Clariant Q1 improvement

Switzerland
Published: 29 April, 2010

Clariant, the specialty chemicals maker, announced on April 29 sales of CHF 1.817 billion in the first quarter 2010, compared to CHF 1.604 billion in the previous year, an improvement of 13% in Swiss Francs and 16% in local currency. However, sales were still clearly behind pre-crisis levels. The Q1 results the new Leather Services business were highlighted as performing well. (US$1 = CHF 1.08)

Sales improved significantly compared to the low base a year ago and also strengthened on a quarter-on-quarter basis. Especially in the business units (BU) Pigments, Additives, Leather Services and Masterbatches, sales growth was above the average group level. At the regional level, growth in Asia - and particularly in China with local currency sales growth of +65% - outperformed the other regions compared to the first quarter of 2009. Europe and North America showed double-digit sales growth while Latin America remained slightly behind as the region had showed resilience against the downturn in the previous year.
The gross margin improved to 28.7% from 18.9% a year ago. This positive development was a result of mainly three effects. Firstly, 20% higher sales volumes that led to improved capacity utilization rates and therefore significantly lower idle facility costs. Secondly, a favorable business / product mix with higher margin businesses recovering from trough levels seen in the previous year. And thirdly, the absence of any material inventory de- or revaluation effects. While sales prices dropped 4%, raw material costs fell 1% compared to the first quarter 2009, resulting in a negative squeeze at the gross margin level. However, sales prices increased from the fourth quarter 2009, as a result of the stringent focus on managing the gross margin by adapting sales prices where appropriate. Clariant will continue to increase sales prices in order to react to higher raw material costs.
Mainly as a result of some project-related one-time costs, SG&A increased to CHF 307 million compared to CHF 281 million during the same period a year ago. In percentage of sales SG&A costs fell to 16.9% from 17.5%.
Resulting from a higher gross margin and the positive impact of the decisive implementation of restructuring measures, the operating income (EBIT) before exceptional items reached CHF 183 million and improved significantly - not only compared to the previous year quarter (CHF -13 million) - but also compared to the third and fourth quarter of 2009. The EBIT margin before exceptional items improved to 10.1% from -0.8% a year ago.
Restructuring and impairment costs amounted to CHF 110 million. The number of job positions was reduced to 17,331 from 17,536 during the quarter. However, despite these restructuring expenses, Clariant reported a net profit of CHF 10 million compared to a net loss of CHF 91 million a year ago based on the favorable development of the operating income.
Cash flow from operations amounted to CHF 159 million and was at about the same level as in the previous year period (CHF 156 million). Contrary to a year ago when the reduction of net working capital was the main driver, cash flow generation in the first quarter this year was mainly driven by the improved operational performance. Net working capital as a percentage of sales was lower at 20.2% and in reach of our below 20% target at the end of 2010.
Clariant continued to strengthen its balance sheet by increasing its cash position to CHF 1,241 million compared to CHF 1,140 million at the end of 2009. Net debt was further reduced to CHF 378 million and the company's gearing - net debt divided by equity - further improved to 20%.

Outlook
In spite of a better than expected economic environment in the first quarter the global economy will recover only slowly. Based on this scenario and giving reference to the fact that the second half of the year is normally weaker than the first half, Clariant expects mid single digit sales growth compared to 2009. Operating cash flow will remain strong.
As announced previously, 2009 and 2010 are restructuring years. The continuation of the restructuring efforts will result in a further reduction of job positions as well as further site and plant consolidation. Restructuring and impairment costs will amount to CHF 250 - 300 million in 2010.
Clariant will continue to focus on generating cash, reducing costs and reducing complexity, resulting in a positive impact on the operating result. First quarter operating income must not be taken as a basis for the full-year result due to the still fragile economic environment. The EBIT margin before exceptional items is expected to be above the 2008 level of 6.6%.
Clariant confirms its target of an above industry average return on invested capital (ROIC) by the end of 2010.

CEO Hariolf Kottmann commented: ‘We have made good progress in our restructuring efforts and continued to deliver solid results on the back of lower costs, higher capacity utilization and an improved demand due to an economic environment that developed more favorably than expected. Going forward, we expect the economic recovery to remain fragile and raw material costs to further rise heading into the seasonally weaker second half of the year. Consequently, we do not anticipate an operating performance at the same strong level of the first quarter. As we have stated previously, 2009 and 2010 are restructuring years and our goal is to close the performance gap to our peers. Hence we will decisively focus on managing our margins and vigorously continue our restructuring efforts in 2010. Under the current business conditions, the EBIT margin before exceptional items for the full-year is expected to be.’



Clariant improve but demand remains weak
Switzerland
Published: 04 November, 2009

Clariant, the worldwide specialty chemicals maker, announced on November 4, sales of CHF 1.69 billion ($1.65 billion) in the third quarter, compared to CHF 2.09 billion ($2.05 billion) during the same period in the previous year. This represents a 19% decline in Swiss Francs, and 14% in local currency.

Sales stabilised during the third quarter. Although there was a modest pick up in some businesses and regions, overall demand remained at low levels with no signs of a sustainable upward trend. Volumes declined by 11% and prices were 3% lower compared to the third quarter 2008.
All divisions contributed to the recovery in operating income before exceptional items over the last three quarters. The stringent focus on restructuring as well as a slight recovery in demand - in particular in the Textiles and Leather businesses - led to an improved profitability of the Textiles, Leather & Paper Chemicals Division.
During the quarter the company continued to invest in restructuring efforts. Overall 1,917 job positions have already been made redundant and a further 800 have been identified. The total headcount of the company by year-end is expected to be below 18,000 compared to 20,102 at the end of 2008.
Clariant ceo, Hariolf Kottmann commented: ‘The focus on improving cash flow, decreasing costs and reducing complexity continued to have a positive impact on our results. Sales declines of more than 20% in some businesses indicate that despite a stabilisation in demand we are still far from a sustainable recovery. In this environment, our cost savings have not yet been sufficient to fully compensate for the demand weakness. As we need to close the performance gap to our peers and as we don’t see a sustainable recovery in our industry in the next quarters, we will continue to implement additional restructuring and cost saving measures.’
Outlook
For the full year 2009, Clariant expects sales in local currencies to decrease 16-20% compared to 2008. Cash flow is expected to remain strong as a result of ongoing stringent net working capital management. In the traditionally weak fourth quarter, Clariant expects an improved operating income before exceptional items compared to the fourth quarter of 2008
Going forward Clariant will continue its restructuring efforts with estimated restructuring costs of CHF 200-300 million ($196-294 million) in 2009 and further job reductions in 2009 and 2010.