DKSH net sales increased by 3.1% last year

The company said in a press release issued on Thursday that profit after tax increased by 22 per cent to CHF260.3 million. 
The operating profit of CHF263.6 million was below last year (excluding one-time effects the operating profit of CHF284.3 million was 4.3 per cent below prior year).
In line with the progressive dividend policy the Board of Directors will propose a higher ordinary dividend of CHF1.85 per share (+12.1 per cent) to the Ordinary General Meeting on March 21, 2019.
Stefan P. Butz, CEO, DKSH said: “The three Business Units Healthcare, Performance Materials and Technology reported increased results. With the divestment of the Healthcare business in China, we realised a sizeable profit. However, in a challenging market environment, performance in Business Unit Consumer Goods was significantly below last year.
“Therefore, we have started to restructure the business. This will impact the first half of 2019, though we are confident that results for the Business Unit will be better than in 2018 due to the started measures. For 2019, we expect a higher operating result for the DKSH Group.”
DKSH announced two acquisitions in growing and highly profitable business segments during 2018. In June, DKSH acquired Davies Foods’ beverage business in New Zealand and in December, DKSH signed an agreement to acquire Auric Pacific’s distribution business in Singapore and Malaysia.