DS Smith releases its Annual Report 2017: Redefining Packaging

DS Smith’s vision is to be the leading supplier of sustainable packaging solutions, bringing value to our customers.

The Annual Report focuses on our performance for the year 2016/17, together with how we are looking to the future and redefining packaging to help our customers realise their full potential in a changing consumer and retail environment.

In 2016/17 operating profits were up 17% on the previous year at £443¹ million, delivering earnings of 32.5p¹ per share (+19%) and a total dividend of 15.2p per share (+19%) for our shareholders, demonstrating the strength of the combination of our packaging, paper, recycling and plastics operations and the success of the acquisitions we have made in recent years.

During the year we invested £85 million in targeted acquisitions, expanding both our expertise and geographic coverage, and since the year end we have announced the proposed acquisition of Interstate Management Resources, a family-owned integrated paper and packaging producer, concentrated on the East Coast of the United States.

2016/17 has been another year delivery against all our targets and of growth by DS Smith. We have grown the business both organically and by acquisitions, and continued to invest in areas where we see the greatest opportunities, such as display and e-commerce packaging.

— Gareth Davis, Chairman, DS Smith Plc

¹ Adjusted, before amortisation and exceptional items.