Beirsdorf states it is unable to make financial forecast

Beirsdorf is unable to make a reliable financial forecast for 2009 because of the volatile economic climate, it has stated.

Thomas B Quaas, chairman of the executive board of the firm, asserted that the company had outperformed the rest of the market “significantly” last year.

Its group sales were 5,971 million euros (5.3 million pounds) in 2008, compared to 5,507 million euros the previous. Its operating result rose to 696 million euros from 684 million eruos in 2007.

Mr Quaas explained the figures were achieved by focusing on skin and beauty care in the last 12 months, adding it had been selling equity interests, restructuring the consumer supply chain and generating double-digit growth with its global Nivea brand.

He continued to note that, although the company could not make any firm predications, it would “again outperform the market this year”.

Beirsdorf will try and reach its goal of achieving a global market share of 5.5 per cent, Mr Quaas concluded.

One of its core brands, Nivea has been developed and sold since 1911. Its collection of products includes lip care, deodorants and sun protection.