Up Global Regulatory News (UPGS)

14 February 2023

UP Global Sourcing Holdings plc

"Ultimate Products" or "the Group"

TRADING UPDATE AND NOTICE OF INTERIM RESULTS

 A robust trading performance, boosted by strength in Online and ongoing demand for energy efficient and money saving products for the home

Ultimate Products, the owner of a number of leading homeware brands including Salter (the UK's oldest houseware brand, est.1760) and Beldray (est.1872), is pleased to announce its trading update for the six months ended 31 January 2023 ("H1 2023").

Overview

Unaudited Group revenues increased 2% to £87.6m (H1 2022: £85.7m). Online channels were the main driver of this growth, supported by the continued normalisation of global supply chains. In addition, consumer demand for energy efficient and money saving products has remained buoyant across all channels throughout the period.

Encouragingly, the level of general retailer overstocking experienced during 2022 which, along with the challenging macroeconomic environment, caused retailer customers to be cautious in the size of their forward orders, is now reducing in the UK and more normal patterns of order placing have recommenced.

At the period end, the Group had a net bank debt/underlying EBITDA ratio of 1.0x (31 July 2022: 1.3x). The Group maintains comfortable levels of headroom within its bank facilities, with headroom at 31 January 2023 of £22.4m (31 July 2022: £17.8m).

Outlook

The Board anticipates a full year performance in line with current market expectations.

 Commenting on the performance, Simon Showman, Chief Executive of Ultimate Products, said:

"Amidst a tough economic climate, we are delighted that our products, especially those that are energy efficient and money saving, continue to resonate strongly with consumers. Global supply chain disruption has now eased, which has improved stock availability and supported the growing demand from our online customers. Looking ahead, we expect that the current softness in global shipping pricing, as well as the partial recovery in Sterling, will provide additional relief against the ongoing inflationary backdrop.

"We are increasingly excited by the positive impact that our robotics process automation programme is having on our business. Our bottom-up, demand-led approach to automation enables us to concentrate efforts on the items that can most improve productivity, and this will ultimately enhance operating margins and drive an even better customer experience."

Notice of results

The Group intends to announce its interim financial results on Wednesday 29 March 2023.

For more information, please contact:

Ultimate Products +44 (0) 161 627 1400

Simon Showman, CEO

Andrew Gossage, Managing Director

Chris Dent, Chief Financial Officer

Shore Capital +44 (0) 20 7408 4090

Mark Percy

Malachy McEntyre

Powerscourt +44 (0) 207 250 1446

Rob Greening

Sam Austrums

Notes to Editors

Ultimate Products is the owner of a number of leading homeware brands including Salter (the UK's oldest houseware brand, established in 1760) and Beldray (a laundry, floor care, heating and cooling brand that was established in 1872). According to its market research, nearly 80% of UK households own at least one of the Group's products.

Ultimate Products sells to over 300 retailers across 38 countries, and specialises in five product categories: Small Domestic Appliances; Housewares; Laundry; Audio; and Heating and Cooling. Other brands include Progress (cookware and bakeware), Kleeneze (laundry and floorcare), Petra (small domestic appliances) and Intempo (audio).

The Group's products are sold to a broad cross-section of both large national and international multi-channel retailers as well as smaller national retail chains, incorporating discount retailers, supermarkets, general retailers and online retailers.

Founded in 1997, Ultimate Products employs over 370 staff, a significant number of whom have joined via the Group's graduate development scheme, and is headquartered in Oldham, Greater Manchester, where it has design, sales, marketing, buying, quality assurance, support functions and warehouse facilities across two sites. Manor Mill, the Group's head office, includes a spectacular 20,000 sq ft showroom that showcases each of its brands. In addition, the Group has an office and showroom in Guangzhou, China and in Cologne, Germany.

Please note that Ultimate Products is not the owner of Russell Hobbs. The company currently has licence agreements in place granting it an exclusive licence to use the "Russell Hobbs" trademark for cookware (NB this does not include Russell Hobbs electrical appliances).

For further information, please visit www.upgs.com