Currency, Raw Materials Challenges Fail to Slow Lonza

Despite challenging currency values and increased raw materials costs, Lonza's half-year progress is on track, including a 15.2-percent growth in earnings before taxes (EBIT). Saving the day were cost management efforts and efficiency improvements, which the company said helped to balance the currency effects. Overall sales grew 13 percent, led by Life sciences ingredients and exclusive synthesis divisions, while net income jumped a whopping 82.9 percent, compared to the first six months of fiscal 2007.

Source: LonzaJuly 24, 2008