BLIS Technologies Limited logo

2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

AGM27 August 2024BLTConsumer Staples

Blis Technologies Limited: Ground Floor, 442 Moray Place, Dunedin Central 9016, PO Box 2208, Dunedin 9044, New Zealand
T:+64 3 474 0988 E: info@blis.co.nz W: www.blis.co.nz





28 August 2024

BLIS Te c h nologies Limited

Annual Shareholder Meeting 2024


Chair’s Address


Slide 1 - Introduction

Good morning, and welcome everyone to the BLIS Technologies Limited Annual Shareholder Meeting

for 2024. My name is Geoff Plunket, and I am Chair of the Board for BLIS Technologies.

On behalf of my fellow directors, our new Chief Executive, Scott Johnson and all the BLIS team it is

my pleasure to welcome you all here today in person and to those of you attending online. Welcome


Slide 2 – Voting and asking questions

Today we are providing both an in person and online attendance option for shareholders. It is

pleasing once again to have so many shareholders join us online today, and to see so many of you in

person.

When it comes to voting: For our shareholders in attendance here you may vote as usual on the

voting card provided to you at the registration desk when you arrived. For shareholders online, you

will be able to cast your vote online by pressing the “Get a voting card” button and validating yourself

using your shareholder or proxy number. Please note that only shareholders, proxy holders or

shareholder company representatives may vote.

Please refer to our virtual meeting online portal guide or contact the team at MUFG Corporate

Markets on 0800 200 220 if you require any assistance.

Shareholders online will also be able to ask questions by clicking the “ask a Question” button. I

encourage shareholders who have questions to send their questions through as soon as possible.

I am pleased to say that the meeting has been properly called and there is a quorum present.

We will be using slides during the meeting. For those of you online you will be able to see these and

follow along. They have also been posted to the NZX and are available on the BLIS website.

A quick Health & Safety note - for those of you here with us, in the unlikely event of an emergency

the building needs to be evacuated, please evacuate via the emergency exit doorways indicated.

Follow the signs to the main staircase and out to the front entrance by the nearest assembly point.



Slide 3 - Agenda
The agenda for this morning will include an overview from myself of the company’s performance for

the year to 31 March 2024. Scott Johnson, our CEO, will then provide you with a deeper review of

the results, and on progress against our strategic plan.

There will then be an opportunity for shareholders to ask questions. We will first take questions from

those in attendance here today and then any questions posted online that have not already been

covered by responses to previous answers.

Following this we will then move to the formal business of the meeting. At that point I will outline

the process for the discussion and voting on the three resolutions set out in the agenda.

At the meeting’s conclusion, for those of you here with us we would be delighted if you would join

the directors and the BLIS team for light refreshments and further discussions.


Slide 4 – Introductions

Before reviewing the company’s performance, I would first like to introduce our new CEO and the

Board. Their profiles are available on the BLIS Technologies website and are also included within the

annual report.

Scott Johnson – Appointed in January 2024, Scott is an experienced CEO with over 35 years of

experience in consumer and health and wellness sectors both internationally and within Australasia

with businesses such as IBM, Frucor-Suntory and the GO-Healthy Group.

M yse lf, Geoff Plunket – joined the Board in May 2018, held the role of chair since July 2021. CEO of

Port Otago from 2004 to 2017, currently an independent director on Port of Auckland.

Aimee McCammon – was appointed to the Board in October 2021, CEO of Pic’s Peanut Butter based

in Nelson, with a background in advertising, marketing and governance.

Dr Alison Stewart. Alison joined the board in September 2018. Alison brings to the board substantial

experience as a research and innovation leader. Alison is currently CEO of the Foundation for Arable

Research.

Dr Barry Richardson. Barry joined the board in 2018. Barry has a science background and brings both

BLIS specific and international biotechnology and nutritional dairy industry experience to the board.

Anita Johansen – CEO of Probi AB, joined the Board in January this year. Anita has a background in

pharmaceuticals and has held leadership positions in various global consumer healthcare companies

and is a board member of both the International Association of Probiotics (IPA) and IPA Europe.


Slide 5 - Results

It is pleasing to report that after two years of operating losses that BLIS Technologies has returned to

profitability. Profit for the year of $0.6m was achieved on revenue of $11.5m, which was 12.6%

higher than the previous year.

Revenue growth was achieved in our Business to Business (B2B) segment, with an 18% increase in

ingredient sales and royalty income. Revenue in the Business to Consumer (B2C) area was affected

by cost of living pressures on our customers and as a result revenue grew modestly at 1.6% on the
previous year.

The revenue growth combined with a tight control over costs resulted in an improved trading

performance. The Profit for the year of $0.6m compares with a Loss of $1.4m in the previous

financial year.

This year’s result reflects early success from the Company’s tighter strategic focus.

BLIS continues to be in a strong financial position with bank balances and short term deposits of

$8.3m.


Strategy

The Board and BLIS Leadership Team remain committed to the current strategy of B2B revenue

growth from ingredient sales and royalty income as the pathway to delivering sustained profitability.

We have updated the 3 year strategic plan for the business. This plan has a commercial focus

structured on working closely with key customers to enhance our value proposition, developing joint

business plans to capitalise on the opportunities in their respective markets. We will continue to

explore new opportunities in other markets where we can present a competitive offering.

R&D activities have been refocused on ensuring BLIS has appropriate regulatory approval in key

markets to support the ongoing commercialisation of BLIS’ two hero probiotic ingredients, BLIS K12™

and BLIS M18™.


Dividend payment

BLIS continues to enjoy financial stability with current cash balances of $8.3m.

With the return to profitability attention does turn to the ability of the Company to pay a dividend.

To consider making a distribution to shareholders, the board will need to see an estaBLIShed record

of sustainable profitability while holding sufficient cash reserves. At this stage the Company will not

be paying a dividend. The Board will keep this under review and will consider a dividend payment at

the appropriate time.


CEO Address

Slide 6 – CEO Address (Handover to Scott)

Thank you, Geoff,

On behalf of the Leadership Team, I would like to welcome the shareholders in the room here in

Dunedin and those online thank you for your interest and support of the company as it is integral to

our journey.


Slide 7 - BLIS Leadership Team
It is my pleasure to introduce the BLIS Leadership team, who collectively represent all functions of

the business. If relevant they will be available to respond to questions later.

Team, Please raise your hand, so people can see who you are.

Ash Childs – People and Culture Manager

Melissa Drysdale – Head of Quality

Jen Walker – CRO

Richard Wingham – CFO

Dr John Hale - CTO


Slide 8 – Probiotic Supplements Market Overview

To start the presentation today, I would like to share an overview of our total addressable market and

its projected growth over the next 7 years. The key point is with a projected compound annual

growth rate (CAGR ) of 13.49%, there continue to be favourable tailwinds in the space we play in, now

and into the future. In addition, the 2 biggest markets in the probiotic space are the USA and China

and they are both markets BLIS is focused on.

Slide 9 + 10 – Summary FY24 results

In FY24, the company revenue was $11.5m, which was 12.6 % growth on the prior year. Pleasingly the

EBITDA was $800k, which has been delivered after 2 years of losses. It is important to note that the

strategy reset has delivered a return to profitability.


Slide 10 - Summary FY24 results (channel split)

In terms of how this result was delivered for BLIS, there are some key metrics to share with you all.

Firstly, the B2B channel revenue grew 18.2% and the B2C channel grew a modest 1.6%. The B2B

channel growth was underpinned by strategic partnerships with key customers such as Probi and

BSP. As a result, royalty revenue grew 3.7X on last year.

Looking at the sub-channels with B2C, there were some very encouraging results with Amazon

growing year on year 21.8% on the back of the X (Twitter) post that highlighted a study that

suggested consumption of BLIS K12™ may help alleviate Covid-19 symptoms. NZ Pharmacy also grew

16.4% due to a successfully executed dental campaign, focussed promotional effectiveness and

working closely with our business partner on improving in-field sales execution. Revenue from BLIS’

e-commerce also increased by 16.5% through successful management of all aspects of the marketing

mix.

Slide 11 – FY24 Strategic Summary

Over the last 2 years, the BLIS strategy has been all about focus to deliver sustainable profitability. As

a leadership team we have continued to refine that focus and ensure it is relevant to the market and

the customers within them. This has led to an even tighter focus on our core product offerings of

BLIS K12™ and BLIS M18™ with the premise that we need to earn the right to introduce additional

new products on the base platform that our core delivers by working with our key business partners
in markets that have been assessed as attractive based on key criteria. Based on those strategic

choices, the next stage has been all about executional excellence through joint business planning

with customers such as Probi, BSP and Wilsons to name 3. Part of that process has been aligning on

key measures to assess our progress to delivering the results required for sustainable profitability. To

ensure, we seamlessly build on that base platform of growth and look to the future, emerging

countries such as India and Brazil are being invested in by the team spearheaded by our global key

account managers. It is important to note, given the tighter focus above, that we remain committed

to supporting existing customers in areas such as skincare.


Slide 12 – BLIS Strategy House

The image projected on the screen is the BLIS Strategic Framework. It is important to note that

throughout the process of the strategic plan refresh and its refinement, which has been all about

focussing on the right things first to deliver sustainable profitability, our Purpose, Vision, and Values

which were crafted based on input from everyone in the BLIS team have remained as a cornerstone.

For example, our ‘why’ or purpose is still about ‘developing breakthrough probiotic solutions for the

health and wellbeing of global customers’ through our vision of being a globally recognised partner

and leader in probiotic innovation. The way we do things within BLIS has been all about living and

breathing our values, which you can see as the base platform of this BLIS Strategic Framework. Eg

Our Mana, Customer First, make it Happen and One Team.

As part of our ESG commitment, this financial year we started pursuing B Corp Certification. Unlike

other certifications, B Corp Certification evaluates our entire social and environmental impact,

aligning well with our company values.


Slide 13 – Q1 Update and Outlook

Earlier this month we released our Q1 unaudited results, which saw revenue growth of 23% quarter

vs quarter a year ago and an EBITDA result of $458k.

Revenue for the 3 months to 30 June 2024 was $3.4M, an increase of $640k compared with the

same period LY.

Key drivers were:

• B2B Ingredient revenue up 23%

• Amazon revenue up 65%

• E-Commerce revenue up 80%.

The first quarter results continue a positive theme from LFY and provide a solid platform the

remainder of the FY, as we look to deliver on the objective of sustainable profitability.

The outlook for the rest of the year is for double digit growth to continue for topline revenue whilst

delivering an EBITDA result similar to LY, but with approximately $500k of China regulatory costs

contained within the FY25 P&L. This investment is key for our long-term growth in one of focus

markets.

A market update on our progress will be provided with the half-interim report.

Slide 14 - In summary
We feel positive and excited about the future and ensuring BLIS delivers the potential that it has. We

will continue to maintain a laser like focus on our core value proposition which is built around the

proven performance of BLIS K12™ and BLIS M18™. Scaling up those winning value propositions by

taking them to selected countries in conjunction with our business partners through aligned joint

business plans, which have key performance measures built into them is how we are collectively

executing with excellence to deliver the results required for all stakeholders. Based on that focused

strategy delivering sustained profitability, we will deliver targeted NPD, which will deliver additional

value on that base platform. None of this is possible without a committed team to execute the

strategic plan and to that end, the Leadership Team will continue to nurture our talent through

established development plans, so we maintain our great place to work culture.

With that, I will hand over to Geoff who will facilitate the questions section of the meeting.

Thank you.

---

28 AUGUST 2024
ANNUAL

SHAREHOLDER

MEETING

2024

1
Voting and asking questions

Question boxVoting Card

ATTENDEES QUESTION AND VOTING PROCESS

CHAIRPERSON’S ADDRESS
• Geoff Plunket

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S ADDRESS

• Scott Johnson

ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS

• That Geoff Plunket be re-elected as a Director


That Dr Barry Richardson be re-elected as a Director


That Anita Johansen be elected as a Director


Directors authorised to fix the auditors remuneration

OTHER BUSINESS

MEETING AGENDA

BUSINESS OF THE MEETING

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GEOFFREY (GEOFF)

PLUNKET

Chair, Independent non-

executive director

Member of Audit and Risk

Committee and People and

Performance Committee

DR BARRY

RICHARDSON

Independent non-executive

director

Chair of Audit and Risk

Committee

ANITA JOHANSEN

Non-executive director

DR ALISON

STEWART

Independent non-executive

director

Chair of People and

Performance Committee

AMELIA (AIMEE)

MCCAMMON

Independent non-executive

director

Member of Audit and Risk

Committee

SUMMARY FY24
REVENUE

+12 . 6%

on prior year

NET PROFIT

AFTER TAX

+$2.0m

on prior year

$

11.5m$0.6m

EBITDA

+$1.4m

on prior year

$

0.8m

B2B

REVENUE

+

18.2

%

B2C

REVENUE

+

1.6

%

CEO ADDRESS
SCOTT JOHNSON

Chief Executive Officer

THE BLIS LEADERSHIP TEAM
Left to right:

Ashleigh Childs

People & Culture Manager

Melissa Drysdale

Head Of Quality

Richard Wingham

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Scott Johnson

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Jennifer Walker

Chief Revenue Officer (CRO)

Dr John Hale

Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTS
MARKET OVERVIEW

SUMMARY FY24
REVENUE (NZ$M)EBITDA (NZ$M)

FY18FY18

$12.0

$9.0

$6.0

$3.0

$0.0

$12.0

$10.0

$8.0

$6.0

$4.0

$2.0

$0.0

-$2.0

FY19FY19FY22FY22FY23 FY24FY23FY24FY20FY20FY21FY21

$8.2m

$9.0m

$0.9m

$5.3m

-$0.4m

-$2.1m

$10.6m

$2.1m

$

10.6m

$

10.2m

$

11.5m

$1.0m

-$0.6m

$0.8m

REVENUE BY CATEGORY (NZ$M)
$10.0

$8.0

$6.0

$4.0

$2.0

$0.0

B2BB2BB2CB2C

SUMMARY FY24

CONTINUED

FY18FY19FY20FY23 FY24FY21FY22

REVENUE BY CATEGORY (NZ$M)

31%

FY23FY24

31%34%69%66%

FY24 STRATEGIC SUMMARY
- A FOCUS STRATEGY

Core product

offerings

Key markets

Key business

partnerships to

deliver the go-to-

market strategy

‘Executional

excellence’ through

joint business plans

to deliver results

Blis Strategic Framework
Developing breakthrough probiotic

solutions for the health and wellbeing of global consumers

Purpose

Where we have chosen

to play and win

Strategy

•Probi

•BSP

•Country Specifi c Distributors.

Eg

Tradepia - Japan

B2B

Emphasis on B2B revenue opportunities leveraging partners market strengths to drive scale.

Maintain our BLIS Probiotics B2C activity in selected markets with a focus on profitability

MARKETING & NPD

Country Specific

•Wilson’s – NZ

B2C

Vision

Globally recognised preferred partner and leader in probiotic innovation

Values

PEOPLE

PROCESS & SYSTEMS

SUPPLY CHAIN

Value Creators

Business Enablers

Key Business

Partners

BLIS STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

• We are committed to delivering double digit revenue growth

EBITDA result similar to FY24


FY25 EBITDA will include approx $0.5m of China market r

egulatory costs

UNAUDITED RESULTS FOR THE QUARTER ENDING 30 JUNE 2024 (1Q25)

REVENUEEBITDA

$3.4m$0.5m

Revenue and EBITDA are in-line with our expectations

Q1 UPDATE

OUTLOOK

SUMMARY
Focus on CVP - core customer

value proposition.

SUMMARY

Scaling up our CVP in priority

markets with the right business

partners and joint business

plans.

Nurture Talent through

established development plans.

Targeted NPD based around�

BLIS’ CVP and deep consumer�

insights.

To deliver

susainable

growth

TAENTNPD

CVPPARTNERSHIPS

Scaling up our CVP in

priority markets with the

right business partners

and joint business plans.

Focus on CVP


- core customer

value proposition.

Tar

geted NPD based

around BLIS’ CVP and

deep consumer insights.

Nurture Talent

through established

development plans.

QUESTIONS
Wait for the microphone

STATE YOUR NAME AND WHETHER YOU ARE

A SHAREHOLDER OR PROXY HOLDER.

1
Voting and asking questions

Question boxVoting Card

ATTENDEES QUESTION PROCESS

RESOLUTIONS
Wait for the microphone

STATE YOUR NAME AND WHETHER YOU ARE

A SHAREHOLDER OR PROXY HOLDER.

1
Voting and asking questions

Question boxVoting Card

ATTENDEES VOTING PROCESS

RESOLUTION 1
THAT GEOFF PLUNKET BE RE-ELECTED

AS A DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY

Wait for the microphone

STATE YOUR NAME AND WHETHER YOU ARE

A SHAREHOLDER OR PROXY HOLDER.

RESOLUTION 2
THAT DR BARRY RICHARDSON BE RE-ELECTED

AS A DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY

Wait for the microphone

STATE YOUR NAME AND WHETHER YOU ARE

A SHAREHOLDER OR PROXY HOLDER.

RESOLUTION 3
THAT ANITA JOHANSEN BE ELECTED

AS A DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY

Wait for the microphone

STATE YOUR NAME AND WHETHER YOU ARE

A SHAREHOLDER OR PROXY HOLDER.

RESOLUTION 4
THAT THE DIRECTORS BE AUTHORISED TO FIX THE

REMUNERATION OF THE AUDITORS FOR THE ENSUING YEAR

Wait for the microphone

STATE YOUR NAME AND WHETHER YOU ARE

A SHAREHOLDER OR PROXY HOLDER.

GENERAL
BUSINESS

INFORMATION
The information in this presentation is an overview and

does not contain all information necessary to make an

investment decision. It is intended to constitute a summary

of certain information relating to the performance of

Blis Technologies Limited (“Company” or “Blis”). The

information in this presentation is of a general nature and

does not purport to be complete. This presentation should

be read in conjunction with the Company’s other periodic

and continuous disclosure announcements, which are

available at nzx.com.

NOT FINANCIAL PRODUCT ADVICE

This presentation is for information purposes only and is

not financial or investment advice or a recommendation

to acquire Blis securities, and has been prepared without

taking into account the objectives, financial situation

or needs of individuals. The Company, its directors and

employees do not give or make any recommendation or

opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing of shares.

In making an investment decision, investors must rely on

their own examination of the Company, including the

merits and risks involved. Investors should consult with

their own legal, tax, business and/or financial advisors in

connection with any acquisition of securities.

FUTURE PERFORMANCE

This presentation may contain certain ‘forward-looking

statements’, for example statements concerning the

development and commercialisation of new products,

regulatory approvals, customer adoption and results of

future clinical studies. Forward-looking statements can

generally be identified by the use of forward-looking

words such as, ‘expect’, ‘anticipate’, ‘likely’, ‘intend’,

‘could’, ‘may’, ‘predict’, ‘plan’, ‘propose’, ‘will’, ‘believe’,

‘forecast’, ‘estimate’, ‘target’, ‘outlook’, ‘guidance’ and

other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements

contained in this presentation are not guarantees or

predictions of future performance and involve known and

unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, many

of which are beyond the control of the Company and

may involve significant elements of subjective judgement

and assumptions as to future events which may or may

not be correct. There can be no assurance that actual

outcomes will not materially differ from these forward-

looking statements. A number of important factors could

cause actual results or performance to differ materially

from the forward-looking statements. The forward-

looking statements are based on information available

to the Company as at the date of this presentation.

Except as required by law or regulation (including the

NZX Main Board Listing Rules), the Company undertakes

no obligation to provide any additional or updated

information whether as a result of new information,

future events or results or otherwise.

NO REPRESENTATION

This presentation may contain information from

third-parties believed to be reliable, however, no

representations or warranties are made as to the accuracy

or completeness of such information.

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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