TIDMCARR
RNS Number : 9710G
Carr's Group PLC
12 November 2018
12 November 2018
CARR'S GROUP PLC ("Carr's" or the "Group")
FULL YEAR RESULTS
For the year ended 1 September 2018
"Strategic progress and financial performance ahead of
expectations"
Carr's (CARR.L), the Agriculture and Engineering Group,
announces its results for the year ended 1 September 2018.
Financial Highlights
Adjusted[1]
FY18 FY17 +/-
----------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------
Revenue
(GBPm) 403.2 346.2 +16.5%
Operating 17.5 12.1 +44.4%
profit
(GBPm)
Profit 16.6 11.4 +45.2%
before tax
(GBPm)
Adjusted(1) 13.9 8.9 +56.2%
EPS (p)
Statutory
FY18 FY17 +/-
------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------
Revenue
(GBPm) 403.2 346.2 +16.5%
Operating 16.4 10.7 +53.5%
profit
(GBPm)
Profit 15.5 10.0 +55.0%
before
tax
(GBPm)
Basic EPS 13.0 7.7 +68.8%
(p)
Dividend 4.5 4.0 +12.5%
per share
(p)
Net debt 15.4 14.1 +8.6%
Capex 5.5 3.9 +41.5%
[1] Adjusted results are after adding back amortisation of
acquired intangible assets and non-recurring items including
acquisition costs (note 3)
Commercial Highlights
-- Strong performance in UK Agriculture with growth across all
areas, reflecting improved farm incomes
-- USA feed blocks significantly ahead of expectations, up
17.7%, driven by recovery in USA cattle prices
-- Plans to expand feed block business internationally progressing well:
- Agreements signed with leading distributors in New Zealand
-- Post year end, acquired Animax, a producer of market-leading livestock trace element supplementation products
-- Significant improvement in Engineering:
- Strong recovery in UK Manufacturing
- First full year contribution from NuVision
-- First contracts won to sell Wälischmiller remote handling
equipment into the USA market
-- NuVision now integrated and two significant MSIP(R) contracts
signed, strengthening order book to FY21
Chris Holmes, Chairman of Carr's Group, commented:
"We are very pleased to announce a significant improvement in
the Group's financial performance for the year, exceeding the
Board's expectations, across both the Agriculture and Engineering
divisions. This performance was largely as a result of investments
we made across the business in recent years, in addition to a
recovery in our underlying markets.
"UK Agriculture continued to perform well reflecting the
sustained recovery in farm incomes. Our USA feed blocks business
continued to benefit from the recovery in USA cattle prices and we
made further progress on growing our international feed blocks
business. Our Engineering division also delivered a significantly
improved performance during the year.
"Trading for the new financial year has started in line with the
Board's expectations. We made further progress during the year on
our strategic objectives and continue to believe the breadth of our
product offering, investments in acquisitions and research, and our
international footprint leaves us well positioned for further
growth across both our divisions in the medium term."
Enquiries:
Carr's Group plc Tel: +44 (0) 1228 554 600
Tim Davies (Chief Executive)
Neil Austin (Group Finance Director)
Powerscourt Tel: +44 (0) 20 7250 1446
Nick Dibden / Lisa Kavanagh / Sam Austrums
About Carr's Group plc:
Carr's is an international leader in manufacturing value added
products and solutions, with market leading brands and robust
market positions in Agriculture and Engineering, supplying
customers in over 50 countries around the world.
Its Agriculture division manufactures and supplies feed blocks
and supplementation products for livestock, distributes farm
machinery and runs a UK network of rural stores, providing a
one-stop shop for the farming community. Its Engineering division
designs and manufactures bespoke equipment and provides technical
engineering services into the nuclear, petrochemical, oil and gas,
pharmaceutical, process and renewable energy industries, including
robotic and remote handling equipment.
Chairman's Statement
Review of the year
For the year ended 1 September 2018, the Group has delivered a
performance ahead of the Board's expectations and significantly
ahead of the prior year. Both our Agriculture and Engineering
divisions have benefitted from the investments made in previous
years, particularly the acquisition of NuVision, as well as a
recovery in our UK Manufacturing business and continued
improvements in our underlying markets.
In our Agriculture division, UK Agriculture continued to perform
strongly reflecting improved farm incomes and higher levels of
farmer confidence. In the USA, cattle prices improved steadily
during the year supporting a recovery in USA feed block volumes,
which were significantly ahead of the prior year. UK feed blocks
performed in line with expectations. In Europe, feed block sales
volumes through our joint venture business based in Germany,
Crystalyx Products GmbH, continued to grow. Our plans to develop
the feed block business internationally remain on track.
Our Engineering division delivered a significantly improved
financial result compared to the prior year. We saw a strong
recovery in our UK Manufacturing business, with the significant
contract announced in July 2017 performing as expected and the
benefit of improved controls over contract profitability. Our
Remote Handling business also performed strongly, benefiting from
the delivery of substantial contracts into the Chinese market.
NuVision, acquired in August 2017, performed well in its first full
year as part of the Group, securing several significant contracts
to be delivered over the next three years. The business was also
successfully integrated into the wider Engineering division.
During the year we have continued to invest in our people. Due
to the retirement of a number of key, long-standing senior
managers, we have recruited high calibre successors for a number of
our businesses, including the appointment of a new Managing
Director for our USA feed blocks business and a new Managing
Director for our UK feed blocks business. In addition, the
appointment of a new Divisional Managing Director for the
Engineering division in November 2017 is driving the strategic
focus and growth of that division.
In line with our strategy, we have continued to invest in
technology and innovation to grow the business internationally.
Following the commissioning of the new low moisture feed block
plant in Tennessee, the site is now fully operational, and volumes
continue to build. We also expanded our remote handling facility in
Markdorf, Germany which has enabled us to complete the full
integration of the STABER business, acquired in October 2016,
within Wälischmiller.
Following the year end we acquired Animax Limited, a producer of
market-leading trace element supplements, for a total cash
consideration of up to GBP8.5m. This acquisition is highly
complementary to our global feed blocks business and aligns with
our stated strategy of investing in growing agriculture markets in
the UK and internationally. We will continue to appraise new
opportunities in line with our strategy.
Financial review
Revenue for the year increased by 16.5% to GBP403.2m (2017:
GBP346.2m). Adjusted operating profit, which is before amortisation
of acquired intangible assets and non-recurring items, was up 44.4%
to GBP17.5m (2017: GBP12.1m), with Agriculture contributing
GBP13.4m (2017: GBP11.4m) and Engineering GBP4.1m (2017: GBP0.6m).
Reported operating profit was up 53.5% at GBP16.4m (2017:
GBP10.7m). Non-recurring items include certain acquisition related
costs totalling GBP0.3m and a write-off of goodwill relating to the
UK Manufacturing business, Bendalls, totalling GBP0.5m.
Adjusted profit before tax was up 45.2% to GBP16.6m (2017:
GBP11.4m) and reported profit before tax was up 55.0% at GBP15.5m
(2017: GBP10.0m). Basic earnings per share were up by 68.8% to 13.0
pence (2017: 7.7 pence), with fully diluted earnings per share of
12.7 pence (2017: 7.6 pence) and adjusted earnings per share,
excluding amortisation of acquired intangible assets and
non-recurring items, of 13.9 pence (2017: 8.9 pence).
Net debt at 1 September 2018 was GBP15.4m (2017: GBP14.1m). The
movement included GBP11.5m generated from operations, GBP7.1m used
in investing activities, and GBP3.8m paid in dividends.
Dividend
The Board is proposing a final dividend of 2.35 pence per
ordinary share, which together with the two interim dividends of
1.075 pence per ordinary share paid on 21 May 2018 and 5 October
2018, make a total of 4.5 pence per share for the year (2017: 4.0
pence per share). The final dividend, if approved by the
Shareholders, will be paid on 11 January 2019, to Shareholders on
the register on close of business 30 November 2018, and the shares
will go ex-dividend on 29 November 2018.
Corporate governance
During the year, we have continued to review our governance
framework following a number of changes implemented in 2017,
including changing the membership of our Audit and Remuneration
Committees and revising our policy on executive remuneration
following a consultation with certain major shareholders. We were
pleased to receive overwhelming support for these changes at our
AGM in January 2018 and our Remuneration Committee will continue to
consult with major shareholders on specific policy matters as and
when appropriate.
In July this year, the Financial Reporting Council published its
revised Corporate Governance Code 2018 which will apply to the
Group from September 2019 onwards. The revised Code introduces some
important changes to UK corporate governance. During the course of
the current financial year, we will continue to review our
governance practices to ensure that we are well placed moving into
the new regime. As a Group, we remain committed to promoting a
robust and transparent governance framework which will continue to
serve the interests of all our stakeholders.
Outlook
The Group remains committed to delivering on its strategic
objectives of investing in its people and its asset base, whilst
continuing to drive innovation and delivering growth across our two
divisions, with a focus on broadening our geographic footprint.
The Board remains confident in the prospects of the UK
Agriculture business in the near term following the sustained
recovery in farm incomes. While we now have greater visibility in
relation to farming support post Brexit, we remain cautious over
the nature of future trade agreements with the EU and the rest of
the world. We expect the gradual recovery in USA cattle prices to
continue in the current financial year, which, together with the
acquisition of Animax and expansion into other geographic markets,
provides a solid base for growth in the Agriculture division.
In Engineering, order books remain strong across most of the
businesses and the recovery in the division's financial performance
is expected to continue. We continue to invest in product
development and improved production methods to support the future
growth of the division. While uncertainty remains over the
potential impact of Brexit on certain supply chains, we remain
encouraged by the growth opportunities available, particularly in
the USA and Asia, which we continue to develop.
Trading in the new financial year has started in line with the
Board's expectations. We remain confident that our investments in
acquisitions, research and product innovation position the Group
well for sustained growth.
Chris Holmes DL
Chairman
12 November 2018
Chief Executive's Review
The year has seen significant progress for the Group, with our
financial performance ahead of the Board's expectations and
significantly improved upon the prior year across both Agriculture
and Engineering. We continued to deliver our strategic objectives,
which are consistent with our vision to be recognised as a truly
international business at the forefront of innovation and
technology.
During the year we were also able to make significant progress
with senior management succession plans for a number of key
leadership roles across the Group, as well as continuing to invest
in our own programmes to develop our next generation of leaders.
People remain fundamental to our businesses; we recognise the
enormous contribution of our people across the businesses which has
enabled the Group to deliver a strong result for the year. Another
key driver is keeping everyone safe, and we have continued to focus
on safety throughout the financial year, improving our reporting
mechanisms and further embedding our safety culture.
Agriculture
The Agriculture division has performed strongly this year, as a
result of improvements in underlying markets as well as the
investments made in recent years.
During the year, revenue was up 13.8% to GBP359.6m (2017:
GBP315.9m). Adjusted operating profit was up 16.9% to GBP13.4m
(2017: GBP11.4m) and reported operating profit was up 20.1% to
GBP13.0m (2017: GBP10.8m).
Feed blocks
Total global feed block sales volumes were up 15.0% compared to
last year.
Our USA feed blocks business was significantly ahead of last
year with sales volumes up 17.7%. This performance was driven by
the ongoing recovery in cattle prices in the USA. Our new low
moisture feed block plant in Tennessee is now fully operational and
provides additional capacity and access to new markets across the
Eastern and South Eastern states of the USA.
UK feed blocks sales volumes were up 8.9%, in line with
expectations.
Our joint venture business based in Germany, Crystalyx Products
GmbH, performed strongly during the period with sales volumes up
12.4%, due to improved farm incomes following a recovery in the
milk price across Europe.
Our plans to grow our feed blocks business internationally
continue to progress well. In New Zealand, our direct sales
operation distributing to farmers through merchants has continued
to grow, with supply agreements now in place with several of the
country's leading agricultural merchants. In South America, we are
now supplying products through our chosen distributors and made our
first commercial sales during the year. Farm trials continue to
demonstrate the efficacy of our products, providing local evidence
which we will use in support of our plans to develop our market in
South America.
The strength of our brands, including Crystalyx(R), SmartLic(R),
Megastart(R), FlaxLic(R) and Horslyx(R), continue to enable us to
drive growth and expand internationally and we remain focused on
investment in new product development.
UK Agriculture
UK Agriculture continued to perform well across all areas of the
business, reflecting improved farm incomes and ongoing farmer
confidence. Manufactured feed volumes were up 8.7%, in line with
the national average. Key drivers for the increased volumes were
the late Spring and the dry weather during the summer months.
Our retail business delivered a strong performance during the
period, with the country store network reporting an increase of
4.4% in like-for-like sales and a 12.1% increase in total sales.
The increase in total sales was primarily driven by the acquisition
of Pearson Farm Supplies, an agricultural retail business with
locations across Yorkshire, Lancashire and North West Wales, which
was completed in October 2017. This business has now been
successfully integrated and as expected the acquisition has enabled
synergies to be achieved with our existing retail business and the
team has settled in well. Our retail footprint currently stands at
43 locations.
Machinery sales revenues were ahead of the prior year, up 7.8%,
a new record level of sales, as the business continued to benefit
from an improved trading environment. We also invested in the
expansion of our machinery branch at Morpeth, Northumberland,
during the year to provide additional workshop capacity, improving
our after-sales service capability.
The oil distribution business delivered sales volumes that were
4.6% ahead of the prior year. The business saw higher demand for
heating oil in the colder months earlier in the year, partially
offset by a reduction in on-farm activity during the drier summer
months.
Strategic acquisition
On 21 September 2018 we acquired Animax Limited, a producer of
market-leading trace element supplementation products for
livestock, for an initial cash consideration of GBP6m. Additional
cash consideration of up to a maximum of GBP2.5m is payable over
the period to November 2020, based on the achievement of agreed
financial targets.
Animax, based in Suffolk in the UK, is at the forefront of
innovation in the field of livestock trace element supplementation.
Its patent-protected leaching boluses are proven to release trace
elements in a controlled and consistent manner over prolonged
periods, resulting in improved animal performance. The boluses are
currently sold in the UK and overseas under the Tracesure(R) and
Allsure(R) brands. Animax also produces other leading animal health
and trace element supplementation products sold under well-known
brands including Copasure(R), Copinox(R), Coprac(R), Easycal(R) and
Pardevit(R).
Animax broadens the Group's animal health and supplementation
product ranges that deliver added value to farmers. Its products
are highly complementary to the established Carr's Group feed block
business across the USA, New Zealand, Europe, UK and Ireland.
Carr's will support the growth and development of Animax through
investment in research to develop new products and by investing in
manufacturing efficiencies. In addition, Carr's expects significant
manufacturing, distribution and sales synergy benefits to be
realised as a result of the acquisition.
Agriculture Outlook
We remain confident in the prospects of UK Agriculture in the
near term following the sustained recovery in farm incomes. We now
have greater visibility on the impact of Brexit on farming support
in the near term, although uncertainty remains over future trade
agreements with the EU and the rest of the world.
Internationally, the gradual recovery in the USA cattle market
seen through the course of the year is expected to be sustained,
which will contribute to the future growth of this business.
We remain focused on developing our global supplements business.
The acquisition of Animax is in line with that strategy; it builds
on our established global feed blocks business and provides a
broader platform for the next phase of international growth across
the Agriculture division. We also remain alert to other suitable
acquisition opportunities where we believe there is a strong
commercial and strategic rationale.
Engineering
The Engineering division has seen a significant improvement in
financial performance during the year, following the challenges
experienced in 2017 which were largely attributable to one major
contract delay in the UK Manufacturing business. That contract is
back on track and performing in line with our expectations.
During the year, revenue was up 43.6% to GBP43.6m (2017:
GBP30.4m). Adjusted operating profit was up 533.5% to GBP4.1m
(2017: GBP0.6m) and reported operating profit was up to GBP3.4m
(2017: loss of GBP0.1m).
UK Manufacturing
Our UK Manufacturing business recovered strongly during the year
generating revenues of GBP18.4m (2017: GBP13.0m). Work on the
significant contract announced in July 2017 continues to progress
and the order book remains strong. Although there has been a
significant improvement in the trading performance during the year,
goodwill of GBP0.5m was written off as a result of an impairment
review undertaken.
During the year we strengthened the management team in our
fabrication business with the appointment of a new Managing
Director and Commercial Director.
In our precision engineering business, the continued recovery of
the oil price, together with strengthened management, more
effective business development and enhanced manufacturing
efficiencies, has delivered a significant uplift in revenues.
Remote Handling
Our Remote Handling business has performed well during the year
and in line with the Board's expectations. Revenues for the
financial year totalled GBP19.5m (2017: GBP17.2m). The substantial
orders into China, awarded in 2017, have all now been successfully
delivered during the year. As expected, following the successful
completion of these contracts, the order book in the near term is
softer than last year, but this is not expected to impact on
overall divisional performance and medium-term prospects for our
Remote Handling business remain positive.
The extension of our facility in Markdorf, Germany has now been
completed, including the full relocation of people and machinery
from STABER following its acquisition in October 2016. Operating
from a single site should enable efficiency improvements in the
medium-term.
Our plans to enter the USA market with Wälischmiller remote
handling equipment continue to progress with our first contracts
being won earlier than expected during the second half of the
year.
USA Engineering
Carr's established an engineering presence in the USA through
the acquisition of NuVision Engineering, Inc in August 2017. The
business has performed well in its first year of ownership,
generating revenues of GBP5.7m (2017: GBP0.2m). During the year we
completed the integration of NuVision into our wider Engineering
division and successfully completed a planned reorganisation of its
management and leadership teams.
NuVision has secured a good level of work during the year,
including two significant Mechanical Stress Improvement Process
(MSIP(R)) contracts, which substantially strengthen the order book
through to FY21.
During the year, we also disposed of NuVision's 49% stake in
Mid-Columbia Engineering, Inc (MCE), a non-core loss-making
business based in Richland, Washington, to enable greater strategic
focus on the development of the USA Engineering business.
Engineering Outlook
Prospects for the Engineering Division remain good over the
medium term. The order books in the UK Manufacturing and USA
Engineering businesses remain strong. We remain confident in the
long-term outlook for the Remote Handling business with the
forecast lower sales in 2019, due to contract phasing, not expected
to impact upon the performance of the division.
While uncertainty remains around Brexit and the impact this
could have on certain supply chains within our engineering
businesses, we believe our geographically diverse operations
position the Group well to deliver growth in the medium term. We
remain focused on identifying suitable value enhancing
acquisitions, which complement our existing operations, and will
continue to invest in technology and innovation across the
division.
Tim Davies
Chief Executive Officer
12 November 2018
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
for the year ended 1 September 2018
(Restated)
Note 2018 2017
GBP'000 GBP'000
Continuing operations
Revenue 2 403,192 346,224
Cost of sales (349,864) (307,543)
Gross profit 53,328 38,681
Distribution costs (18,950) (16,391)
Administrative expenses (21,188) (14,413)
Share of post-tax results of associates 1,634 1,609
Share of post-tax results of joint ventures 1,581 1,204
Adjusted(2) operating profit 17,464 12,091
Amortisation and non-recurring items 3 (1,059) (1,401)
Operating profit 2 16,405 10,690
Finance income 358 176
Finance costs (1,261) (864)
Adjusted(2) profit before taxation 16,561 11,403
Amortisation and non-recurring items 3 (1,059) (1,401)
Profit before taxation 2 15,502 10,002
Taxation 4 (1,855) (1,707)
Profit for the year 13,647 8,295
========== ===========
Profit attributable to:
Equity shareholders 11,892 7,005
Non-controlling interests 1,755 1,290
13,647 8,295
========== ===========
Earnings per ordinary share (pence)
Basic 5 13.0 7.7
Diluted 12.7 7.6
Adjusted 5 13.9 8.9
(2) Adjusted results are after adding back amortisation of acquired
intangible assets and non-recurring items including acquisition
costs (note 3)
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
for the year ended 1 September 2018
2018 2017
GBP'000 GBP'000
Profit for the year 13,647 8,295
-------- --------
Other comprehensive income/(expense)
Items that may be reclassified subsequently
to profit or loss:
* Foreign exchange translation (losses)/gains arising
on translation of overseas subsidiaries (505) 1,835
* Net investment hedges 111 (70)
* Taxation (charge)/credit on net investment hedges (21) 14
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently
to profit or loss:
- Actuarial gains on retirement benefit
asset/obligation:
- Group 4,836 4,951
- Share of associate 1,194 1,070
* Taxation charge on actuarial gains on retirement
benefit asset/ obligation: (822) (842)
(203) (211)
- Group
- Share of associate
Other comprehensive income for the year,
net of tax 4,590 6,747
-------- --------
Total comprehensive income for the year 18,237 15,042
======== ========
Total comprehensive income attributable to:
Equity shareholders 16,482 13,752
Non-controlling interests 1,755 1,290
18,237 15,042
======== ========
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
as at 1 September 2018
(Restated)
2018 2017
GBP'000 GBP'000
Assets
Non-current assets
Goodwill 24,272 24,293
Other intangible assets 2,223 2,266
Property, plant and equipment 38,484 37,149
Investment property 170 176
Investment in associates 13,129 11,443
Interest in joint ventures 8,004 6,590
Other investments 74 73
Financial assets
- Non-current receivables 21 444
Retirement benefit asset 10,146 5,209
---------- -----------
96,523 87,643
---------- -----------
Current assets
Inventories 42,371 37,023
Trade and other receivables 67,516 59,723
Current tax assets 119 297
Financial assets
- Derivative financial instruments 26 13
- Cash and cash equivalents 24,632 23,887
---------- -----------
134,664 120,943
---------- -----------
Total assets 231,187 208,586
---------- -----------
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Financial liabilities
- Borrowings (34,994) (17,060)
- Derivative financial instruments - (18)
Trade and other payables (64,290) (56,181)
Current tax liabilities (175) (673)
---------- -----------
(99,459) (73,932)
---------- -----------
Non-current liabilities
Financial liabilities
- Borrowings (4,997) (20,966)
Deferred tax liabilities (3,981) (4,010)
Other non-current liabilities (1,784) (3,755)
---------- -----------
(10,762) (28,731)
---------- -----------
Total liabilities (110,221) (102,663)
---------- -----------
Net assets 120,966 105,923
========== ===========
Shareholders' equity
Share capital 2,285 2,285
Share premium 9,141 9,130
Other reserves 93,855 80,067
--------
Total shareholders' equity 105,281 91,482
Non-controlling interests 15,685 14,441
-------- --------
Total equity 120,966 105,923
======== ========
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
for the year ended 1 September 2018
Treasury Equity Foreign Total Non-
Share Share Share Compensation Exchange Other Retained Shareholders' controlling
Capital Premium Reserve Reserve Reserve Reserve Earnings Equity Interests Total
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
--------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- --------- ---------- --------------------------- ------------ ---------
At 4 September
2016 2,280 9,111 (8) 706 2,895 207 81,540 96,731 13,357 110,088
--------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- --------- ---------- --------------------------- ------------ ---------
Profit for
the
Year - - - - - - 7,005 7,005 1,290 8,295
Other
comprehensive
income - - - - 1,779 - 4,968 6,747 - 6,747
--------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- --------- ---------- --------------------------- ------------ ---------
Total
comprehensive
income - - - - 1,779 - 11,973 13,752 1,290 15,042
Dividends
paid - - - - - - (19,467) (19,467) (245) (19,712)
Equity-settled
share-based
payment
transactions - - - (320) - - 766 446 39 485
Allotment
of shares 5 19 - - - - - 24 - 24
Purchase
of own shares
held in trust - - (4) - - - - (4) - (4)
Transfer - - 12 - - (2) (10) - - -
At 2 September
2017 2,285 9,130 - 386 4,674 205 74,802 91,482 14,441 105,923
========= ========= ========= ============= ========= ========= ========== =========================== ============ =========
At 3 September
2017 2,285 9,130 - 386 4,674 205 74,802 91,482 14,441 105,923
--------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- --------- ---------- --------------------------- ------------ ---------
Profit for
the
Year - - - - - - 11,892 11,892 1,755 13,647
Other
comprehensive
(expense)/income - - - - (415) - 5,005 4,590 - 4,590
--------- --------- --------- ------------- --------- --------- ---------- --------------------------- ------------ ---------
Total
comprehensive
(expense)/income - - - - (415) - 16,897 16,482 1,755 18,237
Dividends
paid - - - - - - (3,770) (3,770) (588) (4,358)
Equity-settled
share-based
payment
transactions - - - 1,041 - - 8 1,049 76 1,125
Excess deferred
taxation
on share
based payments - - - - - - 27 27 1 28
Allotment
of shares - 11 - - - - - 11 - 11
Transfer - - - - - (3) 3 - - -
At 1 September
2018 2,285 9,141 - 1,427 4,259 202 87,967 105,281 15,685 120,966
========= ========= ========= ============= ========= ========= ========== =========================== ============ =========
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
for the year ended 1 September 2018
Note 2018 2017
GBP'000 GBP'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from continuing operations 6 14,980 15,094
Interest received 226 175
Interest paid (1,210) (896)
Tax paid (2,511) (1,179)
Net cash generated from operating activities 11,485 13,194
--------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of subsidiaries (net of
overdraft/cash acquired) (1,522) (12,640)
Contingent/deferred consideration paid (2,617) (549)
Net costs of disposal of associate (90) -
Dividend received from associate and
joint ventures 704 1,212
Loan repaid by associates 1,008 22
Other loans 59 80
Purchase of intangible assets (325) (371)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant
and equipment 189 691
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (4,488) (2,854)
Purchase of own shares held in trust - (4)
Redemption of preference shares in joint
venture 20 150
--------- ---------
Net cash used in investing activities (7,062) (14,263)
--------- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of ordinary share
capital 11 24
New bank loans and movement on RCF (2,076) 6,000
Finance lease principal repayments (997) (846)
Repayment of borrowings (3,241) (3,110)
Increase/(decrease) in other borrowings 8,934 (2,804)
Dividends paid to shareholders (3,770) (19,467)
Dividends paid to related party (588) (245)
--------- ---------
Net cash used in financing activities (1,727) (20,448)
--------- ---------
Effect of exchange rate changes (305) 344
--------- ---------
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and
cash equivalents 2,391 (21,173)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
of the year 18,614 39,787
--------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
the year 21,005 18,614
========= =========
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT
1. Basis of preparation
The Group's unaudited Preliminary Announcement does not
constitute statutory consolidated financial statements for the year
ended 1 September 2018 or the year ended 2 September 2017. The
statutory accounts for the year ended 1 September 2018 will be
finalised on the basis of the financial information presented by
the Directors in this preliminary announcement and will be
delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company's
Annual General Meeting.
The financial statements for the year ended 2 September 2017
were unqualified and have been delivered to the Registrar of
Companies.
The prior year consolidated income statement has been restated
for the reclassification to operating profit of the share of
post-tax results of the associates and joint ventures. The
inclusion of these results in operating profit better reflects the
Board's view that these businesses are integral to the Group's
operations and strategy. Comparatives at 2 September 2017 have been
restated by GBP2,813,000, increasing operating profit with no
impact to profit before tax.
The prior year consolidated balance sheet has been restated for
the finalisation of the fair value acquisition accounting for
NuVision Engineering, Inc which was acquired on 4 August 2017.
Comparatives at 2 September 2017 have been restated decreasing
non-current assets by GBP266,000, current assets by GBP188,000,
non-current liabilities by GBP668,000 and increasing current
liabilities by GBP214,000. There has been no impact to net assets
as at 1 September 2017.
2. Segmental information
The segmental information for the year ended 1 September 2018 is
as follows:
Agriculture Engineering Group
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Total segment revenue 359,620 43,618 403,238
Inter segment revenue (12) (34) (46)
Revenue from external customers 359,608 43,584 403,192
========== ========== ==========
Adjusted(3) EBITDA(4) 12,751 6,000 18,751
Depreciation, amortisation and profit/(loss)
on disposal of property, plant and
equipment (2,769) (1,733) (4,502)
Share of post-tax results of associates
and joint ventures 3,396 (181) 3,215
Adjusted(3) operating profit 13,378 4,086 17,464
Amortisation and non-recurring items (386) (673) (1,059)
Operating profit 12,992 3,413 16,405
---------- ----------
Finance income 358
Finance costs (1,261)
Adjusted(3) profit before taxation 16,561
Amortisation and non-recurring items (1,059)
Profit before taxation 15,502
==========
(3) Adjusted results are after adding back amortisation of
acquired intangible assets and non-recurring items
including acquisition costs (note 3)
(4) Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation,
profit/(loss) on the disposal of property, plant and equipment and
share
of post-tax results of associates and joint ventures
The segmental information for the year ended 2 September 2017
(restated) is as follows:
Agriculture Engineering Group
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Total segment revenue 315,876 30,390 346,266
Inter segment revenue (9) (33) (42)
Revenue from external customers 315,867 30,357 346,224
========== ========== ==========
Adjusted(5) EBITDA(6) 11,302 2,084 13,386
Depreciation, amortisation and profit/(loss)
on disposal of property, plant and
equipment (2,690) (1,418) (4,108)
Share of post-tax results of associates
and joint ventures 2,834 (21) 2,813
Adjusted(5) operating profit 11,446 645 12,091
Amortisation and non-recurring items (630) (771) (1,401)
Operating profit 10,816 (126) 10,690
---------- ----------
Finance income 176
Finance costs (864)
Adjusted(5) profit before taxation 11,403
Amortisation and non-recurring items (1,401)
Profit before taxation 10,002
==========
(5) Adjusted results are after adding back amortisation of
acquired intangible assets and non-recurring items including
acquisition costs (note 3)
(6) Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation,
profit/(loss) on the disposal of property, plant and equipment and
share of post-tax results of associates and joint ventures
3. Amortisation and non-recurring items
2018 2017
GBP'000 GBP'000
Amortisation of intangible assets 292 124
Goodwill impairment 516 1,700
Business combination expenses 251 1,349
Release of contingent consideration - (2,090)
Restructuring costs - 112
Loss on property disposal - 206
1,059 1,401
======================= =====================
An impairment of GBP516,000 was recognised in the year against
the carrying value of goodwill in respect of the Bendalls
Engineering business.
Business combination expenses relate to acquisition costs
incurred in the period as well as contingent consideration in
relation to prior year acquisitions of Phoenix Feeds Limited and
the business and certain assets of Mortimer Feeds Limited which is
explained further below.
Phoenix Feeds Limited was acquired on 1 June 2016. The
consideration paid included GBP490,000 of contingent consideration
linked to the continued employment of key personnel and therefore
in accordance with IFRS 3 this was not recognised as consideration
in the acquisition accounting in the 53 weeks ended 3 September
2016. It is instead being recognised in the income statement over a
two year period with GBP184,000 (2017: GBP306,000) recognised in
the current year. Given the nature of the payment it has been
recognised as a non-recurring item.
Mortimer Feeds was acquired on 5 June 2017. The consideration
paid included GBP30,000 of contingent consideration linked to the
continued employment of key personnel and therefore in accordance
with IFRS 3 this was not recognised as consideration in the
acquisition accounting in the prior year. It is instead being
recognised in the income statement over a one year period with
GBP30,000 (2017: GBPnil) recognised in the current year. Given the
nature of this payment it has been recognised as a non-recurring
item.
The goodwill impairment and release of contingent consideration
recognised in the prior year relate to the acquisition of Chirton
Engineering Limited which was acquired in year ended 2014.
Restructuring costs in the prior year comprise redundancy
costs.
The loss on property disposal recognised in the prior year was
in respect of the disposal of a property that was no longer
required following the relocation of one of the Group's
Agricultural branches.
4. Taxation
2018 2017
GBP'000 GBP'000
(a) Analysis of the charge in the year
Current tax:
UK corporation tax 887
Current year 1,352 (144)
Adjustment in respect of prior years (228) 591
Foreign tax (8)
Current year 1,549
Adjustment in respect of prior years -
---------- ---------------
Group current tax 2,673 1,326
---------- ---------------
Deferred tax:
Origination and reversal of timing differences
Current year (796) 442
Adjustment in respect of prior years (22) (61)
---------- ---------------
Group deferred tax (818) 381
---------- ---------------
Tax on profit from ordinary activities 1,855 1,707
========== ===============
(b) Factors affecting tax charge for the year
The tax assessed for the year is lower (2017: lower) than the
rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19% (2017: 19.58%). The
differences are explained below:
Profit before taxation 15,502 10,002
---------- ---------------
Tax at 19% (2017: 19.58%) 2,945 1,958
Effects of:
Tax effect of share of results of associates
and joint ventures (611)
Tax effect of expenses that are not allowable
in determining taxable profit 300 (551)
Tax effect of non-taxable income (310) 494
Effects of different tax rates of foreign
subsidiaries 227 (418)
Effects of changes in deferred tax rates (490) 473
Unrecognised deferred tax on losses 44 (36)
Adjustment in respect of prior years (250) -
(213)
---------- ---------------
Total tax charge for the year 1,855 1,707
========== ===============
The tax effect of expenses that are not allowable in determining
taxable profit includes the non-recurring items of business
combination expenses and goodwill impairment (note 3). These have
been treated as disallowable for tax purposes.
The tax effect of non-taxable income includes the effect of
income within the patent box regime and in respect of the prior
year the release of contingent consideration in respect of the
Chirton Engineering acquisition in 2014 (note 3).
The effect of changes in deferred tax rates in the current year
includes the effect to deferred tax balances following the
reduction in US Federal tax rates during the year.
5. Earnings per ordinary share
Basic earnings per share are based on profit attributable to
shareholders and on a weighted average number of shares in issue
during the year of 91,402,338 (2017: 91,355,427). The calculation
of diluted earnings per share is based on 93,438,607 shares (2017:
92,125,320).
Amortisation and non-recurring items that are charged or
credited to profit do not relate to the underlying profitability of
the Group. The Board believes adjusted profit before these items
provides a useful measure of business performance. Therefore an
adjusted earnings per share is presented as follows:
2018 2017
Earnings Earnings per Earnings Earnings
GBP'000 share pence GBP'000 per
share pence
Earnings per share
- basic 11,892 13.0 7,005 7.7
Amortisation and non-recurring
items:
Amortisation of intangible
assets 292 0.3 124 0.1
Goodwill impairment 516 0.6 1,700 1.9
Business combination
expenses 251 0.3 1,349 1.5
Release of contingent
consideration - - (2,090) (2.3)
Restructuring costs - - 112 0.1
Loss on property disposal - - 206 0.2
Taxation effect of
the above (60) (0.1) (88) (0.1)
Non-controlling interest
in the above (145) (0.2) (175) (0.2)
Earnings per share
- adjusted 12,746 13.9 8,143 8.9
=============== ============= ================ ====================
6. Cash generated from continuing operations
2018 2017
GBP'000 GBP'000
Continuing operations
Profit for the year 13,647 8,295
Adjustments for:
Tax 1,855 1,707
Tax credit in respect of R&D (451) (129)
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 4,372 4,093
Depreciation of investment property 6 6
Goodwill impairment 516 1,700
Intangible asset amortisation 397 124
Loss on disposal of property, plant and
equipment 19 215
Release of contingent consideration - (2,090)
Business combination expenses 251 1,299
Net fair value expense on share based payments 1,125 485
Other non-cash adjustments 107 (222)
Interest income (358) (176)
Interest expense and borrowing costs 1,357 901
Share of results of associates and joint
ventures (3,215) (2,813)
IAS19 income statement charge (excluding
interest) 24 59
Changes in working capital (excluding the
effects of acquisitions):
Increase in inventories (5,106) (2,379)
Increase in receivables (7,015) (383)
Increase in payables 7,449 4,402
--------- ---------
Cash generated from continuing operations 14,980 15,094
========= =========
7. Pensions
The Group operates its current pension arrangements on a defined
benefit and defined contribution basis. The valuation of the
defined benefit scheme under the IAS19 accounting basis showed a
surplus in the scheme at 1 September 2018 of GBP10.1m (2017:
GBP5.2m).
In the year, the retirement benefit charge, excluding interest,
in respect of the Carr's Group Pension Scheme was GBP24,000 (2017:
GBP59,000).
A Group subsidiary undertaking is a participating employer in a
defined benefit pension scheme of the associate, Carrs Billington
Agriculture (Operations) Ltd. The IAS19 accounting basis showed a
surplus for that scheme at 1 September 2018 of GBP2.0m (2017:
deficit of GBP2.3m). The scheme is treated as a defined
contribution scheme by the Group, and its level of participation in
the scheme is estimated at 48.5%, which is based on its estimated
share of the buyout liabilities. Due to the fact that the
sponsoring employer is an associate company of the Group, 49% of
the deficit calculated on an IAS19 accounting basis is included in
the Group's balance sheet within its 'Investment in
Associates'.
Since the year end, the High Court has ruled on the case of
Lloyds Banking Group Pensions Trustees Ltd v Lloyds Bank plc and
others. The ruling that Lloyds Bank Group must amend its three
defined benefit pension schemes in order to equalise Guaranteed
Minimum Pensions (GMPs) between males and females will impact how
companies account for pension schemes under IAS 19. Given the
timing of this ruling and the date of signing these financial
statements it is considered impracticable to reflect any potential
financial impact to the accounting for the Group's defined benefit
pension scheme within its accounts for year ended 1 September 2018.
Any impact arising from this ruling will be reflected in the IAS 19
accounting in the Group's interim results for 2019. This is not
expected to be material to the Group's net assets.
8. Analysis of changes in net debt
At 3 September Other At 1 September
Cash Non-Cash Exchange
2017 Flow Changes Movements 2018
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Cash and cash
equivalents 23,887 1,050 - (305) 24,632
Bank overdrafts (5,273) 1,646 - - (3,627)
--------------- --------- ---------- ----------- -----------------------------
18,614 2,696 - (305) 21,005
Loans and
other
borrowings:
- current (10,951) (6,025) (13,511) 43 (30,444)
- non-current (19,425) 2,407 13,339 115 (3,564)
Finance leases:
- current (836) 997 (1,084) - (923)
- non-current (1,541) - 108 - (1,433)
--------------- --------- ---------- ----------- -----------------------------
Net debt (14,139) 75 (1,148) (147) (15,359)
=============== ========= ========== =========== =============================
9. The Board of Directors approved the preliminary announcement on 12 November 2018.
10. The Company intends to provide a Summary Report and Accounts
to shareholders by 5 December 2018. The full Report and Accounts
will be available upon request from the Company Secretary, Carr's
Group plc, Old Croft, Stanwix, Carlisle, CA3 9BA or alternatively
on the Company's website: www.carrsgroup.com
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the
London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct
Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United
Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution
of this information may apply. For further information, please
contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
END
FR LLFSDLLLAIIT
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