Sika significantly exceeded its growth targets for full year 2014. It increased sales by 13% (in local currencies) to CHF 5,571.3 million. All regions contributed to this growth and set new sales records. The negative currency effect for the full year was 4.7%. Sales in Swiss francs increased by 8.3% after adjustment for currency effects.

Sales in the region EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) experienced an increase of 13.3%. Visible growth drivers in the Middle East and Africa and the moderate recovery seen in the southern European markets had a positive impact on the region's development. North America recorded a 7.9% increase in sales. Construction projects put on hold in recent years are now being carried out. The region Asia/Pacific witnessed a 12.9% increase in sales, breaking the CHF 1 billion barrier for the first time. At 16.0%, sales growth remained consistently high in Latin America in 2014. In a demanding business environment, Sika benefited from its strong market presence.

Accelerated development and expansion in the emerging markets continued in 2014. New factories were opened in Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, Singapore, India and Serbia. In the US, two new production facilities were commissioned in Atlanta and Denver.

The founding of six new international subsidiaries in Sri Lanka, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, Mozambique, Ivory Coast and Nigeria has created a basis for tapping additional markets.

The 873 employees working in R&D are the main drivers of new product developments and Sika's innovative strength. In the 2014 financial year, 70 new patent applications were filed, and a large number of new products were launched in all key target markets.

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