Bell Group has booked a slight increase in profits for 2013 as a decline in margins was more than offset by higher sales.
The company said today (24 February) that net profit increased 1% to CHF76.6m (US$86.2m) in the year to end-December. EBITDA rose by around CHF4.5m to CHF190m, as the group lapped one time costs totalling approximately CHF9m.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Bell said that an increase in raw material prices hit gross margins, which fell from 33% to 32.1% in the period.
Bell was, however, able to raise selling prices in the year. As a result the company booked a a 3.7% increase in sales, which rose to CHF2.62bn. Bell said it increased prices by around 7%, while sales volumes declined 1.7%.
