Bell Food Group has reported a 15.4% rise in sales revenue to CHF 4.1 billion (€3.6 billion) for its financial year 2018.
EBITDA grew by 8.8% to CHF 305 million, while sales volume increased by 19.6% to 542.9 million kilograms.
The company saw an annual profit of CHF 89.3 million (€78.6 million), which is 16.1% (CHF 17.2 million) lower when compared with results from the previous financial year.
Gross profit from operating activities rose by CHF 256.6 million (€225.79 million) to CHF 1.6 billion (€1.4 billion).
Gross profit margin rose by 1.5 percentage points to 38.6%.
Growth Drivers
Growth was driven by the company's convenience business, which accounted for one-quarter of the group’s sales revenue.
The acquisitions of Hügli and Sylvain & Co, as well as operational progress, substantially strengthened its position in the convenience food segment, the company said.
The food group also witnessed organic growth in its core business areas – meat, poultry, seafood, and charcuterie.
Outlook For 2019
The food manufacturer aims to finalise the integration of Hügli and Sylvain & Co in 2019.
Its new facility in Marchtrenk in Austria is expected to stimulate the company's strategic growth in the convenience segment.
© 2019 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.