2008 - Another strong year for Hero

Consolidated revenues for 2008 reached CHF 1,919 million. Adjusting for changes in the scope of consolidation and exchange rate movements, the organic growth rate was 6.3%. Adverse foreign-exchange rates (predominantly a weaker Euro and Dollar) impacted overall sales by 5%.

The Group’s Infant Nutrition category now represents close to 40% of total revenues and delivered a growth of over 12% in 2008. This strong performance in Infant and continued growth in the Fruit category enabled Hero to increase the proportion of total revenues generated within Nutrition to a new high of 60%.

The strong growth dynamic in North America, Turkey / Central Asia and Middle East / Africa regions further enabled Hero to make steps forward in increasing the proportion of sales made outside Europe to a new high of 25%.

Stefan F. Heidenreich, Group Chief Executive, commented: “In 2008, Hero’s strong performance has clearly shown the resilience of the Hero model in delivering strong growth, international expansion and further acquisitions despite the significant economic downturn seen in all our major markets. As we enter 2009 with a global recession setting in, we remain confident that with our product portfolio centred on Infant and Fruit along with our best-in-class innovation know-how, we are well equipped to tackle the challenges of the coming year.”

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