DCC plc (LON:DCC), the leading international sales, marketing and support services group, has issued this Interim Management Statement in advance of the Company’s AGM to be held in Dublin at 11.00 am today.
First quarter ended 30 June 2021
The company traded very well in the seasonally less significant first quarter of the year, building on the strong performance recorded for the year ended 31 March 2021. Operating profit growth was well ahead of the prior year and modestly ahead of expectations, driven by very strong organic profit growth in DCC Healthcare and DCC Technology.
DCC LPG delivered good operating profit growth in the first quarter. As anticipated, volumes recovered relative to the first quarter of the prior year due to increased demand from commercial and industrial customers, particularly in Britain.
DCC Retail & Oil also recorded good operating profit growth. The gradual re-opening of economies led to volume growth with transport and commercial customers.
Operating profit in DCC Healthcare grew very strongly in the first quarter of the year. DCC Health & Beauty Solutions generated very strong organic profit growth in both the U.S. and in Europe. DCC Vital also delivered very strong organic profit growth as healthcare systems began to increase elective procedures. In addition, DCC Vital benefitted from the first-time contribution from Wörner in Germany and Switzerland, which has performed well since it was acquired in April 2021.
DCC Technology also generated very strong operating profit growth, driven by an excellent performance in North America, where the business continues to develop its market position. The business recorded strong organic growth in Pro-AV and Pro Audio business technology products, particularly in North America, as economies reopened and continued to experience good demand for consumer products.
Outlook
DCC expects that the year ending 31 March 2022 will be another year of strong operating profit growth and continued development activity.
DCC released its first standalone sustainability report on 13 July 2021. The report highlights how the Group creates sustainable value for its stakeholders. The report outlines key metrics that DCC will use to track progress against its sustainability objectives. It also showcases many examples of the solutions DCC is providing to customers to enable the decarbonisation of their energy requirements.
Development activity
The Group continues to be active from a development perspective. Since the Group’s prior year results announcement on 18 May 2021, DCC has completed a number of new bolt-on acquisitions, including DCC Healthcare’s first primary care bolt-on acquisition in Continental Europe following its initial market entry through the acquisition of Wörner in April 2021.
DCC has also completed the previously announced acquisitions of Primagaz by DCC LPG, Jones Oil by DCC Retail & Oil and Azenn by DCC Technology since the Group’s prior year results announcement.
Chairman succession
As previously announced, John Moloney will retire as Chairman and from the Board following today’s AGM. Mark Breuer will succeed John as Chairman at the conclusion of the AGM.
Date for Interim Results
DCC expects to announce its interim results for the six months ending 30 September 2021 on Tuesday 9 November 2021.
