Wolfgang König to succeed Jens-Martin Schwärzler as Executive Vice President Beauty Care

Wolfgang König ‏(48), currently Category President Kellogg North America, will join the Henkel Management Board as Executive Vice President for the Beauty Care business effective June 1, 2021. He succeeds Jens-Martin Schwärzler ‏(57) who will not be available for another term. He has been with Henkel for more than 28 years and has led Henkel Beauty Care since 2017.

Henkel expects strong start into fiscal 2021

Despite the continued challenging economic environment as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, Henkel expects a very strong organic sales growth in the first quarter of 2021. According to preliminary figures, Henkel expects for the first quarter organic sales growth ‏(excluding the impact of currency effects and acquisitions/divestments) of around 7 percent, significantly above current market expectations of around 3.5 percent.

Henkel delivers overall robust performance in fiscal 2020 despite substantial impact from COVID-19 pandemic

• Balanced portfolio, strong innovations, financial strength, and dedicated team as key enablers for robust business performance in a global crisis
• 2020 results at upper end of full-year guidance:
  • Group sales reach 19.3 billion euros, organic: -0.7 percent
  • EBIT margin* at 13.4 percent, -260 basis points, corresponding to an operating profit* of 2.6 billion euros
  • Earnings per preferred share ‏(EPS)*: 4.26 euros,-17.9 percent at constant exchange rates
• Very strong free cash flow of 2.3 billion euros, net financial position significantly improved
• Proposed dividend on prior-year level: 1.85 euros per preferred share
• Implementation of agenda for purposeful growth on track, clear roadmap for further execution in 2021 and beyond
• Outlook for 2021:
  • Organic sales growth: 2.0 to 5.0 percent
  • EBIT margin*: 13.5 to 14.5 percent
  • Earnings per preferred share ‏(EPS)*: an increase between 5.0 to 15.0 percent at constant exchange rates