Final Results

Feedback PLC 17 July 2002 Feedback plc Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 March 2002 Chairman's Statement I reported at the interim stage that the Group's trading had been adversely affected by market conditions prevailing following the events of 11 September 2001. At that time, I indicated that whilst prospects and quotation levels remained positive, the timing of the potential business was even more difficult to predict than it had been in the past. In the event, the Group made a loss for the year of £593,000 of which £516,000 had been incurred by September 2001. In arriving at this figure, £66,200 of exceptional redundancy costs have been charged in the second half year. Group turnover of £8,762,000 was some 6% lower than the previous year with exports accounting for 55% of shipments compared with over 60% in the previous year. This was due almost entirely to lower levels of export business at Feedback Instruments Limited. On a more positive note, the Group announced at the end of January that it had taken full ownership of TekniCAL Limited. As a wholly owned subsidiary of the Group, it allows for more effective strategic and operational management of the Company than was possible under the previous joint venture partnership. It has already resulted in a more coherent software development strategy to the benefit of the Group. I have previously described TekniCAL as both a major opportunity and challenge for the Group and, whilst it made losses during the year under review, the investment in both development and marketing carried out places TekniCAL in a strong position in the e-learning market, which is set to develop rapidly over the next few years. Feedback Instruments Limited Feedback Instruments experienced what can only be described as a very frustrating year. In a year when the level of potential export business was considered to be extremely high, the effects of 11 September were felt throughout the Company's major export markets. As a result the Company experienced delays in closing major project business which led to a significant shortfall in anticipated shipments in the second half year. I would emphasise, however, that this business was generally deferred not lost and many of the projects are still active. The improvement in UK business seen in the previous year continued into the year under review, reflecting the additional marketing and sales investment made in the important domestic market. The Company continued to invest in product development, both hardware and software. Integration of the Company's Discovery software with the TekniCAL Virtual Campus system was completed allowing greater flexibility for its products using on-line delivery methods. This important step allows managed learning on laboratory hardware equipment at every level of integration, from stand-alone computers through local area networks to Intranet and Internet systems. This places the Company in a unique position in the delivery of technical education with indications from the market that the Company has the right products and is well placed to exploit this position in the years to come. TekniCAL Limited In the year under review, there was a significant improvement in business in the final quarter. This followed the release in the Autumn of Government funding to the UK Further Education Sector for the purchase of virtual learning systems. The Company continued to invest in both the development of its e-learning product range and strategic partnerships. In addition to the further education and university sectors, the Company now supplies products to the schools market and the corporate and public sector. Through partnerships with a number of prestigious organisations the Company has opened up these additional routes to market. The market for e-learning continues to evolve with both local and national government placing increased emphasis on larger regional broadband provision for delivery of services across the Internet. The Company, through its strategic partnerships, is well placed to take advantage of the opportunities available. Feedback Incorporated This Company had another very encouraging year despite the downturn in the American economy and delays caused by the tragic events during September. Turnover was broadly in line with the previous year although, due primarily to the product mix of sales, profits were reduced. The Company did, however, carry forward a significant order book to the current financial year. Efforts made over the last two years to reorganise the Company's representatives network, which complement the direct sales force, are proving successful. This allows greater penetration of the market over a wider geographical area than previously and this, together with refocusing the sales activity on core products from other Group companies, continues to be a successful strategy. Progress was made in introducing the product range to the Industrial Training market and products recently released from both Feedback Instruments and TekniCAL will enhance the Company's position. Feedback Data Limited The Company operated profitably in the year under review, although turnover was lower than in the previous year. This reflected the slow down in the UK manufacturing sector. The German subsidiary, operating on a reduced cost base following last years management restructuring, operated profitably and continues to handle all European business, excluding the UK market. The Company continued to develop new hardware and software products in the broad data capture market to create direct sales opportunities outside of its traditional data capture terminal market where products are typically sold through the Company's Value Added Reseller channel. The range of Access Control equipment has been further enhanced and the Staff Scheduling and Rostering System launched in the year has attracted business from the service sector, leisure industry and care homes. I mentioned at the Interim stage that the Company had launched a low cost innovative product designed to record temperatures in fridges, freezers and chiller cabinets. This product has been well received in the food and catering industry and is being sold and promoted in a wide range of applications. The Company continues with its strategy of developing data capture related products intended to broaden both its product range and market sectors outside the traditional core data capture terminal market. This strategy will be satisfied by a mixture of internally developed products and complementary third party solutions which should lead to higher average sales values and a broader appeal within the market. Current Trading and Future Prospects Our experience since the year end is that the situation existing towards the end of last year is still prevailing. There is great interest in our products and substantial business is anticipated, but there is a degree of sluggishness in the actual placing of orders by customers. The Directors believe that because of the technical excellence and forward looking relevance of our products, we are well placed in the market and are optimistic for the Group's prospects. Dividend Your Board is not recommending that a dividend be paid on the ordinary shares. General In a year when it has been necessary to reduce costs and implement a redundancy programme, I would like to thank all Staff for their efforts on behalf of the Group. D.H. Harding Chairman 17 July 2002 Consolidated Profit and Loss Account Year ended 31 March 2002 Continuing Acquisition Total Total Operations 2002 2002 2002 2001 £000 £000 £000 £000 Turnover: Group and share of joint venture 8,709.4 198.8 8,908.2 9,543.9 Less: Share of joint venture's turnover ( 146.2 ) - ( 146.2 ) ( 223.2 ) Group Turnover 8,563.2 198.8 8,762.0 9,320.7 Cost of Sales ( 4,751.6 ) ( 20.0 ) ( 4,771.6 ) ( 5,320.5) Gross profit 3,811.6 178.8 3,990.4 4,000.2 Other operating expenses ( 4,144.8 ) ( 153.1 ) ( 4,297.9 ) ( 3,612.4) Operating (loss)/profit ( 333.2 ) 25.7 ( 307.5 ) 387.8 Share of operating (loss) of joint venture ( 301.9 ) - ( 301.9 ) ( 380.9 ) (Loss)/profit on ordinary activities before ( 635.1 ) 25.7 ( 609.4 ) 6.9 interest and tax Net interest receivable/(payable) 16.4 ( 6.8 ) (Loss)/profit on ordinary activities before ( 593.0 ) 0.1 taxation Tax on (loss)/profit on ordinary activities 5.2 192.1 (Loss)/profit on ordinary activities after ( 587.8 ) 192.2 taxation Dividends (non-equity) ( 97.7) ( 99.7 ) Retained (loss)/profit for group and its ( 685.5 ) 92.5 share of joint venture (Loss)/earnings per share (pence) Basic ( 5.7 ) 0.8 Diluted ( 5.7 ) 0.8 Consolidated Balance Sheet at 31 March 2002 2002 2001 £000 £000 £000 £000 Fixed assets Intangible assets 695.2 - Tangible assets 607.7 582.7 1,302.9 582.7 Current assets Stocks 1,810.3 1,958.6 Debtors 3,305.5 4,191.5 Cash at bank and in hand 365.3 628.6 5,481.1 6,778.7 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Borrowings ( 264.6 ) ( 85.1 ) Other creditors ( 2,319.7 ) ( 2,546.6 ) ( 2,584.3 ) ( 2,631.7 ) Net current assets 2,896.8 4,147.0 Total assets less current 4,199.7 4,729.7 liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Borrowings ( 338.6 ) ( 152.5 ) Provisions for liabilities and charges Share of gross assets - 110.3 Share of gross liabilities - - (344.1) (233.8) 3,861.1 4,343.4 CAPITAL AND RESERVES Called up share capital 2,055.2 2,057.7 Share premium account 24.8 24.8 Revaluation reserve 268.8 268.8 Capital reserve 299.9 299.9 Other reserve 342.5 340.0 Profit and loss account 869.9 1,352.2 Total reserves 1,805.9 2,285.7 Shareholders' funds 3,861.1 4343.4 Included within shareholders' funds is an amount of £777,447 ( 2001 - £770,814) in respect of non-equity interests. Consolidated Cash Flow Statement Year ended 31 March 2002 2002 2001 £000 £000 £000 £000 Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities ( 204.0 ) 72.3 Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 19.0 10.1 Interest paid ( 2.6 ) ( 16.9 ) Non equity dividends paid ( 86.6 ) ( 89.5 ) Net cash outflow from returns on investments and ( 70.2 ) ( 96.3 ) servicing of finance ( 274.2 ) ( 24.0 ) Corporation tax recovered 17.5 39.6 Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets ( 90.1 ) ( 152.7 ) Sales of tangible fixed assets 17.9 16.4 Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and ( 72.2 ) ( 136.3 ) financial investment Acquisitions and disposals Purchase of subsidiary undertaking ( 135.0 ) - Net overdraft acquired with subsidiary ( 165.0 ) - Net cash outflow from acquisitions and disposals ( 300.0 ) - Net cash outflow before management of liquid ( 628.9 ) ( 120.7 ) resources and financing Management of liquid resources Treasury deposit 450.0 550.0 Financing New bank loan advanced 250.0 - Repayments of bank and other loans ( 30.0 ) ( 30.0 ) Capital element of finance leases 17.8 ( 12.2 ) and rental payments Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing 237.8 ( 42.2 ) Increase in cash in the year 58.9 387.1 NOTES: 1. Earnings per share Basic earnings per share for the year ended 31 March 2002 is based on the Group loss on ordinary activities after taxation and preference dividends of £685,500 (2001 - profit £92,500) attributed to 11,902,989 Ordinary Shares, being the weighted average number of shares in issue throughout the year (2001 - 11,691,933). The diluted earnings per share, based on the same earnings numerator, is calculated allowing for both the full conversion of the Preference Shares and the full exercise of outstanding share options. However, in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 14, as neither of these conversions have a dilutive effect the earnings per share figure remains unaltered. 2. The financial information for the year ended 31 March 2001 is extracted from the Groups's financial statements to that date which received an unqualified auditors' report and have been filed with the registrar of companies. The financial information for the year ended 31 March 2002 is extracted from the Group's financial statements to that date which received an unqualified auditors' report and will be filed with the registrar of companies. 3. The Report and Accounts will be posted to shareholders in due course and the Annual General Meeting will be held at 11.00am on 30 August 2002. Enquires: Mr Roger Barnett Group Managing Director Feedback plc Tel: 01892 653322 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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