EQS-Adhoc : SIG Combibloc Group AG: Strong 2020 -2-

The progression of the adjusted EBITDA margin in EMEA reflects the strong revenue growth and resulting production efficiencies. In APAC the weaker growth had an impact on margin, and both APAC and the Americas were affected by negative currency movements.

EBITDA was EUR449.7 million compared with EUR479.7 million in 2019. The decline was due to impairment losses relating to production-related assets of the Whakatane paper mill in New Zealand.

Net income and adjusted net income

Adjusted net income increased to EUR232.3 million from EUR217.4 million in 2019. The increase reflected the improvement in adjusted EBITDA and lower interest expense.

Net income was EUR68 million compared with EUR106.9 million in 2019. In addition to the impairment losses mentioned above, net income included foreign exchange losses on inter-company loans and costs relating to the early repayment of term loans as part of the debt refinancing effected in June 2020.

Dividend

At the Annual General Meeting to be held on Wednesday 21 April 2021, the Board of Directors will propose a dividend distribution out of the capital contribution reserve of CHF 0.42 per share for the year 2020 (2019: CHF 0.38 per share). This increased dividend will be paid on a higher number of shares (17.5 million new shares) following the transaction with the Obeikan Investment Group described below.

Capital expenditure

Gross capital expenditure was EUR199 million in 2020 (2019: EUR182 million). The increase reflected investments in production equipment for the new sleeves plant in China, which has been constructed close to the existing plant in Suzhou. Gross filler capex was broadly stable despite the challenging environment. Net capital expenditure (net capex) was EUR145 million compared with EUR110 million in 2019, as upfront cash for fillers received from customers returned towards more normal levels. The ratio of net capex to revenue was 8.0%, just within the target range of 8-10%.

Free cash flow

                                              Year ended   Year ended 
(In EUR million)                               31 Dec. 2020 31 Dec. 2019 
Net cash from operating activities                  425.8        438.1 
Dividends received from joint ventures               22.7         20.7 
Acquisition of PP&E and intangible assets         (199.2)      (182.2) 
Payment of lease liabilities                       (16.1)        (9.8) 
Free cash flow                                      233.2        266.8 

Net cash from operating activities was slightly lower due to additional tax payments and costs incurred for the debt refinancing. Free cash flow generation was strong despite the increase in capital expenditure and higher lease liability payments.

Refinancing and leverage

On 19 June 2020 a debt refinancing was completed, replacing two existing term loans with a new sustainability-linked term loan and two issues of Notes. A new EUR300 million revolving credit facility (RCF) was also established. The lower interest on the new bank facilities and Notes reduced the Group's average cost of debt to 1.6% at end-December 2020. The refinancing allowed a move from a secured to an unsecured debt structure on typical investment grade terms and extended the overall maturity profile.

Net leverage stood at 2.7x at the year end, slightly below the 2019 level. The higher level of gross debt reflects increased lease liabilities, including those relating to the new sleeves plant in China. The strong free cash generation resulted in a significant increase in cash and cash equivalents to EUR355 million.

                                As of   As of 
                               31 Dec. 31 Dec. 
(In EUR million)                  2020    2019 
Gross total debt               1,697.0 1,614.4 
Cash and cash equivalents^1      355.1   261.0 
Net total debt                 1,341.9 1,353.4 
Total net leverage ratio^2        2.7x    2.8x ^1 Includes restricted cash ^2 Net total debt divided by adjusted EBITDA^ Acquisition of remaining 50% of Middle East & Africa joint venture 

In November, SIG Combibloc signed an agreement to take full ownership of its Middle East & Africa joint venture SIG Combibloc Obeikan by acquiring the 50% shareholding of its partner Obeikan Investment Group (OIG). The completion of the transaction is expected in the first quarter of 2021 subject to customary closing conditions. The acquisition will expand SIG's global presence and enhance its medium and long term growth outlook.

The transaction will be funded through a combination of newly issued SIG shares (from authorised share capital) and available cash balances and credit facilities. The impact on leverage will be marginal. OIG will receive around 17.5 million SIG shares, equivalent to a stake of approximately 5% of SIG's share capital on a pro-forma fully diluted basis, and a cash consideration of EUR167 million for its 50% stake in SIG Combibloc Obeikan.

Decision to close Whakatane paper mill

The Group has been assessing the continued viability and different strategic alternatives for its paper mill in New Zealand (Whakatane). The mill primarily produces liquid paper board for use by SIG entities and the Group's joint venture in the Middle East. As a consequence of the assessments, impairment losses of EUR38 million on production-related assets were recognised in the consolidated statements for the year ended 31 December 2020.

The Board of Directors has made the decision to close the paper mill and the Company will enter into the required consultation process with employees. The mill would need significant investment to maintain its viability and the Group will benefit from expanded sourcing opportunities with its existing third-party suppliers of liquid paper board. As a result of the closure decision, management expects to recognise plant decommissioning costs and redundancy costs of around EUR30 million in the first half of 2021. As assets of the mill are monetised over time, the free cash flow impact of these costs is expected to be reduced to approximately EUR15 million, of which EUR10 million would be the cash flow impact in 2021. The benefits of the closure are expected to result in a pay-back period on the cash outflows in line with the Group's normal standards.

Nominations to the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposes the re-election of the Chairman and all other current members of the Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting ("AGM") to be held on 21 April 2021.

Furthermore, the Board of Directors proposes Ms Martine Snels for election to the Board of Directors at the AGM. Martine Snels has more than 20 years' experience in the food industry and from 2015 to 2017 was COO Ingredients (B2B) at FrieslandCampina. Subsequently she was responsible for regions and countries on the Executive Board of GEA, a major supplier of engineering and processing equipment for the food and beverage industry. Martine Snels is a Belgian citizen and holds an MSc in agricultural engineering from K.U. Leuven.

As previously announced, subject to completion of the Middle East & Africa joint venture transaction, the Board of Directors has nominated Abdallah Al Obeikan, Chief Executive Officer of OIG and currently Chief Executive Officer of SIG Combibloc Obeikan, for election to the Board of Directors at the AGM. This will enable SIG to build on the success of the trusted partnership over the last 19 years and to continue to benefit from the strong local presence and expertise of OIG.

2021 outlook

SIG will continue to focus on profitable growth by expanding its business with existing and new customers and further developing sustainable solutions. In 2021, the Company expects to fully consolidate revenues in the Middle East & Africa from the beginning of March, subject to final completion of the transaction. On a like-for-like basis, the combined business is expected to achieve core revenue growth at constant currency in the lower half of the 4-6% range, taking account of the continuing restrictions in South East Asia affecting on-the-go consumption and general uncertainty about the ongoing global effects of the COVID 19 crisis. This represents an acceleration of the organic growth rate compared with 2020 excluding the effect of consolidating Visy Cartons.

Assuming no major deterioration in exchange rates, the adjusted EBITDA margin, including the consolidation of the Middle East & Africa business, is expected to be in the 27-28% range. Net capital expenditure is forecast to be within the targeted 8-10% of revenue range in 2021.

The Company maintains its medium-term guidance of core revenue growth of 4-6% at constant currency and an adjusted EBITDA margin of around 29%. Net capital expenditure should remain within 8-10% of revenue. The Company plans to maintain a dividend payout ratio of 50-60% of adjusted net income while reducing net leverage towards 2x.

2020 Annual Report

SIG today published its 2020 Annual Report, which includes the Group's operating and financial results accompanied by SIG's audited consolidated and statutory annual financial statements, the Compensation Report outlining the compensation policies of the Group and the Corporate Governance Report. All publications are available from 07:00 CET today at https://reports.sig.biz/annual-report-2020. Hard copies can be ordered free of charge from SIG Combibloc Group AG, Laufengasse 18, 8212 Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland.

An update to the Corporate Responsibility Report will be published at the end of March 2021.

Investor contact:

Jennifer Gough [phone] Director Investor Relations SIG Combibloc Group AG Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland [e-mail]

Media contact:

Lemongrass Communications Andreas Hildenbrand [phone] [e-mail]

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February 23, 2021 01:03 ET (06:03 GMT)