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CARR Carr's Group Plc

133.00
3.00 (2.31%)
Last Updated: 13:46:54
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Carr's Group Plc LSE:CARR London Ordinary Share GB00BRK01058 ORD 2.5P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  3.00 2.31% 133.00 130.50 133.00 133.00 132.00 132.00 37,966 13:46:54
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Animal Specialties, Nec 196.43M -226k -0.0024 -550.00 124.28M

Carr's Group PLC Full Year Results (9710G)

12/11/2018 7:00am

UK Regulatory


Carr's (LSE:CARR)
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TIDMCARR

RNS Number : 9710G

Carr's Group PLC

12 November 2018

12 November 2018

CARR'S GROUP PLC ("Carr's" or the "Group")

FULL YEAR RESULTS

For the year ended 1 September 2018

"Strategic progress and financial performance ahead of expectations"

Carr's (CARR.L), the Agriculture and Engineering Group, announces its results for the year ended 1 September 2018.

Financial Highlights

 
   Adjusted[1] 
 
 
                                                          FY18                                             FY17                                               +/- 
               -----------------------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------ 
 Revenue 
  (GBPm)                                                 403.2                                            346.2                                            +16.5% 
 Operating                                                17.5                                             12.1                                            +44.4% 
  profit 
  (GBPm) 
 Profit                                                   16.6                                             11.4                                            +45.2% 
  before tax 
  (GBPm) 
 Adjusted(1)                                              13.9                                              8.9                                            +56.2% 
  EPS (p) 
 
 
   Statutory 
 
 
                                                          FY18                                                 FY17                                                 +/- 
             -------------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------  -------------------------------------------------- 
 Revenue 
  (GBPm)                                                 403.2                                                346.2                                              +16.5% 
 Operating                                                16.4                                                 10.7                                              +53.5% 
  profit 
  (GBPm) 
 Profit                                                   15.5                                                 10.0                                              +55.0% 
  before 
  tax 
  (GBPm) 
 
 Basic EPS                                                13.0                                                  7.7                                              +68.8% 
  (p) 
 Dividend                                                  4.5                                                  4.0                                              +12.5% 
  per share 
  (p) 
 
 Net debt                                                 15.4                                                 14.1                                               +8.6% 
 Capex                                                     5.5                                                  3.9                                              +41.5% 
 

[1] Adjusted results are after adding back amortisation of acquired intangible assets and non-recurring items including acquisition costs (note 3)

Commercial Highlights

-- Strong performance in UK Agriculture with growth across all areas, reflecting improved farm incomes

-- USA feed blocks significantly ahead of expectations, up 17.7%, driven by recovery in USA cattle prices

   --           Plans to expand feed block business internationally progressing well: 
   -   Agreements signed with leading distributors in New Zealand 
   --           Post year end, acquired Animax, a producer of market-leading livestock trace element supplementation products 
   --           Significant improvement in Engineering: 
   -   Strong recovery in UK Manufacturing 
   -   First full year contribution from NuVision 

-- First contracts won to sell Wälischmiller remote handling equipment into the USA market

-- NuVision now integrated and two significant MSIP(R) contracts signed, strengthening order book to FY21

Chris Holmes, Chairman of Carr's Group, commented:

"We are very pleased to announce a significant improvement in the Group's financial performance for the year, exceeding the Board's expectations, across both the Agriculture and Engineering divisions. This performance was largely as a result of investments we made across the business in recent years, in addition to a recovery in our underlying markets.

"UK Agriculture continued to perform well reflecting the sustained recovery in farm incomes. Our USA feed blocks business continued to benefit from the recovery in USA cattle prices and we made further progress on growing our international feed blocks business. Our Engineering division also delivered a significantly improved performance during the year.

"Trading for the new financial year has started in line with the Board's expectations. We made further progress during the year on our strategic objectives and continue to believe the breadth of our product offering, investments in acquisitions and research, and our international footprint leaves us well positioned for further growth across both our divisions in the medium term."

Enquiries:

 
Carr's Group plc                             Tel: +44 (0) 1228 554 600 
 Tim Davies (Chief Executive) 
 Neil Austin (Group Finance Director) 
 
Powerscourt                                  Tel: +44 (0) 20 7250 1446 
 Nick Dibden / Lisa Kavanagh / Sam Austrums 
 

About Carr's Group plc:

Carr's is an international leader in manufacturing value added products and solutions, with market leading brands and robust market positions in Agriculture and Engineering, supplying customers in over 50 countries around the world.

Its Agriculture division manufactures and supplies feed blocks and supplementation products for livestock, distributes farm machinery and runs a UK network of rural stores, providing a one-stop shop for the farming community. Its Engineering division designs and manufactures bespoke equipment and provides technical engineering services into the nuclear, petrochemical, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, process and renewable energy industries, including robotic and remote handling equipment.

Chairman's Statement

Review of the year

For the year ended 1 September 2018, the Group has delivered a performance ahead of the Board's expectations and significantly ahead of the prior year. Both our Agriculture and Engineering divisions have benefitted from the investments made in previous years, particularly the acquisition of NuVision, as well as a recovery in our UK Manufacturing business and continued improvements in our underlying markets.

In our Agriculture division, UK Agriculture continued to perform strongly reflecting improved farm incomes and higher levels of farmer confidence. In the USA, cattle prices improved steadily during the year supporting a recovery in USA feed block volumes, which were significantly ahead of the prior year. UK feed blocks performed in line with expectations. In Europe, feed block sales volumes through our joint venture business based in Germany, Crystalyx Products GmbH, continued to grow. Our plans to develop the feed block business internationally remain on track.

Our Engineering division delivered a significantly improved financial result compared to the prior year. We saw a strong recovery in our UK Manufacturing business, with the significant contract announced in July 2017 performing as expected and the benefit of improved controls over contract profitability. Our Remote Handling business also performed strongly, benefiting from the delivery of substantial contracts into the Chinese market. NuVision, acquired in August 2017, performed well in its first full year as part of the Group, securing several significant contracts to be delivered over the next three years. The business was also successfully integrated into the wider Engineering division.

During the year we have continued to invest in our people. Due to the retirement of a number of key, long-standing senior managers, we have recruited high calibre successors for a number of our businesses, including the appointment of a new Managing Director for our USA feed blocks business and a new Managing Director for our UK feed blocks business. In addition, the appointment of a new Divisional Managing Director for the Engineering division in November 2017 is driving the strategic focus and growth of that division.

In line with our strategy, we have continued to invest in technology and innovation to grow the business internationally. Following the commissioning of the new low moisture feed block plant in Tennessee, the site is now fully operational, and volumes continue to build. We also expanded our remote handling facility in Markdorf, Germany which has enabled us to complete the full integration of the STABER business, acquired in October 2016, within Wälischmiller.

Following the year end we acquired Animax Limited, a producer of market-leading trace element supplements, for a total cash consideration of up to GBP8.5m. This acquisition is highly complementary to our global feed blocks business and aligns with our stated strategy of investing in growing agriculture markets in the UK and internationally. We will continue to appraise new opportunities in line with our strategy.

Financial review

Revenue for the year increased by 16.5% to GBP403.2m (2017: GBP346.2m). Adjusted operating profit, which is before amortisation of acquired intangible assets and non-recurring items, was up 44.4% to GBP17.5m (2017: GBP12.1m), with Agriculture contributing GBP13.4m (2017: GBP11.4m) and Engineering GBP4.1m (2017: GBP0.6m). Reported operating profit was up 53.5% at GBP16.4m (2017: GBP10.7m). Non-recurring items include certain acquisition related costs totalling GBP0.3m and a write-off of goodwill relating to the UK Manufacturing business, Bendalls, totalling GBP0.5m.

Adjusted profit before tax was up 45.2% to GBP16.6m (2017: GBP11.4m) and reported profit before tax was up 55.0% at GBP15.5m (2017: GBP10.0m). Basic earnings per share were up by 68.8% to 13.0 pence (2017: 7.7 pence), with fully diluted earnings per share of 12.7 pence (2017: 7.6 pence) and adjusted earnings per share, excluding amortisation of acquired intangible assets and non-recurring items, of 13.9 pence (2017: 8.9 pence).

Net debt at 1 September 2018 was GBP15.4m (2017: GBP14.1m). The movement included GBP11.5m generated from operations, GBP7.1m used in investing activities, and GBP3.8m paid in dividends.

Dividend

The Board is proposing a final dividend of 2.35 pence per ordinary share, which together with the two interim dividends of 1.075 pence per ordinary share paid on 21 May 2018 and 5 October 2018, make a total of 4.5 pence per share for the year (2017: 4.0 pence per share). The final dividend, if approved by the Shareholders, will be paid on 11 January 2019, to Shareholders on the register on close of business 30 November 2018, and the shares will go ex-dividend on 29 November 2018.

Corporate governance

During the year, we have continued to review our governance framework following a number of changes implemented in 2017, including changing the membership of our Audit and Remuneration Committees and revising our policy on executive remuneration following a consultation with certain major shareholders. We were pleased to receive overwhelming support for these changes at our AGM in January 2018 and our Remuneration Committee will continue to consult with major shareholders on specific policy matters as and when appropriate.

In July this year, the Financial Reporting Council published its revised Corporate Governance Code 2018 which will apply to the Group from September 2019 onwards. The revised Code introduces some important changes to UK corporate governance. During the course of the current financial year, we will continue to review our governance practices to ensure that we are well placed moving into the new regime. As a Group, we remain committed to promoting a robust and transparent governance framework which will continue to serve the interests of all our stakeholders.

Outlook

The Group remains committed to delivering on its strategic objectives of investing in its people and its asset base, whilst continuing to drive innovation and delivering growth across our two divisions, with a focus on broadening our geographic footprint.

The Board remains confident in the prospects of the UK Agriculture business in the near term following the sustained recovery in farm incomes. While we now have greater visibility in relation to farming support post Brexit, we remain cautious over the nature of future trade agreements with the EU and the rest of the world. We expect the gradual recovery in USA cattle prices to continue in the current financial year, which, together with the acquisition of Animax and expansion into other geographic markets, provides a solid base for growth in the Agriculture division.

In Engineering, order books remain strong across most of the businesses and the recovery in the division's financial performance is expected to continue. We continue to invest in product development and improved production methods to support the future growth of the division. While uncertainty remains over the potential impact of Brexit on certain supply chains, we remain encouraged by the growth opportunities available, particularly in the USA and Asia, which we continue to develop.

Trading in the new financial year has started in line with the Board's expectations. We remain confident that our investments in acquisitions, research and product innovation position the Group well for sustained growth.

Chris Holmes DL

Chairman

12 November 2018

Chief Executive's Review

The year has seen significant progress for the Group, with our financial performance ahead of the Board's expectations and significantly improved upon the prior year across both Agriculture and Engineering. We continued to deliver our strategic objectives, which are consistent with our vision to be recognised as a truly international business at the forefront of innovation and technology.

During the year we were also able to make significant progress with senior management succession plans for a number of key leadership roles across the Group, as well as continuing to invest in our own programmes to develop our next generation of leaders. People remain fundamental to our businesses; we recognise the enormous contribution of our people across the businesses which has enabled the Group to deliver a strong result for the year. Another key driver is keeping everyone safe, and we have continued to focus on safety throughout the financial year, improving our reporting mechanisms and further embedding our safety culture.

Agriculture

The Agriculture division has performed strongly this year, as a result of improvements in underlying markets as well as the investments made in recent years.

During the year, revenue was up 13.8% to GBP359.6m (2017: GBP315.9m). Adjusted operating profit was up 16.9% to GBP13.4m (2017: GBP11.4m) and reported operating profit was up 20.1% to GBP13.0m (2017: GBP10.8m).

Feed blocks

Total global feed block sales volumes were up 15.0% compared to last year.

Our USA feed blocks business was significantly ahead of last year with sales volumes up 17.7%. This performance was driven by the ongoing recovery in cattle prices in the USA. Our new low moisture feed block plant in Tennessee is now fully operational and provides additional capacity and access to new markets across the Eastern and South Eastern states of the USA.

UK feed blocks sales volumes were up 8.9%, in line with expectations.

Our joint venture business based in Germany, Crystalyx Products GmbH, performed strongly during the period with sales volumes up 12.4%, due to improved farm incomes following a recovery in the milk price across Europe.

Our plans to grow our feed blocks business internationally continue to progress well. In New Zealand, our direct sales operation distributing to farmers through merchants has continued to grow, with supply agreements now in place with several of the country's leading agricultural merchants. In South America, we are now supplying products through our chosen distributors and made our first commercial sales during the year. Farm trials continue to demonstrate the efficacy of our products, providing local evidence which we will use in support of our plans to develop our market in South America.

The strength of our brands, including Crystalyx(R), SmartLic(R), Megastart(R), FlaxLic(R) and Horslyx(R), continue to enable us to drive growth and expand internationally and we remain focused on investment in new product development.

UK Agriculture

UK Agriculture continued to perform well across all areas of the business, reflecting improved farm incomes and ongoing farmer confidence. Manufactured feed volumes were up 8.7%, in line with the national average. Key drivers for the increased volumes were the late Spring and the dry weather during the summer months.

Our retail business delivered a strong performance during the period, with the country store network reporting an increase of 4.4% in like-for-like sales and a 12.1% increase in total sales. The increase in total sales was primarily driven by the acquisition of Pearson Farm Supplies, an agricultural retail business with locations across Yorkshire, Lancashire and North West Wales, which was completed in October 2017. This business has now been successfully integrated and as expected the acquisition has enabled synergies to be achieved with our existing retail business and the team has settled in well. Our retail footprint currently stands at 43 locations.

Machinery sales revenues were ahead of the prior year, up 7.8%, a new record level of sales, as the business continued to benefit from an improved trading environment. We also invested in the expansion of our machinery branch at Morpeth, Northumberland, during the year to provide additional workshop capacity, improving our after-sales service capability.

The oil distribution business delivered sales volumes that were 4.6% ahead of the prior year. The business saw higher demand for heating oil in the colder months earlier in the year, partially offset by a reduction in on-farm activity during the drier summer months.

Strategic acquisition

On 21 September 2018 we acquired Animax Limited, a producer of market-leading trace element supplementation products for livestock, for an initial cash consideration of GBP6m. Additional cash consideration of up to a maximum of GBP2.5m is payable over the period to November 2020, based on the achievement of agreed financial targets.

Animax, based in Suffolk in the UK, is at the forefront of innovation in the field of livestock trace element supplementation. Its patent-protected leaching boluses are proven to release trace elements in a controlled and consistent manner over prolonged periods, resulting in improved animal performance. The boluses are currently sold in the UK and overseas under the Tracesure(R) and Allsure(R) brands. Animax also produces other leading animal health and trace element supplementation products sold under well-known brands including Copasure(R), Copinox(R), Coprac(R), Easycal(R) and Pardevit(R).

Animax broadens the Group's animal health and supplementation product ranges that deliver added value to farmers. Its products are highly complementary to the established Carr's Group feed block business across the USA, New Zealand, Europe, UK and Ireland.

Carr's will support the growth and development of Animax through investment in research to develop new products and by investing in manufacturing efficiencies. In addition, Carr's expects significant manufacturing, distribution and sales synergy benefits to be realised as a result of the acquisition.

Agriculture Outlook

We remain confident in the prospects of UK Agriculture in the near term following the sustained recovery in farm incomes. We now have greater visibility on the impact of Brexit on farming support in the near term, although uncertainty remains over future trade agreements with the EU and the rest of the world.

Internationally, the gradual recovery in the USA cattle market seen through the course of the year is expected to be sustained, which will contribute to the future growth of this business.

We remain focused on developing our global supplements business. The acquisition of Animax is in line with that strategy; it builds on our established global feed blocks business and provides a broader platform for the next phase of international growth across the Agriculture division. We also remain alert to other suitable acquisition opportunities where we believe there is a strong commercial and strategic rationale.

Engineering

The Engineering division has seen a significant improvement in financial performance during the year, following the challenges experienced in 2017 which were largely attributable to one major contract delay in the UK Manufacturing business. That contract is back on track and performing in line with our expectations.

During the year, revenue was up 43.6% to GBP43.6m (2017: GBP30.4m). Adjusted operating profit was up 533.5% to GBP4.1m (2017: GBP0.6m) and reported operating profit was up to GBP3.4m (2017: loss of GBP0.1m).

UK Manufacturing

Our UK Manufacturing business recovered strongly during the year generating revenues of GBP18.4m (2017: GBP13.0m). Work on the significant contract announced in July 2017 continues to progress and the order book remains strong. Although there has been a significant improvement in the trading performance during the year, goodwill of GBP0.5m was written off as a result of an impairment review undertaken.

During the year we strengthened the management team in our fabrication business with the appointment of a new Managing Director and Commercial Director.

In our precision engineering business, the continued recovery of the oil price, together with strengthened management, more effective business development and enhanced manufacturing efficiencies, has delivered a significant uplift in revenues.

Remote Handling

Our Remote Handling business has performed well during the year and in line with the Board's expectations. Revenues for the financial year totalled GBP19.5m (2017: GBP17.2m). The substantial orders into China, awarded in 2017, have all now been successfully delivered during the year. As expected, following the successful completion of these contracts, the order book in the near term is softer than last year, but this is not expected to impact on overall divisional performance and medium-term prospects for our Remote Handling business remain positive.

The extension of our facility in Markdorf, Germany has now been completed, including the full relocation of people and machinery from STABER following its acquisition in October 2016. Operating from a single site should enable efficiency improvements in the medium-term.

Our plans to enter the USA market with Wälischmiller remote handling equipment continue to progress with our first contracts being won earlier than expected during the second half of the year.

USA Engineering

Carr's established an engineering presence in the USA through the acquisition of NuVision Engineering, Inc in August 2017. The business has performed well in its first year of ownership, generating revenues of GBP5.7m (2017: GBP0.2m). During the year we completed the integration of NuVision into our wider Engineering division and successfully completed a planned reorganisation of its management and leadership teams.

NuVision has secured a good level of work during the year, including two significant Mechanical Stress Improvement Process (MSIP(R)) contracts, which substantially strengthen the order book through to FY21.

During the year, we also disposed of NuVision's 49% stake in Mid-Columbia Engineering, Inc (MCE), a non-core loss-making business based in Richland, Washington, to enable greater strategic focus on the development of the USA Engineering business.

Engineering Outlook

Prospects for the Engineering Division remain good over the medium term. The order books in the UK Manufacturing and USA Engineering businesses remain strong. We remain confident in the long-term outlook for the Remote Handling business with the forecast lower sales in 2019, due to contract phasing, not expected to impact upon the performance of the division.

While uncertainty remains around Brexit and the impact this could have on certain supply chains within our engineering businesses, we believe our geographically diverse operations position the Group well to deliver growth in the medium term. We remain focused on identifying suitable value enhancing acquisitions, which complement our existing operations, and will continue to invest in technology and innovation across the division.

Tim Davies

Chief Executive Officer

12 November 2018

 
 UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT 
   for the year ended 1 September 2018 
 
 
                                                                    (Restated) 
                                                 Note        2018         2017 
                                                          GBP'000      GBP'000 
 Continuing operations 
  Revenue                                          2      403,192      346,224 
 Cost of sales                                          (349,864)    (307,543) 
 
 
 Gross profit                                              53,328       38,681 
 
 Distribution costs                                      (18,950)     (16,391) 
 Administrative expenses                                 (21,188)     (14,413) 
 Share of post-tax results of associates                    1,634        1,609 
 Share of post-tax results of joint ventures                1,581        1,204 
 
 
 Adjusted(2) operating profit                              17,464       12,091 
 Amortisation and non-recurring items             3       (1,059)      (1,401) 
 
 
 Operating profit                                 2        16,405       10,690 
 
 Finance income                                               358          176 
 Finance costs                                            (1,261)        (864) 
 
 
 Adjusted(2) profit before taxation                        16,561       11,403 
 Amortisation and non-recurring items             3       (1,059)      (1,401) 
 
 
 Profit before taxation                           2        15,502       10,002 
 
 Taxation                                         4       (1,855)      (1,707) 
 
 Profit for the year                                       13,647        8,295 
                                                       ==========  =========== 
 
 Profit attributable to: 
 Equity shareholders                                       11,892        7,005 
 Non-controlling interests                                  1,755        1,290 
 
                                                           13,647        8,295 
                                                       ==========  =========== 
 
 Earnings per ordinary share (pence) 
 Basic                                            5          13.0          7.7 
 Diluted                                                     12.7          7.6 
 Adjusted                                         5          13.9          8.9 
 
 
 
   (2) Adjusted results are after adding back amortisation of acquired 
   intangible assets and non-recurring items including acquisition 
   costs (note 3) 
 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

for the year ended 1 September 2018

 
                                                                       2018      2017 
                                                                    GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
 Profit for the year                                                 13,647     8,295 
                                                                   --------  -------- 
 
 Other comprehensive income/(expense) 
 
 Items that may be reclassified subsequently 
  to profit or loss: 
 
      *    Foreign exchange translation (losses)/gains arising 
           on translation of overseas subsidiaries                    (505)     1,835 
 
      *    Net investment hedges                                        111      (70) 
 
      *    Taxation (charge)/credit on net investment hedges           (21)        14 
 
 Items that will not be reclassified subsequently 
  to profit or loss: 
      - Actuarial gains on retirement benefit 
      asset/obligation: 
       - Group                                                        4,836     4,951 
       - Share of associate                                           1,194     1,070 
 
 
           *    Taxation charge on actuarial gains on retirement 
                 benefit asset/ obligation:                           (822)     (842) 
                                                                      (203)     (211) 
 
           - Group 
            - Share of associate 
 
 
   Other comprehensive income for the year, 
   net of tax                                                         4,590     6,747 
                                                                   --------  -------- 
 
 Total comprehensive income for the year                             18,237    15,042 
                                                                   ========  ======== 
 
 Total comprehensive income attributable to: 
 
 Equity shareholders                                                 16,482    13,752 
 
 Non-controlling interests                                            1,755     1,290 
 
                                                                     18,237    15,042 
                                                                   ========  ======== 
 
 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

as at 1 September 2018

 
                                                                (Restated) 
                                                         2018         2017 
                                                      GBP'000      GBP'000 
 Assets 
 Non-current assets 
 Goodwill                                              24,272       24,293 
 Other intangible assets                                2,223        2,266 
 Property, plant and equipment                         38,484       37,149 
 Investment property                                      170          176 
 Investment in associates                              13,129       11,443 
 Interest in joint ventures                             8,004        6,590 
 Other investments                                         74           73 
 Financial assets 
        - Non-current receivables                          21          444 
 Retirement benefit asset                              10,146        5,209 
                                                   ----------  ----------- 
                                                       96,523       87,643 
                                                   ----------  ----------- 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                                           42,371       37,023 
 Trade and other receivables                           67,516       59,723 
 Current tax assets                                       119          297 
 Financial assets 
        - Derivative financial instruments                 26           13 
        - Cash and cash equivalents                    24,632       23,887 
                                                   ----------  ----------- 
                                                      134,664      120,943 
                                                   ----------  ----------- 
 
 Total assets                                         231,187      208,586 
                                                   ----------  ----------- 
 
 Liabilities 
 Current liabilities 
 Financial liabilities 
      - Borrowings                                   (34,994)     (17,060) 
      - Derivative financial instruments                    -         (18) 
 Trade and other payables                            (64,290)     (56,181) 
 Current tax liabilities                                (175)        (673) 
                                                   ----------  ----------- 
                                                     (99,459)     (73,932) 
                                                   ----------  ----------- 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Financial liabilities 
      - Borrowings                                    (4,997)     (20,966) 
 Deferred tax liabilities                             (3,981)      (4,010) 
 Other non-current liabilities                        (1,784)      (3,755) 
                                                   ----------  ----------- 
                                                     (10,762)     (28,731) 
                                                   ----------  ----------- 
 
 Total liabilities                                  (110,221)    (102,663) 
                                                   ----------  ----------- 
 
 Net assets                                           120,966      105,923 
                                                   ==========  =========== 
 
 
 Shareholders' equity 
 Share capital                    2,285     2,285 
 Share premium                    9,141     9,130 
 Other reserves                  93,855    80,067 
                                         -------- 
 Total shareholders' equity     105,281    91,482 
 Non-controlling interests       15,685    14,441 
                               --------  -------- 
 Total equity                   120,966   105,923 
                               ========  ======== 
 
 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

for the year ended 1 September 2018

 
                                           Treasury         Equity    Foreign                                       Total                  Non- 
                        Share      Share      Share   Compensation   Exchange      Other    Retained                Shareholders'   controlling 
                      Capital    Premium    Reserve        Reserve    Reserve    Reserve    Earnings                Equity            Interests      Total 
                      GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000        GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000     GBP'000                GBP'000             GBP'000    GBP'000 
                    ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ---------------------------  ------------  --------- 
 
 At 4 September 
  2016                  2,280      9,111        (8)            706      2,895        207      81,540                       96,731        13,357    110,088 
                    ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ---------------------------  ------------  --------- 
 Profit for 
  the 
  Year                      -          -          -              -          -          -       7,005                        7,005         1,290      8,295 
 Other 
  comprehensive 
  income                    -          -          -              -      1,779          -       4,968                        6,747             -      6,747 
                    ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ---------------------------  ------------  --------- 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income                    -          -          -              -      1,779          -      11,973                       13,752         1,290     15,042 
 Dividends 
  paid                      -          -          -              -          -          -    (19,467)                     (19,467)         (245)   (19,712) 
 Equity-settled 
  share-based 
  payment 
  transactions              -          -          -          (320)          -          -         766                          446            39        485 
 Allotment 
  of shares                 5         19          -              -          -          -           -                           24             -         24 
 Purchase 
  of own shares 
  held in trust             -          -        (4)              -          -          -           -                          (4)             -        (4) 
 Transfer                   -          -         12              -          -        (2)        (10)                            -             -          - 
 
 At 2 September 
  2017                  2,285      9,130          -            386      4,674        205      74,802                       91,482        14,441    105,923 
                    =========  =========  =========  =============  =========  =========  ==========  ===========================  ============  ========= 
 
 At 3 September 
  2017                  2,285      9,130          -            386      4,674        205      74,802                       91,482        14,441    105,923 
                    ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ---------------------------  ------------  --------- 
 Profit for 
  the 
  Year                      -          -          -              -          -          -      11,892                       11,892         1,755     13,647 
 Other 
  comprehensive 
  (expense)/income          -          -          -              -      (415)          -       5,005                        4,590             -      4,590 
                    ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ---------------------------  ------------  --------- 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  (expense)/income          -          -          -              -      (415)          -      16,897                       16,482         1,755     18,237 
 Dividends 
  paid                      -          -          -              -          -          -     (3,770)                      (3,770)         (588)    (4,358) 
 Equity-settled 
  share-based 
  payment 
  transactions              -          -          -          1,041          -          -           8                        1,049            76      1,125 
 Excess deferred 
  taxation 
  on share 
  based payments            -          -          -              -          -          -          27                           27             1         28 
 Allotment 
  of shares                 -         11          -              -          -          -           -                           11             -         11 
 Transfer                   -          -          -              -          -        (3)           3                            -             -          - 
 
 At 1 September 
  2018                  2,285      9,141          -          1,427      4,259        202      87,967                      105,281        15,685    120,966 
                    =========  =========  =========  =============  =========  =========  ==========  ===========================  ============  ========= 
 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

for the year ended 1 September 2018

 
                                                 Note       2018       2017 
                                                         GBP'000    GBP'000 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
 Cash generated from continuing operations        6       14,980     15,094 
 Interest received                                           226        175 
 Interest paid                                           (1,210)      (896) 
 Tax paid                                                (2,511)    (1,179) 
 
 Net cash generated from operating activities             11,485     13,194 
                                                       ---------  --------- 
 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
 Acquisition of subsidiaries (net of 
  overdraft/cash acquired)                               (1,522)   (12,640) 
 Contingent/deferred consideration paid                  (2,617)      (549) 
 Net costs of disposal of associate                         (90)          - 
 Dividend received from associate and 
  joint ventures                                             704      1,212 
 Loan repaid by associates                                 1,008         22 
 Other loans                                                  59         80 
 Purchase of intangible assets                             (325)      (371) 
 Proceeds from sale of property, plant 
  and equipment                                              189        691 
 Purchase of property, plant and equipment               (4,488)    (2,854) 
 Purchase of own shares held in trust                          -        (4) 
 Redemption of preference shares in joint 
  venture                                                     20        150 
                                                       ---------  --------- 
 Net cash used in investing activities                   (7,062)   (14,263) 
                                                       ---------  --------- 
 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Proceeds from issue of ordinary share 
  capital                                                     11         24 
  New bank loans and movement on RCF                     (2,076)      6,000 
 Finance lease principal repayments                        (997)      (846) 
 Repayment of borrowings                                 (3,241)    (3,110) 
 Increase/(decrease) in other borrowings                   8,934    (2,804) 
 Dividends paid to shareholders                          (3,770)   (19,467) 
 Dividends paid to related party                           (588)      (245) 
                                                       ---------  --------- 
 Net cash used in financing activities                   (1,727)   (20,448) 
                                                       ---------  --------- 
 
 Effect of exchange rate changes                           (305)        344 
                                                       ---------  --------- 
 Net increase/(decrease) in cash and 
  cash equivalents                                         2,391   (21,173) 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning 
  of the year                                             18,614     39,787 
                                                       ---------  --------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of 
  the year                                                21,005     18,614 
                                                       =========  ========= 
 

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT

   1.       Basis of preparation 

The Group's unaudited Preliminary Announcement does not constitute statutory consolidated financial statements for the year ended 1 September 2018 or the year ended 2 September 2017. The statutory accounts for the year ended 1 September 2018 will be finalised on the basis of the financial information presented by the Directors in this preliminary announcement and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company's Annual General Meeting.

The financial statements for the year ended 2 September 2017 were unqualified and have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

The prior year consolidated income statement has been restated for the reclassification to operating profit of the share of post-tax results of the associates and joint ventures. The inclusion of these results in operating profit better reflects the Board's view that these businesses are integral to the Group's operations and strategy. Comparatives at 2 September 2017 have been restated by GBP2,813,000, increasing operating profit with no impact to profit before tax.

The prior year consolidated balance sheet has been restated for the finalisation of the fair value acquisition accounting for NuVision Engineering, Inc which was acquired on 4 August 2017. Comparatives at 2 September 2017 have been restated decreasing non-current assets by GBP266,000, current assets by GBP188,000, non-current liabilities by GBP668,000 and increasing current liabilities by GBP214,000. There has been no impact to net assets as at 1 September 2017.

   2.       Segmental information 

The segmental information for the year ended 1 September 2018 is as follows:

 
                                    Agriculture             Engineering       Group 
                                        GBP'000                 GBP'000     GBP'000 
 
 Total segment revenue                              359,620      43,618     403,238 
 Inter segment revenue                                 (12)        (34)        (46) 
 
 Revenue from external customers                    359,608      43,584     403,192 
                                                 ==========  ==========  ========== 
 
 Adjusted(3) EBITDA(4)                               12,751       6,000      18,751 
 
 Depreciation, amortisation and profit/(loss) 
 on disposal of property, plant and 
 equipment                                          (2,769)     (1,733)     (4,502) 
 Share of post-tax results of associates 
  and joint ventures                                  3,396       (181)       3,215 
 
 
 Adjusted(3) operating profit                        13,378       4,086      17,464 
 Amortisation and non-recurring items                 (386)       (673)     (1,059) 
 
 
 Operating profit                                    12,992       3,413      16,405 
                                                 ----------  ---------- 
 Finance income                                                                 358 
 Finance costs                                                              (1,261) 
 
 
 Adjusted(3) profit before taxation                                          16,561 
 Amortisation and non-recurring items                                       (1,059) 
 
 
   Profit before taxation                                                    15,502 
                                                                         ========== 
 
 

(3) Adjusted results are after adding back amortisation of acquired intangible assets and non-recurring items

including                                 acquisition costs (note 3) 

(4) Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation, profit/(loss) on the disposal of property, plant and equipment and share

of post-tax results of associates and joint ventures

The segmental information for the year ended 2 September 2017 (restated) is as follows:

 
                                    Agriculture             Engineering       Group 
                                        GBP'000                 GBP'000     GBP'000 
 
 Total segment revenue                              315,876      30,390     346,266 
 Inter segment revenue                                  (9)        (33)        (42) 
 
 Revenue from external customers                    315,867      30,357     346,224 
                                                 ==========  ==========  ========== 
 
 Adjusted(5) EBITDA(6)                               11,302       2,084      13,386 
 
 Depreciation, amortisation and profit/(loss) 
 on disposal of property, plant and 
 equipment                                          (2,690)     (1,418)     (4,108) 
 Share of post-tax results of associates 
  and joint ventures                                  2,834        (21)       2,813 
 
 
 Adjusted(5) operating profit                        11,446         645      12,091 
 Amortisation and non-recurring items                 (630)       (771)     (1,401) 
 
 
 Operating profit                                    10,816       (126)      10,690 
                                                 ----------  ---------- 
 Finance income                                                                 176 
 Finance costs                                                                (864) 
 
 
 Adjusted(5) profit before taxation                                          11,403 
 Amortisation and non-recurring items                                       (1,401) 
 
 
   Profit before taxation                                                    10,002 
                                                                         ========== 
 
 

(5) Adjusted results are after adding back amortisation of acquired intangible assets and non-recurring items including acquisition costs (note 3)

(6) Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation, profit/(loss) on the disposal of property, plant and equipment and share of post-tax results of associates and joint ventures

   3.       Amortisation and non-recurring items 
 
                                                          2018                   2017 
                                                       GBP'000                GBP'000 
 
 Amortisation of intangible assets                         292                    124 
 Goodwill impairment                                       516                  1,700 
 Business combination expenses                             251                  1,349 
 Release of contingent consideration                         -                (2,090) 
 Restructuring costs                                         -                    112 
 Loss on property disposal                                   -                    206 
 
                                                         1,059                  1,401 
                                       =======================  ===================== 
 

An impairment of GBP516,000 was recognised in the year against the carrying value of goodwill in respect of the Bendalls Engineering business.

Business combination expenses relate to acquisition costs incurred in the period as well as contingent consideration in relation to prior year acquisitions of Phoenix Feeds Limited and the business and certain assets of Mortimer Feeds Limited which is explained further below.

Phoenix Feeds Limited was acquired on 1 June 2016. The consideration paid included GBP490,000 of contingent consideration linked to the continued employment of key personnel and therefore in accordance with IFRS 3 this was not recognised as consideration in the acquisition accounting in the 53 weeks ended 3 September 2016. It is instead being recognised in the income statement over a two year period with GBP184,000 (2017: GBP306,000) recognised in the current year. Given the nature of the payment it has been recognised as a non-recurring item.

Mortimer Feeds was acquired on 5 June 2017. The consideration paid included GBP30,000 of contingent consideration linked to the continued employment of key personnel and therefore in accordance with IFRS 3 this was not recognised as consideration in the acquisition accounting in the prior year. It is instead being recognised in the income statement over a one year period with GBP30,000 (2017: GBPnil) recognised in the current year. Given the nature of this payment it has been recognised as a non-recurring item.

The goodwill impairment and release of contingent consideration recognised in the prior year relate to the acquisition of Chirton Engineering Limited which was acquired in year ended 2014.

Restructuring costs in the prior year comprise redundancy costs.

The loss on property disposal recognised in the prior year was in respect of the disposal of a property that was no longer required following the relocation of one of the Group's Agricultural branches.

   4.         Taxation 
 
                                                                2018             2017 
                                                             GBP'000          GBP'000 
 (a) Analysis of the charge in the year 
  Current tax: 
  UK corporation tax                                                              887 
   Current year                                                1,352            (144) 
   Adjustment in respect of prior years                        (228)              591 
  Foreign tax                                                                     (8) 
   Current year                                                1,549 
   Adjustment in respect of prior years                            - 
                                                          ----------  --------------- 
 
   Group current tax                                           2,673            1,326 
                                                          ----------  --------------- 
 
  Deferred tax: 
   Origination and reversal of timing differences 
    Current year                                               (796)              442 
    Adjustment in respect of prior years                        (22)             (61) 
                                                          ----------  --------------- 
 
   Group deferred tax                                          (818)              381 
                                                          ----------  --------------- 
 
   Tax on profit from ordinary activities                      1,855            1,707 
                                                          ==========  =============== 
 
 (b) Factors affecting tax charge for the year 
  The tax assessed for the year is lower (2017: lower) than the 
  rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19% (2017: 19.58%). The 
  differences are explained below: 
 Profit before taxation                                       15,502           10,002 
                                                          ----------  --------------- 
 
  Tax at 19% (2017: 19.58%)                                    2,945            1,958 
   Effects of: 
    Tax effect of share of results of associates 
    and joint ventures                                         (611) 
    Tax effect of expenses that are not allowable 
    in determining taxable profit                                300            (551) 
    Tax effect of non-taxable income                           (310)              494 
    Effects of different tax rates of foreign 
    subsidiaries                                                 227            (418) 
    Effects of changes in deferred tax rates                   (490)              473 
    Unrecognised deferred tax on losses                           44             (36) 
    Adjustment in respect of prior years                       (250)                - 
                                                                                (213) 
                                                          ----------  --------------- 
 
   Total tax charge for the year                               1,855            1,707 
                                                          ==========  =============== 
 
 

The tax effect of expenses that are not allowable in determining taxable profit includes the non-recurring items of business combination expenses and goodwill impairment (note 3). These have been treated as disallowable for tax purposes.

The tax effect of non-taxable income includes the effect of income within the patent box regime and in respect of the prior year the release of contingent consideration in respect of the Chirton Engineering acquisition in 2014 (note 3).

The effect of changes in deferred tax rates in the current year includes the effect to deferred tax balances following the reduction in US Federal tax rates during the year.

   5.         Earnings per ordinary share 

Basic earnings per share are based on profit attributable to shareholders and on a weighted average number of shares in issue during the year of 91,402,338 (2017: 91,355,427). The calculation of diluted earnings per share is based on 93,438,607 shares (2017: 92,125,320).

Amortisation and non-recurring items that are charged or credited to profit do not relate to the underlying profitability of the Group. The Board believes adjusted profit before these items provides a useful measure of business performance. Therefore an adjusted earnings per share is presented as follows:

 
                                    2018                                            2017 
                                         Earnings   Earnings per          Earnings              Earnings 
                                          GBP'000    share pence           GBP'000                   per 
                                                                                             share pence 
 
 Earnings per share 
  - basic                                  11,892           13.0             7,005                   7.7 
 
 Amortisation and non-recurring 
  items: 
 Amortisation of intangible 
  assets                                      292            0.3               124                   0.1 
 Goodwill impairment                          516            0.6             1,700                   1.9 
 Business combination 
  expenses                                    251            0.3             1,349                   1.5 
 Release of contingent 
  consideration                                 -              -           (2,090)                 (2.3) 
 Restructuring costs                            -              -               112                   0.1 
 Loss on property disposal                      -              -               206                   0.2 
 Taxation effect of 
  the above                                  (60)          (0.1)              (88)                 (0.1) 
 Non-controlling interest 
  in the above                              (145)          (0.2)             (175)                 (0.2) 
 
 Earnings per share 
  - adjusted                               12,746           13.9             8,143                   8.9 
                                  ===============  =============  ================  ==================== 
 
   6.         Cash generated from continuing operations 
 
                                                       2018       2017 
                                                    GBP'000    GBP'000 
 Continuing operations 
 Profit for the year                                 13,647      8,295 
 Adjustments for: 
 Tax                                                  1,855      1,707 
 Tax credit in respect of R&D                         (451)      (129) 
 Depreciation of property, plant and equipment        4,372      4,093 
 Depreciation of investment property                      6          6 
 Goodwill impairment                                    516      1,700 
 Intangible asset amortisation                          397        124 
 Loss on disposal of property, plant and 
  equipment                                              19        215 
 Release of contingent consideration                      -    (2,090) 
 Business combination expenses                          251      1,299 
 Net fair value expense on share based payments       1,125        485 
 Other non-cash adjustments                             107      (222) 
 Interest income                                      (358)      (176) 
 Interest expense and borrowing costs                 1,357        901 
 Share of results of associates and joint 
  ventures                                          (3,215)    (2,813) 
 IAS19 income statement charge (excluding 
  interest)                                              24         59 
 
 Changes in working capital (excluding the 
  effects of acquisitions): 
 Increase in inventories                            (5,106)    (2,379) 
 Increase in receivables                            (7,015)      (383) 
 Increase in payables                                 7,449      4,402 
                                                  ---------  --------- 
 
   Cash generated from continuing operations         14,980     15,094 
                                                  =========  ========= 
 
   7.       Pensions 

The Group operates its current pension arrangements on a defined benefit and defined contribution basis. The valuation of the defined benefit scheme under the IAS19 accounting basis showed a surplus in the scheme at 1 September 2018 of GBP10.1m (2017: GBP5.2m).

In the year, the retirement benefit charge, excluding interest, in respect of the Carr's Group Pension Scheme was GBP24,000 (2017: GBP59,000).

A Group subsidiary undertaking is a participating employer in a defined benefit pension scheme of the associate, Carrs Billington Agriculture (Operations) Ltd. The IAS19 accounting basis showed a surplus for that scheme at 1 September 2018 of GBP2.0m (2017: deficit of GBP2.3m). The scheme is treated as a defined contribution scheme by the Group, and its level of participation in the scheme is estimated at 48.5%, which is based on its estimated share of the buyout liabilities. Due to the fact that the sponsoring employer is an associate company of the Group, 49% of the deficit calculated on an IAS19 accounting basis is included in the Group's balance sheet within its 'Investment in Associates'.

Since the year end, the High Court has ruled on the case of Lloyds Banking Group Pensions Trustees Ltd v Lloyds Bank plc and others. The ruling that Lloyds Bank Group must amend its three defined benefit pension schemes in order to equalise Guaranteed Minimum Pensions (GMPs) between males and females will impact how companies account for pension schemes under IAS 19. Given the timing of this ruling and the date of signing these financial statements it is considered impracticable to reflect any potential financial impact to the accounting for the Group's defined benefit pension scheme within its accounts for year ended 1 September 2018. Any impact arising from this ruling will be reflected in the IAS 19 accounting in the Group's interim results for 2019. This is not expected to be material to the Group's net assets.

   8.       Analysis of changes in net debt 
 
                    At 3 September                  Other                              At 1 September 
                                         Cash    Non-Cash     Exchange 
                              2017       Flow     Changes    Movements                           2018 
                           GBP'000    GBP'000     GBP'000      GBP'000                        GBP'000 
 Cash and cash 
  equivalents               23,887      1,050           -        (305)                         24,632 
 Bank overdrafts           (5,273)      1,646           -            -                        (3,627) 
                   ---------------  ---------  ----------  -----------  ----------------------------- 
                            18,614      2,696           -        (305)                         21,005 
 
 Loans and 
  other 
   borrowings: 
  - current               (10,951)    (6,025)    (13,511)           43                       (30,444) 
  - non-current           (19,425)      2,407      13,339          115                        (3,564) 
 Finance leases: 
 - current                   (836)        997     (1,084)            -                          (923) 
 - non-current             (1,541)          -         108            -                        (1,433) 
                   ---------------  ---------  ----------  -----------  ----------------------------- 
 Net debt                 (14,139)         75     (1,148)        (147)                       (15,359) 
                   ===============  =========  ==========  ===========  ============================= 
 
 
   9.       The Board of Directors approved the preliminary announcement on 12 November 2018. 

10. The Company intends to provide a Summary Report and Accounts to shareholders by 5 December 2018. The full Report and Accounts will be available upon request from the Company Secretary, Carr's Group plc, Old Croft, Stanwix, Carlisle, CA3 9BA or alternatively on the Company's website: www.carrsgroup.com

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

END

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