Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

2022-10-27

Suominen reports high quarterly sales and earnings recovery in positive trend

In Suominen Corporation's interim report for the period 1 January to 30 September 2022, the company reports high quarterly sales and an upward trend in earnings recovery. In Q3, net sales increased by 34% compared to the same period in 2021 and amounted to EUR 131.9 million (98.7). Comparable EBITDA improved to EUR 5.1 million (4.2). Net sales for the first nine months were also higher. It increased by 10% and amounted to EUR 360.2 million (327.6). However, the comparable EBITDA fell to EUR 10.3 million (38.1).

Suominen Corporation’s Interim Report for January 1–September 30, 2022:

High quarterly sales, result recovery trending positively

In this interim report, figures shown in brackets refer to the comparison period last year if not otherwise stated.

July–September 2022 in brief:

- Net sales increased 34% from the corresponding period of 2021 and were EUR 131.9 million (98.7)

- Comparable EBITDA improved to EUR 5.1 million (4.2)

- Cash flow from operations was EUR -10.8 million (-8.9)

January–September 2022 in brief:

- Net sales increased 10% and were EUR 360.2 million (327.6)

- Comparable EBITDA decreased to EUR 10.3 million (38.1)

- Cash flow from operations declined and was EUR -1.6 million (8.2)

Outlook for 2022 unchanged

Suominen expects that its comparable EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) in 2022 will decrease clearly from 2021. The war in Ukraine has increased the already significant cost inflation in raw materials, energy, and transportation. Also, while there has been progress in the normalization of the customer inventory levels in the US, it has been somewhat slower than expected. These factors will impact the full year result negatively even though we expect that the demand for our products will improve in the second half of the year. In 2021, Suominen’s comparable EBITDA was EUR 47.0 million.


Petri Helsky, President & CEO:

“After a difficult first half of the year, Suominen’s result started to turn around in the third quarter. We reached all time high quarterly net sales in Q3 through improvement in both volumes and prices and tailwind from currencies. Our sales volumes increased in comparison to both Q3/2021 and Q2/2022 driven especially by improvement in North America. Margins were still lower than a year ago but improved slightly versus the previous quarter.

Our net sales were EUR 131.9 million (98.7) in the third quarter. Sales volumes increased as did sales prices following the higher raw material prices. Currency impact was significantly positive at EUR +11.1 million. Our quarterly EBITDA improved to EUR 5.1 million (4.2). The higher sales and production volumes impacted the result positively but our sales price increases could not fully compensate for the higher raw material and energy costs even despite the previously implemented energy surcharge in Europe. Other operating income was impacted positively by one-time tax credits and incentives in Brazil and Italy.

In August we announced surcharges on all our products in North America as a response to significant unexpected increases in raw materials, energy and freight costs. In September we announced a new energy surcharge on all our products in Europe as energy prices have continued to increase significantly after our first surcharge in March. Energy cost inflation is expected to continue during the autumn and winter months.

In the third quarter Suominen completed the EcoVadis sustainability assessment for the first time and received a silver level rating. This result places us in the top 8% of companies in the manufacture of other textiles industry rated by EcoVadis.

Looking ahead, we expect the demand for our products in the US to continue recovering and we have already seen the raw material markets turn more favorable in early Q4. At the same time our own improvement actions are starting to bear fruit. All these are expected to contribute positively to our result in the fourth quarter.”

NET SALES

July–September 2022

In July–September 2022, Suominen’s net sales increased from the comparison period by 34% to EUR 131.9 million (98.7) as both volumes and sales prices increased. Currencies impacted the net sales positively by EUR 11.1 million.

Suominen has two business areas, Americas and Europe. Net sales of the Americas business area amounted to EUR 80.3 million (57.0) and net sales of the Europe business area to EUR 51.7 million (41.6).

January–September 2022

In January–September 2022, Suominen’s net sales improved from the comparison period by 10% and amounted to EUR 360.2 million (327.6). Volumes decreased while sales prices increased, with currencies impacting the net sales positively by EUR 23.7 million.

Net sales of the Americas business area amounted to EUR 206.3 million (196.4) and net sales of the Europe business area to EUR 154.1 million (131.3).

EBITDA, OPERATING PROFIT AND RESULT

July–September 2022

EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) was EUR 5.1 million (4.2). The increased sales and production volumes impacted the result positively while margins declined as sales price increases could not fully compensate for the higher raw material and energy costs. Currency impact on EBITDA was EUR +0.3 million. Other operating income was positively impacted by one-time tax credits and incentives in Brazil and Italy.

Operating profit increased from the comparison period and amounted to EUR 0.2 million (-0.8).

Profit before income taxes was EUR 0.1 million (-1.8), and profit for the reporting period was EUR -0.4 million (-1.7). Income taxes for the period were EUR -0.5 million (0.1).

January–September 2022

EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) was EUR 10.3 million (38.1). The main drivers were lower sales and production volumes and lower margins as sales price increases could not fully compensate for the higher raw material, energy, and freight costs. Currency impact on EBITDA was EUR +0.3 million.

Operating profit decreased and was EUR -4.0 million (23.1).

Profit before income taxes was EUR -4.3 million (23.8), and profit for the reporting period was EUR -5.1 million (18.2).

Income taxes for the period were EUR -0.8 million (-5.6).

FINANCING

The Group’s net interest-bearing liabilities at nominal value amounted to EUR 65.8 million (48.2) at the end of the review period. The gearing ratio was 39.9% (30.2%) and the equity ratio 39.8% (42.5%).

In January–September, net financial expenses were EUR -0.3 million (+0.7), or -0.1% (+0.2%) of net sales. Fluctuations in exchange rates decreased the net financial expenses by EUR 4.4 million (in 2021, decreased by EUR 1.1 million).

Suominen sold its minority share in Amerplast (Bright Maze Oy) in March 2021. The transaction impacted Suominen’s net financial expenses positively in 2021 by EUR 3.7 million. The effect on the cash flow in 2021 was EUR 11.6 million.

Cash flow from operations in July–September was EUR -10.8 million (-8.9) and in January–September EUR -1.6 million (8.2), representing a cash flow per share of EUR -0.03 (0.14). The decline in the cash flow from operations for January–September was driven by the weaker result.

In the third quarter the change in net working capital was negative by EUR -13.9 million (-11.4). The change in net working capital in January–September was EUR -7.3 million (-23.2).

In June 2022, Suominen announced that it has extended by one year the maturity of the EUR 100 million syndicated revolving credit facility agreement signed in July 2020. The maturity of the facility is now extended to July 2025.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

In January–September, the gross capital expenditure totaled EUR 7.4 million (14.0) and the largest item was related to the growth investment initiatives in Nakkila, Finland. Other investments were mainly for maintenance.

Suominen announced in June that it strengthens its capabilities in sustainable products by enhancing and upgrading one of its production lines in Nakkila, Finland. The investment is made in line with Suominen’s strategy and supports company’s vision to be the frontrunner in sustainability. The total value of the investment is approximately EUR 6 million and the investment project will be completed in the second half of 2023.

Depreciation and amortization for the review period amounted to EUR 14.3 million (15.0).

PROGRESS IN SUSTAINABILITY

During the third quarter of 2022, we were awarded a silver level rating from the EcoVadis sustainability assessment. This was the first time that we completed the EcoVadis assessment and received a rating. This result places us in the top 8% of companies in the manufacture of other textiles industry rated by EcoVadis.

We have strong focus on safety and accident prevention, and our long-term target is to have zero lost-time accidents. By the end of September there has not been any LTA’s at Suominen sites.

We systematically measure our employee engagement by conducting our engagement survey, Suominen Vibe, every year. During the year we have used the results from the survey conducted last year to plan and execute development actions. Now it is again time to collect feedback and this year’s Vibe survey is now ongoing.

We are continuously improving our production efficiency and the efficient utilization of natural resources. In the third quarter we continued our actions towards our targets to reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption and waste to landfill by 20% per ton of product by 2025 compared to the base year of 2019. One example of our concrete actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is our solar panels in our Alicante plant that have been in operation since August.

We have a comprehensive portfolio of sustainable nonwovens, and we continuously develop new and innovative solutions with a reduced environmental impact. Our target is a 50% increase in sales of sustainable nonwovens by 2025 compared to 2019, and to have at least 10 sustainable product launches per year.

Suominen reports progress in its key sustainability KPIs annually.

As part of our Annual Report 2021 published on March 2, 2022 we reported on the progress of our sustainability performance. Our sustainability reporting in 2021 was done in accordance with the Core option of the GRI Standards from the Global Reporting Initiative and it was assured by an external partner.

INFORMATION ON SHARES AND SHARE CAPITAL

Share capital

The number of Suominen’s registered shares was 58,259,219 shares on September 30, 2022, equaling to a share capital of EUR 11,860,056.00.

Share trading and price

The number of Suominen Corporation shares traded on Nasdaq Helsinki from January 1 to September 30, 2022 was 9,800,783 shares, accounting for 17.1% of the average number of shares (excluding treasury shares). The highest price was EUR 5.27, the lowest EUR 2.46 and the volume-weighted average price EUR 3.64. The closing price at the end of review period was EUR 2.64. The market capitalization (excluding treasury shares) was EUR 151.7 million on September 30, 2022.

Treasury shares

On September 30, 2022, Suominen Corporation held 778,492 treasury shares.

The share repurchase program of Suominen commenced on November 3, 2021 and ended on January 21, 2022. Suominen acquired in total 68,677 shares in January 2022.

As a share-based payment plan vested, in total 237,584 shares were transferred to the participants of the plan in February.

In accordance with the resolution by the Annual General Meeting, in total 18,585 shares were transferred to the members of the Board of Directors as their remuneration payable in shares during the reporting period.

The portion of the remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors paid in shares

The Annual General Meeting held on March 24, 2022 decided that 75% of the annual remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors is paid in cash and 25% in Suominen Corporation’s shares.

The number of shares forming the remuneration portion payable in shares was determined based on the share value in the stock exchange trading maintained by Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd, calculated as the trade volume-weighted average quotation of the share during the two-week period immediately following the date on which the Interim Report of January?March 2022 of the company was published. The shares were given out of the treasury shares held by the company by the decision of the Board of Directors on May 17, 2022.

Share-based incentive plans for the management and key employee

The Group management and key employees participate in the company’s share-based long-term incentive plans. The plans are described in more detail in the Financial Statements and in the Remuneration Report, available on the company’s website www.suominen.fi.


Company's Performance Share Plan currently includes three 3-year performance periods, calendar years 2020–2022, 2021–2023 and 2022–2024. The aim of the Performance Share Plan is to combine the objectives of the shareholders and the persons participating in the plan in order to increase the value of the company in long-term, to build loyalty to the company and to offer them competitive reward plans based on earning and accumulating the company’s shares.



The President & CEO of the company must hold 50% of the net number of shares given on the basis of the plan, as long as his or her shareholding in total corresponds to the value of his or her annual gross salary. A member of the Executive Team must hold 50% of the net number of shares given on the basis of the plan, as long as his or her shareholding in total corresponds to the value of half of his or her annual gross salary. Such a number of shares must be held as long as the participant’s employment or service in a group company continues.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Suominen Corporation was held on March 24, 2022.

The AGM adopted the Financial Statements and the Consolidated Financial Statements for the financial year 2021 and discharged the members of the Board of Directors and the President & CEO from liability for the financial year 2021. The AGM approved the Remuneration Report for the governing bodies.

The AGM decided, in accordance with the proposal by the Board of Directors, that a dividend of EUR 0.20 per share will be paid.

The AGM confirmed the remuneration of the Board of Directors. The Chair will be paid an annual fee of EUR 70,000 and the Deputy Chair and other Board members an annual fee of EUR 33,000. Chair of the Audit Committee will be paid an additional fee of EUR 10,000. Further, the members of the Board will receive a fee for each Board and Committee meeting as follows: EUR 500 for each meeting held in the home country of the respective member, EUR 1,000 for each meeting held elsewhere than in the home country of the respective member and EUR 500 for each meeting held as a telephone conference.

75% of the remuneration is paid in cash and 25% in Suominen Corporation’s shares. Compensation for expenses is paid in accordance with the company's valid travel policy.

The AGM decided that the number of Board members remain unchanged at six (6). Mr. Andreas Ahlström, Mr. Björn Borgman, Mr. Jaakko Eskola, Ms. Nina Linander and Ms. Laura Raitio were re-elected as members of the Board. Mr. Aaron Barsness was elected as a new member of the Board.

Mr. Jaakko Eskola was re-elected as the Chair of the Board of Directors.

Ernst & Young Oy, Authorised Public Accountant firm, was re-elected as the auditor of the company for the next term of office in accordance with the Articles of Association. Ernst & Young Oy appointed Mr. Toni Halonen, Authorised Public Accountant, as the principally responsible auditor of the company.

The AGM authorized the Board of Directors to decide on the repurchase of the company’s own shares and to resolve on the issuance of shares and granting of options and the issuance of special rights entitling to shares. The terms and conditions of the authorization are explained later in this interim report.

Suominen published a stock exchange release on March 24, 2022 concerning the resolutions of the Annual General Meeting and the organizing meeting of the Board of Directors. The stock exchange release and an introduction of the new Board member can be viewed on Suominen’s website at www.suominen.fi.

In compliance with the resolution of the Annual General Meeting, on April 7, 2022 Suominen paid out dividends in total of EUR 11.5 million for 2021, corresponding to EUR 0.20 per share.

Organizing meeting and permanent committees of the Board of Directors

In its organizing meeting held after the AGM, the Board of Directors elected Andreas Ahlström as Deputy Chair of the Board.

The Board of Directors elected from among its members the members for the Audit Committee and Personnel and Remuneration Committee. Nina Linander was re-elected as the Chair of the Audit Committee and Andreas Ahlström and Laura Raitio were re-elected as members. Jaakko Eskola was re-elected as the Chair of the Personnel and Remuneration Committee, Björn Borgman was re-elected as member, and Aaron Barsness was elected as new member.

Authorizations of the Board of Directors

The Annual General Meeting (AGM), held on March 24, 2022 authorized the Board of Directors to decide on the repurchase a maximum of 1,000,000 of the company’s own shares. The company’s own shares shall be repurchased otherwise than in proportion to the holdings of the shareholders by using the non-restricted equity through trading on regulated market organized by Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd at the market price prevailing at the time of acquisition. The shares shall be repurchased and paid in accordance with the rules of Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd and Euroclear Finland Ltd. The shares shall be repurchased to be used in company’s share-based incentive programs, in order to disburse the remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors, for use as consideration in acquisitions related to the company’s business, or to be held by the company, to be conveyed by other means or to be cancelled. The Board of Directors shall decide on other terms and conditions related to the repurchase of the company’s own shares. The repurchase authorization shall be valid until June 30, 2023 and it revokes all previous authorizations to repurchase company’s own shares.

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on March 24, 2022 authorized the Board of Directors to decide on issuing new shares and/or conveying the company’s own shares held by the company and/or granting options and other special rights referred to in Chapter 10, Section 1 of the Finnish Companies Act. New shares may be issued, and the company’s own shares may be conveyed to the company’s shareholders in proportion to their current shareholdings in the company; or by waiving the shareholder’s pre-emption right, through a directed share issue if the company has a weighty financial reason to do so, such as, for example, using the shares as consideration in possible acquisitions or other arrangements related to the company’s business, as financing for investments, using shares as part of the company’s incentive program or using the shares for disbursing the portion of the Board members’ remuneration that is to be paid in shares. The new shares may also be issued without payment to the company itself. New shares may be issued and/or company’s own shares held by the company or its group company may be conveyed at the maximum amount of 5,000,000 shares in aggregate.

The Board of Directors may grant options and other special rights referred to in Chapter 10, Section 1 of the Finnish Companies Act, which carry the right to receive against payment new shares or own shares held by the company. The right may also be granted to the company’s creditor in such a manner that the right is granted on condition that the creditor’s receivable is used to set off the subscription price (“Convertible Bond”). However, options and other special rights referred to in Chapter 10, Section 1 of the Companies Act cannot be granted as part of the company’s remuneration plan.

The maximum number of new shares that may be subscribed and own shares held by the company that may be conveyed by virtue of the options and other special rights granted by the company is 5,000,000 shares in total which number is included in the maximum number stated above.

The authorizations shall revoke all earlier authorizations regarding share issue and issuance of special rights entitling to shares. The Board of Directors shall decide on all other terms and conditions related to the authorizations. The authorizations shall be valid until June 30, 2023.

NOTIFICATIONS UNDER CHAPTER 9, SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES MARKET ACT

June 28, 2022: The shareholding of OP-Henkivakuutus Oy in Suominen Corporation crossed the 5% flagging threshold.

March 8, 2022: The shareholding of Etola Group Oy, controlled by Mr. Erkki Etola, in Suominen Corporation crossed the 10% flagging threshold. At the same time the total holding of Erkki Etola and companies controlled by him in Suominen Corporation crossed the 20% flagging threshold.

February 25, 2022: The shareholding of Etola Group Oy, controlled by Mr. Erkki Etola, in Suominen Corporation crossed the 5% flagging threshold.

January 20, 2022: The shareholding of Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company in Suominen Corporation fell below the threshold of 5%.

CHANGES IN THE EXECUTIVE TEAM

Suominen announced on September 6, 2022 that Toni Tamminen, Suominen’s CFO and a member of the Executive Team has decided to pursue career opportunities outside the company and will leave Suominen latest on March 5, 2023.

NOMINATION BOARD

Suominen’s three largest registered shareholders Ahlstrom Capital B.V., Oy Etra Invest Ab and Etola Group Oy have nominated the following members to the Shareholders’ Nomination Board:

Lasse Heinonen, President & CEO of Ahlström Capital Oy, as a member appointed by Ahlstrom Capital B.V.;

Mikael Etola, CEO, Etola-Yhtiöt, as a member appointed by Oy Etra Invest Ab and Etola Group Oy

Jaakko Eskola, Chair of Suominen’s Board of Directors, serves as the third member of the Nomination Board. The shareholders entitled to appoint members to the Nomination Board were determined on the basis of the registered holdings in the company’s shareholders' register on September 1, 2022.

SHORT TERM RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The raw material, energy and logistics markets relevant for Suominen have experienced significant volatility and cost inflation. This can impact Suominen’s financial performance depending on how the markets develop.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, the direct impact to Suominen’s business is minor as we have no customers nor suppliers in Russia, Belarus or Ukraine. Suominen as a company is mostly affected by the indirect economic impacts of the war which contribute to the cost inflation mentioned above.

Also the COVID-19 pandemic can still cause uncertainty in Suominen’s business environment. The key risks related to the virus concern the health and safety of Suominen personnel and customers, possible shortages of raw materials and issues linked to logistics, as well as potential closures of customers’ or our own plants due to virus infections. Despite the inflation and supply chain challenges caused by the pandemic straining the whole nonwovens industry and its value chain, we have not experienced more payment delays than usual by our customers and hence we do not see that our customer credit risks would have materially increased.

Suominen’s other risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: risks related to manufacturing, competition, raw material prices and availability and customer specific volumes and credits, changes in legislation, political environment or economic conditions and investments, and financial risks.

A more detailed description of risks is available in Suominen’s Annual Report 2021 at suominen.fi/investors.

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

Suominen’s nonwovens are, for the most part, used in daily consumer goods, such as wet wipes as well as in hygiene and medical products. In these target markets of Suominen, the general economic situation determines the development of consumer demand, even though the demand for consumer goods is not very cyclical in nature. North America and Europe are the largest market areas for Suominen. In addition, the company operates in the South American markets. The growth in the demand for nonwovens has typically exceeded the growth of gross domestic product by a couple of percentage points.

The market expectation is that in the long run the end user demand for wipes will remain above pre-COVID levels. However, the pandemic-caused demand spike followed by moderation of said demand has led to an inventory imbalance in the whole supply chain especially in the US which still partially persists.

The war in Ukraine has worsened the inflationary pressures in raw material, energy and freight costs and increased uncertainty overall. However, we are seeing the raw material markets turning more favorable from the fourth quarter onwards and we also expect normalization of the US inventory levels going forward.

OUTLOOK FOR 2022

Suominen expects that its comparable EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) in 2022 will decrease clearly from 2021. The war in Ukraine has increased the already significant cost inflation in raw materials, energy and transportation. Also, while there has been progress in the normalization of the customer inventory levels in the US, it has been somewhat slower than expected. These factors will impact the full year result negatively even though we expect that the demand for our products will improve in the second half of the year. In 2021, Suominen’s comparable EBITDA was EUR 47.0 million.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND REMUNERATION REPORT

Suominen has prepared a separate Corporate Governance Statement and a Remuneration Report for 2021, which comply with the recommendations of the Finnish Corporate Governance Code for listed companies. The statements also cover other central areas of corporate governance. The statements have been published on Suominen's website, separately from the Report of the Board of Directors, at www.suominen.fi.

AUDIOCAST AND CONFERENCE CALL

Petri Helsky, President & CEO, and Toni Tamminen, CFO, will present the result in English in an audiocast and a conference call for analyst, investors, and media on the same day at 11:00 a.m. (EEST). The audiocast can be followed at https://suominen.videosync.fi/2022-q3. The recording of the audiocast and the presentation material will be available after the event at www.suominen.fi.

Conference call participants:

You can access the teleconference by registering on the link below. After the registration you will be provided phone numbers and a conference ID to access the conference.

https://call.vsy.io/access-8477

The event cannot be attended on the spot.

EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD

The debenture bond of EUR 85 million issued in 2017 fell due and was repaid in full on October 3, 2022.

NEXT FINANCIAL REPORT

Suominen Corporation will publish its Financial Statements Release 2022 on February 3, 2023 approximately at 9:30 a.m. (EET).

SUOMINEN GROUP JANUARY 1 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

The figures in this interim report are mainly presented in EUR thousands. As a result of rounding differences, the figures presented in the tables do not necessarily add up to total.

This interim report has not been audited.

This interim report has been prepared in accordance with the principles defined in IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting. The principles for preparing the interim report are the same as those used for preparing the consolidated financial statements for 2021, with the exception of the effect of the new accounting standards and interpretations which have been applied from 1.1.2022.

The new or amended standards or interpretations applicable from 1.1.2022 are not material for Suominen Group.

https://ml-eu.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/5f64d1c3-46eb-4f01-8f93-8b46ca41446e

https://www.suominen.fi/newsroom/2022/suominen-corporations-interim-report-for-january-1september-30-2022-high-quarterly-sales-result-recovery-trending-positively/


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