Ales results driven by strong growth in overseas activities

Sales in 2006 grew by 6.6 per cent to reach €161.9m - which was driven by an 11.2 per cent increase in the company's skin care operations and a 4.3 per cent rise in its hair care operations. Net profit, which included non recurring items amounting to €2.4m, were up 55.3 per cent, to $8.9m, while operating profit rose by 26.1 per cent, to $18.6m. The figures also revealed a changing trends in the company's international and domestic sales, reflecting the company's growing profile overseas. The company's sales in France fell by four per cent, which was more than made up for by the fact that international sales rose by 15.1 per cent. Indeed, the rise in the international sales figures means that its export now account for 60 per cent of the total sales. The company said that the 2006 sales figures were also boosted by significant investments during the course of 2005, including new affiliates in Spain and Poland, as well as new local affiliates in Belgium and Italy. The last quarter of 2006 also saw the company make a concerted effort to broaden its scope in the US market, with the opening of a flagship institute and training centre in Lexington Avenue, New York. The company said that looking ahead to 2007 a major marketing campaign had already been launched to boost the dermo-cosmetic brand Lierac, which the company said had already had a positive effect on the results for the first quarter of the year. It also added that during the course of the year it would be continuing to develop its affiliates and distributors as well as launching a number of new products during the latter course of the year.