Preliminary Results

Tanfield Group PLC 04 April 2005 Tanfield Group Plc Preliminary Results for the year ended 31st December 2004 Tanfield Group plc ('Tanfield' or 'the Group'), is pleased to announce its preliminary results for the twelve months ended 31st December 2004. The Directors also take this opportunity to highlight recent developments and outline the continuing strategy of the Group Summary of Key Developments: Introduction The Group has undergone a significant transformation during the period since December 2003, firstly acquiring the Tanfield engineering businesses and then SEV Group Limited ('SEV') whilst during this time carrying out a significant restructuring exercise. The Group is now focused on its specialist engineering and electric vehicle divisions. The Directors believe that this transition has gone well and that the Group will deliver significant shareholder value in the future. The Group has grown substantially over the past six months, new product lines have come on stream, major orders have been won and deliveries against these orders have commenced. Trading in the last quarter of 2004 and the first quarter of 2005 have been in line with expectations. The strategy outlined in the announcement of the interim results in September 2004 of the Group exiting from the supply of automotive components and removing itself from lower margin component supply has been completed. Before its acquisition by the Group 30% of the Tanfield Holdings group turnover was related to the supply of automotive components out of E2A Ltd. This turnover has been replaced by sales of higher margin assembly and sub assembly products and by income arising from the acquisition of SEV Group Ltd. Financial Results The Group reported turnover for the year to December of £11.76m (2003 £2.85m), an increase of 312% principally represented by the acquisition of the Tanfield Holdings group at the end of 2003 and the SEV Group in October 2004. Included in discontinued operations are the activities of E2A and E Comeleon following the decisions to withdraw from the automotive sector and to focus solely on the licensing of E Comeleon's imaging technology. This sector provided turnover pre acquisition of £1.84m in the 9 months to December 2003 and thus represented 30% of the business prior to restructuring. The year on year improvement in sales results from strong turnover growth within HMH Ltd as well as contribution to sales from the SEV Group Ltd acquisition completed in October 2004. The pre tax consolidated loss for the year was £5.97m (2003 £6.99m) after accounting for a goodwill amortisation of £235k. This loss includes substantial costs associated with restructuring the Group's business activities, including exceptional costs of £2.11m connected to the discontinuance of certain divisions and restructuring of the operations of the Group. The loss for the year is also affected by significant start up costs associated with the introduction of new customers within the Groups new target market. Furthermore the Board has also taken the decision to vacate Comeleon House and give up the lease now that the e-comeleon business no longer operates manufacturing facilities there. Costs associated with this include £253k in respect of the write off of stock. Group net assets as at December were £1.03m (2003 £0.18m). The Group has raised new equity funds of £7m during the year. The Group Structure The Group now falls into two main divisions; Tanfield Holdings; this division designs and manufactures added value assembly and sub assembly products. The Directors of Tanfield have moved this division away from being a sub-contract business with a short horizon order book to being focussed on delivered assemblies with longer term visibility of earnings, higher margins and a higher degree of lock in with blue chip customers and partners. Smiths Electric Vehicles (SEV); this division designs and manufactures electric vehicles and, aerial access equipment and also provides servicing and maintenance of the vehicles and equipment. Since the acquisition in October 2004 there has been a focus on rationalising and improving the product range and re-organising, through improved distribution, the sales function of SEV. Growth of the Group; The Group has grown significantly since the third quarter of 2004. This growth is attributable to both organic factors and the acquisition of SEV. The number of employees has increased from 160 at the end of March 2004 to the current headcount of 395. It is anticipated that bringing the two divisions together on one site could provide the advantage of several major synergies. Grant assistance is being sought for this project. The manufacturing expertise within Tanfield Holdings has been used to improve the costs of production of SEV vehicles. The Order Book The current order book of both divisions is at record levels; in particular, there has been a large increase in the rate of growth in the SEV order book. Tanfield Holdings division has won a number of significant contracts in a range of sectors; Defence, Power Generation, Industrial Vehicles and the Health Sector. The annualised order book stands at over £18 million, compared to £7 million at the beginning of 2004. The level of enquiries is also currently at a record level compared to last year. All these orders are now being delivered against and further projects are expected to come on stream over the next three months. The directors believe that the rate of growth in the order book will increase during the remainder of the year particularly going into the last quarter of 2005. SEV has a record order book of over £9 million, compared to £5 million this time last year. The growth rate in the order book is accelerating. Since the start of the year the company has received over £3.5 million of orders for products to be exported to North America, Eastern Europe and Australia. The company, in February, won its first fleet contract in the airport sector. The order was with a major regional airport for electric baggage handling vehicles. The company has also secured an order from a major North American airline for 19 vehicles and in the view of the Directors these orders indicate the great potential in this market sector. Opportunities for the Future New product development across the divisions provides great scope for the future. The Group will establish alliances with appropriate partners that provide good brand recognition and established routes to market. The focus for SEV is developing export sales through distribution networks and bringing further products to the market that address the legislative and environmental issues that are facing its customers. Conclusion The final results for the twelve months ended 31st December 2004 reflect a business which was in transition. This transitional process is complete. The Directors have a strategy for growth, which incorporates both the organic development of the Group and, where appropriate, acquisitions. The successful implementation of the strategy to date is as a result of the efforts of all the people involved within the Group. The business is trading in line with expectations and there are good opportunities for further growth. Chairman's Comment: Commenting on this announcement, Jon Pither, Chairman of Tanfield Group plc said: ' There are a number of good opportunities being presented to the business. The Directors are pleased with the progress the Group has made during 2004. ' CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT For the year ended 31 December 2004 Note Year ended 15 month 31 December period ended 2004 31 December £ 2003 £ TURNOVER Existing operations 8,362,143 - Acquisitions 2,324,846 - Continuing operations 10,686,989 - Discontinued operations 1,077,750 2,854,037 11,764,739 2,854,037 Cost of sales --------- ---------- -Exceptional cost of sales 4 (252,760) - -Other cost of sales (8,766,955) (3,855,248) --------- ---------- Total cost of sales (9,019,715) (3,855,248) Gross profit/(loss) 2,745,024 (1,001,211) Administrative expenses --------- ---------- -Exceptional administrative expenses -goodwill impairment 4 - (672,067) -Exceptional administrative expenses -other 4 (1,859,000) (1,196,934) -Other administrative expenses (6,061,473) (4,008,557) --------- ---------- Total administrative expenses (7,920,473) (5,877,558) OPERATING LOSS Existing operations (2,538,898) - Acquisitions (173,229) - Continuing operations (2,712,127) - Discontinued operations (2,471,722) (6,878,769) (5,175,449) (6,878,769) Interest receivable and similar income 18,916 36,275 Interest payable and similar charges (848,117) (145,799) LOSS ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES BEFORE TAXATION (6,004,650) (6,988,293) Tax on loss on ordinary activities 38,446 - LOSS ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES AFTER TAXATION (5,966,204) (6,988,293) RETAINED LOSS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR WITHDRAWN FROM RESERVES (5,966,204) (6,988,293) Basic and diluted loss per ordinary share 5 (8.26p) (45.08p) CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET As at 31 December 2004 2004 2003 £ £ FIXED ASSETS Intangible assets 5,236,731 4,556,411 Tangible assets 2,332,537 2,962,325 7,569,268 7,518,736 CURRENT ASSETS Stocks 2,417,395 779,000 Debtors 4,042,035 1,228,057 Cash at bank and in hand 8,745,702 3,171,604 15,205,132 5,178,661 CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year (16,878,345) (8,554,196) NET CURRENT LIABILITIES (1,673,213) (3,375,535) TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 5,896,055 4,143,201 CREDITORS: amounts falling due after more than one year Convertible debt (1,831,880) (1,783,880) Other creditors (1,547,641) (1,634,015) PROVISION FOR LIABILITIES AND CHARGES (1,487,532) (543,769) 1,029,002 181,537 CAPITAL AND RESERVES Called up share capital 1,327,847 617,347 Shares to be issued 298,706 298,706 Other reserve 111,150 111,150 Share premium account 18,631,774 12,528,605 Merger Reserve 1,533,740 1,533,740 Profit and loss account (20,874,215) (14,908,011) TOTAL EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 1,029,002 181,537 CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT For the year ended 31 December 2004 Note Year ended 15 months ended 31 December 31 December 2004 2003 £ £ Net cash outflow from operating activities 6 (2,614,290) (2,009,152) Returns on investments and servicing of finance (601,201) (109,524) Taxation - 24,679 Acquisitions and disposals (2,541,354) (2,328,817) Capital expenditure & financial investment 8,910 (155,483) Cash outflow before financing (5,747,935) (4,578,297) Financing 5,956,030 1,309,989 Increase/(decrease) in cash in the period 8, 7 208,095 (3,268,308) NOTES 1. Accounting policies These financial statements have been prepared using the accounting policies set out in the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the 15 months ended 31 December 2003. The financial statements are prepared in accordance with United Kingdom applicable accounting standards. 2. Basis of consolidation The group financial statements consolidate the financial statements of the company and its subsidiary undertakings drawn up to 31 December each year. The results of subsidiaries acquired are consolidated for the periods from the date on which control passed. Tanfield Group Plc (formerly Comeleon Plc) was incorporated on 30 August 2000 and on 28 November 2000 acquired the entire share capital of E Comeleon Limited. In accordance with the principles set out in Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 6 'Acquisitions and Mergers', 93.5% of the shares acquired were accounted for under merger accounting. The remaining 6.5% have been accounted for under acquisition accounting. Tanfield Group Plc (formerly Comeleon Plc) acquired the entire share capital of Tanfield Holdings Limited on 30 December 2003. The consideration given in exchange for the entire share capital of Tanfield Holdings Limited was 45,906,312 ordinary shares in Tanfield Group Plc (formerly Comeleon Plc). In accordance with the provisions of section 131 of the Companies Act 1985, the company has taken advantage of merger relief accounting. All other acquisitions are accounted for under the acquisition method. 3. Unaudited Financial Statements The financial information set out in the announcement does not constitute statutory accounts for the periods ending 31 December 2003 or 2004. The results for the 15 months ended 31 December 2003 have been extracted from the Annual Report and Financial Statements for that year, which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and on which the auditors have given an unqualified report which did not contain a statement under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2004 will be finalised on the basis of the financial information presented by the directors in this preliminary announcement and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the company's annual general meeting. 4. Exceptional Items Year ended 15 months ended 31 December 31 December 2004 2003 £ £ Exceptional cost of sales Stock provision 252,760 - Exceptional administrative costs Impairment of goodwill - 672,067 Impairment of tangible fixed assets 1,337,000 1,196,934 Onerous lease 522,000 - 1,859,000 1,869,001 5. Loss per ordinary share Loss per share has been calculated using the weighted average number of shares in issue during the relevant financial periods. The weighted average number of shares in issue is 72,209,946 (2003 - 15,501,846), and the earnings, being loss on ordinary activities after taxation and minority interest are £5,966,204 (2003 - £6,988,293). No diluted loss per share has been disclosed as the share options are anti-dilutive. Year ended 15 months ended 31 December 31 December 2004 2003 Pence Pence Loss per share (8.26) (45.08) 6. Reconciliation of operating loss to net cash outflow from operating activities 2004 2003 £ £ Operating loss (5,175,449) (6,878,768) Depreciation on tangible fixed assets 570,013 753,424 Impairment of tangible fixed assets 1,337,000 1,196,934 Amortisation of intangible fixed assets 235,548 11,270 Impairment of intangible fixed assets - 672,067 Loss on disposal on tangible fixed assets - 488,951 Increase in provisions 438,763 309,769 Decrease in stocks 319,149 326,797 (Increase)/decrease in debtors (997,592) 4,606,657 Increase/(decrease) in creditors 658,276 (3,496,253) Net cash outflow from operating activities (2,614,290) (2,009,152) 7. Analysis of net debt At On acquisition Other non At 1 January (excluding cash Cash cash 31 December 2004 and overdrafts) Flow changes 2004 £ £ £ £ £ Cash in hand and at bank 3,171,604 - 5,574,098 - 8,745,702 Overdrafts (3,454,178) - (5,366,003) - (8,820,181) (282,564) - 208,095 - (74,479) Debt due within one year (850,000) (50,000) 100,000 - (800,000) Debt due after one year (1,783,800) (358,856) 10,055 (88,000) (3,020,681) Finance leases (1,836,622) (274,008) 647,584 (11,548) (1,474,594) (4,753,076) (682,864) 965,734 (99,548) (4,569,754) During the period the group entered into finance lease arrangements in respect of assets with a total capital value at inception of £51,548 (2003 - £Nil), released £48,000 (2003 - £Nil) of capitalised finance charges to the profit and loss account, and reclassified £40,000 (2003 - £Nil) to debt from finance leases. 8. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt 2004 2004 2003 2003 £ £ £ £ Increase/(decrease) in cash in the year 208,095 (3,268,308) Cash inflow/(outflow) from increase in debt and lease financing 757,639 (1,122,477) Change in net debt resulting from cash flows 965,734 (4,390,785) Other non cash changes (99,548) (375,000) Loans and finance leases acquired with subsidiary (682,864) (1,895,000) Movement in the year 183,322 (6,660,785) Net funds at 1 January 2004 (4,753,076) 1,907,709 Net debt at 31 December 2004 (4,569,754) (4,753,076) This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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