Trading Statement

Ahead of its Annual General Meeting at 11.00am today, Marshalls, a leading manufacturer of sustainable solutions for the built environment, provides the following trading update for the four months to 30 April 2024.

Overview and outlook

In continuing subdued markets, the Board maintained its proactive control of costs and successful reduction of net debt. We have restructured the executive team to prioritise our commercial focus and accelerate the implementation of key strategic initiatives.

Group revenue during the period was down by 10 per cent on a like-for-like basis at £199 million (2023: £227 million), reflecting the expected continuation of weak demand in the Group's key end markets of new build housing and private housing RMI.

The Board continues to expect a modest recovery in the second half of the year predicated on a progressive improvement in the macro-economic environment. Against this backdrop and given the decisive management actions taken to reduce capacity and the cost base in 2023, the Board remains confident that profit in 2024 will be in-line with its previous expectations and at similar levels to 2023.

Divisional trading performance

Landscape Products revenue was down by 15 per cent on a like-for-like basis at £89 million (2023: £110 million). A weaker performance in new build housing and discretionary private housing RMI was moderated by a more modest reduction in commercial & infrastructure revenues.

Building Products contracted by three per cent to £54 million (2023: £55 million). Revenue in the civils and drainage business increased year-on-year supported by increased infrastructure work, and more recently by some improvement in housing groundwork activity. Bricks and mortar revenues were lower than 2023 due to weaker new build housing activity in the period compared to a relatively strong performance in the same period last year. Pleasingly, the Group further increased its share of the UK brick market in the first quarter of 2024.

Roofing Products revenue was eight per cent lower at £56 million (2023: £61 million). Within this, Viridian Solar revenue was slightly higher than 2023 despite the significant reduction in new build activity, which is driven by the start of the expected increase in volumes arising from a change in building regulations.

Balance sheet and liquidity

The Group's balance sheet continues to be robust, with pre-IFRS16 net debt of £175 million at the end of April, which is £45 million lower than the prior year reflecting strong cash generation (April 2023: £220 million, December 2023: £173 million). The £160 million revolving credit facility was undrawn at the end of April providing significant liquidity for the Group. The Board's ongoing priority is to reduce leverage from free cash flow generated by the business.

Board role change

In support of our strategic ambitions, Simon Bourne, previously the Group's Chief Operating Officer, has moved into the role of Chief Commercial Officer, responsible for the Group's commercial strategy and the financial performance of the Group's business divisions. Simon will continue in his role as a member of the Marshalls Board.