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FY2017 Annual Report · Australian Vintage
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ANNUAL REPORT 2017

CONTENTS

Chairman’s statement  

Strategic report  

Report of the directors  

Corporate governance  

Report of the directors on remuneration  

Independent auditor’s report  

Principal accounting policies  

Consolidated income statement  

Consolidated balance sheet  

Company balance sheet  

Consolidated statement of changes in equity  

Company statement of changes in equity  

Consolidated statement of cash flows  

Company statement of cash flows  

Notes to the annual report  

Notice of annual general meeting  

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57

Metalcraft and Maloney Metalcraft (UK and China)
Design and manufacture of safety-critical equipment for the energy, 
medical, science and research communities worldwide, specialising 
in oil and gas extraction and processing equipment, nuclear process 
plant, nuclear decommissioning containers, precision pressure and 
vacuum vessels and associated sub-assemblies and systems.

Crown International (UK)
Design and manufacture of pole and enclosure systems, known as 
the ‘Crown Pole’ for roadside safety cameras and Smart Motorways, 
as well as rail track signalling gantries and roadside signage poles for 
motorways and major trunk roads. The business holds an exclusive 
licence for the supply of patented technologies in the emerging field  
of Carbon Sequestration and Reuse.

Composites Products (UK)
Design and manufacture of high strength to weight ratio critical 
components combining metallic and non-metallic precision structures 
in the most demanding of applications in defence, industrial, medical, 
and automotive sectors. A licensed provider of unique and patented 
braided thermoplastic tubular components.

Scientific Magnetics (UK)
Designs, manufactures, tests and installs bespoke superconducting 
magnet systems for academic and commercial research. Scientific 
Magnetics operates at the cutting edge of superconducting technology 
and is the go-to specialist for blue-chip companies such as Siemens 
and Rolls-Royce. Scientific Magnetics has developed standardised 
helium-free magnet systems for pre-clinical and UHV applications and 
has devleoped many world-firsts including the low helium, whole body 
MRI magnet and superconducting magnets for space.

Hayward Tyler (UK, US, China and India)
A specialist engineering group who design, manufacture and 
service performance-critical electric motors and pumps for 
high pressure, high temperature applications in the harshest 
environments across the global energy industry. A trusted 
supplier for the markets served with bases in the UK, the 
USA, China and India and a preferred supplier for solving 
complex engineering problems for high-pressure, high-
temperature fluid handling across the global energy sector.

Peter Brotherhood (UK)
Designs, manufactures, installs and services specialist 
turbines and compressors and CHP solutions used in the 
power generation, marine, sugar, petrochemical and 
processing, Waste to Energy power plants, Combined Heat 
and Power (CHP) and oil and gas markets globally. A world 
leader in turbo generators for FPSO vessels, including the 
worlds largest of 27 MW and have supplied steam turbines 
to many of the world’s leading FPSO operators including 
Woodside, Single Buoy Mooring (SBM), BW Gas ASA, 
Bluewater, Saipem, Aker Floating Production, Fred Olsen 
Production, and Maersk. Peter Brotherhood is the UK’s only 
producer of steam turbines with an output up to 40 MW, 
which has applications in waste heat recovery, the FPSO 
and FLNG markets and the Royal Navy Astute class 
submarine new build programme. Peter Brotherhood steam 
turbines provide over 1000 MW of installed power in Waste 
to Energy Power Plants and have in excess of 500 machines 
installed in the cane sugar industry.

Avintrans-Report-pages1-2_2007 Report cover Art  20/09/2017  16:16  Page 1    (Black plate)

ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2017

I N T R O D U C T I O N

Commenting on the results, Roger McDowell, Chairman said:

“ Avingtrans continues to demonstrate its capacity for reinvention. After the successful sale of the Aerospace division,

we returned £19.4m of cash to shareholders via a tender offer. In the second half of the period, we cemented the
cornerstone of our Medical strategy through the enabling acquisition of Scientific Magnetics Ltd. 
Post year end, this was followed by the substantial acquisition of Hayward Tyler Group (HTG) for £29.4m, excluding
debt and costs. This deal will accelerate our plans to split the Energy and Medical divisions, to fully capitalise on the
HTG potential. Operationally, we have made pleasing progress with key accounts – especially at Sellafield, where we
secured a 3-year, £11m extension to our existing multi-year contract.

to restore momentum at HTG. However, we are excited by the potential to develop our offerings in both the Energy

“ We are under no illusion that the next phase of our development will be easy. Some heavy lifting will be necessary
and Medical sectors, with blue chip customers and prospects underpinning our sensibly optimistic outlook.”

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

• Revenue from continuing operations increased by 7% to £22.7m (2016: £21.2m)
• Adjusted1 EBITDA from continuing operations increased by 104%, to £0.7m (2016: £0.4m)
• Adjusted1 Profit Before Tax improved to £0.3m (2016: £0.1m) 
• Adjusted1 Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations 1.1p (2016: 1.0p)

• Cash outflow from operating activities £3.3m (2016: generated £7.8m)

• Net Cash £26.4m (31 May 2016: Net cash £51.0m)

• Increased final dividend of 2.2p per share, Full year total 3.4p (2016: Final 2.1p, Total 3.2p)

• Tender offer returned £19.4m to Shareholders
1 –adjusted to add back amortisation of intangibles from business combinations, acquisition costs and exceptional items.

O P E R A T I O N A L   H I G H L I G H T S

Energy

• Energy revenues increased by 15%, with a modest improvement in profitability

• Post period end, acquisition of Hayward Tyler Group plc for £29.4m, excl. debt & costs

• First Sellafield 3M3 (three-metre-cubed) prototype box delivered and fully approved

• £11m Sellafield 3-year contract extension; facilities redevelopment on time and on budget

• Post year end, Metalcraft gained contract extension with Cummins, worth £3.6m over 3 years

Medical

• Medical revenues were marginally lower, but with a welcome return to modest levels of profit

• Technology enabling acquisition of Scientific Magnetics Ltd for £0.33m

• China facility gearing-up for new contracts with Wuhan (£9m gained in year) and Bruker

1
1

Avintrans-Report-pages1-2_2007 Report cover Art  20/09/2017  16:16  Page 2    (Black plate)

Company information

Directors
R S McDowell (Non-executive Chairman)
S McQuillan (Chief Executive Officer)
S M King (Chief Financial Officer)
J J Hamer (Non-executive Director - resigned 8 November 2016)
G K Thornton (Non-executive Director)
L J Thomas (Non-executive Director)
E. Lloyd-Baker (Non-executive Director appointed September 2017)

Secretary
S M King 

Registered Office
Chatteris Business Park
Chatteris
Cambridgeshire
PE16 6SA

Website
www.avingtrans.plc.uk

Registered Number
1968354

Auditors
Grant Thornton UK LLP
Statutory Auditor 
Chartered Accountants
Colmore Plaza
Colmore Circus
Birmingham
B4 6AT

Bankers
HSBC Bank plc
130 New Street
Birmingham
B2 4JU

Solicitors
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
No1 Colmore Square
Birmingham 
B4 6AA

2
2

Registrars
Capita Asset Services
Northern House
Woodsome Park
Fenay Bridge
Huddersfield
West Yorkshire
HD8 0LA

Nominated Advisor
Nplus1 Singer Advisory LLP
1 Bartholomew Lane,
London 
EC2N 2AX

Nominated Broker
Nplus1 Singer Advisory LLP
1 Bartholomew Lane,
London 
EC2N 2AX

Chairman’s Statement

In the last year, Avingtrans has been busy reinventing itself once more, as we have striven for early exploitation of the fruitful sale 
of our Aerospace division in 2016. A successful tender offer in the first half was followed by the modest acquisitions of Scientific 
Magnetics and the assets of Whiteley Read Engineering during the financial year.

In a major step forward, the Group, post year end, has completed the acquisition of Hayward Tyler Group plc (“HTG”). HTG’s 
subsidiaries, Hayward Tyler and Peter Brotherhood, are venerable brand names in the UK engineering world, between them 
having a pedigree of over 350 years in the sector. This bold step required a reverse takeover – a rare event on AIM. In itself, that 
is of little merit, merely serving to underpin the extent of our diligent ambitions for the Group.

An  unfortunate  combination  of  ambitious  investment  programmes,  acquisition  and  market  down-cycle  led  HTG  to  an 
overstretched  balance  sheet  position,  wherefrom  it  was  finding  difficulty  in  restoring  equilibrium  and  achieving  the  growth 
which the Directors believe it is capable of.

Thus, Avingtrans, with its clear objective to continue the now proven strategy of “buy and build” in regulated engineering niche 
markets, together with  its strong balance sheet, was the ideal solution to the problem. 

As investors will recall, we have named this strategy PIE – “Pinpoint-Invest-Exit”. Previous deals - notably the disposal of Sigma 
- have clearly demonstrated the success of this approach, producing substantial increases in shareholder value. We have built 
strong brands and value from smaller constituent parts, we have demonstrated well-developed deal-making skills and we have 
shown that we do not overpay for assets. The strategy to “buy and build” around smaller deals and consolidate relevant niches 
has significant potential to generate growth and shareholder value, as demonstrated with Sigma and JenaTec. At the appropriate 
time in the future, we will again seek to crystallise gains with periodic sales of businesses at advantageous valuations and return 
the proceeds to shareholders.

Meanwhile,  our  existing  Energy  and  Medical  divisions  have  made  steady  progress.    The  on-going  pre-production  phase  of 
Sellafield 3M3 Box operations at Metalcraft continues to proceed positively, with Sellafield approving the first 3M3 prototype 
unit and opening the 3M3 box production facility at Chatteris. This progress was underpinned by the award of a significant 
contract extension by Sellafield. The Sellafield project is the precursor to a significant expansion of long term business in the 
nuclear decommissioning sector. We believe that Metalcraft is well-placed to be a key partner for Sellafield in this programme 
over the next 30 years and to participate in further contracts in the sector, as and when these are tendered.

The Medical division was awarded a £9m, 10-year contract for NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) - cryostats during the year. 
The customer, based in Wuhan, China, is now known as CAS Oxford, an intriguing new entrant to the NMR market. We are 
excited also by the acquisition of Scientific Magnetics Ltd, a manufacturer of superconducting magnet systems and cryogenics 
for MRI NMR and other markets, for initial consideration of £0.33m. We believe that this small, but strategic acquisition could 
become the cornerstone of our vertical integration strategy in the medical market.

In  addition  to  the  £19.4m  of  cash  returned  to  shareholders,  via  the  tender  offer,  the  Board  has  declared  an  increased  final 
dividend, of 2.2 pence per share, rendering a full year total of 3.4 pence, once again underlining our commitment to consistently 
improve returns to our shareholders. 

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our employees, including those newly arrived with recent acquisitions, 
for  all  their  hard  work  and  dedication  to  deliver  excellent  quality  engineering  products  and  services  to  our  customers.UK 
engineering is the richer for their valuable contributions.

Roger McDowell
Chairman
26 September 2017

3

Strategic Report

Group Performance

Strategy and business summary

We are a precision engineering group, operating in differentiated, specialist niches in the supply chains of many of the world’s 
best known engineering original equipment manufacturers. Our core strategy is to build market-leading niche positions in our 
chosen market sectors – currently Energy and Medical. Over the longer term, our acquisition strategy has enabled our businesses 
to develop the critical mass necessary to achieve market leadership.

Our core businesses have the capability to engineer products in the UK and produce those products partly, or wholly in Asia 
and now, with the addition of HTG, in the USA. This allows us and our customers to access low cost sourcing at minimum 
risk, as well as positioning us neatly in the development of the Chinese and Asian markets for our products. Hayward Tyler and 
Metalcraft, for example, are well established in China, providing integrated supply chain options for our customers.

The Group’s clear objective is to continue the proven strategy of “buy and build” in regulated engineering niche markets, where 
we see consolidation opportunities, which can lead to significantly increased shareholder returns over the medium to long term. 
At the appropriate time we will seek to crystallise these gains with periodic sales of businesses at advantageous valuations and 
return the proceeds to shareholders. We call this strategy PIE – “Pinpoint-Invest-Exit”. Previous deals – eg the disposal of Sigma 
– have clearly demonstrated the success of this approach, producing substantial increases in shareholder value. We have built 
strong brands and value from smaller constituent parts; we have demonstrated well-developed deal-making skills and prudence 
in  the  acquisition  of  new  assets.  The  strategy  to  “buy  and  build”  around  smaller  deals  and  consolidate  relevant  niches  has 
significant potential to generate growth and shareholder value, as demonstrated with Sigma and JenaTec.

Following the acquisition, the Board’s focus in the short term will be the full integration of HTG’s operations, a process which 
has already started and is expected to continue throughout our first half. The objective for the Enlarged Group is to become a 
leading supplier in the energy and medical markets of low volume, operation critical products, with a reputation for high quality 
and delivery on-time and on-budget. The Enlarged Group has production facilities in its three key geographical markets (the 
Americas, Asia and Europe) with high volume/lower cost facilities in Asia, and product development and realisation in the UK 
and  the  USA. The  Enlarged  Group  intends  to  invest  in  breakthrough  and  disruptive  technologies  in  the  energy  and  medical 
markets. 

Avingtrans’ primary focus for its Energy division is the nuclear market; decommissioning, life extension and “new nuclear” 
markets – in particular, nuclear waste storage containers – as well as a variety of other niches in the renewable energy sector. 
In addition, the Directors will continue to build on HTG’s footprint in the wider power and energy sectors; in particular, the 
provision of traditional power generation, motor solutions, steam turbines, combined heat and power units and gas to power 
units, in various sectors, with a principal focus on the power, oil and gas, marine, water and industrial sectors.

The  key  focus  of  the  Enlarged  Group’s  Medical  division  is  to  become  a  market  leader  in  the  production  of  high  integrity 
components  and  systems  for  medical  and  scientific  equipment  manufacturers  in  specific  niche  markets,  including  for  MRI 
(Magnetic Resonance Imaging) derivatives, proton therapy and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance).

Operations

Existing Group

Operational Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

•  Customer Quality – detect free deliveries (%) 
•  Customer on time in-full deliveries (%) 
•  Annualised staff turnover (%) 
•  Health, Safety and Environment incidents per head per annum 

2017 
99.2 
99.7 
10.2 
0.13 

2016
99.3
97.0
8.9
0.05

Our excellent divisional quality performance was sustained in the year and our delivery performance improved slightly. For 
certain customers, we were again very pleased to be able to record near perfect quality and delivery records across the full 
year.  Staff  turnover  was  up  marginally  year  on  year,  reflecting  ongoing  oil  and  gas  market  turmoil.  Therefore,  we  believe 
that this remains at an acceptable level for this type of business. Whilst Health and safety incidents appear to have increased 
significantly in the year, this simply reflects a change in reporting policy, which now includes even minor incidents and near 
misses in the statistics, as we seek to build on our positive improvement record of the last few years.

4

 
 
 
 
 
  
Strategic Report (Continued)

Operations (continued)

Energy Division (Hayward Tyler, Peter Brotherhood, Metalcraft (part), Maloney Metalcraft and Crown)

Following the acquisition of HTG, the Energy division now forms the bulk of group operations.

The ongoing low oil price continued throughout the year, meaning that this sector was a lower priority for the existing businesses. 
The residual phase of restructuring at Maloney is now complete. We continued to mitigate the negative effects of the oil price by 
focusing on the growth areas in the energy market, for example: energy storage; carbon capture; and nuclear power life extension 
and decommissioning. HTG had already been following a risk mitigation path for oil and gas in its business plans and we will 
continue to follow through with the restructuring of the business which had already begun. In addition, at Peter Brotherhood, we 
will seek to expand the range of products being manufactured by this business, to further de-risk this operation.

The existing businesses produced healthy revenue growth of almost 16% in the period, with pre-exceptional EBITDA increasing 
by 113%, as the positive effects of restructuring at Maloney and the improving margin mix of new contracts began to be felt at 
Metalcraft and Crown.

Despite  the  recent  oil  price  issues,  the  US  Energy  Information  Administration  forecasts  a  48%  increase  in  global  energy 
consumption  (between  2012  and  2040)  mainly  driven  by  population  growth. This  is  positive  for  the  Energy  Division,  since 
we have interests in various parts of the energy cycle, from primary extraction, to generation, alternative energy storage and 
decommissioning.  Decommissioning  activities  are  steadily  gathering  pace,  as  this  very  long  term  legacy  clean-up  project  is 
grasped by the UK government and others around the world. 

Summarising developments over the year at the Energy sites:

•  Metalcraft, (Energy) Chatteris: business with existing key accounts – eg Cummins - was steady. The £47m, 10-year contract 
with Sellafield Ltd, to produce 3M3 boxes, for the storage of intermediate level nuclear waste, is progressing to plan. We 
also were favoured with an £11m, 3-year contract extension by Sellafield, extending the scope of the 3M3 box programme. 
We made excellent progress with facilities refurbishment and pre-production tests. The production set-up and prototyping 
phase will continue in the current financial year, with series production expected to commence in calendar 2018. Metalcraft 
is well-placed to be a key partner for Sellafield in this programme. The total number of 3M3 boxes required is now expected 
to be in excess of 70,000 over the entire programme life, worth an estimated £3bn, according to Sellafield’s own estimates. 
•  Whiteley  Read  Engineering  Ltd,  Rotherham:  This  small  acquisition  of  assets  (now  a  branch  of  Metalcraft)  has  already 
proven  its  worth,  by  successfully  completing  overspill  activities  from  Maloney  and  Metalcraft,  as  well  as  providing  an 
opportunity to widen our customer base in the Energy sector. 

•  Maloney Metalcraft, Aldridge: as noted elsewhere, the oil price effects continued to affect the business in the period. We 
completed a limited restructuring process, to stabilise our position in the new $50 a barrel oil reality. The gas project contract 
with Samsung was successfully completed in the period and the JGC Gulf International Co. Ltd project is nearing completion, 
following a number of customer induced design changes. Work also commenced on the EDF life extension contract and is 
proceeding to plan.

•  Crown,  Portishead:  Crown  had  a  stronger  second  half,  driven  by  the  win  of  an  important  new  £1.7m  contract  for  flame 
detection masts, whose end customer is Fluor Corporation. Work on this contract continues into the current financial year. 
The “FET” carbon abatement trial in Wales concluded successfully and we are working to turn this application into a product 
of the future with FET. This technology promises to make small to medium fossil fuel generators “clean”, which is important 
in a future where the energy grid is more fragmented and localised.

The addition of the HTG Group brings with it several additional sites to the Energy division: the Centre of Excellence at HTG’s 
headquarters in Luton, the associated HTI business in Vermont and Peter Brotherhood’s production facility in Peterborough, 
as well as sales, support and repair facilities in India and China. The multi-million pound investment in the Luton Centre of 
Excellence  has  resulted  in  the  world’s  most  advanced  facility  for  specialist  motor  manufacture  and  also  provides  significant 
additional support for R&D and the training and development of the Group’s workforce.

Medical Division (Scientific Magnetics Metalcraft (part) and Composite Products)

During the year, we made the small, but important technology-enabling acquisition of Space Cryomagnetics Limited; trading as 
Scientific Magnetics. This acquisition enables us to vertically build our capability into superconducting magnets and cryogenics, 
including “cryogen free” technology – ie avoiding using helium. This is crucial for the future of sectors like MRI and NMR, due 
to the unstable nature of helium supplies. For example, the recent trade sanctions against Qatar by the gulf states has a significant 
destabilising impact on helium supply, since helium is a by-product captured from only a few oil and gas fields around the world 
and Qatar is a significant producer.

5

Strategic Report (Continued)

Medical Division (Scientific Magnetics Metalcraft (part) and Composite Products) (Continued)

Scientific Magnetics only added a small amount to Q4 revenue and made an initial loss of £0.1m, as anticipated. Overall, the 
Medical division saw modest revenue decline of 2% in the period, mainly driven by ramp up delays at Composite Products. 
Nevertheless, the division did see a welcome return to modest pre-exceptional profit in the year, following losses last year. We 
anticipate growth coming through in the current financial year from recently won contracts – eg Rapiscan and Wuhan (now CAS 
Oxford), as well as a full year of revenue from Scientific Magnetics.

The demographics of a growing and ageing world population are encouraging for the medical imaging and diagnostics markets, 
so the business is well placed to benefit from external market drivers. There have been notable changes of ownership in some of 
the key players in the MRI sector recently – eg with Canon acquiring Toshiba’s Medical business unit for $6bn. We continue to 
see new entrants penetrating the Chinese medical imaging market, which, in general, we view positively, in terms of business 
opportunity. These developments indicate that the sector will continue to spend money on developing new products and imaging 
techniques.

Summarising developments over the year at the Medical sites:

•  Scientific Magnetics Ltd, Abingdon: acquired in February 2017, this niche supplier of high power superconducting magnets 
and cryogenics brings considerable engineering capability, at a time when we expect to see new breakthrough technologies 
impacting the magnet designs of the future and when the need for helium free technology is increasingly important. The 
business strategy is being realigned around a number of new potential products and customers. 

•  Metalcraft (Medical) Chatteris and Chengdu: Business with Siemens was steady in the UK in the period and we continued to 
develop our relationships with other customers – eg for Proton Therapy. In China, results for the unit continued to improve 
year on year and we made good progress with the existing customers (eg Siemens and Alltech), as well as preparing for the 
new contracts with Bruker and Wuhan (CAS Oxford) for NMR vessels.

•  Composite  Products,  Buckingham:  performance  in  the  second  half  suffered  from  ramp-up  delays  with  key  customer, 
Rapiscan. We believe that the issues causing the delays are now resolved and expect to continue the ramp-up in the current 
financial year.

Financial Performance

Key Performance Indicators
The Group uses a number of financial key performance indicators to monitor the business, as set out below.   

Revenue: continuing operations saw modest sales improvement
Full year Group revenue of continuing operations increased by 7%, to £22.7m (2016: £21.2m). Energy again saw year-on-year 
effects of the oil price holding back revenues, though the base position now seems stable.

Profit: margin improvement continues as new contracts build
Adjusted EBITDA increased by 104% (note 4), to £0.7m (2016: £0.4m).  Action to optimise the cost base at Maloney, on-going 
improvements at Metalcraft and further progress in China improved the overall EBITDA.

Gross margins were 17.9% (2016: 14.9%), improving as the margin mix of new contracts rises. 

Tax: 
The effective rate of taxation was a 3.9% tax charge, whereas 2016 was a 71.4% tax credit. We have continued to benefit from 
Research and Development tax credits in the UK. In 2016 the non-taxable sale of the property and ongoing release of deferred 
tax liabilities distorted the overall tax charge.  The tax position will “normalise” in the coming years, though we anticipate some 
on-going benefits – e.g. R&D tax credits and utilisation of China losses.

Earnings per Share (EPS): Improved for continuing operations. 
Adjusted  diluted  earnings  per  share  for  continuing  operations  increased  to  1.1p  from  1.0p  in  2016.  Diluted  loss  per  share, 
attributable to shareholders was 1.3p (adjusted diluted earnings per share 2016: 111.4p reflecting the substantial shareholder 
benefit from the disposal of Aerospace).

Funding and Liquidity: Balance sheet strong with Net Cash
The net cash outflow from operating activities was £3.3m (2016: £7.8m inflow), following payment of costs from the Sigma 
disposal.   

Net Cash (note 23) at year end stood at £26.4m (2016: Net cash: £51.0m) following the tender buyback £19.4m (before costs) 
and payment of the costs associated with the Sigma disposal. 

6

Strategic Report (Continued)

Financial Performance (Continued)

Dividend: steady progress
The Board once more proposes to underpin our progressive dividend policy. We are pleased to be able to recommend an improved 
final dividend of 2.2 pence per share (2016: 2.1 pence per share). We intend to continue on this progressive path, subject to the 
outcome of acquisition activities in the coming years. The dividend will be paid on 8 December 2017, to shareholders on the 
register at 27 October 2017.  

Principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group

The principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group include: 

• 

• 

• 

the acceptance by end customers of its products – the Group mitigates this risk by developing a number of diverse products 
across its industry sectors. In addition, the business continues to build strong relationships with longstanding customers and 
open lines of communication to ensure that any challenges are identified early and are resolved with the customer prior to 
delivery;
changes in customer requirements and in levels of demand in the market – the Group is reliant on the relative strength of the 
global economy as a whole, but the risk is somewhat mitigated via the diversity of the markets the Group operates in. The 
Group is always conscious of the need to react to demand changes, due to this risk. In addition, the business continues to 
work with key customers to develop longer term plans concerning delivery and timing of production, to build efficiency into 
the process; 
competitive pressure on pricing – this risk is mitigated by the high level of technological quality offered by the Group’s 
products, its strong relationships with its key customers, as well as lower operating costs through its fully owned Chinese 
facilities;

•  delays  in  product  design  and  launch  programmes  –  as  the  Group’s  products  are  technically  advanced  the  timescale  of 
developing  new  products  is  uncertain.  However,  this  is  mitigated  by  strong  long  term  relationships  with  customers  and 
ensuring sufficient working capital to support this investment;
technological changes – mitigated by continued investment in research and development; 

• 
•  operational risks associated with operating in overseas markets – the Group mitigates this risk by using a senior management 
team  based  both  in  the  UK  and  China.  Senior  Management  from  the  UK  regularly  visit  and  monitor  the  financial  and 
operational performance of overseas sites.

•  FET – Future Environmental Technologies – this is an early stage technology development relationship with a third party 
company. There can be no guarantee at this stage that their technology will result in system sales, whether in the domain of 
carbon abatement or elsewhere.

People

The post year end acquisition of HTG brings a capability treasure chest to Avingtrans and we look forward to working with their 
talented people over the coming years, to develop a great business together.

We are delighted to retain the services of the HTG CEO, Ewan Lloyd Baker and we expect to formally confirm his appointment 
to the Board at the AGM. No other Board changes are proposed at this time. 

There were no other Board or top team management changes in the period, but the management team in the Energy and Medical 
divisions continues to strengthen. Skills availability remains challenging, but we do not expect to be unduly constrained by any 
shortages.  Like Avingtrans,  HTG  has  invested  significant  effort  in  developing  skills,  both  through  structured  apprenticeship 
programmes and also graduate development plans, notably at the HTL site in Luton.

The group undertakes to ensure social, community and human rights issues are considered in its employment of people.

Environment

The  Group’s  policy  with  regard  to  the  environment  is  to  ensure  that  we  understand  and  effectively  manage  the  actual  and 
potential environmental impact of our activities. Our operations are conducted such that we comply with all legal requirements 
relating to the environment in all areas where we carry out our business. During the period covered by this report the Group has 
not incurred any significant fines or penalties or been investigated for any significant breach of environmental regulations.

7

 
Strategic Report (Continued)

Outlook

The group is a niche engineering market leader in the Energy and Medical sectors. The past year has demonstrated our skill for 
invention and reinvention, both technologically and corporately. We expect that the recent acquisitions (particularly that of HTG) 
will afford investors another opportunity to build enduring value with us in a new set of engineering market niches. We will 
continue to be frugal and seek to crystallise value and return capital, if the timing is right.

Our strategy continues to produce significant new business wins that support our results and provide good visibility of longer 
term  earnings,  such  as  the  contract  extension  with  Sellafield.  We  have  an  excellent  customer  base  which  we  can  leverage 
and  differentiated  product  niches  where  the  group  can  be  world-leading. We  are  well  placed  to  benefit  from  further  market 
consolidation, particularly in the Energy sector. Clearly, the short-term focus for Avingtrans will be the successful integration 
of HTG, where we see a significant body of work being necessary, to steady the ship and re-establish a profitable growth path.

Metalcraft,  Hayward Tyler  and  Peter  Brotherhood  are  clear  leaders  in  their  chosen  niche  markets,  providing  customers  with 
consistent quality as part of a world class journey. We believe that Scientific Magnetics can be the key to growing a Medical 
division which develops tangible value for shareholders in the longer term.

Our attractive structural growth markets and durable customer relationships mean that we remain cautiously confident about the 
future of Avingtrans. As ever in our acquisition activities, we will seek to conduct our efforts rigorously and efficiently, with an 
underpinning ethos that recent deals should be for the benefit of all stakeholders and should build sustainable long-term value.

The Strategic Report was approved by the Board on 26 September 2017 and signed on its behalf by:

Roger McDowell 
Chairman  
26 September 2017  

Steve McQuillan 
Chief Executive Officer 
26 September 2017  

Stephen King
Chief Financial Officer
26 September 2017

8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Report of the Directors

The Directors present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2017.

Matters included in the strategic report

The Directors’ consideration of likely future developments in the business has been included in the Strategic Report.

Going concern

During the year the Group has managed its working capital and cash flows resulting in an operating cash outflow of £3.3m for the 
year. At 31 May 2017 the Group has net cash of £26.4m as detailed in note 23 (2016: Net cash £51.0m) and net assets of £45.1m 
(2016: £64.8m). The completion of the acquisition of the Hayward Tyler Group plc on 31 August 2017 resulted in £11.5m of its 
facilities being repaid, the assumption of a further £10.0m of debt and £5m of associated transaction costs being incurred. As 
discussed in more detail in the Chairman’s statement and Strategic report, looking into 2017/18 and beyond, the Group has a 
number of exciting opportunities across all of its operations that should deliver growth and shareholder value. 

The Directors have prepared detailed cash flow forecasts for the Group for the period extending to 31 December 2018, alongside 
three year budgets which indicate that the Group expects to have adequate financial resources to continue in business and work 
within its current banking arrangements to deliver on its short term strategic objectives. Coupled with an ongoing supportive 
relationship with the Group’s principal bankers, HSBC, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the 
Annual Report and accounts. 

Results and dividends

The Group’s loss for the year before tax from continuing operations amounted to £285,000 (profit 2016: £245,000) for continuing 
operations.  In  2016  there  was  profit  after  tax  from  discontinued  operations  of  £30,716,000. A  final  dividend  of  2.2  pence  is 
proposed for the year ended 31 May 2017 (2016: 2.1 pence), taking the total dividend for the year to 3.4 pence (2016: total 3.2 
pence).

Tender buyback of shares

On 18 November the Group completed the tender buyback of 9,691,361 shares for consideration of £19,383,000 before associated 
expenses. The nominal value of the share repurchased in the tender buyback £485,000 was transferred to the Capital Redemption 
Reserve.

Post Balance Sheet Event

On 31 August 2017 the Group completed the acquisition of 100 percent of the issued share capital of the Hayward Tyler Group 
plc for £29.4m before debt repayment/assumption as above and associated transaction costs.

Substantial shareholdings

As at 26 September 2017, the following had notified the Company that they held or were beneficially interested in 3% or more 
of the Company’s issued ordinary share capital:

Nigel Wray 
Funds managed by Unicorn Asset Management Limited 
Harwood Capital 
R S McDowell’s Pension Fund 
Funds managed by RBC Trustees Limited 
P McDowell’s Pension Fund 
Funds managed by LGT Bank 
Funds managed Close Brothers Asset Management 

Number of 
shares 
‘000 

Percentage
of issued
share capital
owned

3,020 
1,946 
1,893 
1,406 
1,393 
1,213 
1,017 
909 

9.8%
6.3%
6.2%
4.6%
4.5%
4.0%
3.3%
3.0%

9

 
  
 
  
 
 
 
Report of the Directors (Continued)

Directors and their interests

The present Directors of the Company and those that served during the year are set out on page 2. Their interests in the share 
capital of the Company are set out below.

R S McDowell 
S McQuillan  
S M King 
G K Thornton 
L J Thomas 

Share options

Ordinary shares of 5p each
31 May
31 May 
2016
2017 

1,406,409 
225,000 
180,248 
20,000 
- -

2,406,409
330,566
286,071
40,000

The  Directors’  interests  with  respect  to  options  to  acquire  ordinary  shares  are  detailed  in  the  Report  of  the  Directors  on 
Remuneration.

Interests in contracts

No Director was materially interested in any contract during the year.

Financial instruments

The Group’s operations expose it to a variety of financial risks including the effects of changes in interest rates on debt, foreign 
currency exchange rates, credit risk and liquidity risk.

The Group’s principal financial instruments comprise cash and bank deposits, bank loans and overdrafts and obligations under 
finance leases together with trade receivables and trade payables that arise directly from its operations. The Group has not entered 
into  derivative  transactions.  Information  about  the  use  of  financial  instruments  by  the  Group  and  the  Group’s  financial  risk 
management objectives and policy disclosures is given in note 23 to the financial statements.

Customer credit exposure

The group may offer credit terms to its customers which allow payment of the debt after delivery of the goods or services.  The 
group is at risk to the extent that a customer may be unable to pay the debt on the specified due date.  This risk is mitigated by 
the strong on-going customer relationships.  

Research and development

During the year £625,000 (2016: £713,000) of development costs (per note 13) were capitalised as intangible assets. This was 
predominately at Metalcraft in relation to new customer’s MRI designs and waste storage equipment and Maloney relating to the 
nuclear life extension development. 

Disabled persons

The Group gives full and fair consideration to applications for employment from disabled persons, where they have the necessary 
abilities  and  skills  for  that  position,  and  wherever  possible  will  retrain  employees  who  become  disabled,  so  that  they  can 
continue their employment in another position. The Group engages, promotes, and trains staff on the basis of their capabilities, 
qualifications and experience, without discrimination, giving all employees an equal opportunity to progress.

Directors’ indemnities

The  Company  has  taken  out  directors’  and  officers’  liability  insurance  for  the  benefit  of  its  Directors  during  the  year  which 
remains in force at the date of this report.

Employee involvement

It is the policy of the Group to communicate with employees by employee representation on works and staff committees and by 
briefing meetings conducted by senior management. Career development is encouraged through suitable training.

10

   
 
 
 
Report of the Directors (Continued)

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities for the financial statements  

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic Report and the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance 
with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors have 
to prepare the Parent and Group financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) 
as adopted by the European Union. Under company law, the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they 
are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs and the profit or loss of the Group and Parent company for 
that period. 

In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• 
•  make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
• 

state whether applicable IFRSs have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial 
statements;

•  prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company and Group 

will continue in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company’s 
and Group’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and Group 
and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for 
safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other 
irregularities. The Directors confirm that:

• 

• 

so far as each of the Directors is aware there is no relevant audit information of which the Company’s and Group’s auditor is 
unaware; and
the Directors have taken all steps that they ought to have taken as directors to make themselves aware of any relevant audit 
information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information.

The  Directors  are  responsible  for  the  maintenance  and  integrity  of  the  corporate  and  financial  information  included  on  the 
Company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may 
differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Auditor

Grant Thornton UK LLP (“Grant Thornton”) are willing to continue in office in accordance with section 489 of the Companies 
Act 2006, and a resolution to reappoint them will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting.

The report of the Directors was approved by the Board on 26 September 2017 and signed on its behalf by:

S M King
Director

11

Corporate Governance

The Group is committed to high standards of corporate governance and the Board is accountable to the Company’s shareholders 
for good corporate governance. Although the Group is not required to comply with the UK Corporate Governance Code and 
does not voluntarily apply the Corporate Governance Code, this statement describes how the principles of corporate governance 
are applied to the Group.

Directors 

The Board of Avingtrans plc for the majority of the period comprised two Executive Directors and three Non-Executive Directors, 
after J J Hamer left the Board 8 November 2016. During the year the Board was chaired by R S McDowell and assisted by the 
Senior  Independent  Non-executive  Director  G  K Thornton  (J  J  Hamer  until  8  November  2016),  who  together  have  primary 
responsibility for running the Board. On 30 August 2017 E Lloyd-Baker joined the Board as a Non-Executive Director, he will 
serve on the Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees.

The Chief Executive, S McQuillan, had executive responsibilities for the operations, results and strategic development of the 
Group  during  the  year.  S  M  King  is  Chief  Financial  Officer  and  Company  Secretary.  The  Board  structure  ensures  that  no 
individual or group dominates the decision making process. 

The Non-executive Directors are considered to be independent of management and from any business relationship which could 
materially interfere with their independent judgement. The Senior Independent Non-executive Director is G K Thornton (J J 
Hamer until 8 November 2016) and is available to shareholders if they have concerns.

The Board meets regularly with no less than ten such meetings held in each calendar year. There is a formal schedule of matters 
specifically reserved to the Board for its decision to enable it to take overall control of the Group’s affairs. All Directors have 
access to the services of the Company Secretary and may take independent professional advice at the Group’s expense in the 
furtherance of their duties. Management has an obligation to provide the Board with appropriate and timely information to enable 
it to discharge its duties. The Chairman ensures that all Directors are properly briefed on issues arising at Board meetings.

The  Nominations  Committee  is  responsible  for  monitoring  and  reviewing  the  membership  and  composition  of  the  Board, 
including  the  decision  to  recommend  the  appointment  or  re-appointment  of  a  Director. The  Board  and  Committee  regularly 
review the composition of the Board to identify areas where additional experience is required to balance the Board.  

The Company’s Articles of Association ensure Directors retire at the third Annual General Meeting after the Annual General 
Meeting at which they were elected and may, if eligible, offer themselves for re-election.

R S McDowell chairs the Nominations Committee, with L J Thomas chairing the Audit Committee and G K Thornton chairing 
the Remuneration Committee. The Non-executive Directors and the Chairman are members of all the above committees.

Directors’ remuneration

The responsibilities of the Remuneration Committee, are set out in the Report of the Directors on Remuneration on pages 14 to 15.

Relations with shareholders

The Board attaches a high level of importance to maintaining good relationships with shareholders, whether they are institutions 
or private investors.

The Board encourages all Directors to attend shareholder meetings and institutional presentations, where they are available for 
questions from shareholders. This enables the Board to develop an understanding of the views of shareholders.

The Board regards the Annual General Meeting as an opportunity to communicate directly with private investors and actively 
encourages participative dialogue.

The Company counts all proxy votes and except where a poll is called, it indicates the level of proxies lodged on each resolution 
and the balance for and against the resolution, after it has been dealt with on a show of hands.

A  separate  resolution  on  each  substantially  separate  issue  is  proposed  at  the Annual  General  Meeting. The  Chairman  of  the 
Board and each of the Chairmen of the Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees are available to answer questions at 
the Annual General Meeting. All Directors are expected to attend the Annual General Meeting.

In  2009  the  Company  amended  its Articles  to  include  electronic  communication  with  its  members.  The Annual  Report  and 
Financial Statements and Interim Report are automatically uploaded to www.avingtrans.plc.uk. All members are given the option 
to receive a paper copy or an email copy of the Annual Report.  Notice of the Annual General Meeting is sent to shareholders at 
least 20 days before the meeting.

12

Corporate Governance (Continued)

Accountability and Audit 

The respective responsibilities of Directors and the Auditor are set out on pages 11 and 16. The Board has established an Audit 
Committee. The Audit Committee’s primary responsibilities include the monitoring of internal control, approving accounting 
policies, agreeing the treatment of major accounting issues, appointment and remuneration of the external auditor and reviewing 
the interim and annual financial statements before submission to the Board. It meets twice a year with the external auditor to 
review their findings. At these meetings the Non-executive Directors have the opportunity to discuss findings with the auditor in 
the absence of the Executive Directors.

To follow best practice and in accordance with Ethical Standard 1 issued by the Auditing Practices Board, the external auditor 
has held discussions with the audit committee on the subject of auditor independence and has confirmed their independence in 
writing.

Internal control

The Directors acknowledge that they are responsible for ensuring that the Group has in place a system of internal control which 
is both effective and appropriate to the nature and size of the business.

The  Board,  through  the  Audit  Committee,  has  reviewed  the  operation  and  effectiveness  of  the  system  of  internal  control 
throughout the accounting year and the period to the date of approval of the financial statements, although it should be understood 
that  such  systems  are  designed  to  provide  reasonable  but  not  absolute  assurance  against  material  misstatement  or  loss.  The 
Group’s system of control includes:

a comprehensive budgeting system with annual budgets approved by the Directors

• 
•  monthly monitoring of actual results against budget and regular review of variances
close involvement of Directors who approve all significant transactions
• 
•  financial and operating control procedures for all management of the Group
• 
•  bank facilities and other treasury functions are monitored and policy changes approved by the Board.

identification and appraisal by the Board of the major risks affecting the business and the financial controls

The Board has considered the need for an internal audit function and concluded that this would not be appropriate at present due 
to the size of the Group.

S M King
Company Secretary
26 September 2017

13

Report of the Directors on Remuneration

Composition

The  Remuneration  Committee  during  the  period  comprised  G  K  Thornton  (Chairman),  R  S  McDowell,  and  L  J  Thomas.  
J J Hamer served on the Committee until he retired from the Board (8 November 2016).

Principal function

The  remuneration  packages,  including  contract  periods  of  Executive  Directors  and  senior  management,  are  determined  by 
the Remuneration Committee. It ensures that the remuneration packages are appropriate for their responsibilities, taking into 
consideration the overall financial and business position of the Group. The remuneration of R S McDowell is determined by the 
Non-executive Directors.

Base salary and benefits

The Committee sets the salary of each Executive Director by reference to the responsibility of the position held, performance of 
the individual and external market data. Salaries are reviewed annually.

Annual performance related bonus

The Company operates a bonus scheme for its Directors which enables it to attract and retain high calibre senior management 
personnel who make a major contribution to the financial performance of the Group. Bonuses paid under the scheme are accrued 
under the annual bonus plan approved by the Remuneration Committee. The plan is based on various financial metrics around 
cash and financial performance.

Share options

The  Committee  is  responsible  for  approving  grants  of  share  options  to  the  Executive  Directors.  Options  may  be  exercised 
between three and ten years from the date the option is granted but only if certain performance criteria are satisfied, as set out 
on page 15.

Pensions

The  Company  is  responsible  for  the  contributions  to  the  defined  contribution  schemes  selected  by  the  Executive  Directors. 
Details of contributions provided in the year are set out in note 7 to the financial statements.

Service agreements

R S McDowell, S McQuillan and S M King have service contracts which are terminable on 12 months’ notice by either party. 
The Committee consider that these contracts are in line with the market. 

Non-executive Directors

Non-executive Directors’ remuneration is reviewed by all members of the Board other than the Non-executive Director under 
review and takes the form solely of fees. G Thornton and L Thomas have a letter of appointment terminable on three months’ 
notice by either party.

Compensation for loss of office

There are no predetermined special provisions for Executive or Non-executive Directors with regard to compensation in the 
event of loss of office. The Remuneration Committee considers the circumstances of individual cases of early termination and 
determines compensation payments accordingly with the aim not to reward poor performance.

Directors’ emoluments

Details of the remuneration of all Directors are set out in note 7 to the financial statements.

14

 
Report of the Directors on Remuneration (Continued)

Share options

Details of the share options of all Directors are as follows:

Executive: 
S McQuillan 

S M King 

Date of  At 31 May 
2016 

grant 

18/12/2012 
22/11/2013 
10/12/2014 
21/12/2016 

175,000 
95,000 
100,000 
- 

Granted 

- 
- 
- 
450,000 

  Weighted
average
exercise
price
£

Exercised 

  At 31 May 
2017 

175,000 
- 
- 
- 

- 
95,000 
100,000 
450,000 

370,000 

450,000 

175,000 

645,000 

25/9/2010 
18/12/2012 
22/11/2013 
10/12/2014 
21/12/2016 

40,000 
125,000 
84,000 
75,000 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
330,000 

267 
125,000 
- 
- 
- 

39,733 
- 
84,000 
75,000 
330,000 

324,000 

330,000 

125,267 

528,733 

0.960
1.760
1.110
1.930

1.778

0.395
0.960
1.760
1.110
1.930

1.671

The share options are exercisable between three and ten years from the date of grant if the growth in adjusted basic earnings per 
share of Avingtrans plc during the three years between grant date and vesting date is at least equal to the increase in the Retail 
Price Index during the same period.

G K Thornton
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
26 September 2017

15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
             
              
               
             
          
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
            
               
            
         
 
 
              
              
              
              
             
Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Avingtrans plc

We have audited the group financial statements of Avingtrans plc for the year ended 31 May 2017 which comprise the principal 
accounting policies, the consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated 
statement  of  changes  in  equity,  the  company  statement  of  changes  in  equity,  the  consolidated  and  company  balance  sheet, 
the consolidated statement of cash flows, the company statement of cash flows and the related notes.  The financial reporting 
framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) 
as adopted by the European Union and as regards the parent company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the 
provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 
2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to 
state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume 
responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or 
for the opinions we have formed.

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors

As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ responsibilities set out on page 11, the Directors are responsible for the 
preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and 
express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK 
and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s (APB’s) Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements

A  description  of  the  scope  of  an  audit  of  financial  statements  is  provided  on  the  Financial  Reporting  Council’s  website  at  
www.frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate

Opinion on financial statements

In our opinion:

•  give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs as at 31 May 2017 and of the Group’s 

• 
• 

profit for the year then ended; 
the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union;
the Parent Company financial statements have been properly planned in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European 
Union and as applied in accordance with the provision of the Companies Act 2006; and

•  have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion the group financial statements:

• 

• 

the information given in the Strategic Report and Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial statements 
are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the Strategic Report and Directors’ Report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in 
our opinion:

• 

adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been 
received from branches not visited by us; or
the Parent Company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
• 
• 
certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

David White
Senior Statutory Auditor
for and on behalf of Grant Thornton UK LLP 
Statutory Auditor, Chartered Accountants 
Birmingham
26 September 2017

16

Principal Accounting Policies

Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 
as adopted by the European Union and those parts of the Companies Act 2006 that are relevant to companies which apply IFRS. 
The Company has elected to prepare its Parent Company financial statements in accordance with IFRS also, these are presented 
alongside the Group Disclosures throughout the accounts. 

The consolidated financial statements are presented in sterling and all values are rounded the nearest thousand (£’000) except 
where otherwise indicated.

The following Standards and Interpretations, which are relevant to the Group but have not been applied during the year, were in 
issue but not yet effective:

Framework  Pronouncement

IFRS 9

IFRS 14

IFRS 15

IFRS 16

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

Effective date 

EU

Financial Instruments

Not yet EU-adopted

Regulatory Deferral Accounts

Not yet EU-adopted

Revenue from Contracts with Customers Not yet EU-adopted

Leases

Amendments to IAS 12

Recognition of deferred tax assets for 
unrealised losses

Amendments to IAS 7

Disclosure initiative

Annual Improvements 
2014-2016

Re IFRS 12 disclosure of interest in  
other entities

Not yet EU-adopted

Not yet EU-adopted

Not yet EU-adopted

Not yet EU-adopted

IFRS

Amendments to IFRS 11

Accounting for Acquisitions of  
Interests in Joint Operations

Financial periods commencing  
on/after 1 January 2016

IFRS

IFRS

Annual Improvements 
2012-2014

Amendments to IAS 16 
and IAS 41

IFRS

Amendments to IAS 27

Bearer Plants

Financial periods commencing  
on/after 1 January 2016

Financial periods commencing  
on/after 1 January 2016

Equity method in Separate Financial 
Statements

Financial periods commencing  
on/after 1 January 2016

IFRS

IFRS

Amendments to IFRS 10, 
IFRS 12, and IAS 28

Investment Entities: Applying the  
Consolidation Exception

Financial periods commencing  
on/after 1 January 2016

Disclosure Initiative: 
Amendments to IAS 1

Presentation of Financial Statements

Financial periods commencing  
on/after 1 January 2016

Impact of IFRS15/16

There are other standards in issue which are not considered applicable and are not expected to have an impact on the Company 
and  have  therefore  not  been  included  in  the  list  above.  Both  IFRS  15  and  IFRS  16  are  expected  to  require  amendments  for 
operating revenue and operating leases however management are undertaking an exercise to determine the impact on results and 
have not yet quantified this.

The directors  have not yet calculated the impact that the adoption of  the other Standards and Interpretations noted in future 
periods will have.

17

Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)

Basis of consolidation

The Group financial statements consolidate those of the Company and all of its subsidiary undertakings drawn up to 31 May 
2017. Subsidiaries are entities over which the Group has the rights to variable returns from its involvement with the investee 
and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee. The Group obtains and exercises control of its 
subsidiaries through voting rights. Employee Benefit Trusts (“EBT”) are consolidated on the basis that the parent has control as 
it bears the risks and rewards of having established the trust, thus the assets and liabilities of the EBT are included on the Group 
balance sheet and shares held by the EBT in the Company are presented as a deduction from equity.  

All intra-group transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised gains on transactions between the Group and its 
subsidiaries are eliminated. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of 
the asset transferred. 

Profit or loss from discontinued operations

A discontinued operation is a component of the Group that either has been disposed of, or is classified as held for sale, and:

• 
• 
• 

represents a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations
is part of a single co-ordinated plan to dispose of a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations or
is a subsidiary acquired exclusively with a view to resale.

Profit or loss from discontinued operations, including prior year components of profit or loss, is presented in a single amount 
in the income statement. This amount, which comprises the post-tax profit or loss of discontinued operations and the post-tax 
gain or loss resulting from the measurement and disposal of assets classified as held for sale, is further analysed in note 32. The 
disclosures for discontinued operations in the prior year relate to all operations that have been discontinued by the reporting date 
of the latest period presented.

Business combinations 

Business combinations are accounted for by using the acquisition method. The acquisition method involves the recognition at 
fair value of all identifiable assets and liabilities, including contingent liabilities of the acquired business, at the acquisition date, 
regardless of whether or not they were recorded in the financial statements prior to acquisition. On initial recognition, the assets 
and liabilities are included in the consolidated balance sheet at their fair values, which are also used as the basis for subsequent 
measurement in accordance with the Group accounting policies.  

Goodwill recognised on business combinations is stated after separate recognition of identifiable intangible assets. It is calculated 
as the excess of the sum of a) fair value of consideration transferred, b) the recognised amount of any non-controlling interest in 
the acquiree and c) acquisition-date fair value of any existing equity interest in the acquiree, over the acquisition-date fair values 
of identifiable net assets. If the fair values of identifiable net assets exceed the sum calculated above, the excess amount (ie gain 
on a bargain purchase) is recognised in profit or loss immediately.

Acquisition costs are expensed through the income statement as incurred.

An  intangible  asset  acquired  in  a  business  combination  is  deemed  to  have  a  cost  to  the  Group  equal  to  its  fair  value  at  the 
acquisition date. The fair value of the intangible asset reflects market expectations about the probability that the future economic 
benefits embodied in the asset will flow to the Group.  

Where an intangible asset might be separable, but only together with a related tangible or intangible asset, the group of assets is 
recognised as a single asset separately from goodwill where the individual fair values of the assets in the group are not reliably 
measurable. Where the individual fair value of the complementary assets are reliably measurable, the Group recognises them as 
single assets provided the individual assets have similar useful lives.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the future economic benefits arising from business combinations that are not individually identified and 
separately recognised. Goodwill is capitalised and reviewed annually for impairment. Goodwill is carried at cost less accumulated 
impairment losses.

There is no re instatement of goodwill that was amortised prior to transition to IFRS. Goodwill previously written off to reserves 
is not written back to the income statement on subsequent disposal.

18

 
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)

Revenue 

Revenue is measured by reference to the fair value of consideration received or receivable by the Group for goods supplied and 
services provided, excluding VAT and trade discounts. Revenue is recognised upon the performance of services or transfer of 
risk to the customer.

Sale of goods

Each of the Group’s trading subsidiaries is involved in the supply of goods and follows a consistent accounting policy. This 
policy  is  reviewed  regularly  by  the  directors  to  accommodate  changes  in  circumstances.  Revenue  from  the  sale  of  goods  is 
recognised when all the following conditions have been satisfied: 

• 

• 

• 
• 
• 

the Group has transferred to the buyer the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods which is generally when 
goods are despatched, or the product is complete and is ready for delivery, based on specific contract terms
the Group retains neither continuing managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with ownership nor effective 
control  over  the  goods  sold  which  is  generally  when  goods  are  despatched,  or  the  product  is  complete  and  is  ready  for 
delivery, based on specific contract terms
the amount of revenue can be measured reliably
it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the Group, and
the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.

Long term contracts 

Long-term contracts are accounted for in accordance with IAS 11. Contract revenue reflects the contract activity during the year 
and is measured at the fair value of consideration received or receivable. When the outcome can be assessed reliably, contract 
revenue and associated costs are recognised as revenue and expenses respectively by reference to the stage of completion of 
the contract activity at the balance sheet date. The stage of completion of the contract at the balance sheet date is assessed by 
reference to the value of work done to the balance sheet date as a proportion of the total value of the contract.

Where the outcome of a long-term contract cannot be estimated reliably, revenue is recognised only to the extent of contract costs 
incurred where it is probable that they will be recoverable. Contract costs are recognised as an expense in the period in which 
they are incurred.

In the case of a fixed price contract, the outcome of a construction contract is deemed to be estimated reliably when all the 
following conditions are satisfied:

total contract revenue can be measured reliably
it is probable that economic benefits associated with the contract will flow to the Group

• 
• 
•  both  the  contract  costs  to  complete  the  contract  and  the  stage  of  completion  at  the  balance  sheet  date  can  be  measured 

• 

reliably, and
the contract costs attributable to the contract can be clearly identified and measured reliably so that actual contract costs 
incurred can be compared with prior estimates.

The gross amount due from customers for contract work is presented as an asset for all contracts in progress for which costs 
incurred  plus  recognised  profits  (less  recognised  losses)  exceeds  progress  billings.  The  gross  amount  due  to  customers  for 
contract  work  is  presented  as  a  payments  on  account  for  all  contracts  in  progress  for  which  progress  billings  exceed  costs 
incurred plus recognised profits (less losses).  

Recognition of losses on all contracts as a result of delays and liquidated damages is made in the year in which the loss is first 
foreseen and is recognised as a deduction from amounts recoverable from the customer or added to payments on account. This 
includes recognition of liquidated damages to the extent they expect to be paid in respect of any anticipated delays to the delivery 
of projects.

Dilapidations

When  there  is  reasonable  certainty  of  the  cash  outflow  in  respect  of  dilapidations  this  is  provided  for  within  accruals  in  the 
financial statements. Where there is significant uncertainty in respect of the amount or timing of the payment of dilapidations, 
this is included within provisions.

Dividends

Dividends are recognised when the shareholders right to receive payment is established. Dividend distributions payable to equity 
shareholders are included in “other short term financial liabilities” when the dividends are approved in general meeting prior to 
the balance sheet date. Interim dividends are recognised when paid.

19

Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)

Property, plant and equipment 

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost, net of depreciation and any provision for impairment. Assets held under finance 
leases are depreciated over their expected useful lives on the same basis as owned assets or, where shorter, over the term of the 
relevant lease.

Disposal of assets

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the disposal proceeds and the carrying 
amount of the asset and is recognised in the income statement. The gain or loss arising from the sale is included in administrative 
expenses in the income statement. 

Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated to write down the cost less estimated residual value of all property, plant and equipment other than 
freehold land by equal annual instalments over their estimated useful economic lives. The rates/periods generally applicable are:

Freehold buildings 
Leasehold improvements 
Plant and machinery 
Equipment and motor vehicles 

2%
Period of lease
6.7 - 20%
12.5% - 33%

Material residual value estimates are updated as required, but at least annually.

Impairment testing of goodwill, other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment

For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash 
flows (cash-generating units). As a result, some assets are tested individually for impairment and some are tested at cash-generating 
unit level. Goodwill is allocated to those cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from synergies of the related business 
combination and represent the lowest level within the Group at which management monitors the related cash flows.

Goodwill, other individual assets or cash-generating units that include goodwill and those intangible assets not yet available for use 
are tested for impairment at least annually. All other individual assets or cash-generating units are tested for impairment whenever 
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

An  impairment  loss  is  recognised  for  the  amount  by  which  the  asset’s  or  cash-generating  unit’s  carrying  amount  exceeds  its 
recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value, reflecting market conditions less costs to sell, and value in 
use based on an internal discounted cash flow evaluation. Impairment losses recognised for cash-generating units, to which goodwill 
has been allocated, are credited initially to the carrying amount of goodwill. Any remaining impairment loss is charged pro rata to 
the other assets in the cash generating unit. With the exception of goodwill, all assets are subsequently reassessed for indications 
that an impairment loss previously recognised may no longer exist. Discount factors are determined individually for each cash 
generating unit and reflect current market assessments at the time value of money and asset-specific risk factors.  

If the impairment is subsequently reversed, the carrying amount, except for goodwill, is increased to the revised estimate of its 
recoverable amount, but limited to the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment been recognised.  
Impairment losses in respect of goodwill are not reversed.

Leased assets

The economic ownership of a leased asset is transferred to the lessee if the lessee bears substantially all the risks and rewards 
related to the ownership of the leased asset. The related asset is recognised at the time of inception of the lease at the fair value 
of the leased asset or, if lower, the present value of the minimum lease payments plus incidental payments, if any, to be borne by 
the lessee. A corresponding amount is recognised as a finance leasing liability. 

The interest element of leasing payments represents a constant proportion of the capital balance outstanding and is charged to the 
income statement as a finance cost over the period of the lease.  

All other leases are regarded as operating leases and the payments made under them are charged to the income statement on a 
straight-line basis over the lease term. Lease incentives are spread over the term of the lease.

20

Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)

Investments

Investments in subsidiary undertakings and participating interests are stated at cost less provision for impairment where necessary to 
reduce book value to recoverable amount. Publicly traded investments are stated at cost less any provision to arrive at market value. 
Cost is purchase price including acquisition expenses, but excluding any payment for accrued interest or fixed dividend entitlement.  

Investment income is recognised on a received basis.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Costs of ordinarily interchangeable items are assigned using 
the first in, first out cost formula. Cost includes materials, direct labour and an attributable proportion of manufacturing overheads 
based on normal levels of activity. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less any 
applicable selling expenses.

Interest income

Interest is recognised using the effective interest method, which calculates the amortised cost of a financial asset and allocates the 
interest income over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts 
through the expected life of the financial asset to the net carrying amount of the financial asset.

Taxation

Current tax is the tax currently payable based on taxable profit for the year.

Tax expense recognised in profit or loss comprises the sum of deferred tax and current tax not recognised in other comprehensive 
income or directly in equity.

Calculation  of  current  tax  is  based  on  tax  rates  and  laws  that  have  been  enacted  or  substantially  enacted  by  the  end  of  the 
reporting period.

Deferred income taxes are calculated using the liability method on temporary differences. Deferred tax is generally provided on 
the difference between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. However, deferred tax is not provided on 
the initial recognition of goodwill, nor on the initial recognition of an asset or liability unless the related transaction is a business 
combination or affects tax or accounting profit. Deferred tax on temporary differences associated with shares in subsidiaries is 
not provided if the reversal of these temporary differences can be controlled by the Group and it is probable that reversal will not 
occur in the foreseeable future. In addition, tax losses available to be carried forward as well as other income tax credits to the 
Group are assessed for recognition as deferred tax assets.

Deferred tax liabilities are provided in full, with no discounting. Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable 
that the underlying deductible temporary differences will be able to be offset against future taxable income.  Current and deferred 
tax assets and liabilities are calculated at tax rates and laws that are expected to apply to their respective period of realisation, 
provided they are enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

Changes in deferred tax assets or liabilities are recognised as a component of tax expense in the consolidated income statement, 
except where they relate to items that are charged or credited to other comprehensive income or directly to equity in which case 
the related deferred tax is also charged or credited directly to other comprehensive income or equity.
The group has accounted for research and development expenditure tax credit above operating profit.

Intangible assets

i)  Order Book and Customer Relationships
  Customer lists acquired in a business combination that qualify for separate recognition are recognised as intangible assets at 

their fair values.

The useful lives for these intangible assets are finite.

These intangible assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over the following periods:

•  Order book 
•  Customer relationships 

Period of order cover

- 
-  Up to 10 years

The amortisation charge is shown within amortisation of intangibles in the income statement.

21

 
 
 
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)

Intangible assets (continued)

ii)  Software
  Acquired computer software licences are capitalised on the basis of the costs incurred to acquire and install the specific software.

The useful lives for these intangible assets are finite.

Software is amortised over three years and the amortisation charge is shown within administrative expenses in the income 
statement.

iii)  Intellectual property

Intellectual  property  is  amortised  over  a  period  of  20  years  and  the  amortisation  charge  is  shown  within  administrative 
expenses in the income statement. The useful lives for these intangible assets are finite.

iv)  Internally generated development costs

Expenditure on research (or the research phase of an internal project) is recognised as an expense in the period in which it is 
incurred. Development costs incurred on specific projects are capitalised when all the following conditions are satisfied:

• 
• 
• 
• 

• 

• 

completion of the intangible asset is technically feasible so that it will be available for use or sale
the Group intends to complete the intangible asset and use or sell it
the Group has the ability to use or sell the intangible asset
the intangible asset will generate probable future economic benefits. Among other things, this requires that there is a 
market for the output from the intangible asset or for the intangible asset itself, or, if it is to be used internally, the asset 
will be used in generating such benefits
there are adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development and to use or sell the intangible 
asset, and
the expenditure attributable to the intangible asset during its development can be measured reliably.

For a project meeting these criteria, subsequent costs incurred will be capitalised until the product or process is available for use, 
at which point amortisation commences on a straight line basis over the product’s estimated useful life, generally 3 – 8 years. 
The useful lives for these intangible assets are finite. Where businesses are in start up or have a specific contract covering the 
amortisation then a period longer than 8 years could be used. Amortisation costs are shown within administrative expenses.

Development costs not meeting the criteria for capitalisation are expensed as incurred.

The cost of an internally generated development costs comprises all directly attributable costs necessary to create, produce, and 
prepare the asset to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. Directly attributable costs include employee 
costs incurred on project development along with an appropriate portion of relevant overheads.   

Equity

Share capital represents the nominal value of shares that have been issued.

When the Company purchases its own shares, the consideration is deducted from equity (attributable to the Company’s equity 
holders until the shares are either cancelled or issued) as an investment in own shares reserve. Such shares are held at cost. 

Share premium includes any premiums received on issue of share capital. Any transaction costs associated with the issuing of 
shares are deducted from share premium, net of any related income tax benefits.

Capital redemption reserve represents the nominal value of shares cancelled.

Merger reserve was created on the acquisition of Sigma UK Limited.

Other reserves were created on redemption of preference shares.

Foreign currency translation differences arising on the translation of the Group’s foreign entities are included in the translation 
reserve.

Retained earnings include all current and prior period retained profits. It also includes charges related to share-based employee 
remuneration.

All transactions with owners of the parent are recorded separately within equity.

22

 
 
 
 
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)

Financial assets

The Group’s financial assets include:

i) 
trade and other receivables that are classified as loans and receivables
ii)  cash and cash equivalents that are classified as loans and receivables
iii)  unlisted investments classified as available for sale.

All financial assets are recognised when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.  Financial 
assets are initially recognised at fair value. 

Loans and receivables are measured subsequent to initial recognition at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less 
provision for any impairment. Any change to their value through impairment or reversal of impairment is recognised in profit 
or loss.

Provision against trade receivables is made when there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts 
due to it in accordance with the original terms of those receivables. The amount of the write-down is determined as the difference 
between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated discounted future cash flows.

Available for sale financial assets include non-derivative financial assets that are either designated as such or do not qualify for 
inclusion in any of the other categories of financial assets. All financial assets within this category are measured at fair value (with 
movements in fair value recognised through income statement or other comprehensive income as required), unless the fair value 
cannot be measured reliably and in this case these assets are valued at cost. Gains and losses arising from investments classified 
as available for sale are recognised in the income statement when they are sold or when the investment is impaired.

In the case of impairment of available for sale assets, any loss previously recognised in other comprehensive income is reclassified 
from equity to profit or loss. Impairment losses recognised in profit or loss on equity instruments are not reversed through profit 
or loss.  

A financial asset is derecognised only where the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or the financial asset 
is transferred and that transfer qualifies for derecognition. A financial asset is transferred if the contractual rights to receive the 
cash flows of the asset have been transferred or the Group retains the contractual rights to receive the cash flows of the asset but 
assumes a contractual obligation to pay the cash flows to one or more recipients. A financial asset that is transferred qualifies 
for derecognition if the Group transfers substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the asset, or if the Group neither 
retains nor transfers substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership but does transfer control of that asset. 

Financial liabilities

The Group’s financial liabilities include:

trade and other payables that are classified as other financial liabilities

i) 
ii)  borrowings that are classified as other financial liabilities
iii)  deferred consideration that is classified as other financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are obligations to pay cash or other financial assets and are recognised when the Group becomes a party to the 
contractual provisions of the instrument. All other financial liabilities are recorded initially at fair value, net of direct issue costs. 
Financial liabilities are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

A  financial  liability  is  derecognised  only  when  the  obligation  is  extinguished,  that  is,  when  the  obligation  is  discharged  or 
cancelled or expires.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash  and  cash  equivalents  comprise  cash  in  hand,  deposits  held  on  call  with  banks  and  bank  overdrafts,  and  ring  fenced 
cash obtained from EU grants. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities on the balance sheet. Cash 
equivalents are short term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject 
to an insignificant risk of changes in value.  

Non-current assets and liabilities classified as held for sale

Non-current  assets  classified  as  held  for  sale  are  presented  separately  and  measured  at  the  lower  of  their  carrying  amounts 
immediately prior to their classification as held for sale and their fair value less costs to sell. Once classified as held for sale, the 
assets are not subject to depreciation or amortisation.

23

Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)

Defined contribution pension scheme

The pension costs charged against profits are the contributions payable to the scheme in respect of the accounting period.

Equity settled share-based payments

Where employees are rewarded using share-based payments, the fair values of employees’ services are determined indirectly by 
reference to the fair value of the instrument granted to the employee. This fair value is appraised at the grant date and excludes 
the impact of non-market vesting conditions (for example, profitability and sales growth targets).

All equity-settled share-based payments are ultimately recognised as an expense in the profit or loss with a corresponding credit 
to “retained earnings”.  

If vesting periods or other non-market vesting conditions apply, the expense is allocated over the vesting period, based on the best 
available estimate of the number of share options expected to vest. Estimates are subsequently revised if there is any indication 
that the number of share options expected to vest differs from previous estimates. Any cumulative adjustment prior to vesting is 
recognised in the current period. No adjustment is made to any expense recognised in prior periods if share options ultimately 
exercised are different to that estimated on vesting.

Upon exercise of share options the proceeds received net of attributable transaction costs are credited to share capital, and where 
appropriate share premium.

Foreign currencies

The individual Financial Statements of each Group entity are presented in the currency in the primary economic environment 
of which the entity operates (its functional currency). For the purposes of the consolidated financial statements, the results and 
financial position are presented in sterling (£) Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate ruling at 
the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated at the rates of exchange ruling at 
the balance sheet date. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the remeasurement of monetary items denominated in 
foreign currency at year-end exchange rates are recognised in profit or loss. Non-monetary items that are measured at historical 
cost in a foreign currency are translated at the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. 

Any exchange differences arising on the settlement of monetary items or on translating monetary items at rates different from 
those at which they were initially recorded are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they arise.  Exchange differences 
on non-monetary items are recognised in other comprehensive income to the extent that they relate to a gain or loss on that 
non-monetary item recognised in other comprehensive income, otherwise such gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss.

The  assets  and  liabilities  in  the  financial  statements  of  foreign  subsidiaries  and  related  goodwill  are  translated  at  the  rate  of 
exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Income and expenses are translated at a rate which is considered to be approximate 
to the rate prevailing at the date of the transaction. The exchange differences arising from the retranslation of the opening net 
investment in subsidiaries are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in the “translation reserve” in equity. 
On disposal of a foreign operation the cumulative translation differences are reclassified from equity to profit or loss when the 
gain or loss is recognised.

Segmental reporting

A segment is a distinguishable component of the Group that is engaged in business activities from which it may earn revenues 
and incur expenses whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the Chief Executive, who is considered to be the chief 
operating  decision  maker.  The  Chief  Executive  focuses  on  information  by  operating  division  and  the  Group  has  therefore 
identified reportable operating segments currently are Energy and Medical.

The Chief Executive also reviews information by geographical area and whilst this is considered supplementary to the operating 
information, it is disclosed in the financial statements to provide additional information. Those areas are:

a)  United Kingdom
b)  Europe
c)  North America
d)  Rest of World

24

Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)

Government grants

Government grants in respect of capital expenditure are credited to a deferred income account and are released to the income 
statement by equal annual instalments over the expected useful lives of the relevant assets.

Government grants in respect of assistance of a revenue nature are credited to the income statement in the same period as the 
related expenditure.

Provisions and contingent liabilities 

Provisions are recognised when present obligations as a result of a past event will probably lead to an outflow of economic 
resources from the Group and amounts can be estimated reliably. A present obligation arises from the presence of a legal or 
constructive commitment that has resulted from past events. Restructuring provisions are recognised only if a detailed formal 
plan for the restructuring has been developed and implemented, or management has announced the plan’s main features to those 
affected by it. 

Provisions are measured at the estimated expenditure required to settle the present obligation, based on the most reliable evidence 
available at the reporting date, including the risks and uncertainties associated with the present obligation. Where there are a 
number of similar obligations, the likelihood that an outflow will be required in settlement is determined by considering the class 
of obligations as a whole. 

In those cases where the possible outflow of economic resources as a result of present obligations is considered improbable or 
remote, no liability is recognised, unless it was assumed in the course of a business combination.

Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

Certain estimates and judgements need to be made by the directors of the Group which affect the results and position of the 
Group as reported in the financial statements. Estimates and judgements are required, for example, as at the reporting date not all 
assets/liabilities have been settled. There are inherent areas of judgement and estimation due to the high-technology development 
work carried out by the Group in all of its operational sectors. There are also areas of judgement within the longer term Energy 
and Medical contracts that the Group enters into which require a view regarding their ultimate outcome and the recoverability 
of assets.  

The major areas of estimation within the financial statements are as follows:

Revenue and margin recognition long-term contracts and related provisions

The Group recognises revenue and gross margin on long-term contracts using the percentage of completion method based on 
milestones; in addition, when a project review indicates a negative gross margin, the estimated loss at completion is immediately 
recognised.

Recognised revenue and margin are based on estimates of total expected contract revenue and cost, which are subject to revisions 
as  the  contract  progresses.  Total  expected  revenue  and  cost  on  a  contract  reflect  management’s  current  best  estimate  of  the 
probable future benefits and obligations associated with the contract. Assumptions to calculate present and future obligations take 
into account current technology as well as the commercial and contractual positions, assessed on a contract-by-contract basis. 
The introduction of technologically-advanced products exposes the Group to risks of product failure significantly beyond the 
terms of standard contractual warranties applicable to suppliers of equipment only.

Obligations on contracts may result in penalties due to late completion of contractual milestones, or unanticipated costs due to 
project modifications or delays caused by unexpected conditions or events.

Loss making contracts

From time to time the group enters into contracts which ultimately do not generate the anticipated profits at the time of execution. 
Where contracts are expected to make losses management prepare their best estimate of the total losses expected on that contract 
and make a full provision in the period which the loss is first foreseen. When considering the profitability of contracts where 
management  anticipate  delays  in  the  delivery  of  projects,  they  take  into  consideration  any  expected  payments  in  respect  of 
contractual liquidated damages on late delivery. Estimates are used in assessing the total value of losses expected on contracts 
and amounts released thereafter as obligations passed. In respect of liquidated damages, where the conditions are met for payment 
management provide for these in full. 

25

 
 
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)

Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty (continued)

Exceptional items

Exceptional items are identified as such by virtue of their size, and nature of incidence. These items are disclosed on the face of 
the Income Statement to aid the understanding of the group’s performance. Transaction which may give rise to exceptional items 
are principally acquisition and restructuring costs.

Impairment of goodwill

Determining whether goodwill is impaired requires an estimation of the value in use of the cash-generating units to which the 
goodwill has been allocated. The value in use calculation requires the entity to estimate the future cash flows expected to arise 
from the cash-generating unit and to apply a suitable discount rate in order to calculate present value. The assumptions and 
sensitivities applied by management in determining whether there is any impairment of goodwill are set out in note 12. 

Recoverability of internally-generated intangible assets

During  the  year,  management  reconsidered  the  recoverability  of  its  internally-generated  intangible  assets  ensuring  that  the 
projects  continue  to  progress  in  a  satisfactory  manner,  and  that  customer  reaction  has  reconfirmed  management’s  previous 
estimates of anticipated revenue streams from the projects. Whether capitalised development costs are subsequently impaired 
requires an estimation of the future discounted cashflows of the associated product. Management have based their estimate of the 
future cashflows on current year orders extended over the life of the product. Further details are included in note 13.

Recoverability of WIP, trade receivables and accrued income

Management estimate the recoverable amount of balances relating to ongoing contracts that are incomplete at the date of approval 
of the financial statements. In particular in relation to claims the Directors prepare a best estimate of the amount expected to 
be recovered at the balance sheet date by reference to ongoing negotiations the customers. Management periodically revisit the 
claim and their assessment of the amount expected to be recovered. WIP, trade receivables and accrued income are detailed in 
note 17.

Warranties 

Warranty accruals are made for specific product issues based on an estimate on the likely cost arising. It has been deemed prudent 
to provide for an amount based on historical information. As at the year end, there are no significant warranties and the Directors’ 
are not aware of any significant exposure.

The major areas for judgements within the financial statements are as follows:

Recognition of intangible assets

During the year management have capitalised £625,000k of development costs associated with ongoing projects. As defined 
in the accounting policy, management carefully consider the conditions set out in assessing whether to capitalise certain costs. 
Assessing the future revenues and the availability of resources to complete the project involves significant judgement by the 
management team who are experienced in delivering these types of projects. 

Deferred tax asset

Judgement is applied in assessing whether a deferred tax asset is recognised on carried forward losses based on anticipated profit 
streams, as set out in note 24.

26

Consolidated Income Statement

For the year ended 31 May 2017

Revenue 

Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

Distribution costs 

Share based payment expense 
Acquisition costs 
Restructuring costs 
Tender share buyback costs 
Net proceeds from property disposal 
Other administrative expenses 

Total administrative expenses 

Operating loss  

Finance income 
Finance costs 

(Loss)/profit before taxation 
Taxation 

(Loss)/profit after taxation from continuing operations 

Note 

2017 
£’000 

2016
£’000

2 

22,714 

21,177

(18,659) 

(18,028)

4,055 

3,149

(713) 

(34) 
(101) –
(182) 
(226) –
– 
(3,265) 

(699)

(21)

(272)

446
(2,830)

(3,808) 

(2,677)

(466) 

219 
(38) 

(285) 
(11) 

(296) 

(227)

554
(82)

245
175

420

2 

5 
6 

9 

Profit after taxation from discontinued operations 

32 

– 

30,716

(Loss)/profit for the financial year attributable to equity shareholders 

(296) 

31,136

(Loss)/earnings per share: 
From continuing operations 
- Basic 
- Diluted 
From continuing and discontinued operations  
- Basic 
- Diluted 

11 
11 

10 
10 

(1.3)p 
(1.3)p 

(1.3)p 
(1.3)p 

1.5p
1.5p

112.3p
111.4p

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

(Loss)/profit for the year 
Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax: 
Items that may/will subsequently be reclassified to profit or loss  
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 
Merger reserve recycled on disposal of subsidiary undertakings 
Exchange differences recycled on disposal of subsidiary undertakings   

2017 
£’000 

2016
£’000

(296) 

31,136

10 
– 
– 

(283)
402
477

32 

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to equity shareholders 

(286) 

31,732

The principal accounting policies and notes on pages 17 to 56 form part of these financial statements.

27

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheet

For the year ended 31 May 2017 

Note 

Non current assets 
Goodwill 
Other intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Deferred tax 

Current assets 
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables : amounts falling due within one year 
Trade and other receivables : amounts falling due after one year 
Current tax asset 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Obligations under finance leases 
Borrowings 
Current tax liabilities 
Provisions 

Total current liabilities 

Non current liabilities 
Borrowings 
Obligations under finance leases 
Deferred tax 
Contingent consideration 

Total non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Equity 
Share capital 
Share premium account 
Capital redemption reserve 
Translation reserve 
Other reserves 
Investment in own shares 
Retained earnings 

Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent 

12 
13 
14 
24 

16 
17 
17 
9 

20 
22 
21 
9 
19 

21 
22 
24 
32 

25 

32 

2017  
£’000  

5,198 
1,442 
4,850 
– 

2016
£’000

4,550
930
4,668
6

11,490 

10,154

5,618 
9,038 
580 
52 
27,703 

42,991 
54,481 

(7,870) 
(142) 
(179) 
– 
– –

3,046
6,141
1,450
85
56,503

67,225
77,379

(6,908)
(295)
(3,911)
(129)

(8,191) 

(11,243)

(896) 
(37) 
(195) 
(256) –

(1,075)
(176)
(132)

(1,384) 

(9,575) 

(1,383)

(12,626)

44,906  

64,753

958 
12,771 
1,299 
2 
180 
(2,250) 
31,946 

44,906 

1,387
10,903
814
(8)
180
(1,000)
52,477

64,753

The principal accounting policies and notes on pages 17 to 56 form part of these financial statements. 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 26 September 2017 and signed on 
its behalf by:

S M King
Director 
Company number: 1968354 

28

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Balance Sheet 

For the year ended 31 May 2017 

Non current assets 
Investments 

Current assets 
Trade and other receivables: amounts falling due within one year 
Trade and other receivables: amounts falling due after one year 
Current tax asset 
Cash at bank and in hand 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Borrowings 

Total current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 
Borrowings 
Contingent consideration 

Total non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Capital and reserves 
Called up share capital 
Share premium account 
Capital redemption reserve 
Other reserves 
Profit and loss account 

Equity shareholders’ funds 

Note 

15 

17 
17 

20 
21 

21 
32 

 (

25 

2017  
£’000  

6,419 

6,419 

11,833 
– 
123 –
25,124 

37,080 

43,499 

(155) 
(179) 

(334) 

(896) 
(256) –

2016
£’000

5,816

5,816

3,598
1,450

55,498

60,546

66,362

(3,856)
(178)

(4,034)

(1,075)

1,152) 

(1,075)

(1,486) 

(5,109)

42,013 

61,253

958 
12,771 
1,299 
180 
26,805 

42,013 

1,387
10,903
814
180
47,969

61,253

The parent company has taken the exemption conferred by S.408 Companies Act 2006 not to publish the profit and loss account 
of the parent company with these consolidated accounts. The loss dealt with in the parent company’s financial statements was 
£929k loss (2016: profit of £32,077k).

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on and authorised for issue 26 September 2017 and signed on 
its behalf by:

S M King
Director 

The principal accounting policies and notes on pages 17 to 56 form part of these financial statements. 

29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

For the year ended 31 May 2017

  Capital
Share  redemp 

Share  premium 
capital   account  
£’000 
£’000 

-tion  Merger 
reserve 
£’000 

 reserve 
£’000 

 Investment

Trans 
-lation  Other 
 reserve  reserves 
£’000 

£’000 

in own  Retained
shares  earnings 
£’000 

£’000 

At 1 June 2015 
Ordinary shares issued 
Dividends paid 
Transfer on disposal 
Share-based payments 

1,385 
2 
– 
– 
– 

Transactions with owners 

Profit for the year 

Other comprehensive income 
Exchange gain 
Recycled on disposal of  
subsidiary undertakings 
Total comprehensive  
income for the year 
Balance at 31 May 
2016 

1,387 

2 

– 

– 

– 

– 

10,873 
30 
– 
– 
– 

30 

– 

– 

– 

– 

814 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

10,903 

814 

At 1 June 2016 
Ordinary shares issued 
Dividends paid 
Investment in own shares 
Tender share buyback 
Share-based payments 

1,387 
56 
– 
– 
(485) 
– 

10,903 
1,868 
– 
– 
– 
– 

Transactions with owners 

(429) 

1,868 

Loss for the year 

Other comprehensive income 
Exchange gain 
Total comprehensive  
income for the year 
Balance at 31 May  
2017 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

814 
– 
– 
– 
485 
– 

485 

– 

– 

– 

958 

12,771 

1,299 

402 
– 
– 
(402) 
– 

(402) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Total
£’000

34,185
32
(830)
–
36

180 
– 
– 
– 
– 

(1,000) 
– 
– 
– 
– 

21,733 
– 
(830) 
402 
36 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(392) 

(762)

31,136 

31,136

– 

– 

(283)

477

31,136 

31,330

(202) 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

(283) 

477 

194 

(8) 

180 

(1,000) 

52,477 

64,753

(8) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

10 

10 

2 

180 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(1,000) 
– 
– 
(1,250) 
– 
– 

52,477 
– 
(886) 
– 
(19,383) 
34 

64,753
1,924
(886)
(1,250)
(19,383)
34

(1,250) 

(20,235) 

(19,561)

– 

– 

– 

(296) 

(296)

– 

10

(296) 

(286)

180 

(2,250) 

31,946 

44,906

The principal accounting policies and notes on pages 17 to 56 form part of these financial statements.

30

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Statement of Changes in Equity

For the year ended 31 May 2017

Share 
premium 
account  
£’000 

Capital
redemp 
-tion 
 reserve 
£’000 

Merger 
reserve 
£’000 

Other 
 reserves 
£’000 

Retained
earnings 
£’000 

Share 
capital  
£’000 

1,385 
2 
– 
– 
– 

2 

– 

– 

At 1 June 2015 
Ordinary shares issued 
Dividends paid 
Transfer on disposal 
Share-based payments 

Transactions with owners 

Profit for the year 
Total comprehensive  
income for the year 

10,873 
30 
– 
– 
– 

30 

– 

– 

814 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

Balance at 31 May 2016 

1,387 

10,903 

814 

At 1 June 2016 
Ordinary shares issued 
Dividends paid 
Tender share buyback 
Share-based payments 

Transactions with owners 

Loss for the year 
Total comprehensive  
income for the year 

1,387 
56 
– 
(485) 
– 

(429) 

– 

– 

10,903 
1,868 
– 
– 
– 

1,868 

– 

– 

814 
– 
– 
485 
– 

485 

– 

– 

Balance at 31 May 2017 

958 

12,771 

1,299 

Total
£’000

29,938
32
(830)
–
36

(762)

16,284 
– 
(830) 
402 
36 

(392) 

32,077 

32,077

32,077 

47,969 

32,077

61,253

47,969 
– 
(886) 
(19,383) 
34 

61,253
1,924
(886)
(19,383)
34

(20,235) 

(18,311)

(929) 

(929) 

(929)

(929)

180 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

180 

180 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

180 

26,805 

42,013

402 
– 
– 
(402) 
– 

(402) 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

The principal accounting policies and notes on pages 17 to 56 form part of these financial statements. 

31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow

For the year ended 31 May 2017

Operating activities 
Cash flows from operating activities 
Finance costs paid 
Income tax (paid) repaid 

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities 

Investing activities 
Acquisition of subsidiary undertakings, net of cash acquired 
Disposal of subsidiary undertakings, net of cash 
Finance income 
Purchase of intangible assets 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 

Note 

27 

32 

2017 
£’000 

(3,221) 
(38) 
(1) 

(3,260) 

(585) 
– 
219 
(626) 
(484) 
– 9
13 

2016
£’000

7,885
(146)
52

7,791 

(3,500)
53,677
554
(766)
(1,062)

1,319

Net cash (used)/generated by in investing activities 

(1,463) 

50,231 

Financing activities 
Equity dividends paid 
Repayments of bank loans 
Repayments of obligations under finance leases 
Proceeds from issue of ordinary shares 
Purchase of shares - tender buyback 
Proceeds from borrowings 

Net cash outflow from financing activities 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash 

(886) 
(334) 
(292) 
612 
(19,383) –

– 

(20,283) 

(25,006) 
52,923 
(214) 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

27 

27,703 

The principal accounting policies and notes on pages 17 to 56 form part of these financial statements.  

(830)
(4,156)
(1,176)
32

1,651

(145)

53,543
(361)
(259)

52,923

32

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Statement of Cash Flow

For the year ended 31 May 2017

Operating activities 
Cash flows from operating activities 
Finance costs paid 
Income tax repaid 

Net cash inflow from operating activities 

Investing activities 
Disposal of subsidiary undertakings, net of cash 
Acquisition of subsidiary undertakings 
Finance income 

Net cash (utilised)/generated by investing activities 

Financing activities 
Equity dividends paid 
Repayments of bank loans 
Proceeds from issue of ordinary shares 
Purchase of shares - tender buyback 
Proceeds from borrowings 

Net cash outflow from financing activities 

Net (decrease)/ increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

Note 

            Company

28 

2017 
£’000 

(11,300) 
(21) 
– 

(11,321) 

– 
(738) –
274 

(464) 

(886) 
(182) 
1,862 
(19,383) –

2016
£’000

(1,415)
(55)
4

(1,466)

54,260

581

54,841 

(830)
(2,659)
32

– 

1,464

(18,589) 

(1,993) 

(30,374) 
55,498 

25,124 

51,382
4,116

55,498

The principal accounting policies and notes on pages 17 to 56 form part of these financial statements. 

33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report

For the year ended 31 May 2017

1

Corporate information 

The consolidated financial statements of Avingtrans plc and its subsidiaries (collectively the Group) for the year ended 31 May 
2017 were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the directors on 26 September 2017. Avingtrans plc (the parent) 
is a limited company incorporated in England & Wales, whose shares are publicly traded on AIM. The registered office is located 
at Chatteris Business Park, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire PE16 6SA. The Group is principally engaged in the provision of highly 
engineered components, systems and services to the energy, medical and traffic management industries worldwide. 

2

Segmental analysis

For management purposes, the Group is currently organised into two (2016: two) main segments Energy and Medical following 
the disposal of Aerospace. The basis on which the Group reports to the Chief Executive. 

Principal activities are as follows:

•  Energy – in the design and manufacture of machined and fabricated pressure and vacuum vessels and process plant and 
equipment  for  the  power,  oil  and  gas.  Plus,  design  and  manufacture  of  fabricated  poles  and  cabinets  for  roadside  safety 
cameras and rail track signalling.

•  Medical – in the design and manufacture of machined and fabricated pressure and vacuum vessels for the medical markets. 
Plus Design and manufacture of superconducting magnet systems and associated cryogenic systems for a variety of markets, 
including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).

Segment performance is evaluated based on profit or loss and is measured consistently with profit or loss in the consolidated 
financial statements as presented below:

Year ended 31 May 2017 

Revenue 

Operating profit/(loss) 
Net finance costs 
Taxation 

Loss after tax from continuing operations 

Segment non-current assets 
Segment assets 

Segment liabilities 

Net assets 

Non-current asset additions 
Intangible assets 
Tangible assets 

Energy  
£’000 

Unallocated
Medical  Central items 
£’000 

 £’000 

Total
£’000

12,610 

10,104 

– 

22,714

456 

428 

(1,350) 

(466)
181
(11)

(296)

7,482 
17,796 

4,008 
10,110 

– 
26,575 

11,490
54,481

(4,158) 

(2,241) 

(3,176) 

(9,575)

13,638 

7,869 

23,399 

44,906

587 
316 

903 

39 
168 

207 

– 
– 

– 

626
484

1,110

Unallocated assets/(liabilities) consist primarily of interest bearing assets and liabilities and income tax assets and liabilities.

Medical results includes the acquisition of the Space Cryomagnetics Limited which contributed £227,000 and £115,000 to Group 
revenue and loss after tax respectively (note 32). 

34

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2017

2

Segmental analysis (continued)

Year ended 31 May 2016 (restated) 

Revenue 

Operating profit/(loss) 
Net finance costs 
Taxation 

Profit after tax from continuing operations 

Segment non-current assets 
Segment assets 

Segment liabilities 

Net assets 

Non-current asset additions 
Intangible assets 
Tangible assets 

Energy  
£’000 

Unallocated
Medical  Central items 
£’000 

 £’000 

Total
£’000

10,912 

10,265 

– 

21,177

247 

(188) 

(286) 

(227)
472
175

420

6,862 
13,638 

3,292 
6,789 

– 
56,952 

10,154
77,379

(4,151) 

(3,801) 

(4,674) 

(12,626)

9,487 

2,988 

52,278 

64,753

294 
333 

627 

36 
97 

133 

– 
– 

– 

330
430

760

Unallocated assets/(liabilities) consist primarily of interest bearing assets and liabilities and income tax assets and liabilities.

Geographical 

The  following  tables  provides  an  analysis  of  the  Group’s  revenue  by  destination  and  the  location  of  non-current  assets  by 
geographical market:

United Kingdom 
Europe 
North America 
Rest of World 
Eliminations 

2017 

Revenue 
£’000 

18,635 
785 
5 
3,863 
(574) 

22,714 

2016 

Revenue 
£’000 

2017 

2016
  Non-current  Non-current 
Assets
£’000

Assets 
£’000 

16,027 
511 
1 
5,387 
(749) 

21,177 

10,111 
– –
– –
1,379 
– –

8,626

1,528

11,490 

10,154

The Group had Medical revenue of £7,229,000 (2016: £6,997,000) and Energy £nil (2016: £2,284,000) with single external 
customers under common control, which each represent more than 10% of the Group’s revenue.

35

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2017

3

Profit before taxation - continuing  

Profit before taxation is stated after charging/(crediting):

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Amortisation of internally generated intangible assets 
Cost of inventories recognised as an expense 
Gain on foreign exchange transactions 
Staff costs (note 8) 
Operating lease rentals: 
- Land and buildings 
- Machinery 

Auditor’s remuneration 

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the financial statements 
Fees payable to the Company’s auditor and its associates for other services: 
- Audit of the financial statements of the Company’s subsidiaries and
  associates pursuant to legislation 
- Tax compliance services  
- All other services 

4

Adjusted Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation

(Loss)/profit before tax from continuing operations 
Share based payment expense 
Acquisition costs 
Restructuring costs 
Tender share buyback costs 
Profit on disposal of property 

Adjusted profit before tax 

Finance income 
Finance cost 

Adjusted profit/(loss) before interest, tax and amortisation from business combinations (‘EBITA’) 

Depreciation 
Amortisation of other intangible assets 

Adjusted Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (‘EBITDA’) 

2017 
£’000 

525 
(13) 
120 
18,719 
(34) 
7,885 

354 
10 

2016
£’000

505
(548)
229
17,101
(11)
8,295

260
24

2017 
£’000 

2016
£’000

13 

65 
20 
27 

13

68
20
23

2017 
£’000 

2016
£’000

(285) 
34 
101 –
182 
226 –
– 

258 

(219) 
38 

77 

525 
120 

722 

245
21

272

(446)

92

(554)
82

(380)

505
229

354

The Directors believe that the above adjusted earnings are a more appropriate reflection of the Group performance. 

36

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2017

5

Finance income   

Interest from other 
Interest on finance lease agreements 

6

Finance costs 

Interest on bank loans and overdrafts wholly repayable within five years 
Interest on bank loans and overdrafts wholly repayable after five years 
Interest on finance lease agreements 

  Group

2017 
£’000 

219 
– 

219 

  2016
  £’000

552
2

554

  Group

2017 
£’000 

– 
21 
17 

38 

  2016
  £’000

 7

54
21

82

7

Directors’ emoluments

Particulars of directors’ emoluments are as follows: 

Salary and 
Fees	
£’000 

Benefits	
£’000 

Long Term 
Incentive	
£’000 

Non-executive: 
R S McDowell 
J J Hamer 
LJ Thomas 
GK Thornton 
Executive: 
S McQuillan 
S M King 

Total emoluments 

69 
25 
33 
39 

279 
226 

671 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

57 
41 

98 

Total 
2017 
£’000 

69 
25 
33 
39 

336 
267 

769 

Total 
2016 
£’000 

63 
30 
25 
35 

268 
222 

643 

Pension 
Total 
2017 
£’000 

Pension
Total
2016
£’000

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

–
–
–
–

22
26

48

During June 2016 S McQuillan and S King were each paid £600,000 respectively in connection with the successful completion 
of the disposal of the Aerospace division, which was accrued in the financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2016. Thus 
total remuneration and remuneration for the highest paid director in 2016 would be £1,843,000 and £868,000 respectively.

The fees of JJ Hamer, LJ Thomas and GK Thornton were paid to Fin Dec Limited, Heriot Resources Ltd and RG Associates 
respectively. 

The  non-cash  benefits  comprise  the  provision  of  private  health  insurance  for  S  McQuillan  and  S  M  King.  The  number  of 
Directors who are accruing benefits under money purchase schemes is nil (2016: two). 

The long term incentive represents the initial interest in the Joint Ownership Scheme (see note 31).

Employers National Insurance Contributions made relating to directors’ emoluments were £94,000 (2016: £70,000).

During  2017  S  McQuillan  and  S  M  King  exercised  175,000  and  125,267  share  options  respectively  as  set  out  on  page  15 
resulting in unrealised gains of £171,000 and £122,000 (2016: S McQuillan and S M King exercised nil options).

37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2017

8

Employees 

Particulars of employees, including Executive Directors:

Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Other pension costs 
Share-based payment expense 

The average monthly number of employees (including Executive Directors) during the year was:

Production 
Selling and distribution 
Administration 

2017 
£’000 

6,815 
778 
257 
35 

7,885 

2016
£’000

7,163
725
386
21

8,295

2017 
Number 

2016
Number

192 
13 
37 

242 

190
13
35

238

The remuneration of the Directors and Senior Management, who are the key management personnel of the Group, is set out 
below in aggregate for each of the categories specified in IAS 24 ‘Related Party Disclosures’.

Short term employee benefits (including NIC) 
Post-employment benefits 
Share-based payments 

9

Taxation

Current tax 
Deferred tax (note 24) 

2017 
£’000 

2016
£’000

944 
– 
25 

969 

720
69
15

804

2017 
£’000 

(57) 
69 

11 

2016
£’000

(63)
(112)

(175)

UK corporation tax is calculated at 19.83% (2016: 20.0%) of the estimated assessable profit/loss for the year. Taxation for other 
jurisdictions is calculated at the rates prevailing in the respective jurisdictions.

38

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2017

9

Taxation (continued) 

The charge for the year can be reconciled to the profit per the income statement as follows:

(Loss)/profit before taxation 

Theoretical tax at UK corporation tax rate of 19.83% (2016: 20.0%) 
Effects of: 

Other expenditure that is/is not tax deductible 
Un-provided deferred tax differences 
Adjustments in respect of prior years 
Rate differential on timing differences 
Change in deferred tax rate 

Total tax charge 

2017 
£’000 

(285) 

(56) 

94 
(4) 
(8) 
(4) -
(11) 

11 

2016
£’000

245

49

(104)
(61)
(43)

(16)

(175)

The Group has tax losses carried forward of approximately £6.7million at 31 May 2017 (2016: £4.7million) that may be relievable 
against future profits. 

The Group’s corporation tax assets and liabilities can be summarised as follows:

Current tax assets 
UK Corporation tax 

Current tax liabilities 
UK Corporation tax 

2017 
£’000 

2016
£’000

52 

52 

– 

– 

85

85

129

129

Factors that may affect future tax charges

Reductions to the UK corporation tax rate were announced in the Chancellor’s Budget on 8 July 2015 and were substantively 
enacted on 26 October 2015. These include reductions to the main rate to reduce the rate to 19% from 1 April 2017 and to 18% 
from 1 April 2020. As additional reduction to 17% (effective from 1 April 2020) was substantively enacted on 6 September 
2016 and will reduce the company’s future current tax charge accordingly. The closing deferred tax liability at 31 May 2017 has 
therefore been calculated using these rates.

10

Dividends

IInterim dividend paid of 1.1p per ordinary share (2016: 1.0p) 
Final dividend paid of 2.1p per ordinary share (2016: 2.0p) 

2017 
£’000 

305 
581 

866 

The interim dividend declared in the half year statement of 1.2p per ordinary share was paid on 16 June 2017.

39

2016
£’000

277
553

830

39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2017

11

Earnings per ordinary share 

Basic and diluted (loss)/earnings per share have been calculated in accordance with IAS 33 which requires that earnings should 
be based on the net profit or loss attributable to ordinary shareholders and the weighted average number of ordinary shares in 
issue during the year.

For diluted (loss)/earnings per share the weighted average number of ordinary shares is adjusted to assume conversion of all 
dilutive potential ordinary shares, being the EMI, CSOP and ExSOP share options.

Weighted average number of shares – basic 
Share option adjustment 

Weighted average number of shares – diluted 

(Loss)/earnings from continuing operations 
Share based payment expense 
Acquisition costs 
Restructuring costs 
Tender share buyback costs 
Profit on disposal of property 

Adjusted earnings  from continuing operations 

From continuing operations: 
Basic (loss)/earnings per share 
Adjusted basic earnings per share 
Diluted (loss)/earnings per share 
Adjusted diluted earnings per share 

Earnings from discontinued operations 

From discontinued operations: 
Basic earnings per share 
Diluted earnings per share 

Earnings attributable to shareholders 

Basic (loss)/earnings per share 
Diluted (loss)/earnings per share 

2017 
Number 

2016
Number

22,295,083 
288,451 

27,725,452
230,934

22,583,534 

27,956,386

2017 
£’000 

2016
£’000

(296) 
34 
101 –
182 
226 –
– 

247 

(1.3)p 
1.1p 
(1.3)p 
1.1p 

– 

– 
– 

420
21

272

(446)

267

1.5p
1.0p
1.5p
1.0p

30,716

110.8p
109.9p

247 

31,136

(1.3)p 
(1.3)p 

112.3p
111.4p

The Directors believe that the above adjusted earnings per share calculation for continuing operations is a more appropriate 
reflection of the Group’s underlying performance.

There are nil share options at 31 May 2017 (2016: 321,502) that are not included within diluted earnings per share because they 
are anti-dilutive.

40

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2017

12

Goodwill 

Cost 
At 1 June 2015 
Disposal of subsidiary undertakings  

1 June 2016 
Acquisition of subsidiary undertaking (note 32) 

At 31 May 2017 

Accumulated impairment losses 
At 1 June 2015 and 1 June 2016 

At 31 May 2017 

Net book value 

At 31 May 2017 

At 31 May 2016 

Total
£’000

10,407
(5,007)

5,400
648

6,048

850

850

5,198

4,550

Goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated, at acquisition, to the cash generating units (CGUs) that are expected 
to benefit from that business combination. The carrying amount of goodwill has been allocated as follows:

Energy 
Medical 

2017 
£’000 

3,689 
1,509 

5,198 

2016
£’000

3,689
861

4,550

The Group tests goodwill annually for impairment, or more frequently if there are indications that goodwill might be impaired. 

The recoverable amounts of the CGUs are determined from value in use calculations. The key assumptions for the value in use 
calculations are those regarding the revenue growth rates, expected changes to selling prices and direct costs during the period 
and discount rates.

The Group prepares cash flow forecasts derived from the most recent financial budgets approved by management for the next 
three years and derives cash flows for the following two years based on estimated growth rates for the specific markets in which 
each CGU operates. The Group uses its past experience in compiling the cashflow forecasts. The estimated growth rate does not 
exceed the average long-term growth rate for the relevant markets. A rate of 4% has been used for Energy and Medical. Recent 
changes to management and improvements to the contract negotiation and costing processes are expected to increase margins in 
the Energy and Medical division. 

Changes in selling prices and direct costs are based on past practices and expectations of future changes in the market. 

The  rate  used  to  discount  the  forecast  cash  flows  is  10%  which  is  considered  appropriate  based  on  the  Group’s  borrowings 
adjusted for the aggregate risk in the respective markets. 

Management have sensitised these key assumptions for each CGU within what is considered a reasonably possible range for the 
market in which the Group operates and have concluded that a 2% growth in revenue and discount rate of 12% would not result 
in the carrying amount of goodwill exceeding the recoverable amount.

Whilst a five year horizon is shorter than the expected remaining life of the relevant CGUs, the directors consider this a suitable 
period to apply in performing impairment reviews due to the inherent uncertainty in further extrapolating three year forecasts.

41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2017

13

Other intangible assets – group

Customer 
  relationships 
£’000 

Order  Development 
costs 
£’000 

book 
£’000 

Software 
£’000 

Cost 
At 1 June 2015 
Additions 
Disposals 
Disposal of subsidiary undertakings  

At 1 June 2016 
Additions 
Acquisition of subsidiary undertakings (note 32) 
Exchange adjustments 

At 31 May 2017 

Accumulated amortisation 
At 1 June 2015 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 
Disposal of subsidiary undertakings 

At 1 June 2016 
Charge for the year 

At 31 May 2017 

Net book value at 31 May 2017 

Net book value at 31 May 2016 

4,026 
– 
– 
(4,026) 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

3,854 
137 
– 
(3,991) 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

364 
– 
– 
(364) 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

364 
– 
– 
(364) 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

5,476 
713 
- 
(3,865) 

2,324 
625 
4 
– 

2,953 

2,744 
623 
– 
(1,904) 

1,463 
76 

1,539 

1,414 

861 

969 
53 
(13) 
(715) 

294 
1 
– 
2 

297 

431 
223 
(4) 
(425) 

225 
44 

269 

28 

69 

Total
£’000

10,835
766
(13)
(8,970)

2,618
626
4
2

3,250

7,393
983
(4)
(6,684)

1,688
120

1,808

1,442

930

42

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2017

14

Property, plant and equipment - group 

Freehold  Leasehold 
 improve- 
 land and 
buildings 
£’000 

Plant and 
ments  Machinery 
£’000 
£’000 

  Equipment
and motor
vehicles 
£’000 

Cost 
At 1 June 2015 
Additions 
Acquisition of subsidiary undertakings 
Disposals 
Disposal of subsidiary undertakings  
Exchange adjustments 

At 1 June 2016 
Additions 
Acquisition of subsidiary undertakings (note 32) 
Assets written off 
Exchange adjustments 

At 31 May 2017 

Depreciation 
At 1 June 2015 
Charge in the year 
Disposals 
Disposal of subsidiary undertakings 
Exchange adjustments 

At 1 June 2016 
Charge in the year 
Assets written off 
Exchange adjustments 

At 31 May 2017 

Net book value at 31 May 2017 

Net book value at 31 May 2016 

5,292 
28 
– 
– 
(3,194) 
– 

2,126 
41 
– 
– 
– 

2,167 

573 
66 
(1) 
(373) 
– 

265 
30 
– 
– 

295 

1,872 

1,861 

Leased assets
The net book value of assets held under finance leases are as follows:

Net book value  
At 31 May 2017 

At 31 May 2016 

377 
65 
– 
(3) 
(336) 
- 

103 
12 
– 
– 
– 

115 

160 
22 
(2) 
(148) 
– 

32 
19 
– 
– 

51 

64 

71 

11,093 
786 
1,060 
(267) 
(6,936) 
(13) 

5,723 
311 
99 
(1,605) 
117 

4,645 

5,297 
1,109 
(87) 
(2,839) 
(2) 

3,478 
362 
(1,605) 
18 

2,253 

2,392 

2,245 

2,152 
183 
121 
(19) 
(1,430) 
(2) 

1,005 
120 
5 
(148) 
24 

1,006 

1,023 
323 
– 
(832) 
– 

514 
114 
(148) 
4 

484 

522 

491 

Plant and 
  machinery 
£’000 

  Equipment
and motor
vehicles 
£’000 

478 

674 

2 

6 

Depreciation charged on assets held under finance leases was £200,000 (2016: £202,000).

Total
£’000

18,914
1,062
1,181
(289)
(11,896)
(15)

8,957
484
104
(1,753)
141

7,933

7,053
1,520
(90)
(4,192)
(2)

4,289
525
(1,753)
22

3,083

4,850

4,668

Total
£’000

480

680

43

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2017

15

Investments

Unlisted 

Capital
investments	 Undertakings	 Contributions	
£’000 

Group 

£’000 

£’000 

Cost 
At 1 June 2015 
Additions 
Disposal of subsidiary undertakings  

At 1 June 2016 
Acquisition of subsidiary undertakings (note 32) 
Unlisted investment written off 

At 31 May 2017 

Provision 
At 1 June 15 and 1 June 2016 
Unlisted investment written off  

At 31 May 2017 

Net book value at 31 May 2017 

Net book value at 31 May 2016 

219 
– 
– 

219 
– 
(219) 

– 

219 
(219) 

– 

– 

– 

21,031 
– 
(10,861) 

10,170 
588 
– 

10,758 

4,424 
– 

4,424 

6,334 

5,746 

131 
24 
(85) 

70 
15 
– 

85 

– 
– 

– 

85 

70 

Total
£’000

21,381
24
(10,946)

10,459
603
(219)

10,843

4,643
(219)

4,424

6,419

5,816

The Company has the following investments in Ordinary shares in subsidiaries:    

Name 
Crown UK Limited 
Stainless Metalcraft (Chatteris) Limited 
Metalcraft (Chengdu) Limited 
Metalcraft (Sichuan) Limited 
Maloney Metalcraft Limited  
Composite Products Limited  
Space Cryomagnetics Limited  
(trading as Scientific Magnetics Limited) 

Country of incorporation 
England and Wales 
England and Wales 
China 
China 
England and Wales 
England and Wales 
England and Wales 

Principal activity
Precision engineering
Precision engineering
Precision engineering
Precision engineering
Precision engineering
Precision engineering
Precision engineering 

 All the above are 100% owned apart from Space Cryomagnetics Limited (note 32) which is 82% owned with are call and put options 
enabling or requiring the Company to purchase the remaining 18%.

Metalcraft (Chengdu) Limited and Metalcraft (Sichuan) Limited are 100% subsidiaries of Stainless Metalcraft (Chatteris) Limited.

16

Inventories

                                                                                                                                                                                    Group

Raw materials and consumables 
Work in progress 
Finished goods  

2017 
£’000 

951 
4,083 
584 

5,618 

2016
£’000

750
1,926
370

3,046

The replacement cost of the above stocks would not be significantly different from the values stated. During the period there 
was an impairment charge of £158,000. 

44

 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2017

17

Trade and other receivables

                                                                                                                                      Group                                    Company

Amounts falling due within one year 
 Trade receivables 
Allowance for doubtful debts 

Other receivables 
Amounts owed by group undertakings 
Prepayments and accrued income 
Amounts receivable under long term contracts 

Amounts falling after one year 
Other receivables 
Prepayments and accrued income 

2017 
£’000 

4,301 
(181) 

4,120 

1,491 
– 
2,302 
1,125 

9,038 

– 
580 

580 

2016 
£’000 

3,498 
(52) 

3,446 

40 
– 
1,276 
1,379 

6,141 

1,450 
– 

1,450 

2017 
£’000 

2016
£’000

– –
– –

– –

3,700 
8,127 
6 
– –

1,066
2,529
3

11,833 

3,598

– 
– –

– 

1,450

1,450

The average credit period taken on sales of goods is 44 days (2016: 46 days) in respect of the Group. No interest is generally 
charged  on  the  receivables  until  legal  action  is  taken.  Thereafter,  interest  is  charged  at  8%  above  bank  base  rate  on  the 
outstanding balance.

 The  Group  has  impaired  all  trade  receivables  to  the  present  value  of  estimated  future  cash  receipts  where  it  considers  the 
collection of the receivable is doubtful.

 The Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk is limited to trade receivables net of allowance for doubtful debts. 

Ageing of past due but not impaired trade receivables

                                                                                                                                   Group                                    Company

60 - 90 days 
90 - 120 days 
120+ days 

Total 

2017 
£’000 

370 
28 
343 

741 

2016 
£’000 

373 
284 
188 

845 

2017 
£’000 

2016
£’000

– –
– –
– –

– –

Movement in the allowance for doubtful debts

                                                                                                                                   Group                                    Company

2017 
£’000 

2016 
£’000 

2017 
£’000 

2016
£’000

Balance brought forward 
Impairment losses recognised 
Amounts written off as uncollectible 
On acquisition of subsidiaries 
On disposal of subsidiaries 

Balance carried forward 

52 
94 
(58) 
93 
– 

181 

128 
42 
(36) 
- 
(82) 

52 

– –
– –
– –
– –
– –

– –

Included in the allowance for doubtful debts are individually impaired receivables.

45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2017

17

Trade and other receivables (continued) 

Ageing of impaired receivables:

                                                                                                                                   Group                                    Company

60 - 90 days 
90 - 120 days 
120+ days 

Total 

2017 
£’000 

– 
– 
181 

181 

2016 
£’000 

2017 
£’000 

2016
£’000

– 
– 
55 

55 

– –
– –
– –

– –

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates to fair value.

18

Long term contracts 

Gross amounts due from customers for contract work (included in current assets) 
Gross amounts due to customers for contract work (included in current liabilities) 

Contract costs incurred plus recognised profits less recognised losses to date 
Less: progress billings 

Revenue arising from long term contracts was £2,719,000 (2016: £4,697,000). 

2017 
£’000 

1,451 
(39) 

1,412 

6,318 
(4,906) 

1,412 

2016
£’000

1,379
(89)

1,290

6,022
(4,732)

1,290

19

Provisions

All provisions are considered current. The carrying amounts and the movements in the provision account are as follows:

Carrying amount 
1 June 2015 
Acquisition of subsidiary undertakings 
Amounts utilised 
Disposal of subsidiary undertakings 

At 1 June 2016 and 31 May 2017 

Dilapidations 
£’000 

Group
Other 
£’000 

Total
£’000

– 
265 
– 
(265) 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

–
–
– 
–

–

The sites where provision had been made for dilapidation were exited at 31 May 2015.

46

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2017

20

Trade and other payables

Trade payables 
Amounts owed to group undertakings  
Other tax and social security 
Other payables 
Payments on account 
Accruals and deferred income  

21

Borrowings

Secured borrowings 

Bank overdrafts 
Bank loans 

Total borrowings 

Amount due for settlement within 12 months 

Amount due for settlement after 12 months 

Bank loans due within one to two years 
Bank loans due within two to five years 
Bank loans due after five years 

   Group                                         Company

2017 
£’000  

4,657 
– 
433 
509 
334 
1,937 

7,870 

2016 
£’000 

3,499 
– 
564 
205 
527 
2,113 

6,908 

2017 
£’000 

71 
– 
43 
27 –
– –
14 

155 

2016
£’000

56
465
113

3,222

3,856

   Group                                         Company

2017 
£’000  

– 
1,075 

1,075 

179 

896 

2016 
£’000 

3,580 
1,406 

4,986 

3,911 

1,075 

2017 
£’000 

– –
1,075 

1,075 

179 

896 

2016
£’000

1,253

1,253

178

1,075

   Group                                         Company

2017 
£’000  

180 
542 
174 

896 

2016 
£’000 

179 
541 
355 

1,075 

2017 
£’000 

180 
542 
174 

896 

2016
£’000

179
541
355

1,075

Bank loans of £1,075,000 (2016: £1,253,000) are secured on certain assets of the Group.

At 31 May 2017 the Group had £2,950,000 (2016: £2,519,000) of undrawn committed borrowing facilities expiring within one year 
which the Directors expect to be renewed. All borrowings were at variable rates relative to local base rates. 

47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2017

22

Obligations under finance leases 

Amounts due within one year 
Amounts due in two to five years 

Total obligations under finance leases 
Less future finance charges 

Present value of lease obligations 

Finance lease liabilities are secured on the related assets.

Minimum 
lease payments 

2017 
£’000 

2016 
£’000 

Present	value	of	minimum
lease payments
2017 
£’000 

2016
£’000

146 
41 

187 
(8) 

179 

303 
195 

498 
(27) 

471 

142 
37 

179 
– 

179 

295
176

471
–

471

At 31 May 2017 the Group had £nil fixed hire purchase and finance lease liabilities (2016: £nil), the weighted average interest rate 
is 0% (2016: 0%) and the weighted average period until maturity is nil months (2016: nil months). All finance lease liabilities were 
at variable rates relative to local base rates.

23

Financial instruments 

Capital risk management 

The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as going concerns while maximising the 
return to stakeholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance. The capital structure of the Group consists of debt, 
which includes the borrowings disclosed in notes 21 and 22 cash and cash equivalents and equity attributable to equity holders of 
the parent, comprising issued capital, reserves and retained earnings as disclosed in the statement of changes in equity.

The Board closely monitor current and forecast cash balances at monthly Board meetings to allow the Group to maximise return 
to shareholders by way of dividends, whilst maintaining suitable amounts of liquid funds and facilities to allow acquisitions to be 
funded as opportunities arise and continued investment in property, plant and equipment and research and development. The level 
of dividends are set by the Board to meet the expectations of the shareholders based on cash generated by the Group.

The gearing ratio at the year-end is as follows

Debt 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Net cash 

Equity 

Net cash to equity ratio 

   Group                                         Company

2017 
£’000  

(1,254) 
27,703 

26,449 

44,906 

58.9% 

2016 
£’000 

(5,457) 
56,503 

51,046 

64,753 

78.8% 

2017 
£’000 

(1,075) 
25,123 

24,048 

42,013 

57.2% 

2016
£’000

(1,253)
55,498

54,245

61,253

88.6%

Debt is defined as long and short-term borrowings, as detailed in note 21. Equity includes all capital and reserves of the Group 
attributable to equity holders of the parent. The Group is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements.

48

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2017

23

Financial instruments (continued)

Analysis of financial instruments by IAS 39 category

Financial assets
Loans and receivables comprising: 
Trade receivables 
Amounts receivable under long term contracts 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Financial liabilities 
Other financial liabilities at amortised cost  
Trade payables  
Payments on account 
Accruals  

Borrowings 
Lease obligations 

Financial liabilities at amortised cost 

Undiscounted contractual maturity of financial liabilities: 
Amounts due within one year 
Amounts due in two to five years 
Amounts due after five years 

Less future finance charges 

Financial liabilities at carrying value 

   Group                                         Company

2017 
£’000  

4,120 
1,125 
27,703 

32,948 

4,657 
334 
1,937 

6,928 

1,075 
179 

1,254 

8,182 

7,274 
806 
175 

8,255 
(73) 

8,182 

2016 
£’000 

3,446 
1,379 
56,503 

61,328 

3,499 
527 
2,113 

6,139 

4,986 
472 

5,458 

11,597 

10,377 
973 
362 

11,712 
(115) 

11,597 

2017 
£’000 

2016
£’000

– –
– –
25,124 

25,124 

71 
– –
14 

85 

1,075 
– –

1,075 

1,160 

284 
766 
175 

1,225 
(65) 

1,160 

55,498

55,498

56

3,222

3,278

1,253

1,253

4,531

3,480
778
362

4,620
(89)

4,531

The fair value of the financial instruments set out above is not materially different to the book value.

Financial risk management objectives
Management monitor and manage the financial risks relating to the operations of the Group. These risks include currency risk, 
interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and cash flow interest rate risk. The Group does not enter into or trade financial instruments, 
including derivative financial instruments, for speculative purposes.

Market risk
The Group’s activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates 
particularly in US dollars and the Euro.    

Foreign currency risk management
The Group enters into forward foreign currency contracts to eliminate exposures on certain material sales or purchases denominated 
in foreign currency once a significant commitment has been made.

The Group presently has no forward sale contracts (2016: none) to manage the transactional currency exposure on certain contracts 
outstanding as at 31 May 2017. 

The following table details the Group’s sensitivity to a 10% increase and decrease in Sterling against the relevant foreign currencies 
on overseas assets. These changes are considered to be reasonably possible based on observation of current market conditions.

49

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2017

23

Financial instruments (continued)

Euro currency impact 
2016 
£’000 

2017 
£’000 

US $ currency impact 
2016 
£’000 

2017 
£’000 

RmB  currency impact
2016
£’000

2017 
£’000 

13 

1 

13 

3 

– –

Impact (+/-) on 
Profit for the financial year/equity 

Interest rate risk management 

The Group finances its operations where necessary through bank loans, overdrafts and finance lease facilities. The bank loans and 
overdrafts are at floating rates principally at negotiated margins using pooling of the Group’s requirements to achieve this. The 
finance lease facilities are held at both fixed and floating rates.

If interest rates on floating rate borrowings (i.e. cash and cash equivalents and bank overdrafts attracting interest at floating rates) 
were to change by + or – 0.5% the impact on the results in the income statement and equity would be an increase/decrease of 
£194,000. These charges are considered to be reasonably possible based on observation of current market conditions.

Price risk management

Where possible the Group enters into long term contracts with suppliers to mitigate any significant exposure to materials and utilities 
price risk.

Credit risk management

The Group’s principal financial assets are bank balances, cash, and trade receivables.

The Group’s principal credit risk is attributable to its trade receivables. Credit risk is managed by monitoring the aggregate amount 
and duration of exposure to any one customer depending upon their credit rating. The amounts presented in the balance sheet are 
net of allowances for doubtful debts, estimated by the Group’s management based on prior experience and their assessment of the 
current economic environment. 

The credit risk on liquid funds is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit-ratings assigned by international 
credit-rating agencies.

The Group has three major customer’s which represent 24.2%, 11.5% and 11.2% respectively (2016: two major customer’s which 
represent 32.9% and 10.8% respectively) of trade receivables, the Group has no other significant concentration of receivables. The 
bad debt provision and ageing has reduced during the year predominately due to the impact of disposal of subsidiary undertaking’s 
improvements in credit control of the subsidiaries and building their relationships with key customers. 

Liquidity risk management

The Group funds acquisitions through a mixture of cash, equity and long-term debt.  Short-term financing needs are met by working 
capital facilities.

The Group manages its liquidity needs by carefully monitoring scheduled debt servicing payments for long term financial liabilities 
as well as cash-outflows due in day-to-day business. Liquidity needs are monitored in various time bands, on a day-to-day and 
week-to-week  basis,  as  well  as  on  the  basis  of  a  monthly  13-week  projection.  Long-term  liquidity  needs  for  up  to  a  two-year 
period are projected monthly and reviewed quarterly. The Group maintains cash and working capital facilities to meet its liquidity 
requirements  for  up  to  30-day  periods.  Funding  in  regards  to  long-term  liquidity  needs  is  additionally  secured  by  an  adequate 
amount of committed credit facilities. 

All facilities are secured on the assets of the Group.

50

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2017

24

Deferred tax

The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the Group and movements thereon during the current 
and prior reporting period.

At 1 June 2015 
Credit to income – continuing operations 
Credit to income – discontinued operations 
Disposal of subsidiary undertakings 

At 1 June 2016 
Credit to income – continuing operations 

At 31 May 2017 

Accelerated 
tax 
depreciation	
£’000 

Other
temporary
differences	
£’000 

Tax	losses	
£’000 

Total
£’000

789 
(106) 
(115) 
(436) 

132 
63 

195 

(29) 
(6) 
(81) 
110 

(6) 
6 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

760
(112)
(196)
(326)

126
69

195

Certain deferred tax assets and liabilities have been offset where the relevant criteria are met. The following is the analysis of the 
deferred tax balances (after offset) for financial reporting purposes:

Deferred tax liabilities 
Deferred tax assets 

2017 
£’000 

195 
– 

195 

2016
£’000

132
(6)

126

At the balance sheet date the Group has unused tax losses of £6.7million (2016: £4.7 million) available for offset against future 
profits. A  deferred  tax  asset  has  been  recognised  in  respect  of  £nil  (2016:  £nil)  of  such  losses.  No  deferred  tax  asset  has  been 
recognised due to the unpredictability of future profit streams. All losses may be carried forward indefinitely. In addition the Group 
has an unrecognised deferred tax asset of £29k (2016: £24k) in respect of share-based payments.

At the balance sheet date the aggregate amount of temporary differences associated with undistributed earnings of subsidiaries for 
which deferred tax liabilities have not been recognised was £nil (2016: £nil). No liability has been recognised in respect of these 
differences because the Group is in a position to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences and it is probable that 
such differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

25

Called up share capital

The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the Group and movements thereon during the current 
and prior reporting period.
                                                                                                                                          2017                                            2016

Allotted, issued and fully paid 
Ordinary shares of 5p each 

No. 

£’000 

No. 

19,171,123 

959 

27,754,564 

£’000

1,387

Reconciliation of movement in allotted, issued and fully paid share capital

At 1 June 2016 and 31 May 16 
Tender buyback 
Shares issued in period 

At 31 May 2017 

No. 

£’000

27,754,564 
(9,691,361) 
1,107,920 

19,171,123 

1,387
(485)
56

958

51

 
 
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2017

25

Called up share capital (continued)

The Company has a share option scheme under which options to subscribe for the Company’s shares have been awarded to certain 
directors and employees. During the year 659,900 options were exercised, 267, 15,000, 450,000, 107,835, 59,251 and 27,500 at 
39.5, 49.5p, 96.0p, 176.0p, 109.0p and 111.0p respectively. The market price on the day of exercise was 186.0p, 193.0p, 190.5p, and 
187.0p. Further details of the scheme are given in note 26.

The market price of the Company’s shares at the end of the year was 236.5p (2016: 179.0p). The highest and lowest market prices 
during the year were 258.5p and 164.6 p (2016: 185.5p and 100.5p respectively).

26

Share-based payments

The Group has recognised a portion of the fair value of these options in calculating the profit for the current and prior year.  

Outstanding at the start of the year 
Lapsed during the year 
Issued during the year 
Exercised during the year 

Outstanding at the end of the year 

Exercisable at the end of the year 

2017 

2016

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise 
price p 

110.11 
149.70 
193.00 
109.79 

173.61 

152.60 

Options 
(No. ‘000) 

1,425.5 
(94.2) 
– 
(118.0) 

1,213.3 

685.3 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
price p

47.57
124.87
–
59.91

119.33

110.11

Options 
(No. ‘000) 

1,213.3 
(35.7) 
1,180.0 
(659.9) 

1,697.7 

231.7 

The options outstanding at 31 May 2017 had exercise prices in the range 39.5p to 193p and a weighted average remaining contractual 
life of 8.7 years (2016: 7.3 years). The average market share price of options at date of exercise was 1.90p (2016: 1.44p).

The terms of these options are as follows: 

Date	of	grant		

23/9/2010 

22/11/2013 

9/12/2014 

10/12/2014 

21/12/2016 

Options	
outstanding	at	
31	May	2017	

39,733 

192,000 

56,000 

230,000 

1,180,000 

Vesting	
period	

3 years 

3 years 

3 years 

3 years 

3 years 

Market	value	at
date	of	grant	
	(p)	

39.50 

176.00 

109.00 

111.00 

193.00 

Exercise	
price	(p)	

39.50 

176.00 

109.00 

111.00 

193.00 

Exercise
period

24/9/2013 to 23/9/2020

23/12/2016 to 22/12/2023

10/12/2017 to 9/12/2024

11/12/2017 to 10/12/2024

22/12/2019 to 21/12/2026

The performance condition for each of these options is that the increase in adjusted EPS must be at least equal to the increase in RPI 
over the vesting period. 

All share options are equity settled. The adjusted EPS is the basic earnings per share published in the Preliminary Announcement 
of Results with adjustments made for amortisation of acquisition related intangibles costs of share based payments, and exceptional 
items agreed by the Remuneration Committee. Further adjustments to the above performance conditions may be approved by the 
Remuneration Committee to reflect future changes in accounting standards. 

The fair value of the options was calculated by external consultants, Pegg, Franklin & Co and Pinsent Masons.

52

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2017

26

Share-based payments (continued)

Options granted with performance conditions are valued using the Black-Scholes model. 

For all awards, recipients are required to remain in employment with the Group over the vesting period.

Future volatility at the date of grant has been estimated by reference to the historical volatility at that time.

The expected life used in the models has been adjusted, based on management’s best estimate, for the effects of non-transferability, 
exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations.

Total charge to the income statement in respect of share-based payments

In respect of: 
Equity settled share options 

2017 
£’000 

34 

2016
£’000

36

There  are  no  share  based  payment  transactions  that  were  expensed  immediately. A  deferred  tax  credit  of  £nil  (2016:  £nil)  was 
recognised during the year in respect of share based payments.

27

Notes to the consolidated cash flow statement

Cash flows from operating activities:

Continuing operations
(Loss)/profit before income tax from continuing operations 
Profit before income tax from discontinued operations 
Adjustments for: 
Depreciation 
Amortisation of intangible assets 
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Finance income 
Finance expenses 
Research and Development Expenditure Credit 
Share based payment charge 
Bargain purchase on acquisition  

Changes in working capital 
Increase in inventories 
Increase in trade and other receivables 
Increase in trade and other payables 
Other non cash changes 

Cashflows from operating activities 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash 
Overdrafts 

2017 
£’000 

(285) 
– 

525 
120 
(13) 
(219) 
38 
– 
34 
– 

(2,482) 
(1,654) 
711 
4 4

2016 
£’000

245
3,878

1,520
983
(489)
(554)
146
(168)
36
(172)

(2,327)
(556)
5,339

(3,221) 

7,885

2017 
£’000 

27,703 
– 

27,703 

2016 
£’000

56,503
(3,580)

52,923

53

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2017

28

Notes to the company cash flow statement

Continuing operations 
Loss before income tax from continuing operations 
Adjustments for: 
Finance income 
Finance expenses 
Share based payment charge 

Changes in working capital 
(Increase) in trade and other receivables 
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables 
Other non cash changes 

Cashflows from operating activities 

29

Related party transactions

          Company

2017 
£’000 

(1,057) 

(274) 
21 
19 

(6,313) 
(3,700) 
4 4

2016
£’000

(161)

(581)
55
12

(1,705)
961

(11,300) 

(1,415)

Company
The Directors benefited from dividends paid in the year (note 10) on their shareholdings as set out in the Directors report page 10.

30

Financial commitments

a) Capital commitments
Commitments for capital expenditure were as follows:

Contracted for, but not provided in the accounts 

2016
£’000

2017 
£’000 

333 –

b) Operating lease commitments
At the balance sheet date the Group had outstanding commitments for minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating 
leases which fall due as follows:

Land and buildings lease obligations falling due: 
Within one year 
In the second to fifth years inclusive 

Other asset lease obligations falling due: 
Within one year 
In the second to fifth years inclusive 

2017 
£’000 

345 
339 

684 

4 
– 4

4 

2016
£’000

274
168

442

12

16

Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the Group for certain of its office properties, motor vehicles and items of 
plant and equipment. Property leases are negotiated for an average term of 10 years and rentals are fixed for an average of five years 
with an option to extend for a further five years at the then prevailing market rate.

54

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2017

31

Investment in own shares

On 22 June 2011 the Company approved, adopted and established the Avingtrans Employees’ Share Trust (‘the ExSOP Trust).  A 
summary of the Trust Deed is as follows:

•  It has been established that the original trustee is RBC CEES Trustee Limited
•  The primary objective of the ExSOP Trust is to hold the capital and income of the Trust for the beneficiaries
•  The beneficiaries and the Trustee jointly subscribe for an initial interest in the shares purchased by the Trust 
•  If the performance condition as set out in note 26 is achieved the option can be exercised by the beneficiaries  

During the year 795,001 (2016: nil) shares were purchased at a cost of £1,534,352 (2016: £nil) by the Trust and beneficiaries, an 
interest in which was allocated to the Executive Directors as beneficiaries (as shown in note 26). All shares held by the trust are 
under option to Directors. Costs are charged to profit and loss as incurred. 

The above holdings are held at a cost of £2,250,000 (2016: £1,000,000) and shown as a deduction from equity in the statement of 
changes in shareholders’ equity.

32

Acquisitions and disposals

Business combination – Space Cryomagnetics Limited (trading as Scientific Magnetics Limited)

On 27 February 2017 the Group acquired 82% of the issued share capital of Space Cryomagnetics Limited. The acquisition was 
made to enhance the Group’s position in the energy and medical division. The provisional net assets at the date of acquisition were 
as follows:

Fair value of assets and liabilities acquired 

Other intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other payables 
Loan 

Net liabilities 
Intangibles assets identified 
Goodwill 

Fair value of consideration transferred: 
Cash 
Shares issued 
Contingent consideration 

Consideration 

Cash acquired 
Loan 
Acquisition costs charged to expenses 

Net cash paid relating to the acquisition 

£’000

4
104
57
335
153
(245)
(468)

(60)
–
648

588

270
62
256

588

(153)
468
89

674

Management did not identify any intangible assets on acquisition of this business.

Acquisition costs arising from this transaction of £89,000 have been included in administration expenses included in overheads 
before operating profit. 

55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2017

32

Acquisitions and disposals (continued)

There are call and put options enabling or requiring the Company to purchase the remaining 18% of the issued share capital of Space 
Cryomagnetics Limited (“Sci Mag”). The options have an exercise date of October 2019 and October 2022. The Company expects 
to acquire the remaining 18% of Sci Mag through the future exercise of one of these options and consequently, for the purposes of 
the Group’s consolidation, Sci Mag has been accounted for as if it were 100% owned. The exercise price of the option is contingent 
upon the future trading performance of Sci Mag during the period to October 2019 and October 2022. At 31 May 2017, the Group 
has recognised contingent consideration of £256,000, being the best estimate of the Directors at that point in time.

Since acquisition Sci Mag contributed the following to the Group’s cashflows:

Operating cashflows 
Investing activities 

Disposals – Aerospace Division

2017
£’000

(43)
(41)

On 27 May 2016 the Group disposed of its Aerospace division (comprising Sigma Precision Components UK Limited, Sigma 
Precision  Components  Limited,  C  &  H  Precision  Finishers  Limited,  Sigma  Components  (Derby)  Limited,  Sigma  Components 
(Farnborough) Limited and Hartshill Ventures Limited for £65,000,000 (£53,677,000 net of cash).

The Consolidated Income Statement for the comparative period ended 31 May 2016 reports the results of the Aerospace Division, 
together with the profit arising on disposal, as a single item “Profit after taxation from discontinued operations”. Earnings per share 
disclosures and the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows also present information in respect of the year ending 31 May 2016 
relating to the Aerospace Division separately. Further details in respect of the disposal of Aerospace Division are available in the 
Annual Report and Accounts of the year ending 31 May 2016.

33

Events after the balance sheet date

On 31 August 2017 the Group acquired 100 percent of the issued share capital of the Hayward Tyler Group plc for £29.4m through 
a share placing. On the same date £11.5m of its facilities were repaid, a further £10.0m of debt assumed and £5m of associated 
transaction costs incurred. In its previous financial year Hayward Tyler Group plc had turnover of £62,719,000 and a trading loss 
before tax of £3,705,000 before an exceptional gain of £376,000.

Management are assessing assets and liabilities purchased and are unable to confirm the value, given that they are currently in the 
process of reviewing the records of the business. 

56

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notice of Annual General Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of Avingtrans Plc will be held at Shakespeare Martineau LLP, No1 
Colmore Square, Birmingham, B4 6AA on 16 November 2017 at 11:00am for the following purposes:

To consider, and if thought fit, to pass the following resolutions numbered 1 to 6 as ordinary resolutions

1.  To receive and adopt the reports of the Directors and the auditor and the financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2017.

2.  To declare a final dividend of 2.2p per ordinary share payable on 8 December 2017 payable to shareholders on the register of 

members on 27 October 2017.

3.  To re-elect Steve McQuillan as a Director.

4.  To re-elect Les Thomas as a Director.

5.  To elect Ewan Lloyd-Baker as a Director

6.  To reappoint Grant Thornton UK LLP as auditor of the Company to hold office until the conclusion of the next general 

meeting at which accounts are laid before the Company and that their remuneration to be fixed by the Directors. 

To transact any other ordinary business of an Annual General Meeting and as special business to consider the following 
Resolutions, Resolutions 7 and 8 being proposed as Ordinary Resolutions and Resolutions 9 and 10 as Special Resolutions. 

7.  That the Directors be generally and unconditionally authorised to exercise all the powers of the Company to allot relevant 
securities as defined in Section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 (the “Act”) up to an aggregate nominal value of £506,626 
provided that this authority shall expire in whichever is the earlier of the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting 
of the Company or the date falling 15 months from the date of the passing of this Resolution, except that the Company 
may before such expiry make an offer or agreement which would or might require relevant securities in pursuance of any 
such offer or agreement as if the authority conferred by this Resolution had not expired, and that this authority shall be in 
substitution for all previous authorities conferred upon the Directors pursuant to section 551 of the Act. 

8.  That the Company be generally and unconditionally authorised, in accordance with Article 9 of its Articles of Association 
and Section 701 of the Act to make market purchases (within the meaning of Section 693 of the Act) of ordinary shares of 5p 
each of the Company on such terms and in such manner as the Directors may from time to time determine provided that:

a. 

the maximum number of ordinary shares authorised to be purchased is 3,070,464;

b. 

the minimum price which may be paid for an ordinary share is 5p (exclusive of expenses and advance corporation tax, if 
any, payable by the Company); 

c. 

the maximum price which may be paid for an ordinary share is an amount equal to 105% of the average of the middle 
market quotations for an ordinary share of the Company derived from the London Stock Exchange for the five business 
days  immediately  preceding  the  day  on  which  the  ordinary  share  is  purchased  (exclusive  of  expenses  and  advance 
corporation tax, if any, payable by the Company); and 

d. 

the authority conferred shall expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company except that 
the Company may, prior to such expiry, make a contract to purchase its own shares which will or may be completed or 
executed wholly or partly after such expiry. 

9.  That the Directors be empowered pursuant to Section 571 of the Act to allot equity securities (as defined in Section 560(1) 
of the Act) for cash pursuant to the authority conferred upon them by Resolution 7 as if Section 561 of the Act did not apply 
to any such allotment provided that such power shall be limited:

a. 

to the allotment of equity securities in connection with a rights issue or other offer in favour of holders of ordinary shares 
where the equity securities respectively attributable to the interests of all the ordinary shareholders are proportionate 
(as  nearly  as  may  be)  to  the  respective  number  of  ordinary  shares  held  by  them  subject  to  such  exclusions  or  other 
arrangements as the Directors may consider appropriate to deal with fractional entitlements or legal or practical difficulties 
under the laws of any territory or the requirements of a regulatory body; and

57

 
 
Notice of Annual General Meeting

b. 

to the allotment (otherwise than pursuant to sub-paragraph (a) above) of equity securities up to an aggregate nominal 
amount of £153,523 and shall expire on whichever is the earlier of the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of 
the Company or the date falling 15 months from the date of the passing of this Resolution, except that the Company may, 
before such expiry, make an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such 
expiry and the Directors may allot equity securities in pursuance of such offer or agreement as if the power conferred by 
this Resolution had not expired. 

10. That the Articles of Association of the Company be amended by the substitution of “£225,000” for “£150,000” in Article 92 

Directors Fees.

By order of the Board

S M King 

Registered office 
Chatteris Business Park
Chatteris
Cambridgeshire
PE16 6SA

Dated 26 September 2016

58

 
 
 
 
 
Notice of Annual General Meeting

Notes:

Entitlement to attend and vote

1.  Only those members registered on the Company’s register of members at close of business on 14 November 2017; or if this 
Meeting is adjourned, at close of business on the day two days prior to the adjourned meeting shall be entitled to attend and 
vote at the Meeting. 

Attending in person

2.  If you wish to attend the Meeting in person, please bring photographic identification with you to the meeting.

Appointment of proxies

3.   If you are a member of the Company at the time set out in note 1 above, you are entitled to appoint a proxy to exercise all 
or any of your rights to attend, speak and vote at the Meeting and you should have received a proxy form with this notice of 
meeting. You can only appoint a proxy using the procedures set out in these notes and the notes to the proxy form.

4.   If you are not a member of the Company but you have been nominated by a member of the Company to enjoy information 
rights, you do not have a right to appoint any proxies under the procedures set out in this “Appointment of proxies” section. 

5.   A proxy does not need to be a member of the Company but must attend the Meeting to represent you. Details of how to 
appoint the Chairman of the Meeting or another person as your proxy using the proxy form are set out in the notes to the 
proxy form. 

6.   You may appoint more than one proxy provided each proxy is appointed to exercise rights attached to different shares. You 

may not appoint more than one proxy to exercise rights attached to any one share. 

7.   A vote withheld is not a vote in law, which means that the vote will not be counted in the calculation of votes for or against 
the resolution. If no voting indication is given, your proxy will vote or abstain from voting at his or her discretion. Your proxy 
will vote (or abstain from voting) as he or she thinks fit in relation to any other matter which is put before the Meeting.

Appointment of proxy using hard copy proxy form

8.   The notes to the proxy form explain how to direct your proxy how to vote on each resolution or withhold their vote. To 
appoint a proxy using the proxy form, the form must be completed and signed and sent or delivered to Capita Asset Services 
of PXS, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 4TU; and received by Capita Asset Services of PXS, 34 Beckenham 
Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 4TU no later than 11:00am on 14 November 2017.

In the case of a member which is a company, the proxy form must be executed under its common seal or signed on its behalf 
by an officer of the company or an attorney for the company.

  Any power of attorney or any other authority under which the proxy form is signed (or a duly certified copy of such power 

or authority) must be included with the proxy form.

Appointment of proxy by joint members

9.  In the case of joint holders, where more than one of the joint holders purports to appoint a proxy, only the appointment 
submitted by the most senior holder will be accepted. Seniority is determined by the order in which the names of the joint 
holders appear in the Company’s register of members in respect of the joint holding (the first-named being the most senior).

Changing proxy instructions

10.  To change your proxy instructions simply submit a new proxy appointment using the methods set out above. Note that the 
cut-off time for receipt of proxy appointments (see above) also apply in relation to amended instructions; any amended proxy 
appointment received after the relevant cut-off time will be disregarded.

  Where you have appointed a proxy using the hard-copy proxy form and would like to change the instructions using another 
hard-copy proxy form, please contact Capita Asset Services of PXS, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 4TU.

If you submit more than one valid proxy appointment, the appointment received last before the latest time for the receipt of 
proxies will take precedence.

59

 
 
Notice of Annual General Meeting (Continued)

Termination of proxy appointments

11.  In order to revoke a proxy instruction you will need to inform the Company using one of the following methods:

•  By sending a signed hard copy notice clearly stating your intention to revoke your proxy appointment to Capita Asset 

Services of PXS, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 4TU.

• 

In the case of a member which is a company, the revocation notice must be executed under its common seal or signed  
on its behalf by an officer of the company or an attorney for the company. Any power of attorney or any other  authority 
under which the revocation notice is signed (or a duly certified copy of such power or authority) must be  included with 
the revocation notice.

In either case, the revocation notice must be received by the Capita Asset Services of PXS, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, 
Kent, BR3 4TU no later than 14 November 2017 at 11.00am.

  Appointment of a proxy does not preclude you from attending the Meeting and voting in person. If you have appointed a 

proxy and attend the Meeting in person, your proxy appointment will automatically be terminated.

Issued shares and total voting rights

12. As at 11:00 am on 26 September 2017, the Company’s issued share capital comprised 30,704,636 ordinary shares of 5p each. 
Each ordinary share carries the right to one vote at a general meeting of the Company and, therefore, the total number of 
voting rights in the Company as at 11.00am on 26 September 2017 is 30,704,636.

Documents on display

13  The following documents will be available for inspection at Chatteris Business Park, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire PE16 6SA 
from 27 October 2017 until the time of the Meeting and for at least 15 minutes prior to the Meeting and during the Meeting:

•  Copies of the letters of appointment of the directors of the Company.

60

 
5 YEAR PERFORMANCE

Revenue

n
o

i
l
l
i

M
£

n
o

i
l
l
i

M
£

40

30

20

10

0

70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2
0

- 0.2

- 0.4

- 0.6

n
o

i
l
l
i

M
£

e
c
n
e
P

2

1

0

- 1

- 2

- 3

17.4

23.7

22.6

21.2

22.7

Year

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

30.5

32.7

34.2

64.8

44.9

Year

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

0.7

0.3

0.4

- 0.5

Year

2013

-0.6

2014

2015

2016

2017

1.0

1.1

-1.0

-0.4

-2.8

Year

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Net Assets

EBITDA
(adjusted)

EPS - Diluted
(adjusted)

2013 - 2015 adjusted to exclude 
results for Aerospace division sold May 
16. The results above are under IAS 
(International Accounting Standards). 
Adjusted for share based payments, 
impairment of goodwill, amortisation/
impairment of intangibles and 
exceptionals.

 
 
 
Avingtrans plc, Chatteris Business Park, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire PE16 6SA
Tel: 01354 692 391   Email: info@avingtrans.plc.uk   www.avingtrans.plc.uk