Lassila & Tikanoja plc: Interim Report 1 January - 30 September 2014

Helsinki, Finland, 2014-10-23 07:00 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
Lassila & Tikanoja plc                     Interim Report                    23 October 2014 8.00 am

Lassila & Tikanoja plc: Interim Report 1 January - 30 September 2014

Net sales for the third quarter EUR 158.1 million (EUR 161.9 million); operating profit EUR 19.4 million (EUR 20.0 million); operating profit excluding non-recurring items EUR 19.7 million (EUR 20.1 million); earnings per share EUR 0.39 (EUR 0.35)
Net sales for January-September EUR 477.4 million (EUR 498.5 million); operating profit EUR 34.5 million (EUR 34.8 million); operating profit excluding non-recurring items EUR 40.6 million (EUR 40.3 million); earnings per share EUR 0.25 (EUR 0.61)
Lassila & Tikanoja’s net sales in 2014 are expected to remain at the 2013 level or slightly below. Operating profit excluding non-recurring items is expected to remain at the 2013 level or slightly below.


CEO PEKKA OJANPÄÄ:

“As expected, the economic recession has decreased material flows in the industrial, construction and retail sectors. The general economic situation has also had a negative effect on the demand for services in the Facility Services division. The comparable net sales of Environmental Services, however, grew due to successful sales work and a strengthened market position. In Industrial Services, we achieved growth and improved profitability in spite of the market situation, primarily on the strength of high demand for process cleaning. In Facility Services and Renewable Energy Sources, we continued to improve the efficiency of operations. In line with our strategy, our focus in the prevailing economic situation is on strengthening our market position and ensuring profitability and cash flow. Our relative profitability has continued to improve this year.”


GROUP NET SALES AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Third quarter
Lassila & Tikanoja’s net sales for the third quarter decreased by 2.3% year-on-year, to EUR 158.1 million (EUR 161.9 million). Operating profit was EUR 19.4 million (EUR 20.0 million). Operating profit excluding non-recurring items was EUR 19.7 million (EUR 20.1 million), representing 12.4% (12.4%) of net sales. Earnings per share were EUR 0.39 (EUR 0.35).

During the third quarter, comparable net sales decreased in the Facility Services and Renewable Energy Sources divisions, but grew in the Environmental Services and Industrial Services divisions.

The net sales of the comparison period includes EUR 4.2 million in net sales from the Latvian business operations that were divested on 13 March 2014 as well as EUR 0.5 million of operating profit, most of which is allocated to the Environmental Services division.

Operating profit excluding non-recurring items was lower than in the comparison period due to demand for services of Facility Services division being weaker than in the previous year, as expected. Operating profit excluding non-recurring items was also affected by a write-down of EUR 0.4 million on inventories reported under Renewable Energy Sources, and a non-recurring EUR 0.2 million write-down on inventories of discontinued business operations. The total write-down for Renewable Energy Sources was EUR 0.7 million.

January-September
Lassila & Tikanoja’s net sales for January-September amounted to EUR 477.4 million (EUR 498.5 million), a decrease of 4.2% year-on-year. Operating profit was EUR 34.5 million (EUR 34.8 million). Operating profit excluding non-recurring items was EUR 40.6 million (EUR 40.3 million), representing 8.5% (8.1%) of net sales. Earnings per share were EUR 0.25 (EUR 0.61).

During the first three quarters of the year, comparable net sales decreased in the Facility Services and Renewable Energy Sources divisions, but grew in the Environmental Services and Industrial Services divisions.

The net sales of the comparison period includes EUR 12.2 million in net sales from the Latvian business operations that were divested on 13 March 2014 as well as EUR 0.8 million of operating profit. The 2013 net sales of the company includes EUR 16.6 million of net sales from the Latvian business operations as well as EUR 1.3 million of operating profit, most of which is allocated to the Environmental Services division.

The operating profit recorded for January-September includes EUR 6.4 million of non-recurring costs relating to holdings in EcoStream Oy, which has filed for bankruptcy, and to outstanding receivables from the EcoStream Group and L&T Recoil. In addition, a non-recurring capital gain of EUR 1.1 million was recognised on the Latvian business operations and a write-down of EUR 0.2 million on inventories of discontinued business operations under Renewable Energy Sources.

Furthermore, the Group’s net profit was affected by the EUR 16.7 million payment made under the L&T Recoil guarantee commitment and recognised in financial expenses. After the entries related to EcoStream Group’s insolvency, the company has no liabilities related to EcoStream Oy and L&T Recoil.

Financial summary

* Breakdown is presented below the division reviews.


NET SALES AND OPERATING PROFIT BY DIVISION

Environmental Services

Third quarter
The division’s net sales for the third quarter decreased by 1.2% to EUR 64.6 million (EUR 65.4 million). Operating profit totalled EUR 10.7 million (EUR 11.9 million) and operating profit excluding non-recurring items was EUR 10.6 million (EUR 11.9 million).

Comparable net sales increased by 3.7% due to successful sales work and a strengthened market position. Demand continued to grow in waste management and Russian operations.

The net sales of the comparison period includes EUR 3.1 million of net sales from the Latvian business operations that were divested on 13 March 2014.

The profitability of business operations was affected by the declining volumes of recyclable materials and construction waste, and the weakened profitability of municipal contracts.

January-September
The Environmental Services division’s net sales for January-September amounted to EUR 189.7 million (EUR 192.2 million), showing a decrease of 1.3%. Operating profit was EUR 26.5 million (EUR 27.2 million) and operating profit excluding non-recurring items was EUR 26.9 million (EUR 27.2 million).

Demand in the recycling business was weakened by the decrease in the volume of recyclable materials, due to the market conditions. Demand grew particularly in waste management and Russian operations.

Comparable net sales increased by 2.4%. The net sales of the comparison period includes EUR 8.9 million of net sales from the Latvian business operations that were divested on 13 March 2014.
 
The profitability of business operations was affected by the declining volumes of recyclable materials and construction waste, and the weakened profitability of municipal contracts.

Industrial Services

Third quarter
The division’s net sales for the third quarter totalled EUR 21.8 million (EUR 20.9 million), showing an increase of 4.1%. Operating profit was EUR 3.1 million (EUR 2.3 million) and operating profit excluding non-recurring items was EUR 3.1 million (EUR 2.6 million).

There was strong demand for the services of process cleaning and hazardous waste management. Net sales decreased in sewer maintenance and environmental construction.

Operating profit excluding non-recurring items increased substantially after profitability improved across all service lines.

January-September
The Industrial Services division’s net sales for January-September totalled EUR 57.5 million (EUR 54.7 million), showing an increase of 5.2%. Operating profit was EUR 4.9 million (EUR 3.7 million) and operating profit excluding non-recurring items was EUR 4.9 million (EUR 4.0 million).

Net sales increased in hazardous waste management, sewer maintenance and process cleaning. Environmental construction was the only service line in which net sales were lower than in the comparison period.

The division improved the profitability of its operations as a result of efficiency improvement measures and increasing volume.

Facility Services

Third quarter
The division’s net sales for the third quarter were down by 4.2% to EUR 68.6 million (EUR 71.6 million). Operating profit and operating profit excluding non-recurring items were EUR 6.3 million (EUR 6.7 million).

The division’s net sales declined year-on-year, due to business downsizing in Sweden and low demand for damage repair services. In addition, net sales was impacted by lower demand for services in the cleaning and property maintenance businesses. Demand for maintenance of technical systems, however, was strong.

The profitability of the division was decreased by the weaker profitability of cleaning and, in particular, damage repair services. Property maintenance and maintenance of technical systems improved their profitability year-on-year.

January-September
The Facility Services division’s net sales for January-September decreased by 6.7% to EUR 206.0 million (EUR 220.8 million). Operating profit totalled EUR 8.9 million (EUR 10.0 million). Operating profit excluding non-recurring items was EUR 9.0 million (EUR 10.4 million).

The division’s net sales declined year-on-year, due to business downsizing in Sweden and lower than normal demand for damage repair services and seasonal work in property maintenance.

The profitability of the division decreased by the lower demand for services in the cleaning and property maintenance businesses and by the weak profitability of damage repair services.
 
Demand for the division’s services has declined, which has decreased net sales and profitability. The entire division is undergoing a major reorganisation process in order to adapt operations to the changes in market conditions. This affects the profitability of business operations.

Renewable Energy Sources

Third quarter
Third quarter net sales of Renewable Energy Sources (L&T Biowatti) were down by 17.3% to EUR 6.1 million (EUR 7.4 million). The operating loss totalled EUR 0.5 million (operating loss EUR 0.2 million) and the operating loss excluding non-recurring items was EUR 0.3 million (operating loss EUR 0.4 million).

The decrease in net sales was attributable to the delayed start to the heating season in Northern Finland. As a result of efficiency improvement measures, operational efficiency improved year-on-year.
Operating profit excluding non-recurring items nevertheless showed a loss due to a write-down of EUR 0.4 million on the company’s inventories and a non-recurring EUR 0.2 million write-down on inventories of discontinued business operations. The total write-down for Renewable Energy Sources was EUR 0.7 million.

January-September
The net sales of Renewable Energy Sources (L&T Biowatti) in January-September were down by 23.6% to EUR 32.2 million (EUR 42.2 million). Operating profit totalled EUR 0.6 million (EUR 0.9 million) and operating profit excluding non-recurring items was EUR 0.8 million (EUR 0.5 million).

The decrease in net sales is primarily attributable to the short heating season early in the year and the downsizing of operations in Eastern Finland. As a result of efficiency improvement measures, relative profitability improved year-on-year. Operating profit excluding non-recurring items was affected by a write-down of EUR 0.4 million on the company’s inventories and a non-recurring EUR 0.2 million write-down on inventories of discontinued business operations. The total write-down for Renewable Energy Sources was EUR 0.7 million.


BREAKDOWN OF OPERATING PROFIT EXCLUDING NON-RECURRING ITEMS
 

FINANCING

Cash flows from operating activities amounted to EUR 49.1 million (EUR 61.1 million). A total of EUR 9.4 million in working capital was committed (EUR 0.5 million released). The principal reason behind working capital commitment was the increase in trade receivables.

At the end of the period, interest-bearing liabilities amounted to EUR 99.6 million (EUR 87.4 million).

Net interest-bearing liabilities amounted to EUR 64.3 million, largely unchanged from the beginning of the year and down EUR 1.0 million year-on-year.

Net financial expenses in January-September amounted to EUR 18.5 million (EUR 2.1 million). Net financial expenses were 3.9% (0.4%) of net sales. The increase in net financial expenses was due to the EUR 16.7 million payment made under the L&T Recoil Oy guarantee commitment.

The average interest rate on long-term loans (with interest-rate hedging) was 1.7% (2.2%). Long-term loans totalling EUR 4.1 million will mature during the rest of the year.

The equity ratio was 45.6% (50.2%) and the gearing rate was 31.9 (28.1). Liquid assets at the end of the period amounted to EUR 35.3 million (EUR 22.1 million).

Of the EUR 100 million commercial paper programme, EUR 0 (EUR 20.0 million) was in use at the end of the period. A committed limit totalling EUR 30.0 million was not in use, as was the case in the comparison period.

During the review period, the company adopted a new form of financing by issuing a EUR 30 million senior unsecured bond. The bond matures on 15 September 2019 and carries a fixed annual interest rate of 2.125 per cent.


DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS

The Annual General Meeting held on 19 March 2014 resolved that a dividend of EUR 0.50 per share be paid on the basis of the balance sheet that was adopted for the financial year 2013. The dividend, totalling EUR 19.4 million, was paid to shareholders on 31 March 2014.


CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

In January-September 2014, gross capital expenditure totalled EUR 27.9 million (EUR 23.7 million), consisting mainly of machine and equipment purchases and small targeted acquisitions.


PERSONNEL

In January-September, the average number of employees converted into full-time equivalents was 7,386 (8,298). At the end of the period, Lassila & Tikanoja had 7,952 (9,017) full-time and part-time employees. Of these, 7,161 (7,133) worked in Finland and 791 (1,884) in other countries. The number of employees working in other countries was mainly decreased by the divestment of the Latvian business operations.


SHARES AND SHARE CAPITAL

Traded volume and price
The volume of trading on Nasdaq Helsinki in January-September 2014, excluding the shares held by the company in Lassila & Tikanoja plc, was 6,892,558 shares, which is 17.8% (14.0%) of the average number of outstanding shares. The value of trading was EUR 98.1 million (EUR 72.8 million). The trading price varied between EUR 13.31 and EUR 15.84. The closing price was EUR 13.36. At the end of the period, the market capitalisation excluding the shares held by the company was EUR 517.7 million (EUR 583.7 million).

Own shares
At the end of the period, the company held 51,409 of its own shares, representing 0.1% of all shares and votes.

Share capital and number of shares
The company’s registered share capital amounts to EUR 19,399,437 and the number of outstanding shares is 38,747,465. The average number of shares excluding the shares held by the company was 38,737,749.

Share-based incentive programme 2014
On 18 December 2013, Lassila & Tikanoja plc’s Board of Directors decided on a new share-based incentive programme for 2014 as part of the key personnel’s incentive and commitment system. The earnings period of the programme began on 1 January 2014 and ends on 31 December 2014. Any rewards to be paid for 2014 will be based on the Group’s EVA result. Possible rewards will be paid partly as shares and partly in cash. A maximum of 39,105 Lassila & Tikanoja plc shares may be paid out under the programme. The programme covers 10 persons.

Shareholders
At the end of the period, the company had 9,764 (9,204) shareholders. Nominee-registered holdings accounted for 16.9% (19.6%) of the total number of shares.

Authorisation for the Board of Directors
The Annual General Meeting held on 19 March 2014 authorised Lassila & Tikanoja plc’s Board of Directors to make decisions on the repurchase of the company’s own shares using the company’s unrestricted equity. In addition, the Annual General Meeting authorised the Board of Directors to decide on the share issue and the issuance of special rights entitling to shares.

The Board of Directors is authorised to purchase a maximum of 2,000,000 company shares (5.2% of the total number of shares). The repurchase authorisation is effective for 18 months.

The Board of Directors is authorised to decide on the issuance of new shares or shares possibly held by the company through a share issue and/or issuance of option rights or other special rights entitling to shares, referred to in Chapter 10, Section 1 of the Finnish Companies Act, so that under the authorisation a maximum of 2,000,000 shares (5.2% of the total number of shares) may be issued and/or conveyed. The share issue authorisation is effective for 18 months.


RESOLUTIONS BY THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting, which was held on 19 March 2014, adopted the financial statements and consolidated financial statements for 2013 and released the members of the Board of Directors and the President and CEO from liability.

The Annual General Meeting resolved that a dividend of EUR 0.50 per share, totalling EUR 19.4 million, be paid on the basis of the balance sheet to be adopted for the financial year 2013. It was decided that the dividend be paid on 31 March 2014.

The Annual General Meeting confirmed the number of members of the Board of Directors as six. Heikki Bergholm, Eero Hautaniemi, Hille Korhonen, Sakari Lassila and Miikka Maijala were re-elected and Laura Lares was elected as a new member to the Board until the end of the following Annual General Meeting.

KPMG Oy Ab, Authorised Public Accountants, was elected auditor. KPMG Oy Ab named Lasse Holopainen, Authorised Public Accountant, as its principal auditor.

The resolutions of the Annual General Meeting were announced in more detail in a stock exchange release on 19 March 2014.


BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The members of Lassila & Tikanoja plc’s Board of Directors are Heikki Bergholm, Eero Hautaniemi, Hille Korhonen, Laura Lares, Sakari Lassila and Miikka Maijala. At its organising meeting held after the Annual General Meeting, the Board of Directors elected Heikki Bergholm as Chairman of the Board and Eero Hautaniemi as Vice Chairman.

Eero Hautaniemi was elected as Chairman and Sakari Lassila and Laura Lares as members of the audit committee. Heikki Bergholm was elected as Chairman and Hille Korhonen and Miikka Maijala as members of the remuneration committee.


SUMMARY OF STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASES PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 4, CHAPTER 6 OF THE SECURITIES MARKET ACT

In a release published on 3 March 2014, the company announced that Lassila & Tikanoja and Bioinvest SIA have signed an agreement on the sale of L&T’s business operations in Latvia to Bioinvest SIA. In a release published on 13 March 2014, the company announced that the divestment of the business operations had been completed. The total net sales of the divested business operations amount to approximately EUR 16 million, most of which is allocated to the Environmental Services division. As a result of the divestment, approximately 950 employees transferred to Bioinvest.

In a release published on 21 March 2014, the company announced that it had been informed that the financiers of the EcoStream Group had called in a loan granted to L&T Recoil Oy, part of the EcoStream Group. In addition, the company announced that it had received a claim from the financing banks to pay approximately EUR 16.7 million on the basis of a loan guarantee commitment associated with L&T Recoil Oy’s loans.

Lassila & Tikanoja’s total risk associated with the EcoStream Group, including the above guarantee commitment, is approximately EUR 23.4 million as announced earlier. Of this amount, the above guarantee commitment of approximately EUR 16.7 million has an effect on cash flow.

On 30 April 2014, the company announced that it had received information according to which the District Prosecutor for Helsinki had decided to drop the charges against the company’s President and CEO Pekka Ojanpää and eight other current and former members of Lassila & Tikanoja’s management staff who were accused of offences related to occupational health and safety and working hours legislation. The corporate fine and claim for advantage received remained in force against the company.

On 3 July 2014, the company published a press release announcing that the Helsinki District Court has exonerated Lassila & Tikanoja from summary penal orders related to overtime work offences. The corporate fine claim presented by the prosecutor was dropped and the Finnish State was obligated to compensate the company for the legal costs of the case. According to the Court, the guidelines and monitoring systems of the company have been adequate and the safety or health of the employees had not been jeopardised.
 
The District Court considered five of the company’s current or former supervisors to be guilty of offences related to working hours legislation. Three of them were sentenced to pay 8-15 unit fines and two were left without a sentence by reason of the triviality of the criminal act.

On 1 August 2014, the company announced a change to its outlook. Lassila & Tikanoja’s net sales in 2014 are expected to remain at the 2013 level or slightly below. Operating profit excluding non-recurring items is expected to remain at the 2013 level or slightly below.

Previously, the company estimated that comparable net sales in 2014 would remain at the 2013 level and operating profit excluding non-recurring items would remain at the 2013 level or improve slightly.

On 28 August 2014, the company announced that the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority had approved Lassila & Tikanoja plc’s base prospectus pursuant to the Securities Markets Act, and that the company was considering the issuance of a senior unsecured bond based on the base prospectus.

On 5 September 2014, the company announced that Ville Rantala, Vice President, Industrial Services at Lassila & Tikanoja plc and member of the Group Executive Board will leave the company at his own request by the end of 2014, and that recruitment for a new Vice President has already begun.

On 8 September 2014, the company announced that it had received an announcement pursuant to section 5, chapter 9, of the Securities Markets Act from Nordea Funds Ltd, announcing that its current holding of the shares and votes in Lassila & Tikanoja plc has risen above the threshold of 5%.

On 8 September 2014, the company announced it is issuing a EUR 30 million senior unsecured bond. The bond matures on 15 September 2019 and carries a fixed annual interest rate of 2.125 per cent. The offering was oversubscribed. Lassila & Tikanoja will apply for listing of the bond on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki.

On 17 September 2014, the company announced that the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority has approved the listing prospectus of the bond, which is available in English on the company’s website at www.lassila-tikanoja.com/investors.

On 30 September 2014, the company issued a stock exchange release on its Capital Markets Day, the programme of which included reviewing the Group’s strategy and its implementation.


NEAR-TERM RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Economic uncertainty may result in significant changes in the secondary raw material markets for Environmental Services and the demand for Facility Services and Industrial Services.

Uncertainties related to government subsidies for renewable fuels and to the continuity of such subsidies may affect demand for the services of Renewable Energy Sources.

During the last quarter of the year 2014, the company will review its inventory valuation model for Renewable Energy Sources in relation to system changes. Potential changes to the valuation model may affect inventory values and the company’s result.

More detailed information on L&T’s risks and risk management is available in the Annual Report for 2013, in the Report of the Board of Directors and in the consolidated financial statements.


OUTLOOK FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR

Lassila & Tikanoja’s net sales in 2014 are expected to remain at the 2013 level or slightly below. Operating profit excluding non-recurring items is expected to remain at the 2013 level or slightly below.


CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1 JANUARY - 30 SEPTEMBER 2014


CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME