RNS Number : 3012S
600 Group PLC
15 November 2021
 

15 November 2021

 

The 600 Group PLC

 

Unaudited Interim Results for the six months ended 30 September 2021

 

The 600 Group PLC ("the Group"), the diversified industrial engineering company (AIM: SIXH), today announces its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2021.

 

Financial highlights                            

 

•   Revenues up 34% to $34.0m (FY21 H1: $25.4m)

•   Underlying* operating profit of $1.4m (FY21 H1: $0.2m)

•   Net debt, excluding leases and $2.2m of USA PPP funding now forgiven, of $14m (FY 20 H1: $16.7m, FY21 year end: $12.7m)

•   Orderbook at record $23m - more than double that of the same time in the previous year and particularly strong in higher margin Laser business

 

Strategic & operational highlights

 

·      Strong recovery from the pandemic with the Group emerging as a leaner organization positioned for growth 

Activity now back above pre-pandemic levels with record order book and enquiry pipeline 

Particularly strong demand in higher-margin laser business - CMS winning large new orders including the largest in its history and as TYKMA Electrox continues to transition from commoditized products to a more custom machine focus   

·      Strengthened operations and diversified business in key markets

Integration of Laser Division processes - sales operation and distribution network now serves both TYKMA Electrox and CMS

Machine Tools Division established new German operation, a substantial market that diversifies revenues and is expected to make a maiden contribution to trading in the second half of the year

·      Significant pipeline of opportunities ahead with the Group well positioned for growth in both divisions

Well positioned to capitalize on orderbook with improved balance sheet, strengthened operations and skilled workforce

 

*from continuing operations, before adjusting items.

 

 

Paul Dupee, Chairman of the Group, commented:

 

"We have emerged from the pandemic with a record orderbook, strengthened operations and the foundations for sustained growth. The Group successfully retained our highly skilled workforce while transforming into a leaner, more efficient organization. This ensured we were able to seamlessly resume operations and capitalize on the growing orderbook for our market-leading products and services.

 

"Industrial activity has now surpassed pre-pandemic levels and our forward sales are greater than ever before heading into the second half of the year. Growth is particularly strong in our laser division where we are benefitting from CMS' focus on high-end machines and the strategic pivot by TYKMA to manufacture higher-margin custom machines. As a result, our orderbook not only reflects increased demand for our products, but also an improvement in the quality of future earnings.

 

"While mindful of the ongoing uncertainty caused by COVID-19, the Board is increasingly confident of the outlook for the Group and excited about the opportunities ahead."

 

 

 

Enquiries:

 

The 600 Group PLC

Paul Dupee, Executive Chairman

Neil Carrick, Company Secretary

 

 

Tel: +1-407-818-1123 / 01924 415000

Instinctif Partners

Tim McCall

 

Tel: 0207 457 2020

Cenkos Securities plc (Nominated Adviser and Broker)

Ben Jeynes / Max Gould (Corporate Finance)

Alex Pollen / Henry Nicol (Sales)

Tel: 020 7397 8900

 

 

 

The 600 Group Plc

Chairman's Statement for the six months ended 30 September 2021

Overview

 

The six-month period ended 30 September 2021 has seen the Group recover strongly from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with much improved order intake, which has been particularly strong in the higher-margin laser Division. Thanks to the operational cost savings and government assistance programs during the pandemic the businesses were able to keep their core teams and skilled workforces together. This has allowed the businesses to react quickly to the significant increase in activity now being seen which is above pre-pandemic levels.

 

Revenue was up 34% to $34m on the same period last year and the current order book at $23m is more than double that of the previous year, providing a strong base for the second half of the financial year. Working capital has increased to support the significant uplift in activity, although borrowings are on a par with the previous half year at $16.2m and include $2.2m of USA Government Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans which were subsequently forgiven in early November 2021 and will be shown as other income in the second half of the year.

 

Results

 

Revenue was up 34% at $34.0m (FY 21 H1: $25.4m) with net underlying operating profit (excluding adjusting items) at $1.4m (FY21 H1: $0.2m).

 

After taking account of interest on bank borrowings, loan notes and lease liabilities, the underlying profit for the Group pre-tax before adjusting items was $0.7m (FY21 H1: loss $0.6m) and a profit of $0.7m (FY 21 H1: loss $1.2m) after adjusting items.

 

The total profit for the financial period on continuing activities was $1.8m (FY 21 H1: loss $1.1m), providing Basic earnings of 1.52 cents (equivalent to 1.10p) per share (FY 210 H1: loss 0.93 cents (equivalent to 0.78p loss). The underlying continuing earnings per share (excluding adjusting items) were 0.45c (equivalent to 0.33p) (FY 21 H1: loss 0.36c (equivalent to 0.29p loss).

 

Given the continuing Global uncertainty no dividend is proposed.

 

Financial position

 

Inventory levels have increased to support the significant uplift in activity but also as a result of supply issues where additional quantities are in transit due to extended delivery times as a consequence of container and transport issues. The Laser business has also brought forward several months of critical components to secure supply and also hedge against price increases. The machine tools Division has also invested in stock for the new German operation during this period. Inventory overall has increased by $5.4m since 31 March 2021 to $23.3m.

 

Trade and other receivables have also seen an increase from $8.6m at March 2021 to $9.8m. Receivables in Lasers, in particular on the custom higher specification sales, usually benefit from a significant deposit with order which helps to keep working capital lower in that Division.

 

Trade and other payables have increased in line with the revenue increase leaving the overall working capital increase at 23% ($4.2m).

 

Investment in new equipment and improvement to the facilities at CMS of $0.35m has been made during the period to bring more operations in house and help improve efficiencies as the volumes increase.

 

The three USA businesses took advantage in February 2021 of the second round of Government assistance under PPP legislation totaling $2.2m. These loans are included in debt at 30 September 2021 but were subsequently forgiven in early November 2021. The forgiveness will be shown in other income in the second half of the financial year.

 

Total debt, excluding leases, at 30 September 2021 was $16.2m against $12.7m at 31 March 2021 and $16.7m at 30 September 2020. The debt at 30 September 2021 includes the $2.2m of PPP funding which has subsequently been forgiven.

 

The UK machine tools business also continues to have a government assistance loan repayable in September 2023 under the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS). The repayment date of the Sterling denominated loan notes of $10.8m was extended by 18 months to 14 August 2023 in July as were the 43.95m warrants to subscribe for ordinary shares at 20p.

 

Both Bank of America and HSBC continue to be very supportive during these difficult times and the annual reviews of the working capital facilities totaling $11m have recently been renewed for a further 12 months. There remains very limited utilization of these facilities and the Group remains covenant compliant.

 

Adjusting items

 

Adjusting Items have been noted separately to provide a clearer picture of the Group's underlying trading performance and are set out in note 4. The amortisation of acquisition intangibles relating to the acquisition of CMS of $0.2m has been recorded as an adjusting item in operating expenses as has the cost of prior periods unpaid duty in TYKMA. As a consequence of the extension of the repayment date of the loan notes a credit of $0.2m is recorded in financial income in respect of the adjustment to the carrying value of the amortised cost. The remaining discounted amount and costs will be amortised over the remaining term to August 2023 and the comparatives show the amortisation of the loan note discounting costs as adjusting items within finance costs. As a result of the change in the rate of UK Corporation tax from 19% to 25% there is a credit of $1.3m shown in adjusting items taxation reflecting the increased value of the deferred tax assets in the UK.

 

 

Operating activities

 

Industrial Laser systems

The industrial laser Division experienced significant order growth from March 2021 onwards. This was particularly strong in the higher margin custom products where CMS specialises and into which the TYKMA Electrox business has migrated from the more commodity end of the market.

 

The orderbook at the end of September 2021 was nearly $12m against just over $3m at the same time last year.

New machinery and improvements to the CMS site have been made during the period to improve efficiency and bring more operations in house. The Laser Division has also seen disruption and price increases in the supply chain. Several critical components including micro processing chips have been bought forward several months to secure supplies and hedge against price increases which has pushed up stockholding levels.

 

The Laser Division internal sales operation and distribution network now serves both TYKMA Electrox and CMS and further synergy benefits are being gained in cross fertilization of technology and product knowledge between the two businesses.

 

The development of new techniques and technology is forefront to the Division and the Group is supportive of this through both internal R &D and the search for appropriate bolt on acquisitions.

 

The results of the division were as follows:

 

 

FY22 H1

$m

FY21 H1

$m

 

Revenues

15.2

9.85

 

Operating profit*

1.79

0.24

 

Operating margin*

11.8%

2.4%

 

*from continuing operations, before adjusting items.

 

Machine tools and precision engineered components

Machine tool activity globally has seen a bounce back from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and although there remains some concern over COVID variants, supply chain and transportation issues, the forecasts for the industry are for continued double digit growth through 2021 and 2022. Both the UK and USA operations experienced growth of over 25% against the same period in the prior year, but Australian volumes struggled, and the business made a small operating loss with much of the country in various lockdowns until very recently. The Divisional growth overall was 21% up on the same period last year.

Order intake remains strong and the Divisional orderbook at over $10m is up over 130% on the same time last year.

The German operation, in Dortmund, was established during the period, although only started trading in the second half of the financial year, with this reporting period incurring the set-up costs. This is an important market, almost the size of the USA, in machine tools and where the Colchester brand name is well known. The new operation will promote the direct sale of higher specification machines, support the existing distribution businesses and will reduce the impact of tariffs on UK to Europe sales.

All businesses have seen price increases in their supply chains and transportation cost increases and delivery issues due to container shortages, dock and lorry delays resulting from the increased global demand and labour shortages. Price increases and transport surcharges have largely had to be passed on to the end users.  

 

The results of the division were as follows:

 

FY22 H1

 

$m

FY21 H1

 

$m

 

Revenues

18.81

15.55

 

Operating profit*

0.78

0.74

 

Operating margin*

4.2%

4.8%

 

*from continuing operations, before adjusting items.

 

 

Summary and outlook

 

The Group has seen a significant increase in activity in this first six months of the financial year and has a substantial order book and enquiry pipeline going into the second half of the year.  The de-risking of the Group, both operationally and financially, in the recent past has created a platform from which it is now delivering on the strength of the Group's brands and technology and expanding the businesses into increasingly diversified higher margin niche markets worldwide.

 

Whilst there will continue to be concerns over COVID variants and supply chain disruption, given the strong orderbook activity and backlog the Board is confident that the fundamentals of brand promotion, investment in new, higher end product capabilities into new markets and selective acquisitions will lead to improved shareholder value in the future.

 

 

Paul Dupee

Chairman

15 November 2021

The 600 Group Plc

 

Condensed consolidated income statement (unaudited)

For the 26 week period ended 30 September 2021

 

Before

 

After

Before

 

After

 

 

Adjusting

Adjusting

Adjusting

Adjusting

Adjusting

Adjusting

 

 

Items

Items

Items

Items

Items

Items

 

 

26 weeks

26 weeks

26 weeks

26 weeks

26 weeks

26 weeks

52 weeks

 

ended

ended

ended

ended

ended

ended

ended

 

30 September

30 September

30 September

30 September

30 September

30 September

31 March

 

2021

2021

2021

2020

2020

2020

2021

 

$000

$000

$000

$000

$000

$000

Continuing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

34,000

-

34,000

25,398

-

25,398

53,550

Cost of sales

(21,769)

-

(21,769)

(16,405)

-

(16,405)

(34,554)

Adjusting items in cost of sales

-

(74)

(74)

-

-

-

(79)

Gross profit

12,231

(74)

12,157

8,993

-

8,993

18,917

Net operating expenses

(10,787)

-

(10,787)

(8,821)

-

(8,821)

(16,376)

Adjusting Items in operating expenses

-

(149)

(149)

-

(370)

(370)

(313)

Operating profit/(loss)

1,444

(223)

1,221

172

(370)

(198)

2,228

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank interest

7

-

7

6

-

6

3

Loan note amortisation adjustment

-

186

186

-

-

-

-

Financial income

7

186

193

6

-

6

3

Bank and other interest

(535)

-

(535)

(555)

-

(555)

(1,126)

Interest on lease liabilities

(185)

-

(185)

(191)

-

(191)

(373)

Loan note amortisation

-

-

-

-

(300)

(300)

(642)

Financial expense

(720)

-

(720)

(746)

(300)

(1,046)

(2,141)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit/(Loss) before tax

731

(37)

694

(568)

(670)

(1,238)

90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax (charge)/credit

(197)

1,286

1,089

140

-

140

(2,663)

Profit/(Loss) for the period attributable to equity holders of the parent

534

1,249

1,783

(428)

(670)

(1,098)

(2,573)

Basic EPS

0.45c

 

1.52c

(0.36c)

 

(0.93c)

(2.19c)

Diluted EPS

0.45c

 

1.49c

(0.36c)

 

(0.93c)

(2.19c)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income (unaudited)

For the 26 week period ended 30 September 2021

 

 

 

                                  

26 weeks

26 weeks

52 weeks

 

 Ended

 Ended

Ended

 

30 September

  30 September

31 March

 

2021

2020

2021

 

$000

$000

$000

Profit/(Loss) for the period

1,783

(1,098)

(2,573)

Other comprehensive (expense)/income:

Items that will not be reclassified to the Income Statement:

 

 

 

Re-measurement of the net defined benefit asset

-

3

210

Property revaluation

-

441

-

Deferred taxation

-

-

(51)

Total items that will not be reclassified to the Income Statement:

-

444

159

Items that are or may in the future be reclassified to the Income Statement:

 

 

 

Foreign exchange translation differences

205

41

514

Total items that are or may be reclassified subsequently to the Income Statement:

205

41

514

Other comprehensive income for the period, net of income tax

205

485

673

Total comprehensive income/(expenses) for the period

1,988

(613)

(1,900)

 

 

 

Condensed consolidated statement of financial position (unaudited)

As at 30 September 2021

 

 

As at

As at

As at

 

30 September

30 September

31 March

 

2021

2020

2021

 

$000

$000

$000

Non-current assets

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

2,918

2,876

2,808

Goodwill

13,174

13,174

13,174

Other Intangible assets

3,561

3,723

3,726

Deferred tax assets

4,140

4,415

2,765

Right of use assets

8,252

8,712

8,988

 

32,045

32,900

31,461

Current assets

 

 

 

Inventories

23,306

18,735

17,941

Trade and other receivables

9,791

7,473

8,570

Taxation

-

75

-

Deferred tax assets

809

1,463

809

Assets classified as held for sale

-

1,563

-

Cash and cash equivalents

2,072

3,450

4,997

 

35,978

32,759

32,317

Total assets

68,023

65,659

63,778

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

Employee benefits

(1,090)

(1,271)

(968)

Loans and other borrowings

(12,040)

(14,325)

(1,590)

Government Loans

(1,616)

(1,549)

(1,656)

Lease Liabilities

(7,139)

(8,336)

(7.801)

Provisions

(203)

-

(248)

 

(22,088)

(25,481)

(12,263)

Current liabilities

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

(10,559)

(5,956)

(8,162)

Deferred tax liability

-

(195)

-

Lease liabilities

(1,471)

(1,222)

(1,505)

Taxation

(368)

-

(546)

Provisions

(201)

(613)

(188)

Government Loans

(2,234)

(2,234)

(2,234)

Loans and other borrowings

(2,398)

(2,008)

(12,202)

 

(17,231)

(12,228)

(24,837)

Total liabilities

(39,319)

(37,709)

(37,100)

Net assets

28,704

27,950

26,678

 

Shareholders' equity

 

 

 

Called-up share capital

1,803

1,803

1,803

Share premium account

3,828

3,828

3,828

Revaluation reserve

-

1,789

-

Equity reserve

201

201

201

Translation reserve

(6,411)

(7,089)

(6,616)

Retained earnings

29,283

27,418

27,462

Total equity

28,704

27,950

26,678

 

 

 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity (unaudited)

As at 30 September 2021

               

Ordinary

Share

 

 

 

 

 

               

share

premium

Revaluation

Translation

Equity

Retained

 

               

capital

account

reserve

reserve

reserve

Earnings

Total

 

$000

$000

$000

$000

$000

$000

$000

At 28 March 2020

1,803

3,828

1,348

(7,130)

201

28,508

28,558

Loss for the period

-

-

-

-

-

(1,098)

(1,098)

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation

-

-

-

41

-

-

41

Property revaluation

-

-

441

-

-

-

441

Net defined benefit movement

-

-

-

-

-

3

3

Total comprehensive income

-

-

441

41

-

(1,095)

(613)

Transactions with owners:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit for share-based payments

-

-

-

-

-

5

5

Total transactions with owners

-

-

-

-

-

5

5

At 30 September 2020

1,803

3,828

1,789

(7,089)

201

27,418

27,950

Loss for the period

-

-

-

-

-

(1,475)

(1,475)

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation

-

-

-

473

-

-

473

Property revaluation

-

-

(1,789)

-

-

1,348

(441)

Net defined benefit movement

-

-

-

-

-

207

207

Deferred tax

-

-

-

-

-

(51)

(51)

Total comprehensive income

-

-

-

473

-

29

(1,287)

Transactions with owners:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit for share-based payments

-

-

-

-

-

15

15

Total transactions with owners

-

-

-

-

-

15

15

At 31 March 2021

1,803

3,828

-

(6,616)

201

27,462

26,678

Profit for the period

-

-

-

-

-

1,783

1,783

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation

-

-

-

205

-

-

205

Total comprehensive income

-

-

-

205

-

1,783

1,988

Transactions with owners:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit for share-based payments

-

-

-

-

-

38

38

Total transactions with owners

-

-

-

-

-

38

38

At 30 September 2021

1,803

3,828

-

(6,411)

201

29,283

28,704

 

 

Condensed consolidated cash flow statement (unaudited)

For the 26 week period ended 30 September 2021

 

 

 

26 weeks ended

26 weeks ended

52 weeks ended

 

30 September

30 September

31 March

 

2021

2020

2021

 

$000

$000

$000

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

Profit/(loss) for the period

1,783

(1,098)

(2,573)

Adjustments for:

 

 

 

Amortisation of intangible assets

207

206

417

Depreciation

383

375

760

Depreciation of IFRS16 Right of use assets

637

586

1,217

Net financial expense/(income)

527

1,040

2,138

PPP Funding forgiven

-

-

(2,234)

Non-cash adjusting items

74

-

(357)

(Profit)/loss on disposal of fixed assets

19

(9)

(489)

Equity share option expense

38

5

20

Income tax expense/(credit)

(1,089)

(140)

2,663

Operating cash flow before changes in working capital and provisions

2,579

965

1,562

(Increase) /decrease in trade and other receivables

(1,280)

799

(56)

(Increase)/decrease in inventories

(5,519)

675

1,887

Increase/(Decrease) in trade and other payables

2,274

(2,728)

(631)

Employee benefit contributions

(60)

(9)

(118)

Cash (used in)/generated from operations

(2,006)

(298)

2,644

Interest paid

(535)

(554)

(1,126)

Lease interest

(185)

(191)

(373)

Net cash flows from operating activities

(2,726)

(1,043)

1,145

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

Interest received

7

6

3

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

-

81

1,745

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

(531)

(180)

(494)

Development expenditure capitalised

(58)

(38)

(228)

Net cash from investing activities

(582)

(131)

1,026

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

Proceeds from/(Net repayment of) external borrowing

1,096

(1,479)

(5,063)

Government assistance loans

-

2,234

4,468

UK CLBILS Loans

-

1,549

1,656

IFRS 16 Lease payments

(586)

(674)

(1,383)

Net cash flows from financing activities

510

1,630

(322)

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

(2,798)

456

1,849

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

4,997

2,878

2,878

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held

(127)

116

270

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

2,072

3,450

4,997

Notes relating to the condensed consolidated financial statements

For the 26-week period ended 30 September 2021

 

1. Basis of preparation and accounting policies

These interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared using accounting policies based on International Financial Reporting Standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. They do not include all disclosures that would otherwise be required in a complete set of financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the 31 March 2021 Annual Report. The financial information for the half years ended 30 September 2021 and 30 September 2020 does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 (3) of the Companies Act 2006 and both periods are unaudited.

 

          The annual financial statements of The 600 Group Plc ('the Group') are prepared in accordance with International accounting standard in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. The comparative financial information for the year ended 31 March 2021 included within this report does not constitute the full statutory Annual Report for that period. The statutory Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2021 have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The Independent Auditors' Report on the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2021 was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis and did not contain a statement under 498(2) - (3) of the Companies Act 2006. 

         

            The Group has applied the same accounting policies and methods of computation in its interim consolidated financial statements as in its 2021 annual financial statements.

 

 

2. SEGMENT ANALYSIS

IFRS 8 - "Operating Segments" requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal reporting about components of the Group that are regularly reviewed by the Board to allocate resources to the segments and to assess their performance. 

The chief operating decision maker has been identified as the Board.

The Board consider there to be two continuing operating segments being machine tools and precision engineered components and industrial laser systems.

The Board assess the performance of the operating segments based on a measure of operating profit/(loss).  This measurement basis excludes the effects of Adjusting Items from the operating segments. Head Office and unallocated represent central functions and costs.

 

The following is an analysis of the Group's revenue and results by reportable segment:

 

 

Continuing

26 Weeks ended 30 September 2021

Machine

Tools

& Precision

Engineered

Components

Industrial

Laser

Systems

Head Office

& unallocated

 

 

 

 

Group Total

Segmental analysis of revenue

$000

$000

$000

$000

Total revenue

18,806

15,194

-

34,000

 

 

 

 

 

Operating profit/(loss) pre- adjusting items

780

1,791

(1,127)   

1,444

Adjusting items

-

(74)

(149)

(223)

Group operating profit/(loss)

780

1,717

(1,276)

1,221

 

 

 

 

 

Other segmental information:

 

 

 

 

Reportable segment assets

31,627

19,745

16,651

68,023

Reportable segment liabilities

(10,045)

(8,515)

(20,759)

(39,319)

Intangible & Property, plant and equipment additions

40

478

71

589

Depreciation and amortisation

497

505

225

1,227

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. SEGMENT ANALYSIS (continued)

 

 

Continuing

26 Weeks ended 30 September 2020

Machine

Tools

& Precision

Engineered

Components

Industrial

Laser

Systems

Head Office

& Unallocated

Total

Segmental analysis of revenue

$000

$000

$000

$000

Total revenue

15,551

9,847

-

25,398

 

 

 

 

 

Operating profit/(loss) pre adjusting items

737

238

(803)

172

 Adjusting items

-

-

(370)

(370)

Group operating profit/(loss)

737

238

(1,173)

(198)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other segmental information:

 

 

 

 

Reportable segment assets

34,542

14,602

16,515

65,659

Reportable segment liabilities

(19,802)

(5,250)

(12,657)

(37,709)

Intangible & Property, plant and equipment additions

76

135

-

211

Depreciation and amortisation

494

497

176

1,167

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing

 

52 Weeks ended 31 March 2021

Machine

tools

& precision

engineered

components

Industrial laser systems

Head Office

& unallocated

Total

Segmental analysis of revenue

$000

$000

$000

$000

Total revenue

32,219

21,331

-

53,550

 

 

 

 

 

Segmental analysis of operating profit/(loss) before Adjusting Items

2,801

1,836

(2,017)

2,620

Adjusting Items

452

(79)

(765)

(392)

Group operating profit/(loss)

3,253

1,757

(2,782)

2,228

 

 

 

 

 

Other segmental information:

 

 

 

 

Reportable segment assets

33,469

13,424

16,998

63,891

Reportable segment liabilities

(10,781)

(5,586)

(20,187)

(36,554)

Intangible & Property, plant and equipment additions

176

432

114

722

Depreciation and amortisation

1,007

1,016

371

2,394

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

3. NET operating expenses

               

30 September 2021

30 September 2020

31 March 2021

               

$000

$000

$000

- government assistance

62

380

2,989

- other operating income

7

10

26

Total other operating income

69

390

3,015

 

 

 

 

 

30 September 2021

30 September 2020

31 March 2021

 

$000

$000

$000

- administration expenses

9,058

7,741

16,263

- distribution costs

1,798

1,470

3,128

- adjusting items (note 4)

149

370

313

Total operating expenses

11,005

9,581

19,704

 

 

 

 

Total net operating expenses

10,936

9,191

16,689

 

 

4. Adjusting ITEMS

The directors have highlighted transactions which are material and unrelated to the normal trading activity of the Group.

In the opinion of the directors the disclosure of these transactions should be reported separately for a better understanding of the underlying trading performance of the Group. These underlying figures are used by the Board to monitor business performance, form the basis of bonus incentives and are used for the purposes of the bank covenants.

The items below correspond to the table below;

 

a)     A charge of $0.07m was expensed in cost of sales relating to US duty and tariff charges from prior year

b)     As a result of the outsourcing of manufacturing in the UK in the prior year, the existing premises were vacated and not sub-let at the time and therefore provisions were made for unavoidable costs in prior years, during the last financial year an assignment of the lease was agreed and many of these provisions were reversed resulting in a credit of $0.6m. During the current period some previously paid costs have been refunded in relation to the original premises costs.

c)     The amortisation of the loan note costs and associated costs are shown in financial expense. These are non cash movements and relate to the discounting of the loan notes and associated costs which unwind over the term of the notes. In the current period a credit of $0.18m was recognised in financial income as the term of the notes were extended.

d)    A charge was incurred as a result of the acquisition of Control Micro Systems Inc for legal and professional fees.

e)     Amortisation of intangible assets, including customer relationships, acquired through the Control Micro Systems Inc deal.

f)      Fees of $0.01m relating to historical legal claims were expensed in the period

g)    Costs in relation to the Group reorganisation in prior periods relating to the transfer of management functions to Orlando Florida including the compensation for loss of office for the CFO's and COO.

h)    Profit on the disposal of the freehold premise in Brisbane, Australia, sold in October 2020, generated a profit of $0.5m and proceeds of $1.7m.

 

 

 

30 September   2021

30 September   2020

31 March

2021

 

$000

$000

$000

Items included in cost of sales:

 

 

 

US Tariffs & Duty charges relating to prior years (a)

(74)

-

(79)

 

(74)

-

(79)

Items included in operating profit:

 

 

 

Unavoidable lease costs (b)

33

-

350

Right of use impairment (b)

-

-

227

Restructuring costs (g)

-

(195)

(928)

Acquisition costs (d)

-

-

(71)

Amortisation of acquisition intangibles (e)

(172)

(175)

(343)

Legal costs (f)

(10)

-

-

Profit on disposal of Australian property (h)

-

-

452

 

(149)

(370)

(313)

Items included in financial income/(expense):

 

 

 

Amortisation of loan notes and associated expenses (c)

186

(300)

(642)

 

 

 

 

Total adjusting items before tax

(37)

(670)

(1,034)

Income tax on adjusting items

1,286

-

257

Total adjusting items after tax

1,249

(670)

(777)

 

 

 

 

 

5. Financial income and expensE

 

30 September 2021

30 September 2020

31 March

2021

 

$000

$000

$000

Bank and other interest

7

6

3

Loan note amortisation adjustment

186

-

-

Financial income

193

6

3

Bank overdraft and loan interest

(36)

(92)

(172)

Other loan interest

(489)

(463)

(907)

Finance charges on finance leases

(10)

-

(12)

Interest on employee benefit liabilities

-

-

(35)

IFRS 16 - Lease interest

(185)

(191)

(373)

Amortisation of loan note costs

                 -

(300)

(642)

Financial expense

(720)

(1,046)

(2,141)

 

 

6. Taxation

 

30 September

2021

30 September

2020

31 March

2021

 

$000

$000

$000

Current tax:

 

 

 

Corporation tax at 25% (2020: 19%):

-

-

-

Overseas taxation:

 

 

 

- current period

(197)

-

(526)

Total current tax charge

(197)

-

(526)

Deferred taxation:

 

 

 

- current period

-

140

(1,929)

- effect of rate change in UK

1,286

-

-

- prior period

-

-

(208)

Total deferred taxation charge

1,286

140

(2,137)

Taxation charged/(credited) to the income statement

1,089

140

(2,663)

 

 

7. Earnings per share

The calculation of the basic earnings per share of 1.52c (2020:loss 0.93c) is based on the earnings for the financial period attributable to the Parent Company's shareholders of $1,783,000 (2020: loss $1,098,000) and on the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period of 117,473,341 (2020: 117,473,341). At 30 September 2021, there were 8,190,000 (2020: 7,780,000) potentially dilutive shares on option and 43,950,000 (2020: 43,950,000) share warrants exercisable at 20p. The weighted average effect of these as at 30 September 2021 was 2,100,375 shares (2020: 1,630,000) giving a diluted earnings per share of 1.49c (2020: loss 0.93c).

 

 

30 September

2021

30 September

2020

31 March

2021

Weighted average number of shares

Shares

Shares

Shares

Issued shares at start of period

117,473,341

117,473,341

117,473,341

Weighted average number of shares at end of period

117,473,341

117,473,341

117,473,341

Weighted average number of 8,190,000 (2020: 7,780,000) potentially dilutive shares

2,100,375

1,630,000

2,040,000

Total Weighted average diluted shares

119,573,716

119,103,341

119,513,341

 

 

 

30 September 2021

30 September 2020

31 March 2021

 

$000

$000

$000

Total post tax earnings - continuing operations

1,783

(1,098)

(2,573)

Basic EPS

1.52c

(0.93c)

(2.19c)

Diluted EPS  

1.49c

(0.93c)

(2.19c)

Underlying earnings

$000

$000

$000

Total post tax earnings - continuing operations

1,783

(1,098)

(2,573)

Adjusting items - per note 4

1,249

(670)

777

 

 

 

 

Underlying earnings after tax

534

(428)

(1,796)

Underlying basic EPS

0.45c

(0.36c)

(1.53c)

Underlying diluted EPS

0.45c

(0.36c)

(1.53c)

 

 

8. RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO NET DEBT

 

30 September 2021

30 September 2020

31 March 2021

 

$000

$000

$000

(decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

(2,798)

456

1,849

(decrease)/Increase in debt and finance leases

(325)

2,345

6,820

(decrease)/Increase in net debt from cash flows

(3,123)

2,801

8,669

Net debt at beginning of period

(21,991)

(24,142)

(24,142)

Government assistance loans USA

-

(2,234)

(2,234)

Government assistance loans UK

-

(1,549)

(1,656)

Lease liabilities increase

(199)

(221)

(502)

Loan costs amortization and adjustments

181

(305)

(675)

Exchange effects on net funds

306

(574)

(1,451)

Net debt at end of period

(24,826)

(26,224)

(21,991)

 

 

9. Analysis of net DEBT

 

At

Exchange/

 

 

At

 

31 March

Reserve

 

 

30 September

 

2021

movement

Other

Cash flows

2021

 

$000

$000

$000

$000

$000

Cash at bank and in hand

4,287

(124)

-

(2,769)

1,394

Short term deposits (included within cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet)

710

(3)

-

(29)

678

 

4,997

(127)

-

(2,798)

2,072

Debt due within one year

(977)

-

-

(1,421)

(2,398)

Debt due after one year

(1,590)

-

-

325

(1,265)

Loan Notes due within one year

(11,225)

269

10,956

-

-

Loan Notes due after one year

-

-

(10,775)

-

(10,775)

Lease liabilities

(9,306)

124

(199)

771

(8,610)

Government assistance loans

(3,890)

40

-

-

(3,850)

Total

(21,991)

306

(18)

(3,123)

(24,826)

 

10. FAIR VALUE

 

The group considers that the carrying amount of the following financial assets and financial liabilities are

a reasonable approximation of their fair value:

 

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other payables

Loans and other borrowings

 

 

11. Principal Risks and Uncertainties

 

The principal risks and uncertainties affecting the Group remain those set out in the 2021 Annual Report. Those which are most likely to impact the performance of the Group in the remaining period of the current financial year are the continuing issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic which may result in exposure to increased input costs, supply chain and delivery issues and a downturn in its customers' end markets, particularly in North America and Europe.

 

12. Post balance sheet events

On 11 November the three USA operations were all granted forgiveness of their second round loans under the USA Government Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") which in total amounted to $2.2m. These amounts are expected to be included in other income in the Consolidated Income Statement for the year ended 31 March 2022.

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