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CEPS Ceps Plc

17.50
0.00 (0.00%)
24 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Ceps Plc LSE:CEPS London Ordinary Share GB00B86TNX04 ORD 10P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 17.50 15.00 20.00 17.50 17.50 17.50 0.00 08:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Fabricated Rubber Pds, Nec 26.45M 460k 0.0219 7.99 3.68M

CEPS PLC Final Results (9468W)

03/05/2016 7:01am

UK Regulatory


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TIDMCEPS

RNS Number : 9468W

CEPS PLC

03 May 2016

3 May 2016

CEPS PLC

("CEPS" OR THE "COMPANY")

FINAL RESULTS

The Board of CEPS is pleased to announce its final results for the year ended 31 December 2015.

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

Review of the period

This is my first Chairman's Statement and I thought I would take the opportunity to set out again the original plan on which I led the refinancing of what was then called Dinkie Heel plc and was renamed CEPS plc (Chelverton Equity PartnerS).

The objective then, and today, is to acquire profitable cash generative companies operating in niche market sectors in partnership with the "business drivers" of these companies. With the input, both strategic and financial from the CEPS Board, the intention is to encourage and help the management teams to develop the businesses and to grow them steadily over time.

As the companies grow their profits and generate cash, the free cash will be used to repay the funding used to originally acquire the company. The style and structure of this approach has more in common with the creation of a conglomerate and is different to the private equity approach, where companies are owned for up to five years and then sold. Once the acquisition debt due to banks, vendor shareholders and CEPS has been repaid then the free cash generated will be used to pay dividends and to further develop the company. CEPS will receive its share of any dividends paid and will also support any company initiative requiring further investment.

The original plan was to acquire one company a year financed as to 50% in equity and 50% in bank debt. It was felt that once eight companies had been acquired, further development of those eight companies and further acquisitions would then be financed from the Group's cash flow with no further equity issuance. With the acquisition of Friedman's in 2005 and then Sunline in early 2007, the plan was on track. However, the onset of the Credit Crunch and the "Great Recession" put everything on hold as the trading of companies became less predictable and it also became impossible to obtain bank debt to finance further acquisitions.

It was not until five years later, in 2012, that CEPS made its next acquisition with other investors in the partial purchase of CEM Press. Since then CEPS has acquired Aford Awards in November 2014, the balance of CEM Press in October 2015 and, very recently, Hickton Consultants in January 2016.

CEPS now has six subsidiaries and has made very significant progress in the past eighteen months both in increasing the breadth of the business and also in investing in the development and improvement of the CEPS' businesses. As ever evidence of improvement takes a while to become clear to people not involved day to day in the companies.

Shareholder value in CEPS is created as follows:

1. The size of a target company generally means that it is too small for a private equity investor to deem worthwhile applying time and large resources to. At the same time, there are few individuals with adequate resources to compete. Therefore, there is generally very little price competition when CEPS acquires a company.

2. Because CEPS is effectively a conglomerate, no acquired company has any particular strategic value and, therefore, CEPS will not overpay.

3. Vendors are asked to retain part of their consideration as interest bearing loan notes, which has the dual effect of mitigating the risk of purchase and, also, provides an element of gearing.

4. The management team invests in the shares of a new company established to buy the target and also to provide a measure of commitment to a five--year plan by providing interest bearing loan finance.

5. The repayment, in time, of all of the purchase price bar GBP100,000, being the share capital of the new company, means that CEPS and the management team get all of their investment back whilst still owning the company.

6. Under the ownership of CEPS, these acquired companies will become better quality companies as the appropriate elements of corporate governance are gradually and appropriately introduced.

7. Finally, and of greatest importance, we will aim to acquire companies whose profits are steadily growing and will consequently become more valuable.

Further acquisitions will be either as stand-alone companies or additions to existing subsidiaries.

Financial review

The results for the year do not evidence the significant positive developments that have taken place in each of the subsidiaries over the past 12 months. We expect this progress to be more apparent at the interim stage in September and, of course, for the full set of results for the current year.

As a result of the three purchases mentioned above, CEPS is now a much broader Group than eighteen months ago and the profit contribution from these acquisitions is expected to make a material difference to the Group accounts.

Overall, Group revenue at GBP18.2m for the year (2014: GBP17.0m) was up by 7% whilst operating profit grew almost 100% to GBP486,000 from GBP244,000. Profit before tax was up 60.8% at GBP394,000 (2014: GBP245,000) before an exceptional charge of GBP138,000 due to the required accounting treatment in respect of the CEM Press acquisition. Group costs were marginally higher than last year at GBP370,000, but include a GBP79,000 write-off of historic goodwill. If this is excluded, Group costs are down by GBP61,000 at GBP291,000 (2014: GBP352,000) mainly reflecting the non--replacement of Peter Cook, the former Group Managing Director, but including an ex--gratia payment to him. Post-tax profit was GBP57,000 (2014: GBP251:000) due to a significant tax charge of GBP199,000 (2014: credit of GBP6,000 resulting from a deferred tax adjustment). Earnings per share on a basic and diluted basis were (3.65p) (2014: (3.13p)). In the year there was an improvement in cash generated from operations amounting to GBP889,000 (2014: GBP580,000) and there was a net increase in cash and cash equivalents of GBP206,000 (2014: GBP177,000). Year end cash and cash equivalents (excluding bank overdrafts) were GBP854,000 (2014: GBP346,000). The enlarged Group has contributed to these improvements and cash is expected to improve further in future years.

Operational review

Aford Awards

We looked to expand the business in 2015 by making a small acquisition. However, we were not prepared to meet the price expectations of the vendor. We will continue to look at ways of expanding the business both organically and by acquisition, in 2016. The creation of a new showroom and investment in a new engraving machine will improve the sales and marketing capability and manufacturing capacity.

CEM Press

CEPS completed the purchase of CEM Press through a new company with the existing management team at the end of September 2015. As the business had been underinvested for several years, a number of projects are now underway aimed at improving efficiency and quality. This will, as ever, take a little while. However, we are pleased that in this brief period of majority ownership, improvements in the operational efficiencies are beginning to be evident.

Davies Odell

Trading continued to be difficult in 2015 and sadly it was necessary to address the cost base by making eight people redundant. A considerable amount of effort has gone into addressing the issues in the company and progress is now being made. We expect that Davies Odell will make some progress in 2016.

Friedman's

The company has had an excellent 2015 and we expect it to do well in 2016, notwithstanding the cost impact of a weakening Pound. The continuing development of Funki Fabrics is expected to become a major profit driver in 2016 and beyond.

Hickton

Hickton was acquired after the financial year end with a number of investors from the Chelverton Investor Club and the managing director of the company. Trading has gone well in the brief period of ownership and we expect Hickton to make a good contribution to the Group in 2016.

Sunline

After the very difficult operational issues in 2014, it is pleasing to be able to report that Sunline's original business moved back into profit in 2015, albeit with the use of extra labour to ensure no repeat of the problems experienced in 2014. In 2016 the emphasis will be on fine-tuning the labour costs, now that the capacity and efficiency of the production line has been established. Also, additional sales resource has been recruited to fill the extra capacity of the new plant.

The "Pick, Pack and Despatch" business which was started in 2014 made very good progress in 2015, although it is still loss-making as it has yet to reach critical mass. It is expected that the business will break into profit on a monthly basis at the end of this year and, thereafter, will become a valuable earnings stream and an important adjunct to the polywrap business.

Dividend

A dividend is not proposed at this time (2014: GBPnil), but the situation will be kept under review.

Power to issue and purchase shares

The Company will be convening its Annual General Meeting to be held on 20 June 2016. Among other resolutions to be proposed, the Board will seek authority to allot shares equating to 100% of its present issued ordinary share capital in line with the requirements of our acquisition strategy.

People

The Board is most grateful for the diligent efforts of all the Group's employees in 2015.

I am sorry to have to report that Peter Cook, formerly Group Managing Director, has had to retire from the Company as a consequence of a serious illness.

Also Richard Organ has stated that he wishes to step down from the Board at the AGM. I would like to thank Richard for all he has done for the Group over the past 16 years. We all wish him well in his gradual retirement.

We are currently considering potential candidates for the role of Non-Executive Director and hope to be in a position to make an announcement shortly.

Prospects

(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires

May 03, 2016 02:01 ET (06:01 GMT)

Underlying trading in the Group companies is improving. Steps have been taken in all of the subsidiaries to promote further development and, once the uncertainty caused by the European Union Referendum is removed, one way or the other, we believe our companies will continue to make progress.

Against this background, we anticipate further recovery at Sunline, continued good results from Friedman's and a good maiden contribution from Hickton Consultants. Aford Awards and CEM Press are expected to make steady progress and Davies Odell should, as the year progresses, begin to show a return to appropriate profits.

Trading in the year to date is in line with the Board's expectations. Whilst there is currently great uncertainty at the macro level in the UK economy, our companies are working hard to make multiple small improvements in their trading. We expect the Group to make further significant progress as the year unfolds.

David Horner

Chairman

29 April 2016

David Horner, Chairman, CEPS PLC

Tel: 01225 483030

Tony Rawlinson, Cairn Financial Advisers LLP

Nominated Adviser

Tel: 020 7148 7900

CEPS PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015

 
                                             2015       2014 
                                          GBP'000    GBP'000 
 Continuing operations 
 Revenue (note 5)                          18,229     16,981 
 Cost of sales                           (15,035)   (14,640) 
                                        ---------  --------- 
 Gross profit                               3,194      2,341 
 
 Net operating expenses                   (2,708)    (2,097) 
 Operating profit                             486        244 
 
 Analysis of operating profit 
                                        ---------  --------- 
  - Trading                                   856        596 
  - Group costs                             (370)      (352) 
                                        ---------  --------- 
                                              486        244 
                                        ---------  --------- 
 
 Finance income                                 8         11 
 Finance costs                              (121)       (24) 
 Loss on step acquisition                   (138)          - 
 Share of investment accounted 
  for using the equity method                  21         14 
 Profit before tax                            256        245 
 Taxation (note 6)                         (199)       6 
                                        ---------  --------- 
 Profit for the year from continuing 
  operations                                   57        251 
                                        ---------  --------- 
 
 Other comprehensive loss: 
  Items that will not be reclassified 
  to profit or loss 
 Re-measurement of post employment 
  benefit obligations                        (68)       (87) 
                                        ---------  --------- 
 Items that may be subsequently                 -          - 
  reclassified to profit or loss 
                                        ---------  --------- 
 Other comprehensive loss for the 
  year, net of tax                           (68)       (87) 
 Total comprehensive (loss)/income 
  for the year                               (11)        164 
                                        ---------  --------- 
 
 (Loss)/profit attributable to: 
 Owners of the parent                       (275)      (169) 
 Non-controlling interest                     332        420 
                                        ---------  --------- 
                                               57        251 
                                        ---------  --------- 
 
 Total comprehensive (loss)/income 
  attributable to: 
 Owners of the parent                       (343)      (256) 
 Non-controlling interest                     332        420 
                                        ---------  --------- 
                                             (11)        164 
                                        ---------  --------- 
 Earnings per share from continuing 
  operations attributable to the 
  equity holders of the parent 
  - basic and diluted (note 7)            (3.65)p    (3.13)p 
                                        ---------  --------- 
 

CEPS PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2015

 
                                            2015       2014 
                                         GBP'000    GBP'000 
                                        --------  --------- 
 Assets 
 Non-current assets 
 Property, plant and equipment 
  (note 8)                                 2,122      1,999 
 Intangible assets (note 10)               4,652      3,285 
 Investment using the equity method            -        568 
 Deferred tax asset                          440        487 
                                           7,214      6,339 
                                        --------  --------- 
 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                               2,030      1,914 
 Trade and other receivables               3,155      2,569 
 Cash and cash equivalents (excluding 
  bank overdrafts)                           854        346 
                                           6,039      4,829 
                                        --------  --------- 
 Total assets                             13,253     11,168 
                                        ========  ========= 
 
 Equity 
 Capital and reserves attributable 
  to owners of the parent 
 Share capital (note 11)                     957        541 
 Share premium                             3,943      3,114 
 Retained earnings                         (712)      (281) 
                                        --------  --------- 
                                           4,188      3,374 
 Non-controlling interest in equity          873        694 
 Total equity                              5,061      4,068 
                                        --------  --------- 
 
 Liabilities 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Borrowings                                2,275      1,406 
 Deferred tax liability                       77         36 
 Provisions for liabilities and 
  charges                                     55         55 
                                           2,407      1,497 
                                        --------  --------- 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Borrowings                                2,319      2,876 
 Trade and other payables                  3,359      2,672 
 Current tax liabilities                     107         55 
 Provisions for liabilities and 
  charges                                      -          - 
                                           5,785      5,603 
                                        --------  --------- 
 Total liabilities                         8,192      7,100 
                                        --------  --------- 
 Total equity and liabilities             13,253     11,168 
                                        ========  ========= 
 

CEPS PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015

 
                                               2015      2014 
                                            GBP'000   GBP'000 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
 Cash generated from operations                 889       580 
 Income tax paid                               (59)     (113) 
 Interest received                                8         - 
 Interest paid                                 (18)      (24) 
                                           --------  -------- 
 Net cash generated from operations             820       443 
                                           --------  -------- 
 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
 Acquisition of subsidiary net 
  of cash acquired                            (267)   (1,054) 
 Purchase of property, plant and 
  equipment                                   (205)     (517) 
 Proceeds from sale of assets                    12         - 
 Purchase of intangibles                       (35)      (14) 
 Disposal of property, plant and 
  equipment                                     295         - 
 Net cash used in investing activities        (200)   (1,585) 
                                           --------  -------- 
 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Proceeds from borrowings                   (1,306)     1,574 
 Dividend paid to non-controlling 
  interests                                   (180)      (45) 
 Share issue net of costs                     1,245         - 
 Repayment of capital element of 
  finance leases                              (173)     (210) 
                                           --------  -------- 
 Net cash generated (used in)/from 
  financing activities                        (414)     1,319 
                                           --------  -------- 
 
 Net increase in cash and cash 
  equivalents                                   206       177 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the 
  beginning of the year                        (95)     (272) 
                                           --------  -------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the 
  end of the year                               111      (95) 
                                           --------  -------- 
 
 Cash generated from operations 
 Profit before income tax                       256       245 
 Adjustments for: 
 Depreciation and amortisation                  503       320 
 Profit of associate                           (21)      (14) 
 Loss on disposal on step acquisition           138        45 
 Net finance costs                              113        13 
 Retirement benefit obligations                   -      (77) 
 Changes in working capital: 
 Decrease/(increase) in inventories             165     (134) 
 Increase in trade and other receivables      (112)      (37) 
 (Decrease)/increase in trade and 
  other payables                               (93)       233 

(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires

May 03, 2016 02:01 ET (06:01 GMT)

 Decrease in provisions                        (60)      (14) 
                                           --------  -------- 
 Cash generated from operations                 889       580 
                                           --------  -------- 
 
 

CEPS PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015

 
                                                                   Attributable 
                                                                      to owners     Non-controlling 
                                  Share       Share     Retained         of the            interest      Total 
                                capital     premium     earnings         parent                         equity 
                                GBP'000     GBP'000      GBP'000        GBP'000             GBP'000    GBP'000 
 At 1 January 2014                  541       3,114         (25)          3,630                 235      3,865 
                             ----------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ------------------  --------- 
 Other comprehensive 
  income - re--measurement 
  of post employee 
  benefit obligations                 -           -         (87)           (87)                   -       (87) 
  (Loss)/profit 
   for the year                       -           -        (169)          (169)                 420        251 
                             ----------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ------------------  --------- 
 Total comprehensive 
  (loss)/ income 
  for the year                        -           -        (256)          (256)                 420        164 
                             ----------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ------------------  --------- 
 Dividend paid to 
  non-controlling 
  interest                            -           -            -              -                (45)       (45) 
                             ----------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ------------------  --------- 
 Total transactions 
  recognised 
  directly in equity                  -           -            -              -                (45)       (45) 
                             ----------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ------------------  --------- 
 Change in ownership 
  interest in 
  a subsidiary not 
  resulting in loss 
  of control                          -           -            -              -                  54         54 
 Acquisition of 
  a subsidiary                        -           -            -              -                  30         30 
                             ----------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ------------------  --------- 
 Total changes in 
  ownership interest 
  that do not result 
  in a loss of control                -           -            -              -                  84         84 
                             ----------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ------------------  --------- 
 Total transactions 
  with owners recognised 
  directly in equity                  -           -            -              -                  39         39 
                             ----------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ------------------  --------- 
 At 31 December 
  2014                              541       3,114        (281)          3,374                 694      4,068 
                             ----------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ------------------  --------- 
 Other comprehensive 
  income - 
  re--measurement 
  of post employee 
  benefit obligations                 -           -         (68)           (68)                   -       (68) 
 (Loss)/profit for 
  the year                            -           -        (275)          (275)                 332         57 
 Total comprehensive 
  (loss)/income for 
  the year                            -           -        (343)          (343)                 332       (11) 
                             ----------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ------------------  --------- 
 Proceeds from shares 
  issued net of expenses            416         829            -          1,245                   -      1,245 
                             ----------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ------------------  --------- 
 Total contributions 
  by owners 
  of the parent 
  recognised 
  in equity                         416         829            -          1,245                   -      1,245 
                             ----------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ------------------  --------- 
 Dividend paid to 
  non-controlling 
  interest                            -           -            -              -               (180)      (180) 
                             ----------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ------------------  --------- 
 Total transactions 
  recognised directly 
  in equity                           -           -            -              -               (180)      (180) 
                             ----------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ------------------  --------- 
 Change in ownership 
  interest in an 
  associate                           -           -         (88)           (88)                   -       (88) 
 Acquisition of 
  a subsidiary                        -           -            -              -                  27         27 
                             ----------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ------------------  --------- 
 Total changes in 
  ownership interest 
  that do not result 
  in a loss of control                -           -         (88)           (88)                  27       (61) 
                             ----------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ------------------  --------- 
 Total transactions 
  with owners recognised 
  directly in equity                  -           -         (88)           (88)               (153)      (241) 
                             ----------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ------------------  --------- 
 At 31 December 
  2015                              957       3,943        (712)          4,188                 873      5,061 
                             ----------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ------------------  --------- 
 

Notes to the financial information

   1.       General information 

The Company is a limited liability company incorporated and domiciled in the UK. The address of its registered office is 12b George Street, Bath, BA1 2EH and the registered number of the Company is 507461.

   2.       Basis of preparation 

This announcement is an extract from the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2015 and comprises the Company and its subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements were authorised for issuance on 29 April 2016. The financial information set out below does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the years ended 31 December 2014 or 2015 within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006, but is derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for 2014 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for 2015 will be delivered following the Company's Annual General Meeting. The auditors' reports on the statutory accounts for the years ended 31 December 2014 and 31 December 2015 were unqualified and do not contain statements under s498(2) or (3) Companies Act 2006.

This financial information has been prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs") and International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee ("IFRIC") interpretations as adopted by the European Union and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. Details of the accounting policies applied are set out in the financial statements.

Certain statements in this announcement constitute forward-looking statements. Any statement in this announcement that is not a statement of historical fact including, without limitation, those regarding the Company's future expectations, operations, financial performance, financial condition and business is a forward-looking statement. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, amongst other factors, changing economic, financial, business or other market conditions. These and other factors could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described in this announcement and the Company undertakes no obligation to update its view of such risks and uncertainties or to update the forward-looking statements contained herein. Nothing in this announcement should be construed as a profit forecast.

The Group financial statements are presented in GBP (GBP) and to the nearest thousand ('000). This Group expects to transact more of its business in GBP than any other currency and it is also the functional currency of the Group.

The financial information set out in this announcement was approved by the Board on 29 April 2016.

   3.       Accounting Policies 

The following new accounting policy was adopted during the year:

   (a)   Intangible assets 

As a result of the acquisition of CEM Press the Group now holds intangible assets in respect of customer lists acquired. These intangible assets are not amortised, but are subject to an annual impairment review.

   4.       Critical accounting assumptions, judgements and estimates 

The fair values of all financial assets and liabilities approximate to their carrying values.

   a)    Impairment of intangible assets (including goodwill and customer relationships) 

The Group tests annually whether intangible assets (including goodwill) have suffered any impairment. The recoverable amounts of the cash-generating units have been determined based on value-in-use calculations. The calculations require the use of estimates.

   b)    Deferred tax assets 

(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires

May 03, 2016 02:01 ET (06:01 GMT)

Certain subsidiaries of the Group (principally Davies Odell) have accelerated capital allowances and brought forward tax losses. Deferred tax assets have been recognised in respect of the brought-forward tax losses. The recognition of the assets reflects management's estimate of the recoverable amounts in respect of these items.

   c)    Retirement benefit liabilities 

One subsidiary of the Group operates a defined benefits pension scheme. The scheme is subject to triennial actuarial valuation and the Group commissions an independent qualified actuary to update to each financial year end the previous triennial result. The results of this update are included in the financial statements. In reaching the annually updated results management makes assumptions and estimates. These assumptions and estimates are made advisedly, but are not any guarantee of the performance of the scheme or of the outcome of each triennial review.

   d)    Acquisitions 

During the year the Group acquired CEM Teal Limited. Management has made estimates concerning the intangible assets arising on acquisition as well as the fair value of the assets and liabilities at the acquisition date.

   5.       Segmental analysis 

The chief operating decision maker of the Group is its Board. Each operating segment regularly reports its performance to the Board which, based on those reports, allocates resources to and assesses the performance of those operating segments.

Operating segments and their principal activities are as follows:

   -     Aford Awards, a sports trophy and engraving company 
   -     CEM Press, a manufacturer of fabric and wallpaper pattern books, swatches and shade cards 

- Davies Odell, a manufacturer and distributor of protection equipment, matting and footwear components

   -     Friedman's, a convertor and distributor of specialist Lycra 
   -     Sunline, a supplier of services to the direct mail market 
   -     Group costs, costs incurred at Head Office level to support the activities of the Group 

The United Kingdom is the main country of operation from which the Group derives its revenue and operating profit and is the principal location of the assets and liabilities of the Group. The Group information provided below, therefore, also represents the geographical segmental analysis. Of the GBP18,229,000 (2014: GBP16,981,000) revenue GBP15,884,000 (2014: GBP14,662,000) is derived from UK customers with the remaining GBP2,345,000 (2014: GBP2,319,000) being derived from a number of overseas countries, none of which is material in isolation.

The Board assesses the performance of each operating segment by a measure of adjusted earnings before interest, tax, Group costs, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA). Other information provided to the Board is measured in a manner consistent with that in the financial statements.

   i)     Results by segment 

Year ended 31 December 2015

 
                          Aford       CEM    Davies   Friedman's   Sunline     Total 
                         Awards     Press     Odell 
                           2015      2015      2015         2015      2015      2015 
                        GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000      GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000 
                       --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  -------- 
 Revenue                  1,468       654     4,971        4,221     6,915    18,229 
                       --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  -------- 
 Segmental result 
  (EBITDA)                  273      (49)      (73)          925       204     1,280 
                                           --------  -----------  -------- 
 Depreciation 
  and amortisation 
  charge                                                                       (424) 
 Group costs                                                                   (370) 
 Net finance costs                                                             (113) 
 Loss on step 
  acquisition                                                                  (138) 
 Share of investment 
  accounted for 
  using the equity 
  method                                                                          21 
 Profit before 
  taxation                                                                       256 
 Taxation                                                                      (199) 
                                                                            -------- 
 Profit for the 
  year                                                                            57 
                                                                            ======== 
 

Year ended 31 December 2014

 
                          Aford       CEM    Davies   Friedman's   Sunline     Total 
                         Awards     Press     Odell 
                           2014      2014      2014         2014      2014      2014 
                        GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000      GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000 
                       --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  -------- 
 Revenue                    146         -     5,579        3,926     7,330    16,981 
                       --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  -------- 
 
 Segmental result 
  (EBITDA)                  (7)         -       216          643        67       919 
                                           --------  -----------  -------- 
 Depreciation 
  and amortisation 
  charge                                                                       (323) 
 Group costs                                                                   (352) 
 Net finance costs                                                              (13) 
 Share of investment 
  accounted for 
  using the equity 
  method                                                                          14 
                                                                            -------- 
 Profit before 
  taxation                                                                       245 
 Taxation                                                                          6 
                                                                            -------- 
 Profit for the 
  year                                                                           251 
                                                                            ======== 
 
   ii)     Assets and liabilities by segment 

As at 31 December

 
                                                                 Segment net 
                   Segment assets      Segment liabilities          assets 
                     2015      2014        2015        2014      2015      2014 
                  GBP'000   GBP'000     GBP'000     GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000 
                 --------  --------  ----------  ----------  --------  -------- 
 CEPS Group           275       736       (178)       (924)        97     (188) 
 Aford Awards       1,393     1,350       (489)       (579)       904       771 
 CEM Press          2,645         -     (2,031)           -       614         - 
 Davies Odell       2,147     2,430     (1,256)     (1,308)       891     1,122 
 Friedman's         3,408     2,953     (1,031)       (853)     2,377     2,100 
 Sunline            3,385     3,699     (3,207)     (3,436)       178       263 
 Total - Group     13,253    11,168     (8,192)     (7,100)     5,061     4,068 
                 ========  ========  ==========  ==========  ========  ======== 
 
   iii)    Non-cash expenses and capital expenditure 

Other than as stated above there were no significant non-cash expenses

 
                           2015      2014 
                        GBP'000   GBP'000 
                       --------  -------- 
 Capital expenditure 
 Aford Awards                 5        29 
 CEM Press                  361         - 
 Davies Odell                74       121 
 Friedman's                   2        49 
 Sunline                     93     1,152 
                       --------  -------- 
 Total - Group              535     1,351 
                       --------  -------- 
 
   6.          Tax 
 
                                                2015      2014 
                                             GBP'000   GBP'000 
                                            --------  -------- 
 Analysis of taxation in the year: 
 Current tax 
 Tax on profits of the year                      111        43 
 Tax in respect of prior years                     -      (21) 
                                            --------  -------- 
 Total current tax                               111        22 
                                            --------  -------- 
 Deferred tax 
 Origination and reversal of temporary 
  differences                                     88      (28) 
 Total deferred tax                               88      (28) 
                                            --------  -------- 
 Total tax (credit)/charge                       199       (6) 
                                            --------  -------- 
 Deferred tax charged to the Consolidated 
  Statement of Changes in Equity                   -         - 
                                            --------  -------- 
 

The tax assessed for the year is higher (2014: lower) than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK (20.25%) (2014: 21.5%)

 
 Factors affecting current tax: 
 Profit before taxation               256    245 
                                     ----  ----- 
 
 Profit multiplied by the standard 
  rate of UK tax of 20.25% 
  (2014: 21.5%)                        52     53 
 Effects of: 
 Permanent differences                147   (38) 
 Prior year adjustment, current 
  tax                                   -   (21) 
 Total tax charge/(credit)            199    (6) 
                                     ----  ----- 
 

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The standard rate of corporation tax in the UK changed from 21% to 20% with effect from 1 April 2015. Accordingly, the Group's profits for this accounting year are taxed at an effective rate of 20.25%.

Reductions in the United Kingdom corporation tax rate to 19% (effective from 1 April 2017) and 18% (effective from 1 April 2020) were substantively enacted on 26 October 2015. This will reduce the Group's future current tax charge accordingly. The deferred tax balance has been calculated based on the rate of 20%.

   7.       Earnings per share 

Basic earnings per share is calculated on the loss for the year after taxation of GBP275,000 (2014: loss GBP169,000) and on 7,530,443 (2014: 5,407,155) ordinary shares, being the weighted number in issue during the year.

No adjustment is required for dilution in either year as there are no items that would have a dilutive impact on earnings per share.

   8.    Property, plant and equipment 
 
                                          Leasehold        Plant,       Motor     Total 
                                           property    machinery,    vehicles 
                                       improvements         tools 
                                                       and moulds 
 Group                                      GBP'000       GBP'000     GBP'000   GBP'000 
                                     --------------  ------------  ----------  -------- 
          Cost 
  at 1 January 
   2014                                         131         3,988         140     4,259 
  Additions                                       6         1,318          27     1,351 
  Disposals                                       -         (160)        (22)     (182) 
                                     --------------  ------------  ----------  -------- 
  at 31 December 
   2014                                         137         5,146         145     5,428 
  Additions                                       1           183          21       205 
  Assets acquired 
   on purchase of 
   a subsidiary                                   -           330           -       330 
  Disposals                                       -           (2)           -       (2) 
                                     --------------  ------------  ----------  -------- 
  at 31 December 
   2015                                         138         5,657         166     5,961 
                                     --------------  ------------  ----------  -------- 
          Accumulated depreciation 
  at 1 January 
   2014                                          72         3,102          81     3,255 
  Charge for the 
   year                                          13           279          19       311 
  Disposals                                       -         (117)        (20)     (137) 
                                     --------------  ------------  ----------  -------- 
  at 31 December 
   2014                                          85         3,264          80     3,429 
  Charge for the 
   year                                          11           381          18       410 
  at 31 December 
   2015                                          96         3,645          98     3,839 
                                     --------------  ------------  ----------  -------- 
          Net book amount 
  at 31 December 
   2015                                          42         2,012          68     2,122 
                                     --------------  ------------  ----------  -------- 
  at 31 December 
   2014                                          52         1,882          65     1,999 
                                     --------------  ------------  ----------  -------- 
 
 
   At the year end, assets held under hire purchase 
    contracts and capitalised as plant, machinery, 
    tools and moulds have a net book value of 
    GBP1,453,000 (2014: GBP1,539,000) and an accumulated 
    depreciation balance of GBP1,699,000 (2014: 
    GBP1,461,000). 
    The depreciation has been charged to cost 
    of sales in the Consolidated Statement of 
    Comprehensive income. 
 
   9.       Acquisition in 2015 

During the year CEPS significantly increased its indirect shareholding in CEM Press Limited from 21.4% to 71.5% and, as a result, gained control. CEPS previously acquired its shareholding in CEM Press Limited through CEM Press Holdings Limited (formerly NG42 Acquisitions Limited) which was initially formed for the purpose of acquiring CEM Press.

In line with CEPS' financing strategy, the acquisition was effected by the introduction of a new holding company, CEM Teal Limited, which has acquired 97.9% of CEM Press and of which CEPS is a 73% shareholder. Taking control of CEM Press will enable the Group to modernise its working practices, reduce costs and develop relationships.

CEM Press is a manufacturer of fabric and wallpaper pattern books, swatches and shade cards, with a focus on the high-end fabric and wallpaper market.

The measurement to fair value of the Group's existing 21.4% interest in CEM Press resulted in a profit of GBP12,000, which has been included as a separate line item in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Up to the date of acquisition the Group's share of CEM Press's results was GBP21,000 (profit).

The Group incurred acquisition related costs of GBP18,000 for legal expenses. These have been included in administrative expenses in the Statement of Consolidated Income.

The fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired and their carrying values as of the acquisition date were as follows:

 
                                                      GBP'000 
                                                     -------- 
 Identifiable Assets 
 Property, plant and equipment                            330 
 Intangible assets (customer lists)                       577 
 Stock                                                    281 
 Cash and cash equivalents                                  3 
 Trade receivables                                        682 
 Other current assets                                     106 
                                                     -------- 
 Total assets                                           1,979 
                                                     -------- 
 Assumed Liabilities 
 Current liabilities 
            Trade and other payables                      796 
 Non-current liabilities 
            Borrowings                                     78 
            Provisions for liabilities and charges         60 
                                                     -------- 
 Total liabilities                                        934 
                                                     -------- 
 Total identifiable net assets                          1,061 
 
 Purchase price consideration 
  (cash GBP270,000, equity GBP90,000 and 
  loan stock GBP1,532,000)                              1,892 
 Total identifiable net assets                        (1,061) 
 Non-controlling interests at acquisition                  27 
                                                     -------- 
 Goodwill                                                 858 
                                                     -------- 
 Analysis of cash flows on acquisition 
 Year ended 31 December 2015 
 Cash paid                                                270 
 Less: net cash acquired with the subsidiary              (3) 
                                                     -------- 
 Net cash flow on acquisition                             267 
                                                     -------- 
 

The fair values have been determined on a provisional basis. The fair value of intangible assets (CEM Press's customer relationships) has been determined provisionally pending completion of management's valuation.

If new information obtained within one year from the acquisition date regarding facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date identifies adjustment to the above amounts, or any additional provisions that existed at the acquisition date, then the acquisition accounting will be revised.

CEM Press has been successfully integrated post-acquisition into the Group.

From the date of acquisition, CEM Press has contributed GBP655,000 of revenue and contributed a loss before tax of GBP113,000, attributable to the continuing operations of the Group. If the business combination had taken place at the beginning of the year, revenue from continuing operations for the Group would have been GBP3,114,000 and the profit before tax from continuing operations for the Group would have been GBP51,000.

   10.     Intangible assets 
 
                                                 Customer 
                                      Goodwill      lists     Other     Total 
 Group                                 GBP'000    GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000 
                                     ---------  ---------  --------  -------- 
          Cost 
  at 1 January 
   2014                                  4,839          -        82     4,921 
  Additions at 
   cost                                  1,039          -        14     1,053 
                                     ---------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  at 31 December 
   2014                                  5,878          -        96     5,974 
  Acquisition                              858        577         -     1,435 
  Additions at 
   cost                                      -          -        35        35 
  Impairment                              (79)          -         -      (79) 
  Disposals                                  -          -      (62)      (62) 
                                     ---------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  At 31 December 
   2015                                  6,657        577        69     7,303 
                                     ---------  ---------  --------  -------- 
          Accumulated amortisation 
           and impairment 
  at 1 January 

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   2014                                  2,621          -        59     2,680 
  Amortisation 
   charge                                    -          -         9         9 
                                     ---------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  at 31 December 
   2014                                  2,621          -        68     2,689 
  Amortisation 
   Charge                                    -          -        14        14 
  Disposals                                  -          -      (52)      (52) 
                                     ---------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  at 31 December 
   2015                                  2,621          -        30     2,651 
                                     ---------  ---------  --------  -------- 
          Net book amount 
  at 31 December 
   2015                                  4,036        577        39     4,652 
                                     ---------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  at 31 December 
   2014                                  3,257          -        28     3,285 
                                     ---------  ---------  --------  -------- 
 
 
   Goodwill is not amortised under IFRS, but 
    is subject to impairment testing either 
    annually or on the occurrence of a triggering 
    event. Amortisation charges are included 
    in administration expenses. 
 
    Customer lists are not amortised, but are 
    subject to annual impairment reviews. 
 
    Other intangibles relate to computer software 
    and website costs and are amortised over 
    their estimated economic lives. The annual 
    amortisation charge is expensed to cost 
    of sales in the Consolidated Statement of 
    Comprehensive income. 
   Impairment tests for intangible assets (goodwill 
    and customer lists) 
 
    The Group tests goodwill and intangible 
    assets arising on acquisition of a subsidiary 
    (customer relationships) annually for impairment 
    or more frequently if there are indications 
    that goodwill or customer lists may be impaired. 
 
    For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill 
    is allocated to the Group's cash generating 
    units (CGUs) on a business segment basis: 
 
 
                              Aford       CEM 
                             Awards     Press   Friedman's   Sunline     Total 
                            GBP'000   GBP'000      GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000 
                           --------  --------  -----------  --------  -------- 
  at 1 January 
   2014                           -         -        1,529       689     2,218 
  Acquisition 
   of subsidiary              1,039         -            -         -     1,039 
                           --------  --------  -----------  --------  -------- 
  At 31 December 
   2014                       1,039         -        1,529       689     3,257 
  Acquisition 
   of subsidiary 
          Goodwill                -       858            -         -       858 
          Customer lists          -       577            -         -       577 
  Amortisation 
   charge                         -         -          (1)      (78)      (79) 
  at 31 December 
   2015                       1,039     1,435        1,528       611     4,613 
                           --------  --------  -----------  --------  -------- 
 
 
   The recoverable amount of CGU is based 
    on value-in-use calculations. These calculations 
    use cash flow projections based on financial 
    budgets approved by management covering 
    a five year period. Cash flows beyond five 
    years are assumed to be constant. A discount 
    rate of 12.23% (2014: 14.26%), representing 
    the estimated pre-tax cost of capital has 
    been applied to these projections. The 
    risk profile of both CGUs is considered 
    to be similar. 
 
    The key assumptions used in the value-in-use 
    calculations are as follows:- 
 
 
                    Revenue      Gross margin     Long-term 
                     growth                         growth 
                  2015   2014     2015    2014   2015   2014 
                     %      %        %       %      %      % 
  Aford Awards     3.0    3.0     38.1    35.9    2.0    2.0 
  CEM Press        2.0      -     41.0       -    2.0      - 
  Friedman's       3.0    3.0     34.1    36.0    2.0    2.0 
  Sunline          3.0    3.0     39.2    43.7    2.0    3.0 
 
 
   Management has determined the budgeted 
    revenue growth and gross margins based 
    on past performance and their expectations 
    of market developments in the future. Long-term 
    growth rates are based on the lower of 
    the UK long-term growth rate and management's 
    general expectations for the relevant CGU. 
 
    The value-in-use calculation is sensitive 
    to changes in the gross margin percentage 
    assumed and the discount rate assumed. 
    A fall of 10% in respect of the above assumptions 
    does not give rise to an indication of 
    impairment in relation to the carrying 
    value of the CGUs noted. As such, management 
    does not consider the carrying value of 
    the goodwill for each CGU to be impaired. 
 
 
   11.       Share Capital 
 
                               Number   Ordinary      Share 
                            of shares     shares    premium     Total 
                                         GBP'000    GBP'000   GBP'000 
 At 31 January 2014 and 
  31 December 2014          5,407,155        541      3,114     3,655 
                          -----------  ---------  ---------  -------- 
 Shares issued              4,166,667        416        834     1,250 
 Transaction costs                             -        (5)       (5) 
                          -----------  ---------  ---------  -------- 
 At 31 December 2015        9,573,882        957      3,943     4,900 
                          -----------  ---------  ---------  -------- 
 

The Group issued 4,166,667 shares on 29 June 2015. The ordinary shares issued have the same rights as the other shares in issue. The fair value of the shares issued amounted to GBP1.25m (30 pence per share). The related transaction costs amounting to GBP5,000 have been netted off with the deemed proceeds.

   12.       Events after the Reporting Period 

On 1 February 2016 CEPS announced that it had acquired 54.97% of the issued share capital of a newly incorporated company, Hickton Holdings Limited (formerly RAM (1003) Limited) for an investment of GBP670,000 made up of 54,973 ordinary shares for GBP55,000 and GBP615,000 Shareholder Loan Notes with an 8% interest rate. Hickton Holdings Limited was formed to acquire 100% of Hickton Consultants Limited, a leading provider of clerk of works services to the construction industry, providing a quality assurance resource on larger value projects across the UK, with customers ranging from end--user clients, architects, project management firms and contractors. The business was established in 1991 and is based in Elsecar, South Yorkshire.

In order to finance the acquisition, CEPS received a loan from a third party for GBP690,000. The loan carries interest at 10% pa and is repayable on or before 31 January 2017 and may be repaid in one or more instalments after 30 October 2016. The loan is secured against assets held (directly or indirectly) by D A Horner.

Details of net assets acquired and goodwill are as follows:

 
                                              On acquisition 
                                                     GBP'000 
 Purchase consideration 
            Cash paid                                  1,415 
            Deferred consideration                       650 
                                             --------------- 
 Total purchase consideration                          2,065 
 Fair value of assets acquired (see below)             (701) 
 Non-controlling interest                                315 
                                             --------------- 
 Goodwill                                              1,679 
                                             --------------- 
 

The above goodwill is attributable to Hickton Consultants' strong position and profitability in trading in the clerk of works market.

The assets and liabilities arising from the acquisition, provisionally determined, are as follows:

 
                                  On acquisition 
                                         GBP'000 
 Cash and cash equivalents                   600 
 Property, plant and equipment                23 
 Trade and other receivables                 660 
 Trade and other payables                  (402) 
 Borrowings                                (176) 
 Deferred tax liabilities                    (4) 
                                 --------------- 
 Net assets acquired                         701 
                                 --------------- 
 

If new information obtained within one year from the acquisition date about facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date identifies adjustment to the above amounts, or any additional provisions that existed at the acquisition date, then the acquisition accounting will be revised.

   13.       Distribution of the Annual Report and Notice of AGM 

A copy of the 2015 Annual Report, together with a notice of the Company's Annual General Meeting to be held at 11:30am on Monday 20 June 2016 at 12b George Street, Bath BA1 2EH, will be sent to all shareholders on Friday 6 May 2016. Further copies will be available to the public from the Company Secretary at the Company's registered address at 12b George Street, Bath BA1 2EH and from the Group website, www.cepsplc.com.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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