Rentokil Initial PLC
30 May 2002
30 May 2002
TRADING STATEMENT FOR THE FOUR MONTHS ENDING 30TH APRIL 2002
RENTOKIL INITIAL REPORTS CONTINUED ACCELERATION
IN ORGANIC GROWTH
Sir Clive Thompson, Chairman and Chief Executive, will say today at the
Company's AGM:-
'I am very pleased to report that continued acceleration in organic growth in
the first four months of this year has produced both turnover and profits ahead
of our expectations. Specifically, turnover has increased by 6.9% and profits
before tax by 10.5%.
Hygiene Services are up by 3.6% in turnover with good growth in operating
profits and Continental Europe performing strongly, offsetting a slow start to
the year in UK.
Security Services are up by 10.6% in turnover with a strong increase in
operating profits with excellent performances in Continental Europe and North
America.
Pest Control Services has grown by 3.8% in turnover with margin improvement
producing a strong growth in operating profits coming from strong performances
in Continental Europe and North America, good in Asia Pacific and a sound
performance in UK.
Tropical Plants declined in turnover by 5.4%, driven largely by the
restructuring of acquired unprofitable branches in our US business which has,
however, led to an improvement in operating profits margin.
Conferencing turnover only grew by 1% due to the delay in implementing new
contracts but operating profits have shown sound growth. The Company has
recently been awarded a 30 year contract, which could represent whole life
turnover of at least £100 million, to run the UK civil service training college
at Sunningdale.
Parcels Delivery grew by 23.5% in turnover and a similar level of growth in
operating profits. UK performed strongly with the overall performance
significantly enhanced by another inflation-led performance from our Southern
African business.
Facilities Management turnover grew by 7.1%, benefitting from the impact of new
contracts, with a good growth in operating profits albeit, as expected, at
somewhat lower profit margins.
Operating profits (EBIT) for the company have increased by 6.3% and cash
generation has been in line with our expectations.
We have purchased 58.8 million shares as part of our Share Buy-Back Programme
since 1st March at a cost of £160 million, at an average price of 270p.
We have made 7 bolt-on acquisitions this year at a cost of £25 million.
Prospects for 2002
We expect to continue to generate strong operating cash flow with which we plan
to make bolt-on acquisitions in Hygiene and Security, particularly in North
America, UK and Continental Europe and continue our share buy-back programme.
We expect that strong organic growth in turnover and pre-tax profits will
continue throughout the year which should produce an excellent growth in
earnings per share.'
Note:
The above statement is made based upon unaudited management accounts and at
constant rates of exchange for foreign currencies for the year 2001 as used in
the 2001 annual report.
END
For further information please contact:
Sir Clive Thompson Chairman and Chief Executive
R C Payne Finance Director
C D Grimaldi Corporate Affairs Director
Tel: 01342 833022
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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