Consolidated sales of the Saint-Gobain Group for the first quarter of 2004 amounted to 7,233 million, compared with 6,986 million for the same period in 2003, representing an increase of 3.5% on an actual structure basis, and 1.3% based on a comparable structure.
At constant exchange rates(*), sales were up 7.4% on an actual structure basis and 5.1% based on a comparable structure. This increase was achieved thanks to a significant 5.1% rise in sales volumes in most of the Groups geographic areas, while sales prices held firm.
This performance demonstrates Saint-Gobains ability to reap the benefits of the economic recovery currently taking hold, particularly in industrial production and capital spending.