ECULLY CEDEX, France–Cookware and small appliance global company Groupe SEB reported revenue of more than $4 billion for 2008, an increase of 12.5 percent, which it attributed to global expansion, the consolidation of Chinese company Supor and its commitment to innovation.
Given the economy, however, Thierry de La Tour d’Artaise, chairman and chief executive officer, said in a release that the company “introduced active measures in the fourth-quarter 2008 to rationalize and reduce costs. Backed by solid fundamentals and a robust financial position, the group is well equipped to defend its margins without losing sight of its long-term objectives.” At its general meeting in May, the board of directors will ask shareholders to approve a dividend of $1.180 per share, which is unchanged from last year.