Interim Results
4imprint Group PLC
18 September 2001
Press Release 18 September 2001
4imprint Group plc
Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2001
4imprint Group plc, the leading global distributor of imprinted promotional
products, today reports its Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June
2001.
Highlights
* turnover from continuing operations up 5.5% to £45.7 million
* profit before tax, exceptional items and goodwill amortisation £944,000,
(£2,014,000 half year 2000)
* earnings per share (EPS) pre goodwill amortisation of 2.3p
* new dividend policy implemented - interim dividend of 1.0p per ordinary
share
* integration of US-based AIA franchise operations on target
* other operating divisions performing well and poised for growth
* Nissan Europe added to global 'blue chip' client list
* market share worldwide still increasing
Commenting on the Results, Dick Nelson, Chief Executive of 4imprint Group plc,
said:
'The resources we have put in place during the first half of this year puts us
in a position to gain market share in a highly fragmented market. The results
for the six months to end of June 2001 are the first to reflect our new
dividend policy that we made reference to in our review of the full year's
results in 2000.
'Although we remain cautious about the effect of the economy on our US direct
marketing business in the second half of this year, we are working on a number
of new substantial programme opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic that
should have a positive effect on the group from 2002 and beyond.'
- Ends -
www.4imprint.com / www.4imprint.co.uk
For further information, please contact:
4imprint Group plc
Dick Nelson, Chief Executive Tel: +00 1 (920) 236 7270
Email: dnelson@4imprint.com
Issued by:
Julian Bosdet / Henry Harrison-Topham
Bankside Consultants Limited Tel: +44 (0) 20 7444 4141
Email: henry.ht@bankside.com
2001 Interim Results announcement
Introduction
4imprint Group has continued to increase its market share worldwide, despite
the problems with the US economy and the knock-on effects that they have
created in the UK and the rest of the world. At the same time, the Company
also continues to invest in the systems and processes it will need to support
its future growth.
The integration of Adventures in Advertising Franchise, Inc. (AIA), the
acquisition made in December of last year, is proceeding on plan as we now
begin to convert their 450 'plus' franchise owners into OASIS, the Company's
bespoke enterprise operating system. Additionally, the franchise owner
network has responded extremely positively to the expanded support they now
have available to them. Evidence of this can already be seen by a number of
corporate programme contract wins as well as a growing number of programmes
that are in various stages of discussion.
Financial Summary
It is most encouraging to report that group turnover is up by 5.5% to £45.7
million in the Company's continuing operations. Every even year our direct
import division, PPI, experiences significant revenues from major sporting
events such as the World Cup. Management has been successful in diversifying
revenues towards more predictable streams in this division as evidenced by
PPI's first half sales of £7.6 million, which are more than double the £2.9
million it achieved in 1999, the last 'non-event' year, though down £3.7
million from 2000.
Profits before tax and goodwill amortisation were £940,000 compared with £
2,041,000 last year. This decrease is largely the result of lower profit by
the US direct marketing operations, reallocation of central costs and the '
one-off' costs associated with the AIA acquisition referred to below. The
Board has declared an interim dividend of 1.0p per ordinary share that
implements the new dividend policy as set out in the full report and accounts
for 2000.
Adventures in Advertising contributed turnover of $3.3 million for the half
year but incurred losses of $400,000 due to the seasonal nature of the
business, including one-off costs of $250,000, relating to its acquisition in
respect of the termination of its credit facility with GE Capital and the
winding down of its contract with its previous software provider.
Cash outflow in the first half of the year amounted to £16m, the non-recurring
factors being the acquisition of AIA (£11 million) and the acceleration of
payments to AIA suppliers (£3 million). Further detail is shown in the cash
flow statement.
Corporate Programmes
Our corporate programme division designs, sources,
manufacturers, warehouses and distributes promotional products for such major
clients as Audi, British Airways, BT, Gillette, IBM, JCB, L'Oreal, Microsoft,
ntl:, Rolls Royce, and UNISYS.
Turnover in UK corporate programmes was up 11% in the first half, virtually on
budget. From a near standing start last year, nearly 18% of our corporate
programme orders came in through the client internet stores. Additionally,
the team has won seven new contracts in the last three months against no
losses. These wins, which include Nissan Europe and others will yield
estimated annualised revenue of £5 million.
US corporate programme turnover was more than double last year's first half,
but is from a much smaller base than in the UK. However, this part of the
Company is poised for considerable growth and has won in recent weeks several
significant multi-year contracts that will add annualised estimated revenue of
$10 million. These include new programmes with Hitachi Data Systems,
Brunswick and Raley's, which will produce estimated combined annual revenue of
over $5 million, that have been won by AIA franchise owners, an excellent
result that we anticipated at the time of the acquisition.
Direct Marketing
Our direct marketing division posts over 10 million catalogues
and other mailing pieces annually and serves over 150,000 customers worldwide.
UK direct marketing and field sales were up 25% over the first half of last
year, driven by an increase in catalogues posted and greater productivity from
the reorganised sales force. Twenty-five percent of the direct marketing
orders are now coming in over the internet, which has a positive impact on
processing costs.
Order count was up slightly in the US direct marketing business though
additional costs were incurred as16% more catalogues were posted this year
than last. A slippage in the average order value has left turnover level
with last year though exchange rate movements lifted revenues by £1.7 million.
Gross margins have remained the same. It is pleasing to report that the
busiest order intake week in the US direct marketing division's history took
place in the second week of August, only to be eclipsed with another new
record in the fourth week of August.
Premiums
Our premium division designs, sources and arranges offshore
manufacturing of large one-off imprinted product orders most often used by
larger companies in consumer promotions.
Our direct import business in the UK continues to move away from its
dependence on major events, for example the World Cup, with contracts such as
the one the Company has to provide airline amenity kits for several of the
world's leading carriers. As a result, turnover is up more than two and
one-half times on the first half of 1999, the last year when there were no
significant world sporting events.
We have added staff in both the USA and Hong Kong to support the growth of the
US direct import business, which will be driven largely by the AIA franchise
owner network. This expanded resource was introduced to the owners in the
latter part of the first half and, as lead times are quite long in the import
business, we have achieved only limited billable US direct import sales in the
first half. However, there is much in the pipeline that bodes well for the
second half of 2001 and for next year.
Partner Services
Our Partner Services division's charter is to leverage our
bespoke enterprise operating systems and industry-leading supply chain
management processes into other channels of distribution.
The Company's acquisition of AIA at the end of last year was its first effort
to leverage its processes and systems on a wider scale. In the first half
Service Fee Income, the 'royalties' AIA receives on sales billed through it
system, increased 63%, while System Wide Billings were up 32% to $47.4
million. Service Fee Income has increased at more than double the rate of
billings because the Company has expanded its services to the franchise owners
in recent years and is therefore able to charge additional fees.
The 62 new franchises sold in the first half were a little below plan as a
number of prospects took a wait-and-see attitude after it was announced at the
beginning of the year that AIA had been acquired. This initial scepticism has
since evaporated as the expanded services and financial support brought to AIA
by 4imprint has become better known. Sales activity in recent months has
accelerated and we expect to outpace last year's total in the second half.
As AIA continues to shift to the 'conversion' phase of franchising, we are
attracting more people who have industry experience. As a result, a larger
percentage of those joining the system now have an existing customer base and
an active order book. These 'veteran' owners pay a lower initial fee because
they require less training and therefore absorb fewer company resources than
do those who are new to the industry. However, these 'industry-experienced'
owners also produce billable sales at both a faster and higher rate, yielding
more immediate Service Fee Income for the Company.
Current plans call for the introduction of a variation of the AIA model into
the UK next year, after the systems integration has been completed in the US.
Outlook
The resources we have been adding to the Company over the last six months have
put us in a position to gain market share in a highly fragmented market in
challenging times. Though our US direct marketing business has shown
considerable strength in recent weeks, we remain cautious about the effect of
the economy on this division in the second half. We are working on a number
of new substantial corporate programme opportunities on both sides of the
Atlantic, which in a logical market would have a positive effect from 2002 and
beyond. Unfortunately, market uncertainties have increased following the
tragic events in the United States last week and it is too early to assess the
impact it will have on our businesses.
Dick Nelson
Chief Executive
18 September 2001
Financial Summary
for the six months to 30 June 2001
Half year Half year Full year
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
30 June 1 July 30 December
2001 2000 2000
Turnover
Continuing operations £45.68m £43.28m £88.03m
Discontinued operations - £25.55m £28.65m
£45.68m £68.83m £116.68m
Operating profit/(loss)
Continuing operations £0.20m £1.93m £3.81m
Discontinued operations - £(2.66)m £(3.72)m
£0.20m £(0.73)m £0.09m
Profit/(loss) before taxation,
goodwill amortisation and
exceptional items
Continuing operations £0.94m £2.04m £4.79m
Discontinued operations - £(2.66)m £(3.72)m
£0.94m £(0.62)m £1.07m
Exceptional item (Disposals & - £(44.55)m £(45.88)m
reorganisation)
Dividends per share
Ordinary 1.00p 6.45p 18.65p
Earnings/(loss) per share
Basic 1.16p (158.72)p (160.84)p
Diluted 1.16p (157.96)p (160.83)p
Pre goodwill amortisation 2.30p (158.37)p (160.15)p
Shareholders' funds £47.02m £47.32m £45.84m
Net cash / (debt) £4.02m £(5.32)m £20.00m
Gearing - 11% -
These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes.
Consolidated Profit & Loss Account
Unaudited, for the six months to 30 June 2001
Half Year Half Year Full Year
2001 2000 2000
£'000 £'000 £'000
Turnover 45,680 68,826 116,678
Operating profit/(loss) before 665 (592) 370
goodwill amortisation
Goodwill amortisation (469) (138) (277)
Operating profit/(loss) 196 (730) 93
Exceptional item : loss on sale of
businesses and fundamental - (44,547) (45,884)
reorganisation
Interest 279 (23) 704
Profit/(loss) before taxation 475 (45,300) (45,087)
Taxation (142) 807 (275)
Profit/(loss) after taxation 333 (44,493) (45,362)
Dividends : Ordinary & (287) (1,822) (5,350)
preference
Transfer to/(from) reserves 46 (46,315) (50,712)
Earnings per share
Basic 1.16p (158.72)p (160.84)p
Diluted 1.16p (157.96)p (160.83)p
Pre goodwill 2.30p (158.37)p (160.15)p
amortisation
Dividend per ordinary share: 1.00p 6.45p 18.65p
These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes.
Reconciliation of Movement in Shareholders' Funds
Unaudited At 30 June At 1 July At 30 December
2001 2000 2000
£'000 £'000 £'000
Profit/(loss) for the 333 (44,493) (45,362)
financial period
Dividends (287) (1,822) (5,350)
46 (46,315) (50,712)
Other recognised gains and losses 1,128 (33) (374)
relating to the period
Shares issued in the - 54 1,727
period
Redemption of - - (208)
preference share
capital
Goodwill reinstated - 29,789 31,590
on disposal of
subsidiaries
Net movement in 1,174 (16,505) (17,977)
shareholders' funds
Opening shareholders' 45,845 63,822 63,822
funds
Closing shareholders' 47,019 47,317 45,845
funds
These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes.
Consolidated Balance Sheet Unaudited
At At At 30 December
30 June 1 July
2001 2000 2000
£'000 £'000 £'000
Fixed assets 25,079 34,099 22,143
Current assets
Stock 5,412 21,074 5,732
Debtors due within one year 39,577 33,748 39,635
Debtors due after more than one 5,368 3,963 7,005
year
Cash at bank and in hand 19,800 4,988 28,110
70,157 63,773 80,482
Creditors due within one year (40,632) (42,006) (49,352)
Net current assets 29,525 21,767 31,130
Pension cost prepayment - 11,556 -
Total assets less current 54,604 67,422 53,273
liabilities
Creditors due after more than one (5,333) - (5,221)
year
Provisions for liabilities and (2,252) (20,105) (2,207)
charges
Net assets 47,019 47,317 45,845
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 11,044 11,052 11,044
Other reserves 35,975 36,265 34,801
Shareholders' funds 47,019 47,317 45,845
Analysis of shareholders' funds
Equity 47,019 47,109 45,845
Non-equity - 208 -
47,019 47,317 45,845
Net cash/(debt) 4,021 (5,316) 19,997
Cash/(debt) as a percentage of 9% -11% 44%
shareholders funds
These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes.
Consolidated Cashflow
Unaudited, for the six months to 30 June 2001
Notes Half Half Full
Year Year Year
2001 2000 2001
£'000 £'000 £'000
Cash inflow from operating 6 1,068 4,984 183
activities
Returns on investments and 207 (23) 772
servicing of finance
Taxation (111) (418) (797)
Capital expenditure (2,815) (3,902) (4,745)
Acquisitions (10,954) (3,259) (1,863)
Disposals 266 1,476 37,672
Equity dividends paid (3,490) (3,430) (5,272)
Cash (outflow) / inflow before (15,829) (4,572) 25,950
the use of liquid resources and
financing
Financing
Issue of shares 67 54 1,689
Increase/(repayment) of loans 7,801 3,724 (2,700)
Capital element of finance lease (7) (162) (179)
rental payments
7,861 3,616 (1,190)
(Decrease)/increase in cash in (7,968) (956) 24,760
the period
Cash (outflow)/inflow from (7,794) (3,562) 2,879
movement in debt and
finance leasing
Change in net debt resulting (15,762) (4,518) 27,639
from cashflows
Debt acquired with subsidiaries - - (7,139)
Finance leases disposed of with - - 31
subsidiaries
Translation difference (214) (194) 70
Cash (outflow)/inflow in the (15,976) (4,712) 20,601
period
Opening net cash/(debt) 19,997 (604) (604)
Closing net cash/(debt) 4,021 (5,316) 19,997
These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes.
Notes to the Financial Statements
1 Basis of preparation
This Interim Report for the half year ended 30 June 2001 has not been
audited and does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of
S240 of the Companies Act 1985. The financial information has been prepared
on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Group's Annual
Report & Accounts for the year ended 30 December 2000. These accounts carry
an unqualified auditor's report and have been delivered to the Registrar of
Companies. The comparative results for the year ended 30 December 2000 are
abridged, and as such do not represent statutory accounts.
2 Segmental Analysis 2001 2000
Sales Op. profit Sales Op. profit
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
ORIGIN
United Kingdom 24,878 347 26,711 971
United States 20,802 (151) 16,569 955
Businesses disposed of - - 25,546 (2,656)
TOTAL 45,680 196 68,826 (730)
PRODUCT
Promotional Marketing 45,680 196 43,280 1,926
Businesses disposed of - - 25,546 (2,656)
TOTAL 45,680 196 68,826 (730)
3 Taxation
The taxation charge is calculated by applying the Directors' best estimate
of the Group's annual tax rate to the profit before taxation for the
period.
4 Dividend
The interim dividend for 2001 of 1.00p per ordinary share (2000 : 6.45p)
will be paid on 12 November 2001 to ordinary shareholders on the register
at the close of business on 19 October 2001.
5 Earnings Per Share
The Earnings Per Share for the half year is based on the profit after tax
of £333,000 (2000 : Loss - £44,501,000) and weighted average shares in
issue of 28,712,756 (2000 : 28,038,032).
The Diluted Earnings Per Share for the half year is based on the same
profit and loss figures as above, but takes into account the dilutive
effect of share options outstanding. The weighted average number of shares
in issue for Diluted Earnings Per Share purposes are 28,712,756 (2000 :
28,172,635).
The Earnings Per Share pre goodwill amortisation for the half year is based
on a profit after tax of £661,000 (2000: Loss - £44,404,000) and weighted
average shares in issue of 28,712,756 (2000 : 28,038,032)
6 Reconciliation of operating profit to operating cashflows
Half Half Full
Year Year Year
2001 2000 2000
£'000 £'000 £'000
Operating 196 (730) 93
profit/(loss)
Depreciation 843 2,668 3,537
charge
Amortisation of 469 138 277
goodwill
Profit on sale of (7) (24) (33)
tangible fixed
assets
Release of (35) (75) (150)
deferred profit on
sale and leaseback
Pension prepayment - 75 75
movement
Exceptional (27) (250) (1,256)
reorganisation
costs paid
Decrease/(increase) 348 (7,905) (6,350)
in stocks
Decrease in 3,138 15,468 11,617
debtors
Decrease in (3,857) (4,371) (7,230)
creditors
Expenditure - (10) (397)
against provisions
Net cash inflows from 1,068 4,984 183
operating activities