Final Results
PipeHawk Plc
("PipeHawk", "the Group" or "the Company")
Preliminary Results
for the year ended 30 June 2006
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
This year has marked a turning point in the fortunes of PipeHawk; for the first
time since the Company was admitted to trading on AIM in December 2000, the
Group is reporting a profit for the year.
I am delighted to report the turnover for the year ended 30 June 2006 was £
3,312,000, which is an increase of 124 per cent. on the previous year (2005 : £
1,477,000), and that the Company achieved a profit after taxation for the year
of £141,000 (2005 : loss £297,000). These improved results reflect the
contribution from QM Systems Limited ("QM Systems"), which was acquired in
March 2006. The results for the year include turnover of £1,257,000 and
operating profit of £231,000 relating to QM Systems. Notwithstanding the
contribution from QM Systems, turnover attributable to the PipeHawk business
increased by £578,000, to £2,047,000, an increase of 39 per cent. over the
previous year.
The integration of QM Systems is progressing well and is ahead of management's
expectations. Their technology development team is already working with
PipeHawk's Technology division on the next generation of PipeHawk GPR
equipment.
The trading performances of the Group's four major business areas are set out
below;
Adien
Adien, our high definition underground mapping and planning service, has,
during the year, both increased its manpower and improved its use of technology
to increase the efficiency of its teams.
The change in strategy adopted during 2002, from selling GPR equipment to
providing a service to the utilities industry has, after some initial
scepticism, been well received. The use of GPR assisted surveys is now more
widely specified by the planning authorities; and is increasingly valued by
contractors as essential both for the smooth running of the contract and for
health and safety reasons.
From September 2006 Adien's service offering has been strengthened following
the issue by Ofcom of the first two GPR user licences to PipeHawk and Adien.
The licences have been issued following the regulation of the GPR industry
after years of negotiations with radio licensing authorities led by our
Technical Director, Richard Chignell. All users of GPR equipment operating
without a licence from Ofcom are now deemed to be working illegally and can be
subject to enforcement action.
The market for Adien's services continues to grow. This growth coupled with the
falling price of GPR equipment and increased availability of such equipment has
encouraged new entrants imitating the services of Adien to enter the market
resulting in some price competition. However, Adien's advantages of many year's
GPR experience, Ofcom licences, excellent service delivery and the links to
PipeHawk provide a level of protection against these new entrants.
SUMO
SUMO - a 36 per cent. owned joint venture, which provides instant mark out
services to its customers.
SUMO has also had a good year. It has increased its turnover to £1,449,000 from
£948,000 in 2005 and returned a profit of £2,000 for the year (2005: loss £
55,000). During the year it won the British Franchising Association's Brand
Builder of the Year Award. This has resulted in a significant increase in
demand for the Company's franchises. To accommodate this growth the Company has
moved to new, larger offices and has strengthened its management team.
SUMO received the third licence from Ofcom to operate GPR equipment.
During the year SUMO raised £100,000 from an outside investor for a 9 per cent.
holding in the company to finance its expansion. This investment places a value
of £1.1 million on SUMO and values PipeHawk's holding at £396,000, compared
with £15,000 shown on the Group's balance sheet.
Technology Division
I would like to congratulate Richard Chignell on his contribution to the
discussions with Ofcom which has resulted in a regulatory environment for GPR
equipment operation which the Board feel is fair and reasonable without being
heavy handed on a fledgling industry.
The Technology division has improved the efficiency and effectiveness of Adien
both in terms of "normal" subsurface information gathering and designing a GPR
system to find large diameter waterpipes buried under fields.
Considerable initial R & D work has been carried out in developing the next
generation of GPR equipment from an updated fully Ofcom compliant PipeHawk Mark
3 to the MineHawk, landmine detection vehicle. The Company has sought funding
for this landmine detection vehicle by way of an EU grant and the Board
anticipate receiving confirmation of this funding during the course of this
financial year.
QM Systems
The Company acquired QM Systems on 22 March 2006. QM Systems has a team of able
and skilled hardware and software designers, who develop and manufacture
innovative and cost effective solutions for clients, particularly in the
aerospace industry. They are currently working closely with Lockheed Martin and
Smiths Aerospace to develop rigorous testing systems for the power systems in
the Joint Strike Fighter Programme. If this initial development work is
successful the Board believe this may lead to a long term project.
Strategy and Outlook
Last year I said in my Chairman's Statement that "our strategy is to remain at
the forefront of applied GPR and non-invasive testing technologies, delivering
high quality value adding services and products which play a vital role in the
safety and protection of people worldwide".
2005/6 was a pivotal year in developing this strategy with:
i. achievement of a profit;
ii. obtaining three Ofcom licences; and
iii. the acquisition of QM Systems.
Our ongoing strategy remains as stated above. The current year has started well
and we are confident that we can build on the successes of the past year. We
now have better critical mass to achieve our aims.
Gordon Watt
Chairman
8 November 2006
Consolidated Profit and Loss Account
For the year ended 30 June 2006
2006 2005
£'000 £'000
Turnover
Group and share of joint venture 3,312 1,477
Less: share of joint venture turnover (529) (102)
Group turnover - total continuing activities 2,783 1,375
Group operating costs (2,690) (1,689)
Group operating profit/(loss) 93 (314)
Share of operating profit/(loss) in joint venture 19 (25)
Profit/(Loss) on ordinary activities before interest 112 (339)
and taxation
Group interest receivable and similar income 4 -
Group interest payable and similar charges (44) (55)
Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before taxation 72 (394)
Tax on profit on ordinary activities 69 97
Transfer to reserves 141 (297)
2006 2005
p p
Earnings/(Loss) per share
Basic 0.6 (1.3)
Diluted 0.4 (1.3)
There are no recognised gains or losses other than those reported above.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
As at 30 June 2006
2006 2006 2005 2005
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Intangible assets 1,121 241
Tangible assets 354 239
Investment in joint venture:
Share of gross assets 70 39
Share of gross liabilities (55) (43)
15 (4)
1,490 476
Current assets
Stocks 757 263
Debtors 969 469
Cash at bank 221 -
1,947 732
Creditors: amounts falling due within (2,088) (1,260)
one year
Net current liabilities (141) (528)
Total assets less current liabilities 1,349 (52)
Creditors: amounts falling due after (602) (111)
more than one year
Net assets/(liabilities) 747 (163)
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 267 232
Share premium account 4,815 4,081
Profit and loss account (4,335) (4,476)
Equity shareholders' funds/(deficit) 747 (163)
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
For the year ended 30 June 2006
2006 2005
£'000 £'000
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating 133 (126)
activities
Returns on investments and servicing of finance
Interest received 4 -
Interest element of finance lease rentals (3) (3)
Interest paid (41) (52)
93 (181)
Corporation tax received 77 96
Capital expenditure and financial investment
Payments for tangible fixed assets (96) (43)
Acquisitions and disposals
Cash acquired through purchase of subsidiary 221 -
Costs of acquisition (51) -
170 (43)
Cash inflow/(outflow) before use of liquid 244 (128)
resources and financing
Financing
New loans - 216
Repayment of loans (110) (15)
Capital element of finance lease and hire (21) (26)
purchase payments
(131) 175
Increase in cash 113 47
Notes to the Cash Flow Statement
A. Reconciliation of Operating Profit/(Loss) to Net Cash Outflow from Operating
Activities
2006 2005
£'000 £'000
Operating profit/(loss) 93 (314)
Amortisation of intangible assets 27 14
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 169 169
Working capital movements
Stock and work in progress 65 17
Debtors (323) (182)
Creditors 102 170
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating 133 (126)
activities
B. Reconciliation of Net Cash Flow to Movement of Net Debt
2006 2005
£'000 £'000
Increase in cash 113 47
Increase in debt and finance lease agreements (171) (175)
Increase in net debt from cash flows (58) (128)
Debt acquired with subsidiary (10) -
Increase in net debt (68) (128)
Opening net debt (726) (598)
Closing net debt (794) (726)
C. Analysis of changes in net debt
1 July Cashflow Acquisition 30 June
2005 of subsidiary 2006
£'000
£'000 £'000 £'000
Cash at bank and in hand - - 221 221
Bank overdraft (150) (108) - (258)
Cash (150) (108) 221 (37)
Loans (576) (69) (10) (655)
Finance leases - (102) - (102)
Borrowings (576) (171) (10) (757)
Net debt (726) (279) 211 (794)
Notes to the preliminary statements
1. Publication of non-statutory accounts
The financial information set out in this preliminary announcement does not
constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 240 of the Companies Act
1985.
The consolidated balance sheet at 30 June 2006, and the consolidated profit and
loss account, consolidated cash flow statement and associated notes for the
period then ended have been extracted from the Group's financial statements.
Those financial statements have not yet been delivered to the Registrar of
Companies.
2. Earnings/(loss) per share
This has been calculated on profits of £140,563 (2005: loss £297,000) and using
the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year of 24,223,972
(2005: 23,203,808).
3. Dividend
The Directors are not proposing the payment of a dividend in respect of the
year ended 30 June, 2006.
4. Taxation
2006 2005
£'000 £'000
United Kingdom Corporation Tax
Current taxation (70) (80)
Adjustments in respect of prior years 1 (17)
(69) (97)
Tax on loss on ordinary activities (69) (97)
2006 2005
£'000 £'000
Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before 72 (394)
taxation
Theoretical tax at UK corporation tax rate 21 (117)
30 per cent.
Effects of:
- losses brought forward (93) (26)
- joint ventures' losses unrelieved (6) 8
- R&D tax credit adjustments 15 27
- other expenditure that is not tax 2 4
deductible
- adjustments in respect of prior years 12 (17)
- accelerated capital allowances (3) 24
- short term timing differences (32) -
Actual current taxation charge (69) (97)
5. Report and Accounts
Copies of the Report and Accounts will be sent to shareholders in due course
and will be available from the Company's registered office.
Further Enquiries:
PipeHawk Plc
Gordon Watt, Chairman Tel: 01420 590990
John East & Partners Limited
Simon Clements Tel: 020 7628 2200
J M Finn
Sam Smith/Charles Cunningham Tel: 020 7628 9688