Interim Report for Duni AB (publ) 1 January - 30 June 2019

MALMÖ, Sweden, July 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The margin program contributes to a historically strong second quarter

1 April - 30 June

• Net sales amounted to SEK 1,348 m (1,197), corresponding to a 12.6% increase in sales. Adjusted for exchange rate movements, net sales increased by 9.9%.

• Earnings per share after dilution amounted to SEK 1.41 (1.39).

• Gradually declining raw material prices combined with the implemented price increases contributes to a recovery of the margin.

1 January - 30 June

• Net sales amounted to SEK 2,612 m (2,277), corresponding to a 14.7% increase in sales. Adjusted for exchange rate movements, net sales increased by 11.1%.

• Earnings per share after dilution amounted to SEK 2.49 (2.61).

• Positive contribution from price increases and BioPak in Australia, which was acquired in October 2018.

• Continuing higher expenses for input materials and increased year-on-year expenses for logistics services.

KEY FINANCIALS

SEK m	3 months Apr-Jun 2019	3 months Apr-Jun 2018	6 months Jan-Jun 2019	6 months Jan-Jun 2018	12 months Jul-Jun 2018/2019	12 months Jan-Dec 2018
Net sales	1,348	1,197	2,612	2,277	5,263	4,927
Organic growth	-2.1%	2.0%	-0.9%	2.1%	0.1%	1.5%
Organic pro forma growth1)	1.0%	2.1%	2.1%	2.2%	3.3%	2.5%
Operating income2,3)	111	96	203	186	447	430
Operating margin2,3)	8.2%	8.0%	7.8%	8.2%	8.5%	8.7%
Income after financial items	86	87	152	165	316	328
Net income	67	66	119	125	244	249

1) Currency-adjusted growth including acquired companies, which are compared with the previous year's pro forma figures.

2) For key financials, definitions and reconciliation of alternative key financials, see pages 26-27.

3) For impact of the new leasing standard as of 1 January 2019, see Note 1.

CEO'S COMMENTS

"Sustainable packaging drives growth

In the second quarter, sales increased by 12.6% to SEK 1,348 m (1,197). Organic pro forma growth1) for the quarter amounted to 1.0%, despite fewer days of sales.

Restrictions on the use of single-use products made of plastic are now in the pipeline in many countries. Duni is positive about these important activities for the environment and it is well in line with our new strategy where we increase our focus on sustainability and see a very positive growth in sustainable packaging.

In addition to the positive sales development of sustainable packaging, we also see solid growth in premium napkins, while the table covers continue to develop negatively.

The trend for our geographic growth areas has carried over from the previous quarter. This means that we are growing in most regions with particularly high growth in Australia, our second largest country in terms of sales.

Margin program contributes to all-time-high income

Operating income for the quarter was SEK 111 m (96), which is an all-time high for Q2. We are seeing positive effects from our margin program which included price increases, to compensate for the significant rise in pulp prices, as well as indirect expense savings. Nevertheless, we humbly note that we benefitted from important external factors such as falling pulp prices and the weakened Swedish krona in the quarter. However, increased freight prices had a negative impact on our income.

Performance in our business areas

Taking a look at our business areas, Meal Service and New Markets saw positive growth in both sales and income and Table Top's performance was steady while Business Area Consumer continues to have a weak performance. Organic pro forma growth1) amounted to 6% in Meal Service and 14% in New Markets, but Consumer had a negative sales development of 15% at fixed exchange rates. Our price increases in 2018 resulted in a loss of some high volumes contracts within Consumer. To boost our future competitiveness in the business area, we are now engaging in activities aiming to raise efficiency in the value chain.

Pulp prices continue to fall

Pulp prices continued to decline in the second quarter. This should have a positive impact on income in the third quarter as well," says Johan Sundelin, President and CEO, Duni.

1) Currency-adjusted growth including acquired companies, which are compared with the previous year's pro forma figures.

Additional information is provided by:
Johan Sundelin, President and CEO, [phone]
Mats Lindroth, CFO, [phone]
Helena Haglund, Group Accounting Manager, [phone]

Duni AB (publ)
Box 237
SE-201 22 Malmö
Tel.: [phone]
www.duni.com

Business registration number: 556536-7488

Duni is a leading supplier of attractive and convenient products for table setting and take-away. The Duni brand name is sold in more than 40 markets and enjoys a number one position in Central and Northern Europe. Duni has around 2,400 employees in 24 countries, headquarters in Malmö, Sweden, and production units in Sweden, Germany, Poland, New Zealand and Thailand. Duni is listed on NASDAQ Stockholm under the ticker name "DUNI". The ISIN code is SE0000616716. This information is information that Duni AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 07:45 CET on 12 July 2019.

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The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/295/2862239/1076696.pdf	Press release Interim Report for Duni AB (publ) 1 January - 30 June 2019
https://news.cision.com/duni-ab/i/duni-johan-sundelin-15559hr-color,c2654741	Duni Johan Sundelin 15559HR Color