Half Yearly Report

RNS Number : 4513T

RTC Group PLC

29 September 2010

 



RTC Group Plc ("RTC" or "the Company")

Unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2010

RTC Group Plc, a support services group, which provides recruitment and conferencing services, is pleased to announce its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2010.

HIGHLIGHTS

Revenue increased by 3% to £8.5m (2009: £8.3m).

Operating loss from continuing activities of £0.4m (2009: loss £0.8m).

Loss per share from continuing activities of 4.22p (2009: loss of 8.89p).

Loss on discontinued operations (Training Division) of £0.5m (2009 £0.4m)

No interim dividend declared (2009: nil).

Commenting on the results Bill Douie, Chairman, said:

'The discontinuation of our Training activities has removed a significant threat to our return to good profitability.

Although there are still many uncertainties in the near future, we believe that we have dealt with the major problems at the Derby Conference Centre, we are now less vulnerable to trading setbacks and we are confident that we are well placed to continue our expansion in recruitment worldwide'.

29 September 2010

ENQUIRIES:

RTC Group Plc                                                                        Tel: [phone]

Bill Douie, Executive Chairman.                                                

Andy Pendlebury, Group Chief Executive.

Evolution Securities Limited                                              Tel: [phone]

Jeremy Ellis / Chris Clarke                                                           

 

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

I am pleased to present the interim report of the Company for the six months to 30 June 2010.

Group

The period has been one of exceptional change.  Following the difficult trading conditions experienced in 2009, markets have begun to stabilise across many areas of the economy with the exception of Rail.  There has been increasing evidence, even before the election of the present Government, that many projects to renew and improve the National Railway Infrastructure have been delayed, postponed or even cancelled.  Expenditure in the industry has been focused on maintenance, now largely handled by Network Rail internally.  As a consequence, after a reasonable start to the year affected only by inclement weather conditions in January, during the second quarter demand for training products offered by Catalis suffered a further significant drop confirming our view that increases in activity from similar markets were vital to ensure continuing viability.  The only possible way to achieve an adequate result in an acceptable timescale was to offer Catalis for sale to other organisations involved in similar activities to achieve rationalisation benefits and economies of scale.

Accordingly, agents were appointed to find a buyer and heads of terms were agreed for a sale.  Given the severe volatility in the sector and the potential exposure to pension liability and service rights the sale of the business was not possible.

Given these circumstances and the potential impact on the wider Group, the Board felt unable to continue to fund the Catalis operation and there was no alternative other than to appoint an Administrator.

Since the period end, the Administrator has succeeded in selling the trade and assets of Catalis to a third party who will continue the trade from all premises, including London Road Derby and      Clapham, through separate long term agreements between the buyer and the RTC Group.

Trading

General

As presaged in our Report and Accounts in March, trading conditions have remained difficult.  Accordingly, as expected, losses have been incurred in the first six months of 2010.  As outlined above a significant proportion of those losses have arisen in Catalis and are treated as discontinued.  Excluding those, the only remaining material negatives have occurred in The Derby Conference Centre.

Recruitment

Although the last two year period has been extremely difficult, during that time development of all sections of our recruitment business has continued steadily. In particular, our Vertical division has continued to expand and grow both sectorially and geographically, and with significant UK and overseas revenue, is set to continue in the near to medium term. Our Vertical business now forms the largest element of our recruitment portfolio. The traditional Branch business, mainly serving SME's, has retrenched in the face of a continually subdued UK SME marketplace. Cost control and efficiency measures were implemented to limit damage to the business. The branch network has also been refined and is now well placed to serve a recovering market.

Training

The Group is no longer involved in Training.

Conferencing

The Derby Conference Centre, after a major efficiency drive has succeeded in achieving a sound cost base from which to build and is now enjoying a steady increase in sales.  Revenues from Catalis, now under new ownership have been secured for the immediate future.

Dividends

Your Directors consider that it would be inappropriate to declare an interim dividend.

Outlook & Strategy

Although there remain challenges in the SME market place all of our recruitment activities are in good fettle and are making good progress towards significant recovery. We have succeeded in securing a significant contract from our recently established office in India to supply contract labour for re-construction activities in specific countries and are hopeful that further similar contracts will enhance revenues going forward.

The discontinuation of our Training activities has removed a significant threat to our return to good profitability.

Although there are still many uncertainties in the near future, we believe that we have dealt with the major problems at the Derby Conference Centre, we are now less vulnerable to trading setbacks and we are confident that we are well placed to continue our expansion in recruitment worldwide.

W.J.C.Douie, Chairman.                                                                                                         29^th September 2010

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

		6 Months		6 Months		12 Months
		to 30 Jun 2010		to 30 Jun 2009		to 31 Dec 2009
		(unaudited)		(unaudited)
	Notes		£'000		£'000		£'000
Revenue	2		8,541		8,316		16,479
Cost of sales			(7,416)		(7,500)		(14,291)
Gross Profit	2		1,125		816		2,188
Administrative expenses - normal			(1,500)		(1,618)		(3,341)
Operating loss before exceptional items	2		(375)		(802)		(1,153)
Administrative expenses - exceptional impairment of goodwill			-		-		(674)
Operating loss after exceptional items			(375)		(802)		(1,827)
Financing income/(expense)			(6)		-		(5)
Loss on ordinary activities before taxation			(381)		(802)		(1,832)
Income tax expense	3		-		-		40
Net loss from continuing operations			(381)		(802)		(1,792)
Loss from discontinued operations - loss from the period	4		(526)		(394)		(553)
Other comprehensive income			-		-		-
Total comprehensive expense for the period			(907)		(1,196)		(2,345)
Loss per share  - continuing operations (pence)	6		(4.22)		(8.89)		(19.86)
Loss per share  - discontinued operations (pence)	6		(5.83)		(4.37)		(6.13)
Loss per share  - continuing and discontinued operations (pence)	6		(10.05)		(13.26)		(25.99)

There is no dilutive impact of share options.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

	As at 30 Jun 2010 (unaudited) £'000	As at 30 Jun 2009 (unaudited) £'000	As at 31 Dec 2009 £'000
Assets
Non current
Goodwill	-	674	-
Property, plant & equipment	361	748	691
Deferred tax asset	70	73	55
	431	1,495	746
Current
Inventories	10	12	9
Trade and other receivables	3,312	3,011	2,919
Cash and cash equivalents	194	1	505
	3,516	3,024	3,433
Total assets	3,947	4,519	4,179
Liabilities
Current
Trade and other payables	(1,755)	(1,558)	(1,711)
Current borrowings	(1,271)	-	(653)
Tax liabilities	(13)	(2)	-
Total Liabilities	(3,039)	(1,560)	(2,364)
Net Assets	908	2,959	1,815
Equity
Called up share capital	90	90	90
Share premium account	2,117	2,117	2,117
Capital redemption reserve	50	50	50
Share based payment reserve	38	33	38
Retained earnings	(1,387)	669	(480)
Total equity	908	2,959	1,815

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS

	Notes	6 Months to 30 Jun 2010 (unaudited)	6 Months to 30 Jun 2009 (unaudited)	12 Months to 31 Dec 2009
		£'000	£'000	£'000
Operating activities
Operating loss		(375)	(802)	(1,827)
Employee equity settled share options		-	-	5
Depreciation of property, plant & equipment		100	94	203
Profit/(loss) on sale of property, plant & equipment		-	-	4
Impairment of goodwill		-	-	674
Change in inventories		1	(4)	1
Change in trade and other receivables		(300)	2,125	2,266
Change in trade and other payables		(299)	(1,202)	(941)
Taxes received/(paid)		107	(73)	(109)
Interest paid		(6)	-	(5)
Net cash inflow from operating activities		(772)	138	271
Investing activities
Purchases of property, plant & equipment		(13)	(127)	(226)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment		-	-	4
Net cash used in investing activities		(13)	(127)	(222)
Cash (outflow)/inflow before financing		(785)	11	49
Financing activities
Capital element of finance lease rental payments		-	-	-
Issue of ordinary share capital including premium		-	-	-
Equity dividends paid		-	-	-
Net cash from/(used) from financing activities		-	-	-
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations		(785)	11	49
Cash movement from discontinued operations operating activities		(130)	(106)	(277)
Cash movement from discontinued operations investing activities		(14)	(12)	(28)
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations		(144)	(118)	(305)
Total net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents		(929)	(107)	(256)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	7	(148)	108	108
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	7	(1,077)	1	(148)

NOTES TO THE INTERIM STATEMENTS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2010

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

a)   General information

        RTC Group Plc is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in England whose shares are publicly traded on AIM. The registered office address is The Derby Conference Centre, London Road, Derby, DE24 8UX.  The company's registered number is 02558971. The principal activities of the Group are described in note 2. 

b) Basis of preparation

The unaudited interim group financial statements of RTC Group Plc are for the six months ended 30 June 2010 and do not comprise statutory accounts within the meaning of S.435 of the Companies Act 2006. The unaudited interim group financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the AIM rules. This report should be read in conjunction with the Group's Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2009, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS's as adopted by the European Union.

These unaudited interim group financial statements were approved for issue on 28 September 2010.  No significant events, other than those disclosed in this document, have occurred between 30 June 2010 and this date.

c) Comparatives

The comparative figures for the year ended 31 December 2009 do not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of S.435 of the Companies Act 2006, but they have been derived from the audited financial statements for that year, which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors was unqualified and did not contain a statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006 nor a reference to any matters which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis of matter without qualifying their report.

d) Accounting policies

The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those described in the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2009.  There have been no significant changes in the basis upon which estimates have been determined, compared to those applied at 31 December 2009 and no change in estimate has had a material effect on the current period.

This interim announcement has been prepared based on IFRS's which are in issue that are effective or available for early adoption at the Group's annual reporting date as at 31 December 2010.

2. SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS

The Group's continuing activities relate to Recruitment and Conferencing business activities. Segmental analysis of business activity is shown below.

	6 Months to	6 Months to	12 Months to
	30 Jun 2010	30 Jun 2009	31 Dec 2009
	(unaudited)	(unaudited)
	£'000	£'000	£'000
REVENUE
Recruitment	8,108	7,782	15,343
Conferencing	433	534	1,136
	8,541	8,316	16,479
GROSS MARGIN
Recruitment	1,015	624	1,713
Conferencing	110	192	475
	1,125	816	2,188
OPERATING (LOSS)/ PROFIT
Recruitment	(30)	(446)	(460)
Conferencing	(207)	(152)	(372)
Group costs	(138)	(204)	(321)
	(375)	(802)	(1,153)

In the view of the directors, there is not a seasonal aspect to the performance of the business.

3. TAX ON PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES

No provision has been made for tax in the period, as a result of the losses incurred. Tax charges in the previous periods were estimated at the anticipated effective rate.

4. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On 25 June 2010, the Board decided to discontinue funding the Group's Training Division and hence the board of Catalis Limited put this company into Administration. The loss for the discontinued operation is stated after charging:

	6 Months to	6 Months to	12 Months to
	30 Jun 2010	30 Jun 2009	31 Dec 2009
	(unaudited)	(unaudited)
	£'000	£'000	£'000
Revenue	1,138	1,450	2,694
Cost of sales	(763)	(1,040)	(1,881)
Gross Profit	375	410	813
Administrative expenses - normal	(657)	(804)	(1,400)
Operating loss	(282)	(394)	(587)
Financing income/(expense)	-	-	-
Loss on ordinary activities before taxation	(282)	(394)	(587)
Attributable income tax expense	-	-	34
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations	(244)	-	-
Net loss attributable to discontinued operations	(526)	(394)	(553)

Details of net assets disposed as a result of the administration of Catalis Limited and the associated loss for the period resulting from this are as follows:

	6 Months to
	30 Jun 2010
	(unaudited)
	£'000
Non current assets
Property plant and equipment	202
Current assets	321
Current liabilities	(279)
Net assets disposed of	244
Consideration	-
Loss on disposal	(244)

5. DIVIDENDS

The Board does not propose the payment of an interim dividend.

6. LOSS PER SHARE

The losses per share have been calculated on both continuing and discontinued operations after taxation, based on the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period. The outstanding share options are not considered to be dilutive in either the current or comparative periods.

	6 Months to 30 Jun 2010 (unaudited)	6 Months to 30 Jun 2009 (unaudited)	12 Months to 31 Dec 2009
Weighted average number of shares	9,022,564	9,022,564	9,022,564
Loss from continuing operations (£'000)	(381)	(802)	(1,792)
Loss per share from continuing operations (pence)	(4.22)	(8.89)	(19.86)
Loss from discontinued operations (£'000)	(526)	(394)	(553)
Loss per share from discontinued operations (pence)	(5.83)	(4.37)	(6.13)
Loss from continuing and discontinued operations (£'000)	(907)	(1,196)	(2,345)
Loss per share from continuing and discontinued operations (pence)	(10.05)	(13.26)	(25.99)

7. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET DEBT

	At 1 Jan 2010	Cash Flows	Other Movements	At 30 Jun 2010
	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
Cash at bank and in hand	505	(311)	-	194
Bank overdraft	(653)	(618)	-	(1,271)
Finance leases	-	-	-	-
Net debt	(148)	(929)	-	(1,077)

The Group has a working capital facility with Lloyds TSB plc that allows it to borrow up to 90% of the invoiced trade debtors of ATA Recruitment Limited and Ganymede Solutions Limited up to £4.0m.  

8. RECONCILIATION OF CONSOLIDATED EQUITY

	As at	As at	As at
	30 Jun 2010	30 Jun 2009	31 Dec 2009
	(unaudited)	(unaudited)
	£'000	£'000	£'000
Opening total equity	1,815	4,155	4,155
Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the period	(907)	(1,196)	(2,345)
Dividends	-	-	-
Issue of shares	-	-	-
Share based payment	-	-	5
Closing total equity	908	2,959	1,815

9. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

The bank facility is subject to unlimited cross guarantees between Group companies secured by mortgage debentures.

10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

RTC Group Plc is the parent company of the Group that includes the following entities that have been consolidated:

·     ATA Management Services Limited

·     ATA Recruitment Limited

·     Catalis Limited (In administration - Note 4)

·     The Derby Conference Centre Limited

·     Ganymede Solutions  Limited

·     Global Choice Recruitment Limited

The Group has taken advantage of the exemption permitted by relevant accounting standards and has not disclosed transactions with other Group companies that are eliminated on consolidation.

RTC Group Plc

Registered Office

The Derby Conference Centre,

London Road,

Derby, DE24 8UX

Approved and authorised for release

for and on behalf of RTC Group Plc

 

END

 

 

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