Unilever 2001 Annual Report Download - page 30

2000 results compared with 1999
million million million %
2000 at
2000 at constant 1999 Change at
current 1999 at 1999 constant
rates rates rates rates
Total turnover 12 589 11 340 10 712 6%
Total operating profit BEIA 2 034 1 846 1 583 17%
Exceptional items (1 069) (926) (37)
Amortisation of goodwill
and intangibles (7) (7) (3)
Total operating profit 958 913 1 543 (41)%
Total operating margin 7.6% 8.1% 14.4%
Total operating margin BEIA 16.2% 16.3% 14.8%
Our personal care business enjoyed another very good year.
Increases in both turnover and operating profit were
recorded in all regions as the economic recovery in Asia and
Pacific and in Latin America gathered momentum.
Once again, the most significant contributor to growth was
Dove. As well as recording a strong performance in its core
category of skin care, where it remains the world’s leading
cleansing product, the brand proved to be equally robust
when extended into other markets. The launch of Dove
deodorant in Europe, Latin America and North America
was a major success. In Japan, the Dove portfolio embraced
facial foam, a bar and a body wash and, coupled with the
continued success of Pond’s, our skin business in Japan
approached 200 million.
One of the year’s marketing priorities was the global re-
building of Lux, as a contemporary and effective beauty
treatment. An early launch in Brazil returned encouraging
results. We remained leader of the personal wash sector in
North America, partly due to a positive consumer reaction
to the new Caress formulation.
In addition to the successful extension of the Dove brand,
Rexona and Axe/Lynx continued to drive growth in our
deodorant business. A rationalisation of Rexona’s ingredients
and packaging, helped achieve a single global mix and
supply chain savings and made selecting the right product
easier for consumers. Axe/Lynx was extended into further
male grooming markets – razors and shaving preparations,
and a range of hair products designed for men.
Our hair care business enjoyed another good year, growing
by almost 10%. Overall growth was driven by a strong
performance of the Sunsilk brand, particularly in Asia and
Pacific and in Latin America. There was a successful entry
into the youth hair care segment with mod’s hair in Japan,
Seda did well in Brazil, and an all-time high share was
achieved by Suave. Exploration of alternative business
channels saw the entry of the Sunsilk brand into salons
in India.
In oral care we followed a strategy of selective investment,
both in geography and products. The business saw good
growth from the Signal brand in Europe and Close-up in
Asia and Pacific. We entered the electric toothbrush market
in Italy and France, a local initiative that followed our call
for increased enterprise across all aspects of our business.
The year also saw the completion of the roll-out of our
dental chewing gum business through Europe and its first
extension into developing markets.
In Prestige, we sell fragrances under the Calvin Klein name
as well as other premier designers such as Cerruti, Lagerfeld,
Chloé and Valentino. In 2000, we agreed the sale of much
of the Elizabeth Arden business to concentrate on growing
our designer fragrance business.
Marketing highlights during the year included the launch of
the Calvin Klein fragrance Truth and the development of the
Nautica range.
Unilever Annual Report & Accounts and Form 20-F 2001
OPERATING REVIEW BY CATEGORY –
HOME & PERSONAL CARE
>27
Report of the Directors