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WILDERNESS HOLDINGS LIMITED - Audited consolidated financial results for the year ended 28 February 2014 and a cash dividend announcement

Release Date: 23/05/2014 13:59
Code(s): WIL     PDF:  
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Audited consolidated financial results for the year ended 28 February 2014 and a cash dividend announcement

Wilderness Holdings Limited
("Wilderness" or "the Company" or "the Group")
Share code: WIL  ISIN: BW0000000868
Registration number: 2004/2986
BSE: Primary Listing  JSE: Secondary Listing

Audited preliminary announcement of consolidated financial results 
for the year ended 28 February 2014 and a cash dividend declaration

Highlights
- Revenue up 16% to BWP1 401 million
- EBI TDA  increase of 39% to BWP151 million 
- Profit after tax up by 75% to BWP48 million
- HEPS increase of 44% to 16 thebe per share
- Cash generated by operations up 138% to BWP184 million
- RevPar increase of 23%
- Occupancy percentage up to 62% from 56%
- Cash dividend of 10 thebe per share

Summarised consolidated statement of comprehensive income
                                   Audited                Audited
                                Year ended             Year ended
BWP’000                        28 Feb 2014   Change   28 Feb 2013
Revenue                          1 401 206      16%     1 205 074
Cost of sales                     (816 387)              (690 529)
Gross profit                       584 819                514 545
Other gains                         17 200                 22 889
Operating expenses                (452 166)      8%      (419 605)
Foreign exchange
gains/(losses)                       1 315                 (8 928)
Operating profit for year 
before items listed below
(EBITDA)                           151 168      39%       108 901
Impairment loss on property, 
plant and equipment and loans       (8 902)               (14 000)
Depreciation and
amortisation                       (50 093)               (46 982)
Operating profit                    92 173      92%        47 919
Net finance costs                   (7 509)                (8 205)
Unrealised foreign exchange
loss on loans                       (9 851)                (7 260)
Share of associate company
profit                               2 708                     66
Profit before taxation              77 521     138%        32 520
Taxation                           (29 031)                (4 816)
Profit for the year                 48 490      75%        27 704
Other comprehensive
(loss)/income
Items that may be subsequently 
reclassified to profit or loss
Exchange differences on 
translating foreign operations:     (5 275)                (3 156)
Equity holders of the
Company                              4 270                   9 470
Non-controlling interest              (709)                 (1 013)
Net investment in foreign
operations                          (8 836)                (11 613)
Total comprehensive income
for year                            43 215                  24 548
Profit/(loss) attributable
to:
Owners of the Company               46 147                  29 561
Non-controlling interest             2 343                  (1 857)
                                    48 490                  27 704

Total comprehensive income/(loss)
attributable to:
Owners of the Company               41 581                  27 418
Non-controlling interest             1 634                  (2 870)
                                    43 215                  24 548

Number of shares issued
(thousands)
Issued                             231 000                 231 000
Weighted average                   231 000                 231 000
Diluted                            234 003                 231 094
Earnings per share (thebe)
Headline                             16.07      44%         11.13
Diluted headline                     15.86      42%         11.13
Basic                                19.98      56%         12.80
Diluted                              19.72      54%         12.79


Summarised consolidated statement of financial position
                                             Audited       Audited
                                          Year ended    Year ended
BWP’000                                  28 Feb 2014   29 Feb 2013
Assets
Non-current assets                           474 933       474 047
Property, plant and equipment and
intangibles                                  405 833       391 235
Goodwill                                      32 696        34 855
Investment and loans in associates            13 982        11 390
Loans receivable                                 237         1 768
Deferred taxation                             22 185        34 799
Current assets                               407 530       319 065
Inventories                                   19 707        17 889
Receivables and prepayments                   77 903        97 384
Current tax receivable                        14 530        14 467
Bank balances and cash                       295 390       189 325
Assets of disposal group classified as
held for sale                                      –         1 386
Total assets                                 882 463       794 498
Equity and liabilities
Equity attributable to owners of the
Company                                      382 695       344 728
Non-controlling interest                      (7 747)       (7 259)
Total equity                                 374 948       337 469
Non-current liabilities                      124 221       130 249
Borrowings and obligations                    96 597       102 129
Deferred taxation                             27 624        28 120
Current liabilities                          383 294       326 780
Trade and other payables                     336 937       273 724
Current tax liabilities                        1 686         3 368
Bank overdrafts                               44 671        49 688
Total liabilities                            507 515       457 029
Total equity and liabilities                 882 463       794 498
Net asset value per share (thebe)                166           149
Net tangible asset value per share
(thebe)                                          152           134


Summarised consolidated statement of cash flows
                                             Audited      Audited
                                          Year ended   Year ended
BWP’000                                  28 Feb 2014  28 Feb 2013
Net cash inflow from operating
activities                                   184 426       77 518
Net cash outflow from investing
activities                                   (51 819)     (66 253)
Net cash outflow from financing
activities                                   (32 959)     (44 960)
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents                                   99 648      (33 695)
Unrealised exchange gains on foreign
cash balances                                 11 434       15 828
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
of year                                      139 637      157 504
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
year                                         250 719      139 637

Summarised consolidated statement of changes in total equity
                                             Audited       Audited
                                          Year ended    Year ended
BWP’000                                  28 Feb 2014   28 Feb 2013
Balance at beginning of year                 337 469       331 212
Total comprehensive income for the
year                                          43 215        24 548
Minority portion of dividend paid             (2 093)         (342)
Dividends paid                                (9 240)      (19 865)
Share-based payments                           6 151         3 029
Acquisition of subsidiary                       (554)       (1 113)
Balance at end of year                       374 948       337 469

Determination of headline earnings
Reconciliation between profit attributable to owners of the
Company and headline earnings
                                             Audited       Audited
                                          Year ended    Year ended
BWP’000                                  28 Feb 2014   28 Feb 2013
Profit attributable to owners of the
Company                                       46 147        29 561
Adjustments
Surplus on disposal of operations,
investments and associates                    (3 051)            –
Profit on disposal of property, plant
and equipment                                 (7 345)      (18 506)
Net impairments                                2 320        13 855
Tax effects of adjustments                      (909)          347
Non-controlling interests portion                (41)          459
Headline earnings                             37 121        25 716

Segmental analysis
                                             Audited       Audited
                                          Year ended    Year ended
BWP’000                                  28 Feb 2014   28 Feb 2013
Botswana                                     440 940       354 640
Namibia                                      218 296       221 246
South Africa                               1 059 545       891 062
Zambezi                                      139 270       125 766
Intergroup                                  (456 845)     (387 640)
                                           1 401 206     1 205 074
Reportable segment profit/(loss)*
Botswana                                      98 459        78 992
Namibia                                        3 032         4 716
South Africa                                  26 533        15 184
Zambezi                                        4 592        (3 938)
Net items unallocated to a segment                37           (14)
                                             132 653        94 940
Total assets
Botswana                                     425 292       407 292
Namibia                                      130 061       136 512
South Africa                                 239 639       186 133
Zambezi                                      100 214        88 267
Central financing activities and
eliminations                                 (12 743)      (23 706)
                                             882 463       794 498

* Segment profit and loss comprises EBITDA and excludes other gains 
and foreign exchange gains and losses.

Commentary
The directors of Wilderness Holdings are pleased to announce the 
results for the 2014 financial year that represent the best trading 
performance to date. This lays the foundation for future growth both 
within and beyond the Group’s current geographic footprint.

The Wilderness business model
Founded in 1983, the Wilderness Holdings Group owns and operates more 
than 60 luxury safari camps in nine African countries. Most camps are 
marketed under one of two trading brands, Wilderness Safaris or 
Wilderness Collection, both recognised as leading brands in our sector
of the travel industry.
The business is vertically integrated offering international and 
regional guests unique experiences in remote wildlife areas by 
providing a multiple service platform of reservation, transfer and 
access, as well as accommodation. Itineraries may also include an 
element of various independent products, these being hotels,
lodges or B&Bs in which the Group has no shareholding interest. 

Financial review
Revenue grew by 16% despite a 9% reduction in available bednights 
from 231 528 to 210 880. Growth came from organic expansion of 
existing businesses and is attributable to greater volumes of sales 
of independent product, increased yield per owned bednight and a 
benefit from depreciating local currencies.
The average exchange rate for the period was 11% weaker against the 
US Dollar at BWP8.56 having the effect of increasing revenue. 
However, the ZAR depreciated against the Botswana Pula by 8% to 
R1.20, causing the inverse effect of reducing revenue on translation 
of the South African operation to Botswana Pula. The combination of 
the net currency movement contributed approximately 6% of the 
revenue growth.

Gross margin has decreased by 1% to 41.7%. This was a result of the 
change in sales mix with the lower margin independent product sales 
constituting 38.5% of total revenue compared with 37% in the 
corresponding period.
EBITDA margin has improved from 9% to 11% due to the initiatives 
undertaken in the prior year including the closure of loss making 
camps and a shift in focus from cost cutting to eliminations of 
inefficient or non-value add activities; an example is the creation 
of the flying circuit. Greater investment in camp maintenance, marketing 
and sales, technology and a doubling of the share-based payments charge 
to BWP6 million resulted in an acceptable 8% increase in operating costs.
All geographical segments reported an improved operational 
performance, if Namibia is normalised for the VAT refund received in 
the prior year.
Other gains amounting to BWP17.2 million include BWP14 million profit 
from the disposal of an associate and a property in Namibia together 
with a profit of BWP2.6 million on disposal of the Lusaka property.
In line with the Group’s hedging strategy, forward cover has been 
reduced to between 30% and 50% of the unhedged position. Foreign 
exchange gains amounted to BWP1.3 million.
Impairment losses amounted to BWP8.9 million. Approximately BWP6 
million is for impairment of a vendor loan advanced and insurance 
claim, BWP1.9 million is for goodwill impaired at half year, with the 
remaining balance attributed to an investment in associate and 
property, plant and equipment.
Net finance cost decreased from BWP8.2 million to BWP7.5 million 
reflecting the lower level of interest bearing debt.
The Group’s effective tax rate increased from 15% in the prior year 
to 37% in the current year. The effective tax rate in the prior year 
was lower than normal owing to the recognition of a previously 
unrecognised deferred tax asset. Excluding this and on a normalised 
basis the effective tax rate reduced by nearly 4% from just under 
41%. The effective tax rate is higher than the Group’s nominal rate 
of 22% largely due to the higher tax jurisdiction in the other 
geographical segments and the continued inability to recognise 
deferred tax assets on various tax losses. Nearly BWP81 million was 
reinvested in capital expenditure, including camp assets, technology 
and new camps. Two new camps under the Explorations brand were opened 
as well as the new Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp in Namibia scheduled 
for opening in August 2014.
Cash available has increased by 80% to BWP251 million notwithstanding 
a decrease in average interest bearing debt of 7% with an overall 
improvement in working capital. The existing facilities have been 
utilised and new facilities are being renegotiated.

Dividend
Notice is hereby given that a final dividend for the year ended 
28 February 2014 of 10.0 thebe per share was declared by the board 
on 21 May 2014 (9.25 thebe per share net of Botswana withholding tax). 
Withholding tax of 7.5% is applicable to all shareholders who are not 
exempt and registered on the Botswana share register. The dividend has 
been declared from income reserves. The dividend will be payable on 
Thursday, 26 June 2014 to those shareholders registered at the close of 
business on Friday, 13 June 2014. For JSE registered shareholders, the
last date to trade shall be Friday, 6 June 2014 and shall commence trading
ex the dividend on Monday, 9 June 2014. The South African branch register 
will be closed for the purposes of dematerialisation, rematerialisation 
within the South African register, and transfers between the South 
African and Botswana registers, from Monday, 9 June 2014 to Friday, 
13 June 2014, both dates inclusive. The dividend shall be paid in Rand
to shareholders on the South African register, calculated at the Pula 
to Rand exchange rate on 22 May 2014 which was BWP1/R1.19 and accordingly
the gross dividend payable is 11.90 cents per share (10.115 cents per 
share net of South African withholding tax). Withholding tax of 15% is 
applicable to all shareholders who are not exempt and are registered on
the South African share register. The issued shares at the declaration 
date are 231 000 000.

Capital commitments
The Board approved BWP93 million in capital expenditure to maintain 
and develop new camps and other assets and thus expand the Group’s 
earnings base. The Board envisage that this will be funded by 
existing cash balances and new borrowing facilities. Directorate
On 24 January 2014 Ami Azoulay was appointed to the Board as its 
Chief Financial Officer. Derek de la Harpe, the former CFO, remains 
on the Board and has been appointed to the position of Commercial 
Director and Chief Sustainability Officer.

Subsequent events
No material events have occurred between the reporting date and the 
date of this report.

Segmental information
In line with a change in the internal structure of reporting and 
management, the Group has modified its operating segments from 
operating divisions to geographic segments by country or region. 
Consequently the segment report has been amended to reflect these new 
segments as required by the “management approach” of IFRS 8 – 
Operating Segments. In order to allow for comparison the segment 
information has been restated accordingly.

Contingencies
The matters related to the previously reported contingent
liability which arose on the sale of Duba camp have been addressed 
and accordingly the contingent liability is no longer in existence. 

Basis of preparation
The summarised financial information has been prepared in accordance 
with the framework concepts and the measurement and recognition 
requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards and the 
information as required by IAS 34 – Interim Financial Reporting. The 
report has been prepared using accounting policies that comply with 
International Financial Reporting Standards which are consistent with 
those applied in the prior year financial statements. The new 
accounting standards which have been adopted do not impact on the 
reported results and enhance disclosure.

Independent auditor’s opinion
The auditors, Deloitte & Touche, have issued their opinion on the 
Group’s financial statements for the year ended 28 February 2014. The 
audit was conducted in accordance with International Standards on 
Auditing. They have issued an unmodified audit opinion. These 
summarised financial statements have been derived from the Group 
financial statements and are consistent in all material respects with 
the Group financial statements. A copy of their audit report is 
available for inspection at the Company’s registered office.
Any reference to future financial performance included in this
announcement, has not been reviewed or reported on by the company’s 
auditors.

Outlook
The focus of the past year has been on consolidation and organic 
growth, this is expected to continue on the back of the stronger US 
market and an improvement in the European market. Various 
opportunities for expansion both within the current geographic 
footprint of the Group and beyond it into other regions of Africa 
have been identified and expansion plans are being considered.
The market outlook on tourism in Southern Africa is positive, 
therefore the Board is optimistic about the future and thanks its 
staff for their effort over the past year.

By order of the Board
Parks Tafa                     Ami Azoulay
Chairman                       Chief Financial Officer

23 May 2014


Registered office (Botswana): Deloitte House, Plot 64518, 
Fairgrounds, Gaborone, Botswana
Registered office (South Africa): 373 Rivonia Boulevard, Rivonia, 
South Africa.
PO Box 5219, Rivonia 2128, South Africa
External company registration number: 2009/022894/10
Tax reference number: C075372-01-01-7
JSE Sponsor: Rand Merchant Bank (a division of FirstRand Bank
Limited)
Transfer secretaries: Corpserve Botswana – Computershare 
Directors: BBP Tafa (Chairman), M Tollman (Deputy Chairman), K
NW Vincent (CEO), A Azoulay (CFO), DA de la Harpe, C de Fleurieu, 
RM Hartman, JM Hunt, RJ Marnitz, MW McCulloch, GB Tollman, 
MPK ter Haar, J Zeitz
Group Company Secretary: S Mganga
www.wilderness-group.com 
www.wilderness-safaris.com 
www.wilderness-collection.com 
www.wilderness-residents.co.za

Sponsor
RAND MERCHANT BANK (A division of FirstRand Bank Limited)
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