REG - Dawson International - Half Yearly Report

RNS Number : 8231R

Dawson International PLC

31 August 2010

 



Tuesday 31 August 2010

 

DAWSON INTERNATIONAL PLC

 

HALF YEAR REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 3 JULY 2010

 

KEY POINTS

 

Continuing Operations highlights:

 

·      Turnover £20.3 million (2009:  £23.2 million)

·      Turnover from underlying ongoing operations £19.1 million (2009:  £18.6 million)

·      Operating loss before exceptional items £3.4 million (2009:  £3.1 million)

·      Operating loss after exceptional items £2.7 million (2009:  £2.9 million)

·      Seasonally stronger second half expected to reverse first half loss but full year results expected to be lower than last year due to increased commodity prices

·      Further reduction of the cost base targeted

·      Phased exit from Home Furnishings Branded completed within budget

·      Strong cash position £11.6 million (2009:  £4.0 million debt)

 

Commenting on the half year results, chairman David Bolton said:  "Trading in the first half of the year reflects the seasonality of our businesses and the phased exit from Home Furnishings Branded, which was completed during the period.  The pre-exceptional operating loss for the first half has widened despite an improvement in underlying sales and a reduction of losses in Home Furnishings Branded.  While we expect to reverse the loss in the second half we anticipate that pre-exceptional operating profits for the full year will be lower than last year due to increased commodity prices which cannot be fully passed on in the current economic climate.

 

"Significant progress has been made in the past year through the disposal of Todd & Duncan and the exit from Home Furnishings Branded, which has greatly improved the financial position of the Group.  Actions are being taken to preserve and improve that financial stability.  Given the current economic environment we intend to further reduce the cost base and ensure our organisational structure is efficient and responsive.  This will enable us to continue to attract new customers, provide innovative products and ever improving service levels at prices that represent excellent value.  Through this approach we expect to secure the best possible margins and position ourselves to create value for shareholders.

 

"Dialogue with the Pensions Trustee will continue during the second half of 2010 to address our key priority of reducing the pension deficit and associated costs".

 

For further information please contact:

 

Andy Bartmess, Chief Executive Officer:                 0207 448 1000

Zoe Biddick, Biddicks Financial Public Relations:   0207 448 1000

Robin Gwyn, WH Ireland                                           0161 832 2174           

 

Chairman's Statement       

 

Trading in the first half of the year reflects the seasonality of our businesses and our phased exit from Home Furnishings Branded which was completed in the period. Turnover from continuing operations reduced by 13 per cent to £20.3 million and operating losses before exceptional items widened from £3.1 million to £3.4 million.  The reduction in turnover is due to our exit from Home Furnishings Branded which is included within continuing operations as required by financial reporting standards. Turnover from the underlying ongoing businesses increased by £0.4 million.

 

The first half operating loss reflects the seasonal nature of our business which is strongly biased to the second half of the year. The pre-exceptional operating loss for the first half has increased despite both the improvement in underlying sales and a reduction of losses in Home Furnishings Branded. This is the result of sales mix and higher commodity prices which could not be fully passed on to customers in the current economic climate.  While we expect to reverse this loss in the second half, margins will continue to be impacted by increased commodity prices and we therefore expect that profits for the full year will be lower than last year.  This is clearly unsatisfactory.  Actions taken over the past few years have provided the Group with a level of financial stability and, given the current economic environment, we intend to take additional action to preserve and improve this position.  In particular we intend to further reduce our cost base and to ensure our organisational structure is both efficient and responsive.   This will enable us to continue to attract new customers, provide innovative products and ever improving service levels to our existing customers with prices that represent excellent value.  In this way we expect to secure the best possible margins and position ourselves to create value for our shareholders.

 

Significant progress has been made in the past year through the disposal of Todd & Duncan and our exit from Home Furnishings Branded which has greatly improved the financial position of the Group. The exit from Home Furnishings Branded was completed on time and within budget. I am also pleased to report that a further payment of $1 million (£0.7 million) was received from the Company's former joint venture partner in the first half of the year in accordance with our latest agreed payment plan.

 

As indicated in the 2009 Annual Report, a key priority for 2010 is to seek ways to reduce the pension deficit and associated costs by working with the Pensions Trustee to reduce liabilities and increase returns on assets.  The protracted nature of our negotiations with the Pensions Trustee has been a major frustration for the Board, incurring a significant amount of senior management time, impeding the development of the business that will ultimately fund the deficit.  Discussions to finalise the 2009 triennial valuation remain ongoing and the Company has meanwhile agreed to increase annual deficit repair contributions from £350,000 to £400,000 per annum.

 

Operating and Financial Review

 

Continuing Operations

 

	Revenues			Operating profit (loss)   before exceptional items
	2010	2009		2010	2009
	£000	£000		£000	£000
UK Knitwear	2,739	2,859		(352)	(124)
US Knitwear	2,655	1,652		(1,109)	(1,171)
Home Furnishings Private Label (i, ii)	13,671	14,133		(287)	(45)
Central costs				(1,247)	(1,176)
Continuing operations underlying results	19,065	18,644		(2,995)	(2,516)
Home Furnishings Branded (i, ii)	1,218	4,605		(355)	(578)
Continuing operations	20,283	23,249		(3,350)	(3,094)

 

 

(i)         The Home Furnishings Branded business, while classified as a continuing operation as required by IFRS, has been exited and so is shown separately to allow a comparison of underlying results.

(ii)        Certain costs and revenues, previously reported within the Home Furnishings Branded business, have been transferred to the ongoing Home Furnishings Private Label business. Prior year figures have been restated to compare, as closely as possible, on a like for like basis.

 

 

Turnover from continuing operations for the six months ended 3 July 2010 was £20.3 million, a reduction of £3.0 million or 13 per cent. This was due to the exit from Home Furnishings Branded with underlying sales increasing by £0.4 million. Pre-exceptional operating loss for the period was £3.4 million (2009:  £3.1 million).  The Group is seasonally biased to the second half of the year, particularly the US Knitwear division which generates over 90 per cent of its sales and all of its profit in the second half of the year. 

 

UK Knitwear

Turnover in the first half of the year was £2.7 million (2009: £2.9 million) and the operating loss £0.4 million (2009: £0.1 million). In the 2009 Annual Report we noted that the final quarter had benefited from the timing of sales to high margin couture customers and that this would have a corresponding negative effect on the first quarter of 2010. The impact was compounded by the late delivery of accessories from a customer's external supplier which resulted in some sales being delayed into the second half in 2010.  

 

Sales and margins for the full year are expected to be lower than the last two excellent years.  This is the result of increased cashmere fibre prices, ongoing uncertainty in the global economy and its effect on consumer confidence.

 

US Knitwear

Turnover for the first half of the year in US Dollars was $4.0 million (2009:  $2.5 million) and the operating loss $1.7 million (2009:  $1.8 million).  A number of new private label accounts were opened in the first half of 2010, including outdoor clothing retailer, Patagonia. Sales also benefited from a strong start to the year in the 'Kinross' branded business with sales up 39 per cent against the same period in 2009.  The business is working on a number of strategic initiatives to continue to grow this side of the business.

 

Dawson Forte generates 90 per cent of its turnover and all of its profits in the second half of the year. The key measure for this business at the half year is therefore the open order position which was $31.9 million compared with $30.2 million in the prior year. The challenge facing the business in 2010 is the significant increase in the cost of raw cashmere fibre. With price increases averaging around 20 per cent higher than the same period last year, combined with increased manufacturing costs, both turnover and margins will be negatively affected, as retailers are unwilling to absorb the full impact of price increases in the current environment. 

 

It is anticipated that turnover for 2010 will be broadly similar to last year but profits will be impacted by reduced margins. Responding to these economic conditions, the business is focused on developing its product offering to appeal to more price sensitive customers, whilst maintaining high levels of design, quality and customer service.

 

Home Furnishings - Branded

The planned exit from Dorma retail operations and the process of liquidating working capital has successfully completed on time and within budget during the first half of 2010, reducing both sales and operating losses for the period. Turnover in the first half was £1.2 million (2009:  £4.6 million) while operating losses reduced from £0.6 million to £0.4 million.  This completes this stage of the strategy set out in 2008 to restructure the Home Furnishings division as a private label, premium quality supplier of bed linen and related products to Home Textile retailers.

 

Home Furnishings - Private Label

Turnover in the first half of the year was £13.7 million (2009:  £14.1 million) and the business reported an operating loss of £0.3 million (2009: £0.1 million loss).  The fall in turnover is largely due to the transitioning of mail order sales from a predominantly "Dorma" offering to the "Vantona" label.  Margins fell in the period due to higher levels of inventory clearance activity, caused by customers changing ordering patterns in a move to adapt their business models to compete more effectively in the current environment.  This is expected to benefit second half results which will now have less clearance activity.  In addition, cotton and freight costs have increased sharply and it has not been possible to pass on all of these cost increases in the current market environment.

 

During the period supply chain and ordering policies have been updated providing much improved flexibility to react to change whilst incurring far lower levels of obsolete inventory. 

 

As a result of the exit from Home Furnishings Branded approximately £0.3 million of fixed establishment costs, previously allocated to Branded, are now being allocated to Private Label.  Reductions in the cost base have been made to reflect the new business model and future needs of the Private Label Division which we continue to keep under review.

 

The business is focused on growing and diversifying its customer base. There has been some success in new business development, however overall activity in this area has fallen short of expectations, particularly in the US market and the incremental margin generated does not yet cover the increased costs of the business.

 

Discontinued Operations

Following the sale of Todd & Duncan to Ningxia Zhongyin Cashmere Company Limited in August 2009, final costs of £70,000 were incurred during the first half of 2010.

 

Central Costs

Central costs are largely in line with the same period in 2009.  Net exceptional income of $1.0 million was recorded in the year (2009: $0.5 million) from the recovery of a previously provided long standing debt due from the Company's former joint venture partner.

 

Pension Liabilities

The net pension liability at June 2010 was £19.2 million which compares with a deficit of £19.3 million at December 2009 and £6.3 million at June 2009. The Directors have considered the significant assumptions used in the valuation of the Group's defined benefit pension schemes at December 2009 and concluded that a reduction in corporate bond yields in the period to 3 July 2010 has been mitigated by a reduction in projected long term inflation rates. No actuarial valuations of the assets and liabilities were therefore performed at 3 July 2010 and the change in the deficit represents contributions made in the period and the exchange movement on the US scheme.

 

The Company has made all regular contributions falling due in the period and has increased the annual deficit repair contribution from £350,000 to £400,000.

 

Funding and Facilities

Net funds at 3 July 2010 were £11.6 million which compares with net funds of £12.3 million at December 2009 and net debt of £4.0 million at June 2009.

 

The borrowing facility with Bank of America, which funds our US operations, has been renewed for a further three year period.  The facility has been reduced from $25 million to $15 million to better reflect our seasonal requirements and reduce fees.

 

The Company has indicative offers from a number of possible lenders to replace the working capital facility with Gmac Commercial Finance which expires in October 2010 and expects to finalise new arrangements shortly. 

 

Strategy and Outlook

In view of continuing uncertainty in all of our markets, combined with significant increases in commodity prices and the difficulty associated with passing these on in the current economic climate, we anticipate a reduction in margins for the full year. We will mitigate this where possible through further cost savings. Dialogue with the Pensions Trustee will continue during the second half of 2010 to address our key priority of reducing the pension deficit and associated costs.

 

Our business strategy remains focused on maintaining and building on our inherent strengths in tailored retail programmes delivering the highest quality, product design and service. It is more important than ever in these difficult economic times that we strive to maintain the very close working relationships that exist with our customers and to continue to be innovative, creating design and product solutions with broad appeal and price point to grow market share when consumer confidence improves.

 

 

David Bolton

Chairman

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED  INCOME STATEMENT
For the period ended 3 July 2010		6 months to 3 July 2010	6 months to 4 July 2009 re-presented	12 months to 2 January 2010
	Note	£000	£000	£000
Continuing operations
Revenue	2	20,283	23,249	72,883
Cost of sales		(16,847)	(18,380)	(55,744)
Gross profit		3,436	4,869	17,139
Other income		16	-	82
Selling and distribution costs		(2,891)	(4,162)	(7,992)
Administrative expenses		(3,911)	(3,801)	(7,823)
Operating (loss) profit before exceptional items	2	(3,350)	(3,094)	1,406
Exceptional items	3	668	223	556
Operating (loss) profit		(2,682)	(2,871)	1,962
Finance income	5	-	6	15
Finance costs	5	(90)	(262)	(513)
Net finance expense on pension assets/liabilities		-	-	(889)
(Loss) profit before taxation		(2,772)	(3,127)	575
Taxation	7	(225)	(595)	(291)
(Loss) profit for the period from continuing operations		(2,997)	(3,722)	284
Discontinued operations
Loss for the period from discontinued operations	4	(70)	(5,282)	(6,127)
Loss for the period		(3,067)	(9,004)	(5,843)
Basic and Diluted (loss) earnings per share
-  From continuing operations	6	(1.3)p	(1.7)p	0.1p
-  From continuing and discontinued operations	6	(1.3)p	(4.0)p	(2.6)p
CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the period ended 3 July 2010
		6 months  to 3 July 2010 £000	6 months to 4 July 2009 £000	12 months to 2 January 2010 £000
Loss for the period		(3,067)	(9,004)	(5,843)
Other comprehensive income:
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations		430	(248)	(577)
Actuarial loss on defined benefit pension obligations		-	-	(12,373)
Other comprehensive income for the period		430	(248)	(12,950)
Total comprehensive income for the period		(2,637)	(9,252)	(18,793)

 

Total comprehensive income is all attributable to equity holders of the parent.

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED  BALANCE  SHEET
As at 3 July 2010
			3 July 2010	4 July 2009	2 January 2010
		Note	£000	£000	£000
Non-current assets
Intangible assets			116	121	143
Property, plant and equipment			873	962	925
Deferred tax asset			1,750	1,500	1,750
Total non-current assets			2,739	2,583	2,818
Current assets
Inventories			9,615	12,566	8,309
Trade and other receivables			6,181	15,634	9,350
Cash and cash equivalents			11,597	3,249	12,343
Disposal group held for sale			-	10,716	-
Total current assets			27,393	42,165	30,002
Total assets			30,132	44,748	32,820
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables			10,477	12,315	9,479
Income tax payable			-	126	384
Borrowings			-	7,212	-
Provisions			639	1,246	1,144
Other financial liabilities			-	462	51
Liabilities directly associated with disposal group held for sale		4	-	4,842	-
Total current liabilities			11,116	26,203	11,058
Non-current liabilities
Provisions			1,006	1,214	1,022
Retirement benefit obligations		8	19,153	6,306	19,246
Total non-current liabilities			20,159	7,520	20,268
Total liabilities			31,275	33,723	31,326
Net (liabilities) assets			(1,143)	11,025	1,494
Equity
Share capital			51,989	51,989	51,989
Share premium account			5,489	5,489	5,489
Translation reserve			670	570	240
Retained earnings			(59,291)	(47,023)	(56,224)
Total (deficit) equity			(1,143)	11,025	1,494
CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the period ended 3 July 2010
	Share Capital £000	Share Premium £000	Translation Reserve £000	Profit and Loss account £000	Total £000
At 3 January 2009	51,989	5,489	818	(38,056)	20,240
Total comprehensive income for the period	-	-	(248)	(9,004)	(9,252)
Share-based payments charge	-	-	-	37	37
At 4 July 2009	51,989	5,489	570	(47,023)	11,025
At 2 January 2010	51,989	5,489	240	(56,224)	1,494
Total comprehensive income for the period	-	-	430	(3,067)	(2,637)
At 3 July 2010	51,989	5,489	670	(59,291)	(1,143)

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED  CASH  FLOW  STATEMENT
For the period ended 3 July 2010
	6 months to 3 July 2010 £000	6 months to 4 July 2009 £000	12 months to 2 January 2010 £000
Continuing operations
(Loss) profit before tax	(2,772)	(3,127)	575
Depreciation	136	85	214
Net finance expense	90	256	1,387
Share based payment expense	-	37	47
	(2,546)	(2,749)	2,223
(Increase) decrease in inventories	(1,242)	(2,440)	1,950
Decrease in debtors	2,895	3,717	1,799
Increase (decrease) in creditors	971	(2,169)	(3,326)
Decrease in provisions	(533)	(1,455)	(1,711)
Cash (used) generated by operations	(455)	(5,096)	935
Additional contributions to pension schemes	(187)	(175)	(606)
Taxes paid	(642)	(565)	(261)
Net cash (used) generated by operating activities	(1,284)	(5,836)	68
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest received	-	6	15
Proceeds from disposal of Todd & Duncan	-	-	5,426
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(55)	(35)	(114)
Purchase of intangible assets	(1)	(12)	(59)
Net cash (used) generated by investing activities	(56)	(41)	5,268
Cash flows from financing activities
Interest paid	(90)	(262)	(513)
Increase (decrease) in asset backed finance	-	3,000	(4,212)
Net cash (used) generated by financing activities	(90)	2,738	(4,725)
Net cash (used) generated by continuing operations	(1,430)	(3,139)	611
Discontinued operations
Net cash generated (used) by operating activities	238	(2,591)	2,930
Net cash used by investing activities	-	(446)	(270)
Net cash generated (used) by discontinued operations	238	(3,037)	2,660
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(1,192)	(6,176)	3,271
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	12,343	9,900	9,900
Exchange rate effects	446	(475)	(828)
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	11,597	3,249	12,343
RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENT IN NET FUNDS (DEBT)
For the period ended 3 July 2010	6 months to 3 July 2010 £000	6 months to 4 July 2009 £000	12 months to 2 January 2010 £000
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(1,192)	(6,176)	3,271
(Increase) decrease in asset backed finance	-	(3,000)	4,212
Exchange rate effects	446	(475)	(828)
(Decrease) increase in net funds	(746)	(9,651)	6,655
Opening net funds	12,343	5,688	5,688
Closing net funds (debt)	11,597	(3,963)	12,343

 

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE HALF YEAR REPORT

 

1.       Basis of preparation and significant accounting policies

 

          Basis of preparation

 

          This half year report contains the condensed consolidated financial information of the Company and its subsidiaries ("the Group") for the six month period ended 3 July 2010 prepared in accordance with the AIM rules. It is unaudited and has not been reviewed by the auditors. The report does not contain all of the information and disclosures required in the annual financial statements and does not therefore constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 435 of the Companies Act 2006.  It should be read in conjunction with the 2009 Annual Report.

 

          Comparative information for the six months to 4 July 2009 has been re-presented to reflect treatment in the 2009 Annual Report as follows:

 

(i)      Revenues of the Home Furnishings divisions have been restated to net £842,000 of customer discounts previously treated as cost of sales.

 

(ii)     Proceeds from the recovery of a previously provided debt of £348,000 have been re-allocated from other operating income to exceptional items.

 

          Comparative information for the twelve month period to 2 January 2010 is based on the statutory accounts for that period which were prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU and have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.   The report of the auditors (i) was unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain  statements under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

          The financial information is prepared on the historical cost basis with the exception of assets and liabilities which are classified as held for sale and is presented in Sterling, rounded to the nearest thousand.

 

          The condensed financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis which the Directors consider to be appropriate based on a review of projected cashflows which take into account (i) the general economic environment, which continues to be challenging and (ii) the business specific risks and uncertainties which are discussed on pages 13 and 14 of the 2009 Annual Report and are not considered to have changed.

 

          This half year report contains certain forward looking statements which are subject to various risks and uncertainties and should therefore be treated with an appropriate level of caution and not regarded as a forecast of future results.

 

          Significant accounting policies

 

          The half year condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared applying the same accounting policies that were applied in the preparation of the Company's published consolidated financial statements for the year ended 2 January 2010.

 

          The following new standards, amendments to standards and interpretations are mandatory for the first time for financial periods commencing on 1 January 2010 but have had no material impact on the financial statements of the Group.

 

·      IFRS 3 (amended) Business combinations

 

·      IAS 27 (amended) Consolidated and separate financial statements

 

·      Improvements to IFRSs 2009

 

·      IFRIC 17 Distribution of non-cash assets to owners

 

·      IFRS 1 (amended) Additional exemptions for first-time adopters

 

This half year report was approved by the Board of Directors on 30 August 2010. Copies of this report and the 2009 Annual Report are available on the Company's website at www.dawson-international.co.uk.

 

2.     Segmental analysis

 

        The chief operating decision maker has been identified as the Board of Directors.

 

        The Board reviews the internal reports of the Group in order to assess performance and allocate resources and has determined the operating segments based on these internal reports as follows:

 

        UK Knitwear

       This segment comprises the Barrie business which manufactures cashmere and woollen garments which are sold mainly in the  European market. It sells both to private label customers and under its own labels which include Barrie, John Laing and Glenmac.

 

        US Knitwear

       This segment comprises the Forte business which sources cashmere garments from China which are sold in the American market, primarily to large private label customers. It also sells to smaller boutique customers under its own 'Kinross' label. This business is highly seasonal, making over 90 per cent of its sales and all of its profit in the second half of the year.

 

        Home Furnishings - Private Label

        This segment designs and sources bed linen, primarily from Asia, which is sold to Private Label customers.

 

        Home Furnishings - Branded

        This segment designed and sourced 'Dorma' branded bed linen which it retailed through a number of channels. Following the sale of the 'Dorma' brand to Dunelm Group in July 2008 a phased exit from this business commenced which is now substantially complete. Certain costs and revenues, previously allocated to the Home Furnishings Branded segment form part of ongoing operations and have been allocated to the Home Furnishings Private Label segment in the current period. Prior period figures have been restated to compare as closely as possible on a like for like basis.             

 

	Revenue			Profit (loss)
	6 months  to 3 July 2010 £000	6 months to 4 July 2009* £000	12 months to 2 January 2010 £000	6 months  to 3 July 2010 £000	6 months to 4 July 2009* £000	12 months to 2 January 2010 £000
UK Knitwear	2,739	2,859	7,896	(352)	(124)	1,133
US Knitwear	2,655	1,652	28,695	(1,109)	(1,171)	3,774
Home Furnishings - Private Label	13,671	14,133	28,109	(287)	(45)	(643)
Home Furnishings - Branded	1,218	4,605	8,183	(355)	(578)	(839)
Segmental revenues/results before exceptional items and central costs	20,283	23,249	72,883	(2,103)	(1,918)	3,425
Unallocated central costs				(1,247)	(1,176)	(2,019)
Operating (loss) profit before exceptional items				(3,350)	(3,094)	1,406
Exceptional items				668	223	556
Net finance charges				(90)	(256)	(498)
Net finance expense on pension assets/liabilities				-	-	(889)
Continuing operations	20,283	23,249	72,883	(2,772)	(3,127)	575

 

* Comparative information for the six months to 4 July 2009 has been re-presented to reflect treatment in the 2009 Annual Report as follows:

 

(i)   Revenues of the Home Furnishings divisions have been restated to net £842,000 of customer discounts previously treated as cost of sales.

 

(ii)   Proceeds from the recovery of a previously provided debt of £348,000 have been re-allocated from other operating income to exceptional items.

 

Net finance charges are not allocated across segments as borrowing requirements are managed on a Group wide basis.

 

The results of discontinued operations are disclosed in note 4.

 

				Assets
				3 July 2010 £000	4 July 2009 £000	2 January 2010 £000
UK Knitwear				2,693	2,549	2,267
US Knitwear				2,414	2,692	3,052
Home Furnishings - Private Label				11,133	8,918	8,313
Home Furnishings - Branded				62	5,284	3,818
Segmental assets				16,302	19,443	17,450
Unallocated central assets				290	1,110	628
Deferred tax				1,750	1,500	1,750
Cash and deposits				11,597	3,249	12,343
Total assets, continuing operations				29,939	25,302	32,171
Total assets, discontinued operations				193	19,446	649
Total assets				30,132	44,748	32,820

 

3.     Exceptional items - continuing operations

 

		6 months  to 3 July 2010 £000	6 months to 4 July 2009 £000	12 months to 2 January 2010 £000
Doubtful debt recovered (i)		668	348	973
Reorganisation costs		-	(125)	(125)
Property and environmental costs		-	-	(292)
		668	223	556

 

(i)    In 2009 the Company established a payment plan to recover a debt of approximately $10 million due by a former joint venture partner which had been fully provided. Payments of $0.5 million and $1.0 million were received in June and December of 2009 in accordance with that plan. The payment of $0.5 million (£348,000) received in June 2009 was classified as other income in the 2009 half year accounts but has been re-classified as exceptional income to reflect the treatment in the 2009 Annual Report. A further payment of $1.0 million was received in June 2010 in accordance with the payment plan. Given the age of the debt and the breakdown of previous payment plans, the Company considers it appropriate to retain a full provision against the outstanding balance at this time.

 

4.     Discontinued operations

 

        On 28 August 2009 the Company completed the sale of the business, fixed assets and stocks of the Todd & Duncan yarn spinning division to Ningxia Zhongyin Cashmere Company Limited. The consideration was based on the value of fixed assets and stocks at completion less a discount of £4.2 million. The Company incurred costs of £946,000 in respect of the disposal. The results of discontinued operations are as follows:

 

		6 months  to 3 July 2010 £000	6 months to 4 July 2009 £000	12 months to 2 January 2010 £000
Revenue		-	12,399	14,625
Cost of sales		-	(10,934)	(13,201)
Gross margin		-	1,465	1,424
Operating expenses		(70)	(1,729)	(2,351)
Loss before exceptional items		(70)	(264)	(927)
Loss on disposal of business		-	(5,018)	(5,200)
Loss for the period from discontinued operations		(70)	(5,282)	(6,127)

 

Full provision has been made for all outstanding receivables at June 2010.

 

5.	Finance income (costs)	6 months  to 3 July 2010 £000	6 months to 4 July 2009 £000	12 months to 2 January 2010 £000
	Interest receivable on short-term deposits	-	6	15
	Finance income	-	6	15
	Interest payable on asset backed finance	(90)	(262)	(513)
	Finance costs	(90)	(262)	(513)
6.	(Loss) earnings per share	6 months  to 3 July 2010	6 months to 4 July 2009	12 months to 2 January 2010
	Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share	£000	£000	£000
	(Loss) profit for the period attributable to equity holders of the parent:
	Continuing operations	(2,997)	(3,722)	284
	Discontinued operations	(70)	(5,282)	(6,127)
		(3,067)	(9,004)	(5,843)
	Weighted average number of shares:	000's	000's	000's
	In issue during the period	225,158	225,158	225,158
	Dilutive potential ordinary shares	-	-	-
		225,158	225,158	225,158
	Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share:	Pence	Pence	Pence
	Continuing operations	(1.3)	(1.7)	0.1
	Discontinued operations	-	(2.3)	(2.7)
		(1.3)	(4.0)	(2.6)
	Adjusted loss per share	£000	£000	£000
	(Loss) profit for the period from continuing operations
	attributable to equity holders of the parent	(2,997)	(3,722)	284
	Add back exceptional items	(668)	(223)	(556)
		(3,665)	(3,945)	(272)
		000's	000's	000's
	Weighted average number of shares in issue	225,158	225,158	225,158
		Pence	Pence	Pence
	Adjusted loss per share	(1.6)	(1.8)	(0.1)

 

 Adjusted loss per share is calculated on the profit or loss for the period from continuing operations before exceptional items.

 

7.	Income tax expense	6 months  to 3 July 2010 £000	6 months to 4 July 2009 £000	12 months to 2 January 2010 £000
	Current tax expense:
	Current year	-	95	462
	Adjustments in respect of prior years	225	500	79
		225	595	541
	Deferred tax:
	Origination and reversal of timing differences	-	-	(250)
	Total income tax expense	225	595	291

 

The Group has significant tax losses available in the UK and federal tax losses available in the US subject to any restrictions which may apply as a result of s.382 of the US tax code (change of ultimate ownership rules).

 

8.       Retirement benefit obligations

 

          The Group operates two defined benefit pension schemes in the UK which are closed to new members and a defined benefit pension scheme in the USA which is closed to all members. Following the sale of the Todd & Duncan business the UK schemes have less than 70 active members and the Company intends to consider closing the schemes to future accrual for existing members.

 

          Full actuarial valuations of the UK schemes are made triennially by an independent, professionally qualified actuary and these form the basis of a recovery plan which is agreed with the Pensions Trustee. The assumptions applied by the actuary when calculating the deficit and recovery plan differ from those prescribed by IAS 19 for financial reporting purposes. In particular, the assumptions used for valuing liabilities are more conservative and can result in a significantly higher liability than that reported in the balance sheet.

 

          The Company and the Trustee are currently finalising the 2009 valuations and funding plans.  Pending completion of that exercise, the Company has increased deficit repair contributions from £350,000 per annum to £400,000 per annum.

 

          The Directors have considered the significant assumptions used in the valuation of the Group's defined benefit pension schemes and concluded that a reduction in corporate bond yields in the period has been mitigated by a reduction in projected long term inflation rates. No actuarial valuations of the assets and liabilities were therefore performed at 3 July 2010 and the change in the deficit represents contributions made in the period and the exchange movement on the US scheme.

 

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

 

END

 

 

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