Tox Free Solutions (ASX:TOX), a company that provides industrial services, mainly associated with waste management, has reported a record profit result for this financial year.
Tox saw revenues up 37% to $285 million, while underlying net profit for the 2013 financial year came in at $21.7 million, a 26% jump over the previous year's result. While the company announced an increased dividend of 5 cents, compared to 4 cents in 2012, there were a couple of negatives.
Net debt to equity has risen to 41%, from 30% a year earlier, while statutory net profit was down 13% to $13.6 million, after one-off adjustments. Borrowings total $113 million, with $23 million of cash in the bank.
Tox said it faced difficult trading conditions in a number of sectors with some maintenance and infrastructure projects deferred during the period, particularly in manufacturing and infrastructure sectors.
On a positive note, the company said its recent acquisition of Wanless Enviro Services and Smart Skip in Queensland provided an opportunity to expand its waste management services to regional resource areas, as well as further diversifying the company's services across a wider range of industry sectors.
Foolish takeaway
Waste management and disposal is likely to become an increasingly more important role that has to be undertaken by businesses. Tox Free is perfectly situated to take advantage of that trend, although it could face some competition from the likes of Programmed Maintenance Services (ASX:PRG), TransPacific Industries (ASX:TPI), and smaller players such as CO2 Group (ASX:COZ).
Interested in our #1 dividend-paying stock? Discover The Motley Fool's favourite income idea for 2013-2014 in our brand-new, FREE research report, including a full investment analysis! Simply click here for your FREE copy of "The Motley Fool's Top Dividend Stock for 2013-2014."
More reading
- Is it time to buy gold stocks?
- Telstra eats Optus' lunch
- Oroton CEO packs her bags
- Iron ore price hits A$150 a tonne
Motley Fool writer/analyst Mike King doesn't own shares in any companies mentioned.
