CHARTING THE FUTURE THROUGH CONTINUOUS GROWTH AND EXPANSION It is a universal principle that the future we hope to see depends on the building blocks

Transcription

1 ANNUAL REPORT 2015 SCIENTEX BERHAD (7867-P)

2 CHARTING THE FUTURE THROUGH CONTINUOUS GROWTH AND EXPANSION It is a universal principle that the future we hope to see depends on the building blocks we have placed in the past. For more than four decades, Scientex has acquired the expertise and experience to piece together a foundation of business strength and success that today becomes the solid platform to achieve all our future aspirations. Through strategic mergers and acquisitions complemented by consistent business evolution, Scientex has also entrenched the seeds for continuity and sustainability which we will harness and capitalise on through our passion for excellence, clarity of vision as well as good practices and teamwork. We are now poised to leverage on continuous growth and expansion as the way forward to chart the future. 2 Corporate Information 3 Group Structure 4-5 Scientex Performance Record Year Group Financial Highlights 8-9 Media Highlights Profile Of The Board Of Directors Chairman s Statement Review Of Operations 35 Investor Relations 36 Corporate Responsibility Statement Statement On Risk Management And Internal Control Audit Committee Report Statement On Corporate Governance Additional Compliance Information Financial Statements 124 List Of Properties Held By The Group Analysis Of Shareholdings Notice Of Annual General Meeting Statement Accompanying Notice Of Annual General Meeting Form Of Proxy

3 2 Board of Directors Tan Sri Dato Mohd Sheriff Bin Mohd Kassim Chairman & Independent Non-Executive Director Lim Peng Jin Managing Director Lim Peng Cheong Non-Independent Non-Executive Director Cham Chean Sian Chean Fong Independent Non-Executive Director Teow Her Chang Choo Chau Independent Non-Executive Director Ang Kim Swee Independent Non-Executive Director Company Secretary Ng Boon Ngee (MAICSA ) Audit Committee Tan Sri Dato Mohd Sheriff Bin Mohd Kassim Chairman Cham Chean Sian Chean Fong Member Ang Kim Swee Member Nomination Committee Tan Sri Dato Mohd Sheriff Bin Mohd Kassim Chairman Cham Chean Sian Chean Fong Member Remuneration Committee Tan Sri Dato Mohd Sheriff Bin Mohd Kassim Chairman Lim Peng Jin Member Cham Chean Sian Chean Fong Member Risk Management Committee Tan Sri Dato Mohd Sheriff Bin Mohd Kassim Chairman Lim Peng Jin Member Teow Her Chang Choo Chau Member Auditors Deloitte & Touche Level 16, Menara LGB 1, Jalan Wan Kadir Taman Tun Dr. Ismail Kuala Lumpur Solicitors Koh Kim Leng & Co. Shearn Delamore & Co. Principal Bankers HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (Malaysia) Berhad Malayan Banking Berhad Public Bank Berhad RHB Bank Berhad Registered Office & Principal Place of Business Jalan Utas 15/7, Shah Alam Selangor Darul Ehsan Tel: Fax: Website: Stock Exchange Listing Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad [Stock code: 4731] Share Registrar Symphony Share Registrars Sdn Bhd Level 6, Symphony House Pusat Dagangan Dana 1 Jalan PJU 1A/46, Petaling Jaya Selangor Darul Ehsan Tel: Fax: /8152 Helpdesk: Website:

4 3 Scientex Berhad (Company No P) MANUFACTURING Industrial Packaging Consumer Packaging Automotive Interior Green Energy Products PROPERTY Taman Scientex Pasir Gudang Taman Scientex Kulai 1, 2 Taman Mutiara Mas, Skudai Taman Scientex Senai Taman Muzaffar Heights, Melaka

5 4 47 Years Of Revenue Growth RM Million 1, billion 1,800 1,700 1,600 1,500 1, billion 1,300 1,200 1,100 1, million thousand 12 million 37 million 184 million Building Years Expansion Years Growth Years Exponential Growth Years

6 5 160, , , ,000 Net Profit Growth (RM 000) 14-Year Compounded Annual Growth = 27% 158, , , , , ,000 90,000 80,000 77,246 83,917 70,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 0 Financial Year 5, , , , , , , , , , ,000 Shareholders Rewards (RM 000) 47,054 49,689 45,000 Interim and Final Dividend Share Dividend Special Dividend 40,000 57,501 35,000 35,385 30,000 30,106 25,000 25,805 22,116 20,000 17,232 19,378 15,000 14,229 10,000 8,091 9,471 10,101 10,770 5,000 2,669 2,670 2,670 4,457 4,758 0 Financial Year * ^ 950, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,000 Shareholders Equity Growth (RM 000) 284, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,952 Financial Year 2001# 2002# 2003# * Includes a share dividend on the basis of one (1) treasury share for every fifty (50) existing ordinary shares held based on market value. ^ Includes a single tier final dividend of 13 sen per share proposed for shareholders' approval. # The figures have been restated for consistency.

7 6 Year ended 31 July RM 000 RM RM RM RM 000 Results Revenue 1,801,684 1,590,472 1,229, , ,023 Operating Profit 224, , , ,613 97,437 EBITDA 273, , , , ,028 Profit Before Taxation 220, , , ,169 96,640 Profit After Taxation 162, , ,497 87,869 80,118 Net Profit 158, , ,284 83,917 77,246 Group Assets Non-current Assets 979, , , , ,070 Current Assets 660, , , , ,005 Total Assets Employed 1,639,875 1,400,378 1,286, , ,075 Financed by Share Capital 115, , , , ,000 Reserves 826, , , , ,344 Equity attributable to owners 941, , , , ,344 of the Company Non-controlling Interests 62,784 22,705 19,972 33,988 38,778 Current Liabilities 500, , , , ,175 Non-current Liabilities 134, , ,845 36,245 36,778 Total Funds Employed 1,639,875 1,400,378 1,286, , ,075 Performance Indicators Earnings Per Share (Sen) Net Dividend Per Share (Sen) # Net Assets Per Share (RM) Net Gearing Ratio (Times) Return on Equity ( ROE ) (%) # Includes a single tier final dividend of 13 sen per share proposed for shareholders approval.

8 7 Group Financial Results RM 000 2,000,000 1,801,684 RM ,000 1,800,000 1,600,000 1,590, , ,000 1,400,000 1,229, , ,000 1,200,000 1,000, , ,023 97, , , , , , , , ,000 90, ,000 77,246 83,917 60, , ,000 30,000 0 Financial Year Revenue Operating Profit Net Profit ROE & Shareholders Equity Net Gearing Ratio & Net Borrowings RM 000 1,000, ,978 % 21 RM ,000 Times , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,000 0 Financial Year Shareholders Equity Return on Equity ,000 0 Financial Year 19,387 6, Net Borrowings Net Gearing Ratio Earnings Per Share Net Dividend Per Share Sen Sen Financial Year Earnings Per Share 0 Financial Year Interim and Final Dividend Special Dividend

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10 Media Highlights 9

11 10 Tan Sri Dato Mohd Sheriff Bin Mohd Kassim Chairman and Independent Non-Executive Director Tan Sri Dato Mohd Sheriff Bin Mohd Kassim, a Malaysian, aged 76, is an Independent Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Company. He was appointed to the Board as Non-Executive Chairman on 20 June He is also the Chairman of the Board s Audit Committee, Nomination Committee, Remuneration Committee and Risk Management Committee. Tan Sri Dato Mohd Sheriff graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Economics degree from University of Malaya in 1963 and a Diploma in Economic Development from Oxford University, United Kingdom in He graduated with a Master of Arts in Economics from Vanderbilt University, USA in He served as the Secretary General of Treasury, Ministry of Finance for 3 years from 1991 to 1994 and as Managing Director of Khazanah Nasional Berhad for 9 years from 1994 to He was a former Director of United Engineers (Malaysia) Berhad, RHB Bank Berhad and former Chairman of Renong Berhad, Projek Penyelenggaraan Lebuhraya Berhad, PLUS Expressways Berhad, Malaysian Institute of Economic Research and Manulife Holdings Berhad. He is the President of the Malaysian Economic Association. He also sits on the Board of PLUS Malaysia Berhad, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad and Standard Chartered Saadiq Berhad as Non-Executive Director and Chairman; and Yayasan UEM as Non-Executive Director. He is also a non-executive Chairman of Warisan Pinang Sdn Bhd, a property development company. He does not have any family relationship with any Director and/or major shareholder of Scientex Berhad and has no conflict of interest with the Company. He has not been convicted for any offences within the past 10 years. Lim Peng Jin Managing Director Lim Peng Jin, a Malaysian, aged 48, is currently the Managing Director of the Company. He was appointed to the Board on 20 January 1995 as the Group Executive Director and was re-designated as Managing Director on 6 November He is also a member of the Board s Remuneration Committee and Risk Management Committee. Lim Peng Jin graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tokyo, Japan in He began his career in the chemical industry in Japan before joining the Company in He had also completed a course in Programme Management Development at Harvard University, USA in He has local and international working experience in the field of polymer and chemicals during the early years of his career and is very hands-on in the business of Scientex Group of Companies involving packaging, property, polymer and chemicals industries for the past 20 years. The success of the Group owes much to his extensive involvement in its operations and management. He is the youngest son of Lim Teck Meng, a major shareholder of Scientex Berhad and the brother of Lim Peng Cheong, who is also a Director and major shareholder of Scientex Berhad. He has no conflict of interest with the Company and has not been convicted for any offences within the past 10 years.

12 11 Profile of The Board of Directors Lim Peng Cheong Non-Independent Non-Executive Director Lim Peng Cheong, a Malaysian, aged 53, is a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company. He was appointed to the Board as an Executive Director on 9 September 1988, and has held this position until 10 November 2003 when he was re-designated as Non-Executive Director. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Business Studies from the City University, London, UK in June He is currently the Managing Director of Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd. He is the son of Lim Teck Meng, a major shareholder of Scientex Berhad and the brother of Lim Peng Jin, who is also a Director and major shareholder of Scientex Berhad. He has no conflict of interest with the Company and has not been convicted for any offences within the past 10 years. Cham Chean Sian Chean Fong Independent Non-Executive Director Cham Chean Sian Chean Fong, a Malaysian, aged 48, is an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company. He was appointed to the Board on 24 May 2001 as a Non-Executive Director. He is also a member of the Board s Audit Committee, Nomination Committee and Remuneration Committee. He graduated with a LLB (Honours) from Bristol Polytechnic, U.K. in 1991 and obtained a Certificate of Legal Practice in He was called to Bar in September 1995 and since then, he has been in private practice. Currently, he is a partner of a law firm in Kuala Lumpur. He does not have any family relationship with any Director and/or major shareholder of Scientex Berhad and has no conflict of interest with the Company. He has not been convicted for any offences within the past 10 years.

13 12 Profile of The Board of Directors Teow Her Chang Choo Chau Independent Non-Executive Director Teow Her Chang Choo Chau, a Malaysian, aged 76, is an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company. He was appointed to the Board on 19 December He is also a member of the Board s Risk Management Committee. He had his early education at the Royal Military College and gained his Diploma in Estate Management in the early sixties. He was appointed as an Executive Director of the Yule Catto Plantations in 1976 after returning from a Financial/Management course at London Business School. He was the Managing Director of Revertex Malaysia Sdn Bhd ( Revertex ), a subsidiary of a British company, Yule Catto & Co. PLC, from 1990 to During that period, he was also the Managing Director of Rexplas Sdn Bhd, a joint venture company between Exxon and Revertex. He was on the Boards of Revertex Fincwater Sdn Bhd and Revertex (Guangdong) Chemicals Co. Ltd. Currently, he sits on the Board of Chemical Mate Sdn Bhd, a consultancy and trading/distribution company with affiliation to manufacturing of Specialty Esters. He was conferred the Amanah Mangku Negara (A.M.N) by His Majesty Yang Dipertuan Agung in He does not have any family relationship with any Director and/or major shareholder of Scientex Berhad and has no conflict of interest with the Company. He has not been convicted for any offences within the past 10 years. Ang Kim Swee Independent Non-Executive Director Ang Kim Swee, a Malaysian, aged 57, is an Independent Non-Executive Director. He was appointed to the Board on 17 December He is also a member of the Board s Audit Committee. Ang Kim Swee graduated with Diploma in Accounting and Costing LCCI Higher. He is a Registered Financial Planner and a Chartered Financial Consultant registered with The Malaysian Insurance Institute. He is also an Audit Committee Member of The Institute of Internal Auditors Malaysia. He has more than 30 years of working experience in various capacities including senior management roles in the areas of finance, costing, information technology systems and administration. Presently, he is the Assistant General Manager (Finance) of Meditop Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd, a well established Japanese corporation with international track records in manufacturing and sales of disposable medical devices and healthcare products. He is a pioneer since 1990 and is primarily responsible for the management of financial affairs of the company. He does not have any family relationship with any Director and/or major shareholder of Scientex Berhad and has no conflict of interest with the Company. He has not been convicted for any offences within the past 10 years.

14 13 Dear Valued Shareholders, It has been another record breaking year for Scientex Berhad ( Scientex ). Scientex registered record revenue and net profit amidst unprecedented combination of adverse global events and challenging domestic issues. I am proud to note that Scientex s success and achievements against such odds during the year under review can be traced to the foundation of financial and operational strength that we have steadily built over the past four decades, further enhanced by bold yet prudent strategies for growth and expansion. As such, Scientex is confident to weather the current turmoil on both domestic and international fronts and continue generating positive results so as to ensure healthy returns for all our shareholders and other stakeholders in the years ahead. With this, I am honoured to present to you on behalf of the Board of Directors ( the Board ) the Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements of the Company and the Group for the financial year ended 31 July 2015.

15 14 Chairman s Statement FINANCIAL RESULTS The Group achieved record revenue of RM1.80 billion, an increase of 13.3% against RM1.59 billion registered in the previous financial year. Likewise, profit before tax grew by 18.6% to a new high of RM221.0 million against RM186.3 million the year before. Meanwhile, net profits increased by 6.6% to RM158.2 million compared with RM148.5 million in the preceding financial year. As a result, earnings per share also rose 4.9% from sen to sen while the Group s net assets per share recorded a year-on-year gain of 29.5% from RM3.22 to RM4.17 in the year under review. The Group s property division yielded commendable results due to our continued focus on the affordable housing segment. On the other hand, the manufacturing division remains vigilant and responsive to the uncertainty and volatility in the global marketplace. Dividends The Group had declared a single tier interim dividend of 9 sen per share, which was paid on 7 August In recognition of the outstanding results achieved in the financial year, the Board is pleased to recommend a single tier final dividend of 13 sen per share, subject to shareholders approval at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. The proposed aggregated dividend of 22 sen per share will amount to a total dividend payout of RM49.7 million, representing approximately 31.4% of the Group s net profit and once again highlighting Scientex s commitment to payout at least 30% net profit to our loyal shareholders. Manufacturing The Group s manufacturing division recorded increased sales of RM1.29 billion for the year under review against RM1.19 billion in the preceding financial year. Scientex remains focused to increase global market share through the use of technology and innovation to produce high-quality stretch films with competitive pricing. We continue to promote our range of thin films through introduction of the Nano6, ultra-thin gauge 6 microns stretch film to new markets such as Japan, European Union and ASEAN countries. This product is gaining acceptance in advanced markets looking for competitively-priced eco-friendly products that offer superior film performance. For the consumer packaging business, since the last financial year, the Group has added another three new lines to build up production capacity and boost revenue. One of the new lines is the state-of-the-art 9-layer Windmoeller & Hoelscher blown film machine which is capable of producing 9-layer barrier film. With the additional lines, production capacity of blown film products increased to 48,000 metric tons during the year under review. With the increased capacity and capability, we are now well placed to promote our wide range of consumer packaging products to customers in Europe as well as new prospects in Indonesia, China, Korea, Mexico, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and domestic markets. The Group s consumer packaging business is also set to grow following the strategic alliance with Futamura Chemical Co., Ltd. ( Futamura ). Product sales in this segment will receive a boost when our cast polypropylene ( CPP ) and bi-axially oriented polypropylene ( BOPP ) plants become operational in December 2015 and mid-2016 respectively. CPP and BOPP films are both essential components in the production of consumer packaging products. Meanwhile, demand for the Group s other industrial packaging products such as PP strapping bands, raffia, woven bags and FIBC bags has grown incrementally whereas demand for our polymer products has remained relatively stable. The solar industry continues to face intense competition and weak demand. The Group continues to seek ways to improve its operational efficiency as we strive to remain competitive in the market. Property Development The Group s affordably-priced products continue to attract buyers from among middle-income earners despite the tightening of loan conditions imposed by financial institutions coupled with the re-introduction of real property gains taxes and the abolition of developers interest bearing schemes. In particular, there was strong demand for our property products in Johor and Melaka, leading to record revenue of RM515.7 million against RM398.3 million achieved in the previous financial year. This validates the Group s strategic shift to focus on the affordable home market segment, as borne out by the resilient response to launches in the Johor townships of Pasir Gudang, Kulai and Senai. Indeed, our strategy resonates with the State Government s Rumah Mampu Milik Johor ( RMMJ ) initiative. The Group is confident of sustained demand for affordable homes as the domestic economy is underpinned by strong fundamentals characterised by high employment, rising income levels and supported by a resilient financial infrastructure.

16 15 Chairman s Statement CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS In September 2014, the Group s wholly-owned subsidiary Scientex Packaging Film Sdn Bhd ( SPFSB ) entered into a share sale agreement with Futamura for the issuance and sale of 5,000,000 new ordinary shares of RM1.00 each, representing 5% shareholding in Scientex Great Wall Sdn Bhd ( SGW ), for a total cash consideration of RM40.0 million. The transaction was completed on 2 October Subsequently, on 23 July 2015, the Group entered into another share sale agreement with Futamura to sell 5,000,000 ordinary shares in SGW, another 5% stake of SGW for RM40.0 million. This transaction was completed on 29 July 2015 with Futamura now holding 10% equity in SGW with the remaining 90% equity held by SPFSB. The investment by Futamura reflects its confidence in the Group s prominent standing within the global consumer packaging industry. On 5 August 2015, SPFSB entered into a share purchase agreement with Mondi Consumer Packaging International GmbH to acquire the entire 21,045,316 ordinary shares of RM1.00 each in Mondi Ipoh Sdn Bhd (now known as Scientex Great Wall (Ipoh) Sdn Bhd) ( SGWI ) for a total cash consideration of RM58.0 million. The transaction was completed on 11 August 2015 and accordingly, SGWI became a wholly-owned subsidiary of SPFSB. SGWI manufactures hygiene products packaging, bakery bags and form-fill-seal bags with an international clientele base. The acquisition is expected to generate synergistic benefits to the Group from the increased production capacity and the larger customer base, both locally and in the region. On 29 June 2015, the Group, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Scientex Quatari Sdn Bhd, entered into two conditional sale and purchase agreements with vendors, Bukit Gambir Company Sdn Bhd and Jayaplus Bakti Sdn Bhd, for the proposed acquisition of lands measuring approximately acres in Pulai, Johor for RM million. Shareholders approval was obtained during the extraordinary general meeting held on 29 September The acquisition would enlarge the Group s landbank in Johor and is poised to provide earnings visibility for our property division in the years to come. Pursuant to the share grant plan ( SGP ) approved by the shareholders of the Company in December 2013, the Company granted and vested 357,000 new ordinary shares to the eligible employees of the Group in November This SGP is designed to motivate key management and employees towards the attainment of long-term success and growth of the Group as well as shareholders value enhancement. The second batch allocation of the SGP will be granted in November 2015 to 69 employees. Total shares granted amounted to 472,000 shares, ranging from 4,000 shares to 24,000 shares per employee. During the financial year, apart from the repurchased of 200 ordinary shares of RM0.50 each, the Company sold 4,347,000 treasury shares at an average price of RM7.09 each for a total consideration of approximately RM30.8 million. The average acquisition cost of the treasury shares was RM1.46 per share and the sale resulted in an increase of approximately RM24.5 million in share premium. On 29 June 2015, the Company has also cancelled 357,000 treasury shares. For the financial year under review, the Group has carried out a revaluation exercise by professional independent valuer, on lands and buildings classified as property, plant and equipment. The revaluation resulted in a net increase of RM36.4 million in the property revaluation surplus. Revaluation was also carried out on investment properties, giving rise to RM12.6 million recognised in profit or loss. I am delighted to announce that the Group has been selected by Forbes Asia as one of the 200 leading public companies in the Asia Pacific region under its Best Under A Billion category which has shown consistent growth based on measured performance metrics. This achievement, announced by Forbes Asia in June 2015, is the first time the Group has scored a major recognition by an international business publication and it underscores the progress and advancement made by the Group in the past few years which has witnessed tremendous growth and expansion. The Group hope that this accolade would be the first of many more accolades that would be forthcoming in the years to come.

17 16 Chairman s Statement ECONOMIC OUTLOOK & PROSPECTS The global economy is projected to grow by between 2.8% and 3.3% in 2015, and 3.2% and 3.8% in 2016 according to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund respectively. While this may point to a sustained global economic recovery, both institutions have cautioned of risks ahead. One such risk is the capital flight from developing markets as investors seek refuge in the United States Dollar ( USD ) and the comparatively safe Japanese Yen to escape the volatility among emerging market currencies as the expectation of a rate hike by The Federal Reserve plays out in the global currency markets. The rapid devaluation of the Ringgit against other trading currencies has been a boon for exporters who earn USD receipts but a bane for importers who have to pay more for the same product in Ringgit terms. In turn, this has driven up production and transaction costs. As approximately 70% of the Group s manufacturing products are exported, the rise of the USD is expected to have a positive impact on the Group s manufacturing revenue. On the other hand, the see-saw price of crude oil has led to fluctuating costs in the Group s manufacture of plastic film products. Resin, a major cost component, is a by-product of crude oil and its price share a direct correlation with the movement of crude oil prices. Beyond the cost factor however, the volatility of crude oil prices has affected demand as customers adopt a wait-and-see attitude before committing to more purchases. In terms of specific economies, the US, Eurozone and Japan economies the latter being a key market for the Group - appear to be on the uptrend in contrast to China, where growth is expected to ease, albeit at a comparatively healthy 7.1% in 2015 and 6.9% in Asia Pacific remains a focus for the Group as economies in this region continue to grow, albeit at a slower pace. The Group will sustain efforts to explore and maintain its market share in existing markets while exploring new ones as it aggressively rolls out its products to the world markets. The Group has already made inroads to new markets in South Asia. Closer to home, the Group has taken steps to expand into the huge Indonesian and Thailand markets for our products. The impending implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community, with the potential of free flow of trade and services within the region, is also expected to boost demand for the Group s products. As the Group navigates the challenging and volatile global scenario, pro-active steps have been taken to mitigate such attendant risks. While identifying potential areas of opportunities for expansion, we remain vigilant of the operational risks involved such as resin price volatility and currency fluctuations which could impact profitability. The Group s property division is expected to maintain its performance for the coming year by leveraging on the resilient demand for affordable homes to mitigate against slackening demand for our higher-end products. The successful maiden launch of the RMMJ scheme in Pasir Gudang by the Menteri Besar of Johor in May 2015 has given confidence to the Group to maintain course for this coming financial year. With the implementation of the GST, the Group strive to negate such costs through better planning and more efficient utilisation of land area so as to promote greater efficiency and reduce wastage as part of efforts to improve productivity and maintain margins without compromising on quality. OUR GROWTH STRATEGIES Despite domestic issues and external volatilities, the Group has performed creditably. The continuing expansion plans put in place for both our manufacturing and property operations have started to bear fruit and is expected to contribute robust growth in the near future as the world economy rebounds. The Group has taken pro-active steps to boost its manufacturing capacity and capability through both organic growth and through merger and acquisitions as it continues to expand and offer a more diversified portfolio of industrial and consumer packaging products to the marketplace. The Group is also seeking to replenish and expand its existing landbank with the purchase of strategically-located plots to sustain the growth of its property development business. The Group remains committed and focused on manufacturing and property development as its platform of growth and expansion in the foreseeable future. Since last year, we have implemented a series of factory maintenance and improvements in our Pulau Indah stretch film facility through the introduction of 5S Kaisen projects, designed to achieve better overall operational efficiency and cost efficacy and these activities has yielded positive results to enable the Group to become more competitive in the global market.

18 17 Chairman s Statement For the consumer packaging business, our blown film manufacturing is currently adding three more new lines to augment the present annual capacity of 48,000 metric tonnes. With the addition of these new lines by mid-2016, it will expand the blown film annual capacity by an additional 12,000 metric tonnes per annum. The Group s expansion plan for its BOPP film and CPP film plants is on track for completion. Upon completion, the BOPP film annual production output will increase from 6,000 metric tons to 60,000 metric tons. The CPP films are also expected to generate an annual production output of 12,000 metric tons. With the technical and marketing expertise of Futamura, the Group is confident it would be able to expand its markets for both its existing consumer packaging products as well as the additional products to be rolled out from the CPP and BOPP plants. In August 2015, the Group completed its acquisition of SGWI. The acquisition of SGWI has boosted the capacity and enhanced the product portfolio of the consumer packaging segment. With a strong and reputable customer base, the Group is confident it is able to leverage on the resources and capacity of SGWI to further expand and build upon its existing customer base as the Group offers a well-diversified range of products in its portfolio. Earnings and profits derived from the Group s property division remain a significant contributor to the Group s performance for this financial year. The Group s current main focus is on the affordable homes segment and the Group will continue to leverage on this proven business model as it seeks to find ways to maintain its revenue growth for this coming financial year. The Group will continue to innovate and offer well designed products to meet the challenging demands of a diverse range of buyers ranging from commercial to high end luxury homes as well as affordable homes. With the successful launch of the maiden RMMJ scheme in Pasir Gudang, the Group will work closely with the Johor State Government to identify suitable locations to promote more of such affordable housing which is highly in demand. The Group remains focused on delivering such affordable homes which is not affected by the slowdown in the Johor property market. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Board would like to congratulate the entire management team which has performed beyond expectations and capped another record breaking year for the Group. The leadership by the Managing Director and his management team in guiding the Group to achieve outstanding results through such trying times is a praiseworthy effort. The implementation of the SGP to key management executives has produced results and the Board is confident that the Group will continue to be in good hands moving forward. I would also like to express my gratitude to fellow Board members for their cooperation and guidance at the Board level. It is with a tinge of sadness that the Board bade farewell to our founder and Executive Deputy Chairman, Mr Lim Teck Meng, who has retired after having an established succession plan. Mr Lim has been the driving force behind the Scientex brand since its inception. He has certainly left a strong and solid foundation upon which the existing Management, ably led by his son Mr Lim Peng Jin, can build upon. The Board is also sad to see the departure of Mr Wong Mook Wong Tsap Loy who has served the Company as a Board member with distinction. The Board would like to take this opportunity to thank both Mr Lim Teck Meng and Mr Wong Mook Wong Tsap Loy for their lifelong service and dedication, and would like to wish them a happy retirement. The Board would also like to extend a warm welcome to our new member, Mr Ang Kim Swee who has been appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Board. Mr Ang is trained as an accountant and brings along with him more than 20 years of experience in the field of finance. Apart from being a Board member, Mr Ang serves as a member of the Board s Audit Committee and the Board looks forward to work closely with him during his tenure. Last but not least, I am grateful to our shareholders, valued customers, bankers and business partners for your continuous confidence and support as the Group strives to achieve greater and sustainable growth. Tan Sri Dato Mohd Sheriff Bin Mohd Kassim Chairman

19 18 Para Pemegang Saham yang dihormati, Tahun ini merupakan satu lagi tahun yang membanggakan bagi Scientex Berhad ( Scientex ). Scientex mencatatkan hasil pendapatan dan keuntungan bersih tertinggi, meskipun terdapat kombinasi peristiwa buruk global yang tidak pernah berlaku sebelum ini dan isu domestik yang mencabar. Saya dengan bangga menyatakan bahawa kejayaan dan pencapaian Scientex mengatasi kesukaran tersebut dalam tahun kajian adalah disebabkan oleh asas kekuatan kewangan dan operasi yang telah kami bina secara berterusan sejak empat dekad yang lalu, dipertingkat lagi dengan strategi pertumbuhan dan pengembangan yang berani lagi berhemat. Sehubungan itu, Scientex yakin dapat menempuh pergolakan yang sedang berlaku pada peringkat domestik dan antarabangsa, serta terus menjana hasil yang positif bagi memastikan pulangan yang sihat untuk semua pemegang saham kami dan pihak berkepentingan yang lain pada masa depan. Dengan ini, saya, bagi pihak Lembaga Pengarah, berbesar hati membentangkan Laporan Tahunan dan Penyata Kewangan Teraudit Syarikat dan Kumpulan bagi tahun kewangan berakhir 31 Julai PENYATA KEWANGAN Kumpulan memperoleh hasil pendapatan tertinggi sebanyak RM1.80 bilion, iaitu peningkatan sebanyak 13.3% berbanding RM1.59 bilion yang dicatatkan pada tahun kewangan sebelumnya. Begitu juga, keuntungan sebelum cukai meningkat sebanyak 18.6% kepada paras tertinggi baharu sebanyak RM221.0 juta berbanding RM186.3 juta pada tahun sebelumnya. Sementara itu, keuntungan bersih meningkat sebanyak 6.6% kepada RM158.2 juta berbanding RM148.5 juta pada tahun kewangan sebelumnya. Hasilnya, pendapatan sesaham juga meningkat sebanyak 4.9% daripada sen kepada sen, manakala aset bersih sesaham Kumpulan mencatatkan peningkatan sebanyak 29.5% berbanding tahun sebelumnya, daripada RM3.22 kepada RM4.17 dalam tahun kajian. Bahagian hartanah Kumpulan memperoleh hasil yang terpuji disebabkan tumpuan berterusan kami pada segmen perumahan mampu milik. Sebaliknya, bahagian perkilangan terus berwaspada dan responsif terhadap ketidakpastian dan ketakstabilan dalam pasaran global. Dividen Kumpulan telah mengisytiharkan dividen interim satu peringkat sebanyak 9 sen sesaham, yang dibayar pada 7 Ogos Sebagai penghargaan terhadap hasil cemerlang yang dicapai dalam tahun kewangan, Lembaga Pengarah dengan sukacitanya mencadangkan dividen akhir satu peringkat sebanyak 13 sen sesaham, tertakluk pada kelulusan oleh para pemegang saham di Mesyuarat Agung Tahunan yang akan datang. Dividen agregat yang dicadangkan, iaitu sebanyak 22 sen sesaham akan menghasilkan jumlah bayaran dividen sebanyak RM49.7 juta, mewakili kira-kira 31.4% daripada keuntungan bersih Kumpulan dan sekali lagi menekankan komitmen Scientex untuk membayar sekurang-kurangnya 30% daripada keuntungan bersih kepada pemegang saham kami yang setia. Perkilangan Bahagian perkilangan Kumpulan mencatatkan peningkatan jualan sebanyak RM1.29 bilion dalam tahun kajian berbanding RM1.19 bilion pada tahun kewangan sebelumnya. Scientex terus memberikan tumpuan pada usaha meningkatkan bahagian pasarannya pada peringkat global menerusi penggunaan teknologi dan inovasi untuk menghasilkan saput regang berkualiti tinggi pada harga yang kompetitif. Kami terus mempromosikan rangkaian saput nipis kami menerusi pengenalan Nano6, iaitu saput regang yang sangat nipis yang berukuran 6 mikron kepada pasaran baharu seperti Jepun, Kesatuan Eropah, dan negara-negara ASEAN. Produk ini semakin diterima di pasaran maju yang mencari produk mesra alam pada harga yang kompetitif yang menawarkan prestasi saput yang unggul. Bagi perniagaan pembungkusan pengguna, sejak tahun kewangan yang lepas, Kumpulan telah menambah tiga lagi barisan pengeluaran baharu untuk meningkatkan kapasiti pengeluaran dan hasil pendapatan. Salah satu barisan pengeluaran baharu ini ialah mesin saput mengelembung Windmoeller & Hoelscher yang canggih dan mampu menghasilkan 9 lapisan saput penghalang. Dengan barisan pengeluaran tambahan, kapasiti pengeluaran produk saput mengelembung meningkat kepada 48,000 tan metrik dalam tahun kajian. Dengan meningkatnya kapasiti dan keupayaan ini, kami kini berada pada kedudukan yang baik untuk mempromosikan produk pembungkusan pengguna kami yang pelbagai kepada pelanggan di Eropah serta prospek baharu di Indonesia, China, Korea, Mexico, Republik Sosialis Vietnam dan pasaran domestik.

20 19 Penyata Pengerusi Perniagaan pembungkusan pengguna Kumpulan juga bersedia untuk berkembang berikutan pakatan strategik dengan Futamura Chemical Co., Ltd. ( Futamura ). Jualan produk dalam segmen ini dijangka akan meningkat apabila loji polipropilena tuangan ( CPP ) dan polipropilena terorientasi secara dwipaksi ( BOPP ) kami mula beroperasi masing-masing pada Disember 2015 dan pertengahan Kedua-dua saput CPP dan BOPP merupakan komponen penting dalam pengeluaran produk pembungkusan pengguna. Sementara itu, permintaan terhadap produk pembungkusan industri Kumpulan yang lain seperti pita pengikat PP, rafia, beg anyaman dan beg FIBC telah meningkat, manakala permintaan terhadap produk polimer kami kekal stabil. Industri solar terus menghadapi persaingan sengit dan permintaan yang lemah. Kumpulan terus mencari jalan untuk meningkatkan kecekapan pengendalian dalam usaha kami untuk kekal berdaya saing dalam pasaran. Pembangunan Hartanah Produk Kumpulan yang dijual pada harga mampu milik terus menarik minat para pembeli daripada kalangan golongan berpendapatan sederhana, walaupun syarat pinjaman yang dikenakan oleh institusi kewangan telah diperketat, cukai keuntungan harta tanah telah diperkenalkan semula dan skim berfaedah pemaju telah dimansuhkan. Produk hartanah kami mendapat permintaan yang kukuh, khususnya di Johor dan Melaka, yang membawa kepada hasil pendapatan sebanyak RM515.7 juta, yang tertinggi pernah dicatatkan, berbanding RM398.3 juta yang diperoleh pada tahun kewangan sebelumnya. Ini mengesahkan peralihan strategik Kumpulan untuk memberikan tumpuan pada segmen pasaran rumah mampu milik, seperti yang ditunjukkan oleh sambutan yang berdaya tahan terhadap pelancaran di bandar-bandar di Johor seperti Pasir Gudang, Kulai dan Senai. Sememangnya, strategi kami adalah sejajar dengan inisiatif Rumah Mampu Milik Johor ( RMMJ ) oleh Kerajaan Negeri. Kumpulan yakin bahawa terdapat permintaan yang berterusan bagi rumah mampu milik memandangkan ekonomi domestik disokong oleh asas yang kukuh yang dicirikan oleh kadar pengangguran yang rendah dan tahap pendapatan yang semakin meningkat, serta infrastruktur kewangan yang berdaya tahan. PERKEMBANGAN KORPORAT Pada September 2014, anak syarikat milik penuh Kumpulan, iaitu Scientex Packaging Film Sdn Bhd ( SPFSB ) menandatangani perjanjian jual saham dengan Futamura bagi terbitan dan penjualan 5,000,000 saham biasa baharu pada harga RM1.00 sesaham, mewakili pegangan saham sebanyak 5% dalam Scientex Great Wall Sdn Bhd ( SGW ), dengan jumlah nilai jualan sebanyak RM40.0 juta secara tunai. Urus niaga tersebut disempurnakan pada 2 Oktober Selepas itu, pada 23 Julai 2015, Kumpulan menandatangani satu lagi perjanjian jual saham dengan Futamura bagi menjual 5,000,000 saham biasa dalam SGW untuk RM40.0 juta, mewakili kepentingan sebanyak 5% lagi dalam SGW. Urus niaga ini disempurnakan pada 29 Julai 2015, dengan Futamura kini memegang ekuiti sebanyak 10% dalam SGW dan baki ekuiti sebanyak 90% dipegang oleh SPFSB. Pelaburan oleh Futamura mencerminkan keyakinannya terhadap kedudukan ulung Kumpulan dalam industri pembungkusan pengguna global. Pada 5 Ogos 2015, SPFSB menandatangani perjanjian beli saham dengan Mondi Consumer Packaging International GmbH bagi memperoleh kesemua 21,045,316 saham biasa pada harga RM1.00 sesaham dalam Mondi Ipoh Sdn Bhd (kini dikenali sebagai Scientex Great Wall (Ipoh) Sdn Bhd) ( SGWI ) dengan jumlah nilai belian sebanyak RM58.0 juta secara tunai. Urus niaga tersebut disempurnakan pada 11 Ogos 2015 dan dengan demikian, SGWI menjadi anak syarikat milik penuh SPFSB. SGWI mengilang bungkusan produk kebersihan, beg roti dan beg bentuk, isi dan kedap (form-fill-seal bags), dan mempunyai pangkalan pelanggan antarabangsa. Pengambilalihan ini dijangka memberikan manfaat bersinergi bagi Kumpulan disebabkan kapasiti pengeluaran yang meningkat dan pangkalan pelanggan yang lebih besar, di Malaysia dan di rantau ini. Pada 29 Jun 2015, Kumpulan, menerusi anak syarikat milik penuhnya, Scientex Quatari Sdn Bhd, menandatangani dua perjanjian jual beli bersyarat dengan vendor, Bukit Gambir Company Sdn Bhd dan Jayaplus Bakti Sdn Bhd, bagi cadangan pemerolehan tanah dengan keluasan kira-kira ekar di Pulai, Johor untuk RM juta. Kelulusan para pemegang saham diperoleh semasa mesyuarat agung luar biasa yang diadakan pada 29 September Pemerolehan ini akan memperluas bank tanah Kumpulan di Johor dan menjana pendapatan bagi bahagian hartanah kami pada tahun-tahun akan datang. Selaras dengan pelan geran saham ( SGP ) yang diluluskan oleh para pemegang saham Syarikat pada Disember 2013, Syarikat memberikan dan meletakkan hak pemunyaan 357,000 saham biasa baharu kepada pekerja Kumpulan yang layak pada November SGP ini bertujuan memotivasikan eksekutif pengurusan penting dan pekerja ke arah pencapaian kejayaan dan pertumbuhan jangka panjang Kumpulan serta peningkatan nilai pemegang saham. Peruntukan kelompok kedua SGP akan diberikan kepada 69 pekerja pada November Jumlah saham yang diperuntukan adalah sebanyak 472,000 saham, dengan julat antara 4,000 saham hingga 24,000 saham bagi setiap pekerja. Dalam tahun kewangan semasa, selain pembelian semula 200 saham biasa pada harga RM0.50 sesaham, Syarikat menjual 4,347,000 saham perbendaharaan pada harga purata RM7.09 sesaham dengan jumlah nilai jualan kira-kira RM30.8 juta. Kos purata pemerolehan saham perbendaharaan ialah RM1.46 sesaham dan jualan tersebut menyebabkan peningkatan sebanyak kira-kira RM24.5 juta dalam premium saham. Pada 29 Jun 2015, Syarikat juga membatalkan 357,000 saham perbendaharaan.

21 20 Penyata Pengerusi Dalam tahun kewangan kajian, Kumpulan telah membuat penilaian semula oleh penilai profesional bebas terhadap tanah dan bangunan yang dikelaskan sebagai hartanah, loji dan kelengkapan. Penilaian semula tersebut menyebabkan peningkatan bersih sebanyak RM36.4 juta dalam lebihan penilaian semula hartanah. Penilaian semula juga dibuat terhadap hartanah pelaburan, menyebabkan peningkatan sebanyak RM12.6 juta diiktiraf dalam akaun untung rugi. Saya dengan sukacitanya ingin mengumumkan bahawa Kumpulan telah dipilih oleh Forbes Asia sebagai salah satu daripada 200 syarikat awam terkemuka di rantau Asia Pasifik di bawah kategori Best Under a Billion kerana menunjukkan perkembangan yang konsisten berdasarkan ukuran metrik prestasi. Pencapaian ini yang diumumkan oleh Forbes Asia pada Jun 2015, merupakan kali pertama Kumpulan mendapat pengiktirafan besar daripada penerbitan perniagaan antarabangsa dan ia menekankan kemajuan yang dicapai oleh Kumpulan sejak beberapa tahun yang lepas, yang menyaksikan perkembangan dan perluasan yang amat mengagumkan. Kumpulan berharap anugerah ini akan menjadi permulaan bagi pelbagai anugerah lain yang bakal diterima pada tahun-tahun akan datang. TINJAUAN EKONOMI & PROSPEK Menurut Bank Dunia dan Tabung Kewangan Antarabangsa, ekonomi global dijangka mengalami unjuran pertumbuhan sebanyak antara 2.8% hingga 3.3% pada 2015 dan 3.2% hingga 3.8% pada Walaupun ini mungkin menunjukkan pemulihan ekonomi global yang berterusan, kedua-dua institusi ini memberi amaran tentang risiko yang akan dihadapi. Salah satu risiko tersebut ialah pemindahan modal daripada pasaran membangun memandangkan pelabur berlindung di bawah Dolar Amerika Syarikat ( USD ) dan Yen Jepun yang agak selamat bagi mengelakkan turun naik dalam kalangan mata wang pasaran baru muncul apabila terdapat jangkaan kenaikan kadar oleh Rizab Persekutuan dalam pasaran mata wang global. Penurunan nilai Ringgit yang pesat berbanding mata wang dagangan yang lain merupakan satu rahmat bagi pengeksport yang memperoleh hasil pendapatan dalam USD, tetapi adalah penderitaan bagi pengimport yang terpaksa membayar lebih untuk produk yang sama dari segi Ringgit. Hal ini mengakibatkan kenaikan kos pengeluaran dan urus niaga. Memandangkan kira-kira 70% daripada produk perkilangan Kumpulan dieksport, kenaikan nilai USD dijangka akan memberikan impak positif terhadap hasil pendapatan perkilangan Kumpulan. Sebaliknya, harga minyak mentah yang turun naik telah mengakibatkan ketidakstabilan kos pembuatan produk saput plastik Kumpulan. Resin, komponen kos utama, merupakan hasil sampingan minyak mentah dan harganya berhubung kait secara langsung dengan pergerakan harga minyak mentah. Walau bagaimanapun, selain faktor kos, harga minyak mentah yang turun naik juga telah menjejaskan permintaan kerana pelanggan mengambil sikap tunggu dan lihat sebelum membuat lebih banyak pembelian. Dari segi ekonomi tertentu, ekonomi Amerika Syarikat, zon Eropah dan Jepun yang terakhir merupakan pasaran utama bagi Kumpulan nampaknya mengalami trend menaik berbanding China, di mana pertumbuhan ekonomi dijangka akan berkurang, walaupun pada kadar yang agak sihat sebanyak 7.1% pada 2015 dan 6.9% pada Asia Pasifik kekal menjadi tumpuan Kumpulan kerana ekonomi di rantau ini terus berkembang, walaupun pada kadar yang lebih perlahan. Kumpulan akan terus berusaha untuk meneroka dan mengekalkan bahagian pasarannya dalam pasaran sedia ada, dan pada masa yang sama, meneroka pasaran baharu apabila ia memperkenalkan produknya secara agresif kepada pasaran dunia. Kumpulan telah pun berjaya menembusi pasaran baharu di Asia Selatan. Di rantau ASEAN, Kumpulan telah mengambil langkah untuk memperluas pasaran bagi produk kami ke pasaran Indonesia dan Thailand yang besar. Komuniti Ekonomi ASEAN yang bakal diwujudkan, dengan potensi aliran bebas perdagangan dan perkhidmatan dalam rantau ini, juga dijangka akan meningkatkan permintaan terhadap produk Kumpulan. Dalam usaha Kumpulan menangani senario global yang mencabar dan sentiasa bergolak, langkah proaktif telah diambil untuk mengurangkan risiko tersebut. Dalam mengenal pasti bidang yang berpotensi untuk dikembangkan, kami sentiasa berwaspada terhadap risiko operasi yang terlibat, seperti turun naik harga resin dan nilai mata wang yang boleh memberikan impak terhadap keuntungan. Bahagian hartanah Kumpulan dijangka akan mengekalkan prestasinya pada tahun yang akan datang dengan memanfaatkan permintaan yang berdaya tahan terhadap rumah mampu milik bagi mengurangkan kelembapan permintaan terhadap produk kami yang lebih mewah. Kejayaan pelancaran sulung skim RMMJ di Pasir Gudang oleh Menteri Besar Johor pada Mei 2015 telah memberikan keyakinan kepada Kumpulan untuk mengekalkan haluan tersebut bagi tahun kewangan yang akan datang. Dengan perlaksanaan GST, Kumpulan berusaha untuk mengimbangi kos tersebut menerusi perancangan yang lebih baik dan penggunaan tanah yang lebih efisien bagi meningkatkan lagi kecekapan dan mengurangkan pembaziran sebagai sebahagian daripada usaha untuk meningkatkan produktiviti dan mengekalkan margin tanpa menjejaskan kualiti. STRATEGI PERTUMBUHAN Kumpulan telah menunjukkan prestasi yang patut dipuji meskipun wujud isu domestik dan ketidaktentuan persekitaran luar. Rancangan peluasan yang berterusan yang dilaksanakan untuk operasi perkilangan dan hartanah kami telah mula membuahkan hasil dan dijangka akan menyumbang kepada pertumbuhan yang kukuh dalam masa terdekat apabila ekonomi dunia kembali pulih. Kumpulan telah mengambil langkah proaktif untuk meningkatkan kapasiti dan keupayaan pengeluarannya menerusi pertumbuhan organik serta penggabungan dan pengambilalihan sementara ia terus berkembang dan menawarkan portfolio produk pembungkusan industri dan pengguna yang lebih pelbagai kepada pasaran. Kumpulan juga ingin menambah dan memperluas bank tanahnya yang sedia ada dengan pembelian plot yang terletak di lokasi yang strategik bagi mengekalkan pertumbuhan perniagaan pembangunan hartanahnya.