REG-Vesuvius Plc: Trading Statement

VesuviusAnnouncement

15/05/2024 07:15

15 May 2024

Vesuvius plc - Trading Update

 

Vesuvius plc, a global leader in molten metal flow engineering and technology,
announces the following update for the period 1 January to 30 April 2024.

Summary
* Performance in the period was in line with our expectations 
* We maintain our expectations for FY 2024 
* Excluding India and EEMEA, Steel markets remained subdued at the beginning
of the year, as anticipated
* Foundry markets outside of India remained weak, particularly in EU27+UK and
North Asia 
* We continue to perform robustly due to our differentiated product offering,
with a resilient pricing performance
* Flow Control gained market share in all regions except EU+UK; Foundry gained
market share in all regions
* Our cost-saving programme is proceeding to plan, and we are confident in
delivering both our current in-year and exit rate targets, as well as our
£30m cash cost savings target by 2026
* We continue to make progress in the reduction of working capital intensity
* Market fundamentals remain attractive, and our significant investments in
growth initiatives in Asia and in Flow Control remain on track
 

Resilient trading in weak end markets

Steel end markets remained subdued at the beginning of the year, as
anticipated, except for India, which continued to grow compared to the same
period last year, and EEMEA which recovered from a low base following the
earthquake in Turkey in 2023. Steel production volumes in the EU27+UK area
continued to be subdued in the first quarter of the year, although improved
compared to the prior quarter.  Chinese steel exports have continued to
increase significantly, triggering the introduction of trade protection
measures in some countries, notably in South America.

Foundry markets have remained weak, particularly in EU27+UK and North Asia,
which represent c. 44% of Foundry sales.

Despite these difficult market conditions, we continue to perform well,
achieving market share gains in Flow Control and Foundry. Advanced
Refractories has not yet regained market share lost last year due to priority
being given to pricing. Net pricing has remained resilient across all three
business units. Our India businesses continued to perform well which
reinforces our position in one of the fastest growing Steel and Foundry
markets worldwide. We continue to grow at pace in that region, supported by
our long-term strategy of investment in high quality manufacturing facilities,
including the recently inaugurated Mold Flux plant at Vizag. 

Overall, our performance was in line with our expectations.

 

Cost savings programme on target

The cost-savings programme is proceeding as planned. We continue to target
annualised cash cost savings of £30m by 2026, with at least £3m delivered in
2024 and an exit run-rate of £10-15m by the end of 2024.

 

Market fundamentals remain strong and growth initiatives are on track

The fundamentals for the Steel and Foundry markets remain positive and we
continue to implement our significant strategic initiatives, including
capacity expansions in our higher-margin Flow Control business globally, and
investment in capacity for Advanced Refractories and Foundry in Asia.

 

Outlook

The resilience of our business gives us continued confidence that we will
deliver on our full year 2024 expectations.

 

Glossary

EEMEA  Europe, Middle East and Africa, excluding EU+UK

 

CONFERENCE CALL

Patrick André (Chief Executive) and Mark Collis (Chief Financial Officer)
will be hosting a conference call for analysts and investors at 08:30 (UK
time) today.

 

To participate, please register at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the
call by following the link here
(https://registrations.events/direct/LON45800632)

A replay of the call will be available for one week on the following numbers:

United Kingdom:              +44 20 3433 3849

Australia Toll-Free:          +61 1800 021 202

Australia Toll:      +61 2 8078 2917

US & Canada Toll-Free:  +1(800) 770-2030

US Toll:   +1(609) 800-9909

Canada Toll:        +1(647) 362-9199

France:    +33 1 73 02 81 84

Germany:             +49 69 589964211

Hong Kong:  +852 3018 3027

India:       +91 22 5032 3279

Japan:     +81 3 4588 1481

New Zealand:      +64 9 886 9995

Singapore:           +65 3159 5801

United States:     +1 800 770 2030

Passcode: 45800

 

 For further information, please contact:                                                                                        
 Shareholder/analyst enquiries:                                                                                                  
 Vesuvius plc           Patrick André, Chief Executive                                                   +44 (0) 207 822 0000    
                        Mark Collis, Chief Financial Officer Rachel Stevens, Head of Investor Relations  +44 (0) 207 822 0000    
                                                                                                          +44 (0) 7387 545 271   
 Media enquiries:                                                                                                                
 MHP Communications     Rachel Farrington, Ollie Hoare,                                                  +44 (0) 203 128 8100    

 

About Vesuvius plc

Vesuvius is a global leader in molten metal flow engineering and technology
principally serving process industries operating in challenging
high-temperature conditions.

We develop innovative and customised solutions, often used in extremely
demanding industrial environments, which enable our customers to make their
manufacturing processes safer, more efficient and more sustainable. These
include flow control solutions, advanced refractories and other consumable
products and increasingly, related technical services including data capture.

We have a worldwide presence. We serve our customers through a network of
cost-efficient manufacturing plants located close to their own facilities, and
embed our industry experts within their operations, who are all supported by
our global technology centres.

Our core competitive strengths are our market and technology leadership,
strong customer relationships, well established presence in developing markets
and our global reach, all of which facilitate the expansion of our addressable
markets.

Our ultimate goal is to create value for our customers, and to deliver
sustainable, profitable growth for our shareholders giving a superior return
on their investment whilst providing each of our employees with a safe
workplace where they are recognised, developed and properly rewarded.

We think beyond today to create solutions that will shape the future
for everyone.

Forward looking statements

This announcement contains certain forward looking statements which may
include reference to one or more of the following: the Group's financial
condition, results of operations, cash flows, dividends, financing plans,
business strategies, operating efficiencies or synergies, budgets, capital and
other expenditures, competitive positions, growth opportunities for existing
products, plans and objectives of management and other matters.

Statements in this announcement that are not historical facts are hereby
identified as "forward looking statements". Such forward looking statements,
including, without limitation, those relating to the future business
prospects, revenue, working capital, liquidity, capital needs, interest costs
and income, in each case relating to Vesuvius, wherever they occur in this
announcement, are necessarily based on assumptions reflecting the views of
Vesuvius and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to
differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward looking
statements. Such forward looking statements should, therefore, be considered
in light of various important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from estimates or projections contained in the forward
looking statements. These include without limitation: economic and business
cycles; the terms and conditions of Vesuvius' financing arrangements; foreign
currency rate fluctuations; competition in Vesuvius' principal markets;
acquisitions or disposals of businesses or assets; and trends in Vesuvius'
principal industries.

The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. When considering
forward looking statements, careful consideration should be given to the
foregoing factors and other uncertainties and events, as well as factors
described in documents the Company files with the UK regulator from time to
time including its annual reports and accounts.

You should not place undue reliance on such forward looking statements which
speak only as of the date on which they are made. Except as required by the
Rules of the UK Listing Authority and the London Stock Exchange and applicable
law, Vesuvius undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any
forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions,
the forward looking events discussed in this announcement might not occur.

 

Vesuvius plc, 165 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2AE

Registered in England and Wales No. 8217766

LEI: 213800ORZ521W585SY02

www.vesuvius.com 

 



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