Business
Pre-Close Trading Update
Pre-Close Trading Update.
About this update from Strix Group Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n \n \n25 July 2024\n \nStrix Group Plc\n \n(\"Strix\", the \"Group\" or the \"Company\")\n \nPre-Close Trading Update\n \nStrix Group Plc (AIM:KETL), the global leader in the design, manufacture and supply of kettle safety controls and other complementary water temperature management components, provides a pre-close trading update for the six-month period ended 30 June 2024.\n \nThe Group confirms that it remains on track to report adjusted profit before tax for the year ending 31 December 2024 (\"FY 2024\") in line with current market expectations. Cash conservation actions taken in H1 2024 have resulted in cash generation for the Group being ahead of market expectations which, in conjunction with the equity placing that was originated by a reverse enquiry in June 2024, has supported an accelerated reduction in net debt leverage to comfortably less than 2.0x as at 30 June 2024. The Group remains focused on delivering on its stated target to reduce net debt leverage to 1.5x by the end of FY 2025.\n \nThe recovery in the Kettle Controls regulated and less regulated markets continues to show promising signs as Strix moves into the peak season. Whilst it is too early to determine whether this uptick is due to stock refill or an underlying improvement in consumer demand, the initial indicators are encouraging. In addition, a new range of low-cost controls tailored to the domestic Chinese and less regulated market requirements will be launched in H2 2024, increasing Strix's target addressable market.\n \nThe acquisition of Billi allowed the Premium Filtration Systems division to deliver single-digit growth on a constant currency basis in H1 2024. Strix anticipates that the roll-out of new product development alongside the European expansion via strategic sales and service partners in the second half of the year will see the division produce double-digit growth on a constant currency basis for FY 2024 versus FY 2023.\n \nRestructuring initiatives continue to be successfully implemented across the Group to support improved efficiency, sustainability and cost control, whilst building a suitable platform and providing resources for the Group's mid-term growth objectives. In particular, this has led to a re-focusing of our Consumer Goods division to concentrate...