CSM delivered an increased EBITA of € 55.8 m (+37 %) in the second quarter of 2010, excluding one-off acquisition and integration costs (€ 4.4 m). Sales for the second quarter increased by approx. 19 % to € 771.7 m (2009: € 647.6 m). The acquisition of Best Brands contributed strongly with € 100.3 m. Organic growth was -0.8 % due to a lower sales volume. Sales for the first half-year were up by approx. 10 % at € 1,415.8 m (2009: € 1,283.7 m). The acquisition effect was € 118.7 m; organic sales growth was virtually flat at -0.1 %, due to a lower volume at Bakery Supplies. Gerard Hoetmer, CEO of CSM: “In Bakery Supplies, growth in core countries such as the UK and Germany was not enough to compensate for declining sales in Southern and Eastern European countries. Maintaining our profitability in those countries whose economies are severely hit is our main objective. Innovations are essential for the future. We see it as recognition of our continued investments that our US ingredient business Caravan has received the prestigious IFT food innovation award. The integration of Best Brands is progressing according to plan. The two merged businesses continue their operations under the name of CSM Bakery Products North America, which further leverages the commercial exposure of CSM being the leader in its industry. The progress of our integration plan strengthened our confidence that we will certainly realize the communicated savings. In addition, during the integration process our belief is reinforced that the new entity will have an additional organic growth opportunity from its enhanced product and client offering. This will result in additional profitable sales opportunities, underpinning our ambition to grow our sales at 1-2 % above market growth.”