AIREA Regulatory News (AIEA)

AIREA plc

Preliminary results for the year ended 30th June 2010

Review of Operations

Introduction

We are pleased to report a year of significant progress set against a backdrop of continuing global recessionary conditions and depressed demand in the markets in which we operate. The work done in lowering our cost base combined with improved sales margins from our repositioned product offer delivered a return to profitability and positive cash flow.

The transformation of the product portfolio and point of sales estate of our residential carpet business is now largely complete and the brand continues to regain its reputation for innovation and design. However, the second half saw particularly challenging market conditions with soft trading conditions adversely affecting sales. As described in our interim report, the success achieved in winning major contracts demonstrates the improved awareness of the Burmatex brand within the architect and specification community sector, building on the traditional strength in the flooring contractor sector. Underlying demand suffered from low levels of activity in the construction and refurbishment market, with the new contracts only coming on stream in the final weeks of the year.

Group results

Revenue reduced by £10.1m to £30.9m (2009: £41.0m). Of the decline, circa £6.5m is directly attributable to the exit from loss making contracts and the withdrawal of products as part of the rationalisation of the domestic product range. Of the remaining business, sales to the residential sector declined by 14.8% and to the contract sector by 6.7%.

The operating result before exceptional items was a profit of £0.9m (2009: loss £0.5m). The operating result after charging exceptional operating costs of £0.2m (2009: exceptional operating costs £4.3m and goodwill impairment £4.0m) was an operating profit of £0.7m (2009: loss £8.8m).

After accounting for finance income and finance costs, and incorporating the appropriate tax charge the result for the year was a profit of £0.3m (2009: loss £9m). Basic earnings per share were 0.57p (2009: loss per share 19.40p).

Net cash generated from operating activities in the year amounted to £1.3m (2009: used in operations £2.4m). Working capital reduced by £0.6m (2009: £1.7m) despite a build up of inventory to service new contracts. Capital expenditure of £1.2m (2009: £0.9m) was largely related to the completion of the product range renewal projects. Contributions of £0.6m (2009: £2.5m) were made to the defined benefit pension scheme in line with the agreement reached with the trustees based on the 2008 actuarial valuation.

The progression in trading performance over the last four years is demonstrated below:

Key performance indicators

As part of its internal financial control procedures the board monitors certain financial ratios. For the year to 30th June 2010 value added per employee amounted to £60,000 (2009: £58,000), operating return on sales was 2.9% (2009: 1.2% negative), return on average net operating assets was 6.5% (2009: 2.7% negative) and working capital to sales percentage was 21.4% (2009: 18.0%). The general improvement in ratios reflects the improved sales margins and cost reductions. The working capital ratio suffered from an increase in inventory and trade receivables relating to the start up of new contract business.

Management and personnel

As reported in the interim report, Martin Toogood succeeded Tim Vernon as non-executive chairman on 6th November 2009. Tim stepped down from the board after over five years service, and we would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him well for the future. Roger Salt was appointed to the position of group finance director on 21 September 2010, a role he takes on in addition to his duties as company secretary. 

Current trading and future prospects

Both sides of our business experience seasonal changes in demand for their products, and the second half of the financial year represents a quieter period for both businesses. So with this in mind and despite poor consumer demand for residential carpets in the immediate post Christmas period it was encouraging to see that the business was able to produce an operating profit (before exceptional items) of £0.9m for the year.

As forecast at the half year the commercial flooring business started deliveries on several major new contracts and despite the unexpected delays in the commencement of the contracts this represents a significant breakthrough in sales outside traditional core markets. There has also been significant progress in developing markets outside the UK following a thorough overhaul of the international sales and distribution network including the creation of Burmatex SP ZOO in Poland now selling direct to customers and specifiers.

In the last six months the company has invested in plant and equipment to expand the capability of its Wakefield dyeing facility. This will facilitate further exploitation of the manufacturing and operational synergies presented by the joint capabilities of both operations.

So, in summary both businesses are now well placed to meet the new challenges presented by continuing economic uncertainty and are less reliant on traditional sources of business both inside and outside the UK. It still remains to be seen what the long term effect of UK public sector expenditure cuts will have on the UK economy as a whole, and UK demand for household goods in particular. However, we remain optimistic but prudent in terms of strict control of cash resources. The board have concluded that it would not be appropriate to propose a final dividend, but remains committed to introducing a progressive dividend policy when circumstances allow.

Enquiries:

Neil Rylance 01924 266561

Chief executive officer

Roger Salt 01924 266561

Group finance director

Mark Brady 0845 213 4729

Brewin Dolphin

The financial information set out in the announcement does not constitute the group's statutory accounts for the years ended 30 June 2010 or 30 June 2009. The financial information for the year ended 30 June 2009 is derived from the statutory accounts for that year which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors reported on those accounts; their report was unqualified and did not include any statement under s498(2) or s498(3) of the Companies Act 2006. The consolidated balance sheet at 30th June 2010, the consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated cash flow statement and the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year then ended have been extracted from the Group's 2010 statutory financial statements upon which the auditor's opinion is unqualified and does not include any statement under s498(2) or s498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

The announcement has been agreed with the company's auditor for release.