Final Results

RNS Number : 8176Q
Carr's Milling Industries PLC
12 November 2012
 



 

 

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

12 November 2012

 

CARR'S MILLING INDUSTRIES PLC ("Carr's" or the "Group")

 

FULL YEAR RESULTS

 

"Building on our success"

 

Carr's (CRM.L), the fully-listed agriculture, food and engineering group, announces results for the 52 weeks ended 1 September 2012.

 

Financial highlights (continuing operations)

 

·     Revenue up 8.2% to £404.1m (2011: £373.3m)

·     Profit before taxation up 30.5% to £13.1m (2011: £10.0m)

·     EBITDA up 19.6% to £18.4m (2011: £15.4m)

·     Adjusted EPS up 14.8% to 101.5p (2011: 88.4p)

·     Declared final dividend of 14.5p up 11.5% with a total for the period of 29.0p (2011: 26.0p)

·     Investment of £8.9m during the period with net debt of £2.5m at the period end

 

Commercial highlights

 

·     Agriculture revenue up 7.7% with profit before tax (including contribution from associate and JVs) up 15.6%.  Performance reflects high demand for low moisture feed blocks, particularly the USA, impact of acquisitions, and strong organic growth from retail and machinery.

·     Food revenue was down 2.6%, but the continuing over-capacity in the flour milling industry and volatile wheat costs resulted in profit before tax down 64.9%.

·     Engineering revenue up 65.2% and profit before tax up 183.8% reflects a strong order book.  It was an exceptionally busy period with businesses operating to capacity during the period.

 

Richard Inglewood, Chairman, said:

 

"The challenge for Carr's after the strong period of financial performance experienced is how to build on it and grow further.  We view 2013 with optimism, boosted by the likely benefits of the considerable investments we have made and are making across all three divisions."

 

Chris Holmes, Chief Executive Officer, said:

 

"Our agriculture businesses are likely to be the main source of growth in 2013.  The drivers of growth are the demand for Carr's proprietary products for livestock across all markets as well as the expansion of the retail, machinery franchise, and fuel depot networks in the UK."

 

 

 

Enquiries:

 

 

Carr's Milling Industries PLC

Chris Holmes (Chief Executive Officer)

Ron Wood (Finance Director)

01228-554 600



Bankside Consultants Limited

Simon Bloomfield

James Irvine-Fortescue

020-7367 8888

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carr's Milling Industries PLC - Announcement of Unaudited Annual Results

 

Chairman's Statement

 

The strong financial performance achieved by Carr's for the 52 weeks ended 1 September 2012 reflects organic growth in Agriculture and Engineering as well as successful expansion in selected overseas markets in both divisions.  A particular feature of this period's results was a doubling of the contribution to Group profit before taxation from overseas businesses to just over 48 per cent.

 

In Agriculture, the business is increasingly focused on proprietary products developed to improve livestock performance and profitability.  Following significant investment and research in this area, we are experiencing strong demand for our products in North America, Europe and New Zealand, as well as in the UK, and expect this trend to continue.

 

Strong demand from the nuclear industry in China, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, the UK and USA is reflected in the increasing contribution of Engineering, which accounted for 36 per cent (2011: 17 per cent) of total Group profit before tax for the period.  Overall, the growth in the value of the Engineering order book is providing significant visibility of revenues for the next two years.

 

The performance of the Food division continues to be depressed by long-term over-capacity in the flour industry.  Following a detailed review of the options for improving the financial performance of the flour milling business, the Board has approved the construction of a state-of-the-art flour mill adjacent to the Port of Kirkcaldy for a total investment of £17 million.  This new flour mill, which will replace the existing mill, will be at the forefront of mill design, innovation and technology, with commissioning expected in September 2013. This mill, alongside the re-opened port in Kirkcaldy, will continue to produce the high quality product associated with the Carr's name for decades.  The Board believes that this investment, once completed, should result in significant financial benefits to be derived from new sales, operational efficiencies, input cost savings and margin improvements.

 

Investment has been crucial to the success of Carr's and forms a central part of our plans for future profitable growth.  During the period, a total of £2.0 million was invested in acquisitions (Clive Walton Engineering and the asset purchases of agricultural chemists Laycocks and animal feed business Afgritech, a joint venture of the Group).  In addition, a total of £7.0 million was invested in Phase I of the new Wälischmiller factory in Germany, a new high moisture feedblock plant in Tennessee, expansion of our agriculture branches, and initial expenditure on the new flour mill at Kirkcaldy.

 

Financial Review

 

Revenue for the period increased by 8.2 per cent to £404.1 million (2011: £373.3 million).  Profit before taxation was up 30.5 per cent to £13.1 million (2011: £10.0 million).

 

Basic earnings per share for the period were up by 27.5 per cent to 98.2 pence (2011: 77.0 pence) with fully diluted earnings per share of 97.5 pence (2011: 76.3 pence) and adjusted earnings per share of 101.5 pence (2011: 88.4 pence).

 

The net cash generated from continuing operations was £8.3 million (2011: £11.4 million).  At the end of the period, the Group had net debt of £2.5 million compared to net cash of £4.6 million at 3 September 2011.  This reflected total investment and capital expenditure during the period of £8.9 million, an increase in working capital of £2.0 million, and a contribution to the deficit in the pension scheme of £3.3 million.

 

On 11 November 2011, the Group restructured part of its bank facilities with the Clydesdale Bank and with the exception of the bank overdraft of £5.0 million, which is renewed annually, the other facilities, revolving credit of £10.0 million and term loan of £2.5 million, are committed through to November 2014.

 

As a result of planned investments, we expect net debt to increase during the current period.  On the basis that overall trading continues to be favourable, with maintained margins and strong operational cash flow, we expect gearing and interest cover to remain well within our conservative levels.  This sound financial position means that Carr's is well placed to continue to fund its existing investment plans.

 

Dividend

 

The Board is proposing an 11.5 per cent increase in the final dividend to 14.5 pence per ordinary share which, together with the two interim dividends of 7.25 pence per share each, paid in May and October 2012, makes a total of 29.0 pence per share for the year (2011: 26.0 pence per share).  The final dividend, if approved by shareholders, will be paid on 18 January 2013 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 21 December 2012 and the shares will go ex-dividend on 19 December 2012.  

 

Business Review

 

Agriculture

 

The trading environment for Agriculture during the period was broadly favourable, and although input prices were volatile, growth was primarily driven by feed block both in the UK and overseas, and retail and machinery sales in the UK.

 

Revenue for the period grew by 7.7 per cent to £293.8 million (2011: £272.7 million) with profit before tax increasing by 26.1 per cent to £8.1 million (2011: £6.4 million). 

 

Profit before tax, including contribution from associate and joint ventures, increased by 15.6 per cent to £9.5 million (2011: £8.2 million).

 

Feed block sales increased by 24 per cent, reflecting market share gains in the UK and overseas, and remain a prime source of growth in this division.

 

In the USA, the northern states had a very dry, mild winter with little snow, a complete contrast to the previous period; whilst the southern states experienced heavy rain in the summer followed by a prolonged drought.  These weather conditions generated the demand for low moisture feed blocks and this, combined with new business won, resulted in a 37 per cent increase in Smartlic and Feed in the Drum sales.

 

In Tennessee, Gold-Bar Feed Supplements LLC, our 50 per cent joint venture, is now in full production of high moisture feed blocks and is expected to contribute positively to revenues and profits for 2012/13.  In April 2012, full production of AminoMax, the patented rumen bypass protein, started at the 50 per cent joint venture plant at Watertown, New York State, after early engineering issues were resolved.  The high quality of the product has been well received by US dairy farmers and the plant is on track to achieving profitable sales for the current period.  Investment is being made in a new by-pass amino acid product, Aminogreen, and once trials are concluded it is planned that production will commence alongside AminoMax.

 

Sales of low and high moisture feed blocks from our UK and German operations grew by 12 per cent with continued growth of our branded product, Crystalyx, continuing throughout Europe and New Zealand.  Scotmin, based in Ayr, increased profitability through a combination of production efficiencies, increased sales of Megalix, and the introduction of the Megastart range marketed through the enlarged distribution network.

 

By contrast dairy feed sales remained static during the period, but overall compound feed sales were down 7 per cent. Reduced margins for the period were affected by substantial increases in raw material prices, which are now showing some signs of easing.
 

Retail sales continued to achieve growth on last year's excellent result with a 13 per cent increase. This is the result of an enlarged product range being sold through an extended branch network in Scotland and the North of England, and the successful integration of Safe at Work, acquired in April 2011.  Machinery sales are a continuing success with a 23 per cent increase following the 12 per cent growth of last period. This is attributable to new franchises increasing the product selection for our increasing number of customers.

 

In July 2012, the £0.8 million acquisition of Laycocks, of which £0.7 million was paid on completion, added branches in Malton, Settle and Skipton and further increased the veterinary product range available to our customers.  It is expected to make a profitable contribution in 2012/13.  A new branch, to be opened at the new auction mart at Kendal in December 2012, will take the total number of retail branches to 26.

 

Despite the relatively mild winter, fuel sale volumes were maintained, reflecting market share gains and positive contributions from new depots at Hexham (opened in August 2011) and Cockermouth (opened in February 2012).

 

Food

 

Revenue for the period from our three flour mills, at Kirkcaldy in Fife, Silloth in Cumbria and Maldon in Essex, was down by 2.6 per cent to £80.5 million (2011: £82.6 million) with profit before tax falling by 64.9 per cent to £0.4 million (2011: £1.3 million) mainly as a result of significant industry-imposed selling price reductions and rising wheat prices.

 

The continuing over-capacity in the flour milling industry had a negative impact during the period when volumes were down by 1 per cent and the wheat price was volatile with a price range of £180 per tonne to £250 per tonne experienced in the last twelve months.  The financial impact on this was partly mitigated by the performance of our wheat handling facility at Kirkcaldy, which exceeded our expectations, and the continued growth of speciality flour sales, in particular the expansion of our products sold to the ethnic food market.

 

The decision to invest £17 million in a new replacement flour mill at Kirkcaldy followed a comprehensive review by the Board of the options available to improve financial performance, and increase the competitiveness of Carr's in a difficult market. The Board took into account the fact that the current mill is near the end of its natural life, the ever increasing importance of food safety, Carr's market position, and potential operational efficiencies to be achieved.

 

Carr's has a strong customer base in Scotland and the North of England.  Kirkcaldy is the ideal location for the new mill, given the success of the re-opened port, and the logistics of the customers the mill serves. The new mill will provide significant and immediate efficiencies in the areas of operations, energy consumption and raw material costs.  Even with the less favourable market backdrop persisting, the profitability of the Food division is expected to be very positively impacted by the commissioning of this new mill. 

 

Construction of the new mill commenced in July 2012 with commissioning scheduled for September 2013.

 

Engineering

 

Profit before tax for the period increased by 183.8 per cent to £4.7 million (2011: £1.7 million) on revenue up by 65.2 per cent to £29.7 million (2011: £18.0 million).

 

The 18 per cent revenue growth seen in the UK reflects steady demand, mainly from the nuclear industry.  Specialist fabricators, Bendalls, completed a contract for the supply of pressure vessels to Bechtel in the US for the river protection project-water treatment plant in Handford, Washington State.  Post-delivery issues arose which we are working with Bechtel to resolve.  It also delivered, in the second half, a major vessel for the UK's largest nuclear project, Evaporator D, at Sellafield in Cumbria.  Outside the nuclear industry, Bendalls commenced work on a £4 million project to supply pressure vessels for a floating production, storage and offloading platform being built by Hyundai for the BP Quad 204 area, west of the Shetland Islands. This is scheduled for delivery in early 2013.

 

In May 2012, Bendalls acquired Clive Walton Engineering Limited for £0.8 million, a precision machining business which is expected to make a positive contribution to revenue and profit in 2012/13. The acquisition complements the Bendalls business, enabling a wider set of skills to be offered to customers. 

 

In the second half of the 2012 financial period, the performance of Carrs MSM benefited from the "life of plant" contract, signed in the first half of the period, for the supply of critical parts to Sellafield.

 

Wälischmiller, the remote handling and robotics business based in Germany, has been exceptionally busy and operating to capacity during the year.  In order to fulfil existing contracts and support future growth, it has expanded its design and production engineering teams.  Significant contracts for remote handling equipment were completed for customers in France, Japan and South Korea as well as delivery of the specialist Telbot ® robots for a decommissioning plant in Germany. 

 

Following the successful conclusion of the tests in Norway for our designed Telbot ® for inspecting gas tanks for Shell, discussions are on-going to progress the project on a commercial basis.

 

Wälischmiller is currently working with the nuclear division of Mitsui to design specialist remote handling equipment for use at the tsunami destroyed Fukushima plant in Japan.

 

Phase I (new office accommodation and some production capacity) of the new €5.5 million factory at Markdorf was completed in October 2012, with construction of the main production facility now underway and scheduled for completion in October 2013.

 

Board Changes

 

On 23 October 2012, it was announced that I will retire as Chairman and non-executive Director on 28 February 2013.  Chris Holmes will retire as Chief Executive Officer at the same time to become Chairman, with Tim Davies being appointed as Chief Executive Officer with effect from 1 March 2013. 

 

It was announced on 6 July 2012 that Ron Wood is retiring as Finance Director on 30 April 2013 to be succeeded by Neil Austin.  The current Assistant Company Secretary, Katie Sinclair, will take over Ron Wood's position as Company Secretary with effect from 1 January 2013.  In addition to being an outstanding Board colleague and Finance Director, Ron Wood has held Board responsibility for the Engineering division which he will continue to support in a consultancy role for approximately 18 months from the date of his retirement.

 

These changes to the Board represent the implementation of a succession plan under consideration for some time and will result in a top quality management team best placed to take Carr's to the next stage of its existing development.

 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my Board colleagues for their enthusiasm and support during my time at Carr's.  It has been a privilege to serve as Chairman for the last seven successful years and I am certain that the Group will continue to grow and prosper in the future.

 

 

Outlook

 

The challenge for Carr's after the strong period of financial performance experienced in 2012 is how to build on it and grow further.  We view 2013 with optimism, boosted by the likely benefits of the considerable investments we have made and are making across all three divisions of the Group.

 

The considerable advance in Engineering revenues and profit before tax marks a step change in the size, breadth and capability of that division.  The order book, particularly overseas, is strong and the visibility of revenues gives us confidence that the period's outturn can be matched.

 

The Food division, by contrast, continues to suffer from the well-rehearsed issues of over-capacity and pressure from customers but remains profitable.  Wheat prices remain high as a consequence of the poor UK harvest with lower yields and poorer quality, although the position of our mills near ports equipped to take wheat from mainland Europe gives us some competitive advantage.  However, we do not expect any significant improvement in profitability until our new state of the art plant at Kirkcaldy is commissioned at the end of the current financial period.

 

Against that background, the Agriculture businesses are likely to be the main source of growth in 2013.  The current period has started well, benefiting from strong sales of animal feed in the UK and particularly in the USA where forage quality is poor, caused by the drought conditions in many states.  We also expect good growth from a full year's production of AminoMax, the patented rumen bypass protein at the plant at Watertown, New York State.  As before, the drivers of growth in the division are the demand for Carr's proprietary products for livestock across all markets as well as the expansion of the retail, machinery franchise and fuel depot networks in the UK.

 

In pursuit of our objectives, the Group continues to evaluate acquisition and other investment opportunities with vigour, assisted by our strong balance sheet and cash flow.

 

 

 

Richard Inglewood

Chairman                                                                                                                                              12 November 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

for the period ended 1 September 2012

 


Unaudited

52 week

period

2012

Audited

53 week

period

2011


£'000

£'000




Continuing operations



Revenue

404,058

373,318

Cost of sales

(360,124)

(332,202)

 



Gross profit

43,934

41,116

 



Net operating expenses

(31,863)

(31,960)

 



Group operating profit

12,071

9,156

 



Profit on disposal of property and investment

282

-

Finance income

673

410

Finance costs


(1,348)

(1,332)

Share of post-tax profit in associate and joint ventures

1,381

1,776

 



Profit before taxation

13,059

10,010

 



Taxation

(2,954)

(1,973)

 



Profit for the period from continuing operations

10,105

8,037

Discontinued operations



(Loss)/profit for the period from discontinued operations

(202)

16,598

 



Profit for the period

9,903

24,635

 



Profit attributable to:



Equity shareholders

8,510

23,381

Minority interests

1,393

1,254

 



 

9,903

24,635

Basic earnings per ordinary share



Profit from continuing operations

98.2p

77.0p

(Loss)/profit from discontinued operations

(2.3)p

188.4p

 



 

95.9p

265.4p

 



Diluted earnings per ordinary share



Profit from continuing operations

97.5p

76.3p

(Loss)/profit from discontinued operations

(2.3)p

186.6p

 



 

95.2p

262.9p

 



Adjusted basic earnings per ordinary share



Profit from continuing operations

101.5p

88.4p

(Loss)/profit from discontinued operations

(2.3)p

188.4p

 



 

99.2p

276.8p

 



 



UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

for the period ended 1 September 2012

 



Unaudited

52 week

period

2012

       Audited

       53 week

        period

         2011



£'000

         £'000





Profit for the period


9,903

24,635





Other comprehensive (expense)/income








Foreign exchange translation (losses)/gains arising on

translation of overseas subsidiaries


(235)

57





Actuarial (losses)/gains on retirement benefit obligation:

     -Group

     -Share of associate


 

(2,686)

(419)

 

726

(27)





Taxation credit/(charge) on actuarial movement on retirement benefit obligation:

     -Group

     -Share of associate


618

96

(182)

7

 




Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the

period, net of tax


 

(2,626)

 

581

 




Total comprehensive income for the period


7,277

25,216

 




Total comprehensive income attributable to:




 




Equity shareholders


5,884

23,964

 




Minority interests


1,393

1,252

 




 


7,277

25,216

 




 



UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

as at 1 September 2012

 



Unaudited

2012

        Audited 

          2011



£'000

          £'000

Assets




Non-current assets




Goodwill


5,199

4,558

Other intangible assets


728

1,029

Property, plant and equipment


37,158

31,519

Investment property


1,005

764

Investment in associate


5,103

4,246

Interest in joint ventures


2,907

2,519

Other investments


71

67

Financial assets




        - Non-current receivables


2

2

Deferred tax assets


2,480

2,519

 


54,653

47,223

Current assets




Inventories


27,128

22,793

Trade and other receivables


59,651

56,988

Current tax assets


-

9

Financial assets




        - Cash and cash equivalents


23,294

33,282

 


110,073

113,072

 




Total assets


164,726

160,295

 




Liabilities




Current liabilities




Financial liabilities




      - Borrowings


(14,176)

(26,436)

      - Derivative financial instruments


(309)

-

Trade and other payables


(56,108)

(53,469)

Current tax liabilities


(1,552)

(1,688)

 


(72,145)

(81,593)

Non-current liabilities




Financial liabilities




      - Borrowings


(11,573)

(2,274)

Retirement benefit obligation


(5,351)

(5,960)

Deferred tax liabilities


(3,733)

(4,007)

Other non-current liabilities


(4,064)

(3,617)

 


(24,721)

(15,858)

 




Total liabilities


(96,866)

(97,451)

 




Net assets


67,860

62,844

 



UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

as at 1 September 2012 (continued)

                                                           

 


Unaudited

2012

       Audited

         2011

 


£'000

        £'000

Shareholders' equity




Ordinary shares


2,219

2,216

Share premium


8,118

8,059

Equity compensation reserve


113

84

Foreign exchange reserve


160

360

Other reserve


901

913

Retained earnings


49,075

45,343

Total shareholders' equity


60,586

56,975

Minority interests in equity


7,274

5,869

Total equity


67,860

62,844

 




 

 

 



 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

for the period ended 1 September 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share

Capital

£'000

 

 

Share

Premium

£'000

 

Treasury Share

Reserve

£'000

Equity

Compen-sation

Reserve

£'000

Foreign

Ex-change

Reserve

£'000

 

 

Other

Reserve

£'000

 

 

Retained

Earnings

£'000

 

Total Shareholders' Equity

£'000

 

 

Minority

Interests

£'000

 

 

 

Total

£'000

 

At 29 August

2010

2,196

7,738

 

(101)

170

301

1,477

22,925

34,706

4,613

39,319

Profit for the period

-

-

-

-

-

-

23,381

23,381

1,254

24,635

Other comprehensive income/(expense)

-

-

-

-

59

-

524

583

(2)

581

Total comprehensive income

-

-

-

-

59

-

23,905

23,964

1,252

25,216

Dividends paid

-

-

-

-

-

-

(2,155)

(2,155)

-

(2,155)

Equity-settled share-based payment transactions, net of tax

-

-

-

(86)

-

-

104

18

4

22

Allotment of shares

20

321

-

-

-

-

-

341

-

341

Utilisation of shares

-

-

101

-

-

-

-

101

-

101

Transfer

-

-

-

-

-

(564)

564

-

-

-












At 3 September 2011

2,216

8,059

 

-

84

360

913

45,343

56,975

5,869

  62,844

 

At 4 September

2011

2,216

8,059

 

-

84

360

913

45,343

56,975

  5,869

62,844

Profit for the period

-

-

-

-

-

-

8,510

8,510

1,393

9,903

Other comprehensive expense

-

-

-

-

(235)

-

(2,391)

(2,626)

-

(2,626)

Total comprehensive (expense)/income

-

-

-

-

(235)

-

6,119

5,884

1,393

7,277

Dividends paid

-

-

-

-

-

-

(2,372)

(2,372)

-

(2,372)

Equity-settled share-based payment transactions, net of tax

-

-

-

29

-

-

8

37

12

49

Allotment of shares

3

59

-

-

-

-

-

62

-

62

Transfer

-

-

-

-

35

(12)

(23)

-

-

-












At 1 September 2012

2,219

8,118

 

-

113

160

901

49,075

60,586

7,274

67,860

 

 

 

 


UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

for the period ended 1 September 2012

 


Note

Unaudited

52 week

period

2012

Audited

53 week

 period

2011



£'000

£'000

Cash flows from operating activities




Cash generated from operations

7

11,974

14,097

Interest received


434

403

Interest paid


(1,385)

(1,378)

Tax paid


(2,710)

(1,711)

 




Net cash generated from operating activities in continuing operations


 

8,313

 

11,411

Net cash used in operating activities in discontinued operations


 

-

 

(3,202)

Net cash generated from operating activities


8,313

8,209

 




Cash flows from investing activities




Acquisition of subsidiaries (net of overdraft acquired)


(2,063)

(1,833)

Disposal of subsidiary (including overdraft disposed)


(350)

22,074

Disposal of trade


-

160

Loan to joint ventures


(881)

(1,286)

Loan repaid by share trust


-

83

Purchase of intangible assets


(54)

(45)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment


643

287

Purchase of property, plant and equipment


(8,855)

(5,025)

Proceeds from sale of investment property


94

-

Purchase of investment property


(300)

-

Purchase of investments


(4)

(1)

Disposal of investment


107

3

Redemption of preference shares


100

-

Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities in continuing operations


 

(11,563)

 

14,417

Net cash used in investing activities in discontinued operations


 

-

 

(397)

Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities


 

(11,563)

 

14,020

Cash flows from financing activities




Proceeds from issue of ordinary share capital

Net proceeds from issue of new bank loans


62

2,381

341

-

Finance lease principal repayments


(940)

(868)

Repayment of borrowings


(5,911)

(3,355)

Increase in other borrowings


628

2,295

Dividends paid to shareholders


(2,372)

(2,155)

Receipt of grant income


-

830

 




Net cash used in financing activities in continuing operations


 

(6,152)

 

(2,912)

Net cash used in financing activities in discontinued operations


 

-

 

(207)

 




Net cash used in financing activities


(6,152)

(3,119)

 




Effect of exchange rate changes


(171)

71

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents


 

(9,573)

 

19,181

 




Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period


32,449

13,268

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period


22,876

32,449

 

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

 

1. Basis of preparation

 

     The Group's unaudited Preliminary Announcement does not constitute statutory consolidated financial statements for the 52 week period ended 1 September 2012 or the 53 week period ended 3 September 2011, which will be filed with the Registrar of Companies for the 52 week period ended 1 September 2012, following the Company's annual general meeting.

 

     The financial statements for the 53 week period ended 3 September 2011 were unqualified and have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

 

2. Segmental information

 

 


 

Revenue

Profit/(loss)

before taxation


2012

2011

2012

2011


£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 





Agriculture

293,796

272,678

8,108

6,429






Food

80,472

82,602

442

1,258






Engineering

29,743

18,000

4,702

1,657







404,011

373,280

13,252

9,344






Adjustments

47

38









404,058

373,318



 

Head office net expense



 

(1,034)

 

(394)

Retirement benefit charge



(477)

(742)

Adjustments related to derivative financial instruments



 

(236)

 

-

Adjustments related to intangible assets



(122)

-

Other adjustments



13

26

Profit on disposal of property and investment



282

-

Share of post-tax profit in associate



1,180

1,455

Share of post-tax profit in joint ventures



201

321






Profit before taxation from continuing operations



 

13,059

 

10,010

 

 



3.  Non-recurring items

 



2012

2011



 

Amount

Tax credit/

(charge)

 

Amount

Tax credit/

(charge)



£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Continuing operations






Group operating profit:






Impairment of goodwill


-

-

(325)

-

Impairment of property, plant and equipment


-

-

(324)

81

Profit on disposal of trade


-

-

190

(52)

Reorganisation costs of acquired business


-

-

(292)

77

Derivative financial instrument loss in respect of property, plant and equipment


 

(236)

 

54

 

-

 

-







Group profit before tax:






Profit on disposal of property


175

(44)

-

-

Profit on disposal of investment


107

23

-

-







Non-recurring items


46

33

(751)

106







Profit before taxation and non-recurring items


13,013


10,761


Non-recurring items


46


(751)








Profit before taxation


13,059


10,010








Group operating profit before non-recurring items


12,307


9,907


Non-recurring items


(236)


(751)








Group operating profit


12,071


9,156


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Taxation

 



2012

2011



£'000

£'000

Continuing operations

(a) Analysis of the charge in the period

Current tax:

UK corporation tax

  Current period

  Prior period

Foreign tax


 

 

 

827

(160)

1,931

 

 

 

1,016

(15)

782

 

Group current tax


 

2,598

 

1,783

 

Deferred tax:

Origination and reversal of timing differences

  Current period

  Prior period


 

 

 

275

81

 

 

 

513

(323)

 

Group deferred tax

 

 

 

356

 

190

 

Tax on profit from ordinary activities


 

2,954

 

1,973

 

(b) Factors affecting tax charge for the period

The tax assessed for the period is lower (2011: lower) than the rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25.16% (2011: 27.16%).  The differences are explained below:

 

 

Continuing operations


2012

£'000

 

2011

£'000

Profit before taxation


13,059

10,010

 

Tax at 25.16% (2011: 27.16%)

Effects of:

Tax effect of share of profit in associate and joint ventures

Tax effect of expenses that are not allowable in determining taxable profit

Non-taxable income

Effects of different tax rates of foreign subsidiaries

Effects of changes in tax rates

Over-provision in prior years

Utilisation of unrecognised tax losses

Unrecognised deferred tax on losses

Other


 

3,286

 

(347)

65

-

269

(262)

(79)

-

-

22

 

2,719

 

(482)

108

(3)

68

(201)

(338)

(1)

97

6

 

Total tax charge for the period


 

2,954

 

1,973

 

 



5. Discontinued operations

 

In the prior period Carrs Agriculture Limited hived down its fertiliser trade, assets and liabilities (save for certain assets and liabilities) to Origin Fertilisers 2011 Limited (formerly CM Fertilisers Limited), a newly incorporated, wholly owned subsidiary of Carrs Agriculture Limited.

 

Subsequently, in the prior period, Carrs Agriculture Limited disposed of its entire shareholding in Origin Fertilisers 2011 Limited for a cash consideration of £19m, less costs to sell.

 

An analysis of the result of discontinued operations, and the gain recognised on the re-measurement to fair value less costs to sell, is as follows:

 


2012

2011


£'000

£'000




Revenue

-

78,416

Expenses

-

(75,355)

Profit before taxation of discontinued operations

-

3,061

Taxation

-

(1,363)

Profit after taxation of discontinued operations

-

1,698

Pre-taxation (loss)/gain recognised on the measurement to fair value less costs to sell

 

(202)

 

14,900

Taxation

-

-

After taxation (loss)/gain recognised on the measurement to fair value less costs to sell

 

(202)

 

14,900

(Loss)/profit for the period from discontinued operations

(202)

16,598

 

 

6. Earnings per share

 

Basic earnings per share are based on profit attributable to shareholders and on a weighted average number of shares in issue during the period of 8,869,438 (2011: 8,808,156).  The calculation of diluted earnings per share is based on 8,935,696 shares (2011: 8,894,883).

 


2012

2011


Earnings

 

£'000

Earnings per share pence

Earnings

 

£'000

Earnings

 per share

pence

Continuing operations





Earnings per share - basic

8,712

98.2

6,783

77.0






Intangible asset amortisation:





Amortisation of intangible assets

492

5.5

480

5.5

Taxation relief on amortisation

(120)

(1.3)

(124)

(1.4)

Impairment of goodwill

-

-

325

3.7

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

-

-

324

3.7

Taxation relief on impairment

-

-

(81)

(0.9)

Reorganisation costs of acquired business

-

-

292

3.3

Taxation relief on reorganisation

-

-

(77)

(0.9)

Profit on disposal of trade

-

-

(190)

(2.2)

Taxation on disposal of trade

-

-

52

0.6

Derivative financial instrument loss

236

2.7

-

-

Taxation relief on derivative loss

(54)

(0.6)

-

-

Profit on disposal of property

(175)

(2.0)

-

-

Taxation on profit on disposal of property

44

0.5

-

-

Profit on disposal of investment

(107)

(1.2)

-

-

Taxation relief on disposal of investment

(23)

(0.3)

-

-

Earnings per share - adjusted

9,005

101.5

7,784

88.4

Discontinued operations





Earnings per share - basic and adjusted

(202)

(2.3)

16,598

188.4


8,803

99.2

24,382

276.8

7. Cash generated from continuing operations

 


2012

2011


£'000

£'000




Profit for the period from continuing operations

10,105

8,037

Adjustments for:



Tax

2,954

1,973

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

4,165

3,923

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

-

324

Amounts written off property, plant and equipment

1

28

Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment

(153)

(10)

Depreciation of investment property

20

20

Profit on disposal of investment property

(45)

-

Intangible asset amortisation

492

480

Intangible asset impairment

-

325

Profit on disposal of investments

(107)

(2)

Profit on disposal of trade

-

(190)

Loan forgiven in the period

-

(40)

Amortisation of grants

(50)

-

Net fair value loss on share based payments

49

20

Net foreign exchange differences

138

18

Net fair value loss on derivative financial instruments in operating profit

 

309

 

-

Interest income

(673)

(410)

Interest expense and borrowing costs

1,403

1,424

Share of profit from associate and joint ventures

(1,381)

(1,776)

IAS19 income statement credit in respect of employer contributions

 

(3,772)

 

(4,801)

IAS19 income statement charge

477

742




Changes in working capital (excluding the effects of acquisitions and disposal):



Increase in inventories

(3,868)

(205)

Increase in receivables

(896)

(14,591)

Increase in payables

2,806

18,808

 

Cash generated from continuing operations

 

11,974

 

14,097

 

8. Pensions

 

The Group operates its current pension arrangements on a defined benefit and defined contribution basis. The valuation of the defined benefit scheme under the IAS19 accounting basis showed a deficit net of the related deferred tax asset in the scheme at 1 September 2012 of £4.1m (3 September 2011: £4.5m).

 

A Group subsidiary undertaking is a participating employer in a defined benefit pension scheme of the associate. The IAS19 accounting basis showed a deficit, for that scheme, net of the related deferred tax asset in the scheme at 1 September 2012 of £3.6m (2011: £3.3m). The Group recognises in its balance sheet approximately 50% of the deficit and deferred tax asset through its investment in associate.

 

In the period, the retirement benefit charge in respect of the Carr's Milling Industries Pension Scheme 1993 was £477,000 (2011: £742,000).

 

 

 

 

 

9. Analysis of changes in net cash/(net debt)

 


At 4

September

 

Cash

Other

Non-Cash

 

Exchange

At 1

  September


2011

Flow

Changes

Movements

2012


£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Cash and cash equivalents

 

33,282

 

(9,988)

 

-

 

-

 

23,294

Bank overdrafts

(833)

587

-

(172)

(418)


32,449

(9,401)

-

(172)

22,876







Loans and other borrowings:

- current

- non-current

 

 

(24,931)

(1,225)

 

 

4,652

(1,750)

 

 

7,415(7,470)

 

-

-

 

 

(12,864)

(10,445)

Finance leases:






- current

(672)

940

(1,162)

-

(894)

- non-current

(1,049)

-

(79)

-

(1,128)

Net cash/(Net debt)

4,572

(5,559)

(1,296)

(172)

(2,455)

 

10.       The Board of Directors approved the preliminary announcement on 12 November 2012.

 

11.       The results included in the preliminary announcement are unaudited.  The financial information set out in this announcement does not constitute the statutory accounts for the periods ended 1 September 2012 and 3 September 2011.  The statutory accounts for the period ended 1 September 2012 will be finalised on the basis of the financial information presented by the Directors in this preliminary announcement and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company's Annual General Meeting.

 

12.       The Company intends to post the Report and Accounts to shareholders by 6 December 2012.  Further copies will be available upon request from the Company Secretary, Carr's Milling Industries PLC, Old Croft, Stanwix, Carlisle, CA3 9BA or alternatively on the Company's website: www.carrs-milling.com

 

 


This information is provided by RNS
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