BEWI ASA (BEWI) Earnings Call Transcript & Summary

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We'll do the Q&A in English. So we have already received some questions through the webcast. [Operator Instructions] I'll read the questions. So first question for you, Christian. How much in BEWI's insulation production now with today's sale in percentage of maximum production can achieve with today's factories? So it's about utilization in the insulation. Approximately what utilization are we operating on today?

It's not equal in all factories. But in general, we are operating on approximately between 60% and 70% utilization or capacity utilization. Obviously, that is on standard production. We also can go extra shifts in weekends and so on without investing any more. But in general, we are now operating on 60% to 70% capacity utilization on the factories.

Okay, and then next question. You have -- the last year, you have invested quite a lot in automotive business or division. How can we view this? Is it likely that you will keep this within BEWI or other plans?

We are always doing what we think is best for the companies we own at any time, and this was a good opportunity. We needed to do these investments to follow up with increasing volumes in automotive end demand, and we are continuing to consider our position in automotive.

Thank you. The next question. Can you comment on how the start of the Q2 has been compared to the same quarter last year?

As I said in the presentation, we are also continuously seeing improvements in order intake. So we -- as of now, we see and expect this to continue. And that is also proven by all market statistics. We see that the market is picking up.

Then a follow-up question from Ole-Petter in SpareBank 1 Markets regarding the automotive section. How much did automotive's mentioned start-up costs weigh on the Packaging & Components segment EBITDA in Q1 this year?

It's difficult to estimate. I don't have the exact figure, but we are talking about extra cost of EUR 200,000 to EUR 300,000 each month, equal to around about a little bit less than EUR 1 million in the quarter.

Thank you. We will move on. So Herman Dahl, Nordea, a couple of questions. Can you decompose the effects of the improvements in the Insulation & Construction segment compared to Q1 last year? How much is cost improvement and how much is volume effects?

It's a difficult number to materialize on just a question here, but most of it is the volume effect because you also have the inflation and the extra cost with increased salaries by the year-end. So I would like to answer more into depth here as I don't have the numbers in front of me. I would like to say most of it is volume effect, if you don't disagree, Marie.

No. But I think it's back to that we work hard on price management, and we are not taking all the volumes that could be taken. So I think it is a mix because it is volume, yes, but it is also profitable volumes. And I think that we have mentioned this before that it has been a struggle with the profitability in the Nordics. And in the Nordics, we have actually very good progress. And of course, that is a mix of the volumes, but it's also that we have managed to look into the cost structure when it comes to everything in production, when it comes to more fixed cost and so on. So it is a mix and it's extremely hard to put exactly a number to it but it is a mix.

And also underlying the question was into Q1 from Q4. We are clear on that last year, we took away a lot of cost in insulation. So the input figure was already pretty low going from Q4 to Q1.

No, the question was compared to Q1 last year, so yes. But the second question from Herman. What should we think about working capital going forward, given the visibility you have on demand and input prices? That's probably for you, Marie.

Yes, I think that you can expect that the normal seasonality pattern is that we will continue to add on some additional working capital into Q2 because that is the seasonality best quarter for us. And then we continue to be cautious on inventory. So it will depend upon the development on the raw material price level and that we know only month-to-month. But underlying, you should expect that we will continue to increase a little bit.

Then there's a question from Aleksander Epland in DNB Carnegie. A question regarding the leverage ratio. Is it correctly understood that the reported 5.5 figures only include EBITDA from continuing operations?

No, that is the total operation as per today so including discontinued.

And then a follow-up question. And is it sensible to factor in the EUR 75 million in proceeds from the RAW merger as well as adding some EBITDA contribution from associated companies when assessing the future leverage level post closing of announced transactions?

Yes. That's a correct calculation to be made, yes.

Then we just have a couple of more questions. Please post if you have more questions. Niclas Gehin in DNB Carnegie. You mentioned that parts of the EUR 6 million in cost cuts in RAW took effect in Q1. Could you try to quantify the effect in Q1?

No. That figure, we know pretty accurate. It's around EUR 500,000.

Okay. And then there is a question from [indiscernible]. What is the plan for the refinancing of your green bond, which is really a sustainability-linked bond, but what's the plan for refinancing?

I think on a general note, I would like to say before Marie take over, on that note, BEWI is one of the most transformative companies in our industry, meaning we don't see any other companies in the industry which are using so much effort and investments into changing from producing something and selling it to recycling it and taking it back as a circular economy.

Yes. I don't know what -- I mean, we intend to refinance that at -- when time is up.

So that was the question we have received, so we thank you for listening in and for posting your questions. And as always, we are available for further questions by e-mail or telephone. So thank you, and see you in August.

Thank you.

Thank you.