Synlait posts record first-half net profit, forecasts FY earnings growth on infant formula sales
By Rebecca Howard
March 21 (BusinessDesk) - Synlait Milk, the NZX-listed dairy company, posted a record first-half net profit on increases
in the manufacture and sales of high-margin products and its relationship with a2 Milk.
Profit jumped to $40.7 million or 22.69 cents a share in the six months ended Jan. 31, from $10.2 million, or 6.34
cents, a year earlier, the Rakaia-based company said in a statement. Revenue jumped to $439.3 million from $288.7
million in the prior period.
Looking ahead, Synlait said the second half is not expected to be as strong as the first half but "we continue to
forecast strong overall earnings growth for the full year. Looking forward into FY19, ongoing growth in infant formula
volumes are expected to continue to grow earnings." In 2018, Synlait had net profit of $38.2 million and revenue of $759
million.
Synlait's shares have more than doubled over the past 12 months with the milk processor buoyed by its association with
milk marketing company a2 Milk, however, that outlook grew cloudy when a2 announced a new supply arrangement with
dominant dairy company Fonterra Cooperative Group in February. That deal prompted a joint release from a2 and Synlait
stating the new relationship doesn't change Synlait's exclusive infant formula supply arrangements with a2.
Managing director John Penno said the company's relationship with a2 Milk "continues to strengthen where we remain their
exclusive manufacturer for the important Australia, New Zealand and China market."
“The growth trajectory of canned infant formula has continued with total consumer packaged volumes almost tripling from
the same period last year and up 36 percent on the second half of last year,” Penno said. "We have also renegotiated our
supply agreements with New Hope Nutritionals and with Bright Dairy, which provides for four-fold volume growth over a
five-year period. However, we don’t expect this to impact sales until FY19."
In the six month period Synlait has invested $34.5 million in capital expenditure throughout New Zealand. The major
components were the Synlait Auckland blending and canning facility, where it spent $11.2 million, and the new wetmix
kitchen at Synlait Dunsandel, which cost $18.4 million. Synlait also established a new research and development centre
in Palmerston North.
“Both of these projects are critical for keeping up with customer demand, and give us the ability to expand on our
infant formula business,” said Penno.
He also said that Synlait’s cash flow generation of $204.3 million for the 12 months to Jan. 31 has fully funded the
capital expenditure program and has enabled the reduction of debt to low levels.
Total net debt for in the first half of the year was $49.7 million, down from $147 million in the same period a year
earlier.
“This leaves the company well placed to fund our expansion plans. At Synlait Dunsandel we expect to spend $125 million
on an advanced liquid dairy packaging facility, and at Synlait Pokeno we will spend $260 million to establish our new
nutritional powder manufacturing facility,” said chairman Graeme Milne.
Penno also said that Synlait’s full-year spend on research and development is forecast at $7 million versus $4.75
million in the prior year. "We intend to lift this to 1.5 percent of revenue within the next few years, which will see
it double again."
The stock last traded at $8.09 and is up 132 percent over the past 12 months.
(BusinessDesk)