Unaudited Half Year Results 2024

Ashtead Technology Holdings plc
02 September 2024
 

2 September 2024

Ashtead Technology Holdings plc

("Ashtead Technology" or the "Group")

Unaudited Half Year Results for the Six-Months Ended 30 June 2024

Another record trading performance with positive outlook unchanged

Ashtead Technology Holdings plc (AIM: AT.), a leading subsea equipment rental and solutions provider for the global offshore energy sector, announces its unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2024 ("HY24" or "the period").

 

Financial Performance (£'m)


HY24

             HY23 (restated)*

% Movement





Revenue

            80.5

            49.8

61.4%

Gross profit

            61.0

             39.3

55.3%

Gross profit %

75.8%

78.8%

(299)bps

Adjusted EBITDA1

            31.4

             21.1

48.6%

Adjusted EBITDA %

39.1%

42.4%

(336)bps

Adjusted EBITA2

            22.6

             15.5

45.6%

Adjusted EBITA %

28.1%

31.1%

(304)bps

Adjusted profit before tax3

            19.6

             14.1

38.6%

Adjusted basic earnings per share

19.1p

14.0p

36.3%

Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)4

25.3%

25.4%

(3)bps

Leverage5

1.2

0.7


 

Additional Statutory Accounting Measures (£'m)

 

 

HY24

            HY23

(restated)*

   % Movement

 

 

 


Operating profit

20.6

15.1

36.4%

Profit before tax

17.6

13.2

33.3%

Basic earnings per share

16.7p

13.1p

27.5%

·           Strong year-on-year increase in revenue (61.4%) driven by continued high demand across both offshore renewables and offshore oil and gas

16% organic growth, outperforming underlying markets, and 47% growth from the acquisition of ACE Winches that was completed during H2 2023, with the delta due to FX headwind

Offshore renewables revenue increased by 41.9% to £23.1m (HY23: £16.3m)

Offshore oil and gas revenue increased by 70.9% to £57.3m (HY23: £33.5m)

·           Adjusted EBITA increased by 45.6% to £22.6m (HY23: £15.5m) driven by top line growth with an adjusted EBITA margin of 28.1% (HY23: 31.1%) in line with expectations

·           Increased adjusted basic earnings per share of 19.1p (HY23: 14.0p)

·           Delivered ROIC of 25.3% (HY23: 25.4%), well in excess of our cost of capital

·           Robust balance sheet with net debt of £72.0m (HY23: £26.4m) representing leverage of 1.2x (1.0x proforma)

Operational Highlights and Outlook

·           Year to date investment of £16.4m in rental fleet capital expenditure (HY23: £8.0m) with full year forecast of £30m.  Organic growth remains a key priority as we continue to expand our capabilities and international reach

·           Promoted Brett Lestrange into the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer as we continue to strengthen the team at all levels through the organisation.  Head count increased from 527 to 559 through HY24

·           ACE Winches acquisition completed in November 2023, integration progressing well with strengthening sales pipeline into 2025 and beyond

·           M&A continues to be a key element of the strategy as we focus on broadening both our product and services offering, and our geographic exposure to build a platform to sustain medium term double digit organic revenue growth

·           The Board is encouraged by the Group's performance in HY24 which gives us increased confidence on our full year 2024 outturn and our expectations remain unchanged

 

Allan Pirie, Chief Executive Officer, said:

"I am extremely pleased to deliver another record trading performance as we build on the strong momentum seen through 2023.  We have continued to execute on our strategy to expand the breadth and depth of our offering through both organic and inorganic investment, increasing the resilience and differentiated nature of our business model.

The outlook for our business remains positive given the strength of the global offshore energy market and our continued investment to support longer term growth.  The Board is encouraged by the Group's performance in HY24 which gives us increased confidence on our full year 2024 outturn and our expectations remain unchanged."

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Ashtead Technology

Allan Pirie, Chief Executive Officer

Ingrid Stewart, Chief Financial Officer

 

(via Vigo Consulting)

 

Vigo Consulting (Financial PR)

Patrick d'Ancona

Finlay Thomson

Verity Snow

 

Tel: +44 (0)20 7390 0230

ashteadtechnology@vigoconsulting.com

Numis Securities Limited (Nomad and Broker)

Julian Cater

George Price

Kevin Cruickshank (QE)

 

Tel: +44 (0)20 7260 1000

 

*See Note 1 for an explanation of the prior period restatement.  Negative impact on Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITA in HY23 is £0.2m

1Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating profit adjusted to add back depreciation, amortisation, foreign exchange movements and non-trading items as shown in Note 18 of the HY24 accounts

2Adjusted EBITA is defined as operating profit adjusted to add back amortisation, foreign exchange movements and non-trading items as shown in Note 18 of the HY24 accounts

3Adjusted profit before tax is defined as profit before tax adjusted to add back amortisation, foreign exchange movements and non-trading items as shown in Note 18 of the HY24 accounts

4Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) is defined as LTM6 Adjusted EBITA divided by Invested Capital.  Invested capital is defined as average net debt plus average equity

5Leverage is defined as net debt divided by LTM Adjusted EBITDA

6LTM is defined as latest twelve months to 30 June 2024

 

Notes to editors:

 

Ashtead Technology is a leading subsea equipment rental and solutions provider for the global offshore energy sector.  Ashtead Technology's specialist equipment, advanced-technologies and support services enable its customers to understand the subsea environment and manage offshore energy production infrastructure.

 

The Company's service offering is applicable across the lifecycle of offshore wind farms and offshore oil and gas infrastructure.

 

In the fast-growing offshore wind sector, Ashtead Technology's specialist equipment and services are essential through the project development, construction and installation phases. Once wind farms are operational, Ashtead Technology supports customers with inspection, maintenance and repair ("IMR") equipment and services.  In the more mature oil and gas sector, Ashtead Technology's focus is on IMR and decommissioning.

 

Headquartered in the UK, the Group operates globally, servicing customers from its twelve facilities located in key offshore energy hubs.

 

Cautionary Statement

 

This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements, including with respect to the Group's current targets, expectations and projections about future performance, anticipated events or trends and other matters that are not historical facts.  These forward-looking statements, which sometimes use words such as "aim", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and words of similar meaning, include all matters that are not historical facts and reflect the directors' beliefs and expectations, made in good faith and based on the information available to them at the time of the announcement.  Such statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results and performance to differ materially from any expected future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking statement and should be treated with caution.  Any forward-looking statements made in this announcement by or on behalf of Ashtead Technology speak only as of the date they are made.  Except as required by applicable law or regulation, Ashtead Technology expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to publish any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement to reflect any changes in its expectations with regard thereto or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

 

CEO STATEMENT

Ashtead Technology delivered another record trading performance for the first six months of the financial year, maintaining the strong momentum seen through 2023.  We have continued to execute on our strategy to expand the breadth and depth of our offering through both organic and inorganic investment, increasing the resilience and differentiated nature of our business model.

 

Revenue growth of 61% on the prior year is split 16% organic growth and 47% from the ACE Winches acquisition completed during H2 2023, offset by a FX headwind.  EBITDA and EBITA margins of 39% and 28% respectively are in line with expectations and we have delivered an EPS increase of 36% over the past 12 months.

 

Our markets

 

Market dynamics remain strong with continued evidence of long-term structural growth.  Rystad's latest market forecast remains unchanged at 11% CAGR from 2023 through to 2027 with the total addressable market expected to reach close to $3.5bn by 2027. 

 

Ashtead Technology's customers continue to increase the size and quality of their backlogs which are extending in duration to 2026 and beyond as evidenced by published backlogs from our larger listed customers.  This creates a multi-year growth runway for the business.

 

As the offshore energy market evolves, Ashtead Technology's expanding geographical footprint, fungible equipment fleet (>85% fungible across oil and gas and renewables), own technology development credentials, and increasing services capability, all position the business well to support the growing international market. 

 

Within oil and gas, the global market remains very buoyant with global offshore greenfield committed capex increasing by 65% in 2023 compared to the average of the previous eight years. Overall, Rystad forecasts a 8% CAGR in oil and gas markets with a 5% CAGR in decommissioning spend from 2023 through 2027.

 

Within offshore wind, activity remains high with Rystad forecasting a 23% CAGR market growth in the period 2023 through to 2027.  The sector shows significant promise with 2023 final investment decision (FID) activity reaching record breaking capacity levels in Europe at 8.6GW, up from an average 4.3GW in the previous three years despite cost inflation and higher interest rates.  Globally, excluding China, 2024 auction activity is forecast to hit a record 64.6GW, the majority of which is in Europe.  This provides Ashtead Technology with significant confidence in the scale of the future opportunity given our ability to provide support across the lifecycle of offshore wind infrastructure.

 

Continuing organic growth investment

 

Our primary focus remains on organic investment which continues to deliver strong revenue growth.

 

The expansion of our new survey and ROV tooling equipment operations in Norway during 2024 to complement the acquired ACE Winches Norway operation is progressing well with the recruitment of a local survey & robotics and ROV tooling team to service the increasing opportunities in country. 

 

Brett Lestrange, who has been with the business since 2017, was appointed to the new role of Chief Operating Officer in July as we continue to strengthen the team at all levels through the organisation.  Brett joined Ashtead Technology seven years ago and has extensive experience and a proven track record in subsea technology.  During H1 2024 we have further increased global headcount by 6% to 559, enhancing sales and technical capability to support future top line growth.  We have also expanded our in-house learning and development team to further invest in our people through training and competency development.

 

On capital expenditure, we have invested £16.4m (HY23 £7.8m) during HY24 to increase our rental fleet, and FY24 capital expenditure is still anticipated to be £30m. Our acquisition of ACE Winches has significantly enhanced our in-house design, engineering and manufacturing capability which has enabled us to accelerate our mechanical solutions in-house capex build programme.

 

We continue to broaden our range of complementary equipment and services through both in-house equipment design and supply chain partnerships, increasing our offering to our customers and ensuring that we maintain our market leading position.

 

M&A

 

M&A is also a key element of the strategy as we focus on broadening our product and services offering, and geographic exposure to build a platform to sustain medium term double digit organic revenue growth.

 

The ACE Winches acquisition, completed in November 2023, added critical lifting, pulling and deployment capability to our expanding service offering. Integration is on track, and, with the benefit of a broadened fleet our sales teams are already seeing increasing traction with customers as we seek to expand our packaged service offering to them.

 

Sustainability

 

At the heart of our strategy is maintaining our relevance in a changing offshore energy market and ensuring that we support our customers, and the wider energy sector, in achieving its energy transition targets.  Offshore renewables represented 29% of our revenues in HY24 with 42% growth on HY23 revenues.  A key part of our strategy is to acquire businesses that have traditionally serviced the oil and gas market and reposition them into offshore renewables leveraging Ashtead Technology's customer network.  ACE Winches revenues were predominantly derived from oil and gas on acquisition and we are already seeing an increase in renewables opportunities in the first nine months of owning the business.

 

Outlook

 

The outlook for our business remains positive given the strength of the global offshore energy market, our continued investment to support organic growth and the building of our M&A pipeline.  The Board is encouraged by the Group's performance in HY24 which gives us increased confidence on our full year 2024 outturn and our expectations remain unchanged.

 

 

Allan Pirie

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

CFO STATEMENT

 

The Group has continued to deliver strong financial performance through HY24 with revenue growth of 61%, split 47% growth from acquisitions and 16% organic growth, offset by a small negative impact from FX.  An EBITDA margin of 39% and EBITA margin of 28% are in line with expectations.

 

We grew our revenues from both renewables and oil and gas with renewables representing 29% of our business in HY24.  Renewables revenue was 42% up on HY23, while oil and gas growth was 71%.  We continue our focus on achieving 50% of our revenues from renewables within the medium term, supported by the fungibility of our fleet and the expansion of the ACE Winches offering into renewables, a market it has not traditionally focussed on.

 

Organically, we saw our European operations grow 9% compared to HY23 with Americas growing at 12%, APAC at 19%, and Middle East significantly outperforming at 75% revenue growth driven largely by an increase in market activity in the region.  All regions grew profits as we continue to invest in broadening out our capability across all of our international footprint.

 

Gross profit

 

The Group achieved gross profit of £61.0m (HY23: £39.3m) and a gross profit margin of 75.8% (HY23: 78.8%).  The gross margin was in line with expectations and the reduction primarily driven by revenue mix.  Our average annualised cost utilisation decreased slightly to 44% (HY23: 45%).

 

Administration costs

 

Administration costs (excluding depreciation, amortisation and exchange gain/loss) for HY24 were £30.5m (HY23: £18.8m), a £11.7m increase on HY23 of which £8.4m was due to the addition of ACE Winches.  Excluding ACE Winches, the largest increase resulted from payroll as we continue to scale the business for further growth.  Our headcount at June 2024 was 559 (HY23: 289), up 270 on June 2023 of which 203 were added through the ACE Winches acquisition.

 

Profitability

 

Adjusted EBITA of £22.6m (HY23: £15.5m) represents an EBITA margin of 28.1% compared to 31.1% in HY23.  The EBITA margin is in line with expectations with the decrease on HY23 primarily driven by revenue mix.  ROIC remains significantly ahead of our cost of capital at 25.3%.

 

Finance costs of £3m (net) compares to £1.9m in HY23.  HY23 costs included a £0.5m write-off of deferred finance costs due to the refinancing which completed in April 2023.  The increase in financing costs was due to the ACE Winches acquisition which was funded entirely through RCF draw.

 

Profit Before Tax of £17.6m compares to £13.2m in HY23, an increase of 33%.

 

The tax provision for the period was £4.3m (HY22: £2.8m) representing an effective tax rate of 24.2% (HY23: 21.2%). 

 

Adjusting for amortisation and exceptional costs results in an Adjusted basic earnings per share of 19.1p which compares to 14.2p in HY23.

 

Cash flow and balance sheet

 

Net cash generated from operating activities was £9.7m, down from £12.9m in HY23 due to working capital.  Working capital represented 14% of trailing twelve months revenues compared to 9% at June 2023.  We expect working capital to be back in line with the long term target of 10% of TTM revenues by year end.

 

With the business continuing to invest in organic growth and as a result of the final completion accounts payment for ACE Winches, there was a net decrease in cash of £5m in HY24.  Overall net debt of £72m represents leverage of 1.2x (1.0x proforma).

 

Continued investment in our equipment rental fleet has resulted in an increase in fixed asset net book value (NBV) from £69m at FY23 to £76m.  Overall net assets increased to £110.6m, up £26.2m on HY23.

 

Our full year dividend for 2023 was paid in May and in line with previous periods and as the business continues its investment in growth, the Board has not recommended an interim dividend for HY24.  In line with previous guidance the Board intends to continue its small, progressive dividend policy as part of its full year reporting.

 

Prior year restatement

 

As noted in our FY23 annual report and accounts, the Group identified an error in application of IAS 38 "Intangible Assets". The correction of this error has resulted in a negligible change (<£0.1m) to HY23 profit after tax but results in a £1.4m reduction in intangible assets in our balance sheet at HY23.  Comparatives in the HY24 accounts have been restated and further details are given in Note 1 of the accounts.

 

 

Ingrid Stewart

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT OF THE DIRECTORS IN RESPECT OF THE

HALF-YEARLY FINANCIAL REPORT

 

The Directors of Ashtead Technology Holdings plc (set out on page 36 and 37 of the latest Annual Report and Accounts) confirm that to the best of their knowledge:

•          the condensed consolidated set of financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted for use in the UK;

•          the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by:

(i)      DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their impact on the condensed consolidated set of financial statements; and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year; and

 

(ii)     DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the entity during that period; and any changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual report that could do so.

 

By order of the Board of Directors

 

Allan Pirie

Ingrid Stewart

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer

1 September 2024

1 September 2024

 

Consolidated income statement

for the six-month period ended 30 June 2024



Unaudited

six months to 30 June 2024

Unaudited

six months to 30 June 2023

(restated)*

Audited

year ended 31 December 2023


Notes

£000

£000

£000

Revenue

2

80,452

49,846

110,466

Cost of sales

2

(19,470)

(10,573)

(24,168)

Gross profit

2

                     60,982

39,273

86,298

Administrative expenses

2

(41,167)

(24,339)

(55,291)

Impairment loss on trade receivables

2

(320)

(501)

Other operating income

2

808

508

704

Operating profit

2

20,623

15,122

31,210

Finance income

3

83

50

283

Finance costs

3

(3,074)

(1,949)

(4,000)

Profit before taxation


17,632

13,223

27,493

Taxation charge

4

(4,271)

(2,799)

(5,914)

Profit for the financial period


13,361

10,424

21,579






Profit attributable to:





Equity shareholders of the Company


13,361

10,424

21,579






Earnings per share





Basic

5

                         16.7

13.1

27.0

Diluted

5

                         16.5

12.9

26.7

 

   The below financial measures are Alternative Performance Measures used by management and are not an IFRS disclosure:


 

 








   Adjusted EBITDA^

18

                    31,418

21,143

48,253


   Adjusted EBITA^^

18

                    22,579

15,506

36,224


   Adjusted Profit After Tax^^^

18

                    15,292

11,181

26,664







*               See Note 1 for an explanation of the prior period restatement.

^               Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and items not considered part of underlying trading including foreign exchange gains and losses, is an Alternative Profit Measure used by management and is not an IFRS disclosure.  See Note 18 to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements for calculations.

^^            Adjusted EBITA is calculated as earnings before interest, tax, amortisation and items not considered part of underlying trading including foreign exchange gains and losses, is an Alternative Profit Measure used by management and is not an IFRS disclosure.  See Note 18 to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements for calculations.

^^^         Adjusted Profit After Tax is calculated as profit after tax adjusted for amortisation and items not considered part of underlying trading including foreign exchange gains and losses, all adjusted for tax, is an Alternative Profit Measure used by management and is not an IFRS disclosure.  See Note 18 to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements for calculations.

All results derive from continuing operations.

 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

for the six-month period ended 30 June 2024


Unaudited

six months to 30 June 2024

Unaudited

Six months to 30 June 2023

(restated)*

Audited

year ended

31 December 2023


£000

£000

£000

Profit for the period

13,361

10,424

21,579

Other comprehensive (loss)/income:




Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss




Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

(118)

(1,098)

(554)

Other comprehensive (loss)/income for the period, net of tax

(118)

(1,098)

(554)

Total comprehensive income

               13,243

9,326

21,025

 

Total comprehensive income attributable to:




Equity shareholders of the Company

13,243

9,326

21,025

 

*               See Note 1 for an explanation of the prior period restatement.

 

Consolidated balance sheet

at 30 June 2024



Unaudited

as at

30 June 2024

Unaudited

as at

30 June 2023

(restated)*

Audited

as at

 31 December 2023


Notes

£000

£000

£000

Non-current assets





Property, plant and equipment

6

76,499

34,193

68,707

Goodwill

7

77,697

65,796

77,739

Intangible assets

7

15,886

3,985

17,709

Right-of-use assets

13

2,128

2,342

2,584

Deferred tax asset


52

52



172,262

106,316

166,791

Current assets





Inventories

8

4,630

2,679

4,064

Trade and other receivables

9

44,925

24,616

32,015

Income tax recoverable


223

Cash and cash equivalents


6,256

6,492

10,824



56,034

33,787

46,903

 

Total assets


228,296

140,103

213,694






Current liabilities





Trade and other payables

10

29,815

18,779

32,021

Income tax payable


1,827

2,207

Loans and borrowings

11

20

23

Lease liabilities

13

970

797

1,154



30,805

21,403

35,405

Non-current liabilities





Loans and borrowings

11

75,909

30,347

69,673

Lease liabilities

13

1,313

1,723

1,656

Deferred tax liability


9,198

2,076

9,018

Provisions for liabilities


642

135

356



87,062

34,281

80,703

Total liabilities


117,867

55,684

116,108

Equity





Share capital

16

4,016

3,997

3,997

Share premium

16

14,115

14,115

14,115

Merger reserve

16

9,435

9,435

9,435

Share based payment reserve

16

3,230

1,780

2,538

Foreign currency translation reserve

16

(783)

(1,209)

(665)

Retained earnings

16

80,416

56,301

68,166

Total equity


110,429

84,419

97,586

 

Total equity and liabilities


228,296

140,103

213,694

*               See Note 1 for an explanation of the prior period restatement.

 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

for the six-month period ended 30 June 2024


Share capital

Share premium

Merger reserve

Share based payment reserve

Foreign currency translation reserve

Retained earnings

Total


£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

At 1 January 2023 audited originally presented

3,979

14,115

9,435

827

(111)

47,558

75,803

Correction of error

(867)

(867)

Restated balance at 1 January 2023 audited*

3,979

14,115

9,435

827

(111)

46,691

74,936

Profit for the period

10,424

10,424

Other comprehensive loss

(1,098)

(1,098)

Total comprehensive income

(1,098)

10,424

9,326

Share based payment charge

953

953

Issue of shares

18

(18)

Dividends paid

(796)

(796)

Restated balance at 30 June 2023 unaudited*

3,997

14,115

9,435

1,780

(1,209)

56,301

84,419

Profit for the period

           11,155

11,155

Other comprehensive income

544

544

Total comprehensive income

             544

11,155

11,699

Share based payment charge

758

758

Tax on share based payment charge

710

710

At 31 December 2023 audited

3,997

14,115

9,435

2,538

(665)

68,166

97,586

Profit for the period

 

13,361

13,361

Other comprehensive loss

(118)

(118)

Total comprehensive income

(118)

13,361

13,243

Share based payment charge

692

692

Tax on share based payment charge

(209)

(209)

Issue of shares

19

(19)

Dividends paid

(883)

(883)

At 30 June 2024 unaudited

4,016

14,115

9,435

3,230

(783)

80,416

110,429

 

*               See Note 1 for an explanation of the prior period restatement.

Consolidated cash flow statement

for the six-month period ended 30 June 2024



Unaudited

six months to 30 June 2024

Unaudited

six months to 30 June 2023

(restated)*

Audited

year ended

31 December 2023


Notes

£000

£000

£000

Cash generated from operating activities





Profit before taxation


17,632

13,223

27,493

Adjustments to reconcile profit before taxation to net cash from operating activities





Finance income

3

(83)

(50)

(283)

Finance costs

3

3,074

1,949

4,000

Depreciation

6, 13

8,839

5,637

12,029

Amortisation

7

1,823

597

1,431

Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment


(807)

(508)

(704)

Share based payment charges


961

1,281

2,496

Provision for bad debts movement


514

Provision for liabilities


287

24

48

Cash generated before changes in working capital


31,726

22,153

47,024

Increase in inventories


(571)

(848)

(157)

Increase in trade and other receivables


(13,096)

(5,398)

(2,120)

Increase in trade and other payables


909

818

4,082

Cash inflow from operations


18,968

16,725

48,829

Interest paid


(2,837)

(1,257)

(3,064)

Tax paid


(6,410)

(2,535)

(6,717)

Net cash generated from operating activities


9,721

12,933

39,048

Cash flow used in investing activities





Purchase of property, plant and equipment


(16,611)

(7,780)

(19,459)

Proceeds from customer loss/damage of assets held for rental


1,227

818

1,428

Acquisition of subsidiary undertakings net of cash acquired


(3,897)

(1,674)

(51,183)

Interest received


83

50

283

Net cash used in investing activities


(19,198)

(8,586)

(68,931)

Cash flow generated from/(used in) financing activities





Loans received


11,300

2,014

62,014

Transaction fees on loans received


(189)

(1,241)

(1,241)

Repayment of bank loans


(5,000)

(5,628)

(26,587)

Payment of lease liability


(772)

(628)

(1,199)

Payment of finance lease liability


(11)

(2)

Dividends paid


(883)

(796)

(796)

Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities


4,445

(6,279)

32,189

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents


(5,032)

(1,932)

2,306

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period


10,824

9,037

9,037

Net foreign exchange difference


464

(613)

(519)

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period


6,256

6,492

10,824

*               See Note 1 for an explanation of the prior period restatement.

Notes to the consolidated interim financial statements

1.    General information

Background

Ashtead Technology Holdings plc (the "Company") is a public limited company incorporated in the United Kingdom under the Companies Act 2006, whose shares are traded on AIM.  The condensed consolidated interim financial statements of the Company for the six-month period ended 30 June 2024 comprise the Company and its interest in subsidiaries (together referred to as the "Group").  The Company is domiciled in the United Kingdom and its registered address is 1 Gateshead Close, Sunderland Road, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 1RS, United Kingdom.  The Company registration number is 13424040.

Basis of preparation

The annual consolidated financial statements of Ashtead Technology Holdings plc will be prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards.  These condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the six-month period ended 30 June 2024 have been prepared in accordance with UK adopted International Accounting Standard ("IAS") 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

The financial information for the six-month period ended 30 June 2024 is unaudited.  It does not constitute statutory financial statements within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.  This report should be read in conjunction with the Group's Annual Report and Accounts as at and for the year ended 31 December 2023 ("last Annual Report and Accounts"), which were prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards.  The last Annual Report and Accounts have been filed with the Registrar of Companies and are available from the Group's website (www.ashtead-technology.com).  The auditors' report on those accounts was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis, and did not contain a statement under 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements unless otherwise stated are presented in sterling, to the nearest thousand.  The functional currency of the Group is sterling.

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 1 September 2024.

Prior period adjustment

During 2023, management has re-evaluated the impact of the IFRIC guidance released during the prior year relating to accounting for cloud-based Software as a Service ("SaaS") arrangements. This guidance was incorrectly applied in 2022, resulting in costs associated with a cloud-based SaaS being capitalised and not expensed as incurred in the consolidated income statement.

During the first half of 2023, £269,000 was capitalised and amortisation of £263,000 was charged. The H1 2023 Consolidated Income Statement and the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement have been restated to recognise the impact of £269,000 SaaS costs being recognised as an operating expense and the reversal of £263,000 amortisation.  The H1 2023 Consolidated Balance Sheet has been restated to derecognise the impact of previously capitalised SaaS costs. A summary of the impact, including taxation, is included in the following table:

 

 


H1 2023 (previously reported)

£000

Restatement

£000

H1 2023 Restated

£000

Consolidated income statement




Administrative expenses

(24,323)

(16)

(24,339)

Operating profit

15,138

(16)

15,122

Profit before taxation

13,239

(16)

13,223

Taxation charge

(2,799)

-

(2,799)

Profit for the financial year

10,440

(16)

10,424

Basic earnings per share (pence)

13.1

-

13.1

Diluted earnings per share (pence)

12.9

-

12.9

Consolidated balance sheet




Intangible assets

5,387

(1,402)

3,985

Trade and other receivables

24,298

318

24,616

Total assets

141,187

(1,084)

140,103

Income tax payable

1,863

(36)

1,827

Deferred tax liability

2,241

(165)

2,076

Total liabilities

55,885

(201)

55,684

Retained earnings

57,184

(883)

56,301

Total equity

85,302

(883)

84,419

Total equity and liabilities

141,187

(1,084)

140,103

Consolidated cash flow statement




Profit before taxation

13,239

(16)

13,223

Amortisation

860

(263)

597

Cash generated before changes in working capital

22,432

(279)

22,153

Increase in trade and other receivables

(5,408)

10

(5,398)

Cash inflow from operations

16,994

(269)

16,725

Net cash generated from operating activities

13,202

(269)

12,933

Purchase of computer software

(269)

269

-

Net cash used in investing activities

(8,855)

269

(8,586)

 

Accounting policies

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 69-77 of the last Annual Report and Accounts.

Taxation

Tax on income in the interim periods are accrued using management's best estimate of the weighted average annual tax rate that would be applicable to expected total annual earnings.

Critical accounting judgements and estimates

In preparing these condensed consolidated interim financial statements, management has made judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of the accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses.  Actual results may differ from these estimates.  Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis.  Revisions to estimates are recognised prospectively.

The area of judgement and estimate which has the greatest potential effect on the amounts recognised in these financial statements is the provision for bad debts.  This is consistent with matters disclosed on page 77 of the last Annual Report and Accounts.

Standards, amendments, and interpretations not yet effective

A number of amendments and interpretations have been issued which are not expected to have any significant impact on the accounting policies and reporting.

Standards and amendments effective for the period

There are no new or amended standards or interpretations from 1 January 2024 onwards that have a significant impact on the accounting policies and reporting.

Going concern

These condensed consolidated financial statements of the Group are prepared on a going concern basis.  The Directors of the Group assert that the preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements on a going concern basis is appropriate, which is based upon a review of the future forecast performance of the Group for an eighteen-month period ending 31 December 2025.

During the six months ended 30 June 2024 the Group has continued to generate positive cash flow from operating activities, has a cash and cash equivalents balance of £6,256,000 at 30 June 2024 (31 December 2023: £10,824,000) and access to a multi currency RCF with total commitments of £100,000,000.  In addition, the Group has the ability to call upon an additional accordion facility of £50,000,000 subject to credit approval.  The RCF and accordion facility expire in April 2028.  As at 30 June 2024 the RCF had an undrawn balance of £23,063,000 and the £50,000,000 accordion facility was undrawn.

The Facility Agreement is subject to a leverage covenant of 3.0x and an interest cover covenant of 4:1, which are both to be tested on a quarterly basis.  The Group has complied with all covenants from entering the Facility Agreement until the date of these financial statements.

The Group monitors its funding and liquidity position throughout the period to ensure it has sufficient funds to meet its ongoing cash requirements.  Cash forecasts are produced based on a number of inputs such as estimated revenues, margins, overheads, collection and payment terms, capex requirements and the payment of interest and capital on its existing debt facilities.  Consideration is also given to the availability of bank facilities.  In preparing these forecasts, the Directors have considered the principal risks and uncertainties to which the business is exposed.

Taking account of reasonable changes in trading performance and bank facilities available, the application of severe but plausible downside scenarios to the forecasts, the cash forecasts prepared by management and reviewed by the Directors indicate that the Group is cash generative and has adequate financial resources to continue to trade for the foreseeable future and to meet its obligations as they fall due.

 

2.    Segmental analysis

The Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) is determined as the Group's Board of Directors.  The Group's Board of Directors reviews the internal management reports of each geographic region monthly as part of the monthly management reporting.  The operations within each of the regional segments display similar economic characteristics.  There are no reportable segments which have been aggregated for the purpose of the disclosure of segment information.

The Group operates in the following four geographic regions, which have been determined as the Group's reportable segments.  The operations of each geographic region are similar.

·        Europe

·        Americas

·        Asia-Pacific

·        Middle East

 

Unaudited for the six-month period ended 30 June 2024

 


Europe

Americas

Asia

Pacific

Middle

East

Head

Office

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

 

Total revenue

 

 

55,969

 

12,256

 

6,831

 

5,396

 

-

 

80,452

Cost of sales

 

(12,806)

--------

(3,841)

--------

(1,402)

--------

(1,421)

--------

-

--------

(19,470)

--------

Gross profit

 

43,163

8,415

5,429

3,975

-

60,982

Administrative expenses

 

(18,482)

(3,786)

(1,636)

(1,106)

(5,465)

(30,475)

Other operating income**

 

482

--------

177

--------

70

--------

79

--------

-

--------

808

--------

Operating profit before depreciation, amortisation  and foreign exchange gain/(loss)

25,163

4,806

3,863

2,948

(5,465)

31,315

 

Foreign exchange loss






 

(30)

 

Depreciation






 

(8,839)

 

Amortisation

 






 

(1,823)

--------

Operating profit

 

Finance income

 

Finance costs






20,623

 

83

 

(3,074)

--------

Profit before taxation


Taxation charge






17,632

 

(4,271)

--------

 

Profit for the financial period

 






 

13,361

--------

 

Total assets

176,080

21,842

12,347

10,507

7,520

228,296

 

Total liabilities

27,535

4,897

1,722

1,071

82,642

117,867

 

 

Unaudited for the six-month period ended 30 June 2023

 


Europe

Americas

Asia

Pacific

Middle

East

Head Office

(restated)*

Total

(restated)*

 

 

 

 

 

 

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

 

Total revenue

 

 

32,675

 

8,775

 

5,314

 

3,082

 

-

 

49,846

Cost of sales

 

(6,191)

--------

(2,846)

--------

(945)

--------

(591)

--------

-

--------

(10,573)

--------

Gross profit

 

26,484

5,929

4,369

2,491

-

39,273

Administrative expenses

 

(8,624)

(2,781)

(1,805)

(751)

(4,831)

(18,792)

Other operating income**

 

313

--------

51

--------

126

--------

18

--------

-

--------

508

--------

Operating profit before depreciation, amortisation and foreign exchange gain/(loss)

18,173

3,199

2,690

1,758

(4,831)

20,989

 

Foreign exchange gain






 

367

 

Depreciation






 

(5,637)

 

Amortisation

 






 

(597)

--------

Operating profit

 

Finance income

 

Finance costs






15,122

 

50

 

(1,949)

--------

Profit before taxation

 

Taxation charge






13,223

 


(2,799)

--------

 

Profit for the financial period

 






 

10,424

--------

 

Total assets

100,084

16,392

10,233

5,601

7,793

140,103

 

Total liabilities

17,678

4,662

2,038

837

30,469

55,684

*               See Note 1 for an explanation of the prior period restatement.

**        Other operating income relates to the gain on sale of property, plant and equipment and arises from compensation from third parties for items of property, plant and equipment that were lost, given up or damaged beyond repair by customers.  The gross compensation proceeds are disclosed in the consolidated cash flow statement.

 

Audited for the year ended 31 December 2023


 

Europe

 

Americas

Asia

Pacific

Middle

East

Head Office

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

 

Total revenue

 

 

71,601

 

19,343

 

11,186

 

8,336

 

-

 

110,466

Cost of sales

 

(13,730)

--------

(5,646)

--------

(2,140)

--------

(2,652)

--------

-

--------

(24,168)

--------

Gross profit

 

57,871

13,697

9,046

5,684

-

86,298

Administrative expenses

 

(18,909)

(6,516)

(3,950)

(1,978)

(11,208)

(42,561)

Other operating income**

 

374

--------

53

--------

208

--------

69

--------

-

--------

704

--------

Operating profit before depreciation, amortisation    and foreign exchange gain/(loss)

39,336

7,234

5,304

3,775

(11,208)

44,441

 

Foreign exchange gain

 






 

229

Depreciation

 






(12,029)

Amortisation

 






(1,431)

--------

Operating profit

Finance income


Finance costs

 






31,210

283

(4,000)

 --------

Profit before taxation

 

Taxation charge

 






27,493

 

(5,914)

 --------

 

Profit for the financial period

 






 

21,579

--------

 

Total assets

167,063

17,293

9,991

7,012

12,335

213,694

 

Total liabilities

30,051

5,966

2,413

1,853

75,825

116,108

 

Central administrative expenses represent expenditures which are not directly attributable to any single operating segment. The expenditure has not been allocated to individual operating segments.

The revenues generated by each geographic segment almost entirely comprise revenues generated in a single country. Revenues in the Europe, Americas, Asia Pacific and Middle East segments are almost entirely generated in the UK, USA, Singapore and UAE respectively. Revenues generated outside of these jurisdictions are not material to the Group. The basis for the allocation of revenues to individual countries is dependent upon the facility from which the equipment is provided.

No single customer or group of customers under common control account for 15% or more of Group revenue.

The carrying value of non-current assets, other than deferred tax assets, split by the country in which the assets are held is as follows:


Unaudited

as at 30 June

2024

Unaudited

as at 30 June

2023

(restated)*

 

Audited

as at 31 December

2023

£000

£000

£000

UK

142,128

82,855

141,745

USA

14,596

11,456

13,111

Singapore

8,664

7,932

7,665

UAE

6,822

4,073

4,218

*               See Note 1 for an explanation of the prior period restatement.

**            Other operating income relates to the gain on sale of property, plant and equipment and arises from compensation from third parties for items of property, plant and equipment that were lost, given up or damaged beyond repair by customers.  The gross compensation proceeds are disclosed in the consolidated cash flow statement.

3.    Finance income and costs


Unaudited

six months to 30 June 2024

Unaudited

six months to 30 June 2023

Audited

year ended

31 December 2023

Finance income

£000

£000

£000

Bank interest receivable

83

50

283

 


Unaudited

six months to 30 June 2024

Unaudited

six months to 30 June 2023

Audited

year ended

 31 December 2023

Finance costs

£000

£000

£000

Interest on bank loans (held at amortised cost)

2,788

1,236

3,069

Amortisation of deferred finance costs

171

650

805

Interest expense on lease liability (Note 13)

60

63

124

Other interest and charges

55

-

2


3,074

1,949

4,000

4.    Tax

The tax expense for the six-month period ended 30 June 2024 is based upon management's best estimate of the weighted average annual tax rate expected for each jurisdiction for the full year ending 31 December 2024 applied to the profit before tax for the interim period.  The effective tax rate for the six-month period ended 30 June 2024 is 24.2% and the income tax expense is lower than the standard UK rate of 25% for the period due to lower tax rates in overseas jurisdictions.  The effective tax rate for the year ended 31 December 2023 was 21.5% and the income tax expense was lower than the standard UK rate of 23.5% during 2023 (19% to 31 March 2023 increasing to 25% from 1 April 2023) due to lower tax rates in overseas jurisdictions.

5.    Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue during the period.

Diluted earnings per share

For diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue is adjusted to assume conversion of all potentially dilutive Ordinary Shares.  The Group has potentially dilutive Ordinary Shares arising from share options granted to employees under the share schemes as detailed in Note 15 of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

Adjusted earnings per share

Earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Group for the period, adjusted to remove the impact of adjusting items and the tax impact of these, divided by the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding during the period.

 


Unaudited

Adjusted

Six months

to 30 June 2024

Unaudited

Statutory

Six months to 30 June 2024

Unaudited

Adjusted

Six months

to 30 June 2023

(restated)*

Unaudited

Statutory

Six months to 30 June 2023

(restated)*

Audited

Adjusted

Year ended 31 December 2023

Audited

Statutory

Year ended

31 December 2023

Earnings attributable to equity shareholders of the Group:







Profit for the period (£000)

15,292**

13,361

11,181**

10,424

26,664**

21,579

Number of shares:







Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares at period end

     80,098,710

   80,098,710

79,798,317

79,798,317

      79,873,733

79,873,733

Add dilutive effect of share based payment plans

1,112,794

1,112,794

1,019,564

1,019,564

1,095,629

1,095,629

Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares for calculating diluted earnings per share at period end

81,211,504

81,211,504

80,817,881

80,817,881

80,969,362

80,969,362

Earnings per share attributable to equity holders of the Group - continuing operations:







Basic earnings per share (pence)

19.1

16.7

14.0

13.1

33.4

27.0

Diluted earnings per share (pence)

18.8

16.5

13.8

12.9

32.9

26.7

*                See Note 1 for an explanation of the prior period restatement.

**             Refer to Note 18 for the reconciliation of Alternative Performance Measures.

6.    Property, plant and equipment


Assets held for rental

Assets

under construction

Leasehold improvements

Freehold property

Fixtures and fittings

Motor vehicles

Total


£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

Cost:








At 1 January 2023 audited

129,073

-

2,365

197

4,531

339

136,505

Additions

8,033

-

24

-

192

-

8,249

Disposals

          (4,487)

-

-

-

(6)

-

(4,493)

Foreign exchange movements

(2,347)

-

(43)

-

(78)

(1)

(2,469)

At 30 June 2023 unaudited

130,272

-

2,346

197

4,639

338

137,792

Acquisitions

25,870

1,356

3,432

446

61

31,165

Fair value adjustment on acquisitions

(798)

 

(909)

-

(486)

365

(16)

(1,844)

Additions

11,104

59

18

-

194

-

11,375

Disposals

          (6,225)

-

(196)

-

(199)

(9)

(6,629)

Foreign exchange movements

439

-

12

1

22

2

476

At 31 December 2023 audited

160,662

506

2,180

3,144

5,467

376

172,335

Additions

15,201

1,168

249

246

16,864

Disposals

         (2,150)

-

(102)

(21)

(2,273)

Foreign exchange movements

(1,357)

-

(14)

114

(1)

(10)

(1,268)

At 30 June 2024 unaudited

172,356

1,674

2,166

3,507

5,610

345

185,658









Accumulated depreciation:








At 1 January 2023 audited

(98,956)

-

(1,829)

(76)

(3,597)

(235)

(104,693)

Charge for the period

(4,799)

-

(114)

(4)

(179)

(18)

(5,114)

Disposals

          4,178

-

-

-

5

-

4,183

Foreign exchange movements

1,929

-

36

1

61

(2)

2,025

At 30 June 2023 unaudited

(97,648)

-

(1,907)

(79)

(3,710)

(255)

(103,599)

Charge for the period

(5,475)

-

(110)

(22)

(199)

(19)

(5,825)

Disposals

           5,811

-

196

-

163

8

6,178

Foreign exchange movements

(344)

-

(10)

-

(27)

(1)

(382)

At 31 December 2023 audited

(97,656)

-

(1,831)

(101)

(3,773)

(267)

(103,628)

Charge for the period

(7,563)

-

(79)

(20)

(510)

(23)

(8,195)

Disposals

           1,849

-

-

-

97

21

1,967

Foreign exchange movements

666

-

12

17

(1)

3

697

At 30 June 2024 unaudited

(102,704)

-

(1,898)

(104)

(4,187)

(266)

(109,159)

 








Net book value:








At 31 December 2022 audited

30,117

-

536

              121

934

104

31,812

At 30 June 2023 unaudited

32,624

-

439

              118

929

83

34,193

At 31 December 2023 audited

63,006

506

349

           3,043

1,694

109

68,707

At 30 June 2024 unaudited

69,652

1,674

268

           3,403

1,423

79

76,499

 

 

7.    Goodwill and intangible assets

 

 

Goodwill

£000

              Customer         relationships

                      £000

          Trade name

                       £000

         Non-compete         arrangements

                       £000

          Documented                processes

                      £000

              Computer                 software

(restated)*

                      £000

                   Total

                  £000

Cost:

Restated at 1 January 2023 audited*

66,043

8,863

482

                        −

             2,647

78,035

Additions

                   −

                          −

Foreign exchange movements

(247)

                          −

(247)

At 30 June 2023 unaudited

65,796

8,863

 

482

                2,647

77,788

Acquisitions

        11,900

                  8,503

544

4,134

1,377

26,458

Additions

                  −

                          −

Foreign exchange movements

                43

                        −

                           −

43

At 31 December 2023 audited

77,739

17,366

 

544

4,616

1,377

                  2,647

104,289

Additions

                  −

                          −

Foreign exchange movements

                      (42)

                          −

                        −

(42)

At 30 June 2024 unaudited

77,697

                17,366

        544

4,616

1,377

                  2,647

104,247

Amortisation:








Restated at 1 January 2023 audited*

                (4,548)

                        −

(215)

                           −

                (2,647)

(7,410)

Charge for the period

                   (549)

                        −

                       (48)

                           −

(597)

Foreign exchange movements

At 30 June 2023 unaudited

                (5,097)

        −

(263)

                           −

                (2,647)

(8,007)

Charge for the period

                  −

                    (687)

(23)

(113)

             (11)

(834)

Foreign exchange movements

                  −

                        −

                        −

                        −

                 −

                        −

At 31 December 2023 audited

                (5,784)

        (23)

(376)

(11)

                (2,647)

(8,841)

Charge for the period

                (1,159)

            (136)

                    (459)

                      (69)

(1,823)

Foreign exchange movements

At 30 June 2024 unaudited

                (6,943)

        (159)

(835)

(80)

                (2,647)

(10,664)

Net book value:








Restated at 31 December 2022 audited*

66,043

4,315

267

70,625

Restated at 30 June 2023 unaudited*

65,796

3,766

219

69,781

At 31 December 2023 audited

77,739

11,582

521

4,240

1,366

95,448

At 30 June 2024 unaudited

77,697

10,423

385

3,781

1,297

93,583

*                See Note 1 for an explanation of the prior period restatement.

Goodwill has arisen on the acquisition of the following subsidiaries: Amazon Group Limited (the parent company of the existing Ashtead Technology Group at the time of acquisition in April 2016), TES Survey Equipment Services LLC, Welaptega Marine Limited, Aqua-Tech Solutions LLC and its subsidiary Alpha Subsea LLC, Underwater Cutting Solutions Limited, WeSubsea AS and its subsidiary WeSubsea UK Limited, Hiretech Limited and Rathmay Limited and its subsidiaries Alfred Cheyne Engineering Limited, ACE Winches Inc, ACE Winches DMCC and ACE Winches Norge AS, as well as the acquisition of the trade and assets of Forum Subsea Rentals, a division of Forum Energy Technologies (UK) Limited, Forum Energy Asia Pacific PTE Ltd and Forum US, Inc.

The Group tests annually for impairment, or more frequently if there are indicators that goodwill might be impaired.

For each of the operating segments to which goodwill has been allocated, the recoverable amount has been determined on the basis of a value in use calculation.  In each case, the value in use was found to be greater than the carrying amount of the group of CGUs to which the goodwill has been allocated.  Accordingly, no impairment to goodwill has been recognised.  The value in use has been determined by discounting future cash flows forecast to be generated by the relevant regional segment.  The key assumptions on which management has based its cash flow projections are the same as those used in the last Annual Report and Accounts.

8.    Inventories


Unaudited

30 June 2024

Unaudited

30 June 2023

Audited

31 December 2023


£000

£000

£000

Raw materials and consumables

4,630

2,679

4,064

The cost of inventories recognised as an expense and included in cost of sales during the period was £4,657,000 (H1 2023: £3,282,000).  The impairment gain recognised as an expense during the period was £3,000 (H1 2023: £54,000 loss).

9.    Trade and other receivables


Unaudited

30 June 2024

Unaudited

30 June 2023

(restated)*

Audited

31 December 2023


£000

£000

£000

Trade receivables

31,758

21,959

23,139

Prepayments

4,048

1,704

2,815

Contract assets

473

Accrued income

9,119

953

5,588


44,925

24,616

32,015

*                See Note 1 for an explanation of the prior period restatement.

 

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade receivable and accrued income approximates to fair value.  The impairment gain recognised as an expense during the period was £14,000 (H1 2023: £320,000 loss).

10.  Trade and other payables


Unaudited

30 June 2024

Unaudited

30 June 2023

Audited

31 December 2023


£000

£000

£000

Trade payables

10,258

4,990

9,721

Accruals

19,557

13,789

22,300


29,815

18,779

32,021

 

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other payables equates to fair value.  The amounts due to related parties bear no interest and are due on demand.

 

11.  Loans and borrowings


Unaudited

30 June 2024

Unaudited

30 June 2023

Audited

31 December 2023

Current

£000

£000

£000

Bank loans (held at amortised cost)

Finance lease liability

20

23


20

23

Non-current




Bank loans (held at amortised cost)

75,909

30,347

69,665

Finance lease liability

8


75,909

30,347

69,673

At 30 June 2024 the bank loans comprise a revolving credit facility of £76,937,000 (H1 2023: £31,512,000) (of which (£3,937,000 is denominated in USD (H1 2023: £5,512,000)) which during the period carried interest at SONIA plus 2.25%.  The interest margin fluctuates between 2.25% and 3.25% depending on leverage. The lenders are ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Citibank N.A., Clydesdale Bank plc and HSBC Bank plc.  The Facility Agreement is subject to a leverage covenant of 3.0x and an interest cover covenant of 4:1.  The total commitments are £100,000,000 for the RCF with an additional £50,000,000 accordion facility available subject to credit approval.  As at 30 June 2024 the RCF had an undrawn balance of £23,063,000 (H1 2023: £68,488,000) and the £50,000,000 accordion facility was undrawn (H1 2023: £50,000,000).  A non-utilisation fee representing 35% of the applicable margin (being 0.7875% during the period) is charged on the non-utilised element of the RCF facility.  The revolving credit facility is fully repayable by April 2028.

Certain companies within the Group are party to cross guarantees with respect to bank loans totalling £76,937,000 (H1 2023: £31,512,000) advanced to Ashtead Technology Limited and Ashtead Technology Offshore Inc.  The lenders have a floating charge over the assets of certain entities within the Group.

At 30 June 2024 the finance lease liability of £20,000 (H1 2023: £nil) relates to the financing of certain IT equipment and carried interest at a fixed rate of 6.67%.  The lender is Wesleyan Bank and will be repaid in full by May 2025.

 

Bank loans are repayable as follows:


Unaudited

30 June 2024

Unaudited

30 June 2023

Audited

31 December 2023


£000

£000

£000

Within one year

Within one to two years

Within two to three years

Within three to four years

76,937

31,512

Within four to five years

70,675


76,937

31,512

70,675

Deferred finance costs

(1,028)

(1,165)

(1,010)


75,909

30,347

69,665

 

 

Finance lease liability is repayable as follows:


Unaudited

30 June 2024

Unaudited

30 June 2023

Audited

31 December 2023


£000

£000

£000

Within one year

20

23

Within one to two years

8


20

31

12.  Financing liabilities reconciliation

 


Audited

1 January 2023

Cash flows

Interest (paid) / received

Other

non-cash changes

Changes in exchange rates

Unaudited

30 June 2023

 


£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

 

Cash at bank and in hand

9,037

(1,933)

(612)

6,492

 

 

Bank loans

(34,865)

4,855

(650)

313

(30,347)

 

Lease liabilities

(2,856)

628

63

(171)

(184)

(2,520)

Net debt

(28,684)

3,550

63

(821)

(483)

(26,375)

 

The non-cash movement relates to the amortisation of deferred finance costs, accrual of finance costs on lease liability and the addition of new leases during the period.

 


Unaudited

30 June 2023

Cash flows

Acquisitions

Interest (paid) / received

Other

non-cash changes

Changes in exchange rates

Audited

31 December 2023

 


£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

 

Cash at bank and in hand

6,492

(5,826)

10,065

283

(283)

93

10,824

 

 

Bank loans

(30,347)

(39,041)

(3,062)

2,907

(122)

(69,665)

Lease liabilities

(2,520)

571

(220)

(63)

(775)

197

           (2,810)

 

Finance lease liability

-

2

(33)

(2)

2

-

(31)

Net debt

(26,375)

(44,294)

9,812

(2,844)

1,851

168

           (61,682)

 

The non-cash movement relates to the amortisation of deferred finance costs, accrual of finance costs on lease liability and the addition of new leases during the period.

 


Audited

31 December 2023

Cash flows

Interest (paid) / received

Other

non-cash changes

Changes in exchange rates

Unaudited

30 June 2024

 


£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

 

Cash at bank and in hand

10,824

(5,033)

29

(29)

465

6,256

 

 

Bank loans

(69,665)

(6,111)

(2,782)

2,611

38

(75,909)

 

Lease liabilities

(2,810)

772

(262)

17

(2,283)

 

Finance lease liability

(31)

11

(1)

1

-

(20)

Net debt

(61,682)

(10,361)

(2,754)

2,321

520

(71,956)

 

The non-cash movement relates to the amortisation of deferred finance costs, accrual of finance costs on lease liability and the addition of new leases during the period.

 

13.  Leases

Leases as lessee

The Group leases warehouses, offices, and other facilities in different locations (UK, UAE, Singapore, Canada, USA, Norway).  The lease terms range from 2 to 15 years with an option to renew available for some of the leases.  The Group has elected not to recognise right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases that are short-term and/or of low-value items.  The Group recognises the lease payments associated with these leases as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

Further information about leases is presented below:

a)      Amounts recognised in consolidated balance sheet

Right-of-use assets

£000

Balance at 1 January 2023 audited

2,631

Additions to right-of-use assets

108

Depreciation charge for the period

(523)

Effects of movements in exchange rates

126

------

Balance at 30 June 2023 unaudited

2,342

------

Additions to right-of-use assets

962

Depreciation charge for the period

(567)

Effects of movements in exchange rates

(153)

------

Balance at 31 December 2023 audited

2,584

------

Additions to right-of-use assets

202

Depreciation charge for the period

(644)

Effects of movements in exchange rates

(14)

------

Balance at 30 June 2024 unaudited

2,128

------

 

 

 

 

Unaudited

30 June 2024

Unaudited

30 June 2023

Audited

31 December 2023

Lease liabilities:

£000

£000

£000

Current

970

797

1,154

Non-current

1,313

1,723

1,656

Total lease liabilities

2,283

2,520

2,810

 

 

b)       Amounts recognised in the income statement


Unaudited

six months to 30 June 2024

Unaudited

six months to 30 June 2023

Audited

year ended

31 December 2023


£000

£000

£000

Depreciation charge

                         644

                         523

1,090

Interest expense on lease liability

                           60

                           63

124

Expenses relating to short-term leases

                        154

                        119

254

Total amount recognised in the income statement

                         858

                         705

1,468

 

c)       Amounts recognised in the cash flow statement


Unaudited

six months to 30 June 2024

Unaudited

six months to 30 June 2023

Audited

year ended

31 December 2023


£000

£000

£000

Total cash payments for leases

832

691

1,323

 

 

14.  Capital commitments


Unaudited

30 June 2024

Unaudited

30 June 2023

Audited

31 December 2023


£000

£000

£000

Capital expenditure contracted for but not provided

11,806

9,364

4,307

 

15.  Share based payments

IPO LTIP Awards

The IPO LTIP awards were granted on 5 September 2022 and comprise three equal tranches, with the first tranche vested on the publication of the annual report for the year ended 31 December 2022, the second tranche vested on the publication of the annual report for the year ended 31 December 2023 and the third tranche vesting on the publication of the annual report for the year ended 31 December 2024.  Certain senior managers from various Group companies are eligible for nil cost share option awards with Ashtead Technology Holdings plc granting the awards.  On exercise, the awards will be equity settled with Ordinary Shares in Ashtead Technology Holdings plc.  The IPO LTIP share awards vesting is subject to the achievement of a target annual Adjusted EPS and participants remaining employed by the Group over the vesting period.

The outstanding number of IPO LTIP awards at 30 June 2024 is 378,279 (30 June 2023: 1,011,329).

 

Share based payments

Tranche 1

Tranche 2

Tranche 3

Valuation model

Black-Scholes

Black-Scholes

Black-Scholes

Weighted average share price (pence)

260.5

260.5

260.5

Exercise price (pence)

0

0

0

Expected dividend yield

0.76%

0.81%

0.85%

Expected volatility

41.93%

41.93%

41.93%

Risk-free interest rate

2.79%

3.14%

3.04%

Expected term (years)

0.67

1.67

2.67

Weighted average fair value (pence)

259.2

257.0

254.7

Attrition

5%

5%

5%

Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)

8.17

8.17

8.17

The expected volatility has been calculated using the Group's historical market data history since IPO in 2021.

Share based payments

Number of shares

Weighted average exercise price (£)

Outstanding at beginning of the period

1,011,329

Granted

Exercised

(633,070)

£7.595

Forfeited

Outstanding at the end of the period

378,259

Exercisable at the end of the period

12,346

Share-based payments expense recognised in the consolidated income statement during the period was £488,000 (H1 2023: £1,185,000), inclusive of employer's national insurance contributions of £123,000 (H1 2023: £214,000).

 

2023 LTIP Awards

The first 2023 LTIP scheme awards were granted on 4 May 2023, with vesting on the announcement of the annual results for the year ended 31 December 2025.  Certain senior managers from various Group companies are eligible for nil cost share option awards with Ashtead Technology Holdings plc granting the awards and on exercise, the awards will be equity settled with Ordinary Shares in Ashtead Technology Holdings plc.  The share awards vesting is subject to the achievement of agreed Adjusted EPS, ROIC and Total Shareholder Return ("TSR") targets and participants remaining employed by the Group over the vesting period.  On 16 April 2024 new awards were granted under the 2023 LTIP scheme and will vest on the announcement of the annual results for the year ended 31 December 2026.

The outstanding number of awards at 30 June 2024 is 664,605 (30 June 2023: 438,622).

Share based payments

EPS

ROIC

TSR

Valuation model

Black-Scholes

Black-Scholes

Monte Carlo

Weighted average share price (pence)

379.0 / 687.0

379.0 / 687.0

379.0 / 687.0

Exercise price (pence)

0

0

0

Expected dividend yield

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

Expected volatility

40.17% / 39.01%

40.17% / 39.01%

40.17% / 39.01%

Risk-free interest rate

3.71% / 4.31%

3.71% / 4.31%

3.71% / 4.31%

Expected term (years)

3.02 / 3.06

3.02 / 3.06

3.02 / 3.06

Weighted average fair value (pence)

379.0 / 687.0

379.0 / 687.0

298.0 / 544.0

Attrition

5%

5%

5%

Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)

8.84 / 9.79

8.84 / 9.79

8.84 / 9.79

The expected volatility has been calculated using the Group's historical market data history since IPO in 2021.

 

Share based payments

Number of shares

Weighted average exercise price (£)

Outstanding at beginning of the period

438,622

Granted

225,983

Exercised

Forfeited

Outstanding at the end of the period

664,605

Exercisable at the end of the period

Share-based payments expense recognised in the consolidated income statement during the period was £473,000 (H1 2023: £94,000), inclusive of employer's national insurance contributions of £115,000 (H1 2023: £13,000).

 

16.  Share capital and reserves

The Group considers its capital to comprise its called up share capital, share premium, merger reserve, share based payment reserve, retained earnings and foreign exchange translation reserve.  Quantitative detail is shown in the consolidated statement of changes in equity.  The Directors' objective when managing capital is to safeguard the Group's ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns for the shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders.

Called up share capital


Unaudited

30 June 2024


Unaudited

30 June 2023


Audited

31 December 2023

Allotted, called up and fully paid

No.

£000

No.

£000

No.

£000

Ordinary shares of £0.05 each

80,313,838

4,016

79,947,919

3,997

79,947,919

3,997



4,016


3,997


3,997

 

Ordinary share capital represents the number of shares in issue at their nominal value.  The holders of Ordinary Shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time and are entitled to one vote per share at meetings of the Company.

On 16 April 2024, the Company issued 365,919 newly authorised shares at a subscription price of £0.05 (being the nominal value) to the Employee Benefit Trust in anticipation of the vesting of the second tranche of IPO LTIP share options.  The shares are held by the Employee Benefit Trust on the behalf of certain option holders and are non-voting until each of the option holders choose to exercise their options at which point they are transferred to the option holder and become voting shares.  As of 30 June 2024, 12,346 shares (H1 2023: 279,497) were held by the Company's Employee Benefit Trust.

Share premium

Share premium represents the amount over the par value which was received by the Group upon the sale of the Ordinary Shares.

Merger reserve

The merger reserve was created as a result of the share for share exchange under which Ashtead Technology Holdings plc became the parent undertaking prior to the IPO.  Under merger accounting principles, the assets and liabilities of the subsidiaries were consolidated at book value in the Group financial statements and the consolidated reserves of the Group were adjusted to reflect the statutory share capital, share premium and other reserves of the Company as if it had always existed, with the difference presented as the merger reserve.

Share based payment reserve

The share based payment reserve is built up of charges in relation to equity settled share based payment arrangements which have been recognised within the consolidated income statement.

 

Foreign currency translation reserve

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations, including goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on consolidation, are translated to the Group's presentational currency, sterling, at foreign exchange rates ruling at the balance sheet date.  The revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated at an average rate for each month where this rate approximates to the foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates of the transactions.

Exchange differences arising from this translation of foreign operations are reported as an item of other comprehensive income and accumulated in the translation reserve, within invested capital.  When a foreign operation is disposed of, such that control, joint control or significant influence (as the case may be) is lost, the entire accumulated amount in the foreign currency translation reserve is recycled to the income statement as part of the gain or loss on disposal.

Retained earnings

The movement in retained earnings is as set out in the consolidated statement of changes in equity.  Retained earnings represent cumulative profits or losses, net of dividends and other adjustments.

 

17.  Related parties

There were no transactions with related parties, other than key management personnel, in the six-month period ended 30 June 2024.

 

Compensation of key management personnel:

Unaudited

six months

to 30 June 2024

Unaudited

six months

to 30 June 2023

Audited

year ended

31 December 2023


£000

£000

£000

Salaries and fees

479

428

856

Bonus

578

530

530

Other benefits

46

38

77

Share based payment charges (Note 15)

533

756

1,369

Total

1,636

1,752

2,832

 

 

18.  Reconciliation of Alternative Performance Measures

 

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA

 


Unaudited

six months to 30 June 2024

Unaudited

six months to

30 June 2023

(restated)*

Audited

year ended

31 December 2023


Notes

£000

£000

£000

Adjusted EBITDA


31,418

21,143

48,253

Cost associated with M&A


-

-

(2,533)

Restructuring costs


(103)

(20)

(216)

Software development costs


-

(134)

(683)

Other exceptional costs


-

--------

-

-------

(380)

--------

Operating profit before depreciation, amortisation and foreign exchange gain/(loss)


 

31,315

 

20,989

 

44,441

Depreciation on property, plant and equipment

    6

(8,195)

(5,114)

(10,939)

Depreciation on right-of-use asset

  13

(644)

--------

(523)

--------

(1,090)

--------

Operating profit before amortisation and foreign exchange gain/(loss)


 

22,476

 

15,352

 

32,412

Amortisation of intangible assets

    7

(1,823)

(597)

(1,431)

Foreign exchange (loss)/gain


(30)

--------

367

-------

229

--------

Operating profit


20,623

15,122

31,210

 





Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITA

 


Unaudited

six months to 30 June 2024

Unaudited

 six months to 30 June 2023

(restated)*

Audited

year ended 31 December 2023


Notes

£000

£000

£000

Adjusted EBITA


22,579

15,506

36,224

Cost associated with M&A


-

-

(2,533)

Restructuring costs


(103)

(20)

(216)

Software development costs


-

(134)

(683)

Other exceptional costs


-

-

(380)

Amortisation of intangible assets

    7

(1,823)

(597)

(1,431)

Foreign exchange (loss)/gain


(30)

--------

367

-------

229

--------

Operating profit


20,623

15,122

31,210

 

18.  Reconciliation of Alternative Performance Measures (continued)

 

Reconciliation of Adjusted Profit Before Tax

 


Unaudited

six months to

30 June 2024

Unaudited

six months to 30 June 2023 (restated)*

Audited

year ended

31 December 2023


Notes

£000

£000

£000

Adjusted Profit Before Tax


19,588

14,129

33,029

Cost associated with M&A


-

-

(2,533)

Restructuring costs


(103)

(20)

(216)

Software development costs


-

(134)

(683)

Deferred finance costs write off


-

(522)

(522)

Other exceptional costs


-

-

(380)

Foreign exchange (loss)/gain


(30)

367

229

Amortisation of intangible assets

7

(1,823)

--------

(597)

--------

(1,431)

--------

Profit before taxation


17,632

13,223

27,493

 


 

 

 

 


 

 

 






Reconciliation of Adjusted Profit After Tax

 


Unaudited

six months to

30 June 2024

Unaudited

six months to 30 June 2023

(restated)*

 

Audited

year ended

31 December 2023


Notes

£000

£000

£000

Adjusted Profit After Tax


15,292

11,181

26,664

Cost associated with M&A


-

-

(2,533)

Restructuring costs


(103)

(20)

(216)

Software development costs


-

(134)

(683)

Deferred finance cost write off


-

(522)

(522)

Other exceptional costs


-

-

(380)

Foreign exchange (loss)/gain


(30)

367

229

Amortisation of intangible assets

7

(1,823)

(597)

(1,431)

Tax impact of the adjustments above


25

--------

149

--------

451

------

 

Profit for the financial period


13,361

10,424

21,579

 






Adjusted Profit After Tax is used to calculate the Adjusted earnings per share in Note 5.

 

*                See Note 1 for an explanation of the prior period restatement.

 

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