Vitiva Charts Explosive Sales Growth

MARKOVCI, Slovenia—

Vitiva Slovenia (www.vitiva.si) posted a record 225-percent sales growth for the first half of the year, compared to the same period last year. Most sales activity focused on traditional markets for rosemary extract products, in addition to a wide range of new applications requiring odorless rosemary extract.The leap in sales was attributed to the company’s strategy of combining organic growth in core activities with expertise in the company’s main business sectors, as well as in strategic geographic regions. Vitiva annual forecast targets a 50-percent growth via broad-based segments and locations. Based on the company’s strong first-half performance, management expressed confidence the company will exceed its growth target for 2006 and meet its goals for 2007.

“We’re continuing to propel Vitiva’s business with breakthrough innovations and excellent in-market execution; this is combined with tremendous progress in plant investments and cost reduction,” said Oha Cohen, chief executive officer (CEO). “Large investments are also being made in applications and in the development of specific solutions for a completely new range of applications—ones that previously lacked rosemary extract.”

Management reported the significant growth is also the result of several strategic moves, including the initiative of joint operations with leading pharmaceutical companies and in the establishment of a new sales network in Europe and North America.