Revenues of EUR 415m and EBIT improving to 9.1%, revised outlook for 2024 on the back of soft orders received
Executive summary
- EBIT margin of 9.1% in 2Q24, improving both QoQ and YoY.
- Soft orders received with book-to-bill ratio of 0.95 and order book at 32% of trailing twelve months revenues.
- Orders received expected to build up in 2H24 based on improving market outlook and customer sentiment. Order book needs to build up to deliver necessary revenue growth and improved operational performance.
- Cost discipline with ongoing actions to lower cost base, focused on operational efficiency, optimizing footprint and personnel.
- Leverage increased to 3.9x mainly due to unfavorable working capital development, leverage covenant of 4.5x in 2Q24.
- Outlook for full-year 2024 revised to 9-10% EBIT, 13-14% EBITDA and revenue decline of low single digits.
Financial highlights Q2 2024
- Orders received: EUR 393.4m (1Q24: 392.8m, 2Q23: 406.5m).
- Order book: EUR 538.5m (1Q24: 560.3m, 2Q23: 574.5m).
- Revenues: EUR 415.2m (1Q24: 412.6m, 2Q23: 422.4m).
- EBITDA[1] margin: 13.0% (1Q24: 11.7%, 2Q23: 11.8%).
- EBIT[1] margin: 9.1% (1Q24: 7.9%, 2Q23: 8.0%).
- Net result: EUR 2.1m (1Q24: -3.2m, 2Q23: 3.1m).
- Cash flow from operating activities before interest and tax: EUR -4.0m (1Q24: 26.2m, 2Q23: 27.1m).
- Free cash flow: EUR -22.0m (1Q24: 11.2m, 2Q23: -6.1m).
- Leverage[2]: 3.9x (1Q24: 3.8x, 2Q23: 3.4x).
Financial highlights H1 2024
- Orders received: EUR 786.2m (1H23: 769.1m).
- Revenues: EUR 827.8m (1H23: 869.8m).
- EBITDA[1] margin: 12.3% (1H23: 12.2%).
- EBIT[1] margin: 8.5% (1H23: 8.5%).
- Net result: EUR -1.1m (1H23: 12.2m).
- Cash flow from operating activities before interest and tax: EUR 22.2m (1H23: 61.4m).
- Free cash flow: EUR -10.8m (1H23: -6.4m).
Arni Sigurdsson, CEO:
"Encouragingly we have now seen sequential margin improvement in the second quarter, reflecting actions we are undertaking to improve our business. We though continue to operate in a challenging market environment which is reflected in our soft orders received. We are reassured that fundamentals in our industry are improving and we should see a pickup in orders during our second half. Whilst this improvement is being seen now, its benefit will be felt in the back end of this year and into the next financial year. Consequently, we now expect to deliver low single digit revenue decline and EBITDA at 13%-14% and EBIT at 9-10% for the current year.
As we look ahead, we remain confident that as we move through the trough of the cycle, our leading position, focus and attractive markets all underpin our confidence in delivering our mid-term targets. Alongside this, we progressed the potential merger with JBT during the half, with the transaction agreement signed and the offer launched in June. We continue to expect the transaction to close before the year end and are excited about the two complementary teams coming together to accelerate progress and better serve customers to the benefit of all stakeholders. I want to commend the dedication and valuable contribution of our teams across the world in navigating this changing environment, driving our business forward and making a meaningful positive impact on food systems worldwide."
Continued short-term uncertainty, revised outlook for FY24
There is continued short-term uncertainty due to rising geopolitical tension, persistent inflation, and the high-interest rate environment. This is evidenced by the lower-than-expected projects orders received in the first half of the year.
Orders received are expected to build up in 2H24, market outlook is improving and there are positive signs in customer sentiment, especially for poultry. To deliver revenue growth and improved operational performance, build up of the order book is needed.
Outlook for full-year 2024 revised to 9-10% EBIT and 13-14% EBITDA and revenue decline of low single digits.
Outlook for the mid-term is unchanged. Marel operates in attractive growth markets with expected long-term average market growth of 4-6% annually, supported by favorable secular trends, focused on automation, robotics technology and digital solutions to optimize processing and address customers' challenges of better utilization of raw materials, labor scarcity, high input costs and rising number of end products.
Financial calendar
Marel will publish its financial results according to the below financial calendar:
- Q3 2024 - 30 October 2024
- Q4 2024 - 12 February 2025
- AGM - 26 March 2025
Financial results will be disclosed and published after market closing of both Nasdaq Iceland and Euronext Amsterdam.
Upcoming trade shows and events
Marel regularly participates in exhibitions around the world where it showcases the company's innovative solutions. In addition, Marel hosts its own trade shows and KnowHows in the company's demonstration facilities. Here are some of Marel's upcoming events in 2024:
- CIMIE in Beijing, China, 10-12 September
- Icelandic Fisheries in Reykjavik, Iceland, 18-20 September
- SÜFFA in Stuttgart, Germany, 28-30 September
- Conxemar in Vigo, Spain, 1-3 October
- Marel's Software KnowHow in Goldcoast, Australia, 8-9 October
- Marel's Software KnowHow in Florida, USA, 23-24 October
- Südback in Stuttgart, Germany, 26-29 October
- Eurotier in Hannover, Germany, 12-15 November
Virtual investor meeting
On Thursday 25 July 2024, at 10:30 am CET (8:30 am GMT), Marel will host a virtual investor meeting where CEO Arni Sigurdsson and CFO Sebastiaan Boelen will give an overview of the financial results and operational highlights in the second quarter 2024.
Please note that the investor meeting is virtual only.
The investor meeting will be streamed live via Zoom and a recording will be made available after the meeting on marel.com/ir. Registration is available here.
[1] Result from operations and EBITDA adjusted for PPA related costs, including depreciation and amortization, acquisition related expenses and restructuring costs. In Q4 2023 and Q1 2024, result from operations is also adjusted for one-off write-offs related to product portfolio rationalization.
[2] Net debt (excluding lease liabilities) / Pro forma LTM adjusted EBITDA (including recent acquisitions) excluding non-cash and one-off costs per Marel's credit agreements.
Market share data
Statements regarding market share, including those regarding Marel's competitive position, are based on outside sources such as research institutes, industry and dealer panels in combination with management estimates. Where information is not yet available to Marel, those statements may also be based on estimates and projections prepared by outside sources or management. Rankings are based on sales unless otherwise stated.
Forward-looking statements
Statements in this press release that are not based on historical facts are forward-looking statements. Although such statements are based on management's current estimates and expectations, forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. We therefore caution the reader that there are a variety of factors that could cause business conditions and results to differ materially from what is contained in our forward-looking statements, and that we do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
Investor Relations
For further information, please contact Marel Investor Relations via email ir@marel.com or tel. +354 563 8001.
About Marel
Marel (NASDAQ: MAREL, AEX: MAREL) is a leading global provider of advanced food processing equipment, systems, software and services to the food processing industry. Established in 1983, we have around 7,300 employees and a presence in more than 30 countries, servicing customer accounts in over 140 countries. We are listed on Nasdaq Iceland and Euronext Amsterdam, and in 2023 we delivered EUR 1.7 billion in revenues, with 46% coming from recurring aftermarket services and software. We invest 5-6% of revenues in innovation every year, setting new benchmarks in processing poultry, meat, fish as well as pet food, aqua feed and plant protein. Utilizing cutting edge technologies such as robotics, data-driven solutions, automation and software, we empower our customers to increase yield, ensure food safety, improve sustainability and ultimately create value for their businesses. For further information, please visit marel.com/ir.
