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HEAD Headlam Group Plc

157.00
-19.50 (-11.05%)
14 May 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Headlam Group Plc LSE:HEAD London Ordinary Share GB0004170089 ORD 5P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  -19.50 -11.05% 157.00 156.00 158.00 161.50 151.50 155.00 1,763,402 16:04:54
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Floor Covering Stores 656.5M 7.7M 0.0953 16.47 126.82M

Headlam Group PLC Final Results (0571F)

05/03/2020 7:00am

UK Regulatory


Headlam (LSE:HEAD)
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TIDMHEAD

RNS Number : 0571F

Headlam Group PLC

05 March 2020

5 March 2020

Headlam Group plc

('Headlam' or the 'Company')

Final Results

Headlam Group plc (LSE: HEAD), Europe's leading floorcoverings distributor, is pleased to announce its final results for the year ended 31 December 2019.

Highlights:

Financial(1)

-- Revenue increased by 1.5% to GBP719.2 million (2018: GBP708.4 million) despite a soft market backdrop and weakness in the UK residential sector

-- Like-for-like(2) revenue increased by 0.3% and 3.2% in the UK and Continental Europe respectively, resulting in an overall like-for-like(2) revenue increase of 0.7%

-- Gross margin of 31.9% (2018: 32.3%) was fairly resilient despite the expected shift in business mix towards the commercial sector as a result of market conditions

-- Underlying(3) distribution costs and administrative expenses were marginally up at GBP187.3 million (2018: GBP184.8 million, not restated), and flat as a proportion of revenue (2019: 26.0%; 2018: 26.1%)

-- U nderlying(3) operating profit of GBP42.2 million (2018: GBP44.3 million, not restated) and statutory operating profit of GBP38.3 million (2018: GBP41.3 million, not restated) were lower than 2018 and in-line with guidance given in January 2019

-- U nderlying (3) profit before tax of GBP39.5 million (2018: GBP43.4 million, not restated) and statutory profit before tax of GBP35.2 million (2018: GBP40.4 million, not restated)

-- Cash generation remained strong, with cash generated from operations representing 146% of statutory operating profit, equating to 107% (2018: 121%, not restated) after adjusting for the IFRS 16 lease principal repayments

-- Net funds of GBP27.0 million at year-end (2018: GBP36.7 million) following an increase in net cash outflows, including GBP13.4 million outflow on new Ipswich regional distribution centre

-- Final ordinary dividend maintained at 17.45 pence per share (2018: 17.45 pence per share) giving a full year dividend of 25.00 pence per share (2018: 25.00 pence per share), in-line with previous guidance

Operational

-- Strategic focus on improving, growing and broadening position within the floorcoverings industry

-- Scope of ongoing operational improvement programme enlarged, with the constituent projects designed to grow revenue and improve the customer service proposition, operating performance and margin

o Roll-out of inventory management and automated stock re-ordering system completed as planned in 2019, with benefits including improved product availability and warehouse capacity becoming increasingly evident

o Trial successfully completed in 2019 under the transport consolidation project, with phased roll-out stage now commenced ultimately leading to a decrease in the cost to serve

o New regional distribution centre in Ipswich remains on track, with the facility due to become operational next month at a total cost of approximately GBP26.0 million

-- ISO 45001:2018 accreditation, the world's first international standard for occupational health and safety management, achieved across all 18 UK national distribution hubs and regional distribution centres

Current Trading and Outlook

-- No direct impact from the spread of Coronavirus to date, with mitigation plans in place supported by extensive inventory position and large geographical spread of suppliers

-- Continue to anticipate 2020 financial performance to show a modest improvement compared with 2019 despite trading to date in 2020 being marginally below the Board's expectations

Steve Wilson, Chief Executive, said:

"Against a backdrop of general softness in the market, it was encouraging to have recorded revenue growth on both an absolute and like-for-like(2) basis during the year and, despite the reduced profit performance in-line with the guidance we gave in January 2019, maintained the full year dividend with that of 2018.

"We have in place a strategy that will support the delivery of revenue growth and an improvement to both customer service and profitability, and are pleased with the enlarged scope and increasing momentum of the supporting activities.

" Trading to date in 2020 has been marginally below the Board's expectations. Nevertheless, subject to no deterioration in market conditions or disruption, we continue to anticipate that this year's financial performance will show a modest improvement compared with 2019. "

A meeting for analysts will be held at 10.00am this morning (5 March 2020) at the offices of Buchanan, 107 Cheapside, London EC2V 6DN. For further details, please contact Buchanan on 020 7466 5000 or email headlam@buchanan.uk.com .

(1) The final results for the year ended 31 December 2019 have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and, therefore, reflect the new IFRS 16 'Leases' accounting standard ('IFRS 16') effective for financial periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. As the Company has adopted the modified retrospective approach, there has been no restatement of the comparatives for the 2018 reporting period. The impact on the Company's financial statements is summarised in the Chief Executive's Review and Financial Review and impacts the Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement and Statement of Financial Position. There is no overall impact on the Company's cash and cash equivalents.

(2) Like-for-like revenue is calculated based on constant currency from activities and businesses that made a full contribution in both the 2019 and 2018 periods and is adjusted for any variances in working days.

(3) Underlying is before non-underlying items which includes amortisation of acquired intangible assets, impairment of goodwill, acquisition related fees and associated restructuring costs, movements in deferred and contingent consideration, finance costs on deferred and contingent consideration, non-recurring pension costs in relation to guaranteed minimum pension ('GMP') equalisation, and non-recurring costs relating to senior personnel changes.

Enquiries:

 
Headlam Group plc                              Tel: 01675 433 000 
Steve Wilson, Chief Executive                  Email: headlamgroup@headlam.com 
 Chris Payne, Chief Financial Officer 
 Catherine Miles, Director of Communications 
Investec Bank plc (Corporate Broker)           Tel: 020 7597 5970 
David Flin / Alex Wright 
Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited (Corporate         Tel: 020 7886 2500 
 Broker) 
Erik Anderson / Dominic Morley 
 / Ailsa Macmaster 
Buchanan (Financial PR and IR)                 Tel: 020 7466 5000 
Mark Court / Toto Berger 
 

Notes for Editors:

Operating for 28 years and employing 2,575 people as at 31 December 2019, Headlam is Europe's leading floorcoverings distributor.

Headlam provides the distribution channel between suppliers and trade customers of floorcoverings. Working in partnership with suppliers across the globe manufacturing a diverse range of floorcovering products and ancillary accessories, Headlam provides an unparalleled route to market for their products across the UK and certain Continental European territories.

The utilisation of an outsourced distribution channel enables manufacturers to focus on their core activities, incur reduced costs associated with distribution, and benefit from localised sales, marketing and distribution expertise that provides a more effective and greater route to market for their products.

To maximize customer and market penetration, and reflecting the regionalised nature of the marketplace, Headlam comprises 67 individual businesses in the UK and Continental Europe (France, the Netherlands and Switzerland) each operating under their own unique trade brand and utilising individual sales teams.

Headlam's extensive customer base, operating within both the residential and commercial sectors and comprising principally independent retailers and flooring contractors, receives the broadest product offering supported by next day delivery as well as additional marketing and other support.

Headlam's offering is enabled through its unrivalled operating expertise, long-established supplier and customer relationships, and comprehensive distribution network. Following years of considerable investment, Headlam's distribution network currently comprises four national distribution hubs, 19 regional distribution centres and a supporting network of smaller warehouse premises, trade counters, showrooms and specification centres.

In 2019, Headlam worked with 190 suppliers from 19 countries and fulfilled 5.3 million customer orders.

www.headlam.com

Chairman's Statement

Against a backdrop of general softness in the market, it was encouraging to have recorded revenue growth on both an absolute and like-for-like (2) basis during the year and, despite the previously guided reduced profit performance compared with 2018, propose a final ordinary dividend in-line with the Board's previously stated intention to maintain the full year dividend with that of 2018.

Notwithstanding this performance, the market conditions that have been evident over the past two years combined with ongoing cost inflation have underscored the need for the business to become more effective and efficient in order to deliver higher levels of growth and improved performance.

Despite being a market-leader with unparalleled expertise and scale, there is still much we can do to improve, grow and broaden our position within the floorcoverings industry. In-line with this intent, we have introduced considerable additional expertise into the business and, over the past twelve months, have focused on reviewing and refining our strategy and the associated strategic objectives.

The strategic objectives support the delivery of revenue growth, a broadened position in the market, and an improvement to both customer service and margin. These objectives build upon our industry-leading position, and are intended to provide the basis for long-term sustainable growth.

The ongoing operational improvement programme is a key enabler of our strategy and strategic objectives, and the programme continues to be developed, enhanced in scope, implemented and rolled-out through a number of constituent and holistic projects. As well as leading to an increasingly positive impact on the Company's financial performance through revenue growth and margin improvement, it is designed to benefit all stakeholders, including our people through more efficient working processes, suppliers through increased and more productive collaboration, and customers through an enhanced service proposition including improved product availability and delivery.

We believe that a sustainable business is one which employs strong and well-defined Environmental, Social and Governance ('ESG') practices, and our strategic objectives and the supporting operational improvement programme will allow a more concerted focus and measurement of our ESG practices, particularly in the area of the safety and wellbeing of our people and the mitigation of our impact on the environment. 2019 saw the establishment of our Employee Forum strengthening engagement with our workforce and providing another mechanism from which to directly seek and act on employee feedback. The transport consolidation project, part of the operational improvement programme, provides a clear roadmap for a reduction in the commercial vehicles needed to service local areas and the attendant positive impact on the environment and communities due to lower carbon emissions and vehicle movements.

We are committed to continuing to invest in the business to support its sustainability and future success. Following on from 2019, and as previously announced, we have a substantial level of investment planned in 2020 to support our growth and improvement objectives. A highlight of 2020 will be the opening of our new regional distribution centre in Ipswich after a total capital investment of GBP26 million, with the centre supporting and improving customer service throughout the South East of England while enabling greater network and operational efficiency.

With a backdrop of clearly defined strategic objectives and the ever-increasing momentum and scope of our activities to support their delivery, we are increasingly optimistic in our ability to build upon and grow our leading position and deliver an associated improvement in financial performance.

I wish to thank all our colleagues for their ongoing hard work and commitment.

Philip Lawrence

Non-Executive Chairman

5 March 2020

Chief Executive's Review

2019 Financial Performance

As per the guidance we gave in January 2019, we have reported a profit performance below that of 2018, with this reduction attributable to a number of factors including market conditions, ongoing cost inflation and regulatory requirements associated with accounting standards, all of which are detailed below.

It was reassuring that we were able to deliver results in-line with our January 2019 guidance, including a maintained dividend, given the backdrop of economic and political uncertainty and associated weak market that prevailed in the UK throughout the year, with the business demonstrating a degree of underlying resilience. In a soft market, which could have impacted us more greatly, we were able to maintain our trading performance throughout the year and additionally achieve some revenue growth on both an absolute and like-for-like basis.

Total revenue grew 1.5% to GBP719.2 million (2018: GBP708.4 million) with growth in Continental Europe outperforming that of the UK, at 4.5% and 1.0% respectively, and leading to the UK accounting for a slightly reduced 84.8% of total revenue (2018: 85.3%). Following a like-for-like (2) increase of 3.2% in Continental Europe and 0.3% in the UK, total like-for-like (2) revenue growth was 0.7%.

Reflective of the weak UK residential sector and overall soft market conditions that have persisted since 2018, there was a continuation of the gradual shift in overall business mix towards the commercial sector which has proven to be the more resilient UK revenue stream. Conversely, in Continental Europe, the residential sector performed better than the commercial sector so, when combined with the marginal decline in UK residential performance, this resulted in total residential sector revenue being flat. In 2019, the residential sector accounted for a reduced 63.7% of total revenue (2018: 64.6%; 2017: 67.9%).

Despite the shift in business mix towards the lower-margin commercial sector, the gross margin was fairly resilient year-on-year at 31.9% (2018: 32.3%) and supported by ongoing pricing discipline across the group.

As described in detail within the Financial Review, the new IFRS 16 'Leases' accounting standard ('IFRS 16') became effective in the financial year, positively impacting reported operating profit while reducing reported profit before tax and, therefore, having a marginally adverse impact on earnings per share. The Company adopted the modified retrospective approach and, therefore, there is no restatement of the 2018 comparatives. Underlying operating profit and underlying profit before tax was GBP42.2 million (2018: GBP44.3 million) and GBP39.5 million (2018: GBP43.4 million) respectively. This performance was in-line with the Company's guidance at the beginning of 2019 that, due to the anticipated and aforementioned movement in revenue mix and associated margin, and early-stage contributions from the operational improvement programme not yet able to fully offset year-on-year inflationary cost pressures, underlying profit performance would be lower year-on-year.

However, we stated at the same time that despite the lower profit guidance, the Board intended to maintain the 2019 dividend in-line with that of 2018, being reflective of the Board's confidence in the Company's ability to improve future profitability.

The following paragraphs provide detail on the strategy and associated activities which will support the delivery of this improvement, as well as detail on the declared and proposed maintained dividend for 2019.

Strategy and Operational Improvement Programme

As referred to in the Chairman's Statement, while we hold a leading position in our industry, there is much we can do to improve, grow and broaden our business. We remain underweight in certain product categories, customer groups and market segments which present both revenue and margin growth opportunities. Additionally, further revenue opportunity lies in improving our service proposition to customers, particularly in the areas of product availability and differentiation and tailored propositions for different customer groups.

Improvement is achieved by making the business more effective and efficient, which in tandem with revenue growth drives margin enhancement with a greater percentage of revenue drop-through to profit on our fairly fixed cost base. Our improvement activity encompasses greater collaboration with suppliers to improve buying and production scheduling, which in turn supports the increased product availability initiative, transport and delivery consolidation projects which reduce distribution costs, greater network optimisation, and the introduction of more efficient operating processes which additionally benefits our people and the environment.

The above aims form the basis of our strategy and strategic objectives which are supported by ongoing investment in people and capability, processes and the distribution network.

During 2019, considerable resource was focused on evaluating, developing and implementing the ongoing operational improvement programme which is a key enabler of our strategic objectives and designed to improve the customer service proposition, operating performance and margin. Much has been achieved in establishing the various constituent projects, which have additionally grown in scope, with their ongoing implementation and roll-out leading to an increasingly positive impact on financial performance.

The contribution from the operational improvement programme's earlier stage projects, largely in the area of a group procurement approach to goods not for resale and the extension of commercial and motor vehicle leasing contracts, amounted to over GBP1.0 million in 2019. This enabled us to offset general non-employee related year-on-year inflationary pressures during the year. This benefit is now embedded in the business and it is anticipated that the continued introduction, implementation and roll-out of various other projects during 2020 will provide an additional year-on-year benefit to the Company of approximately GBP1.0 million in 2020. This cost benefit will cover the additional investment required in the year to deliver on the constituent projects. 2021 and beyond is then anticipated to deliver progressive net contributions from the projects and overall programme to benefit operating margin. It is our overarching aim to enable the Company to consistently outperform the cyclical nature of the market in which we operate, establishing a higher level of growth and sustainably improving operating margin.

Of the constituent projects within the operational improvement programme, the roll-out of the inventory management and automated stock-reordering system to all UK sites was completed as planned at the end of 2019 with the benefits of improved product availability, stock-turn, warehouse capacity and improved supplier production scheduling becoming increasingly evident across the group. The transport consolidation project, focused around more effective delivery fleet utilisation, continues to be progressed following the successfully completed trial in South Wales during 2019 which validated the project. We have now moved to the phased roll-out stage, with this enabling a fuller quantification and realisation of a decrease in the cost to serve through an increased number of order drops per commercial vehicle combined with a reduction in the number of vehicles needing to service a local area. This project is not just of significance operationally and financially, but will additionally reduce our impact on the environment and local communities in which we operate through reduced transport emissions, air pollution and vehicle movements. Other projects centred upon enhancing customer service, including better tailored support and fulfilment propositions for different customer groups, is being supported by work undertaken in the area of customer insight and the resource added in the areas of operational support and customer engagement.

Our new regional distribution centre in Ipswich, described in detail below and due to be operational next month, is another key component in improving our performance through enabling greater network optimisation, operational efficiency, and improved customer service throughout the South East of England. Following the build-up of operations after its opening in Easter 2020, it is expected to become earnings enhancing during 2021.

We are pleased with the enlarged scope and increasing momentum of the operational improvement programme and its constituent projects following the considerable focus and attention deployed on fully defining and developing them throughout 2019 and into 2020. The programme provides a broad foundation for the delivery of an improving operating margin.

Investments and Capital Expenditure

2019 incorporated a planned substantial level of investment to support future growth and improved operational and financial performance, and as previously announced this will be continued in 2020.

Capital investment of GBP15.5 million was incurred during 2019 in relation to our new 190,000 square feet regional distribution centre in Ipswich, which remains on-track in terms of both cost and timing. The state-of-the-art facility with 10.6 million cubic feet of capacity is expected to become operational next month at a total cost of approximately GBP26.0 million, with the final tranche of GBP10.0 million being incurred during 2020 and forming the majority of the capital investment planned for the year.

The opening of the Ipswich distribution centre is an important milestone for us, and it would be an understatement to say it has been some years in the planning. I would like to thank everyone who has helped deliver this significant project for the group.

Acquisitions

We made one acquisition during the year, completing the purchase of the trade and assets of Edel Telenzo Carpets Ltd. ('Telenzo') in October 2019. Telenzo is the nationwide UK distribution company for Edel Carpets, a modern carpet producer located in the Netherlands owned by Condor Group, and is renowned for its wool tufted carpets and high-quality man-made fibre carpets for residential and commercial use. The business's operations were consolidated into our Tamworth distribution hub during 2019 creating operational efficiencies and continues to be operated day-to-day by its existing sales management team under its own trade brand.

Post the period-end, in March 2020, we completed the acquisition of Supertex Furnishing Limited ('Supertex') for a total consideration of GBP1.3 million, subject to finalising the net assets position. This acquisition enlarges our residential sector activities in the North West of England, a competitive region of the UK, and Supertex's main operations will eventually move to our existing premises in Stockport creating operating efficiencies.

We continue to monitor a targeted pipeline of acquisitions in-line with our strategic objectives of achieving meaningful growing and a broadened presence in the wider industry, including through product categories and market segments, and remain receptive to further opportunities.

People

As referred to in the Chairman's Statement, a wealth of additional experience and new expertise has been introduced into the business to help delivery of our strategic objectives. In addition to a fully assembled Board and Executive Team, we have made several key project manager and customer focused appointments to support the constituent projects of the operational improvement programme, and I am delighted to welcome them all to Headlam.

An ongoing priority is the continued development of a positive workplace culture, and we introduced a number of new forms of workforce engagement in 2019 as well as formulating a clear set of values and behaviours that will be utilised and embedded across the business. One of our core values is 'we keep people safe' and as part of this we undertook both internal and external assessments of our health and safety practices throughout 2019. Following a series of external audits, we were delighted that in October 2019, all the Company's UK national distribution hubs and regional distribution centres were certified as meeting the requirements of ISO 45001:2018, the world's first international standard for occupational health and safety management.

Dividend

In-line with the Board's previously stated intention to maintain the 2019 full year dividend with that of 2018, the Board has proposed a final ordinary dividend of 17.45 pence per share (2018: 17.45 pence per share) bringing the total ordinary dividend declared and proposed in respect of 2019 to a maintained 25.0 pence per share (2018: 25.0 pence per share). If approved by shareholders at the forthcoming AGM in May 2020, the final ordinary dividend will be payable on 1 July 2020 to shareholders on the register as at 5 June 2020.

Current Trading and Outlook

The spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) has currently had no direct impact on our people, inventory position or customers. We have extensive inventories, breadth of product and a large geographical spread of suppliers. We continue to monitor the situation, put in place mitigation plans, and are communicating with our stakeholders as necessary.

Trading to date in 2020 has been marginally below the Board's expectations. Nevertheless, subject to no deterioration in market conditions or disruption, we continue to anticipate that this year's financial performance will show a modest improvement compared with 2019 as advised in the January 2020 Pre-Close Trading Update announcement. In-line with the Company's commitment to a progressive dividend policy, it is the Board's intention to reflect any increase in statutory basic EPS for 2020 in the 2020 full year dividend.

Steve Wilson

Chief Executive

5 March 2020

Financial Review

IFRS 16 'Leases' Accounting Standard

These results have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and, therefore, include the new IFRS 16 'Leases' accounting standard ('IFRS 16') effective for financial periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. As the Company has adopted the modified retrospective approach, there has been no restatement of the comparatives for the 2018 reporting period. The impact on the Company's Income Statement and Statement of Financial Position is summarised below and further detailed in Note 6. There is no overall impact on the Company's cash and cash equivalents.

Summary tables of impact of IFRS 16 adoption

 
Impact on the Income Statement                                       Financial year ended 31 December 2019 
------------------------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------------------- 
                                                              Under new IFRS 16 standard  Under previous standard 
                                                                                  GBP000                   GBP000 
Costs charged to operating profit                                                 15,260                   16,375 
Interest expense                                                                   1,688                        - 
                                                              --------------------------  ----------------------- 
Total costs charged to the income statement                                       16,948                   16,375 
                                                              --------------------------  ----------------------- 
 
Net impact and effect on statutory basic earnings per share                          573                0.6 pence 
 
 
Impact on the Statement of Financial Position                  As at 1 January 2019 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------------------- 
                                                                              GBP000 
Operating lease commitments as disclosed at 31 December 2018                  50,436 
Additional liabilities on adopting IFRS 16*                                    4,065 
Discount effect                                                              (4,673) 
                                                                -------------------- 
Lease liability recognised at 1 January 2019                                  49,828 
                                                                -------------------- 
Of which current liabilities                                                  13,930 
 
 

*See Note 6

Revenue

During the year and against the backdrop of a soft market, total revenue improved marginally by 1.5% from GBP708.4 million to GBP719.2 million, an increase of GBP10.8 million. Like-for-like (2) revenue increased in both the UK and Continental Europe, by 0.3% and 3.2% respectively, producing a total like-for-like (2) revenue increase of 0.7% (2018: total like-for-like (2) revenue decline of 3.8%).

UK

The Company's UK revenue performance, which accounted for 84.8% of total revenue, was GBP6.0 million up on 2018 at GBP610.2 million (2018: GBP604.2 million), reflecting a continued weak market backdrop particularly in the residential sector that has been evident over the last two years. The five UK acquisitions made during 2018 and 2019 added GBP6.6 million of revenue in 2019 and, therefore, excluding the impact of the acquisitions, revenue was almost flat.

The residential sector represented 65.1% of UK revenue in 2019 (2018: 66.3%), representing a reduction of 0.8% and 1.4% on an absolute and like-for-like (2) basis respectively. As a consequence, there was a continued shift in the business mix towards the commercial sector which has been the more resilient business stream, representing 34.9% of UK revenue in 2019 (2018: 33.7%; 2017: 29.6%). The year-on-year commercial revenue increase on an absolute and like-for-like (2) basis was 4.6% and 3.8% respectively.

Continental Europe

The Continental European businesses growth outperformed the UK, delivering a 4.5% increase in revenue to GBP109.0 million, with a 3.2% increase on a like-for-like (2) basis. Continental Europe accounted for 15.2% of total revenue in 2019, up from 14.7% in 2018. In contrast to the UK, the weighting between the residential and commercial sector revenue showed a movement towards residential which performed more strongly with 5.9% like-for-like (2) growth and now accounting for 56.0% of revenue (2018: 54.7%; 2017: 52.6%). The commercial sector was essentially flat during the period on a like-for-like (2) basis.

 
                                                                    GBP000       %   GBP000      % 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------  -------  ----- 
Revenue for the year ended 31 December 2018 
  UK                                                               604,150    85.3 
  Continental Europe                                               104,273    14.7 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------  -------  ----- 
                                                                                    708,423  100.0 
Incremental items during the 12-month period to 31 December 2019 
UK: 
Like-for-like (2)                                                    1,897     0.3 
One less working day                                               (2,396)   (0.4) 
Acquisitions                                                         6,591     1.1 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------  -------  ----- 
                                                                                      6,092    1.0 
Continental Europe: 
Like-for-like (2)                                                    3,157     3.2 
Changes in working days                                              (642)   (0.6) 
Acquisitions                                                         2,562     2.5 
Translation effect                                                   (355)   (0.4) 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------  -------  ----- 
                                                                                      4,722    4.5 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------  -------  ----- 
  Total movement                                                                     10,814    1.5 
Revenue for the year ended 31 December 2019 
  UK                                                               610,242    84.8 
  Continental Europe                                               108,995    15.2 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------  -------  ----- 
                                                                                    719,237  100.0 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------  -------  ----- 
 

(2)Like-for-like revenue is calculated based on constant currency from activities and businesses that made a full contribution in both the 2019 and 2018 periods, and is adjusted for any variances in working days.

Gross Margin

Gross margin reduced by 40 basis points in the year from 32.3% to 31.9%. This was due, in part, to the shift in product mix towards the lower margin commercial sector as a result of the weakness in the UK residential sector, with the balance arising from general pricing movement and the one-off prior year benefit resulting from the trade creditor early settlement discount disclosed in the 2018 financial results.

Expenses

Combined distribution costs and administrative expenses were marginally up on both an underlying and statutory basis year-on-year, at GBP187.3 million and GBP191.1 million respectively, although this included a GBP1.1 million reduction benefit due to the reclassification of costs under IFRS 16 adoption (2018: GBP184.8 million and GBP187.7 million respectively, not restated). The increase was driven by one acquisition in the year, detailed below, and the full year impact of acquisitions made in 2018 offset by reductions in vehicle expenses. People costs were largely flat year-on-year (excluding the effects of acquisitions), however, this includes a reduction in pension costs largely related to the defined benefit schemes, a reduction in share-based payments, and a reduction in the number of employees of 40, offset by a 2% cost of living award and the restoration of performance target bonuses. The primary contributors to the early phases of the operational improvement plan were the group procurement initiatives on goods not for resale and the extension of commercial and motor vehicle leasing contracts delivering an accumulated cost saving of over GBP1.0 million in 2019 which compensated for inflationary pressures elsewhere.

Underlying distribution costs and administrative expenses expressed as a proportion of total revenue was essentially flat compared with 2018 at 26.0% (2018: 26.1%), and relative proportions of distribution costs and administrative expenses as a percentage of total underlying expenses for 2019 remained largely consistent at 72.5% and 27.5% respectively (2018: 72.7% and 27.3%, not restated).

Items totalling GBP4.3 million (net) have been treated as non-underlying in 2019 (2018: GBP2.9 million). These non-underlying items related to the amortisation of acquired intangible assets and impairment of goodwill (GBP3.5 million), acquisition related fees and associated restructuring costs (GBP0.7 million), the movements in deferred and contingent consideration (reducing by GBP0.3 million), and finance costs on deferred and contingent consideration (GBP0.4 million). These are discussed in detail in Note 1 and referred to below.

 
                                        Total expenses        Distribution     Administration 
                                    ----------------------  ----------------  ---------------- 
                                     GBP000              %   GBP000        %    GBP000       % 
----------------------------------  -------  -------------  -------  -------  --------  ------ 
Expenses for 2018 (not restated)    187,743                 134,316     71.5    53,427    28.5 
----------------------------------  -------  -------------  -------  -------  --------  ------ 
  Significant movements in 2019: 
    People cost                         136            3.9    1,185     78.4   (1,049)  (52.2) 
    Vehicle expenses                (1,564)         (44.4)  (1,651)  (109.2)        87     4.3 
    Legal and professional            1,191           33.8        -        -     1,191    59.2 
    Occupancy costs                     626           17.8        -        -       626    31.1 
    Effect of acquisitions            1,888           53.6    1,247     82.4       641    31.9 
    Impact of IFRS 16               (1,116)         (31.7)        -        -   (1,116)  (55.5) 
    Other                             1,420           40.3      731     48.4       689    34.2 
----------------------------------  -------  -------------  -------  -------  --------  ------ 
Underlying sub total                  2,581           73.2    1,512    100.0     1,069    53.1 
    Non-underlying                      943           26.8        -        -       943    46.9 
----------------------------------  -------  -------------  -------  -------  --------  ------ 
Total before currency translation     3,524          100.0    1,512    100.0     2,012   100.0 
    Currency translation              (124)                    (90)               (34) 
----------------------------------  -------  -------------  -------  -------  --------  ------ 
  Expenses for 2019                 191,143                 135,738     71.0    55,405    29.0 
----------------------------------  -------  -------------  -------  -------  --------  ------ 
 
 

Operating Profit

As a consequence of the weak market backdrop contributing to relatively flat like-for-like(2) revenue growth and a slight reduction in gross margin, absolute gross profit was flat year-on-year at GBP229.4 million (2018: GBP229.1 million) despite a year-on-year GBP2.7 million gross profit benefit from acquisitions. Therefore, after factoring in the GBP2.5 million increase in underlying expenses largely arising from the acquisitions, underlying operating profit was down GBP2.1 million on 2018 at GBP42.2 million (2018: GBP44.3 million, not restated) with an underlying operating margin of 5.9% (2018: 6.2%, not restated). Statutory operating profit was GBP38.3 million (2018: GBP41.3 million, not restated).

 
                                                   Underlying  Non-underlying    Total 
                                                       GBP000          GBP000   GBP000 
-------------------------------------------------  ----------  --------------  ------- 
Operating profit 2018 (not restated)                   44,273         (2,942)   41,331 
Gross margin improvement in 2019: 
  Volume benefit                                          532               -      532 
  Mix change                                            (660)               -    (660) 
  Pricing movement                                    (1,174)               -  (1,174) 
  Anticipated trade creditor settlement discount      (1,049)               -  (1,049) 
  Effect of acquisitions                                2,689               -    2,689 
-------------------------------------------------  ----------  --------------  ------- 
                                                          338               -      338 
Expense changes 
  Distribution                                          (175)               -    (175) 
  Administration                                        (394)           (943)  (1,337) 
  Effect of acquisitions                              (1,888)               -  (1,888) 
-------------------------------------------------  ----------  --------------  ------- 
  Total increase                                      (2,457)           (943)  (3,400) 
-------------------------------------------------  ----------  --------------  ------- 
Operating profit 2019                                  42,154         (3,885)   38,269 
-------------------------------------------------  ----------  --------------  ------- 
 

Profit and EPS

The adoption of IFRS 16 impacted underlying profit before tax and statutory basic earnings per share through a reduction of GBP0.6 million and 0.6 pence respectively. Underlying profit before tax was GBP39.5 million (2018: GBP43.4 million, not restated), statutory profit before tax was GBP35.2 million (2018: GBP40.4 million, not restated) and statutory basic earnings per share 34.0 pence (2018: 40.0 pence, not restated). Statutory profit before tax and statutory basic earnings per share were further impacted by a goodwill impairment described below.

Tax

The underlying effective tax rate for 2019 was 17.4% (2017: 17.9%) which is lower than the headline rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19.0%. This difference is largely due to an adjustment in recognising deferred tax assets relating to the Headlam BV business in the Netherlands and a reassessment of the need to provide for uncertain tax positions following the ongoing review of tax risks in the Company. The full effective rate of tax in 2019 was 18.8% (2018: 17.2%), up on 2018 due to the effect of the non-underlying items.

The Company is committed to being fully compliant with the relevant tax laws and compliance obligations regarding the filing of tax returns, payment and collection of tax. The Company maintains an open relationship with HM Revenue & Customs and currently operates with a level of tax compliance risk that is rated as 'low'. HM Revenue & Customs advised in September 2019 that the Company's low risk rating had been renewed for another three years.

Ordinary Dividends

When declaring the interim and recommending the final ordinary dividend, the Board considers the Company's cash resource, adequacy of distributable reserves and future expectations of performance.

The total ordinary dividend payable in respect of 2019 equates to an earnings per share cover ratio of 1.4 (2018: 1.6, not restated), cash outflow of GBP20.9 million, and reflects a free cash flow (cash from operating activities less capital equipment spend) cover ratio of 1.2 (2018: 1.7) reflecting the expenditure on the Ipswich facility during the year, detailed below.

Dividend announcements, approvals and payments are typically expected to be as follows:

 
                                                                    Approximate 
Dividend          Status and date announced       Approval         payment date 
----------------  -------------------------  -------------------  --------------- 
Ordinary interim          Declared                The Board         January in 
                            August                  August              the 
                                                                   year following 
                                                                    announcement 
Ordinary final           Recommended         AGM by shareholders 
                            March                    May               July 
----------------  -------------------------  -------------------  --------------- 
 

Acquisitions, Related Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The Company completed one acquisition during the year, purchasing the trade and assets of Edel Telenzo Carpets Ltd. ('Telenzo') for a total consideration of GBP2.1 million, with the business contributing revenue of GBP1.7 million and an operating profit of GBP0.3 million in the year. The acquired assets included intangible assets of GBP0.9m which were attributed to brand name, customer relationships and supply agreements with residual goodwill of GBP0.3m. During the year, GBP25,000 of intangibles were amortised in the Income Statement.

The Company acquired five businesses in 2018, and the fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired were reconsidered for 2019 as part of the hindsight period, with no adjustment considered necessary. One of the businesses, CECO (Flooring) Ltd ('CECO'), a leading specification business based in Carryduff, south of Belfast, outperformed management expectations and as a result the outstanding contingent consideration under the terms of the acquisition was paid in full during the year. This led to a reversal of part of the discounting applied on the original acquisition and a total consideration payment above that provided on acquisition due to the strength of the business performance. These amendments are included as non-underlying items in the income statement.

Domus Group of Companies Limited ('Domus') was acquired in December 2017, and during 2019 deferred consideration of GBP1.6 million became payable which was partly satisfied by the issue of 88,350 new ordinary shares of 5 pence each in the capital of the Company. The original contingent consideration relating to the acquisition has now been fully released to the income statement as a non-underlying credit since the likelihood of achieving the EBITDA criteria required to trigger any contingent consideration payments is considered to be very low. Additionally, based on the Board's assessment of the carrying value of the investment in the Domus business, a goodwill impairment of GBP2.1 million has been recognised within non-underlying items in the year. Due to its predominant focus on larger scale projects within the London area, the Domus business in particular has been adversely affected by the weak market backdrop and political and economic uncertainty that has prevailed over the last two years, and which has particularly impacted investment in the London market. Although the market is anticipated to recover, the Board felt it prudent to take a more cautious view on the revenue recovery in Domus and hence to take a write-down reflecting an impairment in the carrying value as at the 31 December 2019. This assessment is sensitive to assumptions used by the Board in reviewing the carrying value and they are disclosed in more detail in the Financial Statements.

Retirement Benefits

The Company operates two defined benefit pension schemes, in the UK and in Switzerland, the assets and liabilities of which are dominated by the UK scheme which is closed to new members.

The year-on-year decrease in the net liability amounts to GBP1.6 million. This was mainly caused by the changes in the UK scheme's financial assumptions, where 70% of retiring members are now assumed to commute their pensions by taking the maximum tax-free cash element allowed (2018: nil), salary and pension increases are assumed to rise in-line with RPI (3.1%, 2018: 3.4%), a 0.7% decrease in the discount rate to 2.0%, together with positive changes in the scheme's asset performance.

The Company reviewed its pension arrangements in 2019, and in particular the future build-up of final salary benefits in its UK Defined Benefit Pension Scheme ('UK DB Scheme'). As stated above, the Company closed the UK DB Scheme to new entrants many years ago. Since then, new employees have been eligible to join the Defined Contribution Pension Plan. The Company wishes to provide sustainable and competitive pension benefits for all its employees, and during 2019 consultation began on the closure of the UK DB Scheme to future accruals, with its closure from the end of March 2020 reducing an area of risk and volatility for the Company and providing fairer pension provision across the workforce. Various adjustments were made in response to feedback from affected members following the consultation, including adjustments to ongoing benefits and the date of closure of the scheme. Affected members will automatically be enrolled into the Company's Defined Contribution Pension Plan.

Capital Allocation, Investment Decisions and Return on Capital

The Board is committed to ensuring the efficient allocation of capital, with a clear strategy for sustainable growth, with controls in place to govern capital expenditure and working capital.

The Board routinely reviews organic growth opportunities and associated investment, value enhancing acquisitions, and shareholder returns to ensure the Company deploys an optimal capital structure. Such investment opportunities are subject to both internal rate of return and cash flow payback criteria, regularly reviewed by the Company to ensure consistency of assessment.

Return on Capital Employed, measured as earnings before interest and taxes ('EBIT') as % of capital employed, in 2019 was 20.3% (2018: 23.2%, not restated).

Capital Expenditure

The Company incurred a replacement level of capital expenditure on its land and buildings of GBP0.2 million during the year (2018: GBP0.4 million), and capital expenditure on plant and machinery of GBP2.6 million (2018: GBP3.5 million).

Total capital expenditure on the new Ipswich regional distribution centre continues to be estimated to be in the region of GBP26.0 million, with GBP0.5 million spend incurred in 2018, GBP15.5 million incurred in 2019 (including land acquisition cost of GBP4.0 million), and the balance of GBP10.0 million in 2020.

Cash Flows

Net Cash Flow from Operating Activities

During the year, net cash flow from operating activities was GBP44.3 million (2018: GBP40.0 million) with the key drivers behind this positive cash flow generation shown below.

 
 
                                                                                2019     2018 
                                                                              GBP000   GBP000 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Cash flows from operating activities 
Profit before tax for the year                                                36,169   40,447 
Net finance cost                                                               3,100      884 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment, amortisation and impairment     8,898    7,038 
Depreciation of right of use asset                                            15,260        - 
Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment                                 (60)     (50) 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
EBITDA                                                                        62,367   48,319 
Share-based payments                                                             807    1,478 
Working capital changes                                                      (7,213)      209 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Cash generated from the operations                                            55,961   50,006 
Interest paid                                                                (3,407)  (1,426) 
Tax paid                                                                     (8,289)  (7,789) 
Additional pension contributions                                                   -    (747) 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Net cash from operating activities                                            44,265   40,044 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

Cash generated from operations remained strong in the year despite the weaker trading backdrop, being 146% of statutory operating profit and 107% (2018: 121% not restated) after adjusting for the principal elements of lease payments resulting from IFRS16 adoption.

Cash Flows from Investing and Financing Activities

The table below summarises the cash flow movements arising from investing and financing activities during the year. The overall net cash outflow from the two activities was GBP54.5 million, with the main factors being the dividends paid (GBP20.9m), investment in capital equipment (GBP15.8m), and the inclusion of lease payments for the right of use assets introduced following the adoption of IFRS 16.

 
                                                                            2019      2018 
                                                                          GBP000    GBP000 
----------------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Cash flows from investing activities 
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash and debt acquired and repaid    (4,448)   (9,576) 
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment                            (15,777)   (4,384) 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment                          130       403 
Interest received                                                            857       601 
 
 
Net cash from investing activities                                      (19,238)  (12,956) 
----------------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Cash flows from financing activities 
Shares acquired and issued                                                   825   (4,764) 
Net movement on borrowings                                                 (229)       211 
Principal elements of lease payments                                    (14,880)         - 
Dividends paid                                                          (20,941)  (20,969) 
----------------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Net cash from financing activities                                      (35,225)  (25,522) 
----------------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

Net Funds

Net funds at the year-end decreased to GBP27.0 million from GBP36.7 million in 2018 as a result of the net cash outflows arising from operating, investing and financing activities outlined above. During the year, this included net cash outflows totalling GBP15.3 million on the Ipswich distribution centre and Telenzo acquisition.

In both 2018 and 2019, the Company drew-down on its banking facilities during the year in-line with the normal swings in working capital. Average net debt in 2019 was GBP3.3 million (2018: GBP16.9 million net debt).

 
                                        At       Cash flows including          Foreign exch/other 
                            1 January 2019               acquisitions                    movement  At 31 December 2019 
                                   GBP'000                    GBP'000                     GBP'000              GBP'000 
-------------------------  ---------------  -------------------------  --------------------------  ------------------- 
Cash at bank and in hand            44,005                   (10,403)                       (217)               33,385 
Bank overdraft                       (221)                        205                           6                 (10) 
Debt due within one year             (236)                        229                       (215)                (222) 
Debt due after one year            (6,805)                          -                         604              (6,201) 
-------------------------  ---------------  -------------------------  --------------------------  ------------------- 
                                    36,743                      9,969                         178               26,952 
-------------------------  ---------------  -------------------------  --------------------------  ------------------- 
 

Funding and Going Concern

On 5 August 2019, the Company completed a refinancing of its existing banking facilities to extend their term from 14 December 2021 to 30 April 2023. The Company has maintained its two agreements with Barclays Bank PLC and HSBC Bank Plc, but decreased the level of Sterling committed facilities from GBP72.5 million to GBP68.5 million and increased its Euro committed facilities from EUR8.6 million to EUR9.6 million. The Company also has short-term uncommitted facilities which continue at GBP25.0 million, and are renewable on an annual basis. The total banking facilities available at 31 December 2019 were GBP109.7 million (2018: GBP112.8 million).

The Company maintains sufficient banking facilities to fund its operations and investments, and as at 31 December 2019, 94.1% of the total facilities were undrawn as shown below.

 
                                           Drawn  Undrawn  Total facility 
                                         GBP'000  GBP'000         GBP'000 
---------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------------- 
Less than one year                           232   32,817          33,049 
Over one year and less than five years     6,201   70,421          76,622 
---------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------------- 
                                           6,433  103,238         109,671 
---------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------------- 
 

Having reviewed the Company's resources and a range of likely outcomes, the Board believes there are reasonable grounds for stating that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for a period no shorter than 12 months from the date of this Financial Review and it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Company's Financial Statements.

Chris Payne

Chief Financial Officer

5 March 2020

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

FOR THE YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2019

 
                                                      Non-underlying                         Non-underlying 
                                          Underlying        (Note 1)      Total  Underlying        (Note 1)      Total 
                                                2019            2019       2019        2018            2018       2018 
                                    Note      GBP000          GBP000     GBP000      GBP000          GBP000     GBP000 
----------------------------------  ----  ----------  --------------  ---------  ----------  --------------  --------- 
Revenue                                2     719,237               -    719,237     708,423               -    708,423 
Cost of sales                              (489,825)               -  (489,825)   (479,349)               -  (479,349) 
----------------------------------  ----  ----------  --------------  ---------  ----------  --------------  --------- 
Gross profit                                 229,412               -    229,412     229,074               -    229,074 
Distribution costs                         (135,738)               -  (135,738)   (134,316)               -  (134,316) 
Administrative expenses                     (51,520)         (3,885)   (55,405)    (50,485)         (2,942)   (53,427) 
----------------------------------  ----  ----------  --------------  ---------  ----------  --------------  --------- 
Operating profit                       2      42,154         (3,885)     38,269      44,273         (2,942)     41,331 
Finance income                                   821               -        821         709               -        709 
Finance expenses                             (3,515)           (406)    (3,921)     (1,593)               -    (1,593) 
----------------------------------  ----  ----------  --------------  ---------  ----------  --------------  --------- 
Net finance costs                            (2,694)           (406)    (3,100)       (884)               -      (884) 
----------------------------------  ----  ----------  --------------  ---------  ----------  --------------  --------- 
Profit before tax                             39,460         (4,291)     35,169      43,389         (2,942)     40,447 
Taxation                               3     (6,877)             277    (6,600)     (7,750)             807    (6,943) 
----------------------------------  ----  ----------  --------------  ---------  ----------  --------------  --------- 
Profit for the year attributable 
 to the equity shareholders                   32,583         (4,014)     28,569      35,639         (2,135)     33,504 
----------------------------------  ----  ----------  --------------  ---------  ----------  --------------  --------- 
Earnings per share 
Basic                                  4       38.8p                      34.0p       42.5p                      40.0p 
Diluted                                4       38.6p                      33.8p       42.2p                      39.6p 
----------------------------------  ----  ----------  --------------  ---------  ----------  --------------  --------- 
Ordinary dividend per share 
Interim dividend for the financial 
 year                                  5                                  7.55p                                  7.55p 
Final dividend proposed for the 
 financial year                        5                                 17.45p                                 17.45p 
----------------------------------  ----  ----------  --------------  ---------  ----------  --------------  --------- 
 

All Group operations during the financial years were continuing operations.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2019

 
                                                                                            2019     2018 
                                                                                          GBP000   GBP000 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ------  ------- 
Profit for the year attributable to the equity shareholders                               28,569   33,504 
Other comprehensive income/(expense) 
Items that will never be reclassified to profit or loss 
Remeasurement of defined benefit plans                                                       917    8,562 
Related tax                                                                                (159)  (1,628) 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
                                                                                             758    6,934 
Items that are or may be reclassified to profit or loss 
Foreign exchange translation differences arising on translation of overseas operations     (549)      540 
                                                                                           (549)      540 
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
Other comprehensive income for the year                                                      209    7,474 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
Total comprehensive income attributable to the equity shareholders for the year           28,778   40,978 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
 

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AT 31 DECEMBER 2019

 
 
                                                                 2019       2018 
                                                      Note     GBP000     GBP000 
----------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
Assets 
Non-current assets 
Property, plant and equipment                                 114,573    102,048 
Right of use assets                                            43,865          - 
Intangible assets                                              48,514     50,924 
Investments in subsidiary undertakings                              -          - 
Deferred tax assets                                               692        516 
----------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
                                                              207,644    153,488 
----------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
Current assets 
Inventories                                                   132,474    132,704 
Trade and other receivables                                   123,705    119,007 
Cash and cash equivalents                                      33,385     44,005 
                                                              289,564    295,716 
----------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
Total assets                                             2    497,208    449,204 
----------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
Liabilities 
Current liabilities 
Bank overdraft                                                   (10)      (221) 
Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings                     (222)      (236) 
Lease liabilities                                            (13,921)          - 
Trade and other payables                                    (181,845)  (181,300) 
Income tax payable                                            (5,037)    (6,730) 
----------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
                                                            (201,035)  (188,487) 
----------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
Non-current liabilities 
Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings                   (6,201)    (6,805) 
Lease liabilities                                            (30,734)          - 
Trade and other payables                                            -    (2,592) 
Provisions                                                    (2,299)    (2,249) 
Deferred tax liabilities                                      (7,608)    (8,063) 
Employee benefits                                             (4,263)    (5,888) 
----------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
                                                             (51,105)   (25,597) 
----------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
Total liabilities                                        2  (252,140)  (214,084) 
----------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
Net assets                                                    245,068    235,120 
----------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent 
Share capital                                                   4,273      4,268 
Share premium                                                  53,512     53,512 
Other reserves                                                  1,334        185 
Retained earnings                                             185,949    177,155 
----------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
Total equity                                                  245,068    235,120 
----------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2019

 
                                                         Capital                                  Restated * 
                                      Share    Share  redemption  Special  Translation  Treasury    Retained     Total 
                                    capital  premium     reserve  reserve      reserve   reserve    earnings    equity 
                                     GBP000   GBP000      GBP000   GBP000       GBP000    GBP000      GBP000    GBP000 
----------------------------------  -------  -------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------  ----------  -------- 
Balance at 1 January 2018             4,268   53,512          88        -        6,859   (4,056)     157,903   218,574 
Profit for the year attributable 
 to the equity shareholders               -        -           -        -            -         -      33,504    33,504 
Other comprehensive income                -        -           -        -          540         -       6,934     7,474 
----------------------------------  -------  -------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------  ----------  -------- 
Total comprehensive income for the 
 year                                     -        -           -        -          540         -      40,438    40,978 
----------------------------------  -------  -------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------  ----------  -------- 
Transactions with equity 
shareholders, recorded directly in 
equity 
Share-based payments                      -        -           -        -            -         -       1,478     1,478 
Share options exercised by 
 employees                                -        -           -        -            -     2,579     (1,518)     1,061 
Consideration for purchase of own 
 shares                                   -        -           -        -            -   (5,825)           -   (5,825) 
Current tax on share options              -        -           -        -            -         -          38        38 
Deferred tax on share options             -        -           -        -            -         -       (169)     (169) 
Deferred tax on income and 
 expenses recognised directly in 
 equity                                   -        -           -        -            -         -        (46)      (46) 
Dividends to equity holders               -        -           -        -            -         -    (20,969)  (20,969) 
----------------------------------  -------  -------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------  ----------  -------- 
Total contributions by and 
 distributions to equity 
 shareholders                             -        -           -        -            -   (3,246)    (21,186)  (24,432) 
----------------------------------  -------  -------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------  ----------  -------- 
Balance at 31 December 2018           4,268   53,512          88        -        7,399   (7,302)     177,155   235,120 
----------------------------------  -------  -------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------  ----------  -------- 
Balance at 1 January 2019             4,268   53,512          88        -        7,399   (7,302)     177,155   235,120 
Change in accounting policy (note 
 6)                                       -        -           -        -            -         -       (216)     (216) 
----------------------------------  -------  -------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------  ----------  -------- 
Restated total equity at 
 1 January 2019                       4,268   53,512          88        -        7,399   (7,302)     176,939   234,904 
Profit for the year attributable 
 to the equity shareholders               -        -           -        -            -         -      28,569    28,569 
Other comprehensive 
 (expense)/income                         -        -           -        -        (549)         -         758       209 
----------------------------------  -------  -------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------  ----------  -------- 
Total comprehensive income for the 
 year                                     -        -           -        -        (549)         -      29,327    28,778 
----------------------------------  -------  -------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------  ----------  -------- 
Transactions with equity 
shareholders, recorded directly in 
equity 
Share-based payments                      -        -           -        -            -         -         807       807 
Share options exercised by 
 employees                                -        -           -        -            -     1,273       (448)       825 
Ordinary shares issued                    5        -           -      469            -         -           -       474 
Effect of movement on foreign 
 exchange on current taxation             -        -           -        -         (44)         -           -      (44) 
Current tax on share options              -        -           -        -            -         -          20        20 
Deferred tax on share options             -        -           -        -            -         -         245       245 
Dividends to equity holders               -        -           -        -            -         -    (20,941)  (20,941) 
----------------------------------  -------  -------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------  ----------  -------- 
Total contributions by and 
 distributions to equity 
 shareholders                             5        -           -      469         (44)     1,273    (20,317)  (18,614) 
----------------------------------  -------  -------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------  ----------  -------- 
Balance at 31 December 2019           4,273   53,512          88      469        6,806   (6,029)     185,949   245,068 
----------------------------------  -------  -------  ----------  -------  -----------  --------  ----------  -------- 
 

* Retained earnings for the group were restated by a change in accounting policy arising from the adoption of IFRS 16 at 1 January 2019, see note 6.

CASH FLOW STATEMENT

FOR THE YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2019

 
 
                                                                                  2019      2018 
                                                                                GBP000    GBP000 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------   --------  -------- 
Cash flows from operating activities 
Profit before tax for the year                                                  35,169    40,447 
Adjustments for: 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment, amortisation and impairment       8,898     7,038 
Depreciation of right-of-use asset                                              15,260         - 
Finance income                                                                   (821)     (709) 
Finance expense                                                                  3,921     1,593 
Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment                                   (60)      (50) 
Share-based payments                                                               807     1,478 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Operating cash flows before changes in working capital and other payables       63,174    49,797 
Change in inventories                                                            (572)     1,563 
Change in trade and other receivables                                          (4,725)    12,524 
Change in trade and other payables                                             (1,916)  (13,878) 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Cash generated from the operations                                              55,961    50,006 
Interest paid                                                                  (3,407)   (1,426) 
Tax paid                                                                       (8,289)   (7,789) 
Additional contributions to defined benefit plan                                     -     (747) 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Net cash flow from operating activities                                         44,265    40,044 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Cash flows from investing activities 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment                                130       403 
Interest received                                                                  857       601 
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired                              (4,448)   (9,141) 
Repayment of acquired borrowings on acquisition                                      -     (435) 
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment                                  (15,777)   (4,384) 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Net cash flow from investing activities                                       (19,238)  (12,956) 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Cash flows from financing activities 
Proceeds from the issue of treasury shares                                         825     1,061 
Payment to acquire own shares                                                        -   (5,825) 
Drawdown of borrowings                                                          45,000    45,443 
Repayment of borrowings                                                       (45,229)  (45,232) 
Principal elements of lease payments                                          (14,880)         - 
Dividends paid                                                                (20,941)  (20,969) 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Net cash flow from financing activities                                       (35,225)  (25,522) 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents                          (10,198)     1,566 
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January                                          43,784    42,030 
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held                                (211)       188 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December                                        33,375    43,784 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

NOTES

1 Non-underlying items

In order to illustrate the underlying trading performance of the Group, presentation has been made of performance measures excluding those items which it is considered would distort the comparability of the Group's results. These non-underlying items are defined as those items that, by virtue of their nature, size or expected frequency, warrant separate additional disclosure in the financial statements in order to fully understand the underlying performance of the Group.

Non-underlying items of GBP4,291,000 relate to the following:

 
                                                                 2019     2018 
                                                               GBP000   GBP000 
-------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
Impairment of goodwill                                          2,100        - 
Amortisation of acquired intangibles                            1,424    1,763 
Acquisitions related fees and associated restructuring costs      686      513 
Movements in deferred and contingent consideration              (325)  (1,384) 
Finance costs on deferred and contingent consideration            406        - 
Non-recurring people costs                                          -      836 
GMP equalisation                                                    -    1,214 
                                                                4,291    2,942 
-------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
 

The related tax on these costs, of GBP277,000.

2 Segment reporting

As at 31 December 2019, the Group had 62 operating segments in the UK and four operating segments in Continental Europe. Each segment represents an individual trading operation, and each operation is wholly aligned to the sales, marketing, supply and distribution of floorcovering products. The operating results of each operation are regularly reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker, which is deemed to be the Group Chief Executive. Discrete financial information is available for each segment and used by the Group Chief Executive to assess performance and decide on resource allocation.

The operating segments have been aggregated to the extent that they have similar economic characteristics. The key economic indicators considered by management in assessing whether operating segments have similar economic characteristics are the products supplied, the type and class of customer, method of sale and distribution and the regulatory environment in which they operate.

As each operating segment is a trading operation wholly aligned to the sales, marketing, supply and distribution of floorcovering products, management considers all segments have similar economic characteristics except for the regulatory environment in which they operate, which is determined by the country in which the operating segment resides.

The Group's internal management structure and financial reporting systems differentiate the operating segments on the basis of the differing economic characteristics in the UK and Continental Europe and accordingly present these as two separate reportable segments. This distinction is embedded in the construction of operating reports reviewed by the Group Chief Executive, the Board and the executive management team and forms the basis for the presentation of operating segment information given below.

 
                                          UK            Continental Europe          Total 
                                 --------------------  --------------------  -------------------- 
                                      2019       2018       2019       2018       2019       2018 
                                    GBP000     GBP000     GBP000     GBP000     GBP000     GBP000 
-------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
Revenue 
External revenues                  610,242    604,150    108,995    104,273    719,237    708,423 
-------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
Reportable segment underlying 
 operating profit                   41,253     45,163      3,524        488     44,777     45,651 
-------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
Reportable segment assets          329,002    304,645     47,229     42,591    376,231    347,236 
Reportable segment liabilities   (205,530)  (168,184)   (29,057)   (25,219)  (234,587)  (193,403) 
-------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
 

During the year there were no inter-segment revenues for the reportable segments (2018: GBPnil).

Reconciliations of reportable segment profit, assets and liabilities and other material items:

 
                                                               2019     2018 
                                                             GBP000   GBP000 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Profit for the year 
Total underlying operating profit for reportable segments    44,777   45,651 
Non-underlying items                                        (3,885)  (2,942) 
Unallocated expense                                         (2,623)  (1,378) 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Operating profit                                             38,269   41,331 
Finance income                                                  821      709 
Finance expense                                             (3,921)  (1,593) 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Profit before taxation                                       35,169   40,447 
Taxation                                                    (6,600)  (6,943) 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Profit for the year                                          28,569   33,504 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
 
                                                 2019       2018 
                                               GBP000     GBP000 
------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
Assets 
Total assets for reportable segments          376,231    347,236 
Unallocated assets: 
Properties, plant and equipment               102,081     88,879 
Right of use assets                               656          - 
Deferred tax assets                               692        516 
Cash and cash equivalents                      17,548     12,573 
------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
Total assets                                  497,208    449,204 
------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 
  Liabilities 
Total liabilities for reportable segments   (234,587)  (193,403) 
Unallocated liabilities: 
   Lease liabilities                            (645)          - 
Employee benefits                             (4,263)    (5,888) 
Income tax payable                            (5,037)    (6,730) 
Deferred tax liabilities                      (7,608)    (8,063) 
------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
Total liabilities                           (252,140)  (214,084) 
------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 
 
                                                           Continental     Reportable               Consolidated 
                                                       UK       Europe  segment total  Unallocated         total 
                                                   GBP000       GBP000         GBP000       GBP000        GBP000 
-------------------------------------------------  ------  -----------  -------------  -----------  ------------ 
Other material items 2019 
Capital expenditure                                 1,969          841          2,810       15,473        18,294 
Depreciation                                        2,225          693          2,918        2,456         5,374 
Depreciation of right of use assets                13,226        2,013         15,239           21        15,260 
Non-underlying items (excluding finance expense)    1,687           98          1,785        2,100         3,885 
-------------------------------------------------  ------  -----------  -------------  -----------  ------------ 
Other material items 2018 
Capital expenditure                                 2,579        1,139          3,718          666         4,384 
Depreciation                                        2,058          751          2,809        2,466         5,275 
Non-underlying items                                1,262          466          1,728        1,214         2,942 
-------------------------------------------------  ------  -----------  -------------  -----------  ------------ 
 

In the UK the Group's freehold properties are held within Headlam Group plc and a rent is charged to the operating segments for the period of use. Therefore, the operating reports reviewed by the Group Chief Executive show all the UK properties as unallocated and the operating segments report a segment result that includes a property rent. This is reflected in the above disclosure.

Each segment is a continuing operation.

The Group Chief Executive, the Board and the senior executive management team have access to information that provides details on revenue by principal product group for the two reportable segments, as set out in the following table:

Revenue by principal product group and geographic origin is summarised below:

 
                     UK          Continental Europe        Total 
              ----------------  --------------------  ---------------- 
                 2019     2018       2019       2018     2019     2018 
               GBP000   GBP000     GBP000     GBP000   GBP000   GBP000 
------------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  -------  ------- 
Revenue 
Residential   397,008  400,710     60,981     57,046  457,989  457,756 
Commercial    213,234  203,440     48,014     47,227  261,248  250,667 
------------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  -------  ------- 
              610,242  604,150    108,995    104,273  719,237  708,423 
------------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  -------  ------- 
 
 

3 Taxation

Recognised in the income statement

 
                                                      2019     2018 
                                                    GBP000   GBP000 
--------------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
Current tax expense: 
Current year                                         7,909    8,775 
Adjustments for prior years                          (642)    (810) 
--------------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
                                                     7,267    7,965 
--------------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
Deferred tax expense: 
Origination and reversal of temporary differences    (748)    (938) 
Adjustments for prior years                             78     (84) 
--------------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
                                                     (667)  (1,022) 
--------------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
Total tax in income statement                        6,600    6,943 
--------------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
 
 
                                                       2019    2018 
                                                     GBP000  GBP000 
---------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
Tax relating to items credited/(charged) to equity 
Current tax on: 
Income and expenses recognised directly in equity      (20)    (38) 
Translation reserve                                      44       - 
---------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
                                                         24    (38) 
Deferred tax on: 
Share options                                         (245)     169 
Income and expenses recognised directly in equity         -      46 
Deferred tax on other comprehensive income: 
Defined benefit plans                                   159   1,628 
---------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
                                                       (86)   1,843 
Total tax reported directly in reserves                (62)   1,805 
---------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 

Factors that may affect future current and total tax charges

The UK headline corporation tax rate for the period was 19% (2018: 19%). The UK tax rate is expected to be reduced to 17% with effect from 1 April 2020 which was enacted during 2016. The majority of the deferred tax balance in respect of UK entities has therefore been calculated at 17% (2018: 17%) on the basis that most of the balances will materially reverse after 1 April 2020.

In addition, a reduction in the French corporation tax rate to 25% by 2022 was enacted in December 2017 which has also been taken into account in the calculation of the related deferred tax balance.

Reconciliation of effective tax rate

 
                                                          2019           2018 
                                                      -------------  ------------- 
                                                          %  GBP000      %  GBP000 
----------------------------------------------------  -----  ------  -----  ------ 
Profit before tax                                            35,169         40,447 
----------------------------------------------------  -----  ------  -----  ------ 
Tax using the UK corporation tax rate                  19.0   6,682   19.0   7,685 
Effect of change in UK tax rate                         0.1      30    0.0      20 
Effect of change in overseas tax rate                     -       -  (0.9)   (382) 
Recognition of tax losses                             (1.6)   (555)      -       - 
Non-deductible expenses                                 1.9     682    1.3     516 
Goodwill impairment                                     1.1     401      -       - 
Effect of tax rates in foreign jurisdictions          (0.2)    (76)    0.0     (2) 
Adjustments in respect of prior years                 (1.5)   (564)  (2.2)   (894) 
----------------------------------------------------  -----  ------  -----  ------ 
Total tax in income statement                          18.8   6,600   17.2   6,943 
----------------------------------------------------  -----  ------  -----  ------ 
Add back tax on non-underlying items                            277            807 
----------------------------------------------------  -----  ------  -----  ------ 
Total tax charge excluding non-underlying 
 items                                                        6,877          7,750 
----------------------------------------------------  -----  ------  -----  ------ 
Profit before non-underlying items                           39,460         43,389 
----------------------------------------------------  -----  ------  -----  ------ 
Adjusted expected tax rate excluding non-underlying 
 items                                                       17.43%         17.86% 
----------------------------------------------------  -----  ------  -----  ------ 
 

4 Earnings per share

 
                                                                            2019    2018 
                                                                          GBP000  GBP000 
------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
Earnings 
Earnings for underlying basic and underlying diluted earnings per share   32,583  35,639 
------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
Earnings for basic and diluted earnings per share                         28,569  33,504 
------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 
 
                                                                                                  2019        2018 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
Number of shares 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of basic earnings per share     83,994,077  83,862,658 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 
Effect of diluted potential ordinary shares: 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares at 31 December                                   83,994,077  83,862,658 
Dilutive effect of share options                                                               536,952     674,621 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of diluted earnings per share   84,531,029  84,537,279 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
Earnings per share 
Basic                                                                                            34.0p       40.0p 
Diluted                                                                                          33.8p       39.6p 
Underlying basic                                                                                 38.8p       42.5p 
Underlying diluted                                                                               38.6p       42.2p 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 

5 Dividends

 
                                                           2019    2018 
                                                         GBP000  GBP000 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
Interim dividend for 2018 of 7.55p paid 2 January 2019    6,322       - 
Final dividend for 2018 of 17.45p paid 1 July 2019       14,619       - 
Interim dividend for 2017 of 7.55p paid 2 January 2018        -   6,372 
Final dividend for 2017 of 17.25p paid 6 July 2018            -  14,597 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
                                                         20,941  20,969 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 

Interim dividends for 2019 of 7.55p per share (2018: 7.55p per share) are not provided for at 31 December 2019, but are recognised in the financial statements when the dividend is paid. The dividend was paid on 2 January 2020 and totalled GBP6,331,000.

The final proposed dividend of 17.45p per share (2018: 17.45p per share) will not be provided for until authorised by shareholders at the forthcoming AGM. There are no income tax consequences. The cost of the final proposed dividend will be GBP14,633,000.

The total value of dividends proposed but not recognised at 31 December 2019 is GBP20,964,000 (2018: GBP20,941,000).

6 Leases

In adopting IFRS 16, the Company has used the modified retrospective approach, and as such there has been no restatement of the comparatives for the 2018 reporting period as permitted under the specific transitional provisions in the standard. The reclassifications and the adjustments arising from the new leasing rules are therefore recognised in the opening balance sheet on 1 January 2019.

Adjustments recognised on adoption of IFRS 16

On adoption of IFRS 16, the Group recognised lease liabilities in relation to leases which had previously been classified as 'operating leases' under the principles of IAS 17 leases. These liabilities were measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using the lessee's incremental borrowing rate as of 1 January 2019. The weighted average lessee's incremental borrowing rate applied to the lease liabilities on 1 January 2019 ranged from 2.70% to 3.77% depending on the leased asset.

 
 
                                                                2019 
                                                              GBP000 
 
 Operating lease commitments as disclosed as at 
  31 December 2018                                            50,436 
 Additional operating lease liabilities on implementation 
  of IFRS 16*                                                  4,065 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------- 
                                                              54,501 
 Discounting effect using the lessee's incremental 
  borrowing rates of between 2.7% and 3.77%                  (4,673) 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------- 
 Lease liability recognised as at 1 January 2019              49,828 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------- 
 
 Of which are: 
 Current lease liabilities                                    13,930 
 Non-current lease liabilities                                35,898 
---------------------------------------------------------- 
 Lease liability recognised as at 1 January 2019              49,828 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------- 
 

* Operating lease commitments as at 31 December 2018 were restated by GBP4,065,000 to correct for omissions identified during the transition to IFRS16. The restatement relates to the disclosure note only and there is no impact on the Consolidated Income Statement or Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

Right of use assets were measured at the amount equal to the lease liability, adjusted by the amount of any prepaid or accrued lease payments relating to that lease recognised in the balance sheet as at 31 December 2018. The adjustment for accrued lease payments relating to the leases recognised on this date was a decrease of GBP216,000.

(i) Amounts recognised in the statement of financial position

The balance sheet shows the following amounts relating to leases:

 
 
                        31 December   1 January 
                               2019        2019 
                             GBP000      GBP000 
 Right-of-use assets 
 Properties                  15,883      18,692 
 Non-property                27,982      30,920 
--------------------- 
                             43,865      49,612 
---------------------  ------------  ---------- 
 
 

The right-of-use assets are shown as non-current assets in the balance sheet. The non-property right-of-use assets relate mainly to commercial and motor vehicles.

 
 
                      31 December   1 January 
                             2019        2019 
                           GBP000      GBP000 
 Lease liabilities 
 Current                   13,921      13,930 
 Non-current               30,734      35,898 
                           44,655      49,828 
-------------------  ------------  ---------- 
 
 

The lease liabilities are split on the balance sheet between current and non-current. In the previous year, the Group only recognised lease liabilities in relation to leases that were classified as 'finance leases' under IAS 17. At 31 December 2018 the Group had operating leases amounting to GBP50.4 million and no finance leases.

Additions to the right-of-use assets in the group during the 2019 financial year were GBP8,980,000.

(ii) Amounts recognised in the income statement

The statement of profit or loss shows the following amounts relating to leases:

 
 
                                               31 December 
                                                      2019 
                                                    GBP000 
 Depreciation charge of right-of-use assets 
 Properties                                          4,509 
 Non-property                                       10,751 
--------------------------------------------  ------------ 
                                                    15,260 
 
 Interest expense 
 Expense relating to IFRS 16 cost                    1,688 
 Expense relating to IAS 17 cost previously 
  included in administrative expenses             (16,375) 
--------------------------------------------  ------------ 
 Net impact on the income statement                    573 
--------------------------------------------  ------------ 
 
 

(iii) Impact on segment disclosures and earnings per share

The segment assets and liabilities for 31 December 2019 all increased as a result of the change in accounting policy. Lease liabilities are now included in segment liabilities. The impact on the following segments was as follows:

 
                                              Continental 
                                         UK        Europe      Total 
                                     GBP000        GBP000     GBP000 
 
 Reportable segment assets           38,095         5,770     43,865 
 Reportable segment liabilities    (38,717)       (5,938)   (44,655) 
--------------------------------  ---------  ------------  --------- 
 

Earnings per share decreased by 0.6p per share, from 34.6p to 34.0p, for the twelve months to 31 December 2019 as a result of the adoption of IFRS 16.

(iv) The group's leasing activities and how these are accounted for

The group leases various properties and commercial vehicles and cars. Rental contracts are typically made for fixed periods of 5 to 10 years and 3 to 7 years respectively, but might have extension options. Lease terms are negotiated on an individual basis and contain a wide range of different terms and conditions. The lease agreements do not impose any covenants, but leased assets cannot be used as security for borrowing purposes.

Leases are recognised as a right-of-use asset and a corresponding liability at the date at which the leased asset is available for use by the group. The right-of-use asset is depreciated over the lease term on a straight-line basis. The finance cost is charged to profit or loss over the lease period so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability for each period, this being the amortised cost method.

Assets and liabilities arising from a lease are initially measured on a present value basis. Lease liabilities include the net present value of the following lease payments:

-- fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments), less any lease incentives receivable;

-- variable lease payment that are based on an index or a rate;

-- amounts expected to be payable by the lessee under residual value guarantees;

-- the exercise price of a purchase option if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option;

and

-- payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the lessee exercising

that option.

The lease payments are discounted using the Group's incremental borrowing rate as it has been difficult to determine the interest rate implicit in the lease for existing leases.

Right-of-use assets are measured at cost comprising the following:

-- the amount of the initial measurement of lease liability;

-- any lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received;

-- any initial direct costs; and

-- restoration costs.

Payments associated with short-term leases and leases of low-value assets are recognised on a straight-line basis as an expense in profit or loss. Short-term leases are leases with a lease term of 12 months or less. Low-value assets comprise IT equipment and small items of office furniture.

(v) Extension and termination options

Extension and termination options are included in a number of property and equipment leases across the group. These terms are used to maximise operational flexibility in terms of managing contracts. The majority of extension and termination options held, are exercisable only by the group and not by the respective lessor.

7 Acquisitions

On 18 October 2019, a subsidiary company of Headlam Group plc completed the acquisition of all the trade and assets of Edel Telenzo Carpets Ltd. ('Telenzo'). Telenzo is the UK distribution company for Edel Carpets, a modern carpet producer from Genemuiden, in the Netherlands. Telenzo is renowned for its 100% wool and wool blend tufted carpets and high quality man-made fibre carpets for residential and commercial use, and distributes its products nationwide.

The acquired business contributed revenue of GBP1.7 million and an operating profit of GBP0.3 million to the group for the year ended 31 December 2019. If the acquisitions had occurred on 1 January 2019, pro-forma revenue and operating profit for the year ended 31 December 2019 would have increased to GBP725.7 million and GBP39.8 million respectively.

Details of the acquisition are provisional and are shown below:

 
                                                             Acquiree's   Fair value  Acquisition 
                                                             book value  adjustments      amounts 
                                                                 GBP000       GBP000       GBP000 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ----------  -----------  ----------- 
Acquiree's provisional net assets at the acquisition date: 
Intangible assets                                                     -          856          856 
Property, plant and equipment                                        11         (11)            - 
Trade and other receivables                                       1,400            -        1,400 
Trade and other payables                                          (272)            -        (272) 
Deferred tax                                                          -        (145)        (145) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ----------  -----------  ----------- 
Net identifiable assets and liabilities                           1,139          700        1,839 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ----------  -----------  ----------- 
Goodwill on acquisition                                                                       258 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ----------  -----------  ----------- 
Consideration                                                                               2,097 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ----------  -----------  ----------- 
 
Satisfied by: 
Cash                                                                                        2,097 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ----------  -----------  ----------- 
 
Analysis of cash flows: 
On completion                                                                               2,097 
 
 

Professional fees of GBP72,000 were incurred in relation to acquisition activity and have been expensed to the income statement within non-underlying administration expenses.

The book value of receivables given in the table above represents both the gross contracted and fair value of amounts receivable. At the acquisition date, the entire book value of receivables was expected to be collected.

Goodwill of GBP258,000 arose on the acquisition, there were also intangible assets on acquisition of GBP856,000 which were attributed to brand names, customer relationships and supply agreements. During the year GBP25,000 of intangibles have been amortised to the income statement.

The residual goodwill reflects the significant benefit the acquisitions will have on the Group by bringing further geographic coverage, offering an expanded product range, developing a more sophisticated customer route to market, providing an additional avenue for growth and a different order profile.

Furthermore, acquired businesses gain access to the Group's extensive product ranges and benefit from enhanced sales and marketing investment. These changes typically enable acquired businesses to enhance the service provided to their customers and ultimately, develop and grow.

Prior year acquisitions

In the prior year the Group acquired Dersimo BV ('Dersimo'), BETU Holdings Limited (a non-trading holding company) the parent company of CECO (Flooring) Limited ('CECO'), Ashmount Flooring Supplies Limited ('Ashmount'), Rackhams Limited ('Rackhams'), and the business and certain assets of Garrod Bros Ltd ('Garrod Bros').

The fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired have been reconsidered as part of the hindsight period, but no adjustment was considered necessary. In relation to CECO, the contingent consideration has been paid in full earlier than planned as a result of profitability exceeding management expectations. This has led to a reversal of part of the discounting applied on the original acquisition.

The acquired businesses contributed revenues of GBP13.7 million and an operating profit of GBP0.6 million to the Group for the year ended 31 December 2018. If the acquisitions had occurred on 1 January 2018, pro-forma revenue and operating profit for the year ended 31 December 2018 would have increased to GBP717.7 million and GBP42.0 million respectively.

Deferred and contingent consideration

The acquisition of Domus Group of Companies Limited was financed by initial cash consideration of GBP24.2 million paid on completion and satisfied from the Group's existing cash and debt facilities; a deferred consideration of GBP3.3 million, payable in cash and Ordinary shares of 5 pence each in the capital of the Company ('Ordinary Shares'), of which GBP1.6 million was payable on 7 December 2019 and GBP1.7 million is payable on 7 December 2020; and a further maximum contingent consideration of GBP2.7 million, payable in cash based on Domus achieving certain EBITDA targets over the three-year period ending 31 December 2020.

The deferred and contingent consideration were discounted back and reported at present value at the date of the acquisition. Management have written down the contingent consideration each year based on their assessment of the probability of it being paid. At 31 December 2019 the contingent consideration amount was fully written down with no payments expected on this, however the Group has a current liability for discounted deferred consideration of GBP1,654,000 which is due on 7 December 2020.

8 Subsequent events

Management has given due consideration to any events occurring in the period from the reporting date to the date these financial statements were authorised for issue and has concluded that there are no material adjusting or non-adjusting events to be disclosed in these financial statements, with the exception of the acquisition of Supertex Furnishing Ltd. On 1 March 2020, HFD Ltd, a group subsidiary company acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Supertex Furnishing Ltd, a floorcovering distribution business based in Leyland, Lancashire, for consideration of GBP1.3 million, subject to finalising the net assets position.

9 Additional information

The financial information set out above does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the years ended 31 December 2019 or 2018 but is derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for 2018 have been delivered to the registrar of companies, and those for 2019 will be delivered in due course. The auditors have reported on those accounts; their reports were (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditors 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 Company anticipates that the Company's statutory accounts will be posted to shareholders during March 2020 and will be displayed on the Company's website at www.headlam.com during March. Copies of the statutory accounts will also be available from the Company's registered office at Headlam Group plc, PO Box 1, Gorsey Lane, Coleshill, Birmingham, B46 1LW.

This final results announcement for the year ended 31 December 2019 was approved by the Board on 5 March 2020.

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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