27 June 2007
Listed on the London Stock Exchange in June 1957, Bunzl today celebrates its 50th anniversary as a publicly traded company. To mark the occasion Bunzl’s Chairman, Anthony Habgood, opened the London markets.
From its origins in the mid-19th century as a haberdashery business in Bratislava, Bunzl has developed considerably to where it stands today as a leading international distribution and outsourcing Group operating in 21 countries spanning North America, Europe and Australasia and employing a workforce of over 12,000.
In the 50 years since listing in London as a public company, Bunzl has been transformed from a paper company to a diversified manufacturing and distribution business and more recently to a focused, specialist distribution and outsourcing business.
Since listing in 1957, annual revenue has increased from about £7 million to £3.3 billion in 2006 and over the same period profit before tax has risen from about £1 million to over £200 million.
Bunzl today has a strong independent Board which has overseen the implementation of a consistent strategy of focusing on its strengths and consolidating the markets in which it competes, thereby building leading positions in a number of business sectors. Bunzl’s growth strategy combines organic development with acquisitions that extend both geographical reach and the product lines it can serve.
Anthony Habgood, Chairman of Bunzl, said:
“I am delighted to have opened the London Stock Exchange together with our former Chairman Ernest Beaumont who was a director at the time of the original listing. Today marks a significant achievement in the history of Bunzl. Over the past 50 years the Group has grown rapidly and developed its business model to be fully focused on higher return, international distribution and outsourcing businesses.”
“During its time as a public company, Bunzl has benefited from its ability to anticipate and respond rapidly to a constantly changing economic and business climate. As a result of this, shareholders in Bunzl have benefited with £1,000 invested in Bunzl in 1957 worth about £230,000 today, considerably more than the same amount invested in the all-share index.”