SANTOVA LIMITED - Voluntary Trading Statement and Renewal of Cautionary Announcement

Voluntary Trading Statement and Renewal of Cautionary Announcement

SANTOVA LIMITED
(Registration Number 1998/018118/06)
Share Code: SNV
ISIN: ZAE000159711
Main Board - General Segment
("Santova" or "the Company")

Voluntary Trading Statement and Renewal of Cautionary Announcement

Voluntary Trading Statement

Santova is in the process of finalising its results for the year ended 28 February 2025
and shareholders are accordingly advised that the Company has reasonable certainty
that the Company is expecting to announce earnings per share ("EPS") of between
111.43c and 117.02c, headline earnings per share ("HEPS'') of between 110.93c and
117.12c and recurring headline earnings per share ("RHEPS") of between 111.41c to
116.91c.

           12 Months to 29           12 Months to 28
            February 2024             February 2025              % Change
     EPS       111.81c              111.43c to 117.02c     -0.3% to 4.7%
     HEPS      123.77c              110.93c to 117.12c     -10.4% to -5.4%
     RHEPS     109.92c              111.41c to 116.91c     1.4% to 6.4%

In evaluating these results, users should take into account that the company recorded a
non-recurring fair value gain on contingent consideration of R18.3 million in the prior
period. This fair value gain was included in the calculation of EPS and HEPS but was
removed for purposes of the calculation of RHEPS in the prior period and thus
represents the key difference between RHEPS, HEPS and EPS in the prior period.

The financial information on which this trading statement is based has not been
reviewed or audited by the Company`s external auditors, Moore Johannesburg Inc.

The Company's annual financial statements for the year ended 28 February 2025 are
expected to be published on SENS on or before 30 May 2025.

Renewal of Cautionary Announcement

Further to the cautionary announcement dated 11 February 2025 and the renewal of
cautionary announcement dated 25 March 2025, shareholders are advised that
negotiations are still in progress to acquire a Group of companies providing seamless
omnichannel fulfillment, express courier, warehouse and supply chain logistics services
primarily in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, which, if successfully concluded,
may have a material effect on the price of the company's securities.

Rationale for the Transaction

As Santova evolves and the take-on of larger more complicated supply chains of
multinational clients becomes more frequent, the ability to leverage off strategically
located fulfilment centres and technologies will be key if it is to remain competitive
and meet growing customer expectations. For this reason, the company has entered
negotiations to acquire a Group which was founded in 1962 and is a leading logistics
provider across the United Kingdom and Europe. This business would offer Santova
the ability to offer clients strategically located fulfilment centres in the Netherlands, the
gateway to Europe, as well as in the United Kingdom.

These facilities, unlike traditional warehouses, are designed for the processing and
shipping of customer orders as opposed to bulk storage and long-term inventory
holding. Specialist activities or services would include fast picking, packing and
dispatching, and the integration directly with online order/sales platforms.

This will fast track Santova's strategy which is focused on the e-commerce market. The
rise of e-commerce continues to drive demand for faster and more efficient logistics
services, particularly in areas like last-mile delivery. At the same time, demand for
warehousing space is high, particularly for e-commerce fulfilment, finding suitable
land and securing planning permission is becoming more and more difficult in Europe,
particularly The Netherlands.

Source of funding

The Transaction, if successful, will be financed through existing cash reserves and
available debt facilities.

Further Cautionary

Shareholders are advised to continue exercising caution when dealing in the company's
securities until a full announcement is made.


12 May 2025
Durban
Sponsor and Corporate Advisor
River Group

Date: 12-05-2025 02:00:00
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