[2008-12-04]  Sechaba Exults Sales Growth But Glum About Future

Brewing giant, Sechaba Brewery Holdings has posted a positive set of interim results for the period ended 30 September 2008, something that will be hard to repeat due to an anticipated slump in sales resulting from the 30-percent alcohol levy.

The results were on the back of good performance by its associate companies, Kgalagadi Breweries Limited (KBL) and Botswana Breweries Limited (BBL).

KBL delivered a year-on-year growth of 13.8 percent in attributable profit. This was driven by good performance in volumes in which clear beer sales went up by 17.0 percent while carbonated soft drinks (CSD) increased by 11.4 percent.

BBL posted an attributable profit growth of 21.2 percent in which traditional beer sales were up 15.5percent while Mageu recorded a growth of 13.8 percent.

But the recently implemented 30-percent levy on alcohol is expected to dampen volume growth in the short-term. However, analysts believe the implementation of public and private sector projects will help boost volumes in the medium- to long-term, although currently prevailing high levels of inflation have an adverse effect on disposable income and volumes.

"We believe that inflationary pressures will abate in the first quarter of 2009. With volumes expected to drop, it is very crucial for the company to manage its costs in a more stringent manner in order to protect margins," says a report by Stockbrokers Botswana.

"Implementation of public sector projects will help to boost the level of disposable income. This is despite setbacks in some of the projects like the Activox Refinery in Francistown and the Mmamabula Energy Project (MEP).

"Projects like the construction of the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), the Nata-Kazungula road and bridge, the expansion of the runway and terminal building of the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, the upgrading of Maun and Francistown airports and other public works are expected to create employment in the short-, medium- and long-term."

On a consolidated basis, sales grew by 33.2 percent to P734.9m, while gross profit increased by 12.9 percent to P260.1m. However, gross margins dropped by 6.4 percentage points to 35.4 percent. This was driven by, among others, the depreciation of the local currency that resulted in an increase in cost of sales.
Source: MMEGI