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Full Year 2021 Revenues Grow 10% to Record AED 6.07 Billion

  • Buoyant global e-commerce continues to drive Courier Business volume growth of 10% in 2021 compared to 2020
  • Freight-Forwarding Revenue up 22% in 2021 compared to previous year, following the implementation of the new operating model
  • 2022 focuses on scaling business through optimized operating cost and capital expenditures in strategic areas to support sustainable growth of the business. Aramex forecasts continued growth in 2022 volumes and revenue at a faster pace compared to 2021
  • Leveraging relationships with strategic investors GeoPost and Abu Dhabi Ports
Dubai, UAE – Thursday, 10th February 2022: Aramex (DFM: ARMX) a leading global provider of comprehensive logistics and transportation solutions, today announced its preliminary financial results for the fourth quarter (“Q4”) and full year (“FY”) ending 31 December 2021.

The preliminary financial results and other information disclosed in this press release related to the Company’s Q4 2021 and FY 2021 performance are unaudited preliminary numbers and therefore, are subject to change. As a result, the Company’s audited financial accounts for Q4 2021 and FY 2021 may vary from the preliminary information contained in this press release.

In Thousands of AED

(unless otherwise stated)

FY 2021

FY 2020

% Change (YoY)

Q4 2021

Q4 2020

% Change (YoY)

Revenues

6,068,805

5,510,300

10%

1,611,545

1,598,346

1%

Operating Profit (“EBIT")

306,739

399,549

(23%)

59,713

89,166

(33%)

Operating Profit Margin (“EBIT")

5.1%

7.3%

(2.2%)

3.7%

5.6%

(1.9%)

Normalized Operating Profit (“EBIT")*

300,639

510,461

(41%)

57,521

147,193

(61%)

Normalized Operating Profit Margin*

5%

9.3%

(4.3%)

3.6%

9.2%

(5.6%)

EBITDA

676,404

741,376

(9%)

150,717

179,603

(16%)

EBITDA Margin

11.1%

13.5%

(2.4%)

9.4%

11.2%

(1.8%)

Normalized EBITDA Margin*

11.2%

15.5%

(4.3%)

9.7%

14.9%

(5.2%)

Net Profit

225,373

266,651

(15%)

46,078

58,649

(21%)

Normalized Net Profit*

183,285

377,564

(51%)

39,504

116,676

(66%)

* All Extraordinary Items are listed in a table at the end of this press release

Group Performance Highlights

  • In Q4 2021, Revenues rose 1% YoY to AED 1.61 billion driven by strong performance in Logistics & Freight-Forwarding Business. FY 2021 Revenues jumped 10% YoY to a record AED 6.07 billion.
  • Q4 2021 Operating Profit decreased 33% YoY to AED 60 million. The drop in operating profit is attributed to (1) Linehaul cost due to the continued pricing pressure (2) higher operating costs as the Company continued to scale operations to cater to higher demand and (3) Covid-19 induced costs and capacity constraints. FY 2021 operating profit declined 23% YoY to AED 307 million.
  • Q4 2021 Net Profit fell 21% to AED 46 million compared to AED 59 million in Q4 2020. FY 2021 Net Profit decreased by 15% to AED 225 million, compared to AED 267 million in FY 2020.
  • Focusing on working capital, Aramex maintained a strong balance sheet with a negative net debt position of AED 452 million, supported by a solid cash balance as at 31 December 2021.
Captain Mohamed Juma Alshamsi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Aramex, said: “In 2021, we witnessed a significant progress in the pace of recovery of the global economy, while businesses reconfigured operating and business models to adapt to the repercussions of the pandemic. The gradual reopening of the global economy in the second half of the year underpinned by the strong progress made by countries in implementing national vaccination campaigns and other related measures, spurred economic growth and improved business performance and customers confidence levels.

At Aramex, we continued to provide our customers with best services levels, and continued to promote our crucial role in enabling cross border trade. We are also proud of the key role we played in providing the necessary infrastructures and processes for safely distributing Covid-19 vaccines. We continue to dedicate resources to support countries around the globe with their vaccine campaigns, further supporting their recovery.

Our market leading position and strong reputation has attracted an international peer, GeoPost, to become a strategic investor in Aramex. Their investment is a testament to the significant growth opportunities that Aramex is well positioned to capture in the mid to long term. As we look forward, we plan to continue exploring multiple synergistic opportunities and our focus on creating value for our shareholders and all our stakeholders.”

Othman Aljeda, Chief Executive Officer, Aramex, said: “2021 demonstrated our ability to capture growth opportunities spurred by a buoyant e-commerce market and good recovery in certain industries, while simultaneously implementing a fully redesigned operating model. The Logistics and Freight-Forwarding business produced outstanding results in a short period of time, and we continued to capture greater market share in the Domestic Express business despite an increasingly crowded last mile delivery sector in our core markets.

Our customer-first approach means we are absorbing a higher cost of doing business to ensure we continue to respond to customer needs, defend and grow our market share, despite the ongoing supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic. As a result, our margins remain under pressure. While the pressures will likely continue in 2022, we have a defined strategy to grow the business and improve the profit margins. This includes investment in technology and operational optimization initiatives to strengthen and grow our business across all markets.”

Business Performance Highlights


Courier Business. Aramex’s courier business includes International Express and Domestic Express offers delivery and last mile solutions serving the B2B and B2C customer base including Shop & Ship, e-commerce, FMCG, SMEs and others.

 

Courier Business Financial Highlights


In Thousands of AED

(unless otherwise stated)

FY 2021

FY 2020

% Change (YoY)

Q4 2021

Q4 2020

% Change (YoY)

Courier Business revenue

4,143,962

3,935,398

5%

1,043,644

1,183,088

(12%)

International Express revenue

2,654,796

2,573,330

3%

671,393

796,493

(16%)

Domestic Express revenue

1,489,166

1,362,069

9%

372,251

386,596

(4%)

Courier Business EBIT

267,662

457,704

(42%)

41,367

129,229

(68%)

 

Courier Business Shipment Volumes


 

FY 2021

FY 2020

% Change (YoY)

Q4 2021

Q4 2020

% Change (YoY)

Number of shipments

(International Express)

25,756,639

24,695,684

4%

6,052,494

7,200,502

(16%)

Number of shipments

(Domestic Express)

108,226,277

96,632,684

12%

29,436,845

27,811,708

6%

Total Number of Shipments

(Courier Business)

133,982,916

121,328,368

10%

35,489,339

35,012,210

1%

 

  • In Q4 2021, the Courier Business fell 12% YoY to AED 1.0 billion. The decline is partly attributed to a slowdown in both International and Domestic Express business compared to 2020, which was an exceptionally busy period due to Covid-19 related travel restrictions and lockdowns. FY 2021, the Courier Business grew 5% YoY to AED 4.14 billion driven by accelerated growth in the global e-commerce market. FY 2021 volumes for the business increased 10% YoY.
  • Gross profit margins declined predominately driven by Covid-19 induced costs and disruptions including higher linehaul costs and airline capacity constraints. The business also incurred higher costs related to scaling operations and boosting capacity.
    International Express (including Shop & Ship):

  • In Q4 2021, International Express business witnessed a 16% YoY decline to AED 671 million and a 16% drop in volumes on the back of significantly reduced demand from Asia, notably Hong Kong and China into the GCC. For FY 2021, the cross-border business increased 3% YoY, and shipment volumes increased by 4%.  

    Domestic Express:

  • In Q4 2021, Domestic Express declined 4% to AED 372 million as volumes witnessed 6% YoY growth. The lower revenue and higher volume are mainly attributed to intensifying competition in the last mile delivery in some of our core markets. However, for the 12-month period, Domestic Express increased 9% to AED 1.49 billion versus FY 2020 driven by strong growth in KSA, UAE, Egypt and Australia from e-commerce and banking verticals while volumes rose 12% YoY.
Alaa Saoudi, Chief Operating Officer – Express, said: “Over the course of the year, we invested in expanding our operations in key markets, including Riyadh, where we built and are operating a fully automated warehouse. We continue upgrading and automating existing facilities and are using data analytics and AI to better plan for peak shopping periods and flex our capacity accordingly. While we are seeing intensified competition from new market entrants, especially in the last mile, our scale and industry expertise will continue to solidify our market leading position and our product innovation will continue to give us a differentiated edge to service customers of all types and sizes.”


Logistics & Freight Forwarding. Aramex’s Logistics & Freight Forwarding business includes air freight, sea freight, land freight, and warehousing and distribution solutions. It serves B2B customer base across multiple industries including oil & gas, healthcare & pharmaceutical, aerospace, retail & fashion, amongst others.

 

In Thousands of AED

(unless otherwise stated)

FY 2021

FY 2020

% Change (YoY)

Q4 2021

Q4 2020

% Change (YoY)

Logistics & Freight-Forwarding

1,760,407

1,459,594

21%

503,692

380,605

32%

Freight-Forwarding revenue

1,325,551

1,084,731

22%

390,676

279,847

40%

Integrated Logistics & Supply Chain Solutions revenue

434,856

374,862

16%

113,016

100,758

12%

Logistics & Freight-Forwarding EBIT

36,983

(68,184)

154%

20,213

(46,771)

143%

 

Freight-Forwarding Shipment Volumes

 

FY 2021

FY 2020

% Change (YoY)

Q4 2021

Q4 2020

% Change (YoY)

Land Freight

(FTL)

23,737

10,736

121%

7,498

3,175

136%

Land Freight

(LTL KGs)

27,853,731

13,855,624

101%

8,215,829

3,783,841

117%

Sea Freight

(FCL TEU)

30,215

42,547

(29%)

5,913

11,897

(50%)

Sea Freight

(LCL CBM)

179,322

140,399

28%

26,970

29,450

(8%)

Air Freight (KGs)

49,123,007

39,321,985

25%

11,594,436

11,621,351

0%

 

  • In Q4 2021, this business unit jumped 32% YoY to AED 504 million on the back of strong demand from the oil & gas, retail & fashion and healthcare sector. The business was able to capitalize on growth opportunities thanks to the redesigned operating model.In FY 2021, top line grew 21% YoY to AED 1.76 billion driven by a rebound in global economic activity.
  • Gross profit margin improved, driven by swift adoption of operational optimization initiatives.  

    Freight-Forwarding

  • Freight Forwarding surged 40% YoY to AED 391 million in Q4 2021, predominantly driven by strong recovery in business activity across oil & gas, retail & fashion, and healthcare sectors. For FY 2021, this service line increased 22% YoY Revenue to AED 1.33 billion.

    • Integrated Logistics & Supply Chain Solutions

  • Integrated Logistics & Supply Chain Solutions witnessed a 12% increase to AED 113 million in Q4 2021, on the back of increased demand from business activity in Saudi, Egypt, UAE and Morocco driven by the retail & fashion sector. For FY 2021, this service line climbed 16% YoY to AED 435 million as an increasing number of consumer businesses expanded their reach through e-commerce platforms.
Mohammad Alkhas, Chief Operating Officer – Logistics & Freight-forwarding, said: “We ended the year on a strong footing. By operating within a more decentralized model, we were able to service a new and growing number of customers, offering more innovative solutions to capture pockets of growth and capitalize on the steady recovery in certain industry verticals including oil & gas and retail & fashion. We also strengthened our capabilities with the addition of industry experts and technology investments to capture greater market share. Despite the Covid-19 induced disruptions to the global supply chains, our commitment to operational optimization supported margin growth, and our commitment to integrating sustainability measures within our operations means we are operating at greener levels.”

Outlook

Commenting on the outlook for 2022, Othman Aljeda said: “We enter 2022 with a clear strategy to deliver our growth ambitions. Our new operating model will enable us to be better prepare to capitalize on the steady global economic recovery and grow our market share within both the Logistics & Freight Forwarding and the Courier Business.

We expect e-commerce to sustain a good growth momentum in 2022 and beyond. That is why for our Courier Business, we will be focused on driving new trade lanes for the global e-commerce market while positioning ourselves as the premier last mile solutions provider to businesses of all sizes in our core markets. Aramex has the benefit of scale, and we continue to solidify our position through expansion of our ground operations and fleet in core markets. We are also focusing on a differentiated premium product offer, as well as the end-to-end solution for the customer. Moreover, we have a clear strategic roadmap for automation of handling and sortation operations which will lead to better service levels and cost savings. We will continue to rely on data analytics and AI to optimize predictions, planning and route optimization to enhance every mile of the first to last mile journey.

Aramex Logistics currently accounts for a little under a third of our revenues and we intend to grow this to approximately half of total group revenues over the next few years. Our strategic priorities will focus on investing in a greener infrastructure, optimizing operational efficiencies, and strengthening our footprint in key growth markets including Egypt and KSA. We will also continue to transform how we serve SMEs and startup businesses customers by providing them innovative solutions including on-the-go warehousing solutions that are flexible and quick to set up.

Acquisitions remain a key enabler of our growth. To that end, we are seeking attractive and value accretive investment opportunities in markets that will enable trade flows into MENAT, and help us to further grow our global footprint.

*Extraordinary Items 

In Thousands of AED

(unless otherwise stated)

FY 2021

FY 2020

% Change (YoY)

Q4 2021

Q4 2020

% Change (YoY)

Reported EBIT

306,739

399,549

(23%)

59,713

89,166

(33%)

Extraordinary Items:

 

 

 

Less: Morocco provision reversal

(18,473)

-

(18,473)

-

 

Less: Morocco insurance refund

(6,243)

-

(6,243)

-

 

Less: Lebanon insurance refund

(6,611)

-

-

-

 

Less: Lebanon provision reversal

(2,339)

-

(2,339)

-

 

Add: Expected Credit Losses on Banks-Lebanon

5,491

21,301

2,788

21,301

 

Add: Morocco Fire provision

-

45,173

-

-

 

Add: Lebanon port blast provision

7,712

 

 

 

Add: Morocco Legal Provision

-

36,726

-

36,726

 

Add: Lebanon translation impact

22,076

-

22,076

-

 

Normalized EBIT

300,639

510,461

(41%)

57,521

147,193

(61%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Thousands of AED

(unless otherwise stated)

FY 2021

FY 2020

% Change (YoY)

Q4 2021

Q4 2020

% Change (YoY)

Reported Net Income

225,373

266,651

(15%)

46,078

58,649

(21%)

Extraordinary Items:

 

 

 

Less: Morocco provision reversal

(18,473)

-

(18,473)

-

 

Less: Morocco insurance refund

(6,243)

-

(6,243)

-

 

Less: Lebanon insurance refund

(6,611)

-

-

-

 

Less: Lebanon provision reversal

(2,339)

-

(2,339)

-

 

Less: InfoFort Gain

(31,606)

-

-

-

 

Add: Expected Credit Losses on Banks-Lebanon

5,491

21,301

2,788

21,301

 

Add: Morocco Fire provision

-

45,173

-

-

 

Add: Lebanon port blast provision

7,712

 

 

 

Add: Morocco Legal Provision

-

36,726

-

36,726

 

Add: Lebanon translation impact

17,695

-

17,695

-

 

Normalized Net Income

183,285

377,564

(51%)

39,504

116,676

(66%)

 


 

 

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