intake, sales revenue and earnings.

Its order intake climbed 13.1 percent to 276.1 million euros (199.13 million pounds) in constant currency terms, while its sales revenues surged 17.2 percent to 258.1 million euros. Operating profit also shot up by 48.7 percent.

High growth rates had already been forecast for the bioprocess solutions business, but its performance turned out to be even better than expected, while results for the lab products and services division was as robust as anticipated.

Thanks to these trends, as well as a stabilisation of its Asian business, Sartorius has raised its guidance for full year 2015, with sales now expected to grow by between six and nine percent.

Dr Joachim Kreuzburg, chief executive officer of Sartorius, said: "We are benefiting from significant growth and in addition from the favourable development of foreign exchange rates."

The firm previously took out a long-term syndicated loan of 400 million euros at the end of 2014 to support its activities over the next five years.