TIDMTRS
RNS Number : 6656B
Tarsus Group PLC
12 January 2018
12 January 2018
Tarsus Group plc
Year-end Trading Update and launch of next phase of strategy
Overview
Tarsus Group plc (LSE: TRS, "the Group", "Tarsus"), the
international business-to-business media group, delivered a strong
performance in 2017 with like-for-like revenues (at constant
exchange rates) and overall visitor numbers both increasing by
7%.
The Board anticipates that results for the year ended 31
December 2017 will be in line with its expectations.
Recent trading and outlook
Since the issue of its Trading Update on 21 November 2017, the
Group has held three of its larger events. Labelexpo Asia achieved
very strong revenue and visitor growth. The Flower Show in Turkey
and the World Anti-Aging Congress in Las Vegas both performed in
line with expectations.
Prospects for organic growth in 2018 are positive. Forward
bookings are encouraging and in line with its mission to drive
scale and momentum, the Group intends to continue replicating its
most successful brands worldwide over the coming year.
Overall, across the portfolio, bookings are tracking 10%+ ahead
- in line with management expectations. While it is very early in
the year, we are confident of another good performance in 2018.
Strategy update
Since 2013, the Tarsus strategy of "Quickening the Pace" has
seen the Group significantly extend its reach into new geographies
and industries. Over the past five years, average organic revenue
growth has been 9% and average visitor growth 8% - well ahead of
the marketplace. This growth has been reflected in strong returns
to shareholders with dividends per share rising by an average of 8%
per annum over that period.
2017 has seen the culmination of the "Quickening the pace"
strategy, with excellent progress made across the board:
- Visitor/buyer growth across the portfolio was up 7% on a
like-for-like basis - well ahead of the Group's target of 5%.
- Strong growth was delivered once again in the Group's flagship events.
- The number of replications launched during the year increased to 28.
- The three major acquisitions made at the end of 2016 - Connect
(US), Hometex and Intex (both China) were successfully integrated
into the Group, with all three businesses delivering performances
at least in line with their acquisition case.
- The Group consolidated its position in the fast-growing
Mexican marketplace, with its JV with E.J Krause acquiring a
further 9 events.
Now Tarsus is set to build on this success with the next phase
of its strategy: "Quickening the Pace - Driving Scale and Momentum"
("QTP 2"). Recent years have laid the foundations for further
organic growth. The Group has established a strong position in its
chosen transitional markets and built a portfolio of leading
events. This new phase will focus on building the scale and
momentum of the Group, driving the organic growth of our existing
businesses, replicating Tarsus brands and acquiring new platforms
for growth.
Buyer growth remains a key component of our strategy. Attracting
the right buyers to deliver improved ROIs for customers will
continue to be a priority and the Group is confident it can
maintain its industry- leading performance in attracting
high-quality buyers.
Douglas Emslie, Tarsus Group Managing Director, said:
"Our excellent performance in 2017 was the culmination of our
Quickening the Pace strategy. Over the last five years we have
expanded across the map, partnering with passionate entrepreneurs,
building a strong portfolio and creating leading brands. This has
resulted in strong returns for our shareholders.
"We have laid the foundations - the next phase of our strategy,
"QTP 2 - Driving Scale and Momentum", will build on them. Through
to 2021 we will deepen our presence in high-growth markets; focus
relentlessly on improving the experiences of our exhibitors and
their buyers; and look to maximise the scale of our existing
events. Accordingly we will be continuing to invest to scale our
replication program.
"Across the group as a whole, the outlook for 2018 is positive.
Our forward bookings are encouraging, our portfolio is strong."
The Group expects to announce its final results for the year
ended 31 December 2017 on 28 February 2018.
The Company will be hosting a presentation to analysts at
11.00am today at the offices of Deutsche Bank plc at 1 Great
Winchester St., London EC2N 2DB covering the Group's performance in
2017 and an update on Group strategy. No new material information
will be made available.
For further information contact:
Tarsus Group plc:
Douglas Emslie, Group
Managing Director 020 8846 2700
Dan O'Brien, Group Finance
Director
IR Focus
Neville Harris 07909 976044
Notes to editors
Tarsus Group plc. (LSE:TRS) is an international
business-to-business media group with interests in exhibitions,
publishing and online media. The Group operates globally in the US
and Americas, China, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and North
Africa, Turkey and Europe, in key verticals including aviation,
medical, labels and packaging, discount clothing (Off-Price),
travel, housewares and automotive.
Tarsus runs more than 150 events and websites and its flagship
brands include the Labelexpo Global Series in Europe, the Americas
and Asia and the Dubai Airshow.
The Group operates across a worldwide network of offices in
Dublin, London, Jakarta, Milwaukee, Atlanta, Boca Raton (Florida),
Dubai, Shanghai and Istanbul.
For more information visit www.tarsus.com
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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