Aliaxis_Press_Release_ALXS_FY%202012%20financials%20EN_Final_06042013

PRESS RELEASE

Solid performance in 2012 as a result of worldwide presence and of diversification of product portfolio and markets Aliaxis S.A. 2012 Full Year Results

Brussels, April 6, 2013 – Aliaxis, a leading global manufacturer and distributor of plastic fluid handling systems, today released its 2012 full year results. These highlight a solid performance of the Group as a result of its diversification in geographic reach, product portfolio and markets.

On April 4th, 2013 the Board of Directors approved the submission of the consolidated 2012 annual accounts to the General Shareholder Meeting which will be held on May 22, 2013.

Highlights •

Revenue amounts to € 2,377 million, an increase of 6.3% (a like-for-like¹ increase of 2.2%).

•

The Group’s net profit for 2012 grew 29% to € 118 million (2011: € 91 million).

•

Challenging market conditions in Europe, particularly in the UK and Italy.

•

Continued strong performance of manufacturing as well as distribution activities in North America.

•

Top line revenue growth in most Latin American operations and continuing trend of improved operating performance.

•

Performance in line with expectations in Australia and New Zealand; export challenged by strength of local currencies. Satisfactory performance in Asia and improvement in South Africa.

•

Acquired full ownership of Vinilit (Chile) in 2012, In early 2013, acquisition of majority stake in Ashirvad Pipes (India) and certain assets of Petzetakis (South Africa).

•

Proposed gross dividend of € 0.33 per share (€ 0.2475 net), an increase of 10.0%

COMMENTS Revenues from sales in 2012 reached € 2,377 million (2011: € 2,235 million) representing an overall increase of 6.3%. On a like-for-like¹ basis, revenue improved by 2.2% with no material changes in the scope of consolidation in 2012.

The Group’s operating income (EBIT) grew 2.2% to € 179 million (2011: € 175 million), representing 7.5 % (2011: 7.8%) of total revenue.

Operating income includes charges of € 21.8 million (2011: € 4.1 million) relating to impairment of goodwill and € 18.0 million (2011: € 6.1 million) of other non-recurring items mainly related to industrial reorganizations in Europe and Latin America. Current EBIT2 grew 18.3% to € 219 million (2011: € 185 million).

The Group’s net profit for 2012 grew 29% to € 118 million (2011: € 91 million).

Top line revenue increased due to continuing sustained activity levels in North America and growth in Latin America, Asia as well as South Africa. In Southern Europe, many activities continued to suffer from the economic slowdown.

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Revenue increases, cost containment measures and a continued focus on turning around underperforming activities contributed to improving current operating margins. The Group’s operational focus remains on efficiency gains and synergies along with a clear emphasis on new product development. Budgeted capital expenditure remained at normal levels with key projects carried out according to plan.

In early 2012, €72 million was invested to acquire treasury shares representing 8% of the Group’s issued share capital, which had a positive impact (€ 0.12) on earnings per share.

In December the acquisition of the remaining 60% equity stake in Vinilit SA, a company in Chile in which the Group already held a 40% interest, was completed. Vinilit is now a wholly owned subsidiary and its balance sheet was consolidated for the first time in the 2012 year end accounts.

The initial 40% equity interest that was previously accounted for using the equity method was revalued at the same value that was paid to acquire the additional 60% in line with IFRS principles. This transaction resulted in a financial gain of € 22.7 million.

The free cash flow generated from operating activities allowed the Group’s balance sheet to remain very strong. Even with investments in treasury shares and the acquisition of 60% in Vinilit, net financial debt increased by only € 24 million. This allows the Group to fund growth and create added value through new products, capital expenditure, and carefully selected acquisitions.

EUROPE The Building and Sanitary Division, traditionally dependent on domestic markets, continued to suffer from a contraction in the construction market with particularly challenging conditions in Italy and the UK. The Division expects to continue to benefit from the consolidation of its manufacturing footprint and the introduction of new products. More export oriented and as a result of continuous efforts to expand sales in other regions, the Utilities and Industry Division was able to compensate to some extent for the more difficult conditions in the European markets.

NORTH AMERICA North American manufacturing activities continued to perform well, even if margin pressure slightly impacted operating performance. In Canada, stronger than expected housing starts were important drivers of the construction-related activity. In the US, housing starts significantly increased compared to the preceding period, but the excess capacity in the industry continued to place pressure on margins which was only partially offset by improvements in the industrial and commercial segments. Harrington Industrial Plastics, the Group’s specialised distribution business of industrial piping systems, continued to deliver a good performance. The top line performance increased organically and because of the integration of Protec Construction Services and Supply, a Texas-based specialised supplier of high purity and industrial piping systems, acquired at the end of 2011.

LATIN AMERICA Most operations of the Division continued to deliver top line revenue growth. The trend of improved operating performance continued due to a reorganisation in Brazil and performance improvements in Central America, Peru and Uruguay. The Division pursued its search for synergies and opportunities to leverage the Group’s product portfolio.

To support the Group’s growth ambitions in the region, the Group gained full ownership of Vinilit SA in December 2012. Vinilit is the Chilean market leader in plastic fluid handling systems, offering mainly products and solutions for construction, building, waterworks, plumbing, agriculture and mining.

AUSTRALASIA, ASIA AND SOUTH AFRICA In New Zealand the anticipated growth in construction activity following the Christchurch earthquakes was delayed while in Australia, trading was positively influenced by increasingly dry farming conditions and construction levels that held up well. Export profitability was impacted by the strength of the local currencies, but performance overall remained in line with expectations.

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Performance in Asia overall remained at a satisfying level. The Group invested in a dedicated organisation with the objective of further developing the Group’s operations in the region.

In South Africa the operations benefited from the combined effect of a major water distribution project in Angola as well as a competitor (Petzetakis South Africa) having gone into liquidation.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS In February 2013 the Group’s South African business acquired certain assets of a previous South African competitor, Petzetakis. In March of this year, the Group acquired a majority stake in Ashirvad Pipes Pty. Ltd. This Indian pipes and fittings manufacturer is a major player in the domestic building and sanitary market. The joint venture is an important step forward for the Group in the fast-growing Indian market.

OUTLOOK FOR 2013 The global economic environment is unlikely to improve significantly over the next year. There are currently no signs of recovery in European markets. The outlook in other markets remains more positive and the Group’s wide geographic reach should continue to counter the impact of activity levels in Europe. In particular, the North American economy should continue to show resilience and the outlook in growth markets such as Latin America and Asia is more promising. Going forward our focus will remain on margin improvement, turning around underperforming activities, and the integration of recently acquired acquisitions as well as investments to improve our market positions.

ANALYSIS OF REVENUE By geographical area Asia, Australasia & Africa 15%

Europe 39%

By application Latin America 15%

North America 31%

Other applications 26%

Gravity Systems 36%

Pressure Systems 38%

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STATEMENT OF THE AUDITOR The statutory auditor, KPMG Bedrijfsrevisoren – Réviseurs d’Entreprises, represented by Ludo Ruysen, has issued an unqualified audit opinion on the consolidated financial statements, and has confirmed that the accounting data reported in this press release does not include any inconsistencies with the IFRS consolidated financial statements.

SUMMARY TRADING INFORMATION Year ended 31 December (€ million)

2012

2011

Inc/(dec)

Revenue

2,377

2,235

142

3

300

272

28

% of revenue

12.6%

12.2%

219

185

9.2%

8.3%

Current EBITDA

Current EBIT ² % of revenue

34

Operating income (EBIT)

179

175

% of revenue

7.5%

7.8%

4

Profit before income taxes

179

149

30

Net profit,

119

93

26

2

2

-

118

91

26

attributable to : ■ Non-controlling interest ■ Equity holders of the Company

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2012

2011

Inc/(dec)

Basic earnings per share

1.45

1.04

39.4%

Diluted earnings per share

1.45

1.04

39.4%

Proposed gross dividend

0.33

0.30

10.0%

€ per share, share of Equity holders of the Company

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SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL POSITION

1

At 31 December (€ million)

2012

2011

Inc/(dec)

Intangible Assets

646

610

36

Property, Plant and Equipment

633

599

34

Non Current Investments

16

39

(23)

Deferred Tax Assets

18

26

(8)

Employee Benefits

35

32

3

Derivatives

31

28

3

Other Non Current Assets

29

22

7

Total Non Current Assets

1,409

1,357

52

Non-Cash Working Capital

455

446

9

Total

1,864

1,803

61

Equity holders of the Company

1,401

1,375

26

Non-controlling interests

10

10

-

Total Equity

1,411

1,385

26

Deferred Tax Liabilities

47

42

5

Employee Benefits

57

57

-

Derivatives

26

24

2

Other Non Current Liabilities

19

16

3

Net Financial Debt

303

279

24

Total

1,864

1,803

61

Like-for-like being at constant exchange rates and excluding the impact of changes in scope of consolidation

2

Current EBIT being profit from operations before non recurring items

3

Current EBITDA being EBITDA before non recurring items

4

Per share data calculated on the total weighted number of shares in issue, net of treasury shares.

Contact: Aliaxis S.A. – Avenue de Tervueren 270 – 1150 Bruxelles Manuel Monard - Tél. +32 2 775 5050 – Fax. +32 2 775 5051- e-mail: info@aliaxis.com

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