AGM Trading Statement
Robinson plc reported that sales volumes for the first four months of 2026 are up 7% compared to the prior year, with total revenue increasing by 6%, driven by strong performance in the UK Plastics and Paperbox divisions, though the latter experienced a temporary profit dip due to raw material issues. While Denmark saw better-than-expected sales, Poland's trading environment remains challenging with a 17% volume decrease, despite new project wins. Underlying operating profit for the period was below 2025 levels, and net debt rose to £6.5m as of April 30, 2026. The company anticipates full-year underlying operating profit to be in line with market expectations, with revenue and profit growth expected in the UK, but continued challenges in Poland. Increased uncertainty from the Middle East conflict is noted, with potential for rising input and distribution costs later in the year.
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Robinson plc ("Robinson", the "Company" or the "Group"; stock code: RBN), the custom manufacturer of plastic and paperboard packaging, is holding its Annual General Meeting today at 11:30am at the Peak Edge Hotel, Darley Road, Chesterfield S45 0LW. The Chairman, Alan Raleigh, will make the following statement:
Current trading
"Sales volumes in the first four months of the year are 7% above the same period in 2025. Including the effect of sales price and foreign exchange movements, total revenue is 6% above the same period in 2025.
Sales volumes in the UK continue to exceed the prior year, reflecting new projects won and implemented over the previous 24 months. In Plastics, PET bottles continue to perform well across all sectors and, in the first quarter, we increased our share of the PP chilled soup sector. In Paperbox, we recently completed a substantial new project and revenue in this business is more than double the same period in 2025, but profits are at a similar level due to an isolated raw material quality issue.
Sales in Denmark were better than expected due to strong demand from a major customer.
The trading environment in Poland remains challenging and, in the first four months of the year, sales volumes were 17% lower than the same period in 2025. We have recently been awarded two new projects in this business, demonstrating that we can compete effectively; however, these will take time to implement as they require investment in new plant and machinery, with limited benefit expected in 2026.
Despite the higher revenue, underlying operating profit* in the first four months of 2026 was below the same period in 2025, reflecting the challenging trading environment.
Net debt
Net debt increased to £6.5m at 30 April 2026 (31 December 2025: £5.4m), reflecting £1.6m of capital expenditure, partly offset by £0.6m of surplus property proceeds.
Outlook
We expect underlying operating profit* for the 2026 financial year to be in line with current market expectations.
We expect revenue and profit growth in our UK Plastics business, driven by the benefit of known new customer projects, while trading conditions in Poland are expected to remain challenging. The Paperbox business is expected to make a similar contribution to the prior year.
The conflict in the Middle East has increased uncertainty and pricing across polymer, energy and freight markets, but with relatively limited impact on trading so far in the year to date. While the effect on the Group's April earnings was limited by our stockholding, sustained elevated purchase prices for polymer and other inputs are expected to increase input and distribution costs later in the year, either directly or through wider supply chain disruption. The Group is monitoring developments closely and is seeking to mitigate these effects through temporary pricing adjustments, surcharges and procurement actions where possible. At this stage, the full effect and duration of the conflict, the extent to which price increases can be recovered, and any impact of such increases on customer demand remain uncertain.
We remain committed to delivering above-market profitable growth and our target of 6-8% underlying operating margin**. Reported profit before tax in 2026 is expected to benefit materially from property disposals."
Cleaned text: letterheads, contacts and legal notices removed. View the original announcement ↗ · Company filings. Not investment advice.