RNS Number:3686K
Plantation & General Investmnts.PLC
24 April 2003
Plantation & General Investments plc
Preliminary announcement of results for the year ended 31 December 2002
Extract from the Chairman's Statement
The results for the year ended December 31st 2002 are a marked improvement on
the figures for 2001. Operating profit rose by nearly #1 million, and cash
increased by #2 million. The figures for 2001 have been restated for changes in
exchange rate translation and deferred taxation.
Profits from plantations increased for the third successive year, despite
continuing low prices for tea and coffee. The Malawi tea estates again improved
their yields and quality, while tightly controlling their costs. We are
continuing to invest in the Bloomfield tea factory, a project that should be
completed in 2004.
Eastern Highlands, our Zimbabwe estate, boosted its profitability as the market
exchange rate declined by more than inflation. The Zimbabwean government has
recognised the wide gap between the official and market rates of exchange, and
has devalued the currency from Zim$55 per US$ to Zim$824.
Of the Group's other estates, Air Muring (rubber in Indonesia) showed the most
progress, with crops up 24 per cent. as more trees reached maturity; and
Khal-Amazi (roses in Zambia) had record production, though profits were held
back by low prices.
Our trading division was boosted by strong sales and record profits at Jacobs
Young & Westbury. These were offset by losses and closure provisions at the
Internet-based tea auction, eteatrade. This was always a speculative venture,
which required the commitment of major producers and packers to conduct their
business on-line. Despite considerable effort, the auctions never attracted
enough volume, and we decided to close the business at the end of the year.
The Group's wheelbarrow manufacturer, Chillington, had a difficult year,
exacerbated by the additional costs in moving to a new site. During 2002 we sold
the steel-shelving manufacturer, Nicholl & Wood, and the residual assets of the
hoe manufacturing business in Uganda. These raised #800,000, which was used to
reduce Group borrowings. In addition, a change in the terms of trading at Jacobs
Young & Westbury, while reducing future profit, significantly cut the Group's
working capital requirements. In all, these changes allowed us to reduce
borrowings by #3.7 million during the year.
The Group balance sheet shows a reduction in total net assets of approximately
#4 million. A large part of this movement was due to a weakening of the US
dollar against sterling, as a majority of the fixed assets in the accounts are
valued in US dollars, the currency which also denominates most of the related
revenues. Most of the rest is due to the adoption of market rates of exchange
for translation of the Zimbabwe figures.
The information required under the pensions standard FRS17 shows an end-year
deficit of #3.65 million. In common with many other companies, the deficit has
been caused mainly by falling stockmarkets. Our Company schemes have been
increasing the ratio of bonds to equities, in line with the maturity profile of
their liabilities. On actuarial advice, the Company is now making additional
contributions of #210,000 a year to reduce the deficit.
The current year has started well, with tea crops slightly higher than in the
first quarter of 2002, although prices remain low. As always in Tropical
agriculture, much will depend on the weather, inflation and exchange rates - all
hard to predict and impossible to control. That big caveat aside, the underlying
potential of the Group continues to improve.
Rupert Pennant-Rea
24 April 2003
Review of Activities
Tropical agriculture
The Group's principal division grows tea, roses, coffee and macadamia nuts in
the Southern African states of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and tea and rubber
in Indonesia. Overseas Farmers Group in London markets the produce of the
Group's agricultural operations and provides support services. The overall
operating profit for the division increased by 71 per cent to #2,541,000.
Tea accounted for 76 per cent of the division's turnover. Total production for
the year was 17,833 tonnes from a mature area of 6,673 hectares. The yield per
hectare rose by 10 per cent year on year and this is the 4th year in succession
that yield has increased. Over this period yields have increased by 27 per cent.
Average tea prices were very similar to 2001 and remain at the low end of the
ten year range.
Rose production in Zambia increased by 44 per cent and shipments exceeded 46
million stems. Although the Euro denominated prices were weaker in the year, the
contribution to the division's turnover increased to 15 per cent. This project
was expanded to 15 hectares at the end of 2001 and the newly planted rose bushes
came into production during the year.
The arabica coffee crop was 290 tonnes. Coffee is now only grown in Zimbabwe. In
Malawi all the old coffee areas have been replanted to macadamia trees and the
total area under these trees is now 670 hectares. Nut production will rise
steadily over the next 10 years as these trees come to maturity.
The production from the Indonesian rubber estates rose by 24 per cent to 2,362
tonnes as more of the plantations came into production. Rubber prices, having
fallen to the lowest level for several decades, have begun to recover and the
crop contributed 6 per cent of this division's turnover.
A significant factor affecting the profitability of plantations is labour use
and, by improved practices, we have increased productivity on all plantations.
Over the last two years, labour productivity has increased by 16 per cent.
Trading
Eteatrade carried out regular auctions until it was closed in October 2002. Both
the auction system and the fulfilment processes worked reliably and was well
regarded by several major buyers, but use of the service did not increase
sufficiently to justify the continued expenditure.
Jacobs Young & Westbury, the UK importer of furniture and leisure products,
mainly for the garden, increased sales by 42 per cent. The major customer,
Homebase, has altered the terms of trading to an agency basis for 2003 and this
will substantially reduce profits. However, this also reduces capital employed
and the resulting cash flow has reduced the Group's debt by about #2 million.
Manufacturing
Chillington Manufacturing, the UK's largest wheelbarrow maker, moved the
operation to a new site which will allow greater operating efficiency.
Complications which arose in the process of the move resulted in severe losses
but the reorganisation, including some management changes, has considerably
improved prospects.
Investment
With many factory improvement projects completed over the last three years, the
major project under way is the re-development of the Bloomfield tea factory in
Malawi. Total expenditure in the year was #920,000 (previous year #3.2 million)
the majority of which was replacement of machinery on the plantations.
Outlook
Management in Zimbabwe continues to be hampered by the political instability and
periodic deficiencies in the supply of fuel, electricity and telecommunications.
Electricity shortages are also affecting us in Malawi. Tea prices have started
the year slightly lower but the price of rubber is likely to exceed the 2002
levels and the other products have started the year very much as the previous
year.
The major improvement in market conditions has been the devaluation of the
currency in Zimbabwe and Malawi. This has offset the very high inflation that
had increased cost of production in the previous two years. Combined with
continued improvements in yield, this has given us a good start to the year.
Richard Clothier
Chief Executive
24 April 2003
Consolidated profit & loss account
for the year ended 31 December 2002
Continuing Operations
2002 2001
Notes #000 #000
(restated)
Turnover 47,219 38,912
Cost of sales (37,211) (29,506)
--------- ---------
Gross profit 10,008 9,406
Operating expenses (8,926) (9,054)
Exceptional item:
Impairment of fixed assets - (200)
--------- ---------
Operating profit 1,082 152
Profit on disposal or closure of operations 199 480
Profit on disposal of properties 774 208
Profit on disposal of investments 7 7
--------- ---------
Profit before interest 2,062 847
Interest (2,110) (2,097)
--------- ---------
Loss after interest (48) (1,250)
Monetary working capital hyper-inflation (139) 1,025
adjustment
-------- --------
Loss before taxation (187) (225)
Taxation 1 (265) (167)
--------- ---------
Loss after taxation (452) (392)
Minority interests 145 18
--------- ---------
Loss for the year (307) (374)
Dividends (non-equity) - (81)
--------- ---------
Amount transferred from reserves (307) (455)
==== ====
Pence Pence
(restated)
Loss per ordinary share (Basic) (0.6) (0.9)
Dividends per ordinary share 2 - -
Balance sheets at 31 December 2002
Group Company
2002 2001 2002 2001
Fixed assets #000 #000 #000 #000
(restated)
Intangible assets 380 435 - -
Tangible assets 25,173 29,754 39 20
Investments 50 75 34,415 35,938
--------- --------- -------- --------
25,603 30,264 34,454 35,958
--------- --------- -------- --------
Current assets
Stocks 2,918 8,050 - -
Debtors 2,701 5,012 111 38
Cash at bank and in hand 741 507 1,934 1,150
--------- --------- -------- --------
6,360 13,569 2,045 1,188
--------- --------- -------- --------
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Debt finance (2,618) (7,503) (484) (1,908)
Other (3,976) (8,543) (1,334) (1,441)
--------- --------- -------- --------
(6,594) (16,046) (1,818) (3,349)
--------- --------- -------- --------
Net current (liabilities)/assets (234) (2,477) 227 (2,161)
--------- --------- -------- --------
Total assets less current liabilities 25,369 27,787 34,681 33,797
--------- --------- -------- --------
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than
one year
Debt finance (including amounts relating to (10,550) (9,116) (9,069) (7,801)
convertible debt )
Other (354) (289) (295) (241)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
(10,904) (9,405) (9,364) (8,042)
Provisions for liabilities and charges (229) (65) - -
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net assets 14,236 18,317 25,317 25,755
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 12,948 12,946 12,948 12,946
Share premium account 11,297 11,348 11,297 11,348
Capital redemption reserve 250 250 250 250
Revaluation reserves 970 2,527 - -
Profit and loss account (12,496) (10,447) 822 1,211
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Shareholders' funds-Equity 12,969 16,624 25,317 25,755
Minority interest --------- --------- --------- ---------
Equity 491 746 - -
Non-equity 776 947 - -
--------- --------- --------- ---------
1,267 1,693 - -
--------- --------- --------- ---------
14,236 18,317 25,317 25,755
Consolidated cash flow statement
for the year ended 31 December 2002 2002 2001
#000 #000
(restated)
Cash flow from operating activities 3,504 2,962
Returns on investments and servicing of finance (2,172) (2,327)
Taxation - Overseas tax paid (110) (375)
Capital expenditure and financial investment 187 (2,679)
Disposals 821 750
-------- --------
Cash flow before financing 2,230 (1,669)
Financing -------- --------
Issue of shares (net of expenses) 1 -
Issue of new convertible loan stock (net of expenses) - 7,755
Redemption of preference shares - (1,805)
Redemption of convertible loan stock - (4,677)
Loan (net of repayments) 60 568
Capital elements of finance lease rentals payable (219) (309)
-------- --------
Total financing (158) 1,532
-------- --------
Increase/(decrease) in cash in the year 2,072 (137)
-------- --------
Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt
Increase/(decrease) in cash in the year 2,072 (137)
Cash inflow from increase in debt (60) (3,646)
Cash outflow from reduction in finance lease liabilities 219 309
-------- --------
Change in net debt resulting from cash flows 2,231 (3,474)
New finance leases (248) (313)
Exchange translation differences 1,680 (54)
Net borrowing disposed with divisions 22 -
-------- --------
Movement in net debt in the year 3,685 (3,841)
Net debt 1 January (16,112) (12,271)
-------- --------
Net debt 31 December (12,427) (16,112)
-------- --------
Reconciliation of operating profit to operating cash flow
Operating profit 1,082 152
Depreciation 1,558 1,515
Amortisation of goodwill 55 55
Impairment of fixed assets - 200
Working capital (increase)/decrease
Stocks 5,132 (524)
Debtors 2,311 1,611
Creditors (4,380) (322)
Exchange translation difference on working capital (1,209) 2
Working capital derived from disposal of (1,004) 282
subsidiary undertakings and divisions
Disposal of tangible fixed assets (41) (9)
-------- --------
3,504 2,962
==== ====
Statement of total recognised gains & losses
for the year ended 31 December 2002
2002 2001
#000 #000
(restated)
Loss for the year (307) (374)
Monetary working capital hyper-inflation adjustment 139 (1,025)
Revaluation surplus/(deficit) net of minority interests 2,835 (526)
Exchange differences (6,072) 1,124
-------- --------
Total recognised losses for the year (3,405) (801)
-------- --------
Statement of movement in shareholders' funds
for the year ended 31 December 2002
2002 2001
#000 #000
(restated)
Recognised losses for the year (3,405) (801)
Reversal of capital reserve (251) -
Dividends - (81)
Issue of new shares (net of expenses) 1 -
Redemption of preference shares - (1,805)
-------- --------
Net reduction in shareholders' funds (3,655) (2,687)
Shareholders' funds at beginning of year 16,624 19,311
-------- --------
Shareholders' funds at the end of year 12,969 16,624
===== =====
Segmental analysis - Loss before taxation
2002 2001
#000 #000
By activity: (restated)
Tropical agriculture 2,541 1,485
Trading 39 (544)
Manufacturing (691) 218
Central costs net of sundry income (807) (807)
Interest (including monetary working capital hyper-inflation adjustment) (2,249) (1,072)
Profit on disposal of operations, properties and investments 980 695
Impairment of fixed assets - (200)
-------- --------
(187) (225)
===== =====
NOTES
1. Taxation
2002 2001
#000 #000
UK corporation tax: (restated)
Current tax on income for the period 49 258
Double taxation relief (49) (258)
-------- --------
- -
-------- --------
Foreign tax:
Current tax on income for the period 26 80
Adjustment in respect of prior periods 37 18
Other 9 19
-------- --------
72 117
-------- --------
Deferred taxation:
Origination and reversal of timing differences 211 264
Utilisation of tax losses 168 -
Lower rates on overseas earnings (33) -
Increase in discount (152) (214)
Adjustment in respect of prior periods (1) -
-------- --------
193 50
-------- --------
-------- --------
Tax on profit on ordinary activities 265 167
===== =====
2. Dividend
No dividend is proposed for 2002 (2001: # nil).
3. Accounts
The preliminary announcement has been prepared on the basis of the
accounting policies that will be incorporated in the financial
statements for the year ended 31 December 2002. These policies are
unchanged from the year ended 31 December 2001 save for the translation
of overseas trading results at average (previously period end) exchange
rates and the provision for deferred tax being in accordance with FRS
19.
The financial information set out above does not constitute the
Company's statutory accounts for the years ended 31 December 2002 or
2001 but is derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for 2001
have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies, whereas those for
2002 which have been agreed with Company's Auditors will be delivered
following the Company's Annual General Meeting. The Auditors have
reported on the 2001 accounts; their report was qualified for the same
matter as mentioned below, but did not contain a statement under Section
237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The report of the auditors on
the 2002 accounts, which is yet to be signed, will be qualified.
Plantations and related assets have been included in the balance sheet
at valuations determined by the directors and not by qualified valuers
as the directors believe reliable full valuations as required by FRS15
cannot be obtained. Thus there were no satisfactory audit procedures
which could be adopted in order that the auditors could confirm that
these properties were valued at their depreciated replacement cost at
the balance sheet date and the audit report will be qualified, in
respect of this point alone, accordingly.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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