Atria Plc, Financial Statement Release, Company Announcement, 22 February 2024, 8.00 am
Atria Plc's Financial Statement Release 1 January - 31 December 2023
Atria's 2023 net sales and adjusted EBIT increased
October-December 2023
- Consolidated net sales totalled EUR 438.1 million (EUR 451.2 million).
- The Group's adjusted EBIT was EUR 9.4 million (EUR 16.7 million), or 2.1% (3.7%) of net sales.
- The Group's EBIT was EUR -39.8 million (EUR -34.5 million).
- EBIT includes a total of EUR -49.2 million (EUR -51.2 million) in adjustment items. The adjustment items consist primarily of the write-downs of intangible and tangible assets.
- Atria Finland's net sales decreased in all sales channels as a result of reduced consumer demand and the weaker global market situation in meat. Atria Finland's adjusted EBIT decreased due to a decline in sales, the weak profitability of meat sales and the commissioning costs of the new poultry plant in Nurmo.
- Atria Sweden's net sales were weighted down by weaker sales to retail customers. The Foodservice channel's sales increased. The development of net sales was impacted by the discontinuation of sales of certain products that used to be produced at the Malmö plant.
- Atria Denmark & Estonia's net sales grew by more than 4% and results improved. The growth of net sales in Estonia is strong.
- The slaughterhouse operations of the new poultry plant in Nurmo began in November. The efficiency optimisation of production processes got under way during the review period.
- Atria Sweden initiated an efficiency programme during the review period to improve its competitiveness and results in the changed operating environment. The efficiency measures aim for annual savings in the amount of roughly EUR 2.5 million.
- The Board of Directors proposes that the company distribute a dividend of EUR 0.30 and a return on capital of EUR 0.30 for the year 2023, totalling EUR 0.60 per share (EUR 0.70).
January-December 2023
- Consolidated net sales totalled EUR 1752.7 million (EUR 1696.7 million).
- The Group's adjusted EBIT was EUR 49.6 million (EUR 49.0 million), or 2.8% (2.9%).
- The Group's EBIT was EUR 0.4 million (EUR 0.1 million).
- EBIT includes a total of EUR -49.2 million (EUR -48.9 million) in adjustment items. The adjustment items consist primarily of the write-downs of intangible and tangible assets.
- Net sales increased by EUR 56 million year-on-year. The increase was the result of good sales development at the beginning of the year. Net sales took a downward turn towards the end of the year.
- The adjusted EBIT improved from the previous year due to a more favourable sales structure and higher sales prices than in the corresponding period, and the positive development of net sales at the beginning of the year.
- Atria Finland's adjusted EBIT improved by EUR 6.7 million.
- Increased costs and weaker consumer purchasing power had an impact on Atria Sweden's EBIT.
- Atria Denmark & Estonia's adjusted EBIT improved by EUR 1.7 million. The increase was the result of Atria Estonia's good net sales development.
- The review period was affected by additional costs related to the start-up of investments by Atria Finland and Sweden.
- The construction and installation work of the new poultry plant in Nurmo progressed according to the planned schedule. The slaughterhouse started operations in November, as planned. The facility is now fully operational, and the optimisation of the process performance is underway.
- The expansion of the Sköllersta plant in Sweden was completed in the summer. The production lines were transferred from Malmö to Sköllersta, and the last day of production at the Malmö plant was in June.
- The cooperation negotiations initiated in March by Atria Finland with the aim of restructuring the pig slaughtering and cutting operations at Atria's Nurmo plant were concluded at the end of May.
- In May, Atria acquired 100,000 of its own series A shares at an average price of EUR 10.81 per share. This corresponds to approximately 0.35% of the total number of shares in the company.
- Kai Gyllström, M.Sc., MBA, joined the Group as CEO on 1 June 2023.
| Q4 | Q4 | Q1-Q4 | Q1-Q4 | |
| EUR million | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 |
| Net sales | ||||
| Atria Finland | 333.5 | 344.4 | 1,325.9 | 1,265.3 |
| Atria Sweden | 80.4 | 86.3 | 330.5 | 356.2 |
| Atria Denmark & Estonia | 30.6 | 29.4 | 122.2 | 112.9 |
| Eliminations | -6.5 | -8.9 | -25.9 | -37.7 |
| Net sales, total | 438.1 | 451.2 | 1,752.7 | 1,696.7 |
| EBIT before items affecting | ||||
| comparability | ||||
| Atria Finland | 9.4 | 20.3 | 56.1 | 49.4 |
| Atria Sweden | -0.3 | -0.9 | -5.6 | 2.3 |
| Atria Denmark & Estonia | 1.3 | -0.9 | 2.9 | 1.2 |
| Unallocated | -1.1 | -1.8 | -3.7 | -4.0 |
| Adjusted EBIT | 9.4 | 16.7 | 49.6 | 49.0 |
| Adjusted EBIT, % | 2.1 % | 3.7 % | 2.8 % | 2.9 % |
| Items affecting comparability | ||||
| of EBIT: | ||||
| Atria Finland | ||||
| Impairment of trademark | -2.5 | -2.5 | ||
| Poultry business reorganization costs | -3.1 | -3.1 | ||
| Atria Sweden | ||||
| Impairment of goodwill and trademarks | -20.0 | -51.1 | -20.0 | -51.1 |
| Business reorganization costs | -2.6 | -2.6 | ||
| Refund of employment pension contribution | 1.3 | |||
| Sale of real estate in Malmö | -0.1 | 9.7 | ||
| Atria Denmark & Estonia | ||||
| Impairment of goodwill | -20.0 | -20.0 | ||
| Unallocated | ||||
| Costs related to business arrangement | -1.0 | -1.0 | ||
| Sale of subsidiary, Sibylla Rus | -8.8 | |||
| EBIT | -39.8 | -34.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 |
| EBIT, % | -9.1 % | -7.6 % | 0.0 % | 0.0 % |
| Profit before taxes | -43.7 | -36.8 | -11.2 | 1.7 |
| Earnings per share, EUR | -1.53 | -1.34 | -0.70 | -0.19 |
| Adjusted earnings per share, EUR | 0.15 | 0.36 | 0.98 | 1.43 |
Kai Gyllström, CEO
"Net sales for January-December were EUR 1,752.7 million, increasing by EUR 56 million compared to the corresponding period last year. The adjusted EBIT was EUR 49.6 million and better than in the corresponding period.
2023 was twofold in many respects. The Group's net sales increased, and profitability improved, especially driven by Finland and Estonia, while in Sweden and Denmark, profit development was weaker. The year was also clearly divided into a strong beginning and a weaker fourth quarter.
In September, the financial outlook was still relatively positive: the favourable structure of sales, the price increases of the previous year and the successful, phased commissioning Atria Finland's new poultry plant strengthened the outlook. The purchasing power of consumers, which declined in the fourth quarter, resulted in a decrease of net sales in Finland. Consumers are buying lower-cost products and carefully consider their purchases. Consumers' attitudes also reflect the global political uncertainty, which leads to preparedness and saving. Due to these reasons, the market situation of meat has experienced a global decline, manifesting as smaller export volumes and the weaker profitability of meat sales.
General cost inflation weakened the results of Atria Group. The costs of raw materials, supplies, commodities and external services were significantly higher than in the previous year. Only energy prices were on a lower level than in the previous year. The commissioning costs of the new poultry plant's slaughterhouse also weighed on the result.
The Group's reported EBIT in 2023 was EUR 0.4 million (EUR 0.1 million). The EBIT includes a total of EUR 49.2 million in adjustment items which consist mainly of the write-downs of intangible and tangible assets.
Operating cash flow improved by nearly EUR 40 million from the previous year. The major investments made during the period, totalling more than EUR 100 million, resulted in a free cash flow of EUR -12.5 million (-47.7 million).
Atria's investments in the Nurmo plant in Finland and the Sköllersta plant in Örebro, Sweden, progressed on schedule. The new poultry plant in Nurmo is now fully operational and the efficiency of the production process is being improved. Production will be concentrated in Nurmo, and the Sahalahti unit will be closed in 2024. An agreement enabling the export of Finnish poultry meat to China was signed in November, meaning that Atria has the opportunity to begin exporting poultry meat to China.
Atria Sweden centralised its production from the Malmö plant to the Sköllersta plant. The Malmö plant was closed in June. At the end of the year, Atria Sweden kicked off an efficiency programme to achieve the objectives defined in the business strategy. The efficiency improvement measures aim for annual savings in the amount of roughly EUR 2.5 million.
Atria Denmark's operations were enhanced, and its production was concentrated in two production plants. Also in Estonia, Atria has engaged in systematic work to increase sales and market shares. According to a survey conducted in June 2023, the Maks & Moorits brand is the most popular meat brand in Estonia.
Responsible business operations are part of Atria's strategy and practice. Atria has set itself the goal of being a pioneer in its industry. In 2023, several projects were launched that are of strategic and operational importance in terms of sustainability.
The solar park extension that began operating at the Nurmo production plant will nearly double the production of solar power. Atria Sweden signed a commitment to phase out the use of fossil fuels at the Tranås plant. Biomass and electric boilers will be installed at the Tranås plant next summer. In Finland, Atria teamed up with its contract producers to build up a model for verifying the sustainability work of pig farms which facilitates the measurement, reporting and development of sustainability-related matters.
The occupational safety of our personnel is a key focus area in our social responsibility efforts. Our continuous safety work has yielded results, and we succeeded in reducing the number of accidents at work as well as our accident frequency also in 2023.
Atria has a long tradition, a strong culture, strong local brands and top meat producers. As proof of our high quality, Atria's Finnish grass-fed beef continued to gain wide recognition and praise in 2023 in the prestigious international World Steak Challenge competition, for example.
Let's keep our good old mission in mind: Good food - better mood."
October-December 2023
Atria Group's net sales for the October-December period were EUR 438.1 million (EUR 451.2 million). The Group's adjusted EBIT was EUR 9.4 million (EUR 16.7 million), or 2.1% (3.7%). Consolidated EBIT was EUR -39.8 million (EUR -34.5 million), or -9.1% (-7.6%) of net sales. EBIT includes a total of EUR -49.2 million (EUR -51.2 million) in adjustment items. The adjustment items consist primarily of the write-downs of intangible and tangible assets.
Atria Finland's net sales for October-December did not reach the level of the corresponding period in the previous year. Net sales decreased in all sales channels. The uncertainty of the economic operating environment and general cost inflation weakened consumer purchasing power late in the year. Consumers bought products in the lower price range. Atria's sales volumes to Foodservice and retail customers declined as a result of the decrease in consumer demand. The weak situation in the global market for red meat decreased export volumes. Ab Korv-Görans Kebab Oy, acquired by Atria at the end of last year, increased net sales by roughly EUR 5 million in Finland. Atria Sweden's market shares in the retail trade improved, but the development of net sales was impacted by the discontinuation of sales of certain products that used to be produced at the Malmö plant. Atria Denmark & Estonia's net sales grew by more than 4%. The growth of net sales in Estonia was strong.
Adjusted EBIT was weaker than in the corresponding period the year before. This was due to the decline in net sales, the weak profitability of meat sales in Finland and the commissioning costs of the new poultry plant in Nurmo. The costs of raw materials and external services as well as payroll costs continued to be higher than in the corresponding period. Energy prices were lower than in the corresponding period.
General economic uncertainty, cost inflation and higher market interest rates have impacted consumer purchasing power and weakened the present value of cash flow forecasts, particularly in Atria Sweden and Atria Denmark. Because of these reasons, Atria wrote down goodwill allocated to Atria Sweden by approximately EUR 20 million and goodwill allocated to Atria Denmark by approximately EUR 20 million. Atria Finland's EBIT includes a total of EUR 3.1 million in write-downs of fixed assets related to the closure of the Sahalahti unit and the old Nurmo poultry plant and in other costs related to the plant's closure, as well as EUR 2.5 million in the write-down of a brand to be discontinued. Atria Sweden's efficiency programme incurred EUR 2.6 million in additional business reorganisation costs. The EBIT also includes EUR 1 million in costs related to the business arrangement that ended during the Q4 period.
The slaughterhouse of the new poultry plant started operations in November, as planned. The facility is now fully operational, and the optimisation of the process performance is underway.
Atria Sweden initiated an efficiency programme during the review period to improve its competitiveness and results in the changed operating environment. The efficiency improvement measures aim for annual savings in the amount of roughly EUR 2.5 million, which will begin to materialise during the second quarter of 2024 and fully at the beginning of 2025. This will translate into a personnel reduction of around 35 employment relationships in Sweden.
Atria Finland's net sales during the October-December period were EUR 333.5 million (EUR 344.4 million). Net sales for October-December did not reach the level of the corresponding period in the previous year. Net sales decreased in all sales channels. The uncertainty of the economic operating environment and general cost inflation weakened consumer purchasing power late in the year. Consumers are buying lower-cost products and carefully consider their purchases. Atria's sales volumes to Foodservice and retail customers declined as a result of the decrease in consumer demand. The weak situation in the global market for red meat decreased export volumes. The sales prices of feed, which were lower than in the year before, weighed on net sales. Ab Korv-Görans Kebab Oy, acquired late last year, improved net sales by roughly EUR 5 million.
The adjusted EBIT was EUR 9.4 million (EUR 20.3 million). The result, which is lower than in the corresponding period, is impacted by the weaker market situation of meat, which is mainly the result of consumers' reduced purchasing power. Especially the sales of the most valuable parts were unprofitable. The most significant phase of the new poultry plant's commissioning took place in the final quarter, incurring costs. EBIT totalled EUR 3.8 million (EUR 20.3 million). The EBIT includes a total of EUR 3.1 million in write-downs of fixed assets related to the closure of the Sahalahti unit and the old Nurmo poultry plant and in other costs related to the plant's closure, as well as EUR 2.5 million in the write-down of a brand to be discontinued. General cost inflation weighed on the results of Atria Finland. The costs of raw materials and external services as well as payroll costs continued to be higher than in the corresponding period. Energy prices were lower than in the corresponding period. The slaughterhouse of the new poultry plant started operations in November, as planned. The facility is now fully operational, and the optimisation of the process performance is underway.
Atria Sweden's October-December net sales were EUR 80.4 million (EUR 86.3 million). In local currencies, net sales declined by 2.6% year-on-year. Atria Sweden's market shares in the retail trade improved, but the development of net sales was impacted by the discontinuation of sales of certain products that used to be produced at the Malmö plant. Adjusted EBIT was EUR -0.3 million (EUR -0.9 million). The prices of raw materials remained high during the review period. Energy prices were lower than in the corresponding period the year before. The Swedish krona strengthened during the fourth quarter of the year.
The operating result was EUR -22.9 million (EUR -52.1 million). General economic uncertainty, cost inflation and higher market interest rates have impacted consumer purchasing power and weakened the present value of cash flow forecasts in Atria Sweden. Because of this, an impairment of EUR 20 million was recognised in the operating result. The operating result also includes EUR -2.6 million in business reorganisation costs. The operating result for the corresponding period includes a EUR -51.2 million write-down of goodwill and brands. Atria Sweden initiated an efficiency programme to improve its competitiveness and result in the changed operating environment. High raw material costs, accelerated inflation and the weak Swedish krona have resulted in changed consumer habits and tight price negotiations with the retail sector. The efficiency improvement measures aim for annual savings in the amount of roughly EUR 2.5 million, which would begin to materialise during the second quarter of 2024 and fully at the beginning of 2025. This will translate into a personnel reduction of around 35 employment relationships in Sweden. The efficiency programme incurred EUR 2.6 million in additional business reorganisation costs.
Atria Denmark & Estonia's net sales in October-December were EUR 30.6 million (EUR 29.4 million). The adjusted EBIT was EUR 1.3 million (EUR -0.9 million). The operating result was EUR -18.7 million (EUR -0.9 million). EBIT includes a goodwill impairment loss of EUR 20 million allocated to Atria Denmark. During the review period, Atria Estonia's net sales increased by nearly 15% compared to the same period the year before. The retail market for the product groups represented by Atria in Estonia grew by nearly 4% in volume and by roughly 9% in value. In December, Atria's market share in terms of value was just over 22%, which is approximately 3 percentage points more than in the year before. Christmas sales were successful: the Maks & Moorits meat products rose to market leadership during November and December. In addition to Christmas products, the sales of cold cuts also increased. The feed prices of primary production began to decrease slightly during the fourth quarter, decreasing the costs of pork from Atria's own farms. Atria Denmark's net sales declined due to lower sales volumes to Foodservice and retail customers. Sales to export customers have remained stable. In Denmark, the weak development of net sales weighed down EBIT.
January-December 2023
Atria Group's full-year net sales were EUR 1752.7 million (EUR 1696.7 million). Adjusted EBIT was EUR 49.6 million (EUR 49.0 million), or 2.8% (2.9%) of net sales. Consolidated EBIT was EUR 0.4 million (EUR 0.1 million), or 0.0% (0.0%). EBIT includes a total of EUR -49.2 million (EUR -48.9 million) in adjustment items. The adjustment items consist primarily of the write-downs of intangible and tangible assets.
Net sales increased by EUR 56 million year-on-year. The increase was the result of good sales development in the first half of the year. Net sales took a downward turn towards the end of the year. Ab Korv-Görans Kebab Oy, acquired at the end of last year, increased net sales by roughly EUR 22 million. The development of Atria Denmark & Estonia's net sales was strong throughout the year thanks to Atria Estonia's robust sales development.
The adjusted EBIT improved from the previous year due to a more favourable sales structure and higher sales prices than in the corresponding period, and the positive development of net sales in the first half of the year. The result was weighed down by the costs of raw materials, supplies and services, these being higher than in the year before. Atria Finland's adjusted EBIT improved by EUR 6.7 million. In Atria Sweden, the operating result decreased due to higher costs and weaker consumer purchasing power, resulting from inflation. Atria Denmark & Estonia's performance was good. The review period was affected by additional costs related to the start-up of investments by Atria Finland and Sweden.
General economic uncertainty, cost inflation and higher market interest rates have impacted consumer purchasing power and weakened the present value of cash flow forecasts, particularly in Atria Sweden and Atria Denmark. Because of these reasons, Atria wrote down goodwill allocated to Atria Sweden by approximately EUR 20 million and goodwill allocated to Atria Denmark by approximately EUR 20 million. Atria Finland's EBIT includes a total of EUR 3.1 million in write-downs of fixed assets related to the closure of the Sahalahti unit and the old Nurmo poultry plant and in other costs related to the plant's closure, as well as EUR 2.5 million in the write-down of a brand to be discontinued. Atria Sweden's efficiency programme incurred EUR 2.6 million in additional business reorganisation costs. The EBIT also includes EUR 1 million in costs related to the business arrangement that ended during the Q4 period.
The expansion of the Sköllersta plant in Sweden was completed in the summer. The production lines were transferred from Malmö to Sköllersta, and the last day of production at the Malmö plant was in June.
Operating cash flow amounted to EUR 93.2 million (EUR 53.8 million). The decreased working capital items improved operating cash flow. The largest investment made by Atria during the financial period was the construction of the poultry plant in Nurmo. It is now fully operational. More than 90% of the investment's projected costs had been paid by the balance sheet date. Another major investment was the extension of the Sköllersta plant, which was completed in June. Cash flow from investments was EUR -105.7 million (EUR -101.5 million).
Atria Finland's cooperation negotiations for the restructuring of the pig slaughtering and cutting operations at the Atria Nurmo plant were initiated at the beginning of March and concluded at the end of May. As a result of the negotiations, the number of temporary employment contracts was reduced, and positions were rearranged internally. The changes took effect at the end of September. In Denmark, the operational efficiency programme launched in March was completed. Production now takes place in two production plants, and the number of employees has been reduced. Atria Sweden initiated an efficiency programme during the review period to improve its competitiveness and results in the changed operating environment.
Atria acquired 100,000 of its own series A shares at an average price of EUR 10.81 per share. This corresponds to approximately 0.35% of the total number of shares in the company, which is 28,267,728. The acquired shares will be used for payments under Atria Plc's share-based incentive plans. The shares were acquired in public trading on Nasdaq Helsinki at the market price at the time of acquisition. After the acquisitions, the company holds a total of 111,102 of its own series A shares.
Atria Denmark's CEO Lise Østergaard (B.Sc. Economics and Business Administration) was appointed to Atria Group's Management Team as of 1 January 2024. Jennifer Paatelainen, M.Sc. (Econ.), was appointed Atria Group's Vice President, Human Resources, and to Atria Group's Management Team as of 8 January 2024.
Atria Finland's January-December net sales amounted to EUR 1325.9 million (EUR 1265.3 million). The increased net sales resulted from higher sales prices in the retail and Foodservice channels. Net sales for January-September grew year-on-year. In the fourth quarter of the year, net sales decreased in all sales channels. Ab Korv-Görans Kebab Oy, acquired at the end of last year, increased net sales by roughly EUR 22 million. The adjusted EBIT was EUR 56.1 million (EUR 49.4 million). The increase in the adjusted EBIT was the result of the good performance development in January-September due, in turn, to a better sales structure and higher sales prices. In the fourth quarter of the year, the same trend took a downward turn. Throughout the year, the costs of raw materials, supplies and external services were higher than in the previous year. Energy prices were lower than in the previous year. The commissioning of the new poultry plant and salary settlements generated additional costs during the reporting period. EBIT totalled EUR 50.5 million (EUR 49.4 million). The EBIT includes a total of EUR 3.1 million in write-downs of fixed assets related to the closure of the Sahalahti unit and the old Nurmo poultry plant and in other costs related to the plant's closure, as well as EUR 2.5 million in the write-down of a brand to be discontinued.
Atria Sweden's January-December net sales amounted to EUR 330.5 million (EUR 356.2 million). The growth of net sales in local currencies, excluding the Russian fast-food business, was roughly 3%. Sales price increases strengthened net sales. The net sales and operating result for the comparison period include the Sibylla Russia business, which was sold in May 2022. The figures for the corresponding period include sales of products previously produced at the Malmö plant, which have been discontinued. Adjusted EBIT was EUR -5.6 million (EUR 2.3 million). The prices of raw materials remained at a high level in 2023, whereas energy and transportation costs decreased. The operating result was reduced by higher costs and weaker consumer purchasing power resulting from inflation. Consumers prefer products in the lower price range. The operating result was EUR -28.3 million (EUR -37.8 million). In the fourth quarter, Atria wrote down EUR 20 million in goodwill impairment allocated to Atria Sweden. In addition, Atria Sweden's efficiency programme initiated at the end of the year incurred EUR 2.6 million in additional business reorganisation costs.
Atria Denmark & Estonia's January-December net sales amounted to EUR 122.2 million (EUR 112.9 million). The adjusted EBIT was EUR 2.9 million (EUR 1.2 million). The operating result was EUR -17.1 million (EUR 1.2 million). EBIT includes a goodwill impairment loss of EUR 20 million allocated to Atria Denmark. The increase in net sales resulted from higher sales prices in both Estonia and Denmark, in addition to which Atria Estonia's good sales development improved the net sales. The increase in the adjusted EBIT was the result of Atria Estonia's good net sales development and the improved profitability of primary production late in the year. Atria Denmark's EBIT was weighed down by weaker sales volumes and high raw material prices. In Denmark, the result was also weighed down by additional costs resulting from the efficiency programme. Lise Østergaard began her work as the CEO of Atria Denmark on 1 June 2023 and as a member of Atria Group's Management Team on 1 January 2024.
| Key indicators | ||||
| EUR million | 31.12.2023 | 31.12.2022 | ||
| Shareholders' equity per share EUR | 13.82 | 15.94 | ||
| Interest-bearing liabilities | 284.3 | 265.7 | ||
| Equity ratio, % | 41.7 % | 44.9 % | ||
| Net gearing, % | 66.7 % | 50.2 % | ||
| Free cash flow | -12.5 | * | -47.7 | * |
| Gross investments | 111.0 | * | 131.4 | * |
| % of net sales | 6.3 % | 7.7 % | ||
| Average FTE | 3,898 | 3,698 | ||
| ** 1 Jan - 31 Dec |
Sustainability 2023: Aiming for a carbon-neutral food chain
A carbon-neutral food chain by 2035 is Atria's most important sustainability goal. Atria has the Science Based Targets Initiative's (SBTi) official approval for its emission reduction targets. Atria progressed towards its targets through a number of projects during 2023.
To reduce the carbon footprint of Atria's industrial production, projects were implemented in both Finland and Sweden. The solar park extension that began operating at Atria's Nurmo production plant will nearly double the production of solar power. Atria Finland also launched a new bio-based minced meat package. Atria Sweden signed a commitment to phase out the use of fossil fuels at its Tranås plant. Biomass and electric boilers will be installed at the Tranås plant in June 2024.
Atria also promoted the measurement of farms' carbon footprint and began piloting the Carbo environmental calculator of beef meat at approximately 80 contract farms. Together with contract producers belonging to the Atria Pork chain, Atria built the first model in Finland to verify the sustainability work of pig farms, which facilitates the measurement, reporting and development of sustainability-related matters.
Atria improved its performance in the 2023 Climate Change Assessment of the global non-profit Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) organisation and achieved a Management Level and "B-" rating for its climate work in the annual ranking. The rating rose three notches from the 2022 assessment.
In terms of corporate social responsibility, one of Atria's focal points is the occupational safety of its personnel. Our continuous safety work has yielded results, and in 2023, we again succeeded in reducing the number of accidents at work and our accident frequency. In Finland, Atria focuses on the self-sufficiency of domestic food production and the continuity of domestic meat production. In the autumn, Atria launched the Atria 100 Young Producers training programme to reinforce young producers' expertise in entrepreneurship in the changing operating environment.
Events after the period
On 31 January 2024, Atria Finland sold 70% of the shares of its subsidiary Best-In Oy to SaVe Logistiikka Oy. Best-In Oy makes pet food and its annual net sales amount to approximately EUR 5 million. Best-In Oy's production facility is located in Kelloniemi, Kuopio, and the company employs 17 people.
MBA Meelis Laande has been appointed as Managing Director of Atria Estonia and a member of the Atria Group's management team as of April 1, 2024. Meelis Laande has previously worked as Commercial Director of Atria Estonia since 2012. Meelis Laande reports to Kai Gyllström, CEO of Atria Plc. Atria Estonia's long-time Managing Director Olle Horm is leaving Atria.
Outlook for the future
Atria Group's adjusted EBIT in 2024 is expected to be smaller than in the previous year (EUR 49.6 million).
The operating environment is expected to remain challenging in 2024, particularly in terms of consumer behaviour. The construction and installation work of the new poultry plant in Nurmo have proceeded according to schedule and the plant is fully operational. Its performance will be optimised during 2024.
The challenging market situation and the achievement of the efficiency targets set for the new poultry plant will have an impact on the year's result. Atria's good market position, strong brands and good customer relationships, as well as its reliable industrial processes, will nevertheless enable stable business, also in 2024.
The Board of Directors' proposal on dividend and return on capital for 2023
The Board of Directors proposes that the company distribute a dividend of EUR 0.30 per share and a return on capital of EUR 0.30 per share for the year 2023, totalling EUR 0.60 per share (EUR 0.70).
Disclosure
Atria Plc complies with the disclosure procedure in accordance with standard 5.2b of the Financial Supervisory Authority and publishes its financial statement release for 1 January to 31 December 2023 as an attachment to this stock exchange release. The full release is available on the company's website at www.atria.com.
Publication of the financial statement release
Atria Plc's CEO Kai Gyllström will present the company's interim report in a webcast today, February 22, at 10:00 - 11:00 am. The webcast is available on Atria's website at www.atria.com/sijoittajat/ in Finnish language. During the webcast, you can ask questions in writing via chat. The recording of the press conference and the presentation material of the event will be available during the same day at www.atria.com/sijoittajat/taloustieto/osavuosikatsaus/.
ATRIA PLC
Board of Directors
For more information, please contact: Kai Gyllström, CEO, Atria Plc. Contacts and interview requests via Communications Manager Marja Latvatalo, e-mail: marja.latvatalo@atria.com, tel. +358 400 777 874.
DISTRIBUTION
Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd
Major media
www.atria.com
The interim report is available on our website at www.atria.com.
