AGM and IMS Statement
10 July 2008
Babcock International Group PLC
AGM Statement and Interim Management Statement
At today's Annual General Meeting of Babcock International Group PLC (Babcock), the leading engineering support services company, Gordon Campbell, Chairman will make the following statement:
'2007/08 was another record year for Babcock, building on the excellent progress made over recent years. Our Interim Management Statement released this morning, confirms that the current financial year has started well. Trading conditions across the Group remain healthy and our business continues to perform in line with our expectations.
As anticipated at the time of the Preliminary Results announcement on 13 May, a number of significant contracts have been concluded. In total these contract awards are worth over £800 million and the Group order book now stands at £3.8 billion and the bid pipeline remains healthy.
Our strategy remains the expansion of our business within the technically based support services market. Utilising the significant technical expertise and depth of knowledge we have in submarine support we have made our first move into the international submarine support market with the award of the Canadian in-service support contract. This provides us with an excellent position from which we will seek to expand further our international submarine support business.
The Board believes that, in addition to recent contract wins, the markets in which we operate, the strong relationships we have with our customers and the technical expertise within our business all provide us with significant opportunities to achieve growth over the long term.
I have had the privilege of chairing Babcock for nearly eight years and well run companies plan succession as well as operating their business. I have therefore decided to stand down later this year and will be succeeded by Mike Turner, the retiring Chief Executive of BAE Systems, as Non-Executive Chairman. Mike rejoins a company in rude health, one which has increased its market capitalisation from £87 million following 9/11 to nearly £1.4 billion today. This has been achieved by a commitment to its business, which requires patience and good management as opposed to quick-fix financial engineering, and this is the basis for sustainable growth.
I am certain that this management team under Mike and Peter will continue the progress. As one of our larger investors said recently 'It is not often we make five times our money and still have a business which is capable of making the FTSE 100.'
We remain confident that this will be another year of progress for Babcock.'
Interim Management Statement
Set out below is the first Interim Management Statement for the period since 30 March 2008, as required by the UK Listing Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules.
Summary
The current financial year has started well. Trading conditions across the Group remain healthy and our business continues to perform in line with our expectations. We remain confident that this will be another year of progress for Babcock.
Marine
Negotiations with the Ministry of Defence relating to the Terms of Business Agreement for naval support continue to progress well and the key commercial principles have now been agreed. We expect the final agreement to be signed in the second half of the financial year.
On 3 July the Ministry of Defence signed the manufacturing contracts for the future aircraft carrier project (CVF). Babcock is a key member of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance and has been awarded a £675 million contract through to 2016 to construct the bow sections and for the final assembly and completion of the ships at its dockyard at Rosyth.
On 1 July Babcock announced that the Canadian Government had awarded it a contract to provide in-service support to their four Victoria class submarines. The initial five year contract is worth around C$250 million (£125 million) and the Canadian Government has options to extend this up to a total of 15 years, with a total contract value to Babcock, expected to be in the order of C$1.5 billion (£750 million). This contract represents Babcock's first opportunity to utilise its technical expertise and knowledge of submarine support to move into new international markets.
Building on the operational success of the mobility weapons-mounted installation kit (MWMIK) Jackal Patrol Vehicle built by Babcock under an Urgent Operational Requirement, the Ministry of Defence have ordered a further 72 vehicles. The £20 million contract was awarded as the 100th vehicle from the original 130 vehicle contract was completed.
Defence
The division continues to trade steadily with all current contracts performing in line with expectations.
Although both parties have yet to commit to contract, agreement in principle has been reached with the Ministry of Defence on the commercial terms of The Royal School of Military Engineering (RSME) PPP contract and finalisation and signature of formal contractual documentation and financial close is expected shortly. This contract will provide training and training support, deliver improved living accommodation and new training facilities for RSME and is expected to be worth around £1.3 billion to Babcock over a 30 year period.
The Hackney Building Schools for the Future (BSF) contract has experienced some delay but continues to move towards financial close. This is now expected to complete before the end of July.
Rail
The division continues to focus on the recovery in its financial performance with a steady stream of framework orders continuing to come through.
Nuclear
Integration of the Alstec, INS and Strachan & Henshaw businesses to create BNS Nuclear Services is progressing well. The division continues to make good progress with its current contracts, and its scale and expertise place it in a strong position to respond to future opportunities in the nuclear decommissioning, power generation and new build markets.
Networks
In the Transmission business our alliance contracts with National Grid and EDF continue to perform in line with expectations and we remain confident of receiving an increase in volume from EDF. The division has also secured a framework contract to support Scottish and Southern Energy across their electricity transmission network. The Digital Switchover programme continues to provide a steady flow of work for the Communications business and some new opportunities in the mobile telecommunications market are starting to come through.
Engineering and Plant
In South Africa, our equipment and engineering businesses continue to benefit from the Government's focus on infrastructure improvements as well as the healthy natural resources market. The Powerlines business continues to perform well and has seen further increases in its orderbook. The rand exchange rate has remained relatively stable and within planning assumptions.
Financial Position
The Group's cash flow performance remains strong and gearing ratios are comfortably within both internal and external benchmarks.
Other than disclosed above there has been no significant change in the financial position of the Group since that reported with the preliminary results on 13 May 2008.
Enquiries
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Babcock International Group PLC |
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Peter Rogers - Group Chief Executive |
020 7291 5000 |
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Bill Tame - Group Finance Director |
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Terri Wright - Head of Investor Relations |
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FD |
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Andrew Lorenz |
020 7269 7121 |
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Sophie Kernon |
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This information is provided by RNS
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