Merck Group | Sales by region |
Merck Group | Sales by region* |
Strong expansion of business in the United States
Merck generated nearly one-half of sales (excluding royalty income) in European countries. Accounting for sales of €3,322 million, Europe was the most important region again in 2007. As in 2006, the largest market was France, where sales grew by 28% to €738 million, followed closely by the home market of Germany, where sales increased by 46% to €711 million. Other large sales markets where the former Serono Group had strong presences included Italy, where sales increased by 148% to €319 million, Spain, which generated a 91% increase to €313 million, and the United Kingdom, with a 32% increase in sales to €245 million. With the exception of the United Kingdom, all the named countries increased their sales also on a pro forma basis, meaning including Serono in the previous year. Sales in eastern Europe climbed by 60% to €73 million.
Thanks to the Serono acquisition, sales in North America surged by 237% to €968 million, €864 million of which was attributable to the United States, corresponding to an increase of 232%. However, taking the pro forma results of Merck Serono in 2006 into account, sales declined by 3.5% in North America and by 4.1% in the United States, also a result of currency effects.
Sales in Latin America increased by 38% to €700 million. Pro forma growth was 14%. The largest countries, namely Brazil and Mexico, increased sales by 54% and 18%, respectively.
Growth in Asia strongly influenced by the Liquid Crystals business
Sales increased by 17% to €1,785 million in Asia, Africa and Australasia. On a pro forma basis, the increase was 4.9%. Display manufacturers – the main customers of the Liquid Crystals business – are located in this region. While sales in South Korea and Taiwan – Merck’s two largest markets – grew by 5.3% to €389 million and 3.8% to €384 million, respectively, sales in Japan rose by 9.0% to €247 million. On a pro forma basis, sales in Japan declined by 1.4%, also because of currency effects. In the booming countries of China and India, Merck achieved growth of 55% to €138 million and 25% to €96 million, respectively.
