Surface Transforms PLC Trading and operations update (3164M)

TIDMSCE

RNS Number : 3164M

Surface Transforms PLC

11 January 2023

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Upon the publication of this announcement via the Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

11 January 2023

Surface Transforms plc

("Surface Transforms" or the "Company")

Pre close trading and operations update

Surface Transforms (AIM:SCE) manufacturers of carbon fibre reinforced ceramic automotive brake discs, provides the following pre close trading and operations update for the year to 31 December 2022 ("FY22").

Trading update

Revenue for FY22 grew 113% to GBP5.1m (2021: GBP2.4m). This is less than previously guided, reflecting some highly specific, but cumulatively significant, production issues at the Company in late November and December as volumes were ramped up. The problem furnaces are now operational but management wish to see several weeks of consistent output before being comfortable to confirm that the issue has been permanently resolved. In parallel, and as back up, the Company is accelerating additional capacity for these furnaces with the capacity on this process expected to double in the next three months. The Company is also implementing a number of increased resources, operational changes and developments to facilitate the Company's expansion plans, including the recent appointment of a Chief Operations Officer.

Whilst the Company was profitable in November, these production issues resulted in the Company not being profitable in December.

Gross cash as at 31 December 2022 was GBP14.9m (30 June 2022: GBP6.7m). Other interest-bearing loans and asset finance totalled GBP1.2m (30 June 2022: GBP1.8m). The previously notified GBP3.1m letter of credit to a furnace manufacturer, has now been satisfied and is no longer a liability.

The Company's final results for FY22 will be reported in April 2023 together with its Q1 2023 revenue. Q2 2023 revenue will be announced in early July.

New capital equipment update

The Company repeats the statement made on 24 November that it expects the planned Phase 2 doubling in capacity to GBP50m sales p.a. to be operational in Q2 2023. The increase in capacity is progressive and we expect some critical bottlenecks to be relieved earlier than this. The implementation of Phase 3.1 capacity increase to GBP75m p.a. sales is also on plan, with over GBP3m of equipment orders (with deposits) placed since the fund raising and the remainder of the project at advanced stages of commercial discussions.

Outlook for 2023

Whilst acknowledging the significant impact these production issues had in December, management are encouraged by production levels in recent weeks and consequently, the Company is not changing its guidance for 2023 and will be profitable. Management has repeatedly emphasised its need for and focus on having production resilience. In the first half of 2023 the Company will be capacity constrained, not demand constrained. Furthermore, Surface Transforms' customers are fully engaged in the actions we have taken both to resolve the recent production issues and our planned capacity increases and remain supportive.

Kevin Johnson (CEO) said : It is most frustrating to again be reporting a production problem impacting our previous guidance. The core issue is not the technical problems themselves, but the lack of capacity to provide headroom when they occur. Technical problems are part of the learning curve arising from a tenfold increase in production rates, the key is to ensure that we have spare capacity to recover the lost production after the problem has been solved. The installation of Phase 2 capacity by Q2 will enable the Company to get ahead of the continuingly strong customer demand and then, with completion of Phases 3.1 and 3.2 capacity increases in the following two years, to stay there."

For enquiries, please contact:

 
Surface Transforms plc 
 David Bundred, Chairman 
 Kevin Johnson, CEO 
 Michael Cunningham, CFO                              [phone] 
Zeus (Nominated Advisor and Joint Broker) 
 
 David Foreman / Dan Bate / James Edis (Investment 
 Banking) 
 Dominic King (Corporate Broking)                     [phone] 
finnCap Ltd (Joint-Broker) 
 Ed Frisby / Abigail Kelly (Corporate Finance) 
 Andrew Burdis / Barney Hayward (ECM)                 [phone] 
 

About Surface Transforms

Surface Transforms plc. (AIM:SCE) develop and produce carbon--ceramic material automotive brake discs. The Company is the UK's only manufacturer of carbon--ceramic brake discs, and only one of two mainstream carbon ceramic brake disc companies in the world, serving customers that include major OEMs in the global automotive markets.

The Company utilises its proprietary next generation Carbon Ceramic Technology to create lightweight brake discs for high--performance road and track applications for both internal combustion engine and electric vehicles. While competitor carbon--ceramic brake discs use discontinuous chopped carbon fibre, Surface Transforms interweaves continuous carbon fibre to form a 3D matrix, producing a stronger and more durable product with improved heat conductivity compared to competitor products; this reduces the brake system operating temperature, resulting in lighter and longer life components with superior brake performance. These benefits are in addition to the benefits of all carbon--ceramic brake discs vs. iron brake discs: weight savings of up to 70%, longer product life, consistent performance, reduced brake pad dust and corrosion free.

For additional information please visit www.surfacetransforms.com

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January 11, 2023 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)