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(RNS) 2009-08-21 07:00
Clarke(T.) PLC - Half Year Results
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RNS Number : 7944X Clarke(T.) PLC 21 August 2009

T CLARKE PLC

Interim results for the six months ended 30th June 2009

T. Clarke plc, the electrical engineering and contracting company, has announced its interim results for the six months to 30th June 2009.

Highlights:

  • GROUP REVENUE £95.8M (30TH JUNE 2008: £109.3M)

  • PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION £3.1M (30TH JUNE 2008: £5.4M) *

  • PROFIT BEFORE TAX MARGIN 3.2% (30TH JUNE 2008: 5.0%) *

  • CLOSURE OR DISPOSAL OF TWO REGIONAL SUBSIDIARIES

  • EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF COST BASE

  • EARNINGS PER SHARE 5.3P (30TH JUNE 2008: 9.53P)

  • ROBUST ORDER BOOK £170M (30TH JUNE 2008: £230M)

  • NET CASH STRONG AT £24.0M (31ST DECEMBER 2008: £30.4M)

  • INTERIM DIVIDEND MAINTAINED AT 4.25 PENCE PER SHARE

  • BOARD CONFIRMS ITS INTENTION TO MAINTAIN THE FINAL DIVIDEND FOR 2009

  • AFTER £1.4M OF RESTRUCTURING COSTS (2008: £NIL)

    Completions include:

    Ropemaker Place, London; Pier Walk, Greenwich; Shell International Centre, London; Bede Academy, Blyth, Northumberland; Gloucester Quays Shopping Centre; Kent International Airport and Falkirk Football Stadium.

    Current projects include:

    Olympic Stadium; One New Change, London; Regents Place, London; Northumbria University Sports Centre, Newcastle; MoD Tidworth and Bulford Garrisons; Dungeness DPDS; USAF Liberty Village, Lakenheath; Brixham Fish Market and Carstairs State Hospital, Lanarkshire.

    Projects won include:

    Stratford City Shopping Centre; Longbenton Community College, Newcastle; Data Centre, Kent; Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby; HMP Hull; Luminus Group Social Housing Stock, Huntingdon; Defence Estates Term Contract, USAF Bases and Midlothian Community Hospital.
    Pat Stanborough, Chief Executive commented:

    " This has been a tough six months for T. Clarke and we have not been immune from the recession. The Board has acted prudently in reducing overheads to align resource with current workload."

    " Our order book remains strong, however, and enquiry levels are picking up especially in the regions. We have £170m of work in the Group's pipeline, £75m of which is due for completion this year with £35m in London alone. We are still winning new business around the country and we are on the tender list for a significant amount of future work."

    " We have taken the decision to hold the interim dividend as a sign of our commitment to shareholders and our confidence in the future and longevity of this business. Conditions are tough, but we have a strong balance sheet and the measures we have already taken to cut costs will provide an ample cushion should the downturn continue."

    " This is a first class business and with 120 years of operational performance behind us, I am confident we will continue to be regarded as one of the best operators in the sector. We are in good physical and financial health and we are ready for an upturn in the economy."

  • ends-

    Date: 21st August 2009

    For further information contact:


    T. Clarke plc City Profile

    Pat Stanborough, Chief Executive Simon Courtenay Victoria French, Finance Director William Attwell
    Tel: 020-7358-5000 Tel: 020-7448-3244

    web: www.tclarke.co.uk


    Chairman's Statement

    Group revenue fell by 12.4% to £95.8m in the first six months of the year, although trading margins held up well. At the operating level, however, margins were adversely affected by provisions against closure or disposal of two regional subsidiaries, by recognition of certain bad debts and by redundancy provisions. As a result, pre-tax margins fell to 3.2% and pre-tax profits by 42.7% to £3.1m. Earnings per share were 5.30p (2008: 9.53p).

    In the circumstances, the group order book is robust at £170m (30th June 2008: £230m) whilst net cash remains strong at £24.0m (31st December 2008: £30.4m). Given our strong balance sheet, and the Board's confidence in the long term prospects for the business, the interim dividend is being maintained at 4.25 pence per share.

    As indicated in our Trading Update on 17th July 2009, the difficult trading conditions have led us to undertake a strategic review of group operations. Resulting from this review, some restructuring has been instituted, primarily the winding down of operations at our Altrincham subsidiary, and the likely sale of our business near Birmingham. In light of contract completions in our core London operations, the bulk of the reduction in our headcount has been made in this area. As part of the restructuring programme, Barry DeFalco, Managing Director UK Regional Operations, will be leaving the company on 30th September 2009. The board would like to thank Barry for his many years of loyal service and wish him well for the future.

    Whilst it would be unrealistic to expect a rapid return to buoyant market conditions in our sector, I have every confidence that the underlying strengths of our business, not least the quality of our staff at all levels, will stand us in good stead during the remainder of this year and into 2010.

    Russell Race

    Chairman

    20th August 2009


    Business Review

    Operational review

    As a result of the continuing slow down in contract awards and contract starts, we announced on 17th July 2009 the results of a strategic review of group operations. This resulted in a restructuring programme involving headcount reductions and the closure or disposal of two of our small regional businesses. We are currently winding down our operations in Altrincham and are integrating current and future business opportunities within our Preston business. We are negotiating the sale of our Birmingham business and expect this to be completed soon.

    A charge of £1.4m in relation to these decisions has been recognised in the interim results. Bad debts continue to give concern and a provision of £1.9m is carried forward as at 30th June 2009 of which a £0.8m net charge has impacted profit in the current period. In addition to a reduction in headcount we have limited our apprentice intake, a sad reflection of these uncertain times.

    The largest headcount reduction is in our core London operations where a number of commercial property developments are now completed or near to completion. Revenue from our core London operations was down 10.5% in the six months and operating margin was 3.7% after redundancy and other provisions of £0.9m. The London forward order book is £100m of which £35m is scheduled for completion this year.

    Overall our regional businesses are operating positively with good results expected for the year from Scotland, Newcastle, Leeds, Derby, Peterborough and Bristol. Regional revenue for the six months was down 13.7% and operating margin was 2.5% after restructuring and bad debt provisions of £1.3m. The regional forward order book is £70m of which £40m is scheduled for completion this year.

    Completions

    Ropemaker Place, London; Pier Walk, Greenwich; Shell International Centre, London; Bede Academy, Blyth, Northumberland; Gloucester Quays Shopping Centre; Kent International Airport; Regional Agriculture Centre, Harrogate Showground; various Waitrose supermarkets; St Kentigerns School, Livingstone and Falkirk Football Stadium.

    Current projects

    Olympic Stadium; One New Change, London; Regents Place, London; Northumbria University Sports Centre, Newcastle; MoD Tidworth and Bulford Garrisons; Dungeness DPDS; Abraham Guest Secondary School, Wigan; USAF Liberty Village, Lakenheath; Brixham Fish Market and Carstairs State Hospital, Lanarkshire.

    New work secured

    Stratford City Shopping Centre; Longbenton Community College, Newcastle; Data Centre, Kent; Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby; HMP Hull; Luminus Group Social Housing Stock, Huntingdon; Cherry Trees Nursing Home, Derby; Defence Estates Term Contract, USAF Bases; Midlothian Community Hospital and Persimmon Homes, Larbert, Stirling, Scotland.

    Outlook

    Our strategy of these past years, of diversification by market and geographical sector, has helped us during these difficult times. The actions we have had to take were due to the lack of scale and scope of the small businesses involved, and the over-capacity in our core London operations as a result of the downturn in commercial property development.

    We have however secured some important new projects and we are in discussions as preferred bidder on others.

    Enquiry levels are improving, the group is in good physical and financial health and is ready for an upturn in the economy. The forward order book is £170m (2008: £230m) of which £75m is scheduled for completion this year.

    Pat Stanborough

    Chief Executive

    20th August 2009

    Financial Review

    Summary of financial performance

    Financial performance was affected by the overall downturn in the construction and contracting sectors and group revenue for the six months to 30th June 2009 reduced by £13.5m (12.4%) to £95.8m (2008: £109.3m).

    Restructuring and closure costs resulting from the decision to close or dispose of two regional subsidiaries and redundancy costs in London and the regions amounted to £1.4m and net bad debt expense was £0.8m in the first six months of 2009.

    Gross profit decreased by £1.2m (7.3%) to £15.4m (2008: £16.6m) and included £0.5m of redundancy costs.

    Administrative expenses increased by £0.9m (7.8%) to £12.4m (2008: £11.5m). Administrative expenses included a £0.9m charge for redundancy costs and closure provisions and a charge of £0.8m for bad debt expense, made up of a £1.0m bad debt charge as a result of regional customers experiencing difficulties offset by a £0.2m credit for cash received and other movements.

    Group profit from operations decreased by £2.1m (40.6%) to £3.1m (2008: £5.2m) accounted for by the £1.4m of restructuring and redundancy costs and the £0.8m of bad debt expense.

    Group profit before taxation decreased by £2.3m (42.7%) to £3.1m (2008: £5.4m).

    Group profit after taxation decreased by £1.7m (41.4%) to £2.1m (2008: £3.8m) and earnings per share decreased by 4.23p to 5.3p (2008: 9.53p).

    London operations - revenue and profit

    Revenue in London decreased by £4.7m (10.5%) to £40.5m as a result of the downturn in commercial property development and the consequent reduction in throughput from contracts.

    London operating profit decreased by £0.8m to £1.5m (2008: £2.3m) and the operating profit margin reduced from 5.0% to 3.7% after accounting for £1.1m of redundancy costs and other provisions offset by a bad debt provision reversal of £0.2m. Excluding the effect of the £1.1m of redundancy costs and provisions, London operating profit would have been approximately £2.6m, a margin of 6.4%.

    London profit before taxation decreased by £0.9m to £1.5m for the six months to 30th June 2009 (2008: £2.4m).

    Regional operations - revenue and profit

    Revenue from regional operations decreased by £8.8m (13.7%) to £55.3m (2008: £64.1m) with regional operations contributing 58% of group revenue for the six months.

    Regional operating profit decreased by £1.3m (48.9%) to £1.4m and operating profit margin decreased from 4.2% to 2.5% as a result of £0.3m of restructuring costs and £1.0m of bad debt expense in the period. Excluding the effect of the £0.3m of restructuring costs, regional operating profit would have been approximately £1.6m, a margin of 3.0%.

    Regional profit before taxation decreased by approximately half to £1.4m (2008: £2.8m).

    Group profit before taxation

    Group profit before taxation decreased 42.7% to £3.1m and the profit before tax margin reduced to 3.2% compared to 5% as at 30th June 2008. Excluding the effect of the £1.4m of restructuring and redundancy costs, profit before taxation would have been approximately £4.5m, a margin of 4.7%.

    Taxation decreased by £0.6m to £1.0m for the six months to 30th June 2009. The effective tax rate reduced to 31.8% compared to 34.0% at 31st December 2008 (the higher rate included the effect of £1.8m of tax disallowable goodwill impairment in 2008).

    Cash flow and dividend

    Net cash from operating activities resulted in a net cash outflow of £3.6m for the six month period ended 30th June 2009 compared to a net cash inflow of £13.7m for the comparative six month period ended 30th June 2008. The net outflow arose due to a £5.3m increase in debtors and contract balances and £2.6m of corporation tax paid, partially offset by a £1.2m increase in creditors and £3.1m of operating profit. In the comparative period to 30th June 2008, cash generated by operations was boosted by an increase in creditors of £12.0m.

    Net cash (including bank overdrafts) was £24.0m as at 30th June 2009, compared to £30.4m as at 31st December 2008. Included within £24.0m net cash was £25.0m of cash and short-term deposits and £1.0m of overdrafts held at the period end.

    The interim dividend has been maintained at 4.25p per share reflecting the strength of the balance sheet, the Board's confidence in the business and the desire to provide an ongoing return to shareholders. The Board has also confirmed its intention to maintain the final dividend for 2009. The interim dividend will be paid on 2nd October 2009 as detailed in Note 6.

    Pension obligations

    The post-tax pension scheme deficit on the balance sheet has increased from £1.9m as at the year end to £3.7m as at 30th June 2009. The increase in the pension scheme liabilities is mainly due to a reduction of 0.5% in the discount rate (reflecting a decrease in the yield on AA-rated corporate bonds in the first six months of 2009 from 6.7% to 6.2%) and a 0.5% increase in the inflation rate assumption to 3.2%.

    If the yield on AA-rated corporate bonds were to decrease in the future, the effect would be to increase the pension scheme deficit with the loss being recognised through reserves on the balance sheet. The company is currently consulting with members on a number of possible changes to its defined benefit pension scheme arrangements.

    Victoria French

    Finance Director

    20th August 2009

    Consolidated income statement
    Unaudited Unaudited Audited
    6 Months to 6 Months to 12 Months to

    30 06 2009 30 06 2008 31 12 2008


    £000 £000 £000


    Revenue 95,807 109,342 223,725
    Cost of sales (80,395) (92,716) (185,242)
    Gross profit 15,412 16,626 38,483
    Other operating income 44 43 100
    Administrative expenses (12,373) (11,478) (26,001)
    Profit from operations 3,083 5,191 12,582
    Investment income 166 276 965
    Finance costs (148) (59) (151)
    Profit before taxation 3,101 5,408 13,396
    Taxation (985) (1,601) (4,559)
    Profit for the period from continuing operations 2,116 3,807 8,837
    Earnings per share 5.30p 9.53p 22.12p

    Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
    £000 £000 £000


    Profit for the period 2,116 3,807 8,837

    Other comprehensive income:
    Actuarial (loss)/ gains on defined benefit pension scheme (2,557) 47 324
    Tax credit/(debit) on actuarial losses/gains on defined benefit pension scheme 716 (14) (91)


    Total comprehensive income for the period 275 3,840 9,070

    Consolidated statement of financial position


    Unaudited Unaudited Audited

    30 06 2009 30 06 2008 31 12 2008


    £000 £000 £000

    Non current assets
    Goodwill 12,584 14,385 12,584
    Property, plant and equipment 6,663 7,655 7,747
    Deferred taxation 93 86 90
    19,340 22,126 20,421

    Current assets
    Inventories 286 267 292
    Construction contracts 15,883 15,138 11,255
    Debtors 14,921 23,426 14,220
    Cash and cash equivalents 24,980 22,774 34,363
    56,070 61,605 60,130
    Total assets 75,410 83,731 80,551

    Current liabilities
    Bank overdraft and loans 970 3,470 4,002
    Creditors and accruals 42,080 48,963 40,907
    Corporation tax liabilities 1,275 1,775 2,954
    Obligations under finance leases 200 289 216
    44,525 54,497 48,079
    Net current assets 11,545 7,108 12,051

    Non current liabilities
    Retirement benefit obligation 3,655 2,227 1,938
    Deferred taxation - - -
    Obligations under finance leases 137 176 221
    3,792 2,453 2,159
    Total liabilities 48,317 56,950 50,238
    Net assets 27,093 26,781 30,313

    Equity
    Share capital 3,995 3,995 3,995
    Share premium 1,234 1,234 1,234
    Profit and loss account 21,864 21,552 25,084
    Total equity 27,093 26,781 30,313

    Consolidated statement of cash flows


    Unaudited Unaudited Audited
    6 Months to 6 Months to 12 Months to

    30 06 2009 30 06 2008 31 12 2008


    £000 £000 £000


    Net cash from operating activities (3,648) 13,662 26,314

    (see note 8) Investing activities
    Interest received 166 276 905
    Purchase of property, plant and (93) (252) (1,024)

    equipment
    Receipts on disposal of property, 853 59 320

    plant and equipment
    Net cash from investing activities 926 83 201

    Financing activities
    Equity dividends paid (3,495) (3,236) (4,934)
    Repayments of obligations under (134) (156) (171)

    finance leases
    Net cash used in financing (3,629) (3,392) (5,105)

    activities
    Net (decrease) / increase in cash (6,351) 10,353 21,410

    and cash equivalents
    Cash and cash equivalents at 30,361 8,951 8,951

    beginning of period
    Cash and cash equivalents at end 24,010 19,304 30,361

    of period (see note 8)

    Consolidated statement of changes in equity
    Unaudited Unaudited Audited
    6 months to 6 months to 12 Months to

    30 06 2009 30 06 2008 31 12 2008


    £000 £000 £000


    Balance at start of period 30,313 26,177 26,177


    Profit for period 2,116 3,807 8,837

    Other comprehensive income:
    Actuarial (loss)/gain on defined (2,557) 47 324

    benefit pension scheme
    Tax on actuarial loss/gains on 716 (14) (91)

    defined benefit pension scheme
    Total comprehensive income for 275 3,840 9,070

    the period
    - - (1,698)

    Interim dividend paid
    Prior year final dividend paid (3,495) (3,236) (3,236)
    Balance at end of period 27,093 26,781 30,313

    Notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months to 30th June 2009

    Note 1 - Basis of preparation

    T.Clarke plc (the 'company') is a company incorporated in the United Kingdom. The consolidated interim financial statements comprise the condensed financial statements of the company and its subsidiaries (together the 'Group').

    The interim financial information in this statement does not constitute statutory accounts. The statutory accounts for the year to 31st December 2008 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors' report on those accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement under section 237 of the Companies Act 1985.

    These interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' ('IAS 34) as adopted by the European Union, and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules ('DTR') of the Financial Services Authority. They do not include all the information required for the full annual financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the Group as at and for the year ended 31st December 2008.

    The interim financial statements have not been audited or reviewed by the company's auditors.

    Note 2 - Accounting policies

    Except as described below, the financial statements have been prepared using the accounting policies and presentation that were applied in the audited financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2008.

    Taxes on income in the interim periods are accrued using the estimated effective tax rate that would be applicable to expected total annual earnings.

    IAS 1 (revised) 'Presentation of financial statements' is mandatory for accounting periods beginning on or after 1st January 2009. The revised standard prohibits the presentation of items of income and expenditure within the statement of changes in equity. All 'non-owner changes in equity' are required to be shown in a performance statement. Entities can choose whether to present one performance statement (the statement of comprehensive income) or two (the income statement and statement of comprehensive income). The Group has elected to present two performance statements, the consolidated income statement and the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. IAS 1 has also introduced a number of changes in terminology, and as a consequence the balance sheet has been renamed the 'consolidated statement of financial position' and the cash flow statement has been renamed the 'consolidated statement of cash flows'. There have been no changes to the reported results or financial position as a result of adopting the revised standard.

    Note 3 - Segmental information

    The Group considers that it has only one business segment, being mechanical and electrical contracting.

    For management and internal reporting purposes the Group is organised into two operating divisions, London and UK Regions, and an internal property division. All assets and liabilities of the Group have been allocated to divisions, apart from the retirement benefit obligation and tax assets and liabilities.


    30th June 2009 London UK Regions Property Unallocated Elimination Total
    £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000
    Revenue 40,454 55,353 316 - (316) 95,807
    Profit from operations 1,481 1,371 231 - - 3,083
    Investment income 126 40 - - - 166
    Finance costs (127) (21) - - - (148)
    Profit before tax 1,480 1,390 231 - - 3,101
    Taxation expense (985)

    Profit for the period from
    continuing operations 2,116
    Assets 34,265 41,325 6,171 93 (6,444) 75,410
    Liabilities (26,836) (17,868) (5,127) (4,930) 6,444 (48,317)
    Net assets 7,429 23,457 1,044 (4,837) - 27,093

    Profit from operations for the 6 months ended 30th June 2009 for London and the UK regions is stated net of a restructuring charge of £1,099,000 and £267,000, respectively.


    30th June 2008 London UK Regions Property Unallocated Elimination Total
    £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000
    Revenue 45,184 64,158 321 - (321) 109,342
    Profit from operations 2,277 2,684 230 - - 5,191
    Investment income 190 86 - - - 276
    Finance costs (49) (10) - - - (59)
    Profit before tax 2,418 2,760 230 - - 5,408
    Taxation expense (1,601)

    Profit for the period from
    continuing operations 3,807
    Assets 31,488 56,331 5,660 86 (9,834) 83,731
    Liabilities (27,350) (30,614) (4,768) 4,052 9,834 (56,950)
    Net assets 4,138 25,717 892 (3,966) - 26,781


    31st December 2008 London UK Regions Property Unallocated Elimination Total
    £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000
    Revenue 102,132 121,593 637 - (637) 223,725
    Profit from operations 9,753 2,425 404 - - 12,582
    Investment income 781 275 - - (91) 965
    Finance costs (97) (145) - - 91 (,151)
    Profit before tax 10,437 2,555 404 - - 13,396
    Taxation expense (4,559)

    Profit for the period from
    continuing operations 8,837
    Assets 41,532 38,996 6,027 90 (6,094) 80,551
    Liabilities (31,140) (15,236) (5,064) (4,892) 6,094 (50,238)
    Net assets 10,392 23,760 963 (4,802) - 30,313

    Profit from operations for the UK regions for the 12 months ended 31st December 2008 is

    stated net of a goodwill impairment charge of £1,800,000.

    Note 4 - Taxation expense

    The taxation charge is calculated by applying the estimated effective annual tax rate to the profit for the period.


    Current taxation Unaudited Unaudited Audited

    30 06 2009 30 06 2008 31 12 2008


    £000 £000 £000
    Current year 940 1,566 4,451
    Prior year - - 23
    940 1,566 4,474

    Deferred taxation Arising on:
    Current year timing differences 45 35 85

    45 35 85


    Taxation expense 985 1,601 4,559

    Note 5 - Earnings per share

    Earnings per share are calculated on the basis of the weighted average of 39,947,889 ordinary shares in issue (30th June 2008: 39,947,889; 31st December 2008: 39,947,889) and profit attributable to shareholders of £2,116,000 (30th June 2008: £3,807,000; 31st December 2008: £8,837,000).

    Note 6 - Interim dividend

    An interim dividend of 4.25p per share (2008: 4.25p) was approved by the board on 20th August 2009 and has not been included as a liability as at 30th June 2009. The shares will go ex-dividend on 2nd September 2009 and the dividend will be paid on 2nd October 2009 to shareholders on the register as at 4th September 2009. A dividend reinvestment plan is available for shareholders. Those shareholders who have not elected to participate in this plan, and who would like to participate with respect to the 2009 interim dividend, may do so by contacting Capita Registrars on 0870 162 3131. The last day for election for the interim dividend reinvestment is 7th September 2009 and any requests should be made in good time ahead of that date.
    Dividends paid in year Unaudited Unaudited
    30 06 2009 30 06 2008 Audited
    £000 £000 31 12 2008
    £000
    Final dividends in respect of 3,495 3,236 3,236

    previous year
    Interim dividend in respect of the - - 1,698

    current year
    Dividends recognised in the year 3,495 3,236 4,934
    Note 7 - Pension commitments

    The present value of the defined benefit pension scheme and the related past and current service costs were measured using the projected unit credit method. The amount included in the balance sheet arising from the group's obligations in respect of its defined benefit retirement scheme is as follows:


    Unaudited Unaudited Audited

    30 06 2009 30 06 2008 31 12 2008


    £000 £000 £000
    Present value of defined benefit 21,854 22,139 18,924

    obligations
    Fair values of scheme assets (16,778) (18,977) (16,233)
    Deficit in scheme 5,076 3,162 2,691
    Related deferred tax asset (1,421) (885) (753)
    Liability recognised in the 3,655 2,277 1,938

    balance sheet Key assumptions used:
    Rate of increase in salaries 4.20% 5.20% 3.70%
    Rate of increase of pensions in 2.90% 3.70% 2.40%

    payment
    Discount rate 6.20% 6.70% 6.70%
    Inflation assumption 3.20% 4.20% 2.70%
    Expected return on scheme assets 6.60% 6.90% 6.60%
    Unaudited Unaudited Audited

    30 06 2009 30 06 2008 31 12 2008

    Mortality assumptions (years): Life expectancy at age 65 for current pensioners:
    Men 23.7 23.7 23.7
    Women 26.8 26.8 26.8

    Life expectancy at age 65 for future pensioners (current age 45)
    Men 24.8 24.8 24.8
    Women 27.8 27.8 27.8

    Note 8 - Notes to the consolidated statement of cash flows


    a - Reconciliation of operating Unaudited Unaudited Audited
    profit to net cash from operating 30 06 2009 30 06 2008 31 12 2008
    activities £000 £000 £000
    Profit from operations 3,083 5,191 12,582
    Depreciation charges 333 430 828
    Goodwill impairment charge - - 1,801
    Defined benefit pension scheme (270) (129) (252)

    credit
    Loss on sale of fixed assets 25 16 25
    Operating cash flows before 3,171 5,508
    movements in working capital 14.984
    Decrease / (increase) in 6 20 (5)

    inventories
    (Increase) / decrease in debtors (701) 1,647 10,852
    Increase in contract balances (4,628) (4,043) (159)
    Increase in creditors 1,173 12,030 3,973
    Cash generated by operations (979) 15,162 29,645
    Corporation tax paid (2,619) (1,452) (3,179)
    Interest paid (50) (48) (152)
    Net cash from operating activities (3,648) 13,662 26,314

    b. Cash and cash equivalents

    Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and other short-term highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less, less bank overdrafts, and are analysed as follows:


    Unaudited Unaudited Audited

    30 06 2009 30 06 2008 31 12 2008


    £000 £000 £000
    Cash and cash equivalents 24,980 22,774 34,363
    Bank overdrafts (970) (3,470) (4,002)
    24,010 19,304 30,361

    Note 9 - Related party transactions

    Transactions between the company and its subsidiary undertakings, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed in this note. Full disclosure of the group's other related party transactions is given in Note 19 to the Group's financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2008. There have been no material changes in these relationships in the six months ended 30th June 2009 that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the group during that period.

    Note 10 - Risks and uncertainties

    Details of the key risks facing the group are included on pages 7, 8 and 13 of the group's annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2008. Details of further potential risks and uncertainties arising for the six months ended 30th June 2009 are included within the Chairman's statement and the Business and Financial Reviews as appropriate. The directors consider that the main areas of risk and uncertainty with respect to the remainder of 2009 remain market conditions, operational risk, cost inflation, people, health & safety, credit and liquidity risk, cashflow interest rate risk and risk from pension obligations.

    Statement of directors' responsibilities

    The directors confirm that the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7 (indication of important events during the first six months and description of principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year) and DTR 4.2.8 (disclosure of related party transactions and changes therein). The directors also confirm that the interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the European Union and present a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the group.

    On behalf of the Board

    R J Race - Chairman

    P E Stanborough - Chief Executive

    V R French - Finance Director

    20th August 2009

    This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

    END

    IR URRBRKNRWUAR

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