Interim Results
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC
18 August 1999
INTERIM STATEMENT - SIX MONTHS TO 30TH JUNE 1999
Half year Turnover increased by 2.5% to £1,474 million
results
Profits increased by 10.2% to £253 million
Earnings per share increased by 10.5% to 6.22p
Dividend increased by 12.2% to 1.20p
These results, with a profits growth of 10.2% and earnings
per share up 10.5%, were in line with the forecast made at
the Annual General Meeting in May. At constant exchange
rates, turnover would have increased by 1.9%, profits by
10.7% and earnings per share by 11.0%.
Turnover growth was good in many businesses, particularly in
such higher margin businesses as European textile services
and healthcare, European security and UK education and
training.
However, overall turnover growth was held back by contract
losses in some specific low margin activities, resulting in a
profit decline in these businesses. Reductions in turnover
and profit were therefore seen in UK catering, UK hospital
services, UK management services and UK cleaning as well as
in US personnel. In Asia, turnover and profit are still down
on a year on year basis because of the low business base in
comparison with the start of the previous year. Overall the
turnover of these businesses reduced by 11.6% and profit by
24.6%.
Excluding these low margin activities and the Asian
businesses, turnover would have risen by 5.6% and profits by
15.9% (at constant exchange rates).
Trading - By geographic area
* United Kingdom turnover was down 2.3% to £659m which would
have been up by 1.2% excluding the above UK low margin
activities. Margins also improved to give profits of £135m,
up by 5.1% which would have been an increase of 9.5%
excluding the above UK low margin activities. There was
strong growth in textile services and healthcare, as well as
in education and training and personnel services. There was
good growth in security and in distribution with continuing
growth in our parcels delivery business; pest control was
disappointing although net contract additions improved.
* Europe showed an excellent turnover growth of 15.7% at actual
exchange rates to £365m, which would have been up 12.7% at
constant rates. Margins also improved to give a 29.0%
increase in profits to £67.4m (an increase of 25.9% at
constant rates). Particularly strong growth was seen in
textile services and healthcare as well as in tropical plants
and pest control with good growth in security and
distribution.
* North America showed an increase in turnover of 1.6% at
actual rates to £380m (which would have been a fall of 0.4%
at constant rates). The turnover would have increased by
3.7% without the reduction in turnover in the low margin US
personnel services. Profits were down by 6.6% at actual
rates to £33.4m reflecting the poor performance of US
personnel services and US distribution. There was good
growth in plant services with profits held back by a regional
strike and in tropical plants investment held back profits.
* Asia Pacific and Africa showed an increase in turnover of
5.8% (at constant rates) which was adversely impacted by
exchange rates to give a reduction of 5.2% in sterling terms.
Margins were held to give a reduction in profits of 5.4% at
actual rates to £22.7m, which would have been an increase of
6.7% at constant rates. These results continue to be held
back by Asia where, although the economies generally started
to show improvement, turnover and profits were still below
last year as a result of the sharp reduction in the business
base over the last year. Without Asia, this region would
have shown an increase in turnover of 12.6% (at constant
rates) and an increase of 13.9% in profits reflecting good
performance in Africa with sound development in Australia and
a good performance in Japan.
- By business stream
* Hygiene Services showed a good increase in turnover of 6.8%
to £468m, which would have been an increase of 5.5% at
constant rates and an increase of 9.6% excluding the turnover
reduction in the low margin UK cleaning activities and in
Asia. Margins also improved and profit grew by 13.8% at
actual rates to £111m which would have been a 13.2% increase
at constant rates and a 20.0% increase excluding UK cleaning
and Asia. Good growth was produced in textile services and
healthcare, particularly in Europe.
* Personnel Services turnover fell by 4.0% at actual rates to
£161m which would have been a fall of 5.3% at constant rates.
However this fall was a result of the large fall in the US
personnel business and, excluding this, turnover would have
grown by 6.5%. Margins improved well and profits grew by
6.1% (5.5% at constant rates) to £17.6m, which were reduced
by the poor performance in the US business, with UK education
and training and UK personnel both producing excellent
growth.
* Pest Control Services showed turnover increasing by 2.6% at
actual rates to £94.1m and 2.0% at constant rates with
profits falling by 0.8% to £32.9m (a 1.1% fall at constant
rates). This was a result of a flat performance in the UK
and the reduction in Asia but there was good growth in
Europe.
* Property Services turnover fell by 12.2% at actual rates to
£144m (which was a 12.4% fall at constant rates) but margins
were improved to give profits of £22.1m, a reduction of 2.6%
at actual rates (3.0% at constant rates). This sector was
impacted by the loss of low margin business in UK catering
and UK management services and, without these activities (and
at constant rates), the fall in turnover would have been 4.7%
but profits would have grown by 3.6%. There was sound
progress in tropical plants with good growth in Europe
offsetting investment in the US business.
* Security Services produced a 7.7% growth in turnover at
actual rates to £223m (up 6.6% at constant rates) with a
sound growth of 7.9% in profits to £22.9m (up 7.4% at
constant rates). UK, Europe and North America are primary
areas for further development.
* Transport Services turnover grew by 3.9% (up 4.5% at constant
rates) to £384m and profits grew by 5.7% to £52.6m (up 9.0%
at constant rates). UK parcels showed continuing growth and
there was also good growth in other distribution activities
in the UK, Europe and Asia Pacific but results in US
distribution were very disappointing. USA plant services
turnover growth was good although profits were held back by a
regional strike.
Cash flow Cash flow in the half year was £134m (after capital
investment but before acquisitions, dividends and purchase of
own shares) which was down on the exceptional £153m in last
year's first half but ahead of the £99m cash flow in the
first half of 1997.
Year 2000 - IT Our programme to ensure that our IT software and hardware
will function through the year end 1999 into the year 2000 is
now almost totally complete and all testing should be
completed during the third quarter. We believe that all
critical systems are or will be fully compliant.
Acquisitions During the first half of 1999 we spent £5.8m on acquisitions
(including deferred payments) and to date in 1999 we have
spent £12.6m on twelve acquisitions. These acquisitions
included our entry into pest control in Taiwan and bolt on
acquisitions to our security alarm businesses in France and
UK and to our tropical plants businesses in Australia, France
and Denmark as well as to the manned guarding business in
USA.
Dividend An interim net dividend of 1.20p per share (1998: 1.07p) will
be paid on 5th November 1999 to shareholders on the register
on 1st October 1999.
Objective Given lower levels of inflation and growth, our 20% objective
has now been reviewed and whilst such increases may be
achieved in the future, the company has revised its
objective:-
'To substantially outperform the support services
sector (as measured by total shareholder return)
over the next five years - through a constant focus
on our core activities and a continual drive to
improve the quality of service delivery, the
quality of technical leadership, the quality of
culture, the quality of management and the quality
of earnings.'
Strategy We have also reviewed and revised our strategy to achieve
this objective:-
'To develop a global business services company with
a focused range of high growth and high quality
services which ideally should be cash generative
and in non-cyclical markets. These are marketed in
the major developed economies of the world, using
the combined strength of the 'Rentokil' and
'Initial' brands.'
Our core activities are:
- Hygiene - Healthcare and Textile Services, Cleaning
- Personnel - Education and Training
- Pest Control
- Property Services - Tropical Plants
- Security - Electronic Security and Manned Guarding
- Transport - Parcels Delivery
These will be our focus both for organic and acquisition
growth.
In implementing this strategy, we are adopting a more
flexible approach to the pricing of large contract/low margin
business in specific activities in order to reduce the
adverse impact which has been experienced in 1999.
In spite of our continual evaluation of acquisition
opportunities, cash flow continues to exceed the investment
into new acquisitions. Now that we have improved the returns
and values of some of our non-core activities we are
reviewing the opportunity to produce value for shareholders
from their disposal. We are also reviewing the strategy and
timing of returning cash to shareholders.
In order to improve organic growth we are focussing on the
opportunities of our extensive customer base. In the UK
alone Rentokil Initial has over 400,000 client addresses and
on average our clients purchase fewer than two services. The
client lists of individual businesses in the UK have been
merged to provide a databank which provides a marketing
opportunity to offer further services to existing clients.
Early trials have indicated that this represents a
significant opportunity to increase sales of new contracts.
Prospects for Continued growth in the higher margin businesses will
1999 and 2000 continue to improve overall turnover, margins and profits
but, in 1999, this growth will still be held back by the low
margin activities. Our businesses in South East Asia are
expected to improve from a much reduced base as the economies
recover.
The databank marketing programme will be launched in the UK
in October 1999 and trials in European countries will follow
during the first half of 2000 with launches in the major
European countries during the second half of 2000. Sales
should show a significant benefit from this programme in
2000.
The Board expects growth in profit and earnings for the full
year to be in line with that in the half year. We expect the
results for 2000 and beyond to be positively impacted by the
revised strategy.
Issued for Rentokil Initial plc, Felcourt, East Grinstead, West Sussex
Press Sir Clive Thompson, Chief Executive ) (01342) 833022
enquiries C T Pearce, Finance Director )
GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
6 months to 6 months to Year to
30 June 1999 30 June 1998 31 December 1998
£m £m £m
TURNOVER
United Kingdom 659.1 674.9 1,348.2
Continental Europe 365.4 315.9 659.6
North America 380.3 374.3 754.8
Asia Pacific and Africa 69.4 73.2 136.7
1,474.2 1,438.3 2,899.3
PROFIT BEFORE TAX
United Kingdom 135.4 128.8 266.4
Continental Europe 67.4 52.3 113.3
North America 33.4 35.8 86.6
Asia Pacific and Africa 22.7 23.9 43.1
Net Interest (5.9) (11.3) (18.8)
253.0 229.5 490.6
BUSINESS ANALYSIS
6 months to 6 months to Year to
30 June 1999 30 June 1998 31 December 1998
£m £m £m
TURNOVER
Hygiene Services 468.0 438.1 887.6
Personnel Services 161.1 167.8 337.0
Pest Control Services 94.1 91.6 186.8
Property Services 143.6 163.6 315.7
Security Services 223.4 207.5 426.9
Transport Services 384.0 369.7 745.3
1,474.2 1,438.3 2,899.3
PROFIT BEFORE TAX
Hygiene Services 110.8 97.4 200.2
Personnel Services 17.6 16.6 38.3
Pest Control Services 32.9 33.1 66.6
Property Services 22.1 22.7 45.0
Security Services 22.9 21.2 47.4
Transport Services 52.6 49.8 111.9
Net Interest (5.9) (11.3) (18.8)
253.0 229.5 490.6
CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
6 months to 6 months to Year to
30 June 1999 30 June 1998 31 December 1998
£m £m £m
Turnover (including share of
associates)
Continuing operations 1,472.2 1,438.3 2,899.3
Acquisitions 2.0 - -
1,474.2 1,438.3 2,899.3
Less share of turnover
of associates (9.4) (13.2) (20.9)
Turnover 1,464.8 1,425.1 2,878.4
Operating expenses (1,207.9) (1,186.4) (2,373.7)
Operating Profit
Continuing Operations 256.7 238.7 504.7
Acquisitions 0.2 - -
256.9 238.7 504.7
Share of profit
of associates 2.0 2.1 4.7
Profit on ordinary activities
before interest 258.9 240.8 509.4
Interest payable (net) (5.9) (11.3) (18.8)
Profit on ordinary activities
before taxation 253.0 229.5 490.6
Tax on profit on ordinary
activities (74.4) (67.7) (139.8)
Profit on ordinary activities
after taxation 178.6 161.8 350.8
Minority interests (0.8) (0.9) (1.2)
Profit attributable to
shareholders 177.8 160.9 349.6
Dividends (34.3) (30.6) (105.9)
Profit retained 143.5 130.3 243.7
Earnings per share 6.22p 5.63p 12.22p
Diluted earnings
per share 6.19p 5.60p 12.17p
Dividends per share 1.20p 1.07p 3.70p
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
30 June 1999 30 June 1998 31 December 1998
£m £m £m
Fixed assets
Intangible assets 47.2 18.1 46.8
Tangible assets 901.1 830.9 871.9
Investments 33.1 14.2 26.2
981.4 863.2 944.9
Current assets
Stocks 66.8 59.8 60.4
Debtors 593.8 557.8 576.5
Taxation recoverable - 23.2 -
Short term deposits
and cash 224.2 129.3 180.3
884.8 770.1 817.2
Liabilities due within
one year
Creditors (742.6) (762.7) (773.5)
Bank and other
borrowings (210.8) (60.6) (132.4)
(953.4) (823.3) (905.9)
Net current liabilities (68.6) (53.2) (88.7)
Total assets less current
liabilities 912.8 810.0 856.2
Liabilities due after one year
Creditors (58.3) (58.0) (57.8)
Bank and other
borrowings (256.8) (410.1) (342.1)
Provisions for liabilities
and charges (255.9) (250.1) (262.6)
Net assets 341.8 91.8 193.7
Equity capital & reserves
Called up share capital 28.7 28.6 28.7
Share premium account 34.3 30.0 32.6
Revaluation reserve 5.4 4.3 5.1
Other reserves 7.8 7.8 5.8
Profit and loss account 260.8 16.7 116.9
Equity shareholders'
funds 337.0 87.4 189.1
Equity minority
interests 4.8 4.4 4.6
Capital employed 341.8 91.8 193.7
SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS MOVEMENTS
6 months to 6 months to Year to
30 June 1999 30 June 1998 31 December 1998
£m £m £m
Profit attributable to
shareholders 177.8 160.9 349.6
Dividends (34.3) (30.6) (105.9)
New share capital issued 1.7 4.1 6.8
Goodwill written-off
(net) - - (18.6)
Exchange translation
adjustments 2.7 (11.4) (7.2)
Net movements in
shareholders' funds 147.9 123.0 224.7
Opening shareholders'
funds 189.1 (35.6) (35.6)
Closing shareholders'
funds 337.0 87.4 189.1
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
6 months to 6 months to Year to
30 June 1999 30 June 1998 31 December 1998
£m £m £m
Operating activities
Operating profit 256.9 238.7 504.7
Depreciation charge 92.9 85.9 168.4
Net movement in working
capital (44.4) (33.4) (83.2)
305.4 291.2 589.9
Associates' dividends
Dividends received from
associates - - 1.6
Interest/Dividends
Interest received 10.0 15.1 28.6
Interest paid (20.8) (21.4) (49.0)
Dividends paid to minority
interests (0.6) (0.2) (0.4)
(11.4) (6.5) (20.8)
Tax paid (35.0) (19.2) (81.3)
Capital expenditure and
financial investment
Purchase of tangible
fixed assets (153.3) (131.1) (249.1)
Less: financed by leases 7.8 6.7 14.2
(145.5) (124.4) (234.9)
Sale of tangible fixed
assets 20.6 13.7 38.2
(124.9) (110.7) (196.7)
Purchase of own shares
for employee share
option scheme (6.0) - (17.1)
Acquisitions
Purchase of companies and
businesses (5.8) (23.2) (51.7)
Less: net cash
acquired - 2.9 0.6
(5.8) (20.3) (51.1)
Equity dividends paid
Dividends paid to
shareholders (75.4) (62.0) (92.7)
NET CASH INFLOW BEFORE USE
OF LIQUID RESOURCES AND
FINANCING 46.9 72.5 131.8
Management of liquid resources
Movement in short term
deposits 5.0 5.4 (3.6)
Financing
Issue of ordinary share
capital 1.7 4.1 6.8
Net loan movement 25.2 (150.6) (164.3)
Finance lease movements (6.1) (4.6) (9.7)
Net cash inflow/(outflow)
from financing 20.8 (151.1) (167.2)
Net cash
Increase/(decrease) in
net cash 72.7 (73.2) (39.0)
Reconciliation to net debt
Net debt at 1st January (294.2) (410.5) (410.5)
Cash flows 72.7 (73.2) (39.0)
Acquired with
subsidiaries - - (0.6)
Movement in loans (25.2) 150.6 164.3
Movement in deposits (5.0) (5.4) 3.6
Movements in finance
leases (1.7) (2.1) (4.5)
Exchange adjustments 10.0 (0.8) (7.5)
Closing net debt (243.4) (341.4) (294.2)
Notes
1. The profit and loss account and cash flow statement for the
half years to 30th June 1998 and 1999 and for the year to
31st December 1998 have been translated at average rates of
exchange for the relevant periods. Balance sheets have been
translated at period end rates.
2. The turnover and profit before tax for the half year to 30th
June 1999, if translated at average exchange rates for the
half year to 30th June 1998, would have been £9.0m lower and
£1.1m higher respectively.
3. From the dates of acquisition to 30th June 1999,
acquisitions contributed £2.0m to turnover, £0.2m to profit
before interest and £0.2m to profit after interest.
4. Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of the
consideration paid over the aggregate of the fair values of
the net tangible assets acquired.
Goodwill in respect of acquisitions made since 1st January
1998 is shown as an asset and (in accordance with FRS 10)
each acquisition is assessed to determine the useful
economic life of the business and the goodwill. Normally,
it is considered that the goodwill relating to the
acquisitions made by the company is an inseparable part of
the total value of the relevant business and that such
businesses, if properly managed, should grow in value over
the years and hence neither the value of the business nor
the goodwill have a measurable economic life. Where it is
considered that the value of the business or its goodwill do
have a measurable economic life, the goodwill will be
amortised through the profit and loss account by equal
annual instalments over such useful economic life. The
potential economic lives of businesses and goodwill are
reviewed annually and revised where appropriate.
Where the useful economic life does not exceed 20 years,
goodwill will be subject to an impairment review at the end
of the year of acquisition and at any other time if the
directors believe that an impairment may have occurred.
Where the goodwill is assigned a useful economic life which
is in excess of 20 years or is indefinite, the value of the
businesses and goodwill are assessed for impairment against
carrying values on an annual basis in accordance with FRS
11. Any impairment will be charged to the profit and loss
account in the period in which it arises.
The Directors have reviewed the acquisitions made in the six
months to 30th June 1999 and determined that these
businesses have indefinite useful lives and hence the
goodwill is not being amortised.
5. Full year 1998 figures are taken from the accounts filed
with the Registrar of Companies. The results for the six
months to 30th June 1999 and 30th June 1998 have not been
audited but have been reviewed by PricewaterhouseCoopers,
the company's auditors.
6. Turnover for the period includes £9.4m (1998: £13.2m) and
profit £2.0m (1998: £2.1m) in respect of the group's share
of associates (Nippon Calmic Limited and Rezayat Sparrow
Arabian Crane Hire Co Ltd - 1998 associates' figures
included BTMF SA which has subsequently become a full
subsidiary undertaking).
7. Tax comprises UK Corporation Tax (less double taxation
relief) £41.1m (1998: £38.0m) and overseas tax £33.3m (1998:
£29.7m).
8. The financial information in this statement does not
constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of s.240 of
the Companies Act 1985.
9. Copies of the Interim Report will be despatched to
shareholders and will also be available from the Company's
registered office at Felcourt, East Grinstead, West Sussex
RH19 2JY.
SERVICES
Hygiene Services
Initial Cleaning Services provides daily cleaning to commerce, industry and
leisure together with window and high access cleaning. Specialist services
for retailers, airports, food preparation and processing plants are also
provided.
Initial Hospital Services provides hospitals with non-clinical support
services including catering, cleaning and portering.
Initial Medical Services collects and safely disposes of used 'sharps' and
other medical and clinical waste.
Initial Textile Services includes the design, manufacture, supply and rental
of work garments. Linen management and floor mats are provided to a wide
range of customers together with linen towel systems for washrooms.
Rentokil Hygiene Services provides a range of specialist cleaning and
disinfection services relating to washrooms, catering, industrial drains, air
quality, water and ventilation systems and IT equipment. There is also a
specialist service for decontaminating polluted land, cleaning storage tanks
and associated environmental remediation services.
Rentokil Initial Healthcare provides a specialist range of washroom services
including soap dispensers, air fresheners, sanitary towel and tampon
dispensing and disposal, roller towels, warm air hand driers and sanitizers.
Rentokil Wiper Services specialises in the provision of industrial wiping
cloths and an industrial glove reclamation service.
Personnel Services
Initial Education and Training provides and manages conference and training
centres for corporate and public sector clients.
Initial Personnel Services provides permanent, contract and temporary staff
for a range of business and public sector requirements. In addition,
management and staff for messenger services and mailrooms are provided.
Pest Control Services
Rentokil Pest Control is the largest commercial pest control service in the
world and special emphasis is placed on environmental safety. 'Green' pest
control systems include bird deterrents, electronic detection techniques and
special services which reduce or eliminate the use of toxic materials.
Property Services
Initial Catering Services provides contract catering services to business and
industry, the educational sector and special events.
Initial Leisure Services provides resort management in ski and beach
locations.
Rentokil Facilities Maintenance provides a range of services including the
maintenance of engineering services and the testing of electrical appliances
and circuits in commercial and industrial buildings.
Rentokil Initial Management Services provides facilities management and
property services for business and public sector bodies.
Rentokil Initial Products include insecticides, rodenticides, household
cleaning and decorating materials, speciality industrial products for fire
protection and public health and agricultural pesticides for specialist use.
Rentokil Office Machine Maintenance leases, rents, sells and services office
machines together with the sale of office supplies.
Rentokil Property Care provides treatments for woodworm, woodrot, rising damp
and wall tie corrosion as well as related insurance protection.
Rentokil Roofing replaces and refurbishes industrial roofs.
Rentokil Timber Preserving manufactures and markets water-based and solvent-
based wood preservatives.
Rentokil Tropical Plants is the world's largest provider of interior
landscaping services on either a rental and maintenance or purchase and
maintenance basis. This ranges from single units to trees and displays for
the largest atrium.
Security Services
Initial Electronic Security Systems is a major provider of electronic security
systems which include the supply and monitoring of intruder alarms, access
control systems and fire alarms and CCTV surveillance to commercial and
industrial customers.
Rentokil Initial Security Services is a market leader in manned guarding
services, including static guards, mobile patrols, airport security and guards
for special events and exhibitions.
Transport Services
Initial Distribution Services includes road tankers, tank and bulk containers
for the petrochemical, gas and food industries together with intermodal
container services and 'high cube' transport. An overnight and same day
parcel delivery service is also provided.
Initial Plant Services supplies and hires a range of equipment including
scaffolding, aerial work platforms, cranes and lifting equipment and
accommodation units as well as providing specialist offshore crane services.