TIDMOPE

RNS Number : 8670V

Optare PLC

19 December 2013

Optare plc

(the "Company". "Group" or "Optare")

Interim Results for the six months ended 30 September 2013

Optare is pleased to announce its results for the six months ended 30 September 2013.

Key highlights:

-- New export distributor appointed in Australia via Ashok Leyland's international network to take advantage of increased market demand;

-- Offer received from regional growth fund of GBP1.5m linked to developing new products for the export market;

-- Completion of design stage of the new Double Decker product to be launched into the market in 2014, which will increase the Company's product offering in the UK Market; and

-- Continued leadership in low carbon products through investments, recognised recently by winning the National Transport Award 2013 for the Versa Electric Bus that incorporated fast charging technology.

Financial highlights:

   --      EBITDA losses reduced by 33% to (GBP0.8m) compared to (H1: 2012 loss of GBP1.2m); 

-- Gross margins increased to 10.3% (H1: 2012 5.4%), this was primarily driven by a stronger product mix and continued focus on material cost savings;

-- Successful restructuring of Company's debt to provide total bank facilities of GBP23 m, providing additional funding to support the business through to its goal of delivering profitability;

-- Administration costs reduced by 10% as overall headcount reduced from 443 to 396 at the end of September 2013. Further cost reduction programmes are in place to deliver over GBP1.0m of fixed costs savings in the full year of 2013/14; and

   --      Loss per share reduced from 0.15p to 0.08p. 

Commenting on the interim results, John Fickling, Optare's Chairman: "I am pleased with the progress we have made to improve efficiency and reduce fixed costs. We continue to invest in people, innovation and new product opportunities for the UK and export markets we look to the future of the Company with increased confidence.

For further information:

   Optare plc                                           Tel:  +44 (0) 8434 873 200 

Enrico Vasallo - Chief Executive

   Cenkos Securities plc                      Tel: +44 (0) 20 7397 8900 

Stephen Keys/Camilla Hume

BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL REVIEW

-- Turnover for the 6 months ended 30 September 2013 was GBP32.4m (H1 2012: GBP46.7m) primarily due to completion of kit exports in 2012. Lower demand in April and May of 2013 impacted the first half results;

   --      There are no exceptional costs for the first half of 2013 (H1 2012: GBP1.1m); 

-- The Board has continued to invest in the long-term future of the business with capital expenditure in the 6 months to 30 September 2013 of GBP0.9m (H1 2012: GBP1.0m). The expenditure was principally on product development;

-- Optare's banking arrangements were renegotiated by Barclays with a total bank facility of GBP23m now available. This includes additional facilities of GBP7m which has been put in place to meet the Company's liabilities as they fall due and investment in new products; and

   --      Loss per share reduced from 0.15p to 0.08p. 

Current trading and prospects

-- The order book as at 30September 2013 was GBP22.5m (30 September 2012: 19.4m). The market continues to move from Optare's strong provincial customer base to larger operating groups. We are continuing to focus on both types of customer segments to increase volumes in our traditional single deck UK market.

   --      Optare is now building its Euro6 vehicles for delivery in Q4 FY 14 (January to March 2014). 

-- The Company remains on plan to introduce its Double Decker product in Q1 of calendar 2014, the launch of which the Directors believe will enable Optare to participate in all UK product segments from Q1 2014 onwards.

-- Optare has been successful in winning initial orders in Australia for the whole single deck product range. Further sizeable orders are expected in 2014 through our dealers in Australia. We are excited about the growth prospects and market demand in this part of the world for Optare's products.

-- Optare continues to be the leader in low emission technology and have substantial lead on the competition. With increasing focus on life cycle costs, Optare continues to invest in improving fuel efficiency of its product range.

Board and management changes

-- As previously announced, Enrico Vasalla has been appointed as the CEO of Optare replacing Per Gustav Nilsson who was the interim CEO since Jan 2013. Enrico has gained substantial experience in the bus industry over the last fifteen years in senior positions across Africa, Australasia and latterly South America and we are pleased to have him on board. He brings with him a wealth of international sales experience in the bus industry gained in several of the key markets that the Company is targeting as part of the strategic aim of developing a stronger export market.

Outlook

-- The Board still anticipates an increase in UK demand in 2014, particularly for single deck buses as the larger operating Groups invest in new vehicles. Additionally, an increasing proportion of future sales are expected to come from export markets which will help to de-risk the Group's current dependency on a cyclical UK market.

John Fickling

Non- executive Chairman

Date

 
 
 
 
   Consolidated income statement for the six months ended 
   30th September 2013 (unaudited) 
 
                                           Unaudited    Unaudited       Audited 
                                             6 month      6 month 
                                              period       period      12 month 
                                               ended     ended 30        period 
                                        30 September    September      ended 31 
                                                2013         2012    March 2013 
                                            GBP000's     GBP000's      GBP000's 
 
 Revenue                                      32,413       46,692        75,938 
 
 Cost of Sales 
                    non exceptional         (29,083)     (43,390)      (70,695) 
                    exceptional                    -        (774)       (1,483) 
 
                    total                   (29,083)     (44,164)      (72,178) 
                                      --------------  -----------  ------------ 
 
 Gross profit                                  3,330        2,528         3,760 
 %                                             10.3%         5.4%          5.0% 
 
 Administrative expenses                     (4,410)      (4,765)       (9,351) 
 Amortisation of intangibles                   (278)        (334)         (643) 
 
 Loss from operations                        (1,358)      (2,571)       (6,234) 
 
 Restructuring and other 
  exceptional costs                                -        (314)         (328) 
 Finance income                                    -            -             - 
 Finance costs                                 (458)        (416)         (788) 
 
 Loss for the period from 
  continuing operations                      (1,816)      (3,301)       (7,350) 
 
 Loss on ordinary activities 
  before taxation                            (1,816)      (3,301)       (7,350) 
 Taxation                                          -            -             - 
 
 Profit attributable to the 
  equity holders of the parent 
  company                                    (1,816)      (3,301)       (7,350) 
                                      --------------  -----------  ------------ 
 Earnings/(loss) per ordinary 
  share 
 
 From continuing operations 
  after exceptional items 
  (basic and diluted)                        (0.08)p      (0.15)p       (0.30)p 
 From continuing operations 
  before exceptional items 
  (basic and diluted)                        (0.08)p      (0.10)p       (0.20)p 
 
 

There were no recognised gains or losses in the period other than the profit for the period and therefore no statement of recognised income and expenses is presented.

Consolidated balance sheet as at 30th September 2013 (unaudited)

 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                    Unaudited    Unaudited         Audited 
                                                                                                                                                      6 month      6 month 
                                                                                                                                                 period ended       period        12 month 
                                                                                                                                                 30 September     ended 30    period ended 
                                                                                                                                                         2013    September        31 March 
                                                                                                                                                                      2012            2013 
                                                                                                                                                     GBP000's     GBP000's        GBP000's 
 Non-current assets 
 Goodwill                                                                                                                                               8,574        8,574           8,574 
 Other intangible assets                                                                                                                                8,426        8,289           8,271 
 Property, plant equipment                                                                                                                              3,484        3,258           3,356 
                                                                                                                                                       20,484       20,121          20,201 
                                                                                                 ------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------- 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                                                                                                                                            6,046        6,408          10,338 
 Trade and other receivables                                                                                                                            9,383        5,701           7,720 
 Cash & Cash Equivalents                                                                                                                                    -        1,745               - 
                                                                                                                                                       15,429       13,854          20,005 
                                                                                                 ------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------- 
 
 
 Total assets                                                                                                                                          35,913       33,975          38,259 
                                                                                                 ------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------- 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                                                                                                                              13,610       16,228          20,466 
 Bank loans and overdrafts                                                                                                                              9,344       15,708          18,652 
 Current provisions                                                                                                                                     2,567        1,400           2,217 
 Obligations under finance leases                                                                                                                          69           55              79 
                                                                                                                                                       25,590       33,391          41,414 
                                                                                                 ------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------- 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Bank loans                                                                                                                                            15,000            -               - 
 Provisions                                                                                                                                             1,727        1,062           1,394 
 Obligations under finance leases                                                                                                                         150          211             189 
                                                                                                                                                       16,877        1,273           1,583 
                                                                                                 ------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------- 
 
 Total liabilities                                                                                                                                     42,467       34,664          42,997 
                                                                                                 ------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------- 
 
 Net Assets                                                                                                                                           (6,554)        (689)         (4,738) 
                                                                                                 ------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------- 
 
 Equity 
 Called up share capital                                                                                                                                9,005        9,005           9,005 
 Share premium                                                                                                                                         32,396       29,965          32,396 
 Share based payment reserve                                                                                                                               42          198              42 
 Merger reserve                                                                                                                                         5,542        5,542           5,542 
 Retained loss                                                                                                                                       (53,539)     (45,399)        (51,723) 
 
 Total equity attributable to equity 
  holders of the parent                                                                                                                               (6,554)        (689)         (4,738) 
                                                                                                 ------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------- 
 
 
  Consolidated Cash flow Statement for the six month period ended 
   30(th) September 2013 (unaudited) 
                                                                                                                                                    Unaudited   Unaudited          Audited            Audited 
                                                                                                                                                      6 month     6 month 
                                                                                                                                                 period ended      period 
                                                                                                                                                 30 September       ended        12 month 
                                                                                                                                                         2013          30          period 
                                                                                                                                                                September        ended 31 
                                                                                                                                                                     2012      March 2013 
                                                                                                                                                     GBP000's    GBP000's        GBP000's 
 Operating activities 
 Loss before tax                                                                                                                    (1,816)                       (3,301)         (7,350) 
 Tax 
 Depreciation and amortisation                                                                                                                            568         613           1,194 
 Share based payments                                                                                                                                       -           -               - 
 Net finance expense                                                                                                                                      458         416             788 
 Loss on disposal of fixed assets                                                                                                                           -          20              19 
 
 Operating cash flows before movements 
  in working capital                                                                                                                                    (790)     (2,252)         (5,349) 
                                                                                                                     ----------------------------------------  ----------  -------------- 
 
 Movement in inventories                                                                                                                                4,292       4,867             937 
 Movement in trade and other receivables                                                                                                              (1,663)       2,442             423 
 Movement in trade and other payables                                                                                                                 (6,856)     (3,941)             297 
 Movement in provisions                                                                                                                                   685           6           1,155 
 
 Cash absorbed by operations                                                                                                                          (4,332)       1,122         (2,537) 
                                                                                                                     ----------------------------------------  ----------  -------------- 
 
 Interest received                                                                                                                                                                      - 
 Interest paid                                                                                                                                          (458)       (416)           (788) 
 
 Net cash flow from operating activities                                                                                                             (4,790 )         706         (3,325) 
                                                                                                                     ----------------------------------------  ----------  -------------- 
 
 Investing activities 
 Purchase of property, plant and equipment                                                                                                              (418)       (478)           (800) 
 Internal capitalised costs                                                                                                                             (433)       (542)           (882) 
 Proceeds of property sale                                                                                                                                  -       1,000           1,000 
 
 Net cash flow from investing activities                                                                                                                (851)        (20)           (682) 
                                                                                                                     ----------------------------------------  ----------  -------------- 
 
 Financing activities 
 Loan repayments                                                                                                                                        7,000           -               - 
 Proceeds from issuance of ordinary 
  shares                                                                                                                                                    -           -               - 
 Short term loans                                                                                                                                         202       (617)           2,023 
 Hire purchase agreement repayments                                                                                                                      (15)        (28)            (60) 
 
 Net cash flow from financing activities                                                                                                                7,187       (645)           1,963 
                                                                                                                     ----------------------------------------  ----------  -------------- 
 
 Net increase/(decrease) in cash and 
  cash equivalents                                                                                                                                      1,546          41         (2,044) 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the 
  beginning of the period                                                                                                                             (5,445)     (3,401)         (3,401) 
                                                                                                                     ----------------------------------------  ----------  -------------- 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the 
  end of the period                                                                                                                                   (3,899)     (3,360)         (5,445) 
                                                                                                                     ----------------------------------------  ----------  -------------- 
 
 
 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the six month period ended 30 September 2013 (unaudited)

 
 
 
                                                                                 Share 
                                                                                 based 
                                    Share      Share     Merger    Retained    payment 
                                  Capital    Premium    Reserve    earnings    reserve      Total 
                                 GBP000's   GBP000's   GBP000's    GBP000's   GBP000's   GBP000's 
 
    Balance at 31st March 2013      9,005     32,396      5,542    (51,723)         42    (4,738) 
 
           Loss for the period                                      (1,816)               (1,816) 
 
    Total comprehensive income 
                  for the year      9,005     32,396      5,542    (53,539)         42    (6,554) 
 
 
  Balance at 30 September 2013      9,005     32,396      5,542    (53,539)         42    (6,554) 
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ---------  --------- 
 

Notes to the half yearly financial information for the six month period ended 30 September 2013

   1.             Basis of preparation 

The unaudited consolidated half-yearly financial information for the half year ended 30 September 2013 has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34, 'Interim financial reporting' as adopted by the European Union

The interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement principles of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted in the EU. The current and comparative periods to September have been prepared using the accounting policies adopted in the annual financial statements for the period ended 31 March.

The financial information contained in this interim report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. This report has not been audited by the Group's auditors

Comparative figures for the period ended 31 March 2013 have been extracted from the statutory financial statements for that period which carried an unqualified audit report, did not contain a statement under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985 and have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

The interim report was approved by the Group's Board of Directors on 18 December 2013.

   2              Principal risks and uncertainties for the six months ending 30 September 2013 

As for most businesses, there are a range of risks and uncertainties facing the Group. The principal risks and uncertainties are described in the Group's 2013 Annual Report and Accounts which can be downloaded from the Group's website (www.optare.com)

   3              Loss per ordinary share 

The calculation of earnings per ordinary share is based on the profit or loss for the period divided by the weighted average number of equity voting shares in issue. There were no potentially dilutive ordinary shares in existence during the period and so basic and diluted earnings per share are identical.

 
 
 
                                              Unaudited       Unaudited         Audited 
                                              Six month       Six month        12 month 
                                                 period          period          period 
                                               ended 30        ended 30        ended 31 
                                              September       September      March 2013 
                                                   2013            2012 
                                               GBP000's        GBP000's        GBP000's 
 
 Loss for purposes of basis loss 
  per share                                     (1,816)         (3,301)         (7,350) 
                                         --------------  --------------  -------------- 
 (net loss for the period attributable 
  to equity holders of the parent) 
 
                                                 Number          Number          Number 
 
 Weighted average number of ordinary 
  shares for the purposes of basic 
  earnings per share                      2,235,291,827   2,235,291,827   2,235,291,827 
 
 Basic and fully diluted loss 
  per share                                     (0.08)p         (0.15)p         (0.30)p 
 
 Excluding Exceptional items 
 
 Loss for purposes of basis loss 
  per share                                     (1,816)         (3,301)         (7,350) 
                                         --------------  --------------  -------------- 
 (net loss for the period attributable 
  to equity holders of the parent) 
 
 Adjustment to exclude exceptional 
  costs                                               -           1,108           1,811 
 
 Loss from continuing operations 
  for the purposes of basic earnings 
  per share                                     (1,816)         (2,193)         (5,539) 
                                         --------------  --------------  -------------- 
 
 Basic and fully diluted loss 
  per share                                     (0.08)p         (0.10)p         (0.20)p 
 
 
 

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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