Aitken Spence cumulative Q2 revenue up 8.2%

Against an extremely challenging macro-economic environment, the leading conglomerate Aitken Spence PLC’s Group gross revenue grew by 8.2% to Rs. 28.6 billion for the period ending 30 September 2019. 

Chairman D.H.S. Jayawardena

Deputy Chairman and MD  Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake

The Company said in a statement that main growth in revenue were from the strategic investments and the maritime and logistics sectors. The integrated logistics segment performed exceptionally well recording a 30% year on year growth in revenue. This momentum is expected to continue for the rest of the year. The ship agency and maritime operations segments also recorded growth in revenue. The printing and apparel manufacture segments also recorded double digit growth in revenue compared to last year. The Group recorded an overall profit from operations of Rs. 1.9 billion for the six months ended 30 September from Rs. 2.2 billion recorded the previous year. This was a result of the downturn experienced mainly by the tourism industry, post Easter Sunday. 

Despite the decline faced by the tourism sector, the Group showcased its resilience and its diversity of investments, to record an overall profit-before-tax (PBT) of Rs 1.2 billion for the six months ended 30 September. The Group PBT for the comparative period in the previous year was Rs. 1.7 billion. 

The Group recorded a gross revenue of Rs. 14.2 billion for the second quarter whilst its profit from operations for the quarter was Rs. 1.1 billion compared to the profit from operations of Rs. 1.4 billion recorded the previous year.

Approximately 56% of the Group’s PBT for cumulative September 2019 was generated through its investments overseas. The main contributor towards the PBT was the maritime and logistics sector which recorded a 24.5% growth over the previous year. 

The strategic investments sector contributed Rs. 677 million towards the PBT compared to Rs. 727 million in the previous year. The significantly lower tea and rubber prices, and the intense competition faced by the printing sector coupled with the costs of the recent investment in South Pacific printing contributed to this effect. The printing segment is currently in the process of revamping the machinery and technology in this facility targeting to cater to the South Pacific region. 

South Asia’s first green printing facility Aitken Spence Printing renewed its carbon neutral certification for the seventh consecutive year and thereby reflecting its commitment to sustainability. 

Steady progress is seen in the construction of the country’s first waste to energy power plant and is projected for commercial operations towards the end of the financial year. Aitken Spence is committed to the development of Sri Lanka and this pioneering venture will help solve both the waste disposal and energy supply challenges in the country at present.

Despite a healthy performance by the Maldivian hotels, the drag in the local tourism industry resulted in the tourism sector reporting a loss for the period. However, the Group’s iconic properties Heritance Kandalama and Heritance Tea Factory recorded positive performances despite the decline in arrivals to the country. 

Aitken Spence Hotels also received 14 awards at the South Asian Travel Awards 2019 and recently walked away with the championship trophy and an impressive 130 medals at the Culinary Art Food Expo 2019. With only few months into its opening, Heritance Aarah emerged as the overall champion at the Culinary Art Food Expo 2019 and excelled at the Food and Hospitality Asia Maldives 2019 (FHAM) competition with the highest number of awards won by an individual Resort. Following the ingrained ethos of sustainability at Aitken Spence, Heritance Aarah is the first property in the Maldives to receive the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification.

The Group’s destination management segment was able to maintain its market share of the arrivals to the country. The destination management segment’s Myanmar operations has obtained all licenses and has recently commenced commercial operations.

During the reporting period, Aitken Spence was ranked amongst the top 10 Most Admired Companies of Sri Lanka 2019 for the second consecutive year by International Chamber of Commerce, Sri Lanka (ICCSL) and The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Sri Lanka. The Company was among the top 10 of LMD’s Most Respected entities hall of fame 2019. Aitken Spence PLC was also amongst the top 10 whilst Aitken Spence Hotels won the sectoral accolade at the CMA Excellence in Integrated Reporting Awards 2019.

Listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange since 1983 and marking its 150th year milestone in 2018, Aitken Spence is a blue-chip conglomerate with a strong regional presence in the Hotels, Travels, Maritime Services, Logistic Solutions, Plantations, Power Generation, Financial Outsourcing, Insurance, IT, Printing and Apparel sectors. With a geographical presence in 8 countries and growing, creating opportunities for Sri Lanka across new frontiers, Aitken Spence PLC remains committed to the development of our nation.