Expanded Water Filtration Demand And Next Generation Controls Will Drive Long-Term Upside

Catalysts

About Strix Group

Strix Group designs and manufactures safety controls, filtration solutions and premium hot water and drinking systems for global appliance brands and end users.

What are the underlying business or industry changes driving this perspective?

• Scaling of Billi’s new high capacity production facility and doubling of manufacturing footprint is expected to support ongoing double digit growth in boiling and sparkling tap systems. This is driving higher group revenue and mix led margin improvement, as Billi operates at gross margins above 45%, which should lift earnings.
• Rising global demand for energy efficient, space saving water heating and dispensing solutions in homes and workplaces, combined with Billi’s accelerated geographic expansion across Europe and Asia, should support a larger installed base. This can grow high margin rental and service income and enhance recurring cash flow.
• Launch of next generation, smaller footprint kettle controls and an expanded tiered product range for regulated and less regulated markets positions Strix to regain share as kettle demand normalises. This supports a recovery in Controls revenue and better utilisation of semi fixed cost assets, which should improve EBITDA margins.
• Increasing consumer and regulatory focus on water quality, including concerns around PFAS, microplastics and heavy metals, underpins growth in LAICA Health Expert filters and bespoke filtration projects. This can accelerate Consumer Goods revenue while supporting stable divisional gross margins in the 25% to 30% range.
• Execution of the accelerated net debt reduction programme, including inventory normalisation in Controls and broader working capital efficiencies, should reduce finance costs and leverage back towards the 1 to 2 times target range. This can improve net margins and resilience of earnings through the cycle.

Assumptions

How have these above catalysts been quantified?

• Analysts are assuming Strix Group's revenue will grow by 3.7% annually over the next 3 years.
• Analysts assume that profit margins will increase from 5.8% today to 9.2% in 3 years time.
• Analysts expect earnings to reach £14.4 million (and earnings per share of £0.06) by about December 2028, up from £8.2 million today. However, there is some disagreement amongst the analysts with the more bullish ones expecting earnings as high as £16.7 million.
• In order for the above numbers to justify the price target of the analysts, the company would need to trade at a PE ratio of 17.6x on those 2028 earnings, up from 10.0x today. This future PE is lower than the current PE for the GB Electronic industry at 22.2x.
• Analysts expect the number of shares outstanding to remain consistent over the next 3 years.
• To value all of this in today's terms, we will use a discount rate of 11.23%, as per the Simply Wall St company report.

Risks

What could happen that would invalidate this narrative?

• Persistent weakness and volatility in the global small domestic appliance and kettle market, driven by cost of living pressures and low housing turnover in key regions such as the U.K., could delay the expected volume correction and keep Controls revenue significantly below historic levels, putting sustained pressure on group revenue and EBITDA.
• Ongoing geopolitical instability and unresolved tariff uncertainty around China based production, including repeated extensions of temporary measures, may prolong OEM caution, constrain stock building and divert manufacturing to alternative regions, limiting Strix’s ability to recover volume and margins in Controls and depressing gross margin and earnings.
• Heightened competitive pressure from Chinese copy manufacturers and rivals in both regulated and less regulated markets, combined with evidence of lost growth in the U.S., could lead to gradual erosion of market share if IP enforcement and new product launches are not fully effective, weighing on future pricing power, gross margins and net profit.
• The accelerated net debt reduction program, higher borrowing costs of around 7.5% and a leverage ratio currently above the 1 to 2 times target could force stricter capital allocation choices, including lower CapEx, constrained marketing and potential changes to dividends, which may limit the pace of expansion in Billi and Consumer Goods and hold back earnings growth.
• Execution risk around scaling next generation controls, expanding Billi’s capacity and rolling out new filtration and appliance products, especially into new geographies, could result in slower than expected adoption, suboptimal utilisation of semi fixed manufacturing assets and lower returns on recent investments, negatively impacting revenue growth, EBITDA margin and long term earnings.

Valuation

How have all the factors above been brought together to estimate a fair value?

• The analysts have a consensus price target of £0.8 for Strix Group based on their expectations of its future earnings growth, profit margins and other risk factors.
  
• However, there is a degree of disagreement amongst analysts, with the most bullish reporting a price target of £0.89, and the most bearish reporting a price target of just £0.75.
  
• In order for you to agree with the analysts, you'd need to believe that by 2028, revenues will be £156.6 million, earnings will come to £14.4 million, and it would be trading on a PE ratio of 17.6x, assuming you use a discount rate of 11.2%.
  
• Given the current share price of £0.35, the analyst price target of £0.8 is 55.4% higher.
  
• We always encourage you to reach your own conclusions though. So sense check these analyst numbers against your own assumptions and expectations based on your understanding of the business and what you believe is probable.