As part of the Optimize and Enhance Operations pillar of the
Company’s Global Strategic Plan, Saputo Inc. (we, Saputo or the
Company) (TSX: SAP) announces today several major capital
investments and consolidation initiatives intended to enhance and
streamline its manufacturing footprint in its USA Sector and
International Sector. These planned activities are consistent with
the previously announced Global Strategic Plan designed to create
shared value for all stakeholders.
In the USA Sector, as a first phase, the Company
plans to invest approximately $169 million towards the
modernization and expansion of its cheese manufacturing facilities
in Wisconsin and California and to support its growth plan in the
retail market segment. These initiatives will begin in the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2022 and are expected to take approximately 24
months to implement. Complementing this first phase, Saputo plans
to consolidate the cut-and-wrap activities in its West Coast
operations, and right-size its footprint by closing its Bardsley
Street, Tulare, California, facility in fiscal 2023. The impact on
employees is expected to be minimal as opportunities for employment
will be available at other Saputo facilities in Tulare.
In the International Sector, the Company will be
streamlining operations in two of its manufacturing facilities in
Australia. A limited number of employees will be impacted. These
employees will be provided with severance and outplacement support,
and Saputo is exploring redeployment opportunities for some of the
affected employees.
“Staying true to our disciplined approach and
commitment to shareholder value creation, we are executing our
Global Strategic Plan with intention and precision. Today’s
announcement is the first in a series of investments and
consolidation activities that will increase efficiency and
productivity, improving our ability to meet the evolving needs of
our customers and consumers,” said Lino A. Saputo, Chair of the
Board, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our five strategic
pillars are expected to fuel strong organic growth and this step in
our journey lays the groundwork to improve our product portfolio,
modernize our processes, enhance capacities, and enable us to
pursue initiatives to deliver against our growth objectives.”
The capital investments and consolidation
initiatives outlined above are expected to result in annual savings
and benefits gradually, beginning in fiscal 2023, and reaching
approximately $112 million ($83 million after tax) by the end of
fiscal 2025. Costs connected with the capital investments and
consolidation initiatives outlined above will be approximately $46
million after tax, which include a non-cash fixed assets write-down
of approximately $39 million after tax. These costs will be
recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022.
About SaputoSaputo produces,
markets, and distributes a wide array of dairy products of the
utmost quality, including cheese, fluid milk, extended shelf-life
milk and cream products, cultured products, and dairy ingredients.
Saputo is one of the top ten dairy processors in the world, a
leading cheese manufacturer and fluid milk and cream processor in
Canada, the top dairy processor in Australia, and the second
largest in Argentina. In the USA, Saputo ranks among the top three
cheese producers and is one of the largest producers of extended
shelf-life and cultured dairy products. In the United Kingdom,
Saputo is the largest manufacturer of branded cheese and a top
manufacturer of dairy spreads. Saputo products are sold in several
countries under market-leading brands, as well as private label
brands. Saputo Inc. is a publicly traded company and its shares are
listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “SAP”. Follow
Saputo’s activities at Saputo.com or via Facebook, LinkedIn and
Twitter.
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This news release contains statements which are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable
securities laws. These forward-looking statements include, among
others, statements with respect to planned capital investments,
consolidation initiatives, the anticipated cost savings and
benefits resulting from such capital investments and consolidation
initiatives, the expected timing of capital investments, savings,
benefits and related costs, the expected impact of consolidation
activities on our employees, as well as our ambitions and strategic
plans including our ability to achieve our ambitions and goals, and
statements other than historical facts. The words “may”, “could”,
“should”, “will”, “would”, “believe”, “plan” or “expect” or the
negative of these terms or variations of them, the use of
conditional or future tense or words and expressions of similar
nature, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All
statements other than statements of historical fact included in
this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within
the meaning of applicable securities laws.
By their nature, forward-looking statements are
subject to a number of inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual
results could differ materially from those stated, implied or
projected in such forward-looking statements. As a result, we
cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statements will
materialize, and we warn readers that these forward-looking
statements are not statements of historical fact or guarantees of
future performance in any way. Assumptions, expectations and
estimates made in the preparation of forward-looking statements and
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from current expectations are discussed in our materials
filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities from time
to time, including the "Risks and Uncertainties" section of the
Management’s Discussion and Analysis dated June 3, 2021, available
on SEDAR under Saputo's profile at www.sedar.com, and also include
the following: our ability to deploy capital expenditure projects
and implement consolidation initiatives as planned, the
availability of all technology necessary to achieve the anticipated
cost savings and benefits and our ability to implement it as
planned, the performance of our technology, our ability to achieve
productivity and efficiency gains resulting from capital
investments and consolidation initiatives, the availability and
cost of labour, construction materials, equipment, energy and other
inputs, the effects of inflation and foreign exchange rates on such
costs, and our ability to face ongoing economic uncertainty.
Forward-looking statements are based on
Management’s current estimates, expectations and assumptions.
Management believes that these estimates, expectations and
assumptions are reasonable as of the date hereof, and are
inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive
and other uncertainties and contingencies regarding future events,
including the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, and
are accordingly subject to changes after such date. Forward-looking
statements are intended to provide shareholders with information
regarding Saputo and may not be appropriate for other purposes.
Undue importance should not be placed on forward-looking
statements, and the information contained in such forward-looking
statements should not be relied upon as of any other date.
All forward-looking statements included herein
speak only as of the date hereof or as of the specific date of such
forward-looking statements. Except as required under applicable
securities legislation, Saputo does not undertake to update or
revise forward-looking statements, whether written or verbal, that
may be made from time to time by itself or on our behalf, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All
forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified
by this cautionary statement.
Media Inquiries1-514-328-3141 /
1-866-648-5902media@saputo.com
Investor InquiriesNicholas EstrelaDirector,
Investor Relations1-514-328-3117
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