Interim Results
Ross Group PLC
27 September 2005
Ross Group plc
27 September 2005
INTERIM RESULTS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2005
Chairman's statement
The result for the Group for the six months ended 30 June 2005 was an operating
loss of £336,000 before tax (June 2004 profit £96,000). This result is extremely
disappointing following the upturn in the group's profitability in 2003 and
2004.
The substantial reduction in the level of output was due to delays in the award
of some large contracts that the company, GEL Engineering Ltd (GEL) was
expecting. These potential orders have only been delayed and not lost, so the
main shareholder has continued to back the Group as they consider the chance for
a return to profitability is substantially increased in 2006.
Business review
GEL, has suffered a significant downturn in orders during the period under
review and this has led to the strengthening of the sales team and a change of
management. One highlight of the first half of 2005 was the receipt of three
test rig orders from prime contractors in the aerospace industry. These were the
first orders of this type for sometime and were a direct result of the changes
in the sales team. The company is committed to satisfying these orders and
securing repeat business. A reduction in demand for containerised solutions for
the MOD has seen this side of the business struggle for orders. The Company is
looking to expand its activities in the supply of fully integrated modular
solutions and physical training mock-ups.
A business plan has been implemented for GEL following the change of Managing
Director which should help increase the level of business by directing the
company towards expanding and profitable markets. The Company now has a
significant amount of bids out with its customers for decisions in late 2005 and
throughout 2006. Some small orders have been secured recently which will improve
the second half of the year and an export vehicle order is expected shortly. A
large repeat order for a Hercules Loadmaster Training Simulator is under
negotiation and is expected around the end of this year. Whilst the current
trading indicates that 2005 will probably not show a profit, 2006 should see the
group back in the black.
Business Outlook
The Directors have more than one option available to them to supplement the
current business activity and thus strengthen the Group. These opportunities are
being assessed and progress is being made towards potential significant changes
in the structure and operation of the Group.
Dividend
No ordinary interim dividend is proposed after considering the result for the
first half of the year, and the continuing deficiency on retained reserves (2004
- £Nil).
A C C Ma
Chairman
22 September 2005
GROUP INCOME STATEMENT UNAUDITED
6 Months 6 Months Year
Ended Ended Ended
30 June 30 June 31 December
2005 2004 2004
£'000 £'000 £'000
Revenue
Continuing Operations 255 1124 2362
Discontinued Operations 0 85 85
Operating (Loss)/Profit
Continuing Operations (336) 96 237
Discontinued Operations 0 6 6
(Loss)/Profit Before Finance Cost (336) 102 243
Finance Cost (129) (88) (228)
(Loss)/Profit Before Taxation (465) 14 15
Taxation 0 0 0
(Loss)/Profit For The Period (465) 14 15
Earnings Per Share (0.3p) 0.01p 0.01p
Adjusted Earnings Per Share (0.3p) 0.01p 0.01p
GROUP BALANCE SHEET UNAUDITED
30 June 30 June 31 December
2005 2004 2004
£'000 £'000 £'000
Non Current Assets 35 41 45
Current Assets
Inventories 199 394 382
Trade and Other Receivables 556 396 752
Cash and Cash Equivalents 11 84 12
-------- -------- --------
766 874 1146
-------- -------- --------
Current Liabilities
Trade and Other Payables (659) (695) (834)
Financial Liabilities
- Short Term Borrowings (Group) (550) (1,188) (300)
-------- -------- --------
(1,209) (1,883) (1,134)
-------- -------- --------
Net Current Assets/(Liabilities) (443) (1009) 12
Non-Current Liabilities
Financial Liabilities
- Long Term Borrowings (Group) (2,374) (1,346) (2,374)
-------- -------- --------
Net Liabilities (2,782) (2,314) (2,317)
======== ======== ========
Equity
Share Capital 11,136 11,136 11,136
Share Premium Account 2,317 2,317 2,317
Other Reserves 15,391 15,397 15,394
Retained Earnings (31,626) (31,164) (31,164)
-------- -------- --------
Total Equity (2,782) (2,314) (2,317)
======== ======== ========
GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT UNAUDITED
6 Months 6 Months Year
Ended Ended Ended
30 June 2005 30 June 2004 31Dec. 2004
£'000 £'000 £'000
Cash Flows From Operating
Activities
Cash Generated From Operating
Activities (120) (90) (147)
Interest Paid (129) (88) (228)
Taxation 0 0 0
--------- --------- ---------
Net Cash From Operating Activities (249) (178) (375)
Cash Flows From Investing
Activities
Purchase Of Plant and Machinery (2) 0 (17)
--------- --------- ---------
Net Cash Used In Investing
Activities (2) 0 (17)
Cash Flows From Financing
Activities
Net Increase In Borrowings 250 158 300
Repayment of Obligations Under
Finance Leases 0 (2) (2)
--------- --------- ---------
Net Cash Flow From Financing
Activities 250 156 298
--------- --------- ---------
Net (Decrease) In Cash And Cash
Equivalents (1) (22) (94)
========= ========= =========
Notes to the Interim Report
(1) The interim financial statements have been prepared on the basis of the
accounting policies set out in the audited statutory accounts for the year ended
31 December 2004.
The financial information contained in these statements for the six months ended
30 June 2005 and 30 June 2004 is unaudited and does not constitute statutory
accounts as defined in section 240 of the Companies Act 1985.
(2) Reconciliation of Operating Profit to Cash Generated From Operations
6 Months 6 Months Year
Ended Ended Ended
30 June 2005 30 June 2004 31Dec. 2004
£'000 £'000 £'000
Operating (Loss)/Profit On
Continuing Activities (336) 96 237
Operating Profit On Discontinued
Activities 0 6 6
Depreciation And Amortisation 12 11 24
Decrease/(Increase) In Inventories 183 (105) (93)
Decrease/(Increase) In Trade And
Other Receivables 196 150 (206)
(Decrease) In Trade And Other
Payables (175) (248) (115)
--------- --------- --------
Cash Generated From Operations (120) (90) (147)
========= ========= ========
(3) No ordinary interim dividend is proposed for 2005 (2004-£nil).
Notes to the Interim Report (Continued)
(4) The comparative cash flow for the year ended 31 December 2004 has been
extracted from the audited accounts. The cash flows for the six months ended 30
June 2005 and 30 June 2004 are unaudited.
(5) Reconciliation of Movements In Equity
6 Months 6 Months Year
Ended Ended Ended
30 June 2005 30 June 2004 31 Dec 2004
£'000 £'000 £'000
Share premium Account - Brought
Forward 2,317 2,317 2,317
Movement 0 0 0
Carried Forward 2,317 2,317 2,317
Other Reserves - Brought Forward 15,394 15,400 15,400
(Depreciation) (3) (3) (6)
Carried Forward 15,391 15,397 15,394
Retained Earnings - Brought
Forward (31,164) (31,181) (31,181)
(Loss)/Profit for Period (465) 14 15
(Loss) on Translation of
Subsidiary 0 0 (4)
Transfer from Revaluation Reserve 3 3 6
Carried Forward (31,626) (31,164) (31,164)
(6) Both the Long Term and Short Term borrowings are by way of formal
agreements with the main shareholder, The Grande Group or its subsidiary
companies.
(7) The Group has evaluated the effect of the requirement to report in
accordance with International Accounting Standards (IAS) and has concluded that
the change does not materially affect any item disclosed in these statements.
(8) The Interim Report will be sent by mail to all registered shareholders
and copies will be available from the Company's head office at Ross Group PLC,
Brunel Road, Totton, Hampshire, SO40 3YS. A copy will also be posted on the
Company's website www.ross-group.co.uk
Ross Group plc Contact - P. Elliott, Executive Director
Registered Office Tel. - 02380 675500 Fax - 02380 675555
35 Paul Street Email - p.elliott@ross-group.co.uk
London EC2A 4UQ Website - www.ross-group.co.uk
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