Interim Results
Sirdar PLC
16 March 2006
SIRDAR PLC
Interim Report
31st December 2005
Operating Review
Summary
• Group turnover up 7% to £38.4m
• Operating profit before exceptional items up 17%
• Adjusted earnings per share up 26%
• Interim dividend up 14% to 0.80p per share
• Transfer to Alternative Investment Market completed
• Streamlined board and new management structure in place
• Review of the Residential Floor Coverings business
• Continuation of strong performance from Specialist Yarns
Introduction
The six months to 31st December 2005 has been another period of change for the
group. The move to the Alternative Investment Market was completed on 21st
December 2005 and the simplified management structure is now in place. As part
of the ongoing process of change, the board instigated a thorough review of the
provision of audit services to the group. Following this review the board has
appointed Grant Thornton UK LLP as auditors to replace PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP.
In addition, the group transformation programme aimed at focusing on the
profitable growth of our existing operations is ongoing. All of the group's
employees have shown great commitment to this programme and the board is
grateful for their continued enthusiasm and dedication. The Specialist Yarns
division continues to provide proof that real benefits are achievable through
the implementation of a well planned and managed change process. As set out in
our last Annual Report, the Floor Coverings division is now the subject of
greater focus for the group board and subsidiary management.
The results
Turnover for the half year to 31st December 2005 was £38.4m (2004: £36.0m)
generating operating profit of £3.5m (2004: £3.4m (as restated), operating
profit before exceptional items £3.0m (as restated)). Earnings per share and
adjusted earnings per share were 3.84p representing an increase in earnings per
share of 4% (as restated) and an increase in adjusted earnings per share of 26%
(as restated).
Cash inflow from operating activities amounted to £1.7m (2004: £3.8m) with the
reduction reflecting additional working capital requirements. Net debt remained
unchanged at £9.2m.
The board has declared an increased interim dividend of 0.80p per share (2004:
0.70p). The dividend is payable on 8th May 2006 to those shareholders on the
register of members at the close of business on 18th April 2006.
Specialist Yarns
Sales in this division increased by 26% to £9.6m (2004: £7.6m) and operating
profit increased to £2.4m (2004: £1.8m (as restated) after net exceptional
credits of £0.4m).
The division's core ranges continued to benefit from a fashion led upturn in the
market for hand knitting yarn, particularly in the UK, and sales of technical
products under the Tilsatec brand have grown steadily. Management continue to
focus on the expansion of the division's customer base and product ranges in
order to capitalise on current conditions and provide a sound base for the
future.
Floor Coverings
Whilst sales of floor covering products increased by 2% to £28.8m (2004:
£28.3m), operating profit fell to £1.3m (2004: £1.9m (as restated)) as difficult
high street conditions and increased raw material and utility costs continue to
impact on margins.
A programme of substantial investment in people, products and processes within
Contract Floor Coverings has been undertaken, with a consequential impact on
overhead costs in the period. Whilst this sector of the market remains
difficult we are optimistic that this investment will enable the new management
team to overcome these difficulties.
As reported previously, the Residential Floor Coverings operation has been an
area of concern and the subject of significant attention as we seek to counter
the adverse trading conditions which have affected most players within this
market sector. Following a review of the business we have concluded that the
division continues to enjoy a strong reputation for the quality of its products
and services and that these provide a sound underpinning for the future of the
business.
Since the acquisition of the William Pownall business in 2002, a step-by-step
approach has been taken to integrating that business with the existing Ryalux
Carpets organisation. The last six-month period has seen the operation of the
two businesses brought together under a single management team with a consequent
simplification in administration and a reduction in cost.
It is envisaged that further streamlining and simplification of the Residential
Floor Coverings operation will be required to enable this operation to produce
an acceptable return on the group's investment and that the implementation of
any changes will be completed by the end of the calendar year 2007.
Management changes
The simplification of the group board structure, referred to in the last Annual
Report, took effect on 1st January 2006 following the retirement of Duncan
Verity. From that date, Steve Harrison assumed the role of chief operating
officer on a part-time basis. In view of the decentralised nature of the group
and the strong divisional management teams now in place, the new structure aims
to maintain the central costs of the group at an appropriate level and this
should lead to savings in this area in future periods.
Implementation of new financial reporting standards
The group is now required to adopt Financial Reporting Standard 17, Retirement
Benefits, and Financial Reporting Standard 21, Events after the Balance Sheet
Date, in its financial statements for the year ending 30th June 2006.
Accordingly the provisions of these standards have been applied in the interim
financial statements and comparative figures restated as appropriate.
The effect of applying these standards on the profit and loss account is set out
in note 6 and on shareholders' funds is set out in note 7.
Current trading and future prospects
Trading conditions in the early part of 2006 have shown no material change from
those apparent in the previous six months. Sales within the Specialist Yarns
division continue to be strong and there has been a modest element of growth
from Floor Coverings.
There is continued confidence within the Specialist Yarns division with market
conditions and product innovation, in both hand knitting and technical products,
giving cause for optimism. There are some signs of improvement in Floor
Coverings but the residential sector remains an area of concern and accordingly
is being given significant attention.
16th March 2006
Enquiries:
Steve Harrison
Chief Operating Officer, Sirdar PLC 01924 371 501
Kevin Henry
Finance & Planning Director, Sirdar PLC 01924 371 501
Andrew Kitchingman
Director - Corporate Finance, Brewin Dolphin Securities 0113 2410 130
Consolidated Profit and Loss Account
6 months ended 31st December 2005
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended 6 months ended year ended
31st December 31st December 30th June
2005 2004 2005
Restated Restated
Note £000 £000 £000
_______ _______ ________
Turnover 2 38,421 35,979 71,422
Operating costs (34,940) (33,010) (66,658)
Exceptional income - 432 452
______ ______ ______
Net operating costs 2 (34,940) (32,578) (66,206)
Operating profit 3,481 3,401 5,216
Net interest payable and similar
charges (329) (372) (690)
Other finance costs (350) (350) (700)
_______ ______ ______
Profit before taxation 2,802 2,679 3,826
Taxation (1,026) (974) (1,338)
______ ______ ______
Profit for the period 1,776 1,705 2,488
______ ______ ______
Earnings per share 4 3.84p 3.69p 5.38p
(basic and diluted) ______ ______ ______
The results shown in the profit and loss account derive wholly from continuing
activities.
There is no difference between the profit on ordinary activities before taxation
and the profit for the period stated above and their historical cost
equivalents.
Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses
6 months ended 31st December 2005
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended 6 months ended year ended
31st December 31st December 30th June
2005 2004 2005
Restated Restated
£000 £000 £000
_______ _______ ________
Profit attributable to shareholders of the group 1,776 1,705 2,488
Actuarial gains/(losses) recognised in the
pension scheme 1,260 (1,550) (3,100)
______ ______ ______
Total recognised gains/(losses) relating to the
period 3,036 155 (612)
______ ______ ______
Consolidated Balance Sheet
as at 31st December 2005
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
31st December 2005 31st December 2004 30th June 2005
Restated Restated
Note £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000
______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______
Fixed assets
Intangible 13,297 14,177 13,737
Tangible 15,340 15,966 15,694
______ ______ ______
28,637 30,143 29,431
Current assets
Stocks 17,708 14,791 17,344
Debtors 13,355 12,077 12,248
Cash at bank and in hand 273 565 485
______ ______ ______
31,336 27,433 30,077
Creditors
(due within one year) (20,316) (15,817) (19,230)
______ ______ ______
Net current assets 11,020 11,616 10,847
______ ______ ______
Total assets less
current liabilities 39,657 41,759 40,278
Creditors
(due after more than one year) (2,214) (5,253) (3,733)
Deferred taxation 5 (2,217) (2,290) (2,230)
______ ______ ______
Net assets excluding
pension liability 35,226 34,216 34,315
Pensions deficit (11,612) (11,900) (13,090)
______ ______ ______
23,614 22,316 21,225
______ ______ ______
Equity shareholders' funds
Called up share capital 11,561 11,561 11,561
Share premium account 504 504 504
Capital redemption reserve 2,395 2,395 2,395
Profit and loss account 6 9,154 7,856 6,765
______ ______ ______
23,614 22,316 21,225
______ ______ ______
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
6 months ended 31st December 2005
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended 6 months ended year ended
31st December 2005 31st December 2004 30th June 2005
Note £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000
______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______
Net cash inflow from
operating activities 8 1,654 3,848 5,995
Interest paid and similar
charges (374) (375) (720)
______ ______ ______
1,280 3,473 5,275
Corporation tax (247) 620 (122)
Capital expenditure
Purchase of tangible fixed
assets (556) (681) (1,415)
Sale of tangible fixed
assets 163 192 340
______ ______ ______
(393) (489) (1,075)
Equity dividends paid (647) (555) (879)
______ ______ ______
Cash (outflow)/inflow
before financing (7) 3,049 3,199
Financing
Redemption of loan notes - (14) (118)
Repayment of bank loans (1,519) (1,505) (2,921)
______ ______ ______
(1,519) (1,519) (3,039)
______ ______ ______
(Decrease)/increase in cash 9 (1,526) 1,530 160
______ ______ ______
A reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt is set out in note 10.
Notes
1. BASIS OF PREPARATION
The financial information has been prepared using the accounting policies set
out in the group's annual report and financial statements for the year ended
30th June 2005 except that for the current period the company has adopted FRS
17, Retirement Benefits, and FRS 21, Events after the Balance Sheet Date, and
the comparative figures have been restated accordingly.
The comparative figures for the year ended 30th June 2005 do not constitute
statutory financial statements within the meaning of section 240 of the
Companies Act 1985. Statutory financial statements for the year ended 30th June
2005 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors have
reported on those financial statements. Their report was not qualified and did
not contain a statement under section 237 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985.
2. SEGMENTAL INFORMATION
Analysis of results by class of business
6 months ended 6 months ended Year ended
31st December 31st December 30th June
2005 2004 2005
Turnover £000 £000 £000
______ ______ ______
Floor Coverings 28,779 28,348 56,162
Specialist Yarns 9,642 7,631 15,260
______ _______ ______
38,421 35,979 71,422
______ ______ ______
Operating profit 6 months ended 6 months ended Year ended
31st December 31st December 30th June
2005 2004 2005
Restated Restated
£000 £000 £000
_______ _______ ________
Floor Coverings 1,319 1,890 2,443
Specialist Yarns 2,441 1,760 3,303
_______ _______ _______
3,760 3,650 5,746
Central group costs (279) (249) (530)
______ ______ ______
3,481 3,401 5,216
______ ______ ______
There were no exceptional items in the period ended 31st December 2005. The
operating result for the Specialist Yarns division for the period ended 31st
December 2004 is stated after exceptional income of £432,000 and for the year
ended 30th June 2005 is stated after exceptional income of £452,000.
2. SEGMENTAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
Net operating assets 31st December 31st December 30th June
2005 2004 2005
Restated Restated
£000 £000 £000
______ ______ ______
Floor Coverings 37,573 35,277 34,841
Specialist Yarns 8,099 6,298 6,814
______ ______ ______
45,672 41,575 41,655
Central group (liabilities)/assets (957) 2,565 2,354
______ ______ ______
44,715 44,140 44,009
______ ______ ______
Net operating assets are stated excluding inter-company financing and are
derived from the balance sheet total by excluding bank borrowings, loans and
loan notes totalling £9,489,000 (31st December 2004: £9,924,000, 30th June 2005:
£9,694,000) and a pensions deficit of £11,612,000 (31st December 2004:
£11,900,000, 30th June 2005: £13,090,000).
3. DIVIDENDS
Dividends on equity shares 6 months ended 6 months ended Year ended
31st December 31st December 30th June
2005 2004 2005
£000 £000 £000
Paid during the period: _______ _______ ________
Final dividend for year ended 30th June 2005
- 1.40p per share 647 - -
Interim dividend for year ended 30th June 2005
- 0.70p per share - - 324
Final dividend for year ended 30th June 2004
- 1.20p per share - 555 555
_______ _______ _______
647 555 879
_______ _______ _______
Proposed after the period end (not recognised as a
liability):
Interim dividend for year ending 30th June 2006
- 0.80p per share 370 - -
Final dividend for year ended 30th June 2005
- 1.40p per share - - 647
Interim dividend for year ended 30th June 2005
- 0.70p per share - 324 -
______ ______ ______
370 324 647
______ ______ ______
The interim dividend will be paid on 8th May 2006 to members registered at the
close of business on 18th April 2006.
4. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on earnings of £1,776,000
(31st December 2004: £1,705,000, 30th June 2005: £2,488,000) and on 46,242,455
(31st December 2004: 46,242,455, 30th June 2005: 46,242,455) ordinary shares,
being the weighted average number in issue during the period. Adjusted earnings
per share, as set out below, is calculated after excluding net exceptional
items, net of tax, and is presented in order to demonstrate the underlying
performance of the group.
6 months ended 6 months ended Year ended
31st December 2005 31st December 2004 30th June 2005
Restated Restated
£000 pence £000 pence £000 pence
______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______
Earnings and basic earnings
per share 1,776 3.84 1,705 3.69 2,488 5.38
Exceptional income - - (302) (0.65) (316) (0.68)
______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______
Adjusted earnings and
earnings per share 1,776 3.84 1,403 3.04 2,172 4.70
______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______
5. DEFERRED TAX
31st December 31st December 30th June
2005 2004 2005
£000 £000 £000
______ ______ ______
Brought forward as stated previously 3,247 3,259 3,259
Prior period adjustment for FRS 17 (1,017) (930) (930)
______ ______ ______
Brought forward as restated 2,230 2,329 2,329
Profit and loss account (13) (39) (99)
______ ______ ______
Carried forward 2,217 2,290 2,230
______ ______ ______
6. PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
31st December 31st December 30th June
2005 2004 2005
£000 £000 £000
_______ _______ ________
Brought forward as stated previously 21,581 20,582 20,582
Prior period adjustment for FRS 17 (15,463) (12,881) (12,881)
Prior period adjustment for FRS 21 647 555 555
_______ _______ _______
Brought forward as restated 6,765 8,256 8,256
Profit for the period 1,776 1,705 2,488
Other recognised gains/(losses) 1,260 (1,550) (3,100)
Equity dividends paid (647) (555) (879)
______ ______ ______
Carried forward 9,154 7,856 6,765
______ ______ ______
7. RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN GROUP EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS
31st December 31st December 30th June
2005 2004 2005
£000 £000 £000
_______ _______ ________
Profit for the period 1,776 1,705 2,488
Other recognised gains/(losses) 1,260 (1,550) (3,100)
Equity dividends paid (647) (555) (879)
_______ _______ _______
Net addition to equity shareholders' funds 2,389 (400) (1,491)
Opening equity shareholders' funds
as stated previously 36,041 35,042 35,042
Prior period adjustment for FRS 17 (15,463) (12,881) (12,881)
Prior period adjustment for FRS 21 647 555 555
______ ______ ______
Closing equity shareholders' funds 23,614 22,316 21,225
______ ______ ______
8. RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT TO NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES
6 months ended 6 months ended 31st Year ended
31st December December 30th June
2005 2004 2005
Restated Restated
£000 £000 £000
_______ _______ ________
Operating profit 3,481 3,401 5,216
Depreciation 896 1,001 2,022
Goodwill amortisation 440 440 880
Profit on sale of tangible fixed assets (18) (352) (357)
Current service pension cost 130 130 260
(Increase)/decrease in stocks (364) 2,062 (491)
Increase in debtors (1,532) (1,417) (1,336)
Decrease in creditors (1,379) (1,417) (199)
_______ _______ _______
Net cash inflow from operating activities 1,654 3,848 5,995
______ ______ ______
9. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET DEBT
31st December 30th June
2005 Cash flows 2005
£000 £000 £000
_______ _______ ________
Cash at bank and in hand 273 (212) 485
Bank overdrafts (4,237) (1,314) (2,923)
_______ _______ _______
(3,964) (1,526) (2,438)
Loan notes (394) - (394)
Bank loans (4,858) 1,519 (6,377)
______ ______ ______
Total net debt (9,216) (7) (9,209)
______ ______ ______
10. RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENT IN NET DEBT
31st December 31st December 30th June
2005 2004 2005
£000 £000 £000
_______ _______ ________
(Decrease)/increase in cash (1,526) 1,530 160
Redemption of loan notes - 14 118
Repayment of bank loans 1,519 1,505 2,921
_______ _______ _______
Movement in net debt (7) 3,049 3,199
Net debt at start of period (9,209) (12,408) (12,408)
______ ______ ______
Net debt at end of period (9,216) (9,359) (9,209)
______ ______ ______
OTHER INFORMATION
The interim results are unaudited.
Further copies of this report are available from the Company Secretary at the
registered office at Flanshaw Lane, Alverthorpe, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF2
9ND.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange