Final Results - Year Ended 31 December 1999

Caldwell Investments PLC 2 May 2000 CALDWELL TAKES THE PAIN AND MOVES ON FROM PROBLEMS OF MANUFACTURING FOR 'OWN BRAND' CUSTOMER Resultant Exceptional Costs Create A £635,623 Loss Ninaclip Plc Fastening System Subsidiary To Be Floated Separately Shareholders To Receive Preferential Treatment New Opportunities Being Reviewed By Group Sound Balance Sheet And Cash At Year End Caldwell Investments Plc hopes to float separately - 'on a preferential basis to existing shareholders' - its promising Ninaclip Plc subsidiary, developers of the patented fastening system which is looking beyond the nursery products market, says chairman Mr Stanley Wootliff. Reporting today on calendar 1999 results he states that Caldwell suffered from the problems affecting some High Street stores groups and took the 'difficult and costly' decision to withdraw from the manufacture of 'own brand' products for a major retailer. The losses incurred in discontinuing production at two units, together with their ancillary services, fixed assets and stock losses associated with withdrawal from major product areas, amounted to £741,732. 'These losses more than account for our total loss for the year', he says. Caldwell's pre-tax loss for 1999 was £635,623 after total exceptional items of £744,188. The figure compares to a £87,131 pre-tax loss (including exceptionals of £220,988) in 1998. 'The benefit for the future is that we have now extricated ourselves from an unprofitable major retailer and more than replaced the lost sales with new UK and overseas customers and retaken control and ownership of the Ninaclip brand.' NEW OPPORTUNITIES BEING REVIEWED Mr. Wootliff says that with Ninaclip floated: 'In going forward, Caldwell has a strong balance sheet, a good cash position and two sound and profitable non- fashion underwear businesses. Your Board continues to review a number of opportunities which have been brought to its attention and will keep shareholders informed appropriately'. /2 CALDWELL INVESTMENTS 2 A separate listing should enable Ninaclip to broaden its present range of nursery accessories as well as developing a variety of new applications for the company's unique fastening device. Mr. Wootliff comments: 'The Board continues to regard the Ninaclip as having considerable potential. However, despite the funds raised by the Group last year, it is clear that further exploitation of the product will require greater resources than Caldwell will have available in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, it has been decided that this young technology company should have a separate market quote and most appropriately one that attracts EIS (Enterprise Investment Scheme) tax relief. 'It is therefore our intention to explore the possibilities of separately floating Ninaclip Plc in the summer, retaining a substantial minority interest and giving existing Caldwell shareholders the opportunity to participate on a preferential basis. The development and marketing budget has been prepared, appropriate to the scale of potential business.' RESULTS ALSO HIT BY STRENGTH OF STERLING Caldwell's financial results for 1999 were also adversely affected by the strength of the pound. Caldwell's German subsidiary 'produced record sales and good profits locally,' but these were cut substantially when translated into sterling after an effective 13.5p.c. devaluation of the Deutschmark. Withdrawal from the High Street customer and subsequent closures enabled Caldwell to put up for sale its manufacturing facility at Oldham, Lancashire. Mr Wootliff says this should generate about £250,000 net cash and substantially reduce the group's gearing. Turnover from continuing operations last year was £7.2m (1998: £8.1m). As indicated at the time of the October rights issue no final dividend is recommended (1998: 0.8p). Equity shareholders' net assets fell from 24.8p to 18.4p per share. The annual report will be posted next week. Annual General Meeting - Leeds, Monday 5th June. Further information: Stanley Wootliff, Chairman, Caldwell Investments Plc 0113 235 0632 John Greenhalgh, City of London PR Ltd 020 7628 5518 CALDWELL INVESTMENTS P.L.C. PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 1999 Contin Discont Total Contin Discont Total uing inued 1999 uing inued 1998 1999 1999 1998 1998 £ £ £ £ £ £ Turnover 7,210,786 2,659,430 9,870,216 8,097,354 4,241,342 12,338,696 Cost of sales (5,729,899) (2,335,097)(8,064,996) (6,495,933) (3,793,471) (10,289,404) 1,480,887 324,333 1,805,220 1,601,421 447,871 2,049,292 Gross Profit Dist- ribution costs (171,792) (76,110) (247,902) (245,135) (121,226) (366,361) Adminis- tration expenses (979,568) (324,853)(1,304,421) (1,106,262) (331,677) (1,437,939) Other operating income 60,150 - 60,150 145,291 - 145,291 Except- ional items - (630,763) (630,763) - (220,988) (220,988) Operating profit/ (loss) 389,677 (707,393) (317,716) 395,315 (226,020) 169,295 Share of associates' operating loss (1,765) (12,384) Loss on disposal of fixed assets -continuing operations (79,086) - - - -discontinued operations (34,339) - - - Net interest payable (202,717) (244,042) Loss on ordinary activities before taxation (635,623) (87,131) Tax on loss on ordinary activities (40,133) 40,540 Loss on ordinary activities after taxation (675,756) (46,591) Equity minority interest 4,877 (5,880) Loss for the financial year (670,879) (52,471) Equity dividends paid and proposed (46,878) (135,118) Retained loss for the financial year (717,757) (187,589) Earnings per share -Basic and diuted (5.53p) (0.46)p No consolidated note of historical cost profits and losses is presented as there is no material difference between the loss for the financial year as stated and the loss for the financial year on a historical cost basis. CALDWELL INVESTMENTS P.L.C. GROUP AND COMPANY BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 1999 GROUP COMPANY 1999 1998 1999 1998 £ £ £ £ Fixed assets Intangible assets 344,327 302,073 216,369 143,820 Tangible assets 1,286,407 1,353,879 974,340 991,549 Investments - 79,086 1,786,152 1,865,238 1,630,734 1,735,038 2,976,861 3,000,607 Current assets Stocks 2,137,232 2,971,368 - - Debtors falling due within one year 1,425,675 2,065,512 87,824 440,116 Debtors falling due after more than one year - - 460,834 460,834 Cash at bank and in hand 1,169,128 584,765 573,090 30,818 4,732,035 5,621,645 1,121,748 931,768 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (2,921,405) (3,519,803) (156,899) (535,228) Net current assets 1,810,630 2,101,842 964,849 396,540 Total assets less current liabilities 3,441,364 3,836,880 3,941,710 3,397,147 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (843,402) (1,023,786) (479,379) (534,361) Provisions for liabilities and charges (7,765) (25,150) - (16,902) Net assets 2,590,197 2,787,944 3,462,331 2,845,884 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 1,378,750 1,103,000 1,378,750 1,103,000 Share premium accoun 1,620,302 1,272,871 1,620,302 1,272,871 Revaluation reserve 191,734 196,873 191,734 196,873 Capital redemption reserve 27,000 27,000 27,000 27,000 Profit and loss account (675,881) 135,031 244,545 246,140 Equity shareholders' funds 2,541,905 2,734,775 3,462,331 2,845,884 Equity minority interest 48,292 53,169 - - Total capital and reserves 2,590,197 2,787,944 3,462,331 2,845,884 CALDWELL INVESTMENTS P.L.C. CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT AS AT 31 DECEMBER 1999 1999 1998 £ £ Net cash inflow /(outflow) from operating activities 526,074 (192,006) Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 15,386 27,926 Interest paid (218,102) (271,968) Net cash outflow (202,716) (244,042) Taxation Tax paid (39,775) (82,777) Net cash outflow (39,775) (82,777) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of intangible fixed assets (86,042) (54,231) Purchase of tangible fixed assets (127,363) (238,456) Sale of tangible fixed assets - 30,771 Net cash outflow (213,405) (261,916) Acquisitions and disposals Purchase of subsidiary undertakings and associates - (18,305) Sale of subsidiary undertaking - 232,852 Net cash disposed of with subsidiary undertaking - (83,563) Net cash inflow - 130,984 Equity dividends paid (135,118) (135,118) Net cash outflow before financing (64,940) (784,875) Financing Issue of shares 623,181 - New loan finance - 25,000 Repayment of loans (172,564) (49,899) Capital element of finance lease payments (12,803) (15,031) Net cash inflow/outflow 437,814 (39,930) Increase/(Decrease) in cash in the year 372,874 (824,805) Notes: 1. The financial information set out above does not comprise the company's statutory accounts. The auditors have not reported on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 1999 nor have any such accounts been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. Statutory accounts for 1998 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. 2. The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the loss for the financial year of £670,879 (1998: £52,471) and a weighted average number of ordinary shares of 12,120,912 (1998: 11,471,200). The calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share for 1998 have been restated in order to reflect the effect of the rights issue in October 1999. 4. The 1999 Report and Accounts will be posted to shareholders on 9th May 2000. 2nd May 2000
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