Interim Results
Artisan (UK) PLC
29 November 2000
ARTISAN (UK) plc - INTERIM RESULTS
The following are salient points from the unaudited interim announcement of
Artisan (UK) plc, the AIM-listed property and construction group, for the six
months to 30th September 2000
Turnover 144% higher at £37.7million and pre-tax profits 165% up at
£5.5million for first six months in excess of those for whole of
previous year.
Cash interim dividend increased by 25per cent to 0.25p per share.
Alternative 'bonus' interim distribution based on Envesta share
entitlement equivalent to 1.1p per Artisan share
Early repayment of £5.9million of loan notes.
'Key contribution to profits from successful sale of acquired
development land and property'.
'Development land bank boosted since September'.
'Significant increase in residential sales volume should be achieved
early next calendar year'.
'Further property sales to improve portfolio balance'.
'Specialist contracting subsidiaries benefiting from buoyant leisure
industry and high level of tender enquiries and opportunities'.
'Disposal of holding in enterpriseAsia.com will not have an adverse
effect on either balance sheet or profit and loss account of Artisan
(UK) plc
'Board continues to explore acquisition and merger opportunities to
become a more significant operator in the sector,' says Chairman.
Enquiries:
Artisan (UK) plc 01480 436666
Stephen Dean, Chairman
Chris Musselle, Finance Director
Boswell City Financial PR Limited 020 7583 2001
Glenda Boswell Mobile 07768 235 735
Rodney Johnson
ARTISAN (UK) PLC
(AIM)
UNAUDITED INTERIM STATEMENT FOR THE SIX
MONTHS ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2000
During the period under review the group continued to expand the core
activities of property development, house building and specialist contracting
and has made substantial progress in the integration of the acquisitions made
in the second half of the year.
In furtherance of the group's strategy, I am pleased to announce that
negotiations are at an advanced stage for the acquisition of Rippon Homes
Limited from Ennstone Plc for a total consideration of approximately, £10.25
million which will be financed using cash from group resources, bank debt
provided by Bank of Scotland and an element of vendor non-convertible loan
note.
Rippon develops homes in the Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire
area and in the twelve month period to January 2000 made pre-tax profits of
£2.1 million on turnover of £12.0 million. This acquisition is expected to
contribute to group profits in the current year.
The financial review below and the interim results demonstrate that the group
financials have improved substantially, compared with the same period last
year, with turnover up 144%, pre-tax profit up 165% and net assets increasing
from £6.5 million to £21.6 million.
The Board intends to pay a further interim dividend allowing shareholders to
choose either 0.25p cash or 9 Envesta plc shares for every 200 Artisan shares
held (equivalent to 1.1p per Artisan share based on the current price of
Envesta plc shares), to all shareholders on the register as at 15th December
2000. Payment of the dividend in either cash or in specie will be made on 7th
February 2001.
The Company has further strengthened its management team by the appointment of
Mr Martyn Freeman as Operations Director for Developments and Property.
Martyn previously worked for Hunting Gate, a private property group based in
Hertfordshire, where he held various directorships involving property
development, house building and property investment.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The group has seen an increase in turnover over the comparable six month
period last year, rising by 144% to to £37.8 million ( £15.5 million for the
6 months to 30th September 1999), an increase of 144%. This reflects the
contribution of the acquisitions of companies and properties during the second
half of the year to 31st March 2000.
Profit before tax has increased to £5.5 million (£2.1 million in the year to
30th September 1999), an increase of 165%. There has been a significant
increase in other income, which principally arises from the sale and
distribution of Envesta shares held by the group.
During the period net assets have increased to £21.6 million representing
assets per share of 8.2p, up from 4.6p at 31st March 2000.
The dividends payable in the six months reflect both the special dividend in
specie of Envesta shares in the period and the interim dividend for the half
year. We are enhancing the interim dividend by offering shareholders an
alternative to the cash dividend of Envesta shares in specie.
The interim results reflect the value of dividends analysed between the normal
cash dividend of 0.25p (30th September 1999: 0.2p) and the enhanced element
assuming a proportion of the shareholders will elect for Envesta shares. The
distinction is shown to demonstrate the normal cash dividend growth and the
bonus nature of the in specie element.
DEVELOPMENT AND PROPERTY
Land and Development
During the first six months, Artisan (UK) Developments Ltd completed the
construction of the Cardinal Business Park, in Godmanchester for Scottish
Widows. Lettings of 50% of the units have since been agreed and our
additional profits under the sale agreement are being underpinned.
The first 20,000 sq ft of industrial units on the Colmworth Business Park in
St. Neots have been completed and further phases are now underway.
Construction is nearing completion at Minerva Business Park, with 20% of the
30,000 sq ft of offices being built already let or sales agreed.
With the 25,000 sq ft prestige offices for B G Pension Fund also nearing
completion at Clarendon Road in Watford, this has been a busy six months for
our development teams.
The key contribution to profits in the six month period was the successful
sale of some of the development land and property acquired with Gryphon
Developments Ltd, including the housing site in Welwyn Garden City.
The development land bank has been boosted since September by the purchase of
a site for 60,000 sq ft of offices in St Albans and a further 5 acre phase at
Colmworth.
Current trading prospects are very positive, with over 80,000 sq ft of
development presently under offer by prospective tenants or purchasers, 60,000
sq ft under construction and 330,000 sq ft of future development available
from the land bank.
Residential Development
Housebuilding operations at Artisan (UK) Developments Ltd for the first six
months produced successful sales at Little Eversden.
New joint venture housing developments are now underway in Willingham and
Cambridge with a combined sale value of around £6 million and a further 11
plots are under construction in our own name.
Continued injection of development funding into our associate company, Living
Heritage, which specialises in the conversion of historic properties, has
enabled development activity to be substantially increased during the first
six months of the year. With the ongoing developments at Warwick, Haywards
Heath and in Hertfordshire, Living Heritage had 94 plots in development at
the period end. The sale of 17 units in the first six months reflects the
time taken for the development programme to yield any significant sales
volume, which should be achieved in the early part of next year.
Current development prospects
The planned growth in commercial property development and at Living Heritage
will be maintained into 2001 and we will continue to look for suitable
opportunities in new homes housebuilding.
Property
During the first six months, the company added to its portfolio with the
purchase of a prime freehold property in Victoria and two further fully let
regional retail units, for a combined purchase price of £3.6 million plus
costs. Consideration was settled by issuing twelve month convertible loan
notes.
Following the profitable sale of an industrial estate in London for over £5
million, and the arrangement of a £5 million flexible mortgage with the
National Westminster Bank, £5.9 million of loan notes issued last year were
repaid early.
After improving the net rental income of the portfolio, the company is now in
the process of realising further property sales and improving the portfolio
balance with selected new properties for which an additional £2 million
mortgage facility from the National Westminster Bank has been arranged.
Solicitors have been instructed on the disposal of a further £5,145,000 of
commercial property sales.
ARTISAN CONTRACTING
Our specialist contractors for the leisure industry, Speymill Contracts, have
continued to build on their success in previous years, with good results for
the six months trading. Turnover for six months stands at £8.5 million and
Speymill are currently well advanced in securing work to achieve the budget of
£16.5 million for the year. The increased turnover on the previous year is
primarily a result of establishing the Leeds office in the north of England.
The leisure industry continues to be very buoyant and after some
well-publicised take-overs within the industry the opportunties are now as
strong as ever. Speymill Contracts has continued to develop stronger
relationships with a wide client base and there are a number of prime clients
that have provided sustained workload. These clients include Yates Brothers
with further wine lodge projects, including the recently commenced flagship
site in Leicester Square. Projects have also been completed for Scottish and
Newcastle from whom Speymill Contracts have recently been awarded two projects
totalling some £2.6 million for their Premier Lodge concept. Speymill have
also carried out substantial work for SFI, carrying out some six projects with
their Bar Med, Litten Tree and For Your Eyes Only concepts. Another repeat
client is The Old Monk Pub Company with five projects this period and another
Springbok Bar shortly to be commenced at Cardiff. Other clients include
Charles Wells, Eldridge Pope, Luminar Leisure, Punch and Pizza Express.
Speymill Contracts can look forward to the next six months with considerable
confidence.
The first six months of the year has been a period of change for Bickerton
Construction, our regional contractor based in St. Albans. There have been
changes in senior management, including the appointment of Mr Ray McAuley as
Managing Director. We see the first six months as being the first phase in
integrating Bickerton Construction to the management style and systems
operated by Artisan, emphasising our commitment to this company.
Bickerton Construction continue to carry out prestigious contracts and two
recently completed projects include a new teaching block at the horticultural
college Capel Manor, which was opened by H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, and a new
training centre and offices for the Oxford University Officers Training Corps,
opened by H.M. The Queen.
Tender opportunities are still buoyant and the Company is involved in the
continuing trend towards partnering.
Joseph Driver similarly has gone through a management restructuring with the
appointment of Mr Gary Sones as Managing Director. The first six months has
seen a relatively busy period for Drivers, working for housing associations,
NHS Trusts, local authorities and private clients.
Turnover for six months was £3 million. Tender enquiries and opportunities are
numerous in what is a very busy marketplace, which should see Drivers building
on the solid first six months.
GROUP STRATEGY
Your Board continues to explore acquisition and merger opportunities in a
quest to become a more significant operator in the sector.
Our target is to achieve an ongoing 20% earnings per share growth each year, and
I am extremely confident that the Group will achieve this target this year.
We are continuing negotiations with a number of parties interested in acquiring
our shareholding in enterpriseAsia.Com plc, which, when concluded, will result
in a disposal I am confident will not have an adverse effect on either the
balance sheet or profit and loss account of Artisan (UK) plc.
STEPHEN DEAN
Chairman 29th November, 2000
ARTISAN (UK) PLC
CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
Six months Six months Year
ended ended ended
30 September 30 September 31 March
2000 1999 2000
£ £ £
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
Turnover
Ongoing activities 38,556,637 13,570,072 31,594,758
Discontinued activities - 1,905,748 3,226,759
Total Turnover 38,556,637 15,475,820 34,821,517
Less: Group's share of
associate's turnover (804,578) - (4,938,078)
Group Turnover 37,752,059 15,475,820 29,883,439
Operating profit
Ongoing activities 4,432,006 1,822,235 3,720,418
Discontinued activities - 6,922 (5,753)
Group's share of Operating
(Loss)/Profit of
Associate (193,762) - 467,246
4,238,244 1,829,157 4,181,911
Interest receivable and
similar income 1,648,807 292,899 245,939
Profit on sale of group
undertaking - - 104,957
Interest payable (368,432) (41,277) (401,211)
Profit on ordinary
activities before
taxation 5,518,619 2,080,779 4,131,596
Taxation (1,713,273) (644,172) (1,264,313)
Profit on ordinary
activities after
taxation 3,805,346 1,436,607 2,867,283
Dividends - interim at
cash value (659,134) (283,261) (1,066,485)
- in specie dividends (1,730,988) - -
Retained profit 1,415,224 1,153,346 1,800,798
Earnings per share 1.52p 1.57p 2.16p
Fully diluted earnings
per share 1.48p 1.53p 2.13p
Dividends per share - Total 0.91p 0.20p 0.50p
- interim at cash value 0.25p 0.20p 0.20p
- In specie 0.66p - p - p
- Final at cash value - p - p 0.30p
ARTISAN (UK) PLC
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
As at As at As at
30 September 30 September 31 March
2000 1999 2000
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
£ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets 2,350,337 888,339 2,201,466
Intangible fixed assets 3,131,531 1,309,174 2,953,127
Investments in associates 693,335 - 804,246
6,175,203 2,197,513 5,958,839
Current assets
Investments 18,478,939 226,875 13,480,648
Stocks 10,908,648 6,512,035 11,304,325
Debtors 14,398,522 7,780,483 14,132,828
Cash at bank and in hand 5,697,555 1,188,834 3,248,199
49,483,664 15,708,227 42,166,000
Creditors
Amounts falling due within
one year (31,088,909) (8,610,607) (27,571,695)
Net current assets 18,394,755 7,097,620 14,594,305
Total assets less current
liabilities 24,569,958 9,295,133 20,553,144
Creditors
Amounts falling due after
more than one year (2,983,310) (2,801,901) (2,488,394)
Minority interests - - (129,944)
Net Assets 21,586,648 6,493,232 17,934,806
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 1,318,269 704,753 1,239,606
Share premium account 15,548,982 3,418,178 13,391,027
Other reserves 1,313,547 1,027,127 1,313,547
Profit and loss account 3,405,850 1,343,174 1,990,626
Equity shareholders' funds 21,586,648 6,493,232 17,934,806
ARTISAN (UK) PLC
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW
Six months Six months Year
Ended Ended Ended
30 30 31
September September March
2000 1999 2000
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
£ £ £
Net cash inflow/(outflow)
from operating activities 54,362 (1,880,211) (6,650,535)
Returns on investments and
servicing of Finance
Interest received and
similar income 892,180 292,899 245,939
Interest paid (368,432) (41,277) (401,211)
523,748 251,622 (155,272)
Taxation
UK Corporation tax paid (50,086) (65,135) (484,167)
Capital expenditure and financial investment
Purchase of tangible fixed
assets (571,192) (98,652) (195,134)
Sale of tangible fixed
assets 382,561 - 110,621
(188,631) (98,652) (84,513)
Acquisitions and disposals
Purchase of subsidiary
undertakings (241,381) (1,578,789) (3,058,818)
Net cash acquired with
subsidiary undertakings - 146,694 310,677
Disposal of subsidiary
undertakings - - 348,827
Purchase of share in
associate undertaking (156,480) (483,125) (511,790)
(397,861) (1,915,220) (2,911,104)
Equity Dividends Paid - (291,633) (574,895)
Net cash outflow before
financing (58,468) (3,999,229) (10,860,486)
Financing
Issue of shares net of
costs 150,000 3,524,127 13,828,259
Additions to borrowings 2,144,065 900,000 4,848,797
Debt acquired with
subsidiary undertakings - - (5,212,701)
Capital element of finance
leases 213,759 86,160 (33,446)
2,507,824 4,510,287 13,430,909
INCREASE IN CASH 2,449,356 511,058 2,570,423
ARTISAN (UK) PLC
NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(a) Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow/(outflow) from
operating activities
Six months Six months Year
ended 30 ended 20 ended
September September March
2000 1999 2000
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
£ £ £
Operating profit 4,238,244 1,829,157 4,181,911
Depreciation 122,220 57,439 121,870
Amortisation 62,977 19,612 60,225
Profit on sale of
tangible fixed
assets (82,460) - (754)
Loss/(Profit)
retained in
associated company 193,762 - (467,246)
(Increase)/Decrease
in investments (2,091,229) 184,759 (7,153,514)
Decrease/(Increase)
in stock 395,677 (2,945,781) (4,322,759)
(Increase) in
debtors (501,141) (2,048,772) (6,670,683)
(Decrease)/Increase
in creditors (2,283,688) 1,023,375 7,600,415
Net cash inflow/
(outflow) from
operating
activities 54,362 (1,880,211) (6,650,535)
(b) Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt
Six months Six months Year
Ended Ended Ended
September 30 September 30 March 31
2000 1999 2000
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
£ £ £
Increase in cash 2,449,356 511,058 2,570,423
Cash inflow from
increase in debt
and lease financing (2,357,824) (986,160) 397,350
Loan notes issued to
acquire subsidiary
undertaking - - (1,942,080)
Loans granted on
acquisition of
investment properties - - (5,915,500)
Debt acquired with
subsidiary undertakings - - (5,212,701)
Change in net debt
resulting from cash
flows 91,532 (475,102) (10,102,508)
Opening net (debt) (10,577,224) (474,716) (474,716)
Closing net (debt) (10,485,692) 949,818) (10,577,224)
(c) Analysis of net cash and debt
At Cash At
31 March Flow 30 September
2000 2000
£ £ £
NET CASH
Cash at bank 3,248,199 2,449,356 5,697,555
DEBT
Finance leases (119,046) (213,759) (332,805)
Debt due within
one year (12,237,477) (670,965) (12,908,442)
Debt due after
more than one
year (1,468,900) (1,473,100) (2,942,000)
Net (debt) (10,577,224) 91,532 (10,485,692)
NOTES TO THE INTERIM STATEMENT
1. The interim financial information has been prepared on the basis of
the accounting policies set out in the Group's 2000 statutory accounts to 31
March 2000. The interim figures have not been audited. The interim financial
statement does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section
240 of the Companies Act 1985 (The 'Act').
Comparative financial information for the 12 months ended 31 March 2000 has
been extracted from the statutory accounts for the period which have been
delivered to the registrar of Companies and upon which the auditors gave an
unqualified report, with no statement under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Act.
2. The taxation charge for the 6 months has been calculated at an
effective rate of 31% (30 September 1999 31%).
3. The calculation of earnings per share is based on the profit on
ordinary activities after taxation and 250,348,236 (30 September 1999:
91,785,354) ordinary shares being the weighted average number of shares in
issue during the half year. The weighted average number of shares in issue
during the twelve months ended 31 March 2000 was 133,022,474.
The calculation of fully diluted earnings per share is based on the
profit on ordinary activities after taxation and 256,428,236 (30 September
1999: 93,965,354) ordinary shares being the weighted average number of shares
in issue during the half-year, after allowing for share options.
4. The Directors have declared an interim dividend of 0.25p per share
(cash) or the equivalent of 1.1p Envesta Plc in specie to shareholders on the
register at the close of business on 15th December 2000 which will be paid on
7th February 2001.
5. The interim statement was approved by the board of Directors on 28th
November 2000. Copies are being sent to all shareholders. Copies of this
statement will be available to members of the public, free of charge, from the
Company's registered office, Dean House, The Anderson Centre, Spitfire Close,
Ermine Business Park, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE29 6XY.
Enquiries:
Artisan (UK) plc 01480 436 666
Stephen Dean, Chairman
Chris Musselle, Finance Director
Seymour Pierce Limited 020 7648 8700
Sarah Wharry
Boswell City Financial PR Ltd. 0207 583 2001
Glenda Boswell Mobile 07768 235735
Rodney Johnson Mobile 07787 530592