Imerys reports resilient first half 2020 results amid Covid-19 crisis
- Revenue down 16.0% at €1.9 billion, heavily affected by Covid-19 in the second quarter (-23.5%)
- Strong generation of net current free operating cash flow at €139 million, reflecting strict management of expenses and operating working capital
- Positive price-mix maintained in difficult market conditions
- Swift implementation of cost savings measures delivering in line with objectives, both for Covid-19 action plan and Connect & Shape program
- Current EBITDA at €290 million, 15.2% of revenue
- Solid balance sheet and liquidity position
- Agreement on proposed resolution of all historic US talc-related liabilities filed on May 15, 2020
Alessandro Dazza, Chief Executive Officer, said:
“Imerys reacted quickly to the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak to ensure the health and safety of its employees, their families and all its stakeholders, while preserving business continuity and adjusting production to lower demand. Cost reduction and cash preservation measures were immediately deployed to protect the Group’s financial performance. Our action plan is delivering in line with objectives and has led to a limited erosion of margins and a solid cash flow generation. The Group has also further strengthened its liquidity position by extending the maturity of its financing facilities. I want to compliment our teams for their tremendous commitment and achievements during these very trying times. The uncertainty over the speed and magnitude of the recovery in most of our markets makes it difficult to provide any reliable financial target for 2020. Our results in the first half of the year support our confidence that Imerys’ business model is adaptive and resilient, even under the most challenging circumstances.”
Covid-19 update
Unprecedented slump in demand in Q2
The Covid-19 pandemic caused a sharp drop in demand across all geographies and industrial markets, particularly in the second quarter, with European automotive and crude steel production down 69% and 28% respectively, and a similar decline in the USA. Covid-19 had also a negative impact on paper markets (down 30%), amid structurally declining demand, as well as on the construction sector, down 10% globally in the second quarter. Consumer businesses like food & beverage, pharma & healthcare and agriculture suffered a limited decline.
As of July 24, 2020, all of the Group’s industrial sites are operational again, with varying utilization rates depending on demand.
Implementation of an action plan to reduce costs and preserve cash flow generation
In this context, and in addition to the Connect & Shape transformation program, the management has implemented a specific action plan to limit the adverse impact of the volume shortfall on its profitability and cash flow, and to preserve the strength of its balance sheet.
In the first half of 2020:
- The Covid-19 action plan generated fixed costs and overheads savings of €37 million, coming from :
- decrease in staff costs (mostly temporary measures, such as furloughs, short time working, etc.)
- reduction in maintenance costs in line with the decline of production activity
- strict control on overheads and expenses
- The Connect & Shape transformation program generated additional savings of €25 million. Combined with the €28 million achieved in 2019, it is in line with the objective to reach €100 million gross savings by 2022;
- Booked capital expenditure was reduced by 7.3% to €101 million in the first half and is not expected to exceed €250 million in the full year, significantly below the typical range for the Group of €300-€350 million per year;
Operating working capital improved by €46 million thanks to dedicated actions.
Strong liquidity position and sound financial structure
Net financial debt was stable at €1.7 billion as of June 30, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019. It represented 56% of shareholders’ equity, 48% pre IFRS 16 well below the Group’s only bank covenant which is capped at 160%.
The strength of the Group’s balance sheet is supported by significant liquidity of €2.1 billion as of June 30, 2020, including ca. €1.1 billion of cash and €1.0 billion of undrawn bilateral credit lines. The Group’s bonds with an aggregate principal amount of €1,9 billion have a 4.7 years average maturity, and limited repayments over the coming years. The €224 million bond repayment, scheduled for the end of November 2020, is therefore fully covered. The Group has also renegotiated some credit line facilities in the second quarter to extend their average maturity profile to 2.6 years.
The option for the payment of the 2019 dividend in new shares approved by the Shareholders' General Meeting of Imerys on May 4, 2020 resulted in the creation of 5,671,940 new shares (88.1% of the dividend payment), representing an increase of 7.15% of the share capital (or €119.8 million, premium included) and of 4.49% of the voting rights on the basis of the share capital as of May 31, 2020. The payment of the dividend in cash amounted to €16.1 million.
Agreement for a proposed resolution of historic talc-related liabilities
On May 15, 2020, Imerys SA announced that it, along with the North American talc subsidiaries (Imerys Talc America, Imerys Talc Vermont and Imerys Talc Canada) and Imerys Talc Italy SpA have reached an agreement to resolve historic talc-related liabilities with representatives of existing and potential future claimants. This agreement is documented in a joint Plan of Reorganization (the “Plan”) which was filed on May 15 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, where the North American Talc Subsidiaries’ chapter 11 proceedings are pending (please refer to the corresponding press release issued on May 15, 2020).
The Plan provides that once the necessary approvals have been obtained, the Group will be released from all existing and future talc-related liabilities arising out of the Talc Subsidiaries’ past operations, as such liabilities will be channeled into a dedicated trust.
The approval process for the Plan includes an affirmative vote by the requisite majority of talc-related claimants, followed by a confirmation and final approval from the applicable US courts. Since the terms of the Plan have been agreed with representatives appointed by the bankruptcy court to represent (existing and future potential) talc-related claimants, it is expected that the Plan could be approved in time for the Talc Subsidiaries to emerge from Chapter 11 before the end of 2020.
The approval process of the Plan is currently progressing with a negotiated resolution of potential objections from third parties. In the meantime, the sale process of the North American talc subsidiaries’ assets to which Imerys has agreed not to participate is under way.
Changes in the Group’s Executive Committee
With effect from August 2, 2020, Olivier Pirotte, member of the Executive Committee and Chief Financial Officer since 2015, who has successfully contributed to the transformation of the Finance and IT functions over the past few years, will become Chief Strategy and Mergers & Acquisitions Officer of the Group, replacing Olivier Hautin.
On the same date, Sébastien Rouge will be appointed Chief Financial Officer of Imerys and member of the Executive Committee and will oversee the Finance and IT functions. Sébastien Rouge has gained broad financial experience in industrial groups such as Alstom Power and General Electric, and was Chief Financial Officer of Latécoère and Soitec.
COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST HALF 2020 RESULTS
Revenue
In the first half of 2020, Group revenue was €1,900.2 million, down 15.9% year-on-year at constant scope and exchange rates. Group sales volumes decreased by 16.6% (-€376.4 million), with -24.6% in the second quarter, as the Covid-19 pandemic affected industrial markets globally. In this context, Imerys maintained a positive 0.8% price mix (+€17.2 million).
The scope effect was a negative €19.4 million (-0.9%), the majority (-€16.8 million) of which results from the deconsolidation of the North American talc subsidiaries after they filed for the protection of the Chapter 11 legal procedure on February 13th, 2019.
Revenue also included a positive currency effect of €15.4 million (+0.7%), primarily as a result of the appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the euro.
Current EBITDA
Current EBITDA reached €289.6 million in the first half of 2020, down 26.0% year-on-year (-44.0% in the second quarter). It reflects lower volumes contribution (-€183.7 million), only partially offset by continuing positive price mix (€16.7 million) and lower variable costs (€8.0 million). It also includes an improvement of €50.2 million of fixed costs and overheads coming from specific actions in relation to Covid-19 and the Connect & Shape transformation plan.
The currency effect was positive at €9.3 million.
In this context of considerably reduced sales volumes, current EBITDA margin remained strong at 15.2%, a limited decline in the first half of 2020 compared to the same period of 2019.
Current operating income at €132.1 million shows a 46.1% decrease against the first half of 2019.
Net income from current operations
Net income from current operations, Group share, totaled €72.8 million, down 54.1% versus the first half of 2019. Net financial result is negative at -€29.2 million in the first half of 2020, €10.8 million higher than in the first half of 2019, which benefited from the repayment in March 2019 of the private placement denominated in Japanese yen (€17.0 million). The income tax expense of €28.8 million corresponds to an effective tax rate of 28.0%, compared with 29.0% in the first half of 2019.
Net income from current operations, Group share, per share was down 54.4% to €0.91.
Net income
Other income and expenses, after tax, represent an overall charge of €16.2 million in the first half of 2020, significantly below last year’s level, and include costs to implement the Connect & Shape transformation program.
Consequently, net income, Group share, totaled €56.6 million in the first half of 2020.
Net current free operating cash flow
Imerys generated a high net current free operating cash flow of €139.1 million in the first half of 2020, up 40.0% versus prior year, thanks primarily to disciplined management of working capital in the context of the Covid-19 crisis. This figure includes:
- €149.4 million in capital expenditure, up 10.2% year on year; booked capital expenditure amounted to €100.7 million, down 7.3% versus prior year.
- significant improvement in the operating working capital requirement (up €46.4 million) compared to last year, in particular through better inventory management.
The payment of 88% of the dividend in new shares resulted in a cash out of only €16.1 million in the first half of 2020 compared to €170.7 million in the first half of 2019. Consequently the increase in net financial debt compared with December 31, 2019 is limited to €17.8 million as of June 30, 2020.
Financial structure
As of June 30, 2020, net financial debt totaled €1,702.8 million, which corresponds to a net financial debt to current EBITDA ratio of 2.6x.
The Group's financial structure is solid, as evidenced by the "investment grade" ratings confirmed by Standard and Poor's (June 2, 2020, BBB-, stable outlook) and Moody's (April 2, 2020, Baa3, negative outlook).
COMMENTARY BY SEGMENT
Performance Minerals (57% of consolidated revenue)
Revenue generated by the Performance Minerals segment fell 12.4% in the first half of 2020. This takes into account a negative scope effect of €21.6 million (-1.7%), mostly due to the deconsolidation of the North American talc subsidiaries. The scope effect also takes into account the acquisition of EDK (November 2019), a calcium carbonate producer in Brazil (annual revenue of €15 million) and Cornerstone Industrial Minerals Corp. (April 15, 2020), a producer of high-quality perlite in North America (annual revenue of USD 12 million). The currency effect is positive at €13.8 million (+1.1%). At constant scope and exchange rates, revenue dropped 13.1% in the first half of 2020 impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic (-21.3% in the second quarter).
Revenue in the Americas was down 7.7% at constant scope and exchange rates in the first half of 2020. During the second quarter, revenue was down 16.3% organically, due to weak plastics, paper, ceramics and paints markets, and despite a good performance in the filtration, life science and agriculture markets.
Revenue in Europe, Middle-East and Africa decreased by 16,2% at constant scope and exchange rates in the first half of 2020. During the second quarter (-24.8%), most consumer markets (i.e. filtration, agriculture, food and pharma) and board packaging continued to perform well. All the automotive-related segments (plastic, absorbent, fiberglass), as well as paper and construction (ceramics, building materials, paints & coatings) were heavily impacted by the crisis.
Revenue in Asia-Pacific was down 13.5% at constant scope and exchange rates in the first half of 2020. During the second quarter (-15.5%), Graphite & carbon for mobile energy, polymers and calcium carbonates for food packaging and medical applications held up well, while all other markets (ceramics, paper, building & infrastructure, etc.) were still negatively affected by the pandemic.
Current EBITDA for the segment totaled €202.0 million in the first half of 2020, down 18.5%, with an EBITDA margin of 18.5% on revenue. The decline in volumes was partly offset by the measures implemented to mitigate the negative effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as by the savings associated with the Connect & Shape transformation plan.
High Temperature Materials & Solutions (43% of consolidated revenue)
Revenue generated by the High Temperature Materials and Solutions segment fell 20.3% in the first half of 2020. This includes a positive currency effect of €2.6 million (+0.2%). The scope effect of €3.4 million (+0.3%) takes into account the disposal of the non-strategic fused magnesia plant in the UK (March 1, 2019), as well as the acquisition in December 2019 of a 65% stake in Shandong Luxin Mount Tai Co., a Chinese producer of minerals for abrasives (€12 million in annual revenue). At constant scope and exchange rates, revenue decreased by 19.3% in the first half of 2020 (-27.6% in the second quarter).
Revenue from High Temperature Solutions decreased by 21.9% at constant scope and exchange rates in the first half of 2020. During the second quarter (-29.2%), the low economic activity negatively impacted all markets and regions. Furthermore, renovation projects in the petrochemical, boiler and incinerator industries were postponed to the second half of the year or later. Imerys closed in July 2020 the acquisition of Hysil, an Indian producer of calcium silicate boards used for thermal insulation projects for industries such as cement, metallurgical, oil refinery petrochemical and power plants (€5 million in annual revenue).
Revenue in the Refractory, Abrasives & Construction business area was down 17.7% at constant scope and exchange rates in the first half of 2020. During the second quarter (-27.1%), the decline of revenue stemmed from the refractory and abrasives markets, as a result of the sharp decline of automotive and iron & steel production. The building and infrastructure segment (specialty cements), which held well in the first quarter, was more impacted in the second quarter, especially in Europe and at the end of the quarter in the USA.
Current EBITDA for the segment totaled €87.6 million, or 10.6% of revenue in the first half of 2020. It was impacted by the considerable drop in volumes despite a resilient price mix, lower raw materials prices (alumina, zirconia, etc.) and lower fixed costs and overheads.
First half 2020 results conference call
The press release is available on the Group’s website www.imerys.com. The first half 2020 results will be presented at a conference call held today at 6.30 pm (CET). The call will be broadcast live on the Group’s website www.imerys.com.
Financial Calendar
- November 2, 2020: Third quarter of 2020 Results
- February 17, 2021: 2020 annual results
- April 29, 2021: 1st quarter 2021 results
- July 27, 2021: 1st half 2021 results
- November 2, 2021: 3rd quarter 2021 results
These dates are subject to change and may be updated on the Group’s website https://www.Imerys.com/finance.
---------------------------------------------------------
The world’s leading supplier of mineral-based specialty solutions for industry with €4.4 billion in revenue and 16,300 employees in 2019. Imerys delivers high value-added, functional solutions to a great number of sectors, from processing industries to consumer goods. The Group draws on its understanding of applications, technological knowledge and expertise in material science to deliver solutions by beneficiating its mineral resources, synthetic minerals and formulations. Imerys’ solutions contribute essential properties to customers’ products and their performance, including heat resistance, hardness, conductivity, opacity, durability, purity, lightness, filtration, absorption and water repellency. Imerys is determined to develop responsibly, in particular by fostering the emergence of environmentally-friendly products and processes.
More comprehensive information about Imerys may be obtained from its website (www.imerys.com) in the Regulated Information section, particularly in its Registration Document filed with the French financial markets authority (Autorité des marchés financiers, AMF) on March 24, 2020 under number D.20-0175 (also available from the AMF website, www.amf-france.org). Imerys draws investors’ attention to chapter 4 “Risk Factors and Internal Control” of its Registration Document.
Disclaimer: This document contains projections and other forward-looking statements. Investors should be aware that such projections and forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties (many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Imerys) that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied.
The present document is a translation of the French language version provided solely for the convenience of English-speaking users. In all matters of interpretation, views or opinions expressed in the original language version of the document in French take precedence over the translation. Only the French language version is binding.
---------------------------------------------------------
Analyst/Investor Relations:
Vincent Gouley: +33 (0)1 49 55 64 69
finance@imerys.com
Press contacts:
Claire Lauvernier: +33 (0)1 49 55 66 65
Hugues Schmitt (DGM Conseil): +33 (0)1 40 70 11 89