Strong start to year for Reckitt Benckiser
RECKITT Benckiser – the company behind household products such as Finish dishwater tablets and Nurofen painkillers – has reported a strong start to the year.
The world’s biggest household goods maker reported first quarter sales growth of 11% driven by brands such as Vanish, Finish, Airwick, Lysol and Dettol.
The group, which employs about 800 people in Hull, said operating profits increased 13% to £275m with turnover increasing 15% to £205m.
Reckitt also owns brands such as heartburn remedy Gaviscon, Cillit Bang, Dettol detergent and Calgon water softener.
In January the group completed the acquisition of Adams Respiratory Therapeutics for £1.1bn in a bid to boost its sales in America.
As part of the deal, Reckitt is taking ownership of brands such as cough medicine Delsym and decongestant Mucinex, which are both sold over the counter in the US.
Chief executive Bart Becht said: “Quarter one was a very strong quarter, benefiting from higher investments in our Power Brands and successful new product initiatives like Airwick Freshmatic Mini and Finish Max in 1. As promised we are now adding the newly acquired Adams business to the targets.”
The company, which can trace its origins to 1814, was formed by a 1999 merger between Reckitt and Dutch business Benckiser. It now has operations in 60 countries and employs around 22,000 staff worldwide.
