- Net sales for the quarter amounted to SEK 3,314m (3,229), corresponding to an increase of 2.6 percent. Adjusted for exchange rate fluctuations, sales declined 3.4 percent;
- Operating income amounted to SEK 817m (886), corresponding to a margin of 24.7 percent (27.4);
- Net income amounted to SEK 626m (672);
- Cash flow from operating activities totaled SEK 489m (867);
- Earnings per share before dilution amounted to SEK 5.99 (6.43);
- New long-term targets were presented at the capital markets day held on May 11. The sales target was raised to SEK 20 billion for 2030 (previously SEK 16 billion). The EBIT margin target of >20 percent and the dividend level of >75 percent of net profit as well as the Group’s ambitious sustainability goals remain unchanged; and
- Growth plans in two new product areas were also presented at the capital markets day. In 2023, Thule products will be launched in the market segments of car seats and dog transport products. These two product areas will be reported together with other products in the product category currently called Active with Kids and that will be renamed Juvenile & Pet Products going forward.
The statement from Magnus Welander, CEO and president, follows:
Continued good growth with high margins
The second quarter was the largest in the company’s history, despite the dramatic challenges in the business environment throughout spring 2022. Thanks to our efforts to introduce price increases and efficiency measures, we could successfully offset the effects of more expensive raw materials, higher freight prices and unfavorable exchange rates. We, therefore, managed to keep our gross margin of 42.2 percent (42.2) for the quarter.
The impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, continued challenges in global supply chains and drastic price increases continue to affect operations.
During the quarter, sales increased 3 percent (but decreased 3 percent after currency adjustment) compared with the second quarter previous year.
We maintained a high EBIT margin of 24.7 percent in the quarter, which is above what we historically have reported during the second quarter. Compared with the exceptionally strong second quarter 2021 we reported a currency-adjusted decline of 2.2 percentage points. Operating expenses increased primarily due to the significant investments in product development, related to both our current and new product categories, as well as costs for managing higher inventories.
Stability in Region Europe & RoW
During the second quarter, sales in the region decreased 4.5 percent after currency adjustment, compared with the exceptionally strong second quarter 2021.
Sales of bike-related products decreased compared with the historically strong second quarter last year. This held for bike carriers in the Sport&Cargo Carriers and RV Products categories, as well as bike trailers and child bike seats in the Juvenile & Pet Products category.
Other categories performed well, with a particularly positive trend in the Packs, Bags & Luggage category.
The UK had notably weaker sales during the quarter. This is also the market, out of our larger markets, with the lowest growth compared with before the pandemic. The Nordic markets also had a weaker quarter compared with the previous year. But compared with 2019, performance in the Nordics is overall very positive.
Strong local currency drove growth in Region Americas
Currency-adjusted sales in the region during the second quarter were in line with the previous year. However, strong local currencies increased reported sales in the quarter 15 percent.
In this region too, we noted lower sales in bikerelated products compared with the exceptionally strong quarter last year. Geographically, the Canadian market was the strongest, while we noted decreased sales in Brazil.
Improved delivery capacity
Increased demand and successful product launches have organically grown Thule to a level much higher than before the pandemic. As previously communicated, we have carried out several measures to meet the significantly higher levels of demand with high delivery performance.
This includes significant investments in several of our assembly plants. Both to increase the level of automation and to increase production capacity. We have also decided to increase inventory levels until we see stabilization in global supply chains. This way, we can ensure our continued ability to manage significantly longer lead times. The inventory build-up consists of components and high-volume products.
Short-term challenges in uncertain markets, but positive long-term trends and exciting new product areas
Given the generally prevailing uncertainty in the near future, when comparing with the strong second half year, it is pleasing to note that the strong underlying market trends continue. The trend among consumers to seek to live active lives close to home remains stable and positive. In addition, we will in 2023 embark on a journey of growth in another two very attractive product areas, car seats and dog transport products.
We are looking forward to an exciting autumn when we will be showcasing a record number of new products in all of our product categories to our retailers around the world, before the broader consumer launch and in-store sales start in spring 2023.
Photo courtesy Thule
