Jump to main content (accesskey s) Jump to site navigation Jump to site index (accesskey 3) Menu Dynamic capital allocation Our final actionable component is dynamic capital allocation; the consistent application of our capital application policy to optimise capital deployment for the benefit of all our stakeholders. Maintaining financial and operational flexibility enables us to flex our business and operational models through the economic cycle. This enables us to react quickly to both opportunities in the market and negative changes. The more growth we experience and plan for, the more financial and operational flexibility we need. A key element of our strategy is ensuring we have the financial strength to enable growth when appropriate and make our returns sustainable. Having a strong balance sheet is fundamental to our success at all stages in the cycle. Our consistently applied policy continues with the following allocation priorities: Organic growth investment in existing locations and greenfield sites Bolt-on acquisitions Returns to shareholders – progressive dividend policy and share buy-backs to maintain target leverage range A core element of our financial stability comes from our strategy of ensuring that, averaged across the economic cycle, we always deliver RoI well ahead of our cost of capital. RoI through the cycle is the key measure for any rental company and the best medium-term indicator of the strength of the business. We do this in a variety of ways at different stages of the cycle, all focused on the effective management of invested capital and financial discipline. The maturity of our stores has a big impact on RoI. As stores mature, and the size and range of fleet increases, there is natural margin and returns progression. Stores that were greenfield sites only two years ago are now already adding same-store growth. We are always focused on moving new and young stores up the maturity curve as there is scope for higher returns as they progress. This also means that we are now at a very different stage in our evolution in the current economic cycle relative to where we were in the last cycle. We have more stores and they are larger and more mature than at the peak of the last cycle, and are well placed to take advantage of growth opportunities and much better placed to weather downturns, when they arise, as we have seen over the last year. We have been consistent in our commitment to both low leverage and a well invested fleet, and we benefit from the options this strategy has provided. Traditionally, rental companies have only generated cash in a downturn when they reduce capital expenditure and age their fleet. In the upturn, they consume cash as they replace their fleets and then seek to grow. We have changed this dynamic with our scale and strong margins. This financial position, when combined with the scale, maturity and diversity of the business, puts us in a strong position as we embark on Sunbelt 3.0. As a result, free cash flow from operations will fund 100% of our ambitious 3.0 organic growth plans leaving significant capacity for bolt-ons and returns to shareholders. Lead with ESG The fourth of our actionable components is to embrace responsible sustainability and success for our people, our customers, our communities and our investors. Find out more Cultural elements We believe our culture drives the success of our business and our cultural elements underpin our five actionable components. Find out more HomeAbout usStrategic reviewOur strategic prioritiesDynamic capital allocation COMPANY About us Our businesses ESG Investors Newsroom Careers Contact GLOBAL SITES Sunbelt Rentals Sunbelt Rentals UK CONTACT US Ashtead Group plc 100 Cheapside London EC2V 6DT Phone: + 44 (0) 20 7726 9700 ©2021 Ashtead Group plc. All rights reserved Contact Site map Modern Slavery statement Privacy policy Cookie policy Disclaimer This site uses unobtrusive cookies to store information on your computer. By using our site you accept the terms of our Privacy Policy. Read more in our Cookie policy. Close Close