Final Results

Portmeirion Group PLC 19 March 2001 PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000 HIGHLIGHTS 2000 1999 Increase £000's £'000's % Turnover 30,727 27,469 11.9 Profit before tax 3,351 2,823 18.7 Earnings per share 22.19p 18.50p 19.9 Dividends per share 13.25p 13.25p - CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Sales for the year were £30.727m, an 11.9% growth over the previous year. The profit before tax of £3.351m, compares with £2.823m the previous year, an increase of 18.7%. Earnings per share were 22.19p. which compares with 18.50p. the previous year. The Board is recommending a final dividend of 9.95p. bringing the total to 13.25p. for the year. This is unchanged from 1999. The dividend cover is 1.7. During 2000, the steady development of the business continued in all departments. Sales in our two most important markets, the UK and the USA, have been good, increasing by 20% in the US and some 15% in the UK. We are concentrating considerable effort on Japan and the Far East, where we believe we have good prospects. To that end we have formed a wholly owned subsidiary in Japan. The climate is improving for exports to the European market and we expect gains there in the current year. Our product development strategy is now delivering excellent results. Enhancements to our classic ranges, with the emphasis on the world famous Botanic Garden and Pomona patterns, has rejuvenated the offer, leading to significantly improved sales in both the UK and USA. Two new contemporary collections, Dawn and Dusk, were introduced during the first half of the year. Both ranges have achieved excellent sales, and enhanced our reputation for innovative and creative design. Two new collections of tableware and giftware, Beachcomber and Amabel, have been launched during February 2001. Our reputation for exciting new products has enabled us to achieve immediate acceptance and sales with a large number of our retail customers, both in the home market and overseas. Our product development plans will ensure that we maintain the momentum that has now been generated. Our strategy of developing associated homeware and gift product ranges under the Portmeirion brand is paying handsome dividends. Sales of glassware and candles increased significantly. This has enabled us to sell into new retail outlets, and additional departments within department store groups. This careful diversification is continuing with textiles and metal products. We believe the Portmeirion brand can encompass a broadening homeware and gift range that concentrates on design excellence and quality. We are continuing to progress our plans for a Visitor Centre. This will comprise a new high technology factory extension, a tourist and visitor centre, and additional retail facilities. Subject to a final decision to proceed, we would anticipate spending some £10m over the next 3 years, of which £3m will be funded by grants from Government agencies and the E.U. The process of investment in new plant and the application of 'Lean Thinking' methods is helping to reduce loss and increase productivity, leading to lower costs and better service to customers. We now have a strong management team, led by the Chief Executive, Kami Farhadi, and we have added to the executive management team where new skills were required. Given the pace of change and development in the Group, investment in management expertise will continue to be a priority. We have further strengthened the Board of Directors to meet the challenges before us, by appointing Janis Kong as a Non-Executive Director. She is currently Managing Director of Gatwick Airport, part of BAA plc, and has wide business experience. Euan Cooper-Willis, our previous Chairman, continues to make a very valuable contribution in the role of Non-Executive Director and consultant. I believe we now have the corporate strategy and the management team to meet our aspirations for the growth and development of the Company. I would like to thank all our employees for their contribution during last year. Arthur Ralley Chairman 16 March 2001 For further information please contact: Kami Farhadi, Chief Executive Arthur Ralley, Chairman Tel: (01782) 744721 PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT For the year ended 31st December 2000 Notes 2000 1999 £000's £000's Turnover - continuing operations 30,727 27,469 Raw materials and operating costs (27,958) (25,110) Operating profit - continuing operations 2,769 2,359 Share of profit of associated undertakings 254 133 Interest receivable and similar income 328 332 Interest payable and similar charges - (1) Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 3,351 2,823 Taxation on profit on ordinary activities 1 (1,046) (901) Profit on ordinary activities after taxation being the profit for the financial year 2,305 1,922 Dividends (1,377) (1,377) Retained profit for the financial year 928 545 Earnings per share 22.19p 18.50p Diluted earnings per share 22.17p 18.49p Dividends per share 2 13.25p 13.25p PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET As at 31st December 2000 2000 1999 £000's £000's £000's £000's Fixed assets Tangible assets 9,119 9,441 Investments 1,262 1,088 10,381 10,529 Current assets Stocks 6,574 6,176 Debtors 5,978 4,443 Cash at bank and in hand 7,138 7,573 19,690 18,192 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (4,950) (4,609) Net current assets 14,740 13,583 Net assets 25,121 24,112 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 519 519 Share premium account 4,536 4,536 Profit and loss account 20,066 19,057 Equity shareholders' funds 25,121 24,112 PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT For the year ended 31st December 2000 2000 1999 £000's £000's Cash flow from operating activities 2,255 2,435 Dividends received from associates 118 160 Returns on investments and servicing of finance 315 327 Taxation (826) (903) Capital expenditure and financial investment (920) (1,271) Equity dividends paid (1,377) (1,377) Cash outflow before use of liquid resources and financing (435) (629) Management of liquid resources (1,125) (4,513) Decrease in cash in the year (1,560) (5,142) Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds 2000 1999 £000's £000's Decrease in cash in the year (1,560) (5,142) Cash outflow from increase in liquid resources 1,125 4,513 Net funds at 1st January 7,573 8,202 Net funds at 31st December 7,138 7,573 Reconciliation of operating profit to operating cash flows 2000 1999 £000's £000's Operating profit 2,769 2,359 Depreciation 1,234 1,182 Exchange gain 66 75 (Profit)/Loss on sale of tangible fixed assets (25) 39 Increase in stocks (398) (872) Increase in debtors (1,525) (213) Increase/(Decrease) in creditors 134 (135) Net cash inflow from operating activities 2,255 2,435 All of the above relate to continuing operations. Notes: 1. Taxation on profit on ordinary activities 2000 1999 £'000's £'000's United Kingdom corporation tax 983 657 Overseas taxation 165 91 Associated undertakings 95 44 Deferred Taxation (116) 156 Adjustment in respect of prior years Corporation tax (55) (2) Other (26) (45) 1,046 901 2. The Directors propose the payment of a final dividend of 9.95p (1999 - 9.95p) per Ordinary share on 1st June 2001 to shareholders registered on 11th May 2001. 3. The Company's Report and Accounts for 2000 will be posted to shareholders in April. The Annual General Meeting will be held on 25th May 2001. 4. The financial information set out above does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the years ended 31st December 2000 and 1999 but is derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for 1999 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies, contain an unqualified audit opinion and did not contain a statement under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. Statutory accounts for the year ended 31st December 2000 on which the auditors have given an unqualified opinion will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies in due course. This announcement was approved by the Board of Directors on 16th March 2001.
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