SIKA ACHIEVES STRONG DYNAMIC GROWTH IN FIRST QUARTER 2014

Sika AG / SIKA ACHIEVES STRONG DYNAMIC GROWTH IN FIRST QUARTER 2014 . Processed and transmitted by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

• 23.3% sales growth (15.6% in Swiss francs) to CHF 1,206.2 million
• Sales gains in all regions
• 20.6% growth in the emerging markets

"The new Strategy 2018 is delivering positive results and we can record an excellent business performance for the first three months 2014," said Jan Jenisch, Chief Executive Officer. "Accelerated expansion in the growth markets, our investments in new factories, the acquisitions we have made and the new product launches have all had a substantial impact on Sika's growth in the first quarter."

All Group regions contributed to the significant 23.3% increase in sales in the first quarter of 2014, which was the fourth successive quarter with higher sales growth. Despite a negative currency effect of 7.7%, turnover grew by 15.6% in Swiss francs.


Sika achieved sales growth of 31.0% in the region EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa). A slight upturn in construction activity in Europe, which was also felt in the crisis-hit countries of southern Europe, contributed to this growth, as did the acquisitions made in 2013. Furthermore, new product launches and the mild winter had a positive effect on first-quarter business. In the region North America, the construction markets developed positively and sales rose by 5.8%.

The accelerated expansion in the emerging markets is producing compelling results. The region Asia/Pacific grew by 22.5%. In particular, China and the countries of South East Asia generated double-digit growth.

Sales continued to develop at a high level in the region Latin America, rising by 17.1%.  However, the devaluation of a number of local currencies, which was severe in some cases, resulted in high exchange rate losses.

Outlook

The Group confirms its 2014 growth target of 6% to 8% at constant exchange rates, which is in line with the new Strategy 2018. Through further investments in growth markets, the launch of new products, and the acquired companies, Sika will continue to pursue its growth strategy this year. The strong currency movements and framework conditions prevailing in some markets will remain a challenge during the current financial year.

NET SALES IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF 2014

in CHF million	1/1/2013 - 3/31/2013	1/1/2014 - 3/31/2014	Change compared to prior year (+/- in %)
			in CHF	In local currencies[1]	Currency effect	Acquisition effect
By region
EMEA	477.5	609.1	27.6	31.0	-3.4	17.6
North America	135.1	136.0	0.7	5.8	-5.1	0.0
Latin America	141.9	138.9	-2.1	17.1	-19.2	3.0
Asia/Pacific	202.4	222.1	9.7	22.5	-12.8	3.9
Other segments and activities	86.2	100.1	16.1	20.4	-4.3	0.0
Net sales consolidated	1,043.1	1,206.2	15.6	23.3	-7.7	9.2
Products for the construction industry	805.4	946.4	17.5	25.7	-8.2	11.9
Products for industrial manufacturing	237.7	259.8	9.3	15.1	-5.8	0.0
[1] including acquisitions

FINANCIAL CALENDAR

Half-year report 2014	Friday, July 25, 2014
Results first nine months 2014	Thursday, October 30, 2014
Net sales 2014	Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Media conference/analyst presentation	Friday, February 27, 2015
on full-year results 2014
Sales first quarter 2015	Tuesday, April 14, 2015
47th Annual General Meeting	Tuesday, April 14, 2015

SIKA AG

Zugerstrasse 50 6341 Baar, Switzerland www.sika.com

CONTACT TELEPHONE E-MAIL

Dominik Slappnig Corporate Communications & Investor Relations [phone] [e-mail]

SIKA CORPORATE PROFILE
Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing and protecting in the building sector and the motor vehicle  industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 84 countries around the world and manufactures in over 160 factories. Its more than 16,000 employees generate annual sales of CHF 5.14 billion.

The media release can be downloaded from the following link:

Media Release

---

This announcement is distributed by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions on behalf of NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions clients.
The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Sika AG via Globenewswire

HUG#1777337

--- End of Message ---

Sika AG
Zugerstrasse 50 Baar

WKN: 858573;ISIN: CH0000587979;