Final Results

Solid State PLC 05 July 2006 SOLID STATE PLC PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2006 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Trading Review Solid State Supplies During the course of 2005 and in common with other distributors Solid State Supplies suffered the loss of three component franchises, as the market in electronic component distribution continues to consolidate. We have since taken steps to both replace these lines and broaden our product offering with the appointment of a Business Development Manager. The first phase of this process is now complete and we will sign further lines during the first half of this fiscal year. We continue to reduce costs where appropriate without compromising customer service levels. In addition, the re-branding of the group we believe will increase customer awareness of our produce range and assist us in increasing sales. I am pleased to report that trading conditions have improved since March and our book to bill ratio for the first two months of the year amounted to 1.20 to 1.00 and the signs are that market conditions will remain buoyant throughout this financial year. Steatite and Wordsworth Technology The re-organisation of Steatite and Wordsworth was completed in January 2006 on time and within budget. The improved efficiencies projected have already shown a positive result to the businesses. Year on year sales growth of the continuing business was 6.8% over the corresponding period in the prior year. Costs have remained under close scrutiny and the companies have prepared themselves for the introduction of RoHs (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) registration which comes into effect in July 2006 minimizing risks to the business. The result is that a strong platform for maximizing profit and increasing sales is in place and the companies are confident in achieving their goals moving forward. Our business strategy is to continue to focus on demand creation for value added own brand products increasing market share and consolidating their position. Dividends In view of the substantial costs incurred in recent months with the re-organisation of Steatite and Wordsworth Technology the Directors have decided that no final dividend should be declared for the year ended 31st March 2006. This means that the total dividend in respect of the year is 0.5p compared with 3.5p per share last year. Summary We have recorded a good start to the new financial year at both sites and the Board believes we are in a strong position to develop during the current financial year and beyond. Peter Haining Chairman 5 July 2006 MANAGING DIRECTOR'S REVIEW The audited loss before tax of the Group was £60,000 (2005: profit of £315,000) after charging non-recurring expenses of £119,000 comprising relocation expenses of £89,000 and an ex-gratia payment to a former director of £30,000, and after charging goodwill amortisation of £71,000 (2005: £35,000). The difficulties experienced in the electronic component distribution business illustrate the importance of the Group's strategy in diversifying into manufacturing, commenced in 2002 with the acquisition of the Steatite business and strengthened in 2005 with the acquisition of Wordsworth Technology Limited. In the year ended 31st March 2006, over 60% of the group turnover was generated by these businesses, whereas in the previous year Solid State Supplies had accounted for 56% of group turnover. Following the loss of three significant franchises in 2005, the Board took the decision that investment should be made to restore the core electronic component distribution business to profitability and the results to date have been positive. Book to bill ratio is always a key indicator of trading trends, and a ratio of 1.20 to 1.00 for the first three months of the new financial year is a strong indication that the steps being taken which have included strengthening the sales team, the appointment of a Business Development Manager and actively seeking new lines to broaden the overall product range are now giving positive results. A process of tightening stock control has been in place for many years, but the current expansion is being achieved with stock at historically low levels thus improving financial efficiency. The relocation of Wordsworth Technology Limited to Steatite's existing premises at Redditch at the end of 2005 was achieved with a minimum of disruption to trade and the two businesses are now operating side by side. This has enabled significant savings in overheads, principally staff costs and premises expenses, in the order of £30,000 per month, and both businesses have been able to benefit from the close relationship with the other in terms of customer base, and technical expertise. For some time the impending Restriction of Hazardous Substances regulations have cast a shadow on the electronic component industry in the UK with uncertainty over the detailed scope of the new regulations and areas to be exempted, and until recently a lack of urgency to react to the new regime on the part of overseas suppliers, particularly in the USA. Careful control of non-compliant stock levels at all sites has enabled the Group to prepare successfully for the implementation in July 2006. Cash flow has been carefully controlled throughout the last year with the result that borrowing has been comfortably within available limits throughout. Invoice discounting in place at Steatite and Wordsworth allows increases in working capital requirements arising from increased trading levels to be absorbed without stretching available resources. The purchase of Wordsworth for cash consideration has increased borrowing levels significantly but repayments scheduled to medium term loans of £260,000 in the current year and £331,000 in the following year will result in a significant overall reduction in borrowing levels. The new year has started well with turnover in excess of £3.2m in the first three months and strong booking levels. Gary Marsh Managing Director 5 July 2006 Enquiries: Solid State plc Peter Haining 01892 667 466 Chairman Gary Marsh 01892 836 836 Managing Director Charles Stanley Securities Philip Davies 020 7149 6457 CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT For the year ended 31 March 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 £ £ £ £ Continuing Acquisitions Total Total Operations Turnover 8,310,071 2,141,896 10,451,967 9,480,429 Cost of sales (6,025,917) (1,517,478) (7,543,395) (6,698,300) --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- GROSS PROFIT 2,284,154 624,418 2,908,572 2,782,129 Selling expenses (1,075,315) (140,207) (1,215,522) (1,181,137) and distribution costs Administrative (1,251,417) (424,436) (1,675,853) (1,285,865) expenses --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- OPERATING (LOSS)/ (42,578) 59,775 17,197 315,127 PROFIT Other interest receivable and similar income 3,639 1,943 Interest payable (80,897) (1,660) --------------- --------------- (LOSS)/PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES BEFORE TAXATION (60,061) 315,410 Tax on profit on 34,893 (79,573) ordinary activities --------------- --------------- (LOSS)/PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES AFTER TAXATION (25,168) 235,837 --------------- --------------- EARNINGS PER SHARE Basic (0.4)p 3.8p Diluted (0.4)p 3.8p All amounts relate to continuing activities. There were no recognised gains or losses other than the (loss)/profit for the year as stated above. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET at 31 March 2006 2006 2005 £ (as restated) £ FIXED ASSETS Intangible assets 1,660,878 596,117 Tangible assets 373,562 415,322 ----------------- ----------------- 2,034,440 1,011,439 CURRENT ASSETS Stocks 1,081,498 1,091,215 Debtors 1,863,854 1,941,024 Cash at bank in hand 153,903 108,536 ----------------- ----------------- 3,099,255 3,140,775 CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one 2,560,981 1,599,908 year ----------------- ----------------- NET CURRENT ASSETS 538,274 1,540,867 ----------------- ----------------- TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 2,572,714 2,552,306 CREDITORS: Amounts falling due after more than one year 553,737 354,249 ----------------- ----------------- 2,018,977 2,198,057 ----------------- ----------------- CAPITAL AND RESERVES Called up share capital 307,826 307,826 Share premium account 756,980 756,980 Capital redemption reserve 4,674 4,674 Profit and loss account 949,497 1,128,577 ----------------- ----------------- SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS-EQUITY 2,018,977 2,198,057 ----------------- ----------------- CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT For the year ended 31 March 2006 2006 2005 £ £ Net cash inflow from operating activities 1,216,366 673,859 Return on investments and servicing of finance: Interest received 3,639 1,943 Hire purchase interest paid - 29,522 Other interest paid (80,897) (31,182) --------------- --------------- Net cash (outflow)/inflow from return on investments and servicing of finance (77,258) 283 Taxation Corporation tax paid (185,253) (71,575) Capital expenditure and financial investment Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets (145,093) (80,616) Receipts from sales of tangible fixed 43,957 25,934 assets --------------- --------------- Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and financial investment (101,136) (54,682) Acquisitions and disposals Receipt from sale of joint venture - 500 Purchase of business operation (1,833,167) - Net cash acquired with subsidiary 234,977 - --------------- --------------- Net cash (outflow)/inflow from acquisitions and disposals (1,598,190) 500 Equity dividends paid (153,912) (217,875) --------------- --------------- Net cash (outflow)/inflow before financing (899,383) 330,510 Financing Medium term loan received 500,000 - Repayments of medium term loan: capital (138,429) (108,572) element Hire purchase finance repaid: capital - (32,318) element Invoice discounting finance received/(paid) (net movement) 501,566 (122,675) Purchase of own shares - (33,811) --------------- --------------- Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing 863,137 (297,276) --------------- --------------- (Decrease)/increase in cash (36,246) 33,234 --------------- --------------- NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2006 1. The attached preliminary announcement is prepared on the same basis as set out in the previous year's annual accounts and does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985; the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2006, upon which an unqualified audit opinion has been given and which did not contain a statement under Section 235, 237(2) or 237(3) of the Companies Act 1985, will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies at a later date. A duly appointed and authorised committee of the Board of Directors approved the preliminary announcement. 2. CHANGES TO ACCOUNTING POLICIES The group has adopted FRS 21 'Events after the balance sheet date'. Previously, equity dividends declared after the balance sheet date were recognised as liabilities at the year end, as required by company law and SSAP 17 'Accounting for post balance sheet events'. In accordance with FRS 21 and recent changes to the law, if a final equity dividend is declared after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are authorised for issue, the dividend is not recognised as a liability at the balance sheet date. The adoption of FRS 21 has resulted in an increase in shareholders funds of £123,130 at 1st April 2006 (2005 - £124,500) due to the write back of the dividend proposed at 31st March 2005. 3. OPERATING PROFIT The operating profit is stated after charging/(crediting): 2006 2005 £ £ Depreciation 150,860 177,049 Loss on disposal of fixed assets 17,453 8,409 Amortisation of goodwill 71,062 34,762 Auditors' remuneration: Audit services 35,406 24,495 Operating lease rentals: Plant and machinery 25,429 23,227 Other 123,421 102,838 Foreign exchange gains (67,184) (100,837) Employment termination costs 33,688 14,896 Relocation expenses: Wordsworth 89,918 - Technology Limited Ex gratia payment to former director 30,000 - Research & development 10,123 - ----------------- ----------------- Included in audit fees is an amount of £15,349 (2005: £12,495) in respect of the Company. Additional non-audit services regarding the purchase of Wordsworth Technology Limited were £24,498 (2005: £nil) and have been capitalised and added to the goodwill figure on consolidation. The relocation expenses for Wordsworth Technology Limited of £89,918 represents the costs, mainly staff termination costs, arising from the relocation of its business from Edenbridge in Kent to the Steatite Limited premises in Redditch in Worcestershire. 4. RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT TO NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 2006 2005 £ £ Operating profit 17,197 315,127 Amortisation of intangible fixed 71,062 34,762 assets Depreciation of tangible fixed 150,860 177,049 assets Loss on sale of tangible fixed 17,453 8,409 assets Decrease in stocks 222,634 165,764 Decrease in debtors 800,776 85,597 (Decrease) in creditors (63,616) (112,849) ---------------- ---------------- Net cash in flow from operating 1,216,366 673,859 activities ---------------- ---------------- 5. DIVIDENDS 2006 2005 (as restated) £ £ Final dividend for the prior year of 2p 123,130 124,500 per share (2005: 2p) Interim dividend paid of 0.5p per share 30,782 93,375 (2005: 1.5p) ---------------- ---------------- 153,912 217,875 ---------------- ---------------- No final dividend proposed for the year - 123,130 (2005: 2p) ---------------- ---------------- 6. EARNINGS PER SHARE 2006 2005 £ £ The earnings per share is based on the following: Earnings (25,168) 235,837 ------------------ ------------------ Weighted average number of shares 6,156,511 6,207,342 Diluted number of shares 6,156,511 6,207,342 Earnings per share (0.4)p 3.8p Diluted earnings per share (0.4)p 3.8p Earnings per ordinary share has been calculated using the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year. The weighted average number of equity shares in issue was 6,156,511 (2005: 6,207,342). The Diluted earnings per share is based on 6,156,511 (2005: 6,207,342) ordinary shares which allow for the exercise of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. 7. The Annual Report will be sent to shareholders on 10 July 2006 and made available to the public at the registered office of the Company at Unit 2, Eastlands Lane, Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6BU This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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