ROBIT PLC’S ANNUAL REPORT, CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT AND REMUNERATION REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2020 HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED

Robit Plc’s Annual Report, Corporate Governance Statement and Remuneration Report for the year 2020 have today been published in Finnish and English in PDF format on the company’s website at https://www.robitgroup.com/investor/financial-information/.

The Annual Report contains the Board of Directors’ Review and the Financial Statements 2020. The Financial Statements includes Consolidated Financial Statements, Robit Plc’s Parent Company Statements and the Auditor’s Report.

Please read the report: Robit Plc Annual Report 2020

Robit ProTALK – Jorge Leal, VP, Top Hammer

POSITION AND MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AT ROBIT

My position in Robit is VP Top Hammer. This is a role focusing on the Top Hammer business globally in the company. The concentration is in driving growth and profitability across the regions to achieve the target levels in accordance with company’s growth strategy.

Offering, stocks and service level are day to day topics, which are in a central role in working towards the targets. The ambition is high for Top Hammer, and we have a solid base to become a key player worldwide with our excellent products.

EXPERIENCE ON THE FIELD

I started my Robit career in 2011, and I have always been involved in sales. Throughout the years there have been rather enriching phases. As an example, back in 2011 we only had our Finnish premises and our recently acquired South Korean factory. All other markets and distribution management was taken care from Finland and South Korea. A key milestone in my Robit career was the opening and ramp-up of our Robit SAC company in Peru, which was very rewarding personal experience. Throughout this timeline, perhaps due to the markets, I have been mainly concentrated in developing the Top Hammer know-how much more than other product lines, which made it very natural for me to take the SBA Top Hammer role.

Visiting the customer operation is the key to develop know-how skills. I would like to encourage everybody – of course safety first and hopefully this would be soon again possible to do so – to travel to support the distributors and customers on the jobsite.

KEY MARKET TRENDS ON THE FIELD FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS

Top Hammer SBA has a great possibility to grow significantly in the next few years. When speaking to our customers, productivity is the main key market trend that I would like to highlight in our business area. More than ever, customers are interested on this topic and how we can help them to improve this. By listening to our customers, and always thinking how we can generate value to them, I am confident that our offering will develop even further to address those needs.

HOW DO ROBIT’S ONGOING ACTIONS SUPPORT THE CUSTOMERS AND THEIR CURRENT CHALLENGES?

We are committed to deliver the “best in class” button bits to our customers. The RbitTM is one of the many ongoing actions that we are taking forward to address our customer needs. We will continue to focus on the development of our offering, but at the same time we will emphasize our distribution strategy so that we can secure reliable and solid position for the coming growing time. Our new sales areas are more focused than ever, so this means that our connection with our distributors and customers will be strengthened and developed. Training of our own personnel, distributors and customers is the key element of the ongoing actions.

HOW DO YOU SEE ROBIT IN 2021 – WHAT ARE YOUR MAIN EXPECTATIONS ON YOUR FIELD?

I see a great opportunity for Robit, to consolidate and take a step forward in the Top Hammer segment. Our company has been gradually gaining market share into the mining segment. We are stepping into the bigger leagues as we are having top customers such as Norilsk Nickel, CODELCO, Agnico Eagle Finland to mention some. Other key areas as Australia, West and Central Africa are also ramping up also into the mining segments, which will surely deliver excellent results for this 2021.

For more information: Jorge Leal, firstname.lastname@robitgroup.com

 

Read more Robit ProTALK interviews:

Robit ProTALK – George Apostolopoulos, VP, Global Sales

POSITION AND MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AT ROBIT

My role is VP Global Sales & Marketing and as implied I am responsible for growing the Robit Group sales across the world. We have recently re-organized our company structure to have stronger focus on driving our growth in selected key areas. In parallel, three (3) distinct Strategic Business Areas have been created to develop each product line’s competitiveness, growth, and profitability; these are Top Hammer, Down the Hole and Geotechnical.

We also need to make sure that we do portray a solid, consistent, and professional image to the outside world therefore our marketing activities are coordinated accordingly.

EXPERIENCE ON THE FIELD

My experience on the field spans some 20 years. Started working with Atlas Copco in Greece as a Business Manager for the Construction & Mining Technique business area back in 2001. Moved to Ghana, West Africa in 2006 at the General Manager of the operation. A very interesting and minerals rich region where mining is the focus. We expanded the business well as we started companies and subsidiaries in Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Cameroun. In 2014, the Central Asian challenge was next. Based in Kazakhstan with a six (6) countries responsibility, we managed to ‘weather’ the recession at the time and started growing the business significantly again by gaining market share.

KEY MARKET TRENDS ON THE FIELD FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS

The ongoing pandemic has developed the markets to be more volatile than usual and I believe this will be the new norm. This means we should as a Group be extremely pro-active and agile. The mining business is more stable and resilient as we seem to be in another metals prices super-cycle however construction looks ‘slow’ now. There are opportunities in both sectors, and we must be close to benefit the most we could.

HOW DO ROBIT’S ONGOING ACTIONS SUPPORT THE CUSTOMERS AND THEIR CURRENT CHALLENGES?

Robit tries to stay as close as possible to our distributors and eventually the end users of our products. We support with product and application training, we conduct product trials and prove our worth on the field, respond quickly to filed issues and ensure that our products do get the deserved recognition in the market.

Our distributors across the world are the key for us and we want to have the best distributor management concept in the market; this would ensure continuous support for them and their customers.

HOW DO YOU SEE ROBIT IN 2021 – WHAT ARE YOUR MAIN EXPECTATIONS ON YOUR FIELD?

We take advantage of the current, limited travel opportunity and fine tune our re-organized sales structure. In other words, we are getting ready for the time that the pandemic eases or is over so that we can again travel and be close to our distributors, partners, and end users for the necessary support.

Our strategy is based on growth, we are a growth company, and this is our main expectation. We want to grow our dealer network and together with them gain market share account by account, a simple and proven method. 

For more information: George Apostolopoulos, firstname.lastname@robitgroup.com

 

Read more Robit ProTALK interviews:

ROBIT AND AGNICO EAGLE HAVE SIGNED A LONG-TERM COOPERATION AGREEMENT

Robit and Agnico Eagle have signed a long-term cooperation agreement of drilling consumables supply to Kittilä mine. The deliveries start on 1 May 2021. Robit has previously supplied diamond button bits to Kittilä mine for production drilling. Thus, the mine and conditions are familiar to Robit.

Tommi Lehtonen, CEO of Robit Group: ”We are happy to start this cooperation, which is a result of a long-time work and is an important reference to the company. It is also an investment to domestic market. We are excited of this collaboration, which in addition to product supply offers an opportunity to develop our products together with one of the leading mining companies.”

Jari Kolehmainen, Production Manager at Kittilä mine, Agnico Eagle Finland Oy: “We are delighted with this agreement and expecting a long-term and close collaboration. Together we have an opportunity to develop drilling consumables e.g. diamond button bits and Sense Systems products to serve customer needs even better.”

On the photo from left to right: Jari Kolehmainen (Production Manager at Kittilä mine, Agnico Eagle Finland), Kimmo Kangas (Sales Manager Finland, Robit), Janne Saukko (General Supervisor at Kittilä mine, Agnico Eagle Finland), Kari Alenius (VP Finland, Robit).

Kittilä mine is the largest gold mine in Europe. The mine extracts annually about 1.6 million tonnes of ore, yielding about 7 000 kg of gold. At current production volumes, the mine’s known ore reserves are expected to produce gold until 2034. The mine life could be extended, depending on the results of exploration. Kittilä mine provides jobs for about 500 employees and about 800 contractor personnel. Further information: www.agnicoeagle.fi.

Robit is a strongly internationalized growth company servicing global customers and selling drilling consumables for applications in underground and surface mining, construction, geotechnical and well drilling. The company’s offering is divided into two product and application groups: Top Hammer, Down the Hole and Geotechnical. Robit has own sales and service points in 8 countries as well as an active sales network in over 100 countries. Robit’s manufacturing units are located in Finland, South Korea, Australia and the UK. Robit’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. Further information is available at: www.robitgroup.com.

Further information:

Tommi Lehtonen
CEO of Robit Group, tommi.lehtonen@robitgroup.com

Jari Kolehmainen
Production Manager at Kittilä mine, Agnico Eagle Finland Oy, jari.kolehmainen@agnicoeagle.com

ROBIT® RBIT™ AUGMENTED REALITY “AR” APPLICATION AVAILABLE

Robit® Rbit™ AR Application

Please download Robit® Rbit™ AR Application for your smartphone to present new series for your customer. You can demonstrate new features without carrying bits in your pockets. Applications will be found with “Robit Rbit” title:

After installing the software in your smart phone you have two options to use it:

With Physical (needs marker print and real button bit) or Virtual mode.

Virtual mode:

Scan flat surface and point the grid to place virtual Rbits in to scanned surface.

On the top menu you can rotate Rbits and make flow of flushing and cuttings visible.

Link for robitgroup.com media bank to get the latest brocures, e.g. Robit® Rbit™ Series.

From the “Feature” menu you can visualize Rbits’ new innovations:

New transition face ensuring better energy transfer

  • Transition face with rounded edges enables better flushing design and optimized button layout
    ⇒ New functionality of the bit

Optimized button layout maximizing rock contact

  • Smart button configuration
    ⇒ Optimized rock breaking dynamics

Wider flushing grooves allowing better flow of cuttings

  • Improved flushing
    ⇒ Maximized flushing efficiency

Physical mode:

Place a specific marker image A (printed on the paper) on to a flat surface and place the physical Rbits on the marker B with help of virtual alignment bits. Use menu to hide the adjustment bits.

A.

B.

On the top menu you can make flow of flushing and cuttings visible.

For more information, please contact Mr. Jorge Leal, VP Top Hammer, firstname.lastname@robitgroup.com

New Robit Superior Rbit™ Button Bit Series – Functional Design for Professionals

Our customers already know the great quality of our Top Hammer Button Bits. However, we took up the challenge of making our bits even better. All our button bits have been manufactured with recyclable 100% Green Steel. Consistent top quality is guaranteed by fully automated production lines. Rbit™ are finalized with eco-friendly water-based paint. As a result, we have created the Rbit™.

With the Rbit, our commitment is to help our customers to reduce the total drilling costs by achieving faster rate of penetration and the lowest cost-per-meter. The Rbit features:

  • An optimized button layout configuration of the Flat Face, to ensure maximized rock contact and energy transmission.
  • A new transition face was developed in both Flat Face and Drop Center to improve the transfer of percussion energy into the rock.
  • Enhanced flushing design, now available in our Flat Face and Drop Center models, delivering even faster rate of penetration.
  • Redesigned wider retrac grooves, that allow more space delivering a better flow for the cuttings.
  • Heavy Duty models are now available in both Flat Face and Drop Center.

All of our new high quality Rbit™ drill bits, have been designed with state of the art Computer Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation. Moreover, field tests globally have demonstrated clear evidence of a superior drilling performance which our technical simulation had already guaranteed (refer chart below). Our partner drillers were happy with the excellent performance and noted better flushing and longer grinding intervals with the new Rbit™ drill bits. Robit products are developed in the challenging rock conditions of Scandinavia and have a proven record globally. With Robit’s new Rbit™, we have found yet another way to deliver excellence to our customers worldwide.

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation images show the efficient flushing properties of new Rbit series.

Robit® Rbit™ Series – New Innovations

1. New transition face ensuring better energy transfer

  • Transition face with rounded edges enables better flushing design and optimized button layout → New functionality of the bit

2. Optimized button layout maximizing rock contact

  • Smart button configuration → Optimized rock breaking dynamics

3. Wider flushing grooves allowing better flow of cuttings

  • Improved flushing → Maximized flushing efficiency

You can watch the video at our Youtube channel: Robit Rbit Series

Please download the catalogue: Robit Rbit Series catalogue

Pioneers for Mining Trading, Oman, has signed the distributor contract with Robit

Pioneers for Mining Trading, Oman, has signed a distributor contract with Robit in December 2020. Company operates from Ajman, UAE and is the sister company of Robit’s current distributor, Pioneers for Mining Trading, Jordan. This new distributor contract with Pioneers for Mining Trading, Oman, will cover Oman, Kuwait and Qatar while parent company Pioneers for Mining Trading, Jordan, continues to distribute to Jordan and Iraq.

In the picture: Mr. Zaid Fakhouri, Deputy Executive Chairman, Pioneers for Mining Trading

ROBIT AND BIA HAVE SIGNED AN EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTOR AGREEMENT

Robit Group and BIA Group have signed an exclusive distributor agreement. Based on the agreement, BIA will represent Robit and distribute all Robit products in 17 countries across West and Central Africa (Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia, Mauritania, Guinea Conakry, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Central African Republic, and Republic of Congo).

Robit’s partnership with BIA is developed to ensure highest possible services levels for drillers in West and Middle African countries.

Tommi Lehtonen, CEO of Robit Group: “We are excited to start this partnership to serve our African drilling consumables customers. Combination of BIA’s strong presence and experienced team together with Robit’s high performance drilling consumables and technical support will offer African customers a strong solution for their drilling consumables needs.”

Vincent Bia, CEO of BIA Group: “Through this new partnership BIA will strengthen its presence in the mining, quarry and construction sectors. BIA’s exposure and knowledge in African market as well as Robit’s wide offering and quality products create an excellent opportunity for both companies to strive for being a major player in the market. With trust, shared values, and common success stories, we are delighted to start our long-lasting partnership with Robit.”

Robit is a strongly internationalized growth company servicing global customers and selling drilling consumables for applications in mining, construction and contracting, tunneling and well drilling. The company’s offering is divided into two product and service ranges: Top Hammer and Down-the-Hole. Robit has 9 of its own sales and service points throughout the world as well as an active sales network in 100 countries. Robit’s manufacturing units are located in Finland, South Korea, Australia and the UK. Robit’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. Further information is available at robitgroup.com.  

Since over a century, BIA is recognized by its customers for its expertise in the mining, construction, transport and energy sectors. With a direct presence in more than 20 countries across Europe and Africa and thanks to its 1000 employees, driven by passion, BIA delivers the best equipment, services & technologies to increase customers‘ productivity, improve safety and reduce environmental impact (BIA mission). Further information is available at biagroup.com.

For more information, contact:

Tommi Lehtonen, Group CEO, Robit Group, tommi.lehtonen@robitgroup.com
Aymeric Manteca, Group Marketing Manager, BIA Group, aymeric.manteca@biagroup.com

ROBIT PLC
Tommi Lehtonen

Further information:
Robit Plc
Tommi Lehtonen, Group CEO
+358 40 724 9143
tommi.lehtonen@robitgroup.com

Picture, from left: Tommi Lehtonen (CEO, Robit Group), Kari Alenius (VP EMEA, Robit Group), Vincent Bia (CEO, BIA Group), Alain Vandenplas (General Manager ESB and ACCB, BIA Africa), Eric Perben (General Manager, BIA Africa), Jorge Leal (Director of Global Sales, Robit Group) and Rasmus Sokura (Sales & Distributor Business Manager, Robit Group).

Robit® DTH Steel Fist – Proven Quality Worldwide

Robit® Steel Fist product family is designed for specific piling operations, sizes from 273 mm up to 1524 mm. New economic way for traditional piling work, but also capable for installing water-proof Pipe-Pile-Walls. No ring bit is needed when piling with DTH SF. Usage in homogenous soil conditions with small boulders. Robit® Steel Fist Casing Systems are available for all the common Down The Hole hammers and can be used for all applications where the casing is left in the ground, but have been especially designed for piling single piles and Pipe-Pile-Walls.

Robit DTH SF Concentric overburden drilling systems offer:

  • Superior speed
  • Reliability over the traditional drilling methods
  • Save on overall drilling costs
  • Available for casing sizes: 273-1524 mm / 10¾”- 60”

Please download the brochure: Robit® DTH SF

Robit® DTH Prime (DT)

Durable piling solutions for demanding conditions

Robit® DTH Prime products allow you to drill both threaded and welded casing tubes with the same ring bit. Fitting and welding are made easy with a pile coupling structure, while the ring bit carry capacity is guaranteed.

New improvements and updates:

  • Optimized measurements and flushing properties
  • New bigger sizes available 52”, 56” and 60”
  • Pressed casing shoe up to 609,6 mm sizes > reliable, robust structure

Including also all the other brilliant properties:

  • Heavy duty integrated ring system
  • Available for casing sizes 114–1524 mm / 4½”- 60”
  • All wall thicknesses covered with same ring
  • Standard, flow control and drill through pilot compatible with same ring
  • High load bearing
  • Spiral locking for easy connection
  • Easy fitting and welding
  • Possibility to drill both threaded and welded casing tubes with the same ring bit

Please download the brochure: Robit® DTH Prime Products

Robit Heavy Duty Consumables for Challenging Mining & Quarrying Operations

At the Robit Group, the focus is on drilling – Further. Faster.

Robit consumables are designed to provide the end user with the most productive and cost effective drilling regardless of commodity being drilled.

The company recognizes that productive, cost-effective drilling is influenced by mother nature, driller capability, preventive maintenance and drill consumable selection and quality.

Robit’s focus is ensuring that end users get the right tools, knowledge and support for their operations. The product is backed up by a large global network, expert support and cutting-edge Sense technology.

Please read the full article from the Australian Mining Review magazine: The Importance of Buying Local

Robit® SR Integrated Ring Bit System

Robit has launched a cost-efficient integrated ring for large sacrificial casing, 508–1 524 mm / 20”–60”.

DTH SR products are economical and cost-effective in homogenous ground conditions where number and size of boulders are limited. One pilot design can be used to install both regular round piles and interlocked Pipe-Pile-Wall piles – just ring bits require different outside diameters. Robit® Solitary Ring Casing Systems are available for all common Down the Hole hammer designs and can be used in all applications where casing is left in the ground.

Please download the brochure: Robit® SR Integrated Ring Bit System

ROBIT HAS HAPPY CUSTOMERS

During January and February 2020, Robit conducted an end-user survey on various aspects of Robit drilling consumables and services. The survey was implemented over phone interviews including totally 93 interviews in Finland, Australia, Peru, South Africa and South Korea.

As the same survey was originally carried out in 2019, Robit received valuable information during this second round. – Our customers are happier than a year ago!

More and more customers would recommend Robit 

NPS (Net Promoter Score) rating has clearly improved and is now on a good level.

Results have improved clearly in Finland, South Korea and Australia. In South Africa and Peru NPS results are still on a good level. Especially, well drilling and quarrying customer satisfaction has improved.

CES (Customer Effort Score) rating has improved and it is on a very good level. It is easy to do business with Robit. 43 percent of the customers see that Robit serves currently better than 12 months ago. All Robit customers see now more improvements in service than a year ago.

Better product performance 

57 percent of the customers see that Robit products offer the best cost per meter on the market. Now there are more customers who see that Robit can offer value added services that drive down costs (78 percent). In Finland and Australia Robit product performance is now better than last year.

Improved support and reliability of supply 

What do our customers say about us:

  • Sales can be reached easily, and the equipment arrive in time.
  • Increased sales personnel have led to improved answers.
  • New organization structure with improved service – quick responses and good know-how.
  • Service and support, and especially management have improved a lot.
  • When placing an order, Robit staff responds immediately. Also, products performance has improved.
  • Robit’s ability of procurement has been improved.

End-user survey 2019 reveals the hard work and dedication of Robit Team Members. – Every Robit Team Member contributes to the success. Serving our customers and colleagues with speed and quality as well as driving positive change while respecting everyone are the key elements for the success. Robit Team is committed to work hard to constantly improve our customer service and experience.

“Further. Faster”.

Remote Drillmaster Service – At Your Service!

We as a Robit Team are doing our best to support our valued customers in the best way we can also during this exceptional period.

As a part of our overall service, via Remote Drillmaster Service, our Drillmaster professionals are here to support our customers in their urgent technical inquiries as a solution to limited travelling during the corona pandemic. Our specialists are ready to help with troubleshoot, testing, product support and guidance.

We are eagerly working at Robit to stay as close as we can with our valued customers by using existing tools and possibilities.

Further information: Jorge Leal, Director, Global Sales, jorge.leal@robitgroup.com, +358 40 487 8154.

Stay healthy!

Three Production Records in a Row

Robit Korea has made a production record for three consecutive months February–April 2020 together as a Robit Team during this exceptional period.

Robit Korea is one of the major manufacturing facilities in Robit Group. Therefore, Robit Korea has taken strong actions to secure the safety and health of its Team Members as well as to ensure continuity of the manufacturing and service of its valued Robit customers.

A great thank to Robit Korea Team – every Team Member has contributed during this very hard time.

We keep on rolling – greetings from Robit Korea!

JAMES KEENAN – AT THE THRESHOLD OF COVID-19 OUTBREAK

James Keenan started his usual business trip in beginning of March, however ending up in a curfew in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for two months. This is a story of a Robit Hero.

James Keenan, Business Development Manager of EMEA-S, is in a hotel located in mountains of Cyprus. The atmosphere is relaxing – the birds are singing in the background and the surroundings are covered with plenty of verdant trees. Who would have guessed that behind this beautiful scene is a long journey starting from a usual business trip turning into a two-month isolation in Saudi Arabia due to COVID-19 restrictions and finally reaching the last stage of a 14-day quarantine imposed by Cyprian government before finally returning home on 12th May 2020.

James Keenan started his usual business trip on 9th March as he went to meet business partners of Robit in Saudi Arabia. At the same time, the world was at the threshold of COVID-19 outbreak. During the next few days and hours, the whole world went under lockdown country after another. – The planned return date of James Keenan on 16th March was also cancelled.

James Keenan managed to book a flight back to Cyprus for 19th March. However, as Saudi Arabia closed its borders for the time being, the alternative flight was also cancelled. “When the first flight was cancelled, I was disappointed, but then, after second and third cancellations, I accepted the fact that there was nothing to get angry about. As the pandemic was worldwide and human lives were lost every day, cancelling a flight was a minor issue compared to the suffering of other people”, states James Keenan. Overall, James Keenan went over six attempts to return home – all of them were cancelled.

During those seven weeks, James Keenan observed a strict daily schedule working from 8.00 am until 4.00 pm without any distractions. During working hours, he communicated intensively with his regional Robit partners and thus, maintained his normal working routines. The hard work spawned few good orders for Robit. One of them was a-two-year contract to supply drilling tools to Al Masane Al Kobra Mining Co (AMAK) in Saudi Arabia for their underground jumbo rigs. The tools are supplied by Robit’s distributor, Bin Harkhil.

The most difficult times came up during free time. “I felt heavy, but once again, I just needed to accept the fact that I had no choice, but to stay calm”, James Keenan recalls. Having regular Skype calls with his family, James Keenan was reassured that his family was in a good health and that the period was temporary.

During curfew in Jeddah, James Keenan was allowed for one-hour shopping between 6.00 am and 3.00 pm each day. The local daily English newspaper and Arab media were keeping up daily information regarding COVID-19. Thus, it was easy to follow restrictions.

The light at the end of the tunnel appeared, as Cyprian government together with its embassy in Riyadh and Saudi Arabian government started to coordinate an evacuation flight for Cypriots. Altogether 60 Cypriot passengers from Jeddah and Riyadh were successfully flown to Larnaca, Cyprus on 27th April. All the passengers were directed through corona test to a two-week quarantine.

James Keenan is one of the Cypriots, who is now in quarantine. A week is behind, another one ahead. “I look forward to seeing my family and having a nice barbeque altogether”, James Keenan rejoices the upcoming homecoming.

We are glad to have James Keenan back in Cyprus safe and well.

Let’s take care of ourselves – and others!

Evacuation Flight – The Cyprus airways aircraft brought us home!

WE ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU!

Robit provides the widest offering in top quality drilling consumables.

Robit is a strongly internationalized growth company servicing global customers and selling drilling consumables for applications in mining, construction and contracting, tunneling and well drilling. We are focusing on drilling consumables only (OPEX) in global market. Despite the current global situation with #Covid19, we answer your enquiries without delays, our deliveries from factories are uneffected and supply chain remains solid.

Find out more: Robit Consumables for Mining and Quarrying