TIDMMBH
RNS Number : 1346I
Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC
31 March 2020
31 March 2020
Michelmersh Brick Holdings Plc
("MBH" or the "Group")
FINAL RESULTS
Strong operational and financial performance, leading to record
results
Michelmersh Brick Holdings (AIM: MBH), the specialist brick
manufacturer, is pleased to report its audited final results for
the year ended 31 December 2019, representing a strong performance
and continued progress.
Financial Highlights
-- Revenue up 15% to GBP53.5 million (2018: GBP46.3 million)
-- Improved gross margin by 2% to 40.9% (2018: 38.9%)
-- Underlying1 Operating profit increased by 13% to GBP10.3 million (2018: GBP9.1 million)
-- Underlying1 Basic EPS at 8.87 pence up 31.2% over 2018
-- Underlying1 EBITDA increased 18% to GBP12.9 million (2018: GBP10.9 million)
-- Cash generated by operations of GBP16.6 million (2018: GBP11.7 million), representing 161% of Operating profit
Operational Highlights
-- Acquisition of a Belgian brick business - Floren
-- Completed phase 1 Carlton expansion - new robotic kiln unloading and packaging plant
-- Strong bounce-back of Michelmersh plant following restructure in 2018
Martin Warner, Chairman of Michelmersh Brick Holdings,
commented:
"Following a record year and strong first quarter, the Group is
in a sound financial position with significant cash reserves and
assets. As announced last week, we have taken the necessary
immediate steps to protect the business for the benefit of all
stakeholders in the midst of the current crisis. These measures
will be kept under constant review.
"Michelmersh has always emerged stronger through difficulties
and I see no reason why this should not be the case now with our
committed and able workforce, positive financial position and
unique position in the market place ."
(1) Underlying results reflect the statutory results excluding
one-off items including those that arose in connection with the
acquisition of Floren (2018 costs associated with the restructure
of operations at the Michelmersh plant). See note 4 for a full
explanation and reconciliation.
An analyst briefing will be held as a conference call at 9.30am
today. For the dial-in details, please email
michelmersh@yellowjerseypr.com.
Michelmersh Brick Holdings plc Tel: +44 (0)7384 259 407
Frank Hanna, Joint CEO
Stephen Morgan, Finance Director
Canaccord Genuity Limited (NOMAD Tel: +44 (0)20 7523 8000
and Broker)
Bobbie Hilliam
Georgina McCooke
Yellow Jersey PR Tel: +44 (0)7747 788 221
Charles Goodwin
Annabel Atkins
About Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC:
Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC is a business with seven market
leading brands: Blockleys, Carlton, Charnwood, Freshfield Lane,
Michelmersh, Hathern Terra Cotta and Floren. These divisions
operate within a fully integrated business combining the
manufacture of clay bricks and pavers. The Group also includes a
landfill operator, New Acres Limited, and seeks to develop future
landfill and development opportunities on ancillary land
assets.
Established in 1997, the Company has grown through acquisition
and organic growth into a profitable and asset rich business,
producing over 120 million clay bricks and pavers per annum.
Michelmersh currently owns most of the UK's premium manufacturing
brands and is a leading specification brick and clay paving
manufacturer.
Michelmersh strives to be a well invested, long term,
sustainable, environmentally responsible business. Opportunity,
training and security for all employees, whilst meeting the needs
of stakeholders, are at the forefront of everything we do. We aim
to lead the way in producing some of Britain's premium clay
products and enhancing our environment by adding value to the
architectural landscape for generations to come.
We are Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC: we are "Britain's Brick
Specialist".
Please visit the Group's websites at: www.mbhplc.co.uk and www.bimbricks.com
Chairman's Statement
Introduction
Michelmersh has continued to deliver growth and development
during 2019 and produced a very satisfying financial performance.
Turnover, earnings and cashflow are all positive indicators that
have been generated in part by the acquisition of a Belgian
business, Floren et Cie nv ("Floren"), but also from the existing
business at our five UK based brickworks. The Group ends the year
with a broader base of products and geography and with a strong
balance sheet, comfortable debt profile and a mature and profitable
business.
Financial Highlights
The detailed reports that follow expand on the detail behind the
financial outcomes, but the table below demonstrates the advances
made in 2019 in all key financial metrics.
2019 2018 Increase
Turnover (GBPm) GBP53.5 GBP46.3 15.5%
-------- -------- ---------
Gross margin 40.9% 38.9% 2.0%
-------- -------- ---------
Operating profit (GBPm) 10.3 9.1 12.8%
-------- -------- ---------
Profit before tax (GBPm) 9.7 8.5 14.2%
-------- -------- ---------
EBITDA (GBPm) 12.9 11.0 18.4%
-------- -------- ---------
Basic EPS (pence) 8.87 6.76 31.3%
-------- -------- ---------
Net cash Generated by operations
(GBPm) 16.6 11.7 42.4%
-------- -------- ---------
(a) All of the above metrics are 'underlying' as defined in note
4 below
Cash and Net Debt
The Group ended the year with net debt of GBP7.5 million which
is equivalent to 0.6 times underlying EBITDA - (2018 GBP11.8
million - 1.07 times underlying EBITDA). Net cash generated by
operations of GBP16.6 million was 42 % greater than in 2018 (GBP
11.7 million), and was particularly pleasing as the Group continued
to operate at high intensity through the year. Cash at the year-end
amounted to GBP15.1 million (2018: GBP5.2 million).
It is important to note that whilst there are opportunities to
invest in process the Group has no committed capital projects at
this time.
Through the Floren acquisition, we now have a Euro denominated
earnings source that provides a natural hedge for our Euro
denominated cash outflows mainly related to engineering components
and consultants.
Acquisition
The Floren business was acquired for a gross consideration of
GBP8.7 million including some deferred payments, which represented
under six-times historic earnings. Deferred consideration is
dependent on performance, but at the first trigger point relating
to 2019, the target was easily surpassed. The Group undertook a
wide-ranging fair value exercise which has revealed a significant
excess of the value of assets less liabilities over the
consideration - in accounting parlance a 'Bargain purchase' of
GBP2.4 million that is disclosed separately in the income
statement.
The acquisition consideration was funded from existing cash and
facilities, but immediately post acquisition the funding base was
replenished by increasing the revolving credit facility with our
principal banker HSBC, and through a share placing that netted
GBP4.7 million.
Dividend
On 30 June 2019, the Group paid a final dividend in respect of
2018 of 2.14 pence per ordinary share bringing the total dividend
for 2018 to 3.2 pence. In January 2020, the Group paid an interim
dividend of 1.15 pence per ordinary share. Despite a significant
cash balance and undrawn facilities, the Board has decided to
suspend dividends pending the resolution of the economic backdrop
created by the coronavirus. We have reviewed a number of measures
aimed at preserving cash resources until the present uncertainty is
over and we hope to return to normal dividends in due course.
The Board has decided to delay this year's AGM until June given
that travel and gathering together may still be difficult in
mid-May when we traditionally hold AGMs.
Board and Employees
The success of the Group over recent years has arisen through
the diligence and intelligence of its employees, and, on behalf of
the Board, I extend thanks and congratulations.
Since April 2019, the Board has had only two non-executive
directors as we have sought another individual who can bring their
expertise to the benefit of the Group. We have identified a
well-qualified candidate who will join the Board at an appropriate
time when economic conditions are more settled.
Outlook
At the time of writing, there are macro-economic uncertainties
surrounding world trade, Covid-19 and the continued discussions
about post arrangements with the EU. Whilst Michelmersh operates in
a sector that has long-term political and social support from all
quarters and the new chancellor's first budget confirmed this
government's support of local authority housing development
alongside the private sector, there are clearly short-term
challenges for all UK businesses. Along with other businesses in
our sector, we have taken steps to suspend operations at our brick
plants in the interests of our workforce.
As noted above, the Group's finances are strong with substantial
cash balances and undrawn facilities with a supportive banking
partner in HSBC. We have stress-tested our forecasts with severe
scenarios including loss of sales, reduced output and additional
overheads all relating to the impact of coronavirus. We have also
examined actions we may take to preserve cash resources and have
discussed covenant headroom with HSBC. At this stage the Board
remains confident that the Group can overcome the challenges posed
by Covid-19.
The UK brick manufacturing sector is mature, logical and
well-funded and I am confident that Michelmersh will continue to
thrive, although there will undoubtedly be headwinds caused by
Covid-19, which will affect our workforce and customers in ways
that cannot be predicted as we publish these results. Michelmersh
has always emerged stronger through difficulties and I see no
reason why this should not be the case now with our committed and
able workforce, positive financial position and unique position in
the market place.
Martin Warner
Chairman
Chief Executive's Report
Clay products
Turnover growth of 15% was achieved through 5% like-for-like
growth in our established UK business plus turnover from the
acquired Belgian business that we describe in detail below.
Management continues to seek higher margins through operational
improvements and investment and has increased gross margin by 2% in
2019 over 2018. Again, this improvement came from existing
businesses allied to strong margins generated by the Belgian
subsidiary.
Michelmersh stays very close to customers and suppliers and in
that way, seeks to respond quickly to changes in markets and
technology.
Since restructuring operations in 2018, the performance of the
Michelmersh plant in Romsey that was struggling in 2017 has
exceeded our expectations. The restructured operation has settled
down into an efficient plant and has increased output of
machine-made bricks through 2019 and has quadrupled contribution on
5% more turnover. This performance is a credit to the local
workforce and management.
Performance
As noted in our previous years, IT was again at the forefront of
our commercial approach. During Q3 the Group embarked on developing
and implementing a new CRM system. The objective was to deliver a
new system through 2020. This new software will give the Group a
greater understanding and management of our customer requests and
orders. The new system, which is currently being stress tested by
the team, will also lead to improved levels of customer service
with enhanced planning and visibility.
In addition to new IT projects the Group continued to improve
our innovative Building Information Modelling (BIM) product files
through bimbricks.com , our one-stop website for designers,
contractors and BIM managers to visit, explore and interact with
files and product information for free. bimbricks.com is an
important strategic offering for the Group, remaining at the
forefront of industry modernisation by continuing to lead the way
in offering intuitive, informative and supportive product data
files.
Strong, efficient distributor support and key supply chain
relationships played a significant part in delivering the successes
of 2019. The Group remains committed to supporting the role of our
merchants and distributors. During the coming year the Group will
continue to develop this network of suppliers, ensuring excellent
customer service and closer business to business interaction.
In line with our Board strategy, 2019 saw the Group continue its
"balanced market" approach by delivering to sites throughout the UK
and Europe. This approach meant the Group covered a broad cross
section of sectors ranging from RMI, housing, commercial &
regeneration projects.
Stunning facades, inspired architecture and enhancing the built
environment was again at the forefront of 2019. Notable projects
included award winning homes in St. John's Gardens, Sandbach Heath,
a superb urban regeneration scheme at Belle Vue, Hampstead Green
Place, and a new educational facility for The Royal College of
Pathologists in E1. The Caxton in Buckingham Green highlights
inspired design with beautiful facades, but more importantly
showcases our products being used in complex off site
prefabrication scenarios.
The Group continues to forge a crucial role in the renaissance
of brick as it begins a new decade with brands that have evolved to
create some of the most popular products and prestigious projects
used in today's built environment.
Strong, focused support of students was an important part of
2019. During 2019 the Group supported British bricklaying
candidate, Lewis Greenwood, on his journey to representing the UK
at the 45th WorldSkills competition held in Kazan earlier this
year. As Britain's Brick Specialists, the Group is committed to
leading the way by donating products, giving Continuing
Professional Development (CPD) presentations, offering factory
tours and generally supporting students, colleges and vocational
courses across the country. Our goal is to aid in the process of
training and educating our next generation of promising young
bricklayers since they are the future of the construction
sector.
In 2020 the Group launched its educational support programme
'Pledge 100'. As a business we pledge to donate 100,000 bricks to
bricklaying colleges up and down the country in support of NVQ
training. Commitments such as the Pledge 100 initiative demonstrate
the Group's commitment to educating the brick layers of
tomorrow.
Floren
On 15 February 2019, the Group completed the acquisition of
Floren et Cie nv ("Floren") after an accelerated due diligence
process. With limited acquisition opportunities in the UK, the
Board looked further afield and targeted the northern European
market. Floren was a family owned manufacturer of a wide range of
high-quality bricks with a very efficient manufacturing process, a
strong customer base and a loyal workforce with a culture
consistent with that of Michelmersh. The wide product range was
consistent with the UK business and 25% of output makes its way to
the UK via a UK based brick factor. On a like-for-like basis, the
business performed better in 2019 than in 2018 and prospects for
future high performance are strong. The Board welcomes the Belgian
team to the Group and thanks them for their contribution.
Capital expenditure on a staff welfare block were completed post
acquisition and we are assessing plant repair and improvement
programmes alongside local management.
Management systems
The group further strengthened its sustainability profile and
management systems in 2019 with ISO 9001 at Carlton and the award
of the prestigious RoSPA Diamond Level for health and safety
performance covering all UK sites. All of our factories and
products are now accredited to a fleet of national and
international ISO standards.
Staff development
2019 was another exciting year for staff development with the
launch of our new fully integrated HR & Payroll system to all
staff. This has provided all of our staff with greater visibility
and functionality, as well as providing managers with more
facilities to manage and develop their teams.
Although there is a legal requirement for us to engage with
staff, we have tried to move beyond simply focusing on regulatory
compliance by promoting and embedding responsible practice and
behaviours across the Group to all staff. One of the ways we have
looked to achieve this is by establishing and launching our Core
Company Values - Integrity, Respect, Innovation and Sustainability
- IRIS. As a company we have strong moral and ethical principles
and so, by actively promoting and encouraging staff to follow and
adhere to these values, we are fostering a more supportive,
trusting and healthier environment for all our staff to work and
flourish in.
Following the introduction in 2018 of Personal Development
Programmes (PDPs), we have redesigned the format for 2019 to make
the PDPs more streamlined and more person-centric to give staff the
opportunities to grow and develop. We believe employee engagement
consists of two-way commitment and communication between us and our
staff and so, looking ahead, we are reviewing further ways we can
listen, consider and respond to all our staff at all levels.
Land Assets
The long-term prospects of the Group's business depend on
obtaining and securing mineral reserves. This process is
technically demanding and time-consuming and continues in the
background to current brick manufacturing.
The strong recovery of the Michelmersh plant detailed above has
confirmed the likelihood that the option to extract mineral from
the land adjacent to the brickworks at Romsey will be exercised,
providing mineral reserves that preserve the brickmaking at the
site for 20 years.
Preparatory work and satisfaction of planning conditions are now
largely in place to allow the commencement of the construction of a
new road at Telford. This will release the remainder of the
in-ground mineral for the Blockleys brickworks, ultimately leading
to the restitution of the site and unlocking land development
opportunities.
The land adjacent to the current operational quarry at Carlton
holds mineral resources that provide additional longevity to the
brickworks. Planning procedures and dialogue with interested
parties have commenced to secure the mineral, which is important in
the context of the future investment in the plant.
At Floren, regulatory consent for future mineral extraction from
the land within our ownership has further cemented the working life
of the plant.
Opportunities for development or disposal of ancillary land
continue to be pursued at all sites alongside our mineral
extraction and restitution responsibilities.
Plant and machinery
Capital expenditure on plant in 2019 was lower than in previous
years as previous investment projects are bedded in and upcoming
investments are evaluated and scheduled. Evaluation of these
longer-term projects run alongside the continual ongoing repair,
replacement and improvement to existing plant, always with a view
to increase efficiency around the Group's two largest input costs -
energy and labour - but also to improve the safety and well-being
of our employees.
At Carlton, the installation and commissioning of the new
robotic kiln unloading and packaging equipment was completed in
2019. This futureproofing has significantly improved the efficiency
of the plant and has increased unloading capacity by 25%, allowing
opportunity for future expansion, while reducing the use of plastic
packaging by more than 40%. With Phase I investment complete, we
turn our attention to other operations and evaluation of returns
and technical specification of further investment are well
advanced.
A long-running evaluation of automation at Freshfield Lane is
showing positive progress that investment may yield expansion and
operational efficiency gains.
Charity
The Group believes it has a corporate responsibility to
contribute to charities across the country, donating funds, food
products, children's toys, resources and a wealth of clay products
to deserving institutions and organisations that require aid and
support.
The Group has continued to support over 40 different
community-based charities during 2019, including many local to its
operations. These charities include the Salvation Army, British
Heart Foundation, Save the Children, Cancer Research, Variety,
Barnardo's, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Hospice and many more.
Outlook
We approach 2020 with enthusiasm and determination. The first
quarter of 2020 was in line with forecasts until we decided to
suspend operations despite appalling weather conditions and
disruption arising from the coronavirus. Recent events have
challenged our long-standing contingency plans and we have
developed specific tactics to deal with the disruption caused by
Covid-19, which have included the temporary suspension of
operations. We have stress-tested our budget and, whilst we are
satisfied that we have adequate resources to ride out a difficult
trading period, we have also identified mitigating actions to
preserve cash resources. We are monitoring the situation and the
welfare of our staff closely.
Michelmersh has a strong profile and established market
presence, is well-structured and has become broader based through
acquisitions in recent years. Our significant resources include our
skilled, committed and experienced workforce, efficient and
well-invested plant, significant mineral reserves and our strong
balance sheet and financial base. We are also heavily embedded in
the repair, maintenance and improvement sector. The Board looks
forward to continued progress in the coming years.
Frank Hanna, Peter Sharp
Joint Chief Executives
31 March 2020
Consolidated Income Statement
For the year ended 31 December 2019
2019 2018
GBP'000 GBP'000
Revenue 53,523 46,324
Cost of sales (31,618) (28,305)
--------------------------------------------------- --------- ---------
Gross profit 21,905 18,019
Administrative expenses
Underlying (11,757) (8,994)
Exceptional (1) - (930)
Amortisation of intangibles (1,163) (1,138)
--------------------------------------------------- --------- ---------
(12,905) (11,062)
Other income 224 97
--------------------------------------------------- --------- ---------
Exceptional item - Bargain purchase(2) 2,422 -
- acquisition costs(3) (566) -
-------------------------------------------------- --------- ---------
Operating profit 11,065 7,054
Finance costs (698) (617)
--------------------------------------------------- --------- ---------
Profit before taxation 10,367 6,437
Taxation (1,763) (1,452)
Profit for the financial year 8,604 4,985
--------------------------------------------------- --------- ---------
Basic earnings per share 9.41 p 5.78 p
Diluted earnings per share 9.19 p 5.57 p
Exceptional Items
(1) In 2018, costs relating to the restructuring of operations
at the Michelmersh plant incurred redundancy costs (GBP390,000) and
write down of plant and equipment (GBP540,000) as tile and
hand-making activities ceased.
(2) Bargain purchase; represents the excess of the fair value of
assets less liabilities acquired over the consideration payable for
the acquisition of Floren in February 2019
(3) Costs relating to the acquisition of Floren.
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the year ended 31 December 2019
2019 2018
GBP'000 GBP'000
Profit for the financial year 8,604 4,985
Other comprehensive income/(expense)
Items which will not subsequently be
reclassified to profit and loss
Currency movements 67 -
Revaluation surplus of property, plant
and equipment 801 565
Revaluation deficit of property, plant
and equipment (10) (42)
Deferred tax on movement (134) (115)
-------------------------------------------- -------- --------
724 408
------------------------------------------- -------- --------
Total comprehensive income for the year 9,328 5,393
-------------------------------------------- -------- --------
Consolidated Balance Sheet
As at 31 December 2019
2019 2018
GBP'000 GBP'000
Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 22,590 22,948
Property, plant and equipment 65,348 52,416
--------------------------------------- ---------- ---------
87,938 75,364
Current assets
Inventories 9,761 8,309
Trade and other receivables 8,567 8,245
Cash and cash equivalents 15,140 5,255
--------------------------------------- ---------- ---------
Total current assets 33,468 21,809
Total assets 121,406 97,173
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 9,889 7,065
Lease liabilities 542 -
Interest bearing borrowings 3,414 1,770
Corporation tax payable 882 564
--------------------------------------- ---------- ---------
Total current liabilities 14,727 9,399
Non-current liabilities
Interest bearing borrowings 18,036 15,310
Lease liabilities 673 -
Deferred tax liabilities 8,670 8,670
--------------------------------------- ---------- ---------
30,575 23,980
Total liabilities 45,303 33,379
Net assets 76,103 63,794
--------------------------------------- ---------- ---------
Equity attributable to equity holders
Share capital 18,498 17,297
Share premium account 15,545 11,643
Other reserves 23,192 21,788
Retained earnings 18,868 13,066
--------------------------------------- ---------- ---------
Total equity 76,103 63,794
--------------------------------------- ---------- ---------
Consolidated Statement of changes in equity
For the year ended 31 December 2019
Share Share Merger Share Revaluation Retained Total
Capital option reserve premium reserve earnings
reserve
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
As at 1 January
2018 17,234 515 3,423 11,495 16,878 9,838 59,383
Profit for the
year - - - - - 4,985 4,985
Revaluation surplus - - - - 565 - 565
Revaluation deficit - - - - (42) - (42)
Deferred taxation
on revaluation - - - - (115) - (115)
---------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------ ---------- --------
Total comprehensive
income - - - - 408 4,985 5,393
Share based payment - 660 - - - - 660
Transfer to retained
earnings - (96) - - - 96 -
Shares issued during
the year 63 - - 148 - - 211
Dividend paid - - - - - (1,853) (1,853)
---------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------ ---------- --------
At 31 December
2018 17,297 1,079 3,423 11,643 17,286 13,066 63,794
Profit for the
year - - - - - 8,604 4,985
Revaluation deficit - - - - (10) - (10)
Revaluation surplus - - - - 801 - 801
Deferred taxation
on revaluation - - - - (134) - (134)
Currency difference - - - - - 67 67
---------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------ ---------- --------
Total comprehensive
income - - - - 657 8,671 9,328
Share based payment - 765 - - - - 765
Shares issued during
the year 1,201 - - 3,902 - - 5,103
Transfer to retained
earnings - (18) - - - 18 -
Dividend paid - - - - - (2,887) (2,887)
---------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------ ---------- --------
At 31 December
2019 18,498 1,826 3,423 15,545 17,943 18,868 76,103
---------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------ ---------- --------
Consolidated Statement of cash flows
For the year ended 31 December 2019
2019 2018
GBP'000 GBP'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before taxation 10,368 6,437
Loss/ (profit) on disposal of fixed assets 247 (15)
Finance expense 698 617
Depreciation 3,313 1,842
Amortisation 1,165 1,138
Bargain purchase (2,422) -
Exceptional write down of assets - 540
Share based payment charge 765 660
--------------------------------------------- -------- --------
Cash flow from operations before changes
in working capital 14,134 11,219
Decrease in inventories 822 1,159
Decrease / (increase) in receivables 37 (1,311)
Increase in payables 1,629 602
--------------------------------------------- -------- --------
Net cash generated by operations 16,622 11,669
Taxation paid (2,105) (1,823)
--------------------------------------------- -------- --------
Net cash generated by operating activities 14,517 9,846
--------------------------------------------- -------- --------
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of subsidiary undertaking net (6,202) -
of cash acquired
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (2,412) (1,985)
Proceeds of disposal of property, plant
and equipment - 45
--------------------------------------------- -------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities (8,614) (1,940)
--------------------------------------------- -------- --------
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds of loan drawdown 5,100 -
Adjustment in respect of IFRS16 (646) -
Repayment of interest bearing liabilities (1,990) (4,520)
Interest paid (698) (617)
Proceeds of share issue 4,704 211
Dividend paid (2,488) (1,853)
--------------------------------------------- -------- --------
Net cash generated by / (used in) financing
activities 3,982 (6,779)
--------------------------------------------- -------- --------
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents 9,885 1,127
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning
of the year 5,255 4,128
--------------------------------------------- -------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at the end
of the year 15,140 5,255
--------------------------------------------- -------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents comprise:
Cash at bank and in hand 15,140 5,255
Bank overdraft - -
--------------------------------------------- -------- --------
15,140 5,255
--------------------------------------------- -------- --------
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as
adopted by the European Union ("IFRSs as adopted by the EU"), IFRS
Interpretations Committee interpretations and with those parts of
the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under
IFRS. The information in this statement is in accordance with the
recognition and presentation requirements of IFRS but not the
disclosure requirements.
There have been no changes to the accounting policies adopted
since the last consolidated financial statements were published,
except resulting from the adoption of IFRS 16 Leases .
2. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The financial information set out in this Preliminary
Announcement does not constitute the Group's statutory financial
statements for the years ended 31 December 2019 or 2018. The
financial information has been extracted from the Group's statutory
financial statements for the years ended 31 December 2019 and 2018.
The auditors have reported on those financial statements; their
report for 2019 included the following statements:
Opinion
We have audited the group financial statements of Michelmersh
Brick Holdings plc (the 'group') for the year ended 31 December
2019 which comprise the consolidated income statement, the
consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated
statement of changes in equity, the consolidated balance sheet, the
consolidated statement of cash flows, the general information and
the notes to the group financial statements, including a summary of
significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework
that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by
the European Union.
In our opinion, the group financial statements:
-- give a true and fair view of the state of the group's affairs
as at 31 December 2019 and of its profit for the year then
ended;
-- have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union; and
-- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International
Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our
responsibilities under those standards are further described in the
Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the group financial
statements section of our report. We are independent of the group
in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to
our audit of the group financial statements in the UK, including
the FRC's Ethical Standard as applied to SME listed entities, and
we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance
with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have
obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our
opinion.
Material uncertainty related to going concern
We draw attention to the accounting policy in the financial
statements concerning the group's ability to continue as a going
concern. On 11 March 2020, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the
World Health Organisation.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business remains
unquantifiable at this stage, particularly in relation to
implications for the construction industry and wider economy.
These conditions indicate the existence of a material
uncertainty which may cast significant doubt upon the group's
ability to continue as a going concern. Our opinion is not modified
in respect of this matter.
For 2018 their report was unqualified, did not include
references to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by
way of emphasis and did not contain a statement under Section
498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2018 have
been delivered to the Registrar of Companies, whereas those for the
year ended 31 December 2019 will be delivered to the Registrar of
Companies following the Company's Annual General Meeting.
The financial information is presented in sterling and all
values are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds (GBP000) except
when otherwise indicated.
3. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic
The calculation of earnings per share from continuing operations
based upon the profit for the year of GBP8,604,000 (2018:
GBP4,985,000) and 91,463,549 (2018: 86,312,463) weighted average
number of ordinary shares.
Diluted
The calculation of diluted earnings per share from continuing
operations based upon the profit for the year of GBP8,604,000
(2018: GBP4,985,000) and 93,632,839 (2018: 88,655,058) weighted
average number of ordinary shares.
4. Alternative performance measure reconciliation
notes Year ended Year ended
2019/
31-Dec-19 31-Dec-18 2018
GBP000 GBP000
Turnover 53,523 46,324 15.5%
Reported Gross Profit 21,905 18,019 21.6%
Cost of sales adjustment re Floren
brick stocks 1 1,085 -
1 (1,033) -
IFRS16 impact 2 (42) -
-------------------------------------------------- ------ ----------------- ----------------- -------
Underlying Gross Profit 21,915 18,019 21.6%
-------------------------------------------------- ------ ----------------- ----------------- -------
40.9% 38.9% 2.0%
Reported Operating profit 11,065 7,054 30.5%
Add back - exceptional costs of plant - GBP930
restructure
-exceptional costs relating to the
acquisition of Floren 3 (1,856) -
Treat Planbaten as Exceptional 4 (103) -
Cost of sales adjustment re Floren
brick stocks (net) 1 52 -
Amortisation of intangibles 5 1,166 1,138
IFRS16 impact 2 (28) -
-------------------------------------------------- ------ ----------------- ----------------- -------
'Underlying' operating profit 10,296 9,122 12.8%
-------------------------------------------------- ------ ----------------- ----------------- -------
Finance costs - reported (698) (617)
- exclude IFRS16 charge 117 -
-------------------------------------------------- ------ ----------------- ----------------- -------
'Underlying' profit before taxation 9,715 8,505 14.2%
-------------------------------------------------- ------ ----------------- ----------------- -------
'Underlying' operating profit (as
above) 10,296 9,122 12.8%
IFRS16 impact 2 (670) -
Depreciation (excluding IFRS 16) 3,313 1,842
-------------------------------------------------- ------ ----------------- ----------------- -------
Underlying EBITDA 12,939 10,964 18.4%
-------------------------------------------------- ------ ----------------- ----------------- -------
Reported Basic EPS 9.41 p 5.78p 62.8%
Underlying Basic EPS 8.87p 6.76 p 31.2%
-------------------------------------------------- ------ ----------------- ----------------- -------
Net cash Generated by operations 16,626 11,669 42.4%
-------------------------------------------------- ------ ----------------- ----------------- -------
Notes:
1. Cost of sales adjustment re Floren brick stocks: under
statutory account treatment, brick stocks are acquired at 'fair
value' - ie their resale value. To reflect the underlying trading
profit, an adjustment of GBP1,085,000 has been made to replicate
the gross profit as if the brick stocks were sold under normal
trading conditions.
In addition, there is an almost equal value adjustment to match
the Floren stock valuation policy with that of the existing Group
accounting policy to increase brick stock value by GBP1,033,000.
Michelmersh value finished goods at cost of production plus
absorption of overheads associated with the brick plant. Floren
accounting policies apply a lower element of overhead absorption
and so an adjustment is made on consolidation to reflect the Group
basis of valuation and entailed an uplift as at 31 December 2019 in
the statutory accounts. This uplift is excluded from the
'underlying' gross profit above.
2. IFRS16 has been adopted in the financial statements for the
year ended 31 December 2019 which entails a different accounting
treatment for operating leases. This adjustment is to allow a fair
comparison with the comparative metric.
3. The bargain purchase and costs of acquisition relating to
Floren are excluded from this analysis as they are
non-recurring.
4. Floren received an exceptional credit as a result of a change
in regulatory treatment of land taxes which is non-recurring.
5. Amortisation of intangible assets is excluded for this
purpose as it is widely accepted by investment analysts that
earnings measurements excludes amortisation of intangibles.
5. DIVIDEND
The Board has not proposed a final dividend after payment of an
interim dividend of 1.154 pence per share in January 2020.
6. REPORT & ACCOUNTS
Copies of this announcement are available and the Annual Report
will be available in due course on the Group's website
www.mbhplc.co.uk and from the Company's registered office at
Freshfield Lane, Danehill, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH17
7HH.
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
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