Laval, Québec, Canada – September 15, 2020 – Savaria Corporation (“Savaria”) (TSX: SIS) one of the global leaders in the accessibility industry, announces today that its Board of Directors approved an increase to the Corporation’s monthly dividend, raising it from 3.8 cents ($0.0383) to 4 cents ($0.04) per common share, representing an increase of 4.3%. On an annual basis, this represents an increase of 2 cents ($0.02), raising the dividend to 48 cents ($0.48) per share. This increase will apply to the dividends payable monthly starting on October 8, 2020 to shareholders of record of the Corporation at the close of business on September 30, 2020. This is an eligible dividend within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
A Word from the President
“The global economic uncertainty stemming from COVID-19 forces Savaria to be cautious about increasing its dividends. For the past five years, we have increased our dividend from 20 cents in 2015 to 46 cents in 2019, representing a 26% average annual increase,“ stated Mr. Marcel Bourassa, President and Chief Executive Officer of Savaria.
“We are proud to have been added to the S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrat index earlier this year. At this time, the Corporation has a strong balance sheet, with little debt. More importantly, in the first six months of 2020 we have realized $26.8 million in adjusted EBITDA, representing an 8.4% increase over the same period in 2019 ($24.7 million). Our industry is really one that remains essential to provide equipment for the growing need of mobility issues and our “Stay at Home with SavariaTM” motto is something we believe resonates with a worldwide audience. I thank our employees for their contributions to our success through the challenges of the pandemic,” concluded Mr. Bourassa.
About Savaria Corporation
Savaria Corporation (savaria.com) is one of the global leaders in the accessibility industry. It provides accessibility solutions for the physically challenged to increase their comfort, their mobility and their independence. Its product line is one of the most comprehensive on the market. Savaria designs, manufactures, distributes and installs accessibility equipment, such as stairlifts for straight and curved stairs, vertical and inclined wheelchair lifts and elevators for home and commercial use. It also manufactures and markets a comprehensive selection of pressure management products for the medical market, medical beds for the long-term care market, as well as an extensive line of medical equipment and solutions for the safe handling of patients. In addition, Savaria converts and adapts vehicles to be wheelchair accessible. The Corporation operates a sales network of dealers worldwide and direct sales offices in North America, Europe (Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Poland and United Kingdom), Australia and China. Savaria employs approximately 1,430 people globally and its plants are located across Canada in Laval and Magog (Québec), Brampton, Beamsville and Toronto (Ontario) and Surrey (British Columbia), in the United States at Greenville (South Carolina), in Huizhou (China), in Milan (Italy) and in Newton Abbot (United Kingdom).