Woodbois Limited Operational Update (5976P)
11 Junio 2020 - 1:01AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMWBI
RNS Number : 5976P
Woodbois Limited
11 June 2020
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by
the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under
the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 ("MAR"). With the
publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information
Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the
public domain.
Woodbois Limited
("Woodbois", the "Group" or the "Company")
(AIM: WBI)
Operations re-commence in Gabon.
Working capital
Board changes
AGM
Paul Dolan, Chairman and CEO, commented "The effects of Covid-19
are widespread and continuing, but I am pleased to report that
trading enquiries are increasing as the global economy emerges from
lockdown. Reflecting the gradual shift, we are expecting to
recommence limited operations in Gabon next week. We continue to
focus on cash generation and preservation and to that end we are in
discussions with our lenders, including the holders of the
Company's unlisted debt instruments, with a view to restructuring
them and thereby significantly strengthening the Company's
financial position. Based on the indications of support received I
am hopeful that agreement will be reached for the benefit of all
stakeholders. With our AGM at the end of June I encourage
shareholders to ensure their votes are cast by proxy."
Operations re-commence in Gabon
As outlined in the Annual Results statement released on 30
April, activity within the sector fell dramatically in April and
has remained at low levels for most of May. Encouragingly, in the
last two weeks enquiries and demand levels, particularly from Asia
and the Middle East have started to return.
In Gabon the state of emergency owing to Covid-19 was partially
lifted on 11 May, but restrictions on transport, working hours and
the numbers of people permitted in a single workplace remain in
place; importantly, the port in Libreville remains open for our
exports. As a result, by the end of May we had recommenced some
harvesting in the forest, where social distancing is easily
managed, as well as maintenance work at the sawmill and veneer
factory in Mouila. We have implemented safety protocols in both
facilities in Mouila thereby allowing limited production to
re-commence from 15 June. Production will be limited to a single
shift in each facility until the 6pm to 6am curfew and restrictions
on the numbers of people allowed to travel by bus are lifted. With
a solid order book in place, we plan to return to full production
as soon as restrictions are fully lifted and it is safe and
permissible to do so.
Working capital
As also reported in April, the exceptional circumstances created
by the Covid-19 pandemic have served to emphasise the need for the
Company to enhance its operational and financial resilience. While
the near-term quantum of operational working capital required has
fallen with the halt in production and with trading levels reduced,
the Company is carefully managing its liquidity position. As part
of this, the Company is in active discussions with key lenders with
regard to the possibility of restructuring its debts. We will keep
shareholders updated on any such restructuring as discussions
progress.
Board Changes
As the Company continues to expand, the Directors believe that
it is sensible to differentiate between its operating board and
that of the parent company. Accordingly, Zahid Abbas and Jacob
Hansen have stepped down from their Executive positions on the main
board with immediate effect and will remain with the Group as Head
of Trading and Chief Operating Officer respectively. This
reorganisation will accelerate our commitment towards ensuring that
our Board composition is in line with best practice corporate
governance guidelines whilst not reducing our operational
capabilities. Furthermore, we are seeking an additional independent
Non-Executive Director with a complementary skillset to that
already to be found on the Board.
AGM
The Notice of AGM to be held in Guernsey on 30 June 2020 was
sent to shareholders on 3 May 2020. With the Covid-19 restrictions
in place it is not expected that shareholders will be able to
attend the Meeting in person and the Company encourages them to
ensure that their proxy votes are returned.
Enquiries:
Woodbois Limited
Paul Dolan - Chairman and CEO
www.woodbois.com
+44 (0)20 7099 1940
Canaccord Genuity (Nominated Adviser and Broker)
Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor
James Asensio
Thomas Diehl
+44 (0)20 7523 8000
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END
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June 11, 2020 02:01 ET (06:01 GMT)
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