Fourth quarter and year-end report 2015


26 February 2016

Fourth quarter

  · Net sales increased by 10 percent to MSEK 1,376.0 (1,252.0), and by 12
percent at constant exchange rates, with strong growth in Sweden and Norway and
a decline in Denmark.
  · Adjusted*operating income decreased to MSEK 68.1 (79.6), corresponding to an
adjusted operating margin of 5.0 (6.4) percent, due to the consolidation of the
newly acquired Finnish operation which reported a loss of MSEK -11.7.
  · Income for the period declined to MSEK 28.1 (42.9), including non-comparable
items of MSEK -15.9 (-5.2), and earnings per share were SEK 0.47 (0.71).
  · Adjusted* operating cash flow amounted to MSEK 39.4 (64.5).

Full year 2015

  · Net sales increased by 3 percent to MSEK 5,422.9 (5,267.2), and by 3 percent
at constant exchange rates, with higher net sales in Sweden and Denmark more
than offsetting lower net sales in Norway.
  · Adjusted* operating income decreased to MSEK 291.5 (301.0), corresponding to
an adjusted operating margin of 5.4 (5.7) percent.
  · Income for the period increased to MSEK 163.9 (56.1), including non
-comparable items of MSEK -24.8 (-89.0), and earnings per share were SEK 2.73
(1.02).
  · Adjusted* operating cash flow decreased to MSEK 324.1 (438.1) MSEK,
negatively affected by higher capital expenditure and an increase in inventories
compared to last year.
  · The Board of Directors proposes a dividend for 2015 of SEK 1.80 (1.30) per
share.

+-------------------------------+-------+-------+------+-------+-------+------+
|MSEK                           |Q4 2015|Q4 2014|Change|   2015|   2014|Change|
+-------------------------------+-------+-------+------+-------+-------+------+
|Net sales                      |1,376.0|1,252.0|   10%|5,422.9|5,267.2|    3%|
+-------------------------------+-------+-------+------+-------+-------+------+
|Operating income               |   47.6|   73.5|  -35%|  259.5|  238.5|    9%|
+-------------------------------+-------+-------+------+-------+-------+------+
|Income for the period          |   28.1|   42.9|  -35%|  163.9|   56.1|  192%|
+-------------------------------+-------+-------+------+-------+-------+------+
|EPS                            |   0.47|   0.71|  -34%|   2.73|   1.02|  168%|
+-------------------------------+-------+-------+------+-------+-------+------+
|Adjusted* EBITDA               |  112.8|  118.8|   -5%|  477.4|  470.2|    2%|
+-------------------------------+-------+-------+------+-------+-------+------+
|Adjusted* operating income     |   68.1|   79.6|  -14%|  291.5|  301.0|   -3%|
+-------------------------------+-------+-------+------+-------+-------+------+
|Adjusted* operating margin     |   5.0%|   6.4%|      |   5.4%|   5.7%|      |
+-------------------------------+-------+-------+------+-------+-------+------+
|Adjusted* income for the period|   44.0|   48.1|   -9%|  188.7|  145.1|   30%|
+-------------------------------+-------+-------+------+-------+-------+------+
|Adjusted* EPS, SEK             |   0.74|   0.80|   -8%|   3.15|   2.63|   20%|
+-------------------------------+-------+-------+------+-------+-------+------+
|Adjusted* operating cash flow  |   39.4|   64.5|  -39%|  324.1|  438.1|  -26%|
+-------------------------------+-------+-------+------+-------+-------+------+

*) Adjusted for non-comparable items in Q4 2015 of MSEK -20.5 (-6.1) in EBITDA
and operating income and MSEK -15.9 (-5.2) in income for the period, and for the
full year 2015 of MSEK –32.0 (-62.5) in EBITDA and operating income and MSEK
-24.8 (-89.0) in income for the period. See page 4.

CEO Statement
We saw a substantial increase in net sales in the fourth quarter driven by
strong growth in both Sweden and Norway. Adjusted operating income and margin
declined, however, due to the consolidation of the newly acquired Finnish
operation.

The growth in net sales in Sweden was achieved on the basis of continued strong
market growth and successful product launches. Adjusted operating income for the
Swedish operation increased substantially as a result of a higher volumes. The
adjusted operating margin was in line with last year.

Net sales in Norway have increased gradually since deliveries to Coop under the
new supply agreement started in August. It was also gratifying to see a recovery
of the Norwegian market after several quarters of decline. Adjusted operating
income and operating margin for the Norwegian operation declined, however, due
to a less favourable product mix and stock clearance.

The price pressure in Denmark continued in the quarter both in the local market
and on exports, and net sales for the Danish operation were lower than last
year. We managed to improve both adjusted operating income and margin through
continued efficiency gains in the supply chain.

Sales volumes in Finland were still small in the quarter. Finland is an
attractive market and we expect to be able to increase volumes during 2016. We
are also focusing on improving efficiency in the facility.

For the full year 2015, higher net sales in Sweden and Denmark more than
compensated for a decline in Norway. The adjusted operating margin declined to
5.4 percent from 5.7 percent in 2014, due to the consolidation of the Finnish
operation. For comparable units, the adjusted operating margin increased to 5.8
percent. Cash flow was strong although lower than last year due to higher
capital expenditure and an increase in inventories compared to a significant
decrease in 2014. The increase in capital expenditure relates to investments in
new processing capacity for ready to eat products. Adjusted income for the
period and adjusted earnings per share improved, benefitting from substantially
lower finance expenses. The net debt/adjusted EBITDA ratio improved to 2.7 from
3.0 in 2014.

We made progress in a number of areas during the year. Our efforts in product
development generated an increased number of product launches in all countries,
and efficiency in production was improved. The market position was strengthened
in both Sweden and Norway. The operation in Finland is in a start up phase and
we will gradually build our position and improve profitability. I believe the
Group is well positioned for continued profitable growth, and we will continue
to strengthen operations during 2016.

Leif Bergvall Hansen
Managing Director and CEO


Further information
For further information, please contact:

Leif Bergvall Hansen, Chief Executive Officer    Tel:  +45 22 10 05 44
Tobias Wastensson, Head of Group Finance        Tel:  +46 10 456 14 86
Patrik Linzenbold, Investor Relations        Tel:  +46 708 25 26 30
Financial calendar

  · Annual Report: to be published on the website: week 13 2016
  · Annual General Meeting: 25 April 2016.
  · Interim report for the first quarter 2016: 10 May 2016.

This interim report comprises information which Scandi Standard is required to
disclose under the Securities Markets Act and/or the Financial Instruments
Trading Act. It was released for publication at 07:30 CET on 26 February 2016.

Attachments

02265549.pdf