Halma has an impressive record of creating sustained shareholder value through the economic cycle. Our reputation is built on consistently delivering record profits, high returns, strong cashflows, low levels of balance sheet gearing and a 30+ year track record of growing dividend payments by 5% or more every year. We are one of only three companies quoted on the London Stock Exchange with this record of dividend increases.
Halma's ability to achieve record profits through the recent period of unprecedented economic turbulence is derived from our strategy of operating in specialised global markets with resilient growth drivers and diverse end-customers. Growth drivers include Health, Safety and Environmental regulation which stimulates 'nondiscretionary' purchase of products whose quality and reliability requirements enable us to build competitive advantage.
In the past five years, closely targeted strategic investments have generated growth momentum to supplement our long-standing defensive qualities.
Organic growth momentum has been created by significantly increasing investment in management development, new product development and establishing platforms for growth in Asia, where Health, Safety and Environmental regulation is only now starting to emerge.
Organic growth generates the financial and business resources to fund acquisitions in our existing sectors. Through acquisitions we add value to our businesses by bringing new intellectual assets and a wider technological and geographic footprint.
Halma's defensive qualities, organic growth momentum and potential to acquire new businesses position us strongly to continue to create shareholder value and achieve even higher levels of performance in the future.