RPC was established in 1991 following the management buyout of the plastic operations of Reedpack Ltd from SCA. Originally comprising five UK factories, the company today has over 55 operations in 19 countries and employs more than 11,100 people, with annual sales in excess of £1bn. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1993 and entered the FTSE 250 in March 2011.

RPC is unique in offering products manufactured by the three main conversion processes – blow moulding, injection moulding and thermoforming, each technology producing different product characteristics that are suitable for specific packaging applications. It is structured along market and technological lines into six clusters which are aligned to these three processes.

Each cluster has on average seven manufacturing sites, operating across a wide geographical area for reasons of customer proximity, local market demand and manufacturing resource. Each plant is run autonomously.

This structure gives RPC a high degree of knowledge and expertise, along with the flexibility to deal with all types of sizes of businesses, and enables the company to deliver packaging solutions tailored each time to individual customer requirements, as well as the highest levels of service and support.


http://www.rpc-group.com/

I'd like to see that DC....... on knees praying.....

I'm surprised it has not moved a lot faster Bb . Lets hope for another upward push.

29th January 2015.

Announcement of 3rd Quarter Interim Management Statement.

Please Note - Streaming News is only available to subscribers to the Active Level and above



Interim Management Statement
RNS
RNS Number : 4262D
RPC Group PLC
29 January 2015



RPC Group



29 January 2015



Interim Management Statement



RPC Group, the leading international rigid plastic supplier to packaging and non-packaging markets, today issues its interim management statement for the period from 1 October 2014.



Trading performance



Revenues for the Group ("continuing operations") in the third quarter of the financial year 2014/15 ("the period") increased compared to the same period last year due to the contribution from acquisitions and slightly higher underlying activity levels.



The Group's adjusted operating profit in the period was in line with management expectations and significantly ahead of prior year due to the organic growth, benefits from the Fitter for the Future programme and the contribution from acquisitions. In the period there was a benefit from the time lag in passing through declining polymer prices to the customer base which was to some extent offset by the foreign exchange translation headwinds caused by the strengthening of the £ versus the €. Both trends are anticipated to continue in the final quarter of the financial year.



The Group's financial position remains robust with satisfactory cash flow development in the third quarter and significant headroom under the Group's debt facilities.



Vision 2020



Good progress continues to be made in implementing the Vision 2020 focused growth strategy by growing organically and through acquisitions. The overall performance of M&H Plastics, Helioplast and Ace has been encouraging, and these acquisitions have enhanced the Group's management and technical capabilities whilst extending its geographical reach. The integration has now been largely completed.



The Fitter for the Future programme has been successful and is nearing completion. Preparation for the integration of Promens is progressing well with completion of the acquisition anticipated by end of March at the latest as anti-trust clearances have already been received from the German, Polish and Russian authorities.





Pim Vervaat, RPC's Chief Executive, said:



"Despite the difficult trading environment in Europe, I am encouraged by the Group's recent trading performance and the contributions from the recent acquisitions. Looking forward, the acquisition of the Promens business will be a further significant step in realising the focused growth strategy outlined in Vision 2020 whilst we continue to explore additional growth opportunities."

only blue in my lot this morning..... :)

560p today...........maybe.,.

Share centre -


RPC


RPC (RPC) General Industrials 542.50 c -1.40% Balanced Medium Buy
Analysis last updated on 30/01/15 at 545p Recommended stop loss of 15%




Company overview

RPC is a supplier of a wide range of plastic packaging, used for everything from jerry cans to fruit juice bottles and cleaning sprays, with operations in Europe, the USA and Asia. RPC is not itself a household name, but the brands for which it supplies packaging certainly are, including Ragu sauce, Nivea cream and Dulux paint.


Our view

Under/overvalued?

RPC beat market expectations with its interim results, posting a 12% rise in overall revenues and a 4% increase in like-for-like sales. Adjusted pre-tax profits were up 33% on the previous year, the dividend was raised 11%, and the company said second-half trading had begun satisfactorily. The company also announced the £307m acquisition of Promens Group, a European plastic packaging group based in Iceland, to be funded partly by a £200m rights issue.

Trading continued at a healthy level in the third quarter according to an update in January from the company. Recent acquisitions and good underlying activity both contributed, but the strength of sterling against the euro proved a headwind during the period.

RPC's shares trade on a 2016 PE of 12.3, which is slightly lower than its main UK peer Rexam even though the market is expecting RPC's earnings and dividends to grow by 20% over the next two years in contrast to a decline at Rexam.

We retain our 'Buy' recommendation on the shares because of the company's recent move into the fast-growing Asian markets, the streamlining of European operations and strong dividend policy which are all attractive for investors looking for a mixture of income and growth. The poor economic backdrop in Europe may weigh on the stock, but they still offer good value at this level.

Bullish points

• The company is making good progress with the new growth strategy adopted last year which aims to grow sales in the US and Asia both organically and through acquisitions.

• The wide range of packaging products across many different sectors provides good diversity and exposure to a number of consumer markets.

• Consumer confidence is improving in the UK and US, while the growing middle classes in emerging markets should boost growth for RPC's customers.

• A strong dividend policy which has seen payments to shareholders rise every year for the past 21 years, with a further 12% expected this year.

• Comprehensive programme to improve efficiency and profit margins through business and property disposals mostly in the UK and Europe should continue to yield results.

Bearish points

• Poor economic backdrop in mainland Europe and the cyclical nature of the business due to connection with consumer markets.

• Debt levels are relatively high for the sector which could have an impact if interest rates rise rapidly.

Comment last reviewed 30 January 2015

Author: Ian Forrest, Investment Research Analyst




The facts

The £200m rights issue to help fund the acquisition of Promens Group will be on a 1-for-3 basis at 320p, representing a 41.5% discount to the closing price the day before the announcement. The market welcomed news of the acquisition of Promens and the fact that it will enhance earnings and provide annual cost synergies of around 15m.

It will also increase RPC's market share across a number of European markets as well as in China where it will build on the ACE acquisition made earlier this year. The rights issue is due to be completed in the first quarter of 2015.

RPC acquired Chinese packaging group ACE Corp in June for $301 million, and a further $129 million will be paid if the company achieves specific performance targets over the next four years. In September RPC said the integration of the business is making good progress.


Geographic breakdown of sales for the six months to September 2014:

France 13%
Germany 32%
UK 27%
Other Europe 17%
Outside Europe 11%

Below are the trailing 12 month results to the end of the final period versus the previous 12 month trailing period. As we are reporting rolling returns below, the data will be different to that which you see on other parts of our web site. Results are as follows

Current

Basic Earnings per Share 26.4 pence
Dividend per Share 16.00 pence
Dividend Yield 2.75%
Revenue £1,079 million
Operating Profit/(Loss) £101 million
Cash on the Balance Sheet £3 million

Previous

Basic Earnings per Share 21.1 pence
Dividend per Share 15.10 pence
Revenue £988 million
Operating Profit/(Loss) £134 million
Debt to Equity 67.5%

Change

Basic Earnings per Share 25.1%
Dividend per Share 6%
Revenue 9%
Operating Profit/(Loss) -24.9%

Forecast Estimates 2016

Earnings per share 44.9
P/E 12.3
Dividend yield 3.1%

Month(s) company is expected to go ex-dividend

August
December

2 Feb Canaccord... 655.00 Buy

11 Feb RBC Capital... 670.00 Outperform

20 February 2015

For immediate release

RPC Group Plc

("RPC" or the "Company")

Completion of Promens Group AS Acquisition

RPC, the international rigid plastic supplier to packaging and non-packaging markets, is pleased to announce the completion of the acquisition of Promens Group AS ("Promens"), details of which were announced on 27 November 2014, following receipt of all required anti-trust clearances.

Pim Vervaat, Chief Executive of RPC, commented:

"We are pleased to have completed the acquisition of Promens and look forward to welcoming our new colleagues into the RPC Group. The combination of RPC and Promens will create an enhanced platform of scale across our core European end markets enabling us to deliver superior value for our customers and shareholders in the future."

Jakob Sigurdsson, President & Chief Executive Officer of Promens, commented:



"The combination of RPC and Promens will be a very powerful one which will undoubtedly deliver tremendous value for our customers through the enlarged Group's enhanced product, technology and geographic reach, together with the interaction of our respective employees in sharing best practice with their vast experience in the plastics industry. This transaction is a testimony of the outstanding work of the employees of Promens over many years."

18 Mar Jefferies... 685.00 Buy

27 Mar RBC Capital... 650.00 Outperform

Pre Close Trading Statement
RNS
RNS Number : 9077I
RPC Group PLC
31 March 2015





RPC Group



31 March 2015



Pre Close Trading Statement



RPC Group, the leading international rigid plastic supplier to packaging and non-packaging markets, today issues its Pre Close Trading Statement for the financial year ending 31 March 2015, ahead of its full year results announcement due to be published on 9 June 2015.



Trading Performance



Group revenue and adjusted operating profit ("continuing operations") for the financial year 2014/15 are anticipated to be in line with management's expectations and significantly ahead of the previous year driven by organic growth, benefits from the now concluded Fitter for the Future programme and the contribution of acquisitions.



The year benefited from the time lag in passing through declining polymer prices to the customer base, although this was largely offset by the foreign exchange translation headwinds caused by the strengthening of the £ versus the €.



The Group's financial position remains robust with satisfactory cash flow development during the period and significant headroom under the Group's debt facilities.



Implementation of Vision 2020



Good progress continues to be made in implementing the Vision 2020 focused growth strategy by growing organically and through acquisitions.



The acquisition of Promens Group AS completed on 20 February 2015. The integration of this business into RPC has commenced and is proceeding according to plan. The announced pre-tax cost synergies of at least €15 million (before integration costs) per annum are confirmed and the potential for additional synergies is actively being explored.



In February 2015, RPC also acquired PET Power which enhances its sales into the cosmetics, food and pharmaceutical markets. PET Power has one manufacturing location in the Netherlands and sales offices in the UK, Germany and Austria. Turnover in 2014 was €45 million. The business meets RPC's strict acquisition criteria and will serve as a platform for further growth in mainland Europe.



Pim Vervaat, RPC's Chief Executive, said:



"I am pleased with the improvement in business performance and by the contribution from recent acquisitions. We are progressing well with the integration of Promens and continue to explore additional growth opportunities in line with our Vision 2020 focused growth strategy."

31 Mar Panmure Gordon 828.00 Buy

IC, the shares meanwhile trade on 13 times forecast earnings , representing a good time to buy before the full effects of the recent investment in growth are realised.

Keeps trying to push through and hold the other side of 600p. Come on you bar steward :))

Well........ through 600p.....can it hold..... with the ftse through 7000.....maybe.,.

I can smell 800p :-))

Nice jump this morning of 21p so far, here we go.,.