Net income for the first six months of 2020 was $135.8 million, as compared to net income of $77.7 million, for the first six months of 2019. Net sales for the first six months of 2020 increased $86.5 million, or 4.1 percent, to $2.21 billion as compared to $2.12 billion for the first six months of 2019. This increase was primarily a result of higher volumes in each of the businesses, including the impact from acquisitions, and a more favorable mix of products sold in the closures business, partially offset by the pass through of lower raw material costs across all businesses, a less favorable mix of products sold in the metal and plastic container businesses and the impact of unfavorable foreign currency translation.

In the beverage industry, smart companies have been responding to the clean label movement for years. But did you know that shoppers, especially Millennials, consider the packaging as an extension of the ingredient list? Are you giving them the clean packaging they’re looking for?

The consolidated sales of the Group reached EUR 3,069.7 million and were thus 21.4% or EUR 541.3 million above the previous year’s figure (2020: EUR 2,528.4 million). This increase resulted primarily from the acquisition of the Board & Paper division. At EUR 269.6 million, the operating result was 16.5% or EUR 38.2 million higher than in the previous year (2020: EUR 231.4 million). Around 55% of this growth is attributable to MM Board & Paper and around 45% to MM Packaging. At EUR 244.5 million, earnings before taxes were 10.1% higher than in the previous year (2020: EUR 222.1 million). Income taxes amounted to EUR 53.8 million (2020: EUR 59.8 million), resulting in an effective Group tax rate of 22.0% (2020: 27.0%). The net profit for the year thus increased by 17.5% or EUR 28.5 million to EUR 190.7 million (2020: EUR 162.2 million).