TIDMASY

RNS Number : 1758Y

Andrews Sykes Group PLC

03 May 2023

3 May 2023

ANDREWS SYKES GROUP PLC

("Andrews Sykes" or "the Company" or "the Group")

Final Results

for the year ended 31 December 2022

Summary of Results

 
                                                    Year ended     Year ended 
                                                   31 December    31 December 
                                                          2022           2021 
                                                        GBP000         GBP000 
 
 Revenue from continuing operations                     83,007         75,219 
 Adjusted EBITDA* from continuing operations            30,616         28,946 
 Operating profit                                       21,530         20,074 
 Profit after tax for the financial period              17,020         15,540 
 Net cash inflow from operating activities              28,462         23,589 
 Net funds                                              25,896         16,509 
 Total interim, special and final dividends 
  paid                                                  17,292          9,869 
 
                                                       (pence)        (pence) 
 Basic earnings per share                                40.36          36.85 
 Interim, special and final dividends 
  paid per share                                         41.00          23.40 
 Proposed final dividend per share                       14.00          12.50 
 

* Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, profit on the sale of property, plant and equipment and amortisation

Enquiries

 
 Andrews Sykes Group plc                  T: +44 (0)1902 328 700 
  Carl Webb, Managing Director 
  Ian Poole, Finance Director and 
  Company Secretary 
 
 Houlihan Lokey UK Limited (Nominated     T: +44 (0)20 7484 4040 
  Advisor) 
  Tim Richardson 
 
 
 

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

Overview and outlook

Andrews Sykes' trading has been robust, with record revenues and profits being delivered by several of our subsidiaries and we are pleased to report that the group as a whole has delivered a record level of profitability during 2022. We are thankful and proud of our team members who have made this possible by continuing to provide our customers with an essential 24 hour service offering.

The group has faced many challenges over the past few years, and this year has been no different with Andrews Sykes not being immune from the well publicised inflationary pressures that are impacting the UK and European economies. Fortunately our strong relationships with customers and long standing relationships with key suppliers, coupled with our highly experienced management team are allowing us to once again not only navigate our way through these circumstances, but thrive. We are encouraged by how the business has consistently adapted to overcome operational issues and take advantage of new revenue opportunities.

The group was well placed to take advantage of the record summer temperatures seen this year and our core traditional market of "comfort" cooling had a stand out year as a result. This year was once again supported by another strong year for our UK pump hire business, which continues the recent history of setting record levels of revenue yearly.

Trading momentum has continued into the current year, with overall performance in the year to date in line with the Board's expectations. The group is confident in its core markets, its revenues and its profits.

2022 trading summary

The group's revenue for the year ended 31 December 2022 was GBP83.0 million, an increase of GBP7.8 million, or 10.4%, compared with the same period last year. This increase positively impacted on operating profit which increased by 7.3%, or GBP1.5 million, from GBP20.1 million last year to GBP21.5 million in the year under review. Turnover for the second half of the year was up 19.0% on the first half and reflects the exceptional weather experienced across the UK and Europe over the summer months.

The increasing interest rates in the UK has enabled the company to generate increased returns on its cash reserves and has contributed to net finance costs decreasing from GBP0.6 million last year to a small net interest income this year. Profit before taxation was GBP21.6 million (2021: GBP19.5 million) and profit after taxation was GBP17.0 million (2021: GBP15.5 million).

The group has reported an increase in the basic earnings per share of 3.51p, or 9.5%, from 36.85p in 2021 to 40.36p in the current year. This is mainly attributable to the above increase in the group's operating profit.

The group continues to generate strong cash flows. Net cash inflow from operating activities was GBP28.5 million compared with GBP23.6 million last year reflecting strong cash management.

Cost control, cash and working capital management continue to be priorities for the group with stocks reduced by GBP1.2m during the year. Capital expenditure is concentrated on assets with strong returns; in total GBP4.4 million was invested in the hire fleet this year. In addition, the group invested a further GBP0.7 million in property, plant and equipment. These actions will ensure that the group's infrastructure and revenue generating assets are sufficient to support future growth and profitability. Hire fleet utilisation, condition and availability continue to be the subjects of management focus.

Operating performance

The following table splits the results between the first and second half years:

 
                          Operating 
                Turnover   profit 
                 GBP'000   GBP'000 
--------------  --------  --------- 
1st half 2022   37,903    8,489 
1st half 2021   35,693    7,955 
2nd half 2022   45,104    13,041 
2nd half 2021   39,526    12,119 
Total 2022      83,007    21,530 
Total 2021      75,219    20,074 
--------------  --------  --------- 
 

The above table reflects the continued growth of the business, with second half revenues being 19.0% up on first half revenues and second half profitability returning a record GBP13.0m.

The turnover of our main business segment in the UK increased from GBP45.2m last year to GBP47.2m with operating profit increasing from GBP15.4m to GBP16.4m. This result was supported by an exceptional year for our air conditioning hire, up 36.2% on 2021, aided by the record temperatures experienced in the UK during 2022. Pump hire continues to perform strongly with revenues achieving record levels for the fifth year in a row and are 3.9% higher than 2021.

Our European businesses recorded similar increases in turnover, increasing from GBP19.4 million last year to GBP24.2 million, and operating profit increasing from GBP5.2 million to GBP6.9 million in 2022. Similarly to the UK, the record temperatures seen in Europe during the summer has been reflected in increased chiller and air conditioning hire revenues. Our Dutch, Belgian and Italian subsidiaries each reported record turnover levels during 2022.

The turnover of our hire and sales business in the Middle East has pleasingly increased from GBP7.9 million last year to GBP8.8 million, however operating profit decreased from GBP0.3 million to a loss of GBP0.4 million in the year under review. The operating climate continues to be tough in the Middle East with a lack of significant infrastructure projects still depressing turnover in the pumps division to below what was being generated a few years previous. The operating loss during 2022 is entirely down to increased expected credit losses against historic debts which are no longer considered recoverable. The credit loss charge in 2022 for the Middle East was GBP1.9m. Management are confident all historic credit losses are captured in the expected credit loss provision and that 2023 will see a significantly reduced credit loss and thus a return to profitability in the Middle East.

Our fixed installation and maintenance business sector in the UK saw a small increase in turnover from GBP2.7m to GBP2.8m and returned an operating profit of GBP33,000 this year, a decrease from the GBP0.2m achieved in 2021 and largely driven by restructuring costs incurred during the current year.

Central overheads were GBP1.5 million in the current year compared with GBP1.1 million in 2021.

Profit for the financial year

Profit before tax was GBP21.6 million this year compared with GBP19.5 million last year; an increase of GBP2.1 million. This is largely attributable to the above GBP1.5 million increase in operating profit with net interest costs also contributing GBP0.6 million to increased profit before tax.

Tax charges increased from GBP4.0 million in 2021 to GBP4.5 million this year. The overall effective tax rate increased slightly from 20.3% in 2021 to 21.0% this year. A detailed reconciliation of the theoretical corporation tax charge based on the accounts profit multiplied by 19% and the actual tax charge is given in note 10 to the consolidated financial statements. Profit for the financial year was GBP17.0 million compared with GBP15.5 million last year.

Defined benefit pension scheme

The increased GILT yields seen in the UK during the year has significantly enhanced the defined benefit pension scheme surplus after the application of an asset restriction from GBP4.0m as at 31 December 2021 to GBP5.4m at the year end. During the year the group contributed GBP1.3 million into the pension scheme. In line with the agreed schedule of contributions this will decrease to a contribution of GBP0.1m during 2023.

Equity dividends

The company paid three dividends during the year. On 17 June 2022, a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2021 of 12.50 pence per ordinary share was paid. This was followed on 4 November by an interim dividend for 2022 of 11.90 pence per ordinary share, and a special dividend of 16.60 pence per ordinary share. Therefore, during 2022, a total of GBP17.3 million in cash dividends has been returned to our ordinary shareholders.

The Board has decided to propose a final dividend of 14.00 pence per share. If approved at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting, this dividend, which in total amounts to GBP5.90 million, will be paid on 16 June 2023 to shareholders on the register as at 26 May 2023.

Share buybacks

During the year the company repurchased and cancelled 26,314 ordinary shares at nominal value belonging to untraced shareholders, being shareholders who had not claimed or cashed any dividend payments from the Company over a period of at least 12 years. The repurchase, which was undertaken in accordance with the Company's Articles of Association, only took place after an extensive shareholder identification and share forfeit notification process by the Company .

As at 2 May 2023, there remained an outstanding general authority for the directors to purchase 5,260,138 ordinary shares, which was granted at last year's Annual General Meeting.

The Board believes that it is in the best interests of shareholders to have this authority in order that market purchases may be made in the right circumstances if the necessary funds are available. Accordingly, at the next Annual General Meeting, shareholders will be asked to vote in favour of a resolution to renew the general authority to make market purchases of up to 12.5% of the ordinary share capital in issue.

Net funds

Net funds increased by GBP9.4 million from GBP16.5 million at 31 December 2021 to GBP25.9 million at 31 December 2022; this increase is after the cash distribution of GBP17.3m in dividend payments during 2022.

Bank loan facilities

In April 2017, a bank loan of GBP5 million was taken out with the group's bankers, Royal Bank of Scotland. The remaining balance of GBP3.0 million, outstanding as at 31 December 2021, was repaid by a final balloon repayment on 30 April 2022. The group now has no external bank loans.

JG Murray

Chairman

2 May 2023

Consolidated Income Statement

for the year ended 31 December 2022

 
                                             Year ended     Year ended 
                                            31 December    31 December 
                                                   2022           2021 
                                                 GBP000         GBP000 
 Revenue                                         83,007         75,219 
 Cost of sales                                 (30,006)       (29,001) 
                                          -------------  ------------- 
 Gross profit                                    53,001         46,218 
 Distribution costs                            (14,936)       (14,066) 
 Administrative expenses                       (14,402)       (10,759) 
 Increase in credit loss provision              (2,133)        (1,470) 
 Other operating income                               -            151 
                                          -------------  ------------- 
 Operating profit                                21,530         20,074 
 
 Adjusted EBITDA*                                30,616         28,946 
 Depreciation and impairment losses             (6,565)        (6,628) 
 Depreciation of right-of-use 
  assets                                        (4,017)        (3,111) 
 Profit on the sale of property, 
  plant and equipment and right-of-use 
  assets                                          1,496            867 
                                          -------------  ------------- 
 Operating profit                                21,530         20,074 
                                          -------------  ------------- 
 Finance income                                     631             24 
 Finance costs                                    (610)          (599) 
 Profit before tax                               21,551         19,499 
 Tax expense                                    (4,531)        (3,959) 
                                          -------------  ------------- 
 Profit for the period from continuing 
  operations attributable to equity 
  holders of the Parent Company                  17,020         15,540 
                                          -------------  ------------- 
 
 Earnings per share from continuing 
  operations: 
 Basic and diluted                               40.36p         36.85p 
 
 
   Dividend per equity share paid 
   during the period                             41.00p         23.40p 
 
 Proposed dividend per equity 
  share                                          14.00p         12.50p 
 

(*) Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, profit on sale of property, plant and equipment and amortisation.

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Total Income

for the year ended 31 December 2022

 
                                                         Year ended     Year ended 
                                                        31 December    31 December 
                                                               2022           2021 
                                                             GBP000         GBP000 
 
 Profit for the period                                       17,020         15,540 
 Other comprehensive income 
 Currency translation differences on foreign 
  currency operations                                         1,222          (954) 
 Foreign exchange difference on IFRS 16 adjustments            (32)              - 
 Net other comprehensive income/ (expense) 
  that may be reclassified to profit and loss                 1,190          (954) 
 
   Re-measurement of defined benefit pension 
   assets and liabilities                                       823          4,430 
 Related asset restriction                                    (735)        (1,551) 
 Net other comprehensive income that will 
  not be reclassified to profit and loss                         88          2,879 
                                                      -------------  ------------- 
 
   Other comprehensive income for the period 
   net of tax                                                 1,278          1,925 
                                                      -------------  ------------- 
 Total comprehensive income for the period 
  attributable to equity holders of the Parent 
  Company                                                    18,298         17,465 
                                                      -------------  ------------- 
 

Consolidated Balance Sheet

At 31 December 2022

 
                                     31 December   31 December 
                                            2022          2021 
                                          GBP000        GBP000 
                                                   As restated 
 Non-current assets 
  Property, plant and equipment           19,361        20,877 
  Right-of-use assets                      9,667        12,423 
  Deferred tax assets                        229           189 
  Defined benefit pension scheme 
   surplus                                 5,353         3,989 
                                    ------------  ------------ 
                                          34,610        37,478 
 Current assets 
  Stocks                                   4,434         5,660 
  Trade and other receivables             19,535        19,796 
  Current tax assets                         423             - 
  Other financial assets                  16,700             - 
  Cash and cash equivalents               20,518        32,443 
                                          61,610        57,899 
                                    ------------  ------------ 
 
 Total assets                             96,220        95,377 
                                    ------------  ------------ 
 
 Current liabilities 
  Trade and other payables              (16,695)      (13,587) 
  Current tax liabilities                  (810)         (265) 
  Bank loans                                   -       (3,000) 
  Right-of-use lease obligations         (2,505)       (2,602) 
                                        (20,010)      (19,454) 
                                    ------------  ------------ 
 
 Non-current liabilities 
  Right-of-use lease obligations         (8,817)      (10,332) 
  Provisions                             (2,682)       (1,971) 
                                        (11,499)      (12,303) 
 
 Total liabilities                        31,509        31,757 
                                    ------------  ------------ 
 
 Net Assets                               64,711        63,620 
 
 Equity 
  Called up share capital                    421           422 
  Share premium                               13            13 
  Retained earnings                       59,872        59,971 
  Translation reserve                      4,158         2,968 
  Other reserve                              247           246 
                                    ------------  ------------ 
 Total equity                             64,711        63,620 
                                    ------------  ------------ 
 
 

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

for the year ended 31 December 2022

 
                                                Year ended     Year ended 
                                               31 December    31 December 
                                                      2022           2021 
                                                    GBP000         GBP000 
 Operating activities 
 Profit for the period                              17,020         15,540 
 Adjustments for: 
 Tax charge                                          4,531          3,959 
 Finance costs                                         610            599 
 Finance income                                      (631)           (24) 
 Profit on disposal of plant and 
  equipment and right-of-use assets                  (630)          (867) 
 Profit on sale of property                          (866)              - 
 Depreciation of property, plant 
  and equipment                                      6,565          6,628 
 Depreciation and impairment of 
  right-of-use assets                                4,017          3,111 
 Difference between pension contributions 
  paid and amounts recognised in 
  the Income Statement                             (1,152)        (1,194) 
 Increase in inventories                           (1,206)          (635) 
 Decrease/ (increase) in receivables                 1,232        (2,653) 
 Increase in payables                                2,491          2,322 
 Movement in provisions                                711          1,112 
 Cash generated from continuing 
  operations                                        33,559         27,898 
 Interest paid                                       (610)          (574) 
 Corporation tax paid                              (4,487)        (3,735) 
 Net cash inflow from operating 
  activities                                        27,596         23,589 
 
 Investing activities 
  Disposal of property, plant and 
   equipment                                         1,906          1,173 
  Purchase of property, plant and 
   equipment                                       (2,463)        (2,530) 
  Cash on deposit with greater than               (16,700)              - 
   three month maturity 
  Interest received                                    265              9 
 Net cash outflow from investing 
  activities                                      (16,992)        (1,348) 
 
 Financing activities 
  Loan repayments                                  (3,000)          (500) 
  Capital repayments for right-of-use 
   lease 
   obligations                                     (2,849)        (2,951) 
  Equity dividends paid                           (17,292)        (9,869) 
  Equity dividends forfeited                            86              - 
 
   Net cash outflow from financing 
   activities                                     (23,056)       (13,320) 
                                             -------------  ------------- 
 
 
 
   Net increase in cash and cash 
   equivalents                                    (12,452)          8,921 
 
 
   Cash and cash equivalents at the 
   start of the period                              32,443         24,012 
 Effect of foreign exchange rate 
  changes                                              527          (490) 
                                             -------------  ------------- 
 
   Cash and cash equivalents at the 
   end of the period                                20,518         32,443 
                                             -------------  ------------- 
 
 
 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

for the year ended 31 December 2022

 
                                                                                                          Attributable 
                                                          Capital                                            to equity 
                               Share    Translation    redemption        UAE   Netherlands                     holders 
                    Share    premium        reserve       reserve      legal       capital    Retained          of the 
                  capital                                            reserve       reserve    earnings          parent 
 
                   GBP000     GBP000         GBP000        GBP000     GBP000        GBP000      GBP000          GBP000 
 
 At 31 December 
  2020                422         13          3,922           158         79             9      51,421          56,024 
 Profit for the 
  period                -          -              -             -          -             -      15,540          15,540 
 Other 
  comprehensive 
  income/ 
  (expense) 
  for the 
  period 
  net of tax            -          -          (954)             -          -             -       2,879           1,925 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income                -          -          (954)             -          -             -      18,419          17,465 
 Dividends paid         -          -              -             -          -             -     (9,869)         (9,869) 
 Total of 
  transactions 
  with 
  shareholders          -          -              -             -          -             -     (9,869)         (9,869) 
 
 At 31 December 
  2021                422         13          2,968           158         79             9      59,971          63,620 
 
 Profit for the 
  period                -          -              -             -          -             -      17,020          17,020 
 Other 
  comprehensive 
  income for 
  the 
  period net of 
  tax                   -          -          1,190             -          -             -          88           1,278 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income                -          -          1,190             -          -             -      17,108          18,298 
 Dividends paid         -          -              -             -          -             -    (17,292)        (17,292) 
 Share and 
  dividend 
  forfeiture          (1)          -              -             1          -             -          85              85 
 Total of 
  transactions 
  with 
  shareholders        (1)          -              -             1          -             -    (17,207)        (17,207) 
 
 At 31 December 
  2022                421         13          4,158           159         79             9      59,872          64,711 
                 --------  ---------  -------------  ------------  ---------  ------------  ----------  -------------- 
 

Notes to the Interim Financial statements

   1              Basis of preparation 

Whilst the information included in this preliminary announcement has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs), this announcement does not itself contain sufficient information to comply with IFRSs. Therefore the financial information set out above does not constitute the company's financial statements for the 12 months ended 31 December 2022 or 31 December 2021 but it is derived from those financial statements.

   2              Going concern 

The Board remains satisfied with the group's funding and liquidity position. The group repaid in full the GBP3.0 million bank loan outstanding as at 31 December 2021. We continue to make payments to our suppliers in accordance with our agreed terms and all fiscal payments to the UK and overseas government bodies have been and will continue to be made on time.

The directors are required to consider the application of the going concern concept when approving financial statements. The principal element required to meet the test is sufficient liquidity for a period from the end of the year until at least 12 months subsequent to the date of approving the accounts. Management has prepared a detailed "bottom-up" budget including profit and loss and cash flow for the financial year ending 31 December 2023, and has extrapolated this forward until the end of May 2024 in order to form a view of an expected trading and cash position for the required period. This base level forecast fully incorporates management's expectations around the continued recovery of the group and was prepared on a cautiously realistic basis. This forecast takes into account specific factors relevant in each of our businesses. These 2023 forecasts have been reviewed and approved by the Board.

Whilst profitability and cash flow performance to the end of February 2023 has been close to expectation, in order to further assess the company's ability to continue to trade as a going concern, management have performed an exercise to assess a reasonable worst-case trading scenario and the impact of this on profit and cash. For the purposes of the cash forecast, only the below assumptions have been incorporated into this forecast:

-- Normal level of dividends will be maintained during the 12 months subsequent to the date of approving the accounts;

   --    No new external funding sought; 

-- Hire turnover and product sales reduced by 12% versus budget- a variance level seen across any individual product class for 2022 and 2021 actual results versus budgets;

-- All overheads continue at the base forecast level apart from overtime and commission and repairs and marketing, which are reduced by 5% and travel costs reduced by 2.5%;

   --    All current vacancies are filled immediately; and 
   --    Capital expenditure is reduced by 5%. 

The above factors have all been reflected in the forecast for the period ending 12 months subsequent to the date of approving the accounts. The headline numbers at a group level are as follows:

-- Group turnover for the 12 months ending 31 December 2023 is forecast to be adverse to the 31 December 2022 figures. Operating profit is below the profit for 2022.

-- Closing net funds as at the end of May 2024 are forecast to be below the level reported at 31 December 2022.

Under this reasonable worst-case scenario, the group has sufficient net funds throughout 2023 and up to the end of May 2024, to continue to operate as a going concern.

A final sensitivity analysis was performed in order to assess by how much group turnover could fall before further external financing would need to be sought. Under this scenario it was assumed that:

   --    Capital expenditure falls proportionately to turnover; 
   --    Temporary staff are removed from the group; and 
   --    Various overheads decrease proportionately with turnover. 

Given these assumptions, and for modelling purposes only, assuming dividends are maintained at normal levels, group turnover could fall to below GBP50 million on an annualised basis without any liquidity concerns. Due to the level of confidence the Board has in the future trading performance of the group, this scenario is considered highly unlikely to occur.

The group has considerable financial resources and a wide operational base. Based on the detailed forecast prepared by management, the Board has a reasonable expectation that the group has adequate resources to continue to trade for the foreseeable future even in the reasonable worst-case scenario identified by the group. Accordingly, the Board continues to adopt the going concern basis when preparing this Annual Report and Financial Statements.

3 International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adopted for the first time in 2022

There were no new standards or amendments to standards adopted for the first time this year that had a material impact on the results of the group. The prior year comparatives have not been restated for any changes in accounting policies that were required due to the adoption of new standards this year.

   4              Distribution of Annual Report and Financial Statements 

The group expects to distribute copies of the full Annual Report and Financial Statements that comply with IFRSs by 18 May 2023 following which copies will be available either from the registered office of the company; St David's Court, Union Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 3JE; or from the company's website; www.andrews-sykes.com . The Annual Report and Financial Statements for the 12 months ended 31 December 2021 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for the 12 months ended 31 December 2022 will be filed at Companies House following the company's Annual General Meeting. The auditor has reported on those financial statements; the report was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and did not contain details of any matters on which they are required to report by exception.

   5              Date of Annual General Meeting 

The group's Annual General Meeting will be held at 3.00 p.m. on Wednesday, 14 June 2023 at Unit 5, Peninsular Park Road, London, SE7 7TZ.

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