European building materials supplier Saint-Gobain reported sales for 2015 of €39.6 billion (US$43.3 billion), up 3.3 percent from 2014. Profit increased 35.9 percent to €1.3 billion (US$1.4 billion) from the previous year.
Innovative materials sales were up 6.5 percent in 2015, while sales for the construction products sector were up 5.7 percent and building distribution was up 0.2 percent.
Geographically, sales in France were down 4.2 percent, other Western European countries were up 4.5 percent, North America was up 13.6 percent and Asia and emerging countries were up 3.8 percent.
"The group completed a key stage in the reorganization of its business portfolio, with the sale of Verallia on very favorable terms, and continues to pursue its plan to acquire a controlling interest in Sika after obtaining all antitrust approvals prior to closing the deal," said Pierre-André de Chalendar, CEO. "In a still very volatile macroeconomic environment, we will continue to adapt in 2016 and are targeting a further like-for-like improvement in operating income."
Fourth-quarter sales were €9.8 billion (US$10.6 billion), an increase of 1.5 percent from the same period the previous year.
