Scott Technology breaks through 'revenue plateau' with record year

Automation and robotics company Scott Technology has posted a record annual result, with revenue up 7 percent and earnings growing faster than sales.

Key numbers for the year to 31 August 2026 compared with a year ago:

• Net profit $15.7m vs $14.2m
• Revenue $294.1m vs $275m
• Operating earnings $36.1m vs $31.5m
• Recurring revenue $95m, 32.3 percent of group revenue
• Net debt $7.7m vs $12.3m
• Final dividend 5 cents per share, 9 cents for the full year

Growth was led by its mining division and its materials handling and logistics business.

Mining revenue rose 22 percent to $62.3m, helped by strong demand for its Rocklabs equipment, greater automation adoption and expanded sales and service in North America.

Materials handling and logistics revenue rose 5 percent to $129.9m, with the business securing its first Australian customer and widening its focus to food and consumer goods sectors including meat, dairy, bakery and snacks.

Recurring revenue from its lifecycle services, linked to its growing installed base of equipment, reached $95m, or 32.3 percent of group revenue.

"One year into Destination 2030, we have broken through the revenue plateau while making meaningful changes to how Scott operates," Chief executive Mike Christman said.

He said the company was getting closer to customers, directing innovation towards clearly defined market opportunities, and becoming "more customer-led, focused and scalable".

The company said momentum was particularly strong in the second half, with operating earnings up 78 percent on the first half, which it said augured well for the year ahead.

Scott expects revenue of $310m to $340m in the 2027 financial year, and operating earnings of $36m to $41m.

It goes into the new year with $146m of forward work, down from $169m a year ago.

It said global economic and geopolitical uncertainty might continue to affect the timing of customer spending, but labour scarcity, safety, productivity and supply chain resilience continued to support demand for automation.

The company reaffirmed the targets in its Destination 2030 strategy of $530m in group revenue, with 35 percent coming from recurring revenue.