Final Results

Alumasc Group PLC 09 September 2003 THE ALUMASC GROUP PLC - PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT •Alumasc, the specialist engineering and building products group, announces "a year of solid achievement against the background of major events internal and external to the Company", notably the decline and closure of the previously profitable beer barrel activity following permanent changes in the UK brewing industry. •In the year ended 30 June 2003, the continuing business grew turnover by 6% to £117.4m, pre-tax profit by 21% to £7.8m and earnings per share by 23% to 15.7p, with both divisions contributing to the advance. Year end net cash totalled £1.5m (2002: £1.9m net debt). •The total profit before tax of £4.5m (2002: £7.5m) was impacted by losses on Discontinued Activities of £3.3m, including closure costs of £0.9m and the write-off of £2.4m goodwill, previously written-off to reserves. •A final dividend per share of 6.3p (2002: 6.05p), up 4%, is recommended, making a total for the year of 8.75p (2002: 8.5p), up 3%. It is proposed that dividend payments be rebalanced in the current year, to a more conventional weighting between interim and final. •The Engineering Products Division increased its operating profit by 36% to £4.0m on continuing business, on turnover up 7% at £81.3m. BMW was a highlight for Alumasc Precision Components, with strong sales of the Mini Cooper S resulting in increased component demand, whilst Alumasc Dispense had an outstanding year, with significant sales being made of Carlsberg, Kronenbourg and Heineken branded dispense products. •The Building Products Division increased its operating profit by 10% to £4.0m on turnover up 4% at £36.1m. Elkington Gatic had an excellent year, with the Slotdrain surface drainage system successfully widening its market outside of airports. •The strong final quarter has helped several companies, particularly in the Building Products Division, to enter the new financial year with healthy order books. •John McCall, Chairman, stated "On balance, we anticipate another year of tight market conditions in which further advances will depend largely on our own actions and continued attention to detail." •Paul Hooper, Chief Executive, added "Across both divisions, there continue to be opportunities to build on the significant performance improvements that have taken place in the last two years. Initiatives will include the targeting of further productivity improvements in all businesses. Whilst actions taken in the last year have helped to limit insurance cost increases for the current year, such increases are still way ahead of inflation. When combined with the full year effect of National Insurance increases and further pension cost increases, as with many other companies, the Group will need to work hard to offset such costs to continue the forward momentum. The Group will continue to invest in sales and marketing resources to drive the businesses forward and there is a serious intent to use Alumasc's strong balance sheet to speed up the expansion of the Building Products Division through bolt-on acquisitions." Presentation: A presentation will be held from 9.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. today at the offices of Williams de Broe, 6 Broadgate, London EC2. Enquiries: The The Alumasc Group plc 01536-383844 John McCall (Chairman) Paul Hooper (Chief Executive) Bank Bankside Consultants Limited Charles Ponsonby 020-7444 4166 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT SUMMARY 2003 was a year of solid achievement for Alumasc, against the background of major events internal and external to the company. Our continuing activities grew turnover by 6.2%, following similar advances in the previous year. Profit before tax and earnings per share were ahead on a similar basis, by 21% and 23% respectively, and exceeded those for the Group as a whole in the previous year. These results were achieved despite absorbing sharply higher pension and insurance costs, and the closure of the beer barrel activity which was for so many years a major contributor to Group profits. Both our engineering and building products divisions contributed to this advance. There was further strengthening of the Group's balance sheet, underwriting our ability to pursue opportunities for development, with positive cash balances reported at the year end. DIVIDEND This performance has led your directors to recommend an increase in the final dividend per share of 0.25p to 6.3p (2002: 6.05p), an increase of 4%, making a total of 8.75p for the year (2002: 8.5p), an increase of 3%. In the Board's view, this will result in an excessive weighting in favour of the final dividend payment. Accordingly, it is the Board's intention to rebalance the dividend payments less heavily towards the final payment, commencing with the next interim payment. Further details will be announced at the time of the next interim results. STRATEGY The present business environment of low inflation and lower economic growth presents challenges to well-established businesses such as ours. Our strategy for continuing the advances of recent years is to take advantage of our strong market positions through increased sales activity and product development. The Group has the resources with which to pursue product innovation and acquisitions in pursuit of this strategy. BOARD As announced in our interim report, Paul Hooper, who joined Alumasc in April 2001 as Group Managing Director, was appointed Chief Executive on 1 March 2003. Bill Bailie, an executive director of Alumasc since May 1989 with responsibility for a number of the Group's operations including its brewery related activities, retired on 31 August 2003 and I thank him on your behalf for his contribution to the company over the past 14 years. PROSPECTS The consensus forecast for manufacturing in the UK remains at best flat for the remainder of 2003. The stronger euro - some 10 per cent higher against sterling at the end of the last financial year compared with the start - could help to boost demand, but probably not before 2004. In the construction market, the outlook for house-building is uncertain with underlying demand somewhat tempered by the surge in house prices. Public spending, in contrast, is growing strongly. On balance, we anticipate another year of tight market conditions in which further advances will depend largely on our own actions and continued attention to detail. J S McCall Chairman 9 September 2003 CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REVIEW I am very pleased to report a further improvement in the Group's operations during the year. Both Engineering Products and Building Products improved upon the performance of continuing activities against the prior year. This resulted in an operating profit of £7.7 million, an increase of £0.9 million (14%), from continuing activities on turnover of £117.4 million (2002 : £110.5 million). The 6.2% sales increase for the Group's continuing activities contributed to the improved result. Both divisions' sales went ahead. At the same time costs in several areas were reduced. For example, year end headcount, on continuing activities, was 7% lower than at the prior year end and, when combined with other cost reduction measures, helped to offset some of the £1.0 million increased costs in insurance, National Insurance and pensions. The total gross margin improved by 0.3%. An improvement in the utilisation of assets coupled with tight control on capital investment led to reduced expenditure in the year. A focus on working capital helped to reduce stocks, although the overall working capital moved ahead of the prior year due to the strong final quarter sales which lifted the debtor figures. The cash performance was helped by a £1.0 million land sale. The Group finished the year with net cash of £1.5 million versus £1.9 million net borrowings in the prior year. The strong final quarter of the year has helped several companies, particularly in the Building Products Division, to enter the new financial year with healthy order books. During the year, the Group closed Alumasc Grundy, the beer barrel manufacturing and repair operation, following a downturn in business which resulted from permanent changes in the UK brewing industry. The costs of £0.9 million for this closure, excluding goodwill, accounted for under discontinued activities, are in line with the estimate given in the December 2002 announcement. The operation's 10 acre site in Burton-upon-Trent is being marketed. Leonardo Internet, the 70% owned web design company, also formed part of discontinued activities. Its sale was in keeping with the Group's focus on premium engineering and building products. ENGINEERING PRODUCTS The Engineering Products Division (continuing activities) increased its profit by £1.0 million (36%) to £4.0 million on sales of £81.3 million, £5.6 million (7%) ahead of the prior year. Alumasc Precision Components Despite a £0.5 million sales reduction to £37.4 million, associated primarily with a softening in demand from the more established automotive customer accounts, operating profit of £1.7 million grew slightly against the prior year. Within the automotive area, BMW has been a highlight with strong sales of the Mini Cooper S resulting in increased component demand. Several new projects commenced outside the automotive area, including the supply of cast and machined components to Caterpillar in North America and Continental Europe. As with many project start-ups, there were initial cost overruns. However, costs fell into line by the year end. Additional business with Philips and Orangebox, the manufacturer of office chairs, added to development outside the automotive area. Filtronic raised its demand for the high specification components supplied by the Precision Component businesses. These businesses slimmed down their employee numbers as a result of improved layouts, efficiency initiatives and changed sales profiles. Copal went through a restructuring which substantially improved its performance versus the prior year despite the effect of some demand softening. This helped to offset some of the costs associated with new project start-ups across the division. Dyson did well to increase its sales whilst simultaneously reducing its overhead costs. It is pleasing to report that both Alumasc Precision Components and Dyson achieved the ISO 14001 environmental accreditation during the year. Copal is in the process of applying for this accreditation. The Precision Component businesses will continue to develop into non-automotive markets and, as an example of this, the German diesel engine manufacturer, Deutz, promises to become quite a significant new customer in the next financial year. Industrial Products The ongoing industrial products companies increased their profit by £1.0 million (87%) to £2.3 million on sales which increased by £6.1 million (16%) to £43.9 million. Alumasc Dispense had an outstanding year, with significant sales being made of Carlsberg, Kronenbourg and Heineken branded dispense products, in particular. The Tap business also grew and decorated glass had a record year. Brock Metals maintained a good performance. Sales tonnages of both aluminium and zinc grew. However, margins were tighter than the prior year. There was some benefit from the sale of a better mix of high grade aluminium alloys and the reduction in alloy capacity following the closure of competitors. Export sales were also developed. Bissell continued to restructure its business and improved its performance, despite a difficult economic background, particularly in Continental Europe. BUILDING PRODUCTS The Building Products Division increased its profit by £0.4 million (10%) to £4.0 million on sales which were £1.3 million (4%) ahead of the prior year at £36.1 million. Alumasc Exterior Building Products Alumasc Exterior Building Products grew its sales whilst simultaneously achieving productivity improvements, in part due to investment in new production equipment. In particular, the company was successful in growing its Alumasc and Harmer Rainwater and Drainage sales along with its MR social housing walling range. Sales in the final quarter were particularly good and a highlight during that period was the strength of the Roofing Product orders and sales. The company will continue to build on its customer service improvements. It enters the next financial year with a healthy order book and there are some signs that the Government funded improvements in social housing will accelerate, to the likely benefit of MR walling sales. Alumasc Interior Building Products Alumasc Interior Building Products fell short of its record results of the prior year. Nevertheless, its performance was still satisfactory. Sales were affected principally by the non-repetition of major radiator guard projects in the previous year. Elsewhere, an expanded range of Pendock-brand column casings, launched during the year, became established. A 'state of the art' website to assist designers continued to support this company. Next year will encompass some quite ambitious new product launch plans backed by creative marketing campaigns which will further develop the established Pendock range. Alumasc Construction Products Elkington Gatic had an outstanding year. Its strategic plans became a reality in which, for instance, the Gatic Slotdrain surface water drainage system successfully widened its market outside of airports. Assisted by good productivity and a re-engineered product, the future looks promising for this range. Several national supermarkets and a major oil company are either specifying or evaluating Gatic Slotdrain for supermarket car parks and petrol station forecourts. Export sales of Gatic airport products more than offset some UK weakness. Significant contracts were won in the Bahamas, Bangkok and Singapore. Overall, the business moved ahead strongly, driven by improved sales and good manufacturing efficiency improvements. Elkington China, despite a depressed Hong Kong economy and the impact of SARS, grew its sales and reduced costs. Sales continued for Hong Kong's Terminal 9 Container Project. In the circumstances, this company's result was commendable. Scaffold and Construction Products had a very busy year which included a relocation of its operation and its reinvention as a sourcing and marketing company. During such a potentially disruptive period, it significantly grew its sales and reduced its cost base, resulting in an excellent performance. PROSPECTS Across both divisions, there continue to be opportunities to build on the significant performance improvements that have taken place in the last two years. Initiatives will include the targeting of further productivity improvements in all businesses. The Group will continue to invest in sales and marketing resources to drive the businesses forward. Whilst actions taken in the last year have helped to limit insurance cost increases for the current year, such increases are still way ahead of inflation. When combined with the full year effect of National Insurance and further pension cost increases, as with many other companies, the Group will need to work hard to offset such costs to continue the forward momentum. The Group has increased its profit and controlled its cash well, resulting in a positive net cash position at the year end. There is a serious intent to use such funds to speed up the expansion of the Building Products Division through bolt-on acquisitions. To date, the Group has looked at several opportunities. However, these have been owned by vendors with unrealistic price aspirations. The search will continue into the next year to make acquisitions to benefit from the operational gearing that should accrue from the Group's established brand, marketing and technical support strengths, along with its well established distribution channels. The future is challenging and exciting. The Group remains in a strong position to move further forward. G P Hooper Chief Executive 9 September 2003 FINANCIAL REVIEW RESULTS Profits before tax on continuing activities rose by £1.4 million to £7.8 million (2002: £6.4 million) on turnover up by £6.9 million to £117.4 million (2002: £110.5 million). The profit increase includes a £0.3 million profit on a property sale. The total result of £4.5 million (2002: £7.5 million) is net of a £3.3 million loss on discontinued activities which includes the write-off through the profit and loss account under FRS 2 of £2.4 million of goodwill already written-off to reserves when the related business was acquired in the 1980s. The satisfactory increase in profits from continuing activities reflects a further 0.3% improvement in gross margin, and has been achieved despite significant increases in insurance, pension and National Insurance charges amounting to £1.0 million. EARNINGS, TAX AND DIVIDEND Earnings per share on continuing activities were 15.7p (2002: 12.8p), although overall earnings per share fell 8.0p to 6.9p because of the impact of discontinued activities including the goodwill write off. The effective tax rate on continuing activities was 29.6% (2002: 30.1%). This has benefited from a tax refund and the release of provisions relating to earlier years. In the light of the result, the directors propose an increase in the final dividend to 6.3p per share (2002: 6.05p), payable on 31 October 2003 to shareholders on the register as at 10 October 2003. This will make a total dividend for the year of 8.75p per share (2002: 8.5p) covered 1.8 times by profits from continuing activities. SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS Shareholders' funds increased to £36.2 million (2002: £34.5 million). CASH The Group remains firmly cash generative; net cash at the year end was £1.5 million compared with net borrowings of £1.9 million last year. Cash flow benefited from the sale of a property for £1.0 million and a prudent scale back in capital investment to £2.2 million (2002: £6.3 million), £1.7 million below depreciation. Interest costs fell to £0.3 million (2002: £0.5 million) on the positive cash flow and reducing interest rates. PENSIONS Following an increase in the actuarial deficit on one of the Group's final salary schemes to £4.9 million, which was reported last year, the 2002 actuarial report on the Group's other final salary scheme showed that it also had moved to a £4.4 million deficit at 1 April 2002. These deficits required an increase of £0.5 million to be made in the SSAP 24 pension charge for the year. Movements in equity and bond prices since the actuarial valuations have resulted in a further decrease in the scheme's assets and decreases in bond yields have resulted in further increases in the actuarial computation of the schemes' liabilities. The result is an increase in the overall deficits as at 30 June 2003 compared with the earlier actuarial valuations. The accounts show the schemes' deficits based on the FRS 17 conventions. In the analysis of segmental results in Note 1, the cost of funding the deficits is reported separately to avoid distorting the results of commercial operations, since the bulk of the deficits relate to the 86% of scheme members who are not current employees. SUMMARY With nil gearing, healthy year end order books and growing profits, the Group is in a strong position to make acquisitions, fund organic growth and take advantage of other opportunities for future expansion. D R Sowerby Group Finance Director 9 September 2003 CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT for the year ended 30 June 2003 2003 2002 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Notes Continuing Discontinued Total Continuing Discontinued Total ----- activities activities activities activities £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Turnover 1 117,425 2,499 119,924 110,530 7,117 117,647 Cost of sales 88,555 2,086 90,641 83,709 5,101 88,810 --------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Gross profit 28,870 413 29,283 26,821 2,016 28,837 Selling and distribution costs 9,199 72 9,271 8,599 177 8,776 Administrative expenses 11,933 392 12,325 11,418 766 12,184 --------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Operating 1 7,738 (51) 7,687 6,804 1,073 7,877 profit/(loss) Share of operating profit in associates 55 - 55 60 - 60 Profit on fixed asset disposals 305 - 305 - - - Sale/ termination of businesses: Business closure costs/ loss on sale - (875) (875) - - - Goodwill write off - (2,388) (2,388) - - - ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- - (3,263) (3,263) - - - Interest receivable 39 - 39 48 - 48 Interest payable (361) - (361) (508) - (508) --------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before taxation 7,776 (3,314) 4,462 6,404 1,073 7,477 Taxation charge 2,302 (246) 2,056 1,931 323 2,254 /(credit) --------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities after taxation 5,474 (3,068) 2,406 4,473 750 5,223 Equity minority interest (22) - (22) (24) - (24) --------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Profit/(loss)for the financial year attributable to shareholders 5,452 (3,068) 2,384 4,449 750 5,199 Dividends 3,035 - 3,035 2,948 - 2,948 --------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Retained profit /(loss) for the financial year 2,417 (3,068) (651) 1,501 750 2,251 --------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Basic earnings per share 2 15.7p (8.8)p 6.9p 12.8p 2.1p 14.9p --------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Diluted earnings per share 2 15.6p (8.8)p 6.8p 12.8p 2.1p 14.9p --------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES for the year ended 30 June 2003 2003 2002 ---------- --------- £000 £000 Profit for the financial year attributable to shareholders 2,384 5,199 Currency translation differences on foreign currency net investments (9) (2) ---------- --------- Total recognised gains and losses for the year 2,375 5,197 ---------- --------- CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET at 30 June 2003 2003 2002 £000 £000 Fixed assets Intangible assets 58 66 Tangible assets 28,411 31,425 Investments 493 468 --------- --------- 28,962 31,959 --------- --------- Current assets Stocks 11,698 11,997 Debtors 24,356 21,939 Cash at bank and in hand 4,608 2,231 --------- --------- 40,662 36,167 --------- --------- Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Trade and other creditors 25,608 24,572 Taxation 1,202 1,410 Proposed dividend 2,185 2,098 - ------- --------- 28,995 28,080 --------- --------- Net current assets 11,667 8,087 --------- --------- Total assets less current liabilities 40,629 40,046 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year 3,656 4,831 Provisions for liabilities and charges 704 598 Equity minority interest 36 112 --------- --------- Net assets 36,233 34,505 --------- --------- Capital and reserves Called up share capital 4,352 4,352 Share premium 26,907 26,907 Revaluation reserve 1,874 2,021 Capital redemption reserve 693 693 Profit and loss account 2,407 532 --------- --------- Equity shareholders' funds 36,233 34,505 --------- --------- CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT for the year ended 30 June 2003 2003 2002 £000 £000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 9,464 12,271 -------- --------- Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 39 48 Interest paid (147) (432) Interest element of lease/ hire purchase payments (214) (76) Dividends paid to minority interests (16) - -------- --------- Net cash outflow from returns on investments and servicing of finance (338) (460) -------- --------- Taxation UK corporation tax paid (2,095) (938) -------- --------- Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (2,217) (4,487) Proceeds from sale of tangible fixed assets 1,520 226 -------- --------- (697) (4,261) -------- --------- Acquisitions and disposals Deferred consideration from sale of business activities - 379 Sale of subsidiary undertaking 109 - Net cash disposed of with subsidiary undertaking (108) - -------- --------- 1 379 -------- --------- Equity dividends paid (2,948) (2,948) -------- --------- Cash inflow before use of liquid resources and financing 3,387 4,043 -------- --------- Financing Repayment of amounts borrowed (688) (116) Increase in medium term secured borrowings and lease/ hire purchase financing - 2,054 -------- --------- (688) 1,938 -------- --------- Increase in cash in the year 2,699 5,981 -------- --------- 1. ANALYSIS OF TURNOVER AND PROFITS BETWEEN ACTIVITIES AND MARKETS Turnover comprises the invoice value of goods and services supplied by the Group exclusive of VAT and intragroup transactions. Turnover and profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before taxation attributable to each of the classes of activity of the Group are as follows: Segmental analysis 2003 2002 -------- ------- ------- ------ ------- ------- Continuing Continuing activities activities Turnover Total profit profit Turnover Total profit profit £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Engineering products 83,725 3,945 4,008 82,663 4,086 2,937 Building products 36,132 3,986 3,986 34,862 3,608 3,608 Leonardo 67 12 - 122 (76) - -------- ------- ------- ------ ------- ------- Sub total 119,924 7,943 7,994 117,647 7,618 6,545 Pension deficit (cost)/ surplus credit (256) (256) 259 259 -------- ------- ------- ------ ------- ------- 119,924 7,687 7,738 117,647 7,877 6,804 -------- ------- ------- ------ ------- ------- Share of operating profit in associates 55 55 60 60 Profit on fixed asset disposals 305 305 - - Business closure costs/loss on sale (875) - - - Goodwill write off (2,388) - - - Net interest (322) (322) (460) (460) -------- ------- ------- ------ ------- ------- 4,462 7,776 7,477 6,404 -------- ------- ------- ------ ------- ------- The amounts disclosed as pension deficit (cost)/surplus credit have been shown separately because they relate to closed schemes, 86% of whose members are not now employed by the Group. Geographical analysis All business operations are located in the United Kingdom and all turnover is generated there with the exception of Elkington China Limited, based in Hong Kong, whose turnover is not significant. Turnover by destination is as follows: 2003 2002 £000 104,416 Continuing Continuing activities Total activities Total £000 £000 £000 £000 United Kingdom 100,377 102,876 97,308 104,416 Europe - EU 12,514 12,514 10,346 10,346 - Non EU 680 680 746 746 Other 3,854 3,854 2,130 2,139 ---------- ---------------- -------- -------- ------- -------- 117,425 119,924 110,530 117,647 ---------- ---------------- -------- -------- ------- -------- 2. EARNINGS PER SHARE Both the earnings per share and the diluted earnings per share are based on the profit after tax attributable to shareholders for the financial year of £2,384,000 (2002: £5,199,000). Earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year ended 30 June 2003 of 34,816,788 (2002: 34,816,788). Diluted earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year, after allowing for the exercise of outstanding share options, of 34,864,434 (2002: 34,852,456). 3. AUDITED ACCOUNTS The above financial information is derived from the statutory accounts for the years ended 30 June 2003 and 30 June 2002, on both of which the auditors have issued an unqualified opinion. The information does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The accounts for the year ended 30 June 2002 have been filed with the Registrar of Companies and the accounts for the year ended 30 June 2003 will be filed in due course. Copies of the Annual Report and Accounts will be posted to all shareholders on 12 September 2003. Copies will be available from the Company Secretary, The Alumasc Group plc, Burton Latimer, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN15 5JP, and can be viewed on www.alumasc.co.uk, from 16 September 2003. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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