Macfarlane Grp. Regulatory News (MACF)

24 August 2017

MACFARLANE GROUP'S INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 JUNE 2017

Graeme Bissett, Chairman of Macfarlane Group PLC, today said: -

"Macfarlane Group has continued to perform well in the first half of 2017. Group sales of £89.8m, were 10% ahead of the comparable period in 2016 and profit before tax of £2.5m, was 27% higher than in 2016. The strong performance in the first six months of 2017, supplemented by the expected seasonal uplift from the e-commerce sector in the second half of the year gives the Board confidence that its full year expectations for 2017 will be achieved.

Packaging Distribution sales were 12% up on the first half of 2016, with 3% achieved from organic growth and the remainder from recent acquisitions, all of which are performing well. Gross margin in Packaging Distribution was similar to last year at 29.0%, (2016: 29.2%). Operating profit at £2.7m is £0.4m, 18% ahead of 2016.

Sales in our Manufacturing Operations are 1% below 2016 levels, principally due to our continuing programme of focusing on higher margin sales. Operating profit is £0.3m, 29% ahead of 2016.

After charging net interest of £0.4m, (2016: £0.5m), profit before tax grew to £2.5m (2016: £2.0m).

Net debt at 30 June 2017 was £14.6m, a £1.5m reduction from the level of £16.1m at 31 December 2016. The Group is operating well within its existing bank facility of £25.0m. Consistent with our normal pattern, Group trading is expected to be strongly cash generative in the second half of 2017.

The pension scheme deficit reduced to £13.4m at 30 June 2017 from £14.5m at 31 December 2016, mainly due to the payment of deficit reduction contributions during the six month period.

The Board is recommending an increase of 9.1% in the interim dividend to 0.60p per share to be paid on 12 October 2017 to shareholders on the register as at 22 September 2017. (2016: 0.55p per share)

Earlier this year I indicated to the Board, my intention to step down from the Chair by the end of 2017. Having been a member of the Board since 2004 and Chairman since 2012, I took the view that the time was right to make the change and to enable an orderly transition. The Nominations Committee's process to select a new Chairman is well advanced and the outcome will be announced in due course.

Our strategy is to deliver sustainable profit growth by focusing on added value products and services in our target market sectors, combined with the execution of value-enhancing acquisitions. Macfarlane Group's performance in the first half of 2017 reflects the successful implementation of our strategy and we are confident that the Group will continue to make further progress in the remainder of 2017."

Notes to Editors:

· Macfarlane Group PLC is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: MACF) in the Industrials Sector

· The company is headquartered in Glasgow, Scotland and has more than 60 years' experience in the UK packaging industry

· Macfarlane Group's businesses are:

o Macfarlane Packaging is the leading UK distributor of a comprehensive range of protective packaging products

o Labels designs and prints high quality self-adhesive and resealable labels, principally for FMCG companies

o Packaging Design and Manufacture designs and produces protective packaging for high value, fragile products

· Macfarlane Group employs 800 people at 29 sites, principally in the UK, but also in Ireland and Sweden

The company has 20,000+ customers in the UK, Europe and the USA providing 600,000+ lines to a wide range of industry sectors including: consumer goods; food manufacturing; logistics; internet retail; mail order; electronics; defence and aerospace

Macfarlane Group's trading activities comprise two divisions, Packaging Distribution and Manufacturing Operations.

Macfarlane's Packaging Distribution business is the UK's leading specialist distributor of protective packaging materials. In a fragmented market, Macfarlane operates from 20 Regional Distribution Centres ("RDCs") supplying customers with a comprehensive range of protective packaging materials and services on a local, regional and national basis. Macfarlane benefits its customers by enabling them to ensure their products are cost-effectively protected in transit and storage by offering a comprehensive product range, single source supply, Just-In-Time delivery, tailored stock management programmes, electronic trading and independent advice on both packaging materials and packing processes.

The main features of our first half performance in 2017 were:

l Sales showed organic growth of 3% on 2016, reflecting the benefit of new business wins;

l Sales growth of 9% was achieved by the continuing contribution made by recent acquisitions;

l Sales to internet retailers accounted for 25% of business in H1 2017, slightly above 2016. We continue to retain, develop and win business in this key growth sector and our Innovation Lab in Milton Keynes has supported our sales growth in 2017;

l We are making good progress in the development of our National Account business with additional business from existing customers in H1 2017;

l The Third-party Logistics ("3PL") sector now represents 11% of our total business (2016 - 11%) as we continue to strengthen our partnerships with key 3PL operators;

l Gross margin at 29.0% (2016 - 29.2%) was marginally impacted by industry wide input price increases on paper-based products, which we are in the process of recovering from our customer base; and

l Overhead investment in the current year is primarily due to the impact of acquisitions; meanwhile the strong cost control ethos throughout the business remains.

We expect sales to be weighted towards H2 2017 reflecting the growing proportion of internet retailers in our customer base. The key areas we shall focus on to support this are:

l Maintaining our focus on the growth potential for protective packaging in our key market segments - the e-commerce sector, National Accounts and 3PL operators;

l Building on the new business momentum created in H1 2017 to ensure that key business wins are effectively implemented to improve sales growth in H2 2017;

l Utilising the benefits of our membership of NovuPak, for UK based customers requiring our capabilities on a wider European basis;

l Improving our sourcing through stronger relationships with our existing supplier base;

l Fully implementing sales price recovery of paper-related input price increases;

l Rolling out the new products introduced to the business from recent acquisitions;

l Pursuing cost reduction opportunities through productivity improvements as well as in our property portfolio;

l Maintaining the focus on working capital management to reduce borrowing levels; and

l Supplementing organic growth through the identification and completion of further suitable high quality acquisition opportunities.

Macfarlane's Manufacturing Operations comprise Labels and Packaging Design & Manufacture.

Our Labels business designs and prints self-adhesive labels for major FMCG customers in the UK and Europe and resealable labels for major customers in the UK, Europe and the USA. The business operates from production sites in Kilmarnock and Wicklow and a sales and design office in Sweden, which focuses on the development and growth of our resealable labels business, Reseal-it. More product sectors are adopting the re-sealable label format and this is a key strategic focus for the Labels management team.

In H1 2017 sales at Macfarlane Labels were at similar levels to 2016 as we continued our focus on sales of resealable products to key customers. As a result gross margin improved versus 2016. Profit in the first half of 2017 was at a similar level to that achieved in 2016.

We operate the Packaging Design & Manufacture business from two UK sites - Grantham and Westbury, where we design, manufacture and assemble custom-designed packaging solutions for customers requiring cost-effective methods of protecting high value products in storage and transit. We differentiate ourselves through our technical expertise, design capability, industry accreditations and national capability through the partnership with Macfarlane Packaging Distribution.

Packaging Design & Manufacture sales reduced by 1% from last year's levels with demand weakness in particular market sectors, impacting certain of our customers. We reduced operating costs from the high levels seen in the second quarter of 2016, which resulted in profit in H1 2017 being above the same period in 2016.

The priorities for the Manufacturing Operations in the second half of 2017 are to:

l Accelerate the Reseal-it growth momentum through improved geographic penetration, extending the product range and introducing Reseal-it to new product sectors;

l Increase self-adhesive label sales with key brands to create a more balanced customer portfolio;

l Improve operational efficiency at our Grantham site;

l Accelerate Packaging Design & Manufacture sales growth, particularly in key sectors e.g. Defence, Aerospace and Medical;

l Prioritise sales activity on the higher added value bespoke composite pack product range; and

l Continue to strengthen the relationship between our Packaging Design & Manufacture operations and our Packaging Distribution business to create both sales and cost synergies.

Summary and Future Prospects

Macfarlane businesses all have strong market positions with differentiated product and service offerings. We have a flexible business model and a clear strategic plan incorporating a range of actions, which is being effectively implemented and is reflected in our consistent, profitable growth in recent years.

Our future performance is largely dependent on our own efforts to grow sales, increase efficiencies and bring high quality acquisitions into the Group. With a focus on the most attractive UK market sectors for our products and services, combined with our successful track record of growth and acquisitions, we expect the full year 2017 to be another successful year for Macfarlane Group.

The principal risks and uncertainties, which could impact on the performance of the Group, were outlined in our Annual Report and Accounts for 2016 (available on our website at www.macfarlanegroup.com) together with the mitigating actions. These remain substantially the same for the remaining six months of the financial year and are summarised below:

l The Group's businesses are impacted by commodity-based raw material prices and manufacturer energy costs, with profitability sensitive to supplier price changes. The Group works closely with its supplier base to manage effectively the scale and timing of these price movements and any resultant impact on profit;

l The Group's defined benefit pension scheme is sensitive to a number of key factors; investment returns, discount rates used to calculate the scheme's liabilities and mortality assumptions. Small changes in these assumptions could cause significant movements in the pension deficit. The Group has sought to manage the volatility of the pension scheme deficit caused by these factors by undertaking exercises to reduce liabilities, more effectively match the investment profile with the liability profile and making contributions to reduce the deficit;

l Given the multi-site nature of its business the Group has an extensive property portfolio comprising 3 owned sites and 30 leased sites, 3 of which are sub-let. The portfolio can give rise to risks in relation to ongoing lease costs, dilapidations and fluctuations in value. The Group adopts a proactive approach to managing property costs and exposures;

l The Group needs continued access to funding to meet its trading obligations and to support organic growth and acquisitions. There is a risk that the Group may be unable to obtain funds or that such funds will only be available on unfavourable terms. The Group's borrowing facility comprises a committed facility of £25 million with Lloyds Bank plc, with an option to increase it further to £30 million, available until June 2019. This facility finances our trading requirements and supports controlled expansion, providing a medium-term funding platform for growth;

l In Packaging Distribution, the business model reflects a decentralised approach with a high dependency on effective local decision-making. There is a risk that local decisions may not always meet overall corporate objectives. This is closely monitored in the Group with regular reviews of performance and prospects for all locations;

l The Group has a significant investment in working capital in trade receivables and inventories. There is a risk that this investment is not fully recovered. Rigour is applied to the management of trade receivables and inventories throughout the Group to mitigate these risks; and

l The Group's growth strategy includes acquisitions as a key component. There are risks that the availability of acquisition candidates may reduce, or that acquisitions may not perform as expected either after acquisition or on integration into the Group. Having made six acquisitions since 2014, the Group has well-established due diligence and integration processes and procedures and seeks to acquire quality businesses which will perform well in the Group.

The Group operates a formal framework for the identification and evaluation of the major business risks faced by each business and determines an appropriate course of action to manage these risks.

Cautionary Statement

This announcement has been prepared solely to provide additional information to shareholders to assess the Group's strategy and the potential for the strategy to succeed. It should not be relied on by any other party or for any other purpose.

This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements relating to operations, performance and financial status. Such statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend upon circumstances that will occur in the future and should be treated with caution as there are a number of factors, including both economic and business risk factors that could cause actual results or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

These statements are made by the directors in good faith based on the information available to them up to the time of their approval of this announcement.

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

The Directors of Macfarlane Group PLC are

G. Bissett Chairman

P.D. Atkinson Chief Executive

J. Love Finance Director

M.R. Arrowsmith Non-Executive Director/Senior Independent Director

S.R. Paterson Non-Executive Director

R. McLellan Non-Executive Director

The Directors confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:-

(i) the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU;

(ii) the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by:

a. DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements; and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year; and

b. DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the entity during that period; and any changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual report that could do so.

Approved by the Board of Directors on 24 August 2017 and signed on its behalf by

………………………….. ………………………

Peter D. Atkinson John Love

Chief Executive Finance Director

INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO MACFARLANE GROUP PLC

We have been engaged by the company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2017 which comprises the condensed consolidated income statement, the condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity, the condensed consolidated balance sheet, the condensed consolidated cash flow statement and the related explanatory notes.

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2017 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules ("the DTR") of the UK's Financial Conduct Authority ("the UK FCA").

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the UK. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. We read the other information contained in the half-yearly financial report and consider whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the DTR of the UK FCA.

As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the group are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU. The directors are responsible for preparing the condensed set of financial statements included in the half-yearly financial report in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the EU.

Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report based on our review.

The purpose of our review work and to whom we owe our responsibilities

Hugh Harvie

for and on behalf of KPMG LLP

Chartered Accountants

319 St Vincent Street

Glasgow G2 5AS

24 August 2017

MACFARLANE GROUP PLC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2017

MACFARLANE GROUP PLC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2017

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2017

MACFARLANE GROUP PLC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2016

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

MACFARLANE GROUP PLC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED) AT 30 JUNE 2017

MACFARLANE GROUP PLC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2017

MACFARLANE GROUP PLC

SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2017

NOTES TO THE GROUP CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

1. Basis of preparation

This condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU.

The annual financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the EU. As required by the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority, the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared applying the accounting policies and presentation that were applied in the preparation of the company's published consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016.

Judgements, assumptions and estimation uncertainties

In preparing these condensed financial statements, management has made judgements, estimates and assumptions, which affect the application of the Group's accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from the amounts estimated. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to estimates are recognised prospectively.

Information about judgements, assumptions and estimation uncertainties made in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in these financial statements and therefore have the most significant risk of resulting in a material adjustment are as follows:-

Business activities, risks and financing

The Group's business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and financial position are set out in the Interim Management Report in this announcement.

The Group's principal financial risks in the medium term relate to liquidity and credit risk. Liquidity risk is managed by ensuring that the Group's day-to-day working capital requirements are met by having access to committed banking facilities with suitable terms and conditions to accommodate the requirements of the Group's operations. Credit risk is managed by applying considerable rigour in managing the Group's trade receivables. The Directors believe that the Group is adequately placed to manage its financial risks effectively in the current economic climate.

The Group's banking arrangements with Lloyds Bank PLC comprise a committed borrowing facility of £25 million, expiring in June 2019, secured over part of Macfarlane Group's trade receivables, with an option to increase it further to £30 million. The facility bears interest at normal commercial rates and has financial covenants in relation to interest cover and headroom over trade receivables.

The Directors are of the opinion that the Group's cash and revenue projections, which they believe are based on prudent market data and past experience taking account of reasonably possible changes in trading performance given current market and economic conditions, show that the Group should be able to operate within its current facilities and comply with its banking covenants.

In assessing the going concern basis, the Directors have considered the Group's business activities, the financial position of the Group and the Group's risks and uncertainties. The Directors have a reasonable expectation that, despite the current uncertain economic environment, the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason this condensed set of financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis.

Approval and review of condensed financial statements

These condensed financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 24 August 2017.

This condensed set of financial statements is unaudited but has been formally reviewed by the auditor and their Independent Review Report to the Company is set out in this announcement.

2. General information

Comparative figures for the financial year ended 31 December 2016 are extracted from the Company's statutory accounts for 2016. Those accounts have been reported on by the Company's auditor and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditor was (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

3. Segmental information

The Group's principal business segment is Packaging Distribution, comprising the distribution of packaging materials and supply of storage and warehousing services in the UK. The remaining operations for the manufacture and supply of self-adhesive and resealable labels to a variety of FMCG customers in the UK, Europe and USA and the design, manufacture and assembly of timber, corrugated and foam-based packaging materials in the UK comprise one segment headed Manufacturing Operations. No individual business segment within Manufacturing Operations represents more than 10% of Group revenue or profit in each period presented.

The Packaging Distribution business has historically benefited from additional demand in the final months of the year, resulting in revenue and profitability at higher levels in the second half of the year.

Tax for the first six months has been charged at 19.25% (2016 - 20.00%) representing the best estimate of the effective tax charge for the full year.

An interim dividend of 0.60p per share, payable on 12 October 2017 was declared on 24 August 2017 and has therefore not been included as a liability in these condensed financial statements.

On 29 July 2016, the Group acquired 100% of Nelsons for Cartons & Packaging Limited for a consideration of £7.2 million. £4.7 million was paid in cash on acquisition with £1.0 million settled by the issue of shares. The deferred consideration of £1.5 million, is payable in two equal instalments in the final quarter of 2017 and 2018, subject to certain trading targets being met in the two twelve month periods ending on 29 July 2017 and 29 July 2018 respectively.

In the first half of 2016, Macfarlane Group UK Limited, acquired the business of Colton Packaging Teesside ("Colton"), for £1.3 million and the packaging business of Edward McNeil Limited, for £1.7 million. £2.7 million was paid in cash on acquisition, with the deferred consideration payable based on earn-out targets in Colton for the year to 31 March 2017 and based on working capital levels in the Edward McNeil business. In 2017 £246,000 was paid to conclude both transactions.

In 2014 and 2015 the Group acquired 100% of One Packaging Limited and Network Packaging Limited. The final deferred considerations of £2.1m were paid in the second half of 2016 following the successful conclusion of the respective earn-out periods.

All the businesses above are packaging distributors, accounted for in our Packaging Distribution segment. Goodwill arising on these acquisitions is attributable to the anticipated future profitability of the distribution of the Group's product ranges in the UK and anticipated operating synergies from future combinations of activities with the existing Packaging Distribution network. All deferred consideration is recognised in liabilities at the respective reporting dates. Fair values assigned to net assets acquired and consideration paid and payable are set out below:-

Cash and cash equivalents (which are presented as a single class of asset on the balance sheet) comprise cash at bank and other short-term highly liquid investments with maturity of three months or less.