NEWS IN BRIEF
Tetra Pak records 4.3% sales increase in 2012 despite ‘tough year’
In 2012, Tetra Pak’s packaging solutions business achieved net sales of €9.87bn ($12.9bn) for the year – a 4.2% increase on 2011 – after supplying more than 173bn individual packaging units used to deliver more than 77bn litres of milk, juice, nectars and other products to consumers.
The company has attributed this increase to double-digit growth in the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa, and “solid growth” in South and Southeast Asia, the Americas, Northern and Eastern Europe, and Central Asia.
It also delivered 505 new packaging machines, 1,971 processing units, and 1,721 pieces of distribution equipment during 2012.
Tetra Pak’s processing solutions business achieved net sales of €1.29bn ($1.7bn) – a 5.2% year-on-year increase. The company has attributed the growth to double digit growth in North Europe, South and Southeast Asia, Central and South America, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Commenting on the past year, Tetra Pak president and CEO, Dennis Jönsson, said that growth slowed across the board, even in its key growth markets.
“The economic situation is still tough, with growth slower than before, particularly in China and Brazil, our fastest growing economies. We’ve had to make some tough decisions over the past year to enable us to continue to invest in the development of new products, services and facilities that will enable our customers, retailers and suppliers to thrive in the years to come,” said Jönsson.
“We remain focused on providing our customers with the right products at the right price to meet the constantly changing needs of the market place," he added.