21
November 2024
Norcros plc
Results for the six months
ended 30 September 2024
Resilient trading and market
share gains in a challenging demand environment
Norcros plc, the market-leading
designer and supplier of high-quality sustainable bathroom and
kitchen products, today announces its interim results for the six
months ended 30 September 2024.
Financial summary
|
6 months to
30 September
2024
|
6 months to
30 September
2023
|
% change 2024 v
2023
|
Revenue
|
£188.4m
|
£201.6m
|
(6.5%)
|
Revenue constant currency LFL1
|
|
|
0.1%
|
Underlying operating
profit2
|
£19.7m
|
£21.4m
|
(7.9%)
|
Underlying profit before
taxation2
|
£16.4m
|
£18.1m
|
(9.4%)
|
Diluted underlying
EPS2
|
14.1p
|
15.6p
|
(9.6%)
|
Operating (loss)/profit
|
(£8.6m)3
|
£15.3m
|
(156.2%)
|
Underlying net
debt2
|
(£44.9m)
|
(£46.6m)
|
|
Interim dividend per
share
|
3.5p
|
3.4p
|
|
Highlights
· Market
share growth in a challenging demand environment (Group revenue
+0.1% LfL):
o UK
(revenue +0.9% LFL): share gains - new product development ("NPD")
and cross-selling
o SA
(revenue -1.7% constant currency): macro (inc. energy) stabilising
but subdued consumer confidence
o Well-positioned for market recovery in new house build and
RMI
· Continued strong progress on delivering strategic
initiatives:
o Portfolio Development - completed disposal of Johnson Tiles
UK
o Organic Growth - cross-selling, NPD and service
levels
o Operational Excellence - consolidating UK warehouse
footprint
o ESG
- net zero transition - investment in sustainable
products
· Reported revenue of £188.4m (2023: £201.6m). Underlying
operating profit of £19.7m (2023: £21.4m)4
· UK
underlying operating margin at 13.6% (2023: 13.0%) with
Group underlying operating margins flat at 10.5%
(2023: 10.6%)
· Strong
balance sheet - low leverage at 1.0x underlying EBITDA
· Interim dividend of 3.5p per share, an increase of
0.1p
· The Board expects full
year underlying operating profit to be in line with market
expectations5
Thomas Willcocks, CEO, commented:
"In a weak market during the first
half of the year Norcros has again grown share and made further
strategic progress. While the demand environment is expected to
remain challenging, we remain focused on the significant market
opportunities available and are confident that our leading
positions and strategic implementation will continue to deliver
market share gains. The Board
therefore expects full year underlying operating profit to be in
line with market expectations5 showing further progress
towards achieving our medium-term targets."
There will be an in-person
presentation and Q&A session today at 9.30am GMT for analysts
at the offices of Hudson Sandler, 25 Charterhouse
Square, London, EC1M 6AE. There will also be a live audio webcast
of the event (without Q&A), available at
https://brrmedia.news/NXR_IR_24/25.
The supporting slides and webcast playback will be available in the
investors section of the Norcros website at www.norcros.com later
in the day.
1 LFL (like for like) revenues at constant currency adjusted for
Johnson Tiles UK and Norcros Adhesives
2 Definitions and reconciliations of alternative performance
measures are provided in note 3
3 The operating loss in the period is post the non-cash cost of
£21.4m, as a result of the disposal of Johnson Tiles UK. Further
detail is provided in note 4
4 Year on year movement reflects disposal of Johnson Tiles UK,
investment in operational efficiencies, and the challenging demand
environment in South Africa
5 Norcros compiled market consensus for the year to 31 March
2025, as at 21 November 2024, is for an underlying operating profit
of £43.1 million
Enquiries
Norcros plc
|
Tel: 01625 547700
|
Thomas Willcocks, Chief Executive
Officer
|
|
James Eyre, Chief Financial
Officer
|
|
|
|
Hudson Sandler
|
Tel: 0207 796 4133
|
Nick Lyon
Lucy Wollam-Coles
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes to Editors
Norcros is a market-leading group of
brands specialising in design-led, sustainable bathroom and kitchen
products across the UK, Ireland, South Africa, and select export
markets. Each of our brands offers mid-premium product ranges
distinguished by their innovation, design, and commitment to
sustainability, all backed by industry-leading service to our trade
and retail customers.
Through a strategic blend of
acquisitions and organic growth, Norcros has become the UK and
Ireland's number one bathroom products group. We see significant
potential for further expansion within this large and fragmented
market, accelerating growth and capturing market share through
continued acquisitions, organic development, operational
excellence, and meaningful ESG capabilities.
Norcros encompasses the renowned
brands, Triton, Merlyn, Grant Westfield, VADO, Croydex, and Abode
in the UK, and Tile Africa, TAL, Johnson Tiles South Africa, and
House of Plumbing in South Africa.
Norcros is headquartered in
Wilmslow, Cheshire and employs around 2,100 people. The Company is
listed on the London Stock Exchange. For further information please
visit the Company website: www.norcros.com
Overview of results
The Board is pleased to report
another resilient performance for the six months ended 30 September
2024 driven by the strength of our brands, their mid-premium market
positioning, and the benefits of our ongoing investment in new
product development. This enabled the Group to deliver further
market share gains.
UK market share growth and a
resilient performance in South Africa, despite the challenging
demand environment, have led to a Group revenue of £188.4m (2023:
£201.6m) and an underlying operating profit of £19.7m for the
period (2023: £21.4m). Group operating margins at 10.5% were in
line with the prior year (2023: 10.6%). Good cash generation at 69%
of underlying EBITDA, was below the prior year largely due to an
increase in debtors arising from the 26 week accounting period
ending on the 29 September 2024.
In the UK, revenue growth was 0.9%
on a like for like basis, adjusted for the disposal of Johnson
Tiles UK and the closure of Norcros Adhesives. On a reported basis,
revenue of £131.3m (2023: £143.9m), was down 8.8%. Market-leading
brands such as Triton, Merlyn, and Grant Westfield continued to
demonstrate market share growth and attract new customers in our target mid-premium market segments,
leveraging our strong new product development pipeline, scale-based
collaboration and cross-selling initiatives and exceptional
customer service.
In South Africa, we have
encouragingly seen six months without energy interruptions albeit
consumer sentiment remains subdued, with revenue of £57.1m (2023:
£57.7m) down 1.7% on a constant currency basis. The business, led
by an experienced management team, has proved resilient and is well-positioned to benefit as consumer
confidence recovers.
The half year performance
demonstrates the strength and positioning of our market-leading
businesses. Although our brands operate separately, we do
collectively take advantage of our scale to deliver revenue and
cost synergies, helping to drive market share growth. Given the
strength of and continued investment in our model, we are confident
that we will continue to make further progress given the
significant opportunity in the fragmented and attractive bathroom
and kitchen product markets in which we operate.
Strategic progress
Significant progress has been made
across the Group's four strategic initiatives in the period with
ongoing momentum for the second half of the year.
Portfolio development - continued with
successful completion of the disposal of Johnson Tiles UK to the
management team in May 2024. We have a well-developed M&A
pipeline and continue to evaluate a number of strategically aligned opportunities that could accelerate our
growth and be accretive under our ownership.
Organic growth - the Group's
collaborative approach to cross-selling and new product development
continues to deliver revenue synergies, driving sustainable and
profitable growth across our product portfolio. In addition, our
scale enables significant investment in our new product
development, people and service levels, which help our businesses
drive organic growth faster under our ownership and is a key
differentiator versus peers.
In the UK, we continue to develop
new business through our structured cross-selling program, with
significant short and medium term opportunities. Successful H1
product launches included a first strategic move towards offering a
complete and matched bathroom offer through VADO's Cameo range and
Grant Westfield's Naturepanel, our FSC-certified wall panel that
can also be used outside of the bathroom. Both have been
well-received and are demonstrating positive momentum.
In South Africa, TAL, in particular,
has made share gains through new product development, including in
complementary product categories. TAF and TAL also continue to grow
their directly sourced private label ranges, and will be
increasingly working together to drive scale-based sourcing
benefits.
Operational efficiencies - during the period we delivered two key projects as part of our
drive to leverage the scale-based opportunities by successfully
completing the consolidation of the Merlyn and Grant Westfield
warehousing and distribution functions. We also completed the
warehouse consolidation at VADO. These initiatives have reduced the UK warehouse footprint from 26 to 15 sites
and will drive continued improvement in accuracy, efficiency and
customer service. Further scale-based collaboration on our
supply chain and freight continues to help the Group successfully
navigate ongoing challenges in the freight industry.
ESG - Norcros views corporate
responsibility and sustainability as a distinct source of
competitive advantage. As we set out in our 2024 Annual Report, our
key ESG focus is around our people, product and planet themes which
underpin our strategic growth and operational plans. We have
continued momentum in these areas in the first half of the year and
our ESG credentials are key to our larger customers buying
decisions.
On the People front, we have
strengthened our skills base and made further DE&I progress. In
our Product theme, we have published our Supply Chain Policy and
increased investment in sustainable product development with new
launches through FY25 from Grant Westfield (Naturepanel) and Triton
(ENVi).
In our Planet theme, we have a
published Net Zero Transition Plan (in line with Transition Plan
Taskforce guidelines). We have set carbon targets to reduce scope 1
and 2 GHG emissions by 33.6% by 2028 (2023 base year) and these
targets were validated by SBTi in January. We made good progress on
this in the last financial year with a reduction in scope 1 and 2
emissions of c. 9%. As we continue to focus on a range of emissions
reduction initiatives, and following the disposal of Johnson Tiles
UK, we are making further progress towards our 2028 targets through
the current financial year.
Norcros UK operating review
Our UK business delivered another
excellent first half result with like for like revenue growth of
0.9%. On a reported basis, revenue of £131.3m (2023: £143.9m) was
8.8% lower than the prior year largely reflecting the disposal of
Johnson Tiles UK in May 2024.
Our businesses again demonstrated
their ability to grow share driven by new product launches,
excellent stock availability and outstanding customer service. Our
new product development pipeline is strong with a focus on leading
in the design of market-leading products with clear sustainability
benefits. Triton was once again recognised as the industry leader
in this area, winning the King's Award for Enterprise in May, in recognition of its outstanding
commitment to Sustainable Development.
In addition to market share growth,
meaningful first steps were taken to drive improve operational
performance with the consolidation of part of our warehousing
footprint in the UK with a reduction from 26 to 15 facilities
across VADO and Grant Westfield. Both projects were completed ahead
of schedule and are an important step in our wider group operations
strategy.
The RMI (Repair, Maintenance and
Investment) sector remains the largest component in our UK market.
Our market-leading brands are positioned in the mid-premium segment
which has remained more resilient in the period and well-placed to
benefit as the market recovers.
The UK government is targeting 1.5
million new homes in its first term (300,000 homes per year) which
alongside changes in building regulations, such as the Future Homes
Standard, means that there is a significant growth opportunity in
housing. Through our long-standing existing relationships and our
alignment with new building regulations particularly regarding
energy and water, we are well-placed to capitalise as new build
activity develops.
Overall, underlying operating profit
for the period reduced by £0.9m to £17.8m (2023: £18.7m) largely
reflecting investment to deliver future operational efficiencies in
warehousing and logistic activities and the disposal of Johnson
Tiles UK. UK underlying operating margin increased to 13.6% (2023:
13.0%).
Norcros SA operating review
Our South African business generated
revenue of £57.1m (2023: £57.7m), reflecting a 1.7% reduction on a
constant currency basis and a resilient overall performance in the
period. Encouragingly, there have been no electricity supply
interruptions in the last six months albeit consumer sentiment
remains subdued.
TAL, our market-leading adhesive
business in South Africa, posted a strong performance in the
period, profitably growing share through targeted product launches,
focused marketing activity and exceptional service levels. House of
Plumbing performance was also marginally ahead of the previous year
despite the tough commercial market environment.
Both Johnson Tiles and Tile Africa,
with leading positions in the new house build market, were
particularly impacted by the subdued market. Consequently, during
the period, Johnson Tiles had a four-week shutdown in response to
weak market demand which further impacted profitability.
Given the stabilising macro outlook,
we remain well-placed as the market gradually recovers.
Underlying operating profit for the
period was £1.9m (2023: £2.7m), with the operating margin at 3.3%
(2023: 4.7%).
Financial summary
Group revenue for the 26 week first
half was £188.4m (2023: £201.6m), 0.1% ahead of the prior year on a
constant currency like for like basis and a 6.5% decrease on a
reported basis.
Underlying operating profit was
£19.7m (2023: £21.4m), largely reflecting the lower revenue in the
period. The Group's underlying operating profit margin was in line
with the prior year at 10.5% (2023: 10.6%).
The reported operating loss was
£8.6m (2023: profit of £15.3m) after deducting acquisition and
disposal related costs of £25.5m (2023: £3.9m), exceptional
operating items of £2.1m (2023: £1.4m) and IAS 19R administration
expenses of £0.7m (2023: £0.8m).
Acquisition and disposal related
costs included the previously communicated non-cash loss on
disposal of £21.4m relating to the disposal of Johnson Tiles UK in
May 2024. Other acquisition and disposal related costs represent
amortisation of acquired intangibles of £3.3m (2023: £3.3m) and
advisory fees of £0.8m (2023: £0.1m). Exceptional operating items
predominantly relate to the cash costs of investment in
consolidating the warehousing and distribution sites at Grant
Westfield.
Underlying profit before taxation
was £16.4m (2023: £18.1m). Bank interest costs and IFRS 16 interest
costs on lease liabilities were consistent with the prior year at
£2.5m and £0.8m respectively. The application of IFRS 16 had no
impact on underlying profit before taxation (2023: £0.1m
improvement). The reported loss before taxation was £11.7m (2023:
profit of £11.7m).
Diluted underlying earnings per
share were 14.1p (2023: 15.6p), reflecting a reduction in
underlying profit before taxation.
The Group generated an underlying
operating cash inflow of £14.8m (2023: £27.4m). The reduction
against last year reflected investment into working capital,
predominantly from an increase in debtors due to the 26 week
accounting period ending on 29 September 2024 compared to the
standard due date for customer payments of 30 September.
Capital expenditure was £4.4m in the
first half (2023: £4.2m), with investment in new product
development and projects focused on further driving operational
excellence.
Financial position
The Group remains in a strong
financial position with net debt (pre-IFRS 16) of £44.9m (31 March
2024: £37.3m), the increase in part reflecting the investment in
working capital in the period. Inclusive of IFRS 16 lease
liabilities, net debt was £68.4m (31 March 2024: £59.5m). Leverage
stands at 1.0x underlying EBITDA on a pre-IFRS 16 basis, with
significant funding headroom in our committed £130m RCF financing
facility, maturing in October 2027. IFRS16 has no impact on cash
flow nor on the Group's bank covenants.
Dividend
The Board recognises the importance
of dividends to shareholders and is declaring an interim dividend
of 3.5p (H1 2024: 3.4p) per share, reflecting the resilient first
half performance and its confidence in the Group's future
prospects. The dividend is payable on 14 January 2025 to
shareholders on the register on 29 November 2024. The shares will
be quoted ex-dividend on 28 November 2024.
Pension scheme
The Group's pension scheme remains
appropriately funded, with an IAS 19 surplus of £16.5m at 30
September 2024 (31 March 2024: £16.5m). The 1 April 2024 triennial
actuarial valuation process is progressing well with the Company
and the scheme's Trustee working constructively together, and we
are confident of making further progress.
Summary and outlook
The continued implementation of our
growth strategy means that we are well-placed for further share
gains in our targeted mid-premium RMI market segments and any
recovery in this and the new house build sector, where we
hold leading positions. Market share growth is
increasingly being delivered through a strong focus on sustainable
new products and a more efficient and customer-focused operating
platform.
In summary, there remain significant
opportunities across our geographies and, despite market
conditions, we look forward to further progress in the second half
of the year. The
Board therefore expects full year underlying
operating profit to be in line with market expectations.
showing further progress towards achieving our medium-term
targets.
Condensed consolidated income
statement
Six months to 30 September 2024
|
Notes
|
6 months to
30 September
2024
(unaudited)
£m
|
6 months
to
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
£m
|
Year
ended
31 March
2024
(audited)
£m
|
Revenue
|
|
188.4
|
201.6
|
392.1
|
Underlying operating profit
|
|
19.7
|
21.4
|
43.2
|
IAS 19R administrative expenses
|
|
(0.7)
|
(0.8)
|
(1.3)
|
Acquisition and disposal related
costs
|
4
|
(25.5)
|
(3.9)
|
(4.3)
|
Exceptional operating items
|
4
|
(2.1)
|
(1.4)
|
2.3
|
Operating (loss)/profit
|
|
(8.6)
|
15.3
|
39.9
|
Finance costs
|
7
|
(3.5)
|
(3.9)
|
(8.1)
|
IAS 19R finance credit
|
|
0.4
|
0.3
|
0.8
|
(Loss)/profit before
taxation
|
|
(11.7)
|
11.7
|
32.6
|
Taxation
|
6
|
3.1
|
(2.4)
|
(5.8)
|
(Loss)/profit for the period
attributable to equity holders of the Company
|
|
(8.6)
|
9.3
|
26.8
|
Earnings per share attributable to
equity holders of the Company
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
From (loss)/profit for the period
|
5
|
(9.6p)
|
10.4p
|
30.1p
|
Diluted earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
From (loss)/profit for the period
|
5
|
(9.5p)
|
10.3p
|
29.8p
|
Weighted average number of shares for basic
earnings per share (millions)
|
5
|
89.4
|
89.2
|
89.0
|
Alternative performance
measures
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying profit before taxation
(£m)
|
3
|
16.4
|
18.1
|
36.4
|
Underlying earnings (£m)
|
3
|
12.7
|
14.1
|
28.8
|
Basic underlying earnings per share
|
5
|
14.2p
|
15.8p
|
32.4p
|
Diluted underlying earnings per
share
|
5
|
14.1p
|
15.6p
|
32.1p
|
Condensed consolidated statement of
comprehensive income
Six months to 30 September 2024
|
6 months to
30
September
2024
(unaudited)
£m
|
6 months
to
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
£m
|
Year
ended
31
March
2024
(audited)
£m
|
(Loss)/profit for the period
|
(8.6)
|
9.3
|
26.8
|
Other comprehensive income and
expense:
|
|
|
|
Items that
will not subsequently be reclassified to the Income
Statement
|
|
|
|
Actuarial losses on retirement benefit
obligations
|
(1.4)
|
(0.5)
|
(1.4)
|
Items that may
be subsequently reclassified to the Income
Statement
|
|
|
|
Cash flow hedges - fair value (loss)/gain in
year net of taxation
|
(0.9)
|
1.7
|
1.0
|
Foreign currency translation
adjustments
|
2.2
|
(2.9)
|
(5.3)
|
Other comprehensive expense for the
period
|
(0.1)
|
(1.7)
|
(5.7)
|
Total
comprehensive (loss)/income for the period attributable to equity
holders of the Company
|
(8.7)
|
7.6
|
21.1
|
Items in the statement are disclosed net of
tax.
Condensed consolidated balance sheet
At 30 September 2024
|
Notes
|
At
30 September
2024
(unaudited)
£m
|
At
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
£m
|
At
31 March
2024
(audited)
£m
|
Non-current assets
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
107.5
|
107.5
|
107.3
|
Intangible assets
|
|
50.7
|
56.6
|
53.9
|
Investment Property
|
|
5.7
|
-
|
-
|
Property, plant and equipment
|
|
23.3
|
24.3
|
28.1
|
Deferred tax asset
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
0.7
|
Pension scheme asset
|
12
|
16.5
|
15.7
|
16.5
|
Right of use assets
|
|
19.6
|
17.9
|
18.0
|
|
|
223.3
|
222.0
|
224.5
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories
|
|
83.7
|
97.2
|
97.4
|
Trade and other receivables
|
|
77.8
|
78.6
|
72.6
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
8
|
21.4
|
32.6
|
30.8
|
|
|
182.9
|
208.4
|
200.8
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other payables
|
|
(95.3)
|
(91.9)
|
(89.1)
|
Lease liabilities
|
|
(6.4)
|
(6.3)
|
(6.3)
|
Current tax liabilities
|
|
(1.9)
|
(1.0)
|
(2.5)
|
Derivative financial instruments
|
|
(2.1)
|
-
|
(0.6)
|
Provisions
|
|
(0.3)
|
-
|
(0.7)
|
|
|
(106.0)
|
(99.2)
|
(99.2)
|
Net current assets
|
|
76.9
|
109.2
|
101.6
|
Total assets less current
liabilities
|
|
300.2
|
331.2
|
326.1
|
Non-current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Financial liabilities - borrowings
|
8
|
(66.3)
|
(79.2)
|
(68.1)
|
Lease liabilities
|
|
(17.1)
|
(16.0)
|
(15.9)
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
6
|
(8.3)
|
(14.7)
|
(14.1)
|
Other non-current liabilities
|
|
(0.2)
|
(6.9)
|
(4.6)
|
Provisions
|
|
(1.1)
|
(2.9)
|
(1.0)
|
|
|
(93.0)
|
(119.7)
|
(103.7)
|
Net assets
|
|
207.2
|
211.5
|
222.4
|
Financed
by:
|
|
|
|
|
Share capital
|
9
|
8.9
|
8.9
|
8.9
|
Share premium
|
|
47.6
|
47.6
|
47.6
|
Retained earnings and other reserves
|
|
150.7
|
155.0
|
165.9
|
Total equity
|
|
207.2
|
211.5
|
222.4
|
Condensed consolidated statement of cash
flow
Six months to 30 September 2024
|
Notes
|
6 months
to
30
September
2024
(unaudited)
£m
|
6 months
to
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
£m
|
Year
ended
31 March
2024
(audited)
£m
|
Cash generated from
operations
|
10
|
10.2
|
23.6
|
49.0
|
Income taxes paid
|
|
(1.8)
|
(2.6)
|
(5.6)
|
Interest paid
|
|
(2.9)
|
(3.3)
|
(6.8)
|
Net cash generated from operating
activities
|
|
5.5
|
17.7
|
36.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing
activities
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of property, plant and equipment and
intangible assets
|
|
(4.4)
|
(4.2)
|
(7.3)
|
Net cash used in investing
activities
|
|
(4.4)
|
(4.2)
|
(7.3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing
activities
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of treasury shares
|
|
(0.1)
|
(0.8)
|
(0.8)
|
Cost of raising debt finance
|
|
(0.2)
|
-
|
(0.2)
|
Principal element of lease payments
|
|
(2.6)
|
(2.3)
|
(4.9)
|
Repayment of borrowings
|
|
(2.0)
|
-
|
(11.0)
|
Dividends paid to the Company's
shareholders
|
|
(6.1)
|
(6.1)
|
(9.1)
|
Net cash used in financing
activities
|
|
(11.0)
|
(9.2)
|
(26.0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and
cash equivalents
|
|
(9.9)
|
4.3
|
3.3
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the
period
|
|
30.8
|
29.0
|
29.0
|
Exchange movements on cash and cash
equivalents
|
|
0.5
|
(0.7)
|
(1.5)
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
the period
|
|
21.4
|
32.6
|
30.8
|
Alternative performance
measures
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying operating cash
flow
|
3
|
14.8
|
27.4
|
56.4
|
Condensed consolidated statements of changes in
equity
Six months to 30 September 2024
(unaudited)
|
Ordinary
share
capital
£m
|
Share
premium
£m
|
Treasury
reserve
£m
|
Hedging
Reserve
£m
|
Translation
reserve
£m
|
Retained
earnings
£m
|
Total
£m
|
At 31 March
2024
|
8.9
|
47.6
|
0.2
|
(0.4)
|
(26.4)
|
192.5
|
222.4
|
Comprehensive income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss for the period
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(8.6)
|
(8.6)
|
Other comprehensive
(expense)/income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actuarial loss on retirement benefit
obligations
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1.4)
|
(1.4)
|
Fair value loss on currency hedges
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(0.9)
|
-
|
-
|
(0.9)
|
Foreign currency translation
adjustments
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2.2
|
-
|
2.2
|
Total other comprehensive
(expense)/income
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(0.9)
|
2.2
|
(1.4)
|
(0.1)
|
Transactions with owners:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Settlement of share option schemes
|
-
|
-
|
0.5
|
-
|
-
|
(1.0)
|
(0.5)
|
Purchase of treasury shares
|
-
|
-
|
(0.1)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(0.1)
|
Dividends paid
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(6.1)
|
(6.1)
|
Value of employee services
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
0.2
|
0.2
|
At 30 September 2024
|
8.9
|
47.6
|
0.6
|
(1.3)
|
(24.2)
|
175.6
|
207.2
|
Six months to 30 September 2023
(unaudited)
|
Ordinary
share
capital
£m
|
Share
premium
£m
|
Treasury
reserve
£m
|
Hedging
Reserve
£m
|
Translation
reserve
£m
|
Retained
earnings
£m
|
Total
£m
|
At 31 March 2023
|
8.9
|
47.6
|
(0.1)
|
(1.4)
|
(21.1)
|
176.5
|
210.4
|
Comprehensive income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit for the period
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9.3
|
9.3
|
Other comprehensive
income/(expense):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actuarial loss on retirement benefit
obligations
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(0.5)
|
(0.5)
|
Fair value gain on currency hedges
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1.7
|
-
|
-
|
1.7
|
Foreign currency translation
adjustments
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(2.9)
|
-
|
(2.9)
|
Total other comprehensive
income/(expense)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1.7
|
(2.9)
|
(0.5)
|
(1.7)
|
Transactions with owners:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of treasury shares
|
-
|
-
|
(0.8)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(0.8)
|
Dividends paid
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(6.1)
|
(6.1)
|
Value of employee services
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
0.4
|
0.4
|
At 30 September 2023
|
8.9
|
47.6
|
(0.9)
|
0.3
|
(24.0)
|
179.6
|
211.5
|
Year ended 31 March 2024 (audited)
|
Ordinary
share
capital
£m
|
Share
premium
£m
|
Treasury
reserve
£m
|
Hedging
Reserve
£m
|
Translation
reserve
£m
|
Retained
earnings
£m
|
Total
£m
|
At 31 March 2023
|
8.9
|
47.6
|
(0.1)
|
(1.4)
|
(21.1)
|
176.5
|
210.4
|
Comprehensive income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit for the year
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
26.8
|
26.8
|
Other comprehensive
income/(expense):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actuarial loss on retirement benefit
obligations
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1.4)
|
(1.4)
|
Fair value gain on cash flow hedges
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1.0
|
-
|
-
|
1.0
|
Foreign currency translation
adjustments
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(5.3)
|
-
|
(5.3)
|
Total other comprehensive
income/(expense) for the year
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1.0
|
(5.3)
|
(1.4)
|
(5.7)
|
Transactions with owners:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of treasury shares
|
-
|
-
|
(0.8)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(0.8)
|
Dividends paid
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(9.1)
|
(9.1)
|
Settlement of share option schemes
|
-
|
-
|
1.1
|
-
|
-
|
(1.2)
|
(0.1)
|
Value of employee services
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
0.9
|
0.9
|
At 31 March 2024
|
8.9
|
47.6
|
0.2
|
(0.4)
|
(26.4)
|
192.5
|
222.4
|
Notes to the accounts
Six months to 30 September 2024
1. Accounting policies
General information
Norcros plc ("the Company"), and its
subsidiaries (together "the Group"), is a market-leading designer
and supplier of high-quality bathroom and kitchen products in the
UK, Europe and South African markets.
The Company is incorporated in England as a
public company limited by shares. The shares of the Company are
listed on the London Stock Exchange market of listed securities.
The address of its registered office is Ladyfield House, Station
Road, Wilmslow, SK9 1BU, UK.
This condensed consolidated interim financial
information was approved for issue on 21 November 2024 and does not
comprise statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of
the Companies Act 2006 and has neither been audited nor
reviewed.
Basis of preparation
This condensed consolidated interim financial
information for the six months to 30 September 2024 has been
prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules
of the Financial Conduct Authority and with IAS 34, 'Interim
financial reporting'. For operational reasons, the Company has
adopted an accounting period of 26 weeks and, as a result of this,
the interim end date was 29 September 2024. In the previous year,
the interim period was the 26 weeks ending 1 October
2023.
The Directors consider, after making
appropriate enquiries at the time of approving the condensed
consolidated interim financial information, that the Company and
the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational
existence and, accordingly, that it is appropriate to adopt the
going concern basis in the preparation of the condensed
consolidated interim financial information.
The condensed consolidated interim financial
information should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report
and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024, which has been
prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the UK. The Annual
Report and Accounts was approved by the Board on 12 June 2024 and
delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the external
auditor on the financial statements was unqualified.
Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies applied in
the preparation of this condensed consolidated interim financial
information are included in the financial report for the year ended
31 March 2024. These policies have been applied consistently to all
periods presented.
Taxes on income in the interim period to 30
September 2024 are accrued using the tax rate that would be
applicable to the cumulative profits and losses in the period.
Taxes on income in the interim period to 30 September 2023 were
accrued using the tax rate that would be applicable to the expected
total annual profits or losses.
Risks and uncertainties
The principal risks and uncertainties
affecting the Group, together with the approach to their
mitigation, remain as set out on pages 106 to 117 in the 2024
Annual Report, which is available on the Group's website (www.norcros.com). The principal risks
stated were: acquisition risk, environmental, social and governance
(ESG), staff retention and recruitment, market conditions, loss of
key customers, competition, reliance on production facilities, loss
of a key supplier, information technology and cyber security risk,
exchange rate risk, funding and liquidity risk and pension scheme
risk.
This interim statement includes
comments on the outlook for the remaining six months of the
financial year.
Forward-looking statements
This interim statement contains
forward-looking statements. Although the Group believes that the
expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are
reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will
prove to be correct. Due to the inherent uncertainties, including
both economic and business risk factors underlying such
forward-looking information, actual results may differ materially
from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking
statements.
The Group undertakes no obligation to update
any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
Accounting estimates and judgements
The preparation of condensed consolidated
interim financial information requires management to make
judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application
of accounting policies and the reported amount of assets and
liabilities, income, and expense. Actual results may differ from
these estimates.
In preparing the condensed consolidated
interim financial information, the significant judgements made by
management in applying the Group's accounting policies and the key
sources of estimation uncertainty were the same as those applied to
the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 March
2024.
2. Segmental reporting
The Group operates in two main geographical
areas: the UK and South Africa. All inter-segment transactions are
made on an arm's length basis. The chief operating decision maker,
which is considered to be the Board, assesses performance and
allocates resources based on geography as each segment has similar
economic characteristics, complementary products, distribution
channels and regulatory environments.
|
Notes
|
6 months to 30 September 2024
(unaudited)
|
UK
£m
|
South
Africa
£m
|
Group
£m
|
Revenue
|
|
131.3
|
57.1
|
188.4
|
Underlying
operating profit
|
|
17.8
|
1.9
|
19.7
|
IAS 19R
administrative expenses
|
|
(0.7)
|
-
|
(0.7)
|
Acquisition
and disposal related costs
|
4
|
(25.4)
|
(0.1)
|
(25.5)
|
Exceptional
operating items
|
4
|
(2.1)
|
-
|
(2.1)
|
Operating
(loss)/profit
|
|
(10.4)
|
1.8
|
(8.6)
|
Finance costs
(net)
|
|
|
|
(3.1)
|
Loss before
taxation
|
|
|
|
(11.7)
|
Taxation
|
6
|
|
|
3.1
|
Loss for the
period
|
|
|
|
(8.6)
|
Net
debt
|
8
|
|
|
(44.9)
|
|
Notes
|
6 months
to 30 September 2023 (unaudited)
|
UK
£m
|
South
Africa
£m
|
Group
£m
|
Revenue
|
|
143.9
|
57.7
|
201.6
|
Underlying operating profit
|
|
18.7
|
2.7
|
21.4
|
IAS 19R administrative expenses
|
|
(0.8)
|
-
|
(0.8)
|
Acquisition and disposal related
costs
|
4
|
(3.8)
|
(0.1)
|
(3.9)
|
Exceptional operating items
|
4
|
(1.4)
|
-
|
(1.4)
|
Operating profit
|
|
12.7
|
2.6
|
15.3
|
Finance costs (net)
|
|
|
|
(3.6)
|
Profit before taxation
|
|
|
|
11.7
|
Taxation
|
6
|
|
|
(2.4)
|
Profit for the period
|
|
|
|
9.3
|
Net debt
|
|
|
|
(46.6)
|
|
Notes
|
Year
ended 31 March 2024 (audited)
|
UK
£m
|
South
Africa
£m
|
Group
£m
|
Revenue
|
|
281.9
|
110.2
|
392.1
|
Underlying operating profit
|
|
38.4
|
4.8
|
43.2
|
IAS 19R administrative expenses
|
|
(1.3)
|
-
|
(1.3)
|
Acquisition and disposal related
costs
|
4
|
(4.1)
|
(0.2)
|
(4.3)
|
Exceptional operating items
|
4
|
2.3
|
-
|
2.3
|
Operating profit
|
|
35.3
|
4.6
|
39.9
|
Finance costs (net)
|
|
|
|
(7.3)
|
Profit before taxation
|
|
|
|
32.6
|
Taxation
|
6
|
|
|
(5.8)
|
Profit for the period
|
|
|
|
26.8
|
Net debt
|
8
|
|
|
(37.3)
|
There are no differences from the last Annual
Report in the basis of segmentation or in the basis of measurement
of segment profit or loss.
3. Alternative performance measures
The Group makes use of a number of alternative
performance measures to assess business performance and provide
additional useful information to shareholders. Such alternative
performance measures should not be viewed as a replacement of, or
superior to, those defined by Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles (GAAP). Definitions of alternative
performance measures used by the Group and, where relevant,
reconciliations from GAAP defined reporting measures to the Group's
alternative performance measures are provided
below.
The alternative performance measures used by
the Group are:
Measure
|
Definition
|
Underlying operating
profit
|
Operating profit before IAS 19R
administrative expenses, acquisition and disposal related costs and
exceptional operating items
|
Underlying profit before
taxation
|
Profit before taxation before IAS 19R
administrative expenses, acquisition and disposal related costs,
exceptional operating items, amortisation of costs of raising
finance, net movement on fair value of derivative financial
instruments and finance costs relating to pension
schemes
|
Underlying taxation
|
The Group's effective underlying tax
rate applied to the Group's underlying profit before tax
|
Underlying earnings
|
Underlying profit before tax less
underlying taxation
|
Underlying capital
employed
|
Capital employed on a pre-IFRS 16
basis adjusted for business combinations, where relevant, to
reflect the net assets in both the opening and closing capital
employed balances, and the average impact of exchange rate
movements.
|
Underlying operating
margin
|
Underlying operating profit expressed
as a percentage of revenue
|
Underlying return on capital employed
(ROCE)
|
Underlying operating profit on a
pre-IFRS 16 basis expressed as a percentage of the average of
opening and closing underlying capital employed.
|
Basic underlying earnings per
share
|
Underlying earnings divided by the
weighted average number of shares for basic earnings per
share
|
Diluted underlying earnings per
share
|
Underlying earnings divided by the
weighted average number of shares for diluted earnings per
share
|
Underlying EBITDA
|
Underlying EBITDA is derived from
underlying operating profit before depreciation and amortisation
excluding the impact of IFRS16 in line with
our banking covenants
|
Underlying operating cash
flow
|
Cash generated from continuing
operations before cash outflows from exceptional items and
acquisition and disposal related costs and pension fund deficit
recovery contributions
|
Underlying net (debt)/cash
|
Underlying net (debt)/cash is the net
of cash, capitalised costs of raising finance and total borrowings.
IFRS16 lease commitments are not included in line with our banking
covenants
|
Underlying profit and underlying
earnings per share measures provide shareholders with additional
useful information on the underlying performance of the Group. This
is because these measures are those principally used by the
Directors to assess the performance of the Group and are used as
the basis for calculating the level of annual bonus and long-term
incentives earned by the Directors. The term 'underlying' is not
recognised under IFRS and consequently the Group's definition of
underlying may differ from that used by other companies.
Reconciliations from GAAP-defined reporting
measures to the Group's alternative performance
measures:
Condensed Consolidated Income
Statement
(a) Underlying profit before
taxation and underlying earnings
|
6 months to
30 September
2024
(unaudited)
£m
|
6 months
to
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
£m
|
Year
ended
31 March
2024
(audited)
£m
|
(Loss)/profit before taxation
|
(11.7)
|
11.7
|
32.6
|
Adjusted for:
|
|
|
|
IAS 19R administrative expenses
|
0.7
|
0.8
|
1.3
|
IAS 19R finance income
|
(0.4)
|
(0.3)
|
(0.8)
|
Acquisition and disposal related
costs
|
25.5
|
3.9
|
4.3
|
Exceptional operating items
|
2.1
|
1.4
|
(2.3)
|
Amortisation of costs of raising
finance
|
0.2
|
0.3
|
0.4
|
Discounting of contingent
consideration
|
-
|
0.3
|
0.9
|
Underlying
profit before taxation
|
16.4
|
18.1
|
36.4
|
Taxation attributable to underlying profit
before taxation
|
(3.7)
|
(4.0)
|
(7.6)
|
Underlying
earnings
|
12.7
|
14.1
|
28.8
|
(b) Underlying EBITDA
|
6 months to
30 September
2024
(unaudited)
£m
|
6 months
to
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
£m
|
Year
ended
31 March
2024
(audited)
£m
|
Operating (loss)/profit
|
(8.6)
|
15.3
|
39.9
|
Adjusted for:
|
|
|
|
IAS 19R administrative expenses
|
0.7
|
0.8
|
1.3
|
Acquisition and disposal related
costs
|
25.5
|
3.9
|
4.3
|
Exceptional operating items
|
2.1
|
1.4
|
(2.3)
|
Underlying
operating profit
|
19.7
|
21.4
|
43.2
|
Depreciation and amortisation (owned
assets)
|
2.4
|
2.1
|
4.3
|
Depreciation of leased assets
|
2.6
|
2.2
|
4.7
|
Lease costs
|
(3.4)
|
(3.1)
|
(6.5)
|
Underlying
EBITDA (pre-IFRS 16)
|
21.3
|
22.6
|
45.7
|
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash
Flow
Underlying operating cash flow
|
6 months to
30 September
2024
(unaudited)
£m
|
6 months
to
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
£m
|
Year
ended
31 March
2024
(audited)
£m
|
Cash generated from continuing operations (note
10)
|
10.2
|
23.6
|
49.0
|
Adjusted for:
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from exceptional items and
acquisition and disposal related costs
|
2.5
|
1.8
|
3.4
|
Pension fund deficit recovery
contributions
|
2.1
|
2.0
|
4.0
|
Underlying
operating cash flow
|
14.8
|
27.4
|
56.4
|
4. Acquisition and disposal related costs and
exceptional operating items
An analysis of acquisition and disposal related
costs is shown below.
|
6 months to
30 September
2024
(unaudited)
£m
|
6 months
to
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
£m
|
Year
ended
31 March
2024
(audited)
£m
|
Acquisition
and disposal related costs
|
|
|
|
Intangible asset
amortisation1
|
3.3
|
3.3
|
6.5
|
Advisory Fees2
|
0.8
|
0.1
|
0.2
|
Loss on disposal3
|
21.4
|
-
|
-
|
Deferred contingent
consideration4
|
-
|
-
|
(3.0)
|
Deferred remuneration5
|
-
|
0.5
|
0.6
|
|
25.5
|
3.9
|
4.3
|
1 Non-cash
amortisation charges in respect of acquired intangible
assets.
2 Professional
advisory fees incurred in connection with the Group's business
combination activities.
3 On 19 May 2024, the
trade and assets of the Johnson Tiles UK division were sold to
Johnson Tiles Limited, a new company incorporated and run by the
former divisional management team. The sale completed at a
consideration lower than the carrying value of the assets of the
business and as a result the Group has provisionally provided for a
loss on disposal of £21.4m. The assessment of tangible fixed asset
and working capital values transferred will be concluded before the
31 March 2025 year end. Revenue in the period of £4.3m (2023:
£16.6m) and the underlying operating profit in the period of
£nil (2023: £0.7m) have been included
in the underlying results for the current and prior
year.
4 Relates to the
release of an element of deferred contingent consideration arising
on the acquisition of Grant Westfield.
5 In accordance with
IFRS 3, a proportion of deferred contingent consideration is
treated as remuneration and, accordingly, is expensed to the Income
Statement as incurred.
|
6 months to
30 September
2024
(unaudited)
£m
|
6 months
to
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
£m
|
Year
ended
31 March
2024
(audited)
£m
|
Exceptional
operating items
|
|
|
|
Restructuring costs1
|
1.9
|
1.4
|
1.7
|
Investment property
costs2
|
0.2
|
-
|
-
|
Reversal of impairment3
|
-
|
-
|
(4.0)
|
|
2.1
|
1.4
|
(2.3)
|
1 In the current year, restructuring costs of £1.9m have been
incurred, predominantly in relation to the consolidation of
warehousing and distribution costs at Grant Westfield. In the prior
year, exceptional restructuring costs of £1.7m were incurred in
relation to the restructuring programme implemented at Johnson
Tiles UK and the warehouse consolidation at VADO.
2 Site remediation and
ongoing landlord costs incurred in relation to the former Johnson
Tiles UK site, shown net of rental income.
3 Reversal of the
previous land and buildings impairments of the Johnson Tiles UK
site, following an independent valuation.
5.
Earnings per share
Basic and diluted earnings per share
Basic earnings per share (EPS) is calculated
by dividing the profit attributable to shareholders by the weighted
average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period,
excluding those held in the Norcros Employee Benefit Trust. For
diluted EPS, the weighted average number of ordinary shares in
issue is adjusted to assume conversion of all potential dilutive
ordinary shares.
The calculation of EPS is based on the
following profits and numbers of shares:
|
|
6 months to
30 September
2024
(unaudited)
£m
|
6 months
to
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
£m
|
Year
ended
31 March
2024
(audited)
£m
|
(Loss)/profit
for the period
|
|
(8.6)
|
9.3
|
26.8
|
|
|
6 months to
30 September
2024
(unaudited)
Number
|
6 months
to
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
Number
|
Year
ended
31 March
2024
(audited)
Number
|
Weighted average number of shares for basic
earnings per share
|
|
89,442,102
|
89,170,488
|
89,003,947
|
Share options
|
|
824,565
|
1,370,636
|
811,657
|
Weighted average number of shares for diluted
earnings per share
|
|
90,266,667
|
90,541,124
|
89,815,514
|
|
|
6 months to
30 September
2024
(unaudited)
|
6 months
to
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
|
Year
ended
31 March
2024
(audited)
|
Basic earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
From
(loss)/profit for the period
|
|
(9.6p)
|
10.4p
|
30.1p
|
Diluted earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
From
(loss)/profit for the period
|
|
(9.5p)
|
10.3p
|
29.8p
|
Basic and diluted underlying earnings per
share
Basic and diluted underlying earnings per
share have also been provided which reflect underlying earnings
from continuing operations divided by the weighted average number
of shares set out above.
|
|
6 months to
30 September
2024
(unaudited)
£m
|
6 months
to
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
£m
|
Year
ended
31 March
2024
(audited)
£m
|
Underlying earnings for the period (note
3)
|
|
12.7
|
14.1
|
28.8
|
|
|
6 months to
30 September
2024
(unaudited)
|
6 months
to
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
|
Year
ended
31 March
2024
(audited)
|
Basic underlying earnings per share
|
|
14.2p
|
15.8p
|
32.4p
|
Diluted underlying earnings per
share
|
|
14.1p
|
15.6p
|
32.1p
|
6.
Taxation
Taxation comprises:
|
6 months to
30 September
2024
(unaudited)
£m
|
6 months
to
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
£m
|
Year
ended
31 March
2024
(audited)
£m
|
Current
|
|
|
|
UK taxation
|
-
|
1.1
|
3.8
|
Overseas taxation
|
1.2
|
1.6
|
3.2
|
Prior year adjustment
|
-
|
-
|
1.1
|
Total current taxation
|
1.2
|
2.7
|
8.1
|
Deferred
|
|
|
|
Origination and reversal of temporary
differences
|
(4.3)
|
(0.3)
|
(0.3)
|
Prior year adjustment
|
-
|
-
|
(2.0)
|
Total tax
(credit)/charge
|
(3.1)
|
2.4
|
5.8
|
Total tax in the period to 30 September 2024
is recognised based on management's estimate of the weighted
average tax rate applicable to the cumulative profits and losses in
the period.
The movement on the deferred tax account is as
shown below:
|
6 months to
30 September
2024
(unaudited)
£m
|
6 months
to
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
£m
|
Year
ended
31 March
2024
(audited)
£m
|
Deferred tax liability at the beginning of the
period
|
(13.4)
|
(15.0)
|
(15.0)
|
Credited to the Consolidated Income
Statement
|
4.3
|
0.3
|
2.3
|
Credited/(charged) to other comprehensive
income
|
0.8
|
-
|
(0.8)
|
Exchange differences
|
-
|
-
|
0.1
|
Deferred tax liability at the end of the
period
|
(8.3)
|
(14.7)
|
(13.4)
|
|
6 months to
30 September
2024
(unaudited)
£m
|
6 months
to
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
£m
|
Year
ended
31 March
2024
(audited)
£m
|
Accelerated capital allowances
|
(0.2)
|
(0.4)
|
(0.1)
|
Other timing differences
|
3.7
|
3.0
|
3.4
|
Deferred tax liability relating to intangible
assets
|
(11.9)
|
(13.4)
|
(12.6)
|
Deferred tax liability relating to pension
surplus
|
(4.1)
|
(3.9)
|
(4.1)
|
Losses
|
4.2
|
-
|
-
|
Deferred tax liability at the end of the
period
|
(8.3)
|
(14.7)
|
(13.4)
|
7.
Finance costs
|
6 months to
30 September
2024
(unaudited)
£m
|
6 months
to
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
£m
|
Year
ended
31 March
2024
(audited)
£m
|
Finance costs
|
|
|
|
Interest payable on bank borrowings
|
2.5
|
2.5
|
5.2
|
Interest on lease liabilities
|
0.8
|
0.8
|
1.6
|
Amortisation of costs of raising debt
finance
|
0.2
|
0.3
|
0.9
|
Discounting of deferred
consideration
|
-
|
0.3
|
0.4
|
Finance costs
|
3.5
|
3.9
|
8.1
|
8.
Borrowings
|
At
30 September
2024
(unaudited)
£m
|
At
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
£m
|
At
31 March
2024
(audited)
£m
|
Non-current
|
|
|
|
Bank borrowings (unsecured):
|
|
|
|
- bank loans
|
67.0
|
80.0
|
69.0
|
- less: costs of raising finance
|
(0.7)
|
(0.8)
|
(0.9)
|
Total borrowings
|
66.3
|
79.2
|
68.1
|
The fair value of bank loans equals their
carrying amount as they bear interest at floating rates.
The repayment terms of borrowings are as
follows:
|
At
30 September
2024
(unaudited)
£m
|
At
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
£m
|
At
31 March
2024
(audited)
£m
|
Not later than one year
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
After more than one year:
|
|
|
|
- between one and two years
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
- between two and five years
|
67.0
|
80.0
|
69.0
|
- costs of raising finance
|
(0.7)
|
(0.8)
|
(0.9)
|
Total borrowings
|
66.3
|
79.2
|
68.1
|
The Group has a multicurrency £130m revolving
credit facility (plus a £70m uncommitted accordion facility). The
facility has a maturity date of October 2027.
Net debt
The Group's net debt is calculated
as follows:
|
At
30 September
2024
(unaudited)
£m
|
At
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
£m
|
At
31 March
2024
(audited)
£m
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
21.4
|
32.6
|
30.8
|
Total borrowings
|
(66.3)
|
(79.2)
|
(68.1)
|
Net debt
|
(44.9)
|
(46.6)
|
(37.3)
|
9.
Called up share capital
|
At
30 September
2024
(unaudited)
£m
|
At
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
£m
|
At
31 March
2024
(audited)
£m
|
Issued and fully paid
|
|
|
|
89,785,772 (September 2023: 89,274,204, March
2024: 89,596,593) ordinary shares of 10p each
|
8.9
|
8.9
|
8.9
|
10. Consolidated Cash Flow
Statements
(a) Cash generated from operations
|
|
6 months to
30 September
2024
(unaudited)
£m
|
6 months
to
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
£m
|
Year
ended
31 March
2024
(audited)
£m
|
(Loss)/profit before taxation
|
|
(11.7)
|
11.7
|
32.6
|
Adjustments for:
|
|
|
|
|
- IAS 19R administrative expenses included in
the Income Statement
|
|
0.7
|
0.8
|
1.3
|
- acquisition and disposal related costs
included in the Income Statement
|
|
25.5
|
3.9
|
4.3
|
- exceptional operating items included in the
Income Statement
|
|
2.1
|
1.4
|
(2.3)
|
- cash flows from exceptional items and
acquisition and disposal related costs
|
|
(2.5)
|
(1.8)
|
(3.4)
|
- settlement of share options
|
|
(0.5)
|
-
|
-
|
- depreciation of property, plant and
equipment
|
|
2.3
|
2.0
|
4.0
|
- underlying amortisation
|
|
0.1
|
0.1
|
0.3
|
- depreciation of right of use
assets
|
|
2.6
|
2.2
|
4.7
|
- finance costs included in the Income
Statement
|
|
3.5
|
3.9
|
8.1
|
- pension fund deficit recovery
contributions
|
|
(2.1)
|
(2.0)
|
(4.0)
|
- IAS 19R finance income included in the Income
Statement
|
|
(0.4)
|
(0.3)
|
(0.8)
|
- IFRS 2 charges
|
|
0.2
|
0.4
|
0.9
|
Operating cash flows before
movements in working capital
|
|
19.8
|
22.3
|
45.7
|
Changes in working capital:
|
|
|
|
|
- (increase)/decrease in inventories
|
|
(4.7)
|
4.2
|
2.9
|
- (increase)/decrease in trade and other
receivables
|
|
(11.3)
|
3.1
|
9.3
|
-increase/(decrease) in trade and other
payables
|
|
6.4
|
(6.0)
|
(8.9)
|
Cash generated from
operations
|
|
10.2
|
23.6
|
49.0
|
Cash flows from exceptional items and acquisition and disposal
related costs includes expenditure charged to exceptional
provisions relating to acquisition and disposal related costs
(excluding deferred remuneration), investment property running
costs, business rationalisation and restructuring costs.
(b) Analysis of net
debt
|
Net cash and current
borrowings
£m
|
Non-current
borrowings
£m
|
Underlying net cash/
(debt)
£m
|
Lease
Liabilities
£m
|
Net debt
£m
|
At 1 April 2024
|
30.8
|
(68.1)
|
(37.3)
|
(22.2)
|
(59.5)
|
Cash flow
|
(9.9)
|
2.0
|
(7.9)
|
3.4
|
(4.5)
|
Non-cash finance costs
|
-
|
(0.2)
|
(0.2)
|
(0.8)
|
(1.0)
|
Other non-cash movements
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(3.4)
|
(3.4)
|
Exchange movements
|
0.5
|
-
|
0.5
|
(0.5)
|
-
|
At 30 September 2024
|
21.4
|
(66.3)
|
(44.9)
|
(23.5)
|
(68.4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash and current
borrowings
£m
|
Non-current
borrowings
£m
|
Underlying net
cash/
(debt)
£m
|
Lease
Liabilities
£m
|
Net debt
£m
|
At 1 April 2023
|
29.0
|
(78.9)
|
(49.9)
|
(24.7)
|
(74.6)
|
Cash flow
|
4.3
|
-
|
4.3
|
3.1
|
7.4
|
Non-cash finance costs
|
-
|
(0.3)
|
(0.3)
|
(0.8)
|
(1.1)
|
Other non-cash movements
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(0.8)
|
(0.8)
|
Exchange movements
|
(0.7)
|
-
|
(0.7)
|
0.9
|
0.2
|
At 30 September 2023
|
32.6
|
(79.2)
|
(46.6)
|
(22.3)
|
(68.9)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash and current
borrowings
£m
|
Non-current
borrowings
£m
|
Underlying net
cash/
(debt)
£m
|
Lease
Liabilities
£m
|
Net debt
£m
|
At 1 April 2023
|
29.0
|
(78.9)
|
(49.9)
|
(24.7)
|
(74.6)
|
Cash flow
|
3.3
|
11.0
|
14.3
|
6.5
|
20.8
|
Non-cash finance costs
|
-
|
(0.2)
|
(0.2)
|
(1.6)
|
(1.8)
|
Other non-cash movements
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(3.6)
|
(3.6)
|
Exchange movements
|
(1.5)
|
-
|
(1.5)
|
1.2
|
(0.3)
|
At 31 March 2024
|
30.8
|
(68.1)
|
(37.3)
|
(22.2)
|
(59.5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11. Dividends
A final dividend in respect of the year ended
31 March 2024 of £6.1m (6.8p per 10p ordinary share) was paid on 2
August 2024.
On 21 November 2024, the Board declared an
interim dividend in respect of the year ended 31
March 2025 of 3.5p per 10p ordinary
share. This dividend is payable on 14 January 2025 to shareholders
on the register on 29 December 2024 and is not reflected in this
condensed consolidated interim financial information. The shares
will be quoted ex-dividend on 28 December 2024. Norcros operates a
Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP). If a shareholder wishes to use
the DRIP the latest date to elect for this in respect of this
interim dividend is 19 December 2024.
12. Retirement benefit obligations
(a) Pension costs
Norcros Security Plan
The Norcros Security Plan (the "Plan"), the
principal UK pension scheme of the Group's UK subsidiaries, is
funded by a separate trust fund which operates under UK trust law
and is a separate legal entity from the Company. The Plan is
governed by a Trustee board which is required by law to act in the
best interests of the Plan members and is responsible for setting
policies together with the Company. It is predominantly a defined
benefit scheme with a modest element of defined contribution
benefits. The scheme is closed to new members and future accrual
with effect from 1 April 2013, although active members retain a
salary link.
The valuation used for IAS 19R disclosures has
been produced by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a firm with qualified
actuaries, to take account of the requirements of IAS 19R in order
to assess the liabilities of the scheme at 30 September 2024.
Scheme assets are stated at their market value at 30 September
2024.
(b) IAS 19R, 'Retirement benefit
obligations'
The principal assumptions used to calculate the
scheme liabilities of the Norcros Security Plan under IAS 19R
are:
|
At
30 September
2024
|
At
30
September
2023
|
At
31 March
2024
|
Discount rate
|
4.95%
|
5.60%
|
4.85%
|
Inflation rate (RPI)
|
3.15%
|
3.30%
|
3.30%
|
Inflation (CPI)
|
2.45%
|
2.60%
|
2.65%
|
Salary increases
|
2.70%
|
2.85%
|
2.90%
|
The amounts recognised in the Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheet are determined as follows:
|
At
30
September
2024
(unaudited)
£m
|
At
30
September
2023
(unaudited)
£m
|
At
31
March
2024
(audited)
£m
|
Total market value of scheme
assets
|
281.5
|
275.4
|
291.5
|
Present value of scheme
liabilities
|
(265.0)
|
(259.7)
|
(275.0)
|
Pension surplus
|
16.5
|
15.7
|
16.5
|
13. Related party transactions
The remuneration of Executive and
Non-executive Directors will be disclosed in the Group's Annual
Report for the year ending 31 March 2025.
14. Financial risk management and financial
instruments
Financial risk factors
The Group's operations expose it to a variety
of financial risks: market risk (including currency risk, interest
rate risk and energy price risk); credit risk; and liquidity risk.
An explanation of these risks and how the Group manages them is set
out on page 215 to 217 of the Group's 2024 Annual Report. The
interim financial information does not include all financial risk
management information and disclosures required in annual financial
statements; they should be read in conjunction with the Group's
2024 Annual Report. There have been no material changes in the risk
management process or in any risk management policies since the
year end.
Statement of Directors' responsibilities
The Directors confirm that this condensed
consolidated interim financial information has been prepared in
accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standard 34,
'Interim financial reporting', and that the Interim Report includes
a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7 and DTR
4.2.8, namely:
· an indication of
important events that have occurred during the first six months and
their impact on the condensed consolidated interim financial
information and a description of the principal risks and
uncertainties for the remaining six months of the financial year;
and
· material related
party transactions in the first six months and any changes in the
related party transactions disclosed in the last Annual
Report.
The Directors of Norcros plc and their
respective responsibilities are as presented on our website
www.norcros.com.
By order of the Board
Thomas
Willcocks
James Eyre
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
21 November
2024