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Braime Group PLC

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2019

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Braime Group PLC
Hunslet Road 
Leeds LS10 1JZ 
England, UK
www.braimegroup.com

Braime Group PLC
(formerly T.F & J.H Braime (Holdings) P.L.C.)
Annual Report & Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1888

1909

1971

1984

1991

2003

2005

2008

2010

2018

2019

Thomas Braime sets up production of steel 
pressings in Hunslet

Braime introduces the first seamless steel bucket

Foundation of 4B Braime Components, to serve  
the bucket elevator & conveyor market

Launch of 4B’s electronic components range 
Foundation of 4B’s first international subsidiary:  
4B Elevator Components, near Chicago, USA

4B acquires the French elevator company SETEM, 
which becomes known as 4B France

The Group opens regional office in Thailand:  
4B Asia Pacific

The Group moves into Germany with  
4B Deutschland

The Group opens a subsidiary in South Africa  
to serve the subsaharian market: 4B Africa

The Group establishes operations  
in Brisbane, Australia

The Group establishes Chinese operations  
in Changzhou, China 

Commemoration of 130 years  
of “Engineering Excellence”

Braime Group PLC...A rich heritage
The Group has a rich heritage, tracing back its origins to the 19th 
century, when oilcans made in a small workshop by Thomas Braime 
quickly gained a reputation for quality. Thomas, the eldest son  
of a veterinary surgeon, was apprenticed to McLaren, an engineering 
company manufacturing steam traction engines, but after losing his 
thumb in an accident, was inspired to look for effective ways to apply 
oil to machinery. In 1888, he set up production in Hunslet, Leeds, using 
the new pressings technology. His younger brother Harry, also a skilled 
engineer joined him as partner. The rise of the motor industry increased 
demand for metal pressings and larger premises were soon needed for 
the expanding business. The current Braime buildings, with its attractive 
red brick and terracotta frontage, was constructed between 1911 and 
1914. During the First World War, the Company played an important 
role in armament provision, training women as skilled munition 
workers. The Group’s headquarters remains its listed buildings on 
Hunslet Road, the beautiful interiors are often used in film sets. 
However, today, the Group is truly international with subsidiaries in 
North America, Europe, China, South East Asia, Africa and Australia. 

Contents

Strategic report 

Chairman’s statement 

Group strategic report 

The Board 

Governance 

Corporate governance report 

Directors’ report 

Directors’ remuneration report 

Independent auditors’ report 

Financial statements 

Consolidated income statement 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 

4

6

10

Consolidated balance sheet 

11

15

17

18

Consolidated cash flow statement 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity 

Notes to the accounts 

Company balance sheet 

Company statement of changes in equity 

Notes to the Company accounts 

Five year record 

Notice of meeting 

Explanatory notes of resolutions 

Directors and Advisers 

23

24

25

26

27

28

51

52

53

59

60

62

63

Designed and produced by corporateprm, Edinburgh and London. www.corporateprm.co.uk

1

“We are in unknown territory  
with Covid-19. Whilst the Group  
is currently in a relatively fortunate  
position, we are taking the necessary 
steps to ensure we remain flexible.”

Nicholas Braime, Chairman  
12th May 2020

Pressed steel elevator buckets 
Signature Braime product for over 100 years.  
This model “Super Starco” can lift 500 tons per hour of grain

Financial Highlights 2019

Turnover (£m)

Profit from operations (£m)

Profit before tax (£m)

35.7

33.4

31.4

3.2

28.4

26.5

2.3

2.2

2.0

1.4

0.9

3.0

2.2

1.7

1.3

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Profit after tax (£m)

Basic and diluted earnings 
per share (pence)

Dividend per share (pence)

2.2

151.25

11.50

11.60

10.20

9.10

9.30

1.5

1.6

107.05

109.73

94.44

1.3

0.9

59.34

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements2

Group at a glance

Principal activities

The Group manufactures deep drawn metal 
presswork and distributes material handling 
components and monitoring equipment. 
Manufacturing activity is delivered through 
Braime Pressings Limited and the distribution 
activity is through the 4B division.

Our strategy
The main area of the business is the supply of goods and services 
for handling and processing industrial, and in particular, agricultural 
commodities. This sector is currently a growth industry with a 
global market. Our strategy is to invest in increasing our market 
reach while continuing to develop new products. We recently 
launched our latest subsidiary, 4B China, in Changzhou, Jiangsu 
province of China having closely consulted on local opportunities 
with our key customers in the region.

We continue to enhance features of our secure, cloud based 
industrial monitoring solution, Hazardmon which is revolutionary 
for introducing greater levels of transparency and record keeping.

We will continue to investigate new geographical markets.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 20193

BRAIME PRESSINGS
Braime Pressings specialises in metal presswork,  
including deep drawing, multi-stage progression and 
transfer presswork. 

Braime Pressings has 130 years of manufacturing 
experience and a proven record of world class supply  
to the automotive industry and a range of other markets. 
It offers innovative solutions to customer requirements 
and exceed expectations on cost, quality and delivery.

We specialise in the manufacture of the following:

• Deep Drawn Presswork

• Multi Stage Progression

• Transfer Presswork

• Robot Technology

• Sub Assembly

4B GROUP “Better by design”
The 4B division consists of the following companies

• 4B Braime Components Limited, operating

from Leeds, UK

• 4B Elevator Components Limited, operating

from Morton, Illinois, USA

• 4B-France sarl, operating from Lamotte

Warfusee, France

• 4B Africa Elevator Components (Pty) Limited,
operating from Johannesburg, South Africa

• 4B Australia Pty Limited, operating from

Queensland, Australia

• 4B Asia Pacific Company Limited, operating from

Samutprakam, Thailand

• Most recently, the Group opened a new operation,

4B Braime (Changzhou) Industrial Control Equipment
Co Limited, operating from Changzhou, China.

Braime Pressings prides itself on the maintenance and 
continual improvement of a full quality management 
system and is accredited to IATF-ISO.

For more information please visit: 
www.braimepressings.com

The 4B division is an industry leader in developing high 
quality, innovative and dependable material handling 
components for the agricultural and industrial sector,  
from elevator buckets to forged conveyor chain and level 
monitors to hazard monitors. 4B works in close partnership 
with its customers on new designs and on the upgrade  
of existing elevators and conveyors machines.

For more information please visit: www.go4b.com

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements4

Chairman’s statement

In last year’s Statement on the 2018 result, I indicated that the 
results were exceptional due to high demand in the US market.  
In an already exceptional year for sales, margins had been further 
boosted by the steep fall in sterling which substantially increased 
the local gross margins of goods exported from the UK, which 
make up the majority of Group sales. The results in 2018 were then 
further enhanced when overseas profits were consolidated back 
into sterling.

In my Chairman’s Statement for 2018 and my Interim Statement  
in 2019, I also warned that revenues in the year in progress had 
already been effected by much weaker global demand due to the 
reduction in investment following the severe droughts in South 
America and Australia in late 2018, by the general economic 
slowdown in the European market in 2019, and by the negative 
effect on the US Agricultural market caused by Trump’s Trade War 
with China. Additionally, sterling strengthened when the UK left  
the EU, reversing some of the FX gains which had contributed 
to the very strong results in 2018.

The Group’s concentration on the agricultural market, a long-term 
growth sector, is one of our strengths but it does expose our 
business to the year on year fluctuations in the agricultural market. 
This is an area where we can find a way of reducing our future 
dependence, but our vulnerability to large fluctuations in the 
exchange rate is not. We hold funds in a spread of key currencies, 
but hedging is expensive and ultimately unwinds.

The lower result in 2019, while slightly disappointing, remains  
a relatively good year when put in context, and falls within the 
pattern of a long-term increase in the profitability of the Group. 

Braime Pressings Limited specialises in the manufacture of deep 
drawn presswork concentrated on supplies to the commercial 
vehicle industry. In 2019, we were forced to concede “cost downs” 
and additionally sales revenue in the year was lower than in 2018. 
Volume in manufacturing is critical in order to cover high fixed 
costs, so a small decrease in external revenues resulted in a 
disproportionate loss of £250,000 in 2019.

The 4B material handling division markets its products through 
exclusive distributors in approximately 50 countries, 6 regional 
overseas subsidiaries and 2 overseas branches. The division’s niche 
products, both mechanical and electrical, are focused on providing 
innovative engineering solutions. External sales in 2019 were  
£1.4m lower, and together with the other factors explained earlier, 
this resulted in a reduction in profit of £0.6m in this division.

Capital expenditure
In 2019, the Group invested £1.7m in new plant and machinery 
compared to £1.8m in 2018. Major investment has gradually 
transformed the Group’s manufacturing facilities. The increase  
in the outstanding balance of depreciation is a drag on the results, 
but without steady improvements in taking cost out, the ability  
to compete in the long term is lost permanently. The investments  
in 2019 were principally in new manufacturing equipment installed 
in the UK and USA. More detail is given in the Strategic Report.  
In the current year, we have no major planned investment in new 
machinery and the focus is on completing existing projects.

Nicholas Braime  
Chairman

A big thank you to all our staff
I want to begin this year’s Statement by thanking our staff in the UK 
and overseas for their support. At a time when everyone is naturally 
worried for themselves and for their families, our staff have shown 
courage, resilience, and a willingness to learn new skills so they can 
cover for their colleagues. Their ongoing support has been amazing.

Variously they have been working from home or coming into work 
on a rota basis, and where necessary, many staff at all levels have 
continued to work on site in both office and manufacturing 
settings. In turn, we have tried our very best in all our locations  
to create a safe environment and to enable social-distancing. 

Our current trading position
As a result of our staff’s huge efforts, we have been able to 
continue processing, manufacturing and shipping customer orders. 
Demand for our products has remained high in the UK and globally. 
Our manufacturing business supplies oil filters that have to be 
replaced four times a year to keep modern commercial vehicles  
on the road; equally our material handling components are essential 
to distribute and process the cereals used to produce food. 

To meet this demand, we have had to re-introduce manufacturing 
on a 24-hour basis, which is particularly challenging in the current 
circumstance. It is only possible because of the flexibility shown  
by our staff. Some of our overseas subsidiaries were forced to shut 
temporarily but have all now re-opened, including 4B China.  
Other subsidiaries, which were initially closed, have reopened with 
certificates exempting them from local “lockdowns” due to the 
importance of maintaining their supplies. 

We are increasingly confident that by continuing to support our 
customers, we will be able to pull through, survive as a business, 
maintain long term employment and achieve a positive future  
for us all. 

Summary of 2019 results
The world has changed and 2019 now seems a particularly long 
time ago. In 2019, the Group’s sales revenue fell by 6.4% from 
£35.7m to £33.4m but the operating profit fell from £3.2m to 
£2.2m. After deducting interest charges and tax, the net profit  
in 2019 was down £0.9m to £1.3m.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 20195

In January, we announced an investment in a new 2,200m2  
facility to enable 4B France to relocate from their outdated and 
inadequate premises. The decision to construct a modern office and 
warehouse unit for 4B France, our European distribution business, 
was a major part of our strategy to mitigate against the potential 
negative effects of a “No deal” Brexit but remains an essential step 
to maintain and grow our sales in the European market.

Leasing proved difficult and cost prohibitive and would have 
necessitated moving to a more expensive location, in Amiens, 25km 
away, and also required us to compensate our staff for an increase 
in their commuting distance. Instead, we purchased land from an 
adjacent commune, Villers Bretonneux, and are constructing new 
bespoke premises, which will improve operating efficiencies and 
have the additional benefit of almost immediate access to the 
French motorway network. The total project cost is €2.2m, financed 
by a cash investment of €0.5m and bank loans of €1.7m borrowed 
at 1.3% per annum. Relocation is planned for February 2021.

Cash and financial position
After funding capital investments, expenditure and working capital, 
cash outflow at the end of 2019 was £0.8m. More detail follows in 
the Strategic Review. Currently, the Group has available headroom 
of £2.3m which we believe is more than sufficient to operate the 
business, even allowing for the current exceptional circumstances.

Free Trade Agreement with the EU
After three years wasted by internal fighting, and following the 
clear result of the last UK election, the UK finally left the EU on the 
31st January 2020. Hopefully this painful chapter is finally closed 
and the position of the UK Government is unambiguous. Although 
the UK and EU have not yet reached agreement on the terms of  
a Free Trade Deal, given that it remains in their mutual self-interest, 
and even more so now in the dire economic circumstances caused 
by the Coronavirus epidemic, a failure to do so is almost 
unimaginable. No doubt, as usual, final agreement will only be 
achieved at the very last moment.

Dividend
In October 2019 the first interim dividend was increased from  
3.5p to 3.6p. It had been the Board’s intention to increase the 
second interim dividend but after careful thought, the directors 
have decided it is no longer appropriate to do so and instead have 
decided to maintain last year’s dividend of 8.0p, making a total 
dividend for the year of 11.6p. The second interim dividend of 8.0p 
will be paid on the 5th June 2020 to the holders of Ordinary and  
‘A’ Ordinary Shares on the 22nd May 2020. 

2020 AGM
At the time of writing, the UK government has prohibited public 
gatherings and non-essential travel. The 2020 AGM will therefore 
be run as a closed meeting and shareholders will unfortunately not 
be able to attend in person. Shareholders are strongly encouraged 
to submit a proxy vote in advance of the meeting and details of 
how to do this can be found on the notes to the Notice on page 
61. Shareholders are encouraged to appoint the Chairman of the 
meeting as their proxy rather than a named person who will not be 
permitted to attend the meeting. This will ensure your votes are cast 
in accordance with your wishes.

Cold-drawn headed bolts 
Elevator bucket bolts in production

Longer-term outlook and strategy 
In both March and April, we have achieved sales revenues very close 
to our original budget set in December 2019 and demand is likely 
to remain at similar levels for the next few months. While forward 
orders have now fallen very slightly, our customers advise us that 
they currently have several months backlog for projects for 
completion in 2020, which has built up due to the temporary 
closure of construction sites. So, our subsidiaries are hopeful  
of a “bounce” once manufacturing and construction sites re-open.

It is important to emphasise that this is all subject to change,  
as we are in unknown territory and whilst the Group is currently  
in a relatively fortunate position, we are taking the necessary steps 
to ensure we remain flexible, carefully managing our cashflow, and 
keeping expenditure under constant review. 

Going further forward, a decline in the new build of commercial 
vehicles is a strong possibility as demand for new commercial 
vehicles is likely to fall in the current climate. Similarly, while our 
OEM customers who manufacturing new handling and processing 
facilities, currently have full order books for projects to be 
completed in 2020, it is likely that order books will not be refilled 
quickly by new equipment for projects in 2021, as the appetite for 
risk and investment declines and finance becomes less available.

We need to start immediately on finding new ways of working  
for all our staff, both those on site and those working from home. 
At the same time, we must prepare ourselves for the likelihood  
of lower demand while the world economy struggles to recover and 
concentrate ourselves on reducing cost and increasing efficiency.

Our policy has always been to stay close to our customers and  
we will have to find innovative ways of achieving this. Above all  
we need to refocus on our long-term strategy of introducing  
new products and new customers to compensate for the decline  
in existing products if we are to maintain the recent growth of the 
Braime Group. 

Nicholas Braime, Chairman

12th May 2020

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements6

Group strategic report

The directors present their strategic report of the Company and the 
Group for the year ended 31st December 2019.

Principal activities
The principal activities of the Group during the year under review 
was the manufacture of deep drawn metal presswork and the 
distribution of material handling components and monitoring 
equipment. Manufacturing activity is delivered through the Group’s 
subsidiary Braime Pressings Limited and the distribution activity 
through the Group’s 4B division.

Braime Pressings specialises in metal presswork, including deep drawing, 
multi-stage progression and transfer presswork. Founded in 1888, the 
business has over 130 years of manufacturing experience. The metal 
presswork segment operates across several industries including the 
automotive sector and supplies external as well as group customers. 

The subsidiaries within the 4B division are industry leaders in 
developing high quality, innovative and dependable material handling 
components for the agricultural and industrial sectors. They provide a 
range of complementary products including elevator buckets, elevator 
and conveyor belting, elevator bolts and belt fasteners, forged chain, 
level monitors and sensors and controllers for monitoring safety and 
providing preventative maintenance systems which facilitate handling 
and minimise the risk of explosion in hazardous areas. The 4B division 
has operations in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa and 
export to over fifty countries. The US subsidiary also has a new 
injection-molding plant. All injection-molded products are made 
wholly for internal consumption and this is classed as 4B division 
activity rather than included in the manufacturing segment.

Performance highlights
For the year ended 31st December 2019, the Group generated revenue 
of £33.4m, down £2.3m from prior year. Profit from operations was 
£2.2m, down £1.0m from prior year. EBITDA was £3.5m. At 31st 
December 2019, the Group had net assets of £14.3m. The full year 
results are in line with expectations at the half-year, when there were 
indications that the agricultural markets globally were seeing a reduction 
in activity, in part due to the continuing US-Sino tariff retaliations. 

Cash flow
Inventories increased by £0.7m and trade and other receivables 
decreased by £1.0m reflecting the reduced sales activity. These were 
partly offset by a decrease in our trade and other payables of £1.5m. 
In total the business generated funds from operations of £1.7m 
(2018 – £2.4m). The group maintained its programme of investment 
during the year, spending £1.7m on capital items. After the payment 
of other financial costs and the dividend, the cash balance (net of 
overdraft) was £0.7m, a decrease of £0.8m from the prior year.

Bank facilities
The Group’s operating banking facilities are renewed annually. The 
arrangements with HSBC provide sufficient headroom to the Group and 
have allowed us to make the necessary investments in the year. The 
business has good relations with its bankers who are cognizant of the 
general economic uncertainties facing the business as a result of the 
corona virus outbreak and the yet unknown trading rules that will apply 
when transitional arrangements for Brexit terminate at the end of the 
year. The Group has kept abreast of government backed loans and 
grants and will apply for relevant funding as appropriate to its needs.

Taxation
The tax charge for the year was £0.4m, with an effective rate of tax  
of 23% (2018 – 26%). The effective rate is higher than the standard 
UK tax rate of 19% (2018 – 19%), this results from the blending effect 
of the different rates of tax applied by each of the countries in which 
the Group operates, in particular, our operations in the US less group 
reliefs available from losses. In any financial year the effective rate will 
depend on the mix of countries in which profits are made, however  
the Group continues to review its tax profile to minimise the impact. 

Capital expenditure
In 2018, the Group invested £1.7m (2018 – £1.8m) in plant and 
equipment. £0.3m relates to the purchase of a new injection molding 
machine in the USA. Other major investments relate to installation of 
two hydraulic presses and a bolt forming machine in the UK, as well 
as a 190KW solar panel system which will provide circa 25% of the 
UK businesses’ electricity requirements. The Group also introduced  
an automated components washer. Our chief investment plan in 
2020 is the set-up of a new warehouse for 4B France at a cost of 
€2.2m. This will be partly funded from existing cash resources and 
bank facilities. In addition, Bank of Credit du Nord and BPI-France  
are jointly providing a loan of €1.7m repayable over 15 years at  
an interest rate of 1.3%. In the light of the Covid-19 pandemic  
we are keeping a careful review of the timing of funds draw-down. 

Balance sheet
Net assets of the Group have increased to £14.3m (2018 – £13.3m). 
A foreign exchange loss of £0.3m (2018 – gain of £0.2m) was 
recorded on the re-translation of the net assets of the overseas 
operations, which has decreased retained earnings in the year. 

Principal exchange rates
The Group reports its results in sterling, its presentational currency. 
The Group operates in six other currencies and the principal exchange 
rates in use during the year and as at 31st December 2018 are shown 
in the table below. Following the exit of the UK from the EU, sterling 
strengthened against many of the currencies in which we operate 
and consequently as mentioned above the Group’s reserves decreased 
by £0.3m from losses in foreign currency translations.

Currency
Australian Dollar
Chinese Renminbi (Yuan)
Euro
South African Rand
Thai Baht
United States Dollar

Symbol
AUD
CNY
EUR
ZAR
THB
USD

Average rate 
Full year 2019
1.8399
8.8096
1.1443
18.4531
39.5778
1.2807

Average rate 
Full year 2018
1.787
8.700
1.130
17.627
42.962
1.332

Closing rate 
31st Dec 2019
1,8834
9.1501
1.1765
18.5475
39.3460
1.3210

Closing rate 
31st Dec 2018
       1.809
8.676
       1.115
     18.364
     41.301
1.277

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 20197

STRATEGY DRIVERS

ENGINEERING  
LED

IDENTIFY  
OPPORTUNITIES

STRONG  
RELATIONSHIPS 

LONG  
TERM 

VALUED  
EMPLOYEES

Engineering led business 
focussed on the needs  
of the end user

Identify opportunities  
to suit local conditions 
and local markets

Strong relationships  
with long term partners

Long term outlook –  
continuing to invest  
in designs and  
new machinery

Place value on  
employee engagement –  
loyalty and creativity  
and entrepreneurship

Our business model
The two segments of the Group are very different operations  
and serve different markets, however together they provide 
diversification, strength and balance to the Group and their activities.

The focus of the manufacturing business is to produce quality, 
technically demanding components. The use of automated 
equipment allows us to produce in high volumes whilst maintaining 
flexibility to respond to customer demands.

The material handling components business operates from a number of 
locations around the globe allowing us to be close to our core markets. 
The focus of the business is to provide innovative solutions drawing on 
our expertise in material handling and access to a broad product range.

Performance of Braime Pressings Limited, 
manufacturer of deep drawn metal presswork
Braime Pressings Limited sales fell by £1.3m compared to prior year. 
Intercompany sales and external sales were £3.4m each as compared 
to £3.9m and £4.3m respectively in 2018. This has resulted in a loss for 
the period of £0.3m (2018 – profit £0.1m). The manufacturing arm 
continues to face pricing pressures in a highly competitive environment, 
however the board believes the business continues to add strategic 
value through its supply to the 4B division and complementary 
engineering expertise.

Performance of the 4B division, world wide 
distributor of components and monitoring systems 
for the material handling industry
Revenues fell from £37.9m to £36.2m, with external sales down 
£1.4m. The 4B group sales were affected by the US-Sino trade war 
but a significant reduction in sales was in the UK and European 
market which fell by £1.4m compared to 2018. Last year’s sales were 
particularly high due to stock build in anticipation of Brexit. Profit for 
the period fell by £0.6m to £1.8m as a result of reduced sales.

We continue to invest in product development and enhance features 
of our secure, cloud based industrial monitoring solution, Hazardmon 
which is revolutionary for introducing greater levels of transparency 
and record keeping.

The Covid-19 pandemic casts a long shadow over the global 
economy and all businesses. It is too early to assess its impact on the 
Group’s performance in 2020 and revenues and profits may be 
affected over the coming months. The Group’s underlying business 
model is on a solid base and its wide geographical presence in the 
agricultural equipment sector, which is essential for the maintenance 
of food supply, provides it with some buffer in the current turbulent 
economic climate. With the continuing support of its bankers, the 
loyalty of its dedicated employees and its longstanding customers  
and partners, the Group remains positive it will weather these 
adversities.

Key performance indicators
The Group uses the following key performance indicators to assess the 
performance of the Group as a whole and of the individual businesses:

Key performance indicator
Turnover growth
Gross margin
Operating profit
Stock days
Debtor days

Notes to KPI’s
1. Turnover growth  

Note
1
2
3
4
5

2019 
(6.4%)
49.1% 
£2.21m 
176 days 
57 days 

2018 
13.6% 
48.4% 
£3.24m 
141 days 
56 days 

The Group aims to increase shareholder value by measuring the 
year on year growth in Group revenue. Whilst 2019 is down on 
the prior year, 2018 was an exceptional year, with sales increasing 
from stock-build up by customers in anticipation of Brexit.

2. Gross margin  

Gross profit (revenue plus change in inventories less raw 
materials used) as a percentage of revenue is monitored to 
maximise profits available for reinvestment and distribution to 
shareholders. The year on year improvement in margin has 
resulted from operational efficiencies in the supply chain.

3. Operating profit  

Sustainable growth in operating profit is a strategic priority  
to enable ongoing investment and increase shareholder value. 
Reduced turnover has impacted operating profit which has  
also been affected by sterling strengthening. The Group’s 
investment in new plant and machinery over the past two  
years has increased its depreciation expense.

4. Stock days  

The average value of inventories divided by raw materials and 
consumables used and changes in inventories of finished goods and 
work in progress expressed as a number of days is monitored to 
ensure the right level of stocks are held in order to meet customer 
demands whilst not carrying excessive amounts which impacts upon 
working capital requirements. Stockholding has increased in part 
due to the timing of orders in the UK close to the year end. 

5. Debtor days  

The average value of trade receivables divided by revenue 
expressed as a number of days. This is an important indicator of 
working capital requirements. Debtor days still average within the 
standard payment terms of 60 days, however senior management 
are focused on reducing this to improve cash.

Other metrics monitored weekly or monthly include quality measures 
(such as customer complaints), raw materials buying prices, capital 
expenditure, line utilisation, reportable accidents and near-misses.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements8

Group strategic report (continued)

Adoption of new standard IFRS 16

The Group adopted IFRS 16 at 1st January 2019. Please refer  
to note 9 for details.

Principal risks and uncertainties
Coronavirus Covid-19 
At the time of writing, the Covid-19 pandemic presents by far the 
largest risk and uncertainty facing all businesses world-wide. The risk 
presents itself in various forms, including but not limited to the threat 
of continuity of supplies, the health of our employees, the ability of 
customers to meet payments, and currency fluctuations resulting 
from government interventions. 

The Group supplies essential components parts into the agricultural 
materials handling sector and it is anticipated that governments will 
take all necessary steps to protect the food supply chain. Consequently, 
the Group does not expect that governments will shut down its 
operations (at least not for any length of time) as has been the case 
with the hospitality and leisure industries. Early indications are that 
demand for staple milled products such as rice and flour is on the 
increase. Nevertheless, threats emerge from key personnel becoming 
infected with the virus, suppliers being unable to fulfil orders, be it 
raw materials or inventory supplies or logistics partners unable to 
conduct deliveries. The Group has invoked its Business Continuity Plan 
and as far as possible put in place contingency measures to maintain 
operations, including the retraining of personnel in key processes, 
social distancing and reviewing alternative suppliers. The Group’s key 
objective is to ensure the safety and well-being of our employees, 
while continuing to trade as normally as possible. The Group is closely 
monitoring developments with its various subsidiaries as new 
announcements unfold, to ensure that the businesses can respond 
with agility to guidance and mandates, and in order to avail itself of 
the relevant government support as they become available.

General risks
The market remains challenging for our manufacturing division, due  
to pricing pressures throughout the supply chain. The maintenance  
of the TS16949 quality standard is important to the Group and allows 
it to access growing markets within the automotive and other sectors. 
A process of continual improvement in systems and processes reduces 
this risk as well as providing increased flexibility to allow the business 
to respond to customer requirements.

Our 4B division maintains its competitive edge in a price sensitive 
market through the provision of engineering expertise and  
by working closely with our suppliers to design and supply innovative 
components of the highest standard. In addition, ranges of 
complementary products are sold into different industries. The 
monitoring systems are developed and improved on a regular basis.

The directors receive monthly reports on key customer and operational 
metrics from subsidiary management and review these. The potential 
impact of business risks and actions necessary to mitigate the risks, are 
also discussed and considered at the monthly board meetings. During 
the year the directors undertook a formal business continuity planning 
exercise with respect to its UK operations. The more significant risks 
and uncertainties faced by the Group are set out below:-

•  Raw material price fluctuation:- The Group is exposed to 

fluctuations in steel and other raw material prices and to mitigate 
this volatility, the Group fixes its prices with suppliers where possible. 

•  Reputational risk:- As the Group operates in relatively small markets 
any damage to, or loss of reputation could be a major concern.  

Rigorous management attention and quality control procedures  
are in place to maximise right first time and on time delivery. 
Responsibility is taken for ensuring swift remedial action on any 
issues and complaints.

•  Damage to warehouse or factory:- Any significant damage to  

a factory or warehouse will cause short-term disruption. To mitigate 
these risks, the Group has arrangements with key suppliers to step 
up supply in the event of a disruption.

•  Brexit impact:- The Group, along with other businesses, faces 

economic and political uncertainty in the future resulting from the UK 
leaving the EU as the trade deal with the EU is yet to be determined 
when the transitional arrangements end on 31st December 2020. 
However, the directors consider that its operations in Europe provide 
the group with further trading options and the fact that  
three-quarters of the Group’s revenues are derived from markets 
outside the EU provides the Group with some resilience to any impact.

•  Economic fluctuations:- The Group derives a significant proportion 

of its profits from outside the UK and is therefore sensitive to 
fluctuations in the economic conditions of overseas operations 
including foreign currency fluctuations. 

Financial instruments
The operations expose the Group to a variety of financial risks 
including the effect of changes in interest rates on debt, foreign 
exchange rates, credit risk and liquidity risk.

The Group’s exposure in the areas identified above are discussed  
in note 17 of the financial statements.

The Group’s principal financial instruments comprise sterling and foreign 
cash and bank deposits, bank loans and overdrafts, other loans and 
obligations under finance leases together with trade debtors and trade 
creditors that arise directly from operations. The main risks arising from 
the Group’s financial instruments can be analysed as follows:

Price risk
The Group has no significant exposure to securities price risk,  
as it holds no listed equity instruments.

Foreign currency risk
The Group has a centralised treasury function which manages the 
Group’s banking facilities and all lines of funding. Forward contracts 
are on occasions used to hedge against foreign exchange differences 
arising on cash flows in currencies that differ from the operational 
entity’s reporting currency.

Credit risk
The Group’s principal financial assets are bank balances, cash  
and trade receivables, which represent the Group’s maximum 
exposure to credit risk in relation to financial assets.

The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. 
Credit risk is mitigated by a stringent management of customer credit 
limits by monitoring the aggregate amount and duration of exposure 
to any one customer depending upon their credit rating. The Group 
also has credit insurance in place. The amounts presented in the 
balance sheet are net of allowance 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 significant concentration of credit risk, with 
exposure spread over a large number of counterparties and customers.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 2019 
 
9

Liquidity risk
The Group’s policy has been to ensure continuity of funding 
through acquiring an element of the Group’s fixed assets under 
finance leases and arranging funding for operations via  
medium-term loans and overdrafts to aid short term flexibility.

Cash flow interest rate risk
Interest rate bearing assets comprise cash and bank deposits, all  
of which earn interest at a fixed rate. The interest rate on the bank 
overdraft is at market rate and the Group’s policy is to keep the 
overdraft within defined limits such that the risk that could arise from 
a significant change in interest rates would not have a material impact 
on cash flows. The Group’s policy is to maintain other borrowings  
at fixed rates to fix the amount of future interest cash flows.

The directors monitor the level of borrowings and interest costs to 
limit any adverse effects on the financial performance of the Group.

Health and safety
We maintain healthy and safe working conditions on our sites  
and measure our ability to keep employees and visitors safe. We 
continuously aim to improve our working environments to ensure 
we are able to provide safe occupational health and safety 
standards to our employees and visitors. The directors receive 
monthly H&S reports and we carry out regular risk management 
audits to identify areas for improvement and to minimise safety 
risks. Our H&S manager has been involved in formulating plans 
and procedures in the event of an outbreak of the Covid-19 virus 
in our premises. As part of our precautionary measures we have 
introduced social distancing and hand sanitisers in our factory and 
those able to work from home are enabled to do so. As a global 
business, the Group is able to tap into the experience of its various 
international locations to share best practice and learning points.

Research and development
The Group continues to invest in research and development and 
regularly liaises with university engineering groups with a view to 
improving features of its products. This has resulted in innovations in 
the products which will benefit the Group in the medium to long term.

Duties to promote the success of the Company
Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 requires the directors to act 
in a way that 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, and in doing so have regard (amongst other matters) to:

•  the most likely consequences of any decision in the long term;
•  the interest of the Company’s employees;
•  the need to foster the Company’s business relationships with 

suppliers, customers and others;

•  the impact of the Company’s operations on the community and 

the environment;

•  the desirability of the Company maintaining a reputation for 

high standards of business conduct; and

•  the need to act fairly between the members of the Company.

The Board confirms that, during the year, it has had regard to the 
matters set out above. 

Further details as to how the directors have fulfilled their duties are 
set out below and in the Governance Report which in particular, 
expands on directors’ duties and stakeholder liaison. 

Business ethics and human rights
The Board is respectful of the Company’s long history, and considers 
the long-lasting impact of its decisions. We are committed to 
conducting our business ethically and responsibly, and treating 
employees, customers, suppliers and shareholders in a fair, open  
and honest manner. As a business, we receive audits by both our 
independent auditors and by our customers and we look to source 
from suppliers who share our values. We encourage our employees  
to provide feedback on any issues they are concerned about and have 
a whistle-blowing policy that gives our employees the chance to 
report anything they believe is not meeting our required standards.

The Group is similarly committed to conducting our business  
in a way that is consistent with universal values on human rights  
and complying with the Human Rights Act 1998. The Group gives 
appropriate consideration to human rights issues in our approach  
to supply chain management, overseas employment policies and 
practices. Where appropriate, we support community partnering. 

Employees
The quality and commitment of our people has played a major role 
in our business success. This has been demonstrated in many ways, 
including improvements in customer satisfaction, the development 
of our product lines and the flexibility they have shown in adapting 
to changing business requirements. Employee performance is aligned 
to the achievement of goals set within each subsidiary and is rewarded 
accordingly. Employees are encouraged to use their skills to best effect 
and are offered training either externally or internally to achieve this.  
As a global business, the Group fully recognises and seeks to harness 
the benefits of diversity within its work force. The Group is grateful  
to its employees for continuing to come to work in what is a worrying 
time for themselves and their families. 

Environment
The Group’s policy with regard to the environment is to understand 
and effectively manage the actual and potential environmental 
impact of our activities. Operations are conducted such that we 
comply with all legal requirements relating to the environment in all 
areas where we carry out our business. The Group continuously 
looks for ways to harness energy reduction (electricity and gas) and 
water. In 2019, the Company installed a 190KW solar system on its 
UK premises, this green energy will provide 25% of the UK’s current 
electricity requirements. During the period of this report the Group 
has not incurred any fines or penalties or been investigated for any 
breach of environmental regulations.

Social and community matters
We recognise our responsibility to work in partnership with the 
communities in which we operate and we encourage active employee 
support for their community in particular, in aid of technical 
awareness and training. During the year, we participated in a number 
of education events encouraging interest in engineering in young 
people. It is our policy not to provide political donations.

On behalf of the board

Cielo Cartwright, Group Finance Director 
12th May 2020

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements10

The Board

Nicholas Braime  
Chairman

Alan Braime  
Group Commercial Director

Carl Braime  
Group Sales Director

Nicholas Braime was appointed Chairman in 
1987. He joined the Group in 1972 and was 
instrumental in the set-up of the 4B division’s 
USA business in 1984, where he spent a 
number of years before returning as Sales 
Director for Braime Pressings Limited. Nicholas 
is also the Group Managing Director and  
is responsible for overseeing the overseas 
subsidiaries, with the managing directors of 
these businesses reporting to Nicholas. Nicholas 
has built close relationships with the company’s 
key suppliers over several decades and has  
a clear vision of expansion for the business  
in strategic locations.

Alan Braime is the Group Commercial Director. 
Alan qualified as a chartered accountant with 
KPMG where he worked for four years before 
joining the Group. Alan joined the board in 2010. 
Alan oversees the commercial operations of 
Braime Pressings Limited and is also responsible 
for the Group’s IT operations and strategy.  
Alan has spent considerable time on the 
implementation and development of the Group’s 
ERP systems, giving him a unique perspective  
into the impact of technology on the group’s 
business drivers.

Carl Braime is the Group Sales Director. Carl 
joined the Group in 2003 and spent a number 
of years in South America with the Group prior 
to being appointed to the board in 2010.  
He is responsible for overseeing strategic 
customer relationships, as well as the 
management of key supply chains in the 4B 
division. Carl has built up a strong expertise  
and know-how of the group’s product offerings 
and technologies, and their interdependencies.

Cielo Cartwright  
Group Finance Director

Andrew Walker  
Non-executive

Peter Alcock  
Non-executive

Andrew Walker, non-executive, is a corporate 
lawyer. He was the Managing Partner of Simpson 
Curtis, Senior Partner of Pinsent Curtis, Leeds  
and former President of the Leeds Chamber  
of Commerce. Andrew has held a number  
of non-executive and trustee roles. Andrew is 
particularly interested in governance matters  
and his legal training makes his contribution  
to the discussion of risks particularly valuable.

Peter Alcock, non-executive, is a mechanical 
engineer and brings a deep understanding 
of engineering processes having been, for 32 
years, director of Hunslet Holdings PLC, a key 
manufacturer of locomotives, mining equipment 
and machine tools originally founded in 1864 
and whose operations now form part of the 
Wabtec Corporation in the US. Peter is the 
Senior Independent Director.

Cielo Cartwright, Group Finance Director, joined 
the Group in January 2018. Cielo qualified  
as a chartered accountant with EY and has  
been divisional finance director in various public 
listed companies including KCOM plc and  
NEXT plc. She was Group FD of Chaucer Foods,  
a private-equity owned multinational 
manufacturer and before joining the Group,  
she was at Froneri, a JV of Nestle SA. Cielo’s 
extensive experience in international businesses 
makes her fully attuned to the cultural issues  
of global operations and their impact on 
financial management. Cielo is on the board  
of governors of Leeds Becketts University and  
is a member of the regional advisory board  
of Make UK for Yorkshire and the Humber. 

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201911

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Corporate governance report

Chairman’s statement on corporate governance 
At Braime we recognise that high standards of corporate governance 
underpin our continuing success.

We continually review the framework within which we operate  
and the processes implemented to ensure that they reflect the 
complexities of our business and, whilst acknowledging our size,  
are also capable of adding value as the business grows to ensure 
that the stakeholders interests are always aligned with the Company. 
The Company seeks guidance from the Quoted Companies Alliance, 
as set out in their 2018 publication, “The QCA Corporate 
Governance Code”.

The board sets out the overall strategic direction for the Group, 
regularly reviews management performance and ensures that the 
Group has the right level of resources available to support our strategic 
goals. The board is satisfied that the necessary controls and resources 
are in place such that these responsibilities can be properly addressed.

Within the Group we promote a culture of good governance  
in dealing with all key stakeholders: our employees, our customers  
and our shareholders. The following report describes our corporate 
governance structures and processes and how they have been 
applied throughout the year ended 31st December 2019. The board 
considers that it has complied with the recommendations of the 
QCA Code throughout the year with the exception of the role of 
Chairman and chief executive being fulfilled by a single individual, 
this is commented on further below.

Principles and approach
As an AIM company, Braime Group PLC is not required to comply 
with the UK Corporate Governance Code (the ‘Code’) which applies 
only to fully listed UK companies and adherence to which requires 
the commitment of significant resources and cost. However high 
standards of corporate governance are a key priority of the board 
and details of how the Company addresses key governance issues 
are set out in the Corporate Governance section of the Group 
website by reference to the 10 Principles of Corporate Governance 
developed by the Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA). 

Strategy and risks
The Strategic Report on pages 6 to 9 sets out our strategy, which 
focuses on increasing our geographical reach in global markets, and 
developing new products to enhance our offering, particularly in the 
agricultural commodities sector. Our strategy setting includes review 
of the principal risks pertaining to the business and the extent to 
which the Group is able and willing to bear these risks. During the 
year, the executive directors undertook a business continuity 
planning exercise to understand its exposure to loss of key staff, 
suppliers, customers and other natural catastrophic events, enabling 
the generation of a risk register. The principal risks facing the 
business are set out in pages 8 and 9 of the Strategic Report. 
Insurance of key risks is an integral part of the group’s risk 
management framework, and the board actively reviews its cover 
requirements on an ongoing, and at least annual, basis.

The duties of the board of directors
The board is responsible for the overall operations of the Group, 
including strategic planning, approval of the annual budget, changes  
to the Group’s financing arrangements, acquisition and disposals, 
material contract and significant capital expenditure. It meets monthly 
to discuss reports from the overseas operations and to assess and action 
areas of significant change, risks and opportunities for the Group.

The board’s time can be grouped into six key areas as outlined below.  
A portion of their time is also spent on administrative matters.

Strategy

•  Setting strategic targets.
•  Reviewing new business developments, including 

potential acquisitions.
•  Research and technology.

Risk

•  Group’s risk and internal control framework.

Governance

•  Legal updates and new disclosure requirements.
•  Internal board review.
•  Succession planning.

Finance

•  Budget approval.
•  Oversight of the preparation and management  

of the financial statements.

•  Dividend policy.
•  Pensions strategy.

Stakeholder 
engagement

•  AGM and other shareholder feedback.
•  Investor calls and meetings.

Safety

•  Health & safety monthly updates and 

management.

The powers of the directors are set out in the Company’s Articles  
of Association. In addition, the directors have responsibilities and 
duties under legislation, in particular the Companies Act 2006.

Composition of the board
During the year ended 31st December 2019 the board comprised  
4 executive directors and 2 non-executive directors. The Group 
Financial Director also serves as Company Secretary to the board. 

The board members’ experience and areas of expertise can be 
found in the board biography section on page 10. The board  
is committed to the promotion of gender balance and diversity 
within its workforce. There are currently three male executive 
members and one female executive board member and two male 
non-executive independent board members. 

The Company has periodically held briefings for directors covering 
regulations that are relevant to their role as directors of an AIM 
quoted company. Historically, these briefings have coincided with 
significant changes in regulations and accounting standards, 
however going forward, the Company proposes that such briefings 
should be held at a minimum on an annual basis. The Company  
has not sought external advice on keeping directors’ skills up  
to date but the directors believe that their blend of formal 
qualifications, past and ongoing experience provides them with  
the relevant up-to-date skills needed to act as board members  
for a company of its size.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201912

Corporate governance report (continued)

Board committees
The board operates a number of committees as set out below, these 
are also available on the Group website.

Remuneration committee
The executive directors’ pay is subject to the decision of the whole 
board and not of a separate committee. However, a separate meeting 
takes place annually whereby the non-executives receive and consider 
recommendations from the Chairman of proposed pay for key 
personnel including executive directors. Any significant awards  
to senior management are also discussed by the whole board.  
The Company’s policy on directors’ remuneration is discussed further 
in the directors’ remuneration report. The directors believe this  
is adequate for a group of this size. 

Audit and risk committee
The whole board formally receives presentation of audit and risk 
matters from the Group’s independent statutory auditors at least once 
a year. The consideration of business risks is a standing item on the 
board’s agenda. The board considers that the size of the Group does 
not justify an internal audit function but continues to assess the 
requirement for an internal audit function under review. 

Nomination committee
The Company uses the whole board to consider matters of 
nomination and succession. The nomination committee ensures there 
is a robust process for the appointment of new board directors, and 
works to identify the skills, experience, personal qualities and 
capabilities required for the next stage in the Company’s 
development, linking the Company’s strategy to future changes.  
The nomination committee also discusses the appointment and 
replacement of senior management within the Group.

The board members are collectively and legally responsible for 
promoting the interests of the Company and for defining corporate 
governance arrangements. Ultimately, the quality of and approach  
to governance lies with the chair. The QCA Code recommends that 
there should be a clear division of responsibility between the running 
of the board and executive responsibilities for running the Company.

The Chairman is responsible for:

•  setting the board agenda;

•  the leadership of the board and ensuring its effectiveness  

on all aspects of its role;

•  providing strategic insight from his long business experience  

in the industry and with the Company; and

•  providing a sounding board for the executives on key business 

decisions and challenging proposals where appropriate.

The executive directors are responsible for:

•  the day-to-day management of the Group’s business;

•  leading the business and the rest of the management team  

in accordance with the strategy agreed by the board;

•  leading the development of the Group’s strategy with input from 

the rest of the board;

•  leading the management team in the implementation of the 

Group’s strategy; and

•  bringing matters of particular significance to the board for 
discussion and consideration by the board if appropriate.

The roles of Chairman and chief executive are fulfilled by Nicholas 
Braime. This is a departure from the recommendation of the QCA 
code however the board considers this practical arrangement 
enables the Group to utilise Nicholas’ deep knowledge of the 
business and his extensive relationships with key stakeholders, 
whilst at the same time benefiting from his strategic vision.  
Given the size of the business, the board believes Nicholas  
is currently best placed to lead the development and execution  
of the Group strategy. In his role as Chairman, he is ably supported 
by the two non-executive directors who actively participate in the 
development of governance structures. The board will continue  
to assess these structures as the Group grows.

The role of Company Secretary is fulfilled by Cielo Cartwright,  
the Group Finance Director. The Company Secretary liaises with 
the Chairman and the independent directors in the preparation  
of board meetings, including the timely provision of information. 
The Company Secretary also acts as a link between the Company 
and shareholders on matters of governance and investor relations. 
The Company is aware that at certain times, it may become 
necessary to separate the role of executive and secretary and 
should such events occur, takes the appropriate steps to do so.

Board attendance and agenda
The board met 12 times throughout the year. In addition to the 
regular scheduled meetings throughout the year, unscheduled 
supplementary meetings may also take place as and when 
necessary. Directors who are unable to attend a particular meeting 
receive relevant briefing papers and are given the opportunity to 
discuss any issues with the Chairman or the Group Finance Director.

To enable the directors of the board to carry out their responsibilities 
all directors are provided access to all relevant information.  
The board has a schedule of matters for its discussion, which  
is reviewed against best practice. A summary of matters reserved  
for the schedule is available on the Group’s website.

In advance of all board meetings the directors are supplied with 
papers covering the Group’s strategy and operations. Members  
of the executive management team can attend and make 
presentations as appropriate at meetings of the board.

Details of the number of meetings of the board during the period 
are set out in the table below. There were no new appointments  
to the board during the period.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201913

Meeting attendance during 2019

Director

Board
(12)

Audit & Risk
Committee (1)

Remuneration
Committee (1)

O. N. A. Braime

A. Q. Braime

C. O. Braime

C. Cartwright

A. W. Walker

P. J. O. Alcock

11

12

10

12

11

11

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

—

—

—

1

1

Board evaluation
The board continues to evaluate improvements to its conduct  
of business. Improvements have continued to be implemented 
throughout the year. During 2019, presentations from MD’s of key 
subsidiaries have taken place to provide the non-executive directors 
with a greater opportunity to hear the diverse nature of the Group’s 
operations first hand and there is a rolling programme of such 
presentations set out for 2020.

Performance targets are set as part of the budgeting process. 
Evaluation of the performance of the board has historically been 
implemented in an informal manner whereby the Chairman 
appraised the individual performance of the directors and the 
non-executives met and appraised the performance of the 
executives. Going forward, the board will formally review and 
consider the performance of each director using a process which  
is currently under development. The process and its results will  
be published at a future date. 

On an ongoing basis, board members maintain a watching brief  
to identify relevant internal and external candidates who may be 
suitable additions to or backup for current board members. However, 
the directors consider that the company is too small to either have an 
internal succession plan and it would not be cost effective to maintain 
an external candidate list prior to the need arising. Key performance 
indicators are set out in the Strategic Report. 

Support
Directors can obtain independent professional advice at the 
Company’s expense in performance of their duties as directors. 
None of the directors obtained independent professional advice  
in the period under review. All directors have access to the advice 
and the services of the Company Secretary. In addition to these 
formal roles, the non-executive directors have access to senior 
management of the business either by telephone or via 
involvement at informal meetings. At least annually, our nominated 
advisor (NOMAD) is invited to a board meeting to provide training 
updates on directors’ duties and any legislative changes.

Directors’ conflict of interests
The Companies Act 2006 and the Company’s Articles of 
Association require the board to consider any potential conflicts  
of interest. The board has procedures for managing and, where 
appropriate, authorising actual or potential conflicts of interest. 

Elevator belts being slit and punched to order 
PLC controlled belt slitting and punching operations

Under those procedures, directors are required to declare at board 
meetings all directorships or other appointments to organisations 
that are not part of the Group and which could result in actual  
or potential conflicts of interest, as well as other situations which 
could result in a potential conflict of interest.

The board is required to review directors’ actual or potential 
conflicts of interest at least annually. Directors are required to 
disclose proposed new appointments to the Chairman before 
taking them on, to ensure that any potential conflicts of interest 
can be identified and addressed appropriately. Any potential 
conflicts of interest in relation to proposed directors are considered 
by the board prior to their appointment. In this financial year there 
have been no declared conflicts of interest.

Elections
The Company’s Articles of Association provide that one third of the 
directors retire by rotation each year at the AGM.

Relations with stakeholders
As required under by Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006, 
directors preside over the Group for the benefit of all stakeholders. 
Decisions taken by the board are always cognizant of the impact  
of each stakeholder group. Fundamentally, the goal is the long-term 
sustainable growth of the business, which will see returns  
to shareholders increasing, enable employees to realise their 
ambitions, and support customers in achieving their goals. 

The directors consider the key stakeholders of the Group to fall into 
the following categories: its employees, its shareholders, customers, 
suppliers and other business-related parties. 

Employees as stakeholders
The directors are committed to providing a working environment 
that promote employee’s wellbeing whilst facilitating their 
performance. Further details of employee engagement can be 
found in the Group Strategic Report. 

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Strategic reportGovernanceFinancial statements14

Braime Group PLC
Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Corporate governance report (continued)

Shareholders as stakeholders
The board recognises and values the importance of good 
communications with all shareholders. The Company engages  
with shareholders through the Group’s website and at the AGM.  
At the AGM, a presentation of the business activity and outlook  
is presented by the Chairman. The feedback from shareholders 
attending the most recent AGM has been very positive. 
Responsibility for shareholder liaison rests with the Chairman,  
and in his absence, with the Company Secretary. All reports and 
updates are made available on the Group’s website.

The AGM provides all shareholders with the opportunity to develop 
further their understanding of the Company. It is the principal 
forum for all the directors to engage in dialogue with private 
investors. All shareholders are given the opportunity to raise 
questions on any matter at the meeting. The Group aims to send 
notices of Annual General Meetings to shareholders at least 21 
clear days before the meeting. Notices of the AGM are available  
on the Group’s website. Following the AGM the voting results  
for each resolution are published and are available on the Group’s 
website. The Group’s website www.braimegroup.com provides all 
historical RNS announcements, interim reports and annual reports. 

Customers and other stakeholders
The directors ensure that stakeholder management plans are  
in place for key customers and key suppliers. Directors ensure  
that appropriate levels of management time is afforded to meet 
with customers to understand their needs and with key suppliers  
to forge a strong, mutually beneficial partnership built on the 
principles of respect and long-term outlook. 

Maintaining a reputation for high standards  
of business conduct
The board believes that the promotion of a corporate culture based 
on sound ethical values and behaviours is essential to maximise 
shareholder value. The companies in the Group maintain 
handbooks which include clear guidance on what is expected of 
every employee and officer of the Company and further 
development of this guidance is being undertaken to continually 
strive for high standards. Staff matters are discussed at every board 
meeting and the board considers examples of behaviours that 
either aligns with or are at odds with the Group’s stated values.  
The directors believe that the Company’s culture encourages 
collaborative, ethical behaviour which benefits employees, clients 
and stakeholders. It is committed to conducting business ethically 
and responsibly, treating employees, customers, suppliers and 
shareholders in a fair, open and honest manner. We aim to 
maintain healthy and safe working conditions on all our sites  
and measure our ability to keep employees and visitors safe.  
We encourage our employees to provide feedback on any issues 
they are concerned about and the directors maintain a culture  
of accessibility and fair play and travel extensively to keep in touch 
with all areas of the business. The directors believe that all 
employees and contractors have worked in line with the Group’s 
values during this financial year.

Fair, balanced and understandable
The directors have also reviewed the financial statements and taken 
as a whole consider them to be fair, balanced and understandable, 
and provide the information necessary for shareholders to assess 
the Company’s performance, business model and strategy and 
have considered the need to act fairly as between the members  
of the Company.

VNA racking  
Maximising warehouse efficiency and capacity

Directors’ report

The directors present their annual report and financial statements 
for the year ended 31st December 2019.

Results and dividends
The profit for the year after taxation and transferred to reserves  
was £1,349,000 (2018 – £2,229,000). No dividend is to be 
proposed at the Annual General Meeting, but the interim dividends 
will be confirmed.

Change of name
The Company changed its name from T.F. & J.H. Braime (Holdings) 
P.L.C. to Braime Group PLC on 9th August 2019.

Directors
The directors who served during the year and their beneficial interests 
in the shares of the Company are detailed below:

31st December 2019 

1st January 2019

Peter Alcock
Ordinary shares
‘A’ Ordinary shares

Alan Braime
Ordinary shares

Carl Braime
Ordinary shares

Nicholas Braime
Ordinary shares

Cielo Cartwright
Ordinary shares

Andrew Walker
Ordinary shares
‘A’ Ordinary shares

1,000
5,000

1,000
5,000

35,175

35,175

35,175

35,175

143,400

143,400

—

100
300

—

100
300

In accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association  
O. N. A. Braime retires by rotation and, being eligible, offers  
himself for re-election. 

In accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association  
P. J. O. Alcock retires by rotation and, being eligible, offers himself  
for re-election. 

None of the directors had a beneficial interest in any contract  
to which the Company or a subsidiary company was a party during 
the financial year.

The Company has made qualifying third party indemnity provisions  
for the benefit of its directors and officers. The indemnity was in  
force throughout the tenure of each director during the year and  
is currently in force. The Company also maintains Directors’ and 
Officers’ liability insurance in respect of itself and its directors.

15

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Substantial shareholdings
The Company has been notified that as at 16th April 2020, apart 
from the directors, only the following persons are beneficially 
interested in more than 3% of the Ordinary shares of the Company:

CGWL Nominees Limited 
A/C GC1

Hargreaves Lansdown 
(Nominees) Limited 
A/C HLNOM

Ordinary shares held 

Percentage 

72,500 

15.10% 

31,447 

6.55% 

Mrs P. V. Smith

27,500 

5.73% 

Ferlim Nominees Limited 
Des. POOLED

W B Nominees Limited  
A/C ISAMAX

26,063 

5.43% 

21,600 

4.50% 

Mrs A. Barnes

16,655 

3.47% 

Internal controls
The board is responsible for the Group’s system of internal control and 
reviewing its effectiveness. Identification and evaluation of risks is an 
integral part of the board’s planning process. Controls within the 
Group are designed to provide the board with reasonable assurance 
regarding the maintenance of proper accounting records, the reliability 
of financial information and the safeguarding of assets. The Group’s 
system of internal control is designed to manage rather than eliminate 
the risk of failure to achieve business objectives. It can only provide 
reasonable and not absolute assurance against material loss or 
misstatement. The board considers that the size of the Group does 
not justify an internal audit function, but continues to keep the need 
for an internal audit function under review. The board has conducted 
a review of the effectiveness of the Company’s risk management and 
internal control systems.

Section 172 statement
The board states its compliance with s172(1) of the Companies Act 
2006. Details as to how the directors have fulfilled their duties can 
be found in the Group Strategic Report and the Governance Report. 

Going concern
The Group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to 
affect its future development, performance and position are set out 
in the Group Strategic Report on pages 6 to 9, in particular the risks 
surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic. The financial position of the 
Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are 
also described in the Group Strategic Report. Note 1 to the accounts 
expands on the directors’ rationale for the preparation of the 
financial statements on a going concern basis in the light of the 
Covid-19 post balance sheet event. In addition, note 17 to the 
financial statements includes the Group’s objectives, policies and 
processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management 
objectives; details of its financial instruments and hedging activities; 
and its exposure to credit risk and liquidity risk. 

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201916

Directors’ report (continued)

Going concern (continued)
As noted in its strategic report, the Group operates in a number  
of currencies other than sterling, its principal currency. The exchange 
rate between sterling, the US dollar and the euro and the price  
of raw materials creates inherent uncertainty over the future gross 
margin of the Group. 

The Group’s net cash figure decreased from an opening figure  
of £1.5m to £663,000 as at 31st December 2019. 

During the period the Group funding of working capital increased 
by £1.2m principally arising from an increase in inventory and a 
decrease in trade and other payables which were only partly offset 
by decreases in trade and other receivables. Inventories increased by 
£701,000. Overall cash derived from operating activities generated 
£1.8m (2018 – £2.4m) net of the increased working capital funding. 

At 31st December 2019, the available headroom within the Group’s 
borrowing facilities amounted to £1.5m. The directors are of the 
continued view that through its Group banking partner it has 
sufficient access to financial resources. At the time of writing, the 
Company has obtained additional £1.0m of overdraft facility to 
reduce exposure to liquidity risks that may arise from Covid-19.

The Group has contracts with a number of customers and suppliers 
across different geographic areas and industries which act to 
mitigate the volatility in any one area. The Group’s forecasts and 
projections, taking account reasonably possible changes in trading 
performance, show that there is no substantial risk that the Group 
will not be able to operate within the level of its current facilities.

After due consideration, the directors confirm that they have a 
reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate 
resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. 
Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing 
the Company’s and the Group’s financial statements.

Statement of directors’ responsibilities
The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report, the 
directors’ report, the directors’ remuneration report and the financial 
statements in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for 
each financial year. Under that law the directors have prepared the 
Group financial statements in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union and the 
rules of the London Stock Exchange for companies trading on the AIM. 
The directors have chosen to prepare financial statements for the 
Company in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting 
Practice. 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 the Company and of 
the profit or loss of the Group for that period. 

•  state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards 

have been followed by the parent Company and applicable IFRSs as 
adopted by the European Union have been followed by the Group, 
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 will 
continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group’s and 
Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any 
time the financial position of the Group and Company and to enable 
them to ensure that the financial statements and the directors’ 
remuneration report comply with the Companies Act 2006 and,  
as regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS 
Regulation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of 
the Group and the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps 
for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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

Each of the directors at the date of this report confirms that:

(a)   so far as the director is aware, there is no relevant audit 

information of which the Company’s auditors are unaware; and

(b)   he/she has taken all the steps that he/she ought to have taken  

as a director in order to make himself or herself aware of any 
relevant audit information and to establish that the Company’s 
auditors are aware of that information.

This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance 
with the provision of Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006.

Subscriptions and donations
Charitable donations amounting to £10,000 (2018 – £10,000) were paid 
during the year. There were no donations to political organisations.

Post balance sheet event
Details of post balance sheet events are given in note 24 in the 
financial statements.

Auditors
A resolution proposing Kirk Newsholme be re-appointed as auditors 
of the Company will be put to the Annual General Meeting.

By order of the board

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

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

Cielo Cartwright, Secretary  
12th May 2020

•  make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable 

and prudent;

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201917

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Directors’ remuneration report

INFORMATION NOT SUBJECT TO AUDIT
The purpose of this report is to inform shareholders of the Company’s 
policy with regard to executive remuneration and to provide full 
details of the salary and other benefits received by individual directors. 
The directors have adopted the principles of good governance as set 
out in the Combined Code and the Directors’ Remuneration Report 
Regulations 2002. However, following the Company’s move to AIM 
compliance with this report is no longer mandatory.

Remuneration committee
Executive directors’ pay is subject to the decision of the whole board 
and not of a separate remuneration committee. The directors believe 
that this is adequate for a Group of this size.

Statement of Company’s policy on directors’ 
remuneration
The board’s policy is that the remuneration of the directors should 
reflect market rates applicable to a business of its size and complexity. 
This information is assessed by the board based on their commercial 
contacts within the industry and the local business community. It is 
intended that this policy will remain in place for the following 
financial year and subsequent periods.

There are no formal performance related elements, entitlements  
to share options or entitlements under long-term incentive plans  
in directors’ remuneration. All employees of the Group, including 
directors, may however receive a discretionary bonus which reflects 
the results of the Group.

The only elements of directors’ remuneration that are pensionable  
are salaries.

There are no performance conditions relating to the non-executive 
directors’ fees. 

As set out in the Corporate Governance report, the Company  
is considering ways that board performance can be evaluated.

Service contracts
Other than Cielo Cartwright, the executive directors do not have 
service contracts with the Company or its subsidiaries. The executive 
directors are subject to election by the shareholders at the first Annual 
General Meeting following their appointment and thereafter at least 
at every third subsequent Annual General Meeting. No compensation 
other than that prescribed by legislation is payable on termination  
of their employment.

INFORMATION SUBJECT TO AUDIT
Directors’ remuneration 
The remuneration of the individual directors who served during the period was as follows:

Estimated 
taxable value of 
benefits  
in kind  
£’000 

Fees  
£’000 

Salary  
£’000 

Executive directors
Nicholas Braime
Alan Braime
Carl Braime
Cielo Cartwright  

Peter Alcock
Andrew Walker

Paid by the Company

—
—
—
—

29
29

58  

58

211
119 
119 
117 

—
—

566

447

6
2
1
1

—
—

10

9

Total  
2019  
£’000 

217
121
120
118

29
29

634

514 

Total  
2018  
£’000 

Pension 
contributions  
2019  
£’000 

Pension 
contributions 
2018  
£’000 

211
112
112
82

28
28

573

56

—
18
18
8

—
—

44

26

—
16
16
5

—
—

37

—

The estimated taxable value of benefits in kind includes private medical cover. Pension contributions represent amounts paid to defined 
contribution pension schemes. Cielo Cartwright was appointed to the board on 30th April 2018 and her remuneration in 2018 reflects  
the period from 1st May 2018.

Approval
The directors’ remuneration report was approved by the board on 12th May 2020.

Nicholas Braime, Director

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201918

Independent auditors’ report  
to the members of Braime Group PLC

Opinion on financial statements of Braime Group PLC
We have audited the financial statements of Braime Group PLC (the ‘parent company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘group’) for the year  
ended 31 December 2019 which comprise the Consolidated income statement, the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income,  
the Consolidated and Company balance sheets, the Consolidated cash flow statement, the Consolidated and Company statements  
of changes in equity and notes to the accounts, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting  
framework that has been applied in the preparation of the group financial statements is applicable law and International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the 
 preparation of the parent company financial statements is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including  
FRS102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (United Kingdom Generally Accepted  
Accounting Practice).

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 December 

2019 and of the group’s profit for the year then ended;

•  the group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union;

•  the parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted 

Accounting Practice; and

•  the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006; and as regards the 

group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

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

Conclusions relating to going concern

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

•  the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial 

statements is not appropriate; or

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

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201919

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, 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 financial statements as a whole,  
and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

Carrying value of Inventories

Risk description

This risk concerns the carrying value of inventories of £8,573,000 (2018 – £7,872,000) as shown in note 10. 

Management judgement is applied to determining the cost of inventories in order to accurately reflect the 
manufacturing costs incurred in bringing them to their current location and physical condition in the manufacturing 
segment of the business. This primarily relates to the assessment of direct labour costs and manufacturing overheads 
to be absorbed and other relevant production costs. The total value of work-in-progress and finished goods 
inventory held by the manufacturing segment of the group into which such costs would have been absorbed 
amounted to £231,000 (2018 – £337,000).

As described in note 1.19 inventories are carried at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Establishing 
impairment provisions for slow-moving, obsolete and damaged inventories to reduce inventories to their net 
realisable value involves judgements and estimates to be made by management. The group has consistently adopted 
a policy of making impairment provisions based upon the ageing of inventories. The income statement for the year 
ended 31 December 2019 includes an inventory impairment reversal credit of £116,000 (2018 – £57,000 inventory 
provision charge) as disclosed in note 10. 

Given the level of judgement and estimation involved in determining cost and net realisable value this risk was 
identified by us as one of the most significant risks of material misstatement.

Our response

We performed the following audit procedures: 

•  on a sample basis agreed the cost of raw materials (manufacturing segment) and bought in components 
(distribution segment) to third party invoices and where these were denominated in foreign currencies 
reviewed the reasonableness of the exchange rates used to translate these invoices. 

•  for work in progress and finished goods held in the manufacturing segment we have for a sample of items 

obtained the product costings and tested the underlying costs within each item selected. We also challenged 
the key assumptions concerning overhead absorption by assessing the appropriateness of costs included  
in the calculation.

•  reviewed the overheads absorbed by the manufacturing segment to determine whether they were allowable 
under IAS 2 and appropriately recognised. We agreed the estimated overheads to actual overheads incurred  
in the year to assess whether they were materially different.

•  assessed the net realisable value (NRV) of a sample of inventory items by agreeing their subsequent sales price 
to customer invoices to ensure that the items were being held at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

•  observed the condition of inventories when we and the firms we instructed to assist us attended stock counts 

(see existence of inventory risk section below).

•  gained an understanding of the movements in the inventory impairment provision year on year and assessed 

the scale of the provision in comparison to gross inventory value to determine whether there were any  
unusual movements.

•  performed procedures to ensure that inventory impairment provisions were calculated in line with the group’s 

inventory provisioning policy. Procedures included reviewing the provisions and verifying ageing data. 

Key observations

From the work performed we consider that the inventory shown in the group financial statements is 
appropriately valued and that the impairment provision in respect of inventories has been consistently applied 
and is appropriate.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201920

Independent auditors’ report  
to the members of Braime Group PLC (continued)

Existence of inventories

Risk description

Our response

This risk concerns the existence of inventories of £8,573,000 (2018 – £7,872,000) as shown in note 10. 
£2,474,000 (2018 – £2,221,000) representing 29% (2018 – 28%) of the group’s inventories are held in  
the USA (4B Elevator Components Limited) where no year-end physical count is undertaken for all items  
of inventory. Instead a rolling perpetual count system is employed; however whilst a formal system to 
ensure the regular counting of significant balances and to ensure that all lines of inventory are counted  
at least once a year has been in place for the whole of the year some documentation of these counts have 
been mislaid and there was also no documentary evidence that adjustments have been made following  
the perpetual counts or that all items of stock have been counted at least once a year. Given the 
significance of this level of inventory to the group and the factors above we have assessed the existence  
of inventories in the USA as being one of significance to our audit. 

We instructed a firm of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) based in the USA to attend the premises  
in the USA at the year-end to carry out agreed upon procedures in accordance with attestation standards 
established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. This included physically test counting 
a sample of items selected in advance by ourselves from 4B Elevator Components Limited’s inventory system 
together with the selection of additional items chosen by them to physically count and compare to that 
company’s inventory records. We followed through the test counts carried out by ourselves and the firm  
of CPAs to that company’s final inventory valuations.

Key observations

From the work performed we consider that the inventory shown in the group financial statements relating 
to 4B Elevator Components Limited mentioned above exists. 

Our application of materiality
The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. We set certain quantitative thresholds for materiality. These,  
together with qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and extent of our audit 
procedures on the individual financial statement line items and disclosures and in evaluating the effect of misstatements, both individually 
and on the financial statements as a whole.

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

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows:

Group materiality £334,000 (2018 – £357,000)

Basis for determining 
materiality

1% of group turnover

Rationale for the  
benchmark applied

As a trading group this reflects the level of activity. We believe that this measure and the percentage 
applied are widely used for groups of this size and nature.

Component materiality

For each component in our audit scope, we allocated a materiality that is less than our overall group 
materiality. The range of materiality across components ranged from £69,000 to £158,000.  
Certain components were audited to a local statutory audit materiality that was also less than our  
overall Group materiality.

Performance materiality to drive the extent of our testing for each component in our audit scope was set at 75% of component materiality.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them misstatements identified during our audit above £13,050  
(2018 – £15,900) as well as ‘clearly trivial’ misstatements below that amount that, in our view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201921

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

An overview of the scope of our audit

Braime Group PLC, Braime Pressings Limited, 4B Elevator Components Limited and 4B Braime Components Limited are companies 
incorporated in England and Wales on which we are engaged to perform an audit under ISAs (UK). These components comprised 71%  
of group turnover, 92.3% of group profit before tax and 74.5% of group gross assets.

4B Africa Elevator Components (Proprietary) Limited and 4B Asia Pacific Company Limited have had audits performed by component 
auditors in accordance with local legislation. These components were not individually significant enough to require an audit for group 
reporting purposes but a review was performed by us appropriate to the size and risk profile of these components. This included obtaining 
and reviewing an audit procedures questionnaire for 4B Africa Elevator Components (Proprietary) Limited and analytical review procedures  
in relation to 4B Asia Pacific Company Limited. These components comprised 7.9% of group turnover, -0.4% of group profit before tax  
and 8.5% of group gross assets.

Neither 4B France Sarl, 4B Australia PTY Limited nor 4B Braime (Changzhou) Industrial Control Equipment Co. Ltd. are required by local 
legislation to have audits performed. We carried out our own detailed audit procedures on these components sufficient to conclude that 
there were no significant risks of material misstatement in the group financial statements. These components comprised 21.1% of group 
turnover, 8.1% of group profit before tax and 17% of group gross assets.

We engaged a firm of CPAs in USA to attend the stock count of 4B Elevator Components Limited and a firm of Chartered Accountants  
in Australia to attend the stock count of 4B Australia PTY Limited.

At the parent entity level we tested the consolidation process and carried out analytical procedures to confirm our conclusion that there were  
no significant risks of material misstatement of the aggregated financial information of components that were not subject to audit by us.

Other information

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the report  
and accounts set out on pages 1 to 5, 10 to 14, 17 (except where indicated) and 59 to 64, other than the financial statements and  
our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent 
otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance thereon.

In connection with the audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider 
whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or 
otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are 
required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other 
information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information;  
we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on 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, if in our opinion:

•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received 

from branches not visited by us; or

•  the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

•  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or

•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201922

Independent auditors’ report  
to the members of Braime Group PLC (continued)

Responsibilities of directors

As explained more fully in the statement of directors’ responsibilities set out on page 16, the directors are responsible for the 
preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control  
as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error.

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

Auditors’ 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 aggregate, 
they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

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.

Other matters 

The company voluntarily prepares a directors’ remuneration report in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.  
The directors have requested that we audit the part of the directors remuneration report specified by the Companies Act 2006 to be 
audited as if the company were a listed company. In our opinion the part of the directors’ remuneration report to be audited has been 
properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

Use of our report

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

Neill Rayland BA FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
For and on behalf of Kirk Newsholme 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 
4315 Park Approach, Thorpe Park 
Leeds LS15 8GB 
12th May 2020

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Consolidated income statement 

For the year ended 31st December 2019

Revenue

Changes in inventories of finished goods and work in progress
Raw materials and consumables used
Employee benefits costs
Depreciation and amortisation expense
Other expenses
Other operating income

Profit from operations

Finance expense
Finance income

Profit before tax

Tax expense

Profit for the year

Profit attributable to:
Owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests

23

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Note

2019
£’000

2018
£’000

3

6

2

2

4
4

5

33,433  

35,718  

959 
(17,986)
(8,530)
(1,236)
(4,737)
318

1,229 
(19,677)
(8,300)
(788)
(4,940)
—

2,221  

3,242  

(477)
2 

1,746  

(397)

1,349  

1,360  
(11) 

1,349  

(227)
2 

3,017  

(788)

2,229  

2,178  
51

2,229 

Basic and diluted earnings per share

18

94.44p  

151.25p 

The notes on pages 28 to 50 form part of these financial statements.

1. The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 at 1st January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach, comparative information 
is not re-stated and the cumulative effect of initially applying IFRS 16 is recognised in retained earnings at the date of initial application. Refer to note 
9 for further details.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201924

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 

For the year ended 31st December 2019

Profit for the year

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
Net pension remeasurement gain on post employment benefits

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
Foreign exchange (losses)/gains on re-translation of overseas operations

Other comprehensive income for the year

Total comprehensive income for the year

Total comprehensive income attributable to:
Owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests

Note

2019
£’000

1,349  

19.3

178  

(323) 

(145)  

2018
£’000

2,229 

76 

206

282 

1,204  

2,511 

1,231  
(27) 

1,204 

2,481 
30

2,511

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Consolidated balance sheet 

As at 31st December 2019

Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets  
Right of use assets (see note below) 

Total non-current assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Total assets

Liabilities
Current liabilities
Bank overdraft
Trade and other payables
Other financial liabilities
Corporation tax liability

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Financial liabilities
Deferred income tax liability

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Total net assets

Share capital
Capital reserve
Foreign exchange reserve
Retained earnings

Total equity attributable to the shareholders of the parent
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

25

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Note

2019
£’000

2018
£’000

7
8 
9

10
11

12
13

14
15

16

6,824 
48
278 

7,150  

8,573 
5,697  
1,679  

6,232  
61
—

6,293  

7,872  
6,820  
2,313  

15,949 

17,005 

23,099  

23,298  

1,016  
3,808  
2,163  
19  

7,006  

1,384  
360 

832  
5,493  
1,870  
249 

8,444 

1,256  
265 

1,744 

1,521  

8,750 

9,965 

14,349 

13,333 

360 
257 
(6) 
14,084  

14,695  
(346)

360 
257  
301 
12,734 

13,652 
(319)

14,349  

13,333  

1. The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 at 1st January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach, comparative information  

is not re-stated and the cumulative effect of initially applying IFRS 16 is recognised in retained earnings at the date of initial application. Refer to note 9 
for further details.

The financial statements on pages 23 to 50 were approved and authorised for issue by the board of directors on 12th May 2020  
and were signed on its behalf by:

The notes on pages 28 to 50 form part of these financial statements.  

Company Registration Number 488001

Nicholas Braime, Chairman  

Cielo Cartwright, Group Finance Director

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 2019 
     
 
 
26

Consolidated cash flow statement 

For the year ended 31st December 2019

Operating activities
Net profit
Adjustments for:
Depreciation and amortisation
Foreign exchange (losses)/gains
Finance income
Finance expense
Loss on sale of land and buildings, plant, machinery and motor vehicles
Adjustment in respect of defined benefits scheme
Income tax expense
Income taxes paid

Operating profit before changes in working capital and provisions

Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables
Increase in inventories
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables

Note

2019
£’000

2018
£’000

1,349  

2,229  

7, 8 & 9

4
4

5

1,236  
(255) 
(2)
477 
(12) 
93 
397 
(451)

1,483  

2,832  

1,044 
(701)
(1,499) 

(1,156)

788 
158
(2)
227 
15 
158 
788 
(871)

1,261 

3,490  

(580)
(1,441)
977 

(1,044)

Cash generated from operations

1,676  

2,446 

Investing activities
Purchases of property, plant, machinery and motor vehicles and intangible assets
Sale of land and buildings, plant, machinery and motor vehicles
Interest received

Financing activities
Proceeds from long term borrowings
Repayment of borrowings
Repayment of hire purchase creditors
Repayment of lease liabilities
Bank interest paid
Lease interest paid
Hire purchase interest paid
Dividends paid

(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

The notes on pages 28 to 50 form part of these financial statements.

(1,660)
27 
2 

(1,631)

728 
(459) 
(281)
(210)
(426)
(48)
—
(167)

(863)

(818) 

1,481  

663 

 (1,767)
32 
2 

(1,733)

792
(349) 
(276) 
—
(198)
—
(29)
(153)

(213)

500 

981 

1,481 

20

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Consolidated statement of changes in equity 

For the year ended 31st December 2019

27

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Share 
Capital 
£’000 

Capital 
Reserve 
£’000 

Note

Foreign 
Exchange 
Reserve 
£’000 

Retained 
Earnings 
£’000 

Total 
£’000 

Non- 
Controlling 
Interests 
£’000 

Total 
Equity 
£’000 

Balance at 1st January 2018 

360 

257 

74 

10,633 

11,324 

 (349)

10,975  

Comprehensive income 
Profit 

Other comprehensive income
Net pension remeasurement gain  
 recognised directly in equity 
Foreign exchange losses on  
 re-translation of overseas  
 subsidiaries consolidated operations

Total other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income

19.3

Transactions with owners
Dividends

18

Total transactions with owners

— 

— 

— 

2,178 

2,178 

51

2,229  

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

—

—

— 

— 

 227

227

227

—

— 

76 

— 

76 

76 

227

303 

— 

76

(21)

 (21)

 206 

 282

2,254  

2,481  

 30

2,511 

(153)

(153)

(153)

 (153)

—

— 

(153)

 (153)

Balance at 1st January 2019 

360 

257

301 

12,734  

13,652 

(319)

13,333  

Impact of change in accounting   
standard – IFRS 16

Re-stated total equity  
at 1st January 2019

Comprehensive income 
Profit

Other comprehensive income
Net pension remeasurement gain  
 recognised directly in equity 
Foreign exchange losses on  
 re-translation of overseas  
 subsidiaries consolidated operations

Total other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income

Transactions with owners
Dividends

Total transactions with owners

—

—

—

(21)

(21)

—

(21) 

360

257

301 

12,713 

13,631 

(319)

13,312

— 

— 

— 

1,360  

1,360  

(11) 

1,349  

19.3

18 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

—

— 

—

— 

— 

— 

178 

178 

— 

178 

(307)

(307)

— 

178 

(307) 

(129) 

(16)

 (16)

(323) 

(145)

(307)

1,538

1,231 

 (27)

1,204

— 

— 

(167)

(167)

(167)

(167)

— 

— 

(167)

(167)

Balance at 31st December 2019

360 

257 

(6) 

14,084 

14,695 

(346)

14,349 

The capital reserve arose on the listing of the Company’s shares on the London Stock Exchange and the cancellation of the 180,000 5% 
Cumulative Preference shares at a redemption price of £1.125 per share. The foreign exchange reserve relates to the differences arising on the 
re-translation of overseas subsidiaries consolidated within the Group financial statements. The retained earnings reserve includes the accumulated 
profit and losses of the Group.

There was no movement in the share capital of the Company.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 2019 
 
 
 
 
28

Notes to the accounts

For the year ended 31st December 2019

1.  ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1.1 General Company information
Braime Group PLC (‘the Company’) and its subsidiaries (together ‘the Group’) manufacture metal presswork and handle the distribution of bulk 
material handling components through trading from locations in Australia, China, England, France, South Africa, Thailand and the United States.

The Company is incorporated and domiciled in the UK. The Company’s registered number is 488001. The address of its registered office is Hunslet 
Road, Leeds, LS10 1JZ. The Company is a public limited company and has its primary listing on the AIM division of the London Stock Exchange.

The Group consolidated financial statements were authorised for issue by the board on 12th May 2020.

1.2 Basis of preparation
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are set out below. The policies have 
been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated. 

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted 
by the European Union (IFRSs as adopted by the EU), IFRIC interpretations and the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies 
reporting under IFRS. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. The areas 
involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated 
financial statements are disclosed in paragraph 1.3 below entitled critical accounting estimates and assumptions.

The Company has elected to prepare its parent company financial statements in accordance with UK GAAP; these are presented on pages 51 to 58.

Going concern 
The financial statements have been prepared using the going concern basis. The Covid-19 pandemic will have an impact on all businesses 
globally and how it might affect the Group is detailed in its strategic report on page 8. What this impact will be is difficult to determine 
at this stage and the Group has invoked its businesses continuity plans. 

During the pandemic, our objectives are firstly, to protect our workforce to ensure that they are fit and healthy, and secondly, to continue 
trading as normally as possible. The Group continues to have the support of its bankers who have expressed their willingness to provide 
additional funds should this be required, and the Group will take advantage of relevant government backed finance schemes to draw  
on additional cash flow options available to it. The Group is also able to pool resources within the Braime Group should this be needed 
and the wide geographical spread of its operations provide a spread of its risks. Given this, the going concern basis of accounting  
is appropriate as the directors believe the Group and its subsidiaries will be able to trade for the foreseeable future.

1.3 Critical accounting estimates and assumptions
Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations 
of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. 

The Group makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition seldom equal 
the actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts  
of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below:

Inventory
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. The group establishes an impairment provision for inventory estimated 
to realise a lower value than cost. When calculating the impairment provision, management considers the nature and condition of the 
inventory as well as applying assumptions around the saleability of stock and its estimated selling value less cost expected to be incurred 
and sell the item. The directors also consider the purchase history of the inventory items to assess whether the items remain in use.

Cost of work in progress and finished goods
The Group values the work in progress and finished goods inventory of its manufacturing segment at the cost of direct materials and 
labour plus attributable overheads and certain administrative costs based on normal levels of activity. When calculating overhead 
absorption rates, management considers the percentage of costs that are directly attributable to bringing inventory to its present location 
and condition, and estimated wastage based on historical experience and through knowledge of the business.

Useful economic lives of property, plant and equipment
The annual depreciation charge for property, plant and equipment is sensitive to changes in the estimated useful economic lives and residual 
values of the assets. The useful economic lives and residual values are re-assessed annually. They are amended when necessary to reflect 
current estimates, based on technological advancement, future investments, economic utilisation and the physical condition of the assets.

Retirement benefit obligations
The Group operates a defined benefit pension scheme (note 19). Asset valuations are based on the fair value of the assets. The valuation of the 
liabilities of the scheme are based on statistical and actuarial calculations, using various assumptions including discount rates, future salary and 
pension increases, life expectancy of scheme members and cash commutations. The actuarial assumptions may differ materially from actual 
experience due to changes in economic and market conditions, variations in actual mortality, higher or lower cash withdrawal rates and other 
changes in factors assessed. Any of these differences could impact the assets or liabilities recognised in the balance sheet in future periods.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201929

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

1.4 Changes to accounting policy and disclosure
(a)  New and amended standards adopted by the Group.

The Group has adopted the following new and amended IFRS’s as of 1st January 2019:

•  IFRS 16, ‘Leases’; effective on or after 1st January 2019.

•  Amendments to IAS 19, ‘Plan amendment, curtailment or settlement’; effective on or after 1st January 2019.

•  IFRIC Interpretation 23, ‘Uncertainty over income tax treatments’; effective on or after 1st January 2019.

•  Amendments to IAS 28, ‘Long-term interest in associates and joint ventures’; effective on or after 1st January 2019.

•  IFRS 17, ‘Insurance contracts’; effective on or after 1st January 2019.

•  Amendments to IFRS 9, ‘Prepayment features with negative compensation’; effective on or after 1st January 2019.

With the exception of IFRS 16, the impact of these new and amended IFRS’s has not had a material impact on these financial statements. 
The impact of IFRS 16 is discussed further below as well as in note 9.

(b)  New standards, amendments and interpretations issued but not effective for the financial year beginning 1st January 
2020 and not early adopted.

•  Amendments to IFRS3 – Definition of a Business – clarifies whether a transaction should be accounted for as a business 

combination or an asset acquisition – effective on or after 1st January 2020

•  Amendments to IAS1 and IAS8 – Definition of Material – aligns definitions across IFRS and other IASB publications – effective  

on or after 1st January 2020

•  Conceptual Frameworks for Financial reporting – provides concepts to help preparers develop consistent accounting policies  

when no standard applies or there is a choice of policies – effective on or after 1st January 2020

•  Amendments to Conceptual frameworks – minor amendments to various standards to reflect the revised issue – effective  

from 1 January 2020

•  IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts – principles of insurance contracts issued – effective on or after 1st January 2021

•  Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS28 – accounting for sale of assets between investor and its associate or joint venture –  

deferred indefinitely 

The application and interpretations surrounding the new or amended standards is not expected to have a material impact on the Group’s 
reported financial performance or position. However, they may give rise to additional disclosures being made in the financial statements.

IFRS 16, ‘Leases’. This accounting standard became mandatory for financial years commencing on or after 1st January 2019. It results  
in almost all leases being recognised on the balance sheet as from a lessee perspective, the distinction between operating and finance 
lease is removed. Under the new standard, an asset (the right to use the lease item) and a financial liability to pay rentals are recognised. 
The only exceptions are short-term and low-value leases. The accounting for lessors will not significantly change.

The Group has elected to apply the modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially applying this standard as  
an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as at 1st January 2019. As a consequence of this, there is a material impact 
on the balance sheet with a lease liability and a corresponding right of use asset being recognised on the balance sheet, so the impact  
on the net assets of the Group at the date of adoption is limited. There is an increase in the Group’s operating profit as operating lease 
costs are replaced by a lower depreciation charge. There will also be an additional interest charge, however, there has been no material 
effect on the overall income statement. The changes do not impact the overall cash flow of the Group.

The Group currently leases properties, vehicles and software under a series of operating lease contracts which are impacted by the new 
standard. These types of lease can no longer be recognised as operating leases and have been brought onto the Group’s balance sheet 
from the date of adoption of the new standard. The Group has elected to apply the following practical expedients:

•  In determining whether existing contracts meet the definition of a lease, the Group will not reassess those contracts previously 

identified as leases and will not apply the standard to those contracts not previously identified as leases.

•  Short-term leases (leases of less than 12 months and leases with less than 12 months remaining) as at the date of adoption  

of the new standard will not be within the scope of IFRS 16.

•  Leases for which the asset is of low value, for example IT equipment, will not be within the scope of IFRS 16.

The Group has recognised right of use assets of £325,000 and lease liabilities of £346,000 as at 1st January 2019. The liabilities are 
calculated from the present values of the lease rentals, and the present values are based on the Group’s incremental borrowing rate  
of 10%. A change of ± 5% to the implied discount rate does not result in a material change to the estimates.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201930

Notes to the accounts

For the year ended 31st December 2019 (continued)

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

1.5 Revenue recognition
IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’ establishes a comprehensive framework for determining whether, how much and 
when revenue is recognised. It replaced IAS 18 Revenue and related interpretations with effect from 1st January 2018. Under IFRS 15, 
revenue recognition is based on the principle that revenue is recognised when control of a good or service transfers to a customer.  
Where sale of goods occur, revenue is recognised at a point in time when goods are delivered to customers. For the Group, the transfer 
of control under IFRS 15 and satisfaction of performance obligations therefore remains consistent with the transfer of risks and rewards 
to the customer under IAS18. Revenue represents the fair value of consideration received or receivable for the sale of goods in the 
ordinary course of the Group’s activities, and is stated exclusive of VAT, similar taxes and after eliminating sales within the Group. 
Payment is typically due within 60 days. Interest receivable on bank deposits and other items such as rentals, insurance proceeds, and 
receipts to fund capital assets are not classed as revenue but included within finance income and other operating income respectively. 
The breakdown of revenue from ordinary activities used within the Group to assess the performance is presented, by operating segment, 
in the segment analysis (see note 3).

1.6 Basis of consolidation
Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has the power to govern the financial and operating policies generally accompanying  
a shareholding of more than one half of the voting rights. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred 
to the Group. They are de-consolidated from the date that control ceases. The consolidated financial statements of Braime Group PLC 
incorporate the financial statements of the parent company as well as those entities controlled by the Group by full consolidation.

The Group uses the acquisition method of accounting to account for business combinations. The consideration transferred for the 
acquisition of a subsidiary is the fair values of the assets transferred, the liabilities incurred and the equity interests issued by the Group. 
The consideration transferred includes the fair value of any asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement. 
Acquisition related costs are expensed as incurred. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a 
business combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. On an acquisition-by-acquisition basis, the Group 
recognises any non-controlling interest in the acquiree either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the 
acquiree’s net assets.

The excess of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree and the acquisition date fair value 
of any previous equity interest in the acquiree over the fair value of the Group’s share of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded  
as goodwill. If this is less than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired in the case of a bargain purchase, the difference 
is recognised directly in the income statement.

Inter-company transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between Group companies are eliminated. Unrealised losses 
are also eliminated. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies 
adopted by the Group.

Non-controlling interests in the net assets of the consolidated subsidiaries are identified separately from the Group’s equity therein. 
Non-controlling interests consist of the amount of those interests at the date of the original business combination and the minority’s 
share of changes in equity since the date of the combination. Where losses are accumulated, all earnings and losses of the subsidiaries 
are attributed to the parent and the non-controlling interest in proportion to their ownership.

1.7 Foreign currency
Braime Group PLC consolidated financial statements are presented in sterling (£), which is also the functional currency of the Company.

In the separate financial statements of the consolidated entities, foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency 
of the individual entity using the month end exchange rates as an approximation to that prevailing at the dates of the transactions  
(spot exchange rate). Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation  
of monetary assets and liabilities at year-end exchange rates are recognised in the income statement under ‘other income’ or ‘other 
expenses’, respectively.

In the consolidated financial statements, all separate financial statements of subsidiaries originally presented in a currency different from 
the Group’s presentation currency, have been converted into sterling. Assets and liabilities have been translated into sterling at the closing 
rate at the balance sheet date. Income and expenses have been converted into the Group’s presentation currency using average rates  
of exchange. Any differences arising from this procedure have been charged/(credited) to the currency translation reserve in equity.

1.8 Financial assets
The Group considers that its financial assets comprise loans and receivables only. These assets are non-derivative financial assets with fixed  
or determinable payments, not quoted in an active market. They arise principally through the provision of goods and services to customers 
(trade receivables) but also incorporate other types of contractual monetary assets. They are carried at cost less provision for impairment.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201931

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Impairment provisions are recognised when there is objective evidence (such as significant financial difficulties on the part of the 
counterparty or default or significant delay in payment) that the Group will be unable to collect all of the amounts due under the terms 
receivable, the amount of such a provision being the difference between the net carrying amount and the present value of the future 
expected cash flows associated with the impaired receivable. For trade receivables, which are reported net, such provisions are recorded 
in a separate allowance account with the loss being recognised within administrative expenses in the income statement. On confirmation 
that the trade receivable will not be collectable, the gross carrying value of the asset is written off against the associated provision.

Financial assets are recognised when the Group enters into a contractual agreement with a third party through an instrument. All interest 
received is recognised as finance income in the income statement.

1.9 Financial liabilities
The Group’s financial liabilities include bank loans and overdrafts, other loans, trade and other payables, finance leasing liabilities and 
forward currency contracts. They are included in balance sheet line items ‘bank overdraft’, ‘trade and other payables’, ‘long-term 
financial liabilities’ and ‘other financial liabilities’.

Financial liabilities are recognised when the Group becomes a party to the contractual agreements of the instrument. All interest related 
charges are recognised as an expense in ‘finance cost’ in the income statement.

Bank loans are raised for support of long term funding of the Group’s operations. They are recognised at fair value, net of direct issue 
costs. Finance charges, including premiums payable on settlement or redemption and direct issue costs, are charged to the income 
statement using the effective interest method and are added to the carrying amount of the instrument to the extent that they are not 
settled in the period in which they arise.

Forward currency contracts are held at fair value and are used to hedge exchange risk arising on foreign currency transactions 
denominated in a currency other than the transacting entities’ functional currency. No adjustment is made for the fair value of forward 
currency contracts where such adjustment is clearly not material to the results presented in the financial statements (note 17).

Trade payables are recognised initially at their fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost less settlement payments.

1.10 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash at bank and in hand as well as short term highly liquid investments such as money market 
instruments and bank deposits. For the purposes of the cash flow statement cash and cash equivalents include bank overdrafts.

1.11 Borrowing costs
All borrowing costs are expensed as incurred.

1.12 Pension obligations and short term employee benefits
Pensions to employees are provided through a defined benefit plan as well as a defined contribution plan.

A defined benefit plan is a pension plan that defines an amount of pension benefit that an employee will receive on retirement, usually 
dependent on one or more factors such as age, years of service and salary. The legal obligation for any benefits from this kind of pension 
plan remains with the Group, even if the plan assets for funding the defined benefit plan have been acquired. Plan assets may include 
assets specifically designated to a long term benefit fund as well as qualifying insurance policies.

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 payment of the fixed contribution.

The asset or liability recognised in the balance sheet for defined benefit pension plans is the present value of the defined benefit 
obligation (DBO) at the balance sheet date less the fair value of plan assets, together with adjustments for past service costs. The DBO  
is calculated annually by independent actuaries using the projected unit credit method. The present value of the DBO is determined by 
discounting the estimated future cash outflows using interest rates of 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.

Remeasurement gains and losses are recognised immediately and in full in other comprehensive income. Past service costs are recognised 
immediately in the consolidated income statement, unless the changes to the pension plan are conditional on the employees remaining 
in service for a specified period of time (the vesting period). In this case, the past service costs are amortised on a straight-line basis over 
the vesting period.

If the Group will not benefit from a scheme surplus in the form of refunds from the plan or reduced future contributions, an adjustment 
is made in respect of the minimum funding requirement and no asset resulting from the above policy is recognised.

The contribution recognised in respect of defined contribution plans are expensed as they fall due. Liabilities and assets may be 
recognised if underpayment or prepayment has occurred and are included in current liabilities or current assets as they are normally  
of a short-term nature.

Short-term employee benefits are recognised for the number of paid leave days (usually holiday entitlement) remaining at the balance 
sheet date. They are included in current pension and other employee obligations at the undiscounted amount that the Group expects  
to pay as a result of the unused entitlement.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201932

Notes to the accounts

For the year ended 31st December 2019 (continued)

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

1.13 Right of use assets and lease liabilities
Where a contract is deemed to contain a lease, a lease liability is initially recognised at the commencement day and measured at an amount 
equal to the present value during the lease term (the non-cancellable period that are not yet paid). Further details are provided in note 9.

Where substantially all of the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of a lease asset have been transferred to the Group as is the case 
in a hire purchase contract, the asset is treated as if it had been purchased outright. The amount initially recognised as an asset is the 
present value of the minimum lease payments payable over the term of the lease. The corresponding lease commitment is shown as a 
liability. Lease payments are analysed between capital and interest. The interest element is charged to the consolidated income statement 
over the period of the lease and is calculated so that it represents a constant proportion of the lease liability. The capital element reduces 
the balance owed to the lessor.

Assets held under hire purchase contracts are classified as property, plant and equipment.

1.14 Impairment of non-financial assets
The Group’s property, plant and equipment are subject to impairment testing.

An asset is impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after initial recognition,  
the estimated recoverable value of the asset has been reduced.

Individual assets or cash-generating units with an indefinite useful life or those not yet available for use are tested for impairment at least 
annually. All 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 are charged pro-rata to the assets in the cash-generating unit. All assets are 
subsequently re-assessed for indications that an impairment loss previously recognised may no longer exist.

1.15 Research and development
Costs associated with research activities are expensed in the consolidated income statement as they occur. 

1.16 Income taxes
Current income tax assets and/or liabilities comprise those obligations to, or claims from, fiscal authorities relating to the current or prior 
reporting period, that are unpaid at the balance sheet date. They are calculated according to the tax rates and tax laws applicable to the 
fiscal periods to which they relate, based on the taxable profit for the year. All changes to current tax assets or liabilities are recognised  
as a component of tax expense in the consolidated income statement.

Deferred income taxes are calculated using the liability method on temporary differences. This involves the comparison of the carrying 
amounts of assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements with their respective tax bases. This applies also to temporary 
differences associated with shares in subsidiaries if 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 where material are always provided for in full. Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable 
that they will be able to be offset against future taxable income. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated, without discounting,  
at tax rates that are expected to apply to their respective period of realisation, provided they are enacted or substantively enacted at the 
balance sheet date.

Most changes in deferred tax assets or liabilities are recognised as components of tax expense in the income statement. Only changes  
in deferred tax assets or liabilities that relate to a change in value of assets or liabilities that are charged or credited directly to equity are 
charged or credited directly to equity.

1.17  Dividends
Equity dividends are recognised when they become legally payable. In the case of dividends to equity shareholders, they are recognised when paid. 
In the case of final dividends, this is when approved by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting.

1.18 Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment (other than freehold land) are carried at acquisition cost less subsequent depreciation and impairment 
losses. No depreciation has been charged in respect of certain land and buildings as the directors have assessed that those assets have 
residual values equal to or greater than current carrying values.

The useful lives of property, plant and equipment can be summarised as follows:

•  Land and buildings  

 25 – 50 years

•  Plant, machinery and motor vehicles  

 3 – 5 years on a straight line basis

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201933

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

1.19 Inventories
Inventories comprise raw materials, supplies and purchased goods. Cost includes all expenses directly attributable to the manufacturing 
process as well as suitable portions of related production overheads, based on normal operating capacity. Financing costs are not taken 
into consideration. At the balance sheet date, inventories are carried at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Net realisable value  
is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less any applicable selling expenses.

1.20 Government grants
Government grants received on capital expenditure are generally deducted in arriving at the carrying amount of the asset purchased. 
Grants for revenue expenditure are netted against the cost incurred by the Group.

Where retention of a government grant is dependent on the Group satisfying certain criteria, it is initially recognised as deferred income. 
When the criteria for retention has been satisfied, the deferred income balance is released to the consolidated income statement  
or netted against the asset purchased as appropriate.

1.21 Other provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets
Other provisions are recognised when present obligations will probably lead to an outflow of economic resources from the Group and 
they can be estimated reliably. Restructuring provisions are recognised only if a detailed formal plan for the restructuring has been 
developed and implemented, or management has at least announced the plan’s main features to those affected by it. Provisions are not 
recognised for future operating losses.

Provisions are measured at the estimated expenditure required to settle the present obligation, based on the most reliable evidence 
available at the balance sheet date, including the risks and uncertainties associated with the present obligation. Any reimbursement 
expected to be received in the course of settlement of the present obligation is recognised, if virtually certain as a separate asset, not 
exceeding the amount of the related provision. 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 addition, long term provisions are discounted 
to their present values, where time value of money is material.

All provisions are reviewed at each balance sheet date and adjusted to reflect the current best estimate.

In those cases where the possible outflow of economic resource as a result of present obligations is considered improbable or remote, or 
the amount to be provided for cannot be measured reliably, no liability is recognised in the consolidated balance sheet. These contingent 
liabilities are recognised in the course of the allocation of purchase price to the assets and liabilities acquired in the business combination. 
They are subsequently measured at the higher amount of a comparable provision as described above and the amount initially recognised, 
less any amortisation.

Probable inflows of economic benefits to the Group that do not yet meet the recognition criteria of an asset are considered contingent assets.

2. PROFIT FROM OPERATIONS 

This has been arrived at after charging/(crediting):
Depreciation and amortisation
Foreign exchange differences
Research and development costs
Write-down of inventory to net realisable value
Inventory recognised as an expense
Impairment of trade receivables
Fees payable to the Company’s auditor: 
• for the audit of the Company’s annual accounts
• the audit of the Company’s subsidiaries, pursuant to legislation
• other services pursuant to legislation
Fees payable to overseas auditors
(Profit)/Loss on disposal of fixed assets
Release of provision against funds advanced on capital assets

Note

7, 8 & 9

10

11

13

2019
£’000

1,236 
(22)
124 
(116) 
17,027 
(130) 

19 
47 
12 
19 
(12) 
(291) 

2018
£’000

788 
(280)
65 
57 
18,448 
221 

8 
56 
11 
8 
14 
— 

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201934

Notes to the accounts

For the year ended 31st December 2019 (continued)

3. SEGMENTAL INFORMATION
Segmental information is presented in respect of the Group’s business segments, which are based on the Group’s management and internal 
reporting structure as at 31st December 2019. 

The chief operating decision-maker has been identified as the board of directors (‘the board’). The board reviews the Group’s internal reporting 
in order to assess performance and allocate resources. Management has determined the operating segments based on these reports and on 
the internal reporting structure.

The board assesses performance based on a measure of earnings before tax. Other information provided to the board is measured in a manner 
consistent with that in the financial statements. Total segment assets exclude assets and liabilities that are managed on a central basis. These 
balances are part of the reconciliation to the total balance sheet assets and liabilities. Inter-segment pricing is determined on an arms-length basis.

The Group comprises the following segments: the manufacture of metal presswork and the distribution of bulk material handling components.

Revenue
External
Inter Company

Total

Profit
EBITDA
Finance costs 
Finance income
Depreciation and amortisation
Tax expense

(Loss)/profit for the period

Assets
Total assets
Additions to non current assets
Liabilities
Total liabilities

Revenue
External
Inter company

Total

Profit
EBITDA
Finance costs 
Finance income
Depreciation
Tax expense

(Loss)/profit for the period

Assets
Total assets
Additions to non current assets
Liabilities
Total liabilities

Central 
2019 
£’000 

Manufacturing
2019 
£’000

Distribution 
2019 
£’000 

Total 
2019 
£’000 

— 
2,104  

2,104  

851 
(305)
— 
(607)
(114)

(175)

5,529 
1,138 

852  

3,416 
3,440  

6,856 

(244)
(27)
— 
(18)
39

(250) 

3,657 
76 

1,768 

30,017 
6,224  

33,433 
11,768  

36,241 

45,201 

2,850 
(145)
2 
(611)
(322)

1,774 

3,457 
(477)
2 
(1,236)
(397)

1,349 

13,913 
607 

23,099 
1,821 

6,130  

8,750 

Central 
2018 
£’000 

Manufacturing 
2018 
£’000 

Distribution 
2018 
£’000 

Total 
2018 
£’000 

—
695  

695  

387  
(116)
— 
(464)
(19)

(212)

5,009 
650 

3,713  

4,291 
3,891  

8,182 

187  
(36)
— 
— 
(55)

96  

3,202  
— 

2,127 

31,427 
6,452  

35,718 
11,038  

37,879 

46,756 

3,456 
(75)
2 
(324)
(714)

2,345 

4,030 
(227)
2 
(788)
(788)

2,229 

15,087 
1,149 

23,298 
1,799 

4,125  

9,965  

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201935

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Geographical analysis
The Group is domiciled in the UK. Analysis of revenues from external customers by continent is provided below:

UK
Rest of Europe
Americas
Africa
Australia and Asia

Revenue 
2019 
£’000 

6,155 
8,040 
14,407 
1,584 
3,247  

33,433 

Non-current 
assets 
2019 
£’000 

4,103 
178 
2,415 
101 
353  

7,150 

Revenue 
2018 
£’000 

6,530 
9,072 
14,562 
1,566 
3,988  

35,718 

Non-current 
assets 
2018 
£’000 

3,499 
124 
2,340 
116 
214 

6,293 

There was one Group customer which accounted for 10% of the Group’s revenues.

4. FINANCE INCOME AND EXPENSE 

Finance expense
Bank borrowings
Lease interest  
Hire purchase interest

Finance income
Bank interest received

5. TAX EXPENSE

Current tax expense
UK corporation tax
UK tax expense on profits for the year
Prior year adjustment 
Double tax relief

Foreign corporation tax 
Foreign tax expense on profits for the year
Prior year adjustment

Current tax charge
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of timing differences

Total tax charge

2019
£’000

2018
£’000

429 
48 
—

477 

2 

2 

198
—  
29 

227 

2 

2 

Note

2019
£’000

2018
£’000

191 
(42)
(170)

(21) 

337  
(14) 

323

302 
95 

397 

233 
(3)
—

230 

340  
40  

380 

610 
178

788 

15

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201936

Notes to the accounts

For the year ended 31st December 2019 (continued)

5. TAX EXPENSE (CONTINUED)

The reasons for the difference between the actual tax charge for the year and the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK applied  
to profits for the year are as follows:

Profit before tax 

Expected tax charge based on the standard rate of corporation tax in the  
 UK of 19% (2018 – 19%)
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes
Tax credits on research and development
Items charged to reserves
Foreign tax
Deferred tax not provided
Prior year items
Rate differences

2019
£’000

1,746 

332 
21  
(23)
34 
88 
(27)
(17)
(11)

397  

2018
£’000 

3,017 

573 
59 
(26)
(3)
125 
28 
37 
(5)

788  

The Finance Bill 2016 enacted provisions to reduce the main rate of UK corporation tax to 17% from 1st April 2020. However, in the March 
2020 Budget it was announced that the reduction in the UK rate to 17% will now not occur and the Corporation Tax Rate will be held at 19%. 
As substantive enactment is after the balance sheet date, deferred tax balances as at 31st December 2019 continue to be measured at a rate of 
17%. If the amended tax rate had been used, the deferred tax liability would have been £18,000 higher.

No deferred tax asset arising on tax losses, accelerated depreciation in excess of capital allowances or deferred tax liability in respect of the 
pension provision has been recognised as their future realisation is relatively uncertain. The amounts not recognised are estimated at £nil, 
£25,000 and £nil respectively (2018 – £nil, £74,000 and £14,000) calculated at a rate of 17% (2018 – 17%).

6. EMPLOYEES 

The average number of employees of the Group during the year was made up as follows:

Office and management
Sales and distribution
Manufacturing

Staff costs (including directors) comprise:

Wages and salaries
Defined contribution pension cost
Defined benefit pension cost
Other long-term employee benefits
Employer’s national insurance contributions and similar taxes

Included in other expenses

Directors’ remuneration:
Emoluments of qualifying services
Company pension contributions to money purchase schemes

Note

19.3

2019 
No. 

48 
55 
68  

171  

2019
£’000

7,325 
310 
71 
56 
768  

8,530
—

8,530 

634 
44 

678  

2018 
No.

50 
50 
74  

174  

2018
£’000

7,053 
247 
179 
59 
765  

8,303  
(3)

8,300 

573 
37 

610 

The number of directors for whom retirement benefits accrued under money purchase pension schemes amounted to 3 (2018 – 3) and under 
defined benefit pension schemes amounted to nil (2018 – nil). Further details of directors remuneration are included in the remuneration report.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201937

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Plant, 
machinery 
and motor 
vehicles 
£’000 

Land and 
buildings 
£’000 

Total 
£’000 

3,190 
234  

2,956 

3,198 
235  

2,963 

2,963 
— 
— 
(5)
— 
(2) 

2,956 

2,909 
42 
— 
(6)
18 
— 

2,963 

12,300 
8,432  

15,490 
8,666  

3,868 

6,824 

11,212 
7,943  

14,410 
8,178  

3,269 

6,232 

3,269 
1,660 
(15)
(1,015)
— 
(31)

3,868 

2,329 
1,744 
(47)
(769)
(21)
33 

3,269 

6,232 
1,660 
(15)
(1,020)
— 
(33)

6,824 

5,238 
1,786 
(47)
(775)
(3)
33 

6,232 

7. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

At 31st December 2019
Cost
Accumulated depreciation

Net book value

At 31st December 2018
Cost
Accumulated depreciation

Net book value

Year ended 31st December 2019
Opening net book value
Additions
Disposals
Depreciation
Reclassification
Exchange differences

Closing net book value

Year ended 31st December 2018
Opening net book value
Additions
Disposals
Depreciation
Reclassification
Exchange differences

Closing net book value

The net book value of tangible fixed assets includes an amount of £715,000 (2018 – £493,000) in respect of assets held under hire 
purchase contracts. The related depreciation charge on these assets for the year was £200,000 (2018 – £259,000). Additions include 
£551,000 of assets held under finance leases and hire purchase contracts.

Assets in the course of construction which have not been depreciated total £710,000 (2018 – £701,000).

The total cost of non-depreciable assets included in freehold land and buildings was £2,923,000 (2018 – £2,923,000).

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201938

Notes to the accounts

For the year ended 31st December 2019 (continued)

8. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

At 31st December 2019
Cost
Accumulated amortisation

Net book value

At 31st December 2018
Cost 
Accumulated amortisation

Net book value

Year ended 31st December 2019
Opening net book value
Additions
Amortisation
Exchange differences

Closing net book value

Year ended 31st December 2018
Opening net book value
Additions
Amortisation
Reclassifications

Closing net book value

Intangible assets relate to purchased goodwill and software. Additions in the year relate to software.

9. RIGHT OF USE ASSETS

At 31st December 2019
Cost
Accumulated amortisation

Net book value

Year ended 31st December 2019
Opening net book value
Additions
Depreciation
Exchange differences

Closing net book value

Total 
£’000 

149 
101 

48

154 
93 

61 

61 
1 
(13)
(1) 

48 

58 
13 
(13)
3

61 

Total 
£’000 

708 
(430) 

278  

325 
161 
(203)
(5)

278  

The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 at 1st January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach comparative 
information is not re-stated and the cumulative effect of initially applying IFRS 16 is recognised in retained earnings at the date of initial application.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201939

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Adoption of IFRS 16 Leases
Adoption method

On adoption of IFRS 16 (effective 1st January 2019) the Group has elected to grandfather the assessment of which arrangements are leases. 
Contracts not identified as leases under IAS 17 and IFRIC 4 were not reassessed for whether there is a lease under IFRS 16. 

Under the transition rules, the Group has applied IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective approach, with the cumulative effect of applying  
the standard recognised in retained earnings on 1st January 2019. Comparative information presented for 2018 has not been restated. 

Under transition rules for leases classified as operating leases, lease liabilities were measured at the present value of the remaining lease 
payments, discounted at the Group’s incremental borrowing rate at 1st January 2019. 

Right of use assets are measured at cost, which comprised the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made  
at or before the adoption date, less any lease incentives received at or before the adoption date and less any onerous lease provisions 
(reclassified on the opening balance sheet). 

For some material long term leases the Group has measured the carrying amount of the right of use asset as if the standard had been 
applied since the lease commencement date, discounted at the group’s incremental borrowing rate at the date of initial application.

The Group used the following practical expedients when applying IFRS 16 to leases previously classified as operating leases:

•  applied the exemption not to recognise right-of-use assets and liabilities for leases of low value or for which  

the lease term ends within 12 months of the date of initial application. on a lease-by-lease basis 

•  relied on previous assessments on whether leases are onerous for impairment of right-of-use assets 

•  excluded initial direct costs from the measurement of the right-of-use asset at the date of initial application 

•  used hindsight when determining the lease term if the contract contains options to extend or terminate the lease 

•  applied the exemption not to separate non-lease components such as service charges from lease rental charges

At 1st January 2019 the Group had no lease commitments previously classified as finance leases under IAS 17.

The Group is not required to make any adjustments on transition to IFRS 16 for which it acts as a lessor, except for subleases. Under IFRS 16,  
the Group assessed the classification of subleases with reference to the right-of-use asset, not the underlying asset. This resulted in certain 
leases being classified as finance leases under IFRS 16 and recognition of a finance lease receivable (recorded within line item financial assets  
on the consolidated balance sheet).

10. INVENTORIES

Raw materials
Work in progress
Finished goods
Goods in transit

2019 
£’000 

368 
109 
7,875 
221 

8,573 

During the twelve months ended 31st December 2019 the Group released charges against finished goods inventories of £116,000  
(2018 – charge of £57,000) following reassessment of the saleability of certain stock items (note 2).

11. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade receivables 
Other receivables
Prepayments

2019 
£’000 

4,778 
571 
348  

5,697 

2018 
£’000 

429 
154 
6,871 
418  

7,872 

2018 
£’000 

5,692 
746 
382 

6,820 

Included in other receivables is £249,000 of corporation tax repayable and £226,000 in relation to a VAT claim.

Where possible credit insurance is obtained and sales to customers kept within agreed credit limits. In general, the risk in relation to 
credit risk is considered low and is supported by the low level of bad debts experienced, both pre and post credit insurance claims, by the 
Group in any one year. In 2018 the Group provided for certain untypically overdue balances which have subsequently been recovered and 
this has resulted in £130,000 being credited in the year (note 2). 

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201940

Notes to the accounts

For the year ended 31st December 2019 (continued)

12. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES – CURRENT

Trade payables
Other taxes and social security costs
Other payables
Accruals

13. OTHER FINANCIAL LIABILITIES – CURRENT

Bank loans – secured
Hire purchase
Lease liabilities
Other creditors

2019 
£’000 

2,349 
229 
125 
1,105

3,808 

2019 
£’000 

351 
—  
379 
1,433 

2,163 

2018 
£’000 

3,426 
212 
396 
1,459

5,493 

2018 
£’000 

420 
203 
— 
1,247 

1,870 

Note

14b 
14a 
14c 

An analysis of the interest rate payable on financial liabilities and information about fair values is given in note 17.

Other creditors comprise of an invoice discounting facility which has been secured by a fixed and floating charge over certain assets  
of certain Group companies. In 2018, other creditors also included £291,000 of funds advanced for capital assets which were deemed 
potentially refundable. This balance has now been credited to the profit and loss account as other operating income (note 2).

Following the adoption of IFRS 16 at 1st January 2019, hire purchase liabilities are recognised as lease liabilities (see also note 14, 14a and 14c).

14. FINANCIAL LIABILITIES – NON-CURRENT

Bank loans – secured
Hire purchase
Lease liabilities
Other creditors (non-current)

14a. Obligations under hire purchase contracts comprise amounts payable as follows:

In one year or less, or on demand
In more than one year but not more than five years

14b. Obligations under bank loan agreements comprise amounts payable as follows:

Within one year
One to two years
Two to five years

Note

14a
14b
14c

2019 
£’000 

839 
— 
513 
32 

1,384 

2019 
£’000 

— 
— 

— 

2019 
£’000 

351 
347 
492 

2018 
£’000 

1,008 
166 
—
82 

1,256 

2018 
£’000 

203 
166 

369 

2018 
£’000 

420 
306 
702 

1,190 

1,428 

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201941

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Terms and conditions of outstanding loans were as follows:

Interest 
rate  
% 

Year of 
maturity 

2019 
£’000 

2018
£’000 

US dollar bank loan
US dollar bank loan
US dollar unsecured bank loan
US dollar term loan
US dollar term loan
GBP term loan
GBP term loan

4.00% fixed 
2.50% fixed 
3.00% fixed 
2.25% over LIBOR 
3.74% fixed 
2.50% over Bank of England base rate 
2.75% over Bank of England base rate 

2018 
2022 
2022 
2023 
2024 
2019 
2020 

562 
53 
16 
341 
204 
— 
14  

751 
72 
26 
458 
— 
43 
78 

The 4.00%, 2.50% and 3.74% fixed US dollar bank loans are secured on specific plant and equipment held by 4B Elevator Components Limited. 
The US dollar term loan and the GBP term loans form part of the Group funding arrangements. These loans are secured by a fixed and floating 
charge over certain assets of certain Group companies. Other loans are unsecured. In April 2020 the Group took advantage of a very favourable 
early repayment discount and paid off the 2020 term loans.

14c. Lease liabilities are as follows:

Within one year
One to two years
Two to five years

15. DEFERRED INCOME TAX LIABILITY

Accelerated capital allowances in excess of depreciation
Rolled over capital gains

The increase in deferred tax liability relates primarily to newly opened facilities in the US.

Balance at 1st January 2019
Charge to income statement during the year

Balance at 31st December 2019

2019 
£’000 

379 
201 
312 

892 

2019 
£’000 

303 
57 

360  

2018 
£’000 

—
—
—

—

2018 
£’000 

207 
58

265  

Deferred tax 
£’000 

265 
95 

360  

Deferred tax has been recognised at a blended rate of 29% (2018 – 29%) on accelerated capital allowances in 4B Elevator Components Limited and 
17% (2018 – 17%) in respect of the Company and Braime Pressings Limited. Please refer to note 5 for changes in the Finance Bill post-year end.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201942

Notes to the accounts

For the year ended 31st December 2019 (continued)

16. SHARE CAPITAL 

Authorised:
480,000 Ordinary shares of 25p each
1,200,000 ‘A’ Ordinary shares of 25p each

Allotted, called up and fully paid:
480,000 Ordinary shares of 25p each
960,000 ‘A’ Ordinary shares of 25p each

2019 
£’000 

2018 
£’000 

120 
300 

420 

120 
240 

360 

120 
300 

420 

120 
240 

360 

The ‘A’ Ordinary shares rank pari passu in all respects with Ordinary shares except that the holders of ‘A’ Ordinary shares are not entitled 
to vote at general meetings. Holders of Ordinary shares are entitled to one vote for every four shares held.

17. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including currency risk and cash flow interest rate risk), credit risk and 
liquidity risk.

The Group holds financial instruments in order to finance its operations and to manage the interest rate and currency risks arising from those operations.

All financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at transaction price (including transaction costs). If an arrangement constitutes a financing 
transaction, the financial asset or financial liability is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest  
for a similar debt instrument.

Trade and other receivables net of impairment losses, cash and bank balances, trade and other payables are subsequently measured at the amortised 
cost equivalent to the undiscounted amount of cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received.

Bank loans are initially measured at the present value of future payment, discounted at a market rate of interest and subsequently measured  
at amortised costs using the effective interest method.

Whilst hire purchase and lease liabilities within note 13 and 14 are included within financial liabilities they do not constitute a financial instrument.

There is no formal policy for matching foreign currency cash flows, or matching exposure to foreign currency net assets or liabilities although  
a careful watch is kept on the positions. As shown below the Group’s currency exposure at the year end is £1,836,000 (2018 – £3,055,000) and  
is primarily euros and US dollars to sterling.

The Group’s policy is to ensure a balance of financial instruments to meet its operating requirements. This has been achieved during the period. 
Unutilised committed borrowing facilities have been maintained in order to provide flexibility in the management of liquidity.

Fair values
There is no material difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities. Financial 
instruments carried at fair value are required to be measured by reference to the following levels:

Level 1 – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly  

(i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and

Level 3 – inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

The level within which the financial asset or liability is classified is determined based on the lowest level of significant input to one fair value measurement. 
The only instruments entered into by the Group are included in level 2 and consist of fixed interest term loans and foreign currency forward contracts.

Forward contracts
There were no forward currency contracts outstanding at 31st December 2019 (31st December 2018 – £nil).

Fixed interest term loans
As at 31st December 2019 fixed interest rate US dollar term loans amounted to £835,000 (2018 – £849,000) (see note 14b).

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 2019 
 
43

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Maturity analysis
Other than is disclosed in note 14 regarding bank loans, obligations under leases and hire purchase agreements all financial instruments 
fall due within one year.

In addition to the maturity analysis disclosed in note 14 the interest due on hire purchase agreements repayable within one year totals 
£12,000 (2018 – £22,000), the interest due on hire purchase agreements after one year but not more than five years totals £31,000 
(2018 – £16,000). Likewise the interest due on bank loans repayable within one year totals £43,000 (2018 – £52,000), the interest due 
on bank loans repayable after one year but not more than five years totals £45,000 (2018 – £72,000), and the interest due on bank 
loans repayable after more than five years totals £nil (2018 – £nil).

Interest due on lease liabilities within one year totals £20,000, and interest due on lease liabilities falling due after one year but not more 
than five years totals £35,000. In prior years, lease liabilities were not classed as financial instruments.

Interest rate and currency of financial assets and liabilities

The currency and interest rate profile of the Group’s interest bearing financial assets is shown below:

Currency
As at 31st December 2019

Sterling
Euro
US dollar
Other

Floating rate 
financial assets 
£’000 

Fixed rate 
financial assets 
£’000 

Financial assets 
Total 
£’000 

(805)
260 
1,596 
628 

1,679 

— 
— 
— 
—

— 

(805)
260 
1,596 
628 

1,679 

Negative sterling floating rate financial assets relate to bank overdrafts available for offset against credit currency balances where a legal 
right of set-off exists.

Currency
As at 31st December 2018

Sterling
Euro
US dollar
Other

Floating rate 
financial assets 
£’000 

Fixed rate 
financial assets 
£’000 

Financial assets 
Total 
£’000 

16 
111 
1,063 
1,123 

2,313 

— 
— 
— 
—

— 

16 
111 
1,063 
1,123 

2,313 

The currency and interest rate profile of the Group’s interest bearing financial liabilities is shown below:

Currency
As at 31st December 2019

Sterling
Euro
US dollar
Other

Floating rate 
financial liabilities 
£’000 

Fixed rate 
financial liabilities 
£’000 

Financial liabilities 
Total 
£’000 

(2,284)
(179)
(341)
— 

(2,804)

(659)
(9)
(843)
(216) 

(1,727)

(2,943)
(188)
(1,184)
(216)

(4,531) 

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201944

Notes to the accounts

For the year ended 31st December 2019 (continued)

17. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)

Currency
As at 31st December 2018

Sterling
Euro
US dollar
Other

Floating rate 
financial liabilities 
£’000 

Fixed rate 
financial liabilities 
£’000 

Financial liabilities 
Total 
£’000 

7,440 
(2,678)
(2,463)
(100)

2,199 

320 
— 
1,267 
49 

1,636 

7,760 
(2,678)
(1,196)
(51)

3,835 

Floating rate financial liabilities comprise bank borrowings and lease assets. Negative balances in financial liabilities denote credit balances 
available for offset against bank overdrafts.

Currency exposure

The Group operates in a number of currencies and the monetary assets and liabilities of the Group that are not denominated in the 
functional currency of the operating unit concerned are shown below.

Non interest bearing financial assets/(liabilities)

Functional currency
As at 31st December 2019

Sterling
Euro
US dollar 
Other

Non interest bearing financial assets/(liabilities)

Functional currency
As at 31st December 2018

Sterling
Euro
US dollar

Sterling 
£’000 

Euro 
£’000 

US dollar 
£’000

Other 
currencies 
£’000 

—
— 
(540)
(655)

(1,195)

863  
— 
(12)
— 

851  

(1,163)
— 
— 
66 

(1,097)

2,436 
— 
— 
 (6)

2,430 

Sterling
£’000

Euro 
£’000 

US dollar 
£’000

Other 
currencies 
£’000 

— 
—
(970)

(970)

903 
— 
(7)

896 

(117)
— 
—

(117)

2,995 
—
— 

2,995 

Total 
£’000 

2,136 
— 
(552)
 (595)

989 

Total 
£’000

3,781 
—
(977) 

2,804 

Risk sensitivity
Interest rate sensitivity
Based on the year end balance of floating rate assets and liabilities, a change in interest rates of 1% in the monetary assets and liabilities 
mentioned above invested or borrowed will not affect the income statement by a figure greater or less than £11,000 (2018 – £3,000).

Currency rate sensitivity
A weakening in the value of sterling by 10% will benefit the operating profit by a figure not exceeding £204,000 (2018 – £554,000).  
A strengthening of sterling by 10% will reduce the operating profit by a figure not greater than £167,000 (2018 – £677,000).

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201945

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

These amounts are estimates. Actual results in the future may differ materially from these due to development in the global financial 
markets which may cause fluctuations in interest and exchange rates to vary. The amounts stated above should not be considered  
a projection of likely future events and losses.

Borrowing facilities

The Group has the following undrawn committed borrowing facilities:

Expiring in one year or less

2019 
£’000 

1,519 

2018 
£’000 

1,110 

These facilities are for the purposes of working capital flexibility and are reviewed annually.

Group bank loans and overdrafts and invoice discounting facilities have been secured by a fixed and floating charge over certain assets of 
certain Group companies.

Foreign currency risk
Foreign exchange risk arises because the Group has operations located in various parts of the world whose functional currency is not  
the same as the Group’s primary functional currency (sterling). Although its global market penetration arguably reduces the Group’s risk 
in that it has diversified into several markets, the net assets from such overseas operations are exposed to currency risk giving rise  
to gains or losses on re-translation into sterling. Only in exceptional circumstances will the Group consider hedging its net investments  
in overseas operations as generally it does not consider that the cash flow risk created from such hedging techniques warrants the 
reduction in volatility in consolidated net assets.

Foreign exchange risk also arises when individual Group operations enter into transactions denominated in a currency other than their functional 
currency. It is Group policy that all such transactions should be hedged locally by entering into forward contracts with Group treasury. Where it is 
considered that the risk to the Group is significant, Group treasury will enter into a matching forward contract with a reputable bank.

It is Group policy that transactions between Group entities are generally denominated in the selling entity’s functional currency thereby giving rise 
to foreign exchange risk in the income statement of both the purchasing entity and the Group. The exception to this are charges made by the 
UK, since it is deemed to control treasury risks. Although the selling entity might hedge this exposure with Group treasury, no external hedge  
is entered into at Group level as there is no exposure to consolidated net assets from intra-Group transactions.

Liquidity risk
The liquidity risk of each Group entity is managed centrally by the Group treasury function. Each operation has a facility with Group 
treasury, the amount of the facility being based on budgets. The budgets are set locally and agreed by the board annually in advance, 
enabling the Group’s cash requirements to be anticipated. Where facilities of Group entities need to be increased, approval must be 
sought from the Group finance director. Where the amount of the facility is above a certain level agreement of the board is needed.

All surplus cash is held centrally to maximize the returns on deposits through economics of scale. The type of cash instrument used and 
its maturity date will depend on the Group’s forecast cash requirements. The Group maintains a draw down facility with a major banking 
corporation to manage any unexpected short-term cash shortfalls.

Interest rate risk
The Group finances its operations through a mixture of retained profit, bank borrowings and finance lease arrangements. The Group 
generally borrows at floating rates but some borrowing arrangements provide fixed interest payments for a proportion of its debt over  
a specified period. This enables the Group to forecast borrowing costs with a degree of certainty.

Credit risk
The Group is mainly exposed to credit risk from credit sales. It is Group policy, implemented locally, to insure sales when insurance cover 
is available.

Quantitative disclosures have been made in note 11.

The Group does not enter into complex derivatives to manage credit risk.

Capital risk
The Group’s objective when maintaining capital, being the share capital and capital reserves, is to safeguard the Group’s ability  
to continue as a going concern so that it is able to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201946

Notes to the accounts

For the year ended 31st December 2019 (continued)

18. EARNINGS PER SHARE AND DIVIDENDS

Both the basic and diluted earnings per share have been calculated using the net results attributable to shareholders of Braime Group 
PLC as the numerator.

The weighted average number of outstanding shares used for basic earnings per share amounted to 1,440,000 shares  
(2018 – 1,440,000). There are no potentially dilutive shares in issue.

Dividends paid

Equity shares
Ordinary shares
Interim of 8.00p (2018 – 7.10p) per share paid on 17th May 2019
Interim of 3.60p (2018 – 3.50p) per share paid on 18th October 2019

‘A’ Ordinary shares
Interim of 8.00p (2018 – 7.10p) per share paid on 17th May 2019
Interim of 3.60p (2018 – 3.50p) per share paid on 18th October 2019

Total dividends paid

An interim dividend of 8.00p per Ordinary and ‘A’ Ordinary share will be paid on 5th June 2020.

19. PENSION COSTS 

2019
£’000

2018 
£’000 

38 
17 

55  

77 
35  

112  

167  

34 
17 

51 

68 
34  

102  

153 

19.1 Scheme summary
The Group operates a number of defined contribution schemes, the cost of which are disclosed in note 6. Additionally the Group 
operates a funded defined benefit pension scheme, the Braime Pressings Limited Retirement Benefits Scheme (the Scheme). The Scheme 
provides benefits based on final salary and length of service on retirement, leaving service or death on behalf of certain companies  
in the Group. The Scheme is closed to new members. The assets of the Scheme are held separately from those of the Group, being 
predominantly invested with an insurance company. The Scheme is funded to cover future pension liabilities. The following disclosures 
refer only to the Scheme.

The Scheme is managed by a board of trustees appointed in part by the Group and part from elections by members of the Scheme.  
The trustees have responsibility for obtaining valuations of the fund, administering benefit payments and investing the Scheme’s assets. 
The trustees delegate some of these functions to their professional advisers where appropriate.

The Scheme is subject to the Statutory Funding Objective under the Pensions Act 2004. A valuation of the Scheme is carried out at  
least once every three years to determine whether the Statutory Funding Objective is met. As part of the process the Group must agree 
with the trustees of the Scheme the contributions to be paid to address any shortfall against the Statutory Funding Objective, and 
contributions to pay for future accrual of benefits. A qualified actuary determines the contributions payable to the Scheme. The most 
recent actuarial valuation was conducted at 6th April 2019. The market value of Scheme assets at 6th April 2019 was £9,463,000.  
The funding level at 6th April 2019 was 104% on an ongoing basis. The Statutory Funding Objective does not currently impact  
on the recognition of the Scheme in these accounts.

The next valuation of the scheme is due as at 6th April 2022. In the event that the actuarial valuation reveals a larger deficit than 
expected the Company may be required to increase contributions above those set out in the existing schedule of contributions. 
Conversely, if the position is better than expected contributions may be reduced.

The Group expects to pay contributions of around £49,000 during the year to 31st December 2020. The weighted average duration  
of the defined benefit obligation is approximately 16 years.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 2019 
47

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

19.2 Risks
The cost of the Scheme to the Group depend upon a number of assumptions about future events. Future contributions may be higher  
(or lower) than those currently agreed if the assumptions are not borne out in practice or if different assumptions are agreed in the future.

•   Investment risk. The Scheme 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 Scheme’s liabilities are assessed using market yields on high quality corporate bonds to discount the liabilities.  
As the Scheme holds assets such as equities and annuity policies the value of the assets and liabilities may not move in the same way.

•  Inflation risk. A significant proportion of the benefits under the Scheme are linked to inflation. Although the Scheme’s assets are expected 

to provide some hedging against inflation over the long-term, movements over the short-term could lead to deficits emerging.

•  Mortality risk. In the event that members live longer than assumed a deficit will emerge in the Scheme.

19.3 Reconciliation of defined benefit obligation and fair value of scheme assets

Defined benefit  

obligation

Fair value of  

scheme assets

Net defined  
scheme liability

Balance at 1st January

Service cost – current
Service cost – past
Administration costs
Interest cost/(income)
Interest effect of asset ceiling

Included in profit or loss

Effect of asset ceiling

Remeasurement loss/(gain)
a) Actuarial loss/(gain) from:
– Financial assumptions 
– Demographic assumption
– Adjustments (experience)

b) Return on plan asset  
    (excluding interest)

Included in other 
comprehensive income

Employers contributions
Employees contributions
Benefits paid

Other movements

2019 
£’000 

8,828 

71 
— 
— 
240 
— 

311

— 

851 
(421)
(59)

— 

371 

— 
10 
(220)

(210)

2018 
£’000 

9,038 

74 
105 
— 
219 
— 

398  

—

(405) 
—
—

— 

(405) 

— 
9 
(212)

(203)

2019 
£’000 

2018 
£’000 

2019 
£’000 

2018 
£’000 

(8,746)

 (9,128)

— 
— 
65 
(237)
— 

(172)

—

— 
—
—

— 
— 
26 
(221)
— 

(195)

—

— 
—
—

(777)

421

(777) 

(43)
(10)
220 

167 

421

(47)
(9)
212 

156 

 82 

71 
— 
65 
3 
— 

139  

228

851
(421) 
(59)

(777) 

(178)

(43)
— 
— 

(43)

(90)

74 
105 
26 
(2)
2 

205  

90

(76)
— 
— 

—

(76)

(47)
— 
— 

(47)

Balance at 31st December

9,300 

8,828 

(9,528)

(8,746)

— 

82  

The asset ceiling arises as based on the assumptions adopted there is a pension scheme asset of £228,000 at 31st December 2019 but as 
Braime Pressings Limited does not have an unconditional right to any surplus of the scheme the surplus of £228,000 has not been recognised  
in the group balance sheet and therefore assets have been reduced by £228,000 to £9,300,000 so as to equal scheme liabilities at that date. 

The effect of GMP equalisation has been allowed as a past service cost in 2018. Other than this, there were no plan amendments, curtailments 
or settlements during the period. Remeasurement gains and losses arising from experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions 
are recognised within the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Included in remeasurement gains are the effect of asset ceiling  
of £228,000 (2018 – £90,000) but the interest effect of asset ceiling are recognised in the profit for the year.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 2019 
48

Notes to the accounts

For the year ended 31st December 2019 (continued)

19. PENSION COSTS (CONTINUED)

19.4 Analysis of fair value of plan assets between asset categories

Annuity policies in payment
Equities – quoted – overseas
Equities – quoted – UK
Cash
With profit deferred annuities

Total

The assets do not include any investment in shares of the Company.

19.5 Reconciliation of effect of asset ceiling

Effect of asset ceiling at start
Interest on effect of asset ceiling
Actuarial losses/(gains)

Effect of asset ceiling at end

19.6 Key assumptions and sensitivities
The key actuarial assumptions at balance sheet date are shown below: 

2019 
% of total 
assets 

2018  
% of total  
assets 

55.8% 
12.1% 
2.5% 
2.6% 
27.0%  

100% 

57.8% 
10.7% 
2.3% 
2.8% 
26.4%  

100% 

2019 
£’000

5,317 
1,153 
238 
248 
2,572  

9,528 

2019
£’000

— 
— 
228

228

2018 
£’000

5,055 
936 
201 
245 
2,309  

8,746 

2018 
£’000 

90 
2 
(92) 

— 

Discount rate
Inflation (RPI)
Salary increases
Pension increase (LP15)
Post retirement mortality

Commutation

Zurich with-profits deferred annuity policy

2019

2018 

2.00% 
3.40% 
3.40% 
3.30% 
115% of the S3NA tables with CMI 2018 
projections using a long-term 
improvement rate of 1.00% pa 
No allowance has been made for 
members to take tax free cash 
70% future income value,  
30% market value 

2.75%
3.65%
4.65%
3.50%
110% of S2NA tables with  
CMI 2015 projections with a long-term  
rate of improvement of 1% pa
No allowance has been made for 
members to take tax free cash
70% future income value,  
30% market value

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201949

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

The impact on the defined benefit obligation to changes in the significant principal assumptions are shown below.

The sensitivities are approximate and only show the likely effect of an assumption being adjusted whilst all other assumptions remain  
the same. The sensitivity analysis shown has been determined using the same method as per the calculation of liabilities for the balance 
sheet disclosures, but using assumptions adjusted as detailed below.

Approximate effect on liability 
£’000 

Adjustments to assumptions

Discount rate
Plus 0.50%
Minus 0.50%

Inflation
Plus 0.50%
Minus 0.50%

Salary increase
Plus 0.50%
Minus 0.50%

Life expectancy
Plus 1.0 years
Minus 1.0 years

% With-profit deferred annuities converted on retirement using guaranteed annuity rates
Plus 10.00% (i.e. 80%)
Minus 10.00% (i.e. 60%)

20. NOTES SUPPORTING CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand
Bank overdraft

160 
(182)

(274)
274 

(63)
61 

(27)
34 

229
(229)

2019
£’000

2018 
£’000 

1,679 
(1,016)

663 

2,313 
(832)

1,481  

Major non-cash transaction
During the year the Group acquired tangible assets of £551,000 subject to finance (2018 – £30,000) under hire purchase agreements.

21. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS
There were capital commitments of £544,000 (2018 – £362,000) which are contracted but not provided for in these financial statements. 

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201950

Notes to the accounts

For the year ended 31st December 2019 (continued)

22. SUBSIDIARIES

Subsidiary

Principal activity

Proportion of shares held 
2019 and 2018 

Ordinary 
Shares

Preference 
Shares 

Manufacture of metal presswork
Distribution of bulk material handling components
Dormant

100%
100%
100%

100% 
—

—

Distribution of bulk material handling components

100%

Distribution of bulk material handling components

100%

Distribution of bulk material handling components

48%

—

—

—

—

—

14 Newport Business Park, Mica Drice,  
Kya Sand, 2163 Johannesburg, South Africa:
4B Africa Elevator Components (Pty) Limited Distribution of bulk material handling components

100%

Distribution of bulk material handling components

100%

i  Registered in and operating from  

Hunslet Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire,  
LS10 1JZ, England:
Braime Pressings Limited
4B Braime Components Limited
T.F. & J.H. Braime (Holdings) P.L.C.

ii  Registered as above and operating from  
625 Erie Avenue, Morton, Illinois, USA:
 4B Elevator Components Limited

iii  Incorporated in and operating from  
9 Route de Corbie, 80800 Lamotte 
Warfusee, France:
  4B-France sarl

iv  Incorporated in and operating from 899/1 
Moo 20, Soi Chongsiri, Bangplee-Tam Ru 
Road, Samutprakam, 10540, Thailand:
  4B Asia Pacific Company Limited

v  Incorporated in and operating from  

vi  Incorporated in and operating from  

Unit 1, 18 Overlord Place, Acacia Ridge, 
Queensland, 4110, Australia:
4B Australia Pty Limited

vii  Incorporated in and operating from  

18 Xinya Road, Wujin State High & New 
Technology Development Zone, 
Changzhou, Jiangsu, China:
4B Braime (Changzhou) Industrial  
Control Equipment Company Limited

Distribution of bulk material handling components

100%

—

While only 48% of the ordinary shares are held in 4B Asia Pacific Company Limited the Company controls 89% of the voting rights. As a 
consequence no single investor directly controls the investee however, given the operational management that the company demonstrates, 
it has the ability to direct the relevant activities and the decision making process such that it has power over the investee.

23. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The total remuneration for key management personnel for the year including directors totalled £1,344,000 (2018 – £1,098,000).
There were no other related party transactions during the year.

24. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENT
The Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, which began as an outbreak in China in January 2020, very quickly spread across to Europe and the rest  
of the world and is affecting all businesses for an indeterminate period. In common with all other businesses in its sector, the Group’s trading 
subsidiaries in all locations have been impacted by the pandemic. 

At the date of approval of the financial statements it has not been possible to quantify or ascertain with any certainty the financial impact  
of Covid-19. As it is a non-adjusting event occurring after the year end, no adjustments have been made to any figures in the financial 
statements as a result of the pandemic.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Company balance sheet 

As at 31st December 2019

Fixed assets
Intangible assets
Tangible fixed assets
Investments

Current assets
Debtors: due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Amounts owed to group undertakings
Other creditors falling due within one year

Net current (liabilities)/assets

Total assets less current liabilities

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
Provisions for liabilities

Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
Revaluation reserve
Capital redemption reserve
Retained earnings

Shareholders’ funds

51

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

2019
£’000

25 
6,679 
1,978 

8,682 

979 

979 

4,074 
1,839 

5,913 

2018
£’000

36 
6,084 
1,978 

8,098 

1,429

1,429 

2,175 
3,514 

5,689 

(4,934)

(4,260)

3,748 

3,838 

358 
237 

142 
149 

3,153 

3,547 

360 
85 
180 
2,528 

3,153 

360 
85 
180 
2,922 

3,547

Note

3
4
5

8

9

10
11

12

Company’s loss for the financial year

(227)

(317)

These financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board of directors on 12th May 2020 and signed on its behalf by:

Nicholas Braime, Chairman

Cielo Cartwright, Group Finance Director

The notes on pages 53 to 58 form part of these financial statements.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201952

Company statement of changes in equity

For the year ended 31st December 2019

Balance at 1st January 2018
Comprehensive income for the  
 financial year – profit
Dividends paid

Balance at 31st December 2018

Comprehensive income for the  
 financial year – loss
Dividends paid

Balance at 31st December 2019

Called up  
Share Capital 
£’000 

Revaluation 
Reserve 
£’000 

Capital 
Redemption 
Reserve 
£’000

360 

— 
— 

360 

— 
— 

360 

85 

— 
— 

85 

— 
— 

85 

180 

— 
— 

180 

— 
— 

180 

Retained 
Earnings 
£’000 

3,392 

(317)
(153) 

Total 
£’000 

4,017 

(317)
(153)

2,922 

3,547  

(227)
(167)

2,528 

(227)
(167)

3,153 

The revaluation reserve represents the fair value uplift in the Company’s freehold property.

The capital redemption reserve represents the nominal value of preference share capital repurchased by the Company.

The retained earnings represents cumulative profit or losses net of dividends and other adjustments. Included within retained earnings  
is a non-distributable amount of £71,000.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Notes to the Company accounts

For the year ended 31st December 2019

53

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

1. COMPANY INFORMATION
Braime Group PLC is a Company limited by shares, incorporated in England & Wales. Its registered office is Hunslet Road, Leeds, LS10 1JZ. 
The Company is a holding company. Details of the Group’s activities are provided on page 6.

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

2.1 Accounting convention
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102 March 2018 ‘The Financial Reporting 
Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ and the Companies Act 2006. 

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as described below.

As a consequence the Company has elected to measure freehold land and buildings leased to other group companies, previously measured 
at fair value, under the historical cost convention. The fair value at the date of transition has been used as its deemed cost at this date.

Investment properties fair valued at 31st December 2016 of £4,533,000 have been redesignated as freehold property and the difference 
between the deemed cost and its historic cost treated as a revaluation reserve. As at 1st January 2016 this resulted in the creation  
of a revaluation reserve of £85,000, with a corresponding decrease in retained earnings.

The functional currency of the Company is considered to be pounds sterling.

2.2 Financial Reporting Standard 102 – reduced disclosure exemptions
The Company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions in preparing these financial statements as permitted by FRS102 
“The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland”.

•  The requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows;

•  the requirement of Section 3 Financial Statement Presentation paragraph 3.17 (d);

•  the requirements of Section 11 Financial Instruments paragraphs 11.39 to 11.48A;

•  the requirements of Section 12 Other Financial Instruments paragraphs 12.26 to 12.29;

•  the requirement of Section 33 Related Party Disclosures paragraph 33.7.

2.3 Intangible assets
Acquired bespoke software is included at cost and amortised in equal annual instalments over a period of 5 years which is its estimated 
useful economic life. Provision is made for any impairment.

2.4 Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at purchase cost together with any incidental expenses of acquisition, net of depreciation and  
any provision for impairment.

Depreciation is provided on all tangible assets, at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over  
its expected useful life.

•  Plant and machinery 

4 – 5 years on a straight line basis

•  Fixtures and fittings 

4 – 5 years on a straight line basis

•  Motor vehicles 

4 – 5 years on a straight line basis

Depreciation has not been charged on freehold land and buildings in the year as the directors consider their residual value to be higher  
than their net book value.

Residual value represents the estimated amount which would currently be obtained from the disposal of an asset after deducting estimated 
costs of disposal, if the asset were already at an age and in the condition expected at the end of its estimated useful life.

The need for any fixed asset impairment write down is assessed by comparison of the carrying value of the assets against the higher  
of realisable value and value in use.

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined on the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value  
of the asset, and is recognised in the profit and loss account.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201954

Notes to the Company accounts

For the year ended 31st December 2019 (continued)

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

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

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into.  
An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Company after deducting all of its liabilities.

All financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at transaction price (including transaction costs). If an arrangement constitutes  
a financing transaction, the financial asset or financial liability is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted  
at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.

The following assets and liabilities are classified as basic financial instruments – cash and bank balances, trade creditors, accruals,  
bank loans and inter-company balances.

Cash and bank balances, trade creditors, accruals and inter-company balances (being repayable on demand) are measured at the 
amortised cost equivalent to the undiscounted amount of cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received.

Bank loans are initially measured at the present value of future payments, discounted at a market rate of interest and subsequently 
measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

2.6 Impairment of assets
Assets are assessed for indicators of impairment at each balance sheet date. If there is objective evidence of impairment, an impairment 
loss is recognised in profit and loss as described below.

Non financial assets
An asset is impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after initial recognition,  
the estimated recoverable value of the asset has been reduced. The recoverable amount of an asset is the higher of its fair value less  
osts to sell and its value in use.

Financial assets
For financial assets carried at cost less impairment, the impairment loss is the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and  
the best estimate of the amount that would be received for the asset if it were sold at the reporting date.

Where indicators exist for a decrease in impairment loss, and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the 
impairment was recognised, the prior impairment loss is tested to determine reversal. An impairment loss is reversed on an individual 
impaired financial asset to the extent that the revised recoverable value does not lead to a revised carrying amount higher than the 
carrying value had the impairment loss not been recognised.

2.7 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities, 
except where a legal right of set off exists.

2.8 Investments
Investments in subsidiaries are measured at cost less impairment.

2.9 Taxation
Current tax, including UK corporation tax is provided at amounts expected to be paid (or recovered) using the tax rates and laws  
that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date and that 
give rise to an obligation to pay more tax or a right to pay less tax in the future. Timing differences are differences between the 
Company’s taxable profits and its results as stated in the financial statements that arise from the inclusion of gains and losses in tax 
assessments in different periods from those in which they are recognised in the financial statements.

Unrelieved tax losses and other deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that, on the basis of all available evidence, it can  
be regarded as more likely than not that there will be suitable taxable profits from which the future reversal of the underlying timing 
differences can be deducted.

Deferred tax is measured using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and  
are expected to apply to the reversal of the timing difference. Deferred tax relating to the Company’s properties are measured using  
the tax rates and allowances that apply to sale of the asset.

Where items recognised in other comprehensive income or equity are chargeable to or deductible for tax purposes, the resulting current 
or deferred tax expense or income is presented in the same component of comprehensive income or equity as the transaction or other 
event that resulted in the tax expense or income.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201955

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

2.10 Foreign currencies
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction. 

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are reported at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. 
Exchange differences are recognised in the income statement in the period in which they arise. 

2.11 Hire purchase and leasing commitments
Assets held under finance leases, hire purchase contracts and other similar arrangements, which confer rights and obligations similar  
to those attached to owned assets, are capitalised as tangible fixed assets at the fair value of the lease asset (or, if lower the present value 
of the minimum lease payments as determined at the inception of the lease) and are depreciated over the shorter of the lease terms  
and their useful lives. The capital elements of future lease obligations are recorded as liabilities, while the interest elements are charged to 
the profit and loss account over the period of the leases to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance  
of the liability.

2.12 Critical accounting judgements and sources of estimation uncertainty
In the application of the Company’s accounting policies, management is required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about 
carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily available from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions  
are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised  
in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods  
if the revision affects both current and future periods.

The critical judgements that the directors have made in applying the Company’s accounting policies and the key sources of estimation 
uncertainty that have had the most significant effect on the financial statements are described below:

Carrying value of freehold land and buildings
As described in notes 2.1 and 2.4 to the financial statements the Company’s freehold land and buildings are now carried at deemed cost 
with reference to a previous independent valuation as at 31st December 2015. Having given consideration to current property values the 
directors have considered that the properties residual values exceed their net book values, hence no depreciation need be charged.

Useful economic lives of plant and machinery
The annual depreciation charge for plant and machinery is sensitive to changes in the estimated useful economic lives and residual values 
of the assets. The useful economic lives and residual values are re-assessed annually. They are amended when necessary to reflect current 
estimates, based on technological advancement, future investments, economic utilisation and the physical condition of the assets.

3. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Cost
At 1st January 2019
Additions

At 31st December 2019

Amortisation
At 1st January 2019
Provided for the year

At 31st December 2019

Net book value
At 31st December 2019

At 31st December 2018

Software 
£’000 

52 
— 

52

16 
11

27

25 

36

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201956

Notes to the Company accounts

For the year ended 31st December 2019 (continued)

4. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Freehold 
Land and 
buildings 
£’000 

Plant and 
machinery 
£’000 

Fixtures and 
fittings 
£’000 

Motor 
vehicles 
£’000 

Cost
At 1st January 2019
Additions
Transfer from subsidiary undertaking
Disposals

At 31st December 2019

Depreciation
At 1st January 2019
Provided for the year
Transfer from subsidiary undertaking
Disposals

At 31st December 2019

4,323 
—  
— 
— 

4,323 

10 
—
—
— 

10 

3,415 
1,080 
317 
— 

4,812 

1,726 
614 
199 
— 

2,539 

Net book value
At 31st December 2019

4,313 

2,273 

At 31st December 2018

4,313 

1,689 

148 
58  
— 
—

206 

66 
47 
— 
— 

113  

93  

82  

2 
— 
— 
—

2 

2 
—
— 
—

2 

— 

—

Total 
£’000 

7,888 
1,138 
317  
—

9,343 

1,804 
661 
199 
— 

2,664 

6,679 

6,084 

The net book value of tangible fixed assets includes an amount of £651,000 (2018 – £420,000) in respect of assets under finance leases 
and hire purchase contracts. The related depreciation on these assets for the year was £183,000 (2018 – £199,000). Assets in the course 
of construction which have not been depreciated total £710,000 (2018 – £701,000).

The historical cost of the freehold land and buildings is £2,855,000.

5. INVESTMENTS

Subsidiary undertakings 

At 1st January 2019 and 31st December 2019

The list of subsidiaries is disclosed in note 22 of the consolidated financial statements.  

£’000 

1,978

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 20196. EMPLOYEES

Office and management

Directors remuneration
Emoluments for qualifying service

57

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

2019 
No. 

7 

2019 
£’000 

2018 
No. 

— 

2018 
£’000 

540  

56 

Certain directors and central administration team are paid directly by the Company with effect from 1st January 2019. Further details  
of directors’ remuneration are included in the remuneration report.

7. PROFIT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR
The Company has taken advantage of the exemption allowed under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not presented  
its own Income Statement in these financial statements.

8. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS RECEIVABLE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Other taxes
Prepayments
Amounts owed by group undertakings

9. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Bank overdraft
Bank loan – secured
Corporation tax
Trade creditors
Accruals
Other creditors
Hire purchase – secured

2019 
£’000 

61 
142 
776  

979 

2019 
£’000 

1,499 
14 
6 
2 
133 
— 
185  

1,839 

2018 
£’000 

215 
149 
1,065  

1,429  

2018 
£’000 

2,737 
105 
6 
91 
126 
291 
158  

3,514 

Cross guarantees exist in respect of all Group company bank borrowings. At 31st December 2019 the borrowings guaranteed by the 
Company amounted to £nil (2018 – £nil).

Funds advanced for capital assets which were deemed potentially refundable in 2018 have been recognised in the profit and loss account in 2019.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201958

Notes to the Company accounts

For the year ended 31st December 2019 (continued)

10. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR

Bank loan – secured
Hire purchase creditor – secured

The bank loan and hire purchase creditors are secured by fixed charges over certain assets of the Company.

11. PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES 

Deferred tax liability
Accelerated capital allowances
Rolled over capital gains
Property fair value adjustment

Balance at 1st January 2019
Charge to income statement during the year

Balance at 31st December 2019

2019 
£’000 

— 
358  

358  

2018 
£’000 

16 
126 

142  

2019 
£’000 

2018 
£’000 

—
58 
91 

149 

97 
58 
82  

237  

Deferred 
tax 
£’000 

149 
88 

237  

Deferred tax has been recognised at a rate of 17% (2018 – 17%) based on tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively 
enacted at the balance sheet date.

The Finance Bill 2016 enacted provisions to reduce the main rate of UK corporation tax to 17% from 1st April 2020. However, in the 
March 2020 Budget it was announced that the reduction in the UK rate to 17% will now not occur and the Corporation Tax Rate  
will be held at 19%. As substantive enactment is after the balance sheet date, deferred tax balances as at 31st December 2019 continue 
to be measured at a rate of 17%. If the amended tax rate had been used, the deferred tax liability would have been £28,000 higher.

12. SHARE CAPITAL 

Authorised:
480,000 Ordinary shares of 25p each
1,200,000 ‘A’ Ordinary shares of 25p each

Allotted, called up and fully paid:
480,000 Ordinary shares of 25p each
960,000 ‘A’ Ordinary shares of 25p each

2019
£’000 

2018 
£’000 

120 
300 

420 

120 
240 

360 

120 
300 

420 

120 
240 

360 

The ‘A’ Ordinary shares rank pari passu in all respects with Ordinary shares except that the holders of ‘A’ Ordinary shares are not entitled 
to vote at general meetings. Holders of Ordinary shares are entitled to one vote for every four shares held.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Five year record 

Turnover

Profit from operations

Profit before tax

Profit after tax

59

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

2019 
£’000 

2018 
£’000 

2017 
£’000 

2016 
£’000 

2015 
£’000 

33,433 

35,718 

31,449  

28,415  

26,470  

2,221 

1,746 

1,349 

3,242  

3,017 

2,229  

2,341  

2,201 

1,580  

1,394  

1,274  

855 

897 

1,950  

1,542  

Basic and diluted earnings per share

94.44p 

151.25p 

109.73p 

59.34p 

107.05p  

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201960

Notice of meeting

Notice is hereby given that the SEVENTIETH Annual General Meeting of the members of Braime Group PLC (the ‘Company’) will be 
held at the registered office of the Company at Hunslet Road, Leeds, LS10 1JZ on 29th June 2020 at 11.45am. 

Important Information regarding the AGM

The Company has been closely monitoring developments relating to the Coronavirus pandemic, including the related public health 
guidance and legislation issued by the UK Government. At the time of writing, the UK Government has prohibited public gatherings  
of more than two people and non-essential travel, save in certain limited circumstances. In light of these measures, the 2020 AGM  
will be run as a closed meeting and shareholders will not be able to attend in person. The Company will make arrangements such  
that the legal requirements to hold the meeting can be satisfied through the attendance of a minimum number of people and the  
format of the meeting will be purely functional. 

Shareholders are therefore strongly encouraged to submit a proxy vote in advance of the meeting. Details on how to do this are set  
out in the accompanying notes to the Notice. Shareholders are encouraged to appoint the Chairman of the Meeting as their proxy  
rather than a named person who will not be permitted to attend the meeting. This will ensure your votes are cast in accordance  
with your wishes.

Ordinary Resolutions

1.  To receive and adopt the report of the directors, the statement of accounts and the directors’ remuneration report, for the year 

ended 31st December 2019, and the report of the auditors thereon.

2.  To confirm the dividends paid on 18th October 2019 and 5th June 2020 on the Ordinary and ‘A’ Ordinary shares.

3.  a)   To re-appoint as a director O. N. A. Braime, who is retiring by rotation in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association 

and, being eligible, offers himself for re-election.

b)   To re-appoint as a director P. J. O. Alcock, who is retiring by rotation in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association 

and, being eligible, offers himself for re-election.

4.  To re-appoint Kirk Newsholme as auditors, to hold office from the conclusion of this meeting until the conclusion of the next  

Annual General Meeting of the Company at which accounts are laid.

5.  To authorise the directors to set the remuneration of the auditors.

By order of the board,

Cielo Cartwright Secretary

Hunslet Road, Leeds, LS10 1JZ

12th May 2020

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 2019 
 
61

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

ACCOMPANYING NOTES

1.  A member entitled to vote at the meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his/her stead. A proxy need not also be 
a member of the Company. A form of proxy which may be used to make such appointment and give proxy instructions accompanies 
this notice.

2.  To be valid, the form of proxy must be received at the Company’s registered office at Hunslet Road, Leeds LS10 1JZ by no later than 

11:45am on 27th June 2020.

3.  The return of a completed form of proxy will not prevent a shareholder attending the Annual General Meeting and voting in person 

if he/she wishes to do so.

4. 

In accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association, holders of the ‘A’ Ordinary shares are entitled to attend, but not to vote  
at this meeting.

5.  There will be available for inspection at the registered office during the Company’s usual business hours (Saturdays, Sundays and 

public holidays excluded) from the date of this notice until the date of the Annual General Meeting and for at least fifteen minutes 
prior to and during the meeting:

 A statement for the period of twelve months to 31st December 2019 of all transactions of each director and, so far as he/she  
can reasonably ascertain, of his/her family interests in the Ordinary shares of the Company.

 The service contract of each executive director, where applicable and the letter of appointment of each non-executive director.

6.  CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies through the CREST electronic proxy appointment service may do so for the 
Annual General Meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof by using the procedures described in the CREST Manual. 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.

In order for a proxy appointment or instruction made using the CREST service to be valid, the appropriate CREST message (a ‘CREST 
Proxy Instruction’) must be properly authenticated in accordance with CRESTCo’s specifications, and must contain the information 
required for such instruction, as described in the CREST Manual. The message, regardless of whether it constitutes the appointment 
of a proxy or is an amendment to the instruction given to a previously appointed proxy must, in order to be valid, be transmitted  
so as to be received by the issuer’s agent (ID 7RA11) by 11.45am on 27th June 2020 For this purpose, the time of receipt will  
be taken to be 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.

CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors, or voting service providers should note that CRESTCo 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, 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.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 2019 
 
 
 
62

Explanatory notes of resolutions

The following notes give an explanation of the proposed resolutions. Resolutions 1 to 5 inclusive are proposed as Ordinary resolutions. 
This means that for each of those resolutions to be passed, more than half of the votes cast must be in favour of the resolution. 

The directors consider that all of the resolutions to be proposed at the AGM are in the best interests of the Company and  
its shareholders as a whole and unanimously recommend that shareholders vote in favour of all of the resolutions, as the 
directors intend to do in respect of their own beneficial holdings.

BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED AT THE AGM
Details of the resolutions which are to be proposed at the AGM are set out below.

Ordinary resolutions
1. To receive and adopt the report and accounts
The directors are required to present the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2019 to the meeting. 

2. Confirmation of dividends
To confirm the interim dividend on the Ordinary and ‘A’ Ordinary shares of 3.60p per share paid on 18th October 2019 and 8.00p  
per share paid on 5th June 2020.

3. Re-appointment of directors
The Articles of Association of the Company require the nearest number to one third of the directors to retire at each Annual  
General Meeting. Accordingly, O. N. A. Braime and P. J. O. Alcock are retiring by rotation in accordance with the Company’s Articles  
of Association and, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election.

4. Re-appointment of auditors
The Company is required to appoint auditors at each Annual General Meeting to hold office until the next such meeting at which 
accounts are presented. 

5. Remuneration of auditors
The resolution proposes the reappointment of the Company’s existing auditors, Kirk Newsholme, and authorises the directors  
to agree their remuneration.

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 201963

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Directors and Advisers

Directors  

Nicholas Braime, MA (Oxon), MBIM (Chairman) 
Peter Alcock, B. Eng. (Non-executive director)  
Andrew Walker, MA (Cantab) (Non-executive director)  
Alan Braime, BA (Hons), FCA  
Carl Braime, BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA 
Cielo Cartwright, BSc (Hons), FCA 

Secretary  

Cielo Cartwright, BSc (Hons), FCA

Registered office  

Hunslet Road 
Leeds 
LS10 1JZ

Independent  
auditors  

Bankers  

Stockbrokers  

Kirk Newsholme 
 Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors  
4315 Park Approach 
Thorpe Park  
Leeds  
LS15 8GB

HSBC 
Leeds City Branch  
33 Park Row  
Leeds  
LS1 1LD

W H Ireland  
3rd Floor, Royal House  
28 Sovereign Street  
Leeds  
LS1 4BJ

Company registration  
Number 

488001 (England and Wales) 

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 2019 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
64

Notes

Braime Group PLCAnnual Report & Accounts 20191888

1909

1971

1984

1991

2003

2005

2008

2010

2018

2019

Thomas Braime sets up production of steel 
pressings in Hunslet

Braime introduces the first seamless steel bucket

Foundation of 4B Braime Components, to serve  
the bucket elevator & conveyor market

Launch of 4B’s electronic components range 
Foundation of 4B’s first international subsidiary:  
4B Elevator Components, near Chicago, USA

4B acquires the French elevator company SETEM, 
which becomes known as 4B France

The Group opens regional office in Thailand:  
4B Asia Pacific

The Group moves into Germany with  
4B Deutschland

The Group opens a subsidiary in South Africa  
to serve the subsaharian market: 4B Africa

The Group establishes operations  
in Brisbane, Australia

The Group establishes Chinese operations  
in Changzhou, China 

Commemoration of 130 years  
of “Engineering Excellence”

Braime Group PLC...A rich heritage
The Group has a rich heritage, tracing back its origins to the 19th 
century, when oilcans made in a small workshop by Thomas Braime 
quickly gained a reputation for quality. Thomas, the eldest son  
of a veterinary surgeon, was apprenticed to McLaren, an engineering 
company manufacturing steam traction engines, but after losing his 
thumb in an accident, was inspired to look for effective ways to apply 
oil to machinery. In 1888, he set up production in Hunslet, Leeds, using 
the new pressings technology. His younger brother Harry, also a skilled 
engineer joined him as partner. The rise of the motor industry increased 
demand for metal pressings and larger premises were soon needed for 
the expanding business. The current Braime buildings, with its attractive 
red brick and terracotta frontage, was constructed between 1911 and 
1914. During the First World War, the Company played an important 
role in armament provision, training women as skilled munition 
workers. The Group’s headquarters remains its listed buildings on 
Hunslet Road, the beautiful interiors are often used in film sets. 
However, today, the Group is truly international with subsidiaries in 
North America, Europe, China, South East Asia, Africa and Australia. 

Contents

Strategic report 

Chairman’s statement 

Group strategic report 

The Board 

Governance 

Corporate governance report 

Directors’ report 

Directors’ remuneration report 

Independent auditors’ report 

Financial statements 

Consolidated income statement 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 

4

6

10

Consolidated balance sheet 

11

15

17

18

Consolidated cash flow statement 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity 

Notes to the accounts 

Company balance sheet 

Company statement of changes in equity 

Notes to the Company accounts 

Five year record 

Notice of meeting 

Explanatory notes of resolutions 

Directors and Advisers 

23

24

25

26

27

28

51

52

53

59

60

62

63

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Braime Group PLC
Hunslet Road 
Leeds LS10 1JZ 
England, UK
www.braimegroup.com

Braime Group PLC
(formerly T.F & J.H Braime (Holdings) P.L.C.)
Annual Report & Accounts 2019