Sara Lee reports “strong overall performance”

Sara Lee has reported its second year of “strong overall performance”, according to its chairman and chief executive officer.

Brenda Barnes made her comments as the organisation published its results for the 2009 financial year ended June 27th 2009.

The company reported net sales of $3.2 billion (1.9 billion pounds) for the final quarter and $12.9 billion for the year.

“I am pleased to report that we’ve just completed our second consecutive year of strong overall performance, despite tough economic and competitive headwinds,” Ms Barnes explained.

She said that the organisation’s results for 2009 are reflective of the “significant progress” it has made focusing its efforts on its “core business”, stating that both efficiency and productivity at Sara Lee have been enhanced in recent months.

In recent weeks, the company’s International Bakery division announced the signing of an agreement to sell a total of three bakery production plants to Grupo Siro.