Final Results
Macfarlane Group PLC
8 March 2001
MACFARLANE GROUP'S PROFITS AHEAD OF EXPECTATIONS
Underlying profit from continuing operations increases by 11% from £14.1m to £
15.6m
Final dividend increased by 5% to 3.15p per share
Earnings per share from continuing operations up 21% from 7.48p to 9.03p
Annual benefits of £1.5m expected from 2002 in restructured Packaging Division
Costs of attempted acquisition confirmed at £1.9m
Provision of £2.5m against valuation of BPI shareholding at the year-end
Strong balance sheet and good interest cover
Proposed increase of at least 10% in interim dividend for 2001
==============
John Ward, Chairman of Macfarlane Group PLC today said:
'The underlying results achieved by Macfarlane Group in 2000 are in line with
the Board's stated objective to achieve double-digit earnings growth from our
existing operations. The benefits from last year's restructuring, together
with further initiatives outlined in this announcement, underpin our
aspirations to achieve growth in future years in competitive trading markets.
The aims of the consolidation of the Labels, Packaging and Merchanting
businesses into a new stronger Packaging Division are to provide opportunities
by focusing our offering on a wider range of packaging-related solutions to
our customers. Whilst restructuring charges and benefits from this
consolidation will be broadly neutral in 2001, the move will increase
operating efficiencies still further and reduce costs by an estimated £1.5m
from 2002 enabling Macfarlane Group to be a competitive player in its key
markets and an attractive profit generator.
Our executive team has already delivered on a number of tough commitments set
by the Board and demonstrated its ability to meet new challenges and achieve
improved earnings growth. We continue to investigate innovative ways to serve
our customers better and our e-business initiative is progressing well.
Macfarlane Group is currently demonstrating top-line growth in competitive
markets, which continues to be supported by carefully targeted value creating
incremental acquisitions to enhance our capability and reduce capital
expenditure requirements. A number of initiatives, targeted to develop new
business for the Group, are already under way, supported by a new business
initiative team. We have made a solid start to 2001.
During 2000, the company took a number of actions to realign the asset base,
utilising any gains realised in the process to accelerate actions designed to
stimulate future growth.
At our AGM in 2000, the Board obtained shareholder approval to buy back up to
10% of the shares in the company. The Board intends to use this facility to
make tactical share buy-backs.
Your Board constantly reviews activities and is considering a range of
strategic options to determine the most appropriate directions for growth and
shareholder return. Your Board expects to make further progress in 2001 and
shall not shirk from tough decisions to deliver additional shareholder value'
Further information: John M. Ward Chairman 0141 333 9666
Iain D. Duffin Chief Executive 0141 333 9666
John Love Finance Director 0141 333 9666
Press and Media: Gordon Beattie Beattie Media 01698 787878
Ann-marie Wilkinson Beattie Media 020 7398 3301
Financial Headlines
The underlying profit before tax for the year ended 31 December 2000, prior to
the gain of £0.5 million recorded on the disposal of Flo-pak (UK) Ltd and
charges and provisions in connection with the attempted acquisition of BPI of
£4.5 million, increased by 11% to £15.6 million, from £14.1 million in 1999
(before exceptional restructuring charges and the loss on disposal of
business). Earnings per share, before disposals and exceptional charges and
provisions, amounted to 9.03p compared with 7.48p for 1999 an increase of
nearly 21%. Despite the sale of businesses, which generated £11.3m sales in
1999, turnover from recurring operations increased by 7% to £197.7m, with
encouraging increases achieved across all activities.
The Directors have declared a final dividend of 3.15p, a 5% increase on the
3.00p paid in 1999, reflecting the Group's positive cash flow from operating
activities. The dividend will be paid on Thursday 24 May 2001 to those
shareholders on the register at the close of business on Tuesday 17 April
2001. In 2001, the company will increase the proportion of the interim
dividend as a percentage of the total dividend for the year. As a result it is
proposed that the interim dividend in 2001 will be increased by not less than
10%.
Trading performance Year ended Year ended
31 December 2000 31 December 1999
Sales Profit Sales Profit/(loss)
Profit before interest £000 £000 £000 £000
Merchanting 56,425 3,717 51,653 3,664
Packaging 63,801 4,192 57,587 3,301
Labels 16,312 2,696 17,084 3,622
Packaging 136,538 10,605 126,324 10,587
Plastics 61,198 5,988 58,681 5,163
197,736 16,593 185,005 15,750
Under strategic review 191 17 11,336 (814)
Profit before interest 197,927 16,610 196,341 14,936
Interest payable - (981) - (821)
Profit from ongoing operations 197,927 15,629 196,341 14,115
From 2001 onwards, to reflect the creation of our new Packaging Division we
shall no longer disclose separate results in respect of our Merchanting,
Packaging and Labels businesses.
Trading Activities
The performances achieved in Merchanting and Packaging were particularly
encouraging whilst the Plastics Division responded well to tough trading
conditions and successfully integrated two acquisitions made in the first half
of 2000. Following the renegotiation of a number of long-term contracts at
reduced margins in the final quarter of 1999, our Labels business took
advantage of two opportunities to conclude acquisitions at the start of the
third quarter, which secured new technology with the potential to stimulate
top-line growth with major new customers. Our management teams responded well
to the pressure on margins evident in a competitive market and have maintained
strict control of overheads to achieve our target of double-digit earnings
growth in 2000.
Packaging Division (New)
Trading in our Merchanting business remained strong in 2000 with a clear focus
on sales growth. The business continues to outperform its competitors and
provides a secure distribution channel for products manufactured in the Group.
During 2000 a number of sites were consolidated, with surplus or unsuitable
sites being sold and this process will continue in our new Packaging Division.
During the second half of 2000 the regular liaison between the management
teams in the Merchanting and Packaging businesses identified a number of
opportunities to share sites and reduce costs still further. The opportunities
identified through this close association advanced the rationale to bring the
divisions closer together. During 2001 the new management team for the
combined division will consolidate a number of operations into fewer, larger
sites where improved telesales operations and other Group-wide support
operations will be introduced.
The Merchanting business has agreements with a number of premium brand
partners to distribute their products on an exclusive or preferred basis. A
number of other potential partners have proposed similar arrangements and
these are being considered as a means of extending the product offering to
customers. E-business initiatives are being pursued to develop a
customer-focused solution to provide the range of products required, whilst at
the same time ensuring that more general e-commerce solutions are also made
available for customers with less specialist requirements.
Packaging Division (continued)
Our aim is to build on a long-standing reputation for customer service in the
nation-wide distribution of packaging materials, whilst maximising
profitability from our branch network. The high levels of service in this
business and the clear expertise in distribution and supply chain logistics
are considered vital to the Group's future development.
Our Packaging business produced excellent results in 2000 with the benefits of
restructuring and efficiency improvements combined with continued strong
demand from new and existing customers in the electronics sector. Despite
continuing raw material price pressures, margins were maintained. The
restructuring programme resulted in the closure of the premises at Brackley
and the transfer of selected business to other locations in the Division. The
closure of Brackley enabled the business to withdraw from the manufacture of
commodity products and concentrate on more value-added applications. Our
American subsidiary Macfarlane Western Foam continues to trade well.
The strategy and focus has now changed from primarily selling what the
business traditionally manufactured to serving customers' total packaging
needs, manufacturing and assembling only what is determined to be a key
customer requirement. Therefore we shall only make further investments in
manufacturing capacity where we determine a specific customer requirement. Our
business has become more focused on the need to be a full-service packaging
provider for businesses, with the opportunity to liaise closely with
customers' supply chains to manage their requirements more efficiently and
effectively.
Recent developments included opening a unit in Hungary, working closely with a
range of top-name local suppliers, to service one of our major customers. This
is an effective, low-risk method of expanding alongside major customers
overseas. Initial results from this operation are encouraging and this
business model is likely to be used in other countries to support major
customers, whilst broadening our customer base in each country where we
establish a new presence. In the UK, two significant new customers appointed
our Packaging business to manage all their packaging requirements on specific
sites.
As previously indicated, our Labels business traded below 1999 levels of
profitability, but at levels still representing an excellent performance for
the UK labels industry. This reflected the renegotiation of long-term
contracts with major customers at reduced margins in the final quarter of
1999.
During the second half of 2000 we acquired Reseal-It Sweden AB, a Swedish
company owning intellectual property for resealable labels and related
machinery and Abbot Labels Limited, a top quality label printer based in
Ireland specialising in the manufacture of Reseal-It's resealable labels for
the food industry. The combined consideration was nearly £5.0m and will
maintain the Labels business's position at the forefront of technology in
labels-based solutions for major customers with branded products, thereby
providing a solid base for future growth. Both businesses have performed to
our expectations since being acquired.
Our Labels business will develop by a mixture of organic growth and
acquisitions to build on the strengths of its excellent operations. The
business continues to provide highest quality self-adhesive labels to major
customers throughout the UK particularly in the beauty-care, healthcare and
pharmaceutical industries. The opportunity to develop sales of other products
in the new Packaging Division will be actively pursued. New market sectors are
also being targeted to broaden the sales base in the business.
Consolidation of activities
In January 2001, we combined our Merchanting, Packaging and Labels businesses
into one new Division. The newly formed Packaging Division will focus
primarily on offering complete packaging solutions to its customers, aiming to
achieve pre-eminent levels of customer service. The main operational
objectives for the new Division will be to meet the differing buying habits of
our existing and target customers and to dramatically improve our capability
by streamlining delivery systems by building an integrated procurement,
manufacturing and logistics function. New marketing and sales channels will be
developed, supported by customer initiatives and investments in information
systems and e-business capability.
Our new management team has reviewed all sites and operations in the newly
created Division. Costs to vacate properties and reduce the headcount by over
120 staff are expected to total £2.0m, of which £1.0m will be the cash cost to
be incurred in 2001, the balance relating to asset write-downs in 2001 and
cash costs in 2002. Resultant benefits will reach £1.5m on an annualised
basis, from the middle of 2002, however as previously indicated restructuring
charges and benefits from consolidation will be broadly neutral in 2001.
Plastics Division
Throughout 2000 there remained strong competition for business, reflecting a
trading environment with high material costs and overcapacity in the UK
market. Whilst this had an impact on profitability, the Division performed
creditably and remains well placed to reap further benefits when raw material
prices move in our favour. The hardening of raw material prices in the first
half of 2000 continued to be a feature and despite particularly tough trading
conditions, the Division responded well and achieved the excellent levels of
profitability that we would expect from its strong and experienced management
team.
Macfarlane Plastics is now recognised as one of the market leaders in the UK
plastics industry. All six of the previously self-standing subsidiaries have
been fully integrated under the Macfarlane Plastics brand. Following our
strategy of incremental acquisitions in place of capital expenditure, the
Division acquired Marpak Polythene Supplies Limited, a profitable extruder and
converter based in Leeds, and Monospec Limited an extruder and printer based
in Wrexham, for an aggregate consideration of £2.3m in the second quarter of
2000. Both companies have traded well and above our expectations since
acquisition.
Similar incremental acquisitions continue to be targeted as an alternative to
capital expenditure driven organic growth. Our management team has
consistently bought good quality capacity and integrated it quickly, achieving
overhead savings and leveraging benefits through scale. Further opportunities
are being sought to increase the product and service offering to customers. A
key focus in 2001 will be to press forward with the integration of existing
businesses to fewer sites of significant scale, enabling the Division to
realise the benefits of even more efficient production and a continuing
reduction in its overhead base.
New business initiatives
A new business team has been established, reporting directly to our Chief
Executive, Iain Duffin. This team will be responsible for a number of
initiatives to create and develop new business across the range of the Group's
existing activities as well as in new markets, with a particular emphasis on
delivering a successful e-business capability and replicating our success in
Hungary with other customers in different locations.
Proposed acquisition of British Polythene Industries plc
During 2000, the Board of Macfarlane Group sought to combine its interests
with British Polythene Industries plc ('BPI') to create a business of
significant scale and capability in European terms. We believed strongly that
this would be to the benefit of shareholders and customers. Macfarlane Group
shareholders gave significant support to our Board throughout the offer period
and we acknowledge that support with gratitude. Shareholders recognised our
commitment that we would not overpay and therefore not consider raising our
offer beyond 310p. Whilst we were disappointed not to receive sufficient
support from BPI shareholders at this level, we are grateful to 35% who did
support us, either by accepting our offer or selling us shares. As the largest
shareholder in BPI, our interest is now aligned with the interests of all
other shareholders and we look to the Board of BPI to demonstrate that they
will deliver value to all their shareholders.
The costs in relation to the proposed acquisition are now confirmed at £1.95
million, below the £2 million highlighted in our December statement, and are
included within administrative expenses. A provision of £2.52 million has been
made to reduce the carrying value of our investment in BPI, purchased in the
later stages of the offer period, which is held within current asset
investments, to the directors' valuation of the investment at the end of the
year. The Directors have considered a full range of values and have determined
a valuation, which reflects the Directors' assessment of the net realisable
value, whilst taking into account the benefits of the tender offer undertaken
by BPI in January 2001. Macfarlane Group tendered its full entitlement in
respect of BPI's tender offer and received £6.32m in respect of the shares
tendered.
Completion of initial strategic review
Flo-pak (UK) Limited was sold on 11 February 2000 for a consideration of £3.6m
net of expenses of sale, with the purchaser assuming debt of £0.5m on
acquisition. A profit on disposal of £0.5m has been recorded in the results
for 2000.
Finance
We have continued to invest where there are key needs to meet future growth
plans. Capital expenditure in 2000 was restricted to £4.1m, reflecting our
objectives to generate returns from the significant capital expenditure
incurred in previous years. Our Plastics Division continues to pursue
incremental acquisitions as a means of combining new capacity to the Group,
with a ready-made customer base, as an alternative to capital expenditure
driven growth.
The Group acquired two Plastics' companies, Marpak Limited and Monospec
Limited in the second quarter of 2000 and two Labels' companies Reseal-It
Sweden AB and Abbot Labels Limited in the third quarter of 2000, at a cash
cost of £6.6m with inherited borrowings of £0.6m. In addition the Group's
investment in BPI during the later stages of the offer period cost £14.8m in
December 2000 of which £6.3m was received in January 2001 from the tender
offer. Despite these significant investments, net debt remains modest at £
23.3m at December 2000 reflecting Macfarlane Group's traditionally strong cash
generation. The effect on profits is a net interest charge just under £1.0m
compared to £0.8 million in 1999 and interest cover at over fifteen times
remains strong.
Whilst the strength of sterling currently disadvantages many UK manufacturing
companies, there is no doubt that proximity to customers who relocate overseas
will be a requirement in the medium term. Macfarlane Group will seek to
service our customers on a global basis if it creates shareholder value. Any
such expansion will be financed from our existing borrowing facilities.
At our Annual General Meeting on 22 May 2000, the Board obtained shareholder
approval to buy back up to 10% of the shares in the company. The Board intends
to use this facility to make tactical share buy-backs. It is the Directors'
intention to seek shareholder approval to renew this authority at the AGM in
May 2001 to continue to have the flexibility to buy back shares.
Macfarlane Group currently faces a number of significant investments to
establish an appropriate base for future growth. Our Executive is currently
examining a number of options to finance these investments and is confident
that, by a significant realignment of the asset base from manufacturing
capacity to intellectual property based assets, the necessary investments can
be funded in a cash neutral manner.
Management and employees
During the year the Board set a number of important objectives for the
Executive team and the employees of the company. All our management teams and
employees deserve our gratitude for their commitment in meeting the
considerable challenges we faced during 2000, another challenging year for the
Group.
Future prospects
John Ward concluded: -
'It continues to be an exciting time within Macfarlane Group. The Board draws
considerable encouragement from the depth of capability in the Group. The
combination of key quality manufacturing processes and a significant
distribution and fulfilment capability is a key strength, which should enable
the company to continue to produce good top-line and earnings growth. Our key
objective in reshaping Macfarlane Group is to produce a Company, which will
continue to provide shareholder value by meeting targets to achieve
double-digit earnings growth.
Our Executive Team has demonstrated its ability to effectively absorb
incremental acquisitions into our existing activities, as a means of
supplementing organic growth and as an alternative to capital expenditure. The
balance sheet and cash flow position of the Group remains strong, allowing
further investment to support plans for organic growth and take advantage of
acquisition opportunities.
The reshaped Macfarlane Group will provide leadership in selected markets
through the innovative delivery of cost effective products and services to our
customers. Macfarlane Group intends to be a competitive player and an
attractive profit generator capable of delivering superior shareholder
returns. Your Board expects to make further progress in 2001 in meeting its
objectives and shall not shirk from tough decisions to deliver shareholder
value.'
Macfarlane Group PLC
Year ended 31 December 2000
Consolidated profit and loss account
Year ended 31 December Year ended
2000
31 December 1999
£000 £000 £000 £000
Turnover Continuing operations 190,814 196,341
Acquisitions 7,113 -
197,927 196,341
Cost of sales 130,026 127,058
Gross profit 67,901 69,283
Net overheads Recurring 52,682 54,347
Exceptional 4,471 4,917
57,153 59,264
Operating profit 10,748 10,019
Operating profit Continuing opeartions 9,637 10,019
Acquisitions 1,111 -
10,748 10,019
Gain on disposal of fixed assets 1,391 -
12,139 10,019
Gain/(loss) on disposal of business 500 (6,580)
Profit before interest 12,639 3,439
Interest receivable 46 62
Interest payable (1,027) (883)
Profit before taxation 11,658 2,618
Tax on profit on ordinary activities 3,926 3,016
Profit/(loss) for the financial year 7,732 (398)
Dividends on equity shares 6,024 5,809
Retained profit/(loss) for the year 1,708 (6,207)
Earnings/(loss) per ordinary share of 6.10p (0.31p)
25p
Diluted earnings/(loss) per ordinary 6.09p (0.31p)
share of 25p
Earnings per ordinary share 9.03p 7.48p
before exceptional expenses and
gain/(loss) on disposal of business
Diluted earnings per ordinary 9.02p 7.48p
share before exceptional expenses
and gain/(loss) on disposal of
business
Dividends per share 4.75p 4.58p
Corporation tax rate excluding 26.7% 29.6%
exceptional items
Notes:
1. Earnings per share are calculated on the basis of the weighted
average of 126,828,240 shares in issue (31 December 1999 - 126,828,240).
Diluted earnings per share are calculated on the weighted average on a
diluted basis in accordance with FRS 14 'Earnings Per Share' of
126,907,178 shares. (31 December 1999 - 126,828,240).
2. The figures for 2000 are extracted from those shown in the statutory
accounts on which the auditors will issue an unqualified report today and
which will not contain a statement under s237(2) or (3) of the Companies
Act 1985. The figures for 1999 are taken from the published accounts. A
copy of the full accounts for that year on which the auditors have also
issued an unqualified report, has been filed with the Registrar of
Companies.
Macfarlane Group PLC
31 December 2000
Consolidated balance sheet
As at 31 As at 31
December December
2000 1999
£000 £000
Fixed assets
Intangible assets 10,316 5,542
Tangible assets 55,404 61,615
65,720 67,157
Current assets
Current asset investments 12,279 -
Stocks 13,277 11,670
Debtors 47,287 45,094
Cash at bank and in hand 2,230 1,674
75,073 58,438
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 68,936 55,518
Net current assets 6,137 2,920
Total assets less current liabilities 71,857 70,077
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than
one year 880 95
Provisions for liabilities and charges 2,140 2,295
Total net assets 68,837 67,687
Operating assets by division
Merchanting business 15,912 19,036
Packaging business 29,356 30,403
Labels business 8,839 3,580
Packaging 54,107 53,019
Plastics 38,010 20,951
Under strategic review - 3,383
Operating assets 92,117 77,353
Net debt (23,280) (9,666)
Net assets 68,837 67,687
Notes:
1. Audited accounts will be sent to shareholders on or about 5 April 2001 and
will be available to members of the public at the Company's Registered
Office, 21 Newton Place, Glasgow, G3 7PY from 9 April 2001.
2. The Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 9 May 2001 and the
final dividend payable to shareholders on the register at close of
business on 17 April 2001 will be paid on 24 May 2001.
3. Financial Reporting Standard 15 has been adopted in these accounts, with no
effect on the current or preceding financial year.
4. There have been no changes of accounting policies during the year.
Macfarlane Group PLC
Year ended 31 December 2000
Consolidated cash flow statement
Year Year
ended 31 ended 31
December December
2000 1999
£000 £000
Net cash flow from operating activities (see 16,431 19,147
note 1 below)
Cash outflow from returns on investments and (963) (819)
servicing finance
Tax paid (4,593) (4,469)
Net cash outflow from capital expenditure & (14,083) (980)
financial investment
Net cash outflow from acquisitions and disposals (3,183) (4,564)
Equity dividends paid (5,834) (5,745)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow before liquid resources (12,225) 2,570
and financing
Management of liquid resources - -
Net cash outflow from financing (1,128) (930)
(Decrease)/increase in cash in the period (see (13,353) 1,640
note 2 below)
Notes:
2000 1999
1. Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash
flow from operating activities £000 £000
Operating profit before exceptional charges 16,610 14,936
Exceptional costs (4,471)(4,917)
Operating profit 12,139 10,019
Depreciation 6,590 8,336
Amortisation of intangible assets 468 145
Provision against value of investment 2,526 -
Gain on disposal of tangible assets (1,391) (146)
(Increase)/decrease in stocks (1,062) 447
(Increase)/decrease in debtors (527)(2,578)
(Decrease)/increase in creditors (2,312) 2,924
Net cash inflow from operating activities 16,431 19,147
2. Reconciliation of movement in net debt
(Decrease)/increase in cash in the period (13,353) 1,640
Cash inflow from decrease in debt and lease financing 1,128 930
Cash inflow from decrease in liquid resources - -
(12,225) 2,570
Borrowings acquired with subsidiaries (1,389) (199)
New finance leases and loan notes - (621)
Movement in net debt in the period (13,614) 1,750
Opening net debt (9,666)(11,416)
Closing net debt (23,280) (9,666)
Macfarlane Group PLC
Year ended 31 December 2000
Analysis of turnover and profits by division
Year ended 31 December 2000
Strategic
Merchanting Packaging Labels Plastics review 2000
£000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000
Turnover 56,425 63,801 14,123 56,274 191 190,814
acquisitions - - 2,189 4,924 - 7,113
56,425 63,801 16,312 61,198 191 197,927
Cost of sales 38,810 43,000 9,598 38,605 13 130,026
Gross profit 17,615 20,801 6,714 22,593 178 67,901
Net overheads 13,898 16,609 4,018 16,605 161 51,291
3,717 4,192 2,696 5,988 17 16,610
Exceptional - - - (4,471) - (4,471)
costs
Gain on disposal - - - - 500 500
Profit before 3,717 4,192 2,696 1,517 517 12,639
interest
Continuing 3,717 4,192 2,325 777 517 11,528
Acquisitions - - 371 740 - 1,111
Profit before 3,717 4,192 2,696 1,517 517 12,639
interest
Net interest 209 (448) 25 (767) - (981)
Profit before 3,926 3,744 2,721 750 517 11,658
tax
Year ended 31 December 1999
Strategic
Merchanting Packaging Labels Plastics review 1999
£000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000
Turnover 51,653 57,587 17,084 58,681 11,336 196,341
Cost of sales 34,970 38,967 9,258 38,908 4,955 127,058
Gross profit 16,683 18,620 7,826 19,773 6,381 69,283
Net overheads 13,019 15,319 4,204 14,610 7,195 54,347
3,664 3,301 3,622 5,163 (814) 14,936
Restructuring (718) (3,799) - (400) - (4,917)
costs
Loss on disposal - - - - (6,580) (6,580)
Profit/(loss) 2,946 (498) 3,622 4,763 (7,394) 3,439
before interest
Net interest 25 (382) 119 (428) (155) (821)
Profit/(loss) 2,971 (880) 3,741 4,335 (7,549) 2,618
before tax
Macfarlane Group PLC
Year ended 31 December 2000
Segmental information on operating assets by division
31 December 2000
Merchanting Packaging Labels Sub Plastics 2000
total
£000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000
Fixed assets 11,222 24,580 8,885 44,687 21,033 65,720
Stocks 3,512 3,907 1,174 8,593 4,684 13,277
Debtors 12,617 14,645 4,158 31,420 15,867 47,287
Current asset - - - - 12,279 12,279
investments
Current assets 16,129 18,552 5,332 40,013 32,830 72,843
Creditors 11,421 13,253 4,968 29,642 14,664 44,306
Net current assets 4,708 5,299 364 10,371 18,166 28,537
Total assets less
current liabilities 15,930 29,879 9,249 55,058 39,199 94,257
Deferred taxation 18 523 410 951 1,189 2,140
Operating assets 15,912 29,356 8,839 54,107 38,010 92,117
Net (debt)/funds 5,502 (3,027) (2,485) (10) (23,270) (23,280)
Total net assets 21,414 26,329 6,354 54,097 14,740 68,837
31 December 1999
Strategic
Merchanting Packaging Labels Plastics review 1999
£000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000
Fixed assets 12,417 27,402 4,098 20,033 3,207 67,157
Stocks 3,506 2,994 1,120 3,750 300 11,670
Debtors 12,798 13,203 3,523 14,865 705 45,094
Current assets 16,304 16,197 4,643 18,615 1,005 56,764
Creditors 9,625 12,401 4,734 16,708 805 44,273
Net current assets 6,679 3,796 (91) 1,907 200 12,491
Total assets less
current liabilities 19,096 31,198 4,007 21,940 3,407 79,648
Deferred taxation 60 795 427 989 24 2,295
Operating assets 19,036 30,403 3,580 20,951 3,383 77,353
Net (debt)/funds 1,327 (7,178) 2,036 (6,107) 256 (9,666)
Total net assets 20,363 23,225 5,616 14,844 3,639 67,687