BCA Marketplace — ‘Phygital’ vehicle remarketing and services

BCA Marketplace — ‘Phygital’ vehicle remarketing and services

BCA Marketplace (BCA) offers unique access to each stage of the vehicle lifecycle. Dominant in used car vehicle exchange, the company has built up its presence in vehicle buying through We Buy Any Car (WBAC) and is developing its Automotive Services division. Going forward, the company aims to develop its market-leading positions through its range of physical and digital (‘phygital’) offerings and services in the UK and Europe.

Andy Chambers

Written by

Andy Chambers

Director, Industrials

BCA Marketplace

‘Phygital’ vehicle remarketing and services

Initiation of coverage

Automobiles & parts

1 August 2018

Price

235p

Market cap

£1,870m

Net debt (£m) at 1 April 2018

192

Shares in issue

797.5m

Free float

100%

Code

BCA

Primary exchange

LSE

Secondary exchange

N/A

Share price performance

%

1m

3m

12m

Abs

7.1

23.6

21.4

Rel (local)

5.8

19.9

15.5

52-week high/low

242p

150p

Business description

In the UK, BCA Marketplace owns and operates the largest used vehicle exchange and is the leading provider of vehicle buying services through We Buy Any Car. BCA also provides exchange and buying services across Europe and its Automotive Services division provides transport, storage and technical expertise.

Next events

Interim results

November 2018

Analysts

Andy Chambers

+44 (0)20 3681 2525

Annabel Hewson

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

BCA Marketplace is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

BCA Marketplace (BCA) offers unique access to each stage of the vehicle lifecycle. Dominant in used car vehicle exchange, the company has built up its presence in vehicle buying through We Buy Any Car (WBAC) and is developing its Automotive Services division. Going forward, the company aims to develop its market-leading positions through its range of physical and digital (‘phygital’) offerings and services in the UK and Europe.

Year end

Revenue (£m)

PBT*
(£m)

EPS*
(p)

DPS
(p)

P/E
(x)

Yield
(%)

03/17

2,030

97.4

9.1

6.75

25.8

2.9

03/18

2,432

120.9

11.4

8.55

20.6

3.6

03/19e

2,663

127.2

12.3

9.35

19.1

4.0

03/20e

2,903

137.1

13.2

10.15

17.8

4.3

Note: *PBT and EPS are normalised, excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles, exceptional items and share-based payments.

Lubricating European vehicle remarketing

With over 70 years of operating vehicle auctions, BCA is by far the largest vehicle exchange in the UK. It sold 1.0m used cars in FY18, with a c 60% share of auction volumes, which account for around 20% of annual used car market transactions. It has been developing online and digital services since the 1990s, and provides additional services such as grading, vehicle checks and buyer finance to increase value per vehicle. In 2013, it acquired We Buy Any Car (WBAC), which is the UK’s leading online vehicle buying company. Since 2015 it has also built up through-lifecycle physical services by a series of acquisitions, creating the UK’s largest car transporter fleet and offering vehicle preparation, storage, inspection, refurbishment and logistics. It is also operating online and in physical auctions across nine countries in Europe, selling 0.4m cars last year, increasing dealer awareness of auctions and injecting digital tools from the UK as volumes rise. It is creating a standard buyer offering through its One Europe programme as an increasing number of cars are sold across borders.

Executing the growth strategy

FY18 saw strong progress with good growth in volumes across remarketing exchanges as well as WBAC, and improved value add from incremental services. Further synergies should accrue from combining the digital and physical services to provide an integrated offering in the UK, and rolling these out across Europe. The recently announced five-year Auto Services Solution flagship contract with BMW UK is the largest deal ever won by BCA. We feel it verifies that the strategy to provide a full range of solutions across the automotive supply chain is gaining traction with customers, and BCA appears best positioned to win more of these agreements.

Valuation: Apax approach highlighted value

Our fair value, which we calculate as a simple average of a capped DCF and a peer group comparison, currently stands at 252p. The recent approach by Apax Partners at 200p was rebuffed and clearly management feels that the growth strategy can add significant value as the fully integrated service model is matured.

Investment summary

Company description: Europe’s largest vehicle marketplace

BCA Marketplace can trace its roots back over 70 years. However, current ownership and management has been in place since April 2015 when the group was bought for a £1.2bn enterprise value from private equity and listed on the LSE. It is Europe’s largest vehicle remarketing business, operating both physical and online auctions developed since the early 1990s. In FY18 it remarketed over 1.0m used vehicles in the UK and 362k in nine countries in Europe. A series of acquisitions since its listing has built a range of services such as vehicle storage, preparation, inspection and logistical services supporting vehicles through their lifecycles. BCA now operates the UK’s largest vehicle transporter fleet with more than 800 vehicles. We Buy Any Car (WBAC), the UK’s leading, online-based, used vehicle purchasing operation, was acquired in 2013.

Strategy: Let’s get ‘phygital’

BCA aims to develop its market-leading positions through its range of physical and digital (phygital) offerings and services that provide a unique integrated proposition in the automotive supply value chain. Gaining BMW UK as a flagship customer for the proposition appears to verify the strategy. BCA’s long history of innovative investment that has allowed it to develop market-leading platforms and an excellent reputation that supports over 1,000 vendor relationships and 14,000 active buyers in the UK alone, creating a significant barrier to entry. The integration of services offered in vehicle markets creates synergistic opportunities that can be exploited to further enhance shareholder value. In addition, digitally connected electronic and physical customer interfaces provide an agile platform to respond to changing vehicle markets. Exclusive access to proprietary historical and real-time used vehicle transaction data provides a significant competitive advantage, as well as a tool for customer application development through sizeable, dedicated software engineering resources.

Financials: Organic and M&A opportunities

Growth in vehicle parcs and supply of used vehicles support organic transaction growth, which is generally less volatile than new vehicle markets, both in terms of volume and margin. The agency fee nature of the core remarketing activities also serves to de-risk vehicle margin as exposure to residual value risk is low. Focus is on EBITDA per transaction in the remarketing operations as accounting for outsourced remarketing contracts has inflated sales and depressed margins in the UK. Adding digital, financial and physical services to vendors to provide greater transparency and experience drive the added value for each vehicle transaction. Strong organic potential is provided by WBAC as the third channel for vehicle disposal in the UK, increasingly taking share from trade-in/part-exchange and C2C platforms. WBAC also sells its purchased vehicles using BCA auctions. The potential to expand across Europe provides a further route to growth. The investment strategy is supported by the highly cash-generative nature of the model. With net organic investment set to normalise to around £35m, capital allocation is likely to focus on M&A and shareholder returns. The dividend payout ratio of 75% in FY18 provides a supportive yield. In FY18, BCA grew sales by 20% to £2.43bn and EBITDA by 18% to £159.5m, a margin of 6.6% (FY17 6.7%). We forecast FY19 revenue growth of 10% with maintained EBITDA margins, generating EPS growth in excess of 8%.

Valuation: Apax approach has focused the market

We have used the straight average of our capped DCF methodology and peer group comparison to derive our fair value estimate of 252p. BCA represents a unique proposition in vehicle markets, distinct from automotive retailers. For the peer group we have used international auction companies, online auction companies, online auto retailers and UK business services providers.

Company description: Driving growth

BCA Marketplace is the owner and operator of Europe’s largest used vehicle exchange through both physical and online auctions. The company has expanded its exchange services across 10 countries in Europe (including the UK), operates from 51 sites and sold 1.38m vehicles in FY18. In addition, since the acquisition of We Buy Any Car (WBAC) on 16 August 2013, it is also the UK’s market-leading, online-based provider of used vehicle buying services. It has added services across the vehicle supply chain and today encompasses a through-cycle vehicle support offering, from new and used vehicle preparation, logistics, used vehicle buying, to refurbishment and remarketing. As part of this strategic development, it has built the UK’s largest car transporter fleet.

Company history

BCA can trace its history back to 1946, with the first auction under the Southern Counties Car Auctions brand, which was subsequently developed into British Car Auctions. The original BCA was listed on the LSE until its takeover in 1987 by ADT, a UK-based security group. It subsequently passed through the ownership of several private equity groups.

It was the Haversham Holdings listing on AIM in 2014 and subsequent takeover of BCA Group from private equity house Clayton Dubilier & Rice in April 2015 that created the BCA Marketplace that is recognisable today. A placing of 685m Haversham Holdings shares at 150p, raising £1.0bn of net proceeds, the issue of consideration shares, admission to the standard listing of the London Stock Exchange and renaming the company BCA Marketplace were all completed successfully in April 2015. It has continued to develop from a traditional, physical auction house into the multi-channel, technology-rich, used vehicle marketplace with integrated support services that exists today.

The proceeds of the float allowed management to refinance the company and to pursue the growth strategy through increased investment in facilities, existing platforms and new IT initiatives. It also facilitates focused acquisitions to develop the range of activities available to customers. The group facilitated the remarketing of over 1.38 million vehicles last year, including 231k used cars purchased through the vehicle buying operations.

Company structure

BCA Marketplace is the holding company for the groups’ activities, which are organised into four operating divisions: UK Vehicle Remarketing, International Vehicle Remarketing, Vehicle Buying and Automotive Services. Each division has its own operational board. The current structure of the group is shown in Exhibit 1 below.

Exhibit 1: FY18 group EBITDA by segment

Source: Company reports

Exhibit 2 demonstrates clearly how the group has evolved.

Exhibit 2: Continuing trading volume and profit* growth (FY05-18)

Source: Company reports. Note: *Divisional EBITDA before central costs.

Strategy

BCA’s long-term strategic aim is to create an integrated service offering across the lifecycle of vehicles through the addition of services and the application of technology-based tools leveraging significant proprietary intelligence and data capture. These are applied to help its customer base, primarily made up of new and used car retailers; dealers, leasing companies, OEMS and their captive finance arms optimise profit and cash generation from their inventory flows. BCA will continue to invest both organically and in tactical acquisitions around the core exchange activity to deliver this ambition, while driving efficiencies and synergies.

Exhibit 3: BCA Marketplace presence in the vehicle life cycle

Source: Company reports

Since being acquired, BCA has actively pursued the M&A element of its strategy and has made five acquisitions, four of which have helped to form the Automotive Services division of the group.

Exhibit 4: BCA Marketplace acquisitions since April 2015

Date

Company

Price

Division

Comment

1 June 2015

SMA

£43m

UK Vehicle Remarketing

Auction services in Edinburgh, Kinross, Leeds and Birmingham

25 Aug 2015

Stobart Automotive

£16m

Automotive Services

Vehicle transport fleet of 450 transporters across network of sites

04 Feb 2016

Ambrosetti

£13m

Automotive Services

Vehicle defleet, refurb, logistics & storage in Chipping Warden, Rochester & Sandwich

18 Jul 2016

Paragon

£135m

Automotive Services

Vehicle services, processing, refurbishment and storage

31 Mar 2017

Supreme Wheels

£1.6m

Automotive Services

75% stake in alloy wheel servicing business, HQ in Milton Keynes

Source: Company reports

In the near term the group will continue to enhance its operation and provide integrated solutions in the UK and Europe by leveraging its operational capabilities, physical and intellectual property, knowledge and automotive industry relationships. It will also seek to expand its geographic presence in Europe and to respond to the changing requirements of the automotive market by adapting services and solutions to meet customers’ large-scale requirements across the supply chain. BCA has short-term strategic objectives for its four divisions that are designed to deliver the long-term ambition of creating value for shareholders.

Exhibit 5: Short-term divisional strategic objectives

UK Vehicle Remarketing

International Vehicle Remarketing

Vehicle Buying

Automotive Services

Continue to win volume through strong customer relationships

Grow volume through increasing market awareness

Grow volume by promoting the third disposal channel

Integrate further to achieve a single more efficient operating model

Secure volume for the long term and grow to full scale

Standardise processes and tools and employ best practice

Continue to broaden the appeal of the WBAC brand

Expand suite of value-added services

Grow BCA Partner Finance

Build one market across Europe

Provide vehicle mix and volume to the Exchange

Co-ordinate movements efficiently between divisions

Enhance BCA product suite

Deliver a consistent buyer experience

Seed new sites and sale days in Europe

Package solutions for customers across all group divisions

Expand digital information flow

Expand service offering

Continue to improve customer service

Refurbish and upgrade owned vehicles for onward sale

Increase efficiency through use of technology at auction branches

Broaden customer base of BCA Market Price

Expand outsource solutions

Source: Company reports

In the medium term, the group is looking to build on the strengths of its national reach, the rapidly growing vehicle buying activity, and strong industry relationships with dealers and manufacturers to develop its integrated service offering in both the UK and continental Europe.

In the long term BCA will continue to seek large-scale opportunities in activities that are, or become non-core for car makers, vehicle sellers and owners as the industry evolves. The group’s ability to formulate integrated solutions is unique given the infrastructure, footprint, capabilities and offering.

Exhibit 6: Overview of BCA’s unique integrated services offering for the UK

Source: Company reports

Flagship BMW UK contract verifies strategy and scale

On 27 June 2018 it was announced that BMW (UK) and BCA Marketplace had agreed a five-year Auto Services Solutions contract, to provide solutions “from dock to defleet and beyond”. The deal encompasses all of BMW (UK)’s requirements, including 90% of the volume of its specialist leasing business, Alphabet. The exclusive agreement has a minimum five year term and will see BCA provide solutions across its entire range of supply chain activities incorporating defleet, refurbishment, inspection and collection, inventory management and both physical and digital remarketing for the car manufacturers UK activities. As a result BCA will gain market share, supporting revenue growth across its UK activities.

The deal is the largest ever announced by BCA Marketplace and the single biggest remarketing contract BCA has signed in its history. It serves to verify the group strategy of providing an integrated offering to its major automotive industry customers, with BCA uniquely positioned to provide the geographic reach and range of services to execute such a contract. It significantly extends the existing relationship between the companies as BCA already performs the bulk vehicle transportation contract for BMW UK, as well as partial involvement in other activities such as remarketing.

It provides a reference for BCA as it seeks to offer similar innovative, cost efficient solution to service the used car needs of other car producers in the UK.

Key components of the agreements are

A five year exclusive agreement to defleet, refurbish, inventory manage and remarket both physically and digitally vehicles on behalf of BMW UK including 90% volume for Alphabet.

An exclusive five-year deal for BCA Fleet Solutions to act as the de-fleet and refurbishment partner. BCA will build a new dedicated BMW defleet centre that will handle all its storage and refurbishment needs.

A seven-year deal for BCA Logistics to serve as Inspect & Collect provider to BMW and Alphabet.


Market structure

BCA’s core exchange platform and associated activities are based in the used car markets in the UK and Europe. The UK activities are based around physical auction sites, with a substantial digital infrastructure investment facilitating and augmenting them. The European auction activity is more electronically based, with two-thirds of international sales being made online, almost twice the penetration of online auction activity in the UK.

BCA is not involved in the sale of new cars and light commercial vehicles (LCVs), although it does supply services such as transportation and inspection to the segment. However, there are clearly some trends that flow from new car markets to used vehicle supply such as part-exchange, lease contract expirations and personal contract plans (PCPs). In fact, BCA provides a unique “dock to de-fleet” through-cycle support proposition in the UK vehicle market.

UK light vehicle markets remain close to record levels

The UK used car and LCV markets reflect trading in the UK vehicle car parc, which has seen renewed growth in recent years following the strength of new market sales. There have been record or historically high levels of new car market registrations for each of the last seven years. Despite a 5.7% decline to 2.54m registrations in 2017 from a record level of 2.69m registrations in 2016, this was still an historically high level of sales. While a further modest decline to around 2.46m sales is expected in 2018, this again represents a healthy demand.

As many of these purchases have been made using PCP finance, which has been steadily increasing its penetration of the new car market, it means that there are a growing number of two-to three-year-old vehicles becoming available for resale. In turn, these create a second market as replaced older vehicles are sold or traded in as part-exchange vehicles by the second buyers of the newer vehicles involved.

Exhibit 7: UK used car transactions since 2001

Exhibit 8: UK car parc development since 2001 (units) and vehicle turn (RHS %)

Source: SMMT

Source: SMMT

Exhibit 7: UK used car transactions since 2001

Source: SMMT

Exhibit 8: UK car parc development since 2001 (units) and vehicle turn (RHS %)

Source: SMMT

According to Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) data, used car transactions totalled 8.1m in 2017, the second highest on record after the record of 8.2m in 2016, and have fallen by around 5% in both Q417 and Q118, whereas BCA grew volumes by 6% in the equivalent period. Q118 still remained above 2m transactions and represented the third highest first quarter level ever. These compared to a decline in new car registrations in 2017 of 6.6% and 12.4% for Q118 compared to record registrations in Q117. Despite some market distortion last year, especially new higher Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates introduced from 1 April 2017, we believe these figures demonstrate that used car sales are influenced by, but are less volatile than, new car sales. Van markets have been following similar trends. FY17 new registrations were down modestly following record new sales in FY15 and FY16 and latest data show a rolling 12-month run rate of 367,000 van sales.

Overall vehicle parc (vehicles in use) growth also provides an increasing base for used vehicle transactions. The rate of new vehicle transactions as a proportion of the vehicle parc is known as the vehicle turn and this varies from market to market, with the UK being a relatively high-turn market and Europe generally being lower. The higher turn in the UK is attributable to a number of factors including the increasing use of two- to three-year long PCPs that have progressively penetrated the financing of new and used car transactions over the last decade, which has led to shorter average initial and secondary ownership periods. In addition, there tend to be fewer used car dealers with a higher proportion of consumer-to-consumer (C2C) transactions. We estimate used car turn in the UK to be around 23% currently compared to a relatively stable 14% in Europe.

UK vehicle parc & transactions expected to increase modestly

The UK vehicle parc currently stands at around 40m vehicles including heavy trucks and buses. The car parc is 34.7m units and the total for vans and other LCVs is around 4.3m units. Both have been growing at low single-digit rates of 1–2% pa in recent years, reflecting high levels of new vehicle sales and increased affordability due to economic growth, and low cost finance options.

The influence of increasing PCP penetration in both the used and new car markets has also served to increase the velocity of the used car market. In 2017, 88% of new private car purchases were made using finance, up from 59% in 2008, and PCP plans now account for 66% of the value of all new and used vehicle financing compared to 34% in 2008. In terms of volumes, for vehicles bought using finance, PCP penetration is close to 90% for new car transactions and 50% for used vehicles. The average PCP duration is around 2.5 years compared to a direct ownership normal period of around 4.5 years. As the number of vehicles in the parc with PCP plans attached rises, it increases the volume of cars available for remarketing even in relatively flat overall markets.

Exhibit 9: Number of vehicles per 1,000 inhabitants for European markets where BCA operates today

Source: Eurostat

European markets growing more strongly

In contrast to the UK, where Brexit uncertainty and other factors continue to undermine consumer and business confidence, and thus new car sales, European new car sales are currently growing strongly in 2018. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), year to date registrations for the EU member states excluding the UK are up 4.3% through May, due to improved economic performance. In Europe, the overall vehicle turn is generally lower than in the UK, with lower penetration of PCPs and longer vehicle ownership. For example, in Germany, BCA’s largest international market, used car sales fell by c 1.4% in 2017 to 7.3m (2016: 7.4m) and, with a German car parc of 46.5m vehicles, this implies a vehicle turn of just 15%.

Exhibit 10: Vehicle parc development for European markets in which BCA operates

Source: OICA

The car parc for the 28 members of the EU is around 265m vehicles, with a penetration rate of 505 cars per 1,000 inhabitants as shown in Exhibit 9, and an average age of c 11 years. In the nine European markets in which BCA operates, which represent of around 70% of all vehicles in use in the EU, car parc growth averaged 0.7% compound over the 10 years from 2005 to 2015 (176m cars). Excluding the UK and Germany, this rises to 0.9%, given the effective stagnation of the German car parc over the 10-year period. Encouragingly, more recent German data from the DKF (Deutsches Kraftfahrzeuggewerbe, the trade association of the German motor industry) indicate that car ownership has returned to close to peak levels. The German car parc has grown by around 1.5% per annum in each of the last two years to 46.5m, reflecting improved economic conditions.

The positioning of exchanges in used vehicle market flows

Exhibit 11: Positioning of exchanges in used vehicle market flow

Source: Company reports

Used cars move from sellers, both private and corporate, to new ownership, either directly to new owners, through dealers (including direct, dealer to dealer) or through vehicle buying operations such as BCA’s WBAC. As dealerships tend to cherry-pick used stock for their own used car portfolios, a large number of incoming vehicles require a platform to be transferred through to new ownership, primarily used car dealers including car supermarkets. In addition, vehicle buying operations require a disposal channel for increasing volumes of vehicles that the easy-to-access and consumer-based online business model is generating.

BCA is the clear leader in its markets in the UK and Europe

BCA is by far the largest vehicle exchange in the UK with a c 60% market share, selling more than 1m vehicles in FY18, equivalent to around 12.5% of annual used vehicles transactions. It is approximately 2.5x the size of its nearest competitor, the UK subsidiary of Manheim, which has a share of around 25%. In addition, BCA has national coverage in the UK, whereas many competitors are more regionally based. The National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA) has c 25 other members, which share the remainder of the market.

However, from its US base, Manheim operates auctions around the world, including across Europe. It is a subsidiary of Cox Automotive, which is a division of Cox Enterprises, a private corporation based in Atlanta in the US. BCA operates in more countries in Europe, has more locations and greater exchange volumes than Mannheim.

Divisional overview

BCA operates through four divisions, with global vehicle remarketing activities accounting for 44% of group sales in FY18, each of which we consider below.

UK Vehicle Remarketing (57% of group EBITDA)

Operating across 23 auction centres at 21 sites across the UK, BCA’s Exchange is active in selling vehicles for a broad range of vendors. The exchanges provide transparency, certainty of transaction, speed and liquidity to its customers, both buyers and vendors.

Exhibit 12: UK Vehicle Remarketing sites

Source: Company reports

Essentially, the auction process involves:

Vendors: auto manufacturers (OEMs); leasing companies; auto dealers; fleet managers; vehicle buying companies

Buyers: car supermarkets; franchise dealers; independent dealers; traders; public.

The company has added to the sale process by adding services, including valeting and assurance testing.

This division illustrates BCA’s concept of ‘phygital’ as physical and digital combine to make an efficient system. The company needs the physical supply of cars, and later on we will detail how the company achieves this. However, the company has been active in developing digital tools to facilitate information flow and increase efficiency. In the UK, c 30% vehicle sales are online, and there is clear upside from increased penetration. However, BCA is also well-positioned to leverage the data to which it has access with regard to the significant volume of vehicles it trades. There are currently three key digital applications:

BCA Dealer Pro: This is an appraisal application that aims to add intelligence to the part-exchange process for dealers. By its very nature, the application is structured and brings consistency across a salesforce. However, the key benefit is allowing a dealership to manage a profitable vehicle disposal programme.

BCA Imagery: This application is focused on video capturing the vehicle in walkaround mode, demonstrating the vehicle condition, plus discrete images.

Auction View / Live online: applications for remote, online, real-time participation in auctions.

The vehicle remarketing model is based on agency fees and service charges being applied to both buyers and sellers on car transactions. Generally, it does not take title to the vehicles. While the fees relate to the value of the transaction, the nature of fee per vehicle is relatively fixed given that the average value of vehicles sold is not volatile in normal macroeconomic conditions. A suite of digital and physical added-value services generate additional revenues per vehicle, both pre- and post-auction. These include inspection, logistics, appraisal, repair, valeting, and finance services.

From a vendor perspective, the relationship is strengthened by the rate of first-time conversion of disposals, where BCA can benefit from its prodigious database of vehicle pricing. While dealers tend to operate books on disposal portfolios to achieve desired profitability and negotiate disposal of cars that do not meet reserve prices, it is preferable for the vehicles to pass seamlessly through the auction process, which involves a combination of online bidders in addition to buyers in the auction hall. Vendor satisfaction stimulates exchange use for their large inventories of used vehicles, as opposed to other disposal routes. In turn, this results in buyers enjoying a broader choice and range of vehicles from which to purchase in the knowledge that market forces are being applied.

Exhibit 13: UK Vehicle remarketing key data

2016

2017

2018

Vehicles sold

888,000

956,000

1,018,000

Revenue per vehicle (£)

273

788

925

Revenue (£m)

242.3

753.8

941.4

Adjusted EBITDA (£m)

69.1

84.0

96.8

Adjusted EBITDA margin

28.5%

11.1%

10.5%

Adjusted EBITDA per vehicle (£)

78

88

97.0

Source: Company reports

While in recent periods accounting for outsourced, third-party vehicle remarketing contracts has inflated revenue per vehicle figures in the UK as BCA can take temporary title to the vehicles, from a profit per vehicle (EBITDA) standpoint development has been a more relevant operational KPI. The growth of the outsourcing of vehicle remarketing operations from third parties thus tends to result in significant, one-time step-ups in revenues.

Exhibit 14: BCA Partner Finance development

FY16

H117

FY17

H118

FY18

FY17 vs
FY16

FY18 vs
FY17

Number of live dealers

1,002

1,192

1,351

1,172

1,149

34.8%

-15%

Live credit lines (£m)

103

121

160

182

215

55.3%

34.4%

Utilisation

62%

66%

71%

68%

71%

Actual loan book (£m)

64.7

79.4

113.4

123.7

148.4

75.3%

30.9%

Facility drawdown (£m)

40.2

61.7

69.0

74.4

105.5

71.6%

52.9%

BCA penetration

7.0%

7.9%

11.3%

11.3%

12.6%

61.4%

11.5%

Source: Company reports

In addition, BCA Partner Finance, a short-term buyer financing facility, is offered to selected dealers to stimulate increased demand from independent selected buyers by increasing liquidity. The loan book and penetration rates of Partner Finance have been growing, but it should be noted that the 15% decline in live dealers in FY18 reflects closure of inactive accounts. The growth has led BCA to increase the size of its banking facility for the product with penetration increasing to 12.6% in FY18 (H118: 11.3%, FY17: 11.3%) of vehicles purchased through BCA auctions in the UK. As the loan book is asset backed by the vehicles purchased and default rates are low, and dealers need to maintain reputational standing, the risk is relatively limited. It should be noted that BCA can choose to deploy its own cash to provide financing as well as drawing down on the facility, which results in a differential between the loan book and the drawdown. At the end of FY18 £105.5m was drawn down of the £200m asset-backed facilities, and the loan book stood at £148.4m suggesting to us that some £40m of cash would be available to BCA if the book were liquidated.

International Vehicle Remarketing (17% of group EBITDA)

Exhibit 15: UK and International vehicle remarketing volumes

Source: Company reports

While a much smaller contributor to the overall group, this division emulates some of the success seen in the UK operation with over 28 centres in 9 countries in Europe. In contrast to the UK, c 70% of international sales are online.

Exhibit 16: International Vehicle Remarketing key data

2016

2017

2018

Vehicles sold

333,000

347,000

362,000

Revenue per vehicle (£)

329

390

426

Revenue (£m)

109.5

135.4

154.3

Adjusted EBITDA (£m)

18.9

26.2

30.1

Adjusted EBITDA margin

17.3%

19.4%

19.5%

Adjusted EBITDA per vehicle (£)

57

76

83.0

Source: Company reports

The division is operating in markets where the penetration of exchange platforms is much less well developed, with penetration rates of auctions of used car transactions running at only around 5% compared to near 20% in the UK. The division continues to raise awareness among dealers of auctions as both a source of vehicles and a route for selling surplus inventory. The success of introducing software solutions such as BCA Dealer Pro and BCA Market Price on a market-by-market basis is also helping to strengthen customer relationships, with the number of dealers using Market Price rising from 1,800 in FY17 to 2,200 in FY18, performing 1.2m valuations (FY17: 1.1m).

BCA is working hard to standardise the buyer experience and processes across its European network as the number of cross border exports increases. The programme known as One Europe has also seen a strengthening of the management team. A new European transport brokerage to source and manage the efficient movement of vehicles has also been established in FY18. A new IT system is operating in Denmark and Sweden, and is currently being rolled out in Spain.

All of the initiatives are at a relatively early stage of adoption, with further technology solutions yet to be transferred into all markets as volumes grow. The results of the division are susceptible to the impact of FX fluctuations on translation of its results from euros into sterling. In terms of FX sensitivity, a 1% change in €/£ moves EBITDA by c £0.3m.

Exhibit 17: International Vehicle Remarketing sites

Source: Company reports

Vehicle Buying (13% of group EBITDA)

WBAC started trading in 2006 and purchased its one millionth car in FY17. Today WBAC is the UK’s leading vehicle buying service, with a c 80% market share, and is one of the UK’s most recognisable brands.

All of vehicles bought are remarketed exclusively through BCA Exchange. WBAC operates from over 200 locations in the UK. As we mentioned earlier, BCA is able to leverage the vehicle pricing information from WBAC and its auction activity to provide intelligent pricing. For the vendor, any valuation is valid for seven days and, with a widespread branch network, the deal can be completed rapidly.

Exhibit 18: We Buy Any Car vehicle volumes (2011-18)

Source: Company reports

Overall, the UK Vehicle Buying operation complements the supply chain for the auction operations, providing the physical element in a phygital strategy. With 100% of its purchased vehicles sold through the remarketing operation, WBAC currently accounts for just over 20% of BCA’s total UK auction volume per annum.

The UK Vehicle Buying model is designed to achieve a targeted but relatively low level of margin, currently at the top end of the target range of 2.0% to 2.5% at the EBITDA level, providing a competitive stimulus to add to the simplicity of sale for private car sellers.

Exhibit 19: UK Vehicle Buying key data

UK

2016

2017

2018

Vehicles sold

172,000

194,000

219,000

Revenue per vehicle

4,003

4,114

4,202

Revenue (£m)

688.6

798.1

920.3

Adjusted EBITDA (£m)

16.9

19.5

23.0

Adjusted EBITDA margin

2.5%

2.4%

2.5%

Adjusted EBITDA per vehicle (£)

98

101

105

D&A (£m)

-7.0

-7.3

-7.2

Operating profit (£m)

9.9

12.2

15.9

Source: Company reports

In Europe, the group trades under the CarTrade2B brand. The trial started in Germany and similar trials have been initiated in Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands. Whereas in the UK WBAC has become an established third path for selling vehicles, in Europe the model focuses more on corporate entities disposing of batches of vehicles. These in turn are remarketed through the International Vehicle Remarketing division detailed above and the vehicle is run to break-even. Revenues in FY18 were £45m, having risen from £10m in FY16, which has clearly provided beneficial volume for the international remarketing operation.

Automotive Services (13% of group EBITDA)

This division operates in four key areas:

New vehicle services – reception and handling of vehicles at port of entry; inspection and vehicle preparation; storage where required, warranty and servicing; and customisation where required.

BCA Fleet Solutions – vehicle fleet management; fleet reporting; refurbishment; and de-fleeting.

BCA Automotive – varied transport requirements including transport to and from auction sites.

BCA Logistics – allows for single vehicle movements in support of exchange transactions.

BCA operates the UK’s largest transporter fleet with over 800 trucks, and is bigger than the next three largest competitors combined. The fleet provides services at all stages of the vehicle lifecycle. Upfront, the business has relationships with 15 out of the top 18 OEMs operating in the UK by volume. The scale of the business keeps the operation cost effective and is backed up by digital platforms to manage and track a vehicle’s location and status.

BCA management recognised the value in addressing all stages of the vehicle lifecycle, and hence this division has been bolstered and developed through acquisition.

Stobart Automotive: acquired in August 2015 and renamed BCA Automotive, this business is a leading provider of transport services. At the time of acquisition, this business operated c 450 vehicle transporters.

Ambrosetti: acquired in February 2016, this business focuses on vehicle de-fleet, refurbishment, logistics and storage. At the time of acquisition, this business covered a 100 acre footprint with capacity to handle c 100,000 vehicles per year.

Paragon Automotive: acquired in July 2016 for £135m, this business focuses on storage, processing and refurbishment. At the time of acquisition, this business employed 1,250 staff and had capacity to process c 600,000 vehicles per year.

BCA Logistics: previously in UK Vehicle Remarketing.

Supreme Wheels Direct: acquired in March 2017, this business is a specialist in alloy wheel refurbishment, bringing back used wheels to an “as new” standard. The company dates back to 2010 and since that date has invested heavily in R&D and facilities to provide a best-in-class service, handling around 200 wheels per day. This includes collection, process and returned wheels in a rapid turnaround time.

Exhibit 20: Automotive Services division key data

UK

2016

2017

2018

Revenue (£m)

102.9

303.5

355.3

Adjusted EBITDA

4.2

17.2

21.5

Adjusted EBITDA margin

4.1%

5.7%

6.1%

D&A

(2.9)

(9.8)

(13.5)

Operating profit

1.3

7.4

8.0

Source: Company reports

Management

BCA’s management team is driving change and integrating acquisitions in pursuit of its growth strategy. Executive chairman Avril Palmer-Baunack formed Haversham Holdings with Marwyn Asset Management in 2014 as a vehicle to create value for its investors through a strategy of acquisition and development of target companies. Following its listing and the acquisition of BCA Group in 2015, Haversham was renamed BCA Marketplace. Avril had previously been a board member at Stobart Group, where she held the role of executive chairman and deputy CEO. Before this, she was CEO of Autologic Holdings. In essence, with over two decades of executive experience, Avril is exceedingly well placed to understand the dynamics and opportunities in the industry. She is currently also non-executive chairman of both Redde and Safe Harbour Holdings. Chief financial officer Tim Lampert joined the board in 2015 from Autologic Holdings, has a strong background in the industry and was instrumental in the acquisition of the BCA Group. The board is strengthened by the wide-reaching skills base of the non-executive directors.

The company is cognisant of its variation from best-practice corporate governance, but appears to be addressing requirements progressively. In addition to the two executives and following the resignation of the two non-independent, non-executive directors in December 2017, balance and oversight is provided by the four independent non-executive directors.

Sensitivities

Brexit: while negotiations remain ongoing, the impact on the business remains uncertain. There is limited cross-border risk between the UK and International markets. However, a change in border controls may impact on the complexity or volume logistics services that BCA provides, which could be positive or negative depending on the deal.

M&A: acquisitions are core to BCA’s strategy and the ability of management to identify and integrate acquisitions is important.

Macroeconomic: the automotive industry is typically affected by employment and consumer confidence trends, with credit availability a key influence on vehicle purchasing. While closely monitoring vehicle registration data, BCA's direct exposure to the retail consumer is limited in its remarketing operation. In addition, we believe that BCA's widespread exposure across the vehicle lifecycle provides multiple levers with which to manage pricing and volume trends, as evidenced by performance during the 2009/2010 financial crisis (see Exhibit 2).

Competition for WBAC: the barriers to entry may appear to be low, as auto dealers increasingly indicate that they will match WBAC offers in their part-exchange transactions. However, this action in itself advertises WBAC. The growth of the platform has been considerable since its foundation in 2006 and purchasing its one millionth car in 2016. Bringing scale and a significant amount of trade data, in addition to the exchange data, WBAC is able to make more informed transactions.

UK dominance in remarketing: with 85% market share split between BCA and Manheim, it appears that the UK auction market is saturated, with limited upside from further acquisition. While BCA is the only operator in the UK to offer national coverage, it is also expanding its reach across Europe. Hence future M&A is likely to be focused on International Remarketing and Automotive Services.

Corporate governance: the UK Corporate Governance Code recommends that the roles of chairman and chief executive should not be exercised by the same individual. However, the board considers that the proven expertise of Avril Palmer-Baunack permits the combined roles of chairman and chief executive as the right approach at this stage of the group’s development.

Valuation

Although BCA has a limited track record in its current guise, it has a long history of financial performance and has reportedly changed hands under private equity ownership at increasing values since its acquisition by ADT in 1987. The development of BCA has accelerated following the acquisition in 2015, addressing multiple points along the vehicle lifecycle. A key example here is the formation of the Automotive Services operation, largely through acquisition, adding a new value-creating stream to add to the core exchange platform, alongside the impressive market position and growth of the WBAC online purchasing platform.

We use an average of a capped DCF (237p) and our remarketing peer group comparison (266p) to derive our fair value, which currently stands at 252p.

Capped DCF valuation

We have calculated a capped DCF valuation for BCA Marketplace using modelled assumptions for six years and adding a terminal value that assumes zero growth. We thus normalise capex to depreciation and set working capital to zero in the terminal value to reflect that. We use a calculated WACC of 7.2%. We believe this is inherently conservative for growth stocks as the terminal value is constrained. We regard BCA as a growth stock, as used car transactions increase with the car parc and added value from incremental services compounds the revenue growth, providing leverage over a largely fixed cost base. The capped DCF currently returns a value of 237p per share

Exhibit 21 shows a sensitivity analysis for changes in the WACC and terminal growth rates assumed. The value of 246p is highlighted as it closest to our calculated WACC of 7.2%.

Exhibit 21: BCA Marketplace DCF sensitive analysis

WACC

6.0%

6.5%

7.0%

7.5%

8.0%

8.5%

9.0%

9.5%

10.0%

Terminal value

0%

294

268

246

227

210

196

183

171

160

1%

346

311

282

257

236

218

202

187

175

2%

424

372

331

298

270

246

226

208

193

3%

553

469

405

356

317

285

258

236

216

Source: Edison Investment Research estimates

Peer group comparison

We use a peer group of online technology platforms, car auction companies in the US and Japan, online vehicle retailers and some other trading platform activities.

Exhibit 22: BCA Marketplace peer group comparison

Year end

Market cap (local ccy)

Share price (local ccy)

FX

P/E
(x)

EV/EBITDA
(x)

Dividend yield
(%)

EV/Sales
(x)

(bn)

FY1

FY2

FY1

FY2

FY1

FY2

FY1

FY2

UK auto retailers

Inchcape

12/17

3.27

789

GBP

12.1x

11.7x

7.6x

7.3x

3.4%

3.5%

0.4x

0.4x

Lookers

12/17

0.41

105

GBP

7.8x

7.3x

5.1x

4.7x

3.8%

4.0%

0.1x

0.1x

Marshall Motor Holdings

12/17

0.12

160

GBP

6.7x

6.5x

3.2x

3.1x

4.3%

4.3%

0.1x

0.1x

UK auto retailers average

 

 

 

 

8.9x

8.5x

5.3x

5.0x

3.8%

3.9%

0.2x

0.2x

Remarketing peers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aucnet Inc

12/17

46.88

1,704

JPY

19.8x

17.9x

0.0x

0.0x

1.5%

1.8%

1.4x

1.3x

Auto Trader Group

03/18

4.06

428

GBP

21.9x

19.6x

18.0x

16.7x

1.5%

1.7%

12.6x

11.9x

Copart Inc

07/17

13.61

59

USD

32.7x

27.1x

20.3x

18.1x

0.0%

0.0%

7.7x

7.1x

Dena Co

03/18

321.08

2,129

JPY

20.3x

18.3x

6.9x

5.9x

1.2%

1.2%

1.6x

1.5x

KAR Auction Services Inc

12/17

7.93

59

USD

19.6x

17.9x

11.3x

10.5x

2.4%

2.4%

2.8x

2.6x

USS Co

03/18

655.32

2,092

JPY

21.0x

20.3x

14.6x

14.2x

2.4%

2.4%

7.7x

7.6x

Remarketing peers average

 

 

 

 

22.6x

20.2x

14.2x

13.1x

1.6%

1.6%

5.6x

5.3x

Other peers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AutoNation Inc

12/17

4.21

46

USD

9.7x

9.3x

10.7x

10.8x

0.0%

0.0%

0.5x

0.5x

CarMax Inc

02/18

13.39

76

USD

16.4x

15.1x

19.5x

18.5x

0.0%

0.0%

1.4x

1.3x

EBAY Inc

12/17

34.11

34

USD

15.0x

13.4x

9.6x

9.1x

0.0%

0.0%

3.2x

3.0x

Nextage Co

11/17

61.46

887

JPY

21.0x

14.1x

12.7x

9.7x

0.3%

0.4%

0.5x

0.4x

Penske Automotive Group Inc

12/17

4,348

51

USD

9.9x

9.5x

13.6x

13.3x

2.7%

2.9%

0.5x

0.4x

Schibsted ASA-Class A

12/17

65.53

286

NOK

47.4x

32.2x

21.2x

17.2x

0.6%

0.8%

3.8x

3.5x

Other peers average

 

 

 

 

19.9x

15.6x

14.6x

13.1x

0.7%

0.7%

1.6x

1.5x

BCA Marketplace

03/18

1.87

235

GBP

19.7x

17.5x

12.8x

11.8x

4.3%

4.3%

0.8x

0.8x

Source: Bloomberg, data as at close 25 July 2018

The temptation is to include traditional automotive retailers in the peer group, but these are treated as highly cyclical retail stocks by the market, which we feel is inappropriate for BCA. As BCA is effectively a wholesale operation, it has greater self-determination than OEM-dependent retailers, given the latter are subject to OEM-specified new car sales targets. BCA operates with lower revenue volatility, higher margins and stronger, more stable cash generation characteristics than the retailers. We have included these for transparency.

We believe the remarketing peer group is most relevant and, as Exhibit 22 shows, BCA trades at a modest discount to these. If we put our BCA FY20 estimates on the remarketing peer group average P/E for FY2, the stock would be trading at 266p. Comparison using the other peers that are slightly less focused would suggest a low-end value of 206p.

Financials

Revenues have grown rapidly since 2016, which was a 15-month financial period, although trading numbers were for 12 months due to the timing of the acquisition. The growth was largely driven by two factors. One was the dynamic growth of WBAC as the success of its business model continued to attract customers, offering a simple, convenient and transparent route to disposing of vehicles. The other was an accounting quirk as a result of attracting third-party outsourcing contracts for vehicle remarketing. Essentially, this involves assuming the management of fleets coming off lease. As BCA has to take temporary title of the vehicles involved until their disposal, it has to book the full value of the unit as revenue rather than just the agency and service provision fees until they are sold through the auction or other channels. As the average vehicle costs reflect the residual value of the car at the end of the lease period, these values run to 40% or so of the original vehicle values when new which, according to March 2018 data from BCA, currently average £11,122 per vehicle at auction. Thus, adding disposals from large fleets adds substantial revenues, but with little additional profitability contingent on the margin made on selling on the vehicles. This was the major reason behind the sharp jump in UK Remarketing revenues from £242m in FY16 to £941m in FY18, with a consequential major dilution of EBITDA margins. The outsourcing contracts by nature last for periods of five years or more, so as the volumes start to flow there is a one-time increment to revenues, which is then sustained as volumes rise to reflect normal annual fleet disposals.

This means that EBITDA per vehicle is a more critical measure for tracking development between periods, as it predominantly reflects the charges attached through the auction process on disposal. We expect this to increase by 4% in FY19 and 3% in FY20, with the volumes of vehicles sold rising by 5% and 4% for the respective years.

Exhibit 23: BCA Marketplace divisional analysis and estimates

£m

2016

2017

2018

2019e

2020e

UK Vehicle Remarketing

242

754

941

1,009

1,070

International Vehicle Remarketing

110

135

154

166

178

Vehicle Buying

698

837

981

1,108

1,252

Automotive Services

103

304

355

380

403

Group revenues

1,153

2,030

2,432

2,663

2,903

UK Vehicle Remarketing

69

84

99

106

112

International Vehicle Remarketing

19

26

30

31

34

Vehicle Buying

16

20

23

26

29

Automotive Services

4

17

22

24

25

HQ Other and intersegment

(10)

(11)

(14)

-16

-17

Adjusted EBITDA

99

136

160

171

184

Non-cash charges

(34)

(33)

(39)

-40

-40

Reported EBITDA

64

102

121

131

144

UK Vehicle Remarketing

28.5%

11.1%

10.5%

10.5%

10.5%

International Vehicle Remarketing

17.3%

19.4%

19.5%

19.0%

19.0%

Vehicle Buying

2.3%

2.3%

2.5%

2.4%

2.4%

Automotive Services

4.1%

5.7%

6.1%

6.2%

6.2%

Core business adjusted EBITDA margin

8.5%

6.7%

6.6%

6.4%

6.3%

Source: Company reports, Edison Investment Research estimates

For International Vehicle Remarketing, which does not suffer from the outsourcing contract effects, we are estimating 4% volume growth in each of the next two years and 3% revenue per vehicle growth. The increased leverage over the cost base is likely to be offset by additional costs relating to the innovation investments being made.

We expect WBAC to continue to grow dynamically, growing its share of consumer disposals and increasing revenues by around 8% per annum. The margin is likely to continue to be managed to around the current 2.0%-2.5% target range, facilitating competitive pricing offerings to sellers and representing significant inventory flow for the remarketing activity in the UK.

We expect the Automotive Services business is to grow at a healthy rate as transporter fleet expansion combines with increases in its utilisation rate. With new car markets appearing to have stabilised in the last couple of months, we expect service elements across the value chain to see modest growth. Margins are expected to remain relatively stable.

Organic investment levels expected to normalise

On the cash flow front, recent periods have seen significant gross investment to support the growth strategy, although the sale and leaseback of invested properties and the transporter fleet has led to net investment levels trending below underlying capex levels of around £30m–35m.

BCA has been investing organically in the period since listing and gross capex has been running at high levels. In part this has been caused by the transporter fleet renewal and expansion programme, which is normally followed by a sale and leaseback of the vehicles. Activity here is expected to decline in FY19. In addition, several major auction site upgrades and investment programmes have been undertaken since listing at Bedford, Blackbushe in Surrey, Belle Vue in Manchester and Perry Barr in Birmingham. The last two came on line in FY18 and were subject to sale and leaseback transactions as is BCA’s normal practice. Again, with a lower requirement for auction site investment, the property element of gross capex will also decline, although the recently announced BMW contract clearly has some investment requirements. Underlying capex of around £31m in FY18 includes software development cost capitalisation, which is expected to be maintained at around the current level of £11m per annum as both WBAC and BCA software engineering teams continue to develop and upgrade new apps for the online and interface products for the group operations. Guidance for overall underlying capex in FY19 is £32–36m.

Net debt, excluding Partner Finance asset-backed loans, stood at £192m and is expected to drop as free cash flow improves. Partner Finance penetration and absolute levels of asset-backed debt are expected to continue to increase, with BCA investing its own excess cash as well drawing down the available facilities to improve returns. Effectively, we estimate that BCA has around £40m of gross cash invested at the end of FY18, but the facility allows for coverage of 90% of the loan book, and some could be returned to Treasury.

FY18 results

UK Vehicle Remarketing sold 1,018,000 vehicles in FY18 (FY17 956,000), with driving revenue per vehicle up by 17.4% and adjusted EBITDA per vehicle up 10.2%. The company has acquired land for further development, with an ongoing focus on efficiency at existing sites. Meanwhile, the company has introduced branded auctions and part-exchange finance products, which have contributed to an increase in the number of vehicles funded through BCA Partner Finance. BCA penetration has increased to 12.6% (FY17 11.3%) at the year-end with BCA Partner Finance funding £841m (FY17 £577m) of vehicles in the year.

International Vehicle Remarketing sold 362,000 vehicles in FY18 (FY17 347,000), driving revenue per vehicle up by 9.2% and Adjusted EBITDA per vehicle up 14.9%. Vehicles sold for export grew by 23% and now represents 56,000 units, and the company has buyers in 55 countries today. BCA MarketPrice provided 1.2 million valuations in the year, supporting the 2,200 dealer base (FY17 1,800). Regionally, the picture was more mixed, with export strength in Denmark and Sweden and more challenging conditions in Germany and Italy.

Vehicle Buying is going from strength to strength in the UK, with WBAC delivering 12.9% vehicle volume growth and 17.9% adjusted EBITDA growth. This is the sixth consecutive year of double-digit volume growth and reinforces the company’s market leader position in the UK. Internationally, the business remains focused on purchasing vehicles from the OEMs and other corporate entities directly, growing vehicles sold in the year by 71.4%.

Exhibit 24: BCA Marketplace half yearly analysis

March Year End (£m)

2017

2018

H117

H217

FY17

H118

H218

FY18

FY % change

Revenue

UK Vehicle Remarketing

331.1

422.7

753.8

456.7

484.7

941.4

24.9%

International Vehicle Remarketing

62.6

72.8

135.4

72.1

82.2

154.3

14.0%

UK Vehicle Buying

387.2

410.9

798.1

444.9

475.4

920.3

15.3%

International Vehicle Buying

7.5

31.4

38.9

22.9

37.3

60.2

54.8%

Automotive Services

119.4

184.1

303.5

175

180.3

355.3

17.1%

Total Revenue

907.8

1121.9

2029.7

1171.6

1259.9

2431.5

19.8%

Adjusted EBITDA

UK Vehicle Remarketing

42.7

41.3

84

47.3

51.5

98.8

17.6%

International Vehicle Remarketing

11.6

14.6

26.2

12.8

17.3

30.1

14.9%

UK Vehicle Buying

8.8

10.7

19.5

11.7

11.3

23.0

17.9%

International Vehicle Buying

-

-

-

-

-

-

Automotive Services

6.4

10.8

17.2

10.9

10.6

21.5

25.0%

Group Costs

-5.0

-6.3

-11.3

-6.9

-7.0

-13.9

23.0%

Total Adjusted EBITDA

64.5

71.1

135.6

75.8

83.7

159.5

17.6%

Depreciation & amortisation

-11.1

-14.1

-25.2

-12.8

-14.1

-26.9

Amortisation of acquired intangibles

-18.7

-19.8

-38.5

-20.0

-20.2

-40.2

Restructuring costs

-

-

-

-

-5.5

-5.5

Profit on sale and leaseback

1.1

4.2

5.3

-2.1

3.8

1.7

Premium listing costs

-

-

-

-

-1.0

-1.0

Acquisition related items

-2.2

-0.7

-2.9

-

-

-

Total Operating Profit

33.6

40.7

74.3

40.9

46.7

87.6

17.9%

Finance costs

-6.9

-11.0

-17.9

-6.0

-11.7

-11.7

Profit before tax (reported)

26.7

29.7

56.4

34.9

35

75.9

34.6%

Tax

-2.4

-12.9

-15.3

-8.7

-18.9

-18.9

Net income

24.3

16.8

41.1

26.2

16.1

57.0

38.7%

EPS (p) reported

4.6

0.6

5.2

5.4

1.8

7.2

38.5%

DPS (p)

2.20

4.55

6.75

2.60

5.95

8.55

26.7%

Net debt

255.9

260.5

287.4

191.6

-26.4%

Source: Company reports. Note: 2017 finance costs include £4.9m fee write-off.

Automotive Services top-line growth of 17.1% was supported by the FY inclusion of Paragon and Supreme Wheels. Although new car volumes have had an impact on the division, the Logistics business has performed well, boosted by the new Inspect Pro product.

The company has indicated that FY19 has started well and it continues to drive efficiency across the business in UK and Europe. BCA has announced a five-year Auto Services Solutions contract with BMW (UK), including the specialist leasing business Alphabet. This contract ensures BCA is involved in providing a complete solution from defleet to inspection to remarketing. This agreement is the largest motor industry service deal signed by BCA and demonstrates the strength and depth of the business portfolio today.

The company has indicated its expectation of delivering a progressive dividend policy, with the 75% payout ratio target reached in FY18, following a 27% increase in the FY18 payment. This provides an attractive historical yield of 3.6% for investors.

Exhibit 25: Financial summary

£m

2016

2017

2018

2019e

2020e

Year end 31 March

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

PROFIT & LOSS

Revenue

 

 

1,153.1

2,029.7

2,431.5

2,662.5

2,902.8

Cost of Sales

(844.5)

(1,624.5)

(1,983.4)

(2,171.9)

(2,367.9)

Gross Profit

308.6

405.2

448.1

490.7

535.0

EBITDA

 

 

98.5

135.6

159.5

170.8

183.9

Operating Profit (before amort. and except).

90.7

121.3

143.5

149.5

159.2

Intangible Amortisation

(9.2)

(10.9)

(10.9)

(10.9)

(10.9)

Exceptionals

(65.2)

(36.1)

(45.0)

(40.2)

(40.2)

Other

0.0

4.9

0.0

0.0

0.0

Operating Profit

16.3

79.2

87.6

98.4

108.1

Net Interest

(12.4)

(17.9)

(11.7)

(11.5)

(11.2)

Other financial costs

0.0

4.9

0.0

0.0

0.0

Profit Before Tax (norm)

 

 

69.1

97.4

120.9

127.2

137.1

Profit Before Tax (FRS 3)

 

 

3.9

56.4

75.9

87.0

96.9

Tax

3.8

(15.3)

(18.9)

(20.0)

(22.3)

Profit After Tax (norm)*

55.2

72.4

97.4

97.9

105.6

Profit After Tax (FRS 3)

7.7

41.1

57.0

67.0

74.6

Average Number of Shares Outstanding (m)

630.2

780.2

786.2

797.5

797.5

EPS - fully diluted (p)

 

 

8.6

9.1

11.4

12.3

13.2

EPS - normalised (p)

 

 

8.8

9.3

11.8

12.3

13.2

EPS - (IFRS) (p)

 

 

1.2

5.2

7.2

8.4

9.3

Dividend per share (p)

6.0

6.8

8.6

9.4

10.2

Gross Margin (%)

26.8

20.0

18.4

18.4

18.4

EBITDA Margin (%)

8.5

6.7

6.6

6.4

6.3

Operating Margin (before GW and except.) (%)

7.9

6.0

5.9

5.6

5.5

BALANCE SHEET

Fixed Assets

 

 

1,565.0

1,692.8

1,660.0

1,625.2

1,586.6

Intangible Assets

1,449.5

1,559.5

1,528.6

1,488.5

1,448.4

Tangible Assets

115.5

133.3

131.4

136.7

138.2

Investments

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Current Assets

 

 

347.9

491.6

596.1

640.7

687.4

Stocks

19.3

58.3

59.1

66.7

74.9

Debtors

210.0

337.1

389.7

426.7

465.2

Cash

102.4

84.4

135.3

135.3

135.3

Other

16.2

11.8

12.0

12.0

12.0

Current Liabilities

 

 

(266.4)

(523.2)

(620.4)

(462.1)

(497.8)

Creditors

(226.2)

(364.2)

(444.9)

(462.1)

(497.8)

Short term borrowings

(40.2)

(159.0)

(175.5)

0.0

0.0

Long Term Liabilities

 

 

(525.0)

(299.8)

(276.1)

(452.0)

(430.9)

Long term borrowings

(273.1)

(254.9)

(256.9)

(432.7)

(411.6)

Other long term liabilities

(251.9)

(44.9)

(19.2)

(19.2)

(19.3)

Net Assets

 

 

1,121.5

1,361.4

1,359.6

1,351.8

1,345.3

CASH FLOW

Operating Cash Flow

 

 

6.9

86.6

171.2

144.7

166.0

Net Interest

(5.8)

(8.8)

(8.3)

(8.3)

(7.9)

Tax

(3.7)

(13.3)

(21.4)

(20.0)

(22.3)

Capex

(37.9)

(64.7)

(62.8)

(37.6)

(37.1)

Acquisitions/disposals

(1,184.7)

(109.5)

(15.8)

0.0

0.0

Financing

1,001.1

39.5

25.3

(10.0)

0.0

Dividends

(15.6)

(48.4)

(55.8)

(69.1)

(77.6)

Net Cash Flow

(239.7)

(118.6)

32.4

(0.3)

21.1

Opening net debt/(cash)

 

 

(28.8)

170.7

260.5

191.6

186.6

HP finance leases initiated

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Other

40.2

28.8

36.5

5.3

5.5

Closing net debt/(cash)

 

 

170.7

260.5

191.6

186.6

160.0

Source: Company reports, Edison Investment Research estimates. Note: *FY18 PBT includes add back of £4.9m exceptional interest charge.

Contact details

Revenue by geography

BCA Marketplace
BCA Bedford
Coronation Business Park
Kempston Hardwick
Bedford MK43 9PR
+44 (0)1234 675 600
www.bcamarketplaceplc.com

Contact details

BCA Marketplace
BCA Bedford
Coronation Business Park
Kempston Hardwick
Bedford MK43 9PR
+44 (0)1234 675 600
www.bcamarketplaceplc.com

Revenue by geography

Management team

Executive Chairman: Avril Palmer-Baunack

Chief Financial Officer: Tim Lampert

Avril formed Haversham Holdings (renamed BCA Marketplace in 2015) with Marwyn in 2014 and has over 20 years’ executive experience with leading businesses in the UK automotive, support services, industrial engineering and insurance services sectors. Through a number of high-profile industry roles, Avril has acquired significant experience in delivering operational improvements and implementing business turnarounds, executing organic and acquisitive growth strategies, with a track record of delivering shareholder value in a public environment. She has also held a broad range of executive roles throughout the automotive industry, with experience in companies engaged in vehicle salvage, car hire, auctions, transportation, distribution, logistics, vehicle processing and infrastructure. Avril was previously executive chairman and deputy CEO of Stobart Group, one of the largest British multi-modal logistics companies. Prior to this she was CEO of Autologic Holdings, the largest finished vehicle logistics company in the UK and Europe. She joined Autologic from Universal Salvage, where she held the position of CEO from March 2005 until the sale of the company to Copart UK in June 2007. Avril is also currently non-executive chairman of Redde and Safe Harbour Holdings.

Tim was appointed to the board in September 2015. He started his career in manufacturing companies before joining a division of Bombardier in finance roles in the UK and Middle East. He joined Autologic Holdings in 1997 and held various roles including in finance, logistics, projects and managing director. He was also involved in a number of acquisitions and disposals and, ultimately, the successful sale of this company. Tim was instrumental in the acquisition of the BCA Group and has a wide range of experience in the requirements of growth for large businesses. Tim is a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

Management team

Executive Chairman: Avril Palmer-Baunack

Avril formed Haversham Holdings (renamed BCA Marketplace in 2015) with Marwyn in 2014 and has over 20 years’ executive experience with leading businesses in the UK automotive, support services, industrial engineering and insurance services sectors. Through a number of high-profile industry roles, Avril has acquired significant experience in delivering operational improvements and implementing business turnarounds, executing organic and acquisitive growth strategies, with a track record of delivering shareholder value in a public environment. She has also held a broad range of executive roles throughout the automotive industry, with experience in companies engaged in vehicle salvage, car hire, auctions, transportation, distribution, logistics, vehicle processing and infrastructure. Avril was previously executive chairman and deputy CEO of Stobart Group, one of the largest British multi-modal logistics companies. Prior to this she was CEO of Autologic Holdings, the largest finished vehicle logistics company in the UK and Europe. She joined Autologic from Universal Salvage, where she held the position of CEO from March 2005 until the sale of the company to Copart UK in June 2007. Avril is also currently non-executive chairman of Redde and Safe Harbour Holdings.

Chief Financial Officer: Tim Lampert

Tim was appointed to the board in September 2015. He started his career in manufacturing companies before joining a division of Bombardier in finance roles in the UK and Middle East. He joined Autologic Holdings in 1997 and held various roles including in finance, logistics, projects and managing director. He was also involved in a number of acquisitions and disposals and, ultimately, the successful sale of this company. Tim was instrumental in the acquisition of the BCA Group and has a wide range of experience in the requirements of growth for large businesses. Tim is a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

Principal shareholders (as at 27 June 2018)

(%)

Invesco Asset Management

21.98%

Woodford Asset Management

17.11%

Capital Group Companies

10.19%

Aviva

7.82%

AXA Investment Managers

5.02%

Marwyn Asset Management

4.59%

Edison is an investment research and advisory company, with offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East and AsiaPac. The heart of Edison is our world-renowned equity research platform and deep multi-sector expertise. At Edison Investment Research, our research is widely read by international investors, advisers and stakeholders. Edison Advisors leverages our core research platform to provide differentiated services including investor relations and strategic consulting. Edison is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Edison Investment Research (NZ) Limited (Edison NZ) is the New Zealand subsidiary of Edison. Edison NZ is registered on the New Zealand Financial Service Providers Register (FSP number 247505) and is registered to provide wholesale and/or generic financial adviser services only. Edison Investment Research Inc (Edison US) is the US subsidiary of Edison and is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Edison Investment Research Pty Limited (Edison Aus) [46085869] is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison Germany is a branch entity of Edison Investment Research Limited [4794244]. www.edisongroup.com

DISCLAIMER
Copyright 2018 Edison Investment Research Limited. All rights reserved. This report has been commissioned by BCA Marketplace and prepared and issued by Edison for publication globally. All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. The securities described in the Investment Research may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors. This research is issued in Australia by Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Myonlineadvisers Pty Ltd (AFSL: 427484)) and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. The Investment Research is distributed in the United States by Edison US to major US institutional investors only. Edison US is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Edison US relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personalised advice. We publish information about companies in which we believe our readers may be interested and this information reflects our sincere opinions. The information that we provide or that is derived from our website is not intended to be, and should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, our website and the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. This document is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.
Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report. Edison or its affiliates may perform services or solicit business from any of the companies mentioned in this report. The value of securities mentioned in this report can fall as well as rise and are subject to large and sudden swings. In addition it may be difficult or not possible to buy, sell or obtain accurate information about the value of securities mentioned in this report. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (ie without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Edison, its affiliates and contractors, and their respective directors, officers and employees will not be liable for any loss or damage arising as a result of reliance being placed on any of the information contained in this report and do not guarantee the returns on investments in the products discussed in this publication. FTSE International Limited (“FTSE”) © FTSE 2018. “FTSE®” is a trade mark of the London Stock Exchange Group companies and is used by FTSE International Limited under license. All rights in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings vest in FTSE and/or its licensors. Neither FTSE nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings or underlying data. No further distribution of FTSE Data is permitted without FTSE’s express written consent.

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

295 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor

10017, New York

US

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

295 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor

10017, New York

US

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Edison is an investment research and advisory company, with offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East and AsiaPac. The heart of Edison is our world-renowned equity research platform and deep multi-sector expertise. At Edison Investment Research, our research is widely read by international investors, advisers and stakeholders. Edison Advisors leverages our core research platform to provide differentiated services including investor relations and strategic consulting. Edison is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Edison Investment Research (NZ) Limited (Edison NZ) is the New Zealand subsidiary of Edison. Edison NZ is registered on the New Zealand Financial Service Providers Register (FSP number 247505) and is registered to provide wholesale and/or generic financial adviser services only. Edison Investment Research Inc (Edison US) is the US subsidiary of Edison and is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Edison Investment Research Pty Limited (Edison Aus) [46085869] is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison Germany is a branch entity of Edison Investment Research Limited [4794244]. www.edisongroup.com

DISCLAIMER
Copyright 2018 Edison Investment Research Limited. All rights reserved. This report has been commissioned by BCA Marketplace and prepared and issued by Edison for publication globally. All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. The securities described in the Investment Research may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors. This research is issued in Australia by Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Myonlineadvisers Pty Ltd (AFSL: 427484)) and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. The Investment Research is distributed in the United States by Edison US to major US institutional investors only. Edison US is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Edison US relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personalised advice. We publish information about companies in which we believe our readers may be interested and this information reflects our sincere opinions. The information that we provide or that is derived from our website is not intended to be, and should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, our website and the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. This document is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.
Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report. Edison or its affiliates may perform services or solicit business from any of the companies mentioned in this report. The value of securities mentioned in this report can fall as well as rise and are subject to large and sudden swings. In addition it may be difficult or not possible to buy, sell or obtain accurate information about the value of securities mentioned in this report. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (ie without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Edison, its affiliates and contractors, and their respective directors, officers and employees will not be liable for any loss or damage arising as a result of reliance being placed on any of the information contained in this report and do not guarantee the returns on investments in the products discussed in this publication. FTSE International Limited (“FTSE”) © FTSE 2018. “FTSE®” is a trade mark of the London Stock Exchange Group companies and is used by FTSE International Limited under license. All rights in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings vest in FTSE and/or its licensors. Neither FTSE nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings or underlying data. No further distribution of FTSE Data is permitted without FTSE’s express written consent.

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

295 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor

10017, New York

US

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

295 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor

10017, New York

US

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Research: Consumer

Britvic — Q3 trading statement: Still(s) crazy

Britvic (BVIC) has successfully managed two potential threats – the Soft Drinks Levy (SDIL) and the industry CO2 shortage – to confirm modest earnings growth prospects for FY18. The recent heatwave might otherwise have driven outperformance. But with redirected marketing driving double-digit stills growth, the position was held. Looking forward, as BVIC’s business capability program completes and benefits start to flow, more meaningful earnings growth may narrow the discount to peers.

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