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CHH Churchill China Plc

1,175.00
-25.00 (-2.08%)
23 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Churchill China Plc LSE:CHH London Ordinary Share GB0001961035 ORD 10P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  -25.00 -2.08% 1,175.00 1,150.00 1,200.00 1,200.00 1,175.00 1,200.00 7,119 12:09:45
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Misc Homefurnishings Stores 83.08M 7.9M 0.7179 16.37 129.22M

Churchill China PLC Interim Results (4782K)

29/08/2019 7:00am

UK Regulatory


Churchill China (LSE:CHH)
Historical Stock Chart


From Apr 2019 to Apr 2024

Click Here for more Churchill China Charts.

TIDMCHH

RNS Number : 4782K

Churchill China PLC

29 August 2019

 
 For immediate release   29 August 2019 
 

CHURCHILL CHINA plc

("Churchill" or the "Company" or the "Group")

INTERIM RESULTS

For the six months ended 30 June 2019

Strong first half performance continues long term growth trend

Churchill China plc (AIM: CHH), the manufacturer of innovative performance ceramic products serving hospitality markets worldwide, is pleased to announce its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2019.

Key Highlights:

Financial

   --     Operating profit before exceptional items up 30% to GBP4.2m (2018 H1: GBP3.3m) 

o including contribution of GBP0.2m from acquisition of Furlong Mills

   --     Profit before exceptional items and  tax up 27% to GBP4.2m (2018 H1: GBP3.3m) 
   --     Reported profit before tax after exceptional items GBP4.3m (2018 H1: GBP3.3m) 
   --     Adjusted earnings per share up 24% to 30.4p (2018 H1: 24.4p) 
   --     Basic earnings per share 31.3p (2018 H1: 24.4p) 
   --     Interim dividend up 18% to 10.3p (2018 H1: 8.7p) 
   --     Cash generated from operations GBP2.4m (2018 H1: GBP1.7m) 

Business

   --     Total revenues up 17% at GBP31.9m (2018 H1: GBP27.2m) 

o including GBP2.0m from acquisition of Furlong Mills

   --     Ceramics (like for like) revenue growth 10% (2018 H1: 6%) 
   --     Export revenues up  13% 
   --     Increased sales of Hospitality added value product 

-- Higher levels of investment in capital expenditure, acquisition of controlling interest in Furlong Mills and purchase of products and brand from Dudson

   --     Performance continues long term growth trend 

Alan McWalter, Chairman of Churchill China, commented:

"Churchill has been substantially re-positioned as a business over the past five years. We have emphasised the development of differentiated high margin products in Hospitality and exited from markets where we did not have a competitive advantage. We believe we offer a technical performance product to attractive markets worldwide with a high level of service. We have a well invested business supported by a strong balance sheet."

For further information, please contact:

 
 Churchill China plc                   Tel: 01782 577566 
 David O'Connor / David Taylor 
 
 Buchanan                             Tel: 020 7466 5000 
 Mark Court / Sophie Wills 
 
 Investec                             Tel: 020 7597 5970 
 David Flin / David Anderson / Alex 
  Wright 
 

This announcement contains information which, prior to its disclosure, was considered inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (MAR)

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

Introduction

I am pleased to report another strong performance in the first half of 2019, continuing the progress made over the last five years in re-positioning the business as a supplier of added value performance ceramics to the Hospitality industry. Our organic growth has remained strong with further development of our export markets and increase in the proportion of differentiated, added value product.

Alongside delivering an improvement in short term performance, we have accelerated investment in the future of our business with commitment to the expansion of our UK manufacturing facilities. The purchase of product and brand assets from Dudson provides a clear opportunity to further develop our business, bringing new product ranges and widening our global distribution. Finally, our acquisition of additional equity in Furlong Mills secures a major part of our material supply base in the short term and in the longer term brings further development options.

Financial Review

Total revenues increased by 17% to GBP31.9m (2018 H1: GBP27.2m) with further strong growth in Hospitality ceramics export revenues and the inclusion of revenues from Furlong Mills of GBP2.0m for four months of the period.

Ceramic revenue growth, excluding the effects of the acquisition of Furlong Mills, was 10% (2018 H1: 6%) with sales rising to GBP29.9m (2018 H1: GBP27.2m). UK revenues increased by 4% to GBP10.6m (2018 H1: GBP10.2m). Export revenues were GBP2.3m higher (+13%) at GBP19.3m (2018 H1: GBP17.0m).

There was little direct impact on revenues from the Dudson asset purchase in the first half year. We have made good progress in re-launching the acquired products and expect this to contribute to both revenue and profit more materially in the second half of 2019.

Gross margins improved as we continued to grow sales of added value product.

Operating profit before exceptional items increased by 30% to GBP4.2m (2018 H1: GBP3.3m) with Furlong Mills contributing GBP0.2m (5%) of this increase. On a like-for-like basis operating profit increased by 25%, with margins increasing to 13.6% (2018 H1: 11.9%). Operating profit benefited from increased revenues and the continued move towards added value products. We have further invested in the extension of our export market distribution, in product development and in improved customer service.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation increased by 29% to GBP5.4m (2018 H1: GBP4.2m).

Profit before exceptional items and income tax rose by 27% to GBP4.2m (2018 H1: GBP3.3m), largely as a result of our strong operating performance. The acquisition of a controlling interest in Furlong Mills contributed a net GBP0.1m. This strong performance continues our long term track record of profit growth. In the five years to the end of 2018 we increased profit before income tax at a compound rate of 22% per annum.

Adjusted earnings per share improved by 24% to 30.4p (2018 H1: 24.4p).

During the first half we purchased an additional 9.5% of the equity of Furlong Mills Limited at a cost of GBP0.5m, taking our holding from 46.1% to 55.6%, a controlling interest. As a result of this we now consolidate Furlong Mills as a subsidiary of Churchill. As we acquired a higher value of assets than the overall consideration paid, negative goodwill of GBP0.1m was generated. In accordance with accounting standards, this has been credited to the Income Statement as an exceptional item.

Reported profit before tax rose to GBP4.3m from GBP3.3m in H1 2018.

Basic earnings per share, including the above exceptional items, improved by 28% to 31.3p (2018 H1: 24.4p)

We have continued to generate good operating cash flows. Operating cash generation was GBP2.4m (2018 H1: GBP1.7m). Working capital requirements in the first half year were higher than last year at GBP2.4m (2018 H1: GBP1.9m) largely reflecting an increased level of inventory attributable to the establishment of a stock holding in our new European warehouse and a higher level of sales.

Capital expenditure has risen to support the increased level of activity within our business. In addition to the GBP2.1m spent on the purchase from Dudson, we have invested a further GBP1.5m (2018 H1: GBP0.9m) on a number of new projects including additional manufacturing space and kiln capacity which we expect to complete in 2020.

We retain a strong balance sheet with net assets of GBP41.4m, including net cash and deposits of GBP13.1m (H1 2018: GBP13.7m).

Dividend

The Board is pleased to announce an 18% increase in the interim dividend to 10.3p per share (2018 H1: 8.7p) maintaining our record of improvement in cash returns to shareholders. We are pleased that the further growth in profitability and cash generation allows us to raise the dividend. The interim dividend will be paid on 4 October 2019 to shareholders on the register on 13 September 2019, with the ex-dividend date being 12 September 2019.

Business

Ceramics

Within our Ceramics business, we have continued to make good progress, with all this growth coming from Hospitality markets.

Export revenues increased by 13% and now represent 65% of Ceramics revenues (2018 H1: 63%).Our progress in overseas markets has been maintained, with the highest short term growth again being achieved in Europe where we have strong momentum and increasing market penetration in key markets. We have continued to increase our sales in North America and the Rest of the World which are at an earlier stage of development. This export growth has been achieved as a result of many years of investment in new product development and building appropriate distribution channels.

We are pleased that, after a period of consolidation, we have returned to growth in the UK following implementation of a number of actions to improve our focus in this market. We benefit from wide distribution across a range of sectors and continue to enjoy a consistent level of replacement sales. Revenue from added value sales has increased.

Following the acquisition of product and brand intellectual property from Dudson in April 2019 we have re-engineered and replicated the products and the first phase of re-launches took place in June 2019. Further products will reach the market later this year. Total sales under the Dudson brand in the first half were GBP0.1m and are expected to increase substantially in the second half of 2019. The acquisition of this long established brand has given us a significant opportunity to establish new and separate distribution in a number of export markets. We have made good initial progress in securing this distribution in our target markets.

We continue to enjoy success in the movement of standard to higher margin added value product. Sales of added value products now represent over 47% of our Hospitality sales. This increase reflects continued innovation, product and market research and new product development. Stonecast continues to grow strongly and our Studio Prints range has made further progress. The purchase of intellectual property in the Dudson Evo and Harvest products, which use distinctive glaze technology, will provide additional opportunities to continue to grow added value product revenues.

Churchill's core values are innovation, technical performance and service. The strength of our established relationships with end users, distributors and agents in the UK and worldwide continues to be of great value to the business.

Materials

The acquisition of a majority holding in Furlong Mills in February 2019 has had the short term effect of securing an important part of our supply chain. Furlong is a ceramic materials manufacturer based in Stoke on Trent and provides processed clay body and glaze to Churchill and other major manufacturers. Longer term we wish to maintain our position of producing a high quality technical performance ceramic and continuing to innovate and differentiate our product and we believe our increased investment in Furlong and its leading position in applied material science will support this.

Furlong Mills has traded in line with our expectations in the first half year, total revenues were GBP3.1m, of which GBP1.1m was sold to Churchill.

Operations

The first half of 2019 has seen substantial progress within our manufacturing and logistics operations both on a day-to-day basis and at a strategic level.

Activity levels within our operations have been high during the first half of the year, with consequent demands on both production and logistics. At the same time we have continued to develop and introduce new product at a significant rate. These have required an acceleration of our capital investment programme, notably the extension of our first stage kiln firing capacity and a further manufacturing extension, both to support the production of higher value products. We expect these projects to progress quickly in the second half of the year and to complete in 2020.

In addition to the operational challenge posed by organic growth, the Dudson purchase has created demands in relation to the introduction of new manufacturing technology and processes. This project is progressing well and we are pleased with the quality and efficiency improvements achieved to date.

We have accelerated our investment in logistics to support our European customer base and to mitigate the potential impact of Brexit on our delivery security. Our growth in Europe was expected to create the need for a local despatch operation in two to three years' time, but the need to maintain our service promise given potential disruption has again accelerated our investment. In February 2019 we began to supply orders to Europe from inventory established in a third party run warehouse in Rotterdam. We now hold over GBP0.5m of inventory in Europe and plan to increase this in the second half of 2019.

Brexit

We have reviewed our exposure to various Brexit scenarios. A major part of our revenue is earned outside the UK and our manufacturing process, in part, relies upon materials and equipment sourced from overseas.

Our detailed Brexit risk planning was completed earlier this year, but continues to be reviewed as the political and economic environment changes. We believe we have identified and developed sensible plans to mitigate the effect of disruption on our business where possible. Our plans are founded on our core principles which are the provision of value to our customers and maintenance of a high level of service.

People

I have previously commented on the investment we have made in our workforce in terms of training and development and the alignment and engagement of our employees with our business plans. Our continuous improvement programme remains the main focus of our efforts, but is supported by many other initiatives.

It is unlikely that the progress we have made in the first half of this year would have been possible without the past work carried out in relation to training and development and certainly not without the support and engagement of our staff. We have placed significant demands on our employees over the recent past and they have risen admirably to the challenge. Once again I thank them for their effort and commitment.

Outlook

We have reported a strong performance in first half year and once again this has been achieved as a result of long term investment in line with our strategic targets. We have continued to benefit from growth in export revenues and have increased our margins as a result of the sale of further added value products. Our market position remains strong and we believe we have further opportunity, both organically and from our recent acquisitions, to continue to make further progress.

Churchill has been substantially re-positioned as a business over the past five years. We have emphasised the development of differentiated high margin products in Hospitality and exited from markets where we did not have a competitive advantage. We believe we offer a technical performance product to attractive markets worldwide with a high level of service. We have a well invested business supported by a strong balance sheet.

Current trading remains in line with our expectations and we believe that we can, subject to external conditions, make further progress. We remain focused on the long term and on the delivery of value and return on a sustainable basis.

Alan McWalter

Chairman

29 August 2019

 
 Churchill China plc 
 Consolidated Income Statement 
 for the six months ended 30 June 2019 
                                                           Unaudited            Unaudited              Audited 
                                                       Six months to        Six months to     Twelve months to 
                                                        30 June 2019         30 June 2018     31 December 2018 
                                                              GBP000               GBP000               GBP000 
                                           Note 
 Revenue                                    1                 31,934               27,247               57,479 
                                                         ===========          ===========          =========== 
 
 Operating profit before exceptional 
  item                                      1                  4,237                3,254                9,237 
 Exceptional item                           2                    117                    -                (541) 
----------------------------------------  -----  -------------------  -------------------  ------------------- 
 Operating Profit                           1                  4,354                3,254                8,696 
 
 Share of results of associate company                          (22)                   92                  185 
 Finance income                             3                     69                   46                  110 
 Finance costs                              3                  (100)                 (90)                (144) 
                                                  ------------------   ------------------   ------------------ 
--------------------------------------    -----  -------------------  -------------------  ------------------- 
 Profit before exceptional item and 
  income tax                                                   4,184                3,302                9,388 
 Exceptional item                           2                    117                    -                (541) 
---------------------------------------   -----  -------------------  -------------------  ------------------- 
 Profit before income tax                                      4,301                3,302                8,847 
 
 Income tax expense                         4                  (815)                (626)              (1,649) 
                                                  ------------------   ------------------   ------------------ 
 Profit for the period                                         3,486                2,676                7,198 
                                                         ===========          ===========          =========== 
 
 Profit for the period is attributable 
 to: 
 Owners of the Company                                         3,425                2,676                7,198 
 Non-controlling interests                                        61                    -                    - 
                                                  ------------------   ------------------   ------------------ 
                                                               3,486                2,676                7,198 
                                                         ===========          ===========          =========== 
 
 
                                                      Pence 
                                                        per   Pence per   Pence per 
                                                      Share       share       share 
 
 Adjusted basic earnings 
  per ordinary share                              5    30.4        24.4        69.6 
 Diluted adjusted earnings 
  per ordinary share                              5    30.1        24.2        69.0 
 Basic earnings per ordinary 
 share                                            5    31.3        24.4        65.6 
 Diluted earnings per ordinary 
  share                                           5    31.0        24.2        65.0 
 
 
 
 
 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

for the six months ended 30 June 2019

 
 
                                                            Unaudited         Unaudited                Audited 
                                                        Six months to     Six months to       Twelve months to 
                                                         30 June 2019      30 June 2018       31 December 2018 
                                                               GBP000            GBP000                 GBP000 
 
 Other comprehensive income / (expense) 
 Items that will not be reclassified to profit and 
 loss: 
 Actuarial loss on retirement benefit 
  obligations                                                       -                 -                  (175) 
 Items that may be reclassified subsequently to 
 profit 
 and loss 
 Exchange differences                                               2              (11)                     23 
                                                      ---------------    --------------        --------------- 
 Other comprehensive income / (expense)                             2              (11)                  (152) 
 
 Profit for the period                                          3,486             2,676                  7,198 
 
                                                      ---------------   ---------------       ---------------- 
 Total comprehensive income for the period                      3,488             2,665                  7,046 
                                                           ==========        ==========             ========== 
 Attributable to: 
 Owners of the Company                                          3,427             2,665                  7,046 
 Non-controlling interest                                          61                 -                      - 
                                                      ---------------   ---------------       ---------------- 
                                                                3,488             2,665                  7,046 
                                                           ==========        ==========             ========== 
 
 

All above figures relate to continuing operations

 
 Churchill China 
  plc 
 Consolidated Balance 
  Sheets 
 as at 30 June 
  2019 
                                         Unaudited          Unaudited                 Audited 
                                           30 June            30 June             31 December 
                                              2019               2018                    2018 
                                            GBP000             GBP000                  GBP000 
 Assets 
 Non-current assets 
 Property, plant 
  and equipment                             18,964             14,520                  14,847 
 Intangible assets                           1,620                 93                      91 
 Investment in associate                         -              1,639                   1,732 
 Deferred income 
  tax assets                                   998              1,066                   1,107 
                                ------------------  -----------------  ---------------------- 
                                            21,582             17,318                  17,777 
                                ------------------  -----------------  ---------------------- 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                                11,747              9,706                   9,911 
 Trade and other 
  receivables                               12,013              9,220                   9,719 
 Other financial 
  assets                                     6,511              4,506                   3,001 
 Cash and cash equivalents                   6,971              9,230                  14,380 
                                ------------------  -----------------  ---------------------- 
                                            37,242             32,662                  37,011 
                                ------------------  -----------------  ---------------------- 
 
 Total assets                               58,824             49,980                  54,788 
                                 ==========          ==========         ============= 
 Liabilities 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other 
  payables                                (10,572)            (8,617)                 (9,561) 
 Current income tax 
  liabilities                                (836)              (716)                 (1,063) 
                                 -----------------   ----------------   --------------------- 
 Total current liabilities                (11,408)            (9,333)                (10,624) 
                                 -----------------   ----------------   --------------------- 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Trade and other 
  payables                                   (274)                  -                       - 
 Deferred income 
  tax liabilities                            (972)              (765)                   (754) 
 Retirement benefit 
  obligations                              (4,809)            (5,282)                 (5,443) 
                                 -----------------   ----------------   --------------------- 
 Total non-current 
  liabilities                              (6,055)            (6,047)                 (6,197) 
                                 -----------------   ----------------   --------------------- 
 Total liabilities                        (17,463)           (15,380)                (16,821) 
                                 ==========          ==========         ============= 
 Net assets                                 41,361             34,600                  37,967 
                                 ==========          ==========         ============= 
 
 Equity 
 Issued share capital                        1,103              1,103                   1,103 
 Share premium account                       2,348              2,348                   2,348 
 Treasury shares                             (445)              (530)                   (729) 
 Other reserves                              1,653              1,534                   1,703 
 Retained earnings                          34,739             30,145                  33,542 
                                 -----------------   ----------------   --------------------- 
 Capital and reserves 
  attributable 
  to owners of 
  the Company                               39,398             34,600                  37,967 
 Non-controlling 
  interest                                   1,963                  -                       - 
                                ------------------  -----------------  ---------------------- 
 Total equity                               41,361             34,600                  37,967 
                                 ===========         ==========         ============= 
 
 
 Churchill China 
 plc 
 Consolidated Statement of Changes in 
 Equity 
 as at 30 June                           Issued                                                     Non- 
 2019 
                              Retained     share     Share   Treasury      Other             controlling     Total 
                              earnings   capital   premium     shares   reserves     Total      Interest    equity 
                                GBP000    GBP000    GBP000     GBP000     GBP000    GBP000        GBP000    GBP000 
 Balance at 1 
  January 
  2018                          29,456     1,103     2,348      (579)      1,565    33,893             -    33,893 
 Comprehensive 
 income 
 Profit for the 
  period                         2,676         -         -          -          -     2,676             -     2,676 
 Other 
 comprehensive 
 income 
 Depreciation 
  transfer 
  - gross                            5         -         -          -        (5)         -             -         - 
 Depreciation 
  transfer 
  - tax                            (1)         -         -          -          1         -             -         - 
 Currency 
  translation                        -         -         -          -       (11)      (11)             -      (11) 
------------------   -----------------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------  --------  ------------  -------- 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income                         2,680         -         -          -       (15)     2,665             -     2,665 
------------------   -----------------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------  --------  ------------  -------- 
 
 Transactions with 
  owners 
 Dividends                     (1,886)         -         -          -          -   (1,886)             -   (1,886) 
 Proceeds of share 
  issue                              -         -         -          3          -         3             -         3 
 Share based 
  payment                          137         -         -          -       (16)       121             -       121 
 Deferred tax - 
  share 
  based payment                    (8)         -         -          -          -       (8)             -       (8) 
 Treasury shares                 (234)         -         -         46          -     (188)             -     (188) 
-------------------  -----------------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------  --------  ------------  -------- 
 Total 
  transactions 
  with owners                  (1,991)         -         -         49       (16)   (1,958)             -   (1,958) 
------------------   -----------------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------  --------  ------------  -------- 
 
 Balance at 30 
  June 
  2018                          30,145     1,103     2,348      (530)      1,534    34,600             -    34,600 
------------------   -----------------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------  --------  ------------  -------- 
 Comprehensive 
 income 
 Profit for the 
  period                         4,522         -         -          -          -     4,522             -     4,522 
 Other 
 comprehensive 
 income 
 Depreciation 
  transfer 
  - gross                            7         -         -          -        (7)         -             -         - 
 Depreciation 
  transfer 
  - tax                            (1)         -         -          -          1         -             -         - 
 Re-measurements o 
  f post employment 
  benefit 
  obligations - net 
  of tax                         (175)                                               (175)             -     (175) 
 Currency 
  translation                        -         -         -          -         34        34             -        34 
------------------   -----------------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------  --------  ------------  -------- 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income                         4,353         -         -          -         28     4,381             -     4,381 
------------------   -----------------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------  --------  ------------  -------- 
 
 Transactions with 
 owners 
 Dividends                       (954)         -         -          -          -     (954)             -     (954) 
 Share based 
  payment                            -         -         -          -        141       141             -       141 
 Deferred tax - 
  share based 
  payment                          (1)         -         -          -          -       (1)             - 
 Treasury shares                   (1)         -         -      (199)          -     (200)             -     (200) 
 Total 
  transactions 
  with owners                    (956)         -         -      (199)        141   (1,014)             -   (1,014) 
------------------   -----------------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------  --------  ------------  -------- 
 
 Balance at 31 
  December 2018                 33,542     1,103     2,348      (729)      1,703    37,967             -    37,967 
------------------   -----------------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------  --------  ------------  -------- 
 Comprehensive 
 income 
 Profit for the 
  period                         3,425         -         -          -          -     3,425            61     3,486 
 Other 
 comprehensive 
 income 
 Depreciation 
  transfer - gross                   5         -         -          -        (5)         -             -         - 
 Depreciation 
  transfer - tax                   (1)         -         -          -          1         -             -         - 
 Currency 
  translation                        -         -         -          -          2         2             -         2 
------------------   -----------------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------  --------  ------------  -------- 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income                         3,429         -         -          -        (2)     3,427            61     3,488 
------------------   -----------------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------  --------  ------------  -------- 
 
 Transactions with 
 owners 
 Dividends                     (2,224)         -         -          -          -   (2,224)             -   (2,224) 
 Proceeds of share 
  issue                              -         -         -          3          -         3             -         3 
 Share based 
  payment                          200         -         -          -       (48)       152             -       152 
 Deferred tax - 
  share based 
  payment                           73         -         -          -          -        73             -        73 
 Treasury shares                 (281)         -         -        281          -         -             -         - 
 Non-controlling 
  interest on 
  acquisition                        -         -         -          -          -         -         1,902     1,902 
-------------------  -----------------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------  --------  ------------  -------- 
 Total 
  transactions 
  with owners                  (2,232)         -         -        284       (48)   (1,996)         1,902      (94) 
------------------   -----------------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------  --------  ------------  -------- 
 
 Balance at 30 
  June 2019                     34,739     1,103     2,348      (445)      1,653    39,398         1,963    41,361 
------------------   -----------------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------  --------  ------------  -------- 
 
 
 Churchill China plc 
 Consolidated Cash Flow Statement 
 for the six months ended 30 June 2019 
                                                              Unaudited           Unaudited                Audited 
                                                          Six months to       Six months to       Twelve months to 
                                                           30 June 2019        30 June 2018            31 Dec 2018 
                                                                 GBP000              GBP000                 GBP000 
 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
 Cash generated from operations (note 6)                          2,434               1,686                8,260 
 Interest received                                                   69                  46                    110 
 Interest paid                                                     (19)                   -                    (1) 
 Income tax paid                                                  (922)               (628)                (1.321) 
                                                      -----------------   -----------------     ------------------ 
 Net cash generated from operating activities                     1,562               1,104                7,048 
                                                      -----------------   -----------------      ----------------- 
 Investing activities 
 Purchases of property, plant and equipment                     (2,010)               (867)              (2,042) 
 Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and 
  equipment                                                          49                  47                   80 
 Purchases of intangible assets                                 (1,619)                (53)                 (58) 
 Payments for acquisition of 
 subsidiary, net of cash acquired                                   370                   -                      - 
                                                      -----------------   -----------------      ----------------- 
 Net cash used in investing activities                          (3,210)               (873)              (2,020) 
                                                      -----------------   -----------------      ----------------- 
 Financing activities 
 Issue of ordinary shares                                             3                   3                    3 
 Purchase of treasury shares                                          -               (188)                (388) 
 New finance leases                                                  21                   -                      - 
 Principal element of finance lease 
 payments                                                          (52)                   -                      - 
 Dividends paid                                                 (2,224)             (1,886)                (2,840) 
 Net purchase of other financial assets                         (3,509)             (1,506)                  (1) 
                                                      -----------------   -----------------      ----------------- 
 Net cash used in financing activities                          (5,761)             (3,577)              (3,226) 
                                                      -----------------   -----------------      ----------------- 
 Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash 
  equivalents                                                   (7,409)             (3,346)                1,802 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the 
  period                                                         14,380              12,577               12,577 
 
 Exchange loss on cash and cash equivalents                           -                 (1)                    1 
 
                                                      -----------------   -----------------      ----------------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period               6,971               9,230               14,380 
                                                      -----------------   -----------------    ----------------- 
 
 
 
   1. Segmental analysis 
 for the six months ended 30 June 2019 
 
 
 
                                     Unaudited                    Unaudited                                Audited 
                                    Six months                   Six months                          Twelve months 
                                            to                           to                                     to 
                                  30 June 2019                 30 June 2018                       31 December 2018 
                                        GBP000                       GBP000                                 GBP000 
 Revenue 
  by class 
  of business 
 Ceramics                               29,927                       27,247                                 57,479 
 Materials                               3,090                            -                                      - 
 Inter 
 segment                               (1,083)                            -                                      - 
                    --------------------------    -------------------------    ----------------------------------- 
                                        31,934                       27,247                                 57,479 
                   --------------------------    --------------------------   ----------------------------------- 
 Revenue 
 by 
 destination 
 United Kingdom                         12,587                       10,173                                 23,008 
 Rest of 
  Europe                                13,109                       10,958                                 21,306 
 USA                                     2,934                        2,704                                  6,054 
 Rest of 
  the World                              3,304                        3,412                                  7,111 
                    --------------------------    -------------------------    ----------------------------------- 
                                        31,934                       27,247                                 57,479 
                    --------------------------   --------------------------    ----------------------------------- 
 
 
  1. Segmental analysis (continued) 
 for the six months ended 30 June 2019 
 
 
 
                                     Unaudited                    Unaudited                                Audited 
                                    Six months                   Six months                          Twelve months 
                                            to                           to                                     to 
                                  30 June 2019                 30 June 2018                       31 December 2018 
                                        GBP000                       GBP000                                 GBP000 
 Operating 
 profit 
 before 
 exceptional 
 items 
 Ceramics                                4,067                        3,254                                  9,237 
 Materials                                 170                            -                                      - 
                    --------------------------    -------------------------    ----------------------------------- 
                                         4,237                        3,254                                  9,237 
                   ---------------------------   --------------------------   ------------------------------------ 
 Exceptional 
  items 
 Ceramics                                    -                            -                                  (541) 
 Materials                                 117                            -                                      - 
                    --------------------------    -------------------------    ----------------------------------- 
                                           117                            -                                    541 
                   ---------------------------   --------------------------   ------------------------------------ 
 Operating 
 profit 
 after 
 exceptional 
 items 
 Ceramics                                4,067                        3,254                                  8,696 
 Materials                                 287                            -                                      - 
                    --------------------------    -------------------------    ----------------------------------- 
                                         4,354                        3,254                                  8,696 
 
 Unallocated 
  items 
 Share of 
  results 
  of associate 
  company                                 (22)                           92                                    185 
 Finance income                             69                           46                                    110 
 Finance costs                           (100)                         (90)                                  (144) 
                   ---------------------------   --------------------------   ------------------------------------ 
 Profit before 
  income tax                             4,301                        3,302                                  8,847 
                   ---------------------------   --------------------------   ------------------------------------ 
 
 

2. Exceptional items

2019: In accordance with IFRS, the negative goodwill of GBP117,000 generated on the acquisition of a controlling interest in Furlong Mills Limited has been credited to the Income Statement as an exceptional item. A related deferred tax charge of GBP20,000 has been provided for.

2018: Following changes to the law relating to the equalisation of Guaranteed Minimum Pensions, a one-off sum of GBP611,000 was provided to reflect the cumulative effect of these changes. A related deferred tax credit of GBP104,000 was also provided for. Additionally provisions for costs of GBP70,000 for in relation to the disposal of property were released and credited to profit.

3. Finance income and costs

 
                                      Unaudited       Unaudited            Audited 
                                  Six months to   Six months to   Twelve months to 
                                   30 June 2019    30 June 2018   31 December 2018 
                                         GBP000          GBP000             GBP000 
 Finance income 
 Other interest receivable                   69              46                110 
 
 Finance income                              69              46                110 
                                 --------------  --------------  ----------------- 
 
 Finance costs 
 Interest paid                             (19)               -                (1) 
 Interest on pension scheme                (81)            (90)              (143) 
 
 Finance costs                            (100)            (90)              (144) 
                                 --------------  --------------  ----------------- 
 

The interest cost arising from pension schemes is a non cash item.

4. Income tax expense

 
                            Unaudited       Unaudited            Audited 
                        Six months to   Six months to   Twelve months to 
                         30 June 2019    30 June 2018   31 December 2018 
                               GBP000          GBP000             GBP000 
 
 Current taxation                 621             513              1,552 
 Deferred taxation                194             113                 97 
 Income tax expense               815             626              1,649 
                       --------------  --------------  ----------------- 
 

5. Earnings per ordinary share

Basic earnings per ordinary share is based on the profit after taxation attributable to owners of the Company of GBP3,425,000 (June 2018: GBP2,676,000; December 2018: GBP7,198,000) and on 10,961,584 (June 2018: 10,964,570; December 2018: 10,966,966) ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period. Adjusted earnings per ordinary share is calculated after adjusting for the post tax effect of the exceptional items (see note 2).

Diluted basic earnings per ordinary share is based on the profit after taxation attributable to owners of the Company of GBP3,425,000 (June 2018: GBP2,676,000; December 2018: GBP7,198,000) and on 11,064,534 (June 2018: 11,066,621; December 2018: 11,069,061) ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period of 10,961,584 (June 2018: 10,964,570; December 2018: 10,966,966) increased by 102,950 (June 2018: 102,051; December 2018: 102,065) shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares which would have been issued if the outstanding options to acquire shares in the Group had been exercised at the average price during the period. Diluted adjusted earnings per ordinary share is calculated after adjusting for the post tax effect of the exceptional items (see note 2).

6. Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from continuing activities

 
                                                                Unaudited       Unaudited            Audited 
                                                            Six months to   Six months to   Twelve months to 
                                                             30 June 2019    30 June 2018   31 December 2018 
                                                                   GBP000          GBP000             GBP000 
 Cash flow from operations 
 Operating profit                                                   4,354           3,254              8,696 
 Adjustments for 
 Depreciation and amortisation - before exceptional item            1,187             913              1,725 
 Amortisation - exceptional item                                    (117)               -                  - 
 Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment                 (22)             (4)               (91) 
 Charge for share based payment                                       152             121                262 
 Decrease in retirement benefit obligations                         (715)           (715)            (1,430) 
 Pension current serve charge - non cash exceptional                    -               -                611 
 Changes in working capital 
 Inventory                                                        (1,006)             110               (95) 
 Trade and other receivables                                        (402)           (585)            (1,039) 
 Trade and other payables                                           (997)         (1,408)              (379) 
 
 Cash inflow from operations                                        2,434           1,686              8,260 
                                                           --------------  --------------  ----------------- 
 

7. Acquisition of subsidiary

On 25 February 2019 Churchill acquired a further 9.5% of the issued ordinary share capital of Furlong Mills Limited for a total consideration of GBP454,000. Churchill's shareholding in Furlong Mills prior to the purchase was 46.1% and it had previously been accounted for as an associate company. As the February purchase increased Churchill's overall holding to 55.6% of the issued ordinary share capital, a controlling interest, it has been accounted for as a subsidiary from that date.

Furlong Mills is a ceramic materials manufacturer based in Stoke on Trent, providing processed clay body and glazes to Churchill and to other ceramic manufacturers.

The amounts recognised at fair value in respect of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are as follows:

 
                                                  GBP000 
 
 Plant, property and equipment                     3,176 
 Inventory                                           830 
 Debtors                                           1,891 
 Cash and cash equivalents                           824 
 Trade and other payables                        (2,258) 
 Current income tax liabilities                     (75) 
 Deferred income tax liabilities                   (205) 
 
 Total identifiable assets                         4,183 
 Goodwill                                          (117) 
 Non-controlling interest at acquisition         (1,902) 
                                                -------- 
 Total consideration                               2,164 
                                                -------- 
 
 Satisfied by: 
 Cash and cash equivalents                           454 
 Investment in associate at acquisition            1,710 
                                                -------- 
                                                   2,164 
                                                -------- 
 Net cash inflow arising on 
  acquisition 
 Cash consideration                                (454) 
 Less: Cash and cash equivalents 
  acquired                                           824 
                                                -------- 
 Net cash inflow                                     370 
                                                -------- 
 
 

8. Basis of preparation and accounting policies

The interim financial information for the period to 30 June 2019 has not been audited or reviewed and does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 435 of the Companies Act 2006. The Company's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2018, prepared in accordance with accounting standards adopted for use in the European Union (International Financial Reporting Standards - IFRS), have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies; the report of the auditors on these accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

The interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union, IFRIC interpretations and the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS, under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of land and buildings, available for sale financial assets, and financial assets and liabilities (including derivative instruments) at fair value through the profit and loss account. The same accounting policies, presentation and methods of computation are followed in the interim financial statements as were applied in the Group's last audited financial statements, except in relation to the adoption of IFRS 16 'Leases', effective from 1 January 2019.

The asset and corresponding liability on implementation on 1 January 2019 amounted to GBP234,000. In the six months to 30 June 2019, IFRS 16 resulted in a GBP6,000 increase to operating profit and an GBP11,000 increase in interest payable.

9. Share buybacks

The Company did not buy back any ordinary shares during the first six months of the year, but may consider making further ad hoc share buybacks going forward at the discretion of the Board and subject to the shareholder authorities approved at the 2019 Annual General Meeting.

The half-yearly report and this announcement will be available shortly on the Company's website: www.churchill1795.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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