CORAL PRODUCTS PLC

("Coral" or the "Group")

Interim Results

Coral Products plc, a specialist in the design, manufacture and supply of plastic products, announces its results for the six months to 31 October 2023.

"Investing In Future Growth - Current Earnings In-Line"

* The financial headlines disclosed as underlying represent the reported metrics excluding separately disclosed items (being share based payment charges, amortisation of intangible assets and other one-off costs in each period), see note 7.

Operational and Financial Highlights

H1 Trading

·      Revenues broadly level at £17.2m reflecting the decision to pull back from lower margin business lines balanced against organic growth and full contributions from the Manplas and Ecodeck businesses acquired in September and October 2022.

·     Group benefiting from the focus on higher margin products shown in the 25% increase in gross profit.

·      Underlying EBITDA on track at £2.3m alongside continued investment in capex programme.

·   Cash and cash equivalents were £2.9m as at 31 October 2023 (2022: £3.8m) after paying £1.3m for the earnout payment for Alma in July 2023.

·      Overall net asset position remains strong.

Investing in future growth via capex programme

·      £0.5m investment, in the period, in key machinery including:

o  Installing 5 new 350/650 tonne capacity injection moulding machines complete with robotics.

o  Installing a new in-mould labelling line.

o  Commissioning 8 new injection moulds.

·      New machines already in action and expected to boost sales and earnings over second half.

Sustainability Objectives

·      The Group is proud of its focus on sustainability:

o  Adoption of bio-based materials.

o  Increasing move to re-cyclable materials.

o  Increasing use of recycled materials in the manufacturing processes.

o  Supply chain tracking and transparency.

Outlook

·      While the market remains challenging, Group is well positioned to meet targets for the year.

·      New machinery installed in H1, already operational and delivering to plan.

·     The new investment is operational together with further investments in a new pipe extruder now being installed at Tatra-Rotalac and a new sheet extruder in the progress of being installed at Manplas will drive our Group forward.

·    These investments together with the existing orderbook will continue to drive growth in the near to medium term.  

Post balance sheet:

Appointment of new Chief Executive

·      Lance Burn appointed to take up the role of CEO of the Group from 2 January 2024.

·      Joins from IG Design Group Plc where he has been an Executive Board Director since 2012.

·   As part of the management change, Joe Grimmond will move from being Executive to Non-Executive Chairman.

Joe Grimmond, Executive Chairman, commented:

"These results are pleasing as they show our ability to successfully bed down the four acquisitions we made in 2022, which doubled the size of our business, as well as weed out lower margin business lines. As a result of these changes, we remain on track with our year end earnings targets. Our overall objective remains to build a specialist UK plastics business of scale, targeting profitable, high-demand sectors. To this end, we maintained sales whilst substantially improving gross margins. Key to future growth is the investment we have made and continue to make in new machinery positioning us to win new contracts and expand upon existing relationships. Overall markets are challenging currently, nevertheless, we are confident the business remains well placed."

Regulatory Information

The information contained within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014 (Market Abuse Regulations) which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Upon publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

Caution regarding forward looking statements

This announcement contains unaudited information and forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations or beliefs, as well as assumptions about future events. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts and undue reliance should not be placed on any such statement because they speak only as at the date of this document and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors that could cause actual results, and Coral's plans and objectives, to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Coral undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement contained within this announcement, regardless of whether those statements are affected because of new information, future events or otherwise, save as required by law and regulations.

About Us

Coral Products is a one stop shop for all plastic needs. Coral Products manufactures and distributes plastic injection, extruded and vacuum formed moulded products into a diverse range of sectors including personal care, household, healthcare, automotive, telecoms and rail. The Group has manufacturing and distribution facilities across the North West of the UK.

By developing innovative plastic moulded products, providing excellent customer service and through its hard-working employees, Coral Products continues to refocus on new markets creating growth and value for its shareholders.

Sustainability is a core principle of our business. In all manufacturing processes, any scrap or waste material is reused or recycled. We offer "end-of-life" recycling and where viable we adopt and use bio based and re-cyclable materials and provide supply chain tracking and transparency.

Executive Chairman's Statement

Introduction

This will be my last results statement as Executive Chairman of Coral, as I move from being Executive to Non-Executive Chairman on 2 January 2024 when Lance Burn becomes CEO of the Group.

I am delighted Lance has agreed to take over the leadership of Coral and I feel confident that he has the necessary skills, dynamism and market experience to take the business forward. As these results for the six months to 31 October 2023 show the Company is in good health and we have established a strong base from which to achieve our aim of building a specialist UK plastic business of scale. In the period under review, we maintained sales despite stopping a number of lower margin contracts with the shortfall covered by organic growth and receiving the full benefit of the Manplas and Ecodeck acquisitions made in September and October last year. Focusing on higher margin contracts is key to our future success and it is reflected in the significant improvement in our gross margin.

Looking ahead, we remain cautious about the economy in general, but we are confident that our businesses and the investment we have made will ensure we deliver a good result for the year.

Results and Financial Position

Trading in the first half of the current year shows revenue broadly in line with previous year despite the strategic exit of low margin activities with circa £2.0m revenue. Reported revenue was £17,177,000 (2022: £17,587,000), gross margins were improved to 34.8% (2022: 27.1%) resulting in a gross profit of £5,974,000 (2022: £4,759,000). Underlying EBITDA was £2,326,000 (2022: £1,881,000) and underlying operating profits increased to £1,697,000 (2022: £1,376,000).

The balance sheet net asset position remains strong at £14,448,000 (2022: £14,881,000). This represents a solid asset platform for developing the business.

Operations

Tatra-Rotalac

A leading provider of plastic extrusion and injection moulded products for commercial use, Tatra-Rotalac has met the Board's expectations during the first half of the financial year. The installation of 5 new injection moulding machines complete with robotics alongside a new in-mould labelling line has significantly expanded the capabilities of this business. This new equipment which has now been commissioned is expected to significantly improve our second half performance.

Global One-Pak

A leading supplier of lotion pumps, triggers and mist sprayers, Global One-Pak is currently experiencing logistical cost increases from Chinese suppliers. Performing against a much-reduced sales budget and cost base, Global One Pak has improved gross margin and operating profit. Going into the second half of the financial year, trading is expected to improve further alongside the start of a new contract to produce a new range caps and enclosures in the UK.

Manplas/Customised Packaging

In May 2023 the decision was taken to merge Customised Packaging into Manplas. The two businesses operate in the same market, both provide product protection solutions designing high quality, custom-made, vacuum-formed components to protect a wide range of customer products. The combination of the two businesses has created multiple operational synergies. The integration was completed successfully and the two teams are now combining well to provide a wider offer to their shared client base. Currently the business is installing a new sheet extruder which is expected to be operational during the second half of this financial year.

Film & Foil Solutions

This business, a market leading converter and stockist of flexible packaging film, print lamination film and speciality plastics, paper and aluminium foils has exceeded the Boards expectations during the first half of the financial year in terms of gross margin. Film & Foil had a number of contracts which due to customers increasing their in-house capabilities had become very low margin. The decision was taken to cease servicing these contracts which released some fixed cost and substantially improved gross margin for the business as a whole. Revenues reduced in the period but the future focus is on re-building the revenue line whilst maintaining the current gross margin.

Alma Products

This business, a niche specialist and expert in extrusion, thermoforming and container printing serving the food industry, providing formable plastic sheet for Form-Fill-Seal applications, thermoformed and printed plastic food packaging. This business is very well invested in state-of-the-art sheet extrusion, volume vacuum forming and one of the most advanced computer-controlled printing facilities in the industry. Trading in the period was impacted by the loss of a major contract, however, the pipeline for new business is encouraging and the business enters the second half in a good position.

Ecodeck and Ecotatou Spain

Ecodeck is a natural strategic fit for the group. The versatile plastic grids Ecodeck sells, offer natural synergy with some of Coral's existing products, including manufacturing synergies. There is also potential to leverage Ecodeck's ecommerce platform for other group eco-friendly products. During the first six months, Ecodeck performed well and is well placed to complete a successful year.

The acquisition of Ecotatou SL earlier this year, gives the Group a foothold in Spain for the sale and distribution of Ecodeck grids.

Capital Expenditure

The recently commissioned injection moulding facility is expected to improve our second half performance. Further currently being commissioned extruders at Manplas/CPL and Tatra Rotalac should come on stream during the final quarter of our current financial year.

Total capital expenditure in the first 6 months totals £544,000 (2022: £854,000) all related to new product opportunities.

Dividends

The board have declared an interim dividend of 0.50 pence per share (2022: 0.50p). The ex-dividend date and the record date for the interim dividend are 1 February 2024 and 2 February 2024 respectively. The interim dividend will be paid on 29 February 2024. This continues to reflect our confidence in the positive performance and profitable results of the Group.

Outlook

We are mindful of the macroeconomic and geopolitical risks yet remain confident about the current prospects for our business and its ability to continue its successful evolution. Our continued investment over many years in our people and our systems has generated strong and resilient results in the first half of this year and we believe will continue to do so.

Our continuing priority is to do all we can to keep our workplaces as safe as possible for staff. We have planned our business to be flexible, in all areas, to meet fluctuating levels of demand. We have robust financial controls that will ensure we maintain our working capital requirements whilst meeting all our agreed parameters with our financial partners and due to contracts already negotiated all operations will remain relatively unaffected by the current turmoil in energy prices.

The Group continues with its strategic progress of increasing focus on value-added and innovative products. Our aim is to build a significant specialist plastics business with a bias towards using recycled materials.

We have enjoyed a strong start to our current financial year, and we look forward to a satisfactory outturn for the year given the prevailing conditions.

Joe Grimmond

Executive Chairman

11 December 2023

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 For the six months to 31 October 2022 (unaudited)

For the year ended 30 April 2023 (audited)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

1.         Basis of preparation

The financial information set out in this Interim Report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 435 of the Companies Act 2006.  These interim financial statements are for the six months ended 31 October 2023. They do not include all the information required for full annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended 30 April 2023. The Interim Report has not been reviewed by our auditor in accordance with the International Standard on Review Engagement 2410 issued by the Auditing Practices Board. IAS 34 'Interim financial reporting' is not applicable to these half year condensed consolidated financial statements and has therefore not been applied.

2.         Significant accounting policies

The accounting policies applied by the Group in these condensed consolidated interim financial statements are the same as those applied by the Group in its consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 April 2023.

3.         Revenue

All production is based in the United Kingdom. The geographical analysis of revenue is shown below:

A breakdown of Group revenues by product group is shown below:

4.         Taxation

The taxation charge for the six months to 31 October 2023 is based on the effective taxation rate, which is estimated will apply to earnings for the year ending 30 April 2024. The rate used is below the applicable UK corporation tax rate of 25% due to the utilisation of tax losses in the period.

5.         Earnings per share

Basic and underlying earnings per ordinary share are calculated using the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the financial period of 89,556,580 (31 October 2022: 87,554,854 and 30 April 2023: 87,123,068).

6.         Movement in Net Debt

Net debt incorporates the Group's borrowings and bank overdrafts less cash and cash equivalents. A reconciliation of the movement in the net debt is shown below:

7.         Underlying profit and separately disclosed items

Underlying profit before tax, underlying earnings per share, underlying operating profit, underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation are defined as being before share based payment charges, amortisation of intangibles recognised on acquisition, acquisition costs, reorganisation costs, compensation for loss of office, impairment of goodwill and impairment loss on trade receivables. Collectively these are referred to as separately disclosed items. 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.

8.         Business Combinations

In June 2023 the Group acquired 100% share capital of Ecotatou SL in Spain for ?18,000 satisfied in cash. This acquisition gives the Group a foothold in Spain for the sale and distribution of Ecodeck grids.

9.         Company Information

Company contacts

Directors                    Joe Grimmond  Executive Chairman

                                    Sharon Tinsley  Group Finance Director

                                    Phil Allen          Group Operations Director

                                    Paul Freud        Corporate Development Director

                                    Ian Hillman        Director

                                    Steve Barber     Non-Executive Director

                                    David Low        Non-Executive Director

Secretary                      Sharon Tinsley

Registered Office          Southmoor Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester, M23 9DS, UK

Registered Number      02429784

Website                        www.coralproducts.com

Trading subsidiaries