Interim Results

Elektron PLC 27 September 2004 Embargoed for release: 7.30 a.m. 27 September 2004 ELEKTRON PLC Interim results for the period ended 31st July 2004 Elektron PLC ('Elektron'), the AIM quoted components manufacturer announces results for the half-year ended 31st July 2004. Key Points: • Turnover increased to £13 million (2003: £5.7 million) • Operating profits on continuing operations before goodwill release of £972,000 (2003: £214,000) • Operating profits include exceptional costs of £400,000 for the closure of assembly operations at Bulgin which are being transferred to Tunisia • Profit before taxation of £1,851,000 (2003: £201,000) • Earnings per share before goodwill release and exceptional items of 1.23p (2003: 0.42p) • Net borrowings reduced to £385,000 from £1,651,000 at 31 January 2004 giving a net gearing on net tangible assets of 8% For further information please contact: Adrian Girling Roland Cornish Executive Chairman Chairman Elektron PLC Beaumont Cornish Limited Tel: 0208 979 3232 Tel: 0207 628 3396 Chairman's Statement In the six months to 31 July 2004 the Elektron Group exceeded the profit targets the Board set itself for the entire year following the Arcolectric acquisition. The Group profit before taxation of £1,851,000 consists of £887,000 from operations, £931,000 of negative goodwill release and £33,000 profit on disposal of BP Purchasing. The results include a provision of £400,000 for the closure of assembly operations at the Bulgin Components factory, which are in the process of being transferred to Arcolectric's factory in Tunisia. A further £125,000 of closure costs are expected to be incurred by the time the transfer is completed around the end of this financial year. Following the disposal of BP Purchasing, Elektron is able to concentrate on its two key operating businesses. Bulgin designs and manufactures connectors, switches and other electro-mechanical components for industrial markets. Turnover of £4,859,000 returned operating profits of £462,000 before the restructuring provision of £400,000 referred to above. In the full year to 31 January 2004 operating profits were £376,000 on sales of £7,931,000. The market in the first half was extremely buoyant with orders up 14% on the comparative period. Sales in the second half are not expected to match the levels of the first half. Arcolectric specialises in the manufacture of appliance switches, indicator lights and fuseholders for consumer and industrial markets. Turnover of £7,848,000 returned operating profits of £768,000. As stated in the last Annual Report, the backlog of orders built up during its receivership prior to acquisition has resulted in a disproportionate level of sales for the first half compared to the normal level of ongoing business. Consequently we do not expect this level of sales to continue in the light of Far East competition and decreasing prices. The market has been strong in the first half, particularly in the US where industrial production has continued to increase but some customers are now experiencing softness in some of their markets. At both businesses we continue to focus on the significant cost reduction opportunities afforded by Elektron's manufacturing facilities in Tunisia and China whilst maximising the sales potential of the Arcolectric and Bulgin brands in North America and elsewhere. Gearing and Balance Sheet At 31 July 2004, net gearing on net tangible assets was 8% compared with 36% at the last year-end. Net borrowings reduced to £385,000 from £1,651,000 at the start of the period. Net tangible assets at the half-year increased 9% to £5,001,000 which equates to 6.6p per share. The Group now has a strong balance sheet which will allow it to consider selectively further acquisitions. Earnings per share and dividends Earnings per share before negative goodwill write backs and exceptional items were 1.23p. Basic earnings per share after negative goodwill write backs and exceptional items were 1.67p. The parent company, Elektron Plc, now has positive reserves and a final dividend will be considered at the time of the final results announcement in the light of trading at that time. Outlook The Board expects sales and profits in the second half of the financial year will be lower than the first half as a result of the usual seasonal factors, but the effect will be exaggerated this year by the additional sales arising from the Arcolectric backlog at the start of the year. By how much is difficult to indicate at this time, but it should be assumed that the exceptional results of Arcolectric in the first half of the current year will not be repeated. Against this background the Board will be relentless in the drive to reduce costs, to seek new higher margin products and to increase market share. Adrian Girling Executive Chairman Group Profit and Loss Account Unaudited Interim Results to 31 July 2004 Half year to Half year to Year to 31 July 31 July 31 January 2004 2003 2004 £'000 £'000 £'000 Turnover - continuing operations 12,707 4,239 9,334 - discontinued operations 333 1,457 2,649 --------- --------- --------- 13,040 5,696 11,983 --------- --------- --------- Operating profit/(loss) - continuing operations 972 214 812 - discontinued operations (68) 40 (201) - negative goodwill release 931 - 1,135 --------- --------- --------- 1,835 254 1,746 Profit/(loss) on disposal of discontinued operations 33 - (47) --------- --------- --------- Profit on ordinary activities before interest 1,868 254 1,699 Net interest payable (17) (53) (94) --------- --------- --------- Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 1,851 201 1,605 Taxation on profit on ordinary activities (577) (66) (299) --------- --------- --------- Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 1,274 135 1,306 Dividends - - - --------- --------- --------- Transfer to reserves 1,274 135 1,306 --------- --------- --------- Earnings per share - basic 1.67p 0.26p 2.42p - before exceptional items/negative goodwill release 1.23p 0.42p 1.26p Group Balance Sheet Unaudited Interim Results at 31 July 2004 31 July 31 July 31 January 2004 2003 2004 £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets Goodwill - 328 - Negative goodwill (278) - (1,257) Tangible assets 2,879 1,581 3,149 Investment in own shares 20 - 20 -------- -------- -------- 2,621 1,909 1,912 -------- -------- -------- Current assets Stocks 2,618 1,200 2,605 Debtors 5,386 2,343 4,384 Cash at bank and in hand 1,491 41 1,123 -------- -------- -------- 9,495 3,584 8,112 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (4,959) (3,647) (4,659) -------- -------- -------- Net current assets/(liabilities) 4,536 (63) 3,453 -------- -------- -------- Total assets less current liabilities 7,157 1,846 5,365 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (1,395) (429) (1,318) Provisions for liabilities and charges (1,039) (322) (708) -------- -------- -------- Net assets 4,723 1,095 3,339 -------- -------- -------- Capital and reserves Called - up share capital 3,821 2,602 3,730 Share premium 244 270 235 Profit and loss account 658 (1,777) (626) -------- -------- -------- Shareholder's funds 4,723 1,095 3,339 -------- -------- -------- Notes: 1. The financial information in this statement does not constitute statutory accounts. The financial information in respect of the year ended 31 January 2004 has been extracted from the statutory accounts which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The auditors' report on those accounts was unqualified and did not contain any statement under Section 237 of the Companies Act 1985. 2. The interim financial information has been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Group's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 January 2004. Fixed annual charges are apportioned to the interim period on the basis of time elapsed. Other expenses are accrued in accordance with the same principles used in the preparation of the annual accounts. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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