Strauss Group Reports Q4 and Full Year 2009 Results
By Strauss Group Ltd, PRNETuesday, March 23, 2010
TEL AVIV, Israel, March 24, 2010 -
- Strong Fourth Quarter With 10% Sales Growth, 40% Ebit Growth and 27%
Net Income Growth
- In 2009 Sales Continued to Grow For the 7th Consecutive Year, With
Growth in Gross and Operating Profits and Margins and Significant
Improvement in Operating Cash Flow
FOURTH QUARTER Financial Highlights:
- Organic growth, net of exchange rate impacts, totaled 3.2%. Reported
sales totaled NIS 1.7 billion, up 9.7%;
- Pro-forma operating profit increased 40%, totaling NIS 141 million;
compared to NIS 101 million LY;
- Pro-forma net profit for shareholders totaled NIS 70 million compared
to NIS 56 million LY, up 27.3%
- Operating cash flow totaled NIS 334 million compared to NIS 179 million
last year.
ANNUAL Financial Highlights:
- Organic growth, net of exchange rate impacts, totaled 3.8%. Reported
sales totaled NIS 6.4 billion, up 2.0%;
- Pro-forma operating profit increased 9.3%, reaching NIS 570 million
compared to NIS 522 million LY;
- Profit for the period up 7.8%, totaling NIS 360 million compared to NIS
335 million LY;
- Pro-forma net profit for shareholders amounted to NIS 268 million
compared to NIS 285 million LY, 5.8% decrease resulting mainly from the
increase in minority income;
- Strong cash generation: operating cash flow improved as a result of
enhanced working capital, mainly due to decrease in inventory
level. Operating cash flow totaled NIS 793 million compared to NIS
229 million last year;
The Strauss Group (STRS.TA) today reported its results for the fourth
quarter and full year 2009.
Ofra Strauss, Chairperson of Strauss Group, said today, "The
infrastructures that have been built in recent years have enabled us to
succeed even in a challenging year such as this, allowing us to attain our
objectives for all our areas of activity. Throughout 2009 Strauss Group acted
as required in order to adapt to the changing business conditions. We have
continued to work determinedly in the strategic manner that has been so
characteristic of our Group, especially in the past few years, expanding the
scope of our international activity and reinforcing our Home Base in Israel.
In addition, we have also continued our emphasis and investment in the
development of our Brands, on innovation, developing infrastructures,
enhancing strategic partnerships and retaining capabilities and people."
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Gadi Lesin, President & CEO of Strauss Group, said today,
"Strauss Group reported a strong fourth quarter with growth of 10% in sales,
40% in operational profit and 27% in net income. In 2009 the Group succeeded
in achieving its pre-defined objectives and had sales growth, in spite of the
challenging business environment, while improving gross profit and
profitability as well as operating profit and profitability. At the same time
we had record operating cash flow, a testimony to the Company's financial
strength.
"In 2009 we continued to invest in future growth engines for
the company. We completed the acquisition of Tami4, and are in the midst of
integrating the H2Q and Tami4 activities which will, by combining the
technology developed by H2Q with the proven ability of Tami4, provide the
infrastructure for Strauss Water activity, both locally in Israel and
globally. In the USA we are in the final stages of construction on the new
Sabra fresh salads factory that will enable us to continue Sabra's successful
growth. The Coffee Company has succeeded in its continued growth and, even in
this challenging year, has improved both gross and operating profits, while
in Israel we improved profit and profitability in spite of a slowdown in
growth."
Main pro-forma data for the fourth quarter and full year (in
NIS million):
Full Year Fourth Quarter
2009 2008 % Chg 2009 2008 % Chg
Sales 6,373 6,246 2.0% 1,715 1,564 9.7%
Gross Profit 2,371 2,289 3.6% 645 568 13.8%
Operating Profit (1) 570 522 9.3% 141 101 40.0%
Profit for the Period 360 335 7.8% 95 73 32.1%
Net Profit (2) (3) 268 285 -5.8% 70 56 27.3%
(1) Before other income (expenses)
(2) Attributed to the shareholders of the Company
(3) Net profit in 2008 include financial income of NIS 42 million
Home base
The sales of the entire business of the Strauss Group in
Israel include the Health & Wellness and Fun & Indulgence divisions, the
coffee business in Israel, Max Brenner in Israel and the Tami4 activity. In
2009, the Strauss Group's sales in Israel totaled NIS 3,355 million compared
to NIS 3,312 million in 2008, an increase of 1.3%. In the fourth quarter,
Israel sales totaled NIS 862 million compared to NIS 787 million in the
corresponding quarter last year, an increase of 9.5%.
Starting from the fourth quarter, following the Tami4
acquisition, the Group expanded its consumer touch points beyond retail sales
and AFH (away from home) to direct consumer sales.
The Israel Sector - Strauss Israel
In 2009 sales by the Israel sector totaled NIS 2,624 million
compared to NIS 2,671 million in 2008, a decrease of 1.8%.
In the fourth quarter sales by the Israel sector totaled NIS
634 million compared to NIS 645 million in the corresponding quarter last
year, a decrease of 1.8%.
Despite the many challenges posed in 2009 (recession and
growing competition), the Strauss Group succeeded to continue investing in
its brands and in innovation, and launched 130 new products (including
Chocolate Fingers, Must Long-Last chewing gum, Yogurt Desserts, Bites,
chocolate milk in individual bottles, and others). Strauss Israel continues
to focus on efficiency with emphasis on maintaining its two main assets,
people and brands.
The gross profit in the Israel sector totaled NIS 1,080
million in 2009, similar to last year. The gross profit rate rose from 40.4%
to 41.1% this year. Most of the improvement is due to the continued
implementation of streamlining moves in the cost of sales.
In the fourth quarter the gross profit in the Israel sector
decreased by 7.0% following reduced sales and an increase in production
expenses as a result of several one-time actions.
The pro-forma operating profit in Israel increased by 5.2% in
2009. The growth in the operating profit in Israel is due to the continued
improvement in the cost structure. The operating profit rate in Israel
improved in 2009 and amounted to 11.0%, compared to 10.3% in the
corresponding period last year.
In the fourth quarter the operating profit in Israel decreased
by 11.6%; the decrease is due mainly to the decrease in the gross profit.
The Coffee Sector
Sales - organic growth, after neutralizing the acquisition of
businesses and the impact of exchange rate differentials, amounted to 6.3% in
2009.
Strauss's coffee sector sales in 2009 totaled NIS 3,349
million compared to NIS 3,243 million in 2008, an increase of 3.3%. After
neutralizing the impact of currency exchange rates, growth amounted to 8.8%.
Coffee sales in 2009 were positively influenced by the growth
in volumes, but were negatively influenced by the changes in the exchange
rates of the various currencies (mainly in the first half of the year),
coupled with a difficulty in raising prices in the prevailing macroeconomic
conditions in some of the countries. The growth in local currency is evident
mainly in the Company's activity in the former USSR countries and in Brazil,
where the Company continues to grow at an accelerated pace, while increasing
its market share and expanding to additional geographical regions.
In the fourth quarter, organic growth (neutralizing
acquisition and the impact of exchange rate) amounted to 2.4%.
Sales totaled NIS 909 million in the fourth quarter of 2009
compared to NIS 833 million in the corresponding period last year, an
increase of 9.1%. After neutralizing the impact of currency exchange rates,
growth amounted to 3.6%. The growth in local currency in the fourth quarter
is evident mainly in the Company's businesses in the former USSR countries
and in Brazil. Coffee sales in the quarter were positively influenced by the
growth in sales volumes and by the strengthening of the various currencies
compared to last year.
Gross profit in the coffee sector totaled NIS 1,067 million in
2009 (31.9%) compared to NIS 1,044 million (32.2%) last year, an increase of
2.2%. The gross profit in the coffee sector was positively influenced by the
growth in sales, but was negatively impacted by the effect of exchange rates
on the cost of raw materials in local currency, especially in the first half
of the year (the purchase currency of raw materials is the US Dollar, which
grew stronger in relation to the different currencies in the reported
period). It was also affected by the erosion of the various currencies versus
the Shekel, which led to a decrease in the gross profit, which is reported in
Shekels, as well as by the significant growth in the volume of activity in
Brazil, which is characterized by below-average profit rates.
The gross profit in the fourth quarter totaled NIS 299 million
(32.9% of sales) compared to NIS 252 million (30.2% of sales) last year, an
increase of 18.7%. The increase in the gross profit is the result of the
growth in sales and the strengthening of the currencies compared to the
corresponding period last year.
Operating profit of the coffee sector totaled NIS 270 million
(8.1% of sales) in 2009 compared to NIS 255 million (7.9% of sales) last
year, an increase of 5.8%. The operating profit was influenced by the growth
in sales and in the gross profit.
In the fourth quarter, the operating profit totaled NIS 78
million (8.6% of sales) compared to NIS 39 million (4.7% of sales) in the
corresponding quarter last year, an increase of 101.5%. The increase in the
operating profit was influenced mainly by the increase in the gross profit.
The Sabra Refrigerated Dips Business in the USA
Sabra continues its marketing efforts to further penetrate the
American market and has succeeded in continuing to grow its market share
while maintaining a leading position in the refrigerated flavored spreads and
dips category. Sabra's average market share in 2009 was 39.4% compared to an
average market share of 31.8% in 2008; in the fourth quarter the average
market share was 41.2% (according to IRI data published on January 24, 2010).
Sales- Sabra's 2009 (pro-forma reflecting 100%) sales totaled
NIS 430 million compared to NIS 300 million last year, an increase of 43.2%.
After neutralizing the currency impact, growth amounted to 31.1%.
Sabra's sales in the fourth quarter totaled NIS 121 million
compared to NIS 89 million in the corresponding period last year, an increase
of 35.0%. After neutralizing the currency impact, growth amounted to 34.2%.
The operating profit in 2009 totaled NIS 73 million (17.0% of
sales) compared to NIS 35 million last year (11.8% of sales), an increase of
106.4%
The operating profit in the fourth quarter totaled NIS 21
million (17.6% of sales) compared to NIS 8 million in the corresponding
quarter last year (8.8% of sales), an increase of 170.6%.
The Max Brenner Business
In 2009 Max Brenner's sales totaled NIS 108 million compared
to NIS 95 million last year, an increase of 14.3%. After neutralizing the
impact of the erosion of the US Dollar in relation to the Shekel, growth in
2009 totaled 10.4%.
In the fourth quarter Max Brenner's sales totaled NIS 35
million compared to NIS 25 million last year, an increase of 39.8%. After
neutralizing the impact of the erosion of the US Dollar in relation to the
Shekel, growth in the fourth quarter amounted to 39.4%.
The Company continued to invest in the development of core
infrastructure for the Max Brenner business in Israel and abroad, and in 2010
the Company plans to open additional stores while continuing to invest in
core infrastructure for the Max Brenner business.
STRAUSS WATER
In 2009 Strauss presented Strauss Water and its strategy.
Strauss Water will lead and manage the Strauss Group's activity in the water
industry and will serve as one of the Group's growth drivers in the coming
years.
Strauss Water will collate knowledge in the fields of
development, production, marketing, distribution and business development of
this sector of activity, in Israel and internationally. In this context the
Company announced that an agreement had been signed for the acquisition of
Tana Industries (Tami4) through its subsidiary, H2Q. This acquisition,
completed on October 1, 2009, is a direct continuation of Strauss's entry
into the drinking water industry, which began some three years ago when
Strauss invested in H2Q with the aim of becoming a significant global player
in providing drinking water solutions to consumers in and outside of Israel.
Strauss Water's pro-forma sales (assuming that the Tami4
business had been fully consolidated from the beginning of the year) amounted
to NIS 316 million in 2009 compared to NIS 249 million last year, an increase
of 27.0%.
In the fourth quarter Strauss Water's pro-forma sales totaled
NIS 78 million compared to NIS 62 million in the corresponding period last
year, an increase of 25.5%.
Financial Results:
Sales
In 2009 the Strauss Group's sales amounted to NIS 6,373
million compared to NIS 6,246 million last year, an increase of 2.0%. After
neutralizing the currency impact, growth amounted to 4.4%. Organic growth
after neutralizing the impact of changes in exchange rates in 2009 amounted
to 3.8%.
The Group's sales in the fourth quarter totaled NIS 1,715
million compared to NIS 1,564 million in the corresponding period last year,
an increase of 9.7%. After neutralizing the currency impact, growth amounted
to 6.6%. Organic growth after neutralizing the impact of changes in exchange
rates in the fourth quarter amounted to 3.2%.
Gross Profit
The financial accounting gross profit in 2009 totaled NIS
2,375 million (37.3%) compared to NIS 2,277 million last year (36.4%), an
increase of 4.3%. The management accounting (pro-forma) gross profit in 2009
increased by 3.6% compared to the corresponding period last year, rising from
36.6% to 37.2%.
The gross profit was positively impacted by the improvement in
most of the Group's businesses, notably Sabra and Strauss Coffee, by the
consolidation of the Tami4 activity for the first time and by the
streamlining measures applied, and was adversely affected by the impact of
currency exchange rates. The Group has contended with the changes in raw
material prices and exchange rates through operational streamlining in most
areas of its activity and by raising the prices of its products in the coffee
business outside of Israel.
The financial accounting gross profit in the fourth quarter
increased by 13.1% and rose from 36.3% last year to 37.5% this year. The
management accounting (pro-forma) gross profit increased in the quarter by
13.8%, up from 36.3% in 2008 to 37.6% this year.
The improvement in the gross profit is the result of the
improvement in the coffee business and in Sabra, and of the consolidation of
the Tami4 activity for the first time.
Operating Profit before Other Income (Expenses)
The financial accounting operating profit (before other
expenses) totaled NIS 559 million (8.8% of sales) in 2009 compared to NIS 481
million (7.7% of sales) last year, an increase of 16.3%. The growth in the
Group's operating profit is mainly due to the increase in the operating
profit in all of the Company's activities and to the consolidation of Tami4
for the first time.
The management accounting (pro-forma) operating profit totaled
NIS 570 million (8.9% of sales) in 2009 compared to NIS 522 million (8.4% of
sales) last year, an increase of 9.3%.
The increase in the Group's management accounting (pro-forma)
operating profit is due to the increase in the operating profit in all of the
Company's activities and to the consolidation of Tami4 for the first time.
The financial accounting operating profit (before other income
and expenses) totaled NIS 134 million (7.8% of sales) in the fourth quarter
compared to NIS 100 million (6.4% of sales) in the corresponding period last
year, an increase of 34.0%. The improvement is mainly the result of the
improvement in the gross profit.
The management accounting (pro-forma) operating profit totaled
NIS 141 million (8.2% of sales) in the fourth quarter compared to NIS 101
million (6.4% of sales) last year, an increase of 40.0%.
The increase in the Group's management accounting (pro-forma)
operating profit in the fourth quarter is due mainly to the increase in the
operating profit of Strauss Coffee, which is due in part to the strengthening
of the currencies in the emerging markets, to continued streamlining and to
the improvement in the operating profit in Sabra, Max Brenner and Strauss
Water.
Income for the Period
The 2009 financial accounting income for the period amounted
to NIS 318 million compared to NIS 507 million last year. The 2009 pro-forma
income for the period amounted to NIS 360 million compared to NIS 335 million
last year, an increase of 7.8%.
Income for the period in the fourth quarter totaled NIS 81
million compared to NIS 86 million last year, down 6.0% compare to last year.
The pro-forma income for the period in the fourth quarter amounted to NIS 95
million compared to NIS 73 million last year, an increase of 32.1%.
Income for the Period for the Shareholders of the Company
The 2009 financial accounting income for the period for the
shareholders of the Company totaled NIS 233 million compared to NIS 461
million last year, a decrease of 49.5%. The decrease is due mainly to the
capital gain in respect of the issue to TPG Capital, which was included in
the corresponding period last year, and to the growth in the profit
attributed to the minority interest (which in this period also includes TPG
Capital's share of the profits of Strauss Coffee).
The management accounting (pro-forma) income for the
shareholders of the Company in 2009 totaled NIS 268 million compared to NIS
285 million last year, a decrease of 5.8%. The decrease is due mainly to the
growth in the profit attributed to the minority interest.
The financial accounting income for the period for the
shareholders of the Company in the fourth quarter totaled NIS 59 million
compared to NIS 73 million last year, a decrease of 18.9%. The decrease is
due mainly to the fact that in the corresponding quarter last year other
income was included in respect of the sale of the kosher products business in
North America.
The management accounting (pro-forma) income for the
shareholders of the Company in the fourth quarter totaled NIS 70 million
compared to NIS 56 million last year, an increase of 27.3%. The income was
positively impacted by the improvement in the operating profit, which was
partly offset against the increase in the minority share of the income
compared to last year.
Table 1
Following are the condensed results of business operations
(based on the Company's Pro-forma statements) for the years and quarters
ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 (in NIS millions):
For the Years For the Three Months
% change % change
2009 2008 2009 2008
Sales 6,373 6,246 2.0 1,715 1,564 9.7
Cost of sales 4,002 3,957 1.1 1,070 996 7.4
Gross income 2,371 2,289 3.6 645 568 13.8
Selling and marketing 1,442 1,421 1.5 393 375 5.3
expenses
General and administrative 359 346 3.8 111 92 22.3
expenses
Operating income - management 570 522 9.3 141 101 40.0
accounting
Financing expenses, net (87) (72) 20.3 (17) (12) 37.0
Income before taxes on income 483 450 7.5 124 89 40.4
Taxes on income (123) (115) 6.7 (29) (16) 75.1
Income for the period - 360 335 7.8 95 73 32.1
management
Income attributed to
shareholders of the Company
268 285 -5.8 70 56 27.3
Income attributed to minority 92 50 85.4 25 17 57.8
interest
Table 2
Following are the condensed financial accounting statements of
income for the years and quarters ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 (in NIS
millions):
For the Years For the Three Months
% change % change
2009 2008 2009 2008
Sales 6,373 6,246 2.0 1,715 1,564 9.7
Cost of sales not including
impact of hedging
transactions 4,002 3,959 1.1 1,070 996 7.3
Revaluation of the balance of
hedging transactions on
commodities as at the end of (4) 10 2 (1)
the period
Cost of sales 3,998 3,969 0.7 1,072 995 7.7
Gross income 2,375 2,277 4.3 643 569 13.1
Selling and marketing 1,442 1,424 1.2 393 371 5.8
expenses
General and administrative 374 372 0.6 116 98 19.4
expenses
Operating income before other 559 481 16.3 134 100 34.0
income (expenses)
Other income (expenses), net (35) 208 (8) 18
Operating income 524 689 -24.0 126 118 6.7
Financing expenses, net (87) (72) 20.3 (17) (12) 37.1
Income before taxes on income 437 617 -29.2 109 106 3.1
Taxes on income (119) (110) 8.2 (28) (20) 44.3
Effective tax rate 27.1% 17.7% 25.4% 18.1%
Income for the period 318 507 -37.3 81 86 -6.0
Income attributed to
shareholders of the Company
233 461 -49.5 59 73 -18.9
Income attributed to minority 85 46 86.2 22 13 65.2
interest
Table 3
Following are the condensed results of business operations
(based on the Company's management accounting (pro-forma) statements) of the
business sectors for the years and quarters ended December 31, 2009 and 2008
(in NIS millions):
For the Years For the Three Months
2009 2008 % 2009 2008 %
Israel
Net sales 2,624 2,671 -1.8 634 645 -1.8
Gross income 1,080 1,080 0.0 250 269 -7.0
Operating income 288 274 5.2 53 60 -11.6
Coffee
Net sales 3,349 3,243 3.3 909 833 9.1
Gross income 1,067 1,044 2.2 299 252 18.7
Operating income 270 255 5.8 78 39 101.5
Other*
Net sales 400 332 20.8 172 86 103.4
Gross income 224 165 35.8 96 47 103.8
Operating income (loss) 12 (7) 10 2
Total
Total net sales 6,373 6,246 2.0 1,715 1,564 9.7
Total gross income 2,371 2,289 3.6 645 568 13.8
Total operating income 570 522 9.3 141 101 40.0
* Sabra's sales are proportionately consolidated (50%)
commencing in the second quarter of 2008. Table 4
Consolidated Balance Sheet (in NIS million):
December 31, 2009 December 31, 2008
Millions NIS % Millions NIS %
Cash and Marketable Securities 1,044 16.9% 713 13.1%
Accounts Receivables 998 16.1% 949 17.5%
Other Accounts Receivables 253 4.1% 286 5.3%
Inventory 664 10.7% 814 15.0%
Investments & Long Term Loans 166 2.7% 132 2.4%
Fixed Assets 1,354 21.9% 1,230 22.6%
Intangible Assets 1,626 26.3% 1,226 22.6%
Other Assets 84 1.3% 85 1.6%
Total Assets 6,189 100.0% 5,435 100.0%
Current Bank Liabilities 261 4.2% 314 5.8%
Accounts Payables 758 12.2% 758 13.9%
Other Creditors 588 9.5% 512 9.4%
Long Term Liabilities 1,696 27.4% 1,152 21.2%
Minority Interest 901 14.6% 842 15.5%
Group Equity 1,985 32.1% 1,857 34.2%
Total Liabilities & Equity 6,189 100.0% 5,435 100.0%
———————————
For additional information:
Investors Contact Media Contact
Yaffa Cohen-Ifrah Osnat Golan
Director of Investor Relations Corporate Communications Director
Strauss Group Ltd. Strauss Group Ltd.
Tel: +972-3-6752545 Tel: +972-3-6752281
Mob: +972-54-5772195 Mob: +972-52-8288111
Email: Email: osnat.golan@strauss-group.com
yaffa.cohen-ifrah@strauss-group.com
www.strauss-group.com
www.strauss-group.com
For additional information: Investors Contact: Yaffa Cohen-Ifrah, Director of Investor Relations, Strauss Group Ltd., Tel: +972-3-6752545, Mob: +972-54-5772195, Email: yaffa.cohen-ifrah at strauss-group.com; Media Contact: Osnat Golan, Corporate Communications Director, Strauss Group Ltd., Tel: +972-3-6752281, Mob: +972-52-8288111, Email: osnat.golan at strauss-group.com
Tags: Israel, March 24, Strauss Group Ltd, Tel aviv
