Final Results
14 November 2005
PipeHawk Plc ('the Group' or 'the Company')
Preliminary Results
for the year ending 30 June 2005
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
As a provider of services to the utilities, particularly the water sector, the
Company was badly affected by the delay in Ofwat's pricing recommendations for
the sector. This was finally resolved at the end of 2004 and the way is now
clear for the water utilities to begin a major capital expenditure programme
over the next five years.
In last year's Annual Report and my Interim Statement I referred to our
strategy of investing for the future, coupled with a firm handle on costs and
cash control. I am pleased to tell you that, as a result of the implementation
of these actions, the Group is able to report a record turnover of £1,477,000
(2004: £1,010,000) for the year ended 30 June 2005 and almost a breakeven
result after taxation in the second half of the year (loss after taxation: £
27,000 (2004: loss £426,000)). Hence our loss for the year has reduced to £
297,000 (2004: £717,000). We have reinforced our position as the UK leader in
underground mapping; a market, which has enormous potential, with PipeHawk as a
world leader in the technology of Ground Probing Radar. My fellow directors and
I believe we will be moving into profitability at the operating level in the
current year and I am looking forward to reporting meaningful earnings.
The Group has four major business areas
1. Adien
Adien - our high definition underground mapping and planning service. Our
strategy of broadening our sales efforts beyond the water industry is yielding
good levels of enquiries, conversions and sales. Adien continues to be the
leader in its field of reliable and accurate identification when producing
topographical surveys of the underground environment. It now also operates on
an international basis having worked in Kuwait and mainland Europe during a
year when sales increased by 51 per cent. to £1,148,000. In the current year a
further increase in sales is expected and currently Adien's order book is some
40 per cent. ahead of the same period last year. Adien has strengthened its
sales team during the year and has also recently signed an important agreement
with Leica Geosystems Limited to upgrade surveying equipment which will improve
on-site efficiencies leading to greater market penetration. Our technology
division has spent much time during the year refining and improving PipeHawk's
information gathering capacity to assist Adien in maintaining its leading
position and providing a compelling selling proposition to Adien's clients.
2. SUMO - a 40 per cent. owned joint venture, which provides an instant mark
out service.
SUMO added two new franchisees to its UK coverage during the year, and
increased by 50 per cent. its company owned capability. During the year the
Sumo franchisee turnover increased by 149 per cent. to £548,274 (2004: £
219,875) and cut losses to £54,000. Like Adien, SUMO's sales and operations
activities have continued to grow and, since the year-end Sumo has reached
break even.
The recent high profile court cases regarding health and safety issues
demonstrates that it is increasingly important in the minds of company
directors involved in ground breaking activities, to procure the services of
Adien and SUMO.
3. Handheld Pipe Detector
During the year our technology division completed the development and prototype
stage of our handheld pipe detector in association with the North East Gas
Association ('NEGAS') of America. We produced a lightweight monostatic Ground
Probing Radar capable of complying with the stringent American FCC regulations.
NEGAS is currently assessing the prototype and deciding which manufacturer they
wish to allow to participate in the licensing and distribution of the final
product.
4. Mine Detection
An outline design and specification for an operational landmine detection
vehicle has been produced and lodged with the Company's lawyers. We have
retained the services of an acknowledged expert in the field of European grants
and have submitted a detailed proposal to the European Union to develop the
detection vehicle to the point of production. We await a decision on the
application to the European Union and are advised that it is being viewed
positively. This is an extremely exciting project, as the grant will see the
fruition of over 20 years work by PipeHawk and its predecessor companies to
produce such a vehicle.
Strategy and Outlook
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.
The current year has started well and I am confident that it will continue the
progress achieved over the last two years.
Gordon Watt
Chairman
14 November 2005
Consolidated Profit and Loss Account
For the year ended 30th June 2005
2005 2004
£'000 £'000
Turnover
Group and share of joint venture 1,477 1,010
Less: share of joint venture turnover (102) (67)
Group Turnover - total 1,375 943
Group operating costs (1,689) (1,715)
Group operating loss (314) (772)
Share of operating loss in joint venture (25) (69)
Loss on ordinary activities before interest and (339) (841)
taxation
Group interest receivable and similar income - 1
Group interest payable and similar charges (55) (52)
Loss on ordinary activities before taxation (394) (892)
Tax on profit on ordinary activities 97 175
Transfer from reserves (297) (717)
2005 2004
p p
Loss per share
Basic and diluted (1.3) (3.3)
There are no recognised gains or losses other than those reported above.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
As at 30th June 2005
2005 2004
£'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Intangible assets 241 255
Tangible assets 239 365
Investment in joint venture:
Share of gross assets 39 45
Share of gross liabilities (43) (211)
(4) (166)
Goodwill - 39
Loan to Joint Venture - 148
(4) 21
476 641
Current assets
Stocks 263 281
Debtors 469 285
732 566
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (1,260) (720)
Net Current liabilities (543) (154)
Total assets less current liabilities (52) 487
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one (111) (353)
year
Provisions for liabilities and charges - -
Net (liabilities)/assets (163) 134
Capital and reserves
Called up equity share capital 232 232
Share premium account 4,081 4,081
Profit and loss account (4,476) (4,179)
Equity shareholders' (deficit)/funds (163) 134
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
For the year ended 30th June 2005
2005 2004
£'000 £'000
Net cash flow from operating activities (126) (586)
Returns on investments and servicing of
finance
Interest received - 1
Interest element of finance lease rentals (3) (16)
and hire purchase payments
Interest paid (52) (36)
(55) (51)
Corporation tax received 96 105
Capital expenditure and financial
investment
Payments for tangible fixed assets (43) (153)
Loan to joint venture - (68)
Receipts from sale of current asset - 95
investment
Receipts from sale of tangible fixed - 4
assets
(43) (122)
Cash outflow before use of liquid (128) (654)
resources and financing
Financing
New loans 216 -
Repayment of loans (15) (51)
Capital element of finance lease and hire (26) (28)
purchase payments
Issue of ordinary shares - 682
175 603
Increase/(Decrease) in cash 47 (51)
Notes to the Cash Flow Statement
A. Reconciliation of Operating Loss to Net Cash Outflow from Operating
Activities
2005 2004
£'000 £'000
Operating loss (314) (772)
Amortisation of intangible assets 14 17
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 169 146
Loss on sale of investments - 4
Working capital movements
Stock and work in progress 17 59
Debtors (182) 65
Creditors 170 (105)
Net cash outflow from operating activities (126) (586)
B. Reconciliation of Net Cash Flow to Movement of Net Debt
2005 2004
£'000 £'000
Increase/(Decrease) in cash 47 (51)
Cash (outflow)/inflow from increase in debt and hire (175) 79
purchase finance
Decrease/(Increase) in net debt from cash flows (128) 28
(Increase)/Reduction in net debt (128) 28
Opening net debt (598) (626)
Closing net debt (726) (598)
C. Analysis of changes in net debt
1 July 2004 Cash flows 30 June 2005
£'000 £'000 £'000
Cash at bank and in hand - - -
Bank Overdraft (197) 47 (150)
Cash (197) 47 (150)
Loans (375) (201) (576)
Hire purchase agreements (26) 26 -
Borrowings (401) (175) (576)
Net debt (598) (128) (726)
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 30th June, 2005, 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. Loss per share
The calculation of the basic loss per share is based on the loss on ordinary
activities after taxation of £297,000 (2004: loss £717,000) divided by
23,203,808 (2004: 21,798,121) ordinary shares, being the weighted average
number of shares in issue during the period.
3. Dividend
The Directors are not proposing the payment of a dividend in respect of the
period ended 30th June, 2005.
4. Taxation
2005 2004
£'000 £'000
United Kingdom Corporation Tax
Current taxation (80) (90)
Adjustments in respect of prior years (17) (95)
(97) (185)
Deferred taxation - -
Tax on loss on ordinary activities (97) (185)
2005 2004
£'000 £'000
Loss on ordinary activities before taxation (391) (892)
Theoretical tax at UK corporation tax rate (117) (268)
30%
Effects of:
- losses brought forward (26) -
- joint ventures' losses unrelieved 8 21
- R&D tax credit adjustments 27 20
- other expenditure that is not tax 4 8
deductible
- adjustments in respect of prior years (17) (95)
- accelerated capital allowances 24 5
- losses carried forward - 134
Actual current taxation charge (97) (175)
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
Johnny Townsend/Simon Clements Tel: 020 7628 2200
J M Finn
Sam Smith Tel: 020 7628 9688