International. Sika announced that it achieved accelerated sales growth of 8.3% in the fourth quarter of 2015, while total sales for the year increased by 6.2% in local currency. All regions contributed to growth, as did investments in new factories and domestic subsidiaries.
The company expects an above-measured increase in operating profit for 2015. Since the businesses have achieved the objectives set out in the 2018 Strategy ahead of schedule. Good behavior highlighted the need to safeguard Sika's model for success in the interest of all parties.
Sika said all regions realized significant sales growth and market share gains during the 2015 business year, with double-digit growth in the core markets of the U.S., Mexico, Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
Group sales increased by 6.2% at constant exchange rates. Excluding negative growth in the Chinese market, sales increased by 7.4%. The strength of the franc led to conversion effects of -7.7%, and thus to a marginal -1.5% decrease in sales in Terms of Swiss francs to 5.49 million Swiss francs.
