RUBIS had €852 million in turnover for fiscal year 2007, up 17% over 2006. In the fourth quarter alone, sales were €261 million (+ 36%), primarily due to the broadening of Rubis Energie’s scope of activity: LPG Europe (outside of France), beginning in the second quarter of 2007.
In short, the highlights of the fourth quarter 2007 were:
Rubis Energie
– Weather conditions more favorable than in 2006 allowed Vitogaz France to achieve strong growth in volume (+ 20%).
– Sharp price increases for supplies of LPG (+ 50%, stated in euros), whose impact on sales margin was controlled.
– Renewed growth in LPG volumes in Africa: + 10%.
Rubis Terminal
– Good activity level for Rubis Terminal (billings: + 16%) and execution of a partnership with Mitsui for the construction of a terminal in Antwerp.
| Fourth Quarter | 12-Month Total | |||
| 2007 | Change from | 2007 | Change from | |
| 2006 | 2006 | |||
| Turnover (€ million) | ||||
| RUBIS ENERGIE | 205.2 | 40% | 685.9 | 26% |
| France | 36.4 | 6% | 122.2 | -7% |
| Europe ex- France | 47.5 | na | 92.3 | na |
| Caribbean | 105.5 | 5% | 415.8 | 12% |
| Africa | 15.7 | 33% | 55.6 | 30% |
| RUBIS TERMINAL | 55.6 | 24% | 166.0 | -9% |
| Bulk liquid storage | 19.8 | 16% | 68.1 | 8% |
| Petroleum product trading | 35.8 | 30% | 97.9 | -18% |
| TOTAL CONSOLIDATED TURNOVER | 260.7 | 36% | 851.9 | 17% |
DISTRIBUTION OF LPG AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS – RUBIS ENERGIE
The total volumes distributed by Rubis Energie in fiscal year 2007 were 610,000 tonnes and m3, up 40%. This broke down as 379,000 tonnes of LPG (+ 40%) and 231,000 m3 (+ 13%) for petroleum products (gas, diesel, etc.):
– France: Final distribution volumes were + 20% in the fourth quarter, offsetting the decline in the first half of the year, which was hurt by weather conditions. Total LPG volumes (116,000 tonnes) were stable. The Vitogaz brand nonetheless continued to make inroads in its market (the French market declined 5%). LPG trading (non-Group) totaled 40,000 tonnes in fiscal year 2007.
– LPG distribution activities in Europe, acquired in the first half of 2007, totaled 108,000 tonnes (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Spain and Switzerland).
– Volumes sold in the Caribbean (Antilles – French Guiana – Bermuda) were 254,000 tonnes and m3, comprising 23,000 tonnes of LPG and 231,000 m3 of petroleum products: service-stations network and direct sales of marine diesel, fuel oil, lubricants and bitumen. At constant scope, volumes sold were stable (- 1%).
– In Africa, LPG volumes grew 6%, (91,000 tonnes). Morocco represented half the volume in Africa and was the engine for growth (+ 10%), benefiting from the economic development of the Kingdom. Activity in Madagascar grew 8%, while Senegal made up for its slow start to the fiscal year (+ 14% in the fourth quarter).
BULK LIQUID STORAGE – RUBIS TERMINAL
This division’s sales declined 9% as a result of the decline in the « Petroleum product trading » business (- 18%), whose contribution to the Group’s earnings is typically marginal.
The principal business of the RUBIS TERMINAL division, Storage, had good activity, with annual turnover up 8% and record shipments, surpassing 10 million tonnes. The « petroleum products » business continued to benefit from the development of biofuels.
Next publication: Annual earnings, 12 March 2008
Press Contact COMFIDANCE – Annie FOURNIER Tel: + 33 1 56 21 20 14
Analyst Contact RUBIS – Bruno Krief Tel: + 33 1 44 17 95 95