Agility committed to supporting start-ups that pioneer the sustainable supply chains of the future
BAAR, Switzerland – 27 Aug, 2019 – Agility, a leading global logistics provider, announced that it has invested $18 million in green supply chain technologies so far through its corporate venture arm Agility Ventures.
The announcement came today as part of Agility’s launch of its latest sustainability report, “Values into Action.” It follows the news that Agility committed to adopt science-based targets for greenhouse gas emissions reduction and achieved third-party certification for its shipment emissions reporting.
Agility is pursuing an ambitious environmental strategy. By 2025, it plans to cut its emissions by 25% from 2016 levels. To reach that goal, the company is implementing renewable energy pilots in large facilities across the world and building to green standards as it adds over 300,000m2 of facilities to its portfolio of warehousing and light industrial facilities across the Middle East and Africa. Agility incorporates sustainability into business discussions with customers and offers emissions reports using a methodology certified to ISO 14064 standards. To drive green transformation across the industry, Agility Ventures has made green technologies one of its four core investment areas.
Agility Chairwoman Henadi Al-Saleh said: “Green technology is a major focus of our investment strategy, and we’re always on the lookout for dynamic new businesses that can revolutionize the supply chain to help protect the planet. We are looking at innovative solutions that drive business value by reducing costs, increasing efficiency, and reducing energy consumption at the same time.”
Green technology start-ups benefitting from the $18 million investment include Hyliion and TVP Solar. Hyliion is a hybrid technology for the trucking industry that reduces fuel consumption and corresponding emissions by up to 30 percent. It achieves this by recycling kinetic energy from braking that would otherwise be wasted. TVP Solar is a break-through, high-vacuum solar thermal technology serving the most energy-demanding applications, such as air conditioning, desalination, and process heat. Already deployed in the Middle East – including in Agility’s corporate headquarters – TVP solutions operate autonomously with no need for cleaning, directly replacing fossil fuels with cheaper, cleaner, solar heat.
Agility CEO Tarek Sultan said the company has strived to set high standards for corporate citizenship over the past decade, particularly in the areas of environmental responsibility, humanitarian relief logistics, and fair labor practices.
“We’ve invested heavily in our human rights approach over the years and tried to lead by example, especially in emerging markets. Our community outreach program has helped more than 1.6 million people in need and we’ve supported the education of over 36,000 students around the world in the last three years. In partnership with the humanitarian community, Agility has donated logistics expertise and services to more than 45 major humanitarian operations in countries ranging from Indonesia to Peru. Agility’s investments in the environment are the company’s new frontier.”
What Shippers Need to Know by Cas Pouderoyen, Senior Vice President, Global Ocean Freight
| Q2 2019 (Million KD) |
Q2 2018 (Million KD) |
Variance (%) |
H1 2019 (Million KD) |
H1 2018 (Million KD) |
Variance (%) |
|
| Revenue | 396.3 | 384.2 | 3.2% | 775.0 | 756.0 | 2.5% |
| Net Revenue | 129.1 | 124.3 | 3.9% | 253.0 | 248.9 | 1.6% |
| EBITDA | 48.6 | 37.1 | 31.2% | 95.0 | 74.8 | 27.0% |
| Net Profit | 21.6 | 20.0 | 8.1% | 41.9 | 38.9 | 7.7% |
| EPS (fils) | 12.99 | 12.02 | 8.1% | 25.18 | 23.38 | 7.7% |
Numbers above are rounded
The effect of the implementation of IFRS 16-Leases on the Income Statement and the Balance Sheet are disclosed in the Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.
KUWAIT – August 13, 2019 – Agility, a leading global logistics provider, today reported second-quarter earnings of 12.99 fils per share on net profit of KD 21.6 million, an increase of 8.1% over the same period in 2018. Q2 EBITDA grew 31.2% to KD 48.6 million, and revenue increased 3.2% to KD 396.3 million.
First-half earnings of 25.18 fils per share and net profit of KD 41.9 million were up 7.7%. First-half EBITDA was KD 95 million, an increase of 27%. Revenue for the first half was KD 775 million, an increase of 2.5%.
Tarek Sultan, Agility Vice Chairman and CEO, said: “We had a good Q2 despite the tough environment we operate in. GIL reported very good results and continues to implement its strategy to drive operational efficiency. Agility’s Infrastructure companies performed well, and key initiatives in each business unit are moving ahead according to plan.”
Agility Global Integrated Logistics (GIL)
Global Integrated Logistics achieved EBITDA growth of 7% (excluding IFRS 16 impact) despite higher operating expenses related to new facilities and higher staff costs for operations and commercial requirements. GIL’s Q2 reported EBITDA was KD 15.9 million, or KD 10 million excluding IFRS 16 vs. KD 9.3 million in Q2 2018.
GIL Q2 gross revenue fell 2.6% to KD 281.9 million, mainly due to currency fluctuations. On a constant-currency basis, GIL revenue grew 1%. Net revenue increased 4% to KD 69.4 million, mainly as a result of better Ocean Freight and Contract Logistics performance.
The global Air Freight market continued to be under pressure. GIL Air Freight net revenue decreased 1.8% as the result of lower job volume and tonnage, although the decrease was offset in part by higher yields. Q2 2019 tonnage fell 8% vs. Q2 2018. The decrease was the result of weak market conditions and lower demand across industries and geographies, along with a return to more normal volumes following a spike in high-volume shipments a year earlier. The Air Freight market was affected by volume declines and shifts that have resulted from US-China tariffs and import restrictions.
Strong Ocean Freight performance was driven primarily by yield improvement, despite a 2% drop in TEUs. Ocean Freight performance was strongest in the Americas and Asia Pacific.
Contract Logistics growth continued in Q2 with gross revenue of KD 32.8 million, a 1% increase from the same period in 2018. The Middle East-Africa region, notably the Kuwait and Egypt markets, was the key driver of growth and improved margins.
Net revenue margins for GIL improved to 24.6% in Q2, up from 23% a year earlier.
During the first half of 2019, GIL EBITDA improved 69.5% on a reported basis, taking into account the impact of IFRS 16 (it remained at the same level after excluding the IFRS 16 impact). Revenue decreased 1.9% on a reported basis (or increased 2.1% on a constant-currency basis). GIL net revenue improved 3.1% in the first half.
GIL is focusing on accelerating the roll-out of its global operating platform, as part of a broader digital transformation strategy that is intended to drive improved customer experience, more effective supplier management, enhanced business efficiency and productivity, and better data for decision-making.
Agility’s Infrastructure Companies
Agility’s Infrastructure group EBITDA rose 18.2% to KD 32.8 million in the second quarter. Revenue grew 21.2% to KD 118.2 million. First-half EBITDA grew 14.7%, and revenue increased 15%. All entities in the group contributed to this performance.
Agility Logistics Parks (ALP) reported 15% revenue growth for the quarter. Revenue from facilities completed in late 2018 contributed to this growth, as did yield improvement at existing facilities. In Kuwait, ALP is looking to develop new facilities that optimize the use of its existing land bank. In Saudi Arabia, ALP has completed the development of two of the three warehouses it is building in 2019, each with 40k SQM capacity. ALP Saudi Arabia is now moving ahead with the development of the third warehouse. In Africa, ALP projects are progressing well. New warehousing space at the ALP in Ghana will be delivered soon. More space in other locations will be added towards the end of 2019.
Tristar, a fully integrated liquid logistics company, posted 23.2% revenue growth in the second quarter, driven by increases in road transport and warehousing operations from new contract wins from new and existing customers, in addition to the shipping business. Tristar continues to execute and to look for opportunities to unlock additional value for its shareholders.
National Aviation Services (NAS) grew revenue 1.6% in the second quarter. NAS’s performance this quarter was affected by airspace closures and a decrease in commercial flights in some countries where it operates. However, NAS anticipates a rebound towards the end of the year.
At United Projects for Aviation Services Company (UPAC), a leading real estate and facilities management company operating in Kuwait, revenue fell 2.3% in the second quarter. The decline was largely the result of a shift in passenger traffic to dedicated airline terminals, along with a reduction in the number of flights operating out of Sheikh Saad Terminal.
Earlier this year, UPAC began car park management operations in (T4), the newly dedicated Kuwait Airways terminal. In Abu Dhabi, construction continues to progress on Reem Mall, the $1.2 billion project set to become the new retail and leisure attraction in the Emirate. Reem Mall is scheduled to open in late 2020. UPAC continues to optimize its existing real estate management platform in Kuwait and work to expand its presence there and elsewhere in the region.
GCS, Agility’s customs modernization company, posted revenue growth of 12%, driven by increased trade activity in Kuwait, in addition to new service offerings. GCS continues implementing initiatives to drive efficiency and improve profitability.
Recap of Agility second quarter 2019 Financial Performance
Pennsylvania Court Affirms 2018 Ruling for Agility
KUWAIT – August 6, 2019 – A state court in the United States last week upheld a lower court ruling in favor of Agility in a case that arose after a whistleblower letter informed the U.S. government of business relationships that existed between KGL and state-owned Iranian entities.
The Pennsylvania Superior Court denied KGL’s appeal of a lower court’s summary judgment in favor of Agility in a defamation lawsuit that was brought by KGL in 2012. Both companies are logistics services providers holding U.S. government contracts.
In affirming the dismissal, the Superior Court recognized the trial court’s conclusion that “there was no genuine issue of material fact that the factual assertions…relating to KGL’s ties with Iranian entities were substantially true.”
The decision by the Pennsylvania Superior Court is victory for whistleblower rights and for transparency in government contracting.
The Superior Court affirmed the lower court’s findings that letters sent by Agility to various U.S. government agencies and offices dealt with matters of public concern and contained protected political speech, as well as information about KGL’s relationship with Iranian entities that was generally not in dispute.
The original trial court dismissed KGL’s claim in 2018 after ruling that KGL failed to show that it had suffered harm as a result of Agility’s actions.
While SMEs expect their export revenues to grow in the next three years, almost all have faced difficulties…
President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo was joined by former British prime minister Tony Blair on Thursday to talk economic development at the Togo-UK Investment Summit in London.
Gnassingbé made his pitch to investors while announcing a new deal for a logistics hub in Lomé, after meeting with CEO Geoffrey White of Agility Africa, right, and signing letters of intent with key company officials. “It testifies to the vitality of the economic diplomacy of the Head of State and already illustrates the first tangible repercussions of his trip to London,” the presidency said in a statement.
Blair has worked closely with Togo through economic development consulting as Togo implements its National Development Plan (PND). Establishing the port at Lomé as a logistics hub on the Gulf of Guinea is a priority of the plan.
“This is a place that I think when you go and visit and get familiar with what the government’s trying to do,” Blair said, “and also the people of Togo themselves, I think you’ll be as excited as we have been to work there.”
Gnassingbé’s three-day visit to London also took him to the Invest Africa Annual Debate, where he showcased Togo’s PND plan and presented opportunities and incentives to investors. A previous stop took him to Chatham House, where he discussed West African security challenges.
The president’s London visit comes ahead of a Togo-European Union Economic Forum that begins June 13 in Lomé.
Read the original article on Africa Times.
Agility Reports Earnings Increase of 7.3% for First Quarter 2019
| Q1 2019 Reported (Million KD) |
Q1 2018 Reported (Million KD) |
Variance (%) |
Q1 2019 Excluding IFRS16 (Million KD) |
Q1 2018 Reported (Million KD) |
Variance (%) |
|
| Revenue | 378.8 | 371.8 | 1.9% | 378.8 | 371.8 | 1.9% |
| Net Revenue | 123.9 | 124.6 | -0.6% | 123.3 | 124.6 | -1.1% |
| EBITDA | 46.3 | 37.7 | 22.8% | 39.3 | 37.7 | 4.1% |
| Net Profit | 20.3 | 18.9 | 7.3% | 20.8 | 18.9 | 10.2% |
| EPS (fils) | 12.19 | 11.36 | 7.3% | 12.52 | 11.36 | 10.2% |
Figures in the table above have been rounded
Kuwait – May 12, 2019: Agility, a leading global logistics provider, today reported first quarter earnings of KD 20.3 million, or 12.2 fils per share, an increase of 7.3% from Q1 2018 (Excluding IFRS-16 Impact it will be an increase of 10.2%). First-quarter revenue was KD 378.8 million, and EBITDA was KD 46.3 million, increases of 1.9% and 22.8%, respectively.
Agility Consolidated Results
“Again a good start for Agility this year, though we are witnessing an environment where growth is slowing. We have seen good improvement across the board, and are accelerating our efforts to achieve our targets. On a reported basis, EBITDA increased 22.8% and net profit improved 7.3%,” said Agility Vice Chairman and CEO Tarek Sultan.
Sultan said Agility’s core logistics business, Agility GIL, continues making significant and important investments in digital transformation that will position it for long-term success and differentiation in the market. He said Agility continues also to invest in its Infrastructure group companies, each of which is pursuing a growth strategy.
Agility Global Integrated Logistics
Excluding IFRS16 impact, Agility GIL reported Q1 EBITDA of KD 6.8 million, a 9% decrease compared to the same period a year earlier, the drop is attributable to costs associated with GIL’s digital transformation and commercial investments.
Agility GIL first-quarter revenue was KD 275 million, a decrease of 1.1% from KD 278.1 million in the same period a year earlier. Q1 GIL revenue was affected by currency fluctuations. On a constant currency basis, GIL revenue increased 3.4% vs. the same period a year earlier. Net revenue increased to KD 65.4 million, a 1.2% increase over Q1 2018 (excluding the IFRS-16 impact). The net revenue increase was driven primarily by Ocean Freight and Contract Logistics, offsetting decreases in Project Logistics and Road Freight. On a constant currency basis, GIL net revenue growth was 5.1%. GIL’s overall Q1 net revenue margin was 23.8% against a 23.3% a year earlier.
Air Freight tonnage grew 5.2% in Q1 2019; Air Freight grew across multiple trade lanes and sales channels with very strong performance from strategic customers.
Ocean Freight net revenue performance was driven primarily by yield improvement and TEU growth of 2.3%. GIL had stable Ocean Freight performance across geographies and sales channels with volume growth primarily from strategic accounts.
Q1 Contract Logistics performance was strong, with revenue growth of 3.6%. The Middle East/Africa region (mainly Kuwait, Dubai, Egypt) was the key driver of growth and improved margins.
GIL’s digital strategy involves the development of systems and technology that will improve productivity, differentiate its products, and position it as the industry’s leading innovator. By accelerating its digital transformation, GIL will enhance customer and supplier connectivity, create innovative customer solutions, increase the efficiency of its business processes, and enable comprehensive business insight.
Agility’s Infrastructure Companies
The Infrastructure group reported EBITDA of KD 32.5 million (excluding IFRS 16 impact), an increase of 7.4% in Q1, on a revenue increase of 10.7%. Agility is investing in these companies to drive its future growth.
Agility Logistics Parks (ALP) reported 23% revenue growth for the quarter, an increase that resulted from strong performance at new facilities completed in late 2018, as well as yield improvement at existing facilities. In Kuwait, ALP’s focus is driving the efficiency of existing assets and identifying new opportunities based on market demand. ALP expects to deliver 150K sqm of warehousing space this year, mainly in Saudi Arabia and Africa. It expects to begin construction of another 275K sqm of warehousing space to be delivered in 2020/21. With respect to Africa, ALP is currently developing 68K sqm of new facilities in Ghana, Mozambique and Ivory Coast, with another 36k sqm opening in Nigeria at the end of the year and a planned further 100k sqm opening during 2020.
Tristar, a fully integrated liquid logistics company, posted 13.3% revenue growth in Q1, the main drivers for this growth are road transport and warehousing operations, in addition to the shipping business. Tristar continues to grow its business with existing customers as well as expand its customer and geographical reach. In the first quarter, Tristar signed a five-year charter contract with Shell – with five optional years – to deliver six medium-range products tankers by 2020.
National Aviation Services (NAS), the fastest growing aviation services provider in the emerging markets, grew revenue 3.5% in the first quarter of 2019. NAS continues on its strategic road map to expand and be the leader in Africa.
NAS Cote d’Ivoire delivered double-digit growth; Egypt improved significantly with the launch of a new lounge in Cairo; and Tanzania and Morocco are delivering on their turn-around plans. NAS Uganda is slightly below projections due to a decrease in UN business and commercial flights but is expected to rebound.
At United Projects for Aviation Services Company (UPAC), a leading real estate and facilities management company operating in Kuwait, revenue declined 9.2%, primarily due to the shift of some airline traffic to dedicated terminals, along with a reduction in the number of flights operating out of Sheikh Saad Terminal.
In February 2019, UPAC formally started operations in Terminal 4 (T4), the new dedicated Kuwait Airways terminal. UPAC has a new five-year contract to manage the car parks and related facilities in T4. In Abu Dhabi, construction continues to progress steadily on Reem Mall, the $1.2 billion project set to become the new retail and leisure attraction in the emirate. Reem Mall is scheduled to open in late 2020. UPAC continues to optimize its existing real estate management platform in Kuwait and expand its presence in Kuwait and the region.
GCS, Agility’s customs modernization company, posted revenue growth of 6.8%, driven by increased trade activity in Kuwait. GCS also added new services and continues implementing initiatives to drive efficiency and improve profitability.
Reported Financial Performance for the first quarter of 2019 (including IFRS 16 impact)
Closing
“We have a clear and consistent strategy that is translating into year-on-year improvements. We are also off to a good start in 2019. Agility is going to substantially invest in business transformation to drive operational excellence for the future,” Sultan said.
IATA certification shows ability to meet highest industry standards
MUMBAI, India – May 7, 2019 – Agility, a leading global logistics provider, has been awarded the IATA’s Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) certification for pharmaceutical logistics for its Mumbai, India operations.
The certification, by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), demonstrates Agility’s ability to ensure the integrity of pharmaceutical products throughout the supply chain, and to manage high-value, temperature-sensitive shipments for the pharma and life science industries. In India, Agility provides supply chain services, including management of temperature-controlled shipments, to some of the leading pharmaceutical brands.
The certification process was completed in coordination with the Chhattrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai India.
Krishnakumar V., Chief Operating Officer, Agility India, said: “The CEIV Pharma certification demonstrates our ability to meet the most exacting standards in the industry. We continue investing in technology, infrastructure, personnel and processes to ensure an unbroken cold chain for pharma shipments for our customers and their patients.”
Eric ten Kate, Vice President, Agility Global Life Sciences, said: “If you earn the CEIV Pharma Certification, shippers know they can trust that medicines you handle will reach patients safely and securely.”
In India, Agility manages life sciences facilities at the Nhava Shava Seaport and at Hyderabad Airport, providing temperature-controlled solutions for customers with both ocean and air shipments. Agility recently launched Agility+, a shipment box for the pharmaceutical industry that keeps strict temperature levels for up to 120 hours, and provides users with real-time visibility of temperature status and location.
About Agility
Agility Global Integrated Logistics is one of the world’s top freight forwarders and providers of contract logistics. It offers ocean, air and road freight, warehousing and distribution, and integrated supply chain services in more than 100 countries. Agility GIL also provides specialist solutions for capital projects, oil and gas, chemicals, and fairs and events logistics. GIL and its parent, Agility, are pioneers in emerging markets, and leaders and investors in the use of technology to enhance supply chain efficiency. Agility is a publicly traded company with $5.1 billion in annual revenue.
Continued logistics partner for prestigious Porsche Motorsports racing series
SINGAPORE – May 1, 2019 – Agility has signed a two-year logistics partnership agreement with Porsche Motorsports for the eight-weekend Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) racing series.
Agility Fairs & Events has been the official logistics partner for the PCCA since 2016. With this partnership, Agility will handle the movement of all cars for the series, organizing shipping, transport and handling of the race cars across Asia-Pacific, as well as spare parts support from Porsche Germany to race sites in Asia-Pacific.
Essa Al-Saleh, President and CEO, Agility Global Integrated Logistics, said: “Our longstanding partnership with the PCCA demonstrates our ability to meet the pressures of race-day conditions, and also shows our strong capacities in automotive logistics – a key vertical for Agility. We’ve been able to meet the exacting requirements of Porsche Motorsports and the teams competing in the past, and will continue to provide high level of service over the course of the partnership.”
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Manager Jochen Schäfer said: “Fantastic co-operation, the ability to react and adapt instantly in the fast-paced Motorsport environment makes Agility the number one choice to handle the logistics side of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia. We are more than happy to partner up for another two years thanks to their proven track record of exceptional service and enthusiastic support.”
The 2019 edition of the PCCA series opened with an official test day March 22 – 24, followed by the first race on April 12-14 in Shanghai, China, and will have 15 30-minute rounds held at six circuits across Asia.
