HOCHDORF Group: Good operational results generated

For the first time, volume and turnover figures include Uckermärker Milch GmbH and Marbacher Ölmühle GmbH, which were acquired in late 2014. As a result, comparison with previous year figures is less meaningful. HOCHDORF processed 421.4 million kg of milk, whey, permeate, and cream in the Group as a whole – a significantly higher quantity of liquid than in the previous year (255.9 million kg; +64.7%). Gross sales revenue came in at CHF 284.3 million. Turnover was somewhat lower than originally expected, which is attributable to currency effects and to international milk prices, which fell sharply and suddenly and in some cases led to lower product prices. The HOCHDORF Group as a whole sold 125,767 tonnes of product (+150.6% compared to the previous year).

Good results
In terms of income, the gross profit margin came in at 22.3%, which was above the figure for the previous year (21.9%). In absolute terms, gross profit of CHF 63.8 million was generated (+22.8% compared to the previous year). The Group increased EBITDA from CHF 13.8 million to CHF 15.5 million (+12.5%). EBIT came in at CHF 10.7 million, which was likewise slightly ahead of the previous year’s figure (CHF 10.2 million; +4.9% compared to the previous year). Net profit stood at CHF 4.1 million (CHF 6.3 million; -34.3% compared to the previous year), with the decline attributable solely to currency effects. Overall, the Group has performed very well under difficult markets conditions, achieving results that exceeded our expectations.

Major currency effects
HOCHDORF estimates the negative impact of the currency turmoil on the HOCHDORF Group as at 30 June 2015 to be CHF -20.8 million in terms of turnover, meaning roughly CHF 4.8 million with regard to income. However, these figures depend on further exchange rate developments. The abolition of the minimum rate is impressive confirmation that HOCHDORF took the right step with the foreign expansion undertaken in 2014. The investments in Uckermärker Milch GmbH and Marbacher Ölmühle GmbH are proving to be right in at least two ways: New markets are opening, and the strong Swiss franc does not affect these markets. The only impact is the translation difference when converting local balance sheets into the Group's reporting currency.

Dairy Ingredients area
In Switzerland, the quantity of liquid purchased and processed fell in the first half of the year by -7.5% to 212,258 tonnes. A total of 183,135 tonnes of fresh milk (including commissioned orders) were delivered. The greatest share of the decline was attributable to fewer commissioned drying orders and the decline in milk permeate. Overall, the Dairy Ingredients Switzerland business area generated turnover of CHF 118.3 million (-10.0% compared to the previous year). The decline in turnover was due to lower prices for raw materials, which were passed on to customers, and to lower amounts of milk.

HOCHDORF Baltic Milk UAB (Lithuania) processed more milk (40.8 million kg; +54.6%) than at any other time in its history. Overall HOCHDORF Baltic Milk generated gross sales revenue of CHF 15.2 million (-14.4% compared to the previous year). The lower turnover is mainly attributable to the appreciation of the franc against the euro, as well as the discontinuation of the milk-exchange deal. The remainder of the decline is due to lower milk prices and correspondingly lower product prices.

In the first half of the year, Uckermärker Milch GmbH processed 168.3 million kg of milk, permeate, and cream to make curd, butter, and milk powder (-7.8% compared to the previous year). It generated gross sales revenue of CHF 87.9 million (-22.0% compared to the previous year; CHF 112.6 million). The lower turnover was due to currency effects, lower milk quantities, and, compared to the previous year, considerably lower milk prices.

Baby Care area
For the first time since 2006, gross sales revenue was unable to be increased, but instead remained approximately the same. The Baby Care area generated gross sales revenue of CHF 50.0 million (-5.4% compared to the previous year; CHF 52.8 million). The somewhat lower turnover is due to the currency situation and capacity bottlenecks. Quality and product safety are the most important elements associated with the sale of infant formula. This was borne in mind in connection with the projects to maximise capacity. As a result, production has not yet been able to be maximised to the expected extent.

Plans for renovation work at the dried milk plant of Uckermärker Milch GmbH are proceeding on schedule. Collaboration with the local authorities went well. HOCHDORF expects to be able to begin manufacturing infant formula in Prenzlau in late 2016.

Cereals & Ingredients area
The Cereals & Ingredients Switzerland area generated gross sales revenue of CHF 8.7 million, which was slightly below the previous year (CHF 9.3 million; -6.4%). This decline is attributable to the current currency situation. Sold product volume rose in comparison with the previous year.

In terms of sales, the collaboration with the team at Marbacher Ölmühle GmbH was expanded in the first half of the year. Initial synergies have been implemented in sales. Other synergies will result from the dissolution of HOCHDORF Deutschland GmbH in the second half of the year and from the sale of these products by the sales staff at Marbacher Ölmühle, as well as from Switzerland.

In the first half of the year, Marbacher Ölmühle GmbH (Germany) generated gross sales revenue of CHF 3.7 million. Integration work in the HOCHDORF Group is proceeding well. In terms of sales, the company is pursuing forward and backward integration. Intermediaries are being eliminated where possible and sensible.

HOCHDORF South Africa Ltd formed
HOCHDORF South Africa Ltd was formed on 31 May 2015 as a production company. The company will manufacture chocolate exclusively for the African market. HOCHDORF expects to gain from this even greater expertise in the area of developing specific ingredients for the chocolate industry.

Outlook
“Despite the strong franc, we are optimistic about the second half of the year. We will continue to push ahead with ongoing projects and in so doing concentrate on those with high potential for added value. The focus of this will be on forward integration,” said Dr Thomas Eisenring, CEO of the HOCHDORF Group.

HOCHDORF expects somewhat lower milk quantities compared to the previous year and for this reason will process more whey and buttermilk. As a result of the abolishment of the quota, the Group expects somewhat higher quantities of milk for processing at its plants in Lithuania and Germany.

Despite currency effects and the low prices for milk products internationally, the HOCHDORF Group continues to assume that gross sales revenue for 2015 will come in at CHF 580 million to CHF 620 million. By contrast, the Group has raised the EBIT target as a percentage of production revenue: “Currently, we anticipate EBIT at 3.2-3.8% of production revenue,” said Eisenring.