Leeds-based engineering services and infrastructure group Renew Holdings plc said its order book continues to be at record levels — despite trading in the rail sector being impacted by a “slower than anticipated start to the latest control period (CP7) which commenced in April 2024.”
Renew’s activities are focused on engineering services in Rail, Infrastructure, Energy (including Wind and Nuclear) and Environmental which are largely governed by regulation and benefit from non-discretionary spend with long-term visibility of committed funding.
In a trading update for the six months ended March 31, 2025, Renew said: “The board confirms that trading for the first half of the year has been in line with its revised expectations.
“As announced on 24 January 2025, trading within the Rail sector has been impacted by a slower than anticipated start to the latest control period (CP7) which commenced in April 2024.
“More specifically, we have experienced delays and deferments to renewal programmes, although this has been partly offset by increasing demand for reactive and planned maintenance services.
“The estimated net impact of the above remains consistent with previous guidance and our clients continue to demonstrate a strong commitment to renewing and maintaining the national rail network to meet their regulatory obligations.
“In Environmental, activity levels in Water remain ahead of expectations and we continue to forecast strong momentum through the transition to the new control period, AMP8, which commences today. We begin AMP8 in a significantly stronger position than AMP7.
“The spend in our addressable market is forecast to almost double and we have successfully secured framework positions in 13 water regions including for 10 of the 12 largest combined water and waste companies.
“Trading in the Energy and Infrastructure sectors remains resilient and the integration of our recent acquisitions, Excalon and Full Circle, is progressing well with both businesses trading in line with our pre-acquisition expectations.
“We continue to review an active acquisition pipeline in line with our strategy of acquiring and integrating value-accretive businesses.
“Underpinned by long-term framework positions, the Group’s order book continues to be at record levels, underscoring the Group’s core capabilities and established presence in long-term, sustainable growth sectors. Net debt as at 31 March 2025 is anticipated to be in line with management expectations.
“The Group remains strongly positioned in its core markets and remains confident in meeting full year expectations with operating profit expected to be ahead of the prior year (2024: £70.9m).”
Company compiled analyst consensus is for adjusted revenue of £1.117 billion, adjusted operating profit of £72 million and pre-IFRS 16 net debt of £6.9 million.