Final Results
Porvair PLC
22 January 2003
22 January 2003
Contacts:
Ben Stocks, Chief Executive
Mark Moran, Group Finance Director
Porvair plc today 0207 466 5000
at all other times 01553 761111
Charles Ryland/Catherine Miles
Buchanan Communications 0207 466 5000
PORVAIR plc ('Porvair')
PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2002
Porvair, the materials science group, announces its preliminary results for the
year ended 30 November 2002.
KEY POINTS
* Profit before tax, goodwill amortisation and exceptional items of £0.2m (2001 : £3.8m) after increased total R&D
expenditure of £5.9m (2001 : £5.2m).
* All strategic objectives achieved:
* Core businesses strengthened through acquisition
* Investment and renewal programmes in manufacturing operations completed
* Significant increases in R&D investment in support of new materials
* Tough trading in the USA, particularly Selee. Costs reduced as a consequence
* Profit and margin growth in Microfiltration after a strong year
* R&D programmes across the group on track, with Porvair Fuel Cell Technology exceeding expectations for the year
both in terms of technical progress made and in customer demand
* Final dividend of 4.3p per share (2001 : 4.3p), making a total for 2002 of 6.7p per share (2001 : 6.7p).
John Morgan, Chairman, said:
' Despite 2002 having been a difficult year we finished it in good heart. Acquisitions made in 2001 have been
successfully integrated, the major investments in our manufacturing operations are complete, and our R&D programmes -
right across the Group - are on track. Trading conditions stabilised towards the end of 2002 and whilst we expect
2003 to remain challenging, the actions taken in 2002; the benefits of a lower cost base in our US operations; and
the tremendous progress made in the development of our new materials give considerable cause for optimism for the
future.'
2002 Chairman's statement and overview
Two years ago we embarked upon a radical new strategy for Porvair. The plan had three elements: appropriate
acquisitions; improved operational efficiencies; and significantly increased Research and Development ('R&D')
investment.
Our objective was to build a base upon which Porvair could generate consistently strong earnings growth and therefore
long term shareholder value. We expected this programme to take between 3 and 5 years, and that whilst profits would
be held back for a time, particularly by higher R&D costs, the longer term benefits to the Group would be
considerable.
2002 was a challenging year, but this did not deflect us from our strategic plan. Good progress was made:
* The strengthening of our core businesses through acquisition:
The businesses acquired during 2001 have all exceeded expectations in 2002. In particular the Porvair Filtration
Group has generated both sales and profit growth.
* Investment and renewal programmes in our manufacturing operations:
As set out later in the Operating Review, these have been completed as planned
* Significant increases in R&D investment in support of new materials:
Group R&D expenditure was £5.9m in 2002 (2001: £5.2m) and progress has exceeded expectations, as outlined in the
Operating review.
This progress was made against a backdrop of thoroughly testing trading conditions. US markets were especially tough,
and profits suffered as a result, particularly at Selee. For the Group as a whole, sales were £68.5m (2001: £72.3m),
the planned R&D expense was £5.9m (2001: £5.2m), leaving profit before tax and goodwill amortisation at £0.2m (2001:
£3.8m). Net borrowings at the year end were £11.8m, following a cash inflow of £2.4m in the second half of 2002.
Our response to difficult trading conditions was robust. We cut costs where necessary, and accelerated new product
programmes. We did not however cut R&D budgets or capital spending which was £3.1m as planned. These are investments
in our future, and an expression of confidence in our strategy. The Directors are therefore recommending a maintained
final dividend of 4.3p per share, keeping the total for the year at 6.7p per share. Earnings per share before
goodwill amortisation were 0.6p (2001: 7.8p)
As always in a difficult year, the quality of the employees comes to the forefront. The Board wishes to thank all
employees for their efforts and achievements in the past year. May we also welcome all new members of staff to
Porvair at this exciting time in the continuing development of the Group.
Despite 2002 having been a difficult year we finished it in good heart. Acquisitions made in 2001 have been
successfully integrated, the major investments in our manufacturing operations are complete, and our R&D programmes -
right across the Group - are on track. Trading conditions stabilised towards the end of 2002 and whilst we expect
2003 to remain challenging, the actions taken in 2002; the benefits of a lower cost base in our US operations; and
the tremendous progress made in the development of our new materials give considerable cause for optimism for the
future.
John Morgan, Chairman
22 January 2003
Operating review
1. Operations 2002
As detailed in note 1 'Turnover and segmental analysis' the results of the main business units have been separately
disclosed and are commented on below. This has been done to enhance the clarity of the Group's results and to show
the impact of the key development activities in Fuel Cells.
Metals filtration
Porvair Selee had a tough year, as two of its three key markets were depressed. US aluminium demand, which fell
through much of 2001, continued to fall until the third quarter of 2002. Only in the last few months of the year did
the position stabilise. Demand for high value metal alloys also fell. These metals are used in aerospace and gas
turbine applications and both these markets were hit in 2002. These difficulties were offset by a good performance
from Engineered Ceramics - the molten metals handling business acquired in 2001, but this was not sufficient to
compensate for the adverse operational gearing effect suffered in the main Selee plant. As a result profits fell by
£3.2m to a loss of £0.8m.
Management and staff at Selee coped with these conditions in a thoroughly professional manner. Costs, amounting to
£2m on an annualised basis, have been cut. Some of this has been achieved by the assumption of higher healthcare
contributions by all staff at Selee, a good demonstration of the commitment and responsible attitude of all concerned.
2002 was not all negative at Selee however. The new aluminium filtration line was fully commissioned and ran well in
the second half of the year. This investment consolidates our cost leadership position in this market. We introduced
new, patent pending filtration technology for which initial commercial sales have now begun and will grow in 2003. We
expect profit at Selee to rebound strongly in the coming year.
Microfiltration
These businesses have performed well in 2002, and have delivered both sales and profit growth.
The Porvair Filtration Group, has delivered the cost, efficiency and sales coverage benefits expected at the time of
the acquisition in 2001. These have more than offset the 20% fall in sales of aerospace filters suffered as a result
of the global slow down in the aerospace market. Indeed it is a pleasure to report that we are having to expand our
facility at Fareham in the UK where for some product lines demand is exceeding supply.
Our two smaller microfiltration businesses; Life Sciences and Ceramic Moulds, have also performed well in 2002. Life
Sciences in particular generated record sales and profits and this small business remains a highly valued part of the
Group.
Membranes
Our Membranes business performed with credit in trading conditions that were difficult. As outlined in previous
announcements this business has undergone a process of simplification that was finished late in 2002 and as expected
this has reduced both sales and profits. The Membranes business therefore is now smaller, much more operationally
efficient, more customer responsive and its environmental performance is much better. Over the last 3 - 4 years we
have invested £7m into the factory in King's Lynn with most of the plant being extensively upgraded. Whilst we
foresee a further round of investment in the polymer production unit in 2004/5, we now have a sound base for
manufacturing efficiency, customer service and environmental performance.
This is a good platform for future growth on which we are now starting to build. In addition to a promising new
pipeline that is always a feature of Porvair companies, we have taken direct control over selling activity in China,
and have therefore disbanded our joint venture in this important region where in recent years the majority of our end
customers have moved production. These initiatives all underpin our expectations that Membranes will move forward
during the year ahead.
Porvair Fuel Cell Technology
This business has again exceeded our expectations for the year, both in terms of technical progress made and in
customer demand. Sales, at this stage largely for prototypes and samples, were £786,000, almost double the £416,000
achieved in 2001. This income offset the planned levels of expenditure.
This operation occupies part of Selee's plant in Hendersonville, North Carolina, and during the year staff numbers
have grown to 38 and manufacturing space has doubled. Two materials technologies are being developed.
* Microporous carbons: With this material we are focussing on bi-polar plate applications. Bi-polar plates are an
integral component of PEM fuel cells. Our primary partner in this work is United Technologies Corporation Fuel Cells
(UTCFC), one of the few major players in this market, and the only fuel cell company developing ambient pressure fuel
cells. We are partly funded by a US Government Department of Energy (DoE) grant. Towards the end of 2002 phase 1 of
the DoE programme was finished - 6 months ahead of schedule. We are producing plates that are exceeding the DoE
technical specification, and are now starting shipments for prototype fuel cell trials. We have begun phase 2 of the
DoE project and by the end of 2003 expect to have identified and begun to install volume production methods, and to
have shipped several thousands of plates.
* Porous and microporous metals: As advised at the interim stage, a feature of 2002 has been the accelerated
development and customer demand outside fuel cell applications. These materials, in addition to the properties given
by the metal alloy used, have unique attributes of porosity, surface area, electrical and thermal conductivity,
pressure absorption and, for microporous metals, wicking action. These attributes lend themselves particularly well
to compact heat exchange, emissions control, catalyst substrate, water treatment and industrial process. In this last
field we secured our first substantial commercial order late in 2002. We are now building a full scale pressure
vessel lining and expect to install it in the first few months of 2003. In other applications - for example the
production of aluminium, turbine fuel/air mixers, oil cooler components - the customer testing that has been underway
for several months continues to be promising. Customer demand for samples is very high. Over the last two years we
have understood the capabilities of these materials, have refined means of production and started to find attractive
markets. We have progressed much quicker than we initially expected and continue to have high expectations for this
technology.
2. Health, Safety and the Environment (HS&E)
Many of the products produced and sold by Porvair companies are used to the benefit of the environment. For example,
Porvair filters reduce emissions and minimise waste, and our materials are heavily involved in the development of
clean energy systems such as fuel cells and coal gasification plants. Overall responsibility for health, safety and
the environment rests with the Group Board.
Our HS&E policy requires:
Compliance with all applicable HS&E laws, regulations and voluntary commitments
Continuous improvement of HS&E performance, monitored and encouraged by the setting and reviewing of HS&E targets
Communications through consultation, education and feedback on HS&E matters with all stakeholders in our business.
A full copy of the Porvair plc HS&E policy, and our HS&E report for 2002, may be found at www.porvair.com. This is
the first time we published this data, so 2001 is also given for comparison. We will update this data annually, to
coincide with the preliminary results.
Porvair at a glance
Introduction to Porvair
Porvair is a materials science company which specialises in:
* Metals filtration: Porvair Selee invented the ceramic foam filter, and leads the world in its application to
molten aluminium. A wide range of porous and microporous technologies serve other metals industries.
* Microfiltration materials and systems: Porvair Filtration Group, Porvair Life Sciences and Porvair Ceramic Moulds
are specialist microfiltration businesses, expert in both filtration and filtration media for specific applications.
* Microporous membranes: Porvair Membranes make textiles and leather waterproof and breathable. Our polyurethane
technology, which is both durable and soft, is unique in this field.
* Microporous metals and carbons: Porvair Fuel Cell Technology is an R&D operation that is developing new and unique
Porvair materials for a range of fast growing markets, one of which is fuel cell components.
Metals filtration: Locations and activities
Hendersonville and Gilberts, USA:
Porvair Selee Brings ceramics expertise to the field of molten
metal handling, catalyst media and thermal
processing. World leader in aluminium filtration
Microfiltration:
Shepperton, UK:
Porvair Sciences Specialises in assay equipment and other microplate
products for the Life Sciences market
Fareham, New Milton and Wrexham, UK; Rock Hill, USA:
Porvair Filtration Group Develops innovative sintered metal and polymer
solutions to filtration problems.
Uses sintered metals and polymers in the design and
manufacture of specialist filters and filtration
devices
King's Lynn, UK:
Porvair Ceramic Moulds Supplies sanitaryware, tableware and technical
ceramics customers worldwide with long-life
alternatives to traditional ceramic moulding media
Microporous membranes:
King's Lynn, UK; Acton, Canada; Wuppertal, Germany
(25% shareholding of Sympatex):
Porvair Membranes Specialises in polyurethane membranes that enhance
the performance of leather and textiles to make them
waterproof and breathable
New materials:
Hendersonville, USA:
Porvair Fuel Cell Technology Develops media and components for fuel cell, heat
exchange, chemical process, emission control and
water treatment applications
CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
For the year ended 30 November 2002
Group 2001
Note Group Before Exceptional After
2002 Exceptional items Exceptional items
items £'000 £'000
£'000 £'000
Turnover
Continuing operations (including share of joint 1 68,485 72,267 - 72,267
venture)
Less : share of joint venture (153) (808) - (808)
68,332 71,459 - 71,459
Cost of sales (46,330) (47,661) (2,608) (50,269)
Gross profit 22,002 23,798 (2,608) 21,190
Distribution costs (1,892) (1,722) (507) (2,229)
Administrative expenses (16,009) (14,452) (913) (15,365)
Research & development 1 (5,867) (5,151) - (5,151)
Group operating profit/(loss) before joint (1,766) 2,473 (4,028) (1,555)
venture and associated undertaking
Share of operating profit/(loss) of joint venture (94) 40 - 40
Share of operating profit of associated 181 - - -
undertaking
Total Group operating profit/(loss) 1 (1,679) 2,513 (4,028) (1,515)
Exceptional profit on part disposal of subsidiary - - 90 90
undertaking
Interest payable (net) (451) (1,259) (425) (1,684)
(Loss)/profit on ordinary activities before (2,130) 1,254 (4,363) (3,109)
taxation
Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before (2,130) 1,254
taxation
Add back goodwill amortisation 2,299 2,515
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation and 169 3,769
goodwill amortisation
Tax on (loss)/profit on ordinary activities 4 352 (1,186) 1,761 575
(Loss)/profit on ordinary activities after (1,778) 68 (2,602) (2,534)
taxation
Equity minority interests (101) (150) - (150)
Loss attributable to shareholders (1,879) (82) (2,602) (2,684)
Dividends 3 (2,467) (2,467) - (2,467)
Retained loss for the financial year (4,346) (2,549) (2,602) (5,151)
Earnings/(losses) per share -
- basic and diluted 2 (5.1)p (8.7)p
- basic and diluted before goodwill amortisation 2 0.6p 7.8p
and exceptional items
Reconciliation of movements in equity shareholders' funds
For the year ended 30 November 2002
GROUP
2002 2001
£'000 £'000
Loss attributable to shareholders (1,879) (2,684)
Dividends (2,467) (2,467)
Retained loss for the year (4,346) (5,151)
New share capital subscribed - 27,569
Exchange differences (613) (420)
Net increase/(decrease) in equity shareholders' funds (4,959) 21,998
Opening equity shareholders' funds 63,333 41,335
Closing equity shareholders' funds 58,374 63,333
Statement of total recognised gains and losses
For the year ended 30 November 2002
GROUP
2002 2001
£'000 £'000
Loss attributable to shareholders (1,879) (2,684)
Exchange differences on retranslation of net assets of subsidiary
undertaking and foreign borrowings (613) (420)
Total losses recognised in the year (2,492) (3,104)
BALANCE SHEET
As at 30 November 2002
GROUP
Note 2002 2001
£'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Goodwill 33,349 35,940
Tangible assets 20,734 22,020
Investments
Investment in joint venture :
Share of gross assets - 369
Share of gross liabilities - (275)
- 94
Investment in associated undertaking 2,348 2,192
56,431 60,246
Current assets
Stocks 14,661 14,892
Debtors falling due after more than one year 3,178 3,247
Debtors falling due within one year 16,616 15,559
19,794 18,806
Cash at bank and in hand 3,261 2,548
37,716 36,246
Creditors
Amounts falling due within one year (28,442) (15,713)
Net current assets 9,274 20,533
Total assets less current liabilities 65,705 80,779
Creditors
Amounts falling due after more than one year - (10,346)
Provisions for liabilities and charges (2,455) (2,201)
Net assets 1 63,250 68,232
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 736 736
Share premium account 28,679 28,679
Other reserves 4,329 4,942
Profit and loss account 24,630 28,976
Total equity shareholders' funds 58,374 63,333
Equity minority interests 4,876 4,899
63,250 68,232
Approved by the Board on 22 January 2003
B D W Stocks, Director
M Moran, Director
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
For the year ended 30 November 2002
Note Group Group
2002 2001
£'000 £'000
Net cash inflow from operating activities 5 2,798 4,882
Returns on investments and servicing of finance
Interest received 104 25
Interest paid (368) (1,100)
Exceptional finance costs - (425)
(264) (1,500)
Taxation
UK corporation tax paid (660) (830)
Overseas tax (paid)/refunded 327 (649)
(333) (1,479)
Capital expenditure
Purchase of tangible fixed assets (3,070) (3,233)
Sale of tangible fixed assets 77 16
(2,993) (3,217)
Acquisitions
Acquisition of associate investment - (2,192)
Acquisition of subsidiaries - (19,050)
- (21,242)
Equity dividends paid (2,467) (1,990)
Net cash outflow before financing (3,259) (24,546)
Financing
Issue of ordinary share capital - 28,771
Expenses of rights issue - (1,202)
Increase/(decrease) in net borrowings 7 4,105 (1,198)
4,105 26,371
Increase in cash in the year 7 846 1,825
NOTES
1. Turnover and segmental analysis
(a) Turnover by geographical segment 2002 2001
By destination By By destination By
£'000 origin £'000 origin
£'000 £'000
United Kingdom 18,731 43,145 16,241 42,787
Continental Europe 11,786 - 11,559 -
Americas 28,013 25,187 32,812 28,672
Asia 6,638 153 8,501 808
Australasia 946 - 596 -
Africa 2,371 - 2,558 -
68,485 68,485 72,267 72,267
Less share of joint venture (153) (153) (808) (808)
68,332 68,332 71,459 71,459
(b) Segmental analyses 2002 2001
£'000 £'000
i) Turnover
Metals Filtration 21,489 23,292
Microfiltration 27,130 21,091
Membranes 19,080 27,468
Fuel Cells 786 416
68,485 72,267
ii) Operating profit/(loss) Before Goodwill After Before Goodwill After
goodwill goodwill goodwill goodwill
Metals Filtration (794) (1,237) (2,031) 2,432 (1,212) 1,220
Microfiltration 3,224 (1,062) 2,162 2,753 (743) 2,010
Membranes 510 - 510 2,030 (560) 1,470
Fuel Cells (2,320) - (2,320) (2,187) - (2,187)
620 (2,299) (1,679) 5,028 (2,515) 2,513
iii) Net assets Before Goodwill Net assets Before Goodwill Net assets
goodwill including goodwill including
goodwill goodwill
Metals Filtration 10,161 15,584 25,745 12,847 17,037 29,884
Microfiltration 14,472 17,765 32,237 13,127 18,903 32,030
Membranes 19,585 - 19,585 19,226 - 19,226
Fuel Cells 1,214 - 1,214 830 - 830
45,432 33,349 78,781 46,030 35,940 81,970
Taxation (2,160) (2,798)
Dividend payable (1,583) (1,583)
Net borrowings (11,788) (9,357)
63,250 68,232
The analysis of operating profit is provided as it represents a clearer presentation of the businesses' performance
Research and development is a substantial cost within the consolidated results. To aid understanding it has been
re-analysed and separated from other costs within the profit and loss account, both in this year and the comparative
figures. It is considered to be part of administrative expenses which would total overall £21,876,000 (2001:
£19,603,000)
2. Earnings per share
Year ended Year ended
30 Nov 2002 30 Nov 2001
(a) Losses per share
Losses (£'000) (1,879) (2,684)
Number of shares (weighted) 36,803,011 31,042,605
Losses per share (5.1)p (8.7)p
(b) Earnings per share before goodwill amortisation
Earnings (£'000) 212 2,433
Number of shares (weighted) 36,803,011 31,042,605
Earnings per share 0.6p 7.8p
3. Dividends
The Board is recommending a final dividend of 4.3p per share (2001 : 4.3p) to be paid on 7 April 2003 to
shareholders on the register at the close of business on 14 March 2003.
4. Tax on (loss)/profit on ordinary activities
Group Group
2002 2001
£'000 £'000
UK corporation tax at 30% (2001 : 30%)
Current period tax (1,111) (320)
Adjustments in respect of previous periods 269 502
Total UK current tax (842) 182
Overseas tax receivable/(payable) 1,499 (113)
Tax on share of profits of associated undertaking (51) -
Total current tax 606 (69)
Deferred tax (254) 506
Tax credit on loss on ordinary activities 352 575
5. Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities
2002 2001
£'000 £'000
Total Group operating profit (1,679) 2,513
Goodwill amortisation 2,299 2,515
Depreciation 3,512 3,222
Loss on sale of fixed assets 44 116
Decrease/(increase) in stocks 82 (1,068)
Decrease/(increase) in debtors (1,081) 514
Decrease in creditors (110) (1,485)
Share of joint venture and associated undertaking (87) (40)
Net cash inflow from operating activities before exceptional items 2,980 6,287
Exceptional items (182) (1,405)
Net cash inflow from operating activities 2,798 4,882
6. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net borrowings
2002 2001
£'000 £'000
Increase in cash in the year 846 1,825
Increase/(decrease) in borrowings (4,105) 1,198
Change in net borrowings from cash flows (3,259) 3,023
Translation difference 828 (17)
Movement in net borrowings in the year (2,431) 3,006
Acquired companies - (2,403)
Opening net borrowings (9,357) (9,960)
Closing net borrowings (11,788) (9,357)
7. Analysis of net borrowings
01/12/01 Cash flow Other Exchange 30/11/02
non-cash movement
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Cash in hand and at bank 2,548 846 - (133) 3,261
Overdrafts - - - - -
846 - (133)
Borrowings due after 1 year (10,346) - 9,385 961 -
Borrowings due within 1 year (1,559) (4,105) (9,385) - (15,049)
(4,105) - 961
Total (9,357) (3,259) - 828 (11,788)
8. Accounts
The foregoing statements do not constitute the Group's statutory accounts. The Group's 2002 statutory accounts, on
which the Company's auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, have given an unqualified opinion in accordance with Section
235 of the Companies Act 1985, are to be delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The Group's 2001 statutory accounts
have been filed with the Registrar of Companies.
This information is provided by RNS
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