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Fletcher Building announces expected FY20 annual results

Full Year Results10 August 2020FBUMaterials

Fletcher Building Limited, Private Bag 92114, Auckland 1142, 810 Great South Road, Penrose, Auckland 1061, New Zealand



Fletcher Building announces expected FY20 annual results


Auckland, 11 August 2020: Fletcher Building today announced key aspects of its expected FY20

annual results, which will be released in full on 19 August 2020.

The result, which remains subject to final audit sign-off and approval by the Board, is expected

to be a net earnings loss for the year ended 30 June 2020 of $196 million, due predominantly to

the impacts of COVID-19. These impacts include significant lost revenues, especially during the

New Zealand lockdown and start-up period; lower productivity leading to additional

provisioning on the legacy construction projects; and one-off restructuring costs as the

Company prepares for reduced market activity.

Despite lower earnings, the Company’s cash flow performance and balance sheet position has

remained very strong. Operating cash flows are expected to increase in FY20 to $410 million,

driven particularly by effective working capital management through the COVID-19 disruptions.

The Group’s leverage ratio at 30 June is expected to be 0.9x, below the target range of 1.0x – 2.0x.

Fletcher Building Unaudited FY20 Annual Results (NZ$ million)


EBIT before Significant Items and before Construction Provisions 310

Construction Provisions (150)

EBIT before Significant Items 160

Significant Items (276)

EBIT (116)

Net Loss (196)


Cash Flows from Operating Activities 410

Capital Expenditure 232

Net Debt 497

Liquidity 1,629

Leverage (Net Debt / EBITDA) 0. 9x

Fletcher Building CEO Ross Taylor said: “Prior to March, the business was trading in line with

expectations and making good progress with operating efficiencies. As COVID-19 crossed New

Zealand and Australian borders, we moved quickly to protect our people and ensure we are well

positioned to successfully navigate the market uncertainty in FY21 and beyond. Our people have

done an exceptional job of serving our customers, safely managing our operations, and resetting

the business through a period of considerable disruption.”

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“Anticipating lower market activity ahead, we have taken some difficult but decisive actions to

reset the cost base of the business. This has included closure of some supply chain and

manufacturing facilities; ceasing of some unprofitable product lines; a reduction in office space;

and, regrettably, a planned reduction in our workforce by around 1,500 positions. These have

been tough but necessary decisions to right-size our business, and we expect them to deliver a

permanent reduction in our cost base in FY21 of c$300m p.a. We expect that FY20 significant

items charges in respect of these actions will be $187 million. Together with asset impairments

of $59 million in the Rocla business that we are divesting, and $30 million of costs on our early

exit of the USPP 2012 notes, we expect total FY20 significant items to be $276 million. An additional

c$90 million of significant items is expected in FY21 as the final cost-out actions are completed.”

Mr. Taylor said that the Construction division had continued to make progress in working through

its legacy, loss-making projects. “The value of legacy Buildings and Infrastructure work to

complete has been reduced from approximately $2.2 billion in February 2018 to approximately

$0.6 billion currently. The division’s forward order book outside of the legacy projects has been

rebuilt to comprise around $2.4 billion of work with a materially better margin outlook, and

significantly lower and more appropriate risk profile.”

“Through the FY20 year-end process we have decided to increase the provisions to complete our

historical construction projects. This is expected to reduce our FY20 EBIT result by $150 million.

Three factors have led to these increased provisions. Around 50% is due to reduced productivities

on key legacy projects, which were significantly disrupted by COVID-19 in FY20, and we expect

ongoing challenges in FY21 across our supply chains and project resourcing. Around 20% of the

additional provisions are due to issues which have arisen on a handful of historically completed

projects. The final 30% consists of a prudent risk provision across our portfolio of legacy work.”

The Company has maintained a strong cash flow and balance sheet position through the COVID-

19 disruption. Operating cash flows in FY20 are expected to be $410 million, supported

particularly by effective working capital management. FY20 capital expenditure is expected to be

$232 million, substantially below the initial market guidance for FY20 of $275 to $325 million. The

Group’s net debt at 30 June 2020 is expected to be $497 million and liquidity is expected to be

$1.6 billion, including $1.1 billion of cash on hand. The Group’s leverage ratio of Net Debt to

EBITDA is expected to be 0.9x, below the target range of 1.0x – 2.0x.

Mr. Taylor concluded that the Company remains in a strong position to continue driving its

strategy and performance improvement. “Our focus in the past few months has been on the

safety and well-being of our people, and acting quickly to preserve profitability and balance sheet

strength. We have ensured our cost base is set for expected lower market activity, and kept cash

flows and liquidity strong. We will watch the market closely, as the environment does remain

uncertain, but we also believe it will provide opportunities for growth and the business is in a good

position to capitalise on those.”

Conference call to be held today

Fletcher Building management will host a briefing for all investors, analysts and media today at

10:30am NZT / 8:30am AEST to discuss the trading update. Participants can register for the

conference by navigating to the following link:

https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10009292-invite.html

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Upon registration you will be provided with the dial in number, passcode, and your unique access

PIN. To join the conference simply dial the number and enter the passcode followed by your PIN,

and you will join the conference instantly.

Webcast – You can watch the webcast live at the following link:

https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/5f5fk7ei


A replay facility will be available after the conference call by dialing the telephone number below

and entering the PIN 10009292.

Australia Toll Free

1 800 265 784 Singapore 800 101 3223

Australia Local

+61 7 3107 6325 United Kingdom 0800 031 4295

New Zealand 0800 886 078 USA/Canada 1855 883 1031

Hong Kong 800 930 639



#Ends

Authorised by:

Andrew Clarke

Company Secretary

For further information please contact:

MEDIA

Christian May

General Manager – Corporate Affairs

+64 21 305 398

Christian.May@fbu.com

INVESTORS AND ANALYSTS

Aleida White

Head of Investor Relations

+64 21 155 8837

Aleida.White@fbu.com

Fletcher Building
FY20 Expected

Annual Results

ROSS TAYLOR

—Chief Executive Officer

BEVAN MCKENZIE

—Chief Financial Officer

11 August 2020

Important Information
2

This presentation has been prepared by Fletcher Building Limited and its group of companies (“Fletcher Building”) for informational

purposes.This disclaimer applies to this document and the verbal or written comments of any person presenting it.

This presentation provides additional comment on the expected FY20 annual results dated 11 August 2020.As such, it should be read in

conjunction with and subject to the explanations and views given in that document. The result, which remains subject to final audit sign-off

and approval by the Board, will be released in full on 19 August 2020.

The information in this presentation has been prepared by Fletcher Building with due care and attention, however, neither Fletcher Building

nor any of its directors, employees, shareholders nor any other person given any representations or warranties (either express or implied) as to

the accuracy or completeness of the information and to the maximum extent permitted by law, no such person shall have any liability

whatsoever to any person for any loss (including, without limitation, arising from any fault or negligence) arising from thispr esentation or any

information supplied in connection with it.

This presentation may contain forward looking statements, that is statements related to future, not past, events or other matters. Forward

looking statements may include statements regarding our intent, belief or current expectations in connection with our future operating or

financial performance, or market conditions. Such forward looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates andassumptions

and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including material adverse events, significant one-off expenses and other unforeseeable

circumstances. There is no assurance that results contemplated in any of these projections and forward looking statements will be

realised.Actual results may differ materially from those projected. Except as required by law, or the rules of any relevant stock exchange or

listing authority, no person is under any obligation to update this presentation at any time after its release or to provide further information

about Fletcher Building.

The information in this presentation does not constitute financial product, legal, financial, investment, tax or any other advice or a

recommendation.

Fletcher Building FY20 Expected Annual Results Presentation | © August 2020

Navigated COVID-19 impacts, business set up for FY21, and
maintained momentum on key strategies and focus areas

3

Fletcher Building FY20 Expected Annual Results Presentation | © August 2020

•Responded quickly to

COVID-19 impacts

•Focus on health and

safety of our people

•Strong customer

service performance

•Cash and balance

sheet remain strong

FY20

•Positioned the

business cost base for

reduced activity in

FY21

•Accelerated key

ecommerce activities

•Ensured debt lines

and liquidity remain

strong and available

FY21 set-up

•Strategy and growth

ambitions remain

unchanged

•Ongoing focus on

profitability and

operational excellence

•Complete Australia

portfolio

rationalisation

•Clear historical

Construction projects

FY21 and beyond

COVID-19 response to NZ lockdown and Australia restrictions
focused on health and safety, customer service, costs and cash

4

•Serious injuries reduced by over 60% year-on-

year

•COVID-19 impact resulted in Q4 operating

earnings of c$50m, a c$200m reduction on

expected Q4 earnings

•Strong cash flows of $410m

•Balance sheet strength preserved, liquidity

$1.6b, net debt $0.5b

ActionsFY20 Results

Fletcher Building FY20 Expected Annual Results Presentation | © August 2020

•Safely shut down and restarted NZ businesses and

dealt with Australia restrictions

•Maintained customer service and performance

•COVID-19 Support Hub App launched,

downloaded by 7,000 of our people, financial

hardship fund in place

•Bridging Pay Programme implemented (govt

supported)

•Strong focus on costs and cash:

>Capex reduced

>Board, Execs and GM remuneration reduced,

no STI bonuses

>Debtors / Creditors well managed

>Negotiated reductions in both NZ property lease

costs and other key supply agreements, all

discretionary spend stopped

>Interim dividend cancelled, share buyback

programme suspended

•Well through the historical Construction
work book

•Additional $150m provisions due to:

>COVID-19 disruptions and productivity

impacts, both in FY20 and ongoing (50%)

>Issues on historically completed projects

(20%)

>Prudent risk provision across portfolio of

legacy work (30%)

•c$600m legacy work to complete, including

impact of additional provisions

While the Construction division continued to progress and finish

historical projects, the provision envelope has increased

5

2.2

0.6

0.7

2.4

HY18FY18FY19FY20

High-risk, lump sum D&C

Lower-risk smaller jobs,

maintenance contracts

Work to Complete ($b)

1.Completed significant number of legacy jobs,

risk reduced

2.New work won with materially better margin

outlook and significantly lower and more

appropriate risk profile

Fletcher Building FY20 Expected Annual Results Presentation | © August 2020

Significant progress made on two fronts since HY18

Provision envelope increased

Note: The part of the NZICC rebuild funded by insurance is included in $2.4b FY20 order book

Setting up for likely lower market activity in FY21 required
permanent reductions to our cost base and workforce

6

•Reductions to operating footprint, supply chain

costs and general costs

•Workforce size will be reduced by c12% (over

1,500 people) matched to probable future

market activity

•Australia portfolio rationalisation continuation

•Renegotiated debt covenants to preserve

liquidity and retired a further USD$300m of our

most expensive debt lines, saving c$40m of

future interest payments

•Capex envelope reduced until market outlook

more certain

•Actions expected to achieve a permanent

reduction in cost base in FY21 of c$300m p.a.

•FY20 significant items of $276m:

>Right-sizing of the cost base $187m

>Rocla asset impairments $59m

>Debt restructuring resulted in one-off

Make Whole payment $30m

•FY21 significant items of c$90m as final cost-

out actions completed

•Significant items (FY20 and FY21) are

expected to be c55% cash/45% non-cash

ActionsImpact

Fletcher Building FY20 Expected Annual Results Presentation | © August 2020

Key aspects of expected FY20 annual results
Profit impacted by COVID-19, cash flow and balance sheet strong

7

Unaudited reported results

NZ$m

Jun 2020

12 months

EBIT before significant items and before construction provisions310

Construction provisions(150)

EBIT before significant items160

Significant items(276)

EBIT(116)

Net loss(196)

Cash flows from operating activities410

Capital expenditure232

Net debt497

Liquidity1,629

Leverage (Net debt / EBITDA)0.9x

Fletcher Building FY20 Expected Annual Results Presentation | © August 2020

The result, which remains subject to final audit sign-off and approval by the Board, will be released in full on 19 August 2020.

FY21 - Positioned for reduced activity
Full update on 19 August 2020

8

Fletcher Building FY20 Expected Annual Results Presentation | © August 2020

•Business reset for market downturn of c25% in NZ and c20% in Australia

•Suite of cost-out actions already implemented to preserve profitability

•Strong cash flows of $410m, liquidity of $1.3b post-repayment of USPP 2012 notes

•Sharpened focus and ready to act, vigilant to macro factors, market activity and how forecasts evolve

•We have a strong balance sheet and a resilient business reset to withstand market pressures and take

advantage of opportunities

•Provide a full update on 19 August 2020

Fletcher Building
FY20 Expected Annual Results Presentation

Q&A

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.