RNS Number:3986H
Low & Bonar PLC
12 February 2003

12 February 2003



Press Release/Stock Exchange Announcement





                    Low & Bonar PLC 2002 Preliminary Results






Low & Bonar PLC today reported its results for the year ended 30 November 2002.
The results are in line with those indicated in the company's announcement on
the 28th January regarding the proposed acquisition of the Carpet Tile Division
of Gaskell plc.






                                                                                  2002                2001
Turnover                                                                       #162.6m             #171.9m
Profit before tax and exceptionals                                               #7.5m               #9.4m
Profit/(loss) before tax                                                         #4.5m             (#8.2m)
Earnings per share before exceptionals                                           4.88p               6.14p
Earnings/(loss) per share                                                        2.08p            (11.35p)
Dividend per share                                                               4.00p               6.00p





*        Flooring Division maintains profits despite tough trading environment

*        Yarns & Fabrics Division increases both sales and profits

*        North European and North American Plastics profitable

*        French Plastics loss making - remedial actions underway

*        Cash balances increased to #18.2m





Commenting on the results and outlook, Duncan Clegg, Low & Bonar's Chairman
said:



"Since Paul Forman joined as our new Chief Executive we have undertaken many new
initiatives and moved to strengthen our flooring division through the proposed
acquisition announced on 28 January, of the Carpet Tile Division of Gaskell plc.
  Our main thrust is to improve the returns from our existing businesses, albeit
in continuing tough trading conditions.  We will also look to complement our
existing activities with further acquisitions when appropriate."



Enquiries:       Paul Forman, Chief Executive    Low & Bonar PLC   020 7298 6820

                 Jon Kempster, Finance Director  Low & Bonar PLC   020 7298 6820

                 Michelle Morton/Tim Spratt   Financial Dynamics   020 7831 3113

EXTRACTS FROM CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT



Overview



The last year was difficult with the markets in which we operate not showing any
significant recovery.  In such conditions we continued to address our cost base.



I was pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Forman as Chief Executive in
June; he started work full time on 30 September.  Since then he has undertaken a
review of the businesses and actions already taken, together with the recent
announcement of the proposed acquisition of the Gaskell Tile Division provides
me with confidence that Low & Bonar can look forward to a more focused and
profitable future.



In 2002 the Plastics business had a mixed year with subdued demand impacting the
North American business, whilst operational shortcomings in our French business
led to that business moving into loss.  We have taken firm action, principally
through revised management structures and tighter reporting procedures.  Our
North European businesses performed most consistently.



The Flooring Division experienced difficult demand in its major markets in
mainland Europe but still achieved profits in line those last year.



Our Yarns & Fabrics Division continued to improve with both its Belgian and
Dundee businesses doing well.



Financial Performance



Turnover fell to #162.6m (2001: #171.9m), reflecting the economic conditions in
our major markets and the full year impact of closures and the sale of a
loss-making operation.   Operating profits before exceptional costs were #7.7m
compared to #10.0m for the businesses last year.



Profit before tax and exceptional items was #7.5m (2001: #9.4m) after an
interest expense of #0.2m (2001: #0.6m).  Earnings per share before exceptional
items were 4.88p (2001 (restated): 6.14p)



Operating exceptional items amounted to #1.3m (2001: #17.6m), consisting of
#0.5m of closure costs in our Bonar Floors US operation and #0.8m relating to
senior management changes.



After accounting for all exceptional items, the profit before tax was #4.5m
(2001: loss of #8.2m) representing earnings per share of 2.08p (2001 (restated):
loss per share of 11.35p).



Net cash balances at the year end were #18.2m (2001: #14.9m).  This positive
result was achieved despite the trading conditions and the ongoing investment
programme, and reflected the attention given to cash management throughout the
Group.






Dividend



As recently announced, the Board is recommending a final ordinary dividend of
1.50p (2001: 3.50p) payable on 1 May 2003 to shareholders on the register at 4
April 2003, making a total ordinary dividend for the year of 4.00p (2001:
6.00p).  This dividend reduction brings the dividend in line with the earnings
of the Group and enables dividend cover to be re-established in the coming
years.





Review of Operations



The Flooring Division

Turnover in our Flooring Division decreased in the year to #56.1 million from
#57.8 million last year.  Operating profit at #6.9 million was marginally less
than last year's #7.0 million despite tough trading conditions.



The US sales and warehouse operation was closed during the year and the closure
costs have been separately identified as an exceptional item.  With our Flotex
product being successfully sold via our alliance partner Lees, the need to
maintain a direct presence was no longer necessary.



Volumes in our other major markets were mixed with the UK performing
satisfactorily but the Continental European markets, especially France and
Germany, proved extremely challenging.  Our Far East sales were quite strong and
this area will remain a focus for future growth.  We continue to focus on the
markets where our products' properties provide a competitive advantage,
specifically the healthcare and education sectors.  We have supplemented our
existing product ranges in these key sectors with new product launches in 2002.
As previously disclosed, we have launched Flytex, specifically aimed at the
airline industry.  This, together with other transport sector initiatives and a
more focused sales and marketing emphasis, will provide the Division with
mid-term growth potential.



The recently announced proposed acquisition of the Gaskell Tile Division will
provide us with additional complementary products.



Yarns & Fabrics

Turnover in our Yarns & Fabrics business increased to #44.3 million from #43.0
million last year.  Operating profit increased from #1.5 million to #2.1
million.



The turnover increase reflects the full year impact of our non-woven capacity
coming on stream and operating to planned levels.  Our non-woven geotextiles
volumes increased 40% against 2001.  We continue to increase our sales in
artificial grass yarn with volumes increasing in the year by 15%, reflecting the
potential of this market.








We benefited from cheaper raw material prices in 2002 but a proportion of the
price decrease was passed back to our customers.   Raw material prices have
remained at these slightly lower levels in the first two months of the current
year but the expectation is for them to increase significantly as oil prices
remain high.



Plastics

The performance of our three plastics businesses was mixed.  The North European
businesses, namely Germany, Holland, Poland and Denmark, saw turnover increase
with the expansion of our Polish operation.  The operating profit was maintained
at #0.6 million whilst sales grew to #21.7 million from #19.1 million.



In our South European businesses, the French businesses did not perform
satisfactorily.  The businesses were impacted severely by the difficulties
experienced in integrating some UK business into our French operations following
the closure of our UK operation last year.  Action has been taken to rectify the
operational issues with new management installed and the business reporting
directly to the Chief Executive.  Much tighter financial controls have been put
in place and the business has a detailed recovery programme agreed and underway.
   Our Spanish operation improved both sales and profits whilst the sale of
Spila, the loss making Italian business, was concluded in July.



The turnover in our South European Business Group has reduced significantly from
#25.8 million to #18.7 million with the full effect of the UK closure and the
disposal of Spila.



In North America, the turnover fell from #26.1 million to #21.8 million
reflecting the difficult trading environment in the North American market.  The
businesses remained profitable despite the fall in volumes following continual
cost cutting initiatives.  As with a number of our businesses, the last few
months have seen a significant strengthening of local management and of
financial monitoring processes.





Outlook



As we indicated at the time of the announcement for the proposed acquisition of
the Carpet Tile Division of Gaskell plc, demand was subdued in the majority of
the Group's major markets in 2002 and the first two months of the new financial
year have continued this trend.  The Group has, however, carried out a
substantial amount of work to achieve a cost base that is commensurate with this
level of demand.  Looking ahead, while there will continue to be uncertainties
in the underlying demand in most of the Group's major markets, the Directors
expect to achieve operational improvement and look to increase revenue growth
potential wherever possible through increased new product introduction,
geographic expansion and additional service provision.


Low & Bonar PLC

Group Profit and Loss Account


for the year ended 30 November 2002








                                                                                                  2002         2001
                                                                                                           Restated
                                                                                                  #000         #000

      Turnover                                                                                 162,637      171,890


      Operating profit before exceptional costs                                                  7,722       10,001

      Exceptional operating costs     -     restructuring costs                                (1,348)     (11,159)
                                      -     goodwill impairment                                     -       (6,391)
                                                                                  

      Operating profit/(loss)                                                                    6,374      (7,549)

      Exceptional non-operating items:
       Loss on disposal of businesses (Note 1)                                                 (1,683)           -

      Profit/(loss) before interest                                                              4,691      (7,549)

      Net interest payable                                                                       (215)        (635)
                                                                                                 

      Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before taxation                                       4,476      (8,184)

      Taxation                                                                                 (2,383)      (3,085)

      Profit/(loss) for the financial year                                                       2,093     (11,269)

      Dividends (including non-equity)  (Note 2)                                               (4,002)      (5,992)

      Transferred from reserves                                                                (1,909)     (17,261)

      Earnings per ordinary share before operating
      and non-operating exceptional items (Note 3)                                               4.88p        6.14p

      Basic and fully diluted earnings/(loss) per ordinary share                                 2.08p     (11.35p)
      (Note 3)




The results of the Group for this and the preceding financial year relate solely
to continuing activities.


Low & Bonar PLC

Group Balance Sheet

at 30 November 2002



                                                                                       2002           2001
                                                                                       #000           #000
                                                                                                  Restated
             Fixed assets
             Tangible assets                                                         57,455         63,079

             Current assets
             Stocks                                                                  24,087         25,586
             Debtors
             - due within one year                                                   39,445         38,237
             - due after one year                                                     5,652          5,963
                                                                                     45,097         44,200
             Cash and short term deposits                                            30,131         58,337

                                                                                     99,315        128,123

             Creditors - due within one year
             Bank and other borrowings                                                8,030         37,748
             Other creditors                                                         40,337         41,659

                                                                                     48,367         79,407

             Net current assets                                                      50,948         48,716

             Total assets less current liabilities                                  108,403        111,795

             Creditors - due after one year
             Bank and other borrowings                                                3,870          5,731
             Other creditors                                                          2,098          2,568

                                                                                      5,968          8,299

             Provisions for liabilities and charges
             Deferred taxation                                                        5,204          4,972

             Accruals and deferred income
             Government grants                                                          292            360

                                                                                     96,939         98,164

             Capital and reserves
             Equity and non-equity called up share capital                           50,137         50,137
             Share premium account                                                   60,424         60,424
             Exchange reserve                                                       (9,453)        (7,820)
             Profit and loss account                                                (4,169)        (4,577)

             Shareholders' funds
             - Equity                                                                96,539         97,764
             - Non-equity                                                               400            400
                                                                                     96,939         98,164







Low & Bonar PLC

Group Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

for the year ended 30 November 2002




                                                                          2002                     2001
                                                                   #000         #000         #000         #000


Net cash inflow from operating activities (Note 4)                            11,132                    19,744

Interest received                                                 1,046                     2,719
Interest paid                                                   (1,570)                   (3,518)
Non-equity dividends paid                                          (23)                      (23)

Returns on investments and servicing of finance                                (547)                     (822)


Tax recovered/(paid)                                                           1,193                   (3,525)


Purchase of tangible fixed assets                               (5,632)                  (10,892)
Sale of tangible fixed assets                                     2,840                     4,957


Capital expenditure                                                          (2,792)                   (5,935)


Acquisition of subsidiaries                                           -                     (690)
Sale of subsidiaries                                                333                         -

Acquisitions and disposals                                                       333                     (690)

Equity dividends paid                                                        (5,970)                   (5,970)

Net cash inflow before management of
liquid resources and financing                                                 3,349                     2,802

Management of liquid resources
Decrease in short term deposits                                               30,000                    15,900

(Repayment of)/additional loans due under one year             (29,719)                    31,108
Repayment of loans due after one year                           (1,967)                  (57,240)

Financing                                                                   (31,686)                  (26,132)

Increase/(decrease) in cash (Note 5)                                           1,663                   (7,430)


Reconciliation of net cash
Opening net cash                                                              14,858                    13,622
Exchange                                                                          24                   (1,566)
Net cash flow                                                                  3,349                     2,802

Closing net cash (Note 5)                                                     18,231                    14,858





Low & Bonar PLC

Consolidated Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses

for the year ended 30 November 2002




                                                                                                 2002         2001
                                                                                                 #000         #000
                                                                                                          Restated

Profit/(loss) for the financial year                                                            2,093     (11,269)

Currency translation differences on overseas net investments
and related borrowings                                                                          (470)          734

Total recognised gains/(losses) for the year                                                    1,623     (10,535)

Prior year adjustment, implementation FRS 19                                                  (3,595)

Total losses recognised since last annual report                                              (1,972)












Reconciliation of Movements in Consolidated Shareholders' Funds

for the year ended 30 November 2002


                                                                                                 2002         2001
                                                                                                 #000         #000
                                                                                                          Restated

Profit/(loss) for the financial year                                                            2,093     (11,269)

Dividends                                                                                     (4,002)      (5,992)

Result for year                                                                               (1,909)     (17,261)

Other recognised losses and gains relating to the year                                          (470)          734

Goodwill transferred to profit and loss account on disposal of                                  1,154            -
businesses                                                                                                       

Net decrease in shareholders' funds                                                           (1,225)     (16,527)

Shareholders' funds at start of year                                                           98,164      114,691

Shareholders' funds at end of year                                                             96,939       98,164






The accounts comply with Financial Reporting Standard (FRS 19), "Deferred tax",
which has resulted in a change in the accounting policy for deferred tax to a
full provision basis and comparatives for last year have been restated
accordingly.  The impact of FRS 19 on the accounts is to reduce the opening
shareholders' funds of #118,286,000 previously reported at 30 November 2000 by
#3,595,000 to #114,691,000.  The loss for the financial year of #11,031,000 as
previously reported for the year ended 30 November 2001 is increased by #238,000
to #11,269,000.


Low & Bonar PLC







Segmental Information

                                                    Turnover           Profit/(Loss)              Net assets

                                                 2002      2001       2002      2001           2002        2001
                                                 #000      #000       #000      #000           #000        #000
                                                                                                          Restated
Classes of business



Floors                                         56,072    57,763         6,920     7,019          20,412     21,039

Yarns & Fabrics                                44,342    43,044         2,129     1,462          29,471     30,299

Total Specialist Materials                    100,414   100,807         9,049     8,481          49,883     51,338

North European Plastics                        21,721    19,125           590       630          12,610     12,019
South European Plastics                        18,728    25,809       (2,160)     (156)           6,928      8,490
North American Plastics                        21,774    26,149           243     1,046          13,798     14,291

Total Plastics                                 62,223    71,083       (1,327)     1,520          33,336     34,800
                                                         

                                              162,637   171,890         7,722    10,001          83,219     86,138
                                                                                 

Exceptional operating costs                                           (1,348)  (17,550)
Exceptional non-operating costs                                       (1,683)         -
Net interest                                                            (215)     (635)

Group profit/(loss) before taxation                                     4,476   (8,184)

Non-operating liabilities                                                                       (4,511)    (2,832)
Net cash                                                                                         18,231     14,858

Total net assets                                                                                 96,939     98,164

Geographical segments

By origin:

United Kingdom                                 37,125    39,835         6,909     6,406          18,002     18,990
Europe                                        102,092    99,621         1,113     2,879          50,809     50,073
North America                                  23,420    32,434         (300)       716          14,408     17,075
                                                                        

                                              162,637   171,890         7,722    10,001          83,219     86,138

Exceptional operating costs                                           (1,348)  (17,550)
Exceptional non-operating costs                                       (1,683)         -
Net interest                                                            (215)     (635)

Group profit/(loss) before taxation                                     4,476   (8,184)

Non-operating liabilities                                                                       (4,511)    (2,832)
Net cash                                                                                         18,231     14,858

Total net assets                                                                                 96,939     98,164

Turnover by destination:

United Kingdom                                 22,211    24,210
Continental Europe                             99,578   101,242
North America                                  30,225    38,287
Rest of World                                  10,623     8,151

                                              162,637   171,890




Low & Bonar PLC

Notes on Preliminary Results for 2002



1.       Exceptional non-operating items

                                                                                                 2002        2001
                                                                                                 #000        #000
Loss on sale of Spila, Italian Plastics business
Loss on disposal of business                                                                      529           -
Goodwill previously written off to reserves                                                     1,154           -

Loss on disposal of business                                                                    1,683           -







2.       Dividends

                                                                                                 2002        2001
                                                                                                 #000        #000
On non-equity shares:
First, second and third cumulative preference stock
Half year to 31 May 2002 (paid)                                                                    11          11
Half year to 30 November 2002 (since paid)                                                         12          12
                                                                                                   23          23
                                                                                                   
On equity shares:
Ordinary shares
Interim dividend of 2.50p (2001 - 2.50p) (paid)                                                 2,487       2,487
Final dividend of 1.50p (2001 - 3.50p) (proposed)                                               1,492       3,482

                                                                                                4,002       5,992









3.       Earnings per ordinary share

                                                                                                2002        2001
                                                                                                #000        #000
Profits/(losses) are calculated as follows:
Profit/(loss) after tax                                                                        2,093    (11,269)
Preference dividend                                                                             (23)        (23)

Profits/(losses) attributable to equity shareholders                                           2,070    (11,292)

Exceptional non-operating items                                                                1,683           -
Taxation relief thereon                                                                            -           -
Exceptional operating costs                                                                    1,348      17,550
Taxation relief thereon                                                                        (244)       (150)

Earnings before exceptional items                                                              4,857       6,108
                                                                                               

Basic and fully diluted earnings/(loss) per share                                              2.08p    (11.35p)

Earnings per share before operating and non-operating exceptional items                        4.88p       6.14p



All calculations of earnings per share are based on the number of ordinary
shares in issue during the year of 99,474,690 (2001 - 99,474,690).









4.    Net cash inflow from operating activities
                                                                                                  2002        2001
                                                                                                  #000        #000

Operating profit/(loss)                                                                          6,374     (7,549)
Depreciation - operating                                                                         7,738       8,819
Depreciation - exceptional                                                                           -       5,027
Amortisation - operating                                                                             -         369
Amortisation - exceptional                                                                           -       6,391
Write back of government grants                                                                   (68)        (69)
Gain on disposal of fixed assets                                                                     -       (164)
Decrease in stocks                                                                               1,175       5,102
Decrease in debtors                                                                            (2,692)      10,490
Decrease in creditors                                                                          (1,395)     (8,672)

                                                                                                11,132      19,744







5.       Reconciliation and analysis of net cash


                                                                   Short term  Borrowings  Borrowings
                                                      Cash net of        Bank       under        Over         Net
                                                       Overdrafts    Deposits    one year    one year cash/(debt)
                                                             #000        #000        #000        #000        #000

At 30 November 2000                                        21,562      59,700     (6,511)    (61,129)      13,622
Cash flow                                                 (7,430)    (15,900)    (31,108)      57,240       2,802
Exchange rate fluctuations                                    405           -        (129)    (1,842)     (1,566)
                                                                               

At 30 November 2001                                        14,537      43,800    (37,748)     (5,731)      14,858
Cash flow                                                   1,663    (30,000)      29,719       1,967       3,349
Exchange rate fluctuations                                    131           -         (1)       (106)          24
                                                                            

At 30 November 2002                                        16,331      13,800     (8,030)     (3,870)      18,231









6.      This preliminary announcement has been prepared on the basis of the
accounting policies set out in the annual report for the year ended 30 November
2001, with the exception of the impact upon accounting for deferred tax as
disclosed at the foot of the Reconciliation of Movements in Consolidated
Shareholders' Funds.







7.      The financial information set out in this preliminary announcement does
not constitute the company's statutory accounts for the year ended 30 November
2002 or 2001 but is derived from those accounts.  Statutory accounts for 2001
have been delivered to the registrar of companies, whereas those for 2002 will
be delivered following the company's annual general meeting.  The auditors have
reported on those accounts; their reports were unqualified and did not contain a
statement under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985.








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