EANS-News: Symrise AG enters new financial year with increase in sales and earnings
Group sales rise 6.6 % to 416.8 million EBITDA increases to 85.2 million EBITDA margin remains at a high level of 20.5 % despite increase in raw material costs
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3-month report
Subtitle: Group sales rise 6.6 % to 416.8 million EBITDA increases to 85.2 million EBITDA margin remains at a high level of 20.5 % despite increase in raw material costs
Holzminden, May 11, 2011 (euro adhoc) - Symrise AG has had a successful start to the Financial Year 2011 and was able to exceed its high prior year sales and earnings figures. In the first quarter 2011 Symrise benefited from the continued positive development of demand even though it was more moderate than in the previous year, which was characterized by catch-up effects. During the reporting period Symrise increased sales by 6.6 % to EUR 416.8 million, thereby again growing faster than the market for flavors and fragrances. The growth was driven by business with major customers as well as activities in Emerging Markets, especially Latin America. The Group´s EBITDA rose 2 % to EUR 85.2 million. Despite a sharp increase in raw material prices Symrise achieved an EBITDA margin of 20.5 %. A high level of capacity utilization and continuous cost management significantly contributed to this development.
Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Bertram, Chief Executive Officer of Symrise AG, said: "As expected, markets have returned to more moderate growth following the extraordinarily strong year 2010. Thanks to our good strategic positioning we continue to benefit from the dynamic demand in important markets, especially the Emerging Markets in Asia and Latin America. With a 6.6 % increase in sales we again outperformed the market. We maintained our EBITDA margin at over 20 %; this demonstrates that we are able to successfully meet the challenges posed by raw material markets at present. We have set a good basis during the first quarter and are confident as we look to the coming months. However, uncertainties remain with regards to the political developments in North Africa and the Middle East, the effects of the natural disaster in Japan, and the price development on raw material markets."
Emerging Markets drive sales growth In the first quarter Symrise boosted Group sales by 6.6 % to EUR 416.8 million (previous year: EUR 391.0 million); this translates into a 4.3 % increase at local currency. The EAME and Asia/Pacific regions as well as Emerging Markets contributed significantly to the sales growth. Emerging Markets accounted for 46 % of Group sales. Latin America was by far the most dynamically growing region with a 21 % increase in sales (15 % at local currency). Symrise was able to build upon the strong growth of the previous year and benefited from a high level of demand in both divisions. EAME sales rose 5 % (5 % at local currency) and the established markets in Western Europe developed especially well. Asia/Pacific increased sales by 11 % (4 % at local currency) and particularly benefited from the demand for sweets and fine fragrances. Compared to the high prior year figures, sales in North America slightly declined by 1% (-2 % at local currency).
Core list positions drive growth in top 10 customer business In the first quarter Symrise expanded strategically important business activities with globally active food and consumer goods companies. Sales generated by the ten largest customers of each division rose by 11 % (9 % at local currency), thereby exceeding the growth of Group sales as a whole. Both divisions contributed to these results. Business with major customers accounted for around 30 % of total Group sales; it was supported by good core list positions and good access to customers.
EBITDA margin of 20.5 % achieved Symrise also remained highly profitable in the first quarter of 2011 and was able to maintain the EBITDA margin above the 20 % mark. Negative effects of increased raw material prices and currency developments were compensated through a high rate of capacity utilization and continued cost discipline.
Earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation (EBITDA) rose 2 % to EUR 85.2 million (previous year: EUR 83.3 million). The EBITDA margin was thus 20.5 % (previous year: 21.3 %). Net income for the period grew 2 % to EUR 41.1 million (2010: EUR 40.4 million). This corresponds to earnings per share of EUR 0.35 (previous year: EUR 0.34).
Temporary build-up of raw material inventories as a means of securing conditions ahead of time. The cash flow from operating activities declined from EUR 21.1 million in 2010 to EUR 6.4 million in the reporting period. Notable here were the seasonal increase in working capital as well as a targeted build-up of inventories in order to compensate for anticipated price increases and scarcity of certain raw materials ahead of time.
Net debt (incl. pension provisions) amounted to EUR 525.0 million at the end of the first quarter (31 Dec. 2010: EUR 521.0 million). The ratio of net debt (incl. pension provisions) to EBITDA remained at 2.2 which is the same level as at the end of 2010.
Scent & Care In the first quarter Scent & Care boosted sales by 6.6 % (4.2 % at local currency) to EUR 218.4 million (previous year: EUR 204.8 million).
The Scent & Care division was thus able to build upon the extremely dynamic development of the previous year and achieved growth in all regions. The segments Fine Fragrances and Aroma Molecules even enjoyed double-digit growth. Positive economic developments and the strong demand in the luxury segment were especially noticeable in the Fine Fragrances segment. Scent & Care also benefited from business with major customers, as well as the launch of a number of skin care and cosmetic products in the Life Essentials segment.
In Latin America the division achieved strongest growth with a sales increase of 17 % at local currency. In Asia sales rose 4 % at local currency and in North America by 3 % at local currency. With a 2 % sales increase (local currency) the EAME region developed slower than the other regions.
The EBITDA rose 5 % to EUR 43.0 million (previous year: EUR 41.1 million). The EBITDA margin remained at a high level of 19.7 % (previous year: 20.1 %).
Flavor & Nutrition Flavor & Nutrition reported a 6.5 % increase in sales to EUR 198.4 million (previous year: EUR 186.2 million). This corresponds to an increase of 4.5 % at local currency.
The division also continued its way on the growth path in the first quarter. Symrise benefited from the high demand by established and Emerging Markets. The division also significantly benefited from business with major customers and the expansion of product initiatives such as citrus and vanilla. Also Flavor & Nutrition grew strongest in Latin America with an increase in sales of 11 % at local currency. EAME was the second-strongest region with an increase in sales of 7 % at local currency. Asia/Pacific reported 5 % growth in sales at local currency. North America was unable to maintain last-year´s high level and sales went down by 9 %.
EBITDA remained stable at EUR 42.2 million (previous year: EUR 42.2 million). The division remained profitable with an EBITDA margin of 21.3 % (previous year: 22.7 %).
Outlook: Confidence based on first quarter developments Based on the positive development of demand in the first quarter Symrise is confident about the outlook for the course of the financial year. The Group maintains its objective of again outperforming the market and aims at increasing sales between 3 % and 5 % at local currency. The Group aims at realizing an EBITDA margin of above 20 %, although the impact from the political situation in North Africa and the Middle East, as well as the consequences of the natural disaster in Japan on the Asian region remain difficult to predict and raw material markets are characterized by further volatility and inflation. Symrise will also carry out cost and portfolio management initiatives in the following quarters; in addition the Group will utilize its high degree of expertise in conjunction with innovative products and technologies.
In EUR millions Q1 2010 Q1 2011 Change in% Change in% LC Sales 391.0 416.8 6.6 4.3 EBITDA 83.3 85.2 2 1 EBITDA margin in% 21.3 20.5 - - EBIT 62.5 64.4 3 1 EBIT margin in% 16.0 15.4 - - Net income for period 40.4 41.1 2 Earnings per share in EUR 0.34 0.35 2
Cash flow from
operating activities 21.1 6.4
DIVISIONS
Scent & Care
Sales 204.8 218.4 6.6 4.2
EBITDA 41.1 43.0
EBITDA margin in% 20.1 19.7 - -
Flavor & Nutrition
Sales 186.2 198.4 6.5 4.5
EBITDA 42.2 42.2 33 39
EBITDA margin in% 22.7 21.3 - -
31.12.10 31.03.11
Balance sheet total 2,095.0 2,028.1
Equity ratio in% 40.9 42.6
Net debt (incl.
pension provisions)/EBITDA 2.2 2.2
Employees / FTE¹ 5,288 5,423
1Excluding apprentices and trainees, FTE = Full Time Equivalent (full-time
employees)
LC=Local currency
About SymriseSymrise is a global supplier of fragrances, flavorings and raw materials as well as active ingredients for the perfume, cosmetics and food industry.
Its sales of EUR 1.57 billion in 2010 place the Company among the top four in the international flavor and fragrance market. Headquartered in Holzminden, Germany, Symrise is represented in more than 35 countries in Europe, Asia, the United States and South America.
Used by manufacturers of perfumes, cosmetics and foods, our innovative products are an inseparable part of daily life. At Symrise we combine an awareness of consumer trends with cutting-edge technologies, focusing on developing innovative fashion and lifestyle products that have additional practical value for the consumer. Symrise - always inspiring more
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Contact:
Media Contact:
Bernhard Kott
phone +49 (0)5531 90-1721
bernhard.kott@symrise.com
Investor Contact:
Tobias Erfurth
phone +49 (0)5531 90-1879
tobias.erfurth@symrise.com
Branche: Chemicals
ISIN: DE000SYM9999
WKN: SYM999
Index: MDAX
Börsen: Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
Berlin / free trade
Hamburg / free trade
Stuttgart / free trade
Düsseldorf / free trade
Hannover / free trade
München / free trade