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ANSELL LIMITED AGM Information 2010

Oct 18, 2010

64385_rns_2010-10-18_a4cfa5af-859a-41de-8b4c-228a756732dc.pdf

AGM Information

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CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS

2010 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Ladies and Gentlemen

When we last met, in October 2009, our outlook for the remainder of the 2010 financial year was positive based on operating performance which was ahead of our expectations and was being assisted by foreign currencies strengthening against the US dollar and the benefits flowing from tight cost controls following the implementation of decisive restructuring actions by the Company in the face of the global financial crisis.

It is pleasing to be able to report to you that Ansell has rebounded strongly from the global financial crisis. The Occupational business recovered rapidly and returned to growth more quickly than expected in 2010. Our 2010 earnings were also helped by the fact that we restructured quickly and reduced our cost base during the global financial crisis. The diversity of Ansell’s portfolio of protection solutions and strong balance sheet allowed us to deliver a better than expected result for the year.

Our new Chief Executive Officer, Magnus Nicolin, who joined us in February will address you shortly and will speak specifically about the business results, our plans to accelerate growth, and the priorities and outlook for the current year

Since coming on Board in February, Magnus has had the chance to review our global operations, defined strengths and weaknesses and developed a plan for our Company. This plan has been approved by the Board of Directors and is currently being implemented and will enable the Company to accelerate sales and profit growth while retaining the strong financial standing of Ansell. I know that he will tell you more about that during his address to you.

As shareholders you will be aware that the Company is managed in US dollars because it is the predominant global currency of our business transactions. Year on year, revenues in US dollars were up 8% and profit attributable to shareholders of US$106 million was up 18% on the previous year.

Reported earnings per share of US 79.7 cents was up 20% on the previous year and exceeded the guidance range that was announced at the time of our presentation of the Company’s half year results in February of this year.

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 2010 financial year of 17.5 cents per share. The total dividend for the 2010 financial year was therefore 30.5 cents per share, up 9% on the previous year.

Strong free cash flow of US$107 million was generated by the Group which has allowed us to maintain our strong balance sheet with low gearing and provides the Company with significant capacity and financial flexibility to invest in our businesses,

take advantage of new opportunities, as they arise, pay dividends or continue share buy-backs as considered appropriate.

In a continuation of Ansell’s balanced capital management strategy, the Company bought back 5.1 million shares during the 2010 financial year.

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.

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, a systematic process of achieving the most efficient and effective use of energy in our manufacturing processes and at the same time reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

In my address to shareholders at last year’s Annual General Meeting I indicated that work was well advanced in the construction of a renewable biomass fuelled boiler system at our Sri Lankan manufacturing facility which will lead to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions at that facility. The installation, which is the largest of its kind in Sri Lanka, has been commissioned and at full capacity is expected to reduce C0[2] emissions by 15,000 tons per annum.

Ansell’s diverse global portfolio of health and protection solutions 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 workforce of approximately 10,000 spread across 33 countries who are dedicated to the development, manufacture, marketing and distribution of our products. The Board recognises that the results for the 2010 financial year could not have been achieved without the considerable efforts and commitment of the men and women of Ansell around the world.

The Company’s clear objective is to continue its profitable expansion both organically and by using the strength of its balance sheet to create further shareholder value. While Ansell exited the 2010 financial year with solid momentum, economic uncertainty in key markets remains a concern.

Ansell benefits from participation in four different business sectors and opportunities to profitably grow sales in these businesses through channel, product and geographic initiatives are being progressed.

At this time, the Company is encouraged by the sales and profit momentum that has been carried into the 2011 financial year.

I now invite your Chief Executive Officer, Magnus Nicolin, to comment on the results for the 2010 financial year, the Company’s new program for accelerated growth and the outlook for the 2011 financial year.