Synlait posts record first-half net profit

Profit jumped to $40.7 million in the six months ended January 31 from $10.2 million a year earlier. Photo/File.

Synlait Milk, the NZX-listed dairy company, posted a record first-half net profit on increases in the manufacture and sales of high-margin products and its relationship with a2 Milk.

Profit jumped to $40.7 million or 22.69 cents a share in the six months ended Jan. 31, from $10.2 million, or 6.34 cents, a year earlier, the Rakaia-based company said in a statement. Revenue jumped to $439.3 million from $288.7 million in the prior period.

Looking ahead, Synlait said the second half is not expected to be as strong as the first half but "we continue to forecast strong overall earnings growth for the full year. Looking forward into FY19, ongoing growth in infant formula volumes are expected to continue to grow earnings." In 2018, Synlait had a net profit of $38.2 million and revenue of $759 million.

Synlait's shares have more than doubled over the past 12 months with the milk processor buoyed by its association with milk marketing company a2 Milk, however, that outlook grew cloudy when a2 announced a new supply arrangement with dominant dairy company Fonterra Cooperative Group in February. That deal prompted a joint release from a2 and Synlait stating the new relationship doesn't change Synlait's exclusive infant formula supply arrangements with a2.

Managing director John Penno said the company's relationship with a2 Milk "continues to strengthen where we remain their exclusive manufacturer for the important Australia, New Zealand and China market."

"The growth trajectory of canned infant formula has continued with total consumer packaged volumes almost tripling from the same period last year and up 36 percent on the second half of last year," Penno said. "We have also renegotiated our supply agreements with New Hope Nutritionals and with Bright Dairy, which provides for four-fold volume growth over a five-year period. However, we don't expect this to impact sales until FY19."

In the six month period Synlait has invested $34.5 million in capital expenditure throughout New Zealand. The major components were the Synlait Auckland blending and canning facility, where it spent $11.2 million, and the new wetmix kitchen at Synlait Dunsandel, which cost $18.4 million. Synlait also established a new research and development centre in Palmerston North.

"Both of these projects are critical for keeping up with customer demand, and give us the ability to expand on our infant formula business," said Penno.

He also said that Synlait's cash flow generation of $204.3 million for the 12 months to Jan. 31 has fully funded the capital expenditure program and has enabled the reduction of debt to low levels.

Total net debt for in the first half of the year was $49.7 million, down from $147 million in the same period a year earlier.

"This leaves the company well placed to fund our expansion plans. At Synlait Dunsandel we expect to spend $125 million on an advanced liquid dairy packaging facility, and at Synlait Pokeno we will spend $260 million to establish our new nutritional powder manufacturing facility," said chairman Graeme Milne.

Penno also said that Synlait's full-year spend on research and development is forecast at $7 million versus $4.75 million in the prior year. "We intend to lift this to 1.5 percent of revenue within the next few years, which will see it double again."

The stock last traded at $8.09 and is up 132 percent over the past 12 months.