Interim report January – March 2019

• Net sales increased by 25.5 per cent to SEK 3,357 (2,674) million. Organically, net sales grew by 12.0 per cent
• EBITA* increased by 40.4 per cent to SEK 587 (418) million
• The EBITA margin* increased to 17.5 (15.6) per cent
• Earnings before tax grew by 24.9 per cent to SEK 432 (346) million
• Net profit for the period grew by 25.9 per cent to SEK 326 (259) million
• Earnings per share increased by 24.5% till SEK 3.51 (2.82)
• Cash flow from operating activities increased by 355 per cent to SEK 141 (31) million
• Deputy CEO Per Waldemarson was appointed President and CEO on February 8
• Two businesses were acquired during the period with combined annual sales of
  about SEK 500 million

Summary of financial performance 

   * Before acquisition costs and non-recurring items.

COMMENTS FROM THE CEO 

After having served in senior positions at Lifco for 13 years, I took over as CEO of the company in February. My task is to work together with all our employees in the Group to continue to consistently carry out our strategy, focusing on results, simplicity and decentralisation.

Lifco’s overall target is to increase earnings every year though both organic growth and acquisitions. Net sales for the first quarter increased by 25.5 per cent to SEK 3,357 (2,674) million, driven by organic growth, acquisitions and foreign exchange gains. The generally favourable economy was a strong contributing factor to organic growth. It should also be pointed out that comparative figures were affected by negative organic growth in the first quarter of 2018.

EBITA* increased by 40.4 per cent to SEK 587 (418) million during the quarter and the EBITA margin* improved by 1.9 percentage points to 17.5 (15.6) per cent. The improvement in profitability was mainly due to organic growth and acquisitions. The comparison is also impacted by Easter falling in April this year and the Demolition & Tools business area reporting a negative profitability trend in the first quarter of last year. Earnings per share increased by 24.5% till SEK 3.51 (2.82) in the first quarter of 2019.

All three business areas reported robust sales and earnings growth, and performance was stable in all divisions. The market generally remained positive for the three business areas during the quarter.

Cash flow increased by 355 per cent to SEK 141 (31) million. Although cash flow improved compared with the year-earlier quarter, we can note that the generally favourable market situation resulted in higher accounts receivable and inventory build-up in many of our businesses.

During the period, Lifco strengthened Demolition & Tools with the addition of two new businesses with combined annual sales of around SEK 500 million. The companies consolidated were Swedish company Indexator Rotator Systems, a world-leading manufacturer of rotators, and the majority of Italian company Hammer, a provider of hydraulic hammers and other demolition tools for excavators. The acquisitions jointly had a positive impact on Lifco’s results and financial position during the quarter.

We purchased the majority of UK company UK POS after the end of the quarter. The company is a leading supplier of exhibition and visual display solutions sold directly to end customers in various industries in the UK. The company will be consolidated in the Systems Solutions business area, division Service and Distribution (previously Interiors for Service Vehicles).

Lifco has a solid financial position and interest-bearing net debt amounted to 1.5 times EBITDA*, which is in line with our target of interest-bearing net debt of a maximum of three times EBITDA*. This means that Lifco has significant financial scope to make additional acquisitions, while we retain focus on increasing earnings in our existing operations.

Per Waldemarson

President and CEO

GROUP PERFORMANCE IN JANUARY – MARCH  

Sales increased by 25.5 per cent to SEK 3,357 (2,674) million, driven by organic growth, acquisitions and foreign exchange gains. Organic growth was 12.0 per cent, acquisitions contributed 8.7 per cent while changes in exchange rates had a positive impact of 4.8 per cent. Swedish company Indexator Rotator Systems and the majority of Italian company Hammer were consolidated during the quarter.

EBITA* increased by 40.4 per cent to SEK 587 (418) million and the EBITA margin* improved by 1.9 percentage points to 17.5 (15.6) per cent. EBITA* improved on the back of organic growth, acquisitions and foreign exchange gains. Foreign exchange gains accounted for 5.1% of the increase in EBITA*. During the year 36 (37) per cent of EBITA* was generated in EUR, 27 (28) per cent in SEK and 16 (14) per cent in NOK, 8 (7) per cent in DKK, 6 (6) per cent in USD, 2 (2) per cent in GBP and 5 (6) per cent in other currencies.

Net financial items were SEK -13 (-13) million.

Profit before tax grew by 24.9 per cent to SEK 432 (346) million and net profit for the period increased by 25.9 per cent to SEK 326 (259) million. Non-recurring items amounted to SEK 56 (0) million for the quarter related to costs associated with change in management.

Average capital employed excluding goodwill increased by SEK 228 million during the quarter, to SEK 1,540 million at 31 March 2019, compared with SEK 1,312 million at 31 December 2018. EBITA* relative to average capital employed excluding goodwill was at 165 per cent at year-end and declined to 152 per cent during the quarter.

The Group’s net debt increased by SEK 1,275 million from 31 December 2018 to SEK 4,960 million at 31 March 2019 of which liabilities related to call/put options and additional considerations for acquisitions totalled SEK 709 (281) million. As of 1 January 2019, net debt is impacted by the lease lability which is a consequence of the implementation of IFRS 16. The lease liability was SEK 447 (-) million at the end of the period.

The net debt/equity ratio at 31 March 2019 was 0.7 (0.7) and net debt/EBITDA* was 2.0 (2.1) times. At period-end, 34 (32) per cent of the Group’s interest-bearing liabilities were denominated in EUR.

Cash flow from operating activities increased by 355 per cent to SEK 141 (31) million during the quarter, mainly due to improved earnings. Cash flow from investing activities was SEK -580 (-107) 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 fitting products for dentures, disinfectants, saliva ejectors, bite registration and dental impression materials, bonding agents and other consumables that are sold to dentists through distributors around the world. In the last few years, Dental has, through acquisitions and organic growth, increased the performance within manufacturing, dental technology and software faster than within distribution, resulting in a positive impact of the margin development within the business area.

Net sales in Dental increased by 11.6 per cent to SEK 1,127 (1,010) during the first quarter, positively impacted by the late Easter and acquisitions. The late Easter meant that March had more working days than in 2018. This means that Dental will experience a corresponding negative seasonal effect in the second quarter of 2019.

EBITA* increased by 21.5 per cent to SEK 232 (191) million in the period and the EBITA margin* improved by 1.7 percentage points to 20.6 (18.9) per cent, partly as a result of the positive effect of Easter falling in April.

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. Both sales and earnings for the quarter were impacted by Easter falling in April.

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 business area’s EBITA margin might fluctuate between quarters due to single, major special orders and changes to the product mix.

Net sales increased by 39.4 per cent to SEK 832 (597) million in the quarter, driven by acquisitions, organic growth and foreign exchange gains. The market situation was generally good. Among the larger markets, the US saw the fastest growth. EBITA* increased by 47.0 per cent during the period to SEK 172 (117) million and the EBITA margin* was 20.7 (19.6) per cent. The comparison is impacted by the negative effect on profitability for Demolition & Tools in the first quarter of 2018 from provisions for doubtful debts, changes to the product mix and a weaker USD.

Swedish company Indexator Rotator Systems, which produces and manufactures rotators, mainly for the forest industry, was consolidated in January 2019. The company had net sales of around SEK 300 million in 2018 and has about 140 employees. The majority of Italian company Hammer SRL, which is a provider of hydraulic hammers and other demolition tools for excavators, was consolidated in February 2019. The company generated sales of about EUR 20 million in 2018 and has about 100 employees.

Systems Solutions 

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

Net sales in Systems Solutions increased by 31.0 per cent to SEK 1,398 (1,067) million during the quarter, mainly on the back of organic growth in all divisions. The late Easter has a slightly positive effect on organic growth.

EBITA* increased by 51.4 per cent to SEK 209 (138) million in the first three months of the year, with improved earnings across all divisions. The EBITA margin* expanded by 2.0 percentage points to 14.9 (12.9) per cent.

ACQUISITIONS  

Lifco made the following acquisitions in the period:

Further information on the acquisitions is provided on page 15. 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 was 5,137 (4,714) in the first quarter. At the end of the period, the number of employees was 5,219 (4,736). Acquisitions added 240 employees.

Events after the end of the reporting period 

After the end of the period, the acquisition of the majority of UK company UK POS was consolidated in the Systems Solutions business area, Service and Distribution division (formerly Interiors for Service Vehicles). The company is a leading supplier of exhibition and visual display solutions sold directly to end customers in various industries in the UK.  UK POS had net sales of around GBP 12 million in 2018 and has just over 60 employees.

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 2018 Annual Report.

Accounting policies 

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 policies have been applied in accordance with those which are presented in the 2018 Annual Report and should be read in conjunction with these.

The Group applies IFRS 16 from 1 January 2019, and the implementation of the standard implies that nearly all leases are recognised in the balance sheet of the lessee, as there is no longer any distinction made between operating and finance leases. According to IFRS 16, a tangible asset (the right to use a leased asset) and a financial liability (non-current and current) regarding the obligation to pay lease payments is to be recognised in the balance sheet. In the consolidated income statement, depreciation and interest expense are recognised instead of operating leases, which were recognised in their entirety within operating profit. IFRS 16 will impact the cash flow insofar that leasing payments impact the cash flow from operating activities (e.g. interest and low-value and short-term leases) and cash flow from financing activities (repayment of the lease liability). The Group applies the modified retrospective approach, which entails that right-of-use assets are measured at an amount corresponding to the lease liability on 1 January 2019 (adjusted for prepaid and accrued lease payments). Accordingly, the transition to IFRS 16 does not have any impact the Group’s equity. Since the modified retrospective approach has been applied, comparative figures for 2018 have not been recalculated. The Group has chosen to apply the exception and thus not to recognise short-term leases and low-value leases as a part of the right-of-use asset and the lease liability in the balance sheet. Payments attributable to these leases has instead been recognised as a cost straight line over the term of the lease. The remaining lease commitments essentially comprise premises such as office, warehouse and factory premises.

The weighted average marginal interest rate which has been used to calculate the discounting effect is 2.09%. The transition to IFRS 16 has had a positive effect on the Group’s operating profit of SEK 2 million, EBITDA* SEK 36 million and EBITA* SEK 2 million on 31 March 2019. The financial net is impacted by SEK -2 million.  The reported lease liability is SEK 447 million on 31 March 2019.

This report has not been examined by the company’s auditors.

DECLARATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

The Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer warrant and declare that this three-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, 26 April 2019

FINANCIAL CALENDAR 

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

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

The 2019 year-end report will be published on 31 January 2020

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2019 

The Annual General Meeting of Lifco AB will be held on Friday 26 April 2019, at 2 p.m. CEST, at Bonnierhuset, Torsgatan 21, Stockholm.

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 Per Waldemarson and CFO Therése Hoffman will present the interim report. After the presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions.

Time: Friday, 26 April at 12.00 p.m. CEST

Link to the presentation: https://tv.streamfabriken.com/lifco-q1-2019

Telephone numbers:

Sweden +46 8 5055 83 59

UK +44 3333 00 90 34

US +1 8338 23 05 90

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 146 operating companies in 29 countries. In 2018, Lifco reported EBITA of SEK 2,168 million on net sales of SEK 12.0 billion. The EBITA margin was 18.1 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, Contract Manufacturing, Environmental Technology, Service and Distribution (formerly Interiors for Service Vehicles) 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 call/put options and additional considerations for the current year, SEK -8 (-) million.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT 

ACQUISITIONS IN 2019 

Two businesses were consolidated in the first three months of the year. These acquisitions referred to all of the shares in Indexator Rotator Systems and the majority of the shares in Hammer.

The purchase price allocation includes all acquisitions made during the first three months of the year.

Acquisition-related expenses of SEK 4 million are included in administrative expenses in the consolidated income statement for the first three months of the year. If consolidation had taken place on 1 January 2019, the Group’s net sales would have been positively impacted by about SEK 9 million and the effect on earnings would have been slightly negative.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 

*All financial assets on 31 March 2018 were classified in the category “Loans and receivables.”

**Other liabilities classified as financial instruments refer to mandatory call/put options related to non-controlling interests and additional considerations.

The carrying amount is the same as the fair value. 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.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 

CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY INCOME STATEMENT 

* Invoicing of Group-wide services.

** Net financial items include SEK 26 (39) million in dividends received during the three-month period.

CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY BALANCE SHEET 

DEFINITIONS AND OBJECTIVE 

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 18-19.

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[2]

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

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

[1] New definition as of 1 January 2019.

[2] The key performance indicator was restated in accordance with the adjusted definition of net debt on page 18.

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