Techtronic Industries is one of a number of consumer discretionary or industrial manufacturing companies within our portfolio. We consider these companies to be, from an engagement perspective, ideal investments as each has multiple touch points with different SDGs. Techtronic is a Hong-Kong listed company focused on the US consumer market, with predominantly Chinese manufacturing operations for its power tools and floor-care products, principally sold under its Milwaukee brand.
The attraction of the stock is its exemplary innovation record, which has resulted in it rapidly taking market share in the industry verticals it has chosen to target. This was evident to us in a recent visit to the global R&D centre of Milwaukee – one of the most impressive company visits that Hamish Galpin, Lead Manager of the Fund, has undertaken in his 29 years as a professional stock picker.
From a financial perspective, if the company delivers on its aims of releasing innovative products, achieving further increases in market share and expanding into new markets, it should sustain a strong growth profile for a number of years to come. The stock has a similar margin and return profile to its larger and better-known competitor, Stanley Black and Decker, and we believe its slightly higher return on equity and price-to-earnings ratio are justified by the track record and quality of the business.
Techtronic has exposure to the SDGs:
SDG 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
SDG 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
SDG 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Engagement progress
The value of investments and income from them may go down as well as up, and you may not get back the original amount invested.
Any investments overseas may be affected by currency exchange rates.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results and targets are not guaranteed.
Investing in smaller/medium sized companies may carry higher risks than investing in larger companies.
Investments in emerging markets tend to be more volatile than those in mature markets and the value of an investment can move sharply down or up.