Final Results
Portmeirion Group PLC
18 March 2002
PRESS RELEASE
18 MARCH 2002
PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC
RESULTS FOR YEAR ENDED
31ST DECEMBER 2001
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
Financial Highlights:
2001 2000 Decrease
£000's £000's %
Turnover 29,626 30,727 3.6
Profit before tax 1,623 3,351 51.6
Basic earnings per share 9.63p 23.18p* 58.5
Dividends per share 13.25p 13.25p -
* Restated. See notes 2 and 3
Sales for the year were £29.626m., 4% below the previous year.
The profit before tax was £1.623m., which compares with £3.351m. in the previous
year, a decline of 52%.
Basic earnings per share were 9.63p, which compares with 23.18p (restated) in
the previous year.
The Board is recommending a final dividend of 9.95p. bringing the total to
13.25p. for the year. This is unchanged from 2000.
The year has been badly affected by two external influences. In the UK, sales
were adversely affected in the first half by a reduction in the number of
overseas visitors due to the foot and mouth epidemic. Sales in the USA, which
previously accounted for 44% of total Group sales, were adversely affected by
the major destocking programme undertaken by our major department store
customers. As a result Group sales at the half-year were 9% down on the
previous year.
After a slow first half, we were then badly affected by the events of September
11th, as were many companies in the industry. Despite this, there was a steady
and sustained recovery in the second half, led by strong sales growth in the UK
and the Far East. Overall second half sales were 1% above the same period last
year so that the sales shortfall for the year was reduced to 4% compared to the
previous year.
Annual sales in the USA fell by 12%, but this was offset by a commendable
increase in the UK of 5%. Our strategy of developing the Far East market is
also now showing rewards, with sales 49% above the previous year. Clearly we
have the opportunity for further substantial growth in this area and our
long-term commitment to achieve this is demonstrated by the establishment of our
subsidiary, Portmeirion Japan.
Complementing the second half sales improvement, the manufacturing gross profit
margin for the second half was an impressive 2 percentage points better than
that for the first half, and I believe this improvement will be maintained.
These underlying improvements have continued into the New Year and, given the
strength of our balance sheet, the Board feels justified in maintaining the
dividend.
The events of last year have not in any way diminished our commitment to the
Group's product strategy. The diversification into associated home-ware and
gift products under the Portmeirion Brand, together with new and innovative
ceramic ranges, continues. We introduced the revolutionary Starfire range into
our gift offer in the autumn, and new ranges will be introduced during this year
to sustain our growing reputation for creative design. We are now firmly
established in the glassware, home textiles and candle markets, with combined
sales of £ 3.1m. The Board will consider acquisitions as a way of increasing
market share in any of these markets if suitable opportunities can be
identified.
Emphasis on excellent design and quality has enabled the Group to continue to
produce its ceramic ranges in Stoke-on-Trent. The constant drive for improved
efficiency and productivity is never ending, and will be backed by capital
expenditure focused on our ceramic manufacturing plants.
The whole management team and workforce, now under the leadership of Lawrence
Bryan, Chief Executive Officer, have responded magnificently to the challenges
that were imposed upon the Group in 2001. The team in our New York office
showed remarkable fortitude in getting back to business during September. I
would like to thank everyone for their contribution and I have every confidence
in their ability to continue the Group's successful development.
Given the economic uncertainties with which we are faced, I believe it is
appropriate to be cautious about the prospects for 2002. However, we have
started the year with sales continuing to improve, and a cost base that takes
account of those economic uncertainties.
Given a steady improvement in the USA market, now that the major retailers have
largely finished de-stocking, I expect a reasonable recovery in Group prospects
this year.
Arthur Ralley
Chairman
18th March 2002
PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC
CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
For the year ended 31st December 2001
Notes 2001 As restated
£000's 2000
£000's
Turnover - continuing operations 5 29,626 30,727
Raw materials and operating costs (28,492) (27,958)
Operating profit - continuing operations 1,134 2,769
Share of profit of associated undertakings 245 254
Interest receivable and similar income 244 328
Profit on ordinary activities before 1,623 3,351
taxation
Taxation on profit on ordinary activities (623) (943)
Profit on ordinary activities 1,000 2,408
after taxation being the
profit for the financial year
Dividends (1,377) (1,377)
Retained (loss)/profit for the financial (377) 1,031
year
Earnings per 3 9.63p 23.18p
share
Diluted earnings per share 3 9.61p 23.16p
Dividend per 4 13.25p 13.25p
share
PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
As at 31st December 2001
2001 As restated
2000
£000's £000's £000's £000's
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 8,952 9,119
Investments 1,453 1,262
10,405 10,381
Current assets
Stocks 7,591 6,574
Debtors 6,110 5,536
Cash at bank and in hand 5,205 7,138
18,906 19,248
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (4,851) (4,950)
Net current assets 14,055 14,298
Total assets less current liabilities 24,460 24,679
Provisions for liabilities and charges (192) (203)
Net assets 24,268 24,476
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 519 519
Share premium account 4,536 4,536
Profit and loss account 19,213 19,421
Equity shareholders' funds 24,268 24,476
PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
For the year ended 31 December 2001
Notes 2001 2000
£000's £000's
Cash flow from operating 7 1,252 2,255
activities
Dividends received from - 118
associates
Returns on investments and servicing of finance 8 244 315
Taxation (1,018) (826)
Capital expenditure and financial investment 8 (1,034) (920)
Equity dividends paid (1,377) (1,377)
Cash outflow before use of liquid resources (1,933) (435)
and financing
Management of liquid resources 1,350 (1,125)
Decrease in cash in the year 6 (583) (1,560)
Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds
2001 2000
£000's £000's
Decrease in cash in the year (583) (1,560)
Cash (inflow)/outflow from (decrease)/increase (1,350) 1,125
in liquid resources
Net funds at 1st January 7,138 7,573
Net funds at 31st December 5,205 7,138
PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC
STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES
RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS
STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES
2001 As restated
£000's 2000
£000's
Profit for the financial year 1,000 2,408
Currency translation 169 81
differences
Total recognised gains and losses for the financial 1,169 2,489
year
Prior year adjustment (645) -
Total recognised gains and losses since the last annual 524 2,489
report
RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS
2001 As restated
£000's 2000
£000's
Profit for the financial year 1,000 2,408
Dividends (1,377) (1,377)
Currency translation 169 81
differences
Net (reduction)/addition to shareholders' funds (208) 1,112
Opening shareholders' funds, originally £25,121,000 before 24,476 23,364
prior year adjustment of £645,000
Closing shareholders' funds 24,268 24,476
PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC
NOTES
1. The financial information set out above does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the years
ended 31st December 2001 and 2000 but is derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for 2000 have
been delivered to the Registrar of Companies, contain an unqualified audit opinion and did not contain a
statement under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. Statutory accounts for the year ended
31st December 2001 on which the auditors have given an unqualified opinion and do not contain a statement
under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985 will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies in
due course. This announcement was approved by the Board of Directors on 15th March 2002.
2. Adoption of Financial Reporting Standard No. 19 'Deferred Tax' has required a change in the policy of
accounting for deferred tax. As a result the comparative figures for 2000 have been restated resulting in
a cumulative decrease in opening reserves as at 1 January 2000 of £748,000. The tax on profit on ordinary
activities for 2000 has been restated from the previously reported amount of £1,046,000 to £943,000,
resulting in a net credit to the profit and loss account of £103,000 and a net reduction in closing
reserves at 31 December 2000 of £645,000.
The impact of adopting FRS 19 on the 2001 results is a decrease in the tax charge of £41,000.
3. Earnings per share
Basic
The basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit after taxation of £1,000,000 (2000 -
£2,408,000 as restated) by the weighted average number of Ordinary shares in issue during the year of
10,389,230 (2000 - 10,389,230).
Diluted
The diluted earnings per share is calculated in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 14. This
calculation uses a weighted average number of Ordinary shares in issue adjusted to assume conversion of all
dilutive potential Ordinary shares and is show below:
Earnings 2001 Earnings Earnings As restated Earnings
£ Weighted Per Share £ 2000 per Share
Number of (Pence) Weighted (Pence)
Shares Number of
Shares
Basic earnings per share 1,000,000 10,389,230 9.63 2,408,000 10,389,230 23.18
Effect of dilutive
securities:
15,889 9,799
Employee share options
Diluted earnings per share 1,000,000 10,405,119 9.61 2,408,000 10,399,029 23.16
4. The Directors propose the payment of a final dividend of 9.95p (2000 - 9.95p) per Ordinary share on 27
May 2002 to shareholders registered on 3 May 2002
5. Turnover by destination
2001 2000
£000's £000's
United Kingdom 12,576 11,941
North America 12,625 14,429
European Union 2,006 2,501
Far East 1,721 1,155
Rest of the World 698 701
29,626 30,727
6. Analysis of net funds
2000 Cash flow 2001
£000's £'000's £000's
Cash in hand, at bank 1,128 (583) 545
Short term money market deposits 6,010 (1,350) 4,660
Total 7,138 (1,933) 5,205
7. Reconciliation of operating profit to operating cash flows.
2001 2000
£000's £000's
Operating profit 1,134 2,769
Depreciation 1,217 1,234
Exchange gain 134 66
Profit on sale of tangible fixed assets (16) (25)
Increase in stocks (1,017) (398)
Increase in debtors (413) (1,525)
Increase in creditors 213 134
Net cash inflow from operating activities 1,252 2,255
All of the above relate to continuing operations
8. Analysis of cash flows for headings netted in the cash flow statement
2001 2000
£000's £000's
Returns on investments and servicing of finance
Interest received 244 315
Net cash inflow for returns on investments
and servicing of finance 244 315
Capital expenditure and financial investment
Purchase of tangible fixed assets (1,158) (1,062)
Sale of tangible fixed assets 124 142
Net cash outflow for capital expenditure
and financial investments (1,034) (920)
For further information contact Arthur Ralley (Chairman), Brett Phillips
(Finance Director) on; 01782 744 721
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