Trading and Funding Update
14 May 2020
Trading and Funding update
Freightways Limited (“Freightways”) is providing an update on trading conditions during Alert Level 4 and Level 3 lockdown
in New Zealand until the end of April, and for the same time period in Australia.
Trading
Across the Group, revenue dropped on average by about 32% during the month of April, but showed a steady improvement
through that period of time, both in volume and in the type of activity being performed.
Express Package:
Volume initially declined by more than 60% as New Zealand entered Alert Level 4 lockdown. The mix of business was
significantly different during Alert Level 4, with deliveries to consumers (B2C) being higher, and a greater proportion of
lower-priced local deliveries than prior to the start of Alert Level 4. Activity has steadily improved over the weeks following
and returned to just below half of previous volume by the end of Alert Level 4. The commencement of Alert Level 3 saw a
significant increase in activity as business customers returned to online operations and processed a backlog of orders, with
the number of items on some days approximating Christmas peak levels. This also saw the share of business deliveries (B2B)
increase again, although not to the pre-Alert Level 4 levels.
Big Chill Distribution Limited (Big Chill):
Big Chill, the temperature-controlled delivery company acquired by Freightways in April 2020, which had been trading ahead
of its prior year results before Covid-19, saw a drop of volume of about 22% during Alert Levels 4 and 3. We expect Big
Chill’s volumes to improve as hospitality outlets reopen in Alert Level 2.
Information Management Group of businesses (IM):
The IM business in New Zealand and Australia saw a more limited drop in activity during Alert Levels 4 and 3 of circa 30%.
Mark Troughear, CEO of Freightways, stated that “While it was pleasing to see our depots and couriers busy again under
Alert Level 3, the future remains uncertain. Not knowing what impact a weaker economic environment will have on our
activity levels does make it difficult to project forward activity levels.”
Air cargo
Freightways was selected by the Ministry of Transport to provide trans-Tasman air cargo services between New Zealand and
Australia to assist New Zealand exporters and importers. These operations will start in mid-May 2020 and, depending on
demand, could provide up to 10 daily flights across the Tasman, for a period of at least 2 months.
Funding
Freightways has reached agreement with its banking syndicate to increase the funding facilities available to the Company by
NZD50m to provide further liquidity should it be required, as well as to extend certain existing facilities that mature in 2021
by an additional 2 years. This, in addition to the partial settlement of the Big Chill acquisition with Freightways shares, should
mean that the Company has ample liquidity available for the foreseeable future.
“There has been a strong focus on reviewing various scenarios for the purpose of assessing funding, liquidity and business
requirements and ensure we are well placed to cope with the economic situation as it develops. Freightways has been very
nimble in adjusting its operations and cost base since the Covid19 crisis started and we will continue to adapt to changes in
the level of activity,” said Mr Troughear.
People
The safety of our people, both employees and contractors, remains our utmost priority. Freightways has implemented
contactless deliveries and strict health & safety protocols to provide a safe working environment for all operations.
For further information please email:
Kelli-Anne.Ball@freightways.co.nz
Data sourced from publicly available filings. Our datasets may not be complete. Automated analysis can produce errors. If you believe any data on this page is incorrect, please contact us at hello@nzxplorer.co.nz. For informational purposes only. Not investment advice.
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