Quarterlytics / Financial Services / Shell Companies / Cantor Equity Partners VI, Inc. Class A Ordinary Shares

Cantor Equity Partners VI, Inc. Class A Ordinary Shares

ceps · NASDAQ Financial Services
Claim this profile
Ticker ceps
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Financial Services
Industry Shell Companies
Employees 51-200
← All annual reports
FY2013 Annual Report · Cantor Equity Partners VI, Inc. Class A Ordinary Shares
Sign in to download
Loading PDF…
2013

chelverton
equity partners

Annual Report

CEPS PLC
Registered address:
12b George Street
Bath BA1 2EH
T 01225 483030
www.cepsplc.com
Incorporated in 
England & Wales 
507461

CEPS PLC  Company number 507461

Contents

Chairman’s Statement

Strategic Report

Directors’ Report

Corporate Governance

Independent Auditors’ Report

Consolidated Statement
of Comprehensive Income

Consolidated and Company
Balance Sheets

Consolidated and Company
Statements of Cash Flows

Consolidated and Company
Statements of Changes in Equity

Notes to the Financial Statements

Notice of Meeting

Group Information

page

2

5

6

8

10

12

13

14

15

16

48

51

1

CEPS PLC

Chairman’s Statement

Review of the period

Good progress has been made in 2013.

Financial review

Trading conditions in the UK and some export markets at last began to show signs of
improvement and the depreciation of the Pound, so damaging to our input costs, was
reversed  somewhat  in  the  latter  part  of  the  year.    The  recovery  and  revitalisation  of
Sunline has proceeded well, creating an environment where we are confident in investing
for the future.

Group  revenue  rose  4%  to  £15.6m  (2012:  £15.1m)  and  operating  profit  advanced  by
49% to £348,000 (2012: £233,000 before exceptionals) with markedly different results
across the companies.

As  noted  at  the  half  year,  Davies  Odell’s  lack  of  profit  has  continued  to  disappoint,  as
sales  growth  has  stalled  and  been  outpaced  by  costs.    Sunline’s  strong  recovery  has
continued into 2014, and Friedman’s has had an outstanding year with strong sales and
margin growth.  Group costs were slightly higher at £331,000, compared to the previous
year’s total of £313,000, due to the one-off professional costs associated with the share
consolidation that was approved by shareholders in June 2013.

Profit before tax has increased to £261,000 from £117,000, before exceptional costs in
2012,  and  post-tax  profits  have  increased  to  £181,000  from  £19,000,  excluding  the
exceptional impairment charge in 2012.  The loss per share on a basic and diluted basis,
after accounting for non-controlling interests, is 0.15p, which compares to last year’s loss
per share of 40.36p, adjusted for the effects of the share consolidation.

On  10  June  2013  shareholder  approval  was  given  for  the  reorganisation  of  the
Company's  share  capital.    As  a  result,  the  number  of  shareholders  was  reduced  from
1,051  to  a  more  manageable  185  and  the  nominal  value  of  the  shares  was  increased
from  5p  to  10p.    The  number  of  shares  in  issue  has  halved  from  10,814,310  to
5,407,155.  As detailed in the circular dated 8 May 2013, a small amount was donated
to charities selected by the directors.

In light of the impairment provision against goodwill attributable to Sunline of £2.5m that
was made in last year’s accounts, it was very encouraging to see such an improvement
in the company’s performance during 2013.  Indeed, the annual impairment test that was
undertaken in 2013 showed that Sunline had recovered a significant amount of the value
that was written-off in 2012.  However, accounting standards preclude the reinstatement
of this amount.

Capital  expenditure  on  plant  and  machinery  amounted  to  £91,000  in  the  year  and
included a third digital printer at Friedman’s.  More capital investment is planned across
all companies in 2014 to meet growing demand for the Group’s products and to improve
operational efficiencies.

The  level  of  Group  debt  fell  for  the  third  year  in  a  row,  in  line  with  management's
expectations.    At  the  end  of  2013  net  debt  was  £1.7m  compared  to  £1.8m  at  the
previous year end and gearing was 45% (2012: 48%).

A  further  £186,000  of  9%  Guaranteed  Loan  Stock  was  repaid  to  the  Company  by
Friedman’s in the year, leaving £89,000 to be repaid in 2014.  This was in addition to the
£55,000 dividend paid by Friedman's to the Company in April 2013.

During  the  year  the  Group  generated  cash  from  operating  activities  of  £532,000
(2012:  £443,000).    After  net  capital  and  intangible  expenditure  of  £13,000  (2012:
£27,000),  the  repayment  of  the  capital  element  of  finance  leases  of  £163,000
(2012:  £243,000),  the  dividend  paid  to  the  non-controlling  interest  of  £45,000  (2012:
£nil),  income  tax  paid  of  £146,000  (2012:  £11,000)  and  interest  charges  of  £128,000
(2012: £137,000), cash and cash equivalents increased by £37,000 (2012: £8,000).

2

CEPS PLC

Chairman’s Statement continued

Operational review

Davies Odell

The  results  at  Davies  Odell  are  disappointing.    At  the  half-year  the  business  was
profitable, but in the second half, as sales faded badly in the final quarter, the business
became loss-making.  Sales declined by 4.6% in the year from £5.7m in 2012 to £5.5m,
whilst the cost base had been built in anticipation of increased activity.  For the year as
a whole, growth in Forcefield slowed to 7.2%, down from 31.8% in the previous year,
shoe component sales were flat and matting sales continued to fall.  Gross profit margins
before direct overheads fell from 34.4% to 33.9% as a result of our inability to pass on
adverse exchange rate movements.  EBITDA was negative £69,000, a big drop from the
£163,000 positive in 2012.

In January 2014 action was taken to reduce the cost base, improve the forecasting of
forward sales and to inject more urgency into new product development and sales effort.
A  new  laser  cutter  has  been  delivered,  enabling  expansion  of  profitable  leather  and
ethylene-vinyl acetate cutting activities.  The business will be monitored very closely for
the expected improvements in 2014.

Friedman’s

Friedman’s  has  had  another  outstanding  year.    Sales  continued  to  grow  at  £3.9m
(2012:  £3.7m),  up  5.1%  but,  more  impressively,  gross  profit  margin  before  direct
overheads  grew  from  34.7%  to  36.3%.    At  the  heart  of  this  success  has  been  the
capability  to  customise  fabric  design  using  our  digital  design  and  printing  equipment,
resulting in both extra sales and better margins.  Three digital printers are now installed
and fully operational providing welcome extra capacity for this business.

EBITDA improved another 31.6% on the outstanding result for 2012, from £452,000 to
£595,000, with overheads well contained.

Sunline

Sunline has managed to sustain the improvement in operating performance outlined at
the half year.  The changes to operating practices settled down in the busy second half
and,  just  as  importantly,  the  sales  growth  was  forthcoming  enabling  efficiency
improvements  to  be  achieved.    More  emphasis  has  been  placed  on  selecting  new
customers  who  can  gain  the  most  from  our  range  of  services  and  identifying  further
services to sell to existing clients, thus maximising the profit earned from each customer.
Overall, sales rose 11.1% and gross profit margin before direct overheads increased from
35.8% to 39.3%.  EBITDA rose very substantially to £371,000 (2012: £162,000 before
exceptional impairment charge).

CEM Press

CEM Press’s performance remained flat when compared to the previous year with sales
of  £3.1m  (2012:  £3.0m)  and  gross  profit  margin  before  direct  overheads  of  39.8%
(2012:  39.9%).    EBITDA  was  £285,000  (2012:  £305,000).    These  financial  statements
include our share of £36,000 (2012: £18,000) of its full year’s post-tax profit.

Steps have been taken in 2014 to strengthen the management team and new factory
space has been acquired, which will enable production efficiencies to be made when it
becomes operational later in the year.

Dividend

Investment in our underlying businesses is a priority for the Group and a dividend is not
proposed at this stage.

3

CEPS PLC

Chairman’s Statement continued

People

All our business teams have worked hard in 2013 and we thank them for their efforts.

Prospects

What  is  clear  from  the  Sunline  experience  in  the  last  two  years  is  that  confronting
difficulties and market change head-on with new ways of working and new products is
the key to revival.  Sunline continues to show the way and we are confident that Davies
Odell will now follow its example.

Progress  continues  to  be  made  at  Sunline:  the  improved  efficiency  will  be  further
embedded by substantial investment in new polywrap equipment in the first half of 2014.
This should be fully operational for the busy second half of the year.  In addition, work on
new lines of business continues apace and I expect to be able to report positively by the
half-year.  This is all in marked contrast to Sunline’s position two years ago and a credit
to its resolute management team.

I expect Friedman’s to continue to deliver a strong profit stream in 2014.

As  noted  earlier,  steps  have  been  taken  at  Davies  Odell  to  both  reduce  costs  and
improve the flow of new product to enable sales to grow.  With the steady improvement
in the economic outlook, opportunities certainly exist for Forcefield to flourish and for our
shoe component business to supply innovative and better margin products.  The initial
signs in 2014 are encouraging, but will need to be sustained over a long period.

There is no doubt that the trading environment is improving both in the UK and our key
markets.    The  outlook  for  the  Group  should  improve  upon  2013  provided  current
momentum at Davies Odell can be sustained.

Richard Organ
Chairman
14 May 2014

4

Review of the business

CEPS PLC

Strategic Report

The directors present their strategic report on the Group for the year ended 31 December
2013.

The principal activities of CEPS PLC are that of an industrial holding company, acquiring
majority stakes in stable, profitable and steadily growing entrepreneurial companies.  The
activities of the Company’s trading subsidiaries are described in note 16 to the accounts.
Segmental analysis is given in note 4 to the accounts.  A review of the business and its
prospects are set out in the Chairman’s Statement on pages 2 to 4.

The Group’s internal reporting system enables the Board to assess the strategic direction
of  the  Group  against  agreed  targets.    The  table  below  shows  the  most  important  key
indicators used by the Group:

2013)

2012)

Revenue
Segmental result (EBITDA) before exceptional costs
Profit/(loss) before tax
Profit/(loss) after tax
Total equity
Net debt (total borrowing less cash)
Gearing ratio (net debt/total equity)

£15,624,000)
£897,000)
£261,000)
£181,000)
£3,865,000)
£1,745,000)
45%)

£15,068,000)
£777,000)
(£2,383,000)
(£2,481,000)
£3,814,000)
£1,812,000)
48%)

The Chairman has commented on the main key performance indicators in his Statement
on pages 2 to 4.

The Board also monitors matters relating to health and safety and the environment and
reviews them at its regular meetings.  The risks to the business arising from changes to
the trading environment and employee retention and training are also regularly monitored
and reviewed.

The Board operates a continuous process for identifying, evaluating and managing risk.
The internal controls seek to minimise the impact of identified risks, as explained in the
Corporate Governance statement on pages 8 and 9.

The  key  risks  the  Board  seeks  to  mitigate  are:  competition,  employee  relations  and  the
supply chain.

Competition  – while  the  Group’s  trade  is  differentiated,  there  is  still  significant  pricing
pressure and the barriers to entry are relatively low.  In order to mitigate this pressure,
local management seek to hold regular discussions with customers and actively monitor
the market for changes in competitors’ prices.

Employee relations – the Group’s performance is largely dependent on its subsidiary staff
and managers.  The loss of a key individual could adversely impact the Group’s results.
To  mitigate  this  the  Group  actively  seek  to  retain  key  staff  through  a  practice  of
succession planning.

Supply chain – the differentiated nature of the Group’s trade means that it is exposed to
a reliance on a small number of suppliers.  The Group mitigates this risk through effective
supplier selection and procurement practices.

See note 2 for an assessment of financial risks.

Future developments

A review of the business and its prospects are set out in the Chairman's Statement on
pages 2 to 4.

By order of the Board
V E Langford
Company Secretary
14 May 2014

5

Directors

CEPS PLC

Directors’ Report

The  directors  have  pleasure  in  submitting  their  report  and  the  audited  consolidated
financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2013.

The directors of the Company who were in office during the year and up to the date of
signing the financial statements were as follows:

R  T  Organ  BA(Hons)  FRSA  (61)  is  a  non-executive  director  and  Chairman.    He  has
significant  experience  of  manufacturing  and  marketing  in  the  footwear  and  clothing
industries gained with C & J Clark Ltd and Coats Viyella PLC.

D A Horner (54) is a non-executive director.  He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in
1985 with Touche Ross & Co.  In 1986 he joined 3i Corporate Finance Limited.  In 1997
he  set  up  Chelverton  Asset  Management  Limited  which  specialises  in  managing
portfolios  of  investments  in  private  companies  and  small  to  medium  size  public
companies.  He set up and manages Chelverton Growth Trust Plc, manages the Small
Companies Dividend Trust Plc and is a director of Athelney Trust plc and a number of
private  companies.    In  2013  he  resigned  his  membership  of  the  Institute  of  Chartered
Accountants in England and Wales, as his career is now fully involved in fund management.

P G Cook (62) is Group Managing Director.  He is a Chartered Accountant who, having
qualified with Kidsons Impey, has taken finance and commercial roles with a number of
companies.  He is currently a director of a number of other companies.

G  C  Martin  (69)  is  a  non-executive  director.    He  is  a  Chartered  Accountant  who  was
previously Finance Director and Company Secretary of the Group.

V E Langford (52) is Group Finance Director.  She is a Chartered Accountant and is also
the Company Secretary of CEPS PLC.

The directors retiring by rotation in accordance with Articles 71 and 72 are P G Cook and
R T Organ who, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election.

The  Company  purchased  and  maintained  throughout  the  financial  year  and  up  to  the
date of this report, Directors' and Officers' liability insurance in respect of itself and its
directors.

Significant shareholdings

In  addition  to  directors’  shareholdings  shown  on  page  30,  the  following  shareholders
held more than 3% of the Company’s ordinary shares at 22 April 2014:

David Abell
Elizabeth Horner
Lynchwood Nominees Limited
Mark Thistlethwayte
Chelverton Growth Trust Plc

Shares)
237,500
319,260
312,500
860,000
875,000

%
4.4
5.9
5.8
15.9
16.2

Financial and treasury policy The Group finances its operations by a combination of retained profits, management of
working capital, bank overdraft and debtor backed working capital facilities and medium-
term  loans.    The  disclosures  for  financial  instruments  are  made  in  note  21a  to  the
accounts on page 44.

For further details of Group financial risk and management thereof see note 2 on pages
23 to 25.

6

CEPS PLC

Directors’ Report continued

Disclosure of information
to auditors

So far as each director is aware, there is no relevant information of which the Company’s
auditors  are  unaware.    Relevant  information  is  defined  as  ‘information  needed  by  the
Company’s auditors in connection with preparing their report’.  Each director has taken all
the  steps  (such  as  making  enquiries  of  other  directors  and  the  auditors  and  any  other
steps required by the director’s duty to exercise due care, skill and diligence) that he/she
ought to have taken in his/her duty as a director in order to make himself/herself aware of
any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company’s auditors are aware of
that information.

Independent auditors

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are willing to continue in office and a resolution proposing
their re-appointment will be submitted to the Annual General Meeting.

By order of the Board
V E Langford
Company Secretary
14 May 2014

7

CEPS PLC

Corporate Governance

The Board

Audit committee

The Board is committed to high standards of corporate governance and recognises that
it  is  accountable  to  shareholders  for  good  governance.    The  Company’s  corporate
governance procedures define the duties and constitution of the Board and the various
Board committees and, as appropriate, specify responsibilities and level of responsibility.
The principal procedures are summarised below:

The Board comprises three non-executive directors, one of whom is Chairman, and two
executive  directors.    Further  details  of  the  Board  members  are  given  in  the  Directors’
Report on pages 6 and 7.

All directors are subject to retirement by rotation and re-election by the shareholders in
accordance with the Articles of Association.

The Board meets regularly, at least six times a year and with additional meetings being
arranged when necessary.

The  Company  seeks  constructive  dialogue  with  institutional  and  private  shareholders
through direct contact and through the opportunity for all shareholders to attend and ask
questions at the Annual General Meeting.

This  committee  comprises  D  A  Horner  (Chair),  R  T  Organ  and  G  C  Martin.    The  audit
committee  is  responsible  for  the  appointment  of  the  external  auditors,  agreeing  the
nature and scope of the audit and reviewing and making recommendations to the Board
on matters related to the issue of financial information to the public.  It assists all directors
in  discharging  their  responsibility  to  ensure  that  accounting  records  are  adequate  and
that the financial statements give a true and fair view.

Nomination committee

This  committee  is  comprised  of  the  Chairman  and  D  A  Horner.    It  is  responsible  for
making recommendations to the Board on any appointment to the Board.

Remuneration committee

This committee is comprised of the Chairman, D A Horner and G C Martin.

The remuneration committee sets the remuneration and other terms of employment of
executive directors.  Remuneration levels are set by reference to individual performance,
experience and market conditions with a view to providing a package appropriate for the
responsibilities involved.

Directors’ contracts are designed to provide the assurance of continuity which the Company
desires.  There are no provisions for pre-determined compensation on termination.

Pensions for directors were based on salary alone and were provided by the Company
defined contribution scheme and defined benefits scheme.  Contributions were paid to
these schemes in accordance with independent actuarial recommendations or funding
rates determined by the remuneration committee as appropriate to the type of scheme.
From 2010 no benefits have accrued to directors under these schemes.

Non-executive  directors  have  no  service  contracts  and  no  pension  contributions  are
made on their behalf.

Full  details  of  directors’  remuneration  and  benefits  are  given  in  note  7  to  the  financial
statements on page 30.

In  accordance  with  AIM  Rule  31  the  Company  is  required  to  have  in  place  sufficient
procedures, resources and controls to enable its compliance with the AIM Rules; seek
advice from its nominated adviser (‘Nomad’) regarding its compliance with the AIM Rules
whenever appropriate and take that advice into account; provide the Company’s Nomad
with  any  information  it  requests  in  order  for  the  Nomad  to  carry  out  its  responsibilities
under the AIM Rules for Companies and the AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers; ensure
that  each  of  the  Company’s  directors  accepts  full  responsibility,  collectively  and
individually, for compliance with the AIM Rules; and ensure that each director discloses
without  delay  all  information  which  the  Company  needs  in  order  to  comply  with

8

AIM compliance committee

CEPS PLC

Corporate Governance continued

AIM compliance committee
continued

AIM  Rule  17  (Disclosure  of  Miscellaneous  Information)  insofar  as  that  information  is
known to the director or could with reasonable diligence be ascertained by the director.

Internal financial control

Going concern

In order to ensure that these obligations are being discharged, the Board has established
a committee of the Board (the ‘AIM committee’), chaired by R T Organ.

Having reviewed relevant Board papers, and met with the Company’s Executive Board
and the Nomad to ensure that such is the case, the AIM committee is satisfied that the
Company’s  obligations  under  AIM  Rule  31  have  been  satisfied  during  the  year  under
review.

The  Board  has  overall  responsibility  for  the  system  of  internal  financial  control  which  is
designed with regard to the size of the Company to provide reasonable, but not absolute,
assurance against material misstatement or loss.  The Board reviews the effectiveness of the
internal  controls  and  has  concluded  that  the  internal  financial  control  environment  is
appropriate, with no significant matters noted.  The organisational structure of the Group
gives clear management responsibilities in relation to internal financial control.  Financial risks
are  controlled  through  clearly  laid  down  authorisation  levels.    There  is  an  annual  budget
which is approved by the directors.  The results are reported monthly and compared to the
budget.  The audit committee receives a report from the external auditors annually.

At  the  time  of  approving  the  financial  statements  the  directors  consider  that  it  is
appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of preparation.

The directors have considered the impact of the current economic environment on the
Company's and Group’s future cash flows and its ability to meet liabilities as they fall due,
being  a  period  of  not  less  than  12  months  from  the  date  of  approving  the  financial
statements.    The  directors  have  also  considered  compliance  with  future  banking
covenants, and the borrowings structure of the Group.

Statement of directors’
responsibilities

The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and financial statements in
accordance with applicable law and regulations.

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

– select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

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

– state  whether  applicable  IFRSs  as  adopted  by  the  European  Union  have  been 
followed,  subject  to  any  material  departures  disclosed  and  explained  in  the  financial 
statements;

– prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis, unless it is inappropriate 

to presume that the Company and the Group will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient
to show and explain the Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy
at  any  time  the  financial  position  of  the  Company  and  the  Group  and  enable  them  to
ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006.  They are also
responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and the Group 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.

9

CEPS PLC

Independent Auditors’ Report
to the members of CEPS PLC

Report on the financial
statements

Our opinion

In our opinion:

– the  financial  statements,  defined  below,  give  a  true  and  fair  view  of  the  state  of  the
Group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 December 2013 and of the Group’s
profit and the Group’s and the parent company’s cash flows for the year then ended;

– the  Group  financial  statements  have  been  properly  prepared  in  accordance  with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union;

– the  parent  company  financial  statements  have  been  properly  prepared  in  accordance 
with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (IFRSs)  as  adopted  by  the  European 
Union and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and

– the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of 

the Companies Act 2006.

This opinion is to be read in the context of what we say in the remainder of this report.

What we have audited

The Group financial statements and parent company financial statements (the ‘financial
statements’), which are prepared by CEPS PLC, comprise:

– the Consolidated and Company Balance Sheets as at 31 December 2013;

– the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year then ended;

– the Consolidated and Company Statements of Cash Flows for the year then ended;

– the  Consolidated  and  Company  Statements  of  Changes  in  Equity  for  the  year  then
ended; and

– the  notes  to  the  financial  statements,  which  include  a  summary  of  significant

accounting policies and other explanatory information.

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable
law and IFRSs as adopted by the European Union and, as regards the parent company
financial  statements,  as  applied  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  Companies
Act 2006.

In  applying  the  financial  reporting  framework,  the  directors  have  made  a  number  of
subjective  judgements,  for  example  in  respect  of  significant  accounting  estimates.
In making such estimates, they have made assumptions and considered future events.

What an audit of financial statements involves

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and
Ireland) (‘ISAs (UK & Ireland)’). An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts
and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance that
the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or
error.  This includes an assessment of:

– whether  the  accounting  policies  are  appropriate  to  the  Group’s  and  the  parent
company’s  circumstances  and  have  been  consistently  applied  and  adequately 
disclosed;

– the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the directors; and

– the overall presentation of the financial statements.

In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the Annual Report to
identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial statements and to identify any
information  that  is  apparently  materially  incorrect  based  on,  or  materially  inconsistent
with, the knowledge acquired by us in the course of performing the audit.  If we become
aware  of  any  apparent  material  misstatements  or  inconsistencies  we  consider  the
implications for our report.

10

CEPS PLC

Independent Auditors’ Report
to the members of CEPS PLC continued

Opinion on other matter
prescribed by the
Companies Act 2006

In our opinion 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.

Other matters on which we
are required to report by
exception

Adequacy of accounting records and information and explanations received

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities for the
financial statements
and the audit

– we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or

– 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.

We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.

Directors’ remuneration

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion, certain
disclosures  of  directors’  remuneration  specified  by  law  are  not  made.    We  have  no
exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.

Our responsibilities and those of the directors

As explained more fully in the Statement of directors’ responsibilities set out on page 9,
the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being
satisfied that they give a true and fair view.

Our  responsibility  is  to  audit  and  express  an  opinion  on  the  financial  statements  in
accordance with applicable law and ISAs (UK & Ireland).  Those standards require us to
comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the Company’s
members as a body in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006
and  for  no  other  purpose.    We  do  not,  in  giving  these  opinions,  accept  or  assume
responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown
or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in
writing.

Colin Bates (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
Bristol
14 May 2014

11

CEPS PLC  Year ended 31 December 2013

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Revenue)
Cost of sales)

Gross profit)

Distribution costs
Administration expenses

Operating profit/(loss)

Analysis of operating profit/(loss)
CCTrading
CCExceptional costs
CCGroup costs

Finance income
Finance costs
Share of profit of associate

Profit/(loss) before tax
Taxation

Profit/(loss) for the year from continuing operations

Other comprehensive loss:
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss
Actuarial loss on defined benefit pension plans

Items that may be subsequently reclassified 
to profit or loss

Other comprehensive loss for the year, net of tax

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year

Profit/(loss) attributable to:
Owners of the parent
Non-controlling interest

Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to:
Owners of the parent
Non-controlling interest

Notes

4

5

5

9
9
16

10

8

2013)
£’000)

15,624)
(14,019)
)
1,605)

(167)
(1,090)
)
348)

679)
–)
(331)
)
348)

5)
(128)
36)
)
261)
(80)
)
181)
)

(85)
)

–)
)
(85)
)
96)
)

(8)
189)
)
181)
)

(93)
189)
)
96)
)

2012)
£’000)

15,068)
(13,574)
)
1,494)

(164)
(3,597)
)
(2,267)

546)
(2,500)
(313)
)
(2,267)

3)
(137)
18)
)
(2,383)
(98)
)
(2,481)
)

(83)
)

–)
)
(83)
)
(2,564)
)

(2,054)
(427)
)
(2,481)
)

(2,137)
(427)
)
(2,564)
)

Loss per share
CCbasic and diluted

12

(0.15)p)
)

(40.36)p*
)

* The loss per share for the year ended 31 December 2012 has been restated to reflect
* the share consolidation in the year (see note 24).

12

Assets

Equity

Liabilities

CEPS PLC  As at 31 December 2013

Consolidated and Company Balance Sheets
Registered number 507461

Group

2013)
£’000)

2012)
£’000)

Company

2013)
£’000)

2012)
£’000)

Notes

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 14
15
Intangible assets
16
Investments in subsidiaries
16
Investment in associate
22
Deferred tax asset

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
CC(excluding bank overdrafts) 27

17
18

Total assets

Capital and reserves attributable 
to owners of the parent
Share capital
Share premium
Retained earnings

24

Non-controlling interest in equity

Total equity

Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
Deferred tax liability
Provisions for liabilities
CCand charges

Current liabilities
Borrowings
Trade and other payables
Current tax liabilities
Provisions for liabilities
CCand charges

Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

20
22

23

20
19

23

1,004)
2,241)
–)
554)
453)
)
4,252)
)

1,709)
2,436)

145)
)
4,290)
)
8,542)
)

541)
3,114)
(25)
)
3,630)
235)
)
3,865)
)

510)
30)

55)
)
595)
)

1,380)
2,655)
33)

14)
)
4,082)
)
4,677)
)

8,542)
)

1,048)
2,232)
–))
518))
505))
)
4,303))
)

1,944)
2,235)

56)
)
4,235)
)
8,538)
)

541)
3,114)
68)
)
3,723)
91)
)
3,814)
)

435)
80)

55)
)
570)
)

1,433)
2,604)
101)

16)
)
4,154)
)
4,724)
)

8,538)
)

–)
79)
2,235)
500)
1)
)
2,815)
)

–)
929)

62)
)
991)
)
3,806)
)

541)
3,166)
(21)
)
3,686)
–)
)
3,686)
)

–)
–)

–)
)
–)
)

–)
120)
–)

–)
)
120)
)
120)
)

–)
79)
2,421)
500)
1)
)
3,001)
)

–)
762)

39)
)
801)
)
3,802)
)

541)
3,166)
17)
)
3,724)
–)
)
3,724)
)

–)
–)

–)
)
–)
)

–)
78)
–)

–)
)
78)
)
78)
)

3,806)
)

3,802)
)

The financial statements on pages 12 to 47 were approved by the Board of Directors on
14 May 2014 and signed on its behalf by

P G Cook
Director

13

CEPS PLC  Year ended 31 December 2013

Consolidated and Company Statements of Cash Flows

Cash flows from operating activities Cash generated from/(used in)

CCoperations
Income tax (paid)/received
Interest paid

Net cash generated from/(used in)
CCoperations

Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of property, plant and 

CCequipment
Purchase of intangibles
Investment in associate
Repayment of loan stock
Disposal of property, plant and
CCequipment
Interest received

Net cash (used in)/generated from
CCinvesting activities

Cash flows from financing activities Proceeds from placing
CCnet of related costs
Dividend paid to non-controlling
CCinterest
Repayment of capital element
CCof finance leases

Cash generated from/(used in)
operations

Net cash (used in)/generated from
CCfinancing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash
CCand cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the
CCbeginning of the year

Cash and cash equivalents
CCat the end of the year (note 27)

Profit/(loss) before income tax
Adjustments for:
CCDepreciation and amortisation
CCImpairment of goodwill
CCProfit of associate
CCLoss on disposal of property
CCCCplant and equipment
CCNet finance costs
CCRetirement benefit obligations
Changes in working capital:
CCDecrease/(increase) in inventories
CC(Increase)/decrease in trade
CCCCand other receivables
CCIncrease in trade and other
CCCCpayables
CCDecrease in provisions

Cash generated from/(used in)
CCoperations

14

Group

2013)
£’000)

2012)
£’000)

Company

2013)
£’000)

2012)
£’000)

532)
(146)
(128)
)

258)
)

(23)
(15)
–)
–)

25)
–)
)

(13)
)

–)

(45)

(163)
)

(208)
)

37)

(309)
)

(272)
)

443)
(11)
(137)
)

295)
)

(35)
–)
(500)
–)

8)
–)
)

(527)
)

483)

–)

(243)
)

240)
)

8)

(317)
)

(309)
)

(181)
–)
–)
)

(181)
)

–)
–)
–)
186)

–)
18)
)

204)
)

–)

–)

–)
)

–)
)

23)

39)
)

62)
)

(170)
6)
–)
)

(164)
)

–)
–)
(500)
132)

–)
34)
)

(334)
)

483)

–)

–)
)

483)
)

(15)

54)
)

39)
)

261)

(2,383)

(38)

(60)

218)
–)
(36)

6)
123)
(80)

235)

(201)

8)
(2)
)

532)
)

231)
2,500)
(18)

7)
134)
(80)

(36)

107)

104)
(123)
)

443)
)

–)
–)
–)

–)
(145)
–)

–)

(40)

42)
–)
)

–)
–)
–)

–)
(161)
–)

–)

47)

4)
–)
)

(181)
)

(170)
)

CEPS PLC  Year ended 31 December 2013

Consolidated and Company Statements of Changes in Equity

)

Share) Retained)
Share capital) premium) earnings)
£'000)

£'000)

£'000)

Attributable
to owners)

Non-)
of the) controlling)
interest)
parent)
£'000)
£'000)

Total)
equity)
£'000)

Group

At 1 January 2012

Actuarial loss
Loss for the year

Total comprehensive loss
CCfor the year

416)
)

2,756)
)

2,205)
)

5,377)
)

518)
)

5,895)
)

–)
–)
)

–)
)

–)
–)
)

–)
)

(83)
(2,054)
)

(83)
(2,054)
)

–)
(427)
)

(83)
(2,481)
)

(2,137)
)

(2,137)
)

(427)
)

(2,564)
)

Proceeds from shares issued
Cost of shares issued

125)
–)
)

375)
(17)
)

–)
–)
)

500)
(17)
)

–)
–)
)

500)
(17)
)

125)

358)

–)

483)

–)

483)

Total contribution by owners
CCof the parent recognised
CCin equity

At 31 December 2012

Actuarial loss
(Loss)/profit for the year

Total comprehensive
CC(loss)/income for the year

Dividend paid to
CCnon-controlling interest

Total distributions recognised
CCdirectly in equity

At 31 December 2013

541)
)
–)
–)
)

3,114)
)
–)
–)
)

–)
)

–)
)

–)
)

–)
)

–)
)
541)
)

–)
)
3,114)
)

)
Share capital)
£'000)

Company

At 1 January 2012

Total comprehensive loss for the year

Proceeds from shares issued
Cost of share issues

Total contribution by owners
CCof the parent recognised
CCin equity

At 31 December 2012

Loss for the year and total
CCcomprehensive loss

At 31 December 2013

15

416)
)

–)
)

125)
–)
)

125)
)
541)
)

–)
)
541)
)

68)
)
(85)
(8)
)

(93)
)

–)
)

–)
)
(25)
)

3,723)
)
(85)
(8)
)

(93)
)

–)
)

–)
)
3,630)
)

91)
)
–)
189)
)

189)
)

(45)
)

(45)
)
235)
)

Share)
premium)
£'000)

2,808)
)

–)
)

375)
(17)
)

358)
)
3,166)
)

–)
)
3,166)
)

Retained)
earnings)
£'000)

71)
)

(54)
)

–)
–)
)

–)
)
17)
)

(38)
)
(21)
)

3,814)
)
(85)
181)
)

96)
)

(45)
)

(45)
)
3,865)
)

Total)
equity)
£'000)

3,295)
)

(54)
)

500)
(17)
)

483)
)
3,724)

(38)
)
3,686)
)

1.  Accounting policies

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements

CEPS PLC (the 'Company') is a company incorporated and domiciled in England and
Wales.  The Company is a public limited company, which is listed on the AIM market of
the London Stock Exchange.  The address of the registered office is 12b George Street,
Bath BA1 2EH.

The principal activities of CEPS PLC are that of an industrial holding company, acquiring
stakes in stable, profitable and steadily growing entrepreneurial companies.  The activities
of the Company's trading subsidiaries are described in note 16.  Segmental analysis is
given in note 4.

The  financial  statements  are  presented  in  British  Pounds  Sterling,  the  currency  of  the
primary economic environment in which the Group's activities are operated.  The Group
comprises CEPS PLC and its subsidiary companies as set out in note 16.

The registered number of the Company is 507461.

The  principal  accounting  policies  applied  in  the  preparation  of  these  consolidated
financial  statements  are  set  out  below.    These  policies  have  been  consistently  applied
throughout the year, unless otherwise stated.

Basis of preparation
These  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  the  International
Financial  Reporting  Standards  (‘IFRS’)  as  adopted  by  the  European  Union,  IFRIC
interpretations  and  Companies  Act  2006  as  applicable  to  companies  reporting  under
IFRS.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and
under the historical cost convention.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain
critical accounting estimates.  It also requires management to exercise its judgement in
the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies.  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 note 3.

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption under the Companies Act 2006 not
to present its own Statement of Comprehensive Income.  Information about the Company
result for the year is given in note 13.

Adoption of new and revised accounting standards
The Group has adopted the following new and amended IFRSs as of 1 January 2013:

Effective date:
Accounting periods
commencing on or after

Amendment to IAS 1, Presentation of financial statements 
CCon OCI
IAS 19 (revised 2011), Employee benefits
IFRS 13, Fair value measurement
Amendment to IAS 12, Income taxes on deferred tax 
Amendment to IFRS 1, First time adoption on government loans
Amendments to IFRS 7, Financial instruments asset and
CCliability offsetting
IFRIC 20, Stripping costs in the production phase of a surface mine
Annual improvements 2011

1 July 2012
1 January 2013
1 January 2013
1 January 2013
1 January 2013

1 January 2013
1 January 2013
1 January 2013

The adoption of these standards and interpretations has had no material impact on the
financial statements of CEPS PLC.

16

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

1.  Accounting policies
1.  continued

At  the  date  of  authorisation  of  these  financial  statements,  the  following  standards  and
relevant interpretations, which have not been applied in these financial statements, were
in issue but not yet effective, and have not been early adopted by the Group:

IAS 27 (revised 2011), Separate financial statements
IAS 28 (revised 2011), Associates and joint ventures
IFRS 10, Consolidated financial statements
IFRS 11, Joint arrangements
IFRS 12, Disclosure of interests in other entities
Amendments to IAS 36, Impairment of assets
IFRIC 21, Levies

Effective date:
Accounting periods
commencing on or after

1 January 2014
1 January 2014
1 January 2014
1 January 2014
1 January 2014
1 January 2014
1 January 2014

The adoption of these standards and interpretations are not expected to have a material
impact on the financial statements of CEPS PLC in the period they are applied.

Basis of consolidation
The  consolidated  financial  statements  incorporate  the  financial  statements  of  the
Company  and  its  subsidiary  undertakings.    Subsidiaries  are  all  entities  over  which  the
Group  has  the  power  to  govern  their  financial  and  operating  policies  generally
accompanying  a  shareholding  of  more  than  fifty  per  cent  of  the  voting  rights.    The
existence and effect of potential voting rights that are currently exercisable or convertible
are considered when assessing whether the Group controls another entity.  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  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  agreement.    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
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for at cost less impairment.  Cost is adjusted
to reflect changes in consideration arising from contingent consideration amendments.

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.

17

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

1.  Accounting policies
1.  continued

Associates
Associates are all entities over which the Group has significant influence but not control,
generally accompanying a shareholding of between 20% and 50% of the voting rights.
Investments  in  associates  are  accounted  for  using  the  equity  method  of  accounting.
Under the equity method, the investment is initially recognised at cost and the carrying
amount is increased or decreased to recognise the investor's share of the profit or loss
of  the  investee  after  the  date  of  acquisition.    The  Group’s  investment  in  associates
includes goodwill identified on acquisition.

The Group’s share of post-acquisition profits or losses is recognised in the Consolidated
Statement  of  Comprehensive  Income  and  its  share  of  post-acquisition  movements  in
other  comprehensive  income  is  recognised  in  other  comprehensive  income  with  a
corresponding adjustment to the carrying amount of the investment.  When the Group’s
share of losses in an associate equals or exceeds its interest in the associate, including
any other unsecured receivables, the Group does not recognise further losses, unless it
has  incurred  legal  or  constructive  obligations  or  made  payments  on  behalf  of  the
associate.

Profits  and  losses  resulting  from  upstream  and  downstream  transactions  between  the
Group and its associate are recognised in the Group's financial statements only to the
extent  of  unrelated  investor's  interests  in  the  associates.    Unrealised  losses  are
eliminated  unless  the  transaction  provides  evidence  of  an  impairment  of  the  asset
transferred.  Accounting policies of associates have been changed where necessary to
ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.

Segmental reporting
A business segment is a group of assets and operations engaged in providing products
or  services  that  are  subject  to  risks  and  returns  that  are  different  from  those  of  other
business  segments.    A  geographical  segment  is  engaged  in  providing  products  or
services within a particular economic environment that are subject to risks and returns
that are different from those of segments operating in other economic environments.

Operating  segments  are  reported  in  a  manner  consistent  with  the  internal  reporting
provided  to  the  chief  operating  decision-maker,  the  Board,  and  used  to  assess
performance.    Information  is  given  for  all  operating  segments  where  discrete  financial
information is available.

Revenue recognition
The  revenues  of  Friedman’s  and  Davies  Odell  arise  from  the  fair  values  received  or
receivable for goods sold which are recognised on despatch and exclude VAT.

The  revenues  of  Sunline  arise  from  the  fair  value  received  or  receivable  for  services
provided which is recognised on completion of the service and excludes VAT.

18

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

1.  Accounting policies
1.  continued

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at initial cost, less accumulated depreciation and
impairment losses.  Cost includes the original purchase price of the asset and the costs
attributable to bringing the asset to its working condition for its intended use.

Depreciation is calculated on an appropriate basis over the deemed useful life of an asset
and is applied to the cost less any residual value.  The asset classes are depreciated over
the following periods (the useful life, the residual value and the depreciation method is
assessed annually):

Plant and machinery, tools and moulds: Between  5  and  10  years,  over  the  period  of 
the  contract,  or  on  a  25%  reducing  balance 
basis

Motor vehicles:

5 years straight line

Leasehold property improvements:

Over  the  term  of  the  lease  on  a  straight  line 
basis.

The  residual  values  and  useful  lives  are  reviewed  and  adjusted  if  appropriate  at  each
balance sheet date.

Gains  and  losses  on  disposals  are  determined  by  comparing  the  proceeds  with  the
carrying amount and are recognised within administration expenses in the Consolidated
Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Intangible assets

a)  Goodwill
Goodwill  is  recognised  to  the  extent  that  it  arises  through  business  combinations.    In
respect  of  business  combinations  that  have  occurred  since  1  January  2006,  goodwill
represents  the  difference  between  the  cost  of  the  acquisition  and  the  fair  value  of  net
identifiable  assets  acquired.    In  respect  of  business  combinations  prior  to  this  date,
goodwill  is  included  on  the  basis  of  its  deemed  cost,  which  represents  the  amount
recorded under IFRS GAAP.

Goodwill is stated at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.  Goodwill is allocated
to  appropriate  cash  generating  units  (those  expected  to  benefit  from  the  business
combination) and is no longer amortised, but is tested for impairment as stated below.

b)  Computer software and websites
Computer  software  and  costs  incurred  in  the  development  of  websites  are  stated  at
cost  less  accumulated  amortisation.    Non-integral  computer  software  purchases  are
capitalised at cost.  These costs are amortised over their estimated useful lives (between
3 and 10 years).  Costs associated with implementing or maintaining computer software
programmes are recognised as an expense as incurred.

Costs incurred in the development of new websites are capitalised only where the cost
can be directly attributed to developing the website to operate in the manner intended
by management and only to the extent of the future economic benefits expected from its
use.  These costs are amortised over their useful lives (between 3 and 5 years).  Costs
associated with maintaining websites are recognised as an expense as incurred.

19

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

1.  Accounting policies
1.  continued

Impairment of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment
Assets that have an indefinite useful life are not subject to amortisation, but are reviewed
for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that
the carrying amount may not be recoverable.  Assets that are subject to amortisation or
depreciation are reviewed 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  carrying  amount  of  the  asset  exceeds  its
recoverable amount.  The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less
costs  to  sell  and  value  in  use.    For  the  purposes  of  assessing  impairment,  assets  are
grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (cash-
generating units).  Any impairment losses relating to goodwill are not reversed.

Investments
Investments in subsidiaries and associates are stated at cost, which reflects the fair value
of the consideration paid.  The investments are reviewed for impairment whenever events
or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.  Raw materials are
valued on a first in first out basis at net invoice values charged by suppliers.  The value
of work in progress and finished goods includes the direct cost of materials and labour
together  with  an  appropriate  proportion  of  factory  overheads,  where  applicable.
Provision is made against the value of inventory, where relevant, to reduce the carrying
value of slow moving, obsolete and defective inventory to its net realisable value.

Current and deferred taxation
The tax charge for the year comprises current and deferred tax.  The current income tax
charge is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the
balance sheet date in the countries where the Company’s subsidiaries and associates
operate  and  generate  taxable  income.    Management  periodically  evaluates  positions
taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulation is subject
to interpretation and establishes provisions where appropriate on the basis of amounts
expected to be paid to the tax authorities.

Deferred  income  tax  is  provided  in  full,  using  the  liability  method,  on  temporary
differences  arising  between  the  tax  bases  of  assets  and  liabilities  and  their  carrying
amounts in the consolidated financial statements.  However, the deferred income tax is
not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction
other  than  a  business  combination  that  at  the  time  of  the  transaction  affects  neither
accounting nor taxable profit or loss.  Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates
(and laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date
and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realised or the
deferred income tax liability is settled.

Deferred  tax  assets  are  recognised  to  the  extent  that  it  is  probable  that  future  taxable
profits will be generated enabling the utilisation of the temporary timing differences.

Foreign currencies
The results are recorded in British Pounds Sterling which is deemed to be the functional
currency of the Group, the Company and all its subsidiaries.

Foreign currency transactions are expressed in Sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at
the  date  of  the  transaction.    Monetary  assets  and  liabilities  denominated  in  foreign
currencies at the year end are translated at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance
sheet date.  Differences arising from changes in exchange rates during the year are taken
to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

20

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

1.  Accounting policies
1.  continued

Pensions
The  Group  operates  a  defined  benefit  pension  scheme  for  the  benefit  of  some  of  its
former employees, the assets of which are held separately from those of the Group in
independently administered funds.

Pension scheme assets are measured using market value.  Pension scheme liabilities are
measured using the projected unit actuarial method and are discounted at the current
rate of return on a high quality corporate bond of equivalent terms and currency to the
liability.  The increase in the present value of the liabilities of the Group’s defined benefit
pension schemes expected to arise from employee service in the period is charged to
operating  profit.    Actuarial  gains  and  losses  are  recognised  in  the  Consolidated
Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Pension schemes’ surpluses, only to the extent that they are considered recoverable, or
deficits, are recognised in full and presented on the face of the balance sheet.

Defined  benefit  pension  costs  are  recognised  in  the  Consolidated  Statement  of
Comprehensive  Income.    The  full  annual  actuarial  gain  or  loss  is  recognised  in  the
Consolidated  Statement  of  Comprehensive  Income  as  other  comprehensive  income.
Contributions  to  the  defined  contribution  schemes  are  charged  to  the  Consolidated
Statement of Comprehensive Income as incurred.  The Group has no further payment
obligations once contributions have been paid.

Operating leases
The  annual  costs  of  operating  leases  are  charged  to  the  Consolidated  Statement  of
Comprehensive Income on a straight line basis over the lease term.

Hire purchase leases
For leases where a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership is obtained
or  where  legal  title  is  to  pass  to  the  Group  the  assets  are  capitalised  at  cost  in  the
balance  sheet  and  depreciated  over  the  expected  useful  economic  life.    The  interest
element  of  the  rental  obligation  is  charged  to  the  Consolidated  Statement  of
Comprehensive  Income  over  the  period  of  the  lease  and  represents  a  constant
proportion of the balance of capital repayment outstanding.

Non-controlling interest
Non-controlling interests represent the interest of shareholders in subsidiaries which are
not wholly owned by the Group.

Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation
as a result of past events, it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to
settle  the  obligation  and  the  amount  has  been  reliably  estimated.    Provisions  are  not
recognised for future operating losses.

Provisions  are  measured  at  the  present  value  of  the  expenditures  expected  to  be
required  to  settle  the  obligation  using  a  pre-tax  rate  that  reflects  current  market
assessments  of  the  time  value  of  money  and  the  risks  specific  to  the  obligation.    The
increase in the provision due to passage of time is recognised as interest expense.

Further details on provisions made are disclosed in note 23.

21

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

1.  Accounting policies
1.  continued

Share capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity while redeemable preference shares are classified
as liabilities.

Financial instruments
The Group classifies financial instruments, or their component parts, on initial recognition
as  a  financial  asset,  a  financial  liability  or  an  equity  instrument  in  accordance  with  the
substance of the contractual arrangement.

Financial instruments are recognised on the balance sheet at fair value when the Group
becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

a)  Loans and receivables
Trade  receivables  are  amounts  due  from  customers  for  merchandise  sold  or  services
performed in the ordinary course of business.  If collection is expected in one year or less
(or in the normal operating cycle of the business if longer), they are classified as current
assets.  If not, they are presented as non-current assets.

Trade  receivables  are  recognised  initially  at  fair  value  and  subsequently  measured  at
amortised cost.  A provision for impairment of trade receivables is established when there
is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due according
to  the  original  terms  of  the  receivables.    Significant  financial  difficulties  of  the  debtor,
probability that the debtor will enter bankruptcy or financial reorganisation, and default or
delinquency in payments (more than 30 days overdue) are considered indicators that the
trade receivable is impaired.  The amount of the provision is the difference between the
carrying amount of the asset and its estimated future cash flow.  The carrying amount of
the asset is reduced through the use of a bad debt provision and the amount of the loss
is  recognised  in  the  Consolidated  Statement  of  Comprehensive  Income  within  cost  of
sales.    When  a  trade  receivable  is  uncollectible  it  is  written  off  against  the  bad  debt
provision.  Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against
cost of sales in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, short-term bank deposits held at call,
other  short-term  highly  liquid  investments  with  an  original  maturity  of  less  than  three
months,  and  bank  overdrafts.    Bank  overdrafts  are  shown  in  current  liabilities  as
borrowings.  All are carried at cost in the balance sheet.

b)  Trade payables
Trade payables are obligations to pay for goods and services that have been acquired in
the ordinary course of business.  Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if
payment is due within one year or less (or in the normal operating cycle of the business
if longer).  If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Trade  payables  are  initially  recognised  at  fair  value  and  subsequently  measured  at
amortised cost.  Trade payables includes trade payables, other payables and accruals.

c)  Borrowings
Borrowings  are  initially  recognised  at  fair  value,  net  of  transaction  costs  incurred,  and
subsequently stated at amortised cost.  Borrowings include bank overdrafts, other loans,
trade receivables backed working capital facilities and hire purchase obligations.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right
to defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the balance sheet date.

Exceptional costs
Costs  are  considered  as  exceptional  when  their  size  and  nature  is  considered  to  be
outside the ordinary course of business and they are not expected to recur.

22

2.  Financial risk
2.  management

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

2.1  Financial risk factors
The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including foreign
exchange  risk,  cash  flow  and  fair  value  interest  rate  risk),  credit  risk  and  liquidity  risk.
The  Group’s  overall  risk  management  programme  focuses  on  the  unpredictability  of
financial markets and seeks to minimise potential adverse effects on the Group’s financial
performance.

Risk management is carried out by local management under policies approved by the
Board of Directors.

a)  Market risk
i)   Foreign exchange risk
The Group undertakes transactions internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange
risk arising from various currency exposures, primarily with respect to the Euro and US
Dollar  and  Sterling.    Foreign  exchange  risk  arises  from  future  commercial  transactions
and recognised assets and liabilities.

Management has a policy to require Group companies to manage their foreign exchange
risk against their functional currency.  The policy is to match as far as possible through
the normal course of trade the level of sales and purchases in foreign currencies and,
where  applicable,  to  enter  forward  foreign  exchange  contracts  as  hedges  of  foreign
exchange risk on specific assets, liabilities or future transactions.

At  31  December  2013,  if  Sterling  had  weakened  by  5%  against  the  Euro  and  all
other  variables  held  constant,  post-tax  profit  for  the  year  would  have  been  £21,000
(2012: £23,000) lower as a consequence of foreign exchange losses.

ii)  Cash flow and fair value interest rate risk
As  the  Group  has  no  significant  interest-bearing  assets,  the  Group’s  income  and
operating cash flows are substantially independent of changes in market interest rates.

The Group’s interest rate risk arises from long-term borrowings.  Borrowings issued at
variable  rates  expose  the  Group  to  cash  flow  interest  rate  risk.    Borrowings  issued  at
fixed rates expose the Group to fair value interest rate risk.

Group  policy  is  to  maintain  an  appropriate  balance  between  borrowings  expressed  in
fixed rates and those at variable rates.  All of the Group’s borrowings are denominated in
Sterling.  The strategy of CEPS PLC is as far as possible to use the assets of businesses
in which it makes investments to secure the necessary borrowings for those investments.

b)  Credit risk
The Group is exposed to the credit risk inherent in non-payment by either its customers
or  the  counterparties  of  its  financial  instruments.    The  Group  utilises  credit  insurance
policies  to  mitigate  its  risk  from  some  of  its  trading  exposure,  especially  in  overseas
markets, and in all cases seeks satisfactory references and the best possible terms of
payment.    It  mitigates  its  exposure  on  financial  instruments  by  only  using  instruments
from banks and financial institutions with a minimum rating of ‘A-1+’.

c)  Liquidity risk
Prudent  liquidity  risk  management  implies  maintaining  sufficient  cash  and  having
available an adequate amount of committed credit facilities.

Management monitors rolling forecasts of the Group’s available liquidity on the basis of
expected future cash flows.  Forecasts are generated in the first instance at local level in
the operating subsidiaries of the Group.

23

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

2.  Financial risk
2.  management  continued

2.1  Financial risk factors  continued
The table below analyses the Group’s financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings
based on the remaining period at the balance sheet date to the contractual maturity date.
The  amounts  disclosed  in  the  table  are  the  contractual  undiscounted  cash  flows.
Balances  due  within  12  months  equal  their  carrying  balances  as  the  impact  of
discounting is not significant.

Less than
1 year
£’000

Between
1 and 2 years
£’000

Between
2 and 5 years
£’000

Over 5 years
£’000

At 31 December 2013
Trade and other payables
Other loans*
Bank overdrafts
Trade receivables backed
CCworking capital facilities
Finance lease obligations

At 31 December 2012
Trade and other payables
Others loans*
Bank overdrafts
Trade receivables backed
CCworking capital facilities
Finance lease obligations

2,171
86
417

888
84

3,646

2,069
46
365

931
148

3,559

–
396
–

–
63

459

–
396
–

–
28

424

–
–
–

–
62

62

–
–
–

–
11

11

–
–
–

–
–

–

–
–
–

–
–

–

* The loan holder has confirmed that he will not seek repayment of the principal amount
during  2014.    The  amount  classified  as  less  than  one  year  relates  to  interest  on  the
capital amount.

2.2  Capital risk management
The  Group’s  objectives  when  managing  capital  (being  the  equity  and  reserves  of  the
Group) are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern in order to
provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an
optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital.

In  order  to  maintain  or  adjust  the  capital  structure,  the  Group  may  pay  dividends  to
shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce
debt.

The Group monitors capital on the basis of the gearing ratio.  This ratio measures net
debt as a proportion of total equity as shown in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  Net
debt is calculated as total borrowings less cash and cash equivalents.

24

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

2.  Financial risk
2.  management  continued

2.2  Capital risk management  continued
The gearing ratios at 31 December 2013 and 2012 were as follows:

Total borrowings
Less: cash and cash equivalents

Net debt

Total equity

Gearing ratio

2013)
£’000)

1,890)
(145)
)
1,745)
)
3,865)
)
45%)

2012)
£’000)

1,868)
(56)
)
1,812)
)
3,814)
)
48%)

Total  borrowings  have  been  reduced  in  the  year  by  the  repayment  of  finance  lease
obligations  of  £163,000  (2012:  £243,000),  less  the  increase  in  overdrafts  of  £52,000
(2012: £109,000) and the reduction in trade receivables backed working capital facilities
of £43,000 (2012: reduction of £220,000).  The figure has been increased by new finance
lease  obligations  of  £176,000  (2012:  £77,000).    Cash  balances  increased  by  £89,000
(2012: fell by £101,000).  Total equity increased by the total comprehensive profit for the
year of £96,000 less the dividend paid to non-controlling interests of £45,000.  As a result
gearing reduced to 45% (2012: 48%), which is deemed acceptable.

2.3  Fair value estimation
The  carrying  value  less  impairment  provision  of  trade  receivables  and  payables  are
assumed  to  approximate  their  fair  values.    The  fair  value  of  the  financial  liabilities  for
disclosure purposes is estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows at the
current interest rate.

The fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts is determined using quoted forward
exchange rates at the balance sheet date.  However, no contracts were open at either
the current or prior year end.

a)  Impairment of intangible assets
Where there is an indication that the carrying value of intangible assets may have been
impaired through events or changes in circumstances, a review will be undertaken of the
recoverable amount of those assets based on a value-in-use calculation that will involve
estimates and assumptions to be made by management.  A review is performed annually
for  goodwill.    Goodwill  is  held  in  respect  of  Sunline  and  Friedman’s.    See  note  15  for
further details.

b)  Deferred tax assets
Certain  subsidiaries  of  the  Group  (principally  Davies  Odell)  have  accelerated  capital
allowances and brought forward tax losses.  Deferred tax assets have been recognised
in  respect  of  the  brought-forward  tax  losses.    The  recognition  of  the  assets  reflects
management’s estimate of the recoverable amounts in respect of these items.  See note 22
for further details.

c)  Retirement benefit liabilities
One subsidiary of the Group operates a defined benefits pension scheme.  The scheme
is  subject  to  triennial  actuarial  valuation  and  the  Group  commissions  an  independent
qualified actuary to update to each financial year end the previous triennial result.  The
results of this update are included in the financial statements.  In reaching the annually
updated results management makes assumptions and estimates.  These assumptions
and estimates are made advisedly, but are not any guarantee of the performance of the
scheme or of the outcome of each triennial review.  See note 8 for further details.

25

3.  Critical accounting
3.  assumptions and
3.  judgements

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

4.  Segmental analysis

The chief operating decision-maker of the Group is its Board.  Each operating segment
regularly reports its performance to the Board which, based on those reports, allocates
resources to and assesses the performance of those operating segments.

The operating segments set out below are the only level for which discrete information is
available or utilised by the chief operating decision-maker.

Operating segments and their principal activities are as follows:

Davies  Odell,  the  manufacture  and  distribution  of  protection  equipment,  matting  and
footwear components.

Friedman’s, the conversion and distribution of specialist Lycra.

Sunline, a supplier of services to the direct mail market.

Group costs, costs incurred at Head Office level to support the activities of the Group.

The United Kingdom is the main country of operation from which the Group derives its
revenue and operating profit/(loss) and is the principal location of the assets and liabilities
of  the  Group.    The  Group  information  provided  below,  therefore,  also  represents  the
geographical  segmental  analysis.    Of  the  £15,624,000  (2012:  £15,068,000)  revenue
£13,301,000  (2012:  £12,730,000)  is  derived  from  UK  customers  with  the  remaining
£2,323,000  (2012:  £2,338,000)  being  derived  from  a  number  of  overseas  countries,
none  of  which  is  material  in  isolation.    All  assets  and  liabilities  are  held  in  the  United
Kingdom.

The  Board  assesses  the  performance  of  each  operating  segment  by  a  measure  of
adjusted  earnings  before  interest,  tax,  Group  costs,  depreciation  and  amortisation
(EBITDA) before exceptional costs.  Other information provided to the Board is measured
in a manner consistent with that in the financial statements.

Davies Odell) Friedman’s)
2013)
£’000)

2013)
£’000)

)5,452)
)
(69)
)

3,855)
)
595)
)

Sunline)
2013)
£’000)

6,317)
)
371)
)

Total)
2013)
£’000)

15,624
)
897)

(218)
(331)
(123)
36)
)
261)
(80)
)
181)
)

i)  Results by segment

Revenue

Segmental result (EBITDA)

Depreciation and 
CCamortisation charge
Group costs
Net finance costs
Share of profit of associate

Profit before taxation
Taxation

)

Profit for the year

26

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

4.  Segmental analysis
2.  continued

)

Revenue
)

Segmental result (EBITDA)
CCbefore exceptional costs
Exceptional costs: 
CCImpairment charge

Segmental result (EBITDA)
CCafter exceptional costs

Depreciation and 
CCamortisation charge
Group costs
Net finance costs
Share of profit of associate

Loss before taxation
Taxation

Loss for the year

)

)

)

Davies Odell) Friedman’s)
2012)
£’000)

2012)
£’000)

5,714)
)

3,668)
)

Sunline)
2012)
£’000)

5,686)
)

Total)
2012)
£’000)

15,068)
)

163)

452)

162)

777)

–)
)

163)
)

–)
)

(2,500)
)

(2,500)
)

452)
)

(2,338)
)

(1,723)
)

(231)
(313)
(134)
18)
)
(2,383)
(98)
)
(2,481)
)

ii)  Assets and liabilities by segment as at 31 December

Segment assets
2012)
2013)
£’000)
£’000)

Segment liabilities Segment net assets
2012)
£’000)

2013)
£’000)

2013)
£’000)

2012)
£’000)

CEPS Group
Davies Odell
Friedman’s
Sunline

Total – Group

707)

646)
2,139) 2,417)
2,990) 2,902)
2,706) 2,573)
)
8,542) 8,538)
)

)

)

(118)
(1,188)
(1,170)
(2,201)
)
(4,677)
)

589)
569)
(77)
(1,166)
951) 1,251)
(1,223) 1,820) 1,679)
315)
(2,258)
)
)
(4,724) 3,865) 3,814)
)

505)
)

)

)

iii)  Non-cash expenses and capital expenditure
Other than as stated above there were no significant non-cash expenses.

Capital expenditure

Davies Odell
Friedman’s
Sunline
))
Total – Group

2013)
£’000)

2012)
£’000) 

16)
91)
92)
)
199)
)

24)
32)
56)
)
112)
)

27

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

5.  Operating profit/(loss)

Operating profit/(loss) stated after charging/(crediting):
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Exchange loss/(gain)
Other operating lease rentals on land and buildings and 
CCon plant and machinery

)

Exceptional costs
Sunline goodwill impairment (see note 15)

2013)
£’000)

6)
13)

392)

)

2013)
£’000)

–)
)
–)
)

2012)
£’000)

7)
(40)

386)

)

2012)
£’000)

2,500)
)
2,500)
)

Exceptional  costs  in  2012  relate  to  a  Sunline  goodwill  impairment  charge  and  are
included within administration expenses.

Fees payable to the Company's auditors
Audit fees in respect of the statutory audit of the parent
CCcompany and consolidated financial statements
Audit fees in respect of the statutory audit of the financial
CCstatements of associates of the Company

Taxation compliance services
Taxation advisory services
Other non-audit services

Total fees

)

Expenses by nature
Change in stocks of finished goods and work in progress
Raw materials and consumables
Employee benefit expenses
Impairment charge
Depreciation and amortisation
Operating lease payments
Other expenses

2013)
£’000)

2012)
£’000)

19)

27)
)
46)
19)
13)
5)
)
83)
)

2013)
£’000)

(223)
7,172)
4,848)
–)
218)
392)
2,869)
)
15,276)
)

19)

26)
)
45)
19)
–)
5)
)
69)
)

2012)
£’000)

237)
6,976)
4,697)
2,500)
231)
386)
2,308)
)
17,335)
)

28

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

6.  Employees

The average monthly number of persons employed by the Group during the year was:

Management and administration
Production and sales

The aggregate costs of these persons were:

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs (note 8)

2013)
Number)

2012)
Number)

41)
139)
)
180)
)

2013)
£’000)

4,322)
387)
139)
)
4,848)
)

36)
142)
)
178)
)

2012)
£’000)

4,171)
387)
139)
)
4,697)
)

Key  management  personnel  are  deemed  to  be  members  of  the  Board  and  local
management and their compensation is shown in note 7.

29

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

7.  Directors’ emoluments
7.  and interests

The aggregate remuneration of the directors was:

Short-term employee benefits

2013)
£’000)

173)
)

2012)
£’000)

173)
)

The  remuneration  of  the  Chairman,  R  T  Organ,  and  of  the  other  directors  who  served
during the year was:

P G Cook
D A Horner
V E Langford
G C Martin
R T Organ

)
)

)

)
)

)

)
)

Salaries and fees
2012)
2013)
£’000)
£’000)

62)
16)
55)
16)
26)
)
175)
)

62)
16)
53)
16)
26)
)
173)
)

G C Martin has a pension secured in the Group defined benefits scheme from which he
is currently drawing.  He is not accruing any further additional benefit under this pension
scheme.

The  aggregate  payroll  costs  of  members  of  the  Board  and  other  key  personnel  of  the
Group were:

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs

2013)
£’000)

2012)
£’000)

387)
50)
44)
)
481)
)

363)
44)
43)
)
450)
)

The directors’ beneficial interests, including those of their families, in shares of the Group
were:

P G Cook
D A Horner
G C Martin
R T Organ

at 31 December 2013
shares

at 31 December 2012
shares

183,250
1,019,495
10,000
115,650

366,666
1,837,110
20,251
169,333

The  prior  year  comparatives  have  not  been  revised  for  the  effect  of  the  share
consolidation in the year (see note 24).  D A Horner's shareholding at 31 December 2013
includes 669,500 shares held by Colinette Holdings Limited, a company that is wholly
owned by Chelverton Asset Management Holdings Limited.  D A Horner and his family
have a 56% interest in Chelverton Asset Management Holdings Limited.

The  register  of  directors’  interests,  which  is  open  to  inspection,  contains  full  details  of
directors’ shareholdings.

30

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

8.  Pension costs

The  Group  operates  a  number  of  defined  contribution  schemes.    The  assets  of  the
schemes  are  held  in  independently  administered  funds.    The  pension  cost  charge
represents  contributions  payable  to  the  funds  and  amounted  to  £139,000  (2012:
£142,000).  At 31 December 2013 £202,000 (2012: £186,000) of pension contributions
remain outstanding.

The Group also operates a defined benefits scheme.  The scheme was closed to new
members in 1988.  The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Group
in  a  deposit  administration  contract  underwritten  by  an  insurance  company.
Contributions to the scheme are determined by a qualified external actuary on the basis
of  triennial  valuations  using,  for  accrued  service,  the  ‘projected  unit’  method  and,  for
future  service,  the  ‘attained  age’  method.    The  most  recent  actuarial  valuation  was  at
1 July 2010 and the main actuarial assumptions were investment returns of 4.7% before
retirement and 4.2% after retirement.  The valuation showed that the total value of the
scheme assets was £3,048,000 and that the level of funding on an ongoing basis is 83%.
At 1 October 2011 the Group agreed a recovery plan of £6,200 per month, an amount
intended to restore a 100% funding level over ten years.

The Group commissioned an independent qualified actuary to update to 31 December
2013 the results of the actuarial valuation at 1 July 2010.  The results of the update are
as follows: 

Assumptions at 31 December

Interest rate for discounting liabilities
Expected return on plan assets
Retail Price Inflation
Pensions increase

Mortality
Current and future pensioners

Life expectancies (years)
For a 65 year old male
For a 65 year old female
For a 65 year old male, currently aged 50
For a 65 year old female, currently aged 50

2013)

2012)

4.40%)
5.50%)
3.40%)
3.30%)

4.20%)
5.50%)
2.90%)
2.90%)

PCA00)
year of birth)
long cohort)

PCA00)
year of birth)
long cohort)

24.9)
26.6)
27.2)
28.1)

24.7)
26.5)
27.0)
27.9)

The  independent  actuary  estimates  that  a  0.1%  change  in  the  discount  rate  would
change the value of scheme liabilities by approximately £48,000.

The expected return on plan assets has been determined by the current rate of return on
the plan, less allowances for future uncertainties on the plan and an allowance for costs
to be incurred in administering the plan.

The following amounts were measured in accordance 
with the requirements of IAS 19:

Amounts recognised in the balance sheet are as follows:

Fair value of plan assets
Present value of defined benefit obligation
Actuarial surplus not recognised

Net surplus

2013)
£’000)

3,039)
(2,858)
(181)
)
–)
)

2012)
£’000)

2,802)
(2,726)
(76)
)
–)
)

The  actuarial  surplus  arising  on  the  defined  benefit  pension  scheme  has  not  been
recognised as the Group does not have an unconditional right to refunds of surpluses
arising in the scheme.

31

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

8.  Pension costs  continued

2013)
£’000)

2012)
£’000)

Pension cost recognised in the Consolidated Statement 
of Comprehensive Income

Operating cost:
Current service cost (cost of sales)

Finance cost:
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets

Total pension credit

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Actuarial loss
Experience gains on assets
Movement in actuarial surplus not recognised

Total loss

Movement in balance sheet for the year

Net pension liability at the start of the year
Employer’s pension cost
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Employer contributions

Net pension liability at the end of the year

Reconciliation of the defined benefit obligation

Defined benefit obligation at the start of the year
Current service cost
Interest cost
Actuarial loss
Benefits paid

Defined benefit obligation at the end of the year

Reconciliation of plan assets

Fair value of plan assets at the start of the year
Expected return on plan assets
Experience gains on assets
Employer contributions
Benefits and expenses paid

Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year

32

–)
)

113)
(118)
)
(5)
)
(5)
)

79)
(99)
105)
)
85)
)

–)
5)
(85)
80)
)
–)
)

2,725)
–)
113)
79)
(59)
)
2,858)
)

2,801)
118)
99)
80)
(59)
)
3,039)
)

–)
)

119)
(122)
)
(3)
)
(3)
)

191)
(149)
41)
)
83)
)

–)
3)
(83)
80)
)
–)
)

2,530)
–)
119)
191)
(115)
)
2,725)
)

2,565)
122)
149)
80)
(115)
)
2,801)
)

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

8.  Pension costs continued

Asset categories at the end of the year

Equities
Bonds
Property
Cash

2013)

2012)

43%)
44%)
9%)
4%)

48%)
36%)
12%)
4%)

Amounts for the current and
previous four years are as follows:

Plan assets
Defined benefit obligation
Actuarial surplus not recognised

Deficit in scheme

Actuarial losses on liabilities
CCdue to assumptions
Experience gains on assets
Movement in actuarial surplus
CCnot recognised

Total losses recognised
CCfor the year

Cumulative amount of gains
CCand losses recognised in the
CCConsolidated Statement of
CCComprehensive Income

2013)
£’000)

2012)
£’000)

2011)
£’000)

2010)
£’000)

2009)
£’000)

3,039)
(2,858)
(181)
)
–)
)

2,801)
(2,725)
(76)
)
–)
)

2,566)
(2,531)
(35)
)
–)
)

2,347)
(2,282)
(65)
)
–)
)

2,129)
(2,101)
(28)
)
–)
)

(79)
99)

(105)
)

(85)
)

(191)
149)

(173)
46)

(130)
84)

(41)
)

(83)
)

30)
)

(97)
)

(37)
)

(83)
)

(325)
25)

226)
)

(74)
)

25)
)

110)
)

193)
)

290)
)

373)
)

9.  Net finance costs

2013)
£’000)

2012)
£’000)

–)

5)
)
5)
)

56)
40)
12)
20)
)
128)
)
123)
)

–)

3)
)
3)
)

55)
40)
22)
20)
)
137)
)
134)
)

Interest receivable
Pension scheme finance income
CC(note 8)

Total finance income

Interest payable on bank loans
CCand overdrafts
Interest payable on other loans
Finance lease costs
Preference dividend accrued

Total finance costs

Net finance costs

33

10.  Taxation

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

Analysis of taxation in the year:
Current tax
Tax on profits of the year
Tax in respect of prior years

Total current tax

Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Tax in respect of prior years
Impact of change in UK tax rate

Total deferred tax

Total tax charge

Deferred tax charged to the Consolidated Statement
CCof Changes in Equity

2013)
£’000)

2012)
£’000)

77)
1)
)
78)
)

(24)
8)
18)
)
2)
)
80)
)

–)
)

119)
(18)
)
101)
)

(89)
57)
29)
)
(3)
)
98)
)

–)
)

The  tax  assessed  for  the  year  is  higher  (2012:  higher)  than  the  standard  rate  of
corporation tax in the UK (23.25%) (2012: 24.5%).

Factors affecting current tax:
Profit/(loss) before taxation

Profit/(loss) multiplied by the standard rate of UK tax of 23.25%
CC(2012: 24.5%)
Effects of:
Permanent differences:
CCImpairment charge
CCOther
Prior year adjustment, current tax
Prior year adjustment, deferred tax
Effect of changes in tax rate
Deferred tax movements not recognised

Total tax charge

261)
)

61)

–)
(16)
1)
8)
18)
8)
)
80)
)

(2,383)
)

(584)

613)
(5)
(18)
57)
35)
–)
)
98)
)

The standard rate of corporation tax in the UK changed from 24% to 23% with effect
from 1 April 2013.  Accordingly, the Company's profits for this accounting year are taxed
at an effective rate of 23.25%.

The March 2013 Budget Statement announced changes to the UK corporation tax rates
that were substantively enacted as part of the Finance Bill 2013 on 2 July 2013.  These
reduced  the  main  rate  of  corporation  tax  to  21%  from  1  April  2014  and  to  20%  from
1 April 2015.  As the changes have been substantively enacted at the balance sheet date
their  effects  are  included  in  these  financial  statements.    Accordingly,  the  deferred  tax
balance has been remeasured.  No further changes to future tax rates were announced
in the March 2014 Budget Statement on 19 March 2014.

34

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

11.  Dividends

No ordinary dividends have been paid or proposed for the year (2012: £nil).

12.  Loss per share

Basic loss per share is calculated on the loss for the year after taxation attributable to
owners  of  the  Company  of  £8,000  (2012:  loss  £2,054,000)  and  on  5,407,155  (2012:
restated 5,089,532) ordinary shares, being the weighted number in issue during the year.
The number of ordinary shares for the year ended 31 December 2012 has been restated
to reflect the share consolidation in the year (see note 24).

Diluted loss per share is calculated on the weighted number of ordinary shares in issue
adjusted  to  reflect  the  potential  effect  of  the  exercise  of  options.    No  adjustment  is
required in either year because the fair value of options was below the exercise price.

13.  Loss of the holding
13.  company

Of the Group loss for the year a loss of £38,000 (2012: loss £54,000) is dealt with in the  
financial statements of CEPS PLC.  The directors have taken advantage of the exemption
available under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and not presented the results
for the Company alone.

35

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

14.  Property, plant and
14.  equipment

14.  Group

Cost
at 1 January 2012
Additions at cost
Disposals

at 31 December 2012
Additions at cost
Disposals

at 31 December 2013

Accumulated depreciation
at 1 January 2012
Charge for the year
Disposals

at 31 December 2012
Charge for the year
Disposals

at 31 December 2013

Net book amount
at 31 December 2013

at 31 December 2012

at 1 January 2012

Plant,)
Leasehold) machinery,)
tools and)
moulds)
£’000)

property)
improvements)
£’000)

Motor)
vehicles)
£’000)

96)
21)
–)
)
117)
14)
–)
)
131)
)

47)
13)
–)
)
60)
12)
–)
)
72)
)

59)
)
57)
)
49)
)

3,867)
91)
(31)
)
3,927)
134)
(73)
)
3,988)
)

2,768)
202)
(16)
)
2,954)
190)
(42)
)
3,102)
)

886)
)
973)
)
1,099)
)

89)
–)
–)
)
89)
51)
–)
)
140)
)

65)
6)
–)
)
71)
10)
–)
)
81)
)

59)
)
18)
)
24)
)

)
Total)
£’000)

4,052)
112)
(31)
)
4,133)
199)
(73)
)
4,259)
)

2,880)
221)
(16)
)
3,085)
212)
(42)
)
3,255)
)

1,004)
)
1,048)
)
1,172)
)

At  the  year  end,  assets  held  under  hire  purchase  contracts  and  capitalised  as  plant,
machinery, tools and moulds have a net book value of £238,000 (2012: £478,000) and
an accumulated depreciation balance of £84,000 (2012: £392,000).

The  depreciation  has  been  charged  to  cost  of  sales  in  the  Consolidated  Statement  of
Comprehensive Income.

14.  Company

Throughout 2012 and 2013 the Company held no property, plant and equipment.

36

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

15.  Intangible assets

15.  Group

15.  Company

)

Cost
at 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2012
Additions at cost

at 31 December 2013

Accumulated amortisation and impairment
at 1 January 2012
Amortisation charge
Impairment charge

at 31 December 2012
Amortisation charge
Impairment charge

at 31 December 2013

Net book amount
at 31 December 2013

at 31 December 2012

at 1 January 2012

Cost
at 1 January 2012, 31 December 2012
and 31 December 2013

Accumulated amortisation
at 1 January 2012, 31 December 2012
and 31 December 2013

Net book amount
at 1 January 2012, 31 December 2012
and 31 December 2013

Goodwill)
£’000)

Other)
£’000)

Total)
£’000)

4,839)
–)
)
4,839)
)

121)
–)
2,500)
)
2,621)
–)
–)
)
2,621)
)

2,218)
)
2,218)
)
4,718)
)

80)
)

1)
)

79)
)

67)
15)
)
82)
)

43)
10)
–)
)
53)
6)
–)
)
59)
)

23)
)
14)
)
24)
)

17)
)

17)
)

–)
)

4,906)
15)
)
4,921)
)

164)
10)
2,500)
)
2,674)
6)
–
)
2,680)
)

2,241)
)
2,232)
)
4,742)
)

97)
)

18)
)

79)

Management assess the nature of purchase consideration and any in excess of identified
intangible assets is recorded as goodwill.  Goodwill is not amortised under IFRS, but is
subject to impairment testing either annually or on the occurrence of a triggering event.
Impairment  charges  are  included  in  administration  expenses  and  disclosed  as  an
exceptional cost.

Other intangibles relate to computer software and website costs and are amortised over
their estimated economic lives.  The annual amortisation charge is expensed to cost of
sales in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

37

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

15.  Intangible assets
15.  continued

Impairment tests for goodwill and other intangibles

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

For  the  purpose  of  impairment  testing,  goodwill  is  allocated  to  the  Group’s  cash
generating units (CGUs) on a business segment basis:

at 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2011
Impairment charge

at 31 December 2012 and 31 December 2013

Friedman's)
£’000)

1,529)
–)
)
1,529)
)

Sunline)
£’000)

3,189)
(2,500)
)
689)
)

Total)
£’000)

4,718)
(2,500)
)
2,218)
)

The  recoverable  amount  of  a  CGU  is  based  on  value-in-use  calculations.    These
calculations  use  cash  flow  projections  based  on  financial  budgets  approved  by
management covering a five year period.  Cash flows beyond five years are assumed to
be constant.  A discount rate of 12.59% (2012: 11.9%), representing the estimated pre-
tax cost of capital, has been applied to these projections.  The risk profile of both CGUs
is considered to be similar.

The key assumptions used in the value-in-use calculations are as follows:

Revenue growth
2012)
%)

2013)
%)

3.0)
2.0)

2.0)
1.0)

Gross margin

2013)
%)

34.0)
47.0)

2012)
%)

34.0)
37.5)

Long-term growth
2012)
%)

2013)
%)

2.0)
1.0)

2.0)
1.0)

Friedman's
Sunline

Management has determined the budgeted revenue growth and gross margins based on
past performance and their expectations of market developments in the future.  Long-
term  growth  rates  are  based  on  the  lower  of  the  UK  long-term  growth  rate  and
management's general expectations for the relevant CGU.

The  value-in-use  calculation  is  sensitive  to  changes  in  the  gross  margin  percentage
assumed  and  the  discount  rate  assumed.    A  1%  movement  in  the  gross  margin
percentage results in a change to the value-in-use calculation of £560,000 for Sunline
and £300,000 for Friedman's, whilst a 1% movement in the discount rate applied results
in  a  change  to  the  value-in-use  calculation  of  £300,000  for  Sunline  and  £350,000  for
Friedman's.

In  respect  of  both  Friedman's  and  Sunline,  the  value-in-use  calculation  gives  rise  to
sufficient  headroom  such  that  reasonable  changes  in  the  key  assumptions  do  not
eliminate the headroom.

At December 2012 an impairment charge of £2,500,000 was taken against the carrying
value  of  goodwill  related  to  Sunline.    This  reflected  the  trading  patterns  and  the
challenging  economic  and  trading  environment  of  the  direct  mail  market  in  which  the
business was operating.

38

16.  Investments

14.  Group

14.  Company

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

Investments in associate

2013)
£’000)

2012)
£’000)

Cost and net book amount
at 1 January
Acquisitions
Share of net profit
CCin associate

at 31 December

518)
–)

36)
)
554)
)

Shares)
in Group)
subsidiaries)
£’000)

–)
500)

18)
)
518)
)

Loans)
to Group)

Total)

subsidiaries)in subsidiaries)
£’000)

investments) Investments)
in associate)
£’000)

£’000)

Cost and net book amount
at 1 January 2012
Acquisitions
Repayments

at 31 December 2012
Repayments

at 31 December 2013

674)
–)
–)
)
674)
–)
)
674)
)

1,879)
–)
(132)
)
1,747)
(186)
)
1,561)
)

2,553)
–)
(132)
)
2,421)
(186)
)
2,235)
)

–)
500)
–)
)
500)
–)
)
500)
)

Total)
investments)
£’000)

2,553)
500)
(132)

2,921)
(186)
)
2,735)
)

Of  the  loans  to  Group  subsidiaries  £89,000  is  represented  by  9%  Guaranteed  Loan
Stock  2010  repayable  in  instalments  between  January  2007  and  January  2010  and
£850,000 by 15% Loan Stock repayable in instalments between April 2009 and February
2012.  In both cases repayments will only be requested when surplus cash is available.
The balance of £622,000 is repayable at no less than one year’s notice.

Investments in subsidiary companies are stated at cost.  A list of subsidiary undertakings,
all of which have been included in the consolidation, is given below.

Name of undertaking

)
Incorporated and)
registered in)

)
)
Share)
class)

Shares)
held)
direct)
%)

Shares)
held via)
subsidiaries)
%)

Trading company:
Davies Odell Limited
Signature Fabrics Limited
Friedman’s Limited
Sunline Direct Mail (Holdings) Limited
Sunline Direct Mail Limited

Non-trading:
Davies & Co (Kettering) Limited
Phillips Rubber Limited
Farmat Limited
Davies and Company Limited

England)
ordinary)
England) ‘A’ ordinary)
ordinary)
England)
ordinary)
England)
ordinary)
England)

England)
England)
England)
England)

ordinary)
ordinary)
ordinary)
ordinary)

100)
55)
)
80)
)

100)
100)
100)
100)

)

55)

80)

Nature of business of trading companies:
Davies Odell Limited

Signature Fabrics Limited
Friedman’s Limited
Sunline Direct Mail (Holdings) Limited
Sunline Direct Mail Limited

39

Manufacture and distribution of protection 
equipment, matting and footwear components
Holding company for Friedman’s Limited
Conversion and distribution of specialist Lycra
Holding company for Sunline Direct Mail Limited
Supplier of services to the direct mail market

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

16.  Investments
16.  continued

Associate

17.  Inventories

18.  Trade and other
18.  receivables

In 2012, the Company acquired an interest in CEM Press Holdings Limited, an associate
company.  The results of the Group's associate, and its gross assets and liabilities, are
as follows:

CEM Press Holdings Limited: year ended 31 December

Country of
Incorporation

Assets
£’000

Liabilities)
£’000)

Revenues
£’000

2013 United Kingdom

3,117

(924)

3,074

2012 United Kingdom

3,107

(1,081)

3,041

Profits
£’000

168

162

%
interest
held

21.4

21.4

Raw materials and consumables
Work in progress
Finished goods and goods for resale

Group

Company

2013)
£’000)

377)
16)
1,316)
)
1,709)
)

2012)
£’000)

389)
21)
1,534)
)
1,944)
)

2013)
£’000)

2012)
£’000)

–)
–)
–)
)
–)
)

–)
–)
–)
)
–)
)

The  cost  of  inventories  recognised  as  an  expense  and  included  in  cost  of  sales
amounted to £6,949,000 (2012: £7,213,000).

Trade receivables
less: provision for impairment
CCof trade receivables

Trade receivables – net
Amount due from subsidiary 
CCcompanies
Other receivables
Prepayments and accrued income

Group

Company

2013)
£’000)

2012)
£’000)

2013)
£’000)

2012)
£’000)

2,164)

2,040)

(22)
)
2,142)

–)
8)
286)
)
2,436)
)

(27)
)
2,013)

–)
1)
221)
)
2,235)
)

–)

–)
)
–)

917)
–)
12)
)
929)
)

–)

–)
)
–)

752)
–)
10)
)
762)
)

The above are deemed to be the fair values for the trade and other receivables.

As at 31 December 2013, trade receivables of £1,718,000 (2012: £1,455,000) were fully
performing.

Trade receivables that are less than three months past due are not considered impaired.
As  of  31  December  2013,  trade  receivables  of  £343,000  (2012:  £465,000)  were  past
due, but not impaired.  These relate to a number of independent customers for whom
there is no recent history of default.

40

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

18.  Trade and other
18.  receivables continued

At 31 December 2013 trade receivables of £103,000 (2012: £120,000) were impaired.
A significant portion of the receivables is expected to be recovered and a provision of
£22,000  (2012:  £27,000)  has  been  made  for  non-recovery.    The  individually  impaired
receivables  mainly  relate  to  customers  who  are  in  unexpectedly  difficult  economic
situations.  The ageing of these receivables is as follows:

3 to 6 months
Over 6 months

2013)
£’000)

80)
23)
)
103)
)

2012)
£’000)

51)
69)
)
120)
)

)
)

)
)
)
)
)

)

)
)
)
)
)

The carrying amounts of the Group trade and other receivables are denominated in the
following currencies:

Sterling
Euro
US $

2013)
£’000)

2,346)
15)
75)
)
2,436)
)

2012)
£’000)

2,122)
91)
22)
)
2,235)
)

)
)

)
)

)
)
)

Movements in the Group provision for impairment of trade receivables are as follows:

At 1 January
Provision for receivables impairment
Receivables written off during the year
Unused amounts reversed

At 31 December

2013)
£’000)

2012)
£’000)

27)
13)
(3)
(15)
)
22)
)

15)
21)
–)
(9)
)
27)
)

)
)

)
)
)

)
)
)

)

)
)

)
)
)

)

)
)
)

)
)
)

The  creation  and  release  of  provisions  for  impaired  receivables  have  been  included  in
cost  of  sales  in  the  Consolidated  Statement  of  Comprehensive  Income.    Amounts
charged to the allowance account are generally written off when there is no expectation
of recovering additional cash.

The other classes within trade and other receivables do not contain impaired assets.  The
Group does not hold any collateral as security.

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of each
class of trade and other receivables.

41

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

19.  Trade and other
18.  payables

20.  Borrowings

Trade payables
Other tax and social security
Other payables
Accruals and deferred income

Group

Company

2013)
£’000)

1,444)
398)
247)
566)
)
2,655)
)

2012)
£’000)

1,494)
489)
179)
442)
)
2,604)
)

2013)
£’000)

–)
–)
–)
120)
)
120)
)

2012)
£’000)

–)
–)
–)
78)
)
78)
)

Group

Company

2013)
£’000)

2012)
£’000)

2013)
£’000)

2012)
£’000)

Non-current:
Other loans
Hire purchase obligations

Current:
Bank overdraft
Trade receivables backed working
CCcapital facilities
Hire purchase obligations

Total borrowings

396)
114)
)
510)
)

417)

888)
75)
)
1,380)
)
1,890)
)

396)
39)
)
435)
)

365)

931)
137)
)
1,433)
)
1,868)
)

–)
–)
)
–)
)

–)

–)
–)
)
–)
)
–)
)

–)
–)
)
–)
)

–)

–)
–)
)
–)
)
–)
)

Bank  borrowings  and  overdrafts  are  secured  by  fixed  and  floating  charges  over  the
assets of the subsidiary to which they relate with the exception of CEPS PLC and Davies
Odell Limited who have given unlimited cross guarantees to secure the liabilities of each
other.    Trade  receivable  backed  working  capital  facilities  are  secured  by  the  trade
receivable to which they relate.  All borrowings are denominated in Sterling.

At 31 December 2013 the analysis of the security of bank borrowings and overdrafts and
trade receivables backed working capital facilities was as follows:

Secured on the assets of

Davies Odell and CEPS PLC
Friedman’s
Sunline

By fixed and)
floating charges)
£’000)

By trade)
receivables)
£’000)

417)
–)
–)
)
417)
)

363)
65)
460)
)
888)
)

Total)
£’000)

780)
65)
460)
)
1,305)
)

42

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

20.  Borrowings continued

At 31 December 2012 the analysis of the security of bank borrowings and overdrafts and
trade receivables backed working capital facilities was as follows:

Secured on the assets of

Davies Odell and CEPS PLC
Friedman’s
Sunline

By fixed and)
floating charges)
£’000)

By trade)
receivables)
£’000)

365)
–)
–)
)
365)
)

358)
108)
465)
)
931)
)

Total)
£’000)

723)
108)
465)
)
1,296)
)

The  exposure  of  the  Group’s  borrowings  to  interest  rate  changes  and  the  contractual
repricing dates at the balance sheet dates are as follows:

Within one year
Between one and two years
Between two and five years

2013)

Hire)
purchase)
£’000)

75)
59)
55)
)
189)
)

Bank)
£’000)

1,305)
–)
–)
)
1,305)
)

)2012)

Hire)
purchase)
£’000)

137)
28)
11)
)
176)
)

Bank)
£’000)

1,296)
–)
–)
)
1,296)
)

The  fair  value  of  current  borrowings  equals  their  carrying  amount,  as  the  impact  of
discounting is not significant.

There is no material difference between the carrying book value and the fair value of the
finance lease obligations.

Other  loans  represent  preference  shares  of  £130,000  and  loan  stock  of  £200,000
subscribed  by  non-controlling  interests  and  loan  stock  of  £66,000  issued  to  non-
controlling  interests  in  settlement  of  deferred  consideration.    Preference  shares  carry  a
dividend of 15% pa and loan stock interest of 15% pa and were repayable in quarterly
instalments over three years commencing in April 2009.  However, repayment has been
deferred until at least 2014.  The preference shares and loan stock are held by the non-
controlling interest and are in Sunline Direct Mail Holdings Limited.

The minimum lease payments under hire purchase agreements fall due as follows:

Not more than one year
Between one and two years
Between two and five years

Finance charge

Present value of hire purchase agreement liabilities)

2013)
£’000)

84)
63)
62)
)
209)
(20)
)
189)
)

2012)
£’000)

148)
28)
11)
)
187)
(11)
)
176)
)

The carrying amounts of the Group’s borrowings are denominated in Sterling.

Trade receivables backed working capital facilities are available to the Group and are subject to
renegotiation  on  an  annual  basis.    The  Group  has  no  bank  loan  facilities  available  for  draw
down.

43

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

21a.  Financial instruments
21a. by category

The accounting policies for financial instruments have been applied to the line items below:

Group
31 December 2013
Assets as per balance sheet

Trade and other receivables (excluding prepayments and accrued income)
Cash and cash equivalents

Total

Liabilities at amortised cost as per balance sheet

Bank borrowings (excluding hire purchase obligations)
Hire purchase obligations
Trade and other payables (excluding statutory liabilities)
Other loans

Total

Group
31 December 2012
Assets as per balance sheet

Trade and other receivables (excluding prepayments and accrued income)
Cash and cash equivalents

Total

Loans and)
receivables)
£’000)
2,150)
145)
)
2,295)
)

Other financial)
)liabilities)
)£’000)
1,305)
189)
2,257)
396)
)
4,147)
)

Loans and)
receivables)
£’000)
2,014)
56)
)
2,070)
)

Liabilities at amortised cost as per balance sheet

Bank borrowings (excluding hire purchase obligations)
Hire purchase obligations
Trade and other payables (excluding statutory liabilities)
Other loans

Other financial)
liabilities)
£’000)
1,296)
176)
2,115)
396)
)
3,983)
)
The Company’s assets in both the current and prior year are categorised as loans and
receivables.    The  Company’s  liabilities  are  categorised  as  other  financial  liabilities  at
amortised cost.

Total

44

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

21b.  Credit quality of
21b.  financial assets

The  credit  quality  of  financial  assets  that  are  neither  past  due  nor  impaired  can  be
assessed by reference to external credit ratings (if available) or to historical information
about counterparty default rates:

Trade receivables are analysed between:

Group

Davies Odell
Friedman’s
Sunline

)

)
)
)
)
)

)
)

)
)
)
)
)

2013)
£’000)

470)
378)
870)
)
1,718)
)

2012)
£’000)

307)
371)
777)
)
1,455)
)

The Group has a customer base which is for the most part stable, long standing and well
known to the businesses.  Credit and credit terms are negotiated with these customers
taking into account their trading history with the Group and their payment record.  New
customers  are  only  given  credit  after  taking  references  or  making  trade  and  agency
enquiries.  Management does not believe there to be a credit exposure beyond that for
which provision has already been made.

The Company cash and cash equivalents includes £145,000 (2012: £56,000) which is
on account with differing financial institutions and is readily available.  The external credit
rating as assessed by Standard & Poor’s for short-term funds for each of the institutions
is A-1+.

22.  Deferred tax

The  following  are  the  major  deferred  tax  assets  recognised  by  the  Group,  and  the
movement thereon, during the current and prior years.

)
)
Losses)
£’000)

Other) Accelerated)
timing)
capital)
allowances)
differences)
£’000)
£’000)

At 1 January 2012, asset/(liability)
(Debit)/credit to the Consolidated
CCStatement of Comprehensive Income

at 31 December 2012, asset/(liability)

(Debit)/credit to the Consolidated
CCStatement of Comprehensive Income

at 31 December 2013, asset/(liability)

489)

(38)
)
451)

(58)
)
393)
)

40)

14)
)
54)

6)
)
60)
)

(106)

26)
)
(80)

50)
)
(30)
)

Total)
£’000)

423)

2)
)
425)

(2)
)
423)
)

Deferred  income  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  offset  only  when  there  is  a  legally
enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when the
deferred income taxes relate to the same fiscal authority.

It is currently anticipated that £11,000 (2012: £34,000) of the asset and £nil (2012: £nil)
of the liability will be utilised within one year.

Deferred income tax assets are recognised for tax loss carry-forwards to the extent that
the realisation of the related tax benefit through the future taxable profits is probable.  The
Group did not recognise deferred tax assets of £167,000 (2012: £139,000) in respect of
depreciation charges in excess of capital allowances in Davies Odell.  These assets have
not  been  recognised  as  it  is  uncertain  they  will  reverse  in  the  foreseeable  future,
especially given the level of losses already recognised in respect of Davies Odell.

The Company has recognised in 2013 a deferred tax asset of £1,000 (2012: £1,000) in
relation to unclaimed capital allowances.

45

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

23.  Provisions for 
23.  liabilities and charges

Dilapidations)
£’000)

Redditch)
closure)
£’000)

Kettering)
restructure)
£’000)

At 1 January 2012
Amounts provided for in the year
Amounts utilised for in year

At 31 December 2012

Amounts provided for in year
Amounts utilised for in year

At 31 December 2013

These amounts are expected 
to be settled as follows:

Current
Non-current

55)
–)
–)
)
55)

–)
–)
)
55)
)

–)
55)
)
55)
)

74)
–)
(58)
)
16)

–)
(2)
)
14)
)

14)
–)
)
14)
)

65)
–)
(65)
)
–)

–)
–)
)
–)
)

–)
–)
)
–)
)

)
Total)
£’000)

194)
–)
(123)
)
71)

–)
(2)
)
69)
)

14)
55)
)
69)
)

24.  Share capital

Dilapidations
Dilapidation  provisions  are  carried  against  the  costs  anticipated  on  termination  of
property leases.  The leases to which they relate are currently due to terminate in 2022.  

Redditch closure costs
These  costs  relate  to  the  closure  of  an  operating  site  in  Sunline.    This  closure  was
completed in 2011.  However, some of the costs will not be incurred until 2014 as they
relate to property matters of the site which will be concluded then.

Kettering restructure costs
These  costs  relate  to  staff  reorganisation  costs  in  Davies  Odell's  matting  business  at
Kettering which were announced in 2011.  The costs were defrayed in 2012.

Ordinary shares
Authorised:
7,500,000 (2012 restated: 7,500,000) shares of 10p per share 

Issued and fully paid:
5,407,155 (2012 restated: 5,407,155) shares of 10p per share

2013)
£’000)

2012)
£’000)

750)
)

541)
)

750)
)

541)
)

On  10  June  2013  shareholder  approval  was  given  for  the  reorganisation  of  the
Company's  share  capital.    As  a  result,  the  number  of  shareholders  was  reduced  from
1,051 to 185 and the nominal value of the shares was increased from 5p to 10p.  The
number  of  shares  in  issue  halved  from  10,814,310  to  5,407,155  under  the  ISIN
GB00B86TNX04.

46

CEPS PLC  31 December 2013

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

25.  Operating lease
26.  commitments

The Group leases various offices, warehouses and light industrial premises under non-
cancellable  operating  lease  agreements.    The  leases  have  varying  terms,  escalation
clauses and renewal rights.

The future aggregate minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are:

Land and buildings:
CCwithin one year
CCwithin two to five years
CCafter more than five years

2013)
£’000)

316)
858)
704)
)
1,878)
)

2012)
£’000)

316)
904)
884)
)
2,104)
)

26.  Related party
26.  transactions

The Group has no material transactions with related parties which might reasonably be
expected to influence decisions made by users of these financial statements.

During the year the Company entered into the following transactions with its subsidiaries.

Receipt of equity share dividend
– 2013
– 2012
Receipt of preference share dividend
– 2013
– 2012
Receipt of loan note interest
– 2013
– 2012
Receipt of management charge income
– 2013
– 2012

Amount owed to the Company
– 31 December 2013
– 31 December 2012

Davies)
Odell)
Limited)
£’000)

Sunline)
Direct Mail)
(Holdings)
Limited)
£’000)

Signature)
Fabrics)
Limited)
£’000)

–)
–)

–)
–)

–)
–)

–)
–)

–)
–)

78)
78)

127)
127)

15)
15)

55)
–)

–)
–)

17)
34)

12)
12)

65)
105)

2,323)
2,117)

90)
277)

27.  Cash and cash
26.  equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand
Bank overdrafts repayable on demand

Group

2013)
£’000)

145)
(417)
)
(272)
)

2012)
£’000)

56)
(365)
)
(309)
)

Company

2013)
£’000)

2012)
£’000)

62)
–)
)
62)
)

39)
–)
)
39)
)

28.  Contingent liability

HMRC has made an assessment for a repayment of VAT previously recovered, totalling
£93,000 plus interest covering the period to 31 March 2013.  The Company is rigorously
defending its position previously taken and, due to the uncertainty over the final outcome,
no provision has been made.

47

CEPS PLC  Company number 507461

Notice of Meeting

Annual General Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of CEPS PLC (the ‘Company’)
will be held at 12b George Street, Bath BA1 2EH on Monday 23 June 2014 at 11.30am
for the following purposes:

To  consider  and,  if  thought  fit,  to  pass  the  following  resolutions,  of  which  resolutions
numbered  1  to  6  will  be  proposed  as  ordinary  resolutions  and  resolutions  numbered
7 and 8 as special resolutions.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

To receive, consider and adopt the Company’s annual accounts for the financial
year ended 31 December 2013 together with the directors’ reports and auditors’
report on those accounts.

To re-elect P G Cook as a director.

To re-elect R T Organ as a director.

To  re-appoint  PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP,  Chartered  Accountants  and
Statutory Auditors, as auditors of the Company to hold office from conclusion of
the meeting to the conclusion of the next meeting at which the accounts are to
be laid.

To authorise the directors to agree the auditors’ remuneration.

THAT,  in  substitution  for  any  existing  authority  subsisting  at  the  date  of  this
resolution  to  the  extent  unused,  the  directors  be  generally  and  unconditionally
authorised in accordance with section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 (the ‘Act’)
to allot shares in the Company or grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any
security  into  shares  in  the  Company  up  to  an  aggregate  nominal  amount  of
£209,284.50, such authority to expire at the commencement of the next Annual
General Meeting held after the date of the passing of this resolution, but so that
the Company may, before the expiry of such period, make an offer or agreement
which  would  or  might  require  equity  securities  to  be  allotted  after  the  expiry  of
such period and the directors may allot equity securities pursuant to such an offer
or agreement as if the authority had not expired.

For  the  purposes  of  this  resolution,  ‘rights  issue’  means  an  offer  of  equity
securities  to  holders  of  ordinary  shares  in  the  capital  of  the  Company  on  the
register on a record date fixed by the directors in proportion as nearly as may be
to the respective numbers of ordinary shares held by them, but subject to such
exclusions  or  other  arrangements  as  the  directors  may  deem  necessary  or
expedient  to  deal  with  any  treasury  shares,  fractional  entitlements  or  legal  or
practical issues arising under the laws of, or the requirements of any recognised
regulatory body or any stock exchange in, any territory or any other matter.

THAT  subject  to  and  conditional  on  the  passing  of  resolution  number  6  and  in
substitution for any existing authority subsisting at the date of this resolution to
the extent unused, the directors be empowered, pursuant to section 570 of the
Act,  to  allot  equity  securities  (within  the  meaning  of  section  560  of  the  Act)  for
cash  pursuant  to  the  authority  conferred  by  resolution  number  6  as  if  section
561(1) of the Act did not apply to any such allotment, provided that this power
shall be limited to the allotment of equity securities:

7.1 in  connection  with  an  offer  of  such  securities  by  way  of  rights  issue  (as
defined in resolution number 6);

48

Annual General Meeting
continued

CEPS PLC  Company number 507461

Notice of Meeting continued

7 continued

7.2 otherwise  than  pursuant  to  sub-paragraph  7.1  above  up  to  an  aggregate
nominal amount of £200,000.00 (such shares representing approximately 37% of
the  Company’s  issued  ordinary  capital  as  at  the  date  of  this  notice),  and  shall
expire at the commencement of the next Annual General Meeting held after the
date of the passing of this resolution, save that the Company may, before such
expiry, make an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities
to  be  allotted  after  such  expiry  and  the  directors  may  allot  equity  securities  in
pursuance of any such offer or agreement as if the power had not expired.

8

THAT the Company be generally and unconditionally authorised to make market
purchases (within the meaning of section 693(4) of the Act) of ordinary shares of
10 pence each in the capital of the Company on such terms as the directors think
fit, provided that:

8.1 the maximum number of ordinary shares hereby authorised to be purchased
is  limited  to  an  aggregate  of  540,715  (such  shares  representing  approximately
10% of the Company’s issued ordinary capital as at the date of this notice);

8.2 the  minimum  price,  exclusive  of  any  expenses,  which  may  be  paid  for  an
ordinary share is 10 pence;

8.3 the maximum price, exclusive of any expenses, which may be paid for each
ordinary share is an amount equal to the higher of: (a) 105 per cent of the average
of the middle market quotations for an ordinary share, as derived from the London
Stock  Exchange  Daily  Official  List,  for  the  five  business  days  immediately
preceding the day on which the ordinary share is purchased; and (b) the amount
stipulated by Article 5(1) of the Buy-back and Stabilisation Regulation 2003; and

8.4 the  authority  hereby  conferred  shall,  unless  previously  revoked  and  varied,
expire at the commencement of the next Annual General Meeting held after the
date of the passing of the resolution (except in relation to the purchase of ordinary
shares the contract for which was concluded before the expiry of this authority
and which will or may be executed wholly or partly after such expiry).

On behalf of the Board
V E Langford
Secretary
14 May 2014

Registered office: 12b George Street, Bath BA1 2EH
Registered in England and Wales with number 507461

49

Annual General Meeting
continued

CEPS PLC  Company number 507461

Notice of Meeting continued

Notes

1. A member entitled to attend and vote is entitled to appoint proxy(ies) to attend, speak
and vote instead of him.  A member may appoint more than one proxy, provided that
each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to different shares.  A proxy
need not be a member of the Company.

2.

In  order  to  be  valid  an  appointment  of  proxy,  and  any  power  of  attorney  or  other
authority under which it is executed (or a duly certified copy of any such power or
authority) must be deposited at the office of the Registrars of the Company, Share
Registrars at Suite E, First Floor, 9 Lion and Lamb Yard, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7LL
not less than 48 hours, excluding any part of a day that is not a working day, before
the time for holding the meeting.

A proxy form is enclosed.  The appointment of a proxy will not prevent a shareholder
from subsequently attending and voting at the meeting in person.

3. Under  Regulation  41  of  the  Uncertificated  Securities  Regulations  2001,  only  those
shareholders  whose  names  are  on  the  register  of  members  of  the  Company  as  at
11.30am  on  Thursday  19  June  2014  or,  if  the  meeting  is  adjourned,  shareholders
entered on the Company’s register of members not later than 48 hours before the
time fixed for the adjourned meeting are entitled to attend and vote at the meeting in
respect of the shares registered in their names at that time.  Subsequent changes to
the register shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend and
vote at the meeting.

50

Directors

Secretary and
registered office

Operating locations

CEPS PLC

Group Information

P G Cook, Group Managing
D A Horner, Non-executive
V E Langford, Group Finance
G C Martin, Non-executive
R T Organ, Non-executive Chairman

V E Langford
12b George Street, Bath BA1 2EH
Company number 507461
www.cepsplc.com

Davies Odell Limited
Portland Road, Rushden, Northants NN10 0DJ
telephone 01933 410818, fax 01933 315976
email info@daviesodell.co.uk; www.forcefieldbodyarmour.com
and
Beatrice Road, Kettering, Northants NN16 9QS
telephone 01536 513456, fax 01536 310080
email info@davieskett.co.uk; www.equimat.co.uk

Friedman’s Limited
Sunaco House, Unit 2, Bletchley Road, Stockport SK4 3EF
telephone 0161 975 9002, fax 0161 975 9003
email sales@friedmans.co.uk; www.friedmans.co.uk; www.funkifabrics.com

Sunline Direct Mail Limited
Cotton Way, Weldon Road Industrial Estate, Loughborough LE11 5FJ
telephone 01509 263434, fax 01509 264225
email enquiries@sunlinedirect.co.uk; www.sunlinesolutions.com

Registrars and
share transfer office

Share Registrars Limited
Suite E, First Floor, 9 Lion and Lamb Yard, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7LL
telephone 01252 821390, lines are open 9.00am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday

Share price information

The  day-to-day  movement  of  the  share  price  on  the  London  Stock  Exchange  can  be
found on the Company’s website and at www.londonstockexchange.com (code CEPS)

Independent auditors

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
31 Great George Street, Bristol BS1 5QD

Solicitors

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
Adelaide House, London Bridge, London EC4R 9HA

Nominated adviser
and broker

Cairn Financial Advisers LLP
61 Cheapside, London EC2V 6AX

51