Preliminary Announcement 2001
Morgan Crucible Co PLC
12 March 2002
THE MORGAN CRUCIBLE COMPANY plc
PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT 2001
2001 2000
Group Turnover £m 1024.5 1051.1
Operating Profit * £m 64.3 104.4
Pre-Tax Profit * £m 45.1 88.2
Underlying EPS * pence 13.0p 25.0p
*Before goodwill amortisation of £7.7 million (2000 : £5.8 million) and
corporate exceptional items of £17.6 million loss (2000 : £10.2 million profit).
• Pre-Tax Profit* of £45.1 million (2000 : £88.2 million).
• Net borrowings at £276.1 million (2000 : £220.0 million) reduced by £20.1
million compared to the position at the half-year.
• Positive free cash flow generated in the second half was £19.7 million.
• Approximately £70.0 million to be incurred over the next three years, of
which approximately £40.0 million will be cash, in reducing the Group's
operating cost base by an estimated £30.0 million per annum from 2004.
Commenting on the results, Ian Norris, Group Chief Executive, said:
'Morgan held sales volume in the first half and maintained organic growth,
although with pressure on margins. Increased sales to Europe and Asia offset the
severe downturn in the USA.
As mid-year brought the first indications of a weakening global market, Morgan
increased its focus on cash generation. Despite the major downturn of markets
post-September 11th, we produced a positive free cash flow of approximately £20
million in the second half with an increasingly strong performance in the last
three months. While our numbers have generally stabilised, we continue to view
the immediate future with caution. Nevertheless, we are confident in our
ability to return to profitable organic growth as global markets recover.'
Enquiries:
Ian Norris, Group Chief Executive 020 7404 5959 (on 12.03.02)
David Davies, Finance Director 01753 837000 (thereafter)
Locksley Ryan, Harry Chathli at Brunswick 020 7404 5959
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT 2001
Trading Summary
2001 was undoubtedly one of the most challenging years for manufacturing
industry. It commenced with a major downturn in the US automotive industry and
continued through the first half with a progressively weakening American
economy. Mid-year results for Morgan demonstrated year-on-year volume growth
and some organic growth despite the severity of the US downturn.
During the summer order input fell further than was usual and was a sufficiently
early indicator to move the Morgan team tactically from growth to an increased
focus on cash generation. This we announced in our interim statement in early
September.
The events of September 11th led to a collapse of orders for both September and
October and we issued a trading statement before the end of October. Profit
performance for the year was in line with that statement and the cash position
better than anticipated.
The second half saw the US downturn extend quickly into Europe with a knock-on
effect within Asia. For the first time in our records we saw every market
sector fall simultaneously in the autumn. Under these extreme and unique
circumstances even Morgan's broad market and geographical spread, which normally
act as a buffer to economic cycles, could only mitigate the downturn.
The cash generation in the second half was good with a positive free cash flow
of nearly £20.0 million against the most difficult circumstances and an
increasingly strong performance in the last three months of the year. During
this time, a number of plants were closed temporarily and short-time working
introduced which had a disproportionate effect on profit, but the team's cash
goal was achieved.
The adverse effect of the rapid decline of orders on operating margins in the
second half was significant, in particular at our magnetics operations where we
were only part way through our post-acquisition programme to reduce the
break-even point.
Fortunately the Group has been working progressively over recent years to reduce
its operating cost base and to streamline its operations. It became clear that
the pace of this work needed to be accelerated to further lower operational
gearing and remove fixed costs. To this end the Group will incur approximately
£70.0 million during 2002 to 2004, of which approximately £40.0 million will be
cash, in a radical restructuring of certain of its operations. This will
involve plant closures, rationalisations, a reduction in employee numbers of
approximately 1,000 (as previously announced) together with a further 1,000 jobs
being relocated to the Far East. When fully implemented, these changes will
reduce the Group's operating cost base by around £30.0 million per annum from
2004.
The management structure has been sharpened to meet these challenges, with one
of our most experienced Directors, Nigel Howard, taking control of the effective
implementation of the rationalisation programmes and, with the considerable
growth opportunities now available across our product portfolio, Bill Macfarlane
will lead our growth drive as director of Group Market Development. As has been
announced Nigel Young will be joining the Board as Finance Director on 8th April
2002. The divisional structure of the group is being discontinued and the
Global Presidents will become directly responsible to the Chief Executive,
assisted by a Director of Operations to be appointed shortly.
Despite the difficult trading background, Morgan has continued to invest in a
number of initiatives which we are confident will deliver substantial benefits
for the future. We are establishing a new facility in California to support our
semiconductor capital equipment market. Our continuing investment in developing
systems for the fuel cell market has produced new proprietary material and
process technologies that open new commercial opportunities. Our work in
developing multi-layer piezo ceramic actuators has also continued with the
commissioning of a modern production facility in Eindhoven, Holland. Our
world-leading superconductor business also continues to show rapid profitable
growth in Hanau, Germany.
With a substantially reduced cost base, a number of new technical initiatives
approaching commercialisation and a return to more normal levels of activity in
our markets, the Group is very well positioned to return to profitable growth in
the future.
Electrical Carbon
Turnover within Electrical Carbon increased to £210.0 million (2000 : £197.9
million) although sales declined organically by 5.7%. Operating profit before
goodwill amortisation amounted to £17.0 million (2000 : £25.3 million) yielding
an operating margin of 8.1% overall.
The Industrial Traction business achieved many of its market share growth
objectives despite difficult markets. Significant gains were made at European
railways and leading industrial accounts. The USA continued its technical
quality and service leadership position in rail traction and our market share
also improved in industrial and traction accounts in Asia for both brush and
electrical collector systems. Our portable diagnostic systems continue to win
acceptance from new and existing customers and demonstrates our commitment to
the highest level of applications engineering support around the world.
Overall the automotive and consumer market volume fall in 2001 was substantial,
but our Automotive and Consumer business had a comparatively encouraging year.
There was a sound increase in programmes using our innovative solutions approach
combining magnetics, brush and commutator components and we received approval
for a number of new automotive and consumer product programmes for 2002. Our
newly acquired design and sub-systems integration capability allows us a
combined product portfolio of copper and carbon commutators, high-energy
magnetics, carbon brushes and sub-systems providing our customers with a
capability unparalleled in the industry. The new commutator manufacturing
facility in China was successfully commissioned in 2001 providing our customers
with a truly global source for our products.
Magnetics
The Group's Magnetics business produced sales of £215.1 million (2000 : £241.0
million) and operating profit before goodwill amortisation of £5.8 million (2000
: £23.4 million). Margins at this level fell from 9.7% last year to 2.7% in
2001. Sales on a comparable basis with last year fell by 13.4%.
The business was in its first year of a four year post-acquisition cost
reduction programme. Without the full benefits of this programme, the rapid
decline in volume immediately affected margins. While there was a considerable
reduction in demand through the year for our magnetic materials in automotive,
hard disc drive, computer and telecommunications markets, demand for
superconductors increased over 50% in the year. These products are used in
Magnetic Resonance Imaging equipment (MRI) for medical diagnostic applications.
We continued to invest in the future by installing a high volume vacuum-melting
furnace at our Hanau facility. It has doubled our capability to produce
high-energy permanent and soft magnetic materials with state of the art
precision controls.
Engineered Carbon
Engineered Carbon turnover increased slightly to £127.3 million (2000 : £124.9
million). Operating profit before goodwill amortisation amounted to £8.4
million (2000 : £15.8 million). Operating margins on the same basis were 6.6%
(2000 : 12.7%).
Our products in the chemical processing and gas sealing markets continued to
show leadership in the USA and there was encouraging growth in Europe and Asia
for our proprietary silicon carbide and polymer composite materials. Market
share was maintained in markets clearly affected by the economic conditions.
Our Speciality Graphite group has made substantial advances in the development
of our many pipeline products for the future such as 'Electro-Etched' (R)
bipolar plates for fuel cells, lithium battery powders, nanometric carbon fibres
and new high purity graphite materials for use in the production of
semi-conductors, solar panels and fibre optic cables.
Within our Coatings business, good sales levels in the European and USA
aerospace industry and the USA industrial sectors could not offset a very poor
performance in the USA automotive and semi-conductor markets. The Group
continues to expand its operations in Continental Europe and during the year
established a facility at Morgan's existing site in Ahrweiler, Germany to serve
growth in the European aerospace, industrial and automotive markets.
Technical Ceramics
Turnover increased to £153.8 million (2000 : £139.8 million). Sales,
organically, grew by 0.8% for the year as a whole. Operating profit before
goodwill amortisation was £12.5 million (2000 : £13.2 million) yielding an
operating margin of 8.1% against 9.4% in the previous year.
Our Advanced Ceramics business experienced significant reductions in activity
from the semi-conductor capital equipment and telecommunications markets
throughout the year. Development activity was maintained and our increased
product offering, further enhanced by the acquisition of Performance Materials
Inc. in January, means that this business is extremely well positioned to take
advantage of the recovery in these markets. The programme to consolidate the
advanced ceramics facilities in California onto an expanded modern site close to
our key customers was well advanced by the end of the year. Sales of components
into the medical and defence sectors continued to grow steadily.
Despite extremely difficult market conditions our Electro Ceramics business
continued to achieve organic sales growth. Profits increased despite high
levels of development expenditure. Sales of piezo ceramics into the automotive
market for parking sensors and into the defence market for sonar applications
showed strong growth in the year, and will continue to offer good growth
potential in the future as the number of 'smart device' applications increase.
The development programme to produce multi-layer actuators was significantly
increased during the year. Clean room facilities were established in both
Holland and the USA and the future potential for these products will make a
significant contribution to Morgan's growth.
Insulating Ceramics
Turnover declined slightly to £314.9 million (2000 : £317.2 million). Operating
profit before goodwill amortisation was £20.9 million (2000 : £24.8 million),
giving an operating margin on this basis of 6.6% against 7.8% the year before.
Turnover, on a comparable basis to last year, fell by 2.5%.
The slowdown in demand from the US automotive industry reduced crucible sales by
nearly 5% in the year but profits and margins improved as the completion of the
substantial European restructuring began to show the anticipated benefits.
Thermal Ceramics' sales increased slightly on 2000 with improved demand from the
petrochemical and power generation industries. This was offset by a significant
weakening in demand for dense refractories from the steel sector. Our exposure
to this sector was reduced when, in line with the previously indicated strategy
to withdraw from traditional dense refractories, an agreement was reached in
December for the phased sale of 100% of our Australian dense refractory
operations to Shinagawa Refractories of Japan. Under this agreement, Shinagawa
now own 51% and will acquire the balance over the next five years.
Further rationalisation of the Thermal Ceramics cost base in the UK is well
advanced and as part of this process the Neston site in the UK was sold in
December and will be vacated by the end of March 2002.
Acquisitions and Disposals
The Group completed three acquisitions during the year, all of which took place
in the first half of the year. Total cash expended, and loans acquired, on
acquisitions, including deferred consideration paid for previous acquisitions,
amounted to £46.6 million (2000 : £9.3 million). Acquisitions contributed £33.7
million (2000 : £1.0 million) to turnover and £0.7 million (2000 : £0.2 million
loss) to operating profit before goodwill amortisation.
Disposals generated a cash outflow of £3.8 million (2000 : £63.4 million inflow)
during the period. During the year, discontinued businesses contributed £3.4
million (2000 : £30.3 million) to turnover and a loss of £0.3 million (2000 :
£1.9 million gain) to operating profit before goodwill amortisation.
Financial Review
Group turnover amounted to £1024.5 million (2000 : £1051.1 million) representing
a decline of 2.5%. After adjustment for movements in foreign exchange rates,
acquisitions and disposals, turnover declined organically by 5.7%. This decline
occurred in the second half of the year, the first half having shown positive
organic growth over last year, albeit marginal. Turnover in the second half was
lower than the same period last year, on a comparable basis, by 11.8%.
Operating profit before goodwill amortisation was £64.3 million (2000 : £104.4
million). Operating margins on this basis were 6.3% (2000 : 9.9%).
Goodwill amortisation amounted to £7.7 million (2000 : £5.8 million), an
increase of £1.9 million arising from acquisitions completed in the first half
of the year. Corporate exceptional items were a loss of £17.6 million compared
to a gain last year of £10.2 million.
Net finance charges were £19.2 million (2000 : £16.2 million) reflecting the
higher level of net borrowings during the year. Pre-tax profits before goodwill
amortisation and corporate exceptional items amounted to £45.1 million (2000 :
£88.2 million).
The charge for taxation amounted to £12.5 million (2000 : £30.5 million). This
represents a tax rate of approximately 28.0% of pre-tax profits before goodwill
amortisation and corporate exceptional items.
Net cash inflow from operating activities was £109.4 million (2000 : £114.8
million), a reduction of £5.4 million compared to last year. The reduction in
operating profit before goodwill amortisation for the same period was £40.1
million. Improvements in working capital largely mitigated the impact of this
reduction in profits. Stocks were reduced by £6.7 million (2000 : £18.6 million
increase), whilst debtors fell by £22.5 million (2000 : £26.5 million increase).
The slow down in trading during the year led to a reduction of £33.5 million
in creditors (2000 : £18.7 million increase).
Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and financial investments was £49.3
million (2000 : £74.1 million), an improvement of £24.8 million. After
unchanged dividend payments of £39.0 million there was a free cash outflow in
2001 of £7.4 million (2000 : £21.6 million). At the half-year there had been a
free cash outflow in 2001 of £27.1 million (2000 : £18.4 million). The strong
focus on cash management produced clear benefits in the second half, with an
improvement to free cash flow of nearly £20.0 million by the end of the year.
The net cash outflow from acquisitions and disposals was £49.7 million compared
to an inflow of £54.1 million in 2000. Closing net borrowings were £276.1
million (2000 : £220.0 million). The Group finished the year with unutilised
borrowing facilities of £99.8 million as well as cash in hand of £72.7 million.
Underlying earnings per share before goodwill amortisation were 13.0 pence (2000
: 25.0 pence). Basic earnings per share on the same basis were 5.0 pence (2000
: 27.6 pence) including a net contribution of a loss of 8.0 pence (2000: gain of
2.6 pence) from corporate exceptional items.
The Company has implemented the transitional arrangements under FRS 17
(Retirement Benefits). Had the standard been fully implemented during 2001, a
charge against reserves of £17.4 million would have been made to reflect the net
unrecognised pension liability. A further charge to reserves of £23.8 million
would also have been necessary to unwind the SSAP 24 pension prepayment.
These adjustments to reserves are based on a snapshot valuation at the end of a
year in which equity markets had been depressed.
Final Dividend
In view of the difficult trading conditions and in light of the substantial
restructuring programme being undertaken by the Group, the Board has decided
that no final dividend will be paid for the year. This decision was announced
on February 5th. The interim dividend of 7.4 pence per Ordinary share was paid
on January 7th 2002. It is the intention of the Board to return to a policy of
progressive dividend payments when circumstances permit.
Outlook
Our markets have generally stabilized compared to the second half of 2001, but
we continue to view the immediate future with caution.
We have shown our ability to produce organic growth when markets permit and to
generate cash from our businesses during challenging times. We are continuing
this strong focus on cash management. We continue to work aggressively to
reduce our operating cost base, which will underpin the Group's ability to grow
profitably in the future. We have also continued to invest in a number of new
technologies that will provide a springboard to future value growth.
Our businesses enjoy strong positions in the markets in which they operate.
When global markets recover we are confident in our ability to capitalise on
this recovery and to demonstrate a return to profitable organic growth.
12 March 2002
Dr Bruce Farmer CBE, Chairman Morgan House
Ian Norris, Group Chief Executive Madeira Walk
On behalf of the Board Windsor
Berkshire
SL4 1EP
Registered in England No. 286773
CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 4 JANUARY 2002
2001 2000
Restated
Note Total Total
£m £m
Turnover
Continuing operations 987.4 1,019.8
Acquisitions 33.7 1.0
Discontinued operations 3.4 30.3
Group turnover 1 1,024.5 1,051.1
Other operating income 4.0 5.1
1,028.5 1,056.2
Operating profit before goodwill amortisation
Continuing operations 63.9 102.7
Acquisitions 0.7 (0.2)
Discontinued operations (0.3) 1.9
64.3 104.4
Goodwill amortisation (7.7) (5.8)
Operating profit
Continuing operations 57.9 97.1
Acquisitions (1.0) (0.2)
Discontinued operations (0.3) 1.7
Group operating profit 1 56.6 98.6
Corporate exceptional items
Discontinued operations
-Profit on sale of businesses - 21.4
-Loss on sale of businesses - (8.0)
Continuing operations
-Disposal of fixed assets (6.4) (1.2)
-Loss on partial disposal of business (8.5) -
-Loss on closure of business (2.7) (2.0)
3 (17.6) 10.2
Profit on ordinary activities before interest and taxation 39.0 108.8
Net finance charges and similar items (19.2) (16.2)
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 19.8 92.6
Taxation 4 (12.5) (30.5)
Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 7.3 62.1
Equity minority interest (1.4) (1.7)
Net profit attributable to The Morgan Crucible Company plc 5.9 60.4
Preference dividends on non-equity shares 5 (2.1) (2.1)
Ordinary dividends on equity shares 5 (17.2) (36.9)
Retained (loss)/profit for the year (13.4) 21.4
Earnings per share (Note 6) 2001 2000
Before goodwill After goodwill Before goodwill After goodwill
amortisation amortisation amortisation amortisation
- underlying 13.0p 9.0p 25.0p 22.5p
- basic 5.0p 2.0p 27.6p 25.1p
- diluted - 2.0p - 24.9p
- underlying diluted - 9.2p - 22.4p
Restated comparatives exclude operating exceptionals with earnings per share consequently adjusted.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS AT 4 JANUARY 2002
2001 2000
£m £m
Fixed assets
Intangible assets - goodwill 138.4 112.6
Tangible assets 490.3 493.4
Investment in associated undertakings 1.2 -
Other investments 21.9 18.5
651.8 624.5
Current assets
Stocks 185.0 196.4
Debtors - due within one year 199.4 228.6
- due after one year 23.8 24.2
Total debtors 223.2 252.8
Cash at bank and in hand 72.7 93.6
480.9 542.8
Creditors - amounts falling due within one year 321.6 400.8
Net current assets/(liabilities) 159.3 142.0
Total assets less current liabilities 811.1 766.5
Creditors - amounts falling due after more than one year
Borrowings 255.2 181.2
Exchangeable redeemable preference shares 4.5 7.5
Grants for capital expenditure 1.5 1.8
261.2 190.5
Provisions for liabilities and charges 106.6 114.8
367.8 305.3
NET ASSETS 443.3 461.2
Capital and reserves
Equity shareholders' funds
Called up share capital 58.0 58.0
Share premium account 44.4 44.3
Revaluation reserve 10.4 11.2
Other reserves 1.4 1.6
Profit and loss account 287.6 301.6
401.8 416.7
Non-equity shareholders' funds
Called up share capital 30.3 30.3
432.1 447.0
Minority interest
Equity 11.1 14.1
Non-equity 0.1 0.1
11.2 14.2
CAPITAL EMPLOYED 443.3 461.2
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES
2001 2000
£m £m
Net profit attributable to shareholders 5.9 60.4
Foreign currency translation (1.4) 8.3
Total recognised gains and losses relating to the year 4.5 68.7
CONSOLIDATED CASHFLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 4 JANUARY 2002
2001 2000
£m £m £m £m
Net cash inflow from operating activities 109.4 114.8
Returns on investments and servicing of finance
Interest received 3.2 9.6
Interest paid (22.9) (25.8)
Preference dividends paid (2.1) (2.1)
Net cash outflow from returns on investments
and servicing of finance (21.8) (18.3)
Taxation (14.1) (18.7)
Capital expenditure and financial investments
Purchase of tangible fixed assets (57.6) (70.9)
Insurance proceeds on sale of tangible fixed assets - 4.4
Other proceeds on sale of tangible fixed assets 13.6 4.0
Purchase of investments (5.7) (11.6)
Disposal of investments 0.4 -
Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and
financial investments (49.3) (74.1)
Acquisitions and disposals
Acquisition of subsidiary undertakings (41.5) (5.6)
Net cash acquired (0.6) -
Deferred consideration for prior year acquisitions (3.8) (3.7)
Disposal of businesses (3.8) 63.4
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from acquisitions & disposals (49.7) 54.1
Equity dividends paid (36.9) (36.9)
Cash (outflow)/inflow before use of liquid resources
and financing (62.4) 20.9
Management of liquid resources 24.1 79.4
Financing
Increase in share capital 0.1 0.2
Increase in bank loans 89.6 66.4
Repayment of bank loans (42.4) (181.6)
Repurchase of exchangeable redeemable preference shares (4.1) (5.2)
43.2 (120.2)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash in the year 4.9 (19.9)
Reconciliation of net cashflow to
movement in net borrowings
Net increase/(decrease) in cash in the year 4.9 (19.9)
Cashflow from (increase)/decrease in loans (47.2) 115.2
Cashflow from (decrease)/ increase in deposits (24.1) (79.4)
Cashflow from repurchase of exchangeable redeemable
preference shares 4.1 5.2
Change in net borrowings resulting from cashflows (62.3) 21.1
Issue of exchangeable redeemable preference shares (1.1) (0.3)
Bank loans acquired with acquisitions (0.7) -
Bank loans reduced with disposals 8.6 -
Exchange movement (0.6) (8.5)
Movement in net borrowings during the period (56.1) 12.3
Opening net borrowings (220.0) (232.3)
Closing net borrowings (276.1) (220.0)
CONSOLIDATED FREE CASHFLOW
2001 2000
£m £m
Net cash inflow from operating activities 109.4 114.8
Net interest paid (19.7) (16.2)
Taxation (14.1) (18.7)
Cash earnings 75.6 79.9
Dividends paid (39.0) (39.0)
Post dividend cashflow 36.6 40.9
Net capital expenditure (57.6) (66.5)
Proceeds on sale of tangible fixed assets 13.6 4.0
Free cashflow (7.4) (21.6)
Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash 2001 2000
inflow from operating activities
Contin- Discon- Contin- Discon-
uing tinued Total uing tinued Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m
Operating profit 56.9 (0.3) 56.6 96.9 1.7 98.6
Loss on closure of business - - - (1.2) - (1.2)
56.9 (0.3) 56.6 95.7 1.7 97.4
Depreciation 48.0 - 48.0 42.4 1.1 43.5
Amortisation of goodwill 7.7 - 7.7 5.7 0.1 5.8
Loss on sale/write off of plant and machinery 0.3 - 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.9
(Increase)/decrease in stocks 6.3 0.4 6.7 (18.2) (0.4) (18.6)
(Increase)/decrease in debtors 21.7 0.8 22.5 (26.1) (0.4) (26.5)
Increase/(decrease) in creditors (31.8) (1.7) (33.5) 23.7 (5.0) 18.7
Increase/(decrease) in provisions 1.1 - 1.1 (4.8) (1.6) (6.4)
Net cash inflow from operating activities 110.2 (0.8) 109.4 118.7 (3.9) 114.8
Group reconciliation of Movement in shareholders' funds
2001 2000
£m £m
Net profit attributable to shareholders 5.9 60.4
Repayment of capital investment (0.2) -
Goodwill written back to profit and loss - 2.4
Dividends (19.3) (39.0)
(13.6) 23.8
New share capital 0.1 0.2
Foreign currency translation (1.4) 8.3
Net increase to shareholders' funds (14.9) 32.3
Opening shareholders' funds 447.0 414.7
Closing shareholders' funds 432.1 447.0
NOTES
1. SEGMENTAL INFORMATION
Turnover Operating profit
2001 2000 2001 2000
£m £m £m £m
Product Group
Electrical Carbon 210.0 197.9 17.0 25.3
Magnetics 215.1 241.0 5.8 23.4
Engineered Carbon 127.3 124.9 8.4 15.8
Technical Ceramics 153.8 139.8 12.5 13.2
Insulating Ceramics 314.9 317.2 20.9 24.8
Continuing operations 1,021.1 1,020.8 64.6 102.5
Discontinued operations 3.4 30.3 (0.3) 1.9
1,024.5 1,051.1 64.3 104.4
Goodwill amortisation (7.7) (5.8)
Group operating profit 56.6 98.6
The unallocated assets include land and buildings, prepayments and other
creditors of the non operating and holding companies. The discontinued
operation in 2001 is the Aerotech business of MBM.
Geographical Area
The analysis shown below is based on the location of the contributing companies:
Turnover Operating profit
2001 2000 2001 2000
£m £m £m £m
United Kingdom
Sales in the UK 48.5 53.1
Sales overseas 67.6 70.9
Total United Kingdom 116.1 124.0 4.4 6.6
Rest of Europe 402.5 391.7 25.3 39.2
The Americas 469.3 478.3 24.9 42.4
Far East and Australasia 108.6 117.0 8.1 12.3
Middle East and Africa 11.3 11.6 1.9 2.0
1,107.8 1,122.6 64.6 102.5
Discontinued operations 3.4 30.3 (0.3) 1.9
Inter-segment sales (86.7) (101.8)
1,024.5 1,051.1 64.3 104.4
Goodwill amortisation (7.7) (5.8)
Group operating profit 56.6 98.6
Turnover
2001 2000
£m £m
The analysis shown below is based on the location of the customer:
United Kingdom 73.9 76.9
Rest of Europe 344.5 326.3
The Americas 434.0 442.4
Far East and Australasia 150.5 157.8
Middle East and Africa 18.2 17.4
1,021.1 1,020.8
Discontinued operations 3.4 30.3
1,024.5 1,051.1
2. Operating Exceptionals
No costs have been treated as operating exceptionals.
3. CORPORATE exceptional items
The corporate exceptional items mainly relate to the partial disposal of
Shinagawa (21%) and various property disposals.
4. Taxation 2001 2000
£m £m
United Kingdom tax 10.2 14.9
Overseas tax 2.3 15.6
Total taxation 12.5 30.5
Overseas tax includes £0.1 million (2000: £5.0 million) charged on
corporate exceptional losses of £15.0 million (2000: profits of £17.0
million). United Kingdom tax includes a tax credit of £0.1 million
(2000: £1.0 million credit) arising on corporate exceptional losses of
£2.6 million (2000: £6.8 million).
5. Dividends 2001 2000
£m £m
Interim: 7.4p per Ordinary share (2000: 7.4p) 17.2 17.2
Proposed final: 0.0p per Ordinary share (2000: 8.5p) - 19.7
Total: 7.4p per Ordinary share (2000: 15.9p) 17.2 36.9
Preference dividends on non-equity shares 2.1 2.1
19.3 39.0
6. Earnings per Ordinary share
a. Basic and underlying earnings per share 2001 2000
Before goodwill After goodwill Before goodwill After goodwill
amortisation amortisation amortisation amortisation
£m £m £m £m
Profit after tax and minority interest 13.6 5.9 66.2 60.4
Preference Dividend (2.1) (2.1) (2.1) (2.1)
Basic earnings 11.5 3.8 64.1 58.3
Adjusted by all post tax corporate exceptional items 17.6 17.6 (6.2) (6.2)
Underlying earnings 29.1 21.4 57.9 52.1
Weighted average of ordinary shares 231,958,292 231,884,681
Basic earnings per share 5.0p 2.0p 27.6p 25.1p
Underlying earnings per share 13.0p 9.0p 25.0p 22.5p
The Directors have disclosed an underlying earnings per share as, in their
opinion, this better reflects the real performance of the Group and
assists comparison with the results of earlier years.
b. Diluted earnings 2001 2000
£m £m
Basic earnings 3.8 58.3
Preference dividend to be eliminated on
conversion of preference shares - 2.1
Diluted earnings 3.8 60.4
Adjusted by all post tax exceptional items 17.6 (6.2)
Underlying diluted earnings 21.4 54.2
Weighted average number of Ordinary shares 231,958,292 231,884,681
Dilutive effect of share option schemes 292,752 261,705
Dilutive effect if Preference shares converted - 10,259,858
Weighted average number of diluted shares 232,251,044 242,406,244
Diluted earnings per share 2.0p 24.9p
Diluted underlying earnings per share 9.2p 22.4p
7. CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current liabilities include bank loans and overdrafts of £89.1 million
(2000: £124.9 million)
The financial information contained in this Preliminary Statement does not
amount to statutory accounts for the Company's financial years ended 4 January
2002 and 4 January 2001. It has been approved by the Board of Directors on 11
March 2002 and has been prepared on a consistent basis with the accounting
policies set out in the Group's 2001 annual report and accounts. Statutory
accounts for the year ended 4 January 2001 have been filed with the Registrar of
Companies and the statutory accounts for the year ended 4 January 2002 are
expected to be filed immediately following the Annual General Meeting of the
Company in June 2002.
This Preliminary statement will be dispatched to all registered holders of
Ordinary shares and Preference shares. Copies of this statement may be obtained
from the Secretary at the Registered Office of the Company, Morgan House,
Madeira Walk, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 1EP.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange