Final Results-Replacement

Gooch & Housego PLC 19 December 2001 The issuer advises that the following replaces the Final Results announcement released today at 07:00 under RNS number 9165O. The dividend date should have read '4th January 2002' and not '2nd January 2002' as previously stated. All other details remain unchanged, the full amended text appears below. 19 December 2001 GOOCH & HOUSEGO PLC PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2001 Gooch & Housego PLC, the specialist manufacturer of precision optical components and bespoke glass engineering items, acousto-optic devices and instruments for measuring optical radiation, today announces preliminary results for the year ended 30 September 2001. Highlights Fourth consecutive year of growth in profits, earnings and dividends * Excellent twelve month performance * Appointment of Ian Davidson as CEO of the Group, with effect from January 2002 * Pre tax profits increased by 57% to £4.1million * Increase in earnings per share, before goodwill amortisation, of 42% to 15.3p * Recommended increase in final dividend making a total of 2.8p for the year * Successful integration of NEOS Technologies Inc. following its acquisition Archie Gooch, Chairman of Gooch & Housego, commented, ' We are paying close attention to world events and the impact on each of our key markets. There will be ups and downs for each individual company, but through working closely together, we have confidence that the group will continue to perform satisfactorily and that we will build long-term value for our shareholders.' For further information: Archie Gooch / Ian Bayer 01460 52271 Gooch & Housego PLC Tim Thompson 020 7466 5000 Buchanan Communications GOOCH & HOUSEGO PLC CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Year ended 30 September 2001 It gives me great pleasure to report on another record year, our fourth consecutive since flotation in which profits, earnings and dividends have all risen strongly. These results include the profits of NEOS Technologies Inc (NEOS) for the first time, since it's acquisition in September 2000, and I am pleased to report that they have contributed revenues and profits in excess of our initial expectations. I am also delighted, that after an extensive search, I am able to announce the appointment of Ian Davidson as CEO of the group. Ian comes with a wealth of experience in the optics market, having worked for OCLI Optical Coatings. He joins at the beginning of January and I look forward to working with him in the next stage of the group's development. I share the frustration of many of the group's valued shareholders at the large fluctuations in the company's share price as it is difficult to explain or understand the movement during the year under review. At 30th September last year the price stood at 279p from which it dropped to a low of 90p in September 2001, while the business achieved another year of record growth. A recent analyst note on the company, written on 19th September 2001 when the share price was 112p, has drawn attention to the fact and I quote 'Gooch & Housego's share price has been dragged back by an unjust association with TMTs. Gooch & Housego is a leading-edge technology company with strong EPS growth and a 2001 forecast ROCE of more than 34%' I am pleased that at the time of writing this statement the share price has recovered to a position close to the analysts 12 month target price of 172p. Financial results In the year to 30 September 2001 turnover increased by 53.1% to £ 19.1m (2000 : £12.5m) through both organic growth and the benefit of the NEOS acquisition. Underlying operating profit, before goodwill amortisation, rose by 54.4% to £4.6m (2000: £3.0m). The reported pre tax profit for the year increased by 56.7% to £4.1m (2000 : £2.6m) and is arrived at after charging £301,000 (2000 : £172,000) of goodwill amortisation on previous acquisitions.Earnings per share for the year improved by 38.8% to 13.6p (2000 : 9.8p). Dividends Following these excellent results, your Board is proposing to increase the final dividend to 1.9p per Ordinary Share (2000 : 1.55p) which, together with the interim paid, totals 2.8p (2000 : 2.3p). This represents an increase of 22% on last year. Subject to approval at the Annual General Meeting the final dividend will be payable on 15th February 2002 to all shareholders on the register on 4th January 2002. Operating Performance United Kingdom In the UK sales for Gooch & Housego (G&H) were £7.3m (2000 : £5.8m) an increase of 24.9%. Operating profits improved by £0.6m to £2.3m. Following the global cutback in the hi-tech industry the second half of the year under review has seen a reduction in new order intake, however our strong order book at the mid year has enabled us to continue trading at satisfactory levels. The order book is now at a workable level, which has allowed delivery times to be reduced to the satisfaction of our customers. The situation is being closely monitored and we are well placed to make an immediate response to new circumstances should it be required. We are currently negotiating for three new projects of considerable value, non-disclosure agreements have been signed for all of them, and for two we have been asked to manufacture prototypes. One is a repeat of a proximity switch, first manufactured in 1995, and worth in excess of £1 million over a three-year period demonstrating the loyalty of our customer base. We continue to invest in new capital equipment and will be taking delivery of a $500,000 machine at the end of this calendar year, which will adjust optical components when manufacturing to a very high degree of accuracy that few other optical companies can achieve. This exciting machine will be the first one to be operated in the UK. Following my previous comments concerning our new factory, we continue to negotiate for the purchase of a suitable site in the Ilminster area. The present market conditions in the construction industry are in our favour and we expect to be able to take advantage of current lower costs. The new facility will provide the company with the opportunity to improve efficiencies and also additional production space for future expansion. Recent European and UK tours by our sales staff have confirmed our optimism for the next period. In particular orders have been placed for significant quantities of acousto-optic q-switches. In addition our four operating companies go to a major international trade fair in San Jose in January to exhibit our products. David Irish and myself have organised visits to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to discuss their considerable possible future requirements in the small optics field. We shall also see a key waveplate customer to discuss further requirements as well as visiting our American subsidiaries. United States Cleveland Crystals (CCI) has reported sales of £3.7m (2000 : £4.1m) and operating profits lower at £0.5m (2000 : £1.1m). The general economic conditions and product cycles in key markets were the cause of lower sales in the core business for the 2001 financial year. Aggressive marketing strategies have helped to reduce these effects and orders from new OEM customers have already been secured. Sales of components to defence related product manufacturers also show potential growth in the coming fiscal year. Additionally, several new products are scheduled for introduction in 2002. Completion of the National Ignition Facility (NIF) fabrication and finishing facility located at the factory in Cleveland demonstrates the commitment of LLNL to CCI. Production contracts for fusion laser materials are scheduled in the new facility in the second quarter of 2002 with shipment volume ramping up over a 15 month period. The demand for these products can be realistically projected to continue into fiscal 2007 as CCI continues to leverage its position as a world leader in this market. Optronic Laboratories Inc (OLI) continues to disappoint with sales similar to last year at £3.0m (2000 : £2.9m) but with operating profits down at £29,000 (2000 : £133,000). Following an encouraging start to the year second half sales were 27% lower resulting in an operating loss for that period. This was due to the weakening markets that OLI serves in the US. The new lower-priced high speed spectroradiometer continues to draw increased attention and the first orders will be ready for shipment early in quarter one. Based on requests from Japan an ultra-violet version of this Light Emitting Diode test equipment is now under development. The optics facility continues to expand and we look forward to an increasing level of profit contribution from this division. An increase in the levels of quotations leading to new orders is currently being experienced as a gradual recovery by our customers appears to be underway. NEOS is included in these Group results for the first time since it's acquisition in September 2000. It has achieved the best results in its eighteen year history with sales of £5.5m and operating profits of £1.8m. Sales of q-switches were particularly strong as, together with G&H, we dominate the worldwide market for this product. As I stated in my interim report the operations of NEOS have been subject to a full review and where appropriate have been consolidated into other Group activities. As an example all RF Driver manufacture for the Group is now at NEOS and an increasing part of NEOS' optical components are produced by OLI. As agreed at the time of the acquisition, Eddie Young has retired as President and I, and the Board, are particularly grateful to him for his valuable assistance during this first year as part of the group. He has agreed to act in an advisory capacity and will attend future NEOS management meetings. Bob Belfatto, who has been Eddie's partner since the start of the business, has been appointed President in his place. In addition Andrew Virgin has been appointed to the Board of NEOS as the Group's representative. Financial Position The Group's financial position remains strong. Net total gearing at the year end stood at 15% (2000 : 31%) and interest was covered 16.8 times (2000 : 12.5 times) Through prudent management of our resources our balance sheet remains in a strong position for future growth and development. Management and Staff I am pleased to announce a number of additions to the senior staff of the Group in addition to Ian Davidson as the new CEO. Professor Chris Pannel will become Chief Scientist for the Group to assist and advise on technical issues and to ensure co-ordination of new product developments across all companies. Chris will be based at OLI in Orlando, Florida. Chris McLelland has joined OLI to assist in the diversification of their product line and I am also pleased to welcome Scott Clark as the new manager of the optics division. In June of this year I was delighted to have been nominated in an entrepreneur of the year competition sponsored by the Times, Vodaphone and Ernst & Young. The competition is to honour those individuals whose vision, determination and inspiration have built strong, innovative dynamic business ventures. I am pleased to inform you that I was presented with a certificate as a semi-finalist for the SouthWest and Wales region. These excellent results, which I am proud to present today, would not have been possible without the dedication, commitment and hard work of all the Group's employees both in the UK and the US. I am grateful to them and to my Board for their efforts on behalf of the Group. Prospects We are paying close attention to world events and the impact on each of our key markets. There will be ups and downs for each individual company, but through working closely together, we have confidence that the group will continue to perform satisfactorily and that we will build long-term value for our shareholders. Archie Gooch MBE JP Chairman and Chief Executive. 19 December 2001 Gooch & Housego PLC GROUP PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2001 2001 2000 £'000 £'000 Turnover 19,146 12,510 Trading expenditure (14,834) (9,695) Operating profit 4,312 2,815 Other interest receivable and similar income 76 33 Interest payable and similar charges (332) (259) Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 4,056 2,589 Tax on profit on ordinary activities (1,606) (926) 2,450 1,663 Profit on ordinary activities after taxation (504) (406) Dividends on equity shares Retained profit for the financial year 1,946 1,257 Basic earnings per share 13.6p 9.8p Earnings per share before goodwill amortisation 15.3p 10.8p All operations undertaken by the group during the current year are continuing. Gooch & Housego PLC STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2001 2001 2000 £'000 £'000 Profit for the financial year 2,450 1,663 Currency translation differences on foreign currency net investments 143 (11) Taxation on retranslation gains/losses on foreign currency loans hedged against foreign currency net investments 3 56 Total recognised gains and losses for the financial year 2,442 1,862 No note of historical cost profits for the group has been presented as the difference between the reported profit and the historical cost profit is immaterial. Gooch & Housego PLC GROUP BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2001 2001 2000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 FIXED ASSETS Intangible assets 5,463 5,629 Tangible assets 3,710 3,624 9,173 9,253 CURRENT ASSETS Stocks 3,759 3,225 Debtors 3,524 3,401 Cash at bank and in hand 2,481 1,930 9,764 8,556 CREDITORS : amounts falling due within (3,997) (3,808) one year NET CURRENT ASSETS 5,767 4,748 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 14,940 14,001 CREDITORS : amounts falling due after (2,978) (3,977) more than one year 11,962 10,024 CAPITAL AND RESERVES Called up share capital 3,600 3,600 Share premium account 3,404 3,404 Revaluation reserve 308 308 Profit and loss account 4,650 2,712 EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 11,962 10,024 Gooch & Housego PLC GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2001 Note 2001 2000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Cash flow from operating (i) 4,352 4,142 activities Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 76 38 Interest paid (327) (276) Interest element of hire purchase (5) (2) contracts Debt issue costs - (77) Net cash (outflow) from returns (317) on investments and servicing of finance (256) Taxation UK tax paid (434) (301) Overseas tax paid (1,092) (511) Cash outflow from taxation (1,526) (812) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (597) (404) Sale of tangible fixed assets 29 - Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and financial investment (568) (404) Acquisition Acquisition of subsidiary (266) (4,401) Cash acquired on acquisition - 388 Net cash outflow from acquisition (266) (4,013) Equity dividends paid (441) (347) Cash inflow / (outflow) before 1,295 (1,751) financing Financing New bank loans - 5,103 Repayment of bank loan (744) (3,984) Capital element of hire purchase (50) (13) contracts Issue of share capital - 2,628 Net cash (outflow) / inflow from (794) 3,734 financing Increase in cash in the year (iii) 501 1,983 Gooch & Housego PLC NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT (i) Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activity 2001 2000 £'000 £'000 Operating profit 4,312 2,815 Amortisation of goodwill 301 173 Amortisation of debt issue costs 15 10 Depreciation 496 434 (Increase) in stocks (508) (326) (Increase)/decrease in debtors (69) 262 (Decrease)/increase in creditors (195) 774 4,352 4,142 (ii) Reconciliation of net cash inflow to movement in net debt 2001 2000 £'000 £'000 Increase in cash in the year 501 1,983 Cash (inflow)/outflow from (increase)/decrease in debt and lease financing 794 (1,106) Changes in net debt resulting from cash flows 1295 877 New hire purchase contracts - (25) Movement in debt issue costs (15) 67 Translation difference 26 (404) Movement in net debt in the year 1,306 515 Net debt at 1 October 2000 (3,067) (3,582) Net debt at 30 September 2001 (1,761) (3,067) Gooch & Housego PLC NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2001 (iii) Analysis of net debt At 1 At 30 October Cash Exchange Non-cash September 2000 flow Movement movement 2001 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Cash in hand and at bank 1,930 501 50 - 2,481 Debt due after 1 year (3,942) - (14) 978 (2,978) Debt due within 1 year (977) 744 (10) (993) (1,236) Hire Purchase (78) 50 - - (28) 794 (3,067) 1,295 26 (15) (1,761) Gooch & Housego PLC NOTES TO THE PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2001 1. Basis of preparation The unaudited financial information contained in this preliminary announcement does not comprise statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The figures in this preliminary announcement have been prepared under generally accepted accounting policies in the United Kingdom. The accounting policies adopted are those set out in the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 September 2000 which includes the unqualified report of the auditors and which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. 2. Segmental Reporting The analysis of turnover by destination is as follows: 2001 2000 £'000 £ 000 United Kingdom 2,937 2,852 North America 10,827 6,567 Continental Europe 2,241 1,606 Other 3,141 1,485 19,146 12,510 The results by geographical origin are as follows: United Kingdom North America Group 2001 2000 2001 2000 2001 2000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Turnover - Continuing 7,288 5,821 12,250 7,040 19,538 12,861 Inter-segment sales (19) - (373) (351) (392) (351) Sales to third parties 7,269 5,821 11,877 6,689 19,146 12,510 Operating Profit - Continuing 2,263 1,677 2,049 1,138 4,312 2,815 Segment profit before Interest and taxation 2,263 1,677 2,049 1,138 4,312 2,815 Net interest (256) (226) Group profit before taxation 4,056 2,589 3. Taxation The charge for taxation on the profit for the year is made up as follows: 2001 2000 £' 000 £' 000 Current year UK Corporation tax 609 425 Overseas taxation 997 501 1,606 926 4. Earnings per share The calculation of earnings per 20p Ordinary Share is based on the profit on ordinary activities after taxation using as a divisor the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue during the year. For 2001 the actual number of Ordinary Shares in issue throughout the year was 17,999,162 (2000 : 16,934,080) A reconciliation of the earnings used in the calculations is set out below: 2001 2000 £'000 p per £'000 p per share share Basic earnings per share 2,450 13.6 1,663 9.8 Goodwill amortisation 301 1.7 172 1.0 Earnings per share before goodwill 2,751 15.3 1,835 10.8 amortisation Earnings per share before goodwill amortisation has been shown because, in the opinion of the directors, it reflects the underlying performance of the group. 5. The final dividend will be paid on 15th February 2002 to shareholders on the register at close of business on 4th January 2002. 6. Copies of the Report and Accounts will be despatched to shareholders during the week commencing 14th January 2002 and will also be available from the Company Secretary, Gooch & Housego PLC, The Old Magistrates Court, Ilminster, Somerset. TA19 0AB.
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