Mondi Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number: 1967/013038/06)
JSE share code: MND ISIN: ZAE000156550
Mondi plc
(Incorporated in England and Wales)
(Registered number: 6209386)
JSE share code: MNP ISIN: GB00B1CRLC47
LSE share code: MNDI
As part of the dual listed company structure, Mondi Limited and Mondi plc
(together `Mondi Group') notify both the JSE Limited and the London Stock
Exchange of matters required to be disclosed under the Listings Requirements of
the JSE Limited and/or the Disclosure and Transparency and Listing Rules of the
United Kingdom Listing Authority.
Mondi Group: Interim Management Statement 13 May 2015
This interim management statement provides an overview of the financial
performance and financial position of the Group since the year ended 31
December 2014, based on management accounts up to 31 March 2015 and estimated
results for April 2015. These results have not been audited or reviewed by
Mondi's external auditors.
Reviewed results for the half-year ending 30 June 2015 will be published on or
around 6 August 2015.
Except as discussed in this interim management statement, there have been no
significant events or transactions impacting either the financial performance
or financial position of Mondi Group since 31 December 2014 up to the date of
this statement.
Group Performance Overview
First quarter underlying operating profit of EUR236 million was 29% above the
comparable prior year period (EUR183 million), on volume growth and lower input
costs across most of the European businesses, good contributions from capital
projects and acquisitions, and higher selling prices in Russia and South
Africa. The result was 9% above the fourth quarter of 2014 (EUR216 million).
Average selling prices in Europe for all key paper grades were broadly in line
with those in the previous quarter and, with the exception of recycled
containerboard, also in line with the comparable prior year period. Average
benchmark recycled containerboard prices were around 6% lower than the first
quarter of 2014.
On a like-for-like basis, sales volumes were up across most businesses on both
the comparable prior year period and the previous quarter.
The Group benefited from generally lower input costs relative to the comparable
prior year period, driven in part by currency impacts. Wood costs, paper for
recycling, resin, energy and chemicals costs were all lower than the comparable
prior year period. Inflationary pressures in a number of the emerging markets
in which the Group operates are expected to increase going forward. In
addition, the recent recovery in the oil price is expected to negatively affect
the cost of energy, resin and chemicals.
The strengthening of the US dollar versus the Euro provided a net benefit to
the Group, both through translation of dollar-denominated sales and through the
support provided to European selling prices for a number of the Group's key
paper grades. The weaker Russian rouble in the early part of the year had a net
negative impact on the domestically focused uncoated fine paper business offset
in part by the export-oriented Russian packaging paper operations. However,
during the quarter, the rouble strengthened sharply from its lows.
During the first quarter, the scheduled maintenance shut of the Richards Bay
mill in South Africa was completed. In 2014, this shut took place in the third
quarter. Maintenance shuts are scheduled for the second quarter at the Swiecie
mill in Poland and at two of the Group's kraft paper mills. As previously
indicated, the impact of maintenance shuts on annual operating profit in 2015
is estimated to be around EUR80 million.
Divisional Overview
Europe & International Division
Packaging Paper performance was supported by strong contributions from projects
commissioned over the past year, a positive contribution from the US operations
acquired in the previous year, generally lower input costs and currency
benefits. Selling prices were at similar levels to the comparable prior year
period and the previous quarter.
Virgin containerboard price increases were implemented in southern Europe
towards the end of the quarter and further increases of EUR40/tonne have since
been announced across Europe. Recycled containerboard price increases have also
been announced for implementation in the second quarter.
In Kraft Paper, average selling prices during the quarter were higher than
those in the comparable prior year period and similar to the previous quarter.
Price increases for sack kraft paper have been announced in Europe for
implementation in June, although the impact is expected to be muted as a result
of the high levels of integration into Fibre Packaging.
The business benefited from the ramp-up of projects completed during the prior
year, most notably the 155,000 tonne per annum bleached kraft paper machine in
Steti, Czech Republic, and the 100,000 tonne per annum pulp dryer in Syktyvkar,
Russia, producing softwood pulp for the open market.
The Fibre Packaging business benefited from margin expansion versus the
comparable prior year period on better pricing and improved product mix due to
various commercial excellence initiatives, supported by volume growth. The
business also benefited from an improving performance from the recently
acquired US Bags business, with the turnaround progressing according to plan.
Consumer Packaging continues to show good progress with higher sales volumes
and stronger margins than the comparable prior year period. Volume growth was
supported by qualification of a number of new customer projects, together with
the successful ramp-up of the plant opened in the first quarter of 2014 in
China. Margin improvement was achieved through the ongoing focus on growth in
higher margin products, in line with the business unit's strategy. Lower resin
prices in the early part of the year also supported margins, although the sharp
increase in resin prices since early March will negatively impact margins in
the second quarter as product pricing adjusts with the usual three month lag.
Uncoated Fine Paper benefited from higher sales volumes, higher domestic
Russian prices, and lower input costs, supported by a strong contribution from
the recently completed recovery boiler investment in Ruzomberok, Slovakia. This
was partially offset by lower average selling prices in Europe and negative
currency impacts. In Russia, price increases were successfully implemented in
the early part of the year in response to rising domestic inflationary
pressures driven by the sharp rouble devaluation. A partial reduction of these
increases was implemented in April following the subsequent revaluation of the
rouble. In Europe, prices have stabilised, with price increases of between 2%
and 3% implemented from the beginning of the second quarter.
South Africa Division
The South Africa Division benefited from higher average domestic selling
prices, the benefits of the stronger US dollar, gains from land sales, and a
higher than anticipated forestry revaluation gain versus the comparable prior
year period. Domestic demand for the Division's key grades was lower than the
previous quarter due to seasonal effects in uncoated fine paper and the weaker
industrial sector affecting demand for pulp and containerboard.
Special items
The Group continues to review and refine its portfolio. Since 31 December 2014,
the intention to close a consumer packaging plant in Spain and a small kraft
paper mill in Finland was announced. In addition, restructuring of the recently
acquired US Bags business continued. As a result, special item charges of
EUR35 million were recognised.
Capital investment projects
Good progress is being made on the Group's major capital investment projects,
with all projects proceeding on schedule and within budget.
Cash flow and financing activities
Cash generated by operations more than offset the cash outflows for the Group's
capital expenditure programme.
Finance charges were higher than that of the preceding quarter and the
comparable prior year period, primarily due to higher Russian interest rates,
while average net debt levels were broadly unchanged from those of the previous
quarter.
There have been no significant changes in the Group's borrowing facilities
since 31 December 2014.
On 11 May 2015, Standard & Poor's announced that it had upgraded the Group's
credit rating from BBB- to BBB stable outlook. This follows the upgrade from
Moody's Investors Service to Baa2, announced in October 2014.
Summary
Much depends on the macroeconomic environment. However, given the Group's
robust business model and clear strategic focus, management remains confident
of continuing to deliver industry leading performance and making good progress
for the year.
Contact details:
Mondi Group
David Hathorn +27 11 994 5418
Andrew King +27 11 994 5415
Lora Rossler +27 83 627 0292
FTI Consulting
Richard Mountain +44 7909 684 466
Sue I Ong +44 20 3727 1340
Editors' notes
We are Mondi: In touch every day
Mondi is an international packaging and paper Group, employing around 25,000
people across more than 30 countries. Our key operations are located in central
Europe, Russia, North America and South Africa. We offer over 100 packaging and
paper products, customised into more than 100,000 different solutions for
customers and end consumers. In 2014, Mondi had revenues of EUR6.4 billion and
a return on capital employed of 17.2%.
The Mondi Group is fully integrated across the packaging and paper value chain
- from managing forests and producing pulp, paper and compound plastics, to
developing effective and innovative industrial and consumer packaging
solutions. Our innovative technologies and products can be found in a variety
of applications including hygiene components, stand-up pouches, super-strong
cement bags, clever retail boxes and office paper. Our key customers are in
industries such as automotive; building and construction; chemicals; food and
beverage; home and personal care; medical and pharmaceutical; packaging and
paper converting; pet care; and office and professional printing.
Mondi has a dual listed company structure, with a primary listing on the JSE
Limited for Mondi Limited under the ticker code MND and a premium listing on
the London Stock Exchange for Mondi plc, under the ticker code MNDI.
For us, acting sustainably makes good business sense. We don't just talk about
sustainability; we make it part of the way we work every day. We have been
included in the FTSE4Good Index Series since 2008 and the JSE's Socially
Responsible Investment (SRI) Index since 2007.
Sponsor in South Africa: UBS
South Africa (Pty) Ltd