Interim Results

Photo-Me International PLC 12 January 2004 PHOTO-ME INTERNATIONAL PLC: INTERIM ANNOUNCEMENT 2003/04 results expected to exceed market expectations PMI, the world's leading operator of photobooths and a significant manufacturer of photo-processing equipment, is delighted to confirm the prediction made in the Preliminary Announcement of 30 June 2003 that 2003/04 will register not just a material improvement in results but also a further material reduction in indebtedness, following substantial progress in the half year ended 31 October 2003. Financial Highlights • Turnover up 22.7% to £117.2m • EBITDA up 62.9% to £32.1m • Pre-tax profit up 1020% to £15.1m (2002: £1.3m) • Basic earnings per share up 1045% to 2.52p (2002: 0.22p) • Net cash inflow from operating activities totalled £35.5m (2002: £24.0m) • Net debt reduced by over three-quarters to £7.9m from £33.4m at 30 April 2003, reducing gearing to 11.1% from 54.0% Commercial Highlights • Operations turnover was unchanged at £79.1m but performance was substantially improved. • Manufacturing turnover increased by 133% to £38.1m. The increase was principally the consequence of the launch in December 2002 of the DKS 1500 and its OEM variant for Kodak. The turn-around in Manufacturing has been the main contributor to the significantly improved profit in the half year. • The £1.4m acquisition of Imaging Solutions, the former Gretag central lab business, in April 2003, generated turnover of £5.7m and a contribution to profits. • The planned move of a substantial proportion of minilab manufacture to a sub-contractor in Poland, which started in December, has the potential materially to improve margins. • In order to capitalise on the rapidly expanding digital camera market, the Board has decided to launch Digital Media Kiosks on many of its sites, worldwide. Serge Crasnianski, CEO, stated: 'The Directors are confident that, despite the second half of the year being traditionally much the weaker of the two for Operations, in 2003/04 PMI will achieve results that will be ahead of current market expectations. Further out, the Directors believe that the widespread adoption of, and developments in, digital photography offer huge opportunities to PMI for sustained profitable growth.' Analyst Presentation: Today, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m, an analyst presentation will be held at Regus, CityPoint, 1 Ropemaker Street, London, EC2, which is situated under 200 yards from Moorgate underground station. Enquiries: Photo-Me International plc 01372-453 399 Vernon Sankey (Deputy Chairman) Serge Crasnianski (Chief Executive Officer) Jean-Luc Peurois (Group Finance Director) Bankside Consultants Limited Charles Ponsonby 020-7444 4166/07789-202 312 CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S STATEMENT As predicted in the Preliminary Announcement of the 2002/03 results on 30 June 2003 and as indicated at the time of the AGM of 5 November 2003, PMI has enjoyed a substantially improved trading performance in both Operations and Manufacturing in the first half. Consequently, the interim pre-tax profit increased by 1020% to £15.1m, which represents current market expectations for the full year, whilst net debt has been reduced by over three-quarters in the half year, to £7.9m. Additionally, prospects of further substantial progress are good. Following a substantial share price increase since the start of the calendar year 2003, PMI's shares have been classified in the FTSE 250 index since September and PMI was the top share price performer of 2003 of those companies included at 31 December 2003 in the FTSE 350. PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT OVERVIEW On turnover up 22.7% at £117.2m (2002: £95.6m), operating profit totalled £15.6m (2002: £2.6m), up 508% and representing an operating margin of 13.3% (2002: 2.7%), including a positive currency translation effect of £0.9m. After an exceptional £0.4m (2002: nil) profit on disposal of a joint venture, profit on ordinary activities before interest amounted to £16.0m (2002: £2.6m). Following deduction of reduced net interest payable of £0.9m (2002: £1.2m), covered 18.6 times (2002: 2.1 times), pre-tax profit was £15.1m (2002: £1.3m). Profit before tax and exceptionals was £14.8m (2002: £1.3m), 10.9 times the previous figure. Basic earnings per share of 2.52p (2002: 0.22p), before exceptionals, reflected a tax charge of £5.4m (2002: £0.5m), representing an effective tax rate of 35.4% (2002: 33.7%), and minority interests of £0.2m (2002: £0.1m). Basic earnings per share, after exceptionals, were 2.62p (2002: 0.22p). Demonstrating the usual strength of PMI's cash generation, EBITDA was £32.1m (2002: £19.7m), and the depreciation charge of £16.1m (2002: £17.1m) substantially exceeded net capital expenditure (including on intangible assets) of £9.6m (2002: £7.3m). Operations turnover was unchanged at £79.1m, 68% (2002: 83%) of total turnover. Third party Manufacturing turnover increased by 133% to £38.1m (2002: £16.4m), 32% (2002: 17%) of total turnover. Being the home to PMI's Manufacturing activities as well as being the area with the largest Operations business, Continental Europe was the driver of PMI's dramatically improved performance; turnover improved by 42% to £68.4m (2002: £48.3m), 58% (2002: 51%) of total turnover, generating substantially all the Group's pre-tax profit, with a contribution of £14.7m (2002: £1.7m). The next most important area, the UK and the Republic of Ireland, contributed 26% (2002: 29%) of total turnover and £0.7m (2002: £0.1m) of pre-tax profit. BORROWINGS AND CASH FLOW During the half year, net debt decreased by over three-quarters to £7.9m (30 April 2003: £33.4m), reflecting improved profitability combined with the cash-generative nature of the Operations business. With net assets before deducting minority interests increased in the half year to £71.0m (30 April 2003: £61.9m), gearing decreased to 11.1% from 54.0% at 30 April 2003 (and 58.8% at 31 October 2002). Net cash inflow from operating activities totalled £35.5m (2002: £24.0m), helped by a further reduction in working capital of £3.9m (2002: £4.4m). DIVIDENDS Although no interim dividend is being declared, as was announced in the Chairman's AGM Statement of 5 November 2003, it is expected that a final dividend for the current year will be proposed. BUSINESS REVIEW Operations The Operations business comprises the operation of photobooths and other vending equipment. At the half year end, the total number of Operations sites worldwide had increased by 1,000 since a year previously, to 26,000, including some 20,000 photobooths (75% of which are now digital). Although total Operations turnover was unchanged in the period, performance was substantially improved as a result of management actions and cost control. PMI is a global company with three main Operations countries - the UK, France and Japan - in all of which it continues to enjoy the market leading position. Operations turnover in the UK and the Republic of Ireland (with 8,200 sites, including 5,800 photobooths of which 75% are digital) was maintained, despite the previously announced loss of the Safeway contract in October 2002. Furthermore, this territory returned to profitability, ahead of expectations, reflecting the diminished threat posed by a predatory competitor and the beneficial effect of significant management changes made a year ago. Operations turnover in France (with 8,500 sites, including 5,900 photobooths) was maintained in Euro terms but, on translation to sterling, increased by 7%. This territory is well equipped - 92% of the photobooths being digital. In the current financial year, the important contracts with the Paris Metro and French Railways have been renewed. Operations turnover in Japan (with 4,000 sites, including 3,900 photobooths) decreased by 3% in sterling terms (flat in Yen terms), despite a 5% increase in the number of machines and an increase in the proportion of digital to 63% from 43%. This performance reflected Japan's sustained recession. Of PMI's smaller markets, Germany experienced a small turnover decrease, Switzerland maintained its level of activity, whilst the US, a less important territory, experienced a more substantial decrease in turnover following further rationalisation of its sited photobooths. Manufacturing Manufacturing turnover primarily derives from the sale to third parties of photo-processing equipment manufactured by PMI. This equipment mainly comprises minilabs but also includes, since its acquisition in April 2003, the Gretag central lab business, now trading as Imaging Solutions AG. The 133% increase in Manufacturing turnover was principally the consequence of the substantial sales of the DKS 1500 minilab through PMI's worldwide network of distributors and its OEM contract with Kodak. Volume production at Grenoble became increasingly efficient with the passage of time and very high quality standards are now being achieved. The DKS minilab range now addresses the requirements of 95% of the market, as against 40% previously. The Imaging Solutions business generated a turnover of £5.7 million in the period and contributed to improved pre-tax profits. Based near Zurich in Switzerland, Imaging Solutions is involved in the development, manufacture, sale and technical support of equipment and systems for high volume photofinishing laboratories, in which activity at the time of acquisition it had a global 30% market share. Its CYRA system, which is capable of processing more than 10,000 prints an hour, is the most advanced on the market and offers the only complete digital solution. As a result of the acquisition of the Gretag activity, PMI can offer processing solutions ranging between 550 and 10,000 prints an hour. Synergies with PMI's minilab business are increasingly being found in the areas of research, sales and maintenance. BOARD Since October 2003, two non-independent non-executive directors have retired, Philippe Wahl and Peter Ogborne. As a result of share dealings by directors in October, the Board's aggregate shareholding has reduced to 44.2% from 52.1% of the shares in issue. THE MARKET OPPORTUNITY Considering that digital camera and digital camera phone sales are expected to grow exponentially in the next few years, PMI is very well placed to satisfy the increased needs of printing digital pictures, with: - the only digital central lab solution - the digital minilab which produces the best quality prints (Photo Marketing Association award March 2003) - Digital Media Kiosks, offering vending machine convenience to digital camera customers, which can be sited at an unrivalled network of locations worldwide. STRATEGY In the Preliminary Announcement of the 2002/03 results made in June 2003, it was stated that, in the short term, PMI would aim to reduce indebtedness materially, keep under review all major cost areas, secure continued recovery of UK Operations and improve volume Manufacturing capability. In the half year, these aims had been achieved in that indebtedness was materially reduced, gross margins increased and administrative expenses decreased, the recovery of UK Operations continued and Manufacturing volumes substantially increased. The Preliminary Announcement of June further stated that, in the longer term, PMI would maintain or increase the high level of cashflow generation, extend the services on offer by Operations into related areas, and obtain for Manufacturing a substantial share of the world market for the manufacture of digital photo-processing equipment. This remains the case. Following successful trials in France, Germany and Switzerland, a substantial part of the cashflow generated will be deployed in manufacturing, mainly for operation by PMI, a large number of Digital Media Kiosks, capable of printing from both digital cameras and digital camera phones. PROSPECTS Operations France is expected to continue to trade well, the UK is expected to continue its recovery and Japan is expected to improve following continuing investment in new photobooths. Looking beyond the current year, the operation of Digital Media Kiosks offers exciting prospects. Manufacturing Anticipated demand for minilabs is strong and unit sales are expected to be maintained. The planned move of a substantial proportion of minilab manufacture to the subcontractor, Flextronics, in Poland, started in December, will gather pace in calendar 2004 and has the potential materially to improve margins. A useful and increasing contribution from Imaging Solutions is also anticipated. Overall The Directors are confident that, despite the second half of the year being traditionally much the weaker of the two for Operations, in 2003/04 PMI will achieve results that will be ahead of current market expectations. Further out, the Directors believe that the widespread adoption of, and developments in, digital photography offer huge opportunities to PMI for sustained profitable growth. Serge Crasnianski Chief Executive Officer 12 January 2004 GROUP PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT for the six months ended 31 October 2003 Audited year to 30 April 2003 Unaudited Unaudited 6 months to 6 months to Before After 31 October 31 October exceptional Exceptional exceptional 2003 2002 items items items Note £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Turnover - continuing operations 117,245 95,692 187,731 - 187,731 Less: share of turnover of joint venture - (115) (343) - (343) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Turnover 2 117,245 95,577 187,388 - 187,388 Cost of sales (90,470) (80,505) (164,389) (1) (164,390) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Gross profit/(loss) 26,775 15,072 22,999 (1) 22,998 Administrative expenses (11,623) (12,803) (23,891) - (23,891) Other operating income 435 447 1,350 - 1,350 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Operating profit/(loss) - continuing operations 15,587 2,716 458 (1) 457 Share of operating loss of joint venture - (184) (394) - (394) Share of operating profit of associates 20 35 23 - 23 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total operating profit/(loss) 15,607 2,567 87 (1) 86 Profit on disposal of joint venture 358 - - - - Provision against fixed asset investments - - - (1,163) (1,163) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Profit/(loss) on ordinary activites before interest 15,965 2,567 87 (1,164) (1,077) Interest receivable 80 193 285 - 285 Interest payable (937) (1,411) (2,616) - (2,616) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before taxation 3 15,108 1,349 (2,244) (1,164) (3,408) Tax (charge)/credit on profit/loss on ordinary activities 4 (5,353) (455) (1,221) 369 (852) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities after taxation 9,755 894 (3,465) (795) (4,260) Minority interests - equity interests (232) (72) (58) - (58) - non-equity interests (10) (11) (21) - (21) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Retained profit/(loss) for period 9,513 811 (3,544) (795) (4,339) ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Basic earnings per share - before exceptional items 6 2.52p 0.22p (0.98p) - - - exceptional items 6 0.10p - - (0.22p) - Basic earnings per share 6 2.62p 0.22p - - (1.20p) Diluted earnings per share - before exceptional items 6 2.50p 0.22p (0.98p) - - - exceptional items 6 0.10p - - (0.22p) - Diluted earnings per share 6 2.60p 0.22p - - (1.20p) GROUP BALANCE SHEET as at 31 October 2003 Unaudited Unaudited Audited 31 October 31 October 30 April 2003 2002 2003 Note £000 £000 £000 Fixed assets Intangible assets - goodwill 7 8,098 8,591 8,331 - development costs, patents and licences 7 10,693 7,542 9,942 Tangible assets 7 70,808 80,595 78,669 Investments 282 1,416 307 --------- --------- --------- 89,881 98,144 97,249 --------- --------- --------- Current assets Stocks 23,385 19,430 20,189 Debtors 31,152 26,784 25,216 Investments and short-term deposits 10,683 2,906 1,153 Cash at bank and in hand 14,254 9,227 10,122 --------- --------- --------- 79,474 58,347 56,680 Creditors Amounts falling due within one year 63,544 55,043 55,027 --------- --------- --------- Net current assets 15,930 3,304 1,653 --------- --------- --------- Total assets less current 105,811 101,448 98,902 liabilities Creditors Amounts falling due after more than one year 22,413 27,441 24,959 --------- --------- --------- --------- 83,398 74,007 73,943 Provisions for liabilities and charges Provisions 6,229 5,542 5,198 Investment in joint venture - 322 529 Deferred taxation 6,162 5,507 6,309 --------- --------- --------- 12,391 11,371 12,036 --------- --------- --------- 71,007 62,636 61,907 Minority interests - equity interests 1,481 1,038 1,106 - non-equity interests 830 878 870 --------- --------- --------- 68,696 60,720 59,931 ========= ========= ========= Capital and reserves Called-up share capital 2,017 2,016 2,016 Reserves: Share premium account 8 2,823 2,729 2,729 Other reserves 8 2,829 2,471 2,920 Profit and loss account 8 61,027 53,504 52,266 --------- --------- --------- 68,696 60,720 59,931 ========= ========= ========= Shareholders' funds are attributable to: Equity interests 68,495 60,519 59,730 Non-equity interests 201 201 201 --------- --------- --------- 68,696 60,720 59,931 ========= ========= ========= GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT for the six months ended 31 October 2003 Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months to 6 months to year to 31 October 31 October 30 April 2003 2002 2003 Note £000 £000 £000 Net cash inflow from operating activites a 35,544 24,030 42,206 Dividends from 25 - - associated undertakings Returns on investments and servicing of finance (869) (1,253) (2,384) Taxation 56 (131) (1,483) Capital expenditure and financial investment (9,631) (7,324) (16,971) Acquisitions and (113) (144) (141) disposals -------- ------- ------- Cash inflow before use of liquid 25,012 15,178 21,227 resources and financing Management of liquid (9,560) (701) 1,222 resources Financing - decrease in debt (10,929) (4,138) (11,416) - ordinary shares issued 95 - - for cash - shares in subsidiary issued to 265 - - minority -------- ------- ------- Increase in cash in the 4,883 10,339 11,033 period ======== ======= ======= Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt b Increase in cash in the 4,883 10,339 11,033 period Repayment of capital element of 1,291 1,152 2,137 finance leases Cash flow from decrease 9,638 2,986 9,279 debt Cash flow from increase/ (decrease) in 9,560 701 (1,222) liquid resources -------- ------- ------- Change in net debt resulting from cash 25,372 15,178 21,227 flows Other non-cash movements - - (26) Foreign exchange translation 179 (628) (3,198) differences -------- ------- ------- Movement in net debt in 25,551 14,550 18,003 the period Opening net debt (33,401) (51,404) (51,404) -------- ------- ------- Closing net debt (7,850) (36,854) (33,401) ======== ======= ======= NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT for the six months ended 31 October 2003 (a) Reconciliation of operating profit to operating cash flow Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months to 6 months to year to 31 October 31 October 30 April 2003 2002 2003 £000 £000 £000 Operating profit 15,587 2,716 457 Depreciation and amortisation charges 16,114 17,129 35,332 Non-cash charge relating to exceptional items - - 1 (Profit)/loss on sale of assets (51) (118) 69 Other non-cash movements (26) (138) (508) --------- --------- -------- Gross cash inflow 31,624 19,589 35,351 Net movement in working capital 3,920 4,441 6,855 --------- --------- -------- Net cash inflow from operating activities 35,544 24,030 42,206 ========= ========= ======== (b) Analysis of net debt At Other At At 1 May non-cash Exchange 31 October 31 October 2003 Cash flow changes movement 2003 2002 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Cash at bank and in hand 10,122 4,199 (67) 14,254 9,227 Overdrafts (4,477) 684 32 (3,761) (3,800) ------- 4,883 ------- Debt due after one year (24,296) 1,997 4,285 113 (17,901) (26,004) Debt due within one year (13,028) 7,641 (4,285) 77 (9,595) (15,821) Finance leases (2,875) 1,291 54 (1,530) (3,362) ------- 10,929 ------- Current asset investments and short term deposits 1,153 9,560 (30) 10,683 2,906 ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- Total (33,401) 25,372 179 (7,850) (36,854) ======= ======= ======= ======== ======== ======== GROUP STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES for the six months ended 31 October 2003 Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months to 6 months to year to 31 October 31 October 30 April 2003 2002 2003 £000 £000 £000 Profit/(loss) attributable to shareholders 9,513 811 (4,339) Exchange adjustments (843) 570 4,931 --------- -------- --------- Total recognised gains and losses for the period 8,670 1,381 592 ========= ======== ========= RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS for the six months ended 31 October 2003 Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months to 6 months to year to 31 October 31 October 30 April 2003 2002 2003 £000 £000 £000 Profit/(loss) for the period 9,513 811 (4,339) Exchange adjustments (843) 570 4,931 Shares issued 95 - - --------- -------- --------- Net movement in shareholders' funds 8,765 1,381 592 Opening shareholders' funds 59,931 59,339 59,339 --------- -------- --------- Closing shareholders' funds 68,696 60,720 59,931 ========= ======== ========= NOTES ON THE ACCOUNTS for the six months ended 31 October 2003 1 Basis of preparation of the interim accounts The interim accounts have been prepared on the basis of accounting policies set out in the Group's 2003 Report and Accounts. For the preparation of the interim accounts, the results of overseas undertakings have been translated at exchange rates ruling on 31 October 2003. Turnover and operating profit are derived from continuing operations. The financial information set out in this document in respect of the year ended 30 April 2003 does not constitute the Group's statutory accounts for that period but has been extracted from the statutory accounts, which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The auditors' report on those accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. 2 Turnover Turnover was contributed as follows: 6 months to 6 months to Year to 31 October 31 October 30 April 2003 2002 2003 £000 £000 £000 Analysis by activity Manufacturing: Total sales 38,740 18,442 40,477 Sales of capital equipment to Group undertakings for own use (657) (2,090) (2,879) -------- -------- -------- Sales to third parties 38,083 16,352 37,598 Operations 79,162 79,225 149,790 -------- -------- -------- Total sales to third parties 117,245 95,577 187,388 ======== ======== ======== Geographical analysis by origin United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland 30,377 27,841 51,112 Continental Europe 68,350 48,294 97,812 Asia 16,084 16,245 33,022 United States of America 2,434 3,197 5,442 -------- -------- -------- 117,245 95,577 187,388 ======== ======== ======== Sales of capital equipment to Group undertakings originates from Continental Europe and has been excluded from the geographical analysis by origin. 3 Profit on ordinary activities before taxation Year to 30 April 2003 ------------- 6 months to 6 months to Before After 31 October 31 October exceptional exceptional 2003 2002 items items £000 £000 £000 £000 Geographical analysis United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland 677 140 (1,641) (571) Continental Europe 14,721 1,686 1,327 164 Asia 69 121 (455) (455) United States of America (359) (598) (1,475) (2,546) -------- -------- -------- -------- 15,108 1,349 (2,244) (3,408) ======== ======== ======== ======== 4 Taxation 6 months to 6 months to Year to 31 October 31 October 30 April 2003 2002 2003 £000 £000 £000 United Kingdom 169 88 (178) Overseas 5,184 367 1,030 ----------- ---------- -------- 5,353 455 852 =========== ========== ======== The charges for taxation for the six months ended 31 October 2003 have been computed by applying the estimated effective tax rates for the full financial year. 5 Dividends The Directors have decided not to declare an interim dividend this year (2002: nil). 6 Earnings per share The calculation of earnings per share is based on the following: 6 months to 6 months to Year to 31 October 31 October 30 April 2003 2002 2003 Earnings attributable to shareholders - before exceptional items (£000) 9,155 811 (3,544) - exceptional items (£000) 358 - (795) - after exceptional items (£000) 9,513 811 (4,339) Weighted average number of shares in issue in the period - basic (000) 363,122 362,994 363,008 - including dilutive share options (000) 366,251 362,994 365,244 ========= ========== ========= 7 Fixed assets Development costs, patents and Goodwill licences Tangible £000 £000 £000 Net book value at 1 May 2003 8,331 9,942 78,669 Exchange adjustment (3) (191) (559) Additions - operating equipment - - 5,823 - other 28 3,196 1,082 Depreciation provided in the period (258) (2,254) (13,602) Disposals at net book value - - (605) ---------- --------- -------- Net book value at 31 October 2003 8,098 10,693 70,808 ========== ========= ======== 8 Reserves Share Profit premium Other and loss account Reserves account £000 £000 £000 Balance at 1 May 2003 2,729 2,920 52,266 Exchange adjustment - (91) (752) Arising on share issues 94 - - Profit for the period - - 9,513 ---------- --------- -------- Balance at 31 October 2003 2,823 2,829 61,027 ========== ========= ======== 9 Copies of the Interim Report Copies of the Interim Report will be mailed to shareholders on 21 January 2004 and from that date will be available from the Company's Registered Office at Church Road, Bookham, Surrey KT23 3EU (tel: 01372-453399). 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