Final Results

Quadrant Group PLC 28 September 2001 Quadrant Group plc Preliminary Announcement of Unaudited Results for the year ended 31 May 2001 Chairman's Statement Last year, Quadrant Group made an overall profit before tax of £501,000 (1999/ 2000: £254,000), including an exceptional gain of £296,000 from re-negotiation of deferred consideration for a past disposal. The operating profit was £274,000, compared to a loss in the prior year of £385,000. Turnover on continuing operations increased to £18.3 million, representing growth of 38% over last year. No dividend is proposed. Although somewhat below our original expectations, these results confirm the positive impact of the predicted substantial organic growth from our core electronic systems businesses and of the restructuring undertaken over the past two years. The company's largest area of activity is in the CCTV security market, where Quadrant Video Systems and Synectic Systems have established UK leadership positions in installation and maintenance, and in core electronic control products, for large scale networked CCTV security systems, such as town centres. With the support of local and central governments, this market has continued to grow. Exports of Synectics' products made further progress. Also, towards the end of the year, Quadrant Video successfully installed in Jersey City, phase one of the first modern town-centre CCTV system to be commissioned in the United States. Additional opportunities are expected in this area. Operating margins in the installation business were below normal levels, particularly in the second half, as a result both of an unusual proportion of lower margin government work and increased overhead expenditure to gear up for accelerated growth anticipated in the current year. These margins are expected to be back towards historical levels in the first half of this year. As previously reported, our flight simulation business (through the Quest Flight Training joint venture) won an important contract to provide pilot training for the RAF's E-3D AWACS crews for the next 30 years. Preparatory work on upgrading the simulator absorbed a great deal of effort and resource during the year, and full training on the updated device is expected to begin on schedule at the end of October. Overall turnover in flight simulation grew by over 100% to £6.9 million. As predicted, the business achieved profitability, generating an operating profit of £126,000 compared to a loss of £415,000 last year. Although it was a year of real successes, the rapid growth rate and resource constraints imposed by the E-3D programme resulted in cost inefficiencies and therefore margins that were considerably below potential. In the current year we expect a more stable sales level and improved profitability. Axiom Design & Print again produced a creditable performance, despite an unavoidable loss of volume from a large customer that reduced its result to breakeven in the second half. After investing £475,000 for our 50% share of Quest Flight Training, net borrowings at the year end were £698,000. The recent period has been an especially challenging one for the Group's employees at all levels, with extraordinary commitment needed to grasp the opportunities that have been developed and to ensure promises are delivered. Much has been achieved, and the Board is grateful to all those who have contributed to this spirit of achievement. The current year has started positively, particularly in the CCTV businesses which have won important contracts incorporating new networking and digital video recording technology. CCTV order books have grown substantially and underpin an expectation of continuing strong organic growth. Overall, although there are obvious uncertainties, we expect the Group's businesses to deliver further solid improvement in financial results. Peter Rae Chairman 28 September 2001 Consolidated Profit and Loss Account For the year ended 31 May 2001 Unaudited 2000 Notes 2001 £'000 £'000 Turnover Continuing operations 1 18,253 13,192 Discontinued operations 1 - 6,096 18,253 19,288 Less share of acquired joint venture's turnover (282) - Group turnover 17,971 19,288 Cost of sales (13,057) (12,493) Gross profit 4,914 6,795 Net operating expenses (4,757) (7,180) Operating profit/(loss) Continuing operations 157 (159) Discontinued operations - (226) Group operating profit/(loss) 157 (385) Share of operating profit in acquired and 2 97 - continuing joint venture Share of operating profit in continuing associate 3 20 - Total operating profit/(loss) 274 (385) Exceptional items - continuing operations Profit on disposal of fixed assets - 1,235 - discontinued operations Additional consideration from sale of business 4 296 - Provisions and asset impairment on disposal of - (450) business 296 785 Profit before interest 570 400 Net interest payable 5 (69) (146) Profit before taxation 501 254 Tax charge on ordinary activities 6 (35) - Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 466 254 Minority interests - - Profit for the year - transferred to reserves 466 254 Basic earnings per ordinary share 7 7.2p 4.1p Diluted earnings per ordinary share 7 7.2p 4.1p Consolidated Balance Sheet 31 May 2001 Notes Unaudited 2000 2001 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets Intangible assets 43 46 Tangible assets 1,633 2,044 Investments Investment in joint venture 2 - share of gross assets 2,672 - - share of gross liabilities (2,119) - 553 - Investment in associate 3 216 - Total investments 769 - 2,445 2,090 Current assets Stocks 1,467 936 Debtors 5,734 4,837 Cash at bank and in hand 3 109 7,204 5,882 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (5,853) (4,650) Net current assets 1,351 1,232 Total assets less current liabilities 3,796 3,322 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (164) (92) Provisions for liabilities and charges (52) (120) Net assets 3,580 3,110 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 1,288 1,288 Share premium account 6,934 6,934 Other reserves 4,387 4,387 Profit and loss account (9,033) (9,499) Equity shareholders' funds 3,576 3,110 Equity minority interest 4 - 3,580 3,110 Consolidated Cash Flow Statement For the year ended 31 May 2001 Unaudited 2000 2001 £'000 £'000 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities 879 (51) Returns on investments and servicing of finance (80) (183) Net capital expenditure and financial investment (436) 3,567 Acquisitions and disposals (381) - Cash inflow/(outflow) before financing (18) 3,333 Financing (109) (2,217) Increase/(decrease) in cash (127) 1,116 Notes 1. Continuing operations comprise the businesses of Quadrant Systems, Quadrant Video Systems ('QVS'), Synectic Systems, Axiom Design & Print and C3 Design & Print. Turnover from continuing operations also includes 50% of the turnover of Quest Flight Training Limited ('Quest', see note 2). Discontinued operations comprise the former audio-visual equipment, systems and services business ('The AV Business') of QVS (see note 3). 2. On 20 July 2000 Quest was awarded a contract by the UK Ministry of Defence for the provision of aircrew simulator training for the RAF's Boeing E-3D AWACS aircraft. Quest was specifically set up for this programme as a 50% owned joint venture company between Quadrant Group plc and Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation, to which both parties have subscribed £475,000 for ordinary share capital. The activities of Quest have been reported as a joint venture under the gross equity method of accounting. 3. With effect from 1 June 2000 the AV Business was transferred into a previously dormant subsidiary of QVS, Quadrant Visual Solutions Limited ('VSL') and QVS then sold 80.65% of the share capital of VSL to the management of VSL. In addition, VSL issued to QVS £200,000 of 7% secured loan notes (repayable over 5 to 7 years), of which £180,000 remained outstanding at 31 May 2001 and is included in the amount shown as investment in associate on the balance sheet. The activities of VSL have been reported as an associated company under the equity method of accounting from 1 June 2000. 4. The terms of the sale agreement for Yewlands Engineering Co. Limited, a former subsidiary undertaking which was sold in 1997, provided that Quadrant would receive additional consideration payable upon utilisation of tax losses in that company. During the year the Company received £ 296,000 in full and final settlement of this provision. This amount has been shown as an exceptional item in the profit and loss account and included under acquisitions and disposals in the cash flow statement. 5. Net interest payable includes the appropriate share of interest payable and receivable by joint ventures and associates. 6. The tax charge represents the Group's share of the joint venture tax charge. No tax charges arise in either Quadrant Group plc, its subsidiaries or associate company. 7. The calculation of basic earnings per ordinary share is based on the profit after taxation and minority interests for the year of £466,000 (2000: £254,000) and on 6,439,956 shares being the actual number of shares in issue and ranking for dividend during the year (2000: weighted average number of shares - 6,271,349). There were no dilutive potential ordinary shares in the two years ended 31 May 2001. 8. The preliminary results for the year have not been audited by the Group's auditors and do not constitute statutory accounts. The comparative figures for 2000 have been abridged from the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 May 2000. The Auditors' opinion on these accounts was unqualified and did not contain any statements under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 May 2000 have been filed with the Registrar of Companies.

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