Last checked at 6 Sep 2012 07:00
6 September 2012 PHSC PLC ("PHSC", the "Company" or the "Group") PRE-AGM TRADING UPDATE
At the Annual General Meeting of PHSC, the Aylesford-based provider of health, safety and environmental services to corporate and public sector clients, to be held today the Group Chief Executive, Stephen King, will be commenting on the Group's performance for the period to the end of July 2012, and updating shareholders on other developments.
Unaudited consolidated Group sales (and other income) for the period 1 April to 31 July 2012 were GBP1,345,000 (the same as for the comparative period last year) with EBITDA of GBP48,000 (2011: GBP12,000). Excluded from the current figure it is calculated that there is also an unrecognised uplift of approximately GBP40,000 relating to work-in-progress ("WIP") at Adamson's Laboratory Services Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. This is similar to the presumed WIP uplift at the same period last year. The EBITDA figure of GBP48,000 is net of legal costs of circa GBP10,000 associated with a completed acquisition.
Cash at bank as at 31 July 2012, after a first payment of GBP160,000 in relation to the acquisition of QCS, stood at GBP665,000. This will be used to fund dividend payments of around GBP210,000 subject to approval by shareholders at the AGM, and for the initial consideration that will be due upon the completion of the acquisition of B2B, as announced on 30 August 2012.
CEO Stephen King, commenting on Group performance, said: "In reviewing the progress made within the Group for the year to date, it can be seen that whilst sales are approximately the same as for the corresponding period last year, EBITDA is higher. This can largely be attributed to better management of our year-end order book. Historically we have seen Group profits become stronger as the year progresses, and we believe this pattern will be repeated in 2012/13. Given our recent acquisition of QCS and our proposed acquisition of B2B, which will diversify our operations substantially, we look forward to reporting further progress to the market.
For further information please contact:
PHSC plcStephen King 01622 717700Stephen.king@phsc.co.ukwww.phsc.plc.uk
Northland Capital Partners Limited
Gavin Burnell / Edward Hutton
Alice Lane (Broking) 020 7796 8800