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Express Catering Posting Improved Revenues For 2019, In Part Due To Addition Of Starbucks Locations And Increased Passenger Counts.

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Revenues at Express Catering Limited improved by US$1.6 million to close at US$17.3 million for the just concluded 2019 financial year, in part due to the addition of the Starbucks locations as well as the increase in passenger counts.

Cost of Sales at 29.25% of revenue for fiscal 2019 showed improvements when compared to prior year ratio of 29.32%, this as the company continues to benefit from the parent company’s bulk-purchasing abilities, and is able to hold just-in-time inventory, thereby reducing spoilage from excess inventory.

Managing Director Ian Dear noted that the company is leveraging the experience gained over the many years in maintaining standards in the usage of raw materials.

Net Profits earned for the year was US$3.73 million, compared to US$3.45 million in the prior year, which provided earnings for shareholders of US$0.22 Cents compared to US$0.21 Cents in the prior year.

Shareholders received a total of just over US$7.0 million or US0.43 Cents per share in dividends during the year. US$6.0 million was paid in September 2018 and US$1.0 million was paid in January 2019.

Amounts were financed from prior year retained earnings as well as from current year profits

Commenting further Dear noted that a total of 4.54 million passengers accessed the Airport during the fiscal year of which 2.24 million were departing passengers.

In the prior year, a total of 4.32 million accessed the airport with 2.17 million being departing passengers.

Total departing passengers is the major determinant of revenues, he said.

Currently, departing flights are condensed into peak periods with the majority happening between 11.00 am and 3:00 pm. This small window poses an operational challenge because most of their offerings are prepared fresh on the spot. This is both an opportunity and a challenge that the company is continuously working on improving. Various Grab N Go items are being looked at to improve the offerings.

They have also upgraded their packaged goods outlet during the last quarter and so expect improved contribution in the 2020 fiscal year.

Express Catering is the single post-security food and beverage provider at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay Jamaica and has provided food and beverage options for the over two million passengers who traversed the airport during the fiscal year.

Revenue was impacted by the upgrading works being carried out by MBJ Airports Limited, operators of the airport, notwithstanding they were able to achieve an increase in sales over the prior year.

During the 1st and 2nd fiscal quarters, the work which was aimed at extending the runway saw the closure of a number of gates in the Eastern Concourse, resulting in flights being condensed into the smaller Western Concourse.

The Western Concourse because of size constraints has fewer food and beverage outlets which adversely affected sales as a result of fewer offerings during this period.

This also affected the cost of operations as they still had to operate outlets in the Eastern concourse with less passenger throughput. Work still continues but the majority of the gates in the Eastern Concourse have been re-opened which has put revenues back on track providing an increase in sales.

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Higher Operating Costs And Margin Pressures Impacted Main Event’s Overall Q1 Profitability.

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Entering 2025 with a strategic focus on expanding revenue streams, strengthening client relationships, and maintaining financial discipline, the Company achieved revenue growth.
However, higher operating costs and margin pressures impacted overall profitability.

The Company reported revenues of $585.03M, representing a 3% or $17.28M increase over the $567.75M recorded in Q1 2024. This growth was primarily driven by a significant increase in revenue contribution from a previously underperforming segment, reflecting the success of targeted expansion efforts. While revenue remains below prior peak levels, the Company continues to recalibrate and drive demand through expanded service offerings and strengthened client engagements.

Gross profit for the quarter stood at $301.67M, reflecting a 4% decline from $315.82M in Q1 2024. This decline resulted from higher direct costs associated with event execution, infrastructure upgrades, additional non-recurring costs incurred during the period, and increased labour costs related to service delivery. Consequently, the gross margin contracted to 51.56% from 55.63% in the prior year. The Company remains focused on managing costs effectively to support long-term profitability.

Operating expenses increased to $218.72M, up 7.5% from $206.35M in Q1 2024. This rise was attributed to planned administrative enhancements, a significant one-off expenditure for the Company’s 20th Anniversary celebration, higher personnel costs, increased security and fuel expenses, and a 51% increase in amortisation expenses to $11.36M due to renegotiated lease agreements and the addition of a new lease.

Operating profit stood at $87.48M, a 24% decline from $115.28M in Q1 2024. Increased finance costs, stemming from renegotiated lease agreements and new lease additions, also impacted results.
Net profit for the quarter amounted to $73.67M, a 27% decrease from $100.25M in Q1 2024, influenced by lower gross margins, increased operational costs, and higher impairment charges. As a result, earnings per share (EPS) fell from $0.33 in Q1 2024 to $0.25 in Q1 2025.

Total assets grew by 6.4%, reaching $1,306.01M, up from $1,227.37M in Q1 2024. This increase was primarily driven by a 53% rise in receivables, reflecting expanded customer engagements, with several balances stemming from events executed near the period’s end. Short-term deposits increased to $250.24M from $236.50M, while cash and bank balances declined by 30% to $131.74M from $188.91M due to timing differences in collections and reinvestments.

Shareholders’ equity strengthened to $956.17M, reflecting a 5% increase over $912.66M in Q1 2024. This growth was primarily supported by retained earnings, demonstrating the Company’s ability to generate and reinvest profits efficiently.

Payables increased by 47%, rising to $229.58M from $156.38M in Q1 2024, mainly due to the timing of event executions towards the end of the quarter, resulting in higher accrued expenses related to supplier payments.

While the macroeconomic environment remains uncertain, the Company remains optimistic about the upcoming quarters. The focus will be on enhancing operational efficiencies to manage cost structures effectively and strengthening revenue streams through deeper market penetration and strategic partnerships. Additionally, the Company intends to use owned-events as a driver of revenue growth.
Our continued success is a testament to the dedication, creativity, and resilience of our exceptional team. Their ability to adapt and innovate in a dynamic industry ensures that we consistently exceed expectations and deliver outstanding experiences. Their dedication was especially evident during the holiday period, where they worked tirelessly to execute high-quality events, ensuring continued excellence in service delivery. We also recognise and appreciate the unwavering guidance of our Board; whose strategic leadership continues to drive our company’s growth and long-term vision.

Solomon Sharpe Chief Executive Officer

For More Information on Main Event Entertainment Group Limited (MEEG) Unaudited Results, Q1 – Three Months Ended January 31, 2025 (Revised) Click Here

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