Rexel, Paris, France, reported first-quarter sales of €3.2 billion (US$4.2 billion), up 7.4 percent over the same period a year ago. On an organic same-day basis, sales were up 1.7 percent. Profit for the global electrical distributor increased 4 percent to €89.9 million (US$118.2 million).

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\”Rexel posted a strong performance in the first quarter, in a globally challenging context,\” CEO Rudy Provoost said. \”Sales continued to grow, driven by the Americas, Northern Europe and China, and we further improved our profitability through gross margin enhancement and cost control. Since the start of the year, we expanded our footprint in fast-growing markets and strengthened our presence in mature markets with eight acquisitions, which will fuel growth in the coming quarters.\”

Sales in Europe (57% of Group sales) grew 3.2 percent in quarter. Strong photovoltaic sales boosted results in the U.K. (+2.5%) and Germany (+4.3%). Belgium, Austria and Scandinavia also posted positive results for the period. Sales declined in Switzerland and the Netherlands, while sales were France were almost flat.

Southern European countries posted a 22.6 percent decline in sales, impacted by continued poor performance in Spain (-28.6%) and Italy (-20.3%), while Portugal remained very resilient (-0.1%).

Sales in North America (31% of Group sales) were up 15.7 percent on a reported basis. In the U.S., sales were up 5 percent in the quarter, driven by the industrial end-market, mainly in the energy and lighting segments. Sales in Canada were up 4.5 percent.

Sales in Asia-Pacific (10% of Group sales) were up 13.2 percent on a reported basis. In Australia (60% of the region’s sales), sales were down 4.6 percent, still impacted by the country’s tough macroeconomic conditions. In China (25% of the region’s sales), sales grew 14.2 percent, and in New Zealand (10% of the region’s sales), sales were down 7.8 percent.

Sales in Latin America (2% of Group sales) were up 42.8 percent on a reported basis. On a constant and same-day basis, sales were up 8.4 percent.