Half-year Report

RNS Number : 6090K
Ross Group PLC
29 August 2019
 

Ross Group Plc Half Yearly Financial Report  30th June 2019

 

 

HALF YEARLY FINANCIAL REPORT

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2019

 

 

Financial Summary (6 months to  30 June 2019)

2019

 

2018

 

 

 

   £'000

 

  £'000

 

  Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

Group Revenue

-

 

68

 

-100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Profit/(Loss)

-

 

10

 

-100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit/(Loss) before tax

(3,151)

 

10

 

-31,610%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

-28.1p

 

0.006p

 

-4,718%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

-28.1p

 

0.006p

 

-4,718%

 

 

 

Chairman's Statement

 

For the half year to 30th June 2019, I would like to report that in this period, during which the acquisition of the start-up businesses within the Archipelago Aquaculture Group was duly completed in January 2019, the Ross Group PLC has now proceeded to implement its planned investment strategy and as a result has therefore subsequently made a net loss after tax of £3,151,000 without revenue,  which is both in line with management expectation and to the Board's satisfaction at this stage.

 

 

The Board in the first half 2019 has already started the process of integrating the respective start-up businesses acquired within its existing operations and is currently implementing its supply chain management protocols, procedures and respective disciplines, in order to put in place a vertically integrated organization that will be in a position to provide a forecast in the foreseeable future of being able to produce high quality Chitin in the years to come. 

 

Notwithstanding the previous years whereby we utilised our specialist supply chain management services in order to sustain our operational overhead - whilst also endeavouring and exploring other strategic opportunities - our efforts nowadays are fully focused on building a business that will hopefully become the best in the Chitin and/or Chitin-related industries. 

 

As a result, there has been no revenue during this period from any outside third party contracts.

 

As per the duly executed Sale & Purchase Agreement ("SPA") with Global Blue Technologies Group Inc. ("GBTGI"), all of the now enlarged Ross Group's overhead and cashflow are to be fully financed for at least the first 18 months, during which there are various performance-related SPA parameters in place in order to protect the value and integrity of this most important first acquisition.

 

Business Outlook

 

For the second half of 2019 the Board and myself will continue, along with our team of Advisors and Consultants, to work tirelessly with our new related-party GBTGI shareholders and their specialist management team in trying to successfully build a business through implementing our unique, patented production process (for which we recently received the internationally prestigious Green Chemical Award) and hopefully to be able to enter into proto-type pilot production phase and/or trials in the foreseeable future. 

 

In addition, we are also continuing to explore synergistic opportunities to further grow our overall business; both horizontally and vertically - so as to try to become the best in our chosen specialist industry 

 

Dividend

 

No ordinary interim dividend is proposed after considering the result for the first half of the year, and the existing deficiency of retained reserves.

 

I would very much like to thank the members of the Board of Directors, as well as our contractors, consultants and advisors for all their continued, and highly appreciated, support, expertise and hard work.

 

Finally, as always, I would also like to personally extend my sincere thanks to our extraordinarily loyal and also now new (GBTGI) shareholders for all their continued confidence, patience and truly exceptional understanding.

 

However, please kindly know that this is now a new and exciting period for our Ross Group and I sincerely hope that we will all be able to enjoy an exciting future together. 

 

 

 

 

 

Barry Richard Pettitt

Chairman and Group Managing Director

 

Approved 29 August 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT UNAUDITED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 months

 

6 months

 

Year Ended

 

ended 30 June

 

ended 30 June

 

31 Dec

 

2019

 

2018

 

2018

 

   £'000

 

  £'000

 

  £'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Group Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing Operations

-

 

68

 

70

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinuing Operations

-

 

-

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating (Loss) / Profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing Operations

(2,926)

 

10

 

(196)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinuing Operations

-

 

   -

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) / Profit before Finance Cost

(2,926)

 

10

 

(196)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance Cost

225

 

-

 

54

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) / Profit before Taxation

(3,151)

 

10

 

(250)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taxation

-

 

-

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) / Profit for the Period

(3,151)

 

10

 

(250)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share (pence)

-28.1

 

0.006

 

-0.14

Adjusted earnings per share (pence)

-28.1

 

0.006

 

-0.14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY UNAUDITED

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share

Capital

 

Accumulated

Losses

 

Other

Reserves

 

Total

 

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

Balance at 1 Jan 2018

 

11,179

 

(35,634)

 

18,187

 

(6,268)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit for the period

 

-

 

10

 

-

 

10

Total recognised income

 

-

 

10

 

-

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 30 June 2018

 

11,179

 

(35,624)

 

18,187

 

(6,258)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) / Profit for the period

 

-

 

(260)

 

-

 

(260)

Total recognised income

 

-

 

(260)

 

-

 

(260)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value of conversion rights on convertible loans

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

5,127

 

 

5,127

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 Dec 2018

 

11,179

 

(35,884)

 

23,314

 

(1,391)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 1 Jan 2019

 

11,179

 

(35,884)

 

23,314

 

(1,391)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) / Profit for the period

 

-

 

(3,151)

 

-

 

(3,151)

Total recognised income / (deficit)

 

-

 

(3,151)

 

-

 

(3,151)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange adjustment

 

-

 

(9)

 

-

 

(9)

Share capital issued

 

39

 

-

 

343

 

382

Movement on convertible loans

 

-

 

-

 

205

 

205

Balance at 30 June 2019

 

11,218

 

(39,044)

 

23,862

 

(3,964)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION UNAUDITED

 

 

6 months

 

6 months

 

Year Ended

 

ended 30 June

 

ended 30 June

 

31 Dec

 

2019

 

2018

 

2018

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non Current Assets

19,039

 

-

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories

1,311

 

-

 

-

Trade and Other Receivables

6,570

 

79

 

83

Cash and Cash Equivalents

263

 

1

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,144

 

80

 

103

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

27,183

 

80

 

103

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity and Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders' Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share Capital

11,218

 

11,179

 

11,179

Share Premium Account

 3,146

 

 2,803

 

 2,803

Other Reserves

15,384

 

15,384

 

15,384

Convertible debentures

5,332

 

-

 

5,127

Retained Earnings

  (39,044)

 

  (35,624)

 

   (35,884)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Equity

(3,964)

 

(6,258)

 

(1,391)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Long Term Borrowings

29,767

 

6,072

 

632

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Trade and Other Payables

856

 

256

 

316

Bank Overdraft and Loans

524

 

10

 

546

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

31,147

 

6,338

 

1,494

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Equity and Liabilities

27,183

 

80

 

103

 

 

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS UNAUDITED

 

 

 

6 months

 

6 months

 

Year Ended

 

ended 30 June

 

ended 30 June

 

31 Dec

 

2019

 

2018

 

2018

 

   £'000

 

  £'000

 

  £'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Cash From/(Used In) Operating Activities

11,749

 

(18)

 

(114)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities

(8,553)

 

-

 

(15)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Amount withdrawn by Directors

(11)

 

-

 

(38)

Value of conversion rights on convertible shares

-

 

-

 

5,127

Proceeds from the issue of shares

382

 

-

 

-

Interest paid

-

 

-

 

(54)

Net Increase/(Decrease) In Borrowings

(3,324)

 

-

 

(4,905)

Net Cash Flow From Financing Activities

243

 

(18)

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Increase/(Decrease) In Cash and Cash Equivalents

243

 

   (18)

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalent at Beginning of Period

20

 

19

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalent at End of Period

263

 

1

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to the Interim Report

 

 

(1)      The financial information contained in these statements for the six months ended

30 June 2019 and 30 June 2018 is unaudited and does not constitute statutory

accounts as defined in section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.

 

These statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted in the EU.

 

The interim financial statements have been prepared on the basis of the

accounting policies set out in the audited statutory accounts for the year ended

31 December 2018 together with additional accounting policies as follows:-

 

 

 

Goodwill

Goodwill arising on consolidation arises from the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired by the group at the date of acquisition. An impairment loss calculation is undertaken at the financial period end of the assets acquired and any impairment in the value is taken to the Income Statement. The first impairment review is to be undertaken within a twelve-month period of the date of the acquisition and therefore this will take place in the 31 December 2019 financial statements.  The directors do not believe there is any indication of impairment at this time.

 

 

Intangible assets

These mainly consist of software and licences. Intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses.

 

Licences are amortised over their term period or their estimated useful economic lives, as appropriate, on a straight-line basis which is considered to be 15 years.

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

Property plant and equipment are carried at cost or deemed cost (fair value on acquisition through business combination) less accumulated depreciation and impairment provisions.

 

Acquisition cost includes the purchase price plus other costs related to acquisition, such as freight, postage, duties, commissions, interest on investment loans recorded before the tangible assets are capitalised or before they are put into use.

 

The costs of expansion, modernisation, or improvements leading to increased productivity, capacity or efficiency are capitalised. Maintenance and repair expenses are expensed as incurred.

 

Where the carrying amount of an asset is greater than the amount that it is estimated to be recoverable, it is written down to its recoverable amount.

 

The Group depreciates its property, plant and equipment on a straight line basis in order to write off the cost of each asset less the estimated residual value over its estimated useful life as follows:

 

 

Building

39 years straight line basis

Leasehold Improvements

Over the term of the lease

Plant, Machinery and Equipment

7 years straight line basis

Right of use assets

Over the term of the lease

 

 

Leases

IFRS 16 leases accounting has been applied from 1 January 2019. Finance lease arrangements for the group's overseas locations are recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position on signing of the lease as a right-of-use asset. The lease cost will be recognised as the depreciation of the right-of-use asset over the term of the lease.

A lease liability is recognised on signing of the lease equal to the present value of the lease payments and estimated renovation costs discounted using a borrowing rate determined by the company. The interest expense will be recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement as the lease payments are made.

The impact of the implementation of IFRS 16 is reflected in the acquisition of AAG.

 

 

Inventory

Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

 

 

Foreign currencies

Transactions in currencies other than the functional currency (foreign currencies) are translated into the functional currency at exchange rates which approximate those applicable at transaction dates. Foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities at the statement of financial position date are translated into the functional currency at exchange rates ruling at that date. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated. Any gain or loss arising from a change in exchange rates subsequent to the date of the transaction is included as an exchange gain or loss in the statement of comprehensive income.

 

 

(2)      Reconciliation of Operating Profit to Net Cash Flows From Operating

Activities

 

6 months

 

6 months

 

Year Ended

 

ended 30 June

 

ended 30 June

 

31 Dec

 

2019

 

2018

 

2018

 

   £'000

 

  £'000

 

  £'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating (Loss) / Profit On Continuing Activities

(2,926)

 

10

 

(196)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment

-

 

-

 

15

Exchange difference

(9)

 

-

 

-

Depreciation and Amortisation

1,478

 

-

 

-

(Increase)/ Decrease In Inventories

(1,311)

 

-

 

-

(Increase)/ Decrease In Trade and Other Receivables

(102)

 

(75)

 

(68)

Increase/(Decrease) In Trade and Other Payables

14,619

 

47

 

135

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Cash Generated From/(Used In) Operations

11,749

 

(18)

 

(114)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3)       No ordinary interim dividend is proposed for 2019 (2018 - £Nil).

 

 

(4)      The comparative cash flow for the year ended 31 December 2018 has been

extracted from the audited accounts. The cash flows for the six months ended 30

June 2019 and 30 June 2018 are unaudited.

 

 

 

(5)       Reconciliation of Movements In Equity

 

6 months

 

6 months

 

Year Ended

 

ended 30 June

 

ended 30 June

 

31 Dec

 

2019

 

2018

 

2018

 

   £'000

 

  £'000

 

  £'000

Share Premium Account

 

 

 

 

 

Brought Forward

2,803

 

2,803

 

2,803

Movement

343

 

-

 

-

Carried Forward

3,146

 

2,803

 

2,803

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Reserves

 

 

 

 

 

Brought Forward

15,384

 

15,384

 

15,384

Movement

-

 

-

 

-

Carried Forward

15,384

 

   15,384

 

15,384

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

Brought Forward

  (35,884)

 

(35,634)

 

(35,634)

(Loss) / Profit for the Period

(3,151)

 

10

 

(250)

Foreign exchange adjustment

(9)

 

-

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carried Forward

(39,044)

 

(35,624)

 

(35,884)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Convertible Debenture

 

 

 

 

 

Brought Forward

  5,127

 

-

 

-

Movement

205

 

5,127

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carried Forward

5,332

 

5,127

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6)       On the 7 January 2019 the company acquired the entire capital of Archipelago Aquaculture Group LLC ("AAG"), a company registered in the United States, for equity consideration amounting to £202,731 representing the issue of 21,340,104 Ordinary Shares at a market value of .95p per share in a share for share exchange.

AAG are specific supply chain companies involved in the research and development of Chitin.

 

The fair value of the group acquired is as follows

 

 

£,000

 

 

Non current assets

19,940

Inventory

1,096

Trade and other receivables

5,206

Cash and cash equivalents

1,178

 

 

Current liabilities

(447)

Non current liabilities

(26,973)

 

 

Net Identifiable assets acquired

-

Add Goodwill

203

 

 

Total Consideration

203

 

AAG group generated a loss to the group for the period amounting to £2,879,000

 

 

(7)       Non Current Assets

 

 

 

Intellectual Property

 

Property, Plant &

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

Licences

 

Equipment

 

Total

 

   £'000

 

   £'000

 

  £'000

 

  £'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 January 2019

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Additions

956

 

12,661

 

6,900

 

20,517

At 30 June 2019

956

 

12,661

 

6,900

 

20,517

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation / Amortisation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 January 2019

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Charge for the period

-

 

1,318

 

160

 

1,478

At 30 June 2019

-

 

1,318

 

160

 

1,478

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Book Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 30 June 2019

956

 

11,343

 

6,740

 

19,039

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 January 2019

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

 

 

 

(8)       Inventory

30 June

31 Dec

30 June

 

2019

2018

2018

 

£'000  

£'000  

£'000

 

 

 

 

Raw materials

1,271

-

-

Finished goods

40

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

1,311

-

-

 

 

 

 

(9)       Current Assets

 

30 June

31 Dec

30 June

 

2019

2018

2018

 

£'000  

£'000  

£'000

 

 

 

 

Trade receivables

68

68

68

Prepayments and accrued income

55

-

-

Other debtors

51

5

11

Directors loan

22

10

-

Loans to associated undertakings

6,374

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

6,570

83

79

 

(10)       Current Liabilities

 

30 June

31 Dec

30 June

 

2019

2018

2018

 

£'000  

£'000  

£'000

 

 

 

 

Trade payables

226

201

179

Other creditors

78

23

27

Accruals and deferred income

345

92

23

Directors loan

-

27

-

Lease creditor

207

-

 

Debentures

524

367

 

Other loans

-

179

10

 

 

 

 

 

1,380

862

266

 

(11)       Non Current Liabilities

 

30 June

31 Dec

30 June

 

2019

2018

2018

 

£'000  

£'000  

£'000

 

 

 

 

Accruals and deferred income

14,286

-

-

Licence fee payable

11,964

-

-

Lease creditor

489

-

-

Debentures

420

632

-

Loans from associated undertakings

2,608

-

6,072

 

 

 

 

 

29,767

632

6,072

 

(12)       The Group is supported by short term borrowings from its larger

shareholders and supporters by way of formal agreements. At 30 June 2018 total borrowings from One World Limited were £4,010,000 and £2,062,172 from Excite Enterprises Limited, neither of which is a related party.

 

On 27 September 2018 two convertible loan debentures were issued for £4,010,000 and £2,062,172 with a coupon rate of 5%.

 

The loan notes are convertible into Ordinary shares of the parent entity in three years after the date of issue. The convertible loan debenture will give right to a percentage of the issued share capital of the parent company at the date of conversion. Each tranche of £1 million debenture owed by the long term holders correspond to 4.925% of the issued share capital at the date of conversion, resulting in a fixed percentage of the issued share capital of the company to be allotted to the loan holders regardless of the value / amount of the share capital of the company.

 

 

30 June

31 Dec

 

 

2019

2018

 

 

£'000  

£'000  

 

Face value of notes issued

6,072

6,072

 

Value of conversion rights

5,332

5,127

 

 

 

 

 

Convertible loan debenture liability

740

945

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

151

54

 

 

 

During the period a subsidiary company, Ross Group Plc Inc, received a loan from One World Limited amounting to $800,000 which equates to £639,720. Interest is charged on this loan at 6%

 

 

On 29 January 2019 the company issued 17,947,943 Ordinary Shares to GBTGI for a total cash consideration of £179,479.

 

During the period the group received working capital from GBTGI and its affiliated companies amounting to £1,968,120 and made loans to them amounting to £6,374,361.

 

GBTGI have provided assurance to the Ross Group that they will fund ongoing cashflow requirements for a period of 18 months from January 2019.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13)       The Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) has considered the requirements of future segmental reporting following the acquisition of US based AAG in January 2019.

At this stage the AAG group is in start up and is not revenue generating. This group is therefore reported as one reportable segment to the CODM.

As the UK activities of the Ross Group are less than 10 percent in terms of assets, liabilities and loss for the period and no revenue has been generated throughout the group during this financial period the CODM believes the information already disclosed in the interim financial statements is adequate to fulfill the requirements of IFRS 8 segmental reporting, this will be reconsidered at the year end and in future periods as AAG begins to trade.

 

 

(14)       The Interim Report will be sent by mail to all registered shareholders

and copies will be available from the Company's registered office at 71-75 Shelton Street, London, WC2H 9JQ. A downloadable copy will also be posted on the Company's website www.ross-group.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Responsibility statement:

 

    The Directors confirm that, to the best of their knowledge: -

 

a)    the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting';

 

b)    the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R (indication of important events during the first six months and description of principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year); and

 

c)    the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.8R (disclosure of related parties' transactions and changes therein).

 

On behalf of the Board

 

B Pettitt                          

Chief Executive Officer                        

 

Ross Group plc

 

Registered Office

 

71 - 75 Shelton Street

London WC2H 9JQ

 

 

Contact - M Simon, Non Executive Director

Tel. - 0203 978 4598

Email - info@ross-group.co.uk

Website - www.ross-group.co.uk

 

 

 

 


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