Billington Regulatory News (BILN)

22 September 2020

Billington Holdings Plc

("Billington", the "Group" or the "Company")

Interim Results

Billington Holdings Plc (AIM: BILN), one of the UK's leading structural steel and construction safety solutions specialists, is pleased to announce its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2020.

Highlights

Mark Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Billington, commented:

"Following an exceptional 2019, the first half of the year has been dominated by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the construction sector and the consequential restrictions on site access, project delays and cancellations. We have seen a significant impact on our first half revenue, however with all Group operations having now returned to near full capacity and with the majority of projects having restarted, we look forward to the remainder of the year with cautious optimism. We anticipate improved Group financial performance in the second half of the year, before hopefully moving to more normal trading conditions in 2021 assuming the economy stabilises and commences its recovery from the pandemic."

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Chief Executive Statement

Introduction

Following a record performance in 2019, the first half of 2020 was dominated by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Whilst all the Group companies have been operational and have traded during the period, all have experienced varying levels of delays, postponements and associated pricing pressures.

Many projects have been subject to delays and restrictions to site access, resulting in revenue decreasing by 30.5 per cent to £32.78 million for the period. The reduction in revenue is as a result of two significant projects being completed in the prior period along with the impact of contract delays.

Anticipated output for H2 indicates that all facilities will operate at near full capacity and with only a minor need to subcontract excess production requirements. The corresponding period in 2019 experienced large production overloads that were managed through the longstanding, approved Group supply chain.

Whereas margin pressure remains evident across the industry, we anticipate an improved performance in the second half whilst mindful of the continuing disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and consequential ongoing project delays.

Group Companies

Billington Structures and Shafton Steel Services

Billington Structures is one of the UK's leading structural steelwork contractors with a highly experienced workforce capable of delivering projects from simple building frames to complex structures in excess of 12,000 tonnes. With facilities in Barnsley and Bristol and a heritage dating back over 70 years, the business is well recognised and respected in the industry with the capacity of processing over 40,000 tonnes of steel per annum.

The Shafton facility operates in two distinct business areas. The first undertakes activities for Billington Structures. The second, Shafton Steel Services offers a complete range of steel profiling services to a large number of diverse external engineering and construction companies, providing further opportunities to increase the capacity of the business as well as allowing for the supply of value added, complementary products and services to enhance the comprehensive offering of the Group. Opportunities related to HS2 and the wider infrastructure market are currently being tendered and have been delivered for a range of current and new customers with further opportunities anticipated in this market.

During the first half of the year the business has faced challenges as a result of Covid-19. A number of projects were cancelled or delayed and even though the business remained open throughout the period, it suffered from a lack of productivity, particularly in April and May.

Now operating at near full capacity, Billington Structures has a stable order book for the remainder of the year and into 2021. Whilst the detailed timing of certain projects remains uncertain, the focus will be on both the successful completion of existing contracts and the securing of new business for 2021 and beyond.

Peter Marshall Steel Stairs

Based in Leeds, Peter Marshall Steel Stairs is a specialist designer, fabricator and installer of bespoke steel staircases, balustrade systems and secondary steelwork. It has the capability to deliver stair structures for the largest construction projects and operates in sectors spanning retail, commercial offices, education, healthcare, rail and many more.

During the first half Peter Marshall Steel Stairs benefited from supplying to projects involving both Billington Structures and other large projects from the wider engineering and construction market. The business continues to have a good order book and enjoys a robust market position, particularly when viewed against its smaller competitors, in what is a fragmented market.

easi-edge

easi-edge is a leading site safety solutions provider of perimeter edge protection and fall prevention systems for hire within the construction industry. Health and safety is at the core of the business which operates in a legislation driven market.

In the first half the business was impacted by Covid-19 related delays to the start of projects, although an improving picture was seen towards the end of the period and post period end. easi-edge continues to benefit from a strong order book and whilst certain projects have been delayed, the investments made in the business in 2019, adding to the stock available for hire, mean it is well positioned as the market recovers in one of the higher margin segments for the Group.

hoard-it

hoard-it produces a unique range of re-usable temporary hoarding solutions which are environmentally sustainable and available on both a hire and sale basis tailored to the requirements of its customers.

Covid-19 related restrictions on site access and the start of new projects constrained the business in the first half. However, significant progress continues to be made to establish the product as the number one choice for main contractors and developers in the construction industry. There remains a particular focus on growing the business in the residential construction market, where hoard-it's range of printed boards and panels are proving attractive to developers looking for a professional and promotional site image. The Board anticipates increased demand in the second half as the market continues to recover.

Financial Results

Revenue and Profit Before Tax

Group revenue decreased by 30.5 per cent over the period to £32.78 million (H1 2019: £47.15 million). This decrease has been primarily as a result of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the consequential restrictions on site access delaying projects and the postponement of orders. 2019 included the delivery of two large contracts whereas to date in 2020 the portfolio of projects has been of a more typical nature and size.

Despite the reduction in turnover, the Group remained profitable and profit before tax for the period was £0.61 million (H1 2019: £2.68 million), a decrease of 77.2 per cent.

Earnings per Share

Earnings per share for continued operations for the first half of the year decreased by 77.0 per cent to 4.1 pence (H1 2019: 17.8 pence).

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Group's gross cash and cash equivalents as at 30 June 2019 was £17.48 million, broadly similar to the balance as at 31 December 2019 of £17.86 million. The cash balance at 30 June 2020 reflected good cash collection and included approximately £1.00 million of deferred VAT and certain modest customer pre-payments.

Capital expenditure

During the first half capital expenditure has been restricted to essential repairs and renewals, with larger long-term capital equipment replacement programmes placed on hold until improved visibility in the wider economy is noted. A number of key items of machinery have been identified for replacement and process expansion over the medium term and therefore an increase in the current level of capital expenditure is expected when it is prudent to do so. However, appropriate investment has been made in the Group's capital assets during the period to ensure reliable production and the maintenance of quality.

Dividend

In the first half of 2019 Billington declared a final dividend of 13.0 pence per share amounting to £1,565,000. No final dividend was declared in the first half of 2020 as the dividend was suspended to preserve the Company's cash resources. No interim dividend for 2020 has been declared (2019: nil) a policy consistent with prior years.

Corporate Social Responsibility

During this unprecedented period the focus has been on the welfare and protection of our dedicated workforce. The Company has been committed to ensuring that appropriate measures have been implemented at all of our facilities in a timely manner and in adherence to UK Government guidance. A new office facility has been renovated and brought into operation as employees have returned to office working to ensure that social distancing can be maintained.

Contract disruption and the need to ensure social distancing of employees has necessitated the use of the UK Government's Job Retention Scheme ("JRS"). At the peak of the pandemic 46 per cent of the workforce were placed on furlough leave. It is pleasing to note that at the time of writing only 2% of employees remain on furlough leave with the majority of those previously on furlough having now returned to work.

Market and Economic Outlook

Whilst the General Election in December 2019 and the UK's departure from the European Union at the end of January 2020 has reduced some market uncertainty, the current environment is dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic. As the UK negotiates its position with the EU in relation to Brexit during the remainder of the transition period, we remain alert to the possible effect this may have within the industry.

The markets in which Billington operates remain constrained, with many of the main construction contractors under significant pressure. However, the Group continues to focus on projects with the more robust larger contractors and we continue to assess the risks associated with individual projects on a case by case basis. To date we have been able to secure acceptable levels of credit insurance on our significant projects. Additionally, as the Group has remained materially operational, we do not currently foresee any contractual issues as a result of Covid-19.

Plans have been made, as far as possible to ensure business continuity whatever the nature of the UK's future trading relationship with the EU. These plans include the utilisation of continental European based hauliers and firms with access to smaller ports and their own shipping. Additionally, the Group is ensuring products are dual certified, with both an EU derived CE mark as well as one from the UK. The Company is able to use European metric steel sizes for EU based projects, which are now being manufactured in the UK.

Following the completion of the takeover of British Steel by Jingye in March 2020 we have seen improved supply and some stability return to the UK steel supply market. However, the Group is conscious of the continued upward price pressure of the raw materials for steel production and aims to mitigate the risk associated with price escalation using a number of mechanisms.

Prospects and Outlook

The Group has faced a challenging first half of the year and whilst the overall market continues to be uncertain in the light of Covid-19, the outlook for Billington is encouraging.

We remain in a financially robust position and well placed for the future. The 2021 order book continues to grow, comprising of both delayed and new projects. There are a number of larger projects in prospect and the number and quality of enquires is at near historic levels. We are seeing opportunities in all sectors, particularly large retail distribution warehouses, data centres, food processing developments, public sector works and rail infrastructure. It is encouraging that the more robust developers are also continuing with commercial office development projects where significant pre-lets can be secured.

In closing, I would like to thank Billington's Board, employees, shareholders and stakeholders for their continued support during these difficult times, and I look forward with cautious optimism to the second half of the year.

Mark Smith

Chief Executive

21 September 2020

Notes to the interim accounts - as at 30 June 2020

Segmental Reporting

The Group trading operations of Billington Holdings plc are in Structural Steelwork and Safety Solutions, and all are continuing. The Structural Steelwork segment includes the activities of Billington Structures Limited and Peter Marshall Steel Stairs Limited, and the Safety Solutions segment includes the activities of easi-edge Limited and hoard-it Limited. The Group activities, comprising services and assets provided to Group companies and a small element of external property rentals and management charges, are shown in Other. All assets of the Group reside in the UK.