Final Results

Costain Group PLC 30 March 2001 COSTAIN GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 December 2000 HIGHLIGHTS * Net cash balances at the end of 2000 of £42.7m (1999: £30.3m) * Profit before taxation of £6.5m (1999: restated £6.4m) * £600m of advance orders (1999: £510m) * 74 per cent of work in hand with regular clients * Two major rail contracts awarded * Leading position in water sector Commenting on the announcement John Armitt, Chief Executive of Costain Group PLC said: 'Costain is now a focused contractor specialising in certain business streams. We have stopped the 'scatter gun' marketing approach and now service known clients whose needs we fully understand and have the resources to meet in full. 'We have established strong repeat business with clients such as Tesco, Waitrose, Thames Water and the Highways Agency. This will provide the nucleus for future success. We are convinced, at Costain, that construction can be a good business provided that we recognise and rigorously manage risk and focus on our core strengths. 'In 2000 we have absorbed losses arising from difficult contracts, maintained financial stability and prepared a sturdy platform for growth. In addition we have successfully resolved the long outstanding claims in Hong Kong. We have achieved a leadership status in several sectors and we will now build on that in the months to come.' 30 March 2001 ENQUIRIES: Costain Group plc Tel: 020 7705 8444 John Armitt CBE, Chief Executive Miles Roberts, Finance Director Graham Read, Public Relations College Hill Tel: 020 7457 2020 Gareth David gareth.david@collegehill.com Lisa Pearson lisa.pearson@collegehill.com COSTAIN GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 December 2000 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Results - The Group made a profit on ordinary activities before taxation of £ 6.5 million (1999: re-stated £6.4 m) on a turnover of £381.2 million (1999: £ 378m). The results for 1999 have been re-stated because the Group has decided to comply at the first opportunity with Accounting Standard FRS17 which changes the way the Company accounts for retirement benefits. Earnings per share were 1.5p (1999: restated 1.5p) Finance - The Company has no significant borrowings and net cash balances at the end of the year total £42.7 million (1999: £30.3m), including the Group's share of cash held by joint arrangements (construction joint ventures) of £ 50.1 million (1999: £23.3 m). This represents a cash inflow during the year of £12.4 million (1999: £6.6 m out flow), which was ahead of forecast, largely due to some earlier than expected receipts. The Company has agreed terms with a group of leading banks for the refinancing of its existing term facilities. This refinancing provides for an extended maturity date of the 31 December 2002 but with an extension to the 31 December 2003 subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions. In return for this extended commitment, the Company has agreed to grant share warrants to the participating banks under which the Banks may require the Company to issue up to 16,000,000 new shares at an exercise price calculated on the basis of the average price of the closing middle market quotations for the shares (as derived from the Daily Official List of the London Stock Exchange) on the ten consecutive dealing days immediately following the 22 March 2001. The warrants will be exercisable at any time after the 31 December 2002. The number of shares which the Company will be required to issue under these share warrants is subject to increase in the event of changes in the Company's share capital. The warrants will cease to be exercisable on or after the 31 March 2004. The new share warrants will replace those issued to the Company's Banks in 1997, for which the subscription period expired on the 6 March 2001. The new share warrants will be allotted under the authority of the special resolution passed at the Company's Annual General Meeting on 2 June 2000. Proceeds from any shares subscribed by the Banks pursuant to the new share warrants will be retained by the Company. Costain's expectations of being able to announce a stronger advance in the Group's performance in 2000 have been impaired by the need to make prudent provisions against losses on several underperforming projects, although the situation has been mitigated by over-performance on others. COSTAIN GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 December 2000 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT (cont'd) Costain has greatly strengthened its risk-assessment and contract monitoring procedures in the past two years and further improvements are in hand. The Group is also shifting its emphasis towards winning business in market segments where it has been consistently profitable and where it has well-established relationships with clients. About three-quarters of our work-in-hand is this type of business. Recent under-performance has occurred mainly where we undertook large projects for previously unknown clients or where the work was in relatively unfamiliar market segments. Remedial measures take time to work through in this industry, but Costain is confident that it is on track to make a very marked reduction in losses from unsatisfactory contracts with corresponding improvements in Group profitability. The relationship with Skanska AB, which commenced in November 1997, came to an end in November 2000, when Skanska Invest AB announced that it was selling its entire shareholding in the Company. Skanska stated that the disposal of their shareholding in the Company was a natural consequence of their acquisition of Kvaerner Construction. Skanska announced at the time that the relationship with the Company had been successful and well received by customers and that they intended to fulfil all of their commitments towards joint customers and PFI partners and that applied to projects in progress and bids that had been tendered. Since that announcement at least two contracts have been awarded to joint ventures in which Costain and Skanska are partners. Mohammed Abdulmohsin Al-Kharafi & Sons WLL and Raymond International WLL two of our then existing shareholders each independently purchased half of Skanska's shareholding. The termination of the relationship with Skanska is looked upon positively by the Company as it ends the obligation of the Company to offer a joint venture position to Skanska on any project over £20m and gives the Company the opportunity to joint venture with other partners. Work in hand as at the 31 December 2000 was £600 million (1999: £510m). The Order Book having improved the Company believe that by greater focus and a drive for repeat business the Company will be able to improve its profit margins. Costain is pleased to report that the Company has brought to a successful financial conclusion the claims in respect of two projects in Hong Kong, the Tsing Ma Bridge and the Landside Infrastructure Project. MICHAEL BECKETT Chairman 30 March 2001 COSTAIN GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 December 2000 OPERATING REVIEW 2000 witnessed significant activity in both the building and civil engineering operations and below is a summary of Costain's progress in key market sectors: Transport The transport sector received considerable attention in 2000 not least for the Government's announcement of its integrated transport policy to be underwritten by £180 billion worth of public and private investment over 10 years. The money is intended for rail schemes, some 360 miles of motorway and trunk road widening, 100 bypasses and up to 25 light rail/tram schemes. It is aimed at raising the use of rail services by 50 per cent and reducing road congestion by 10 per cent. This would appear to be encouraging news for Costain as the Company is in a strong position to capitalise on these opportunities especially in the roads market where we have maintained a leading position for some time. Our strength in this sector was underlined with the award of the £56 million contract to complete the dualling of the A43 between Towcester and the M40 junction 10. The contract incorporates three schemes on the A43 included in the Government's Targeted Programme of Improvements. The contract is in joint venture with Skanska. Another major transport contract recently awarded to the Company was the redevelopment of Kings Cross Underground Station which Costain won in joint venture with Taylor Woodrow. Kings Cross St Pancras is one of the London Underground's busiest stations. During the morning peak 55,000 people pass through the station. This number is set to rise to 82,000 by 2007 when St Pancras Station is expanded and redeveloped for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. Our contract involves the construction of two new ticket halls and the enlargement and upgrading of the existing ticket hall. The King's Cross project will take six years to complete. We have now further strengthened our position in the rail sector by winning, in partnership with Bachy and Skanska, the £120 million contract for package 240, Stratford East to Barrington Road, on section 2 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. Completion on the M5 Avonmouth Bridge Strengthening Project has been achieved and I would like to underline that this project was extremely challenging and is testament to the skills of our civil engineering staff. The work was often carried out in difficult and confined areas which tested the commitment of those involved to the full. The A2/M2 road contract in Kent - in joint venture with Mowlem and Skanska - involves many challenges including a major bridge over the River Medway. Our civil engineering and ecological skills have won the day so far but there is much to accomplish before we can say the project has reached a 'successful completion'. COSTAIN GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 December 2000 OPERATING REVIEW (cont'd) Through our regional business, we continue to take a significant role in planned major maintenance of the trunk road and local road networks. In the year we have undertaken major maintenance schemes totalling £25 million on continuous seven day working conditions on the M27, M3, A3, A34, M4, M1 and A27 together with local major road improvements on A30 and A40. Marine Costain in joint venture with Norwest Holst was awarded the contract for the Hungerford footbridge in July 1999. Work then began on the project but it ran into difficulties. Now, after much discussion and revisions to design, a new contract has been awarded to Costain-Norwest Holst, which will be valued at approximately £40 million in comparison to the original £21 million contract. Work has now been completed on the design and construction of the Freeport Container Port's Phase II terminal in the Bahamas. This project was further evidence of the successful partnership between Costain and the client Hutchison Port Holdings Group, a combination which has produced a series of quality projects over the years. Costain Marine operations, in joint venture with Balfour Beatty, in the year completed the Cardiff Bay Barrage, one of the UK's most significant civil engineering projects, and the £21 million Portsmouth Victory Jetties to provide new berthing facilities for the Royal Navy Type 46 Frigates and the latest aircraft carriers. The new river pier at the Tower of London and a major riverside approach walkway to the Tate Modern and Globe Theatre were also completed, adding value to London's Heritage Waterfront. Water Our success in the water sector was further underlined with the award of the £ 65 million project with Yorkshire Water for the five-year framework covering the provision, maintenance and refurbishment of all Yorkshire Water Service's East Yorkshire assets up to an individual value of £2 million. Costain and design consulting partner Haswell Consulting Engineers are responsible for all stages of the work - from feasibility and detailed design to construction, commissioning and handover. This contract compliments our alliancing agreement with Thames Water where Costain is one of three major contractors involved in much of that company's process capital works on its water and wastewater treatment sites over a five-year period which has an anticipated outturn value of £140 million. COSTAIN GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 December 2000 OPERATING REVIEW (cont'd) Thames Water has also recently awarded Costain an £18 million contract for a series of projects in Twickenham, Middlesex. The contract will last four years and work includes two new pumping stations and a new junction on the A4 at Colnbrook. As in our AMP3 Alliance Agreement, Costain is working alongside Binnie Black and Veatch as our design partner. The Company is currently in the final prequalification stages for long term AMP 3 water work for Wessex Water, Utilities (North West), Southern and the Isle of Man Water. In the year we successfully turned the key on the new Afan Baglan WWTW for Welsh Water (overall value £32 million) and we continue to undertake specialist process work for this authority to complete the Neath Estuary Environmental Improvements. Retail Costain is particularly proud to report that our work for the prestigious clients Tesco and Waitrose continues with several projects being awarded during the year. We have also embarked on a number of contracts for new clients such as the £21 million contract to expand and renovate approximately 20,000 m2 of retail space at the Lower Shopping precinct in Coventry. Recently we have been awarded The Rotunda project in Kingston, Surrey which involves the demolition of part of a major retail storage facility and construction of a five storey retail/leisure complex and assorted external works. Also included are major alterations and extension to form a multi screen cinema. The contract is valued at £19.6 million and the client is Clearwater Estates (Kingston) Ltd. Work is nearing completion on the £70 million design and construct contract at Uxbridge to produce a shopping centre plus multi-screen cinema and multi-storey car park. Hotels In Manchester, we have been awarded a contract (approximate value £11 million) for the conversion of the existing Princess Court building into a four star hotel for the client BPC Hotels Ltd. This involves retaining the facade and demolishing the existing sheeted structure down to the existing fourth floor level. Commercial We had a significant amount of success in the commercial sector. Costain won a £20 million design and construct contract in London's Mayfair after proposing an alternative steel frame design with a fast 76-week construction period. Awarded by developer Burford, the nine storey building will be completed to ' category A' finish and will provide 6,500 m2 of net lettable space. COSTAIN GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 December 2000 OPERATING REVIEW (cont'd) In Cardiff, MEPC awarded Costain an £18 million contract to design and construct a five-storey 170,000 square foot office development as well as three level car parking for 150 spaces. The project is part of the redevelopment of Cardiff City Centre. In the North-West, Costain has followed successful work for Peel Holdings at Liverpool Airport with the award for the construction (contract value £8 million) of a 100,000 square foot office block for the same client in Manchester. At Marlow, Bucks we are constructing a new office block for The SAS Institute (contract value £14.6 million). International The Company has successfully continued its policy to reduce its overall presence overseas and concentrate on major opportunities on a project by project basis. In line with the Group's strategy of disposing of non-core businesses, Costain sold the overseas division of its geotechnical services to Fugro of Holland and overheads have been reduced significantly in the Middle East. In Africa, the joint ventures with our shareholder Kharafi in Botswana and Tanzania have progressed well throughout the year. In Zimbabwe the difficulties affecting that country have impacted on the progress of all our projects but the signs are promising for the continuation of the Joina Centre project and for a phased opening to be implemented. The Pyramids Heights development in Giza, Egypt has progressed and key clients are expected to occupy the premises in 2001/2002. The hotel projects at Hurghada, Egypt have also made significant progress. In Hong Kong, the Tsuen Wan Reclamation Project for the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (West Rail) was successfully completed in 2000. This was a technically difficult project and the performance of the Costain-China Harbour JV was acclaimed by the client. Work continues satisfactorily on the £57 million rail depot building, again for the KCRC, by the Costain-China Harbour JV. Costain will continue to assist China Harbour by providing management and technical skills. PFI Financial close on the £76 million Kings College Hospital project in London was achieved in time for the construction phase of this state-of-the-art building to start at the beginning of February 2000. Progress on site by Costain-Skanska has been very satisfactory, the facility is on target to be operational by December 2002. The design, build, funding and operation are controlled by the Hospital Partnership Consortium (Costain, Skanska, Sodexho and Edison Capital). COSTAIN GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 December 2000 OPERATING REVIEW (cont'd) The Pimlico School project where we were preferred bidders in a consortium with Kier and Tilbury Douglas has been subject to political uncertainty and is now unlikely to proceed. We have been equity holders at Bridgend Prison for four years now. The project is performing well and relationships with other members of our consortium are good. No financial closures were forecast for 2000. However, progress is being made through the bid process on a number of selected projects and we are confident that this will be a growth area for Costain. Costain Oil, Gas & Process (COGAP) COGAP continued its marketing focus on high technology gas processing projects throughout 2000, securing an order intake of over £48 million in this sector. Highlights included two new compressor stations for Transco (in Cambridge and Nether Kellett), engineering design contracts for Shell (in Scotland) and Lasmo (in Pakistan), and two liquid gas polishing plants for NPC in Iran. Project development contracts with Rolls Royce Power Ventures and BP Amoco were also secured to develop gas processing and CHP plants in Poland and Egypt respectively. Construction work on the first gas compression station for Transco (at Churchover) was completed. In Abu Dhabi the shutdown maintenance work on the third LNG train was completed safely and ahead of schedule, culminating in ADGAS extending the existing contract and awarding COGAP the 2001 and 2002 shutdowns. Construction work on the gas plant upgrade for British Gas International in Tunisia progressed steadily throughout the year with start-up on schedule for Spring 2001. COGAP maintained a particularly high standard in construction safety throughout the year, winning a number of ROSPA Gold Medals and awards for safety performance for specific projects and divisional performance in general. ISO accreditation for the ISO14001 Environmental Standard has been progressively worked towards throughout the year and this is forecast to be achieved early in 2001. COSTAIN GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 December 2000 OPERATING REVIEW (cont'd) Property Last year we reported that the Group remained committed to disposing of its 50% interest in the residential and leisure development company in Spain called Alcaidesa Holding. Since that time we have seen significant improvement in the Spanish property market and believe that it is now in the shareholders' best interests for the Company to retain its shareholding in Alcaidesa Holding and continue to develop the project over the next few years. Significant sales of land to other developers, together with sales of the company's own residential house promotions have been achieved during the year. Safety Our industry is currently trying to address many challenges with regard to safety. At Costain we have already implemented a number of changes and have recorded improvements. We have achieved a 25 per cent reduction on the accident frequency rate for 1999. The Group must achieve further reductions. The involvement in safety audits by directors and senior management coupled with the increased emphasis on safety training have brought further benefits all of which contribute towards our aim of continuous improvements in our safety performance. Although we can never afford complacency with regard to safety, it was pleasing that the Company was awarded the Supreme Winner award for Safety Training 2000 by the Construction Health & Safety Group, which was evidence that we had made progress in this vital area. Partners For Progress Partners for Progress operates as an umbrella body for all the business improvement initiatives throughout the Costain Group and serves as the internal and external Corporate Identity for such initiatives. The most notable success in 2000 was in November when Costain Limited became one of the first building and civil engineering contractors, on a national scale, to become accredited to the Design Build Foundation's (DBF) Registration Scheme. The registration was the culmination of several months of assessment and audit involving past and current design and build projects. COSTAIN GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 December 2000 OPERATING REVIEW (cont'd) Conclusion The year 2000 has been one of achievement and change for Costain and, unfortunately, in some areas, disappointment. We still have much work to do. Our operations need to raise the levels of service to clients and we must continue to improve our management of risk. However, our order book is strong, we have a significant list of established clients and a committed workforce. No one can doubt both the strength of the Costain brand and our leadership status in several sectors. Progress has been achieved and confidence is good within the Company. JOHN ARMITT Chief Executive 30 March 2001 COSTAIN GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 December 2000 Consolidated Profit and Loss Account Year ended 31 December 2000 1999 (restated) Notes Continuing Continuing £m £m Turnover 1 Group undertakings and Group 386.3 378.1 share of joint ventures Less: Group share of joint (5.1) (5.0) ventures turnover Group turnover 381.2 373.1 Cost of sales (368.2) (353.7) Gross profit 13.0 19.4 Administration expenses (15.8) (17.3) Operating (loss)/profit from (2.8) 1 2.1 Group undertakings Share of joint ventures operating 1.3 (0.9) results Operating (loss)/profit - Group and share of joint ventures (1.5) 1.2 Profit on sale of fixed assets 1.9 1.2 Profit on ordinary activities 0.4 2.4 before interest Net interest receivable/(payable) and similar income/(charges) Group undertakings 2.2 1.2 Joint ventures (0.3) (0.4) Other finance income - Group undertakings 4.2 3.2 Profit on ordinary activities 6.5 6.4 before taxation Taxation (1.4) (1.5) Profit on ordinary activities 5.1 4.9 after taxation Equity minority interests - - Profit for the financial year 5.1 4.9 Earnings per share - basic and 2 1.5p 1.5p diluted During the year and the previous year no businesses were acquired and therefore all continuing results arise from existing operations. COSTAIN GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 December 2000 Consolidated Cash Flow Statement Year ended 31 December 2000 1999 Notes £m £m £m £m Net cash inflow/(outflow) from 4 9.0 (6.0) operating activities Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 3.1 2.2 Interest paid (0.9) (1.0) Net cash inflow from returns on 2.2 1.2 investments and servicing of finance Taxation Overseas tax paid (0.6) (0.8) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchases of tangible fixed (0.4) (1.2) assets Sales of tangible fixed assets 3.5 2.1 Funding of investments (1.4) (0.1) Loans to joint ventures (0.7) (1.6) Net cash inflow/(outflow) from capital expenditure 1.0 (0.8) and financial investment Net cash inflow/(outflow) 11.6 (6.4) before financing Financing Loans drawn down - - Loan repayments (3.1) (2.8) Net cash outflow from financing (3.1) (2.8) Increase/(decrease) in cash in 8.5 (9.2) the year COSTAIN GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 December 2000 Reconciliation of Net Cash Flow to Movement in Net Cash 2000 1999 £m £m Increase/(decrease) in cash in the year 8.5 (9.2) Cash outflow from reduction in loan financing 3.1 2.8 11.6 (6.4) Currency realignment 0.8 (0.2) Movement in net cash 12.4 (6.6) Net cash at 1 January 30.3 36.9 Net cash at 31 December 42.7 30.3 COSTAIN GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 December 2000 Consolidated Balance Sheet As at 31 December Notes 2000 1999 (restated) £m £m Fixed assets Tangible assets 4.2 6.3 Investments 1.1 1.5 Investments in joint ventures Share of gross assets 45.4 12.3 Share of gross liabilities (39.0) (9.7) 11.7 10.4 Current assets Stocks 1.6 1.5 Debtors 96.2 107.6 Cash at bank, monies on deposit and in 51.7 38.0 hand 149.5 147.1 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Bank loans and overdrafts (9.0) (7.7) Other creditors (143.0) (147.2) (152.0) (154.9) Net current assets/(liabilities) Due within one year (7.1) (11.5) Due after one year 4.6 3.7 (2.5) (7.8) Total assets less current liabilities 9.2 2.6 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Other creditors (0.5) (0.5) Provisions for liabilities and charges (17.5) (12.7) Net liabilities excluding pension asset (8.8) (10.6) Pension asset 34.6 39.7 Net assets including pension asset 25.8 29.1 Share capital and reserves Called up ordinary share capital 33.7 33.7 Share premium account 119.3 119.3 Profit and loss account (127.6) (124.3) Equity shareholders' funds 3 25.4 28.7 Equity minority interests 0.4 0.4 25.8 29.1 COSTAIN GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 December 2000 Notes to the Accounts 1 Business and geographical segment information Business segment information In the opinion of the directors the administering of the engineering and construction projects is the only material class of business. Geographical Turnover Profit/(loss) Net assets/ segment (liabilities) information by origin 2000 1999 2000 1999 2000 1999 £m £m £m £m £m £m Continuing operations Group undertakings United 327.1 310.1 (5.1) 2.1 (31.2) (26.6) Kingdom Rest of the 54.1 63.0 2.3 - 7.9 22.8 world Turnover, operating profit/ 381.2 373.1 (2.8) 2.1 (23.3) (3.8) (loss) and net liabilities of Group undertakings Joint ventures United - - - - 2.3 2.3 Kingdom Rest of the 5.1 5.0 1.3 (0.9) 4.1 0.3 world 386.3 378.1 (1.5) 1.2 (16.9) (1.2) Profit on sale of fixed assets United - 1.2 Kingdom Rest of the 1.9 - world Net interest receivable and similar 1.9 0.8 income Other 4.2 3.2 finance income Net cash 42.7 30.3 Profit on ordinary activities 6.5 6.4 25.8 29.1 before taxation and net assets Turnover by destination is not materially different to turnover by origin. 2 Earnings per share The calculation of earnings per share is based on earnings of £5.1m (1999: £4.9m) and 337,136,350 ordinary shares (1999: 337,136,350) being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year. Diluted earnings per share are the same as basic earnings per share. COSTAIN GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 December 2000 Notes to the Accounts (cont'd) 3 Reconciliations of movements in shareholders' funds 2000 1999 £m (restated) £m Profit for the financial year 5.1 4.9 Other recognised (losses)/gains in the year (8.4) 22.1 Net (reduction)/increase in shareholders' (3.3) 27.0 funds Opening shareholders' funds as previously 19.1 18.5 stated Prior year adjustment 9.6 (16.8) Opening shareholders' funds as restated 28.7 1.7 Closing shareholders' funds 25.4 28.7 4 Notes to the cash flow statement Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities 2000 1999 £m (restated) £m Operating profit (1.5) 1.2 Depreciation 0.9 1.4 Amounts written back on investments (0.7) - Joint ventures (1.3) 0.9 (Increase)/decrease in stocks (0.1) 0.2 Decrease in debtors 10.7 13.7 Decrease in creditors (3.6) (22.9) Increase/(decrease) in provisions 4.6 (0.5) Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities 9.0 (6.0) The Group has implemented FRS17 'Retirement Benefits' and has restated 1999 results accordingly. The accounts and notes set out above do not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the years ended 31 December 2000 or 1999 but are derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for 1999 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for 2000 will be delivered in due course. The auditors have reported on these accounts; their reports were unqualified and did not contain a statement under section 237 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985.

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