INTERIM REPORT, JANUARY-JUNE 2016


Midsona strengthens organic profile and improves earnings
APRIL-JUNE 2016 (SECOND QUARTER)

  ·  Net sales amounted to SEK 351 million (223).
  ·  Operating profit before amortisation/depreciation and impairment, EBITDA,
amounted to SEK 23 million (14), before non-recurring items.
  ·  Profit for the period was SEK 11 million (12), corresponding to earnings
per share before and after dilution of SEK 0.39 (0.53).
  ·  Cash flow from continuing operations amounted to a negative SEK 22 million
(23).
  ·  A new financing agreement was signed with Danske Bank for credit facilities
totalling SEK 425 million.

JANUARY-JUNE 2016 (SIX MONTHS)

  ·  Net sales amounted to SEK 701 million (455).
  ·  Operating profit before amortisation/depreciation and impairment, EBITDA,
amounted to SEK 46 Mkr (29), before non-recurring items.
  ·  Profit for the period was SEK 22 million (11), corresponding to earnings
per share before and after dilution of SEK 0.77 (0.49).
  ·  Cash flow from continuing operations amounted to a negative SEK 2 million
(37).

SIGNIFICANT EVENT AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD

  ·  Midsona acquired Internatural AB, a company with a leading position in
organic food products in Sweden and Norway, including the Kung Markatta and
Helios brands.

Comments by the CEO

Midsona – market leader in organic colonial products
Sales of organic goods have shown strong growth in both the Nordic region and
globally in recent years. The trend has been particularly strong in Midsona’s
largest market, Sweden, where sales of organic products increased by some 39
percent in 2015. The organic segment is expected to continue growing in the
Nordic region for the next few years. Following acquisitions, Midsona is now the
Nordic market leader in organic colonial products. Just over a year ago, Midsona
acquired Denmark-based Urtekram International A/S (Urtekram). The acquisition
was strategically important as it expanded the product portfolio of proprietary
brands positioned for the attractive organic growth segment. Urtekram has been
successfully integrated into Midsona’s operations over the past year. The
acquisition of Internatural AB (Internatural) at the start of July 2016, with
its leading organic brands Kung Markatta and Helios, marks the next step for
Midsona and makes the company the market leader in organic colonial products in
all our principal markets. Kung Markatta is a market leader in Sweden, Helios is
a leader in Norway and Urtekram is a market leader in Denmark and Finland.
Urtekram is also now the number two product on the Swedish and Norwegian
markets. Following the acquisition, organic products account for over half of
Midsona’s sales.

Acquisition of Internatural strengthens Midsona
Internatural is the company’s largest acquisition to date. In addition to its
proprietary brands Kung Markatta and Helios, Internatural distributes market
-leading products such as Alpro, Yogi Tea and Green & Black’s. Internatural
reported net sales of SEK 637 million and EBITDA of SEK 65 million for the 2015
financial year. Midsona expects Internatural to achieve significantly increased
net sales and an improved EBITDA. The acquisition of Internatural with its Kung
Markatta and Helios brands, combined with Midsona’s brands such as Urtekram and
Friggs, position us as a leading Nordic group geared towards plant-based
products with a particular focus on organic products.

Good opportunities for synergies
Synergies will mainly be achieved through purchasing, logistics and production.
For example, Midsona has a full-scale facility for producing organic food
products in Mariager, Denmark, whereas Internatural purchased all its products
for Kung Markatta and Helios from a third party. Our assessment is that it will
be possible to produce a considerable proportion of these products in Mariager,
resulting in cost savings. Larger purchasing volumes will provide better
opportunities for negotiation and subsequent lower prices. Synergies over the
next few years are expected to result in an annual boost of around SEK 35
million to EBITDA, around SEK 25 million of which is expected to be achieved by
the end of 2017.

Financing through acquisition loan and rights issue
Midsona will fund the acquisition of Internatural using an existing credit
facility combined with an acquisition loan from Danske Bank. Approximately half
the new acquisition loan is in the form of a bridge loan and Midsona plans to
carry out a share rights issue totalling SEK 400 million later this year,
possibly combined with other financing solutions, such as a bond loan. The
rights issue will enable Midsona to maintain its financial ratios while
achieving its growth targets. Midsona’s largest shareholder, Stena Adactum AB,
has agreed to subscribe for its pro rata share of the rights issue and provide
an underwriting guarantee for the remainder of the issue. Midsona will provide
shareholders with further information as soon as possible.

Continued improvement in sales and earnings
In the second quarter, Midsona's sales rose by 57 percent to SEK 351 million
(223). Operating profit before amortisation/depreciation and impairment, EBITDA,
amounted to SEK 22 million (16). Adjusted for non-recurring items, EBITDA was
SEK 23 million (14). Larger than usual investments were made in sales promotion
measures in the second quarter, particularly for the Friggs and Urtekram brands
in Sweden. For Friggs, this involved investments in the new range of corn cakes.
They have been well received by consumers, resulting in a rapid increase in
sales. We also invested in continued development of the distribution of Urtekram
in Sweden. There is very significant demand for organic products and this led to
the issue of bottle necks and additional logistics costs. We are now
implementing measures to streamline the logistics chain.

The Nordic leader in health and well-being
Midsona has undergone significant change. It has gone from a sprawling structure
with numerous subsidiaries focussing on a wide range of activities, with
products ranging from pharmaceuticals to washing detergent and a presence in
almost all parts of the value chain to being a company with a focus on strong
brands in growth segments such as plant-based food products and organic
products. A number of the Group’s brands are now market leaders in their
respective segments. Our ambition is to continue growing these brands, achieving
synergies from the acquired Internatural and preparing for new acquisitions. We
are close to achieving our vision of being the Nordic leader in health and well
-being.

Peter Åsberg, President and CEO

This information is such that Midsona AB (publ) is obliged to disclose in
accordance with the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Swedish Securities Market
Act. The information was submitted, through the provision of Lennart Svensson,
for publication on 15 July at 08:00 CET.

For further information: MD and CEO Peter Åsberg, +46 (0)730 26 16 32


About Midsona
Midsona holds a strong position in the Nordic market with own strong brands
within healthfoods, personal care and hygiene. Midsona also sells a number of
licensed internationally established brands. Our products are sold through
grocery and convenience stores, pharmacies, health stores and internet.
Midsona’s priority trademarks are: DALBLADS, FRIGGS, MIWANA, MYGGA, NATURDIET,
SUPERNATURE, TRI TOLONEN and URTEKRAM. Midsona has annual sales of about MSEK
1,174 (2015). The Midsona share (MSON) is listed on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm, Small
Cap. For further information: www.midsona.com

Attachments

07157303.pdf