Press Room
July 31, 2003
German Version Platinum award for Cognis’ 2002 annual report
Specialty chemicals supplier Cognis has received three awards for its 2002 annual report. The League of American Communications Professionals (LACP) made it a winner in the "Chemicals" category, and sixth overall of 950 annual reports it evaluated from all over the world. Cognis also received the Platinum award in the “most improved” section.
The San Diego-based LACP is a body that aims to promote excellence in all forms of communication, and its prestigious annual awards recognize the world’s best annual reports. Cognis’ annual report scored 27 out of a possible 30 for the first impression it made, and 9 out of 10 in the Narrative, Financials, Creativity, Information Accessibility and Cover categories.
Although Cognis is not a publicly traded company, the globally operative specialty chemicals group has been publishing comprehensive annual reports with high design values since becoming an independent company with its demerger from the Henkel Group in 2000. Comments Joachim Söhngen, Cognis’ CFO: “Our goal is an IPO within three to four years. The annual report makes it clear how we are preparing for this. The jury’s decision vindicates our belief that we have given the public a convincing and coherent picture of our strategy and the way our company is progressing.”
The core element of the concept for the 2002 annual report was an attractive narrative, giving a clear overview of the company’s objectives, its orientation towards the growth markets of “Wellness” and “Sustainability”, and the Improvement Programs it is implementing to achieve its corporate targets. It focuses on examples of the company’s innovative ideas and solutions. Illustrations of consumer products based on Cognis products are used to make it more relevant for readers. Susanne Marell, Vice President Corporate Communications at Cognis, was responsible for the award-winning brochure in collaboration with Düsseldorf-based agency creativ partner. She says: “We deliberately chose a journalistic style for the copy in the report, with highly emotive visuals. We wanted to do more than just communicate facts. Our aim was to strengthen the positive image of the Cognis brand, among the financial community, among our trading partners, and among potential employees.”
About Cognis:
Cognis is a worldwide supplier of innovative specialty chemicals and nutritional ingredients with almost 9,000 employees in close to 50 countries. The company has dedicated its activities to a high level of sustainability and delivers natural source raw materials and ingredients for food, nutrition and healthcare markets, and the cosmetics, detergents and cleaners industries. Additionally, Cognis provides solutions for a number of other industries, such as coatings and inks, lubricants, textiles and plastics, as well as agriculture and mining.
Cognis is owned by private equity funds advised by Permira, GS Capital Partners, and Schroder Ventures Life Sciences. In 2002, Cognis recorded sales of 3.1 billion euros and an operating profit before depreciation, amortization and exceptional items (EBITDA recurring) of 393 million euros.
Note:
Pictures of the annual report and the LACP award can be downloaded from the Cognis image database (www.cognis.com).
Contact:
Susanne Marell, Vice President Corporate Communications,
Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
Phone: +49-211-7940-5395
e-mail: susanne.marell@cognis.com
Internet: www.cognis.com
Susanne Sengel, Communications Manager,
Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KGM
Phone: +49-211-7940-5431
e-mail: susanne.sengel@cognis.com
Internet: www.cognis.com