PETAH TIKVA, Israel – Strauss Group delivered sales of NIS 2.24 billion (US$646 million) in the third quarter, an increase of 4% compared to the corresponding period. The appreciation of the shekel against most currencies reduced earnings by approximately NIS 40 million, and accordingly, organic growth, excluding foreign currency effects, amounted to 6.1%.
The Group’s total revenue in the first nine months of 2019 was approximately NIS 6.4 billion (US$1.85 billion), in line with last year; however in organic terms and excluding foreign currency effects, the Group’s sales increased by 2.6% compared to the corresponding period last year.
Strauss Group delivered another successful quarter of profit growth and strong margins for the Group as a whole, as well as for its subsidiaries.
This was achieved mainly thanks to volume growth across most of the Group’s operations, an improvement in product diversity and product mix, as well as operational efficiency enhancements. The Group’s gross profit in the quarter was NIS 887 million, accounting for 39.6% of sales, compared to gross profit of NIS 812 million and a gross profit margin of 37.6% in the corresponding period last year, an increase of 9.3%. In the first nine months the gross profit totaled NIS 2.55 billion compared to NIS 2.46 billion last year – an increase of 3.9%.
The operating profit in the quarter amounted to NIS 256 million – 11.4% of sales – compared to an operating profit of NIS 235 million and an EBIT margin of 10.9% in the third quarter of 2018, which reflects an increase of 9.4%. Net profit rose in the quarter by 6.5% and totaled NIS 153 million, compared to NIS 144 million in the corresponding period last year. The improvement in net profit is mainly the result of the increase in operating profit and was partially offset by an increase in financing expenses and tax expenses.
Giora Bardea, President and CEO of Strauss Group: “This morning we are announcing another quarter of revenue growth and significantly improved profit earnings and margins across most of the Group’s businesses. These results were achieved thanks to innovation and product diversification, a guiding concept for the Group, as well as the implementation of efficiency enhancement processes in our plants in Israel and around the world. The appreciation of the shekel against most currencies continued to negatively impact our international operations in the current quarter, perpetuating the trend in prior quarters.
For some years now Strauss has been investing and focusing on getting the company ready for future disruptive challenges in the food industry. One of the ways we have chosen to tackle these challenges is through the establishment of The Kitchen, our FoodTech hub, the first in Israel, with the aim of leading the ecosystem of this sector in Israel and worldwide. In the past quarter we hosted our annual conference, FoodTech IL, here in Israel, which was attended by some 1,500 guests from Israel and other countries. Participants included representatives of the world’s largest food and beverage corporations, representatives of leading investment funds, scientists and tech people, gastronomy and culinary experts. It was exciting to see our FoodTech vision become a reality as companies nurtured in our FoodTech incubator in Ashdod realize achievements and are at the helm of advanced developments in all areas of activity, successfully raising capital as a result, and some already selling their products. We will continue full steam ahead to advance FoodTech, which we consider both an internal growth driver as well as a contribution to making the world a better place.”
Strauss Israel maintained the growth trend of the past quarters. Strauss Israel is the second-largest food company in the Israeli food industry, and at the end of the third quarter its market share rose to 11.7% (according to StoreNext figures), compared to 11.4% in the corresponding period. The company’s sales in the third quarter amounted to NIS 899 million, reflecting 7.4% growth compared to last year. Revenue growth is the result of volume growth, which is due in part to a number of additional selling days in the current quarter compared to the corresponding period as a result of the timing of the Jewish high holidays, as well as sales growth particularly in the fun and indulgence category. During the quarter Strauss Israel launched numerous new diverse products in the dessert and milk beverage categories. The company also launched innovative products during the quarter, including Splendid Single Origin and Cow 30% Less Sugar chocolate tablets.
Strauss Israel’s gross profit in the quarter was NIS 358 million – 39.9% of sales – compared to 37.9% in the corresponding period last year. Operating profit rose from NIS 90 million in the third quarter of 2018 to NIS 98 million in the current quarter, raising the operating profit margin from 10.7% to 10.9%, respectively. In addition to the increase in sales, the improved margin was achieved, among other things, thanks to a diverse sales mix and the ramp-up of productivity processes at the company’s manufacturing sites, following investments in technology and diverse operational enhancements.
Strauss Coffee
Strauss Coffee delivered an outstanding quarter of growth in sales volumes, notably in local currency in its international business. In total, the coffee company posted revenues of NIS 986 million (US$284.4 million) in the current quarter – an increase of 5.1% excluding foreign currency effects. Following the appreciation of the shekel, growth in the quarter totaled to 1.8%.
Strauss Group’s revenue from the business of the Três Corações joint venture in Brazil¹ amounted to NIS 476 million in the third quarter (the Group’s share), an increase of 1.5% compared to the corresponding period in local currency terms – achieved mainly by increased quantities sold and by significantly raising the Brazilian company’s market share to 28.5%. In the third quarter of 2019 the TRES coffee machine and capsule business moved into the black for the first time since inception in 2015.
The coffee business in Israel, which is affected by seasonal factors, as well as the additional business days due to timing of Jewish High Holidays, grew 11.2% in the current quarter. In Eastern Europe, the coffee business in Russia and Ukraine grew strongly, and Poland delivered high sales growth in local currency. However Romania and Serbia posted a decline in revenues, mainly as a result of the growing competition in those countries.
Strauss Water
Strauss Water delivered another strong quarter of growth with NIS 165 million in sales in the quarter, an increase of 5.4% compared to the corresponding period last year. Revenue growth was mainly achieved thanks to an increase in sales of new appliances in Israel and growth of the customer base. Operating profit in the quarter amounted to NIS 20 million, compared to NIS 18 million in the corresponding period. Operating profit increased as a result of growth in the customer base in Israel and improved profits of Haier Strauss Water (HSW).
Sales of Haier Strauss Water in China were NIS 134 million in the third quarter, compared to NIS 145* million in the corresponding period last year, a decrease of 7.4%. Excluding foreign currency effects, sales were down 1.5% compared to last year (unaudited, reflecting 100%). The decrease is primarily the result of an adverse change in the macro environment as well as the competitive environment.
Sabra and Obela
Sabra and Obela delivered a solid quarter. Sabra’s sales in local currency grew 5.2% and amounted to NIS 345 million, or 1.8% organic growth. However, the appreciation of the shekel against the US dollar eroded revenues, leading the company to register a drop of 1.6% in revenues. Operating profit in the quarter dropped from NIS 28 million to NIS 24 million, mainly as a result of an increase in selling and marketing expenses. In the third quarter Sabra increased its market share in the US, which is presently 62.2%, compared to 60.1% in the corresponding period.
Sales by Obela in the quarter were NIS 40 million, in line with the corresponding period. The company reduced its operating loss from NIS 4 million last year to NIS 3 million in the current quarter.
Note: NIS 1 = US$0.29
¹ Três Corações (3C) – The Três Corações joint venture in Brazil – a company jointly held by the Group (50%) and by a local holding company, São Miguel Holding e Investimentos S.A. (50%).
(Data reflect Strauss Coffee’s share (50%) unless expressly stated otherwise).
* Restated.
