Interim Results

Barr(A.G.) PLC 25 September 2007 For immediate release 25 September 2007 A.G.BARR p.l.c. INTERIM RESULTS A.G.BARR p.l.c. the soft drinks group announces its interim results today for the 6 months ended 28th July 2007. Key Points • Profit on ordinary activities before tax and exceptional items increased by 8.0% to £10.13 million (2006 - £9.38 million). • Total turnover including Strathmore versus the comparable period was up 7.9% at £77.9 million (2006 - £72.2 million). • Combined IRN-BRU and Diet IRN-BRU brands grew revenue by 2% and gained further market share in England. • Atherton factory closure completed. • Exclusive UK franchise agreement signed with Rockstar Inc energy drinks - the fastest growing significant energy drink in the US. • Interim dividend increased by 0.75p to 11.00p per share (2006 - 10.25p). Commenting on the results Chief Executive, Roger White, said: 'Despite the extremely poor weather experienced across the UK in the period from May to July, we have continued to deliver consistent sales growth and at the same time maintained our strategy of investing behind our brands and further developing our portfolio. Operationally in the period we have commissioned our new can line at Cumbernauld and delivered the closure of our Atherton site. As well as rising input costs, there is huge competition for market share however, given the changes we have already made and our plans for the balance of the year, we anticipate meeting our expectations for the full year.' For more information, please contact: A.G.Barr Tel: 01236 852400 Buchanan Communications Tel: 020 7466 5000 Roger White, Chief Executive Tim Thompson / Nicola Cronk / Susanna Gale Iain Greenock, Finance Director Interim Statement Profit on ordinary activities before taxation for the six months to 28th July, 2007 was, excluding exceptional items, £10.1m - an increase of 8.0% compared with the same period last year. Turnover increased by 7.9% to £77.9m including Strathmore which we acquired in June 2006; underlying sales increased by 2.3% on a like-for-like basis. The total soft drinks market, although buoyant in our first quarter, has been significantly impacted by the exceptionally wet weather experienced during May, June and July. Over the full six months the U.K. soft drinks market as reported by Nielsen grew by 1% in value but was 5% down in volume terms. This first half market performance masks the comparative effect of the weather in the last three months particularly in July when the market was 19% behind in value and 25% behind in total soft drinks volume. Combined sales revenue for IRN-BRU and Diet IRN-BRU was 2% up on last year. However, IRN-BRU 32 was down on the same period last year as it suffered from comparison with the exceptionally strong launch phase which saw significant customer pipeline fill and consumer trial. IRN-BRU and Diet IRN-BRU have performed particularly well in market share terms in the second quarter and specifically in July demonstrating both the resilience of the brand to difficult market conditions and our stated intent of increasing promotional focus on IRN-BRU in the summer months. During the course of the first six months we have refreshed the IRN-BRU packaging design as well as running a number of new pieces of creative advertising. In July we announced the exciting sponsorship deal with the Scottish Football League which sees the creation of IRN-BRU League Divisions 1, 2 & 3 in Scotland and gives IRN-BRU and A.G.BARR an excellent opportunity to work with the Scottish Football League, its Clubs and local communities across Scotland. The relaunch of 'new original' Tizer has continued to gather momentum with sales value increasing by 3% despite poor weather. This increase in sales has been achieved through a combination of regaining previously lost listings and a very encouraging overall performance in the impulse channel. The Strathmore brand has now been launched into the impulse channel and we have recently commenced our first Strathmore brand advertising, including TV, posters and PR. The impulse launch is progressing well; however the water category has been hit hard by the poor weather across the last three months which has of course impacted our performance. During the recent floods in the west of England Strathmore was able to help the flood victims with significant donations of bottled water. As a consequence of our focus on the Strathmore brand and the increasingly competitive nature of the water category we have chosen to scale back our Findlays business. The production site at Pitcox will now focus on the filling of 19 litre water containers for which demand continues to expand. A small number of redundancies resulted from this decision. Overall the development of our portfolio is continuing to plan. Orangina had a strong performance in the period with revenue up by 23% and our regional brands driven by specific activity with the 'BARR flavours range' also experienced good growth. We have once again adapted our school ranges to meet further legislative changes. We expect the new St Clements range to do well in both schools and the impulse channel in the second half of the year. The St Clements brand now features new juice and smoothie products which are currently in the launch phase in addition to the existing fruit-based products range. Across the industry input costs continue to rise especially in commodity related areas such as glass, plastic, aluminium and juices. Gross margins have been protected in the period by a combination of cost control measures and the increased use of risk management tools across a number of our more volatile input price areas. We expect gross margins will be under further pressure in the second half but anticipate our cost-cutting actions, in tandem with our current purchasing position, should counteract much of this pressure during the current year. Last year saw very significant operational changes across the business and the first six months of this year has seen no reduction in the pace of our change programme. We have installed and commissioned our new high speed can line at Cumbernauld and carried out a number of significant line improvements at the Mansfield site. This activity has, although later than planned, allowed for the closure of our Atherton factory. The last can was produced on 28th June, 2007 and our thanks go to everyone at that site who worked effectively and efficiently until the closure. We are currently clearing and making good the premises in advance of establishing the optimum marketing plan for the site. The new warehouse operations at Cumbernauld continue to settle in and good progress is being made across all fronts towards meeting our previously indicated savings plans. We are pleased to announce that A.G.BARR has signed an exclusive U.K. franchise agreement with Rockstar Inc energy drinks. The Rockstar brand is in the top three energy drink brands in the USA and we are working with them towards what will be an exciting launch into the U.K. during the second half of our financial year. The energy category continues to give good growth opportunities and Rockstar with its unique image, brand and product proposition will sit well in our existing portfolio. Given the increase in underlying profit and the continued satisfactory financial position of the company your directors have declared an interim dividend of 11.00p per share, payable on 26th October, 2007. This is a 7.3% increase on the interim dividend paid last year. Turnover to date, in the second half of the year has been impacted by the continued poor weather but remains ahead of the prior year. Market conditions across all channels in the soft drinks category are expected to be hugely competitive as individual companies fight for market share. Despite the pressure of rising input costs and assuming market conditions do not markedly weaken we remain confident that, in the period, the changes we have already made plus our ongoing plans should allow us to meet our expectations for the full year. W R G Barr R A White CHAIRMAN CHIEF EXECUTIVE A.G.BARR p.l.c Consolidated Income Statement 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 28.07.07 29.07.06 27.01.07 Notes £000 £000 £000 Revenue 77,883 72,184 141,876 Cost of sales 37,351 33,584 71,453 Gross profit 40,532 38,600 70,423 Net operating expenses 30,593 29,736 52,089 Operating profit before 9,939 8,864 18,334 exceptional items Exceptional items Restructuring costs 4 107 - 5,076 Gain on disposal - (819) (2,315) Exceptional items 107 (819) 2,761 Operating profit 9,832 9,683 15,573 Finance income 435 669 1,158 Finance costs (241) (154) (377) Profit on ordinary activities 10,026 10,198 16,354 before tax Tax on profit on ordinary 5 2,594 3,059 3,163 activities Profit attributable to equity 7,432 7,139 13,191 shareholders Basic earnings per share 39.22 p 37.70 p 69.65 p Fully diluted earnings per 38.53 p 36.68 p 68.15 p share Dividend per share paid 24.75 p 22.00 p 32.25 p Dividend paid (£'000) 4,673 4,143 6,077 Dividend per share proposed 11.00 p 10.25 p 24.75 p Dividend proposed (£'000) 2,141 1,995 4,817 A.G.BARR p.l.c. Consolidated Statement of Recognised Income and Expense Restated 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 28.07.07 29.07.06 27.01.07 Notes £000 £000 £000 Actuarial loss recognised on - - (907) defined benefit pension plans Deferred tax recognised directly 2,5 334 210 366 in equity Net income recognised directly 334 210 (541) in equity Profit for the period 7,432 7,139 13,191 Total recognised income and 7,766 7,349 12,650 expense for the period Attributable to equity 7,766 7,349 12,650 shareholders A.G.BARR p.l.c. Consolidated Balance Sheet Restated As at As at As at 28.07.07 29.07.06 27.01.07 Notes £000 £000 £000 Non-current assets Intangible assets 6 10,368 9,951 9,742 Property, plant and 7 55,202 46,373 52,278 equipment Deferred tax assets 774 657 699 66,344 56,981 62,719 Current assets Inventories 13,236 9,521 11,409 Trade and other receivables 32,804 34,912 25,406 Cash at bank 12,963 23,079 19,097 59,003 67,512 55,912 Total assets 125,347 124,493 118,631 Current liabilities Trade and other payables 33,304 37,146 28,776 Provisions 8 788 - 2,262 Current tax 1,739 2,912 59 35,831 40,058 31,097 Non-current liabilities Deferred income 73 74 73 Retirement benefit 9 15,240 16,025 16,084 obligations 15,313 16,099 16,157 Capital and reserves attributable to equity shareholders Called up share capital 10 4,865 4,865 4,865 Share premium account 10 905 905 905 Own shares held 10 (4,391) (3,976) (4,439) Share options reserve 10 1,921 1,645 1,923 Retained earnings 10 70,903 64,897 68,123 74,203 68,336 71,377 Total equity and liabilities 125,347 124,493 118,631 A.G.BARR p.l.c. Consolidated Cash Flow Statement 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 28.07.07 29.07.06 27.01.07 £000 £000 £000 Operating activities Profit on ordinary activities 10,026 10,198 16,354 before tax Adjustments for Interest receivable (435) (669) (1,158) Interest payable 241 154 377 Depreciation of property, plant 3,312 2,705 5,654 and equipment Impairment of plant - - 300 Amortisation of intangible 117 - 160 assets Share options costs 163 181 359 Gain on sale of property, plant (24) (1,761) (1,485) and equipment Government grants written back - (537) (538) Operating cash flows before 13,400 10,271 20,023 movements in working capital Increase in inventories (1,827) (1,247) (1,727) Increase in receivables (7,398) (12,769) (1,893) Increase in payables and 3,351 14,540 6,212 provisions Decrease in retirement benefit (844) (223) (1,071) obligations Cash generated by operations 6,682 10,572 21,544 Tax on profit paid (655) (1,667) (4,786) Net cash from operating 6,027 8,905 16,758 activities Investing activities Acquisition of subsidiary - (15,347) (15,537) Acquisition of intangible assets (743) - - Proceeds on sale of property, 767 6,597 6,760 plant and equipment Purchase of property, plant and (6,968) (4,865) (14,501) equipment Interest received 435 669 1,158 Net cash used in investing (6,509) (12,946) (22,120) activities Financing activities Purchase of own shares (802) (523) (1,052) Sale of own shares 64 528 553 Interest paid (241) (154) (377) Dividends paid (4,673) (4,143) (6,077) Net cash used in financing (5,652) (4,292) (6,953) activities Net decrease in cash and cash (6,134) (8,333) (12,315) equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at 19,097 31,412 31,412 beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end 12,963 23,079 19,097 of period Notes to the Accounts 1. Basis of preparation These interim financial statements do not constitute statutory accounts and are unaudited. The condensed financial statements have been prepared using accounting policies consistent with International Financial Reporting Standards and in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting. A copy of this report is distributed to all registered shareholders of the company and is available for members of the public upon application to the Company Secretary at Westfield House, 4 Mollins Road, Cumbernauld G68 9HD and on our corporate website at www.agbarr.co.uk. The statutory financial statements for the year to 27th January, 2007 have been filed with the Registrar and a copy may be obtained from Companies House. These have been audited and contained an unqualified audit opinion and did not contain a statement under Section 237(2) or Section 237(3) of the Companies Act 1985. 2. Accounting policies This condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the half-year ended 28th July, 2007 have been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules (DTR) of the Financial Services Authority and with IAS 34 as adopted by the European Union. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements for the year to 27th January, 2007, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union. The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the group's annual financial statements for the year ended 27th January, 2007. The following new standards, amendments to standards or interpretations are mandatory for the first time for the financial year ending 26th January, 2008. - IFRIC 7 Applying the restatement approach under IAS 29, effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1st March, 2006. This interpretation is not relevant for the group. - IFRIC 8 Scope of IFRS 2, effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1st May, 2006. This interpretation has not had any impact on the recognition of share-based payments in the group. - IFRIC 9 Re-assessment of embedded derivatives, effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1st June, 2006. This interpretation has not had any impact on the re-assessment of embedded derivatives as the group already assessed if embedded derivative should be separated using principles consistent with IFRIC 9. - IFRIC 10 Interims and impairment, effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1st November, 2006. This interpretation has not had any impact on the timing or recognition of impairment losses as the group already accounted for such amounts using principles consistent with IFRIC 10. - IFRS 7 Financial instruments: Disclosures, effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1st January, 2007. IAS 1 Amendments to capital disclosures, effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1st January, 2007. IFRS 4 Insurance contracts, revised implementation guidance, effective when an entity adopts IFRS 7. As this interim report contains only condensed financial statements, and as there are no material financial instrument related transactions in the period, full IFRS 7 disclosure is not required at this stage. The full IFRS 7 disclosure, including the sensitivity analysis to market risk and capital disclosures required by the amendment of IAS 1, will be given in the annual financial statements. Change of accounting policies As detailed in the financial statements for the year to 27th January, 2007 the group changed its accounting policy for deferred tax. The change in policy has had no impact on the income statement but has affected the figures presented in the balance sheet and in the statement of recognised income and expense (SoRIE). The impact on the balance sheet as at 29th July, 2006 has been as follows: Change in accounting policy for deferred tax £000 Decrease in deferred tax asset (5,216) Decrease in deferred tax liability 5,216 The impact on the SoRIE is as follows: Change in accounting policy for deferred tax recognised in the SoRIE £000 Increase in total recognised income 210 Change in estimate As explained in the financial statements for the year to 27th January, 2007 the group carried out a formal review of its accrual for customer volume rebates. As a result of the review the level of the accrual was increased by £610,000 at 28th July, 2007. 3. Segment information The group's primary basis of segmentation is by geography. For management purposes, the group is currently organised into one business segment being the manufacture, sale and distribution of soft drinks. The group operates predominantly in the U.K., with some worldwide customers. The directors are of the opinion that the group has two reportable geographic segments as defined by IAS 14 Segment Reporting. Geographic segments Total Inter-segment External Profit attributable to revenue revenue revenue equity shareholders £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 28th July, 2007 U.K. 77,546 111 77,435 15,235 - - Worldwide 448 - 448 166 - - Consolidated 77,994 111 77,883 15,401 - - 29th July, 2006 U.K. 71,854 153 71,701 - 14,092 - Worldwide 483 - 483 - 124 - Consolidated 72,337 153 72,184 - 14,216 - 27th January, 2007 U.K. 141,332 232 141,100 - - 29,011 Worldwide 776 - 776 - - 197 Consolidated 142,108 232 141,876 - - 29,208 Result 15,401 14,216 29,208 Unallocated corporate 5,462 5,352 10,874 expenses Exceptional 107 (819) 2,761 items Operating 9,832 9,683 15,573 profit Finance income 435 669 1,158 Finance costs (241) (154) (377) Profit before 10,026 10,198 16,354 tax Tax 2,594 3,059 3,163 Profit for the 7,432 7,139 13,191 period 4. Exceptional items During the six months to 28th July, 2007 the group incurred redundancy costs in relation to its Pitcox site totalling £60,000. A further £47,000 of exceptional costs were incurred in relocating assets to the Cumbernauld production site from the Atherton factory site which ceased production during the period. In the six months to 29th July, 2006 an exceptional gain of £2,274,000 arose on the sale of the Scottish distribution sites. This gain was reduced by £1,455,000 of redundancy costs relating to the site closures and re-organisation of the sales and logistics facilities. 5. Tax charge The interim period tax charge is accrued based on the estimated average annual effective income tax rate of 28% (six months ended 29th July, 2006: 30%) The tax charge for the period includes the reversal of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities recognised in the balance sheet at 27th January, 2007. The assets and liabilities at that date were calculated using a corporation tax rate of 30%, the effective tax rate at the time of signing the financial statements. The effect of the changes enacted in the Finance Act 2007 was to reduce the deferred tax liability provided at 27th January, 2007 by £27,000. This decrease in the deferred tax liability has increased profit for the year by £5,000 and increased other recognised gains by £22,000. The deferred tax asset provided at 27th January, 2007 has been reduced by £326,000 as a result of the Finance Act 2007. This decrease in the deferred tax asset has increased profit for the year by £93,000 and decreased other recognised gains by £422,000. 6. Intangible assets During the period to 28th July, 2007 the group purchased the water rights for a natural mineral water spring at a cost of £742,000. This cost has been treated as an intangible asset in line with IAS 38 Intangible assets. 7. Property, plant and equipment 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 28.07.07 29.07.06 27.01.07 £000 £000 £000 At 27th January, 2007 52,278 42,335 42,335 Additions 6,979 5,388 14,980 Assets acquired through business - 5,255 5,255 combinations Disposals (743) (3,900) (4,338) Depreciation (3,312) (2,705) (5,654) Impairment of plant - - (300) At 28th July, 2007 55,202 46,373 52,278 The closing balance includes £784,000 (29th July, 2006: £11,359,000; 27th January, 2007: £3,090,000) of assets under construction. 8. Provisions 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 28.07.07 29.07.06 27.01.07 £000 £000 £000 At 27th January, 2007 2,262 - - Provision made during period - - 2,262 Provision utilised during period (1,474) - - Amount reversed during period - - - At 28th July, 2007 788 - 2,262 The provision represents the expected restructuring costs for the closure of the Atherton site. 9. Retirement benefit obligations The retirement benefit obligations have continued to be accounted for under the actuarial assumptions made at 27th January, 2007, which is considered appropriate at 28th July, 2007. 10. Capital and reserves attributable to equity shareholders Own Share Retained shares options earnings held reserve £000 £000 £000 At 27th January, 2007 (4,439) 1,923 68,123 Own shares purchased (802) - - Proceeds of share option exercise 64 - - Recognition of share-based payment - 163 - costs Release of shares on share award 308 - - Transfer of reserve on share award 478 (194) (284) Tax on items taken directly to - 29 305 equity Profit for the period - - 7,432 Dividends paid - - (4,673) At 28th July, 2007 (4,391) 1,921 70,903 At 28th January, 2006 (4,298) 1,416 62,056 Own shares purchased (523) - - Proceeds of share option exercise 528 - - Recognition of share-based payment - 181 - costs Transfer of reserve on share award 317 (162) (155) Tax on items taken directly to - 210 - equity Profit for the period - - 7,139 Dividends paid - - (4,143) At 29th July, 2006 (3,976) 1,645 64,897 The shares held in the company were purchased to meet future requirements of the company's employee share schemes. These shares are held in trust. During the six months to 28th July, 2007 the trusts purchased 62,154 (29th July, 2006: 52,214) shares. The total amount paid to acquire the shares has been deducted from shareholders' equity and classified as Own shares held. 99,020 shares (29th July, 2006: 115,703 shares) were released from the company's employee share schemes during the same period. The related weighted average share price at the time of exercise was £12.93 per share (29th July, 2006: £9.89) The £308,000 release of shares on share award relates to the release of shares awarded under a share award scheme which had a grant date before 7th November, 2002. This award is not accounted for under IFRS through the exemption provided by IFRS 1 First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards There has been no change to the issued share capital or the share premium account in any of the periods presented. 11. Contingencies and commitments As at As at As at 28.07.07 29.07.06 27.01.07 £000 £000 £000 Commitments for the acquisition of 901 5,155 4,685 property, plant and equipment 12. Post Balance Sheet events The interim dividend of 11.00p per shares was approved by the board on 25th September, 2007 and will be paid to shareholders on 26th October, 2007. The ex-div and record dates will be 3rd October, 2007 and 5th October, 2007 respectively. 13. Related party disclosures Transactions between the company and its subsidiaries, which are related companies, have been eliminated on consolidation. The group's retirement benefit plans are administered by an independent third party service provider. During the six months the service provider charged the group £227,000 (29th July, 2006: £213,000) for administration services in respect of the retirement benefit plans. At 28th July, 2007 a nil balance (27th January, 2007: nil) was outstanding to the service provider. Statement of directors' responsibilities The directors confirm that this condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the European Union, and that the interim management report herein includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7 and DTR 4.2.8. The current directors of A.G.BARR p.l.c. are as listed in the annual report for the year to 27th January, 2007. By order of the board R.A. White Chief Executive 25th September, 2007 I.F. Greenock Finance Director 25th September, 2007 INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO A.G.BARR p.l.c Introduction We have been instructed by the company to review the financial information for the six months ended 28th July, 2007 which comprises consolidated income statement, consolidated balance sheet, consolidated cash flow statement and consolidated statement of recognised income and expense. We have read the other information contained in the interim report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial information. This report, including the conclusion, has been prepared for and only for the company for the purpose of the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority and for no other purpose. We do not, therefore in producing this report, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing. Directors' responsibilities The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the interim report in accordance with the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority. The accounting policies are consistent with those that the directors intend to use in the next annual financial statements. Review work performed We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4 issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the U.K. A review consists principally of making enquiries of group management and applying analytical procedures to the financial information and underlying financial data and based thereon, assessing whether the disclosed accounting policies have been applied. A review excludes audit procedures such as tests of controls and verification of assets, liabilities and transactions. It is substantially less in scope than an audit and therefore provides a lower level of assurance. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion on the financial information. Review conclusion On the basis of our review we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the financial information as presented for the six months ended 28th July, 2007. Baker Tilly UK Audit LLP Breckenridge House 274 Sauchiehall Street Glasgow G2 3EH 25th September, 2007 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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