SDK FREJA A/S, owned by the USTC Group, presents its annual result which showcases the position as a new strong player within the shipping, transport, and logistics industry.
• Earnings (EBIT) have increased from DKK 37.7 million to DKK 97.2 million
• Revenue increased 90 percent to DKK 2.6 billion
• Strong organic growth and optimisation of existing activities
The 2020/21 financial year was a landmark year for SDK FREJA
With the best-ever performance. Compared to last year, the operating profit (EBIT) before special items has increased from DKK 37.7m to 97.2m, corresponding to a 158 percent increase.
The impressive results partly build on the great performance of the existing activities prior to the major acquisition that took place in December 2020. But obviously the actual acquisition, when SDK A/S bought 74.7percent of FREJA Transport & Logistics Holding A/S to consolidate the two large family-owned companies is a key factor. As a natural consequence of the acquisition the company name was changed to SDK FREJA which today has approx. 1250 employees.
“With the acquisition, we wanted to create a new strong player in the shipping, transport and logistics industry and strengthen the overall market position, as well as pave the way for future development and growth. Our results are a testament as to how far we have already come with all three goals”, says CEO Søren Gran Hansen, SDK FREJA A/S.
Strong results within both logistics and shipping
Strong organic growth and optimisation related to both the shipping activities as well as the logistics activities in the individual countries play a significant role. Particularly Denmark, Finland, Norway,Sweden, and the Netherlands have made good progress and can report strong earnings. Poland continues to improve its revenue as brand awareness rises in the Polish market, and China performed according to budget with positive earnings, despite a weak project market.
“The integration of SDK’s existing logistics activities with FREJA is going according to the plan. With the strengthened market position, and stronger organisation which has delivered an extraordinary effort during the pandemic, we expect to be able to utilise the opportunities within the new FREJA to the maximum. No doubt we stand far better equipped now with new and improved customer solutions”, says Ulrik Rasmussen, Group CEO of FREJA Transport & Logistics Holding A/S.
Also the performance within shipping demonstrates earnings growth: “Despite challenges relating to the impact from the global Covid-19 pandemic on our Cruise agency business, working from home, staggered working hours and Teams meetings, our strong organization has managed to maintain high service levels and achieve satisfactory financial performance in almost all of our core areas: Stevedoring, Agency and Chartering” says Lars Jespersen CEO of SDK Shipping.
Expectations for the year ahead
Despite the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic which led to an extended period of unpredictability, the company has stayed on its course and earnings have been very satisfying. A comprehensive strategy process that involved a number of key employees was launched this year. The process crystallised into an ambitious strategy plan for developing the company through geographic expansion, organic growth and further acquisitions. Equipped with this strategy and backed by the financially strong and committed ownership, SDK FREJA looks very much forward to exploring and delivering new and better customer solutions in the year to come. The expectations for the period 2021/22 are to benefit from a stronger set-up – and the acquisitions do not stop with FREJA.
“We will not just compete on price but will increasingly maximise the opportunities that come from being a company with a wide range of products and services. Acquisitions are an essential part of our ambitious strategy plan. We have identified a number of specific acquisition opportunities to further strengthen SDK FREJA’s strategic market position”, says Søren Gran Hansen.
FACTS:
• Operates in 8 countries
• Number of offices: + 50
• The financial impact from the acquisition of FREJA on the Group for 2020/21 only cover a 4-
month period. Thus, expectations for 2021/22 are significantly higher earnings (EBIT) than for
2020/21
Three-year financials overview:
SDK FREJA A/S Consolidated financials
| DKKm | 2020/21 | 2019/20 | 2018/19* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 2,633 | 1,380 | 1,470 |
| Gross profit | 630 | 367 | 330 |
| Operating profit (EBITDA)** | 223 | 98 | 58 |
| Operating profit (EBIT)** | 97 | 38 | 32 |
| Profit before tax (EBT)** | 83 | 32 | 25 |
| Total equity | 542 | 133 | 113 |
| Number of full-time employees | 1,247 | 400 | 390 |
*) IFRS was implemented on 1 May 2020. The comparative figures for 2018/19, are presented in accordance with the Danish Financial Statement Act **) Before special items.
The SDK FREJA Group is a full-service logistics and shipping company. The main activities of SDK FREJA include freight forwarding within Road, Air & Sea, Project, Logistics, as well as Stevedoring, Agency, Customs Clearing, Commercial Chartering, Liner and Cruise services. The company offers specialist logistics solutions within Healthcare, Warehousing and Refrigeration and is locally based in Northern Europe including strategic positions in China and Spain. SDK FREJA is one of the few independent and privately owned local mid-sized logistics and shipping companies.
United Shipping & Trading Company (USTC) is present in more than 30 countries through its worldwide portfolio of activities that include oil & energy, shipping & logistics, ship owning, risk management, and IT. USTC was founded in Fredericia, Denmark, in 1876. Today, the family-owned group consists of well-known companies like Bunker Holding, SDK FREJA, Uni-Tankers, Selected Car Group and Unit IT covering approximately 130 offices and occupying around 3,500 employees combined worldwide. USTC has been headquartered in Middelfart
since 1981.
For additional information, please contact Head of Communications at USTC, Jonas Søndergård, at +45 52 15 99 11.