Interim Report January – September 2018

Reporting period January – September

• Net sales increased by 17.4 per cent to SEK 8,502 (7,241) million. Organically, net sales grew by 5.1 per cent
• EBITA* increased by 22.6 per cent to SEK 1,498 (1,222) million
• The EBITA margin* increased to 17.6 (16.9) per cent
• Earnings before tax grew by 22.2 per cent to SEK 1,260 (1,031) million
• Net profit for the period grew by 24.3 per cent to SEK 967 (778) million
• Earnings per share increased by 24.0 per cent to SEK 10.42 (8.40)
• Cash flow from operating activities increased by 31.8 per cent to SEK 971 (737) million
• During the period, Lifco acquired eight businesses with total annual sales of around SEK 500 million
• After the end of the reporting period, the acquisition of ERC Systems of Sweden will be consolidated

Reporting period July – September

• Net sales increased by 17.8 per cent to SEK 2,787 (2,365) million. Organically, net sales grew by 6.4 per cent
• EBITA* increased by 28.7 per cent to SEK 520 (404) million
• The EBITA margin* increased to 18.7 (17.1) per cent
• Earnings before tax grew by 31.3 per cent to SEK 436 (332) million
• Net profit for the period grew by 28.7 per cent to SEK 327 (254) million
• Cash flow from operating activities increased by 63.2 per cent to SEK 488 (299) million

Summary of financial performance 

       * Before acquisition costs. 

COMMENTS FROM THE CEO

In the first nine months of 2018, net sales increased by 17.4 per cent to SEK 8,502 (7,241) million through acquisitions, organic growth and foreign exchange gains. All three business areas reported robust sales and earnings growth for the nine-month period. All divisions in all business areas had a solid development in the first nine months of year on the back of growing sales and improved earnings. The market environment in the three business areas remained generally favourable.

EBITA before acquisition costs increased by 22.6 per cent over the interim period to SEK 1,498 (1,222) million and the EBITA margin expanded by 0.7 percentage points to 17.6 (16.9) per cent. The improvement in profitability was mainly due to acquisitions and organic growth. Earnings per share for the nine-month period increased by 24.0 per cent to SEK 10.42 (8.40).

Cash flow from operating activities for the nine-month period increased by 31.8 per cent to SEK 971 (737) million. We are still experiencing delivery problems in many businesses, which has led to increased inventories. This is, on the other hand, compensated to a large degree by an increased level of advance payments from customers within the divisions Forest and Environmental Technology.

So far this year, Lifco has consolidated eight new businesses with combined annual sales of around SEK 500 million. After the end of the period, Lifco concluded an agreement to acquire ERC Systems of Sweden, a provider of sewer inspection and relining services. The acquisitions will have a positive impact on Lifco’s results and financial position in the current year.

Even after the acquisitions made in 2018, Lifco has ample financial scope for further acquisitions, as net debt stands at 2.0 times EBITDA before acquisition costs, still well below our target of a net debt of up to three times EBITDA.

Fredrik Karlsson

CEO

GROUP PERFORMANCE IN JANUARY – SEPTEMBER

Net sales increased by 17.4 per cent to SEK 8,502 (7,241) million, driven by acquisitions, organic growth and foreign exchange gains. Acquisitions contributed 9.4 per cent and organic growth 5.1 per cent while changes in exchange rates had a positive impact of 2.9 per cent. In the first nine months of the year, Computer konkret, Dental Direct, Denterbridge, Flörchinger Zahntechnik, Rhein 83, Spocs, Toolpack’s Norwegian service vehicle interior business and Wexman were consolidated.

EBITA* increased by 22.6 per cent to SEK 1,498 (1,222) million and the EBITA margin* expanded by 0.7 percentage points to 17.6 (16.9) per cent. EBITA* improved on the back of acquisitions, organic growth and foreign exchange gains. Foreign exchange gains accounted for 3.1 percentage points of the increase in EBITA*. In the first nine months of the year, 36 (33) per cent of EBITA* was generated in EUR, 28 (30) per cent in SEK and 15 (14) per cent in NOK.

Net financial items were SEK -33 (-32) million.

The profit before tax increased by 22.2 per cent to SEK 1,260 (1,031) million and the net profit for the period increased by 24.3 per cent to SEK 967 (778) million. After corporation tax rates were cut in Norway, the UK and Sweden, deferred tax liabilities were restated during the period, which had a positive one-off effect of SEK 22 million.

Average capital employed excluding goodwill increased by SEK 95 million over the nine-month period, to SEK 1,250 million at 30 September 2018, compared with SEK 1,155 million at 31 December 2017. EBITA* relative to average capital employed excluding goodwill increased by 11 percentage points in the interim period, to 161 per cent. At 30 September 2017, EBITA* in relation to average capital employed excluding goodwill was 140 per cent. The improvement was due chiefly to higher earnings.

The Group’s net debt increased by SEK 446 million from 31 December 2017 to SEK 4,240 million at 30 September 2018. In the first quarter, Lifco issued SEK 1,750 million in two series of unsecured bonds with maturities of two years. The proceeds of the bond issues were used to refinance existing bank loans and bonds. At the end of the period, liabilities related to call/put options and additional considerations for acquisitions totalled SEK 574 (226) million.

The net debt to equity ratio at 30 September 2018 was 0.7 (0.8) and net debt to EBITDA* was 2.0 (2.4) times. At the end of the period, 29 per cent of the Group’s interest-bearing liabilities were denominated in EUR.

Cash flow from operating activities increased to SEK 971 (737) million during the interim period, mainly as a result of stronger earnings. Cash flow from investing activities was SEK -580 (-1,333) million, which was mainly attributable to acquisitions.

GROUP PERFORMANCE IN THE THIRD QUARTER

Net sales for the three-month period increased by 17.8 per cent to SEK 2,787 (2,365) million, driven by acquisitions, organic growth and foreign exchange gains. Acquisitions contributed 7.9 per cent and organic growth 6.4 per cent while changes in exchange rates had a positive impact of 3.5 per cent.

EBITA* increased by 28.7 per cent to SEK 520 (404) million and the EBITA margin* improved by 1.6 percentage points to 18.7 (17.1) per cent. EBITA* improved on the back of organic growth, acquisitions and foreign exchange gains. Foreign exchange gains accounted for 4.1 percentage points of the increase in EBITA*. In the third quarter, 37 (34) per cent of EBITA* was generated in EUR, 26 (30) per cent in SEK and (13) 15 per cent in NOK.

Net financial items were SEK -10 (-11) million.

Earnings before tax increased by 31.3 per cent to SEK 436 (332) million. Net profit grew by 28.7 per cent to SEK 327 (254) million.

Average capital employed excluding goodwill increased by SEK 10 million to SEK 1,250 million at 30 September 2018, up from SEK 1,240 million at 30 June 2018. EBITA in relation to average capital employed excluding goodwill increased from 153 per cent at 30 June 2018 to 161 per cent at 30 September 2018.

The Group’s net debt decreased by SEK 16 million to SEK 4,240 million over the three-month period. At 0.7, the net debt/equity was unchanged compared with 30 June 2018.

Cash flow from operating activities increased by 63.2 per cent to SEK 488 (299) million in the third quarter, mainly as a result of stronger earnings. Cash flow from investing activities was SEK -288 (-390) million, which was mainly attributable to acquisitions.

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE – BUSINESS AREAS

Dental 

The companies in Lifco’s Dental business area are leading suppliers of consumables, equipment and technical service to dentists across Europe, and the business area also has operations in the US. Lifco sells dental technology to dentists in the Nordic countries and Germany, and develops and sells

medical record systems in Denmark, Sweden and Germany. The business area also includes a number of manufacturers which produce disinfectants, saliva ejectors, bite registration and dental impression materials, bonding agents and other consumables that are sold to dentists through distributors around the world.

Net sales in Dental increased by 8.3 per cent to SEK 3,041 (2,809) in the first nine months of the year. EBITA* increased by 12.8 per cent to SEK 583 (517) million during the period and the EBITA margin* expanded by 0.8 percentage points to 19.2 (18.4) per cent.

The dental market remains generally stable. The results of individual companies in Lifco’s Dental business may in any individual quarter be influenced by significant fluctuations in exchange rates, calendar effects (such as Easter), gained or lost contracts in procurements of consumables by public-sector or major private-sector customers and fluctuations in the delivery of equipment. In the first nine months of the year, there were no individual events having a substantial impact on the earnings of the Dental group as a whole.

Lifco’s majority stake in Computer konkret, a German software provider to dentists and orthodontists, was consolidated as of January 2018. The company generated net sales of around EUR 3.8 million in 2017 and has about 50 employees. Lifco’s majority stake in Dental Direct of Norway and its Danish subsidiary 3D Dental, which have around 20 employees and generated combined net sales of around SEK 135 million in 2017, were consolidated with effect from April 2018. Flörchinger Zahntechnik of Germany, which has around 25 employees and generated net sales of EUR 1.7 million in 2017, was consolidated with effect from May 2018. The acquisitions of Denterbridge of France and a majority stake in Rhein 83 of Italy were consolidated from July 2018. The two companies generated net sales of EUR 9 million and EUR 8 million, respectively, in 2017 and have about 20 employees each.

Demolition & Tools 

Demolition & Tools develops, manufactures and sells equipment for the construction and demolition industries. The Group is the world’s leading supplier of demolition robots and crane attachments. The Group is also one of the leading global suppliers of excavator attachments. The operations are divided into two divisions - Demolition Robots and Crane & Excavator Attachments - which are of roughly equal size in terms of sales. The business area’s EBITA margin might fluctuate between quarters due to single, major special orders.

Net sales increased by 24.9 per cent in the first nine months of the year, to SEK 2,032 (1,627) million. The market situation was generally good. Among the larger markets, France and Germany saw the fastest growth. EBITA* increased by 21.3 per cent over the period to SEK 496 (409) million and the EBITA margin* was 24.4 (25.1) per cent.

Systems Solutions 

Through its operating units, Systems Solutions operates in industries offering systems solutions. Systems Solutions is divided into five divisions: Construction Materials, Interiors for Service Vehicles, Contract Manufacturing, Environmental Technology and Forest.

Net sales in Systems Solutions increased by 22.2 per cent to SEK 3,429 (2,805) million in the first nine months of the year on the back of a good performance across all divisions.

EBITA* increased by 35.5 per cent for the interim period, to SEK 500 (369) million. All divisions improved their earnings during the period. The EBITA margin* expanded by 1.4 percentage points to 14.6 (13.2) per cent.

Construction Materials reported good sales and earnings growth for the nine-month period as a result of acquisitions and organic growth. ERC Systems of Sweden will be consolidated in the Proline Group from October 2018. The company had net sales of around SEK 20 million in 2017 and has eleven employees.

Interiors for Service Vehicles saw good sales growth in the first nine months with increased profitability. Toolpack’s Norwegian service vehicle interiors business, which has around 15 employees and generated net sales of about NOK 40 million in 2017, was consolidated with effect from May 2018.

Contract Manufacturing saw good sales growth in the first nine months and reported increased earnings. Spocs, a Swedish provider of final assembly and testing services for electronic products, was consolidated from March 2018. The company had net sales of around SEK 61 million in 2017 and has 23 employees.

Environmental Technology saw a steady increase in sales and improved its profitability over the nine-month period.

Forest reported good sales and earnings growth for the nine-month period. The projects which created problems in Forest in 2017 have been concluded. This, coupled with strong demand, led to a good performance during the period. Lifco’s majority stake in Wexman of Sweden, which makes professional workwear, was consolidated with effect from June 2018. The company generated net sales of around SEK 46 million in 2017 and has twelve employees.

ACQUISITIONS

In the first nine months of 2018, Lifco made the following acquisitions:

Further information on the acquisitions is provided on page 17. The figures for net sales and number of employees refer to estimated annual net sales and the number of employees at the acquisition date.

Taken together, the acquisitions will have a positive impact on Lifco’s results and financial position in the current year.

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Employees

The average number of employees in the first three quarters of the year was 4,825 (3,886) and the number of employees at the end of the period was 4,903 (4,632). Acquisitions added 190 employees.

Events after the end of the reporting period

In early October, it was announced that Lifco had acquired ERC Systems, a Swedish provider of sewer inspection and relining services. The company will be consolidated from October 2018 in the Proline Group, which is part of the Systems Solutions business area in the Construction Materials division.

Related party transactions

No significant transactions with related parties took place during the period.

 Risks and uncertainties

The risk factors which have the biggest impact for Lifco are the competitive situation, structural changes in the market and general level of economic activity. Lifco is also exposed to financial risks, including currency risks, interest rate risks, credit and counterparty risks.

The parent company is affected by the above risks and uncertainties in its capacity as owner of the subsidiary companies. For further information on Lifco’s risks and risk management, see the annual report for 2017.

Accounting principles

The Group’s interim report has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting and the Swedish Annual Accounts Act. In respect of the parent company, the report has been prepared in accordance with the Annual Accounts Act and Recommendation RFR 2 Financial Reporting for Legal Entities of the Swedish Financial Reporting Board. The accounting principles have been applied in accordance with those which are presented in the annual report for 2017 and should be read in conjunction with these.

The Group has evaluated the effects of implementing IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, which became effective on 1 January 2018 and has established that the impact is marginal. No adjustments have therefore been made to the opening balances for 2018. IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers became effective on 1 January 2018, and the effects of the standard in Lifco’s subsidiaries have been assessed in a project that was initiated in 2016. No material differences compared with the previous standards have been identified, and no adjustments have therefore been made to the opening balances for 2018. IFRS 15 is being applied from 1 January 2018 and the disclosures in the interim report have been adapted in accordance with this new standard. The Group is currently evaluating the effects of introducing the IFRS 16 Leases standard, which will become effective on 1 January 2019. The Group does not currently intend to apply the standard prior to the effective date.

DECLARATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer warrant and declare that this nine-month report gives a true and fair view of the Parent Company’s and Group’s operations, financial positions and results, and that it describes significant risks and uncertainties faced by the Parent Company and the companies included in the Group.

Enköping, 25 October 2018

AUDITOR’S REVIEW REPORT

Lifco AB (publ) corp. ID no. 556465-3185

Introduction

We have reviewed the summary interim financial information (interim report) for Lifco AB (publ) as at 30 September 2018 and for the nine-month period ending on this date. Responsibility for preparing and presenting this interim financial information in accordance with IAS 34 and the Swedish Annual Accounts Act rests with the Board of Directors and CEO. Our responsibility is to express a conclusion on this interim report based on our review.

Focus and scope of the review

We have performed our review in accordance with the International Standard on Review Engagements ISRE 2410, Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity. A review consists in making inquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review has a different focus and significantly narrower scope than a full audit conducted in accordance with ISA and generally accepted auditing standards. The review procedures taken in a review do not enable us to obtain a degree of certainty that would make us aware of all important circumstances that would have been identified if an audit had been performed. The conclusion based on a review therefore does not have the same certainty as a conclusion based on an audit.

Conclusion

Based on our review, we have not discovered any circumstances that would give us reason to consider that the interim financial statement has not, in all material respects, been prepared, in respect of the Group, in accordance with IAS 34 and the Annual Accounts Act and, in respect of the Parent Company, with the Annual Accounts Act.

Enköping, 25 October 2018

PricewaterhouseCoopers AB

Eric Salander                                                                            Tomas Hilmarsson
Authorised Public Accountant                                                   Authorised Public Accountant

 Auditor-in-charge

FINANCIAL CALENDAR

The report for the fourth quarter and year-end report 2018 will be published on 6 February 2019

The annual report for 2018 will be published in week 13

The report for the first quarter will be published on 26 April

The report for the second quarter will be published on 18 July

The report for the third quarter will be published on 23 October

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2019

The Annual General Meeting of Lifco AB will be held on Friday 26 April 2019, at 2 p.m. CET, at Bonnierhuset, Torsgatan 21, Stockholm. Shareholders wishing to raise an issue for discussion at the AGM may do so by submitting their proposal to the Chairman of Lifco by e-mail: ir@lifco.se or by post to: Lifco AB, Attn: Bolagsstämmoärenden, Verkmästaregatan 1, SE-745 85 Enköping, Sweden. To ensure their inclusion in the notice and thus on the agenda for the AGM, proposals must be received by the Company no later than 8 March 2019.

THE NOMINATION COMMITTEE

Prior to the Annual General Meeting 2019 the Nomination Committee consists of Carl Bennet, Carl Bennet AB, Anna-Karin Celsing, representative of small shareholders, Per Colleen, the Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund (AP4), Hans Hedström, Carnegie Fonder, Marianne Nilsson, Swedbank Robur Fonder and Adam Nyström, Didner & Gerge Fonder. Carl Bennet is chairman of the Nomination Committee.

Shareholders wishing to submit proposals to the Nomination Committee for the 2019 AGM may do so by send an e-mail to ir@lifco.se or writing to: Lifco, Attn: Valberedningen, Verkmästaregatan 1, SE-745 85 Enköping, Sweden.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Media and investor relations: Åse Lindskog, ir@lifco.se, telephone: +46 730 24 48 72

TELECONFERENCE

Media and analysts are welcome to call in to a teleconference, where CEO Fredrik Karlsson, CFO Therése Hoffman and Deputy CEO Per Waldemarson will present the interim report. After the presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions.

Time: Thursday 25 October, 3 p.m. CET

Link to the presentation:

https://tv.streamfabriken.com/lifco-q3-2018

Telephone numbers:

Sweden +46 8 506 395 49
UK +44 203 008 98 13
US +1 855 753 22 37

LIFCO IN BRIEF

Lifco offers a safe haven for small and medium-sized businesses. Lifco’s business concept is to acquire and develop market-leading niche businesses with the potential to deliver sustainable earnings growth and robust cash flows. Lifco is guided by a clear philosophy centred on long-term growth, a focus on profitability and a strongly decentralised organisation. The Group has three business areas: Dental, Demolition & Tools and Systems Solutions. At year-end, the Lifco Group consisted of 138 operating companies in 29 countries. In 2017, Lifco reported EBITA of SEK 1,732 million on net sales of SEK 10.0 billion. The EBITA margin was 17.3 per cent. Read more at www.lifco.se.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 

SEGMENT OVERVIEW

Lifco’s operations are monitored and evaluated by the CEO and resources are allocated based on information from the three operating segments Dental, Demolition & Tools and Systems Solutions. The defined quantitative limits have been exceeded only by Dental and Demolition & Tools. One further operating segment, Systems Solutions, is presented. This operating segment consists of a merger of those divisions which have similar economic characteristics and which do not individually meet the defined quantitative limits. These divisions are Construction Materials, Interiors for Service Vehicles, Contract Manufacturing, Environmental Technology and Forest.

NET SALES TO EXTERNAL CUSTOMERS

No sales are made between the segments.

Net sales by type of income:

EBITA  

A breakdown of results by segment is made up to and including EBITA. EBITA is reconciled to profit before tax in accordance with the following table:

* Of which, change in put/call options and additional considerations for the current year, SEK -6 (-5) million.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT 

ACQUISITIONS IN 2018

Eight new businesses were consolidated in the first nine months of the year. The acquisitions comprised all shares of Spocs and Denterbridge as well as majority stakes in Computer konkret, Dental Direct, Rhein 83 and Wexman. Through asset deals, Lifco has also acquired the assets of Toolpack’s Norwegian service vehicle interiors business and of Flörchinger Zahntechnik.

The purchase price allocation includes all acquisitions made in the first nine months of the year. Purchase price allocations are preliminary until one year after the acquisition date.

Acquisition-related expenses of SEK 13 million are included in administrative expenses in the consolidated income statement for the first nine months of 2018. If the businesses had been consolidated from 1 January 2018, consolidated net sales would have increased by approximately SEK 177 million. The acquisitions would have had a positive impact on earnings if the companies had been consolidated from 1 January 2018.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Financial instruments at fair value are classified into different levels depending on how fair value is determined. All financial instruments at fair value in the Lifco Group have been classified as level 3, i.e. non-observable inputs. The fair value of short-term borrowings is equal to the carrying amount, as the discount effect is insignificant. Other liabilities classified as financial instruments refer to mandatory put-/call options related to non-controlling interests and additional considerations.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY INCOME STATEMENT 

* Invoicing of Group-wide services. 

** Net financial items include SEK 269 (548) million in dividends received during the nine-month period. 

CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY BALANCE SHEET

DEFINITIONS AND OBJECTIVE

*New definition as of 30 June 2018.

RECONCILIATION OF ALTERNATIVE KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The interim report presents alternative key performance indicators for assessing the Group’s performance. The primary alternative KPIs presented in this interim report are EBITA, EBITDA, net debt and capital employed. Definitions of the alternative KPIs are presented on pages 20-21.

EBITA compared with financial statements in accordance with IFRS

EBITDA compared with financial statements in accordance with IFRS

Net debt compared with financial statements in accordance with IFRS*

* Key performance indicators have been restated as at 30 June 2018 in accordance with the new definition of net debt on page 21. The comparative periods have also been restated in accordance with the new definition.  

Capital employed and capital employed excluding goodwill and other intangible assets compared with financial statements in accordance with IFRS*

* Key performance indicators have been restated as at 30 June 2018 in accordance with new definitions of capital employed as well as capital employed excluding goodwill and other intangible assets on page 21. The comparative periods have also been restated in accordance with the new definitions.  

Capital employed and capital employed excluding goodwill and other intangible assets calculated as the average of the last four quarters compared with financial statements in accordance with IFRS*

* Key performance indicators have been restated as at 30 June 2018 in accordance with new definitions of capital employed as well as capital employed excluding goodwill and other intangible assets on page 21. The comparative periods have also been restated in accordance with the new definitions.  

Tags: