Preliminary Announcement 2006
Titon Holdings PLC
07 December 2006
Titon Holdings Plc
Preliminary announcement for the year ended 30 September 2006
Chairman's Statement
Financial Performance
Profit before taxation for the year to 30 September 2006 was 24.5% down at £0.89
million (2005: £1.18 million), on Revenue 1.0% higher at £16.60 million (2005:
£16.44 million). Earnings per share were 20.8% lower at 6.40p (2005: 8.08p).
This has been a heavy year for capital expenditure with a £1.48 million spend,
compared to a £0.68 million depreciation charge, reducing our year-end cash
reserves to £2.07 million (2005: £3.36 million).
The Directors are proposing a final dividend of 4.8p (2005: 4.8p), which when
added to the interim dividend paid in May 2006, makes a total for the year of
7.1p (2005: 7.1p). The dividend will be payable on 23 February 2007 to
shareholders on the register on 2 February 2007. The ex-dividend date is 31
January 2007.
Trading Commentary
This has been a difficult year, largely due to a combination of uncertainty in
the timing of Building Regulation implementation and a significant downturn in
market activity in the months of April and May, which disguised an improved
performance toward the end of the year.
In my 2006 interim report I informed shareholders that the new Building
Regulations (England and Wales) for Ventilation were published in April 2006,
and that the requirement to fit trickle ventilators in all replacement windows
had been included with effect from October 2006. It is now most disappointing to
have to report that this important part of the Regulation was controversially
withdrawn only two weeks before the proposed implementation date. The reason is
that, following a challenge from sections of the window industry, the Government
department involved decided that the costs might outweigh the benefits.
One of the key objectives highlighted in the original Regulatory Consultation
Document was to address major health issues, such as asthma and other
respiratory illnesses, through the improvement of indoor air quality. It is well
documented that new tightly sealed double-glazed windows can reduce indoor air
quality to an unacceptable level and this was an opportunity for the Government
to introduce consistent regulation for controlled ventilation. However, rather
than introduce such regulation it has allowed the window industry to fit trickle
ventilators on the basis of "Good Practice", which in the view of the Directors
may not achieve the health benefits hoped for by Government. We have invested
some £0.3 million on specific plant and tooling to introduce product for this
part of the Regulation, as well as a great deal of design, development and
technical resource. We must now wait and see what the impact of the Good
Practice Document will be in order to determine whether value is achieved for
this investment. The indecision and change has been most disconcerting and I
will update shareholders further at the interim stage of 2006/2007.
We have launched our new Titon range of Trimvent Select Xtra ventilators for
both the new-build and replacement window market and they have been well
received by the industry. These products provide a much increased airflow
performance over the majority of ventilators on the market and we are confident
that, in combination with our powered ventilation range, they will provide
effective compliant solutions for all domestic ventilation needs. We have
provided an enhanced level of marketing activity to support our enlarged direct
sales force and are pleased with the level of new customers and the
specifications being gained.
Our Export sales have again increased and now account for 13% of total revenue.
One disappointing aspect of our overseas activity was our US subsidiary, Titon
Inc, where revenue was 9% lower, reflecting the downturn in US building activity
over the year.
I reported last year that measures taken to reduce our cost base and improve
manufacturing efficiency had benefited us. The difficulties of manufacturing in
the UK are well known and efficiency improvements need to be ongoing in order
for us to remain competitive. For this reason we continue to seek cost effective
supply options from overseas to complement our UK manufacturing base.
Employees
Our overall employee base remains similar to last year, but includes a greater
number of sales personnel. Our employees remain a vital part of the strength of
our business and their continued support for the Group is most important as we
seek new initiatives. I wish to thank them all for their efforts during these
difficult and changing times.
Prospects
The implications of the Government U-turn on the replacement window regulations
have yet to be determined. We will actively support the window industry with
their efforts to introduce and adhere to Ventilation Good Practice and hope that
this may have a positive impact. As far as new build is concerned, our new
Trimvent Select Xtra products and our ability to provide total solutions via
powered and passive products should enable us to increase market share.
The new financial year has started with reasonably strong sales being recorded.
Although the recent increase in UK interest rates is likely to have a
detrimental effect on demand as the year progresses, the Directors believe that
the enhanced product offering, an increase in market activity and further cost
saving initiatives should offset this.
John Anderson
Chairman
6 December 2006
Titon Holdings Plc
Preliminary announcement for the year ended 30 September 2006
Consolidated Income Statement
for the year ended 30 September 2006
2006 2005
£'000 £'000
Revenue 16,600 16,436
Cost of sales 12,439 12,372
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit 4,161 4,064
Distribution costs 690 648
Administrative expenses 2,689 2,388
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3,379 3,036
----------------------
Operating profit 782 1,028
Finance income 112 151
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit before tax 894 1,179
Tax expense 219 328
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit for the year attributable
to the equity holders of the parent 675 851
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share - basic 6.40p 8.08p
- diluted 6.40p 8.06p
Consolidated Statement of Recognised Income & Expense
for the year ended 30 September 2006
2006 2005
£'000 £'000
Profit for the year attributable to the
equity holders of the parent 675 851
Exchange difference on retranslation of
net assets of subsidiary undertakings 20 (3)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total recognised income and expense for the year 695 848
attributable to equity holders of the parent
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Titon Holdings Plc
Preliminary announcement for the year ended 30 September 2006
Consolidated Balance Sheet
at 30 September 2006
2006 2005
£'000 £'000
Assets
Property, plant and equipment 5,009 4,242
Intangible assets 67 6
--------------------
Total non-current assets 5,076 4,248
--------------------
Inventories 2,950 2,511
Trade and other receivables 3,624 3,695
Cash and cash equivalents 2,078 3,380
--------------------
Total current assets 8,652 9,586
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Assets 13,728 13,834
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities
Deferred tax 170 104
-------------------
Total non-current liabilities 170 104
-------------------
Trade and other payables 2,362 2,427
Bank overdraft 9 21
Corporation tax 75 144
-------------------
Total current liabilities 2,446 2,592
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Liabilities 2,616 2,696
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity
Share capital 1,056 1,053
Share premium reserve 865 841
Capital redemption reserve 56 56
Translation reserve 17 (3)
Share schemes reserve 2 1
Retained earnings 9,116 9,190
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Equity attributable to equity holders
of the parent 11,112 11,138
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Liabilities and Equity 13,728 13,834
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Titon Holdings Plc
Preliminary announcement for the year ended 30 September 2006
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
for the year ended 30 September 2006
2006 2005
£'000 £'000
Cash generated from operating activities
Operating profit 782 1,028
Depreciation of plant & equipment 682 594
Amortisation on intangible assets 25 5
(Increase) / decrease in inventories (424) 69
Decrease / (increase) in receivables 76 (494)
(Decrease) / increase in payables
and other current liabilities (66) 270
Profit on sale of plant & equipment (22) (19)
Share based payment - equity settled 1 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash generated from operations 1,054 1,454
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income taxes paid (221) (271)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash generated from operating activities 833 1,183
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant & equipment (1,485) (569)
Purchase of intangible assets (86) -
Proceeds from sale of plant & equipment 58 30
Interest received 112 151
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities (1,401) (388)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to equity shareholders (749) (747)
Proceeds from issue of share capital 27 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in financing activities (722) (747)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net (decrease) / increase in cash & cash equivalents (1,290) 48
Cash & cash equivalents at beginning of the year 3,359 3,311
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash & cash equivalents at end of the year 2,069 3,359
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Titon Holdings Plc
Notes to the preliminary announcement for the year ended 30 September 2006
1) Earnings per ordinary share
The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the
following data:
2006 2005
£'000 £'000
Earnings
Earnings for the purposes of basic earnings per share
being profit after taxation attributable to members
of Titon Holdings Plc 675 851
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Number Number
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the
purposes of basic earnings per share 10,547,501 10,528,800
Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares
: share options 1,706 48,052
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the
purposes of diluted earnings per share 10,549,207 10,576,852
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share (pence)
Basic 6.40p 8.08p
Diluted 6.40p 8.06p
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All dilutive ordinary shares relate to share options.
2) Dividends
2006 2005
£'000 £'000
Final dividend of 4.8 pence ( 2005 : 4.8 pence) per 506 505
ordinary share paid and proposed during the year
relating to the previous year's results
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interim dividend of 2.3 pence ( 2005: 2.3 p) per 243 242
ordinary share paid during the period
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
749 747
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The directors are proposing a final dividend of 4.8 pence (2005 : 4.8 pence) per
share totalling £507,000 (2005 - £506,000), subject to approval by the
shareholders at the Annual General Meeting. This dividend has not been accrued
at the balance sheet date.
Titon Holdings Plc
Notes to the preliminary announcement for the year ended 30 September 2006
3) Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
2006 2005
£'000 £'000
Cash available on demand 58 118
Short-term deposits 2,020 3,262
Overdraft (9) (21)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,069 3,359
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents (1,290) 48
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 3,359 3,311
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 2,069 3,359
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Basis of Preparation
This is the first year when the consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The comparatives
for 2005 have accordingly been restated from UK Generally Accepted Accounting
Practice (UK GAAP).
The accounting polices of the Group under IFRS, including the exemptions taken
under IFRS 1 "First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting
Standards", together with the restated IFRS financial statements for 2005, which
include reconciliations of UK GAAP to IFRS, are set out in detail in the 2006
Interim Statement which is available from the Group's website on www.titon.com,
and will be included in the full 2006 annual report and accounts.
The financial information set out above does not constitute the Group's
statutory accounts for the years ended 30 September 2006 or 2005. Statutory
accounts for 2005, which were prepared under UK GAAP, have been delivered to the
Registrar of Companies. The auditors have reported on those accounts; their
report was unqualified and did not contain a statement under section 237(2) or
(3) of the Companies Act 1985. The statutory accounts for 2006 which are
prepared under IFRS adopted by the EU, on which the auditors have not yet
reported, will be finalised on the basis of the financial information presented
by the Directors in this preliminary announcement and will be delivered to the
Registrar of Companies following the Company's Annual General Meeting.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange