Stronger margins
Reduction in debt
In line with the goals of the Group's strategic roadmap
HERIGE has released its audited results for financial year 2016. The consolidated financial statements were examined by the Supervisory Board at its 10 March 2017 meeting.
On 7 February 2017, HERIGE announced its decision to pursue with its program of sales which impacted its Building Materials Trading and Concrete Industry business divisions on 31 December 2016. In accordance with IFRS 5, the assets and liabilities of the ventures in the process of being sold have been booked under separate headings on the Group's balance sheet and income statement.
2016 results: increase in margins
HERIGE Group reported turnover of €524.2 million for 2016 as a whole, up 2% on 2015 thanks to a catch-up effect on the first half of the year and despite a negative calendar effect on the second.
At €199.5 million, consolidated gross margin kept pace with turnover, up 3.1% on 31 December 2015. Gross margin improved 0.4 points to 38.1% of turnover.
Current operating income for the period have increased and amounted to €6.6 million, resulting in a current operating margin of 1.3% as against 0.5% one year earlier.
Group net profit came in at a positive €1.8 million after a loss of €14.1 million in 2015.
Financial situation: ongoing internal investment and cut in net debt
HERIGE Group pursued its programme of internal investment over 2016 which is primarily devoted to improving its logistics and production resources (€13.2 million on 31 December 2016 compared with €14.7 million on 31 December 2015).
It was also able to cut net debt which finished the year at €62.6 million (compared with €87.1 million at the end of 2015), resulting in a 22-point improvement in gearing to 56% on 31 December 2016.
Proposed dividend payment of €0.50 per share
HERIGE will propose the payment of a dividend of €0.50 per share in respect of 2016 at its Annual General Meeting on 24 May.
Outlook and developments
In line with its 2016-2020 plan to redeploy to its core activities, HERIGE Group’s persistent strategic focus is to achieve lasting profitable growth to finance its future development.
Against a positive backdrop of a gradual recovery in the construction sector, the Group intends to pursue its innovation and modernization drives. This strategy will go hand-in-hand with greater investment to refurbish its points of sale and modernize its warehouses for concrete and industrial tools.
NEXT PUBLICATION: Q1 2017 turnover on 10 May 2017 (after the stock exchange closes).
All our financial communications are available on our website www.groupe-herige.fr