Healthcare products group PZ Cussons has seen a major increase in sales, driven by demand for its Carex hand sanitiser during the coronavirus lockdowns.
The Manchester group saw revenues hit £312.9m in the half year to November 30, 2020, a 10.2% increase on the same period last year. Profits rose 13% to £36.4m.
The company said it had seen growth in all global regions, with sales of Carex hand wash and hand sanitiser increasing by 32.6%.
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Despite the boost in demand it has received from the pandemic, Cussons warned that it was 'only the start of a multi-year programme to return to sustainable profit growth'.
It added that there was continuing economic uncertainty from the Covid-19 pandemic and it was seeing costs pressures, but expected to perform in line with market expectations.
CEO Jonathan Myers said: “Our focus in the first half of this year has been to deliver a fast start for the business, with emphasis on profitable revenue growth as well as maintaining our strong balance sheet discipline.
“We saw this as essential to reset both in terms of organisational pace and agility to adapt to changing consumer and shopper habits.
“In parallel, we completed our review of the strategy to become a brand-led and consumer-focused organisation, delivering sustainable profitable growth with hygiene, baby and beauty at our core.”
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The company has announced an interim dividend of 2.67p per share.
Chair Caroline Silver said: “We are pleased with progress to date and confident in our future plans but remain cautious given the external environment."