Saint-Gobain Sales Dip

Saint-Gobain has reported consolidated sales for the first quarter of 2009 at Euros 8782M, representing a decline of 14.8% compared with the same period last year. Changes in company structure accounted for a 1.9% rise in sales, though this was almost entirely offset by the 1.8% negative currency effect. The sharp economic downturn seen in the fourth quarter of 2008 also contributed to the decline in sales.