The annuals released by Lafarge Group, a global renowned cement manufacturer, on Feb.14 shown that the group’s capacity to earn profit realized a big growth in 2007, specifically, given that the sales maintained small growth, the growth of the net profit was near 40 percent.
Statistics from the annuals shown that the sales of Lafarge Group increased by 4 percent last year, amounting to EUR17.614bn and the net profit enjoyed big growth, up by 39 percent, reaching EUR1.909bn, and the net profit per share amounted to EUR11.05, up by 41 percent. Meanwhile, the ROI of the group rose to 11 percent from 9.4 percent of the year before last and the cash flow increased by 23 percent, reaching EUR1.7bn.
Bruno Lafont, chairman of Lafarge Group, expressed that the growth of the global cement demands had never been stopped for over 20 years, and since it set its layout in the fast developing market early, Lafarge Group held an ideal position in the competition.
Lafarge Group has full confidence in its future development. While keeping its performance growth in 2008, it has established specific objectives by 2010: the net profit per share shall reach EUR15, after-tax ROI shall reach 12 percent, and cash flow shall exceed EUR3.5bn.