Interim Management Statement

RNS Number : 0197H

Marshalls PLC

14 May 2014

 



Interim Management Statement: 14 May 2014

Trading Performance

Marshalls' revenue from continuing operations for the four months ended 30 April 2014 was up 22 per cent at £113 million (2013: £93 million). This compares with a 9 per cent reduction for the same four month period last year following the particularly bad weather in the first quarter of 2013. Compared with 2012, the continuing revenue for the four months ended 30 April 2014 represents an increase of 10 per cent. Marshalls has experienced a strong start in 2014 and, although it is only 19 weeks into the current year, if the positive market conditions continue it is likely that the full year results will be above current market expectations.

Sales to the Public Sector and Commercial end market, which now represent approximately 62 per cent of Marshalls' sales, were up 19 per cent, on a continuing basis. The Group continues to target those parts of the market where higher levels of growth are anticipated, such as Rail, Home, Landscape Water Management and Internal Natural Stone Flooring.

Sales to the Domestic end market, which represent approximately 32 per cent of Group sales, were up 19 per cent compared with the prior year period.  The survey of domestic installers at the end of April 2014 revealed order books of 11.5 weeks (2013: 8.5 weeks) and compared with 9.3 weeks at the end of February 2014.  The GfK's Consumer Confidence index continues to improve and in April 2014 it stood at -3 which compares with -27 in April 2013 and is at its highest level since June 2007.

Continued progress has been made in developing the International business, where revenue has increased by 65 per cent in the four months ended 30 April 2014 and has now reached 6 per cent of Group sales.

Outlook

The Construction Products Association's Spring Forecast predicts growth of 4.5 per cent in 2014 and 4.8 per cent in 2015 being an improvement on their Winter Forecast. Based on the Group's forward indicators the outlook is now increasingly positive in all major end markets.

Marshalls is experiencing strong sales growth in all its major end markets and the Group is increasing output to meet growing demand and deliver benefits from operational gearing. The Group remains focused on product innovation and service delivery initiatives to deliver continued sales growth and improve trading margins.

Enquiries:

Martyn Coffey	Chief Executive	Marshalls plc	01422 314777
Ian Burrell	Finance Director	Marshalls plc	01422 314777
Jon Coles		Brunswick Group	0207 404 5959
Simon Maine		Brunswick Group	0207 404 5959

14 May 2014

Note to the Editor:

About Marshalls:

Established in the late 1880s, Marshalls is the UK's leading manufacturer of superior natural stone and innovative concrete hard landscaping products, supplying the construction, home improvement and landscape markets.  Marshalls provides the product ranges, design services, technical expertise, innovative ideas and inspiration to transform gardens, drives and public and commercial landscapes.

Marshalls operates its own quarries and manufacturing sites throughout the UK, including a national network of manufacturing and distribution sites, and has operations in Belgium and sales representation in other international markets.  As a major plc, Marshalls is committed to quality in everything it does, including the achievement of high environmental and ethical standards and continual improvement in health and safety performance.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Any statements in this release, to the extent that they are forward-looking, are subject to risk factors associated with, amongst other things, the economic and business circumstances occurring from time to time in the markets in which Marshalls operates.  It is believed that the expectations reflected in these statements are reasonable but they may be affected by a wide range of variables which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated.  More information about the factors that may affect Marshalls' performance is contained in the Annual Report to shareholders for the year ended 31 December 2013.

 

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