In the first half of French Rougier group was confronted by a further decline in turnover of 3.2% to €76.0m. Nevertheless, increases in results were achieved again after a considerable time period. In view of the profits situation, which has significantly deteriorated since 2015, the company initiated an action plan in October 2016 to increase profitability. The EBITDA, at €4.2m, just surpassed the preceding year’s level. The EBITDA margin improved to 5.5%. At €2.7m the EBIT was again very positive. In the period covered by the report, the company generated a slight net profit of €0.6m.
The Rougier Afrique international business division which includes timber harvesting and processing activities in Africa as well as international trade, contributed €58.5m to group turnover. This 5.5% decline is explained as being due to low demand on various markets as well as delays in shipment from the port of Douala in Cameroon. The EBITDA of the division was €4.1m.
Roundwood business developed along positive lines in the reporting period - at an increase of 10.0% to €20.3m. As a proportion of total turnover, roundwood business thus increased to 26.8%. The agreement with the Gabon Special Economic Zone (GSEZ) SA concluded in February contributed to this increase. This agreement makes provisions for Rougier to supply some 110,000m³ of okoumé roundwood per annum from its concession in Gabon to the Nkok SEZ special economic zone in future. In the timber business, in contrast, the company was confronted by a 6.0% decline in turnover to €40.7m, which meant the proportion decreased to 53.6%.