At Annual General Meeting of Henkel, CEO Carsten Knobel summarized the key developments of fiscal year 2020 and explained the effects of the Corona crisis and addressed the progress made in implementing the strategic agenda. He also highlighted the priorities for 2021 and reaffirmed the company's long-term strategic focus on purposeful growth.

“In a challenging year and despite the sharp decline of the global economy, we delivered an overall robust performance across all business units,” Henkel CEO Carsten Knobel summarized fiscal 2020.

“We achieved sales of 19.3 billion euros. Our adjusted operating profit reached 2.6 billion euros, and the margin was at 13.4 percent. Although this is a significant decrease compared to 2019, we are still very profitable. Free cash flow reached 2.3 billion euros, only slightly below the record level of the previous year. Overall, we invested 200 million euros more in brands, innovations, and digitalization than in the prior year, and we further strengthened our businesses through acquisitions. We significantly reduced our debt and we always had costs under control,” Knobel said. “This means that Henkel is and will remain financially strong and well positioned.”

Knobel addressed the progress made in implementing the company’s growth agenda. At the beginning of March 2020, Henkel presented its strategic agenda for the coming years which focuses on shaping a winning portfolio, strengthening competitive edge, particularly in the areas of innovation, sustainability and digitalization, establishing future-ready operating models as well as creating a strong and collaborative corporate culture.

“Today, around one year after the launch, I am sure: We are well on track. We have a clear roadmap. We are pursuing the right priorities for the success of Henkel in this decade. This was particularly evident in the past year,” said Knobel.

“We have achieved a lot despite the crisis. By divesting selected businesses and through targeted acquisitions, we have further strengthened our business and brand portfolio. We have further improved our competitiveness through accelerated innovation processes, our focus on sustainability and progress in digital transformation. We have adapted business processes and made them future-ready, and we have started to strengthen our culture and the 'Henkel Spirit'. That is particularly important to me,” said Carsten Knobel.

Commenting on expectations for the economic environment in the current fiscal year, Knobel said: “We expect industrial demand to recover, in some areas significantly. This also applies for consumer segments which are relevant for our company, in particular the Hair Salon business. At the same time, we believe consumer demand will return to normal levels in some categories, especially in those which saw higher demand due to the pandemic in 2020. We also assume that there will be no widespread shutdowns or production closures in our core regions.” However, the CEO also pointed out the uncertainties that still exist with regard to future developments, for example how infection rates will develop and what impact this will have on restrictions in everyday life and on demand in individual markets.

At the same time, Knobel explained: “Despite these uncertainties, we are aiming to return to sales and earnings growth in 2021. And we have already had a good start to the year. Based on preliminary figures, we expect organic sales growth of around 7 percent in the first quarter.” Henkel will provide further details and background on the sales development in the first quarter on May 6, 2021.

Knobel concluded his speech by outlining the business priorities for 2021: “In implementing our growth agenda, we want to focus on two major areas. First, we want to create competitive advantages by further strengthening innovation, sustainability, and digitalization. And second, continue to further develop our corporate culture – encouraging more collaboration and empowering our employees.”

“Overall, we feel a stronger connection and cohesion emerging again throughout the company. With more transparency, more trust, more individual responsibility, and entrepreneurial spirit. That’s what we will build on. Aside from having the right team and the right strategy, it is above all the right culture that is crucial to successfully manage crises like the current pandemic, and to be successful in the long term. We are well positioned. With our agenda for purposeful growth we want to win the 20´s for Henkel,” said Knobel.