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PRES Pressure Technologies Plc

37.50
0.00 (0.00%)
03 May 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Pressure Technologies Plc LSE:PRES London Ordinary Share GB00B1XFKR57 ORD 5P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 37.50 36.00 39.00 37.50 37.50 37.50 6,177 08:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Fluid Powr Cylindrs,actuatrs 31.94M -679k -0.0219 -17.12 11.65M

Pressure Technologies PLC Final Results (0213Z)

12/12/2017 7:00am

UK Regulatory


Pressure Technologies (LSE:PRES)
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TIDMPRES

RNS Number : 0213Z

Pressure Technologies PLC

12 December 2017

12 December 2017

Pressure Technologies plc

("Pressure Technologies" or the "Group")

2017 Full Year Results

Pressure Technologies (AIM: PRES), the specialist engineering group, announces its full year results for the year ended 30 September 2017.

John Hayward, CEO of Pressure Technologies, said:

"The reorganisation in recent years means that there are significant operational gearing gains to be made as volumes increase. The recent share issue improves the Group's ability to support large-scale organic growth, and with no immediate major capital expenditure required the Group is in good shape."

Financial

   --    Revenue GBP38.4 million (2016: GBP35.8 million) 
   --    Adjusted operating profit*  GBP1.1 million (2016: loss GBP(0.4) million) 
   --    Reported loss before tax of GBP(1.9) million (2016: loss GBP(0.4) million) 
   --    Adjusted earnings per share of 6.3p (2016: loss (2.6)p***) 
   --    Reported basic earnings per share loss of  (7.9)p (2016: earnings 4.4p) 

-- Operational cash inflow before working capital movement** of GBP2.5 million (2016: GBP0.5 million)

   --    Closing net debt at GBP11.1 million (2016: GBP6.6 million) 
   --    Post year-end fundraising of net GBP4.8 million 

*before M&A costs, amortisation and exceptional charges and credits

**before payment of redundancy and reorganisation costs

***from continuing operations

Operational

-- Precision Machined Components Division order intake more consistent with stronger second-half

   --     Manufacturing gross margins increased to 35% (2016: 31%) 
   --     Acquisition of Martract in December 2016 
   --     Creation of PMC brand to give improved customer offer 

-- Alternative Energy restructured from a regional to a functional model and broke even (2016: loss GBP(1.1) million)

   --     Full review of management capability resulting in additional senior management appointments 
   --     Investment in IT systems to improve communication and promote collaboration 

For further information, please contact:

 
 Pressure Technologies            Today Tel: 020 7920 
  plc                              3150 
  John Hayward, Chief Executive    Thereafter, Tel: 0114 
  Joanna Allen, Group Finance      257 3622 
  Director                         www.pressuretechnologies.com 
  Keeley Clarke, Investor 
  Relations 
 Cantor Fitzgerald Europe         Tel: 020 7894 7000 
  (Nominated Adviser and 
  Broker) 
 Philip Davies / Will Goode 
                                  Tel: 020 7920 3150 
   Tavistock 
   Simon Hudson 
 

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Company description - www.pressuretechnologies.com

With its head office in Sheffield, Pressure Technologies was founded on its leading market position as a designer and manufacturer of high-pressure components and systems serving the global energy, defence and industrial gases markets. Today it continues to serve those markets from a broader engineering base with specialist precision engineering businesses and has a worldwide presence in Alternative Energy as a global leader in biogas upgrading.

Pressure Technologies has four divisions, Precision Machined Components, Engineered Products, Cylinders and Alternative Energy, serving four main markets: oil and gas, defence, industrial gases and alternative energy.

Precision Machined Components

   --     Al-Met, Mid Glamorgan, acquired in 2010 www.almet.co.uk 
   --     Roota Engineering, Rotherham, acquired in March 2014 www.roota.co.uk 
   --     Quadscot, Glasgow, acquired in October 2014 www.quadscot.co.uk 
   --     Martract Limited, Barton-on-Humber, acquired in December 2016 www.martract.co.uk 

Engineered Products

   --     Hydratron, Manchester, acquired in 2010 www.hydratron.com 

Cylinders

-- Chesterfield Special Cylinders, Sheffield, IPO cornerstone in 2007 and includes, CSC Deutschland Gmbh, which is based in Dorsten, Germany and Chesterfield Special Cylinders Inc. which is based in Houston, USA www.chesterfieldcylinders.com

Alternative Energy

-- Greenlane Biogas, Sheffield, UK; Vancouver, Canada and; Auckland, New Zealand acquired in October 2014 www.greenlanebiogas.com

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

Overview

I look back on this past year for the Group as one of preparing for future growth across all our Divisions, whilst at the same time maintaining stability against a backdrop of very challenging oil and gas market conditions.

During the past three years, it is estimated that global oil and gas Capex and Opex spending has reduced by some 30%. Reports indicate that Capex and exploration spending will have reduced by $1 trillion from 2015 through 2020. The net impact on job losses worldwide is estimated at 440,000, with 124,000 in the UK alone.

Within the Group, we have reacted to these unprecedented market conditions by reducing our headcount by 40%, but have been careful to protect our knowledge and skills base, to be well positioned to respond to increased demand when it arrives. We have also invested in further development of our people and added key leadership and sales resources across the Group. Given the tough market conditions we've traded through for the past three years, I'd like to express my respect and admiration for the way our people have steadfastly risen to the various challenges we've encountered.

In addition to developing and adding to our skills base, we have invested in systems and processes that make us more efficient and productive and have restructured the Alternative Energy Division from a regional to a functional model, which will improve efficiency and the ways we win and execute projects.

It is heartening to report that, towards year-end, we were approached by institutional investors who expressed a desire to make further investment in the Group. I see this as a sign that many market observers anticipate that the oil and gas market is about to rebound and they see Pressure Technologies as an enterprise that has been resilient in the downturn and is primed for growth. This investment gives us more fire power to react to opportunities as they arise.

Whilst the oil and gas market has been in the doldrums, we have of course been busy pursuing other industrial sectors. The biogas market continues to offer substantial potential, but has been frustratingly slow to deliver due to a whole range of factors, but we remain committed to retaining and building on our position as the market leader within our sphere. CSC's market leadership in large high-pressure cylinders maintains our enviable position as the company of choice for many of the world's navies and air forces.

In December 2016, we acquired Martract, a business that specialises in the grinding and lapping of ball valves. Martract is a company that we monitored for some time as a potential add-on to our PMC companies. It offers us potential for vertical integration by extending our core skill sets, along with pull-through opportunities into new industrial sectors, as 60% of Martract sales come from outside the oil and gas market.

Results

I am pleased to report that Group revenue increased to GBP38.4m, a 7.5% increase on last year, whilst adjusted operating profits were GBP1.1m, a substantial improvement from a loss of GBP0.4m recorded last year. The increase in revenue was primarily driven by a 40% increase in sales seen in Alternative Energy on the back of a strong opening order book. The improvement in adjusted operating profit was primarily driven by Alternative Energy, which broke even for the first time since the acquisition of Greenlane and the contribution from Precision Machined Components, including nine months of Martract.

Operating cash inflow before movements in working capital and reorganisation and redundancy costs was GBP2.5 million, significantly better than GBP0.5m recorded last year. Net debt was GBP11.1 million, an increase of GBP4.5m versus last year, primarily due to the acquisition of Martract and net investment in working capital. Post year-end the Group completed a share placing, raising net proceeds of GBP4.8m.

Despite the fact that this year's financial results are a clear improvement over last year, the board has resolved that no dividend shall be paid to shareholders this year, as cash reserves will be key to funding profitable growth in the coming months.

Outlook

The level of optimism within the oil and gas market is increasing by the month. Major oil companies reported healthy profits for quarter-three 2017, which is a sure sign that their attentions will start to move towards investment and growth. Recent assurances by OPEC that production cuts will be sustained until supply-demand has been rebalanced is encouraging. Even the top three US-based shale producers have issued a cautionary note on the speed and level of investment that is prudent in order to sustain a profitable oil price.

Renewable energy is becoming more topical amongst the public at large and governments are making bold statements about moving away from carbon-based fuel sources. Whether some of these rather ambitious political statements are achievable remains to be seen, but the general increase in awareness of what renewable energy has to offer is helpful. The potential market for biogas is enormous and we remain confident it will materialise and offer us substantial opportunities for increasing sales and profits.

Given that we are already working on the design of cylinders for the Dreadnought-class of nuclear-powered submarines for the UK Ministry of Defence, which offers us a visible order pipeline for some years ahead, it is pleasing to conclude that all three of our other major industrial markets look promising for the foreseeable future.

Given a more positive outlook in our core markets and the recent fundraise that has bolstered our financial resources, supported by steps we've taken to ready our businesses for growth, the Board is optimistic that the Group is well prepared to capitalise on opportunities as they arise.

BUSINESS REVIEW

The Group's core technical skills are highly valued by our customers, many of whom are pioneers in what they do. They choose to work with us because of our ability to transform their innovative ideas into high-quality, safety-critical products where the opportunity cost of failure is often orders of magnitude higher than the cost of the product. This creates strong relationships built on the honest and open way in which we do business and our culture of delivering excellence.

We have an unrivalled heritage, with over 120 years of experience and knowledge making us clear leaders in our markets. Chesterfield Special Cylinders is the world's leading supplier of cylinders and inspection services into the naval and military aerospace markets. Our Precision Machined Components and Engineered Products businesses are trusted suppliers to the world's leading oil and gas innovators. Greenlane Biogas is a pioneer in biogas upgrading, a world leader with the largest installed base of upgraders, having supplied the world's two largest upgrading projects and recently developed the world's largest ever upgrader, the Kauri.

The year witnessed further significant changes in the Group. The impact of major reorganisation in our three manufacturing Divisions: Precision Machined Components, Engineered Products and Cylinders undertaken in prior years began to show material bottom-line impact particularly in PMC and Cylinders. Further progress was made in the Alternative Energy Division, which broke-even, whilst at the same time undergoing a radical restructuring.

The key points for the year are:

Manufacturing Divisions

Precision Machined Components Division ("PMC")

 
                       2017    2016    2015    2014    2013 
                        GBPm    GBPm    GBPm    GBPm    GBPm 
--------------------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------ 
 Sales revenue         10.4    10.7    18.8    13.0    6.4 
--------------------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------ 
 Adjusted operating 
  profit               1.8     1.4     4.5     3.0     1.0 
--------------------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------ 
 

PMC comprises Al-Met, Roota Engineering, Quadscot Precision Engineers and Martract - which was acquired in December 2016. Al-Met produces wear resistant components in a range of high alloy steels and tungsten carbide for using high-pressure control valves, designed to regulate flow volumes in extremely demanding applications in the subsea and surface oil and gas industries. Roota and Quadscot make a wide range of components for oil and gas pressure systems and down-hole tools, with Roota generally focusing on larger, longer product and Quadscot on smaller components, manufactured in a range of high alloy materials. Martract specialises in grinding and lapping ball and seat assemblies and gate valves, which is highly complementary to the Division, enabling it to offer a product that is unmatched by competitors.

Significant progress has been made in the Division since the second-half of the 2016 financial year, which marked the low point for order intake from the core oil and gas market. In 2017, first and second-half sales were 1.7% and 10.4% higher than the second-half of 2016 respectively.

Increasing order volumes have given more consistent order intake patterns for Roota and Al-Met. This has resulted in improvements in gross margins, as the benefits of latent capacity created by investment in new technology and better productivity have been realised. Quadscot remained affected by reduced customer spending throughout the majority of the year. A combination of increased activity from core and new customers lifted its final-quarter sales, which has continued into the new financial year.

The appointment of a Business Development Director in March has resulted in winning work from new customers, a trend that is expected to continue. To date, the Division has secured orders from eight new customers, with a focus on technical equipment manufacturers. The purchase of Martract in December 2016 is giving further opportunities to secure new customers, since 60% of their customers are outside the oil and gas industry. As a result, opportunities exist to cross-sell the Division's capabilities into other industries, such as chemical processing and nuclear decommissioning.

The strategy for PMC is to grow revenue and profits by building on the existing businesses through collaboration, cross-selling, product and key-account expansion, as well as the development of new markets that offer growth and strengthen the Division's resilience. Any acquisitions will be complementary to this positioning. In furtherance of this strategy, a rebranding exercise has been completed to give a common "feel" to logos and websites. This involved the creation of a PMC brand, which is important when dealing with major customers, as it highlights the strength in depth of the Division. Promoting the brand highlights our ability to minimise supply chain risk, as we are able to move work between sites. At a time when our customers are also looking to reduce the number of companies on their Approved Vendor Lists ("AVL"), contracting with the PMC Division gives them four vendors for one entry in their AVL.

Near-term prospects for PMC remain positive, with our core customers expressing a more upbeat outlook for 2018 and significant potential for growth from new customers and markets. The Division is recruiting additional skilled engineers and operators and investing in new equipment to benefit profitably from increasing sales revenue.

Engineered Products Division ("EP")

 
                       2017    2016    2015    2014    2013 
                        GBPm    GBPm    GBPm    GBPm    GBPm 
--------------------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------ 
 Sales revenue         3.9     4.1     6.7     8.1     7.3 
--------------------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------ 
 Adjusted operating 
  profit/(loss)        (0.5)   (0.3)   0.1     1.6     1.1 
--------------------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------ 
 

EP manufactures a range of Hydratron-branded air-operated, high-pressure hydraulic pumps, gas boosters, power packs, hydraulic control panels and test rigs, mainly for use in the oil and gas sector.

The Division continued to be impacted by reduced capital expenditure and discretionary spend from its core oil and gas market, so sales were 7% lower than 2016. The second-half of the financial year saw some patchy improvement in order intake and the engineered systems sales team was expanded to meet this increased level of activity. Action taken in 2016 to reduce costs and improve productivity contained the losses in 2017.

Considerable effort was focused on expanding the number and quality of distributors, with seven new distributors appointed, which should yield increasing revenues as 2018 progresses. The first-quarter of this new financial year has seen a continuation of the improved ordering pattern, with a more profitable mix of projects but, as yet, there is no clear pattern of improvement in their core oil and gas market.

Cylinders Division

 
                       2017    2016    2015    2014    2013 
                        GBPm    GBPm    GBPm    GBPm    GBPm 
--------------------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------ 
 Sales revenue         8.4     9.5     14.3    21.4    17.3 
--------------------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------ 
 Adjusted operating 
  profit               1.1     1.1     2.1     3.8     3.6 
--------------------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------ 
 

Chesterfield Special Cylinders ("CSC") supplies a range of high-pressure gas cylinder systems into the defence, oil and gas and industrial gases markets. Revenue for the year was lower by GBP1.1 million, as revenue from oil and gas reduced again. However, operating profit was maintained through a better mix of higher added value work in other markets.

The defence market is now the mainstay of the business, where the Division has over 80 years of experience in providing cylinders and services to the naval and military aerospace markets. This heritage in a highly demanding market, makes CSC the natural choice for cutting edge product development, as evidenced by the award of cylinder design for the Dreadnought class submarine, Trident's successor. Cylinders for the first boat-set will be delivered during 2018, along with further deliveries into overseas markets. Business Development efforts continue to focus on breaking into the substantial US defence market and the Pittsburgh sales team sales team has recently been strengthened.

For CSC, the oil and gas market remains depressed. The largest volume of sales has traditionally come from Air Pressure Vessels (APVs) for motion compensation systems on drillships and semi-submersible drilling rigs for the deepwater subsea sector. Fewer than 50% of the available vessels are currently utilised in this market and no major build program is forecast. Revenue in 2017 was limited to small projects for floating cranes; that said, CSC was awarded a contract to supply APVs for delivery in 2018 for a new drillship, the only such order placed in the last three years.

Revenue in the industrial gases market has largely come from service work with an upturn in the volume of high-pressure gas trailer statutory re-test and refurbishment arising from the phasing of prior capital expenditure by the Gas Majors. This work is forecast to increase further in 2018 and, together with our integrity management offering into the defence and oil and gas markets, will help underpin continued profitability. It is worth noting that since 2014, higher margin service related revenue has grown by almost 45%.

Capital investment in 2017 was centred on the ultra large cylinder forge project which is now complete. Investment in 2018 is planned to improve CSC's small cylinder spinning capability, which will increase productivity and also the potential product range.

The outlook for 2018 is positive, underpinned by the Dreadnought work and further expansion of CSC's service offerings.

Alternative Energy Division ("AE")

 
                       2017    2016    2015    2014    2013 
                        GBPm    GBPm    GBPm    GBPm    GBPm 
--------------------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------ 
 Sales revenue         15.8    11.3    14.0    8.4     1.1 
--------------------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------ 
 Adjusted operating 
  profit/(loss)        0.0     (1.1)   (1.1)   1.1     (0.5) 
--------------------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------ 
 

AE is a designer and supplier of equipment used to upgrade biogas produced by the anaerobic digestion of organic waste into high-quality methane, which is suitable either for injection into the gas grid, or used as vehicle fuel. It trades under the name of Greenlane, the long-established market leader in water-wash biogas upgrader equipment acquired by the Group at the beginning of financial year 2015.

Against a backdrop of a further radical reorganisation, the Division broke-even, on an adjusted basis, for the first time since the acquisition of Greenlane. During the first-half of the year, a full review of the management structure and effectiveness was conducted. A functional structure has been implemented with the Division now centred in Vancouver, Canada. Sales and engineering support are still regionally based with Vancouver covering the Americas and China; Sheffield in the UK will be responsible for Europe, Africa and Asia. As a result of the reorganisation, headcount has been reduced by 20%, whilst at the same time, sales resources have been strengthened and a new President for the Division joined in November 2017.

Product development remained a priority for the Division with a first order received for a Kauri upgrader, the world's largest single upgrader plant, which is currently being commissioned in the USA. A second generation, entry level, Kanuka upgrader has also been installed and commissioned in Finland. In addition to core water-wash technology, Greenlane is currently commissioning a biogas plant using pressure swing adsorption technology (PSA) in California. The Division also offers membrane technology for cleaning gas, which differentiates Greenlane as the only "technology agnostic" provider of biogas upgraders in the world.

The closing order book at year end was GBP5 million, compared to GBP14 million at the end of 2016. The significant pipeline of good quality sales opportunities proved frustratingly slow to convert to orders, partly due to the disruptive effect of the reorganisation, but in the main external factors were the root cause. In the UK, a proposed change to the Renewable Heat Incentive, which favoured biogas upgrading, was initially delayed by a drafting error in the legislation, then further delayed by the general election and is now expected at the end of the first quarter of calendar year 2018. In North and South America, several potential orders were delayed due to customer issues around project funding and environmental permits. Since year end, one contract has been secured in the UK and three projects are at final negotiation in the UK, USA and Brazil.

The sales pipeline has a value in excess of $200 million and the market in the USA is set for rapid expansion, a major reason for the centring of the Division in North America. To rapidly extend market reach, AE is in negotiation with a number of potential collaborators with allied technology, for example anaerobic digester manufacturers, to pool opportunities and present a "one stop shop" to potential customers. Pooling will also give the opportunity to bring third-party funding into projects where our current individual projects are too small to warrant investors' attention. At the same time, AE is looking to licence upgrading technology for markets that are either too small, or complicated for direct selling.

People

The Group has undergone substantial downsizing during the past three years in response to the downturn in the oil and gas market, resulting in a 40% reduction in headcount overall. We have, however, been careful to protect our knowledge and skill base and taken steps to prepare the Divisions for the inevitable market recovery. During the course of 2017, we have undertaken a thorough review of management competence, capability and bench strength throughout the Group. As a consequence, a number of development programs have been implemented and additional management resource has been hired in the shape of a Head of HR at Group level and new Divisional Directors in AE and PMC.

As ever, we remain committed to training, education and continuous development. The apprentice levy will have no impact on the Group as we expect to fully recover this through our apprentice and management training programmes. We work in a high-technology environment where continuous improvement in our levels of training and education is essential if we are to maintain competitive advantage.

To improve communication and collaborative working across the Group, office systems are in the process of migration from local server based software to Google Suite, thereby allowing real time sharing and collaboration between individuals and businesses. This has been completed for Head Office and the Manufacturing Divisions and will be extended to Alternative Energy during 2018. Health and Safety management is now run on a group-wide basis with regular meetings involving all Divisions and this model has been extended to include cybersecurity and information technology management in 2018.

All manufacturing businesses in the Group, with the exception of Martract, now have OH SAS 18001 accreditation for health and safety. Martract will gain this as a branch of Roota Engineering during 2018. In the Alternative Energy Division, Vancouver does not yet have accreditation and is targeted to achieve this by the end of 2018 as is Head Office.

Outlook

The outlook for Cylinders and Precision Machined Components is much stronger than it was a year ago. Defence work in Cylinders and more stable ordering patterns in PMC gives far greater visibility and confidence in forecasts. Engineered Products is still experiencing unpredictable ordering patterns but at a level that makes the business sustainable. Alternative Energy remains in a position of unfulfilled promise but the reorganisation and market dynamics give cause for optimism.

Across all its markets, the Group is well positioned with solid, long-term relationships with global blue chip customers and a growing pool of new customers, distributors and partners. Renewed confidence in the oil and gas market will eventually extend to growth in Cylinders and Engineered Products, as it is currently doing in Precision Machined Components.

The reorganisation in recent years means that there are significant operational gearing gains to be made as volumes increase. The recent share issue improves the Group's ability to support large scale organic growth, and with no immediate major capital expenditure required the Group is in good shape.

John Hayward

Chief Executive Officer

12 December 2017

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Highlights

   --    Revenue up 7.5% to GBP38.4m (2016: GBP35.8m) 
   --     Adjusted operating Profit* GBP1.1m (2016: loss GBP(0.4)m) 
   --     Adjusted operating cash inflow(***) GBP1.0m (2016: GBP5.1m) 
   --     GBP3.6m Acquisition of Martract Ltd 
   --     Revenue per employee** up 27% to GBP161k(2016: GBP126k) 
   --     Return on Revenue 2.9% (2016: -1.1%) 
   --     Closing Net Debt GBP11.1m (2016: GBP6.6m) 
   --     Post year-end fundraising of GBP4.8m 

*excluding acquisition costs, amortisation on acquired businesses and exceptional charges and credits. Including 9 months post-acquisition result of Martract

** based on straight average number of employees

***before payment of redundancy and reorganisation costs

I am pleased to present the results of what has been a very busy and progressive year for the Group. The Manufacturing Divisions are beginning to experience an uplift in activity: on a like-for-like basis, second-half oil and gas sector revenue was a further 3.4% up on the first-half, demonstrating that the second-half of 2016 was a clear low point. We have also seen profitability continue to improve. Like-for-like, the 3.7ppt year-on-year increase in gross margin percentage is a reflection of both the impact of actions taken by management in recent years, plus the volume and mix of work in the high margin niche sectors supplied by the Group.

Our acquisition of Martract was completed in December 2016 and in the nine months since acquisition the business has contributed GBP0.3 million of operating profit.

Alternative Energy has delivered the contracts in the opening order book posting GBP15.8 million total revenue in the year (2016: GBP11.3 million) of which GBP12.6 million was for biogas upgrader projects (2016: GBP8.9 million). Expected gross margin improvement has, however, yet to be seen due to cost overruns on certain European projects, and reported gross margin is slightly lower than prior year at 17.3% (2016: 17.4%).

Across the Group, we have continued to invest in new products and capital equipment for both production capability and IT systems. Some GBP0.3 million in plant and machinery has been invested in the Manufacturing Divisions, GBP0.6 million in new product development and a further GBP0.4 million in group-wide IT.

In the short-term, the financial priorities continue to focus on the reduction in net debt with working capital management to the fore. While debtor days are generally acceptable in the Manufacturing Divisions, we have seen certain oil and gas customers routinely stretch payment beyond terms at quarter-ends. Good progress has however been made in the control and reduction of raw material and consumable stock, particularly in the EP Division. This, combined with the phasing of contract revenue, has resulted in a net investment in working capital in 2017 of GBP1.5 million (2016: net benefit GBP4.6 million).

The post year-end oversubscribed share placing, which resulted in net proceeds of GBP4.8 million, immediately reduced net debt and positions the Group well to capitalise on the clear momentum in market opportunity being experienced, particularly in the PMC Division.

Trading result

Manufacturing

   --     Revenue down 7.4% to GBP22.6 million (2016: GBP24.4 million) 
   --     Gross profit margin 35.4% (2016: 31.0%) 
   --     Adjusted operating profit* up 12.5% to GBP2.4 million (2016: GBP2.2 million) 
   --     Return on revenue 10.7% (2016: 8.8%) 
   --     Revenue per employee** up 13.1% to GBP124,000 (2016: GBP109,000) 
   --     Adjusted operating cash inflow***GBP2.7 million (2016: GBP5.0 million) 
   --     Cash conversion 1.1: 1 (2016: 2.4:1) 
   --     Restructuring costs GBP0.1 million (2016: GBP0.8 million) 

PMC and CSC are beginning to experience an uplift in activity, with increased confidence in the oil market providing PMC with a stabilised and increasing order-load, whilst strong defence contracts secured in CSC stretch into the medium-term. These two divisions contributed GBP2.9m of operating profit in 2017, an increase of 18.4%. Return on Revenue has increased by 3.4ppt to 15.5%, demonstrating the benefits of both the mix of work in CSC and the volume of activity in PMC, underpinned by cost reduction initiatives implemented in recent years.

Restructuring benefits in EP are still to be reflected in the bottom-line, as low oil and gas volumes continue to impact. Second-half revenue increased 23% over the first-half, with a 7.6ppt increase in Return on Revenue. Whilst encouraging, this was not enough to exceed their break-even point. The current low market volumes magnify the effects of the mix of work and, together with the impact of lower spares sales in the summer months, was a contributory factor in the second-half operating loss.

The Manufacturing Divisions GBP2.4 million adjusted operating profit for the full-year was slightly ahead of the latest market expectation (GBP2.3 million).

Alternative Energy

   --     Revenue GBP15.8 million (2016: GBP11.3 million) 
   --     Gross profit margin 17.3% (2016: 17.4%) 
   --     Adjusted operating profit* at break-even (2016: loss GBP(1.1) million) 
   --     Return on revenue 0.0% (2016: loss (9.4)%) 
   --     Revenue per employee** up 40% to GBP353,000 (2016: GBP242,000) 
   --     Adjusted operating cash outflow*** GBP(0.8) million (2016: inflow GBP0.9 million) 
   --     Closing order book GBP5.0 million (2016: GBP14.2 million) 
   --     Restructuring costs GBP0.4 million (2016: GBP0.8 million) 

Revenue from the installation and commissioning of biogas upgraders in the year was delivered from the opening order book. No new biogas upgrader projects commenced in the year, although there was a scope increase on one project. Non-upgrader sales for aftermarket support and other products were GBP3.2m.

Gross margins were adversely impacted in the second-half due to cost overruns on certain European projects, which negated the benefit of the 5.5ppt margin improvement in the first-half versus the second-half of 2016, resulting in a marginally lower gross margin for the full year.

The Division began restructuring in March 2017 and this was largely complete by the fourth-quarter. The benefits of this have yet to come through to the operating profit and Return on Revenue, which in the second-half was adversely impacted by both the weighting of sales to the first-half and lower gross margins.

The result for the full-year was in-line with the latest market expectations.

Central costs

Unallocated central costs (before M&A, amortisation on acquired businesses and exceptional charges) were GBP1.4 million (2016: GBP1.5 million). The reduction continues to reflect the group-wide focus on cost reduction, investment in IT systems and combining of roles.

In respect of the Group's various share option plans a share based payment cost of GBP0.1 million has been recognised in adjusted operating profit (2016: GBP0.3 million).

Exceptional items

Reorganisation and redundancy costs in the year were GBP0.7 million (2016: GBP0.7 million), which predominantly relate to the AE Division and Group.

M&A related exceptional items and amortisation costs were GBP2.0 million (2016: GBP1.1 million credit) and include the GBP0.6 million write-back of the deferred consideration of Martract Limited. Underlying amortisation charges were GBP2.4 million compared to GBP2.2 million in the prior year, the increase being solely due to the acquisition of Martract.

Taxation

The tax credit for the year was GBP0.8 million (2016: GBP1.0 million).

The loss before tax, effect of the change in tax rates in the year and adjustments in respect of prior years have all contributed to the tax credit in 2017. The applicable current tax rate for the year is 19.5% (2016: 20%). The reduction in rate of tax and the utilisation of losses have resulted in a lower effective tax rate than the current rate of tax.

Corporation tax refunded in the year totalled GBP0.2 million (2016: GBP0.5 million), which relate to the UK and Canada.

Foreign Exchange

The Group has exposure to movements in foreign exchange rates related to both transactional trading and translation of overseas investments.

In the year under review, the principal exposure arising from trading activities, was to movements in the value of the Euro and the US Dollar relative to Sterling. As Group companies both buy and sell in overseas currencies, particularly the Euro and the US Dollar, there is a degree of natural hedge already in place.

In the AE Division, currency exposure is actively managed at the outset of a project and where appropriate forward contracts taken out to cover the majority of the exposure. Exposure (both translational and transactional) to the movements in the USD versus the CAD and GBP are expected to increase as the focus of the AE Division turns to this market.

In 2017 the net loss recognised in adjusted operating profit in respect of realised and unrealised transactions in Euro, US Dollar, Canadian Dollar and New Zealand Dollar was immaterial (2016: net gain GBP0.7 million). In 2016, a loss of GBP0.5 million was recorded below adjusted operating profit in respect of the retranslation of the deferred consideration liability denominated in New Zealand Dollars.

As at 30 September 2017 there were no forward contracts in place (2016: none).

At the present time, no cover is held against the value of overseas investments or intercompany loans with overseas entities as these are expected to be held for the long-term and over the next year dividend flows from these to Group are not expected to be significant.

Acquisition of Martract

On 7 December 2016, the Group acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Martract Limited for an initial consideration less net cash acquired of GBP3.6 million, plus maximum contingent deferred consideration of GBP0.6 million.

Intangible assets acquired with the business comprise GBP0.9 million in relation to non-contractual customer relationships and GBP2.8 million in relation to the manufacturing intellectual property.

The contingent consideration was initially recorded at a fair value of GBP0.6 million, which had been estimated based on future earnings, with a discount rate of 3%, assuming that GBP0.6 million would become payable. Subsequently, the second-half performance and forecasts have been reviewed by the Directors and they consider it unlikely that the contingent deferred consideration will be paid and the provision has therefore been released.

A fair value adjustment related to an Employment Related Securities liability was made as a result of the vendors' shareholder restructuring immediately prior to completion. This liability was funded by the vendors of Martract Limited and was settled in January 2017.

Financing, cash flow and leverage

Operating cash inflow before movements in working capital and reorganisation and redundancy costs was GBP2.0 million higher at GBP2.5 million (2016: GBP0.5 million). After a net investment in working capital of GBP1.5 million (2016: net reduction GBP4.6 million), cash generated from operations was GBP1.0 million (2016: GBP5.1 million). Our investment in working capital shows a significant increase during the year arising from the timing of large contract down payments, phasing of contract revenue and the adverse impact of certain major customers stretching payment terms at the end of 2017.

Cash flows from investment activities total GBP4.5 million and comprise predominantly the acquisition of Martract. No item of capital expenditure is individually significant in the year, so the spend reflects general ongoing investment. Where appropriate new machines are now acquired using dedicated equipment finance and these assets are then self financing through trading cash inflow.

The significant increase in adjusted EBITDA means the Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio in respect of the revolving credit facility (RCF) reduced to 3.1:1 at 30 September 2017 (2016: 3.7:1). All facility covenants have been complied with throughout the period and the facility has now been extended to March 2019.

Net debt was GBP11.1 million (2016: GBP6.6 million), the increase driven primarily by the acquisition of Martract and net investment in working capital. The Group's GBP15 million RCF was fully drawn at the year-end. Post year-end the Group completed a share placing, raising net proceeds of GBP4.8m. Some GBP2.7m was repaid immediately as a tranche of debt, leaving the group GBP12.3m drawn at the time of writing.

Earnings per share and dividends

Adjusted earnings per share increased to 6.3 pence (2016: (2.6) pence loss per share). Basic loss per share was (7.9) pence (2016: 4.4 pence from continuing operations).

No dividends were paid in the year (2016: GBP0.8 million) and no dividends have been declared in respect of the year ended 30 September 2017 (2016: nil). Distributable reserves in the parent company increased 20.1% to GBP22.1 million (2016: GBP18.4 million).

Statement of financial position

Goodwill and intangible assets (at cost) increased by GBP5.8 million to GBP37.9 million (2016: GBP32.1). GBP4.8m related to the acquisition of Martract, the remainder was investment in new product development and investment in IT systems. Amortisation in the year was GBP2.4 million (2016: GBP2.2 million).

Net current assets reduced to GBP9.1 million (2016: GBP10.0 million). This decrease is predominantly due to net investment in working capital in the year.

Non-current liabilities increased to GBP18.0 million (2016: GBP15.8 million) after borrowings increased to GBP15.6 million (2016: GBP12.4 million).

Net assets decreased by 2.9% to GBP33.8 million (2016: GBP34.8 million) and therefore net asset value per share decreased to 233 pence (2016: 241 pence). Had the post year-end fundraising taken place at the year-end date, the net asset value per share would have been 207 pence.

Joanna Allen

Chief Financial Officer

12 December 2017

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the 52 week period ended 30 September 2017

 
                                        Notes        52 weeks     52 weeks 
                                                        ended        ended 
                                                 30 September    1 October 
                                                         2017         2016 
                                                      GBP'000      GBP'000 
 
 Revenue                                  1            38,418       35,753 
 
 Cost of sales                                       (27,710)     (26,211) 
 
 Gross profit                                          10,708        9,542 
 
 Administration expenses                              (9,611)      (9,923) 
 
 Operating profit/(loss) before 
  M&A costs, amortisation and 
  exceptional charges and credits         1             1,097        (381) 
 Separately disclosed items 
  of administrative expenses: 
 Amortisation and M&A related 
  exceptional items                       3           (1,968)        1,123 
 Other exceptional charges 
  and credits                             4             (703)        (798) 
 
 Operating loss                                       (1,574)         (56) 
 Finance income                                             4           32 
 Finance costs                                          (343)        (335) 
 
 Loss before taxation                     2           (1,913)        (359) 
 Taxation                                 6               766        1,002 
 
 (Loss)/profit for the period 
  from continuing operations                          (1,147)          643 
 
 Discontinued operations 
 Loss for the year from discontinued 
  operations                              5                 -      (1,331) 
 
 Loss for the period attributable 
  to owners of the parent                             (1,147)        (688) 
 Other comprehensive income 
  Items that may be reclassified 
  subsequently to profit or 
  loss: 
  Currency translation differences 
  on translation of foreign 
  operations                                              (4)        (426) 
 
 Total comprehensive income 
  for 
  the period attributable to 
  the owners of the parent                            (1,151)      (1,114) 
 
 
 Basic earnings per share 
 From continuing operation                7            (7.9)p         4.4p 
 From discontinued operations             7                 -       (9.2)p 
 
 From (loss)/profit for the 
  period                                               (7.9)p       (4.8)p 
 
 Diluted earnings per share 
 From continuing operation                7            (7.9)p         4.4p 
 From discontinued operations             7                 -       (9.2)p 
 
 From (loss)/profit for the 
  period                                               (7.9)p       (4.8)p 
 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

As at 30 September 2017

 
                                  Notes   30 September   1 October 
                                                  2017        2016 
                                               GBP'000     GBP'000 
 
 Non-current assets 
 Goodwill                           9           16,062      15,020 
 Intangible assets                 10           13,658      11,329 
 Property, plant and equipment                  12,583      13,765 
 Deferred tax asset                16              343         544 
 
                                                42,646      40,658 
 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                                     4,986       5,210 
 Trade and other receivables       12           11,339      11,279 
 Cash and cash equivalents                       4,791       6,073 
 
                                                21,116      22,562 
 
 Total assets                                   63,762      63,220 
 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables          13         (11,748)    (12,069) 
 Borrowings                        14            (219)       (242) 
 Current tax liabilities                          (23)       (258) 
 
                                              (11,990)    (12,569) 
 
 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Other payables                    13            (238)     (1,398) 
 Borrowings                        14         (15,642)    (12,411) 
 Deferred tax liabilities          16          (2,089)     (2,027) 
 
                                              (17,969)    (15,836) 
 
 
 Total liabilities                            (29,959)    (28,405) 
 
 Net assets                                     33,803      34,815 
 
 
 Equity 
 Share capital                                     725         724 
 Share premium account                          21,637      21,620 
 Translation reserve                             (405)       (401) 
 Retained earnings                              11,846      12,872 
 
 Total equity                                   33,803      34,815 
 
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the 52 week period ended 30 September 2017

 
                                                                          Profit 
                                                  Share                      and 
                            Notes      Share    premium   Translation       loss     Total 
                                     capital    account       reserve    account    equity 
                                     GBP'000    GBP'000       GBP'000    GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
 Balance at 3 
  October 2015                           721     21,539            25     14,056    36,341 
 
 Dividends                   8             -          -             -      (810)     (810) 
 Share based 
  payments                                 -          -             -        314       314 
 Shares issued                             3         81             -          -        84 
 
 Transactions 
  with owners                              3         81             -      (496)     (412) 
 
 
   Loss for the 
   period                                  -          -             -      (688)     (688) 
 Other comprehensive 
  income: 
  Exchange differences 
  on translating 
  foreign operations                       -          -         (426)          -     (426) 
 
 Total comprehensive 
  income                                   -          -         (426)      (688)   (1,114) 
 
 Balance at 1 
  October 2016                           724     21,620         (401)     12,872    34,815 
 
 Dividends                   8             -          -             -          -         - 
 Share based 
  payments                                 -          -             -        121       121 
 Shares issued                             1         17             -          -        18 
 
 Transactions 
  with owners                              1         17             -        121       139 
 
 
   Loss for the 
   period                                  -          -             -    (1,147)   (1,147) 
 Other comprehensive 
  income: 
  Exchange differences 
  on translating 
  foreign operations                       -          -           (4)          -       (4) 
 
 Total comprehensive 
  income                                   -          -           (4)    (1,147)   (1,151) 
 
 Balance at 30 
  September 2017                         725     21,637         (405)     11,846    33,803 
 
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the 52 week period ended 30 September 2017

 
                                       Notes        52 weeks     52 weeks 
                                                       ended        ended 
                                                30 September    1 October 
                                                        2017         2016 
                                                     GBP'000      GBP'000 
 Operating activities 
 Cash flows from operating 
  activities                            17               319        4,405 
 Finance costs paid                                    (324)        (228) 
 Income tax refund                                       216          504 
 
 Net cash inflow from operating 
  activities                                             211        4,681 
 
 
 Investing activities 
 Proceeds from sale of fixed 
  assets                                                  21           84 
 Purchase of property, plant 
  and equipment                                        (961)        (883) 
 Cash outflow on purchase of 
  subsidiaries net of cash acquired     18           (3,597)            - 
 Cash outflow on payment of 
  deferred consideration                                   -      (2,500) 
 
 Net cash used in investing 
  activities                                         (4,537)      (3,299) 
 
 
 Financing activities 
 New borrowings                                        3,350        2,300 
 Repayment of borrowings                               (324)        (342) 
 Dividends paid                                            -        (810) 
 Shares issued                                            18           84 
 
 Net cash from financing activities                    3,044        1,232 
 
 
 Net (decrease) / increase 
  in cash and cash equivalents                       (1,282)        2,614 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at beginning of period                               6,073        3,459 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at end of period                                     4,791        6,073 
 
 
 

NOTES

Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The financial information set out in this preliminary announcement does not constitute statutory accounts as defined by section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. It has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement principles of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adopted for use in the European Union, including IFRIC interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and in accordance with the AIM rules and is not therefore in full compliance with IFRS. The principal accounting policies of the Group have remained unchanged from those set out in the Group's 2016 annual report. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for derivative financial instruments which are carried at fair value.

The financial information for the period ended 30 September 2017 was approved by the Board on 11 December 2017 and has been extracted from the Group's financial statements upon which the auditor's opinion is unmodified and does not include a statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

The statutory accounts for the period ended 30 September 2017 will be posted to shareholders at least 21 days before the Annual General Meeting and made available on our website www.pressuretechnologies.com. In due course, they will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The statutory accounts for the period ended 1 October 2016 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

Going concern

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

The group's existing bank borrowings have been extended to March 2019 and management have produced forecasts for all business units which have been reviewed by the Directors. These demonstrate the Group is forecast to generate profits and cash in 2017/2018 and beyond and that the Group has sufficient cash reserves and bank facilities to enable the Group to meet its obligations as they fall due for a period of at least 12 months from when these financial statements have been signed. Management have modelled the financial covenants in the forecasts and no breach is expected.

As such, the Directors are satisfied that the Company and Group have adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis for preparing the financial statements.

   1.   Segment analysis 

The financial information by segment detailed below is frequently reviewed by the Chief Executive who has been identified as the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM). The manufacturing and Alternative Energy divisions are distinct due to the nature of the underlying businesses and as such are grouped on that basis.

For the 52 week period ended 30 September 2017

 
                                             Precision 
                                              Machined   Engineered   Manufacturing   Alternative    Central 
                               Cylinders    Components     Products       sub total        Energy      costs     Total 
                                 GBP'000       GBP'000      GBP'000         GBP'000       GBP'000    GBP'000   GBP'000 
 Revenue 
  - total                          8,403        10,703        3,861          22,967        15,800               38,767 
 - revenue from 
  other segments                       -         (340)          (9)           (349)             -          -     (349) 
 
 Revenue from 
  external customers               8,403        10,363        3,852          22,618        15,800          -    38,418 
 
 Gross Profit                      3,408         3,591        1,002           8,001         2,731       (24)    10,708 
 
 Operating profit 
  / (loss) before 
  M&A costs, amortisation 
  and exceptional 
  charges and credits              1,062         1,840        (471)           2,431             3    (1,337)     1,097 
 Amortisation 
  and M&A related 
  exceptional items                    -       (1,691)            -         (1,691)         (708)        431   (1,968) 
 
 Other exceptional 
  charges                           (34)          (57)         (36)           (127)         (413)      (163)     (703) 
 
 
 Operating profit 
  / (loss)                         1,028            92        (507)             613       (1,118)    (1,069)   (1,574) 
 
 
 Net finance (costs) 
  / income                           (9)           (6)            -            (15)             4      (328)     (339) 
 
 
 
 Profit / (loss) 
  before tax                       1,019            86        (507)             598       (1,114)    (1,397)   (1,913) 
 
 
 Segmental net 
  assets *                         6,271        24,370        2,526          33,167        14,736   (14,100)    33,803 
 
 
 
 Other segment 
  information: 
 Capital expenditure                (37)           166           23             152            72         68       292 
 Depreciation                        403           700          108           1,211           105        122     1,438 
 Amortisation                          -         1,691            -           1,691           708          8     2,407 
 

* Segmental net assets comprise the net assets of each division adjusted to reflect the elimination of the cost of investment in subsidiaries and the provision of financing loans provided by Pressure Technologies plc.

For the 52 week period ended 1 October 2016

 
                                            Precision 
                                             Machined   Engineered   Manufacturing   Alternative     Central 
                              Cylinders    Components     Products       sub total        Energy       costs     Total 
                                GBP'000       GBP'000      GBP'000         GBP'000       GBP'000     GBP'000   GBP'000 
 Revenue 
  - total                         9,538        11,319        4,163          25,020        11,335           -    36,355 
 - revenue from 
  other segments                      -         (576)         (23)           (599)           (3)           -     (602) 
 
 Revenue from 
  external customers              9,538        10,743        4,140          24,421        11,332           -    35,753 
 
 Gross Profit                     3,226         3,350          994           7,570         1,972           -     9,542 
 
 Operating profit 
  / (loss) before 
  M&A costs, amortisation 
  and exceptional 
  charges and credits             1,053         1,398        (291)           2,160       (1,060)     (1,481)     (381) 
 Amortisation 
  and M&A related 
  exceptional items                   -       (1,462)            -         (1,462)         (703)       3,288     1,123 
 
 Other exceptional 
  charges                          (84)         (359)        (333)           (776)          (22)           -     (798) 
 
 
 Operating profit 
  / (loss)                          969         (423)        (624)            (78)       (1,785)       1,807      (56) 
 
 
 Net finance (costs) 
  / income                            -          (11)            -            (11)            29       (321)     (303) 
 
 
 
 Profit / (loss) 
  before tax                        969         (434)        (624)            (89)       (1,756)       1,486     (359) 
 
 
 Segmental net 
  assets *                        7,132        22,153        2,868          32,153        13,876    (11,214)    34,815 
 
 
 
 
 Other segment 
  information: 
 Capital expenditure                419           268          140             827            92          42       961 
 Depreciation                       330           822          128           1,280            95         102     1,477 
 Amortisation                         -         1,462            -           1,462           703           1     2,166 
 

* Segmental net assets comprise the net assets of each division adjusted to reflect the elimination of the cost of investment in subsidiaries and the provision of financing loans provided by Pressure Technologies plc.

The following table provides an analysis of the Group's revenue by geographical destination.

 
 Revenue                 2017      2016 
                      GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
 United Kingdom        15,451    17,235 
 Europe                 7,050     7,817 
 Rest of the World     15,917    10,701 
 
                       38,418    35,753 
 
 

The Group's largest customer contributed 12% to the Group's revenue (2016: 7%) and is reported within the Alternative Energy segment. No other customer contributed more than 10% in the period to 30 September 2017 (2015: nil).

The following table provides an analysis of the Group's revenue by market.

 
 Revenue                  2017      2016 
                       GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
 Oil and gas            13,775    15,527 
 Defence                 6,471     6,469 
 Industrial gases        2,347     2,372 
 Alternative energy     15,825    11,385 
 
                        38,418    35,753 
 
 

The above table is provided for the benefit of shareholders. It is not provided to the PT board or the CODM on a regular monthly basis and consequently does not form part of the divisional segmental analysis.

 
 Revenue                                   2017      2016 
                                        GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
 Sale of goods                           34,420    32,591 
 Rendering of services                    3,998     3,162 
 
 Total sales - continuing operations     38,418    35,753 
 
 Discontinued operations 
 Sale of goods                                -     1,230 
 
 Total sales                             38,418    36,983 
 
 

The following table provides an analysis of the carrying amount of non-current assets and additions to property, plant and equipment.

 
                               2017                           2016 
                                 Rest                           Rest 
                     United    of the               United    of the 
                    Kingdom     World     Total    Kingdom     World     Total 
                    GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000    GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
 Non-current 
  assets             42,594        52    42,646     40,581        77    40,658 
 
 Additions 
  to property, 
  plant and 
  equipment             240        52       292        859       102       961 
 

2. Profit before taxation

Profit before taxation is stated after charging / (crediting):

 
                                             2017      2016 
                                          GBP'000   GBP'000 
 Depreciation of property, plant 
  and equipment - owned assets              1,382     1,387 
 Depreciation of property, plant 
  and equipment - assets under finance 
  lease and hire purchase agreements           56        90 
 Loss on disposal of fixed assets              21         9 
 Amortisation of intangible assets 
  acquired on business combinations         2,407     2,166 
 Amortisation of grants receivable           (94)      (99) 
 Staff costs - excluding share based 
  payments                                 11,058    12,911 
 Cost of inventories recognised as 
  an expense                               21,418    20,538 
 Operating lease rentals: 
 - Land and buildings                         353       323 
 - Machinery and equipment                     89        90 
 Foreign currency loss/(gain)                  37     (711) 
 Share based payments                         121       311 
 Research and development                       -       209 
 
 
   3.   Amortisation and M&A related exceptional items 
 
                                            2017      2016 
                                         GBP'000   GBP'000 
 Amortisation of intangible assets       (2,407)   (2,166) 
 M&A costs                                 (158)         - 
 Deferred consideration write back           597     3,766 
 Foreign currency loss on revaluation 
  of deferred consideration liability          -     (477) 
 
                                         (1,968)     1,123 
 
 

The deferred consideration write back in this period relates to the deferred consideration arising from the acquisition of Martract Limited. The deferred consideration write back in the prior period related to the deferred consideration arising from the acquisition of the Greenlane Group of Companies. The payment of these considerations are contingent on the future results of the acquired entities. The Directors reviewed forecasts in relation to Martract and Greenlane and considered that it was unlikely that the considerations would be paid, and as such they were released. Given the magnitude of the amounts released and the fact that they are non-trading, the Directors considered it appropriate to disclose them as exceptional items.

The revaluation of the deferred consideration liability related to the exchange differences calculated on the deferred consideration arising from the acquisition of The Greenlane Group, which was denominated in New Zealand Dollars, before it was written back. Given the large balance and therefore the effect on the results of the Group, the Directors considered it appropriate to disclose this foreign exchange movement as an exceptional item.

4. Other exceptional (charges) / credits

 
                                              2017      2016 
                                           GBP'000   GBP'000 
 Reorganisation and redundancy               (710)     (732) 
 Costs in relation to HSE investigation       (21)      (66) 
 Write back of KGTM loan previously             28         - 
  provided for 
 
                                             (703)     (798) 
 
 

The reorganisation costs relate to costs of restructuring across the Group, the Divisional split is given in Note 1. They are recognised in accordance with IAS 19.

Costs in relation to the HSE investigation are costs borne by the Group as a direct result of the accident at Chesterfield Special Cylinders which are not recoverable through insurance. Given the non-trading nature of these costs, the Directors consider it appropriate to disclose this as an exceptional item. Further details on the HSE investigation can be seen in note 19.

The write back of Kelley GTM loan previously provided for, relates to a receipt from KGTM for a loan amount that was previously provided for (reversal of the provision).

   5.   Results of discontinued operation 
 
                                         2017      2016 
                                      GBP'000   GBP'000 
 Revenue                                    -     1,267 
 Expenses                                   -   (1,865) 
                                      _______   _______ 
 Operating Profit pre-exceptional 
  costs                                     -     (598) 
 
 Exceptional costs: 
 Reorganisation and redundancy              -     (278) 
 Impairment of assets on closure            -     (455) 
                                      _______   _______ 
 Loss before taxation                       -   (1,331) 
 
 Taxation                                   -         - 
                                      _______   _______ 
 Loss for the year                          -   (1,331) 
 
 

Due to the oil and gas market conditions that continued into the second half of the prior accounting period, as part of the group's restructuring, the US operation of the engineered products division was closed during the prior year. The manufacturing facilities were wound down and fully closed in early September 2016.

 
                                                2017      2016 
                                             GBP'000   GBP'000 
 Cash flows from discontinued operations 
 Net cash used in operating activities             -     (679) 
 Net cash from investing activities                -        27 
 Net cash from financing activities                -       783 
                                             _______   _______ 
 Net cash flows for the year                       -       131 
 
 

6. Taxation

 
                                             2017      2016 
                                          GBP'000   GBP'000 
 Current tax (credit)/expense 
 Current tax                                    -         - 
 Over provision in respect of prior 
  years                                     (405)     (163) 
 Foreign tax                                   49         - 
 
                                            (356)     (163) 
 Deferred tax (credit)/expense 
 Origination and reversal of temporary 
  differences                               (534)     (839) 
 Over provision in respect of prior           124         - 
  years 
 
                                            (410)     (839) 
 
 Total taxation credit                      (766)   (1,002) 
 
 

Corporation tax is calculated at 19.5% (2016: 20%) of the estimated assessable profit for the period. Deferred tax is calculated at the rate applicable when the temporary differences unwind.

7. Earnings per ordinary share

Basic and diluted earnings per share have been calculated based on the net profit or loss attributable to ordinary shareholders and the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period.

The calculation of the basic earnings per share is based on the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period. The adjusted earnings per share is also calculated based on the basic weighted average number of shares.

The calculation of diluted earnings per share is based on the basic earnings per share, adjusted to allow for the issue of shares on the assumed conversion of all dilutive options.

Additional shares were issued post year end as part of a share placing, see note 21.

For the 52 week period ended 30 September 2017

 
                               Continuing   Discontinued        Total 
                                  GBP'000        GBP'000      GBP'000 
 
 Loss after tax                   (1,147)              -      (1,147) 
 
 
                                                                  No. 
 
 Weighted average number of 
  shares - basic                                           14,485,099 
 Dilutive effect of share 
  options                                                          75 
 
 Weighted average number of 
  shares - diluted                                         14,485,174 
 
 
 Basic loss per share               (7.9)              -        (7.9) 
 Diluted loss per share             (7.9)              -        (7.9) 
 

The Group adjusted earnings per share is calculated as follows:

 
 Loss after tax                  (1,147)   -   (1,147) 
 Amortisation and M&A related 
  exceptional items (note 3)       1,968   -     1,968 
 Other exceptional charges 
  and credits (note 4)               703   -       703 
 Theoretical tax effect of 
  above adjustments                (606)   -     (606) 
 
 Adjusted earnings                   918   -       918 
 
 
 Adjusted earnings per share         6.3   -       6.3 
 

For the 52 week period ended 1 October 2016

 
                                Continuing   Discontinued        Total 
                                   GBP'000        GBP'000      GBP'000 
 
 Profit / (loss) after tax             643        (1,331)        (688) 
 
 
                                                                   No. 
 
 Weighted average number of 
  shares - basic                                            14,449,195 
 Dilutive effect of share 
  options                                                        1,983 
 
 Weighted average number of 
  shares - diluted                                          14,451,178 
 
 
 Basic earnings / (loss) per 
  share                               4.4p         (9.2)p       (4.8)p 
 Diluted earnings / (loss) 
  per share                           4.4p         (9.2)p       (4.8)p 
 

The Group adjusted loss per share is calculated as follows:

 
 Profit / (loss) after tax              643   (1,331)     (688) 
 Amortisation and M&A related 
  exceptional items (note 3)        (1,123)         -   (1,123) 
 Other exceptional charges 
  and credits (note 4)                  798       278     1,076 
 Impairment of assets on closure          -       455       455 
 Theoretical tax effect of 
  above adjustments                   (688)      (56)     (744) 
 
 Adjusted loss                        (370)     (654)   (1,024) 
 
 
 Adjusted loss per share             (2.6)p    (4.5)p    (7.1)p 
 

8. Dividends

The following dividend payments have been made on the ordinary 5p shares in issue:

 
                  Rate     Date       Shares        2017      2016 
                                     in issue 
                                                 GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
                         18 March 
 Final 2014/15    5.6p       2016   14,471,481         -       810 
 
                                                       -       810 
 
 

No dividends have been declared in respect of the year ended 30 September 2017 or 1 October 2016.

9. Goodwill

 
                                                Total 
                                              GBP'000 
  Cost and gross carrying amount 
 
  At 3 October 2015                            15,020 
  Acquired through business combinations            - 
 
  At 1 October 2016                            15,020 
  Acquired through business combinations 
   (note 18)                                    1,042 
 
  At 30 September 2017                         16,062 
 
 
 
                                               Original 
                                Date of            cost 
                                 acquisition    GBP'000 
Precision Machined components 
                                February 
    Al-Met Limited               2010               272 
    Roota Engineering Limited   March 2014        5,117 
                                October 
    The Quadscot Group           2014             3,079 
                                December 
    Martract Limited             2016             1,042 
 
Engineered products 
                                October 
    Hydratron Limited            2010             1,692 
 
Alternative Energy 
                                October 
    The Greenlane Group          2014             4,860 
 
At 30 September 2017                             16,062 
 
 
 

Goodwill arising on consolidation represents the excess of the fair value of the consideration given over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. The Group has Goodwill in relation to 6 acquisitions shown above.

The Group tests annually for impairment, or more frequently if there are indicators that goodwill might be impaired.

10. Intangible assets

 
                                                                                                Non 
                                          IT systems                                    contractual 
                          Intellectual    & Software      Development                      customer 
                              Property      Licenses      expenditure   Technology    relationships     Total 
 
   Cost                        GBP'000       GBP'000          GBP'000      GBP'000          GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
 At 3 October 
  2015                               -             -                -        5,316           11,702    17,018 
 
 Additions                           -            44                -            -                -        44 
 
 At 1 October 
  2016                               -            44                -        5,316           11,702    17,062 
 
 Additions                           -           432              564            -                -       996 
 Acquired through 
  business combination 
  (note 18)                      2,796             -                -            -              944     3,740 
 
 At 30 September 
  2017                           2,796           476              564        5,316           12,646    21,798 
 
 Amortisation 
 
 At 3 October 
  2015                               -             -                -          720            2,847     3,567 
 
   Charge for 
   the period                        -             1                -          703            1,462     2,166 
 
 At 1 October 
  2016                               -             1                -        1,423            4,309     5,733 
 
 Charge for 
  the period                       155             9                -          708            1,535     2,407 
 
 At 30 September 
  2017                             155            10                -        2,131            5,844     8,140 
 
 
   Net book value 
 At 30 September 
  2017                           2,641           466              564        3,185            6,802    13,658 
 
 
 At 1 October 
  2016                               -            43                -        3,893            7,393    11,329 
 
 
 
 Remaining 
  useful economic 
  life at 30 
  September 
  2017              14 years   5 years   10 years   5 years   6 years 
 

11. Investments in associates

The investment in Kelley GTM, LLC was fully written down in the period ended 3 October 2015.

Had this not been the case the group's share of the results of its principal associates and its aggregated assets (including goodwill) and liabilities, would be as follows:

 
 
 
                                Country                                                      Interest 
                       of incorporation     Assets     Liabilities     revenue      Loss         held 
                                           GBP'000         GBP'000     GBP'000   GBP'000            % 
 At 1 October 
  2016 
 Kelley GTM, 
  LLC.                              USA        473         (6,202)         918     (195)           40 
 
 At 30 September 
  2017 
 Kelley GTM, 
  LLC.                              USA      1,004         (7,189)         908     (652)           40 
 

KGTM has a year-end date of 31 December. The period for which the results of KGTM have been shown in the table above is from 2 October 2016 to 30 September 2017. The group's share of the results of KGTM are not included in the group's financial statements as the investment and loans made to KGTM are fully written down and there is no legal or constructive obligation to recognise any further losses and no further payments have been made on behalf of the associate.

The total losses recognised against the investment and other receivables from KGTM for the period were GBPNil (2016: nil) leaving unrecognised losses of GBP652,000 (2016:GBP195,000).

12. Trade and other receivables

 
                                                   2017      2016 
                                                GBP'000   GBP'000 
 Current 
 Trade receivables                                8,820     7,536 
 Amounts due from customers for construction 
  contract work                                   1,256     1,827 
 Other receivables                                  216       602 
 Prepayments and accrued income                   1,047     1,314 
 
                                                 11,339    11,279 
 
 

The average credit period taken on the sale of goods and services was 61 days (2016: 47 days) in respect of the Group. One debtor individually accounted for over 10% of trade receivables and represented 14% of the total balance. In 2016, one debtor accounted for over 10% of trade receivables and represented 26% of the total balance.

Ageing of past due but not impaired receivables:

 
                      2017      2016 
                   GBP'000   GBP'000 
 Days past due: 
 0 - 30 days         1,702     1,310 
 31 - 60 days          310       242 
 61 - 90 days          360       220 
 91 - 120 days          50        65 
 121+ days              84       389 
 
 Total               2,506     2,226 
 
 

The Group's doubtful debt provision is not a significant balance.

13. Trade and other payables

 
                                              2017      2016 
                                           GBP'000   GBP'000 
 Amounts due within 12 months 
 
 Trade payables                              5,030     6,903 
 Progress billings on construction 
  contracts in excess of work completed      1,368       931 
 Other tax and social security                 757       301 
 Accruals, deferred income and other 
  payables                                   4,593     3,934 
 
 Total due within 12 months                 11,748    12,069 
 
 Amounts due after 12 months 
 
 Accruals, deferred income and other 
  payables                                     238     1,398 
 
 Total due after 12 months                     238     1,398 
 
 

Deferred income due after 12 months includes grant income received and customer prepayments for contracts in delivery in a number of years. There are no unfulfilled conditions or other contingencies attached to these grants.

The warranty provision at 30 September 2017 is GBP491,000 (2016: GBP306,000).

14. Borrowings

 
                                  2017       2016 
                               GBP'000    GBP'000 
 Non-current 
 Bank borrowings                15,000     12,300 
 Finance lease liabilities         642        111 
 
                                15,642     12,411 
 
 Current 
 Finance lease liabilities         219        242 
 
                                   219        242 
 
 Total borrowings               15,861     12,653 
 
 

At the balance sheet date, the above bank borrowings were due for repayment on 30 September 2018, being exactly 12 months from the balance sheet date. The group's next accounting period ends on 29 September 2018. Accordingly the directors have concluded that it is appropriate to present the loan as due for repayment after one year.

The borrowing facility repayment date has since been extended to March 2019. The bank loan bears average coupons of 2% above LIBOR annually.

Total borrowings include secured liabilities of GBP15 million. Bank borrowings are secured on the property, plant and equipment of the group. Obligations under finance leases are secured on the plant & machinery assets to which they relate.

The carrying amounts of the group's borrowings are all denominated in GBP.

The maturity profile of long-term loans is as follows:

 
                                         2017      2016 
                                      GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
 Due within one year 
 Finance lease liabilities                219       242 
 
 Due for settlement after one year 
 Bank borrowings                       15,000    12,300 
 Finance lease liabilities                642       111 
 
 

The group has the following undrawn borrowing facilities:

 
                                 2017      2016 
                              GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
 Expiring beyond one year           -     2,700 
 
 

The facility also includes an accordion feature option allowing for an additional facility for GBP10m subject to certain conditions set out in the agreement.

15. Construction contracts

Construction contracts are accounted for in accordance with IAS 11, 'Construction Contracts' and IAS18, 'Revenue'. The position on individual contracts is held as 'Amounts due from customers for contract work' within trade and other receivables or as 'Progress billings on construction contracts in excess of work completed' within trade and other payables as applicable.

 
                                               2017       2016 
                                            GBP'000    GBP'000 
 
 Costs incurred and profit recognised 
  to date                                    19,862     16,083 
 Less: Progress billings                   (19,974)   (15,187) 
 
 Net balance sheet position for ongoing 
  contracts                                   (112)        896 
 
 
 

16. Deferred tax

The following are the major deferred tax assets / (liabilities) recognised by the Group and movements thereon during the current and prior reporting period.

 
                                                        Short 
                      Accelerated                        term     Share     Unused 
                              tax   Intangible      temporary    option     losses 
                     depreciation       assets    differences     costs                Total 
                          GBP'000      GBP'000        GBP'000   GBP'000    GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
 At 3 October 
  2015                      (758)      (1,770)            111        95          -   (2,322) 
 
 Credit / 
  (charge) 
  to income                    40          514           (16)      (29)        330       839 
 
 
 At 1 October 
  2016                      (718)      (1,256)             95        66        330   (1,483) 
 
 
 Prior year 
  adjustment                  (3)            -           (13)        56       (40)         - 
 Credit / 
  (charge) 
  to income                   291          325             68        16      (290)       410 
 Acquired 
  through 
  business 
  combinations                  -        (673)              -         -          -     (673) 
 
 At 30 September 
  2017                      (430)      (1,604)            150       138          -   (1,746) 
 
 

The net deferred tax balance has been analysed as follows in the consolidated balance sheet:

 
                                    2017        2016 
                                 GBP'000     GBP'000 
 
 Non-current asset 
  Deferred tax asset                 343         544 
 
   Non-current liabilities 
   Deferred tax liabilities      (2,089)     (2,027) 
 
                                 (1,746)     (1,483) 
 
 

Deferred tax is expected to be recoverable against future profits generated by the Group.

17. Consolidated cash flow statement

 
                                                2017      2016 
                                             GBP'000   GBP'000 
 Loss after tax                              (1,147)     (688) 
 Adjustments for: 
 Finance costs - net                             339       303 
 Depreciation of property, plant 
  and equipment                                1,438     1,477 
 Amortisation of intangible assets             2,407     2,166 
 Share option costs                              121       314 
 Income tax credit                             (766)   (1,002) 
 Loss on derivative financial instruments          -        26 
 Loss on disposal of property, plant 
  and equipment                                   21         8 
 Exceptional deferred consideration 
  released and revaluation                     (597)   (3,289) 
 Exceptional impairment of assets                 11       464 
 
 Changes in working capital: 
 Decrease in inventories                         243     1,749 
 Decrease in trade and other receivables         413     1,948 
 (Decrease)/Increase in trade and 
  other payables                             (2,164)       929 
 
 Cash flows from operating activities            319     4,405 
 
 

18. Business combinations

On 7 December 2016, the Group acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Martract Limited for an initial consideration of GBP3,997,000, plus maximum deferred consideration of GBP600,000.

In calculating goodwill below, the contingent consideration is held at fair value of GBP583,000. This has been estimated based on future earnings. The fair value estimate is based on a discount rate of 3% and assumes that GBP583,000 of deferred consideration is payable.

Subsequently the post acquisition performance and forecasts have been reviewed by the Directors and they consider that it is unlikely that the deferred consideration will be paid, and as such it has been released (note 3).

Martract has unique capabilities in spherical grinding that ensures the perfect sphericality of new and refurbished ball valves, such that the valve will seal in any position, through the opening and closing process. It is based in Barton-upon-Humber. The transaction has been accounted for by the acquisition method of accounting.

The table below summarises the consideration paid for Martract and the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired.

 
                                               Intangible 
                                                   assets      Fair 
                                   Book        recognised     Value       Fair 
                                  value    on acquisition       Adj      Value 
                                GBP'000           GBP'000   GBP'000    GBP'000 
 Recognised amounts 
  of identifiable 
  assets acquired and 
  liabilities assumed: 
 Property plant and 
  equipment                          16                 -         -         16 
 Intangible assets                    -             3,740         -      3,740 
 Inventories                         19                 -         -         19 
 Trade and other receivables        162                 -       363        525 
 Cash and cash equivalents          400                 -         -        400 
 Trade and other payables         (101)                 -     (488)      (589) 
 Current tax liabilities           (25)                 -       125        100 
 Deferred tax liabilities             -             (673)         -      (673) 
                                _______           _______   _______   ________ 
                                    471             3,067         -      3,538 
                                _______           _______   _______   ________ 
 
 Goodwill                                                                1,042 
 
 Total consideration                                                     4,580 
                                                                       _______ 
 Satisfied by: 
 Initial Cash                                                            3,634 
 Retention cash                                                            363 
 Deferred cash consideration                                               583 
                                                                       _______ 
                                                                         4,580 
                                                                       _______ 
 Net cash outflow arising 
  on acquisition 
 Initial & retention 
  cash consideration                                                     3,997 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  acquired                                                               (400) 
                                                                       _______ 
 Initial consideration 
  less net cash acquired                                                 3,597 
                                                                       _______ 
 

The intangible assets acquired with the business comprise GBP944,000 in relation to non-contractual customer relationships and GBP2,796,000 in relation to the manufacturing intellectual property.

The fair value adjustment relates to an Employment Related Securities liability that arose as a result of the vendors shareholder restructuring immediately prior to completion. This liability was funded by the vendors of Martract Limited.

The goodwill of GBP1,042,000 arising from the acquisition consists largely of the synergies and economies of scale expected from combining the operations of Martract with the rest of the PMC division. None of the goodwill recognised is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

Martract contributed GBP671,000 revenue and GBP236,000 to the Group's profit after tax for the period between the date of acquisition and the balance sheet date. The effect of the inclusion of the acquisition had it been completed on the first day of the financial year is considered to be immaterial upon the Group's revenue and profit after tax.

19. Contingent liabilities

Following the fatal accident at Chesterfield Special Cylinders ("CSC") in June 2015, other than the submission by CSC of written responses to questions from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), there have been no further developments since the interim statement on 13 June 2017 and the HSE investigation into this accident remains ongoing. On 1st February 2016 the Sentencing Council's new "Health and Safety Offences, Corporate Manslaughter and Food Safety and Hygiene Offences Definitive Guideline" (2016) came into force.

The guidelines set a range of fines dependent on the levels of harm and culpability. These levels are assessed by the Judge when sentencing and not at the time of charges being brought. We continue to cooperate fully with the HSE. Until the HSE investigation is complete CSC's management and legal adviser are not in a position to assess what charges may be brought. As a result of this and the nature of the sentencing guidelines it is not possible to determine with any degree of certainty what, if any, financial penalties may be levied on CSC or any other group company as a result of this investigation. At such time as the quantum and likelihood of any penalty is able to be reliably determined further disclosure or provision will be made in accordance with IAS37 "Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets"

20. Related party transactions

Key management personnel are considered to be the Executive and Non-Executive Directors of the Group. Details of their remuneration is set out below:

 
                                               2017     2016 
                                            GBP'000  GBP'000 
  Short-term employee benefits (including 
   Employers NI)                                622      580 
  Post-employment benefits                       41       41 
  Share based payments                           63       65 
 
  Total remuneration                            726      686 
 
 

During the period ended 30 September 2017, Pressure Technologies spent GBP64,779 with Vias Digital Limited of which one of the Non-Executive Directors, Alan Wilson, is a connected person.

During the period ended 3 October 2015, Pressure Technologies purchased 5 GTMs from Kelley GTM, LLC, in which the Group owns a 40% stake. These GTMs were purchased at a cost of GBP391,000 with the intention of entering them into a lease fleet of GTMs in operation, in which they remain at the period end. The GTMs owned by the Pressure Technologies Group are disclosed within property, plant and equipment at their carrying value. The transaction was completed on an arm's length basis.

The Group also has loans outstanding from Kelley GTM, LLC of $3,500,000. The Directors consider that the recoverability of these loans is not certain and therefore have made full provision against the full value of the loans in the period ended 3 October 2015.

21. Post Balance Sheet event

On 6th November 2017, a total of 4,100,000 new Ordinary Shares of 5 pence each in the Company were placed at a price of 122 pence, raising proceeds of GBP5,002,000 before expenses. Net proceeds of the placing were GBP4,764,000.

22. Notice of Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at Chesterfield Special Cylinders, Meadowhall Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S9 1BT on Tuesday 13th February 2018 at 11am.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

FR FFEFAFFWSELE

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December 12, 2017 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)

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