Tam Jai International’s Adjusted Profit for the Year Rises by 17.8% to HK$165.5 Million

May 17, 2022 | Business

Tam Jai International Co. Limited (“TJI” or the “Company”, and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”; HKEX stock code: 2217), a leading and renowned mixian-specialised fast casual restaurant chain, announced its first annual results after its listing in Hong Kong. Revenue of the Group saw a notable year-on-year increase of 26.8% to HK$2,275.3 million for the year ended 31 March 2022 (“FY2022”), despite the 5th wave of COVID-19 outbreak in Hong Kong in the last quarter of FY2022. Excluding one-off listing expenses and government subsidies in relation to COVID-19, its adjusted profit for the year rose by 17.8% to HK$165.5 million in FY2022.

Highlights
Prominent Performance in FY2022
— Revenue increased by 26.8% to HK$2,275.3 million year-on-year, mainly attributable to the increased number of restaurants in operation and growth in comparable restaurants revenue
— Operating profit of restaurant operations increased by 38.2% to HK$476.7 million
— Operating profit margin up by 1.7 percentage points to 20.9%
— Excluding the one-off listing expenses and government subsidies in relation to COVID-19, adjusted profit for the year increased by 17.8% to HK$165.5 million

Expanding Restaurant Network
— The unique and authentic TamJai tastes were successfully brought to different regions. The responses the Group has received from Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Tokyo were instantaneous and overwhelming
— As at 31 March 2022, there were 175 restaurants in operation across Hong Kong, Mainland China, Singapore and Japan, a net increase of 28 restaurants as compared to 31 March 2021
— Eight restaurants were opened in the Mainland China and the first restaurant in Japan was met with a rapturous reception
— TJI aims to further expand its restaurant network in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, Singapore and Japan, with two more restaurants planned to open in Kichijoji and Ebisu in Tokyo, Japan in the first quarter of FY2023

Revenue of TJI’s Hong Kong restaurants saw a speedy and strong recovery to the pre-COVID-19 level during the first three quarters of FY2022 as the pandemic eased. This was due to the support of a community of loyal customers as it consistently delivers quality food with a variety of options and exceptional service. While the entire catering industry in Hong Kong was reeling from the impact of COVID-19 outbreak in the fourth quarter of FY2022, the Group managed to stay afloat thanks to its wide brand recognition, great success of the introduction of premium toppings, snacks and new products, and the continued support from its loyal customers.

The rise in revenue in FY2022 was mainly attributable to the increase in the number of restaurants in operation, and the steady growth in comparable restaurants revenue in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, operating profit increased by 38.2% to HK$476.7 million, with operating profit margin improving by 1.7 percentage points to 20.9%. This was due to the decrease in staff costs as a percentage of revenue attributable to the improvement of manpower efficiency, and the decrease in depreciation of right-of-use assets, rental and related expenses as a percentage of revenue, attributable to the improvement in its restaurant performance. The Group also continued to achieve a healthy financial position and had cash and cash equivalents of HK$1,365.2 million as at 31 March 2022.

The Board recommends paying a final dividend of HK11.4 cents per share for FY2022, or approximately HK$152.4 million in total.

Business Review
Steady comparable restaurants revenue growth despite 5th wave of COVID-19 outbreak
As part of its strategies in menu design, TJI has launched more than two dozen new products in FY2022 including toppings, soup base, snacks and beverages. The introduction of premium toppings and snacks, combined with successful marketing campaigns as well as a menu price adjustment in February 2022, resulted in an across-the-board increase in the average spending per customer, and the average daily number of bowls served per seat.

During the first three quarters of FY2022, the comparable revenue of TJI’s Hong Kong restaurants had recovered to the pre-COVID-19 level. To mitigate the impact of the 5th wave of COVID-19 outbreak in the last quarter of FY2022, the Group had quickly boosted its takeaway/food delivery capacity, by offering takeaway promotions and maintaining a strong partnership with third-party delivery platforms. It has also carefully managed its supply chain and workforce to minimise service interruptions amid the pandemic. The decrease in dine-in revenue in the last quarter of FY2022 was partially offset by the increase in proportion of takeaway/food delivery revenue.

Striving for improvements
Despite global logistics interruptions, and the upward pressure on the cost of food and beverages consumed in face of the ongoing pandemic, the Group managed to mitigate general cost inflation through supply chain management, and product substitution or upgrade. The integration of the central kitchens of TamJai Yunnan Mixian (“TamJai”) and TamJai SamGor Mixian (“SamGor”) brands also contributed to the reduction in the costs in facilities, enhancement in efficiency, and optimisation of food production. New supply chain management systems were also set up to optimise cost control and to enhance production planning process.

In addition, a Smart Rostering was implemented to help maintain the right level of frontline staff and productivity, and thereby optimise labour costs, as business volume fluctuates in tandem with the pandemic situation. It also made swift decisions regarding restaurant operating hours, renovation projects and restaurant opening schedule by re-assessing the market needs.

Expansion of restaurant network
As of 31 March 2022, TJI operates a total of 175 restaurants, with geographical presence expanding to Japan on 31 March 2022, in addition to the existing markets of Hong Kong, Mainland China and Singapore. The responses it has received from its first restaurant in Japan were overwhelming: hundreds of customers queued for hours outside its Shinjuku restaurant in Tokyo, eager to be among the first to enjoy a steaming noodle bowl packed with Hong Kong flavours and culture. There is clearly an international appetite for authentic Hong Kong food experience. And this has encouraged TJI to continue looking for new global avenues to bring the perfect taste abroad.

In Hong Kong, the Group operates 81 TamJai restaurants, and 81 SamGor restaurants. Its expanding restaurant network is complementary to the delivery service coverage throughout the city, as it is aware of the importance of takeaway and delivery in the industry amid the ongoing pandemic.

In Mainland China, the Group has opened eight restaurants in total under TamJai brand for FY2022, including six in Shenzhen, and two in Guangzhou. In the financial year ending 31 March 2023 (“FY2023”), it plans to open more restaurants in the Greater Bay Area as strategies are being put in place to drive both dine-in and takeaway turnovers.

In Singapore, one new restaurant was opened in March 2022, and some locations of new restaurants have been confirmed in the pipeline for FY2023.

TJI also opened its first restaurant in Shinjuku, Japan on 31 March 2022, and plans to open two more restaurants located in Kichijoji and Ebisu in Tokyo in the first quarter of FY2023.

Prospects
While the past year has been a bumpy ride, TJI has demonstrated resilience and agility in face of unanticipated situations. As the pandemic enters its third year, the Group is optimistic that social restrictions will be lifted gradually, and its growth momentum should resume in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and the overseas markets.

In tune with the fast-changing customer behaviour in tandem with the pandemic’s development, the Group is investing in further enhancing its restaurant-level efficiency in serving dine-in, takeaway and delivery orders. It is also implementing new supply chain management systems in Hong Kong and other markets to optimise cost control and enhance production planning process, which would help cushion itself against logistics hiccoughs and changes in COVID-related policies on movements and mobility.

For the Mainland China market, the initial revenue and customers responses of the new restaurants in Shenzhen and Guangzhou had been favourable, and the business is expected to pick up as soon as the social activities resume.

Riding on the strong rebound in the Singapore market since November 2021, the Group will resume new restaurant opening activities, and adapt its business model to capitalise on the revived consumer sentiment and increase profitability. Besides, it has been encouraged by the rapturous reception of its first restaurant in Tokyo. As market activities have started picking up again in Japan, TJI will keep expanding its network healthily to capture the market momentum with the robust support of its controlling shareholder, Toridoll Holdings Corporation.

Mr. Daren Lau, Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of TJI, said, “We are very pleased to have navigated through the challenges posed by the pandemic in FY2022 with great agility and resilience as we continued to grow our revenue and operating profit margin. The encouraging results have proved our competitive advantages in food and service quality, restaurant operations and supply chain management. On the back of our successful listing in Hong Kong in October 2021, we will further expand our market presence, and bring our one-of-a-kind chain restaurant dining experience and distinctive ‘TamJai Tastes’ all over the world.”

About Tam Jai International Co. Limited (HKEX: 2217)
TJI has been listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (stock code: 02217.HK) since October 2021. It is one of the largest and most popular fast casual resturant chains and the No.1 Asian noodle specialty restaurant operator in Hong Kong.* It primarily operates the TamJai Yunnan Mixian and TamJai SamGor Mixian brands, with operations in Hong Kong, Mainland China, Singapore and Japan. As at 31 March 2022, the Group operated a total of 175 restaurants. With the first TamJai Yunnan Mixian restaurant and the first TamJai SamGor Mixian restaurant opened in 1996 and 2008 in Hong Kong respectively, it has pioneered and popularised the new mixian trend in Hong Kong.

*In terms of both revenue and number of restaurants in 2020, according to Euromonitor






Topic: Press release summary

Jinchuan International’s 2021 Profit Attributable to Shareholders Surges 303% to US$120.5 Million

Mar 30, 2022 | Business

Jinchuan Group International Resources Co. Ltd., (the “Company” or “Jinchuan International”; together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”; stock code: 2362), Jinchuan Group’s flagship platform for overseas mineral resources development, has announced its audited annual results for the year ended 31 December 2021 (the “Year”).

Highlights of 2021 Annual Results
— Revenue amounted to US$831.9 million, up by 25.2% year-on-year. Revenue from mining segment was US$620.6 million and revenue from the trading of mineral and metal products was US$211.3 million
— Gross profit increased considerably by 188% to US$251.7 million
— Profit attributable to shareholders soared by 303% to US$120.5 million
— During the Year, the Group produced 61,260 tonnes of copper and 3,379 tonnes of cobalt and sold 57,001 tonnes of copper and 2,617 tonnes of cobalt
— Cost of sales of the mining business declined 16%, attributable to the Group’s stringent control of costs

During the Year, the Group recorded revenue of US$831.9 million, a year-on-year increase of 25.2%, which was attributable to the rise in the benchmark copper and cobalt prices. Total revenue from mining operations was US$620.6 million, a year-on-year increase of 24.7%. Revenue from the trading of mineral and metal products segment amounted to US$211.3 million, a year-on-year increase of 26.6%. With costs kept under control, the Group’s gross profit rose considerably by 188% to US$251.7 million. Moreover, as copper and cobalt prices surged in 2021, the Group’s gross profit margin grew significantly to 30% for the Year from 13% in 2020.

Profit attributable to shareholders of the Company soared by 303% year-on-year to US$120.5 million. Earnings before interest (net finance costs), income tax, depreciation and amortization and impairment loss (“EBITDA”) amounted to US$311.5 million, up by approximately 121.8%. The Group maintained strict control of costs during the Year. As a result, cost of sales of the mining operations decreased by 16% to US$314.9 million.

In 2021, the Group produced 61,260 tonnes of copper and 3,379 tonnes of cobalt, and sold 57,001 tonnes of copper and 2,617 tonnes of cobalt. Sales of copper and cobalt amounted to US$514.0 million and US$106.6 million respectively. During the Year, the Group’s copper production volume dropped, primarily as a result of lower ore feed grade from Ruashi Mine and Kinsenda Mine and lower copper recovery rate. Similarly, the cobalt production volume declined, mainly due to the lower grade of cobalt ore mined and lower cobalt recoveries. Nevertheless, driven by higher copper and cobalt prices, the Group recorded a significant increase in revenue, which was able to offset the impact of lower sales volume.

Continuous expansion of core businesses, progress achieved by all projects
As a multinational mine developer and operator, the Group will pay close attention to local government policies and the economic environment, and continue to monitor all factors that may cause market fluctuation, so as to ensure the Group is well prepared to respond timely to any market changes.

The Group’s short-term focus will be on the construction of the Musonoi copper-cobalt mine in Kolwezi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. During the Year, construction of the mine was progressing as planned. The Group has also signed a facility agreement with China Development Bank in relation to the construction of the Musonoi project. At the same time, the Group will continue its exploration work in the sulphide zone below the oxide zone in Ruashi Mine, deeper region of the Musonoi Project, and conduct infill drilling at Kinsenda Mine. In addition, the Group successfully leased out the mining assets of Chibuluma under a finance lease. The Group recorded a royalty income of approximately US$2.4 million under the finance lease agreement.

Actively seized market opportunities amid rising copper and cobalt prices
Copper price is susceptible to swings in global policies and economic uncertainty. LME copper price reached a historical high of US$10,720 per tonne in May 2021, and closed at US$9,692 per tonne at the end of 2021, representing a gain of 25.2% compared to 31 December 2020 and a gain of 109.9% compared to the lowest point in 2020. With copper price surging, the Group commenced the construction of Ruashi Mine’s magnetic floatation plant aiming to treat low-grade oxide and sulphide materials. This allows the Group to better utilise Ruashi Mine’s low grade stockpile while potentially extending Ruashi’s life of mine. The new plant was successfully launched in December 2021.

With the availability of COVID-19 vaccines, social and economic activities have recovered. Copper, as a critical commodity used in construction and infrastructure, will benefit from the economic recovery. Moreover, countries around the world have initiated the strategic target of carbon neutral. Copper will be used more frequently in areas including solar, wind, power storage, new energy and distribution with the enhence of carbon neutral era, the demand for copper will further increase. Given its strong fundamentals, copper price is expected to stay strong after COVID-19 is contained.

With regard to the cobalt market, cobalt price gradually rebounded during the Year, and continues to rise in 2022. The price of cobalt reached US$38.7 per pound in mid-March 2022. Demand for cobalt is subject to the manufacturing of alloy and industrial chemical and for the manufacturing of batteries. As major auto makers were launching more electric vehicle (“EV”) models in 2021, Ford estimates that 40% of motor vehicles sold will be EVs by 2030 and Bloomberg estimates that half of motor vehicles sold will be EVs by 2040. Analyst forecasts cobalt demand to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 7% to 2030.

The Group said, “We will seize the favorable opportunities to develop new energy and new materials and keep expanding the major business while considering to extend the industrial chain appropriately, and expand the Group’s product scope. Meanwhile, we plan to further introduce strategic investors and optimize the shareholders structure, strengthen management, reduce costs and increase efficiency, and enhance the economic scale of existing projects. Furthermore, we will actively integrate the Group’s overseas resources and expand our asset scale. We will also continue to develop new businesses, and in particular, look for opportunities in southern Africa to generate synergies, given its close proximity to the Group’s existing mines. In the future, we will pursue continuous development and innovation, with the aim of becoming a world-class mineral corporation and creating greater value for our shareholders.”

About Jinchuan Group International Resources Co. Ltd (Stock Code: 2362. HK)
Jinchuan International is a Hong Kong listed company under Jinchuan Group Co., Ltd for the purposes of accelerating the establishment of the mining group’s multinational operational strategy and elevating Jinchuan Group’s global investing, financing and operating capabilities. By virtue of Hong Kong’s advantages as an international financial and trade center, and through the Company’s focus on an internationalized operating strategy, the Company has established itself as the flagship platform for Jinchuan Group to develop its overseas non-ferrous metal mining business. The Company owns large-scale mines in Africa with high-quality copper and cobalt metal resources. It engages in the production and trading of basic metal resources. The Company’s main mine assets include the Ruashi and Musonoi copper-cobalt mines, high-grade Kinsenda copper mine, Chibuluma South Mine, and Lubembe project.
Website: http://www.jinchuan-intl.com/tc/

About Jinchuan Group Co., Ltd* (“Jinchuan Group”)
Jinchuan Group Co., Ltd*, founded in 1958, is a state-owned enterprise with its majority interest held by the People’s Government of Gansu Province. Jinchuan Group specializes in mining, concentrating, metallurgy, chemical engineering and further downstream processing. Jinchuan Group is widely recognized as a renowned mining corporation and is the third largest nickel producer and fourth largest cobalt producer in the world as well as the fourth largest copper producer in China. Jinchuan Group ranks no. 336 in “Fortune” Global 500 in 2021.
Website: http://www.jnmc.com/

* for identification purposes only






Topic: Press release summary