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Cavalier Unveils All-Wool and Natural Fibres Strategy

Strategic Review22 July 2020BRWConsumer Discretionary

MARKET RELEASE
23 July 2020

Cavalier Unveils All-Wool and Natural Fibres Strategy


• Cavalier to transform to an all-wool and natural fibres business.

• Funding options are currently being evaluated and will be communicated to shareholders.

• Financial benefits of the transformation strategy and return to profitable growth expected from

FY23 onwards, following an initial 12 to 24 months of investment, with full benefits expected

from FY25 onwards.

• Trading in June 2020 was stronger than anticipated, particularly in wool sales, following a year

on year reduction in sales volumes in March, April and May due to the impact of COVID-19. Bank

debt and inventory levels are at historical lows.

• An Investor Presentation has been provided with this announcement and an Investor Call will be

held on Friday 24 July at 3.00pm when management will discuss the new strategy.


New Zealand wool and carpet company, Cavalier Corporation Limited (NZX: CAV) has today unveiled

a new transformational strategy that firmly positions the company with an all-wool and natural

fibres business model.


Cavalier has always believed that wool is the best fibre for carpet and it is considered a global leader

in the design and manufacturer of high quality, beautiful woollen flooring and woollen yarn.


Cavalier’s vision is to become a leader in designing and creating desirable, sustainable, safe and high

performing natural interior solutions. The company will be building on its expertise to grow the

business, create desirable products for customers using natural materials and add value for

shareholders. While the focus will initially be on woollen carpets and rugs, Cavalier will also be

seeking out other adjacencies and partnerships where it can leverage its design and manufacturing

capabilities and the value of the Cavalier Bremworth brand to create new product categories.


With support from independent advisers and industry experts, Cavalier has undertaken an in-depth

review of its business and opportunities. The company has identified a valuable and growing trend

from consumers seeking high quality, natural and sustainable products in their homes and believes it

is strongly positioned to meet this demand.


As a believer in and supporter of natural fibres, Cavalier is beginning a journey to create a better

place in the world, designing products that are desirable, sustainable, high performing and safe for

customers. In line with this, over the next nine to twelve months, the company will be transitioning

away from the manufacture and supply of synthetic fibre carpets, which it believes has negative

impacts on people’s health and the planet, with existing synthetic stocks to be sold down.


Cavalier’s growth will be driven by four strategic pathways:

• Grow the wool flooring market

• Grow Cavalier’s share of the market

• Expand Cavalier’s presence

• Innovation and Future Thinking



Chair of Cavalier, George Adams, said: “The world is changing and we believe the time is right for

Cavalier to transform – to build on our heritage, better meet the changing needs of our customers

and reduce our impact on the planet. As a result, we are confident we will deliver better returns on

investment for our shareholders. While this transformation will take investment and time, Cavalier

has the infrastructure, capabilities and expertise to effectively manage the change.


“This is an exciting time for Cavalier and this transformation creates a new future and a better place

in the world for our company. Everything we do will be underpinned by our three core values – the

creation of high performance, beautifully designed products; a passion for natural materials; and a

commitment to create value for all our stakeholders. We believe this repositioning of Cavalier to a

purpose-led organisation, building on our heritage of beautifully designed woollen flooring, is the

optimal pathway for future growth.”


The financial benefits of the change are expected to be seen with a return to profitable growth from

FY23 onwards, following an initial 12 to 24 months of investment as the business is reset and the

new strategy is executed and as the economy recovers from COVID-19. The full benefits are

expected to be realised from FY25 onwards as Cavalier’s strategy bears fruit.


The company is evaluating a range of opportunities to fund the transformation and has taken

extensive external independent advice. This includes the potential sale and leaseback of some or all

of Cavalier’s land and buildings. The company would require shareholder approval to allow it to

proceed with the sale and leaseback of Cavalier’s properties if it confirms that this is the most

appropriate funding option for the new strategy.


Trading Update


As previously advised, March and April trading was impacted as expected by COVID-19 restrictions,

particularly in New Zealand. This trend continued into May, however, sales in June in New Zealand

were stronger than expected, and ahead of June in the prior year, with wool margins strong. There

was less impact in Australia than anticipated although monthly sales were down compared to the

prior year.


The company continues to monitor and manage the COVID-19 situation in Australia. Trading in

Australia was better than expected in June, however, sales for the first half of July have tracked

down in response to the recent lockdowns. Pleasingly, margins remain strong.


Cost control measures, prudent cashflow management and working capital disciplines continue.

Bank debt has been reduced to historical lows and was $14.5 million as at 30 June 2020, with stock

levels decreased to around $35 million, a significant reduction on the same time last year.




Investor Call and Strategy Presentation


Cavalier will hold a Zoom investor call, hosted by Chairman George Adams and CEO Paul Alston, on

Friday 24 July 2020, commencing at NZT 3.00pm. See over the page for details.


Meeting Details:


Join Zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81462160035

Meeting ID: 814 6216 0035


Instructions.

1. Please click on the Zoom meeting link above and enter the meeting ID if prompted.

2. If asked to provide the meeting ID it is displayed in the link details above

3. There is no password required to join this meeting

4. Note that both your video and your speakers will be muted by the host.

5. Questions can be submitted in writing by using the Chat facility. Questions will be

moderated and relayed to the host by the moderator.


Cavalier recommends that all attendees install the Zoom application to their device or PC

beforehand as this offers seamless interaction with the webcast, with better sound and image

quality.


ENDS


For further information please contact:


Paul Alston

Chief Executive Officer

palston@cavbrem.co.nz

+64 21 918 033

+64 9 277 1135

Jackie Ellis

Media and Investor Relations

Jackie@ellisandco.co.nz

+64 27 246 2505

---

50+ YEARS OF
HERITAGE AND

EXPERTISE

Cavalier Bremworthis a loved and respected New

Zealand brand. Over decades, we have built a

reputation as a champion for quality New Zealand wool

carpets.

For the last 50+ years, we’ve been on a journey of

exploration and have built up significant knowledge

about the potential and performance of many

different fibresfrom diverse sources for use in flooring.

We are considered world leaders in the design and

manufacturer of woollencarpets, particularly high

quality, felted carpets and woollenyarn.

We believe wool carpet is the optimum offer for

customers. Not only is it the best fibrefor design,

innovation and performance on the floor, it’s also

100% natural, biodegradable and renewable.

50+ YEARS OF HERITAGE

AND EXPERTISE.

Strategy Presentation July 2020

FLOORING AND INTERIOR
TRENDS CONTINUE TO

EVOLVE.

For many years, wool carpet was the preferred

and only option for flooring.

In the last two decades, more flooring choices

have become available:

•Hard flooring became more accessible and a

more popular design choice.

•Synthetic carpets, made from plastic fibres,

were introduced to Australasia backed by

global manufacturers with large marketing

budgets.

Strategy Presentation July 2020

THE LONG-TERM
DANGERS POSED BY

PLASTICS ARE BECOMING

CLEAR.

Plastic is a global problem and manufacturers need to be

part of the solution.

The impact plastics have on human health is not yet fully

understood, but early studies suggest that microplastics

entering the body are a potential threat to human health.

The average kiwi home with synthetic carpet is similar to

having 22,000 plastic bags on the floor*.

The flooring industry is significantly contributing to

plastic production and it’s obvious to us that change is

needed.

Whilst recycling is a positive step towards repurposing

plastic that already exists, stopping it at source has to be

the best solution.

*by weight

Strategy Presentation July 2020

CONSCIOUS
CONSUMERISM IS

BECOMING MORE

MAINSTREAM.

Consumers are starting to reject plastic, particularly

single-use plastics, in favourof multi-use or more

sustainablealternatives.

Consumers are also becoming awarethat plastic

comes in many forms, including synthetic carpet,

upholstery, curtains, clothing andmore.

There is growing awareness and concern about

microplasticsinourhomes,inourfood chain and in the

environment.

Strategy Presentation July 2020

THE RISE OF LOHAS:
LIFESTYLE OF HEALTH

AND SUSTAINABILITY.

LOHAS consumers subscribe to lifestyles of health and

sustainability (LOHAS).

They epitomise conscious consumerism and are one of

the fastest growing consumer segments in the

developed world.

These consumers are seeking out products and

experiences that align with their emotional and

environmental priorities and are happy to pay to

support these.

They’re a wealthier demographic who focus on personal

health, wellbeing and ecological impact.

Strategy Presentation July 2020

Weareevolvingtobettermeettheneedsof a
changing world andchanging consumer behaviour.

We are committed to doing what’s right while

delivering the design and performance attributes our

customers careabout.

We have stopped ordering syntheticplastic yarn and

will transition out of synthetic fibrestock.Thismeans

wewillsignificantly reduce our contribution to the

worldwide plasticproblem.

NATURE IS WORTH

PRESERVING.

Strategy Presentation July 2020

Cavalier Bremworth has a long-standing history of
producing world leading wool carpets.

It’s what we’re known for. Premium qualitycarpet

madefromNewZealandwool, right here in New

Zealand.

And this is where our focus will remain, creating

and marketing valuable, natural interior products

that are bothsustainable anddesirable,hereand

aroundtheworld.It’s goodforourbusinessandit’s

goodforyou.

BUILDING ON OUR

HERITAGE

Strategy Presentation July 2020

A regional leader in beautiful
natural woollen carpets and

rugs. Building on ourheritage,

our design capabilities and

our manufacturing expertise,

and leveraging NewZealand’s

beautiful naturalresources.

Recognised globally for our

beautiful natural woollencarpets

andrugs.

Leveraging our expertise and

brand value to create new

opportunities for our business.

To become a global leader in

designing and creatingdesirable,

sustainable, safe and high

performing natural interior

solutions.

Everything we make, or put
our brand to, will be

beautifully designed and,

high performing. We will

seek to use naturalmaterials

thatarebothsafeand

sustainable.

Wearecommittedtothe

useofnatural materials,

and ensuring we do more

“good”intheworldthan

harm.

We are privileged to be the

guardians for the Cavalier

business and it is our

responsibility toensure we

create value for all our

stakeholders –our people,

our communities, our

customers and suppliers and

ourshareholders.

Strategy Presentation July 2020

We design distinctive, elegant products that
celebrate the inherentbeautyofnatureina

waythatprofoundlyconnects with our

customer’sneeds.

In today’s throwaway society, we seek to conserve

resources andaimtousenatural,honest,long-

lastingmaterialsthatare good for you, your

community and the environment where possible.

We combine our generations of experience

with science& naturetocreatethehighest

performingproducts.Wenevercutcorners.

Weleavenothingtochancewhenitcomesto

yoursafety,sothat’swhyweaimtouseproven

naturalmaterialswhichenhancethewellbeing

ofyouandyourfamily.

We will connect with consumers and
inspire them to fall in love with natural

fibre interior products.

We will reignite and grow consumer

demand for beautiful wool and natural

fibre interior products.

We will lead a movement to promote the

“true worth” and performance and

sustainability benefits of wool and

natural fibres.

We will tell the truth in interesting ways

to counter misconceptions in the market

and to enable customers to make well

informed flooring choices.

Launchanexciting,highimpactand
creative advertising and marketing

campaign.

Introduce new products to the lifestyle range

makingwool carpetsaccessibleformore

consumers.

Welcomenewretailerstoourdistribution

network, particularly inAustralia.

Transitiontoanall-woolandnaturalfibres

business modelandcease manufacturing

synthetic carpetsby the end of 2020.

Streamlineouroperationsaroundournew

business model, and driveefficiencies.

Access funding to strengthen our capital

structureandfacilitateourtransformation toan

all-woolandnaturalfibresbusiness.

Continue to expand our retailer

network.

Buildon our marketing

programme.

Deliver a programme that

encourages retailers to promote

and sell Cavalier Bremworth wool

carpets.

Expand our connections with key

influencers and specifiers –

architects, interior designers,

propertydevelopers.

FY21 to FY23: Investment into

resetting the business, commencing

the new strategy and navigating the

economic recoverypost-COVID.

FY23: Return to profitable

growth.

FY25: Full benefits of

transformation strategy being

realised, withincreasing value and

profitability.

Continue to measure and drive our

sustainability goals

Audit environmental impact and set clear,

measurable sustainability goals.

Enquiries:
PaulAlston

E:palston@cavbrem.co.nz

M:092771135

This presentation has been prepared by Cavalier Corporation Limited (“CAV”). The information in this presentation is of a general
nature only. It is not a complete description of CAV.

This presentation is not a recommendation or offer of financial products for subscription, purchase or sale, or an invitation or

solicitation for such offers.

This presentation is not intended as investment, financial or other advice and must not be relied on by any prospective investor. It

does not take into account any particular prospective investor’s objectives, financial situation, circumstances or needs, and does not

purport to contain all the information that a prospective investor may require. Any person who is considering an investment in CAV

securities should obtain independent professional advice prior to making an investment decision, and should make any investment

decision having regard to that person’s own objectives, financial situation, circumstances and needs.

Past performance information contained in this presentation should not be relied upon (and is not) an indication of future

performance. This presentation may also contain forward looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of

operations and business, and business strategy of CAV. Information about the future, by its nature, involves inherent risks and

uncertainties. Accordingly, nothing in this presentation is a promise or representation as to the future or a promise or

representation that a transaction or outcome referred to in this presentation will proceed or occur on the basis described in this

presentation. Statements or assumptions in this presentation as to future matters may prove to be incorrect.

A number of financial measures are used in this presentation and should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitutefor,

the information provided in CAV’s financial statements available at www.cavcorp.co.nz.

CAV and its related companies and their respective directors, employees and representatives make no representation or warranty of

any nature (including as to accuracy or completeness) in respect of this presentation and will have

no liability (including for negligence) for any errors in or omissions from, or for any loss (whether foreseeable or not) arising in

connection with the use of or reliance on, information in this presentation.

DISCLAIMER

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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