Final Results
Sarantel Group PLC
30 November 2005
Embargoed until 7:00 30th November 2005
Sarantel Group PLC ('Sarantel')
Preliminary results for the year ended 30 September 2005
Sarantel Group PLC ('Sarantel' or 'the Company'), the leading manufacturer of
revolutionary filtering antennas for wireless devices, today announces its
audited results for the year ended 30th September 2005. Highlights are as
follows:
•Turnover increased by 234% to £2.8m (2004:£0.8m)
•937, 000 antenna units shipped, up 450% year on year
•Loss before tax of £5.6m (2004: £4.0m) as the company invests for the
future
•New wins with satellite navigation companies such as TomTom and Medion
•Successful expansion into non GPS markets
•Senior management team in place
•Net cash at the year end of £13.1m
David Wither, Chief Executive Officer, said:
'2005 has been a challenging year, but we have resolved the issues in our
manufacturing processes, made progress in the design of our products, penetrated
new markets and strengthened the senior management team. Our priority in 2006 is
to successfully launch our new GPS products with existing customers and expand
the business with new customers. We look forward to another year of strong
growth.'
For further information please contact:
Sarantel Group PLC www.sarantel.com
David Wither, CEO/Sitkow Yeung, CFO 01933 670560
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Smithfield 020 7360 4900
Sara Musgrave/Jo Thomas
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Pictures are available for the media to view and download from www.vismedia.co.uk
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Notes to Editors:
About Sarantel
Sarantel designs, manufactures and sells patented, ceramic, filtering antennas
for use in portable wireless devices such as PDAs, laptops and smart phone
devices. These antennas solve a performance impairment problem that is faced by
conventional antennas, by reducing the amount of energy that is absorbed into
the body by approximately 90 per cent. The Sarantel technology therefore
provides a stronger and clearer signal to enable better product performance and
also more attractive product styling. The antennas simplify system design, thus
allowing design standardisation and reduced time to market and cost for
manufacturers.
In April 2005, Sarantel announced an agreement with TomTom to supply its
GeoHelix GPS antenna for use in TomTom's newest navigation solutions, TomTom
MOBILE 5 for mobile phones and TomTom NAVIGATOR 5 for PDAs. The GPS receiver is
so sensitive it can be placed in a pocket or bag, without line of sight
required, ensuring reliable reception in urban areas or next to the body.
As well as GPS, Sarantel's antennas can service multiple wireless markets
including; Wi-Fi, 3G, satellite radio, and Bluetooth. In September 2005,
Sarantel announced a substantial order to supply its antenna technology to a
North American satellite radio Company.
Sarantel listed on AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange, on 2nd
March 2005. Sarantel is included in the IT Hardware sector (93) within the
Telecommunications equipment sub-sector (938) and has a RIC code of SLG.L
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
Introduction
I am pleased to present my first report as Chairman of Sarantel Group PLC for
the year ended 30th September 2005, the Company having achieved a successful
quotation on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) on 2 March 2005.
Sarantel designs, manufactures and sells patented, ceramic, filtering antennas
for use in portable wireless devices such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs),
laptops and smart phone devices. These antennas solve a performance impairment
problem that is faced by conventional antennas, by reducing the amount of energy
that is absorbed into the body by approximately 90 per cent. The antennas
simplify system design, thus allowing design standardisation and reduced time to
market and cost for manufacturers.
Results
We shipped over 937,000 units in the year, compared with 170,000 in 2004 and our
revenue increased by 234% to £2.8m. Operating loss before taxation increased to
£5.6m from £4.0m in 2004 as the Company continued to invest for the future.
The greatest challenge during the year was to build very robust manufacturing
systems to achieve the quality, yield and volumes to meet customer demand.
Sarantel has worked with suppliers to design and build specialised equipment,
including the three-dimensional photo-lithography equipment required to produce
our antennas. These processes and tools are unique in world-wide high-tech
manufacture and give us significant additional protection in addition to our
strong patents.
Customer demand continued to grow throughout the past year as the two major
applications for our original GPS antenna, that is navigation and asset
tracking, became significant industries. In addition, as announced on 5th
September, we achieved a major breakthrough in winning our largest ever single
order which can now be disclosed as a satellite radio order for the North
American satellite radio market. This confirmed that the Sarantel antenna
technology can bring real benefits to major industries beyond the GPS market.
The Board
Following the flotation, in June 2005 we appointed John Uttley to the Board.
John's previous positions include Finance Director of the National Grid and more
recently Chairman of a number of smaller public and private companies. His
active involvement provides the Company with very deep and valuable experience
in many areas. I am pleased to welcome our Chief Operating Officer, Bill Taylor,
who joins the Board today. Bill brings with him extensive experience of high
volume sub-contract manufacturing and his experience will be invaluable as
Sarantel moves to the next stage of its development.
Employees
On behalf of the Board I would like to thank all our employees for their
enormous contribution, hard work and support during our first year as a listed
Company. My thanks also go to my fellow Board members and senior management for
all their efforts.
Summary
In the face of manufacturing frustrations earlier this year, your Board has
learned and responded to those difficulties and is very proud of the
achievements of the Sarantel team. We believe a foundation has been built for
continued success in the years ahead.
David Dey
Chairman
CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S STATEMENT
The Initial Public Offering
2005 was an exciting year, for both the Company and its employees. We became a
Quoted Company in March 2005, following a successful listing on AIM. Our
admission to AIM was completed on 2 March 2005 raising £18m before expenses,
giving a free float of 41.6% of the shares in issue. We joined AIM to raise the
Company's profile and take advantage of the growing opportunities in our target
markets.
Financial Results
Sarantel grew its turnover by 234% to £2.8m as shipments rose by 450%
year-on-year to 937,000 units. Loss before taxation increased to £5.6m compared
with £4.0m in 2004 as the Company made investments in the resources necessary to
address the targeted volume markets. Cash balances at the end of September were
£13.1m.
Year in Review
New Customers, Markets and Products
The satellite navigation market continues to grow strongly and GPS remains our
core market. We are very proud of the business we have won with leading
satellite navigation companies such as TomTom and Medion. During the year we
developed a number of new customer relationships and we expect these to lead to
future growth in our share of the rapidly growing navigation market.
We have also been successful in winning a very significant design-in for the
North American satellite radio market. Although this is an emerging market, it
is growing at a very fast rate and this win confirms the capability of our
technology to provide substantial improvements in antenna performance to markets
beyond GPS.
We have continued to develop new products and improve existing ones to target
new markets and applications, and during the first half of 2006 in addition to
the satellite radio antenna, we plan to release a new GPS antenna which has a
smaller footprint.
Manufacturing
Sarantel manufactures antennas at its factory in Wellingborough. During 2005
output was increased over three-fold from 50,000 units per month to 160,000
units per month by the end of the financial year. We worked with our key
suppliers to design and develop new high volume manufacturing equipment capable
of producing up to 200,000 units per month. The first set of such equipment was
delivered late by our suppliers but was in full production in July and the
second set is already installed as scheduled and will be producing at full
capacity by the end of December.
The process to produce the Sarantel antenna is unique, innovative and leading
edge. We have overcome many challenges during 2005 and have been successful in
stabilising the manufacturing process, increasing throughput and making
significant gains in productivity. We believe that we now own a scaleable
production process that is capable of high volumes.
These significant improvements achieved in our production processes have
eliminated the need to move to a larger facility and provided the Company with
the ability to explore outsourcing additional manufacturing capacity to meet
future growth in demand. Selecting the right outsourcing partner is critical in
order to ensure that our intellectual property is protected and to gain
credibility with potential top tier customers.
Patented Technology
The Board places great emphasis on the importance of the quality, proper
maintenance and growth of its intellectual property. During 2005, Sarantel filed
five new patent applications to protect our existing position and extend the
application of our products. As the scope of our business grows, we naturally
address new technical problems which require adaptations of our existing
intellectual property to provide new solutions. These innovations are
particularly interesting as they are stimulated by real-market needs and
complement the original research based intellectual property of the Company.
Management and staff
During the year, we strengthened the senior management team with the recruitment
of Bill Taylor as Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Christie as Vice President of
Engineering and Ben Sandford as Vice President of Sales. We increased our
engineering resources both for product development and manufacturing process
development and recruited 2 direct sales managers. The total number of staff at
the end of the financial year was 93 (including 46 direct labour) compared with
44 (including 15 direct labour) at September 2004.
Strategy
Sarantel's strategy is to continue developing its core technology to become the
leading antenna supplier in those sectors of the wireless market where its
products have clear competitive advantages. We believe that our technology can
bring substantial benefits to many emerging markets and we will continue to
develop our technology and design new products to enable us to enter these new
market segments. The higher profile and additional customer confidence achieved
through our flotation on AIM will greatly support the execution of this
strategy.
Summary
Sarantel has had a very challenging year, but we have emerged a stronger and
more capable Company:
• We have built a world-class management team that is capable of taking
the Company to a leadership position in the supply of electronic antenna
components;
• We have stabilised and developed our manufacturing process to give us a
scaleable production process capable of high volumes;
• We have continued to develop our well-protected core technology, and
added engineering talent that will enable us to enter new high growth
markets; and
• We have built up the direct sales team and strengthened our relationship
with our customers and distributors around the world.
Outlook
The Company's top priority is to successfully launch its new GPS products with
existing customers and expand the business with new customers. The initial
response to our new GPS product has been positive and we expect to see
increasing price pressure in our core GPS markets as volumes grow. However, we
believe that during 2006 we will be able to meet this challenge by reducing our
costs through further design improvements and supply chain management, while
continuing to explore increased use of outsourcing. We look forward to another
year of strong growth.
David Wither
Chief Executive Officer
FINANCE DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
Review of operations
Turnover increased to £2.8m representing a 234% increase over 2004 turnover
(£0.8m). The Company shipped around 40% of its turnover in the final quarter, in
line with the build-up of stocks for the Christmas period and the timing of the
increase in production capacity. Our customers were mainly in the GPS personal
navigation and asset tracking sectors.
The average selling price achieved for 2005 was higher than expected although
lower than in 2004 as the Company transitioned from a niche to a more mainstream
volume supplier of antennas. The Company continued to face significant price
pressure, but in the face of restricted supply, was able to contain price
erosion to around 6% for the largest volume product and customer.
In 2005, material and consumables costs as a percentage of turnover were
continuously reduced to end the year at 56%. This was achieved mainly by
improving yields and reducing material cost. The comparative percentage for 2004
of 35% is much lower due to the different mix of products sold in that year,
particularly niche, higher-priced products. Cost reduction is a key element of
the Company's strategy and overall, the Company continued to make strong
progress in reducing unit cost.
As the Company is addressing fast growing markets, investment in resources needs
to be made in advance in order to win designs for our antenna that will generate
orders in future periods. Overall, costs excluding raw material rose by 60%
compared with 2004. Staff costs doubled as the Company strengthened the senior
management team and recruited additional sales, engineering and production
staff. Whilst units shipped grew by 450%, external costs, which represent
sub-contractors costs grew by only 379% and direct labour costs increased by
109% to £0.9m, reflecting the beginnings of productivity gains from investments
in automation and higher throughput. Other Operating charges were constant
between the two years
Operating loss before taxation was £5.6m compared with £4.0m in 2004 after a
depreciation charge of £1.1m compared with £0.9m in 2004. During 2005, the
Company has continued to invest in resources and infrastructure to build the
capability and capacity to address volume customers and new markets, including
new product development and manufacturing process improvements.
Exceptional costs
The exceptional non-recurring costs of £0.3m arose during the first half year
and relate to the write-off of raw materials amounting to £0.1m for a
discontinued product, £0.1m for professional costs for an aborted fund raise and
£0.1m of additional consideration in shares for an investment which was disposed
of during the previous financial year.
Depreciation and amortisation
Depreciation and amortisation amounted to £1.1m and includes a net additional
charge of £0.3m arising on a change in the estimated useful lives of certain
categories of plant and Intellectual Property. The Directors have reviewed the
fixed assets and are of the opinion that it would be more prudent to write off
certain categories of production equipment over 5 years instead of 10 years
previously, and that the investment in Intellectual Property should be written
off over 10 years instead of 5 years.
Interest
Net interest receivable increased to £0.3m following the receipt of funds from
the IPO in March.
Taxation
The Company estimates that it is entitled to a refund for Research and
Development tax credit amounting to approximately £0.15m for 2005.
Loss per share
The loss per share was 12.3 pence compared with 17.1 pence for 2004.
Capital Expenditure
The total capital expenditure for the year amounted to £3.2m, of which £3m was
invested in Plant and machinery to increase production capacity and to automate
and improve production processes. The Company plans to continue to invest in
further plant capacity during 2006. A total of £0.2m was invested in
Intellectual Property.
Movement in cash and liquid resources
The Company raised £16.7m net of expenses from the proceeds of the flotation in
March 2005. During the year, net cash used amounted to £5.7m, of which £2.2m was
used to pay for capital items, hence net cash used by operations was £3.5m
compared with £2.8m during 2004. The cash balances at the year end amounted to
£13.1m.
Accounting Policies
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention
in accordance with the applicable United Kingdom accounting standards. The
Company has begun examining the impact of adopting IFRS in preparation for a
move to IFRS by the financial year ending 30th September 2008. Further details
will be communicated in due course.
Sitkow Yeung
Finance Director
Principal accounting policies
Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost
convention, and in accordance with applicable accounting standards.
The principal accounting policies of the group have remained unchanged from
those used in the previous period by Sarantel Limited. Changes in the estimates
of the useful economic lives of certain tangible fixed assets and patents are
described below.
Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of
the company and all group undertakings (see note 12).
Merger accounting has been applied in respect of the acquisition of Sarantel
Limited via a share for share exchange on 23 February 2005 as part of a group
reconstruction. The investment has been recorded in the Company's balance sheet
at the nominal value of the shares issued.
As Sarantel Group Plc was not incorporated until 30 November 2004, these
financial statements are proforma financial statements which have been prepared
as though the company and the group had existed throughout the current and prior
year. Statutory financial statements are required for the period from
incorporation to 30 September 2005. This information is given in note 32.
The comparative information for 2004 is derived from the statutory financial
statements of Sarantel Limited for the year ended 30 September 2004. The share
capital has been restated as though the merger had been in effect throughout the
period. The difference between this and the nominal value of Sarantel Limited's
actual shares has been taken to other reserves.
Turnover
The turnover shown in the profit and loss account represents amounts receivable
for goods supplied during the year, exclusive of Value Added Tax.
Research and development
Research and development expenditure is written off in the year in which it is
incurred.
Intangible fixed assets
Patents are included at cost, representing third party costs of registering.
Purchased goodwill representing the excess of the fair value of the
consideration given over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired,
is capitalised and is amortised on a straight line basis over its estimated
useful economic life.
Amortisation
Amortisation is calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, less its
estimated residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as
follows:
Goodwill - 5 years
Patents - 10 years from year following acquisition
From October 2004, the Company reviewed its amortisation policy on patents and
has revised its estimate of the useful economic lives of patents from 5 years to
10. The impact on the loss for the period is detailed in note 3.
Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, less its
estimated residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as
follows:
Leasehold improvements - 10%
Plant and machinery - 20%-33% from date asset is put into use
Fixtures and fittings - 20%
Computer equipment - 33%
From October 2004, the Company reviewed its depreciation policy on all tangible
assets, and has reduced its estimate of the useful economic life of heavy plant
and machinery from 10 years to 5. The impact on the loss for the period is
detailed in note 3.
Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making
due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.
Leasing and hire purchase commitments
Assets held under finance leases, which are leases where substantially all the
risks and rewards of ownership of the asset have passed to the company, and hire
purchase contracts, are capitalised in the balance sheet and are depreciated
over their useful lives. The capital elements of future obligations under the
leases and hire purchase contracts are included as liabilities in the balance
sheet.
The interest elements of the rental obligations are charged in the profit and
loss account over the periods of the leases and hire purchase contracts and
represent a constant proportion of the balance of capital repayments
outstanding.
Rentals payable under operating leases are charged in the profit and loss
account on a straight line basis over the lease term.
Deferred taxation
Deferred tax is recognised on all timing differences where the transactions or
events that give the company an obligation to pay more tax in the future, or a
right to pay less tax in the future, have occurred by the balance sheet date.
Deferred tax assets are recognised when it is more likely than not that they
will be recovered. Deferred tax is measured using rates of tax that have been
enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.
Deferred tax is measured on an undiscounted basis at the tax rates that are
expected to apply in the periods in which timing differences reverse, based on
tax rates and laws enacted or substantially enacted at the balance sheet date.
Foreign currencies
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the
rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign
currencies are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the
date of the transaction. Exchange differences are taken into account in arriving
at the operating loss.
Pensions
The company operates a group personal pension plan (a money purchase
arrangement) for the benefit of certain directors and employees. Pension costs
are charged to the profit and loss account in the period to which they relate.
Financial instruments
Financial assets are recognised in the balance sheet at the lower of cost and
net realisable value.
Interest receivable and payable is accrued and charged or credited to the profit
and loss account in the period to which it relates.
Consolidated profit and loss account
2005 Restated
2004
Note £ £
Turnover 2 2,802,454 839,325
Operating costs:
Change in stocks of finished goods
and work in progress 92,319 (74,674)
Raw materials and consumables 1,464,061 364,398
Other operating income 4 115,000 (94,736)
Other external charges 677,930 141,565
Staff costs 5 3,034,483 1,500,398
Other operating charges 2,220,937 2,072,289
Depreciation and other amounts
written off tangible and intangible
assets 10/11 1,087,982 920,411
--------- --------
8,692,712 4,829,651
--------- ---------
Operating loss 3 (5,890,258) (3,990,326)
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Operating loss before depreciation, (4,497,310) (3,164,651)
amortisation and exceptional
items
Exceptional non-recurring costs 4 (304,966) 94,736
Depreciation and other amounts (1,087,982) (920,411)
written off tangible and intangible
assets
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Net interest 6 328,447 34,617
--------- --------
Loss on ordinary activities before (5,561,811) (3,955,709)
taxation
Tax on loss on ordinary 7 150,215 200,228
activities --------- --------
Loss for the financial year 23 (5,411,596) (3,755,481)
========= ========
Basic loss per share 9 (12.3)p (17.1)p
========= ========
During the year the group carried out a corporate restructuring including the
introduction of a new holding company. The consolidated profit and loss account
has been prepared using merger accounting and is presented on a proforma basis
as if the group has been in existence throughout both the current and prior
periods. Further information is given in note 1. Certain costs in the
comparatives have been reclassified to be consistent with the current year
format and analysis.
A consolidated profit and loss account from the date of incorporation of the new
holding company is given in note 32.
There were no recognised gains or losses other than the loss for the financial
year.
All the activities of the group are classed as continuing.
Fixed assets
Intangible assets 10 576,619 543,914
Tangible assets 11 4,671,031 2,593,351
-------- -------
5,247,650 3,137,265
Current assets
Stock 13 126,281 363,816
Debtors 14 1,046,655 613,352
Cash at bank and in hand 27 13,134,412 2,069,046
-------- -------
14,307,348 3,046,214
Creditors: amounts falling due 15 2,009,708 811,014
within one year -------- -------
Net current assets 12,297,640 2,235,200
-------- -------
Total assets less current liabilities 17,545,290 5,372,465
Creditors: amounts falling due 16 460,257 27,127
after more than one year
Provisions for liabilities and 19 - -
charges -------- -------
17,085,033 5,345,338
======== =======
Capital and reserves
Called-up equity share capital 22 5,355,891 3,064,477
Share premium account 23 14,341,907 -
Other reserves 23 13,389,536 12,871,566
Profit and loss account 23 (16,002,301) (10,590,705)
--------- --------
Shareholders' funds 24 17,085,033 5,345,338
======== ========
These financial statements were approved by the board of directors on 29
November 2005 and are signed on their behalf by:
Director
Fixed assets
Investments 12 3,080,348 -
-------- --------
Current assets
Debtors 14 6,154,394
Cash at bank and in hand 10,914,530 -
-------- --------
17,068,924
Creditors: amounts falling due 15 107,769 -
within one year -------- --------
Net current assets 16,961,155 -
-------- --------
Total assets less current liabilities 20,041,503 -
======== ========
Capital and reserves
Called-up equity share capital 22 5,355,891 -
Share premium account 23 14,341,907 -
Profit and loss account 23 343,705 -
-------- --------
Shareholders' funds 20,041,503 -
========= ========
These financial statements were approved by the board of directors on 29
November 2005 and are signed on their behalf by:
Director
Consolidated cash flow statement
Note 2005 2004
£ £
Net cash outflow from operating 25 (3,950,835) (3,064,036)
activities
Returns on investments and servicing of
finance
Interest received 406,803 34,617
Interest paid (31,980) -
Finance lease interest paid (46,376) -
-------- -------
Net cash inflow from returns on investments
and servicing of finance 328,447 34,617
-------- -------
Taxation received 165,215 235,228
Capital expenditure
Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets (2,007,309) (338,671)
Payments to acquire intangible fixed
assets (241,216) (145,794
-------- -------
Net cash outflow from capital expenditure (2,248,525) (484,465)
-------- -------
Cash outflow before financing (5,705,698) (3,278,656)
Financing
Issue of shares 18,099,187 4,077,424
Expenses paid in connection with issue of
shares (1,481,735) -
Issue of shares in subsidiary prior to 345,198 -
reconstruction
Capital element of finance lease rentals (191,586) -
-------- -------
Net cash inflow from financing 16,771,064 4,077,424
-------- -------
Increase in cash 26 11,065,366 798,768
======== =======
Notes to the financial statements
1 Corporate restructuring
During the year the Group carried out a corporate restructuring including the
introduction of a new holding company, Sarantel Group Plc, incorporated on 30
November 2004. On 23 February 2005, the Company acquired the full share capital
of its subsidiary, Sarantel Limited, by way of a share for share exchange. On 2
March 2005 the Company was admitted to AIM following a successful placing.
2 Turnover
An analysis of turnover by geographical market or segmental information has not
been disclosed as in the opinion of the directors it would be seriously
prejudicial to the group.
3 Operating loss
Operating loss is stated after charging:
2005 2004
£ £
Amortisation of intangible fixed assets 208,511 235,734
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets 811,991 412,383
Impairment of owned tangible fixed assets 271,802
Depreciation of assets held under finance leases and
hire purchase agreements 67,480 492
Depreciation and amortisation includes a net charge of £296,059 arising on
the change in estimated useful lives of certain categories of fixed assets.
The additional depreciation arising in the year on certain categories of
Plant and Machinery was £352,442 and the reduced level of amortisation
arising from the change to the useful life of Patents amounted to
£56,383.
Auditors' fees:
Audit 18,000 12,500
Tax compliance 1,800 1,447
Tax advisory 21,150 3,600
Other non-audit services 6,820 -
In addition, remuneration paid to the auditors in respect of the flotation,
totalling £84,500 has been included within the share premium account.
Research and development costs 259,949 787,213
Operating lease costs:
Land and buildings 101,170 101,170
======== =======
4 Exceptional non-recurring items charged in arriving at operating loss
2005 2004
£ £
Stock write-off 109,198 -
Non-recurring professional charges 80,768 -
Variation of Share Exchange Agreement 115,000 (94,736)
-------- -------
304,966 (94,736)
======== =======
Stock write-off:
The stock write-off relates to one discontinued product and other stock rendered
obsolete through continuing process improvement.
Professional charges:
Non-recurring legal and professional charges re aborted fundraising prior to
flotation.
Variation of Share Exchange Agreement:
During the year ended 30 September 2004 Sarantel Limited purchased and
subsequently sold a company, recognising a profit on disposal, after associated
costs, of £94,736. The purchase was via a share for share exchange which on 23
February 2005 was varied, following shareholders' consent, and additional shares
were issued to the parties to the Share Exchange Agreement to the value of the
consideration received for the sale of the subsidiary amounting to £115,000.
This has been recognised as an exceptional cost in the current year.
5 Directors and employees
The average number of staff employed by the group during the financial year
amounted to:
2005 2004
No No
Management 2 1
Technical 6 6
Finance and administration 5 3
Sales and marketing 4 2
Operation 55 21
-------- -------
72 33
======== =======
5 Directors and employees (continued)
The aggregate payroll costs (including Directors emoluments) were:
2005 2004
£ £
Wages and salaries 2,654,923 1,367,327
Social security costs 299,488 133,071
Pension costs 80,072 -
-------- --------
3,034,483 1,500,398
======== ========
Remuneration in respect of directors was as follows:
2005 2004
£ £
Emoluments 377,002 291,116
Compensation for loss of directorship - 61,528
Pension contributions to money purchase pension
scheme 26,350 -
Payment to third parties for directors services 22,083 45,000
-------- --------
425,435 397,644
======== ========
The amounts set out above include remuneration in respect of the highest paid
director as follows:
2005 2004
£ £
Emoluments 183,887 146,447
Pension contributions to money purchase pension
schemes 17,186 -
-------- --------
201,073 146,447
======== ========
No director exercised any share options during the year or the prior year.
Details of the share options granted to directors in the year, together with
further details of their remuneration, will be shown in the Remuneration
Committee Report.
During the year 2 directors (2004: nil ) participated in money purchase pension
schemes.
6 Net interest
2005 2004
£ £
Interest receivable and similar income 406,803 34,617
Finance changes in respect of finance leases (46,376) -
Other interest payable and similar charges (31,980) -
-------- --------
328,447 34,617
======== ========
7 Taxation on ordinary activities
2005 2004
£ £
Current tax:
UK Corporation tax based on the results for the year
at 19% (2004 - 19%) (150,000) (165,000)
Adjustment in respect of prior year (215) (35,228)
-------- --------
Total current tax (150,215) (200,228)
======== ========
The taxation credit arises in respect of research and development expenditure
and is subject to agreement with the Inland Revenue.
The standard rate of tax for the year based on the UK standard rate of
corporation tax is 19%
(2004 - 19%). The actual tax credit for the year differs from the standard rate
for the reasons set out in the following reconciliation:
2005 2004
£ £
Loss on ordinary activities before taxation (5,561,811) (3,955,709)
-------- --------
Loss on ordinary activities multiplied by rate of
tax (1,056,744) (751,585)
Effect of:
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 222,870 198,427
Depreciation for the period in excess of capital
allowances 144,572 130,738
Tax losses carried forward 689,302 422,420
R&D tax credit (150,000) (165,000)
Prior year over provision (215) (35,228)
-------- --------
Total current tax (150,215) (200,228)
======== ========
Tax losses available, subject to agreement with the Inland Revenue, to offset
future taxable trading income amount to approximately £10 million. See note 19.
8 Result for the financial year
The parent company has taken advantage of Section 230 of the Companies Act 1985
and has not included its own profit and loss account in these financial
statements. The parent company's profit for the year was £343,705.
9 Loss per share
The calculation of basic loss per share is based on the loss attributable to
ordinary shareholders of
£5,411,596 (2004: £3,755,481) divided by the weighted average number of shares
in issue during the year which was 43,867,040 (2004: 22,024,352)
The issue of additional shares on the exercise of options would decrease the
basic loss per share and there is, therefore, no dilutive effect of share
options.
10 Intangible fixed assets
The Group
Goodwill Patents Total
£ £ £
Cost
At 1 October 2004 760,632 563,833 1,324,465
Additions - 241,216 241,216
-------- -------- --------
At 30 September 2005 760,632 805,049 1,565,681
======== ======== ========
Amortisation
At 1 October 2004 608,504 172,047 780,551
Charge for the year 152,128 56,383 208,511
-------- --------- --------
At 30 September 2005 760,632 228,430 989,062
======== ========= ========
Net book value
At 30 September 2005 - 576,619 576,619
======== ======== ========
At 30 September 2004 152,128 391,786 543,914
======== ======== ========
11 Tangible fixed assets
The Group
Leasehold Plant and Total
improvements machinery,
etc
£ £ £
Cost
At 1 October 2004 196,646 3,476,376 3,673,022
Additions - 2,957,151 2,957,151
-------- -------- --------
At 30 September 2005 196,646 6,433,527 6,630,173
======== ======== ========
Depreciation
At 1 October 2004 49,162 1,030,509 1,079,671
Charge for the year 19,664 859,807 879,471
-------- -------- --------
At 30 September 2005 68,826 1,890,316 1,959,142
======== ======== ========
Net book value
At 30 September 2005 127,820 4,543,211 4,671,031
======== ======== ========
At 30 September 2004 147,484 2,445,867 2,593,351
======== ======== ========
Fixtures and fittings and computer equipment are not significant and so are
included in plant and machinery.
Included within the net book value of £ 4,671,031 is £642,526 (2004 - £59,150)
relating to assets held under finance leases and hire purchase agreements. The
depreciation charged to the financial statements in the year in respect of such
assets amounted to £67,480 (2004 - £492).
12 Investments
The Group
At 30 September 2005 the group held more than 20% of a class of the allotted
share capital of the following:
Country of Class of Proportion Nature of
Incorporation share held held business
Sarantel England and Ordinary 100% Design and
Limited Wales shares manufacture of
antennas
* Sarantel USA USA Ordinary 100% Dormant
Inc shares
* Sarantel Asia Singapore Ordinary 100% Distributor of
Pacific shares antennas
Pte. Ltd
* Owned by Sarantel Limited
12 Investments (continued)
The Company Shares in
subsidiary
undertakings
£
Cost and net book amount
At 1 October 2004
Additions 3,080,348
--------
At 30 September 2005 3,080,348
========
The company purchased 100% of the issued share capital of Sarantel Limited on 23
February 2005 in a share for share exchange in order to facilitate the
subsequent flotation of Sarantel Group plc on the Alternative Investment Market.
13 Stocks
The Group The company
2005 2004 2005 2004
£ £ £ £
Raw materials 107,941 253,157 - -
Work in progress 15,457 36,109 - -
Finished goods 2,883 74,550 - -
------- ------- ------- -------
126,281 363,816 - -
======= ======= ======= =======
14 Debtors
The Group The company
2005 2004 2005 2004
£ £ £ £
Trade debtors 566,158 247,259 - -
VAT recoverable 159,549 51,233
Amounts owed by group undertakings - - 6,153,706 -
Corporation tax recoverable 150,000 165,000 - -
Other debtors 66,195 90,508 688 -
Prepayments and accrued income 104,753 59,352 - -
------- ------- -------- ------
1,046,655 613,352 6,154,394 -
======= ======= ======== ======
14 Debtors (continued)
The debtors above include the following amounts falling due after more than one
year:
The Group The company
2005 2004 2005 2004
£ £ £ £
Other debtors 59,938 59,938 - -
======= ======= ======= =======
15 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
The Group The company
2005 2004 2005 2004
£ £ £ £
Trade creditors 1,053,475 399,955 - -
Other taxation and social security 193,531 46,344 107,769 -
Amounts due under finance leases and hire
purchase agreements 351,151 26,025 - -
Other creditors 8,810 179,930 - -
Accruals and deferred income 402,741 158,760 - -
------- ------- ------- -------
2,009,708 811,014 107,769 -
======= ======= ======= =======
16 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
The Group The company
2005 2004 2005 2004
£ £ £ £
Amounts due under finance leases and hire 460,257 27,127 - -
purchase agreements ======= ======= ======= =======
17 Borrowings
Borrowings are repayable as follows:
The Group The company
2005 2004 2005 2004
£ £ £ £
Within one year:
Finance leases and hire purchase
agreements 351,151 26,025 - -
After one year and within two years:
Finance leases and hire purchase
agreements 233,008 27,127 - -
After two years and within five years
Finance leases and hire purchase
agreements 227,249 - - -
------- ------- ------- -------
811,408 53,152 - -
======= ======= ======= =======
18 Financial instruments
The Group uses financial instruments comprising borrowings, cash, liquid
resources and various items such as trade debtors, trade creditors, etc. that
arise directly from its operations. The Group uses derivatives which are limited
to those described under currency exchange risk below. The main purpose of these
financial instruments is to raise finance for the Group's operation.
The main risks arising from the group financial instruments are interest rate
risk, currency exchange risk and liquidity risk and the policies for managing
these are regularly reviewed and agreed by the Board.
Short-term debtors and creditors
Short-term debtors and creditors have been excluded from the following
disclosures, other than currency risk disclosures.
Interest rate risk
The Group finances its operations through share capital and leasing. The Group
mixes the duration of its deposits to reduce the impact of interest rate
fluctuations.
Liquidity risk
The Group seeks to manage financial risk by ensuring that sufficient financial
liquidity is available to meet foreseeable needs and to invest cash assets
safely and profitably.
Currency exchange risk
The Group operates in overseas markets and is subject to currency exposures on
transactions undertaken during the year. The Group has options to sell currency
at certain defined rates, and these option contracts are reviewed quarterly.
There were no material option contracts in place at the year end.
Borrowings
The Group has purchased some fixed assets through finance leasing and hire
purchase agreements at fixed interest rates.
18 Financial instruments (continued)
Financial assets
At 30 September 2005 £10.7m was on 3 month deposit at Anglo Irish Bank paying
interest at 4.52%.
The directors have given serious consideration and have reached the conclusion
that there is no significant difference between the book and the fair value of
assets and liabilities of the Group at the balance sheet date.
19 Deferred taxation
A deferred tax asset amounting to approximately £3m (2004: £1.8m) arising from
taxable trading losses has not been recognised due to continued losses being
budgeted for the near future.
20 Leasing commitments
At 30 September 2005 the company had aggregate annual commitments under
non-cancellable operating leases as set out below.
Land and buildings
2005 2004
£ £
Operating leases which expire:
After more than 5 years 101,170 101,170
======== ========
21 Related party transactions
Under an agreement dated 24 February 2005, between the Company and MTI Partners
Limited ('MTI'), MTI provides an authorised representative to serve as a
non-executive director of the company for a fee of £20,000 per annum payable
quarterly. MTI controls 20.93% of the share capital of the company. At 30
September 2005, the amount outstanding to MTI was £965 (2004: £Nil)
22 Share capital
Authorised share capital:
2005 2004
No £ No £
A ordinary shares of £0.10 each 63,000,000 6,300,000 63,000,000 6,300,000
B ordinary shares of £0.10 each 2,000,000 200,000 2,000,000 200,000
--------- -------- --------
65,000,000 6,500,000 65,000,000 6,500,000
========= ======== ========= ========
Allotted, called up and fully paid:
2005 2004
No £ No £
A ordinary shares of £0.10 each 52,522,562 5,252,257 30,644,770 3,064,477
B ordinary shares of £0.10 each 1,036,340 103,634 - -
-------- -------- -------- --------
53,558,902 5,355,891 30,644,770 3,064,477
======== ======== ======== ========
Although the company was not incorporated until 30 November 2004, comparative
balances have been prepared on a proforma basis as though it had existed
throughout the period. This is to comply with the requirements of merger
accounting. The shares issued at 30 September 2004 therefore reflect the share
for share exchange explained below, less the shares issued by the subsidiary
between 1 October 2004 and the date of the share for share exchange.
Allotments during the year
The company made the following allotments in the period:
Share for share exchange
On 23 February 2005, the company issued 30,803,473 A Ordinary share of £0.10
each to the existing shareholders of Sarantel Limited pro rata to their
respective shareholdings in consideration for the transfer to the company of the
entire issued share capital of Sarantel Limited. The investment was recorded at
its nominal value of £3,080,348.
Stock Exchange Flotation
On admission to AIM, the company issued 21,951,220 shares as follows:
(1) 20,854,880 A Ordinary £0.10 shares were issued at £0.82. The difference of
£15,015,514 between the total consideration of £17,101,002 and the total nominal
value of £2,085,488 has been credited to the share premium account.
(ii) 1,096,340 B Ordinary £0.10 shares were issued at £0.82. The difference of
£789,365 between the total consideration of £898,999 and the total nominal value
of £109,634 has been credited to the share premium account.
22 Share capital (continued)
During the year, 60,000 B Ordinary shares were transferred and in accordance
with the Articles of Association of the Company, these shares were automatically
converted into A Ordinary shares on transfer.
The costs associated with the admission to AIM totalling £1,481,735 have been
debited to the share premium account.
A and B shares rank pari passu in all respects, save that the subscribers for B
Ordinary Shares are only entitled to receive 10 clear days notice from the
directors requiring payment of any moneys unpaid on their shares, whereas the
holders of A Ordinary Shares are entitled to 14 clear days' notice. The B
Ordinary Shares will automatically convert into A Ordinary Shares forthwith on
the subscribers thereof transferring or disposing of the shares.
Exercise of Options
During the year employees of the group exercised share options and the Company
issued 804,209 shares for a total consideration of £99,186. The difference of
£18,765 between the total consideration and the nominal value of £80,421 has
been credited to the share premium account.
Share Options
2005 2004
Number of Share Options at the beginning of the year 8,882,781 2,041,398
Options granted during the year 1,284,851 6,841,383
Number of Options lapsed and eliminated (2,186,342) -
Number of Options exercised during the year (804,209) -
-------- --------
Balance at end of the year 7,177,081 8,882,781
======== ========
Share options at 30 September 2005 are exercisable as follows:
Number of share Exercise price Exercisable from Exercisable to
options
1,174,851 27.5p 2/3/2005 16/2/2015
110,000 86.5p 19/9/2006 20/9/2015
Details of the share options granted to the directors will be shown in the
Remuneration Committee Report.
23 Reserves
The Group
Share Other Profit and
premium reserves loss
account account
£ £ £
At 1 October 2004 - 12,871,566 (10,590,705)
Loss for the year
Issue of shares in subsidiary prior to
reconstruction - 517,970 (5,411,596)
Premium arising on share issues 15,823,642 - -
Expenses incurred re share issue (1,481,735) - -
---------- ---------- ----------
At 30 September 2005 14,341,907 13,389,536 (16,002,301)
========== ========== ==========
The Company
Share Profit and
premium loss
account account
£ £
At 1 October 2004
Profit for the year 343,705
Premium arising on share issues 15,823,642
Expenses incurred re share issue (1,481,735)
---------- ----------
At 30 September 2005 14,341,907 343,705
========== ==========
24 Reconciliation of movements in shareholders' funds
Equity shareholders' funds
2005 2004
£ £
Loss for the financial year (5,411,596) (3,755,481)
Issue of new shares (net of issue expenses) 16,617,450 4,077,424
Issue of shares in subsidiary prior to
reconstruction 533,841 -
-------- --------
Increase in shareholders' funds in the year 11,739,695 321,943
Opening shareholders' equity funds 5,345,338 5,023,395
-------- --------
Closing shareholders' equity funds 17,085,033 5,345,338
======== ========
25 Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating
activities
2005 2004
£ £
Operating loss (5,890,258) (3,990,326)
Depreciation and amortisation 1,087,982 920,411
Decrease/(increase) in stocks 237,534 (136,199)
Increase in debtors (448,303) (156,701)
Increase in creditors 947,210 298,779
Non cash item re exceptional item - see note 4 115,000 -
-------- --------
Net cash inflow from operating activities (3,950,835) (3,064,036)
======== ========
26 Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds
2005 2004
£ £
Increase in cash in the period 11,065,366 798,768
Cash outflow in respect of finance leases and hire
purchase 191,586 -
New finance leases and hire purchase agreements (949,842) (53,152)
-------- --------
Change in net funds resulting from cash flows 10,370,110 745,616
Net funds at 30 September 2004 2,015,894 1,270,278
-------- --------
Net funds at 30 September 2005 12,323,004 2,015,894
======== ========
27 Analysis of changes in net funds
At 1 Oct Cash Other At 30 Sept
2004 flows changes 2005
£ £ £ £
Net cash:
Cash in hand and at bank 2,069,046 11,065,366 13,134,412
Debt:
Finance leases and hire
purchase agreements (53,152) 191,586 (949,842) (811,408)
---------- -------- -------- --------
Net funds 2,015,894 11,256,952 (949,842) 12,323,004
========== ======== ======== ========
28 Cash at bank
Cash balances of £13,134,412 at the end of the year include an amount of
£1,000,000 on an interest bearing deposit account with a financial institution
which can only be repaid when the amounts owed to it under hire purchase
agreements are settled in full. At the year end, the amount owed was £726,000
(2004: £ Nil).
29 Capital commitments
Amounts contracted for but not provided in the financial statements at 30th
September 2005 amounted to £827,409 (2004 - £302,000).
30 Pensions
The group makes payments into a group personal pension scheme for certain
employees and directors. The assets of the scheme are administered by trustees
in a fund independent from those of the group.
31 Acquisition
On 23 February 2005 the entire issued share capital of Sarantel Limited was
acquired via a share for share exchange. The combination has been accounted for
using the merger method of accounting. Further details of the transaction are
included in note 1.
32 Statutory financial statements
These financial statements are proforma financial statements which reflect the
group as though it had existed in the prior year which was before the
incorporation of the company. Statutory financial statements are however
required to reflect the group's profit and loss account from the date of
incorporation and are presented below. Notes to the statutory profit and loss
account have not been given because in the opinion of the directors they would
not provide useful information to the users of the accounts.
Sarantel Group Plc
Statutory consolidated profit and loss account
10 months to 30 September 2005
note 2005
£
Turnover 2,463,222
Operating costs:
Raw materials and consumables 1,400,309
Other operating income 4 115,000
Other external charges 643,283
Staff costs 2,671,193
Other operating charges 1,745,456
Depreciation and other amounts 971,569
written off tangible and intangible ----------
assets
----------
7,546,810
----------
Operating loss (5,083,588)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating loss before depreciation, (3,807,053)
amortisation and exceptional items
Exceptional non-recurring costs (304,966)
Depreciation and other amounts
written off tangible and intangible
assets (971,569)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest 328,477
----------
Loss on ordinary activities before (4,755,111)
taxation
Tax on loss on ordinary activities 150,215
----------
Loss on ordinary activities after
taxation (4,604,896)
----------
33 Statutory financial statements
The Preliminary Statement which has been agreed with the auditors and approved
by the Board on 29th November 2005 is not the Group's Statutory Accounts. The
Statutory Accounts for the period to 30th September 2005 received an audit
report which was unqualified and did not contain statements under section 237
(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The 2005 Accounts have not yet been filed
with the Registrar of Companies.
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