Progressing against tough market conditions
-- Consolidated revenue of the Santa Fe Group was EUR 299.8m in 2017 (EUR
338.6m) in line with the outlook published in connection with the Q3 report
in November 2017.
-- Revenue in the continuing Moving and Relocation Services businesses
decreased by 6.4% in local currencies to EUR 294.5m (EUR 319.7m).
-- Revenue from Relocation Services grew by 4.9% in local currencies, and
especially Immigration Services proved very successful. Relocation Services
constituted 18% (15%) of total revenue in 2017.
-- EBITDA before special items reached EUR 6.3m (EUR 10.6m). The divestment of
Records Management activities and the reduced revenue had a negative impact
on earnings, which to some degree was offset by fixed costs savings,
primarily within staff costs.
-- Special items were an income of EUR 12.3m in 2017 (EUR 7.6m) mainly due to
the gain of EUR 17m from the divested Records Management business in 6
countries.
-- Net profit/loss in 2017 was a net profit of EUR 3.9m (Net loss of EUR
10.5m)
-- Outlook for 2018
-- Consolidated Revenue is expected to be around the same level as the
continuing business in 2017 (EUR 295m), driven by new customers,
development of new services and solutions, gradual recovery of activity
levels in the UK and Australia, offset by the divestment of the Records
Management business and the loss of a large customer as announced at the
end of 2016.
-- Consolidated EBITDA before special items is expected to be around the same
level as in 2017 (EUR 6.3m). The divested Records Management activities
will have a negative impact of around EUR 3m when comparing 2017 to 2018.
We expect this to be countered by improvements for the continuing
activities due to the lower cost base secured through a number of
restructuring initiatives in both Europe and Australia, including the
implementation of the Service Centre in Manila.
-- Special items are expected to be a net gain of around EUR 5m including the
net gain from the divestment of the warehouse building in Beijing related
to the Records Management divestment in China. Additional restructuring in
Europe and Australia will continue but at a reduced level.
-- Financial Expenses are expected to be higher than in 2017 due to higher
cost on new facilities expected to refinance existing facilities during Q1
2018.
Santa Fe Group CEO Martin Thaysen comments on the results:
"2017 was a tough year for the global relocation industry with declining
activity levels across most markets, and despite better than expected wins of
new clients, we did not meet our original financial objectives for the year. We
did reach our strategic milestones, not least with acquisitions and
divestments, as well as the launch of industry-leading technology solutions.
We remain confident in our strategy, the market, the needs of our customers,
and in leading the digitisation of the mobility business. With the setback in
the markets, it will, however, take longer than expected before we will be able
to reach the strategic targets originally set for 2020.
In 2018, we will be focusing on creating growth driven by the launch and sales
of enhanced products and solutions to existing and new customers. We expect the
continuing operations to deliver slight
growth rates, mainly driven by continued strong growth in relocation services
and through market share gains in Australia based on our improved proposition
in that market.
I would like to extend thanks and gratitude to our 2,500 colleagues, for their
remarkable jobs, servicing our customers every day. The recognition as
International Moving Company of the Year and Relocation Management Company of
the year at the Emma's awards are thanks to you."
Webcast today at 11:00
Santa Fe Group's Annual Report 2017 will be presented in a webcast followed by
a conference call with financial analysts, investors and the press today at
11:00 CET on the company website www.thesantafegroup.com
Martin Thaysen, Group CEO, +44 20 3691 8300
Christian Møller Laursen, Group CFO, +44 20 8963 2514
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