TIDMCRPR
RNS Number : 5591P
Cropper(James) PLC
21 June 2022
James Cropper plc ('CRPR', the 'Company' or the 'Group'), the
leading advanced materials and paper products group is pleased to
announce its
Preliminary results for the 52 weeks ended 26 March 2022
Revenue achieves new high, entering new financial year with a
strong order book projection.
52 weeks 52 weeks
ended 26 ended 27 March
March 2022 2021
GBP'm GBP'm
Revenue 104.9 78.8
Adjusted operating profit (excluding
IAS19 and exceptional items) 4.6 4.5
Operating profit 3.7 2.4
Adjusted profit before tax (excluding
IAS19 and exceptional items) 4.0 4.0
Impact of IAS19 on income statement (0.9) (0.8)
Exceptional items (0.3) (1.5)
Profit before tax 2.8 1.7
Earnings per share - basic and diluted 14.2p 16.4p
Proposed final dividend per share 7.5p Nil
Total dividend for the year 10.0p Nil
Net borrowings (12.6) (7.5)
Net borrowings (excluding right-of-use
leases) (8.6) (3.7)
Equity shareholders' funds 34.8 29.9
Gearing % - before IAS 19 deficit 28% 17%
Gearing % - after IAS 19 deficit 36% 25%
Capital expenditure 6.8 3.1
Highlights
-- Revenues up by 33% and higher than pre-pandemic levels, with growth in all divisions.
-- Profit before tax up by 62%.
-- TFP Hydrogen performing better than expectations. TFP revenue up by 27%.
-- Colourform achieves a positive EBITDA and 19% revenue growth.
-- Paper impacted with substantial energy costs with 37% revenue growth but a loss before tax.
-- New loan facility of GBP25m under UK Export Finance to
support sustainable strategic growth plans.
-- Investment expenditure doubled to GBP6.7m, to support growth plans.
-- Return to dividend payments with a proposed 7.5p final
dividend, making a total of 10.0p per share (2021: nil pence per
share).
-- The Group board strengthened with two new NEDs and
appointment of TFP Managing Director complete.
Mark Cropper, Chairman, commented:
" The green agenda represents a significant growth opportunity
for all our divisions. "
" Looking forward the outlook remains positive across the
Group."
" Our mantra since the earliest days of the Covid crisis has
been to "emerge stronger" and I am confident that this has truly
been the case".
Enquiries:
Isabelle Maddock, Chief Robert Finlay, Henry Willcocks,
Financial Officer John More
James Cropper PLC (AIM Shore Capital
:CRPR.L)
Telephone: +44 (0) 1539 Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7601 6100
722002
www.jamescropper.com
The Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at
11.00am on Wednesday 27 July 2022 at the Bryce Institute,
Burneside, Cumbria.
52 weeks 52 weeks
ended ended
26 March 27 March
2022 2021
Summary of results GBP'000 GBP'000
Revenue 104,922 78,768
Adjusted operating profit (excluding
IAS19 and exceptional items) 4,585 4,510
Adjusted profit before tax (excluding
IAS19 and exceptional items) 4,045 4,023
Impact of IAS 19 (914) (802)
Exceptional items (354) (1,502)
Profit before tax 2,777 1,719
--------------------------------------- ---------- ----------
52 weeks 52 weeks
ended ended
27 March 27 March
2021 2021
GBP'000 GBP'000
Revenue
James Cropper Paper 70,350 51,376
Colourform 3,363 2,822
Technical Fibre Products 31,209 24,570
---------------------------------------- ---------- ----------
104,922 78,768
Adjusted operating profit (excluding
IAS19 and exceptional items) 4,585 4,510
Net interest (excluding IAS19 impact) (540) (487)
---------------------------------------- ---------- ----------
Adjusted profit before tax (excluding
IAS19 and exceptional items) 4,045 4,023
IAS19 pension adjustments
Net current service charge against
operating profits (547) (563)
Finance costs charged against interest (367) (239)
---------------------------------------- ---------- ----------
(914) (802)
---------------------------------------- ---------- ----------
Exceptional items
Restructuring costs - (1,118)
Transaction costs on acquisition
of a business - (384)
Increased earn out provisions (354) -
---------------------------------------- ---------- ----------
(354) (1,502)
---------------------------------------- ---------- ----------
Profit before tax 2,777 1,719
---------------------------------------- ---------- ----------
The IAS 19 pension adjustments are explained in detail in the
Financial Review section of the Annual Report. The total amount
excluded from the IAS pension Charge is GBP914k (2021: GBP802k).
The adjustment, which we refer to in these accounts as the "IAS 19
impact" represents the difference between the pension charge as
calculated under IAS 19 and the cash contributions for the current
service cost only as determined by the latest triennial valuation.
The Directors consider that the adjusted pension charge better
reflects the actual pension costs for ongoing service compared to
the IAS 19 charge. This adjustment is made internally when we
assess performance and is also used in the EBITDA and EPS targets
used in management incentive schemes
The IAS 19 pension adjustment to the income statement of GBP914k
(2021: GBP802k) comprises:
Period ended 26 March Period ended 27 March
2022 2021
GBP'000 GBP'000
Current service
charge 1,203 1,034
Normal contributions (656) (471)
Interest charge 367 239
---------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------
IAS 19 pension
adjustment 914 802
---------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------
Balance sheet summary As at 26 As at 27
March 2022 March 2021
GBP'000 GBP'000
Non-pension assets - excluding
cash 82,302 70,780
Non-pension liabilities - excluding
borrowings (25,069) (18,444)
------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
57,233 52,336
Net IAS19 pension deficit (after
deferred tax) (9,847) (14,933)
------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
47,386 37,403
Net borrowings (12,572) (7,502)
------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
Equity shareholders' funds 34,814 29,901
Gearing % - before IAS19 deficit 28% 17%
Gearing % - after IAS19 deficit 36% 25%
Capital expenditure 6,761 3,127
Chairman's Letter
Dear Shareholders
The year to 26 March 2022 has been yet again another long and
memorable year for the Company and all those associated with it.
The challenges have continued with the tail end of the pandemic,
not so long ago joined by the onset of the Ukraine war. Both have
led to dramatic rises in input costs, in particular in relation to
energy. I am pleased to report the Group has responded with
mitigating actions at every step and as a result our revenues are
back to pre-pandemic levels, profits have risen and demand remains
high across all divisions.
The result has been driven in part by the record performance of
the TFP division, which has seen strong organic sales and the
successful integration of the newly rebranded TFP Hydrogen
subsidiary, following the acquisition of PV3 Technologies Limited
("PV3") in January 2021.
In financial terms, the Group reports a profit before tax of
GBP2.8m for the period. This was up by 62% versus the prior period
with Group turnover rising by 33%, split between Paper (+37%), TFP
(+27%), and Colourform (+19%).
This year has also seen several changes at Board level. James
Gravestock was appointed Managing Director of the TFP division and
an Executive Director of the Group, following the departure of
Martin Thompson. On behalf of the Board, I would like to welcome
James and to thank Martin for his significant contribution over the
past 18 years, not least his part in the significant and sustained
growth of the TFP division.
There were also significant changes on the non-executive side of
the board. Our Senior Independent Director Dr Andrew Hosty stepped
down during the year and I would also like to thank him for his
valuable contributions in recent years.
Following on from this the Board chose to appoint two new
non-executive directors in November: Sarah Miles, CEO of
Feelunique.com, a market leader in cosmetics and beauty e-commerce,
and Martin Court, Chief Commercial Officer of Victrex plc, the FTSE
250 advanced materials group. In April 2022 Martin assumed the role
of Senior Independent Director. They both bring with them a wealth
of commercial experience and I am delighted they chose to join us
at an exciting moment in our growth journey.
Turning to other themes, our growth and product development
strategies are also ever more aligned with helping our customers
and consumers reduce their environmental impact, whether via
greener papers and packaging or the advanced materials TFP has
developed for a wide range of renewable energy.
Colourform continues to grow, with some highly creative
innovative packaging products launched in the luxury beauty and
premium alcoholic beverage markets. The division has generated a
positive EBITDA for the first time as it continues to grow towards
sustainable profitability.
The growth of our new subsidiary TFP Hydrogen has exceeded
expectations in the year. This adds to the strong position TFP has
built up over many years as a maker of materials and components for
both fuel cells and hydrogen electrolysers. This sector is fast
gaining traction as a key element of the global transition away
from fossil fuels. Furthermore TFP is on track to shift the
majority of its sales to applications supporting the Global Net
Zero Carbon emissions movement within the next five years; helping
us as a business to safeguard and protect the future of our
planet.
Closer to home, we also continue to address our own impacts.
During the year we have progressed our programme to deliver
significant decarbonisation by 2030 and the Paper division's
ambition to source 50% of its fibre from waste by 2025. We are also
taking further steps, not least via our ESG sub-committee, to
better monitor and measure and ESG targets and further evolve
policies and programmes that align with our Purpose and Values.
The Board is recommending a final dividend of 7.5 pence per
share, making a total dividend for the year of 10.0 pence per
share. A final dividend has not been paid since 2019 owing to the
pandemic. Earnings per share have fallen by 13% to 14.2 pence.
I would like to thank our Board and all of our employees for the
resilience they have shown during what have been very challenging
months and years. Our mantra since the earliest days of the Covid
crisis has been to "emerge stronger" and I am confident that this
has truly been the case.
Outlook
Looking forward, the outlook remains positive across the Group
as we enter the new financial year with a record order book. While
there are short term challenges in the Paper division due to
external factors, we have put in place measures to mitigate these
and plans are well underway to transition all of the divisions away
from natural gas. The geopolitical climate has cemented and
accelerated Government support for cleaner and greener hydrogen
energy and TFP has the power to help facilitate this energy
transition, by reducing costs and improving accessibility. Overall
the green agenda represents a significant growth opportunity for
all our divisions. Colourform will continue to grow year-on-year
and Paper's strategy to enrich margins will also be significantly
underpinned by its environmental initiatives.
Mark Cropper
Chairman
20 June 2022
Chief Executive's Review
I am pleased to report our financial results for the period,
which yet again underline the continued resilience of the Group as
we successfully navigated two unprecedented events - the end of the
Covid pandemic, which saw resource and supply chain challenges, and
the Ukraine War, which sparked an energy crisis and has compounded
global inflation.
The Group has experienced strong demand throughout the period
and across all divisions, with over 30% sales growth in the current
year to 26th March 2022, which is ahead of previous market
expectations.
Profit in 2021 included GBP2.9m of Covid-19 related government
grants. No grants were included in 2022, demonstrating a strong
underlying Adjusted profit before tax improvement from GBP1.1m
(excluding grants) in 2021 to GBP4.0m in 2022.
While all of the divisions have felt the impact of these events
in some way, the Paper division was significantly affected, as it
is, by far, our most energy-intensive division. The division is
accountable for 88% of the Group's energy expenditure, with costs
in the period 70% higher than the pre-Covid period ending March
2020. Up to the end of the period, the Group had negotiated a fixed
price contract for a significant proportion of the energy
purchased, mitigating the impact of the crisis in the short term.
Once this agreement ended in Q4, the division was exposed to the
higher energy prices, which has impacted Group results in the
current period (as announced on 23 March 2022).
As with all energy intensive businesses, the Paper division
continues to incur higher than average energy costs, however, fixed
prices for Q1 in the current period and an energy surcharge to all
customers of the division are mitigating the impact over the medium
term. The Paper division saw a strong recovery following the impact
of Covid, with revenues at 93% of pre-pandemic levels and excellent
customer retention rates. Programmes are well in advance to
transition all Group divisions away from natural gas
dependence.
The TFP division has had a record year for revenue, including
better than expected results for the recently acquired TFP Hydrogen
subsidiary, resulting in a full earn out payment for year one of
the earn out period, and an increase in provisions for the future
earn out expectations. Revenues were up on the previous period by
27%, surpassing the previous highest turnover by more than GBP4m,
and higher than the pre-Covid period by 18%. Estimates suggest
hydrogen could eventually account for 18% of primary energy,
underlining TFP's role as an exciting and key growth area for the
Group.
The Colourform division continues to grow with revenues up by
19% on the previous period and 31% higher than the pre-Covid
period. The division has also shown positive EBITDA. With
pioneering, award-winning products and high profile brand
partnerships secured for the short to medium term and energy
security from being powered by 100% renewable energy, Colourform is
projected to continue to grow year on year.
Revenue, Operating Profit and Capital Expenditure
Group revenue for the financial period was GBP104.9m, up 33% on
the prior period (2021: GBP78.8m), with profits before tax of
GBP2.8m, an increase of 62% on the prior period (2021: GBP1.7m).
Earnings per share have risen 13% to 14.2p per share (2021: 16.4p
per share).
Revenue for the Paper division rose by 37% in the period to
GBP70.4m generating an operating loss of GBP2.4m compared to an
operating loss of GBP0.4m in the prior period, for reasons
previously disclosed. Revenue for the TFP division rose by 27% in
the period to GBP31.2m generating an operating profit of GBP8.7m,
compared to an operating profit of GBP6.9m in the prior period.
Revenue for Colourform grew by 19% in the period to GBP3.4m,
generating an operating loss of GBP0.8m, compared to an operating
loss of GBP1.4m in the prior period.
Capital investments during the period amounted to GBP6.8m
compared to GBP3.1m in the prior period.
The Group has completed a GBP25m financing deal with NatWest
Bank and HSBC Bank, supported by UK Export Finance. The funding
will be used to invest in additional investments to support our
strategic growth plans and support our ESG commitments including
decarbonisation.
Group Strategy
Our company's Purpose (Pioneering Materials to Safeguard our
Future) and Values (Forward Thinking, Responsible and Caring),
provide our guiding principles for our growth strategies across
each business.
Our main markets within each business include:
TFP Paper Colourform
* Clean Energy (Hydrogen) * Packaging * Wines & Spirits
* Fragrances
* Defence * Art
* Beauty
* Aerospace * Design & Advertising
* Green Technologies * Publishing
While operating under the Group's combined Purpose and Values,
each business division acts independently, focusing on niche
markets and growth areas:
TFP
TFP is accelerating sales, particularly in clean energy, and
building global capacity.
Case study: TFP sales into clean energy, such as wind and
hydrogen markets, have grown by 75%, from GBP5.7m to GBP10.0m in
the past 12 months. The division has also achieved a 70% reduction
in the volume of waste generated, compared to 2015.
Paper
Paper is growing its market share in luxury packaging and
focusing on delivering improved margins.
Case Study: A key innovation of Paper is creating value from
waste. As well as increasing the level of upcycled material, such
as coffee cups, into luxury paper, the division has launched Rydal
Apparel, which is a 100% recycled packaging product, incorporating
20% used denim fabrics.
Colourform
Colourform has diversified its client base, by evolving from a
sustainable alternative to plastic packaging to delivering
sustainable, highly designed, point of sale outer packaging.
Case Study: The energy used to operate our Colourform factory is
now 100% powered by green electricity, most of which is from
community owned solar panels within our facility generating 1
megawatt - the UK's largest roof mounted PV system.
Ethical Markets
As each business is focused on growing ethical and environmental
markets, we have undertaken a thorough ethical markets review of
our current business and its supply chain, which has resulted in
exiting some markets.
Through an in-depth analysis of our upstream supply chain, we
discovered a small number of products in what we would classify
unethical markets. We have now appropriately exited these over the
period and are building our market pipelines aligned to our
values.
Investing in Future Growth
Group investments in the year have doubled year on year, to
GBP6.8m (2021: GBP3.1m). In the year the additional production line
in TFP became operational, adding 50% additional capacity for
non-woven materials. In addition, TFP's acquisition of PV3 ,
rebranded TFP Hydrogen, was completed and provides catalyse coating
capability for hydrogen PEM electrolysers. A new TFP Hydrogen
coating line was started last year at our USA manufacturing
facility, which will be operational later this year and ready to
serve the USA hydrogen market.
Paper's luxury packaging products require unique embossing and
sustainable coatings and, to support market share growth, we began
to create additional manufacturing capability last year and
established a new dedicated manufacturing cell. This increased
capacity and capability will be operational later this financial
year. As Colourform is focusing more attention to outer finished
sustainable packaging, there have been investments in both product
design capability and decorative product finishing.
Our People
At James Cropper we have a strong company culture, which is
reflected in the Purpose and Values we have set out and continue to
build on and embed into the entire Group. We have also updated our
Code of Ethics, to create clear, guiding principles that dictate
how we engage with our clients, our suppliers, and our colleagues.
We will be supporting and embedding these ethics across the Group,
with further education and training during in the current
period.
To demonstrate our commitment to improving the health and
wellbeing of our teams, our employee survey has been improved to
provide more targeted and clearer feedback on areas that are
working well and can be replicated across the Group, and areas in
need of improvement.
Over 5% of our employees are starting their first career journey
with James Cropper, including four graduates and 27 apprentices.
This, together with working alongside local schools and colleges on
STEM career awareness, helps to encourage the next generation into
our business, bringing with them innovation and ideas as well as
securing our future talent pipeline for the Group.
To support our strategic ESG ambitions our long-term incentive
programme for senior leaders now incorporates additional
non-financial measures, focusing on ESG improvements.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the James
Cropper employees for their hard work during the year, they have
showed tremendous commitment and flexibility, and to demonstrate
our thanks, we have awarded an extra day's holiday to all
employees.
The UK has a long history of being at the forefront of the
science and technology revolution - inventing some of the world's
best technology, which we still use to this day. At James Cropper
we combine over 177 years of experience with world leading
innovation and pioneering manufacturing technology, which together
can help to safeguard the future of our planet.
Phil Wild
Chief Executive Officer
20 June 2022
From the Chief Financial Officer's Review:
Cash flow
In the period the Group's net cash inflow was GBP985k (2021:
outflow GBP2,199k). Investment expenditure commenced in the latter
half of the prior year and continued into this period to enable
growth through an increase in capacity and capability. Cash
invested in working capital to support the return to normal
operations also increased. Lease and borrowing facilities increased
in the year to support all activities.
Funding and facilities
The Group funds its operations and investments from operating
cash flow and from borrowings and leases. The Group has a core
banking facility in the UK and further loan support in the USA,
along with some lease arrangements, all with high street banks.
The Group has a core GBP25m banking facility under UKEF's Export
Development Guarantee scheme which is aimed at enabling additional
bank liquidity to support exporters. This finance arrangement is
available for general corporate purposes and will be used to
support strategic growth and innovation, capital expenditure and
decarbonisation programmes. The facility has an availability period
of 3 years and an overall tenor of 8 years, repayments are on a
straight line basis from years 4 to 8. The Group's key financial
covenants are EBITDA: Interest 4x, and the Net Debt: EBITDA 3.5x. A
GBP4m CLBIL was taken out in Oct 2020 as a safety net during the
covid pandemic, this has been repaid in full. The Group is in
compliance with all its banking covenants at the period end.
Cash and cash equivalents increased from GBP6,765k to GBP7,750k
in the year. Long term borrowings (falling due after more than a
year) also increased by GBP12,761k to GBP18,727k. The expiry
profile of existing borrowings is detailed in note 19.3 to the
financial statements of the annual report. The Group is in
compliance with all its banking covenants at the period end.
Undrawn facilities comprise of unused overdraft facilities of
GBP3,500k plus the total unused credit facilities of GBP17,000k,
this means a total of GBP20,500k remains unutilised at the year-end
date. Having taken account of current borrowings to be paid within
12 months of the balance sheet date the Group has GBP26,655k
available to the Group beyond 12 months.
Funding 2022 2021 Change
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Cash and cash equivalents 7,750 6,765 985
Borrowings: repayable within
one year (1,595) (8,301) 6,706
Borrowings: non-current (18,727) (5,966) (12,761)
------------------------------ --------- -------- ---------
Net debt (12,572) (7,502) (5,070)
Borrowings: repayable within
one year 1,595 8,301 (6,706)
Borrowings: non-current 18,727 5,966 12,761
Facilities drawn down 20,322 14,267 6,055
------------------------------ --------- -------- ---------
Undrawn facilities 20,500 11,260 9,240
------------------------------ --------- -------- ---------
Facilities 40,822 25,527 15,295
Cash and cash equivalents 7,750 6,765 985
Undrawn facilities 20,500 11,260 9,240
Funds available at year end 28,250 18,025 10,225
------------------------------ --------- -------- ---------
Borrowings: repayable within
one year (1,595) (8,301) 6,706
Funds available in excess of
one year 26,655 9,724 16,931
------------------------------ --------- -------- ---------
Net debt
The Group incorporates GBP3,949k (2021: GBP3,771k) of
right-of-use leases in its 2022 borrowings figure. The Groups
banking arrangements monitor net debt excluding 1FRS 16. On this
basis net debt has increased over the year from GBP3,731k to
GBP8,623k, an increase of GBP4,892k largely supporting the capital
and working capital requirements of each business as the Group
emerges stronger from the pandemic. Net debt including Right of use
lease liabilities is GBP12,572k, an increase of GBP5,070k on the
prior period.
Net Debt before RoU leases 2022 2021
GBP'000 GBP'000
-------------------------------------- --------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents 7,750 6,765
All Borrowings excluding RoU
leases (16,373) (10,496)
-------------------------------------- --------- ---------
Net debt on an equivalent comparison
basis (8,623) (3,731)
-------------------------------------- --------- ---------
Going concern
The Directors carry out a review of the Group's financial
position for the period up to 12 months after the date of signing
the audit report, providing a comprehensive review of revenue,
expenditure and cash flows taking into account specific business
risks, requirements and latest economic forecasts. These inform the
Group's cash and debt requirements. The Group's financial position,
cash flows, liquidity and borrowing facilities are described in the
financial statements. At 26 March 2022, James Cropper had GBP17m of
undrawn committed facilities. The principal loan arrangements are
described in note 18 of the financial statements. The Group has
GBP7.75m of cash available to support its short term needs.
The Group's 12 month forecast period from the date of signing
the audit report has been tested for plausible downsides scenarios
including further expected effects of the pandemic, hampered market
growth, increasing carbon cost and commodity prices. In the event
that a scenario partly or fully takes place the Group has various
options available to maintain liquidity and continue operations. We
have assessed the combined impact of these scenarios on the Group's
key financial metrics of EBITDA, net debt and net debt to
underlying EBITDA. The Group remains within its key financial
covenant which is its net debt to underlying EBITDA ratio must not
exceed 3.5 times. The break-even calculation indicates that EBITDA
would need to fall 85% before triggering the covenant. The Board is
satisfied that the Group will be able to respond to such scenarios
through various means which may include a reduced or deferred
capital expenditure programme to ensure that the Group continues to
meet its ongoing obligations.
The Board is satisfied that the Group will have sufficient
liquidity to meet its needs over the 12 month forecast period from
the date of signing the audit report. The Directors have a
reasonable expectation that the Group remains a going concern over
the forecast period.
The Board is satisfied it has sufficient cash resources to meet
its obligations as they fall due throughout this duration and the
Board has a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group
has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the
foreseeable future.
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
52 week 52 week
period period to
to 26 March 27 March
2022 2021
----------------------------------------- ------------ ----------
GBP'000 GBP'000
Revenue 104,922 78,768
Reversal of / (Provision for) impairment 184 (431)
Other income 744 3,036
Changes in inventories of finished goods
and work in progress 385 598
Raw materials and consumables used (39,577) (28,290)
Energy costs (7,428) (3,078)
Employee benefit costs (30,535) (28,417)
Depreciation and amortisation (4,051) (4,489)
Other expenses (20,960) (15,252)
----------------------------------------- ------------ ----------
Operating Profit 3,684 2,445
Interest payable and similar charges (924) (730)
Interest receivable and similar income 17 4
Profit before taxation 2,777 1,719
Taxation (1,419) (153)
----------------------------------------- ------------ ----------
Profit for the period 1,358 1,566
Earnings per share - basic and diluted 14.2p 16.4p
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Profit for the period 1,358 1,566
-------------------------------------------- ------ --------
Items that are or may be reclassified
to profit or loss
Exchange differences on translation of
foreign operations 49 (80)
Pulp hedge fair value adjustment (501) 501
Cash flow hedges - effective portion
of changes in fair value 10 258
Foreign tax adjustment (13) -
Items that will never be reclassified
to profit or loss
Retirement benefit liabilities - actuarial
gains / (losses) 4,777 (8,750)
Deferred tax on actuarial (gains) / losses
on retirement benefit liabilities (179) 1,663
Other comprehensive income / (expense)
for the period 4,143 (6,408)
-------------------------------------------- ------ --------
Total comprehensive income / (expense)/
for the period
Attributable to equity holders of the
Company 5,501 (4,842)
-------------------------------------------- ------ --------
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
Group Company
As at As at As at As at
26 March 27 March 26 March 27 March
2022 2021 2022 20201
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Assets
Goodwill 1,264 1,264 - -
Intangible assets 1,584 1,946 769 1,013
Property, plant and equipment 30,551 30,696 1,630 1,774
Right-of-use assets 7,358 4,160 343 236
Investments in subsidiary
undertakings - - 7,350 7,350
Deferred tax assets 3,534 3,729 3,459 3,706
------------------------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Total non-current assets 44,291 41,795 13,551 14,079
------------------------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Inventories 17,593 15,469 - -
Trade and other receivables 22,640 16,053 55,027 50,863
Provision for impairment (777) (961) - (260)
Other financial assets - 501 - -
Cash and cash equivalents 7,750 6,765 4,011 2,861
Corporation tax 1,838 1,425 968 1,384
Total current assets 49,044 39,252 60,006 54,848
------------------------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Total assets 93,335 81,047 73,557 68,927
------------------------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Liabilities
Trade and other payables 21,392 15,780 16,324 22,989
Other financial liabilities 6 16 6 16
Loans and borrowings 1,595 8,301 133 94
Total current liabilities 22,993 24,097 16,463 23,099
------------------------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Long-term borrowings 18,727 5,966 8,182 211
Retirement benefit liabilities 13,130 18,436 13,130 18,436
Deferred consideration on
business acquisition 578 401 - -
Deferred tax liabilities 3,093 2,246 123 102
Total non-current liabilities 35,528 27,049 21,435 18,749
------------------------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Total liabilities 58,521 51,146 37,898 41,848
------------------------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Equity
------------------------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Share capital 2,389 2,389 2,389 2,389
Share premium 1,588 1,588 1,588 1,588
Translation reserve 553 504 - -
Reserve for own shares (1,407) (1,151) (1,407) (1,151)
Hedging reserve - 501 - -
Retained earnings 31,691 26,070 33,089 24,253
------------------------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Total shareholders' equity 34,814 29,901 35,659 27,079
------------------------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Total equity and liabilities 93,335 81,047 73,557 68,927
------------------------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
The Parent Company reported a profit for the period ended 26
March 2022 of GBP4,554k (2021: GBP4,072k).
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Group
52 weeks ended 52 weeks ended
26 March 2022 27 March 2021
GBP'000 GBP'000
--------------------------------------- --------------- ---------------
Cash flows from operating activities
Net profit 1,358 1,566
Adjustments for:
Tax 1,419 153
Depreciation and amortisation 4,051 4,489
Transaction costs on business
acquisition - 384
Net IAS 19 pension adjustments
within SCI 914 802
Past service pension deficit
payments (1,443) (498)
Foreign exchange differences - 783
Gain on early termination of
Right-of use assets - (19)
Bank Interest income (17) (4)
Bank interest expense 926 491
Share based payments (107) 245
Increase in inventories (2,103) (1,448)
(Increase) / decrease in trade
and other receivables (6,448) 3,401
Increase / (decrease) in trade
and other payables 5,773 (2,406)
Tax paid (972) -
--------------------------------------- --------------- ---------------
Net cash generated from operating
activities 3,351 7,939
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase on intangible assets (56) (42)
Purchase of property, plant and
equipment (6,705) (3,085)
Acquisition of business net of
cash and cash equivalents - (1,359)
--------------------------------------- --------------- ---------------
Net cash used in investing activities (6,761) (4,486)
--------------------------------------- --------------- ---------------
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of new loans 9,754 6,390
Repayment of borrowings (3,123) (10,313)
Repayment of lease liabilities (1,111) (818)
Interest received 17 4
Interest paid (768) (353)
Distribution of own shares (256) 100
Dividends paid to shareholders (236) -
--------------------------------------- --------------- ---------------
Net cash generated / (used)
from financing activities 4,277 (4,990)
--------------------------------------- --------------- ---------------
Net increase / (decrease) in
cash and cash equivalents 867 (1,537)
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations
on cash held 118 (662)
--------------------------------------- --------------- ---------------
Net increase / (decrease) in
cash and cash equivalents 985 (2,199)
Cash and cash equivalents at
the start of the period 6,765 8,964
--------------------------------------- --------------- ---------------
Cash and cash equivalents at
the end of the period 7,750 6,765
--------------------------------------- --------------- ---------------
Cash and cash equivalents consists
of:
Cash at bank and in hand 7,750 6,765
7,750 6,765
--------------------------------------- --------------- ---------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
Share Share Translation Own Hedging Retained
capital premium reserve shares reserve earnings Total
------------------------- ------------- ----------- ------------- ------------ --------- ---------- -----------
Group GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------- ------------- ----------- ------------- ------------ --------- ---------- -----------
At 28 March 2020 2,389 1,588 584 (1,251) - 31,087 34,397
Comprehensive income for
the
period - - - - - 1,566 1,566
Total other comprehensive
income - - (80) - 501 (6,829) (6,408)
Distribution of own
shares - - - 100 - - 100
Share based payment
charge - - - - - 246 246
------------------------- ------------- ----------- ------------- ------------ --------- ---------- -----------
Total contributions by
and
distributions to owners
of
the Group - - - 100 - 246 346
------------------------- ------------- ----------- ------------- ------------ --------- ---------- -----------
At 27 March 2021 2,389 1,588 504 (1,151) 501 26.070 29,901
Comprehensive income for
the
period - - - - - 1,358 1,358
Total other comprehensive
income - - 49 - (501) 4,595 4,143
Dividends paid - - - - - (236) (236)
Purchase of own shares - - - (256) - - (256)
Share based payment
charge - - - - - (96) (96)
Total contributions by
and
distributions to owners
of
the Group - - - (256) - (332) (588)
------------------------- ------------- ----------- ------------- ------------ --------- ---------- -----------
At 26 March 2022 2,389 1,588 553 (1,407) - 31,691 34,814
------------------------- ------------- ----------- ------------- ------------ --------- ---------- -----------
Share Share Own Retained
capital premium shares earnings Total
Company GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
----------------------------- --------- --------- -------- ---------- --------
At 28 March 2020 2,389 1,588 (1,251) 27,073 29,799
Comprehensive income for
the period - - - 4,072 4,072
Total other comprehensive
income - - - (7,137) (7,137)
Distribution of own shares - - 100 - 100
Share based payment charge - - - 245 245
----------------------------- --------- --------- -------- ---------- --------
Total contributions by and
distributions to owners of
the Group - - 100 245 345
----------------------------- --------- --------- -------- ---------- --------
At 27 March 2021 2,389 1,588 (1,151) 24,253 27,079
Comprehensive income for
the period - - - 4,554 4,554
Total other comprehensive
income - - - 4,614 4,614
Dividends paid - - - (236) (236)
Purchase of own shares - - (256) - (256)
Share based payment charge - - - (96) (96)
Total contributions by and
distributions to owners of
the Group - - (256) (332) (588)
----------------------------- --------- --------- -------- ---------- --------
At 26 March 2022 2,389 1,588 (1,407) 33,089 35,659
----------------------------- --------- --------- -------- ---------- --------
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1 BASIS OF PREPARATION
James Cropper Plc (the Company) is a public limited company
incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom and listed on the
Alternative Investment Market (AIM). The condensed consolidated
financial statements of the Company for the 52 weeks ended 26 March
2022, comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred
to as the Group).
Statement of compliance
The condensed consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with international accounting standards in
conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. As
required by the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial
Services Authority, the condensed consolidated set of financial
statements have been prepared applying the accounting policies and
presentation that were applied in the preparation of the Group's
published consolidated financial statements for the 52 week period
ended 26 March 2022. They do not include all the information
required for full annual financial statements, and should be read
in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the
Group for the 52 week period ended 26 March 2022.
The consolidated financial statements of the Group for the 52
week period ended 26 March 2022 are available upon request from the
Company's registered office Burneside Mills, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9
6PZ or at www.jamescropper.com .
The financial information is presented in Sterling and all
values are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds (GBP'000) except
where otherwise indicated.
Going concern
The Directors have performed a robust assessment, including
review of the 12 month forecast period from the date of signing the
audit report including consideration of the principal risks faced
by the Group and the Company, including the potential impact of
Covid 19 on the business, as detailed in the Group's Annual Report
2022. Following this review the Directors are satisfied that the
Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in
operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly they
continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the
condensed consolidated financial statements.
Significant accounting policies
The accounting policies applied by the Group in these condensed
consolidated financial statements are the same as those applied by
the Group in its consolidated financial statements as at and for
the 52 week period ended 26 March 2022.
2 Accounting estimates and judgements
The preparation of the financial statements requires management
to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the
application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of
assets and liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may
differ from these estimates.
The significant judgements made by management in applying the
Group's accounting policies and the key sources of estimation
uncertainty were the same as those applied to the consolidated
financial statements as at and for the 52 week period ended 26
March 2022.
3 Risks and uncertainties
The principal risks and uncertainties which may have the largest
impact on performance are disclosed in the 2022 Annual Report and
are namely:
Pandemic risk; fire; net zero emissions; pension; cyber risk;
flood; water abstraction; energy price volatility and pulp price
volatility.
The Board considers that the principal risks and uncertainties
set out in the 2022 Annual Report remain relevant for the current
financial year.
4 Alternative performance measures
The Company uses alternative performance measures to allow users
of the financial statements to gain a clearer understanding of the
underlying performance of the business.
Profit before tax represents the Group's overall performance and
financial position, however it contains significant non-operational
items relating to IAS 19 that the Directors believe obscure an
understanding of the key performance trend.
Measures used to evaluate business performance are 'Adjusted
operating profit' (operating profit excluding the impact of IAS 19
and exceptional costs), and 'Adjusted profit before tax' (profit
before tax excluding the impact of IAS 19 and exceptional costs).
The alternative performance measures are reconciled in note 9.
5 Earnings per share
The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on earnings
attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by the weighted
average number of shares in issue during the year. The calculation
of diluted earnings per share is based on the basic earnings per
share adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive options.
6 Segmental information
IFRS 8 Operating Segments - requires that entities adopt the
'management approach' to reporting the financial performance of its
operating segments. Management has determined the segments that are
reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting
provided to the chief operating decision maker, identified as the
Executive Committee that makes strategic decisions. The committee
considers the business principally via the four main operating
segments, principally based in the UK:
-- James Cropper Paper Products (Paper): comprising:
-- JC Speciality Papers - relates to James Cropper Speciality
Papers a manufacturer of specialist paper and boards.
-- JC Converting - relates to James Cropper Converting - a
converter of paper.
-- James Cropper 3D Products (Colourform) - a manufacturer of
moulded fibre products.
-- Technical Fibre Products (TFP) - a manufacturer of advanced
materials.
-- Group Services - comprises central functions providing
services to the subsidiary companies.
Operating profit /
Revenue (loss)
52 week 52 week 52 week 52 week
period ended period ended period ended period ended
26 March 27 March 26 March 27 March
2022 2021 2022 2021
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Paper 70,350 51,376 (2,338) (309)
Colourform 3,363 2,822 (754) (1,542)
TFP 31,209 24,570 8,684 6,482
Group services and other - - (1,007) (2,186)
-------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
104,922 78,768 4,585 2,445
-------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
7 Dividend
An interim dividend of 2.5p per share was paid in the period and
the Board are recommending a final dividend of 7.5p per share,
making a total declared dividend for the period of 10.0p per share.
(2021: nil per ordinary share).
If approved by members at the Annual General Meeting, the final
dividend will be paid on 12 August 2022 to all shareholders on the
register on 8 July 2022.
8 Retirement benefit obligations
Movements during the period in the Group's defined benefit
pension schemes are set out below:
52 week period 52 week period
ended ended
26 March 2022 27 March 2021
--------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------
GBP'000 GBP'000
Obligation brought forward (18,436) (9,382)
Expense recognised in the
income statement (1,570) (1,273)
Contributions paid to the
schemes 2,099 969
Actuarial (losses) and gains 4,777 (8,750)
--------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------
Obligation carried forward (13,130) (18,436)
--------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------
9 Alternative performance measures
52 week period 52 week period
ended ended
26 March 2022 27 March 2021
GBP'000 GBP'000
Adjusted operating profit 4,585 4,510
Net IAS 19 pension adjustments:
current service costs (1,203) (1,034)
future service contributions
paid 656 471
Exceptional Items:
restructuring costs - (1,118)
Transaction costs on acquisition
of business - (384)
Increase in earn out provisions (354)
Operating profit 3,684 2,445
------------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------
52 week period 52 week period
ended ended
26 March 2022 27 March 2021
GBP'000 GBP'000
Adjusted profit before tax 4,045 4,023
Net IAS 19 pension adjustments:
current service costs (1,203) (1,034)
future service contributions
paid 656 471
finance costs (367) (239)
Exceptional items:
Restructuring costs - (1,118)
Transaction costs on acquisition
of business - (384)
Increase in earn out provisions (354)
Profit before tax 2,777 1,719
--------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------
10 Related parties
There have been no significant changes in the nature of related
party transactions in the period ended 26 March 2022 from that
disclosed in the 2021 Annual report.
Statement of Directors' responsibilities
The Directors confirm that these condensed consolidated
financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
International Financial Reporting standards as adopted by the
European Union and that the preliminary report includes a fair
review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7 and DTR 4.2.8,
namely:
(i) An indication of important events that have occurred during
the period and their impact on the condensed set of financial
statements, and a description of the principal risks and
uncertainties for the financial period; and
(ii) Material related party transactions in the period and any
material changes in the related party transactions described in the
last Annual report.
The Directors of James Cropper Plc are detailed on our Group
website www.jamescropper.com
Forward-looking statements
Sections of this financial report may contain forward-looking
statements with respect to the Group's plans and expectations
relating to its future performance, results, strategic initiatives,
objectives and financial position, including liquidity and capital
resources. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of
future performance. By their very nature, all forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to
events that may or may not occur in the future and are or may be
beyond the Group's control. Accordingly, the Group's actual results
and financial condition may differ materially from those expressed
or implied in any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements in this financial report are current only as of the date
on which such statements are made. The Group undertakes no
obligation to update any forward-looking statements, save in
respect of any requirement under applicable law or regulation.
Nothing in this announcement shall be construed as a profit
forecast.
Content of this report
The financial information set out above does not constitute the
Group's statutory accounts for the 12 months ended 26 March 2022 or
27 March 2021 but is derived from those accounts.
Statutory accounts for the 12 months ended 27 March 2021 have
been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditor, BDO LLP,
has reported on the 2021 accounts; the report (i) was unqualified,
(ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the
auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their
report, and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 498 (2)
or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
The statutory accounts for the 12 month period ended 26 March
2022 will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the
Annual General Meeting. The auditor, BDO LLP, has reported on these
accounts; their report (i) is unqualified, (ii) does not include a
reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way
of emphasis without qualifying their report, and (iii) does not
include a statement under either section 498 (2) or (3) of the
Companies act 2006.
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