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WGB Walker Greenbank Plc

76.00
0.00 (0.00%)
Last Updated: 01:00:00
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Walker Greenbank Plc LSE:WGB London Ordinary Share GB0003061511 ORD 1P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 76.00 74.00 78.00 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Walker Greenbank PLC Interim Results (2826M)

12/10/2016 7:00am

UK Regulatory


TIDMWGB

RNS Number : 2826M

Walker Greenbank PLC

12 October 2016

 
 For immediate release   12 October 2016 
 

WALKER GREENBANK PLC

("Walker Greenbank", the "Company" or the "Group")

Interim Results for the 6 months ended 31 July 2016

Walker Greenbank PLC (AIM: WGB), the luxury interior furnishings Group whose brands include Sanderson, Morris & Co., Harlequin, Zoffany, Scion and Anthology, is pleased to announce its interim results for the six month period ended 31 July 2016.

Highlights

-- These interim results include the recognition of GBP7.90 million of insurance reimbursements following the flood at Standfast & Barracks of which

   -     GBP4.56 million is for exceptional costs and 

- GBP3.33 million is a contribution to loss of profits and exceptional gains for plant and equipment replacement leading to an increased profit before tax of GBP4.94 million (H1 2015: GBP2.89 million).

-- Full production restored at the Standfast & Barracks factory, which is benefiting from new, replacement printing machines including faster, higher capacity digital printers.

   --      Group sales down 8.7% to GBP41.83 million (H1 2015: GBP45.83 million). 

-- Adjusted profit before tax* after insurance proceeds up 2.7% at GBP3.78 million (H1 2015: GBP3.68 million).

   --      Earnings per share up 62.1% at 6.55 pence (H1 2015: 4.04 pence). 
   --      Adjusted earnings per share* down 13.6% at 4.62 pence (H1 2015: 5.35 pence). 
   --      Interim dividend up 25.0% to 0.55 pence per share (H1 2015: 0.44 pence per share). 

Post Balance Sheet Event - Proposed acquisition of Clarke & Clarke, announced today

-- Proposed earnings-enhancing acquisition of Clarke & Clarke, a UK-based designer and worldwide distributor of interior fabrics and wallcoverings with the brands Clarke & Clarke and Studio G, for an initial cash consideration of GBP25.0 million and a four year performance linked earn-out of up to GBP17.5 million payable in new ordinary shares in Walker Greenbank, giving a total potential consideration of up to GBP42.5 million.

-- Conditional placing of new ordinary shares in the Company to raise GBP17.0 million to part-fund the initial cash consideration of this acquisition.

* Adjusted for accounting charges relating to share-based incentives, defined benefit pension charge and exceptional gain on property, plant and equipment, see note 7.

Terry Stannard, the Chairman of Walker Greenbank, said: "Our fabric-printing factory is back to full production and sales of printed fabric are on an improving trend though the effects of the flood remain evident in current trading. These effects will be mitigated by our insurance policy.

"Brand sales in the first nine weeks of the second half are up 0.7% in reportable currency (down 3.7% in constant currency) compared with the same period last year. Subject to the key Autumn selling period and anticipated insurance payments, the Board is confident of delivering its pre-flood expectations for the full year."

Analyst meeting

A meeting for analysts will be held at 10.00 a.m. today, 12 October 2016, at the offices of Buchanan, 107 Cheapside, London EC2V 6DN. For further details, contact Buchanan on 020 7466 5000.

For further information:

 
 Walker Greenbank PLC                  +44 (0) 844 543 4668 
 John Sach, Chief Executive 
 Mike Gant, Chief Financial 
  Officer 
  Caroline Geary, Company Secretary 
 
 Investec Bank plc                     +44 (0) 20 7597 4000 
 Garry Levin/David Anderson/Alex 
  Wright - Nominated Adviser 
  Henry Reast - Corporate Broking 
 
 Buchanan                              +44 (0) 20 7466 5000 
 Mark Court / Sophie Cowles 
  / Catriona Flint 
 

Notes for editors:

About Walker Greenbank

Walker Greenbank PLC is a luxury interior furnishings Group that designs, manufactures and markets wallpapers and fabrics together with a wide range of ancillary interior products. The Group's brand portfolio - comprising Sanderson, Morris & Co, Harlequin, Zoffany, Scion and Anthology - spans heritage and contemporary design and its products are sold in more than 85 countries worldwide. The Group derives significant licensing income from the use of its designs in lifestyle products such as bed linen, rugs and tableware.

The Group employs more than 600 people and has showrooms in London, New York, Paris, Amsterdam and Dubai along with partnership showrooms in Moscow and in Shenzhen, China. Its UK manufacturing base, which includes a wallpaper factory in Loughborough and a fabric printing factory in Lancaster, manufactures product both for the Group and for other wallpaper and fabric brands. Continued investment in manufacturing has allowed the Group to offer a wide range of printing techniques.

Walker Greenbank trades on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol WGB.

For further information please visit: www.walkergreenbank.com/

CHAIRMAN'S AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S STATEMENT

Overview

During the half year, management maintained its strategic focus on developing the Group's product offering, manufacturing capabilities, market penetration and international expansion.

We also continued to seek acquisitions to complement our organic growth initiatives and, as notified separately today, we are very pleased to announce the conditional acquisition of Clarke & Clarke, a fabrics and wallcovering business with two international brands, Clarke & Clarke and Studio G. The acquisition, which marks an exciting next step in our growth strategy, is expected to be materially earnings enhancing in the year ending 31 January 2018.

As expected, trading in the six months to 31 July 2016 was impacted by the flood in December 2015 at Standfast & Barracks, the Company's fabric printing business in Lancaster. The financial effect of the flood has been mitigated by our comprehensive insurance policy and, as at the date of this announcement we have received GBP12.05 million in insurance payments.

The adjusted profit before tax for the first six months of the year was GBP3.78 million (2015: GBP3.68 million), an increase of 2.7%.

These financial results include the recognition of GBP7.90 million of insurance reimbursements following the flood at Standfast & Barracks of which GBP4.56 million is for exceptional costs and GBP3.33 million is a contribution to loss of profits and exceptional gains for plant and equipment replacement. Future insurance receipts are expected to cover loss of profits for our Brands business for the current period and up to a period of two years following the flood.

The primary effect of the flood was to halt production at Standfast & Barracks for a period of about 16 weeks, thereby removing the Group's internal capacity to print fabric for its own brands and for third-party customers.

Full production is restored at the factory, which continues to work to clear a backlog of orders.

Whilst our Brand sales in the half year have been affected by the lack of printing capacity, we have been very pleased with the performance of recent launches including the Woodland Walk collection from Sanderson and the Pure collection from Morris & Co.

Total Brand sales for the first half decreased by 2.0% in reportable currency, 4.7% in constant currency to GBP33.84 million compared with the same period last year. In the UK, our largest market, Brand sales decreased by 6.9% to GBP18.76 million compared with the same period last year.

Overseas Brand sales were up 4.0% in reportable currency, down 1.7% in constant currency, to GBP13.97 million. Sales in the US, which is now the Group's second largest market, grew 2.5% in reportable currency, down 6.5% in constant currency, to GBP4.49 million.

Brand sales in Western Europe were up 14.3% in reportable currency, up 5.7% in constant currency, to GBP4.17 million with growth in almost every territory. Sales in the Rest of the World were down 2.9% in constant currency compared with the same period last year.

We have continued to make progress with our market penetration strategy during the half year through the launch of the fourth collection from the Anthology brand, which for the first time includes an extensive range of woven fabrics.

Licensing income in the first six months was up 16.3% in reportable currency, 6.5% in constant currency, to GBP1.11 million. We are making exciting progress in licensing with the recent launch of the first footwear range from a licensing agreement between Sanderson and the well-known US brand Sperry. This, together with recently signed new bed linen licensing agreements in the US and in China, is a very positive step in our licensing strategy and continues to take the Company's brands further into lifestyle products and geographical territories.

We believe that our vertically integrated high quality British manufacturing with innovative printing techniques differentiates us from others in our industry. However, the flood at our fabric printing business had a significant impact on the performance of our manufacturing activities, with the result that total manufacturing sales fell 19.8% over the first six months when compared with the same period last year.

Two interim insurance payments of GBP11.25 million in aggregate were received during the first half with a further GBP0.80 million received in August 2016. Further interim insurance payments will be received in due course.

The Brands

This segment incorporates global trading from our internationally recognised brands including our overseas subsidiaries in the US and France.

Harlequin incorporating Scion & Anthology

Harlequin has seen a reduction in worldwide sales of 3.1% to GBP15.56 million in reportable currency compared with the same period last year. It continues to be the UK's leading mid-market contemporary brand, however, sales were down 8.7% in the UK particularly impacted by the flood at Standfast & Barracks. Export sales grew 6.6% in the first half, positively impacted by currency movements. In the US, Harlequin is up 6.2% in reportable currency but is down 3.1% in constant currency. Sales in Western Europe grew 21.1% in reportable currency, 11.9% in constant currency when compared with the same period last year.

The Scion brand, launched in February 2012, continues to grow well with its fourth collection, Levande, and its first children's collection, Guess Who. Scion continues to be a valuable brand for licensing partners where the contemporary and graphic nature of the designs translates particularly well. Two of the brand's animal images, Mr Fox and Spike the Hedgehog, have been very successful on licensed product such as bedding, tableware and towelling.

The Anthology brand continues to perform strongly. Anthology 04, which has been complemented by an exciting range of innovative wide-width woven fabrics, has generated strong sales growth.

Arthur Sanderson & Sons incorporating the Morris & Co brand

Sales at Sanderson were down 3.5% at GBP10.65 million in reportable currency. Sales in the US were up 3.7% in reportable currency, down 5.6% in constant currency. Sales in Western Europe were up 5.8% in reportable currency, down 2.0% in constant currency. Sanderson's latest collection, Woodland Walk, has been the best-selling collection for several years despite the effects of the flood.

Zoffany

Zoffany, which is positioned at the upper end of the premium market, has delivered sales growth of 2.4% to GBP6.14 million in reportable currency compared with the same period last year, with strong performances from recent collections reflecting the focus on design strategy and direction to position the Zoffany brand for sustained growth. Sales to export markets are up by 6.8% in reportable currency, which reflects the huge amount of work directed towards refreshed colourations.

Manufacturing

The flood at our fabric printing business has resulted in reduced sales and profitability. Total sales declined 19.8% to GBP14.96 million leading to a decrease in profits of GBP1.63 million to GBP0.17 million before receiving a contribution to loss of profits of GBP1.59 million from our insurer. The factory is back in full production and we are working in earnest to fulfil the backlog of printed fabric orders, both for the Company's own brands and third party customers, and in building up stocks of finished fabric at our Milton Keynes warehouse.

Anstey

Anstey, our wallpaper manufacturer, has seen sales in the first half grow by 3.0% in reportable currency to GBP9.30 million compared with the same period last year. The fall in third party sales in the UK of 15.3% have been offset by sales to our own Group Brands which have grown by 26.8% and third party export sales have remained constant.

Investment in digital printing and correlated digital sampling together with finishing equipment for digital product in prior years has contributed to the growth in sales. Digital printed sales now represent 8.6% of Anstey's total sales. These investments have continued to enhance capacity, capability and efficiency.

Standfast

Overall sales at Standfast & Barracks, our fabric printing factory, were 41.2% lower in reportable currency, at GBP5.66 million, compared with the same period last year as a direct result of the flood. Third party sales in the UK were down 49.7% with sales to our own Group Brands decreasing 35.5% compared with the first half last year.

During the half year we received, in aggregate, GBP11.25 million insurance receipts covering costs, business interruption losses and interim cash flow requirements, with further insurance receipts expected to cover future loss of profits up to a period of two years following the flood.

During the period, two new, next-generation digital printers with higher throughput and additional capabilities were commissioned at the factory.

Financials

Total sales in the half year decreased 8.7% to GBP41.83 million, from GBP45.83 million in the prior period. The profit from operations grew 56.2% to GBP5.29 million (2015: GBP3.39 million). Operating profits before an accounting charge relating to the Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) have risen 47.5% from GBP3.78 million to GBP5.58 million. The financial results include insurance reimbursements for loss of profits and exceptional gains arising from the replacement of plant and equipment of GBP3.33 million for the period.

The interest charge has decreased from GBP102,000 to GBP60,000 following the Group's refinancing in the previous financial year and reflects the Group's improved working capital management. The defined benefit pension charge has fallen slightly from GBP391,000 to GBP291,000 driven by an increase in the expected return on pension scheme assets. Following the EU referendum on 23 June 2016, there has been considerable market volatility and uncertainty which has impacted pension assumptions. If the pension deficit was remeasured at 31 July 2016 we would expect there to be an increase in the deficit.

Profit before tax after the two non-cash charges increased 70.6% to GBP4.94 million (2015: GBP2.89 million). Profit before tax, and before the LTIP accounting charge, defined benefit charge and exceptional gain on property, plant and equipment, increased 2.7% to GBP3.78 million (2015: GBP3.68 million). Earnings per share were up 62.1% at 6.55 pence (2015: 4.04 pence). Profit after tax was GBP3.95 million (2015: GBP2.42 million) and adjusted earnings per share were down 13.6% at 4.62 pence (2015: 5.35 pence), after removing the LTIP accounting charge, defined benefit charge and exceptional gain on property, plant and equipment.

The Group maintains a strong balance sheet with net funds at the half year of GBP2.53 million, following a significant inflow of GBP3.10 million over the last 12 month period (31 January 2016: net funds GBP2.31 million).

Dividend

The Board is pleased to announce an interim dividend of 0.55 pence per share which represents an increase of 25.0% on the prior half year reflecting the Board's confidence in the current financial position and future financial performance of the Group. The interim dividend will be payable on 18 November 2016 to shareholders on the register as at 21 October 2016.

Events since the balance sheet date

On 12 October 2016, the Group agreed to conditionally acquire 100% of the issued share capital of Clarke & Clarke, a UK-based designer and worldwide distributor of interior fabrics and wallpapers. The Board believes that there is a strong strategic rationale for the acquisition, which will, among other things, accelerate the Group's market penetration and extend our reach into the US, whilst it is also expected to be materially enhancing earnings in the year ending 31 January 2018. The consideration includes an initial cash consideration of GBP25.0 million and a contingent consideration of up to GBP17.5 million, in aggregate, payable in the Company's shares linked to the performance of the acquired business over a four year period, giving a total potential consideration of up to GBP42.5 million. In order to finance the initial cash consideration, the Group has conditionally raised approximately GBP17.0 million (before expenses) through a placing of a total of 8,947,369 new shares with institutional and other investors whilst the remaining portion of the cash consideration is being funded from the Company's existing accordion tranche of its bank facilities and from the Company's existing cash resources. The proposed acquisition and placing are conditional upon the approval of shareholders.

Outlook

Our fabric-printing factory is back to full production and sales of printed fabric are on an improving trend though the effects of the flood remain evident in current trading. These effects will be mitigated by our insurance policy.

Brand sales in the first nine weeks of the second half are up 0.7% in reportable currency (down 3.7% in constant currency) compared with the same period last year. Subject to the key Autumn selling period and anticipated insurance payments, the Board is confident of delivering its pre-flood expectations for the full year.

   Terry Stannard                                                John Sach 
   Chairman                                             Group Chief Executive 
   12 October 2016                                    12 October 2016 

Unaudited Consolidated Income Statement

For the six months ended 31 July 2016

 
                                                                           Audited 
                                                  6 months     6 months       Year 
                                                     to 31        to 31      to 31 
                                                      July         July    January 
                                                      2016         2015       2016 
                                         Note       GBP000       GBP000     GBP000 
------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 Revenue                                    2       41,826       45,834     87,839 
 Cost of sales                                    (16,649)     (18,924)   (35,875) 
------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 Gross profit                                       25,177       26,910     51,964 
------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 Net operating expenses: 
 Distribution and selling 
  expenses                                         (6,175)      (7,939)   (13,125) 
 Administration expenses                          (17,045)     (15,584)   (32,044) 
------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 Standfast flood: Inventory 
  loss, property, plant and 
  equipment impairment and 
  other incremental costs                          (4,564)            -    (3,276) 
 Standfast flood: Insurance 
  reimbursements                                     7,896            -      4,683 
------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 Net other income                           4        3,332            -      1,407 
------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 Profit from operations                              5,289        3,387      8,202 
------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 
 Net defined benefit pension 
  charge                                    5        (291)        (391)      (685) 
 Finance costs                                        (60)        (102)      (179) 
 Total finance costs                                 (351)        (493)      (864) 
 
 Profit before tax                                   4,938        2,894      7,338 
 Tax expense                                6        (988)        (478)    (1,466) 
------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 Profit for the period attributable 
  to owners of the parent                            3,950        2,416      5,872 
 Earnings per share - Basic                 7        6.55p        4.04p      9.79p 
 Earnings per share - Diluted               7        6.46p        3.95p      9.52p 
 Adjusted earnings per share 
  - Basic                                   7        4.62p        5.35p     12.47p 
------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 Adjusted earnings per share 
  - Diluted                                 7        4.56p        5.23p     12.13p 
------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 
 

Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the six months ended 31 July 2016

 
                                                                          Audited 
                                               6 months    6 months          Year 
                                                     to          to            to 
                                                31 July     31 July    31 January 
                                                   2016        2015          2016 
                                                 GBP000      GBP000        GBP000 
-------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Profit for the period                            3,950       2,416         5,872 
 Other comprehensive income/(expense): 
 Items that will not be reclassified 
  to profit or loss: 
 Remeasurements of defined benefit 
  pension schemes                                     -           -         5,037 
 Corporation tax credits recognised 
  in equity                                           5           -           184 
 Reduction of deferred tax asset 
  relating to pension scheme liability                -         (9)       (1,114) 
-------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Total items that will not be reclassified 
  to profit or loss                                   5         (9)         4,107 
-------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Items that may be reclassified 
  subsequently to profit or loss: 
 Currency translation losses                        101         103         (191) 
 Cash flow hedge gains                               26         148           169 
 Total items that may be reclassified 
  subsequently to profit or loss                    127         251          (22) 
-------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Other comprehensive expense for 
  the period, net of tax                            132         242         4,085 
 Total comprehensive income for 
  the period attributable to the 
  owners 
  of the parent                                   4,082       2,658         9,957 
-------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet

As at 31 July 2016

 
                                                                          Audited 
                                                  As at       As at         As at 
                                                31 July     31 July    31 January 
                                                   2016        2015          2016 
                                       Note      GBP000      GBP000        GBP000 
----------------------------------  -------  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Non-current assets 
 Intangible assets                                7,118       7,090         7,104 
 Property, plant and equipment                   13,844      12,634        11,687 
 Deferred income tax assets                           -       1,087           108 
----------------------------------  -------  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
                                                 20,962      20,811        18,899 
----------------------------------  -------  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                                     20,840      20,053        18,104 
 Trade and other receivables                     16,010      16,423        19,280 
 Cash and cash equivalents                        2,930         213         2,902 
----------------------------------  -------  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
                                                 39,780      36,689        40,286 
----------------------------------  -------  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Total assets                                    60,742      57,500        59,185 
----------------------------------  -------  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                      (17,751)    (17,703)      (18,966) 
 Derivative financial instruments                     -        (47)          (26) 
 Borrowings                            8          (397)       (400)         (400) 
                                               (18,148)    (18,150)      (19,392) 
----------------------------------  -------  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Net current assets                              21,632      18,539        20,894 
----------------------------------  -------  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Borrowings                            8              -       (384)         (196) 
 Deferred income tax liabilities                  (142)           -             - 
 Retirement benefit obligation                  (3,711)     (9,903)       (4,313) 
----------------------------------  -------  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
                                                (3,853)    (10,287)       (4,509) 
 Total liabilities                             (22,001)    (28,437)      (23,901) 
 Net assets                                      38,741      29,063        35,284 
----------------------------------  -------  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Equity 
 Share capital                                      606         602           602 
 Share premium account                              457         457           457 
 Foreign currency translation 
  reserve                                         (455)       (262)         (556) 
 Accumulated losses                             (2,374)    (12,194)       (5,700) 
 Other reserves                                  40,507      40,460        40,481 
 Total equity attributable 
  to owners of the parent                        38,741      29,063        35,284 
----------------------------------  -------  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 

Unaudited Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

For the six months ended 31 July 2016

 
                                                                                Audited 
                                                    6 months     6 months          Year 
                                                          to           to            to 
                                                     31 July      31 July    31 January 
                                                        2016         2015          2016 
                                           Note       GBP000       GBP000        GBP000 
--------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
 Cash inflow generated from 
  operations                               9           3,053          769         7,103 
 Interest paid                                          (59)         (87)         (149) 
 Corporation tax paid                                  (844)          (8)         (630) 
 Net cash generated from operating 
  activities                                           2,150          674         6,324 
--------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
 Purchase of intangible fixed 
  assets                                               (348)        (220)         (548) 
 Purchase of property, plant 
  and equipment                                      (3,073)      (1,012)       (1,962) 
 Insurance proceeds relating                           1,398            -             - 
  to investing activities 
 Net cash used in investing 
  activities                                         (2,023)      (1,232)       (2,510) 
--------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Debt issue costs                                          -            -         (100) 
 Net (repayment)/drawdown of 
  borrowings                               8           (200)        (200)         (400) 
 Dividends paid to Company's 
  shareholders                                             -            -       (1,444) 
 Net cash used in financing 
  activities                                           (200)        (200)       (1,944) 
--------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 Net (decrease)/increase in 
  cash and cash equivalents                             (73)        (758)         1,870 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 
  beginning of period                                  2,902          971           971 
 Effect of exchange rate fluctuations 
  on cash held                                           101            -            61 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 
  end of period                                        2,930          213         2,902 
--------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 

Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

For the six months ended 31 July 2016

 
                                              Attributable to owners of the parent 
                     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                    Other reserves 
                                                          --------------------------------- 
                                                                                                   Foreign 
                                     Share                                                        currency 
                          Share    premium   Accumulated     Capital      Merger      Hedge    translation     Total 
                        capital    account        losses     reserve     reserve    reserve        reserve    equity 
                         GBP000     GBP000        GBP000      GBP000      GBP000     GBP000         GBP000    GBP000 
-------------------  ----------  ---------  ------------  ----------  ----------  ---------  -------------  -------- 
 Balance at 1 
  February 2016             602        457       (5,700)      43,457     (2,950)       (26)          (556)    35,284 
 Profit for the 
  period                      -          -         3,950           -           -          -              -     3,950 
 Other 
 comprehensive 
 income: 
 Corporation 
  tax credits 
  recognised in 
  equity                      -          -             5           -           -          -              -         5 
 Currency 
  translation 
  differences                 -          -             -           -           -          -            101       101 
 Cash flow hedge              -          -             -           -           -         26              -        26 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income                      -          -         3,955           -           -         26            101     4,082 
 Transactions 
 with owners, 
 recognised 
 directly 
 in equity: 
 Allotment of 
  share capital               4          -           (4)           -           -          -              -         - 
 Long-term 
  incentive 
  plan charge                 -          -           258           -           -          -              -       258 
 Long-term 
  incentive 
  plan vesting                -          -         (664)           -           -          -              -     (664) 
 Related tax 
  movements on 
  long-term 
  incentive 
  plan                        -          -         (219)           -           -          -              -     (219) 
 Balance at 31 
  July 2016                 606        457       (2,374)      43,457     (2,950)          -          (455)    38,741 
-------------------  ----------  ---------  ------------  ----------  ----------  ---------  -------------  -------- 
 
 
 
                                                     Attributable to owners of the parent 
                       ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                      Other reserves 
                                                            --------------------------------- 
                                                                                                     Foreign 
                                       Share                                                        currency 
                            Share    premium   Accumulated     Capital      Merger      Hedge    translation     Total 
                          capital    account        losses     reserve     reserve    reserve        reserve    equity 
                           GBP000     GBP000        GBP000      GBP000      GBP000     GBP000         GBP000    GBP000 
---------------------  ----------  ---------  ------------  ----------  ----------  ---------  -------------  -------- 
 Balance at 1 
  February 2015               598        457      (14,065)      43,457     (2,950)      (195)          (365)    26,937 
 Profit for the 
  period                        -          -         2,416           -           -          -              -     2,416 
 Other comprehensive 
  income: 
 Deferred tax 
  relating to 
  pension scheme 
  liability                     -          -           (9)           -           -          -              -       (9) 
 Currency translation 
  differences                   -          -             -           -           -          -            103       103 
 Cash flow hedge                -          -             -           -           -        148              -       148 
 Total comprehensive 
  income                        -          -         2,407           -           -        148            103     2,658 
 Transactions 
  with owners, 
  recognised directly 
  in equity: 
 Allotment of 
  share capital                 4          -           (4)           -           -          -              -         - 
 Long-term incentive 
  plan charge                   -          -           311           -           -          -              -       311 
 Long-term incentive 
  plan vesting                  -          -         (967)           -           -          -              -     (967) 
 Related tax 
  movements on 
  long-term incentive 
  plan                          -          -           124           -           -          -              -       124 
 Balance at 31 
  July 2015                   602        457      (12,194)      43,457     (2,950)       (47)          (262)    29,063 
---------------------  ----------  ---------  ------------  ----------  ----------  ---------  -------------  -------- 
 

Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (continued)

 
                                                  Attributable to owners of the parent 
                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                    Other Reserves 
                                                          ---------------------------------- 
                                                                                                    Foreign 
                                   Share                                                           currency 
                       Share     premium     Accumulated     Capital      Merger       Hedge    translation      Total 
                     capital     account          losses     reserve     reserve     reserve        reserve     equity 
                      GBP000      GBP000          GBP000      GBP000      GBP000      GBP000         GBP000     GBP000 
----------------  ----------  ----------  --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -------------  --------- 
 Balance at 1 
  February 2015          598         457        (14,065)      43,457     (2,950)       (195)          (365)     26,937 
 Profit for the 
  year                     -           -           5,872           -           -           -              -      5,872 
 Other 
 comprehensive 
 Income: 
 Remeasurements 
  of defined 
  benefit 
  pension 
  schemes                  -           -           5,037           -           -           -              -      5,037 
 Corporation 
  tax credits 
  recognised in 
  equity                   -           -             184           -           -           -              -        184 
 Deferred tax 
  relating to 
  pension scheme 
  liability                -           -         (1,114)           -           -           -              -    (1,114) 
 Currency 
  translation 
  differences              -           -               -           -           -           -          (191)      (191) 
 Cash flow hedge           -           -               -           -           -         169              -        169 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income                   -           -           9,979           -           -         169          (191)      9,957 
 Transactions 
 with owners, 
 recognised 
 directly 
 in equity: 
 Dividends                 -           -         (1,444)           -           -           -              -    (1,444) 
 Allotment of 
  share capital            4           -             (4)           -           -           -              -          - 
 Long-term 
  incentive 
  plan charge              -           -             790           -           -           -              -        790 
 Long-term 
  incentive 
  plan vesting             -           -           (967)           -           -           -              -      (967) 
 Related tax 
  movements on 
  long-term 
  incentive 
  plan                     -           -              11           -           -           -              -         11 
 Balance at 31 
  January 2016           602         457         (5,700)      43,457     (2,950)        (26)          (556)     35,284 
----------------  ----------  ----------  --------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -------------  --------- 
 

Unaudited Notes to the interim financial statements

1. Basis of preparation of interim financial statements

The interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies that the Group expects to apply in its annual financial statements for the year ending 31 January 2017. The Group's accounting policies are based on International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (IFRSs as adopted by the EU) and IFRS Interpretations Committee ("IFRS IC") interpretations and the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the valuation of derivative financial instruments at fair value through profit and loss.

These interim financial statements for the six months ended 31 July 2016 have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34, 'Interim financial reporting', as adopted by the European Union. The interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 January 2016, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union.

The Group's accounting policies for the year ended 31 January 2017 will be set out in the annual report for that year. Since the Group's previous annual financial report for the year ended 31 January 2016, a number of authoritative pronouncements issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and IFRS IC along with new or revised accounting standards are now effective for financial years ending 31 January 2017. None of these have any material impact on either the current or prior period financial statements. Additional authoritative pronouncements have been issued and will become effective in later years; these have not been adopted early by the Group.

Further details of authoritative pronouncements effective for financial years ending 31 January 2017 and additional authoritative pronouncements that have been issued and will become effective in later years will be set out in the financial statements of the Group for the year ending 31 January 2017.

The interim financial statements do not represent statutory accounts for the purposes of section 434 'Requirements in connection with publication of statutory accounts' of the Companies Act 2006. The financial information for the year ended 31 January 2016 is based on the statutory accounts for the financial year ended 31 January 2016, on which the auditors issued an unqualified opinion and did not contain a statement under section 498 'Duties of auditor' of the Companies Act 2006, and have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The interim financial statements for the 6 month period ended 31 July 2016 have not been audited, but have been reviewed by the auditors. The auditors' review report is included following the interim financial statements.

After making enquiries, the directors are satisfied that the Group has sufficient resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the going concern basis has been adopted in preparing the interim statements.

The Board approved the interim financial information on 12 October 2016.

2. Segmental analysis

Walker Greenbank PLC is a designer, manufacturer and distributor of luxury interior furnishings, fabrics and wallpaper. The Board of Walker Greenbank PLC predominantly manages the operations of the Group. The reportable segments of the group are as follows:

-- Brands - comprises the design, marketing, sales, distribution, and licensing activities of Sanderson, Morris & Co, Harlequin, Zoffany, Anthology and Scion brands operating from the UK and its foreign subsidiaries in the US and France;

-- Manufacturing - comprising the wallcovering and printed fabric manufacturing businesses operated by Anstey and Standfast respectively.

This is the basis on which the Group presents its operating results to the Board of Directors which is considered to be the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) for the purposes of IFRS 8 'Operating Segments'. Additional

revenue-only data is also reported to the CODM and is disclosed on the basis explained below. Other group wide activities and expenses, predominantly related to corporate head office costs, defined benefit pension costs, long term incentive plans expenses, taxation and eliminations of intersegment items, are presented within 'Eliminations and unallocated'.

Unaudited Notes to the interim financial statements (continued)

2. Segmental analysis

a) Principal measures of profit and loss - Income Statement segmental information

 
 
 
                                                          Eliminations 
   6 months to             Brands     Manufacturing    and unallocated      Total 
   31 July 2016            GBP000            GBP000             GBP000     GBP000 
--------------------    ---------  ----------------  -----------------  --------- 
 UK Revenue                18,756             6,207                  -     24,963 
 International 
  Revenue                  13,973             1,776                  -     15,749 
 Licence Revenue            1,114                 -                  -      1,114 
----------------------  ---------  ----------------  -----------------  --------- 
 Revenue - External        33,843             7,983                  -     41,826 
 Revenue - Internal             -             6,977            (6,977)          - 
----------------------  ---------  ----------------  -----------------  --------- 
 Total Revenue             33,843            14,960            (6,977)     41,826 
----------------------  ---------  ----------------  -----------------  --------- 
 Profit/(loss) 
  from operations           3,605               174              1,510      5,289 
 Net borrowing 
  costs                         -                 -               (60)       (60) 
 Net pension 
  charge                        -                 -              (291)      (291) 
----------------------  ---------  ----------------  -----------------  --------- 
 Profit/(loss) 
  before taxation           3,605               174              1,159      4,938 
 Tax charge                     -                 -              (988)      (988) 
----------------------  ---------  ----------------  -----------------  --------- 
 Profit/(loss) 
  for the period            3,605               174                171      3,950 
----------------------  ---------  ----------------  -----------------  --------- 
 

Business interruption reimbursements to cover loss of profits of GBP1,593,000 (GBP2015: GBPnil) are included within 'Eliminations and unallocated'.

 
 
 
                                                          Eliminations 
   6 months to             Brands     Manufacturing    and unallocated      Total 
   31 July 2015            GBP000            GBP000             GBP000     GBP000 
--------------------    ---------  ----------------  -----------------  --------- 
 UK Revenue                20,155             9,307                  -     29,462 
 International 
  Revenue                  13,436             1,978                  -     15,414 
 Licence Revenue              958                 -                  -        958 
----------------------  ---------  ----------------  -----------------  --------- 
 Revenue - External        34,549            11,285                  -     45,834 
 Revenue - Internal             -             7,362            (7,362)          - 
----------------------  ---------  ----------------  -----------------  --------- 
 Total Revenue             34,549            18,647            (7,362)     45,834 
----------------------  ---------  ----------------  -----------------  --------- 
 Profit/(loss) 
  from operations           3,335             1,807            (1,755)      3,387 
 Net borrowing 
  costs                         -                 -              (102)      (102) 
 Net pension 
  charge                        -                 -              (391)      (391) 
----------------------  ---------  ----------------  -----------------  --------- 
 Profit/(loss) 
  before taxation           3,335             1,807            (2,248)      2,894 
 Tax charge                     -                 -              (478)      (478) 
----------------------  ---------  ----------------  -----------------  --------- 
 Profit/(loss) 
  for the period            3,335             1,807            (2,726)      2,416 
----------------------  ---------  ----------------  -----------------  --------- 
 
 
 
 
                                                          Eliminations 
   12 months to            Brands     Manufacturing    and unallocated      Total 
   31 January 2016         GBP000            GBP000             GBP000     GBP000 
--------------------    ---------  ----------------  -----------------  --------- 
 UK Revenue                39,971            16,528                  -     56,499 
 International 
  Revenue                  25,888             3,409                  -     29,297 
 Licence Revenue            2,043                 -                  -      2,043 
----------------------  ---------  ----------------  -----------------  --------- 
 Revenue - External        67,902            19,937                  -     87,839 
 Revenue - Internal             -            14,392           (14,392)          - 
----------------------  ---------  ----------------  -----------------  --------- 
 Total Revenue             67,902            34,329           (14,392)     87,839 
----------------------  ---------  ----------------  -----------------  --------- 
 Profit/(loss) 
  from operations           8,080             2,482            (2,360)      8,202 
 Net borrowing 
  costs                         -                 -              (179)      (179) 
 Net pension charge             -                 -              (685)      (685) 
----------------------  ---------  ----------------  -----------------  --------- 
 Profit/(loss) 
  before taxation           8,080             2,482            (3,224)      7,338 
 Tax charge                     -                 -            (1,466)    (1,466) 
----------------------  ---------  ----------------  -----------------  --------- 
 Profit/(loss) 
  for the year              8,080             2,482            (4,690)      5,872 
----------------------  ---------  ----------------  -----------------  --------- 
 

Unaudited Notes to the interim financial statements (continued)

2. Segmental analysis continued

b) Additional segmental revenue information

The segmental revenues of the Group are reported to the CODM in more detail. One of the analysis presented is revenue by export market in the Brands.

 
 
                                    6 months     6 months       Audited 
                                          to           to       Year to 
                                     31 July      31 July    31 January 
                                        2016         2015          2016 
 Brands international revenue 
 by export market                     GBP000       GBP000        GBP000 
 Western Europe                        4,173        3,651         6,982 
 Scandinavia                           1,121          933         1,959 
 Eastern Europe                        1,085        1,137         2,105 
-------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 Europe Total                          6,379        5,721        11,046 
 Middle East                             684          682         1,161 
 Far East                              1,533        1,589         3,207 
 US                                    4,487        4,379         8,459 
 Australasia                             432          537           394 
 South America                           222          187         1,031 
 Other                                   236          341           590 
-------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------ 
                                      13,973       13,436        25,888 
-------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 

Revenue of the Brands reportable segments - revenue from operations in all territories where the sale is sourced from the United Kingdom and overseas subsidiary operations, excluding internal sales to overseas subsidiaries, together with contract and license revenue:

 
 
                                          6 months     6 months       Audited 
                                                to           to       Year to 
                                           31 July      31 July    31 January 
                                              2016         2015          2016 
 Brands revenue analysis                    GBP000       GBP000        GBP000 
 Harlequin, incorporating Anthology 
 & Scion                                    15,556       16,049        31,676 
 Sanderson, incorporating Morris 
  & Co                                      10,648       11,029        21,503 
 Zoffany                                     6,138        5,993        11,749 
 Other brands                                  387          520           931 
 Licensing                                   1,114          958         2,043 
-------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------ 
                                            33,843       34,549        67,902 
-------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 

Revenue of the Manufacturing reportable segments - including revenues from internal sales to the Group's Brands:

 
 
                                      6 months     6 months       Audited 
                                            to           to       Year to 
                                       31 July      31 July    31 January 
                                          2016         2015          2016 
 Manufacturing revenue analysis         GBP000       GBP000        GBP000 
 Standfast                               5,657        9,615        15,681 
 Anstey                                  9,303        9,032        18,648 
---------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------ 
                                        14,960       18,647        34,329 
---------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 

Unaudited Notes to the interim financial statements (continued)

3. Analysis of revenue by category

 
 
                              6 months     6 months       Audited 
                                    to           to       Year to 
                               31 July      31 July    31 January 
                                  2016         2015          2016 
                                GBP000       GBP000        GBP000 
 Sale of goods                  40,712       44,876        85,796 
 Licence royalty income          1,114          958         2,043 
-------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------ 
                                41,826       45,834        87,839 
-------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 

4. Net other income

Net other income arising as a result of the flood at Standfast, the Group's fabric printing factory in December 2015 is composed as follows:

 
 
                                      6 months     6 months       Audited 
                                            to           to       Year to 
                                       31 July      31 July    31 January 
                                          2016         2015          2016 
                                        GBP000       GBP000        GBP000 
 Inventory loss, property, plant 
  and equipment impairments and 
  other incremental costs              (4,564)            -       (3,276) 
 Insurance reimbursements                7,896            -         4,683 
 Net other income                        3,332            -         1,407 
---------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 

The balance of GBP3,332,000 (2015: GBPnil) represents a contribution towards loss of profits of GBP1,593,000 and exceptional gains arising from the reimbursement of costs to replace plant and equipment of GBP1,739,000 impaired as result of the flood.

5. Net defined benefit pension charge

 
 
                                 6 months     6 months       Audited 
                                       to           to       Year to 
                                  31 July      31 July    31 January 
                                     2016         2015          2016 
                                   GBP000       GBP000        GBP000 
 Expected return on pension 
  scheme assets                     1,040          879         1,829 
 Interest on pension scheme 
  liabilities                     (1,108)      (1,067)       (2,134) 
 Scheme expenses met by the 
  Group                             (223)        (203)         (380) 
 Net charge                         (291)        (391)         (685) 
----------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 

Unaudited Notes to the interim financial statements (continued)

6. Income tax expense

 
                                                                                              Audited 
                                                                  6 months     6 months          Year 
                                                                        to           to            to 
                                                                   31 July      31 July    31 January 
                                                                      2016         2015          2016 
                                                                    GBP000       GBP000        GBP000 
 Current tax: 
  - UK, current tax                                                  (757)        (451)         1,278 
  - UK, adjustments in respect 
   of prior years                                                    (201)            -           130 
  - overseas, current tax                                                -            -             2 
-------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 Corporation tax                                                     (958)        (451)         1,410 
-------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 Deferred tax: 
  - current year                                                     (268)        (112)         (253) 
 
        *    adjustments in respect of prior years                     219           84            84 
 
        *    effect of change in corporation tax rate to 18% 
             (2015: 20%)                                                19            1           113 
-------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 Deferred tax                                                         (30)         (27)          (56) 
-------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 Tax charge for the period                                           (988)        (478)       (1,466) 
-------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 

No overseas taxation is anticipated to become payable within the immediate future due to the availability of gross tax losses of approximately GBP1.3 million (2015: GBP1.5 million).

The deferred tax balance at 31 July 2016 included within these interim financial statements has been calculated at a rate of 18%, as this is the rate at which the majority of the balances are expected to unwind.

A change to the UK corporation tax rate was announced in the Chancellor's Budget on 16 March 2016. The change announced is to reduce the main rate to 17% from 1 April 2020. Changes to reduce the UK corporation tax rate to 19% from 1 April 2017 and to 18% from 1 April 2020 had already been substantively enacted on 26 October 2015.

As the change to 17% had not been substantively enacted at the balance sheet date, its effects are not included in these interim financial statements.

A deferred tax charge of GBP30,000 (2015: GBP27,000) arose in the period to 31 July 2016 on the profits for the period.

A deferred tax charge of GBPnil (2015: GBP9,000) arising on the pension scheme liability has been recognised within the Statement of Comprehensive Income in accordance with the Group's accounting policy.

A deferred tax charge of GBP219,000 (2015: GBP469,000) has been recognised for movements in the deferred tax relating to the long-term incentive plan. The movements in deferred tax relating to the long-term incentive plan have been recorded in equity in accordance with the Group's accounting policy.

Unaudited Notes to the interim financial statements (continued)

7. Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share ('EPS') is calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year, excluding those held in the Employee Benefit Trust ('EBT') and those held in treasury, which are treated as cancelled. The adjusted basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the adjusted earnings by the weighted average number of shares. As a result of the improved profitability of the Group, PBT performance criteria within LTIPs 8 and 9 are now being met and as a consequence these LTIP awards are now dilutive.

 
                            6 months                       6 months 
                                to                             to                 Year 
                                31                             31                  to 
                               July                           July              January 
                               2016                           2015                2016 
                 ---------  ---------  -------  ---------  ---------  -------  ---------  ------------------ 
 
                             Weighted                       Weighted                       Weighted 
                              average                        average                        average 
                               number      Per                number      Per                number      Per 
                                   of    Share                    of    Share                    of    Share 
                  Earnings     shares   Amount   Earnings     shares   Amount   Earnings     shares   Amount 
                    GBP000     (000s)    Pence     GBP000     (000s)    Pence     GBP000     (000s)    Pence 
  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------  ---------  ---------  -------  ---------  ---------  ------- 
 
   Basic 
    earnings 
    per share        3,950     60,351     6.55      2,416     59,819     4.04      5,872     59,997     9.79 
   Effect of             -          -        -                                         -          -        - 
    dilutive                                            -          -        - 
    securities 
   Shares under 
    LTIP                 -        767        -          -      1,390        -          -      1,675        - 
                 ---------  ---------  -------  ---------  ---------  -------  ---------  ---------  ------- 
   Diluted 
    earnings 
    per share        3,950     61,118     6.46      2,416     61,209     3.95      5,872     61,672     9.52 
                 ---------  ---------  -------  ---------  ---------  -------  ---------  ---------  ------- 
 
   Adjusted 
    basic and 
    diluted 
    earnings 
    per share: 
   Add back 
    LTIP 
    accounting 
    charge             286                            393                            924 
 
   Add back 
    Net defined 
    benefit 
    pension 
    accounting 
    charge             291                            391                            685 
                   (1,739)                              -                              - 
   Less 
   Exceptional 
   gain on 
   property, 
   plant and 
   equipment 
   Adjusted 
    basic 
    earnings 
    per share        2,788     60,351     4.62      3,200     59,819     5.35      7,481     59,997    12.47 
  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------  ---------  ---------  -------  ---------  ---------  ------- 
   Adjusted 
    diluted 
    earnings 
    per share        2,788     61,118     4.56      3,200     61,209     5.23      7,481     61,672    12.13 
  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------  ---------  ---------  -------  ---------  ---------  ------- 
 
   Add back 
    Tax charge 
    for the 
    period             988                            478                          1,466 
  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------  ---------  ---------  -------  ---------  ---------  ------- 
   Adjusted 
    profit 
    before 
    tax              3,776                          3,678                          8,947 
  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------  ---------  ---------  -------  ---------  ---------  ------- 
 

On 16 May 2016, 773,393 shares vested under the Company's Long Term Incentive Plan. To satisfy the vesting, 431,788 shares of 1 pence each were allotted at par value.

Following these transactions Walker Greenbank's issued ordinary share capital with voting rights consists of 60,604,309 (2015: 60,172,521) ordinary shares of which no (2015: nil) ordinary shares are held in treasury and 4,909 (2015: nil) ordinary shares are held by the Walker Greenbank PLC EBT. Shares held in treasury or by the EBT are treated as cancelled when calculating EPS.

On 18 May 2015, 1,090,326 shares vested under the Company's LTIP of which 188,272 shares were issued from the Walker Greenbank PLC EBT.

The market value of shares held by the EBT at 31 July 2016 was GBP9,352 (2015: nil). The total number of shares held in the EBT at the period end represented 0.01% (2015: 0%) of the issued shares.

Unaudited Notes to the interim financial statements (continued)

8. Analysis of net funds

 
 
                                                          Current 
                                                          portion 
                                               Net        of term       Other 
                              1 February      cash           loan    non-cash   31 July 
                                    2016      flow     facilities     changes      2016 
                                  GBP000    GBP000         GBP000      GBP000    GBP000 
---------------------------  -----------  --------  -------------  ----------  -------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents         2,902        28              -           -     2,930 
 
 Borrowings due within 
  1 year                           (400)       200          (200)           3     (397) 
 Borrowings due after 
  1 year                           (196)         -            200         (4)         - 
---------------------------  -----------  --------  -------------  ----------  -------- 
                                   (596)       200              -         (1)     (397) 
---------------------------  -----------  --------  -------------  ----------  -------- 
 Net funds/(debt)                  2,306       228              -         (1)     2,533 
---------------------------  -----------  --------  -------------  ----------  -------- 
 

In December 2015, the Group entered into a new GBP12,500,000 multi-currency revolving credit facility with Barclays Bank PLC for a five year period and cancelled the existing Receivables facilities. The agreement also includes a GBP10,000,000 accordion facility option to further increase available credit which provides substantial headroom for future growth. A total bank arrangement fee of GBP100,000 was incurred in arranging the facility and will be amortised over the life of the loan. The total facilities from Barclays Bank PLC comprises: a variable rate Term Loan secured on the Group's freehold property which is being repaid on a five year profile and a revolving credit facility which may be drawn down in either sterling or euro. The term loan bears interest at variable rates based on a margin above the Bank of England base rate. The revolving credit facility bears interest at a variable rate based on a margin above LIBOR (for sterling loans) or the EURIBOR (for euro loans).

Under the Barclays Bank PLC facilities, the Group is subject to a financial covenant which applies to the term loan, being interest cover. The revolving credit facility is also subject to compliance of two financial covenants, being interest cover and leverage. Any non-compliance with covenants could, if not remedied or waived, constitute an event of default with respect to any such arrangements. The Group has reported to Barclays Bank PLC that it was in full compliance with its covenants throughout each of the periods presented.

9. Cash generated from operations

 
                                                                          Restated 
                                                                           Audited 
                                                  6 months     6 months       Year 
                                                        to           to      to 31 
                                                   31 July      31 July    January 
                                                      2016         2015       2016 
                                                    GBP000       GBP000     GBP000 
 --------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 Profit before tax                                   4,938        2,894      7,338 
 Defined benefit pension charge                        291          391        685 
 Net borrowing costs                                    60          102        179 
 Depreciation and impairment of 
  property, plant and equipment                        988        1,060      3,024 
 Insurance reimbursements                          (7,896)            -    (4,683) 
 Amortisation                                          334          291        602 
 Loss on disposal of property, 
  plant and equipment                                    -            -          3 
 Charge for LTIP recognised in 
  equity                                               258          311        790 
 LTIP vesting                                        (664)        (967)      (967) 
 Unrealised foreign exchange (gains)/losses 
 included in operating profit                         (84)          132      (227) 
 Defined benefit pension cash 
  contributions                                      (893)        (840)    (1,687) 
---------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 Cash generated from operations 
  pre insurance proceeds                           (2,668)        3,374      5,057 
 Insurance proceeds relating to                      9,852            -          - 
  operating activities 
---------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 Cash generated from operations 
  post insurance proceeds                            7,184        3,374      5,057 
 Changes in working capital 
 (Increase)/decrease in inventories                (2,736)        1,951      3,900 
 Increase in trade and other receivables             (219)      (2,293)      (279) 
 Decrease in trade and other payables              (1,176)      (2,263)    (1,575) 
---------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 Cash inflow generated from operations               3,053          769      7,103 
---------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 

Unaudited Notes to the interim financial statements (continued)

10. Retirement benefit obligations

The Group operates the following funded pension schemes in the UK: the Walker Greenbank Pension Plan and the Abaris Holdings Limited Pension Scheme. The Walker Greenbank Pension Plan is the biggest scheme. All schemes contain defined benefits sections, which are closed to new members and the accrual of future benefits, however the Abaris Holdings Limited Pension Scheme also contains a defined contribution section, although this section is relatively small.

The pension costs relating to the UK defined benefit schemes are assessed in accordance with the advice of an independent qualified actuary using the projected unit method. These schemes are subject to triennial actuarial reviews with the most recent ones having been carried out as at 31 January 2016, based on membership data at 5 April 2015, updated to take account of benefit outgo since 5 April 2015, using actuarial assumptions at 31 January 2016.

The assumptions applied for valuation of the defined benefit schemes are fully disclosed in the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 January 2016 and continue to be applied in the half year ended 31 July 2016. The net defined benefit pension charge recognised in the half year represents the relevant proportion of the annual amounts expected to be recognised for the year ending 31 January 2017, and are based on previous actuarial estimates. The net retirement benefit obligation recognised at 31 July 2016 is based on the actuarial valuation under IAS 19 'Employee Benefits' at 31 January 2016 updated for movements in net defined benefit pension charge and contributions paid during the half year period which include additional payments to the pension scheme to reduce the deficit along with regular contributions to fund scheme expenses. The deferred tax effect of movements in the net retirement benefit obligation has also been recognised in the half year. An updated funding valuation for IAS 19 financial reporting purposes will be completed for the next annual financial statements for the year ending 31 January 2017, at which time any actuarial gains and losses arising throughout the year will be recognised, including those arising from a change in the underlying assumptions applied for valuation of the defined benefit schemes.

Following the EU referendum on 23 June 2016, there has been considerable market volatility and uncertainty which has impacted pension assumptions. If the pension deficit was remeasured at 31 July 2016 we would expect there to be an increase in the deficit.

11. Dividends

The directors paid on 5 August 2016, a final dividend of 2.45 pence per share (2015: 1.96 pence), a total of GBP1,485,000 (2015: GBP1,179,000) for the financial year ended 31 January 2016.

The directors have announced an interim dividend of 0.55 pence per share (2015: 0.44 pence), a total of GBP333,000

(2015: GBP265,000) for the six months ended 31 July 2016, which will be payable on 18 November 2016 to shareholders on the register on 21 October 2016.

12. Events after the reporting period

Following the flooding at Standfast in December 2015, the Group experienced a period of disrupted production and a loss of stock, machinery and profits. After the reporting period, the Group has been reimbursed GBP800,000 as an interim payment against a balance of GBP1,329,000 which has been recognised and included within other receivables as at 31 July 2016 to cover approved property, plant and equipment spend. Further business interruption reimbursements are expected to cover future loss of profits up to a period of two years following the flood.

On 12 October 2016, the Group agreed to conditionally acquire 100% of the issued share capital of Clarke & Clarke, a company registered in the UK, for an initial cash consideration of GBP25,000,000 and a contingent consideration of up to GBP17,500,000, in aggregate, payable in the Company's shares linked to the performance of the acquired business over a four year period, giving a total potential consideration of up to GBP42,500,000.

In order to finance the initial cash consideration, a placing of a total of 8,947,369 new ordinary shares of 1p each in the Company was also announced on 12 October 2016. These shares, which will represent approximately 12.9% of the Company's issued ordinary share capital on admission to trading on AIM (excluding treasury shares), were placed at a price of 190.0 pence per share raising proceeds of approximately GBP17,000,000 million. The remaining portion of the cash consideration is being funded from the Company's existing accordion tranche of its bank facilities and from the Company's existing cash resources. The proposed acquisition and placing are conditional upon the approval of shareholders.

The Group is in the process of finalising the fair value of the consideration, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and expects to provide full disclosures required under IFRS 3 'Business Combinations' in its Annual Report & Accounts for the year ending 31 January 2017.

Independent review report to Walker Greenbank PLC

Report on the interim financial statements

Our conclusion

We have reviewed Walker Greenbank PLC's interim financial statements (the "interim financial statements") in the interim report of Walker Greenbank PLC for the 6 month period ended 31 July 2016. Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the interim financial statements are not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 'Interim Financial Reporting', as adopted by the European Union and the AIM Rules for Companies.

What we have reviewed

The interim financial statements comprise:

                  --       the consolidated balance sheet as at 31 July 2016; 
                  --       the consolidated income statement and consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the period then ended; 
                  --       the consolidated statement of cash flows for the period then ended; 
                  --       the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the period then ended; and 
                  --       the explanatory notes to the interim financial statements. 

The interim financial statements included in the interim report have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting', as adopted by the European Union and the AIM Rules for Companies.

As disclosed in note 1 to the interim financial statements, the financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the full annual financial statements of the Group is applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union.

Responsibilities for the interim financial statements and the review

Our responsibilities and those of the directors

The interim report, including the interim financial statements, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the interim report in accordance with the AIM Rules for Companies which require that the financial information must be presented and prepared in a form consistent with that which will be adopted in the company's annual financial statements.

Our responsibility is to express a conclusion on the interim financial statements in the interim report based on our review. This report, including the conclusion, has been prepared for and only for the company for the purpose of complying with the AIM Rules for Companies and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving this conclusion, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

What a review of interim financial statement involves

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures.

A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and, consequently, does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

We have read the other information contained in the interim report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the interim financial statements.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chartered Accountants

St Albans

11 October 2016

a) The maintenance and integrity of the Walker Greenbank PLC website is the responsibility of the directors; the work carried out by the auditors does not involve consideration of these matters and, accordingly, the auditors accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the interim financial statements since they were initially presented on the website.

b) Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

IR UASARNBARAUA

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 12, 2016 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)

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