PINPOINT-INVEST-EXIT
2024 Annual Report
www.avingtrans.plc.uk
About
Avingtrans plc has a proven
strategy of “buy and build” in
highly regulated engineering
markets, a strategy it has named
“Pinpoint-Invest-Exit”.Significant
shareholder value is delivered
through a clear strategy, a strong
balance sheet and an agile and
experienced management team.
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
About us
Delivering shareholder value through a
proven strategy of Pinpoint-Invest-Exit in
highly regulated global engineering markets
Timeline
2016 (180p)
The Aerospace Division,
Sigma Components,
sold for £65m
2017 (235p)
Acquisition of the Hayward
Tyler Group for £29.4m and
creation of Energy and
Medical Divisions
2021 (335p)
Peter Brotherhood sold for an
enterprise value of £35.0m,
and acquisition of Magnetica
2019 (217p)
Acquisition of Booth
Industries for cash
consideration of £1.8m
2024 (420p)
Purchased Slack & Parr and
Adaptix
Market Cap £m
Tender Offer £m
0
30
60
90
120
150
Acquired Slack & Parr and Adaptix
Acquired HRS
Acquired Transkem, invested in Adaptix
Acquired Magnetica, sold Peter Brotherhood
Acquired Booth and Energy Steel
Acquired Tecmag
Acquired HTG & Ormandy
Returned £19.4m to shareholders;
Acquired Scimag & Whiteley Read
Acquired Rolls Royce pipes; Sold Sigma
31
50
43
67
71
19
77
137
139
139
128
2015
2016
2017
2018
2020
2021
2022
2019
2024
2023
Energy Division
Performance
critical solutions for
energy systems
Advanced Engineering Systems (AES) Division
During the year we merged the two energy divisions into a single division, Advanced Engineering Systems.
The division’s portfolio includes a range of established brands: Booth, Hayward Tyler, Slack & Parr, Ormandy,
Composite Products, Energy Steel, and Stainless Metalcraft, each contributing specialized expertise and solutions
to the global energy, infrastructure, and industrial markets.
The division is focused on growing its presence in the nuclear sector through its decommissioning, extended-life,
andnext-generationnuclearofferings.
Medical Division
Innovative solutions
for medical systems
and research
Our Medical and Industrial Imaging division (“MII”) is focused on becoming a leading player in the production of
compact helium-free Magnetic Resonance Imaging (“MRI”) systems and 3D X-ray systems.
During the year we acquired Adaptix, a UK-based technology company specializing in the development and
commercialization of 3D X-ray systems. Adaptix aims to transform the accessibility and utility of X-ray imaging by
creating compact, portable devices that deliver high-quality images at a lower radiation dose.
Our Magnetica, SciMag, and Tecmag businesses are collaborating in the development of compact helium-free MRI
systems, which are being designed and manufactured entirely in-house.
Commenting on the results, Roger McDowell, Chairman, said:
“We are pleased to present another solid set of results. In many aspects, this year has been
challenging, but Avingtrans has once again performed very well as a group and exceeded
market expectations. During the year, we made prudent use of our robust balance sheet by
purchasing Slack & Parr and Adaptix, to strengthen our positions in specialist pumps and
medical imaging. We also increased our investment in Magnetica's cutting-edge MRI systems.
We have a strong order book going into FY25, and we anticipate growing as a Group this year
thanks to favourable macro conditions in the energy, infrastructure, and healthcare sectors.”
“
Financial highlights
●Revenue from continuing operations increased by 17.3% to a record £136.6m (2023: £116.4m)
●Gross Margin was stable at 32.2% (2023: 32.9%)
●Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was slightly ahead of the upgraded market expectations at
£14.0m (2023: £13.7m), following planned strategic investments in Adaptix and Magnetica, Underlying
Adjusted EBITDA (excluding acquisitions) was £16.5m
●Adjusted PBT from continuing operations was £7.3m (2023: £9.0m), excluding acquisitions was £12.0m
●Adjusted Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations was 18.5p (2023: 23.4p)
●Net Debt (excluding IFRS16) as of 31st May 2024 of £6.1m (Net Cash 31 May 2023: £13.0m)
●Final dividend of 2.9p per share proposed, resulting in a total dividend of 4.7p per share (2023: 4.5p)
Operational highlights – Advanced Engineering Systems Division
●Revenue increased by 17.8% to £132.9m (2023 £112.8m)
●Improved result with Adjusted EBITDA up 13.5% to £17.9m (2023: £15.5m)
●Metalcraft contract to supply the Sellafield 3M3 boxes continues, in phase two of the programme
●Booth commenced manufacture of HS2 door frames. Aftermarket sales increasing strongly
●Ormandy records best result since acquisition, following successful integration of HES/HEVAC in 2023
●Acquisition of the assets of S&P in August 2023 for £4.1m. S&P records creditable first year result
●Two new nuclear decommissioning contracts won by Metalcraft, worth £14.5m combined
●HT Luton won £2.5m defence contracts from Rolls Royce and a further £3.0m from Forsmark
●HT Inc won $10.0m pumps contract from TerraPower, for next generation nuclear power station
Operational highlights – Medical & Industrial Imaging Division
●Revenue stable year on year at £3.7m, pending the volume build-up of new MRI and X-ray products
●As anticipated, LBITDA increased to (£2.8m), vs 2023: (£0.6m) as MRI and X-ray development projects progress
●Acquisition of the remaining interest in Adaptix for a total combined consideration of £7.2m, including
absorbed and repaid debts
●Magnetica and Adaptix both appointed first US distributor, Televere Systems
●Strong market pull for both businesses at trade shows, supported by compelling sales propositions
●Adaptix equipping Scottish facility to manufacture key system components for Vet and Ortho products
●Magnetica expanded into a bigger factory, to facilitate volume MRI system production, starting in 2025
●Tecmag moved into improved premises, to gear up for Magnetica and Adaptix product sales in the USA
●Adaptix commenced sales of Vet products in the UK and USA. Volume build-up expected in next FY
1 Adjustedtoaddbackamortisationofintangiblesfrombusinesscombinations,acquisitioncostsandexceptionalitems.
1
Company Information
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Company registration number:
01968354
Registered office:
Chatteris Business Park
Chatteris
Cambridgeshire
PE16 6SA
Directors:
R S McDowell (Non-executive Chairman)
S McQuillan (Chief Executive Officer)
S M King (Chief Financial Officer)
L J Thomas (Non-executive Director)
J S Clarke (Non-executive Director)
J S Reedman (Non-executive Director)
Website:
www.avingtrans.plc.uk
Secretary:
S M King
Bankers:
HSBC Bank plc
Royal Bank of Scotland
PO Box 68
2 St Philips Place
130 New Street
Birmingham
Birmingham
B3 2RB
B2 4JU
Registrars:
Link Group
Central Square
29 Wellington Street
Leeds
LS1 4DL
Nominated advisor and broker:
Singer Capital Markets Advisory LLP
1 Bartholomew Lane
London
EC2N 2AX
Solicitors:
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
No1 Colmore Square
Birmingham
B4 6AA
Independent Auditor:
Cooper Parry Group Limited
Statutory Auditor
Sky View
Argosy Road
East Midlands Airport
Castle Donington
Derby
DE74 2SA
2
Index
Page
Chairman’s statement
3
Strategic Report
4 – 21
Report of the directors
22 – 25
Corporate governance
26 – 29
Report of the directors on remuneration
30 – 31
Independent auditor’s report
32 – 36
Principal accounting policies
37 – 49
Consolidated income statement
50
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
50
Consolidated balance sheet
51
Company balance sheet
52
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
53 – 54
Company statement of changes in equity
55
Consolidated statement of cash flows
56
Company statement of cash flows
57
Notes to the annual report
58 – 91
Notice of Annual General Meeting
92 – 95
3
Chairman’s Statement
We are delighted to announce that Avingtrans has performed slightly ahead of the upgraded (June) expectations in the latest
financial year. Revenue was on target, reaching a record annual result for the Group. EBITDA (note 4) from continuing operations
was ahead of target and the modest Net Debt position was materially below the expected outcome, post the acquisitions of
Slack & Parr and Adaptix in the period. Encouragingly, Slack & Parr contributed a positive result to the EBITDA outcome –
commendable in its first year – and losses at Adaptix were lower than forecast. We have a healthy order book as we move into
FY25.
Our Pinpoint-Invest-Exit (“PIE”) mantra has been the core of our strategy for many years. It was again successfully deployed in
acquiring the assets of Slack & Parr for £4.1m. We acquired Slack & Parr, another specialist pumps and hydraulics manufacturer,
to capitalise on its global footprint, combined with its very well-invested operational capability, renowned brand, highly skilled
workforce and large installed base. In addition, we acquired the remaining 82% of Adaptix for a total of £7.2m, including acquired
and repaid debts which reinforced our investments in medical imaging. Both Magnetica and Adaptix continue to make positive
progress having developed disruptive and complementary medical imaging products, particularly for orthopaedic applications.
In the period, the Group restructured, with the mature engineering businesses now in one Advanced Engineering Systems (AES)
division. We continue to invest in AES and the results again demonstrate that we are proactively managing strong progress in this
division. Notably, there were record results at Booth and Ormandy in FY24.
In the Medical and Industrial Imaging (MII) division, the marketing of the 3D X-ray systems at Adaptix and the development of
compact helium-free MRI system at Magnetica have made substantial progress in achieving key milestones in 2024 and beyond.
Magnetica’s 510k application to the FDA in the USA has been delayed until 2025, mainly driven by the FDA’s vastly increased
cyber-security requirements for imaging systems. These delays result in some increases to the commercialisation plans and costs
for the medical division, though these costs are partially offset by R&D tax incentives and are otherwise absorbable. We are very
excited by the quality of the imaging achieved by both MRI and 3-D X-Ray systems and we are receiving very positive feedback
from the market. Across our business we have considerable expertise in this sector. Our only disappointment of note being the
extended US 510K approval process for MRI.
Nevertheless, our value creation goals are on track, supported by a conservative approach to debt, which the Board deems to be
prudent. We are optimally structured for future exits that should maximise shareholder value.
Once again, our divisional management teams have demonstrated agility and resilience, building strong business platforms.
Aftermarket growth in AES remained steady, supporting our value propositions to OEM and end-user customers. The positive
sentiment in the nuclear sector and, to an extent, in oil and gas resulted in increased orders in those arenas. The focus on end-user
access continues to drive improved profitability and underpins our product and service development.
The acquisition of Adaptix and our further investment in Magnetica have firmly established the Medical and Industrial Imaging
(MII) division as a new niche imaging systems supplier, with exciting X-ray and MRI products now well advanced. The Board
is enthusiastic about the division’s potential, expecting long-term, highly positive returns for the Group, albeit perhaps via a
different vehicle, to maximise returns.
In view of the encouraging overall results, the Board is proposing a final year dividend of 2.9 pence per share, resulting in a
total dividend of 4.7p. With a robust balance sheet, the Group remains vigilant in seeking shareholder value-enhancing M&A
opportunities, while also being cautious and selective in a still uncertain world.
Finally, I extend my customary appreciation and thanks for all Avingtrans employees’ hard work and for their dedication and
resilience in navigating another challenging, but successfully gratifying year.
Roger McDowell
Chairman
24 September 2024
4
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”), thanks to which we have had a strong track record in
returning significant shareholder value over the past decade.
With an increased presence in our target markets, a focus on aftermarkets, strength in depth of the management teams and a lean
central structure, the Group continues to grow profitably – despite the effects of macroeconomic uncertainties – and the Board is
focused on seeking additions to the Avingtrans value-add proposition.
The majority of the Group’s adjusted key financial metrics trended positively in the period, despite the ongoing impacts of the
Russia-Ukraine conflict and the related global financial stress.
The Group is focused on the global Energy, Infrastructure and Medical markets, which play into some of the world’s mega-
trends, such as: urbanisation; an ageing population; and an accelerating transition towards a cleaner and healthier planet.
Divisional Strategies
Advanced Engineering Systems (AES): AES continues to strengthen its nuclear installed base, focusing on civil, defence,
and national security applications, particularly for life extension purposes. The business also explores opportunities in the
hydrocarbon market sectors. In the USA, Hayward Tyler (“HT”) is actively developing solutions for new nuclear technologies
and other low carbon energy sources, like concentrated solar power, to leverage the global energy supply transition. In the
period, HT secured significant contracts, including additional pumps for the next generation nuclear business, TerraPower, in the
USA and a further life extension equipment for the Forsmark nuclear power station in Sweden. The HT strategy is strengthened
by crucial partnership agreements with companies like Shinhoo, expanding our product portfolio and creating cross-selling
opportunities. The acquisition of Slack & Parr further enhances our global specialist pumps footprint.
An important target for AES is to establish a comprehensive offering in the nuclear decommissioning and waste management
markets, building on long-term contracts for nuclear waste storage containers and the existing equipment installed across the
vast Sellafield site. During the period, Metalcraft and Sellafield Limited continued with the contract to provide high integrity
stainless steel storage boxes for Sellafield. The 3M3 (‘three metre cubed’) box contract is currently valued at up to £70m and is
still yet to complete. The division’s nuclear credentials were again enhanced by Booth Industries’ strong performance, expanding
our market reach into Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). Booth’s multi-year contract with HS2, initially worth £36m, is
progressing well, with manufacturing of door frames having commenced in the period. Ormandy’s market position in HVAC has
been strengthened by the HES/HEVAC acquisition in early 2023, with a resulting wider product proposition. AES continues to
benefit from a robust prospect pipeline, positioning it well to bid for new opportunities as they arise.
Medical and Industrial Imaging (MII): Following the Magnetica acquisition in 2021 and the acquisition of the remaining
shares in Adaptix in 2023, the focus for the highly experienced management teams in the medical division is to become a
niche market leader in the production of compact helium-free MRI systems and 3D X-ray systems, for applications such as
orthopaedic and veterinary imaging and non-destructive evaluation. This is an exciting opportunity for the Group. In support of
the core strategy, the division will continue to work on niche Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and scientific magnet products
and services, since these are complementary technologies. Adaptix’s 3D X-ray technology is being developed in parallel to
Magnetica’s MRI technology and, as we envisioned, the two businesses are working in an increasingly complementary manner.
Across the Group’s customers, we are capitalising on the continued pressure on aftermarket expenditure, where operational
efficiency, reliability and safety are paramount. Customers are looking for reliable supply chain partners, to provide long term
support of both new infrastructure and legacy installations.
Pinpoint-Invest-Exit
Continuing with our evergreen Pinpoint-Invest-Exit strategy, Avingtrans demonstrated its commitment by raising its stake
in Magnetica to over 75% during the period. Additionally, we successfully completed the 100% acquisition of Adaptix, as
mentioned earlier. The Group invested over £11.3m in Magnetica and Adaptix (post-acquisition) in the period, as both businesses
press ahead, to complete the development and commercialisation of their disruptive imaging products.
Our focus on other strategic acquisitions was sustained, with the addition of specialist pumps manufacturer Slack & Parr, for a
total consideration of £4.1m which is already contributing positively to Group results, after a smooth integration process.
The Group remains confident about the current strategic direction and potential future opportunities across its chosen markets.
Some of our market sectors (eg Nuclear) benefitted from the global disruptions seen in the period, which drove higher energy
costs and caused national governments to review energy security.
Strategic Report
5
Markets – Energy
The global demand for energy remains relentless and we anticipate sustained growth in the coming years. The aftermath of the Covid
pandemic spurred a push towards enhanced efficiency and decarbonisation. However, the Russia-Ukraine conflict subsequently
raised political awareness regarding the importance of energy security, leading to a recalibration of the rush towards renewable
energy in the short to medium term. The energy hungry deployment of AI and growth in data centres will further increase world
energy consumption. This situation could potentially benefit our businesses, particularly in the nuclear sector.
End User/Aftermarket
Operators and end-users demand a blend of quick response through local support and a requirement to drive improvements
through equipment upgrades and modernisation. Facilities are being operated for much longer than their intended design lives,
resulting in a strong demand for solution providers in the supply chain to partner with end-users for the longer term. The AES
division is 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 the 1GW+ new build opportunities are in Asia, with the exception of the limited UK programme. However, we are still
experiencing buoyant market segments, including supporting the operational fleet, continued safe operation and life extensions,
decommissioning and waste management. We are also working on the long-term development of the next generation of
technologies – i.e. Small Modular, or Advanced Generation IV Reactors – e.g. with TerraPower and GE-Hitachi. 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 93 reactors generating around 30 percent of the world’s
nuclear electricity. Coupled with the heritage Westinghouse technology operating in Europe and Asia, the division’s long-
standing position in this market provides opportunities for further growth. Obsolescence and life extension are key issues for
nuclear operators worldwide and the AES division is well positioned to support operators in addressing this critical risk.
The UK remains pre-eminent when it comes to decommissioning nuclear facilities and subsequent waste management, in
terms of innovative technology and overall spend. The Group is embedded in the future manufacture of waste containers for
Sellafield and NRS (formerly Magnox) 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 activity in the UK, South Korea, the USA and China dominating
development activity. The Group views these new technologies as an attractive route forward 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 AES division. Aside from nuclear, 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, Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe. AES has optimised
its product line, to take market share and to create new opportunities – e.g. in products to remove toxins from the exhaust
stacks of power stations.
•
Gas – natural gas, primarily in the form of combined cycle gas turbine power plants has been a growing market space,
primarily in the West, albeit disrupted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Group continues to develop 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
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 pumps for concentrated solar applications.
Hydrocarbons
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine resulted in a surge in European gas prices, leading to unprecedented levels of volatility in the
energy market. Our Hayward Tyler businesses have long been associated with providing top-notch subsea and submersible
pumps and motors to the oil and gas fields of the Norwegian Shelf. Recently, we have experienced a boost in demand for both
new equipment and aftermarket services, as the market seeks to maximise supplies from this region. The current situation,
coupled with informed forecasts, indicates that the demand for our products and services is likely to remain relatively strong.
This presents a promising opportunity for our business to further capitalise on the evolving energy landscape.
Strategic Report (Continued)
6
Markets – Medical
The Diagnostic (medical) and molecular imaging markets are large global sectors, dominated by a few large systems manufacturers.
The total Medical Imaging Market is expected to reach $55.4billion by 2030 according to Grand View Research, a compound
annual growth rate of 4.9%. The largest market is the USA, followed by Europe and Japan. The fastest growing markets are
China and India. Following the acquisition of a majority stake in Magnetica (AUS) in 2021, we merged Magnetica with Scientific
Magnetics (UK) and Tecmag (US) and we have continued to invest in Magnetica. In the period, we acquired 100% of Adaptix,
for £7.2m, including absorbed and repaid debt. Adaptix is an emerging medtech leader in the field of 3D X-ray equipment. The
objective of this acquisition activity is to create innovative, niche MRI and X-ray systems suppliers, which can address specific
parts of the market, not well served by dedicated products at present. This includes orthopaedic and veterinary imaging. The
development paths of Magnetica and Adaptix are convergent, which enables both businesses to benefit from efficiency and cost
gains, as well as optimising the route to market – especially in orthopaedics. Market drivers for these segments include an ageing
global population, the rising incidence of chronic diseases and increasing companion animal ownership.
The growing prevalence of chronic diseases, especially in older populations, is increasing demand for medical imaging in
hospitals and other diagnostic settings. Technical innovations, including advances in artificial intelligence, have increased
the reliability and accuracy of medical imaging, thus driving further demand in global healthcare. Conversely, the market is
somewhat inhibited by the high cost of current medical imaging systems.
In 2024, X-ray systems held approximately 32% of the market share, while MRI systems accounted for around 18%. Our
estimates indicate that over 20% of all diagnostic imaging scans are related to limbs. As a result, the combined addressable
market for Magnetica and Adaptix in medical imaging is approximately $3 billion, in theory. However, it is important to note that
the actual addressable market is likely smaller, since both businesses have chosen not to target sales to hospitals. Instead, they
are focusing on deploying their products in specialised clinics, where the product attributes align closely with the specific needs
of these establishments, for imaging at the point of care.
Additionally, both Magnetica and Adaptix have plans to expand into other imaging markets, notably the veterinary sector.
This is in response to the lack of dedicated products in this area, which has hindered the widespread use of imaging systems in
veterinary practices. By targeting these specialised markets and addressing their unique requirements, both companies aim to
further grow their market share and create a disruptive impact in the medical and veterinary imaging industries. Notably, our
strategy is to attack the markets in smaller “point-of-care” locations, where the main players (eg GE) are not present, since they
are generally focused on whole body systems located in hospitals. Additionally, our systems are designed to eliminate circa 90%
of the infrastructure costs, which severely limit where whole body systems can be sited.
End User/Aftermarket
Diagnostic imaging is dominated by a handful of manufacturers, including GE, Siemens, Philips and Canon, 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 imaging aftermarket at this time.
Infrastructure and Security
Global safety and security concerns, as well as risk mitigation on large infrastructure projects, are key drivers for growth at Booth
and we are cultivating these opportunities carefully. Thus far, the vast majority of Booth’s sales are in the UK but the business
is building up a prospect pipeline overseas. We have also continued to build the aftermarket order book, with good prospects.
Threat detection standards for baggage handling at airports and package scanning have been tightened everywhere around the
world – especially in Europe and the USA. With many millions of bags and packages flowing across border crossings every day,
screening devices have to comply with threat detection standards without impacting throughput. Rapiscan, the biggest customer
for Composite Products, is a market leader in this sector, whose presence is increasing as new standards are rolled out.
Following the acquisition of Adaptix, we are exploring various possible security applications of their 3D X-ray technology
products as tools in various Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) markets, with an estimated addressable market of c$1.4bn.
Operations
Operational Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) for continuing operations
2024
2023
•
Percentage of total revenue from continuing operations deriving from aftermarket revenue
38.2%
39.5%
•
Customer quality – percentage of defect free deliveries
89.0%
91.3%
•
Customer on-time in-full deliveries
73.6%
79.9%
•
Annualised staff turnover including restructuring
15.8%
18.5%
•
Health and Safety incidents per head per annum
0.07
0.08
•
Environmental incidents per annum
0
0
Strategic Report (Continued)
7
Operations (continued)
Aftermarket sales increased in value by £6.2m (13.4%) however the was a strongly return of OE Revenue during FY24 reducing
the overall AM percentage of sales.
The defect free delivery percentage decreased in FY24 to 89.0% (2023: 91.3%). The percentage is typically linked to the stage/
type on some of the key contracts. In FY23 we were primarily engaged in the developing of new designs, which have transitioned
to production during FY24.
Customer quality and on time in full (OTIF) deliveries both reduced in FY24, mainly due to the initial poor performance at Slack
& Parr, following its administration process, leading to operational challenges, including supply chain disruptions and internal
restructuring, which affected our ability to deliver products on schedule. Performance since has shown steady improvement.
Annualised staff turnover fell to 15.8% in FY24 (FY23: 18.5%), mainly driven by a reduced number of employees taking
retirement (FY24: 6, FY23: 22).
H&S incidents per head per annum was down very slightly at 0.07.
As in 2023, there were zero environmental incidents recorded in the Group.
AES Division – Energy and Infrastructure
The AES division comprises: Hayward Tyler (HT), Energy Steel (ES), Booth, Metalcraft, Ormandy and Composite
Products, with Slack & Parr being added in the period.
The division’s results were materially improved in the period, both for OE and aftermarket sales.
For Hayward Tyler (“HT”), the main priorities remain to strengthen its aftermarket capabilities and to maximise opportunities in
the nuclear life extension market. HT was able to deliver a robust result in the period, the best outcome since acquisition, with a
strong order book and prospects for the year ahead.
At HT Luton, aftermarket activities remain the focus, including the servicing of third-party equipment. A follow on £3m contract
in Sweden with Vattenfall for the Forsmark plant (for nuclear life extension) commenced in the period. Further defence orders
have also been received from Rolls Royce and are being executed as planned. Hydrocarbon related orders from the UK North
Sea sector remained steady.
Regarding the HT Luton site redevelopment, there has been limited recent progress, as the increase in interest rates in the UK has
dampened construction interest for the time being. Therefore, we have currently paused the sale of the site.
The HT Fluid Handling business in Scotland has been a consistently good performer and has fitted well into our ambitions to
build a wider nuclear capability. The business has maintained a strong order book and the Transkem industrial mixers product
line has again contributed positively.
HT Inc in Vermont (USA) continues to see solid order intake in the nuclear life extension market in the USA. HT Inc’s new
R&D opportunities in next generation nuclear power have made good progress, with a further $10m design and development
TerraPower contract booked in the period and progressing to plan.
HT Kunshan (China) has developed a healthy order book, including an improving position in the aftermarket business, with
new orders coming from Chinese electricity producers working on reducing the environmental impact of electricity production.
In India, the local team again delivered a solid annual performance, as India’s energy requirements continue to expand.
Energy Steel (‘ES’) in Michigan (USA) made headway in the period, though the business did suffer from various order delays in
orders, which impacted performance this year.
Metalcraft has made good progress with Phase 2 of the Sellafield 3M3 (“three-cubic-metres”) box contract and confirmed
additional nuclear decommissioning orders of over £14m in the period, including the first contract from NRS (formerly Magnox).
The next follow-on 3M3 box contract tender, expected to be worth over £900m, is expected to be tendered in 2025 by Sellafield.
The apprentice training centre in Chatteris continues to build momentum.
Ormandy achieved a record performance in the period, with a robust order book, moving into FY25. Ormandy has made excellent
progress in building its aftermarket business, with aftermarket now comprising 13% of revenue.
Booth Industries maintained its strong growth trajectory. Booth has a record order book, including the £36m order for HS2 cross-
tunnel doors, which was not affected by the HS2 phase 2 cancellation. The business completed and installed the giant proscenium
doors for “The Factory” entertainment venue – the biggest doors ever made by Booth. We continue to make good progress in
building an aftermarket business at Booth, where we see strong growth potential.
Composite Products had a solid year, boosted by new orders from Rapiscan.
Slack & Parr made a positive start to life within the Group and, pleasingly, was able to deliver a modest profit at EBIT in its first
year with Avingtrans – a commendable outcome. Their specialist gear metering pumps are sought after worldwide, for a variety
of applications, including the precision production of high-end fibres – eg spandex.
Strategic Report (Continued)
8
Operations (continued)
MII – Medical Division: Magnetica and Adaptix
Magnetica, Scientific Magnetics (SciMag) and Tecmag are working effectively together to make good progress on our exciting
development of compact, superconducting, helium-free MRI systems entirely in-house. Magnetica was able to exhibit its prototype
system in the period and the FDA 510(k) approval is now anticipated in H1 2025. The delay is mainly due to significantly
increased demands by the FDA regarding cyber security. The business also appointed its first US distributor, Televere Systems,
in the period.
Our initial estimate of the addressable MRI orthopaedic imaging market is circa £1.7bn p.a. (by 2030). This is assuming a
capital sale model. Our intended longer term “pay per scan” business model could mean that the opportunity is significantly
larger. It is more difficult to quantify other potential market segments (e.g. veterinary imaging) at this stage because equivalent,
dedicated products do not exist. Avingtrans has further increased its investment in Magnetica, bringing its shareholding to over
75% of the issued share capital. We believe that materially reducing the size and total costs of these dedicated MRI systems,
coupled with them being much easier to set up in a variety of locations, as well as increasing the scan rate by up to 300%, will
produce a compelling sales proposition, ratified by interest from Key Opinion Leaders at the prestigious Radiological Society of
North America conference, in Chicago. In addition, these dedicated systems could free-up capacity on the existing MRI system
installed base, which should be a major benefit to healthcare organisations.
SciMag and Tecmag will rebrand in due course, to present a seamless image for the business. However, there is still merit in
continuing with various existing products and services at SciMag and Tecmag, so long as they do not detract from our core vision
for MRI, which holds out the prospect of materially increasing the value of Magnetica over the coming years. Orders for existing
SciMag and Tecmag products were solid in the period.
As noted above, Avingtrans acquired the remaining 82% of the share capital of Adaptix, Oxford, UK in 2023. Adaptix launched
its compact 3D x-ray system for orthopaedics in the USA. Adaptix has also launched its veterinary version of the 3D x-ray
product and initial orders for a non-destructive evaluation (NDE) product were also booked in the period. We estimate that the
Total Addressable Market value of these three segments is $6.8bn pa. Adaptix also appointed Televere Systems as its first US
distributor.
The strategies of Magnetica and Adaptix are convergent and we see potentially large benefits in combining their approaches to
market in technology, software and distribution channels, amongst others.
Financial Performance
Key Performance Indicators
The Group uses a number of financial key performance indicators to monitor the business, as set out below (all items are “from
continuing operations”).
Revenue :17.3% increase – underlying organic growth continues
Group continuing revenue increased to £136.6m (2023: £116.4m), with organic growth of 9% in the AES division. Revenue
included £10.3m from Slack & Parr and Adaptix, both acquired in the period.
Gross margin: Stable despite some OEM/AM mix effects in the year
Group gross margin reduced slightly to 32.2% (2022: 32.9%) partly due to the relatively higher percentage of OEM sales in the
year, versus FY23.
Profit margin: Ahead of expectations
Adjusted EBITDA (note 4) increased to £14.0m (2023: £13.7m). The result was better than expected, given the forecast
investment in the MII division. AES recorded robust results across the division, which boosted the overall Group performance.
Slack & Parr recorded a creditable, albeit modest, positive EBIT result in its first year with the Group.
Operating profit was £5.6m (2023: £8.0m), predominately due to £3.7m EBIT loss at Adaptix and higher exceptional costs for
acquisition and restructuring offsetting an 8% increase in AES.
Tax: Future profits and cash protected by available losses
The effective rate of taxation at Group level was a 24.4% (2023: 16.7%) tax charge. The utilisation of brought forward tax losses
in the UK (note 9) kept the charge lower than expected. The tax position will be aided further in the coming years by utilisation of
losses in the UK and US. We continue to be cautious, not recognising all of the potential trading tax losses in the UK.
Adjusted diluted Earnings per Share (EPS) reduced due to investments in the Medical division
Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (note 11) decreased to 18.5p (2023: 23.4p) reflecting the
investment in Medical and higher tax charge offsetting underlying growth in AES results. Adjusted diluted earnings per share
attributable to shareholders reduced to 18.5p (2023: 19.9p), with FY23 including the discontinued losses for the trading and
disposal of Metalcraft China.
Strategic Report (Continued)
9
Strategic Report (Continued)
Financial Performance (continued)
Adjusted diluted Earnings per Share (EPS) reduced due to investments in the Medical division (continued)
Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to shareholders from continuing activities decreased to 11.1p (2023: 15.7p) and
to 10.9p (2023: 15.3p), as above due to the investment in Medical and higher tax charge offsetting underlying growth in AES
results.
Funding and Liquidity: Modest net debt position, post recent acquisitions
Net debt (including IFRS16 debt) at 31 May 2024 was £11.8m. Excluding IFRS16 debt, Net debt was £6.1m, (31 May 2023: Net
cash (including IFRS16 debt) was £9.1m and excluding IFRS16 debt was £13.0m). The cash flows generated from the strong
underlying profits were subdued by a £9.0m working capital outflow, due to the delayed timing of various contracts, working
capital outflow for the S&P and Adaptix acquisitions and increased revenue in AES, resulting in an operating cash inflow of
£1.3m for the year (2023: £9.6m). As expected, there was significant investment in product development during the period with
£8.4m invested, primarily in relation to Magnetica’s compact helium-free MRI system £3.6m, Adaptix’s disruptive 3D X-ray
technology £2.4m and next generation nuclear pumps at HTI £1.8m. A further £4.0m was invested into property plant and
equipment, £0.8m lease renewals at Tecmag, manufacturing set up at Adaptix £0.9m, alongside the initial net £1.5m cash cost of
the acquisitions. To support the significant investment in the business, the group drew down £7.7m net of repayments from its
supportive banking partners (including new lease at Tecmag £0.7m), leaving the Group in a strong position to pursue its strategy.
The Directors consider that the Group has sufficient financial resources to deliver its strategy, so the Group continues to actively
look for further value enhancing opportunities.
Dividend: Progressive dividend policy continues
A final dividend of 2.9p per share is proposed, making a total dividend of 4.7p per share (2023: 4.5p). The dividend will be paid
on 20 December 2024, to shareholders on the register at 8 November 2024.
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, which 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 the CFO review 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 this table.
10
Risk
Potential Impact
Mitigation
Strategic Risk
A. Growth
Strategy
A fundamental part of the Group’s
strategy is growth from both
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.
Failure
to
keep-up
with
technological change could give rise
to the Group’s products, services
and technologies becoming less
competitive.
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 concerning products and
processes and
■ aftermarket initiatives, including supporting end-of-life
extension programmes.
B. PIE Strategy
mergers,
acquisitions
and disposals
The
Group
makes
regular
acquisitions and disposals under
its PIE strategy. In August 2023, it
acquired the assets of Slack & Parr
and in September 2023, it acquired
the remaining 82% of Adaptix.
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.
C. Execution
The Group designs, manufactures
and
services
highly
technical
products that are mission critical to
the end user.
Failure
to
satisfy
contractual
obligations could give rise to
significant losses (e.g. warranty
claims, liquidated damages, etc),
cash constraints, lost future orders
and adverse impact on the Group’s
reputation.
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.
D. Contagious
diseases effects
across the
global economy
and businesses
Contagious
diseases,
and
the
measures taken to control them,
can have an adverse effect on
the Group’s business, financial
condition and results of operations.
The Group’s experience in dealing with the COVID-19
pandemic will assist it in dealing with further outbreaks of
contagious diseases. This includes the use of safe working
practices and the effective use of home working.
Strategic Report (Continued)
Principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group (continued)
11
Strategic Report (Continued)
Principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group (continued)
Risk
Potential Impact
Mitigation
Strategic Risk
E. Global
Economic
Activity and
political
uncertainties
including
Energy cost
The Group operates in global energy,
industrial, defence, infrastructure
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.
Global uncertainty, such as the
Ukraine conflict, can have significant
impact not only on resource pricing
but also on decisions by our
customers to invest and therefore
impact on our trading.
The Group has a diversified geographical and sector spread,
which 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, and 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 the
Ukraine conflict and the global geopolitical situation. We are
engaged with trade associations, which are in contact with
government and can thus assist our decision making and action
plans. The overall trend towards Energy security is anticipated
to generate more reward than risk. Shorter term validity of
quotes, due to rapid changes of energy, materials and parts
pricing and pass through contracts, helps to mitigate the long
term trend of increased resource prices.
F. Employees
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.
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 including finalising the new training school
at the Chatteris site;
■ 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.
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.
Each division and business has its own sourcing policy. Where
appropriate and efficient, businesses 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.
12
Risk
Potential Impact
Mitigation
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.
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 reviews its facilities, to ensure it has adequate
facilities, but not a significant level of unused facilities,
especially due to the recent high global interest rates.
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.
Strategic Report (Continued)
Principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group (continued)
I. Working
Capital
As a fundamental part of the
Group’s strategy is underlying
growth, the Group could be exposed
to a potential increase in its working
capital requirement which absorbs
cash. If the Group fails to keep this
increase under control it could face
cash constraints that impact the
business cycle.
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.
J. Currency
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’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. Currency hedging lines are available from
two providers. There are no hedging requirements currently
needed.
13
Strategic Report (Continued)
Risk
Potential Impact
Mitigation
Financial Risk
K. Pension
Scheme
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 in life expectancy of
members of the scheme.
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.
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.
This risk is mitigated by the strong on-going customer
relationships. See note 25 for more detail.
Compliance and ethical risk
M. Climate
change
Environmental factors, including
those relating to climate change,
have the potential to materially
impact our business and operations.
Many of the countries we operate
are shifting towards being low
carbon economies. This could result
in higher costs of business including
rising energy prices, and shift away
from hydrocarbons as an energy
source.
The Group has been developing cleaner products and services.
These include medical technologies which don’t require the
use of helium, new pumps and motors for next generation
nuclear power generation, and repurposing existing boiler
circulating pumps to be used to remove harmful flue gases at
conventional power stations.
Local initiatives have been put in place to reduce energy usage
at premises and over the lifecycle of our products.
Further information on the Groups approach to climate change
can be found in the Sustainability Report on page 15.
People
There were no personnel changes at Board level. However, at Board level, we have now set up an ESG Committee, chaired by
Jo Reedman.
At divisional management level, we merged the EPM and PSRE divisions to create the AES division. Consequently, Austen
Adams, formerly the managing director of the PSRE division, assumed leadership of this newly integrated division. The Board
would like to extend its sincere best wishes and gratitude to Mike Turmelle, the former head of the EPM division, who has
stepped down from his role and left the Company. His contributions during his tenure at Avingtrans are highly appreciated.
14
Strategic Report (Continued)
Section 172 statement
Background
The Board of Avingtrans has put in place appropriate measures to enable it to understand and comply with its shared and
individual responsibilities under Section 172 of the Companies Act 2016. Each director understands their obligation to act in a
way they consider is in good faith and would be most likely to promote the success of the Company for the benefit of its members
as a whole. In making decisions on behalf of the Company, Board members carefully consider:
•
the likely consequences of any decision in the long term;
•
the interests of the Company’s employees;
•
the need to proactively foster the Company’s business relationships with suppliers, customers and others;
•
the impact of the Company’s operations on local communities and the environment;
•
the desirability of the Company maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct; and
•
the need to act fairly between members and stakeholders of the Company.
Appropriate decision making
The Board is given regular information concerning the Company’s and Group’s performance ahead of each Board meeting,
along with projections for the future – to assist in the overall planning process – and presentations from business units. Decisions
regarding the business (including strategy, market position, investment opportunities, M&A activity, senior management
appointments etc.) are fully considered and discussed openly between board members, taking account of each of the considerations
listed above.
The Board seeks to understand the views and needs of the Group’s key stakeholders, to ensure that consideration for all our
stakeholder groups is taken account of when decisions are made and to address their long-term needs and concerns. Where there
may be competing priorities, the Board considers the commercial, human and broader business impacts against the longer-term
sustainability of the business.
The balance and experience of the Board to make appropriate decisions is regularly reviewed, as set out in the Corporate
Governance Report, specifically principles five and six.
Stakeholders
Avingtrans has identified its main Stakeholders as being its:
•
shareholders;
•
customers and suppliers;
•
employees; and
•
the wider communities we operate within
Engaging with our stakeholders strengthens our relationships and helps us to make better business decisions and deliver on our
commitments. The Board is regularly updated on feedback from wider stakeholder engagement, to stay abreast of the issues
that matter most to them and our business, and to enable the board to understand and consider these issues in any decisions
made. Details can be found in the Corporate Governance Report, specifically principles two and three regarding stakeholder
engagement.
Key decisions made during the period
During FY24, several decisions were made about the strategy, structure and future of the business. Examples of these key
decisions relate to:
•
Further investment in Magnetica
•
Acquisition of the remaining 82% of Adaptix
•
Acquisition of the assets of Slack & Parr
Further investment in Magnetica
In order to continue the development of the Medical division and its compact helium-free MRI technology, the Board considered
further investment in Australian based Magnetica, to develop and manufacture lower cost, helium-free MRI scanners, ensuring
clinical interoperability for imaging extremities.
Helium-free technology should facilitate an expansion in potential to locate systems in more local facilities, by eliminating
infrastructure costs. This could allow repurposing of whole-body scanners to more appropriate imaging tasks and through
targeted use of AI, free-up radiologists’ time and capacity.
15
Strategic Report (Continued)
Section 172 statement (continued)
Acquisition of Adaptix
During the period, we acquired the remaining 82% of Adaptix shares and assumed and repaid debts for a total consideration of
£7.2m. Adaptix is seeking to disrupt the X-ray imaging market with a novel suite of products. It recently launched compact 3D
x-ray systems for orthopaedic, veterinary and non-destructive evaluation applications, eg to address an ageing global population
and the rising incidence of chronic diseases, at lower cost, with improved clinical data.
Moreover, the strategies and development paths of Magnetica and Adaptix are convergent, and we see potentially large benefits
in combining their approaches to market in technology, software and distribution channels, amongst others – to optimise costs in
both businesses and to improve market penetration.
Acquisition of the assets of Slack & Parr
The Board approved the acquisition of the assets of Slack & Parr, a specialist pumps manufacturer, for £4.1m. We were able to
work with the administrator of the business to save over 100 high quality jobs in UK manufacturing. The administration process
also removed the significant risk of the defined benefit pension scheme, which automatically passed over to the national Pension
Protection Fund, to protect the scheme members.
During the acquisition process, we worked with the Slack & Parr management team to rebuild stakeholder confidence across
the business. As such, we put in place internal and external communications plans, considering integration scope and timing,
and working together to ensure a shared approach to the transition. Key customers, employee factors, and service delivery were
managed carefully, to ensure impacts were minimised. As a result, Slack & Parr is on a firm recovery path.
Section 172 Summary
Overall, the Board considers that the Company’s approach to compliance with Section 172 is appropriate for an organisation of
our size and the breadth and nature of stakeholders we have.
Where significant decisions are made, a key element of the decision-making process is how each of the key stakeholders may be
impacted. The Board ensures that the needs of shareholders are balanced with those of our customers and suppliers and those of
our employees, by carefully considering the impact (positive and negative) of such decisions.
Alongside a healthy approach to risk management, our policies and ways of working are intended to drive an appropriate balance
of risk and reward across the business. Combining our Core Values and Code of Conduct into our decision-making, we can drive
a Company/Group culture, which aligns to the key requirements of S172, delivering benefit to all Stakeholders.
Sustainability report
Avingtrans believe that operating in a safe, ethical and responsible manner is at the heart of creating sustainable value for all our
stakeholders.
Environment
As the Group is listed on the LSE AIM market, we fall within the newly introduced Climate-Related Financial Disclosures
(“CRFDs”) regime. The four pillars of this regime are governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets.
Governance
During the financial year, the Group established an ESG Committee, Chaired by Jo Reedman (Non-Executive Director).
An overview of the Committees responsibilities is set out in the Corporate Governance Report (page 29).
Strategy
In 2021, we reassessed our approach to sustainability, with a view of integrating a sustainability strategy into our core business
activities, aligning ourselves with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). From our sustainability assessment we
identified two principal areas of environmental focus, these are:
•
Operational eco-efficiency
•
Development of new technologies
Operational eco-efficiency looks at improvements we can make at a site level, including reducing the manufacturing footprint of
our sites, investment in improvements, and establishing a culture which promotes carbon reduction.
16
Strategic Report (Continued)
Environment (continued)
Strategy (continued)
Development of new technologies allows us to benefit from opportunities designed to mitigate issues associated with climate
change. The Group can benefit from its advanced engineering capabilities and world-class technologies to develop new products
and services that support low carbon or reduced emissions requirements.
Risk management
Our approach to identifying, assessing and managing environmental risks, including climate related risk, is embedded within
our approach to risk management. Environmental risks may present as financial or non-financial risks depending on the extent to
which their impacts can be quantified, and how they have been classified.
Climate change and environment is a principal risk for the Group (see page 13).
Climate-related risks and opportunities
A summary of the climate-related risks and opportunities identified as having a potentially material impact on the Group, and
our associated controls, includes:
Shift to renewables
Most countries we sell into are moving away from fossil fuels towards renewables.
Demand for our hydrocarbon range of products could be adversely impacted in the longer term. Conversely, we could see greater
opportunities for our nuclear products.
The Group has been investing in products for next generation nuclear, including fusion, molten-salt fast reactors, and small
modular reactors, as well as products for concentrated solar power (CSP) applications.
Extreme weather events
Disruption could be caused by a range of events, for example, flooding, extreme temperatures, and drought.
Extreme temperatures will increase the energy required to heat or cool our facilities and in extreme cases may cause site closures
and a range of logistical issues.
We have seen such issues rising across the Group in recent years, for example record levels of smog in Delhi, India, because of
drought and industrial emissions.
Levels of regulation
The Group operates in a highly regulated environment across many jurisdictions and is subject to regulations relating to
environmental factors including, but not limited to, climate change, therefore consideration of current and emerging regulation
within our environmental management system is key to mitigating risk. Identified regulatory risks include energy-related taxes
and the increased costs of compliance with energy-related schemes.
Scenario analysis
We have conducted peer analysis to understand the number of different scenarios businesses are modelling. We have found that
most peers are modelling 2 scenarios, which are:
•
1.5°C by 2100: Orderly transition to the Paris-aligned goal occurring by 2100, with temperature rising 1.5°C above pre-
industrial levels.
•
4.0°C by 2100: Failure of countries to meet their Paris-aligned goals, resulting in higher emissions and temperatures rising
to an average of 4 degrees Celsius above industrial levels.
Some of our peers have gone further, by analysing higher temperature rises or no rise at all. Presently we think the 2 scenarios
above are sufficient for giving readers an opportunity to understand the possible transformational effects of climate change. We
will continue to assess the appropriateness of our scenarios and will likely alter them over time to reflect a changing environmental
landscape and to ensure comparability with our peer group.
Our analysis of physical climate risks is aligned with recognised climate scenarios, specifically the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios which provide a uniform framework for
exploring potential climate changes and related impacts. RCPs are used globally for climate modelling and give access to a wide
range of peer-reviewed and accepted climate datasets, as well as allowing consistency across territories.
17
Strategic Report (Continued)
Environment (continued)
1.5°C Scenario
In this scenario, governments around the world would need to meet and exceed their current pledges under the Paris Agreement.
They would do this through a combination of energy-demand reductions, decarbonisation of electricity and other fuels,
electrification of energy end use, deep reductions in agricultural emissions, and some form of carbon dioxide removal.
Nuclear energy (across all sectors) is the Group’s largest market. We provide reactor cooling pumps for the global market, and
nuclear waste containment vessels for the US and UK markets. We are also working on a number of next generation nuclear
energy projects including the ITER nuclear Fusion reactor in France, and TerraPower’s molten chloride fast reactor project in
the US.
Given the strong push for decarbonisation, we would expect robust demand for our nuclear products over the short to medium
term horizon, with longer term aftermarket opportunities.
Demand for oil & gas should steadily reduce. New capital projects are less likely to be approved, instead we will see older
rigs being kept online. We provide the industry with a range of subsea and submersible motors and pumps. Demand for new
equipment is likely to shrink materially, with aftermarket products services tailing off more steadily.
Existing MRI systems rely on liquid helium to cool the super conducting magnets. Helium is a scarce, non-renewable resource,
mostly obtained as a by-product of oil extraction. Our new compact MRI uses helium-free magnets and require significantly
less energy to operate compared to existing systems. Therefore, we would hope to see improved demand for our product in this
scenario.
The switch towards renewables is likely to increase energy costs across our businesses and drive up supplier and logistical costs.
Some operations are more insulated from this than others, for example our Hayward Tyler Inc location is located in Vermont,
USA, as State which currently generates nearly 100% of its electricity from renewables.
In subsequent years, we will look to expand our modelling to get a greater understanding on how rising energy costs may impact
our business. Given the recent price shocks to oil & gas prices, it is no stretch to believe that a shift to renewables may eventually
reduce energy costs.
4.0°C Scenario
Under this scenario, governments fail to meet their pledges under the Paris Agreement. Action is taken to reduce emissions,
however, at a slower rate compared to the 1.5 Celsius scenario. Consequently, we would see a much slower reduction in energy
consumption and a slower shift towards renewables. The higher temperature increases would lead to a range of physical risks,
including heat waves, colder winters, droughts, flooding, and smog, to name just a few.
Product and services
All the product and services related impacts outlined in the 1.5°C scenario would be lessened.
Flood risk
The Group operates from 19 locations globally. 5 of our facilities are owned, with the remainder being leased, typically for
lease terms of less than 5 years. All the facilities which we own are based in the UK and have a range of bespoke infrastructure
including cranes, electrical capacity and test pits.
Flood is a high risk to our Chatteris facility, which is located in the fens, Cambridgeshire. The facility sits 3m above sea level and
is surrounded on all sides by land which sits below sea level.
Energy consumption
To ensure our sites remain functional. Additional cooling systems are likely to be required, and the existing systems are likely to
be utilised much more often. As a result, we would expect to see rising energy costs.
Metrics and targets
The Group has adopted the following targets:
•
Establish carbon reduction plans at all sites across the Group
•
Report energy consumption and carbon emissions annually
•
Integrate environmental considerations into our Pinpoint-Investments-Exit strategy
18
Strategic Report (Continued)
Environment (continued)
Carbon reduction plans
Carbon and energy reduction targets have been established at a site level. Most sites have established targets and strategies as
part of their ISO 14001 Environmental Management System accreditation. Our Booth subsidiary is leading the way, achieving
net zero scope 1 and scope 2 emissions in the year, and pursuing net zero including scope 3 by the end of FY2025. This will
be achieved through choosing low emission electricity providers, investment to improve operational efficiency, and a carbon
offsetting programme.
Reporting energy consumption and carbon emissions
We report greenhouse gas Scope 1, 2 emissions in line with the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) regulations.
Given the Group makes regular disposals and acquisitions, we do not consider absolute carbon emissions to be an appropriate
method for tracking emissions, instead we focus on carbon intensity ratios.
We have adopted a portfolio approach to tracking carbon emissions. For the division operating in the energy sector (AES) we
monitor carbon emissions per £m of revenue. The Medical division (MII) has a greater focus on product development, so instead
we focus on emissions per employee.
Sites track their energy usage from a number of sources, including meter readings, mileage reports, and invoices, then converts
these inputs to energy (kWh) and carbon emissions (tCO2e) using relevant conversion factors. Conversion factors are published
by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Our energy usage and carbon emissions are:
2024
2023
AES
MII
Group
AES
MII
Group
Scope 1:
Gas
715
38
753
623
21
643
Oil
427
–
427
386
–
386
Distribution
27
1
28
16
2
18
Company vehicle travel
20
–
20
15
15
1,190
39
1,229
1,040
23
1,062
Scope 2 – Purchased electricity
1,307
230
1,537
843
203
1,046
Total emissions tCO2e
2,497
269
2,766
1,882
226
2,108
Total energy consumption mWh
11,684
755
12,439
9,459
544
10,003
Intensity metrics:
Average employees
840
93
941
673
59
732
Emissions tCO2e per employee
3.0
2.9
2.9
2.8
3.8
2.9
Revenue (£m)
132.9
3.7
136.6
112.8
3.6
116.4
Emissions tCO2e per £m of revenue
18.8
73.1
20.2
16.7
62.2
18.1
UK proportion of:
Total emissions tCO2e
81%
34%
76%
79%
21%
73%
Total energy consumption mWh
81%
59%
80%
77%
46%
75%
In compliance with the SECR guidance, electricity emissions are based on grid averages from the regions we operate. As entities
within the Group have transitioned to obtaining their power through renewable energy providers our actual electrical emissions
will be lower.
The AES division division’s intensity target is to reduce its tCO2e per £m of revenue. The figures above include the Slack & Parr
business which was acquired during the financial year. Presenting on a like for like basis:
2024
2023
Movement Movement %
Total emissions tCO2e
2,001
1,882
119
6%
Revenue
122.9
112.8
10
9%
Emissions tCO2e per £m of revenue
16.3
16.7
(0.4)
(2%)
19
Strategic Report (Continued)
Environment (continued)
Reporting energy consumption and carbon emissions (continued)
On a LFL basis the Group has delivered a 2% improvement Emissions tCO2e per £m of revenue. This improvement has been
delivered through a combination of energy reduction initiatives, and delivery of an increased revenue without the need to expand
our manufacturing footprint.
The MII division’s intensity target is to reduce its tCO2e per employee. In the year tCO2e per employee has reduced to 2.9 (2023:
3.4).
Integration of environmental considerations into our Pinpoint-Invest-Exit strategy
The Group has expanded upon its environmental due diligence procedures, which historically used to focus on potential
environmental liabilities. The focus has now shifted towards identifying opportunities to improve business performance through
energy reduction initiatives.
We strongly believe that investing in next generation manufacturing facilities and development of new technologies is key
to generating a sustainable business for the long term. Demonstrating to potential buyers our environmental credentials and
technological capabilities is a key component of our Exit strategy.
Progress in the year
Operational eco-efficiency
A significant proportion of the Group’s energy consumption is spent heating premises over the winter months. At some of the
older facilities energy in the winter months (December, January and February) can be as much as 4 times higher than over
summer (June, July and August). A focused effort has been made to reduce winter energy consumption. This includes the
installation of new boilers, additional insulation, automatic timers on heating, as well as reducing the manufacturing footprint.
We carried out a Carbon whole life cycle impact assessment also known as the LCA to measure embedded carbon in some of
our key products. This process was guided by the ISO 14067 Lifecycle Carbon Assessment (“LCA”) to measure and investigate
improvement opportunities that can cut carbon emissions. On the back of this research, we have implemented a number to our
products and processes including:
•
• Selection of higher quality materials designed to increase the useful life of products and reduce maintenance.
•
Introduction of reusable packaging and packaging which can be fully recycled.
•
Negotiating with customers to make fewer, larger shipments of products in order to reduce delivery emissions.
Development of new technologies
Next generation nuclear: Molten Chloride Fast Reactor
Our US Hayward Tyler business has been developing high-temperature molten salt pumps, destined for a state-of-the-art
Integrated Effects Test (IET) facility, under development by Southern Company and TerraPower, to advance development of the
Molten Chloride Fast Reactor (MCFR). This is a transformational, fourth-generation, molten salt nuclear technology, designed to
enable low-cost, economy-wide decarbonisation. Located at TerraPower’s Everett, Washington facility, the IET is a non-nuclear,
externally heated multi-loop system, intended to test and validate integrated operation of MCFR systems, as well as demonstrate
multiple auxiliary MCFR functions.
Nuclear energy and decommissioning represent 23% of the Group’s revenues in the year. The Group believe that working on next
generation nuclear projects including MCFR in the US, ITER in France, and Small Modular Reactors (“SMRs”) in the UK and
the USA, will strengthen the Group’s long-term position in the nuclear industry.
Helium-free magnets
Existing MRI systems rely on liquid helium, to cool the superconducting magnets at the heart of each system. Helium is a
scarce, non-renewable resource, mostly obtained as a by-product of oil extraction. Therefore, in our new compact MRI designs,
we are seeking to take advantage of the smaller system footprint, to enable us to rely on mechanical cooling only, thus virtually
eliminating use of helium in these systems.
An update on the status of the progress on the MRI development can be found in Medical Division review on page 6.
20
Social
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.
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 gender, 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 rolled-out “dignity and respect” training programs 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.
Apprenticeships and training
All larger Group locations are running apprenticeship schemes for young people, both to act as socially responsible employers
and to optimise the demographics of our workforce over the mid to long term.
The apprentice training school, based at Metalcraft, Chatteris is now fully operational. We are partnered with West Suffolk
College (WSC) as the operator and training provider at the centre, which plans to take on between 80 and 130 students each
year. Construction of the centre was funded through a £3.16 million grant from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined
Authority.
The Group continues to be recognised nationally for the strength of its apprenticeship training schemes. At 31 May 2024, the
Group had 32 apprentices in the UK.
Health, safety, and wellbeing
The Group takes H&S matters and its related responsibilities very seriously.
As regular acquirers of businesses, we find different levels of capability and knowledge in different situations. A frequent
investment need in smaller acquisitions is to spread H&S best practice from other Group businesses and bring local processes up
to required standards. Larger acquisitions usually have well developed H&S processes and we seek to learn from these in other
business units.
Employee equality, welfare and engagement are critical for developing our key asset. We focus on pro-active actions, including,
internal training, certifications, and employee engagement through listening, survey and involvement.
Our Health and Safety KPIs can be found in the key performance indices section of the strategic report (page 6). Health and
Safety incidents per head per annum fell to 0.07 in the year (2023: 0.08). There were 68 incidents in the year requiring first aid or
hospital attention. Excluding the new acquisition incidents per head per annum would have remained flat at 0.08. At Board level,
Les Thomas has H&S oversight and he conducts inspections with local management, as appropriate.
During the year, there have been no fatalities or serious injuries at any of our sites.
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, principally in the Energy and Medical and Industrial sectors, with a successful
profitable growth record, underpinned by our tried and tested ‘PIE’ strategy. Recent acquisitions will provide further opportunities
for the Group to build sustainable value for investors in resilient market niches. We will continue to be prudent and seek to
crystallise value and return capital when the timing is right, as part of the PIE strategy implementation. Our strategy has served
us well in the current crisis and could result in further opportunities to grow shareholder value.
Strategic Report (Continued)
21
Outlook (continued)
The Group continues to invest in both of its divisions, with a particular focus on the global energy and medical markets, to
position them for maximum shareholder value, via eventual exits in the years to come. Magnetica’s MRI product development
is progressing well, albeit delayed by additional FDA requirements. The expected launch of the orthopaedic product is now
anticipated in the first half of 2025, subject to FDA approval in the USA. This activity is fully complemented by the acquisition
of Adaptix and its disruptive 3D X-ray technology, with products addressing the orthopaedic, veterinary and non-destructive
evaluation markets. The Slack & Parr acquisition is progressing well and we anticipate a strong recovery in profit there over the
next two years. As anticipated, the Group is now in a modest net debt position, following recent acquisitions. Our value creation
targets continue to be accomplished as planned and are underpinned by our conservative approach to debt.
The AES division has a strong emphasis on the thermal power, nuclear and hydrocarbon markets and aftermarkets. The MII
division is focused on compact, helium-free MRI systems and compact point of care 3D X-ray systems, which the Board believes
could create significant future shareholder value. To drive profitability and market engagement, each division has a clear strategy
to support end-user aftermarket operations, servicing its own equipment and (where pertinent) that of third parties, to capitalise
on the continued market demand for efficient, reliable and safe facilities.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict is still a risk factor. However, we have taken effective cost and impact mitigation actions, to limit
any potential downside and we will continue to be vigilant.
Despite the on-going global macroeconomic uncertainty, our markets continue to develop and M&A opportunities remain a
priority for us. Businesses like ours can command high valuations at the point of exit. The Board remains cautiously 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 create superior shareholder value, whilst maintaining
a prudent level of financial headroom, to enable us to endure any subsequent headwinds.
The Strategic Report was approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by:
Roger McDowell
Steve McQuillan
Stephen King
Chairman
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
24 September 2024
24 September 2024
24 September 2024
Strategic Report (Continued)
22
The Directors present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2024.
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 subdued by a £9.0m working capital outflow, due
to the delayed timing of various contracts, working capital outflow for the S&P and Adaptix acquisitions and increased revenue
in AES, resulting in an operating cash inflow of £1.3m for the year (2023: £9.6m). As expected, there was significant investment
in product development during the period with £8.4m invested, primarily in relation to: Magnetica’s compact helium-free MRI
system £3.6m, Adaptix’s disruptive 3D X-ray technology £2.4m and next generation nuclear pumps at HTI £1.8m. A further
£4.0m was invested into property plant and equipment, £0.8m lease renewals at Tecmag, manufacturing set up at Adaptix £0.9m,
alongside the initial net £1.5m cash cost of the acquisitions. To support the significant investment in the business drew down
£7.7m net of repayments from its supportive banking partners (including new lease at Tecmag £0.7m. The Directors consider that
the Group has sufficient financial resources to deliver its strategy.
At 31 May 2024, the Group had net debt (including IFRS16 debt) of £11.8m (31 May 2023: net cash: £9.1m incl IFRS 16 as
detailed in note 24. Excluding IFRS16, debt at 31 May 2024 was net debt £6.1m (31 May 2023: net cash: £13.0m). Net assets
of £113.0m (2023: £108.5m). Additionally, the Group had £14.1m of undrawn committed borrowing facilities – further details
are set out in note 23.
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 cash flow 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 continue to experience some impacts from supply chain during the year, resulting
in some delayed orders. These conditions were fully recognised during the budget process, alongside a cautious view of short-
term markets, whilst reflecting a restrained view on the trade-out of the current order book and expected beat rate orders.
As discussed in more detail in the Chairman’s statement and Strategic report, looking into 2025/26 and beyond, the Group
has a number of exciting opportunities across all of its operations that should deliver growth and shareholder value. The more
recent acquisitions, Booth, Ormandy (HES), continue to deliver improved performances and we anticipate further improvement
alongside S&P and Adaptix FY25 and FY26 with underlying positive results and cashflow helping to underpin the near-term
Group performance.
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 which has outline planning permission;
•
Potential sale and leaseback of freehold sites;
•
Extension of current and re-instatement of previous RCF facilities;
•
Extension of borrowing against the debtor book; and
•
Issue of new shares on AIM
Report of the Directors
23
Going concern (continued)
The detailed cash flow forecasts for the Group for the period extending to 31 May 2026, 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 24 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 £4,825,000 (2023: £7,476,000 – this excludes
loss after tax from discontinued operations of £ 1,168,000). The Board considers that it is appropriate to propose a final dividend
of 2.9p for the year ended 31 May 2024 (2023: 2.8p), taking the total dividend for the year to 4.7 pence (2023: total 4.5p).
Substantial shareholdings
As at 24 September 2024, 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:
Number of
Percentage
shares
of issued
‘000
share capital
owned
Harwood Capital
4,036
12.2%
Business Growth Fund
2,363
7.1%
Funds managed by Unicorn Asset Management Limited
1,946
5.9%
Funds managed by JTC Employer Solutions Trustee Limited
1,703
5.2%
Funds managed by Downing LLP
1,420
4.3%
R S McDowell’s Pension Fund
1,406
4.2%
Funds managed by Close Brothers Management
1,308
3.5%
Directors and their interests
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.
Ordinary shares of 5p each
31 May
31 May
2024
2023
R S McDowell
1,406,409
1,406,409
S McQuillan
468,987
468,987
S M King
411,938
406,938
L J Thomas
16,000
16,000
Share options
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.
Report of the Directors (Continued)
24
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 enters
into derivative foreign exchange transactions where it has certainty of the outcome, however there is no current requirement.
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 23 and 25 to the financial statements.
Research and development
During the year £8,430,000 (2023: £5,315,000) of development costs (per note 13) were capitalised as intangible assets. This was
predominately at the Magnetica sub-group for helium free niche MRI application designs, at Adaptix for disruptive 3D X-ray
technology and next generation nuclear pumps at HTI.
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.
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
2023. The Company’s section 172 statement can be found in the Strategic Report on pages 14 to 15.
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 group financial statements in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards and the
company financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom
Accounting Standards and applicable law). 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 of the group and company and of the profit or loss of the
group for that period. The Directors are also required to prepare financial statements in accordance with the rules of the London
Stock Exchange for companies trading securities on the Alternative Investment Market.
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 accounting standards 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.
Report of the Directors (Continued)
25
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 Company’s and Group’s 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
Cooper Parry Group Limited (“Cooper Parry”) are willing to continue in office in accordance with section 489 of the Companies
Act 2006. A resolution to reappoint them will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting.
The report of the Directors was approved by the Board on 24 September 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
Stephen King
Director
26
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.
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 including SECR are set in the Strategic
Report pages 15 to 20.
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.
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.
•
Internal management rules which include financial and operating control procedures for all management of the Group.
Corporate Governance
27
4. Embed effective risk management, considering both opportunities and threats, throughout the
organisation (continued)
•
Identification and appraisal by the Board of the major risks affecting the business and the financial controls.
•
Bank facilities and other treasury functions, which are monitored and policy changes approved by the Board.
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 three Non-executive
Directors. 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, J S Clarke chairs the Remuneration
Committee and J S Reedman chairs the ESG Committee. The Non-executive Directors and the Chairman are members of all the
above committees.
During the 2024 financial year, board attendance was as follows:
Meetings held
Meetings attended
Attendance %
Roger McDowell
9
8
89
John Clarke
12
12
100
Les Thomas
12
12
100
Jo Reedman
12
12
100
Steve McQuillan
12
12
100
Stephen King
12
12
100
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.
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.
Corporate Governance (Continued)
28
7. Evaluate Board performance based on clear and relevant objectives, seeking continuous
improvement (continued)
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 Group has a strong ethical culture based upon its Code of Ethics and the Group values Integrity, Quality and Agility. The
Group’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.
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 four Committees that assist in the discharge of its responsibilities:
•
Remuneration;
•
Audit & Risk;
•
Nominations; and
•
ESG.
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 30 to 31.
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.
Corporate Governance (Continued)
29
Corporate Governance (Continued)
9. Maintain governance structures and processes that are fit for purpose and support good decision-
making by the Board (continued)
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.
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Committee
The ESG Committee plays a crucial role in supporting the Board by helping to define and regularly review Avingtrans’ ESG
(Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategy. It oversees the setting of objectives and key performance indicators for ESG
matters, ensuring that essential metrics are monitored and reported. The committee is responsible for developing and regularly
reviewing policies, practices, targets, and initiatives related to ESG activities, ensuring these are effective, up to date, and aligned
with industry best practices.
Additionally, the committee provides oversight of the management of ESG matters, ensuring compliance with relevant legal and
regulatory requirements, corporate governance principles, and industry standards. It reports on ESG-related issues to the Board
and, where appropriate, makes recommendations for improvement. The committee also has a duty to communicate with the
Company’s shareholders regarding its activities and remit, ensuring transparency in its actions.
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.
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. In addition, we are now seeking to keep smaller shareholders better informed by
reaching out through appropriate communications channels (eg Vox Markets).
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.
The results of the proxy votes for the Company’s previous Annual General Meeting on 16 November 2023 were published
through RNS.
Roger McDowell
Chairman
24 September 2024
30
Composition
The Remuneration Committee during the period comprised J S Clarke (Chairman), R S McDowell, L J Thomas and J S Reedman.
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 31.
Report of the Directors on Remuneration
31
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. There
were no contributions paid in the year (2023: £Nil) for Executive Directors (note 7).
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, J Clarke and J Reedman 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:
Weighted
average
At 1 June
At 31 May
exercise
Date of
2023
2024
price
grant
£
Granted
Exercised
£
£
Executive:
S McQuillan
21/12/2016
434,750
–
–
434,750
1.930
17/12/2019
175,000
–
–
175,000
2.670
24/11/2020
180,000
–
–
180,000
2.880
29/11/2021
180,000
–
–
180,000
4.025
26/01/2023
180,000
–
–
180,000
4.100
21/11/2023
-
180,000
–
180,000
3.900
1,149,750
180,000
–
1,329,750
3.000
S M King
21/12/2016
314,750
–
–
314,750
1.930
17/12/2019
155,000
–
–
155,000
2.670
24/11/2020
160,000
–
(10,400)
149,600
2.880
29/11/2021
160,000
–
–
160,000
4.025
26/01/2023
160,000
–
–
160,000
4.100
21/11/2023
–
160,000
–
160,000
3.900
949,750
160,000
(10,400)
1,099,350
3.071
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.
John Clarke
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
24 September 2024
32
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Avingtrans plc (“the parent company”) and its subsidiaries (“the Group”)
for the year ended 31 May 2024 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 Statement of Cash Flows, and the Notes to the Annual Report,
including a summary of accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of
the Group and parent company financial statements is applicable law and UK-adopted international accounting standards.
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
31 May 2024 and of the Group’s profit for the 52 weeks then ended;
•
the Group and parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with UK-adopted
international accounting standards; 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 statutory financial
statements section of our report.
We are independent of the Group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the statutory
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.
An overview of the scope of our audit
We adopted a risk-based audit approach. We gained a detailed understanding of the Group’s business, the environment it
operates in and the risks it faces. The key elements of our audit approach were as follows:
The audit team evaluated each component of the Group by assessing its materiality to the Group as a whole. This was done by
considering the percentage of total Group assets, liabilities, revenues and profit before taxes which each component represented.
From this, we determined the significance of the component to the Group as a whole and devised our planned audit response.
In order to address the audit risks described in the key audit Matters section and our wider risk assessment, we performed a full
scope audit of the financial statements of the parent company, Avingtrans plc, and all other trading component entities in the
UK and Hayward Tyler Inc.
We also performed substantive procedures on the key audit matters identified at the Group level in Energy Steel Inc, Hayward
Tyler Pumps (Kunshan) Co Limited and Magnetica Limited.
Of the Group’s subsidiaries, we subjected all material UK subsidiaries to audit. For any significant components which exceeded
15% turnover, profit before tax and net assets, we sought Group reporting from component auditors and reviewed their audit
files. There were three companies that had one or more individual items that were significant to the Group and specific audit
procedures were conducted. All remaining subsidiaries, which individually contributed to less than 15% turnover, profit before
tax and net assets were subject to analytical procedures and we investigated any material or unusual variances.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in
the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Our evaluation of the Directors’ assessment of the entity’s ability to
continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting included:
•
reviewing management’s cash flow forecasts for a period of 12 months from the date of approval of these financial
statements; and
•
reviewing results post year end to the date of approval of these financial statements and assessment against original budgets.
From our work we noted that forecasts support the Directors’ view that the Group will continue to be able to meet its liabilities
as they fall due.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that,
individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at
least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Independent Auditor’s Report to the
Members of Avingtrans plc
33
Independent Auditor’s Report to the
Members of Avingtrans plc (Continued)
Conclusions relating to going concern (continued)
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections
of this report.
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) we identified, including those which 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 statutory
financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.
Revenue recognition
Matter
The Group has material revenue from contracts with customers which are required to be tested for accuracy and completeness in
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standard 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’ (IFRS 15). Revenue
from contracts with customers has been tested by reference to their completion percentage of the contract. Revenue on contracts is
recognised based on progress towards satisfaction of performance obligations included in the contracts undertaken, by reference
to costs incurred as a percentage of total expected costs. There is judgement involved in determining the percentage completion
as well as in estimating the expected outcome of the contract, both in terms of costs to complete and consideration to be received,
resulting in a greater risk of error. The risk is more pronounced for contracts which are incomplete at the year end as changes to
these estimates and judgements could give rise to material variances in the amount of revenue recognised at the year end. Given
the above, there is a risk that revenue is not accounted for appropriately.
Response
Using a variety of quantitative and qualitative criteria we selected a sample of contracts across the Group to assess and challenge
the most significant contract assumptions. These criteria included total project value and percentage completion. Our procedures
included:
•
Assessing and testing historical accuracy of cost and revenue budgeting to gain comfort regarding those contracts in progress
at the year end to assess the reasonableness of revenue recognised in the current year.
•
Testing allocation of costs to contracts and completeness of costs with reference to third party confirmations.
•
Vouching details to signed contracts and meeting with contract managers responsible for assessing the level of completion of
contracted work to gain an understanding and obtaining further evidence to support judgements.
•
Reviewing post year end contract performance and cash receipts in relation to that contract together with performance
updates from the prior year to assess accuracy of budgeting.
•
Recalculating the expected accrued or deferred income balance where appropriate.
•
Testing reconciliations between data provided by project teams and journals posted to the nominal ledger.
Based on our audit procedures we concluded that revenue and profit had been recognised appropriately and in accordance with
IFRS 15 in the sample of contracts we assessed.
Valuation of Goodwill and Intangible Fixed Assets
Matter
The Group has material goodwill and other intangible fixed assets balances which are required to be tested for impairment on
an annual basis in accordance with International Accounting Standard 36 ‘Impairment of Assets’ (IAS 36). Both goodwill and
intangible fixed assets have been tested by reference to their value in use. Valuations of this nature are inherently subjective and
involve a high degree of estimation, for example over future cash flows of the Group, discount rates applied to those cash flows
and terminal growth rates. This gives rise to an increased risk of error in the calculation of value in use and therefore in the overall
impairment assessment. For the additional goodwill created in the year as a result of the two acquisitions, there is a risk that the
goodwill value has been calculated incorrectly.
Management have prepared a detailed impairment review of the intangible assets held by each cash generating unit (“CGU”)
within the Group, which identified a nil impairment charge and showed significant headroom when comparing the carrying
amount to the recoverable amount.
34
Independent Auditor’s Report to the
Members of Avingtrans plc (Continued)
Valuation of Goodwill and Intangible Fixed Assets (continued)
Response
We have performed audit procedures on management’s impairment assessment, including the following procedures:
•
Testing of the integrity of the cash flow model and the methodology applied.
•
Assessing key assumptions including future cash flows, discount rates and growth rates, including sensitivity of these
assumptions and assessing the discount rate against supporting documentation and evidence.
•
Agreeing future cash flows to Board approved budgets and considering the appropriateness of these budgets by reference to
historical performance of the Group, including comparing budgeted results to forecast results.
•
For additions to goodwill and intangible fixed assets during the year, agreed these through to supporting evidence (including
share/asset purchase agreements and internal labour costs capitalised) and assessed the assumptions used within the model.
Based on our audit procedures we concluded that the model itself, the methodology, the forecasts and the assumptions used in
the calculation were appropriate and we further concluded that management’s impairment review model was reasonable. We also
found that the additional balances created upon the acquisition of Adaptix Limited and Slack & Parr, appear reasonable.
Materiality
The materiality for the Group statutory financial statements as a whole was set at £1,366,000. This has been determined with
reference to a benchmark of the Group’s revenue, which we consider to be an appropriate measure for a Group of companies such
as these. Materiality represents approximately 1% of Group revenue. In determining the level of testing to be performed during
our audit work, we used performance materiality of £1,093,000.
We agreed to report to the Audit Committee any corrected or uncorrected identified misstatements exceeding £68,000, in addition
to other identified misstatements that warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.
The materiality for the parent company financial statements as a whole was set at £1,092,000 and performance materiality was
£874,000. This has been determined with reference to the parent company’s net assets, which we consider to be an appropriate
measure for a holding company with investments in trading subsidiaries.
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 as explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion
thereon.
Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the information is materially inconsistent
with the financial statements, or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.
If we identity such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives
rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. 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.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
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 by exception
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.
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:
35
Independent Auditor’s Report to the
Members of Avingtrans plc (Continued)
Matters on which we are required to report by exception (continued)
•
adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not
visited by us; or
•
the 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
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement set out on page 25, 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
they 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 and 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 they 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.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our
responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which
our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
Our assessment focused on key laws and regulations the Group has to comply with and areas of the financial statements we
assessed as being more susceptible to misstatement. These key laws and regulations included but were not limited to compliance
with the Companies Act 2006, UK-adopted international accounting standards, and relevant tax legislation.
We are not responsible for preventing irregularities. Our approach to detecting irregularities included, but was not limited to, the
following:
•
obtaining an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the Group and the parent company and
determined that the most significant which are directly relevant to specific assertions in financial statements are those related
to the financial reporting framework, being UK adopted international accounting standards in conformity with the Companies
Act 2006;
•
obtaining an understanding of the entity’s policies and procedures and how the entity has complied with these, through
discussions and sample testing;
•
obtaining an understanding of the entity’s risk assessment process, including the risk of fraud;
•
designing our audit procedures to respond to our risk assessment; and
•
performing audit testing over the risk of management override of controls. Our audit procedures involved:
•
testing of journal entries with a focus on manual journals and other adjustments for appropriateness, evaluating the
business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business, and reviewing accounting estimates
for bias, specifically in relation to revenue, warranty provision and the defined benefit pension scheme asset;
•
evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business;
•
challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in its significant accounting estimates, specifically those
in relation to the costs of completion for contracts, impairment of intangible assets, warranty provision and the defined
benefit pension scheme asset.
•
The engagement partner assessed whether the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence and capabilities
to identify and recognise non-compliance with laws and regulations through the following:
•
Understanding of, and practical experience with, audit engagements of a similar nature and complexity, though
appropriate training and participation; and
•
Knowledge of the industry in which the client operates.
36
Independent Auditor’s Report to the
Members of Avingtrans plc (Continued)
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the statutory financial statements (continued)
These audit procedures were designed to provide reasonable assurance that the financial statements were free from fraud
or error. However, detecting irregularities that result from fraud is inherently more difficult than detecting those that result
from error, as those irregularities that result from fraud may involve collusion, deliberate concealment, forgery, or intentional
misrepresentations. Also, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from events and transactions reflected
in the financial statement, the less likely we could become aware of it.
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 parent 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 parent 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 parent company and the parent company’s members as a body, for our audit
work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Katharine Warrington
(Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of
Cooper Parry Group Limited
Statutory Auditor
Sky View
Argosy Road
East Midlands Airport
Castle Donington,
Derby
DE74 2SA
24 September 2024
37
Basis of preparation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards
and those parts of the Companies Act 2006 that are relevant to companies which apply UK-adopted international accounting
standards. The Company has elected to prepare its Parent Company financial statements in accordance with UK-adopted
international accounting standards also, these are presented alongside the Group Disclosures throughout the accounts. As detailed
in the Report of the Directors, 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 Group’s financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, as discussed in the Director’s Report on page 22.
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:
Principal Accounting Policies
Framework
Pronouncement
Effective date
IAS
Classification of liabilities as current or non-
current
Amendments to IFRS 1
Financial period commencing
on/after 1 January 2024
IAS
Non-current liabilities with covenants
Amendments to IAS 1
Financial periods commencing
on/after 1 January 2024
New standards adopted
There are no adjustments required to be made to the Company’s financial statements as a result of any new standards, amendments
and IFRIC interpretations.
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
2024. A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the Group. Control exists when the Group has power over an entity, exposure to
variable returns from its involvement with an entity and the ability to use its power over an entity so as to affect the Group’s
returns. Subsidiaries are consolidated in accordance UK-adopted international reporting standards and IFRS 10 Consolidated
Financial Statements. Where a subsidiary has a non-controlling interest, the share of net assets or liabilities of subsidiaries held
by third parties is presented separately within equity in the statement of financial position. The Group typically obtains and
exercises control of its subsidiaries through voting rights. Employee Benefit Trusts (“EBT”) are consolidated on the basis that
the parent has control as it bears the risks and rewards of having established the trust, thus the assets and liabilities of the EBT
are included on the Group balance sheet and shares held by the EBT in the Company are presented as a deduction from equity.
All intra-group transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised gains on transactions between the Group and its
subsidiaries are eliminated. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of
the asset transferred.
Profit or loss from discontinued operations
A discontinued operation is a component of the Group that either has been disposed of, or is classified as held for sale, and:
• represents a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations
• is part of a single co-ordinated plan to dispose of a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations or
• is a subsidiary acquired exclusively with a view to resale.
Profit or loss from discontinued operations, including prior year components of profit or loss, is presented in a single amount
in the income statement. This amount, which comprises the post-tax profit or loss of discontinued operations and the post tax
gain or loss resulting from the measurement and disposal of assets classified as held for sale, is further analysed in note 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.
38
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)
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.
For technology-based intangible assets that are still under construction, we have applied the replacement cost method. This
method considers the cost that would be incurred to replace the asset with a similar one. The replacement cost method is deemed
appropriate in this context, given that the technology intangibles are still in the development phase and there is no active market
or other readily observable inputs to determine fair value.
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.
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.
39
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)
Revenue (continued)
Contract Revenue (continued)
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 and it is highly probably
no significant reversal will occur.
Once the group determines that a contract will be loss-making, by reviewing future estimate costs and profit margins, full
provision is made for losses on all contracts in the year in which they are first foreseen.
Future variable revenue from long-term contracts is constrained to take account of the risk of non-recovery of resulting contract
balances from failure to achieve the respective conditions (e.g. failure to meet a delivery date). When assessing whether variable
consideration is constrained, management use all available information including both historical performance and the status of
ongoing projects. 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.
A contract asset/liability is recognised where payment is received in arrears/advance of the revenue recognised in meeting
performance obligations.
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 dispatched 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.
40
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.
Management uses a range of measures to monitor the group’s performance. Management judgement has been used to determine
those items that should be classified as ‘Adjusted Earnings before interest, tax and amortisation’ so to give a better understanding
of the underlying trading performance of the group. In order to provide a trend of underlying performance, profit is presented
excluding items which management consider will distort comparability, either due to their significant non-recurring nature or
as a result of specific accounting treatment – these include: share based payment expense, acquisition costs, restructuring costs,
amortisation of intangibles from business combinations and (gain)/loss on derivatives.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost, net of depreciation and any provision for impairment. Assets held under right of
use assets are depreciated over their expected useful lives on the same basis as owned assets or, were 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. Land is not depreciated. The rates/periods
generally applicable are:
Buildings
2.0% – 4.0%
Plant and machinery
6.7% – 20%
Equipment and motor vehicles
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 with an indefinite
useful life 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. The discount rate
for the AES division is 12.3% and for the MII division this is 13.3%.
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)
41
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)
Impairment testing of goodwill, other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment
(continued)
If the impairment is subsequently reversed, the carrying amount, except for goodwill, is increased to the revised estimate of its
recoverable amount but limited to the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment been recognised.
Impairment losses in respect of goodwill are not reversed.
Leased assets
For any new contracts entered into 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.
Incremental borrowing rate applied to leases falls in the range of 3.3% – 8.3% depending on the nature, term and start date 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 income
statement 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.
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. Cost is purchase price.
Investment income is recognised on a received basis.
Unlisted investments
Unlisted investments are measured at fair value through profit and loss. As quoted prices are unavailable, the Group assesses fair
value by reference to share issues made by the investment entity during the period, adjusted to consider the timing of issues and
other available information.
42
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
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
-
Period of order cover
•
Customer relationships -
Up to 10 years
The amortisation charge is shown within amortisation of intangibles in the income statement. If the asset is not in full use
no amortisation is incurred until the asset is in full use.
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)
43
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)
Intangible assets (continued)
ii) Software
Acquired computer software licences are capitalised on the basis of the costs incurred to acquire and install the specific
software.
The useful lives for these intangible assets are finite.
Software is amortised over three years and the amortisation charge is shown within administrative expenses in the income
statement.
iii) 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 three 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.
The development costs relating to Sellafield have been amortised on a per revenue basis over the total revenue for the duration
of the contract.
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.
44
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)
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”. No general borrowing costs have been capitalised
in relation to qualifying assets.
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. The gain on disposal of non-controlling interest in subsidiary
company regarding the Magnetica acquisition is also included here. Retained earnings include all current and prior period
retained profits. It also includes charges related to share-based employee remuneration.
Retained earnings represents accumulated comprehensive income for the year and prior periods less dividends, less actuarial
gains/losses arising on the remeasurement of the defined benefit pension scheme
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 separately in the income statement.
45
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)
Financial assets and liabilities (continued)
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.
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 25 Financial Instruments for a detailed analysis of how the
impairment requirements of IFRS 9 are applied.
The incremental costs of obtaining a contract are recognised as a contract asset when they are expected to be recovered from the
customer. Subsequently, the asset is amortized over the contract life. As a practical expedient, incremental costs of obtaining a
contract are expensed if the amortisation period would be one year or less.
46
Financial assets and liabilities (continued)
Exceptional expenses
Items are classified as exceptional where the Directors believe that presentation of the results in this way is useful in providing an
understanding of the Group’s financial performance. Exceptional items are identified by virtue of their size, nature or incidence.
In determining whether an event or transaction is exceptional, the Directors considers quantitative as well as qualitative factors
such as the frequency or predictability of occurrence. Examples of exceptional items include the costs of acquiring a new
subsidiary, share based payments, and restructuring costs.
Classification and measurement of financial liabilities
The Group’s financial liabilities include trade payables, other 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.
Post-employment benefits, short-term employee benefits and share-based employee remuneration
Post employee benefits
Hayward Tyler Limited 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 £0.1 million
(2023: £0.5 million) which is deemed recoverable and therefore recognised in full. The unconditional right condition in IFRIC14
is satisfied as the Company has an unconditional right to a refund of surplus after the last pensioner dies, assuming the Plan
continues indefinitely.
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.
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)
47
Post-employment benefits, short-term employee benefits and share-based employee remuneration
(continued)
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 or an increase in investment in
subsidiary 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.
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 the income statement. 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-AES 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.
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)
48
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)
Government grants
The group receives government grants for research and development, training and facilities.
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.
A government grant relating to assets is presented either as deferred income or by deducting from the assets carrying amount.
Where deferred income is recognised, it is subsequently released to the income statement 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.
A government grant that becomes repayable shall be accounted for as a change in accounting estimate. Repayment of a grant
shall be applied against any unamortised deferred credit in respect of the grant.
Stainless Metalcraft (Chatteris) Limited based in Chatteris, UK, was awarded £3.2m grant in 2021 from Cambridgeshire and
Peterborough Combined Authority Local Growth Fund. The grant has been used to build an apprentice training school. As per
IAS 20.24 the group has elected to net off the corresponding asset against the deferred income relating to the grant.
Adaptix receive various grants including from Innovate UK. £78k was received during FY24 for SIC coating project. Further
grant income is recognised in the income statement from earlier grants received.
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.
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.
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.
Contingent consideration is initially measured at fair value at the acquisition date. Fair value is estimated by forecasting future
cash flows and discounting them to reflect the time value of money. Discounting is subsequently unwound over the period, giving
rise to interest expense in the income statement. Any subsequent changes in managements estimation of fair value is recognised
as a gain or loss in the income statement.
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 are no significant judgements made by management in applying the accounting policies of the Group in the financial
statements.
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.
49
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued)
Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty (continued)
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. Management assesses contract revenue using the expected value method which is based on the range of
possible outcomes and the probabilities of each outcome. Estimates of the total contract cost take into consideration historical
costs on similar products and services, which is then updated to take into consideration changes to supplier prices, movements in
exchange rates, and managements latest view on remaining work required to complete a contract.
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 26.
Impairment of goodwill
Determining whether goodwill is impaired requires an estimation of the value in use of the cash-generating units to which the
goodwill has been allocated. The value in use calculation requires the entity to estimate the future cash flows expected to arise
from the cash-generating unit and to apply a suitable discount rate in order to calculate present value. The assumptions and
sensitivities applied by management in determining whether there is any impairment of goodwill are set out in note 12.
Recoverability of 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 18.
The value of contract assets at 31 May 2024 was £28.3m. Intercompany balances and investments held by the Company have
been reviewed by Management by reviewing future cash flows and despite recent stress in macro economic conditions are still
considered to be recoverable.
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
2024 was £1.2 million (note 20).
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 £8.4 million
(2023: £8.4 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 2024 was £0.1 million (2023: £0.5million). Further
details of the pension scheme are in note 29.
Impairment of intangible assets
The Group carries development costs recognised as an intangible asset on its balance sheet. Capitalised intangible costs are
amortised on a straight-line basis, which commences when the Group is expected to benefit from cash inflows. A key estimate
is required in determining the useful economic life over which each asset is to be amortised, with current time frames ranging
from five to fifteen years.
50
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Note
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Revenue
2
136,615
116,437
Cost of sales
(92,573)
(78,137)
Gross profit
44,042
38,300
Distribution costs
(3,663)
(4,458)
Administrative expenses
(34,743)
(25,866)
Operating profit before amortisation of acquired intangibles, other
non-underlying items and exceptional items
8,167
9,452
Amortisation of acquired intangibles
13
(819)
(993)
Share based payment
28
(324)
(237)
Acquisition costs
36
(347)
(14)
Restructuring costs
(1,041)
(232)
Operating profit
2
5,636
7,976
Finance income
5
364
109
Finance costs
6
(1,175)
(609)
Profit before taxation
3
4,825
7,476
Taxation
9
(1,180)
(1,246)
Profit after taxation from continuing operations
3,645
6,230
Profit after taxation from discontinued operations
36
–
(1,168)
Profit for the financial year
3,645
5,062
Profit is attributable to:
Owners of Avingtrans PLC
3,662
5,194
Non-controlling interest
37
(17)
(132)
Total
3,645
5,062
Earnings per share:
From continuing operations
– Basic
11
11.1p
19.4p
– Diluted
11
10.9p
18.9p
From continuing and discontinuing operations
– Basic
11
11.1p
15.7p
– Diluted
11
10.9p
15.3p
2024
2023
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
£’000
£’000
Profit for the year
3,645
5,062
Items that will not be subsequently be reclassified to profit or loss
Remeasurement of defined benefit liability (note 29)
(493)
(1,388)
Income tax relating to items not reclassified
123
347
Items that may/will subsequently be reclassified to profit or loss
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations
(667)
(579)
Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to equity shareholders
2,608
3,442
The principal accounting policies and notes on pages 37 to 91 form part of these financial statements.
Consolidated Income Statement
51
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Note
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Non-current assets
Goodwill
12
27,874
21,585
Other intangible assets
13
33,647
18,790
Property, plant and equipment
14
29,611
23,612
Deferred tax
26
3,718
666
Unlisted Investments
16
–
8,000
Pension and other employee obligations
29
84
526
94,934
73,179
Current assets
Inventories
17
19,871
12,656
Trade and other receivables: falling due within one year
18
57,098
49,691
Trade and other receivables: falling due after one year
18
1,394
1,550
Current tax asset
9
927
618
Cash and cash equivalents
19
12,115
17,717
91,405
82,232
Total assets
186,339
155,411
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
21
(39,432)
(32,140)
Lease liabilities
24
(2,855)
(1,503)
Borrowings
23
(5,176)
(3,077)
Current tax liabilities
9
(823)
(1,303)
Provisions
20
(1,813)
(1,315)
Derivatives
23
–
(15)
Total current liabilities
(50,099)
(39,353)
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
23
(8,726)
(669)
Lease liabilities
24
(7,200)
(3,328)
Deferred tax
26
(6,972)
(3,238)
Other creditors
22
(328)
(368)
Total non-current liabilities
(23,226)
(7,603)
Total liabilities
(73,325)
(46,956)
Net assets
113,014
108,455
Equity
Share capital
27
1,654
1,612
Share premium account
19,005
15,979
Capital redemption reserve
1,299
1,299
Translation reserve
913
1,170
Merger reserve
28,949
28,949
Other reserves
1,457
1,457
Investment in own shares
35
(4,235)
(4,235)
Retained earnings
61,402
59,811
Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent
110,444
106,042
Non-controlling interest
37
2,570
2,413
Total equity
113,014
108,455
The principal accounting policies and notes on pages 37 to 91 form part of these financial statements.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 24 September 2024 and signed on
its behalf by:
S M King, Director. Company number: 1968354
Consolidated Balance Sheet
52
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Note
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Non-current assets
Investments
15
61,257
54,695
Deferred tax asset
26
386
404
61,643
55,099
Current assets
Trade and other receivables
18
18,554
12,981
Cash at bank and in hand
19
4,345
6,404
22,899
19,385
Total assets
84,542
74,484
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
21
(705)
(585)
Borrowings
23
–
(83)
Total current liabilities
(705)
(668)
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
23
–
–
Total non-current liabilities
–
–
Total liabilities
(705)
(668)
Net assets
83,837
73,816
Capital and reserves
Share capital
27
1,654
1,612
Share premium account
19,005
15,979
Capital redemption reserve
1,299
1,299
Merger reserve
28,949
28,949
Other reserves
237
237
Profit and loss account
32,693
25,740
Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent
83,837
73,816
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 profit dealt with in the parent company’s financial statements was
£8,105k (2023: loss £410k).
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 24 September 2024 signed on its
behalf by:
S M King
Director
Company number: 01968354
The principal accounting policies and notes on pages 37 to 91 form part of these financial statements.
Company Balance Sheet
53
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Total
Attribut-
Capital
Invest-
able
Share
redemp-
Trans-
ment in
owners Non-con-
Share premium
tion
Merger
lation
Other
own
Retained
of the
trolling
Total
capital
account
reserve
reserve
reserve
reserves
shares
earnings
Group
interest
Equity
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
At 1 June 2022
1,607
15,693
1,299
28,949
825
1,457
(4,235)
58,223
103,818
1,999
105,817
Ordinary shares issued
5
286
–
–
–
–
–
–
291
–
291
Dividends paid
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(1,331)
(1,331)
–
(1,331)
Share-based payments
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
237
237
–
237
Total transactions with owners
5
286
–
–
–
–
–
(1,094)
(803)
–
(803)
Profit for the year
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
5,194
5,194
(132)
5,062
Investment in subsidiary with
non-controlling interest
–
–
–
–
924
–
–
(1,470)
(546)
546
–
Other comprehensive income
Actuarial gain for the year on
pension scheme
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(1,388)
(1,388)
–
(1,388)
Deferred tax on actuarial
movement on pension scheme
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
347
347
–
347
Exchange gain
–
–
–
–
(579)
–
–
–
(579)
–
(579)
Total comprehensive income
for the year
–
–
–
–
345
–
–
2,683
3,028
414
3,442
Balance at
31 May 2023
1,612
15,979
1,299
28,949
1,170
1,457
(4,235)
59,812
106,043
2,413
108,455
The principal accounting policies and notes on pages 37 to 91 form part of these financial statements.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
54
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Total
Attribut-
Capital
Invest-
able
Share
redemp-
Trans-
ment in
owners Non-con-
Share premium
tion
Merger
lation
Other
own
Retained
of the
trolling
Total
capital
account
reserve
reserve
reserve
reserves
shares
earnings
Group
interest
Equity
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
At 1 June 2023
1,612
15,979
1,299
28,949
1,170
1,457
(4,235)
59,812
106,043
2,413
108,455
Ordinary shares issued
42
3,026
–
–
–
–
–
–
3,068
–
3,068
Dividends paid
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(1,441)
(1,441)
–
(1,441)
Share-based payments
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
324
324
–
324
Total transactions with owners
42
3,026
–
–
–
–
–
(1,117)
1,951
–
1,951
Profit for the year
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
3,662
3,662
(17)
3,645
Investment in subsidiary with
non-controlling interest
–
–
–
–
410
–
–
(585)
(175)
175
–
Other comprehensive income
Actuarial gain for the year
on pension scheme
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(493)
(493)
–
(493)
Deferred tax on actuarial
movement on pension scheme
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
123
123
–
123
Exchange gain
–
–
–
–
(667)
–
–
–
(667)
–
(667)
Total comprehensive income
for the year
–
–
–
–
(257)
–
–
2,707
2,450
158
2,608
Balance at
31 May 2024
1,654
19,005
1,299
28,949
913
1,457
(4,235)
61,402
110,444
2,570
113,014
The principal accounting policies and notes on pages 37 to 91 form part of these financial statements.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (Continued)
55
Company Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Capital
Share
redemp
Share
premium
-tion
Merger
Other
Retained
capital
account
reserve
reserve
reserves
earnings
Total
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
At 1 June 2022
1,607
15,693
1,299
28,949
237
27,244
75,029
Ordinary shares issued
5
286
–
–
–
–
291
Dividends paid
–
–
–
–
–
(1,331)
(1,331)
Share-based payments
–
–
–
–
–
237
237
Total transactions with owners
5
286
–
–
–
(1,094)
(803)
Loss for the year
–
–
–
–
–
(410)
(410)
Total comprehensive income
for the year
–
–
–
–
–
(410)
(410)
Balance at
31 May 2023
1,612
15,979
1,299
28,949
237
25,740
73,816
At 1 June 2023
1,612
15,979
1,299
28,949
237
25,740
73,816
Ordinary shares issued
(note 27)
42
3,026
–
–
–
–
3,068
Dividends Paid (note 10)
–
–
–
–
–
(1,441)
(1,441)
Share-based payments
(note 28)
–
–
–
–
–
289
289
Total transactions with owners
42
3,026
–
–
–
(1,152)
1,916
Profit for the year
–
–
–
–
–
8,105
8,105
Total comprehensive expense
for the year
–
–
–
–
–
8,105
8,105
Balance at
31 May 2024
1,654
19,005
1,299
28,949
237
32,693
83,837
The principal accounting policies and notes on pages 37 to 91 form part of these financial statements.
56
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Note
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Operating activities
Cash flows from operating activities
30
3,604
10,682
Finance costs paid
(1,294)
(620)
Income tax paid
(952)
(331)
Contributions to defined benefit plan
(24)
(164)
Net cash inflow from operating activities
1,334
9,567
Investing activities
Acquisition of subsidiary undertakings, net of cash acquired
36
(1,548)
(852)
Investment in unlisted undertaking
16
–
(4,000)
Disposal of a subsidiary undertaking, net of cash disposed
36
–
877
Finance income
364
109
Purchase of intangible assets
(8,430)
(5,401)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
(3,967)
(3,291)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
4
34
Net cash used in from investing activities
(13,577)
(12,524)
Financing activities
Equity dividends paid
(1,441)
(1,331)
Repayments of bank loans
(3,213)
(2,843)
Repayment of leases
(3,863)
(1,771)
Proceeds from issue of ordinary shares
563
291
Proceeds from borrowings
14,734
2,254
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities
6,780
(3,400)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(5,463)
(6,356)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
17,386
23,902
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash
(130)
(160)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
19
11,793
17,386
The principal accounting policies and notes on pages 37 to 91 form part of these financial statements.
57
Company Statement of Cash Flow
For the year ended 31 May 2024
2024
2023
Note
£’000
£’000
Operating activities
Cash flows from operating activities
31
(798)
(1,129)
Finance costs paid
–
(6)
Income tax paid
–
(224)
Net cash outflow from operating activities
(798)
(1,359)
Investing activities
Investment in subsidiary undertaking
15
(4,057)
(4,297)
(Loan to)/repayment from subsidiary undertakings
(5,434)
2,019
Acquisition of investment in unlisted undertaking
16
–
(4,000)
Equity dividends received
8,000
–
Finance income
1,191
487
Net cash utilised by investing activities
(300)
(5,791)
Financing activities
Equity dividends paid
(1,441)
(1,331)
Repayments of bank loans
(84)
(167)
Proceeds from issue of ordinary shares
563
291
Net cash outflows from financing activities
(962)
(1,207)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(2,059)
(8,357)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
6,404
14,761
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
19
4,345
6,404
The principal accounting policies and notes on pages 37 to 91 form part of these financial statements.
58
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Corporate information
The consolidated financial statements of Avingtrans plc and its subsidiaries (collectively the Group) for the year ended 31 May
2024 were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the directors on 24 September 2024. 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.
Segmental analysis
For management purposes, the Group is currently organised into two segments Energy – AES and Medical-MII. The basis on
which the Group reports to the Chief Executive Officer. During the year the Group has changed from three divisions (EPM,
PSRE and MII) to two divisions (AES and MII).
In order to optimise long-term shareholder value through our PIE model, particularly with regard to Exits, we reorganised the
Group’s engineering companies into a single Advanced Engineering Systems (AES) division.
The principal activities are as follows:
•
Energy – AES contains the Hayward Tyler businesses 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.
AES continues to develop its nuclear installed base (civil, defence and national security) – for life extension applications
– and its offering to the hydrocarbon market sectors. The non Hayward Tyler businesses design, manufacture, integration
and servicing of an extensive product offering including gas compressors, pressure vessels, blast doors, and containers. The
primary strategy is to develop a comprehensive offering to the nuclear decommissioning and reprocessing markets.
•
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 2024
Energy
Medical
Unallocated
AES
MII
central items
Total
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
Original Equipment
81,044
3,322
–
84,336
After Market
51,893
356
–
52,249
Revenue
132,937
3,678
–
136,615
Operating profit/(loss)
10,961
(3,990)
(1,335)
5,636
Net finance (expense)/income
(968)
(78)
235
(811)
Taxation (charge)/credit
(1,350)
291
(121)
(1,180)
Profit/(loss) after tax from continuing operations
8,643
(3,777)
(1,221)
3,645
Segment non-current assets
60,771
34,163
–
94,934
Segment current assets
79,798
4,913
6,694
91,405
140,569
39,076
6,694
186,339
Segment liabilities
(71,163)
(19,763)
17,602
(73,324)
Net assets
69,406
19,313
24,296
113,014
Non-current asset additions
Intangible assets
2,220
6,210
–
8,430
Tangible assets
4,277
1,720
–
5,997
6,497
7,930
–
14,427
Other income statement items:
Depreciation and amortisation
(4,741)
(1,114)
–
(5,855)
Notes to the Annual Report
1
2
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Segmental analysis (continued)
Unallocated assets/ (liabilities) consist primarily of interest-bearing assets and liabilities and income tax assets and liabilities.
Year ended 31 May 2023
Energy
Medical
Unallocated
AES
MII
central items
Total
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
Original Equipment
66,802
3,595
–
70,397
After Market
46,006
34
–
46,040
Revenue
112,808
3,629
–
116,437
Operating profit/(loss)
10,145
(1,010)
(1,159)
7,976
Net finance (expense)/income
(496)
(39)
35
(500)
Taxation (charge)/credit
(1,311)
(17)
82
(1,246)
Profit/ (loss) after tax from continuing operations
8,338
(1,066)
(1,042)
6,230
Segment non-current assets
54,136
11,043
8,000
73,179
Segment current assets
71,928
2,544
7,760
82,242
126,064
13,597
15,760
155,411
Segment liabilities
(42,534)
(4,073)
(349)
(46,956)
Net assets
83,530
9,524
15,411
108,455
Non-current asset additions
Intangible assets
1,714
3,848
–
5,562
Tangible assets
2,821
470
–
3,291
4,535
4,318
–
8,853
Other income statement items:
Depreciation and amortisation
(3,980)
(314)
–
(4,294)
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 (excluding
deferred tax assets and defined benefit pension surplus) by geographical market:
2024
2023
2024
2023
Non-current
Non-current
Revenue
Revenue
Assets
Assets
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
United Kingdom
60,851
53,076
37,454
34,954
Europe (excl. UK)
7,011
7,411
–
–
United States of America
35,615
28,955
40,680
27,473
Africa & Middle East
6,031
2,705
–
-
Americas & Caribbean (excl. USA)
3,501
5,059
–
–
China
16,979
10,297
595
723
Asia Pacific (excl. China)
6,627
8,934
12,404
8,837
136,615
116,437
91,133
71,987
59
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
2
60
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Segmental analysis (continued)
The Group’s revenue disaggregated by pattern of revenue recognition is as follows:
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Over time
44,297
70,515
Point in time
92,318
45,922
136,615
116,437
The Group had no single external customer which represented more than 10% of the Group’s revenue in the current or prior year.
Contract assets and liabilities
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Contract assets:
Energy – AES
26,837
24,754
Medical – MII
1,433
890
28,270
25,644
Contract liabilities:
Energy – AES
(6,151)
(3,080)
Medical – MII
(1)
(70)
(6,152)
(3,150)
A contract asset/liability is recognised where payment is received in arrears/advance of the revenue recognised in meeting
performance obligations. At 31 May 2024, a greater proportion of the business’s contracts had payments in arrears.
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Contract liability movement:
1 June
(3,150)
(3,073)
Revenue recognised which was included in the opening balance
3,150
3,073
Increases due to cash received, excluding amounts recognised in the year
(6,152)
(3,150)
At 31 May
(6,152)
(3,150)
Profit before taxation – continuing
Profit before taxation is stated after charging/(crediting):
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
4,817
3,720
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
3
1
Amortisation of internally generated intangible assets
1,039
443
Cost of inventories recognised as an expense
84,603
71,764
Loss on foreign exchange transactions
92
19
Amounts recognised from government grants
–
(9)
Staff costs (note 8)
51,853
42,644
Charitable donations
15
12
Research and development expenditure
621
453
3
2
61
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Profit before taxation – continuing (continued)
Auditor’s remuneration
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the financial statements
110
100
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
244
214
Adjusted Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Profit before tax from continuing operations
4,825
7,476
Share based payment expense
324
237
Acquisition costs
347
14
Restructuring costs
1,041
232
(Gain)/loss on derivatives
(15)
14
Amortisation of intangibles from business combinations
819
993
Adjusted profit before tax from continuing operations
7,341
8,966
Finance income
(364)
(109)
Finance cost
1,175
609
Gain/(loss) on derivatives
15
(14)
Adjusted profit before interest, tax and amortisation from business combinations (‘EBITA’)
8,167
9,452
Depreciation
4,817
3,720
Amortisation of other intangible assets
904
444
Amortisation of contract assets
137
130
Adjusted Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (‘EBITDA’)
from continuing operations
14,025
13,746
The Directors believe that the above adjusted earnings are a more appropriate reflection of the Group performance.
All costs noted above, apart from the share based payment expense, depreciation and amortisation of intangibles had a reduction
in the cashflow in the year. The tax impact on the above costs is relatively immaterial.
Finance income
Group
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Bank balances and deposits
322
47
Interest from defined benefit pension scheme
27
62
Gain arising on the fair value of derivative contracts
15
–
364
109
3
4
5
62
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Finance costs
Group
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Interest from the unwinding of long-term liabilities
25
25
Amortisation of banking facility arrangement fees
–
9
Losses arising on the fair value of derivative contracts
–
14
Interest on bank loans and overdrafts wholly repayable within five years
853
304
Interest on bank loans and overdrafts wholly repayable after five years
–
32
Interest on lease agreements
297
225
1,175
609
Directors’ emoluments
Particulars of directors’ emoluments from continuing operations are as follows:
Salary
Pension
Pension
and
Total
Total
Total
Total
Fees
Bonus
Benefits
2024
2023
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
Non-executive:
R S McDowell
57
–
–
57
82
–
–
J S Clarke
44
–
–
44
42
–
–
L J Thomas
58
–
–
58
42
–
–
J S Reedman
44
–
–
44
39
–
–
Executive:
S McQuillan
333
100
3
436
384
–
–
S M King
285
86
-
371
323
–
–
Total emoluments
821
186
3
1,010
912
–
–
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 (2023: nil). No pension contributions were made during the year.
Employers National Insurance Contributions made relating to directors’ emoluments were £148,000 (2023: £137,000).
During 2024 S McQuillan and S M King exercised nil and 10,400 approved share options respectively resulting in paper capital
gains of £nil and £5,000 as set out on page 31 (2023: S McQuillan and S M King exercised 115,000 and 100,000 share options).
Employees
Particulars of employees, including Executive Directors:
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Wages and salaries
45,174
37,195
Social security costs
4,279
3,473
Other pension costs
2,076
1,739
Share-based payment expense (note 28)
324
237
51,853
42,644
Discontinued operations wages and salaries of £nil (2023 £489,000) have not been included in the above note.
6
8
7
63
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Employees (continued)
The average monthly number of employees (including Executive Directors) during the year was:
2024
2023
Number
Number
Production
593
412
Selling and distribution
140
61
Administration
208
259
941
732
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’.
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Short term employee benefits (including NIC)
1,548
1,580
Post-employment benefits
13
9
Share-based payments
116
181
1,677
1,770
Taxation
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Continuing operations
Current tax
Corporation tax – current year
–
–
Corporation tax – prior year
219
77
Overseas tax – current year
418
970
Overseas tax – prior year
(275)
210
Total current tax
362
1,257
Deferred tax (note 26)
Deferred tax – current year
479
(15)
Deferred tax – prior year
339
4
Deferred tax – rate
–
–
Total deferred tax
818
(11)
Tax charge on continuing operations
1,180
1,246
Tax charge on discontinued operations
–
–
Total tax charge in the year
1,180
1,246
Corporation tax is calculated at 25% (2023: 20%) of the estimated assessable profit/loss for the year. Taxation for other
jurisdictions is calculated at the rates prevailing in the respective jurisdictions.
9
8
64
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Taxation (continued)
The charge for the year can be reconciled to the profit per the income statement as follows:
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Profit before taxation:
Continuing operations
4,825
7,476
Discontinued operations
–
(616)
4,825
6,860
Theoretical tax at UK corporation tax rate of 25% (2023: 20%)
1,206
1,372
Effects of:
(Expenditure)/income that is not tax deductible
(654)
120
Un-provided deferred tax differences
–
(177)
Adjustments in respect of prior years
282
(467)
Recognition of previously unrecognised losses
–
–
Movement in unprovided deferred tax assets
285
226
Change in deferred tax rate
–
47
Differential in overseas tax rate
61
125
Total tax charge
1,180
1,246
The Group has tax losses carried forward of approximately £46.2 million at 31 May 2024 (2023: £20.6 million) that may be
relievable against future profits. Further details are detailed in note 26.
Factors which may affect future tax charges
The Finance Act 2021 increased the main rate of corporation tax from 19% to 25% with effect from 1 April 2023. The effect of
this change has been reflected in the closing deferred tax balances at 31 May 2024 and 31 May 2023.
The Group’s corporation tax assets and liabilities can be summarised as follows:
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Current tax assets
Corporation tax
927
618
927
618
Current tax liabilities
Corporation tax
(823)
(1,303)
(823)
(685)
Corporation tax assets includes refunds due on US taxes and R&D claims made in the UK.
Dividends
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Interim dividend paid of 1.7p per ordinary share (2023: 1.6p)
538
507
Final dividend paid of 2.8p per ordinary share (2023: 2.6 p)
903
824
1,441
1,331
The above excludes any proposed dividend not yet paid as disclosed in the strategic report.
9
10
65
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
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.
2024
2023
Number
Number
Weighted average number of shares – basic
32,733,107
32,187,135
Share option adjustment
628,002
820,074
Weighted average number of shares – diluted
33,361,109
33,007,209
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Profit from continuing operations
3,645
6,230
Share based payment expense
324
237
Acquisition costs
347
14
Restructuring costs
1,041
232
(Gain)/loss on derivatives
(15)
14
Amortisation of intangibles from business combinations
819
993
Adjusted profit after tax from continuing operations
6,161
7,720
From continuing operations:
Basic earnings per share
11.1p
19.4p
Adjusted basic earnings per share
18.8p
24.0p
Diluted earnings per share
10.9p
18.9p
Adjusted diluted earnings per share
18.5p
23.4p
Earnings from discontinuing operations:
–
(1,168)
From discontinuing operations
Basic earnings per share
–
(3.6)p
Adjusted basic earnings per share
–
(3.6)p
Diluted earnings per share
–
(3.5)p
Adjusted diluted earnings per share
–
(3.5)p
Earnings attributable to shareholders including non-controlling interest
3,645
5,062
Basic earnings per share
11.1p
15.7p
Adjusted basic earnings per share
18.8p
20.4p
Diluted earnings per share
10.9p
15.3p
Adjusted diluted earnings per share
18.5p
19.9p
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.
At 31 May 2024, we have excluded 1,700,000 share options from the diluted EPS calculation (2023: Nil) as these options are not
expected to vest, given that the exercise price exceeds the market price.
11
66
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Goodwill
£’000
Cost
At 1 June 2022
22,425
Acquisition of subsidiary undertaking
188
Exchange movement
(23)
At 1 June 2023
22,590
Acquisition of subsidiary undertaking (note 36)
6,296
Exchange movement
(7)
At 31 May 2024
28,879
Accumulated impairment losses
At 1 June 2022
1,005
Impairment charge
–
At 1 June 2023
1,005
Impairment charge
–
At 31 May 2024
1,005
Net book value
At 31 May 2024
27,874
At 31 May 2023
21,585
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:
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Energy-AES – Hayward Tyler
15,399
15,351
Energy-AES – Others
5,282
5,282
Medical-MII
7,193
952
27,874
21,585
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, terminal 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 to six years and derives cash flows for the following years based on estimated growth rates for the specific markets in which
each CGU operates. Growth rates vary by site and all fall in the range of 0.4% to 4.0%.
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 for the AES division is 12.3% (2023: 11.6%), and for the MII division is 13.3%
(2023: 14.0%) 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 no impairment would arise (2023: £nil).
If the discount rate was increased by 1% no impairment would arise (2023: £nil).
12
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Other intangible assets – group
Customer
Development
Relationships
Order book
Brand
costs
Software
Total
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
Cost
At 1 June 2022
9,041
180
2,011
11,048
757
23,037
Additions
–
–
–
5,315
85
5,400
Acquisition of subsidiary undertakings
–
162
–
–
–
162
Transfers
–
–
–
–
–
–
Disposals
–
–
–
(373)
–
(373)
Exchange adjustments
–
–
–
(621)
(2)
(623)
At 1 June 2023
9,041
342
2,011
15,369
840
27,603
Additions
–
–
–
8,326
104
8,430
Acquisition of subsidiary
undertakings (note 36)
–
–
–
8,219
–
8,219
Transfers
–
–
–
–
–
–
Disposals
–
–
–
–
–
–
Exchange adjustments
–
–
–
(64)
(7)
(71)
At 31 May 2024
9,041
342
2,011
31,850
937
44,181
Accumulated amortisation
At 1 June 2022
3,303
35
658
2,787
579
7,362
Charge for continuing operations
696
284
166
216
74
1,436
Transfer
–
–
–
–
–
–
Exchange adjustments
–
–
(10)
36
(11)
15
Disposals
–
–
–
–
–
–
At 1 June 2023
3,999
319
814
3,039
642
8,813
Charge for continuing operations
695
23
130
784
90
1,722
Exchange adjustments
–
–
–
–
(1)
(1)
Transfer
–
–
–
–
–
–
Disposals
–
–
–
–
–
–
At 31 May 2024
4,694
342
944
3,823
731
10,534
Net book value at 31 May 2024
4,347
–
1,067
28,027
206
33,647
Net book value at 31 May 2023
5,042
23
1,197
12,330
198
18,790
67
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
13
68
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Property, plant and equipment – group
Equipment
Land
Plant and
and motor
and buildings
Machinery
vehicles
Total
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
Cost
At 1 June 2022
21,517
15,920
3,889
41,326
Acquisitions
–
–
–
–
Additions
1,648
990
653
3,291
Disposals
–
(77)
(110)
(187)
Disposals of company
(374)
(1,825)
(394)
(2,593)
Transfer
599
(506)
(93)
–
Exchange adjustments
(49)
15
22
(12)
At 1 June 2023
23,341
14,543
3,969
41,853
Acquisitions (note 36)
3,386
3,330
389
7,105
Additions
1,564
1,579
824
3,967
Disposals
(431)
(408)
(53)
(892)
Transfer
–
–
–
–
Exchange adjustments
(146)
(164)
(38)
(348)
At 31 May 2024
27,714
18,880
5,091
51,685
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 June 2022
5,361
8,181
2,545
16,087
Charge for continuing operations
1,629
1,474
617
3,720
Charge for discontinuing operations
52
51
11
114
Disposals
(366)
(995)
(319)
(1,680)
Transfer
417
(391)
(26)
–
Exchange adjustments
(17)
–
17
–
At 1 June 2023
7,076
8,320
2,845
18,241
Charge for continuing operations
2,279
1,765
773
4,817
Charge for discontinuing operations
–
–
–
–
Disposals
(355)
(402)
(29)
(786)
Transfer
17
(17)
–
–
Exchange adjustments
(79)
(77)
(42)
(198)
At 31 May 2024
8,938
9,589
3,547
22,074
Net book value at 31 May 2024
18,776
9,291
1,544
29,611
Net book value at 31 May 2023
16,265
6,223
1,124
23,612
Right-of-use assets
Included in land and buildings, plant and equipment are right-of-use assets as follows:
Net book
Additions Depreciation
value
expense
£’000
£’000
£’000
Land and buildings
5,541
4,030
1,709
Plant and machinery
57
–
31
Equipment and motor vehicles
315
331
89
5,913
4,361
1,829
Additions includes £3.1m from the acquisition of Slack & Parr and Adaptix during the year.
14
69
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Investments
Unlisted
Group
Capital
Investments
undertakings
contributions
Total
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
Cost
At 1 June 2022
4,000
46,468
380
50,848
Investment in subsidiary undertaking
–
–
–
–
Investment in Unlisted Equity
4,000
4,297
100
8,397
At 1 June 2023
8,000
50,765
480
59,245
Reallocate Unlisted Entity
(8,000)
8,000
–
–
Investment in subsidiary undertaking
–
6,443
119
6,562
At 31 May 2024
–
65,208
599
65,807
Provision
At 1 June 2022
–
4,550
–
4,550
Investment written off
–
–
–
–
At 1 June 2023 and 31 May 2024
–
4,550
–
4,550
Net book value at 31 May 2024
–
60,658
599
61,257
Net book value at 31 May 2023
8,000
46,215
480
54,695
In the period the Company purchased additional shares in Magnetica to increase the shareholding from 71.7% to 75.4% owed. Also,
the Group acquired all the remaining shares in Adaptix Ltd bringing its ownership to 100% of the issued share capital (see note 36).
The Company has the following investments in Ordinary shares in subsidiaries:
Name
Registered office
Principal activity
Stainless Metalcraft (Chatteris) Limited
15 Honeysome Road, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, PE16 6SA
Trading
Booth Industrial Industries Limited
15 Honeysome Road, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, PE16 6SA
Trading
Maloney Metalcraft Limited
15 Honeysome Road, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, PE16 6SA
Trading
Composite Products Limited
15 Honeysome Road, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, PE16 6SA
Trading
Space Cryomagnetics Limited **
7 Suffolk Way, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 5JX
Trading
Scientific Magnetics Limited **
7 Suffolk Way, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 5JX
Trading
Hayward Tyler Limited *
1 Kimpton Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3LD
Trading
Hayward Tyler Inc *
480 Roosevelt Highway, Colchester, Vermont 05446-0680
Trading
Energy Steel & Supply Co. *
1785 Northfield Drive, Rochester Hills, Michigan 48309
Trading
Hayward Tyler Pumps (Kunshan)
Co Limited *
243 Huang Pujiang Kunshan, Jiangsu Province, 215300
Trading
Hayward Tyler India PTE Limited *
509-510 Charmwood Plaza, EROS Garden, Faridabad 121009
Trading
Hayward Tyler Fluid Handling Limited *
1 Kimpton Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3LD
Trading
Transkem Plant Limited
41 Glenburn Road, East Kilbride, Glasgow, G74 5BJ
Trading
Slack & Parr (International) Inc
6031 Harris Technology Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28269
Trading
S&P Inc
6031 Harris Technology Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28269
Trading
S&P Hydraulics Inc
6031 Harris Technology Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28269
Trading
S&P Special Products Corp
6031 Harris Technology Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28269
Trading
Slack & Parr Shanghai (Joint Venture)
981 QingHeWan Road, Qingpu, Shanghai 201799
Trading
Slack & Parr Shanghai Manufacturing
981 QingHeWan Road, Qingpu, Shanghai 201799
Trading
Adaptix Limited
Unit 13 Oasis Business Park, Eynsham OX29 4TP
Trading
15
70
Name
Registered office
Principal activity
Adaptix US Inc
209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801
Trading
Tecmag Inc **
10161 Harwin Drive #150, Houston, TX 77036
Trading
Magnetica Limited ACN **
Unit 4, 115 Frederick St, Northgate, Queensland 4013
Trading
Hayward Tyler Group plc
Atla Group Limited, Burleigh Manor, Douglas, IM1 5EP
Holding
Southbank UK Limited *
1 Kimpton Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3LD
Property
Hayward Tyler Group Limited *
1 Kimpton Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3LD
Holding
Hayward Tyler Holdings Limited *
1 Kimpton Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3LD
Holding
Hayward Tyler Holding Inc *
480 Roosevelt Highway, Colchester, Vermont 05446-0680
Holding
Nviro Cleantech Limited*
1 Kimpton Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3LD
Holding
Redglade Associates Limited*
1 Kimpton Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3LD
Property
Redglade Investments Limited*
1 Kimpton Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3LD
Holding
Hayward Tyler Pension Plan Trustees
Limited*
1 Kimpton Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3LD
Pension
Hayward Tyler (UK) Limited *
1 Kimpton Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3LD
Dormant
Appleton & Howard Limited *
1 Kimpton Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3LD
Dormant
Credit Montague Limited *I ha
1 Kimpton Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3LD
Dormant
Mullins Limited *
1 Kimpton Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3LD
Dormant
Crown UK Limited
15 Honeysome Road, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, PE16 6SA
Dormant
Adaptix Animal Care UK Limited
Unit 13 Oasis Business Park, Eynsham OX29 4TP
Dormant
Adaptix NDE UK Limited
Unit 13 Oasis Business Park, Eynsham OX29 4TP
Dormant
Adaptix Medical UK Limited
Unit 13 Oasis Business Park, Eynsham OX29 4TP
Dormant
Adaptix IDT UK Limited
Unit 13 Oasis Business Park, Eynsham OX29 4TP
Dormant
* Indirectly owned subsidiary.
** All subsidiaries are 100% owned with the exception of Magnetica (75.4% owned, 2023: 71.7%) and its 100% owned subsidiaries
Space Cryomagnetics Limited, Scientific Magnetics Limited and Tecmag Inc.
The following UK subsidiary undertakings are exempt from the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) relating to the
audit of the individual accounts by virtue of section 479A of the Act:
Name
Company number
Southbank UK Limited
07574162
Hayward Tyler Group Limited
03232768
Hayward Tyler Holdings Limited
03251397
Redglade Associates Limited
05303263
Redglade Investments Ltd
05501823
Transkem Plant Limited
SC017991
Avingtrans will guarantee all outstanding liabilities that these subsidiaries are subject to as at the financial year end 31 May 2024 in
accordance with 479C of the Act, as amended by the Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (Accounts and Audit Exemptions
and Change of Accounting Framework) Regulations 2012. In addition, Avingtrans will guarantee any contingent and prospective
liabilities that these subsidiaries are subject to.
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Investments (continued)
15
71
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
16
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Unlisted Investment
Unlisted
Investments
£’000
Movements
At 1 June 2022
4,000
Additions
4,000
Revaluations
–
At 1 June 2023
8,000
Additions
(8,199)
Revaluations
199
At 31 May 2024
–
The unlisted investment relates to a convertible loan and shares in Adaptix Ltd (“Adaptix”). During the financial year the Group
acquired all the remaining shares in Adaptix Ltd bringing its ownership to 100% of the issued share capital (see note 36).
With the acquisition of Adaptix Ltd, the convertible loan note has been reclassified to amounts owed by group undertakings in
the Company financial statements. On the date of reclassification, the loan was valued at £2,199,000 (31 May 2023: £3,000,000).
The convertible loan has a principal value of £2,000,000 and a 3-year term. The convertible loan attracts interest at 12% which
was payable at maturity.
With the acquisition of Adaptix Ltd, shares in Adaptix limited were reclassified to investment in subsidiary (see note 36) in the
Company financial statements. On the date of reclassification, the shares were valued at £6,000,000 (31 May 2023: £5,000,000).
Fair value
As the quoted prices (level 1 inputs) for these shares are unavailable, we have used observable inputs (level 2 inputs) to determine
the fair value. Other observable inputs include recent share transactions, financial forecasts and other information obtained
attendance at the investment’s board meetings.
Nature and extent of risks arising from unlisted investments
The Group is exposed to a number of risks including credit risk, foreign exchange risk and interest rate risk. Albeit these risks do
not relate to the current financial year as the loan has converted.
Credit risk relates to the convertible loan. It represents the risk that Adaptix will be unable to repay the £2.0m loan principal and
interest at the maturity.
Foreign exchange risk impacts both the convertible loan and the shares. A significant portion of Adaptix’s cash inflows is
anticipated in foreign currencies. A strengthening of GBP against foreign currencies would reduce the value of those currencies
on translation, potentially resulting in lower valuations.
Interest rate risk impacts the convertible loan and the shares. Rising interest rates impact discount rates for future cash flows. This
in turn can lead to lower present values for future cash flows, potentially resulting in lower valuations.
Further details on the Group’s risk management practises can be found in note 25.
Inventories
Group
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Raw materials and consumables
10,421
6,628
Work in progress
5,232
2,788
Finished goods
4,218
3,240
19,871
12,656
The replacement cost of the above stocks would not be significantly different from the values stated. During the year there was
an impairment charge included in cost of sales of £211,000 (2023: £473,000). The stock provision included within raw materials
is £1,643,000 (2023: £1,808,000).
17
72
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Trade and other receivables
Group Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
Amounts falling due within one year
Trade receivables
25,844
21,981
–
–
Allowance for doubtful debts
(534)
(260)
–
–
25,310
21,721
–
–
Other receivables
1,112
618
4,246
4,246
Amounts owed by group undertakings
–
–
14,060
8,508
Prepayments
3,800
3,258
258
227
Contract assets
26,876
24,094
–
–
57,098
49,691
18,554
12,981
Amounts falling due after one year
Contract assets
1,394
1,550
–
–
The Group adopts a simplified approach in accounting for trade and other receivables and records the loss allowance as lifetime
expected credit losses. These are the expected shortfall 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’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 in note 25 financial instruments.
The Contract Assets relates to a contract with contracted life of greater than one year and has been allocated based on expected
schedules.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents included the following components:
Group
Company
31 May
31 May
31 May
31 May
2024
2023
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
Cash at bank and in hand:
GBP
8,420
12,499
4,345
6,404
USD
1,165
3,655
–
–
EUR
29
22
–
–
Other
2,501
1,541
–
–
Total cash at bank and in hand
12,115
17,717
4,345
6,404
Overdraft (note 23):
(322)
(331)
–
–
Total cash and cash equivalents
11,793
17,386
4,345
6,404
19
18
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Provisions
The carrying amounts and the movements in the provision account are as follows:
Loss making
and onerous
Warranty
contracts Dilapidations
Total
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
Carrying amount
1 June 2022
1,415
265
90
1,770
Additional provisions
1,797
161
–
1,958
Through business combinations
–
236
–
236
Amounts utilised
(972)
(378)
–
(1,350)
Reversals
(1,277)
–
(27)
(1,304)
Exchange adjustments
2
1
2
5
1 June 2023
965
285
65
1,315
Additional provisions
665
55
22
742
Through business combinations
–
–
363
363
Amounts utilised
(358)
(210)
–
(568)
Reversals
(3)
–
(14)
(17)
Exchange adjustments
(24)
2
–
(22)
31 May 2024
1,245
132
436
1,813
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.
Dilapidations: Provision for dilapidation mainly represents the estimated cost to restore the property to the agreed condition set
out in the lease rental agreement.
The Company had £nil (2023: £nil) provision at year end.
Trade and other payables
Group Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
Trade payables
17,268
14,654
119
100
Other tax and social security
1,798
1,899
38
36
Other payables
1,744
1,960
189
170
Contract liabilities
6,152
3,150
–
–
Accruals
12,470
10,477
359
279
39,432
32,140
705
585
73
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
20
21
74
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Other creditors
Group Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
Non-current
Other creditors
328
368
–
–
Other creditors relate to deferred grant income received from the Regional Growth Fund for capital investment. During FY23
the Group agreed the repayment of £639k of the original £3,500k grant due to not achieving all the targets. Payment was made
during the period.
The deferred grant income will be amortised in the income statement over the life of the assets which the grant relates to.
Financial assets and liabilities
The carrying amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities in each category are as follows:
Group Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
Financial assets at amortised cost:
Trade and other receivables
25,310
21,721
14,060
8,508
Cash and cash equivalents
12,115
17,717
4,345
6,404
Total financial assets
37,425
39,438
18,405
14,912
Financial liabilities at amortised cost:
Trade payables
17,268
14,654
119
100
Accruals
12,469
10,477
359
279
Borrowings
13,902
3,746
–
83
Lease obligations (note 24)
10,055
4,831
–
–
53,694
33,708
478
462
Financial liabilities measured at FVTPL:
Derivative financial instruments
–
15
–
–
Contingent/deferred consideration
–
–
–
–
Total financial liabilities
53,694
33,723
478
462
A description of the Group’s financial instrument risks is included in note 25.
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:
Group Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
Secured borrowings
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
Bank overdrafts and short-term borrowings
3,345
2,885
–
–
Bank loans
10,557
861
–
83
Total borrowings
13,902
3,746
–
83
Amount due for settlement within 12 months
5,176
3,077
–
83
Amount due for settlement after 12 months
8,726
669
–
–
22
23
75
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
23
24
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Financial assets and liabilities (continued)
Group Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
Bank loans due within one to two years
1,813
36
–
–
Bank loans due within two to five years
6,913
108
–
–
Bank loans due after five years
–
525
–
–
8,726
669
–
–
Bank loans, overdrafts and short-term borrowings of £13,902,000 (2023: £3,746,000) are secured on certain assets of the Group.
The debt is secured over land and buildings, inventory and trade receivables. Their carrying values can be seen in notes 14, 17
and 18 respectively.
At 31 May 2024 the Group had £14,190,000 (2023: £19,362,000) 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 SONIA rates plus margins of between 1.5% – 2.75%.
The Group have £6,600,000 (2023: £10,600,000) of bond and guarantee facilities to support ongoing contract trading activity. As
at the 31 May 2024, £2,644,000 is utilised (2023: £3,761,000).
Lease liabilities
Lease liabilities are presented in the statement of financial position as follows:
At 31 May
At 31 May
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Current
2,855
1,503
Non-current
7,200
3,328
10.055
4,831
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).
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.
76
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Lease liabilities (continued)
The lease liabilities are secured by the related underlying assets. Future minimum lease payments were as follows:
Within
Over
1 year
1-2 years
2-3 years
3-4 years
4-5 years
5 years
Total
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
31 May 2024
Lease payments
3,423
2,968
2,336
1,846
852
0
11,425
Finance charges
(568)
(406)
(253)
(121)
(21)
(0)
(1,370)
Net present value
2,855
2,561
2,083
1,725
831
0
10,055
31 May 2023
Lease payments
1,692
1,414
1,066
666
382
83
5,303
Finance charges
(194)
(136)
(84)
(42)
(13)
(3)
(472)
Net present value
1,498
1,278
982
624
369
80
4,831
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:
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Short-term leases
67
134
Leases of low value assets
30
22
97
156
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 £3.7m at 31 May
2024 (31 May 2023: £0.7m).
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. 19% (2023: 15%) of the Group’s lease liabilities are subject to inflation-linked rentals and a further 6% (2023:
10%) are subject to rent reviews. Rental changes linked to inflation or rent reviews typically occur on a three or 5 year basis.
The Group has not signed any leases in the year which have not yet commenced.
See note 32 for further details re the lease liability movements in the year.
24
77
For the year ended 31 May 2024
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 23. 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 23 and 24 cash and cash equivalents and equity attributable to equity
holders of the parent, comprising issued capital, reserves, retained earnings and non-controlling interest 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.
Group Company
The gearing ratio at the year-end is as follows:
2024
2023
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
Debt
(23,957)
(8,577)
–
(83)
Cash and cash equivalents
12,115
17,717
4,345
6,404
Net (debt)/ cash
(11,842)
9,140
4,345
6,321
Equity
113,014
108,455
83,837
73,816
Net (debt)/cash to equity ratio
(10.5)%
8.4%
5.2%
8.6%
Debt is defined as short and long term borrowings and lease liabilities, as detailed in note 23. 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 exposure to foreign currency risk expressed in GBP was as follows:
31 May 2024
31 May 2023
USD
EUR
RMB
USD
EUR
RMB
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
Trade and other receivables
12,237
136
7,536
12,144
192
6,723
Overdrafts
(3,163)
–
–
(2,885)
–
–
Bank loans
(203)
–
–
(73)
–
–
Lease liabilities
(2,605)
–
(163)
(2,682)
–
(272)
Trade and other creditors
(15,750)
(161)
(4,100)
(15,362)
(155)
(2,717)
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 foreign exchange forward contracts to purchase £nil (2023: £1.1 million) in
order to manage the transactional currency exposure on certain contracts when required.
The foreign exchange loss in the year shown in the Statement of Comprehensive Income is mainly due to the strengthening of
the UK Pound from the prior year.
25
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
78
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
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
US $ currency impact
RmB currency impact
2024
2023
2024
2023
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
Impact (+/-) on
Profit for the financial year/equity
3
(4)
874
358
(291)
(445)
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 £7,000.
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% (2023: 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.
25
79
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Financial instruments (continued)
Ageing of trade receivables and expected credit loss provision:
Trade receivables aged from invoice date
0-30
31-60
61-120
121-360
>360
Total
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
31 May 2024
Trade receivables, gross
17,248
3,188
1,008
2,341
2,059
25,844
Expected credit loss provision
(114)
(49)
(33)
(68)
(270)
(534)
17,134
3,139
975
2,273
1,789
25,310
31 May 2023
Trade receivables, gross
14,116
3,461
1,598
1,465
1,341
21,981
Expected credit loss provision
(39)
(3)
(6)
(35)
(177)
(260)
14,077
3,458
1,592
1,430
1,164
21,721
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 50 days (2023: 46 days) in respect of the Group. No interest is generally
charged on the receivables until legal action is taken. Thereafter, interest is charged at 8% above bank base rate on the outstanding
balance.
The Company has £4.2m receivable from JTC Employer Solutions Trustee Limited (note 35) this is supported by the JTC’s
shareholding as disclosed on page 23. The Company regularly reviews this in comparison with the current share price for any
credit risk. The amounts owed by group undertakings (note 18) is reviewed regularly against financial forecasts for any credit
risk.
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 regard 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 23 Financial assets and liabilities and note 24 Lease
liabilities.
All facilities are secured on the assets of the Group.
25
80
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
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
Other
tax
temporary
depreciation
Intangibles
differences
Tax losses
Total
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
At 1 June 2022
810
2,613
1,042
(1,544)
2,921
Arising on fair value adjustments
on business combinations
40
–
–
–
40
(Credit)/charge to income
(49)
(254)
(585)
878
(10)
Credit to other comprehensive income
–
–
(347)
–
(347)
Foreign exchange differences
–
–
(32)
–
(32)
At 1 June 2023
801
2,359
78
(666)
2,572
Arising on fair value adjustments
on business combinations
–
2,055
–
(2,055)
–
(Credit)/charge to income
433
1,120
262
(997)
818
Credit to other comprehensive income
–
–
(123)
–
(123)
Foreign exchange differences
–
–
(14)
–
(14)
At 31 May 2024
1,234
5,534
203
(3,718)
3,253
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:
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Deferred tax assets
3,718
666
Deferred tax liabilities
(6,971)
(3,238)
(3,253)
(2,572)
At the balance sheet date the Group has unused tax losses of £46.2 million (2023: £20.6 million) available for offset against
future profits. A deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of £14.4 million (2023: £2.3 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 £92k
(2023: £163k) 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 (2023: £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.
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the Company and movements thereon during the
current and prior reporting period.
Tax losses
Total
£’000
£’000
At 1 June 2023
(404)
(404)
(Credit) to income statement
18
18
At 31 May 2024
(386)
(386)
26
81
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Deferred tax (continued)
At the balance sheet date the Company has unused tax losses of £1.7 million (2023: £2.2 million) available for offset against future
profits within group undertakings. A deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of £0.4 million (2023: £0.4m) 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 Company’s forecast of future operating results and
the future projected profitability of entities within the Group.
Share capital
2024 2023
No.
£’000
No.
£’000
Allotted, issued and fully paid
Ordinary shares of 5p each
33,089,922
1,654
32,250,445
1,612
Reconciliation of movement in allotted, issued and fully paid share capital
No.
£’000
At 1 June 2024 and 31 May 2023
32,250,445
1,612
Shares issued in period to Acquisition (note 36)
642,355
32
Shares issued on exercise of share options (note 28)
197,122
10
At 31 May 2024
33,089,922
1,654
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 208,580 options were exercised, 23,000 and 185,580 at 267.0p and 288.0p
respectively. The market price on the day of exercise was between 380.0p and 400.0p. Further details of the scheme are given
in note 28.
The market price of the Company’s shares at the end of the year was 385.0p (2023: 410.0p). The highest and lowest market prices
during the year were 4245.0p and 330.0p (2023: 470.0p and 352.0p respectively).
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.
2024
2023
Weighted
Weighted
Average
Average
Options
Exercise
Options
Exercise
(No. ‘000)
price p
(No. ‘000)
price p
Outstanding at the start of the year
2,820.0
215.92
2,666.5
274.90
Lapsed during the year
(49.8)
(343.55)
–
–
Issued during the year
598.0
390.00
577.5
410.00
Exercised during the year
(208.6)
(285.68)
(424.0)
(243.17)
Outstanding at the end of the year
3,159.6
323.84
2,820.0
307.34
Exercisable at the end of the year
1,459.6
234.47
1,110.5
215.92
The options outstanding at 31 May 2024 had exercise prices in the range 193.0p to 410.0p and a weighted average remaining
contractual life of 6.6 years (2023: 7.0 years). The average market share price of options at date of exercise was 390.33p (2023:
431.52p).
Of the 208,560 options exercised in the period 208,560 resulted in the issue of new shares.
27
28
26
82
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Share-based payments (Continued)
The terms of these options are as follows:
Options
Market value at
outstanding at
Vesting
date of grant
Exercise
Date of grant
31 May 2024
period
(p)
price (p)
Exercise period
21/12/2016
749,500
3 years
193.00
193.00
22/12/2019 to
21/12/2026
17/12/2019
330,000
3 years
267.00
267.00
17/12/2022 to
16/12/2029
24/11/2020
380,100
3 years
288.00
288.00
24/11/2023 to
23/11/2030
29/11/2021
542,500
3 years
402.50
402.50
29/11/2024 to
28/11/2031
26/01/2023
559,500
3 years
410.00
410.00
26/01/2026 to
25/01/2033
21/11/2023
598,000
3 years
390.00
390.00
21/11/2023 to
20/11/2033
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, Pett, 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
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
In respect of:
Equity settled share options
298
237
There are no share-based payment transactions that were expensed immediately. A deferred tax credit of £nil (2023: £nil) was
recognised during the year in respect of share-based payments.
28
83
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
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”), 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.
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 meet the Statutory Funding Objective.
The most recent comprehensive actuarial valuation of the Plan was carried out as at 1 January 2023 and the next valuation of
the Plan is due as at 1 January 2026. 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, it’s possible that contributions may be reduced. The Company expects to pay contributions of £281,000 in
the year to 31 May 2025.
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 £0.1 million
(2023: £0.5 million) which is deemed recoverable and therefore recognised in full. The unconditional right condition in IFRIC14
is satisfied as the Company has an unconditional right to a refund of surplus after the last pensioner dies, assuming the Plan
continues indefinitely.
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;
•
Member options
Certain benefit options may be exercised by members without requiring the consent of the Trustees or the Company, for
example exchanging pension for cash at retirement. In this example, if fewer members than expected exchange pension for
cash at retirement then a funding strain will emerge;
•
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 (2023: nil).
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 cash flows of the Plan caused by changes in
interest and inflation rates.
29
84
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Pensions and other employee obligations (continued)
Profile of defined benefit obligation
The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation is 10 years.
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:
Group
At 31 May
At 31 May
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Defined benefit obligation
(8,428)
(8,385)
Fair value of plan assets
8,512
8,911
Net defined benefit asset
84
526
Amounts recognised in the income statement during the year are shown in the table below.
Group
At 31 May
At 31 May
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Interest on liabilities
431
350
Interest on assets
(459)
(412)
Total credit to income statement
(28)
(62)
Scheme assets
The fair value of assets for the reporting years under review are as follows:
Group
At 31 May
At 31 May
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Fair value of assets at start of year
8,911
12,236
Interest on assets
459
412
Company contributions
23
164
Benefits paid
(681)
(788)
Return on assets less interest
(200)
(3,113)
Fair value of assets at end of year
8,512
8,911
Scheme liabilities
The defined benefit obligations for the reporting years under review are as follows
Group
At 31 May
At 31 May
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Defined benefit obligation at start of year
8,385
10,548
Interest cost
431
350
Changes to demographic assumptions
(55)
–
Changes to financial assumptions
198
(2,022)
Experience loss on liabilities
150
297
Benefits paid
(681)
(788)
Defined benefits obligation at end of year
8,428
8,385
29
85
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
29
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Pensions and other employee obligations (continued)
For determination of the pension obligation, the following actuarial assumptions were used:
Group
At 31 May
At 31 May
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Discount rate
5.20%
5.35%
Expected rate of pension increases
2.90%
2.70%
Inflation assumption
3.45%
3.25%
Mortality assumption
S3PFA CMI
S3PFA CMI
S3PFA CMI – for males and females projected on a year of birth basis using CMI (2021) projections with a long-term rate of
improvement of 1.25% per annum. The mortality assumptions imply the following life expectancies:
•
Life expectancy at age 65 of male aged 45
20.9
•
Life expectancy at age 65 of male aged 65
19.6
•
Life expectancy at age 65 of female aged 45
25.0
•
Life expectancy at age 65 of female aged 65
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 years 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.
The asset spilt is as follows:
Group
At 31 May
At 31 May
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Multi-asset growth portfolio
4,633
4,303
Gilts and LDI
3,705
4,423
Cash
174
185
Total assets
8,512
8,911
The remeasurement recorded in other comprehensive income is as follows:
Group
At 31 May
At 31 May
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Loss on scheme assets in excess of interest
200
3,113
(Gain)/loss from changes to demographic assumptions
(55)
–
Experience losses on liabilities
150
297
(Gains)/loss from changes to financial assumptions
198
(2,022)
Total loss/(gain) recognised in other comprehensive income
493
1,388
86
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Pensions and other employee obligations (continued)
Sensitivity of the value placed on the liabilities
Approximate
effect on
liabilities
Reduce discount rate by 0.5% p.a.
£400,000
Increase inflation and related assumption by 0.5% p.a.
£188,000
Increase a long-term rate of longevity improvement by 0.25% p.a.
£36,000
Apply a 90% loading to the mortality base table (reduces probability of death by 10% at each age)
£315,000
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.
Notes to the consolidated cash flow statement
Cash flows from operating activities:
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Continuing operations
Profit before income tax from continuing operations
4,825
7,475
(Loss)/profit before income tax from discontinuing operations before disposal
–
(616)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation
4,817
3,720
Amortisation of intangible assets
904
444
Amortisation of intangibles from business combinations
819
993
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment
23
–
Loss on disposal of intangible assets
–
373
Finance income
(364)
(109)
Finance expenses
1,175
609
Share based payment charge
324
237
Changes in working capital
Increase in inventories
(4,818)
(729)
Increase in trade and other receivables
(8,003)
(3,628)
Increase in trade and other payables
3,825
2,814
Increase/(decrease) in provisions
107
(857)
Other non cash changes
(30)
(44)
Cash flows from operating activities
3,604
10,682
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash
12,115
17,717
Overdrafts
(322)
(331)
11,793
17,386
29
30
87
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Notes to the company cash flow statement
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Continuing operations
Profit/(loss) before income tax from continuing operations
3
(590)
Adjustments for:
Finance income
(1,191)
(487)
Finance expenses
–
6
Share based payment charge
289
137
Changes in working capital
Increase in trade and other receivables
(20)
(199)
Decrease in trade and other payables
121
3
Other non-cash changes
–
1
Cash flow from operating activities
(798)
(1,129)
Reconciliation of liabilities arising from finance activities
Long-term
Short-term
Lease
borrowings
borrowings
liabilities
Overdraft
Total
Group
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
At 1 June 2022
762
5,112
4,702
385
10,961
Cash flows:
Repayments
–
(2,845)
(1,771)
(62)
(4,678)
New borrowings net of refinancing fees
–
357
1,898
–
2,255
Non-cash:
Amortisation of refinance fees
–
2
–
–
2
Exchange adjustments
–
28
1
8
37
Reclassification
(93)
93
–
–
–
At 1 June 2023
669
2,747
4,830
331
8,577
Cash flows:
Repayments
–
(3,213)
(3,863)
–
(7,076)
New borrowings net of refinancing fees
8,162
1,484
5,088
–
14,734
Non-cash:
Acquisitions
1,817
1,975
4,084
–
7,876
Amortisation of refinancing fees
–
15
0
–
15
Exchange adjustments
2
(78)
(84)
(9)
(169)
Reclassification
(1,924)
1,924
–
–
–
At 31 May 2024
8,726
4,854
10,055
322
23,957
31
32
88
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Reconciliation of liabilities arising from finance activities (continued)
Long-term
Short-term
Lease
borrowings
borrowings
liabilities
Overdraft
Total
Company
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
At 1 June 2022
68
182
–
–
250
Cash flows:
Repayments
(68)
(98)
–
–
(166)
Non-cash:
Amortisation of finance fees
–
(1)
–
–
(1)
Reclassification
–
–
–
–
–
At 1 June 2023
–
83
–
–
83
Cash flows:
Repayments
–
(83)
–
–
(83)
Non-cash:
Amortisation of finance fees
–
–
–
–
–
Reclassification
–
–
–
–
–
At 31 May 2024
–
–
–
–
–
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 23.
Transactions with Magnetica Ltd its subsidiaries were as follows:
Group
Company
2024
2024
£’000
£’000
Recharges to Magnetica and Subsidiaries
60
60
Recharges from Magnetica and Subsidiaries
–
–
Balances outstanding as at 31 May
Inter-company balance owed by Magnetica and Subsidiaries
1,988
–
Inter-company balance owed to Magnetica and Subsidiaries
–
–
During the year 77,230,000 shares in Magnetica Ltd were acquired by Avingtrans plc for £2,022,479 resulting in Avingtrans
holding increasing to 75.4% (2023: 71.7%).
Financial commitments
Capital commitments
Commitments for capital expenditure were as follows:
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Contracted for, but not provided in the accounts
–
128
32
34
33
89
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Investment in own shares
On 22 June 2011 the Company approved, adopted and established the Avingtrans Employees’ Share Trust (‘the ExSOP Trust). A
summary of the Trust Deed is as follows:
•
It has been established that the original trustee is JTC Employer Solutions 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 28 is achieved the option can be exercised by the beneficiaries
During the year Nil (2023: Nil) shares were purchased at a cost of £Nil (2023: Nil) by the Trust and beneficiaries, an interest
in which was allocated to the Executive Directors as beneficiaries (note 28). 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 (2023: £4,235,000)
and shown as a deduction from equity in the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity.
Acquisitions and disposals
Acquisition of Slack and Parr Limited
On the 6 August 2023, Hayward Tyler Fluid Handling Limited, a subsidiary of Avingtrans, completed the acquisition of the trade
and assets of Slack and Parr Limited, along with its overseas subsidiaries in the USA and China.
Slack and Parr is renowned for its specialism in manufacturing high-precision gear metering pumps, hydraulics flow dividers,
and industrial pumps, is a market leading supplier catering to a global customer base.
This strategic acquisition enhances Hayward Tyler’s existing businesses by introducing additional products, expanding market
reach, and in bringing in valuable expertise and equipment from Slack and Parr.
£’000
Cash consideration
1,867
Total consideration
1,867
Consideration was transferred in stages. All consideration has been paid by 31 May 2024.
The provisional assets and liabilities recognised as a result of acquisition were as follows:
£’000
Property, plant and equipment
5,209
Inventories
2,005
Trade and other receivables
399
Current tax asset
8
Cash
164
Trade and other payables
(1,599)
Provisions
(206)
Amounts owing to group undertakings
(481)
Lease liabilities (related to plant and equipment acquired and property lease)
(3,686)
Net identifiable assets acquired
1,812
Goodwill
55
Consideration
1,867
Amounts owing to group undertakings represents loans issued from Hayward Tyler Fluid Handling at the point of acquisition.
Goodwill is attributable to Slack and Parr’s workforce, brand and future growth potential, plus synergies with our existing
Hayward Tyler businesses.
The acquired business contributed revenues of £10,025,000 and a net loss of £144,000 to the Group for the period ended 31 May
2024.
35
36
90
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Acquisitions and disposals (continued)
Cashflow
£’000
Outflow of cash to acquire subsidiary:
Cash consideration paid in the period
1,867
Cash acquired
(164)
Net cash outflow from investing activities
1,703
Acquisition related costs of £201,000 have been presented as exceptional costs in the income statement and in operating cashflows
in the statement of cashflows.
Acquisition of Adaptix Limited
On 15 September 2023, the Group acquired the remaining 82% of Adaptix Limited’s (“Adaptix”) share capital, thereby gaining
control. In exchange for the 82% of shares in Adaptix, Avingtrans issued shares valued at £2,505,000 on the date of acquisition.
Immediately prior to the acquisition, the Group held an 18% shareholding in Adaptix, which was purchased for cash consideration
of £6,005,000.
Adaptix are an emerging Medtech business, developing 3D x-ray technologies. The product launch plans of Adaptix align with
the Group’s Magnetica business, which is developing compact magnetic resonance imaging technology. This alignment enables
both businesses to mutually benefit by coordinating their commercialization activities.
Consideration has been calculated using the accumulated cost method, and comprises:
£’000
Cash consideration
6,005
Issued shares
2,505
Total purchase consideration
8,510
The fair value of the 642,355 issued shares was based on the published closing share price on the 15th September 2023 of 390
pence per share.
The provisional assets and liabilities recognised as a result of acquisition were as follows:
£’000
Other intangible assets: technology
8,219
Property, plant and equipment
1,883
Inventories
323
Trade and other receivables
567
Current tax asset
701
Cash
152
Trade and other payables
(1,931)
Amounts owing to group undertakings
(3,299)
Provisions
(157)
Lease liabilities
(626)
Borrowings
(3,563)
Net identifiable assets acquired
2,268
Goodwill
6,242
Consideration
8,510
Amounts owing to group undertakings represents loans issued to Adaptix prior to the acquisition.
Goodwill is attributable to Adaptix’s workforce and future growth potential, plus synergies with our existing medical imaging
businesses.
The acquired business contributed revenues of £244,000 and a net loss of £4,507,000 to the Group for the period ended 31 May
2024.
36
91
Notes to the Annual Report (Continued)
36
For the year ended 31 May 2024
Acquisitions and disposals (continued)
Cashflow
£’000
Inflow of cash to acquire subsidiary:
Cash consideration paid in the period
–
Cash acquired
152
Net cash inflow from investing activities
152
All cash consideration paid for Adaptix was transferred in previous accounting periods, so does not impact the current period
cashflow.
Acquisition related costs of £147,000 have been presented as exceptional costs in the income statement and in operating cashflows
in the statement of cashflows.
Non-controlling interest (NCI)
During the year the Group increased its shareholding in Magnetica to 75.4% (2023: 71.7%) of the issued shares of Magnetica
Limited. For further details on the increase in investment, see note 15.
Summarised statement of financial position:
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Current assets
3,507
2,544
Current liabilities
(6,092)
(3,410)
Current net liabilities
(2,585)
(866)
Non-current assets
14,111
10,092
Non-current liabilities
(1,078)
(709)
Non-current net assets
13,033
9,383
Net assets
10,448
8,517
Accumulated NCI
2,570
2,413
Summarised statement of comprehensive income:
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Revenue
5,006
4,809
Loss for the period
(71)
(465)
Other comprehensive income
–
–
Total comprehensive loss
(71)
(465)
Losses absorbed by NCI
(17)
(132)
Dividends paid to NCI
–
–
Summarised cash flows:
2024
2023
£’000
£’000
Cash flow from operating activities
304
418
Cash flow from investing activities
(4,470)
(4,745)
Cash flow from financing activities
4,243
4,490
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
77
163
37
92
Notice is hereby given that the virtual Annual General Meeting of Avingtrans plc will be held at Shakespeare Martineau LLP,
No1 Colmore Square, Birmingham, B4 6AA on 21 November 2024 at 11:00am for the following purposes:
Shareholders are 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 19 November 2024.
To consider, and if thought fit, to pass the following resolutions numbered 1 to 5 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 2024.
2. To declare a final dividend of 2.9p per ordinary share payable on 20 December 2024 payable to shareholders on the register
of members on 8 November 2024.
3. To re-elect Stephen King as a Director.
4. To re -elect Les Thomas as a Director.
5. To reappoint Cooper Parry Group Limited 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, Resolution 6 being proposed as Ordinary Resolutions and Resolution 7 as a Special Resolutions.
6. 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 £545,884
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.
7. 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 3,308,992;
b. the minimum price which may be paid for an ordinary share is 5p (exclusive of expenses and advance corporation tax, if
any, payable by the Company);
c. the maximum price which may be paid for an ordinary share is an amount equal to 105% of the average of the middle
market quotations for an ordinary share of the Company derived from the London Stock Exchange for the five business
days immediately preceding the day on which the ordinary share is purchased (exclusive of expenses and advance
corporation tax, if any, payable by the Company); and
d. the authority conferred shall expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company except that
the Company may, prior to such expiry, make a contract to purchase its own shares which will or may be completed or
executed wholly or partly after such expiry.
8. That the Directors be empowered pursuant to Section 571 of the Act to allot equity securities (as defined in Section 560(1)
of the Act) for cash pursuant to the authority conferred upon them by Resolution 7 as if Section 561 of the Act did not apply
to any such allotment provided that such power shall be limited:
a. to the allotment of equity securities in connection with a rights issue or other offer in favour of holders of ordinary shares
where the equity securities respectively attributable to the interests of all the ordinary shareholders are proportionate
(as nearly as may be) to the respective number of ordinary shares held by them subject to such exclusions or other
arrangements as the Directors may consider appropriate to deal with fractional entitlements or legal or practical difficulties
under the laws of any territory or the requirements of a regulatory body; and
b. to the allotment (otherwise than pursuant to sub-paragraph (a) above) of equity securities up to an aggregate nominal
amount of £165,450 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.
By order of the Board
S M King
Registered office
Chatteris Business Park
Chatteris
Dated
Cambridgeshire
24 September 2024
PE16 6SA
Notice of Annual General Meeting
93
Notice of Annual General Meeting (Continued)
Avingtrans Plc
Notes to the Annual Report For the year ended 31 May 2024:
Entitlement to attend and vote
1. Only those members registered on the Company’s register of members at close of business on 19 November 2024; or if this
Meeting is adjourned, at close of business on the day two days prior to the adjourned meeting shall be entitled to attend and
vote. 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.
Attending in person
2. If you wish to attend the Meeting in person, please bring photographic identification with you to the meeting.
Voting
3. 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 Group, by emailing shareholderenquiries@
linkgroup.co.uk, or calling on Tel: +44 (0) 371 664 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.
•
if you are an institutional investor you may also be able to appoint a proxy electronically via the Proxymity platform,
a process which has been agreed by the Company and approved by the Registrar. For further information regarding
Proxymity, please go to www.proxymity.io, and refer to notes below.
Appointment of proxies
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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 electronically
7. 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 Group); or
•
submitting (if you are a CREST member) a proxy appointment electronically by using the CREST voting service.
•
appointing a proxy electronically via the Proxymity platform.
Please note that proxy appointments must be received by no later than 11:00am on 19 November 2024 to be valid.
Appointment of proxy using hard copy proxy form
8. To appoint a proxy using the hard copy proxy form, the form must be completed and signed and sent or delivered to Link
Group, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4DL; and received no later than 11:00am on 19 November 2024.
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.
94
Appointment of proxy by joint members
9. In the case of joint holders, where more than one of the joint holders purports to appoint a proxy, only the appointment
submitted by the most senior holder will be accepted. Seniority is determined by the order in which the names of the joint
holders appear in the Company’s register of members in respect of the joint holding (the first-named being the most senior).
Changing proxy instructions
10. To change your proxy instructions simply submit a new proxy appointment using the methods set out above. Note that the
cut-off time for receipt of proxy appointments (see above) also apply in relation to amended instructions; any amended proxy
appointment received after the relevant cut-off time will be disregarded.
Where you have appointed a proxy using the hard-copy proxy form and would like to change the instructions using another
hard-copy proxy form, please contact Link Group, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4DL.
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
11. In order to revoke a proxy instruction you will need to inform the Company using one of the following methods:
•
By sending a signed hard copy notice clearly stating your intention to revoke your proxy appointment Link Group,
Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4DL.
•
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 Group, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1
4DL. no later than 19 November 2024 at 11.00am.
Crest
12. 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). 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.
13. 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 & International 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 19 November 2024.
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.
14. CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting service providers should note that Euroclear UK
& International 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.
Proxymity Voting
15. If you are an institutional investor you may also be able to appoint a proxy electronically via the Proxymity platform, a
process which has been agreed by the Company and approved by the Registrar. For further information regarding Proxymity,
please go to www.proxymity.io. Your proxy must be lodged by 11:00 am on 14 November 2023 in order to be considered
valid or, if the meeting is adjourned, by the time which is 48 hours before the time of the adjourned meeting. Before you can
appoint a proxy via this process you will need to have agreed to Proxymity’s associated terms and conditions. It is important
that you read these carefully as you will be bound by them and they will govern the electronic appointment of your proxy. An
electronic proxy appointment via the Proxymity platform may be revoked completely by sending an authenticated message
via the platform instructing the removal of your proxy vote.
Notice of Annual General Meeting (Continued)
95
Issued shares and total voting rights
16. As at 11:00 am on 24 September 2024, the Company’s issued share capital comprised 33,089,922 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 24 September 2024 is 33,089,922
Documents on display
17. The following documents will be available for inspection at Chatteris Business Park, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire PE16 6SA
from 1 November 2024 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.
Notice of Annual General Meeting (Continued)
Notes
96
Notes
The Strategy
in action
Pinpoint
Strengthening the portfolio
Pinpoint-Invest-Exit
Acquisition of Adaptix
During the year, the Group acquired the remaining 82% of
the share capital of Adaptix Limited for £7.2m, including
absorbed and repaid debt.
Adaptix is revolutionizing radiology with its patent-
protected technology, introducing a Flat Panel X-ray Source
(FPS) with individually addressable emitters and integrated
power supply (“monoblock”). This innovation digitizes the
imaging source, enabling fast 3D imaging at a lower dose
than CT scans. The FPS seamlessly integrates with existing
detectors and workstations, offering cost-effectiveness
akin to current 2D systems, but with higher image quality.
Acquisition of Slack & Parr
In the year the Group completed the acquisition
of Slack & Parr for a total consideration of up to £4.1m.
Slack & Parr is a manufacturer of specialist pumps and
a market leading supplier of high-precision gear metering
pumps, hydraulics flow dividers and industrial pumps
to customers around the world.
Founded in 1917, it has a strong track record in supporting
global blue-chip OEMs and end users, with a large
installed base, supported by service facilities in the USA
and Asia. Slack & Parr operates from a 64,000 sq ft
state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Kegworth,
Derbyshire and it also has facilities in Charlotte, North
Carolina and Shanghai, China.
Invest
Technology
Disposal of Peter Brotherhood
Peter Brotherhood was acquired for £9.3m as part of
the acquisition of HTG in August 2017.
In March 2021 it was sold for an enterprise value of
£35.0m representing a return on capital of almost 4X.
This is AVG’s 3rd successful exit for the Group since
2013, with the disposal of JenaTec in 2013 for £14.5m
(purchased for £4.0m) and Sigma Components in 2016
for £65.0m (purchased for £22.0m).
Exit
Returning share-holder value
Next-generation nuclear
During the year, our Hayward Tyler business has made significant
investments in the development of advanced motors specifically designed
for next-generation nuclear applications, including small modular reactors
(SMRs). These new motors are engineered to operate under extreme
conditions, withstanding high levels of radiation, elevated temperatures, and
rapid temperature fluctuations. By leveraging our extensive expertise in
high-integrity motors and pumps for the nuclear sector, we are at the
forefront of innovation, supporting the global transition to low-carbon
energy solutions. Our commitment to advancing nuclear technology not only
strengthens our market position but also contributes to the development of
safer, more efficient energy systems that align with our broader
environmental and sustainability objectives.
Medical devices
Our Medical & Industrial Imaging division has made significant strides in the
development of compact MRI systems and 3D X-ray systems, aimed at revolutionizing medical imaging. The
3D X-ray systems are being developed by our newly acquired Adaptix business, which is focused on
transforming radiology by enabling low-cost, low-dose portable 3D imaging. Adaptix has pioneered a
number of novel technologies and imaging approaches related to Digital Tomosynthesis (“DT”).
Meanwhile, our Magnetica business is leading the development of a compact MRI system that operates
at a gold standard 3 Tesla magnetic field strength. This advanced system incorporates a dry magnet,
eliminating the need for liquid helium. Our MRI system is specifically designed for musculoskeletal
extremity imaging, offering clinicians high-quality imaging in a compact and cost-effective format.
Performance
5 YEAR PERFORMANCE
Revenue
Net Assets
EBITDA
(continuing)
EPS – Diluted
(adjusted)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
116.4
£ Million
90.0
136.6
96.2
99.1
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
105.8
113.0
69.9
99.0
£ Million
108.5
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
12.4
12.4
13.7
7.1
14.0
£ Million
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
0
5
10
15
20
25
23.0
21.6
8.9
18.5
Pence
2024
2020
2021
2022
2023
23.4
Results presented are from
continuing operations.
www.avingtrans.plc.uk