Pre-close Trading Update

RNS Number : 6474W

Matchtech Group PLC

02 February 2012

 



2 February 2012

Matchtech Group plc

Trading Update

Matchtech Group plc ("Matchtech" or the "Group"), one of the UK's leading specialist recruitment agencies operating in the Engineering, Science, Technology and Professional Services sectors, provides the following Trading Update for the six months ending 31 January 2012 and the Board's current outlook for the year to 31 July 2012.

Since our last update on 18 November 2011, the Group has continued to trade in line with the Board's expectations.

Net Fee Income ("NFI")

There was a strong NFI performance across the whole Group during the period, with a total of £17.0 million, up 26% against the same period last year.

NFI performance is analysed as follows:

Total NFI	H1 2011	H2 2011	H1 2012		H1 v H1
	£m	£m	£m		%
Engineering	4.7	5.5	5.6		+19%
Built Environment	2.4	2.8	2.8		+17%
Information Systems & Technology	2.8	3.2	3.5		+25%
Science & Medical	0.9	1.0	1.0		+11%
Matchtech UK	10.8	12.5	12.9		+19%
Germany	0.2	0.4	0.4		+100%
Professional Services	1.8	2.5	2.8		+56%
Elemense	0.7	0.8	0.8		+14%
Matchtech Group plc	13.5	16.2	16.9		+25%
Average weekly fees	0.55	0.64	0.69		+25%

Adjusting for the lower number of working weeks in H1 than in H2, average weekly fees of £0.69m were up 8% compared with H2 FY2011.

The Group's business mix remained stable, with Contract NFI accounting for 67% and Permanent Fees 33% of total NFI in the period (2011 H1: 68%; 32%).

Contract NFI	H1 2011	H2 2011	H1 2012		H1 v H1
	£m	£m	£m		%
Engineering	4.0	4.7	4.7		+18%
Built Environment	2.1	2.4	2.4		+14%
Information Systems & Technology	1.6	1.8	2.1		+31%
Science & Medical	0.3	0.4	0.4		+33%
Matchtech UK	8.0	9.3	9.6		+20%
Germany	0.1	0.3	0.3		+300%
Professional Services	0.7	0.6	0.8		+14%
Elemense	0.6	0.7	0.7		+17%
Total	9.4	10.9	11.4		+21%
Average weekly fees	0.38	0.43	0.46		+23%
Contractors on assignment end of period	5,200	6,000	6,400		+23%

There was strong contract growth across the Group, with a record number of contractors on assignment at the end of the period of 6,400, up 23% since 31 January 2011 and up 7% since 31 July 2011.  

Permanent Fees	H1 2011	H2 2011	H1 2012		H1 v H1
	£m	£m	£m		%
Engineering	0.7	0.9	1.0		+43%
Built Environment	0.3	0.4	0.4		+33%
Information Systems & Technology	1.3	1.4	1.5		+15%
Science & Medical	0.6	0.6	0.5		-17%
Matchtech UK	2.9	3.3	3.4		+17%
Germany	0.1	0.1	0.1		0%
Professional Services	1.1	1.8	2.0		+82%
Elemense	0.1	0.1	0.1		0%
Total	4.2	5.3	5.6		+33%
Average weekly fees	0.17	0.21	0.23		+33%

Permanent Fees were up 33% compared with the same period last year with Matchtech UK fees up 17% and in Professional Services the Barclay Meade and Alderwood Education brands achieved an 82% rise to £2.0m.

Sales Force Headcount and Overheads

Sales Force Headcount	31 July 2011	31 January 2012	Increase	% Increase
Matchtech UK	167	176	+9	+5%
Germany	8	8	-	-%
Professional Services	68	71	+3	+4%
Elemense	24	23	-1	-4%
Total	267	278	+11	+4%

During FY2011 the Group invested significantly in sales force headcount, leading to a 4% increase over the first half, with the benefits being realised in the growth in NFI in H1 FY2012. Essentially all the headcount required for FY2012 was recruited during the final quarter of FY2011 and in place at the start of the year. 

The Board continues to invest in market development in line with its growth strategy whilst remaining watchful of overhead expenditure in the present market circumstances.

Overheads in H1 are expected to be around 22% higher than the same period last year and 18% higher than H2, with around two-thirds of the increase relating to staff costs.

Net Debt

Net debt was as follows:

31 January 2011	31 July 2011	31 January 2012
£m	£m	£m
4.8	16.0	11.0

As previously reported, the significant increase in contractor numbers in H2FY2011 increased the Group's working capital requirements.  Whilst the increase in contractor numbers has continued in H1 FY2012, it was at a slightly slower rate, and allowing for the seasonal impact of lower billing in the Christmas / New Year period, net debt at 31 January 2012 was £11.0m.

Acquisition

The Group is pleased to announce that on 16 January 2012 it completed the purchase of certain business assets of Xchanging Resourcing Services Limited ("XRS"), the contingent recruitment arm of Xchanging plc, for a total cash consideration of £0.4 million paid at completion.

The Group secured an exclusive two year contract to 16 January 2014 to supply contractors to Xchanging businesses in the UK and the novation of existing XRS client contracts.  On completion, 4 staff transferred to the Group, together with around 80 contractors. No other assets or liabilities will be transferred to the Group.

Outlook

Whilst our trading environment currently remains steady, the Board remains mindful of the impact of uncertainty in the macro-economic environment on business confidence and the effect this may have on Permanent Fees, which were 33% of the Group's NFI in H1 2012.

The Board now expects that the Group's full year performance will be within the range of expectations, albeit towards the lower end of that range, with profits for the financial year again significantly weighted towards H2.

The acquisition of XRS creates an excellent base from which to expand the Group's services into new markets, whilst forging closer links with one of our largest clients, Xchanging.  Alongside this the Group is exploring new overseas opportunities.

The Board remains committed to its strategy and to maintaining its current dividend policy. Our robust business model, ambitious sector diversification and developing international network all continue to give the Board confidence in the medium term prospects for the Group.

The Group will release its Interim Results for the six months ended 31 January 2011 on Wednesday 11 April 2012, at which point it will provide a further update on trading.

For further information please contact:

Matchtech Group plc                                             01489 898 989

Adrian Gunn, Chief Executive Officer

Tony Dyer, Chief Financial Officer

MHP Communications                                           020 3128 8100

John Olsen / Ian Payne / Giles Robinson

Numis                                                                  0207 260 1000

Michael Meade / James Serjeant

Background on Matchtech Group

Established in 1984, the Group specialises in the provision of contract, temporary and permanent staff and has grown organically to become one of the UK's leading technical, professional and recruitment outsourcing specialists.

The Group's specialist recruitment solutions are provided to a broad range of clients across the UK and Europe through the technical brand Matchtech with operations in both UK and Germany, the Professional Services brands of Barclay Meade and Alderwood Education and the RPO brand elemense.

The Group's Head Office is based in Fareham, Hampshire, with strategic office locations in London, St Albans, Aberdeen and Stuttgart, Germany.

 

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