Interim Results

Buckland Investments PLC 17 October 2000 BUCKLAND INVESTMENTS PLC Results for the six month period ended 30 June 2000 Chairman's Statement I present the interim results for Buckland for the six month period ended 30th June 2000. The results show a consolidated loss before tax of £633,000 on sales of £3.601m, equivalent to a loss per share of 4.11 pence. No interim dividend is proposed. Trading Sales for the first half of the year were ahead of our budget and some 12% higher in sterling terms compared with the corresponding period of last year. As in the second half of 1999, demand for SCART connectors for the European market was particularly strong. Price competition in Europe was noticeably less aggressive than in previous periods but remained an issue in the Far East in the market for CRT sockets for computer monitors. The second half of the year is seeing continuing high levels of demand for SCARTS and CRT sockets and our sales are also benefiting from the introduction of a range of power input sockets, the first deliveries of which were sent to customers in August. Restructuring Costs During the first half of the year we completed the transfer of all manufacturing operations from France to Thailand and, as anticipated, also completed the sale of the freehold premises in Vitry at the end of July for a total consideration of some £230,000, equivalent to the fair value in the group's balance sheet. The redundancy costs arising out of the closure of the French factory amount to some £283,000 and this has been charged to the interim Profit and Loss account. During the first half of the year we also incurred the one-off expense, of around £100,000, of running the new factory in Thailand in parallel with the old in France. In addition, various short term logistical problems relating mainly to the transfer of manufacturing to Thailand necessitated the heavy use of air freight during the first half, adding a further £300,000 to our costs for the period. Financing Overall net bank debt increased slightly over the first half of of 2000, with an increase in the factoring of receivables being largely offset by a further reduction in bank loans in France. Outlook The second half of the year is benefiting from the reduced cost base now that all manufacturing is in Thailand and from strong demand. As a result our underlying trading performance is improving. However, we will not be able to recover over the remainder of the year all the £583,000 of redundancy and excess air freight costs incurred in the first half. Disappointingly, therefore we expect to report a loss for the full year. However, we do anticipate that 2001 will see a much improved performance. Patrick Rogers Chairman BUCKLAND INVESTMENTS PLC Interim Report Consolidated profit and loss account for the six month period ended 30 June 2000 Unaudited Unaudited Six month Six month Twelve month Period ended Period ended Period ended 30 June 30 June 31 December 2000 1999 1999 £'000 £'000 £'000 Turnover 3,601 3,201 6,929 Operating (loss)/profit (281) 79 (211) Exceptional items Reorganisation costs (283) - - (Loss)/profit before interest (564) 79 (211) Net interest payable (69) (57) (145) (Loss)/profit on ordinary activities before taxation (633) 22 (356) Taxation - (14) 54 (Loss)/profit on ordinary activities before taxation (633) 8 (302) Minority Interests - (18) 63 Retained (loss)/profit for the period (633) (10) (239) Loss per ordinary share Basic (4.11)p (0.08)p (1.87)p BUCKLAND INVESTMENTS PLC Interim Report Notes to the Interim Results 1. The consolidated profit and loss account incorporates the unaudited results of Buckland Investments Plc and all of its subsidiary undertakings made up to 30 June 2000, and have been prepared on a basis consistent with the accounting policies set out in the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 1999. 2. This interim Report was approved by the board of directors on 16 October 2000. This interim financial information has not been audited nor reviewed under Bulletin 99/4 of the Auditing Practices Board. The interim financial information does not comprise statutory accounts as defined in Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The financial information for the year ended 31 December 1999 is an extract from the latest company accounts. The accounts received and unqualified auditors report and have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The financial information for the period ended 30 June 2000 has not been subject to review by the auditors. 3. Copies of this Interim Report are being sent to shareholders and are available from the Company Secretary at McFadden, Pilkington & Ward, City Tower, 40 Basinghall Street, London EC2V 5DB.
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