Interim Results

RNS Number : 2996K
Churchill China PLC
01 September 2021
 

For immediate release

1 September 2021

 

 

 

CHURCHILL CHINA plc

("Churchill" or the "Company" or the "Group")

 

INTERIM RESULTS

For the six months ended 30 June 2021

 

Recovery well established with market share gains

 

Churchill China plc (AIM: CHH), the manufacturer of innovative performance ceramic products serving hospitality markets worldwide, is pleased to announce its Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2021.

 

Key Highlights:

 

Financial

· Operating profit before exceptional items £1.1m (2020 H1: £0.5m, FY2020: £0.9m)

· Profit before exceptional items and tax £1.0m (2020 H1: £0.5m, FY2020: £0.8m)

· Reported profit / (loss) before tax after exceptional items £1.0m (2020 H1: (£0.4m), FY2020: £0.1m)

· Adjusted basic earnings per share 4.5p (2020 H1: 3.5p, FY2020: 6.5p)

· Basic earnings / (loss) per share 4.5p (2020 H1: (2.9p), FY2020: 1.0p)

· Re-instated interim dividend of 6.7p per share declared July 2021 (2020 H1: nil)

· Net cash and deposits of £13.4m (2020 H1: £16.3m FY2020: £14.0m)

· Cash generated from operations £0.9m (2020 H1: £3.4m, FY2020: £1.8m)

Working capital increase as revenues rebuild

 

Business

· Total revenues £23.9m (2020 H1: £18.9m FY2020: £36.4m)

74% of 2019 H1 (2020 H1: 59%, FY2020: 54%)

· Strong performance following lifting of COVID restrictions

Group: May / June 2021 recovered to 2019 levels

Hospitality: May / June 2021 105% of 2019

· Continued market share gains across key markets

· Service levels maintained

· Further investment in UK manufacturing

· Continued progress on implementation of strategic plans

 

Alan McWalter, Chairman of Churchill China, commented:

 

'We remain confident that we will make good progress against our business and financial targets in both the short and long term.'

 

A conference call for analysts will be held at 10.00am today 1 September 2021. Analysts who require dial-in details please contact Buchanan at  ChurchillChina@buchanan.uk.com  or telephone 020 7466 5000. 

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Churchill China plc

Tel: 01782 577566

David O'Connor / David Taylor / James Roper

 

 

 

Buchanan

Tel: 020 7466 5000

Mark Court / Sophie Wills

 

 

 

Investec

Tel: 020 7597 5970

David Flin / Alex Wright / Ben Farrow

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

Introduction

 

I am pleased to report that Churchill's trading has continued to recover strongly following the easing of COVID related market restrictions in the UK, Europe and other export markets in the second quarter of 2021. Our decision to maintain operational levels when many of our markets were dormant has allowed us to secure a swift recovery as market demand has increased.

 

Current trading is at levels ahead of the comparable period in 2019 and whilst market activity has not yet fully returned, we believe we have secured further gains in market share across our key markets in line with our long term growth objectives. Our commitment to maintaining customer service levels led us to build inventory during 2020 and the early part of 2021 and this has allowed us to meet increasing order levels in the second quarter and into the third quarter of the year. We are now raising manufacturing output to maintain customer service in support of the recovery in demand.

 

We have continued to develop and implement our forward strategy in respect of extending export distribution and developing our range of differentiated added value products. We have completed a number of capital projects in support of this strategy and have approved further expenditure to improve the efficiency and sustainability of our business.

 

 

Financial Review

 

Total revenues rose by 27% to £23.9m (2020 H1: £18.9m, FY2020: £36.4m). Sales in the first four months of the year were well below the comparable periods for both 2019 and 2020 as a result of COVID related lockdowns. However revenues have recovered well following the relaxation of market restrictions beginning in April and were at 2019 levels in May and June. This trend has continued into the second half year. Ceramics revenues were £21.5m (2020 H1: £17.0m, FY2020: £33.1m). External revenue from Materials was £2.4m (2020 H1: £1.9m, FY2020: £3.3m). UK revenues increased by £2.0m to £8.9m (2020 H1: £6.8m, FY2020: £13.9m). Export revenues also improved by 25% to £15.0m (2020 H1: £12.0m, FY2020: £22.5m).

 

Overall gross margins improved on the comparable period in 2020, but were still affected by lower sales levels in the COVID affected first four months of the year and a consequent reduced coverage of fixed operational costs. We expect to see some improvement in this across the second half of the year as output levels increase.

 

Operating profit before exceptional items rose to £1.1m (2020 H1: £0.5m, FY2020: £0.9m). Overhead cost levels continued to be carefully managed, supporting strategic developments and maintaining our forward capability. No net furlough support was received in H1 2021. Operating profit margins before exceptional items were 4.4% (2020 H1: 2.6%, FY2020: 2.5%).

 

Profit before exceptional items and income tax was £1.0m (2020 H1: £0.5m, FY2020: £0.8m) with the increase entirely reflecting improved operating profit.

 

The reported tax charge in the period reflects the requirement to re-state the deferred tax charge to reflect the forthcoming increase in Corporation Tax rates to 25%. The impact of this is an additional charge of £0.3m, which, whilst material in relation to the first half, has not been treated as exceptional. The underlying tax rate was 19%.

 

Adjusted basic earnings per share before exceptional items was 4.5p (2020 H1: 3.5p, FY2020: 6.5p).

 

Reported profit / (loss) before tax after exceptional items was £1.0m (2020 H1: (£0.4m), FY2020: £0.1m).

Basic earnings / (loss) per share, after exceptional items, was 4.5p (2020 H1 (2.9p), FY2020: 1.0p)

We have continued to generate satisfactory levels of cash, despite a considerable requirement to rebuild working capital levels as our markets re-opened. This was partially offset by a reduction in inventory as we maintained our high customer service levels. Operating cash flow remained positive at £0.9m (2020 H1: £3.3m, FY2020: £1.8m). Capital expenditure at £1.3m (2020 H1: £2.0m) was lower than historic levels with the largest spend in relation to new building projects. We expect to increase our rate of investment in the second half of the year with projects targeting our energy footprint, additional value added product capacity and improved productivity. Cash and deposits at the start of the year were £14.0m and we are pleased that we still retained £13.4m at the end of the period.

We continue to enjoy a strong, ungeared, balance sheet with net assets of £38.2m. Our assets are largely tangible and also give us a high degree of short term liquidity, if required.

Dividend

 

In our market update on 6 July 2021 we declared an interim dividend of 6.7p (2020 H1: nil) per ordinary share, payable on 3 September 2021. This dividend reflects increased confidence in the strength of the recovery in Hospitality markets in the UK and overseas, the progress made by the business over the past months and maintenance of our strong financial position. As previously announced all CJRS support in relation to 2021 has been repaid.

 

The Board will continue to review its dividend policy but expects to re-institute the progressive policy in place prior to the emergence of COVID. Once again, the Board would like to express its thanks for the support of shareholders.

 

Business

 

Our performance in the first half of 2021 has reflected the impact of market restrictions on the operation of hospitality businesses in the first four months of the year and the progressive relaxation of restrictions in the second quarter. Early sales were below expectations as extensive lockdowns in the UK, Europe and the USA affected end user demand. As these restrictions were relaxed, at first in the UK and USA, we saw a strong increase in order levels. While European countries were slower to re-open their markets, the trend of market recovery seen in the UK has now been replicated. European revenues have also been supported by continued market share growth and it is currently our best performing regional market.

 

Profitability in the first four months of the year was restricted by the impact of lower sales and disruption from the impact of COVID on our operations. Overall manufacturing output levels at 70% of their 2019 equivalent gave reduced coverage of fixed costs within our operations. As sales levels have recovered later in the period we have generated improved margins and are now progressively increasing output towards 2019 levels to meet customer demand.

 

Ceramics

Overall Hospitality sales in the six months to 30 June 2021 were 71% of the comparable period in 2019, with the shortfall entirely attributable to the COVID affected first four months of the year where sales were approximately half their 2019 levels. Sales in May and June were 6% above 2019's comparative.

 

Export revenues continue to provide our main focus for growth with good progress in both Europe and the USA. We believe that we are taking an increasing share of the available market in Europe, supported by a strong service offering from our Rotterdam warehouse and continued introduction of new products. We have also performed well in the USA serviced from our warehouse in Chicago. The Rest of the World region remains mixed with recovery in some markets offset by continued COVID disruption in less developed countries. UK sales have performed creditably with an early recovery in regional sales channels being followed by increasing national account business later in the period.

 

We have further increased the proportion of added value products within our revenue with the percentage of sales attributable to our differentiated portfolio rising to 60%. In the first half of 2019 the comparable figure was 47% demonstrating further progress against this key target. We continue to develop and launch new products.

 

Retail revenues have increased during the period as we redirected UK production capacity on a tactical basis to secure additional manufacturing volumes, albeit at lower margins. We expect this business to reduce across the second half of the year.

 

Materials

Furlong Mills has performed creditably during the first six months of the year despite the continued effects of COVID on its main hospitality focused customers. Demand from retail orientated customers has supported a good revenue performance.

 

Operations

Our manufacturing and logistics operations have once again responded to the challenges raised by COVID. Output levels in the first half year were maintained despite disruption from the pandemic and a significant amount of work has been completed in support of our forward plans.  We are now in the process of building output and efficiency back towards 2019 levels to meet anticipated demand. This has required the recruitment of over one hundred new roles across manufacturing and logistics, together with the associated training requirement.

 

Further investment has been made in projects related to the forward development of our operations. We have completed our third factory extension in the last eighteen months, which will allow us to hold work in progress more efficiently, aiding flexibility and improving efficiency. The manufacturing floor space released by this extension will be used to install a further kiln, extending our added value product capacity, and to allow the automation of certain processes, raising productivity levels. We have also invested further in solar power generation and other projects aimed at improving sustainability.

 

We have continued to work on projects related to reducing our energy usage and waste. As we have previously indicated, we believe our product is highly sustainable once manufactured, given its durability and long life. However we use energy in its production and we are assessing how this may be progressively reduced. We believe the nearest opportunity is to continue to improve our manufacturing yields to reduce waste and we have been addressing this for several years through capital investment, materials development and our continuous improvement programme. There is also a considerable opportunity to reduce our energy usage through investment in more fuel efficient equipment and waste heat recovery.  We are working in this area both as a Company and within industry bodies.

 

The challenges raised for our operations team by our strategic plans will require further development of our workforce as a whole. We have continued to invest in the development of our employees and continue to supplement this with recruitment in key areas.

 

People

The extended impact of COVID has meant that our employees at all levels have been required to demonstrate adaptability and determination in the face of the regular changes in our operations as we respond to the changing circumstances of the pandemic and recovery. They can be extremely proud of their achievements over the past eighteen months and we are very grateful to them.

 

 

Outlook

 

In our Preliminary Results announcement on 19 April 2021, we noted the first signs of recovery in our markets as restrictions on Hospitality began to be removed. I am pleased to report that the increased market activity in Hospitality seen at that time has continued to build and that the performance above 2019 levels seen in May and June has been maintained into the second half year. It is not yet clear to what extent Hospitality markets have fully recovered to previous levels, but it appears that we can now be more certain that we can maintain and improve our competitive position in our core markets.

 

A central theme of our response to COVID has been that we have endeavoured to reinforce Churchill's brand values in relation to service, performance and a long term approach to business for the benefit of all our stakeholders. A number of the choices made in 2020 and 2021, particularly in relation to building capability in several areas, have proved to be sound and we are well placed to continue to execute our long term plans in what remains a resilient market.

 

It is not yet clear which course the pandemic and associated market restrictions may take over the coming months and we have retained both flexibility and a strong financial position in order to be able to respond to any renewed issues. The Company continues to trade in line with the Board's expectations and we remain confident that we will make good progress against our business and financial targets in both the short and long term.

 

 

Alan McWalter

Chairman

1 September 2021

 

 

 

Churchill China plc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Income Statement

 

 

 

 

 

 

for the six months ended 30 June 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaudited

 

Unaudited

 

Audited

 

 

 

 

Six months to

 

Six months to

 

Twelve months to

 

 

 

 

30 June 2021

 

30 June 2020

 

31 December 2020

 

 

 

 

£000

 

£000

 

£000

 

 

 

Note

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

 

1

23,922

 

18,853

 

36,362

 

 

 

 

===========

 

===========

 

===========

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating profit before exceptional item

 

 

1

1,055

 

498

 

922

Exceptional items

 

 

2

-

 

(869)

 

(757)

Operating Profit

 

 

1

1,055

 

(371)

 

165

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance income

 

 

3

2

 

56

 

60

Finance costs

 

 

3

(80)

 

(67)

 

(134)

 

 

 

 

------------------

 

------------------

 

------------------

Profit before exceptional item and income tax

 

 

977

 

487

 

848

Exceptional items

 

2

-

 

(869)

 

(757)

Profit / (loss) before income tax

 

 

977

 

(382)

 

91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax (expense) / credit

 

4

(480)

 

66

 

22

 

 

 

 

------------------

 

------------------

 

------------------

Profit / (loss) for the period

 

 

497

 

(316)

 

113

 

 

 

 

===========

 

===========

 

===========

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit / (loss) for the period is attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Owners of the Company

 

 

 

497

 

(316)

 

113

 

 

 

 

===========

 

===========

 

===========

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pence per

Pence per

 

Pence per

 

 

 

 

Share

Share

 

Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share

 

5

4.5

 

3.5

 

 

 

6.5

Diluted adjusted earnings per ordinary share

 

5

4.5

 

3.5

 

 

 

6.5

Basic earnings / (loss) per ordinary share

 

5

4.5

 

(2.9)

 

 

 

1.0

Diluted earnings / (loss) per ordinary share

5

4.5

 

(2.9)

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                 

 

 
 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

for the six months ended 30 June 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaudited

 

Unaudited

 

Audited

 

 

 

 

 

Six months to

 

Six months to

 

Twelve months to

 

 

 

 

 

30 June 2021

 

30 June 2020

 

31 December 2020

 

 

 

 

 

£000

 

£000

 

£000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income / (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Items that will not be reclassified to profit and loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actuarial (loss) / gain on retirement benefit obligations (net)

 

-

 

-

 

(4,571)

 

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

and loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impact of change in UK tax rate  on deferred tax

 

 

558

 

84

 

84

 

Exchange differences

 

 

2

 

29

 

(13)

 

 

 

 

 

 ---------------

 

-------------- 

 

--------------- 

 

Other comprehensive income / (expense)

 

560

 

113

 

(4,500)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit / (loss) for the period

 

 

 

497

 

(316)

 

113

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---------------

 

---------------

 

----------------

 

Total comprehensive income / (expense) for the period

 

1,057

 

(203)

 

(4,387)

 

 

 

 

 

==========

 

========== 

 

==========

 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Owners of the Company

 

 

1,057

 

(203)

 

(4,387)

 

 

 

 

==========

 

==========

 

==========

 

            

 

All above figures relate to continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Churchill China plc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

as at 30 June 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaudited

 

Unaudited

 

Audited

 

 

 

 

30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 

 

 

 

2021

 

2020

 

2020

 

 

 

 

£000

 

£000

 

£000

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

20,074

 

20.531

 

20,058

Intangible assets

 

 

 

1,152

 

1,434

 

1,306

Deferred income tax assets

 

 

2,539

 

1,092

 

2,082

 

 

 

 

23,765

 

23,057

 

23,446

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories

 

 

 

11,600

 

11,866

 

12,823

Trade and other receivables

 

 

10,908

 

3,965

 

4,309

Other financial assets

 

 

1,000

 

1,504

 

3,258

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

12,437

 

14,833

 

10,738

 

 

 

 

35,945

 

32,168

 

31,128

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

 

 

59,710

 

55,225

 

54,574

 

 

 

 

==========

 

==========

 

=============

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

 

 

(10,037)

 

(7,130)

 

(5,663)

Current income tax liabilities

 

 

(41)

 

(93)

 

(24)

 

 

 

 

-----------------

 

----------------

 

---------------------

Total current liabilities

 

 

(10,078)

 

(7,223)

 

(5,687)

 

 

 

 

-----------------

 

----------------

 

---------------------

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease liabilities payables

 

 

(164)

 

(250)

 

(215)

Deferred income tax liabilities

 

 

(1,449)

 

(1,137)

 

(1,149)

Retirement benefit obligations

 

 

(9,812)

 

(5,296)

 

(10,382)

 

 

 

 

-----------------

 

----------------

 

---------------------

Total non-current liabilities

 

 

 

(11,425)

 

(6,683)

 

(11,746)

 

 

 

 

-----------------

 

----------------

 

---------------------

Total liabilities

 

 

 

(21,503)

 

(13,906)

 

(17,433)

 

 

 

 

==========

 

==========

 

=============

Net assets

 

 

 

38,207

 

41,319

 

37,141

 

 

 

 

==========

 

==========

 

=============

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issued share capital

 

 

1,103

 

1,103

 

1,103

Share premium account

 

 

2,348

 

2,348

 

2,348

Treasury shares

 

 

 

(80)

 

(446)

 

(80)

Other reserves

 

 

 

1,154

 

1,573

 

1,215

Retained earnings

 

 

 

33,682

 

36,741

 

32,555

 

 

 

 

-----------------

 

----------------

 

---------------------

Total equity

 

 

 

38,207

 

41,319

 

37,141

 

 

 

 

===========

 

==========

 

=============

 
 

Churchill China plc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

 

 

 

 

 

as at 30 June 2021

 

 

Issued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained

share

Share

Treasury

Other

Total

 

 

 

earnings

capital

premium

shares

reserves

Equity

 

 

 

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 1 January 2020

 

37,034

1,103

2,348

(446)

1,802

41,841

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) / profit for the period

 

 

(316)

-

-

-

-

(316)

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation transfer - gross

 

5

-

-

-

(5)

-

Depreciation transfer - tax

 

(1)

-

-

-

1

-

Re-measurement of retirement benefit obligations - net of tax

 

107

 

 

 

 

107

Deferred tax - change in rate

 

-

-

-

-

(23)

(23)

Currency translation

 

-

-

-

-

29

29

Total comprehensive income

 

(205)

-

-

-

2

(203)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transactions with owners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share based payment

 

-

-

-

-

(231)

(231)

Deferred tax - share based payment

 

(88)

-

-

-

-

(88)

Total transactions with owners

 

(88)

-

-

-

(231)

(319)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 30 June 2020

 

36,741

1,103

2,348

(446)

1,573

41,319

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit for the period

 

 

429

-

-

-

-

429

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation transfer - gross

 

7

-

-

-

(7)

-

Depreciation transfer - tax

 

 (1)

-

-

-

1

-

Re-measurement of retirement

benefit obligations - net of tax

(4,571)

-

-

-

-

(4,571)

Currency translation

 

-

-

-

-

(42)

(42)

Total comprehensive income

 

(4,136)

-

-

-

(48)

(4,184)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transactions with owners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds of share issue

 

-

-

-

4

-

4

Share based payment

 

310

-

-

-

(310)

-

Deferred tax - share based payment

2

-

-

-

-

2

Treasury shares

(362)

-

-

362

-

-

Total transactions with owners

 

(50)

-

-

366

(310)

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2020

 

32,555

1,103

2,348

(80)

1,215

37,141

 

 

Churchill China plc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

 

 

 

 

 

as at 30 June 2021

 

 

Issued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained

share

Share

Treasury

Other

Total

 

 

 

earnings

capital

premium

shares

reserves

Equity

 

 

 

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2020

 

32,555

1,103

2,348

(80)

1,215

37,141

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit for the period

 

497

-

-

-

-

497

Other comprehensive income

Depreciation transfer - gross

 

6

-

-

-

(6)

-

Depreciation transfer - tax

 

(2)

-

-

-

2

-

Deferred tax - change in rate

 

623

-

-

-

(65)

558

Currency translation

 

-

-

-

-

2

2

Total comprehensive income

 

1,124

-

-

-

(67)

1,057

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transactions with owners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share based payment

 

-

-

-

-

6

6

Deferred tax - share based payment

3

-

-

-

-

3

Total transactions with owners

 

3

-

-

-

6

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 30 June 2021

 

33,682

1,103

2,348

(80)

1,154

38,207

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Churchill China plc

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

 

 

 

 

 

 

for the six months ended 30 June 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaudited

 

Unaudited

 

Audited

 

 

 

 

Six months to

 

Six months to

 

Twelve months to

 

 

 

 

30 June 2021

 

30 June 2020

 

31 December 2020

 

 

 

 

£000

 

£000

 

£000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash generated from operations (note 6)

 

884

 

3,545

 

1,803

 

Interest received

 

 

 

2

 

56

 

60

Interest paid

 

 

 

(8)

 

(7)

 

(29)

Income tax paid

 

 

 

(30)

 

(759)

 

(847)

 

 

 

 

-----------------

 

-----------------

 

------------------

Net cash generated from operating activities

848

 

2,835

 

987

 

 

 

 

 

-----------------

 

-----------------

 

-----------------

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

(1,307)

 

(2,015)

 

(2,403)

 

Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment

31

 

8

 

44

 

Purchases of intangible assets

 

 

(13)

 

(8)

 

(50)

 

 

 

 

 

-----------------

 

-----------------

 

-----------------

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(1,289)

 

(2,015)

 

(2,409)

 

 

 

 

 

-----------------

 

-----------------

 

-----------------

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issue of ordinary shares

 

 

-

 

-

 

4

 

Principal element of finance lease payments

 

 

 

(118)

 

(65)

 

(163)

Net sale / (purchase) of other financial assets

 

2,258

 

1,503

 

(252)

 

 

 

 

 

-----------------

 

-----------------

 

-----------------

Net cash generated by / (used in) financing activities

 

2,140

 

1,438

 

(411)

 

 

 

 

 

-----------------

 

-----------------

 

-----------------

Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

1,699

 

2,258

 

(1,833)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

10,738

 

12,572

 

12,572

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exchange gain / (loss) on cash and cash equivalents

-

 

3

 

(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-----------------

 

-----------------

 

-----------------

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

12,437

 

14,833

 

10,738

 

 

-----------------

 

-----------------

 

-----------------

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 1. Segmental analysis

 

 

 

 

for the six months ended 30 June 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaudited

 

Unaudited

 

Audited

 

 

 

 

Six months to

 

Six months to

 

Twelve months to

 

 

 

 

30 June 2021

 

30 June 2020

 

31 December 2020

 

 

 

 

£000

 

£000

 

£000

Revenue by class of business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ceramics

 

 

 

21,461

 

16,985

 

33,092

Materials

 

 

 

3,966

 

2,901

 

5,453

 

 

 

 

 --------------------------

 

 -------------------------

 

 -----------------------------------

 

 

 

 

25,427

 

19,886

 

38,545

Inter segment

 

 

 

(1,505)

 

(1,033)

 

(2,183)

 

 

 

 

 --------------------------

 

 -------------------------

 

 -----------------------------------

 

 

 

 

23,922

 

18,853

 

36,362

 

 

 

 

---------------------------

 

--------------------------

 

------------------------------------

Revenue by destination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United Kingdom

 

 

 

8,884

 

6,844

 

13,868

Rest of Europe

 

 

 

9,833

 

7,553

 

14,681

USA

 

 

 

2,651

 

2,442

 

4,145

Rest of the World

 

 

 

2,554

 

2,014

 

3,668

 

 

 

 

 --------------------------

 

 --------------------------

 

 -----------------------------------

 

 

 

 

23,922

 

18,853

 

36,362

 

 

 

 

---------------------------

 

--------------------------

 

------------------------------------

 

 

 

 1. Segmental analysis (continued)

 

 

 

 

for the six months ended 30 June 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaudited

 

Unaudited

 

Audited

 

 

 

 

Six months to

 

Six months to

 

Twelve months to

 

 

 

 

30 June 2021

 

30 June 2020

 

31 December 2020

 

 

 

 

£000

 

£000

 

£000

Operating profit before exceptional items

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ceramics

 

 

 

825

 

460

 

1,104

Materials

 

 

 

230

 

38

 

(182)

 

 

 

 

 --------------------------

 

 -------------------------

 

 -----------------------------------

 

 

 

 

1,055

 

498

 

922

 

 

 

 

---------------------------

 

--------------------------

 

------------------------------------

Exceptional items

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ceramics

 

 

 

-

 

(832)

 

(666)

Materials

 

 

 

-

 

(37)

 

(91)

 

 

 

 

 --------------------------

 

 -------------------------

 

 -----------------------------------

 

 

 

 

-

 

(869)

 

(757)

 

 

 

 

---------------------------

 

--------------------------

 

------------------------------------

Operating profit /  (loss) after exceptional items

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ceramics

 

 

 

825

 

(372)

 

438

Materials

 

 

 

230

 

1

 

(273)

 

 

 

 

 --------------------------

 

 -------------------------

 

 -----------------------------------

 

 

 

 

1,055

 

(371)

 

165

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unallocated items

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance income

 

 

 

2

 

56

 

60

Finance costs

 

 

 

(80)

 

(67)

 

(134)

 

 

 

 

---------------------------

 

--------------------------

 

------------------------------------

Profit / (loss) before income tax

 

 

 

977

 

(382)

 

91

 

 

 

 

---------------------------

 

--------------------------

 

------------------------------------

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Exceptional items   

Costs associated with the restructuring of the Group's operations during 2020 following the impact of COVID-19 were charged to the Income Statement as an exceptional item. A related income tax credit was provided for.

 

 

 

 

3. Finance income and costs

 

 

 

 

Unaudited

 

Unaudited

 

Audited

 

 

 

 

Six months to

 

Six months to

 

Twelve months to

 

 

 

 

30 June 2021

 

30 June 2020

 

31 December 2020

 

 

 

 

£000

 

£000

 

£000

Finance income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other interest receivable

 

 

2

 

56

 

60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance income

 

 

 

2

 

56

 

60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

 

(8)

 

(12)

 

(29)

Interest on pension scheme

 

 

(72)

 

(55)

 

(105)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance costs

 

 

 

(80)

 

(67)

 

(134)

 

The interest cost arising from pension schemes is a non cash item.

 

4. Income tax expense / (credit)

 

 

Unaudited

 

Unaudited

 

Audited

 

 

Six months to

 

Six months to

 

Twelve months to

 

 

30 June 2021

 

30 June 2020

 

31 December 2020

 

 

£000

 

£000

 

£000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current taxation

 

75

 

(170)

 

(222)

Deferred taxation

 

106

 

104

 

200

Deferred taxation - increase in rate

 

298

 

-

 

-

Income tax expense

479

 

(66)

 

(22)

 

Following the announcement of the UK Government's intention to increase Corporation Tax rates from 19% to 25% with effect from 2023, deferred tax balances have been provided for at a rate of 25%. Given the materiality of this change in relation to the Income tax expense in the six months to 30 June 2021 it has been identified separately above, but not treated as exceptional.

 

 

5. Earnings per ordinary share   

Basic earnings / (loss) per ordinary share is based on the profit / (loss) after taxation attributable to owners of the Company of £497,000 (June 2020: loss of £316,000; December 2020: £113,000) and on 11,022,835 (June 2020: 10,986,234; December 2020: 10,996,835) ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period. Adjusted earnings per ordinary share is calculated after adjusting for the post tax effect of exceptional items (see note 2).

 

 

 

 

Unaudited

 

Unaudited

 

Audited

 

 

 

 

Six months

 to

 

Six months to

 

Twelve months to

 

 

 

 

30 June 2021

 

30 June 2020

 

31 December 2020

 

 

 

 

Pence per share

 

Pence per share

 

Pence per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings / (loss) per share

 

 

4.5

 

(2.9)

 

1.0

Add exceptional items

 

 

 

-

 

6.4

 

5.5

Adjusted earnings per share

 

 

 

4.5

 

3.5

 

6.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted basic earnings / (loss) per ordinary share is based on the profit / (loss) after taxation attributable to owners of the Company of £497,000 (June 2020: loss of £316,000; December 2020: £113,000) and on 11,099,293 (June 2020: 11,089,136; December 2020: 11,028,486) ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period of 11,022,835 (June 2020: 10,986,234; December 2020: 10,996,835) increased by 76,458 (June 2020: 102,902; December 2020: 31,651) shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares which would have been issued if the outstanding options to acquire shares in the Group had been exercised at the average price during the period. Diluted adjusted earnings per ordinary share is calculated after adjusting for the post tax effect of exceptional items (see note 2).

 

 

 

 

Unaudited

 

Unaudited

 

Audited

 

 

 

 

Six months

 to

 

Six months to

 

Twelve months to

 

 

 

 

30 June 2021

 

30 June 2020

 

31 December 2020

 

 

 

 

Pence per share

 

Pence per share

 

Pence per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted basic earnings / (loss) per share

 

 

4.5

 

(2.9)

 

1.0

Add exceptional items

 

 

 

-

 

6.4

 

5.5

Diluted adjusted earnings per share

 

 

 

4.5

 

3.5

 

6.5

 

 

 

6. Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from continuing activities

 

 

 

 

Unaudited

 

Unaudited

 

Audited

 

 

 

 

Six months to

 

Six months to

 

Twelve months to

 

 

 

 

30 June 2021

 

30 June 2020

 

31 December 2020

 

 

 

 

£000

 

£000

 

£000

Cash flow from operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating profit / (loss)

 

 

 

1,055

 

(371)

 

165

Adjustments for

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortisation

 

 

 

1,464

 

1,289

 

2,586

Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment

(2)

 

(8)

 

3

Charge / (credit) for share based payment

 

 

6

 

(231)

 

(231)

Decrease in retirement benefit obligations

 

(642)

 

(107)

 

(749)

Pension past service charge - non cash

 

 

-

 

-

 

40

Changes  in working capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventory

 

 

 

1,223

 

(219)

 

(1,176)

Trade and other receivables

 

 

(6,597)

 

7,025

 

6,696

Trade and other payables

 

 

4,377

 

(3,833)

 

(5,531)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash inflow from operations

 

 

884

 

3,545

 

1,803

 

7. Basis of preparation and accounting policies   

The financial information included in the interim results announcement for the six months to 30 June 2021 was approved by the Board on 31 August 2021.

The interim financial information for the six months to 30 June 2021 has not been audited or reviewed and does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The Company's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020, prepared in accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

The interim financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of land and buildings and financial assets and liabilities (including derivative instruments) at fair value through the profit and loss account. The same accounting policies, presentation and methods of computation are followed in the interim financial statements as were applied in the Group's last audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020.

Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

8. Share buybacks   

The Company did not buy back any ordinary shares during the first six months of the year, but may consider making further ad hoc share buybacks going forward at the discretion of the Board and subject to the shareholder authorities approved at the 2021 Annual General Meeting.   

The half-yearly report and this announcement will be available shortly on the Company's website www.churchill1795.com

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