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AVON Avon Protection Plc

1,180.00
12.00 (1.03%)
26 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Avon Protection Plc LSE:AVON London Ordinary Share GB0000667013 ORD #1
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  12.00 1.03% 1,180.00 1,176.00 1,188.00 1,210.00 1,170.00 1,170.00 52,070 16:35:27
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Rubber,plastics Hose & Belts 280.5M -14.4M -0.4642 -25.33 364.83M

Avon Rubber PLC Half-year Report (8148M)

02/05/2018 7:00am

UK Regulatory


Avon Protection (LSE:AVON)
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From Apr 2019 to Apr 2024

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TIDMAVON

RNS Number : 8148M

Avon Rubber PLC

02 May 2018

AVON RUBBER P.L.C.

UNAUDITED INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS

ED 31 MARCH 2018

6 MONTHS OF STRATEGIC PROGRESS

Paul McDonald, Chief Executive Officer

"We have delivered strong financial results, with underlying performance more than offsetting currency headwinds, whilst continuing to build the order book. We have also made further progress on the longer-term growth opportunities for our expanding product portfolio.

The performance reflects the benefits of the strategic actions being implemented to enable the Group to continue to grow sustainably in our core markets. Building on this platform, and with the momentum from our expanding product portfolio, the Board remains confident on delivery of its current year expectations and is excited by the medium-term prospects for the Group."

 
                                 31 March         31 March   % Increase   % Increase 
                                     2018             2017     Reported     Constant 
                                                                            Currency 
                                             (Restated)(2) 
------------------------------  ---------  ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Orders received                 GBP88.3m         GBP90.8m       (2.7%)         5.0% 
 Closing order book              GBP40.6m         GBP34.5m        17.7%        29.6% 
 Revenue                         GBP77.7m         GBP78.9m       (1.5%)         5.9% 
 Adjusted(1) operating profit    GBP11.6m         GBP10.9m         6.4%        18.9% 
 Operating profit                 GBP9.9m          GBP9.6m         3.1%        18.4% 
 Net cash                        GBP39.1m         GBP12.6m            Up GBP14.4m(3) 
 Adjusted(1) basic earnings 
  per share(4)                      32.8p            28.6p        14.7%        33.7% 
 Basic earnings per share(4)        27.9p            24.7p        13.0%        33.6% 
 Interim dividend per share         5.34p            4.11p        30.0%        30.0% 
------------------------------  ---------  ---------------  -----------  ----------- 
 

Operational highlights

   --    Avon Protection growth driven by strong Law Enforcement performance 
   --    Positive Military order intake contributing to building the order book for 2019 
   --    milkrite | InterPuls growth momentum in Farm Services and Precision, Controls & Intelligence 
   --    Powered Air range NIOSH approval obtained together with first customer orders 
   --    MCM100 initial customer orders received for delivery in H2 2018 
   --    UK MOD General Service Respirator 5 year contract signed for deliveries starting in 2019 
   --    Avon Engineered Fabrications, Inc. ("AEF") non-core divestment for $9.25m 

Financial highlights at constant currency

   --    Orders received up 5.0% and GBP10.6m ahead of revenue 

-- Closing order book of GBP40.6m provides excellent visibility going into the second half of 2018

   --    Revenue up 5.9% at GBP77.7m and adjusted(1) operating profit up 18.9% at GBP11.6m 
   --    EBITDA margins improved by 20bps to 19.9% 

-- Strong EBITDA cash conversion of 123.9% and the divestment of AEF resulting in net cash of GBP39.1m, up GBP14.4m in the half year

   --    Adjusted(1) earnings per share of 32.8p, grew by 33.7% 
   --    Interim dividend per share of 5.34p, up 30.0% 

Notes:

(1) The Directors believe that adjusted measures provide a more useful comparison of business trends and performance. Adjusted results exclude exceptional items, defined benefit pension scheme costs, the amortisation of acquired intangibles and discontinued operations. The term adjusted is not defined under IFRS and may not be comparable with similarly titled measures used by other companies. A reconciliation of reported numbers to adjusted numbers is provided in note 4 to the interim financial statements.

(2) 2017 has been restated to reflect the continuing operations of the business following the sale of AEF on 30 March 2018 and to correct the charge for share based payments as previously reported in the 2017 Annual Report. The restatement did not have any impact on the prior period comparatives for adjusted and reported operating profit and earnings per share.

(3) Movement since 30 September 2017.

(4) Earnings per share and adjusted earnings per share are presented on a continuing operations basis.

For further enquiries, please contact:

Avon Rubber p.l.c.

Paul McDonald, Chief Executive Officer 01225 896300

Nick Keveth, Chief Financial Officer

Weber Shandwick Financial

Nick Oborne 020 7067 0700

Tom Jenkins

An analyst meeting will be held at 9.30am this morning at the offices of Weber Shandwick Financial, 2 Waterhouse Square, 140 Holborn, London, EC1N 2AE. The analyst meeting will be webcast live on www.avon-rubber.com

Legal Entity Identifier: 213800JM1AN62REBWA71

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation ("MAR") EU no.596/2014. Upon the publication of this announcement via Regulatory Information Service ("RIS"), this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

Note to editors:

Avon Rubber p.l.c. is an innovative technology group specialising in respiratory protection systems and milking point solutions through our two businesses Avon Protection and milkrite | InterPuls. We design, test and manufacture specialist products and services to maximise the performance and capabilities of our customers.

Avon Protection is the recognised global leader in advanced Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) respiratory protection systems for the world's Military, Law Enforcement and Fire markets.

milkrite | InterPuls is a global leader providing complete milking point solutions to customers across the world with the aim of improving every farm it touches.

For further information please visit the Group's website: www.avon-rubber.com

Interim Management Report

Overview

During the first half of 2018 we have continued to make excellent progress delivering our strategy to generate shareholder value through maximising organic sales growth from our current portfolio, supported by selective product development, and through value enhancing acquisitions.

In Avon Protection, we have seen significant market share gains within Law Enforcement as well as higher filter and spare sales from the increased customer base. Military order intake for existing platforms for both the DoD and Rest of World customers has been positive and enables us to build visibility into 2019. In milkrite | InterPuls, we have seen good growth in the Farm Services and Precision, Control & Intelligence ("PCI") products, despite weaker market conditions in North America impacting the performance of Interface. This reflects both the benefits of our differentiated Farm Services ownership model as well as the added value our PCI products bring to customers in terms of driving farm efficiency. As a result the Group delivered strong constant currency revenue growth in the first six months of the year and positive order intake across the business has resulted in a closing order book at the half year of GBP40.6m (Sept 2017: GBP30.0m).

Our focus on new selective product development has continued with GBP4.4m of investment in research and development projects during the first six months of the year. We received NIOSH safety approval in North America for our Powered Air range and are in full production readiness for the MCM100 underwater rebreather, with first deliveries during the second half of the year. We will also launch our Magnum Self Contained Breathing Apparatus ("SCBA") and the heavy duty PCI products in North America during the second half of the year.

The divestment of AEF, the US based manufacturer of hovercraft skirts and bulk liquid storage tanks, supports our focus on growing the core business in our chosen market segments. We continue to explore acquisition opportunities, where we see the potential to deliver significant strategic and financial value. Our strengthened balance sheet will enable us to execute on these acquisition opportunities where our commercial and financial criteria are met.

Group Results

The Group has delivered a strong financial performance in the first half of the year with revenue and adjusted operating profit increasing at constant currency by 5.9% and 18.9% respectively. Given our US businesses constitute over 70% of the Group, the strengthening pound during the first half of the year has resulted in reported revenue decreasing by 1.5% to GBP77.7m and a smaller increase in reported adjusted operating profit of 6.4% to GBP11.6m (2017: GBP10.9m) at actual currency.

After a tax charge of GBP1.6m (2017: GBP2.0m), an adjusted effective rate of 14% (2017: 19%), the Group recorded an adjusted profit for the period after tax of GBP10.0m (2017: GBP8.7m).

The reduced tax rate of 14% (2017: 19%) has resulted in adjusted basic earnings per share increasing by 33.7% at constant currency to 32.8p (2017: 28.6p). Basic earnings per share from continuing operations were 27.9p (2017: 24.7p).

Operational cash generation has continued to be strong with EBITDA cash conversion of 123.9%. The operational cash performance, together with the divestment of AEF for $9.25m, resulted in a GBP14.4m increase in net cash during the first half of the year and a closing net cash balance of GBP39.1m. This strong cash position provides funding to support our organic growth strategy and value enhancing acquisitions.

Against this strong backdrop, the Board has increased the interim dividend by 30% to 5.34p, in line with our policy, and reflecting confidence in the full year performance.

Segmental Information

 
                                                31 March 
                                                    2017 
                                                                           Growth 
                                  31 March                            at constant 
                                      2018    (restated)    Growth       currency 
                                      GBPm          GBPm         %              % 
-----------------------------  -----------  ------------  --------  ------------- 
 
   Orders received 
 Avon Protection                      64.2          65.8    (2.4%)           6.6% 
 milkrite | InterPuls                 24.1          25.0    (3.6%)           1.0% 
-----------------------------  -----------  ------------  --------  ------------- 
 Total                                88.3          90.8    (2.7%)           5.0% 
 
   Closing order book 
 Avon Protection                      37.5          31.8     17.9%          30.8% 
 milkrite | InterPuls                  3.1           2.7     14.8%          16.1% 
-----------------------------  -----------  ------------  --------  ------------- 
 Total                                40.6          34.5     17.7%          29.6% 
-----------------------------  -----------  ------------  --------  ------------- 
 
   Revenue 
 Avon Protection                      53.1          53.7    (1.1%)           8.4% 
 milkrite | InterPuls                 24.6          25.2    (2.4%)           0.8% 
-----------------------------  -----------  ------------  --------  ------------- 
 Total                                77.7          78.9    (1.5%)           5.9% 
 
   Operating profit 
 Avon Protection                       8.7           7.6     14.4%          21.0% 
 milkrite | InterPuls                  2.6           3.3   (21.2%)           1.2% 
 Unallocated corporate costs         (1.4)         (1.3)    (7.7%)         0.3% 
-----------------------------  -----------  ------------  --------  ------------- 
 Total                                 9.9           9.6      3.1%          18.4% 
 
   Adjusted operating profit 
 Avon Protection                       9.2           8.0     15.0%          25.1% 
 milkrite | InterPuls                  3.6           4.0   (10.0%)           2.3% 
 Unallocated corporate costs         (1.2)         (1.1)    (9.1%)      (15.8%) 
-----------------------------  -----------  ------------  --------  ------------- 
 Total                                11.6          10.9      6.4%          18.9% 
 
   Adjusted EBITDA 
 Avon Protection                      11.7          11.6      0.8%           7.1% 
 milkrite | InterPuls                  5.0           5.5    (9.1%)           0.2% 
 Unallocated corporate costs         (1.2)         (1.1)    (9.1%)          13.2% 
-----------------------------  -----------  ------------  --------  ------------- 
 Total                                15.5          16.0    (3.1%)           6.6% 
 
   Adjusted EBITDA margin 
 Avon Protection                     22.0%         21.6%      0.4%              - 
 milkrite | InterPuls                20.3%         21.8%    (1.5%)         (0.5%) 
-----------------------------  -----------  ------------  --------  ------------- 
 Total                               19.9%         20.3%    (0.4%)           0.2% 
-----------------------------  -----------  ------------  --------  ------------- 
 

Avon Protection

Orders received totalling GBP64.2m (2017: GBP65.8m) reflect a constant currency growth of 6.6%, offset by the impact of the strengthening pound. Revenue of GBP53.1m (2017: GBP53.7m) improved by 8.4% on a constant currency basis with exceptional growth in Law Enforcement of 42%, more than offsetting 6% declines in both Military and Fire.

Adjusted operating profit increased by 15.0% to GBP9.2m (2017: GBP8.0m) with adjusted EBITDA of GBP11.7m (2017: GBP11.6m). On a constant currency basis, adjusted operating profit and adjusted EBITDA grew by 25.1% and 7.1% respectively and our EBITDA margins have remained stable.

Military

Military revenues of GBP27.3m (2017: GBP32.9m) were 5.5% lower versus last half year, on a constant currency basis. DoD revenues were flat, with higher spares sales offsetting the planned lower shipment of M50 mask systems of 79,000 (2017: 93,000). The Rest of the World order book has grown strongly in the period driven by the initial MCM100 underwater rebreather orders. The lower first half Rest of World revenue arises due to delivery timings being weighted to the second half.

We received orders for 100,000 M50 mask systems in the first six months, resulting in an order book of 70,000 systems as we entered the second half of the year and, since 31 March 2018, we have received a further order for 24,000 M50 mask systems. This has provided us with visibility for the Military sales in the current year as well as contributing to building the order book for 2019. We continue to pursue a number of identified opportunities with the DoD and Rest of World Military customers and anticipate further orders, both for existing products as well from the new product portfolio.

Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement revenue grew 42% on a constant currency basis to GBP18.6m (2017: GBP12.5m). This was driven by strong performances in hoods and mask systems in Europe, Middle East and Asia as we continue to make progress in converting police forces to our products. In North America, we also benefited from increased sales of filters and spares to our expanding customer base. Initial sales of our Powered Air range also contributed to the growth in the period and we see the new product range as an exciting driver for growth moving forward.

Fire

Fire revenue reduced to GBP7.2m (2017: GBP8.3m), a reduction of 6.3% on a constant currency basis, as the sector experienced tougher market conditions in North America than 2017. We expect the launch of the Magnum SCBA, later in the year, to upgrade the existing product offering to our customers and support the medium term outlook for revenue growth.

milkrite | InterPuls

Revenue of GBP24.6m (2017: GBP25.2m) increased by 0.8% on a constant currency basis. Continued growth in Precison, Control & Intelligence and Farm Services was offset by the performance of Interface in North America due to tougher markets conditions as a result of increased feed costs squeezing farmer margins.

Adjusted operating profit of GBP3.6m (2017: GBP4.0m) grew 2.3% on a constant currency basis. Adjusted EBITDA of GBP5.0m (2017: GBP5.5m) resulted in an adjusted EBITDA margin of 20.3%. With the softer market conditions in North America, we will continue to focus on managing the operating costs of the business in the second half of the year.

Interface

Interface revenue of GBP17.2m (2017: GBP18.3m) was impacted by weaker market conditions in North America following recent feed cost increases which is expected to continue in the second half. As a result of the performance in North America, Interface revenues declined by 1.1% on a constant currency basis. Market conditions in Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific remain positive reflected in constant currency revenue growth of 8.6% across these regions.

Precision, Control and Intelligence

Our PCI range and sales have continued to perform well across our key markets. Revenue of GBP4.8m (2017: GBP4.8m) grew 5.3% at a constant currency rate as dairy farmers continue to invest in our PCI products to drive farm efficiency.

Farm Services

Farm Services has continued to show exceptional growth with revenue of GBP2.6m (2017: GBP2.1m), up 28.7% at constant currency, reflecting the ongoing success of Cluster Exchange which saw a 23% growth in cluster points in the period. The extension of Farm Services to include Pulsator Exchange and Tag Exchange continues to progress well in line with expectations.

Research & Development expenditure

We continue to invest for the future and our total investment in research and development (capitalised and expensed) amounted to GBP4.4m (2017: GBP3.9m) as shown below. Total research and development as a percentage of revenue was 5.7% (2017: 4.8%).

 
                                      Half year      Half year     Year to 
                                             to             to      30 Sep 
                                    31 Mar 2018    31 Mar 2017        2017 
--------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 Total research and development 
  expenditure                           GBP4.4m        GBP3.9m     GBP8.4m 
 Less customer funded                 (GBP1.4m)      (GBP2.0m)   (GBP4.6m) 
--------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 Group expenditure                      GBP3.0m        GBP1.9m     GBP3.8m 
 Capitalised                          (GBP2.6m)      (GBP0.9m)   (GBP2.7m) 
--------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 Income statement impact                GBP0.4m        GBP1.0m     GBP1.1m 
 Amortisation                           GBP1.3m        GBP2.0m     GBP3.5m 
 Impairment                                   -              -     GBP2.6m 
--------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 Total income statement impact          GBP1.7m        GBP3.0m     GBP7.2m 
--------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 Revenue                               GBP77.7m       GBP78.9m   GBP159.2m 
 R&D spend as % of revenue                 5.7%           4.8%        5.3% 
--------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 

In Avon Protection the most significant investments have been in the further development of the Magnum Self Contained Breathing Apparatus and MCM100 underwater rebreather product ranges. In milkrite | InterPuls, investment has been focussed on expanding our Precision, Control and Intelligence (PCI) heavy duty product range.

Profit for the Period

 
                                                  Half year     Half year to 
                                                to 31 March    31 March 2017 
                                                       2018             GBPm 
                                                       GBPm       (restated) 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------- 
 Adjusted operating profit                             11.6             10.9 
 Adjustments                                          (1.7)            (1.3) 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------- 
 Operating profit                                       9.9              9.6 
 Net finance costs                                    (0.5)            (0.7) 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------- 
 Profit before taxation                                 9.4              8.9 
 Taxation                                             (0.9)            (1.4) 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------- 
 Profit from continuing operations                      8.5              7.5 
 Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations             1.6            (0.3) 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------- 
 Profit for the period                                 10.1              7.2 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------- 
 

Adjustments

Adjustments of GBP1.7m (2017: GBP1.3m) have been excluded from adjusted operating profit and include amortisation of acquired intangible assets of GBP1.5m (2017: GBP1.4m) and pension administration costs of GBP0.2m (2017: GBP0.2m). Adjustments in 2017 included an exceptional credit of GBP0.3m for a post-acquisition working capital adjustment relating to the acquisition of InterPuls.

Taxation

The tax charge of GBP0.9m is comprised of an adjusted tax charge of GBP1.6m, at an adjusted effective rate of 14%, offset by the tax effects of the amortisation of acquired intangibles and the defined benefit pension scheme.

Profit from Discontinued Operations

The profit from discontinued operations of GBP1.6m (2017: (GBP0.3m)) is comprised of the profit after tax of AEF up to the date of disposal on 30 March 2018 of GBP0.5m (2017: (0.3m)) and the gain on disposal after tax of GBP1.1m.

Net Cash and Cash Flow

Underlying cash generated from continuing operations was GBP19.2m with operating cash conversion from adjusted EBITDA continuing to be strong at 123.9% (2017: 105.0%).

Total capital expenditure was GBP4.0m (2017: GBP2.7m) including GBP2.6m of capitalised development costs. Dividends and the purchase of own shares was GBP3.7m (2017: GBP2.9m) reflecting the 30% increase in the 2017 final dividend.

Net cash at the half year was GBP39.1m, including the GBP6.6m proceeds from the sale of AEF, GBP14.4m higher than the 2017 year end.

Dividends

The Board has declared an interim dividend of 5.34p per ordinary share, an increase of 30% on the 2017 interim dividend. This will be paid on 7 September 2018 to shareholders on the register on 10 August 2018.

Outlook

We have delivered strong financial results, with underlying performance more than offsetting currency headwinds, whilst continuing to build the order book. We have also made further progress on the longer-term growth opportunities for our expanding product portfolio.

The performance reflects the benefits of the strategic actions being implemented to enable the Group to continue to grow sustainably in our core markets. Building on this platform, and with the momentum from our expanding product portfolio, the Board remains confident on delivery of its current year expectations and is excited by the medium-term prospects for the Group.

 
 
 Paul McDonald              Nick Keveth 
  Chief Executive Officer    Chief Financial Officer 
  2 May 2018                 2 May 2018 
 

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

The Directors confirm that this condensed consolidated interim financial information has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union, and that the interim management report herein includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7 and DTR 4.2.8, namely:

-- an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months and their impact on the condensed consolidated interim financial information, and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the financial year; and

-- material related party transactions in the first six months and any material changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual report.

 
 Miles Ingrey-Counter 
  Company Secretary 
  2 May 2018 
 

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this half year report are forward--looking. Although the Group believes that the expectations reflected in these forward--looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. Because these statements involve risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward--looking statements.

We undertake no obligation to update any forward--looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Company website

The interim statement is available on the Company's website at www.avon-rubber.com. The maintenance and integrity of the website is the responsibility of the Directors. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Change of auditor

As reported in our 2017 Annual Report, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ('PwC') have been the Company's external auditor for well over 20 years and the Board requested the Audit Committee run a tender process in early 2018. Following this process the Board have selected KPMG LLP to be the Company's external auditor for the year ending 30 September 2019. PwC will continue to act as auditors for the current financial year. At the 2019 AGM shareholders will be invited to vote on the appointment of KPMG LLP.

 
                           Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 
 
                              Half year to 31 March 2018            Half year to 31 March 2017                  Year to 30 Sep 2017 
                           Adjusted   Adjustments*    Total     Adjusted   Adjustments*        Total     Adjusted   Adjustments*        Total 
                                                              (restated)                  (restated)   (restated)                  (restated) 
                    Note       GBPm           GBPm     GBPm         GBPm           GBPm         GBPm         GBPm           GBPm         GBPm 
----------------   -----  ---------  -------------  -------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------- 
 Continuing 
 operations 
 Revenue               3       77.7              -     77.7         78.9              -         78.9        159.2              -        159.2 
 Cost of sales               (48.9)              -   (48.9)       (48.7)              -       (48.7)       (97.6)              -       (97.6) 
-----------------  -----  ---------  -------------  -------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------- 
 Gross profit                  28.8              -     28.8         30.2              -         30.2         61.6              -         61.6 
 Selling and 
  distribution 
  costs                       (9.7)              -    (9.7)       (10.5)              -       (10.5)       (19.9)              -       (19.9) 
 General and 
  administrative 
  expenses                    (7.5)          (1.7)    (9.2)        (8.8)          (1.3)       (10.1)       (15.6)          (6.0)       (21.6) 
 Operating profit      3       11.6          (1.7)      9.9         10.9          (1.3)          9.6         26.1          (6.0)         20.1 
-----------------  -----  ---------  -------------  -------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Operating 
 profit is 
 analysed as: 
 Before 
  depreciation 
  and 
  amortisation                 15.5          (0.2)     15.3         16.0            0.1         16.1         35.7          (0.1)         35.6 
 Depreciation and 
  amortisation                (3.9)          (1.5)    (5.4)        (5.1)          (1.4)        (6.5)        (9.6)          (5.9)       (15.5) 
-----------------  -----  ---------  -------------  -------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------- 
 Operating profit              11.6          (1.7)      9.9         10.9          (1.3)          9.6         26.1          (6.0)         20.1 
-----------------  -----  ---------  -------------  -------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Interest income       7        0.1              -      0.1            -              -            -          0.1              -          0.1 
 Finance costs         7      (0.1)              -    (0.1)        (0.1)              -        (0.1)        (0.3)              -        (0.3) 
 Other finance 
  expense              7          -          (0.5)    (0.5)        (0.1)          (0.5)        (0.6)            -          (1.0)        (1.0) 
-----------------  -----  ---------  -------------  -------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------- 
 Profit before 
  taxation                     11.6          (2.2)      9.4         10.7          (1.8)          8.9         25.9          (7.0)         18.9 
 Taxation              8      (1.6)            0.7    (0.9)        (2.0)            0.6        (1.4)        (0.4)            3.3          2.9 
-----------------  -----  ---------  -------------  -------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------- 
 Profit for the 
  period 
  from continuing 
  operations                   10.0          (1.5)      8.5          8.7          (1.2)          7.5         25.5          (3.7)         21.8 
 Profit/(loss) 
  from 
  discontinued 
  operations           6          -            1.6      1.6            -          (0.3)        (0.3)            -          (0.3)        (0.3) 
-----------------  -----  ---------  -------------  -------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------- 
 Profit for the 
  period                       10.0            0.1     10.1          8.7          (1.5)          7.2         25.5          (4.0)         21.5 
-----------------  -----  ---------  -------------  -------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------- 
 

*See note 5 for further details of adjustments

 
 Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (continued) 
                           Half year to 31 March 2018            Half year to 31 March 2017                   Year to 30 Sep 2017 
                         Adjusted   Adjustments*   Total     Adjusted   Adjustments*        Total     Adjusted   Adjustments*        Total 
                                                           (restated)                  (restated)   (restated)                  (restated) 
                  Note       GBPm           GBPm    GBPm         GBPm           GBPm         GBPm         GBPm           GBPm         GBPm 
---------------  -----  ---------  -------------  ------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------- 
 Other 
 comprehensive 
 income 
 Actuarial 
  gain/(loss) 
  recognised in 
  retirement 
  benefit 
  scheme (**)                   -            1.5     1.5            -          (0.4)        (0.4)            -          (3.8)        (3.8) 
 Deferred tax 
  relating 
  to retirement 
  benefit 
  scheme (**)                   -          (0.3)   (0.3)            -            0.1          0.1            -            0.6          0.6 
 Net exchange 
  differences 
  offset in 
  reserves 
  (***)                     (2.3)              -   (2.3)          1.1              -          1.1        (2.3)              -        (2.3) 
 Cash flow 
  hedges (***)                0.2              -     0.2          0.5              -          0.5          1.1              -          1.1 
 Tax relating 
  to exchange 
  differences 
  offset in 
  reserves 
  (***)                         -              -       -            -              -            -          0.2              -          0.2 
---------------  -----  ---------  -------------  ------  -----------  -------------  ----------- 
 Other 
  comprehensive 
  income 
  for the 
  period, net 
  of 
  taxation                  (2.1)            1.2   (0.9)          1.6          (0.3)          1.3        (1.0)          (3.2)        (4.2) 
 Profit for the 
  period                     10.0            0.1    10.1          8.7          (1.5)          7.2         25.5          (4.0)         21.5 
---------------  -----  ---------  -------------  ------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------- 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income 
  for the 
  period                      7.9            1.3     9.2         10.3          (1.8)          8.5         24.5          (7.2)         17.3 
---------------  -----  ---------  -------------  ------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------- 
 Earnings per 
 share 
 Basic              10      32.8p           0.3p   33.1p        28.6p         (4.9)p        23.7p        83.8p        (13.2)p        70.6p 
 Diluted            10      32.6p           0.3p   32.9p        28.2p         (4.9)p        23.3p        83.3p        (13.1)p        70.2p 
---------------  -----  ---------  -------------  ------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------- 
 Earnings per 
 share from 
 continuing 
 operations 
 Basic              10      32.8p         (4.9)p   27.9p        28.6p         (3.9)p        24.7p        83.8p        (12.2)p        71.6p 
 Diluted            10      32.6p         (4.9)p   27.7p        28.2p         (3.9)p        24.3p        83.3p        (12.1)p        71.2p 
---------------  -----  ---------  -------------  ------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------- 
 

* See note 5 for further details of adjustments

** Items that are not subsequently reclassified to the income statement

***Items that may be subsequently reclassified to the income statement

The Statement of Comprehensive Income for half year and full year 2017 has been restated to present AEF as a discontinued operation, and half year 2017 has also been restated to correct the charge for share based payments.

Consolidated Balance Sheet

 
                                                    As at     As at     As at 
                                                   31 Mar    31 Mar    30 Sep 
                                                     2018      2017      2017 
                                           Note      GBPm      GBPm      GBPm 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
 Assets 
 Non-current assets 
 Goodwill and acquired intangibles                   21.2      23.7      23.4 
 Development expenditure and computer 
  software                                           17.9      21.7      17.0 
 Property, plant and equipment                       21.9      29.1      26.3 
 Deferred tax assets                                  8.1       7.8       8.2 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
                                                     69.1      82.3      74.9 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                                         21.8      21.8      21.8 
 Trade and other receivables                         18.8      19.8      23.8 
 Derivative financial instruments                     0.4         -       0.2 
 Cash and cash equivalents                   14      40.4      14.8      26.5 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
                                                     81.4      56.4      72.3 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
 Liabilities 
 Current liabilities 
 Borrowings                                  14       1.3       2.2       1.8 
 Trade and other payables                            28.6      26.1      30.1 
 Derivative financial instruments                       -       0.3         - 
 Provisions for liabilities and charges      11       0.3       0.7       0.3 
 Current tax liabilities                              7.1       9.9       6.8 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
                                                     37.3      39.2      39.0 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
 Net current assets                                  44.1      17.2      33.3 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Deferred tax liabilities                             5.8       9.2       6.8 
 Retirement benefit obligations                      42.5      40.7      44.1 
 Provisions for liabilities and charges      11       3.0       1.6       1.7 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
                                                     51.3      51.5      52.6 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
 Net assets                                          61.9      48.0      55.6 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
 Shareholders' equity 
 Ordinary shares                             12      31.0      31.0      31.0 
 Share premium account                       12      34.7      34.7      34.7 
 Capital redemption reserve                           0.5       0.5       0.5 
 Translation reserve                                  4.2       9.7       6.5 
 Accumulated losses                                 (8.5)    (27.9)    (17.1) 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
 Total equity                                        61.9      48.0      55.6 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
 

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

 
                                                      Half year          Half year            Year to 
                                                      to 31 Mar          to 31 Mar             30 Sep 
                                                           2018    2017 (restated)    2017 (restated) 
                                              Note         GBPm               GBPm               GBPm 
-------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  -----------------  ----------------- 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
-------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  -----------------  ----------------- 
 Cash flows from continuing operating 
  activities before the impact of 
  exceptional items                             13         19.2               16.8               35.0 
 Cash impact of exceptional items                             -                0.3                0.3 
-------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  -----------------  ----------------- 
 Cash flows from continuing operations                     19.2               17.1               35.3 
 Cash flows from discontinued operations                  (0.2)                0.2                0.3 
-------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  -----------------  ----------------- 
 Cash generated from operations                 13         19.0               17.3               35.6 
 Interest income received                                   0.1                  -                0.1 
 Finance costs paid                                       (0.1)              (0.1)              (0.2) 
 Retirement benefit deficit recovery 
  contributions                                           (0.8)              (0.4)              (1.0) 
 Tax paid                                                 (2.0)              (0.7)              (2.0) 
-------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  -----------------  ----------------- 
 Net cash flows from operating activities                  16.2               16.1               32.5 
-------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  -----------------  ----------------- 
 
 Cash flows from/(used in) investing 
  activities 
 Proceeds from disposal of discontinued 
  operations                                                6.5                  -                  - 
 Purchase of property, plant and 
  equipment                                               (1.4)              (1.7)              (2.6) 
 Capitalised development costs and 
  purchased software                                      (2.6)              (1.0)              (2.9) 
 Net cash flows from/(used in) investing 
  activities                                                2.5              (2.7)              (5.5) 
-------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  -----------------  ----------------- 
 
 Cash flows used in financing activities 
 Net movement in borrowings                               (0.5)              (0.3)              (0.8) 
 Dividends paid to shareholders                           (2.5)              (1.9)              (3.2) 
 Payments to acquire own shares                           (1.2)              (1.0)              (1.0) 
-------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  -----------------  ----------------- 
 Net cash flows used in financing 
  activities                                              (4.2)              (3.2)              (5.0) 
-------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  -----------------  ----------------- 
 
 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                 14.5               10.2               22.0 
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning 
  of the period                                            26.5                4.5                4.5 
 Effects of exchange rate changes                         (0.6)                0.1                  - 
-------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  -----------------  ----------------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at end 
  of the period                                 14         40.4               14.8               26.5 
-------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  -----------------  ----------------- 
 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

 
                                                                                                          Total 
                                               Share      Share        Other          Accumulated        equity 
                                             capital    premium    reserves*    losses (restated)    (restated) 
                                                GBPm       GBPm         GBPm                 GBPm          GBPm 
-----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -------------------  ------------ 
 At 30 September 2016                           31.0       34.7          9.1               (32.8)          42.0 
 Profit for the period                             -          -                               7.2           7.2 
 Net exchange differences offset 
  in reserves                                      -          -          1.1                    -           1.1 
 Cash flow hedges                                  -          -            -                  0.5           0.5 
 Actuarial loss recognised on retirement 
  benefit scheme                                   -          -            -                (0.4)         (0.4) 
 Deferred tax relating to retirement 
  benefit scheme                                   -          -            -                  0.1           0.1 
-----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -------------------  ------------ 
 Total comprehensive income for the 
  period                                           -          -          1.1                  7.4           8.5 
 Dividends paid                                    -          -            -                (1.9)         (1.9) 
 Movement in shares held by the employee 
  benefit trust                                    -          -            -                (1.0)         (1.0) 
 Movement in respect of employee 
  share schemes                                    -          -            -                  0.4           0.4 
 At 31 March 2017                               31.0       34.7         10.2               (27.9)          48.0 
 Profit for the period                             -          -                              14.3          14.3 
 Net exchange differences offset 
  in reserves                                      -          -        (3.4)                    -         (3.4) 
 Tax relating to exchange differences 
  offset in reserves                               -          -          0.2                    -           0.2 
 Cash flow hedges                                  -          -            -                  0.6           0.6 
 Actuarial loss recognised on retirement 
  benefit scheme                                   -          -            -                (3.4)         (3.4) 
 Deferred tax relating to retirement 
  benefit scheme                                   -          -            -                  0.5           0.5 
-----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -------------------  ------------ 
 Total comprehensive income for the 
  period                                           -          -        (3.2)                 12.0           8.8 
 Dividends paid                                    -          -            -                (1.3)         (1.3) 
 Movement in respect of employee 
  share schemes                                    -          -            -                  0.5           0.5 
 Deferred tax relating to employee 
  share schemes                                    -          -            -                (0.4)         (0.4) 
 At 30 September 2017                           31.0       34.7          7.0               (17.1)          55.6 
 Profit for the period                             -          -            -                 10.1          10.1 
 Net exchange differences offset 
  in reserves                                      -          -        (2.3)                    -         (2.3) 
 Cash flow hedges                                  -          -            -                  0.2           0.2 
 Actuarial gain recognised on retirement 
  benefit scheme                                   -          -            -                  1.5           1.5 
 Deferred tax relating to retirement 
  benefit scheme                                   -          -            -                (0.3)         (0.3) 
-----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -------------------  ------------ 
 Total comprehensive income for the 
  period                                           -          -        (2.3)                 11.5           9.2 
 Dividends paid                                    -          -            -                (2.5)         (2.5) 
 Movement in shares held by the employee 
  benefit trust                                    -          -            -                (1.0)         (1.0) 
 Movement in respect of employee 
  share schemes                                    -          -            -                  0.6           0.6 
 At 31 March 2018                               31.0       34.7          4.7                (8.5)          61.9 
-----------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -------------------  ------------ 
 

*Other reserves consist of the capital redemption reserve of GBP0.5m (31 March 2017: GBP0.5m, 30 September 2017: GBP0.5m) and the translation reserve of GBP4.2m (31 March 2017: GBP9.7m, 30 September 2017: GBP6.5m).

Notes to the Interim Financial Statements

1. General information

The company is a limited liability company incorporated in England and domiciled in the UK. The address of its registered office is Hampton Park West, Semington Road, Melksham, Wiltshire, SN12 6NB. The company has its primary listing on the London Stock Exchange.

This unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial information was approved for issue on 2 May 2018.

These interim financial results do not comprise statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. Statutory accounts for the year ended 30 September 2017 were approved by the Board of Directors on 15 November 2017 and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors on those accounts was unqualified, did not contain an emphasis of matter paragraph and did not contain any statement under Section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.

2. Basis of preparation

This condensed consolidated interim financial information for the half year ended 31 March 2018 has been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and with IAS 34, 'Interim financial reporting' as adopted by the European Union. These interim financial results should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2017, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union.

Having considered the Group's funding position, budgets for 2018 and three year plan, the Directors have formed a judgement that there is a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the condensed consolidated interim financial information.

The financial information presented in this Interim Report has been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies expected to be used in preparing the 2018 Annual Report and Accounts which do not differ significantly from those used in the preparation of the 2017 Annual Report and Accounts.

3. Segment information

The Group has two clearly defined business segments, Protection and Dairy.

Half year to 31 March 2018

 
                                        Protection   Dairy   Unallocated   Group 
                                              GBPm    GBPm          GBPm    GBPm 
-------------------------------------  -----------  ------  ------------  ------ 
 Revenue                                      53.1    24.6             -    77.7 
-------------------------------------  -----------  ------  ------------  ------ 
 
 Segment result before depreciation, 
  amortisation, exceptional 
  items and defined benefit 
  pension scheme costs                        11.7     5.0         (1.2)    15.5 
 Depreciation of property, 
  plant and equipment                        (1.4)   (1.2)             -   (2.6) 
 Amortisation of development 
  costs and software                         (1.1)   (0.2)             -   (1.3) 
-------------------------------------  -----------  ------  ------------  ------ 
 Segment result before amortisation 
  of acquired intangibles, 
  exceptional items and defined 
  benefit pension scheme costs                 9.2     3.6         (1.2)    11.6 
 Amortisation of acquired 
  intangibles                                (0.5)   (1.0)             -   (1.5) 
 Exceptional items                               -       -             -       - 
 Defined benefit pension scheme 
  costs                                          -       -         (0.2)   (0.2) 
-------------------------------------  -----------  ------  ------------  ------ 
 Segment result                                8.7     2.6         (1.4)     9.9 
 Interest income                                                             0.1 
 Finance costs                                                             (0.1) 
 Other finance expense                                                     (0.5) 
-------------------------------------  -----------  ------  ------------  ------ 
 Profit before taxation                                                      9.4 
 Taxation                                                                  (0.9) 
-------------------------------------  -----------  ------  ------------  ------ 
 Profit for the period from 
  continuing operations                                                      8.5 
-------------------------------------  -----------  ------  ------------  ------ 
 

Half year to 31 March 2017

 
                                         Protection                               Group 
                                         (restated)   Dairy   Unallocated    (restated) 
                                               GBPm    GBPm          GBPm          GBPm 
-------------------------------------  ------------  ------  ------------  ------------ 
 Revenue                                       53.7    25.2             -          78.9 
-------------------------------------  ------------  ------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 Segment result before depreciation, 
  amortisation and defined 
  benefit pension scheme credit                11.6     5.5         (1.1)          16.0 
 Depreciation of property, 
  plant and equipment                         (1.8)   (1.1)             -         (2.9) 
 Amortisation of development 
  costs and software                          (1.8)   (0.4)             -         (2.2) 
-------------------------------------  ------------  ------  ------------  ------------ 
 Segment result before amortisation 
  of acquired intangibles and 
  defined benefit pension scheme 
  credit                                        8.0     4.0         (1.1)          10.9 
 Amortisation of acquired 
  intangibles                                 (0.4)   (1.0)             -         (1.4) 
 Exceptional items                                -     0.3             -           0.3 
 Defined benefit pension scheme 
  costs                                           -       -         (0.2)         (0.2) 
-------------------------------------  ------------  ------  ------------  ------------ 
 Segment result                                 7.6     3.3         (1.3)           9.6 
 Finance costs                                                                    (0.1) 
 Other finance expense                                                            (0.6) 
-------------------------------------  ------------  ------  ------------  ------------ 
 Profit before taxation                                                             8.9 
 Taxation                                                                         (1.4) 
-------------------------------------  ------------  ------  ------------  ------------ 
 Profit for the period from 
  continuing operations                                                             7.5 
-------------------------------------  ------------  ------  ------------  ------------ 
 

Year ended 30 September 2017

 
                                         Protection                               Group 
                                         (restated)   Dairy   Unallocated    (restated) 
                                               GBPm    GBPm          GBPm          GBPm 
-------------------------------------  ------------  ------  ------------  ------------ 
 Revenue                                      109.8    49.4             -         159.2 
-------------------------------------  ------------  ------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 Segment result before depreciation, 
  amortisation, exceptional 
  items, acquisition costs 
  and defined benefit pension 
  scheme costs                                 26.8    10.9         (2.0)          35.7 
 Depreciation of property, 
  plant and equipment                         (3.4)   (2.3)             -         (5.7) 
 Amortisation of development 
  costs and software                          (3.3)   (0.6)             -         (3.9) 
-------------------------------------  ------------  ------  ------------  ------------ 
 Segment result before amortisation 
  of acquired intangibles, 
  exceptional items, acquisition 
  costs and defined benefit 
  pension scheme costs                         20.1     8.0         (2.0)          26.1 
 Amortisation of acquired 
  intangibles                                 (1.0)   (2.0)             -         (3.0) 
 Exceptional items and acquisition 
  costs                                       (2.9)     0.3             -         (2.6) 
 Defined benefit pension scheme 
  costs                                           -       -         (0.4)         (0.4) 
-------------------------------------  ------------  ------  ------------  ------------ 
 Segment result                                16.2     6.3         (2.4)          20.1 
 Interest income                                                                    0.1 
 Finance costs                                                                    (0.3) 
 Other finance expense                                                            (1.0) 
-------------------------------------  ------------  ------  ------------  ------------ 
 Profit before taxation                                                            18.9 
 Taxation                                                                           2.9 
-------------------------------------  ------------  ------  ------------  ------------ 
 Profit for the year from 
  continuing operations                                                            21.8 
-------------------------------------  ------------  ------  ------------  ------------ 
 

Revenue by origin

 
                                                             Year to 
                                             Half year 
                                           to 31 March        30 Sep 
                                                  2017          2017 
                              Half year 
                            to 31 March 
                                   2018     (restated)    (restated) 
                                   GBPm           GBPm          GBPm 
------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------ 
 Europe                            21.3           17.3          40.2 
 North America                     56.4           61.6         119.0 
  Continuing operations            77.7           78.9         159.2 
------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------ 
 

4. Adjusted Performance Measures

This document contains certain financial measures that are not defined or recognised under IFRS including adjusted operating profit and adjusted earnings per share. The Directors believe that adjusted measures provide a more useful comparison of business trends and performance. These adjusted measures exclude the effect of exceptional items, defined benefit scheme pension costs, the amortisation of acquired intangible assets and discontinued operations. The Group uses these measures for planning, budgeting and reporting purposes and for its internal assessment of the operational performance of individual businesses within the Group. Given the term adjusted is not defined under IFRS, the adjusted measures may not be comparable with similarly titled measures used by other companies.

The following tables show the adjustments made to arrive at adjusted operating profit, adjusted profit for the period and adjusted basic earnings per share.

 
                                 Half year to 31 March        Half year to 31 March 
                                                  2018                 2017 
                            Protection   Dairy   Group   Protection   Dairy         Group 
 Adjusted operating                                                            (restated) 
  profit                          GBPm    GBPm    GBPm         GBPm    GBPm          GBPm 
-------------------------  -----------  ------  ------  -----------  ------  ------------ 
 Operating profit                  8.7     2.6     9.9          7.6     3.3           9.6 
 Amortisation of 
  acquired intangibles             0.5     1.0     1.5          0.4     1.0           1.4 
 Defined benefit 
  pension administration 
  costs                              -       -     0.2            -       -           0.2 
 Post-acquisition 
  working capital 
  adjustment                         -       -       -            -   (0.3)         (0.3) 
-------------------------  -----------  ------  ------  -----------  ------  ------------ 
 Adjusted operating 
  profit                           9.2     3.6    11.6          8.0     4.0          10.9 
-------------------------  -----------  ------  ------  -----------  ------  ------------ 
 
 
                                                        Half year      Half year 
                                                      to 31 March    to 31 March 
                                                             2018           2017 
                                                                      (restated) 
 Adjusted basic earnings per share                           GBPm           GBPm 
--------------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Profit for the period                                       10.1            7.2 
 Amortisation of acquired intangibles                         1.5            1.4 
 Defined benefit pension administration costs                 0.2            0.2 
 Post-acquisition working capital adjustment                    -          (0.3) 
 Defined benefit pension net interest cost                    0.5            0.5 
 Tax on exceptional items                                   (0.7)          (0.6) 
 (Profit)/loss from discontinued operations                 (1.6)            0.3 
--------------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Adjusted profit for the year                                10.0            8.7 
--------------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Weighted average number of shares (in thousands)          30,498         30,410 
--------------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Basic earnings per share (in pence)                         33.1           23.7 
--------------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Adjusted basic earnings per share (in pence)                32.8           28.6 
--------------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

5. Adjustments

 
                                                     Half year      Half year   Year to 
                                                   to 31 March    to 31 March    30 Sep 
                                                          2018           2017      2017 
                                                          GBPm           GBPm      GBPm 
-----------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Amortisation of acquired intangible 
  assets                                                 (1.5)          (1.4)     (3.0) 
 Exceptional impairment of capitalised 
  development expenditure                                    -              -     (2.6) 
 Exceptional impairment of plant 
  and machinery                                              -              -     (0.3) 
 Exceptional post-acquisition working 
  capital adjustment                                         -            0.3       0.3 
 Defined benefit pension scheme administration 
  costs                                                  (0.2)          (0.2)     (0.4) 
                                                         (1.7)          (1.3)     (6.0) 
-----------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 

The tax impact of the above gives rise to a deferred tax credit to the income statement of GBP0.6m (31 March 2017: GBP0.6m, 30 September 2017: GBP1.0m).

Defined benefit pension scheme costs relate to administrative expenses of the scheme which is closed to future accrual. GBP0.5m of other finance expense relating to the pension scheme is also treated as an adjustment (31 March 2017: GBP0.5m, 30 September 2017: GBP1.0m).

6. Discontinued operations

In March 2018, the Group disposed of Avon Engineered Fabrications, Inc. its US based hovercraft skirt and bulk liquid storage tank business. This non-core business was included in the Protection segment. The business has been classified as discontinued and prior periods have been restated to reflect this. The results of discontinued operations are as follows:

 
                                         Half year      Half year   Year to 
                                       to 31 March    to 31 March    30 Sep 
                                              2018           2017      2017 
                                              GBPm           GBPm      GBPm 
-----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Profit before taxation                        0.7          (0.3)     (0.3) 
 Taxation                                    (0.2)              -         - 
-----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Profit for the period                         0.5          (0.3)     (0.3) 
 Gain on disposal                              1.4              -         - 
 Tax on gain on disposal                     (0.3)              -         - 
-----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Profit/(loss) from discontinued 
  operations                                   1.6          (0.3)     (0.3) 
-----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Basic earnings/(loss) per share              5.2p         (1.0)p    (0.1)p 
-----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Diluted earnings/(loss) per share            5.2p         (1.0)p    (0.1)p 
-----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 

The gain on disposal is a provisional figure and may be adjusted when final working capital balances have been agreed with the purchaser. Any adjustments that may be required will be recorded in discontinued operations in the future.

Cash flows from discontinued operations included in the cash flow statement are as follows:

 
                                                   Half year      Half year   Year to 
                                                 to 31 March    to 31 March    30 Sep 
                                                        2018           2017      2017 
                                                        GBPm           GBPm      GBPm 
---------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Net cash flows (used in)/ from operating 
  activities                                           (0.2)            0.2       0.3 
 Net cash flows from investing activities                6.5              -         - 
 Net cash flows from financing activities                  -              -         - 
 Net cash flows from discontinued operations             6.3            0.2       0.3 
---------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 

7. Finance income and costs

 
                                          Half year      Half year   Year to 
                                                 to             to    30 Sep 
                                        31 Mar 2018    31 Mar 2017      2017 
                                               GBPm           GBPm      GBPm 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Interest payable on bank loans and 
  overdrafts                                  (0.1)          (0.1)     (0.3) 
 Finance income                                 0.1              -       0.1 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
                                                  -          (0.1)     (0.2) 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 

Other finance expense

 
                                             Half year      Half year   Year to 
                                                    to             to    30 Sep 
                                           31 Mar 2018    31 Mar 2017      2017 
                                                  GBPm           GBPm      GBPm 
---------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Net interest cost: UK defined benefit 
  pension scheme                                 (0.5)          (0.5)     (1.0) 
 Provisions: Unwinding of discount                   -          (0.1)         - 
---------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
                                                 (0.5)          (0.6)     (1.0) 
---------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 

8. Taxation

 
                                    Half year      Half year   Year to 
                                           to             to    30 Sep 
                                  31 Mar 2018    31 Mar 2017      2017 
                                         GBPm           GBPm      GBPm 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Adjusted tax (charge)/credit           (1.6)          (2.0)     (0.4) 
 Tax credit on Adjustments                0.7            0.6       3.3 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Total tax (charge)/credit              (0.9)          (1.4)       2.9 
------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 

The effective tax rate for the period is a charge of 10% (31 March 2017: charge of 16%, 30 September 2017: credit of 15%).

The adjusted effective tax rate, where the tax charge and the profit before taxation are adjusted for exceptional items, the amortisation of acquired intangibles and defined benefit pension scheme costs is 14% (31 March 2017: 19%, 30 September 2017: 2%).

9. Dividends

On 1 February 2018, the shareholders approved a final dividend of 8.21p per qualifying ordinary share in respect of the year ended 30 September 2017. This was paid on 16 March 2018 absorbing GBP2.5m of shareholders' funds.

The Board of Directors has declared an interim dividend of 5.34p (2016: 4.11p) per qualifying ordinary share in respect of the year ended 30 September 2018. This will be paid on 7 September 2018 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 10 August 2018. In accordance with accounting standards, this dividend has not been provided for. It will be recognised in shareholders' funds in the year to 30 September 2018 and is expected to absorb GBP1.6m (2016: GBP1.2m) of shareholders' funds.

10. Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is based on a profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of GBP10.1m (2017: GBP7.2m) and 30,498,000 (2017: 30,410,000) ordinary shares being the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period.

Adjusted earnings per share is based on a profit from continuing operations attributable to ordinary shareholders of GBP10.0m (2017: GBP8.7m) after adding back amortisation of acquired intangible assets, exceptional items and defined benefit pension scheme costs.

The Company has 182,000 (2017: 463,000) potentially dilutive ordinary shares in respect of the Performance Share Plan.

11. Provisions for liabilities and charges

 
                                         Property obligations 
                                                         GBPm 
--------------------------------------  --------------------- 
 Balance at 30 September 2017                             2.0 
 Reclassification from other payables                     1.5 
 Payments in period                                     (0.2) 
--------------------------------------  --------------------- 
 Balance at 31 March 2018                                 3.3 
--------------------------------------  --------------------- 
 

Property obligations include an onerous lease provision and obligations relating to former premises of the Group which are subject to dilapidation risks. Property provisions are subject to uncertainty in respect of the utilisation, non-utilisation, or subletting of surplus leasehold property and the final negotiated settlement of any dilapidation claims with landlords.

12. Share capital

 
                                  Half year      Half year   Year to 
                                  to 31 Mar             to    30 Sep 
                                       2018    31 Mar 2017      2017 
------------------------------  -----------  -------------  -------- 
 Number of shares (thousands)        31,023         31,023    31,023 
 Ordinary shares (GBPm)                31.0           31.0      31.0 
 Share premium (GBPm)                  34.7           34.7      34.7 
------------------------------  -----------  -------------  -------- 
 

During the period 150,703 ordinary shares with a nominal value of GBP1 each were purchased by the Avon Rubber p.l.c. Employer Share Ownership Trust.

13. Cash flows from operations

 
                                            Half year     Half year        Year to 
                                            to 31 Mar     to 31 Mar 
                                                 2018          2017 
                                                         (restated)    30 Sep 2017 
                                                                        (restated) 
                                                 GBPm          GBPm           GBPm 
----------------------------------------  -----------  ------------  ------------- 
 Continuing operations 
 Profit for the period                            8.5           7.5           21.8 
 Adjustments for: 
 Taxation                                         0.9           1.4          (2.9) 
 Depreciation                                     2.6           2.9            5.7 
 Amortisation of intangible assets                2.8           3.6            6.9 
 Impairment of plant and machinery                  -             -            0.3 
 Impairment of development costs                    -             -            2.6 
 Defined benefit pension scheme costs             0.2           0.2            0.4 
 Interest income                                (0.1)             -          (0.1) 
 Finance costs                                    0.1           0.1            0.3 
 Other finance expense                            0.5           0.6            1.0 
 Movement in respect of employee 
  share scheme                                    0.6           0.3            0.9 
 Movements in working capital and 
  provisions                                      3.1           0.5          (1.6) 
 Other movements                                    -             -              - 
----------------------------------------  -----------  ------------  ------------- 
 Cash flows from continuing operations           19.2          17.1           35.3 
----------------------------------------  -----------  ------------  ------------- 
 Analysed as: 
 Cash flows from continuing operations 
  prior to the effect of exceptional 
  operating items                                19.2          16.8           35.0 
 Cash effect of exceptional operating 
  items                                             -           0.3            0.3 
----------------------------------------  -----------  ------------  ------------- 
 Cash flows (used in)/from discontinued 
  operations                                    (0.2)           0.2            0.3 
----------------------------------------  -----------  ------------  ------------- 
 Cash flows from operations                      19.0          17.3           35.6 
----------------------------------------  -----------  ------------  ------------- 
 

14. Analysis of cash and debt

 
                                    As at                 Exchange          As at 
                              30 Sep 2017   Cash Flow    movements    31 Mar 2018 
                                     GBPm        GBPm         GBPm           GBPm 
--------------------------  -------------  ----------  -----------  ------------- 
 Cash at bank and in hand            26.5        14.5        (0.6)           40.4 
 Debt due in less than 1 
  year                              (1.8)         0.5            -          (1.3) 
                                     24.7        15.0        (0.6)           39.1 
--------------------------  -------------  ----------  -----------  ------------- 
 

Borrowing facilities

 
                                              As at          As at          As at 
                                        31 Mar 2018    31 Mar 2017    30 Sep 2017 
                                               GBPm           GBPm           GBPm 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Total undrawn committed facilities            26.7           31.6           29.9 
 Bank loans and overdrafts utilised             1.3            2.2            1.8 
 Utilised in respect of guarantees              1.7            0.3            0.3 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Total Group facilities (excluding 
  accordion option of $35m)                    29.7           34.1           32.0 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

All facilities are at floating interest rates.

The Group has agreed bank facilities with Barclays Bank and Comerica Bank comprising a revolving credit facility of $40m with a $35m accordion option. The facilities expire on 30 November 2019. This facility is priced on the dollar LIBOR plus margin of 1.25% and includes financial covenants which are measured on a quarterly basis. The Group was in compliance with its financial covenants during 2018 and 2017.

15. Disposal

In March 2018, the Group disposed of Avon Engineered Fabrications, Inc. Further details are given in Note 6.

 
                                                  GBPm 
----------------------------------------------  ------ 
 Cash consideration received                       6.6 
 Consideration receivable                          0.6 
----------------------------------------------  ------ 
 Total Consideration                               7.2 
 Net assets disposed                             (5.1) 
 Disposal cost                                   (0.7) 
 Recycling of deferred foreign exchange gains        - 
----------------------------------------------  ------ 
 Gain on disposal                                  1.4 
----------------------------------------------  ------ 
 

Assets and liabilities at the date of disposal were:

 
                                   GBPm 
-------------------------------  ------ 
 Intangible assets                  0.1 
 Property, plant and equipment      2.4 
 Inventories                        1.2 
 Receivables                        2.0 
 Payables                         (0.6) 
-------------------------------  ------ 
 Total net assets disposed          5.1 
-------------------------------  ------ 
 

16. Exchange rates

The following significant exchange rates applied during the period.

 
              Average   Closing   Average   Closing   Average   Closing 
                 rate      rate      rate      rate      rate      rate 
              H1 2018   H1 2018   H1 2017   H1 2017   FY 2017   FY 2017 
-----------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 US dollar      1.359     1.408     1.240     1.250     1.267     1.339 
 Euro           1.130     1.143     1.157     1.169     1.147     1.134 
-----------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 

Fair value of financial instruments

The fair value of forward exchange contracts is determined by using valuation techniques using period end spot rates, adjusted for the forward points to the contract's value date.

17. Principal risks and uncertainties

The principal risks and uncertainties impacting the Group are described on pages 32-35 of our Annual Report 2017 and remain unchanged at 31 March 2018.

They include: projects failure/acquisition integration, market threat, talent management, product development, financial management, customer dependency, business interruption - supply chain, non-compliance with legislation and quality risks and product recall.

18. Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions during the period or outstanding at the end of the period (2017: GBPnil) other than compensation of key management personnel which will be disclosed in the Group's Annual Report for the year ending 30 September 2018.

19. Restatement of prior periods

The Statement of Comprehensive Income for half year and full year 2017 has been restated to present AEF as a discontinued operation. The half year 2017 has also been restated to correct the charge for share based payments. This is consistent with the restatement of the Income Statement for the year ended 30 September 2016 which was disclosed in the 2017 Annual Report. Further explanation is given on page 119 of our 2017 Annual Report. The effect of these restatements is summarised below.

 
                                Half Year to 31 March 2017                            Year to 30 Sep 2017 
                  As previously   Share based              AEF   Restated   As previously             AEF   Restated 
                       reported      payments     discontinued                   reported    discontinued 
                                                    operations                                 operations 
                           GBPm          GBPm             GBPm       GBPm            GBPm            GBPm       GBPm 
---------------  --------------  ------------  ---------------  ---------  --------------  --------------  --------- 
 Adjusted 
 Orders 
  received                 90.7             -                -       90.7           173.9           (7.9)      166.0 
 Closing order 
  book                     35.0             -            (0.5)       34.5            34.0           (4.0)       30.0 
 Revenue                   81.1             -            (2.2)       78.9           163.2           (4.0)      159.2 
 EBITDA                    16.5         (0.3)            (0.2)       16.0            36.0           (0.3)       35.7 
 Operating 
  profit                   10.9         (0.3)              0.3       10.9            25.8             0.3       26.1 
 Profit before 
  tax                      10.7         (0.3)              0.3       10.7            25.6             0.3       25.9 
 Tax                      (2.0)             -                -      (2.0)           (0.4)               -      (0.4) 
 Profit for the 
  period(1)                 8.7         (0.3)              0.3        8.7            25.2             0.3       25.5 
---------------  --------------  ------------  ---------------  ---------  --------------  --------------  --------- 
 
 Total 
 Orders 
  received                 90.7             -                -       90.7           173.9           (7.9)      166.0 
 Closing order 
  book                     35.0             -            (0.5)       34.5            34.0           (4.0)       30.0 
 Revenue                   81.1             -            (2.2)       78.9           163.2           (4.0)      159.2 
 EBITDA                    16.6         (0.3)            (0.2)       16.1            35.9           (0.3)       35.6 
 Operating 
  profit                    9.6         (0.3)              0.3        9.6            19.8             0.3       20.1 
 Profit before 
  tax                       8.9         (0.3)              0.3        8.9            18.6             0.3       18.9 
 Tax                      (1.4)             -                -      (1.4)             2.9               -        2.9 
 Profit for the 
  period(1)                 7.5         (0.3)              0.3        7.5            21.5             0.3       21.8 
---------------  --------------  ------------  ---------------  ---------  --------------  --------------  --------- 
 

(1) Profit for the period from continuing operations.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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