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ANSELL LIMITED — AGM Information 2009
Oct 13, 2009
64385_rns_2009-10-13_4ba997c3-6678-4853-a034-b83d0217dc0d.pdf
AGM Information
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CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS
2009 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Ladies and Gentlemen
When we last met, in early November 2008, our outlook for the remainder of the 2009 financial year was based on an uncertain global economic outlook not the tumultuous global economic crisis that was to unfold.
It is pleasing to be able to report to you that while your Company did not escape the global economic crisis, which was most strongly felt in our Occupational business, your Company is in sound condition having weathered the 2009 financial year and exited the year in a solid financial position.
The solid 2009 performance that was delivered showed the benefits of our well balanced and diversified business portfolios. We have a strong balance sheet and strong on-going cash flow, which positions the Company well for future growth.
Our CEO, Doug Tough, will address you shortly and will speak specifically about the business results, the achievements and challenges faced by the Company in the 2009 financial year, and the priorities and outlook for the current year
As shareholders you are aware that the Company is managed in US dollars and whilst our 2009 Australian dollar reported results are pleasing and showed growth in sales and profit attributable, year on year, in US dollar terms profit attributable to shareholders of US$90 million was marginally down on the US$92 million delivered in the prior year. What was particularly pleasing was the strength of our free cash flow, which at US$122 million was 52% higher than last year and the highest ever reported by Ansell.
Reported earnings per share of US 66.3 cents was delivered in a very challenging economic environment and was within the guidance range that was announced at the time of our presentation of the Company’s half year results in February of this year. The guidance had foreshadowed that Ansell had a number of cost reduction and
manufacturing efficiency improvement programs underway, particularly at Occupational manufacturing sites. We delivered against these programs but have maintained our capabilities to react rapidly to growth opportunities.
It was particularly pleasing that as a result of the Company’s solid balance sheet and trading performance the Board was able to continue with the history of steady dividend growth and declare an increased final dividend for the 2009 financial year of 16 cents per share. The total dividend for the 2009 financial year was therefore 28 cents per share, up 6% on the previous year.
In a continuation of Ansell’s balanced capital management strategy, the Company has bought back 2.4 million shares in recent months thus effectively completing the previously announced buy-back. The Board is now pleased to announce a further 5 million share extension to that buy-back.
In my address to shareholders at last year’s Annual General Meeting I spoke about the work that is being done within the Company on what we call “Green Productivity”, a systematic process of achieving the most efficient and effective use of energy in our manufacturing processes and at the same time reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. Over the four years to 2008 we have lowered our greenhouse gas emissions by 20% and further reductions are targeted
Ansell cares about the environment and the impact of the Company’s activities on the environment. We continue to invest in capital projects focused on our Green Productivity program and are well advanced in the construction of a renewable biomass fuelled boiler system at our Sri Lankan facility which will lead to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions at that facility.
Corporate responsibility is an important issue, and one that is well recognised and responded to by the Company. Ansell’s risk management systems continue to target loss prevention and stakeholder protection in the areas of occupational health and safety, the environment, asset protection and product safety. We believe that our safety performance would place us in the range of best practice performance.
In February 2009, Ansell donated $100,000 to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund to support the communities impacted by the devastating bushfires in Victoria and provided in-kind support in the form of our hand protection products to the various
agencies, who were responsible for implementing the recovery programs coordinated through the Victorian Government.
Ansell’s diverse global portfolio of barrier protection products continues to be a major driver of the Company’s ability to deliver consistent and sustained business performance. This could not have been achieved without the considerable efforts of our committed workforce of over 10,000 spread across 33 countries who are dedicated to the manufacture, marketing and distribution of our products all round the world.
You will no doubt be aware of our recent announcement that our CEO, Doug Tough, has tendered his resignation and will leave the Company in March 2010. Doug has resigned to accept a position as Chairman and CEO of International Flavours and Fragrances, a publicly listed US based company. On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Doug for the significant contribution he has made to Ansell over the last 5 years. Doug’s successor will inherit a Company with strong businesses and a strong balance sheet that is well placed to embark on the next phase of its expansion. The Board is well advanced in the process that has been initiated to secure a successor to the role of CEO. To ensure that the Company secures the best leadership for the position, Ansell has engaged Spencer Stuart to undertake a comprehensive international search, inclusive of internal candidates that have been identified to be considered for the position.
In August 2009, when we released the 2009 full-year results, we provided guidance to the market for the 2010 financial year in the range of US56 to US62 cents per share. This was based on the Company’s assessment, at the time, that 2010 would be a challenging year against the backdrop of a subdued global economic outlook and continuing economic uncertainty.
Our trading results for the first quarter of the 2010 financial year have exceeded our expectations. This performance was due to foreign currencies strengthening against the US dollar, higher Occupational and Professional sales volumes and tight cost controls.
On the basis of this stronger operational performance in the first quarter compared to budget, the Company now expects earnings per share for the 2010 financial year to trend toward the top end of the existing guidance range of US56 to US62 cents per share.