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CRPR Cropper (james) Plc

255.00
-5.00 (-1.92%)
Last Updated: 13:04:23
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Cropper (james) Plc LSE:CRPR London Ordinary Share GB0002346053 ORD 25P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  -5.00 -1.92% 255.00 240.00 270.00 260.00 245.00 260.00 28,719 13:04:23
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Paper Mills 130.45M 516k 0.0540 47.22 24.36M

Cropper(James) PLC Final Results (5591P)

21/06/2022 7:00am

UK Regulatory


Cropper (james) (LSE:CRPR)
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TIDMCRPR

RNS Number : 5591P

Cropper(James) PLC

21 June 2022

James Cropper plc ('CRPR', the 'Company' or the 'Group'), the leading advanced materials and paper products group is pleased to announce its

Preliminary results for the 52 weeks ended 26 March 2022

Revenue achieves new high, entering new financial year with a strong order book projection.

 
                                              52 weeks          52 weeks 
                                              ended 26    ended 27 March 
                                            March 2022              2021 
                                                 GBP'm             GBP'm 
 Revenue                                         104.9              78.8 
 Adjusted operating profit (excluding 
  IAS19 and exceptional items)                     4.6               4.5 
 Operating profit                                  3.7               2.4 
 Adjusted profit before tax (excluding 
  IAS19 and exceptional items)                     4.0               4.0 
 Impact of IAS19 on income statement             (0.9)             (0.8) 
 Exceptional items                               (0.3)             (1.5) 
 Profit before tax                                 2.8               1.7 
 Earnings per share - basic and diluted          14.2p             16.4p 
 Proposed final dividend per share                7.5p               Nil 
 Total dividend for the year                     10.0p               Nil 
 
 Net borrowings                                 (12.6)             (7.5) 
 Net borrowings (excluding right-of-use 
  leases)                                        (8.6)             (3.7) 
 Equity shareholders' funds                       34.8              29.9 
 Gearing % - before IAS 19 deficit                 28%               17% 
 Gearing % - after IAS 19 deficit                  36%               25% 
 Capital expenditure                               6.8               3.1 
 

Highlights

   --      Revenues up by 33% and higher than pre-pandemic levels, with growth in all divisions. 
   --      Profit before tax up by 62%. 
   --      TFP Hydrogen performing better than expectations. TFP revenue up by 27%. 
   --      Colourform achieves a positive EBITDA and 19% revenue growth. 
   --      Paper impacted with substantial energy costs with 37% revenue growth but a loss before tax. 

-- New loan facility of GBP25m under UK Export Finance to support sustainable strategic growth plans.

   --      Investment expenditure doubled to GBP6.7m, to support growth plans. 

-- Return to dividend payments with a proposed 7.5p final dividend, making a total of 10.0p per share (2021: nil pence per share).

-- The Group board strengthened with two new NEDs and appointment of TFP Managing Director complete.

Mark Cropper, Chairman, commented:

" The green agenda represents a significant growth opportunity for all our divisions. "

" Looking forward the outlook remains positive across the Group."

" Our mantra since the earliest days of the Covid crisis has been to "emerge stronger" and I am confident that this has truly been the case".

Enquiries:

 
 Isabelle Maddock, Chief   Robert Finlay, Henry Willcocks, 
  Financial Officer         John More 
 James Cropper PLC (AIM    Shore Capital 
  :CRPR.L) 
 Telephone: +44 (0) 1539   Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7601 6100 
  722002 
 www.jamescropper.com 
 

The Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at 11.00am on Wednesday 27 July 2022 at the Bryce Institute, Burneside, Cumbria.

 
                                           52 weeks    52 weeks 
                                              ended       ended 
                                           26 March    27 March 
                                               2022        2021 
 Summary of results                         GBP'000     GBP'000 
 Revenue                                    104,922      78,768 
 
 Adjusted operating profit (excluding 
  IAS19 and exceptional items)                4,585       4,510 
 
 Adjusted profit before tax (excluding 
  IAS19 and exceptional items)                4,045       4,023 
 
 Impact of IAS 19                             (914)       (802) 
 
 Exceptional items                            (354)     (1,502) 
 
 Profit before tax                            2,777       1,719 
---------------------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 
                                            52 weeks    52 weeks 
                                               ended       ended 
                                            27 March    27 March 
                                                2021        2021 
                                             GBP'000     GBP'000 
 Revenue 
 James Cropper Paper                          70,350      51,376 
 Colourform                                    3,363       2,822 
 Technical Fibre Products                     31,209      24,570 
----------------------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
                                             104,922      78,768 
 
 Adjusted operating profit (excluding 
  IAS19 and exceptional items)                 4,585       4,510 
 Net interest (excluding IAS19 impact)         (540)       (487) 
----------------------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 Adjusted profit before tax (excluding 
  IAS19 and exceptional items)                 4,045       4,023 
 
 IAS19 pension adjustments 
 Net current service charge against 
  operating profits                            (547)       (563) 
 Finance costs charged against interest        (367)       (239) 
----------------------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
                                               (914)       (802) 
----------------------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 Exceptional items 
 Restructuring costs                               -     (1,118) 
 Transaction costs on acquisition 
  of a business                                    -       (384) 
 Increased earn out provisions                 (354)           - 
----------------------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
                                               (354)     (1,502) 
----------------------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Profit before tax                             2,777       1,719 
----------------------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 

The IAS 19 pension adjustments are explained in detail in the Financial Review section of the Annual Report. The total amount excluded from the IAS pension Charge is GBP914k (2021: GBP802k). The adjustment, which we refer to in these accounts as the "IAS 19 impact" represents the difference between the pension charge as calculated under IAS 19 and the cash contributions for the current service cost only as determined by the latest triennial valuation. The Directors consider that the adjusted pension charge better reflects the actual pension costs for ongoing service compared to the IAS 19 charge. This adjustment is made internally when we assess performance and is also used in the EBITDA and EPS targets used in management incentive schemes

The IAS 19 pension adjustment to the income statement of GBP914k (2021: GBP802k) comprises:

 
                         Period ended 26 March   Period ended 27 March 
                                          2022                    2021 
                                       GBP'000                 GBP'000 
 Current service 
  charge                                 1,203                   1,034 
 Normal contributions                    (656)                   (471) 
 Interest charge                           367                     239 
----------------------  ----------------------  ---------------------- 
 IAS 19 pension 
  adjustment                               914                     802 
----------------------  ----------------------  ---------------------- 
 
 
 Balance sheet summary                     As at 26      As at 27 
                                         March 2022    March 2021 
                                            GBP'000       GBP'000 
 Non-pension assets - excluding 
  cash                                       82,302        70,780 
 Non-pension liabilities - excluding 
  borrowings                               (25,069)      (18,444) 
-------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
                                             57,233        52,336 
 
 Net IAS19 pension deficit (after 
  deferred tax)                             (9,847)      (14,933) 
-------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
                                             47,386        37,403 
 Net borrowings                            (12,572)       (7,502) 
-------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
   Equity shareholders' funds                34,814        29,901 
 Gearing % - before IAS19 deficit               28%           17% 
 Gearing % - after IAS19 deficit                36%           25% 
 Capital expenditure                          6,761         3,127 
 

Chairman's Letter

Dear Shareholders

The year to 26 March 2022 has been yet again another long and memorable year for the Company and all those associated with it. The challenges have continued with the tail end of the pandemic, not so long ago joined by the onset of the Ukraine war. Both have led to dramatic rises in input costs, in particular in relation to energy. I am pleased to report the Group has responded with mitigating actions at every step and as a result our revenues are back to pre-pandemic levels, profits have risen and demand remains high across all divisions.

The result has been driven in part by the record performance of the TFP division, which has seen strong organic sales and the successful integration of the newly rebranded TFP Hydrogen subsidiary, following the acquisition of PV3 Technologies Limited ("PV3") in January 2021.

In financial terms, the Group reports a profit before tax of GBP2.8m for the period. This was up by 62% versus the prior period with Group turnover rising by 33%, split between Paper (+37%), TFP (+27%), and Colourform (+19%).

This year has also seen several changes at Board level. James Gravestock was appointed Managing Director of the TFP division and an Executive Director of the Group, following the departure of Martin Thompson. On behalf of the Board, I would like to welcome James and to thank Martin for his significant contribution over the past 18 years, not least his part in the significant and sustained growth of the TFP division.

There were also significant changes on the non-executive side of the board. Our Senior Independent Director Dr Andrew Hosty stepped down during the year and I would also like to thank him for his valuable contributions in recent years.

Following on from this the Board chose to appoint two new non-executive directors in November: Sarah Miles, CEO of Feelunique.com, a market leader in cosmetics and beauty e-commerce, and Martin Court, Chief Commercial Officer of Victrex plc, the FTSE 250 advanced materials group. In April 2022 Martin assumed the role of Senior Independent Director. They both bring with them a wealth of commercial experience and I am delighted they chose to join us at an exciting moment in our growth journey.

Turning to other themes, our growth and product development strategies are also ever more aligned with helping our customers and consumers reduce their environmental impact, whether via greener papers and packaging or the advanced materials TFP has developed for a wide range of renewable energy.

Colourform continues to grow, with some highly creative innovative packaging products launched in the luxury beauty and premium alcoholic beverage markets. The division has generated a positive EBITDA for the first time as it continues to grow towards sustainable profitability.

The growth of our new subsidiary TFP Hydrogen has exceeded expectations in the year. This adds to the strong position TFP has built up over many years as a maker of materials and components for both fuel cells and hydrogen electrolysers. This sector is fast gaining traction as a key element of the global transition away from fossil fuels. Furthermore TFP is on track to shift the majority of its sales to applications supporting the Global Net Zero Carbon emissions movement within the next five years; helping us as a business to safeguard and protect the future of our planet.

Closer to home, we also continue to address our own impacts. During the year we have progressed our programme to deliver significant decarbonisation by 2030 and the Paper division's ambition to source 50% of its fibre from waste by 2025. We are also taking further steps, not least via our ESG sub-committee, to better monitor and measure and ESG targets and further evolve policies and programmes that align with our Purpose and Values.

The Board is recommending a final dividend of 7.5 pence per share, making a total dividend for the year of 10.0 pence per share. A final dividend has not been paid since 2019 owing to the pandemic. Earnings per share have fallen by 13% to 14.2 pence.

I would like to thank our Board and all of our employees for the resilience they have shown during what have been very challenging months and years. Our mantra since the earliest days of the Covid crisis has been to "emerge stronger" and I am confident that this has truly been the case.

Outlook

Looking forward, the outlook remains positive across the Group as we enter the new financial year with a record order book. While there are short term challenges in the Paper division due to external factors, we have put in place measures to mitigate these and plans are well underway to transition all of the divisions away from natural gas. The geopolitical climate has cemented and accelerated Government support for cleaner and greener hydrogen energy and TFP has the power to help facilitate this energy transition, by reducing costs and improving accessibility. Overall the green agenda represents a significant growth opportunity for all our divisions. Colourform will continue to grow year-on-year and Paper's strategy to enrich margins will also be significantly underpinned by its environmental initiatives.

Mark Cropper

Chairman

20 June 2022

Chief Executive's Review

I am pleased to report our financial results for the period, which yet again underline the continued resilience of the Group as we successfully navigated two unprecedented events - the end of the Covid pandemic, which saw resource and supply chain challenges, and the Ukraine War, which sparked an energy crisis and has compounded global inflation.

The Group has experienced strong demand throughout the period and across all divisions, with over 30% sales growth in the current year to 26th March 2022, which is ahead of previous market expectations.

Profit in 2021 included GBP2.9m of Covid-19 related government grants. No grants were included in 2022, demonstrating a strong underlying Adjusted profit before tax improvement from GBP1.1m (excluding grants) in 2021 to GBP4.0m in 2022.

While all of the divisions have felt the impact of these events in some way, the Paper division was significantly affected, as it is, by far, our most energy-intensive division. The division is accountable for 88% of the Group's energy expenditure, with costs in the period 70% higher than the pre-Covid period ending March 2020. Up to the end of the period, the Group had negotiated a fixed price contract for a significant proportion of the energy purchased, mitigating the impact of the crisis in the short term. Once this agreement ended in Q4, the division was exposed to the higher energy prices, which has impacted Group results in the current period (as announced on 23 March 2022).

As with all energy intensive businesses, the Paper division continues to incur higher than average energy costs, however, fixed prices for Q1 in the current period and an energy surcharge to all customers of the division are mitigating the impact over the medium term. The Paper division saw a strong recovery following the impact of Covid, with revenues at 93% of pre-pandemic levels and excellent customer retention rates. Programmes are well in advance to transition all Group divisions away from natural gas dependence.

The TFP division has had a record year for revenue, including better than expected results for the recently acquired TFP Hydrogen subsidiary, resulting in a full earn out payment for year one of the earn out period, and an increase in provisions for the future earn out expectations. Revenues were up on the previous period by 27%, surpassing the previous highest turnover by more than GBP4m, and higher than the pre-Covid period by 18%. Estimates suggest hydrogen could eventually account for 18% of primary energy, underlining TFP's role as an exciting and key growth area for the Group.

The Colourform division continues to grow with revenues up by 19% on the previous period and 31% higher than the pre-Covid period. The division has also shown positive EBITDA. With pioneering, award-winning products and high profile brand partnerships secured for the short to medium term and energy security from being powered by 100% renewable energy, Colourform is projected to continue to grow year on year.

Revenue, Operating Profit and Capital Expenditure

Group revenue for the financial period was GBP104.9m, up 33% on the prior period (2021: GBP78.8m), with profits before tax of GBP2.8m, an increase of 62% on the prior period (2021: GBP1.7m). Earnings per share have risen 13% to 14.2p per share (2021: 16.4p per share).

Revenue for the Paper division rose by 37% in the period to GBP70.4m generating an operating loss of GBP2.4m compared to an operating loss of GBP0.4m in the prior period, for reasons previously disclosed. Revenue for the TFP division rose by 27% in the period to GBP31.2m generating an operating profit of GBP8.7m, compared to an operating profit of GBP6.9m in the prior period. Revenue for Colourform grew by 19% in the period to GBP3.4m, generating an operating loss of GBP0.8m, compared to an operating loss of GBP1.4m in the prior period.

Capital investments during the period amounted to GBP6.8m compared to GBP3.1m in the prior period.

The Group has completed a GBP25m financing deal with NatWest Bank and HSBC Bank, supported by UK Export Finance. The funding will be used to invest in additional investments to support our strategic growth plans and support our ESG commitments including decarbonisation.

Group Strategy

Our company's Purpose (Pioneering Materials to Safeguard our Future) and Values (Forward Thinking, Responsible and Caring), provide our guiding principles for our growth strategies across each business.

Our main markets within each business include:

 
 TFP                                   Paper                              Colourform 
 
        *    Clean Energy (Hydrogen)          *    Packaging                     *    Wines & Spirits 
                                                                          *    Fragrances 
        *    Defence                          *    Art 
                                                                          *    Beauty 
        *    Aerospace                        *    Design & Advertising 
 
        *    Green Technologies               *    Publishing 
 

While operating under the Group's combined Purpose and Values, each business division acts independently, focusing on niche markets and growth areas:

TFP

TFP is accelerating sales, particularly in clean energy, and building global capacity.

Case study: TFP sales into clean energy, such as wind and hydrogen markets, have grown by 75%, from GBP5.7m to GBP10.0m in the past 12 months. The division has also achieved a 70% reduction in the volume of waste generated, compared to 2015.

Paper

Paper is growing its market share in luxury packaging and focusing on delivering improved margins.

Case Study: A key innovation of Paper is creating value from waste. As well as increasing the level of upcycled material, such as coffee cups, into luxury paper, the division has launched Rydal Apparel, which is a 100% recycled packaging product, incorporating 20% used denim fabrics.

Colourform

Colourform has diversified its client base, by evolving from a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging to delivering sustainable, highly designed, point of sale outer packaging.

Case Study: The energy used to operate our Colourform factory is now 100% powered by green electricity, most of which is from community owned solar panels within our facility generating 1 megawatt - the UK's largest roof mounted PV system.

Ethical Markets

As each business is focused on growing ethical and environmental markets, we have undertaken a thorough ethical markets review of our current business and its supply chain, which has resulted in exiting some markets.

Through an in-depth analysis of our upstream supply chain, we discovered a small number of products in what we would classify unethical markets. We have now appropriately exited these over the period and are building our market pipelines aligned to our values.

Investing in Future Growth

Group investments in the year have doubled year on year, to GBP6.8m (2021: GBP3.1m). In the year the additional production line in TFP became operational, adding 50% additional capacity for non-woven materials. In addition, TFP's acquisition of PV3 , rebranded TFP Hydrogen, was completed and provides catalyse coating capability for hydrogen PEM electrolysers. A new TFP Hydrogen coating line was started last year at our USA manufacturing facility, which will be operational later this year and ready to serve the USA hydrogen market.

Paper's luxury packaging products require unique embossing and sustainable coatings and, to support market share growth, we began to create additional manufacturing capability last year and established a new dedicated manufacturing cell. This increased capacity and capability will be operational later this financial year. As Colourform is focusing more attention to outer finished sustainable packaging, there have been investments in both product design capability and decorative product finishing.

Our People

At James Cropper we have a strong company culture, which is reflected in the Purpose and Values we have set out and continue to build on and embed into the entire Group. We have also updated our Code of Ethics, to create clear, guiding principles that dictate how we engage with our clients, our suppliers, and our colleagues. We will be supporting and embedding these ethics across the Group, with further education and training during in the current period.

To demonstrate our commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of our teams, our employee survey has been improved to provide more targeted and clearer feedback on areas that are working well and can be replicated across the Group, and areas in need of improvement.

Over 5% of our employees are starting their first career journey with James Cropper, including four graduates and 27 apprentices. This, together with working alongside local schools and colleges on STEM career awareness, helps to encourage the next generation into our business, bringing with them innovation and ideas as well as securing our future talent pipeline for the Group.

To support our strategic ESG ambitions our long-term incentive programme for senior leaders now incorporates additional non-financial measures, focusing on ESG improvements.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the James Cropper employees for their hard work during the year, they have showed tremendous commitment and flexibility, and to demonstrate our thanks, we have awarded an extra day's holiday to all employees.

The UK has a long history of being at the forefront of the science and technology revolution - inventing some of the world's best technology, which we still use to this day. At James Cropper we combine over 177 years of experience with world leading innovation and pioneering manufacturing technology, which together can help to safeguard the future of our planet.

Phil Wild

Chief Executive Officer

20 June 2022

From the Chief Financial Officer's Review:

Cash flow

In the period the Group's net cash inflow was GBP985k (2021: outflow GBP2,199k). Investment expenditure commenced in the latter half of the prior year and continued into this period to enable growth through an increase in capacity and capability. Cash invested in working capital to support the return to normal operations also increased. Lease and borrowing facilities increased in the year to support all activities.

Funding and facilities

The Group funds its operations and investments from operating cash flow and from borrowings and leases. The Group has a core banking facility in the UK and further loan support in the USA, along with some lease arrangements, all with high street banks.

The Group has a core GBP25m banking facility under UKEF's Export Development Guarantee scheme which is aimed at enabling additional bank liquidity to support exporters. This finance arrangement is available for general corporate purposes and will be used to support strategic growth and innovation, capital expenditure and decarbonisation programmes. The facility has an availability period of 3 years and an overall tenor of 8 years, repayments are on a straight line basis from years 4 to 8. The Group's key financial covenants are EBITDA: Interest 4x, and the Net Debt: EBITDA 3.5x. A GBP4m CLBIL was taken out in Oct 2020 as a safety net during the covid pandemic, this has been repaid in full. The Group is in compliance with all its banking covenants at the period end.

Cash and cash equivalents increased from GBP6,765k to GBP7,750k in the year. Long term borrowings (falling due after more than a year) also increased by GBP12,761k to GBP18,727k. The expiry profile of existing borrowings is detailed in note 19.3 to the financial statements of the annual report. The Group is in compliance with all its banking covenants at the period end. Undrawn facilities comprise of unused overdraft facilities of GBP3,500k plus the total unused credit facilities of GBP17,000k, this means a total of GBP20,500k remains unutilised at the year-end date. Having taken account of current borrowings to be paid within 12 months of the balance sheet date the Group has GBP26,655k available to the Group beyond 12 months.

 
 Funding                             2022      2021     Change 
                                  GBP'000   GBP'000    GBP'000 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents          7,750     6,765        985 
 Borrowings: repayable within 
  one year                        (1,595)   (8,301)      6,706 
 Borrowings: non-current         (18,727)   (5,966)   (12,761) 
------------------------------  ---------  --------  --------- 
 Net debt                        (12,572)   (7,502)    (5,070) 
 
 Borrowings: repayable within 
  one year                          1,595     8,301    (6,706) 
 Borrowings: non-current           18,727     5,966     12,761 
 Facilities drawn down             20,322    14,267      6,055 
------------------------------  ---------  --------  --------- 
 Undrawn facilities                20,500    11,260      9,240 
------------------------------  ---------  --------  --------- 
 Facilities                        40,822    25,527     15,295 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents          7,750     6,765        985 
 Undrawn facilities                20,500    11,260      9,240 
 Funds available at year end       28,250    18,025     10,225 
------------------------------  ---------  --------  --------- 
 Borrowings: repayable within 
  one year                        (1,595)   (8,301)      6,706 
 Funds available in excess of 
  one year                         26,655     9,724     16,931 
------------------------------  ---------  --------  --------- 
 

Net debt

The Group incorporates GBP3,949k (2021: GBP3,771k) of right-of-use leases in its 2022 borrowings figure. The Groups banking arrangements monitor net debt excluding 1FRS 16. On this basis net debt has increased over the year from GBP3,731k to GBP8,623k, an increase of GBP4,892k largely supporting the capital and working capital requirements of each business as the Group emerges stronger from the pandemic. Net debt including Right of use lease liabilities is GBP12,572k, an increase of GBP5,070k on the prior period.

 
 Net Debt before RoU leases                  2022       2021 
                                          GBP'000    GBP'000 
--------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents                  7,750      6,765 
 All Borrowings excluding RoU 
  leases                                 (16,373)   (10,496) 
--------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 Net debt on an equivalent comparison 
  basis                                   (8,623)    (3,731) 
--------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 

Going concern

The Directors carry out a review of the Group's financial position for the period up to 12 months after the date of signing the audit report, providing a comprehensive review of revenue, expenditure and cash flows taking into account specific business risks, requirements and latest economic forecasts. These inform the Group's cash and debt requirements. The Group's financial position, cash flows, liquidity and borrowing facilities are described in the financial statements. At 26 March 2022, James Cropper had GBP17m of undrawn committed facilities. The principal loan arrangements are described in note 18 of the financial statements. The Group has GBP7.75m of cash available to support its short term needs.

The Group's 12 month forecast period from the date of signing the audit report has been tested for plausible downsides scenarios including further expected effects of the pandemic, hampered market growth, increasing carbon cost and commodity prices. In the event that a scenario partly or fully takes place the Group has various options available to maintain liquidity and continue operations. We have assessed the combined impact of these scenarios on the Group's key financial metrics of EBITDA, net debt and net debt to underlying EBITDA. The Group remains within its key financial covenant which is its net debt to underlying EBITDA ratio must not exceed 3.5 times. The break-even calculation indicates that EBITDA would need to fall 85% before triggering the covenant. The Board is satisfied that the Group will be able to respond to such scenarios through various means which may include a reduced or deferred capital expenditure programme to ensure that the Group continues to meet its ongoing obligations.

The Board is satisfied that the Group will have sufficient liquidity to meet its needs over the 12 month forecast period from the date of signing the audit report. The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group remains a going concern over the forecast period.

The Board is satisfied it has sufficient cash resources to meet its obligations as they fall due throughout this duration and the Board has a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

 
                                                52 week     52 week 
                                                 period   period to 
                                            to 26 March    27 March 
                                                   2022        2021 
-----------------------------------------  ------------  ---------- 
                                                GBP'000     GBP'000 
Revenue                                         104,922      78,768 
Reversal of / (Provision for) impairment            184       (431) 
Other income                                        744       3,036 
Changes in inventories of finished goods 
 and work in progress                               385         598 
Raw materials and consumables used             (39,577)    (28,290) 
Energy costs                                    (7,428)     (3,078) 
Employee benefit costs                         (30,535)    (28,417) 
Depreciation and amortisation                   (4,051)     (4,489) 
Other expenses                                 (20,960)    (15,252) 
-----------------------------------------  ------------  ---------- 
Operating Profit                                  3,684       2,445 
Interest payable and similar charges              (924)       (730) 
Interest receivable and similar income               17           4 
Profit before taxation                            2,777       1,719 
Taxation                                        (1,419)       (153) 
-----------------------------------------  ------------  ---------- 
Profit for the period                             1,358       1,566 
Earnings per share - basic and diluted            14.2p       16.4p 
 

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 
 Profit for the period                         1,358     1,566 
--------------------------------------------  ------  -------- 
 Items that are or may be reclassified 
  to profit or loss 
 Exchange differences on translation of 
  foreign operations                              49      (80) 
 Pulp hedge fair value adjustment              (501)       501 
 Cash flow hedges - effective portion 
  of changes in fair value                        10       258 
 Foreign tax adjustment                         (13)         - 
 Items that will never be reclassified 
  to profit or loss 
 Retirement benefit liabilities - actuarial 
  gains / (losses)                             4,777   (8,750) 
 Deferred tax on actuarial (gains) / losses 
  on retirement benefit liabilities            (179)     1,663 
 Other comprehensive income / (expense) 
  for the period                               4,143   (6,408) 
--------------------------------------------  ------  -------- 
 Total comprehensive income / (expense)/ 
  for the period 
  Attributable to equity holders of the 
  Company                                      5,501   (4,842) 
--------------------------------------------  ------  -------- 
 

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

 
                                              Group                           Company 
                                          As at            As at            As at            As at 
                                       26 March         27 March         26 March         27 March 
                                           2022             2021             2022            20201 
                                        GBP'000          GBP'000          GBP'000          GBP'000 
-------------------------------  --------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
Assets 
Goodwill                                  1,264            1,264                -                - 
Intangible assets                         1,584            1,946              769            1,013 
Property, plant and equipment            30,551           30,696            1,630            1,774 
Right-of-use assets                       7,358            4,160              343              236 
Investments in subsidiary 
 undertakings                                 -                -            7,350            7,350 
Deferred tax assets                       3,534            3,729            3,459            3,706 
-------------------------------  --------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
Total non-current assets                 44,291           41,795           13,551           14,079 
-------------------------------  --------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
Inventories                              17,593           15,469                -                - 
Trade and other receivables              22,640           16,053           55,027           50,863 
Provision for impairment                  (777)            (961)                -            (260) 
Other financial assets                        -              501                -                - 
Cash and cash equivalents                 7,750            6,765            4,011            2,861 
Corporation tax                           1,838            1,425              968            1,384 
Total current assets                     49,044           39,252           60,006           54,848 
-------------------------------  --------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
Total assets                             93,335           81,047           73,557           68,927 
-------------------------------  --------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
Liabilities 
Trade and other payables                 21,392           15,780           16,324           22,989 
Other financial liabilities                   6               16                6               16 
Loans and borrowings                      1,595            8,301              133               94 
Total current liabilities                22,993           24,097           16,463           23,099 
-------------------------------  --------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 
  Long-term borrowings                   18,727            5,966            8,182              211 
Retirement benefit liabilities           13,130           18,436           13,130           18,436 
Deferred consideration on 
 business acquisition                       578              401                -                - 
Deferred tax liabilities                  3,093            2,246              123              102 
Total non-current liabilities            35,528           27,049           21,435           18,749 
-------------------------------  --------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
Total liabilities                        58,521           51,146           37,898           41,848 
-------------------------------  --------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
Equity 
-------------------------------  --------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
Share capital                             2,389            2,389            2,389            2,389 
Share premium                             1,588            1,588            1,588            1,588 
Translation reserve                         553              504                -                - 
Reserve for own shares                  (1,407)          (1,151)          (1,407)          (1,151) 
Hedging reserve                               -              501                -                - 
Retained earnings                        31,691           26,070           33,089           24,253 
-------------------------------  --------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
Total shareholders' equity               34,814           29,901           35,659           27,079 
-------------------------------  --------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
Total equity and liabilities             93,335           81,047           73,557           68,927 
-------------------------------  --------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 

The Parent Company reported a profit for the period ended 26 March 2022 of GBP4,554k (2021: GBP4,072k).

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 
                                                       Group 
                                          52 weeks ended   52 weeks ended 
                                           26 March 2022    27 March 2021 
                                                 GBP'000          GBP'000 
---------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
 Net profit                                        1,358            1,566 
 Adjustments for: 
 Tax                                               1,419              153 
 Depreciation and amortisation                     4,051            4,489 
 Transaction costs on business 
  acquisition                                          -              384 
 Net IAS 19 pension adjustments 
  within SCI                                         914              802 
 Past service pension deficit 
  payments                                       (1,443)            (498) 
 Foreign exchange differences                          -              783 
 Gain on early termination of 
  Right-of use assets                                  -             (19) 
 Bank Interest income                               (17)              (4) 
 Bank interest expense                               926              491 
 Share based payments                              (107)              245 
 Increase in inventories                         (2,103)          (1,448) 
 (Increase) / decrease in trade 
  and other receivables                          (6,448)            3,401 
 Increase / (decrease) in trade 
  and other payables                               5,773          (2,406) 
 Tax paid                                          (972)                - 
---------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Net cash generated from operating 
  activities                                       3,351            7,939 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
 Purchase on intangible assets                      (56)             (42) 
 Purchase of property, plant and 
  equipment                                      (6,705)          (3,085) 
 Acquisition of business net of 
  cash and cash equivalents                            -          (1,359) 
---------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Net cash used in investing activities           (6,761)          (4,486) 
---------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Proceeds from issue of new loans                  9,754            6,390 
 Repayment of borrowings                         (3,123)         (10,313) 
 Repayment of lease liabilities                  (1,111)            (818) 
 Interest received                                    17                4 
 Interest paid                                     (768)            (353) 
 Distribution of own shares                        (256)              100 
 Dividends paid to shareholders                    (236)                - 
---------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Net cash generated / (used) 
  from financing activities                        4,277          (4,990) 
---------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Net increase / (decrease) in 
  cash and cash equivalents                          867          (1,537) 
 Effect of exchange rate fluctuations 
  on cash held                                       118            (662) 
---------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Net increase / (decrease) in 
  cash and cash equivalents                          985          (2,199) 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 
  the start of the period                          6,765            8,964 
---------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 
  the end of the period                            7,750            6,765 
---------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents consists 
  of: 
 Cash at bank and in hand                          7,750            6,765 
                                                   7,750            6,765 
---------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 
                                   Share        Share    Translation           Own    Hedging    Retained 
                                 capital      premium        reserve        shares    reserve    earnings        Total 
-------------------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------  ---------  ----------  ----------- 
Group                            GBP'000      GBP'000        GBP'000       GBP'000    GBP'000     GBP'000      GBP'000 
-------------------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------  ---------  ----------  ----------- 
At 28 March 2020                   2,389        1,588            584       (1,251)          -      31,087       34,397 
 
Comprehensive income for 
 the 
 period                                -            -              -             -          -       1,566        1,566 
 
Total other comprehensive 
 income                                -            -           (80)             -        501     (6,829)      (6,408) 
 
Distribution of own 
 shares                                -            -              -           100          -           -          100 
Share based payment 
 charge                                -            -              -             -          -         246          246 
-------------------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------  ---------  ----------  ----------- 
Total contributions by 
 and 
 distributions to owners 
 of 
 the Group                             -            -              -           100          -         246          346 
-------------------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------  ---------  ----------  ----------- 
At 27 March 2021                   2,389        1,588            504       (1,151)        501      26.070       29,901 
 
Comprehensive income for 
 the 
 period                                -            -              -             -          -       1,358        1,358 
 
Total other comprehensive 
 income                                -            -             49             -      (501)       4,595        4,143 
 
Dividends paid                         -            -              -             -          -       (236)        (236) 
Purchase of own shares                 -            -              -         (256)          -           -        (256) 
Share based payment 
 charge                                -            -              -             -          -        (96)         (96) 
Total contributions by 
 and 
 distributions to owners 
 of 
 the Group                             -            -              -         (256)          -       (332)        (588) 
-------------------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------  ---------  ----------  ----------- 
 
  At 26 March 2022                 2,389        1,588            553       (1,407)          -      31,691       34,814 
-------------------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  ------------  ---------  ----------  ----------- 
 
 
                                   Share      Share       Own    Retained 
                                 capital    premium    shares    earnings     Total 
 Company                         GBP'000    GBP'000   GBP'000     GBP'000   GBP'000 
-----------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------  ----------  -------- 
 At 28 March 2020                  2,389      1,588   (1,251)      27,073    29,799 
 
 Comprehensive income for 
  the period                           -          -         -       4,072     4,072 
 
 Total other comprehensive 
  income                               -          -         -     (7,137)   (7,137) 
 
 Distribution of own shares            -          -       100           -       100 
 Share based payment charge            -          -         -         245       245 
-----------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------  ----------  -------- 
 Total contributions by and 
  distributions to owners of 
  the Group                            -          -       100         245       345 
-----------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------  ----------  -------- 
 At 27 March 2021                  2,389      1,588   (1,151)      24,253    27,079 
 
 Comprehensive income for 
  the period                           -          -         -       4,554     4,554 
 
 Total other comprehensive 
  income                               -          -         -       4,614     4,614 
 
 Dividends paid                        -          -         -       (236)     (236) 
 Purchase of own shares                -          -     (256)           -     (256) 
 Share based payment charge            -          -         -        (96)      (96) 
 Total contributions by and 
  distributions to owners of 
  the Group                            -          -     (256)       (332)     (588) 
-----------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------  ----------  -------- 
 At 26 March 2022                  2,389      1,588   (1,407)      33,089    35,659 
-----------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------  ----------  -------- 
 

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   1    BASIS OF PREPARATION 

James Cropper Plc (the Company) is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom and listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company for the 52 weeks ended 26 March 2022, comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the Group).

Statement of compliance

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. As required by the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority, the condensed consolidated set of financial statements have been prepared applying the accounting policies and presentation that were applied in the preparation of the Group's published consolidated financial statements for the 52 week period ended 26 March 2022. They do not include all the information required for full annual financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Group for the 52 week period ended 26 March 2022.

The consolidated financial statements of the Group for the 52 week period ended 26 March 2022 are available upon request from the Company's registered office Burneside Mills, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 6PZ or at www.jamescropper.com .

The financial information is presented in Sterling and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds (GBP'000) except where otherwise indicated.

Going concern

The Directors have performed a robust assessment, including review of the 12 month forecast period from the date of signing the audit report including consideration of the principal risks faced by the Group and the Company, including the potential impact of Covid 19 on the business, as detailed in the Group's Annual Report 2022. Following this review the Directors are satisfied that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Significant accounting policies

The accounting policies applied by the Group in these condensed consolidated financial statements are the same as those applied by the Group in its consolidated financial statements as at and for the 52 week period ended 26 March 2022.

   2      Accounting estimates and judgements 

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The significant judgements made by management in applying the Group's accounting policies and the key sources of estimation uncertainty were the same as those applied to the consolidated financial statements as at and for the 52 week period ended 26 March 2022.

   3    Risks and uncertainties 

The principal risks and uncertainties which may have the largest impact on performance are disclosed in the 2022 Annual Report and are namely:

Pandemic risk; fire; net zero emissions; pension; cyber risk; flood; water abstraction; energy price volatility and pulp price volatility.

The Board considers that the principal risks and uncertainties set out in the 2022 Annual Report remain relevant for the current financial year.

   4    Alternative performance measures 

The Company uses alternative performance measures to allow users of the financial statements to gain a clearer understanding of the underlying performance of the business.

Profit before tax represents the Group's overall performance and financial position, however it contains significant non-operational items relating to IAS 19 that the Directors believe obscure an understanding of the key performance trend.

Measures used to evaluate business performance are 'Adjusted operating profit' (operating profit excluding the impact of IAS 19 and exceptional costs), and 'Adjusted profit before tax' (profit before tax excluding the impact of IAS 19 and exceptional costs). The alternative performance measures are reconciled in note 9.

   5    Earnings per share 

The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year. The calculation of diluted earnings per share is based on the basic earnings per share adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive options.

   6    Segmental information 

IFRS 8 Operating Segments - requires that entities adopt the 'management approach' to reporting the financial performance of its operating segments. Management has determined the segments that are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision maker, identified as the Executive Committee that makes strategic decisions. The committee considers the business principally via the four main operating segments, principally based in the UK:

-- James Cropper Paper Products (Paper): comprising:

-- JC Speciality Papers - relates to James Cropper Speciality Papers a manufacturer of specialist paper and boards.

-- JC Converting - relates to James Cropper Converting - a converter of paper.

-- James Cropper 3D Products (Colourform) - a manufacturer of moulded fibre products.

-- Technical Fibre Products (TFP) - a manufacturer of advanced materials.

-- Group Services - comprises central functions providing services to the subsidiary companies.

 
                                                                  Operating profit / 
                                        Revenue                          (loss) 
                                   52 week         52 week         52 week         52 week 
                              period ended    period ended    period ended    period ended 
                                  26 March        27 March        26 March        27 March 
                                      2022            2021            2022            2021 
                                   GBP'000         GBP'000         GBP'000         GBP'000 
 Paper                              70,350          51,376         (2,338)           (309) 
 Colourform                          3,363           2,822           (754)         (1,542) 
 TFP                                31,209          24,570           8,684           6,482 
 Group services and other                -               -         (1,007)         (2,186) 
--------------------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  -------------- 
                                   104,922          78,768           4,585           2,445 
--------------------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  -------------- 
 
   7    Dividend 

An interim dividend of 2.5p per share was paid in the period and the Board are recommending a final dividend of 7.5p per share, making a total declared dividend for the period of 10.0p per share. (2021: nil per ordinary share).

If approved by members at the Annual General Meeting, the final dividend will be paid on 12 August 2022 to all shareholders on the register on 8 July 2022.

   8    Retirement benefit obligations 

Movements during the period in the Group's defined benefit pension schemes are set out below:

 
                                       52 week period      52 week period 
                                                ended               ended 
                                        26 March 2022       27 March 2021 
---------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
                                              GBP'000             GBP'000 
    Obligation brought forward               (18,436)             (9,382) 
    Expense recognised in the 
     income statement                         (1,570)             (1,273) 
    Contributions paid to the 
     schemes                                    2,099                 969 
    Actuarial (losses) and gains                4,777             (8,750) 
---------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
    Obligation carried forward               (13,130)            (18,436) 
---------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
 
   9    Alternative performance measures 
 
                                           52 week period      52 week period 
                                                    ended               ended 
                                            26 March 2022       27 March 2021 
                                                  GBP'000             GBP'000 
    Adjusted operating profit                       4,585               4,510 
    Net IAS 19 pension adjustments: 
                current service costs             (1,203)             (1,034) 
         future service contributions 
                                 paid                 656                 471 
    Exceptional Items: 
                  restructuring costs                   -             (1,118) 
     Transaction costs on acquisition 
                          of business                   -               (384) 
      Increase in earn out provisions               (354) 
 
    Operating profit                                3,684               2,445 
-------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
 
 
                                                               52 week period      52 week period 
                                                                        ended               ended 
                                                                26 March 2022       27 March 2021 
                                                                      GBP'000             GBP'000 
    Adjusted profit before tax                                          4,045               4,023 
    Net IAS 19 pension adjustments: 
                                    current service costs             (1,203)             (1,034) 
                             future service contributions 
                                                     paid                 656                 471 
                                            finance costs               (367)               (239) 
    Exceptional items: 
                                      Restructuring costs                   -             (1,118) 
                         Transaction costs on acquisition 
                                              of business                   -               (384) 
                          Increase in earn out provisions               (354) 
 
    Profit before tax                                                   2,777               1,719 
---------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
 

10 Related parties

There have been no significant changes in the nature of related party transactions in the period ended 26 March 2022 from that disclosed in the 2021 Annual report.

Statement of Directors' responsibilities

The Directors confirm that these condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting standards as adopted by the European Union and that the preliminary report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7 and DTR 4.2.8, namely:

(i) An indication of important events that have occurred during the period and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements, and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the financial period; and

(ii) Material related party transactions in the period and any material changes in the related party transactions described in the last Annual report.

The Directors of James Cropper Plc are detailed on our Group website www.jamescropper.com

Forward-looking statements

Sections of this financial report may contain forward-looking statements with respect to the Group's plans and expectations relating to its future performance, results, strategic initiatives, objectives and financial position, including liquidity and capital resources. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. By their very nature, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events that may or may not occur in the future and are or may be beyond the Group's control. Accordingly, the Group's actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this financial report are current only as of the date on which such statements are made. The Group undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, save in respect of any requirement under applicable law or regulation. Nothing in this announcement shall be construed as a profit forecast.

Content of this report

The financial information set out above does not constitute the Group's statutory accounts for the 12 months ended 26 March 2022 or 27 March 2021 but is derived from those accounts.

Statutory accounts for the 12 months ended 27 March 2021 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditor, BDO LLP, has reported on the 2021 accounts; the report (i) was unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

The statutory accounts for the 12 month period ended 26 March 2022 will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Annual General Meeting. The auditor, BDO LLP, has reported on these accounts; their report (i) is unqualified, (ii) does not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report, and (iii) does not include a statement under either section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies act 2006.

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