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/

Date

Broker

New target

Recomm.


3 Jul JP Morgan... N/A Overweight

Interim Management Statement

RNS


RNS Number : 0098J

RPC Group PLC


RPC Group



10th July 13



Interim Management Statement



RPC Group Plc, Europe's leading supplier of rigid plastic packaging, is issuing the following interim management statement ahead of its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 10 July 2013 at Stationers' Hall, Ave Maria Lane, London, EC4M 7DD.





Trading performance



Trading in the period from 1st April to 30th June 2013 ("the period") was ahead of last year, resulting in adjusted operating profit (before exceptional items) being slightly ahead of management expectations. We have seen higher activity levels and as anticipated, the sales mix continued to increase towards higher value added products.



The financial position remains robust with satisfactory cash flow development in the quarter and the Group retains significant headroom under its existing debt facilities.



The "Fitter for the Future" business optimisation project continues to progress well with the Antwerp site in Belgium now closed and the transfer of business from the Beuningen site (Netherlands) going to plan as are the additional cost efficiency measures across several sites. The Group has reached agreement to sell two redundant properties.



Pim Vervaat, RPC's Chief Executive said:



"The year has started satisfactorily with improved activity levels in what remains a challenging macro-economic environment. The Group continues to seek higher added value growth both within and outside Europe and, with its strong market positions and leading technological capabilities, remains confident in its ability to deliver further progress in the current financial year."

Gone long on RPC. Very cheap and plenty of packing need in this hot weather. Last results were good. Update 1st of August

Ex dividend 7 Aug 10.6p payment 6 Sept

5 Aug JP Morgan... N/A Overweight

RPC Group: RBC Capital initiates with a target price of 540p and an outperform rating.

RPC Group PLC (RPC:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 528.00. Over this period, the share price is up 35.21%.

RPC Group: Deutsche Bank initiates with a target price of 670p and a buy recommendation.

Trading Statement

RNS


RNS Number : 2857D

RPC Group PLC

27 March 2014






27 March 2014





RPC Group





Pre close trading statement





RPC Group, Europe's leading supplier of rigid plastic packaging, today issues its pre close trading statement for the financial year ending 31March 2014 ahead of its full year results due to be published on 4 June.





Trading performance



Revenue in the fourth quarter is anticipated to be ahead of the corresponding period last year due to the inclusion of the recently acquired businesses and better underlying activity levels. The Group's overall trading performance for the full year 2013/14 is anticipated to be in line with management expectations.



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





Other Developments



The integration of the M&H Plastics and Helioplast businesses, which were acquired in December 2013, has been completed with the synergy potential verified and slightly ahead of expectations. The "Fitter for the Future" programme is progressing well with production having ceased at the Troyes plant in France and the consolidation of the Swedish plants proceeding to plan.





Pim Vervaat, RPC's Chief Executive said:



"The performance for the year is anticipated to be in line with our expectations. I am pleased with the progress we have made towards the strategic goals set out in our Vision 2020 focused growth strategy and I am confident that further progress will be made going forward against the backdrop of more encouraging macro-economic conditions."

Proposed Placing

RNS


RNS Number : 0339G

RPC Group PLC

01 May 2014






THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THE APPENDICES) AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

Further, this Announcement is for information purposes only and shall not constitute an offer to sell or issue or the solicitation of an offer to buy, subscribe for or otherwise acquire any new ordinary shares of RPC Group plc in any jurisdiction in which any such offer or solicitation would be unlawful.

RPC Group Plc

Proposed placing of approximately 13 million new ordinary shares to raise approximately £75 million

RPC Group Plc ("RPC" or the "Company" or the "Group"), an international rigid plastic packaging supplier to the food and non-food, consumer and industrial markets, today announces the placing of approximately 13 million new ordinary shares of 5 pence each in the Company (the "Placing Shares") representing approximately 8 per cent. of the Company's existing issued ordinary share capital (the "Placing"). The Placing is expected to raise £75 million and is being conducted through a bookbuilding process which will be launched immediately following this Announcement.

The proceeds of the Placing will be used to part finance the acquisition of ACE Corporation Holdings Limited ("ACE") as announced earlier today, for an initial consideration of approximately US$301 million (£178 million) and a total consideration of up to US$430 million (£255 million) on a debt-free, cash-free basis (the "Acquisition"). The initial consideration to be paid for ACE represents a multiple of 7.4 times 2013 EBITDA.

Background to and reasons for the Placing

ACE, established over 25 years ago, is one of the Far East's industry leaders in the manufacture of plastic injection moulded components and injection moulding tools for niche segments within the packaging, lifestyle, medical, power and automotive end markets. Headquartered in Hong Kong, ACE operates five technologically advanced production plants in mainland China with approximately 3,300 employees. For the year ended 31 December 2013, ACE achieved revenues of HK$ 1,355 million (£104 million) and EBITDA of HK$ 314 million (£24 million), these results representing growth of 25% and 38% respectively from the year ended 31 December 2012.

RPC proposes to fund the initial consideration of US$ 301 million (£178 million) through the issue of approximately 8.5 million ordinary shares to the ACE Sellers (subject to customary "lock-in" arrangements), the Placing of approximately 13 million ordinary shares to raise approximately £75 million, with the balance funded through new debt (principally through a new £350 million revolving credit facility arranged alongside the Acquisition) and existing cash reserves. The Board expects pro forma leverage as at 31 March 2014 to be approximately 1.8 times the Enlarged Group's net debt / EBITDA.

Details of the Placing

The Placing will be conducted in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in Appendix I. The Placing will be effected by way of an accelerated bookbuilding to be managed by Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch ("Deutsche Bank") and Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited ("Panmure Gordon" and together with Deutsche Bank the "Joint Bookrunners"). The bookbuilding process will commence with immediate effect. The timing of the closing of the book, pricing and allocations is at the absolute discretion of the Joint Bookrunners. The price at which the Placing Shares are to be placed (the "Placing Price") and the number of Placing Shares will be agreed by the Company with the Joint Bookrunners at the close of the bookbuilding period. Details of the Placing Price and the number of Placing Shares will be announced as soon as practicable after the close of the bookbuilding process. The Placing Shares will, when issued, be credited as fully paid and will rank equally in all respects with the existing ordinary shares of the Company, including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid in respect of such shares after the date of issue of the Placing Shares.

The Placing is conditional upon, amongst other things, admission of the Placing Shares to the premium listing segment of the Official List maintained by the UK Listing Authority and to trading by the London Stock Exchange on its main market for listed securities, becoming effective ("Admission") and the placing agreement between the Company and the Joint Bookrunners not being terminated prior to Admission. The Placing is not conditional on completion of the Acquisition. In the event that the Acquisition does not complete, it is the Directors' current intention that the net proceeds of the Placing would be retained by the Company for general corporate purposes and (where possible) acquisitions that fulfil the Company's strategic objectives.

Settlement for the Placing Shares as well as Admission of the Placing Shares is expected to take place on 7 May 2014.

Questor share tip: RPC shares look cheap

Recent acquisitions make shares in this growing plastics specialist look cheap, says Questor


By John Ficenec, Questor editor

6:00AM BST 02 May 2014

RPC
623½p+23½
Questor says BUY



RPC Group


Plastics specialist RPC is growing its profits and dividends. What’s more, yesterday it agreed its biggest ever acquisition that will add about 10pc to group revenues and expand operations in the fast-growing Asian market. That means the shares are now looking cheap.


RPC is an innovator in packaging. The company makes lightweight rigid plastic products, but these products are a world away from boxes and cellophane; one of RPC’s fastest-growing markets is coffee-machine capsules for the new generation of home machines.


This gives the company a barrier to entry as each design is specific to the customer. Plastic packaging is increasingly popular in the food industry as it is cheaper to make and costs less to transport than traditional glass and metal containers. Revenue from the food industry tends to be fairly defensive as these are consumable and disposable items that create recurring demand.


In the automotive industry, metal parts on dashboards are also being replaced by plastic equivalents.


Shares in the company, whose client base includes Nestle, Heinz, Dulux and Unilever, surged nearly 4pc yesterday after management said it had agreed a £255m deal to acquire Hong Kong-based packaging group ACE. This deal brings 100pc ownership of five manufacturing plants in mainland China. The price paid looks reasonable as well; ACE made revenue of HK$1.35bn (£104m) and earnings of £24m, with growth of 25pc and 38pc respectively on a year earlier.

To fund the deal, RPC will carry out a private placing of 13m shares, about 8pc of the company, to raise £75m and ACE will be paid in 8.5m shares worth about £53m. The balance of the payment, up to £125m, will come from newly agreed debt facilities.

RPC has been on something of an acquisition spree during the past six months. The company paid £103.5m for UK-based Maynard & Harris last December, and £7m for Helioplast, based in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in January.

This has certainly caused the level of debt to increase from an estimated £265m at the end of March to around £315m today. However, RPC has an excellent track record of generating cash to reduce those debts. The company made about £50m in free cash flow during the first half of the year, an increase of two thirds on the same period a year earlier.

It looks as though RPC’s forecasts could get upgraded in the coming months. In the year to March 31, analysts are expecting revenue of £1.06bn and pre-tax profits of £81.5m, giving earnings per share of 37.3p. The interesting prospect is what happens when a full year of revenue and profits from the recent acquisitions kicks in. The current estimates (see table) look conservative.

RPC has a good track record with acquisitions. The company bought Superfos in 2011 and delivered more cost savings than originally anticipated. RPC said in a trading update last month that savings from the Helioplast and M&H deals were ahead of expectations.

The total dividend payout this year is expected to be 15.5p, a 4pc year-on-year increase, rising to 16.8p next year. This will represent the 21st consecutive year that the company has increased its payout, and the prospective yield is 2.5pc.

The group trades on a forward earnings multiple of 13.7, falling to 12.6. Questor thinks that looks cheap given the rapid growth of profits at the company. RPC is always at risk from a sharp increase in the price of oil, which drives up plastic polymer prices, but over the long term RPC looks well placed.

Questor advised buying the shares last year (407.7p, June 6) and since then investors have enjoyed gains of 53pc. The recent acquisitions look well priced and we are comfortable retaining our initial advice. Buy.

RPC Group: JP Morgan ups target price from 675p to 690p reiterating an overweight rating

Shares - set to reveal finals 4 June .

Final Results

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4823408

RPC Group: Panmure Gordon ups target price from 728p to 787p and keeps a buy recommendation.

RPC Group: JP Morgan raises target price from 690p to 740p and reiterates an overweight rating

Thu, 05 June 2014

Packaging manufacturer RPC’s financials have two main drivers: macroeconomic trends and its success in moving away from what it calls ‘commoditised packaging’ in search of higher margins. On the first of those fronts, its markets in the Eurozone saw some recovery, such as in Spain, the UK and in the Nordic countries. As for the latter, after an acquisition last May the firm managed to begin to diversify away from the single currency area, which up until then had provide up to two thirds of its business.

Bolstering its drive for margins, last December it acquired M&H Plastics, a British manufacturer of personal care products, followed by the purchase of ACE. The latter fabricates differentiated packaging for the US automotive industry. The firm is also looking to establish a beachhead in Latin America. Another key aspect of the outfit is that it has not cut its dividend since coming onto the market in 1993. Furthermore, there is no reason why they should not grow at 10% a year going forward. “The shares have done well since the summer, but they look worth holding for further progress,” writes The Times’ Tempus.

Interim Management Statement

RNS


RNS Number : 4687M

RPC Group PLC

16 July 2014






16 July 2014



RPC Group



Interim Management Statement



RPC Group Plc, Europe's leading supplier of rigid plastic packaging, is issuing the following interim management statement ahead of its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 16 July 2014 at Stationers' Hall, Ave Maria Lane, London, EC4M 7DD.



Trading performance



Trading in the period from 1 April to 30 June 2014 ("the period") was in line with management's expectations, with both revenues and adjusted operating profit (before exceptional items) ahead of last year and the recently acquired businesses making a good contribution to the Group's performance. The appreciation of the pound versus both the Euro and US dollar had an adverse translation impact on the adjusted operating profit in the period as a significant part of revenues are in these currencies. Activity levels were slightly above the prior year on a like-for-like basis and the ACE businesses in China performed well during the period, of which the last month will be consolidated into RPC's accounts.



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



The Vision 2020 Focused Growth Strategy continues to gain momentum. The acquisition of ACE was completed on 2 June 2014 providing the Group with a further platform for profitable growth outside Europe; its integration is progressing well. Initial customer responses to the creation of this Asian platform have been encouraging. The final phase of the "Fitter for the Future" business optimisation project continues to progress well.



Pim Vervaat, RPC's Chief Executive said:



"Our overall performance in the first quarter was robust. The acquired businesses are integrating well with performances in line with expectations and we continue to invest for organic growth in the USA to further enhance the Group's position outside Europe."

Telegraph - Fund manager's FTSE 250 share tip of the week

Each week we look at a promising mid-cap share. This week: RPC Group, a firm which supplies plastic packaging to brands such as Heinz, Dulux and Nestlé

Heinz ketchup bottles

The company, which supplies plastic packaging to Heinz, has increased its dividend for 21 consecutive years Photo: AP


By Kyle Caldwell

12:05PM BST 19 Sep 2014




Plastics specialist RPC Group is tapping into the fast-growing Asian market, which, according to fund manager James Thorne, will keep the company’s stellar dividend record on track.


The firm, which supplies plastic packaging to brands such as Heinz, Dulux and Nestlé, has increased its dividend for 21 consecutive years.


Mr Thorne, who manages the Threadneedle UK Mid 250 fund, said the firm’s acquisition of Hong Kong-based packaging group ACE in May would reduce manufacturing costs, which would help boost the firm’s profits. As the company had a generous dividend policy, the outlook for income investors looked bright, he added.


“The acquisition has given RPC the opportunity to take its European customer base into the growing Asia region while reducing costs at the same time,” Mr Thorne said. “The shares currently yield 3.4pc but the dividend should rise steadily over time and ahead of the market.”


One of RPC’s best-selling products is coffee capsules for the new generation of home machines. Mr Thorne said the firm had other new products in the pipeline that would keep it ahead of its competitors.



He said: “The company has managed to grow against the headwinds of a strong currency and a difficult European economy and we believe any improvement in these areas would lead to additional growth for the firm.”

Trading Statement

RNS


RNS Number : 9119S

RPC Group PLC

30 September 2014






30 September 2014

RPC Group Plc



Pre-close Trading Statement



RPC Group Plc, Europe's leading rigid plastic packaging supplier, today issues a pre-close trading statement.



Trading performance in the period 1 April to 30 September 2014



Revenues are expected to be significantly ahead of the corresponding period last year reflecting the contribution from recent acquisitions and good growth in the USA, coffee capsules and UK DIY markets.



The Group's operating profit (before exceptional items) in the first half year is anticipated to be in line with management expectations despite ongoing foreign exchange translation headwinds and an adverse time lag in passing through polymer prices.



The Group continues to have a strong financial position with cash flow performance in the first half year expected to be satisfactory.



Other developments



The Fitter for the Future programme is now well advanced. The sale of the Offenburg business (Germany) has completed and, as announced on 11 September 2014, the Group has entered into binding agreements on the sale of the two sheet businesses in Lokeren (Belgium) and Montonate (Italy).



The integration of the M&H Plastics and Helioplast businesses has been successfully completed whilst the integration of the ACE business is making good progress, with both packaging and non-packaging customers confirming the strategic growth potential.



Commenting on the first half year's performance and ongoing developments, Pim Vervaat, RPC's Chief Executive Officer said:



"The performance for the first half year is encouraging against the backdrop of a continuing challenging economic environment in the Eurozone. We continue to focus on delivering organic growth whilst also looking for opportunities to further benefit from the ongoing consolidation in the European rigid plastic packaging industry and the globalisation trend in higher added value products."