Hain Celestial chalks up record UK sales

Fmcg giant Hain Celestial achieved record UK sales in its fourth-quarter and full-year results, it announced yesterday.

UK sales in the three months to 30 June 2013 hit $121.1m (£77.8m), while UK sales for the full year topped $420.4m.

In the last year, Hain has completed the acquisition of Premier Foods’ jams, jellies and spreads business – including Hartley’s, Sun-Pat peanut butter and Roberston’s marmalade – as well as organic babyfood brand Ella’s Kitchen.

“With record net sales, the highest in the company’s history, we delivered a strong finish to the end of our fiscal year, and I am pleased with the results,” said Hain’s founder, president and CEO Irwin Simon. 

“Our US business achieved outstanding sales along with improvements in other key performance measures. Hain Daniels delivered increased results as it transitioned to a growing, more profitable platform in the UK, which we believe is well-positioned for accelerated growth.  Our Rest of World segment, which includes Canada and Continental Europe, also delivered solid results.”

Hain Celestial’s fourth-quarter sales rose 32.1% to $463.5m, with net profits reaching $25.9m.

The company’s full-year sales rose 25.9% to $1.73bn, with net profits reaching $119.8m.

Separately, Hain announced yesterday Stephen J Smith will replace the outgoing Ira J Lamel as chief financial officer on 31 August. Lamel’s retirement was announced in September 2012. Smith was previously CFO of Elizabeth Arden.

“Steve has an extensive background in working with consumer products companies on a global basis and brings a demonstrated ability to implement business analytics for high-performance strategic growth. Steve is the right person to work with our management team in achieving our next level of growth,” said Simon.

In May, Simon told The Grocer of his plans to revamp the New Covent Garden Soup Co and to extend the Ella’s Kitchen brand.