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WGB Walker Greenbank Plc

76.00
0.00 (0.00%)
25 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Walker Greenbank Plc LSE:WGB London Ordinary Share GB0003061511 ORD 1P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 76.00 74.00 78.00 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Walker Greenbank PLC Full Year Financial Results (8771J)

05/04/2018 7:00am

UK Regulatory


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RNS Number : 8771J

Walker Greenbank PLC

05 April 2018

5 April 2018

WALKER GREENBANK PLC

("Walker Greenbank" or the "Company")

Financial Results for the year ended 31 January 2018

Walker Greenbank PLC (AIM: WGB), the luxury interior furnishings group, is pleased to announce its financial results for the 12 month period ended 31 January 2018.

Highlights

   --      Sales up 17.7% to GBP108.8 million (2017: GBP92.4 million) 

-- Total statutory profit from operations up 78.6% to GBP14.0 million (2017: GBP7.9 million) due to a full year's earnings contribution from Clarke & Clarke

   --      Adjusted underlying profit before tax* up 20.2% at GBP12.5 million (2017: GBP10.4 million) 

-- Licensing income up 21.6% in constant currency at GBP3.1 million as a result of range extensions into new product categories

   --      Underlying profit from operations** up 25.8% to GBP12.4 million (2017: GBP9.8 million) 
   --      Adjusted earnings per share* up 6.2% at 14.52p per share (2017: 13.67p per share) 

-- Final dividend up 20.3% to 3.68p per share (2017: 3.06p per share), giving a total dividend up 21.1% at 4.37p per share (2017: 3.61p per share)

-- Launch of in-house paint tinting and distribution for our Sanderson and Zoffany brands in partnership with global paint manufacturer PPG

-- Direct business model launched in Moscow in February 2018, including a new showroom, with Germany to follow in H1 2018

* Excludes accounting charges relating to share-based incentives, defined benefit pension charge and non-underlying items.

** Excludes acquisition costs, unexpected external events costs and restructuring and reorganisation costs.

Terry Stannard, the Chairman of Walker Greenbank, said: "Trading to date in the current financial year reflects a difficult marketplace particularly in the UK. In the first nine weeks of the current financial year, Brand sales were down 8.3 per cent in the UK and down 3.8 per cent overseas in constant currency, down 6.1 per cent in reportable currency.

"The Board is focused on delivering growth-based strategic initiatives including targeted investment, cost savings where appropriate and a greater emphasis on Brand sales overseas. Additionally, our high margin licensing business is expected to continue to show strong growth. However, trading to date in the current financial year makes us cautious about the outlook; as a consequence, the Board expects that profits for the full year will be ahead of last year's but below current Board expectations. We will provide a further update on trading at our annual general meeting in June 2018."

Analyst meeting

A meeting for analysts will be held at 10.00 a.m. today, 5 April 2018, at the offices of Buchanan, 107 Cheapside, London EC2V 6DN. For further details, contact Buchanan on 020 7466 5000.

For further information:

 
                                         +44 (0) 844 543 
 Walker Greenbank PLC                     4668 
 John Sach, Chief Executive 
 Mike Gant, Chief Financial Officer 
 
                                         +44 (0) 20 7597 
 Investec Bank plc                        5970 
 Garry Levin / David Anderson / 
  Alex Wright - Corporate Finance 
  Henry Reast - Corporate Broking 
 
                                         +44 (0) 20 7466 
 Buchanan                                 5000 
 Mark Court / Sophie Wills / Catriona 
  Flint 
 

Notes for editors:

About Walker Greenbank

Walker Greenbank PLC is a luxury interior furnishings company that designs, manufactures and markets wallpapers, fabrics and paints. In addition, the Company derives significant licensing income from the use of its designs on a wide range of interior products such as bed linen, rugs and tableware.

Walker Greenbank's brands include Sanderson, Morris & Co, Harlequin, Zoffany, Scion, Anthology, Clarke & Clarke and Studio G.

The Company has a strong UK manufacturing base comprising a wallpaper factory in Loughborough and a fabric printing factory in Lancaster. Both factories manufacture for the Company and for other wallpaper and fabric brands.

Walker Greenbank employs more than 600 people and its products are sold in more than 85 countries worldwide. It has showrooms in London, New York, Chicago, Paris, Amsterdam and Dubai along with partnership showrooms in Moscow and in Shenzhen, China.

Walker Greenbank trades on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol WGB.

For further information please visit: www.walkergreenbank.com/

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

Overview

Our financial results for the year ended 31 January 2018 show a step change in performance reflecting the acquisition of Clarke & Clarke in October 2016. This acquisition made a full year's contribution to earnings during the year, compared with an 18-week contribution last year.

Our brands, however, faced a challenging year and we have made revisions to our strategy where appropriate. We have a clear focus on international expansion, licensing, product category extension and innovative market leading manufacturing as well as seeking further acquisition opportunities. A number of medium to long term initiatives are underway with a view to enabling the Group to capture the growth potential that exists worldwide for our iconic brands.

Financials

Total sales increased 17.7% to GBP108.8 million (2017: GBP92.4 million) and statutory profit from operations was up 77.2% to GBP14.0 million (2017: GBP7.9 million), primarily due to a full year's earnings contribution from Clarke & Clarke. Underlying profit from operations increased 26.5% to GBP12.4 million (2017: GBP9.8 million) and adjusted underlying profit before tax for the year, excluding the LTIP accounting charge and the net defined benefit pension charge, was GBP12.5 million (2017: GBP10.4 million), an increase of 20.2%.

We are particularly pleased with licensing income of GBP3.1 million, which was up 21.5% in reportable currency, up 21.6% in constant currency. Substantial growth has been achieved as a result of range extensions into new product areas, new licensing agreements in the US and China, and apparel collaborations.

Our vertically integrated high-quality British manufacturing base, comprising our Loughborough-based wallpaper printing business, Anstey Wallpaper Company, and our Lancaster-based fabric printing operation, Standfast & Barracks, helps to differentiate us from others in our industry. Total manufacturing sales were up 4.2% compared with the flood disrupted period last year, driven by export orders and digital printing.

The December 2015 flood at Standfast & Barracks is now behind us, and we have a fully invested factory. These financial results include the recognition of insurance payments of GBP1.1 million in respect of the claim for loss of profits following the flood. During the year we received, in aggregate, GBP3.9 million in insurance receipts covering costs and business interruption losses as final settlement of our insurance claim.

The total statutory profit after tax was GBP11.8 million (2017: GBP5.4 million), and basic adjusted earnings per share were up 6.2% at 14.52p per share.

Dividend

The Directors recommend the payment of a final dividend of 3.68p per share (2017: 3.06p) which, subject to shareholder approval at the Company's annual general meeting, will be payable on 10 August 2018 to shareholders on the register on 20 July 2018. This brings the total dividend for the year to 4.37p per share (2017: 3.61p) an increase of 21.1%, reflecting the Board's confidence in the financial strength of the Group.

People

On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank all of our management and employees for their contribution.

I was delighted to welcome David Butcher as General Manager Brands during the year. David brings a wealth of sales, marketing and general management experience to the Company.

Outlook

Trading to date in the current financial year reflects a difficult marketplace particularly in the UK. In the first nine weeks of the current financial year, Brand sales were down 8.3 per cent in the UK and down 3.8 per cent overseas in constant currency, down 6.1 per cent in reportable currency.

The Board is focused on delivering growth-based strategic initiatives including targeted investment, cost savings where appropriate and a greater emphasis on Brand sales overseas. Additionally, our high margin licensing business is expected to continue to show strong growth. However, trading to date in the current financial year makes us cautious about the outlook; as a consequence, the Board expects that profits for the full year will be ahead of last year's but below current Board expectations. We will provide a further update on trading at our annual general meeting in June 2018.

Terry Stannard

Non-Executive Chairman

5 April 2018

CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S STRATEGIC REVIEW

We are pleased to report that, in a challenging year for the Group, we have continued to make good progress with the implementation of our revised strategy, which comprises:

   --      International expansion; 
   --      Lifestyle product extension; 
   --      Product category extension; 
   --      Manufacturing innovation; and 
   --      Acquisitions. 

SALES REVIEW

The Brands

 
                      Year ended                     Change 
                       31 January 
-------------------  ----------------------  --------------------- 
                      2018        2017        Reported   Constant 
                                                          currency 
-------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ---------- 
 Total brand sales    GBP90.4m    GBP76.6m    18.0%      16.2% 
-------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ---------- 
 UK brand sales       GBP48.4m    GBP42.5m    13.9%      n/a 
-------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ---------- 
 Overseas brand 
  sales               GBP38.9m    GBP31.6m    23.1%      18.9% 
-------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ---------- 
   US brand sales     GBP12.7m    GBP10.3m    23.3%      19.8% 
-------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ---------- 
   Western Europe 
    brand sales       GBP11.7m    GBP9.6m     21.9%      15.0% 
-------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ---------- 
   Rest of World 
    brand sales       GBP14.5m    GBP11.7m    23.9%      21.9% 
-------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ---------- 
 

This segment incorporates global trading from our internationally recognised brands and includes our overseas subsidiaries in the US and France. In addition to Sanderson, Morris & Co., Harlequin, Zoffany, Scion and Anthology, the Brands now include Clarke & Clarke and Studio G, which were acquired by the Company in October 2016.

Total Brand sales were up 18.0% in reportable currency during the year to GBP90.4 million. In the UK, our largest market, sales were up 13.9% to GBP48.4 million.

In line with our strategy, we have achieved strong growth in export markets. Sales in the US, the Group's second largest market, were up 19.8% in constant currency to GBP12.7 million. In Western Europe, our third largest market, brand sales were up 15.0% in constant currency to GBP11.7 million with strong sales growth in most regions. Sales in the Rest of the World grew 21.9% in constant currency.

Harlequin incorporating Scion & Anthology

Harlequin remains the UK's leading mid-market contemporary brand. Its worldwide sales reduced 2.4% to GBP30.5 million in reportable currency compared with the same period last year. Sales in the UK decreased by 6.8% impacted by an uncertain economic environment. In the US, sales were up 6.3% in constant currency, sales in Western Europe fell 8.9% in constant currency.

Scion fills a gap in the market for fresh, individual and reasonably priced home products. The brand is cutting edge and continues to be a success with young, aspirational and fashion-aware customers. Scion is a valuable brand for licensing, where the contemporary and graphic nature of the designs translates particularly well to licensed product. The brand's designs have stretched very successfully to a wide range of products, ranging from bedding and bathroom products to window furnishings, gifting, tableware and stationery.

The Anthology brand, which was launched in April 2014 and is fuelled by a passion for design that embraces technology and texture, continues to show strong growth. The range now includes five innovative collections of wallcoverings complemented by a growing range of fabrics, which are design-led and aspirational whilst remaining inherently suitable for contract applications.

Arthur Sanderson & Sons incorporating the Morris & Co brand

Worldwide sales were up 3.7% at GBP23.4 million in reportable currency compared with the same period last year. Sales in the US were up 6.6% in constant currency and sales in Western Europe were down 2.4% in constant currency. As one of the oldest surviving English soft furnishing brands, Sanderson is famous today for a signature style that is informed by our heritage and designed for modern living. Our look combines classic, hand-drawn patterns with fresh, vibrant colours which are elegant yet easy to live with.

The Morris & Co brand enjoyed a very positive sales performance driven by the launch of the Pure Morris collection. This collection interprets William Morris' iconic designs in a new neutral colour palette. This has broadened the brand's appeal, making it more accessible to a wider audience. For the fourth volume of the outstandingly successful Archive series, the Morris & Co. studio has explored Morris' role as a collector of Persian carpets and global textiles and the influence it had on his work.

Zoffany

Total worldwide sales fell by 4.4% compared with the same period last year to GBP11.6 million in reportable currency. Sales in the US were up 1.8% in constant currency and sales in Western Europe were down 5.2% in constant currency.

Zoffany is positioned at the upper end of the premium market. Unique, captivating and effortlessly sophisticated, Zoffany is the brand for those that seek craftsmanship and artistic integrity.

Clarke & Clarke

Clarke & Clarke's two brands, Clarke & Clarke and Studio G, are at the affordable end of the market, complementing the Group's other brands. Total sales of GBP21.2 million represent a full year contribution from Clarke & Clarke compared with an 18-week contribution last year. Clarke & Clarke has launched 19 new collections during the year; Studio G has launched 10 new collections during the year and, for the first time, launched 10 new collections in the US during the second half via the second largest US wholesale distributor.

Studio G branded readymade curtains were launched in September 2017 and have been introduced into both independent and retail chain stores throughout the UK. January 2018 saw the official launch of Oasis-branded bedding, a licensed collaboration between Clarke & Clarke and the UK women's fashion brand, taking signature patterns from the Oasis archive and distributing beautiful bedding through the Clarke & Clarke retail network. 2019 will see the Oasis brand expand into fabrics, wallpapers and furniture, targeting major retail groups as well as existing independent retailers.

Licensing

High margin licensing income was up 21.6% in constant currency, to GBP3.1 million. Targeting double digit growth per annum over the next three years, global licensing income is a key part of our strategy and an important developing income stream for the Group. We are continuing to pursue the extension of our product offering through new licensing agreements to take the Company's Brands further into lifestyle products, apparel and geographic territories. An additional benefit of our licensing strategy is to create greater consumer awareness of our brands.

Manufacturing

Our Manufacturing capabilities are one of the Group's key assets, a differentiator from our peer group and an integral part of our growth strategy. A recovery from the December 2015 flood at Standfast & Barracks was a core focus in 2017, with the result that total Manufacturing sales grew 4.2% to GBP33.4 million, leading to an increase in profits of 90.0% to GBP1.9 million.

The remaining loss of profits impact from the flood in the second full year has been mitigated by a final instalment in our insurance payments.

Anstey Wallpaper Company

Sales at Anstey, our wallpaper printing business, grew 6.5% to GBP18.0 million. Third party sales in the UK were up 8.1%; third party export sales were up 3.6%; internal sales to our own Group Brands grew by 4.8%. Sales in the UK benefited from a strong performance in the second half of the year as Anstey pursued their strategy of world class excellence in manufacturing, customer service, quality and innovation.

A machine fire in a heat embossing machine impacted the final two months of orders on vinyl and scatter product. The machine is fully operational following repairs. The repair of the machine and related costs totalling GBP709,000 are fully covered by the Group's insurance policy.

Standfast & Barracks

Standfast, our fabric printing factory, saw an increase in sales of 2.0% to GBP15.4 million in the first full year unaffected by the flood. Third party sales in the UK grew by 30.0%; export by 21.0%; whilst sales to our own Group Brands decreased by 22.2%, as Style Library rebalanced their stock following the high levels of replenishment post-flood. The factory is now printing fabric for both Clarke & Clarke and Studio G brands.

In the year, Standfast has experienced a period of significant third party and export growth, driven by the focus on digital printing. Standfast finished the year with a mix of 50% digital print by value, which generates a higher margin, compared with 44% in 2016.

During the year, a third digital printing machine was installed with our innovative direct to fabric pigment ink, Ecofast(TM), with high versatility and lower cost finishing potential. This system allows printing on almost any type of substrate, thereby opening up market opportunities in such areas as contract and apparel.

To date we have received GBP19.3 million in insurance receipts, covering costs plus business interruption losses, with no further business interruption reimbursements expected in the next financial year.

OPERATIONAL REVIEW

During the year we launched Style Library, our initiative to bring together our portfolio of brands including the unification of salesforces, customer service and websites to improve efficiency. We opened our Style Library flagship showroom in Chelsea Harbour in August 2017 to showcase all of our brands together. This showroom replaces the individual showrooms at Chelsea Harbour and seeks to offer in one place the widest and most diverse range of the Company's fabrics, wallpapers and paints.

In addition, the Company has continued to develop its international sales channels in the US through an increase in dedicated sales representatives; East and West Coast sales managers and the opening of a new directly owned showroom in Chicago in October 2017, to add to our flagship showroom in New York. Progress has also been made towards direct distribution in Russia through a showroom opening in February 2018 and direct sales into Germany is to follow.

David Butcher joined the Company in December 2017 as General Manager Brands, a role in which he has responsibility for all of the brands apart from Clarke & Clarke and Studio G, which operate on a standalone basis. David is responsible for delivering the UK and international growth objectives of the Company's brands.

September 2017 saw the launch of our in-house paint tinting and distribution for Zoffany and Sanderson brands in partnership with PPG, the global US-based paints and coatings company. As part of our growth strategy, in-house paint tinting and distribution provides greater opportunities for new routes to market; service and quality excellence; design synergies and colour integrity. We see our addressable market of between GBP125 million - GBP150 million and will provide a further update on this partnership as it progresses towards our goal of developing up to a 10% market share.

Summary

Despite the significant challenges faced as a result of the weaker macro-economic conditions, I am pleased that we have been able to continue to invest in our brands both in the UK and internationally with the launch of Style Library, our initiative to bring together our portfolio of brands and through the opening of two new showrooms.

We have made significant progress in growing our licensing income, boosting our lifestyle product extension and greater consumer awareness. We have benefited from our acquisition of Clarke & Clarke, which has made a material contribution to earnings, and will accelerate the Group's market penetration and extend our reach in the US. Furthermore, we have made some key senior appointments which will help to drive growth in 2018 and further develop and deliver our strategic objectives.

John Sach

Group Chief Executive

5 April 2018

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER'S REVIEW

Income Statement

The Chairman's Statement and Chief Executive's Review provide an analysis of the key factors impacting our revenue and operating profit. In addition to the information on our Brands and Manufacturing divisions included in these reports, the Group has included in note 4 to the accounts further information on our reporting segments.

Underlying profit before tax

Statutory profit before tax of GBP12,784,000 (2017: GBP6,965,000) includes non-underlying credits of GBP1,251,000 (2017: charges GBP2,164,000).

 
                                                2018      2017 
                                              GBP000    GBP000 
------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Statutory profit before tax                  12,784     6,965 
------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
 Acquisition related costs                     1,198     2,955 
 Unwind of discount on contingent 
  consideration                                  405       181 
 Fair value adjustment to contingent         (4,047)         - 
  consideration 
------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Total acquisition related costs             (2,444)     3,136 
------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
 Standfast flood related costs                 1,125     7,165 
 Standfast flood insurance reimbursements    (1,342)   (9,413) 
------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Standfast net other income                    (217)   (2,248) 
------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
 Restructuring and reorganisation 
  costs                                          701     1,276 
------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
 Anstey fire related costs                       709         - 
------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
 Total non-underlying (credit)/charges 
  included in profit before tax              (1,251)     2,164 
------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
 Underlying profit before tax                 11,533     9,129 
 
 LTIP accounting charge                          413       756 
 Net defined benefit pension 
  charge                                         573       527 
 Adjusted underlying profit 
  before tax excluding LTIP and 
  defined benefit pension charge              12,519    10,412 
------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

Acquisition related costs incurred were in respect of the acquisition of Clarke & Clarke. These include amortisation of intangible assets of GBP1,016,000 and a cost of GBP182,000 associated with the fair value adjustment recognised on the inventory as at the date of acquisition.

The acquisition of Clarke & Clarke included contingent consideration of up to GBP17,500,000, in aggregate, payable in the Company's shares and linked to the annual performance of the acquired business in each of the four years following the acquisition. As a result of the challenging performance targets and prevailing market conditions, the performance target for the period ended 31 January 2018 has not been achieved. It is not considered likely that the performance targets for the remaining two years will be achieved therefore, there has been a remeasurement of the fair value of this contingent consideration resulting in a GBP4,047,000 credit to the income statement in net other income. There has also been a charge of GBP405,000 recognised in respect of the unwind of the contingent consideration payable for Clarke & Clarke.

Standfast net other income comprises proceeds of GBP217,000 from the reimbursement of costs to replace impaired plant and equipment and intangible assets.

Restructuring and reorganisation costs of GBP701,000 reflect the rationalisation of certain operational and support functions. These costs mainly comprise professional fees, employee severance, agent termination and property costs associated with the reorganisation process.

Anstey fire related costs of GBP709,000 are in respect of plant and equipment repairs and related costs following a machine fire. It is expected that these costs will be reimbursed under the Company's comprehensive insurance policy.

Net other income

In addition to the non-underlying net other income described above, a further GBP1,069,000 has been recognised in underlying net other income which represents business interruption losses relating to the flood at Standfast for the period to 31 January 2018.

Long Term Incentive Plan ('LTIP')

There was a new award of shares during the financial year under the Long Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") with vesting conditions half based on Total Shareholder Return ("TSR") and half based on an absolute adjusted Earnings per Share ("EPS") for the period ending 31 January 2020. There was a charge of GBP413,000 (2017: GBP756,000) in the Income Statement relating to LTIP awards. The charge in the year is lower than last year driven by a reduction to the Company's share price and a reduction in the vesting assumption for future awards.

Interest

The net underlying interest charge for the year was GBP275,000 (2017: GBP186,000) including amortisation of capitalised debt issue costs reflecting higher borrowings as a result of utilisation of GBP5,000,000 of the Group's existing accordion tranche of its bank facilities following the acquisition of Clarke & Clarke.

Net Defined Benefit Pension

The Group operates two defined benefit schemes in the UK for its employees. These comprise the Walker Greenbank Pension Plan and the Abaris Holdings Limited Pension Scheme which are both closed to new members and to future service accrual from 30 June 2002 and 1 July 2005 respectively.

The charge during the year was GBP573,000 (2017: GBP527,000). The increase reflects a decrease to the expected return on pension scheme assets.

Current Taxation

There was a corporation tax charge of GBP1,807,000 (2017: GBP1,445,000) which has been driven by the increase in underlying profit.

Deferred Taxation

There was a deferred tax credit of GBP776,000 (2017: credit GBP155,000) driven by the reversal of the deferred tax recognised in respect of the Clarke & Clarke acquisition.

The Group also continues to recognise the deferred tax asset arising from the pension deficit and LTIP.

Earnings per share

Basic reported EPS for the year was 16.70p (2017: 8.55p). The Group also reports an adjusted EPS which removes the impact of the LTIP accounting charge, net defined benefit pension charge and other non-underlying items as these can fluctuate due to external factors outside of the control of the Group. A better understanding of the underlying performance of the business is given after adjusting for these items. The adjusted basic EPS for the year was 14.52p (2017: 13.67p).

Operating Cash Flow and Net Debt

The Group generated net cash inflow from operating activities during the year of GBP4,508,000 (2017: GBP9,925,000) including working capital outflow of GBP5,000,000 compared with the prior year.

Capital expenditure was GBP3,497,000 (2017: GBP6,768,000) and includes the move from two showrooms to a single larger flagship showroom at Chelsea Harbour, the new showroom opening in Chicago and development costs relating to the design of new collections for the Brands. The depreciation and amortisation charge during the period was GBP4,092,000 (2017 GBP3,191,000).

The Group made additional payments to the pension schemes of GBP1,521,000 (2017: GBP1,374,000) to reduce the deficit, part of the ongoing planned reduction, along with GBP386,000 (2017: GBP392,000) of pension fund scheme expenses.

Overall tax paid during the year was GBP2,236,000 (2017: GBP2,294,000) which reflects a reduction in the Group's tax charge. The Effective Tax Rate ("ETR") has fallen to 8.1% from 23.0% due to non-underlying items including the non-underlying net other income that is not taxable and the reversal of deferred tax on contingent consideration.

The Group had net debt as at 31 January 2018 of GBP5,263,000 (2017: GBP5,309,000). Average debt during the year varies due to the timing and seasonality of revenues and investment in products. The average monthly net debt increased by GBP8,206,000 to GBP11,246,000 (2017: GBP3,040,000) as a result of the Group starting the financial year with net debt following the Clarke & Clarke acquisition which increased the need to utilise the bank facilities.

The Group utilises facilities provided by Barclays Bank Plc. In December 2015, the Group entered into a GBP12.5 million multi-currency revolving credit facility with Barclays Bank PLC for a five year period and cancelled the existing receivables facilities. The agreement also includes a GBP10 million accordion facility option to further increase available funds which provides headroom for future growth. There were GBP7,500,000 borrowings at the end of the year for the revolving facility (2017: GBP7,500,000). Under these facilities there was borrowing headroom of GBP12,237,000 (2017: GBP12,391,000). The total facilities have a current limit of GBP22.50 million (2017: GBP22.70 million).

All of the Group's bank facilities remain secured by first fixed and floating charges over the Group's assets.

Pension Deficit

The pension deficit reduced slightly during the year with contributions from the Company offset by the fall in corporate bond yields, leading to a reduction in the discount rate. The impact of these factors is shown as follows:

 
                                         2018 
                                       GBP000 
 Deficit at beginning of the 
  year                                (7,413) 
 Scheme expenses                        (386) 
 Interest cost                        (1,976) 
 Expected return on plan assets         1,789 
 Contributions                          1,907 
 Return on scheme assets                  440 
 Actuarial loss from the change 
  in discount factor                  (2,802) 
 Experience adjustments on benefit 
  obligation                              111 
 Actuarial gain from the change 
  in demographic assumptions            1,032 
                                     -------- 
 Gross deficit at the end of 
  the year                            (7,298) 
                                     -------- 
 

Dividends

During the year, the Group paid a final dividend for the year ended 31 January 2017 of 3.06p per share and an interim dividend of 0.69p per share.

The Directors have recommended the payment of a final dividend of 3.68p per share (2017: 3.06p) which, subject to shareholder approval at the Company's annual general meeting, will be payable on 10 August 2018 to shareholders on the register on 20 July 2018. This brings the total dividend for the year to 4.37p per share (2017: 3.61p), an increase of 21.1%.

Going Concern

The Directors are confident, after having made appropriate enquiries that the Group and Company have adequate resources to continue trading for the foreseeable future. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

Foreign Currency Risk

All foreign currencies are bought and sold centrally on behalf of the Group. Regular reviews take place of the foreign currency cash flows and unmatched exposures are covered using forward contracts and working capital exposures are hedged using currency swaps where deemed appropriate. The Group does not trade in financial instruments and hedges are used for highly probable future cash flows and to hedge working capital exposures.

Credit Risk

The Group no longer seeks credit insurance as this is not a commercial solution to reducing credit risk. The Board reviews the internal credit limits of all major customers and reviews the credit risk regularly. The aging profile of trade debtors shows that payments from customers are close to terms, however, there have been specific expenses during the year. The current economic environment still presents a level of risk and in addition to specific provisioning against individual receivables, a provision has been required of GBPnil (2017: GBP65,000) which is a collective assessment of the risk against non-specific receivables.

Mike Gant

Chief Financial Officer

5 April 2018

Consolidated Income Statement

Year ended 31 January 2018

 
                                                  2018                                     2017 
                                ---------------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
                                              Non-underlying                           Non-underlying 
                                                       (note                                    (note 
                                 Underlying               5)      Total   Underlying               5)      Total 
                          Note       GBP000           GBP000     GBP000       GBP000           GBP000     GBP000 
-----------------------  -----  -----------  ---------------  ---------  -----------  ---------------  --------- 
 Revenue                     3      108,764                -    108,764       92,373                -     92,373 
 Cost of sales                     (43,308)            (182)   (43,490)     (36,223)          (1,061)   (37,284) 
-----------------------  -----  -----------  ---------------  ---------  -----------  ---------------  --------- 
 Gross profit 
  / (loss)                           65,456            (182)     65,274       56,150          (1,061)     55,089 
-----------------------  -----  -----------  ---------------  ---------  -----------  ---------------  --------- 
 Net operating 
  expenses: 
 Distribution 
  and selling expenses             (15,415)                -   (15,415)     (12,421)                -   (12,421) 
 Administration 
  expenses                         (38,729)          (2,426)   (41,155)     (36,724)          (3,170)   (39,894) 
 Net other income          4,5        1,069            4,264      5,333        2,837            2,248      5,085 
-----------------------  -----  -----------  ---------------  ---------  -----------  ---------------  --------- 
 Profit / (loss) 
  from operations                    12,381            1,656     14,037        9,842          (1,983)      7,859 
-----------------------  -----  -----------  ---------------  ---------  -----------  ---------------  --------- 
 
 Net defined benefit 
  pension charge             6        (573)                -      (573)        (527)                -      (527) 
 Finance costs               7        (275)            (405)      (680)        (186)            (181)      (367) 
 Total finance 
  costs                               (848)            (405)    (1,253)        (713)            (181)      (894) 
 
 Profit / (loss) 
  before tax                         11,533            1,251     12,784        9,129          (2,164)      6,965 
 Tax (expense) 
  / income                   8      (2,489)            1,458    (1,031)      (1,609)                9    (1,600) 
-----------------------  -----  -----------  ---------------  ---------  -----------  ---------------  --------- 
 Profit / (loss) 
  for the year 
  attributable 
  to owners of 
  the parent                          9,044            2,709     11,753        7,520          (2,155)      5,365 
-----------------------  -----  -----------  ---------------  ---------  -----------  ---------------  --------- 
 
 Earnings per 
  share - Basic             10                                   16.70p                                    8.55p 
-----------------------  -----  -----------  ---------------  ---------  -----------  ---------------  --------- 
 Earnings per 
  share - Diluted           10                                   16.60p                                    8.08p 
-----------------------  -----  -----------  ---------------  ---------  -----------  ---------------  --------- 
 Adjusted earnings 
  per share - Basic         10                                   14.52p                                   13.67p 
-----------------------  -----  -----------  ---------------  ---------  -----------  ---------------  --------- 
 Adjusted earnings 
  per share - Diluted       10                                   14.43p                                   12.92p 
-----------------------  -----  -----------  ---------------  ---------  -----------  ---------------  --------- 
 

All of the activities of the Group are continuing operations.

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Year ended 31 January 2018

 
                                                         2018      2017 
                                              Note     GBP000    GBP000 
-------------------------------------------  ------  --------  -------- 
 
 Profit for the year                                   11,753     5,365 
---------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
 Other Comprehensive Income: 
 Items that will not be reclassified 
  to profit or loss 
 Remeasurements of defined benefit 
  pension schemes                                     (1,219)   (4,339) 
 Corporation tax credits recognised 
  in equity                                               234       270 
 Increase / (reduction) of deferred 
  tax asset relating to pension 
  scheme liability                                          -       484 
---------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Total items that will not be reclassified 
  to profit or loss                                     (985)   (3,585) 
---------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
 Items that may be reclassified 
  subsequently to profit or loss 
 Currency translation (losses) 
  / gains                                                (97)       128 
 Cash flow hedge gains                                      -        26 
---------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Total items that may be reclassified 
  subsequently to profit or loss                         (97)       154 
---------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
 Other comprehensive expense for 
  the year, net of tax                                (1,082)   (3,431) 
---------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
 Total comprehensive income for 
  the year attributable to the owners 
  of the parent                                        10,671     1,934 
---------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

Consolidated Balance Sheet

At 31 January 2018

 
                                                                  2017 
                                                    2018        GBP000 
                                         Note     GBP000    (Restated) 
--------------------------------------  -----  ---------  ------------ 
 Non-current assets 
 Intangible assets                                31,780        32,561 
 Property, plant and equipment                    15,962        15,845 
                                                  47,742        48,406 
--------------------------------------  -----  ---------  ------------ 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                                      29,378        30,305 
 Trade and other receivables              11      21,238        19,508 
 Cash and cash equivalents                12       1,295         1,516 
--------------------------------------  -----  ---------  ------------ 
                                                  51,911        51,329 
--------------------------------------  -----  ---------  ------------ 
 Total assets                                     99,653        99,735 
--------------------------------------  -----  ---------  ------------ 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                       (22,360)      (25,685) 
 Borrowings                               12     (6,558)       (6,825) 
 Provision for other liabilities 
  and charges                             15           -       (2,708) 
                                                (28,918)      (35,218) 
--------------------------------------  -----  ---------  ------------ 
 Net current assets                               22,993        16,111 
--------------------------------------  -----  ---------  ------------ 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Deferred income tax liabilities          9      (1,825)       (2,573) 
 Retirement benefit obligation            14     (7,298)       (7,413) 
 Provision for other liabilities 
  and charges                             15           -       (3,238) 
--------------------------------------  -----  ---------  ------------ 
                                                 (9,123)      (13,224) 
--------------------------------------  -----  ---------  ------------ 
 Total liabilities                              (38,041)      (48,442) 
--------------------------------------  -----  ---------  ------------ 
 Net assets                                       61,612        51,293 
--------------------------------------  -----  ---------  ------------ 
 
 Equity 
 Share capital                                       709           696 
 Share premium account                            18,682        16,390 
 Foreign currency translation reserve              (525)         (428) 
 Retained earnings / (Accumulated 
  losses)                                          2,239       (5,872) 
 Other reserves                                   40,507        40,507 
--------------------------------------  -----  ---------  ------------ 
 Total equity                                     61,612        51,293 
--------------------------------------  -----  ---------  ------------ 
 

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

Year ended 31 January 2018

 
                                                       2018       2017 
                                             Note    GBP000     GBP000 
------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------- 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
 Cash generated from operations               13      6,989     12,381 
 Interest paid                                        (245)      (163) 
 Corporation tax paid                               (2,236)    (2,294) 
------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------- 
 Net cash generated from operating 
  activities                                          4,508      9,924 
------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------- 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
 Acquisition of subsidiary, net 
  of cash acquired                            16          -   (27,073) 
 Interest received                                        2          1 
 Purchase of intangible assets                        (861)      (792) 
 Purchase of property, plant and 
  equipment                                         (2,636)    (5,976) 
 Proceeds from disposal of property, 
  plant and equipment                                     -         89 
 Insurance proceeds relating to 
  investing activities                                1,785      2,268 
 Net cash used in investing activities              (1,710)   (31,483) 
------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------- 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Proceeds from issuance of ordinary 
  shares                                                  -     16,022 
 Debt issue costs                                         -       (40) 
 Repayment of term loan                               (200)      (400) 
 Dividends paid to Company's shareholders           (2,659)    (1,818) 
------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------- 
 Net cash generated (used in) / 
  from financing activities                         (2,859)     13,764 
------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------- 
 Net (decrease) / increase in cash 
  and cash equivalents                                 (61)    (7,795) 
 Cash and cash equivalents and 
  bank overdraft at beginning of 
  year                                              (5,110)      2,902 
 Effect of exchange rate fluctuations 
  on cash held                                         (92)      (217) 
 Cash and cash equivalents and 
  bank overdraft at end of year               12    (5,263)    (5,110) 
------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------- 
 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

Year ended 31 January 2018

 
                                                Attributable to owners of the parent 
                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
                                                                  Other Reserves 
                                               Retained 
                                               earnings                                         Foreign 
                                   Share              /                                        currency 
                       Share     premium   (Accumulated     Capital     Merger      Hedge   translation      Total 
                     capital     account        losses)     reserve    reserve    reserve       reserve     equity 
                      GBP000      GBP000         GBP000      GBP000     GBP000     GBP000        GBP000     GBP000 
----------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ------------  --------- 
 Balance at 
  1 February 
  2016                   602         457        (5,700)      43,457    (2,950)       (26)         (556)     35,284 
 Profit for 
  the year                 -           -          5,365           -          -          -             -      5,365 
 Other 
 comprehensive 
 Income: 
 Remeasurements 
  of defined 
  benefit 
  pension 
  schemes                  -           -        (4,339)           -          -          -             -    (4,339) 
 Corporation 
  tax credits 
  recognised 
  in equity                -           -            270           -          -          -             -        270 
 Deferred tax 
  relating to 
  pension scheme 
  liability                -           -            484           -          -          -             -        484 
 Currency 
  translation 
  differences              -           -              -           -          -          -           128        128 
 Cash flow 
  hedge                    -           -              -           -          -         26             -         26 
----------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ------------  --------- 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income                   -           -          1,780           -          -         26           128      1,934 
 Transactions 
  with owners, 
  recognised 
  directly in 
  equity: 
 Dividends                 -           -        (1,818)           -          -          -             -    (1,818) 
 Allotment 
  of share 
  capital                 94      15,933            (4)           -          -          -             -     16,023 
 Long-term 
  incentive 
  plan charge              -           -            658           -          -          -             -        658 
 Long-term 
  incentive 
  plan vesting             -           -          (664)           -          -          -             -      (664) 
 Related tax 
  movements 
  on long-term 
  incentive 
  plan                     -           -          (124)           -          -          -             -      (124) 
 Balance at 
  31 January 
  2017                   696      16,390        (5,872)      43,457    (2,950)          -         (428)     51,293 
----------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ------------  --------- 
 
 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity continued

Year ended 31 January 2018

 
                                                     Attributable to owners of the parent 
                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                       Other Reserves 
                                                              ------------------------------- 
                                                    Retained 
                                                    earnings                                         Foreign 
                                       Share               /                                        currency 
                            Share    premium    (Accumulated    Capital     Merger      Hedge    translation     Total 
                          capital    account         losses)    reserve    reserve    reserve        reserve    equity 
                           GBP000     GBP000          GBP000     GBP000     GBP000     GBP000         GBP000    GBP000 
----------------------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------- 
 Balance at 
  1 February 
  2017                        696     16,390         (5,872)     43,457    (2,950)          -          (428)    51,293 
 Profit for 
  the year                      -          -          11,753          -          -          -              -    11,753 
 Other comprehensive 
  Income: 
 Remeasurements 
  of defined 
  benefit pension 
  schemes                       -          -         (1,219)          -          -          -              -   (1,219) 
 Corporation 
  tax credits 
  recognised 
  in equity                     -          -             234          -          -          -              -       234 
 Deferred tax                   -          -               -          -          -          -              -         - 
  relating to 
  pension scheme 
  liability 
 Currency translation 
  differences                   -          -               -          -          -          -           (97)      (97) 
 Cash flow                      -          -               -          -          -          -              -         - 
  hedge 
 Total comprehensive 
  income                        -          -          10,768          -          -          -           (97)    10,671 
 Transactions 
  with owners, 
  recognised 
  directly in 
  equity: 
 Dividends                      -          -         (2,659)          -          -          -              -   (2,659) 
 Allotment 
  of share capital             13      2,292               -          -          -          -              -     2,305 
 Long-term 
  incentive 
  plan charge                   -          -             434          -          -          -              -       434 
 Long-term 
  incentive 
  plan vesting                  -          -           (404)          -          -          -              -     (404) 
 Related tax 
  movements 
  on long-term 
  incentive 
  plan                          -          -            (28)          -          -          -              -      (28) 
 Balance at 
  31 January 
  2018                        709     18,682           2,239     43,457    (2,950)          -          (525)    61,612 
----------------------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------- 
 

Notes to the Accounts

1. Accounting policies and general information

Basis of preparation

The Group has prepared its consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards adopted for use in the European Union (IFRS).

While the financial information included in this preliminary announcement has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of IFRS this announcement does not itself contain sufficient information to comply with IFRS. The financial information set out in this preliminary announcement does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 January 2018. The financial information is prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union and IFRSs as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and with the accounting policies set out in the Group's 2017 Annual Report and Financial Statements and as updated by the 2017 Interim Statement.

These financial statements will be finalised on the basis of the financial information presented by the Directors in this preliminary announcement and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company's annual general meeting. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 January 2017 have been filed with the Registrar of Companies and contained an auditor's report which was (i) unqualified and (ii) did not contain a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis of matter without qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain any statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

This preliminary announcement was approved for release by the Board on 4 April 2018.

2. Critical accounting estimates and judgements

Business combinations

The Group applies judgement in determining whether a transaction is a business combination, which includes consideration as to whether the Group has acquired a business or a group of assets. For business combinations, the Group estimates the fair value of the consideration transferred, which includes assumptions about the future performance of the business acquired and an appropriate discount rate to determine the fair value of any contingent consideration. Judgement is also applied in determining whether any future payments should be classified as contingent consideration or as remuneration for future services. The Group estimates the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the business combination, including any separately identifiable intangible assets and considering contingent liabilities. These estimates also require inputs and assumptions including future earnings, customer attrition rates and discount rates. The Group engages external experts to support the valuation process, where appropriate.

The fair value of the contingent consideration recognised in business combinations is reassessed at each reporting date, using updated inputs and assumptions based on the latest financial forecasts for the relevant business. Judgement is applied as to whether changes should be applied at the acquisition date or as post-acquisition changes. Fair value movements and the unwinding of the discounting is recognised within finance costs in the Income Statement.

Other critical accounting estimates include retirement benefit pension obligations, impairment of non-financial assets, deferred tax recognition and long term incentive plan payment awards.

3. Segmental analysis

The Group is a designer, manufacturer and distributor of luxury interior furnishings, fabrics and wallpaper. The reportable segments of the Group are aggregated as follows:

-- Brands - comprising the design, marketing, sales and distribution, and licensing activities of Sanderson, Morris & Co, Harlequin, Zoffany, Anthology, Scion, Clarke & Clarke and Studio G brands operated from the UK and its foreign subsidiaries in the US and France.

-- Manufacturing - comprising the wallcovering and printed fabric manufacturing businesses operated by Anstey and Standfast respectively.

This is the basis on which the Group presents its operating results to the Board of Directors, which is considered to be the CODM for the purposes of IFRS 8. Other group-wide activities and expenses, predominantly related to corporate head office costs, defined benefit pension costs, long-term incentive plan expenses, taxation and eliminations of intersegment items, are presented within 'Eliminations and unallocated'.

Following the acquisition of Clarke & Clarke the Board of Directors have also monitored the performance of this division for the purposes of the earn-out.

3. Segmental analysis continued

   a)   Reportable segment information 

Year ended 31 January 2018

 
                                                     Eliminations 
                                                              and 
                            Brands   Manufacturing    Unallocated     Total 
                            GBP000          GBP000         GBP000    GBP000 
------------------------  --------  --------------  -------------  -------- 
 UK revenue                 48,414          14,426              -    62,840 
 International revenue      38,870           3,936              -    42,806 
 Licence revenue             3,118               -              -     3,118 
------------------------  --------  --------------  -------------  -------- 
 Revenue - External         90,402          18,362              -   108,764 
 Revenue - Internal              -          15,014       (15,014)         - 
------------------------  --------  --------------  -------------  -------- 
 Total revenue              90,402          33,376       (15,014)   108,764 
------------------------  --------  --------------  -------------  -------- 
 
 Profit / (loss) from 
  operations                12,603           1,942          (508)    14,037 
 Net defined benefit 
  pension charge                                            (573)     (573) 
 Net finance costs                                          (680)     (680) 
 Profit / (loss) before 
  tax                       12,603           1,942        (1,761)    12,784 
 Tax charge                      -               -        (1,031)   (1,031) 
------------------------  --------  --------------  -------------  -------- 
 Profit / (loss) for 
  the year                  12,603           1,942        (2,792)    11,753 
------------------------  --------  --------------  -------------  -------- 
 

Year ended 31 January 2017

 
                                                     Eliminations 
                                                              and 
                            Brands   Manufacturing    unallocated     Total 
                            GBP000          GBP000         GBP000    GBP000 
------------------------  --------  --------------  -------------  -------- 
 UK revenue                 42,531          12,227              -    54,758 
 International revenue      31,552           3,497              -    35,049 
 Licence revenue             2,566               -              -     2,566 
------------------------  --------  --------------  -------------  -------- 
 Revenue - External         76,649          15,724              -    92,373 
 Revenue - Internal              -          16,320       (16,320)         - 
------------------------  --------  --------------  -------------  -------- 
 Total revenue              76,649          32,044       (16,320)    92,373 
------------------------  --------  --------------  -------------  -------- 
 
 Profit / (loss) from 
  operations                 9,239           1,026        (2,406)     7,859 
 Net defined benefit 
  pension charge                 -               -          (527)     (527) 
 Net finance costs               -               -          (367)     (367) 
 Profit / (loss) before 
  tax                        9,239           1,026        (3,300)     6,965 
 Tax charge                      -               -        (1,600)   (1,600) 
------------------------  --------  --------------  -------------  -------- 
 Profit / (loss) for 
  the year                   9,239           1,026        (4,900)     5,365 
------------------------  --------  --------------  -------------  -------- 
 

Business interruption reimbursements to cover loss of profits of GBP1,069,000 (GBP2017: GBP2,837,000) are included within 'Eliminations and unallocated'.

3. Segmental analysis continued

The segmental revenues of the Group are reported to the CODM in more detail. One of the analyses presented is revenue by export market for Brands.

 
 Brands international revenue by export       2018      2017 
  market:                                   GBP000    GBP000 
----------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Western Europe                             11,710     9,594 
 Scandinavia                                 2,789     2,557 
 Eastern Europe                              3,023     2,374 
----------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Europe Total                               17,522    14,525 
 Middle East                                 2,028     1,345 
 Far East                                    4,100     3,308 
 USA                                        12,670    10,310 
 South America                                 431       458 
 Australasia                                 1,246     1,004 
 Other                                         873       602 
----------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
                                            38,870    31,552 
----------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

Revenue of the Brands reportable segment - revenue from operations in all territories where the sale is sourced from the Brands operations, together with contract and licence revenue:

 
                                             2018      2017 
 Brand Revenue Analysis:                   GBP000    GBP000 
---------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Harlequin, incorporating Anthology 
  & Scion                                  30,531    31,270 
 Sanderson, incorporating Morris & 
  Co                                       23,358    22,516 
 Zoffany                                   11,621    12,162 
 Clarke & Clarke, incorporating Studio 
  G                                        21,202     7,267 
 Other brands                                 572       868 
 Licensing                                  3,118     2,566 
---------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
                                           90,402    76,649 
---------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

Revenue of the Manufacturing reportable segment - including revenues from internal sales to the Group's Brands:

 
                                       2018      2017 
 Manufacturing Revenue Analysis:     GBP000    GBP000 
---------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Standfast                           15,423    15,097 
 Anstey                              17,953    16,947 
---------------------------------  --------  -------- 
                                     33,376    32,044 
---------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
   b)   Additional entity-wide disclosures 
 
 Revenue by geographical location of       2018      2017 
  customers:                             GBP000    GBP000 
-------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 United Kingdom                          64,607    56,064 
 Continental Europe                      19,209    15,917 
 USA                                     14,727    12,237 
 Rest of the World                       10,221     8,155 
-------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
                                        108,764    92,373 
-------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

4. Net other income

Net other income arising as a result of the flood at Standfast, the Group's fabric printing factory in December 2015, is GBP1,069,000 (2017: GBP2,837,000) and represents business interruption reimbursements to cover loss of profits. In addition non-underlying other income of GBP4,264,000 (2017: GBP2,248,000) is explained in note 5.

5. Non-statutory profit measures

Underlying profit measures

The Group seeks to present a measure of underlying performance which is not impacted by material non-recurring items or items considered non-operational in nature. This measure of profit is described as 'underlying' and is used by management to measure and monitor performance. The excluded items are referred to as 'non-underlying' items.

Non-underlying items

The non-underlying items included in profit before tax are as follows:

 
                                                      2018      2017 
                                           Note     GBP000    GBP000 
----------------------------------------  ------  --------  -------- 
 
 (i) Acquisition related: 
 Transaction costs                          (a)          -   (1,552) 
 Amortisation of acquired intangible 
  assets                                           (1,016)     (342) 
 Unwind of the fair value uplift 
  adjustment on inventory                   (b)      (182)   (1,061) 
 Unwind of discount on contingent 
  consideration                             (c)      (405)     (181) 
 Fair value adjustment to contingent        (d)      4,047         - 
  consideration 
                                                     2,444   (3,136) 
 -----------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
 (ii) Standfast flood: 
 Incremental costs, inventory loss 
  and property, plant and equipment 
  impairments                                      (1,125)   (7,165) 
 Insurance reimbursements                            1,342     9,413 
------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
                       (e)                             217     2,248 
 -----------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 (iii) Restructuring and reorganisation 
  costs                                     (f)      (701)   (1,276) 
----------------------------------------  ------  --------  -------- 
 (iv) Anstey fire: 
 Incremental costs and property,            (g)      (709)         - 
  plant and equipment repairs 
 Total non-underlying items included 
  in profit before tax                               1,251   (2,164) 
------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Tax on non-underlying items                         1,458         9 
------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Total impact of non-underlying 
  items on profit after tax                          2,709   (2,155) 
------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

Costs detailed in (a) - (c) below relate to costs incurred on the acquisition of Clarke & Clarke, which completed on 31 October 2016 (see note 16).

a) Transaction costs comprise legal and professional fees in relation to the acquisition. In addition, share issue costs of GBPnil

(2017: GBP978,000) relating to the acquisition have been offset against the share premium account.

b) In accordance with IFRS, the inventory value was uplifted to fair value at the date of acquisition by GBP1,243,000 and this adjustment increased costs of sales in the post-acquisition period. GBP182,000 (2017: GBP1,061,000) cost in respect of unwind of the fair value uplift adjustment is considered an exceptional cost of sale. The balance of the fair value uplift has been fully unwound during the year.

c) A charge of GBP405,000 (2017: GBP181,000) has been recognised in respect of unwind of the contingent consideration on acquisition.

d) As a result of the challenging performance targets and prevailing market conditions, the performance target for the period ended 31 January 2018 has not been achieved. It is not considered likely that the performance targets for the remaining two years will be achieved therefore, there has been a remeasurement of the fair value of this contingent consideration resulting in a GBP4,047,000 credit to the income statement, in other income.

e) Other income of GBP217,000 (2017: GBP2,248,000) comprises of proceeds arising from reimbursement of costs to replace impaired plant and equipment and intangible assets of GBP217,000 (2017: GBP2,780,000) less flood defence costs of GBPnil (2017: GBP253,000) and additional insurance costs of GBPnil (2017: GBP279,000).

f) Restructuring and reorganisation costs relate to the reorganisation of the Group and comprise of the rationalisation of certain operational and support functions. These costs mainly comprise professional fees, employee severance and property costs associated with the reorganisation process.

g) Anstey fire related costs of GBP709,000 are in respect of plant and equipment repairs and related costs following a minor fire.

In addition to the non-underlying items detailed above, an adjustment is made for the LTIP accounting charge and net defined benefit pension charge in arriving at the 'Adjusted profit' and 'Adjusted earnings per share'.

6. Net defined benefit pension charge

 
                                              2018      2017 
                                            GBP000    GBP000 
 Expected return on pension scheme 
  assets                                     1,789     2,064 
 Interest on pension scheme liabilities    (1,976)   (2,199) 
 Scheme expenses met by the Group            (386)     (392) 
 Net charge                                  (573)     (527) 
----------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

7. Net Finance costs

 
                                                      2018      2017 
                                                    GBP000    GBP000 
------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Interest income: 
 Interest received on bank deposits                      2         1 
 Interest expense: 
 Interest payable on bank borrowings                 (245)     (161) 
 Amortisation of issue costs of bank 
  loans                                               (32)      (26) 
 Total finance costs                                 (277)     (187) 
------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Net finance costs excluding non-underlying 
  items                                              (275)     (186) 
------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
 Unwind of discount on contingent consideration 
  (note 5)                                           (405)     (181) 
------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Net finance costs including non-underlying 
  items                                              (680)     (367) 
------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

8. Tax expense

 
                                             2018      2017 
                                           GBP000    GBP000 
---------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Current tax: 
  - UK current tax                          1,722     1,367 
  - UK adjustments in respect of prior 
   years                                       85        78 
  - overseas, current tax                       -         - 
---------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Corporation tax                            1,807     1,445 
---------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Deferred tax: 
  - current year                            (795)       271 
  - adjustments in respect of prior 
   years                                       36      (12) 
  - effect of changes in corporation 
   tax rates                                 (17)     (104) 
---------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Deferred tax                               (776)       155 
---------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
 Total tax charge for the year              1,031     1,600 
---------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

8. Tax expense continued

 
                                                 2018      2017 
                                               GBP000    GBP000 
-------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Reconciliation of total tax charge 
  for the year 
 Profit on ordinary activities before 
  tax                                          12,784     6,965 
-------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
 Tax on profit on ordinary activities 
  at 19% (2017: 20%)                            2,429     1,393 
 Non-deductible expenditure                        86       418 
 Parent and overseas losses and temporary 
  timing differences not recognised              (36)      (99) 
 Income not subject to tax                      (795)         - 
 Permanent differences in respect of 
  share options                                   170        11 
 Adjustments in respect of prior years            121        66 
 Reversal of acquisition related deferred       (927)         - 
  tax 
 Adjustments in respect of pre-acquisition 
  period                                            -      (85) 
 Effect of changes in corporation tax 
  rates                                          (17)     (104) 
-------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Total tax charge for year                      1,031     1,600 
-------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

Factors affecting current and future tax charges

No overseas taxation is anticipated to become payable within the immediate future due to the availability of gross tax losses of approximately GBP3.2 million (2017: GBP2.8 million).

9. Deferred income tax

A net deferred tax liability of GBP1,825,000 (2017: GBP2,573,000) is recognised in respect of future deductions for LTIP payments and other temporary differences.

 
                                                   2018      2017 
                                                 GBP000    GBP000 
---------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Taxable temporary differences on property, 
  plant and equipment                           (1,484)   (1,361) 
 Taxable temporary differences on intangible 
  assets                                        (1,662)   (2,591) 
 Other temporary differences                         18     (141) 
 Temporary differences on LTIP payments              49       260 
                                                (3,079)   (3,833) 
 Retirement benefit obligations                   1,254     1,260 
                                                (1,825)   (2,573) 
---------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

Movements on the deferred income tax account are as follows:

 
                                                  2018      2017 
 Net deferred tax asset/ (liability)            GBP000    GBP000 
--------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 At 1 February                                 (2,573)       108 
 Acquisition of subsidiary                           -   (2,885) 
 Income Statement charge                           776     (155) 
 Tax credit/(charge) relating to components 
  of other comprehensive income                      -       484 
 Tax charged directly to equity                   (28)     (125) 
 At 31 January                                 (1,825)   (2,573) 
--------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
 

10. Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share ('EPS') is calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year, excluding those held in the Employee Benefit Trust ('EBT') and those held in treasury, which are treated as cancelled. The adjusted basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the adjusted earnings by the weighted average number of shares. As a consequence of the improved profitability of the Group, PBT performance criteria within LTIPs 9,10 and 11 are now being met and as a consequence these LTIP awards are now dilutive.

 
                                   2018                                  2017 
                                ---------  -----------                ---------  ----------- 
                                              Weighted                              Weighted 
                                               average       Per                     average       Per 
                                                number     Share                      number     Share 
                                 Earnings    of shares    Amount       Earnings    of shares    Amount 
                                   GBP000       (000s)     Pence         GBP000       (000s)     Pence 
------------------------------  ---------  -----------  --------  -------------  -----------  -------- 
 
 Basic earnings per 
  share                            11,753       70,376     16.70          5,365       62,732      8.55 
 Effect of dilutive 
  securities: 
 Shares under LTIP                                 428                                 3,645 
------------------------------  ---------  -----------  --------  -------------  -----------  -------- 
 Diluted earnings 
  per share                        11,753       70,804     16.60          5,365       66,377      8.08 
------------------------------  ---------  -----------  --------  -------------  -----------  -------- 
 
 Adjusted basic and 
  diluted earnings 
  per share: 
 Add back LTIP accounting 
  charge                              413                                   756 
 Add back net defined 
  benefit pension 
  charge                              573                                   527 
 Non-underlying items 
  (note 5)                        (1,251)                                 2,164 
 Tax effect of non-underlying 
  items 
  and other add backs             (1,269)                                 (235) 
------------------------------  ---------  -----------  --------  -------------  -----------  -------- 
 Adjusted basic earnings 
  per share                        10,219       70,376     14.52          8,577       62,732     13.67 
------------------------------  ---------  -----------  --------  -------------  -----------  -------- 
 
 Adjusted diluted 
  earnings per share               10,219       70,804     14.43          8,577       66,377     12.92 
------------------------------  ---------  -----------  --------  -------------  -----------  -------- 
 
 

On 31 May 2017, 421,218 shares vested under the Company's LTIP. To satisfy the vesting, 227,247 shares of 1 pence each were allotted at par value and 4,909 shares were issued from the Walker Greenbank PLC EBT.

On 26 June 2017, the Company issued 1,116,586 ordinary shares of 1 pence each at an issue price of 206.25 pence per share in respect of the first tranche of the performance related Clarke & Clarke earn-out consideration for the period ended 31 January 2017.

Following these transactions Walker Greenbank's issued ordinary share capital with voting rights at 31 January 2018 consists of 70,895,511 (2017: 69,551,678) ordinary shares of which no (2017: nil) ordinary shares are held in treasury and no (2017: 4,909) ordinary shares are held by the Walker Greenbank PLC EBT. Shares held in treasury or by the EBT are treated as cancelled when calculating EPS.

In order to finance the initial cash consideration to acquire 100% of the issued share capital of Clarke & Clarke, a placing of a total of 8,947,369 new ordinary shares of 1p each in the Company was announced on 12 October 2016. These shares, which represented approximately 12.9% of the Company's issued ordinary share capital on admission to trading on AIM (excluding treasury shares), were placed at a price of 190.0 pence per share raising proceeds of approximately GBP17,000,000.

On 16 May 2016, 773,393 shares vested under the Company's Long Term Incentive Plan. To satisfy the vesting, 431,788 shares of 1 pence each were allotted at par value.

The market value of shares held by the EBT at 31 January 2018 was GBPnil (2017: GBP10,000). The total number of shares held in the EBT at the year end represented 0% (2017: 0.01%) of the issued shares.

11. Trade and other receivables

 
                                         2018      2017 
 Current                               GBP000    GBP000 
-----------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Trade receivables                     14,497    13,302 
 Less: Provision for impairment of 
  trade receivables                     (353)     (198) 
 Net trade receivables                 14,144    13,104 
 Corporation tax                        1,270       609 
 Other taxes and social security          879        39 
 Other receivables                        400     2,066 
 Marketing materials                    1,963     1,249 
 Prepayments                            2,582     2,441 
-----------------------------------  --------  -------- 
                                       21,238    19,508 
-----------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

Other receivables include the recognition of GBPnil (2017: GBP1,500,000) relating to insurance reimbursement in respect of the Standfast flood received after the year end.

12. Analysis of net funds

 
                                                     Other 
                        1 February                non-cash   31 January 
                              2017   Cash flow     changes         2018 
                            GBP000      GBP000      GBP000       GBP000 
---------------------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ----------- 
 Cash and cash 
  equivalents                1,516       (221)           -        1,295 
 Bank overdraft            (6,626)          68           -      (6,558) 
---------------------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ----------- 
 Cash and cash 
  equivalents 
  and bank overdraft       (5,110)       (153)           -      (5,263) 
---------------------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ----------- 
 
 Term loan due 
  within one year            (199)         200         (1)            - 
 Term loan due                   -           -           -            - 
  after one year 
---------------------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ----------- 
                             (199)         200         (1)            - 
 
 Net debt                  (5,309)          47         (1)      (5,263) 
---------------------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ----------- 
 

Other non-cash changes are capitalisation and amortisation of the issue costs relating to the borrowings.

13. Cash generated from operations

 
                                                  2018       2017 
                                                GBP000     GBP000 
--------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
 Profit before tax                              12,784      6,965 
 Defined benefit pension charge                    573        527 
 Net finance costs                                 680        367 
 Depreciation and impairment of property, 
  plant and equipment                            2,450      2,172 
 Amortisation                                    1,642      1,019 
 Insurance reimbursements                      (2,411)   (12,250) 
 Release of contingent consideration           (4,047)          - 
 Charge for LTIP recognised in equity              434        658 
 LTIP vesting                                    (404)      (664) 
 Unrealised foreign exchange gains 
  included in operating profit                     112         56 
 Defined benefit pension cash contributions    (1,908)    (1,766) 
--------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
 Cash generated / (used in) operating 
  activities 
  pre insurance proceeds                         9,905    (2,916) 
 Insurance proceeds relating to operating 
  activities                                     2,126     13,165 
--------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
 Cash generated from operating activities 
  post insurance proceeds                       12,031     10,249 
 Changes in working capital: 
 Decrease / (increase) in inventories              927    (5,976) 
 (Increase) / decrease in trade and 
  other receivables                            (2,584)      2,728 
 (Decrease) / increase in trade and 
  other payables                               (3,385)      5,380 
 Cash generated from operations                  6,989     12,381 
--------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
 

14. Retirement benefit obligation

Defined benefit schemes

Walker Greenbank PLC operates two defined benefit schemes in the UK which both offer pensions in retirement and death benefits to members: the Walker Greenbank Pension Plan and the Abaris Holdings Limited Pension Scheme. Pension benefits are related to the members' final salary at retirement and their length of service. The schemes are closed to new members and to future accrual of benefits. This disclosure excludes any defined contribution assets and liabilities.

The Group's contributions to the schemes for the year beginning 1 February 2018 are expected to be GBP1,926,000.

 
                                         2018       2017 
                                       GBP000     GBP000 
-----------------------------------  --------  --------- 
 Deficit at beginning of the 
  year                                (7,413)    (4,313) 
 Scheme expenses                        (386)      (392) 
 Interest cost                        (1,976)    (2,199) 
 Expected return on plan assets         1,789      2,064 
 Contributions                          1,907      1,766 
 Return on scheme assets                  440      8,107 
 Actuarial loss from the change 
  in discount factor                  (2,802)   (12,615) 
 Experience adjustments on benefit 
  obligation                              111        169 
 Actuarial gain from the change         1,032          - 
  in demographic assumptions 
 Gross deficit at the end of 
  the year                            (7,298)    (7,413) 
-----------------------------------  --------  --------- 
 

15. Provision for other liabilities and charges

 
                                                              2017 
                                                2018    (Restated) 
 Contingent liability arising on business 
  combination:                                GBP000        GBP000 
------------------------------------------  --------  ------------ 
 At 1 February                                 5,946             - 
 Provision on acquisition of Clarke 
  and Clarke                                       -         5,765 
 Payment of first tranche of contingent      (2,304)             - 
  liability 
 Fair value adjustment to contingent         (4,047)             - 
  liability (note 16) 
 Unwind of discount (note 5)                     405           181 
 At 31 January                                     -         5,946 
------------------------------------------  --------  ------------ 
 
 
                                                              2017 
                                                2018    (Restated) 
 Analysis of total contingent liability:      GBP000        GBP000 
-----------------------------------------  ---------  ------------ 
 Non-current                                       -         3,238 
 Current                                           -         2,708 
-----------------------------------------  ---------  ------------ 
 Total                                             -         5,946 
-----------------------------------------  ---------  ------------ 
 

16. Business combinations

On 12 October 2016, the Group conditionally acquired Clarke & Clarke for an initial cash consideration of GBP25,000,000 and a contingent consideration of up to GBP17,500,000, in aggregate, payable in the Company's shares linked to the performance of the acquired business over a four year period, giving a total potential consideration of up to GBP42,500,000 excluding working capital adjustments. The completion date for the transaction was 31 October 2016.

On 26 June 2017, the Group issued 1,116,586 ordinary share shares of 1 pence each in the Company (the "Consideration Shares") in respect of the first tranche of the performance related earn-out consideration. This first tranche of Consideration Shares has been issued following Clarke & Clarke achieving its variable EBITDA target for the period ended 31 January 2017. The Consideration Shares have been issued at an issue price of 206.25 pence per share (being the average closing price for the Company's Ordinary Shares 10 business days preceding 16 June 2017) and are subject to a 12 month lock-in period.

In accordance with IFRS 3 'Business Combinations', the Directors made an initial assessment of the fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities and contingent consideration, resulting in goodwill of GBP14,736,000 being created in the Balance Sheet.

During the year and within 12 months of the acquisition date, the Directors undertook a review of the provisional fair value of the contingent consideration, with adjustments of GBP617,000 being reflected within the carrying value of goodwill as at the acquisition date.

Also, following finalisation of the Group's tax computations for the year ended 31 January 2017, the purchase consideration for Clarke & Clarke was reassessed in respect of tax reliefs relating to the acquiree's pre-acquisition position resulting in an increase of GBP338,000.

Net adjustments amounting to GBP955,000 have been made to increase the contingent consideration, other payables and respective goodwill and the balance sheet at 31 January 2017 has been restated accordingly. The net assets are unaffected by these adjustments.

The Group remeasures the contingent consideration at fair value at each balance sheet date. As a result of the challenging performance targets and prevailing market conditions, the performance target for the period ended 31 January 2018 has not been achieved. It is not considered likely that the performance targets for the remaining two years will be achieved therefore, there has been a remeasurement of the fair value of this contingent consideration resulting in a GBP4,047,000 credit to the income statement. There has also been a charge of GBP405,000 recognised in respect of the unwind of the contingent consideration payable for Clarke & Clarke. Therefore the estimated fair value of the assumed probability adjusted contingent consideration at 31 January 2018 was GBPnil (2017: GBP5,946,000), which is classified at Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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