TIDMAPC
RNS Number : 7605R
APC Technology Group PLC
14 December 2016
14 December 2016
APC TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC
("APC" or the "Company")
Final Results for the Year Ended 31 August 2016
APC Technology Group PLC (AIM: APC), the provider of design,
specification and distribution services for specialist electronic
components and systems, lighting technologies and connectivity
products, announces its preliminary results for the year ended 31
August 2016.
Financial highlights
-- Revenue from continuing operations GBP17.9 million (2015: GBP22.8 million)
-- Gross profit, before exceptional and non-recurring expenses,
increased to GBP6.4 million (2015: GBP6.0 million)
-- Gross margin, before exceptional and non-recurring expenses,
improved to 35.8% (2015: 26.3%)
-- GBP0.3 million operating profit before exceptional and
non-recurring expenses, compared to GBP1.4 million loss in the
prior year
-- Headcount within continuing business reduced by 22%, from 116 to 91
-- Over GBP2 million of annualised cost savings achieved through
supply chain restructuring, headcount reduction, office
consolidation, and improved procurement practices across the
business
-- Two fund raises completed in the period, resulting in GBP2.4
million in new equity for the Group
-- Net debt at year-end of GBP3.2 million, GBP2.7 million of
which relates to amount owed under the Group's GBP6 million invoice
finance facility with ABN Commercial Finance which has been
extended to 31 December 2017
-- Post-tax loss of GBP12.9 million (2015: GBP5.8 million), of
which GBP12.8 million is attributable to exceptional and
non-recurring expenses (GBP3.0 million) and discontinued operations
(GBP9.8 million) incurred in the restructuring of the Group,
discontinuance of non-core activities, and the write off of
goodwill and other intangible assets
-- Cash impact of loss GBP4.6 million, of which GBP4.2 million
relates to exceptional and non-recurring expenses (GBP2.2 million)
and losses sustained in discontinued operations (GBP2.0
million)
Operational highlights
-- Robust group refocused on the design, specification and
distribution of specialist electronic components and systems,
lighting technologies and connectivity products
-- Lighting supply chain completely overhauled, dramatically
decreasing working capital cycle and improving gross margins
-- The Group has products and proven technologies, customers
with whom it has enjoyed long relationships and is well placed in
the growing lighting technology and Internet of Things markets
Post period-end
-- Sale of Green Compliance water hygiene business for a total
consideration of GBP1.8 million (GBP0.8 million cash and GBP1.0
million assumption of borrowings), in addition to disposing of
GBP0.7 million of future liabilities under operating leases
-- Record first quarter bookings of GBP4.1 million in core
specialist electronic component distribution business underpins
confidence in continuing operations and profitable outlook for the
year
-- Lighting technologies division completed delivery of GBP1.0
million specialist lighting to major high street food and clothing
retailer and first GBP250,000 of a GBP2 million lighting programme
for a major financial institution's real estate portfolio
-- Further alignment of continuing operations with expected
revenues, reducing headcount by 16%, from 91 to 76, since the
beginning of the year
-- First quarter revenue of GBP4.5 million from continuing operations
-- New website launched to reflect the new focus of the Group at www.apcplc.com
Board Changes
-- Having overseen the implementation of the Operational Review
and with the business now on a stable footing, Leonard Seelig (Non
executive Chairman) and Ian Davidson (Non executive Director) have
both decided not to stand for re-election at the AGM in February
2017.
-- Ian Davidson will step down immediately and Leonard Seelig
intends to step down at the AGM, and in the meantime will work
actively with the Board on appointing a suitable successor.
Richard Hodgson, Chief Executive of APC, commented:
"The year to 31 August 2016 was a year of restructuring for the
Group and necessitated many hard decisions with all but core
activities terminated or sold. While this resulted in a significant
write-off of past costs, with a large proportion of that write-off
being non cash, it establishes a solid profitable base upon which
to build for the future.
We have strength in the stability that our core electronic
component business brings and also some real established growth
drivers in our lighting technologies and connected products and
systems.
I am very pleased with the solid start we have made to this new
financial year, with the restructuring behind us and with a
realigned business focused on our core competency of design,
specification, and distribution of specialist technologies. This is
a business that we have historically done well and which has proven
to be profitable and cash-generative.
I would like to thank Leonard and Ian for their support in
helping to get the business back on a stable footing and we wish
them all the best for the future."
Enquiries
APC Technology Group PLC +44 (0) 330 313 3220
Richard Hodgson, Chief Executive www.apcplc.com
Art Russell, Chief Financial Officer
Stockdale Securities Limited (Nominated Adviser and Broker) +44
(0)20 7601 6100
Mark Brown / Antonio Bossi / Edward Thomas
STRATEGIC REPORT AND OPERATIONS REVIEW
The Directors are pleased to submit their Statutory Strategic
Report for APC Technology Group PLC ("the Company") and its
subsidiary undertakings (together "the Group") for the year ended
31 August 2016, together with a review of the Group's operations
during the year.
Principal activities
The principal activity of the Group and Company during the year
was the design, specification and distribution of specialist
electronic components and systems, lighting technologies and
connectivity products to the defence, aerospace, industrial, real
estate, logistics and healthcare sectors.
Review of the year
This has been another year of significant change for the
Group.
In last year's Annual Report, we highlighted the Operational
Review that we had undertaken as a Board, which examined the whole
Group and resulted in a renewed focus on the core businesses that
were both profitable and cash-generative. This Review identified a
number of activities that were non-profitable and/or ancillary to
our core businesses, often using valuable resources that could be
better employed in other ways.
As the year progressed, the Board re-examined the Group's
strategy going forward and determined that the business should be
aligned more closely to its core strength: the design,
specification and distribution of specialist electronic components
and systems. This process involves technical, engineer-to-engineer
sales of highly specialised products that are "designed-in" to
customers' complex build, manufacture and integration programmes,
with the resulting procurement tailored to the customers'
requirements and time schedules.
This review of the Group's strategy led the Board to make a
number of difficult decisions that were necessary to reposition the
Group to meet these objectives. In the short term many of these
changes have a cost attached. This year's results reflect a
substantial quantum of exceptional and non-recurring expenses,
which have been incurred in discontinuing certain activities and
implementing the necessary structural changes to the Group. It
should be noted that many of these costs are non-cash and reflect
the write off of goodwill or other carrying values in relation to
these discontinued activities.
Major changes made during the past year have included the
following:
-- The Group's sites at 47-48 Riverside, Rochester, and Phoenix
Park, St Neots, have been closed and all Rochester operations have
been consolidated at the Group's Stirling Park premises. As well as
achieving savings on fixed costs, this move enables the teams to
work together more effectively.
-- The business model for lighting has been totally overhauled.
In addition, key partnerships have been established with leading
European manufacturers within the past year, to replace the
previous Far East suppliers, considerably reducing freight costs
and lead time.
-- The Group's involvement in North America failed to live up to
the Board's expectations and has been brought to an end. The
Canadian operation is being wound up and the US operation has been
transferred to the Group's former partner in the joint venture
originally formed to develop the US market. This enables the
Group's management to concentrate on developing its UK
businesses.
-- The Company has sold its minority stake in its associated
company Invisible Systems Holdings Limited.
-- The Group has discontinued peripheral activities such as its
fledgling energy generation and energy-saving project financing
businesses. It has also exited its businesses selling ISOTERA and
IMOP products, which had GBP185,000 working capital tied up in
unsaleable stock.
-- Excluding the water hygiene business, Group headcount has
been reduced from 116 at 31 August 2015 to 91 at 31 August
2016.
-- The size of the Board has been reduced to four (split equally
between Executive and Non-executive Directors) and other savings
have been made to Head Office costs.
-- Total annualised cost savings in excess of GBP2 million have
been achieved as a result of the above actions.
-- In June 2016, we appointed a new NOMAD and Broker, Stockdale
Securities Limited, who assisted us in achieving a placing at an
issue price of 8 pence in August 2016.
In addition, the Board has strengthened the financing base of
the Company in several ways:
-- ABN invoice discounting facilities have been extended to 31 December 2017;
-- A creditor invoice financing facility of GBP300,000 has been established with Pay4 Limited;
-- The Group's loan notes have been extended to July 2018; and,
-- Two share placings and share subscriptions raised a total of
GBP2.4 million before expenses.
More details on these financing measures are dealt with in the
funding and cash flow section of this Report.
In addition to the above, the most significant change has
involved the disposal of the Group's Green Compliance water hygiene
and treatment business acquired in September 2014. The disposal
took place in October 2016, after the financial year-end, but
stemmed from the decisions taken during the year.
Throughout the year the Board monitored the progress of the
water business. It reluctantly concluded that this business did not
readily align with the Group's core strength of design,
specification and distribution of specialist electronic components
and systems. The high ratio of the water business's fixed costs at
current revenue levels was diverting working capital resources from
more profitable and cash-generative activities and diluting senior
management time and attention.
Accordingly, the Board took the decision to instigate a process
of seeking a buyer for the water business. This culminated in the
sale of Green Compliance Water Division Limited on 12 October 2016
to Integrated Water Services Limited ("IWS"), a subsidiary of South
Staffordshire PLC. The business was sold for a total consideration
of GBP1.8 million: GBP0.8 million in cash consideration payable to
APC, and GBP1 million in respect of the settlement of amounts
outstanding under the invoice finance facility provided by ABN
Commercial Finance. In addition, the transaction has allowed APC to
dispose of GBP0.7 million of future liabilities under operating
lease commitments, halve the Company's headcount and significantly
reduce fixed costs.
The proceeds of the sale are being used to strengthen the
balance sheet and support working capital.
The transaction has triggered an exceptional charge to the
income statement of GBP7.6 million, representing a non-cash write
down of the intangible asset value of customer lists and goodwill
relating to the water hygiene business, which has been included in
discontinued operations.
Following the disposal of the water business and the other
changes outlined above, APC's principal activity is now the design,
specification and distribution of specialist electronic components
and systems, lighting technologies and connectivity products and
the Board regards this as an integrated single activity, albeit
with dedicated specialist and experienced teams dealing with the
various technologies and market sectors.
These developments will also allow the Group to simplify its
corporate structure and significantly reduce the number of
subsidiary companies, many of them dormant following past
acquisitions and disposals in previous years.
Review of continuing operations
The performance of all of our continuing operations developed
steadily throughout the year under review, in challenging
conditions, and by the end of the period we can look back on
encouraging progress in all of these areas. This is now a design,
specification and distribution business, integrating several
specialised teams that leverage specific technical experience and
knowhow in their respective areas of expertise. The progress made
by each of these teams in the year under review is discussed
below.
APC Component Distribution
Our specialist electronic component distribution business,
trading as Advanced Power Components (APC), is a leading
distributor of high-reliability and specialised electronic
components and has been the foundation of the Group's activities
since APC's formation in 1982.
The core of APC's business continues to be the provision of high
quality, high performance components to the defence, aerospace,
industrial, logistics and healthcare sectors. This product offering
is backed by our teams' technical, engineering and design
expertise, which is particularly valuable in situations where the
end-use equipment is operating in extreme conditions or is running
applications where component failure would be catastrophic. The
expertise within our technical sales and support teams continues to
be a major factor in differentiating us from other component
distribution companies.
Our specialist products are typically distributed under
exclusive agreement with market-leading suppliers and
manufacturers. In total APC represent over 60 manufacturers of
electronic components and systems for the UK market, many of these
being very long-standing relationships.
The UK component distribution market as a whole declined 3% in
2015 (Source: Electronic Component Supply Network). APC saw reduced
bookings in the second half of our 2015 financial year, mainly
resulting from timing of customer project cycles, and a
correspondingly muted turnover figure in the first half of this
financial year. However, this year we achieved our best first-half
bookings performance since 2011, with bookings for the six-month
period at GBP7.2m, up 28% on last year (bookings of GBP1.8m in
February being the highest ever recorded in a single month). This
translated into a strong revenue-earning second half to our
financial year. The positive book-to-bill ratio achieved in 2016
has resulted in a healthy order book going into the new financial
year.
The closure of our St Neots and Riverside offices has allowed
sales, sales administration and warehousing to be brought together
within a single site at Stirling Park, Rochester, reducing
overheads, which in turn should improve profitability in the coming
year.
As our high reliability electronic component division grows and
expands its portfolio of franchised manufacturers we continue to
design-in multiple product lines within key customer projects and
target markets. Applications for the year under review included
components for flight critical systems, power distribution in civil
aircraft, high voltage components for power supplies, custom
filters for harsh environments, satellites and space exploration,
transportation and hybrid vehicles and extreme temperature oil and
gas components. Our commitment to quality and technical support
underpins our success in these applications and our involvement in
the ExoMars space mission this year typifies APC's contribution to
equipment where durability and reliability are critical.
We have also had continuing success in projects for
Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices, aircraft control and
instrumentation systems and vehicle systems.
For the new financial year, the high reliability sales team has
integrated the activities HiRel, Locator (our obsolescence
management activity) and Novacom (RF and microwave components),
which were previously managed separately.
APC electronic component distribution continues to be the
reliable cornerstone of the Group's activities, stable but with
growth potential. It continues to do what it has done so
effectively since the Company was formed, focusing on specialist
applications where our sales engineers provide a value-added
technical interface between the specialist component manufacturers
that we represent and our customers' design engineering teams. It
remains a profitable and cash-generative activity, with a steady
daily invoicing flow, strong and supportive supplier relationships,
and a relatively short working capital cycle, and is seen as a core
business going forward.
APC Lighting Technologies (Minimise Energy)
APC Lighting Technologies trades as Minimise Energy (MEL). The
Operational Review carried out at the end of the 2015 financial
year confirmed that MEL's emphasis would be on the design,
specification, supply and installation of individual LED projects
across a diverse customer base.
Exiting that year, it was equally clear that the supply chain
needed to be overhauled. The reliance on Far Eastern suppliers with
long lead times was causing a drain on working capital, and freight
costs were dramatically impacting gross profit. Accordingly, during
the year under review, management set out to source alternative
suppliers in Eastern Europe. This project has proved very
successful, with freight costs significantly reduced, much shorter
lead times, improved communications and, in each case, the
opportunity for the Group to become a UK distributor for those
suppliers' products.
The reduced turnaround times and extended, innovative product
lines that these new manufacturers offer allows APC Lighting
Technologies to enter the new-build and construction lighting
markets in the UK on a cost competitive basis. These markets
represent significant new potential revenue streams for the Group,
alongside the existing turnkey lighting projects business.
The new business model is seeing increasing success over a
steadily widening client base of substantial companies involved in
the transport, logistics, retail, commercial property and
facilities management markets. MEL focuses on LED lighting projects
where our "design to installation" full service offering includes
project management and the use of real-time energy monitoring to
verify savings, leading to the reassurance of a successful project
delivery from design to completion.
In August 2016, APC signed an agreement with Gooee Limited to be
a UK partner for the launch of their IoT lighting ecosystem. Gooee
provides sensing, control and communications components in a
scalable framework that integrates with a cloud platform, providing
lighting manufacturers with IoT connectivity. The system puts
lighting at the heart of a building's IoT, providing new
opportunities to monitor LED performance, track footfall and
communicate directly with occupants. We believe that these factors
will be of significant interest to our existing customers,
particularly those in retail and commercial property.
APC Lighting Technologies has re-invented itself as another core
member of the Group over the past twelve months. It brings
innovative solutions to the many and varied needs of its
increasingly diverse blue-chip client base. We see the team's next
objective as reinforcing its sales resource to enable it to further
exploit the many growth opportunities available in this market.
APC Products and Systems
As a natural extension to our component range the Group
represents market-leading manufacturers of other specialist
products and systems. We provide technical sales and marketing
effort to drive the continued sales growth of these products within
their respective markets.
Through this we continue to enjoy growth in demand for embedded
computer and displays systems for process control, data terminals,
and control panels and we maintain a strong focus on infection
prevention products, primarily for the National Health Service.
Within our established time and frequency synchronisation
product business (APC Time) we are seeing increased interest from
the financial services industry in connection with the MiFID II
regulations (that will take effect from January 2018) for high
performance time and frequency synchronisation systems. Once again
this has resulted in steady trading for this part of the business
with the potential for order growth, not only in financial services
but also in broadcast and telecommunications.
In the past year we have made progress in the IoT marketplace,
targeting the monitoring, control and transfer of data from
connected devices through network infrastructures. We believe that
this market could offer significant opportunities for the Group and
to this end, in June 2016, we launched a specialist IoT team ('APC
Smartwave'), using existing resource and expertise, to consolidate
our existing comprehensive range of IoT products.
This is a logical addition to the Advanced Power Components
offering, providing products and technologies that aid connectivity
and help increase operational performance for customers. In line
with our core business, our focus will be on the procurement and
sale of connectivity products to customers who specialise in
systems integration and the sale of end products.
APC's IoT offering will provide products for applications
including smart metering, environmental monitoring, asset tracking,
smart parking and leak detection. It has already established
ongoing relationships with leading IoT product suppliers. APC
Smartwave offers flexible and scalable IoT solutions, backed by
engineer-to-engineer expertise and technical support.
Solutions Consulting (Minimise Solutions and EEVS)
Minimise Solutions delivers strategic and advisory services, to
monitor, measure, analyse and verify energy and water usage to help
clients manage their resources more efficiently and reduce cost.
The expertise and proven data that the team provides enables
customers to meet energy reduction, legislative, compliance and CSR
targets; as well as assuring successful outcomes from energy
efficiency programmes.
EEVS Insight Limited, our measurement and verification
specialist subsidiary, is well-known in the energy-saving market
for publishing, in partnership with Bloomberg New Energy Finance,
the prestigious quarterly "Energy Efficiency Trends" report, which
has established a reputation as the leading source of market
intelligence in this sector.
Most recently, the EEVS Performance Management team has secured
a long term contract with a major retail bank to provide
performance management and analytical services to support their
integrated energy efficiency programme. This estate-wide energy
reduction programme is integrated within a facilities management
contract, the benefits of which are shared with the facilities
management provider. EEVS has developed a unique performance
governance and verification service to ensure savings are
maximised, sustained and properly measured, delivering the value
that the client expects.
Financial results
The results for the financial year are stated in terms of
continuing operations. The water hygiene business, which was sold
in October 2016, has been treated as a discontinued activity and
its results separately reported. The comparative figures for 2015
have been correspondingly restated to exclude the water hygiene
business from the results from continuing operations.
Group revenue from continuing operations for the financial year
was GBP17,961,000 (2015: GBP22,786,000). Gross profit (excluding
exceptional and non-recurring expenses) improved from GBP6,004,000
in 2015 to GBP6,438,000 this year, the improvement in margins from
26.3% to 35.8% reflecting the increased emphasis on profitability
in Minimise Energy. The operating loss of GBP1,365,000 last year,
before exceptional and non-recurring expenses, was transformed into
a profit of GBP271,000 in 2016, generating earnings per share of
0.3p on this basis, compared with a loss of 1.5p per share last
year, as a result of savings of GBP1,154,000 in annual overheads
between the two years.
Loss before tax from continuing operations for the year was
GBP3,086,000, compared with GBP4,097,000 in 2015. This year's loss
is after accounting for one-off exceptional costs totaling
GBP3,026,000, in respect of costs relating to the corporate
reorganisation (GBP1,997,000), abortive contract costs (GBP736,000)
and unprecedented foreign exchange losses due to the turbulent
currency market for GBP during 2016 (GBP293,000).
After taking account of discontinued operations of GBP9,789,000,
the post-tax loss for the year was GBP12,875,000, of which
GBP8,229,000 was non-cash. The cost of discontinued operations
represents GBP7,615,000 resulting from the sale of Green Compliance
Water Division Limited, GBP1,066,000 from the closure of the
Group's North American operations, GBP1,095,000 from the disposal
or write down of the Group's minority holdings in other companies,
and a net cost of GBP13,000 from discontinuing other UK non-core
businesses.
Funding and cash flow
In the financial year, there was a cash outflow from operating
activities of GBP4,245,000, of which GBP4,104,000 arose from
exceptional costs and discontinued operations. The remaining
GBP141,000 of outflow from continuing operations was the result of
operating profit before share based payments and depreciation of
GBP417,000 and improved inventory levels of GBP557,000, offset by
growth in trade and other receivables of GBP279,000 and an improved
creditor position of GBP836,000.
The Group ended the year with a gross cash balance of GBP444,000
(2015: GBP1,239,000).
The Group's net debt at 31 August 2016 was GBP3,161,000 (2015:
GBP1,986,000), excluding GBP878,000 that has been reclassified to
liabilities directly associated with the assets held for sale. The
Group has an invoice discounting facility with ABN of up to
GBP6,000,000, of which GBP2,711,000 had been drawn down at the
year-end (2015: GBP2,543,000). The facility has been extended to 31
December 2017, demonstrating ABN's considerable support for the
business since the facility was established in early 2015. In
addition, the Group has a trade payment credit facility with Pay4
Limited of GBP300,000 of which GBP294,000 had been utilised at 31
August 2016.
During the year, the Board authorised two share placings with
existing and new investors, which, together with subscriptions from
a Director and other private investors, raised a total of
GBP2,481,000 (before expenses of GBP163,000). In addition, the
Group's outstanding convertible loans were either converted into
shares or have been extended to 31 July 2018. These measures have
strengthened the balance sheet, in order to allow the business to
take advantage of additional procurement opportunities to reduce
costs and increase margin, while providing adequate working capital
to support the Group through its strategic refocus.
On the basis of current financial projections and available
funds and facilities, the Directors are satisfied that the Group
and parent company have adequate resources to continue in operation
for the foreseeable future. The Directors therefore continue to
adopt the going concern basis of accounting when preparing the
financial statements, as described more fully in the Directors'
Report and the note on accounting policies in the financial
statements.
Board of Directors and Senior Management
Since November 2015, the Board has remained constant, with two
Executive and two Non-executive Directors. This stability and
continuity has been enhanced by the appointment to the senior
management team of Art Russell as Chief Financial Officer. Art's
appointment strengthens the team considerably, through his 25 years
of experience in senior financial roles, primarily in private
equity across a diverse range of industry sectors.
As we move forward into a new year, we are announcing two
changes to the Board.
Ian Davidson has served as a Non-executive Director since August
2010. Under the Company's Articles of Association he is due to
retire by rotation this year and has decided to step down from the
Board, with effect from 13 December 2016. The Board would like to
thank Ian for the considerable contribution he has made to the
Group over a long period and to wish him well in the future.
Leonard Seelig joined the Company as Non-executive Chairman in
January 2013 and has guided the Group through a period of
significant realignment and refocusing of its operations and
objectives in recent years. He too is due to retire by rotation
this year and has notified the Board of his intention to make way
for a new Chairman to lead the Group through its next phase of
growth. He therefore intends to step down from the Board at the
forthcoming Annual General Meeting, to be held on Friday 24
February 2017, and in the meantime is working actively with the
Board on appointing a suitable successor. The Board would like to
thank Leonard for his strong leadership during a period of major
change in the Group's structure and strategy and wish him well in
pursuing his other interests.
Outlook
The past twelve months have been extremely challenging, but the
actions we have taken during that time have concentrated the Group
on a suite of complementary core activities, all involving the
design, specification and distribution of specialist electronic
components and systems. The resulting business is more focused and
easier to manage, operating from fewer sites and with lower fixed
costs but addressing markets with demonstrable growth
potential.
We have some impressive established products and technologies,
delivered by highly experienced and professional teams of technical
sales people, which has led to an already enviable list of
customers across all areas of our business. The relationships we
have with our customers and key suppliers make us increasingly
confident that we now have a stable platform for profitable,
cash-generative growth in the future.
The Board would like to take this opportunity to thank our
management, staff and advisors for their dedication,
professionalism and commitment to the Group, and to express our
appreciation to our suppliers, partners and shareholders for their
continued patience and support.
Leonard Seelig John (Ian) Davidson Richard Hodgson Phil
Lancaster
Non-executive Chairman Non-executive Director Chief Executive Managing Director, APC Component Distribution
13 December 2016
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
For the year ended 31 August 2016
2016 2015
Exceptional Exceptional
Results and Results and
from non-recurring from non-recurring
operations expenses Total operations expenses Total
(Note (Note
3) 3)
Note GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Restated Restated Restated
* * *
---------------------- ---- ----------- -------------- -------- ----------- -------------- --------
Revenue 2 17,961 - 17,961 22,786 - 22,786
Cost of sales (11,523) (736) (12,259) (16,782) (757) (17,539)
Gross profit 6,438 (736) 5,702 6,004 (757) 5,247
Administrative
expenses (6,116) (2,290) (8,406) (7,270) (1,103) (8,373)
Operating profit
/ (loss) before
amortisation,
share based
payments and
acquisition
costs 322 (3,026) (2,704) (1,266) (1,860) (3,126)
Impairment
of intangible
asset - - - - (71) (71)
Share based
payments (51) - (51) (99) - (99)
Cost of acquisition - - - - (616) (616)
---------------------- ---- ----------- -------------- -------- ----------- -------------- --------
Operating profit
/ (loss) 271 (3,026) (2,755) (1,365) (2,547) (3,912)
Financing income 4 1 - 1 4 - 4
Financing costs 4 (332) - (332) (189) - (189)
Loss before
taxation (60) (3,026) (3,086) (1,550) (2,547) (4,097)
Taxation credit - - - 99 - 99
Loss for the
year from continuing
operations (60) (3,026) (3,086) (1,451) (2,547) (3,998)
Discontinued
operations
Loss for the
year from
discontinued
operations,
net of tax 5 - (9,789) (9,789) - (1,776) (1,776)
Loss for the
year (60) (12,815) (12,875) (1,451) (4,323) (5,774)
=========== ============== ======== =========== ============== ========
Attributable
to:
Equity holders
of the parent (60) (12,815) (12,875) (1,424) (4,323) (5,747)
Non-controlling
interests - - - (27) - (27)
----------- -------------- -------- ----------- -------------- --------
(60) (12,815) (12,875) (1,451) (4,323) (5,774)
=========== ============== ======== =========== ============== ========
* See Note 5
Earnings per share from continuing and discontinued operations
attributable to the equity holders of the parent during the
year.
2016 2015
Restated
Note *
----------------------- ----- -------- ---------
Basic earnings
per share 6
From continuing
operations (3.0p) (4.6p)
From discontinued
operations (9.4p) (2.2p)
-------- ---------
From profit for
the year (12.4p) (6.8p)
======== =========
Earnings - operating
profit before
exceptional costs,
amortisation,
share based payments
and acquisition
costs 6 0.3p (1.5p)
======== =========
* See Note 5
There is no dilutive effect of options in 2016 due to the Group
loss.
There were no other items of comprehensive income. Accordingly,
no consolidated statement of comprehensive income has been
prepared.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
As at 31 August 2016
2016 2015
Note GBP000 GBP000
----------------------------- ----- --------- ---------
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 7,378 16,353
Property, plant
and equipment 132 227
Associates and
financial assets - 1,524
7,510 18,104
--------- ---------
Current assets
Inventories 1,080 2,633
Trade and other
receivables 3,751 4,327
Current tax asset - 29
Cash and cash equivalents 444 1,239
5,275 8,228
Assets held for
sale 5 3,036 -
--------- ---------
8,311 8,228
--------- ---------
Total assets 15,821 26,332
--------- ---------
Current liabilities
Trade and other
payables (6,416) (8,588)
Borrowings (3,027) (2,565)
(9,443) (11,153)
Liabilities directly
associated with
the assets held
for sale 5 (2,395) -
--------- ---------
(11,838) (11,153)
--------- ---------
Total assets less
current liabilities 3,983 15,179
Non - current liabilities
Financial liabilities (578) (660)
Deferred tax liability - (828)
Net assets 3,405 13,691
========= =========
Equity attributable
to the equity holders
of the parent
Called - up share
capital 2,556 1,831
Share premium account 12,895 11,302
Share option reserve 548 497
Merger reserve 4,635 4,635
Translation reserve (10) (10)
Retained earnings (17,219) (4,344)
Equity attributable
to the equity holders
of the parent 3,405 13,911
Non-controlling
interests - (220)
Total equity 3,405 13,691
========= =========
Consolidated statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 August 2016
Attributable to the equity holders of the Non-controlling
parent interests
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------
Share
Share option
Share premium valuation Merger Translation Retained Retained
capital account reserve reserve reserve earnings Total earnings Total
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
------- ------- --------- ------- ----------- -------------- -------- --------------- --------
At 31 August
2014 1,199 8,244 398 - (10) 1,611 11,442 (57) 11,385
------- ------- --------- ------- ----------- -------------- -------- --------------- --------
Loss for the
year - - - - - (5,747) (5,747) (27) (5,774)
Other
comprehensive
income - - - - - - - - -
------- ------- --------- ------- ----------- -------------- -------- --------------- --------
Total
comprehensive
income for the
year - - - - - (5,747) (5,747) (27) (5,774)
------- ------- --------- ------- ----------- -------------- -------- --------------- --------
Transactions
with equity
holders of the
parent
Issue of new
shares 345 3,234 - - - - 3,579 - 3,579
Issue of
ordinary
shares related
to a business
combination 287 - - 4,635 - - 4,922 - 4,922
Overseas
repayment
of capital - - - - - (208) (208) (136) (344)
Costs associated
with share
issue - (176) - - - - (176) - (176)
Share option
charge - - 99 - - - 99 - 99
632 3,058 99 4,635 - (208) 8,216 (136) 8,080
------- ------- --------- ------- ----------- -------------- -------- --------------- --------
At 31 August
2015 1,831 11,302 497 4,635 (10) (4,344) 13,911 (220) 13,691
------- ------- --------- ------- ----------- -------------- -------- --------------- --------
Loss for the
year - - - - - (12,875) (12,875) - (12,875)
Other
comprehensive
income - - - - - - - - -
------- ------- --------- ------- ----------- -------------- -------- --------------- --------
Total
comprehensive
income for the
year - - - - - (12,875) (12,875) - (12,875)
------- ------- --------- ------- ----------- -------------- -------- --------------- --------
Attributable to the equity holders of the Non-controlling
parent interests
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------
Share
Share option
Share premium valuation Merger Translation Retained Retained
capital account reserve reserve reserve earnings Total earnings Total
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
------- ------- --------- ------- ----------- -------------- -------- --------------- --------
Transactions
with equity
holders of the
parent
Issue of new
shares 725 1,756 - - - - 2,481 - 2,481
Disposal of
non-controlling
interest - - - - - - - 220 220
Costs associated
with share
issue - (163) - - - - (163) - (163)
Share option
charge - - 51 - - - 51 - 51
725 1,593 51 - - - 2,369 220 2,589
------- ------- --------- ------- ----------- -------------- -------- --------------- --------
At 31 August
2016 2,556 12,895 548 4,635 (10) (17,219) 3,405 - 3,405
------- ------- --------- ------- ----------- -------------- -------- --------------- --------
ConSolidated statement OF CASH FLOWS
For the year ended 31 August 2016
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
--------------------------- --------- --------
Reconciliation of cash
flows from operating
activities
Loss before taxation
including discontinued
operations for
the financial year (12,875) (6,044)
Share of results
of associates - (9)
Loss on disposal
of property, plant
and equipment - 56
Impairment loss
on assets held
for sale 6,704 -
Loss on sale of
investment in associates 1,095 -
Loss on discontinued
subsidiary interests 1,120 -
Finance costs 401 249
Finance income (1) (4)
Decrease in financial
assets - 156
Taxation receipts 29 13
Depreciation of
property, plant
and equipment 95 132
Amortisation of
intangibles - 761
Decrease / (increase)
in inventories 846 (396)
(Increase) / decrease
in trade and other
receivables (1,025) 1,429
(Decrease) / Increase
in trade and other
payables (685) 768
Share-based payments
charge 51 99
Net cash (used
in) / from operating
activities (4,245) (2,790)
--------- --------
Cash flows from
investing activities
Acquisition of
property, plant
and equipment (23) (72)
Acquisition of
subsidiary undertakings,
net of cash acquired - 240
Sale / (acquisition)
of investment in
associates 319 (100)
Net cash used in
investing activities 296 68
--------- --------
Cash flows from
financing activities
Finance income 1 4
Finance costs (401) (249)
Proceeds of share
issue 2,318 3,403
Finance leases (22) (57)
Short-term borrowings 1,340 872
Overseas repayment
of capital - (344)
Repayment of loan
notes (60) (220)
Net cash from financing
activities 3,176 3,409
--------- --------
(Decrease) / increase
in net cash (773) 687
--------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents
as at 1 September 1,239 552
(Decrease) / increase
in net cash (773) 687
Cash in assets
held for sale (22) -
Cash and cash equivalents
as at 31 August 444 1,239
========= ========
NOTES TO THE CONSOLDIATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Basis of preparation
Statement of compliance
These financial statements have been prepared under the
historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of
certain financial assets at fair value, as required by IAS 39
Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. These financial
statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by
the European Union, and with those parts of the Companies Acts
applicable to companies reporting under IFRS.
Going concern basis of accounting
These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern
basis, as management believes the Group will be able to meet its
liabilities as they fall due.
The Group incurred a consolidated loss after tax of
GBP12,875,000 for the year, of which GBP12,815,000 related to
exceptional costs and discontinued operations (Notes 3 and 5) and
GBP8,229,000 was non-cash.
Cash from operations for the year was negatively impacted by
GBP4,245,000, of which GBP4,104,000 arose from exceptional costs
and discontinued operations. The remaining GBP141,000 of outflow
from continuing operations was the result of operating profit
before share based payments and depreciation of GBP417,000 and
improved inventory levels of GBP557,000, offset by growth in trade
and other receivables of GBP279,000 and an improved creditor
position of GBP836,000.
The cash requirement of the Group was funded by two share
placings, which raised a total of GBP2,318,000 after costs of
issuance, a GBP1,340,000 drawdown on short-term borrowings, and
GBP326,000 proceeds from sale of an investment in an associate.
The Group earned an operating profit before exceptional and
non-recurring expenses of GBP271,000, compared to a loss of
GBP1,365,000 in the prior year.
As described in Notes 5 and 7, subsequent to year-end the Group
sold its investment in Green Compliance Water Division Limited for
cash proceeds of GBP800,000 and GBP999,000 assumption of
borrowings. In addition, after the end of the year the Group
implemented further steps to align operations with its strategy
going forward, reducing the permanent headcount a further 15
positions, or 16%, from the year-end total of 91 to 76.
Management has examined going concern against a detailed profit,
working capital, and cash flow forecast to December 2017, which
reflects the matters discussed in the preceding paragraph but does
not reflect any additional share placings, new debt facilities, nor
sale of other any assets other than in the normal course of
business. Based upon this review, the extension of the GBP6,000,000
invoice discounting facility to December 2017, extension of the
loan notes to July 2018, agreement of extended payment terms with
suppliers as necessary, and other prudent working capital
management, the Board believes the Group will continue to be able
to meet its liabilities as they fall due. Management also has the
ability to raise capital through issuance of additional loan notes,
further private share placings, or sale of additional assets if
required.
2. Revenue and segmental information
Operating segments
IFRS 8 "Operating Segments", requires consideration of the chief
operating decision maker ('CODM') within the Group. In line with
the Group's internal reporting framework and management structure,
the key strategic and operating decisions are made by the CEO, who
reviews internal monthly management reports, budget and forecast
information as part of this process.
Accordingly, the CEO is deemed to be the CODM.
As a result of the sale of Green Compliance Water Division
Limited subsequent to year-end, the Company has determined that it
now has only a single reportable segment, being the design,
specification and distribution of specialist electronic components
and systems, and has restated its operating segment reporting
accordingly.
The Group had one customer representing over 10% of revenue:
GBP2,168,000 (2015: GBP3,632,000).
Revenue by product and service
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
----------------------- -------- ------------ ------- -------------
Electronic Components 10,894 12,658
LED Lighting 6,114 9,751
Consulting 953 377
-------
17,961 22,786
============ =============
Revenue by geographic location
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
Restated
*
----------------- ------- ---------
UK 16,996 21,199
North America 235 337
Europe and Asia 730 1,250
------- ---------
17,961 22,786
======= =========
* See Note 5
3. Exceptional and non-recurring expenses
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
Restated
*
------------------------------------------------ ------- ---------
Corporate re-organisation -compromise
agreements and redundancy costs 1,543 896
Corporate re-organisation - professional
fees 200 -
Corporate re-organisation - dilapidations
and onerous lease provisions 254 -
Costs associated with aborted contract 736 757
Foreign exchange loss arising from
unprecedented market volatility 293 -
Costs incurred in preparation
for acquisition of Green Compliance
PLC - 616
Write off financial
assets - 156
Impairment of R&D
capitalised costs - 71
Alignment of group
accounting policies - 51
3,026 2,547
======= =========
* See Note 5
Exceptional items are items that by virtue of their nature and
incidence, have been disclosed separately in order to draw them to
the attention of the reader of the financial information. These
costs are deemed as exceptional as they do not represent normal
trading activities of the business.
4. Net financing
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
Restated
*
------------------ ------- ---------
Financing income
Other Interest
receivable 1 4
======= =========
Financing costs
Other interest
payable 158 54
Other finance costs 174 135
---- ----
332 189
==== ====
* See Note 5
5. Discontinued operations and assets held for sale
The following lines of business were either discontinued in the
previous year and have incurred additional gains or losses in the
current year, were discontinued during the current year, or were
sold subsequent to the balance sheet date and accordingly have been
classified as an asset held for sale.
Green Compliance Water Division Limited was sold subsequent to
the balance sheet date and has been classified as an asset held for
sale. The assets and related liabilities have been separately
disclosed on the balance sheet and have been valued at net
realisable value. The results of operations of Green Compliance
Water Division Limited were previously reported within the
Cleantech operating segment.
Discontinued operations are comprised of the following:
2016 2015
Ownership GBP000 GBP000
Restated
---------------------------------- ---------- -------- ---------
Discontinued in previous year
Green Compliance Limited and
subsidiaries 100% 354 (904)
Minimise Generation Limited 100% (275) (341)
-------- ---------
79 (1,245)
-------- ---------
Discontinued during the year
*
Minimise Energy Solutions
Limited 100% (5) (15)
Minimise Energy Canada Limited 60% (738) (367)
Minimise Energy America LLC 60% (328) 301
Invisible Systems Holdings
Limited 25% (788) 9
Open Energy Market Limited 15% (307) -
Isotera distributed product
line of business - (87) -
(2,253) (72)
-------- ---------
Asset held for resale *
Green Compliance Water Division
Limited 100% (7,615) (459)
--------
(9,789) (1,776)
======== =========
* Results of operations for the previous year have been restated
consistent with current year presentation
Summarised results of discontinued operations are as
follows:
Gain
Pre-tax / (loss)
Year Ended 31 August profit on
2016 Revenue Expense / (loss) disposal Total
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
---------------------------- -------- -------- ---------- ---------- --------
Discontinued in previous
year
Green Compliance Limited
and subsidiaries - 354 354 - 354
Minimise Generation
Limited - (275) (275) - (275)
-------- -------- ---------- ---------- --------
- 79 79 - 79
-------- -------- ---------- ---------- --------
Discontinued during
the year
Minimise Energy Solutions
Limited 9 (14) (5) - (5)
Minimise Energy Canada
Limited 286 (431) (145) (593) (738)
Minimise Energy America
LLC 15 (24) (9) (319) (328)
Invisible Systems
Holdings Limited * - - - (788) (788)
Open Energy Market
Limited - - - (307) (307)
Isotera distributed
product line of business - (87) (87) - (87)
-------- -------- ---------- ---------- --------
310 (556) (246) (2,007) (2,253)
-------- -------- ---------- ---------- --------
Asset held for resale
Green Compliance Water
Division Limited 6,662 (7,550) (888) (6,727) (7,615)
-------- -------- ---------- ---------- --------
6,972 (8,027) (1,055) (8,734) (9,789)
======== ======== ========== ========== ========
* Proceeds of GBP326,000 were received on sale, net of related
expenses.
Gain
Pre-tax / (loss)
Year Ended 31 August profit on
2015 Revenue Expense / (loss) disposal Total
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Restated
---------------------------- -------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------
Discontinued in previous
year
Green Compliance Limited
and subsidiaries - (904) (904) - (904)
Minimise Generation
Limited 91 (432) (341) - (341)
-------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------
91 (1,336) (1,245) - (1,245)
-------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------
Discontinued during
the year *
Minimise Energy Solutions
Limited 32 (47) (15) - (15)
Minimise Energy Canada
Limited 200 (567) (367) - (367)
Minimise Energy America
LLC 291 10 301 - 301
Invisible Systems
Holdings Limited - 9 9 - 9
Open Energy Market
Limited - - - - -
Isotera distributed
product line of business - - - - -
-------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------
523 (595) (72) - (72)
-------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------
Discontinued during
the year *
Green Compliance Water
Division Limited 7,760 (8,219) (459) - (459)
8,374 (10,150) (1,776) - (1,776)
======== ========= ========== ========== =========
* Results of operations for the previous year have been restated
consistent with current year presentation
Cash flows from (used in) discontinued operations are as
follows:
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
Discontinued in previous year
Operating activities (408) (779)
Financing activities - (35)
-------- --------
(408) (814)
-------- --------
Discontinued during the year
Operating activities (302) (15)
Investing activities 319 -
17 (15)
-------- --------
Asset held for resale
Operating activities (1,238) (403)
Financing activities (115) (53)
-------- --------
(1,353) (456)
-------- --------
(1,744) (1,285)
======== ========
The assets and liabilities held for sale at 31 August 2016 are
comprised of the following and are stated at net realisable
value:
2016
GBP000
------------------------------- -------
Assets held for sale
Intangible assets 1,426
Inventories 119
Trade and other receivables 1,469
Cash and cash equivalents 22
-------
3,036
=======
Liabilities related to assets
held for sale
Trade and other payables 1,517
Borrowings 878
-------
2,395
=======
6. Earnings per share
The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on the
profit after taxation attributable to equity holders of the parent
company for the period and the weighted average number of shares in
issue during the period.
Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the
weighted average number of shares outstanding by the dilutive
effect of Ordinary Shares that the Company may potentially issue
relating to its share option scheme.
Earnings per share on operating profit, before exceptional
costs, share based payments and loss on discontinued operations,
are considered to be the most realistic measure of earnings and the
calculation is based on the weighted average number of shares.
The result for the year and the weighted average number of
shares used in the calculations are set out below:
2016 2015
GBP000 GBP000
Restated
*
------------------------------------- ------------- ---------
Continuing earnings / (loss)
attributable to equity holders
of the parent (3,086) (3,860)
------------- ---------
Discontinuing earnings /
(loss) attributable to equity
holders of the parent (9,789) (1,914)
------------- ---------
From (loss) for the year (12,875) (5,774)
------------- ---------
Earnings: operating profit
/(loss) before exceptional
and non-recurring expenses,
share based payments, amortisation
and loss on discontinued
operations 322 (1,266)
------------- ---------
Weighted average number
of shares (thousands) 103,679 84,004
Dilutive / free
shares 28 273
------------- ---------
Diluted number
of shares 103,706 84,277
============= =========
* See Note 5
7. Post Balance Sheet Events
On 13 October 2016, the Company sold Green Compliance Water
Division Limited, its water hygiene and treatment business, to
Integrated Water Services Limited ("IWS"), a subsidiary of South
Staffordshire PLC. The business was sold for total consideration of
GBP800,000 and assumption of related invoice finance borrowings
of
GBP999,000. See Note 5 for more information.
8. Publication of non-statutory accounts
The financial information set out in this announcement does not
constitute the statutory financial statements for the year ended 31
August 2016 and the year ended 31 August 2015 in accordance with
section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 but is derived from those
accounts.
The financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2015 were
prepared in accordance with Adopted IFRS and have been delivered to
the Registrar of Companies. The financial statements for the year
ended 31 August 2016 will be delivered to the Registrar of
Companies following the Company's Annual General Meeting. The
auditor's report on both accounts was unqualified, did not include
references to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by
way of emphasis without qualifying their report and did not contain
statements under sections 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act
2006.
The full audited financial statements of APC Technology Group
PLC for the year ended 31 August 2016 are expected to be posted to
shareholders on Thursday 19 January 2017 and will be available to
the public at the Company's registered office, 6 Stirling Park,
Laker Road, Rochester, Kent, ME1 3QR and available to view on the
Company's website at www.apcplc.com from the date of posting.
9. Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held on Friday
24 February 2017 at 12 noon.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
FR QXLFFQLFZFBK
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
December 14, 2016 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)
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