Profile UK and Ireland based Building Materials Group Principal activities Builders and Plumbers Merchanting DIY Retailing in Ireland Dry Mortar Manufacturing Annualised turnover over 2.8 billion Market leader or strong market positions Trading from over 590 locations in the UK and Ireland 11,200 employees 1
Principal Brands UK and Northern Ireland 2
Principal Brands Irish Merchanting and Manufacturing 3
Irish Retail Brands 4
Strategy Consistent Focused To continue to achieve above average long-term returns for shareholders by: Building on strong market positions in businesses serving the UK and Irish construction markets Developing in other Irish markets Growing outside Ireland in businesses with which we are familiar 5
Interim Highlights - 2008 Very difficult trading conditions in Ireland UK trading slowing on the back of the credit crunch Negative like for like sales across the Group -8% Irish merchanting suffered an 18% like for like decline in turnover Irish DIY like for like sales -10% UK like for like turnover -1% Irish operating margin 4.6% (2007: 9.6%) UK operating margin 5.4% (2007: 6.5%) Group operating margin 5.1% (2007: 7.7%) Interim results include rationalisation and other one off costs of 7 million 6
Group Financial Highlights Interim Results 2008 2007 % Change Turnover 1.44 bn 1.61 bn -11% Operating profit* 72.9 m 124.4 m -41% Pre-tax profit 53.4 m 106.4 m -50% EBITDA 102.2 m 151.3 m -32% Adjusted E.P.S.* 20.62 c 39.09 c -47% Share Purchase 10.00 c 10.00 c - % *Before intangible amortisation 7
Earnings History to the top of the Cycle 90 80 +15% +8% 70 +21% 60 +23% Earnings 50 40 30 20 +24% +15% +22% 20.6 cent -47% Interim Final 10 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 8
Segmental Turnover Analysis First Half 2008 Group 1.44 billion 2007 Group 1.61 billion 11% 3% 25% 10% 5% 26% 61% Irish Merchanting UK Merchanting DIY Retail Irish & UK Manufacturing 59% 9
UK & Irish Operating Margins First Half 33% UK Ireland 67% UK operating margin ROI operating margin 2008 5.4% 4.6% 2007 6.5% 9.6% Group operating margin 5.1% 7.7% Dramatic shift to the UK for the bulk of Group earnings 10
Components of Change H1 2007 Organic growth Organic growth 2008 acquisitions 2007 acquisitions Exchange H1 2008 * Before intangible amortisation - Ireland - UK - UK - UK - Ireland New branches 2007 & 2008 and discontinued Turnover million 1,608 (104) (10) 10 39 2 20 (127) 1,438 Operating Profit* million 124.4 (35.8) (12.1) 0.8 4.2 (0.1) (1.0) (7.5) 72.9 11
Financial Statistics EBITDA margin Operating profit margin # Total equity+ Net debt Gearing Interest cover EBITDA Tax Rate Pensions Funding Annualised return avg. cap employed Annualised return avg. equity (after tax) H1 2008 7.1% 5.1% 1,041 m 510 m 49% 5.5 13% 96% 12.6% 14% H1 2007 9.4% 7.7% 1,104 m 587 m 53% 9.0 13% 101% 16.5% 20% Grafton has no interest cover covenants on its bank debt # Before intangible amortisation + After adjustment for shares purchased in the market during 2007 12
Cash Generation Operating profit Depreciation, amortisation & other Property disposals, interest income Total cash inflow Replacement capital expenditure Interest & tax Working capital movement Free cash flow Market capitalisation 18th August 2008 Net debt Gearing H1 2008 million 71.8 33.0 10.0 114.8 (24.9) (22.7) 45.5 112.7 961 510 m 49% H1 2007 million 123.3 30.3 10.9 164.5 (24.7) (24.9) (42.7) 72.2 2,300 587 m 53% Significant reduction in Working Capital in the first half year 13
Group Development Spend 600 500 400 Heitons Acquisition & Investment Spend 25 million Development Asset Purchases 37 million 300 Jacksons Replacement Asset Purchases 25 million 200 100 First half only 2008 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 14
Net Debt Position and Maturity Gross debt Cash & cash equivalents Net Debt 30 June 2008 Gearing Gross debt is repayable as follows: 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2015 The Group has un-drawn committed bank facilities of 143 million in addition to the cash & cash equivalents held. 2008 million 727 (217) 510 49% 70 109 52 311 185 727 15
Group Locations 590 Trading Locations Builders Merchanting Plumbers Merchanting g Manufacturing DIY Retailing 16
Group Strengths Highly cash generative and profitable businesses - free cash flow 113 million for 6 months. Strong balance sheet modest gearing 49% No material term refinancing required before 2011 Large deposits ensure continued access to cash not bank dependent. Prominent market positions in the UK and Ireland market share circa 10% and 20% respectively Motivated management teams Proven strategic record, past experience of managing down cycles Less dependent on Ireland Ability to cut costs Rationalisation accelerated and cost base reduced materially 17
Operational Review Managing Our Brands Single Unified Merchanting Structure with Country Focus Management Procurement Administration Rationalisation and Integration program well under way Reduced Headcount More Stringent ROCE Hurdles on Development Spend Higher Margin Customer Groups targeted Monitor and Maintain Staff Morale Priority on Cash Generation More Resilient Model Positioning for Future Growth 18
Operational Review Additional Channels to Markets Selco Partnering Plumbworld Bringing Together Leading UK Brands UK Partnering initiatives Targeting Public Sector / Local Housing Stock / RMI - 7 Managed Store Solutions - Over 35 Agreements with Local Authorities / Housing Associations 1-5 Year Contracts Current negotiations in place which will substantially increase the number of contracts throughout 2009 - Inclusion in additional National Framework Agreement - Trading on a national basis with, in excess of 250 Local Authorities / Housing Associations in both Formal and Informal arrangements Increasing levels of Low Cost Country Sourcing Cross Dock Facility, Shanghai Own Branding Increasing Market Share 19
Economic Background Global Credit crunch seriously restricting liquidity to fund House Buyers, RMI projects and Commercial RMI demand continues in both Ireland and the UK Irish and UK house completions still falling although underlying demand remains Positive demographics in both Ireland and the UK to keep the pressure on for recovery in time Household formation groups still growing in both economies underpins long term demand Elevated Interest rate environment may be peaking with oil prises easing Affordability improving with significant decline in property prices. No immediate sign of any material positive economic factors in our sector 20
Outlook Ireland Residential new build market will continue to decline to below sustainable levels through 2009 - Irish House registrations down 70% year to July now two years since peak in summer 2006 Housing affordability is improving with material price reductions for houses (up to circa 8% fall on average national house prices in the 12 months to June 2008) RMI sector remains resilient although the credit crunch may also cause this sector to slow Emphasis on cost reduction and rationalisation in merchanting sector DIY remains a competitive market - Retail spending expected to remain under pressure during higher inflation period - Few DIY store openings remain in the pipeline (for both Grafton and competitors) Further property disposals and relocations will release value and cash over the coming years Trading conditions in Ireland expected to remain difficult in 2009 21
Outlook UK Credit crunch is severely restricting activity Demand in RMI market anticipated to continue at a lower pace Mortar market being affected by the major slowdown in new house building activity Grafton view of the UK economy remains positive over the medium term Strong demographics and average age of the housing stock underpin demand Grafton s UK merchanting exposure is c80%+ to RMI market Full year acquisition benefits flowing through Brownfield and acquisition activity is reduced significantly to conserve cash and pending confirmation of an improved outlook The Group s focus on the RMI market in the UK remains beneficial 22
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UK Merchanting League Table Circa 2,000 independents to be consolidated 39% 10% 15% 19% 18% Grafton Jewson Wolseley Sector Turnover 12 billion plus Unconsolidated 4.6 billion plus Travis Perkins (excluding Wickes) 28
Comparison of DIY Store Sizes in the Republic of Ireland 1,800,000 1,600,000 +100% Total 2.2 m sq. ft. Total 2.4 m sq. ft. Total 2.57 m sq. ft. Forecast Total 2.67 m sq ft 1,400,000 1,200,000 1,000,000 Total 1.2 m sq. ft. Total 1.5 m sq. ft. +9% +6% +4% 800,000 600,000 400,000 200,000 0 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Forecast 2008 Woodie s & Atlantic 73% 73% 64% 64% 62% 62% B & Q 13% 14% 22% 21% 22% 22% Homebase 14% 13% 14% 15% 16% 16% 29
For Further Information Michael Chadwick Colm ó Nualláin Leo Martin Charles Rinn Address: Executive Chairman Finance Director Chief Operating Officer Group Financial Controller / Secretary Grafton Group plc, Heron House, Corrig Road, Sandyford Industrial Estate, Dublin 18 Telephone: 353 1 216 0600 Fax: 353 1 295 4470 Email: Web: email@graftonplc.com www.graftonplc.com 30