| HOME >> MEDICINE >> TECHNOLOGY |
Operational Highlights Year to DateMedical Market Business Update:
Sales to North and South America remained robust, growing by approximately 30.1%. The growth was driven by increased orders from American and Brazilian clients, since Winner Medical's product quality and customer service is well recognized in these areas. However, net sales to Europe grew approximately 6.8% versus the fiscal year 2009. Orders in Europe slowed as the economic impact from the sovereign debt crisis hit, and some clients postponed or cancelled orders, particularly those located in Greece and Spain.
Cotton prices hiked during the fourth quarter, and the average pre-tax purchasing price rose over 38.3% for fiscal year 2010 compared to the same period of last year. Manufacturers such as Winner Medical raised prices to offset these unprecedented levels of commodity inflation, and customers postponed orders. The Company maintained stable gross margin, because it signed long term contracts with its raw material suppliers and purchased cotton forward contracts to hedge against some of the volatility in the cost of cotton. As of December 8, 2010, most of clients had accepted its new selling prices and orders were increasing. The Company believes that one positive benefit to the soaring cotton prices is that many small competitors without sufficient scale are reducing output and shu
'/>"/>
| SOURCE Winner Medical Group Inc. Copyright©2010 PR Newswire. All rights reserved |