Barry Callebaut reports results for first six months of fiscal year 2006/07

Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR
Continued dynamic growth
  • Sales volumes rise 6.3% to 588,125 tonnes
  • Operating profit (EBIT) up 7.3% to CHF 190.0 million 
  • Net profit (PAT) up 11.1% to CHF 125.2 million 
  • Three-year financial targets for the period 2005/06 through 2007/08 confirmed
  • North American consumer business under review
  • Outsourcing and supply agreement with Nestlé on track
 
Barry Callebaut AG, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate products, today published its results for the first six months of fiscal year 2006/07 ended February 28, 2007. Growing twice as fast as the global chocolate market, Barry Callebaut’s sales volumes increased by 6.3% percent to 588,125 tonnes in the first semester of the current fiscal year. Sales revenue[1] rose 4.1% to CHF 2,307.2 million, while operating income (EBIT) increased to CHF 190.0 million, representing a 7.3% rise. The EBIT improvement was achieved despite the earlier communicated deterioration in the combined (cocoa) ratio[2], which had a negative impact of approximately CHF 10 million on operating income at the Cocoa unit. The Consumer Products North America business unit, which is currently under review as part of the group’s strategic repositioning in that region, also had a negative impact on EBIT. These effects were compensated by a good operational performance at the other business units, Food Manufacturers, Gourmet & Specialties and Consumer Products Europe. Net profit (PAT) rose by 11.1% to CHF 125.2 million.
 
Patrick De Maeseneire, CEO of Barry Callebaut, said: “Our businesses with industrial and artisanal customers continued to deliver strong results, and our European consumer business is doing well. I am pleased with our results for the first six months of our current fiscal year, especially in light of the adverse impact of the lower combined (cocoa) ratio and an unsatisfactory business development in our North American consumer business. With an additional 30,000 tonnes of sales at Food Manufacturers, the outsourcing trend within the chocolate industry was confirmed. We have firmly established ourselves as the outsourcing partner of choice, enabling us to further accelerate our profitable growth.”
 
Group key figures for the first six months of fiscal 2006/07
  
 
 
Change (%)
Six months up to
Feb 28, 2007
Six months up to
 Feb 28, 2006
Sales volume mt
    6.3
   588,125
     553,196
Sales revenue 1
CHF m
    4.1
 2,307.2
   2,215.8
Operating profit (EBIT) CHF m
    7.3
   190.0
      177.0
EBIT /Tonne CHF
1.0
323.1
320.0
Net profit (PAT) CHF m
    11.1
   125.2
     112.7

  

Market environment
The global chocolate confectionery market is valued at around USD 74 billion (approx. CHF 90 billion) and is estimated to grow by 2.9% in 2006/07, according to data provided by Euromonitor International. Fastest growth is seen in emerging markets, driven by an increasingly affluent consumer base in countries such as Russia and China. In Western Europe and North America the market for standard chocolates is mature and growth can be attributed mainly to premium products such as origin, organic, health enhancing and fair trade chocolates. The market is growing both in the premium and the value-for-money categories. Product innovation and cost leadership are essential for future success within the chocolate industry. Meanwhile, an increasing number of food manufacturers are moving to outsource their chocolate needs to specialized partners. This trend is expected to accelerate as more integrated companies shift their focus towards sales and marketing and seek to source industrial chocolate from third parties.
 
With its global presence from the bean to the shelf in all market segments, Barry Callebaut is uniquely positioned to benefit from all the above mentioned market trends while its innovative strength will allow it to keep pace with changing consumer demands.
 
Overview of business performance per region in first six months of fiscal year 2006/07
 
Region Europe
Region Europe, which accounts for about two thirds of group sales, recorded a sales volume growth of 8.3% to 392,030 tonnes. Sales revenue1 increased by 5.7% to CHF 1,607.8 million. Operating income went up by 10.2% to CHF 171.1 million in Europe.
 
The improvement in the operational performance of the region was driven by a remarkable volume growth in the Food Manufacturers business unit, which was fuelled by new outsourcing volumes with key accounts in various countries as well as solid growth with large and mid-sized industrial customers. The Gourmet & Specialtiesbusiness unit saw particularly good demand from artisanal customers in the Mediterranean region and in Eastern Europe. The Consumer Products Europe business unit significantly improved its profitability owing to strong seasonal product sales, cost savings, systems integration and the termination of unprofitable contracts. The termination of these contracts led to a decrease in volumes. This impact is expected to phase out in the course of the current fiscal year.
 
The planned agreement with Nestlé to acquire the cocoa liquor and liquid chocolate production facility at the chocolate factory in San Sisto/Italy as well as a chocolate factory in Dijon/France together with a long-term agreement with Barry Callebaut for the supply of 43,000 tonnes of liquid chocolate and the production of some Nestlé consumer products would add around CHF 150 million to Barry Callebaut’s annual sales in fiscal 2007/08. It is expected that the final agreement will be signed in summer 2007.
 
Region Americas
Sales volumes in the region Americas went up by 0.6% to 155,549 tonnes, compared to 154,662 tonnes in the same prior-year period. Sales revenue was affected by a weaker U.S. dollar versus the group’s reporting currency, Swiss franc, and a lower sales revenue from consumer products and came in at CHF 532.8 million (-4.5%), resulting in an EBIT of CHF 28.1 million (-8.0%). Excluding the Consumer Products North America business, which is currently under review, volumes increased by 6.8% while sales revenue rose by 4.0% and operating profit in the region went up by 18.4%.
 
The performance at the region’s business units developed in opposite directions. On the one hand, the Food Manufacturers business unit recorded solid growth as a result of a changed market approach and subsequent market share gains, and the Gourmet & Specialties business unit strengthened its presence by increasing its direct sales force. On the other hand, the strong performance in those two business units was offset by weaker sales at the Consumer Products North America’s business.
 
Region Asia & Rest of the World
Region Asia & Rest of the World registered a 10.5% rise in sales volume to 40,546 tonnes, while sales revenue1 increased by 21.4 % to CHF 166.6 million. Operating income rose by 19.2% to CHF 20.9 million, despite the weak performance of the African consumer business. The African consumer business consists of three entities in Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Senegal and is no longer considered a core activity. Chocosen in Senegal was sold to the local management on February 28, 2007. 
 
Food Manufacturers saw strong growth, driven by deliveries to China and South Africa, starting, of course, from low levels. Gourmet & Specialties did particularly well in the premium product range, especially in Japan.
 
Key figures by regions for the first six months of fiscal 2006/07
 
EUROPE
 
Change (%)
Six months up to
Feb 28, 2007
Six months up to
Feb 28, 2006
Sales volume mt
    8.3
   392,030
361,825
Sales revenue 1
CHF m
    5.7
 1,607.8
1,520.9
Operating profit (EBIT) CHF m
    10.2
   171.1
155.3
 
AMERICAS
 
Change (%)
Six months up to
Feb 28, 2007
Six months up to
Feb 28, 2006
Sales volume mt
    0.6
   155,549
154,662
Sales revenue CHF m
    -4.5
 532.8
557.7
Operating profit (EBIT) CHF m
-8.0   
 28.1
30.6
 
ASIA/RoW  
Change (%)
Six months up to
Feb 28, 2007
Six months up to
Feb 28, 2006
Sales volume mt
   10.5
40,546
36,709
Sales revenue 1
CHF m
    21.4
 166.6
137.2
Operating profit (EBIT) CHF m
    19.2
   20.9
17.5
 
Development of business segments in first six months of fiscal 2006/07
 
Industrial business segment
The Industrial business segment focuses on selling cocoa and chocolate products to industrial food processors and consumer goods manufacturers worldwide.
 
Sales volumes were 407,190 tonnes, which represents an organic growth of 11.4% from 365,679 tonnes in the same prior-year period.
  • Sales volumes of Cocoa products sold to third-party customers amounted to 72,711 tonnes, which is a plus of 13.8%. Volumes were pushed to compensate for the margin decline caused by the deteriorating combined (cocoa) ratio.
  • Sales volumes in the Food Manufacturers business unit were 334,479 tonnes, a 10.8% increase compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year. Key drivers were increased outsourcing volumes from existing and new customers.
Sales revenue1 recorded in the industrial business segment rose 9.9% to CHF 1,300.1 million compared to CHF 1,183.5 million in the year-ago period. Including the impact of above-average physical bean sales in the same prior-year period, revenue would have declined by 1.2%.
  • Sales revenue1 in the Cocoa business unit rose 8.4% to CHF 251.6 million. Including the above-mentioned bean sales, revenue fell by 31%.
  • The Food Manufacturers business unit increased revenues by 10.2% to CHF 1,048.5 million, thanks to higher volumes amid increased demand from industrial customers, and helped by favorable exchange rate effects.
Operating profit (EBIT) for the industrial business segment rose 8.5% to CHF 118.8 million in the six-month period ended February 28, 2007. This improvement was achieved despite the afore-mentioned adverse effect in the amount of approx. CHF 10 million stemming from the decline in the combined (cocoa) ratio.
 
Food Service/Retail business segment
The Food Service/Retail business segment serves a broad range of customers, from local craftsmen (such as chocolatiers, pastry chefs, bakers, hotels, restaurants, caterers) to global retailers.
Sales revenue decreased slightly to CHF 1,007.1 million, down 2.4% from CHF 1,032.3 million recorded for the same period in 2005/06.
 
  • Sales revenue in the Gourmet & Specialties business unit increased by 5.8 % to CHF 322.7 million.
  • Sales revenue in the Consumer Products business units decreased by 5.9 % to CHF 684.4 million, due to the discontinuation of unprofitable contracts in Europe and market share losses in North America due to intense competition in the sugar confectionery market.
Operating profit (EBIT) rose by 7.9 % to CHF 101.3 million, driven by a strong increase in profitability at Consumer Products Europe and Gourmet & Specialties. EBIT was affected by an additional CHF 3 million amortization charge for the European IT platform subsequent to the integration of the European Consumer Products business as well as non-recurring restructuring expenses at the Consumer Products North America business unit of CHF 3.5 million.
 
Key figures per business segment for first six months of fiscal 2006/07
 
INDUSTRIAL
 
Change (%)
Six months up to
Feb 28, 2007
Six months up to
Feb 28, 2006
Sales volume mt
    11.4
   407,190
365,679
Sales revenue 1
CHF m
    9.9
 1,300.1
1,183.5
Operating profit (EBIT) CHF m
    8.5
   118.8
109.5
 
 
FOOD SERVICE/
RETAIL
 
Change (%)
Six months up to
Feb 28, 2007
Six months up to
Feb 28, 2006
Sales revenue CHF m
    -2.4
 1,007.1
1,032.3
Operating profit (EBIT) CHF m
    7.9
   101.3
93.9
 
Outlook
Looking ahead, CEO Patrick De Maeseneire said: “The combined (cocoa) ratio will continue to have a negative effect on profitability in the second half of the current fiscal year. This negative effect will, however, phase out by the next fiscal year. Raw material prices have increased considerably and Easter is one week earlier this year. Nevertheless, our portfolio with industrial customers looks strong and we expect continued good volume growth in the second half of the current fiscal year. We are on track to reach our 3-year financial targets for the period 2005/06 through 2007/08*, and our exciting new outsourcing projects make us confident that we can confirm these. This, as always, barring any major unforeseen events.”
 
*These targets are on average: annual top-line growth of 3-5%, EBIT growth of 8-10% and PAT growth of 12-15%.
 
[1] For comparison reasons the prior-year sales revenue has been adjusted for extraordinary bean sales. Reported sales volumes only include processed goods. Therefore physical bean sales are not included in the reported sales volumes whereas they are included in reported sales revenue.
[2]  Combined sales prices for cocoa butter and cocoa powder relative to the cocoa bean price
 
* * *
Barry Callebaut:
With annual sales of more than CHF 4 billion for fiscal year 2005/06, Zurich-based Barry Callebaut is the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa, chocolate and confectionery products – from the cocoa bean to the finished product on the store shelf. Barry Callebaut is present in 24 countries, operates more than 30 production facilities and employs approximately 7,500 people. The company serves the entire food industry, from food manufacturers to professional users of chocolate (such as chocolatiers, pastry chefs or bakers), to global retailers. It also provides a comprehensive range of services in the fields of product development, processing, training and marketing.
* * *
Key Figures for Barry Callebaut (unaudited)
 
 
Change (%)
6 months up to Feb 28, 2007
6 months up to Feb 28, 2006
Income Statement
 
 
 
 
Sales revenue (1)
   in local currencies
 
  incl. extraordinary
 bean sales in 05/06
 
CHF m
 
 
 
4.1
1.9
   
-1.8
 
 
2,307.2
2,271.1
    
2,307.2
 
 
2,215.8
 
  
  2,348.3
Sales volume mt
6.3
588,125
553,196
Gross profit
   in local currencies
CHF m
10.2
8.5
395.1
388.8
358.4
 
EBITDA (2)
   in local currencies
CHF m
6.6
4.7
248.6
244.2
233.2
 
Operating profit (EBIT)
   in local currencies
CHF m
7.3
5.3
190.0
186.3
177.0
 
EBIT per tonne
   in local currencies  
CHF
1.0
-1.0
323.1
316.8
320.0
 
Net profit (PAT)
   in local currencies
CHF m
11.1
8.6
125.2
122.4
112.7
 
Cash flow (3) CHF m
8.8
183.8
169.0
Shares  
 
 
 
EBIT per share
 in local currencies
CHF
7.3
5.3
36.75
36.04
34.24
 
Basic earnings per share (4) CHF
11.4
24.29
21.80
Diluted earnings per share (4) CHF
10.8
24.15
21.80
Balance Sheet  
 
Feb 28, 2007
Aug 31, 2006
Total assets CHF m
8.3
3,049.4
2,815.5
Net working capital CHF m
9.5
1,008.1
920.9
Non-current assets CHF m
-0.7
1,180.4
1,188.6
Net debt CHF m
-2.1
887.6
906.9
Shareholders’ equity CHF m
13.6
1,138.6
1,001.9
Others
 
 
 
 
Employees
 
-8.1
7,568
8,236
 
1) For comparison reasons the prior year sales revenue has been adjusted for extraordinary bean sales. Reported sales volumes only include processed goods. Therefore physical bean sales are not included in the reported sales volumes whereas they are included in reported sales revenue.
2) Operating profit (EBIT) + depreciation of property, plant and equipment + amortization of intangible assets
3) Net profit + depreciation of property, plant and equipment + amortization of intangible assets
4) Based on profit for the period attributable to the Group (PAT)

 

Key figures by region and business segment (unaudited)
 
 
Change (%)
6 months up to Feb 28, 2007
6 months up to Feb 28, 2006
Sales by region  
 
 
 
Europe  
 
 
 
Sales volume mt
8.3
392,030
361,825
Sales revenue (1)
 Incl. extraordinary
 bean sales in 05/06
CHF m
5.7
-1.6
1,607.8
1,607.8
1,520.9
1,633.4
EBITDA CHF m
10.2
209.9
190.5
EBIT CHF m
10.2
171.1
155.3
Americas  
 
 
 
Sales volume mt
0.6
155,549
154,662
Sales revenue CHF m
-4.5
532.8
557.7
EBITDA
CHF m
-7.3
43.3
46.7
EBIT
CHF m
-8.0
28.1
30.6
Asia/Rest of the world  
 
 
 
Sales volume mt
10.5
40,546
36,709
Sales revenue (1)
 Incl. extraordinary
 bean sales in 05/06
CHF m
21.4
6.0
166.6
166.6
137.2
157.2
EBITDA CHF m
16.6
23.5
20.1
EBIT CHF m
19.2
20.9
17.5
Sales by business segment
 
 
 
 
Industrial Business Segment
 
 
 
 
Sales revenue (1)
   Incl. extraordinary
   bean sales in 05/06
CHF m
9.9
-1.2
1,300.1
1,300.1
1,183.5
1,316.0
   - Cocoa (1)
   Incl. extraordinary
   bean sales in 05/06
CHF m
8.4
-31.0
251.6
251.6
232.1
364.6
   - Food Manufacturers CHF m
10.2
1,048.5
951.4
Sales volume mt
11.4
407,190
365,679
   - Cocoa mt
13.8
72,711
63,906
   - Food Manufacturers mt
10.8
334,479
301,773
EBITDA CHF m
8.5
147.9
136.4
EBIT CHF m
8.5
118.8
109.5
Food Service/Retail Business Segment  
 
 
 
Sales revenue CHF m
-2.4
1,007.1
1,032.3
   - Gourmet &
      Specialties
CHF m
5.8
322.7
305.1
   - Consumer Products CHF m
-5.9
684.4
727.2
EBITDA CHF m
6.5
128.7
120.9
EBIT CHF m
7.9
101.3
93.9

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