Canada-based Maple Leaf Foods pointed to improved sales and margins in the first quarter of the year, as costs linked to a plant closure hit its bottom line.

Maple Leaf booked a 1.8% increase in sales to CAD811.2m (US$596.7m) for the three months to the end of March, equating to a rise of 2.1% after adjusting for the impact of exchange rates and acquisitions.

The group’s net earnings reached CAD30.1m, down from CAD42.3m a year ago.

However, Maple Leaf pointed to costs linked to its decision to close a turkey processing plant in Canada, share-based compensation to staff let go by the business and “ongoing management and organisational restructuring initiatives” hit its bottom line.

Maple Leaf said its adjusted operating earnings stood at CAD59m, up from CAD53.6m a year ago, helped by value-added fresh pork, “stronger” prepared meats volumes and an “improved operational performance” in its supply chain.

“We are coming into 2017 with solid performance, delivering 10.8% Adjusted EBITDA Margin on 2% revenue growth, up from 10.2% last year,” said Maple Leaf president and CEO Michael McCain said. “We had modest volume growth in the quarter and delivered excellent performance improvement despite some relatively turbulent market conditions.”

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.