Distil is the new name for Blavod - Old thread here




Based in London, Blavod Wines & Spirits plc is the owner of Blavod Original Black Vodka, Blackwood's Vintage Gin, Blackwood's Limited Edition Vintage Gin, Blackwood's Vodka, RedLeg Spiced Rum, Diva Vodka and Jago's Vanilla Cream Liqueur. The Company markets and sells its brands in a number of international markets including the UK, USA, Germany, Spain, Australia and Russia.

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Distil PLC Fundamentals

Starting to look interesting again.

It's what they call a spirited rise skinny!😃 It was tipped as a buy yesterday by, I think, Investor's Champion, whoever that is!

🥂

Interim Results

Interim Results for the six months ended 30th September 2018

Distil (AIM: DIS), owner of premium drinks brands; RedLeg Spiced Rum, Blackwoods Gin and Vodka, Blavod Black Vodka, Jago's Cream Liqueur and Diva Vodka, today announces its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30th September 2018.

Operational review:

· New listings achieved in France and Canada

· Increased investment in marketing support at point of sale

· Development of new gift packaging and miniature bottle formats

· Implementation of operational cost savings

Financial Review - versus same period last year:

· Revenue increased by 42.3% to £1.164m (2017: £0.818m)

· Gross profit increased by 54.7% to £710k (2017: £459k)

· Volume (litres) increased by 30.7%

· Investment in brand marketing and promotion increased by 56.8% to £312k (2017: £199k)

· Other administration costs increased by 9.7% to £293k (2017: £267k)

· Operating profit of £101k (2017: loss £21k)

· Cash reserves of £957k (2017: £690k)


Don Goulding Executive Chairman, commenting on these results said:


"The strong growth momentum enjoyed in the previous financial year has continued into the six months to 30 September 2018 and I am pleased to report healthy year-on-year increases in revenue, profit and cash.

Investment in marketing support increased ahead of sales as we continued to build our brands. Additional funds were also used to develop gift packaging for RedLeg Spiced Rum and Blackwoods Gin, ready for launch ahead of the Christmas trading period, together with a range of miniature bottle formats.

Operational improvements together with significant volume growth during the period have assisted gains in gross profit margin and contribution margin.

We have also ensured all planned measures to maximise benefits and offset possible risks relating to the UK exit from the EU have been finalised and fully implemented, well ahead of the anticipated date of March 2019."

Executive Chairman's Statement

Results versus same period last year

We delivered further year-on-year sales and volume growth across our brands during the period. Sales revenue advanced 42% whilst combined case volume grew 31% despite a decline of Blavod licensed sales in Eastern Europe. RedLeg Spiced Rum and Blackwoods Gin delivered particularly strong performances across the retail segment.

Gross Profit margin improved to 61% from last year's previous high of 56% whilst brand marketing investment increased by 57%, feeding through to an improved contribution margin of 34%, up from 32% in the same period last year.

Our strong brand performance, operational improvements and continued tight control of overheads enabled us to deliver a maiden first half profit during the period.

Operations

Having a strong consumer promotional programme in place, our main focus during the first half has been to work with our production and packaging partners to ensure efficient and cost effective supply to our customers and distributors especially during the unusually hot summer which resulted in higher than usual promotional demand spikes.


During this time, we maintained supply throughout and improved margins.

Outlook

The important Christmas trading period is always aggressively contested but likely to be particularly competitive this year within the Spirits market as all categories fight to regain market share from gin. In the growing gin category, we are likely to see the variety of new brands and flavours competing for distribution, trial and share.

Our promotional plans are in place supported by additional PR and social media campaigns, new cocktail recipes together with new premium gift packaging for Blackwoods Gin and RedLeg Spiced Rum, details of which will be shown on our websites in early November.

Blackwoods Gin Gift Set

Going away for a couple of days skinny so don't send it until I get back!😃

:-)

Trading Update

Distil plc (AIM: DIS), owner of premium drinks brands RedLeg Spiced Rum, Blackwoods Gin and Vodka, Blavod Black Vodka, Jago's Cream Liqueur and Diva vodka, is pleased to report higher levels of sales during the third quarter ending 31 December including the important Christmas period.

Year-on-year third quarter (October to December 2018) revenues and volumes increased by 29%, supported by a 53% increase in brand marketing investment.

Year to date sales for the nine-month period April to December increased 36% in revenue and 30% in volume, with marketing investment increasing 51%.

Don Goulding, Executive Chairman of Distil, said:

"Our brands continued to perform well in Q3, growing volume and value across all trade channels in a highly competitive market.

We increased marketing investment in promotional activity over the Christmas period to build stronger consumer awareness, trial and purchase of our key brands.

Early reports from major customers indicate good year-on-year sales in the four weeks running up to Christmas, although consumers appeared to leave many purchases and celebrations until late in the month.

The outlook for the final quarter to 31 March 2019 remains positive with full year out-turn expected to be in line with market expectations."

Not brilliant but not bad either. Market not too keen at the moment!