5 February 2025
Tandem Group plc
(the 'Company' and together with its
subsidiaries the 'Group')
Trading Update and Notice of
Results
11% growth in FY24 revenues
and return to Group profitability
Tandem Group plc (AIM: TND)
designers, developers, distributors and retailers of sports,
leisure and e-mobility, provides the following trading update and
confirms that its annual results for the year ended 31 December
2024 (the "period" or "FY24") will be announced on 24 March
2025.
Trading and operations update
As reported in the Company's interim
results on 20 September 2024, first-half revenue remained stable
compared to the equivalent period in the previous year, reflecting
the ongoing challenges within the consumer sector and broader
economic environment. A stronger second half of the financial year
drove an improvement, resulting in unaudited FY24 revenue of £24.6
million, representing an 11% increase year-on-year. This
performance highlights the Company's adaptability and growth
despite external pressures.
Amid ongoing challenges in the
consumer sector, compounded by broader economic pressures and
political uncertainty in the UK, the market came under additional
strain due to elevated shipping rates and delays in the Suez Canal.
These factors further suppressed already subdued consumer spending
in the domestic market.
The Board is pleased that the Group
has returned to profitability in FY24 and remains confident that
profit before tax and exceptionals (including the non-cash
impairment of legacy IT systems), subject to audit, will be in line
with market expectations. This performance reflects disciplined
execution, cost controls, and operational resilience, maintaining
profitability in a challenging environment and underscoring the
strength of the Company's business model.
Toys, Sports, and Leisure (TSL)
The TSL business, including
character-licensed wheeled toys and in-house sports and leisure
products, performed strongly, contributing significantly to Group
performance. Revenue increased by 20% year-on-year, driven by an
18% growth in licensed product sales and a 26% increase in
own-label products.
In FY24 we observed a reversal in
the trend we had seen on Freight on Board (FOB) sales in the
previous year, with growth of 14%. Domestic sales also grew 23%
year-on-year by securing seven new national accounts in the period,
driving revenue growth and market penetration.
Bicycles
Bicycle sales, including electric
bikes, finished 11% ahead of the previous year, outperforming
broader sector challenges. Sales of electric bikes saw a
comparative decline of 8%, however, this was more than offset with
39% revenue growth in mechanical bikes.
Sales of premium Squish bikes surged by 69%
year-on-year, reflecting robust consumer demand and the brand's
growing reputation. This momentum was boosted by the brand's
recognition as 'Bike Brand of the Year', increasing visibility and
customer confidence.
Golf
Golf sales increased by 13%
year-on-year, reflecting strong performance across the division.
The Ben Sayers brand finished 2% down year-on-year; however, this
was offset by exceptional growth in the Pro Rider range. Our focus
on product development within the Pro Rider portfolio drove more
than two-fold revenue growth, highlighting the success of our
innovation-led approach.
Home & Garden
Home and Garden revenue finished 22%
behind the prior year, mainly due to adverse weather conditions
throughout the period. Unfavourable weather during key outdoor
periods, such as Easter and the Summer School holidays, affected
outdoor categories. Products like cooling systems, gazebos, outdoor
furniture, and parasols experienced significant declines in demand.
However, heating and home products partially offset this decrease,
as increased volume in these categories helped to soften the
impact. Short bursts of extreme weather have helped with the
heating and cooling categories.
Outlook
Early indicators from retailers in
January 2025 align with management expectations and the addition of
new national retailer accounts is expanding the Group's market
presence and positioning it for sustainable growth. As a result,
confidence in the Group's strategy for the year ahead and beyond
remains, with management is targeting growth in revenues in FY25 in
line with that seen in FY24, with resultant improvements in
profitability.
To improve operational efficiency
and profitability, we have undertaken strategic optimisation
initiatives in Hong Kong. This includes relocating the Group's
offices, modernising our showroom, and achieving an annual cost
reduction in this location, positively impacting profitability as
well as the customer experience.
Innovation remains a key strategic
priority across the Group's divisions for FY25, with efforts
centred on developing new products, introducing enhanced features,
designing new electric and mechanical bikes, and advancing Home and
Garden product development. Our commitment to innovation, newness,
international sales, exciting new licenses and new distribution
partnerships will further enhance growth in FY25 and
FY26.
The Group heads into 2025 with a
strong balance sheet and well-managed stock, well positioned for
the year ahead, with planned new partnerships with retailers and
independent accounts, major operational improvements, and
opportunities for international growth. Our commitment to progress
and adaptability remains a focus to delivering lasting value to our
shareholders.
Notice of results
The Group expects to publish its
FY24 results on 24 March 2025.
A final results presentation will be
available on the website after the results are published at
www.tandemgroupplc.co.uk/investor-presentations. Investors with
questions are asked to email the Company at
investorrelations@tandemgroupplc.co.uk
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes
of the UK Market Abuse Regulation and the Directors of the Company
take responsibility for this announcement.
Enquiries:
Tandem Group plc
Peter Kimberley, Chief Executive
Officer
Gurvinder Kaur, Chief Financial
Officer
Telephone 0121 748 8075
Nominated Adviser
Cavendish Capital Markets Limited
(Nominated Adviser and Broker)
Ben Jeynes / Dan Hodkinson -
Corporate Finance
Michael Johnson / Charlie Combe -
Sales and Equity Capital Markets
Telephone 0207 220 0500
Forward Looking Statements
This announcement contains
forward-looking statements relating to expected or anticipated
future events and anticipated results that are forward-looking in
nature and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties, such as general economic, market and business
conditions, competition for qualified staff, the regulatory process
and actions, technical issues, new legislation, uncertainties
resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, uncertainties
resulting from working in a new political jurisdiction,
uncertainties regarding the results of exploration, uncertainties
regarding the timing and granting of prospecting rights,
uncertainties regarding the Company's or any third party's ability
to execute and implement future plans, and the occurrence of
unexpected events. Actual results achieved may vary from the
information provided herein as a result of numerous known and
unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors.