April 26, 2022 11:54 ET | Source: Societe BIC Societe BIC
Clichy – France - April 26th, 2022
BIC – FIRST QUARTER 2022 RESULTS0F1
Strong start to the year driven by the execution of the Horizon Plan
Growth in all divisions and regions, driven by increased volumes and active Revenue Growth Management
The positive impact of Net Sales operating leverage on adjusted EBIT margin more than offset input cost inflation
Sustained Operating Cash Flow (+122.8 million euros) Working Capital impacted by an increase in Inventory, driven by 2022 Back-to-school sell-in stock building
“We have begun 2022 with strong momentum, delivering double-digit growth across all divisions, driven by a relentless focus on consumers. Performance gains were fueled by strong commercial execution and the continued implementation of our Horizon Plan, yielding long-term sustainable results. The outstanding Back-to-School results in Brazil, and innovations including the BIC EZ Reach lighter and our new BIC Soleil Escape shaver, delivered significant share in strategic segments. As planned, BIC Blade-Tech, our B2B shaver business, contributed significantly to the growth and profitability of our Blade Excellence division. For the balance of the year, I am fully confident in our teams’ ability to mitigate the multiple headwinds ahead and achieve our 2022 objectives.” said Gonzalve Bich, Chief Executive Officer.
2022 Outlook (based on current market assumptions1F2)
Given Q1 better-than-expected performance, we now expect to be at the high-end of our 7% to 9% Net Sales growth objective at constant currencies in 2022. The recent acceleration of input cost inflation is expected to have a negative impact on operating margins, and we are taking the necessary actions to mitigate this impact. We nonetheless expect FY 2022 adjusted EBIT to grow year-on-year in absolute terms, driven by higher volumes and positive price impact. We maintain our target of over 200 million euros Free Cash Flow.
Q1 2022 KEY GROUP FINANCIAL FIGURES
First Quarter 2022 Net Sales increased 20.4% at constant currencies and 18.8% on a comparative basis.
Flame For Life was the main contributor to organic growth, with US Lighters contributing to 37% of the Group Net Sales growth on a comparative basis. The outstanding performance of Lighters’ Sell-in in the US (+29% growth) was fueled by the shipment of orders that could not be completed in Q4 2021 (approximately 17 pts of the growth), and by significant distribution gains driven by strong commercial execution, the continued success of BIC EZ Reach Utility Pocket Lighter, and price impact (approximately 13 pts of the growth in total).
Human Expression organic growth was notably driven by a solid Back-to-school Season in Brazil, where the Stationery market increased 72%3, driven by the coloring segment. We gained 0.5 pts of market share in value thanks to robust Point of Sales execution. The Core Stationery business performance in Europe and North America was notably driven by early Back-to-school orders (approximately 5 million euros impact on Q1 Net Sales). Mexico, South Africa, and India, which were strongly hit by the pandemic, recovered sharply, with high double-digit to triple-digit growth on a comparative basis.
In Blade Excellence, value-added products continued to drive the performance of our one-piece business, accounting for more than 70% of the segment's growth in Q1. As anticipated, BIC Blade-Tech B2B business gathered momentum and contributed to around 30% of the total Blade Excellence year-to-date Net Sales growth.
Q1 2022 Gross Profit margin increased by 0.2 points to 51.8%. The impact of input cost inflation (-3 pts compared to Q1 2021) was more than offset by favorable fixed cost absorption (+2.7 pts) and a positive pricing (+0.7 pts). Adjusted EBIT grew 68.3%, and adjusted EBIT margin was 19.8%, driven by strong Net Sales operating leverage (+6.3 pts), which more than offset the increase in Freight and Distribution (-0.6 pts) and Brand Support (-1.0 pts). For the Full Year, and based on current market assumptions, total input cost inflation should weigh approximately 100 million euros on adjusted EBIT. This negative impact is expected to be more than offset by volume increase and and price adjustments.
Operating Cash Flow reached 122.8 million euros, fueled by strong business performance. The -107.1 million euros change in Working Capital and others was driven by Trade and other Receivables (-49.3M€), as a result of strong Net Sales growth, an increase in Inventory levels (- 84.9M€) due primarily to 2022 Back-to-school sell-in stock building to ensure supply to customers, and to a lesser extent, input cost inflation (Raw Material, Freight and Electricity). Q1 2022 Free Cash Flow before acquisitions and disposals was -1.9 million euros. The end of March Net Cash position was 340.1 million euros, and included 58.3 million euros used for the acquisition of Inkbox.
UPDATE ON HORIZON PLAN EXECUTION
Consistent with our Horizon Plan, Q1 Net Sales performance was fueled by a consumer-centric and strong innovation pipeline. Intensity Color Change, our new writing Felt Pen, was launched in most geographies, transforming everyday writing into a creative opportunity. BIC EZ Reach Utility Pocket Lighter reached a 5.7% market share in value in the US4, thanks to extended distribution, notably in convenience stores, and the support of the second edition of the advertising campaign featuring Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart. BIC Soleil Escape, our new female razor offering a sensorial experience, and the disposable version of Us, our gender-neutral shaver, were among the key drivers of year-to-date Blade Excellence's performance in the US.
Total e-commerce sales were driven by double digit growth from Omniretailers, offsetting the slowdown of Pure Players, on the back of a strong Q1 2021, which was driven by post-pandemic inventory replenishment. Sales in developing markets grew more than 50%, driven by a triple-digit growth in India, and a strong performance from retail customers in Brazil. Our shaver business saw a strong start to the year with over 50% of Net Sales growth, driven by North America.
As we continued our focus to drive complexity reduction across our portfolio, we achieved a 10% SKU reduction in Q1 2022. We are on track to achieve our targets of 11% increase in average Net Sales per SKU in 2022.
Completed on 01-February-2022, the acquisition of Inkbox, the leading brand of high-quality semi-permanent tattoos, was a further milestone in BIC's targeted acquisitions strategy to strengthen existing activities and develop into adjacent high growth business. This acquisition is a further step into BIC's transformation into a fast-moving consumer-centric company.
We continued to progress on our Sustainable Development journey, focusing on the reduction of virgin plastic in our products and packaging, and launching innovative products with reduced environmental impact, such as our new BIC Click Soleil 5 for women. Available since the end of Q1, this razor comes with a new recycled material developed by Avient, and reaches over 40% recycled content in its handle.
The Group is closely monitoring the situation and our first and ongoing priority is the health and safety of the people who are directly connected to our operations. We do not manufacture products in or source Raw Materials from Ukraine or Russia. At the end of 2021, Ukraine and Russia represented 2.4% of total Net Sales (1.8% in Russia and 0.6% in Ukraine). A 3.0 million euros impairment of assets has been booked to reflect the situation in Ukraine.
NET SALES, EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST AND TAXES (EBIT), AND ADJUSTED EBIT
Q1 2022 Gross Profit margin increased by 0.2 points to 51.8% compared to 51.6% in 2021. Q1 2022 adjusted EBIT was favorably impacted by operating leverage from Net Sales growth.
Q1 2022 finance revenue decrease is mainly due to 2022 unfavorable impact of the fair value adjustments to financial assets denominated in U.S. Dollar against the Brazilian Real. Q1 2022 effective tax rate was 29.0% vs. 29.8% for FY 2021.
At the end of March 2022, Net Cash position was 340.1 million euros. Net Cash from operating activities was affected by an unfavorable change in working capital due to increased accounts receivables following strong Q1 Net Sales, inventory building, and increased inventory levels due to higher raw material and freight costs. Net cash was also impacted by the Inkbox acquisition.
The Human Expression division strong performance was driven by almost all geographies with double-digit growth in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and India.
In Europe and North America, early orders were shipped to customers for the 2022 Back-to-School season for a total of approximately 5 million euros. In Europe, performance was driven by Western Europe (France, Germany, Italy, and UK). In the US, the Stationery market grew mid-single-digit in value9, driven by premium-priced products such as Gel. BIC gained +0.2 pts market share fueled by core stationery products, including Mechanical Pencil and Correction. On the back of a very strong Q1 2021, boosted by strong customers' replenishment, Rocketbook's Q1 performance was negatively impacted by a slow start to the year.
Back-to-School performance in the Southern Hemisphere was robust. In Brazil, the market grew double-digit driven by a strong recovery versus LY, and BIC gained 0.5 pts in value10, benefitting from solid in-store execution. In line with our goal to increase share in Creative Expression, Coloring was the main growth contributor, and we gained 2 pts of market share in value in this segment. In Mexico, the market grew over 30% in value11, driven by the return to schools and offices. BIC lost 0.7 pts of share overall due to the weight of Ball Pen in our portfolio, but successfully outperformed the market in added-value segments such as Coloring. In the Middle East and Africa, Net Sales grew high double-digit fueled by a good Back-to-School season in South Africa and Kenya. Cello Net Sales in India grew double-digit, boosted by a continued recovery of the market and solid performance in e-commerce.
Q1 2022 Human Expression division adjusted EBIT margin was 6.8% compared to 2.6% in Q1 2021. This increase was driven by Net Sales operating leverage, and favorable fixed cost absorption, partly offset by increase in Raw Material and Freight costs and Inkbox’s investment in growth.
The Flame for Life division was driven by solid performance in North America. In the US, the Pocket lighter market declined -12.2% in volume and -5.3% in value12, compared to a strong Q1 2021. BIC maintained its leadership position, gaining share in both volume (+ 2.7 pts) and value (+ 0.8 pts ). This was fueled by solid execution in the Modern Mass channel and positive price and mix, driven by the robust growth of added-value lighters. BIC EZ Reach continued to be successful and reached 5.7% of the market in value. Q1 Net Sales performance in the US was positively impacted by delayed shipments from Q4 2021, which were carried over in Q1, a mid-single-digit price adjustment notably in Convenience stores and distribution gains.
The US Utility Lighters market continued to decline, down 13.6% in value13. BIC lost 2.1 pts due to the lack of product availability resulting from sea freight challenges and longer lead times.
In Europe, Net Sales grew double-digit, driven by price increases, the continued recovery in traditional channels, and the success of added-value products such as Djeep and sleeve lighters.
In Latin America, we performed strongly in Brazil, driven by the continued demand for smoking and non-smoking usages, high barriers for imported lighters, and price increase implementations.
Q1 2022 Flame for Life division adjusted EBIT margin was 38.5% compared to 37.3% in Q1 2021, explained by favorable Net Sales operating leverage, and favorable fixed cost absorption. This was partly offset by higher Raw Materials and Air and Sea Freight import costs, and an increase in Brand Support, driven notably by the BIC EZ Reach advertising campaign in the US.
The Blade Excellence division's performance was driven by added-value products in Europe, solid growth in Latin America, and the successful ramp-up of our B2B blade business, BIC Blade-Tech which contributed to around 30% of the division's growth. In Europe, BIC gained market share in both France (+3.1 pts in value) and UK (+1.6 pts in value)14 fueled by the success of 3 blade products in both female and male segments. Net Sales were driven by France, the UK, Poland and Turkey. In line with our Horizon goals, our added-value products, such as the Flex and Soleil ranges, contributed successfully to growth. In the US, performance was driven by the success of our new innovation BIC Soleil Escape shaver, partially offset by the underperformance of Hybrid range shavers. We pursued our successful trade-up strategy in Latin America. Both Brazil and Mexico saw solid double-digit growth. In Brazil, we gained share (+0.3 pts in value)15 thanks to premium products such as Comfort 3 and Simply Soleil, while in Mexico, we outpaced the market (+0.3 pts in value) in both Traditional and Modern trade channels.
Q1 2022 Blade Excellence division adjusted EBIT margin was 22.4% compared to 12.7% in Q1 2021, driven by Net Sales operating leverage, favorable fixed cost absorption, and the positive contribution from BIC Blade-Tech B2B business.
Unallocated costs are mainly related to corporate headquarters costs and Clichy Headquarters sale capital gain amounting to 167.7 million euros in Q1 2021.
Our 2022 outlook is based on the following market assumptions26F6F16:
Free Cash Flow before Acquisitions and Disposals drivers:
RECONCILIATION WITH ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES
As of March 31, 2022, the total number of issued shares of SOCIÉTÉ BIC is 44,677,929 shares, representing:
Total number of treasury shares held at the end of March 2022: 442,955.
SOCIETE BIC consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2022, were approved by the Board of Directors on April 26, 2022. A presentation related to this announcement is also available on the BIC website (www.bic.com). This document contains forward-looking statements. Although BIC believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, these statements are subject to many risks and uncertainties. A description of the risks borne by BIC appears in the section, "Risks Management" in BIC's 2021 Universal Registration Document filed with the French financial markets authority (AMF) on March 25, 2022.
A world leader in stationery, lighters and shavers, BIC brings simplicity and joy to everyday Life. For more than 75 years, the Company has honored the tradition of providing high-quality, affordable, essential products to consumers everywhere. Through this unwavering dedication, BIC has become one of the most recognized brands and is a trademark registered worldwide. Today, BIC products are sold in more than 160 countries around the world and feature iconic brands such as BIC Kids™, BIC FlexTM, BodyMark by BICTM, Cello®, Djeep, Lucky Stationery, Rocketbook, Soleil®, Tipp-Ex®, Us. TM, Wite-Out®, Inkbox and more. In 2021, BIC Net Sales were 1,831.9 million euros. The Company is listed on "Euronext Paris"," is part of the SBF120 and CAC Mid 60 indexes and is recognized for its commitment to sustainable development and education. It received an A- Leadership score from CDP. For more, visit www.bic.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube.
2022 AGENDA ALL DATES TO BE CONFIRMED
1 Unaudited figures 2 See market assumptions page 9 3 YTD February – Nielsen, estimated 16% coverage 4 Period ending 3 April 2022 – IRI, estimated 70% market coverage 5 Other expenses include notably Freight & Distribution and R&D 6 See page 12 7 Including -5.6 million euros in 2022 and -1.7 million euros in 2021 related to assets payable change 8Inkbox in 2022, Haco Industries Ltd, Rocketbook and Djeep in 2021 9 Period ending 02-APR-22, NPD data 10 YTD February – Nielsen, estimated 16% coverage 11 YTD February – Nielsen, estimated 24% coverage 12 Period ending 3 April 2022 – IRI, estimated 70% market coverage 13 Period ending 3 April 2022 – IRI, estimated 70% market coverage 14 YTD March 2022, Nielsen 15 YTD February – Nielsen, estimated 62% coverage 16 Euromonitor and BIC estimates 17 Forex impact excluding Argentinian Peso (ARS) 18 Acquisitions of Inkbox in 2022 and divestiture of Pimaco in Q1 2021 19 See glossary