RNS Number : 3617V
  Avon Rubber PLC
  28 May 2008
   

    
Avon Rubber p.l.c.

    Strictly embargoed until 07:00 28 May 2008

    Unaudited interim results for the six months ended 31 March 2008

                               31 March 2008  31 March 2007
                                                 (restated)
                                                  £Millions
                                   £Millions
 CONTINUING OPERATIONS
     REVENUE                            23.4           31.2
     OPERATING (LOSS)/PROFIT           (1.9)            0.5
 (LOSS)/PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD          (5.9)            0.1
 (LOSS)/EARNINGS PER SHARE:
     Basic                           (20.7)p         (0.5)p
     Continuing operations            (6.1)p           3.6p



    *     US$112 million US Government multi-year respirator contract confirmed
    *     Continued demand from UK MoD for current generation respirators
    *     Demand for the new C50, FM53 and ST53 respirators and EH15 emergency hood is growing in markets around the world
    *     Dairy business performed well
    *     Aerosol gasket business sold
    *     European mixing facility to close
      
    Commenting on the results, Peter Slabbert, Chief Executive said: "The award of the $112 million, multi-year contract by the US
Government should underpin the Group's return to profitability in the short-term and secure a long-term and growing revenue stream for our
Protection business. Our immediate priority is on increasing our profits through manufacturing efficiencies and cost reductions and
converting significant opportunities for sales of our market leading range of respiratory protection products around the world. 
    The first half year has seen an improved performance from our already successful Dairy business and we expect this to be maintained. We
further expect to secure long-term contracts for our Engineered Fabrications business which will provide benefits in 2009. 
    The Board is confident that the foundations are in place for a period of sustainable and profitable growth."

    For further enquiries, please contact:

 Avon Rubber p.l.c.
 Peter Slabbert, Chief Executive                                 020 7067 0700
                                                                (until 1.00pm)
                                                    From 29 May: 01225 896 831
 Fiona Stewart, Corporate Communications Executive               01225 896 871

 Weber Shandwick Financial
 Richard Hews                                                    020 7067 0700
 Rachel Martin
 Hannah Marwood 

    An analyst meeting will be held at 09:45 for 10:00 am this morning at the offices of 
    Weber Shandwick Financial, Fox Court, 14 Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1X 8WS

    NOTES TO EDITORS:  Avon Rubber p.l.c. is an international polymer engineering group adding value through material, manufacturing and
industry sector expertise. The Group is currently capitalised at approximately £34 million. Avon supplies a range of advanced CBRN
respiratory protection solutions through Avon Protection Systems Inc. to the world's military and police forces, as well as first responders
and emergency services. Avon Rubber p.l.c. owns Avon-ISI, which designs, develops and manufactures a range of SCBA equipment for fire,
rescue and law enforcement, as well as military applications. Avon Rubber p.l.c. also owns Avon Engineered Fabrications manufacturing
products including hovercraft skirting and flexible storage tanks and a world leading dairy business manufacturing dairy liners and tubing.
      Interim statement

    INTRODUCTION
    The delayed award by the US Government of the $112 million production contract for the M50 respirator announced on 19 May was welcome
news for the Group. In the period to 31 March 2008, our Dairy business performed well, but in our Protection & Defence business, the delay
in the M50 full rate production order and production difficulties in producing filters at the new Cadillac facility, contributed to a
disappointing overall operating loss of £1.9m (2007: £0.5m profit). We have completed the lengthy strategic refocusing of our business to
two sectors, Protection & Defence and Dairy with the sale of our aerosol gasket business announced in February and the decision to close our
European mixing plant which was announced in January.

    RESULTS
    Revenue from continuing operations fell in the half year to £23.4m (2007: £31.2m) despite increased revenues from the Dairy business.
We incurred an operating loss of £1.9m (2007: £0.5m profit) on these revenues. Net interest was unchanged at £0.4m and the non cash
finance credit on our net retirement benefit surplus reduced to £0.6m (2007: £1.3m) due to changed actuarial assumptions. This resulted in
a loss before tax of £1.8m (2007: £1.3m profit) and after a tax credit of £0.1m (2007: £nil) the Group incurred a loss for the period
from continuing operations of £1.7m (2007: £1.3m profit).

    A loss of £4.2m (2007: £1.2m) was incurred on discontinued operations, including £0.6m attributable to the loss on disposal of the
aerosol gasket business and £2.6m to the closure of the mixing plant. The Group loss for the period was £5.9m (2007: £0.1m profit). The
basic loss per share was 20.7p (2007: 0.5p) and the loss per share from continuing operations was 6.1p (2007: 3.6p earnings per share).

    Net debt increased from £10.4m at the 2007 year end to £13.5m at 31 March 2008. Inventories in particular increased during the period
as we manufactured product and bought raw materials in anticipation of increased revenues in the second half of the year. Operating
activities absorbed £2.3m (2007: £4.2m) resulting from the loss incurred and working capital which increased by £0.9 million in the
continuing operations. The net proceeds from the sale of the aerosol gasket business of £1.6m and further asset sales generated net cash
from investing activities of £0.7m (2007: cash outflow of £3.4m) after capital expenditure of £1.3m (2007: £3.4m). This reduced level of
capital expenditure follows the high spend in the past few years on both the development of new products and the Cadillac facility. 
      
    PROTECTION & DEFENCE
    The delay in the award of the M50 long-term production contract initially anticipated in the early part of this calendar year had a
significant negative impact on the new Cadillac facility. The growth of this business, however, is now underpinned by this order for 100,000
respirators per year, which we expect will be supplemented by a further contract option allowing for potential additional volumes of 200,000
per annum for a period of up to 10 years. We expect these mask systems orders to be supplemented by significant filter and spares orders.
    Difficulties with producing filters supplied with M50 respirators on the low rate initial production order contributed to cost overruns
in the new Cadillac facility which delayed delivery of complete systems to the customer. Good progress has been made on resolving these
production problems and the balance of this order will now be shipped in the early part of the second half of the year. While we are
currently production capable, we have to invest heavily - at short term cost - in order to ensure consistency and quality of output which
will benefit us over the 10 to 15 year production life of this new product range.
    The performance of the Avon Engineered Fabrications business in Mississippi was affected by delays to new long-term contracts due to
factors outside our control. These orders are still expected although the timing is uncertain. 
    At Avon-ISI, which supplies self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), the new US National Fire Protection Association approved Z Seven
SCBA has been well received by the market. Following the delayed approval in October and a period of sample production and evaluation, we
have experienced a significant level of enquiries and orders towards the end of the financial half year. Our UK Protection business
benefited from continuing demand from the UK MoD and performed satisfactorily. Their focus includes selling our full range of respiratory
protection products to markets around the world and the level of enquiry and opportunity indicates high potential demand for our new C50,
FM53 and ST53 respirators and EH15 emergency hood.

    Total revenues for the division were £12.2m (2007: £19.3m) incurring an operating loss of £3.4m (2007: £0.8m). In preparation for
future volume growth our current cost base is significantly underutilised and the contribution from incremental revenues will therefore
directly impact future operating profits. 

    DAIRY
    The healthy profit and cashflows from our Dairy business continue to underpin the Group's performance. Revenues increased by 12.1% to
£10.8m (2007: £9.7m) with improvement in both the US and European businesses. Higher milk prices and growth in sales of our own branded
products, particularly into new markets such as China, were both positive factors. Despite higher input costs driven in particular by the
oil price, we saw some benefit from lower overhead costs in our UK production facility resulting in a higher operating profit of £1.8m
(2007: £1.3m).

    DIVIDENDS
    In view of the below expectation first half year results together with the Group's short-term working capital funding requirement as we
build up to full production volumes on the US Government contract,  the Board feels it is prudent not to pay an interim dividend for this
year. It is our intention to resume dividend payments as soon as the trading results and liquidity position allow us to do so.

    BOARD AND MANAGEMENT CHANGES
    Terry Stead stood down as Chief Executive on 21 April 2008 and has been succeeded by Peter Slabbert, previously Group Finance Director
and acting head of rest of world sales for the Protection business. A new Finance Director will be appointed in due course and we are also
taking steps to strengthen the sales and marketing function. This, together with the appointment of David Evans as a Non-Executive Director,
means that the Group's restructuring is largely complete and we now have an excellent team experienced in the high value added Protection &
Defence and Dairy businesses who are closely focused on delivering the benefits from the substantial opportunities in these markets. 

    OUTLOOK
    The award of the $112 million, multi-year contract by the US Government should underpin the Group's return to profitability in the
short-term and secure a long-term and growing revenue stream for our Protection business. Our immediate priority is on increasing our
profits through manufacturing efficiencies and cost reductions and converting significant opportunities for sales of our market leading
range of respiratory protection products around the world. 

    The first half year has seen an improved performance from our already successful Dairy business and we expect this to be maintained. We
further expect to secure long-term contracts for our Engineered Fabrications business which will provide benefits in 2009. 

    The Board is confident that the foundations are in place for a period of sustainable and profitable growth. 

    
    Statement of Directors' responsibilities
    The Interim Report and Accounts is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the Directors. The Directors are responsible for
preparing the Interim Report and Accounts in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial
Services Authority. The Disclosure and Transparency Rules ('DTR') require that the accounting policies and presentation applied to the
half-yearly figures must be consistent with those applied in the latest published annual accounts, except where the accounting policies and
presentation are to be changed in the subsequent annual accounts, in which case the new accounting policies and presentation should be
followed, and the changes and the reasons for the changes should be disclosed in the Interim Report and Accounts, unless the United Kingdom
Financial Services Authority agrees otherwise. 

    The Directors confirm that this condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with the International Accounting
Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union, and that the interim management report herein includes a fair
review of the information required by DTR4.2.7 and DTR 4.2.8. 



    Miles Ingrey-Counter
    Company Secretary
      Independent review report to Avon Rubber p.l.c.
    Introduction
    We have been engaged by the company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six
months ended 31 March 2008, which comprises the consolidated income statement, consolidated balance sheet, consolidated statement of
recognised income and expense, consolidated cash flow statement and related notes. We have read the other information contained in the
half-yearly financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information
in the condensed set of financial statements.
    Directors' responsibilities
    The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for
preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial
Services Authority.
    As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the group are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European
Union. The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with
International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting", as adopted by the European Union.
    Our responsibility
    Our responsibility is to express to the company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial
report based on our review. This report, including the conclusion, has been prepared for and only for the company for the purpose of the
Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority and for no other purpose. We do not, in producing this report, accept
or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save
where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.
    Scope of review
    We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, 'Review of Interim
Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United
Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and
accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in
accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would
become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.
    Conclusion
    Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the
half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 31 March 2008 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with
International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by the European Union and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's
Financial Services Authority.
    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants
Bristol   28 May 2008
      
    Consolidated Income Statement

                                       Half year to  Half year to               Year to
                                          31 Mar 08     31 Mar 07             30 Sep 07
                                        (unaudited)    (unaudited        (unaudited and
                                 Note                         and             restated)
                                                        restated)                 £'000
                                              £'000         £'000
 Continuing operations
 Revenue                            3        23,385        31,191                60,287
 Cost of sales                             (19,808)      (24,652)              (46,994)
 Gross profit                                 3,577         6,539                13,293
 Operating expenses                         (5,526)       (6,081)              (11,457)
 Operating (loss)/profit from     3,4       (1,949)           458                 1,836
 continuing operations
 Finance income                     5             3             -                   114
 Finance costs                      5         (451)         (417)                 (915)
 Other finance income               5           566         1,251                 2,489
 (Loss)/profit before tax                   (1,831)         1,292                 3,524
 Taxation                           6           109            17                 (717)
 (Loss)/profit for the period               (1,722)         1,309                 2,807
 from continuing operations
 Discontinued operations
 Loss for the period from           7       (4,166)       (1,171)               (1,712)
 discontinued operations
 (Loss)/profit for the period               (5,888)           138                 1,095
 Profit attributable to                           5           273                     1
 minority interest
 (Loss)/profit attributable to              (5,893)         (135)                 1,094
 equity shareholders
                                            (5,888)           138                 1,095
 (Loss)/earnings per share          9
 expressed in pence per share
 Basic                                       (20.7)         (0.5)                   3.9
 Diluted                                     (20.7)         (0.5)                   3.8
 (Loss)/earnings per share from
 continuing operations
 Basic                                        (6.1)           3.6                  10.1
 Diluted                                      (6.1)           3.5                   9.8



    Consolidated Statement of Recognised Income and Expense

                                         Half year to  Half year to      Year to
                                            31 Mar 08     31 Mar 07    30 Sep 07
                                          (unaudited)   (unaudited)  (unaudited)
                                                £'000         £'000        £'000
 (Loss)/profit for the financial period       (5,888)           138        1,095
 Actuarial gain recognised in                   9,323         5,527       26,187
 retirement benefit schemes
 Movement on deferred tax relating to         (2,611)             -      (4,606)
 retirement benefit schemes
 Net exchange differences offset in               583       (1,610)      (2,441)
 reserves
 Net gains not recognised in income             7,295         3,917       19,140
 statement
 Total recognised income for the period         1,407         4,055       20,235
 Attributable to:
 Equity shareholders                            1,402         3,782       20,234
 Minority interest                                  5           273            1
 Total recognised income for the period         1,407         4,055       20,235

      Consolidated Balance Sheet
                                         Half year to  Half year to      Year to
                                            31 Mar 08     31 Mar 07    30 Sep 07
                                          (unaudited)   (unaudited)  (unaudited)
                                   Note         £'000         £'000        £'000
 Assets
 Non-current assets
 Goodwill                                       5,705         5,294        5,511
 Intangible assets                             11,317        12,086       11,794
 Property, plant and equipment                 18,700        21,247       20,041
 Deferred tax assets                              334         1,053          334
 Retirement benefit assets                     26,300             -       16,380
                                               62,356        39,680       54,060
 Current assets
 Inventories                                   14,346        12,929       11,526
 Trade and other receivables                   10,518        16,889       12,773
 Cash and cash equivalents                        710         1,876          957
                                               25,574        31,694       25,256
 Assets classified as held for                      -             -        2,173
 sale
                                               25,574        31,694       27,429
 Liabilities
 Current liabilities
 Financial liabilities
 - Borrowings                                  14,245        11,906       11,393
 - Derivative financial                             -            15            -
 instruments
 Trade and other payables                      15,364        19,011       13,906
 Deferred tax liabilities                         265             -          265
 Current tax liabilities                          350           621          744
                                               30,224        31,553       26,308
 Liabilities directly associated
 with assets classified as held                     -             -        1,707
 for sale
                                               30,224        31,553       28,015
 Net current (liabilities)/assets             (4,650)           141        (586)
 Non-current liabilities
 Deferred tax liabilities                       8,862         2,260        6,251
 Retirement benefit obligations                   656         7,712        1,730
 Provision for liabilities and       10         4,600         2,880        2,037
 charges
                                               14,118        12,852       10,018
 Net assets                                    43,588        26,969       43,456
 Shareholders' equity
 Ordinary shares                     11        29,141        28,340       29,125
 Share premium                                 34,708        34,212       34,707
 Capital redemption reserve                       500           500          500
 Translation reserve                          (2,061)       (1,814)      (2,644)
 Profit and loss account                     (19,262)      (35,059)     (18,789)
 Equity shareholders' funds          12        43,026        26,179       42,899
 Minority interests (equity                       562           790          557
 interests)
 Total equity                                  43,588        26,969       43,456



    Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
                                       Half year to  Half year to      Year to
                                          31 Mar 08     31 Mar 07    30 Sep 07
                                        (unaudited)   (unaudited)  (unaudited)
                                 Note         £'000         £'000        £'000
 Cash flows from operating
 activities
 Cash used in operations           13       (1,735)       (3,762)      (1,894)
 Finance income received                          3             -          114
 Finance costs paid                           (483)         (258)        (896)
 Tax paid                                      (93)         (178)        (438)
 Net cash used in operating                 (2,308)       (4,198)      (3,114)
 activities
 Cash flows from investing
 activities
 Proceeds from sale of              7         1,571             -            -
 operations
 Proceeds from sale of                          413             3           14
 property, plant and equipment
 Purchase of property, plant                  (908)       (2,032)      (2,874)
 and equipment
 Purchase of intangible assets                (367)       (1,408)      (2,445)
 Net cash generated from/(used                  709       (3,437)      (5,305)
 in) investing activities
 Cash flows from financing
 activities
 Net proceeds from issue of                      17            86        1,441
 ordinary share capital
 Net movements in loans                       5,037         3,921      (2,488)
 Dividends paid to shareholders             (1,367)       (1,326)      (2,353)
 Net cash generated from/(used                3,687         2,681      (3,400)
 in) financing activities 
 Net increase/(decrease) in                   2,088       (4,954)     (11,819)
 cash and cash equivalents
 Cash and cash equivalents at               (5,037)         6,893        6,893
 beginning of the period
 Effects of exchange rate                      (20)          (63)        (111)
 changes
 Cash and cash equivalents at      14       (2,969)         1,876      (5,037)
 end of the period


      
    Notes to the Interim Financial Statements

    1.    Basis of preparation
    This condensed consolidated half-yearly financial information for the half-year ended 31 March 2008 has been prepared in accordance with
the Disclosures and Transparency rules of the Financial Services Authority and with IAS 34, 'Interim financial reporting' as adopted by the
European Union. The half-yearly condensed consolidated financial report should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements
for the year ended 30 September 2008, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union.
    These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 27 May 2008.

    2.    Accounting policies
    The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those of the annual financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2007, as
described in those financial statements.
    Recent accounting developments
    The following standards, amendments and interpretations have been issued by the International Accounting Standards Board or by the IFRIC
but have not yet been adopted. Subject to endorsement by the European Union, these will be adopted in future periods. IFRS 8 has been
endorsed, and the other standards, amendments and interpretations are being considered for endorsement.
    *     IFRS 8 'Operating segments'
    *     IAS 23 'Borrowing costs' (revised)
    *     IFRIC 12 'Service concession arrangements'
    *     IFRIC 13 'Customer loyalty programmes'
    *     IAS 27 'Consolidated and separate financial statements' (revised)
    *     IFRS 3 'Business combinations' (revised)

       3.    Segmental analysis
    Due to the differing natures of the products and their markets, Avon Rubber p.l.c.'s primary reporting segment is by business sector.
The secondary reporting format comprises the geographical segments by origin.

                                 Half year to              Half year to                   Year to
                                    31 Mar 08                 31 Mar 07                 30 Sep 07
                                  (unaudited)  (unaudited and restated)  (unaudited and restated)
                                                                  £'000                     £'000

                                        £'000
 Revenue by business sector
 Protection and Defence                12,243                    19,327                    37,838
 Dairy                                 10,842                     9,670                    19,071
 Other Engineered Products                300                     2,194                     3,378
                                       23,385                    31,191                    60,287
 Operating profit by business
 sector
 Protection and Defence               (3,406)                     (794)                   (1,037)
 Dairy                                  1,799                     1,281                     2,975
 Other Engineered Products              (342)                      (29)                     (102)
                                      (1,949)                       458                     1,836
 Revenue by origin
 Europe                                 5,890                     8,659                    16,923
 North America                         17,495                    22,532                    43,364
                                       23,385                    31,191                    60,287
    

4.    Operating profit

    The following items of unusual nature have been credited to operating profit.
                                       Half year to  Half year to      Year to
                                          31 Mar 08     31 Mar 07    30 Sep 07
                                        (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)
                                              £'000         £'000        £'000
 Settlement of legal claims                     376             -            -
 Cancellation of USA post retirement            505             -            -
 medical scheme


    A scheme which provided post retirement medical benefits to certain former employees of previously disposed businesses has now been
terminated.  
    5.    Interest and similar charges
                            Half year to  Half Year to      Year to
                               31 Mar 08     31 Mar 07    30 Sep 07
                             (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)
                                   £'000         £'000        £'000
 Bank loans and overdrafts         (451)         (416)        (914)
 Other interest charges                -           (1)          (1)
 Total interest payable            (451)         (417)        (915)
 Interest receivable                   3             -          114
                                   (448)         (417)        (801)


    Other finance income represents the excess of the expected return on pension plan assets over the interest cost relating to retirement
benefit obligations.
                                       Half year to  Half year to      Year to
                                          31 Mar 08     31 Mar 07    30 Sep 07
                                        (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)
                                              £'000         £'000        £'000
 Interest cost: UK Scheme                   (6,799)       (6,432)     (12,863)
 Expected return on plan assets: UK           7,446         7,752       15,479
 Scheme
 Other finance cost: USA Scheme                (81)          (69)        (127)
                                                566         1,251        2,489


    6.    Taxation
    The split of the tax (credit)/charge between UK and overseas is as follows:

                 Half year to  Half year to      Year to
                    31 Mar 08     31 Mar 07    30 Sep 07
                  (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)
                        £'000         £'000        £'000
 United Kingdom           167             -           88
 Overseas               (276)          (17)          629
                        (109)          (17)          717


    7.    Results from discontinued operations
                                 Half year to          Half year to                   Year to
                                    31 Mar 08             31 Mar 07                 30 Sep 07
                                  (Unaudited)        (Unaudited and  (Unaudited and restated)
                                                          restated)                     £'000
                                                              £'000
                                        £'000
 Revenue                                5,754                 6,558                    13,434
 Operating loss from                  (3,612)               (1,171)                   (1,712)
 discontinued operations
 Operating loss is analysed as:
 Before exceptional items             (1,021)               (1,171)                   (1,712)
 Exceptional operating items          (2,591)                     -                         -
 Loss on disposal                       (554)                     -                         -
 Loss for the period from             (4,166)               (1,171)                   (1,712)
 discontinued operations


    Discontinued operations consist of the UK mixing operation, which the company has announced is being closed during the financial year
and the UK aerosol gasket operation which was sold on 4 March 2008 to Crosslinks Limited.

    2007 numbers have been restated to include the revenues and losses of these businesses.

    Assets and liabilities directly attributable to the UK mixing operation, shown on the September 2007 balance sheet as held for sale have
now been reclassified as the operation will now be closed.

    The loss on disposal resulting from the sale of the aerosol gasket operation has been calculated as follows:

                                        £'000    £'000
 Proceeds from sale                              2,091
 Costs associated with sale                      (179)
                                                 1,912
 Assets and liabilities disposed of:
 Property, plant and equipment        (1,074)
 Intangible assets                      (251)
 Inventory                              (476)
 Trade and other receivables          (1,027)
 Trade and other payables                 362
                                               (2,466)
 Loss on disposal                                (554)



    £1,750,000 was received on completion of the sale on 4 March 2008, £341,000 deferred consideration is included in trade and other
receivables in the interim balance sheet.


    8.    Dividends

    The Directors are proposing that no interim dividend will be paid in respect of the half year ending 31 March 2008.

      
    9.    Loss per share

    Basic loss per share is based on a loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of £5,893,000 (2007: £135,000) and 28,472,000 (2007:
27,637,000) ordinary shares being the weighted average of the shares in issue during the period on which dividends are paid.

    Loss per share from continuing operations is based on a loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of £1,727,000 (2007: 1,036,000
profit).

    Loss per share from discontinued operations amounts to 14.6p (2007: 4.1p) and is based on a loss of £4,166,000 (2007: £1,171,000).

    The company has dilutive potential ordinary shares in respect of the Sharesave Option Scheme and the Performance Share Plan. The diluted
loss per share is not materially different to the basic loss per share.


    10.    Provisions for liabilities and charges


                                 Reorganisation provision  Automotive disposal £'000  Total
                                                    £'000                             £'000
                                                                                           
 Opening balance 1 October 2006                     1,526                      1,900  3,426
 Payments in the period                             (546)                          -  (546)
 At 31 March 2007                                     980                      1,900  2,880
 Opening balance 1 October 2007                       737                      1,300  2,037
 Charged to income statement                        2,591                          -  2,591
 (Payments)/receipts in the                         (480)                        452   (28)
 period
 At 31 March 2008                                   2,848                      1,752  4,600



    11.    Share capital

                                     Number of shares  Ordinary shares  Share premium £'000
                                          (thousands)            £'000                        Total
                                                                                              £'000
 Opening balance 1 October 2006                28,275           28,275               34,191  62,466
 Proceeds from shares issued                       64               64                   21      85
 pursuant to option schemes
 At 31 March 2007                              28,339           28,339               34,212  62,551
 Opening balance 1 October 2007                29,125           29,125               34,707  63,832
 Proceeds from shares issued                       16               16                    1      17
 pursuant to option schemes
 At 31 March 2008                              29,141           29,141               34,708  63,849


    12.    Changes in equity

                                       Half year to  Half year to      Year to
                                          31 Mar 08     31 Mar 07    30 Sep 07
                                        (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)
                                              £'000         £'000        £'000
 At the beginning of the period              42,899        23,514       23,514
 Loss for the period attributable to        (5,893)         (135)        1,094
 equity shareholders
 Dividends paid                             (1,367)       (1,326)      (2,353)
 Actuarial gain recognised in                 9,323         5,527       26,187
 retirement benefit schemes
 Movement on deferred tax relating to       (2,611)             -      (4,606)
 retirement benefit liabilities
 Net exchange differences offset in             583       (1,610)      (2,441)
 reserves
 New share capital subscribed                    17            85        1,366
 Movement in respect of employee                 75           124          138
 share schemes
 At the end of the period                    43,026        26,179       42,899


    13.    Cash generated from operations 

                                 Half year to          Half year to                   Year to
                                    31 Mar 08             31 Mar 07                 30 Sep 07
                                  (Unaudited)        (Unaudited and  (Unaudited and restated)
                                                          restated)                     £'000
                                                              £'000
                                        £'000
 Continuing operations
 (Loss)/profit for the                (1,722)                 1,309                     2,807
 financial period
 Adjustments for:
 Tax                                    (109)                  (17)                       717
 Depreciation                           1,077                 1,018                     1,994
 Impairment of fixed assets                 -                     -                       250
 Amortisation and impairment of           829                   444                     1,054
 intangibles
 Net interest expense                     448                   417                       801
 Other finance income                   (566)               (1,251)                   (2,489)
 Loss on disposal of property,             31                     4                         -
 plant and equipment
 Movements in working capital           (918)               (3,808)                   (5,663)
 and provisions
 Other movements                      (1,030)                    16                     (245)
 Cash used in continuing              (1,960)               (1,868)                     (774)
 operations
 Discontinued operations
 Loss for the financial period        (4,166)               (1,171)                   (1,712)
 Adjustments for:
 Depreciation                             169                    91                       189
 Loss on sale of discontinued             554                     -                         -
 operations
 Movements in working capital           3,668                 (814)                       403
 provisions
 Cash generated from/(used in)            225               (1,894)                   (1,120)
 discontinued operations
 Cash used in operations              (1,735)               (3,762)                   (1,894)

    
 
    14.    Analysis of net debt

                                    As at                      Exchange movements        As at
                                 30 Sep 07  Cash flow £'000                 £'000    31 Mar 08
                                     £'000                                               £'000
 Cash at bank and in hand              791             (91)                    10          710
 Overdrafts                        (5,994)            2,347                  (32)      (3,679)
 Current asset investments             166            (168)                     2            -
 classified as cash equivalents
 Cash and cash equivalents         (5,037)            2,088                  (20)      (2,969)
 Debt due within 1 year            (5,399)          (5,037)                 (130)     (10,566)
                                  (10,436)          (2,949)                 (150)     (13,535)


    Borrowing facilities

                                     Total
                                    facili  Utilised  Undrawn
                                        ty
                                     £'000     £'000    £'000
 United Kingdom                     16,450    14,177    2,273
 North America                       2,138        68    2,070
 Utilised in respect of guarantees     377       377        -
                                    18,965    14,622    4,343



    All of the above facilities are subject to annual review, periodic covenant testing and have commitment periods which end within the
next twelve months. Since the period end the level of the bank facility in the United Kingdom has been increased to £17,500,000.

    15.    Seasonality

    Seasonal fluctuations have no material impact on the company's revenues.

    16.     Copies of this announcement are available for download at www.avon-rubber.com. Further enquiries should be directed to the
company's registered office at Hampton Park West, Semington Road, Melksham, Wiltshire, SN12 6NB, England. Email: enquiries@avon-rubber.com.



This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
  END 
 
IR ARMRTMMITBMP

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