Facs and Figures

The year 2006 was a challenging one for the fine chemicals and pharmaceutical industries, with diverse downward pressures on prices. Zambon continued to perform well in all geographical and business areas in 2006, in almost every case outperforming the market thanks to its strong brands. As a result, total revenues were in line with the previous year at e483m.

Enhanced operating efficiency took EBITDA to e93m, an increase of e11m on 2005. Operating profit likewise increased to e59m from e48m in the previous year, while net working capital improved from e11m to e23m.

Alongside the line extensions and new product launches which helped achieve these results, the group completed a reorganisation plan that led its fine chemicals, pharmaceutical and corporate venture divisions to become independent companies in 2007. They thus benefit from enhanced specialist focus and flexibility under group holding company Zambon Company. A further specialist entity provides transverse competencies and supporting services across the group which will enable further operating efficiencies to be achieved.

The new structure forms the platform for a radical new multi-target and multi-channel approach to relations with the group’s physician, pharmacist and consumer publics, enabling Zambon to provide closer specialist support for all three groups and address unmet areas of consumer need.

The achievements of Zambon’s brands and the new strategies developed during 2006, the centenary of Zambon’s foundation, equip the multinational with innovative positioning and a highly-efficient structure to build on its research and market-leading active ingredients in the years to come