Final Results

AMCO Corporation PLC 6 March 2002 PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2001 AMCO CORPORATION PLC ('AMCO' OR 'THE GROUP') CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Introduction In 2001 the Amco Group continued to focus upon three main activities in structural engineering, property development and contracting in the rail, construction and mining industries. Through rationalisation and diversification with further partnering arrangements and the development of new products, our tunnelling and allied equipment manufacturing operations, which previously had been seen as marginal activities, have been substantially improved and now form an important part of the Group's future. Our overseas activities have been substantially reduced with the pending closure of the Konkola copper mine in Zambia. Remaining activities will be in onshore diamond drilling for minerals - we have recently commenced a two year drilling contract at the Siguiri Mine in Guinea for Ashanti Goldfields - and in mining contracting, where we remain preferred bidder for the fifteen year contract for the operation of the Sulcis Coal Mine in Sardinia. We expect the future of that mine to be decided sometime in 2002. Financial Summary Turnover on continuing activities increased by 14% from £81 million in 2000 to £92 million in 2001. Operating profits increased substantially to £2.7 million in 2001. Profits before tax were £2.4 million in 2001 compared with a loss before tax of £0.6 million in 2000. No exceptional provisions for industrial disease were required in 2001 compared with £1.17 million in 2000. Earnings per share were 16.4 pence as compared with negative earnings per share of 0.9 pence in 2000. Net debt at 31 December 2001 represented 12.3% of net assets (capital and reserves). This compares with 33.5% at 31 December 2000. Net assets at 31 December 2001 were £1.34 per share compared with a mid-market share price of 70.5 pence as at the close of business on 5 March 2002. Dividends Our gearing at the year end was such that we were able to pay a interim dividend of five pence per share on 31 December 2001. We are not recommending a final dividend. Operational Highlights Structural Steel Billington Structures completed several major contracts during 2001 including town centre redevelopment schemes in Redcar and Redditch and 'The Light', the landmark city centre leisure and retail project in Leeds. A major achievement for the company in 2001 was winning the Contract Journal's 'Specialist Contractor of the Year' award. Property Development During 2001 our retail park development at Heanor in Derbyshire was successfully completed and a number of future development opportunities were identified. Contracting Donelon's tunnelling activities, which we acquired in 2000, were integrated into Amalgamated Construction and the new division carried out contracts for the National Grid, Scottish and Southern Energy and BT. The Engineering division was awarded the Stanley Mills hydroelectric scheme in Scotland. The continuing diversification in the Mining division included contracts in Spitzbergen, Sardinia and for Cleveland Potash. Tunnelling and allied equipment manufacture Dosco made sales of mining equipment to Russia, Spain, USA and Malta and of tunnelling equipment in the UK. A pipe conveyor installation was completed in Hungary and Birtley Projects was awarded a major design and construct contract for a materials handling installation at West Burton power station. Employees On behalf of the board of directors I would like to thank our subsidiary company directors and all of the Group's employees for their efforts in 2001. Outlook for 2002 We anticipate profitable trading in all our activities in 2002 and an improvement in operating results compared with 2001. However I must warn that, like many other Groups with final salary pension schemes, we have recently become aware of significant deficiencies in our two final salary schemes following the requirements of FRS 17 and the MFR. Both schemes are closed to new entrants and, depending on stock market fluctuations, the 2002 results may be adversely affected by requirements to fund deficits caused by short-term fluctuations in pension fund asset values. We are looking forward to the satisfactory development, in joint venture with Tolent, of a 166,000 square feet office development South East of Leeds. Stuart N. Gordon Chairman 6 March 2002 CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REVIEW Overview Our improved performance in 2001 is very satisfactory and is the result of significant reorganisation and change throughout the Group over the last three years. The focus of our future activities will be Contracting, Structural Steel and Property Development supported by our Engineering and Manufacturing activities. In 2001 the consolidation of all contracting activities into Amalgamated Construction was completed and the resultant business restructured to achieve clear market orientation. Ambitious plans for growth and improved profitability have now been set and we look forward to further penetration of the rail and infrastructure markets with the range of specialist activities we are able to provide from our skilled and experienced staff and workforce. We will continue to make investment throughout the Group to expand the scope of our services and products and improve the efficiency of our businesses whenever we identify opportunities that will lead to further improvement in the return on capital employed. Health and Safety Our mission is to reduce risks in the workplace to prevent accidents and ill health. The reduction of risks in the workplace, the prevention of accidents and ill health and the promotion of a safe working environment will continue to remain a priority throughout the Groups operations. In 2002 further initiatives will be adopted to achieve our policy and commitment to continuous improvement in health and safety management and to promote a health and safety culture and awareness throughout our businesses. Management Systems Last year we commenced a process throughout the Group to review our management systems and procedures. This process is now well advanced and we already have in place within Amalgamated Construction an intranet based management system that covers all aspects of the business process. Similar systems are now being developed in other Group companies. Advances in information technology are now taking a greater role in the management of our business activities. Billington Structures have revolutionised their business systems with the implementation of a knowledge management tool - BILMIS. Using browser technology the system acts as a customer relationship manager handling contacts, enquiries and sales leads right through to the order and a window into all of Billington's existing software applications and business knowledge delivering data and reports direct to everyone's desktop. The final phase of the project, document management, will be rolled out during 2002. The system will be an essential tool in the future to maintain efficiencies in the face of our increasingly complex business processes. The introduction of the electronic management system into Amalgamated Construction facilitated the company's achievement of the revised Quality Management Standard BS EN ISO 9001:2000 in November 2001. Other companies within the Group are aiming to achieve this new standard during the forthcoming twelve months. Training and Development We recognise that the training and development of all employees to maximise their efficiency and potential to meet future business needs is fundamental to the future growth and profitability of our business. Further progress with our corporate training and development programme has been made throughout 2001. Investment in training and development continues to increase with the focus in 2002 being on health and safety training and awareness, job skills training and management and professional development. Both Amalgamated Construction and Billington Structures have programmes in place to meet their commitment to the Construction Industry's national initiative to achieve a fully qualified workforce by the end of 2003. Environment The Group continues to emphasise the need to control its environmental impacts and specific programmes have seen significant reductions in energy usage and waste generation at several of our operational bases. Our activities continue to be recognised for their comprehensive control of their environmental aspects by both clients and the regulators. In the coming year we will continue our programmes of education and training to increase awareness of both our staff and sub-contractors in order to achieve our goal of continuous environmental improvement. In recognition of its contribution to environmental performance Amalgamated Construction was awarded the 2001 Annual Environmental Award by Railtrack. Construction Amalgamated Construction continued to maintain its targeted growth throughout 2001 in its core mining and civil engineering activities whilst incorporating the specialist tunnelling activities of the Donelon business, the geotechnical and exploratory drilling capabilities of Amco Drilling, the electrical, mechanical and systems engineering skills of Amco Engineering and the minerals consultancy business of Amco Robertson. In 2001 our rail activities achieved a 70% growth with an increased scope in the infrastructure maintenance and structural repair works undertaken for Railtrack (LNER), supplemented by tunnel refurbishment and structural repair works for Railtrack Great Western and Railtrack North West. During the year Donelon relocated to new premises in Warrington and progressively re-established its position in the market with tunnel refurbishment contracts for National Grid, Scottish and Southern Energy and British Telecom. Donelon has recently been awarded contracts for the construction of three additional cross passage tunnels between the north and south bores of the Mersey Kingsway Tunnel; the Dunfermline duplication sewer for the East of Scotland Water Authority; and the Don Valley sewer in Aberdeen for the North of Scotland Water Authority. We anticipate further significant growth during 2002. The engineering business extended its portfolio of sustainable energy related experience with early participation in methane co-generation projects and the award for 2002 construction of the Stanley Mills hydro-electric scheme at Perth for Innogy plc. UK geotechnical services are being progressively extended beyond ground stabilisation and grouting to include surface and underground site investigation and exploratory drilling together with soil nailing and other embankment stabilisation techniques. Market conditions in the UK coal mining industry have remained difficult throughout the year but turnover levels equivalent to those achieved in 2000 have been maintained in this traditional sector. Overall our mining activities achieved turnover growth of 13% in 2001 by increased participation in the UK minerals market and the completion of mining related projects at Spitsbergen in Norway and at the Sulcis Coal Mine in Sardinia. Further selective participation in the overseas mining sector is targeted in future years. Drill and blast activities undertaken at Orgreave and Garleffan opencast coal sites performed well in the year benefiting from revised working methods and plant selection. Amco Engineering undertook term facilities maintenance contracts at Ratcliffe for PowerGen and at Didcot 'A' and 'B' Power Stations for Innogy and at regional sub-stations for the National Grid. Engineering services contracts were successfully completed for Nottingham NHS Trust and South Yorkshire PTE and telemetry and instrumentation contracts for the Environment Agency were able to resume on the lifting of the foot and mouth restrictions in the North West. Increased tender opportunities have progressively been accessed throughout the year and the order book for 2002 is already in excess of 2001 turnover levels, with repeat business for existing clients together with secured work in partnership with Amco Rail at Durham Station and Tees Signal Box and on the Stanley Mills hydro-electric project. Our overseas exploratory drilling activities had an extremely disappointing year exacerbated by the lack of secured work and a series of contract delays and cancellations. Following a strategic review, overseas drilling is now concentrated on the recently awarded two year term drilling contract at Siguiri Mine, Guinea for Ashanti Goldfields. Amco Robertson Mineral Services progressively increased its portfolio of international assignments and provided technical services in all of the fundamental mining disciplines from mineral exploration through to mine engineering and minerals process engineering. Projects are currently being pursued that will also provide potential opportunities for the mining and exploratory drilling capabilities within Amalgamated Construction. A strategic business review undertaken in 2001 resulted in the decision to complete the integration of the businesses incorporated into Amalgamated Construction during the last 18 months and restructure its operations into four operating divisions, each to operate as distinct multi-disciplined client and sector focused businesses. The restructuring was fully operational from the beginning of 2002. Amco Mining provides infrastructure services to the coal and other deep mine mineral extraction industries in the UK and Europe; drill and blast services for the open-cast mining and quarrying industries; exploration drilling services to world mining and minerals industries; and mineral consultancy services to both the UK and international minerals industries. Infrastructure maintenance services to the UK rail industry will be provided through Amco Rail specialising in the maintenance of structures and tunnels, major projects, minor works contracting and general building and civil engineering works Underground civil engineering, tunnel drivage and tunnel refurbishment services for the utilities, water and transportation industries are provided through Amco Donelon. Amco Engineering operates as a multi-disciplined business combining the activities of civil engineering, electrical and mechanical engineering, facilities and asset maintenance and geotechnical engineering. Structural Steel During 2001 Billington Structures concentrated on the consolidation of its activities and the improvement of production efficiencies at its two factories in Barnsley and Bristol. The company implemented a new marketing strategy to emphasise a customer and client focussed approach and this resulted in preferred supplier status being achieved with several major contractors including, Kier Build, Shepherd, Balfour Beatty, Carillion, Sir Robert McAlpine and Tolent. Some 65% of its business is now generated from nine partnered clients and this is planned to increase in 2002. The company operates on a national basis and across the full spectrum of structural steelwork contracting. 2002 started with on site work at Castlepoint, the large out of town development near Bournemouth, which at £5 million is the company's largest single contract award to date. It is also working on a whole host of projects located across the country from Glasgow to Devon and following on from the successful completion of a project for Ikea in Doncaster, a further distribution centre for this client in Peterborough is also now in the order book. Among several major contracts of interest undertaken during 2001 were town centre redevelopment schemes in Redcar and Redditch and ' The Light', a landmark city centre leisure and retail project in Leeds. A major achievement for the company in 2001 was winning Contract Journal's ' Specialist Contractor of the Year' award. Hollybank Engineering continues to specialise in the design and manufacture of structural steel underground roadway supports, junction structures and ancillaries for the mining and civil engineering industries. Improvements to the production process continue to improve factory performance and efficiencies and provide a safe working environment. However, the business continues to be affected by the reducing demand from the UK coal industry. Property Development Our property development activities are now becoming well established within Amco Developments. During 2001 the retail park development at Heanor in Derbyshire was successfully completed and the end investment sold on. Work is expected to commence in early March on a 166,000 square feet business park development at Swillington, Leeds adjacent to Junction 46 of the M1. We have also achieved preferred developer status on three projects: a 150,000 square feet leisure scheme in Grimsby anchored by a national cinema operator; a mixed use scheme in Newcastle-upon-Tyne comprising leisure, residential and offices; and a retail park in Stockton-on-Tees. Numerous other opportunities are currently at varying stages in the development cycle. At the beginning of 2002 a joint venture company was formed with the Strata Group, initially to undertake a 90,000 square feet office development in Sheffield. Engineering Dosco maintained a very satisfying growth in sales and future opportunities in 2001, achieving a 40% increase in turnover on the previous year. The partnering initiative which commenced with an agreement with UK Coal for the repair and overhaul of roadheaders and other mining equipment has been extended to civil tunnelling customers and the company hopes to build on this approach in other areas of the business. An increase in sales opportunities in Canada and the US has been achieved through investment in intensified sales and marketing activities. The company's first sale to Russia was achieved in 2001 and although satisfactory financial security will inevitably restrict the volume of future sales opportunities, this country has great potential for future roadheader machine sales. The business also re-entered the Spanish coal mining market with the sale of a roadheader to the Hullas Del Coto mine in northern Spain. The newly established Birtley Projects business secured its first major contract for the design and construction of a materials handling installation in connection with the construction of a new FGD plant at West Burton power station. The company re-entered the crusher market in 2001 with a range of crushers and sizers particularly focussed on the mineral processing industry where its first machines have already been delivered and are in operation. New product developments for the future include a new range of high powered cutter booms especially designed for evaporate mines, the further development and launch of their 'Multidrill' equipment for the micro-tunnelling industry and a range of shredding equipment for the re-cycling industry. Manufacturing Amco Plastics continues to expand its thermoplastic extrusion capabilities and during 2001 substantial investment was made in the business with the construction of a 6,000 square feet extrusion unit and the conversion of 5,000 square feet of existing premises into a high density storage facility. Investment was also made in additional extrusion machinery and the continuing automation of downstream functions. During 2002 the business focus will be on product development to further diversify the extrusion activities and continue the move into higher value added products. Other activities in the business continue to include the manufacture of flexible ventilation ducting and strata control products for the civil tunnelling and mining industries and for an increasing selection of industrial uses. Overseas Our contracting activities in Zambia, in joint venture with Shaft Sinkers (Pty), are threatened by the potential closure of the Konkola Copper Mine. Our mineral consultancy activities continue under the banner of Amco Robertson with commissions undertaken in 2001 in Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. We also continue to undertake exploration drilling work overseas and have recently commenced the 24 month drilling programme at the Siguiri Mine in Guinea. Amalgamated Construction remains preferred bidder for the operation and maintenance of the Sulcis Coal Mine in Sardinia and we anticipate that the contract will now be in place mid 2002. O. H. Schmill Group Chief Executive 6 March 2002 FINANCIAL DIRECTOR'S REPORT Results Turnover on continuing activities in the year ended 31 December 2001 increased by 14.1% to £92.2m from £80.8m in the previous year. A large proportion of the increase occurred in Amalgamated Construction which continued to expand into new markets following the ongoing reduction in it's traditional coal mining market. Property development generated £4.5m of turnover in the year following the establishment of this activity in late 1999. Turnover in the structural steel companies reduced marginally during the year although activity in the Dosco workshops increased for the second consecutive year. The Group reported an operating profit for 2001 of £2.7m, a considerable improvement on both the normal operating profit of £1.0m and the total operating loss of £0.3m in 2000. The operating profit margin on normal continuing operations increased in the year from 1.3% to 2.9%. The result for 2001 did not suffer from the necessity to provide exceptional provisions against the industrial disease vibration white finger that blighted the year 2000 figures. All of the Group's trading activities were profitable during the year with the exception of a modest loss in Amco Plastics. Net interest payable in the year remained at £0.3m and the profit before tax of £2.4m in 2001 compares favourably with a loss of £0.6m in 2000. Taxation The tax charge of £0.5m in the year equates to an effective corporation tax rate of 21.8% with the charge having been reduced by the utilisation of previously written off advance corporation tax and trading losses brought forward in subsidiary undertakings. Earnings and dividends per share Earnings per share were 16.4p in 2001 compared to a loss per share of 0.9p in 2000. An interim dividend of 5.0p per share was declared and paid during the year which was over three times covered. Capital expenditure The Group continued to invest in capital equipment with a further £3.0m (2000 - £3.7m) of capital expenditure in the year of which £1.5m (2000 - £1.7m) related to replacements in the Group's motor vehicle fleet. Of the balance of £1.5m, £0.9m was in respect of civil engineering equipment, £0.2m related to a property extension and the balance was invested in plant and equipment throughout the Group. The depreciation charge for the year was £2.6m and total fixed assets in the Group reduced from £15.0m to £13.8m during 2001 as a result of £1.3m of property disposals. Cashflow The Group had net debt at the end of 2001 of £2.1m, an inflow of funds of £3.3m from the net debt position of £5.4m at the end of 2000. Bank overdrafts have reduced by £2.0m to £1.9m and cash at bank has increased by £0.8m to £3.3m. Bank loans have reduced by £0.5m and the inception of £1.6m of new finance leases exceeds by £0.1m the £1.5m repayment of finance leases. The gearing of the Group at the end of 2001 was 12.3% (2000 - 33.5%), calculated on net debt of £2.1m and net assets of £17.4m. Ian Swire Group Financial Director 6 March 2002 Profit and loss account for the year ended 31st December 2001 2001 2000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Turnover Continuing operations 92,173 80,792 Discontinued operations 0 464 92,173 81,256 Decrease in work in progress (974) (166) 91,199 81,090 Raw materials and consumables 34,891 34,743 Other external charges 13,780 10,153 (48,671) (44,896) 42,528 36,194 Staff costs 32,599 28,942 Depreciation 2,636 3,049 Other operating charges 4,599 4,512 (39,834) (36,503) Operating profit/(loss) Continuing operations - normal 2,694 1,044 Continuing operations - exceptional 0 (1,172) 2,694 (128) Discontinued operations 0 (181) 2,694 (309) Net interest (276) (290) Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before 2,418 (599) taxation Taxation on profit/(loss) on ordinary (528) 500 activities Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities after 1,890 (99) taxation Minority interest (5) 31 Profit/(loss) for financial year 1,885 (68) Dividends (577) 0 Profit/(loss) transferred to reserves 1,308 (68) Earnings/(loss) per share 16.4p (0.9)p Consolidated balance sheet at 31st December 2001 2001 2000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Fixed assets Tangible assets 13,848 15,023 Investments 1,869 1,119 15,717 16,142 Current assets Stock and work in progress 6,979 7,891 Amounts recoverable on 4,078 2,903 contracts Debtors 12,258 11,957 Cash at bank and in hand 3,298 2,468 26,613 25,219 Creditors: amounts falling due (23,039) (23,114) within one year Net current assets 3,574 2,105 Total assets less current liabilities 19,291 18,247 Creditors: amounts falling due (1,889) (2,153) after more than one year 17,402 16,094 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 1,293 1,293 Share premium 1,864 1,864 Capital redemption reserve 132 132 Profit and loss account 14,113 12,805 Shareholders' funds 17,402 16,094 Consolidated cashflow statement for the year ended 31st December 2001 2001 2000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 6,281 2,776 Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 151 200 Interest paid (267) (309) Finance lease interest paid (160) (181) Net cash outflow from returns (276) (290) on investments and servicing of finance Taxation (75) 127 Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed (1,439) (1,996) assets Sale of tangible fixed assets 1,733 592 Employee Share Ownership Plan - purchase of shares (2) (34) - disposal of shares 2 9 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from 294 (1,429) capital expenditure and financial investment Acquisitions and disposals Purchase of shares in joint (750) venture Net cash outflow from (750) acquisitions and disposals Equity dividends paid (577) 0 Net cash inflow before financing 4,897 1,184 Financing Bank loans (494) 567 Capital element of finance (1,538) (1,240) lease rentals Net cash outflow from financing (2,032) (673) Increase in cash 2,865 511 Notes: 1. Basis of preparation The financial information in this preliminary announcement has been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the financial statements of Amco Corporation Plc for the year ended 31 December 2000, which have remained unchanged for the financial year ended 31 December 2001. 2. Earnings per share Earnings per ordinary share have been calculated on the basis of profit for the period after tax, divided by the weighted average of ordinary shares in issue in the year (excluding those held in the ESOP Trust) of 11,531,658. The comparatives are calculated by reference to the weighted average of shares in issue which was 11,526,185 for the year ended 31 December 2000. 3. Copies of the preliminary announcement are available from the company's registered office at Amco House, 25 Moorgate Road, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S60 2AD. The Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2001 will be posted to shareholders on or about 1 May 2002. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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