Beiersdorf says restructuring hit earnings in third quarter

Frankfurt, Nov 3, 2011 (AFP) - German cosmetics group Beiersdorf, maker of Nivea products, said on Thursday that deep restructuring measures hit earnings and sales in the third quarter.

Photo: Beiersdorf / Nivea.

Beiersdorf, which also makes Tesa sticky tape and adhesives, said in a statement its bottom-line net profit fell by 24.8 percent to 76 million euros ($104 million) in the period from July to September on a 0.6-percent decline in sales to 1.374 billion euros.

Taking the first nine months, net profit declined by 4.8 percent to 336 million euros while sales grew by 1.1 percent to 4.275 billion euros.

Beiersdorf embarked on a massive shake-up of its business at the end of last year, including the sale of its make-up business to focus on skin-care.

Chief executive Thomas Quaas insisted: "We are continuing to hit our planning targets in full in our realignment year."

The business refocus "is bearing fruit," he said.

As a result, Beiersdorf was standing by its forecast for a "slight increase" in full-year sales and an after-tax return on sales of 7.0-8.0 percent, Quaas said.