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LASCO Distributors Taps Portfolio Innovation As Central To Company’s Profitable Growth Strategy

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John De Silva, Managing Director at LASCO Distributors Limited, has released the following report to the shareholders for the year ended 31st March, 2022

LASCO Distributors Limited delivered another year of profitable growth. The solid performance was the result of disciplined execution of the Company’s strategic framework while adapting the organizational structure to be more competitive and increasing investment in our brands.

  • The Company grew Net Profit by 11.8%, despite being subject to the full corporation tax rate for the entire financial year.
  • Earnings per share (Basic) increased by 11.8% to $0.29.
  • Revenue increased by 15.0% to $23.34B, an increase of $3.05B over the previous year.

This was the result of sustained broad-based growth in all key categories and brands, driven by increased marketing investment and expanded distribution. This is pure organic growth, without any mergers or acquisitions, driven mostly by the domestic business.

The Nutrition, Food and Beverage Categories, continued to deliver solid growth, led by its core brands and a recovery in the Beverages category as out-of-home channels reopened and on-the-go consumption increased.

Our strategic distribution arrangement with Salada Foods Jamaica Ltd continues to yield solid results in the coffee category, with the portfolio’s leading brands delivering growth across all key channels.

The Hygiene portfolio’s innovation agenda accelerated as the company rolled out a multibrand, multi-channel Home Care strategy, supported by increased marketing investment.

The Personal Care business was impacted by Supply Chain constraints but there was some recovery in product availability in the final quarter of the year.

The Healthcare category, managed via the Pharmaceutical Division delivered very strong growth in line with the company’s diversification strategy. Strengthening relationships with our global pharmaceutical partners which include AstraZeneca, Bayer, Roche and MSN among others, are a focus area for the company and this has contributed significantly to the Division’s performance.

Exports delivered marginal growth as key export markets gradually re-opened their economies. Market diversification through International Expansion is a clear priority for the company and a new strategic direction has been established to enable brand and business development in the international markets.

Portfolio Innovation is central to the company’s profitable growth strategy as it expands its presence in existing categories and enter new ones. This strategy has been systematically implemented and in the past year more than 25% of the company’s revenue was achieved with partner brands.

Gross Profit increased by 6.3% or $230M, to $3.88B, however margins decreased from 18.0% to 16.6%. Product and freight costs increases were incurred throughout the year and were partially offset by measured price increases and changes to the product and channel mix.

Operating Expenses were $2.86B, an increase of 6.8%, driven mainly by an increase in Marketing investment. The Operating Expense ratio was 12.2% of Revenue, a decrease from 13.2% the year before.

Profit Before Tax was $1.27B, an increase of 13.6%, or $151M. Despite an increase in Taxation, as the company is now subject to the full Income Tax Rate, Net Profit was $1.02B, an increase of 11.8% over the prior year.

Balance Sheet

  • Total Assets at 31st March, 2022 stood at $12.33B, an increase of 14.1% compared to the same period last year.
  • Inventories increased by $874M or 30% to close at $3.79B as a result of increased safety stock levels to compensate for supply chain disruptions.
  • Receivables increased to $3.83B, an increase of 18.6% over the previous year.
  • Cash and Short-term investments taken together closed at $2.35B compared to $2.27B for the same period last year, an increase of 3.6%.
  • Payables increased to $4.81B, an increase of 17.1% over last year.
  • Shareholders’ Equity closed at $7.29B, which was $816M or 12.6% above the previous year.
  • The company continues to be debt-free and delivered a Return on Equity of 14.8%.

Corporate Social Responsibility

LASCO Distributors Limited and its affiliates continue to support national and social development through its recognition of the tremendous public service performed in several critical sectors.

Outlook

The Company is operating in the new normal, maintaining the necessary health and safety protocols to protect employees while remaining focused on achieving its strategic objective.

Recent geopolitical developments have accelerated the need for the company to re-examine its sourcing strategy and establish new and contingency supply partners, leading to new opportunities for further portfolio development.

The company’s ability to quickly leverage its strengths to capitalise on new opportunities is being enhanced through organizational redesign, addition of experience and talent in key positions and investment in training and technology.

Simultaneously, a comprehensive assessment of the risks the company faces is being conducted to ensure that the organization is fit to compete and win in the new environment.

John De Silva, Managing Director at LASCO Distributors Limited

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Prestige Holdings Enjoyed A Strong Performance For First Quarter Of Fiscal 2024.

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Christian E. Mouttet Chairman for Prestige Holdings has released the following Consolidated Unaudited Results for the Three Months Ended 29 February 2024

I am pleased to report that Prestige Holdings enjoyed a strong performance for the First Quarter of fiscal 2024. Group sales increased by 10% to $341 million from $309 million in the prior year, which resulted in a Profit Before Tax of $15.3 million compared to a profit of $11.6 million for the same period in 2023, a 32% increase. Profit After Tax, attributable to shareholders, increased by 25% from $7.8 million to $9.8 million. Cash flow from operations was $26.9 million and we ended the quarter with $100 million in cash having reduced total borrowings by $5.8 million. During the period we remodelled 2 restaurants and ended the period with 134 restaurants.

All brands posted solid performances during the quarter, with our Subway and Pizza Hut results driven by improved operations, efficiencies and strong demand for our innovative menu items and value offerings. Top line sales were impacted by the opening of five new Starbucks restaurants at Brentwood, Aranguez, O’Meara, St. Augustine and Amazonia Mall, Guyana, when compared to the First Quarter of 2023.

I am extremely pleased to report that KFC recently achieved a significant milestone of serving 150,000 Harvest Meals. The Harvest Meal Programme, which has been active for two years, is designed to provide unsold KFC food to participating NGOs in Trinidad and Tobago. This unsold food is carefully packaged and transported, following accepted global food safety protocols, and is then repurposed into delicious meals and served to the less fortunate. We are very happy to have the opportunity to positively impact the communities in which we operate by partnering with NGOs to provide meals to those in need.

As mentioned in my previous report, significant investment is planned in this financial year for new store development, including Guyana, as well as the remodelling of existing assets in Trinidad and Tobago. We expect these developments, as well as our continued brand initiatives, to continue to deliver positive results.
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GraceKennedy’s Strategic Spur Tree Spices Acquisition: Positioning For Growth

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GraceKennedy Limited’s recent acquisition of an increased stake in Spur Tree Spices (Jamaica) Limited has positioned it as the second-largest shareholder in the company. With an estimated 338,410,375 shares now under its belt, based on Spur Tree’s issued share count of 1,676,959,244 ordinary shares, GraceKennedy solidifies its influence in Jamaica’s culinary landscape.

Continued Expansion through M&A

This transaction marks the latest in GraceKennedy’s series of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activities, reflecting the company’s aggressive growth strategy. Following its acquisitions of Scotia Insurance Caribbean Limited and Unibev Limited in 2023, as well as doubling its interest in Catherine’s Peak Bottling Company Limited to 70% in February 2023, GraceKennedy demonstrates its commitment to diversification and market expansion.

Spur Tree’s Strategic Evolution

Meanwhile, Spur Tree Spices is undergoing a strategic transformation, expanding beyond spices and seasonings to become a full-fledged food brand. With plans to launch more than two dozen new products on May 1 and a brand refresh to reflect its new focus, Spur Tree is poised for a significant market repositioning.

Diversification and Innovation

In the upcoming quarter, Spur Tree Spices is set to unveil an array of innovative products, including their much-anticipated line of dried spices. This strategic move represents the company’s foray into new categories and a substantial expansion of its product offerings. By diversifying its portfolio, Spur Tree aims to capture a broader consumer base and solidify its position as a leading player in the culinary industry.

Implications of the Acquisition

GraceKennedy’s increased stake in Spur Tree Spices not only strengthens its position in the spice market but also opens doors for collaboration and synergies between the two entities. As GraceKennedy continues to expand its presence through strategic acquisitions, it can leverage Spur Tree’s innovative product line-up to bolster its offerings and tap into new market segments.

GraceKennedy Limited’s acquisition of a significant stake in Spur Tree Spices marks a strategic milestone for both companies. With GraceKennedy’s growing influence and Spur Tree’s strategic evolution, the stage is set for a dynamic partnership that promises innovation, growth, and market leadership. As they navigate the evolving landscape of Jamaica’s culinary industry, GraceKennedy and Spur Tree Spices are poised to redefine the future of food, one spice at a time.

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ANSA McAL Group Announces Formation Of Joint Venture Company, Globus ANSA Private Limited, With Globus Spirits Limited In India.

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A. Norman Sabga Executive Chairman of the ANSA McAL Group of Companies has announced the formation of the joint venture company, Globus ANSA Private Limited, with Globus Spirits Limited in India.

In a release posted on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange ANSA McAL confirmed that with effect from 4th April 2024, ANSA McAL Limited (“ANSA McAL”) entered into a joint venture agreement with Globus Spirits Limited (“GSL”) to establish Globus ANSA Private Limited (“GAPL”).

Each party will hold fifty percent (50%) of the issued and allotted ordinary share capital of GAPL.

“This collaboration signifies a new era in the Indian alcoholic beverages industry, driving innovation and growth, ‘

“Globus ANSA Private Limited will specialise in manufacturing and distributing alcoholic beverages across the Indian subcontinent, leveraging the strength of both ANSA McAL and Globus Spirits Limited,” said Mr. Shekhar Swarup, Managing Director for Globus Spirits Limited. “This collaboration signifies a new era in the Indian alcoholic beverages industry, driving innovation and growth, ‘he stated

 

 

 

Globus Spirits Ltd is one of the leading players in the Alcohol industry in North India distributing brands in the Consumer Segment including:
• GR8 Times.
• Rajputana.
• Globus Spirits Dry Gin.
• White. Lace.
• Governors’ Reserve Red.
• Governors’ Reserve Blue.
• Oakton.
• Laffaire. Napoleon.

Trinidad and Tobago conglomerate ANSA McAL Group has over 142 years of rich history representing many world-renowned brands, including some of their own home-grown successes. The partnership marks a significant milestone in ANSA McAL Group’s journey, merging cultures and expertise to revolutionise the beer industry in India, with their icon Carib brand and leading the charge.

Norman Sabga Executive Chairman of the ANSA McAL Group of Companies, highlighted the immense opportunities in India and their commitment to delivering unparalleled value through this partnership.

“We are confident that our collaboration will allow us to seize the growing demand for high quality beverages by captivating palates with our distinctive products” he said

ANSA McAL is now poised to be an equal Shareholder of GAPL, an Indian company which
would produce, market, sell, distribute and retail beer and other beverages.

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Jamaica Broilers Group Reporting Strong Top and Bottom Line Performance for January 2024 Quarter

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Christopher E. Levy Group President & CEO of Jamaica Broilers Group Limited now release the following unaudited financial results for the quarter ended January 27, 2024, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

The Group produced a net profit attributable to shareholders of $1.3 billion, for the quarter ended January 27, 2024. The operations of the Group continue to be strong, and our gross margins are consistent with expectations.

Quarterly Group revenues amounted to $23.6 billion, a 4% increase above the $22.7 billion achieved in the corresponding quarter.

Our gross profit for the quarter was $5.9 billion, a 7% increase above the $5.5 billion achieved in the corresponding quarter in the prior year.

Jamaica Operations reported a segment result of $5.9 billion which was $448 million or 8% above last year’s segment result. Total revenue for our Jamaica Operations showed an increase of 2% over the prior year nine-month period. This increase was primarily driven by the growth in the sale and export of poultry and implementation of cost containment efforts.

Our US Operations reported a segment result of $3 billion which was $226 million or 8% above last year’s segment result. This increase was driven by increased volumes of poultry meat and eggs, as well as the implementation of cost management initiatives.
Total revenue for the US Operations increased by 3% over the prior year nine-month period.

We have begun to realise additional volumes through the US operations, which has resulted in increased financing requirements primarily around working capital.

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Main Event Reporting Net Profit Of JA$100M For Quarter Ended January 2024

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Solomon Sharpe Chief Executive Officer of Main Event Entertainment Group Limited has released the following unaudited financial statements for the quarter ended January 31, 2024 (Q1).

The company continues to have solid results in an increasingly competitive and largely difficult environment. The company’s performance was anchored by diversifying our client base through strategic targeting and efficient management of our operations.

The company reported net profit of $100.254M for the quarter ended January 31, 2024, representing a decline of 15% or $17.695M relative to the corresponding period of 2023. Consequently, earnings per share decreased by 15% to $0.33 per share.

Total revenues for the quarter ended January 31, 2024 declined by $59.235M to $567.752M, reflecting a decrease of 9% over the corresponding period. This was mainly due to a one-off event for one of our major clients which is not likely to reoccur in subsequent periods.

The company was strategic in its efforts to protect the margins and the gross profit for the quarter was $315.822M compared to the $312.611M earned in 2023. This demonstrates the company’s ability to be alert and responsive to market conditions. Gross margins improved to 56%, up from 50% in the corresponding period.

The company continues to generate revenues from activities requiring reduced external support.

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