Annual Results

RNS Number : 5778X
Surface Transforms PLC
18 August 2009
 




                                                                                        ('Surface Transforms' or 'the Company') 

 

                                                                                                               Annual Results 

 

                                                                                                    for the year ended 31 May 2009 

 

Surface Transforms (AIM ticker: SCE) is the UK's leading manufacturer of `next-generation' carbon fibre reinforced ceramic composite materials (CRFCs). The Company's high-performance products are being commercialised with major industry partners, for an expanding range of innovative global applications, using cutting-edge technology developed by the Company. 

 

Highlights 


  • Revenue increased by 34% to £679,284 (2008: £508,111)

  • Losses after taxation £840,740  (2008: £594,065

  • Cash position as at 31 May 2009 of £404,275 (2008: £1,112,719)

  • Order Book of £166,370 as at 31 May 2009, which had grown to £308,108 by 5 August 2009.

  • Sales to the Defence and Aerospace Markets increased by 182% to £236,279.

  • ISO 9001 Qualification was achieved - a pre-requisite for doing business in the aerospace and automotive sectors.

  • Completion of the CVIST process for carbon infiltration so reducing the unit cost of an automotive disc by 20 per cent.

  • In December 2008, the award of a further £100,000 order from MBDA, Europes leading missile supplier. 

  • The award of a multi-year contract with Mov'it GmbH, a leading supplier of high performance brake systems within the European aftermarket, which is forecast to yield revenues of £300,000 to £400,000 per annum in future years.


Enquiries: 

 

Surface Transforms plc                                          websites: www.surface-transforms.com and www.systemsST.com

 

Dr Kevin Johnson, Geoff Hall                                Tel: 0151 356 2141

 

Kevin D'Silva                                                            Tel: 07802 306956 


Seymour Pierce Limited


Nandita Sahgal, Christopher Wren                      Tel: 0207 107 8047



Chairman's statement 


In the 12 months to 31 May 2009 the Company achieved a number of strategic and operating milestones although this was against the background of a severe global recession and a sustained reduction of output within the automotive industry. The key milestones were:


  • The award of a multi-year contract with Mov'it GmbH, a leading supplier of high performance brake systems within the European aftermarket, which is forecast to yield revenues of £300,000 to £400,000 per annum in future years.

  • ISO 9001 qualification. 

  • Completion of the CVIST manufacturing project which provides the capability of the carbon infiltration of discs in house and contributes to the reduction in manufacturing costs of approximately 20% for an automotive brake disc.

  • A further £100,000 contract from MBDA the European leader in missile and rocket technology.


There were disappointments as well and these resulted from the very sharp decline in business confidence during the final months of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009. In February 2009, we signalled that the Company's revenues for the full year would fall short of the market expectations that were set in August 2008 and that the principal cause of the revenue reduction was a prospective fall in orders from our automotive customers. The Company has now met its revised expectations for revenues and operating losses for the full year. Business in the year was considerably higher than budget from the aerospace and defence market sectors and this provides the Company with a platform for growth despite the continued low levels of business expected from the automotive sector during the remainder of 2009 and most of 2010.


Financial review


In the 12 months to 31 May 2009, revenue was £679,284 (2008: £508,111). This represents an increase of 34% over the prior year.


At 31 May the Order Book, representing confirmed orders, was £166,370 (2008: £302,124). The reduction in the order book level over the period is mainly due to the reduction in business from the automotive sector, however, the order book has grown to £308,108 by 5 August 2009. The Order Book does not reflect orders not yet placed with regards to the annual, multi-year supply contracts the Company has signed during 2008 with MBDA for rocket components; for carbon-ceramic brake automotive discs with Mov'it or for the supply of carbon brake discs with a leading European brake systems group.


Losses after taxation for the 12 month period were £840,740 (2008: £594,065). These include a non cash charge of £94,424 (2008: £56,609) relating to share based payments under IFRS 20.


Earnings per share for the year was a loss of 4.42p (2008: 3.33p)


Capital Expenditure in the period was £71,428 (2008: £142,599)


The Company had a Cash balance of £404,275 (2008: £1,112,719) at 31 May 2009 and it has no borrowings.


Shareholder Funds at 31 May 2009 were £1,026,523 (2008: £1,722,839)


Developments


The Company has progressed sufficiently far in the application of its technology that it now has a number of global based customers operating in each of its main end user markets: Aerospace & Defence; High Performance Automotive and the Automotive Race Market. 


A number of these clients are either evaluating the Company's technology for license or are purchasing brake discs or rocket components for their development programmes or for commercial use.  



Chairman's statement (Continued)


Developments (Continued)


To facilitate the management of the operations and to ensure its core Intellectual Property (IP) is fully protected, the Company has created four wholly owned operating subsidiaries. The IP and the management is held within the Group plc company and the technology is licensed down to each subsidiary. This means that Licensing and Commercial supply agreements within each subsidiary are kept separate and the Group can now consider the sale of one or more of its subsidiaries should the opportunity arise. The new Group structure commenced 1 June 2009.


People


Mr. Julio Faria, one of the founder directors, left the board during December 2008 and now has sold the majority of his shareholding in the Company. We wish him well for the future.


Outlook


The Group is focussed on achieving new business wins in the aerospace and defence markets whilst it recognises that business from the automotive brake sector will remain subdued until well into the second half of 2010. The Chief Executive's report describes the opportunities in each of the main user markets and there is good reason to be confident that we shall report improved results in the 2010 financial year.


Management has reduced the overhead base by an estimated £200,000 p.a going forward and the Company has received initial notice from the DTI that it has been awarded another multi year development grant which will reduce overheads further and improve cash flows.


The Company secured a fundraising of £410,000 net of expenses during July 2009. The issue of 4,516,580 new ordinary shares at 10 pence per share will take place on 13 August 2009. This will be used to assist with working capital needs over the next 24 months.


Whilst forecasting accurately can be difficult in these economic conditions, the board is cautiously optimistic that it can increase business revenues and reduce losses in the 2010 financial year ending 31 May 2010 and work towards breaking even in cash terms. 




Kevin D'Silva

Chairman


12 August 2009


Chief executive's report 


Automotive - High performance and Race car brake systems


Following the sharp economic decline within the automotive market, income from the automotive sector has remained steady year on year with growth in overall turnover being achieved in other areas, as described below. As a result, sales to automotive customers represented 65% of total turnover compared to 84% in 2008.

 

The Company has three main automotive contracts:

  • Supply of ceramic discs to Mov'it GMBH - a leading European aftermarket brake system supplier. 

  • Supply of carbon fibre brake discs to a global automotive brake system supplier.

  • Supply of ceramic discs to Koenigsegg Automotive - supplier of high performance super cars.


Sales to Koenigsegg have remained strong; however revenue from the other two contracts, both with forecasted annual revenues of £300,000-£400,000, has been significantly below the company's initial expectations in July 2008.  


The Company recognises that trading conditions for the Company's current automotive contracts will remain difficult well into 2010. 


In addition to the Company's existing contracts the Company continues to work to bring in new business, receiving new orders from a US brake system supplier which has won the contract to supply approximately 20 prototype vehicles for the next generation of US military transport vehicle.


Aerospace


The company continues to work on development programmes with two aircraft brake system suppliers.


Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems (MABS) has been and remains a key partner of the £1.34 million, three year collaborative R&D project funded by the UK Technology Strategy Board (formerly the DTI). This project is being led by Surface Transforms.


The second development programme is with a US brake system supplier that supplies both commercial and military aircraft principally in US markets. The Company and the customer are pleased with both the pace of development and the technical advances made during the last 12 months, with the Company progressing through a number of key technical milestones. 


It is always very difficult to predict the adoption of new technologies and the aerospace market is no different. The Company expects the development programme with the US supplier to continue to progress, with the focus on the development and commercialisation of the company's proprietary carbon ceramic technology.


Defence: Rocket Components


Surface Transforms carbon ceramic technology is uniquely positioned to deliver affordable, high performance (in terms of extended life and reduced mass) rocket components.


During the last 12 months the company has seen the level of interest increase significantly, with the defence sector providing >25% of the group's revenues during the financial year. 


We have successfully completed year one of a three year development programme with MBDA, a world leading missile manufacturer jointly owned by BAe Systems, EADS and Finmeccanica. The £150,000 contract of over three years generated some positive results and lead to additional revenues from MBDA including an additional contract in excess of £100,000 to further investigate and accelerate the development. We are also pleased that the company has been officially awarded the year two contract with MBDA and continues to work closely with MBDA 




Chief executive's report (Continued)

Defence: Rocket Components (Continued)


who recognise the potential for the carbon ceramic technology and are focused on the development of the material for use in its range of products. 


The company has signed a new contract for £75,000 over 3 years with the UK MoD (Ministry of Defence). The programme although small is strategically important to the MoD with Surface Transforms technology offering the potential of affordable, high performing ceramic composite components for the future. 


In addition the award of a £200,000, 2 year development contract with Microturbo, a world leading turbojet engine manufacturer, for the development of carbon ceramic components for turbojet engines further recognises the potential for use of the materials in demanding environments which require affordable solutions.


The company expects the defence sector to continue to make a significant contribution to the group revenues going forward.


Operations 


Affordability is a key requirement for all of our chosen markets, particularly with the current economic pressures the world is facing. The development and commissioning of CVIST, the carbon vapour infiltration process plant has been completed and has reduced the cost to manufacture a ceramic brake disc by 20%.  


The operations team successfully achieved ISO 9001 accreditation in September 2008. An important milestone for the business in terms of continuous improvements and a prerequisite to truly operating in our chosen market. 


In the autumn of 2008 the management recognised the change in trading conditions in the automotive sector and took steps to reduce its operational cost base by £200,000. The savings came from two areas. Some non-recurring costs associated with achieving ISO accreditation and bringing the CVIST plant online as well as a reduction in production resources to reflect the reduced demand in two of our main automotive contracts.


People


The company has a strong senior management team who have shown tremendous commitment and maturity during the last 12 months.


The blend of skills, experience and determination within the team means we are well placed to continue the good progress made to date.


I would like to thank all my colleagues for their dedication over the past year.




Dr. Kevin Johnson                                12 August 2009

Chief Executive

  Directors' report


The directors present their annual report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2009.

Principal activity

The principal activity of the Company during the year was the development and manufacture of carbon fibre reinforced ceramic products (CFRC) for aircraft brake, automotive brake and rocket component applications. 

Business review

A review of the Company's activities during the year is dealt with in the financial review section of the Chairman's statement (page 2).  

Key risks and uncertainties 

As in previous years the principal risk faced by the Company is considered to be the speed at which our customers and potential customers adopt the new ceramic disc technology. Indications in the automotive area are that the technology continues to be well received and is being adopted over an increasing number of vehicles. This risk is constantly assessed by monitoring the level of enquiries and orders for both the Company and industry wide. In addition the Company faces the continuing uncertainty created by the current economic climate, particularly within the automotive sector.

Key performance indicators

The Directors continue to monitor the business internally with a number of performance indicators: order intake, sales output, profitability and manufacturing cost of automotive discs. The company has met its revised performance targets in each of these areas - please see Chairman's report for more details: 


  • Turnover £679,284 (2008: £508,111)

  • Losses after taxation £840,740 (2008: £594,065) 

  • Order Book of £166,370 (as at 31 May 2009)

  • Completion of the CVIST process for carbon infiltration so reducing the unit cost of an automotive disc by 20 per cent.

The Company produces an annual business plan and full monthly forecasts detailing sales, profitability and cash flow to help monitor business performance going forward.

Future developments

The Board aims to continue with its corporate strategy which is to exploit its technologies in carbon fibre reinforced ceramics by:

  • establishing contract development opportunities and collaborations with national and multi-national customers in the aerospace and automotive industries; and 

  • expanding commercial sales of CFRC products.

Research and development

The majority of the Company's staff are employed in research activities which are concentrated on the ongoing identification of new products and applications for carbon fibre reinforced ceramic friction and non-friction materials. 

Proposed dividend and transfer to reserves

The loss for the year after taxation amounted to £840,740 (2008: £594,065). The directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend.

  Directors' report (continued)

Policy and practice on payment of payable

It is the Company's policy that payments to suppliers are made in accordance with the terms and conditions agreed between the Company and its suppliers, providing that all trading terms and conditions have been complied with. The Company does not follow any code or standard on payment practice.

At the year end, there were 27 days (200853 days) purchases in trade payables.

Political and charitable donations

The Company made no political or charitable donations during the year (2008: £nil).

Directors and directors' interests

The directors who held office during the year were as follows:


K D'Silva* (Chairman)            

Dr K Johnson (Managing Director)    

JJ Faria*

Professor DT Clark*

Dr G Gould             

KM Baker*     


* denotes non-executive Director.

JJ Faria resigned as a non-executive director on 03 December 2008. 

The directors retiring by rotation are K Johnson and DT Clark who, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election.

The directors who held office at the end of the financial year had the following interests in the ordinary shares of the Company according to the register of directors' interests:        



Number of £0.01 ordinary shares


% of issued share capital at end of year

Interest at end of year

Interest at start
of year





Professor DT Clark

5.15

979,661

979,661

K D'Silva

1.35

256,986

256,986

Dr K Johnson

0.42

79,750

79,750

KM Baker

0.47

90,000

90,000

Dr G Gould 

0.02

4,350

4,350


According to the register of directors' interests, no rights to subscribe for shares in or debentures of the Company were granted to any of the directors or their immediate families, or exercised by them during the financial year, except as disclosed in the report on directors' remuneration on pages 9 and 10

The directors benefited from qualifying third party indemnity provisions in place during the financial year and at the date of this report. 

   Directors' report (continued)

Substantial shareholders

In addition to the directors' interests noted above, the directors are aware of the following who were interested in 3% or more of the Company's equity as of 13 July 2009


Registered holding 

Number of ordinary shares

% of issued share capital

TD Waterhouse Nominess (Europe)

5,238,599

27.53%

JM Finn Nominees Limited

3,869,860

20.33%

Octopus Investments Nominees

986,420

5.18%

Pershing Nominees Limited

785,000

4.12%

Corporate governance

Surface Transforms plc is committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance. The Company complies with the Combined Code as modified by the recommendations of the Quoted Companies Alliance to the extent the directors consider appropriate, given the size of the Company, its current stage of development and the constitution of the Board.  

The Board has appointed an Audit Committee whose primary role is to review the Company's interim and annual financial statements before submission to the Board for approval. The Board has also appointed a Remuneration Committee, which is responsible for reviewing executive remuneration and performance. The Remuneration and Audit Committees are made up of three non-executive directors, David Clark, Kevin D'Silva and Ken Baker. Details of the Remuneration Committee are disclosed in the report on directors' remuneration on pages 9 and 10.

Disclosure of information to auditors

The directors who held office at the date of approval of this directors' report confirm that, so far as they are each aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company's auditors are unaware; and each director has taken all the steps that he ought to have taken as a director to make himself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company's auditors are aware of that information. 

Auditors

In accordance with Section 489 of the Companies Act 2006, a resolution for the re-appointment of KPMG Audit Plc as auditors of the company is to be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.


Fund raising


The Company secured a fundraising of £410,000 net of expenses during July 2009 by the issue of new ordinary shares at 10 pence per share. This will be completed on 13 August 2009 and used to assist with working capital needs over the period of the next 24 months.


Post balance sheet events


To facilitate the management of the operations and to ensure its core Intellectual Property (IP) is fully protected, the Company has created 4 wholly owned operating subsidiaries. The IP and the management is held within the Group plc company and the technology is licensed down to each subsidiary.


By order of the board


K D'SilvaChairman


12 August 2009

Unit 4 Olympic Park

Poole Hall RoadEllesmere Port

Cheshire, CH66 1ST 

 Report on directors' remuneration


Policy on executive directors' remuneration

The Remuneration Committee comprises of Kevin D'Silva, David Clark and Ken Baker.

The Remuneration Committee is responsible for reviewing and determining the Company's policy on executive remuneration (including the grant of options under the Share Option Scheme) and ensuring compliance with and implementation by the Company, as far as reasonably practicable, of the recommendations and guidelines of the Combined Code. Executive remuneration packages are designed to ensure the Company's executive directors and senior executives are fairly rewarded for their individual contributions to the Company.

Fees for non-executive directors

The fees for non-executive directors are determined by the Board. The non-executive directors are not involved in the decisions about their own remuneration.

Directors' remuneration

Set out below is a summary of the fees and emoluments received by all directors for the year or, where applicable, period of office:

            





2009

2008





£

£

Executive directors












Dr K Johnson




115,912

84,399

JJ Faria*




-

30,049

Dr G Gould




44,282

53,943





              

              





160,194

168,391

Non-executive directors












K D'Silva




27,000

18,000

Professor DT Clark




18,000

18,253

JJ Faria*




10,004

9,000

KM Baker




18,000

18,000





              

              





73,004

63,253





              

              





233,198

231,644





              

              

With the exception of Kevin Johnson, none of the directors received pension contributions in respect of their office. In addition to the emoluments received, as stated above, Kevin Johnson received £4,667 (2008: £3,898) in respect of pension contributions

*JJ Faria resigned as a non-executive director on 3 December 2008. 

Directors' interests

Details of any contracts in which a director has a material interest are disclosed in note 17.

None of the directors received any remuneration or benefits under long term incentive schemes.



Report on directors' remuneration (continued)

Share options

The Company operates a share incentive scheme. All options are granted at the discretion of the Board. The options granted, date of grant, exercise price and exercise periods under the scheme are set out below. 

None of the directors exercised options during the year. Dr K Johnson and Dr G Gould surrendered options during the year. Directors' options outstanding and the options which were granted, surrendered and expired during the year are as follows:

Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme


Director

Date of Grant

Holding on 1st June 2008

Granted during the year

Number of Share options expired, waived or lapsed

Holding on 31st May 2009

Exercise Price

Exercise Period

Expiry Date










JJ Faria

19/12/2002

64,286

-

64,286

-

£0.7000

19/12/05-19/12/12

19/12/2012

Dr G Gould

19/12/2002

64,286

-

64,286

-

£0.7000

19/12/05-19/12/12

19/12/2012

Dr G Gould

08/12/2003

34,091

-

34,091

-

£0.8800

08/12/06-08/12/13

08/12/2013

Dr G Gould

08/03/2004

20,000

-

20,000

-

£0.6650

08/03/07-08/03/14

08/03/2014

Dr G Gould

14/09/2005

29,000

-

29,000

-

£0.4000

14/09/08-14/09/15

14/09/2015

Dr G Gould

18/04/2007

50,000

-

-

50,000

£0.2100

18/04/10-18/04/17

18/04/2017

 Dr G Gould

30/06/2008

-

86,000

-

86,000

£0.1825

30/06/11-30/06/18

30/06/2018

 Dr G Gould

22/09/2008

-

21,219

-

21,219

£0.1850

22/09/11-22/09/18

22/09/2018

Dr K Johnson

04/04/2005

50,000

-

50,000

-

£0.5000

04/04/08-04/04/15

04/04/2015

Dr K Johnson

14/09/2005

180,000

-

180,000

-

£0.4000

14/09/08-14/09/15

14/09/2015

Dr K Johnson

18/04/2007

100,000

-

-

100,000

£0.2100

18/04/10-18/04/17

18/04/2017

 Dr K Johnson

30/06/2008

-

288,000

-

288,000

£0.1825

30/06/11-30/06/18

30/06/2018

 Dr K Johnson

22/09/2008

-

481,707

-

481,707

£0.1850

22/09/11-22/09/18

22/09/2018

Prof. DT Clark

18/04/2007

15,000

-

-

15,000

£0.2100

18/04/10-18/04/17

18/04/2017

KA D'Silva

18/04/2007

50,000

-

-

50,000

£0.2100

18/04/10-18/04/17

18/04/2017

KM Baker

18/04/2007

15,000

-

-

15,000

£0.2100

18/04/10-18/04/17

18/04/2017



 



 






671,663

876,926

441,663

1,106,926




 The market price of the shares at 31 May 2009 was £0.115 and during the year varied from £0.195 to £0.075. 


By order of the board



K D'Silva

Chairman


12 August 2009

        

Unit 4

Olympic Park

Poole Hall Road

Ellesmere Port

Cheshire

CH66 1ST



Statement of directors' responsibilities in respect of the annual report and the financial statements  


The directors are responsible for preparing the Directors' Report and the Annual Report in accordance with applicable law and regulations.


Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law they have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU and applicable law.


Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:


  • select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

  • make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

  • state whether they have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU; and

  • prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.


The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the company and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.


The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the company's website. Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.




    KPMG Audit Plc

    St James' Square

    Manchester M2 6DS

    United Kingdom


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF SURFACE TRANSFORMS PLC


We have audited the financial statements of Surface Transforms Plc for the year ended 31 May 2009 set out on pages 14 to 36 of the annual report. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the EU.


This report is made solely to the company's members, as a body, in accordance with sections 495 and 496 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company's members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.


Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors


As explained more fully in the Directors' Responsibilities Statement set out on page 11, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board's (APB's) Ethical Standards for Auditors.


Scope of the audit of the financial statements


A description of the scope of an audit of financial statements is provided on the APB's web-site at www.frc.org.uk/apb/scope/UKNP.


Opinion on financial statements


In our opinion the financial statements:


  • give a true and fair view of the state of the company's affairs as at 31 May 2009 and of its Loss for the year then ended;

  • have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU; and

  • have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.


Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006


In our opinion the information given in the Directors' Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.


  

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF SURFACE TRANSFORMS PLC (continued)


Matters on which we are required to report by exception


We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:


  • adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

  • the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

  • certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

  • we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.







Richard Evans (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of KPMG Audit Plc, Statutory Auditor

Chartered Accountants
St James' Square

Manchester M2 6DS

United Kingdom


14 August 2009




Income Statement

for the year ended 31 May 2009


Note



2009

2008





£

£







Revenue 

2



679,284

508,111

Cost of sales




(282,487)

(252,874)





              

              

Gross profit




396,797

255,237







Administrative expenses:






Before research costs




(733,700)

(615,617)

Research costs




(839,509)

(678,078)





              

              

Total administrative expenses




(1,573,209)

(1,293,695)





              

              

Other operating income

3



166,035

220,652





              

              

Operating loss




(1,010,377)

(817,806)

Financial income

6



20,646

67,347

Financial expenses

6



(1,854)

-





              

              







Loss before tax




(991,585)

(750,459)

Taxation

7


150,845

156,394





              

              

Loss for the year

15



(840,740)

(594,065)




              

              







Loss per ordinary share






Basic and diluted

18



(4.42p)

(3.33p)





              

              


All amounts relate to continuing activities.


  Statement of Changes in Equity

as at 31 May 2009 



2008


Share Capital

Share premium account

Capital reserve

Profit and loss account

Total



£

£

£

£

£








Loss for the year


-

-

-

(594,065)

(594,065)



 

 

 

 

 

Total recognised income and expense


-

-

-

(594,065)

(594,065)

Credit in relation to share based payments


-

-

-

56,609

56,609

Issue of new shares


50,000

847,237

-

-

897,237

Opening shareholders funds at 1 June 2007


140,308

4,902,715

463,885

(4,093,850)

1,413,058



 

 

 

 

 

Closing shareholders funds at 31 May 2008


190,308

5,749,952

463,885

(4,631,306)

1,772,839















2009


Share Capital

Share premium account

Capital reserve

Profit and loss account

Total



£

£

£

£

£








Loss for the year


-

-

-

(840,740)

(840,740)



 

 

 

 

 

Total recognised income and expense


-

-

-

(840,740)

(840,740)

Credit in relation to share based payments


-

-

-

94,424

94,424








Opening shareholders funds at 1 June 2007


190,308

5,749,952

463,885

(4,631,306)

1,772,839



 

 

 

 

 

Closing shareholders funds at 31 May 2008


190,308

5,749,952

463,885

(5,377,622)

1,026,523












Balance sheet

at 31 May 2009


Note

2009

2008



£

£

£

£

Non-current assets






Property, plant and equipment

8


382,448


382,975




                


                




382,448


382,975

Current assets






Inventories

9

228,251


258,874


Trade and other receivables

10

212,851


292,923


Cash and cash equivalents


404,275


1,112,719




                


                


Total Current Assets



845,377


1,664,516




                


                

Total Assets



1,227,825


2,047,491

Current Liabilities






Other interest bearing loans and borrowings

11

(14,438)


-


Trade and other payables

12

(168,669)


(274,652)




                


                


Total Current Liabilities


(183,107)


(274,652)








Non Current Liabilities






Other interest bearing loans and borrowings

11

(18,195)


-




                


                














Total Liabilities



(201,302)


(274,652)




                


                

Net assets



1,026,523


1,772,839




                


                

Equity






Share capital

14


190,308


190,308

Share premium

15


5,749,952


5,749,952

Capital reserve

15


463,885


463,885

Retained earnings

15


(5,377,622)


(4,631,306)




                


                

Total equity attributable to equity shareholders of the Company



1,026,523


1,772,839




                


                


 These financial statements were approved by the board of directors on 12 August 2009 and were signed on its behalf by:



K D'Silva

Director



Dr K Johnson

Director


Cash flow statement 

for the year ended 31 May 2009


Note

2009


2008



£


£

Cash flows from operating activities





Loss for the year


(840,740)


(594,065)

Adjusted for:





Depreciation charge


71,282


49,079

Amortisation charge


-


1,886

Profit on disposal of plant and equipment


(4,402)


-

Equity settled share-based payment expenses


94,424


56,609

Financial income


(20,646)


(67,347)

Financial expense


1,854


-

Taxation


(150,845)


(156,394)



                 


                 



(849,073)


(710,232)






Changes in working capital





Decrease/(Increase) in inventories


30,623


(46,693)

Decrease/(Increase) in trade and other receivables


80,072


(3,347)

Decrease/(Increase) in trade and other payables


(105,983)


15,641



                 


                 



(844,361)


(744,631)






Finance income received


20,646


67,347

Financial expense paid


(1,854)


-

Taxation received


150,845


156,394



                 


                 

Net cash used in operating activities


(674,724)


(520,890)



                 


                 

Cash flows from investing activities





Acquisition of property, plant and equipment


(22,150)


(142,599)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment


5,075


-



                 


                 

Net cash used in investing activities


(17,075)


(142,599)



                 


                 






Cash flows from financing activities





Proceeds from issue of share capital


-


897,237

Payment of finance lease liabilities


(16,645)


-



                 


                 

Net cash from financing activities


(16,645)


897,237



                 


                 






Net decrease/(increase) in cash and cash equivalents


(708,444)


233,748






Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period


1,112,719


878,971



                 


                 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period


404,275


1,112,719



                 


                 




Notes

(forming part of the financial statements)

1. Accounting policies

Surface Transforms plc (the 'Company') is a company incorporated and domiciled in the UK.

Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRSs') as adopted by the EU.

The financial statements were approved by the board on 12 August 2009.

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards and under the historical cost convention, as modified for financial assets and liabilities at fair value through the income statement.

The accounting policies set out below have, unless otherwise stated, been applied consistently to all periods presented in these financial statements. 


Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which the directors believe to be appropriate. The Company incurred a net loss of £840,740 during the year however the directors are satisfied, based on detailed cash flow projections, that sufficient cash is available to meet the Company's needs as they fall due for at least 12 months from the date of signing the accounts. Revenues are expected to continue to increase in the coming years resulting in the company becoming profitable in due course. In addition the Company has secured a fundraising of £410,000 net of expenses during July 2009. The issue of new ordinary shares at 10 pence per share will take place on 13 August 2009..


The Company's business activities, together with the factors likely to affect future development, performance and position are set out in the Chairman's statement on pages 4 to 5 and the Director's report on pages 8 to 10. In addition, note 19 to the financial statements includes the group's objectives, policies and processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; details of its financial instruments and its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk.


The directors believe that the group is well placed to manage its business risks successfully despite the current uncertain economic outlook. After making enquiries, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual report and accounts.

Share based payments

The share option programme allows employees to acquire shares of the Company. The fair value is measured at grant date and spread over the period during which the employees become unconditionally entitled to the options. The fair value of the options granted is measured using an option pricing model, taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted. The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of share options that vest except where forfeiture is only due to share prices not achieving the threshold for vesting.

Intangible assets and amortisation

Expenditure on patents is capitalised and amortised to nil by equal annual instalments over the useful economic life of seven and a half years.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses.

Where parts of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items of property, plant and equipment.


Notes (continued)

1    Accounting policies (continued)


Property, plant and equipment (continued)

Leases in which the Company assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the leased asset are classified as finance leases. Leased assets acquired by way of finance lease are stated at an amount equal to the lower of their fair value and the present value of the minimum lease payments at inception of the lease, less accumulated depreciation and less accumulated impairment losses. Lease payments are accounted for as described below.

Depreciation is charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of each part of an item of property, plant and equipment. Land is not depreciated. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Plant and machinery         -    12.5%-20% per annum

Fixtures and fittings        -    15% per annum

Motor vehicles        -    25% per annum

Leasehold improvements     -    Over life of lease


Depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at each balance sheet date. 

Foreign currencies

Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded using the rate of exchange ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated to the functional currency at the foreign exchange rate ruling at the balance sheet date and the gains or losses on translation are included in the income statement.

Leases

Operating lease payments

Payments made under operating leases are recognised in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Lease incentives received are recognised in the income statement as an integral part of the total lease expense.    

Finance lease payments

Minimum lease payments are apportioned between the finance charge and the reduction of the outstanding liability. The finance charge is allocated to each period during the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

Government grants

Revenue grants are credited to the profit and loss account, and included within other operating income, so as to match them with expenditure to which they relate.

Post retirement benefits

The Company does not operate a pension scheme, but does contribute to specific employees' personal pension schemes. The amount charged to the profit and loss account represents the contributions payable to employees personal pension schemes during the accounting year.

Research and development expenditure

Expenditure on research activities is recognised in the income statement as an expense as incurred.

Expenditure on development activities is capitalised if the product or process is technically and commercially feasible and the Company intends and has the technical ability and sufficient resources to complete development, future economic benefits are probable and if the Company can measure reliably the expenditure attributable to the intangible asset during its development. No research costs met the criteria for capitalisation in the current or preceding years.

Notes (continued)

1    Accounting policies (continued)

Inventories 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. In determining the cost of raw materials and consumables the purchase price is used. For work in progress, cost is taken as production cost, which includes an appropriate proportion of attributable overheads.

Taxation

The charge for taxation is based on the loss for the year and takes into account taxation deferred or accelerated arising from temporary differences between the carrying amounts of certain items for taxation and for accounting purposes. 

Deferred taxation is provided for in full at the tax rate which is expected to apply to the period when the deferred taxation is expected to be realised, including on tax losses carried forward. 

Deferred taxation assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised. 

Research and development tax credits are recognised on a cash received basis as a reduction in the current tax payable as this is when the tax credit is considered recoverable.


Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents, for the purpose of the cash flow statement, comprises cash in hand and deposits repayable on demand.


New standards and interpretations that have been endorsed, but which are not yet effective and not early adopted


A number of new standards, amendments to standards and interpretations are not yet effective for the year ended 31 May 2009 and have not been applied in preparing these financial statements:


New standards relevant to the Company


IFRS 8 'Operating Segments' introduces the 'management approach' to segment reporting. IFRS 8, which becomes mandatory for the Company's 2010 financial statements, will require the disclosure of segment information based on the internal reports regularly reviewed by the Company's Chief Operating Decision Maker in order to assess each segment's performance and to allocate resources to them. Currently the Company considers revenues to be generated via a single business segment (see Note 2).


Amended standards relevant to the Company


Revised IAS 1 'Presentation of Financial Statements' (2007) introduces the term total comprehensive income, which represents changes in equity during a period other than those changes resulting from transactions with owners in their capacity as owners. Total comprehensive income may be presented in either a single statement of comprehensive income (effectively combining both the income statement and all non-owner changes in equity in a single statement), or in an income statement and a separate statement of comprehensive income. Revised IAS 1, which becomes mandatory for the Company's 2010 financial statements, is expected to have a significant impact on the presentation of the financial statements. The Company plans to provide total comprehensive income in a single statement of comprehensive income for its 2010 financial statements.


Amendment to IFRS 2 'Share-based Payment - Vesting Conditions and Cancellations' clarifies the definition of vesting conditions; introduces the concept of non-vesting conditions; requires non-vesting conditions to be reflected in grant-date fair value; and provides the accounting treatment for non-vesting conditions and cancellations. The amendments to IFRS 2 will become mandatory for the Company's 2010 financial statements, with retrospective application and is not expected to have a significant impact on the financial statements.


Notes (continued)

1    Accounting policies (continued)

Revenue

Revenue comprises income derived from the supply of carbon fibre structures and carbon fibre reinforced ceramic products. Revenue is recognised on transfer to the customer of significant risks and rewards of ownership, generally this will be when goods are despatched to the customer.  Turnover excludes value added taxes.

Contractual arrangements exist with specific customers which set selling prices and target volumes for future periods.  The revenue derived from specific purchase orders raised against these contracts is recognised in a consistent manner to that described above

Non-derivative financial instruments

Non-derivative financial instruments comprise investments in equity and debt securities, trade and other receivables, cash and cash equivalents, loans and borrowings, and trade and other payables.

Trade and other receivables

Trade and other receivables are recognised initially at fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition they are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment losses.

Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are recognised initially at fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition they are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Interest rate risk

The Company finances its operations through cash. Cash resources are invested to attract the highest rates for periods that do not limit access to these resources.

Liquidity risk

With regard to liquidity, the Company's policy has throughout the year been to ensure that the Company is able at all times to meet its financial liabilities as and when they fall due.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with adopted IFRSs requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making the judgements about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not already apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to carrying amount of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below:


Impairment of property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset is not recoverable.  


Provision to write inventories down to net realisable value

The Company makes provisions for obsolescence based on historical experiences and management estimates of future events. Actual outcome could vary significantly from these estimates


Research and development expenditure

The board considers the definitions of research and development costs as outlined in IAS 38: Intangible assets when determining the correct treatment of costs incurred. Where such expenditure is technically and commercially feasible, the Company intends and has the technical ability and sufficient resources to complete development, future economic benefits are probable and if the Company can measure reliably the expenditure attributable to the intangible asset it is treated as development expenditure and capitalised on the balance sheet.



Notes (continued)

1    Accounting policies (continued)



In considering whether an item of expenditure meets these criteria, the Board applies judgement. During the year all such expenditure has been expensed to the income statement on the grounds that it relates to feasibility studies to identify new applications for the technology or methods of improving the production process. As the technical feasibility of this work is unknown at the time the costs are incurred, none meet the criteria for capitalisation during the current or previous year.

2 Analysis of turnover 


Revenue and loss on ordinary activities before taxation is wholly attributable to the principal activity of the Company, namely the development and manufacture of reinforced ceramic products. As all products are similar in nature and are manufactured using a single production facility, the board have reassessed the segmental breakdown of the business during the year and consider that all revenue falls under a single business segment as defined by IAS 14.

The following additional information is presented solely to assist the reader in understanding the performance of the Company in the year.

Revenue by type of end user is analysed as follows:








2009

2008



£

£


Automotive 

241,157

345,464


Defence and aerospace

236,279

83,798


Automotive Racing

201,848

78,850



                

                



679,284

508,111



                 

                 


All sales are serviced by a single production facility. As such, net assets, liabilities, additions to property, plant and equipment, loss before tax and depreciation cannot be attributed to specific categories.

Revenue by geographical destination is analysed as follows:



2009

2008



£

£


By geographical market: 




United Kingdom 

296,821

138,074


Rest of Europe

375,365

353,964


United States of America 

7,098

16,073



                

                



679,284

508,111



                 

                 


Revenue by origin, net assets and profit before interest and tax all relate to the UK.



  Notes (continued)

3 Expenses and auditors remuneration

    


2009

2008


£

£

Operating loss before taxation is stated




after charging




Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets

71,282

49,079

Research and development expensed as incurred

839,509

678,078

Amortisation of patents and licences

-

1,886

Rents payable under operating leases - land and buildings

53,577

50,251

Exchange losses

5,609

2,294




after crediting






Exchange gains

3,831

2,164

Government grants

166,035

220,652


                 

                 




Audit of these financial statements






Amounts receivable by auditors and their associates in respect of:






Audit of financial statements pursuant to legislation

17,450

17,450


                 

                 

Government grants


Grants received comprise revenue grants from DTI.


These are subject to making expenditure as stipulated in the grant applications and to audit of the claims. There are no unfulfilled conditions or contingencies associated with government assistance received.


4 Remuneration of directors


The company considers key management personnel as defined in IAS 24 'Related party disclosures' to be the directors of the company. The aggregate amount of emoluments paid to directors in respect of qualifying services during the year was £233,198 (2008: £231,644). Of this, £115,912 (2008: £84,399) was made to the highest paid director and company pension contributions of £4,667 (2008: £3,898) were made to a money purchase scheme on his behalf.    


Full disclosure of directors' emoluments, share options and directors' pension entitlements which form part of the package as well as remuneration and transactions is given in the Report on directors' remuneration on pages 9 and 10.

  Notes (continued)

 

5 Staff numbers and costs


The average number of persons employed by the Company (including directors) during the year, analysed by category, was as follows:


  Number of employees


2009

2008




Directors

6

6

Other employees

17

14


              

              


23

20


              

              




The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows:




2009

2008


£

£




Wages and salaries

609,510

624,013

Social security costs

72,308

61,685

Other pension costs (see note 16)

29,429

19,497


              

              


711,247

705,195


              

              





6 Financial income and expenses


  Financial income

2009

2008


£

£




  Bank interest receivable 

20,646

67,347


              

              





Financial Expenses

2009

2008


£

£




Total interest expense on financial liabilities measured at amortised cost

1,854

-


              

              





  Notes (continued) 


7 Taxation


Analysis of credit in year


2009

2008


£

£

UK corporation tax 



Research and development tax repayment

(150,845)

(156,394)


              

              

Income tax credit

(150,845)

(156,394)


              

              




Details of the unrecognised deferred tax asset are included in note 13.  

Factors affecting the tax credit for the current period

The current tax credit for the year is lower (2008lowerthan the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 28% (200828%).  The differences are explained below:





2009

2008

Reconciliation of effective tax rate

£

£




Loss for the year

(840,740)

(594,065)

Total income tax credit

(150,844)

(156,394)


              

              

Loss excluding income tax

(991,584)

(750,459)




Current tax at average rate of 28.00% (2008: 29.67%)

(277,644)

(222,661)




Effects of:



Non-deductible expenses 

359

632

Reduction in tax rate

-

38,861

Change in unrecognised timing differences

42,306

4,976

Current year losses for which no deferred tax recognised

234,979

178,192

Tax incentives

(150,845)

(156,394)


              

              

Income tax credit (see above)

(150,845)

(156,394)


              

              




Factors that may affect future tax charges 

The effective tax rate in future years is expected to be below the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK due principally to historical losses which have been carried forward.

   Notes (continued)


 8 Property, plant and equipment


Assets in the course of construction

Leasehold improvements

Plant and machinery

Fixtures and fittings

Motor vehicles

Total


£

£

£

£

£

£

Cost







At 1 June 2007

44,216

47,315

448,058

29,445

28,660

597,694

Additions

-

16,453

118,687

7,459

-

142,599

Disposals and write offs

-

-

(203,290)

(7,335)

-

(210,625)


              

              

              

              

              

              

At 31 May 2008

44,216

63,768

363,455

29,569

28,660

529,668

Additions

-

10,852

45,873

14,703

-

71,428

Disposals and write offs

-

-

-

-

(28,660)

(28,660)


              

              

              

              

              

              

At 31 May 2009

44,216

74,620

409,328

44,272

-

572,436


              

              

              

              

              

              

Depreciation 







At 1 June 2007

44,216

1,454

233,584

12,502

16,483

308,239

Disposals and write offs

-

-

(203,290)

(7,335)

-

(210,625)

Charge for year

-

5,557

31,582

4,775

7,165

49,079


              

              

              

              

              

              

At 31 May 2008

44,216

7,011

61,876

9,942

23,648

146,693

Disposals and write offs

-

-

-

-

(27,985)

(27,985)

Charge for year

-

7,068

50,826

9,051

4,337

71,282


              

              

              

              

              

              

At 31 May 2009

44,216

14,079

112,702

18,993

-

189,990


              

              

              

              

              

              

Net book value







At 1 June 2007

-

45,861

214,474

16,943

12,177

289,455

At 31 May 2008

-

56,757

301,579

19,627

5,012

382,975

At 31 May 2009

-

60,541

296,626

25,279

-

382,446


              

              

              

              

              

              








At 31 May 2009 the net carrying amount of leased plant and machinery was £44,298 (2008: £ nil)

 9 Inventories



2009

2008


£

£




Raw materials and consumables

27,249

28,059

Work in progress

201,002

230,815


                

                


228,251

258,874


                

                


Raw materials, consumables and changes in finished goods and work in progress recognised as cost of sales in the year amounted to £282,487 (2008 £252,874)




Notes (continued)

 10 Trade and other receivables


2009

2008


£

£




Trade receivables

68,626

160,954

Other receivables

83,695

86,475

Prepayments and accrued income

60,530

45,494


                  

                  


212,851

292,923


                  

                  




    All receivables fall due within one year.


11    Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings

This note provides information about the contractual terms of the Company's interest-bearing loans and borrowings, which are measured at amortised cost. For more information about the Company's exposure to interest rate and foreign currency risk, see note 19.



2009


2008


£


£

Current liabilities




Current portion of finance lease liabilities

14,438


-


                


                

Non-current liabilities




Finance lease liabilities

18,195


-


                


                

Finance lease liabilities are payable as follows:



Future minimum lease payments

Interest

Present value of minimum lease payments

Future minimum lease payments

Interest

Present value of minimum lease payments


2009 

2009  

2009  

2008

2008

2008


£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000








Less than one year

16,684

2,246

14,438

-

-

-

Between one and five years

19,208

1,013

18,195

-

-

-

More than five years

-

-

-

-

-

-


                

                

                

                

                

                


  35,892

  3,259

  32,633

-

-

-


                

                

                

                

                

                


  Notes (continued)


12   Trade and other payables: amounts falling due within one year



2008

2008



£

£





Trade payables


77,634

171,620

Taxation and social security


30,209

19,723

Accruals and deferred income


60,826

83,309



                

                



168,669

274,652



                

                

13   Deferred tax


The elements of deferred taxation are as follows:


2009

2008


£

£

Difference between accumulated depreciation and amortisation and capital allowances

34,441

17,810

Other short term timing differences

(1,738)

(2,572)

Tax losses

(625,883)

(566,180)


                

                

Unrecognised deferred tax asset

(593,180)

(550,942)


                

                

The Company has an unrecognised deferred tax asset at 31 May 2009 of £593,180 (2008£550,942) relating principally to tax losses which the company can offset against future taxable profits from the same trade

The deferred tax asset has not been recognised in the accounts because it is not possible to assess whether there will be suitable taxable profits from which the future reversal of the underlying temporary differences can be deducted.


14   Called up share capital  


2009

2008


£

£

Authorised



20,000,000 ordinary shares of £0.01 each

200,000

200,000


               

               

Allotted, called up and fully paid



19,030,748 shares of £0.01 each

190,308

190,308


                

                


  Notes (continued)


14    Called up share capital (continued)


Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme


The Company operates a share incentive scheme for the benefit of the directors and certain employees. All options are granted at the discretion of the Board. The scheme grants options to purchase ordinary shares of £0.01 each. No options were exercised in the period.

The options granted to directors, date of grant and exercise price and exercise periods under the scheme are set out in the report on directors' remuneration on pages 9 and 10.  In addition to the directors' share options, certain employees have been granted the following options:


Date of grant

Number of unexpired share options at year end

Exercise price

Exercise period

18/04/2007

170,000

£0.21

18/04/10-18/04/17

30/06/2008

151,200

£0.1825

30/06/11-30/06/18

22/09/2008

575,839

£0.1850

22/09/11-22/09/18

There are a total of 897,039 unexpired options held by employees and a total of 1,106,926 unexpired options held by  directors.

15   Share premium and reserves



Share premium account

Capital reserve

Profit and loss account



£

£

£

At 1 June 2007


4,902,715

463,885

(4,093,850)

Retained loss for the year


-

-

(594,065)

Share Issue


847,237

-

-

Reversal of charge in relation to share based payments


-

-

56,609



   

   

   

At 31 May 2008


5,749,952

463,885

(4,631,306)

Retained loss for the year


-

-

(840,740)

Reversal of charge in relation to share based payments


-

-

94,424



   

   

   

At 31 May 2009


5,749,952

463,885

(5,377,622)



   

   

   







16   Pension scheme

The Company contributes to specific employees' personal pension schemes. The pension cost charge for the year represents contributions payable by the Company to the scheme and amounted to £29,429 (2008: £19,497).

There were outstanding contributions of £nil (2008nilat the end of the financial year.


17   Related party disclosures

The results of the Company include no material transactions with related parties in the current or preceding year.

  Notes (continued)

18    Loss on ordinary shares

The calculation of basic loss per ordinary share is based on the loss for the financial year divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year.

Losses and number of shares used in the calculations of loss per ordinary share are set out below:


Basic




2009

2008



£

£





Loss after tax 


(840,740)

(594,065)





Weighted average number of shares


19,030,748

17,828,562





Loss per share


(4.42p)

(3.33p)



                

                





The calculation of diluted loss per ordinary share is identical to that used for the basic loss per ordinary share. This is because the exercise of options would have the effect of reducing the loss per ordinary share from continuing operations and is therefore not dilutive under the terms of IAS33.

19   Derivatives and other financial instruments

The Company's policies with regard to financial instruments are set out within the accounting policies note.    The risks arising from the Company's financial assets and liabilities are set out below with the policies for their respective management.

Currency Risk

The Company transacts business in foreign currencies and therefore incurs some transaction risk.

The Company had no open foreign exchange contracts at the Balance Sheet date.

The Company's exposure to foreign currency risk was as follows, this is based on the carrying amount for monetary financial instruments:



31-May-09




31-May-08



US Dollar

Euro

Sterling 


US Dollar

Euro

Sterling 


£

£

£


£

£

£

Cash and cash equivalents

-

-

404,275


-

-

1,112,719









Trade receivables

-

43,267

25,359


-

56,803

104,151









Trade payables

(1,987)

(924)

(74,723)


(19,531)

-

(152,089)









Finance lease liabilities

-

-

(32,633)


-

-

-






 



Net Exposure

(1,987)

42,343

322,278


(19,531)

56,803

1,064,781



Average Rate


Reporting Date Spot Rate


2009

2008


2009

2008







US Dollar

1.643

2.006


1.619

1.976

Euro

1.182

1.385


1.145

1.273


Notes (continued)

19    Derivatives and other financial instruments (continued)

Sensitivity Analysis

ten percent strengthening of the pound against the US Dollar and the Euro at 31 May 2009 would have (decreased)/increased profit by the amounts below. This analysis assumes that all other variables, in particular interest rates, remain constant. The analysis is performed on the same basis for 2008.



US Dollar

Euro


£

£

31 May 2009

(180)

3850




31 May 2008

(1780)

5160

ten percent weakening of the pound against the US Dollar and the Euro at 31st May 2009 would have an equal and opposite effect to the amounts shown above, on the basis all other variables remain constant. 

Price Risk

The Company aims to minimise its exposure to supplier price increases and customer price decreases by offsetting reciprocal supplier and customer arrangements.

Credit Risk

The Company operates a closely monitored collection policy.

The ageing of trade receivables at the reporting date was



31-May-09


31-May-08


Gross

Impairment

Net


Gross

Impairment

Net


£

£

£


£

£

£

Not past due

21,787

-

21,787


151,381

-

151,381

Past due 0 to 30 days

-

-

-


9,264

-

9,264

Past due 31 to 90 days

46,839

-

46,839


5,105

(4,796)

309


              

              

              


              

              

              


68,626

-

68,626


165,750

(4,796)

160,954


              

              

              


              

              

              

The majority of the debt falling in 31 to 90 days at 31 May 2009 relates to one customer for whom trading terms have been re-negotiated. This customer has adhered to these revised terms since re-negotiation and as such no impairment of this receivable is deemed necessary.

The movement in the allowance for impairment in respect of trade receivables was as follows:



Impairment



Allowance



£

Balance 1 June 2007


9,499

Impairment loss recognised


(4,703)



              

Balance 31 May 2008


4,796

Impairment loss recognised


(4,796)



              

Balance 31 May 2009


-



              







Notes (continued)

19    Derivatives and other financial instruments (continued)

Liquidity Risk

The Company's objective is to maintain a balance between continuity and flexibility of funding through the use of short term deposits.

The contractual maturity of all cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables at the current and preceding balance sheet date is within one year.

The contractual maturity of trade and other payables at the current and preceding balance sheet date is within three months.

The contractual maturity of finance lease liabilities can be found in note 11

Interest Rate Risk

At the balance sheet date the interest rate profile of the Company's interest-bearing financial instruments was



2009  

2008  


£

£

Fixed rate instruments



Finance lease liabilities 

32,633

-


The Company has cash deposits of £398,780 (2008: £1,039,603).These funds are placed on premium rate deposit at rates which tracks bank base rate. These deposits are reviewed at least every 30 days. These funds are available on demand. At the year end, the weighted average interest rate for the floating rate cash deposits was the Barclays base rate of 0.50% (20085.49% HBOS). 

Fair values of the Company's financial assets and liabilities

Trade and other receivables

The fair value of trade and other receivables, is estimated as the present value of future cash flows, discounted at the market rate of interest at the balance sheet date if the effect is material.

Trade and other payables

The fair value of trade and other payables is estimated as the present value of future cash flows, discounted at the market rate of interest at the balance sheet date if the effect is material.

Cash and cash equivalents

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents is estimated as its carrying amount, all cash and cash equivalents are repayable on demand.

  Notes (continued)

19    Derivatives and other financial instruments (continued) 

Interest-bearing borrowings

Fair value, which after initial recognition is determined for disclosure purposes only, is calculated based on the present value of future principal and interest cash flows, discounted at the market rate of interest at the balance sheet date if the effect is material.

The fair value of financial assets and liabilities, together with the carrying amounts shown in the balance sheet are as follows:




2009


2008



Carrying value

Fair 


Carrying value

Fair 

value

value



£

£


£

£








Financial assets:







  Cash and cash equivalents


404,275

404,275


1,112,719

1,112,719

Loans and receivables:







  Trade receivables


68,626

68,626


160,954

160,954



               

               


               

               

Total financial assets


472,901

472,901


1,273,673

1,273,673



               

               


               

               

Financial liabilities at amortised cost







  Trade payables


(77,634)

(77,634)


(171,620)

(171,620)

  Finance Lease Liabilities


(32,633)

(32,633)


-

-










               

               


               

               

Total financial liabilities


(110,267)

(110,267)


(274,652)

(274,652)



               

               


               

               









20   Commitments


Total future minimum commitments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:



Land and

Motor


Land and

Motor

buildings

Vehicles


buildings

Vehicles


2009


2008


£

£


£

£

Operating leases which expire:






Within one year

-

-


-

-

In the second to fifth years inclusive

174,103

28,635


183,509

-


               

               


               

               


174,103

28,635


183,509

-


                

                


                

                








  Notes (continued)

21   Share based payments

Share Options

The number of options outstanding under the Company's share option scheme is as follows:

    

Number of Share Options - Ordinary Shares at 1p












Date from



At 31




At 31

Exercise

which 

Expiry 

Note

May-08

Granted

Surrendered

Lapsed

May-09

price

exercisable

date










(a)

158,873

-

(78,858)

(80,015)

-

70p

19/12/2005

19/12/2012

(a)

34,091

-

(34,091)

-

-

88p

08/12/2006

08/12/2013

(a)

60,000

-

(40,000)

(20,000)

-

66.5p

08/03/2007

08/03/2014

(a)

85,000

-

(70,000)

(15,000)

-

50p

04/04/2008

04/04/2015

(a)

424,000

-

(424,000)

-

-

40p

14/09/2008

14/09/2015

(a)

314,125

-

-

(25,000)

289,125

21p

18/04/2010

18/04/2017

(b)

110,875

-

-

-

110,875

21p

18/04/2010

18/04/2017

(a)

-

479,200

-

(17,000)

462,200

18.25p

30/06/2011

30/06/2018

(b)

-

63,000

-

-

63,000

18.25p

22/09/2011

22/09/2018

(a)

-

865,327

-

-

865,327

18.5p

30/06/2011

30/06/2018

(b)

-

213,438

-

-

213,438

18.5p

22/09/2011

22/09/2018


 

 

 

 

 





1,186,964

1,620,965

(646,949)

(157,015)

2,003,965





(a)     These options have been granted under the EMI approved scheme. There have been no variations to the terms and conditions or performance criteria attached to these share options during the financial year. There are no performance conditions attached to these shares other than continued employment by the Company.

 (b)    These options have been granted under the unapproved scheme. There have been no variations to the terms and conditions or performance criteria attached to these share options during the financial year. There are no performance conditions attached to these shares other than continued employment by the Company.

There was no cost payable by the employees on the grant of any of the above options.

The option holder may only exercise his options during employment with the Company.

The movements of the EMI and unapproved share options outstanding are shown overleaf:

  Notes (continued)

21  Share based payments (continued)





  EMI Scheme


Unapproved Scheme












Number

Weighted 


Number

Weighted 




of awards

Average 


of awards

Average 





Exercise



Exercise





Price



Price





£



£

Outstanding at 01 June 2007

1,148,232

0.43


110,875

0.21







Forfeited


(72,143)

0.47


-

-


 

 


 

 

Outstanding at 31 May 2008

1,076,089

0.41


110,875

0.21







Granted

1,344,527

0.18


276,438

0.18

Forfeited & Surrendered


(803,964)

0.50


-

-







Outstanding at 31 May 2009

1,616,652

0.41


387,313

0.21







Exercisable at 31 May 2009

-

-


-

-









Range of exercise prices


18.25p to 21p



18.25p to 21p

Weighted average remaining contractual life 9 years 0 months 8 years 11 months

There were no share options exercised during the year (2008 nil).

A charge of £94,424  (2008: £56,609) has been made in the profit and loss account to spread the fair value of the options over the 3 year service obligations of those incentives.

Assumptions used in the valuation of share based options.

In calculating the fair value of the share based payment arrangements the Company has used the Black Scholes method. The fair value of the share options granted in 2009 and the assumptions used of their fair value on the date of grant were as follows:


Weighted Average Assumptions

2009

2008




Fair Value per share option

14.83p

N/a*

Share price on date of grant

18.42p

N/a*

Exercise Price

18.42p

N/a*

Share options granted in the year EMI

1,344,527

N/a*

Share options granted in the year Unapproved

276,438

N/a*

Expected Volatility

100%

N/a*

Exercise Pattern (years)

3-10 years uniformly

N/a*

Expected dividend yields

0%

N/a*

Risk free rate of return

5%

N/a*

  Notes (continued)

21    Share based payments (continued)

The fair value of the share options is applied to the number of options that are expected to vest which takes into account the expected and actual forfeitures over the vesting period as a result of cessation of employment.

Expected volatility was determined by assessing the Company's historic data and the market the Company operates in.

22   Capital management

The Board's policy is to maintain a strong capital base so as to maintain investor, creditor and market confidence and to sustain future development of the business. The board of directors monitors the return on capital, defined as net operating income divided by total shareholders' equity.

At present employees and directors would hold 18% of the share capital, following the exercise of all outstanding share options.

23 Post balance sheet events


To facilitate the management of the operations and to ensure its core Intellectual Property (IP) is fully protected, the Company has created 4 wholly owned operating subsidiaries. The IP and the management is held within the Group plc company and the technology is licensed down to each subsidiary.


Company information and advisers


Websites

www.surface-transforms.com and www.systemsST.com  

Registered Number

03769702

Directors

Kevin D'Silva (Non-executive Chairman)
Dr Kevin Johnson 
(Managing Director)

Geoffrey Gould (Sales and Marketing Director)

Professor David Thomas Clark (Non-executive Director)
Kenneth Michael Baker 
(Non-executive Director)


Address

Unit 4

Olympic Park

Poole Hall Road

Ellesmere Port

Cheshire

CH66 1ST

Tel: 0151 356 2141



Nominated adviser 

Seymour Pierce Limited

20 Old Bailey

London

EC4M 7EN


Brokers

Seymour Pierce Limited

20 Old Bailey

London

EC4M 7EN


Auditors

KPMG Audit Plc

St James' Square
Manchester M2 6DS

Solicitors to the Company

Halliwells LLP

3 Hardman Square, 

Spinningfields, 

Manchester, M3 3EB


Bankers



Barclays Bank plc

125 Main Street

Frodsham

Cheshire WA6 7AD


Bank of Scotland Plc

The Mound

Edinburgh

EH1 1YZ



Registrars

Capita IRG plc 
Bourne House

34 Beckenham Road

Beckenham 

Kent BR3 4TU


  Company number: 3769702



SURFACE TRANSFORMS PLC

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING


NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual general meeting of the above named Company will be held at Unit 4 Olympic  Park, Poole Hall Road, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH66 1STon 29 September 2009 at 11.30am for the following purposes:


ORDINARY BUSINESS


1.    To receive the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ended 31 May 2009 together with the last directors' report, the last directors' remuneration report and the auditors' report on those accounts.


2.    To re-elect Kevin Johnson, who retires by rotation pursuant to article 113 of the articles of association of the Company and who, being eligible, offers himself for re-election as a director.


3.    To re-elect David Clark, who retires pursuant to article 113 of the articles of association of the Company and who, being eligible, offers himself for re-election as a director.


4.    To re-appoint KPMG Audit plc as auditors of the Company and to authorise the directors to fix their remuneration.


SPECIAL BUSINESS


To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolution which will be proposed as an ordinary resolution:


5.    'THAT, in substitution for all existing and unexercised authorities and powers, the directors of the Company be and they are hereby generally and unconditionally authorised for the purpose of section 80 of the Companies Act 1985 (the 'Act') to exercise all or any of the powers of the Company to allot relevant securities (as defined in section 80(2) of the Act) up to an aggregate nominal value of £77,706 to such persons at such times and generally on such terms and conditions as the directors may determine (subject always to the articles of association of the Company) PROVIDED THAT this authority shall, unless previously renewed, varied or revoked by the Company in general meeting, expire at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting or on the date which is 6 months after the next accounting reference date of the Company (if earlier) save that the directors of the Company may, before the expiry of such period, make an offer or agreement which would or might require relevant securities or equity securities (as the case may be) to be allotted after the expiry of such period and the directors of the Company may allot relevant securities or equity securities (as the case may be) in pursuance of such offer or agreement as if the authority conferred hereby had not expired.'


6.    To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolution which will be proposed as a special resolution:


'THAT, subject to and conditional upon the passing of the resolution numbered 5 in the notice convening the meeting at which this resolution was proposed and in substitution for all existing and unexercised authorities and powers, the directors of the Company be and are hereby empowered pursuant to section 95 of the Act to allot equity securities (as defined in section 94 of the Act) pursuant to the authority conferred upon them by resolution 5 as if section 89(1) of the Act did not apply to any such allotment provided that this authority and power shall be limited to:


(a)    the allotment of equity securities in connection with a rights issue or similar offer in favour of ordinary shareholders where the equity securities respectively attributable to the interest of all ordinary shareholders are proportionate (as nearly as may be) to the respective numbers of ordinary shares held by them subject only to such exclusions or other arrangements as the directors of the Company may consider appropriate to deal with fractional entitlements or legal and practical difficulties under the laws of, or the requirements of any recognised regulatory body in any, territory; and


(b)    the allotment (otherwise than pursuant to sub-paragraph (a) above) of equity securities up to an aggregate nominal amount of £23,547, representing approximately 10% of the current issued share capital of the Company,


and shall expire at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting or on the date which is 6 months after the next accounting reference date of the Company (if earlier) save that the Company may before such expiry make an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and the directors may allot equity securities in pursuance of such offer or agreement as if the power conferred hereby had not expired.'

To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolution which will be proposed as an ordinary resolution:


7.     THAT, the Company be and is hereby authorised, subject to and in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006, to serve any notice on, or send or supply any other documents or information to, it's members or any other person by electronic means, including by making them available on a website.


BY ORDER OF THE BOARD


G V Hall

Company Secretary


Date:   14 August 2009



Registered office:

Unit 4 Olympic Park

Poole Hall Road

Ellesmere Port

Merseyside CH66 1ST


NOTES: 


1.    A member of the Company entitled to attend and vote at the meeting convened by this notice is entitled to appoint one or more proxies to exercise any of his rights to attend, speak and vote at that meeting on his behalf. If a member appoints more than one proxy, each proxy must be entitled to exercise the rights attached to different shares. A proxy need not be a member of the Company.


2.    A proxy may only be appointed using the procedures set out in these notes and the enclosed proxy form. To appoint a proxy, a member must complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy form and deposit it at the office of the Company's Registrars, Capita Registrars, Proxy Department, The Registry, 34 Beckenham RoadBeckenhamKent BR3 4TU by 11.30am on 27 September 2009Any power of attorney or any other authority under which the proxy form is signed (or a duly certified copy of such power or authority) must be enclosed with the proxy form.


3.    In order to revoke a proxy appointment, a member must sign and date a notice clearly stating his intention to revoke his proxy appointment and deposit it at the the office of the Company's Registrars, Capita Registrars, Proxy Department, The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU by 11.30am on 27 September 2009.


4.    CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies by utilising the CREST electronic proxy appointment service may do so in relation to the meeting, and any adjournment(s) thereof, by utilising the procedures described in the CREST Manual. In order for a proxy appointment made by means of CREST to be valid, the appropriate CREST message must be transmitted so as to be received by the Company's registrars, Capita Registrars (whose CREST ID is RA10) by the latest time for receipt of proxy appointments specified in note 2 above. For this purpose, the time of receipt will be taken to be the time (as determined by the timestamp applied to the message by the CREST Applications Host) from which the Company's agent is able to retrieve the message by enquiry to CREST in the manner prescribed. The Company may treat as invalid a CREST Proxy Instruction in the circumstances set out in Regulation 35(5)(a) of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001.


5.    Any corporation which is a member of the Company may authorise a person (who need not be a member of the Company) to attend, speak and vote at the meeting as the representative of that corporation. A certified copy of the board resolution of the corporation appointing the relevant person as the representative of that corporation in connection with the meeting must be deposited at the office of the Company's Registrars prior to the commencement of the meeting.


6.    As permitted by regulation 41 of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001, only those persons whose names are entered on the register of members of the Company at 11.30am on 27 September 2009 shall be entitled to attend and vote in respect of the number of shares registered in their names at that time. Changes to entries on the register of members after that time shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend and/or vote at the meeting. 


Miscellaneous


The Company announces that the annual report and accounts for the twelve months to 31 May 2009 has been sent to shareholders today and is available to download from the Company's website at www.surface-transforms.com


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
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