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Ann: ADDRESS: NPX: Annual Meeting - Chairman'

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    • Release Date: 01/11/12 12:06
    • Summary: ADDRESS: NPX: Annual Meeting - Chairman's & CEO's Addresses
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    NPX
    01/11/2012 10:06
    ADDRESS
    
    REL: 1006 HRS Nuplex Industries Limited
    
    ADDRESS: NPX: Annual Meeting - Chairman's & CEO's Addresses
    
    Nuplex's Annual Meeting: Chairman's and CEO's speeches
    ROB AITKEN, CHAIRMAN
    Agenda
    In 2012, Nuplex celebrated 60 years of being in business. Whilst it would be
    a few years before Nuplex became a public company, Nuplex first opened its
    doors as a flooring and tile company, in 1952. Since then, Nuplex has
    transformed into the global business it is today, and I am pleased to report
    that in the 2012 financial year we continued to strengthen and grow.
    Today, after providing you with an overview of the Group's 2012 financial
    year performance, I will go on to discuss how, through our current strategy,
    Nuplex is continuing its journey to strengthen and grow.
    Nuplex's Chief Executive Officer, Emery Severin will then provide an update
    on the execution of the strategic initiatives, a trading update and earnings
    guidance for the 2013 financial year.
    We will then take questions from the floor and I will outline the procedure
    for that part of the meeting when we reach it.
    Overview of 2012 financial year results
    Nuplex released its financial results for the 2012 financial year in August
    and as you have had the opportunity to read the commentary in the Annual
    Report, I don't propose to go over the results in detail. However, I would
    like to highlight that Nuplex delivered a pleasing performance, particularly
    when taking into consideration the softer market conditions experienced in
    Asia and Europe and the particularly tough trading conditions in Australia
    and New Zealand.
    Group earnings were $131 million. Improved unit margins in the global Resins
    business, benefits realised from our operational improvement program NuLEAP,
    and the six month contribution from the recently acquired German based
    Viverso operations, offset lower volumes and sales in Nuplex's existing
    operations, enabled earnings to be maintained in line with the prior year.
    Earnings were also impacted, yet again, by the strengthening of the New
    Zealand dollar - which had it remained unchanged, earnings would have been 5%
    higher.
    Net profit after tax attributable to shareholders was $62.5 million, down 6%
    compared to the prior year and resulted in earnings per share being down 7%
    at 31.8 cents.
    To deliver this solid performance against the backdrop of the challenging
    market conditions and uncertainty faced across Nuplex's operations is
    testament to the hard work and unrelenting commitment of our 1,900 employees
    located across the globe. Whenever I visit Nuplex operations, I am always
    impressed with their dedication and commitment and I want to thank them for
    their contribution over the past year.
    Dividend
    The full year dividend was 21 cents per share. To be able to maintain this
    dividend in line with the prior year, underscores Nuplex's strong cash
    generation and resilient earnings.
    The payout ratio was 66%, slightly outside of Nuplex's target dividend payout
    range of 55-65% of after tax profits attributable to shareholders. When the
    Board determines the dividend, in addition to the target payout range, it
    also takes into account Nuplex's cash generation, retained earnings, future
    earnings projections, forecast capital expenditure and recent dividend
    history.
    Imputation credits
    As you are no doubt aware, Nuplex is a relatively high dividend yielding
    stock. Regrettably there were no imputation credits attached to the 2012
    financial year dividend for NZ shareholders and no franking credits for
    Australian shareholders. I would like to discuss the context as to why this
    is the case, as over the past 12 months, I have received a number of
    questions on this matter.
    With the majority of Nuplex's operations located outside of New Zealand,
    Nuplex generated 95% of its 2012 financial year pre-tax earnings offshore. In
    recent years, after deducting stewardship costs associated with our domicile
    here in NZ, there has been no tax payable in NZ and hence no imputation
    credits to distribute. Positively though, as most jurisdictions outside of
    New Zealand currently have a lower  effective company tax rate, this results
    in Nuplex being able to pay a higher dividend than if those profits were
    earned and taxed in New Zealand.
    Notwithstanding this, the Board recognises the importance of dividends and
    imputation credits to many of its shareholders. Consequently, and consistent
    with the Board's focus on maximising shareholder returns, as part of Nuplex's
    continual efforts to optimize its tax position, we are always looking for
    ways to pay a partially imputed dividend. During FY12, a revision to
    corporate allocations together with some debt restructuring resulted in
    Nuplex NZ reporting a small taxable profit.
    Looking ahead, we anticipate that Nuplex should be able to partially impute
    its dividends. This is a result of the expected increase in profits to be
    generated in New Zealand following the change in our capital structure due to
    the redemption of the Capital Notes and the reduction in Nuplex's overall
    funding costs. Additionally, a reduction in the New Zealand cost base flowing
    from the recently announced streamlining of New Zealand and Australian
    operations, together with the realisation of further efficiencies from our
    operational improvement program NuLEAP, should further support the generation
    of additional profits in New Zealand.
    Balance Sheet & Funding
    Turning now to Nuplex's balance sheet. This remains strong. Gearing as
    defined by net debt to net debt plus equity increased from 12% to 28% over
    the year. The increase was due to the debt funded acquisition of the German
    based Viverso operations for a total acquisition cost of Euro 75 million and
    Acquos's masterbatch operations for A$20.9 million. Importantly, gearing
    remains comfortably within the Board's target range of between 20 to 35%.
    We are well positioned to fund our capital expansion plans. In this financial
    year, our 'stay in business' expenditure is estimated to be between $40 and
    $50 million and includes the remainder of the expenditure on the new ERP
    system as well as approximately half of the investment related to the
    Australian and New Zealand streamlining project. Additionally we will spend
    approximately $30 million on our organic growth expansion projects, with the
    bulk of these funds being spent on the new third site in China.
    Nuplex's funding cost declined from an average of 12% in the 2011 financial
    year to 7% in the 2012 financial year. During the year, we took additional
    steps that should result in a further reduction in the average funding cost
    in the 2013 financial year.
    In June, Nuplex strengthened its financial position by securing long term
    funding from the US Private Placement market as US$105 million of new debt
    was raised at an attractive coupon rate of 6.125% fixed for seven years.
    These funds were converted into Euros and replaced the short term debt used
    to acquire Viverso. Also in June, the Board announced the redemption of the
    NZ$52.6m of Capital Notes and they were subsequently redeemed in September.
    
    Safety
    Over the past 12 months, work continued to improve our safety, health and
    environment performance towards our goal of Zero Harm to all our employees
    and contractors as well as the communities and environment in which we
    operate. Safety remains one of our top priorities. Pleasingly, our Total
    Reportable Injury Frequency Rate improved by 30%, however, our Lost Time
    Injury Frequency Rate increased during the year, highlighting that there is
    still work to be done to embed safe behaviour into every action, every day at
    Nuplex.
    Board
    The Board has a formal process for reviewing annually the performance of the
    Board, the skills matrix of the Directors, and Board succession and
    continuity.
    Over the last few years, as part of the Board refreshment process we have
    sought to increase the international business skills and experience on the
    Board given the complex nature of Nuplex's operations and that future growth
    will be outside of the ANZ region.
    We have had a strong focus on putting policies, processes and frameworks in
    place and overseen the appointment of a strong management team capable of
    taking the business to the next stage of development whilst ensuring the
    existing assets - both tangible and intangible - are protected.
    Priorities for the Board has followed 2 themes - the first being to enhance
    the risk management and performance management systems throughout the Company
    and the second being to develop and then drive the strategy for future
    growth.
    In our Board review process this year we will again consider and review the
    appropriate skills matrix of Directors to ensure, as we move forward in
    implementing our strategy, that we are best placed to deliver on the
    expectations, and in the interests, of shareholders.
    Two years into our strategy
    We are now two years into our strategy to strengthen and grow Nuplex and I
    can confidently say that in the 2012 financial year we made significant
    progress in moving Nuplex towards its overarching ambition to be the leading,
    trusted, independent polymer resins manufacturer globally and a leading
    agency and distribution business in ANZ.
    The Board is convinced that the strategic initiatives implemented over the
    past two years have delivered value to shareholders, and will progressively
    deliver improved overall returns and earnings growth in to the future.
    Strengthening
    Nuplex's existing operations are safer and more efficient than they were two
    years ago as a result of those initiatives focused on strengthening Nuplex
    through achieving operational excellence in the areas of safety, people and
    performance improvement.
    The investment in safety has resulted in less people being injured at work,
    whilst across our global operations our people are reaping the benefits from
    working together as a global team and leveraging off the particular strengths
    of different regions.
    Consistent with our 'leader led' approach to safety, the Board established a
    Safety Health & Environment Committee in early 2010. This year the Board
    underscored its commitment to attracting and retaining the highest calibre
    people to Nuplex through the expansion of the activities of the Remuneration
    Committee, now called the Human Resources Committee. In addition to covering
    executive remuneration and the Group's remuneration framework, this committee
    is also focused on talent management, succession planning as well as employee
    diversity and culture.
    NuLEAP continues to strengthen the business by lowering costs and improving
    unit margins. Additionally, the integration of the NuLEAP framework into day
    to day practices at Nuplex is embedding disciplined processes throughout the
    organisation and providing a solid base for continuous improvement going
    forward. These disciplined processes were applied to the review of Nuplex's
    Australian and New Zealand operations which led to the recent streamlining
    announcement.
    Growing
    Nuplex has a strong platform for profitable growth. We've increased our
    capacity in Vietnam and work continues to build a third manufacturing site in
    China. Our R&D program is focused and being supported by market development
    activities occurring on a global basis rather than a regional one, and the
    acquisitions made in the 2012 financial year strengthened our existing
    operations by securing leading positions in the markets in which the
    acquisitions were made.
    When considering an investment of shareholder's funds, the opportunity under
    assessment must meet Nuplex's strict acquisition framework which encompasses
    both financial and non-financial criteria. Our disciplined approach ensures
    that the opportunity is reviewed in terms of how it fits with Nuplex's
    strategy of building market leading positions, as well as determining the
    price we are prepared to pay and the value it will deliver shareholders.
    From a financial perspective, all acquisitions must be forecast to earn a
    return above Nuplex's cost of capital. For acquisitions in mature markets
    this return must be a few percent above the cost of capital, and for
    acquisitions in emerging markets, a country risk premium must also be earned.
    Additionally, they must be forecast to be earnings per share accretive within
    two years.
    In terms of the non-financial criteria, acquisitions must also create market
    leading positions in product segments or technologies, and or provide access
    to growing emerging markets.
    Over the past two years, we have invested a total of NZ$153 million in
    acquisitions that have built market leading positions.
    The first was made in June 2011 and was a $7.75 million investment in the
    joint venture company which invested in Fibrelogic Pipe Systems, an
    Australian large diameter pipe manufacturer.
    This was partly a defensive move as Fibrelogic represented a very significant
    customer of our Composites business. In FY11, for example, Fibrelogic
    accounted for composite sales of $14m and we did not want that volume going
    to a competitor.
    At the time of the acquisition, Fibrelogic met Nuplex's financial and
    non-financial criteria. The business has a market leading position in the
    manufacture of pipes predominantly used in water and mining related
    infrastructure projects. While we might not be the long term natural owner of
    this business, it ensured that Nuplex was able to participate in one of the
    few segments with growth prospects in the Australian composites market. The
    business was forecast to deliver above cost of capital returns and be
    earnings accretive, however as resource companies and governments put new
    projects on hold, markets have been significantly weaker than expected and as
    a result the business has not delivered earnings in line with expectations
    and thus not met our financial criteria.
    This business has been caught up in the structural change underway in this
    region that has seen us respond via streamlining our Australian and NZ
    operations as we announced in September.
    As a result of the financial performance to date and subdued market
    conditions, post the end of the 2012 financial year, we announced the write
    down of Nuplex's investment in this joint venture. This is a particularly
    disappointing outcome given this step is being taken so soon after the
    investment was made in the 2011 financial year.
    During the 2012 financial year two acquisitions were made. The first was the
    acquisition of Acquos's Australian masterbatch operations for A$20.9 million.
    A market leading position in the colour and performance plastic additives
    market was established following the integration of the acquired operations
    with Nuplex's existing masterbatch operations. After a slow start due to the
    continued deterioration in the Australian market, the integrated business,
    called Nuplex Masterbatch, is on track to deliver above cost of capital
    returns and is expected to be earnings per share accretive within two years.
    
    The second acquisition was the purchase of Viverso, its products and
    operations from BayerMaterial Sciences for, a total acquisition cost of Euro
    75 million.
    Viverso consolidated Nuplex's existing position in Europe as the leading
    solventborne acrylics resin producer and positions Nuplex as a top four
    independent resins producer in the region. Being seen as a German based
    producer provides greater access to the German manufacturing customer base
    where Nuplex holds strong positions in the Automotive OEM and Vehicle
    Refinish segments. Nuplex is also now the leading supplier of resins into the
    emerging markets in Central and Eastern Europe and has an expanded product
    portfolio following the addition of some new complementary technologies
    acquired as part of the transaction.
    Viverso meets Nuplex's financial criteria as it will earn above cost of
    capital returns and was earnings per share accretive within the first six
    months of ownership. Viverso also meets all three non-financial acquisition
    criteria.
    During the year, the Board held its May meeting in the Netherlands and
    Germany and in addition to visiting Viverso's Bitterfeld site, we also
    visited German customers. The site at Bitterfeld is one of the most modern
    resin manufacturing plants in the world today and I would like to take you on
    a video tour of the operations to give you a sense of the scale and quality
    of the assets you have acquired via the Viverso acquisition.
    Conclusion
    Nuplex has performed well over the past two years in challenging operating
    conditions, and The Board is confident that the Group is on track to deliver
    improving returns to shareholders.
    Nuplex has a clear strategy and a strong balance sheet. Work is ongoing to
    strengthen existing operations and grow through the execution of both organic
    growth projects and acquisitions.  The Board is convinced that Nuplex's
    strategy is the right one to enable the Group to continue navigating
    uncertain market conditions, whilst at the same time positioning for long
    term success.
    I would like to finish by thanking all our shareholders for their ongoing
    support, as well as my fellow directors and all our worldwide employees.
    I will now hand over to the Chief Executive Officer to give a more detailed
    operating update and further insight in to the outlook for the company over
    the balance of this financial year.
    EMERY SEVERIN, CHIEF EXECITIVE OFFICER
    Thank you Mr Chairman. Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen.
    I am pleased to be here today and thank you for joining us at this year's
    meeting.
    Last year I discussed in detail our strategy to strengthen and grow Nuplex
    through focusing on the things we can control and building on our market
    positions and innovative technologies. I also noted that our focus for the
    2012 financial year would be on execution. 12 months on, our focus on
    executing our plan has underpinned the delivery of a solid operating
    performance in challenging markets, whilst at the same time making
    considerable progress on our strategic initiatives.
    Today, I will follow on from the Chairman's overview on the Group's 2012
    financial year results with a brief review of the performance of our Resins
    and Specialties segments, as well as discussing in more detail the recently
    announced streamlining of our Australian and New Zealand operations. I will
    then provide a review of our strategic initiatives and their progress and
    then conclude with a trading update and earnings guidance for the 2013
    financial year.
    2012 financial year
    The resilience of our 2012 financial year results again highlighted the
    benefit of Nuplex's geographic and product diversity. This year's financial
    result benefited from the six months of earnings from Viverso and the
    realisation of $14 million in NuLEAP benefit, $4 million more than was
    targeted for the year.
    Turning to our key business segments, the global Resins segment generates
    approximately 80% of Nuplex's earnings and delivered a solid result
    considering the challenging conditions in all our markets but particularly in
    Australia and New Zealand.
    Resins segment earnings were up 3% to $110.3 million as a result of the
    positive six month contribution from the Viverso acquisition. Excluding
    Viverso's earnings contribution, earnings from the existing Resins operations
    were down 6% - however, had exchange rates remained unchanged over the
    period, earnings would have only been down 1% as margin management, cost
    control and NuLEAP benefits largely offset the 5% decline in volumes.
    Particularly pleasing was the improvement in the average margin per tonne,
    which on a constant currency basis was up 6%. The margin improvement reflects
    our relentless focus on margin management and the pricing actions taken
    throughout the year to recover the higher raw material costs, as well as the
    benefit of NuLEAP procurement and sales mix initiatives.
    The Australian and New Zealand based Specialties segment generates the
    balance of Nuplex's earnings. The Specialties businesses were also impacted
    by the same tough markets faced by the Resins segment operations in the
    region. Earnings were down 12%. The segment's two businesses Nuplex
    Specialties, the agency and distribution business, and Nuplex Masterbatch, a
    colour and performance plastics manufacturer, were impacted by reduced demand
    from the manufacturing, construction and construction related markets.
    Alignment of Australian and New Zealand operations
    For the second year in a row, our Australian and New Zealand operations
    experienced challenging and declining market conditions as the higher New
    Zealand and Australian currencies continued to drive a structural shift in
    manufacturing, and construction activity remained at cyclical lows. In
    response to these market conditions, during the year we undertook a review of
    our regional manufacturing network.
    Following the eight month long review, it was concluded that demand levels in
    both the manufacturing and construction sectors will be lower than in
    previous economic cycles. In order to align our capacity with a wide range of
    potential through-the-cycle demand levels we announced the streamlining of
    our Australian and New Zealand operations in September.
    We are streamlining our Australian and New Zealand manufacturing network
    through the closure of our operations at Canning Vale in Western Australia,
    Wangaratta in Victoria, and Onehunga in Auckland. The high-temperature plant
    at Penrose in Auckland will also be closed.
    Concurrently, we are investing in the efficiency and flexibility of our four
    remaining sites at Penrose in Auckland, Botany in New South Wales, Wacol in
    Queensland and Springvale in Victoria.
    By taking these steps we will increase our efficiency and align our cost base
    with the changed market conditions. These changes will realise cost savings
    of $5.6 million pre-tax per annum which will be fully realised in the 2015
    financial year. Importantly, by adapting to the changed market conditions, we
    expect to be able to competitively produce products in Australia and New
    Zealand, retain our market leading positions and improve our returns to
    shareholders.
    Regrettably, approximately 8% of Nuplex employees will be impacted by the
    announced changes. However these changes are necessary to support a
    sustainable business in Australian and New Zealand and its remaining 700 plus
    employees, as well as being in the best interests of shareholders. We are
    working with all affected employees to do what we can to assist them, and all
    entitlements will be preserved.
    Execution of strategic initiatives
    Over the past 12 months, through our ongoing disciplined focus, considerable
    progress was made in relation to the strategic initiatives designed to
    improve margins and to grow returns. These fall within six key areas.
    Through the combination of the first three focus areas of safety, people and
    performance improvement, we are working hard to strengthen Nuplex's existing
    operations to improve overall margins.
    Starting with the first of these three areas, safety; as noted by the
    Chairman, we are continuing to work towards building a culture of 'Zero
    Harm.' Over the year, considerable effort was put into implementing best
    practice through a range of activities including a global safety management
    system, recruitment of additional SHE personnel, training for senior leaders
    and the rollout of a more comprehensive Personal Protective Equipment Policy.
    
    In relation to our second key area, our people; we are starting to see strong
    momentum behind our One Global Team approach as employees themselves are
    starting to see the benefits of working together. Embedding our One Global
    Team culture across our geographically dispersed business remains a key
    element of strengthening Nuplex's performance through leveraging our global
    technologies and know-how. Whilst evolving an organisation's culture takes
    time, I am confident that the shift from siloed regional businesses towards
    One Global Team is occurring.
    Last July, we established what we refer to as 'overlay' teams which consist
    of members from each of Nuplex's regions and functions. These teams are
    focused on working together to drive new business development, particularly
    in the areas of Performance Coatings and Waterborne applications and are
    starting to gain traction. The Global Technology and Procurement councils
    were also established in to better prioritizing activities and spend, as well
    as reducing costs through the identification of global efficiencies.
    We are achieving performance improvement through NuLEAP, our performance
    improvement program which continues to be at the centre of our activities to
    strengthen Nuplex's existing operations. Our fixed costs in the 2012
    financial year were below inflation and as mentioned earlier our unit margins
    improved. We can track these results directly to our NuLEAP initiatives. As
    evident by the delivery of benefits in excess of its 2012 financial year
    target, there is strong momentum behind the program which remains ontrack to
    deliver its total program target of at least cumulative $30 million in
    benefits by the end of the 2013 financial year.
    Whilst the NuLEAP program is nearing the end of its program life, it is only
    the first step in our journey towards embedding continuous improvement
    practices at Nuplex. We are already planning for NuLEAP II, and expect to be
    able to make further improvements in the areas of procurement, price and
    margin management, supply chain and logistics. Already we have identified an
    opportunity to save 1 to 2% on our annual procurement spend. With this
    initiative already underway we expect to save $2 million in this financial
    year after accounting for implementation costs.
    Through the remaining three strategic focus areas of emerging markets,
    innovative R&D and strategic acquisitions, we are growing Nuplex through a
    combination of these initiatives.
    We are growing organically in the emerging markets of East, South East and
    South Asia as well as Central and Eastern Europe through increasing our
    presence and capacity. In Asia, we are increasing our capacity by 50% by the
    end of 2014, through expanding our capacity in Vietnam, and building a third
    site in China. Pleasingly, in May we commissioned the new plant at our site
    in Vietnam on time and on budget. The approval process for the new third
    Chinese site is ongoing and despite it having taken longer than we
    anticipated, we still expect to have the site built and commissioned by the
    end the 2014 financial year. In India, we have increased our presence with
    the formation of a sales office in Mumbai.
    In Central Europe, we have taken a market leading position through the
    acquisition of Viverso. In Eastern Europe, we also took a step towards
    establishing a presence in Russia through the signing of an agreement to form
    a joint venture with the Kvil Group, a local Russian paint and resins
    company. Many of our multinational customers are active in Russia and we see
    an opportunity to produce high quality resins locally as currently our
    exports to Russia incur an import tariff. Initially we will only be making a
    modest investment to form a marketing and sales joint venture, and invest in
    some plant and equipment. By entering this market with a local partner, we
    are taking a low risk approach to entering this high growth market.
    Innovative research and development is our second key growth area and is
    central to Nuplex's long term success. One of the significant opportunities I
    identified when I joined Nuplex almost two and a half years ago, was the
    opportunity to take our regionally developed and regionally focused
    technologies and extend them across our global platform. Through the global
    overlay teams and Technology Council previously mentioned, we are identifying
    new markets for some of our new and existing technologies. A great example of
    this is the introduction in Asia of our Australian and New Zealand developed
    textile technologies and high end decorative coating resins as well as
    European developed high performance metal coatings used in applications such
    as trains and heavy machinery.
    Our overarching technology goal is to sustainably renew our product portfolio
    by between 20 and 30% over a five year rolling average. This is essential to
    having a sustainable business model and we are achieving this goal.
    Our final growth area relates to strategic acquisitions, and I will now
    follow on from the Chairman's discussion of the strategic rationale for the
    three acquisitions made over the past two years and give an update in their
    performance.
    Starting with our largest acquisition, Viverso, I am pleased to report that
    the integration is progressing well. The operations have been renamed Nuplex
    Germany, and we are seeing strong initial interest in the acquired products
    both in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Earnings for the first six months were
    ahead of expectations and the business is on track to deliver earnings of at
    least Euro 12 million in the 2013 financial year.
    Nuplex Masterbatch is back on track, having got off to a slow start as a
    result of the deterioration in the underlying market conditions that occurred
    in the last quarter of 2011. Following an acceleration of the integration
    process and optimization of the cost base, it is pleasing to see this
    business is now performing in line with its acquisition business case and is
    expected to deliver earnings of A$5 million in this financial year.
    We have been actively supporting the management team at Fibrelogic to
    position the businesses as best they can, given the very low level of
    activity in their key markets of water and mining infrastructure. Costs have
    been aggressively cut, however at this stage we don't expect the business
    will break even in the 2013 financial year. This situation can turn around
    quickly as it only takes one reasonably sized contract to return this
    business to profitability.
    Ladies and gentlemen, the considerable progress made during the 2012
    financial year generated strong momentum within the organisation and we have
    entered the 2013 financial year in good shape. We continue to focus on what
    we can control and build on our competitive advantages and I am confident
    that this approach, combined with the momentum within the business will
    underpin another year of progress in the 2013 financial year.
    2013 financial year
    Turning now to the current financial year.  As expected, the uncertainty
    surrounding the outlook for market conditions that has characterised the past
    two years has continued into the 2013 financial year.
    The trading conditions for the first few months of this financial year have
    largely been a continuation of the conditions experienced the second half of
    the 2012 financial year.
    In Australia, whilst volumes in the first quarter of the 2013 financial year
    were lower when compared with the same period last year, they were largely in
    line with volumes in the 2012 financial year fourth quarter. Looking ahead,
    we are not assuming a turnaround in demand in the near future.
    In New Zealand, trading conditions have shown a slight improvement resulting
    in small volume growth when compared with volumes in the 2012 financial year
    fourth quarter.
    Trading conditions in Asia remain steady and we have seen some small volume
    growth on the back of internal sales initiatives and the benefit of Viverso
    heritage products when compared with the same period last year.
    In Europe, first quarter volumes were steady when compared with the prior
    corresponding period. However, seasonally adjusted, volumes were slightly
    softer when compared with the fourth quarter of the prior financial year. We
    are closely monitoring market conditions as there are signs of further
    softening in the automotive OEM sector in coming months. We are actively
    managing our sales activities in this uncertain environment.
    Seasonally adjusted US volumes have been flat when compared to the fourth
    quarter of the previous financial year. Economic data indicates that the US
    economy continues its slow recovery.
    For the 2013 financial year, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and
    amortisation is expected to be between $135 and $150 million.  This guidance
    takes into account the full year benefits of the recent acquisitions, our
    NuLEAP program, and the impact of the restructuring costs associated with the
    streamlining of the Australia and New Zealand operations. It also makes
    allowance for market and exchange rate volatility.
    Thank you very much for your attention, I will now hand the meeting back to
    the Chairman.
    End CA:00229199 For:NPX    Type:ADDRESS    Time:2012-11-01 10:06:21
    				
 
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