GLENDALE, Calif. - Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE:AVY) today announced preliminary, unaudited results for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2016. All non-GAAP financial measures referenced in this document are reconciled to GAAP in the attached tables. Unless otherwise indicated, comparisons are to the same periods in the prior year.

“I am pleased to report another year of progress toward our long-term goals,” said Mitch Butier, President and CEO. “We drove strong organic sales growth and margin expansion through our strategy to accelerate growth in high value categories and disciplined execution in our base businesses.

“Label and Graphic Materials had another outstanding year and the transformation of Retail Branding and Information Solutions is on track. Results in our newly created Industrial and Healthcare Materials segment were as anticipated, and it is well positioned for profitable growth. I would like to thank our employees for their dedication and focus on our continued success.

“In 2017, we expect to again deliver solid sales and earnings growth,” said Butier. “We remain confident that the consistent execution of our strategies will enable us to achieve our long-term goal of superior value creation through a balance of profitable growth and capital discipline.”

For more details on the company’s results, see the summary table accompanying this news release, as well as the supplemental presentation materials, “Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2016 Financial Review and Analysis,” posted on the company’s website at www.investors.averydennison.com, and furnished to the SEC on Form 8-K.

Fourth Quarter 2016 Results by Segment

Prior period amounts have been reclassified to reflect the company’s new operating structure. The Label and Graphic Materials segment includes Label and Packaging Materials, Graphics Solutions, and Reflective Solutions (all previously reported in Pressure-sensitive Materials). The Industrial and Healthcare Materials segment includes Performance Tapes (previously reported in Pressure-sensitive Materials), Fasteners Solutions (previously reported in Retail Branding and Information Solutions), and Vancive Medical Technologies (previously reported as a standalone segment). Retail Branding and Information Solutions now includes tickets, tags, and labels for apparel, radio-frequency identification, and Printer Solutions.

Organic sales change refers to the increase or decrease in sales excluding the estimated impact of currency translation, product line exits, and acquisitions and divestitures. Adjusted operating margin refers to income before interest expense and taxes, excluding restructuring charges and other items, as a percentage of sales.

Label and Graphic Materials

• Reported sales increased approximately 10 percent; on an organic basis, sales grew approximately 7 percent. Within the segment, sales in Label and Packaging Materials increased mid-single digits and the combined Graphics and Reflective businesses increased low-double digits on an organic basis.
• Operating margin improved 70 basis points to 11.3 percent, driven primarily by the impact of higher volume. Adjusted operating margin also improved 70 basis points.

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