Interim Management Statement
Highlights for the period include:
· Exit from UK Solid Waste on schedule. This has included the sale of the majority of our UK Solid Waste business to Biffa, completed on 31 December 2013, and the closure of the Blochairn and Kettering facilities.
· On track delivery of our Benelux Solid Waste cost reduction plan, including commencement of the first elements of the Shared Service Centres.
· Continued investment to grow our Hazardous Waste division. Permits have already been granted for the expansion of our profitable water storage facilities at ATM in Moerdijk.
· Construction work continuing on schedule with the £200M programmes at the Wakefield and Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham (BDR) PFI sites.
· Final planning permission secured for the Derby PFI gasification plant, allowing us to work towards financial close.
· Good progress with several early stage bid activities in the North American Organics market .
Notwithstanding the above, markets are challenging, with ongoing pressure on volumes and prices in Benelux solid waste and in EU organics.
Cash and borrowings
The Group delivered a strong cash performance in the third quarter, with net debt as at 31 December 2013 falling sharply to £151m from £182m at the half year. The reduction was due to strong working capital management, the receipt of sale proceeds from the UK solid Waste exit, an insurance payment relating to the Vliko fire in August and timing differences in PFI construction payments. Whilst there will be a cash outflow in the fourth quarter due to dividend and tax payments, we expect to finish the year with a comfortable net debt to EBITDA ratio, slightly better than our previous expectations.
Refinancing of Group banking facilities
A new revolving credit facility of €180m was signed with seven major banks on 31 January 2014. The new agreement will expire in January 2019 and refinances the existing bank facility which was due to expire in June 2015. The margins on the new facility are at a lower cost than the existing arrangements.
This follows the successful completion in July 2013 of our second Belgian retail bond, which raised €100m.
Outlook
The Board remains confident that the Group will deliver a trading result in line with its expectations for the year ended 31 March 2014.