RNS Number:2215S
Chemetall PLC
18 November 2003



Chairman's statement



The past twelve months have proved to be challenging for the group due to the
continued weak trading environment within the UK manufacturing sector. However,
this has not deflected us from our strategic plan and we have been able to
offset some of the fall in demand and customer closures in our Automotive and
General Industry business by significant gains in the Aerospace and Performance
Products divisions. Furthermore, our Middle East business has shown continued
growth.


Results and dividends

Despite the continuing difficult trading conditions, the Group generated a
profit on ordinary activities before taxation of #2.7 million (2002: #2.5
million) with a turnover for the twelve months of #13.6 million (2002: #13.8
million). The Group holds substantial loans with other Chemetall GmbH group
companies and exchange gains on these loans totalled #0.9 million (2002: loss
#0.8 million). In contrast to the previous twelve-month period this favourable
exchange movement arose as a result of the strength of the Euro, partially
offset by a slightly weaker Dollar.

The Group's loan assets, including exchange movements and interest accrued
thereon, totalled #81.5 million at 30 September 2003 (2002: #74.7 million). The
increase in these assets since September 2002 was mainly due to exchange gains
which totalled #4.8 million, of which #4.3 million was due to the retranslation
of foreign currency denominated investments as shown in the Statement of total
group recognised gains and losses.

Preference dividends continue to be paid on the normal due dates.


Operational Review

The UK Aerospace Division's sales have performed extremely well with significant
new business gained. Defence Sales have been very strong, partially as a result
of increased maintenance activity following the Gulf conflict. The relaunch of
our Ardrox NDT range gives us a strong forward order position.

Automotive Division sales suffered badly following the closure of some
significant automobile manufacturers in 2002. There have also been some process
changes to address in the industry this year (new substrates) which have
increased the need for on-site technical service. This in turn has adversely
affected the contribution received from this Division. We have recruited new
sales expertise in the Midlands area in order to set the Automotive Division
onto a growth path. Early new business indications are promising and we
anticipate modest sales growth for the remainder of the year and for 2004.

Our Advanced Technologies Division has taken the brunt of customer closures and
is currently performing below budget in its key cold forming, general industry
and automotive components segments. We are in the process of restructuring the
division to reflect the changes in strategic approach necessary to set the
Division into a growth phase.

The Performance Products Division (PPD), which targets service-oriented
industries, has performed well with key successes in transport cleaners,
sanitisers and engine repair and maintenance.

Chemetall PLC has recently been accredited with the ISO9000:2000 quality
standard. This is a difficult accreditation to win and one that should provide
us with a competitive edge.


Change of accounting reference date and ultimate parent

As announced in January this year the Group's reporting year-end has changed to
31 December. As a consequence the Group will publish full audited financial
statements for the fifteen months to 31 December 2003.

Furthermore, in October this year we announced that our ultimate holding
company, mg technologies ag ('mg') intends to sell its chemical business,
Dynamit Nobel ('DN'), of which Chemetall PLC is a part. 'mg' has taken the
decision to concentrate on its engineering businesses. The change is seen as
positive as both 'DN' and Chemetall groups are strong performers in their own
right.


Exceptional items

In October 1998, before Chemetall GmbH acquired Brent International PLC, the
former Brent International disposed of its Imaging Management business to Weir
Technology Ltd ('Weir'). Subsequently, the Group received claims from Weir for
damages for alleged misrepresentation and claims under a tax indemnity in the
sale agreement. The Group defended elements of these claims and #0.9 million was
paid to meet the claim and discharge the liability.


Outlook

We are expecting activity to continue at the same level to the end of the
fifteen month period with a return to modest sales growth for next year provided
the economic situation begins to recover. Margins are expected to remain under
pressure and so the company will work hard to create further efficiency gains.


People

The Group remains committed to the full development and training of its
employees. Their hard work has ensured that the business continues to improve
and thrive.



Alec Daly CBE
Chairman

Ends

For further information please contact:
Rob Rydings (Chemetall PLC) 01908 361817





Chemetall PLC
Interim Report

Consolidated Profit and Loss Account

                                                Unaudited      Audited
                                            Twelve months
                                                    ended   Year ended
                                             30 September  30 September
                                                     2003         2002
                                    Notes           #'000        #'000

Group turnover                          1          13,565       13,794

Operating(loss)/profit before
exceptional operating items                           (85)         317        

Exceptional operating items:           
Litigation costs                                     (850)           -    

Operating (loss)/profit after
exceptional operating items                          (935)         317  

Profit on sale of properties held                                  
for resale                                              6          357

(Loss)/profit on ordinary
activities before interest                           (929)         674 

Net interest receivable and similar     2           3,619        1,871
income

Profit on ordinary activities                       2,690        2,545
before taxation

Taxation on profit on ordinary                       (699)      (1,053)
activities

Profit on ordinary activities after                 1,991        1,492
taxation

Dividends on equity and non equity                 (1,080)      (1,699)
shares

Amount transferred to/(from)                          911         (207)
reserves



Consolidated Balance Sheet


                                               Unaudited       Audited
                                            Twelve months
                                                   Ended    Year ended
                                            30 September  30 September
                                                    2003          2002
                                                   #'000         #'000

Fixed assets
Intangible                                         2,979         3,267
Tangible                                           1,501         1,630

                                                   4,480         4,897

Current assets
Investments                                            -            40
Stocks                                             1,124         1,177
Debtors                                           85,962        80,241

                                                  87,086        81,458

Creditors: amounts falling due within one         (5,079)       (4,785)
year

Net current assets                                82,007        76,673

Total assets less current liabilities             86,487        81,570

Provisions for liabilities and charges              (505)         (758)

                                                  85,982        80,812

Capital and reserves
Called-up share capital                           18,889        18,889
Share premium account                             29,757        29,757
Profit and loss account                           37,336        32,166
Shareholders' funds                               85,982        80,812

Equity interest                                   73,982        68,812
Non-equity interest                               12,000        12,000
Shareholders' funds                               85,982        80,812



Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

                                                Unaudited      Audited
                                            Twelve months
                                                    ended    Year ended                                  
                                             30 September  30 September
                                                     2003         2002
                                       Notes        #'000        #'000

Net cash inflow from operating            4            32          257
activities

Returns on investments and servicing of
finance:
Interest received                                     427            -
Interest paid                                         (61)         (28)
Dividends paid on non-equity shares                (1,080)      (1,080)

Net cash outflow                                     (714)      (1,108)

Taxation                                             (203)        (993)

Capital expenditure and investments:
Purchase of tangible fixed assets                    (107)         (99)
Purchase of intangible fixed assets                    (6)         (30)
Sale of properties for resale                          46        1,636

Net cash (outflow)/inflow                             (67)       1,507

Decrease in cash in the period            6          (952)        (337)



Statement of total group recognised gains and losses

                                                Unaudited      Audited
                                            Twelve months
                                                    ended    Year ended                                              
                                             30 September  30 September
                                                     2003         2002
                                                   #'000         #'000

Profit for the period                              1,991         1,492

Currency translation differences on foreign        4,259           461
currency net investments

Total recognised gains relating to the             6,250         1,953
period



Chemetall PLC
Interim Report
Notes to the unaudited results


1. Segment information

The directors are of the opinion that there is only one class of business, the
supply of specialised indusrial chemicals and ancilliary equipment.


                                                Unaudited      Audited
                                            Twelve months
                                                    ended    Year ended    
                                             30 September  30 September
                                                     2003         2002
                                                    #'000         #'000
                                           
i) Geographical Analysis by origin             

a) Turnover
UK                                                12,867         13,375
Middle East                                          698            419
Total                                             13,565         13,794


b) Profit before taxation
UK                                                  (929)           674
Middle East                                           -              -
Total continuing operations                         (929)           674

Net interest receivable                            3,619          1,871

Profit on ordinary activities                      2,690          2,545
before taxation


Turnover by destination is not materially different from turnover by origin
stated above.



2. Net interest receivable
                                                
                                                Unaudited       Audited
                                            Twelve months
                                                    ended    Year ended    
                                             30 September  30 September
                                                     2003          2002
                                                    #'000        #'000
    Net interest on bank loans, overdrafts          
    and other loans:

    Wholly receivable within five years -           2,676        2,739
    loans to parent group undertakings

    Interest receivable on cash balances               70            2

    Exchange gain/(loss) on loans to parent           934         (842)
    group undertakings

    Total interest receivable                       3,680        1,899

    Wholly repayable within five years - bank         (61)         (28)
    overdrafts

    Net interest receivable                         3,619        1,871



3. Movement in shareholders' funds
                                                Unaudited       Audited
                                            Twelve months
                                                    ended    Year ended                        
                                             30 September  30 September
                                                     2003         2002
                                                    #'000        #'000

Profit for the period                               1,991        1,492
Dividends paid and proposed                        (1,080)      (1,699)  

Transfer to/(from) reserves                           911         (207)  

Other recognised gains and losses
relating to the period                              4,259          461  

Net increase in shareholders' funds                 5,170          254   

Opening sharedholders' funds                       80,812       80,558 
Closing shareholders' funds                        85,982       80,812 



4. Reconciliation of operating (loss)/profit to net
   cash inflow from operating activites

                                                Unaudited       Audited
                                            Twelve months
                                                    ended    Year ended            
                                             30 September  30 September
                                                     2003         2002
                                                    #'000        #'000                                            
                                                  
 Operating (loss)/profit before                        
 exceptional operating items                          (85)         317

 Exceptional operating items:
 Litigation costs paid                               (850)           -    

 Operating (loss)/profit                             (935)         317

 Depreciation, amortisation and impairment charges    531          479
 Exchange gain/(loss) on loans to subsidiary
 undertakings                                         934         (843)
 Decrease/(increase) in stocks                         53          (74)
 Decrease in debtors                                  500          773
(Decrease) in creditors and other provisions       (1,051)        (395)

 Net cash inflow from operating activities             32          257



5. Analysis of net funds
                                                      
                    1 October             Exchange         30 September
                         2002  Cashflow   movement   Other         2003
                       #'000      #'000      #'000   #'000        #'000

Bank loans and          (166)      (952)         -       -       (1,118)
overdrafts

Loans to group        74,725          -      4,832   1,920       81,477
undertakings

       Total          74,559       (952)     4,832   1,920       80,359



6. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds

                                                          30 September
                                                                  2003
                                                                 #'000

Decrease in cash in the period                                    (952)

Change in net funds resulting from cash flows                     (952)

Non-cash movements on loans*                                     1,920

Translation differences                                          4,832

Movement in net debt in the period                               5,800

Net funds at 1 October 2002                                     74,559

Net funds at 30 September 2003                                  80,359

* Non-cash movements on loans consist of interest being rolled up into the
principal on existing loans to group undertakings



 7. The results for the accounting period ended 30 September 2002 are an extract
    from the latest published accounts which have been delivered to the
    Registrar of Companies; the report of the auditors on those accounts was
    unqualified and did not contain any statement under section 237 of the
    Companies Act 1985

 8. The results for the twelve months to 30 September 2003 have been prepared on
    a basis consistent with the previous year end in accordance with the
    accounting policies disclosed in the published accounts

 9. The financial information in this statement does not constitute statutory
    accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985

10. The interim results were approved by the Board of Directors on 18 November
    2003

11. The announcement is being posted to all Shareholders on 20 November 2003
    and copies are available at the Company's Registered Office











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