Unilever Pakistan Limited has sustained its growth momentum in the first quarter of 2007, as the company's after tax profit surged by 8 percent to Rs 449 million in the first quarter ended March 31, 2007 as compared to Rs 416 million in the corresponding period last year.
The company's earning per share (basic and diluted) increased to Rs 33.75 in this period against Rs 31.24 in the same period last year. In a press release issued here on Thursday, it was stated that the company's net sales stood at Rs 5,651 million in the period under review against Rs 5,001 million in the same period last year with a growth rate of 13 percent.
The Home and Personal Care and Ice Cream businesses are the major contributors to sales growth as in the Home and Personal Care the market was very competitive and the company continued market investment behind the brands.
Sales growth of 18 percent was driven by robust performance in the Home and Personal Care products including of Lux, Surf Excel, Sunsilk and Fair and Lovely. The re-launch of Surf Excel in brighter packs supported by an effective advertising campaign has generated strong volume and value growth.
In beverages, six-percent growth was achieved in a highly competitive environment. Despite rains and the prolonged winter season in central and north regions, frozen dessert and ice cream sales grew 22 percent.-PR