TIDMBLTG
RNS Number : 2712D
Blancco Technology Group PLC
18 February 2020
18 February 2020
Blancco Technology Group plc
Interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2019
Strategic progress drives continued revenue and profit growth
across all segments and geographies
Blancco Technology Group plc (AIM: BLTG, "Blancco", the
"Company" or the "Group"), the industry standard in data erasure
and mobile device diagnostics, is pleased to announce its unaudited
interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2019 .
FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
GBPm unless otherwise stated H1 FY20 H1 FY19* Change FY19*
Revenue 17.4 14.6 +19% 30.5
-------- --------- ------- ------
Gross Profit 16.5 13.7 +20% 29.0
-------- --------- ------- ------
Adjusted EBITDA** 4.4 3.4 +29% 7.0
-------- --------- ------- ------
Adjusted Operating Profit** 2.5 1.7 +47% 3.5
-------- --------- ------- ------
Operating Profit 0.7 0.7 +14% 0.1
-------- --------- ------- ------
Profit / (Loss) before taxation 0.7 0.3 +166% (0.4)
-------- --------- ------- ------
Adjusted Operating Cash Flow*** 2.4 2.9 -19% 9.1
-------- --------- ------- ------
Cash generated from continuing
operations 1.6 2.9 -45% 9.1
-------- --------- ------- ------
Diluted Earnings per share 1.40p 0.68p 106% 0.95p
-------- --------- ------- ------
Net Cash / (Debt) 5.4 (2.3) 0.1
-------- --------- ------- ------
-- Strong revenue growth of 19% (constant exchange rates ('CER') +16%) across all segments:
o Enterprise revenue increased by 28% (CER +26%) to GBP6.0
million (H1 2019: GBP4.7 million)
o Mobile revenue increased by 15% (CER +10%) to GBP5.8 million
(H1 2019: GBP5.0 million), driven by acquisition of Inhance
Technology ("Inhance")
o IT Asset Disposition ("ITAD") revenue increased by 15% (CER
+13%) to GBP5.6 million (H1 2019: GBP4.9 million)
-- Adjusted Operating margin increased to 14.3% (H1 2019: 11.6%)
-- Gross debt cleared during the period post July placing. Cash
generation from operations weaker in H1 as anticipated due to
acquisition related costs and outflows from newly implemented
employee bonus scheme
OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
-- The first phase of the ZroBlack innovation has been released
and has led to a number of significant contract wins as new and
existing customers move to warehouse-based diagnostics and data
erasure
-- Inhance's operations have been fully integrated following acquisition in July 2019
-- Achieved "Advanced Technology Partner" status with Amazon Web
Services as channel sales strategy continues to progress
-- Acquired minority interests in Blancco Japan Inc and Blancco
APAC Pte. Limited leaving the 20% holding of Aucnet Inc in Blancco
Japan Inc as the only interest held in a Group company by a third
party
-- Blancco accredited with Green Economy Mark by London Stock Exchange
-- Continuing investment in R&D: protected IP position
strengthened further with five new patents filed in the period,
primarily relating to the mobile product
CURRENT TRADING
-- Revenue growth is continuing in line with market expectations for FY20
-- Revenues from contracts won through ZroBlack innovation commenced in Q3 FY20
-- Enterprise continues to lead all segments for growth
*Prior year results have been restated following the
implementation of new accounting standard, IFRS16. See note 1.1 for
details.
**Adjusted profit measures are stated after excluding expenses
relating to share option schemes, exceptional costs and incomes and
the amortisation of acquired intangible assets
*** Adjusted operating cash flow is operating cash flow
excluding taxation, interest payments and receipts and exceptional
payments
Matt Jones, Chief Executive said:
"We remain absolutely focused on our growth strategy, as
demonstrated by these results with strong revenue and profit growth
in all of our segments and in all of the geographies in which we
operate. The acquisition of Inhance and IP relating to ZroBlack
have been integrated quickly and to plan, with both attracting
robust demand from both existing as well as new clients in the
mobile sector.
"Blancco continues to benefit from the strong tailwinds driven
by regulation governing the ownership and retention of data and
from the increasing awareness of the importance of environmental
considerations in terms of enterprises recycling aging
technology.
"The second half of the financial year has started with good
momentum and in line with expectations. The Board is confident that
Blancco is well placed to deliver sustained levels of revenue
growth going forwards."
For further information:
Blancco Technology Group plc Via Buchanan
Matt Jones, Chief Executive Officer
Adam Moloney, Chief Financial Officer
Peel Hunt (Nominated Advisor & Joint Broker)
+44 (0) 20 7418
Edward Knight / Nick Prowting / Edward Allsopp 8900
Investec Bank plc (Joint Broker)
+44 (0) 20 7597
Patrick Robb / Sara Hale / Virginia Bull 5970
Buchanan Communications Limited
Chris Lane / Stephanie Watson / Charlotte
Slater +44 (0) 20 7466
blancco@buchanan.uk.com 5000
There will be a presentation for analysts held at 0930hrs today
at the offices of Buchanan, 107 Cheapside, London EC2V 6DN. Please
contact blancco@buchanan.uk.com if you would like to attend. An
audio webcast of this briefing will be available later in the day
via the following link:
https://webcasting.buchanan.uk.com/broadcast/5e38124cb9710760e2925766
.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REPORT
Business overview
I am pleased to report that the trading of the Group for the six
months ended 31 December 2019 has continued to build on the
progress made in the prior financial year. Regulatory requirements
continue to encourage organisations to be increasingly prescriptive
with how they manage stored data, whilst environmental
considerations are pushing companies to find ways to recycle
devices that store data, rather than to destroy them. We have seen
good revenue growth across the three segments in which we operate
and the three key geographies. Whilst the Company continues to
invest in ensuring continued future growth, adjusted operating
margins are increasing which has resulted in a sharp increase in
the adjusted operating profits being generated from our
activities.
Enterprise
Blancco has a strong proposition in the Enterprise market
demonstrated by the revenue growth experienced in the previous
financial year of 20% followed by revenue growth in this most
recent six-month period of 28% (26% on a constant currency basis)
to GBP6.0m (H1 2019: GBP4.7m). The revenue growth was driven by
both Direct and Channel sales with the direct route securing
particular success in the first half of the financial year as a
result of winning a number of larger contracts. Channel revenues in
the market grew to GBP2.4m (H1 2019: GBP2.2m) in the period whilst
direct revenues grew to GBP3.6m (H1 2019: GBP2.5m). In the medium
term we continue to believe that stronger revenue growth will come
from channel partners but we are encouraged that both routes are
seeing good growth.
Regulation continues to be implemented globally requiring
companies to be increasingly vigilant about how they manage data
reaching the end of the data lifecycle. The most well-known
regulation is the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) but
these general principles are being replicated in many other parts
of the world. For example, we have recently seen the first
regulation in the US with the California Consumer Privacy Act
(CCPA) being enacted from 1 January 2020 and similar regulations
are being implemented in most of the rest of the developed world.
The potential penalties accompanying data loss can be very
significant but the brand damage for organisations who suffer such
a loss can be similarly impactful.
All organisations globally face the challenge of how to ensure
that their data is not recoverable from storage devices when they
either reach end of life or are reused or recycled. The options for
organisations are to either destroy the equipment altogether,
resulting in the equipment being deposited in landfill sites, or to
use software such as that provided by Blancco to securely erase the
data and validate that erasure. The use of Blancco software enables
customers to recycle the equipment and therefore has a positive
impact on the environment. Blancco has unrivalled experience and
security accreditations that give customers the peace of mind that
data erased using Blancco software cannot ever be recovered.
Blancco's ability to enable organisations to recycle equipment
led to Blancco being awarded the London Stock Exchange Green
Economy Mark in October 2019. This accreditation recognises
companies and investment funds on all segments of the Main Market
and AIM that derive 50% or more of their total annual revenues from
products and services that contribute to the global green economy.
We were delighted to be named among the initial 74 companies to be
given this accreditation.
Another notable milestone in the period was achieving Advanced
Technology Partner status with Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner
Network (APN). As an AWS Advanced Technology Partner, Blancco will
offer its data sanitisation technologies to AWS enterprise
customers worldwide and the AWS channel supporting cloud
migrations. After undergoing a thorough process with AWS, we are
now the recommended partner when organisations are looking to
migrate data to the AWS cloud and need to sanitise their previous
storage facilities. With Blancco's secure data erasure suite, AWS
customers can incorporate a value-add solution to their security
portfolios that enhances end-of-life data management and provides a
verifiable audit trail to comply with the growing number of data
protection regulations and standards, including PCI-DSS, HIPAA,
GBLA, EU GDPR, ISO 27001, NIST 800-53, and NIST 800-88.
Blancco continues to contract with the largest companies in the
world and is confident that the growth rates in the Enterprise
sector will continue to be strong. Whilst the opportunity from the
current product suite is significant, we are beginning to explore
how we could supplement the existing offering with complementary
activities that would enable us to secure greater revenues from the
blue-chip customer base that we already have. The regulatory and
environmental growth drivers that are prevalent give the Board and
management team confidence that there is significant value to be
gained from further traction in the Enterprise market.
Mobile
During the period the mobile segment experienced a 15% increase
in revenue to GBP5.8m (H1 2019: GBP5.0m, 10% increase on a constant
currency basis).
Our Mobile proposition saw substantial investment through the
previous financial year culminating in July 2019 with the
acquisition of Inhance. During the first half of this financial
year we have been able to train the existing Blancco sales team on
Inhance's capabilities that allow diagnostic tests to be run on a
mobile handset through the use of an easily downloadable mobile
app. This initiative allows retailers to offer their customers the
capability to run tests on their devices without the need to visit
a store as well as the ability to offer customers a trade-in value
for their handset in the event that they wish to upgrade their
handset.
This Inhance mobile capability has also opened a new market for
Blancco with handset insurers. Traditionally, mobile phone
insurance is taken out through the completion of an online form
which has an inherent weakness that the insurer has no way of
knowing whether the handset is already damaged when the policy is
taken out. As a result, there are a high number of mobile handset
insurance claims when compared to the number of policies taken out.
The Inhance capability enables insurers to require that their
customers run diagnostic tests on their handsets at the point of
applying for insurance cover. Critically, these diagnostic tests
include the ability to test whether there is any screen damage
which represents by far the most common defect when claims are
made. We have seen significant interest in this offering from the
insurance market, and a good pipeline of opportunity in this area
is being worked on.
We are seeing an increasing demand for retailers to keep service
requests out of their retail stores which will drive demand for
Blancco's app-based solution. The growth in the second-hand mobile
market is also feeding an increase in the volume of phones being
processed in warehouses. During the period, Blancco has been
successful in winning a number of mobile handset processor
contracts, primarily on the strength of the product enhancements
arising from the Consulting Agreement with ZroBlack LLC
("ZroBlack") announced in July 2019. This investment in R&D
resulted in a software release in September that saw a substantial
reduction in the time required to run erasure and diagnostic
processes on mobile handsets. The time to process a handset is of
critical importance to mobile handset processor customers who may
be handling thousands of handsets on any given day. Additional
releases are scheduled in the months ahead which will further
reduce processing times.
The trend to keep service requests out of retail stores also led
to the Group's largest customer in revenue terms, which accounted
for 8% of total group revenues in H1 FY 2020, moving from a model
whereby mobile handsets were being diagnosed in store to one where
all mobile devices are now being diagnosed in warehouses. Blancco
was successful in winning a new agreement with the warehouses who
supply these diagnostic services to the client, albeit at a lower
annualised value than the previous retail agreement.
Revenue from these new mobile processor contracts that have
already been won will start to flow in the second half of the
financial year and will substantially replace the revenues lost
from the retail contract. Blancco has received positive feedback
from the customer on the new offering which will serve as a useful
reference point to attract other similar sized customers. Going
into the second half of the financial year no single customer
contract in the Group represents more than 2% of Group
revenues.
IT Asset Disposition ("ITAD")
Whilst the Company has grown from its roots in the ITAD market,
our expectation has been that ITAD is the slowest growth market of
the areas in which Blancco currently operates. However, the same
regulatory and environmental pressures that apply in the Enterprise
market also apply to ITAD customers. In the prior financial year we
saw revenue growth in this market of 18% and this has been followed
in H1 of FY2020 by revenue growth of 15% (13% on a constant
currency basis). Our research demonstrates that Blancco represents
a very significant proportion of the ITAD market meaning that there
is little opportunity for market share gains, but the market
continues to grow at a faster rate than expected 18 months ago. In
the longer term, we do expect growth in this market to moderate but
the ITAD market remains cash generative for Blancco.
Summary and Outlook
The Company has had a strong 18 months of trading and looks
forward with great optimism to the continuation of this revenue
progression over the coming years. The Enterprise market has strong
regulatory and environmental drivers which should sustain the
growth seen in prior periods. Blancco now has a robust balance
sheet that can enable us to further explore how the opportunity in
the Enterprise market can be maximised.
Within our Mobile segment, we have made the necessary
investments and integrated them within our business, generating a
healthy pipeline of opportunity. Growth in the used handset market
will generate growth in Blancco's mobile segment and the Company
now has a market leading offering that we believe will capture an
increasing market share, leading to accelerated progress in future
periods. Finally, our ITAD offering continues to exceed our
expectations and shows no signs of slowing in the immediate
term.
We are trading in line with our expectations for the financial
year ending 30 June 2020 and look forward to the coming periods
with great confidence.
Matt Jones
Chief Executive Officer
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER'S REPORT
Revenue
As detailed above we have seen good revenue growth in all three
markets in which we operate resulting in an increase in Group
revenue of 19% to GBP17.4m (H1 2019: GBP14.6m, 16% increase on a
constant currency basis). Excluding the impact of revenues coming
from the acquired Inhance entity revenue growth in the period was
12% on a constant currency basis.
As seen in the last financial year, as well as growth in each of
the three segments, we have also seen good growth in each of the
three regions in which the Company operates.
Revenue breakdown
Six months Six months Growth Year
Ended Ended rate ended
30
31 December 31 December June
2019 2018 2019
========================
Revenue (GBP'millions) 17.4 14.6 19% 30.5
======================== ============ ============ ======= =======
Revenue by Geography
======================== ============ ============ ======= =======
North America 5.9 5.3 10% 10.7
Europe 6.7 5.6 20% 11.4
Asia and ROW 4.8 3.7 32% 8.4
======================== ============ ============ ======= =======
Revenue by Segment
======================== ============ ============ ======= =======
Enterprise 6.0 4.7 28% 10.3
ITAD 5.6 4.9 15% 10.2
Mobile 5.8 5.0 15% 10.0
======================== ============ ============ ======= =======
Profitability Measures
Adjusted operating margins have increased to 14.3% (H1 2019:
11.6%) resulting in the revenue growth leading to significantly
increased profits. Adjusted Operating Profit for the period has
increased by 47% to GBP2.5m (H1 2019: GBP1.7m).
6 months Year ended
ended 31 30 June
December 2019
2019 6 months (restated*)
ended 31
December
(unaudited) 2018
(unaudited,
restated*)
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
===================================== ==== ==== ============= ============== =============
Operating profit 743 654 141
------------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------- -------------
Acquisition costs 503 - 486
Exceptional income (875) (652) (630)
Amortisation of acquired intangible
assets 1,474 1,314 2,605
Share-based payments charge 646 375 935
------------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------- -------------
Adjusted administrative expenses (13,975) (12,022) (25,449)
------------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------- -------------
Adjusted operating profit 2,491 1,691 3,537
------------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------- -------------
The Acquisition costs relate to expenses incurred from the
GBP10.0m fund raise and acquisition of Inhance announced in July
2019. The Exceptional income relates to the release of provisions
no longer required in respect of acquisitions made in previous
years.
The new accounting standard, IFRS16, on leases has been applied
in the period. The standard requires that leases are recognised as
both an asset and a liability on the balance sheet and are
depreciated over time rather than expensed when incurred. EBITDA
for the six months ended 31 December 2018 has been restated to
GBP3.4m (previously reported as GBP3.0m). EBITDA for the six months
ended 31 December 2019 increased by 29% to GBP4.4m.
Group profit before tax increased to GBP0.7m from GBP0.3m.
Cash and Working Capital
The Group ended the period with net cash of GBP5.4m (30 June
2019: GBP0.1m). This increase in cash was primarily driven by the
fund raise of GBP10.0m announced in July 2019 in connection with
the acquisition of Inhance. The gross debt position which stood at
GBP6.5m at the end of the previous financial year, has now been
completely cleared.
In December we announced that we had reached agreement with
minority interest shareholders in the APAC and Japanese
subsidiaries to swap their holding in these subsidiaries for a
holding in the listed parent company. As a result, the only
remaining minority interest is a 20% holding held by Aucnet Inc in
the Japanese subsidiary. Aucnet, which reduced its holding in the
Japanese subsidiary from 49%, has been increasingly operating
outside of Japan and is becoming a global partner which will
receive value from growth in the value of its holding in Blancco
Technology Group plc. This change in shareholdings has also enabled
Blancco to take full control of these subsidiaries and releases
cash surpluses that were previously trapped by the minority
partnership status.
The conversion of profits into cash is depressed in the first
half of the year when bonus payments are made to staff in relation
to the prior financial year. In this reporting period, cash
conversion was further reduced by the payment of costs relating to
the acquisition and fund raising in July. These seasonal effects on
cash generation will even out across the twelve month period with
cash generation anticipated to be in line with market expectations
at the end of the financial year.
Adam Moloney
Chief Financial Officer
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the six months ended 31 December 2019
6 months 6 months Year ended
ended ended
31 December 30 June
2019
2019 31 December (restated*)
(unaudited) 2018
(unaudited,
restated*)
Note GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
===================================== === ===== ============= ============== =============
Revenue 17,388 14,591 30,519
Cost of sales (922) (878) (1,533)
========================================== ===== ============= ============== =============
Gross profit 16,466 13,713 28,986
Administrative expenses and
depreciation (15,723) (13,059) (28,845)
========================================== ===== ============= ============== =============
Operating profit 743 654 141
------------------------------------------ ----- ------------- -------------- -------------
Acquisition costs 4 503 - 486
Exceptional income 4 (875) (652) (630)
Amortisation of acquired intangible
assets 1,474 1,314 2,605
Share-based payments charge 646 375 935
------------------------------------------ ----- ------------- -------------- -------------
Adjusted administrative expenses (13,975) (12,022) (25,449)
------------------------------------------ ----- ------------- -------------- -------------
Adjusted operating profit 2,491 1,691 3,537
------------------------------------------ ----- ------------- -------------- -------------
Finance income 1 - 71
Finance costs (76) (403) (587)
========================================== ===== ============= ============== =============
Profit/(loss) before tax 668 251 (375)
Taxation (30) (104) 33
Profit/(loss) for the period 638 147 (342)
========================================== ===== ============= ============== =============
Discontinued operations
Post tax results from discontinued
operations 5 378 431 1,252
========================================== ===== ============= ============== =============
Profit for the period 1,016 578 910
========================================== ===== ============= ============== =============
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the company 1,037 425 623
Non-controlling interests (21) 153 287
========================================== ===== ============= ============== =============
Profit for the period 1,016 578 910
========================================== ===== ============= ============== =============
Consolidated Statement
of Comprehensive Income
for the six months ended
31 December 2019
6 months 6 months Year
ended ended ended
30 June
31 December 31 December
2019 2018 2019
(unaudited,
(unaudited) restated*) (restated*)
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
=================================== ==== ============= ============= =============
Profit for the period 1,016 578 910
Other comprehensive (loss)/income
- amounts that may be
reclassified to profit
or loss in the future:
Exchange differences arising
on translation of foreign
entities (3,784) 1,389 1,238
========================================= ============= ============= =============
Total comprehensive (loss)/income
for the period (2,768) 1,967 2,148
========================================= ============= ============= =============
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the
Company (2,680) 1,761 1,771
Non-controlling interests (88) 206 377
========================================= ============= ============= =============
Total comprehensive (loss)/income
for the period (2,768) 1,967 2,148
========================================= ============= ============= =============
*see note 1.1
Earnings per share
Continuing Operations:
Basic 2 0.92 p (0.01) p (1.01 p)
Diluted 2 0.89 p (0.01) p (1.01 p)
Discontinued Operations:
Basic 2 0.53 p 0.70 p 2.00 p
Diluted 2 0.51 p 0.69 p 1.96 p
Total Group:
Basic 2 1.45 p 0.69 p 0.99 p
Diluted 2 1.40 p 0.68 p 0.95 p
Condensed Consolidated Balance
Sheet
as at 31 December 2019
31 December 31 December 30 June
2019 2018 2019
(unaudited,
(unaudited) restated*) (restated*)
Note GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
================================== ====== ============= ============= =============
Assets
Non-current assets
Goodwill 48,667 47,295 47,262
Other intangible assets 21,616 21,373 21,722
Property, plant and equipment 1,960 1,876 2,079
Deferred tax assets 428 438 626
72,671 70,982 71,689
========================================= ============= ============= =============
Current assets
Inventory 84 88 91
Trade and other receivables 7,265 7,664 7,360
Current tax asset 189 94 -
Cash 5,394 5,708 6,636
12,932 13,554 14,087
========================================= ============= ============= =============
Total assets 85,603 84,536 85,776
========================================== ============= ============= =============
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (8,217) (7,648) (9,927)
Contingent consideration (269) (684) (278)
Current tax liability (312) - (155)
Provisions (507) - (787)
(9,305) (8,332) (11,147)
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings - (7,987) (6,494)
Other payables (1,359) (1,287) (1,960)
Deferred tax (3,325) (3,837) (3,639)
Provisions (218) (1,550) (332)
========================================== ============= ============= =============
(4,902) (14,661) (12,425)
========================================= ============= ============= =============
Total liabilities (14,207) (22,993) (23,572)
========================================== ============= ============= =============
Net assets 71,396 61,543 62,204
========================================== ============= ============= =============
Equity
Called up share capital 1,507 1,280 1,304
Share premium account 21,103 9,152 10,397
Merger reserve 5,861 4,034 4,034
Capital redemption reserve 417 417 417
Translation reserve 880 4,788 4,598
Retained earnings 41,006 40,841 40,248
=================================== ======= ======= =======
Total equity attributable to
equity holders of the Company 70,774 60,512 60,998
Non-Controlling interest reserve 622 1,031 1,206
=================================== ======= ======= =======
Total equity 71,396 61,543 62,204
=================================== ======= ======= =======
Condensed Consolidated Statement
of Changes in Equity
for the six months ended 31
December 2019
6 months 6 months Year
ended ended ended
31 December 31 December 30 June
2019 2018 2019
(unaudited,
(unaudited) restated*) (restated*)
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
===================================== === ============= ============= =============
Balance at the start of the
period as previously reported 62,289 58,188 58,188
Adjustment on initial application
of IFRS16 (85) (77) (77)
========================================== ============= ============= =============
Restated balance at the start
of the period 62,204 58,111 58,111
Total comprehensive (loss)/income
for the period (2,768) 1,967 2,148
Dividends paid to non-controlling
interests - (190) (190)
Reclassification of deferred
consideration to equity instrument - 1,317 1,317
Acquisition of non-controlling
interest without a change in
control (1,370) - (28)
Share issue 12,736 - -
Share based payment charge 594 338 846
========================================== ============= ============= =============
Balance at the end of the period 71,396 61,543 62,204
========================================== ============= ============= =============
*see note 1.1
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
for the six months ended 31 December
2019
6 months 6 months Year
ended ended ended
31 December 31 December 30 June
2019 2018 2019
Note (unaudited) (unaudited, (restated*)
GBP'000 restated*) GBP'000
GBP'000
======================================= ===== ============ ============ ============
Profit for the period 1,016 578 910
======================================= ===== ============ ============ ============
Adjustments for:
Results of discontinued operations (378) (431) (1,252)
Net finance charges 75 403 516
Tax expense/(income) 30 104 (33)
(Profit)/loss on disposal of
property, plant and equipment (2) - 3
Depreciation on property, plant
and equipment 526 457 905
Amortisation of intangible assets 1,396 1,272 2,508
Amortisation of acquired intangible
assets 1,474 1,314 2,605
Share-based payments expense 646 375 935
======================================= ===== ============ ============ ============
Operating cash flow before movement
in working capital 4,783 4,072 7,097
--------------------------------------- ----- ------------ ------------ ------------
Acquisition costs 503 - 486
Exceptional income (875) (652) (630)
--------------------------------------- ----- ------------ ------------ ------------
Adjusted EBITDA 4,411 3,420 6,953
--------------------------------------- ----- ------------ ------------ ------------
Decrease in inventories 5 13 11
Decrease/(increase) in receivables 130 (648) (325)
(Decrease)/increase in payables
and accruals (3,333) (500) 2,371
Decrease in provisions - (63) (63)
======================================= ===== ============ ============ ============
Cash generated from continuing
operations 1,585 2,874 9,091
Acquisition costs payments 767 - -
Exceptional restructuring payments - 46 46
--------------------------------------- ----- ------------ ------------ ------------
Adjusted operating cash flow 2,352 2,920 9,137
--------------------------------------- ----- ------------ ------------ ------------
Interest received 1 - 1
Interest paid (70) (170) (374)
Tax paid (286) (193) (356)
======================================= ===== ============ ============ ============
Net cash generated from operating
activities - continuing operations 1,230 2,511 8,362
Net cash (used in)/generated
from operating activities -
discontinued
operations 5 (15) - 346
======================================= ===== ============ ============ ============
Net cash generated from operating
activities - continuing and
discontinued
operations 1,215 2,511 8,708
======================================= ===== ============ ============ ============
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and
equipment (248) (84) (196)
Purchase and development of intangible
assets (2,183) (1,310) (4,166)
Acquisition of subsidiaries,
net of cash acquired (2,432) (446) (796)
Net cash used in investing activities
- continuing operations (4,863) (1,840) (5,158)
Net cash generated from investing
activities - discontinued operations 5 - 102 102
======================================= ===== ============ ============ ============
Net cash used in investing activities
- continuing and discontinued
operations (4,863) (1,738) (5,056)
======================================= ===== ============ ============ ============
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to non-controlling
interests - (190) (190)
Payment of lease liabilities (421) (379) (751)
Payments made to acquire (28) - -
non-controlling
interest
Repayment of borrowings (6,500) (950) (2,450)
Share placing, net of fees 9,577 - -
Net cash generated from/(used
in) financing activities 2,628 (1,519) (3.391)
Net cash generated from/(used
in) financing activities - continuing
and discontinued operations 2,628 (1,519) (3,391)
Net (decrease)/increase in cash
and cash equivalents (1,020) (746) 261
Other non-cash movements - exchange
rate changes (222) 234 155
Cash and cash equivalents at
the beginning of period 6,636 6,220 6,220
======================================= ===== ============ ============ ============
Cash and cash equivalents at
end of period 5,394 5,708 6,636
Bank borrowings - (7,987) (6,494)
======================================= ===== ============ ============ ============
Net cash/(debt) 5,394 (2,279) 142
======================================= ===== ============ ============ ============
*see note 1.1
Notes to the Half Year Report
For the six months ended 31 December 2019
1. Basis of Preparation
These half yearly results have been prepared on the basis of the
accounting policies to be adopted for the year ended 30 June 2020.
These are in accordance with the Group's accounting policies as set
out in the latest audited annual financial statements for the year
ended 30 June 2019 with the exception of the implementation of
IFRS16 as set out below.
All International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS'),
International Accounting Standards ('IAS') and interpretations
currently endorsed by the International Accounting Standards Board
('IASB') and its committees, as adopted by the EU and as required
to be adopted by AIM listed companies, have been applied. This
includes application for the first time of IFRS16 Leases, the
impact of which is provided in note 1.1. AIM listed companies are
not required to comply with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting'
and accordingly the Company has taken advantage of this
exemption.
The financial information in these half yearly results does not
constitute statutory accounts for the six months ended 31 December
2019 and should be read in conjunction with the Group's annual
financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2019.
The condensed consolidated half yearly financial statements for
the six months to 31 December 2019 have not been audited or
reviewed by auditors pursuant to the Auditing Practices Board
guidance on Review of Half yearly Financial Information.
These unaudited half yearly results were approved by the Board
of Directors on 17 February 2020.
1.1 Prior Period Adjustment
This is the first set of the Group's financial statements in
which IFRS16 Leases has been applied. The standard, replacing IAS
17 Leases, sets out the requirements for recognising lease
contracts in place as right-to-use assets and lease liabilities on
the balance sheet.
The Group has retrospectively applied this standard and the
accounts for the financial year ended 30 June 2019, including
opening balances, have been restated.
The standard has materially impacted the financial statements of
the Group as a result of the number of property leases held. There
are also leases relating to motor vehicles. Overall, assets and
liabilities on the balance sheet have increased by GBP1.7 million
upon restatement for the year ended 30 June 2019 and are disclosed
as right-to-use assets and lease liabilities. Whilst other
movements resulting from the transition to the new standard, such
as the impact on the profit after tax and Retained Earnings, are
not considered material, there is a significant movement in EBITDA
as a result of the reallocation, with lease costs now recognised
within depreciation rather than in operating expenses as operating
lease rental payments. On an annualised basis, the net impact to
EBITDA at the point of transition is an increase of GBP0.8
million.
The impact on the 6 month period ended 31 December 2019 versus
the IAS 17 treatment is an increase to profit for the year of
GBP12,000, with the value of right-to-use assets on the balance
sheet at GBP1.4 million and lease liabilities of GBP1.5
million.
The implementation of IFRS16 has not resulted in a restatement
to the reported cash balance. However, the presentation of the Cash
Flow Statement has changed due to the payment of lease liabilities
now being classified as a financing activity rather than stated
through operating activities as a rental payment. There is no
significant restatement of working capital impact upon transition
and therefore the quantum of this re-presentation is consistent
with the movement in EBITDA of GBP0.8 million annualised.
The financial impact of these restatements is shown below,
including both the impact on the comparative half year results and
full year results to June 2019.
A summary of the impact of the prior period adjustments on the
consolidated income statement and the consolidated statement of
cash flows for the 6 months ended 31 December 2018, as well as the
consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 2018 is as
follows:
Period ended Period ended
31 December 31 December
2018 2018
Consolidated Income Statement As reported IFRS16 application As restated
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
=================================== ============= =================== ===============
Revenue 14,591 - 14,591
Adjusted operating profit 1,644 47 1,691
Operating profit 607 47 654
Finance income - - -
Finance costs (364) (39) (403)
Profit before tax 243 8 251
Taxation (104) - (104)
Profit for the period 139 8 147
Post tax profit from discontinued
operations 431 - 431
Profit for the period 570 8 578
=================================== ============= =================== ===============
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement IFRS16
for the six months ended 31 December 2018 As reported application As restated
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
==================================================== ============ ============= ============
Profit for the period 570 8 578
==================================================== ============ ============= ============
Adjustments for:
Results of discontinued operations (431) - (431)
Net finance charges 364 39 403
Tax expense 104 - 104
Depreciation on property, plant and equipment 101 356 457
Amortisation of intangible assets 1,272 - 1,272
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets 1,314 - 1,314
Share-based payments income 375 - 375
==================================================== ============ ============= ============
Operating cash flow before movement in working
capital 3,669 403 4,072
---------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------- ------------
Exceptional income (652) - (652)
---------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------- ------------
Adjusted EBITDA 3,017 403 3,420
---------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------- ------------
Decrease in inventories 13 - 13
Increase in receivables (648) - (648)
Decrease in payables and accruals (506) 6 (500)
Decrease in provisions (63) - (63)
==================================================== ============ ============= ============
Cash generated from continuing operations 2,465 409 2,874
Exceptional restructuring payments 46 - 46
Adjusted operating cash flow 2,511 409 2,920
------------ -------------
Interest paid (131) (39) (170)
Tax paid (193) - (193)
==================================================== ============ ============= ============
Net cash generated from operating activities
- continuing and discontinued operations 2,141 370 2,511
==================================================== ============ ============= ============
Net cash used in investing activities - continuing
and discontinued operations (1,738) - (1,738)
==================================================== ============ ============= ============
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests (190) - (190)
Payment of lease liabilities - (379) (379)
Repayment of borrowings (950) - (950)
Net cash used in financing activities - continuing
and discontinued operations (1,140) (379) (1,519)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (737) (9) (746)
Other non-cash movements - exchange rate changes 225 9 234
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning
of period 6,220 - 6,220
==================================================== ============ ============= ============
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 5,708 - 5,708
Bank borrowings (7,987) - (7,987)
==================================================== ============ ============= ============
Net debt (2,279) - (2,279)
==================================================== ============ ============= ============
Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2018
IFRS16
As reported application As restated
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
===================================== ============ ============= ============
Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 352 1,524 1,876
Other non-current assets 69,106 - 69,106
69,458 1,524 70,982
===================================== ============ ============= ============
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 7,691 (27) 7,664
Other current assets 5,890 - 5,890
===================================== ============ ============= ============
13,581 (27) 13,554
===================================== ============ ============= ============
Total assets 83,039 1,497 84,536
===================================== ============ ============= ============
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (7,097) (551) (7,648)
Other current liabilities (684) - (684)
(7,781) (551) (8,332)
Non-current liabilities
Other payables (281) (1,006) (1,287)
Other non-current liabilities (13,374) - (13,374)
===================================== ============ ============= ============
(13,655) (1,006) (14,661)
===================================== ============ ============= ============
Total liabilities (21,436) (1,557) (22,993)
===================================== ============ ============= ============
Net assets 61,603 (60) 61,543
===================================== ============ ============= ============
Equity
Ordinary share capital 1,280 - 1,280
Share premium 9,152 - 9,152
Merger reserve 4,034 - 4,034
Capital redemption reserve 417 - 417
Translation reserve 4,779 9 4,788
Retained earnings 40,910 (69) 40,841
===================================== ============ ============= ============
Total equity attributable to equity
holders of the company 60,572 (60) 60,512
===================================== ============ ============= ============
Non-controlling interest 1,031 - 1,031
===================================== ============ ============= ============
Total equity 61,603 (60) 61,543
===================================== ============ ============= ============
An adjustment has also been made to the consolidated income
statement, consolidated statement of cash flows and consolidated
balance sheet as at 30 June 2019 in respect of the retrospective
application of IFRS16 as detailed below.
Year ended Year ended
30 June 30 June
2019 2019
Consolidated Income Statement As reported IFRS16 application As restated
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
=============================== ============= ===================== ==============
Revenue 30,519 - 30,519
Adjusted operating profit 3,458 79 3,537
Operating profit 62 79 141
Finance income 71 - 71
Finance costs (508) (79) (587)
Loss before tax (375) - (375)
Taxation 33 - 33
Loss for the year (342) - (342)
Profit from discontinued
operations 1,252 - 1,252
Profit for the year 910 - 910
=============================== ============= ===================== ==============
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement IFRS16
for the year ended 30 June 2019 As Reported application As Restated
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
==================================================== ============ ============ ==============
Profit for the period 910 - 910
==================================================== ============ ============ ==============
Adjustments for:
Results of discontinued operations (1,252) - (1,252)
Net finance expense 437 79 516
Tax income (33) - (33)
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 3 - 3
Depreciation on property, plant and equipment 180 725 905
Amortisation of intangible assets 2,508 - 2,508
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets 2,605 - 2,605
Share-based payments income 935 - 935
==================================================== ============ ============ ==============
Operating cash flow before movement in working
capital 6,293 804 7,097
---------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ --------------
Acquisition costs 486 - 486
Exceptional income (630) - (630)
---------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ --------------
Adjusted EBITDA 6,149 804 6,953
---------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ --------------
Decrease in inventories 11 - 11
Increase in receivables (325) - (325)
Increase in payables and accruals 2,337 34 2,371
Decrease in provisions (63) - (63)
==================================================== ============ ============ ==============
Cash generated from continuing operations 8,253 838 9,091
Exceptional restructuring payments 46 - 46
Adjusted operating cash flow 8,299 838 9,137
------------ ------------
Interest received 1 - 1
Interest paid (295) (79) (374)
Tax paid (356) - (356)
==================================================== ============ ============ ==============
Net cash generated from operating activities
- continuing operations 7,603 759 8,362
Net cash generated from operating activities
- discontinued operations 346 - 346
==================================================== ============ ============ ==============
Net cash generated from operating activities
- continuing and discontinued operations 7,949 759 8,708
==================================================== ============ ============ ==============
Net cash used in investing activities - continuing
and discontinued operations (5,056) - (5,056)
==================================================== ============ ============ ==============
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests (190) - (190)
Payment of lease liabilities - (751) (751)
Repayment of borrowings (2,450) - (2,450)
==================================================== ============ ============ ==============
Net cash used in financing activities - continuing
and discontinued operations (2,640) (751) (3,391)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 253 8 261
Other non-cash movements - exchange rate changes 163 (8) 155
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning
of period 6,220 - 6,220
==================================================== ============ ============ ==============
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 6,636 - 6,636
Bank borrowings (6,494) - (6,494)
==================================================== ============ ============ ==============
Net cash 142 - 142
==================================================== ============ ============ ==============
Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2019
As reported IFRS16 application As restated
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
=============================== ============ =================== ============
Assets
Property, plant and
equipment 382 1,697 2,079
Other non-current assets 69,610 - 69,610
=============================== ============ =================== ============
69,992 1,697 71,689
Trade and other receivables 7,397 (37) 7,360
Other current assets 6,727 - 6,727
=============================== ============ =================== ============
14,124 (37) 14,087
=============================== ============ =================== ============
Total assets 84,116 1,660 85,776
=============================== ============ =================== ============
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (9,163) (764) (9,927)
Other current liabilities (1,220) - (1,220)
(10,383) (764) (11,147)
Non-current liabilities
Other payables (979) (981) (1,960)
Other non-current liabilities (10,465) - (10,465)
=============================== ============ =================== ============
(11,444) (981) (12,425)
=============================== ============ =================== ============
Total liabilities (21,827) (1,745) (23,572)
=============================== ============ =================== ============
Net assets 62,289 (85) 62,204
=============================== ============ =================== ============
Equity
Ordinary share capital 1,304 - 1,304
Share premium 10,397 - 10,397
Merger reserve 4,034 - 4,034
Capital redemption reserve 417 - 417
Translation reserve 4,606 (8) 4,598
Retained earnings 40,316 (68) 40,248
=============================== ============ =================== ============
Total equity attributable
to equity holders of
the company 61,074 (76) 60,998
=============================== ============ =================== ============
Non-controlling interest 1,215 (9) 1,206
Total equity 62,289 (85) 62,204
=============================== ============ =================== ============
2. Earnings per share (EPS)
6 months 6 months
ended ended Year ended
31 December 31 December 30 June
2019 2018 2019
(unaudited,
(unaudited) restated) (restated)
Pence Pence Pence
========================================= ============ ============ ===========
Continuing operations
Basic earnings per share 0.92 p (0.01 p) (1.01 p)
Diluted earnings per share 0.89 p (0.01 p) (1.01 p)
Adjusted earnings per share 3.02 p 1.61 p 3.56 p
Diluted adjusted earnings per
share 2.93 p 1.58 p 3.48 p
========================================= ============ ============ ===========
Discontinued operations
Basic earnings per share 0.53 p 0.70 p 2.00 p
Diluted earnings per share 0.51 p 0.69 p 1.96 p
Adjusted earnings per share 0.53 p 0.70 p 2.00 p
Diluted adjusted earnings per
share 0.51 p 0.69 p 1.96 p
========================================= ============ ============ ===========
Total Group
Basic earnings per share 1.45 p 0.69 p 0.99 p
Diluted earnings per share 1.40 p 0.68 p 0.95 p
Adjusted earnings per share 3.55 p 2.31 p 5.56 p
Diluted adjusted earnings per
share 3.44 p 2.27 p 5.44 p
========================================= ============ ============ ===========
6 months 6 months
ended ended Year ended
31 December 31 December 30 June
2019 2018 2018
(unaudited,
(unaudited) restated) (restated)
Continuing operations GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
========================================= ============ ============ ===========
Profit/(loss) for the period 638 147 (342)
Loss/(profit) attributable to
non-controlling interests 21 (153) (287)
========================================= ============ ============ ===========
Profit/(Loss) attributable to
equity holders of the Company 659 (6) (629)
========================================= ============ ============ ===========
Reconciliation to adjusted profit:
Unwinding of discount on contingent
consideration - 60 82
Revaluation of contingent consideration - 116 46
Acquisition costs 503 - 486
Amortisation of intangible assets 1,474 1,314 2,605
Exceptional income (875) (652) (630)
Amortisation of bank fees 6 7 14
Share based payments 646 375 935
Tax impact of above adjustments (249) (220) (688)
========================================= ============ ============ ===========
Adjusted profit for the period 2,164 994 2,221
========================================= ============ ============ ===========
Number of shares '000s '000s '000s
Weighted average number of
shares 71,434 61,714 62,310
Bonus element from share placing
in July 2019 140 140 140
Basic 71,574 61,854 62,450
Impact of dilutive share options 2,254 917 1,428
Diluted 73,828 62,771 63,738
=================================== ======= ======= =======
The bonus element increasing the basic number of shares used in
the earnings per share calculation arises from the placing of
8,000,000 shares in July 2019 and represents the number of shares
effectively issued without consideration, due to the issue price of
125 pence being at a discount on the market price of 127.5 pence
prior to the placing. In accordance with IAS 33, the impact of the
bonus element is allocated to all reporting periods prior to that
in which the placing took place.
The dilutive share options are in respect of the shares awarded
under the Blancco Performance Share Plan.
3. Profit for the period
The figures for the Group's continuing operations are as
follows:
6 months 6 months
ended 31 ended 31 Year ended
December December 30 June
2019 2018 2019
(unaudited, (unaudited,
(unaudited) restated) restated)
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
======================================== ============ ============ ============
Depreciation of property, plant and
equipment - owned 120 101 180
Depreciation of property, plant and
equipment - right of use asset 406 356 725
(Profit)/loss on disposal of property,
plant and equipment (2) - 3
Amortisation of intangible assets 2,870 2,586 5,113
Cost of inventories recognised
as an expense 197 141 252
Research & Development expense 522 358 869
Staff costs 8,266 7,427 14,816
Net foreign exchange (profit)/loss (216) 87 158
========================================== ============ ============ ============
4. Exceptional and acquisition (income)/costs
6 months 6 months
ended 31 ended 31 Year ended
December December 30 June
2019 2018 2019
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
==================== ============ ============ ===========
Provision releases (875) (652) (630)
Acquisition costs 503 - 486
====================== ============ ============ ===========
(372) (652) (144)
==================== ============ ============ ===========
Exceptional income arises from the release of provisions
recognised on the acquisition of Xcaliber (in the prior year
Tabernus) that the business deems to no longer be required. These
cover items that are exceptional in nature and do not relate to the
underlying operating expenses of the acquired business and
accordingly the releases are recorded through exceptional
income.
Acquisition costs relate to the acquisition of YouGetItBack
Limited, trading as Inhance Technology, that was completed on 11
July 2019, and the buyouts of minority interest stakes in Japan and
Singapore.
5. Discontinued Operations
The post-tax results from discontinued operations in the period
was a profit of GBP0.4 million (H1 2019: GBP0.4 million). This
arose from the reassessment of provisions over time that were
created upon the disposal of the Repair Services business in the
year ended 30 June 2016.
6. Acquisitions
On 11 July 2019 the Group completed the acquisition of 100% of
the issued share capital of YouGetItBack Limited, trading as
Inhance Technologies ("Inhance") for a total consideration of
EUR5.25 million, of which EUR3.25 million was satisfied in cash and
EUR2 million of which was satisfied through the issue of 1,311,264
new ordinary shares in the Company.
The provisional book value and fair value of the assets acquired
and liabilities assumed were as follows:
Fair value
adjustments
Book value and IFRS alignment Fair value
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
============================================ ============= ==================== =============
Intangible assets arising on consolidation - 1,649 1,649
Property, plant and equipment 12 65 77
Deferred tax - (130) (130)
Cash and cash equivalents 327 - 327
Trade and other receivables 226 - 226
Trade and other payables (293) (819) (1,112)
Net assets acquired 272 765 1,037
Goodwill 3,780
============================================ ============= ==================== =============
Total consideration 4,817
============================================ ============= ==================== =============
Satisfied by:
Cash paid 2,759
Deferred consideration 269
Shares issued 1,789
============================================ ============= ==================== =============
Total consideration 4,817
============================================ ============= ==================== =============
The Directors have not identified any new assets or liabilities
or any change in circumstances that would result in a material
reassessment of the fair value of the assets or liabilities
acquired. In accordance with IFRS3, the fair value of the assets
and liabilities acquired will be reassessed at the end of the 12
month hindsight period in July 2020.
The deferred cash consideration has been settled after the
period end.
On 12 December the Group acquired 29% of the issued share
capital in Blancco Japan from its joint venture partner, Aucnet,
taking shareholding from 51% to 80%. The consideration was settled
through the issue of 813,253 ordinary shares.
On the same date the Group acquired the 30% that it did not
already own of the issued share capital of Blancco APAC Pte.
Limited, being 15% each from both of the minority shareholders,
Aucnet and Alan Puah. The consideration payable to Aucnet was US$1
in cash and to Alan Puah settled by the issue of 41,686 ordinary
shares.
The buyouts of non-controlling interests do not require a fair
value assessment as they were already under control of the Group
when the initial Blancco acquisition was completed 16 April
2014.
In accordance with IFRS 10, "Consolidated Financial Statements",
the purchase prices for each acquisition have been taken directly
to the Retained Earnings reserve, in addition to the
non-controlling interest in the balance sheet attributable to each
acquisition as at the respective acquisition dates.
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 DZGMZRNMGGZM
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