19th Jul 2010 07:00
19 July 2010
Fenner PLC ("Fenner")
INTERIM MANAGEMENT STATEMENT
Fenner PLC today issues an update of events since its Half Year results which were released on 28 April 2010.
Market Overview and Operations
Trading across the whole group has continued the strong growth experienced in our second quarter with revenue and underlying operating profit (at constant exchange rates) in the third quarter of the financial year well ahead of the comparable period last year.
Trading in the Advanced Engineered Products division has exceeded our expectations, with growth from the underlying recovery in industrial markets, particularly the US, supplemented by a re-stocking of supply chains in certain operations. Our seals business has benefitted from good levels of demand from the oil and gas sector and improved order intake in the general hydraulic sector. Despite the continuing wider economic uncertainty, our other businesses in the division, focused on niche areas of expertise, have made solid progress and we are seeing new opportunities in both established and new territories. Our business development programme in our technical weaving business, which includes Secant Medical, has enhanced opportunities for generating new revenue streams organically and our acquisition in July 2010 of MRI Manufacturing and Research, Inc. ("MRI") strengthens further our presence in supplying the medical device market.
The Conveyor Belting division, which was largely unaffected by the economic downturn, has continued to perform well. The benefits from recent capital investments are increasingly generating operational efficiencies. We continue to pursue opportunities for acquisitive growth in our service businesses.
Financial Position
In April, Fenner raised gross proceeds of approximately £36.3 million through the placing of 17,302,233 new ordinary shares to help provide the Group with the financial flexibility to continue to finance strategic acquisitions that will further enhance our business. The first of these acquisitions, MRI, was announced earlier this month.
Operating cash flow continues to be strong, benefiting from healthy trading and the completion of major internal capital projects last year. Borrowings remain in line with expectations.
Outlook
With over 75% of group revenues generated in economies outside the UK and Continental Europe, Fenner's business is geographically well-diversified. Order flows continue to be encouraging and with trading comfortably meeting our expectations, we are confident in both the short and longer term outlook for the business.
Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Fenner, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements.
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For further information please contact:
Fenner PLC |
01482 626501 |
Mark Abrahams, Chief Executive |
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Richard Perry, Finance Director |
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Weber Shandwick Financial |
020 7067 0700 |
Nick Oborne / Stephanie Badjonat |
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