Interim Results

Asfare Group plc 28 November 2005 Press Release 28 November 2005 Asfare Group plc ('Asfare' or 'the Company') Interim Results for the six months ended 30 September 2005 Asfare, a specialist supplier of products and services for the Emergency Services and Homeland Security markets, today announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2005. Highlights: - Turnover £1,698,000 (2004: £1,982,000) - Gross margins maintained at 55% - Loss After Tax £98,000 (2004: £114,000 profit) - Loss Per Share 2.3p (2004: EPS 2.7p) - Net cashflow from operating activities £89,000 (2004: £253,000) - Net borrowings reduced to £652,000 (2004: £693,000) - Entry into new markets following the acquisition of Todd Research Limited in the second half Commenting on the interim results for the six months to 30 September 2005, Tony O'Neill, Chief Executive, said: 'As previously announced in September, the results for the first half of the year were hindered by the continued review of procurement policy in the fire services market. Despite this, Asfare has maintained its gross margins and has continued to generate cash. The recent clarification of the fire industry's procurement policy coupled with the acquisition of Todd Research provides a strong platform for the business to move forward.' For further information, please contact: Enquiries: Asfare Group plc Tony O'Neill, Chief Executive Tim O'Connor, Finance Director Tel: +44 (0) 2380 861 966 Seymour Pierce Mark Percy Tel: +44 (0) 20 7107 8000 Media enquiries: Abchurch Communications Ariane Comstive/Julian Bosdet Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 7700 ariane.comstive@abchurch-group.com - Ends - Chairman's Interim Statement The Company reported turnover of £1,698,000 for the six months ended 30th September 2005, which was 14% lower than the previous year (£1,982,000) as a result of the Government moratorium on fire brigade expenditure. Gross margins were nevertheless maintained at 55%. As a result of lower revenues combined with increased central costs, which were associated with the strengthening of the senior management team, operating profit before goodwill amortisation was £8,000; down from £226,000. The loss after taxation was £98,000 compared to a profit of £114,000 achieved in the six months ending 30 September 2004. Asfare generated £89,000 of cash from operating activities during the period under review, (2004: £253,000), while the overall cash balance fell by £75,000 to £100,000. Net debt fell marginally from £693,000 to £652,000 and as a result, gearing fell from 23.4% to 22.7%. The Market Asfare maintained its strong position in the UK fire and escape ladder market, selling both directly to fire brigades as well as through a small number of key OEMs. The Company continued to supply beam gantries, roller shutter products and ancillary fire brigade related equipment into the search and rescue markets. The resolution of the Government's fire equipment procurement review has enabled the brigades to recommence ordering new vehicles and as a consequence Asfare has seen its order book strengthen. This was underpinned by an additional order received in September worth £435,000 to supply Assetco, for the London fire service, in excess of 200 ladders over the next 6 months. Overseas, the Company continued to develop its relationships in Australia and New Zealand, securing new orders in both countries. Strategy and Acquisitions Asfare has recognised that its traditional market is changing, with the emergency services increasingly combining their resources in response to major incidents. This combined response leads to significantly wider market opportunities as knowledge and equipment are shared between all the emergency service providers. There is also an increased awareness of Homeland Security issues and risk management within government offices, public buildings and major companies. Consequently the Board is keen to offer a broader product range and is intent on making acquisitions to fulfil these market requirements. The acquisition of Todd Research Limited ('Todd Research') was completed in November of this year. Todd Research is a market leading supplier of x-ray scanning equipment used to identify weapons, explosives and powders in postage and baggage. The business has a track record over 50 years of supplying equipment to the emergency services, government departments, embassies and major companies. Todd Research was acquired for an initial consideration of £1,650,000, plus the cash balance in the business on completion of £261,790, with a further deferred consideration of up to £2,080,000. To fund the initial consideration for Todd Research the Company raised £694,000 through a placing of new shares, the balance of the initial consideration was satisfied through new debt facilities with HSBC secured on Todd Research's freehold property. The Group is now being run as two divisions, enabling a focussed product development and selling approach. Todd Research will be the focus for addressing the detection and protection sectors within the Homeland Security market. The original business, AS-Fire, will focus on the fire, search and rescue markets. The Company will continue to seek new business opportunities to develop these two divisions further. Outlook The Board is optimistic about the outlook for the remainder of the year. The company enjoys good operating leverage as a result of its strong margins, good cash flow generation and a healthy balance sheet. The recent clarification of the fire industry's procurement policy coupled with the acquisition of Todd Research provide a good platform for the business to move forward. The directors believe that the strengthening of the management team combined with the extension of the acquisition strategy into the wider field of Homeland Security will result in both strong organic and acquisitive growth over the next few years for the Group. Tim Wightman Chairman 25 November 2005 CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) Six Months Six Months Year Ended Ended Ended 30-Sep 30-Sep 31-Mar 2005 2004 2005 £000 £000 £000 Turnover 1,698 1,982 3,925 Cost of sales (766) (893) (1,847) Gross profit 932 1,089 2,078 Administration and establishment expenses (998) (937) (1,888) Operating profit before goodwill amortisation included in administration and establishment expenses 8 226 338 Goodwill amortisation (74) (74) (148) Operating (loss) / profit (66) 152 190 Interest receivable 3 1 3 Interest payable (35) (39) (84) (Loss) / profit on ordinary activities before taxation (98) 114 109 Tax on ordinary activities 0 0 10 (Loss) / profit on ordinary activities after taxation (98) 114 119 Dividends - (42) (42) Retained (loss) / profit for the financial period (98) 72 77 Basic (loss) / earnings per share (2.3p) 2.7p 2.8p *Restated Diluted (loss) / earnings per share (2.3p) 2.7p 2.8p * Correction of an incorrect calculation CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) As at As at As at 30-Sep 30-Sep 31-Mar 2005 2004 2005 £000 £000 £000 FIXED ASSETS Intangible assets 2,689 2,836 2,762 Tangible assets 120 136 131 2,809 2,972 2,893 CURRENT ASSETS Stock and work in progress 500 600 506 Debtors 776 817 914 Cash at bank and in hand 100 161 175 1,376 1,578 1,595 CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year (801) (841) (889) NET CURRENT ASSETS 575 737 706 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 3,384 3,709 3,599 CREDITORS: amounts falling due after more than one year (520) (752) (637) NET ASSETS 2,864 2,957 2,962 CAPITAL AND RESERVES Called up share capital 1,050 1,050 1,050 Share premium account 1,872 1,872 1,872 Retained Profit 40 (37) (37) Profit and loss account (98) 72 77 SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 2,864 2,957 2,962 CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) Six Months Six Months Year Ended Ended Ended 30-Sep 30-Sep 31-Mar 2005 2004 2005 £000 £000 £000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 89 258 487 Returns on investment and servicing of finance Interest received 3 1 3 Interest paid (31) (39) (74) (28) (38) (71) Taxation Corporation tax paid 0 0 (2) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (16) (12) (30) Sale of tangible fixed assets 7 7 (16) (5) (23) Acquisitions and disposals Purchase of subsidiary undertakings 0 0 0 0 0 0 Equity dividends paid 0 0 (42) Net cash inflow before management of liquid resources and financing 45 215 349 Financing Long term loan repayments (120) (120) (240) Net cash (outflow) from financing (120) (120) (240) Increase / ( decrease ) in cash for the (75) 95 109 period NET CASHFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) Six Months Six Months Year Ended Ended Ended 30-Sep 30-Sep 31-Mar 2005 2004 2005 £000 £000 £000 Operating profit / (loss) (66) 152 190 Depreciation 25 26 49 Goodwill amortisation 74 74 148 Loan cost amortisation 4 4 0 Profit on sale of tangible fixed assets 0 (1) (1) Decrease in stock 6 35 129 Decrease / (increase) in debtors 138 13 (84) (Decrease) / increase in creditors (92) (45) 56 Net cash inflow from operating activities 89 258 487 RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET DEBT £000 £000 £000 Increase / ( decrease ) in cash in the period (75) 95 109 Repayment of new long term loan 120 120 240 Amortisation of new loans issue costs (4) (4) (9) Movement in net debt in the period 41 211 340 Net debt brought forward (693) (1,033) (1,033) Net debt carried forward (652) (822) (693) ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET DEBT Consolidated Cash flow 2004 At 1 Other At 30 April Non-Cash September 2005 Cash Flow Movements 2005 £000 £000 £000 £000 Cash at bank and in hand 175 (75) 0 100 Cash 175 (75) 0 100 Loans (868) 120 (4) (752) (693) 45 (4) (652) NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM ACCOUNTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2005 1. BASIS OF PREPARATION OF INTERIM ACCOUNTS The accounts for the Group for the six months ended 30 September 2005, which are unaudited, have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the 2005 Annual Report and Accounts and have taken into account any regulatory changes expected to alter the 2006 Annual Report and Accounts. 2. EARNINGS PER SHARE (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) Six Months Six Months Year Ended Ended Ended 30-Sep 30-Sep 31-Mar 2005 2004 2005 £000 £000 £000 (Loss) / profit after taxation (98) 114 119 Adjustments : Goodwill amortisation 74 74 148 Adjusted (loss) / profit (24) 188 267 Number Number Number Basic weighted average number of shares 4,200,000 4,200,000 4,200,000 Dilutive potential ordinary shares: Share options 0 18,539 22,057 Warrants 0 0 0 4,200,000 4,218,539 4,222,057 Basic (loss) / earnings per share Based on (loss) / profit after taxation (2.3p) 2.7p 2.8p Loss per share on goodwill 1.8p 1.8p 3.5p Adjusted (loss) / earnings per share (0.6p) 4.5p 6.3p Diluted (loss) / earnings per share *Restated Diluted basic (loss) /earnings per share (2.3p) 2.7p 2.8p Diluted loss per share on goodwill 1.8p 1.8p 3.5p Diluted adjusted (loss) /earnings per share (0.6p) 4.5p 6.3p * Correction of an incorrect calculation 3. PUBLICATION OF NON-STATUTORY ACCOUNTS The financial information contained in this interim statement does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The financial information for the full preceding year is based on statutory accounts for the financial period ended 31 March 2005. Those accounts, upon which the auditors issued an unqualified opinion, have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. INDEPENDENT REVIEW report to ASFARE GROUP PLC Introduction We have been instructed by the company to review the financial information for the six months ended 30 September 2005 which comprises the balance sheet, profit and loss account, cash flow statement and the related notes 1 to 3. We have read the other information contained in the interim report which comprises only the Chairman's statement and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial information. Our responsibilities do not extend to any other information. This report is made solely to the company's members, as a body, in accordance with guidance contained in APB Bulletin 1999/4 'Review of Interim Financial Information'. Our review work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company's members those matters we are required to state to them in a review report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company's members as a body, for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusion we have formed. Directors' responsibilities The interim report including the financial information contained therein is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority require that the accounting policies and presentation applied to the interim figures should be consistent with those applied in preparing the preceding annual accounts except where any changes, and the reasons for them, are disclosed. Review work performed We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4 'Review of Interim Financial Information' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review consists principally of making enquiries of management and applying analytical procedures to the financial information and underlying financial data and, based thereon, assessing whether the accounting policies and presentation have been consistently applied unless otherwise disclosed. A review excludes audit procedures such as tests of controls and verification of assets, liabilities and transactions. It is substantially less in scope than an audit performed in accordance with United Kingdom auditing standards and therefore provides a lower level of assurance than an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion on the financial information. Review conclusion On the basis of our review we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the financial information as presented for the six months ended 30 September 2005. GRANT THORNTON UK LLP CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Portsmouth 25th November 2005 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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