TIDMUNX

RNS Number : 1805L

Unigel Group PLC

01 September 2023

The 'Interim Results' announcement released on 31 August 2023 at 7:00 AM under RNS No 8648K has been reformatted.

All material details remain unchanged.

The full text is shown below.

Unigel Group plc

(the "Group" or the "Company")

Interim Results

Unigel Group plc (AQSE: UNX), the manufacturer and supplier of materials used in the manufacture of telecommunication fibre optic cables announces its unaudited half-year results for the period ended 30 June 2023. Comparative data is for the post-acquisition six month period ended 31 December 2022.

Operational highlights

The Group continues to make progress in operational improvements:

   --      New customer acquisitions in both our steel tape and thixotropic gel businesses 
   --      De-risking and diversifying our raw material sourcing base 
   --      Cost improvement in our logistics and material handling activities 

-- Operating cost improvement through optimisation of production staff and administrative resources

Financial highlights

Key figures for the six months to 30 June 2023 with comparatives for the six months to 31 December 2022 were as follows:

   --      Revenue of GBP17.95m (GBP18.83m) 
   --      Gross profit of GBP2.39m with a gross profit margin of 13.3% (GBP2.23m and 11.8%) 
   --      Administrative expenses of GBP1.47m (GBP1.73m) 
   --      Profit after tax of GBP0.63m (GBP0.32m) 
   --      Final dividend of 2.5p per share distributed post period end in July 2023 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the UK Market Abuse Regulation and the Directors of the Company are responsible for the release of this announcement.

Enquiries:

 
              Unigel Group plc 
              Eric Chhoa                                                       +81 7022 613 812 
              Gary Revel-Chion                                             +44 (0) 1273 612 122 
              Cairn Financial Advisers LLP (AQSE Corporate 
               Adviser) 
              Jo Turner                                                    +44 (0) 20 7213 0880 
              Ludovico Lazzaretti 
 

Notes to Editors

Unigel Group plc is the holding company whose operating subsidiaries, Unigel (UK) Limited ("Unigel") and Unitape Limited ("Unitape") manufacture and distribute materials used in the manufacture of telecommunication fibre optic cables.

Unigel, in which the Group has a 60.0% holding, formulates, manufactures, and markets thixotropic gels primarily to the fibre optic cable industry. In addition, it also makes specialty gel products for the construction, green energy, and high voltage transmission apparatus markets.

Unitape, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Group, is one of the largest domestic manufacturers and suppliers of laminated steel tapes to the fibre optic cable industry in North America.

Chief Executive Officer's review

Despite a less favourable operating environment across most key markets, Unigel Group plc registered good overall results in all key performance indicators except revenue growth. The global fibre optic cable industry, which is a key market for the Group, registered negative industry growth of 3.4% in the first half of 2023. Globally, there has been a slowdown in telecommunications network deployment including 5G networks as telcos postponed their network investment due to weaker business sentiment caused by macroeconomic concerns such as inflation, high interest rates and anaemic economic recovery in some major markets.

However, there is a general industry consensus that network investment is expected to improve in 2024. The Group had implemented new initiatives to improve overall engagement with our customer base post Covid, and we are starting to see some tangible results from our business development initiatives of the past 2 years. We continue to improve our cost structure and execute more efficiently across all business domains.

The Group is cautiously optimistic about our business performance in the second half of 2023.

Business review

Although turnover for the six months to 30 June 2023 reduced by just under 5% compared to the previous six months, gross margin improved as raw material prices and logistics costs became more stable. Administrative overheads fell by 15% compared to the previous six months with the major savings coming from more efficient staffing levels in production and an improved foreign exchange environment. Profit after tax rose by 94% to GBP0.63m in the six months to 30 June 2023. The Group balance sheet showed net assets of GBP2.88m as at 30 June 2023 compared to GBP2.32m on 31 December 2022.

Outlook

The global economy continues to be challenged by macroeconomic uncertainties including inflation, high interest rates, weaker investment sentiments and a docile economic recovery in China. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Group continues to be cautiously optimistic about the outlook of our business performance for the second half of 2023.

Chairman

Sven Janne Sjoden

 
 
 UNIGEL GROUP PLC 
 UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE 
  INCOME 
 PERIODED 30 JUNE 2023 
                                                                                   6 months                          6 months 
                                                                                         to                                to 
                                                                                    30 June                       31 December 
                                                                                       2023                              2022 
                                                                                        GBP                               GBP 
 
 TURNOVER                                                                        17,950,547                        18,828,803 
 
 Cost of sales                                                                 (15,561,317)                      (16,602,974) 
                                                             ------------------------------      ---------------------------- 
 
 Gross profit                                                                     2,389,230                         2,225,829 
 
 Administrative expenses                                                        (1,471,418)                       (1,731,478) 
                                                             ------------------------------      ---------------------------- 
 
 OPERATING PROFIT                                                                   917,812                           494,351 
 
 Other income 
 Interest receivable and similar income                                               9,710                            11,412 
 Interest payable and similar charges                                              (75,573)                          (63,612) 
                                                             ------------------------------      ---------------------------- 
 
 PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES 
 BEFORE TAXATION                                                                    851,949                           442,151 
 
 Tax on profit on ordinary activities                                             (223,249)                         (118,604) 
                                                             ------------------------------      ---------------------------- 
 
 PROFIT FOR THE FINANCIAL PERIOD 
 FOR THE GROUP                                                                      628,700                           323,547 
 
 Other comprehensive income for the period 
 (Loss)/gain on foreign exchange                                                   (71,051)                            14,465 
 Negative goodwill on acquisition                                                         -                           666,205 
                                                             ------------------------------      ---------------------------- 
 
 TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE PERIOD                                          557,649                         1,004,217 
 
 Minority interest                                                                (128,306)                            22,712 
                                                             ------------------------------      ---------------------------- 
 
 TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE GROUP                                           429,343                         1,026,929 
                                                             ==============================      ============================ 
 
 
 CONTINUING OPERATIONS 
 All of the group's activities were acquired 
  during the previous period 
 
 
 UNIGEL GROUP PLC 
 UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF 
 FINANCIAL 
 POSITION 
 30 JUNE 2023 
                                                                              30 June                        31 December 
                                                                                 2023                               2022 
                                            Notes                                 GBP                                GBP 
 FIXED ASSETS 
 Intangible assets                                                            508,113                            537,346 
 Tangible assets                                                            1,313,853                          1,379,072 
                                                   ----------------------------------            ----------------------- 
 
                                                                            1,821,966                          1,916,418 
                                                   ----------------------------------            ----------------------- 
 
 CURRENT ASSETS 
 Stocks                                                                     6,635,740                          8,757,545 
 Debtors                                                                    4,665,990                          5,672,432 
 Cash at bank and in hand                                                     758,946                            730,860 
                                                   ----------------------------------            ----------------------- 
                                                                           12,060,676                         15,160,837 
 CREDITORS 
 Amounts falling due within one year                                       10,676,068                         14,440,267 
                                                   ----------------------------------            ----------------------- 
 
 NET CURRENT ASSETS                                                         1,384,608                            720,570 
                                                   ----------------------------------            ----------------------- 
 
 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT 
 LIABILITIES                                                                3,206,574                          2,636,988 
 
 CREDITORS 
 Amounts falling due after more than one 
  year                                                                         35,987                             12,539 
 
 PROVISION FOR LIABILITIES 
 Deferred tax                                                                 289,008                            300,519 
                                                   ----------------------------------            ----------------------- 
 
 NET ASSETS                                                                 2,881,579                          2,323,930 
                                                   ==================================            ======================= 
 
 
 CAPITAL AND RESERVES 
 Called up share capital                      3                                56,425                             56,425 
 Share premium                                                                469,011                            469,011 
 Profit & loss account                                                      1,236,272                            806,929 
                                                   ----------------------------------            ----------------------- 
 
 EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE 
 OWNERS OF THE PARENT COMPANY                                               1,761,708                          1,332,365 
 
 Minority interest                                                          1,119,871                            991,565 
                                                   ----------------------------------            ----------------------- 
 
 SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS                                                        2,881,579                          2,323,930 
                                                   ==================================            ======================= 
 
 
 
 UNIGEL GROUP 
 PLC 
 UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES 
  IN EQUITY 
 30 JUNE 2023 
 
 Group                           Share               Share                Retained             Minority                   Total 
                               capital             premium                earnings             interest                  equity 
                                   GBP                 GBP                     GBP                  GBP                     GBP 
 Upon 
  incorporation                    100                                                                                      100 
 Upon issue of 
  shares 
  net of costs                  56,325             469,011                                                              525,336 
 Upon 
  acquisitions                                                             666,205            1,014,277               1,680,482 
 Comprehensive 
 income 
 for the 
 period 
 Profit for the 
  period                                                                   323,547                                      323,547 
 Minority 
 interest in 
 profit/(loss) 
 for 
 the period                                                                 22,712             (22,712)                       - 
 Other 
 comprehensive 
 income for 
 the period                                                                 14,465                                       14,465 
 Dividends paid                                                          (220,000)                                    (220,000) 
 
 Total 
 comprehensive 
 income for 
 the period at 
  31 December 
  2022                          56,425             469,011                 806,929              991,565               2,323,930 
                 =====================  ==================  ======================  ===================  ====================== 
 
 
 Comprehensive 
 income 
 for the 
 period 
 Profit for the 
  period                                                                   628,700                                      628,700 
 Minority 
 interest in 
 profit/(loss) 
 for 
 the period                                                              (128,306)              128,306                       - 
 Other 
 comprehensive 
 income for 
 the period                                                               (71,051)                                     (71,051) 
 Dividends paid                                                                  -                                            - 
 
 Total 
 comprehensive 
 income for 
 the period at 
  30 June 
  2023                          56,425             469,011               1,236,272            1,119,871               2,881,579 
                 =====================  ==================  ======================  ===================  ====================== 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   UNIGEL GROUP PLC 
 UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT 
 PERIODED 30 JUNE 2023 
                                                              30 June             31 December 
                                                                 2023                    2022 
                                                                  GBP                     GBP 
  Net cash inflow/(outflow) from 
  operating activities                                        243,614               (569,222) 
 
  Return on investments and 
  servicing of finance                                       (65,863)                (62,872) 
 
  Taxation                                                   (49,611)               (114,927) 
 
  Capital expenditure                                        (61,894)               (129,043) 
                                               ----------------------  ---------------------- 
 
                                                               66,246               (876,064) 
 
  Financing                                                  (38,160)                 953,839 
                                               ----------------------  ---------------------- 
 
  Increase in cash in the period                               28,086                  77,775 
                                               ======================  ====================== 
 
 
 
  Reconciliation of net cash flow 
  to movement in net debt 
 
  Increase in cash in the period                               28,086                  77,775 
 
  Cash inflow/(outflow) from movement 
   in debt                                                     38,160               (428,403) 
                                               ----------------------  ---------------------- 
 
  Change in net debt resulting from 
  cash flows                                                   66,246               (350,628) 
 
  Opening net cash balances                                 (528,426)               (177,798) 
                                               ----------------------  ---------------------- 
 
  Closing net cash balances                                 (462,180)               (528,426) 
                                               ======================  ====================== 
 
 
 UNIGEL GROUP PLC 
 NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED 
  CASH FLOW STATEMENT 
 PERIODED 30 JUNE 2023 
 
 1.     RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT TO NET CASH INFLOW 
         FRON OPERATING ACTIVITIES 
 
                                                                30 June                                    31 December 
                                                                   2023                                           2022 
                                                                    GBP                                            GBP 
 
   Operating profit                                             917,812                                        494,351 
   Depreciation and amortisation charges                        103,969                                        114,412 
   (Profit)/loss on fixed asset disposals                             -                                         24,442 
   Decrease/(increase) in stocks                              2,121,805                                    (3,382,187) 
   Decrease in debtors                                        1,006,442                                      1,088,864 
   (Decrease)/increase in creditors                         (3,906,414)                                      1,090,896 
                                               ------------------------                        ----------------------- 
 
   Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating 
    activities                                                  243,614                                      (569,222) 
                                               ========================                        ======================= 
 
 
 2.     ANALYSIS OF CASH FLOWS FOR HEADINGS NETTED 
         IN THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT 
 
                                                                30 June                                    31 December 
                                                                   2023                                           2022 
                                                                    GBP                                            GBP 
        Returns on investments and servicing 
         of finance 
   Proceeds on sale of fixed assets                                   -                                         29,328 
   Interest paid less interest received 
    and similar income                                         (65,863)                                       (52,200) 
   Dividends paid                                                     -                                       (40,000) 
                                               ------------------------                        ----------------------- 
 
        Net cash outflow for returns on 
        investments 
        and 
  servicing of finance                                         (65,863)                                       (62,872) 
                                               ========================                        ======================= 
 
        Capital expenditure 
   Purchase of intangible fixed assets                         (10,269)                                        (7,012) 
   Purchase of tangible fixed assets                           (51,625)                                      (122,031) 
                                               ------------------------                        ----------------------- 
 
  Net cash outflow for capital expenditure                     (61,894)                                      (129,043) 
                                               ========================                        ======================= 
 
        Financing 
   Proceeds from issue of shares                                      -                                        525,436 
   (Loan repaid)/new loan received                             (38,160)                                        428,403 
                                               ------------------------                        ----------------------- 
 
  Net cash inflow from financing                               (38,160)                                        953,839 
                                               ========================                        ======================= 
 
 
 3.     ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET DEBT 
                                                            At 01/01/23                  Cash              At 30/06/23 
                                                                                         flow 
                                                                    GBP                   GBP                      GBP 
 
  Net cash: Cash at bank and in hand                            730,860                28,086                  758,946 
 
   Debt: Loan                                               (1,259,286)                38,160              (1,221,126) 
                                               ------------------------  --------------------  ----------------------- 
 
  Cash at bank and in hand                                    (528,426)                66,246                (462,180) 
                                               ========================  ====================  ======================= 
 

UNIGEL GROUP PLC

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Company information

The company is a public limited company incorporated in England and Wales (registered number 13934232) and its registered office is Unigel House, 7 Park View, Alder Close, Eastbourne, BN23 6QE.

The principal activity of the group is the manufacture and sale of cable filling and flooding compounds, associated pumping and delivery equipment, and tapes.

Accounting convention and basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention unless otherwise specified within these accounting policies and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland and the Companies Act 2006.

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in compliance with FRS 102 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgement in applying the group's accounting policies. Information is given in the accounting policies noted below.

2. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit after tax for the period by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period.

 
                                                              30 June                31 December 
                                                                 2023                       2022 
                                                                  GBP                        GBP 
 
           Profit after tax                                   628,700                    323,547 
 
           Weighted average ordinary shares 
            in issue                                       11,285,000                 11,285,000 
 
          Earnings per share                                    5.57p                      2.87p 
                                                       ==============             ============== 
 
 
   3.   CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL 
 
          Allotted, issued and fully paid:                          30 June       31 December 
          Number                 Class:         Nominal                2023              2022 
                                                 value:                 GBP               GBP 
 
           11,285,000            Ordinary       GBP0.005             56,425            56,425 
                                                          =================  ================ 
 
   4.   FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

Certain statements made in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but rather are based on the Group's current expectations, estimates and projections about its industry; its beliefs; and assumptions. Words such as 'anticipates,' 'expects,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'believes,' 'seeks,' 'estimates,' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond the Group's control, are difficult to predict, and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecast in the forward-looking statements. The Group cautions security holders and prospective security holders not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect the view of the Group only as of the date of this announcement. The forward-looking statements made in this announcement relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. The Group will not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions or updates to these forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances, or unanticipated events occurring after the date of this announcement except as required by law or by any appropriate regulatory authority.

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