Interim Results
GLANBIA PLC
2 September 1999
Glanbia plc
Interim Report
Half-Year Ended 3 July 1999
Summary
- Half-year results reflect the disposals, operational and
market issues announced by the Group on 1 June 1999.
- Disposals of the UK liquid milk and Irish beef operations
successfully completed.
- Group's Balance Sheet strengthened. Mid-year net
borrowings declined by IR£56.47m / Eur71.70m to IR£348.13m /
Eur442.03m, compared to IR£404.60m / Eur513.73m in 1998.
- Turnover declined 7.9% to IR£1,103.36m / Eur1,400.97m, due
to lower sales in UK liquid milk operations, lower
international product prices and the impact of disposals
completed in the first half of1998.
- Operating profit down 34.7% to IR£34.69m / Eur44.05m for
the half-year. Disappointing results in Consumer Foods and
Food Ingredients more than offset a strong recovery in the
Meat Division and good results in the Agribusiness Division.
- Profit before exceptional items and tax down 44.6% to
IR£19.41m Eur24.65m. Pre-tax loss after exceptional items
(primarily disposals related) of IR£53.65m / Eur68.12m.
- Adjusted Earnings per Share - IR3.54p / Eur4.50c (1998:
IR8.42p / Eur10.69c).
- Interim Dividend of IR2.35p / Eur2.983884c per share to be
paid.
- Satisfactory progress in strategic repositioning of
Glanbia. Total of IR£102m / Eur129.51m being reinvested in
1999 in key growth sectors and in merger related capital
expenditure.
- It is expected that the outcome for the full-year 1999,
while disappointing, will be in line with market
expectations.
Commenting on the interim results, Group Managing Director
Ned Sullivan said, 'While the rest of 1999 will be
challenging for the Group as we announced on June 1st, I am
satisfied that the many initiatives underway are building a
solid platform for sustainable growth in the future.'
Results
Glanbia plc announces a 34.7% decrease in operating profit
to IR£34.69m / Eur44.05m (1998: IR£53.14m / Eur67.48m).
Operating profit from continuing operations declined by
30.7% to IR£27.37m / Eur34.76m, reflecting delays in
completion of the re-organisation of Irish liquid milk
operations, margin pressures in the UK cheese market and
high Irish manufacturing milk prices relative to market
returns. Operating profit from discontinued operations - UK
liquid milk - declined by 46.3% to IR£7.32m, / Eur9.30m,
reflecting lower sales to the multiple sector. Operating
margin was 3.1% (1998: 4.4%).
Turnover declined by 7.9% to IR£1,103.36m / Eur1,400.97m
(1998: IR£1,198.05m / Eur1,521.21m), reflecting lower sales
in UK liquid milk operations, lower international product
prices and the impact of the disposals which took place in
the first half of 1998. Profit before exceptional items and
tax declined by 44.6% to IR£19.41m / Eur24.65m (1998:
IR£35.03m / Eur44.48m).
On 1 June 1999 the Group announced the disposal of its UK
liquid milk operations and the business and fixed assets of
its Irish beef operations, raising IR£130m / Eur165.07m in
cash, excluding working capital. IR£108m / Eur137.13m was
received before 3 July 1999 with the balance paid by the end
of that month. These transactions realised cash of IR£48.16m
/ Eur61.15m above the value of net assets. However, a non-
cash write back through the profit and loss account of
goodwill (IR£114.75m / Eur145.70m) previously written off to
reserves resulted in a net loss on the disposals of
IR£66.59m / Eur84.55m which is treated as an exceptional
item. A final provision of IR£6.46m / Eur8.20m relating to
post merger re-organisation costs has been made to give
total exceptional items for the half-year of IR£73.06m /
Eur92.76m. This resulted in a loss before tax of IR£53.65m /
Eur68.12m (1998 profit: IR£11.01m / Eur13.97m).
Adjusted earnings per share declined by 58.0% to IR3.54p /
Eur4.50c (1998: IR8.42p / Eur10.69c). A loss per share of IR
21.45p / Eur27.24c arises due to the impact of the
exceptional items (1998 earnings: IR0.18p / Eur0.23c).
The interest charge declined to IR£15.38m / Eur19.53m (1998:
IR£18.16m / Eur23.06m), reflecting lower interest rates and
tighter cash management. Non-equity minority interest, which
relates to Preferred Securities and Preference Shares, was
IR£4.95m / Eur6.29m (1998: IR£4.94m / Eur6.27m).
An interim dividend of IR 2.35p / Eur2.983884c per share is
to be paid (1998: IR2.25p / Eur2.856911c per share net),
reflecting the Board's confidence in the future of the
Group.
A total of IR£102m / Eur129.51m is being reinvested in 1999
in key growth sectors including USA food ingredients, UK
food service and in merger related capital expenditure.
Capital employed improved by IR£53.97m / Eur68.53m to
IR£224.32m / Eur284.82m since year-end. Net borrowings at 3
July 1999 were IR£348.13m / Eur442.03m, compared to
IR£404.60m / Eur513.73m at the half -year in 1998.
Commenting on the results, Group Managing Director Ned
Sullivan said: 'Glanbia's balance sheet has strengthened
considerably since year-end. We are reshaping the Group
around businesses that have strong market positions and
which offer real development potential. A major investment
programme is underway including USA food ingredients and UK
food service. Glanbia has already clarified the market and
operational issues it is facing and the rest of 1999 will be
challenging for the Group as previously stated. However, I
am satisfied that the many initiatives now underway are
building a solid platform for sustainable growth in the
future.'
Review of Operations
Consumer Foods
Glanbia's Consumer Foods Division had a difficult first half
in 1999 with turnover declining by 9.5% to IR£462.91m /
Eur587.78m (1998: IR£511.44m / Eur649.39m) and operating
profit down by 63.9% to IR£10.65m / Eur13.52m (1998:
IR£29.53m / Eur37.50m). Operating margins were 2.3% (1998:
5.8%).
The decline in turnover was primarily due to reduced sales
in the UK liquid milk business. Profits were heavily
impacted by this as well as a delay in completion of the re-
organisation of the Irish liquid milk operations, which
resulted in substantial once-off operating costs. This re-
organisation will be completed in late 1999, with benefits
flowing in 2000. In the UK retail cheese business, despite
an increase in market share, margins were affected by a
difficult environment, particularly for mild cheddar.
Pizza cheese operations performed strongly, growing volumes
and market share in a dynamic European sector. The UK food
service business also had a good performance. A new ultra-
modern chilled distribution facility is being commissioned
in October. In Ireland, progress continues in fresh dairy
products with new product introductions and packaging
innovations.
Food Ingredients
Glanbia's Food Ingredients Division had a very disappointing
result in the first half of 1999, despite a strong
performance in the USA business. Turnover declined by 11.4%
to IR£291.42m / Eur370.03m (1998: IR£328.85m / Eur417.56m),
reflecting lower international market prices and the 1998
disposal of the Wisconsin businesses. Operating profit
declined by 40.7% to IR£9.85m / Eur12.50m (1998: IR£16.60m /
Eur21.08m). Operating margins were 3.4% (1998: 5.0%).
Margins in the Irish business have been reduced by lower
international market prices and the continuing high industry
average milk price. An excellent operational performance was
achieved, including the successful implementation of a
significant rationalisation and investment programme. Good
progress was made in growing sales of formulated products
and specialised ingredients. Margin pressures are expected
to continue at least until the end of 1999.
USA operations had an excellent performance, with strong
demand, particularly for cheese products, and continued
growth in milk supplies in Idaho. The major investment
programme to increase output of cheese and ingredients is on
schedule. A new milk calcium plant has been successfully
commissioned in Richfield, Idaho, which will supply the
healthcare and health food sectors. Further market
opportunities have been created by enhancing the current
range of advanced dairy food ingredients and proteins.
Meat Division
Glanbia's Meat Division had a much improved performance in
the first half of 1999 with operating profit improving
strongly to IR£7.10m / Eur9.02m (1998: IR£0.54m / Eur0.68m).
Operating margin was 3.0% (1998: 0.2%). Turnover declined to
IR£232.80m / Eur295.60m (1998: IR£249.94m / Eur317.35m), due
to reduced market prices.
The pigmeat businesses in Ireland and the UK recovered
significantly, despite intensely competitive market
conditions, with enhanced operational efficiencies. However
performance remains somewhat below expectations. Good growth
has been achieved in retail sales of fresh pork products,
particularly in value added sectors including centrally
prepared products and meal solutions. In March the Group
acquired Nimmo Meats to augment its UK retail position.
The UK sliced cooked meats business performed well and,
despite strong competition, increased sales to a number of
key retail customers.
The Irish sheepmeat business had a difficult first half with
weak prices arising from oversupply in export markets as
well as poor demand for by-products. Nonetheless the
business continues to grow its domestic and French retail
base.
As previously announced, the Irish beef operations have been
sold.
Agribusiness
The Agribusiness Division had a good performance in the
first half of 1999, with turnover advancing by 7.8% to
IR£116.22m / Eur147.57m (1998: IR£107.82m / Eur136.91m).
Operating profit advanced to IR£7.09m / Eur9.0m (1998:
IR£6.47m / Eur8.21m). The division benefited from increased
demand for feed and fertiliser and other farm inputs. The
investment in malt enhances its value added position and
market reach in the cereals sector. Further operational
efficiencies were achieved in milk assembly and in milling
operations, which are now at optimum capacity.
Dividend
The Board has declared an interim dividend of IR 2.35p /
Eur2.983884c per share. It will be paid on 6 October 1999 to
shareholders on the register on 17 September 1999.
Year 2000 / Euro
Glanbia has been engaged for the past two years in a
comprehensive programme to address the millennium date
change. While it is not possible to give an absolute
assurance, satisfactory progress has been made and the Group
is confident that all relevant systems will be changed and
tested before year-end.
The Group has quantified the operational and commercial
implications of the Euro and an action programme to prepare
for changeover is progressing satisfactorily. Glanbia's
plans to convert to the Euro, in conjunction with its major
trading partners, are on target.
Outlook
In the 1 June announcement, Glanbia outlined a number of
market and operational issues, which are impacting Group
performance. The outcome for 1999, while disappointing, is
expected to be in line with market expectations.
Glanbia is being strategically refocused for a new phase of
profitable growth in selected consumer food markets and in
global dairy-based food ingredients. The senior management
team has been significantly strengthened. The Board is
confident that the many operational and strategic
initiatives underway will improve performance and
shareholder value in 2000 and beyond.
John Duggan
Chairman
Enquiries to:
Michael Patten, Group Corporate Affairs Manager, Glanbia plc
Tel: 056 - 72200 or 087 - 2414502
Jim Walsh, Walsh Public Relations
Tel: 01 - 6613515 or 087 - 2541700
Glanbia plc
Results for Half-Year ended 3 July 1999 in EUROS
Half-Year
ended 3
July 1999
(Unaudited)
Pre- Exceptional Total
Exceptional
Notes Euro '000 Euro '000 Euro '000
Turnover
Continuing 1,224,364 - 1,224,364
operations
Discontinued 176,609 - 176,609
operations
---------- ----------- -----------
1 1,400,973 - 1,400,973
======== ======== ========
Operating Profit
Continuing 34,758 - 34,758
operations
Discontinued 9,296 - 9,296
operations
---------- ----------- -----------
1 44,054 - 44,054
Share of profits of 127 - 127
associates
Reorganisation/merger - (8,205) (8,205)
costs
Loss on sale of 2 - (84,558) (84,558)
operations
Interest (19,534) - (19,534)
---------- ----------- -----------
Profit before 24,647 (92,763) (68,116)
Taxation
Taxation (4,788) - (4,788)
---------- ----------- -----------
Profit after Taxation 19,859 (92,763) (72,904)
Equity Minority (488) - (488)
Interest
Non-equity Minority (6,286) - (6,286)
Interest
---------- ----------- -----------
Earnings 13,085 (92,763) (79,678)
Dividends - (8,728) - (8,728)
ordinary
---------- ----------- -----------
Profit Retained/(Loss 4,357 (92,763) (88,406)
Absorbed)
======== ======== ========
Earnings per Share 3 (27.24)
========
Adjusted Earnings per 3 4.50
Share
========
Glanbia plc
Results for Half-Year ended 3 July 1999 in EUROS
Half-Year
ended 4
July 1998
(Unaudited)
Pre- Exceptional Total
Exceptional
Notes Euro '000 Euro '000 Euro
'000
Turnover
Continuing 1,293,867 - 1,293,867
operations
Discontinued 227,344 - 227,344
operations
---------- ---------- --------
1 1,521,211 - 1,521,211
======== ======== ========
Operating Profit
Continuing 50,153 - 50,153
operations
Discontinued 17,324 - 17,324
operations
---------- ---------- --------
1 67,477 - 67,477
Share of profits of 63 - 63
associates
Reorganisation/merger - - -
costs
Loss on sale of 2 - (30,511) (30,511)
operations
Interest (23,056) - (23,056)
---------- ---------- --------
Profit before 44,484 (30,511) 13,973
Taxation
Taxation (6,493) - (6,493)
---------- ---------- --------
Profit after Taxation 37,991 (30,511) 7,480
Equity Minority (532) - (532)
Interest
Non-equity Minority (6,271) - (6,271)
Interest
---------- ---------- --------
Earnings 31,188 (30,511) 677
Dividends - (8,357) - (8,357)
ordinary
---------- ---------- --------
Profit Retained/(Loss 22,831 (30,511) (7,680)
Absorbed)
======== ======== ========
Earnings per Share 3 0.23
========
Adjusted Earnings per 3 10.69
Share
========
Glanbia plc
Results for Half-Year ended 3 July 1999 in EUROS
Year ended
2 January
1999
(Audited)
Pre- Exceptional Total
Exceptional
Notes Euro '000 Euro Euro '000
'000
Turnover
Continuing 2,491,327 - 2,491,327
operations
Discontinued 430,698 - 430,698
operations
---------- -------- ------------
1 2,922,025 - 2,922,025
========== ======== ==========
Operating Profit
Continuing 112,923 - 112,923
operations
Discontinued 27,384 - 27,384
operations
---------- -------- ------------
1 140,307 - 140,307
Share of profits of 142 - 142
associates
Reorganisation/merger - (12,010) (12,010)
costs
Loss on sale of 2 - (30,074) (30,074)
operations
Interest (44,760) - (44,760)
---------- -------- ------------
Profit before 95,689 (42,084) 53,605
Taxation
Taxation (14,091) 3,174 (10,917)
---------- -------- ------------
Profit after 81,598 (38,910) 42,688
Taxation
Equity Minority (783) - (783)
Interest
Non-equity Minority (12,244) - (12,244)
Interest
---------- -------- ------------
Earnings 68,571 (38,910) 29,661
Dividends - (19,871) - (19,871)
ordinary
---------- -------- ------------
Profit 48,700 (38,910) 9,790
Retained/(Loss
Absorbed)
======== ======== ========
Earnings per Share 3 10.16
========
Adjusted Earnings 3 23.49
per Share
========
Glanbia plc
Consolidated Balance Sheet in
EUROs
3 July 4 July 2 January
1999 1998 1999
Notes Euro '000 Euro '000 Euro '000
Net Assets Employed
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets 514,794 556,536 559,275
Goodwill 3,649 - 3,482
Financial assets 19,389 17,343 19,361
--------- ---------- ------------
537,832 573,879 582,118
--------- ---------- ------------
Current Assets
Stocks 248,056 281,378 242,045
Debtors 421,712 417,817 321,092
Cash and bank 4 57,713 63,045 169,609
balances
--------- ---------- ------------
727,481 762,240 732,746
--------- ---------- ------------
Current Liabilities
Creditors 399,702 503,289 476,272
Borrowings 4 - 67,526 12,395
--------- ---------- ------------
399,702 570,815 488,667
--------- ---------- ------------
Net Current Assets 327,779 191,425 244,079
--------- ---------- ------------
Total Assets less
Current Liabilities 865,611 765,304 826,197
--------- ---------- ------------
Less:
Non-Current
Liabilities
Creditors 81,041 57,445 69,346
Borrowings 4 499,745 509,251 540,557
--------- ---------- ------------
580,786 566,696 609,903
--------- ---------- ------------
284,825 198,608 216,294
========= ========= =========
Capital and Reserves
Called up equity
share 18,571 18,571 18,571
capital
Share premium 80,005 80,005 80,005
Merger reserve 113,148 113,148 113,148
Revenue reserves 5 (105,203) (191,556) (167,172)
Capital reserve 1,804 1,804 1,804
--------- ---------- ------------
Equity Shareholders' 108,325 21,972 46,356
Funds
Equity Minority 6,170 5,547 5,682
Interests
Non-Equity Minority
Interests 142,000 134,734 129,609
Capital Grants 28,330 36,355 34,647
--------- ---------- ------------
284,825 198,608 216,294
========= ========= =========
Glanbia plc EUROs
Note 1 :
The analysis of turnover and operating
profit by business class is as follows :
Half-Year ended
3 July 1999
Operating
Turnover Profit
Euro '000 Euro '000
Consumer Foods 587,780 13,525
Food Ingredients 370,027 12,505
Meat Products 295,598 9,021
Agribusiness 147,568 9,003
------------ ------------
1,400,973 44,054
======== ========
Glanbia plc EUROs
Note 1 :
The analysis of
turnover and
operating profit by
business class is
as follows :
Half-Year Ended Year ended
4 July 2 January 1999
1998
Operating Operating
Turnover Profit Turnover Profit
Euro Euro Euro '000 Euro '000
'000 '000
Consumer Foods 649,390 37,499 1,275,305 74,603
Food Ingredients 417,560 21,080 801,452 43,019
Meat Products 317,355 683 620,931 8,450
Agribusiness 136,906 8,215 224,337 14,235
------- ------- --------- ------------
1,521,211 67,477 2,922,025 140,307
======= ======= ======== ========
Note 2 :
Loss on sale of UK Liquid Beef Total
operations : Milk
Euro '000 Euro Euro '000
'000
Profit / (loss) on 66,900 (5,753) 61,147
disposal of net
assets
Goodwill on
disposal
transferred
to profit and loss (148,506) 2,801 (145,705)
account
----------- -------- -----------
(81,606) (2,952) (84,558)
======== ======== ========
Note 3 :
Earnings per share 3 July 1999 4 July 2 Jan 1999
: 1998
(Loss)/Profit
after taxation and
Minority interest (79,678) 677 29,661
(Euro'000)
----------- -------- -----------
Weighted average
number of
Ordinary shares in 292.514 291.547 292.031
issue (million)
----------- -------- -----------
Earnings per share (Eur c) (27.24) 0.23 10.16
Adjustments :
Goodwill 0.03 - 0.01
amortisation
Loss on sale of 28.90 10.46 10.30
operations
Reorganisation/ 2.81 - 3.02
merger costs
----------- -------- -----------
Adjusted earnings (Eur c) 4.50 10.69 23.49
per share
======== ======== ========
Note 4 :
Group net 3 July 1999 4 July 2 Jan 1999
borrowings 1998
comprise :
Euro '000 Euro Euro '000
'000
Borrowings due - 67,526 12,395
within one year
Borrowings due 499,745 509,251 540,557
after one year
Less :
Cash and bank (57,713) (63,045) (169,609)
balances
----------- -------- -----------
442,032 513,732 383,343
========= ======== =========
Note 5 :
Revenue reserves : Profit Goodwill
Retained Reserve Total
Euro '000 Euro Euro '000
'000
At 2 January 1999 90,851 (258,023) (167,172)
(Loss absorbed) (88,406) - (88,406)
Goodwill on - 145,705 145,705
disposal
Currency
translation
difference on
Foreign currency 4,670 - 4,670
net investments
---------- -------- -----------
At 3 July 1999 7,115 (112,318) (105,203)
======== ======== ========
Note 6 :
Non Equity minority interests include US$100m 7.99%
cumulative guaranteed preferred securities issued by a
subsidiary in 1996 (net of issue costs), together with
Eur50.03m (IR£39.4m) cumulative redeemable preference
shares issued by a subsidiary in 1993 and 1995.
Note 7:
The figures for the half-years ended 3 July 1999 and 4
July 1998 are unaudited. The figures for the full year
ended 2 January 1999 represent an abbreviated version
of the Group's full financial statements for the year,
which received an unqualified audit report and have
been filed with the Registrar of Companies.