09 Aug 2017 --- Symrise AG has reported strong growth in the first half of the current fiscal year, remaining on track for full-year. The group has increased sales in all segments and regions and was once again among the fastest-growing companies in the industry.

Sales were up 3.6 percent in the first half of the year to € 1,515.3 million (US$1,777 million) (H1 2016: € 1,462.5 million (US$1714.4 million)). After adjustment for portfolio and exchange rate effects, the organic growth in sales actually amounted to 5.2 percent. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), at € 322.9 million (US$378.7 million), was at the same level as in the first half of 2016. With an EBITDA margin of 21.3 percent, Symrise remains highly profitable.

Against the backdrop of the very satisfactory business performance, Symrise is raising its full-year EBITDA margin guidance, and now expects the EBITDA margin in 2017 to exceed 20 percent.

“The strong growth results from our unique positioning,” said Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Bertram, CEO of Symrise AG.

“The targeted and continuous investments in our competencies and capacity are paying off. We see this as a confirmation of our strategy. With the recent acquisition of Cobell, we are strengthening our position in the lucrative UK beverage market, which promises additional sales potential for our innovative applications. We are in an excellent position to meet the rising demand for our products and to stay on track for growth in the second half of this year. Our goals are unchanged: We want to remain one of the fastest-growing companies in the industry and to operate highly profitable.”

Demand remains strong
For the first half of the year, Symrise increased its sales by 3.6 percent to € 1,515.3 million (US$1,777 million) (H1 2016: € 1,462.5 million (US$1714.4 million)). Adjusted for portfolio and exchange rate effects, the group achieved organic growth of 5.2 percent, which again placed Symrise among the fastest-growing companies in the industry. This strong performance was carried by all segments and regions.

At the regional level, strong contributions to sales growth came from Latin America and EAME, with increases of 12 percent and 4 percent (at reporting currency), followed by North America with 2 percent and Asia/Pacific with 1 percent. Sales in Emerging Markets were 5 percent higher in the period under review and accounted for 43 percent of overall sales.

Flavor segment
The Flavor segment delivered a very satisfactory sales increase of 7.2 percent in the period under review to € 554.8 million (US$650.5 million) (H1 2016: € 517.8 million (US$607.1 million)) in reporting currency. The organic growth, to which all application areas contributed, actually amounted to 8.6 percent. The growth was driven mainly by strong demand for sweets and new businesses in beverages. There was also an increase in order intake for savory applications, especially in Western Europe and North Africa.

Due to increased demand, EBITDA in the segment was up 2.6 percent to € 123.0 million (US$144 million) (H1 2016: € 119.9 million (US$140.5 million)), and the EBITDA margin was a very healthy 22.2 percent (H1 2016: 23.1 percent).

Within the scope of its strategy of continued portfolio expansion, Symrise signed a purchase agreement with the shareholders of the British company Cobell Limited in May 2017. Cobell, which was established in 1999, is a supplier of natural raw materials and juice bases for the beverage industry in the UK. The company generated in 2016 annual sales of around €58 million (US$68 million). The acquisition reaffirms Symrise's goal of reinforcing its strong position in the British beverage market. Cobell complements the Group's current business activities in the UK, expands its local presence and creates closer proximity to key customers.

Nutrition segment
Nutrition was also a fast growing segment in the first half of the year. The segment seamlessly continued its dynamic growth course from the previous quarter, with sales up by 16.3 percent to € 322.2 million (US$377.8 million) (H1 2016: € 277.0 million (US$324.6 million)). Adjusted for currency and acquisition effects (acquisition of Nutra Canada and Nutraceutix), organic growth amounted to a high growth of 8.6 percent. This result was bolstered by pet food applications which showed double-digit growth in almost all core markets. Substantial gains were also posted in food ingredients, especially in North and South America.

Due to the dynamic business performance, the segment achieved very pleasing results on the earnings side as well. EBITDA showed a 13.1 percent increase in the reporting period to € 71.6 million (US$83.9 million) (H1 2016: € 63.3 million (US$74.2 million)). The EBITDA margin was an outstanding 22.2 percent (H1 2016: 22.8 percent).

Symrise raises profitability guidance
After the strong first half and a good start in the third quarter, Symrise is looking ahead to the remaining months of the year with confidence. Despite the political unrest and economic uncertainties in some countries, the Group expects demand and growth to be generally strong. Against this backdrop, and in view of the recent investment projects, Symrise is increasing its guidance for the EBITDA margin for the fiscal year 2017 and now expects to achieve a margin of over 20 percent. In addition, the Company is confirming its goal of once again exceeding the growth rate of the global flavor and fragrances market. According to estimates, the global market is growing at an average annual rate of around 3 percent. The medium-term targets remain in effect, including a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the 5-7 percent range and an EBITDA margin of 19-22 percent.