Final Results

Travis Perkins PLC 8 March 2001 8 March 2001 OPERATING PROFITS BEFORE REORGANISATION COSTS AND AMORTISATION OF GOODWILL UP 25.2 PER CENT AT £113.2 MILLION PRE-TAX PROFITS UP 14 PER CENT AT £85.7 MILLION 2000 1999 Increase £m £m % Turnover 1,181.2 874.3 35.1 Operating profit before reorganisation costs and amortisation of goodwill 113.2 90.4 25.2 Profit before taxation 85.7 75.2 14.0 Profit after taxation 58.4 52.7 10.8 Basic earnings per share 52.7p 50.0p 5.4 Adjusted earnings per share before reorganisation costs, amortisation of goodwill and profit on sale of properties 64.7p 57.8p 11.9 Final dividend per share 10.5p 9.4p 11.7 Total dividend per share 15.3p 13.7p 11.7 Frank McKay, chief executive, said: 'We continue to see opportunities for our business in the UK, with specific targeting of gaps in our regional coverage. We have identified opportunities for growth through the acquisition of independent merchants and the development of green-field sites.' The slow-down in total property transactions and new housing starts over the past few months may make trading conditions challenging in 2001. We have however recently seen the first reduction in interest rates for 19 months which should lead to greater activity in the construction sector in the medium term. We have invested heavily in our business and should continue to draw incremental benefits in 2001 from the 184 additional branches we have added to our network in the last two years. As a result we anticipate the Company should make further progress in the current year. Enquiries: Frank McKay Chief Executive Tel: 0207 820 0366 (today) Issued on behalf of Travis Perkins plc by Tavistock Communications Limited (contact : Keith Payne, tel: 0207 600 2288) Chairman's Statement Results I am pleased to report pre-tax profits for the year ended 31 December 2000 of £85.7 million, an increase of 14.0 per cent over the £75.2 million earned in 1999. Turnover at £1,181.2 million was 35.1 per cent ahead of the previous year. The pre tax profit is after charging £5.0 million of exceptional costs associated with the re-organisation of certain major acquisitions and after £ 10.1 million for the amortisation of goodwill. Before these charges and interest costs, operating profit was £113.2 million compared with £90.4 million in 1999, an increase of 25.2 per cent. Basic earnings per share were 52.7 pence compared with 50.0 pence in 1999, an increase of 5.4 per cent. Earnings per share prior to re-organisation costs and amortisation of goodwill and excluding profit from the sale of surplus properties, were 64.7 pence compared with 57.8 pence in 1999, an increase of 11.9 per cent. Dividend The board is recommending a final dividend of 10.5 pence per share, an increase of 11.7 per cent on the final dividend of 9.4 pence for 1999. Together with the interim dividend of 4.8 pence, this would give a total annual dividend of 15.3 pence per share, an increase of 11.7 per cent over the previous year. Board of Directors In my interim statement, I mentioned the retirement of Humfrey Smeeton as a non- executive director at the end of June 2000 and his outstanding contribution to the Company since his appointment in 1990. I am sure shareholders will want to join with me and my colleagues in expressing our thanks for his help in the past and our best wishes for the future. I am delighted that Michael Dearden has joined our board as a non-executive director on the 8 November 2000. Michael has spent the last twenty years of his career with Burmah Castrol plc, latterly as the group board director responsible for Castrol International. Corporate Governance During the latter months of 1999 and the first half of the current year, the group board participated in a full review of all the major areas of risk to the Company. These were prioritised and scheduled for regular consideration on an individual basis by the group and subsidiary boards. Reports on these risks to the group board commenced in September 2000 and include recommendations where necessary for any improvement in the controls or the management of the risks. A more comprehensive explanation of these controls can be found under the corporate governance section of the annual report and accounts. Executive Share Option Scheme The Company has operated an Executive Share Option Scheme for many years and has found that it is the simplest and most effective way of aligning executives' interests with shareholders' interests and providing share incentives on the same basis for a relatively large group of managers. This helps to promote a sense of teamwork which is an important aspect of the Company's collegiate culture. Having considered alternative long term schemes, the Remuneration Committee believes that an Executive Share Option Scheme remains the most appropriate scheme for this business, but in the light of developments in market practice and the revised guidelines issued by the Association of British Insurers, it has concluded that shareholders' approval should be sought for the adoption of a new Scheme. The new Scheme will provide for the grant of options on a regular annual basis, up to a limit of twice basic salary, and the exercise of options will be subject to challenging performance conditions. A summary of the terms of the proposed Scheme, with a resolution for its adoption, is set out in the annual report and accounts. Outlook The slow-down in total property transactions and new housing starts over the past few months may make trading conditions challenging in 2001. We have however recently seen the first reduction in interest rates for 19 months which should lead to greater activity in the construction sector in the medium term. We have invested heavily in our business and should continue to draw incremental benefits in 2001 from the 184 additional branches we have added to our network in the last two years. As a result we anticipate the Company should make further progress in the current year. A.TRAVIS 8 March 2001 Chief Executive's Report Results Turnover increased to £1,181 million in 2000 from £874 million in 1999, driven by the Keyline and Sharpe & Fisher acquisitions in the previous year and also by an ongoing programme of additional branch openings. Both Keyline, acquired in June 1999, and Sharpe & Fisher, which came on board in December 1999, contributed a full year's trading. Group like for like sales were up 5.4 per cent. The company consolidated further its position as the UK's leading supplier of heavy building materials. Operating profit before reorganisation costs and amortisation of goodwill rose 25.2 per cent to £113.2 million from £90.4 million. As expected, with the full year inclusion of Keyline, operating profit as a percentage of sales was lower. An operating margin of 9.6 per cent against 10.3 per cent also reflected fuel distribution problems for part of the year and the exceptionally poor weather which took some momentum out of trading activity in the latter months. For the fifth consecutive year on a like-for-like basis gross profit including rebates improved further as a percentage of sales. Pressure on overheads continued, particularly in the areas of distribution, fuel and employment costs. Developments Acquisitions continued with the addition of a further 23 branches targeted at gaps in our geographic coverage. By the end of 2000 we were trading from a total of 473 branches. The total amount spent on acquisitions was £23.8 million. The largest acquisition in the year was that of Broombys, operating from 9 branches in Cumbria, a market in the North-West where we were not previously represented. Results to date, which are benefiting from both cost reductions and buying gains, are in line with our expectations. In addition to the acquisition during the year of other small independent merchants in locations including Swaffham, Haywards Heath, Portishead and Warrington, we also opened two green-field branches at Nuneaton and Kensal Green distributing our full product range. A new plumbing and heating outlet was opened at Newhaven in the latter part of the year and a further four sites have been secured and other additional openings are planned for the current year. These new outlets, together with 20 of our existing specialist branches, are being re-branded TP Plumbing & Heating. A dedicated separate web site (www.tpph.com) for plumbing and heating has been set up. A further 13 tool hire outlets, including two stand alone outlets at Kilburn High Road and Holloway Road in London, were opened. These brought the total to 133 at the date of this report. Results from the 33 Keyline branches re-branded Travis Perkins improved significantly in the second half of the year after a first half that was disrupted by restocking and repositioning in the market. The net 68 branches remaining under the Keyline brand also experienced considerable changes in their operating systems but still performed to our expectations. All the acquired Sharpe & Fisher branches were re-branded to Travis Perkins and their stock profiles and operating systems made compatible with our stock range and systems. Despite the significant disruption involved, this acquisition made a solid contribution to operating profit in its first full year. Branch Improvements We have continued to invest heavily in our branches in order to enhance the facilities offered to our customers. To this end major redevelopments were carried out during the year at Woolwich, Bletchley, Glasgow, Wolverhampton and Norwich. At our timber milling operations, a combination of some restructuring and new capital investment has shown positive results. As efficiency levels have risen so has delivery performance from these centres to the branches. D W Archer, our specialist timber operation, experienced challenging trading conditions in the latter part of the year with the slowdown in new house construction in the South of England. The decision was taken to integrate the business into the Travis Perkins Trading Company management structure with effect from 1st January this year. These D W Archer branches will benefit from closer integration with the product diversity and purchasing strength of the Trading Company. Information Technology A project to upgrade branch systems launched during the year will be completed in 2001. This will provide a platform for a wide variety of applications that will further improve branch efficiency and customer service. Stock and debtor management has also been enhanced through system improvements. E-Commerce Development of our e-commerce capabilities has continued. Several bespoke projects were undertaken with larger customers aimed at reducing administrative costs in the processing of transactions. We have developed contacts with a number of embryonic industry portals as well as with existing construction industry software providers and intend to pursue opportunities only where clear cost reduction and customer service improvements can be achieved. Additions to our own website included further product information, improved customer pricing enquiries and extended promotional activity. Customer usage of the system rose sharply. Continued growth in electronic links with suppliers is underlined by the fact that over 50 per cent of all purchase invoices are now handled via electronic data interchange. In November we launched further projects designed to allow a broader range of suppliers to interact with us using low cost web-based systems. Customer Service Particular emphasis has been placed on customer service with the implementation of a company-wide Key Performance Indicator system which tracks performance on the most important service aspects. We have also embarked on a Service and Support training programme, a concept of enhanced customer service based on teamwork in the branches. Health and Safety Greater emphasis on Health and Safety is being achieved through detailed tracking of accident frequency and severity rates and positive attendance data. These initiatives will help to ensure a safer working environment for employees and customers. Environment We are fully aware of the responsibility we have to conduct our business with due regard to its effect on the environment. Excellent progress has been made since the launch of a project to implement an ISO 14001 compatible Environmental Management System and the aim is to achieve full accreditation by the end of this year. Future Expansion We continue to see opportunities for our business in the UK, with specific targeting of gaps in our regional coverage. We have identified opportunities for growth through the acquisition of independent merchants and the development of green-field sites. At the same time we intend to intensify our product specialisation focus in the areas of plumbing and heating, tool hire, drylining and insulation and hard landscaping products. We will also continue to develop the sales of our own brand products. Against this background we have every confidence in our ability to continue to grow the business in its present form. The various development projects on which we are currently engaged will provide our major focus in the current year. Looking further ahead we will continue to develop our understanding of the market in building materials distribution outside the United Kingdom. Staff I am conscious of the increasing pressures on the staff throughout the organisation, particularly over a period when there has been considerable change in our organisational structures and operating systems. On behalf of the board, I would like to thank all our employees for their contribution to the success of the Company during the last year. F. J. McKAY 8 March 2001 Finance Director's Report Results The results for the year ended 31 December 2000 reflect the full year effect of Keyline, which was acquired in June 1999 and Sharpe & Fisher, which was acquired in December 1999, together with the results of smaller acquisitions made in 2000. Pre-tax profits were £85.7 million (1999 £75.2 million). Pre-tax profits before goodwill amortisation, property profits and exceptional items were £ 100.5 million (1999 £85.4 million), an increase of 17.7 per cent. Goodwill amortisation was £10.1 million (1999 £4.2 million) and exceptional reorganisation costs were £5.0 million (1999 £6.6 million). The increase in goodwill amortisation reflects the acquisitions made in the current and prior years. The exceptional re-organisation costs were incurred completing the integration of our major acquisitions over the last two years. £2.7 million related to Keyline (1999 £3.6 million) and £1.8 million to Sharpe & Fisher (1999 £3.0 million), with an additional £0.5 million being incurred in respect of Broombys. These were mainly property related and integration costs. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) before exceptional costs for 2000 were £130.1 million (1999 £105.8 million), an increase of 23 per cent. Net interest payable for the year was £12.7 million compared with £5.0 million in 1999. The increase reflects the full year effect of borrowings related to the financing of acquisitions during 1999 and 2000. The tax charge is £27.3 million (31.9 per cent) compared with £22.5 million (29.9 per cent) last year. The rate is higher than the UK corporation tax rate of 30 per cent because goodwill amortisation does not qualify for tax relief and taxation on profits on sale of properties is deferred. The effective tax rate, after adjusting for property profits and goodwill amortisation, was 28.6 per cent (1999 28.6 per cent). Cash Flow Free cash flow (as defined in note 8) for the year was £46.7 million (1999 £ 54.7 million). The free cash generated by the Group was used to fund capital expenditure on the existing business and new acquisitions, which in total cost £56.5 million. Operating cash flow was £1.9 million lower than for 1999 at £ 104.7 million as a result of an increase in stocks and a decrease in creditors during 2000. Net Debt and Borrowing Facilities Net debt at the year-end was £191.4 million (1999 £181.6 million), which represents a gearing level of 53.5 per cent (1999 57.7 per cent). Borrowings include £16.1 million of loan notes issued to Sharpe & Fisher and to Broombys' shareholders as part of the acquisition consideration. They are redeemable at six monthly intervals ending in June 2015. The Group has £225.0 million of committed facilities, comprising a £150.0 million term loan repayable over the period ending May 2004, a £25.0 million loan repayable in November 2002 and a £50.0 million revolving syndicated credit facility available until May 2004. We have overdraft facilities of £ 25.0 million. Interest cover (as defined in note 9) is approximately 9 times (1999 18 times), well within our borrowing covenants. At 31 December 2000, 63 per cent of the Group's borrowings were covered by a 3-year interest rate swap expiring in May 2002, which fixed interest rates at 5.5 per cent. The market value of the swap at 31 December 2000 was £0.5 million. On 11 January 2001, the Group entered into an additional 3-year interest rate swap at a fixed rate of 5.7 per cent. As a result, based on our current borrowing projections, the interest rate on outstanding debt is fixed until the end of 2003. Shareholders' Funds Total equity shareholders' funds at 31 December 2000 were £356.5 million, an increase of £43.1 million compared to 31 December 1999. The principal reason for the increase was retained profit for the year of £41.4 million. The return on the established Travis Perkins' business is higher than the returns achieved on the acquired businesses (including goodwill paid). As a result the return on equity shareholders' funds before taxation, which reflects a full year of the acquired businesses, has decreased to 24.9 per cent in 2000 from 27.1 per cent in 1999. This level of return, after tax, is substantially higher than the Group's weighted average cost of capital. At the year-end the share price was 694.0 pence (1999 666.5 pence) and the market capitalisation £771 million (1999 £737 million), representing 2.2 times shareholders' funds. Goodwill The net book value of goodwill in the balance sheet is £192.8 million, which is being amortised over 20 years. Additions to goodwill in the year totalled £21.8 million. In accordance with FRS 10 impairment reviews were carried out at December 2000, the end of the first full year following the 1999 acquisitions. No impairments were identified as a result of these reviews. Accounting Policies and Standards During the year the Group adopted two new accounting standards - FRS 15 ' Tangible Fixed Assets' and FRS 16 'Current Taxation'. While the new standards have not impacted on current or prior period results, the Group has adopted the transitional rules within FRS 15 which allow it to maintain the carrying value of all revalued assets at their modified historical cost (December 1999 valuation). Further information is given in the Accounting Policies section of the Annual Report and Accounts. Treasury Risk Management Treasury activities are managed centrally under a framework of policies and procedures approved and monitored by the Board. The objectives are to protect the assets of the Group and to identify and then manage financial risk. In applying its policies, the Group will utilise derivative instruments, but only for risk management purposes. The principal risk facing the Group is an exposure to interest rate fluctuations. The Group is not exposed to significant foreign exchange risk as most purchases are invoiced in sterling. These risks are described further below: * Interest Rate Risk The Group finances its operations through a mixture of retained profits, bank borrowings and loan notes. The Group borrows at floating rates and uses interest rate swaps into fixed rates to generate the preferred interest rate profile and to manage the Group's exposure to interest rate fluctuations. * Currency Risk The Group usually buys currency at spot rates. Whilst this was the situation during 2000, forward contracts may be purchased where appropriate. * Liquidity Risk The Group's policy has been to ensure that it has committed borrowing facilities in place in excess of its peak forecast gross borrowings for at least the next twelve months. At the year-end the Group had utilised £175.0 million of its £225.0 million loan facilities leaving £50.0 million unused. In addition it had £25.0 million of unutilised overdraft facilities. P. N. HAMPDEN SMITH 8 March 2001 Consolidated Profit and Loss Account For the year ended 31December 2000 £m 2000 1999 Turnover 1,181.2 874.3 Operating profit before reorganisation costs and amortisation of goodwill 113.2 90.4 Reorganisation costs (5.0) (6.6) Amortisation of goodwill (10.1) (4.2) Operating profit after reorganisation costs and amortisation of goodwill 98.1 79.6 Profit on sale of properties 0.3 0.6 Profit on ordinary activities before interest 98.4 80.2 Net interest payable (12.7) (5.0) Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 85.7 75.2 Tax on profit on ordinary activities (27.3) (22.5) Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 58.4 52.7 Dividends paid and proposed (17.0) (14.9) Retained profit transferred to reserves 41.4 37.8 Earnings per ordinary share Basic 52.7p 50.0p Diluted 52.4p 49.6p Adjusted (Before reorganisation costs, amortisation of goodwill and profit on sale of properties) 64.7p 57.8p* Dividend per ordinary share 15.3 p 13.7 p * The comparative number has been restated to be consistent with the current year, which takes into account the tax effect on the reorganisation costs. All results relate to continuing activities. The results disclosed in the Group profit and loss account are not materially different from the results on an unmodified historic cost basis. Consolidated Balance Sheet As at 31 December 2000 £m 2000 1999 Fixed assets Tangible assets 215.8 194.2 Intangible assets - goodwill 192.8 181.1 Investments 5.2 4.0 413.8 379.3 Current assets Stocks 140.6 127.8 Debtors 212.3 205.5 Properties held for resale 1.5 0.3 Cash at bank and in hand 9.8 17.0 364.2 350.6 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (269.3) (227.3) Net current assets 94.9 123.3 Total assets less current liabilities 508.7 502.6 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (150.0) (185.1) Provisions for liabilities and charges (1.1) (3.0) 357.6 314.5 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 11.1 11.1 Share premium account 54.7 52.0 Revaluation reserves 31.4 32.0 Profit and loss account 259.3 218.3 Total equity shareholders' funds 356.5 313.4 Minority interests - non equity 1.1 1.1 357.6 314.5 Consolidated Cash Flow Statement For the year ended 31 December 2000 £m 2000 1999 Net cash inflow from operating activities 104.7 106.6 Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 0.1 1.2 Interest paid (10.3) (5.1) Net cash outflow for returns on investments and servicing of finance (10.2) (3.9) Taxation UK corporation tax paid (26.3) (24.6) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (34.3) (17.5) Receipts from sales of tangible fixed assets 1.6 1.9 Net cash outflow for capital expenditure and financial investment (32.7) (15.6) Acquisitions Purchase of business undertakings (18.0) (237.6) Net overdrafts acquired with business undertakings (5.8) (14.2) Net cash outflow for acquisitions (23.8) (251.8) Equity dividends paid (15.8) (13.1) Cash outflow before use of liquid resources and financing (4.1) (202.4) Management of liquid resources Cash inflow from short term deposits 15.9 11.8 Financing Issue of ordinary share capital 1.1 1.5 New bank loans - 205.0 Repayment of bank loans (10.0) (20.0) Repayment of unsecured loan notes (2.3) - Capital element of finance lease rentals (0.2) (0.2) Net cash (outflow) / inflow from financing (11.4) 186.3 Increase / (decrease) in cash in the period 0.4 (4.3) Reconciliation of Movements in Equity Shareholders' Funds For the year ended 31 December 2000 2000 1999 £m Equity shareholders' funds at 1 January 313.4 215.5 Profit attributable to shareholders of the Company 58.4 52.7 Dividends (17.0) (14.9) Retained profit transferred to reserves 41.4 37.8 New share capital subscribed 2.4 36.3 Revaluation of property transferred to current assets (0.7) - Unrealised surplus on revaluation of properties - 23.8 Net increase in shareholders' funds 43.1 97.9 Equity shareholders' funds at 31 December 356.5 313.4 Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses For the year ended 31 December 2000 2000 1999 £m Profit attributable to shareholders of the Company 58.4 52.7 Revaluation of property transferred to current assets (0.7) - Unrealised surplus on revaluation of properties - 23.8 Total recognised gains and losses relating to the year 57.7 76.5 Notes: 1. The accounting policies used are consistent with those stated in the financial statements of the group for the year ended 31 December 1999. 2. These statements are not statutory accounts within the meaning of s240 of the Companies Act 1985. 3. The results for the year ended 31 December 1999 are taken from the Group's statutory accounts which carry an unqualified auditors' report and which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. 4. Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2000 on which the auditors have given an unqualified report will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies in due course. 5. The statutory accounts both for the year ended 31 December 1999 and the year ended 31 December 2000 did not contain a statement under s237 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. 6. An interim dividend of 4.8 pence was paid to shareholders on 1 November 2000. The proposed final dividend of 10.5 pence will be paid on 17 May 2000 to shareholders on the register at 17 April 2001. 7. It is intended to post the Report and Accounts on 23 March 2001 and to hold the Annual General Meeting on 25 April 2001. 8. Free cash flow is derived by taking the movement in net debt during the year and adding back capital expenditure and cash flow on acquisitions both as shown in the cash flow statement. 9. Interest cover is calculated by dividing operating profit before reorganisation costs and amortisation of goodwill by the net interest payable. Reconciliation of Operating Profit to Net Cash Inflow from Operating Activities For the year ended 31 December 2000 £m 2000 1999 Operating profit after reorganisation costs and amortisation of goodwill 98.1 79.6 Depreciation charges 16.1 12.9 Other amounts written off tangible fixed assets 0.5 1.9 Amortisation of goodwill 10.1 4.2 Profit on sale of fixed assets (0.7) (0.3) (Increase) / decrease in stocks (9.0) 1.2 Increase in debtors (0.5) (15.2) (Decrease) / increase in creditors (9.9) 22.3 Net cash inflow from operating activities 104.7 106.6 Reconciliation of Net Cash Flow to Movement in Net Debt For the year ended 31 December 2000 £m 2000 1999 Increase / (decrease) in cash in year 0.4 (4.3) Cash outflow to repay / (inflow from) debt 12.3 (185.0) Cash inflow from decrease in liquid resources (15.9) (11.8) Change in net cash resulting from cash flows (3.2) (201.1) Non-cash changes (6.8) (11.8) Decrease in finance leases 0.2 0.2 Movement in net cash in year (9.8) (212.7) Net (debt) / cash at 1 January (181.6) 31.1 Net debt at 31 December (191.4) (181.6)
UK 100

Latest directors dealings