European building materials supplier Saint-Gobain reported sales for the first quarter of €9.9 billion (US$13.7 billion), an increase of 2.6 percent year-over-year.
“Good first-quarter trading reflects favorable trends in our markets as well as the positive weather impact in Europe," said Pierre-André de Chalendar, CEO.
Building distribution segment sales increased 6.1 percent to €4.4 billion (US$6.1 billion). Innovative materials sales were flat at €2.2 billion (US$3 billion). Construction products sales were €2.8 billion (US$3.9 billion), a 0.8 percent increase year-over-year. Packaging sales were €822 million (US$1.1 billion), down 1.6 percent.
Geographically, France was up 2.9 percent in sales, other Western European countries were up 9.3 percent, North America was down 7.5 percent, and Asia and emerging countries were down 0.2 percent.
