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LONDON (Alliance News) - PZ Cussons PLC Wednesday said that brand renovation and innovation continued to drive organic growth in the first quarter of its new financial year, boosted by the recent acquisition of Australian baby-food brand, Rafferty's Garden.
The international consumer-products group said that trading and cash generation so far this year has been in line with management expectations.
It said that in the UK new product launches, including the re-launch of its shower range Imperial Leather, have boosted trading in its washing and bathing division. It also said that within the division, its has extended its mothers and babies product range, Cussons Mum & Me.
PZ Cussons said that all four brands in its beauty division performed well, with the sales of self-tan brand St Tropez boosted by the appointment of model Kate Moss as brand ambassador. It also said that it has a number of new product launches within the beauty division planned for both the UK and international markets during the remainder of the calendar year.
Within Europe, the company said that its trading performance was particularly strong in both its home-care and personal-care divisions in Poland. It said that its expects merger control clearance for the sale of home-care brands to come shortly.
PZ Cussons said that in Asia, it has seen positive momentum in Indonesia across its babycare and non-babycare ranges.
It said that in Australia, its home care and personal care division has remained robust, and its newly acquired Rafferty's Garden Australian baby food business is performing well, and in line with management expectations. It said that plans to expand the brand international are already underway.
The group said that despite political unrest in Africa, it has seen positive growth momentum in Nigeria, with new product launches planned across all categories over the next few months.
It said that the palm oil refinery that was constructed as part of its joint venture with Singapore-based agribusiness company Wilmar International continues to increase production levels on a monthly basis. It said that a new consumer brand called Mamador was launched during the quarter.
PZ Cussons shares were quoted early Wednesday at 423.70 pence, up 2.80p.
By Rowena Harris-Doughty; rowenaharrisdoughty@alliancenews.com; @rharrisdoughty
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