For release 7.00am Tuesday 14 December 2021

NWF Group plc  

NWF Group plc: Trading Update & Chair Succession

NWF Group plc ('NWF' or the Group), the specialist distributor of fuel, food and feed across the UK, today provides a trading update for the half year ended 30 November 2021 (the "Period"), together with the announcement of the proposed Chair succession process.

Trading update

The Board is pleased to report that trading in the latter part of the Period remained strong, with underlying trends in the Group's markets being consistent through the half. As a result, NWF expects to report underlying results for the first half which will be significantly ahead of the prior year, demonstrating a return on recent investments and the continued resilience of the Group. This strong first half performance provides a solid platform for the business entering the seasonally important third quarter and consequently the Board remains confident of delivering its full year expectations.

Fuels: 

·    A strong performance, which was ahead of expectations and the prior year comparative period. The division saw a short-term benefit arising from increased demand related to the fuel shortages in the Autumn, with the Group maintaining continuity of supply at all depots across the country. NWF experienced no supply shortages during this period and has a full complement of drivers to meet demand.

·   The Board continues to appraise earnings enhancing acquisition opportunities in line with the strategy of consolidating a fragmented UK Fuels market.

Food:

·   Performed well ahead of the prior year, as the business benefitted from its enlarged capacity, experiencing strong demand through the Period, as well as enhanced efficiency with stock in optimum locations.

·    There remains some near term volatility in market conditions, as customers experience difficulties in manufacturing and importing ambient groceries and supermarkets have increased stock levels as a consequence of concerns around driver availability and supply chain issues.

Feeds:

·     A disappointing performance, behind prior year as a result of lower volumes, significant commodity price and cost inflation and the challenges of passing this though to customers in the short term.

·    In the latter part of the Period, price increases were implemented to cover the inflationary pressures and there has been an element of volume recovery, albeit still lower than prior year.

Net debt at the half year was materially lower than prior year as a result of the stronger trading result, together with ongoing disciplined cash management across the Group. This provides the business with significant capacity to support its investment driven growth strategy.

Chair succession process

In line with NWF's governance policy, current Non-Executive Chair of the Group, Philip Acton will be stepping down from the Board at the time of the 2022 AGM, in September, having completed nine years' service with NWF. David Downie, currently Senior Independent Non-Executive Director will be appointed as Chair at that time. The process to recruit an additional Non-Executive Director will commence shortly, with an appointment to be made ahead of the 2022 AGM.

Richard Whiting, Chief Executive of NWF said:

"We have delivered a very strong first half performance, despite volatile market demand and significant inflationary pressures. The Group has been able to retain labour and drivers, ensuring we have continued to service our customers' needs. Both Fuels and Food have delivered significant year on year growth in the first half, more than offsetting a weaker Feeds result and we enter our seasonally busier second half with good momentum.  We continue to focus on the long-term growth of the Group, with a clear strategy which is supported by a very strong financial position." 

Information for investors, including analyst consensus forecasts, can be found on the Group's website at www.nwf.co.uk