Interim Results

Wynnstay Group PLC 20 June 2007 WYN.L WYNNSTAY GROUP PLC ('Wynnstay' or 'the Group') Interim Results for the Six Months ended 30 April 2007 Based in Wales, Wynnstay manufactures and supplies agricultural products and services (including fertiliser, seeds, animal feed, animal health care products, pet and equine food, clothing etc) to farmers and country dwellers. KEY POINTS • Encouraging interim results - demonstrate the advantages of the Group's balanced spread of activities • Full contribution in the period from Glasson Group, acquired in August 2006, which performed excellently • Turnover increased by 52.6% to £79.90m (2006: £52.38m) • Pre-tax profit rose by 39.0% to £1.96m (2006: £1.41m) • Basic earnings per share up 15.5% to 12.43p (2006: 10.76p) • Net assets increased by 9.7% to £26.83m (2006: £24.45m) • Interim dividend of 1.875p up 7.1% (2006: 1.75p) • Key trends in period: - recovery in fertiliser market which benefited Arable Division where fertiliser sales rose 20% - rising raw material prices which produced overall net benefit for Group • First dedicated pet supplies store - 'Just for Pets' - opened in Telford in June • Actively seeking further consolidation opportunities - currently in negotiations with agricultural distribution companies • Positive outlook for full year Chairman, John Davies, commented, 'Trading results for the first six months of the financial year are encouraging and I am pleased to report that earnings have improved in line with our expectations. The balanced spread of our activities continues to ensure we are able to perform robustly in challenging market conditions. We believe that our twin track strategy of acting as a consolidator in the agricultural sector while expanding our higher margin retail activities will continue to bring ongoing benefits. Our position as a low cost, high quality supplier considerably strengthens this strategic approach. We remain positive about the outcome for the current financial year.' Press enquiries: Wynnstay Group plc Bernard Harris, Managing Director T: 020 7448 1000 today Paul Roberts, Finance Director Thereafter: 01691 828512 Biddicks Katie Tzouliadis T: 020 7448 1000 WH Ireland Limited David Youngman T: 0161 832 2174 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Introduction Trading results for the first six months of the financial year are encouraging and I am pleased to report that earnings have improved in line with our expectations. The balanced spread of our activities continues to ensure we are able to perform robustly in challenging market conditions. Importantly in the first half, we saw fertiliser ordering return to more normalised patterns after the sharp decrease in sales during the same period last year. On a like-for-like basis, fertiliser orders in the first half were 20% higher than the comparable period last year. The recovery was helped by more stable fertiliser pricing, which last year rose to a 10 year high as the price of natural gas, a key component in fertiliser manufacture, soared. While our Arable Division benefited from these better trading conditions, our Feed Division saw only modest volume increases. The very mild weather conditions reduced demand for animal feeds and, in addition, margins were adversely affected by the sharp rise in raw material prices. The feed sector is still suffering from over capacity; also dairy producers remain under severe financial pressure and are resisting prices increases from feed suppliers. I am pleased to report that the Glasson Group, which we acquired in August 2006, performed very strongly and Glasson's trading results were ahead of our expectations and budget. Key to Glasson's out-performance over the period were rising raw materials prices, which greatly benefited its trading activities as well as our grain trading arm, Shropshire Grain Ltd. The recovery in the fertiliser market also benefited Glasson's blending activities at Glasson Dock in Lancashire. While the considerable increase in raw material prices adversely affected our feed manufacture and feed sales, the gain for Glasson's trading activities has meant that these price increases produced a net benefit for the Group. Our Stores Division performed well and we are continuing to widen our range to broaden the stores' appeal to all sections of the rural community. In June, we opened our first dedicated pet store, 'Just for Pets' in Telford and are planning further openings, subject to lease negotiations. Financial Results Including results from Glasson Group, turnover rose by 52.6% to £79.90m (2006: £52.38m) and operating profit by 40.4% to £2.15m (2006: £1.53m). Pre-tax profit rose by 39.0% to £1.96m from £1.41m last year. Basic earning per share rose by approximately 15.5% to 12.43p (2006: 10.76p). Net assets at 30 April 2007 stood at £26.83m from £24.46m last year, a rise of 9.7%. Dividend Continuing our policy of progressive dividend payments, the Board is pleased to declare an interim dividend of 1.875p per share, a 7.1% increase on last year (2006: 1.75p). The interim dividend will be paid on the 31 October 2007 to shareholders on the register at the 28 September 2007. Review of Operations Feed Division Feed volumes were largely maintained across our numerous activities although the mild winter and the very early spring reduced demand at the end of the period. Margins remain under pressure, particularly in dairy feed sales and rapidly rising ingredient and energy prices were not fully passed on to the market. Our joint venture business, Bibby Agriculture Ltd, which is run in conjunction with Carrs Milling Industries Plc, enjoyed another successful period, and contributed volume to both our Llansantffraid and Carmarthen mills. Dairy feed volumes were static, with an improvement in general cattle feed, while sheep feed sales fell for the first time in a number of years; this being attributed to milder weather conditions and the smaller national flock. Pig feed sales doubled due to the winning of new contracts. Our three blending operations, including the new feed blending plant in Rhosfawr, North Wales had a successful winter. This sector of the market is continuing to grow and sales of blended products at Llansantffraid mill increased by 42% during the period. Our raw material trading business had a successful period and worked closely with new colleagues at Glasson to maximise margins and volumes. Arable Division Fertiliser sales returned to a more normal buying pattern and volumes (on an orders received basis) increased by 20%. We expect this buying pattern to continue, helped by the increased confidence within the arable sector. Rationalisation in UK fertiliser manufacturing continues with news that Yara International, the world's leading producer of mineral fertilisers, has purchased a 30% stake in Kemira Growhow, who itself is proposing a merger with Terra Fertiliser. The outcome of this consolidation could be the creation of a single national fertiliser supplier. Our volumes put us in a good position to benefit from this development with an additional opportunity to market increased quantities of blended fertilisers from our Lancashire plant. Cereal seed sales improved substantially, as did those of herbage, again benefiting from higher wheat prices. We are seeing new markets develop for cereals in bio-fuels and starch production alongside the more traditional outlets. Shropshire Grain achieved greater volumes; the more variable crop available from the 2006 harvest benefited the business and generally improved margins. Stores Division The Stores Division generally performed well. The mild weather affected the sales of seasonal animal nutrition products but other key retail product areas improved, with pet food increasing by 4%, animal health care products by 6% and equine products by 6%. There was a strong performance from the hardware product group where sales grew by 12%. Our store improvement programme is ongoing and we are continuing to widen our product range to cater for both the traditional agricultural customer and wider general public. Sales are supported by extensive market research and direct marketing initiatives, including the pet and equine club where membership is increasing. Our first stand-alone pet store, 'Just for Pets', opened in June, at Telford. Customer reaction is very encouraging, and we hope to have at least one further outlet open, at Brierley Hill in the West Midlands, before the financial year end, subject to satisfactory lease negotiations. With the purchase of Glasson Group, we have acquired a further store situated in Lancashire and this outlet is currently being remodelled and developed. Glasson Group Glasson Group was acquired in August 2006 and enjoyed an excellent first half, helped considerably by rising raw material markets. Turnover of £23m was considerably ahead of budget with tonnage increases of 6% across all commodities traded. Fertiliser volumes from Glasson's blending plant improved substantially during the spring and the shipping activities handled more cargos and attracted new clients for the port of Glasson. Foxmoor Foxmoor enjoyed considerable sales growth during the first half of the financial year and the second half, which includes the peak sales months of May and June, has started well. The business has benefited from lower unit power costs due to more favourable energy pricing and has a strong order book for the remainder of the year. In conjunction with the Ideal Shopping Channel, we have launched a home shopping gardening offering, which has proved to be highly successful. Sales are considerably higher than budget and we have established a new packing and dispatch department in Somerset to deal with the new business. We believe that there is room for considerable growth in this market where we can offer a wider range of group products in addition to our standard gardening offering. Joint Ventures & Associate Companies Joint Ventures Wyro Developments Ltd - Wyro experienced good demand at its largest site in Newtown, Powys and met sales targets. There has been some slowing in demand for the more expensive properties on one of the smaller sites; however, demand at the lower end of the price market remains strong despite the recent rise in interest rates. We are seeking detailed planning permission on two further major sites in Mid-Wales with a capacity for 110 dwellings. Youngs Animal Feeds - The business enjoyed increased demand for its high fibre equine products produced at our new plant in Staffordshire, which replaced our production plant in Cheshire. The closure costs associated with this impact on this year's financial result, but will bring considerable cost and efficiency benefits for the future. We successfully launched a wild bird food brand, 'Feathered Friends' during the period. We are looking to integrate some of the Youngs activities with those of Glasson, which operates in a similar market. Welsh Feed Producers - Welsh Feeds Producers had a successful winter for sales, but in common with our other feed activities, margins tightened. Extensive work was carried out in the late spring to improve efficiency of the plant and the recent closure of a competitor's factory in Mid Wales will help future demand. Bibby Agriculture Ltd increased its offtake from the plant, which again helped unit costs. Associate Company Wynnstay Fuels - A more volatile market made it difficult to repeat last year's performance and, owing to the mild winter, the fuels business experienced a slowing in sales growth for heating oils. However, overall volumes continue to improve and the operation in North Wales established two years ago has developed further. We are looking to acquire other distributors in our trading area to help build market share. Outlook Rising costs are still an issue across many of our activities and, in the livestock sector, the pressure on milk producers continues. Further work is required to bring feed margins back to more acceptable levels in the second half of the year; however, I am pleased to report that progress is encouraging. Demand for most of our products remains good and we continue to win new business on the basis of quality and value for money. Our strategy of acting as a consolidator in the agriculture sector while developing higher margin retail activities and joint ventures, continues. We are in active negotiations for the purchase of agricultural distribution companies, with the aim of increasing our geographical trading area and expanding our product range. Our 'Just for Pets' stand-alone pet stores will increase in number and we are working to acquire established outlets to complement organic growth. In the Arable sector there is much more confidence than the same time last year; capacity in seed production has been reduced in the Western half of the country recently, which will help our plant in Shropshire and we remain optimistic with regard to the outcome of the rationalisation of the fertiliser manufacturing industry in the UK. We believe that our twin track strategy of acting as a consolidator in the agricultural sector while expanding our higher margin retail activities will continue to bring ongoing benefits. Our position as a low cost, high quality supplier considerably strengthens this strategic approach. We remain positive about the outcome for the current financial year. John Davies Chairman CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30TH APRIL 2007 Unaudited Unaudited Audited six months six months year ended ended ended 30 April 30 April 31 October 2007 2006 2006 (as (as restated) restated) Note £'000 £'000 £'000 Revenue from continuing operations 79,899 52,375 110,883 Cost of sales (67,398) (42,140) (91,397) -------------------------------------- Gross Profit 12,501 10,235 19,486 Selling and distribution costs (9,109) (7,622) (14,865) Administrative expenses (574) (556) (1,141) Depreciation (673) (529) (1,135) -------------------------------------- Operating profit from continuing operations 2,145 1,528 2,345 - Share of profits in joint ventures and associates 2 0 0 616 -------------------------------------- Profit from continuing operations 2,145 1,528 2,961 - Interest Receivable 122 63 196 - Interest Payable and similar charges (304) (179) (426) -------------------------------------- Profit before tax from continuing operations 1,963 1,412 2,731 Taxation 3 (530) (343) (664) -------------------------------------- Profit for the period 1,433 1,069 2,067 ====================================== Earnings per share 4 - Headline 12.43p 10.76p 19.98p - Diluted 4 11.86p 8.89p 17.21p ====================================== CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30TH APRIL 2007 Unaudited Unaudited Audited as at as at as at 30 April 30 April 31 October 2007 2006 2006 (as (as restated) restated) Note £'000 £'000 £'000 Non-current assets Goodwill 3,156 2,701 3,144 Other intangible assets 10,949 2,975 3,334 Property, plant and equipment 3,412 8,943 10,946 -------------------------------------------- 17,517 14,619 17,424 ------------------------------------------- Current assets Inventories 11,612 9,497 9,626 Trade and other 28,160 21,522 19,508 receivables Financial assets: - loan to joint venture 4,630 2,483 2,750 - cash and cash equivalents 480 6 1,181 ------------------------------------------- 44,882 33,508 33,065 ------------------------------------------- Current liabilities Trade and other payables (21,765) (15,317) (17,760) Financial liabilities: - borrowings (9,724) (5,310) (4,316) Provisions (496) (594) (360) ------------------------------------------- (31,985) (21,221) (22,436) ------------------------------------------- Net current assets 12,897 12,287 10,629 Total assets less current liabilities 30,414 26,906 28,053 ------------------------------------------- Non-current liabilities Financial liabilities: - borrowings (3,028) (2,242) (2,061) Provisions (561) (219) (561) ------------------------------------------- (3,589) (2,461) (2,622) ------------------------------------------- Net assets 26,825 24,445 25,431 =========================================== Equity Issued share capital 5 2,933 2,560 2,867 Share premium 7,976 5,195 7,673 Other reserves 1,582 3,960 1,582 Retained earnings 14,334 12,730 13,309 ------------------------------------------- Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent company 26,825 24,445 25,431 =========================================== CONDENSED UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Share Share Profit & capital Premium Other loss Total reserves reserve equity £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Balance at 1 November 2005 2,438 4,253 4,735 12,195 23,621 -------------------------------------------- Inventories fair value adjustment - IAS 41 (due to first-time adoption of IFRS) 72 72 Share based payment (due to first-time adoption of IFRS) (100) (100) Restated balance sheet at 1 November 2005 2,438 4,253 4,735 12,167 23,593 ------------------------------------------- Prior period adjustment - equity dividend paid (506) (506) Net profit 1069 1,069 Shares issued 122 942 (775) 289 ------------------------------------------- Balance at 30 April 2006 2,560 5,195 3,960 12,730 24,445 ------------------------------------------- Net profit 998 998 Equity dividend paid (202) (202) Shares issued 307 2,478 (2,417) 368 Fair value re-assessment of goodwill 39 39 Adjustment in respect of ESOP (217) (217) ------------------------------------------- Balance at 31 October 2006 2,867 7,673 1,582 13,309 25,431 ------------------------------------------- Net profit 1,433 1,433 Equity dividend paid (408) (408) Shares issued 66 303 369 ------------------------------------------- Total shareholders' equity at 30 April 2007 2,933 7,976 1,582 14,334 26,825 ------------------------------------------- CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30TH APRIL 2007 Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited six months six months year ended ended ended 30 31 October 30 April 2007 April 2006 2006 (as (as restated) restated) Note £'000 £'000 £'000 Cash flow from operating activities Cash (used in) / generated from operations 6 (5,914) (5,381) 2,611 Interest paid (302) (179) (426) Tax paid (331) (240) (482) ------------------------------------------ Net cash used in operating activities (6,547) (5,800) 1,703 ------------------------------------------ Cash flows from investing activities Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired 0 0 (3,782) Purchase of property, plant and equipment (689) (922) (1,629) Purchase of intangible assets (12) (200) (604) Proceeds on sale of property, plant and equipment 307 0 44 Interest received 120 63 188 Proceeds on sale of investments 0 40 40 Purchase of investments (78) 0 (182) Dividends received 0 0 8 ------------------------------------------ Net cash used in investing activities (352) (1,019) (5,917) ------------------------------------------ Equity dividends paid (408) (508) (708) Cash flows from financing activities Proceeds from the issue of share capital 369 289 657 Repayments of borrowings (595) (257) (530) Net proceeds from drawdown of new loans 1,863 3,000 3,000 Finance lease principal re-payments (150) (166) (338) ------------------------------------------ Net cash generated from financing activities 1,487 2,866 2,789 ------------------------------------------ Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (5,820) (4,461) (2,133) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period (696) 1,437 1,437 ------------------------------------------ Cash and cash equivalents at end of period (6,516) (3,024) (696) ------------------------------------------ NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. Basis of preparation. The Interim Report was approved by the Board of Directors on 19th June 2007. The consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the IFRS accounting policies that are set out below and are those that are expected to apply for the full year 2007 financial statements. A summary of these key accounting policies is set out below in the Appendix to this report. In selecting the accounting policies, the Directors have made assumptions about the IFRS expected to be applied when the first annual IFRS statements are prepared for the year ending 31 October 2007. Further standards and interpretations may be issued that could be applicable for the financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2007 or that are applicable to later accounting periods but with the option for companies to adopt for earlier periods. The Group's first annual financial statements prepared under IFRS may, therefore, be prepared in accordance with different accounting policies to those used in the preparation of the financial information in this document. The financial information for the Group for the year ended 31 October 2006 set out above does not constitute 'statutory accounts' within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. A copy of the statutory accounts for that year has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors report was not qualified and did not contain statements under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The information for the year ended 31st October 2006 has been extracted from the statutory accounts of Wynnstay Group plc and restated under IFRS. The financial information for the six months ended 30th April 2007 and for the six months ended 30th April 2007 is unaudited. 2. Consolidation of share of results of profits in joint ventures & associates. As the Group has a policy of using audited accounts for the consolidation of its share of the profits of joint venture & associate activities, no such consolidation has occurred during the six months to April 2007. Relevant results will be accounted for during the second half of the financial year. 3. Taxation. The tax charge for the six months to 30th April 2007 is based on an apportionment of the estimated tax charge for the full year. 4. Earnings per Share. Earnings per share have been calculated based on the profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of £1,433,000 (six months ended 30 April 2006 : profit of £1,069,000) and the weighted average number of shares in issue of 11,526,432 (2006: 9,931,675). Diluted earnings per share are based on the aggregate weighted average number of shares and all potential shares, adjusted for the proposed issue price, of 12,080,448 (2006: 12,016,324). 5. Share capital and Convertible Loanstock. During the current period a total of 263,957 (2006: 491,950) shares were issued with an aggregate nominal value of £65,990 (2006: £122,988) fully paid up for equivalent cash of £369,402 (2006: £1,064,508). Included in these issues were 64,517 (2006: 73,943) shares allotted to shareholders exercising their rights to receive dividends under the Company's scrip dividend scheme and nil (2006: 410,132) allotted to holders of Convertible Loanstock in the Company. At the date of this report a total of 11,731,257 shares are in issue. 6. Cash (used in) / generated from operations. Unaudited Unaudited Audited as at as at as at 30 April 30 April 31 October 2007 2006 2006 (as (as restated) restated) £'000 £'000 £'000 Profit for the period from operations 1,433 1,069 2,067 Taxation 331 240 482 Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 673 529 1,135 Amortisation of other intangible fixed assets 0 125 1 Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment (156) 0 (27) Interest payable 302 179 426 Interest receivable (120) (63) (188) Dividends received 0 0 (8) Group share of associates and joint ventures' operating profit 0 0 (616) Loans made to joint venture (1,880) (1,233) (1,500) (Increase) / decrease in inventories (1,986) (1,141) 728 (Increase) / decrease in trade and other receivables (8,652) (3,614) 1,701 Increase / (decrease) in creditors 4,141 (1,472) (1,340) Increase / (decrease) in provisions 0 0 (250) ----------------------------------------- Cash (used in) / generated from operations (5,914) (5,381) 2,611 ========================================= 7. Glasson Group (Lancaster) Limited The Group purchased Glasson Group (Lancaster) Limited on 4 August 2006. Glasson Group (Lancaster) Limited contributed £22,868,829 to turnover and £488,952 to operating profit in the half year to 30 April 2007. APPENDIX Reporting under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) For the year ended 31 October 2007, Wynnstay Group plc will produce its consolidated financial statements in accordance with the IFRS for the first time. The financial information presented in its interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 April 2007 has been prepared on the basis of the IFRS expected to be applicable at 31 October 2007. To help understand the impact of the likely transition to IFRS, reconciliations have been produced to show the changes made to statements previously reported under UK GAAP in arriving at the equivalent statements under IFRS. The following are the six unaudited reconciliations which are included in this Appendix: a) Consolidated balance sheet and equity at 1 November 2005 b) Consolidated income statement for the six months ended 30 April 2006 c) Consolidated balance sheet and equity at 30 April 2006 d) Consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 October 2006 e) Consolidated balance sheet at 31 October 2006 f) Consolidated cash flows First time adoption IFRS 1 'First time adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards' sets out the approach to be followed when IFRS are applied for the first time. In general, IFRS 1 requires that accounting policies be applied retrospectively although there are certain exceptions where the cost of compliance is deemed to exceed the benefits to the users of financial statements. Where applicable, the options selected by management under IFRS 1 are set out in the footnotes to the IFRS reconciliation and later in this Appendix. RECONCILIATION BETWEEN UK GAAP REPORTING & IFRS a) Reconciliation of consolidated balance sheet and equity at 1 November 2005 UK GAAP Opening IFRS balance adjustment - Effect of transition to IFRS Footnote £'000 £'000 £'000 Non-current assets Goodwill 2,501 2,501 Other intangible assets 2,763 2,763 Property, plant & equipment 8,769 8,769 ------------------------------------- 14,033 14,033 ------------------------------------- Current assets Inventories ii 8,284 72 8,356 Trade and other receivables 17,908 17,908 Financial assets: 1,250 1,250 - cash and cash equivalents 1,646 1,646 ------------------------------------- 29,088 72 29,160 ------------------------------------- Current liabilities Trade and other payables iii (16,411) (100) (16,511) Financial liabilities - borrowings (1,789) (1,789) Provisions (516) (516) ------------------------------------- (18,716) (100) (18,816) ------------------------------------- Net current assets 10,372 (28) 10,344 ------------------------------------- Total assets less current liabilities 24,405 (28) 24,377 ------------------------------------- Non-current liabilities Financial liabilities - borrowings (345) (345) Provisions (439) (439) ------------------------------------- (784) (784) ------------------------------------- Net assets 23,621 (28) 23,593 ------------------------------------- Equity Issued share capital 2,438 2,438 Share premium 4,253 4,253 Other reserves 1,582 1,582 Loanstock redemption 3,153 3,153 Retained earnings ii, iii 12,195 (28) 12,167 ------------------------------------- Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent company 23,621 (28) 23,593 ------------------------------------- b) Reconciliation of consolidated income statement for the six months ended 30 April 2006 UK GAAP Effect of IFRS transition to IFRS (current period) Footnote £'000 £'000 £'000 Revenue from continuing operations 52,375 52,375 Cost of sales ii (42,140) (42,140) ------------------------------------ Gross Profit 10,235 10,235 Selling and distribution costs (7,622) (7,622) Administrative expenses i, iii (536) (20) (556) Depreciation (529) (529) Amortisation of intangible assets (125) 125 0 ------------------------------------ Operating profit 1,423 105 1,528 Share of profits in joint ventures 0 0 Net interest payable (116) (116) ------------------------------------ Profit before taxation 1,307 105 1,412 Tax on profit (313) (30) (343) ------------------------------------ Profit for the period 994 75 1,069 ==================================== Attributable to: Equity holders of the parent company 994 75 1,069 ------------------------------------ Profit for the period 994 75 1,069 ==================================== c) Reconciliation of consolidated balance sheet and equity at 30 April 2006 UK GAAP Opening Effect of IFRS balance transition adjustment to IFRS to IFRS (current period) Footnote £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Non-current assets Goodwill i 2,576 125 2,701 Other intangible assets 2,975 2,975 Property, plant & equipment 8,943 8,943 ------------------------------------------------------- 14,494 125 14,619 ------------------------------------------------------- Current assets Inventories ii 9,425 72 0 9,497 Trade and other receivables 21,522 21,522 Financial assets 2,483 2,483 - cash and cash equivalents 6 6 ------------------------------------------------------- 33,436 72 0 33,508 ------------------------------------------------------- Current liabilities Trade and other iii payables (15,197) (100) (20) (15,317) Financial liabilities - borrowings (5,310) (5,310) Current tax liabilities (594) (594) ------------------------------------------------------- (21,101) (100) (20) (21,221) ------------------------------------------------------- Net current assets 12,335 (28) (20) 12,287 ------------------------------------------------------- Total assets less current liabilities 26,829 (28) 105 26,906 ------------------------------------------------------- Non-current liabilities Financial liabilities - borrowings (2,242) (2,242) Provisions (189) (30) (219) ------------------------------------------------------- (2,431) 0 (30) (2,461) ------------------------------------------------------- Net assets 24,398 (28) 75 24,445 ======================================================= Equity Issued share capital 2,560 2,560 Share premium 5,195 5,195 Other reserves 1,582 1,582 Loanstock redemption 2,378 2,378 Retained earnings i, ii,iii 12,683 (28) 75 12,730 ------------------------------------------------------- Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent company 24,398 (28) 75 24,445 ======================================================= d) Reconciliation of consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 October 2006 UK GAAP Effect of IFRS transition to IFRS (current period) Footnote £'000 £'000 £'000 Revenue from continuing operations 110,883 110,883 Cost of sales ii (91,394) (3) (91,397) ------------------------------------- Gross Profit 19,489 (3) 19,486 Selling and distribution costs (14,865) (14,865) Administrative expenses (1,135) (6) (1,141) Depreciation (1,135) (1,135) Amortisation of intangible i assets (262) 262 0 ------------------------------------- Operating profit 2,092 253 2,345 Net interest payable (230) (230) Share of profits in joint ventures 672 (56) 616 Profit before taxation 2,534 197 2,731 Tax on profit (664) (664) ------------------------------------- Profit for the period iii 1,870 197 2,067 ------------------------------------- Attributable to: Equity holders of the parent company 1,870 197 2,067 ------------------------------------- Profit for the period 1,870 197 2,067 ------------------------------------- e) Reconciliation of consolidated balance sheet and equity at 31 October 2006 UK GAAP Opening Effect of IFRS balance transition to adjustment IFRS (current to IFRS period) Footnote £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Non-current assets Goodwill i 2,882 262 3,144 Other intangible assets 3,390 (56) 3,334 Property, plant & equipment 10,946 10,946 -------------------------------------------------- 17,218 0 206 17,424 -------------------------------------------------- Current assets Inventories ii 9,557 72 (3) 9,626 Trade and other receivables 19,508 19,508 Financial assets 2,750 2,750 - cash and cash equivalents 1,181 1,181 -------------------------------------------------- 32,996 72 (3) 33,065 -------------------------------------------------- Current liabilities Trade and other iii payables (17,654) (100) (6) (17,760) Financial liabilities - borrowings (4,316) (4,316) Provisions (393) 33 (360) -------------------------------------------------- (22,363) (100) 27 (22,436) -------------------------------------------------- Net current assets 10,633 (28) 24 10,629 -------------------------------------------------- Total assets less current liabilities 27,851 (28) 230 28,053 -------------------------------------------------- Non-current liabilities Financial liabilities - borrowings (2,061) (2,061) Deferred tax ii liabilities (528) (33) (561) -------------------------------------------------- (2,589) (33) (2,622) -------------------------------------------------- Net assets 25,262 (28) 197 25,431 ================================================== Equity Issued share capital 2,876 2,867 Share premium 7,673 7,673 Other reserves 1,582 1,582 Retained earnings i,ii,iii 13,140 (28) 197 13,309 -------------------------------------------------- Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent company 25,262 (28) 197 25,431 ================================================== f) Reconciliation of cashflows There is no difference between the cash flows previously reported under UK GAAP and those reported under IFRS. Certain presentational difference between UK GAAP and IFRS have been reflected in the 30 April 2007 cash flow statement. Footnotes to the reconciliation of equity i) Goodwill Goodwill on business combinations (from date of transition to IFRS ) is not amortised under IFRS 3, but is tested annually for impairment. Goodwill amortisation charged under UK GAAP has been written back by: * £125,000 for the six months ended 30 April 2006, and * £262,000 for the year ended 31 October 2006. Annual impairment reviews have not resulted in any adjustments to the carrying values of goodwill. ii) Inventories Included within inventories are saleable growing stocks, comprising potted plants and shrubs. In accordance with IAS 41 - Agriculture, these stocks, which are classed as biological assets, have been uplifted to reflect their fair value less estimated point-of-sale costs at the balance sheet date. iii) Share based payments Share based payments included Executive and employee share option schemes. Fair value is determined at the date of the grant and is calculated using the Black-Scholes method. Under UK GAAP an expense would have been recorded in respect of share options granted based upon their intrinsic value (which was considered nil as options were granted at market value). In restating the financial results of the Group, an expense has been recorded based upon the fair value of the share options granted. IFRS 2 requires the fair value of all share-based payments to be charged against the income statement over the respective vesting periods. The Group has taken advantage of the transitional provisions of IFRS 1 not to recalculate equity settled awards granted before 7 November 2002. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The significant accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 April 2007 are set out below. Basis of consolidation The Group's consolidated financial statements include the results of the Parent Company and its subsidiaries up to the relevant balance sheet date. Intra-group sales, profits and balances are eliminated on consolidation. Goodwill Goodwill arising on consolidation represents the excess of the cost of the acquisition over the fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the acquired entity at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is recognised as an asset and reviewed for impairment annually. Goodwill is carried at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. Any impairment is recognised in the period in which it is identified. Property, plant & equipment Tangible assets are stated at cost, net of depreciation and any provision for impairment. Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost less their estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life as follows: Freehold property 2.5% - 5% per annum straight line Leasehold land and buildings 3% per annum straight line Plant and machinery / office 10% - 33% per annum straight line equipment Motor vehicles 20% - 30% per annum straight line Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value for all stocks, with the exception of biological growing stock which is stated at fair value less estimated point-of-sales costs. Taxation Current tax, including corporation tax is provided to at amounts expected to be paid (or recovered) using tax rates enacted or substantially enacted at the balance sheet date. Deferred tax is accounted for using the liability method in respect of temporary timing differences arising from differences between the carrying value of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding tax base used in the computation of taxable profits. Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is more likely than not that they will be recovered. Revenue recognition Revenue (excluding VAT) from the sale of goods or services is measured at the fair value of the consideration. Revenue is recognised when the group has transferred the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods to the buyer. Share based payments The Group operates a number of share option and save schemes. For all grants of share options and awards, the date of the grant is calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the corresponding expense is recognised over the vesting period. Financial instruments Borrowings are measured at amortised cost. Trade and other receivables are measured at cost less any provision for impairment. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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