
An increase in operating improvement in Bell Group's international activities led to an increase in first-half profits at the Switzerland-based meat company.
The group, which owns the Bell, Polette, Zimbo and Hilcona brands, reported a 5% jump in net profit to CHF32m (US$32.7m). EBITDA increased 7.2% to CHF90.5m.
Sales volume increased to 16,104 tonnes. Sales for the business overall grew 0.2% to CHF1.28bn but were impacted by currency translation differences and deflation in raw material prices.
Bell said its international arm is "on course overall".
For the remainder of the year, Bell said Hilcona's business performance should continue to develop successfully in the second half. Bell expects a further profit improvement compared to the second half of 2014, as a result of international operating progress, despite an expectation of "a price war and pressure on margins in the retail market" increasing in the period.

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