Interim Results
Pentagon Protection PLC
29 June 2005
Pentagon Protection Plc
Interim Results 2005
Mixed Results; Major Contract Gains; US Investment in Company
and Collaboration Deal; Confident Outlook
Pentagon Protection Plc ('Pentagon' or 'the Company'), the provider of
protective filming and glazing products to the commercial building and
automotive sectors, announces its Interim Results for the six months ended 31
March 2005.
David Thomas, Chairman, in his statement, reports:
'Despite the temporary setbacks during the first half of the year, the Board
remains confident that the outlook for the future is positive, especially given
recent contract gains from multinationals, the refocus towards engaging global
clients at HQ level, and the alliance with an established North American partner
that we believe is well-placed to access the significant US market. These
developments are making the Company more competitive globally.'
Financial Highlights
- Turnover: £1.37m (2004: £1.46m)
- Operating loss: £558,882 (2004: profit £10,215)
- Pre-tax loss: £563,495 (2004: profit £253)
- Basic and diluted earnings per share: (0.4p), (2004: 0.0p)
- Net assets: £3.0m (2004: £2.83m)
- Cash £121,188 (2003: £274,696)
- No dividend, in line with stated policy in prospectus.
Corporate Highlights
- Major overseas contracts with multinationals for offices and
retail projects
- Gestation period of securing some new contracts taken longer
than expected
- Recent contract gains to impact last quarter of 2005
- Signals correctness of strategy to focus on global clients
- Points to recovery as transition to more global business moves
apace
- Joint venture in Bahrain
- US investment in Company and collaboration deal for US market
Outlook
In his statement, David Thomas, Chairman, said:
'We look forward to reporting continued progress across all areas of the
business in the second half and beyond, as we recover the Group's momentum.'
Contact:
David Thomas, Pentagon Protection PLC 020 8749 9749
Chairman
Peter Binns Binns & Co PR Ltd 020 7786 9600
Ben Knowles Binns & Co PR Ltd 020 7153 1487
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
INTRODUCTION AND FINANCIAL REVIEW
The period under review for the six months to 31 March 2005 has been one of
mixed progress for Pentagon Protection. As indicated in both our AGM statement
of 29 March 2005 and in a further announcement on 11 June 2005 the results were
adversely affected by one cancelled order and one delayed order. In addition,
the gestation period of securing overseas contracts with two leading oil and gas
sector companies in the Middle East was longer than expected.
Turnover for the period under review was £1,369,389 compared with £1,464,819 for
the comparable six month period in the previous financial year, with losses at
the operating and pre-tax levels of £558,882 (2004 profit: £10,215) and £563,495
(2004 profit:£253), respectively. The cost of sales is higher at £854,025 (2004:
£473,347), reflecting continued investment in the long-term development of the
business. Basic and diluted earnings per share are a loss of 0.4p per share
(2004:0.0p). Net assets as at 31 March 2005 were £3.0m (2004: £2.83m).
There is no dividend in line with policy, as stated in the prospectus.
OPERATIONAL REVIEW
During the first half of the year, the board has continued to invest in sales
and marketing to strengthen Pentagon's presence internationally, which is now
bearing fruit, with encouraging recent progress evidenced by contract gains from
a number of global companies. These include the oil and gas sector companies, to
protect the glass of their office buildings in the Middle East using our
proprietary FT800 Bomb Blast Film and anchoring systems.
Other contracts secured since the half year end include contracts in Dubai, for
a leading hotel and retail group, to protect the glass of a prestige retail/
office centre in Dubai and from SKE GmbH ('SKE'), one of Germany's leading
facilities management companies, to supply and install FT400 solar reflecting
film at six American schools in Germany.
We hope to extend our services to other geographical regions, such as North and
South America and Europe and Africa through some of these companies and via SKE
to other projects in Germany.
Work on these contracts will commence in June and July of 2005 and will impact
the last quarter of Pentagon's final results for the year ended 30 September
2005.
A strategically significant development for the Group also occurred recently,
with an agreement to enter the sizeable and lucrative US market.
On 2 June 2005 the Company announced that it had entered into a letter of intent
regarding an agreement with Mr. Haytham ElZayn, the Chairman of Allegiance
Holdings LLC, a leading US automotive warranty group, to collaborate in the
introduction and development of Pentagon's products in the US market. The
details were as follows:
• Mr ElZayn subscribed for 14,322,349 shares in Pentagon at 3.83p per
share, for a total investment consideration of US$1 million (£548,546).
• A new company, Allegiance Investment Company LLC (AICL), has been
incorporated to act as the vehicle to market Pentagon's products and services
throughout the United States.
• Pentagon and AICL will enter into a licence agreement granting AICL the
exclusive rights to trade within the USA as Pentagon's sole partner in the
area of application of window films and anchoring products for architectural
glass.
• AICL will invest a further US$1million in the development and marketing
of Pentagon's products into the US and international markets over the next
18 months.
• Mr ElZayn has been invited to join the board of Pentagon.
As part of the proposed agreement, Mr. ElZayn is to be granted options over
18,677,651 ordinary shares in the Company, exercisable at 4.25p per share. This
grant of options requires approval of Pentagon shareholders via an Extraordinary
General Meeting scheduled for July 8 at 11.00 am, in the City of London.
This is a significant step forward for the development of Pentagon's global
business. The collaboration with AICL will permit Pentagon to tender for larger
and more extended contracts and strengthen our position world-wide. It will open
up new market possibilities with large construction companies and leading
curtain wall designers.
The Directors of Pentagon have chosen AICL as its strategic partner in the US,
given its strong and successful management team and impressive network of
industry leaders in, for example, Architectural Design and Construction and
Manufacturing and Property. The potential for Pentagon's products in the United
States, with the current state of alert in North America with terrorism and
hurricanes, has created a rapidly increasing general awareness of the need to
protect people and property from the inherent potential dangers of glass.
Said Mr ElZayn, Chairman of AICL: 'We are a company strategically focused on the
building and automotive aftermarket sectors. We have established a vast network
in both industries. In the building trade industry we reach the commercial,
residential and OEM Sectors. Through the automotive aftermarket we provide a
range of products through a sales network of over 200 outlets.'
He added: 'AICL is very excited to introduce Pentagon Protection's state of the
art product technology. We are experiencing growing demand in the flat glass
sector for security, hurricane, solar and decorative products. The particular
value enhancement that has positioned Pentagon Protection as the leader in this
technology is their product line of anchoring systems, which will allow AICL to
offer solutions to any area in the flat glass arena, no matter how demanding.'
BUSINESS REVIEW
Pentagon Filmtek Limited (Filmtek) - Commercial
The non-fulfillment of two significant and high-profile contracts earlier in the
year has strengthened the board's resolve to reposition the Company's sales and
marketing strategy towards global clients, with the Middle East as a specific
regional priority.
Recent business gains are encouraging. They follow a growing list of blue-chip
client gains made earlier this year, which included Credit Suisse, Standard
Chartered, HSBC, Barclays Capital, Hitachi, Asda, Marks & Spencer and Boots.
In the Middle East, the Group is in the process of establishing a joint venture
in Bahrain with one of the region's largest automotive distributors and, at the
same time, opening a commercial office in Bahrain to manage and control our
expanding Middle East operations. This will be operational by the end of the
current fiscal year.
Pentagon GlassTech (GlassTech) - Automotive
Despite a struggling market for new car sales, especially at the top end of the
market, sales of Pentagon GlassTech's products to the Motor Trade have held
steady during the first half of the current fiscal year. Following the impact of
legislative changes last year, which resulted in a significant downward
correction in demand for window tinting, the Directors believe the worst appears
to be over and sales overall for GlassTech are moving forward encouragingly.
This resurgence is being led by sales of our SupaGlass product, which has grown
to 35% as a proportion of sales overall.
SupaGlass is now being fitted to Police vehicles and for UK Government
departments on special vehicles. With company vehicles now being viewed as an
extension of the workplace, Health and Safety is anticipated to become a key
driver for demand for SupaGlass over the next few years. A number of significant
projects with major Original Equipment Manufacturers together with exclusive
supply arrangements with major Car Retail Groups are expected to contribute
substantially to revenues this fiscal year and in 2005/2006.
Pentagon Pro-Marker - Building and Construction
Pentagon's Pro-Marker provides a technically improved glass-etched security mark
for use by glass and glazing industries in the face of new legislation. This new
legislation, driven by the UK's Glass & Glazing Federation, dictates that all
new building glass must be marked or etched with the confirmation of its
compliance with building regulations.
Pentagon has recently appointed Bohle Ltd, one of Europe's leading equipment
suppliers to the glass industry, to assist in the European distribution for
Pro-Marker. Sales are expected to grow steadily as anticipated regulatory
changes, which will stipulate a need to 'mark' glass appropriately, draw nearer.
In the meantime, Pro-Marker is rapidly earning a reputation for being the best
glass-etching device on the market and is currently attracting considerable
interest from international companies.
OUTLOOK
Despite the temporary setback during the first half of the year, the board
remains confident that the outlook for the future is positive, especially given
recent contract gains from multinationals, the refocus towards engaging global
clients at HQ level, and the alliance with an established North American partner
well-placed to access the significant US market. These developments are making
the Company more globally competitive.
We look forward to reporting continued progress across all areas of the business
in the second half and beyond, as we recover the Group's growth momentum.
David Thomas
Chairman
29 June 2005
CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31ST MARCH 2005
Notes Unaudited Unaudited Audited year
six months six months ended
31 March 31 March 30 September
2005 2004 2004
£ £ £
TURNOVER 2
---------- ----------- -----------
Continuing
operations 1,369,389 755,757 1,462,714
Acquisitions - 709,062 1,853,840
---------- ----------- -----------
1,369,389 1,464,819 3,316,554
Cost of Sales (854,025) (473,347) (1,364,463)
---------- ----------- -----------
GROSS PROFIT 515,364 991,472 1,952,091
Selling and
distribution costs (321,162) (182,459) (501,997)
Administrative
expenses (742,288) (808,859) (1,192,343)
Other operating
income 44533 10,061 20,738
Amortisation of
goodwill (55,329) - (82,994)
---------- ----------- -----------
OPERATING (LOSS)/PROFIT
---------- ----------- -----------
Continuing
operations (558,882) (68,508) 17,980
Acquisitions - 78,723 177,515
---------- ----------- -----------
(588,882) 10,215 195,495
---------- ----------- -----------
Interest
receivable 4,232 1,025 3,125
Interest payable (8,845) (10,987) (19,763)
---------- ----------- -----------
(LOSS)/PROFIT ON
ORDINARY
ACTIVITIES BEFORE
TAXATION (563,495) 253 178,857
Tax on (loss)/projt on ordinary - - -
activities ---------- ----------- -----------
(Loss)/Profit on
ordinary
activities after
taxation (563,495) 253 178,857
Losses brought
forward (510,767) (689,624) (689,624)
---------- ----------- -----------
Accumulated losses
carried forward (1,074,262) (689,371) (510,767)
---------- ----------- -----------
Basid and diluted
earnings/(loss)
per share 3 (0.4)p 0.00p 0.15p
TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES
The group has no recognised gains or losses other than those included in the
profit and loss account
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31ST MARCH 2005
Notes Unaudited Unaudited
six months six months Audited year
ended ended ended
31 March 31 March 30 September
2005 2004 2004
£ £ £
FIXED ASSETS
----------- ----------- -------------
Intangible
assets 2,362,358 2,348,873 2,430,844
Tangible
assets 216,762 203,648 237,814
----------- ----------- -------------
2,579,120 2,552,521 2,668,658
----------- ----------- -------------
CURRENT ASSETS 145,221 62,770 156,276
Stocks 998,814 1,002,792 1,219,965
Debtors 121,188 274,696 601,782
Cash at bank and in
hand ----------- ----------- -------------
1,265,223 1,340,258 1,978,023
----------- ----------- -------------
CREDITORS (795,755) (770,380) (777,972)
Amounts falling due
within one year ----------- ----------- -------------
NET CURRENT
ASSETS 469,468 569,878 1,200,051
----------- ----------- -------------
TOTAL ASSETS
LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES 3,048,588 569,878 1,200,051
CREDITORS (15,774) (283,694) (22,400)
Amounts fallind due after
more than one year
PROVISIONS FOR
LIABILITIES
AND CHARGES - - (250,000)
----------- ----------- -------------
3,032,814 2,838,705 3,596,309
----------- ----------- -------------
CAPITAL AND
RESERVES 4 151,345 125,956 135,556
Called up
share capital 5 - 750,000 750,000
Shares to be
issued 5 3,763,581 2,459,970 3,029,370
Share premium
account 5 192,150 192,150 192,150
Merger reserve 5 (1,074,262) (689,371) (510,767)
Profit and loss account
----------- ----------- -------------
EQUITY
SHAREHOLDERS'
FUNDS 3,032,814 2,838,705 3,596,309
----------- ----------- -------------
The interim results were approved by the Board on 29 June 2005
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31ST MARCH 2005
Unaudited Unaudited
six months six months Audited
ended ended year ended
31 March 31 March 30 September
2005 2004 2004
£ £ £
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from
operating activities (326,893) 42,196 244,587
Returns on investments and
servicing of finance (4,613) (9,961) (16,638)
Capital expenditure and financial
investment (8,939) (9,710) (410,522)
Acquisitions and disposals (55,000) (943,263) (943,365)
--------- ----------- -----------
Net cash outflow before
management of liquid resources
and financing (395,445) (920,738) (1,125,938)
Financing (85,149) 943,331 1,475,611
--------- ----------- -----------
(Decrease)/Increase in cash in
the period (480,594) 22,593 349,673
--------- ----------- -----------
Reconciliation of net cash flow to
movement in net funds/(debt)
(Decrease)/Increase in cash in
the period (480,594) 22,593 349,673
Cash movements relating to debt
and lease financing 85,149 9,683 80,917
--------- ----------- -----------
Movement in net funds/(debt)
resulting from cash flows (395,445) 32,276 430,590
--------- ----------- -----------
Change in net funds/(debt) (395 445) 32,276 430,590
Net funds/(debt) at 1 October
2004 419,688 (10,902) (10,902)
--------- ----------- -----------
Net funds at 31 March 2005 24,243 21,374 419,688
--------- ----------- -----------
NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31ST MARCH 2005
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following accounting policies have been used consistently in dealing with
items which are considered material in relation to the financial statements.
Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention
and are in accordance with applicable accounting standards.
Basis of consolidation
This interim report has been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting
standards and under the historical cost convention.
On 11 December 2003 Pentagon Protection Plc acquired 100% of the issued share
capital of Filmtek Limited. This subsidiary has been accounted for using
acquisition accounting and consequently only the results since 11 December 2003
have been included in the consolidated profit and loss account.
The financial information set out in this interim report does not constitute
statutory accounts within the meaning of section 240 of the Companies Act 1985.
The financial information for the year ended 30 September 2004 has been
extracted from the statutory accounts which have been delivered to the Registrar
of Companies and on which the auditors gave an unqualified opinion.
Turnover
Turnover represents net invoiced sales of goods, excluding value added tax and
trade discounts.
Goodwill
Goodwill arising on the acquisition of a subsidiary undertaking is the
difference between the fair value of the consideration paid and the fair value
of assets acquired. It is capitalised and amortised through the profit and loss
account over the Directors' estimate of its useful economic life of 20 years.
Impairment tests on the carrying value of goodwill are undertaken:
• At the end of the first financial year following acquisition;
• In other periods if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying value may not be recoverable.
Depreciation
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off
each asset over its estimated useful life or, if held under a finance lease,
over the lease term, whichever is the shorter.
Short leasehold - over the term of the lease
Plant and machinery - 15% to 25% on reducing balance
Fixtures and fittings - 50% on cost and 25% on reducing balance
Motor vehicles - 25% on reducing balance
Computer equipment - 50% on cost
Stocks
Stocks and work in progress are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable
value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.
Cost includes all direct expenditure and an appropriate proportion of fixed and
variable overheads.
Deferred tax
Provision is made in full for all taxation deferred in respect of timing
differences that have originated but not reversed by the balance sheet date,
except for timing differences arising on revaluations of fixed assets which are
not intended to be sold and gains on disposals of fixed assets which will be
rolled over into replacement assets. No provision is made for taxation on
permanent differences.
Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is more likely than not
that they will be recovered. Deferred tax balances are not discounted.
Research and development
Development expenditure is capitalised on clearly defined projects whose outcome
can be assessed with reasonable certainty. Amortisation is commenced in the year
when significant revenues from the development occur and is charged at 33% of
net book value. All other research and development expenditure is written off in
the year in which it is incurred.
Foreign currencies
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the
rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign
currencies are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the
date of transaction. Exchange differences are taken into account in arriving at
the operating result.
Hire purchase and leasing commitments
Assets obtained under hire purchase contracts or finance leases are capitalised
in the balance sheet. Those held under hire purchase contracts are depreciated
over their estimated useful lives. Those held under finance leases are
depreciated over their estimated useful lives or the lease term, whichever is
the shorter.
The interest element of these obligations is charged to the profit and loss
account over the relevant period. The capital element of the future payments is
treated as a liability.
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the profit and loss account
as incurred.
Pensions
The group operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable
for the period are charged in the profit and loss account.
Invoice discounting
The group discounts some of its trade debts. The accounting policy is to include
trade debt within trade debtors due within one year and record cash advances
within creditors due within one year. Discounting fees are charged to the profit
and loss account when incurred. Bad debts are borne by the group and are charged
to the profit and loss account when incurred.
2. TURNOVER
The turnover for the period is attributable to the principal activities of the
group.
3. EARNINGS/(LOSS) PER SHARE
The calculations of earnings/(loss) per share are based on the following profits
/(losses) and numbers of shares:
Unaudited Six months Audited
ended year ended
31 March 2005 31 March 2004 30 September 2004
£ £ £
Profit/(loss) for the financial
period 563,495 253 178,857
For basic and diluted
earnings/(loss) per share: 141,542,261 111,567,876 119,002,923
Weighted average number of
shares
4. CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL
Authorised: Class: Nominal Unaudited Audited
Number: value: 31 March 2004 30 September 2004
£ £
200,000,000 Ordinary 0.1p 200,000 200,000
---------- -----------
Allotted, issued and fully
paid:
Number: Class: Nominal value: 31.03.05 30.09.04
£ £
151,345,615 Ordinary 0.1p 151,345 135,556
---------- -----------
Pentagon Protection Plc share transaction history
On 21st January 2005 15,789,473 ordinary 0.1p shares were issued to the vendors
of Filmtek Limited for 4.75p each as part of their contingent consideration.
5. MOVEMENT IN RESERVES
Profit and loss Share Merger Shares to be
account premium reserve issued
£ £ £ £ £
At 1 October
2004 (510,767) 3,029,370 192,150 750,000 3,460,753
Deficit for
the period (563,495) - - - (563,495)
Premium arising
on shares
issued during
the period - 734,211 - - 734,211
Shares issued
in the period - - - (750,000) (750,000)
-------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
At 31 March 2005 (1,074,262) 3,763,581 192,150 - 2,881,469
6. COPIES OF THE INTERIM REPORT
Copies of the interim report are available from the company's registered office
at Pentagon House, Unit 4 Acton Park Estate, The Vale, Acton, London, W3 7QE.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange