9. Henkel

9. Henkel
Germany
www.henkel.com
Beauty Sales: $4.4 billion
Corporate Sales: $19.3 billion

Key Personnel: Kasper Rorsted, chief executive officer; Dr. Lothar Steinebach, chief financial officer; Hans Van Bylen, executive vice president, cosmetics/toiletries; Jeff Piccolomini, president, Henkel of America, Inc.

Products/Brands: Shampoos and conditioners, hair colorants, shower gels and bath products, skin care products, dental care and hair salon products, including brands such as Schwarzkopf, Fa, Right Guard, Dial, Gliss, Igora, Gliss Kur, Schauma, Taft and Diadermine.

New Products: Activ Dr. Hoting, Got2b glued, Gliss Kur Oil Nutritive, Schuama Kiwi Glanz, Drei Wetter Taft Sensitive, Fa Naturals shower gel, Fa Foam Soap, Dial Yogurt Hand Wash.

Comments: In 2007, sales of Henkel’s cosmetics and toiletries rose 3.7% to $4.4 billion with organic growth of 5.8%. Cosmetics/toiletries comprised 23% of sales. According to the company, business in Eastern Europe, Africa/Middle East, Latin America and Asia all posted above average growth. Incremental recovery was noted in Western European markets, boosted by developments in hair cosmetics and body care, and in North America, where development of the Right Guard brands portfolio was said to be instrumental in strengthening the company’s position. During the fiscal year, Henkel sold its Morris Profumi fine fragrance business to focus on its key cosmetic and personal care offerings, including Schwarzkopf, Fa and Dial. Kasper Rorsted became CEO, replacing Ulrich Lehner.
  

Gliss Kur is a top performer for Henkel.

Innovation was key in 2007, with what Henkel refers to as its “innovative offensive.” Nature, Anti-aging and Men were determined to be its three key targets. Successful innovations in 2007 included the body care series Fa Natural & Pure and Fa Natural & Soft, and its anti-aging skin care product Diadermine Age ExCellium.
  
According to Henkel, business in Western Europe grew substantially faster than the market. In Eastern Europe, Henkel continued its strong growth performance with a double-digit percentage increase in revenues. “Appreciable growth” was achieved in the Middle East and in Latin America. Sales in North America reflected the expansion of Dial, according to the company.
  
By product group, Henkel recorded a substantial increase in sales and market share to new record levels. In hair products, performance was driven by top colorant brands, including Palette and Brilliance. Also, Men Perfect, a new men’s color line from Schwarzkopf, achieved good results. In body care, Dial and Fa successfully introduced products such as Fa Naturals shower gel and deodorant complementing the established yogurt range in Europe. Dial also increased sales with a new yogurt variant as well as with Dial for Men. Henkel’s skin care business was boosted by its main brand, Diadermine.
  
Henkel has continued its leadership in the sustainability area, winning awards for corporate and social responsibility. The company was recently listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, and the list of “World’s Most Ethical Companies.”
  
Henkel said that it expects its cosmetics market to expand by about 2% in 2008, with growth driven by North America and Eastern Europe.