Interim Results
Severfield-Rowen PLC
25 September 2007
25 September 2007
SEVERFIELD-ROWEN Plc
2007 Half Year Results
RECORD HALF YEAR RESULTS
Severfield-Rowen Plc, the market leading structural steel group, announces its
half year results to 30 June 2007.
2007 2006
Half year Half year Change
Revenue £137.56m £130.77m +5%
Profit from operations £15.16m £ 11.39m +33%
Profit before tax £15.88m £11.81m +34%
Basic earnings per share 53.74p 39.95p +35%
Dividend per share 27.00p 20.00p +35%
Highlights
• Operating margin increased to 11.0% (2006: 8.7%)
• Cash balance of £28.8m (2006: £27.10m)
• Proposed acquisition of Fisher Engineering announced post period end for a
consideration of £90m
• Record order book totalling in excess of £300m, including Fisher
Engineering. (2006: £218m)
• All core businesses currently performing in line with management's
expectations
Commenting, Peter Levine, Chairman, said:
'Severfield-Rowen continues to make significant and sustained progress and
delivered yet another set of record half year results. Profits, earnings per
share, cash balances and dividends all increased significantly and we are
particularly pleased with achieving a double digit operating margin.
'This progress is reflected in current trading being in line with management's
expectations. Our record order book gives us excellent visibility and we
continue to operate in buoyant markets which are experiencing high demand for
large scale projects. The integration of Fisher Engineering into the Group will
enhance our geographical exposure, giving us a substantial foothold in the Irish
market.
'With robust demand for the Group's products and services continuing we are
confident in the Group's prospects for the second half and beyond.'
Enquiries
Severfield-Rowen Plc
Peter Levine, Chairman +44 (0) 7802 312249
Tom Haughey, CEO +44 (0)1845 577 896
Peter Davison, Finance Director +44 (0)1845 577 896
Financial Dynamics
Susanne Yule/Richard Mountain +44 (0) 20 7269 7121
INTERIM STATEMENT 2007
INTRODUCTION
Severfield-Rowen continues to make significant and sustained progress and
delivered yet another set of record half year results. Revenue increased 5%,
and profit before tax grew 34%. Earnings per share increased 35% to 53.74p and
the Group's cash balance remained significant at £28.8m at the period end.
The operating margin continued to progress, rising from 8.7% in 2006 to 11.0%
and the net margin was also substantially ahead at 11.6% (2006: 9.0%).
With every Severfield-Rowen company contributing to profits and producing
results ahead of our expectations at the start of the year, the strong financial
and market leading position of the Group was maintained through the first half.
Severfield-Rowen is an outstanding performer in the world structural steel
construction industry and the proposed acquisition of Fisher Engineering, with
its strong client base, robust order book and focus on high quality business,
will enhance further the Group's position.
FINANCIALS
Revenue in the period was £137.56m (2006: £130.77m) and operating profit was
£15.16m (2006: £11.39m), producing an increased operating margin of 11% (2006:
8.7%).
Profit before tax increased 34% to £15.88m (2006: £11.85m) producing a net
margin of 11.6% (2006: 9.0%). After a tax charge of £4.92m (2006: £3.66m)
profit after tax increased 35% to £10.97m (2006: £8.15m).
Basic earnings per share increased 35% to 53.74p (2006: 39.95p).
During the first six months of the year capital expenditure amounted to
approximately £3.3m (2006: £4.6m).
The period ended with the Group having a cash balance of £28.8m (2006: £27.1m)
and with no borrowings this represented a net funds surplus. Cash inflow from
operating activities was £4.78m (2006: inflow £8.73m). Significant cash
outflows in the period included dividends paid of £7.55m, corporation tax paid
of £4.63m and net expenditure on assets of £2.56m.
Dividend
Reflecting the Group's performance in the first half, its strong financial
position and the Directors' confidence in the future prospects for the Group,
the Board is pleased to recommend a significant increase in the interim dividend
of 35% to a record 27.0p per share (2006: 20.0p). This maintains the Board's
policy of having the dividend covered approximately 2.0 times by earnings at the
interim stage (2006: 2.0 times). The interim dividend will be paid on 26
October 2007 to shareholders on the register on 5 October 2007.
BOARD CHANGES & EMPLOYEES
The first half saw the departure of John Severs, the former Group Managing
Director and one of its founders. John left a strong management team behind
him, led by Tom Haughey, our new Chief Executive, ably supported by Peter
Emerson, Chief Operations Officer, and the other members of the Executive Board.
The Group continues to take considerable strides forward and credit for this is
down to our tremendous workforce of whom the directors are very proud.
OPERATIONS
Group Overview
The principal business of the Group is carried out by its four main operating
companies: Severfield-Reeve Structures, Watson Steel Structures, Rowen
Structures and Atlas Ward Structures.
The Group is the clear market leader in its sector and its production
facilities, technology and broad range of structural steel services are
unparalleled in the industry. Sustained investment preserves the Group's
advantage in the industry. Margins remain in the forefront of our attention and
have shown significant improvement in the first six months of 2007.
The core businesses of the Group, each trading profitably and in line with
management's expectations, reflect a balanced and comprehensive approach to the
varied demands of the structural steel market:
• Severfield-Reeve Structures, the single largest production unit in the UK
in terms of capacity and an industry leader in efficiency and use of
technology;
• Watson Steel Structures, a world leader in specialist steel work used
in stadia and bridges;
• Rowen Structures, an expert in complex projects such as airports and
office blocks;
• Atlas Ward Structures, reinvigorated through membership of the Group
has in the short time since its acquisition in 2005 attained leadership of
the shed and portal frame market.
Each of the four companies above are ably supported by Steelcraft Erection
Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Severfield-Rowen, which is responsible
for the on site erection of the fabricated steel.
The broad range of capabilities outlined above, together with the Group's
financial strength and excellence of its workforce, enable Severfield-Rowen to
benefit from, and be resilient to, the ever changing and evolving market place.
Contracts
Projects carried out by the Group in the first six months of the year include:
• Redevelopment of Wimbledon Centre Court
• Terminal extension at Stansted airport
• Ongoing retail development opposite BBC Television Centre, White City,
London
• First ever inner city IKEA store on Queen Victoria Road, Coventry
• Extension to the Shires shopping centre in Leicester
• Retail, leisure and residential centre Eagles Meadow, Wrexham
• Retail development at the Broadmead shopping complex in Bristol
• New 1200 bed hospital development at Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre,
Edgbaston, Birmingham
• Mixed use retail and residential development at Livingston near Edinburgh
• Office development in Piccadilly, Manchester
• Silken Hotel and apartments at the east end of the Strand, London
• Central London office development at Holborn Circus
• UBS sponsored academy in Hackney
• The regeneration of Paradise Street, Liverpool
• Waste to energy plant at Colnbrook near Heathrow
• Extension to ship building facility for Vosper Thornicroft in Portsmouth
• Tesco distribution centres in Livingston, Edinburgh and Goole,
Humberside
• Regional distribution centre in Doncaster for Asda
• Regional distribution centre in Northampton for Sainsbury's
• The third distribution facility in Wellingborough for ProLogis
OUTLOOK
The Group continues to make significant progress, with current trading in line
with management's expectations.
Our record order book gives us excellent visibility and we continue to operate
in buoyant markets which are experiencing high demand for large scale projects.
The integration of Fisher Engineering into the Group will enhance our
geographical exposure, giving us a strong foothold in the Irish market.
With robust demand for the Group's products and services continuing we are
confident in the Group's prospects for the second half and beyond.
PETER LEVINE
CHAIRMAN
25 September 2007
Consolidated Income Statement
Six months ended Six months ended Year ended
30 June 2007 30 June 2006 31 December 2006
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
£000 £000 £000
Revenue 137,564 130,766 295,084
Cost of sales (120,028) (116,989) (261,148)
Gross profit 17,536 13,777 33,936
Other operating income 30 17 79
Distribution costs (587) (590) (877)
Administrative expenses (1,836) (1,821) (4,030)
Share of results of associates 16 5 10
Profit from operations 15,159 11,388 29,118
Investment income 724 498 1,250
Finance costs - (77) (82)
Profit before tax 15,883 11,809 30,286
Tax (4,918) (3,659) (9,365)
Profit for the period 10,965 8,150 20,921
Earnings per share:
Basic 53.74p 39.95p 102.54p
Diluted 53.74p 39.95p 102.54p
Consolidated Statement of Recognised Income and Expense
Six months ended Six months ended Year ended
30 June 2007 30 June 2006 31 December 2006
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
£000 £000 £000
Actuarial loss on defined benefit pension
scheme - - (1,169)
Tax on items taken directly to equity - - 351
Net expense recognised directly in equity - - (818)
Profit for the period from continuing
operations 10,965 8,150 20,921
Total recognised income and expense for the
period attributable to equity shareholders 10,965 8,150 20,103
Consolidated Balance Sheet
At At At
30 June 2007 30 June 2006 31 December 2006
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
£000 £000 £000
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Goodwill 6,732 6,732 6,732
Other intangible assets 1,840 1,308 1,608
Property, plant and equipment 44,567 39,098 43,602
Interests in associates 62 41 46
53,201 47,179 51,988
Current assets
Inventories 11,481 2,945 3,333
Trade and other receivables 52,070 46,519 46,786
Cash and cash equivalents 28,795 27,100 38,304
92,346 76,564 88,423
Total assets 145,547 123,743 140,411
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 58,460 53,516 56,966
Tax liabilities 6,417 4,319 6,125
Obligations under finance leases - 228 66
64,877 58,063 63,157
Non-current liabilities
Retirement benefit obligations 7,287 6,384 7,287
Deferred tax liabilities 742 943 742
Provisions 3,000 - 3,000
11,029 7,327 11,029
Total liabilities 75,906 65,390 74,186
NET ASSETS 69,641 58,353 66,225
EQUITY
Share capital 2,040 2,040 2,040
Share premium 9,770 9,770 9,770
Other reserves 139 139 139
Retained earnings 57,692 46,404 54,276
TOTAL EQUITY 69,641 58,353 66,225
Consolidated Cash Flow
Six months ended Six months ended Year ended
30 June 2007 30 June 2006 31 December 2006
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
£000 £000 £000
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations 4,782 8,732 35,488
Interest paid - (77) (82)
Tax paid (4,626) (2,591) (6,341)
Net cash from operating activities 156 6,064 29,065
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and
equipment 748 563 920
Interest received 738 465 1,239
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (3,304) (4,625) (13,010)
Purchases of intangible fixed assets (232) (300) (600)
Net cash used in investing activities (2,050) (3,897) (11,451)
Cash flows from financing activities
Payment of finance lease liabilities (66) (201) (363)
Dividends paid (7,549) (4,998) (9,079)
Net cash used in financing activities (7,615) (5,199) (9,442)
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash
equivalents (9,509) (3,032) 8,172
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period 38,304 30,132 30,132
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 28,795 27,100 38,304
Notes to Interim Report
1) Basis of preparation
The interim financial information has been prepared in accordance with
International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') as adopted for use in the
European Union and in accordance with the accounting policies included in the
Company's Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2006, which have been
applied consistently throughout the current and preceding periods.
The interim financial information does not constitute statutory accounts within
the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The interim results to 30
June 2007 and 2006 are neither audited nor reviewed by the auditors. The
financial information of the full preceding year is based on the statutory
accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2006. Those accounts, upon
which the auditors issued an unqualified opinion, have been delivered to the
Registrar of Companies.
2) Taxation
The income tax expense reflects the estimated effective rate on profit before
taxation for the Group for the year ending 31 December 2007.
The Finance Act 2007 includes provision for a reduction in the rate of UK
corporation tax from 30% to 28% with effect from 1 April 2008. At 30 June 2007
the rate reduction was substantively enacted. The effect of this change on the
tax charge for the six months ended 30 June 2007 is not considered to be
significant.
Although amendments to the industrial buildings allowance regime were also
proposed in the 2007 budget announcement, these amendments were not
substantively enacted at 30 June 2007 and accordingly have not been reflected in
the Group's results for the six months ended 30 June 2007. The directors have
estimated that, had these amendments been reflected in the Group's results for
the six months ended 30 June 2007 in respect of existing industrial buildings
held by the Group, the effect would be to increase the deferred tax liability
held in the balance sheet by approximately £3 million.
3) Dividends payable to equity shareholders
Six months ended Six months ended Year ended
30 June 2007 30 June 2006 31 December 2006
£000 £000 £000
Ordinary dividend paid 7,549 4,998 9,079
______ ______ ______
In addition to the above, an interim dividend of 27.00p per ordinary share
(2006: 20.00p) will be paid on 26 October 2007 to shareholders on the register
on 5 October 2007. The ex-dividend date will be 3 October 2007.
4) Earnings per share
Earnings per share is calculated as follows:
Six months ended Six months ended Year ended
30 June 2007 30 June 2006 31 December 2006
£000 £000 £000
Profit for the period 10,965 8,150 20,921
______ ______ ______
Weighted average of number of shares in 20,401,969 20,401,969 20,401,969
issue
Weighted average of number of shares in 20,401,969 20,401,969 20,401,969
issue, allowing for
dilutive effect of share options
Basic earnings per share 53.74p 39.95p 102.54p
Diluted earnings per share 53.74p 39.95p 102.54p
5) Reconciliation of movement in total equity
At At At
30 June 2007 30 June 2006 31 December 2006
£000 £000 £000
Opening total equity 66,225 55,201 55,201
Profit for the period 10,965 8,150 20,921
Dividends paid in period (7,549) (4,998) (9,079)
Actuarial loss on defined benefit pension
scheme - - (1,169)
Deferred income taxes on - - 351
pension benefit
Closing total equity 69,641 58,353 66,225
6) Analysis of net funds
At At At
30 June 2007 30 June 2006 31 December 2006
£000 £000 £000
Cash in hand 28,795 27,100 38,304
Finance leases - (228) (66)
Closing net funds 28,795 26,872 38,238
7) Reconciliations of group profit from operations to cash generated from
operations
Six months ended Six months ended Year ended
30 June 2007 30 June 2006 31 December 2006
£000 £000 £000
Profit from operations 15,159 11,388 29,118
Adjustments for:
Depreciation of property, plant and 1,687 1,668 4,238
equipment
(Profit)/loss on disposal of property, (96) 80 212
plant and equipment
Decrease in pension - - (266)
Share of results of associated companies (16) (5) (10)
Increase in provisions - - 3,000
Operating cash flows before changes in 16,734 13,131 36,292
working capital
(Increase)/decrease in inventories (8,148) 4,373 4,807
Increase in receivables (5,298) (14,067) (14,356)
Increase in payables 1,494 5,295 8,745
Cash generated from operations 4,782 8,732 35,488
This information is provided by RNS
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