Skano Group Quarterly report 27.02.2015


THE FOURTH QUARTER IN SHORT

Consolidated net sales of the fourth quarter of 2014 was 4.66 mil. euros, representing a 4% decrease on the fourth quarter compared to the same period in 2013. At the same time, consolidated EBITDA amounted to minus 1,008 thousand euros (EBITDA minus 2 thousand euros in Q4 2013). 2014 fourth quarter result includes also  one-off non-monetary write-down of Püssi fibreboard factory assets amount to 925 thousand euros, without the write-down EBITDA would have been minus 83 thousand euros.

The sales in Skano Fibreboard OÜ Pärnu factory (incl. Isotex) was 1.5 mil. euros, decreased as compared to the respective period last year by 10%, the operating loss of the fourth quarter was 145 thousand euros compared  with the operating loss 143 thousand euros last year. Sale and profitability of Pärnu factory in the fourth quarter was affected by the fire accident in mid-November, which caused stoppage until the beginning of January 2015.

The turnover of Skano Fibreboard OÜ Püssi factory was 1.2 mil. euros, representing 8% increase in the fourth quarter compared to the same period in 2013. Operating loss amounted to 1,051 thousand euros compared with the operating loss 180 thousand euros last year. Without the write-down of Püssi assets operating loss in the fourth quarter would have been 126 thousand euros.

Sales mainly decreased due to a fire in Pärnu fibreboard factory on the 17th of November, which caused a partial deficit in sale of Pärnu factory’s production. As our main foreign markets Russia and Finland are still weak due to the general economic situation in Europe we have been continuously expanding the list of our target markets and made considerable efforts in product development. Remarkable sale to SAR in Q4 was a good sample of entering into new markets. In the fourth quarter we also conducted product testing and tuning of production process in both factories in order to achieve a lower production cost.

The priority of the management of the company is continuously to ensure the sales of the production of both factories in order to guarantee the maximum production capacity and efforts are taken in this direction on an  on-going basis.

In July 2014 Skano Fibreboard OÜ acquired full control over Suomen Tuulileijona OY. Suomen Tuulileijona OY is the wholesaler of Skano fibreboard products in Finland. The acquisition has no significant impact to our position in the Finnish wholesale market but was done to secure our ongoing sales in Finland.

The turnover of Skano Furniture Factory OÜ in Pärnu decreased in the fourth quarter by 14% and amounted to 1.5 mil. euros. The operating loss of the third quarter was 61 thousand euros as in 2013 the operating profit of the same period was 93 thousand euros. Profitability was impacted by low sales volumes. Sales in the fourth quarter of 2014 decreased mostly in Russia due to weak demand by 24% as compared to 2013, also sales to Finland  decreased 5%. In addition to seeking new sales possibilities in the current markets the company has made  considerable effort to enter into totally new markets like UK and France. Today sale in new markets is not covering the gap from our main markets.

The turnover of Skano Furniture OÜ retail chain increased 3% as compared to the same period last year being 662 thousand euros, operating loss was 304 thousand euros compared with the sales 640 thousand and operating profit 5 thousand euros in the fourth quarter of 2013. 2014 fourth quarter operating loss contains also a loss from a drop of currency exchange rate of hryvnia 137 thousand euros and cost of write-down of receivables against Skano  Ukrainian subsidiary 216 thousand euros. Skano Furniture OÜ exchange rate loss and write-down cost amounting to 331 thousand euros is non-monetary and will be eliminated from the consolidated results as they are intragroup  transactions against another group company (realized loss from currency exchange rate 20 thousand euros in the same period of 2013).

Retail sale increased everywhere in Baltics but decreased in Ukraine due to escalated conflict. The sales of Skano Furniture Factory OÜ own furniture still forms a considerable part of the retail sale and it enables the furniture factory to operate much more profitably than it would be possible without its own retail chain.



INCOME STATEMENT

Consolidated net sales of the fourth quarter in 2014 was 4.66 mil. euros (4.86 mil. euros in same period of 2013) representing a 4% decrease compared to Q4 2013. The Group’s gross margin in the fourth quarter of 2014 was 15.1% compared to 14.7% in the fourth quarter of 2013. Consolidated operating loss amounted to 1,228 thousand euros containing a write-down cost of Püssi factory assets 925 thousand euros. Without the write-down cost operating loss would have been 303 thousand euros (operating loss 225 thousand euros from main activities in same period 2013). The consolidated operating margin of net sales was -26.3% (-4.6% from main activities in Q4 2013).

Consolidated net loss amounted to 1,302 thousand euros (compared to net loss 291 thousand euros in Q4 2013), and the net margin was -27.9% (-6.0% in Q4 2013).

POSITION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT

As of 31.12.2014 the total assets of Skano Group AS amounted to 13.3 mil. euros (31.12.2013: 14.6 mil. euros). The liabilities of the company accounted for 60.2% (31.12.2013: 53.8%) thereof, i.e. 8.0 mil. euros (31.12.2013: 7.8 mil. euros).

Receivables and prepayments have decreased by 0.1 mil. euros i.e. 10% decrease within 12 months.

Inventories have been at the same level with 12 months, amounting to 3.0 mil. euros on 31.12.2014.  (31.12.2013: 3.0 mil. euros). Property, plant and intangibles decreased by 1.2 mil. euros mainly due to one-off  write-down of Püssi factory assets.

Short-term loans have increased by 0.1 mil. euros and amounted to 2.0 mil. euros in 31.12.2014 which was result of increase of factoring liabilities of Suomen Tuulileijona OY recently acquired and usage of bank overdraft (31.12.2013: 1.9 mil. euros). Supplier payables, tax liabilities, other payables, including payables to employees, and provisions amounted to 2.2 mil. euros (31.12.2013: 2.3 mil. euros).

Long-term loans have increased by 0.2 mil euros and amounted to 3.6 mil. euros in 31.12.2014 (31.12.2013: 3.4 mil. euros). The increase was caused by restructuring of the loan between short- and long-term payment schedule.

Current and non-current liabilities have increased by 0.2 mil. euros to 8.0 mil. euros (31.12.2013: 7.8 mil. euros).



DIVISIONAL REVIEW

NET SALES BY BUSINESS SEGMENTS

    th EUR   % of net sales
  Q4 2014 Q4 2013 Q4 2014 Q4 2013
Skano Fibreboard OÜ 2,763 2,826 59.3% 58.2%
Skano Furniture Factory OÜ 1,467 1,708 31.5% 35.2%
Skano Furniture OÜ retail 662 640 14.2% 13.2%
Suomen Tuulileijona OY 839 0 18.0% 0.0%
Elimination (1,070) (317) (23.0%) (6.5%)
TOTAL 4,661 4,857 100.0% 100.0%



NET SALES BY GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS


    th EUR   % of net sales
  Q4 2014 Q4 2013 Q4 2014 Q4 2013
Finland 1,351 1,311 29.0% 27.0%
Russia 1,151 1,342 24.7% 27.6%
Estonia 660 771 14.2% 15.9%
Great Britain 403 369 8.6% 7.6%
Latvia 233 170 5.0% 3.5%
SAR 184 0 3.9% 0.0%
Ukraine 162 222 3.5% 4.6%
Sweden 103 153 2.2% 3.1%
Lithuania 100 82 2.1% 1.7%
Kazakhstan 56 48 1.2% 0.9%
Netherlands 48 85 1.0% 1.7%
Germany 38 84 0.8% 1.7%
Other countries 172 220 3.7% 4.5%
TOTAL 4,661 4,857 100.0% 100.0%


Regarding the markets, turnover has increased in Finland, Great Britain, Sweden and Lithuania. The turnover has decreased in most in Russia and Ukraine.

PROFIT BY BUSINESS SEGMENTS

th EUR Q4 2014 Q4 2013
Skano Furniture factory (61) 93
Skano Furniture retail (304) 5
Skano Fibreboard (1 199) (327)
Suomen Tuulileijona OY (18) 0
Elimination 354 4
TOTAL (1 228) (225)
Net financial costs (73) (61)
Income tax (1) (5)
NET PROFIT (1 302) (291)


SKANO FIBREBOARD

The net sales of Skano Fibreboard in the fourth quarter of 2014 amounted to 2.8 mil. euros and operating loss to 1,199 thousand euros containing a write-down cost of Püssi factory assets 925 thousand euros. In the same period last year, the turnover of Skano Fibreboard totaled also to 2.8 mil. euros and the operating loss from main activities 327 thousand euros.

The drop in sales in the fourth quarter compare to last year took place in Estonia and Sweden, but the main reason behind the modest sale was the fire accident in Pärnu factory in the middle of November, which caused deficit of the product.

NET SALES BY GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS

    th EUR   % of net sales
  Q4 2014 Q4 2013 Q4 2014 Q4 2013
         
Finland (incl. to Suomen
Tuulileijona OY)
857 826 31.0% 29.2%
Russia 541 537 19.6% 19.0%
Great Britain 393 400 14.2% 14.2%
Estonia 322 432 11.7% 15.3%
SAR 184 0 0 6.7% 0.0%
Latvia 100 85 3.6% 3.0%
Sweden 89 153 3.2% 5.4%
Netherlands 48 85 1.7% 3.0%
Ukraine 42 37 1.5% 1.3%
Germany 38 84 1.4% 3.0%
Lithuania 26 20 1.0% 0.7%
Other countries 123 167 4.5% 5.9%
TOTAL 2,763 2,826 100.0% 100.0%

 

th EUR   Net sales   Operating Profit
  Q4 2014 Q4 2013 Q4 2014 Q4 2013
Pärnu Fibreborad factory 1 ,024 1,099 (139) (116)
Püssi Fibreboard factory 1,220 1,128 (1 051) (180)
Pärnu interior boards factory (Isotex) 497 587 (5) (27)
Not allocated 22 12 (4) (4)
TOTAL 2,763 2,826 (1 199) (327)


The net sales of the Pärnu fibreboard factory and interior board’s line decreased 10% in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to the same quarter of 2013 and amounted to 1.5 mil. euros.

The turnover of Püssi fibreboard factory amounted to 1.2 mil. euros growing 8% compared to the same quarter in 2013 (turnover 1.1 mil. euros in Q4 2013). Output of Püssi Fibreboard factory grew in the fourth quarter but the main challenge is still to secure Püssi Fibreboard factory with sufficient sales volumes and efficiency.

SKANO FURNITURE

FURNITURE RETAIL SALES

Skano Group AS retail business is operated by a private limited company Skano Furniture OÜ and its subsidiaries in Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine. Skano has totally 10 stores in Tallinn (2), Tartu, Pärnu, Riga, Vilnius, Kiev (2), Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovs’k at the end of the fourth quarter in 2014.

RETAIL SALES BY COUNTRIES

    th EUR   % of net sales   Number
of stores
  Q4 2014 Q4 2013 Q4 2014 Q4 2013 31.12.2014 31.12.2013
Estonia 326 308 49.2% 48.1% 4 4
Latvia 133 85 20.1% 13.3% 1 1
Lithuania 74 62 11.2% 9.7% 1 1
Ukraine 120 185 18.1% 28.9% 4 4
TOTAL 662 640 100.0% 100.0% 10 10


Retail sale amounted to 662 thousand euros in the fourth quarter of 2014 and operating loss 304 thousand euros  (sales 640 thousand euros and operating profit 5 thousand euros in Q4 2013). Current year fourth quarter  operating loss 304 thousand euros contains also loss from drop of currency exchange rate of hryvnia 137 thousand euros and cost of write-down of receivables against Skano Ukrainian subsidiary 216 thousand euros. Skano Furniture OÜ exchange rate loss and write-down cost amounting to 331 thousand euros are eliminated from the consolidated results as they are intragroup transactions against another group company (realized loss from currency exchange rate 20 thousand euros in the same period of 2013).

FURNITURE PRODUCTION

The net sales of the Skano Furniture Factory in the fourth quarter amounted to 1.5 mil. euros and operating loss to 61 thousand euros. In the same period last year, the turnover of the factory amounted to 1.7 mil. euros and the  profit to 93 thousand euros. As compared to the previous year the turnover of the factory has decreased 14%. In the fourth quarter the sales decreased in Russia by 24% and in Finland by 5% due to colder economic and political environment and weaker demand for durable goods.

FURNITURE FACTORY SALES BY COUNTRIES

    th EUR   % of net sales
  Q4 2014 Q4 2013 Q4 2014 Q4 2013
Russia 610 805 41.6% 47.1%
Finland 462 485 31.5% 28.4%
Other countries 116 111 7.9% 6.5%
Subsidiaries 279 307 19.0% 18.0%
TOTAL 1,467 1,708 100.0% 100.0%


FORECAST AND DEVELOPMENT

SKANO FIBREBOARD. Sales of Skano Fibreboard in Q1 2015 will remain at the same level compared to sales of the same period last year. One reason behind stagnated sale’s growth in the first quarter is the fire in Pärnu fibreboard factory on the 17th of November as the factory was restarted in the first half of January 2015. One and half month production break caused a partial deficit in sale of Pärnu factory’s production including in January 2015. Total direct fire damage to buildings and equipment amounts up to 80 thousand euros and the process about damage  compensation with the insurance is still pending.

Further escalation of conflict in Ukraine impacts negatively to fibreboard sales in our main markets Russia and Eastern Europe. Despite of geopolitical developments we are taking actions to enter into new export markets.

In addition to production portfolio the management’s priority is to improve energy efficiency in the production  process, where 2015 first quarter investment and improvement program is aimed. Although we have achieved in  2014 significant progress in the production cost compared to prior year, we expect also higher production efficiency in 2015 compared to 2014. Further progress in production efficiency is achieved primarily due to lower energy  consumption and technological improvements as a result of which amount of poor quality products and production outage would decrease.

SKANO FURNITURE RETAIL SALES. We expect total retail sale in Q1 2015 to decrease compared to the sale of the same period last year as we expect bigger negative impact to sales from Ukraine due to political and economic instability.

SKANO FURNITURE FACTORY. In the first quarter of 2015 we expect remarkably smaller sales of the furniture factory compared to the same period in 2014 because of the deteriorated economic situation in the near regions. In Finland sales are down due to general weak economic conditions, in Russia due to weak currency, predictable broad-based economic downturn and low consumer confidence.

Sales to new markets in Q1 2015 are not covering the lag from our main markets.  In 2015 our goal is to compensate with sales in new markets partly the gap from our main markets in Russia and Finland. In addition to seeking sales possibilities in new markets, we are refreshing our existing furniture series, developing new furniture series and alternative sales channels.



FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

th EUR 12 m 2014 12 m 2013 12 m 2012
Income statement      
Revenue 20,330 19,186 19,080
EBITDA (312) 438 1,040
EBITDA margin (1.5%) 2.3% 5.5%
Operating profit (1,199) (467) 74
Operating margin (5.9%) (2.4%) 0.4%
Net profit (1,481) (706) (201)
Net margin (7.3%) (3.7%) (1.1%)
       
Balance sheet (31.12)      
Total assets 13,329 14,722 15,471
Return on assets (11.1%) (4.8%) (1.3%)
Equity 5,300 6,805 7,482
Return on equity (27.9%) (10.4%) (2.7%)
Debt-to-equity ratio 60.2% 53.8% 51.6%
       
Share (31.12)      
Closing price 0,85 1,22 1,24
Earnings per share (0.33) (0.16) (0.04)
Price-earnings ratio (2.58) (7.63) (31.00)
Book value of a share 1.18 1.51 1.66
Market to book ratio 0.72 0.81 0.75
Market capitalization 3,824 5,489 5,579


EBITDA = Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization

EBITDA margin = EBITDA / Revenue

Operating margin = Operating profit / Revenue

Net margin = Net profit / Revenue

Return on assets = Net profit / Total assets

Return on equity = Net profit / Equity

Debt-to-equity ratio = Liabilities / Total assets

Earnings per share = Net profit / Total shares

Price-earnings ratio = Closing price / Earnings per share

Book value of a share = Equity / Total shares

Market to book ratio = Closing price / Book value of a share

Market capitalization = Closing price * Total shares



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION


th EUR 31.12.2014 31.12.2013
Cash and bank 432 355
Receivables and prepayments (Note 1) 1,232 1,368
Inventories (Note 2) 2,962 2,974
Total current assets 4,626 4,697
     
Investment property (Note 3) 407 408
Tangible fixed assets (Note 4) 8,267 9,505
Intangible fixed assets (Note 5) 29 26
Total fixed assets 8,703 9,939
     
TOTAL ASSETS 13,329 14,636
     
Debt obligations (Note 6) 2,030 1,919
Payables and prepayments (Note 7) 2,198 2,255
Short-term provisions (Note 8) 15 14
Total current liabilities 4,243 4,188
     
Non-current debt obligations (Note 6) 3,563 3,413
Non-current provisions (Note 8) 223 230
Total non-current liabilities 3,786 3,643
     
Total liabilities 8,029 7,831
     
Share capital at nominal value (Note 9) 2,699 2,699
Issue premium 364 364
Statutory capital reserve 288 288
Currency translation (16) 8
Retained profits 3,446 4,152
Net profit (loss) for the year (Note 10) (1,481) (706)
Total equity 5,300 6,805
     
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 13,329 14,636



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT AND LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

th EUR 4th Q 2014 4th Q 2013 2014 2013
         
RETURN ON SALES (Note 11) 4,661 4,857 20,330 19,186
         
Cost of production sold (3,955) (4,140) (16,727) (16,204)
         
Gross profit 706 717 3,603 2,982
         
Marketing expenses (841) (723) (3,077) (2,612)
General administrative expenses (150) (208) (622) (763)
Other income 59 54 103 152
Other expenses (1,002) (65) (1,206) (226)
         
Operating profit (loss) (Note 11) (1,228) (225) (1,199) (467)
Financial income and financial expenses (73) (61) (281) (233)
         
Profit (loss) before taxes (1,301) (286) (1,480) (700)
Prepaid income tax (1) (5) (1) (6)
         
NET PROFIT (LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD (1,302) (291) (1,481) (706)
         
Basic earnings per share (Note 10) (0.29) 0.06 (0.33) (0.16)
Diluted earnings per share (Note 10) (0.29) 0.06 (0.33) (0.16)
         
Other comprehensive income:        
Currency translation differences 16 6 (24) 29
         
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (1,286) (285) (1,505) (677)


The planned time of publishing of interim report of the first quarter of 2015 is week 22 (25-29 May 2015)




Martin Kalle
CEO
+372 447 8331
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Skano 2014 4Q Interim report ENG.pdf