NTAW Holdings delivers gross margin improvement and $44 million inventory reduction in H1 FY2026
NTAW Holdings Limited (ASX: NTD) has reported its NTAW Holdings Half-Year Results for the six months ended 31 December 2025, marking the completion of the operational reset initiated in H2 FY2025. The Group achieved a gross profit margin of 30.3% (up from 29.3% in the prior corresponding period) and reduced inventory by $44.1 million since December 2024, whilst repaying $13.7 million in debt during the half.
Revenue for H1 FY2026 came in at $225.8 million, down 12.3% on the prior corresponding period, reflecting the deliberate exit from Dunlop distribution in Australia (approximately $27 million impact) and the closure of four Black Rubber retail stores (approximately $9 million impact). Operating EBITDAI reached $10.4 million (a 4.6% margin), whilst expenses declined to $58.6 million (down $8 million versus H1 FY2025). Net debt stood at $50.6 million at 31 December 2025, down from $64.2 million a year earlier.
The Group has completed the painful reset phase and is now positioned to pursue growth on a leaner cost base, with strategic supplier partnerships locked in and warehouse consolidation progressing across Australian capital cities.
| Metric | H1 FY2026 | H2 FY2025 | H1 FY2025 | % Change (H1 FY25) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue ($M) | $225.8 | $255.2 | $257.4 | -12.3% |
| Gross Margin (%) | 30.3% | 29.5% | 29.3% | +1.0pp |
| Operating EBITDAI ($M) | $10.4 | $19.8 | $10.9 | -4.9% |
| Inventory ($M) | $113.2 | $127.7 | $157.2 | -28.0% |
| Net Debt ($M) | $50.6 | $40.4 | $64.2 | -21.1% |
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Growth engines outperform as strategic business units gain momentum
Whilst Group revenue declined year-on-year, three strategically positioned business units delivered growth versus the prior corresponding period. Dynamic Wheel Co., Statewide Tyres, and Solid Plus all posted revenue increases, demonstrating the Group’s capacity to expand within its existing cost structure. Dynamic Wheel Co.’s successful expansion into New Zealand during H1 FY2026 provides proof of concept for replicating the model across trans-Tasman markets.
Black Rubber’s revenue decline of approximately $9 million was attributed to the deliberate closure of four retail stores in June 2025, rather than market failure. The closures formed part of a back-to-basics strategy focused on larger commercial retail stores. New Zealand operations held flat despite challenging economic conditions across the Tasman.
Key performance drivers:
- Dynamic Wheel Co.: Revenue growth achieved; New Zealand expansion commenced successfully
- Statewide Tyres: Growth recorded versus prior corresponding period
- Solid Plus: Growth recorded versus prior corresponding period
- Black Rubber: Decline driven by four store closures (June 2025)
- New Zealand units: Flat performance in difficult economic environment
Revenue growth in strategically positioned business units demonstrates the Group can expand on the existing cost structure, a critical precondition for margin expansion as the business transitions from defence to offence.
What is a wholesale tyre distributor?
NTAW Holdings operates as a business-to-business (B2B) wholesale distributor of tyres and wheels across Australia and New Zealand. The Group imports products from global manufacturers and distributes them to approximately 3,500 B2B customers, including tyre retailers, mechanics, car dealers, fleet operators, and mining companies. This differs from a retail model, where products are sold directly to consumers.
The Group’s revenue is driven by exclusive supplier partnerships, national logistics capability, and distribution infrastructure spanning passenger, commercial, agricultural, and mining tyre segments. NTAW operates sales and marketing teams alongside distribution centres in Australian and New Zealand capital cities, supported by retread manufacturing capabilities and customer service functions.
Understanding the B2B model helps investors appreciate why strategic supplier partnerships and cost discipline are critical levers for margin expansion. The Group does not compete for individual consumer sales; instead, it competes to be the preferred wholesale supplier for businesses that serve end customers.
Strategic supplier partnerships shift from transactional to long-term
During H1 FY2026, NTAW established a formal framework to define and implement Strategic Supplier Partnerships aimed at supporting sustainable revenue growth. The Group executed multi-year agreements (three years) with Giti, Cooper, Mickey Thompson, and Radar, transitioning from transactional relationships to strategic partnerships. These agreements include co-funded advertising and promotional support benefits, which commenced in January 2026. Additional partnerships are expected to be executed with other core suppliers during H2 FY2026.
The shift to multi-year agreements improves pricing certainty and joint go-to-market capability, creating a competitive moat that should support gross margin expansion beyond the current 30.3%. The partnerships promote transparency, agility, and accountability, with full benefits expected to materialise in H2 FY2026 and FY2027.
Balance sheet flexibility improves as debt reduction continues
NTAW’s balance sheet strengthened materially during H1 FY2026, completing the inventory reduction programme commenced in H2 FY2025. Inventory fell $44.1 million since December 2024 (from $157.2 million to $113.2 million), following rationalisation of suppliers and SKUs, disciplined stockturns, and ensuring products are located correctly to service customers. The Group repaid $13.7 million in debt during the half, with a further $2.25 million repaid post-balance date in February 2026.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has indicated support to ensure alignment of financial covenants with the Group’s trading environment. Financial covenants have been waived up to 31 March 2026, with the borrowing facility remaining in place until 30 September 2027. Net debt to debt plus equity stood at 34.6% at December 2025, compared to 36.0% a year earlier.
The Group’s exit from South Africa operations is progressing, with Tyrelife Solutions classified as held-for-sale and discontinued operations. The transaction is expected to complete during H2 FY2026.
Debt reduction milestones:
- $13.7 million repaid during H1 FY2026
- $2.25 million repaid in February 2026 (post-balance date)
- Net debt reduced to $50.6 million (from $64.2 million in December 2024)
- Additional repayments planned for FY2027
Warehouse consolidation progress:
- Adelaide consolidation completed (February 2026)
- Sydney excess space sublet during H1 FY2026
- Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth excess space being marketed
- Estimated long-term property savings: approximately $2 million per annum
Improved balance sheet flexibility provides optionality for reinvestment or further debt reduction, depending on how revenue growth opportunities materialise in H2 FY2026 and beyond.
Cost base refinements create operating leverage opportunity
The Group has finalised warehouse consolidation in Adelaide and sublet excess space in Sydney, with excess space in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth being marketed for third-party logistics or subleasing. Whilst precise savings are difficult to quantify due to timing, deal structures, and exit costs, management estimates potential long-term property savings of approximately $2 million per annum. Some benefits are forecast to be realised in H2 FY2026, subject to execution.
Headcount has been reduced by 14% since December 2024, with the primary opportunity now maintaining current non-direct headcount levels as revenue scales, rather than pursuing further reductions. IT expenditure is expected to remain relatively stable throughout H2 FY2026, with focus shifting from cost reduction to improved effectiveness and value realisation.
The goal is to maintain a relatively flat cost base whilst growing sales, creating operating leverage potential. If revenue grows on stable costs, margin expansion follows.
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Outlook and catalysts for H2 FY2026
NTAW is transitioning from defence (cost cutting) to offence (revenue growth), with H2 FY2026 as the proving ground. Dynamic Wheel Co. expansion in New Zealand will continue, following the successful launch in H1 FY2026. Fleet customers represent a significant growth opportunity across Carter’s Tyre Service (New Zealand retail), NTAW (Australian wholesale), and Black Rubber (Australian retail). The Group will finalise the Black Rubber operating model during H2 FY2026, after which the focus will shift to securing regional and national fleet contracts.
Strategic Supplier Partnerships are expected to drive promotional capability and market share gains, with the aim of increasing share of wallet and market share. Property savings are expected to begin realising in H2 FY2026, subject to execution. The Group expects a positive shift in gross profit, supported by more disciplined promotional activities, support from strategic supply partners, and continued improvements in freight.
Managing Director Warwick Hay
“1H2026 saw our focus shift from adjusting the expense base to driving growth in businesses with strong positioning, while also challenging other business units to find their growth path. Development of a strategic roadmap is underway to leverage existing core capabilities and create new offerings to help customers succeed. 2H2026 is focused on leveraging the reset and continuing to progress the business model.”
The Group has completed several projects to enable the focus to switch to targeted growth across all business units, with the operational reset now complete. H2 FY2026 will determine whether the leaner cost base can support margin expansion as revenue growth accelerates.
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