Robinson Regulatory News (RBN)

3 Apr 2009 07:00



Robinson plc

PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2008

Robinson plc ("Robinson" or "the Group"; stock code: RBN), the custom manufacturer of plastic and paperboard packaging based in Chesterfield, announces its results for the year ended 31 December 2008.

Highlights:

Commenting on the results, Chairman, Richard Clothier said:

"We are pleased to report improved profits despite the difficult market conditions. Higher input costs have been passed on and margins have benefited from the rationalisation of overheads in 2007. Our primary sectors, food, drink and toiletries have not yet experienced a significant downturn in activity but our continued growth in 2009 will depend on whether the recession does begin to affect our customers."

About Robinson

Based in Chesterfield with additional manufacturing facilities in Kirkby-in-Ashfield and Stanton Hill, Nottinghamshire, in Toronto, Canada, and in Lodz, Poland, Robinson currently employs around 400 people. It was formerly a family business, with its origins dating back some 165 years. Today the Company's main activities are in the manufacture and sale of injection moulded plastic packaging and rigid paper packaging. Robinson operates primarily within the food, drink, confectionery, cosmetic and toiletry sectors, providing niche or custom manufacture to major players in the fast moving consumer goods market, such as Procter & Gamble, Nestle, Cadbury, Kraft, Unilever, Masterfoods, Premier, Avon, Northern Foods and Chivas. The Company also has a substantial property portfolio with significant development potential when market conditions improve.

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  CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

I am pleased to report a further improvement in profit, particularly since this arises from operations rather than property transactions and pension fund valuations. This has been achieved through cost reduction initiatives, new contracts and increased selling prices. Polymer prices and energy costs have been higher in the UK than in most Central European countries and UK manufacturers continue to face stiff competition from imports. Our customers have continued to relocate manufacturing to Central Europe to take advantage of lower costs and while this has a beneficial impact on our Polish business, filling the void left at our UK plants has remained a challenge. 

Revenue

Total revenue in 2008 was £0.3m higher than in the previous year. This was driven by higher selling prices, recouping increased input costs and also by favourable exchange rates. Overseas operations increased revenues by 89% to £6m. Part of this increase was attributable to the continued migration of business from the UK to Central Europe and as a result UK revenues decreased by 11%. Underlying overall volumes fell by 4%, mainly as a result of the loss of some low margin business at the end of 2007. 

Profitability

The profit before tax was £1.3m (2007: £0.3m) and the operating profit improved by £1.1m. Margins benefited from the rationalisation of UK production costs at the end of 2007. Furthermore increases in input costs, particularly polymer and energy costs, were successfully passed on to customers. The resultant gross margin recovered from 12% in 2007 to 16% in 2008. 

Cash & Finances

Working capital increased by £1.0m after a significant reduction the previous year. The increase primarily related to higher sales leading up to the year end and slower debt collection, driven in part by the economic climate. The acquisition of fixed assets amounted to £1.0m compared to a depreciation charge of £1.6m. As a result bank borrowings increased from £3.3m to £3.7m during the year, including a new five year term loan of £1.7m.

Dividends

The Board is recommending an unchanged final dividend of 1.75p per share (2007 final: 1.75p) to be paid on 4 June 2009 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 22 May 2009. 

Pensions

The latest annual valuation of the pension fund at the end of 2008 assessed the liabilities at £37m and assets with a market value of £46m leaving a surplus of £9m (2007: £11m). During the year the proportion of assets invested in cash, gilts and bonds was increased from 40% to 79%. This change was completed in November. 

Property

The proposed sale of the surplus land at Walton Works for residential development has become unlikely in the short term following the collapse of the housing market in the UK. It remains our objective to dispose of this and other sites to optimise shareholder value as and when market conditions recover.

Group Development and Outlook

In this rather mature industry change for the better has been hard won. However, the signs of progress are accumulating and we are hopeful that our customers and markets will remain relatively unaffected by the current economic conditions. This of course will depend somewhat on the length and depth of the general recession. The Board is very much focused on improving the quality and scale of the business and carefully chosen acquisitions at the right price will be part of this process. Strengthening of senior management in 2008 included the appointment of a new general manager for the UK Paperboard operation and product development and innovation remains a priority. 

Progress so far in 2009 is in line with the Board's expectations.

Richard Clothier

Chairman

2 April 2009

  GROUP INCOME STATEMENT 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER

All amounts relate to continuing operations

STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOME AND EXPENSE

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER

GROUP BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER

GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER

  Notes to the financial statements

1. Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union. All standards and interpretations that have been issued and effective at the balance sheet date have been applied in the accounts. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except that they have been modified to include the valuation of certain financial assets and liabilities.

2. Publication of non-statutory financial statements

The financial information set out in this preliminary announcement does not constitute statutory financial statements as defined in section 240 of the Companies Act 1985.

The statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2008 are expected to be posted to shareholders in due course and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies after they have been laid before the Company at the Annual General Meeting planned for 7 May 2009. Copies will also be available from Robinson plc's registered office: Portland, Goytside Road, Chesterfield, S40 2PH and on the Group's website at www.robinsonpackaging.com 

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