Macfarlane Grp. Regulatory News (MACF)

27 Mar 2007 07:01

Macfarlane Group PLC27 March 2007 27 March 2007 MACFARLANE GROUP ANNOUNCES RESULTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 2006 Profit for the year, after tax and gains on discontinued operations, totals £2.05m Net bank borrowings reduced to £5.55m Dividend intentions for 2007 reconfirmed Profit before tax from continuing operations of £1.52m Sales growth and margin recovery continues to date in 2007 Archie Hunter, Chairman of Macfarlane Group PLC today said:- "I have to report to shareholders that the Group has produced profit before taxfrom continuing operations for 2006 of £1.52m, that dividend payment intentionsfor 2007 are as previously expressed and that our key businesses continue tostrengthen. Trading Profit for the year, after tax and including gains from discontinued operations,was £2.1 million compared with £3.4 million for 2005. Earnings per share were1.82p in 2006 compared to 3.01p in 2005. The 2006 result was achieved despitetrading disappointments in the middle of 2006. Having returned to profit in 2005, the priority for the Group in 2006 was salesgrowth. This has been achieved with increases in turnover in Distribution of 8%and UK Packaging Manufacture of 12%, offsetting reductions of 12% in both theLabels and US/Mexico Packaging businesses so that overall sales increased by 2%to £130.1 million. During 2006 there were significant industry-wide supplier-driven cost increases.It proved difficult to pass these on to our customers in a timely fashion andthe impact was a reduction in our gross margin from 33.1% to 32.0% in the year.Actions were taken immediately in the second half of the year to tighten margincontrols and these actions have seen a recovery in margins in the final quarterof the year. Despite these margin pressures, we continued our programme of investment in thesecond half of the year with a number of revenue investments in Distribution'se-commerce capability, new business development and strengthening of themanagement team. The costs of these actions were more than covered by plannedasset disposal gains and non-recurring credits as set out in the operatingreview of our manufacturing operations. We also commenced our acquisitionprogramme in Distribution with the purchase of Bloomfield Supplies Limited,which generated a contribution of £0.1m in the final quarter. We have maintained our market leading position in Distribution, being threetimes larger than our nearest competitor, and our market share of just over 10%demonstrates the potential for further growth. More detailed comments on trading are set out in the operating review, followingmy statement. Cash and Dividends Bank borrowings net of cash balances reduced to £5.6 million at 31 December 2006and further improvements are expected in 2007. On top of this stock market andassumed bond yield movements together with increased payments made during 2006have seen a reduction in our recorded pension deficit, net of deferred taxation,from £16.1 million to £11.1 million. The Board recognises the importance which shareholders attach to the dividendstream. A year ago I said that, subject to continued satisfactory trading, theintention of the board was to establish in each year, the payment of an interimdividend in October and a final dividend in June, following the Annual GeneralMeeting. Having already paid an interim dividend for 2006 of 1p per share it isthe intention of the Board to declare a final dividend for 2006 of 1p payable inJune 2007, subject to shareholder approval at the AGM in May this year. TheBoard expects to pay a dividend of 2p per share for 2007 of which 1p will bepaid as an interim dividend in 2007. Future Prospects The Board believes that that the Group has gained from the experiences of 2006and its response to them. It is confident that the key businesses on which wewill concentrate in 2007 have been strengthened. Further acquisitions will bepursued. A major element of the investment programme undertaken in 2006 related tobuilding the management team in terms of both numbers and competency. Theobjective is to ensure that we have the necessary management strength to takeadvantage of the business opportunities which we have identified. On behalf ofthe Board I wish them every success. We have recorded continued growth in sales and recovery in margins in 2007 todate with a resultant increase in profitability compared to 2006. We plan further profitable growth in 2007 and beyond." Further information: Archie S. Hunter Chairman 0141 333 9666Peter D. Atkinson Chief Executive 0141 333 9666John Love Finance Director 0141 333 9666 Operating reviewGroup Segment Revenue Revenue Result Result 2006 2005 2006 2005 £000 £000 £000 £000 Packaging Distribution 80,853 73,915 590 409Manufacturing Operations 49,214 53,332 1,656 2,267 ________ _______ ______ ______ Continuing activities 130,067 127,247 2,246 2,676 ======== ======= Net finance costs (731) (1,086) ______ ______ Profit from continuing trading 1,515 1,590operationsGain on disposal of properties - 1,300Discontinued activities (ManufacturingOperations) 849 782 ______ ______ Profit before taxation 2,364 3,672Tax Continuing activities (313) (161)Discontinued activities - (126) ______ ______ Profit for the year 2,051 3,385 ====== ====== The results for 2006 show the Group recording profits from continuing tradingoperations of £1.5 million, a performance broadly in line with 2005. All businesses within the Group, with the exception of our business in US/Mexico, were profitable in 2006. Profitability was achieved despite unfavourablemarket conditions during 2006 in the majority of the markets in which we operatedue to consistent and considerable cost pressures on raw materials, fuel andenergy. Group debt continued to reduce during 2006. We have demonstrated in 2006 an ability to sustain profitability and create asolid foundation. The focus of our plans for 2007 and beyond is to build on thisbase and grow the business both organically and through acquisition. Packaging Distribution Macfarlane's Packaging Distribution business is the leading UK distributor of acomprehensive range of packaging consumable products. In a highly fragmentedmarket, Macfarlane is the market leader with a 10% market share. The businessoperates through 16 Regional Distribution Centres (RDCs) supplying customers ona local, regional and national basis. The business enables customers to packagetheir products cost effectively by providing them with a comprehensive productrange, single source supply, just in time delivery and tailored stock managementprogrammes. In 2006 Packaging Distribution recorded a profit of £0.6m, compared to £0.4m theprevious year. There were a number of factors that contributed to these results: • Sales revenue increased by 7% on an organic basis, partly driven by price increases and partly through volume growth. • The first half of 2006 was a significant period for supplier price increases due to inflation in raw materials, energy and oil related costs. This difficult pricing environment caused delays in passing through fully supplier increases to customers, resulting in the gross margin being 1% lower than for the same period in 2005; • In 2006 our On-Time-In-Full ("OTIF") deliveries averaged 92% compared with 91% in 2005 and 85% in 2004; • In 2006 we increased product range penetration in our existing customer base to an average 8.6 lines per customer compared with 8.2 in 2005 and 8.0 in 2004; • During 2006 we opened 2,505 new customer accounts; Operating review Packaging Distribution • We commenced in 2006 a programme to rationalise our supplier base to source products more cost-effectively. Our current supplier base consists of 646 companies, a reduction of 46 vs. 2005; • Our headcount in 2006 stabilised at just over 400 and our overhead to sales ratio reduced by 1.2% from 2005, although overheads increased by £1.1 million partly due to investments in e-commerce capability, new business development and strengthening of management; • In 2006, 80 major customers commenced trading with us electronically using our new Customer Connect service; • Our 2006 customer satisfaction survey showed 86% of customers rating our service above average (2005 - 79%) and of these, 33% rated our service as excellent (2005- 27%); • Packaging2U our new web based packaging service had a successful start up year and has enabled us to access a number of market segments where traditionally Macfarlane has not had a presence. We expect Packaging2U to become profitable in 2007; • During 2006 we invested in a dedicated new business team to accelerate sales growth and we will see the benefits from this investment in 2007; and • In the final quarter of 2006, we made the first acquisition in the distribution business for five years. Bloomfield Supplies Limited ("Bloomfield") has performed well since acquisition, contributing £0.1m in the final quarter of the year and this gives us encouragement to pursue further similar acquisitions in 2007. Within our current network of 16 RDCs, based on our 2006 results we had 6 RDCsperforming at acceptable levels, 7 RDCs demonstrating improvements that indicatetheir ability to achieve acceptable performance levels and 3 RDCs whereperformance is not at the acceptable level. During the final quarter of 2006 wehave made investments to strengthen our RDC management team and this should helpdrive significant performance benefits in 2007. The plan for 2007 is to focus our management actions in the following areas: • Recover the gross margin erosion experienced in 2006 through more effective management and recovery of supplier price changes; • Accelerate sales growth through effective deployment of the new business development team; • Improve the returns from the 3 underperforming RDCs; • Ensure the Packaging2U business builds on a successful start up year and contributes positively to 2007 profitability; • Deliver the benefits from the full year contribution of the Bloomfield acquisition; and • Following the successful acquisition of Bloomfield in 2006 we will look to accelerate market penetration through additional acquisitions in 2007. Manufacturing Operations Macfarlane operates a range of manufacturing businesses, producing self adhesiveand re-sealable labels, plastic injection moulded closures and dispensers,bespoke composite transit packaging and foam based packaging and protectivecomponents. In 2006 Macfarlane Group's Manufacturing Operations recorded a profit of £1.7million, a reduction of £0.6 million on the previous year. The key features of the Manufacturing Operations performance in 2006 were: • Sales were 4% down versus 2005 primarily due to sales reductions at Labels as we transitioned away from low margin own brand food business and weaker trading conditions in the US; • Gross margin was 0.7% down versus 2005 with the major reductions at Labels due to customer price pressure and Plastics where raw material price increases could not be fully passed onto customers; and • The overhead to sales ratio was 0.4% ahead of last year reflecting the nature of the fixed cost base of the manufacturing businesses. However total overheads reduced by over £1.0 million benefiting from reduced depreciation in Labels of £0.2 million following changes in estimates of residual values of machinery and gains on disposal of machinery of £0.2 million primarily in the Labels business. Operating review Manufacturing Operations Labels The principal activity of the Labels business is the production of self-adhesiveand re-sealable labels for major FMCG customers primarily in European markets.The business operates from two production sites in Kilmarnock and Dublin and asales and design office in Sweden which focuses on the development and growth ofour re-sealable labels business - Reseal-it(TM). During 2006 the Macfarlane Labels business continued to experience the price andmargin pressure that has been a consistent feature over recent years. Inresponse the business has been transitioning itself away from the volatile lowermargin own brand food related business to more secure margin high-qualitybranded products. This led to a 13% reduction in sales of which 10% was areduction in volume from 2005 and a consequential reduction in profit. Thistransition programme will continue during the first half of 2007 and it isexpected that volumes will begin to recover in the second half of 2007. In response to the market place pressures further production efficiencies havebeen sought to mitigate the impact of margin reduction. Production capacity hasbeen reduced with three low efficiency machines being sold and a number ofredundancies made in both the Dublin and Kilmarnock plants. Reseal-it(TM) continues to progress well. The first machine sale in North America is expected in the first half of 2007 and other applications for the Reseal-it (TM) technology are being explored. The priorities in 2007 are to:- • Accelerate organic growth plans particularly in the branded products sector; • Improve operational efficiencies to counterbalance retail price pressure; • Introduce Reseal-it(TM) to the US market; and • Broaden the re-sealable label product range. Plastics The principal activity of the company is the manufacture of injection mouldedplastic packaging and dispensing components particularly lids and scoops for thebaby food market. Business performance improved in 2006 compared to 2005 with a small increase involume leading to sales growth of over 4%. This was achieved in difficult marketconditions with raw material prices increasing by over 20% during the course ofthe year. Relationships with key customers in Europe and Asia continue to bestrong. The overall result was a move from an operating loss in 2005 to a profit in2006, with the business continuing to be highly cash generative. Furtherimprovements in infrastructure and hygiene procedures are planned for 2007 withthe objective of securing ISO22000 accreditation. During 2007 the management team will focus on:- • Building on the operational improvements achieved in 2006 in order to maintain profitability; • Upgrading the manufacturing facility in response to customer expectations; and • Establishing new lower cost raw material sources. Packaging Manufacture The principal activity of the business is the design and manufacture/assembly ofbespoke composite packaging for use in protecting goods in transit. The primarycomponents are corrugate, timber and foam. The business operates from twomanufacturing sites in Grantham and Westbury. The business supplies goodsdirectly to customers and via the Group's Distribution business focusing on suchsectors as aerospace, medical equipment, electronics and automotive. Operating review Manufacturing Operations Packaging Manufacture The business had a very successful year in 2006 building on the operationalimprovements achieved during the last two years. Strong sales momentum wasachieved with one significant customer win and good growth via the MacfarlaneDistribution channel. The sales momentum achieved in 2006 was effectivelytranslated into good year on year profit growth. Total sales grew by 12% withabove average growth in sales through the distribution channel. This channel nowcomprises approximately 25% of total sales and this is expected to grow stillfurther in future years. Margins were broadly flat despite volatility in rawmaterial prices. The Group currently believes the retention of an in-house manufacturingcapability allows it to differentiate its offering from other distributors andto be able to offer comprehensive design and manufacturing services for bespokepackaging solutions. During 2006 we strengthened the management in the businessand this strengthening will continue in 2007. The priorities for 2007 are to: • Improve the overall returns from the business; • At Grantham the focus will be on growing sales partly through the Distribution network; • Our Westbury location is focused on maintaining sales momentum while at the same time introducing productivity improvement initiatives that were effective at Grantham in 2006; and • We will continue to strengthen the management team. US/Mexico Macfarlane has packaging manufacturing and assembly operations in California andMexico. There are two plants in Mexico and two in California. The business isfocussed on foam based packaging components supplying the electronics,healthcare and food and drink sectors of the market. Following the return of the business to profitability in 2005, the performancein 2006 was disappointing:- • Sales in 2006 were below 2005 partly due to slower demand and there was some sales impact from west-coast based customers re-locating their manufacturing facilities to the east coast; and • Margin erosion was experienced as there were difficulties in fully recovering supplier price increases, resulting in a small loss for the year. The new operation in Tijuana was successfully established and returned a profitin the year as customers in Southern California were supplied from this newlower cost facility and new customers were gained in Northern Mexico. Our priorities in 2007 are to: • Fully utilise the lower cost benefits of the new manufacturing facility in Tijuana; • Strengthen our relationships with the key US brokers/distributors; • Create more direct customer relationships particularly in the medical and food and drink segments; • Work more effectively with our supplier base to control and manage changes to raw material pricing; and • Develop added value foam applications where there is less vulnerability to competitive pricing. Future Outlook Following the return to profitability of the Macfarlane Group in 2005, 2006 wasa difficult year particularly due to the pressure on raw material prices. It ispleasing therefore that we have demonstrated our ability to maintain Groupprofitable trading in these testing market conditions. In human resource terms the Group is now stronger. All of the businesses aredemonstrating improving levels of customer service and beginning to demonstratethe ability to grow market share organically and through targeted acquisition. Over the coming years we will build on the strong foundation that has beencreated. Our priority is to continue the process of giving greater focus to theGroup's activities. This will enable us to concentrate management resources onaccelerating growth and financial returns from the key businesses. Macfarlane Group PLC Consolidated income statement For the year ended 31 December 2006 2006 2005 Note £000 £000 Continuing operationsRevenue 2 130,067 127,247Cost of sales (88,500) (85,122) _______ _______ Gross profit 41,567 42,125Distribution costs (6,519) (6,521)Administrative expenses (32,802) (32,928) _______ _______ Operating profit before property transactions 3 2,246 2,676Gain on disposal of properties 4 - 1,300 _______ _______ Operating profit 2,246 3,976Finance income 5 2,762 2,383Finance expense 5 (3,493) (3,469) _______ _______ Profit before tax 1,515 2,890Tax 6 (313) (161) _______ _______ Profit for the year from continuing operations 1,202 2,729 Discontinued operationsProfit for the year from discontinued operations 849 656 _______ _______ Profit for the year 2,051 3,385 ======= ======= Earnings per share 8 From continuing operationsBasic 1.07p 2.43p ======= =======Diluted 1.06p 2.41p ======= ======= From continuing and discontinued operationsBasic 1.82p 3.01p ======= ======= Diluted 1.81p 2.99p ======= ======= Macfarlane Group PLC Consolidated statement of recognised income and expense For the year ended 31 December 2006 2006 2005 £000 £000 Exchange difference on translation of foreign operations (764) 144Actuarial gains/(losses) on defined benefit pension schemes 5,835 (5,553)Tax on items taken directly to equity (1,751) 1,666 _______ ______ Net income/(expense) recognised directly in equity 3,320 (3,743)Profit for the year 2,051 3,385 _______ ______ Total recognised income and expense for the year 5,371 (358) ======= ====== Macfarlane Group PLC Consolidated reconciliation of movements in shareholders' equity For the year ended 31 December 2006 Note 2006 2005 £000 £000 Profit for the year 2,051 3,385Dividends to equity holders in the year 7 (1,125) (844)Net income/(expense) recognised directly in equity 3,320 (3,743)Credit in respect of share based payments 140 - _______ _______ Movements in equity in the year 4,386 (1,202)Opening equity 25,439 26,641 _______ _______ Closing equity 29,825 25,439 ======= ======= Macfarlane Group PLC Consolidated balance sheet at 31 December 2006 Note 2006 2005 £000 £000Non-current assetsGoodwill 18,973 17,182Property, plant and equipment 13,112 14,608Investment property 1,701 1,701Other receivables 1,057 863Deferred tax asset 4,560 6,651 _______ _______ Total non-current assets 39,403 41,005 _______ _______ Current assetsInventories 9,811 8,803Trade and other receivables 29,508 29,639Cash and cash equivalents 2,195 1,203 _______ _______ Total current assets 41,514 39,645Non-current assets classified as held for sale 9 - 1,925 _______ _______ 41,514 41,570 Total assets 80,917 82,575 ======= ======= Current liabilitiesTrade and other payables 26,710 24,681Current tax liabilities 663 796Obligations under finance leases 44 272Bank overdrafts and loans 7,747 7,830Liabilities directly associated with assets classifiedas held for sale 9 - 485 _______ _______ Total current liabilities 35,164 34,064 _______ _______ Net current assets 6,350 5,581 _______ _______ Non-current liabilitiesRetirement benefit obligations 11 15,873 22,977Obligations under finance leases 55 95 _______ _______ Total non-current liabilities 15,928 23,072 _______ _______ Total liabilities 51,092 57,136 ======= ======= _______ _______ Net assets 29,825 25,439 ======= ======= EquityShare capital 28,755 28,755Revaluation reserves 167 167Own shares (1,406) (1,406)Translation reserves (800) (36)Retained earnings 3,109 (2,041) _______ _______ Total equity 29,825 25,439 ======= ======= Macfarlane Group PLC Consolidated cash flow statement For the year ended 31 December 2006 Note 2006 2005 £000 £000 Net cash from operating activities 10 160 1,990 _______ _______ Investing activitiesInterest received 9 119Disposal of subsidiary undertaking 2,102 -Acquisition of subsidiary undertaking (1,262)Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment 1,472 6,255Purchases of property, plant and equipment (604) (869) _______ _______ Net cash from investing activities 1,717 5,505 _______ _______ Financing activitiesDividends paid 7 (1,125) (844)Repayments of obligations under finance leases (268) (479)Decrease in bank overdrafts (83) (6,396) _______ _______ Net cash used in financing activities (1,476) (7,719) _______ _______ Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 401 (224) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 1,794 2,018 _______ _______ Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 2,195 1,794 ======= ======= Macfarlane Group PLC Notes to the financial information For the year ended 31 December 2006 1. General information The financial information set out in this preliminary announcement does notconstitute the Group's statutory financial statements as defined in Section 240of the Companies Act 1985 and has been extracted from the full statutoryaccounts for the years ended 31 December 2006 and 31 December 2005 respectively.The information for the year ended 31 December 2005 does not constitute theGroup's statutory financial statements as defined in Section 240 of theCompanies Act 1985. A copy of the statutory accounts for that year has beendelivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors' report on those accountswas unqualified pursuant to Section 235 of the Companies Act 1985 and did notcontain a statement under sub-section 237 (2) or (3) of that Act. The auditors' report on the statutory financial statements for the year ended 31December 2006 was unqualified pursuant to Section 235 of the Companies Act 1985and did not contain a statement under sub-section 237 (2) or (3) of that Act. 2. Split between continuing and discontinued activities 2006 2005 Continuing Discontinued Total Continuing Discontinued Total £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Revenue 130,067 - 130,067 127,247 3,618 130,865Cost of sales (88,500) - (88,500) (85,122) (2,082) (87,204) _______ _____ _______ _______ ______ _______ Gross profit 41,567 - 41,567 42,125 1,536 43,661Distribution costs (6,519) - (6,519) (6,521) (104) (6,625)Administration costs (32,802) - (32,802) (32,928) (682) (33,610) _______ _____ _______ _______ ______ _______Operating profit before propertytransactions 2,246 - 2,246 2,676 750 3,426Gain on propertydisposals - - - 1,300 - 1,300 _______ _____ _______ _______ ______ _______ Operating profit 2,246 - 2,246 3,976 750 4,726Net finance costs (731) - (731) (1,086) 32 (1,054) _______ _____ _______ _______ ______ _______ Profit before tax 1,515 - 1,515 2,890 782 3,672Tax (313) - (313) (161) (126) (287) _______ _____ _______ _______ ______ _______ Profit after tax 1,202 - 1,202 2,729 656 3,385Disposal ofoperations - 849 849 - - - _______ _____ _______ _______ ______ _______ Profit for the year 1,202 849 2,051 2,729 656 3,385 ======= ===== ======= ======= ====== ======= Macfarlane Group PLC Notes to the financial information For the year ended 31 December 2006 3. Segmental information The Group's activities are centred around two principal activities, with thosemanufacturing operations discontinued in the current and prior years disclosedseparately. (i) Packaging Distribution The distribution of packaging materials from a network of 15 RegionalDistribution Centres in the UK. The acquired activities of Bloomfield PackagingSupplies Limited in Gloucester. (ii) Manufacturing Operations The manufacture and supply of self-adhesive and re-sealable labels andplastic-injection moulded products to a variety of FMCG customers in the UK andEurope and the manufacture, assembly and supply of timber, corrugated and foambased packaging materials in the UK and US/Mexico. (iii) Discontinued Operations The operations in Hungary were sold at the start of 2006 and are classified asdiscontinued in the financial statements for 2005. 2006 2005 2006 2005 Revenue Revenue Result ResultGroup Segment £000 £000 £000 £000 Packaging Distribution 80,853 73,915 590 409Manufacturing Operations 49,214 53,332 1,656 2,267 _______ _______ _______ _______ Continuing activities 130,067 127,247 2,246 2,676Discontinued operations - 3,618 - 750 _______ _______ _______ _______ 130,067 130,865 2,246 3,426 ======= =======Profit from discontinued operations - (750) _______ _______Operating profit before propertytransactions 2,246 2,676Gain on disposal of properties - 1,300 Operating profit 2,246 3,976Net finance costs (731) (1,086) _______ _______ Profit before tax 1,515 2,890Tax (313) (161) _______ _______ Profit from continuing operations 1,202 2,729Profit from discontinued operations after tax 849 656 _______ _______ Profit after tax and discontinuedoperations 2,051 3,385 ======= ======= 4. Gain on disposal of properties Two properties were sold during 2005 for a combined consideration of £4,880,000and a gain of £1,300,000. Macfarlane Group PLC Notes to the financial information For the year ended 31 December 2006 5. Net finance expense 2006 2005 £000 £000 Interest on bank loans and overdrafts (489) (698)Interest on obligations under finance leases (12) (43)Interest cost of pension scheme liabilities (2,992) (2,728) ______ ______ Total finance expense (3,493) (3,469) ______ ______ Expected return on pension scheme assets 2,631 2,280Investment income 131 103 ______ ______ Total finance income 2,762 2,383 Net finance expense (731) (1,086) ====== ====== 6. Tax 2006 2005 £000 £000Current taxUnited Kingdom corporation tax at 30% (2005: 30%) (57) (40)Foreign tax (97) (121)Adjustments in respect of prior periods 193 - _____ _____ Current tax charge/(credit) 39 (161)Deferred taxation (352) - _____ _____ Total (313) (161) ===== ===== The standard rate of tax for the year, based on the UK rate of corporation taxis 30% (2005 - 30%). Taxation for other jurisdictions is calculated at the ratesprevailing in the respective jurisdictions. The deferred tax charge of £352,000includes a charge of £380,000 in relation to the reversal of the deferred taxasset on the pension deficit. This was a consequence of the payments made during2006 to reduce the deficit. The actual tax charge for the current and previous year is less than 30% of theresults as set out in the income statement for the reasons set out in thefollowing reconciliation: 2006 2005 £000 £000 Profit before taxation 1,515 2,890 _____ _____ Tax on profit at 30% (455) (867) Factors affecting tax charge for the year:-Depreciation in excess of capital allowances (216) 107Tax charge on contributions to defined benefit pension scheme (380) -Non taxable gain - 390Other differences (333) (1,000)Tax losses utilised 836 1,281Difference on overseas tax rates 42 (72)Adjustments in respect of prior periods 193 - _____ _____ Tax charge for the year (313) (161) ===== ===== Macfarlane Group PLC Notes to the financial information For the year ended 31 December 2006 7. Dividends 2006 2005 £000 £000Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in theyear: Interim dividend for the year ended 31 December 2006 of 1.00pper share (2005 - Special interim dividend of 0.75p per share) 1,125 844 ===== ===== Dividends are not payable on own shares held in the employee share trust. The proposed final dividend of 1.00p per share is subject to approval byshareholders at the Annual General Meeting in 2007 and has not been included asa liability in these financial statements. 8. Earnings per share From continuing and discontinued operations The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share is based on thefollowing data: 2006 2005 £000 £000Earnings from continuing and discontinuedoperations for the purposes of earnings per sharebeing profit for the year 2,051 3,385Less Profit for the year from discontinuedoperations (849) (656) _____ _____ Earnings from continuing operations for thepurposes of earnings per share being profit forthe year from continuing operations 1,202 2,729 ===== =====Number of shares in issue for the purposes ofcalculating basic and diluted earnings per share 2006 2005 No. of No. of shares shares '000 '000 Weighted average number of ordinary shares inissue 115,019 115,019Own shares in Employee Share Ownership Trusts (2,491) (2,491) _______ _______ Weighted average number of shares in issue for the 112,528 112,528purposes of basic earnings per shareEffect of dilutive potential ordinary shares dueto share options 601 602 _______ _______ Weighted average number of shares in issue for the 113,129 113,130purposes of diluted earnings per share ======= ======= Macfarlane Group PLC Notes to the financial information For the year ended 31 December 2006 9. Non-current assets and current liabilities classified as held for sale In January 2006, the Group's Hungarian subsidiary was sold. As the decision tosell the business was taken before 31 December 2005, consequently the results ofthe subsidiary for 2005 are classified as discontinued operations in theconsolidated income statement. The component parts of the balance sheet sold inJanuary 2006 are classified as non-current assets and current liabilities heldfor sale at 31 December 2005. 10. Notes to the cash flow statement 2006 2005 £000 £000 Operating profit Continuing operations 2,246 3,976 Discontinued operations - 750 ______ ______ Operating profit 2,246 4,726Adjustments for:Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 2,136 3,349Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment (191) (1,075) ______ ______ Operating cash flows before movements in working capital 4,191 7,000Increase in inventories (681) (379)Decrease/(increase) in receivables 58 (1,981)Decrease in payables (999) (1,233)Adjustment for pension scheme funding (1,630) (448) ______ ______ Cash generated by operations 939 2,959Income taxes paid (195) (212)Interest paid (584) (757) ______ ______ Net cash from operating activities 160 1,990 ====== ====== 2006 2005 £000 £000 Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in theyear 401 (224)Decrease in bank overdrafts 83 6,396Cash flows from debt and lease financing 268 479 ______ ______ Movement in net debt in the year 752 6,651Opening net debt (6,403) (13,054) ______ ______ Closing net debt (5,651) (6,403) ====== ====== Net debt comprises:Cash and cash equivalents 2,195 1,203Cash and cash equivalents in business held for resale - 591Bank overdrafts and loans (7,747) (7,830)Obligations under finance leases (99) (367) _______ ______ Closing net debt (5,651) (6,403) ======= ====== Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and other short-term highlyliquid investments with maturity of three months or less. Cash inflows inrespect of the discontinued operations for operating activities amounted to £Nilfor 2006, (2005 Inflow of £531,000) cash inflows in respect of investingactivities totalled £2,102,000 (2005 - £32,000) and cash inflows (2005 -outflows) from financing activities amounted to £Nil (2005 £268,000). Macfarlane Group PLC Notes to the financial information For the year ended 31 December 2006 11. Pension scheme The Group operates a pension scheme based on final pensionable salary for its UKoperations. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Groupin managed funds under the overall supervision of the scheme trustees. The contributions are determined by the scheme's qualified actuary on the basisof triennial valuations using the projected unit method. The most recenttriennial valuation was as at 1 May 2005. The principal assumptions adopted werethat investment returns would average 7.75% per annum and that salary increaseswould average 3.5% per annum. The valuation showed that the market value of therelevant assets of the scheme was £35,259,000 and the actuarial value of theseassets represented 76% of the value of benefits that had accrued to members. Balance sheet disclosures The figures below have been based on the triennial actuarial valuation as at 1May 2005, updated to the current year-end. The assets in the scheme, the netliability position for the scheme at 31 December 2006 and the expected rates ofreturn were: Fair Fair Fair value value valueAsset class 2006 2005 2004 £000 £000 £000 Equities 26,785 24,077 19,911Bonds 16,661 16,678 15,173Other (cash) 184 21 37 _______ _______ _______ Fair value of assets 43,630 40,776 35,121Present value of scheme liabilities (59,503) (63,753) (52,545) _______ _______ _______ Deficit in the scheme (15,873) (22,977) (17,424)Related deferred tax asset 4,762 6,893 5,227 _______ _______ _______ Net pension liability (11,111) (16,084) (12,197) ======= ======= ======= During 2006, the Group made additional payments of £1.3 million to commence ameaningful reduction in the pension scheme deficit. These payments, combinedwith an improvement in equity returns and an increase from 4.75% to 5.25% in thebond yields assumed in the valuation of the pension scheme liabilities had avery positive impact on the deficit recorded in our balance sheet. 12. Posting to shareholders and Annual General Meeting The Annual Report and Accounts will be sent to shareholders on Thursday 12 April2007. The Annual General Meeting will take place at the Thistle Hotel, CambridgeStreet Glasgow at 12 noon on Tuesday 15 May 2007. The Annual Report and Accountswill be available to members of the public at the Company's Registered Office,21 Newton Place, Glasgow G3 7PY from 16 April 2007. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange