Preliminary Results-Amendment
Lupus Capital PLC
30 April 2008
This announcement replaces Lupus Capital plc Preliminary Statement of Results
released yesterday, 29 April 2008 at 12.56 p.m. under RNS number 3450T. The date
at the start should have read 29 April 2008, not 29 April 2007. All other
details remain unchanged.
29 April 2008
Lupus Capital plc
Unaudited Preliminary Statement of Results for the year ended 31 December 2007
Chairman's statement
Dear Shareholder,
Lupus Capital plc ('Lupus') is able to report an eminently satisfactory set of
results for the year ended 31 December 2007 in addition to a major acquisition,
Laird Security Services ('LSS') acquired on 27 April 2007 for £242.5 million,
which was paid for mainly by £120 million of debt and £136 million of new
equity. The purchase was in line with our strategic objective of creating
value for our shareholders by acquiring, integrating and developing businesses
in the industrial sector one of which is, in particular, the building products
area. LSS was not only a competitor of Schlegel Building Products ('Schlegel')
but also complementary.
With many benefits coming from operating improvements, LSS synergies with
Schlegel and our non-US activities including Gall Thomson, we have achieved an
excellent financial performance despite the US building products end markets, in
which LSS and Schlegel are active, deteriorating throughout 2007.
In December 2007 Lupus shares were consolidated on a 1 for 10 basis and all
figures have been adjusted accordingly.
Results for the year
To help understand the results, adjusted measures of underlying profit before
tax and earnings per share have been used as defined.
Sales, including the acquisition of LSS, were £216.859 million (2006: £62.940
million) and underlying pre-tax profits increased to £25.021 million (2006:
£10.034 million). Reported underlying earnings per share jumped 20% to 14.82p
(2006: 12.35p). The figures for the period are not directly comparable as they
include a major acquisition.
Dividend
A growing dividend is also one of our objectives and we have yet again been able
to achieve this with a series of dividends.
We are recommending a final dividend for 2007 of 3.51p (2006: 3.34p). If
approved at the AGM, which we will be holding on 2 July 2008, this final
dividend will be paid on 14 July 2008 to Shareholders on the register at 9 May
2008.
This, together with the special interim dividend of 1.50p per Ordinary Share in
respect of the 4 months ending 30 April 2007 and the further interim dividend of
0.56p for the first half of 2007, will make a total dividend in respect of the
2007 year of 5.57p up over 12% from the 4.97p paid in respect of the 2006 year.
Group 2007 Progress
The eight month contribution from LSS, although incurring a number of
exceptional cost items, has been significant both in profit and as a result of
many changes and synergies achieved.
The reporting structures of both Schlegel and LSS have been altered dramatically
with the Schlegel US business now integrated into LSS US and the LSS UK
companies absorbed under the Schlegel European management team. The LSS loss
making conservatory subsidiary was sold on 27 July 2007; several US facilities
were closed; purchasing power has increased; cost savings have been made; cross
selling opportunities grasped and shared product development enhanced. New
financial disciplines in LSS UK have generated significant cash out of working
capital and a greater understanding of financial performance and opportunity.
Gall Thomson Environmental Ltd ('Gall Thomson', 'GTE') which manufactures marine
breakaway couplings primarily for the oil and gas sector, has had another record
performance beating previous years in sales, profits and cash generation. KLAW,
whose industrial products are made for similar sectors, also had a good year
showing excellent growth in sales of both existing and new products resulting in
its best ever annual profits and cash generation.
All our businesses have generated exemplary cash flow during 2007 enabling us to
keep our debt taken on for acquisitions under control.
Corporate
On 11 December 2007 shareholders approved a number of resolutions
• Lupus shares were to be consolidated on a one for ten basis with effect
from 12 December 2007
• up to 14.99% of shares in issue were able to be purchased by the company
and either placed in treasury or cancelled. To date 7.44 million shares
have been bought back and placed in treasury costing the company £6.71
million.
The new debt facility to finance part of the acquisition of LSS was all
denominated in US$ and consisted of $120 million at a fixed rate before margin
of 5.02% for three years and $120 million at a floating rate, although capped at
5.5% before margin, also for three years.
The acquisition of LSS has broadened the sphere of operations of Lupus Capital
plc and management has reviewed the risk profile of the enlarged group.
We continue to seek the development of Lupus through both organic growth and
selective acquisitions.
The excellent cash generation from all our businesses has enabled Lupus to
reduce debt at a speed quicker than originally envisaged. At 31 December 2007
net debt stood at £99.992 million. It has also provided funds to increase our
dividend to shareholders for the 2007 year at a higher rate than forecast at the
time of the LSS acquisition.
Outlook
The general economic climate for 2008 is uncertain and has continued to
deteriorate in the first few months. The US housing environment is at a low
ebb and the European building components market has become varied between
countries. The current business conditions require continuous examination and
control of our cost base.
Nevertheless, there are positive factors. The oil and gas sector remains
buoyant. Gall Thomson and KLAW both started the year with excellent order
books and look forward to continuing to perform well. The initial synergies of
combining Schlegel and LSS are now manifest and we still plan for further
benefits to come; as their end markets start to recover we will be in a strong
position to exploit these new opportunities.
With the continuing advantages of our LSS acquisition, its 12 month contribution
in 2008, our capable management teams and vigorous financial disciplines, and
provided external conditions allow, we anticipate another year of development at
Lupus Capital during 2008.
Greg Hutchings
Chairman
29 April 2008
GROUP BUSINESS REVIEW
Business of Gall Thomson Environmental Limited
Gall Thomson is the world's leading supplier of marine breakaway couplings.
Its subsidiary, KLAW is a supplier of industrial couplings including quick
release couplings and breakaway couplings.
A Gall Thomson marine breakaway coupling is used in the oil and gas industry to
enable a loading line to part safely and then to shut off the product supply in
the event of a vessel moving off station during the loading or discharging of
oil and gas products, whether at offshore moorings or jetty terminals. The
purpose of the breakaway coupling is firstly to stop environmental pollution and
secondly to prevent damage to pumping and transfer equipment. Gall Thomson
also supplies the quick release Welin Lambie camlock coupling which is used in
the hose and loading arm system for the transfer of oil and gas products.
The greater number of our couplings are designed and made to order for the major
oil producers. Stock and working capital levels are thus easily visible.
There is also an increasing demand for refurbishment of our products which have
been in use for many years and exposed to the elements.
The excellence of the couplings and their technology together with the
significant environmental and financial consequences of risking less established
products gives Gall Thomson a considerable advantage and strong market share.
The principal activity of KLAW, which has continued to develop over the year, is
that of the manufacture, assembly and distribution of industrial quick release
couplings for activities such as refining, exploration and construction. They
are also used in the transportation of product by road and rail.
GTE, who operate mainly in the offshore industry, has benefited from a strong
oil price that had encouraged the major oil producers to commence new projects
worldwide. In addition, the drive towards environmental improvements
continues to have a positive effect. Approximately 90% of turnover was derived
from exported sales spanning the world from Europe to Asia, America to the
Middle East and Africa. Nearly all sales are made in pounds sterling so we
have limited exposure to a fluctuating dollar.
Business of Schlegel Building Products
Schlegel is a leader in the manufacture and marketing of door and window seals,
primarily for the worldwide housing market, which currently has around 600
employees and more than 5,000 customers, sells over 650 million metres of seals
in a year. Core manufacturing competencies are continuously moulded urethane
foam, narrow fabric textiles, and extruded plastics. As a leading producer of
urethane foam (compression seals) and woven pile (sliding seals) for the window
and door markets, seals are sold in more than 75 countries from seven
manufacturing plants located around the world. In addition, Schlegel supply
both manufactured and assembled door and window locking mechanisms to a number
of their key seal customers.
Also manufactured are related products for the non-housing markets such as
cleaning brushes, static control devices for copiers and printers, speciality
automotive products as in sunroof seals and truck spray suppressants, tractor
seat trim and sway bar brushes.
Business of LSS
LSS is a leader in the design, development, manufacture and distribution of
innovative products and solutions. These aim to improve performance and
thermal efficiency, and enhance protection and security, for homes and buildings
within the residential building and home improvement markets. Its wide range
of products includes window and door hardware, composite doors, steel
reinforcement products, window seals and uPVC products. These products are
marketed under different brand names and supplied to customers in the UK,
Continental Europe, the US and Asia. As at 31 December 2007 LSS employed 2,076
people worldwide.
Within the UK, LSS is a leading provider of window and door hardware to the
retail and wholesale markets and a manufacturer of composite doors primarily to
the social housing market. Other products include window balances, sash window
refurbishment and steel reinforcement products.
In the US, LSS trades as the Amesbury Group. Amesbury is the leading US
supplier of window balances and also manufactures uPVC profiles, foam and pile
window seals. Other products include door hardware and die cast components.
LSS has manufacturing and distribution operations in the UK and the US, along
with manufacturing facilities in China which, together with partner suppliers,
are used as a base to produce components at low cost for supply to the UK and
US. Sales, albeit at low levels, of Chinese manufactured products to the
Continental European and Asian markets have also commenced.
Strategy
Our strategy is to build shareholder value through the acquisition of industrial
assets with the potential for development using a spectrum of funding
instruments, where with the application of our management skills and systems we
can achieve greater profitability. Once they have been improved, potential
long-term growth configurations installed, and a critical mass built, we would
expect to realise a gain through a variety of exit mechanisms.
Institutional investors are not sympathetic to public conglomerate
organisations; they have, however, even though with very diverse interests,
favoured private equity structures. We intend to follow the private equity
principle of timed investment exits when critical mass and creation of
shareholder value have been achieved by demergers, IPOs or sales, followed by
cash returns to shareholders when appropriate.
The speed of our decision making and the management experience we possess
together with the flexibility of being able to offer an on-going interest should
give us a competitive edge over private equity competitors when negotiating
transactions. In addition, we have proven management skills and systems, as
well as the application of standard financial modelling.
Our approach to sectors will be very disciplined and with a clear focus. Target
companies will be involved in industrial manufacturing, processing or services
or distribution for industries, businesses or consumers. Retailing, financial
services, property and media are outside our range of interest. Our key
requirements are asset based, positive cash flow, industrial activities with
potential for development. In addition, we will target fragmented industries,
seek consolidations, as well as develop organic growth opportunities.
We will choose to operate in stable markets where the technology is low-risk
rather than markets exposed to quick innovation and sudden obsolescence. We
prefer to sell high quantities of inexpensive items or fulfil a high volume of
contracts as opposed to a small number of very significant cost constituents.
We expect to inject our management skills, operating systems, financial control
mechanisms and strategy experience to improve profitability and financial
efficiency.
Our industrial focus and business experience of acquiring, stabilising,
controlling, investing in and developing businesses, together with a strong
existing operation gives Lupus Capital plc exciting prospects.
Summary
Gall Thomson is a reliable business and looks forward to maintaining its
success. There are opportunities in most areas of the world due to an increase
in global floating production systems, as well as the traditional Single Point
Mooring business. The drive to exploration in deeper waters (greater than
1,000 metres), which require off loading techniques as opposed to pipeline
infrastructure, provides a sound basis for the Gall Thomson business in the
short and long term. KLAW continues to grow as a result of entering new
markets with successfully developed innovative products.
Both LSS and Schlegel operate within the worldwide housing market, which over
the long term is likely to continue to grow due to increased populations and
more single housing requirements. In addition, environmental regulations for
energy conservation, of which seals are an integral part, are becoming more and
more critical to both developed and developing countries. These factors should
ensure a growing long term future.
We are pleased about the progress that we are making with Lupus. Our results
have been good, backed by cash generation enabling us to reward shareholders
with solid dividends. The purchase of Schlegel and LSS, both leading building
products manufacturers, were yet another step in creating a successful growing
international business. We have a defined strategy, a sound balance sheet,
good operating activities generating cash and an enthusiastic entrepreneurial
management team ambitious to drive Lupus Capital plc forward. Your Board is
confident that Lupus has the right platform to deliver value for shareholders.
Unaudited summarised group income statement
for the year ended 31 December 2007
Note 2007 2006
(restated)
£'000 £'000
Revenue 4 216,859 62,940
Cost of sales (142,675) (22,434)
Gross profit 74,184 40,506
Administrative expenses (51,461) (31,068)
Operating profit 4 22,723 9,438
Analysed as:
Operating profit before exceptional items and amortisation of 31,857 11,567
intangible assets
Exceptional items 5 (1,385) -
Amortisation of intangible (7,749) (2,129)
assets
Operating profit 22,723 9,438
Finance income 6 1,888 501
Finance costs 6 (9,241) (2,034)
Net finance costs (7,353) (1,533)
Profit before taxation 15,370 7,905
Income tax expense 7 (3,128) (2,973)
Profit for the year from continuing operations 12,242 4,932
Earnings per share
- Basic and diluted EPS from continuing operations1 8 10.68p 9.49p
All results relate to continuing operations
Non GAAP measure
Adjusted2 profit before taxation (£'000) 25,021 10,034
Earnings per share
- Adjusted2 basic and diluted EPS from continuing operations1 8 14.82p 12.35p
1The 2006 EPS has been restated for the share consolidation in December 2007
2before amortisation of acquired intangible assets, deferred tax on intangible
assets, exceptional items, unwinding of discount on provisions and the
associated tax effect.
Unaudited summarised group statement of recognised income and expense for the
year ended 31 December 2007
2007 2006
(restated)
£'000 £'000
Actuarial (losses)/gains on (159) 622
defined benefit plans
Exchange differences on (148) (1,653)
retranslation of foreign operations
Cash flow hedges
- net change in fair value (1,546) -
Expenses recognised directly (1,853) (1,031)
in equity
Tax on items recognised 54 (217)
directly in equity
Net expenditure recognised (1,799) (1,248)
directly in equity
Profit attributable to 12,242 4,932
shareholders
Total recognised income and 10,443 3,684
expense for the period
Unaudited summarised group balance sheet
As at 31 December 2007
Note 2007 2006
(restated)
£'000 £'000
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 9 306,345 80,774
Property, plant and equipment 10 36,325 13,030
Deferred tax 5,308 6,078
Other assets - -
347,978 99,882
Current assets
Inventories 35,261 7,396
Trade and other receivables 36,755 15,210
Cash and short term equivalents 46,969 9,738
118,985 32,344
TOTAL ASSETS 466,963 132,226
LIABILITES
Current liabilities
Income tax payable (3,743) (1,453)
Trade and other payables (57,974) (14,967)
Finance lease obligations 11 (188) (156)
Interest bearing loans and borrowings 11 (16,694) (4,938)
(78,599) (21,514)
Non-current liabilities
Finance lease obligations 11 (214) (334)
Deferred tax (25,315) (7,828)
Interest bearing loans and borrowings 11 (129,865) (27,296)
Employee benefit liability (2,194) (3,290)
Provisions (20,892) (1,868)
Derivative financial instruments (1,546) -
Other creditors (1,206) (115)
(181,232) (40,731)
TOTAL LIABILITIES (259,831) (62,245)
NET ASSETS 207,132 69,981
EQUITY
Capital and reserves attributable to equity holders
of the Company
Called up share capital 12 6,861 3,083
Share premium 13 45 45
Other reserve 13 10,389 10,389
Hedging reserve 13 (1,546) -
Translation reserve 13 (1,801) (1,653)
Retained earnings 13 193,184 58,117
TOTAL EQUITY 207,132 69,981
Unaudited summarised group cash flow statement
For the year ended 31 December 2007
2007 2006
(restated)
Note £'000 £'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Operating profit 4 22,723 9,438
Depreciation 10 4,702 1,646
Amortisation 9 7,749 2,129
Loss on sale of fixed assets (12) -
Movement in inventories 1,173 1,698
Movement in trade and other receivables 11,665 1,394
Movement in trade and other payables 3,267 619
Movement in provisions 1,110 -
Income tax paid (6,492) (2,050)
Net cash inflow from operating activities 45,885 14,874
Investing activities
Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment (3,918) (964)
Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired 3 (239,397) (47,408)
Purchase of treasury shares (1,075) -
Interest received 1,867 501
Net cash outflow from investing activities (242,523) (47,871)
Financing activities
Proceeds from shares issue, net of costs 131,536 51,653
Equity dividends paid (3,752) (1,234)
New borrowings 119,064 34,734
Interest paid (7,173) (2,034)
Repayment of long term borrowings - (40,281)
Repayment of short term borrowings (5,000) (2,500)
Repayment of capital element of finance leases (88) (112)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities 234,587 40,226
Increase in cash and cash equivalents 37,949 7,229
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents (718) (145)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 9,738 2,654
Cash and cash equivalents at the year end 46,969 9,738
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. BASIS OF PREPARATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Group's consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance
with the principal accounting policies adopted by the Group as set out in note 2
and International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') and International
Financial Reporting Interpretations ('IFRIC') as adopted for use in the European
Union (EU), with those parts of the Companies Act 1985 applicable to companies
reporting under IFRS.
The comparative information for the year ended 31 December 2006 was previously
reported under applicable UK accounting standards (UK GAAP) and has been
restated where necessary.
The relevant changes to accounting policies are as follows:
Intangible assets:
Under IFRS certain intangible assets that exist as a result of a business
combination are recognised separately from goodwill if they are separable and
measurable. As such with respect to the Schlegel acquisition £8,400,000 in
respect of brands and £19,800,000 in respect of customer relationships have been
recognised separately from goodwill and £2,129,000 has been charged in respect
of amortisation of these assets for the period from date of acquisition to 31
December 2006. Under UK GAAP there is no requirement to separate intangible
assets and hence all such amounts therefore form part of goodwill and are not
then amortised.
Deferred tax:
Under IFRS deferred tax is provided for the difference between the book value of
the intangible assets arising as a result of the acquisition of Schlegel and the
tax base of these assets with the corresponding entry being made to goodwill.
The deferred tax provided on acquisition was £8,460,000 and £632,000 has been
released to the income statement as a result of the amortisation charged in the
period from date of acquisition to 31 December 2006.
Computer software:
A reallocation of £91,000 of computer software costs from tangible assets under
UK GAAP to intangible assets under IFRS has been made.
These accounting policies have been consistently applied to all the periods
presented unless otherwise stated, except as identified below.
As explained above, the Group's deemed transition date to IFRS is 1 January
2006. The rules for first-time adoption of IFRS are set out in IFRS 1.
IFRS 1 allows certain exemptions in the application of particular standards to
prior periods in order to assist companies with the transition process. The
Group has applied the following exemptions:
IFRS 3 - 'Business Combinations' is applied from 1 January 2006 and not
retrospectively to earlier business combinations.
IAS21 - 'The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates' is applied from 1
January 2006 and not retrospectively to cumulative translation differences on
translation of foreign operations.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Accounting convention
The financial statements are prepared under the historic cost convention and are
presented in pounds sterling
Basis of consolidation
The historical financial information consolidates the Company and its subsidiary
undertakings drawn up to 31 December each year. The financial statements of the
subsidiaries are prepared as of the same reporting date as the parent, using
consistent accounting policies.
Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is
transferred to the Group and continue to be consolidated until the date that
such control ceases.
All business combinations are accounted for using the purchase method. The cost
of a business combination is measured as the aggregate of the fair values, at
the acquisition date, of any assets given, liabilities incurred or assumed,
including contingent liabilities, and equity instruments issued by the Group,
plus any costs directly attributable to the combination. The identifiable assets
and liabilities of the acquiree are measured initially at fair value at the
acquisition date. The excess of the cost of the business combination over the
Group's interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, including
those of an intangible and tangible nature, liabilities and contingent
liabilities is recognised as goodwill.
Inter-company transactions, balances and unrealized gains on transactions
between Group companies are eliminated. Unrealised losses are also eliminated
but are considered an impairment indicator of the asset transferred. Accounting
policies of subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency
with the policies adopted by the Group.
Recent accounting developments
The following new IFRS standard became mandatory in the year ended 31 December
2007:
IFRS 7, 'Financial Instruments: Disclosures' replaces IAS 32 'Financial
Instruments: Presentation and Disclosures' and has been applied by the Group
during the year. This standard does not have a material impact on the Company's
and Group's consolidated financial statements.
During the year, the IASB and IFRIC have issued the following standards and
interpretations with effective dates after the date of these financial
statements that have not yet been adopted by the company:
IFRS 8 'Operating Segments' - effective date 1 January 2009
IFRIC 11 'Group and Treasury Share Transactions' - effective date 1
March 2007
IFRIC 12 'Service Concession Arrangements' - effective date 1 January
2008
IFRIC 13 'Customer Loyalty Programmes' - effective date 1 July 2008
IFRIC 14 'The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset Minimum Funding
Requirements and their interaction' - effective date 1
January 2008
The directors do not anticipate that the adoption of these standards and
interpretations will have a material impact on the Group's financial
statements in the period of initial application.
Principal accounting policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting policies requires the directors to make judgments and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosures of contingencies at the date of the financial statements and
the reported income and expense during the reporting periods.
Although the judgments and assumptions are based on the directors' best
knowledge of the amount, events or actions, actual results may differ from these
estimates.
The accounting policies set out below have been used to prepare the financial
information.
Goodwill
Goodwill, being the difference between the fair value of consideration paid for
new interests in Group companies and the fair value of the Group's share of
their net identifiable assets and contingent liabilities at the date of
acquisition, is capitalised. Goodwill represents consideration paid by the Group
in anticipation of future economic benefits from assets that are not
capable of being individually identified and separately recognised.
Goodwill is not amortised but is subject to an impairment review on an annual
basis or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate it
might be impaired. Any impairment is charged to the income statement in the
period in which it arises.
Intangible assets
On acquisition of Group companies, the Group recognises any separately
identifiable intangible assets separately from goodwill, initially measuring
the intangible assets at fair value.
Purchased intangible assets acquired through a business combination, including
purchased brands, customer relationships, trademarks and licenses, are
capitalised at fair value and amortised on a straight-line basis over their
estimated useful economic lives as follows:
Acquired brands - 5 years to indefinite
Customer relationships - 9 to 16 years
Trade marks and licenses - 3 to 4 years
The Group capitalises acquired computer software at cost. Computer software is
amortised on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life, up to 3
years. The carrying value of intangible assets with a finite life is
reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate
that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
Impairment of assets
Goodwill arising on business combinations is allocated to cash-generating units
(equivalent to the reported primary business segments). The recoverable amount
of the cash-generating unit to which goodwill has been allocated is tested for
impairment annually or more frequently when events or changes in circumstance
indicate that it might be impaired. Goodwill that has been impaired previously
cannot be reversed at a later date.
The carrying values of property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets with
finite lives are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in
circumstance indicate the carrying value may be impaired. If any such indication
exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine
the extent of impairment loss.
Where purchased intangible assets are considered by the Board of Directors to
have an indefinite life, they are not amortised but are subject to an
impairment review on an annual basis or more frequently if necessary. Intangible
assets not yet available for use are tested for impairment annually.
An impairment review is performed by comparing the carrying value of the
property, plant and equipment or intangible asset or goodwill with its
recoverable amount, being the higher of the fair value less costs to sell and
value in use. The fair value less costs to sell is the amount that could be
obtained on disposal of the asset. The value in use is determined by
discounting, using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market
assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the
asset, the expected future cash flows resulting from its continued use,
including those on final disposal. Impairment losses are recognised in
the income statement immediately. Where it is not possible to estimate the
recoverable amount of an individual asset, the Group estimates the recoverable
amount of the cash-generating unit to which it belongs. Considerable management
judgment is necessary to estimate discounted future cash flows.
Accordingly, actual cash flows could vary considerably from forecasted
cash flows. Impairment reversals are permitted to property, plant and
equipment or intangible assets (but not goodwill) to the extent that the new
carrying value does not exceed the amount it would have been had no impairment
loss been previously recognised.
Segment reporting
The Group's continuing operations are divided into two business segments, Oil
services and Building products. The group's primary reporting format is business
segments and its secondary format is geographical segments. A business segment
is a component of the Group that is engaged in providing a group of related
products and is subject to risks and returns that are different from those of
the other segments. A geographical segment is a component of the Group that
operates within a particular economic environment and is subject to risks and
returns that are different from those of components operating in other economic
environments.
Revenue
Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that economic
benefit will flow to the Group and the revenue can be reliably
measured. Revenue represents amounts receivable for goods provided or the value
of work completed for customers during the year in the normal course of
business, net of trade discounts, VAT and other sales-related taxes. As such
revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when the significant risks
and rewards of ownership of the goods have passed to the buyer, usually on
dispatch of the goods.
Cash and cash equivalent
Cash and cash equivalents include cash at bank and in hand as well as short-term
highly liquid investments such as money market instruments and bank deposits.
Money market instruments are financial assets carried at fair value
through profit or loss.
Interest bearing bank loans and borrowings
Interest bearing bank loans and overdrafts are recorded as the proceeds received
less directly attributable transaction costs. After initial recognition,
interest bearing loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised
cost using the effective interest method.
Gains and losses are recognised in the income statement when the liabilities are
derecognised as well as through the amortisation process.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation
and accumulated impairment value. Depreciation is provided on all assets except
freehold land at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual
value of each asset on a straight-line basis over its expected useful life, at
the following annual rates:
Freehold land - not depreciated
Freehold buildings 2% to 5%
Plant and machinery 7.5% to 33%
Motor vehicles 20% to 25%
The carrying values of property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment
periodically if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying
value may not be recoverable. The assets' residual values, useful lives and
method of depreciation are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each
financial year end.
Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost
includes cost of materials determined on a purchase cost basis, direct labour
and an appropriate proportion of manufacturing overheads based on normal level
of activity. Net realisable value is based on estimated selling prices, less
further costs expected to be incurred to completion and disposal.
Leases
Where the group has substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of an
asset subject to a lease, the lease is treated as a finance lease.
Assets held under finance leases and similar contracts which confer the
rights and obligations similar to those attached to owned assets are capitalised
at the inception of the lease at the present value of the minimum lease
payments. Lease payments are apportioned between the finance charges and
reduction of the lease liability so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on
the remaining balance of the liability. Finance charges are reflected in the
income statement.
All other leases are treated as operating leases, and rentals payable are
charged to the income statement account on a straight line basis over the lease
term.
Foreign currencies
The individual financial statements of each Group entity are presented in the
currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (its
functional currency). For the purpose of the consolidated financial statements,
the results and financial position of each entity are expressed in Pounds
Sterling which is the functional currency of the Group and the presentation
currency for the consolidated financial statements.
In individual companies, transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the
rate of exchange prevailing at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and
liabilities in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate prevailing
at the balance sheet date. Any resulting exchange differences are taken to the
income statement, except where hedge accounting is applied. In these
circumstances exchange differences are taken directly to equity until either the
disposal of the hedging instrument, at which time they are recognised in the
income statement.
On consolidation, assets and liabilities of Group companies denominated in
foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the exchange rate prevailing
at the balance sheet date. Income and expense items are translated into sterling
at the average rates for the year.
Exchange differences arising on the translation of opening net assets of Group
companies, together with differences arising from the translation of the net
results at average or actual rates to the exchange rate prevailing at the
balance sheet date, are taken to equity. On disposal of a foreign entity, the
deferred accumulated amount recognised in equity relating to that particular
foreign operation is recognised in the income statement.
Provisions
Provisions are recognised:
• when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a
result of a past event;
• it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to
settle the obligation; and
• the amount has been reliably estimated.
Restructuring provisions comprise lease termination penalties and employee
termination payments.
Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditures expected to be
required to settle the obligation using a pre-tax rate that reflects current
market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the
obligation. The increase in the provision due to the passage of time is
recognised as interest expense.
Pensions and other post employment benefits
The Group operates a defined contribution pension and a defined
benefit scheme.
The cost of providing benefits under the defined benefit
scheme is determined using the projected unit credit actuarial valuation method.
The operating and financing costs of the pension scheme are charged to
the income statement in the period in which they arise and are recognised
separately. The costs of past service benefit enhancements, settlements
and curtailments are also recognised in the period in which they arise. The past
service cost is recognised as an expense on a straight line basis over the
average period until the benefits become vested. If the benefits
are already vested immediately following the introduction of, or changes to, a
pension plan, past service costs are recognised immediately. The difference
between the actual and expected returns on assets during the year, including
changes in the actuarial assumptions, is recognised in the statement of
recognised income and expenses.
The defined benefit assets and liability comprise the present
value of the defined benefit obligations less the past service
cost not yet recognised and less the fair value of plan assets out of which the
obligations are to be settled directly. The value of any assets is restricted to
the sum of any past service costs not yet recognised and the present value of
any economic benefit available in the form of refunds from the plan or
reductions in the future contributions to the plan.
Contributions to the defined contribution scheme are charged to the
income statement as incurred.
Share capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity.
Where any Group company purchases the company's equity share capital (treasury
shares), the consideration paid, including any directly attributable incremental
costs (net of income taxes) is deducted from equity attributable to the
Company's equity holders until the shares are cancelled or reissued. Where such
shares are subsequently sold or reissued, any consideration received, net of any
directly attributable incremental transaction costs and the related income tax
effects, is included in equity attributable to the Company's equity holders.
Financial assets, liabilities and derivatives
Financial assets and liabilities are recognised on the Group's balance sheet
when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument
and are generally derecognised when the contract that gives rise to it is
settled, sold, cancelled or expires.
Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently
measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method, less
appropriate allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts. Trade payables are
recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost
using the effective interest rate method.
Derivative financial instruments are initially recognised at fair value
on the date on which a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently
remeasured at fair value. Derivatives are carried as assets when fair value is
positive and as liabilities when fair value is negative.
IAS 39 - 'Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement' requires specific
accounting treatment for derivatives that are designated as hedging instruments
in cash flow hedge relationships. To qualify for hedge accounting, the hedging
relationship must meet several strict conditions with respect to documentation,
probability of occurrence, hedge effectiveness and reliability of measurement.
All other derivative financial instruments are accounted for at fair value to
profit or loss.
For the reporting periods under review the Group has designated certain interest
rate swap and cap contracts as hedging instruments in cash flow hedge
relationships. These relationships have been entered into to mitigate interest
rate risk arising from certain loan arrangements. For the period under review
this results in the recognition of financial assets and liabilities, which are
presented under 'Derivative financial instruments' on the face of the balance
sheet.
To the extent that the hedge is effective, changes in the fair value of
derivatives designated as hedging instruments in cash flow hedges are reported
in equity and recycled when the hedge relationship ceases. At the time the
hedged item affects profit or loss, any gain or loss previously recognised in
equity is released to the income statements. Any ineffectiveness in the hedge
relationship is charged immediately to the income statement.
Deferred taxation
Income tax expense represents the sum of the current tax and deferred tax.
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable
profit differs from net profit as reported in the income statement because it
excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other
years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The
Group's liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been
enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.
Deferred income tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on
differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the
financial statements and the corresponding tax basis used in the computation of
taxable profit and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method.
Deferred income tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable
temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that
it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which deductible
temporary differences can be utilised. Such assets and liabilities are not
recognised if the temporary difference arises from goodwill (or negative
goodwill) or from the initial recognition (other than in a business combination)
of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax
profit nor the accounting profit.
Deferred income tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences
arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates, and interests in joint
ventures, except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the
temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not
reverse in the foreseeable future.
The carrying amount of deferred income tax assets is reviewed at each balance
sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that
sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the asset to
be recovered.
Deferred income tax is calculated at the tax rates enacted at the balance sheet
dates and that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled
or the asset realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income
statement, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to
equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when they relate to income
taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group intends to settle its
current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.
Exceptional items
The Group presents as exceptional items on the face of the income statement,
those material items of income and expense which, because of the nature and
expected infrequency of the events giving rise to them, merit separate
presentation to allow shareholders to understand better the elements of
financial performance in the year, so as to facilitate comparison with
prior periods and to access better trends in financial performance.
Share-based payments
All share-based arrangements are recognised in the consolidated financial
statements. The Group operates an equity-settled share-based remuneration plan
for remuneration of certain employees.
All employee services received in exchange for the grant of any share-based
remuneration are measured at their fair values.
All share-based remuneration is ultimately recognised as an expense in the
income statement with a corresponding credit to equity, net of deferred tax
where applicable.
Non GAAP measure accounting policy
The directors believe that the 'adjusted' profit and earnings per share measures
provide additional useful information for shareholders on the underlying
performance of the business.
These measures are consistent with how business performance is measured
internally. The adjusted profit before tax measure is not a recognised profit
measure under IFRS and may not be
directly comparable with 'adjusted' profit measures used by other companies. The
adjustments made to reported profit before tax are to include the following:
• exceptional income and charges. These are largely one-off in nature and
therefore create volatility in reported earnings; and
• amortisation of intangible items because of the nature and expected
infrequency of the events giving rise to them
Key sources of estimation uncertainty
The key assumptions concerning the future, and other key sources of estimation
uncertainty at the Balance Sheet date, that have a significant risk of causing a
material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the
next financial year, are discussed below.
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets
There are a number of assumptions management have considered in performing
impairment reviews of goodwill and intangible assets, as determining whether
goodwill is impaired requires an estimation of the value in use of the cash
generating units to which goodwill has been allocated. The value in use
calculation requires the directors to estimate the future cash flows expected to
arise from the cash-generating unit and a suitable discount rate in order to
calculate present value.
Provisions
Provisions are measured at the Directors' best estimate of the expenditure
required to settle the obligation at the Balance Sheet date, and are discounted
to present value where the effect is material.
Valuation of financial instruments at fair value
Management makes a number of assumptions with regards to the models used to
value financial instruments at their fair value at year end. Valuation
techniques commonly used by market practitioners are applied. For derivative
financial instruments, assumptions are made based on quoted market rates
adjusted for specific features of the instrument.
3. Business combinations
Acquisition of Laird Security Systems Division (LSS)
On 27 April 2007, the Group acquired 100% of the equity of LSS. The acquisition
was funded by the raising of £136 million by way of a placing and open offer of
755.6 million new ordinary shares with a nominal value of 0.5p per share in
Lupus Capital plc at an issue price of 18p per share and by way of a new debt
facility comprising a term loan of $240 million.
The fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of LSS as at the date
of acquisition and the corresponding carrying amounts immediately before the
acquisition were:
Book values Provisional
fair value to
Group
£'000 £'000
Intangible assets 341 96,575
Tangible assets 27,627 25,108
Inventories 39,450 29,640
Trade receivables and other debtors 38,437 33,420
Deferred tax asset 13,605 13,605
Cash at bank 120 120
Current liabilities (33,350) (24,667)
Taxation (4,413) (2,744)
Non-current liabilities (95) (95)
Provision for liabilities and charges (4,557) (18,391)
Deferred tax (2,760) (34,772)
Net assets 74,405 117,799
Goodwill arising on acquisition (Note 9) 134,298
Total Consideration 252,097
Discharged by:
Agreed consideration 242,500
Working capital adjustment 2,709
Adjustment for loans acquired (940)
Total payable to The Laird Group 244,269
Transaction costs 7,828
Total Consideration 252,097
From the date of acquisition, LSS has contributed £9.9 million to the operating
profit of the Group. As at 31 December 2007 management was unable to obtain
sufficiently reliable information to disclose what LSS's profit and revenue
would have been for the whole year had the combination taken place at the
beginning of the year.
Fair values include the effect of the disposal of the LSS loss making
conservatory subsidiary sold on 27 July 2007.
4. Segmental analysis
Primary reporting format- business segments
The following tables present revenue and profit and certain assets and liability
information regarding the Group's business segments:
Year ended 31 December 2007 Oil services Building Total
£'000 £'000 £'000
Continuing operations
Revenue
Sales of Goods including inter-segment sales 11,342 207,978 219,320
Inter-segment sales - (2,461) (2,461)
Total revenue 11,342 205,517 216,859
Results
Operating profit 5,557 17,166 22,723
Net finance costs (7,353)
Profit before income tax 15,370
Income tax expense (3,128)
Profit for the year 12,242
Assets and liabilities
Segment assets 11,828 416,791 428,619
Unallocated assets 38,344
Total assets 466,963
Segment liabilities (2,290) (247,082) (249,372)
Unallocated liabilities (10,459)
Total liabilities (259,831)
Year ended 31 December 2006 Oil services Building Total
£'000 £'000 £'000
Continuing operations
Revenue -
Sales including inter-segment sales 9,314 59,380 68,694
Inter-segment sales - (5,754) (5,754)
Total revenue 9,314 53,626 62,940
Results
Operating profit 3,445 5,993 9,438
Net finance costs (1,533)
Profit before income tax 7,905
Income tax expense (2,973)
Profit for the year 4,932
Assets and liabilities
Segment assets 14,363 101,975 116,338
Unallocated assets 15,888
Total assets 132,226
Segment liabilities (1,588) (18,091) (19,679)
Unallocated liabilities (42,566)
Total liabilities (62,245)
5. Exceptional items
2007 2006
£'000 £'000
Reorganisation costs 1,236 -
Workers compensation 149 -
1,385 -
6. Finance revenue and costs
2007 2006
£'000 £'000
Finance income
Bank interest receivable 1,845 501
Fair value gains on financial instruments
- interest rate swap - cash flow hedge, transfer from equity 43 -
1,888 501
Finance costs
Interest payable on bank loans and overdraft (8,303) (1,736)
Finance charges payable under finance lease and hire purchase contracts (23) (172)
Amortisation of borrowing costs (264) (48)
Unwinding of discount on provisions (517) -
Other finance costs (134) (78)
(9,241) (2,034)
Net finance costs (7,353) (1,533)
7. Taxation
2007 2006
£'000 £'000
Tax charge on profits for the year 5,141 2,973
Deferred tax adjustment relating to the rate of corporation changing
from 30% to 28%
(2,013) -
Tax charge in the income statement 3,128 2,973
8. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing net profit for the
year attributable to ordinary equity holders by the weighted average number of
ordinary shares outstanding during the year.
Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the net profit
attributable to ordinary equity holders by the weighted average number of
ordinary shares outstanding during the year plus the weighted average number of
ordinary shares that would be issued on the conversion of all the dilutive
potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares.
2007 2006
'000 '000
(restated)
Weighted average number of shares (excluding treasury shares) 114,648 51,985
Treasury shares (39) -
Weighted average number of shares 114,609 51,985
Earnings per share from continuing operations before exceptional items
The Group presents as exceptional items on the face of the income statement,
those material items of income and expense which, because of the nature and
expected infrequency of the events giving rise to them, merit separate
presentation to allow shareholders to understand better the elements of
financial performance in the year, so as to facilitate comparison with prior
periods and to assess better trends in financial performance.
To this end, basic and diluted earnings per share is also presented as an
additional measure on this basis and using the weighted average number of
ordinary shares for both basic and diluted amounts as per the table above. Net
profit from continuing operations before exceptional items is derived as
follows:
2007 2006
£'000 £'000
(restated)
Profit for the year from continuing operations 12,242 4,932
Exceptional costs 1,385 -
Amortisation of intangible assets and unwinding discount
on provisions
8,266 2,129
Tax effect on exceptional costs and amortisation of (2,895) (639)
intangible assets
Deferred tax adjustment relating to the rate of corporation
changing from 30% to 28%
(2,013) -
Adjusted underlying profit after tax 16,985 6,422
Adjusted underlying basic and diluted earnings per share 14.82p 12.35p
9. Intangible fixed assets
Computer Acquired Customer Goodwill Total
software brands relations
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Cost
At 1 January 2006 - - - 11,421 11,421
Acquisition of Schlegel 75 8,400 19,800 43,170 71,445
Additions 37 - - - 37
At 31 December 2006 112 8,400 19,800 54,591 82,903
Acquisition of Schlegel - - - 2,302 2,302
Acquisition of LSS (note 3) 341 19,813 76,421 134,298 230,873
Additions 145 - - - 145
At 31 December 2007 598 28,213 96,221 191,191 316,223
Amortisation and impairment
At 1 January 2006 - - - - -
Amortisation for the year 21 252 1,856 - 2,129
At 31 December 2006 21 252 1,856 - 2,129
Amortisation for the year 16 2,526 5,207 - 7,749
At 31 December 2007 37 2,778 7,063 - 9,878
Net book value
At 31 December 2007 561 25,435 89,158 191,191 306,345
At 31 December 2006 91 8,148 17,944 54,591 80,774
10. Property, plant and equipment
Freehold Plant
land and and
buildings Machinery Total
£'000 £'000 £'000
Cost
At 1 January 2006 292 488 780
Additions 170 855 1,025
Acquisition of subsidiary 1,792 12,459 14,251
Disposals - (121) (121)
Foreign currency adjustment (80) (898) (978)
At 31 December 2006 2,174 12,783 14,957
Additions 96 4,386 4,482
Acquisition of subsidiary 10,350 36,648 46,998
Amounts written off (513) (2,595) (3,108)
Foreign currency adjustment 151 445 596
At 31 December 2007 12,258 51,667 63,925
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 January 2006 45 292 337
Charge for the year 84 1,562 1,646
Disposals - (19) (19)
Foreign currency adjustment (2) (35) (37)
At 31 December 2006 127 1,800 1,927
Charge for the year 421 4,281 4,702
Acquisition of subsidiary 1,142 20,748 21,890
Amounts written off (86) (970) (1,056)
Foreign currency adjustment 10 127 137
At 31 December 2007 1,614 25,986 27,600
Net book value
At 31 December 2007 10,644 25,681 36,325
At 31 December 2006 2,047 10,983 13,030
11. Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
2007 2006
£'000 £'000
Current
Bank borrowings 16,694 4,938
Obligations under finance leases and hire purchase contracts 188 156
16,882 5,094
Non-current
Bank borrowings 129,865 27,296
Obligations under finance leases and hire purchase contracts 214 334
130,079 27,630
Minimum lease payments due under finance leases are as follows:
Less than one year 188 156
1 to 5 years 214 334
402 490
The Group took out loans totalling £35,000,000 from Bank of Scotland and HSBC in
connection with the acquisition of Schlegel, of which £30,000,000 was a long
term loan and £5,000,000 short term. Repayments of £7,500,000 have been made.
A further revolving credit facility of £10,000,000 was made available by the
banks, but no drawings under this facility have been made at the balance sheet
date.
The Group took out a 5 year loan of $240,000,000 from Bank of Scotland, HSBC and
Royal Bank of Scotland during the year in connection with the acquisition of
LSS. No repayments had been made at 31 December 2007.
A revolving credit facility of $40,000,000 was arranged with bankers during the
year. Drawings made under this facility during the year had been repaid at the
balance sheet date.
12. Share capital
Number of Ordinary
shares1 shares of
5p each
000 £'000
At 1 January 2006 23,770 1,188
Proceeds of shares issued 37,857 1,894
Proceeds of shares issued in lieu of directors remuneration 29 1
31 December 2006 61,656 3,083
Proceeds of shares issued 75,556 3,778
31 December 2007 137,212 6,861
1Restated to reflect the share consolidation in December 2007
The total authorised number of ordinary shares is 180,000,000 (2006:
1,800,000,000) with a nominal value of 5p per share (2006: 0.5p per share). All
issued shares are fully paid.
Issue of shares in connection with the acquisition of Laird
The acquisition of LSS was completed on 27 April 2007. The acquisition was
funded by the raising of £136 million by way of a placing and open offer of
755,555,556 ordinary shares with a nominal value of 0.5p in the Company at an
issue price of 18 pence per share and by a new debt facility comprising a term
loan of $240,000,000 and a multicurrency revolving loan facility of $40,000,000.
The Company's authorized share capital was increased from £4,125,000 to
£9,000,000 by shareholders at the extraordinary general meeting held on 19 April
2007 to authorise the Laird transaction.
Share consolidation
At the extraordinary general meeting of the Company held on 11 December 2007,
shareholders approved a consolidation of the share capital of the Company from
1,372,115,334 ordinary shares of 0.5 pence into 137,211,533 ordinary shares of 5
pence. The authorised share capital was consolidated from 1,800,000,000 ordinary
shares of 0.5 pence to 180,000,000 ordinary shares of 5 pence
13. Reconciliation of movements in equity
Share Share Other Hedging Translation Retained
capital Premium reserves reserve reserve earnings Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
At 1 January 2006 1,188 - 10,389 - - 4,301 15,878
Shares issued net of 1,895 45 - - - 49,713 51,653
costs
Total recognised income
and expense for the year
- - - - (1,653) 5,337 3,684
Dividends paid - - - - - (1,234) (1,234)
At 31 December 2006 3,083 45 10,389 - (1,653) 58,117 69,981
Shares issued net of 3,778 - - - - 127,758 131,536
costs
Total recognised income
and expense for the year
- - - (1,546) (148) 12,137 10,443
Dividends paid - - - - - (3,753) (3,753)
Share buyback - - - - - (1,075) (1,075)
At 31 December 2007 6,861 45 10,389 (1,546) (1,801) 193,184 207,132
Dividends
2007 2006
£'000 £'000
Dividends paid in the year were as follows:
Final dividend for 2005 at 0.278p per share - 661
Interim dividend for 2006 at 0.049p per share - 302
Special interim dividend for 2006 at 0.114p per share - 271
Final dividend for 2006 at 0.334p per share 2,059 -
Special interim dividend for 2007 at 0.150p per share 925 -
Interim dividend for 2007 at 0.056p per share 769 -
3,753 1,234
Dividends not reflected in the financial statements:
Proposed final dividend for the year 2007 at 3.51p per share 4,557 2,059
The shares issued in connection with the acquisition of LSS, as described in
note 12 above, were issued in consideration for shares in Lupus Capital (Jersey)
Limited and the premium thereon represented a capital profit taken to retained
earnings.
Purchase of own shares
At the extraordinary general meeting of the Company held on 11 December 2007,
shareholders authorised the Company to make market purchases of its own ordinary
shares up to a maximum of 20,568,008 ordinary shares, representing 14.99% of the
ordinary shares in issue.
Up to 31 December 2007 purchases were made of 1,309,675 ordinary shares, which
are being held in Treasury. The Company's voting ordinary share capital at 31
December 2007 was therefore 135,901,858 shares. The aggregate cost of these
purchases was £1,074,930.
Since 31 December 2007, the Company has made further purchases amounting to
6,137,008 ordinary shares. These shares are also held in Treasury.
Included within the profit and loss account is £96,000, which represents an
amount transferred to a Special Reserve within the accounts of a subsidiary
company under the terms of a Court Order on a reduction in share capital of that
company.
14. Status of this report
The above results or the year ended 31 December 2007 are unaudited. The
financial information does not constitute the Company and Group's statutory
accounts for the year ended 31 December 2007, which will be finalized on the
basis of the financial information in this Preliminary Announcement.
Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2007 are to be delivered to
the Registrar of Companies following the Annual General Meeting.
The information for the year ended 31 December 2006 has been extracted from the
latest published audited financial statements, as restated to comply with
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The audited financial
statements for the year ended 31 December 2006 have been filed with the
Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors on those accounts contained
no qualification or statement under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act
1985.
This information is provided by RNS
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