Trading Statement

Marshalls plc

Trading Update: 13 January 2021

Strong Q4 trading and re-instatement of dividend

Trading performance

Since the Half Year, revenue growth has progressively improved and sales in the most recent months were ahead of the comparative figures for 2019. The key drivers continue to be strong demand in the Domestic end market, a return to more normal levels of trading in the Public Sector and Commercial end market and continued strong growth in the International market. Group revenue for the year ended 31 December 2020 was £469 million (2019: £542 million).   

Sales to the Domestic end market were up 9 per cent in the six months ended 31 December 2020 compared to the same period last year. The survey of domestic installers at the end of October 2020 showed a strong order book of 12.8 weeks (October 2019 10.9 weeks). Sales in the Public Sector and Commercial end market for the six months ended 31 December 2020 were 6 per cent down compared with 2019. This compares with the first six months of the year when sales were down 28 per cent. The level of commercial orders in the fourth quarter exceeds the prior year. The Group continues to target those parts of the market where higher levels of growth are anticipated including infrastructure projects in Road, Rail and Water Management. Sales in the International business for the six months ended 31 December 2020 increased by 18 per cent compared with the comparable prior year period, supported by continuing strong sales from Marshalls NV in Belgium.

Reflecting our increasing market confidence, in 2021 we will commence construction of a flagship dual block plant at our St. Ives manufacturing site, which will be the first facility of this nature in the UK. This represents a significant capital investment, of approximately £20 million over three years, which will provide more manufacturing flexibility and efficiencies when fully operational.

The construction sector has remained strong during the last six months and our manufacturing network continues to be fully operational and busy. Our priority is always the safety and well-being of our employees, suppliers and customers, and our health and safety practices continue to be ahead of recommended COVID-19 guidelines.

Balance sheet and liquidity

As at 31 December 2020, the Group had net debt of £27 million, on a pre-IFRS 16 basis (2019: £19 million). This is significantly better than expected and is after both the repayment of £9.4 million of furlough and £11.3 million of deferred VAT in the final quarter of the year, meaning that we have repaid all Government Coronavirus assistance/funding. We continue to monitor cash flows closely. As at 31 December 2020 the Group had total bank facilities of £255 million, of which £230 million are committed.  The headroom against these facilities is £228 million (30 June 2020: £201 million).

Dividend re-instatement

The Board has confirmed its intention to re-instate dividend payments, commencing with a final, full year dividend for 2020.  Distributions will be in line with the Group's stated objective of dividends covered twice by earnings over the business cycle.

Outlook

Trading continues to improve and order books remain strong. The Board anticipates out-turns for 2020 and 2021 modestly above current expectations. We continue to monitor closely any risk to demand due to the worsening COVID situation in Q1. We are taking appropriate and timely measures to best mitigate any impact.

The Board intends to issue its full year Preliminary Announcement on 11 March 2021.

Although market demand remains uncertain, we remain focused on developing future growth opportunities and delivering the strategic objectives in our 5 year Strategy. Our strategy is underpinned by strong market positions, focused investment plans and an established brand.

Certain information contained in this announcement would have constituted inside information (as defined in the Market Abuse Regulation) prior to its release as part of this announcement and is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under those Regulations.

Enquiries:

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 2019.