Last checked at 29 Apr 2009 07:00
29 April 2009
Plastics Capital plc
(the "Company" or the "Group")
Trading Update
Since the last trading update, our margins have remained firm but volumes have been weak in all businesses. Our Rotating Parts division (BNL), the largest in the Group, which had been relatively unaffected by the economic downturn throughout most of the financial year, has recently been impacted by the widely reported collapse in international trade for manufactured products, with some orders being cut back and deliveries being delayed. This has partially been caused by supply chain destocking.
Although also weak, volumes have been stable in our Board and Print Consumables division (C&T Matrix) and our Hose Mandrel and Film division (Bell), both of which suffered significant volume declines earlier in the financial year.
Our Packaging Film division (Palagan), which is our only business that is heavily focused on the UK market, has performed well and only suffered a relatively modest volume decline over the last 12 months, although this trend did worsen somewhat in the final quarter of the financial year.
In response to these trading conditions, cost reduction measures continue to be implemented across the Group. Meanwhile, operating cash flow has remained solid. The 2009/10 financial year starts with sterling at a much more favourable level than it was at the start of 2008/09, which will benefit our export based businesses.
Commenting, Faisal Rahmatallah, Executive Chairman said:
"Customer loyalty remains high and we are winning new business in all areas. Prospects for the Group continue to be positive, particularly when international trade starts to recover from current abnormally low levels."
| Plastics Capital plc | Tel: 020 7326 8423 |
| Faisal Rahmatallah, Executive Chairman | |
| Nick Ball, Finance Director | |
| Cenkos Securities plc | Tel: 020 7397 8900 |
| Stephen Keys | |
| Beth McKiernan | |
| Buchanan Communications | Tel: 020 7466 5000 |
| Richard Darby | |
| Christian Goodbody |
Notes to Editors
Plastics Capital is a consolidator of plastics products manufacturers focused on proprietary products for niche markets. The Group has four factories in the UK, one in Thailand and sales offices in the USA and Japan. Approximately 50 per cent of sales are exported to over 70 countries worldwide. Production is concentrated in the UK where significant engineering know-how and automation underpins the Group's competitiveness. The Group has approximately 310 employees.
Further information can be found on www.plasticscapital.com