Half Yearly Report

RNS Number : 3470T
Halma PLC
19 November 2013
 



 

HALMA plc

 

HALF YEAR REPORT FOR THE 26 WEEKS TO 28 SEPTEMBER 2013

 

Record first half results and continued dividend growth

 

 

Halma, the leading safety, health and environmental technology group, today announces its half year results for the 26 weeks to 28 September 2013.

 

Highlights include:

 

 

 

Revenue from continuing operations up 12% to £333.1m (2012/13: £298.1m) and adjusted profit1 up 9% at £65.1m (2012/13: £59.7m2).

 

 

Organic growth3: revenue up 8%, profit up 5% (at constant currency up 6% and 2% respectively).

 

Widespread revenue growth:  Asia Pacific up 15%, including 32% in China, USA up 15%, UK up 9% and Europe up 8%. Organic growth in all regions.

 

Revenue growth in all four sectors, excluding prior year disposal.  Good profit growth in Process Safety, Infrastructure Safety and Medical. Environmental & Analysis reorganisation on track, to be completed in the second half.

 

 

Adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations4 up 7% to 12.99p (2012/13: 12.12p). Statutory earnings per share down 13% to 11.28p (2012/13: 12.93p2) as prior year benefited from significant gain on disposal.

 

Interim dividend of 4.35p per share, up 7% (2012/13: 4.06p).

 

Net debt of £110m (March 2013: £110m). Strong financial position underpinned by good operating cashflow.  Financial capacity for further organic growth and acquisitions. Acquisition pipeline remains healthy.

 

 

 

Andrew Williams, Chief Executive of Halma, commented:

 

"Halma made strong progress during the period, achieving record revenue and profit, while continuing to increase investment in Innovation, People Development and International Expansion.  Order intake since the period end has continued to be slightly ahead of revenue and in line with our expectations.  Halma remains on track to make further progress in the second half of the year." 

 

Notes:

 

1

Adjusted to remove the amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition transaction costs, movement on contingent consideration and profit on disposal of operations of £9.1m charge (2012/13: £1.4m credit).  See note 2 to the Condensed Financial Statements.

 

2

The Group adopted IAS 19 (revised) in 2013/14, which changed the accounting for defined benefit pension plans.  The prior period has been restated resulting in a £1.1m reduction in its adjusted profit1.  The consequent change to the prior period's adjusted earnings per share4 is shown in note 1 to the Condensed Financial Statements.

 

3

Organic growth rates are non-GAAP performance measures used by management to assess underlying performance.  See note 9 to the Condensed Financial Statements.

 

4

Adjusted to remove the amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition transaction costs, movement in contingent consideration, profit on disposal of operations and the associated tax.  See note 6 to the Condensed Financial Statements.

 

 

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Halma plc
Andrew Williams, Chief Executive
Kevin Thompson, Finance Director

 

+44 (0)1494 721111

MHP Communications
Rachel Hirst/Andrew Jaques

+44 (0)20 3128 8100

 

A copy of this announcement, together with other information about Halma, may be viewed on its website:  www.halma.com.

 

 

 

NOTE TO EDITORS

 

1.

Halma develops and markets products used worldwide to protect life and improve the quality of life.  The Group comprises four business sectors:

 

 


·      Process Safety

Products which protect assets and people at work.

 


·      Infrastructure Safety

Products which detect hazards to protect assets and people in public spaces and commercial buildings.

 


·      Medical

Products used to improve personal and public health.

 


·      Environmental & Analysis

Products and technologies for analysis in safety, life sciences and environmental markets.

 


The key characteristics of Halma's businesses are that they are based on specialist technology and application knowledge, offering strong growth potential.  Many Group businesses are market leaders in their specialist field.

 

2.

High resolution photos of Halma senior management, including Chief Executive Andrew Williams, and images illustrating Halma business activities can be downloaded from its website: www.halma.com.  Click on the 'News' link, then 'Image Library'.  Photo queries:  David Waller +44 (0)1494 721111, e-mail: dwaller@halmapr.com.

 

 

3.

You can view or download copies of this announcement and the latest Half Year and Annual Reports from the website at www.halma.com or request free printed copies by contacting halma@halma.com.

 

 

4.

This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements which have been made by the Directors in good faith using information available up until the date they approved the announcement. Forward-looking statements should be regarded with caution as by their nature such statements involve risk and uncertainties relating to events and circumstances that may occur in the future. Actual results may differ from those expressed in such statements, depending on the outcome of these uncertain future events.

 

 

 

 

 

HALMA plc

Half year results for the 26 weeks to 28 September 2013


Financial Highlights

 


 





Change

 


Unaudited
26 weeks to
28 September
2013

 

(Restated)7

Unaudited
26 weeks to
29 September
2012

Continuing Operations




Revenue

+ 12%

£333.1m

£298.1m

Adjusted Profit before Taxation1

+ 9%

£65.1m

£59.7m

Statutory Profit before Taxation2

- 8%

£55.9m

£61.1m





Adjusted Earnings per Share3

+ 7%

12.99p

12.12p

Statutory Earnings per Share2

- 13%

11.28p

12.93p

Interim Dividend per Share4

+ 7%

4.35p

4.06p





Return on Sales5


19.5%

20.0%

Return on Total Invested Capital6


15.6%

16.1%

Return on Capital Employed6


71.3%

71.0%

Net debt


£109.8m

£74.1m

 

 

 

Notes:

 

1

Adjusted to remove the amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition transaction costs, movement on contingent consideration and profit on disposal of operations of £9.1m charge (2012/13: £1.4m credit). See note 2 to the Condensed Financial Statements for details.

2

The decrease in statutory figures is primarily due to the prior period benefiting from a £8.2m gain on disposal of operations.  See notes 2, 6 and 11 to the Condensed Financial Statements for details.

3

Adjusted to remove the amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition transaction costs, movement on contingent consideration, profit on disposal of operations and the associated tax. See note 6 to the Condensed Financial Statements for details.

4

Interim dividend declared per share.


5

Return on Sales is defined as adjusted1 profit before taxation from continuing operations expressed as a percentage of revenue from continuing operations.

 

6

Organic growth rates, Return on Total Invested Capital and Return on Capital Employed are non-GAAP performance measures used by management in measuring the returns achieved from the Group's asset base. See note 9 to the Condensed Financial Statements for details.

7

The Group adopted IAS 19 (revised) in 2013/14, which changed the accounting for defined benefit pension plans.  The prior period has been restated resulting in a £1.1m reduction in its adjusted profit1.  The consequent change to the prior period's adjusted earnings per share3 is shown in note 1 to the Condensed Financial Statements.

 

 

 

Review of operations

 

Halma made strong progress during the period, achieving record revenue and profit while continuing to increase investment in Innovation, People Development and International Expansion.

 

Strong half year results
Revenue growth was encouraging. Total revenue increased by 12% to £333m (2012/13: £298m) with organic growth1 of 8% including a 2% positive benefit from currency movements. Excluding disposed companies, total revenue growth was 14%.

 

Adjusted1 profit before tax increased by 9% to £65.1m (2012/13: £59.7m) with organic growth of 5% including a 3% positive benefit from currency movements. Excluding disposed companies, profit growth was 11%. Statutory profit before tax was lower at £55.9m (2012/13: £61.1m), due to the £8m gain on the disposal in 2012/13 of our Asset Monitoring business, Tritech (see note 11 to the Condensed Financial Statements for details).

 

Return on Sales1 remained strong at 19.5% (2012/13: 20.0%) albeit marginally lower than the prior year mainly due to increasing strategic investment to support future growth. This included the Halma Innovation & Technology Exposition (HITE) 2013, the second-year roll out of the Halma Graduate Development Programme and expansion in Brazil and China.

 

As flagged in the 2013 Annual Report and Accounts, IAS 19 (revised) 'Employee Benefits' has been adopted amending the accounting for pensions, in particular, within the Consolidated Income Statement. We have restated the prior year figures to reflect this change. In broad terms, IAS 19 has reduced 2013/14 first half adjusted profit by £1.2m (2012/13 restatement: £1.1m reduction) when compared with the previous basis of accounting and the full year profit impact is expected to be a £2.4m reduction (2013 restatement: £2.1m reduction). Further details are given in note 1 to the Condensed Financial Statements.

 

Increasing Dividends
The Board declares a 7% increase in the interim dividend to 4.35 pence per share which will be paid on 5 February 2014 to shareholders on the register at 3 January 2014. This increase reflects the Board's ongoing confidence in Halma's long-term growth prospects.

 

Organic revenue growth in all regions
Revenue from Asia Pacific increased by 15% to £56m (2012/13: £49m) including 32% growth in China. Revenue from outside our traditional home markets in the USA, Mainland Europe and UK contributed 25.2% of the Group total (2012/13: 24.8%). However, growth within the USA, Mainland Europe and UK was also encouraging. In the USA, revenue grew by 15% to £108m (2012/13: £93m) whilst Mainland Europe and UK revenue was up by 8% and 9% respectively. Organic revenue growth at constant currency was 6% in the USA, 4% in Mainland Europe and 6% in the UK.

 

External revenue by destination


Half year 2013/14

Half year 2012/13




£m

% of total

£m

% of total

Change
 £m

%
growth

United States of America

107.6

32%

93.5

31%

14.1

15%

Mainland Europe

79.3

24%

73.3

25%

6.0

8%

United Kingdom

62.2

19%

57.2

19%

5.0

9%

Asia Pacific

56.0

17%

48.8

16%

7.2

15%

Other Countries

28.0

8%

25.3

9%

2.7

11%


333.1

100%

298.1

100%

35.0

12%

 

Organic revenue growth in all sectors
Process Safety revenue from continuing operations (excluding the prior year disposal) increased by 8% to £62m (2012/13: £57m) including 7% organic growth at constant currency. Profit from continuing operations (excluding the prior year disposal) improved 11% to £16.1m (2012/13: £14.5m). Strong growth in the USA, Asia Pacific and Near/Middle East more than compensated for lower growth in the UK and Mainland Europe. All major product lines made good progress with a particularly strong performance from our Bursting Disk explosion protection businesses. We are seeing good opportunities in the oil and gas markets as operators seek to improve the safety of their processes.

 

Infrastructure Safety revenue grew by 7% to £107m (2012/13: £101m) including 4% organic growth at constant currency. Profit improved by 10% to £20.6m (2012/13: £18.8m). Revenue was up in all geographic regions with the highest rates of growth in the USA and Mainland Europe. All major product lines contributed to growth supported by strengthening Health and Safety regulation and increasing Halma investment to diversify into new market niches both organically and through acquisition.

 

Our Medical sector achieved another strong performance boosted by recent acquisitions. Revenue increased by 36% to £81m (2012/13: £60m) including 11% organic growth at constant currency. Profit grew by 27% to £19.6m (2012/13: £15.4m). Profit growth was below revenue growth due to a combination of increased investment in international expansion and recent acquisitions having slightly lower net margins than the sector. Growth was delivered in all regions with the highest growth in the USA, Asia Pacific and Near/Middle East. Although there have been some macro-economic headwind factors in our largest market, the USA, the performance of our recent acquisitions has been good. Our Chinese based business Longer Pump, acquired in January 2013, is trading in line with expectations.

 

Environmental & Analysis revenue increased by 9% to £83m (2012/13: £75m) with organic growth at constant currency of 3%. Profit reduced by 3% to £15.0m (2012/13: £15.5m) predominantly due to the previously announced restructuring within our Photonics companies and the cost of addressing a supplier component quality issue within our Water Monitoring business. The Photonics reorganisation, which includes both consolidation in the USA and the creation of a new standalone company in China, is proceeding satisfactorily with completion now expected by the end of the financial year. Taking these adverse factors into account, the rate of revenue growth within the Environmental & Analysis sector during the first half has been encouraging, and we believe we will end the year well placed to resume profit growth.

 

External revenue by sector


Half year 2013/14

Half year 2012/13






£m

£m

Change 
 £m
 

%
growth

 % organic growth

% organic growth at constant currency

Process Safety

62.2

62.5

(0.3)

(1)%

+8%

+7%

Infrastructure Safety

107.3

100.5

+6.8 

+7%

+6%

+4%

Medical

81.1

59.7

+21.4 

+36%

+15%

+11%

Environmental & Analysis

82.5

75.4

+7.1 

+9%

+5%

+3%

Total Group

333.1

298.1

35.0 

+12%

+8%

+6%

 

Good cash generation
Our operating companies maintained good cash generation in line with the typical pattern we see in the first half of the year. Cash conversion (adjusted operating cash flow as a % of adjusted operating profit - see note 9 to the Condensed Financial Statements for details) was 86% (2012/13: 81%) which, together with investment, dividend and tax payments, resulted in net debt of £109.8m (2012/13: £74.1m) at the end of the period. We remain in a strong financial position and our objective is to keep headroom within our financial resources for investment, with moderate levels of gearing relative to the size of our business. We aim to operate with net debt of up to 1.25x EBITDA giving flexibility should suitable investment opportunities arise.

 

Healthy acquisition pipeline
Following the six acquisitions completed in 2012/13, the first half of 2013/14 was quieter with one small bolt-on deal completed.

 

In April 2013, we acquired Talentum Developments Limited for an initial consideration of £2.6m. Talentum, based in the UK, manufactures flame detectors and is being merged with our fire beam detector business, Fire Fighting Enterprises. This adds a new product line to our Fire business which forms part of the Infrastructure Safety sector.

 

Our search effort for new additions to the Group has been maintained and, as targeted, we are finding more opportunities in our Safety sectors and in Asia. Our pipeline is good in both quality and quantity, providing sufficient opportunities for further acquisitions to meet our medium-term growth objectives.

 

Investment for organic growth
Within our financial and business model, organic growth is the factor which determines our sustainable rate of shareholder return over the long term. Although from year to year the relative rates of revenue and profit growth might fluctuate, our goal is to increase profits by growing revenue while maintaining our already high rate of return. This requires a sustained investment in people, products and markets. Highlights of this investment during the half year included:

 

·      Investment in innovation grew across all four sectors with total R&D expenditure up by 10% to £16.4m (2012/13: £14.9m). HITE 2013, held in Orlando, was attended by over 250 subsidiary company employees and demonstrated clearly the increased technical, commercial and operational collaboration embedded within Halma's culture. Notable areas of significant technical collaboration included wireless technology and optical sensing.

·      Following a successful launch in October 2012, the second intake of nine graduates for the Halma Graduate Development Programme has joined us and commenced their two-year programme of six-month placements in Halma businesses across the world. Our first graduate intake has made a very positive impact on our organisation and they are starting to set their sights on potential permanent opportunities within our business starting in the second half of 2014.

·      The new Medical sector and Process Safety sector hubs in Brazil are operational while in China, subsidiaries are recruiting new engineers under the Halma China R&D subsidy programme launched in April 2013. Here, Halma supports the cost of companies employing additional engineers for two years to work on developing new products targeted specifically at local customers.

Risks and uncertainties
A number of potential risks and uncertainties exist which could have a material impact on the Group's performance over the second half of the financial year and could cause actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results. The Group has in place processes for identifying, evaluating and managing key risks. These risks, together with a description of the approach to mitigating them, are set out on pages 53 to 55 in the 2013 Annual Report and Accounts, which is available on the Group's website at www.halma.com. The principal risks and uncertainties relate to operational, strategic, legal, financial and economic issues. See note 14 to the Condensed Financial Statements for further details. The Directors do not consider that the principal risks and uncertainties have changed since the publication of the 2013 Annual Report and Accounts and that they remain relevant for the second half of the financial year. However macro-economic uncertainty and movements in foreign exchange rates remain a risk to financial performance.

 

Going concern
After conducting a review of the Group's financial resources, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Condensed Financial Statements.

 

Board changes
In April 2013, we welcomed Paul Walker to the Board and he assumed the role of Chairman following Geoff Unwin's retirement after the AGM in July 2013. Paul's induction has proceeded very well including his attendance at HITE 2013, Halma subsidiary site visits and supporting our People Development programmes.

 

Outlook
We operate in markets which offer us the opportunity to sustain growth and high returns providing we implement our strategy effectively. To do so requires us to maintain a balance between growth and investment and, as such, we have made good progress during the first half of the year. Order intake since the period end has continued to be slightly ahead of revenue and in line with our expectations. Halma remains on track to make further progress in the second half of the year.

 

 

 

Andrew Williams                Kevin Thompson
Chief Executive                    Finance Director

 

1 see Financial Highlights.

 

 

 

 

Half year results for the 26 weeks to 28 September 2013

 

Condensed Financial Statements

 

Consolidated Income Statement

 


Unaudited 26 weeks to 28 September 2013 


(Restated)**

Unaudited 26 weeks to 29 September 2012

(Restated)**
Audited
   
52 weeks to
   
30 March
   
 2013
   


Notes

Before 
adjustments*
£000
 

Adjustments*
(note 2)
£000
 

Total 
£000
 

Before 
adjustments*
£000
 

Adjustments*
(note 2)
£000
 

Total   
£000
   

Total   
£000
   

Continuing operations









Revenue

2

333,066 

- 

333,066 

298,078 

- 

298,078   

619,210   

Operating profit


67,586 

(8,941)

58,645 

62,165 

(6,771)

55,394   

117,297   

Share of results of associates


(215)

- 

(215)

(120)

- 

(120)  

(352)  

(Loss)/profit on disposal of continuing operations


- 

(175)

(175)

- 

8,188 

8,188   

8,070   

Finance income

3

4,404 

- 

4,404 

3,883 

- 

3,883   

7,916   

Finance expense

4

(6,717)

- 

(6,717)

(6,209)

- 

(6,209)  

(12,795)  

Profit before taxation


65,058 

(9,116)

55,942 

59,719 

1,417 

61,136   

120,136   

Taxation

5

(16,003)

2,678 

(13,325)

(13,968)

1,632 

(12,336)  

(26,530)  

Profit for the period attributable to equity shareholders


49,055 

(6,438)

42,617 

45,751 

3,049 

48,800   

93,606   

Earnings per share

6








From continuing operations









Basic


12.99p 


11.28p 

12.12p 


12.93p   

24.79p   

Diluted




11.27p 



12.91p   

24.76p   

Dividends in respect
of the period

7








Dividends (£000)




16,444 



15,340   

39,389   

Per share




4.35p 



4.06p   

10.43p   

 

*

 

**

Adjustments include the amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition transaction costs, movement on contingent consideration, profit on disposal of continuing operations, and the associated taxation thereon.

Details of the restatement are disclosed in note 1.

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure

 


Unaudited 

26 weeks to 
28 September 
2013 
£000
 

(Restated)

Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
29 September
  2012 
£000
 

(Restated)

Audited 
52 weeks to
 
30 March
 
2013
 
£000
 

Profit for the period

42,617 

48,800 

93,606 

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to the income statement:




Actuarial gains/(losses) on defined benefit pension plans

4,331 

(9,641)

(19,852)

Tax relating to components of other comprehensive income that will not be reclassified

(2,138)

1,947 

4,292 

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to the income statement:




Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges

651 

(162)

(504)

Exchange (losses)/gains on translation of foreign operations

(18,874)

(10,862)

16,534 

Tax relating to components of other comprehensive income that may be reclassified

(157)

(39)

130 

Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the period

(16,187)

(18,757)

600 

Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to equity shareholders

26,430 

30,043 

94,206 

 

The exchange loss of £18,874,000 (26 weeks to 29 September 2012: loss of £10,862,000; 52 weeks to 30 March 2013: gain of £16,534,000) comprises gains of £127,000 (26 weeks to 29 September 2012: gains of £1,488,000; 52 weeks to 30 March 2013: gains of £113,000) which relate to net investment hedges.

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet

 


Unaudited 
28 September
 
 2013 
£000
 

(Restated)

Unaudited 
29 September
 
2012 
£000
 

(Restated)

Audited 
30 March
 
2013
 
£000
 

Non-current assets




Goodwill

341,586 

290,106 

351,785 

Other intangible assets

122,800 

96,874 

134,457 

Property, plant and equipment

75,421 

72,860 

76,725 

Interests in associates

4,571 

5,023 

4,792 

Deferred tax asset

24,886 

9,341 

28,749 


569,264 

474,204 

596,508 

Current assets




Inventories

72,500 

63,269 

69,713 

Trade and other receivables

123,968 

116,286 

133,605 

Tax receivable

567 

138 

69 

Cash and cash equivalents

41,141 

43,000 

49,723 

Derivative financial instruments

499 

355 

256 


238,675 

223,048 

253,366 

Total assets

807,939 

697,252 

849,874 

Current liabilities




Trade and other payables

85,128 

84,379 

100,929 

Borrowings

2,939 

2,515 

5,147 

Provisions

2,840 

1,762 

2,420 

Tax liabilities

13,419 

12,238 

11,331 

Derivative financial instruments

28 

277 

796 


104,354 

101,171 

120,623 

Net current assets

134,321 

121,877 

132,743 

Non-current liabilities




Borrowings

147,969 

114,594 

154,866 

Retirement benefit obligations

40,754 

40,611 

47,172 

Trade and other payables

14,996 

6,253 

22,649 

Provisions

1,862 

3,193 

2,100 

Deferred tax liabilities

45,491 

27,167 

49,197 


251,072 

191,818 

275,984 

Total liabilities

355,426 

292,989 

396,607 

Net assets

452,513 

404,263 

453,267 

Equity




Share capital

37,901 

37,869 

37,888 

Share premium account

22,762 

22,350 

22,598 

Treasury shares

(5,264)

(2,958)

(4,534)

Capital redemption reserve

185 

185 

185 

Hedging and translation reserve

26,992 

18,149 

45,372 

Other reserves

(5,120)

(2,905)

(1,484)

Retained earnings

375,057 

331,573 

353,242 

Shareholders' funds

452,513 

404,263 

453,267 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

 


For the 26 weeks ended 28 September 2013 


Share
capital
£000

Share
premium
account
£000

Treasury 
shares
 
£000
 

Capital
redemption
reserve
£000

Hedging 
and
 
translation
 
reserve
 
£000
 

Other 
reserves
 
£000 

Retained 
earnings
 
£000 

Total 
£000 

At 30 March 2013 (audited)

37,888

22,598

(4,534)

185

45,372 

(1,484)

353,242 

453,267 

Profit for the period

-

-

- 

-

- 

- 

42,617 

42,617 

Other comprehensive income and expense:









Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

-

-

- 

-

(18,874)

- 

- 

(18,874)

Actuarial gains on defined benefit pension plans

-

-

- 

-

- 

- 

4,331 

4,331 

Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges

-

-

- 

-

651 

- 

- 

651 

Tax relating to components of other comprehensive income

-

-

- 

-

(157)

- 

(2,138)

(2,295)

Total other comprehensive income and expense

-

-

- 

-

(18,380)

- 

2,193 

(16,187)

Share options exercised

13

164

- 

-

- 

- 

- 

177 

Dividends paid

-

-

- 

-

- 

- 

(24,049)

(24,049)

Share-based payments

-

-

- 

-

- 

(3,316)

- 

(3,316)

Deferred tax on share-based payment transactions

-

-

- 

-

- 

(320)

- 

(320)

Excess tax deductions related to share-based payments on exercised options

-

-

- 

-

- 

- 

1,054 

1,054 

Net movement in treasury shares

-

-

(730)

-

- 

- 

- 

(730)

At 28 September 2013 (unaudited)

37,901

22,762

(5,264)

185

26,992 

(5,120)

375,057 

452,513 

 

 


(Restated)

For the 26 weeks ended 29 September 2012 

 

 

Share
capital
£000

Share
premium
account
£000

Treasury 
shares
 
£000
 

Capital
redemption
reserve
£000

Hedging 
 and 
 translation 
 reserve 
£000 

Other 
reserves
 
£000
 

Retained 
earnings 
£000 

Total 
£000 

At 31 March 2012 (audited)

37,856

22,177

(4,569)

185

29,212 

1,346 

311,905 

398,112 

Profit for the period

-

-

- 

-

- 

- 

48,800 

48,800 

Other comprehensive income and expense:









Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

-

-

- 

-

(10,862)

- 

- 

(10,862)

Actuarial losses on defined benefit pension plans

-

-

- 

-

- 

- 

(9,641)

(9,641)

Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges

-

-

- 

-

(162)

- 

- 

(162)

Tax relating to components of other comprehensive income

-

-

- 

-

(39)

- 

1,947 

1,908 

Total other comprehensive income and expense

-

-

- 

-

(11,063)

- 

(7,694)

(18,757)

Share options exercised

13

173

- 

-

- 

- 

- 

186 

Dividends paid

-

-

- 

-

- 

- 

(22,425)

(22,425)

Share-based payments

-

-

- 

-

- 

(3,991)

- 

(3,991)

Deferred tax on share-based payment transactions

-

-

- 

-

- 

(260)

- 

(260)

Excess tax deductions related to share-based payments on exercised options

-

-

- 

-

- 

- 

987 

987 

Net movement in treasury shares

-

-

1,611 

-

- 

- 

- 

1,611 

At 29 September 2012 (unaudited)

37,869

22,350

(2,958)

185

18,149 

(2,905)

331,573 

404,263 

 

 


(Restated)

For the 52 weeks ended 30 March 2013 


Share
capital
£000

Share
premium
account
£000

Treasury 
shares
 
£000
 

Capital
redemption
 reserve
£000

Hedging 
and
 
translation
 
reserve
 
£000
 

Other 
reserves
 
£000
 

Retained 
earnings
 
£000 

Total 
£000
 

At 31 March 2012 (audited)

37,856

22,177

(4,569)

185

29,212 

1,346 

311,905 

398,112 

Profit for the period

-

-

- 

-

- 

- 

93,606 

93,606 

Other comprehensive income and expense:









Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

-

-

- 

-

16,534 

- 

- 

16,534 

Actuarial losses on defined benefit pension plans

-

-

- 

-

- 

- 

(19,852)

(19,852)

Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges

-

-

- 

-

(504)

- 

- 

(504)

Tax relating to components of other comprehensive income

-

-

- 

-

130 

- 

4,292 

4,422 

Total other comprehensive income and expense

-

-

- 

-

16,160 

- 

(15,560)

600 

Share options exercised

32

421

- 

-

- 

- 

- 

453 

Dividends paid

-

-

- 

-

- 

- 

(37,765)

(37,765)

Share-based payments

-

-

- 

-

- 

(2,835)

- 

(2,835)

Deferred tax on share-based payment transactions

-

-

- 

-

- 

5 

- 

5 

Excess tax deductions related to share-based payments on exercised options

-

-

- 

-

- 

- 

1,056 

1,056 

Net movement in treasury shares

-

-

35 

-

- 

- 

- 

35 

At 30 March 2013 (audited)

37,888

22,598

(4,534)

185

45,372 

(1,484)

353,242 

453,267 

 

 

 

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

 


Notes

Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
28 September
 
2013
 
£000
 

(Restated)

Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
29 September
 
2012
 
£000
 

(Restated)

Audited 
52 weeks to
 
30 March
 
2013
 
£000
 

Net cash inflow from operating activities

8

55,934 

49,050 

108,244 






Cash flows from investing activities





Purchase of property, plant and equipment


(7,266)

(7,595)

(14,472)

Purchase of computer software


(585)

(469)

(1,044)

Purchase of other intangibles


(4)

(6)

(9)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment


271 

347 

917 

Development costs capitalised


(2,447)

(2,369)

(5,443)

Interest received


116 

52 

195 

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

10

(16,669)

(80,004)

(145,641)

Acquisition of investments in associates


- 

(3,187)

(3,187)

Disposal of business, net of cash disposed

11

1,925 

18,955 

19,608 

Net cash used in investing activities


(24,659)

(74,276)

(149,076)






Financing activities





Dividends paid


(24,049)

(22,425)

(37,765)

Proceeds from issue of share capital


177 

186 

453 

Purchase of treasury shares


(5,715)

(3,700)

(5,525)

Interest paid


(1,390)

(1,150)

(2,502)

Proceeds from borrowings


7,434 

50,630 

92,298 

Repayment of borrowings


(15,329)

- 

(2,942)

Net cash (used in)/from financing activities


(38,872)

23,541 

44,017 






(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents


(7,597)

(1,685)

3,185 

Cash and cash equivalents brought forward


49,723 

45,305 

45,305 

Exchange adjustments


(1,193)

(620)

1,233 

Cash and cash equivalents carried forward


40,933 

43,000 

49,723 

 

 






Unaudited 
28 September
 
2013
 
£000
 

(Restated)

Unaudited 
29 September
 
 2012 
£000
 

(Restated)

Audited 
30 March
2013
 
£000
 

Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt




(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

(7,597)

(1,685)

3,185 

Cash outflow/(inflow) from repayment/(drawdowns) of borrowings

7,895 

(50,630)

(89,356)

Net debt acquired

- 

(1,438)

(2,406)

Loan notes issued*

(2,731)

(2,515)

(2,515)

Loan notes repaid*

2,515 

- 

- 

Exchange adjustments

441 

868 

(489)


523 

(55,400)

(91,581)

Net debt brought forward

(110,290)

(18,709)

(18,709)

Net debt carried forward

(109,767)

(74,109)

(110,290)

 

The £2,515,000 loan note issued in the prior period was converted at par into cash on 31 May 2013. A new loan note was issued for £2,731,000 on 3 June 2013. This is convertible to cash at par at any time between six and twelve months from date of issue.

 

 

 

 

Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements

1   Basis of preparation

General information

The Half Year Report, which includes the Interim Management Report and Condensed Financial Statements for the 26 weeks to 28 September 2013, has not been audited or reviewed by the Group's auditors and was approved by the Directors on 19 November 2013.

 

The Report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, applying the accounting policies and presentation that were applied in the preparation of the Group's statutory accounts for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2013, with the exception of IAS 1 (revised), IAS 19 (revised) and IFRS 13, all of which were applied for the first time from 31 March 2013.

 

The application of IAS 19 (revised) affects the accounting for defined benefit pension plans and, to aid comparison, the Condensed Financial Statements and affected notes for the 26 weeks to 29 September 2012 and 52 weeks to 30 March 2013 have been restated as if IAS 19 (revised) had always applied.

 

The impact of adopting IAS 19 (revised) was a net reduction to profit after tax of £805,000 for the 26 weeks ended 29 September 2012 and £1,610,000 for the 52 weeks ended 30 March 2013 comprising:

 

a)   an increase in administrative expenses for the 26 weeks to 29 September 2012 of £535,000 (52 weeks to 30 March 2013: £1,070,000);

b)   a decrease in the expected return on pension scheme assets for the 26 weeks to 29 September 2012 of £524,000 (52 weeks to 30 March 2013: £1,048,000); and

c)    a reduction in the tax charge of £254,000 for the 26 weeks to 29 September 2012 (52 weeks to 30 March 2013: £508,000).

The corresponding entries to a. and b. were to actuarial gains and to c. were to deferred tax taken to equity.

 

The impact on adjusted earnings per share of the above changes for the 26 weeks to 29 September 2012 was a reduction of 0.22p (52 weeks to 30 March 2013: 0.43p). The impact on diluted earnings per share was 0.22p and 0.43p respectively.

 

The impact on non-GAAP measures is detailed in note 9. There was no net effect on net cash flow from operations as a result of the change in accounting policy.

 

IAS 1 (revised) requires that items of Other Comprehensive Income that may in future be recycled to the Income Statement are presented separately from those which will not be. This presentational change has been made to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income in the current period.

 

Additional disclosure required by IFRS 13 is also shown in note 12.  

 

The figures shown for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2013 are based on the Group's statutory accounts for that period and do not constitute the Group's statutory accounts for that period as defined in Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. These statutory accounts, which were prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards, have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The audit report on those accounts was not qualified, did not include a reference to any matters for which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying the report, and did not contain statements under Sections 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

The Report has been prepared solely to provide additional information to shareholders as a body to assess the Board's strategies and the potential for those strategies to succeed. It should not be relied on by any other party or for any other purpose.

 

The Report contains certain forward-looking statements which have been made by the Directors in good faith using information available up until the date they approved the Report. Forward-looking statements should be regarded with caution as by their nature such statements involve risk and uncertainties relating to events and circumstances that may occur in the future. Actual results may differ from those expressed in such statements, depending on the outcome of these uncertain future events.

 

The Directors believe the Group is well placed to manage its business risks successfully. The Group's forecasts and projections, taking account of reasonably possible changes in trading performance, show that the Group should be able to operate within the level of its current committed facilities, which includes a £260m five-year revolving credit facility due to expire in October 2016.

 

The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the half-year Condensed Financial Statements.

 

 

 

2   Segmental analysis

 

Sector analysis

The Group has four main reportable segments (Process Safety, Infrastructure Safety, Medical and Environmental & Analysis), which are defined by markets rather than product type. Each segment includes businesses with similar operating and market characteristics. These segments are consistent with the internal reporting as reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer.

 

In the Annual Report and Accounts for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2013, the reportable segments were revised to provide greater understanding of the Group's activities. The main change from previous periods was the separation of the former Health & Analysis sector into two sectors, namely the Medical and Environmental & Analysis sectors. This separation reflected the Group's growing presence in the medical devices market, in particular in ophthalmology and blood pressure monitoring. The Process Safety and Infrastructure Safety sectors (formerly named Industrial Safety and Infrastructure Sensors respectively) were unchanged. The comparative results for the 26 weeks to 29 September 2012 have been restated to reflect this change.

 

 

Segment revenue and results

 


Revenue (all continuing operations)


Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
28 September
 
 2013 
£000
 

(Restated)
Unaudited
 
26 weeks to
 
29 September
 
2012
 
£000
 

Audited 
52 weeks to
 
30 March
 
2013
 
£000
 

Process Safety

62,173 

62,535 

125,656 

Infrastructure Safety

107,299 

100,509 

205,315 

Medical

81,062 

59,787 

136,054 

Environmental & Analysis

82,607 

75,499 

152,448 

Inter-segmental sales

(75)

(252)

(263)

Revenue for the period

333,066 

298,078 

619,210 

 

Inter-segmental sales are charged at prevailing market prices and have not been disclosed separately by segment as they are not considered material. The Group does not analyse revenue by product group and has no material revenue derived from the rendering of services.

 


Profit (all continuing operations)


Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
28 September
 
2013
 

£000 

(Restated)

Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
29 September
 
2012
 

£000 

(Restated)

Audited 
52 weeks to
 
30 March
 
2013
 
£000
 

Segment profit before allocation of amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition costs and profit on disposal of continuing operations




Process Safety

16,137 

15,335 

32,310 

Infrastructure Safety

20,608 

18,775 

41,523 

Medical

19,586 

15,388 

35,934 

Environmental & Analysis

15,005 

15,498 

30,385 


71,336 

64,996 

140,152 

Segment profit after allocation of amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition costs and profit on disposal of continuing operations




Process Safety

15,692 

23,222 

39,848 

Infrastructure Safety

20,399 

18,775 

41,469 

Medical

13,358 

11,043 

24,146 

Environmental & Analysis

12,771 

13,373 

26,282 

Segment profit

62,220 

66,413 

131,745 

Central administration costs

(3,965)

(2,951)

(6,730)

Net finance expense

(2,313)

(2,326)

(4,879)

Group profit before taxation

55,942 

61,136 

120,136 

Taxation

(13,325)

(12,336)

(26,530)

Profit for the period

42,617 

48,800 

93,606 

 

 

The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as the Group's accounting policies. For acquisitions after 3 April 2010, acquisition transaction costs and adjustments to contingent purchase consideration are recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement. Segment profit before these acquisition costs, the amortisation of acquired intangible assets and the profit on disposal of continuing operations is disclosed separately above as this is the measure reported to the Chief Executive Officer for the purpose of allocation of resources and assessment of segment performance.

 

The amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition transaction costs, movements on contingent consideration (including any arising from foreign exchange revaluation) and profit on disposal of continuing operations are analysed as follows:

 

 



For the 26 weeks ended 28 September 2013 



Acquisition costs 





Amortisation 
 of acquired 
 intangible 
 assets 
£000 

Transaction 
costs
 
£000 

Adjustments 
to contingent
 
consideration
 
£000
 

Total 
 amortisation 
 charge and 
 acquisition 
 costs 
£000 

Disposal of 
continuing
 
operations
 
(note 11)
 
£000 

Total 
£000 

Process Safety

(309)

- 

- 

(309)

(136)

(445)

Infrastructure Safety

(72)

(98)

- 

(170)

(39)

(209)

Medical

(6,402)

(2)

176 

(6,228)

- 

(6,228)

Environmental & Analysis

(2,184)

(50)

- 

(2,234)

- 

(2,234)

Total Group

(8,967)

(150)

176 

(8,941)

(175)

(9,116)

 

 

The transaction costs mainly arose on the acquisitions of Talentum Developments Limited (£98,000) and ASL Holdings Limited (£50,000).

 



(Restated)

For the 26 weeks ended 29 September 2012 



Acquisition costs 





Amortisation 
of acquired
 
intangible
 
assets
 
£000
 

Transaction 
costs
 
£000
 

Adjustments 
to contingent
 
consideration
 
£000
 

Total 
amortisation
 
charge and
 
acquisition
 
costs
 
£000
 

Disposal of 
continuing
 
operations
 
(note 11)
£000
 

Total 
£000
 

Process Safety

(301)

- 

- 

(301)

8,188 

7,887 

Infrastructure Safety

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Medical

(4,298)

(1,173)

1,126 

(4,345)

- 

(4,345)

Environmental & Analysis

(1,830)

(295)

- 

(2,125)

- 

(2,125)

Total Group

(6,429)

(1,468)

1,126 

(6,771)

8,188 

1,417 

 

 



For the 52 weeks ended 30 March 2013 



Acquisition costs 





Amortisation 
of acquired
 
intangible
 
assets
 
£000
 

Transaction 
costs
 
£000
 

Adjustments 
to contingent
 
 consideration 
£000
 

Total 
amortisation
 
charge and
 
acquisition
 
costs
 
£000
 

Disposal of 
continuing
 
operations
 
(note 11)
£000
 

Total 
£000
 

Process Safety

(602)

- 

(16)

(618)

8,156 

7,538 

Infrastructure Safety

- 

(54)

- 

(54)

- 

(54)

Medical

(9,947)

(2,272)

517 

(11,702)

(86)

(11,788)

Environmental & Analysis

(3,686)

(417)

- 

(4,103)

- 

(4,103)

Total Group

(14,235)

(2,743)

501 

(16,477)

8,070 

(8,407)

 

The total assets and liabilities of all four sectors have not been disclosed as there have been no material changes to those disclosed in the 2013 Annual Report and Accounts.

 

 

Geographical information

 

The Group's revenue from external customers (by location of customer) is as follows:

 


Revenue by destination 


Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
 28 September
 
2013
 
£000
 

Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
29 September
 
2012
 
£000
 

Audited 
52 weeks to
 
30 March
 
2013
 
£000
 

United States of America

107,597 

93,491 

194,990 

Mainland Europe

79,304 

73,306 

151,631 

United Kingdom

62,215 

57,213 

115,575 

Asia Pacific*

55,965 

48,826 

100,532 

Africa, Near and Middle East

16,219 

14,240 

31,380 

Other countries

11,766 

11,002 

25,102 

Group revenue

333,066 

298,078 

619,210 

 

*  Formerly Asia Pacific and Australasia.

 

 

3   Finance income

 


 


Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
28
 September 
2013
 
£000
 

(Restated)

Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
29 September
 
2012
 
£000
 

(Restated)

Audited 
52 weeks to
 
30 March
 
2013
 
£000
 

Interest receivable

116 

52 

195 

Expected return on pension assets

3,930 

3,831 

7,721 


4,046 

3,883 

7,916 

Fair value movement on derivative financial instruments

358 

- 

- 


4,404 

3,883 

7,916 

 

 

4   Finance expense

 

 

 


Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
28 September
 
 2013 
£000
 

(Restated)

Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
29 September
  2012 
£000
 

(Restated)

Audited 
52 weeks to
 
30 March
 
 
2013 
£000
 

Interest payable on bank loans and overdrafts

1,384 

1,107 

2,366 

Amortisation of finance costs

317 

317 

634 

Interest charge on pension scheme liabilities

4,915 

4,615 

9,239 

Other interest payable

4 

43 

90 


6,620 

6,082 

12,329 

Fair value movement on derivative financial instruments

- 

108 

384 

Unwinding of discount on provisions

97 

19 

82 


6,717 

6,209 

12,795 

 

 

5   Taxation

The total Group tax charge for the 26 weeks to 28 September 2013 of £13,325,000 (26 weeks to 29 September 2012: £12,336,000; 52 weeks to 30 March 2013: £26,530,000) comprises a current tax charge of £14,951,000 (26 weeks to 29 September 2012: £13,130,000; 52 weeks to 30 March 2013: £26,949,000) and a deferred tax credit of £1,626,000 (26 weeks to 29 September 2012: credit of £794,000; 52 weeks to 30 March 2013: credit of £419,000). The tax charge is based on the estimated effective tax rate for the year.

 

The amounts stated above for the comparative periods to 29 September 2012 and 30 March 2013 have been restated to reflect the changes required under IAS 19 (revised), which was adopted from 31 March 2013. In the 26 weeks to 29 September 2012, these changes resulted in a reduction in profit before tax of £1,059,000 (52 weeks to 30 March 2013: £2,118,000). This gave rise to a tax credit arising on this reduction of £254,000 and £508,000 respectively, the corresponding entries to which were debits to equity.

 

The tax charge includes £10,708,000 (26 weeks to 29 September 2012: £9,501,000; 52 weeks to 30 March 2013: £19,046,000) in respect of overseas tax.

 

Reductions in the UK corporation tax rate from 26% to 24% (effective from 1 April 2012) and to 23% (effective from 1 April 2013) were substantively enacted on 26 March 2012 and 3 July 2012 respectively. Further reductions to 21% (effective from 1 April 2014) and 20% (effective from 1 April 2015) were substantively enacted on 2 July 2013. The deferred tax asset at 28 September 2013 has been calculated based on the rates of 21% and 20% substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. The reductions in rate have resulted in a credit to the deferred tax asset of £942,000, of which £1,142,000 was charged to Other Comprehensive Income and £200,000 credited to the Consolidated Income Statement.   

 

 

 

6   Earnings per ordinary share

Basic earnings per ordinary share are calculated using the weighted average of 377,750,281 (29 September 2012: 377,388,541; 30 March 2013: 377,597,126) shares in issue during the period (net of shares purchased by the Company and held as treasury shares). Diluted earnings per ordinary share are calculated using 378,101,945 (29 September 2012: 377,927,267; 30 March 2013: 378,009,506) shares which includes dilutive potential ordinary shares of 351,664 (29 September 2012: 538,726; 30 March 2013: 412,380). Dilutive potential ordinary shares are calculated from those exercisable share options where the exercise price is less than the average price of the Company's ordinary shares during the period.

 

Adjusted earnings are calculated as earnings from continuing operations excluding the amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition transaction costs, movement on contingent consideration and profit on disposal of continuing operations after tax. The Directors consider that adjusted earnings represent a more consistent measure of underlying performance. A reconciliation of earnings and the effect on basic earnings per share figures is presented below:

 

 

 

Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
 28 September 
2013
 
£000
 

(Restated)

Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
29 September
 
2012
 
£000
 

(Restated)

Audited 
52 weeks to
 
30 March
 
 2013
 
£000
 

Earnings from continuing operations

42,617 

48,800 

93,606 

Add back amortisation of acquired intangible assets (after tax)

6,249 

4,530 

9,978 

Acquisition transaction costs (after tax)

150 

1,468 

2,252 

Adjustments to contingent consideration (after tax)

(136)

(859)

(385)

Loss/(profit) on disposal of continuing operations (after tax)

175 

(8,188)

(8,070)

Adjusted earnings

49,055 

45,751 

97,381 

 


Per ordinary share 


Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
28 September
 
2013
 
pence
 

(Restated)

Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
29 September
 
2012
 
pence
 

(Restated)

Audited 
52 weeks to
 
30 March
 
 2013
 
pence
 

Earnings from continuing operations

11.28 

12.93 

24.79 

Add back amortisation of acquired intangible assets (after tax)

1.66 

1.20 

2.64 

Acquisition transaction costs (after tax)

0.04 

0.39 

0.60 

Adjustments to contingent consideration (after tax)

(0.04)

(0.23)

(0.10)

Loss/(profit) on disposal of continuing operations (after tax)

0.05 

(2.17)

(2.14)

Adjusted earnings

12.99 

12.12 

25.79 

 

7   Dividends



Per ordinary share 


Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
28 September
 
2013
 
£000
 

Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
29 September
 
2012
 
£000
 

Audited 
52 weeks to
 
30 March
 
 2013
 
£000
 

Amounts recognised as distributions to shareholders in the period




Final dividend for the year to 30 March 2013 (31 March 2012)

6.37 

5.95 

5.95 

Interim dividend for the year to 30 March 2013

- 

- 

4.06 


6.37 

5.95 

10.01 

Dividends in respect of the period




Interim dividend for the year to 29 March 2014 (30 March 2013)

4.35 

4.06 

4.06 

Final dividend for the year to 30 March 2013

- 

- 

6.37 


4.35 

4.06 

10.43 

 


Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
28 September
 
2013
 
£000
 

Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
29 September
 
2012
 
£000
 

Audited 
52 weeks to
 
30 March
 
 2013
 
£000
 

Amounts recognised as distributions to shareholders in the period




Final dividend for the year to 30 March 2013 (31 March 2012)

24,049 

22,425 

22,425 

Interim dividend for the year to 30 March 2013

- 

- 

15,340 


24,049 

22,425 

37,765 

Dividends in respect of the period




Interim dividend for the year to 29 March 2014 (30 March 2013)

16,444 

15,340 

15,340 

Final dividend for the year to 30 March 2013

- 

- 

24,049 


16,444 

15,340 

39,389 

 

 

8   Notes to the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement





Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
28 September
 
2013
 
£000
 

(Restated)
Unaudited
 
26 weeks to
 
29 September
 
2012
 
£000
 

(Restated)
Audited
 
52 weeks to
 
30 March
 
2013
 
£000
 

Reconciliation of profit from operations to net cash inflow from operating activities




Profit on continuing operations before finance income and expense, share of results of associates and profit on disposal of continuing operations

58,645 

55,394 

117,297 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

6,761 

6,262 

12,684 

Amortisation of computer software

595 

677 

1,402 

Amortisation of capitalised development costs and other intangibles

1,860 

1,824 

3,578 

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets

8,967 

6,429 

14,235 

Retirement/disposal of capitalised development costs

- 

- 

264 

Share-based payment expense in excess of amounts paid

1,813 

1,378 

2,482 

Additional payments to pension scheme

(3,072)

(2,811)

(7,195)

(Profit)/loss on sale of property, plant and equipment and computer software

(54)

13 

(163)

Operating cash flows before movement in working capital

75,515 

69,166 

144,584 

Increase in inventories

(4,973)

(3,021)

(2,693)

Decrease/(increase) in receivables

4,458 

1,831 

(9,210)

Decrease/(increase) in payables

(6,619)

(7,543)

1,015 

Cash generated from operations

68,381 

60,433 

133,696 

Taxation paid

(12,447)

(11,383)

(25,452)

Net cash inflow from operating activities

55,934 

49,050 

108,244 

 

 


Unaudited 
28 September
 
 2013 
£000
 

Unaudited 
29 September
 
2012
 
£000
 

Audited 
30 March
 
2013
 
£000
 

Analysis of cash and cash equivalents




Cash and bank balances

41,141 

43,000 

49,723 

Overdrafts (included in current Borrowings)

(208)

- 

- 

Cash and cash equivalents

40,933 

43,000 

49,723 

 

 


Unaudited 
28 September
 
 2013 
£000
 

Unaudited 
29 September
 
2012
 
£000
 

Audited 
30 March
 
2013
 
£000
 

Analysis of net debt




Cash and cash equivalents

40,933 

43,000 

49,723 

Loan notes falling due within one year*

(2,731)

(2,515)

(2,515)

Bank loans falling due within one year

- 

- 

(2,632)

Bank loans falling due after more than one year

(147,969)

(114,594)

(154,866)


(109,767)

(74,109)

(110,290)

 

 

* The £2,515,000 loan note issued in the prior period was converted at par into cash on 31 May 2013. A new loan note was issued for £2,731,000 on 3 June 2013. This is convertible to cash at par at any time between six and twelve months from date of issue.

 

 

9   Non-GAAP measures

Return on Capital Employed





Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
28 September
 
2013
 
£000
 

(Restated)

Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
29 September
 
 2012 
£000
 

(Restated)

Audited 
52 weeks to
 
30 March
 
 2013
 
£000
 

Operating profit before amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition transaction costs and movement on contingent consideration, but after share of results of associates

67,371 

62,045 

133,422 

Computer software costs within intangible assets

2,307 

2,421 

2,383 

Capitalised development costs within intangible assets

12,469 

10,602 

11,977 

Other intangibles within intangible assets

99 

179 

146 

Property, plant and equipment

75,421 

72,860 

76,725 

Inventories

72,500 

63,269 

69,713 

Trade and other receivables

123,968 

116,286 

133,605 

Trade and other payables

(85,128)

(84,379)

(100,929)

Provisions

(2,840)

(1,762)

(2,420)

Net tax liabilities

(12,852)

(12,100)

(11,262)

Non-current trade and other payables

(14,996)

(6,253)

(22,649)

Non-current provisions

(1,862)

(3,193)

(2,100)

Add back accrued contingent purchase consideration

19,855 

16,870 

33,512 

Capital employed

188,941 

174,800 

188,701 

Return on Capital Employed (annualised)

71.3% 

71.0% 

70.7% 

 

 

The impact of the adoption of IAS 19 (revised) on the Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) measure was a reduction in ROCE of 0.6% for the 26 weeks to 29 September 2012 (52 weeks to 30 March 2013: 0.6% reduction). This change arose due to the reduction in operating profit, due to the increase in administrative expenses as detailed in note 1.

 

 

Return on Total Invested Capital





Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
28 September
 
2013
 
£000
 

(Restated)

Unaudited 
26 weeks to
 
29 September
 
2012
 
£000
 

(Restated)

Audited 
52 weeks to
 
30 March
 
 2013
 
£000
 

Post-tax profit before amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition transaction costs, movement on contingent consideration and profit on disposal of continuing operations

49,055 

45,751 

97,381 

Total shareholders' funds

452,513 

404,263 

453,267 

Add back retirement benefit obligations

40,754 

40,611 

47,172 

Less associated deferred tax assets

(8,234)

(9,341)

(10,851)

Cumulative amortisation of acquired intangible assets

53,793 

41,850 

46,150 

Historic adjustments to goodwill*

89,549 

89,549 

89,549 

Total invested capital

628,375 

566,932 

625,287 

Return on Total Invested Capital (annualised)

15.6% 

16.1% 

15.6% 

 

 

* Includes goodwill amortised prior to 3 April 2004 and goodwill taken to reserves.

 

The impact of the adoption of IAS 19 (revised) on the Return on Total Invested Capital (ROTIC) measure was a reduction in ROTIC of 0.3% for the 26 weeks to 29 September 2012 (52 weeks to 30 March 2013: 0.2% reduction). See note 1 for further details.

 

Organic growth

Organic growth measures the change in revenue and profit from continuing Group operations. The effect of acquisitions and disposals made during the current and prior financial periods has been equalised by adjusting the results for a pro-rated contribution based on their revenue and profit before taxation at the date of acquisition or disposal.

 

 

Adjusted operating profit





Unaudited 
28 September
 
2013
 
£000
 

(Restated)

Unaudited 
29 September
 
2012
 
£000
 

(Restated)

Audited 
30 March
 
2013
 
£000
 

Operating profit

58,645 

55,394 

117,297 

Add back:




Acquisition costs and contingent consideration fair value adjustments

(26)

342 

2,242 

Amortisation of acquisition-related intangible assets

8,967 

6,429 

14,235 

Adjusted operating profit

67,586 

62,165 

133,774 

 

 

Adjusted operating cash flow





Unaudited 
28 September
 
2013 
£000
 

(Restated)

Unaudited 
29 September
 
 2012 
£000
 

(Restated)

Audited 
30 March
 
2013
 
£000
 

Net cash from operating activities (note 8)

55,934 

49,050 

108,244 

Add back:




Taxes paid

12,447 

11,383 

25,452 

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

271 

347 

917 

Less:




Purchase of property, plant and equipment

(7,266)

(7,595)

(14,472)

Purchase of computer software and other intangibles

(589)

(475)

(1,053)

Development costs capitalised

(2,447)

(2,369)

(5,443)

Adjusted operating cash flow

58,350 

50,341 

113,645 

Cash conversion % (adjusted operating cash flow/adjusted operating profit)

86% 

81% 

85% 

 

 

10   Acquisitions

 

The Group made one acquisition during the period. The entire share capital of Talentum Developments Limited (Talentum) was acquired on 11 April 2013 for an initial cash consideration of £2,590,000. This was subsequently adjusted by an additional £724,000 which was paid in June 2013 based on the final level of agreed working capital at the acquisition date. Deferred consideration of £250,000 is payable on or around April 2014 subject to the seller providing certain pre-agreed technical information and know-how to the Group. As at 28 September 2013 it is expected that this amount will be paid in full.

 

Talentum forms part of the Infrastructure Safety sector and specialises in the design and manufacture of flame detector products for a range of industries, which protect property from the risk of fire. The acquisition is complementary to the Group's fire detection businesses and is expected to provide opportunities to enhance the Group's product offering to existing customers and grant access to new ones. Talentum will benefit from the Group's global presence and it is expected that synergies will be achieved through shared costs and economies of scale.

 

The provisional acquisition accounting has resulted in the recognition of assets of £3,249,000, goodwill of £1,032,000 and liabilities of £717,000. Included within assets acquired were intangibles of £1,445,000, representing the customer relationships, brand and technical know-how acquired. Cash and debtors of £754,000 and £648,000 were the other significant assets acquired. Liabilities comprised tax and other payables of £383,000.

 

The £16,669,000 cash outflow on acquisitions comprises £2,561,000 in respect of Talentum and £14,108,000 in respect of prior period acquisitions.

 

 

11   Disposal of business

 

On 22 August 2012, the Group disposed of its Asset Monitoring businesses, comprising Tritech Holdings Limited and its subsidiary Tritech International Limited (together known as Tritech). Tritech was sold for an initial cash consideration of £18,900,000. A further £839,000 was paid in October 2012 in respect of cash and working capital held in the business at the time of sale. In addition £2,100,000 was retained in escrow and was released to Halma in August 2013. The £175,000 loss on disposal in the current period mainly relates to additional costs of this disposal.

 

The £1,925,000 cash inflow from disposal of businesses shown in the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement represents the £2,100,000 released from escrow less the additional disposal costs of £175,000 incurred.

 

The profit on disposal of £8,188,000 and £8,070,000, and cash inflow of £18,955,000 and £19,608,000, for the 26 weeks to 29 September 2012 and 52 weeks to 30 March 2013 respectively related almost entirely to the disposal of Tritech.

 

 

12   Fair values of financial assets and liabilities

 

As at 28 September 2013 there were no significant differences between the book value and fair value (as determined by market value) of the Group's financial assets and liabilities.

 

The fair value of floating and fixed rate borrowings approximate to the carrying value because interest rates are reset to market rates at intervals of less than one year.

 

The fair value of derivative financial instruments is estimated by discounting the future contracted cash flow, using readily available market data and represents a level 2 measurement in the fair value hierarchy under IFRS 7.

 

As at 28 September 2013, the total forward foreign currency contracts outstanding were £18,397,000. The contracts mostly mature within one year and therefore the cash flows and resulting effect on profit and loss are expected to occur within the next 12 months.

 

The fair values of the forward contracts are disclosed as a £499,000 asset and £28,000 liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

Any movements in the fair values of the contracts are recognised in equity until the hedge transaction occurs, when gains/losses are recycled to finance income or finance expense.

 

 

13   Other matters

 

Seasonality

The Group's financial results have not historically been subject to significant seasonal trends.

 

Equity and borrowings

Issues and repurchases of Halma plc's ordinary shares and drawdowns and repayments of borrowings are shown in the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement.

 

Related party transactions

There were no significant changes in the nature and size of related party transactions for the period to those reported in the 2013 Annual Report and Accounts.

 

 

14   Principal risks and uncertainties 

 

A number of potential risks and uncertainties exist which could have a material impact on the Group's performance over the second half of the financial year and could cause actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results.

 

The Group has in place processes for identifying, evaluating and managing key risks. These risks, together with a description of the approach to mitigating them, are set out on pages 53 to 55 in the 2013 Annual Report and Accounts, which is available on the Group's website at www.halma.com.

 

The principal risks and uncertainties relate to:

 

·    Remoteness of operations and globalisation

·    Staff quality

·    Competition

·    Large customer and key supplier risk

·    Intangible resources

·    Information Technology/Business Interruption

·    Acquisitions

·    Laws and regulations

·    Cash

·    Treasury risks

·    Pension deficit

·    Economic conditions

 

The Directors do not consider that the principal risks and uncertainties have changed since the publication of the 2013 Annual Report and Accounts. However macro-economic uncertainty continues and movements in foreign exchange rates remain a risk to financial performance.

 

The macro-economic and political circumstances particularly in the Eurozone, but also globally, continue to generate uncertainty for our business. The Group's diversity limits its exposure to economic risk arising in any one territory. Group sales to Mainland Europe represent 24% of overall sales and sales to southern Eurozone economies and Ireland represent fewer than 5% of total Group sales.

 

We mitigate the risk to demand by operating in markets underpinned by regulatory drivers (where customer spending is often non-discretionary), maintaining a diverse product portfolio and targeting continued growth in developing markets. In addition, Halma's model of autonomy allows local management to change strategy quickly when reacting to variable market conditions.

 

Although the Group uses forward foreign exchange contracts to mitigate its transactional currency exposure risk, it does not hedge the translation of its currency profits. In the first half of the year, the US Dollar and Swiss Franc were on average 3% stronger and the Euro was on average 6% stronger relative to Sterling than in the first half of the previous year. The net result was a 3% positive impact on reported profit.

 

 

15   Responsibility statement

 

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

 

a)

these Condensed Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union;

 

b)

this Half Year Report includes a fair review of the information required by Disclosure and Transparency Rule (DTR) 4.2.7R (indication of important events during the period and description of principal risks and uncertainties for the remainder of the financial year); and

 

c)

this Half Year Report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.8R (disclosure of related party transactions and changes therein).

 

 

By order of the Board

 

Andrew Williams

Chief Executive

 

19 November 2013

 

 

Kevin Thompson

Finance Director

 

 

 


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