Further growth in second quarter

In the second quarter of 2014 Stanley Black & Decker reported a growth in sales of one per cent compared to the same quarter last year which equates to a net sales figure of USD 2.9 bn (€ 2.2 bn). Free cash flow reached USD 376 mio (€ 281 mio), an increase of USD 272 mio (€ 203 mio) compared to the second quarter of 2013. In the DIY business unit (including brands such as Dewalt, Stanley, Black+Decker, Bostitch and Powers) the positive effects of volume, pricing and acquisitions were neutralised by negative currency effects, the company reports. Revenues reached USD 1 395 mio (€ 1 041 mio) and the profit USD 218.2 mio (€ 162.7 mio). This equates to an operating margin of 15.7 per cent. The company additionally states that, just as in the first quarter of the year, the organic growth in Europe continued to grow in strength with seven per cent, due to the introduction of new products and the continued expansion of business with existing and new distributors.