BIC - 2020 Universal Registration Document

COMMENTS ON THE YEAR

Operations and consolidated results

OPERATIONS AND CONSOLIDATED 5.1. RESULTS

THE GROUP IN 2020

2020 Key Events May

On May 20, five actions were announced by BIC to improve short-term resilience in the context of the Covid-19 crisis and strengthen its “BIC 2022 – Invent the Future” transformation plan to accelerate long-term growth.

June

On June 18, launch of the BIC-Iprova Invention Lab to enhance BIC’s Innovation and Research & Development (R&D) capability.

July

On July 1, completion of the acquisition of Djeep, one of the main manufacturers for quality lighters. This acquisition aims at strengthening BIC’s position in the pocket lighters market and offers substantial growth opportunities in Europe and North America. On November 10, launch of BIC’s “Horizon” plan, aimed at driving growth and ensuring sustainable returns to Shareholders. This strategy, which is an extension of the ongoing “BIC 2022 – Invent the Future” transformation plan, is focused on a set of initiatives that build on BIC’s strengths, with an intensified focus on consumer needs and sustainability. On December 15, signature of a Purchase and Sale Agreement to sell its Brazilian Adhesive Label business, PIMACO, to Grupo CCRR. This divestiture is consistent with BIC’s portfolio rotation strategy and its focus on fast-growing consumer businesses such as Creative Expression and Digital Writing. On December 15, acquisition of Rocketbook, the leading smart and reusable notebook brand in the U.S, marking the Group’s entrance into Digital Writing.

November

December

Full Year 2020 Net Sales were 1,627.9 million euros, down 16.5% as reported and down 12.6% on a comparative basis. The negative impact of currency fluctuations (-4.2%) was mainly due to the decline of the Brazilian real and of the U.S dollar against the euro.

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• BIC GROUP - 2020 UNIVERSAL REGISTRATION DOCUMENT •