2 July 2024

Kitwave Group plc

("Kitwave", the "Group" or the "Company")

Unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 April 2024

Kitwave Group plc (AIM: KITW), the delivered wholesale business, is pleased to announce its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 April 2024 ("the period" or "H1 2024").

The tables and commentary below include comparatives for both the six months ended 30 April 2023 (H1 2023) and the 12 months ended 31 October 2023 (FY 2023).

Highlights

·    Revenues up 8% to £297.0 million (H1 2023: £275.0 million; FY 2023: £602.2 million).

·    Consolidated gross margin stable at 21.5% (H1 2023: 21.6%; FY 2023: 21.9%).

·    Adjusted EBITDA of £15.9 million (H1 2023: £16.0 million; FY 2023: £41.1m).

·    Adjusted operating profit of £10.8m (H1 2023: £11.7 million; FY 2023: £32.0m).

·    Cash generation from operating activities of £12.4 million (H1 2023: £11.7 million; FY 2023: £30.3 million) leading to pre-tax operational cash conversion of 93% (H1 2023: 87%; FY 2023: 90%).

·    Investment in the business has continued ahead of future potential growth opportunities, with operational and financial benefits being realised from H2 2024 onwards.

·    Two successful acquisitions in the period have both been integrated into the Group's Foodservice division:

o  WLG (Holdings) Limited ("Wilds"), a composite family-run drinks business based in Oldham; and

o  Total Foodservice Solutions Limited ("Total Foodservice"), a leading independent food wholesaler in the North of England.

·    Paul Young retired as CEO at the Group's AGM, with Ben Maxted, previously COO, stepping into the position of CEO.

·    The Board has declared an increased interim dividend of 3.85 pence per share (H1 2023: 3.75 pence per share) for the six months to 30 April 2024. This dividend will be paid on 2 August 2024 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 12 July 2024 and the ex-dividend date will be 11 July 2024.

Financial summary

*For more information on alternative performance measures please see the glossary at the end of the announcement.

Ben Maxted, Chief Executive Officer of Kitwave, commented:

"The Group has made positive progress towards its strategic targets during H1 2024 with a series of important investments that will benefit the Group in the long term.

"The continuation of our acquisition strategy saw Wilds and Total Foodservice brought into the Group, growing our presence in the Foodservice sector in the North. Their integration into the Group has gone well and workstreams to further integrate the enlarged Northern Foodservice operation have commenced.

"The construction of our new Foodservice distribution site in the Southwest is close to completion, which will both add capacity and further efficiencies as we consolidate three existing depots. Ahead of the completion of the new site, WestCountry has successfully migrated onto the Group's ERP system to enable a smooth integration of the businesses.

"As noted in the pre-close trading update, operating profit for H1 2024 is slightly behind the prior year due to investment and lower levels of demand in the Group's Foodservice hospitality customer base. This, alongside the benefits of the increased investment in infrastructure and the inclusion of trade from Total Foodservice in H2 2024 will lead to the Company's annual financial performance having an increased second-half weighting.

"Despite the slight shortfall in operating profit in H1 2024 and the continued wet weather in May and early June, we expect to be in line with market expectations for the full year ending 31 October 2024."

- Ends -

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Company Overview

Founded in 1987, following the acquisition of a single-site confectionery wholesale business based in North Shields, United Kingdom, Kitwave is a delivered wholesale business, specialising in selling and delivering impulse products, frozen, chilled and fresh foods, alcohol, groceries and tobacco to approximately 42,000, mainly independent, customers.

With a network of 32 depots, Kitwave is able to support delivery throughout the UK to a diverse customer base, which includes independent convenience retailers, leisure outlets, vending machine operators, foodservice providers and other wholesalers, as well as leading national retailers.
 

The Group's growth to date has been achieved both organically and through a strategy of acquiring smaller, predominantly family-owned, complementary businesses in the fragmented UK grocery and foodservice wholesale market.

Kitwave Group plc (AIM: KITW) was admitted to trading on AIM of the London Stock Exchange on 24 May 2021.

For further information, please visit: www.kitwave.co.uk.

Chief Executive Officer's statement

Introduction

The Group has made positive operational and commercial progress during the period. We continued to execute our growth strategy with the acquisitions of Wilds, a composite family-run drinks wholesaler, and Total Foodservice, a leading food wholesaler. These two independent businesses complement our expanding Foodservice division, and with both situated in the North of England provide geographical synergies to existing Group trading entities. Their integration into the Group has gone well and they are performing in line with management's expectations.

As noted in our pre-close trading update, the Group is trading in line with current full-year expectations despite H1 operating profit being slightly down on the prior year. The hospitality customers of our Foodservice division experienced lower footfall due to the sustained period of wet weather in the first four months of calendar year 2024, whilst we also made further investments in our infrastructure to drive greater efficiencies. Combining the benefits that we expect to flow from these investments and the additional contribution from the recent acquisitions, we expect results to be further weighted to H2 2024.  

Financial summary

In the six months to 30 April 2024, the Group achieved revenue of £297.0 million (H1 2023: £275.0 million; FY2023: £602.2 million) and an operating profit of £9.3 million (H1 2023: £10.2 million; FY2023: £29.4 million). 

Cash generation remained strong in the period with £12.4 million generated from operating activities (H1 2023: £11.7 million; FY 2023: £30.3 million).

The net cash outflows relating to the acquisition of Wilds and Total Foodservice were £2.5 million and £16.9 million respectively, after accounting for cash and overdrafts acquired. There are no further cash outflows concerning the transactions. The acquisitions were funded entirely in cash through existing banking facilities.

The Group's cash and cash equivalents increased by £4.3 million during the period, after cash outflows to satisfy debt service payments and dividends paid. This increase was driven by cash generated from operations of £12.4 million, in addition to the ability to draw on the Group's banking facilities to fund the cash cost of the acquisitions.

The Group's balance sheet as of 30 April 2024 had equity reserves of £85.0 million (30 April 2023: £74.0 million; 31 October 2023: £84.4 million) and net debt of £83.9 million (30 April 2023: £64.4 million; 31 October 2023: £59.4 million). 

Subject to finalising valuations, the acquisition of Wilds increased goodwill by £2.0 million, while the acquisition of Total Foodservice increased goodwill by £9.5 million, resulting in goodwill at the period end of £70.2 million (30 April 2023: £58.7 million; 31 October 2023: £58.7 million) and an increase in intangible assets in the form of brand and customer relationships of £3.6 million. The amortisation associated with these intangible assets in the period was negligible.

The increase in debt of £24.5 million since the year-end 31 October 2023 principally relates to the net cash outflow from the acquisitions of £19.4 million. Leverage has increased to 2.0x (30 April 2023: 1.9x; 31 October 2023: 1.4x) and interest costs have increased accordingly. It is expected that the strong continued cash generation of the Group will drive the principal debt down during the remainder of the current financial year. The Board is committed to maintaining a prudent leverage policy moving forward. 

Basic earnings per ordinary share was 7.3 pence (30 April 2023: 9.1 pence). This reduction is a result of the decrease in operating profit, the increase in interest costs associated with the funding required for the acquisitions in the period and an increase in the corporation tax rate compared to the H1 2023.

Divisional summary

Set out below is the financial performance of the business by division:

** Group operating profit/(loss) adjusted for acquisition, amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisition, share-based payments and compensation for post-combination services. For more information on alternative performance measures please see the glossary at the end of the announcement.

The Group has demonstrated growth in revenue during the period, with an 8.0% increase in revenue to £297.0 million (H1 2023: £275.0 million). Operating profit decreased by 9.0% to £9.3 million (H1 2023: £10.2 million) and the Group's adjusted operating profit decreased by 7.7% to £10.8 million (H1 2023: £11.7 million)

The Group's gross profit margin declined slightly to 21.5% (H1 2023: 21.6%), reflective of the reduced turnover across our hospitality customers within the Foodservice division, which was driven by a reduction in footfall due to the persistent wet weather in the first four months of calendar year 2024. As these customers are service led, they operate on a higher margin structure, therefore the weaker revenues experienced resulted in a margin decrease for the Group. The Group expects an improvement in gross margin during H2 2024.

Excluding the acquisitions of Wilds and Total Foodservice, revenue grew by 5.9% and adjusted operating profit fell by 13.1% compared to H1 2023.

The Group's cost base has been affected by inflationary pressures, with most increases being reflected in labour and delivery-based costs. We are continually striving to mitigate such cost increases and as a result, the ratio of distribution costs to revenue is slightly improved on the prior period. It is expected that these cost pressure increases will ease over time, as we anticipate lower levels of fuel pricing and lower wage inflation compared to the last 18 months.

Retail & wholesale division

The Group's Ambient and Frozen & Chilled product businesses both service the Retail & Wholesale sector of the grocery market. To be consistent with the market view, these divisions are considered together and saw combined revenue increase by 5.0% to £204.0 million (H1 2023: £194.2 million).

The retail & wholesale businesses performed in line with expectations during the period. The division benefitted from the successful onboarding of new national contracts. Continued focus on gross margin and operational efficiencies mitigated inflationary pressure across labour and delivery costs. Operating profit percentage is in line with H1 2023 and the continued focus on gross margins and operational efficiencies into H2 2024 will allow the division to take advantage of the seasonal uplift.

Foodservice division

On 17 November 2023, the Group acquired the entire issued share capital of Wilds and on 27 March 2024, the Group acquired the entire issued share capital of Total Foodservice. Both businesses have been incorporated into the Foodservice division.

The acquisitions have enabled the Group to expand its product range in the drinks and food wholesaler industry in the North of England, providing both geographical and operational synergies with the Group's existing trading entities. These acquisitions form a part of the Group's growing Foodservice division that saw revenue increase by 15.1% to £93.0 million (H1 2023: £80.8 million). Excluding the acquisition of Wilds and Total Foodservice, revenue increased by £6.4 million, representing 7.9% growth compared to H1 2023.

Overall, the division traded behind the prior period's operating profit due to decreased turnover across higher-margin hospitality customers, driven by the reduced footfall. Despite this, customer numbers remain strong, and the division is well-placed to benefit from the seasonal uplift in H2 2024. While the division, like the rest of the Group, suffered operating cost-based inflation, management has also invested in its growth by increasing our customer service offering and developing the new Southwest foodservice site.

Operational review

The Group continues to grow its web-based trading platform with the rollout across all businesses and utilisation of the platform increasing month on month. Electronic and online order capture stood at 47% at the end of October 2023 and was at 49% at the end of the period, with average order values compared to more traditional methods of order taking the remaining 8% ahead due to the additional e-commerce functionalities that the web platform offers. The brand owner engagement is fully immersed for the period, having a positive effect on a large proportion of our brand partners by developing mutually beneficial e-commerce partnerships that continue to result in an improved customer experience and sales offering.

Following a £150,000 investment, the Group's Northern ambient hub now has voice-picking technology installed on site. The technology uses voice commands with higher pick accuracy, which will lead to operational efficiencies in pick rates, with the three-month project completed on time and within budget. The Group will look to implement a further rollout of the technology across other divisions in due course, with Robotic Automated Processing being actively developed and deployed across back and middle office functions which will allow the Group to benefit from increased data processing efficiency.

The construction of the Group's new 80,000 sq. ft distribution site in the Southwest is nearing completion and is expected to be operational in Q3 2024. The new depot will enable the Group to consolidate three sites into one and will further integrate WestCountry and M.J. Baker. The site will offer a full Kitwave-wide product offering with a complete food service range, ice cream, fresh produce, and on-trade to the customer base. This is an important step for the Group as the infrastructure will drive organic growth opportunities within the Foodservice division whilst creating a more streamlined structure to drive higher operational margins.

The Group maintains its ongoing partnership with Businesswise Solutions, an energy management consultancy specialising in energy-intensive businesses and is engaging with sector specialists to further develop the Group's net-zero plan and TCFD-aligned reporting requirements.

The implementation of the 'Kitwave One' employee portal continues to be rolled out across the whole Group to further provide benefits for all employees. The 'Licence to Lead' leadership programme will be rolled out throughout FY24 to continue to develop our people, giving them the foundation to become senior leaders in the future.

At the Company's AGM in March 2024, Paul Young retired as CEO and as a Director of the Company. Ben Maxted, who previously held the position of COO, became Kitwave's new CEO.

Strategy

Kitwave is currently the 15th largest grocery and foodservice wholesaler in the UK in terms of market share but only services circa five percent of the potential market opportunity of circa £10.7bn. It is well documented that the UK wholesale market is highly fragmented, which presents opportunities for the Group to pursue strategic acquisitions to strengthen its existing business lines and capitalise on synergies. Since 2011, the Group has completed 14 acquisitions.

During the period, the Group has continued to execute its buy-and-build strategy with the acquisitions of Wilds and Total Foodservice. Both are well-established businesses in the catering industry that complement Kitwave's current offering. Total Foodservice, which is a one-stop shop for wholesale commercial catering supplies, enables Kitwave to further expand its product range offering across the North of England, while Wilds is an established drinks wholesaler which will bolster the Group's existing Foodservice on-trade business.

The Group continues to invest in technology, systems and infrastructure to support its organic growth objectives. Investment has been made in voice-picking technology to deliver greater efficiencies and obtain the highest level of customer service. The trading platform continues to be expanded, enhancing order capability and customer engagement and the construction of the new distribution centre in the Southwest will be completed in Q3 2024, enabling Kitwave to fully capitalise on organic growth opportunities in the region.

Dividend

The final dividend of 7.45 pence per share for the financial year ended 31 October 2023 was paid on 26 April 2024. The Board is pleased to declare an increased interim dividend of 3.85 pence per share (H1 2023: 3.75 pence per share) for the six months to 30 April 2024. It will be paid on 2 August 2024 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 12 July 2024 and the ex-dividend date will be 11 July 2024.

Outlook

We have built an excellent platform for growth within the UK wholesale market. With our focused growth strategy, both organic and through acquisitions, we believe that we continue to be well-placed to deliver value for the Group and its shareholders.

The development of our distribution centre in the Southwest will help grow our delivery capability and widen our footprint in the region. With the planned completion in Q3 2024, we believe this will bring further opportunities to increase revenue and provide operating efficiencies in the Foodservice division once fully operational.

As previously noted, following additional investments, trading will be further weighted towards the second half of the financial year. Whilst we remain conscious of the ongoing macroeconomic challenges, based on current trading, we expect to be in line with market expectations for the full year.

Ben Maxted

Chief Executive Officer

2 July 2024

Condensed consolidated statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income

Condensed consolidated balance sheet

Condensed consolidated statement of change in equity

Condensed consolidated cash flow statement

Notes

1              Accounting policies

Kitwave Group plc (the "Company") is a public company limited by shares and incorporated, domiciled and registered in England in the UK. The registered number is 9892174 and the registered address is Unit S3, Narvik Way, Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE29 7XJ.

The Company's principal activity is to act as a holding company for its subsidiaries (together "the Group"), which together make up the Group's consolidated financial information.

The condensed consolidated financial information presented in this statement for the six months ended 30 April 2024 and the comparative figures for the six months ended 30 April 2023 are neither audited nor reviewed.

The condensed consolidated financial information does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 435 of the Companies Act 2006.  The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 October 2023 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and the report of the auditor was (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain a statement under Section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

The condensed consolidated financial information does not include all the information required for the full annual financial statements, however, selected explanatory notes are included to explain events and transactions that are significant to an understanding of the changes in the Group's financial position and performance since the last annual consolidated financial statements.

The condensed consolidated financial information has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting and should be read in conjunction the Group's last annual consolidated financial statements.

The condensed consolidated interim financial information does not constitute financial statements within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 and does not include all of the information and disclosures required for full annual financial statements. It should therefore be read in conjunction with the Group's Annual Report for the year ended 31 October 2023, which has been prepared in accordance with UK-Adopted International Accounting Standards and is available on the Group's investor website.

There have been no new accounting standards or changes to existing accounting standards applied for the first time which have a material effect on these interim results.

1.1          Critical accounting estimates and judgements

The critical accounting estimates and judgements affecting the Group are unchanged from those set out in the Group's last annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2023.

The Directors have reviewed financial forecasts and are satisfied that the Group has sufficient levels of financial resources available to both fund operations and to pursue its stated growth strategy. The Directors are confident that the Group will have sufficient funds to meet its liabilities as they fall due for the foreseeable future and therefore adopt the going concern basis in preparing the condensed consolidated interim financial information.

1.2          Accounting policies

The accounting policies applied in preparing the condensed consolidated interim financial information are the same as those applied in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2023, as described in those financial statements.

2              Acquisitions

Acquisitions in the 6-month period ended 30 April 2024

WLG (Holdings) Limited ("Wilds")

On 17 November 2023, the Group acquired the entire share capital of WLG (Holdings) Limited for a total consideration of £2,700,000.  After recognition of acquired intangible assets and associated deferred tax liabilities, the resulting goodwill of £1,950,000 was capitalised and is subject to annual impairment testing under IAS 36.

The acquisition had the following effect on the Group's assets and liabilities:

The business and its trading subsidiary, WLG Limited, were acquired as part of the Group's growth strategy. Significant control was obtained through the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of WLG (Holdings) Limited.

An internal valuation was performed to identify and intangible assets on acquisition per IFRS 3. As a result of this valuation no material intangible assets were identified.

Immediately prior to acquisition the business and its trading subsidiary extended its accounting period by one month to 31 October 2023. In this 13-month period immediately prior to acquisition, the consolidated profit after tax was £266,000.

Following acquisition, the business contributed revenue of £3,619,000 and operating profit of £177,000 to the Group for the period to 29 February 2024 at which point the trade and assets of the business and its trading subsidiary were hived up into H.B. Clark & Co (Successors) Limited, with the trade continuing under this Group subsidiary.

Total Foodservice Solutions Limited ("Total Foodservice")

On 27 March 2024, the Group acquired the entire share capital of Total Foodservice Solutions Limited for a total consideration of £21,000,000.  After recognition of acquired intangible assets and associated deferred tax liabilities, the resulting goodwill of £9,460,000 was capitalised and is subject to annual impairment testing under IAS 36.

The acquisition had the following effect on the Group's assets and liabilities:

The business and its dormant subsidiaries were acquired as part of the Group's growth strategy. Significant control was obtained through the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Total Foodservice Solutions Limited.

An independent valuation was performed to identify and intangible assets on acquisition per IFRS 3. The provisional valuation has resulted in the identification of intangible assets in relation to brand and customer relationships which have been recognised with attributable fair values of £183,000 and £3,613,000 respectively. The recognition of these intangible assets resulted in deferred tax liabilities of £46,000 for the brand intangible and £901,000 for the customer relationship intangible also being recognised at acquisition. This valuation will be finalised by 31 October 2024.

The acquired undertakings made a profit after tax of £957,000 from the beginning of its financial year on 1 May 2023 to the date of acquisition.  In its previous financial year, the profit after tax was £1,544,000.

Following acquisition, the business contributed revenue of £2,198,000 and operating profit of £242,000 to the Group for the 6-month period ended 30 April 2024.

If the business had been acquired at the start of the Group's financial period, being 1 November 2023, it would have added £12,048,000 to Group revenue and an operating loss of £81,000 to Group operating profit for the 6-month period ended 30 April 2024.

On acquisition, an assessment was made regarding the fair value of tangible assets which includes a freehold property. The result of an independent assessment was no change to the net book value held in Total Foodservice Solutions Limited's accounts.

3              Segmental information

The following analysis by segment is presented in accordance with IFRS 8 on the basis of those segments whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the Executive Board (the Chief Operating Decision Maker as defined by IFRS 8) to assess performance and make strategic decisions about allocation of resources

The Group has the following operating segments:

·      Ambient: Provides delivered wholesale of ambient food, drink and tobacco products;

·      Frozen & Chilled: Provides delivered wholesale of frozen and chilled food products; and

·      Foodservice: Provides delivered wholesale of alcohol, frozen and chilled food to trade customers.

Corporate contains the central functions that are not devolved to the business units

These segments offer different products that attract different margins. They each have separate management teams.

The segments share a commonality in service being delivered wholesale of food and drink products.  The Group therefore benefits from a range of expertise, cross-selling opportunities and operational synergies in order to run each segment as competitively as possible.

The Group's forward-looking strategy is to provide enhanced customer service by making available the wider Group product range to its existing customer base. As a result, the Board will be assessing the segments based on customer type going forward with the customers in the Ambient and Frozen & Chilled divisions operating in the retail and wholesale channels.

The following analysis shows how this development is now being monitored whilst demonstrating the link to the previously reported segmental information for reference.

The presentation convention adopted in these financial statements is to show the three operating segments as this is how the Board of Directors has assessed performance during the period.

Each segment is measured on its adjusted operating profit and internal management reports are reviewed monthly by the Board.  This performance measure is deemed the most relevant by the Board to evaluate the results of the segments relative to entities operating in the same industry.

3              Segmental information (continued)

3              Segmental information (continued)

3              Segmental information (continued)