TIDMBILN
RNS Number : 0243B
Billington Holdings PLC
18 September 2018
18 September 2018
Billington Holdings Plc
("Billington", "the Group" or "the Company")
Interim Results
Billington Holdings Plc (AIM: BILN), one of the UK's leading
structural steel and construction safety solutions specialists,
today announces its Interim Results for the six months ended 30
June 2018.
Unaudited six Unaudited Percentage
months to 30 six months Movement
June 2018 to 30 June
2017
Revenue GBP39.39m GBP34.29m 14.9%
-------------- ------------ -----------
EBITDA GBP2.54m GBP2.90m (12.4%)
-------------- ------------ -----------
Profit before tax GBP1.94m GBP2.24m (13.4%)
-------------- ------------ -----------
Cash and cash equivalents GBP7.56m GBP6.81m 11.0%
-------------- ------------ -----------
Earnings per share from continuing
operations 12.80p 14.90p (14.1%)
-------------- ------------ -----------
Dividend paid in the period 11.50p 10.00p 15.0%
-------------- ------------ -----------
Overview:
-- The Group has experienced a busy first half of the year with
revenues increasing 14.9 per cent to GBP39.39 million compared to
the first half of 2017.
-- All Group companies have performed well over the period, with
Peter Marshall Steel Stairs and hoard-it having a particularly
positive first six months of the year.
-- The macro-economic environment and movements in raw material
prices led to pressures on margins in the first half.
-- A strong forward order book and contract visibility into
early 2019 indicates a positive performance in the second half of
the year and Billington expects to meet market expectations for the
full year.
-- Good progress continues to be made at the Shafton site and
its planned adaptation programme is delivering capacity and
efficiency benefits.
Mark Smith, Chief Executive, commented:
"I am pleased to deliver this solid set of Interim Results.
Overall, the Group has experienced an extremely busy first half of
the year, which is reflected in an increase in revenue to GBP39.39
million. Group companies have seen an increase in productivity,
continued expansion and have carried out a diverse range and scope
of projects during the period.
"The investment and adaptation programme for Shafton, which is
part of Billington's growth strategy, is progressing well. The
programme will continue to enable Billington to increase the
capacity and efficiency of its structural steel division and
provide the opportunity for the Company to diversify into
complimentary processes, which is an exciting proposition.
"During the period, the Company was subject to movements in
steel prices and a tightening of profit margins. However,
Billington currently has a good forward order book and has secured
a number of large, high quality projects to be undertaken in the
second half of 2018, as well as exciting prospects for early 2019.
This, together with continued market improvements, puts Billington
in a robust position for the rest of 2018 and the Company expects
to meet its full year forecast."
For further information please contact:
Billington Holdings Plc
Tel: 01226 340 666
Mark Smith, Chief Executive
Trevor Taylor, Finance Director
Blytheweigh Tel: 020 7138 3204
Tim Blythe
Megan Ray
Rachael Brooks
W H Ireland Limited
Tel: 0161 819 8875
Katy Mitchell
Ed Allsopp
Chief Executive Statement
Introduction
All Group companies at Billington have experienced a busy start
to the year and it has been a solid first half for the Company,
with a high number of projects being undertaken and revenues
increasing by 14.9 per cent to GBP39.39 million.
At the start of 2018, and in line with industry trends,
Billington encountered increased levels of competition, which
accompanied by movements in raw material prices, sterling exchange
rates and uncertainties surrounding Brexit, resulted in increased
pressure on margins. However, the Board is pleased with the Group's
performance to date and is encouraged by the continued signs of
growth within the industry; this is supported by industry data that
indicates that the outlook for the UK construction market remains
positive in the medium term.
For the remainder of 2018 Billington has strong order books
across all Group companies. Therefore, the Company expects to see a
more profitable second half of 2018 and a positive start to
2019.
The Group has also made great progress with its refurbishment
and adaptation programme at the Shafton facility, which will
continue to increase its capacity, efficiencies and diversity.
Group Companies
Billington Structures and Shafton Steel Services
Billington Structures is a nationally recognised, award-winning
steelwork contractor with over 70 years' experience. With three
sites in Barnsley and Bristol, the company designs, fabricates and
erects structural steel across all sectors of the UK market.
The Shafton facility, acquired in 2015, is located in Barnsley
and separated into two business areas. The first carries out
activities for Billington Structures and the second, Shafton Steel
Services, offers a wide range of steel processing and profiling
services to a comprehensive and diverse range of external
engineering companies.
As a result of an increase in the number of tenders secured,
Billington Structures has had a very busy period with high levels
of activity, which has seen all sites operating at almost full
capacity. This has led to an element of outsourcing to achieve work
timelines. However, Billington is now three years into its
five-year expansion programme to deliver increased capacity at the
Shafton facility.
The company successfully undertook a number of projects in the
first half of the year, performing particularly well in the regions
including Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol and Cambridge as
well as in London. Moving forward the company continues to see good
prospects in these areas. Projects carried out in the period
include Coventry Leisure Centre, two distribution projects for Aldi
in Sawley and Darlington, and a prestigious project for the London
School of Economics.
The second half of the year promises similar levels of output as
that experienced in the first half, however management anticipates
that the level of margin on projects the company will be completing
in the second half of the year to show some progression. Billington
Structures has a solid order book through to the end of 2018, as
well as a number of exciting opportunities spanning into 2019.
Shafton has had an encouraging start to the year, completing
work for its own clients and offering capacity to the high volume
of work at Billington Structures. Over the period, the company has
been able to facilitate contracts of a higher specification, which
in turn have the ability to help drive improvements in the Group's
financial performance.
At Shafton, the new state-of-the-art machinery is now
commissioned and fully operational. In order to complete
Billington's planned adaptation programme by 2020, the company
continues to make further investments into refurbishments and
renovations to optimise the facility and improve the quality of the
site. The Group also continues to investigate additional
opportunities that are expected to further increase capacity and
efficiencies, as well as provide the ability to diversify into
complementary processes.
Peter Marshall Steel Stairs
Peter Marshall Steel Stairs is a specialist company engaged in
the design, fabrication and installation of highly engineered
steelwork, staircases and balustrade systems.
The company has had an exceptional start to the year, carrying
out a diverse range and scope of projects for a number of high
profile clients. Projects carried out in the period included a
large multistorey structure in Liverpool Street, London and
continued work for Westfield at a number of their retail shopping
sites.
During the period, Peter Marshall Steel Stairs underwent an
office refurbishment programme that will enable the company to
increase its resources and flexibility as prospects develop for
projects in 2019. Following this profitable first six months, the
company expects to replicate this success in the second half with a
solid workload.
easi-edge
easi-edge is a leading safety solutions provider that primarily
supplies perimeter edge protection and fall prevention systems to
the Main Contractor and Fabricator markets.
easi-edge has maintained and further improved its product
utilisation since the start of the year and has shown a consistent
improvement in its level of hire. The company expects this higher
volume of work to continue throughout the second half of the year,
consequently delivering a busier and stronger period.
The company's programme to refurbish its barrier fleet remains
ongoing with high levels of stock utilisation. Due to increasing
demand, the company will continue to expand the current fleet of
barriers and as a result, expects capital expenditure to exceed
initial estimates. Moving forward, the company maintains its
ambition to diversify its portfolio of products and develop
complimentary services to easi-edge.
hoard-it
hoard-it, which provides reusable and eco-friendly site hoarding
solutions on a hire and sale basis, has had a very positive start
to the year. Following the restructure of the management team and
its renewed focus on sales and client development, the company is
enjoying an outstanding level of activity that has resulted in
record sales over recent months. hoard-it has a strong order book
that will see the second half of the year continue to deliver
throughout the remainder of 2018. Consequently, a rise in capital
expenditure is expected due to this achievement.
Results
Revenue and Profit Before Tax
Group revenue increased by 14.9 per cent over the period to
GBP39.39 million, exceeding the Company's estimated performance
target for the six months ended 30 June 2018 by over five per cent.
This increase has been a result of the high levels of work
delivered across all Group companies. Billington expects to achieve
a similar output in the second half of the year, supported by the
Group's strong order book and an increasing number of opportunities
in the pipeline.
Despite this increase in revenue, Billington's profit before tax
for the period was GBP1.94 million compared to GBP2.24 million for
the same period of 2017. Although the Group has had a busy first
six months, due to the macro-economic environment and with
increasing levels of competition, which together with the added
capacity in the industry following increasing investments in
automation, has had a short-term impact on tender pricing.
Consistent sustained increases in the price of raw materials have
added to margin pressures. However, positive developments in the
industry were seen towards the end of the first quarter and into to
the second half of the year, with margin levels improving. With
large, prestigious contracts in the pipeline, Billington expects
there to be an increase in profits for the second half of the
year.
Group Operating Profit
The Group operating profit for the six months ended 30 June 2018
was GBP1.96 million compared to GBP2.27 million in 2017. This is,
again due to tighter margins at the beginning of the year. Since
the first quarter of 2018, the Group has seen a bounce back in
market indices, an increase in industry sentiment, improved margins
and expects confidence within the market to grow over the second
half of 2018.
Earnings per Share
Earnings per share for continued operations for the first half
of the year was 12.80 pence (2017: 14.90 pence).
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Group's gross cash and cash equivalents increased 11.0 per
cent during the period to GBP7.56 million from GBP6.81 million in
2017. Billington expects higher cash generation in the second half
of the year, reinforced by a solid order book that should maintain
high levels of business.
Dividend
At the end of the previous reporting year, the Group once again
increased its annual dividend to 11.50 pence as a result of another
very busy and successful year. This was duly paid in the
period.
Awards
Over the period, Billington has been recognised for its efforts
in delivering high quality projects. Its work on the Coventry
Leisure Centre and Water Park development won two awards at the UK
Tekla Awards: Sports and Recreation Project category and the Public
Vote. Additionally, the Company won Insider Media's Made in
Yorkshire Awards for Manufacturing Apprenticeship/Training
Scheme.
At the start of the second half of the year, Billington
Structures was shortlisted within the top ten of the Construction
Enquirer Awards for both Best Specialist Contractor to Work With
and Best Specialist Contractor to Work For (over GBP25 million). In
addition, Billington Structures has been listed as a finalist in
the Building Awards 2018 for Specialist Contractor of the Year, and
the Company's work on the Greenwich Peninsula Energy Centre has
been shortlisted for the 2018 Structural Steel Design Awards. The
results for all these awards will be announced later this year.
Board and Employees
The Group has maintained a strong workforce across its companies
and continues in its efforts to invest in its people, their skills
and knowledge.
The Company is proud to be an advocate of promoting careers
within the structural steel industry, especially as a tight labour
force remains a concern in the sector. It provides successful
training and apprenticeship programmes and offers opportunities to
its staff, as well as partnering and sponsoring local schools,
colleges and universities in order to help maintain a highly
skilled and proficient workforce.
Prospects and Outlook
Billington has had a good start to the year and the Company has
a strong outlook for the rest of 2018. The Company has an increased
number of larger, higher quality projects in the order book, as
well as many good prospects in the pipeline moving into 2019.
Additionally, the Group expects to experience a more profitable
second half of the year and therefore will meet the markets' full
year expectations.
Over the period, there was still caution in the industry,
especially due to ongoing uncertainties surrounding the UK's
departure from the European Union. Fluctuations in the price of the
primary raw materials used to produce steel continue to have an
impact on the Group. The Company continues to monitor developments
with trade tariffs and other influencing factors impacting the
market price of the Company's raw materials and aims to mitigate
these wherever possible. Billington prides itself on strong partner
relationships with its supply chain, and these relationships have
enabled the Company to manage turbulent raw material input prices
by using forward pricing instruments, thus providing an increased
degree of certainty for projects the Group will be completing in
the second half of the year.
2017 saw the total construction market output increase seven per
cent from 2016 with the level of output in 2017 being approximately
12 per cent higher than the pre-recession level noted in 2007. The
first quarter of this year saw a slowdown in output, however, it is
important to note that the Company has still been extremely busy
and has performed well over the period. More recently, market
sentiment, activity levels and related market data have shown signs
of improvement and the outlook for the construction market remains
positive in the medium term. Therefore, Billington is optimistic on
delivering a positive second half, with additional growth expected
to be seen within the structural steelwork industry in 2019 through
to 2022.
Billington remains on track with its growth strategy and
adaptation programme at the Shafton facility, having reached the
halfway point of its projected timeline. The refurbishments and
renovations will provide the Group with the added capacity to
deliver market demand and improve efficiencies, as well as
providing the opportunity for Billington to diversify into
complimentary processes.
Finally, I would like to take the chance to thank Billington's
Board, employees, shareholders and stakeholders for their continued
and strong support, and I look forward to a busy and bright second
half of the year.
Mark Smith
Chief Executive
17 September 2018
Condensed consolidated interim income
statement
Six months ended 30 June 2018
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Six months Six months Twelve months
to 30 to 30
June June to 31 December
2018 2017 2017
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Continuing operations
Revenue, excluding movements in
work in progress 39,229 34,686 72,156
Increase/(Decrease) in work in progress 160 (397) 1,362
Revenue 39,389 34,289 73,518
=========== =========== ===============
Raw material and consumables 26,413 21,664 47,324
Other external charges 1,819 2,242 3,212
Staff costs 7,512 6,871 14,168
Depreciation 586 635 1,631
Other operating charges 1,103 610 2,755
---------------
37,433 32,022 69,090
----------- ----------- ---------------
Group operating profit 1,956 2,267 4,428
Share of post tax profit in joint
ventures - - -
----------- ----------- ---------------
Total operating profit 1,956 2,267 4,428
Net finance expense (17) (24) (17)
Profit before tax 1,939 2,243 4,411
Tax (395) (448) (907)
Profit for the period from continuing
operations and attributable to equity
holders of the parent company 1,544 1,795 3,504
=========== =========== ===============
Earnings per share (basic and diluted)
from continuing operations 12.8 p 14.9 p 29.1 p
=========== =========== ===============
Dividend per share - Paid 11.5 p 10.0 p 10.0 p
=========== =========== ===============
Earnings per ordinary share has been calculated on the basis of
the result for the period after tax, divided by the weighted average
number of ordinary shares in issue in the period, excluding those
held in the ESOP Trust, of 12,040,608. The comparatives are calculated
by reference to the weighted average number of ordinary shares in
issue which were 12,048,408 for the period to 30 June 2017 and 12,040,608
for the year ended 31 December 2017.
Condensed
consolidated
interim balance sheet
As at 30 June 2018
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
30 June 30 June 31 December
2018 2017 2017
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Assets
Non current assets
Property, plant and
equipment 13,571 13,230 13,591
Pension asset 2,198 1,146 2,198
Investment in joint
ventures - - -
Deferred tax asset 121 27 -
Total non current
assets 15,890 14,403 15,789
---------- ----------- ------------------------
Current assets
Inventories and
work
in progress 11,115 9,374 11,012
Trade and other
receivables 8,302 7,970 5,700
Cash and cash
equivalents 7,562 6,812 8,063
Total current assets 26,979 24,156 24,775
---------- ----------- ------------------------
Total assets 42,869 38,559 40,564
---------- ----------- ------------------------
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Current portion of
long term
borrowings 250 218 254
Trade and other
payables 18,037 16,262 15,954
Current tax payable 498 565 462
Total current
liabilities 18,785 17,045 16,670
---------- ----------- ------------------------
Non current
liabilities
Long term
borrowings 1,627 2,125 1,750
Deferred tax
liabilities 287 - 168
Total non current
liabilities 1,914 2,125 1,918
---------- ----------- ------------------------
Total liabilities 20,699 19,170 18,588
---------- ----------- ------------------------
Net assets 22,170 19,389 21,976
========== =========== ========================
Equity
Share capital 1,293 1,293 1,293
Share premium 1,864 1,864 1,864
Capital redemption
reserve 132 132 132
Other reserve (844) (825) (844)
Accumulated profits 19,725 16,925 19,531
Total equity 22,170 19,389 21,976
========== =========== ========================
Condensed consolidated interim
statement of changes in equity
(Unaudited) Share Share Capital Other Accumulated Total
reserve
capital premium redemption - profits equity
account reserve ESOP
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
At 1 January
2017 1,293 1,864 132 (825) 16,335 18,799
Equity
dividends - - - - (1,205) (1,205)
Transactions
with owners - - - - (1,205) (1,205)
---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ -----------
Profit for the
six months
to 30 June
2017 - - - - 1,795 1,795
Total
comprehensive
income
for the period - - - - 1,795 1,795
========== =========== =========== =========== ============ ===========
At 30 June 2017 1,293 1,864 132 (825) 16,925 19,389
========== =========== =========== =========== ============ ===========
At 1 July 2017 1,293 1,864 132 (825) 16,925 19,389
Credit related
to
equity-settled
share based
payments - - - - 73 73
ESOP movement
in period - - - (19) - (19)
Transactions
with owners - - - (19) 73 54
---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ -----------
Profit for the
six months
to 31 December
2017 - - - - 1,709 1,709
Other
comprehensive
income
Actuarial gain
recognised
in the pension
scheme - - - - 991 991
Income tax
relating to
components of
other
comprehensive
income - - - - (167) (167)
Total
comprehensive
income
for the period - - - - 2,533 2,533
========== =========== =========== =========== ============ ===========
At 31 December
2017 1,293 1,864 132 (844) 19,531 21,976
========== =========== =========== =========== ============ ===========
At 1 January
2018 1,293 1,864 132 (844) 19,531 21,976
Equity
dividends - - - - (1,385) (1,385)
Credit related
to
equity-settled
share based
payments - - - - 35 35
Transactions
with owners - - - - (1,350) (1,350)
---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ -----------
Profit for the
six months
to 30 June
2018 - - - - 1,544 1,544
Total
comprehensive
income
for the period - - - - 1,544 1,544
========== =========== =========== =========== ============ ===========
At 30 June 2018 1,293 1,864 132 (844) 19,725 22,170
========== =========== =========== =========== ============ ===========
Condensed consolidated interim statement of comprehensive
income
Six months ended 30 June 2018
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Twelve
Six months Six months months
to 30 to 31
to 30 June June December
2018 2017 2017
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Profit for the period 1,544 1,795 3,504
Other comprehensive income
Remeasurement of net defined benefit
surplus - - 991
Movement on deferred tax relating
to pension liability - - (179)
Current tax relating to pension liability - - 12
----------- ----------- -------------
Other comprehensive income, net of tax - - 824
Total comprehensive income for the period
attributable to equity holders of the
parent company 1,544 1,795 4,328
=========== =========== =============
Condensed consolidated interim cash
flow statement
Six months ended 30 June 2018
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Six months Six months Twelve months
to 30 to 30
June June to 31 December
2018 2017 2017
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Group profit after tax 1,544 1,795 3,504
Taxation paid (360) (452) (986)
Interest received - - 3
Depreciation on property, plant
and equipment 586 635 1,631
Difference between pension charge
and cash contributions - (31) (31)
Share based payment charge 35 - 73
Profit on sale of property, plant
and equipment (150) (79) (216)
Taxation charge recognised in income
statement 395 448 907
Net finance expense 17 24 17
(Increase)/Decrease in inventories
and work in progress (103) 491 (1,147)
Increase in trade and other receivables (2,602) (2,358) (119)
Increase in trade and other payables 2,083 2,322 2,014
Net cash flow from operating activities 1,445 2,795 5,650
----------- ----------- ---------------
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and
equipment (573) (753) (2,112)
Proceeds from sale of property,
plant and equipment 156 115 254
Net cash flow from investing activities (417) (638) (1,858)
----------- ----------- ---------------
Cash flows from financing activities
Interest paid (17) (24) (50)
Repayment of bank and other loans (127) (149) (484)
Equity dividends paid (1,385) (1,205) (1,205)
Capital element of hire purchase
payments - - (4)
Employee Share Ownership Plan share
purchases - - (19)
Employee Share Ownership Plan share
sales - - -
----------- ----------- ---------------
Net cash flow from financing activities (1,529) (1,378) (1,762)
----------- ----------- ---------------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents (501) 779 2,030
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
of period 8,063 6,033 6,033
Cash and cash equivalents at end
of period 7,562 6,812 8,063
=========== =========== ===============
Notes to the interim accounts - as at 30 June 2018
Segmental Reporting
The Group trading operations of Billington Holdings plc are only in Structural Steel, and
all are continuing. This includes the activities of Billington Structures Limited, easi-edge
Limited, Peter Marshall Steel Stairs Limited, hoard-it Limited and Billington Fleet Management
Limited. The Group activities, comprising services and assets provided to Group companies
and a small element of external property rentals and management charges, are considered incidental
to the activities of Billington Structures Limited and have therefore not been shown as a
separate operating segment but have been subsumed within Structural Steel. All assets of the
Group reside in the UK.
Basis of preparation
These consolidated interim financial statements are for the six months ended 30 June 2018.
They have been prepared with regard to the requirements of IFRS. The financial information
set out in these consolidated interim financial statements does not constitute statutory accounts
as defined in S434 of the Companies Act 2006. They do not include all of the information required
for full annual financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2017 which contained an unqualified
audit report and have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. They did not contain statements
under S498 of the Companies Act 2006.
These consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost
convention. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the Group for
the purposes of preparation of these consolidated interim financial statements.
New Standards adopted as at 1 January 2018
The Group has adopted the new accounting pronouncements which have become effective this year,
and are as follows:
IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers'
IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers' and the related 'Clarifications to IFRS 15
Revenue from Contracts with Customers' (hereinafter referred to as 'IFRS 15') replace IAS
18 'Revenue', IAS 11 'Construction Contracts', and several revenue-related Interpretations.
The new Standard has been applied retrospectively although there has been no impact on the
numbers previously published and therefore no restatement or opening balance adjustment has
been required.
Whilst this represents significant new guidance, the implementation of this new guidance did
not have a significant impact on the timing or amount of revenue recognised by the Group in
any year.
Other pronouncements
Other accounting pronouncements which have become effective from 1 January 2018 and have therefore
been adopted do not have a significant impact on the Group's financial results or position.
Dividends
In the first half of 2018 Billington Holdings Plc declared a final dividend of 11.5 pence
per share amounting to GBP1,385,000 (2017: 10.0 pence, GBP1,205,000) to its equity shareholders.
No interim dividend for 2018 has been declared (2017: nil).
These results were approved by the Board of Directors on 17 September 2018.
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the
London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct
Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United
Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution
of this information may apply. For further information, please
contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
END
IR EDLFFVKFZBBK
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
September 18, 2018 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)
Billington (LSE:BILN)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024
Billington (LSE:BILN)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024