The Saint-Gobain Group delivered consolidated sales of EUR 30,925M during the first 9-m of 2006, an increase of 20.1% on a reported basis and of 19.1% at constant exchange rates (based on average exchange rates for the first 9-m of 2005). The contribution from acquisitions, net of disposals, accounted for an increase of 12.8%. The Gypsum division (formerly BPB) posted a 13.3% rise in sales over the 9-m period, to EUR 2,931M. Organic growth came in at 6.3% on a like-for-like basis (comparable Group structure & exchange rates), fuelled by continuous sales price rises (up 3.3%) & on-going satisfactory growth in volumes (up 3.0%). The robust trading performance recorded in the first 6-m of the year (up 6.3% for first-half 2006) continued throughout 3Q (up 6.2%), enabling the Group to maintain organic growth for the 9-m at the same level as for first-half 2006.
