Last checked at 15 Sep 2008 07:00
| Press Release | 15 September 2008 |
Billington Holdings Plc
("Billington" or "the Group")
Interim Results
Billington Holdings Plc, one of the UK's leading structural steel and engineering specialists, today announces its results for the six months ended 30 June 2008.
Summary
| ● | Profit before tax on continuing operations up 31% to £2,319,000 (H1 2007: £1,763,000) |
| ● | Structural Steel activities returned operating profits of £2,606,000 compared with £2,205,000 in the same period last year, which is broadly in line with expectations |
| ● | Specialist Engineering shows an operating loss of £339,000 for this period as against a loss of £661,000 for the same period last year |
| ● | The profit from discontinued activities amounts to £27,000 following the disposal of non-core operations |
| ● | Earnings per share from continuing activities were 13.9 pence per share (H1 2007: 10.6 pence) |
| ● | Proposed dividend of 3.75 pence per share (H1 2007: 3.5 pence) |
Commenting on the results, Peter Hems, Executive Chairman of Billington Holdings Plc, said: "We are delighted that the Group's restructuring has returned such favourable results in the past six months. The core businesses which we have chosen to focus on have profited from our emphasis on the public sector and in health and safety equipment. We are confident that the alteration in the business is already beginning to show a long term growth pattern.
"The state of the UK economy and the construction sector in particular is a cause for some concern for us and for our competitors. However, Billington is in an excellent position to deliver shareholder value with a strong balance sheet and being one of the leading structural steel specialists in the UK. Our order book stands at £55 million which will see us through 2008 and well into 2009."
- Ends -
For further information please contact:
| Billington Holdings Plc | |
| Peter Hems, Executive Chairman Steve Fareham, Managing Director info@billington-holdings.plc.uk | Tel: + 44 (0) 116 2575170 (Chairman's office) +44 (0) 1226 340666 (Billington) www.billington-holdings.plc.uk |
| Brewin Dolphin Investment Banking | |
| Andrew Emmott | Tel: +44 (0) 845 270 8610 |
Media enquiries:
| Abchurch | |
| Sarah Hollins / Chris Lane chris.lane@abchurch-group.com | Tel: +44 (0) 207 398 7708 www.abchurch-group.com |
Chairman's Statement
Introduction
I am pleased to report this first set of results for Billington Holdings Plc since the disposal of non-core operations on 11 April 2008. The profit on ordinary activities before taxation from continuing operations shows an increase of 31% over the same period last year, which is impacted by a combination of improved results from the structural steel business and reduced losses on specialist engineering.
Results
Profit on ordinary activities from continuing operations before taxation amounted to £2,319,000, which compares with £1,763,000 for the same period last year. Profits after taxation from continuing operations were £1,617,000 compared with £1,234,000 for last year.
Structural Steel
The Group's structural steel activities returned operating profits of £2,606,000 which compared with £2,205,000 in the same period last year, which is broadly in line with our expectations. The structural steel activities comprise Billington Structures, Hollybank Engineering and easi-edge, the safety solutions business. Billington Structures, the award winning structural steel business, traded in line with expectations for the first half and has recently won additional work in the education sector.
Billington Structures has a strong forward order book and the outlook for the current year is expected to be broadly in line with expectations. Hollybank is experiencing an increase in demand for its specialist steelwork for underground tunnels and it is anticipated that this will continue through into 2009. easi-edge, the innovative safety solutions business, has performed in line with expectations for the first half and current order levels indicate that the outcome for the full year will be in line with expectations. The Group continues to develop innovative safety solution products to meet customer demand and, as these are accepted by the market, they will increase the contribution that this business makes to group profit.
Specialist Engineering
The Group's specialist engineering activity relates to the Dosco business which designs and manufactures underground tunnelling equipment for the worldwide mineral extraction industry. Encouragingly, this division is showing an operating loss of £339,000 for this period as against a loss of £661,000 for the same period last year. As we saw last year, the majority of orders are scheduled for delivery in the second half. The order levels for the remainder of 2008 and 2009 are also very encouraging for this business.
Discontinued Activities and Loss on Disposal
The profit from discontinued activities amounts to £27,000, which represents the profit after tax from non-core operations for the period up to the date of their disposal. This figure has been particularly impacted by a provision of some £1.3m against the carrying value of work in progress in relation to the property development activities, following the general downturn in the UK housing market. The loss on disposal for the period reflects the profit referred to above together with an accounting adjustment amounting to £181,000 to reflect the split of the Amco Group Pension Scheme. In addition, a reserve adjustment amounting to £437,000 has been made in the June 2008 accounts reflecting the split of the Amco ESOP.
Pension Schemes and Total Recognised Gains
There were actuarial gains recognised in the pension schemes, which net of the taxation impact amounted to £509,000. Having regard to the profit for the period of £1,436,000 this resulted in total recognised income for the first half of £1,945,000.
Earnings per Share
Earnings per share from continuing activities were 13.9 pence compared with 10.6 pence for the corresponding period in 2007. The corresponding figure for the whole of 2007 was 28.6 pence per share.
Dividend
I am delighted to announce that the Directors intend to pay a dividend of 3.75 pence per share on 27 October 2008 to shareholders on the register on 26 September 2008.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Group had a cash balance of £11,697,000 at 30 June 2008, after the £7,000,000 proceeds from the sale of non core operations (net of costs) received during the period, compared with £6,038,000 at 31 December 2007. The cash outflow from operating activities for the period amounted to £1,414,000 which is mainly attributable to the timing of payments to suppliers around the year end. Cash flow movement for the comparable periods shows an operating cash inflow of £2,817,000 but reflects the pre-disposal group and is therefore not strictly comparable. In the current climate of uncertainty for the construction industry generally the Board considers that the current position of having a strong balance sheet underpinned by substantial cash represents a very important asset.
Prospects
Current trading remains strong and the order book gives us confidence for the rest of 2008 and well into 2009. Enquiry levels and activity levels in the construction sector as a whole are concerning and we are more cautious on the outlook for 2009. However, as one of the leading players in its markets, Billington possess a balance sheet which provides a degree of security in the current difficult market conditions and also a platform for growth.
Peter K Hems
Executive Chairman
15 September 2008
| Condensed consolidated interim income statement Six months ended 30th June 2008 | Unaudited | Unaudited | Audited | |
|
| Six months | Six months | Twelve months | |
|
| to 30th June | to 30th June | to 31st December | |
|
|
| 2008 | 2007 | 2007 |
|
|
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
| Continuing operations |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
| Revenue | 35,718 | 27,095 | 69,831 | |
| (Decrease)/increase in work in progress | (204) | 948 | 317 | |
| Total revenue | 35,514 | 28,043 | 70,148 | |
| Raw material and consumables | 23,214 | 17,791 | 46,649 | |
| Other external charges | 1,190 | 862 | 1,125 | |
| Staff costs | 7,100 | 6,034 | 13,415 | |
| Depreciation | 686 | 736 | 1,495 | |
| Other operating charges | 1,065 | 1,270 | 2,621 | |
|
|
| 33,255 | 26,692 | 65,305 |
| Total operating profit | 2,259 | 1,351 | 4,843 | |
| Finance cost | (143) | (39) | (39) | |
| Finance income | 203 | 398 | 6 | |
| Other finance income | 0 | 53 | 0 | |
| Profit on ordinary activities before taxation | 2,319 | 1,763 | 4,810 | |
| Taxation on profit on ordinary activities | (702) | (529) | (1,496) | |
| Profit for the period from continuing operations | 1,617 | 1,234 | 3,314 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Discontinued operations |
|
|
| |
| Profit for the period from discontinued operations | 27 | 360 | 1,130 | |
| Loss on disposal of discontinued operations | (208) | 0 | 0 | |
| Loss on measurement to fair value less costs to sell of discontinued operations | 0 | 0 | (8,624) | |
| Profit/(loss) for the period attributable to equity holders of the parent company | 1,436 | 1,594 | (4,180) | |
| Earnings per share (basic and diluted) from continuing operations | 13.9 p | 10.6 p | 28.6 p | |
| Earnings per share (basic and diluted) from discontinued operations | 0.2 p | 3.1 p | 9.7 p | |
| Earnings/(loss) per share (basic and diluted) attributable to equity holders of the parent company | 12.4 p | 13.7 p | (36.0 p) | |
| Dividends per share | 3.75p | 3.5 p | 11.0 p | |
| Condensed consolidated interim balance sheet at 30th June 2008 | Unaudited | Unaudited | Audited |
|
| 30th June | 30th June | 31st December |
|
| 2008 | 2007 | 2007 |
|
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
| Assets |
|
|
|
| Non current assets |
|
|
|
| Property, plant and equipment | 10,250 | 17,965 | 10,920 |
| Investments in joint ventures | 0 | 1,153 | 0 |
| Deferred tax assets | 1,725 | 2,956 | 1,748 |
| Total non current assets | 11,975 | 22,074 | 12,668 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Current assets |
|
|
|
| Inventories and work in progress | 9,099 | 25,207 | 8,385 |
| Amounts recoverable on contracts | 0 | 8,251 | 0 |
| Trade and other receivables | 6,412 | 11,187 | 4,812 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 11,697 | 3,732 | 6,038 |
| Total current assets | 27,208 | 48,377 | 19,235 |
| Assets included in disposal group classified as held for sale | 0 | 0 | 57,224 |
| Total assets | 39,184 | 70,451 | 89,127 |
| Liabilities |
|
|
|
| Current liabilities |
|
|
|
| Current portion of long term borrowings | 0 | 2,196 | 0 |
| Trade and other payables | 17,261 | 35,164 | 19,252 |
| Current tax payable | 568 | 328 | 691 |
| Total current liabilities | 17,829 | 37,688 | 19,943 |
| Liabilities included in disposal group classified as held for sale | 0 | 0 | 48,824 |
| Non current liabilities |
|
|
|
| Long term borrowings | 0 | 4,335 | 0 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 0 | 1,556 | 0 |
| Pension liabilities | 5,523 | 6,713 | 5,603 |
| Total non current liabilities | 5,523 | 12,604 | 5,603 |
| Total liabilities | 23,352 | 50,292 | 74,370 |
| Net assets | 15,832 | 20,159 | 14,757 |
| Equity |
|
|
|
| Issued capital | 1,293 | 1,293 | 1,293 |
| Share premium | 1,864 | 1,864 | 1,864 |
| Capital redemption reserve | 132 | 132 | 132 |
| Other reserve | (873) | (1,268) | (1,310) |
| Profit and loss account | 13,416 | 18,138 | 12,778 |
| Shareholders' funds | 15,832 | 20,159 | 14,757 |
| Condensed consolidated interim statement of recognised income and expense | Unaudited | Unaudited | Audited | |
| Six months ended 30th June 2008 | Six months | Six months | Twelve months | |
|
| to 30th June | to 30th June | to 31st December | |
|
|
| 2008 | 2007 | 2007 |
|
|
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
|
| Actuarial gain recognised in the pension schemes (see note) | 404 | 5,121 | 5,043 |
|
| Movement on deferred tax relating to pension liability | (23) | (1,669) | (2,114) |
|
| Current tax relating to pension liability | 128 | 131 | 489 |
| Net income recognised directly in equity | 509 | 3,583 | 3,418 | |
| Profit/(loss) for the period | 1,436 | 1,594 | (4,180) | |
| Total recognised income and expense in the period attributable to equity holders | 1,945 | 5,177 | (762) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Note |
|
|
| |
|
| Actuarial gain/(loss) recognised in the pension schemes |
|
| |
|
| Actual return less expected return on pension scheme assets | (4,241) | 683 | (266) |
|
| Experience gains and losses arising on the scheme liabilities | (1) | 3 | 1,321 |
|
| Changes in assumptions underlying the present value of the scheme liabilities | 4,646 | 4,435 | 3,988 |
|
|
| 404 | 5,121 | 5,043 |
| Condensed consolidated interim cash flow statement | Unaudited | Unaudited | Audited | |
| Six months ended 30th June 2008 |
| Six months | Six months | Twelve months |
|
|
| to 30th June | to 30th June | to 31st December |
|
|
| 2008 | 2007 | 2007 |
|
|
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
| Cashflows from operating activities |
|
|
|
|
| Group profit/(loss) after tax |
| 1,436 | 1,594 | (4,180) |
| Adjustments for: |
|
|
|
|
| Profits from joint ventures |
| 0 | 0 | (5) |
| Depreciation on property, plant and equipment |
| 686 | 1,630 | 3,432 |
| Difference between pension charge and cash contributions |
| 16 | (388) | (1,490) |
| Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment |
| (28) | (46) | (122) |
| Taxation expense |
| 702 | 683 | 1,263 |
| Taxation paid |
| (699) | (759) | (1,475) |
| Finance cost/(income) |
| 67 | (413) | (55) |
| (Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables |
| (200) | 2,177 | (5,505) |
| Increase in inventories and work in progress |
| (714) | (3,616) | (2,070) |
| (Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables |
| (2,861) | 1,955 | 9,090 |
| Loss on disposal of discontinued operations |
| 181 | 0 | 0 |
| Loss on measurement to fair value of disposal group |
| 0 | 0 | 8,624 |
| Net cashflow from operating activities |
| (1,414) | 2,817 | 7,507 |
| Cashflows from investing activities |
|
|
|
|
| Distributions from joint ventures |
| 0 | 0 | 192 |
| Net cashflow from returns on investments and servicing of finance |
| 60 | 359 | (84) |
| Purchase of property, plant and equipment |
| (362) | (990) | (1,249) |
| Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment |
| 375 | 176 | 438 |
| Net cash inflow from disposal of discontinued operations |
| 7,000 | 0 | 0 |
| Net cashflow from investing activities |
| 7,073 | (455) | (703) |
| Cashflows from financing activities |
|
|
|
|
| Equity dividends paid |
| 0 | 0 | (1,102) |
| Proceeds of bank and other loans |
| 0 | 2,238 | 7,153 |
| Repayment of bank and other loans |
| 0 | (2,158) | (3,187) |
| Inception of hire purchase agreements |
| 0 | 587 | 0 |
| Capital element of hire purchase payments |
| 0 | (848) | (1,786) |
| Employee Share Ownership Plan share purchases |
| (8) | (410) | (458) |
| Employee Share Ownership Plan share sales |
| 8 | 11 | 17 |
| Net cashflow from financing activities |
| 0 | (580) | 637 |
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
| 5,659 | 1,782 | 7,441 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 6,038 | 1,950 | 1,950 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
| 11,697 | 3,732 | 9,391 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cash and cash equivalents |
| 11,697 | 3,732 | 6,038 |
| Included within the disposal group |
| 0 | 0 | 3,353 |
| Total cash and cash equivalents |
| 11,697 | 3,732 | 9,391 |
Notes to the accounts
1. Basis of preparation
The financial information for the six months ended 30th June 2008 and the comparative figures for the six months ended 30th June 2007 are unaudited and have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the notes to the full year end statutory accounts as approved by the Board. This financial information does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2007, prepared under IFRS, received an unqualified audit report, did not contain statements under section 237 (2) of the Companies Act 1985 and have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.
2. Earnings per share
Earnings per ordinary share have been calculated on the basis of the result for the period after tax, divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue in the period, excluding those held in the ESOP Trust, of 11,603,408. The comparatives are calculated by reference to the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue which were 11,639,183 for the period to 30 June 2007 and 11,598,808 for the year ended 31 December 2007.
3. Availability
This statement is being sent to the shareholders of the Company and will be available at the Company's Registered Office at Steel House Barnsley Road, Wombwell Barnsley, South Yorkshire S73 8DS and will also be available on the Company website: www.billington-holdings.plc.uk.
| 4. Segmental reporting | Unaudited |
| Unaudited |
| Audited | |
| As at 30th June 2008 | Six months |
| Six months |
| Twelve months | |
|
| to 30th June |
| to 30th June |
| to 31st December | |
|
|
| 2008 |
| 2007 |
| 2007 |
|
|
| £'000 |
| £'000 |
| £'000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Analysis of revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Structural Steel | 31,897 |
| 26,435 |
| 58,270 |
|
| Specialist Engineering | 3,593 |
| 1,570 |
| 11,781 |
|
| Group | 25 |
| 38 |
| 97 |
|
| Consolidated total | 35,514 |
| 28,043 |
| 70,148 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Analysis of Group operating profit before finance income/cost |
|
|
| ||
|
| Structural Steel | 2,606 |
| 2,205 |
| 4,593 |
|
| Specialist Engineering | (339) |
| (661) |
| 131 |
|
| Group | (8) |
| (193) |
| 119 |
|
| Consolidated total | 2,259 |
| 1,351 |
| 4,843 |
| Since the restructure of the Group on 11 April 2008 as detailed in the year end statutory accounts the Group's primary focus is now that of Structural Steel and Specialist Engineering as detailed above. The Group revenue is derived from external rent charges from Group properties. | ||||||
| 5. Dividends |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| In the first half of 2008 Billington Holdings Plc declared a final dividend in respect of 2007 of 7.5 pence amounting to £970,075 (2007 6.0p - £776,000)) to its equity shareholders (including £99,800 paid to the ESOP) An interim dividend for 2007 of 3.5pence amounting to £453,000 was declared and paid in the second half of 2007.. | |||||
| Condensed consolidated interim statement of changes in equity |
|
|
|
|
| ||
| (Unaudited) | Share | Share | Capital | Other | Profit | Total | |
|
|
| Capital | Premium | Redemption | Reserve | & Loss | Equity |
|
|
|
| Account | Reserve | (ESOP) | Account |
|
|
|
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Balance at 1st January 2007 | 1,293 | 1,864 | 132 | (869) | 14,642 | 17,062 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Changes in equity for first half of 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Actuarial gain (net) on pension scheme | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3,583 | 3,583 |
|
| Net income recognised directly in equity | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3,583 | 3,583 |
|
| Profit for the six months to 30th June 2007 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,594 | 1,594 |
|
| Total recognised income and expense in the period | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5,177 | 5,177 |
|
| Dividends | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | (696) | (696) |
|
| ESOP movement in period | 0 | 0 | 0 | (399) | 0 | (399) |
|
| Balance at 30th June 2007 | 1,293 | 1,864 | 132 | (1,268) | 19,123 | 21,144 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Changes in equity for second half of 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Actuarial loss (net) on pension scheme | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | (165) | (165) |
|
| Net income recognised directly in equity | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | (165) | (165) |
|
| Profit for the six months to 31st December 2007 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | (5,774) | (5,774) |
|
| Total recognised income and expense in the period | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | (5,939) | (5,939) |
|
| Dividends | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | (406) | (406) |
|
| ESOP movement in period | 0 | 0 | 0 | (42) | 0 | (42) |
|
| Balance at 31st December 2007 | 1,293 | 1,864 | 132 | (1,310) | 12,778 | 14,757 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Changes in equity for first half of 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Actuarial gain (net) on pension scheme | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 509 | 509 |
|
| Net income recognised directly in equity | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 509 | 509 |
|
| Profit for the six months to 30th June 2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,436 | 1,436 |
|
| Total recognised income and expense in the period | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,945 | 1,945 |
|
| Dividends | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | (870) | (870) |
|
| Adjustment to ESOP in respect of discontinued activities | 0 | 0 | 0 | 437 | (437) | 0 |
|
| ESOP movement in period | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
| Balance at 30th June 2008 | 1,293 | 1,864 | 132 | (873) | 13,416 | 15,832 |