Meet Jeffri, The New CEO From Sime Darby

Sime Darby Berhad is the partner of choice for the world's best brands in the Industrial and Motors sectors. With operations in 18 countries and territories across Asia Pacific, they employ a workforce of over 20,000 employees.

Listed on the main market of Bursa Malaysia with a market capitalisation of RM17.34 billion (USD4.22 billion) as at 28 August 2018, they only report 14 percent of revenue from Malaysia, with over 85 percent of their revenue coming from various countries around the world.

In their CEO’s own words, they want to be seen and perceived to be a global company.

“We are truly a multinational corporation. We want to be known as such, that while born out of Malaysia, we are really an MNC,” says Jeffri Salim Davidson, Sime Darby Berhad’s Group CEO.

We are truly a multinational corporation. We want to be known as such, that while born out of Malaysia, we are really an MNC,” says Jeffri

Sime Darby Berhad reported a profit before interest and tax (PBIT) of RM1.1 billion and net earnings of RM618 million for the financial year ended 30 June 2018 (FY2018) for its continuing operations, which comprises the Group’s Industrial, Motors, Logistics and Healthcare businesses.

Its total revenue for continuing operations for the year is RM33.8 billion. The Group’s FY2018 PBIT for its continuing operations is an increase of 37 per cent from RM784 million in FY2017, while its net earnings increased by 0.5 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to RM618 million.

Revenue for the group’s continuing operations rose 8.8 percent year-on-year. To reiterate, continuing operations comprises the Group’s Industrial, Motors, Logistics and Healthcare businesses, as the Plantation and Property businesses have been deconsolidated from Sime Darby Berhad. Core net profit for the Group’s continuing operations increased by 36 percent year-on-year to RM835 million. It excludes one-off gains, impairments and provisions for the financial year.

“Sime Darby Berhad’s strong earnings for FY2018 is largely attributed to the recovery of the mining sector in Australia and increased infrastructure spend in China,” says Jeffri. Sime Darby Berhad’s Industrial division achieved a PBIT of RM612 million for FY2018 compared to a LBIT of RM4 million in the previous financial year.

“The recovery of the mining sector in Australia was a real boon for us. We saw a lot more activity in our workshops and enjoyed higher margins from improved sales for parts. Equipment sales in China also recorded strong results due to an increase in construction and infrastructure spend,” Jeffri adds.

The improved PBIT for the Industrial division in FY2018 included profits from property disposal in Australia, while its FY2017 results were affected by impairments from the Bucyrus investment totalling RM257 million. The Motors division delivered a PBIT of RM543 million for FY2018, compared to RM633 million in the last financial year.

The FY2018 results were impacted by the losses from the Group’s exit of the BMW business in Vietnam, amounting to RM199 million, which was a key factor in the Division’s decline of 14.2 percent in profits. Excluding this and other one-off items, the Division’s profits increased by 3.4 percent mainly due to higher profits from the Hong Kong, Macau and Australia operations.

The Logistics division reported a PBIT of RM74 million for FY2018, compared to RM64 million in FY2017 due to higher throughput at Weifang Port and higher profits from Weifang Water. In line with Sime Darby Berhad’s strategy to streamline its portfolio, the water treatment company in Weifang is being divested and the transaction is expected to be completed within the second half of calendar year 2018.

Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care, Sime Darby Berhad’s 50:50 joint venture with Ramsay Health Care achieved higher revenue in FY2018, which contributed to a 58 per cent increase YoY in Sime Darby Berhad’s share of profits.

The joint venture’s Malaysian operations registered improved results from higher revenue and lower corporate expenses. For the quarter ended 30 June 2018 (4Q FY2018), Sime Darby Berhad’s continuing operations reported a PBIT of RM354 million and net earnings of RM163 million. This represents an improvement of 421 percent and 379 percent respectively, as compared to 4Q FY2017.

A second interim dividend of 4 sen per share and a special dividend of 2 sen per share is declared for FY2018. Together with the first interim dividend of 2 sen per share, the total dividend for the financial year is 8 sen per share. The special dividend was declared to reward shareholders following the listings of Sime Darby Plantation Berhad and Sime Darby Property Berhad on Bursa Malaysia.

Watch the full interview with Jeffri Salim Davidson below.