Árni Oddur ThÓrdarson, CEO:
“We are pleased with the results from operations in the third quarter and year to date. In the third quarter, we delivered a 14% increase in revenues between years and a 14.2% EBIT* margin. Year to date revenue growth was 17% with an EBIT* margin of 14.6%.
“Earnings per share has been gradually increasing in the past 5 years. In the quarter, we closed the acquisition of MAJA with an enterprise value of EUR 35 million and acquired treasury shares for EUR 30 million. Our financial position remains strong with net debt around two times EBITDA.
“Currently, there are interesting dynamics at play in the global market for poultry, meat and fish. Trade constraints and geopolitical issues result in a mismatch in food supply and demand within regions while global consumer demand continues to rise. This may lead in lower order intake for the next two to three quarters compared to the great start to the year.
“Consumers are asking for convenient and safe products at affordable prices and in more varieties than we have ever seen. Consequently the demand for advanced and high-tech food processing solutions is rising. Our market is dynamic and fast growing. We aim to continue to grow at a faster rate than the market by leveraging our strong product leadership and global reach.
“We are proceeding according to plan with the potential listing of Marel shares on an International Stock Exchange. We have now narrowed our focus towards three stock exchanges: Amsterdam, Copenhagen and London.
“Furthermore, the focus is on dual listing the shares on one of those exchanges in addition to our current listing in Iceland. It is our firm belief that this route of a dual listing is the best way to interlink the interests of current and future shareholders.”
* Operating income adjusted for amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets (PPA).
