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FY2020 Annual Report · Australian Vintage
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PINPOINT-INVEST-EXIT

 2020 Annual Report

About 

Avingtrans plc has a proven 
strategy of “buy and build” in 
highly regulated engineering 
markets, a strategy it has named 
“Pinpoint-Invest-Exit”. Signifi cant 
shareholder value is delivered 
through a clear strategy, a strong 
balance sheet and an agile and 
experienced management team.

www.avingtrans.plc.uk

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About us

Delivering shareholder value through a
proven strategy of Pinpoint-Invest-Exit in
highly regulated global engineering markets

Energy Division

Performance

critical solutions for

energy systems

The Group has a proven track record in 
delivering shareholder value through PIE:

● Identifying and executing prudent deals with precision and speed

● Building strong brands and value from constituent parts

● Crystallising these gains with periodic sales of businesses at advantageous valuations

● Returning the proceeds to shareholders 

Purchased Moes & Placing £3.5m

2009

8

Purchased Sigma1

2010

9

Sold JenaTec; Purchased Aerotech & PFW

2011

2012

2013

15

17

Purchased Maloney

2014

Oil price Shock

Purchased RMDG

Purchased Rolls Royce pipes; Sold Sigma

Returned £19.4m to shareholders;
Purchase SciMag and Whiteley Read

Purchased Hayward Tyler Group
and Ormandy Group assets

Purchased Tecmag; 
Exited Whiteley Read

Purchased Booth & Energy Steel

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

32

31

45

50

43

19

67

71

77

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

1Remaining 25% of Sigma

Market Cap £m

Tender Offer £m

Engineered Pumps and Motors (EPM) Division

The EPM division is built on one brand, Hayward Tyler. Established in 1815, Hayward Tyler designs, manufactures 

and services performance-critical electric motors and pumps to meet the most demanding of applications for the 

global energy industry, as both an OEM supplier and a trusted through life support partner.

Process Solutions and Rotating Equipment (PSRE) Division

The  PSRE  division  comprises  a  number  of  established  brands  with  expertise  across  the  global  energy  market. 

The brands specialise in the design, manufacture, integration and servicing of an extensive product and service 

off ering including steam turbines, gas compressors, pressure vessels, bespoke high-integrity doors, containers and 

skidded systems.

Medical Division

Innovative solutions

for medical systems

and research

Timeline

2010 (38 GBp)

2012 (98 GBp)

2014 (148 GBp)

2016 (180 GBp)

2017 (235 GBp)

Medical (MII)

Development of the aerospace

Precision instruments

Mature growth of aerospace

The Aerospace Division, Sigma

Acquisition of the Hayward

and precision components

business, JenaTec, sold for

and the initial development of

Components, sold for £65m

Tyler Group for £29.4m and

businesses

£13.5m

energy and medical

creation of Energy and Medical

Divisions

The medical division has special expertise in the design and manufacture of innovative equipment for the medical, 

science  and  research  communities.  Including  cutting-edge  products  for  medical  diagnostic  equipment;  high 

performance  pressure,  vacuum  vessels  and  composite  materials  for  research  organisations;  superconducting 

magnets and helium-free cryogenic systems.

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About us

Delivering shareholder value through a

proven strategy of Pinpoint-Invest-Exit in

highly regulated global engineering markets

Energy Division

Performance
critical solutions for
energy systems

The Group has a proven track record in 

delivering shareholder value through PIE:

● Identifying and executing prudent deals with precision and speed

● Building strong brands and value from constituent parts

● Crystallising these gains with periodic sales of businesses at advantageous valuations

● Returning the proceeds to shareholders 

15

17

Purchased Moes & Placing £3.5m

2009

8

Purchased Sigma1

2010

9

Sold JenaTec; Purchased Aerotech & PFW

Purchased Maloney

2014

Oil price Shock

Purchased RMDG

Purchased Rolls Royce pipes; Sold Sigma

Returned £19.4m to shareholders;

Purchase SciMag and Whiteley Read

Purchased Hayward Tyler Group

and Ormandy Group assets

Purchased Tecmag; 

Exited Whiteley Read

Purchased Booth & Energy Steel

2011

2012

2013

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

32

31

45

50

43

19

Engineered Pumps and Motors (EPM) Division

The EPM division is built on one brand, Hayward Tyler. Established in 1815, Hayward Tyler designs, manufactures 
and services performance-critical electric motors and pumps to meet the most demanding of applications for the 
global energy industry, as both an OEM supplier and a trusted through life support partner.

Process Solutions and Rotating Equipment (PSRE) Division

The  PSRE  division  comprises  a  number  of  established  brands  with  expertise  across  the  global  energy  market. 
The brands specialise in the design, manufacture, integration and servicing of an extensive product and service 
off ering including steam turbines, gas compressors, pressure vessels, bespoke high-integrity doors, containers and 
skidded systems.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

1Remaining 25% of Sigma

Market Cap £m

Tender Offer £m

67

71

77

Medical Division

Innovative solutions
for medical systems
and research

Timeline

2010 (38 GBp)

2012 (98 GBp)

2014 (148 GBp)

2016 (180 GBp)

2017 (235 GBp)

Medical (MII)

Development of the aerospace

Precision instruments

Mature growth of aerospace

The Aerospace Division, Sigma

Acquisition of the Hayward

and precision components

business, JenaTec, sold for

and the initial development of

Components, sold for £65m

Tyler Group for £29.4m and

businesses

£13.5m

energy and medical

creation of Energy and Medical

Divisions

The medical division has special expertise in the design and manufacture of innovative equipment for the medical, 
science  and  research  communities.  Including  cutting-edge  products  for  medical  diagnostic  equipment;  high 
performance  pressure,  vacuum  vessels  and  composite  materials  for  research  organisations;  superconducting 
magnets and helium-free cryogenic systems.

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Financial highlights

	●  Revenue increased by 9.5% to £113.9m (2019: £104.0m)

●    Underlying revenue excluding acquisitions £96.4m,  

subdued due to Covid-19 

	● Gross Margin improved to 27.8% (2019: 26.6%)

	●  Adjusted2 EBITDA from continuing operations increased 

by 25.7% to £11.8m (20191: £9.4m)

	● Adjusted2 PBT increased to £6m (2019: £5.3m)

	●  Adjusted2 Diluted earnings per share were boosted to 16.9p 

(2019: 14.6p)

	● Net Debt excluding IFRS16 £7.4m (31 May 2019: £2.0m)

	●  Dividend suspended due to Covid-19, intention to re-instate 

in FY21

Operational highlights – Energy

	●  Revenue up 11% to £102.0m (2019: £91.9m), boosted by 

acquisitions in the period 

	●  Aftermarket performance continuing to improve across most 

business units, despite Covid-19

	●  Bolt-on acquisitions of Booth Industries and Energy Steel 

completed during the period

●    integrations of both went well during FY20, with each 

delivering modest maiden profits for the group (net of costs) 
despite both being distressed on acquisition

	● Expanding orders in nuclear sector in the UK, USA and Asia

	●  Booth has a record order book, including the £36m HS2 doors 

order just received

	●  HT China won a £2.2m pump order for a concentrated solar 

power plant in Dubai

	●  Post period end, obtained Outline Planning Permission (OPP) 

for the redevelopment of Hayward Tyler Luton site, comprising 
1,000 residential units

	●  All factories have adapted to new operating conditions and 

contained the CV19 disruption

Operational highlights – Medical

	●  Revenue flat at £11.9m (2019: £12.1m), transition to new 

markets continues

	●  Scientific Magnetics and Tecmag working with their partners 

to produce new product and service offerings for the MRI and 
NMR markets

	●  Focus on new markets and products, esp. compact MRI,  

with a “sustain” strategy elsewhere

	●  Composite Products performance was again stable in the 

period, with good prospects

1   2019 not restated for IFRS16

2   Adjusted to add back amortisation of intangibles from business combinations, acquisition costs and 

exceptional items.

“

Commenting on the results,  
Roger McDowell, Chairman, said: 

“Despite the headwinds produced by the 
Covid-19 pandemic, it has been a solid year 
for the Group, with record numbers in 
terms of orders, revenue and profit, 
supported by the recently acquired 
businesses, Booth Industries (UK) and 
Energy Steel (USA). Both of these 
acquisitions performed acceptably in their 
first year with the Group and recent order 
wins  have reinforced our view that both  
will create significant shareholder value in 
due course, as they respond to our now 
well-proven Pinpoint-Invest-Exit strategy 
(PIE). The former Hayward Tyler Group 
(HTG) businesses performed well in the 
year, despite Covid-19 issues, including: 
temporary factory closures, delayed orders 
and supplier parts delays. Ormandy and 
Crown had challenging times due to the 
crisis. Oil and gas capex spending was  
much reduced, but we were able to absorb 
this and the Covid-19 effects within the 
overall results. 

The Energy divisions and their management 
teams have managed the crisis well and we 
continue to focus on profitable growth, to 
build valuable businesses. Nuclear life 
extension and decommissioning arenas 
remain good hunting grounds for us and 
overall order intake has been pleasing so  
far in the new financial year. Our nascent 
medical division continues to make steady 
progress, as it develops new products, 
notably for MRI applications. We will 
continue to concentrate on high margin 
aftermarket opportunities in all our 
businesses. Brexit, tariff wars and Covid-19 
are all unwelcome disruptions, but we will 
maintain our well-planned course. We 
remain positive about our prospects in  
both Energy and Medical and, with our 
strong Balance Sheet, we have the 
resources to support our agility, enabling  
us to seize any opportunity.”

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wins  have reinforced our view that both  

	●  Aftermarket performance continuing to improve across most 

will create significant shareholder value in 

business units, despite Covid-19

Financial highlights

	●  Revenue increased by 9.5% to £113.9m (2019: £104.0m)

●    Underlying revenue excluding acquisitions £96.4m,  

subdued due to Covid-19 

	● Gross Margin improved to 27.8% (2019: 26.6%)

	●  Adjusted2 EBITDA from continuing operations increased 

by 25.7% to £11.8m (20191: £9.4m)

	● Adjusted2 PBT increased to £6m (2019: £5.3m)

	●  Adjusted2 Diluted earnings per share were boosted to 16.9p 

(2019: 14.6p)

in FY21

	● Net Debt excluding IFRS16 £7.4m (31 May 2019: £2.0m)

	●  Dividend suspended due to Covid-19, intention to re-instate 

Operational highlights – Energy

	●  Revenue up 11% to £102.0m (2019: £91.9m), boosted by 

acquisitions in the period 

	●  Bolt-on acquisitions of Booth Industries and Energy Steel 

completed during the period

●    integrations of both went well during FY20, with each 

delivering modest maiden profits for the group (net of costs) 

despite both being distressed on acquisition

	● Expanding orders in nuclear sector in the UK, USA and Asia

	●  Booth has a record order book, including the £36m HS2 doors 

order just received

	●  HT China won a £2.2m pump order for a concentrated solar 

	●  Post period end, obtained Outline Planning Permission (OPP) 

for the redevelopment of Hayward Tyler Luton site, comprising 

1,000 residential units

	●  All factories have adapted to new operating conditions and 

contained the CV19 disruption

Operational highlights – Medical

	●  Revenue flat at £11.9m (2019: £12.1m), transition to new 

markets continues

	●  Scientific Magnetics and Tecmag working with their partners 

to produce new product and service offerings for the MRI and 

NMR markets

	●  Focus on new markets and products, esp. compact MRI,  

with a “sustain” strategy elsewhere

	●  Composite Products performance was again stable in the 

period, with good prospects

1   2019 not restated for IFRS16

exceptional items.

2   Adjusted to add back amortisation of intangibles from business combinations, acquisition costs and 

“

Commenting on the results,  

Roger McDowell, Chairman, said: 

“Despite the headwinds produced by the 

Covid-19 pandemic, it has been a solid year 

for the Group, with record numbers in 

terms of orders, revenue and profit, 

supported by the recently acquired 

businesses, Booth Industries (UK) and 

Energy Steel (USA). Both of these 

acquisitions performed acceptably in their 

first year with the Group and recent order 

due course, as they respond to our now 

well-proven Pinpoint-Invest-Exit strategy 

(PIE). The former Hayward Tyler Group 

(HTG) businesses performed well in the 

year, despite Covid-19 issues, including: 

temporary factory closures, delayed orders 

and supplier parts delays. Ormandy and 

Crown had challenging times due to the 

crisis. Oil and gas capex spending was  

much reduced, but we were able to absorb 

this and the Covid-19 effects within the 

The Energy divisions and their management 

teams have managed the crisis well and we 

continue to focus on profitable growth, to 

build valuable businesses. Nuclear life 

extension and decommissioning arenas 

remain good hunting grounds for us and 

overall order intake has been pleasing so  

far in the new financial year. Our nascent 

medical division continues to make steady 

progress, as it develops new products, 

notably for MRI applications. We will 

continue to concentrate on high margin 

aftermarket opportunities in all our 

businesses. Brexit, tariff wars and Covid-19 

are all unwelcome disruptions, but we will 

maintain our well-planned course. We 

remain positive about our prospects in  

both Energy and Medical and, with our 

strong Balance Sheet, we have the 

resources to support our agility, enabling  

us to seize any opportunity.”

overall results. 

power plant in Dubai

Company Information

For the year ended 31 May 2020

Company registration number: 

01968354

Registered office: 

Chatteris Business Park
Chatteris
Cambridgeshire
PE16 6SA

Directors: 

Website: 

Secretary: 

Bankers: 

Registrars: 

Nominated advisor and broker: 

Solicitors: 

Independent Auditor: 

R S McDowell (Non-executive Chairman)
S McQuillan (Chief Executive Officer)
S M King (Chief Financial Officer)
G K Thornton (Non-executive Director retired 14 November 2019)
L J Thomas (Non-executive Director)
J Clarke (Non-executive Director) 

Royal Bank of Scotland
2 St Philips Place
Birmingham
B3 2RB

www.avingtrans.plc.uk

S M King

HSBC Bank plc 
PO Box 68 
130 New Street 
Birmingham 
B2 4JU 

Link Asset Services
Northern House
Woodsome Park
Fenay Bridge
Huddersfield
West Yorkshire
HD8 0GA

Nplus1 Singer Advisory LLP
1 Bartholomew Lane
London
EC2N 2AX

Shakespeare Martineau LLP
No1 Colmore Square
Birmingham
B4 6AA

Grant Thornton UK LLP
Statutory Auditor
Chartered Accountants
The Colmore Building
20 Colmore Circus
Birmingham
B4 6AT

1

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Index

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 and statement  
of comprehensive income 

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 

Page

3

4 – 15

16 – 19

20 – 24

25 – 26

27 – 34

35 – 48

49

50

51

52 

53

54

55

56 – 87

88 – 91

2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chairman’s Statement

Notwithstanding the effects of Covid-19, it has been a year of solid progress at Avingtrans in FY20, with record adjusted EBITDA 
and revenue boosted by acquisitions. Although the pandemic had some adverse impacts on most of our businesses in the year 
(notably on order timing - starting in our China units in February 2020), we have been able to make headway, nonetheless. It is 
also pleasing to note a number of important new order wins, post-period end, which have provided a degree of catch-up for FY21, 
following delays through the lockdown period.

Under the Pinpoint-Invest-Exit (“PIE”) strategy the assets of Booth Industries in Bolton, UK and Energy Steel in Michigan, USA 
were acquired in June 2019. Both of these turnaround opportunities were purchased following agile due diligence processes. 
The two businesses augment our capabilities in the nuclear sector and Booth brings Avingtrans into the wider Critical National 
Infrastructure  (CNI)  market.  The  acquisition  of  Energy  Steel  broadened  Hayward  Tyler’s  product  offering  -  particularly  in 
solutions for “orphan” OEM components for the nuclear aftermarket - and provides cross-selling opportunities. Acquiring Booth 
Industries  has  enabled  the  Process  Solutions  and  Rotating  Equipment  (“PSRE”)  division  to  expand  its  product  and  service 
offering and deepen its relationships with its existing customers. Both businesses have integrated well, delivering modest profits 
(before transaction costs) in their maiden year with the Group.

The divisional management teams have shown themselves to be adaptable and resilient in the period, continuing to build upon 
solid business platforms, despite the disruptions due to Covid-19 (‘CV19)’. These effects have caused us to make certain targeted 
changes,  such  as  closing  the  Crown  site  and  relocating  the  residual  assets  into  Metalcraft.  However,  our  focus  remains  on 
growing formidable and valuable businesses. 

Aftermarket growth in EPM and PSRE remains central to developing robust value propositions, in order to support OEM and 
end-user customers. This improved end-user access model not only provides a more predictable and repeatable pipeline, which 
in turn drives improved profitability, but also boosts product and service development. We are particularly keen to maximise the 
revenue opportunities arising from the aftermarket access afforded by recent acquisitions (eg Energy Steel) and through recent 
partnerships deals (eg with Shinhoo Pumps, China).

The Engineered Pumps and Motors (EPM) division delivered an acceptable result for the year given the backdrop, as it suffered 
a series of CV19 disruptions, first in China, then in the UK and USA and finally in India. The impacts included delayed orders, 
supply chain delays and customer delivery issues, so a broadly flat result was no mean feat. Energy Steel helped to boost the 
revenue for the division and made an underlying modest contribution to profit, which is promising for the future, considering the 
backdrop of its first year with the Group. The post-period end award of outline planning permission for the HT Luton site was 
welcome news, providing us with the opportunity to optimise HT’s UK operations, whilst potentially producing a net surplus for 
the Group when the site is exited in due course.

The PSRE division pushed through CV19 effects, in part, thanks to a gratifying performance by Peter Brotherhood, although we 
have seen order delays in this division also. The division is now refining its offering to the UK nuclear market – especially to 
Sellafield for nuclear decommissioning – whilst also using this capability to position for longer term new nuclear technologies. 
Ormandy  had  a  trickier  year,  due  to  Covid-19  induced  construction  market  delays,  but  is  now  getting  back  on  track.  The 
integration of Booth has gone well so far, with a record order book and a modest initial profit being satisfactory first steps on the 
journey to recovery.

Meanwhile, the Medical and Industrial Imaging (MII) division continues to progress steadily, with both the UK and Chinese 
businesses performing acceptably. This is a division in transition, where Scientific Magnetics and Tecmag are working with their 
partners to produce new product offerings for the MRI and NMR markets. While these developments are still at a relatively early 
stage, the Board is excited about the long-term potential of the division which, is expected to yield longer term positive returns 
for the Group, albeit perhaps using a different vehicle to maximise returns than our usual “PIE” process for mature businesses.

Whilst the results for the Group were solid as a whole, the Board considers that it is prudent to continue to preserve cash and 
will not propose a final dividend this year. In the context of the global pandemic, the resulting need for targeted restructuring and 
having made some use of government support schemes, we believe that shareholders will consider that this is the right thing to 
do. All being well, we intend to return to our commitment to long term shareholder returns in FY21. Our resilient view of the 
prospects for the Group, underpinned by our prudent approach to debt and financial headroom, further support this decision. 
Given the strength of the order book, we are reinstating guidance.

Finally,  since  the  last  annual  report,  Graham  Thornton  retired  from  the  Board,  having  served  with  distinction  for  10  years 
with the Group. The Board and I wish Graham every success with his future endeavours and thank him for his hard work and 
dedication whilst he was with us. I warmly welcome all of the staff in recent acquisitions to Avingtrans and congratulate them 
and all Avingtrans employees for the spirit and hardiness they have displayed in recent, challenging months. On behalf of the 
shareholders, I thank all Avingtrans employees for their dedication to the Group during the past year, as we look forward with 
watchful enthusiasm to FY21.

Roger McDowell
Chairman
29 September 2020

3

Strategic Report

Group Performance

Strategy and business summary

Group Strategy

Our  core  strategy  is  to  buy  and  build  engineering  companies  in  niche  markets,  particularly  where  we  see  turnaround  and 
consolidation  prospects;  a  strategy  we  call  Pinpoint-Invest-Exit  (“PIE”).  We  have  had  a  strong  track  record  in  returning 
significant shareholder value over the past decade and FY20 was another successful year, with the June 2019 acquisitions of 
Booth Industries (UK) and Energy Steel (USA) being successfully integrated into the group. 

With an increased presence in our target markets, a focus on the aftermarket, strength in depth of the management teams and a 
lean central structure, the Group continues to grow profitably – notwithstanding the recent buffeting by Covid-19 – and the Board 
has renewed its focus on seeking additions to the Avingtrans value-add proposition. 

The majority of the Group’s adjusted key financial metrics trended positively in the period, allowing for Covid-19 and the effects 
of acquiring two underperforming businesses during the year.

The business is focused on the global Energy and Medical markets, both of which play into some of the world’s mega-trends, 
such as: continued urbanisation; an ageing population; and an accelerating transition towards a cleaner and healthier planet.

Divisional Strategies

Engineered Pumps and Motors (Energy – EPM): EPM continues to develop its nuclear installed base (civil, defence and 
national security) – notably for life extension applications – and its offering to the hydrocarbon market sectors. This strategy was 
bolstered by the acquisition of Energy Steel in North America, which specialises in nuclear life extension. In addition, the EPM 
business continues to develop solutions for new nuclear technologies and other low carbon energy sources, such as concentrated 
solar, to capitalise on the global energy supply transition. During FY20 EPM secured a number of key contracts, including the 
provision of pumps for the global fusion reactor project (“ITER”) in France and pumps for a major new concentrated solar power 
plant in Dubai.

Process  Solutions  and  Rotating  Equipment  (Energy  –  PSRE):  Here,  the  primary  strategy  is  to  develop  a  comprehensive 
offering to the nuclear decommissioning and reprocessing markets, building on the long-term contracts to build nuclear waste 
storage containers and the installed base of equipment across the vast Sellafield site. In parallel, to continue to support the nuclear 
submarine fleet and facilities for the UK MOD and targeted opportunities in the equally highly regulated offshore Oil & Gas 
markets. During the year, the division’s nuclear credentials were boosted by the acquisition of the assets of Booth Industries, 
which also broadened our market reach into Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) and national security in general. The division 
completed the exit from the Crown site near Bristol and integrated the residual assets into Metalcraft, following continued order 
delays in its historic products.

Medical and Industrial Imaging (Medical – MII): The focus for the medical division is to become a niche market leader in the 
production of high integrity components and systems for medical and scientific equipment manufacturers including MRI medical 
imaging, proton therapy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR).

The  common  theme  which  we  are  seeking  to  exploit  across  the  energy  and  medical  divisions,  is  the  continued  pressure  on 
aftermarket expenditure, where operational efficiency, reliability and safety are paramount and operators are looking to their 
supply chain partners to provide long term support of infrastructure and legacy installations.

Pinpoint-Invest-Exit

Continuing our Pinpoint-Invest-Exit strategy, Avingtrans added two bolt-on acquisitions in the year, being Booth and Energy 
Steel.

In  June  2019,  the  Company  announced  the  acquisition  of  certain  of  the  assets  of  Bolton-based  Booth  Industries  Limited,  a 
leading  UK  engineering  company,  for  a  consideration  of  £1.8m,  from  the  administrators  of AIM-quoted  Redhall  Group  plc 
(“Redhall”). The acquisition included a freehold site valued at £1.25m.

Additionally  the  Group  also  acquired  the  brand  name  and  selected  assets  of  Jordan  Manufacturing  for  £40k,  a  provider  of 
specialist  manufacturing  and  fabrication  services  and  another  division  of  Redhall,  in  August  2019,  which  strengthened 
Metalcraft’s position as a key player in the nuclear supply chain.

Also in June 2019, the Company acquired US-based Energy Steel & Supply Co. (Energy Steel), an established manufacturer of 
machined products and components to the civil nuclear power industry. US-based Energy Steel was acquired by Avingtrans for 
a consideration of $0.6m. Hayward Tyler has over 600 pumps in active service in nuclear applications across the world and this 
acquisition expands the Company’s nuclear capabilities and product lines for new and existing customers. 

4

Strategic Report (Continued)

Pinpoint-Invest-Exit (continued)

The integrations of Booth and Energy Steel both went well during FY20 and they were each able to deliver modest maiden 
profits for the group, despite both being in distressed positions when they were acquired. This is all the more pleasing, given the 
headwinds generated by the global pandemic.

Post period end, we obtained Outline Planning Permission (OPP) for the redevelopment of our HT Luton site, comprising up to 
1,000 residential units. Whilst it is too early to say what the value of the site may become, we believe that there should be ample 
headroom to relocate HT to a new site and deal with any exit costs, whilst still leaving a material net surplus.

Although M&A activity in energy capital goods markets has been somewhat inhibited by Covid-19, businesses like ours continue 
to command high valuations. Avingtrans remains confident about the current strategic direction and potential future opportunities 
across its chosen markets.

Markets – Energy

The global demand for energy has temporarily stopped growing, due to Covid-19, but we believe that we will see a return to 
growth from next year and the effect of the pandemic may be to drive faster towards increased efficiency and decarbonisation. 
This trend may benefit our businesses in the nuclear and renewables sectors.

End User/Aftermarket

Operators and end-users are demanding a blend of quick response through local support with a requirement to drive improvements 
through equipment upgrades and modernisation. In the West, where facilities are being operated for longer than their intended 
design lives – and often in a drive for increased capacity alongside tougher regulations – there is a strong demand for solution 
providers in the supply chain to partner with end-users for the longer term. The Avingtrans energy divisions are well positioned 
to grow in this end-user market space.

Nuclear

Nuclear energy as a low carbon, baseload power source remains an asymmetric market with respect to future growth. Almost all 
of the 1GW+ new build opportunities are currently in Asia, with the exception of the limited UK programme. However, we are 
still enjoying buoyant market segments, including supporting the operational fleet, continued safe operation and life extensions, 
decommissioning and reprocessing. We are also working on the long-term development of the next generation of technologies 
–  i.e.  Small  Modular  (SMR),  or Advanced  Generation  IV  Reactors.  In  addition,  these  segments  all  have  the  backdrop  of  a 
consolidating supply chain and paucity of expert knowledge.

The USA still operates the biggest civil nuclear fleet in the world, with 95 reactors generating more than 30 percent of the world’s 
nuclear electricity. When coupled with the heritage Westinghouse technology operating in Europe and Asia, the EPM division’s 
long-standing position in this market provides fertile ground for further growth.  Obsolescence and life extension are key issues 
for nuclear operators worldwide and the Avingtrans Energy Divisions are well positioned to support operators in addressing this 
critical risk. The acquisition of Energy Steel in the USA has bolstered the Group’s capabilities in this regard.

The  UK  remains  pre-eminent  when  it  comes  to  decommissioning  and  reprocessing,  in  terms  of  innovative  technology  and 
overall spend. The Group is embedded in the future manufacture of waste containers for Sellafield and will continue to expand 
its presence in the UK and globally in the longer term. The development of new nuclear technologies is ongoing, with pockets of 
activity in the UK, South Korea, the USA and China dominating development activity. The Group views these new technologies 
as an attractive route forwards for nuclear and is well positioned to develop as a global industry partner.

Power Generation

The world continues to electrify, with an increasing amount of primary energy going to the power sector, which remains a key 
focus across the Group’s energy divisions. Aside from nuclear, as discussed in the previous section, the main sub-sectors are as 
follows:

•  Coal – the Group continues to see good aftermarket activity from coal fired power stations even though the demand for new 
power stations is in decline.  Opportunities still exist in India, China, South East Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. 
EPM is optimising its product line, to take market share and to create tomorrow’s aftermarket.

•  Gas – natural gas, primarily in the form of combined cycle gas turbine power plants is a growing market space, primarily in 

the West.  The Group is moving into this market with both existing and new product lines.

•  Renewables – renewable technologies and their supporting infrastructure are a growing market globally. The Group has a 
broad range of products that can be applied directly to this market segment and also has expertise that can be used to develop 
new products for niche parts of this market, such as molten salt for concentrated solar applications.  

5

  
Strategic Report (Continued)

Markets – Energy (continued)

Hydrocarbons

At the start of FY20, we had begun to see relatively more orders in this sector, although our forecasts were deliberately cautious, 
given the recent years of weak prices, low capital expenditure, portfolio realignments and productivity efficiencies. However, 
Covid-19 has had a dramatic effect on oil and gas supply and demand, with Brent crude now trading at in the range of $40 to 
$45 per barrel, with most informed forecasts suggesting a slow and modest recovery over time. The result is that new capital 
expenditure in this sector has been materially reduced, meaning that our forecasts must continue to err on the side of caution, 
with some limited restructuring activity in EPM being necessary, due to the time lag we can expect before any sector recovery. 
However, aftermarket orders continue to be won, so there is some positive news in this area.

Digitalisation & Condition Monitoring

Companies  across  the  energy  market  continue  to  invest  in  digital  technologies  to  improve  productivity,  efficiency  and 
predictability in the field.  At the equipment level this translates to a series of devices, sensors and algorithms which can predict 
breakdowns  before  they  occur  and  ensuring  equipment  is  running  at  its  optimum  performance. The  Group  launched  its  first 
monitoring product, DataHawkTM, for Boiler Circulating Pumps two years ago and is building on this success by adding this 
capability to both a wider set of original equipment and its aftermarket service offering.

Markets – Medical

The  Diagnostic  (medical)  and  molecular  imaging  markets  are  large  global  sectors,  dominated  by  a  few  large  systems 
manufacturers. The total Diagnostic Imaging Market will be worth $33.5bn by 2024, according to Markets and Markets and is 
expected to continue to grow at over 5% per annum over that period. The largest market is the USA, followed by Europe and 
Japan. The fastest growing markets are China and India.

The Avingtrans Medical division is primarily targeting the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance 
(NMR) segments of these markets, due to the common thread requirements for superconducting magnets and cryogenics. These 
two segments account for approximately 85% of our business in the medical division. Market drivers for these segments include 
an ageing global population and the global pharmaceutical industry’s research needs. MRI itself is approximately 18% by value 
of the total diagnostic Imaging market and is projected to grow at 6% p.a. (Grand View Research). NMR is a smaller market, 
currently estimated at $861m p.a. by Marketwatch and is projected to grow at over 3% p.a. until 2026, with Bruker enjoying a 
dominant market share. 

End User/Aftermarket 

The MRI market segment is dominated by a handful of manufacturers, including GE, Siemens and Philips, who account for 
circa 80% of revenue globally. These players also dominate the aftermarket, though there are a few independent MRI service 
businesses in existence. Avingtrans is not present in the MRI aftermarket at this time.

The NMR market is similar, currently dominated by Bruker and Jeol. Avingtrans is aligned with MR Resources Inc, a well-
established US business, which services the NMR aftermarket. The Avingtrans Medical division is well positioned in this end-
user market space and is winning service contracts with European NMR users, following our partnership agreement with MR 
Resources.

MRI

As noted above, the MRI market segment is dominated by a handful of global manufacturers. For component and sub-system 
supply, Avingtrans is most aligned to the market leader, Siemens and also to Canon, which acquired the Toshiba MRI business in 
recent years. As far as full system supply is concerned, we are currently investigating a number of niche MRI applications (e.g. 
veterinary imaging) and their associated routes to market, with the intention of pinpointing the most promising of these for future 
investment, to bring novel products to market. 

NMR

We are aligned with recent market entrant Q One Instruments, China and also with MR Resources of the USA, as noted above. 
Together, we form an alliance to challenge the dominance of the existing players and to provide customers with an additional 
source for NMR products, service and support. Former NMR customers of Agilent (formerly Varian) are also being given much 
needed support. Although hampered towards the end of the period by Covid-19, we have been successfully winning support 
contracts for end users and the prospect list for Q One Instruments is growing slowly. After acquiring Tecmag Inc in Houston 
in October 2018, to add software and electronics capabilities to our NMR/MRI systems, we then acquired some assets from 
Acorn NMR in California, to transfer to Tecmag and to broaden our NMR service offering into end-user sample analysis and 
characterisation. This initiative has had some modest success in its first year of activity.

6

Strategic Report (Continued)

Operations

Operational Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

•  Percentage of total continuing revenue deriving from aftermarket (AM) sales (%) 
•  Customer quality – defect free deliveries (%) 
•  Customer on-time in-full deliveries (%) 
•  Annualised staff turnover including restructuring (%) 
•  Health, Safety and Environment incidents per head per annum 

2020 

44.7 
98.2 
80.1 
13.7 
0.08 

2019

46.2
98.0
87.2
13.0
0.10

The AM sales % figure was slightly down year-on-year, as CV19 delays affected AM order timings – especially at EPM, in the 
nuclear aftermarket. For customer quality, we sustained our usual high level of defect free deliveries, though on time deliveries 
fell back in the year. This was partly due to the initially poor delivery performances at Booth and ES after acquisition, but also 
latterly affected by CV19 supply chain delays. Annualised staff turnover was also relatively static, with more stable staff positions 
in EPM and PSRE overall being challenged by CV19 restructuring – eg the closure of the Crown site. The long-term positive 
reduction of HSE incidents is welcome, albeit that each new acquisition (Booth & ES) presents us with new HSE challenges.

EPM Division – Energy

For the EPM division, which represents the bulk of the former Hayward Tyler companies, the main priorities remain to strengthen 
the aftermarket capabilities and to maximise opportunities in the nuclear life extension market. 

The division’s results were disrupted by CV19 in H2, first in China, then in the UK and the USA and finally in India. Underlying 
revenues were down year on year, but boosted by ES, although the corresponding ES effect on profit was not material. 

At HT Luton, aftermarket activities continue to build, including the servicing of third party equipment, albeit disrupted by the 
oil and gas market reversal. The £10m contract in Sweden with Vattenfall for the Forsmark plant (for nuclear life extension) is 
proceeding to plan, whilst further defence orders have been received and are being executed on target. Following the receipt of 
planning permission to develop the HT Luton site into up to 1,000 dwellings, plans are underway to move the business to a new, 
optimised location.

HT Inc in Vermont (USA) continues to see solid order intake in the nuclear life extension market in the USA – and again with 
KHNP, South Korea, post-period end, although delays in order intake due to CV19 did impact the US results. HT Inc’s new R&D 
opportunities – in next generation nuclear power and concentrated solar power – are also making good progress. The business 
won its first order for the experimental nuclear fusion reactor “ITER” currently under construction in France. 

HT Kunshan (China) is fully operational following CV19 disruption and won their biggest ever contract in China (worth £2.2m) 
in the period for specialist pumps to be installed in a major new concentrated solar power plant in Dubai. This marks an important 
diversification into the renewables market and we expect more to follow in the coming years. 

HT India suffered order and delivery delays and disruptions in H2 of the period, but is now coming back to “normal”. 

Energy Steel (‘ES’) in Michigan (USA), is integrating and recovering well, with the HT team focusing on customer service 
excellence under a new general manager and expanding the sales footprint in nuclear aftermarket opportunities in north America 
and beyond. Cross-fertilisation projects are being successfully won between HT and ES.

PSRE Division – Energy

PSRE steamed ahead in FY20, thanks in large part to a mature performance by Peter Brotherhood. The focus on aftermarket 
underpinned the PB result for the period, improving the overall PSRE margin mix, as well as successful shipments of floating 
production platform steam turbines.  Elsewhere, the division had  a  generally positive year,  allowing for  CV19  disruptions to 
supply chains and deliveries, except at Crown, where the weight of the disruption proved to be too much for this small business 
unit. Therefore, we took the decision to close the separate Crown site near Bristol and relocate the residual assets to Metalcraft. 

Metalcraft’s progress with the Sellafield 3M3 boxes has been steady, despite customer design changes, and we are producing 
boxes consistently. The next 3M3 box contract tender was expected in this calendar year, but has now been even further delayed 
due to Covid-19 disruptions to Sellafield’s plans. Whilst this is disappointing, we are well organised to pursue this contract later 
and it does not impact on our forecasts, which allow for unexpected customer delays.

Ormandy’s performance was promising in the first half, but it was derailed by CV19 construction market disruptions in H2. 
However, recent indications are that orders are rebuilding, giving us renewed hope for the HVAC sector in FY21.

Since its acquisition in June 2019, Booth Industries has been on an express recovery curve and has responded well to the proven 
Avingtrans PIE methods. A record order book underpins operations for FY21 and beyond. We rationalised the operations to 
remove unneeded space, as well as planning a new extension to the Nelson Street facility in Bolton, albeit that CV19 has delayed 
this expenditure for a time. The blast and security high integrity doors niche which Booth occupies is one which we can defend 
vigorously, to rebuild Booth into a leader in its chosen markets. 

7

 
 
Strategic Report (Continued)

Operations (continued)

The Fluid Handling business in Scotland is a consistently good performer and has fitted well into our ambitions to build a wider 
nuclear capability. Post-period end, this unit won its biggest ever order (£2.5m) for Sellafield, to repair and upgrade remotely 
monitored valves. Further life extension and decommissioning opportunities are being pursued.

MII – Medical Division

MII is a division in pro-active transition. We have been pivoting away from the custom business previously targeted by Scientific 
Magnetics (SM) and working towards new products in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance 
(NMR), including service and support offerings with our third party partners. The division was less disrupted in the year than 
other divisions, apart from the Metalcraft China factory, which was forced to shut for several weeks in February and March 2020. 

Our potentially exciting new product developments are taking time to bear fruit, but we are slowly making progress. The prior 
year  acquisition  of Tecmag  in  the  USA  was  strategically important. Tecmag  produces  electronics and  software  for  MRI  and 
NMR systems. It is an important piece in the jigsaw, facilitating our ability to produce complete MRI and NMR systems. Tecmag 
is operating at close to break-even with legacy product sales, whilst working with Scientific Magnetics on the products of the 
future. The strategy for SM and Tecmag requires further investment and patience before we see the results (notably in the MRI 
market) but the potential rewards are great enough for us to embark on this journey with enthusiasm. 

Metalcraft’s UK business with Siemens for MRI components was positive, but progress in China with other customers such as 
Alltech and QOne, was quite disrupted by Covid-19 induced delays, so we produced less revenue than anticipated at this unit for 
the year and made a loss for the year in consequence. 

Composite Products was also disrupted by Covid-19 in H2, though here, the effects were not material and the unit is operating 
normally again, with our key customer Rapiscan increasing deliveries to the package scanning market. Other smaller accounts 
also supported revenues, with good prospects in the pipeline.

Financial Performance

Adoption of IFRS 16

The Group has adopted IFRS 16 at 1 June 2019. Adoption of IFRS 16 has led to a number of changes in the way the Group 
recognises right-of-use assets and a related lease liability in connection with all former operating leases except for those identified 
as low-value or having a remaining lease term of less than 12 months from the date of initial application.

The  Group  has  applied  IFRS  16  using  the  modified  retrospective  method,  as  a  result  there  is  no  adjustment  to  the  opening 
retained earnings at 1 June 2019. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under IAS17. 
A right-of-use asset of £9.7m mainly for operational premises has been recognised with a matching lease liability increasing net 
debt in the year.

Key Performance Indicators

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

Revenue: 9.5% increase driven by acquisitions

Overall Group continuing revenue increased to £113.9m (2019: £104.0m), driven by the effect of the additional revenues at 
Booth and Energy Steel offsetting some delayed contracts due to wider CV19 effects. Underlying revenue excluding acquisitions 
reduced to £96.4m with CV19 delays impacting most significantly in EPM. 

Profit margin: further significant improvement in results, despite CV19 

Adjusted EBITDA (note 4) increased by 25.7% to £11.8m (2019: £9.4m) with further progression from the underlying businesses 
and with the recent acquisitions adding a modest contribution. Adjusted EBITDA benefited from IFRS16 by £1.5m, excluding 
this Adjusted EBITDA would have increased to £10.3m, a 9.9% increase.

Operating  profit  was  £4.1m  (2019:  profit  £3.6m)  with  the  underlying  profit  subdued  by  £1.2m  of  amortisation  of  acquired 
intangibles at Energy Steel principally the acquired Order Book.

Gross margin: solid progress continues

Group gross margin improved to 27.8% (2019: 26.6%) mainly due to the improving gross margin mix from the former HTG 
business units, as our transformation programme reaches maturity there.

8

Strategic Report (Continued)

Financial Performance (continued)

Tax: future profits and cash protected by available losses

The effective rate of taxation at Group level was a 20.9% tax charge. A tax refund (note 9) due in the US kept the charge lower 
than  expected. A  charge  arising  from  the  reversal  in  the  recognised  rate  on  UK  deferred  tax  from  17  to  19%  increased  the 
effective tax rate by 2.2%. The tax position will be aided in the coming years by utilisation of losses in the UK and China. We 
continue to be cautious, not recognising all of the potential trading tax losses in the UK.

Adjusted diluted Earnings per Share (EPS): a 15.3% improvement

Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations improved to 16.9p (2019: 14.6p) and Adjusted diluted earnings 
per share attributable to Shareholders improved to 16.2p (2019: 14.9p).

Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to Shareholders reduced to 4.4p (2019: 8.0p) and to 4.3p (2019: 8.0p) respectively 
primarily due to the additional impact of the first year amortisation of ES business intangibles and costs of closing the Crown 
facility. 

Funding and Liquidity: net debt remains well under control 

Net debt, (including IFRS16 debt) at 31 May 2020 was £16.3m (31 May 2019: net debt: £2.0m after £9.7m from the adoption of 
IFRS 16 at 1 June 19, total £11.7m). Excluding IFRS16 debt at 31 May 2020 was £7.4m (31 May 2019: net debt: £2.0m). Cash 
generation was subdued by a £6.4m working capital outflow, partly due to the envisaged working capital outflow required for 
acquisitions £3.3m, the timing of contracts and an expected reversal of the skew from advance payments on accounts noted in 
the prior year (2019 inflow £9m). Additionally the Group invested an initial £1.5m net cash cost for the ES acquisition and the 
Booth trade and assets. The Directors consider that the Group has more than sufficient financial resources (note 22) to deliver its 
short to medium term strategic objectives and is maintaining a strong relationship with its banking partners.

Dividend: suspended due to CV19

The Board considers that it is prudent to continue to preserve cash and not to propose a final dividend this year. In the context of 
the on-going global crisis, the resulting need for targeted restructuring in the Group and having made some use of government 
support schemes, we believe that shareholders will consider that this is the right thing to do. All being well, we intend to return 
to our commitment to long term shareholder returns via dividends in FY21.

Principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group

Managing Risk

The Group is exposed to risks and uncertainties that could have a material impact on its performance and financial position. 
Identifying, assessing and managing risk is the responsibility of the Board. Our approach to risk is intended to protect the interests 
of our shareholders and other stakeholders whilst allowing the business to develop. Our risk appetite depends on the nature of 
an individual risk and it is considered in Board discussions and also as part of our risk review process in the Audit Committee. 
From time to time, we obtain advice from third party experts in a cost effective manner, to complement in-house knowledge.

The long-term success of the Group relies, in part, on managing the risks to our business. Whilst the Group has risk management 
policies and practices in place, which address and monitor risk, we seek to improve those practices each year. The Chief Financial 
Officer is responsible for risk management on behalf of the Board and the Audit Committee and he reviews the risk register on a 
regular basis. Ultimately our aim is to ensure that risk management is embedded within the core processes of our business units. 

Risk Management Process

The Group uses a risk register to help coordinate its risk management process. The risk register identifies the key business risks 
and documents the policies and practices in place to mitigate those risks. 

Principal Risks

We classify the risks to the business into three groups, namely, strategic risk, operational risk and financial risk. The principal 
risks identified by the Directors under these groups are set out in the table below. The risks considered during the Group-wide 
risk management process cover a wider range of issues than the key risks that are listed in the table over the page.

9

Strategic Report (Continued)

Principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group (continued)

Risk

Potential Impact

Mitigation

Strategic Risk

A. CV19 effects 
across the 
global economy 
and businesses

The  immediate  risks  faced  by  the 
Group  due  to  the  outbreak  are 
possible  delays  in  the  ability  to 
ship  work  when  complete,  delays 
in  the  supply  chain,  and  delays  in 
the ability to visit customer sites to 
complete work, delays in customer’s 
decision making on projects. 

could 

compound 

A  prolonged  period  of  restricted 
activity 
and 
enhance  other  principal  risks,  not 
least  general  economic  conditions, 
delays  in  client  decision  making 
or  additional  costs  resulting  from 
delay. 

B. Growth 
Strategy 

is  growth 

A  fundamental  part  of  the  Group’s 
from  both 
strategy 
Original Equipment and Aftermarket 
sales.  The  growth  is  reliant  on  our 
markets. These markets demonstrate 
long-term growth, but remain highly 
competitive and can be cyclic.

Failure  to  generate  sufficient  order 
intake  and  revenue  to  cover  the 
fixed  cost  base  could  give  rise  to 
lower profit and cash generation that 
constrains the Group.

to 

keep-up 

Failure 
with 
technological change could give rise 
to  the  Group’s  products,  services 
and 
less 
technologies  becoming 
competitive.

As  part  of  its  processes  the  directors  conduct  a  series  of 
sensitivity  analyses  to  a  range  of  scenarios  arising  from  the 
effects of COVID-19 on the business, its staff, customers and 
other stakeholders.

A  number  of  responses  and  mitigation  actions  have  been 
taken by the Group including focussed customer relationship 
management, continual sales and operational planning, supply 
chain  management,  process  and  capacity  mapping,  resource 
and staffing risk review, updated review of health and safety in 
the working environment and focused cash management. 

This forms part of the group’s routine processes alongside the 
Going Concern assessment set out in the Directors Reports.

The Group provides niche engineering solutions for the global 
energy and medical sectors. It has an excellent market profile 
(quality, reliability and customer relationships), which results 
in inclusion on sector bid/quote opportunities.

The  Group  has  invested,  and  is  investing,  in  key  aspects  to 
maintain  and  improve  the  Group’s  competitive  position 
including: 

■   employees (see F below);
■   supply chain (see G below);
■   developing and maintaining strong relationships with key  

 customers;

■   capital expenditure on plant and equipment; 
■   research and development of products and processes and
■   aftermarket initiatives including supporting end-of-life  

 extension programmes.

C. PIE Strategy 
mergers, 
acquisitions 
and disposals

The  Group  makes 
regular 
acquisitions  and  disposals  under 
its  PIE  strategy.  In  June  2019  it 
acquired  Energy  Steel  in  Lapeer, 
USA  and  certain  of  the  assets  of 
Industries,  Bolton  UK. 
Booth 
During  the  period,  we  exited  the 
Crown  site  and  transferred  any 
residual business to Metalcraft.

Failure  to  re-establish  and  rebuild 
these businesses could (1) absorb a 
disproportionate part of management 
resource at the expense of other parts 
of the Group (2) reduce the Group’s 
profitability and (3) delay the cycle 
of  the  planned  positive  outcome  of 
the PIE strategy.

The Group carefully plans acquisition actions to mitigate this 
risk:

■   extensive pre-deal due diligence;
■   achieving a balance between attractive purchase prices and  

 business purchase agreement terms and conditions;

■   post-acquisition integration planning
■   rapid business restructuring as required
■   appropriate funding of the acquisitions and on-going  
 businesses followed by de-leveraging the business;

■   establishing senior management teams, complemented by  
 experienced executives from Avingtrans and externally, if  
 required;

■   development of incoming employees;
■   focusing on marketing and sales including growing  

 aftermarket businesses; and

■   investing in the businesses as necessary for a successful  

 outcome to the PIE strategy.

10

Strategic Report (Continued)

Principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group (continued)

Risk

Potential Impact

Mitigation

Strategic Risk

D. Execution

services  highly 

The  Group  designs,  manufactures 
and 
technical 
products that are mission critical to 
the end user. 

to 

satisfy 

contractual 
Failure 
to 
rise 
obligations  could  give 
significant 
losses  (e.g.  warranty 
claims,  liquidated  damages,  etc), 
cash  constraints,  lost  future  orders 
and  adverse  impact  on  the  Group’s 
reputation. 

E. Global 
Economic 
Activity and 
political 
uncertainties 
including 
Brexit

F. Employees

The Group operates in global energy, 
infrastructure 
industrial,  defence, 
and medical markets. A slowdown in 
those markets including the possible 
impact from on-going economic and 
political  uncertainty  may  adversely 
impact order intake, liquidity needs, 
and terms of trade and the financial 
performance of the Group.

Political  uncertainty  such  as  the 
impact of Brexit and other overseas 
trade issues – eg US trade tariffs can 
affect decisions by our customers to 
invest  and  therefore  impact  on  our 
trading.

Attracting  and  retaining  talented 
people is a Group priority to ensure 
our  continued  success.  The  Group 
has  numerous  skilled  and  highly 
trained  and  qualified  employees 
who demonstrate their commitment 
to the Group through the continuous 
improvement  of  our  products, 
processes  and  procedures  which 
impacts on the Group’s performance.

Failure  to  attract  the  right  talent, 
could  inhibit  the  rate  of  product 
and process development as well as 
impact on the Group’s performance.

The  Group  continues  to  invest  consistently  in  its  people, 
processes and products to maintain and improve lead times and 
product  innovation.  These  steps  include:  enhanced  customer 
relationship  management,  sales  and  operational  planning, 
process  flow  mapping,  research  and  development,  product 
standardisation and enhancing process capability.

The Group also seeks to minimise the impact of execution risk 
through its terms of trade such as (1) limiting the undertakings it 
gives to pay liquidated damages and (2) avoiding consequential 
damages altogether.

The Group has a diversified geographical and sector spread that 
reduces the impact of localised economic trends and activities. 
In addition, the Group is investing in research and development, 
to develop new products or adapt existing products for use in 
other applications in order to broaden its product offering, to 
reduce the risk. Increasing aftermarket activities also provide 
the  Group  with  a  partial  cushion  to  defend  against  cyclical 
downturns in original equipment purchasing.

We continue to review and assess the potential impacts of US 
and Chinese tariffs and Brexit, as more information becomes 
available and  we  are  engaged  with  trade  associations,  which 
are in contact with government and can thus assist our decision 
making and action plans.

The Group will be able to continue to trade with EU member 
states and will take guidance on any new trading regulations 
when  the  UK  exits  the  EU.  As  the  Group  also  operates  in 
countries which are outside of the EU this should help lessen 
any impact of disruption caused by an exit.

Recruitment and retention of employees is a key focus for the 
Group to ensure its continued success. 

Group mitigating actions include:

■   continuing the significant investment in training and  

development; 

■   personal development reviews; 
■   succession planning;
■   promotion from within where possible 
■   outreach to Universities, Colleges and Local Schools; 
■   monitoring pay and benchmarking; 
■   maintaining the successful graduate and apprentice  

programmes; 

■   improving overall employee engagement; and
■   utilisation of external and Group resource to offset any  

temporary gaps in key personnel.

11

Strategic Report (Continued)

Principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group (continued)

Risk

Potential Impact

Mitigation

Operational Risk

G. Supply 
Chain

The  Group  is  reliant  on  its  supply 
chain  as  part  of  its  aim  to  improve 
throughout  and  optimise  stock-
holding.

Failure  of  that  supply  chain  can 
result  in  operational  disruption  and 
delays  to  shipments  to  customers, 
leading to potential loss of profit and 
damage to customer relationships.

Financial Risk

H. Funding

The Group is dependent on its ability 
to  service  its  debts  and  refinance 
existing  borrowings  when 
they 
fall due as well as to fund working 
capital,  capital  expenditure,  and 
research and development. 

If the Group fails to generate profits 
and  cash  it  could  face  funding 
constraints that impact the business 
cycle.

I. Working
Capital

As a fundamental part of the Group’s 
strategy  is  growth  the  Group  is 
exposed  to  a  potential  increase  in 
its  working  capital  requirement 
that absorbs cash. If the Group fails 
to  keep  this  increase  under  control 
it  could  face  cash  constraints  that 
impact the business cycle.

Each division has its own sourcing policy. Where appropriate 
and  efficient,  divisions  cooperate  on  sourcing.  Mitigating 
actions include:

■   sourcing strategies to avoid single point dependence for  

 any key commodity and standardisation to support possible  
 stock holdings;

■   identifying in-house capability (intra and inter-divisionally)  

 and focused investment in related capital expenditure; 
■   exception reporting, operational planning and review  

 processes support the early identification of risks;

■   monitoring of supplier performance;
■   an optimum number of suppliers with strategic, long-term  

 partnerships on key components;

■   strengthening of supply chain teams; and
■   supply chain benchmarking and development.

The Group manages its capital to continue as a going concern 
and  maintain  its  liquidity. The  Group  continually  reforecasts 
its borrowing requirements, which include:

■   a 13-week cash flow forecast produced each month; and

■   a 12-month rolling profit and loss, balance sheet and cash  

 flow forecast each quarter to ensure that funding is  
 available to support its operations and its compliance with  
 borrowing covenants. 

The  Group  maintains  committed  UK  and  US  bank  credit 
facilities, augmented by specific funding to support investment 
globally  and  a  bonding  facility.  In  addition,  the  Group 
maintains an active bank relationship programme and contacts 
with UK Export Finance, to safeguard its funding ability.

The Group is seeking to mitigate this risk through the following 
means:

■   standard terms and conditions of manufacturing contracts  
 require customers to make stage payments to fund working  
 capital on the contract. Where stage payments cannot  
 be achieved by the Group, it may be possible to augment  
 borrowing and bonding lines through use of the short-term  
 funding schemes – eg via UK Export Finance;

■   an on-going initiative to optimise stock;
■   minimising lead times, to reduce working capital  

 requirements per unit of revenue;

■   active management of accounts receivable and accounts  

 payable; and

■   linking employee remuneration to cash.

12

Strategic Report (Continued)

Principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group (continued)

Risk

Potential Impact

Mitigation

Financial Risk

J. Currency 

K.  Pension 
Scheme

The  Group  operates  and  sells  in 
overseas  markets  that  may  utilise 
currencies other than those in which 
its principal costs are denominated. 
The  exposure  to  foreign  exchange 
rate  fluctuations  may,  as  a  result, 
affect  the  Group’s  cash  flow.  The 
principal risk at present is US Dollar 
income.

The  Group  maintains  a  defined 
benefit  pension  scheme  related  to 
the Hayward Tyler businesses.

The  Group  could  be  required  to 
increase  its  contributions  to  cover 
funding  shortfalls  caused  by  poor 
investment  performance  of  scheme 
assets, a deterioration in the discount 
rate  or  inflation  rate  applied  and 
changes 
life  expectancy  of 
in 
members of the scheme.

L. 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. 

The Group’s policy is to hedge its transaction exposures (i.e. 
cash  flows)  where  a  significant  commitment  has  been  made 
and a level of cover for non-contracted flows in the 12 to 24 
month  period. As  at  date  of  signing,  52%  of  estimated  USD 
net  inflows  into  the  UK  over  the  following  12  months  were 
hedged.

Currency hedging lines are available from two providers. 

The  scheme  is  closed  to  new  members  and  to  future  benefit 
improvements. The performance of the investment advisers is 
monitored closely by the Company and pension trustees and 
action  taken  where  that  is  not  satisfactory.  The  assumptions 
used  to  determine  the  pension  deficit/surplus  are  based  on 
recommendations of the actuary to the scheme, benchmarked 
against  market  norms  by  an  expert  3rd  party.  The  Directors 
discuss  the  pension  scheme  regularly  and  there  is  frequent 
contact with the pension fund trustees.

The  aim  is  to  strengthen  the  financial  position  of  the 
Group,  through  its  underlying  performance,  which  assures 
stakeholders and helps to maintain or reduce contributions to 
cover any eventual funding shortfall.

The  plan  trustees  have  selected  a  liability  driven  investment 
strategy  aimed  at  reducing  interest  and  inflation  rate  risks 
and providing a return that matches or exceeds the growth in 
projected pension plan liabilities. 

This  risk  is  mitigated  by  the  strong  on-going  customer 
relationships.

13

Strategic Report (Continued)

People

At Board level, the only change in the period was that Graham Thornton retired from the Group in November 2019. Graham 
joined the group as a Non-Executive Director in September 2009. Within the Group structure, Colin Elcoate resigned from his 
position as the Chief Commercial Officer for Avingtrans, to take up a CEO role elsewhere. The Board wish Graham and Colin all 
the best in their future chosen careers. Top level divisional management teams were largely unchanged.

In a broader sense, the management teams in each of the three divisions continue to be strengthened, with a number of key 
appointments being made in the year - and with emphasis on the importance of the aftermarket opportunities. Skills availability 
is always a challenge, but we do not expect to be unduly constrained by shortages, given the current global economic situation. 
Avingtrans continues to invest significant effort in developing skills in-house, both through structured apprenticeship programmes 
and  graduate  development  plans. The  Group  continues  to  be  recognised  nationally  for  the  strength  of  its  apprenticeship  and 
graduate training schemes, including winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise at Metalcraft in the period. 

Our  global  workforce  is  becoming  more  integrated  and  this  provides  additional  capability,  capacity  and  innovative  thinking 
around the clock, to support our global blue-chip customer base.

Health, Safety and Environment (HSE)

The Group takes HSE matters and its related responsibilities very seriously.

As regular acquirers of businesses, we find different levels of capability and knowledge in different businesses. Often, a key 
investment need in smaller acquisitions is to spread HSE best practice from other Group businesses and bring local processes 
up to required standards. Larger acquisitions (eg like HTG previously) have well developed HSE practices and we seek to learn 
from these in other business units.

Health and Safety incident reporting has improved across the Group and incident trends have generally been improving over 
recent years. Near miss reporting and knowledge exchange is also positively encouraged, to facilitate learning and improvement. 
At Board level, Les Thomas has HSE oversight and he conducts inspections with local management as appropriate.

The Group’s environmental policy 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, nor been investigated for 
any significant breach of HSE regulations.

Covid-19 has become the biggest health and safety issue for the Group, along with everyone else. Fortunately, the nature of our 
products and the topography of our factories have given us a good base to work from, to make our workplaces Covid-19 safe. We 
have an overall set of guidelines to work to, derived from government policies around the world and local teams in each business 
adapt these to the specifics of their individual site. These measures include:

•  Shielding of vulnerable employees
•  Working from home where feasible
•  Factory and office re-layouts to facilitate social distancing
•  Enhanced cleaning and site hygiene
•  Additional use of PPE equipment where necessary
•  Minimisation and careful management of third-party visitors to our sites

Where our employees have to visit other third-party sites, they have protocols from their business unit to follow and must also 
adhere to the policies and procedures of the site which they are visiting.

Each business has a team responsible for ensuring that the Covid-19 plan is kept up to date and adapted, if required, as the 
circumstances of the pandemic evolve.

Taken as a whole, these measures have allowed us to operate at a high level of effectiveness throughout the pandemic and ensured 
that we have minimised any loss of output, whilst keeping employees safe.

Social Responsibility

It is paramount that the Group maintains the highest ethical and professional standards across all of its activities and that social 
responsibility  should  be  embedded  in  operations  and  decision  making. We  understand  the  importance  of  managing  the  impact 
that the business can have on employees, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders. The impact is regularly reviewed to sustain 
improvements, which in turn support the long-term performance of the business. Our focus is to embed the management of these 
areas into our business operations, both managing risk and delivering opportunities that can have a positive influence on our business.

14

Strategic Report (Continued)

Social Responsibility (continued)

Employees

The Group places considerable value on the involvement of its employees and has continued to keep them informed on matters 
affecting  them  directly  and  on  financial  and  broader  economic  factors  affecting  the  Group. The  Group  regularly  reviews  its 
employment policies. The Group is committed to a global policy of equality, providing a working environment that maintains 
a culture of respect and reflects the diversity of our employees. We are committed to offering equal opportunities to all people 
regardless  of  their  sex,  nationality,  ethnicity,  language,  age,  status,  sexual  orientation,  religion  or  disability. We  believe  that 
employees  should  be  able  to  work  safely  in  a  healthy  workplace,  without  fear  of  any  form  of  discrimination,  bullying  or 
harassment. We have begun to roll-out a “dignity and respect” training program across the Group. We believe that the Group 
should demonstrate a fair gender mix across all levels of our business, whilst recognising that the demographics of precision 
engineering and manufacturing remain predominantly male, which is, to an extent, beyond our control.

Ethical policy

The Group complies with the Bribery Act 2010. We do not tolerate bribery, corruption or other unethical behaviour on the part 
of any of our businesses or business partners in any part of the world. Employee training has been completed in all areas of the 
business to ensure that the Act is complied with.

Outlook

Avingtrans is a niche engineering market leader in the Energy and Medical sectors, with a successful profitable growth record, 
underpinned by our ‘PIE’ strategy. Recent acquisitions will provide further opportunities for the Group to build enduring value 
for investors in resilient engineering market niches. We will continue to be frugal and seek to crystallise value and return capital 
when the timing is right, as part of the PIE strategy implementation. We believe that our PIE strategy has served us well in the 
current crisis and could result in further opportunities to grow shareholder value.

The Group continues to invest in its three divisions, with a focus on the global energy and medical markets, to position them for 
maximum shareholder value via eventual exits in the years to come. The integrations of Booth and Energy Steel are proceeding 
to plan, as demonstrated by the results in the period. Our value creation targets continue to be accomplished as planned and are 
underpinned by a conservative approach to debt, which is important during the crisis.

The energy divisions have a strong emphasis on the thermal power, nuclear and hydrocarbon markets and aftermarkets. The 
medical  division  continues  to  focus  on  high  integrity  components  and  systems  for  leading  medical,  industrial  and  scientific 
equipment manufacturers. To drive profitability and market engagement, each division has a clear strategy to support end-user 
aftermarket operations, servicing their own equipment and that of pertinent third parties, to capitalise on the continued market 
demand for efficient, reliable and safe facilities.

The on-going disruption caused by the pandemic is now our biggest uncertainty. However, we have taken rapid and effective cost 
mitigation actions so far, in order to limit any downside and we will continue to be on our guard. We are also vigilant concerning 
Brexit, but here we are not overly concerned, since our direct EU exposure is relatively limited and we have taken appropriate 
evasive actions in our supply chains, with likely further such actions to follow, depending on the exact nature of the eventual 
Brexit outcome.

Our markets continue to develop, despite Covid-19 and M&A opportunities remain a priority for us. Businesses like ours can 
command high valuations at the point of exit. The Board remains guarded but confident about the current strategic direction 
and potential future opportunities across our markets. We will continue to refine our business by pinpointing specific additional 
acquisitions as the opportunities arise, to build businesses which can create superior shareholder value, whilst maintaining a 
prudent level of  financial headroom, to enable us  to endure any  subsequent headwinds,  whether deriving from  Covid-19, or 
otherwise.

The Strategic Report was approved by the Board on 29 September 2020 and signed on its behalf by:

Roger McDowell 
Chairman 
29 September 2020 

Steve McQuillan 
Chief Executive Officer 
29 September 2020 

Stephen King
Chief Financial Officer
29 September 2020 

15

Report of the Directors

The Directors present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2020.

Matters included in the strategic report

The Directors’ consideration of likely future developments in the business, risks and KPI’s have been included in the Strategic 
Report.

Going concern

During the year, the Group has managed its working capital and cash flows prudently and significantly within its available funding 
headroom. The cash flows generated from the strong underlying profits were absorbed by a £6.4m working capital outflow, partly 
due to the envisaged working capital outflow for acquisitions £3.2m, the timing of various contracts and an expected reversal 
of the skew from advance payments noted in the prior year, resulting in an operating cash outflow of £0.1m for the year (2019 
inflow £9m). Additionally, the Group invested an initial £1.5m net cash cost on the ES acquisition and the Booth trade and assets. 

At 31 May 2020, the Group had net debt (including IFRS16 debt) of £16.4m (31 May 2019: net debt: £2.0m after £9.7m from 
the adoption of IFRS 16 at 1 June 19, total £11.7m), as detailed in note 24. Excluding IFRS16, debt at 31 May 2020 was £7.4m 
(31 May 2019: net debt: £2.0m). Net assets of £69.9m (2019: £69.3m). 

The Group’s system of controls includes a comprehensive budgeting system, with annual budgets approved by the Directors. 
Monthly monitoring of actual results against budget is standard and the Board perform a regular review of variances. There is 
also a Quarterly review of the Group’s forecasts against actual results and market opportunities/conditions.

Annual budgets consist of a consolidated profit and loss, balance sheet and a cashflow for the following 2 years. This is based 
on local managements’ understanding of the markets, customer requirements, supply  chains, capability and capacity. This is 
challenged  by  Divisional  Management  to  ensure  it  reflects  a  reasonable  representation  of  all  evidence  available.  Executive 
Management examine each Division’s budgets in detail, alongside an analysis of risks and opportunities to ensure that they are 
adequately sensitised across markets/ customers/ contracts /opportunities. Divisional Management present the Budgets to the 
Board, which evaluates them against it’s in depth knowledge of market/economic conditions. These Budgets are then refined and 
presented for final approval by the Board.

Each quarter, local and divisional management update the 2 year forecast with their latest market knowledge and present the 
updated forecasts to the Executive Management and subsequently to the Board.

Key assumptions are applied at a site level, and include a sensitised view of the order pipeline, its conversion and completion, 
alongside a risk profile for each division, where further sensitivity is applied, as deemed prudent on consolidation. 

As reported in the Strategic Review, the Group has seen some impact of CV19 as H2 was disrupted, first in China, then in the 
UK and the USA and finally in India. This resulted in some delayed orders, closure/partial closure of sites, supply chain delays, 
etc. These conditions were fully recognised during the budget process, alongside a cautious view of short-term markets, whilst 
reflecting a guarded view on the trade-out of the current order book and expected beat rate orders.  As a consequence of the 
prolonged impact of CV19, and in particular for Oil and Gas markets, the Group reluctantly approved some restructuring to be 
undertaken in H1 of FY21, which was fully costed into the budget models to remove anticipated excess capacity.

As discussed in more detail in the Chairman’s statement and Strategic report, looking into 2021/22 and beyond, the Group has a 
number of exciting opportunities across all of its operations that should deliver growth and shareholder value. Despite CV19, we 
saw both acquisitions, Booth and Energy Steel deliver better than anticipated performances in their first year with the Group and 
we cautiously anticipate further improvement in each case during FY21 and FY22 with underlying positive results and cashflow 
helping to underpin the near-term Group performance. 

As reported at 31 May 2020, the Group had net debt of (including IFRS16 debt) £16.4m, excluding IFRS16 debt at 31 May 2020 
was £7.4m. Additionally the Group had £11.1m of undrawn committed borrowing facilities – further details are set out in note 22.

The Group has met all banking covenants during the year and these are modelled in the budget to ensure forward compliance. The 
budgets and results are regularly reviewed with the Group’s principal bankers to ensure adequate banking facilities remain in place 
at all times.  At the time of writing, the Board expect adequate bank facilities to remain in place throughout the review period.

The Board consider these facilities are sufficient for the Group to meet its approved operational and budget plan. However, the 
Board also consider that, should unexpected conditions arise that had not been already adequately modelled through sensitivities 
already built into the underlying budget model, that it has the following sources of additional capital:

•  Further bank borrowing against freehold land and buildings – including the Luton site where outline planning permission was 

recently granted;

•  Potential sale and leaseback of freehold sites;
•  Extension of current RCF facilities;
•  Extension of borrowing against the debtor book; and
• 

Issue of new shares on AIM

16

Report of the Directors (Continued)

Going concern (continued)

The detailed cash flow forecasts for the Group for the period extending to 31 May 2022, 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 
near-term strategic objectives. In the quarter since 31 May 20 the Group has generally performed as expected. Coupled with an 
ongoing supportive relationship with the Group’s principal bankers and the fact the Directors have not identified any material 
uncertainties that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the company to continue to operate as a going concern, the Directors 
continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Annual Report and accounts.

Results and dividends

The Group’s profit for the year before tax from continuing operations amounted to £3,038,000 (2019: £3,149,000). The Board 
considers that it is prudent continue to preserve cash and not to declare a final dividend this year in the context of the on-going 
global  crisis,  the  resulting  need  for  targeted  restructuring  in  the  Group  and  having  made  some  use  of  government  support 
schemes.

Substantial shareholdings

As at 29 September 2020, 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 BlackRock 
Funds managed by RBC Trustees Limited 
Funds managed by Unicorn Asset Management Limited 
Harwood Capital 
R S McDowell’s Pension Fund 
P McDowell’s Pension Fund 
Funds managed by Threadneedle Investments 
Funds managed by LGT Bank 

Directors and their interests

Number of 
shares 
‘000 

Percentage
of issued
share capital
owned

3,273 
2,825 
2,208 
1,946 
1,758 
1,406 
1,213 
1,054 
972 

10.3%
8.9%
6.9%
6.1%
5.5%
4.4%
3.8%
3.3%
3.1%

The present Directors of the Company and those that served during the year are set out on page 1. Their interests in the share 
capital of the Company are set out below.

R S McDowell 
S McQuillan  
S M King 
J Clarke 
L J Thomas 

Share options

Ordinary shares of 5p each
31 May
31 May 
2019
2020 

1,406,409 
296,242 
219,805 
– –
16,000 

1,406,409
243,500
180,248

16,000

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.

17

 
  
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
Report of the Directors (Continued)

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, funding, working capital, pension scheme, 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 entered 
into  derivative  foreign  exchange  transactions  where  it  has  certainty  of  the  outcome.  Information  about  the  use  of  financial 
instruments by the Group and the Group’s financial risk management objectives and policy disclosures is given in notes 22 and 
24 to the financial statements.

Research and development

During the year £608,000 (2019: £822,000) of development costs (per note 13) were capitalised as intangible assets. This was 
predominately at HT Luton for small submersible prototype, PB for compressor and turbine part upgrades, Metalcraft in relation 
to waste storage equipment and Sci-Mag for helium free niche application designs.

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 Statement of 
Directors’ responsibilities for the financial statements. 

S172 – promotion of the success of the Company

The members of the Board consider, both individually and together, that they have acted in the way they consider, in good faith, 
would be most likely to promote the success of the Company for the benefit of its members as a whole (having regard to the 
stakeholders and matters set out in s172(1)(a-f) of the Companies Act 2006) in the decisions taken during the year ended 31 May 
2020.

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities for the financial statements 

The Directors are responsible for preparing 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 
elected 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 Company and Group 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; and

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

will continue in business.

18

Report of the Directors (Continued)

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities for the financial statements (continued)

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 preparing the annual report in accordance with applicable law and regulations. The directors 
consider  the  annual  report  and  the  financial  statements,  taken  as  a  whole,  provides  the  information  necessary  to  assess  the 
company’s performance, business model and strategy and is fair, balanced and understandable.

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 29 September 2020 and signed on its behalf by:

S M King
Director

19

Corporate Governance

Chairman’s Introduction

The Group is committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance. The Board recognises the importance of good 
corporate governance under AIM Rule 50 and is accountable to the Company’s shareholders and stakeholders for its adoption 
throughout the Group. To facilitate this, we have adopted the Quoted Companies Alliance Corporate Governance Code 2018 
(QCA Code).

This statement describes how the Group has complied with the ten high level principles set out in the QCA code.

1.  Establish a strategy and business model which promote the long-term value for shareholders

The Board has established a core strategy to buy and build engineering companies in niche markets where we see consolidation 
opportunities; a strategy we call Pinpoint-Invest-Exit (“PIE”) which seeks to promote long-term value for shareholders as set out 
within the Strategic Report page 4.

2.  Seek to understand and meet shareholder needs and expectations

The Board attaches a high level of importance to maintaining good relationships with shareholders, whether they are institutions 
or private investors and all other stakeholders, representing them and promoting their interests, as well as being accountable to 
them for the performance and activities of the Group. The Board believes it is important to engage with its shareholders and 
aims to do this through presentations, conference calls, face-to-face meetings and the Annual General Meeting. Following the 
announcement of the Group’s half-year and year-end results, presentations are made to analysts and major shareholders to update 
them on progress and invite them to ask questions.

The Board is updated on the latest shareholder information by the receipt of shareholder register movements, analyst reports and 
feedback from the Group’s brokers, following investor road shows after half-year and year-end results.

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

The Company provides contact details on its investor relations page on the Company’s corporate website: www.avingtrans.plc.uk.

3.  Take into account wider stakeholder and social responsibilities and their implications for long-

term success

The Board recognise that our customers, suppliers and employees are crucial to the Group’s success. The Group’s responsibilities, 
policies and controls on Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) and Social Responsibility are set in the Strategic Report pages 
14 to 15.

We have established long-term relationships with key customers and suppliers. We encourage feedback from our employees to 
improve the culture and working environment of the Company and hold regular meetings to keep them informed on matters 
affecting them directly and on financial and broader economic factors affecting the Group. There are specific information channels 
in respect of health & safety matters. The Group has a proactive approach to health, safety and the environment and is committed 
to the highest practicable standards of safety and health management and the minimisation of adverse environmental impacts.

4.  Embed effective risk management, considering both opportunities and threats, throughout the 

organisation

The Board’s approach to risk is intended to protect the interests of our shareholders and other stakeholders whilst allowing the 
business to develop. Our risk appetite depends on the nature of an individual risk and it is considered in Board discussions and 
also as part of our risk review process in the Audit Committee. From time to time, we obtain advice from third party experts, in 
a cost-effective manner, to complement in-house knowledge.

The long-term success of the Group relies, in part, on managing the risks to our business. Whilst the Group has risk management 
policies and practices in place, which address and monitor risk, we seek to improve those practices each year. The Chief Financial 
Officer is responsible for risk management on behalf of the Board and the Audit Committee reviews the risk register on a regular 
basis. Ultimately, our aim is to ensure that risk management is embedded within the core processes of our business units.

The Group uses a risk register to help coordinate its risk management process. The risk register identifies the key business risks 
and documents the policies and practices in place to mitigate those risks.

We  classify  the  principal  risks  to  the  business  into  three  groups,  namely,  strategic  risk,  operational  risk  and  financial  risk. 
The principal risks identified by the Directors under these groups are set out in the Strategic Report pages 9 to 13. The risks 
considered during the Group-wide risk management process cover a wider range of issues than the key risks.

20

Corporate Governance (Continued)

The Board, through the Audit Committee, reviews the operation and effectiveness of the systems 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 controls 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.
• 
• 
•  Bank facilities and other treasury functions, which are monitored and policy changes approved by the Board.

Internal management rules which include financial and operating control procedures for all management of the Group.
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.

5.  Maintain the Board as a well-functioning, balanced team led by the chair

The Board of Avingtrans plc comprises of a Non-executive Chairman, two Executive Directors and two Non-executive Directors 
for  the  majority  of  the  year  following  the  resignation  of  G  K Thornton  (14  November  2019). The  Board  is  chaired  by  R  S 
McDowell and assisted by the Senior Independent Non-executive Director L J Thomas, who have primary responsibility for 
running the Board.

S McQuillan, has executive responsibilities for the remaining operations, results and strategic development of the Group. 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  available  to 
shareholders if they have concerns. 

The Board meets regularly with no less than ten such meetings held in each calendar year rotating locations around different 
business units. There is a formal schedule of matters specifically reserved to the Board for its decision to enable it to manage overall 
control of the Group’s affairs. 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 to re-appoint a director.

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, L J Thomas chairs the Audit Committee and J S Clarke chairs the Remuneration 
Committee. The Non-executive Directors and the Chairman are members of all the above committees.

6.  Ensure that between them the directors have the necessary up-to-date experience and capabilities

The  Board  reviews  its  configuration  to  ensure  it  has  the  skills  and  oversight  capability  in  key  markets  on  a  regular  basis, 
strengthening our ability to leverage shareholder value via the PIE strategy.

All new Directors receive a full, formal and tailored induction on joining the Board, including meetings with senior management 
and advisers and visits to the Group’s operational locations. Training requirements are reviewed periodically and appropriate 
refreshers scheduled.

The Board calendar is planned to ensure that Directors are briefed on a wide range of topics throughout the year and meetings 
are rotated around business units, to ensure the Non-Executive Directors have the opportunity to visit sites and discuss aspects 
of the business with employees. 

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.

21

Corporate Governance (Continued)

7.  Evaluate  Board  performance  based  on  clear  and  relevant  objectives,  seeking  continuous 

improvement

The  Chairman  reviews  the  Board’s  annual  performance  and  measures  its  effectiveness  and  that  of  its  Committees.  Each 
Board/Committee member completes an assessment, which provides numeric scoring against specific categories. Each Board/
Committee member also provides recommendations for improvement of the effectiveness of the Board/Committee.

The criteria for effectiveness include assessing:

•  Board/Committee composition (including succession planning);
•  Board/external reporting and information flows;
•  Board Process, Internal Control & Risk Management
•  Board Accountability
•  Executive management effectiveness;
•  Standards of Conduct 

Alongside  this  review  each  Director  receives  an  appraisal. The  Chairman  conducts  appraisals  in  respect  of  the  Group  Chief 
Executive and Non-Executive Directors; the Non-Executive Directors (following discussions with the other Directors) conducts 
the Chairman’s appraisal; and the Group Chief Executive conducts appraisals in respect of the other Executive Directors.

8. Promote a corporate culture that is based on ethical values

Culture

The Company has a strong ethical culture based upon its Code of Ethics and the Company values Integrity, Quality and Agility. 
The Company’s reputation is built on our values, the values of our employees, and our collective commitment to acting at all 
times with integrity.

Part of the work of the Audit & Risk Committee involves reviewing the Group Whistle-Blowing Policy, by which employees of 
the Group may, in confidence, raise concerns about possible financial or other improprieties.

The Board’s corporate governance structures are reviewed as part of the Board and Committee effectiveness process described 
above.

Compliance with laws

The Group has systems in place designed to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and conformity with all 
relevant codes of business practice.

Compliance with the Bribery Act 2010 involves an Anti-Corruption Policy and a Group Whistle-blowing Policy. Training is 
given to all appropriate employees through the use of online tools, to ensure that there is full understanding of the Bribery Act 
2010 and awareness of the consequences of not adhering to Group policies. 

The  Group  has  taken  the  appropriate  steps  to  comply  with  the  provisions  of  the  Market Abuse  Regulation  and  the  Modern 
Slavery  Act.  The  Group  has  also  taken  appropriate  steps  to  comply  with  the  General  Data  Protection  Regulation  (GDPR) 
and has appointed a Data Protection Officer, who is responsible for managing information governance and implementing the 
requirements of GDPR.

Safety, health and environment

The Group has a proactive approach to Safety, Health and the Environment and is committed to the highest practicable standards 
of safety and health management and the minimisation of adverse environmental impacts.

The Board ensures that Health and Safety issues for employees, customers and the public are of foremost concern in all Group 
activities. The Group Chief Executive, supported by external advice, is charged with overall responsibility. The Group encourages 
both internal and external training through a formal network of full-time officers and Health and Safety nominated “champions” 
at all levels. Statistical analysis is used to highlight any areas where additional training or improved working practices would be 
beneficial, and positive action is promptly implemented. All divisions have formulated safety management systems.

Insider trading

The Board has appropriate policies and procedures in place to guard against insider trading by employees including Directors.  
Appropriate clearances are required in order that trades can be made and all applicable employees are made aware of relevant 
close periods prior to financial results being announced.

22

 
Corporate Governance (Continued)

9.  Maintain governance structures and processes that are fit for purpose and support good decision-

making by the Board

The Board

Please see details above at “5. Maintain the Board as a well-functioning, balanced team led by the chair” and has a schedule of 
matters which are specifically reserved for its decision.

Board Committees

The Board has three Committees that assist in the discharge of its responsibilities:

•  Remuneration;
•  Audit & Risk; and
•  Nominations.

Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board on the Group’s framework of executive 
remuneration  and  its  cost.  The  Committee  determines  the  contract  terms,  remuneration  and  other  benefits  for  each  of  the 
Executive  Directors,  including  performance-related  bonus  schemes,  pension  rights  and  compensation  payments.  The  Board 
itself determines the remuneration of the Non-Executive Directors. The Remuneration Committee comprises the Non-Executive 
Directors. Further details on the composition and work of the Remuneration Committee are set out in the Remuneration Report 
on pages 25 to 26.

Audit & Risk Committee

The Audit & Risk Committee comprises the Non-Executive Directors. The Committee meetings are also attended, by invitation, 
by the Chief Executive and Group Finance Director. The Committee meets no less than two times annually.

The Committee is responsible for reviewing a wide range of financial reporting and related matters including the annual accounts 
before their submission to the Board. The Committee is required to focus in particular on critical accounting policies and practices 
adopted by the Group, and any significant areas of judgment that materially impact reported results. It is also responsible for 
monitoring  the  internal  controls  that  are  operated  by  management  to  ensure  the  integrity  of  the  information  reported  to  the 
shareholders.

The Committee provides a forum for reporting by the Group’s external auditors, and advises the Group Board on the appointment, 
independence and objectivity of the external auditors and on their remuneration both for statutory audit and non-audit work. It 
also discusses the nature, scope and timing of the statutory audit with the external auditors. 

Nominations Committee

The  Nominations  Committee  is  responsible  for  reviewing  the  structure,  size  and  composition  required  of  the  Board  when 
compared  to  its  current  position,  and  it  makes  recommendations  to  the  Board  with  regard  to  any  changes.  It  considers  and 
reviews succession planning for Board Directors, taking into account the challenges and opportunities facing the Company. It 
identifies and nominates for Board approval suitable candidates to fill Board vacancies as and when they arise, and it keeps under 
review both the Executive and Non-Executive leadership needs of the Company to enable the Company to compete effectively 
in the marketplace and to ensure it has the skills and oversight capability in our key.

The Nominations Committee also has responsibility for overseeing the re-election by shareholders of any director under the 
‘retirement by rotation’ provisions in the Company’s articles of association.

Executive Management Committee

The Board is supported by Executives, who meet at least quarterly to review performance and governance for the Group and 
regularly perform site visits. A well-defined delegation of authority matrix enables the divisional management teams to operate 
with a degree of autonomy at a business unit level. 

Evolution of governance framework

The  Board  continuously  monitors  its  composition  and  governance  framework,  taking  into  account  effectiveness  and  the 
Company’s plans for future growth.

23

Corporate Governance (Continued)

10. Communicate how the Company is governed and is performing by maintaining a dialogue with 

shareholders and relevant stakeholders

The corporate governance principles are set out in this statement governance above and the performance of the Company is set 
out in the Strategic Report page 4. 

The Board maintains an active dialogue with both its institutional and private investors and stakeholders through the Annual 
Report, full-year and half-year announcements, the Annual General Meeting, General Meetings and one-to-one meetings with 
larger existing, or potential new shareholders.

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

The  Company  provides  a  full  range  of  corporate  information  (including  all  Company  announcements, Annual  and  half  year 
Statements and presentations, contact details) to shareholders, investors and the public on the Company’s corporate website:  
www.avingtrans.plc.uk.

The  results  of  the  proxy  votes  for  the  Company’s  previous Annual  General  Meeting  on  12  November  2019  were  published 
through RNS.

Roger McDowell
Chairman
29 September 2020

24

Report of the Directors on Remuneration

Composition

The  Remuneration  Committee  during  the  period  comprised  J  S  Clarke  (Chairman),  R  S  McDowell  and  L  J  Thomas.  G  K 
Thornton resigned from the committee 14 November 2019.

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.

Avingtrans Remuneration Principles 

Our remuneration principles are driven by the idea that executive remuneration should be simple and straightforward. Additionally, 
it should support the delivery of the Pinpoint-Invest-Exit (PIE) strategy and pay only for results when we exit businesses at an 
enhanced shareholder value. Our remuneration structure has the following attributes: 

•  The base salary, benefits and annual bonus of the executive Directors are positioned around the average for our peer group 

on AIM, relative to our scale.

•  Long-term incentives are directly aligned to shareholders’ interests, by linking remuneration specifically to the creation of 

shareholder value. 

The Group’s PIE strategy is well known to our shareholders. The Committee believes that the strategy should be linked to the 
Directors’ Remuneration. This means that the base salaries for the executive Directors are set as above, but with a weighting 
towards long-term incentives. These incentives reward Directors only for significant outperformance and where shareholders 
also share in the resulting gains. Specifically:

•  The executive Directors and the Chairman are aligned with shareholders, as material investors in Avingtrans.
•  Management are incentivised to maximise returns for shareholders in two ways: 

•  Via awards of share options, which are again pegged at around the average award level for our peer group on AIM and 

which can only be exercised on the achievement of substantial share price growth.

•  By means of Exit bonus elements, which only trigger on the disposal of businesses and which are calculated as a percentage 
of the shareholder value enhancement for that asset – ie taking account of the initial investment on acquisition, any additional 
investment during the period that the business is owned by Avingtrans and the disposal proceeds, net of costs.

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.

Divisional Long-term incentives 

The Committee has instigated long-term incentives for divisional senior management which align this cohort with shareholders, 
since they are based purely on performance and on the increase in value of the Group – ie: 

•  Via awards of appropriate share options, such as using a standard “CSOP” HMRC-approved scheme. 
•  By means of Exit bonuses as noted above.

Exit  bonus  arrangements  are  intended  to  incentivise  Directors  and  senior  managers  to  create  value  for  the  Group  and  our 
shareholders. These bonus elements only pay out if a material exit has occurred and if substantial shareholder added value is the 
result. The Board has ultimate control of Exit timing, to ensure that optimum value is achieved.

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 26.

25

Report of the Directors on Remuneration (Continued)

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. L Thomas and J Clarke 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.

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

   At 1 June 
2019 
£ 

Date of  
grant  

Granted 

  At 31 May 
2020 
£ 

Exercised 

  Weighted
average
exercise
price
£

Executive: 
S McQuillan 

S M King 

22/11/2013 
10/12/2014 
21/12/2016 
15/12/2017 
15/11/2018 
17/12/2019 

95,000 
100,000 
450,000 
140,000 
115,000 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

175,000 

– 
100,000 
– 
– 
– 
– 

95,000 
– 
450,000 
140,000 
115,000 
175,000 

900,000 

175,000 

100,000 

975,000 

25/09/2010 
22/11/2013 
10/12/2014 
21/12/2016 
15/12/2017 
15/11/2018 
17/12/2019 

39,733 
84,000 
75,000 
330,000 
110,000 
100,000 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
155,000 

– 
– 
75,000 
– 
– 
– 
– 

39,733 
84,000 
– 
330,000 
110,000 
100,000 
155,000 

738,733 

155,000 

75,000 

818,733 

1.760
1.110
1.930
1.815
2.200
2.670

2.062

0.395
1.760
1.110
1.930
1.815
2.200
2.670

1.996

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.

J S Clarke
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
29 September 2020

26

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                     
                     
                     
                     
                    
 
 
 
 
                     
                     
                     
                     
                    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                     
                     
                     
                     
                    
 
 
 
 
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
 
 
 
 
Independent Auditor’s Report to the  
Members of Avingtrans plc

Opinion

Our opinion on the financial statements is unmodified

We have audited the financial statements of Avingtrans Plc (the ‘parent company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘group’) for the 
year ended 31st May 2020 which comprise the Consolidated income statement, the Consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income, the Consolidated and Company balance sheets, the Consolidated and Company statements of changes in equity, 
the  Consolidated  and  Company  statements  of  cash  flows  and  notes  to  the  financial  statements,  including  a  summary  of 
significant accounting policies. 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,  as  regards  the  parent 
company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

In our opinion:

• 

• 

• 

• 

the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 31st 
May 2020 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  prepared  in  accordance  with  IFRSs  as  adopted  by  the 
European Union and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and 
the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We  conducted  our  audit  in  accordance  with  International  Standards  on Auditing  (UK)  (ISAs  (UK))  and  applicable  law.  Our 
responsibilities  under  those  standards  are  further  described  in  the  ‘Auditor’s  responsibilities  for  the  audit  of  the  financial 
statements’  section  of  our  report.  We  are  independent  of  the  group  and  the  parent  company  in  accordance  with  the  ethical 
requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard as applied 
to listed entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that 
the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

The impact of macro-economic uncertainties on our audit 

Our audit of the financial statements requires us to obtain an understanding of all relevant uncertainties, including those arising 
as a consequence of the effects of macro-economic uncertainties such as Covid-19 and Brexit. All audits assess and challenge 
the reasonableness of estimates made by the directors and the related disclosures and the appropriateness of the going concern 
basis of preparation of the financial statements. All of these depend on assessments of the future economic environment and the 
group’s future prospects and performance.

Covid-19 and Brexit are amongst the most significant economic events currently faced by the UK, and at the date of this report 
their  effects  are  subject  to  unprecedented  levels  of  uncertainty,  with  the  full  range  of  possible  outcomes  and  their  impacts 
unknown. We applied a standardised firm-wide approach in response to these uncertainties when assessing the group’s future 
prospects  and  performance.  However,  no  audit  should  be  expected  to  predict  the  unknowable  factors  or  all  possible  future 
implications for a group associated with these particular events.

Conclusions relating to going concern

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you were:

• 
• 

the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is not appropriate; or
the  directors  have  not  disclosed  in  the  financial  statements  any  identified  material  uncertainties  that  may  cast  significant 
doubt about the group’s or the parent company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a 
period of at least twelve months from the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

In our evaluation of the directors’ conclusions, we considered the risks associated with the group’s business, including effects 
arising from Brexit and Covid-19, and analysed how those risks might affect the group’s financial resources or ability to continue 
operations over the period of at least twelve months from the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue. In 
accordance with the above, we have nothing to report in these respects. 

However,  as  we  cannot  predict  all  future  events  or  conditions  and  as  subsequent  events  may  result  in  outcomes  that  are 
inconsistent with judgements that were reasonable at the time they were made, the absence of reference to a material uncertainty 
in this auditor’s report is not a guarantee that the group will continue in operation.

27

Independent Auditor’s Report to the  
Members of Avingtrans plc (Continued)

Overview of our audit approach

•  Overall  group  materiality:  £1,150,000,  which  represents  approximately  1%  of  the  groups 

revenue;

•  Key audit matters were identified as; 

1.  occurrence of long term contract revenue and by association accuracy of accrued income, 

completeness of deferred income and accuracy of work in progress

2.  Valuation of goodwill

3.  Accuracy of defined benefit pension liabilities

4. 

 Accuracy, completeness, valuation and presentation of the application of IFRS16

5.  Going concern

•  We  performed  full  scope  audit  procedures  on  the  financial  statements  of  all  group  entities  in 
the  United  Kingdom  and  Hayward  Tyler  Inc  a  company  registered  in  the  United  States.  We 
performed substantive procedures on the key audit matters identified for the Group in Energy 
Steel  and  Supply  Co,  a  company  incorporated  in  the  United  States.  We  performed  analytical 
procedures over non-significant components in India, China and the United States.

Key audit matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the financial 
statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to 
fraud) that we identified. These matters included those that had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy, the allocation 
of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters were addressed in the context of our 
audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on 
these matters.

Key Audit Matter – Group 

How the matter was addressed in the audit – Group

Risk 1 – occurrence of long term contract revenue and by 
association accuracy of accrued income, completeness of 
deferred income and accuracy of work in progress

Revenue is recognised throughout the group as the fair value 
of consideration receivable in respect of the performance of 
contracts.

Determining  the  amount  of  revenue  to  be  recognised  from 
the  performance  of  contracts  requires  management  to 
make  significant  judgements  and  estimates  as  to  the  stage 
of completion, the costs to complete and the impact of any 
changes in scope of work.

The  Directors  are  also  required  to  make  an  assessment  to 
determine whether onerous contract provisions are required 
for loss making contracts. 

Due  to  the  significant  financial  statement  impact  of  the 
revenue  derived  from  performance  of  contracts,  as  well 
as  the  high  level  of  estimation  required  in  determining  the 
appropriate  accounting  treatment,  we  therefore  identified 
contract  revenue  and  associated  balance  sheet  items  as 
a  significant  risk,  which  was  one  of  the  most  significant 
assessed risks of material misstatement.

Our audit work included, but was not restricted to: 

•  Review  and  testing  of  revenue  recognition  policies  to 
ensure  these  are  reasonable  and  applied  correctly  and 
consistently;

•  Selection  of  a  sample  of  contracts  where  revenue  was 
recognised  in  the  year  and  agreement  of  the  revenue 
recorded  through  consideration  of  key  information 
including;  the  total  contract  value,  total  expected  costs 
and  costs  incurred  in  the  year.  For  the  sample  selected 
review  of  key  contract  terms  to  form  an  understanding 
of  the  contract  and  testing  of  whether  the  accounting 
treatment applied is reasonable.; 

•  Recalculation of the overall contract position, including 
WIP and accrued income or deferred income, based on 
the key information of the contracts; and

•  Performance  of  walkthroughs  to  assess  the  design 

effectiveness of controls.

The  group’s  accounting  policy  on  long  term  contracts  is 
shown  on  page  37  to  the  financial  statements  and  related 
disclosures  are  included  in  note  2.  The  associated  key 
judgements are shown on page 47.

28

 
Independent Auditor’s Report to the  
Members of Avingtrans plc (Continued)

Key Audit Matter – Group 

Key Audit Matter – Group 

Risk 2 – Valuation of goodwill

The  group  has  recorded  goodwill  before  impairment  of 
£24,464k as a result of previous acquisitions and acquisitions 
in the year. 

IAS 36 requires goodwill to be tested annually for impairment 
at a cash generating unit level.

Due  to  the  potential  impacts  of  Brexit  and  Covid-19  we 
identified an enhanced risk pertaining to the impairment of 
goodwill. 

We  therefore  identified  the  valuation  of  goodwill  as  a 
significant  risk,  which  was  one  of  the  most  significant 
assessed risks of material misstatement.

How the matter was addressed in the audit – Group 
(continued)

Key observations

Based on our audit work, we found that the assumptions and 
judgements used in accounting for contracts were reasonable. 
We found no significant errors in the underlying calculations.

How the matter was addressed in the audit – Group

Our audit work included, but was not restricted to: 

• 

• 

consideration  of  management’s  assessment  of  cash 
generating units including a review of the lowest level of 
separable assets used to generate cashflows;

challenge  of  management’s  forecasts  supporting  the 
carrying  value  of  goodwill,  including  consideration  of 
management’s assumptions of the impact of Brexit and 
Covid-19 on those forecasts. Our challenge included an 
assessment of

•  The current and expected trading position of the cash 

generating unit

•  The accuracy of management’s previous forecasts

•  The  growth  rate  applied  in  the  forecast  from  the 

actual results in the year

•  The  rate  applied  by  management  to  discount 

cashflows to their present value

•  obtaining  an  understanding  of  management’s  controls 

and assessing the  design effectiveness. 

The  group’s  accounting  policy  on  goodwill  impairment  is 
shown  on  page  39  to  the  financial  statements  and  related 
disclosures are included in note 12.  

Key observations

Our testing did not identify any material misstatements in the 
carrying value of goodwill at the year end in accordance with 
IAS 36.

29

Independent Auditor’s Report to the  
Members of Avingtrans plc (Continued)

Key Audit Matter – Group 

How the matter was addressed in the audit – Group

Risk 3 – Accuracy of defined benefit pension liabilities

Our audit work included, but was not restricted to: 

Hayward Tyler Limited, a subsidiary of the group, operates 
a defined benefit pension scheme that provides benefits to a 
number of current and former employees. 

The  valuation  of  the  pension  liabilities  in  accordance  with 
IAS 19 ‘Employee Benefits’ involves significant judgement 
and  is  subject  to  complex  actuarial  assumptions.  There  is 
a  significant  movement  in  the  pension  scheme  position 
between  31  May  2019  and  31  May  2020  as  a  result  of  the 
declining  investment  market  due  to,  amongst  other  factors, 
the uncertainties created by Covid-19.

We    therefore  identified  the  accuracy  of  defined  benefit 
liabilities  as  a  significant  risk,  which  was  one  of  the  most 
significant assessed risks of material misstatement.

• 

checking  managements  policy  for  compliance  with 
IAS19;

•  documenting our understanding of management’s process 
for  evaluating  the  defined  benefit  pension  scheme  and 
assessing the design effectiveness of related key controls;

•  using  our  internal  actuarial  specialist  to  challenge  the 
assumptions used, including discount rates, growth rates, 
mortality rates and the calculation methods employed in 
the calculation of the pension asset / liability;

• 

• 

testing the accuracy of underlying membership data used 
by the group’s actuary for the purpose of calculating the 
scheme  liabilities  by  selecting  a  sample  of  employees 
and agreeing key member data to source records and by 
testing  a  sample  of  movements  in  the  pension  scheme 
membership and;

confirming  management’s  conclusion 
is 
appropriate  to  recognise  a  pension  surplus  within  the 
provisions of IFRIC 14  IAS 19 – The Limit on a Defined 
Benefit  Asset,  Minimum  Funding  Requirements  and 
their Interaction, through a review of the scheme rules.

that 

it 

The group’s accounting policy on the defined benefit pension 
scheme  is  shown  on  page  45  and  related  disclosures  are 
included in note 28. 

Key observations
Based  on  our  audit  work,  we  found 
the  valuation 
methodologies including the inherent actuarial assumptions 
to  be  balanced  and  consistent  with  the  expectation  of  our 
actuarial specialists. We consider that the group’s disclosures 
in note 28 are appropriate. We found no errors in calculations.

Key Audit Matter – Group 

How the matter was addressed in the audit – Group

Risk  4  –  Accuracy,  completeness,  valuation  and 
presentation of the application of IFRS16

IFRS  16 ‘Leases’ is required to be adopted in the financial 
statements  for  the  year  ended  31  May  2020. As  this  is  the 
first  year  of  adoption  the  Group  have  made  significant 
judgements  and  estimates  to  determine  the  impact  that  the 
new accounting standard has had on the financial statements.

The  transition  requires  the  Group  to  make  significant 
judgements  in  applying  the  new  standard,  in  particular 
in  determining  the  incremental  borrowing  rate  used  in 
calculating the present fair value of future cashflows

The group consists of a number of subsidiaries and therefore 
there  are  a  number  of  leases  to  be  considered  across  the 
aggregation of all subsidiaries. 

Our audit work included, but was not restricted to: 

•  Agreement of the accuracy of the underlying lease data 

for a sample of transactions;

•  Testing  over  the  completeness  of  the  underlying  lease 
data by reviewing the nominal ledger for payments that 
may be indicative of unrecorded lease liabilities;

•  Use  of  an  auditor’s  expert  to  challenge  the  IBR  rate 

applied to the calculation;

•  Reperformance of management’s calculations to test the 

mathematical accuracy;

•  Review  and  challenge  of  managements  forecasts 
supporting  the  carrying  value  of  the  assets.  Including 
consideration  of  managements  assumptions  on  the 
impact of Brexit and Covid-19;

•  Comparing 

the  disclosures  made 

in 

the  financial 

statements to those required by IFRS 16; and

•  Assessment  of  the  design  effectiveness  of  the  key 

controls in place throughout the transition process.

30

Independent Auditor’s Report to the  
Members of Avingtrans plc (Continued)

Key Audit Matter – Group 

How the matter was addressed in the audit – Group

Risk 4 – Accuracy, completeness, valuation and 
presentation of the application of IFRS16 (continued)

The  transition  to  IFRS16  requires  specific  disclosures 
outlining the impact of the new standard. 

Due to all of the above we therefore identified the accuracy, 
completeness  and  presentation  of  amounts  recorded  in 
relation  to  the  application  of  IFRS16  as  a  significant  risk, 
which  was  one  of  the  most  significant  assessed  risks  of 
material misstatement.

The group’s accounting policy on the application of IFRS16 
is shown on page 35 of the financial statements and related 
disclosures are included in note 14.

Key observations
Based on our audit work, we found no material omitted leases 
or issues with the calculations prepared by management. We 
found  the  associated  disclosures  with  the  transition  to  be 
appropriate.

Key Audit Matter – Group 

Risk 5 – Going concern

As stated in the ‘The impact of macro-economic uncertainties 
on  our  audit’  section  of  our  report,  Covid-19  is  amongst 
the  most  significant  economic  events  currently  faced  by 
the UK, and at the date of this report its effects are subject 
to  unprecedented  levels  of  uncertainty.  This  event  could 
adversely impact the future trading performance of the group 
and  the  parent  company  and  as  such  increases  the  extent 
of  judgement  and  estimation  uncertainty  associated  with 
management’s decision to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting in the preparation of the financial statements. 

As  such  we  identified  going  concern  as  a  significant  risk, 
which  was  one  of  the  most  significant  assessed  risks  of 
material misstatement.

How the matter was addressed in the audit – Group

Our audit work included, but was not restricted to: 

•  Assessing the reliability of management’s forecasting by 
comparing the accuracy of actual financial performance 
to the forecast information; 

•  Obtaining management’s forecasts to assess the potential 
impact  of  Covid-19.  We  evaluated  the  assumptions 
applied, including; the resulting effect on working capital 
during the estimated period of Covid-19, the forecasted 
growth  in  the  group  and  the  availability  cash  facilities 
of the group, for reasonableness and determined whether 
they  had  been  applied  accurately.  We  also  considered 
whether 
the  assumptions  are  consistent  with  our 
understanding of the business;

•  Assessing  management’s  determination  of  the  impact 
of  the  mitigating  factors  available  to  restrict  the  cash 
impact  of  the  pandemic.  This  assessment  included 
the  corroboration  of  mitigating  actions 
taken  by 
management  to  relevant  documentation  and  the  review 
of the application in the revised forecasts for accuracy; 

•  Performing  sensitivity  analysis  on  management’s 
forecasts  to  determine  the  reduction  in  cashflows  that 
would  lead  to  elimination  of  the  headroom  in  their 
original cash flow forecasts; and

•  Assessing the adequacy of the going concern disclosures 
included within the Accounting Policies of the Financial 
Statements. 

The group’s related disclosures on going concern are included 
on page 16 of the financial statements. 

Key observations
We  have  nothing  to  report  in  addition  to  that  stated  in  the 
‘Conclusions relating to going concern’ section of our report.

We identified no key audit matters, other than going concern, relating to the parent company.

31

Independent Auditor’s Report to the  
Members of Avingtrans plc (Continued)

Our application of materiality

We define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement in the financial statements that makes it probable that the economic We 
define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement in the financial statements that makes it probable that the economic decisions 
of a reasonably knowledgeable person would be changed or influenced. We use materiality in determining the nature, timing and 
extent of our audit work and in evaluating the results of that work. 

Materiality was determined as follows:

Materiality Measure

Group

Parent

Financial statements 
as a whole

£1,150,000,  which  represents  approximately 
1% of the group’s revenues. This benchmark 
is  considered  the  most  appropriate  because 
this  is  a  key  performance  measure  used  by 
the  Board  of  Directors  to  report  to  investors 
on  the  financial  performance  of  the  group. 
Revenue 
is  also  a  consistent  basis  for 
determining  materiality  compared  with  the 
previous periods.

Materiality for the current year is higher than 
the  level  that  we  determined  for  the  year 
ended 31 May 2019 as a result of an increase 
in group revenue in the current year.

£345,000,  which  represents  approximately 
0.5% of the parent company total assets. The 
benchmark is considered the most appropriate 
as  it  most  accurately  reflects  the  parent 
company’s  status  as  a  non-trading  holding 
company.

Materiality for the current year is lower than 
the  level  that  we  determined  for  the  period 
ended  31  May  2019  to  reflect  the  parent 
company’s  decreased  total  assets  in  the 
current year.

Performance 
materiality used to 
drive the extent of 
our testing

Specific materiality

Based  on  our  risk  assessment,  including  the 
group’s  overall  control  environment,  we 
determined a performance materiality of 75% 
of the financial statement materiality.  

Based  on  our  risk  assessment,  including  the 
company’s  overall  control  environment,  we 
determined a performance materiality of 75% 
of the financial statement materiality. 

We  determined  a  lower  level  of  materiality 
for  directors’  remuneration  and  related  party 
transactions.

We  determined  a  lower  level  of  materiality 
for  directors’  remuneration  and  related  party 
transactions.

Communication of 
misstatements to the 
audit committee

£57,500  and  misstatements  below 
that 
threshold that, in our view, warrant reporting 
on qualitative grounds.

£17,300  and  misstatements  below 
that 
threshold that, in our view, warrant reporting 
on qualitative grounds.

An overview of the scope of our audit

Our audit approach was a risk-based approach founded on a thorough understanding of the group’s business, its environment and 
risk profile. The components of the group were identified by the group audit team based on a measure of materiality, considering 
each as a percentage of the group’s total assets, revenues and profit before taxation, to assess the significance of the component 
and determine the planned audit response.

A full scope audit approach for all significant components was determined based on their relative materiality to the group and 
our assessment of the audit risk. We evaluated the processes and controls over the financial reporting system identified as part 
of our risk assessment, reviewed the financial statement production process and addressed critical accounting matters such as 
those related to the key audit matters as identified above. We then undertook substantive testing on significant transactions and 
material account balances.

In order to respond to the audit risks identified in our risk assessment, we performed a full scope audit of the financial statements 
of the parent company, Avingtrans plc (in the United Kingdom), and of all other component entities in the United Kingdom as 
well as Hayward Tyler Inc, a company registered in the United States. We also performed substantive procedures on the key audit 
matters identified for the group in Energy Steel and Supply Co, a company incorporated in the United States.

The significant components represented 80.4 percent of consolidated revenues and 80.8 percent of total assets. Statutory audits 
of subsidiaries, where required by local legislation, were performed to a lower materiality where applicable.

The non-significant group components in the United States, India and China were subject to analytical procedures.

32

Independent Auditor’s Report to the  
Members of Avingtrans plc (Continued)

Other information

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual 
report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover 
the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance 
conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, 
consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in 
the  audit  or  otherwise  appears  to  be  materially  misstated.  If  we  identify  such  material  inconsistencies  or  apparent  material 
misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material 
misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement 
of this other information, we are required to report that fact. 

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Our opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 is unmodified

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

• 

the  information  given  in  the  strategic  report  and  the  directors’  report  for  the  financial  year  for  which  the  financial 
statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• 

the strategic report and the directors’ report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report under the Companies Act 2006

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and its environment obtained in the course 
of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors’ report. 

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which 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. 

Responsibilities of directors for the financial statements

As  explained  more  fully  in  the  directors’  responsibilities  statement  set  out  on  page  18,  the  directors  are  responsible  for  the 
preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as 
the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the group’s and the parent company’s ability 
to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis 
of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the group or the parent company or to cease operations, or have no 
realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our  objectives  are  to  obtain  reasonable  assurance  about  whether  the  financial  statements  as  a  whole  are  free  from  material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance 
is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a 
material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually 
or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these 
financial statements.

33

Independent Auditor’s Report to the  
Members of Avingtrans plc (continued)

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements (continued)

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s 
website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

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.

David Munton Bsc (Hons) FCA
Senior Statutory Auditor
for and on behalf of Grant Thornton UK LLP
Statutory Auditor, Chartered Accountants
Birmingham
29 September 2020 

34

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. As detailed in the Director’s Report the Directors continue to adopt 
the going concern basis on preparing the financial statements and 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, none are expected to have a material impact on the financial results:

Framework  Pronouncement
IAS

Definition of material

Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8

Effective date 
Financial periods commencing 
on/after 1 January 2020

IFRS

IAS

IFRS

IFRS

Interest Rate Benchmark 
Reform

Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and 
IFRS 7

Financial periods commencing 
on/after 1 January 2020

Classification of liabilities as 
current or non-current 

Sale or contribution of assets 
between an investor and its 
associate or joint venture

Amendments to References to 
the Conceptual Framework in 
IFRS Standards

Amendments to IAS 1

Not yet EU-adopted

Amendments to IFRS 10

Not yet EU-adopted

Financial periods commencing 
on/after 1 January 2020

New standards adopted

The Group has adopted the new accounting pronouncements which have become effective this year, and are as follows:

IFRS 16 Leases

IFRS 16 Leases replaces IAS 17 Leases along with three Interpretations (IFRIC 4 Determining whether an Arrangement contains 
a Lease, SIC 15 Operating Leases-Incentives and SIC 27 Evaluating the Substance of Transactions Involving the Legal Form of 
a Lease). 

The  adoption  of  this  new  Standard  has  resulted  in  the  Group  recognising  a  right-of-use  asset  and  related  lease  liability  in 
connection with all former operating leases except for those identified as low-value or having a remaining lease term of less than 
12 months from the date of initial application.

The new Standard has been applied using the modified retrospective approach, with no impact upon the opening balance of 
retained earnings for the current period. Prior periods have not been restated.

For those leases previously classified as finance leases, the right-of-use asset and lease liability are measured at the date of initial 
application at the same amounts as under IAS 17 immediately before the date of initial application.

The following is a reconciliation of the financial statement line items from IAS 17 to IFRS 16 at 1 June 2019:  

Property, plant and equipment 
Prepayments 
Lease liabilities 
Accruals 
Deferred gain on sale and leaseback (current) 
Deferred gain on sale and leaseback (non-current) 

Carrying 
amount at 
31	May	2019	
£’000 

26,576 
 3,283  
(2,170) 
(6,212) 
(143)  
(1,549) 

 19,785  

(1,683)  
 (61)  

 53  
 143  
 1,549  

 –   

Reclassification	
£’000 

Remeasurement	
£’000 

9,731 

(9,731) 

IFRS 16
carrying
amount at
1	June	2019
£’000

34,623 
3,222 
(11,901) 
(6,159)
 –   
 –   

–    

 19,785 

35

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)

IFRS 16 Leases (continued)

The  deferred  gain  on  sale  and  leaseback  relates  to  historical  gains  in  disposal  of  freehold  property.  Under  IAS  17  we  were 
required to recognise these gains evenly over the lease term. Under IFRS 16, any gain is adjusted against the ROU asset value. 

The following is a reconciliation of total operating lease commitments at 31 May 2019 (as disclosed in the financial statements 
to 31 May 2019) to the lease liabilities recognised at 1 June 2019:

Operating lease commitments disclosed at 31 May 2019 
Additional operating lease commitment identified 

Restated Operating lease commitments disclosed at 31 May 2019 
Less short-term leases recognised on a straight-line basis as expense  
Less low value leases recognised on a straight-line basis as expense 
Discounted using the incremental borrowing rate at the date of initial application 

Impact of adoption of IFRS 16 
Finance leases disclosed at 31 May 2019 

Lease liability recognised as at 1 June 2019 

Of which are: 
Current 
Non-current 

Lease liability recognised as at 1 June 2019 

Carrying
amount at 
31 May 2019
£’000

 9,541 
 2,262 

 11,803 
(313) 
(14) 
(1,745) 

 9,731 
 2,171 

11,902

 1,902 
 10,000 

11,902

During the implementation exercise additional lease liabilities were identified which had not been included in the disclosure in 
the prior year notes to the financial statements. This difference mainly relates to leases for premises.

IFRS 3 Definition of a business

The IASB has issued ‘Definition of a Business (Amendments to IFRS 3)’ aimed at resolving the difficulties that arise when an 
entity determines whether it has acquired a business or a group of assets. This standard has been early adopted by the Group and 
was not mandatory until our financial year commencing on 1 June 2020.

The amendment to IFRS 3 has allowed management to apply the Concentration Test in regards to the purchase of the assets from 
Booth Industries. As the Bolton property and associated fixed plant constituted the majority of the assets purchased and therefore 
represents substantially all of the value under the concentration test and therefore the assets acquired do not constitute a separate 
business.  

Significant accounting policies

Basis of consolidation

The Group financial statements consolidate those of the Company and all of its subsidiary undertakings drawn up to 31 May 
2020. 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.

36

 
 
 
 
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)

Significant accounting policies (Continued)

Profit or loss from discontinued operations (Continued)

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 36. 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) the fair value of consideration transferred, b) the recognised amount of any non-controlling interest 
in the acquiree and c) the 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, and the individual fair 
values of the assets in the group are not reliably measurable, the group of assets is recognised as a single asset separately from 
goodwill. 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.

Revenue

Contract Revenue 

The Group recognises revenue under IFRS 15. Revenue is recognised when control of the goods or services transfers to the 
customer. The Group applies the following five step framework when recognising revenue. 

Step 1: Identify the contracts with customers 
Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract 
Step 3: Determine the transaction price 
Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract 
Step 5: Recognise revenue

At the inception of the contract, the Group assesses the goods or services that have been promised to the customer, and identifies 
as a performance obligation: 

a good or service (or bundle of goods or services) that is distinct; 

• 
•  or  a  series  of  distinct  goods  or  services  that  are  substantially  the  same  and  that  have  the  same  pattern  of  transfer  to  the 

customer.

37

Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)

Revenue (Continued)

Contract Revenue (Continued)

Contracts often contain a bundle of goods and services (i.e. a motor with an installation). We determine if a good or service is 
distinct where both of the following criteria are met:

• 
• 

the customer can benefit from the good or service on its own or in conjunction with other readily available resources; and 
the  entity’s  promise  to  transfer  the  good  or  service  to  the  customer  is  separately  identifiable  from  other  promises  in  the 
contract.

The criteria the Group uses to identify the performance obligations within a contract are:

• 

• 

the customer must be able to benefit from the goods or services either on its own or in combination with other resources 
available to the customer; and 
the entity’s promise to transfer the good or service to the customer is separable from other promises in the contract.

The transaction price is the value that the Group expects to be entitled to from the customer and includes discounts, rebates, 
credits, price concessions, incentives, performance bonuses, penalties and liquidated damages, but is not reduced for bad debts. 
It is net of any Value Added Tax (VAT) and other sales related taxes. Variable consideration that is dependent on certain events is 
included in the transaction price when it is “highly probable” that the variable consideration will occur. 

Revenue is recognised over time as the product is being manufactured or a service being provided if any of the following criteria 
are met: 

•  The Group is creating a bespoke item which doesn’t have an alternative use to the Group and the entity has a right to payment 

for work completed to date including a reasonable profit. 

•  The customer controls the asset that is being created or enhanced during the manufacturing process i.e. the customer has the 

right to significantly modify and dictate how the product is built during construction. 

•  Services provided where the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided as the Group performs.

Judgement is made when determining if a product is bespoke and the value of revenue to recognise over time as products are 
being manufactured. To calculate the amount of revenue to be recognised the Group apply a percentage of completion method. 
This method calculates revenue by multiplying the contract revenue by the percentage of costs incurred relative to total estimated 
costs.

If the criteria to recognise revenue over time is not met then revenue is recognised at a point in time when the customer obtains 
control of the asset and the performance obligation is satisfied. The customer obtains control of the asset when the customer can 
direct the use of the asset and obtain the benefits from the asset. The majority of revenue across all our operating segments is 
currently recognised at a point of time, however this can vary depending on the nature of the contracts in any year.

Significant original equipment contracts can take up to 12 months to complete from the start of the manufacturing process. As 
the period of time between customer payment and performance will always be one year or less, the Group applies the practical 
expedient in IFRS 15.63 and does not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of financing.

In  obtaining  contracts,  the  Group  may  incur  a  number  of  incremental  costs,  such  as  commissions  paid  to  sales  staff. As  the 
amortisation period of these costs, if capitalised, would be less than one year, the Group makes use of the practical expedient in 
IFRS 15.94 and expenses them as they incur.

Non-contract revenue 

Factors the Group considers when determining the point in time when control of the asset has passed to the customer and revenue 
recognised include:

1.  The Group has a right to payment; 
2.  Legal title is transferred to the customer; 
3.  Physical possession of the asset has been transferred to the customer; 
4.  The customer has the significant risks and rewards of ownership; and 
5.  The customer has accepted the asset.

Control normally passes and revenue recognised when the goods are either despatched or delivered to the customer (in accordance 
with the terms and conditions of the sale) or the installation and testing is completed.

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.

38

Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)

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 a general meeting prior to 
the balance sheet date. Interim dividends are recognised when paid.

Exceptional items

Operating costs which are material by virtue of their size or incidence and are not expected to be recurring are disclosed as 
exceptional items. Exceptional costs comprise acquisition and restructuring costs as set out in note 4.

Non-underlying items

Non-underlying costs for the year include amortisation of acquired intangibles, share based payment charge, acquisition related 
expenses, and restructuring costs as set out in note 4.

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:

Buildings 
Plant and machinery 
Equipment and motor vehicles 

2.0% – 4.0%
6.7% - 20%
12.5% - 33%

Right-of-use assets are depreciated over the shorter of the asset’s useful life and the lease term.

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.

39

Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)

Leased assets

As  described  above,  the  Group  has  applied  IFRS  16  using  the  modified  retrospective  approach  and  therefore  comparative 
information has not been restated. This means comparative information is still reported under IAS 17 and IFRIC 4.

Accounting policy applicable from 1 June 2019

For any new contracts entered into on or after 1 June 2019, the Group considers whether a contract is, or contains a lease. A lease 
is defined as ‘a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to use an asset (the underlying asset) for a period of time in 
exchange for consideration’. To apply this definition the Group assesses whether the contract meets three key evaluations which 
are whether:

• 

• 

• 

the contract contains an identified asset, which is either explicitly identified in the contract or implicitly specified by being 
identified at the time the asset is made available to the Group 

the Group has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from use of the identified asset throughout the 
period of use, considering its rights within the defined scope of the contract

the Group has the right to direct the use of the identified asset throughout the period of use. The Group assess whether it has 
the right to direct ‘how and for what purpose’ the asset is used.

Measurement and recognition of leases as a lessee

At lease commencement date, the Group recognises a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet. The right-of-
use asset is measured at cost, which is made up of the initial measurement of the lease liability, any initial direct costs incurred 
by the Group, an estimate of any costs to dismantle and remove the asset at the end of the lease, and any lease payments made in 
advance of the lease commencement date (net of any incentives received). 

The Group depreciates the right-of-use assets on a straight-line basis from the lease commencement date to the earlier of the 
end of the useful life of the right-of-use asset or the end of the lease term. The Group also assesses the right-of-use asset for 
impairment when such indicators exist. 

At the commencement date, the Group measures the lease liability at the present value of the lease payments unpaid at that date, 
discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease if that rate is readily available or the Group’s incremental borrowing rate. 
The incremental borrowing rate has been determined by looking at historical borrowing rates and adjusting these to reflect the 
term of the lease, economic environment, and type of asset being leased. Lease payments included in the measurement of the 
lease liability are made up of fixed payments (including in substance fixed), variable payments based on an index or rate, amounts 
expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee and payments arising from options reasonably certain to be exercised. 
On transition to IFRS 16 Leases, incremental borrowing applied to leases fell in the range of 3.6% – 5.6% depending on the 
nature and term of the lease.

Subsequent to initial measurement, the liability will be reduced for payments made and increased for interest. It is remeasured to 
reflect any reassessment or modification, or if there are changes in in-substance fixed payments. 

When the lease liability is remeasured, the corresponding adjustment is reflected in the right-of-use asset, or profit and loss if the 
right-of-use asset is already reduced to zero.

The Group has elected to account for short-term leases and leases of low-value assets using the practical expedients. Instead of 
recognising a right-of-use asset and lease liability, the payments in relation to these are recognised as an expense in profit or loss 
on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

On the statement of financial position, right-of-use assets have been included in property, plant and equipment.

Accounting policy applicable before 1 June 2019

Finance leases

Management applies judgment in considering the substance of a lease agreement and whether it transfers substantially all the 
risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the leased asset. Key factors considered include the length of the lease term in 
relation to the economic life of the asset, the present value of the minimum lease payments in relation to the asset’s fair value, 
and whether the Group obtains ownership of the asset at the end of the lease term. 

The interest element of lease payments is charged to profit or loss, as finance costs over the period of the lease.

Operating leases

All  other  leases  are  treated  as  operating  leases.  Where  the  Group  is  a  lessee,  payments  on  operating  lease  agreements  are 
recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Associated costs, such as maintenance and insurance, are 
expensed as incurred.

40

 
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. 

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.

Finance income/costs

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. The assessment of the probability of future taxable income in 
which deferred tax assets can be utilised is based on the Group’s latest approved budget forecast, which is adjusted for significant 
non-taxable income and expenses and specific limits to the use of any unused tax loss or credit. 

The tax rules in the numerous jurisdictions in which the Group operates are also carefully taken into consideration. If a positive 
forecast of taxable income indicates the probable use of a deferred tax asset, especially when it can be utilised without a time 
limit, that deferred tax asset is usually recognised in full. The recognition of deferred tax assets that are subject to certain legal 
or economic limits or uncertainties is assessed individually by management based on the specific facts and circumstances. All 
unused tax losses and credits have been recognised in the year as management believes that use of the deferred tax asset created 
is probable.

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 credits 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

41

 
 
 
 
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)

Intangible assets (continued)

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

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)  Brand

  Brand  is  amortised  on  a  straight  line  basis  of  between  10  and  15  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.

  Other  intangible  assets  include  capitalised  development  costs  incurred  in  the  development  of  new  products  and  process 
development. They are accounted for using the cost model whereby capitalised costs are amortised on a straight-line basis 
over their estimated useful life. Management assess the useful life of group intangible assets to be in the range of five to ten 
years. 

To distinguish any research-type project phase from the development phase, it is the Group’s accounting policy to require a 
detailed forecast of sales or cost savings expected to be generated by the intangible asset. The forecast is incorporated into the 
Group’s overall budget forecast as the capitalisation of development costs commences. This ensures that managerial accounting, 
impairment testing procedures and accounting for internally-generated intangible assets is based on the same data.

The Group’s management also monitors whether the recognition requirements for development costs continue to be met and 
an assessment made of its recoverability. This is necessary as the economic success of any product development is uncertain 
and may be subject to future technical problems after the time of recognition.

  Costs that are directly attributable to the development phase of technology are recognised as an intangible asset, provided 

they meet the following recognition requirements:

• 
• 
• 
• 

• 

• 

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 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.  

Borrowing costs

Borrowing costs primarily comprise interest on the Group’s borrowings. Borrowing costs that are directly attributable to the 
acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset, are capitalised as part of the cost of that asset when it is probable 
that they will result in future economic benefits and the costs can be measured reliably. All other borrowing costs are expensed 
in the period in which they are incurred and reported within “finance costs”.

42

 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)

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.

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

Merger reserve was created on the acquisition of Hayward Tyler Group PLC.

Other reserves were created on redemption of preference shares.

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.

Financial assets and liabilities

Recognition and derecognition

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the 
financial instrument.

Financial  assets  are  derecognised  when  the  contractual  rights  to  the  cash  flows  from  the  financial  asset  expire,  or  when  the 
financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards are transferred.

A financial liability is derecognised when it is extinguished, discharged, cancelled or expires.

Classification and initial measurement of financial assets

Except for those trade receivables that do not contain a significant financing component and are measured at the transaction 
price in accordance with IFRS 15, all financial assets are initially measured at fair value adjusted for transaction costs (where 
applicable). 

Financial assets, other than those designated and effective as hedging instruments, are classified into the following categories: 

•   amortised cost
•  
•  

fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)
fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI).

In the periods presented the Group does not have any financial assets categorised as FVOCI. The classification is determined by 
both:

•  
•  

the entity’s business model for managing the financial asset
the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial asset.

All income and expenses relating to financial assets that are recognised in profit or loss are presented within finance costs, finance 
income or other financial items, except for impairment of trade receivables which is presented within cost of sales.

Subsequent measurement of financial assets

Financial assets at amortised cost

Financial assets are measured at amortised cost if the assets meet the following conditions (and are not designated as FVTPL):

•  
•  

they are held within a business model whose objective is to hold the financial assets and collect its contractual cash flows
the contractual terms of the financial assets give rise to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the 
principal amount outstanding

After initial recognition, these are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial. The Group’s cash and cash equivalents, trade and most 
other receivables fall into this category.

43

Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)

Financial assets and liabilities (Continued)

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)

Financial  assets  that  are  held  within  a  different  business  model  other  than  ‘hold  to  collect’  or  ‘hold  to  collect  and  sell’  are 
categorised at fair value through profit and loss. Further, irrespective of business model, financial assets whose contractual cash 
flows are not solely payments of principal and interest are accounted for at FVTPL. All derivative financial instruments fall into 
this category.

Impairment of financial assets

IFRS 9 impairment requirements use more forward-looking information to recognise expected credit losses – the ‘expected credit 
loss (ECL) model’. This replaced the ‘incurred loss model’ in IAS 39. Instruments within the scope of the new requirements 
included loans and other debt-type financial assets measured at amortised cost and FVOCI, trade receivables, contract assets 
recognised and measured under IFRS 15 and loan commitments and some financial guarantee contracts (for the issuer) that are 
not measured at fair value through profit or loss.

Recognition of credit losses is no longer dependent on the Group first identifying a credit loss event. Instead the Group considers 
a broader range of information when assessing credit risk and measuring expected credit losses, including past events, current 
conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the expected collectability of the future cash flows of the instrument.

In applying this forward-looking approach, a distinction is made between:

•   financial instruments that have not deteriorated significantly in credit quality since initial recognition or that have low credit 

risk (‘Stage 1’) and

•   financial instruments that have deteriorated significantly in credit quality since initial recognition and whose credit risk is not 

low (‘Stage 2’).

‘Stage 3’ would cover financial assets that have objective evidence of impairment at the reporting date. 

‘12-month expected credit losses’ are recognised for the first category while ‘lifetime expected credit losses’ are recognised for 
the second category.

Measurement of the expected credit losses is determined by a probability-weighted estimate of credit losses over the expected 
life of the financial instrument.

Trade and other receivables and contract assets

The Group makes use of a simplified approach in accounting for trade and other receivables as well as contract assets and records 
the loss allowance as lifetime expected credit losses. These are the expected shortfalls in contractual cash flows, considering the 
potential for default at any point during the life of the financial instrument. The Group uses its historical experience, external 
indicators and forward-looking information to calculate the expected credit losses using a provision matrix. 

The  Group  assesses  impairment  of  trade  receivables  on  a  collective  basis  as  they  possess  shared  credit  risk  characteristics 
they have been grouped based on the days past due. Refer to Note 24 Financial Instruments for a detailed analysis of how the 
impairment requirements of IFRS 9 are applied.

Classification and measurement of financial liabilities

The  Group’s  financial  liabilities  include  trade  payables,  borrowings  and  lease  liabilities.  The  Group  has  derivative  financial 
instruments which can be either an asset or liability depending on the value of the underlying asset.

Financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value, and, where applicable, adjusted for transaction costs unless the Group 
designated a financial liability at fair value through profit or loss.

Subsequently, financial liabilities are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method except for derivatives and 
financial liabilities designated at FVTPL, which are carried subsequently at fair value with gains or losses recognised in profit or 
loss (other than derivative financial instruments that are designated and effective as hedging instruments).

All interest-related charges and, if applicable, changes in an instrument’s fair value that are reported in profit or loss are included 
within finance costs or finance income.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand, deposits held on call with banks and bank overdrafts. 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. 

44

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.

Post-employment benefits, short-term employee benefits and share-based employee remuneration

Post employee benefits

Hayward Tyler Group provides post-employment benefits through a defined benefit plan. This plan formed part of the business 
combination.

The Group provides post-employment benefits through defined benefit plans as well as various defined contribution plans.

A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the Group pays fixed contributions into an independent entity. The 
Group  has  no  legal  or  constructive  obligations  to  pay  further  contributions  after  its  payment  of  the  fixed  contribution.  The 
contributions are recognised as an employee benefit expense when they are due.

Plans that do not meet the definition of a defined contribution plan are defined benefit plans. Under the Group’s defined benefit 
plans,  the  amount  of  pension  benefit  that  an  employee  will  receive  on  retirement  is  defined  by  reference  to  the  employee’s 
length of service and final salary. The legal obligation for any benefits remains with the Group, even if plan assets for funding 
the defined benefit plan have been set aside. Plan assets may include assets specifically designated to a long-term benefit fund as 
well as qualifying insurance policies. 

The asset recognised in the statement of financial position for defined benefit plans is the present value of the fair value of plan 
assets less the defined benefit obligation (DBO) at the reporting date. The net surplus at the end of the year is £1.6 million (2019: 
£1.3 million) which is deemed recoverable due to the fair value nature of the calculation and therefore recognised in full.

Management estimates the DBO annually with the assistance of independent actuaries. This is based on standard rates of inflation, 
salary growth rate and mortality. Discount factors are determined close to each year-end by reference to high quality corporate 
bonds that are denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid and that have terms to maturity approximating the 
terms of the related pension liability. 

Service cost on the Group’s defined benefit plan is included in employee benefits expense. Employee contributions, all of which 
are independent of the number of years of service, are treated as a reduction of service cost. Net interest expense on the net 
defined benefit liability is included in finance costs. Gains and losses resulting from remeasurements of the net defined benefit 
liability are included in other comprehensive income.

Short-term benefits

Short-term  employee  benefits,  including  holiday  entitlement,  are  current  liabilities  included  in  pension  and  other  employee 
obligations, measured at the undiscounted amount that the Group expects to pay as a result of the unused entitlement.

Share-based employee remuneration

The Group operates equity-settled share-based remuneration plans for its key management personnel. None of the Group’s plans 
are cash-settled.

All goods and services received in exchange for the grant of any share-based payment are measured at their fair values.

Where employees are rewarded using share-based payments, the fair value of employees’ services is determined indirectly by 
reference to the fair value of the equity instruments granted. This fair value is appraised at the grant date and excludes the impact 
of non-market vesting conditions.

All share-based remuneration is ultimately recognised as an expense in the income statement with a corresponding credit to 
share-based  payment  reserve.  If  vesting  periods  or  other  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.

Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number of options that are expected to become exercisable. 
Estimates  are  subsequently  revised  if  there  is  any  indication  that  the  number  of  share  options  expected  to  vest  differs  from 
previous  estimates. Any  adjustment  to  cumulative  share-based  compensation  resulting  from  a  revision  is  recognised  in  the 
current period. 

The number of vested options ultimately exercised by holders does not impact the expense recorded in any period.

Upon exercise of share options, the proceeds received, net of any directly attributable transaction costs, are allocated to share 
capital up to the nominal (or par) value of the shares issued with any excess being recorded as share premium.

45

Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)

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 comprising Energy-EPM, Energy-PRSE and Medical-MII.

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. 

Government grants

A government grant is recognised only when there is reasonable assurance that (a) the Group will comply with any conditions 
attached to the grant and (b) the grant will be received.

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.

Hayward  Tyler  Limited  (“HTL”),  based  in  Luton,  UK,  was  awarded  a  £3.5  million  grant  from  the  Regional  Growth  Fund 
(“RGF”) pre-acquisition by AVG. The deferred income liability is reduced by grant income that is recognised in the consolidated 
income statement. This grant income is included in operating charges as a deduction from related research, development and 
training expenses.

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.

The amount recognised for dilapidations is a management estimate in relation to the estimated cost to restore the property to the 
agreed condition set out in the lease rental agreement for Peter Brotherhood’s Peterborough property.

46

Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)

Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

When  preparing  the  financial statements, management makes  a  number  of  judgements,  estimates and  assumptions  about  the 
recognition and measurement of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. 

Significant management judgements

The following are the judgements made by management in applying the accounting policies of the Group that have the most 
significant effect on the financial statements.

Revenue and margin on contracts

For sales of goods where we judge revenue should be recognised over time, the Group applies the percentage of completion 
method. This method calculates revenue by multiplying the contract revenue by the percentage of costs incurred relative to total 
estimated costs. 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.

Lease liability

Management in the adoption of IFRS 16 has applied a judgement which relates to the assessment of the likelihood that lease 
contract extension and termination options will be exercised.

Lease liabilities are initially measured at the present value of the lease payments payable over the lease term, discounted at the 
rate implicit in the lease. In most cases the rate implicit in the lease cannot be determined, consequently, we are required to 
discount at the incremental borrowing rate. Management judgement is required in determining the incremental borrowing rate. In 
coming to this figure we have considered the weighted average lease term, security, historical borrowing rates, and the economic 
environment.

Deferred tax assets

Management have recognised a deferred tax asset based on expected losses expected to be utilised over the next 5 year period. 
The assessment of this utilisation is based on the Group’s latest approved budget forecast, which is adjusted for significant non-
taxable income and expenses and specific limits to the use of any unused tax loss or credit. Further details relating to deferred 
tax assets are in note 25.

Estimation uncertainty

Information about estimates and assumptions that may have the most significant effect on recognition and measurement of assets, 
liabilities, income and expenses is provided below. Actual results may be substantially different.

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. 

Fair values at acquisition

Management have made judgments regarding the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in the period. As part of this review 
we are required to identify and estimate the fair value of intangible assets. Workings to obtain the fair value of these intangible 
assets are largely based on management’s estimates of attributable cash flows discounted to present their present value. Details 
of acquired intangibles is presented in note 13.

Recoverability of contract assets and trade receivables

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 with customers. Management periodically revisit the 
claim and their assessment of the amount expected to be recovered. Contract assets and trade receivables are detailed in note 17. 
The value of contract assets at 31 May 2020 was £15.6m. Intercompany balances and investments held by the Company have 
been reviewed by Management by reviewing future cashflows and despite Covid 19 are still considered to be recoverable.

47

Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)

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

Warranties 

The amount recognised for warranties for which customers are covered for the cost of repairs is estimated based on management’s 
past experience, current knowledge and future expectation that defects may arise. The value of warranty provisions at 31 May 
2020 was £1.5 million (note 19).

Dilapidations

The amount recognised for the dilapidation provision is managements estimate in relation to the estimated cost to restore the 
property to the agreed condition set out in the lease rental agreement for Peter Brotherhood’s Peterborough property. The estimate 
has then been discounted to its present value based on a pre-tax discount rate that reflects the current market assessments of the 
time value of money and the risks specific to the liability (note 19). 

Defined benefit pension liability

Management estimates the defined benefit pension liability annually with the assistance of independent actuaries; however, the 
actual outcome may vary due to estimation uncertainties. The estimate of its defined benefit pension gross liability of £13.5 
million (2019: £12.9 million) is based on standard rates of inflation and mortality. The estimate does not include anticipation of 
future salary increases as there are no members with benefits related to future salary progression. Discount factors are determined 
close to each period end by reference to high quality corporate bonds that are denominated in the currency in which the benefits 
will be paid and that have terms to maturity approximating to the terms of the related pension liability. Estimation uncertainties 
exist particularly with regard to medical cost trends, which may vary significantly in future appraisals of the Group’s defined 
benefit pension obligations. The value of the defined benefit pension asset at 31 May 2020 was £1.6 million (2019: £1.3million). 
Further details of the pension scheme are in note 28.

48

Consolidated Income Statement

For the year ended 31 May 2020

Revenue 

Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

Distribution costs 
Other administrative expenses 

Operating profit before amortisation of acquired intangibles, other  
non-underlying items and exceptional items 

Amortisation of acquired intangibles 
Share based payment 
Acquisition costs 
Restructuring costs 

Operating profit 

Finance income 
Finance costs 

Profit before taxation 
Taxation 

Profit after taxation from continuing operations  

Note 

2020 
£’000 

2019
£’000

2 

113,913 

104,044

(82,284) 

(76,349)

31,629 

27,695

(4,931) 
(22,557) 

(4,599)
(19,477)

7,051 

5,796

(2,223) 
(112) 
(294) 
(281) 

(1,595)
(98)
(86)
(398)

4,141 

3,619

38 
(1,141) 

3,038 
(634) 

2,404 

132
(602)

3,149
(714)

2,435

13 
27 
35 

2 

5 
6 

9 

(Loss)/profit after taxation from discontinuing operations 

36 

(1,018) 

76

Profit for the financial year attributable to equity shareholders 

1,386 

2,511

Earnings per share: 
From continuing operations 
– Basic 
– Diluted 
From continuing and discontinuing operations 
– Basic 
– Diluted 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Profit for the year 
Items that will not be subsequently be reclassified to profit or loss  
Remeasurement of defined benefit liability (note 28) 
Income tax relating to items not reclassified 
Items that may/will subsequently be reclassified to profit or loss  
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 

11 
11 

11 
11 

7.6p 
7.5p 

4.4p 
4.3p 

2020 
£’000 

1,386 

58 
(43) 

120 

7.8p
7.7p

8.0p
8.0p

2019
£’000

2,511

(581)
99

445

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to equity shareholders 

1,521 

2,474

The principal accounting policies and notes on pages 35 to 87 form part of these financial statements.

49

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheet

For the year ended 31 May 2020 

Non current assets 
Goodwill 
Other intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Deferred tax 
Pension and other employee obligations 

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

Total assets 

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Lease liabilities 
Borrowings 
Current tax liabilities 
Provisions 
Derivatives 

Total current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 
Borrowings 
Lease liabilities 
Deferred tax 
Contingent consideration 
Other creditors 

Total non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

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

Note 

2020  
£’000  

12 
13 
14 
25 
28 

16 
17 
9 
18 

20 
23 
22 
9 
19 

22 
23 
25 

21 

26 

34 

2019
£’000

23,369
14,483
26,576
1,423
1,299

67,150

14,441
31,549
234
8,909

23,459 
13,834 
34,445 
1,241 
1,646 

74,625 

13,390 
36,910 
1,221 
5,088 

56,609 
131,234 

55,133
122,283

(30,308) 
(2,125) 
(6,005) 
(70) 
(5,514) 
(36) 

(31,405)
(750)
(4,945)
(69)
(5,340)
(44)

(44,058) 

(42,553)

(3,965) 
(9,340) 
(2,460) 
(256) 
(1,247) 

(3,817)
(1,420)
(2,073)
(256)
(2,870)

(17,268) 

(10,436)

(61,326) 

(52,989)

69,908 

69,294

1,588 
14,970 
1,299 
430 
28,949 
180 
(4,235) 
26,727 

69,908 

1,568
14,018
1,299
310
28,949
180
(3,435)
26,405

69,294

Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent 

The principal accounting policies and notes on pages 35 to 87 form part of these financial statements. 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 29 September 2020 and signed on 
its behalf by:

S M King
Director 
Company number: 1968354 

50

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Balance Sheet 

For the year ended 31 May 2020 

Note 

Non current assets 
Investments 

Current assets 

Trade and other receivables: amounts falling due within 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 
Merger reserve 
Other reserves 
Profit and loss account 

Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent 

15 

17 

18 

20 
22 

22 

26 

2020  
£’000  

35,939 

35,939 

31,804 
– –
1,658 

33,462 
69,401 

(477) 
(181) 

(658) 

(370) 
(256) 

(626) 

2019
£’000

36,029

36,029

34,298

60

34,358
70,387

(542)
(180)

(722)

(536)
(256)

(792)

(1,284) 

(1,514)

68,117 

68,873

1,588 
14,970 
1,299 
28,949 
180 
21,131 

68,117 

1,568
14,018
1,299
28,949
180
22,859

68,873

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 
£649k (2019: loss of £254k).

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 29 September 2020 signed on its 
behalf by:

S M King
Director 
Company number: 01968354

The principal accounting policies and notes on pages 35 to 87 form part of these financial statements. 

51

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

For the year ended 31 May 2020

   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 

Total
£’000

At 1 June 2018 

1,553 

13,385  

1,299 

28,949 

(135) 

180 

(2,835) 

25,396 

67,792

Ordinary shares issued 

Dividends paid 

Investment in own 
shares 

Share-based payments 

Total transactions  
with owners 

Profit for the year 

Other comprehensive income 

Actuarial loss for the  
year on pension scheme 

Deferred tax on  
actuarial movement  
on pension scheme 

Exchange gain 

Total comprehensive  
income for the year 

Balance at 
31 May 2019 

Ordinary shares issued 

Dividends paid 

Investment in own  
shares 

Share-based payments 

Total transactions 
with owners 

Profit for the year 

Other comprehensive income 

Actuarial gain for the  
year on pension scheme 

Deferred tax on  
actuarial movement  
on pension scheme 

Exchange gain 

Total comprehensive  
income for the year 

Balance at  
31 May 2020 

15 

– 

– 

– 

15 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

633  

–  

–  

–  

633  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

445 

445 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

648

(1,118) 

(1,118)

(600) 

– 

– 

98 

(600)

98

(600) 

(1,020) 

(972)

– 

2,511 

2,511

– 

– 

– 

– 

(581) 

(581)

99 

– 

99

445

2,029 

2,474

1,568 

14,018  

1,299 

28,949 

310 

180 

(3,435) 

26,405 

69,294

20 

– 

– 

– 

20 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

952  

–  

–  

–  

952  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

120 

120 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

972

(1,191) 

(1,191)

(800) 

– 

– 

112 

(800)

112

(800) 

(1,079) 

(907)

– 

1,386 

1,386

– 

– 

– 

– 

58 

58

(43) 

– 

(43)

120

1,401 

1,521

1,588 

14,970  

1,299 

28,949 

430 

180 

(4,235) 

26,727 

69,908

At 1 June 2019 

1,568 

14,018  

1,299 

28,949 

310 

180 

(3,435) 

26,405 

69,294

The principal accounting policies and notes on pages 35 to 87 form part of these financial statements.

52

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Capital
redemp 
-tion 
 reserve 
£’000 

Merger 
reserve 
£’000 

Other 
 reserves 
£’000 

Retained
earnings 
£’000 

1,299 

28,949 

180 

24,133 

Company Statement of Changes in Equity

For the year ended 31 May 2020

Share 
capital  
£’000 

1,553 

15 

– 

– 

15 

– 

– 

Share 
premium 
account  
£’000 

13,385 

633 

– 

– 

633 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

1,568 

14,018 

1,299 

28,949 

14,018 

952 

– 

– 

952 

– 

– 

1,299 

28,949 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

20 

– 

– 

20 

– 

– 

At 1 June 2018 

Ordinary shares issued 

Dividends paid 

Share-based payments 

Total transactions with  
owners 

Loss for the year 

Total comprehensive  
expense for the year 

Balance at 
31 May 2019 

Ordinary shares issued 

Dividends paid 

Share-based payments 

Total transactions  
with owners 

Loss for the year 

Total comprehensive  
expense for the year 

Balance at  
31 May 2020 

At 1 June 2019 

1,568 

Total
£’000

69,499

648

– 

(1,118) 

(1,118)

98 

98

(1,020) 

(254) 

(372)

(254)

(254) 

(254)

22,859 

68,873

22,859 

– 

68,873

972

(1,191) 

(1,191)

112 

112

(1,079) 

(649) 

(107)

(649)

(649) 

(649)

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

180 

180 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

1,588 

14,970 

1,299 

28,949 

180 

21,131 

68,117

The principal accounting policies and notes on pages 35 to 87 form part of these financial statements. 

53

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 

29 

35 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow

For the year ended 31 May 2020

Operating activities 
Cash flows from operating activities 
Finance costs paid 
Income tax paid 
Contributions to defined benefit plan  

Net cash (outflow) inflow from operating activities 

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

Net cash used in investing activities 

Financing activities 
Equity dividends paid 
Repayments of bank loans 
Repayment of leases 
Proceeds from issue of ordinary shares 
Proceeds from borrowings 

Net cash inflow/(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 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

18 

The principal accounting policies and notes on pages 35 to 87 form part of these financial statements. 

2020 
£’000 

2,919 
(1,189) 
(1,527) 
(254) 

2019
£’000

10,468
(608)
(589)
(243)

(51) 

9,028

720 
38 
(760) 
(3,984) 
– 

(3,986) 

(1,191) 
(675) 
(2,200) 
972 
3,807 

713 

(3,324) 
8,053 
(36) 

4,693 

(132)
131
(848)
(2,344)
248

(2,945)

(1,118)
(3,278)
(1,033)
48
597

(4,784)

1,299
6,565
189

8,053

54

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 

30 

Company Statement of Cash Flow

For the year ended 31 May 2020

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

Net cash outflow from operating activities 

Investing activities 
Repayment from/(loan to) subsidiary undertakings 
Finance income 

Net cash generated from/(utilised by) investing activities 

Financing activities 
Equity dividends paid 
Repayments of bank loans 
Proceeds from issue of ordinary shares 

Net cash outflows from financing activities 

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

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

18 

The principal accounting policies and notes on pages 35 to 87 form part of these financial statements. 

2020 
£’000 

(3,483) 
(14) 
(112) 

(3,609) 

4,920 
674 

5,594 

(1,191) 
(168) 
972 

(387) 

1,598 
60 

1,658 

2019
£’000

(1,216)
(18)
(13)

(1,247)

(850)
744

(106)

(1,118)
(182)
648

(652)

(2,005)
2,065

60

55

 
            
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report

For the year ended 31 May 2020

1

Corporate information 

The consolidated financial statements of Avingtrans plc and its subsidiaries (collectively the Group) for the year ended 31 May 
2020 were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the directors on 29 September 2020. 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 infrastructure industries worldwide. 

2

Segmental analysis

For management purposes, the Group is currently organised into three main segments Energy-EPM, Energy-PSRE and Medical-
MII. The basis on which the Group reports to the Chief Executive. 

Principal activities are as follows:

•  Energy – EPM, built around Hayward Tyler which designs, manufactures and services performance-critical electric motors 

and pumps for the global energy industry, as both an OEM supplier and a trusted through life support partner. 

•  Energy  –  PSRE,  is  the  design,  manufacture,  integration  and  servicing  of  an  extensive  product  offering  including  steam 

turbines, gas compressors, pressure vessels, blast doors, containers and skidded systems. 

•  Medical – MII, is the design and manufacture of innovative equipment for the medical, science and research communities. 
Including cutting-edge products for medical diagnostic equipment; high performance pressure, vacuum vessels and composite 
materials for research organisations; superconducting magnets and helium-free cryogenic systems in 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 2020 

Original Equipment 
After Market 

Revenue 

Operating profit/(loss) 
Net finance costs 
Taxation 

Profit after tax from continuing operations 

Segment non-current assets 
Segment current assets 

Segment liabilities 

Net assets 
Non-current asset additions 
Intangible assets 
Tangible assets 

Energy 
EPM 
£’000 

12,780 
36,530 

49,310 

Energy 
PSRE 
£’000 

38,366 
14,358 

52,724 

Medical 
MII 
£’000 

Unallocated
central items 
 £’000 

11,879 
– 

11,879 

– 
– 

– 

1,261 

3,903 

(326) 

(697) 

Total
£’000

63,025
50,888

113,913

4,141
(1,103)
(634)

2,404

74,625
56,609

46,933 
25,072 

 72,005  
(3,845)  

22,978 
23,613 

 46,591  
(29,875)  

4,714 
3,169 

 7,883  
(9,627)  

– 
4,755 

 4,755  
(17,979) 

 131,234 
(61,326) 

68,160 

16,716 

(1,744) 

(13,224) 

69,908

 1,697  
 1,574  

 3,271  

 336  
 2,292  

 2,628  

 118  
 118  

 236  

– 
– 

– 

 2,151 
 3,984 

 6,135 

Unallocated assets/ (liabilities) consist primarily of interest bearing assets and liabilities and income tax assets and liabilities. 
Energy EPM results include the acquisition of Energy Steel which contributed £7.9m Group revenue and £0.9m loss after tax 
respectively (note 35). Energy PSRE results include the acquisition of the trade and assets of Booth Industries which contributed 
£9.6m Group revenue and £63,000 loss after tax (note 35).

56

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

2

Segmental analysis (continued)

Year ended 31 May 2019 

Original Equipment 
After Market 

Revenue 

Operating profit/(loss) 
Net finance costs 
Taxation 

Profit after tax from continuing operations 

Energy 
EPM 

13,888 
35,069 

48,957 

Energy 
PSRE 
£’000 

30,055 
12,884 

42,939 

Medical 
MII 
£’000 

Unallocated
entral items 
 £’000 

12,048 
100 

12,148 

– 
– 

– 

2,874 

1,930 

(204) 

(981) 

Total
£’000

55,991
48,053

104,044

3,619
(470)
(714)

2,435

Segment non-current assets 
Segment current assets 

44,285 
20,756 

17,903 
28,051 

4,962 
5,036 

– 
1,290 

67,150
55,133

Segment liabilities 

(27,563) 

(21,040) 

(1,417) 

(2,969) 

(52,989)

Net assets 
Non-current asset additions 
Intangible assets 
Tangible assets 

37,478 

24,914 

8,581 

(1,679) 

69,294

171 
1,258 

1,428 

378 
826 

1,204 

299 
261 

560 

– 
– 

– 

848
2,344

3,192

Unallocated assets/ (liabilities) consist primarily of interest-bearing assets and liabilities and income tax assets and liabilities. 
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 (excl. UK) 
United States of America 
Africa & Middle East 
Americas & Caribbean (excl. USA) 
China 
Asia Pacific (excl. China) 

2020  

Revenue  
£’000  

44,556  
14,022  
21,009  
3,965  
5,002  
8,325  
17,034  

2019 

Revenue 
£’000 

2020 

2019
  Non-current  Non-current 
Assets
£’000

Assets 
£’000 

37,441 
10,736 
14,045 
3,867 
3,228 
10,240 
24,486 

42,592 
– –
29,587 
– –
– –
2,396 
51 

50,660

14,455

2,018
17

The Group’s revenue disaggregated by pattern of revenue recognition is as follows: 

113,913  

104,044 

74,626 

67,150

Over time 
Point in time 

2020 
£’000 

54,087 
59,826 

2019
£’000

31,911
72,133

113,913 

104,044

57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

2

Segmental analysis (continued)

The Group had no single external customer which represented more than 10% (2019: EPM Revenue £12,336,000 11.9%) of the 
Group’s revenue.

Prior year figures have been restated throughout the notes due to Crown moving to discontinued operations.

Contract assets and liabilities

Contract assets: 
Energy – EPM 
Energy – PSRE 

Contract liabilities: 
Energy – EPM 
Energy – PSRE 

31 May 2020   1 June 2019
£’000

£’000 

10,730 
4,836 

15,566 

(2,670) 
(2,573) 

(5,243) 

4,965
5,679

10,644

(4,260)
(6,762)

(11,022)

When payments received from customers exceed revenue recognised to date on a particular contract, any excess is recognised as 
a contract liability. Conversely, where the amount recognised on a particular contract exceeds the payments received, this amount 
is recognised as a contract asset.

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 
Loss on foreign exchange transactions  
Amounts recognised from government grants 
Staff costs (note 8) 
Charitable donations 
Research and development expenditure 

2020 
£’000 

4,321 
3 
403 
36,144 
47 
(75) 
40,639 
14 
543 

2019
£’000

3,218
(13)
356
40,503
263
(311)
36,026
12
308

Discontinued operations would have charged an additional £764,000 (2019 £1,630,000) had they been included in the above.

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 

2020 
£’000 

54 

196 

2019
£’000

58

141

58

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

4

Adjusted Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation

Profit before tax from continuing operations 
Share based payment expense 
Acquisition costs 
Restructuring costs 
Loss/(gain) on derivatives 
Unwinding of discounting on dilapidation provision  
Amortisation of intangibles from business combinations 

Adjusted profit before tax from continuing operations 

Finance income 
Finance cost 
Loss on derivatives/unwinding of discounting on dilapidation provision 

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

Depreciation 
Amortisation of other intangible assets 
Adjusted Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (‘EBITDA’) from  
continuing operations 

2020 
£’000 

3,038 
112 
294 
281 
8 
88 
2,223 

6,044 

(38) 
1,141 
(96) 

7,051 

4,321 
403 

11,775 

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

5

Finance income

Bank balances and deposits 
Interest from defined benefit pension scheme 
Gain arising on the fair value of derivative contracts 

6

Finance costs

Amortisation of banking facility arrangement fees 
Finance charges relating to the unwinding of provisions 
Losses arising on the fair value of derivative contracts 
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 

2019
£’000

3,149
98
89
395
(83)
85
1,595

5,328

(132)
602
(2)

5,796

3,219
356

9,371

2019
£’000

4
45
83

132

Group

2020 
£’000 

5 
33 
– 

38 

Group

2020 
£’000 

2019
£’000

30 
88 
8 –
499 
26 
490 

1,141 

28
85

361
18
110

602

Interest on lease liabilities has increased by £377,000 in the financial year as a result of the adoption of IFRS 16 and the lease 
interest on the right-of-use assets.

59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

7

Directors’ emoluments

Particulars of directors’ emoluments are as follows: 

Salary and 
Fees	
£’000 

Benefits	
£’000 

Long Term 
Incentive	
£’000 

Total 
2020 
£’000 

Total 
2019 
£’000 

Pension 
Total 
2020 
£’000 

Pension
Total
2019
£’000

Non-executive: 
RR S McDowell 
J Clarke 
EW Lloyd-Baker* 
LJ Thomas 
GK Thornton* 

Executive: 
S McQuillan 
S M King 

Total emoluments 

73 
34 
– 
35 
31 

293 
239 

705 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

2 
– 

2 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

38 
34 

72 

73 
34 
– 
35 
31 

333 
273 

779 

72 
33 
24 
35 
44 

424 
344 

976 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–

The fees of JS Clarke, EW Lloyd-Baker, LJ Thomas and GK Thornton were paid to JS Clarke Consulting Ltd, Lloyd-Baker & 
Associates LLP. Heriot Resources Ltd and RG Associates respectively. 

* EW Lloyd-Baker and GK Thornton resigned from the Board on 30 November 2018 and 14 November 2019 respectively.

The non-cash benefits comprise the provision of private health insurance for S McQuillan. The number of Directors who are 
accruing benefits under money purchase schemes is nil (2019: nil). 

The long term incentive represents the initial interest in the Joint Ownership Scheme (see note 34).

Employers National Insurance Contributions made relating to directors’ emoluments were £116,000 (2019: £128,000).

During 2020 S McQuillan and S M King exercised 100,000 and 75,000 share options respectively resulting in capital gains of 
£60,000 and £45,000 (2019: S McQuillan and S M King exercised nil options) as set out on page 26.

60

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

8

Employees 

Particulars of employees, including Executive Directors:

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

2020 
£’000 

35,288 
3,501 
1,738 
112 

40,639 

2019
£’000

31,725
2,981
1,222
98

36,026

Discontinued operations wages and salaries of £391,000 (2019 £508,000) have not been included in the above note.

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

Production 
Selling and distribution 
Administration 

2020 
Number 

2019
Number

540 
144 
197 

881 

454
128
171

753

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

Continuing operations 
Current tax 
Corporation tax – current year 
Corporation tax – prior year 
Overseas tax 

Total current tax 
Deferred tax (note 25) 
Deferred tax – current year 
Deferred tax – prior year 
Deferred tax – rate 
Total deferred tax 

Tax charge on continuing operations 

Tax credit on discontinued operations 

Total tax charge in the year 

2020 
£’000 

1,100 
10 
94 

1,204 

2019   
£’000 

1,379
10
42

1,431

2020 
£’000 

2019
£’000 

440 –
192 
(170) 

462 

138 
(32) 
66 –
172 

634 

(200) 

434 

444
975

1,419

(624)
(81)

(705)

714

(81)

633

UK  corporation  tax  is  calculated  at  19%  (2019:  19%)  of  the  estimated  assessable  profit/loss  for  the  year. Taxation  for  other 
jurisdictions is calculated at the rates prevailing in the respective jurisdictions.

61

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

9

Taxation (continued) 

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

Profit before taxation: 
Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 

Theoretical tax at UK corporation tax rate of 19% (2019: 19%) 
Effects of: 
Expenditure that is not tax deductible 
Un-provided deferred tax differences 
Adjustments in respect of prior years 
Recognition of previously unrecognised losses 
Rate differential on timing differences 
Change in deferred tax rate 
Differential in overseas tax rate 

Total tax charge 

2020 
£’000 

2019
£’000

3,038 
(1,218) 

1,820 

346 

203 
(60) 
8 
(68) 
(12) 
51 –
(34) 

434 

3,149
(5)

3,144

598

(69)
122
283
(459)
(46)

204

633

The Group has tax losses carried forward of approximately £32.6 million at 31 May 2020 (2019: £35.4million) that may be 
relievable against future profits. Further details are detailed in note 25.

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

Current tax assets 
Corporation tax 

Current tax liabilities 
Corporation tax 

2020 
£’000 

1,221 

1,221 

(70) 

1,151 

2019
£’000

234

234

(69)

165

Corporation tax assets includes refunds due on US taxes and R&D claims made in the UK.

Factors that may affect future tax charges

The substantively enacted UK corporation tax rate at 31 May 2020 and 2019 was 19%. As per the March 2019 budget the tax rate 
will remain at 19%. The deferred tax asset at 31 May 2020 has been calculated based on these rates.

10

Dividends

Interim dividend paid of 1.4p per ordinary share (2019: 1.3p) 
Final dividend paid of 2.4p per ordinary share (2019: 2.3p) 

62

2020 
£’000 

439 
752 

1,191 

2019
£’000

404
714

1,118

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

11

Earnings per ordinary share 

Basic and diluted 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 earnings per share the weighted average number of ordinary shares is adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive 
potential ordinary shares, being the CSOP and ExSOP share options.

Weighted average number of shares – basic 
Share option adjustment 

Weighted average number of shares – diluted 

Profit from continuing operations 
Share based payment expense 
Acquisition costs 
Restructuring costs 
Loss/(gain) on derivatives 
Unwinding of discounting on dilapidation provision  
Amortisation of intangibles from business combinations 

Adjusted earnings from continuing operations 

From continuing operations: 
Basic earnings per share 
Adjusted basic earnings per share 
Diluted earnings per share 
Adjusted diluted earnings per share 

(Loss)/earnings from discontinuing operations: 

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

Earnings attributable to shareholders 

Basic earnings per share 
Adjusted basic earnings per share 
Diluted earnings per share 
Adjusted diluted earnings per share 

2020 
Number 

2019
Number

31,531,278 
569,687 

31,225,440
340,920

32,100,965 

31,566,360

2020 
£’000 

2,404 
112 
294 
281 
8 
88 
2,223 

5,410 

7.6p 
17.2p 
7.5p 
16.9p 

(1,018) 

(3.2)p 
(0.7)p 
(3.2)p 
(0.7)p 

5,199 

4.4p 
16.5p 
4.3p 
16.2p 

2019
£’000

2,435
98
89
395
(83)
85
1,595

4,614

7.8p
14.8p
7.7p
14.6p

76

0.2p
0.2p
0.2p
0.2p

4,690

8.0p
15.0p
8.0p
14.9p

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 585,000 share options at 31 May 2020 (2019: 490,000) that are not included within diluted earnings per share because 
they are anti-dilutive.

63

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

12

Goodwill 

Cost 
At 1 June 2018 and 1 June 2019 
Acquisition of subsidiary undertaking (note 35) 
Exchange adjustments 

At 31 May 2020 

Accumulated impairment losses 
At 1 June 2018 and 1 June 2019 
Impairment charge 

At 31 May 2020 

Net book value 

At 31 May 2020 

At 31 May 2019 

£’000

24,219
238
7

24,464

850
155

1,005

23,459

23,369

The impairment charge in the year is from the Crown business moving to discontinued.

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-EPM 
Energy-PSRE 
Medical-MII 

2020 
£’000 

15,352 
6,598 
1,509 

23,459 

2019
£’000

15,107
6,753
1,509

23,369

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 between 0% and 3% has been used for Energy-
EPM, Energy-PSRE and Medical-MII CGUs respectively. Recent changes to management and improvements to the contract 
negotiation and costing processes are expected to increase margins whilst Medical is developing into new markets and service. 

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 10.5% (2019: 11.7%) 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. If we were to assume a 0% long term growth rate a £798,000 impairment to goodwill would 
arise. If the discount rate was increased by 1% a £1,359,000 impairment would arise.

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.

64

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

13

Other intangible assets – group

Customer 
Relationships 
£’000 

Order book 
£’000 

  Development
costs 
£’000 

Brand 
£’000 

Software 
£’000 

Cost 
At 1 June 2018 
Additions 
Disposals 
Exchange adjustments 

At 1 June 2019 
Additions 
Acquisition of subsidiary  
undertakings (note 35) 
Disposals 
Exchange adjustments 

10,532 
– 
– 
– 

10,532 
– 

– 
– 
– 

At 31 May 2020 

10,532 

Accumulated amortisation 
At 1 June 2018 
Charge for the year 

At 1 June 2019 
Charge for the year 
Reclassification from PPE 
Exchange adjustments 
Disposals 

At 31 May 2020 

Net book value at 31 May 2020 

Net book value at 31 May 2019 

633 
845 

1,478 
845 
– 
– 
– 

2,323 

8,209 

9,054 

3,096 
– 
– 
– 

3,096 
– 

1,387 
– 
43 

4,526 

2,529 
567 

3,096 
1,194 
– 
31 
– 

4,321 

205 

– 

Total
£’000

21,097
848
(1)
12

21,956
760

1,387
(625)
43

2,504 
– 
– 
– 

2,504 
61 

– 
– 
– 

4,412 
822 
– 
13 

5,247 
608 

– 
(625) 
– 

553 
26 
(1) 
(1) 

577 
91 

– 
– 
– 

2,565 

5,230 

668 

23,521

141 
194 

335 
194 
– 
– 
– 

529 

2,036 

2,169 

1,844 
318 

2,162 
419 
– 
6 
(595) 

1,992 

3,238 

3,085 

338 
65 

403 
36 
84 
– 
– 

523 

145 

174 

5,485
3,677

7,473
2,688
84
37
(595)

9,687

13,834

14,483

65

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

14

Property, plant and equipment – group 

Land 

Plant and 
and buildings  Machinery 
£’000 

£’000 

  Equipment
and motor
vehicles 
£’000 

Cost
At 1 June 2018 
Additions 
Transfer  
Assets written off 
Exchange adjustments 

At 1 June 2019 
Adjustment on transition to IFRS 16 
Restated brought forward at 1 June 2019 
Acquisitions 
Additions 
Disposals 
Transfers 
Exchange adjustments 

At 31 May 2020 

Depreciation 
At 1 June 2018 
Charge in the year 
Assets written off 
Exchange adjustments 

At 1 June 2019 
Charge in the year 
Disposals 
Reclassification to intangibles 
Exchange adjustments 

At 31 May 2020 

16,395 
229 
136 
(2) 
33 

16,791 
6,850 
23,641 
4 
1,604 
(106) 
– 
18 

25,161 

1,003 
874 
– 
12 

1,889 
1,770 
(59) 
– 
17 

3,617 

13,770 
1,282 
7 
(514) 
55 

14,600 
670 
15,270 
107 
1,878 
(116) 
161 
66 

17,366 

2,806 
1,805 
(293) 
7 

4,325 
1,962 
(106) 
49 
15 

6,245 

2,174 
833 
(143) 
(119) 
59 

2,804 
526 
3,330 
11 
502 
(312) 
(161) 
27 

3,397 

935 
561 
(107) 
16 

1,405 
610 
(279) 
(133) 
13 

1,616 

Total
£’000

32,339
2,344
–
(635)
147

34,195
8,046
42,241
122
3,984
(534)
–
111

45,924

4,744
3,240
(400)
35

7,619
4,343
(444)
(84)
45

11,479

Net book value at 31 May 2020 

21,544 

11,121 

1,781 

34,445

Net book value at 31 May 2019 

14,902 

10,275 

1,399 

26,576

Right-of-use assets

Included in property, plant and equipment are right-of-use assets as follows:

Carrying  
amount 
£’000 

Additions 
£’000 

  Depreciation 
expense
£’000

7,783 
2,293 
257 

10,333 

52 
1,432 
60 

1,545 

1,216
558
100

1,873

Land and buildings 
Plant and machinery 
Equipment and motor vehicles 

66

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

15

Investments

Cost 
At 1 June 2018 
Acquisition of subsidiary undertakings 

At 1 June 2019 

Investment in subsidiary undertaking 

At 31 May 2020 

Provision 
At 1 June 18 and 1 June 2019 
Provision against subsidiary undertaking 

At 31 May 2020 

Net book value at 31 May 2020 

Net book value at 31 May 2019 

Group 
undertakings 
£’000 

Capital
contributions 
£’000 

40,284 
– 

40,284 

1,650 

41,934 

4,424 
1,805 

6,229 

35,705 

35,860 

117 
52 

169 

65 

234 

– 
– 

– 

234 

169 

Total
£’000

40,401
52

40,543

1,715

42,168

4,424
1,805

6,229

35,939

36,029

During the year a further investment was made in Composite Products Limited of £1.65m. Due to economic uncertainty there was 
an impairment in the year of the same amount. Additionally, £155,000 was impaired for Crown.

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  
Scientific Magnetics Limited 
Hayward Tyler Limited * 
Hayward Tyler Inc * 
Energy Steel & Supply Co. * 
Hayward Tyler Pumps (Kunshan) Co Limited * 
Hayward Tyler India PTE Limited * 
Hayward Tyler Fluid Handling Limited * 
Peter Brotherhood Limited  * 
Tecmag Inc  * 
Hayward Tyler Group plc 
Southbank UK Limited * 
Hayward Tyler Group Limited * 
Hayward Tyler Holdings Limited * 
Hayward Tyler Holding Inc * 
Nviro Cleantech Limited * 
Nviro Cleantech Inc * 
Vertus Technologies Limited * 
Nviro Cleantech Limited * 
Redglade Associates Limited * 
Redglade Investments Limited * 

Country of incorporation 
England and Wales 
England and Wales 
China 
China 
England and Wales 
England and Wales 
England and Wales 
England and Wales 
England & Wales 
USA 
USA 
China 
India 
England & Wales 
England & Wales 
USA 
Isle of Man 
England & Wales 
England & Wales 
England & Wales 
USA 
England & Wales 
USA 
Cayman Islands 
Cayman Islands 
England & Wales 
England & Wales 

Principal activity
Trading
Trading
Trading
Trading
Trading
Trading
Trading
Trading
Trading
Trading
Trading
Trading
Trading
Trading
Trading
Trading
Holding company
Holding company
Holding company
Holding company
Holding company
Holding company
Holding company
Holding company
Holding company
Property
Property

67

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

15

Investments (continued)

Name 
Hayward Tyler Pension Plan  
Trustees Limited* 
Hayward Tyler (UK) Limited * 
Appleton & Howard Limited * 
Credit Montague Limited * 
Mullins Limited * 

* Indirectly owned subsidiary.

All subsidiaries are 100% owned.

Country of incorporation 

Principal activity

England & Wales 
England & Wales 
England & Wales 
England & Wales 
England & Wales 

Manages pension scheme
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant

16

Inventories
                                                                                                                                                                                    Group

Raw materials and consumables 
Work in progress 
Finished goods  

2020 
£’000 

7,276 
2,730 
3,384 

2019
£’000

6,646
5,220
2,575

13,390 

14,441

The replacement cost of the above stocks would not be significantly different from the values stated. During the period there was 
an impairment charge included in cost of sales of £46,000 (2019: £384,000). The stock provision included within raw materials 
is £2,191,000 (2019: £1,794,000).

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 
Contract assets 

2020 
£’000 

16,388 
(219) 

16,169 

362 
– 
4,813 
15,566 

36,910 

2019 
£’000 

17,058 
(497) 

16,561 

1,061 
– 
3,283 
10,644 

31,549 

2020 
£’000 

2019
£’000

– –
– –

– –

4,235 
27,559 
10 
– –

3,435
30,829
34

31,804 

34,298

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. 

An explanation of credit risk relating to trade receivables is provided on note 24 financial instruments.

68

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

18

Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents included the following components:

Group 

Company

31 May  
2020 
£’000 

31 May 
2019 
£’000 

31 May 
2020 
£’000 

31 May 
2019
£’000

Cash at bank and in hand: 
GBP 
USD 
EUR 
Other 
Total cash at bank and in hand 
Overdraft: 

Total cash and cash equivalents 

3,053 
474 
471 
1,090 
5,088 
(395) 

4,693 

1,852 
4,834 
1,078 
1,145 
8,909 
(856) 

8,053 

1,658 
– –
– –
– –
1,658 
– –

1,658 

19

Provisions

The carrying amounts and the movements in the provision account are as follows:

Carrying amount 
1 June 2018 
Acquisition of subsidiary undertakings  
IFRS 15 adjustments 
Additional provisions 
Amounts utilised 
Reversals 
Exchange Adjustments  
1 June 2019 
Acquisition of subsidiary undertakings 
Additional provisions 
Amounts utilised 
Reversals 
Exchange Adjustments  

31 May 2020 

Warranty 
£’000 

  Loss making
contracts 
£’000 

Group

Other  Dilapidations 
£’000 
£’000 

1,856 
8 
(75) 
816 
(679) 
(462) 
55 
1,519 
236 
699 
(444) 
(537) 
16 

1,489 

1,775 
– 
600 
1,058 
(1,753) 
(355) 
– 
1,325 
793 
341 
(970) 
– 
13 

1,502 

242 
– 
– 
334 
(449) 
– 
– 
127 
– 
57 
(186) 
– 
2 

– 

2,262 
24 
– 
83 
– 
– 
– 
2,369 
– 
154 
– 
– 
– 

2,523 

60

60

60

Total
£’000

6,135
32
525
2,291
(2,881)
(817)
55
5,340
1,029
1,251
(1,600)
(537)
31

5,514

Warranty provision: Provisions for warranty work represent the estimated cost of work provided under the terms of the contracts 
with customers with reference to the length and unexpired portion of the terms provided. Warranty periods vary by product and 
typically have a range of 12 to 24 months.

Loss making contracts: Provisions for loss making contracts are the estimated total costs that exceed the total revenues from 
contracts that are in progress at the reporting date. These contracts are expected to complete in the next 12 months and the losses 
utilised.

Other provisions: The balance to carry forward in other provisions relates to liquidated damages. Provisions for liquidated damages 
are the liabilities estimated to arise on the expected delay in shipment of contracts that have been shipped prior to 31 May 2020. 
There were minor expected delays in the year.  

Dilapidations: Provision for dilapidation mainly represents the estimated cost to restore the property to the agreed condition set out 
in the lease rental agreement for Peter Brotherhood Limited’s Peterborough property, which resulted from the sale and leaseback 
of the property. The lease ends in 2031. The majority of the movement in the year is from the unwinding of discounted cashflows 
on this.

69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

20

Trade and other payables

Trade payables 
Other tax and social security 
Other payables 
Contract liabilities 
Accruals   

   Group                                         Company

2020 
£’000  

12,483 
1,553 
1,714 
5,243 
9,315 

30,308 

2019 
£’000 

11,694 
1,334 
1,143 
11,022 
6,212 

31,405 

2020 
£’000 

2019
£’000

303 
26 
119 
– –
29 

477 

65
28
143

306

542

The prior year amount of £11m recognised as a contract liability was utilised within the current reporting period. 

The other payables balance includes deferred grant income arising from the US Paycheck Protection Program of £749,000 (2019: 
£nil). This balance is expected to be recognised in the Income Statement in the next reporting period.

21

Other creditors 

Non-current 
Other creditors 

22

Financial assets and liabilities

   Group                                         Company

2020 
£’000  

2019 
£’000 

2020 
£’000 

2019
£’000 

1,247 

2,870 

– 

–

The carrying amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities in each category are as follows:  

   Group                                         Company

2020 
£’000  

2019 
£’000 

2020 
£’000 

29,217 

30,889

2019
£’000

30,829

60

65
716

781

256

1,037

Financial assets at amortised cost: 
Trade and other receivables 
Contract assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Total financial assets 

Financial liabilities at amortised cost: 
Trade payables 
Borrowings 
Lease obligations 

Financial liabilities measured at FVTPL: 
Derivative financial instruments 
Contingent consideration 

16,169 
15,566 
5,088 

36,823 

12,483 
9,970 
11,465 

33,918 

36 
256 

16,561 
10,644 
8,909 

36,114 

11,694 
8,762 
2,170 

22,626 

44 
256 

27,559 
– –
1,658 

303 
551 
– –

854 

– –
256 

Total financial liabilities 

34,210 

22,926 

1,110 

A description of the Group’s financial instrument risks is included in note 24.

70

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

22

Financial assets and liabilities (Continued)

All of the Group’s derivative financial instruments in the current and prior year relate to USD forward contracts. All derivative 
financial instruments in the current and prior period have a maturity within 12 months of their respective balance sheet date.

Borrowings comprise of: 

Secured borrowings 

Bank overdrafts and short-term borrowings 
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

2020 
£’000 

2019
£’000

2020 
£’000  

1,367 
8,603 

9,970 

6,005 

3,965 

2019 
£’000 

856 
7,906 

8,762 

4,945 

3,817 

– –
551 

551 

181 

370 

 Group                                         Company

2020 
£’000  

686 
2,902 
377 

3,965 

2019 
£’000 

612 
3,205 
– 

3,817 

2020 
£’000 

181 
189 
– –

370 

716

716

180

536

2019
£’000

180
356

536

Bank loans, overdrafts and short-term borrowings of £9,970,000 (2019: £8,762,000) are secured on certain assets of the Group.

At 31 May 2020 the Group had £11,094,061 (2019: £10,255,000) 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. 

Short term borrowings and Bank loans were based on variable LIBOR rates at margins of between 2.75% - 3.0% and 1.5% - 2.5% 
respectively.

The Group have £11,750,000 (2019:£11,250,000) of bond and guarantee facilities to support ongoing contract trading activity. As 
at the 31 May, £8,862,415 is utilised (2019: £6,825,036).

23

Lease liabilities 

Lease liabilities are presented in the statement of financial position as follows:

Current 
Non-current 

At 31 May 
2020 
£’000 

At 31 May
2019
£’000

2,125 
9,340 

11,465 

750
1,420

2,170

With the exception of short-term leases and leases of low-value underlying assets, each lease is reflected on the balance sheet as a 
right-of-use asset and a lease liability. Variable lease payments which do not depend on an index or a rate (such as lease payments 
based on a percentage of Group sales) are excluded from the initial measurement of the lease liability and asset. The Group classifies 
its right-of-use assets in a consistent manner to its property, plant and equipment (see note 14).

71

 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

23

Lease liabilities (continued)

Each lease generally imposes a restriction that, unless there is a contractual right for the Group to sublet the asset to another party, 
the right-of-use asset can only be used by the Group. Leases are either non-cancellable or may only be cancelled by incurring a 
substantive termination fee. Some leases contain an option to purchase the underlying leased asset outright at the end of the lease, 
or to extend the lease for a further term. The Group is prohibited from selling or pledging the underlying leased assets as security. 
For leases over office buildings and factory premises the Group must keep those properties in a good state of repair and return the 
properties in their original condition at the end of the lease.

The lease liabilities are secured by the related underlying assets. Future minimum lease payments were as follows:

31 May 2020 
Lease payments 
Finance charges 

Net present value 

31 May 2019 
Lease payments 
Finance charges 

Net present value of lease obligations 

Within  
1 year 
£’000 

 2,654  
(529)  

 2,125  

 1,092  
(342)  

 750  

1 – 5  
  years 
£’000 

 6,700  
(1,417)  

 5,283  

 1,325  
(463)  

 862  

Over
5 years 
£’000 

Total
£’000

 5,029  
(973)  

 14,384 
(2,919) 

 4,056  

 11,465 

 1,338  
(780)  

 558  

 3,755 
(1,585) 

 2,170 

Present value of lease obligations at 31 May 2019 presents the obligations relating to finance leases under IAS 17.

The group has elected not to recognise a lease liability for short term leases (leases with an expected term of 12 months or less) or 
for leases of low value assets. Payments made under such leases are expensed on a straight-line basis. In addition, certain variable 
lease payments are not permitted to be recognised as lease liabilities and are expensed as incurred. 

The expense relating to payments not included in the measurement of the lease liability is as follows:

Short-term leases 
Leases of low value assets 

£’000

 494 
29 

 523 

Some  leases  contain  break  clauses  or  extension  options  to  provide  operational  flexibility.  Potential  future  undiscounted  lease 
payments not included in the reasonably certain lease term, and hence not included in lease liabilities, total £2.3m at 31 May 2020.

Future increases or decreases in rentals linked to an index or rate are not included in the lease liability until the change in cash flows 
takes effect. 5% of the Group’s lease liabilities are subject to inflation-linked rentals and a further 45% are subject to rent reviews. 
Rental changes linked to inflation or rent reviews typically occur on an annual or five-yearly basis.

The Group has not signed any leases in the year which have not yet commenced.

72

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

24

Financial instruments 

The Group is exposed to various risks in relation to financial instruments. The Group’s financial assets and liabilities by category 
are summarised in Note 22. The main types of risks are capital risk, market risk, foreign currency risk, interest risk, price risk, credit 
risk, and liquidity risk.

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 22 and 23 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 (debt)/cash 

Equity 

Net (debt)/cash to equity ratio 

   Group                                         Company

2020 
£’000  

(21,435) 
5,088 

(16,347) 

69,908 

(23.4)% 

2019 
£’000 

(10,932) 
8,909 

(2,023) 

69,294 

(2.9)% 

2020 
£’000 

(551) 
1,658 

1,107 

68,117 

1.6% 

2019
£’000

(716)
60

(656)

68,873

(1.0)%

Removing the impact of IFRS 16, at 31 May 2020 net debt would have been £7,385,000 and equity would have been £70,101,000. 
Consequently, on the same accounting basis as prior year the Group’s net debt to equity ratio would have been (10.5) %.

Debt is defined as short and long term borrowings and lease liabilities, as detailed in note 22. 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. 

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.

Derivative  contracts  are  measured  at  fair  value  in  the  statement  of  financial  position  with  movements  in  that  fair  value  being 
recognised in profit or loss.

The  Group  presently  has  £0.6  million  (2019:  £0.8  million)  to  manage  the  transactional  currency  exposure  on  certain  contracts 
outstanding as at 31 May 2020. 

73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

24

Financial instruments (continued)

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.

Euro currency impact 
2019 
£’000 

2020 
£’000 

US $ currency impact 
2019 
£’000 

2020 
£’000 

RmB currency impact
2019
£’000

2020 
£’000 

28 

(38) 

581 

332 

(366) –

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 £8,000. 
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 credit risk is managed on a group basis 
based on the Group’s credit risk management policies and procedures. 

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 no major customer representing more than 10% (2019: no major customer which representing more than 10%) of 
trade receivables, the Group has no other significant concentration of receivables. 

The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified model of recognising lifetime expected credit losses for all trade receivables as these items 
do not have a significant financing component. In measuring the expected credit losses, the trade receivables have been assessed on 
a collective basis as they possess shared credit risk characteristics, for example, the Group have a significant number of government 
contracts which we consider to be lower credit risk than corporate entities.

The expected loss rates are based on a review of historical customer payment profiles as well as the corresponding historical credit 
losses during that period. The historical rates are adjusted to reflect current and forwarding looking macroeconomic factors affecting 
the customer’s ability to settle the amount outstanding.

Trade receivables are written off (ie derecognised) when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery. Usually this occurs when 
the customer goes into administration or ceases trading.

74

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

24

Financial instruments (continued)

Ageing of trade receivables and expected credit loss provision:

31 May 2020 
Trade receivables, gross 
Expected credit loss provision 

31 May 2019 
Trade receivables, gross 
Expected credit loss provision 

0-30 
£’000 

   10,236  
(21) 

10,215 

 12,005  
(171)  

11,834 

Trade receivables aged from invoice date

31-60 
£’000 

3,098  
(5)  

3,093 

 3,174  
(8)  

3,166 

61-120 
£’000 

121-360 
£’000 

>360 
£’000 

1,500  
(11)  

1,489 

 652  
(4) 

648 

1,039  
(91)  

948 

 855  
(203) 

652 

515  
(91)  

424 

 371  
(110) 

261 

Total
£’000

16,388 
(219) 

16,169

 17,058 
    (496) 

16,561

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

The average credit period taken on sales of goods is 31 days (2019: 41 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.

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. 

Details about the maturity of financial liabilities can be found in note 22 Financial assets and liabilities.

All facilities are secured on the assets of the Group.

75

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

25

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.

Accelerated 
tax 
depreciation 
£’000 

Intangibles 
£’000 

Other
temporary
differences 
£’000 

Tax losses 
£’000 

Total
£’000

1,460
(705)
(6)
(99)

650
386
(16)
–
172
(16)

43

At 1 June 2018 
Credit to income – continuing operations 
Credit to income – discontinued operations 
Charge/credit to other comprehensive income 

At 1 June 2019 
Arising on fair value adjustments on business combinations 
On acquisition of Energy Steel 
Reclassification 
Credit to income – continuing operations 
Credit to income – discontinued operations 

Charge/credit to other comprehensive income 

At 31 May 2020 

142 
(468) 
(6) 
– 

(332) 
– 
– 
810 
57 
(14) 

– 

521 

2,223 
(306) 
3 
– 

1,920 
386 
– 
– 
(317) 
(6) 

– 

1,983 

549 
35 
– 
(99) 

485 
– 
(16) 
(810) 
254 
– 

43 

(44) 

(1,454) 
33 
(2) 
– 

(1,423) 
– 
– 
– 
178 
4 

– 

(1,241) 

1,219

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 assets 
Deferred tax liabilities 

2020 
£’000 

1,241 
(2,460) 

1,219 

2019
£’000

2,073
(1,423)

650

At the balance sheet date the Group has unused tax losses of £32.6 million (2019: £35.4 million) available for offset against future 
profits. A deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of £6.5 million (2019: £8.4 million) of such losses. 

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available in future against which 
deductible temporary differences can be utilised. This is assessed based on the Group’s forecast of future operating results and the 
future projected profitability of entities within the Group. In addition the Group has an unrecognised deferred tax asset of £30k 
(2019: £28k) 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 (2019: £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.

76

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

26

Called up share capital

                                                                                                                                          2020                                            2019

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

No. 

£’000 

No. 

31,752,861 

1,588 

31,362,053 

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

At 1 June 2019 and 31 May 2019 
Shares issued in period to ExSOP (note 34) 
Shares issued on exercise of share options (note 27) 

At 31 May 2020 

No. 

31,362,053 
303,308 
87,500 

31,752,861 

£’000

1,568

£’000

1,568
15
5

1,588

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 87,500 options were exercised, 6,000, 5,000, 11,500 and 65,000 at 109.0p, 176.0p, 177.5p 
and 193.0p respectively. The market price on the day of exercise was 280.0p, 250.0p, 251.0p and 312.5p. Further details of the 
scheme are given in note 27.

The market price of the Company’s shares at the end of the year was 233.0p (2019: 215.0p). The highest and lowest market prices 
during the year were 185.0p and 330.0p (2019: 235.0p and 172.5p respectively).

27

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 

2020 

2019

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise 
price p 

183.99 
198.23 
267.00 
131.18 

207.36 

185.32 

Options 
(No. ‘000) 

2,147.7 
44.6 
490.0 
15.4 

2,577.7 

480.7 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
price p

175.74
191.26
219.37
138.51

183.99

130.27

Options 
(No. ‘000) 

2,577.7 
126.5 
585.0 
317.5 

2,718.7 

1,284.7 

The  options  outstanding  at  31  May  2020  had  exercise  prices  in  the  range  39.5p  to  267.0p  and  a  weighted  average  remaining 
contractual life of 7.3 years (2019: 7.6 years). The average market share price of options at date of exercise was 267.74p (2019: 
217p).

77

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

27

Share-based payments (Continued)

The terms of these options are as follows:    

Date of grant  

Options 
outstanding at 
31 May 2020 

23/09/2010 

39,733 

Vesting 
period 

3 years 

22/11/2013 

182,000 

3 years 

09/12/2014 

8,000 

3 years 

21/12/2016 

1,055,000 

3 years 

15/12/2017 

104,000 

3 years 

15/12/2017 

330,000 

3 years 

15/11/2018 

130,000 

3 years 

15/11/2018 

285,000 

3 years 

17/12/2019 

585,000 

3 years 

Market value at
date of grant 
 (p) 

Exercise 
price (p) 

Exercise period

39.50 

176.00 

109.00 

193.00 

177.50 

181.50 

218.50 

220.00 

267.00 

39.50 

176.00 

109.00 

193.00 

177.50 

181.50 

218.50 

220.00 

267.00 

24/9/2013 to
23/9/2020

23/12/2016 to
22/12/2023

10/12/2017 to
9/12/2024

22/12/2019 to
21/12/2026

16/12/2020 to
15/12/2027

16/12/2020 to
15/11/2027

16/11/2021 to
15/11/2028

16/11/2021 to
15/11/2028

17/12/2022 to
16/12/2029

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.

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 

2020 
£’000 

112 

2019
£’000

99

There  are  no  share-based  payment  transactions  that  were  expensed  immediately. A  deferred  tax  credit  of  £nil  (2019:  £nil)  was 
recognised during the year in respect of share-based payments.

78

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

28

Pensions and other employee obligations

Within the UK the Group operates a defined benefit plan with benefits linked to final salary and a defined contribution plan. 

The  defined  benefit  pension  arrangement,  called  the  Hayward Tyler  Pension  Plan  (the  “Plan”),  and  provides  benefits  based  on 
final salary and length of service on retirement, leaving service or death. With effect from 1 June 2003 the Plan was closed to new 
UK employees and to future service accrued for existing members who are offered membership of the defined contribution plan. 
The majority of UK employees are members of one of these arrangements. The method used in assessing the Plan liabilities is 
the projected unit method. A full valuation of the Plan is produced every three years (the last one being as at 1 January 2017) and 
updated annually to 31 May 2020 by independent qualified actuaries.

The Plan is subject to the Statutory Funding Objective under the Pensions Act 2004. A valuation of the Plan is carried out at least 
once every three years to determine whether the Statutory Funding Objective is being met. As part of the process the Company must 
agree with the trustees of the Plan the contributions to be paid to address any shortfall against the Statutory Funding Objective. The 
Statutory Funding Objective does not currently impact on the recognition of the Plan in these accounts.

The Plan is managed by a board of trustees appointed in part by the Company and in part from elections by members of the Plan. 
The board of trustees includes a professional trustee (Independent Trustee Services Limited). The trustees have responsibility for 
obtaining valuations of the fund, administering benefit payments and investing the Plan’s assets. The trustees delegate some of these 
functions to their professional advisers where appropriate.

The Plan exposes the Company to a number of risks:

• 

• 

Investment risk
The Plan holds investments in asset classes, such as equities, which have volatile market values and, while these assets are 
expected to provide real returns over the long-term, the short-term volatility can cause additional funding to be required if a 
deficit emerges;

Interest rate risk 
The Plan’s liabilities are assessed using market yields on high quality corporate bonds to discount the liabilities. As the Plan 
holds assets such as equities the value of the assets and liabilities may not move in the same way;

Inflation risk 

• 
  A significant proportion of the benefits under the Plan are linked to inflation. Although the Plan’s assets are expected to provide 

a good hedge against inflation over the long-term, movements over the short-term could lead to deficits emerging;

•  Mortality risk 

In the event that members live longer than assumed a deficit will emerge in the Plan; and

•  Concentration risk 
  A significant proportion of the Plan’s liabilities are in respect of a single pensioner member. The development of the liabilities 

over time will therefore depend heavily on the actual experience in respect of this member.

There were no plan amendments, curtailments or settlements during the year (2019: nil) The Group’s defined benefit obligations and 
plan assets may be reconciled to the amounts presented on the face of the statement of financial position for each of the reporting 
periods under review as follows:

Defined benefit obligation 
Fair value of plan assets 

Net defined benefit asset 

Group

At 31 May 
2020 
£’000 

At 31 May 
2019
£’000

(13,531) 
15,177 

(12,930)
14,229

1,646 

1,299

79

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

28

Pensions and other employee obligations (Continued)

Scheme liabilities

The defined benefit obligations for the reporting periods under review are as follows:

Defined benefit obligation at start of period 
Interest cost 
Changes to demographic assumptions 
Changes to financial assumptions 
Benefits paid 

Defined benefits obligation at end of year 

For determination of the pension obligation, the following actuarial assumptions were used:

Discount rate 
Expected rate of pension increases 
Inflation assumption 
Mortality assumption 

Group

At 31 May 
2020 
£’000 

At 31 May
2019
£’000

12,930 
282 
(352) –
1,429 
(758) 

13,531 

12,559
323

833
(785)

12,930

Group

At 31 May 
2020 
£’000 

1.50% 
2.40% 
3.05% 
S2PXA CMI 

At 31 May
2019
£’000 

   2.25%
2.35%
3.35%
S2PXA CMI

S2PXA CMI – for males and females projected on a year of birth basis using CMI (2019) projections with a long-term rate of 
improvement of 1.25% per annum with a plus 2-year age rating. The mortality assumptions imply the following life expectancies:

•  Life expectancy at age 65 of male aged 45 
•  Life expectancy at age 65 of male aged 65 
•  Life expectancy at age 65 of female aged 45 
•  Life expectancy at age 65 of female aged 65 

22.9
21.6
25.1
23.6

These assumptions were developed by management under consideration of expert advice provided by Barnett Waddingham, independent 
actuarial appraisers. These assumptions have led to the amounts determined as the Group’s defined benefit obligations for the reporting 
periods under review and should be regarded as management’s best estimate. However, the actual outcome may vary. 

No assumption is made with regard to the expected rate of salary increases as there are no members with benefits related to future 
salary progression.

Scheme assets

The assets held by the pension fund can be reconciled from the opening balance to the reporting date as follows::

Fair value of plan assets at start of period 
Interest income 
Return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in net interest) 
Contributions by the Group 
Benefits paid 

Fair value of plan assets at end of period 

Actual return on plan assets 

80

Group

At 31 May 
2020 
£’000 

At 31 May
2019
£’000

14,229 
315 
1,135 
256 
(758) 

15,177 

1,450 

14,149
367
252
245
(785)

14,229

620

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

28

Pensions and other employee obligations (Continued)

The current asset spilt is as follows:

Multi-asset growth portfolio 
Gilts and LDI 
Cash 

Total assets 

The remeasurement recorded in other comprehensive income is as follows:

Gain on scheme assets in excess of interest 
Gain from changes to demographic assumptions 
Loss from changes to financial assumptions 

Total (gain)/loss recognised in other comprehensive income 

Sensitivity of the value placed on the liabilities

Reduce discount rate by 0.1% p.a. 
Increase inflation and related assumption by 0.1% p.a. 
Increase a long-term rate of longevity improvement by 0.25% p.a. 
Apply a 90% loading to the mortality base table (reduces probability of death by 10% at each age) 

At 31 May 
2020 
£’000 

At 31 May
2019
£’000

6,813 
7,647 
717 

9,151
4,965 
113

15,177 

14,229

At 31 May 
2020 
£’000 

At 31 May
2019
£’000

(1,135) 
(352) 
1,429 

(58) 

(252)
– 
833

581

  Approximate
effect on
liabilities

£192,000
£140,000
£118,000
£702,000

Note that the above sensitivities are approximate and only show the likely effect of an assumption being adjusted whilst all other 
assumptions remain the same.

Risk mitigation strategies

The  trustees  invest  the  Plan’s  assets  in  combination  of  Liability-Sensitive  assets  and  Return-Generating  assets.  The  Liability-
Sensitive assets are invested in a variety of LDI (Liability-Driven Investment) Funds. These funds invest in a combination of interest 
rate and inflation rate swaps in order to mimic the movement in expected cashflows of the Plan caused by changes in interest and 
inflation rates.

Effect of the Plan on Group’s future cashflows

The Group is required to agree a Schedule of Contributions with the Trustees of the Plan following a valuation which must be carried 
out at least once every three years. The next valuation of the Plan is due by 1 April 2021. In the event that the valuation reveals a 
larger deficit than expected the Company may be required to increase contributions above those set out in the existing schedule of 
contributions. Conversely, if the position is better than expected contributions may be reduced.

The Group expects to pay contributions of £273,000 in the year to 31 May 2021.

The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation is around 14 years.

81

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

29

Notes to the consolidated cash flow statement

Cash flows from operating activities:

Continuing operations
Profit before income tax from continuing operations 
Loss before income tax from discontinuing operations 
Adjustments for: 
Depreciation 
Amortisation of intangible assets 
Amortisation of intangibles from business combinations 
Loss/(gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Finance income 
Finance expenses 
Share based payment charge 

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

Cashflows from operating activities 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash  
Overdrafts 

30

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 
Investment provision 

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

Cash flow from operating activities 

82

2020 
£’000 

3,038 
(1,218) 

4,343 
466 
2,222 
119 
(38) 
1,141 
112 

2,157 
(5,010) 
(3,565) 
(824) 
(24) 

2,919 

2020 
£’000 

5,088 
(395) 

4,693 

2020 
£’000 

(535) 

(674) 
14 
46 
155 –

(776) 
(1,715) 
2 2

(3,483) 

2019 
£’000

3,149
(5)

3,240
393
1,595
(13)
(132)
616
98

(2,213)
1,158
4,150
(1,458)
(110)

10,468

2019 
£’000

8,909
(856)

8,053

2019 
£’000

(241)

(744)
18
46

(511)
214

(1,216)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

31

Reconciliation of liabilities arising from finance activities

Group 

At 1 June 2018 
Cash flows: 
Repayments 
Proceeds 
Non-cash: 
Acquisition of subsidiary undertakings 
Amortisation of finance fees 
Exchange adjustments 
Reclassification 

At 31 May 2019 
Adoption of IFRS 16 

Long-term 
borrowings  
£’000 

Short-term 
borrowings 
£’000 

Lease
liabilities 
£’000 

Overdraft 
£’000 

Total
£’000

4,435 

6,710 

2,554 

9 

13,708

(6) 
– 

– 
9 
– 
(621) 

3,817 
– 

(3,780) 
500 

(1,033) 
597 

– 
19 
19 
621 

4,089 
– 

– 
– 
52 
– 

2,170 
9,731 

(9) 
681 

175 
– 
– 
– 

856 
– 

(4,828)
1,778

175
28
71
–

10,932
9,731

At 1 June 2019 
Cash flows: 
Repayments 
Proceeds 
Non-cash: 
Acquisition of subsidiary undertakings (note 35) 
Amortisation of finance fees 
Exchange adjustments 
Reclassification 

 3,816  

 4,089  

 11,901  

 856  

 20,662 

              –    
            820  

(675)  
            1,466  

(2,200)  
         1,313  

(679)  
         209  

(3,554) 
         3,808 

              –    
                10  
              –    
           (681)  

               –    
              20  
              29  
            681  

            391  
               –    
              59  
               –    

               –    
               –   
              9  
               –    

            391 
              30 
            98 
               –   

At 31 May 2020 

         3,965  

         5,610  

       11,465  

         395  

       21,435 

Company 

At 1 June 2018 
Cash flows: 
Repayments 
Non-cash: 
Amortisation of finance fees 
Reclassification 

At 1 June 2019 
Cash flows: 
Repayments 
Non-cash: 
Amortisation of finance fees 
Reclassification 

At 31 May 2020 

Long-term 
borrowings  
£’000 

Short-term 
borrowings 
£’000 

Lease
liabilities 
£’000 

Overdraft 
£’000 

Total
£’000

716 

– 

– 
(180) 

536 

180 

(182) 

2 
180 

180 

– 

(167) 

– 
(166) 

370 

2 
166 

181 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

896

(182)

2
–

716

(167)

2

551

32

Related party transactions

Company
The Directors benefited from dividends paid in the year (note 10) on their shareholdings as set out in the Directors report page 17.

83

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

33

Financial commitments

Capital commitments
Commitments for capital expenditure were as follows:

Contracted for, but not provided in the accounts 

34

Investment in own shares

2020 
£’000 

– 

2019
£’000

511

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 27 is achieved the option can be exercised by the beneficiaries  

During the year 303,308 (2019: 285,000) shares were purchased at a cost of £809,832 (2019: £627,000) by the Trust and beneficiaries, 
an interest in which was allocated to the Executive Directors as beneficiaries (as shown in note 27). 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 £4,235,000 (2019: £3,435,000) and shown as a deduction from equity in the statement of 
changes in shareholders’ equity.

84

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

35

Acquisitions

Business combination – Energy Steel & Supply Co
On 24 June 2019 the Group acquired 100 percent of the issued share capital of Energy Steel & Supply Co. based in the USA for 
$0.6m. This acquisition expands the Company’s nuclear capabilities and product lines for new and existing customers. Energy Steel 
forms part of the Group’s Energy-EPM division. The fair value of net assets acquired at the date of acquisition were as follows:

Fair value of assets and liabilities acquired 

Property, plant and equipment 
Deferred tax assets 
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 
Current tax assets 
Cash 
Finance lease liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Provisions 

Net liabilities 
Intangible assets identified – order book 
Deferred tax liability on intangible assets identified 
Goodwill  

Fair value of consideration transferred: 
Cash paid 

Consideration 
Cash acquired 

Cash received relating to the acquisition 
Acquisition costs charged to Administrative Expenses 

Net cash received relating to the acquisition 

£’000

121
16
1,308
1,265
8
1,186
(391)
(3,268)
(1,029)

(784)
1,387
(375)
238

466

(466)

(466)
1,186

720
(144)                                                                                                                                        

576

Management did not identify any further intangible assets on acquisition of this business due to its distressed state.

Trade and other receivables are shown above after a fair value adjustment of £8,689 decrease from their original book value.

The impact of the Energy Steel acquisition on the Consolidated income statement is as follows:

Revenue 
Cost of sales 

Gross profit 
Distribution costs 
Other administrative expenses 

Operating profit before amortisation of acquired intangibles, other non-underlying items and other  
exceptional items other non-underlying items and exceptional items 

Redundancy expenses 
Acquisition related expenses 
Amortisation of acquired intangibles 

Operating loss 
Finance expenses 

Loss before tax 
Tax income 

Overall effect on the Consolidated Income Statement 

£’000

7,936
(5,880)

2,056
(582)

(1,320)                            

154

(51)
(168)
(1,194)

(1,259)

(12)                              

(1,271)

328                            

(943)

85

 
 
                                         
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

35

Acquisitions (Continued)

Business combination – Energy Steel & Supply Co (Continued)

Since acquisition Energy Steel contributed the following to the Group’s cashflows:

Net cash outflow from operating activities 
Net cash used by investing activities 
Net cash inflow from financing activities 

£’000

(2,134)
(242)
7

If Energy Steel had been acquired on 1 June 2019, revenue of the Group for 2019 would have been £277,000 higher, and profit for 
the year would have reduced by £41,000.

Asset purchase – Booth Industries

On 11 June 2019 the Group acquired the trade and certain of the assets of Booth Industries (‘Booth’) from Administration. Booth 
design and manufacture bespoke high-integrity doors. Booth has been purchased by the Group’s subsidiary, Stainless Metalcraft 
(Chatteris) Limited and its results will be included within the results of the Energy-PSRE division.

The Group has judged this transaction should be treated as an asset purchase rather than a business combination. This is primarily 
based on the value of the land & buildings representing the majority of the total consideration paid for the business. A valuation 
exercise has been performed on the land & buildings by third party experts.  

Assets purchased comprise of:

Property, plant and equipment 
Inventories 

Total consideration paid 

The impact of the Booth acquisition on the Consolidated income statement since acquisition is as follows:

Revenue 
Cost of sales 

Gross profit 
Distribution costs 
Administrative expenses 

Operating profit before amortisation of acquired intangibles, other non-underlying items and other exceptional items 
Acquisition related expenses 

Operating loss 
Finance expenses 

Loss before tax 
Tax expense 

Overall effect on the Consolidated Income Statement 

Since acquisition Booth contributed the following to the Group’s cashflows:

Net cash outflow from operating activities 
Net cash used by investing activities 
Net cash inflow from financing activities 

86

£’000

1,602

280                                            

1,882                                        

£’000

9,575
(6,105)

3,470
(153)
(3,228)

89
(128)

(39)
(24)

(63)
–

(63)

£’000

(1,419)
(254)
819

 
 
 
 
                            
 
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)

For the year ended 31 May 2020

36

Loss after taxation from discontinuing operations

Due to the weight of the disruption from Covid 19, management took the decision to close the Crown site near Bristol and relocate the 
residual road and rail infrastructure assets to Stainless Metalcraft. The assets of the business that remain on the balance sheet as at 31 
May 2020 will be moved during FY21 to the Chatteris site. The lease on the Bristol site ends in November 2020 when we will have fully 
exited the site.

Discontinued activities relate to the discontinuation of the Crown facility and associated trade and costs.

The impact of the discontinued activities on the Consolidated income statement is as follows: 

Revenue  
Gross profit 
Distribution costs 
Other administrative expenses 
Restructuring costs 
Other exceptional costs 
Goodwill impairment  

Operating (loss)/profit 
Finance expenses 

Loss before taxation 
Taxation   

Loss after taxation from discontinuing operations 

2020 
£’000 

745 
102 
(102) 
(401) 
(149) –
(503) –
(155) –

(1,208) 
(10) 

(1,219) 
200 

(1,018) 

2019
£’000

1,472
507
(123)
(375)

9
(14)

(5)
81

(76)

87

 
Notice of Annual General Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the virtual Annual General Meeting of Avingtrans Plc will be held on 18 November 2020 at 11:00am 
for the following purposes:

In  light  of  the  UK  Government’s  social  distancing  guidelines  associated  with  the  COVID-19  pandemic  restricting  public 
gatherings, physical attendance at the Company’s AGM will not be permitted. The AGM will be held with a quorum of members 
only present at the physical location, supplemented by way of a videoconference allowing shareholders to dial into the AGM. 
Shareholders wishing to access the videoconferencing facility or submit questions to the Board ahead of the meeting are asked 
to contact Avingtrans@newgatecomms.com. Please note that it will not be possible to vote on the matters to be considered at the 
AGM through videoconferencing facility, shareholders are therefore encouraged to vote electronically via www.signalshares.
com, and to appoint the Chair of the Meeting as their proxy with their voting instructions prior to the meeting. Votes received 
should be submitted to the Registrar before 11:00am on the 16 November 2020.

To consider, and if thought fit, to pass the following resolutions numbered 1 to 4 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 2020.

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

3.  To re-elect John Clarke as a Director.

4.  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 5 and 5 being proposed as Ordinary Resolutions and Resolution 7 as a Special Resolutions. 

5.  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 £524,578 
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. 

6.  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 3,179,259;

b. 

c. 

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); 

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. 

7.  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:

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

to the allotment (otherwise than pursuant to sub-paragraph (a) above) of equity securities up to an aggregate nominal 
amount of £156,963 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. 

a. 

b. 

88

 
Notice of Annual General Meeting (Continued)

By order of the Board

S M King 

29 September 2020

Registered office 
Chatteris Business Park
Chatteris
Cambridgeshire
PE16 6SA

89

 
 
 
 
 
Notice of Annual General Meeting (Continued)

Notes:

Entitlement to attend and vote

1.  Only those members registered on the Company’s register of members at close of business on 16 November 2020; or if this 
Meeting is adjourned, at close of business on the day two days prior to the adjourned meeting shall be entitled to vote. In light 
of the UK Government’s social distancing guidelines associated with the COVID-19 pandemic restricting public gatherings, 
physical attendance at the Company’s AGM will not be permitted. The Company encourages shareholders to vote electronically 
via www.signalshares.com, and to appoint the Chair of the Meeting as their proxy with their voting instructions.

Voting 

2  You can vote either:

•  by logging on to www.signalshares.com and following the instructions;

•  You may request a hard copy form of proxy directly from the registrars, Link Asset Services (previously called Capita), on 
Tel: 0371 664 0300. Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the United 
Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate. Lines are open between 09:00 - 17:30, Monday to Friday 
excluding public holidays in England and Wales).

• 

in  the  case  of  CREST  members,  by  utilising  the  CREST  electronic  proxy  appointment  service  in  accordance  with  the 
procedures set out below.

Appointment of proxies

3.   Shareholders are entitled to appoint another person as a proxy to exercise all or part of their rights to attend and to speak and 
vote on their behalf at the Meeting. As set out in note 1 above, the Company encourages shareholders to appoint the Chair of the 
Meeting as their proxy with their voting instructions. A shareholder may appoint more than one proxy in relation to the Meeting 
provided that each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different ordinary share or ordinary shares held by that 
shareholder. A proxy need not be a shareholder of the Company. In light of the ongoing circumstances relating to covid-19, no 
member or proxy other than the Chair of the Meeting and those forming the quorum will be admitted to the meeting

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 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 electroncially

6.  In order to reduce the Company’s environmental impact, members are encouraged to appoint a proxy electronically. This can be 

done by:

• 

logging onto www.signalshares.com and submitting a proxy appointment online by following the instructions. If you have 
not previously done so, you will need to register. To do this, you will need your Investor Code detailed on your share 
certificate (or otherwise available from the Company’s registrar, Link Asset Services); or 

• 

submitting (if you are a CREST member) a proxy appointment electronically by using the CREST voting service. 

Please note that proxy appointments must be received by no later than 1100 a.m. on 16 November 2020 to be valid.

Appointment of proxy using hard copy proxy form

7.   To appoint a proxy using the hard copy proxy form, the form must be completed and signed and sent or delivered to Link 
Asset Services of PXS, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 4TU; and received by Link Asset Services of PXS, 34 
Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 4TU no later than 11:00am on 16 November 2020.

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

8.  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).

90

 
Notice of Annual General Meeting (Continued)

Changing proxy instructions

9.   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 Link 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.

Termination of proxy appointments

10.  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 Link 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 Link Asset Services of PXS, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, 
Kent, BR3 4TU no later than 16 November 2020 at 11.00am.

Crest 

11.  CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies through the CREST electronic proxy appointment service may do 
so for the Meeting (and any adjournment of the Meeting) by using the procedures described in the CREST Manual (available 
from www.euroclear.com/site/public/EUI). CREST Personal Members or other CREST sponsored members, and those CREST 
members who have appointed a service provider(s), should refer to their CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s), who will 
be able to take the appropriate action on their behalf.

12. In order for a proxy appointment or instruction made by means of CREST to be valid, the appropriate CREST message (a 
‘CREST Proxy Instruction’) must be properly authenticated in accordance with Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited’s specifications 
and must contain the information required for such instructions, as described in the CREST Manual. The message must be 
transmitted so as to be received by the issuer’s agent (ID RA10) by 11:00am on the 16 November 2020. For this purpose, the 
time of receipt will be taken to mean the time (as determined by the timestamp applied to the message by the CREST application 
host) from which the issuer’s agent is able to retrieve the message by enquiry to CREST in the manner prescribed by CREST. 
After this time, any change of instructions to proxies appointed through CREST should be communicated to the appointee 
through other means.

13. CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting service providers should note that Euroclear UK & 
Ireland Limited does not make available special procedures in CREST for any particular message. Normal system timings and 
limitations will, therefore, apply in relation to the input of CREST Proxy Instructions. It is the responsibility of the CREST 
member concerned to take (or, if the CREST member is a CREST personal member, or sponsored member, or has appointed 
a voting service provider(s), to procure that his CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s) take(s)) such action as shall be 
necessary to ensure that a message is transmitted by means of the CREST system by any particular time. In this connection, 
CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting system providers are referred, in particular, to those 
sections of the CREST Manual concerning practical limitations of the CREST system and timings. The Company may treat 
as  invalid  a  CREST  Proxy  Instruction  in  the  circumstances  set  out  in  Regulation  35(5)(a)  of  the  Uncertificated  Securities 
Regulations 2001

Issued shares and total voting rights

14. As at 11:00 am on 29 September 2020, the Company’s issued share capital comprised 31,792,594 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 29 September 2020 is 31,792,594.

Documents on display

15. The following documents will be available for inspection at Chatteris Business Park, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire PE16 6SA from 

29 October 2020 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.

91

 
 
Notes

92

 The Strategy 
in action
Pinpoint-Invest-Exit

  Pinpoint

Strengthening the energy market portfolio

Booth Industries

Avingtrans successfully acquires Booth Industries on 11 June 2019 for £1.8 million. 

Booth designs and manufacturers blast doors, 
prefabricated fire and blast wall systems, fire doors 
(integrity and insulated), radiation shielding doors, 
acoustic doors, security doors, multi-performance and 
large bespoke doors. Their products are sold into a 
range of markets, including offshore oil and gas, 

marine, rail and infrastructure, security and nuclear. 
The acquisition of Booth Industries enables the Process 
Solutions and Rotating Equipment (“PSRE”) division to 
expand its product and service offering as well as 
deepen its relationships with its existing customers.

Energy Steel

Avingtrans successfully acquires Energy Steel on 24 June 2019 for $0.6 million.

Energy Steel & Supply Co. (Energy Steel) are an 
established manufacturer of machined products and 
components to the US civil nuclear power industry. 
Energy Steel will be integrated with Avingtrans’ Hayward 

Tyler businesses, expanding its product offering, 
particularly in precision manufacturing and solutions 
for “orphan” OEM components for nuclear aftermarket.

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Invest
Establishing world class capability

Energy

Medical

Booth site rationalisation and factory extension 
well advanced. 
A new strategic path for Booth changed the make vs buy 
criteria and led to some rationalisation. The Booth site 
rationalisation is close to completion and permission for 
a new extension has been obtained. The construction 
phase was delayed by Covid-19, but is about to restart. 
Booth has a strong order book which is supporting 
positive structural investment for its future. 

Work on novel MRI systems is progressing to plan.
Scientific Magnetics and Tecmag are working on new, 
compact MRI systems and we have a working prototype 
which is being used to optimise the imaging capabilities 
of the system. The plan is to enter new segments (eg 
small companion animals) where MRI systems have 
hitherto been unaffordable. A revised strategic plan is 
underway and investment is being made available to 
reach commercialisation of these products.

  Exit

Returning share-holder value

“

Avingtrans is quietly confident 
about the current strategic 
direction and potential future 
Exit opportunities

Avingtrans is now fully into the Pinpoint-Invest 
phases of its two energy divisions and its medical 
division since the successful Exit of the aerospace 
group, Sigma Components, at an enterprise value 
of £65m back in 2016.

Avingtrans is committed to medium and longer term 
development plans, with the focus on exiting businesses 
at advantageous valuations, at which point proceeds can 
be considered for return to shareholders, or redeployed 
for continued growth in shareholder value. 

As the energy markets continue to recover, M&A activity 
remains strong and flow control businesses command 
high valuations. Avingtrans is quietly confident about 
the current strategic direction and potential future 
Exit opportunities.

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Invest

Establishing world class capability

Energy

Medical

Booth site rationalisation and factory extension 

Work on novel MRI systems is progressing to plan.

well advanced. 

Scientific Magnetics and Tecmag are working on new, 

A new strategic path for Booth changed the make vs buy 

compact MRI systems and we have a working prototype 

criteria and led to some rationalisation. The Booth site 

which is being used to optimise the imaging capabilities 

rationalisation is close to completion and permission for 

of the system. The plan is to enter new segments (eg 

a new extension has been obtained. The construction 

small companion animals) where MRI systems have 

phase was delayed by Covid-19, but is about to restart. 

hitherto been unaffordable. A revised strategic plan is 

Booth has a strong order book which is supporting 

underway and investment is being made available to 

positive structural investment for its future. 

reach commercialisation of these products.

  Exit

Returning share-holder value

“

Avingtrans is quietly confident 

about the current strategic 

direction and potential future 

Exit opportunities

Avingtrans is now fully into the Pinpoint-Invest 

phases of its two energy divisions and its medical 

division since the successful Exit of the aerospace 

group, Sigma Components, at an enterprise value 

of £65m back in 2016.

Avingtrans is committed to medium and longer term 

development plans, with the focus on exiting businesses 

at advantageous valuations, at which point proceeds can 

be considered for return to shareholders, or redeployed 

for continued growth in shareholder value. 

As the energy markets continue to recover, M&A activity 

remains strong and flow control businesses command 

high valuations. Avingtrans is quietly confident about 

the current strategic direction and potential future 

Exit opportunities.

  Performance

5 YEAR PERFORMANCE

Revenue

n
o

i
l
l
i

M
£

n
o

i
l
l
i

M
£

n
o

i
l
l
i

M
£

e
c
n
e
P

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

20

15

10

5

0

(-5)

113.9

104.0

76.9

19.5

20.9

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

64.8

69.1

69.3

69.9

44.9

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

11.8

9.4

5.2

0.6

0.2

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

16.9

14.9

7.3

1.7

(-0.5)

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Net Assets

EBITDA
(adjusted)

EPS – Diluted
(adjusted)

Results presented are from continuing 
operations, therefore, exclude the 
results for the Aerospace division which 
was sold in 2016 and Crown operation 
which was closed in 2020.

IFRS 16 was adopted in 2020 and 
historical figures have not been 
restated. IFRS 15 and IFRS 9 was 
adopted in 2019 and historical figures 
have not been restated.

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www.avingtrans.plc.uk

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