In North America, sales of consumer tissue products rose nearly 16 percent, driven by higher net selling prices, up over 8 percent, and sales volumes, which advanced more than 5 percent.
Product mix also improved 2 percent primarily due to the introduction of Kleenex Anti-Viral facial tissue. Innovative new products and packaging highlighted the quarter's solid volume growth.
Scott bathroom tissue volumes rose at a double-digit rate, benefiting from the successful launch of the new Scott Extra Soft line extension. Additionally, new Kleenex Moist Cloths, along with Anti-Viral facial tissue and revamped packaging, contributed to a high single-digit volume gain for the Kleenex brand.
In Europe, consumer tissue sales increased 5 percent. Sales volumes improved 5 percent, while favorable currency effects and product mix of about 5 percent and 1 percent, respectively, were negated by a 6 percent decline in net selling prices. Consumer tissue sales in developing and emerging markets increased 18 percent, driven primarily by higher sales volumes, including double-digit growth in Asia, and favorable currency exchange rates.
Sales of business-to-business products decreased 3.5 percent in the quarter, but were nearly 6 percent greater excluding 2004 sales from pulp operations that were part of the Neenah Paper spin-off.
Operating profit in the second quarter of 2005 was $636 million, approximately 2 percent greater than the prior year despite continued significant cost inflation.
marketing@alchempro.com
