REG - Treatt PLC - Trading Update

TreattAnnouncement

10/10/2024 07:00

For best results when printing this announcement, please click on link below:
http://newsfile.refinitiv.com/getnewsfile/v1/story?guid=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20241010:nRSJ6187Ha&default-theme=true

RNS Number : 6187H  Treatt PLC  10 October 2024

 

 

10 October 2024

 

TREATT PLC

("Treatt" or "the Group")

 

Trading update for the year ended 30 September 2024

Strong H2 momentum with full year sales and profits in line with expectations

Treatt, the manufacturer and supplier of a diverse and sustainable portfolio
of natural extracts and ingredients for the beverage, flavour and fragrance
industries, today publishes a trading update for the year ended 30 September
2024 ("FY24").

HIGHLIGHTS:

·    H2 revenue growth of 16%, reflecting organic growth from new business
wins and a normalisation in industry demand

·    Full year revenue growth of 5% (7% in constant currency) to
c.£155.2m (FY23: £147.4m)

·    Adjusted EBITDA growth of 7% to c.£24.7m (FY23: £23.0m)

·    Profit before tax and exceptional items (PBTE) growth of 9% to
c.£18.8m (FY23: £17.3m), in line with Board expectations. This builds on the
PBTE growth of 14% between FY22 and FY23, with PBTE having grown by 23% from
FY22 to FY24

·    China continues growth momentum - new Shanghai innovation facility
approved to accelerate locally customised innovation and customer
collaboration

·    Strong cost disciplines and other self-help measures embedded

·    Year end net debt significantly reduced to £0.7m (FY23: £10.4m),
ahead of Board expectations, reflecting the robust cash generation and
discipline of the business

FY24 Performance

Revenue for the year is anticipated to be £155.2m (FY23: £147.4m), up 5% (7%
at constant currency). We are particularly pleased with the H2 sales momentum,
with 16% sales growth led by improved Heritage and strong China regional
growth.

Revenue in our Heritage segment, which includes Citrus, Synthetic Aromas and
Herb Spices & Florals has grown by 10% and is expected to be £105.7m.
Citrus, which continues to be a core focus for Treatt, grew by 30% in the
second half, driven by increased volumes in strategic accounts and cost price
increases. Synthetic Aroma grew by 34% in H2 as flavour house demand
normalised.

Revenue in our Premium segment, which includes Tea, Health & Wellness,
Fruit & Vegetables, is expected to be in line with the prior year at
£34.8m, as strong growth in Tea underpinned by multiple wins in the North
America market, was offset with slower consumer demand in other premium
beverage categories in the second half. Innovation, including co-collaboration
with our customers, remains a key focus to convert our healthy pipeline of
opportunities in this segment

Revenue in our New Market segment, which includes Coffee, China and Treattzest
citrus, declined as expected by 9% to £14.7m. This decline was primarily due
to the performance of Coffee, as previously communicated at the half year.
China revenues grew 27% in the year, with multiple H2 wins with local beverage
brands.  The Board has approved an investment in a new Shanghai Commercial
and Innovation Centre, to accelerate in-country innovation and customer
co-collaboration.

In line with the Board's expectations, the Company expects to report profit
before tax and exceptional items for FY24 of c.£18.8m which is c.9% ahead of
last year (FY23: £17.3m).

Balance sheet

We are pleased to report a significant reduction in Group leverage, reflecting
the strong cash generation of the business, as we ended the year with net debt
better than expectations at £0.7m (FY23: £10.4m). Capital expenditure has
returned to normalised levels as expected, and this will continue as the Group
maintains the focus on fast returning capital projects to improve sales
growth.

Operational developments

During the year we have invested for revenue growth, including expanding our
commercial teams, with experienced industry experts based closer to our
customers.  Overall headcount, however, has remained broadly consistent with
prior year. Foreign exchange impacts were minimal in the year. Following the
implementation of self-help measures, the cost base is expected to be in line
with expectations.

David Shannon, CEO of Treatt, commented:

"I am pleased that we will report good growth in both sales and profit for the
year, reflecting the determined conversion of our order book and strong cost
discipline. Revenue growth in the second half of the year in particular was
strong, with sales pipeline conversion and demand normalising following
industry destocking.

With our value-add products, and available manufacturing capacity following
the investments in recent years we will start to target greater customer reach
in adjacent markets and new territories. We are confident in Treatt's
long-term prospects.

Since joining Treatt in June, I have immersed myself in the business, spending
time with our brilliant teams and customers. This process has reinforced my
reasons for joining; this is a strong business full of talented people, with
clear opportunities ahead."

 

Notice of Results

Treatt's results for the year ended 30 September 2024 are expected to be
announced on 4 December 2024.

 

 

Enquiries:

Joint Brokers

Investec Bank Plc +44 (0) 20 7597 5970

Patrick Robb

David Anderson

 

Peel Hunt LLP +44 (0) 20 7418 8900

George Sellar

 

Financial PR MHP +44 (0) 7710 117 517

Tim Rowntree        treatt@mhpgroup.com

Eleni Menikou

Veronica Farah

 

About the Group Treatt is a global, independent manufacturer and supplier of a
diverse and sustainable portfolio of natural extracts and ingredients for the
flavour, fragrance and multinational consumer product industries, particularly
in the beverage sector. Renowned for its technical expertise and knowledge of
ingredients, their origins and market conditions, Treatt is recognised as a
leader in its field. The Group employs approximately 400 staff in Europe,
North America and Asia and has manufacturing facilities in the UK and US. Its
international footprint enables the Group to deliver powerful and integrated
solutions for the food, beverage and fragrance industries across the globe.
For further information about the Group, visit www.treatt.com.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact
rns@lseg.com (mailto:rns@lseg.com)
 or visit
www.rns.com (http://www.rns.com/)
.

RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our
Privacy Policy (https://www.lseg.com/privacy-and-cookie-policy)
.   END  TSTFFFVIIRLAIIS