Robinson plc

Half-year Report

Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2020

Robinson plc ("Robinson" or the "Group" stock code: RBN), the custom manufacturer of plastic and paperboard packaging based in Chesterfield, announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2020.

Financial highlights

·    Revenue up 5% to £17.9m (2019: £17.1m)

·    Gross margin increased to 23.6% from 19.7% in 2019

·    Operating profit before amortisation of intangible assets up 100% to £1.6m (2019: £0.8m)

·    Profit before tax of £1.1m (2019: £0.3m)

·    Second interim dividend of 2.0p per share announced

·    Net debt of £5.6m (31/12/2019: £6.9m), after capital expenditure of £2.1m

Operational highlights

·    All sites have continued to trade safely throughout the period

·    Successfully installed 6 new production lines in the UK to increase the efficiency and capacity of the operation

·    Refurbishment of a manufacturing building in Kirkby-in-Ashfield to support future growth ambitions

Alan Raleigh, Chairman, commented:

"We are very happy with this continued progress in the first half, despite the challenging conditions arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. The main market sectors for which we supply packaging have shown resilience throughout the pandemic, with notable increases in demand for our products used in liquid hand soap, sanitiser and household cleaning.

All our sites have continued to trade throughout the period, operating in line with local hygiene and social distancing requirements to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues. The majority of our sales and administration activities are being very effectively carried out by staff working from home.

Despite the uncertain economic environment, we expect to report mid to high single digit revenue growth in the full year, whilst continuing to drive further efficiencies across all aspects of our operations in order to compete and win in the market.

We are committed to investing in new production equipment and additional capabilities to grow the business in the second half of 2020, including developing our go-to-market approach and reinforcing our sustainability proposition. As a result, operating costs will be significantly higher than the same period in 2019. Notwithstanding this increase and subject to any disruption to trading that may arise from the ongoing pandemic, we expect full year earnings to be slightly higher than last year and remain committed to ongoing delivery of our target of 6-8% return on sales*."

* operating profit margin before exceptional items and amortisation of intangible assets

The information communicated in this announcement is inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation 596/2014.

For further information, please contact:

Note for Editors:

Headquartered in Chesterfield, with manufacturing facilities in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Stanton Hill (Nottinghamshire), Chesterfield, Warsaw and Lodz (Poland), Robinson currently employs around 320 people. It was formerly a family business, with its origins dating back over 181 years. Today the Group's main activity is the manufacture and sale of injection and blow moulded plastic packaging as well as rigid paperboard premium gift packaging. Robinson operates primarily within the food, household, drink, confectionery, cosmetic and toiletry sectors, providing niche or custom manufacture to major brands in the fast-moving consumer goods market, such as Unilever, Proctor & Gamble, Reckitt Benckiser, SC Johnson, and McBride. The Group also has a substantial property portfolio with development potential.

Robinson plc, Chesterfield, S40 2AB, UK. Registered number 39811 (England)        AIM code "RBN"

Chairman's Statement

Dear Shareholders

I am pleased to report a 5% increase in revenues for the first half of 2020, compared to the prior year comparative, with growth in all divisions. We are very happy with this continued progress in the first half, despite the challenging conditions arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. The main market sectors for which we supply packaging have shown resilience throughout the pandemic, with notable increases in demand for our products used in liquid hand soap, sanitiser and household cleaning.

Gross margins, at 23.6% (2019: 19.7%), have continued the positive trend experienced in the second half of 2019 due to further reductions in resin prices and increased efficiency in operations. Operating costs were 2% higher than the previous year.

Operating profit before amortisation of intangible assets has doubled to £1.6m versus the same period last year and profit before tax increased to £1.1m (2019: £0.3m).

People

All our sites have continued to trade throughout the period, operating in line with local hygiene and social distancing requirements to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues. The majority of our sales and administration activities are being very effectively carried out by staff working from home.

A small number of UK staff, principally those most vulnerable and some in our Paperbox division, were furloughed through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Considering the better than expected trading performance, we do not intend to make any further claims under the scheme and in the second half of the year we will repay sums already received.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to express again my thanks to all our staff for their continued dedication during these challenging times.

Property

Negotiations are progressing for disposal of parts of the surplus property in Chesterfield. Subject to the necessary planning approvals, we would expect sales to be achieved in the latter part of 2021 or early 2022. The intention of the Group remains, over time, to realise the maximum value from the disposal of surplus properties and to reinvest the proceeds in developing our packaging business.

Net debt and capital expenditure

Improved profitability and working capital management has resulted in net borrowings reducing to £5.6m (31/12/2019: £6.9m), albeit with the benefit of government support schemes, and dividend and senior management bonus deferrals, which have now been re-instated. With available credit facilities of £13.5m and no formal covenants, the Group considers it has sufficient headroom for the foreseeable future.

The Group continues to invest in property, plant and equipment to improve efficiency and support our future growth ambitions. Expenditure of £2.1m in the first six months of the year included refurbishment of a manufacturing building in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, and the installation of 6 new production lines to improve efficiency and expand capacity. We expect to invest a larger amount in the second half of the year.

Dividend

A first interim dividend of 3.5p (2019: 2.5p) per share was paid to shareholders on 30 July 2020. The Board is pleased to announce a second interim dividend of 2.0p (2019: nil) per share to be paid on 1 October 2020 to shareholders on the register at 4 September 2020 (record date). The ordinary shares ex-dividend date is 3 September 2020.

Subject to any negative impact on trading in the second half of the year, the intention of the Board is to pay a total dividend of 8.5p (2019: 2.5p) per share for the year ended 31 December 2020.

Outlook

Despite the uncertain economic environment, we expect to report mid to high single digit revenue growth in the full year, whilst continuing to drive further efficiencies across all aspects of our operations in order to compete and win.

We are committed to investing in new production equipment and additional capabilities to grow the business in the second half of 2020, including developing our go-to-market approach and reinforcing our sustainability proposition. As a result, operating costs will be significantly higher than the same period in 2019. Notwithstanding this increase and subject to any disruption to trading that may arise from the ongoing pandemic, we expect full year earnings to be slightly higher than last year and remain committed to ongoing delivery of our target of 6-8% return on sales*.

* operating profit margin before exceptional items and amortisation of intangible assets

Alan Raleigh

Chairman

17 August 2020