4 February 2005
Boxmeer, February 4, 2005 - With net sales of EUR 1,024 million Intervet met its targets for 2004, consolidating its position as one of the world's three biggest animal health companies. Sales as reported were 1.4% ahead of year-earlier figures, but revenues grew by 4% in local currency terms.
Intervet's broad product portfolio and comprehensive global distribution network mean the company is well positioned to expand its business in core markets and strengthen its focus on core species interests.
In 2004 Intervet received approval to market several new vaccines and pharmaceuticals. Some have already been launched, while others will be introduced in 2005, contributing to further sales growth. Further improvements in the company's operating performance will also be pursued through a combination of portfolio rationalization, investment in manufacturing and strengthening support for the development of new products.
In Europe the company reinforced its strong position, boosting its share in this mature market region. Elsewhere, positive developments in the North American market boosted demand for Intervet's antiparasitic and small animal ranges, and the company's overall performance in the US market was encouraging. Respectable sales growth was also achieved in Latin America, where markets are recovering from the recent economic downturn, but conditions were more challenging in the Asia-Pacific region. Double-digit growth was reported in some Asia-Pacific markets, but those excellent results were not enough to offset the impact of exchange rate fluctuations and the avian influenza crisis on regional sales, which were down on year-earlier levels.
Intervet's pharmaceutical portfolio performed strongly, generating autonomous growth at near-double-digit levels, while the company maintained its strong position in the veterinary vaccines market. Development of the aquaculture vaccines segment is encouraging despite challenging market conditions in the European salmon market.
Intervet received approval to market several new products in Europe during 2004, including an innovative vaccine against Glässer's disease in pigs and a novel vaccine against strangles, a painful and debilitating disease of horses. Following FDA approval, Vetsulin–-the first insulin to treat diabetes in dogs–-was launched in the U.S. market. Canine and equine wormers were launched in the OTC market segment in the US, where the business also benefited from the reintroduction of some established companion animal and livestock vaccines.
Note
Intervet, a business unit of Akzo Nobel, based in Boxmeer, the Netherlands, with sales of EUR 1,024 million in 2004, is dedicated to research and development, production and marketing of innovative animal health products and feed additives. Intervet's product range for use in livestock, companion animals, poultry and fish includes vaccines, antiparasitics, anti-infectives, endocrine products,other pharmaceutical specialties and feed additives. Intervet operates globally with its own marketing organizations. The company currently employs around 5,000 people.
Internet: www.intervet.com
Akzo Nobel, based in the Netherlands, serves customers throughout the world with healthcare products, coatings and chemicals. Consolidated sales for 2004 totaled EUR 12.7 billion. The Company currently employs some 61,500 people in more than 80 countries. The financial results for the first quarter will be published on April 19, 2005.
Internet: www.akzonobel.com
For more information please contact:
Sabine Schueller Tel: +31 (0)485 587085
Communications & Public Affairs Fax: +31 (0)485 585392
Intervet International bv communications@intervet.com
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