Preliminary benchmarks for the 2012 fiscal year of the Otto Bock HealthCare Group

When adjusted for acquisitions and exchange rate effects, this amounts to organic growth of 10.5%.

Employees of the Otto Bock HealthCare Group

During the course of the 2012 fiscal year, the number of full-time employees increased by 406 to 5,196 of whom 104 persons are apprentices.

Sales by business area

We develop, manufacture and sell orthopaedic technology products (Orthobionic) and rehabilitation products (Bionicmobility) worldwide. In addition to products for prosthetic fittings, the Orthobionic product range also includes orthoses and epitheses as well as devices for passive exercise therapy. We are global market leader in prosthetics. Products in the Bionicmobility division include high-quality lightweight and active wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, child rehabilitation devices and seating shell elements, neuroimplants and products for functional electrostimulation. In 2011, 83.0% of our net sales were attributed to the Orthobionic division. We have achieved good nominal growth rates in both business divisions.

When adjusted for exchange rate effects and acquisitions, that rate was 15.6% in the Bionicmobility business area and 9.6% in the Orthobionic business area.

Sales by region

We have generated positive growth in all regions. Growth was once again driven by the emerging markets in the Asia/Pacific, Latin America and EEMEA (Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa) regions. Nominal growth exceeded 20% in these regions. Once again growth was most dynamic in the EEMEA region (Eastern Europe/Middle East/Africa). With growth adjusted for exchange rate differences coming in at over 42%, this region once again significantly exceeded the already favourable growth rates in 2012. Latin America and Asia/Pacific also achieved record values with growth rates of 35% and 15% respectively, adjusted for exchange rate differences. North America generated growth of 8.4% adjusted for exchange rate differences, therefore failing to fully meet our high expectations.  We achieved the lowest sales increase in Western Europe with nominal growth of 2.5%. This region failed to meet the sales target, mainly due to the general economic situation in the Mediterranean countries.