Rentokil extends buying spree after record revenue growth
Rentokil posted its highest level of revenue growth in fifteen years in 2019 as the pest control service continued its expansion around the world.
The figures
The Camberley-based ratcatchers posted full year organic revenue growth of 4.5 per cent, reaching £2.7bn in 2019.
Profit before tax recorded double-digit growth, increasing to £340.9m, up 10.7 per cent on the year before.
Rentokil’s net debt narrowed to £1.1bn over the year, down from £1.2bn in 2018.
Earnings per share also increased over 10 per cent in 2019, up to 14.4p. The firm posted a dividend of 5.15p.
Why it’s interesting
Rentokil embarked on something of a buying spree in 2019, acquiring 41 businesses over the course of the year, with combined revenues of £137m.
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Of these, 14 were in North America, the business’ biggest market, including Florida Pest Control, which is worth £50m in yearly revenues.
The firm said it would continue to target further acquisitions in 2020, anticipating a total spend of around £250m.
What Rentokil said
Andy Ransom, Rentokil’s chief executive, said: “The company performed strongly in 2019 with a combination of above-target Organic growth and disciplined execution of M&A.
“Organic growth was driven by our increasing presence in growth markets, higher levels of customer retention and a strong innovation programme. In particular, our employer of choice programme continues to deliver outstanding results with increased levels of safety, training, motivation and retention of our colleagues.
“Looking forward into the new decade, key demographic trends such as urbanisation will enlarge our global pest control and hygiene markets, while we continue to focus on the relentless execution of our plan. We are confident of delivering further operational and financial progress in 2020.”