Final Results

Robinson PLC 29 March 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 29 March 2005 Robinson plc PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2004 Robinson plc ('Robinson' or 'the Company'; stock code: RBN), the custom manufacturer of paperboard and plastic packaging based in Chesterfield, has announced its audited results for the year ended 31 December 2004. Highlights: • These are Robinson's first full-year results since its introduction to AIM on 6th April 2004. • Sales grew by 5% year-on-year to £25.9 million. • Gross margins improved from 13.2% to 15.5%, reflecting a focus on quality and service. The Company was able to largely pass on significant increases in plastic polymer prices. • Operating profit improved to £111,000 from a loss of £1.5 million in 2003. This includes the costs of the introduction to AIM and an abortive acquisition, together totaling £430,000. • The balance sheet remains strong with no debt and free cash at the year end 2004 of £1.8 million. • The Board is recommending a final dividend of 1p per share (2003: nil). Together with the interim dividend, this takes the total for the year to 3p, a 50% increase in comparison to 2003. Commenting on the results, Chairman, Richard Clothier stated: 'These encouraging results reflect our strategy to develop the business firstly through organic growth. Our focus on product development and innovation will, we believe, lead to further new business opportunities and we expect to make more progress towards achieving satisfactory levels of profitability in 2005.' About Robinson Based in Chesterfield, and with additional manufacturing facilities in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, and in Toronto, Canada, Robinson currently employs over 400 people. It was formerly a family business, with its origins dating back some 165 years. Today the Company's main activities are in the manufacture and sale of rigid paper packaging and injection moulded plastic packaging. Robinson operates primarily within the food, drink, confectionery, cosmetic and toiletry sectors, providing niche or custom manufacture to major players in the fast moving consumer goods market, such as Nestle, Lever Faberge and Whyte & Mackay. The Company also has a substantial property portfolio with significant development potential. For further information, please contact: Jon Marx, Chief Executive, Robinson plc 01246 220022 Guy Robinson, Finance Director, Robinson plc 01246 220022 www.r1son.co.uk Barry Saint, Arbuthnot Securities 020 7012 2000 Sue Scott/Michael Padley, Bankside Consultants 020 7444 4140 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT I am pleased to report that profit before tax improved to £493,000 from a loss in the previous year and our group achieved record sales of £25.9 million, 5% higher than in 2003. During the year the group became a plc, listed on the Alternative Investment Market and returned about £9 million to shareholders by way of a share buyback. The paperboard businesses were responsible for the growth and the UK saw its first increase in sales since moving to the new factory in 1999. This was achieved despite a deliberate withdrawal from smaller customers that reduced overall sales by £900,000. Factors contributing to this improved performance included price increases, reduced overheads and the gaining of two new significant accounts. The North American paperboard packaging business, located in Toronto, gained a significant new US customer during the year and other accounts were generally strong despite the weak US dollar. PROFITABILITY Gross margin improved from 13.2% to 15.5% reflecting improved productivity, benefits from cutting the tail of less profitable business and our ability to largely pass on the significant increases in plastic polymer prices. Operating profits recovered to £111,000 from the previous year's losses of £1,552,000. This result was achieved after allowing for exceptional costs of £236,000 for the introduction to AIM and costs of £194,000 after an aborted acquisition. In addition, we made a profit on the disposal of surplus land of £236,000 (2003: £1,154,000). Excluding exceptional items, operating profits amounted to £541,000 (2003: £411,000 loss) Interest income reduced from £297,000 to £146,000 due to the reduction in surplus cash following the repurchase of 40% of the Company's share capital on 28 April 2004. The profit before taxation of £493,000 improved from a loss of £101,000 in 2003. With the proposed increase in dividend offset by the share repurchase, the cost of dividends reduced slightly to £418,000. CASH & FINANCIAL POSITION Our balance sheet remains strong with no debt and free cash at the year end of £1,815,000. Capital expenditure for the year increased to £1,596,000 (2003: £1,140,000) as we continued to invest in new plant and equipment. The net cash inflow from operations during the year amounted to £1,503,000 with the repurchase of shares costing £8,997,000, leaving a net cash outflow for the year of £7,494,000. DIVIDEND The Board is recommending a final dividend of 1p per share (2003: nil). Together with the interim dividend, this takes the total for the year to 3p (2003: 2p equivalent). This continues the policy outlined in the listing particulars. It is our intention in the future to pay two dividends per annum - the interim in October and the final in June. PENSIONS Our pension fund remains in a healthy position. We closed the final salary (defined benefit) section to new entrants in 1997 and since then have been operating a money purchase (defined contribution) scheme. With the sales of businesses that have taken place over the past 15 years and rationalisation of workforce, the fund is very mature. We have not adopted the new proposed accounting standard (FRS17) ahead of its scheduled implementation date as we feel the accounts will be distorted and the underlying business performance thereby masked. Instead we have opted for full disclosure of the fund's performance and financial position by way of a note to the accounts. This shows the fund has assets with a market value of £46 million and liabilities of £41.2 million, giving a surplus of £4.8 million at the end of 2004. The present value of scheme liabilities has increased by £4.2m during the year, much of which is due to the actuary's assumptions of longevity. PROPERTY PORTFOLIO During the year we sold some surplus land at Kirkby-in-Ashfield (UK) for £686,000, yielding a profit over the book value of £236,000. We continue to seek planning permission for the development of the old Robinson Healthcare site at Walton, but the draft Chesterfield town plan, issued in March 2005, has indicated that residential developments on this site will, except in exceptional circumstances, be considered only after 2011. ACQUISITIONS We investigated the possible acquisition of a plastic injection moulding company in Denmark during the year. However, following due diligence, we were unable to agree terms with the vendor and negotiations were terminated. We continue to seek acquisitions of packaging businesses with appropriate synergies and long term prospects for inclusion within the Group. OUTLOOK We continue to seek to develop the business both through organic growth and acquisition. Our focus on product development and innovation, together with better understanding of our customers' needs, remains a priority and will, we believe, lead to further sales opportunities. Following the move by some of our customers to Poland, we currently are investigating the possibilities of a startup there. Raw material costs continue to rise in the face of worldwide demand and energy prices are increasing at rates much higher than the general inflation level. Nevertheless, sales are currently slightly ahead of the same period last year and overall, we expect another step in 2005 towards achieving satisfactory levels of profitability in our packaging businesses. Richard Clothier 29 March 2005 Chairman Robinson plc GROUP PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2004 Notes 2004 2003 £'000 £'000 Turnover 25,949 24,669 Cost of sales (21,919) (21,410) ------- ------ Gross Profit 4,030 3,259 ------- ------ Overheads, excluding exceptional items (3,489) (3,670) Exceptional items (430) (1,141) ------- ------- Total Overheads (3,919) (4,811) ------- ------- Operating Profit/(Loss) 111 (1,552) Profit on disposal of land and buildings 236 1,154 ----- ------ Profit/(Loss) on ordinary activities before interest 347 (398) Interest received 146 297 ----- ------ Profit/(Loss) on ordinary activities before taxation 493 (101) Taxation 2 (238) 618 ----- ----- Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 255 517 Dividends 3 (418) (457) ------ ----- Retained (loss)/profit for the year (163) 60 ====== ===== Earnings per ordinary 1p share Basic and diluted (p) 4 1.32 1.95 All amounts relate to continuing operations The accounting policies and notes form an integral part of the financial statements STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2004 2004 2003 £'000 £'000 Profit for the financial year 255 517 Unrealised deficit on revaluation of properties - (9) Currency translation differences on foreign currency net investments (25) (55) ---- ---- Total gains recognised since last annual report 230 453 ==== ==== GROUP BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER Notes 2004 2003 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets Tangible fixed assets 15,001 15,771 Investments - - ------ ------ 15,001 15,771 Current assets Stocks 1,640 1,604 Debtors 5,437 5,708 Current asset investments 1,002 8,582 Cash 813 727 ----- ------ 8,892 16,621 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (5,690) (5,635) ------ ------ Net current assets 3,202 10,986 ------ ------ Total assets less current liabilities 18,203 26,757 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one (622) (282) year Provisions for liabilities and charges (614) (349) ------ ------ Net assets 16,967 26,126 ====== ====== Capital and reserves Called up share capital 80 132 Share premium account 398 398 Capital redemption reserve 216 164 Revaluation reserve 5,138 5,539 Profit and loss account 11,135 19,893 ------ ------ Equity Shareholders' Funds 5 16,967 26,126 ====== ====== GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2004 2003 £'000 £'000 Cash inflow from operating activities Operating profit/(loss) 111 (1,552) Depreciation charges and write-down of fixed assets 1,795 2,710 Loss/(profit) on sale of other tangible fixed assets 100 (15) (Increase)/decrease in stocks (36) 15 Decrease/(increase) in debtors 448 (66) Increase/(decrease) in creditors 151 (610) (Decrease)/increase in provisions (40) 84 ----- ---- Net cash inflow from operating activities 2,529 566 ----- ---- Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 194 314 Interest paid (5) (23) Net cash inflow from returns on investments and servicing of --- --- finance 189 291 --- --- Taxation UK corporation tax received/(paid) 3 (469) --- ---- Capital expenditure and financial investment Acquisition of tangible fixed assets (1,596) (1,140) Sale of surplus properties 686 1,870 Sales of other tangible fixed assets 60 50 ----- ------ Net cash (outflow)/inflow from capital expenditure (850) 780 and financial investment ----- ------ Equity dividends paid (368) (458) ----- ---- Net cash inflow before use of liquid resources and financing 1,503 710 ----- ---- Management of liquid resources Decrease/(increase) in short-term cash deposits with UK banks 7,580 (1,058) ----- ------ Net cash inflow/(outflow) from management of liquid resources 7,580 (1,058) ----- ------ Financing Repurchase of share capital (8,997) - ------ ------ Net cash outflow from financing (8,997) - ------ ------ Increase/(decrease) in cash 86 (348) ====== ====== Analysis of changes in cash during the year Balance at 31 December 2004 813 727 Balance at 31 December 2003 727 1,075 --- ----- Net cash inflow/outflow 86 (348) === ===== Notes to the financial statements 1. Basis of preparation The preliminary announcement has been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards and under the historical cost convention except that certain freehold properties are shown at their revalued amounts. The principal accounting polices of the group have remained unchanged from those set out in the group's 2003 annual report and financial statements. 2. Tax on profit on ordinary activities 2004 2003 £'000 £'000 Current tax 191 5 Deferred tax 47 (623) --- ---- 238 (618) === ==== 3. Dividends 2004 2003 £'000 £'000 Ordinary: first interim of 1p per share, paid 4 October 2004 139 229 : second interim of 1p per share, payable 6 April 2005 139 228 : final proposed of 1p per share, payable 3 June 2005 140 - --- --- 418 457 === === 4. Earnings per Share The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share is based on profit on ordinary activities after taxation (£255,000) divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue excluding treasury shares (19,381,821). The number of shares in issue has been adjusted for both periods for the 200 for 1 share division that took place on 4 March 2004. 5. Reconciliation of movements in shareholders' funds 2004 2003 Group £'000 £'000 Profit after taxation for the financial year 255 517 Dividends (418) (457) ---- ---- (163) 60 Purchase of own shares (8,997) - Other recognised gains and losses 1 333 ----- ---- Net(reduction in)/addition to shareholders' funds (9,159) 393 Shareholders' funds at 1 January 26,126 25,733 ------ ------ Shareholders' funds at 31 December 16,967 26,126 ====== ====== 6. Publication of non-statutory accounts The financial information set out in this preliminary announcement does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The summarised balance sheet at 31 December 2004 and the summarised profit and loss account, summarised cash flow statement and associated notes for the year then ended have been extracted from the Group's 2004 statutory financial statements upon which the auditors opinion is unqualified and does not include any statement under Section 237 of the Companies Act 1985. The accounts for the year ended 31 December 2004 are expected to be posted to shareholders in due course and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies after they have been laid before the company at the annual general meeting on 5 May 2005. Copies will also be available from Robinson plc's Registered office: Bradbury House, Goytside Road, Chesterfield, S40 2PH. ENDS This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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