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Chordate Medical Holding

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FY2009 Annual Report · Chordate Medical Holding
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9

2009

Chamberlin plc

Chuckery Road, Walsall, West Midlands WS1 2DU

Tel: 01922 707100   Fax: 01922 638370

website: www.chamberlin.co.uk

email: plc@chamberlin.co.uk

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Chamberlin plc is a respected engineering group which provides 
specialised castings and safety/security products to a wide variety 
of industries across the world.

Despite the recent downturn in the market the group has been able 
to sustain relationships with existing clients and win new business, 
demonstrating the underlying strength of the business.

Contents
Highlights 

Board of Directors 

Chairman’s Statement 

Business Review 

Report of the Directors 

Corporate Governance 

Directors’ Remuneration Report 

Independent Auditors’ Report 

Consolidated Income Statement 

1

2

3

4

8

13

16

20

21

Consolidated Statement of 

Recognised Income and Expense 

Consolidated Balance Sheet 

Parent Company Balance Sheet 

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement 

Parent Company Cash Flow Statement 

Notes to the Accounts 

Directors and Advisors 

Notice of Annual General Meeting 

22

23

24

25

26

27

53

54

Principal Activities and Markets

Small complex grey iron castings, principally for the 
automotive sector and hydraulic applications.

Emergency exit equipment and traditional architectural 
hardware directed mainly at the DIY and construction 
markets.

Products associated with cable management. Lighting 
and switchgear associated with petrochemicals and 
construction applications.

Large grey, ductile and alloyed iron castings for a range of 
applications including power generation, bearing housings, 
steelworks, construction and compressors.

CHAMBERLIN & HILL CASTINGS LTD
Chuckery Road
Walsall, WS1 2DU

Tel: 01922 721411
Fax: 01922 614610

www.chcastings.co.uk

FRED DUNCOMBE LTD
Progress Drive
Cannock,
WS11 0JE

Tel: 01543 460030
Fax: 01543 573534

www.fredduncombe.co.uk

PETREL LTD
22 Fortnum Close,
Kitts Green,
Birmingham B33 0LB

Tel: 0121 783 7161
Fax: 0121 783 5717

www.petrel-ex.co.uk

RUSSELL DUCTILE CASTINGS LTD
Bonchurch Street, Leicester LE3 5EP
Tel: 0116 2992000
Fax: 0116 2998844

RUSSELL DUCTILE CASTINGS LTD
Trent Foundry, Dawes Lane
Scunthorpe DN15 6UW
Tel: 01724 862152
Fax: 01724 280461

www.russellcastings.co.uk

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Highlights 

Chamberlin remains a technically strong, well managed Group, with a sound balance
sheet. Although the short term will continue to be very challenging we believe there will
be opportunities for both organic and acquisitive growth in the medium term.

n Robust results in exceptionally difficult trading conditions
– extreme downturn in H2 reversed gains of H1

n Revenues of £39.940m (2008: £39.967m)
– volumes contracted by 37% in H2

n Underlying* operating profit of £460,000 (2008: £1.323m) 
Statutory operating profit of £14,000 (2008: £829,000)

n Exceptional costs of £446,000 (2008: £494,000) 
n Capital spend of £2.1m completes two year investment programme
n Underlying* profit before tax of £259,000 (2008: £1.404m)

Statutory loss before tax of £498,000 (2008: profit of £585,000)

n Underlying* earnings per share of 2.2p (2008: 15.1p)

Statutory loss per share of 11.4p (2008: earnings of 8.0p)

n Net assets at year end stood at £9.461m (2008: £11.689m)
n New management team’s work over the last two years to restructure
and modernise the business leaves Chamberlin well placed to weather
the challenging conditions

* stated before exceptional costs of £446,000 and unrealised foreign exchange expenses of £311,000 (2008: Stated before exceptional costs
of £494,000 and unrealised foreign exchange expenses of £325,000).

difficult things done well®

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Board of Directors

Tom Brown
Chairman

Tim Hair
Chief Executive

Mark Bache 
Finance Director

Aged 60, Tom joined the Board in
2003 and was appointed independent 
Non-Executive Chairman in March 2004.
He is also a Non-Executive Director of 
Northgate plc and a director of a number
of private companies. He was previously
Group Chief Executive of United Industries
plc and before that Group Managing
Director of Fenner plc.

Aged 49, Tim joined the company
in June 2006 and was appointed as 
Chief Executive in July 2006. Tim was 
previously Managing Director of Sterling
Hydraulics Limited and his career includes 
senior positions in a range of advanced 
engineering businesses.

Aged 45, Mark joined the Company in
November 2006 and was appointed
Finance Director in December 2006.
He was previously Finance Director of
Pel Group Ltd and has held senior financial
positions in a number of manufacturing 
groups since qualifying as a Chartered
Accountant with PWC in 1988.

Adam Vicary
Managing Director of 
Chamberlin & Hill Castings Ltd. 

Aged 41, Adam joined the Company in
1988 and was appointed to the Board in
September 2001. He is managing director
of Chamberlin & Hill Castings Ltd.

Keith Jackson
Non-Executive Director

Alan Howarth
Non-Executive Director

Aged 60, Keith joined the board in 2005.
He was previously Finance Director of
Tarmac Group Ltd, and was Finance
Director of Cape plc between 1989 and 
1996. He is Chairman of the Russian
Timber Group Ltd and a director of
EuroChem, as well as being Chairman 
of a number of pension funds. Keith
is Senior Independent Director and 
Chairman of the Audit Committee.

Aged 63, Alan was appointed as a director
in January 2007. Alan was previously a
partner in Ernst & Young. He is Chairman
of Cerillion Technologies Ltd, CRF Inc, and
has further Non-Executive interests in a
range of listed and private companies.
Alan is Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee.

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Chairman’s Statement

Tom Brown

After a two year period of fundamental
change at Chamberlin, during which the new
management team substantially restructured
and reorganised the business, modernising
systems and business practices, the benefits
were becoming evident in Chamberlin’s financial
results. The first half of the year showed
a significant improvement in profitability.
However, the autumn saw the most dramatic
decline in the engineering economy in modern
times and the second half of last year proved
to be extremely difficult.

As a result, the achievements of the first
half were reversed by the severe downturn
in the second half. While this was extremely
disappointing, the Board believe that the
improvements made throughout the business
since 2006 leave the Group better placed than
many in our sector to weather the exceptionally
difficult trading environment and I am pleased
to report that this is proving to be the case.

Results & Dividend

For the year ended 31 March 2009, underlying
profit before tax, excluding exceptional items
and unrealised foreign exchange cost fell to
£0.3m (2008: £1.4m). Underlying earnings 
per share before all one-off costs fell to 2.2p
(2008: 15.1p) with both results adversely
affected by the severe drop in demand in
the second half of the year.

Overall revenues decreased slightly to £39.94m
(2008: £39.97m).This result needs careful 
interpretation since it is the outcome of a
combination of first half growth and second
half contraction, coupled with price surcharge
effects (described in more detail in the Business
Review) and it masks an overall decrease in
volume of 37% in the second half.

Exceptional costs in the year totalled £446,000
(2008: £494,000), with severance costs, which
were unfortunately necessary in re-structuring

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challenging we believe there will be opportunities
for both organic and acquisitive growth in the

“Although the short term will continue to be very
medium term.”

the business during the downturn, accounting
for £253,000 of this total. The remainder chiefly
relates to the settlement of the nuisance claim
described in our 2008 report and partially
accounted for in that year.

Capital spending has been high in recent years
as the new management team caught up on 
previous under-investment in key sites and the
majority of the year’s budget had already been
committed before the downturn in the autumn.
This spend has been a key factor in an increase
of £2.23m in Group borrowings to £3.26m
during the year. However, Chamberlin’s balance
sheet remains strong, with gearing at 34%
at the year end and net assets at £9.46m. 
We have also recently renewed our £4.5m
overdraft facility without onerous terms.

In our interim statement, I announced that we
had taken the decision to reduce the Group’s
dividend to a level which we believed would
be sustainable in current market conditions.
However, since then, trading volumes have
declined much further and in view of this and
having paid an interim dividend of 1.2p per
share, your Board has decided with regret to
suspend dividends at the current time. We
remain committed to a policy of progressive
dividends and look forward to returning to
paying a dividend when the Board believes
there has been sufficient improvement in
trading conditions.

The deficit in the Group’s defined benefit 
pension scheme, closed to further accrual
in December 2007, increased to £1.8m 
(2008: £1.1m) largely as a consequence
of the stock market downturn.

Operations

The strong demand and improved profitability
reported for the first half of the financial year
was replaced during November 2008 with
severe reductions in demand from many sectors,
and this reduction was exacerbated by the 
de-stocking of supply chains. Our foundries at
Walsall and Leicester were particularly badly
hit and saw volume reductions of well over
50% from some customers. Our engineering
businesses, which account for approximately
17% of total revenues, were affected less
significantly but they also experienced
reduced demand.

Chamberlin products are supplied to end-users
in a wide variety of industries and the breadth
of our customer base has been beneficial in the
downturn. Group sales are not overly exposed
to any single sector, with the most significant
being passenger car (13% of sales), construction
equipment (12%), commercial vehicles (12%)
and hydraulics (9%). It is encouraging that, 
in the current market conditions, we have

continued to win new customers and these
should stand us in good stead when demand
begins to recover.

In September, we had prepared contingency 
plans in anticipation of a decline in demand. 
Although the extent of the downturn was 
beyond our expectations, these plans, which
included redundancies, short-time working at 
all sites, wage freezes and rigorous spending
control, allowed an immediate reaction to
the downturn and limited the damage to the
business. In addition to cost reductions, we
also focused on improving efficiency, driving
productivity, lean manufacturing and process
improvements. Despite the acute problems
due to lack of demand, our infrastructure
remains intact and ready to respond in full
to future restoration of demand.

Strategy

Despite the recession, we continue to pursue 
our strategy to broaden the Group’s activities
through the acquisition of engineering
companies that meet our criteria and fit the 
principle of “difficult things done well”. During
the first half of the year, we made significant
progress in our search for acquisitions and
made some indicative offers though the price
expectations of vendors proved excessive.
Lately our focus has had to be on the existing
businesses but we will again look actively for
acquisitions as the economy becomes more
stable and expect to see a wider range of
more sensibly priced opportunities.

Outlook

In recent months, our main markets have been
severely distorted by de-stocking. This has
caused orders for the components we supply
to fall to an excessively low level and certainly
well below the level of sales of finished products
to end customers. Inevitably there is a limit to
this process as stocks are consumed. We are
now seeing the first signs that some of our
customers appear to have reached this point
and we expect to see a progressive increase
in sales in the coming months, assuming 
end-user demand remains at current levels. In
addition, with capital spending now reduced, 
we expect the business to generate cash during
the coming year so long as there is no further
worsening in the economic situation.

Chamberlin remains a technically strong, well
managed Group, with a sound balance sheet. 
Although the short term will continue to be
very challenging we believe there will be
opportunities for both organic and acquisitive
growth in the medium term.

Tom Brown
Chairman
4 June 2009

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Business Review

Tim Hair

“Early reductions in

capacity and rigorous 
control of spending have
been implemented in all 
sites ..... we continue to
leverage our engineering
leadership to win new

business.”

In our last report, we indicated that the 

The underlying profit before tax and exceptional

turnaround of Chamberlin had progressed well

items (PBTE) for the year was £259,000

and that the new management teams in our 

(2008: £1,404,000). This is before the impact

subsidiaries were providing strong leadership

of revaluing forward currency contracts, which

to their businesses. As the economy entered

in the year resulted in a charge of £311,000

recession, the changes we had made to the

(2008: £325,000). 

business served Chamberlin well, allowing the 

business to manage the downturn effectively

Group borrowings have increased by £2.23m

and ensuring that we are better positioned 

in the year to £3.26m due to a combination of 

than many in our sector for the recovery

factors. Capital spend of £2.1m, the majority

when it arrives.

of which had been committed when recession 

struck, largely related to ‘catch up’ investment

FINANCIAL RESULTS

on key sites after years of previous

underinvestment. Working capital was broadly

flat, as the sudden cancellation of schedules

prevented us from reducing stocks in line with

demand. The substantial proportion of the

nuisance claim costs were paid during the

period and finally the dividends paid exceeded 

current earnings. However, gearing remains

low at 34% (2008: 9%) and the balance sheet

is strong with net assets of £9.46m.

Revenues were broadly flat at £39.94m

(2008: £39.97m) but included significant price 

and volume movements. Price surcharges, linked

to increases in material costs earlier in the year,

were off-set by an overall volume reduction

of approximately 20% for the year as a whole.

The fall in volume occurred in the second half

when volumes reduced by 37% compared to

the first half, as the global downturn caused

a rapid decline in demand from November

onwards and customers began to de-stock.

This impact was particularly acute in the 

foundries in Walsall and Leicester.

Foundries

Chamberlin & Hill Castings
Operating in Walsall for over a century, the Chamberlin & Hill foundry specialises in high volume
smaller castings, typically around 5kg. Recognised as expert in casting complex shapes, especially in 
internal passages, the foundry supplies the automotive industry in applications such as turbochargers
and power steering pumps, and has used these technical capabilities to enter the hydraulics and
other similar markets.

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OPERATIONS

passages and has continued to focus on winning 

low and we believe that there is further

After a good first half, the business environment

in the second half was a complex mixture of 

reduced underlying demand, de-stocking, falling

raw material prices and unreliable schedules and

payments. Together, these created the most

difficult trading conditions of recent years.

However our subsidiaries responded to the

challenges in their markets and performed

creditably in these difficult times. Early

reductions in capacity, redundancies, short-time

working to retain skilled employees and rigorous

control of spending have been implemented in

all sites. Business improvement activity has been

increased to take advantage of spare technical

capacity and we continue to leverage our

engineering leadership to win new business.

business in markets where this is a critical skill, 

de-stocking required in this sector.

notably turbochargers and hydraulic equipment.

In the past, turbocharger sales have been

The lean manufacturing initiative started in

dominated by a single customer but we are

2008 has progressed well, yielding

pleased to report that supply to a second 

improvements in quality, productivity and

turbocharger manufacturer has now started and

customer service. We have made further

technical discussions are underway with further

investment in new equipment and this has

customers in this sector. The hydraulics market

reduced our break-even point and created

now accounts for 14% of sales, having grown

a firm platform for profitable growth when

from 3% two years ago, as the business has

demand recovers.

added a number of the leading hydraulics 

companies to its customer base.

Automotive turbochargers remain an attractive

sector despite the short term fall in volume.

The downturn in the automotive industry has

Currently, very few petrol engines are

caused a significant reduction in demand at 

turbocharged but, in future, more will require

Walsall. Sales of both passenger cars and trucks

turbo charging to meet emissions regulations. 

have declined and the removal of stock from the

Chamberlin & Hill is currently working on

Foundries

supply chain has greatly amplified the impact on

prototype parts for both petrol engines and

Our foundry businesses, based in Walsall, 

Leicester and Scunthorpe, account for 83%

of Group turnover.

Chamberlin & Hill Castings

This volume foundry, located in Walsall, is

a leader in castings with complex internal

our business in the short term. De-stocking in

petrol-engine hybrids that will be launched in 

the passenger car sector appears to be coming

vehicles in 2010. With very few other foundries

to an end and we expect demand at the

in Europe capable of developing these castings,

foundry to recover during the first half of the

we are well placed to take advantage of growth

new financial year until it reflects the underlying

in this area.

level of demand in the marketplace. Demand in

the truck sector supply chain continues to be

Foundries

Russell Ductile
Operating from sites in Leicester and Scunthorpe this business produces low volume castings
ranging from a few kilos up to 6 tonnes. Its expertise, especially in specialist grades of cast iron,
allows Russell Ductile to work with customers to create highly engineered castings for demanding
applications, mainly for industrial applications such as power generation, steel production and
transport. Sub-contracted machining and an in-house assembly service allow us to provide a unique
service to customers which include many of the leading engineering companies of the UK and Europe.

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Business Review

continued

Mark Bache

“Chamberlin’s balance 

sheet remains strong,
with gearing at 34% 
.... we have recently
renewed our £4.5m
borrowing facility
without onerous 

terms.”

Russell Ductile Castings

Fred Duncombe

A specialist in highly-engineered, lower volume

Trading under the Exidor brand, this business is

castings, Russell Ductile operates from two sites,

the second largest provider in the UK of

in Leicester and Scunthorpe, supplying a diverse

emergency exit hardware. This makes up 80% of

range of industries. The turnaround process of

its business, with the remainder being in related 

this business, started in 2007, has been successfully

hardware products. Although Duncombe is not

completed and Russell Ductile is now operating 

exposed to the housing industry it does supply

effectively. Unfortunately, the recent downturn

the construction industry and demand from this

has reduced demand for mid-range castings, 

sector fell significantly during the year under 

especially in the construction equipment sector

review. We installed new management and a

served by the Leicester site, preventing the

new sales team in the business in the previous

business from delivering its full potential. 

financial year and we are pleased to report that

Demand for the heaviest castings made in 

their efforts have partially offset the downturn

Scunthorpe has fallen back a little but so far this 

in the market, limiting the reduction in sales.

area has been least affected by the downturn.

Petrel

Our programme to penetrate new markets has

A niche supplier of lighting and electrical 

delivered some notable successes and Russell

controls for hazardous areas, Petrel has made 

Ductile has now become a recognised supplier 

good progress with both product offering and

to manufacturers of defence equipment,

specialist vehicles, hydraulics and railway

operational efficiencies, including upgrading

its business systems during the year. Sales

rolling stock. The business is now working on

have been little impacted by recession during

opportunities in both transport and renewable

the year and we continue to view this as a

energy where its specialist skills are in demand.

growth business.

Engineering

Tim Hair

Our two engineering businesses, Fred Duncombe

Chief Executive

and Petrel, account for 17% of the Group’s turnover.

4 June 2009 

Mark Bache

Finance Director

4 June 2009

Engineering

Fred Duncombe
Based in Staffordshire, Fred Duncombe still manufactures its original range of architectural
ironmongery and hardware, but the business is now focused on the emergency exit fittings
that make up the majority of its sales. Branded EXIDOR, this product range supplies a market
with both safety and security requirements and enjoys a strong position in the UK. High security
and contemporary designs have been well received by customers and the business is assessing
export opportunities under the leadership of a new MD.

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Group Markets

Passenger Car

Construction

Commercial Vehicle

Hydraulics

11.7%

9.0%

11.8%

8.9%

8.1%

26.2%

12.9%

11.4%

Architectural Ironmongery

Hazardous Area Electrics

General Engineering

Other:

Oil and Gas

Heavy Engineering

Heavy Engines

Rail

Defense

Materials Handling

Power Generation

Marine

Engineering

Petrel
Based near Birmingham Airport, Petrel is a well known niche player producing lighting and control
systems for hazardous environments. Operating in a safety-critical market that includes oil refineries
and petrochemical plants, Petrel supplies certified lighting equipment for use in areas with a high
explosion risk.

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Report of the Directors

The Directors present their Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2009.

Principal activities

The principal activities of the Group are the production and sale of iron castings in a wide variety of sizes and metal grades, and the manufacture and sale
of light engineering products, predominantly into safety and security markets. 

Review of the business

A comprehensive analysis of the development and performance of the company during the year, including its future prospects, is included in the 
Chairman’s Statement on page 3 and Business Review on pages 4 to 7.

(a)  Key Performance Indicators

Key Performance Indicators (“KPIs”) used by the Group in monitoring its performance and that of its underlying businesses are set out below:

Return on sales

Return on net assets

Sales per employee
(£’000) 

Foundries
Engineering
Group

Foundries
Engineering
Group

Foundries
Engineering 
Group

Year to
31 March 2009

Year to
31 March 2008

2.2%
3.9% 
1.2%

6.9%
7.5%
4.8% 

89.1
81.0
86.1 

3.3%
9.4%
3.3%

11.1%
19.2%
11.8%

87.2
81.5
84.7

Calculations are based on numbers disclosed in the segmental analysis in note 3 to the accounts and are shown before exceptional items. The Group
percentages are different as they incorporate shared costs.

The above KPIs are defined as follows:

Return on sales

Return on net assets

Sales per employee

(b)  Employees

The ratio of the segment’s trading profit to the segment’s sales.
The trading profit is defined in the segmental analysis in note 3.
The ratio of the segment’s trading profit to the segment’s net assets
(as analysed in note 3).
The ratio of the segment’s sales to the segment’s average number
of employees.

Staff numbers and associated costs are shown in note 5 to the accounts. The segmental split of the average number of employees is as follows:

Foundries
Engineering 
Head office*

Group

* Includes 3 non-executive Directors

Year to
31 March 2009

Year to
31 March 2008

373
83
8

464

376
88
8

472

The Group’s employment policy includes a commitment to the principles of equal opportunity for all, and specifically prohibits discrimination of 
every type. Our policy is always to ensure that all persons are treated fairly irrespective of their colour, race, sex, sexual orientation, age or youth, 
religion, political beliefs, trade union membership or non-membership, marital and physical or mental status or any other factors including pregnancy
and maternity.

In particular, the Group gives full consideration to applications for employment from disabled persons where the requirements of the job can be
adequately fulfilled by a handicapped or disabled person. We endeavour to provide those who have physical or mental disabilities with specific 
assistance, and arrangements are made to enable them to work for us wherever and whenever this is reasonably practical. We expect all employees
to comply in every respect with the Group’s employment policies at all times.

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The Group has arrangements in place for the involvement of all employees in the activities of the business, including management/employee
briefings, dialogue with trade union representatives and health and safety meetings. A Safety Policy is in place throughout the Group and all
employees are required to be aware of their responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act. A copy of the policy and all relevant Codes
of Practice are available at the workplace. It is the policy of the Group to recognise that the training of employees is important to the efficiency 
of the business and each employee’s welfare and safety. Promotion is encouraged within the organisation and it is Group policy to promote from
within wherever this is appropriate.

(c)  Environment

The Board recognises that our operations have an effect on the local, regional and global environment, and as a consequence of this, the Board is
committed to continuous improvements in environmental performance and the prevention of pollution.

Specifically the Group has and will:

l

comply with the requirements of all relevant environmental legislation, meeting any set emission limits and standards laid down, and use best
available techniques in order to control impacts on the environment;

l maintain and develop environmental management policies and practices to continually monitor and progress the minimisation of the effects
of the business on the environment. Environmental management is considered to be a key part of the business strategy at all levels within
the group;

l

l

l

l

actively encourage the minimisation of waste from all aspects of the business and promote the benefits of recycling and re-use;

as part of the Target 2010 climate change levy agreement, aim to meet the requirements to reduce energy use and emissions of carbon dioxide 
by increasing energy efficiency through all parts of the Group and to seek new opportunities of improving energy efficiency as part of the 
overall improvement of the business;

consider environmental factors in respect of the growth of the business, seeking as far as is practical to reduce harmful environmental impacts
and to integrate new developments into the local environment; and

actively encourage the consideration of the environmental impact of all raw materials and services purchased by the business, and where
practical to use the options with the least impact and to reduce the consumption of raw materials.

(d)  Research and Development

The Group’s research and development activities in the year, as in previous years, consist primarily of devising methods for achieving the casting
of complex shaped and/or multi-cored products in the foundry businesses and the design and development of new products in our engineering
businesses, principally hazardous area lighting and emergency exit hardware products. The Board views such activities as key to the future prosperity
of the business. Expenditure expensed through the income statement is shown in note 7 and expenditure capitalised in note 14 to the accounts.

Principal risks and uncertainties

Management throughout the Group uses a common model to identify and assess the impact of risks to their businesses. The Group’s risk management
process is described further in the corporate governance report on pages 13 to 15. The more significant risks and uncertainties faced by the Group are
set out below:

l

l

l

l

l

Approximately 15% of the Group’s income is derived in Euros. In order to reduce the Group’s exposure to currency fluctuations the Group sells Euros
forward, as described in note 26.

The price of many raw materials is dependent upon movements in commodity prices, especially iron. In order to reduce its exposure to movements
in raw material prices the Group negotiates, where appropriate, price surcharge arrangements in to its customer contracts.

In common with other industrial businesses the Group is subject to risks associated with the environment. The Group manages these risks by
continual review of its processes to identify opportunities for improvement, whilst ensuring that the conditions of its site operating licences 
are met or exceeded at all times.

As the world enters recession the Group is exposed to additional risks associated with significant and rapid changes in demand. In order to mitigate
this risk the Group regularly monitors its forward order load and where practical takes action to adjust its cost base inline with demand.

The Group’s approach to managing other financial risks is set out in note 26 to the financial statements.

Dividends

The Directors do not recommend the payment of a final dividend. An interim dividend of 1.2p per share paid was paid on 15 December 2008
(2008: total dividend 11.85p).

Directors

Details of the directors of the Company during the year and their interests in the shares of the Company are shown below. The interests of the Directors
in share options are shown in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 16 to 19.

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Report of the Directors

continued

Executive Directors

Tim Hair
Aged 49, Tim joined the company in June 2006 and was appointed as Chief Executive in July 2006. Tim was previously Managing Director of Sterling
Hydraulics Limited and his career includes senior positions in a range of advanced engineering businesses.

Mark Bache 
Aged 45, Mark joined the Company in November 2006 and was appointed Finance Director in December 2006. He was previously Finance Director of 
Pel Group Ltd and has held senior financial positions in a number of manufacturing groups since qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with PWC in 1988.

Adam Vicary
Aged 41, Adam joined the Company in 1988 and was appointed to the Board in September 2001. He is managing director of Chamberlin & Hill 
Castings Ltd.

Non-Executive Directors

Tom Brown
Aged 60, Tom joined the Board in 2003 and was appointed independent Non-Executive Chairman in March 2004. He is also a Non-Executive Director of 
Northgate plc and a director of a number of private companies. He was previously Group Chief Executive of United Industries plc and before that Group
Managing Director of Fenner plc.

Keith Jackson
Aged 60, Keith joined the board in 2005. He was previously Finance Director of Tarmac Group Ltd, and was Finance Director of Cape plc between 1989 
and 1996. He is Chairman of the Russian Timber Group Ltd and a Director of EuroChem, as well as being Chairman of a number of pension funds. Keith is 
Senior Independent Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee.

Alan Howarth
Aged 63, Alan was appointed as a Director in January 2007. Alan was previously a partner in Ernst & Young. He is Chairman of Cerillion Technologies Ltd,
CRF Inc, and has further Non-Executive interests in a range of listed and private companies. Alan is Chairman of the Remuneration Committee.

All Directors held office throughout the year.

At the Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) to be held on 23 July 2009 (see the Notice of Annual General Meeting on pages 54 to 55), Mark Bache and 
Alan Howarth retire by rotation under Article 107 and being eligible offer themselves for re-election.

No Director had a material interest during the year in any significant contract with the Company or with any subsidiary undertaking. The Group provides
indemnities to the Directors in respect of liabilities or claims arising in the performance of their duties.

Directors’ shareholdings

Beneficial interests of the Directors in the shares of the Company, including those of their immediate families were:-

Tom Brown
Tim Hair
Mark Bache 
Adam Vicary
Keith Jackson
Alan Howarth

At 31 March 2009

At 31 March 2008

20,000 
3,000
5,000
15,000
7,525
5,300

20,000
3,000
5,000
15,000
7,525
5,300

There have been no changes in the interests of the directors set out above between 1 April 2009 and 4 June 2009.

Special Business at the Annual General Meeting

Directors’ authority to allot shares

As in previous years, approval will be sought for a special resolution to renew the authority given to the Directors to allot shares in the Company. Authority
will be sought to allot shares in the Company up to an aggregate nominal amount of £619,805 (which represents approximately 33 % of the issued share
capital of the Company as at 4 June 2009). This limit is in line with the guidelines issued by the Association of British Insurers. The Company can only issue
shares in its capital to the extent to which it has authorised but as yet unissued share capital and, as such, until 1 October 2009 the directors will only be

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able to allot shares up to the amount of the Company’s authorised share capital. Up until that time the authority will therefore be limited to shares in the
Company having an aggregate nominal amount of £390,585.50. Changes are proposed to the Company’s articles of association that will, if approved,
take effect from 1 October 2009 and will, amongst other things, abolish the Company’s current requirement to have an authorised share capital limit. 
Consequently, if the new articles of association are approved, the directors will, with effect from 1 October 2009, be authorised to allot shares in the 
capital of the Company to the full amount for which authority is being sought (to the extent not allotted prior to 1 October 2009).

Authority will also be sought from shareholders to allow the Directors to issue new shares for cash to persons other than to existing members up to
a maximum nominal amount of £92,971. This sum represents 371,883 ordinary shares of 25 pence each, being equivalent to 5% of the issued share
capital of the Company at 4 June 2009.

Authority to purchase own shares
At the Annual General Meeting in 2008, the Board was given authority to purchase and cancel up to 741,500 of its own shares representing just under
10% of the Company’s then existing issued share capital, through market purchases on The London Stock Exchange. The maximum price to be paid on 
any exercise of the authority was restricted to 105% of the average of the middle market quotation for the shares for the five dealing days immediately
preceding the day of a purchase. The minimum price which may be paid for each share is 25 pence. No purchases have been made.

The current authority to make market purchases expires at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. The Directors have resolved, if the right circumstances
exist, to exercise the current authority which remains valid until the Annual General Meeting, and will continue to consider circumstances in which they
may exercise this authority. They are now seeking the approval of shareholders for the renewal of this authority upon the same terms, save that the
authority is now sought to allow the Company to purchase and cancel up to 743,700 of its own shares, again representing just under 10% of its issued
share capital at 4 June 2009. 

The authority is sought by way of a special resolution, details of which are also included at item 8 in the notice of meeting. This authority will only be
exercised if the Directors, in the light of market conditions prevailing at the time, expect it to result in an increase in earnings per share, and if it is in 
the best interests of the shareholders generally. Account will also be taken of the effect on gearing and the overall position of the Company.

Both authorities are to be for the period commencing on the date of passing of the resolution until the next Annual General Meeting. The proposed 
resolutions are set out as items 7 and 8 in the notice of meeting on page 54.

Revised Articles of Association

The Company’s articles of association were last substantially updated in 1994 and approved by shareholders at the AGM in that year. As a consequence
of recent changes in legislation and in particular the Companies Act 2006, which comes into full effect from 1 October 2009, the Directors are seeking
Shareholders approval to revise the articles of association to take account of these changes. A separate letter from the Chairman setting out the key
changes proposed has been issued with this annual report and notice of annual general meeting.

The authority is sought by way of a special resolution as set out in item 9 of the notice of meeting on page 55.

Authority to offer scrip dividends

The Directors seek authority, with effect from 1 October 2009, by way of an ordinary resolution (Resolution 10), to offer the ordinary shareholders of the
Company the right to elect to receive new ordinary shares, credited as fully paid up, instead of cash in respect of the whole or any part of any dividend
declared. The authority is proposed to be obtained in accordance with the new articles of association that are proposed to be adopted by the Company
with effect from 1 October 2009 and Resolution 10 is therefore proposed to the shareholders subject to the passing of Resolution 9.

Substantial shareholders

At 4 June 2009 the Company was aware of the following interests of 3% or more of the Company’s share capital, other than those of Directors:

Rights and Issues Investment Trust PLC
Henderson Global Investors
Brewin Dolphin Securities
Discretionary Unit Fund 
Schroder Institutional UK Smaller Companies Fund
Gartmore Investment Management
AXA Framlington Monthly Income Unit Trust
Perfecta Assets Ltd
Chelverton Asset Management
Citi Quilter 

R e p o r t a n d A c c o u n t s 2 0 0 9

Number of
shares

1,000,000
570,000
520,430
500,000 
477,178
437,994
424,000
275,000
235,000
223,800 

% of Issued
Share Capital

13.45%
7.66%
7.00%
6.72%
6.42%
5.89%
5.70%
3.70%
3.16%
3.01%

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Report of the Directors

continued

Statement of directors’ responsibilities

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable United Kingdom law and those
International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union.

The directors are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year which present fairly the financial position and cashflows of the Company
and of the Group and the financial performance of the Group for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the directors are required to:

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l

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable information; and

provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRS is insufficient to enable users to understand the impact of
particular transactions, other events and conditions on the entity’s financial position and financial performance; and

state that the company has complied with IFRS, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.

The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the 
Company and of the Group and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 1985. They are also responsible
for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the directors consider that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future.
In forming this view the directors have reviewed budgets and other financial information. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern
basis in preparing the accounts.

Directors’ statement as to disclosure of information to auditors

The directors who were members of the board at the time of approving the directors’ report are listed on page 10. Having made enquiries of fellow
directors and of the Company’s Auditors, each of these directors confirms that:

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l

to the best of each director’s knowledge and belief, there is no information relevant to the preparation of their report of which the company’s
auditors are unaware; and

each director has taken all the steps a director might reasonably be expected to have taken to be aware of relevant audit information and to establish
that the Company’s Auditors are aware of that information.

Charitable and political donations

Donations to UK charitable organisations amount to £nil (2008: £nil). There were no political donations in the year (2008: £nil).

Policy on payments to creditors

The Group has a variety of payment terms with its suppliers. These are either negotiated along with other contract terms or conform to standard terms
applied either by the relevant Group company or by the supplier. In respect of all its suppliers it is the Group’s policy to settle the terms of payment when 
entering a business relationship with a supplier, to ensure suppliers are aware of the terms of payment, and to abide by the terms of payment.

The Group’s average creditor payment period at 31 March 2009 was 68 days (2008: 67 days) and that of the Company was 57 days (2008: 57 days).

Auditors

A resolution will be proposed to reappoint Ernst & Young LLP as auditors and to authorise the Directors to determine their remuneration.

By order of the Board

Mark Bache
Secretary
4 June 2009

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Corporate Governance

Principles of good governance

When the Company transferred to AIM in November 2006 the Directors committed to maintain levels of corporate governance in line with those previously
adopted by the Group. Therefore, although The Financial Services Authority’s Listing Rules which incorporate the Combined Code of Corporate Governance
(“the Code”) are not mandatory for AIM listed companies, the Group remains committed to high standards of corporate governance and has applied the
principles set out in Section 1 of the Code as described below and in the Directors’ Remuneration Report, in a manner appropriate to the size and nature
of the Group.

The Group complied with the provisions set out in Section 1 of the Code, as stated at November 2006, throughout the year and up to the date of approval
of the Annual Report and Accounts. 

The Board and its committees:

(a)  The Board

The Board normally comprises a non-executive Chairman, two other non-executive Directors and three executive Directors. The Directors (including
non-executive Directors) have a range of experience and are of sufficient calibre to bring independent judgement to bear on issues of strategy,
performance, resources and standards of conduct, which is vital to the success of the Group. The Board meets at least ten times a year and
additionally when necessary. At each scheduled meeting of the Board, the Chief Executive reports on the Group’s operations and the Finance Director
reports on the financial position of the Group. To enable the Board to discharge its duties, all directors receive appropriate and timely information.
Briefing papers are distributed by the Company Secretary to all directors in advance of board meetings. In addition the Board has adopted standard
procedures and practices whereby significant issues affecting the Group are reviewed on a regular basis.

All non-executive Directors are considered to be independent by the Board. Tom Brown is the independent non-executive chairman and Keith Jackson
is the senior independent non-executive Director. There is a schedule of matters which are reserved for decision by the Board and matters which are
delegated to the various board committees or to the executive Directors, along with monetary levels of authority for capital expenditure and other 
financial commitments.

Following the appointment of new Directors, an appropriately tailored induction programme is arranged and the training needs of Directors are
regularly considered. If appropriate, all Directors have the authority to take independent legal advice and have direct access to the Company
Secretary.

Evaluation of the performance of the board and evaluation of the performance of individual Directors is conducted regularly on an annual cycle.

(b)  Chairman and Chief Executive

The Chairman of the Company is a non-executive Director who is responsible for the running of the Board. The Board is responsible to shareholders
for the overall direction and control of the Company, and the Chief Executive is responsible to the Board for management of the Company within the 
parameters set by the Board. There is a clear division of responsibilities between the two roles.

(c)  Service contracts

See page 17 in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

(d)  Supply of information

The Board is satisfied that it is provided with information in an appropriate form and quality to enable it to discharge its duties.

(e)  Appointments to the Board

The Nominations Committee makes recommendations to the Board on the composition of the Board generally and on the balance between 
executive and non-executive Directors. It also makes recommendations on the appointment of new Directors and subsequent re-appointments 
on retirement by rotation. It comprises the non-executive Directors and the Chief Executive.

(f)  Re-election of Directors

All Directors submit themselves for re-election at least once every three years in accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company.

(g)  Directors’ remuneration

The statement of the Company’s policy on executive Directors’ remuneration and details of Directors’ emoluments are contained in the Directors’
Remuneration Report on pages 16 to 19.

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Corporate Governance

continued

(h)  Relations with shareholders

Members of the Board hold meetings from time to time with major shareholders to discuss the Company’s strategy and financial performance.
These are usually held after the public announcement of results each 6 months and usually involve the Company’s brokers, through whom feedback
from institutional investors is obtained as necessary.

The Board uses the Annual General Meeting to communicate with all private and institutional investors and welcomes their participation.

(i)  Audit Committee

The Audit Committee, which consists of the three non-executive Directors, Keith Jackson (Chairman), Tom Brown and Alan Howarth, meets at least
twice per year with the external Auditors in attendance when required. It has formal terms of reference and it assists the Board in ensuring that
appropriate accounting policies, financial systems, internal controls and compliance procedures are in place. It also reviews the relationship between
the Group and the external Auditors in terms of the provision of non-audit services and ensuring that auditor independence and objectivity is 
maintained. The Auditors have direct access to the Chairman of the Audit Committee. A formal “whistle-blowing” policy is in operation, providing
direct access to the Chairman of the Audit Committee, in relation to any concerns staff may have concerning the propriety of Group operations
and activities. No issues or incidents have come to light as a result of this policy.

All proposals for the provision of non-audit services by the external auditor are pre-approved by the Audit Committee or its delegated member,
the overriding consideration being to ensure that the provision of non-audit services does not impact the external auditor’s independence 
and objectivity.

(j)  Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee comprises the three non-executive Directors. Further details are shown in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

(k)  Annual General Meeting

All directors expect to attend the Annual General Meeting and to be available to answer questions put to them by shareholders.

(l) 

Internal control

The Board is responsible for the Group’s system of internal control and for reviewing its effectiveness in accordance with the guidance set out in
“Internal Control: Guidance for Directors on the Combined Code”, as stated at November 2006. However, such a system is designed to manage
rather than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives and can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance against material 
misstatement or loss.

The Code has a requirement that the directors review the effectiveness of the Group’s system of internal controls. This includes internal financial controls 
and controls over financial, operational, compliance and risk management. The Directors of each business are required to complete an annual internal
control questionnaire, which when combined with regular reviews gives the Board confidence that internal controls are effective.

The Group also operates a risk management process whereby each business identifies its key risks, the probability of those risks occurring, their potential 
impact, and action needed to manage them. This is carried out as a specific exercise as part of the annual budgeting process, but is also part of the day
to day management process of each business. The Group has established procedures for planning and budgeting and monitoring the operational and 
financial performance of all businesses in the Group, as well as their compliance with applicable laws and regulations. These procedures include:

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14

Clear responsibilities on the part of line and financial management for good financial controls in the production of accurate and timely financial 
management information.

The control of key financial risks through clearly laid down authorisation levels and proper segregation of accounting duties.

Detailed monthly budgeting and reporting of trading results, balance sheets and cash flows with regular reviews of variances from budgets by
management and the Board.

Reporting on compliance with internal financial controls and procedures by each individual business unit under the supervision of the Group Finance 
Director and at the year end by external auditors. Interim and Annual Reports are reviewed by the Audit Committee prior to issue.

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The Board has undertaken an assessment of the need for a Group internal audit function. The Board considers that the control systems and procedures
currently undertaken by the Group are adequately performed by the management and that the Group has not yet reached a size where a separate internal
audit function would be an appropriate or cost effective method of ensuring compliance with Group policies. It therefore does not currently propose to
introduce a Group internal audit function. This area will be kept under review as part of the Board’s assessment of the Group’s systems of internal control.

Summary of attendance at meetings

Number of meetings in the year

Tom Brown
Keith Jackson
Alan Howarth
Tim Hair
Mark Bache 
Adam Vicary

Board
meetings

Nominations
Committee

Remuneration
Committee

Audit
Committee

11

11
11
11
11
11
11

2

2
2
2
2
n/a
n/a

3

3
3
3
n/a
n/a
n/a

2

2
2
2
n/a
n/a
n/a

n/a – Indicates that a Director was not a member of a particular committee and did not attend its meetings.

By order of the Board

Mark Bache
Secretary
4 June 2009

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Directors’ Remuneration Report

Information not subject to audit

Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee comprises the three non-executive Directors: Alan Howarth (Chairman), Tom Brown and Keith Jackson. The committee
meets when necessary, usually at least twice per year, and is responsible for determining the remuneration packages of the executive Directors and
of the Chairman.

Policy on remuneration of Executive Directors and Senior Executives

The committee aims to ensure that remuneration packages offered are designed to attract, maintain and motivate high calibre Directors and senior
executives, without paying more than necessary for the purpose. The remuneration policy attempts to match the interests of the executives with
those of shareholders by providing:-

(a)  Basic salary and benefits

Executive Directors’ basic salaries are reviewed each year, taking into account the performance of the individual and rates of salary for similar jobs 
in companies of comparable size. The main benefits provided are company cars and health insurance.

The Company operates a number of defined contribution pension schemes for the majority of its employees, including executive Directors.
No performance related bonuses nor benefits in kind are included in pensionable salary.

(b)  Annual performance related bonus scheme

In order to link executive remuneration to Group performance, executive Directors participate in bonus schemes appropriate to their objectives.
For the year ended 31 March 2009 the bonus in respect of Tim Hair and Mark Bache was linked to improvements in profitability of the Group.
The maximum amount of bonus payable is 50% of their basic salary.

Adam Vicary’s annual bonus for the year to 31 March 2009 was dependent on the annual profit target of Chamberlin & Hill Castings Ltd. The 
maximum amount payable is 50% of his basic salary.

(c)  Share options

An incentive to achieve longer-term improvements in shareholder value is afforded through share options. Two schemes have been in place since
1997 and two further schemes were established in 2007. The key features of the schemes are summarised as follows:

(i) 

Inland Revenue approved scheme and an unapproved scheme. Options granted under these schemes are exercisable only upon the
achievement of performance targets to be determined by the Committee at the time that options are granted. Currently, performance targets
are that growth in the normalised earnings per share over a period of three consecutive financial years of the company (commencing no earlier 
than the financial year in which the option is granted) shall exceed the growth in the Retail Prices Index for the same period by at least 6%.
The Remuneration Committee considered that this performance condition was appropriate at the time the relevant options were granted, and
that the use of options aligns the rewards of Directors with the long term interests of shareholders. The option price is based on the average
mid-market price for the 5 trading days prior to grant.

(ii)  A Performance Share Plan which grants nil cost options under an Enterprise Management Scheme (“EMI Options”). The EMI Options will normally
become exercisable in three equal tranches on each of the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the date of grant subject to the satisfaction
of a performance condition set by the Remuneration Committee of the Company. The proportion of awards that become exercisable under
each tranche of the EMI Option varies on a straight line basis, from 25% to 100%, for average growth in underlying fully diluted EPS of between
5% p.a. and 10% p.a. above RPI over the period between grant and exercise dates. No options are exercisable if growth is below this range.

(iii)  Non-EMI qualifying options are also granted under the Performance Share Plan. Non-EMI options become exercisable on the third anniversary of

the date of grant subject to the satisfaction of a performance condition set by the Remuneration Committee of the Company. The proportion
of Non-EMI awards that become exercisable varies on a straight line basis from 25% to 100% based on the Company’s TSR ranking against a
comparator group between the median and upper quartile ranking. No options are exercisable if growth is below this range.

(iv)  A Share Option Plan (“SOP”) which issues options at the average quoted market price of the Company’s shares over the three months prior to
grant. The options will normally become exercisable in three equal tranches on each of the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the date of 
grant subject to the satisfaction of performance conditions set by the Remuneration Committee of the Company. The proportion of awards that
become exercisable under each tranche of the SOP varies on a straight line basis, from 25% to 100%, for average growth in Total Shareholder 
Return of between 15% p.a. and 25% p.a. over the period between grant and exercise dates, subject to achieving a minimum average growth
in underlying fully diluted EPS of 5% p.a. above RPI. No options are exercisable if growth is below this range.

16

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Performance Graph

The following graph shows the Company’s performance compared to the performance of the FTSE Engineering and Machinery index over a five year
period, measured by total shareholder return. This index has been selected as an appropriate benchmark because it represents the market sector in
which the Company operates.

Total shareholder return is calculated to show the theoretical growth in the value of a shareholding over a specified period, assuming that dividends are
re-invested to purchase additional shares.

Performance graph – Total Shareholder Return

250

200

150

100

100

105

103

0
0
1

o
t

d
e
s
a
b
e
r

x
e
d
n
I

n
r
u
t
e
R
m
a
e
r
t
s
a
t
a
D

160

137

127

121

174

134

176

144

224

143

207

133

191

113

175

137

122

50

0

M ar-04

Service contracts

M ay-04

Jul-04

S ep-04

N ov-04

Jan-05

M ar-05

M ay-05

Jul-05

S ep-05

N ov-05

Jan-06

M ar-06

M ay-06

Jul-06

S ep-06

N ov-06

Jan-07

M ar-07

M ay-07

Jul-07

S ep-07

N ov-07

Jan-08

M ar-08

M ay-08

Jul-08

S ep-08

N ov-08

Jan-09

M ar-09

FTSE Engineering & Machinery   

Chamberlin

All executive Directors who served during the year have rolling service contracts terminable on no more than 1 year’s notice.

Non-executive directors

Remuneration of the non-executive Directors, apart from the Chairman, is approved each year by the Chairman and the executive Directors. The
Chairman’s remuneration is approved by the Remuneration Committee.

Tom Brown has entered into a letter of engagement with the Company, and Tom Brown & Company Limited has entered into a service agreement with the
Company both originally dated 12 September 2003 and updated on 27 January 2005. The letter states that the term of his appointment by the Company
will be three years from the date of the letter unless terminated by either party giving to the other three months notice, or one year in the event of a
change in control of the Company. At the Board Meeting held on 24 April 2008 it was resolved to extend this for a further 3 year term. The other
non-executive Directors have comprehensive letters of appointment but do not have formal contracts.

Information subject to audit

Directors’ emoluments

Executive
Tim Hair
Mark Bache 
Adam Vicary

Non-Executive
Tom Brown *
Keith Jackson
Alan Howarth

Total

Total 2008

Basic
salary
£000

165
120
97

14
23
23

442

395

Fees
£000

Benefits 
£000

Annual 
Bonus
£000

–
–
–

43
–
–

43

43

20
15
13

–
–
–

48

45

–
–
–

–
–
–

–

39

Total emoluments
excluding pensions

2009 
£000 

185
135
110

57
23
23

533 

522

2008
£000

181
135
103

57
23
23

522

* Includes consultancy fees in respect of services provided to the Company.

Benefits include all assessable tax benefits arising from employment by the Company, and relate mainly to the provision of company cars and private
medical insurance. The figures above represent emoluments earned as Directors during the relevant financial year. Such emoluments are paid in the same
financial year with the exception of bonuses which are paid in the year following that in which they are earned. The emoluments of other key management
personnel are disclosed in note 27.

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Directors’ Remuneration Report

continued

Directors’ pensions

No retirement benefits accrued during the year to directors under the Chamberlin & Hill Staff Pension and Life Assurance Scheme (2008: nil) which is a 
defined benefit scheme.

Contributions into personal pension plans

T Hair 
M Bache 
A Vicary

Percentage of
basic salary

Contribution paid 
2009 
£000 

Contribution paid
2008
 £000

10%
8%
8%

17
10
7

14
8
7

No other pension contributions were paid in respect of Directors other than as disclosed above.

Directors’ options

Tim Hair

Mark Bache 

Adam Vicary

31 March
2008

Granted
in year

Lapsed or
Exercised surrendered
in year 

in year

31 March
2009 

Option
exercise
price 

56,100
67,427
67,427
67,427
16,665
16,665
16,665
–
–
–
–
–
–

34,578 
34,578
34,578
12,819
12,819
12,819
–
–
–
–
–

16,000
10,000
25,000
11,281
11,281
11,281
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

11,940
14,925
101,227
101,227
101,226
132,000

–
–
–
–
–
–
17,910
49,079
49,079
49,079
96,000

–
–
–
–
–
–
13,432
51,947

535,410

789,071

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

56,100
67,427
67,427
67,427
16,665
16,665
16,665
11,940
14,925
101,227
101,227
101,226
132,000

34,578
34,578
34,578
12,819
12,819
12,819
17,910
49,079
49,079
49,079
96,000

16,000
10,000
25,000
11,281
11,281
11,281
13,432
51,947

1,324,481

215.5p
192.8p
192.8p
192.8p
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
163.0p
163.0p
163.0p
nil

192.8p
192.8p
192.8p
nil
nil
nil
nil
163.0p
163.0p
163.0p
nil

185p
155.5p
231.5p
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil

Exercisable between

22.06.2009 - 21.06.2013
02.07.2010 - 27.03.2017
02.07.2011 - 27.03.2017
02.07.2012 - 27.03.2017
27.03.2010 - 27.03.2017
27.03.2011 - 27.03.2017
27.03.2012 - 27.03.2017
02.07.2011 - 02.07.2018
02.07.2011 - 02.07.2018
02.07.2012 - 02.07.2018
02.07.2013 - 02.07.2018
02.07.2014 - 02.07.2018
19.12.2011 - 19.12.2012

02.07.2010 - 27.03.2017
02.07.2011 - 27.03.2017
02.07.2012 - 27.03.2017
27.03.2010 - 27.03.2017
27.03.2011 - 27.03.2017
27.03.2012 - 27.03.2017
02.07.2011 - 02.07.2018
02.07.2012 - 02.07.2018
02.07.2013 - 02.07.2018
02.07.2014 - 02.07.2018
19.12.2011 - 19.12.2012

16.11.2003 - 15.11.2010
04.06.2008 - 03.06.2011
13.07.2008 - 12.07.2012
27.03.2010 - 27.03.2017
27.03.2011 - 27.03.2017
27.03.2012 - 27.03.2017
02.07.2011 - 02.07.2018
19.12.2011 - 19.12.2012

Option grants are exercisable only upon the achievement of the performance targets explained on page 16.

18

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The calculated cost of share based payments relating to share options granted since November 2002, as shown in note 20 to the accounts, relates to
options granted to Tim Hair, Mark Bache and Adam Vicary as follows:

T Hair 
M Bache 
A Vicary

2009 
£000 

6
5
1

2008
£000

16
11
–

No consideration is payable for the grant of an option, which is exercisable at a price to be determined by the Remuneration Committee at the time when 
the option is granted as detailed above.

No Directors exercised options during the year.

There have been no changes in the interests set out above between 1 April 2009 and 4 June 2009.

The mid-market price of the shares at 31 March 2009 was 46.5p and ranged between 38.5p and 173.0p during the year.

On behalf of the Board

Alan Howarth
Chairman, Remuneration Committee
4 June 2009

R e p o r t a n d A c c o u n t s 2 0 0 9

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Independent Auditors’ Report to the members of Chamberlin plc

We have audited the group and parent company financial statements (the “financial statements”) of Chamberlin plc for the year ended 31 March 2009
which comprise the Group Income Statement, the Group and Parent Company Statements of Recognised Income and Expense, the Group and Parent
Company Balance Sheets, the Group and Parent Company Cash Flow Statements and the related notes 1 to 27. These financial statements have been
prepared under the accounting policies set out therein.

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Section 235 of the Companies Act 1985. Our audit work has been 
undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other
purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company’s
members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors

The directors’ responsibilities for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable United Kingdom law and 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union are set out in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities. 
The directors are also responsible for the preparation of the Directors’ Remuneration Report, which they have chosen to prepare.

Our responsibility is to audit the financial statements in accordance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements and International Standards on
Auditing (UK and Ireland). The company has also instructed us to audit the section of the Directors’ Remuneration Report that has been described 
as audited.

We report to you our opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view and whether the financial statements have been properly
prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 1985. We also report to you whether in our opinion the information given in the directors’ report is
consistent with the financial statements.

In addition we report to you if, in our opinion, the company has not kept proper accounting records, if we have not received all the information and
explanations we require for our audit, or if information specified by law regarding directors’ remuneration and other transactions is not disclosed. We
report to you our opinion as to whether the section of the Directors’ Remuneration Report that has been described as being audited has been properly
prepared in accordance with the basis of preparation described therein.

We read other information contained in the Annual Report and consider whether it is consistent with the audited financial statements. The other 
information comprises only the directors’ report, the Chairman’s Statement, the Business review and the unaudited part of the Directors’ Remuneration
Report. We consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial 
statements. Our responsibilities do not extend to any other information.

Basis of audit opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) issued by the Auditing Practices Board. An audit includes 
examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. It also includes an assessment of the 
significant estimates and judgments made by the directors in the preparation of the financial statements, and of whether the accounting policies are
appropriate to the group’s and company’s circumstances, consistently applied and adequately disclosed.

We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information and explanations which we considered necessary in order to provide us with
sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other
irregularity or error. In forming our opinion we also evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of information in the financial statements.

Opinion

In our opinion:

l

l

l

l

l

the group financial statements give a true and fair view, in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, of the state of the group’s
affairs as at 31 March 2009 and of its loss for the year then ended;

the parent company financial statements give a true and fair view, in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union as applied in 
accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 1985, of the state of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 March 2009;

the financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 1985;

the information given in the directors’ report is consistent with the financial statements; and

the section of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the basis of preparation
described therein.

Ernst & Young LLP
Registered Auditor
Birmingham
4 June 2009

20

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Consolidated Income Statement

for the year ended 31 March 2009

Year ended 31 March 2009
Exceptional
items
(see note 12)
£000 

Before
exceptional
items
£000 

Total
£000 

Year ended 31 March 2008
Exceptional
items
(see note 12)
£000

Before
exceptional
items
£000

Notes

3

39,940 

(33,783)

6,157

–

–

–

39,940

39,967

(33,783)

(33,134)

6,157

6,833

–

–

–

Total
£000

39,967

(33,134)

6,833

4

6

6

7

8

11

11

11

11

(5,697) 

(446)

(6,143)

(5,510)

(494)

(6,004)

460

(446)

–

(201) 

259

(311)

(52)

(5) 

–

–

(446)

–

(446)

(346)

14

–

(201)

(187)

(311)

(498)

(351)

1,323

(494)

149

(68)

1,404

(325)

1,079

(181)

–

–

(494)

–

(494)

190

829

149

(68)

910

(325)

585

9

(57)

(792)

(849)

898

(304)

594

2.2p 

2.1p 

(11.4)p

(11.4)p

15.1p

14.9p

8.0p

7.9p

Revenue

Cost of sales 

Gross profit

Other operating expense

Operating profit/(loss) from

continuing operations 

Finance revenue

Finance costs

Profit/(loss) from continuing

operations before tax and

unrealised foreign currency loss

Unrealised foreign currency loss

(Loss)/profit from continuing operations

before tax

Tax (expense)/credit

(Loss)/profit for the year from

continuing operations attributable 

  to equity holders of the 

  parent company

Earnings/(loss) per share:

basic 
underlying

diluted

diluted underlying

R e p o r t a n d A c c o u n t s 2 0 0 9

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21

23/06/2009   09:34

 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Recognised Income and Expense

for the year ended 31 March 2009

Actuarial (losses)/gains on pension assets and liabilities

Deferred tax credit/(charge) on actuarial (losses)/gains

Net (expense)/income recognised directly in equity

(Loss)/profit for the year

Total recognised income and expense for the year

attributable to equity holders of the parent company

Notes

23

2009 
£000 

(982) 
275

(707)

(849)

2008
£000

729

(204)

525

594

(1,556)

1,119

Parent Company Statement of Recognised Income and Expense

for the year ended 31 March 2009

Actuarial (losses)/gains on pension assets and liabilities

Deferred tax credit/(charge) on actuarial (losses)/gains

Net (expense)/income recognised directly in equity

Profit for the year

Total recognised income and expense for the year

attributable to equity holders of the parent company

Notes

23

2009 
£000 

(982) 
275

(707)
989 

2008
£000

729

(204)

525

1,253

282 

1,778

22

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Proof 4

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Consolidated Balance Sheet

at 31 March 2009

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets 
Deferred tax asset

Current assets
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables
Income taxes receivable

Total assets

Current liabilities
Financial liabilities
Trade and other payables
Provisions

Non current liabilities
Deferred tax
Defined benefit pension scheme deficit 

Total liabilities

Capital and reserves
Share capital 
Share premium 
Capital redemption reserve
Retained earnings

Total equity

Total equity and liabilities

* Restated for deferred tax, see note 2

Tim Hair

Mark Bache 

}

Directors

The accounts were approved by the Board of Directors on 4 June 2009

31 March
2009 

Notes

£000 

31 March
2008
(Restated *)
£000

13
14
18

15
16
16

17
17
17

18
23

19
21
21
21

8,968 
690 
809 

10,467

5,078
6,004 
–

11,082

21,549

3,258 
6,614
48

9,920 

340
1,828

2,168

8,349
379
692

9,420

4,616
8,719
5

13,340

22,760

1,031
8,151
660

9,842

151
1,078

1,229

12,088

11,071

1,859
862 
109
6,631 

9,461 

21,549

1,859
862
109
8,859

11,689

22,760

R e p o r t a n d A c c o u n t s 2 0 0 9

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23

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Parent Company Balance Sheet

at 31 March 2009

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets 
Investments
Deferred tax asset

Current assets
Trade and other receivables
Income taxes receivable
Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings

Total assets

Current liabilities
Financial liabilities
Trade and other payables
Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings

Non-current liabilities
Amounts due to subsidiary companies 
Deferred tax
Defined benefit pension scheme deficit 

Total liabilities

Capital and reserves
Share capital 
Share premium 
Capital redemption reserve
Retained earnings

Total equity

* Restated for deferred tax, see note 2

Tim Hair

Mark Bache 

}

Directors

The accounts were approved by the Board of Directors on 4 June 2009

31 March
2009 

Notes

£000 

31 March
2008
(Restated *)
£000

13
14
22
18

16

16

17
17
17

18
18
23

19
21
21
21

1,079
3
8,159
579

9,820 

140
334
3,457 

3,931 

1,112
6
7,159
369

8,646

36
469
4,096

4,601

13,751

13,247

1,225
80
3,350 

4,655 

66
41
1,828

1,935

6,590 

1,859
862 
109
4,331 

7,161

1,275
565
2,701

4,541

66
11
1,078

1,155

5,696

1,859
862
109
4,721

7,551

13,751

13,247

24

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Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

for the year ended 31 March 2009

Operating activities 

(Loss)/profit for the year

Adjustments to reconcile (loss)/profit for the year to net cash

inflow from operating activities:

Taxation
Net finance costs/(income)
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of software
Amortisation of development costs
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Share based payments 
Pension element of finance (costs)/income
Difference between pension contributions paid and
amounts recognised in the Income Statement
(Increase)/decrease in inventories 
Decrease/(increase) in receivables 
(Decrease)/increase in payables
Movement in provisions

Cash generated from operations
UK Corporation Tax received 

Net cash flow from operating activities

Investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of software
Development Costs
Disposal of plant and equipment 

Net cash flow from investing activities

Financing activities
Interest paid
Equity dividends paid
Issue of shares (including premium) 

Net cash flow from financing activities

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the start of the year

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 

Cash and cash equivalents comprise:
Financial liabilities

Year ended
31 March
2009 
£000 

Year ended
31 March
2008
£000

Notes

(849)

594

13
14
14
7
20
6

13
14
14

6
9
21

17

351
201
1,058
45
52
(11)
12
(39) 

(231)
(462) 
2,715
(1,537)
(612)

693 
–

693 

(1,725)
(224)
(184)
59

(2,074)

(162)
(684)
–

(846)

(9)
(81)
1,104
42
46
(471)
27
149

(428)
130
(1,349)
414
660

828
84

912

(1,579)
(14)
–
769

(824)

(68)
(881)
39

(910)

(2,227)

(822)

(1,031)

(3,258) 

(3,258) 

(3,258) 

(209)

(1,031)

(1,031)

(1,031)

R e p o r t a n d A c c o u n t s 2 0 0 9

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25

23/06/2009   09:34

 
 
 
 
 
 
Parent Company Cash Flow Statement

for the year ended 31 March 2009

Operating activities 

Profit for the year

Adjustments to reconcile profit for the year to net cash

inflow from operating activities:
Taxation
Net finance costs/(income)
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of software
Pension element of finance (costs)/income
Share based payments 
Difference between pension contributions paid and

amounts recognised in the Income Statement
Decrease/(increase) in receivables 
Increase in payables

Cash generated from operations

UK Corporation Tax received 
Group relief

Net cash flow from operating activities

Investing activities
Investment in subsidiary
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of software
Disposal of plant and equipment 

Net cash flow from investing activities

Financing activities
Interest paid
Equity dividends paid
Issue of shares (including premium) 

Net cash flow from financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the start of the year

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 

Cash and cash equivalents comprise:
Financial liabilities

Year ended
31 March
2009 
£000 

Year ended
31 March
2008
£000

Notes

989 

1,253

13
14

20

13
14

9
21

17

(230) 
166
52
3
(39) 
12
(231)

535 
164

1,421

–
460 

1,881

(1,000)
(31)
–
12

(1,019)

(128)
(684)
–

(812)

(289)
(27)
54
2
149
27
(428)

(206)
616

1,151

7
–

1,158

–
(79)
(1)
25

(55)

(121)
(881)
39

(963)

50

140

(1,275)

(1,225)

(1,225)

(1,225)

(1,415)

(1,275)

(1,275)

(1,275)

26

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Notes to the Accounts

at 31 March 2009

1

AUTHORISATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH IFRS

The Group’s and Company’s financial statements of Chamberlin plc (the ‘Company’) for the year ended 31 March 2009 were authorised for issue
by the board of the directors on 4 June 2009 and the balance sheets were signed on the board’s behalf by Tim Hair and Mark Bache. The Company
is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in England & Wales. The Company’s ordinary shares are traded on AIM within the London
Stock Exchange.

The Group’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The Company’s financial
statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the
Companies Act 1985. 

The principal accounting policies adopted by the Group and by the Company are set out in note 2. 

2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis and are presented in sterling and all values are rounded to
the nearest thousand pounds (£000) except when otherwise indicated. The Company has taken advantage of the exemption provided under 
section 230 of the Companies Act 1985 not to publish its individual income statement and related notes.

Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of Chamberlin plc and its subsidiaries as at 31 March each year. The
financial statements of subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting year as the parent company, using consistent accounting policies. 
All inter-company balances and transactions, including unrealised profits arising from intra-group transactions, have been eliminated in full. 
Subsidiaries are consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group and cease to be consolidated from the date on which
control is transferred out of the Group.

Restatement of deferred tax

After a detailed review of the Group’s historic deferred tax provisions it has been concluded that liabilities in respect of capital gains rolled over into
goodwill on the acquisition of Fred Duncombe Ltd in 1989 and Heyes Lighting Ltd (now part of Petrel Ltd) in 1987 have been incorrectly included
within the financial statements in previous years. This gives rise to a restatement of the deferred tax liability, as at 31 March 2007 and 31 March
2008, reducing it by £443,000 and increasing retained earnings by a corresponding amount. The restatement as it affects the balance sheet is
as follows:

Deferred tax liability
Retained earnings at 31 March 2007
Retained earnings at 31 March 2008

New standards adopted

Group

Company

Restated

151
8,594
8,859

As previously
reported
£000

594
8,151
8,416

Restated
£000

11
3,797
4,721

As previously
reported
£000

377
3,431
4,355

New accounting standards and interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the International Financial 
Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC), becoming effective during the year, have not had a material impact on the Group’s financial statements.

New standards and interpretations not applied

The IASB and IFRIC have issued the following standards and interpretations with an effective date after the date of these financial statements.
They have not been adopted early by the Group and the Directors do not anticipate that the adoption of these standards and interpretations 
will have a material impact on the Group’s reported income or net assets in the period of adoption.

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Notes to the Accounts

continued

2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

International Accounting Standards

IFRS 1 and IAS 27 – Cost of investment in a subsidiary, jointly controlled entity or associate
IFRS 2 – Amendment to IFRS 2 – Vesting conditions and cancellations
IFRS 3 – Revised - Business combinations
IFRS 8 – Operating segments 
IAS 1 – Presentation of financial statements (revised September 2007)
IAS 23 – Borrowing Costs (revised March 2007)
IAS 27 Revised – Consolidated and separate financial statements
IAS 32 and IAS1 – Financial instruments puttable at fair value and obligations arising on liquidation
IAS 39 – Eligible hedged items 
Improvements in IFRS

International Financial Reporting Interpretive Committee (IFRIC)
IFRIC 12 – Service Concession arrangements
IFRIC 13 – Customer loyalty programmes
IFRIC 15 – Agreements for the construction of real estate
IFRIC 16 – Hedges of a new investment in a foreign operation
IFRIC 17 – Distributions of non-cash assets to owners
IFRIC 18 – Transfers of assets from customers

Effective date

1 January 2009
1 January 2009
1 July 2009
1 January 2009
1 January 2009
1 January 2009
1 July 2009
1 January 2009
1 October 2009
Various

1 January 2008
1 July 2009
1 January 2009
1 October 2009
1 July 2009
1 July 2009

IFRS 8 - this standard requires disclosure of information about the Group’s operating segments and replaces the requirement to determine primary
(business) and secondary (geographical) reporting segments of the Group. The Directors do not consider that this statement will have an impact on
reported profits or the balance sheet.

Foreign currency translation

The functional and presentation currency of Chamberlin plc is sterling (£). Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded in the functional currency
at the rate of exchange ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at
the functional currency rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Any resulting exchange differences are taken to the income statement.

Business combinations and goodwill

Business combinations are accounted for using the purchase method. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the cash paid, and the fair value
of other assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed at the date of exchange, plus costs directly attributable to the
acquisition. The acquired identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities are measured at their fair value at the date of acquisition. 

Any excess of the cost of acquisition over the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired is recognised as goodwill. Any deficiency of the cost
of acquisition below the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired (i.e. discount on acquisition) is credited to the income statement in the
period of acquisition. 

Goodwill on acquisition is initially measured at cost being the excess of the cost of the business combination over the acquirer’s interest in the
net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities. Following initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any
accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate
that the carrying value may be impaired.

As at the acquisition date, any goodwill acquired is allocated to each of the cash-generating units acquired. Impairment is determined by assessing
the recoverable amount of the cash generating unit to which the goodwill relates. Where the recoverable amount of the cash generating unit is
less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognised. When there is a partial disposal of a cash generating unit, goodwill relating to the 
operation disposed of is taken into account in determining the gain or loss on disposal of that operation. The amount of goodwill allocated to a
partial disposal is measured on the basis of the relative values of the operation disposed of and the operation retained.

Property, plant and equipment

All classes of property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment in value. The initial cost of an
asset comprises its purchase price or construction cost, and any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset into operation. The purchase price
or construction cost is the aggregate amount paid and the fair value of any other consideration given to acquire the asset. The capitalised value of 
a finance lease is also included within property, plant and equipment. For property, where appropriate the deemed cost as at the date of transition
to IFRS is the fair value at the date of the last valuation of these assets.

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2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

With the exception of freehold land, depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset as follows:

Freehold buildings and long leasehold property – over expected useful life (not exceeding 50 years)
Short leasehold property  
Plant and other equipment  
Motor vehicles  

– over the term of the lease
– 2 to 10 years
– 4 years

The estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment are reviewed on an annual basis and, if necessary, changes in useful lives are accounted
for prospectively.

The carrying values of property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying
value may not be recoverable. If any such indication exists and where the carrying values exceed the estimated recoverable amount, the assets or 
cash-generating units are written down to their recoverable amount.

The recoverable amount of property, plant and equipment is the greater of net selling price and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated
future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of 
money and the risks specific to the asset. 

For an asset that does not generate largely independent cash inflows, the recoverable amount is determined for the cash-generating unit to which
the asset belongs. Impairment losses are recognised in the income statement in the cost of sales line item or in the other operating expenses line 
item depending on the asset concerned.

An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognised upon disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected to arise from the
continued use of the asset. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition of the asset (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds
and the carrying amount of the item) is included in the income statement in the year the item is derecognised.

Intangible assets

Intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Computer software, intellectual property
rights and other intangible assets are initially recorded at cost. Where these assets have been acquired through a business combination, this will be
the fair value allocated in the acquisition accounting. Where these have been acquired other than through a business combination, the initial cost is 
the aggregate amount paid and the fair value of any other consideration given to acquire the asset. Computer software and other intangible assets, 
such as capitalised development expenditure under IAS 38, are amortised over their useful lives on a straight line basis. Estimated useful life is the
shorter of legal duration and economic useful life, which represents the directors’ best estimate of the period over which the asset may be used to
generate significant economic benefits to the Group. Software has an estimated useful life of 4 years.

Intangible assets are tested for impairment annually or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying
value may not be recoverable. Impairment losses are measured on a similar basis to property, plant and equipment. Useful lives are also examined
on an annual basis and adjustments, where applicable, are made on a prospective basis.

Research and development costs

Research costs are expensed as incurred.

Clearly defined and identifiable development projects in which the technical degree of exploitation, adequacy of resources and potential market
or development possibility in the undertaking can be clearly demonstrated, and where it is the intention to produce, market or execute the project,
are capitalised when a correlation exists between the costs incurred and future benefits. Costs not meeting such criteria are expensed as incurred.
Amortisation is applied as set out for intangible assets above, the useful life being determined for individual development projects. For projects
capitalised to date a useful life of 5 years was considered appropriate.

The Company’s investments in subsidiaries
In its separate financial statements the Company recognises its investments in subsidiaries at cost. Income is recognised from these investments
only in relation to distributions received from post-acquisition profits. Distributions received in excess of post-acquisition profits are deducted from
the cost of the investment.

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Notes to the Accounts

continued

2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, which is arrived at as follows:

l

l

Raw materials; purchase cost on a first-in, first-out basis;

Finished goods and work-in progress; where detailed individual product costing information is available, actual cost of direct materials and 
labour and a proportion of manufacturing overheads based on normal operating capacity but excluding borrowing costs.

Where considered appropriate, for example in valuing foundry products, cost of finished goods and work in progress is arrived at from selling price
less the calculated margin on the products concerned. This method is also utilised within the engineering companies in the absence of detailed 
individual product costing information.

Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs
necessary to make the sale.

Trade and other receivables
Trade receivables, which generally have 30-60 day terms, are recognised and carried at original invoice amount less any provision for bad debts. 
A provision for impairment, in respect of trade receivables, is made when there is objective evidence (such as the probable insolvency or significant 
financial difficulties of the debtor) that the Group will not be able to collect all of the amount due under the original terms of the invoice. The 
carrying amount of the receivable is reduced through a provision and impaired debts are derecognised when they are assessed as uncollectible.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents in the balance sheet comprise cash in hand and current balances with banks and similar institutions and short-term
deposits with an original maturity of three months or less which are subject to insignificant risks of changes in value.

For the purpose of the consolidated cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and cash equivalents as defined above, net
of outstanding bank overdrafts.

Leases
Operating lease payments are recognised as an expense in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Derivative financial instruments and hedging
The Group is exposed to foreign exchange risk on income streams denominated in foreign currencies. In order to reduce the Group’s exposure to
currency fluctuations the Group sells a proportion of expected Euro revenues on forward contracts. No hedge accounting is presently applied and 
all gains and losses on commercial hedges that are measured at fair value are taken to the income statement.

Employee Benefits
Wages, salaries, bonuses, social security contributions, paid annual leave and sick leave are accrued in the year in which the associated services 
are rendered by employees of the Group.

Pensions and other post-employment benefits
The Group operates a number of defined contribution schemes, which require contributions to be made to administered funds separate from
the Group.

The Group also has a closed defined benefit pension scheme. The scheme assets are measured at fair value and plan liabilities are measured on an 
actuarial basis, using the projected unit method. The service cost of providing pension and other post-retirement benefits to employees for the year
is charged to the income statement. The cost of making improvements to pension and other post-retirement benefits is recognised in the income 
statement on a straight line basis over the period during which the increase in benefits vests. To the extent that any improvement in benefits vests
immediately, the cost is recognised immediately. These costs are recognised as an expense.

The interest element of the defined benefit cost represents the change in present value of scheme obligations resulting from the passage of time,
and is determined by applying the discount rate to the opening present value of the benefit obligation, taking into account material changes in the
obligation during the year. The expected return on plan assets is based on an assessment made at the beginning of the year of long–term market
returns on scheme assets, adjusted for the effect on the fair value of plan assets of contributions received and benefits paid during the year. The 
difference between the expected return on plan assets and the interest cost is recognised in the income statement as finance revenue or cost.

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2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Actuarial gains and losses may result from: differences between the expected return and the actual return on plan assets; differences between
the actuarial assumptions underlying the plan liabilities and actual experience during the year; or changes in the actuarial assumptions used in 
the valuation of the plan liabilities. Actuarial gains and losses, and taxation thereon, are recognised in full in the period in which they occur, in the
statement of recognised income and expense.

For defined contribution plans, contributions payable for the year are charged to the income statement as an operating expense.

Income taxes
Current tax assets and liabilities are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the taxation authorities, based on tax rates
and laws that are enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred income tax is recognised on all temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts
in the financial statements, with the following exceptions:

l

l

l

where the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business 
combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss;

in respect of taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, where the timing
of the reversal of the temporary differences can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary differences will not reverse in the
foreseeable future; and

deferred income tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the
deductible temporary differences, carried forward tax credits or tax losses can be utilised.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured on an undiscounted basis at the tax rates that are expected to apply when the related asset
is realised or liability is settled, based on tax rates and laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

Income tax is charged or credited directly to equity if it relates to items that are credited or charged to equity. Otherwise income tax is recognised 
in the income statement.

Revenue
Revenue is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have passed to the buyer and can be reliably measured. 
Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods provided in the
normal course of business, net of discounts, customs duties and sales taxes.

Dividends
Dividend payments are recognised in the period in which they become a binding obligation on the Company, which for interim dividends is when
they are paid and for final dividends is when they are approved at the AGM.

Borrowing costs
Borrowing costs are recognised as interest payable in the income statement in the period in which they are incurred.

Share based payments
The Group grants equity-settled share-based payments to certain directors and employees in the form of share options. Equity settled share-based
payments are measured at fair value at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model. The fair value is then charged to the income
statement over the vesting period of the options. In valuing equity settled payments, no account is taken of vesting conditions other than 
conditions linked to the price of the shares of the company (market conditions). No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately vest.

At each balance sheet date before vesting, the cumulative expense is calculated taking into account the extent to which the vesting period has 
expired and the directors’ best estimate of the achievement or otherwise of relevant conditions and the number of shares expected to ultimately
vest. The movement since the previous balance sheet date is recognised in the income statement.

The values for the expected life of the options and the expected volatility of the share price used in the calculation model are based on the 
directors’ best estimates, taking into account conditions for exercise, historic data and behavioural considerations.

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Notes to the Accounts

continued

2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Operating profit
Operating profit as referred to in the income statement is defined as being profit generated from normal trading activities before finance costs 
and revenues, before unrealised foreign currency gains and losses and before taxation.

Exceptional items
The Group presents as exceptional items on the face of the income statement, those items of income and expenditure which, because of the
nature and infrequency of the events giving rise to them and their size in relation to the operating results of the Group, merit separate presentation 
to allow shareholders to better understand the elements of financial performance in the year, so as to facilitate comparison with prior periods and
to allow assessment of trends in financial performance.

Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting practice requires management to make estimates and
judgements that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet 
date and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual outcomes could differ from those estimates and
judgements. Where appropriate, details of estimates and assumptions used are set out in the relevant notes to the accounts.

The key figures in the accounts that are most sensitive to such estimates and assumptions are

l

l

Impairment of Goodwill – the Group determines whether goodwill is impaired on an annual basis or more frequently if there are indicators
of impairment. Impairment testing requires an estimate of future cash flows and the choice of a suitable discount rate.

Defined benefit scheme pension liabilities – the cost of the closed defined benefit pension plan is determined using actuarial valuations.
The actuarial valuation involves making assumptions about discount rates, expected rates of return on assets, future salary increases,
mortality rates and future pension increases.

3

SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS

For management purposes, the Group is organised into two operating divisions: Foundries and Engineering, which are the primary segments 
for reporting purposes. The secondary segmental format is geographical.

The Foundries segment is a supplier of iron castings, in raw or machined form, to a variety of industrial customers who incorporate the castings
into their own products or carry out further machining or assembly operations on the castings before selling them on to such customers.

The Engineering segment provides manufactured and imported products to distributors and end-users. The products fall into the categories
of door hardware, hazardous area lighting and control gear.

Transfer prices between business segments are set on an arm’s length basis in a manner similar to transactions with third parties.

The Group’s geographical segments are determined by the location of the Group’s customers. The Group’s assets and costs incurred are all
located within the United Kingdom.

32

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3

SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS (continued)

(i) By business segment

Revenue
Sales 

Profit
Segment profit

Shared costs 
Exceptional items

Operating profit
Net finance (costs)/income
Unrealised foreign exchange loss

(Loss)/profit before tax
Tax (expense)/credit

(Loss)/profit for the year

Net assets
Segmental assets 
Segmental liabilities 

Segmental net assets 

Unallocated net liabilities

Total net assets

Foundries

Engineering

Total

2009 
£000 

2008
£000

2009 
£000 

33,217

32,800

6,723 

2008
£000

7,167

2009 
£000 

2008
£000

39,940

39,967

723 

1,079

260 

671

14,968
(4,150)

10,818

16,407
(6,717)

9,690

5,717
(2,537)

3,180

5,592
(2,097)

3,495

Movements in fixed assets
Capital additions
  Property, plant and equipment (note 13)

Software (note 14)
Development costs (note 14)
Depreciation and amortisation
  Property, plant and equipment (note 13)
Software (note 14)
Development costs (note 14)

1,495
135
153

(870)
(29) 
(29) 

1,499
14
–

(884)
(38)
(26)

230 
89
31

(188)
(16)
(23)

80
–
–

(220)
(4)
(20)

Unallocated net liabilities comprise cash/overdraft, taxation, pension provisions, deferred tax balances and head office fixed assets.

(ii) By geographical segment

Revenue by location of customer
United Kingdom
Rest of Europe
Other countries

2009 
£000 

30,666 
7,428
1,846

39,940

983 

(523) 
(446)

14
(201)
(311)

(498) 
(351)

(849)

20,685 
(6,687)

13,998

(4,537)

9,461 

1,725
224
184

(1,058)
(45) 
(52) 

1,750

(427)
(494)

829
81
(325)

585
9

594

21,999
(8,814)

13,185

(1,496)

11,689

1,579
14
–

(1,104)
(42)
(46)

2008
£000

32,050
6,508
1,409

39,967

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Notes to the Accounts

continued

4

OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES

Distribution costs 
Administration and selling expenses

Operating expenses before exceptional items

Exceptional items (note 12)

Operating expenses 

5

STAFF NUMBERS AND COSTS

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

Management and administration
Production 

Total employees

2009 
£000 

1,328
4,369 

5,697 

446

6,143

2008
£000

1,389
4,121

5,510

494

6,004

2009 
Number

2008
Number

87
377

464

85
387

472

The aggregate employment costs of these employees including severance costs in wages and salaries of £253,000 (2008: £54,000) were as follows:-

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

Directors’ emoluments summary

Directors’ emoluments

Aggregate gains made by directors on exercise of options

Share based payment charge of options granted to directors (see note 20)

Number of directors accruing benefits under:

Defined contribution pension schemes 

Directors’ emoluments are analysed in detail in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 16 to 19.

6

FINANCE COSTS AND FINANCE REVENUE

Finance costs
Bank overdraft interest payable
Finance cost of pensions (see note 23)

Finance revenue
Finance revenue from pensions (see note 23)

2009 
£000 

12,086
1,200
366 
12

13,664

2009
£000 

533 

–

12

2008
£000

12,259
1,329
473
27

14,088

2008
£000

522

4

27

Number

Number

3

3

2009 
£000 

(162)
(39) 

(201)

–

–

2008
£000

(68)
–

(68)

149

149

34

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7

OPERATING PROFIT

This is stated after charging/(crediting):

Profit on disposal of fixed assets
Depreciation of owned assets 
Amortisation of software
Amortisation of development costs
Net foreign currency gain
Cost of inventories recognised as an expense 
Exceptional severance payments and related costs (note 12)
Stock written down
Reversal of prior year inventory provisions
Auditors’ remuneration:
Group audit fees 
Audit fees in respect of subsidiaries 
Interim review fees
Taxation advice fees

Research and development expenditure (excluding capitalised development: note 14)
Rentals under operating leases:
Hire of plant and equipment 
Other 

8

TAX EXPENSE/(CREDIT) REPORTED IN THE CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

Current tax:
U.K. Corporation tax at 28% (2008: 30%)
based on taxable profit for the year
Amounts under/(over) provided in prior years

Deferred Taxation:
Movement in the year (note 18)
Amounts under/(over) provided in prior years
Less element of movement shown in the Statement of Recognised Income and Expense

Tax expense/(credit) reported in the consolidated income statement

Reconciliation of total tax charge
(Loss)/profit on ordinary activities before tax

Corporation tax (credit)/expense at standard rate of 28% (2008: 30%) on (loss)/profit before tax
Adjusted by the effects of:-
Expenses/(income) not deductible for tax purposes 

Timing differences
– change of taxation rate
– abolition of IBAs (see note 18) 
Amounts under/(over) provided in prior years
– corporation tax 
– deferred tax

Total tax expense/(credit) reported in the income statement

R e p o r t a n d A c c o u n t s 2 0 0 9

2009 
£000 

(11)
1,058
45
52
(269)
14,610
253 
57
–

28
47
5
11
56

50
370

2009 
£000 

–
5

5

68
3
275

346

351

2009 
£000 

(498) 

(139)

11

–
471

5
3

351

2008
£000

(471)
1,104
42
46
(31)
15,252
–
97
(7)

25
45
5
8
81

108
317

2008
£000

–
(20)

(20)

385
(170)
(204)

11

(9)

2008
£000

585

175

(15)

21
–

(20)
(170)

(9)

35

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Notes to the Accounts

continued

9

DIVIDENDS PAID AND PROPOSED

Paid equity dividends on ordinary shares
2008 final dividend of 8.00p per share (2007: 8.00p per share) 
2009 interim dividend of 1.2p per share (2008: 3.85p per share) 

Proposed final dividend subject to shareholder approval
2009 final dividend of 0.00p per share (2008: 8.00p per share
– not recognised as a liability at 31 March 2008)

2009 
£000 

595 
89

684

2008
£000

595
286

881

–

595

10

PARENT COMPANY TRANSFER TO RESERVES

The profit dealt with in the accounts of the parent company was £989,000 (2008: £1,253,000).

After dividends, the profit transferred to reserves was £305,000 (2008: £373,000).

Net income in respect of the funding of the closed defined benefit pension scheme of £707,000 was transferred from reserves
(2008: £525,000 transferred to reserves).

11

EARNINGS PER SHARE

The calculation of earnings per share is based on the profit attributable to shareholders and the weighted average number of ordinary shares in
issue. In calculating the diluted earnings per share, adjustment has been made for the dilutive effect of outstanding share options. Underlying
earnings per share, which excludes operating exceptionals and unrealised foreign exchanges movements, as analysed below, has also been
disclosed as the Directors believe this allows a better assessment of the underlying trading performance of the Group.

Operating exceptionals are detailed in note 12.

(Loss)/earnings for basic earnings per share 
Operating exceptionals 
Taxation effect of operating exceptionals
Unrealised foreign currency loss
Taxation effect of unrealised foreign currency loss
Deferred tax effect of the abolition of IBAs included in exceptional items (see note 18)

Earnings for underlying earnings per share

Weighted average number of ordinary shares
Adjustment to reflect shares under options

Weighted average number of ordinary shares – fully diluted

2009 
£000 

(849)
446
(125)
311
(87)
471

167

2009 
000 

7,438
508 

7,946

2008
£000

594
494
(190)
325
(99)
–

1,124

2008
000

7,432
132

7,564

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12

EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS

Severance costs
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Legal costs 
Inventory write down

Taxation
– tax effect of operating exceptionals
– abolition of IBAs (see note 18) 

2009 
£000 

(253) 
–
(193)
–

(446)

125
(471)

(346)

2008
£000

–
468
(897)
(65)

(494)

190
–

190

Severance costs relate to redundancies incurred following the downturn in demand as advised in the Group’s trading update issued on
18 November 2008.

Legal costs relates to the final costs of settling the claim for alleged nuisance which has been noted in the last two years accounts. This together
with an amount provided at 31 March 2008, comprises the Group’s own legal expenses plus the cost of settlement with the claimants and
their lawyers.

13

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Group

Cost
At 1 April 2007

Additions
Disposals 

At 31 March 2008
Additions
Disposals 

At 31 March 2009

Depreciation
At 1 April 2007
Charge for year
Disposals 

At 31 March 2008
Charge for year
Disposals 

At 31 March 2009

Net book value
At 31 March 2009

At 31 March 2008

Net book value of land and buildings comprises:-

Freehold
Short leasehold (leasehold improvements)

R e p o r t a n d A c c o u n t s 2 0 0 9

Land and
buildings
£000

Plant and
machinery
£000

Motor
vehicles
£000

5,029

22,997

127
–

5,156
19
–

5,175

1,192
120
–

1,312
122
–

1,302
(1,240)

23,059
1,572
(70)

24,561

19,189
865
(1,224)

18,830
822
(55)

1,434

19,597

3,741

3,844

4,964

4,229

642

150
(163)

629
134
(102)

661

333
119
(99)

353
114
(69)

398

263

276

2009 
£000 

3,728 
13

3,741

Total
£000

28,668

1,579
(1,403)

28,844
1,725
(172)

30,397

20,714
1,104
(1,323)

20,495
1,058
(124)

21,429

8,968

8,349

2008
£000

3,831
13

3,844

37

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Notes to the Accounts

continued

13

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (continued)  

Company 

Cost
At 1 April 2007
Additions
Disposals 

At 31 March 2008
Additions
Disposals   

At 31 March 2009

Depreciation
At 1 April 2007
Charge for year
Disposals 

At 31 March 2008
Charge for year
Disposals 

At 31 March 2009

Net book value
At 31 March 2009

At 31 March 2008

Freehold land included above not subject to depreciation amounted to:

2009 

2008 

14

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill 
Software
Development costs

Land and
buildings
£000

Plant and
machinery
£000

Motor
vehicles
£000

1,635
35
–

1,670
–
–

1,670

621
30
–

651
28
–

679

991

1,019

36
25
–

61
10
(25)

46

27
5
–

32
7
(25) 

14

32

29

118
19
(46) 

91
21
(19)

93

29
19
(21)

27
17
(7) 

37

56

64

Group
£000

743

743

Total
£000

1,789
79
(46)

1,822
31
(44)

1,809

677
54
(21)

710
52
(32)

730

1,079

1,112

Company
£000

743

743

Group

Company

2009 
£000 

201
208 
281

690 

2008
‘000

201
29
149

379

2009 
£000 

2008
‘000

–
3
–

3

–
6
–

6

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14

INTANGIBLE ASSETS (continued)

Goodwill 

Cost
At 1 April 2007
Additions

At 31 March 2008
Additions

At 31 March 2009

Impairment
At 1 April 2007, 31 March 2008 and 31 March 2009

Net Book Value
At 31 March 2009

At 31 March 2008

£000

201
–

201
–

201

–

201

201

Goodwill arose initially on the acquisition of the Webb Lloyd business which now forms part of Fred Duncombe Limited, within the
Engineering Segment. 

The Group tests goodwill annually for impairment, or more frequently if there are indications that goodwill might be impaired. In these
calculations, the recoverable amounts from the Webb Lloyd Cash Generating Unit are determined from value in use calculations. The key
assumptions are as follow: 

– Future cashflows are derived from the Group’s annual plan, extrapolated for 4 years at zero annual growth. The key variables impacting the  

cashflow in the plan are sales and gross margin. The sales level assumes no further deterioration in the commercial property market and gross
margins are assumed to be maintained at the levels achieved in the last year.

– Cashflows are discounted at a rate of 7%, which is considered to be an appropriate benchmark for evaluating future capital proposals.

Following a review of the goodwill figure stated in the accounts, and the estimated level of cash expected to be generated by the Webb Lloyd 
business, the Directors believe there is no impairment. The Directors believe that no reasonably probable change in the key assumptions would lead
to impairment of goodwill. A 40% compound reduction in annual sales would result in a value equal to the carrying value. A 20% reduction
in gross margin would result in value equal to the carrying value.

Software

Cost
At 1 April 2007
Additions

At 31 March 2008
Additions

At 31 March 2009

Amortisation/impairment
At 1 April 2007
Charge for the year

At 31 March 2008
Charge for year

At 31 March 2009

Net Book Value
At 31 March 2009

At 31 March 2008

Software has an estimated useful life of between 3 and 7 years.

R e p o r t a n d A c c o u n t s 2 0 0 9

Group
£000

Company
£000

322
14

336
224

560 

265
42

307
45

352 

208 

29

12
1

13
–

13

5
2

7
3

10

3

6

39

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Notes to the Accounts

continued

14

INTANGIBLE ASSETS (continued)

Development costs capitalised

Cost
At 1 April 2007
Additions

At 31 March 2008
Additions

At 31 March 2009

Amortisation/impairment
At 1 April 2007
Charge for year

At 31 March 2008
Charge for year

At 31 March 2009

Net Book Value
At 31 March 2009

At 31 March 2008

Group
£000

Company
£000

229
–

229
184

413

34
46

80
52

132

281

149

–
–

–
–

–

–
–

–
–

–

–

–

Development costs capitalised relate to specific major projects which result in an asset being created which is then amortised over the primary
income generating period of the associated product. These are amortised over a life of 5 years from the commencement of commercial sales.

15

INVENTORIES

Raw materials
Work in progress
Finished goods

16

TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade receivables
Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings
Other receivables
Prepayments

2009 
£000 

1,329
2,325 
1,424

5,078

2009 
£000 

5,520 
–
111
373

6,004 

Group

Company

2009 
£000 

2008
£000

2008
£000

1,760
1,352
1,504

4,616

–
–
–

–

Group

Company

2008
£000

8,048
–
161
510

8,719

2009 
£000 

–
3,457 
106
34

3,597 

–
–
–

–

2008
£000

–
4,096
7
29

4,132

40

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16

TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES (continued)

Trade receivables are denominated in the following currencies:

Sterling
Euro  

Group

Company

2009 
£000 

4,684 
836 

5,520 

2008
£000

6,855
1,193

8,048

2009 
£000 

–
–

–

2008
£000

–
–

–

Out of the carrying amount of trade receivables of £5,520,000 (2008: £8,048,000), £1,328,000 (2008: £1,795,000) is against five major customers.

Trade receivables are non-interest bearing and are generally on terms of 30 to 60 days and are shown net of a provision for impairment. As at 
31 March 2009 trade receivables at a nominal value of £238,000 (2008: £171,000) were impaired and fully provided for. Movements in the 
provision for impairment of receivables were as follows:

At 1 April

Charge for year
Amounts written off

At 31 March

Group

Company

2009 
£000 

171

130
(63)

238 

2008
£000

207

76
(112)

171

2009 
£000 

2008
£000

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

As at 31 March 2009, the analysis of trade receivables that were past due but not impaired is as follows:

Neither past
due nor
impaired
£000

Past due but not impaired

<30 days
£000

30-60 days
£000

60-90 days
£000

90-120 days
£000

>120 days
£000

4,565 
5,646 

729 
1,670

164
390

62
132

–
83

–
127

Total
£000

5,520 
8,048 

2009 
2008 

The credit quality of trade receivables that are neither past due nor impaired is assessed by reference to external credit ratings, where available,
otherwise historical information relating to the counterparty default rates is used.

Debtors where external credit ratings have been sought
Debtors where only internal credit assessments have been made

Group

Company

2009 
£000 

2,040
3,480 

5,520 

2008
£000

1,353
6,695

8,048

2009 
£000 

–
–

–

2008
£000

–
–

–

Of the balance in respect of counterparties with internal ratings nil% (2008: nil%) is in respect of new customers, and 100% (2008: 100%) existing
customers with no history of defaults.

Amounts due from subsidiary companies are interest free and repayable on demand.

Income taxes receivable

UK corporation tax 

Group

Company

2009 
£000 

–

2008
£000

5

2009 
£000 

334

2008
£000

469

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Notes to the Accounts

continued

17

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Financial liabilities

Bank overdraft

Group

Company

2009
£000 

3,258 

2008
£000

1,031

2009 
£000 

1,225

The overdraft is held with HSBC Bank plc as part of the Group facility of £4,500,000, is secured on the assets of the business, is repayable on
demand and is renewable in June 2010. Interest is payable at 2.75% (2008:1%) over base rate.

Trade and other payables

Trade creditors
Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals
Fair value of derivative forward contracts

Group

Company

2009
£000 

4,439 
–
397
846
351
581

6,614

2008
£000

5,478
–
746
765
682
480

8,151

2009 
£000 

–
3,350 
21
1
58
–

3,430 

Trade payables are non-interest bearing and are normally on terms of 30 to 60 days.

Amounts due to subsidiary companies are interest free and repayable by agreement with the parent company.

Provisions

As at 31 March 2007
New provisions

As at 31 March 2008
New provisions
Utilised 

As at 31 March 2009

Legal costs
£000
–
660

Dilapidations
£000
–
–

660
–
(660)

–

–
48
–

48

2008
£000

1,275

2008
£000

–
2,701
17
426
122
–

3,266

Total
£000
–
660

660
48
(660)

48

Legal Costs
Provision utilsed against the costs of the nuisance claim noted in last years financial statements.

Dilapidations
Provision in respect of dilapidations on leasehold property.

18

NON CURRENT LIABILITIES

Intra-group balances

Group

Company

2009 

£000 

–

2008
(Restated*)
£000

–

2009 

£000 

66

2008
(Restated*)
£000

66

The amount owed by the Company to non-trading subsidiary undertakings is non-interest bearing.

42

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18

NON CURRENT LIABILITIES (continued)

Provisions for liabilities

Deferred taxation

Deferred tax liabilities

Group liabilities
Temporary differences re capital allowances
Capital gains rolled over

Company liabilities
Temporary differences re capital allowances
Capital gains rolled over

Deferred tax assets

Temporary differences re capital allowances
Temporary differences re pension scheme deficit
Other temporary differences

Group

Company

2009 

£000 

340

2008
(Restated*)
£000

151

2009 

£000 

41

2008
(Restated*)
£000

11

2009 

2008

Amount not 
provided

Amount  
provided

Amount not
provided

£000 

£000 

£000

–
–

–

248
92

340

–
–

–

Amount
provided
(Restated*)
£000

59
92

151

2009 

2008

Amount not 
provided

Amount  
provided

Amount not
provided

£000 

£000 

£000

Amount
provided
(Restated*)
£000

–
–

–

2009 
£000 

116
512
181

809 

41
–

41

–
–

–

Group

Company

2008
£000

214
302
176

692

2009 
£000 

–
512
67

579

11
–

11

2008
£000

–
302
67

369

Other temporary differences include a deferred tax asset of £85,000 (2008: £85,000), recognised in respect of carried forward trading losses on
the basis that there are forecasts of future taxable profits against which these losses can be offset.

Deferred taxation

Group

Company

Movement in net Deferred Taxation during the year

Net (asset)/liability brought forward (Restated*)
Re pension provision movement
Re special pension contribution
Re rolled over gain
Re abolition of IBAs (see below)
Movement on other temporary differences
Restatement on change of deferred tax rate

2009 

£000 

(541)
(209) 
–
–
471
(190)
–

(469) 

2008
(Restated*)
£000

(755)
347
150
98
–
(387)
6

(541)

2009 

£000 

(359) 
(209) 
–
–
43
(13)
–

(538) 

The abolition of Industrial Buildings Allowances (IBAs) in the Finance Act 2008, has resulted in a deferred tax charge of £471,000. This has been
included in exceptional items within the Consolidated Income Statement.

* Restated for deferred tax, see note 2.

R e p o r t a n d A c c o u n t s 2 0 0 9

2008
(Restated*)
£000

(750)
347
150
–
–
(105)
(1)

(359)

43

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Notes to the Accounts

continued

19

SHARE CAPITAL

Authorised
9,000,000 (2008: 9,000,000) Ordinary shares of 25p 

Allotted, called up and fully paid 
7,437,658 (2008: 7,437,658) Ordinary shares of 25p

2009 
£000 

2008
£000

2,250 

2,250

1,859

1,859

During the year no shares (2008: 22,000) were issued to satisfy the exercise of options under the executive share option scheme.

No share options lapsed (2008: Nil).

837,071 options were granted (2008: Nil) and no options were surrendered (2008: Nil).

Options outstanding at 31 March 2009 were:

Outstanding at 31 March 2008

Granted in year

No. of
options

16,000
6,000 
10,000
25,000 
56,100
102,005
102,005
102,005
40,765 
40,765 
40,765 

541,410

58,207
150,306
150,306
150,305
327,947

Exercise
price

185p
157.5p
155.5p
231.5p
215.5p
192.8p
192.8p
192.8p
0.0p 
0.0p 
0.0p 

0.0p
163.0p
163.0p
163.0p
0.0p

Exercisable
between

16.11.2003 - 15.11.2010
01.08.2005 -30.07.2009
03.06.2007 - 02.06.2011
13.07.2008 - 12.07.2012
21.06.2009 - 20.06.2013
02.07.2010 - 27.03.2017
02.07.2011 - 27.03.2017
02.07.2012 - 27.03.2017
27.03.2010 - 27.03.2017
27.03.2011 - 27.03.2017
27.03.2012 - 27.03.2017

02.07.2011 - 02.07.2018
02.07.2012 - 02.07.2018
02.07.2013 - 02.07.2018
02.07.2014 - 02.07.2018
19.12.2011 - 19.12.2012

Outstanding at 31 March 2009

1,378,481

20 

SHARE BASED PAYMENTS

The Company has four share option schemes used to incentivise directors and senior managers of the Group as follows:

i) 

ii) 

iii) 

iv) 

Inland Revenue Approved 1997 Share Option Scheme where options are exercisable at a price equal to the average quoted market price
of the Company’s shares over the 5 days prior to the date of grant. The vesting period is 3 years and the options expire after 10 years from
date of grant.

Inland Revenue Unapproved 1997 Share Option Scheme where options are exercisable at a price equal to the average quoted market price
of the Company’s shares over the 5 days prior to the date of grant. The vesting period is 3 years and the options expire after 7 years from
date of grant.

Performance Share Plan which prior to 19 December 2008 granted nil cost options under an Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme.
These will normally vest in 3 equal tranches on the third, fourth and fifth anniverary of grant subject to satisfaction of performance
conditions set by the Remuneration Committee of the Company. These options expire on the tenth anniversary of grant. After 19 December
2008 option grants were not made under EMI scheme and vest 3 years from grant and expire after a further year.

Share Option Scheme where options are exerciseable at the average quoted market price of the Company’s shares over the three months
prior to the date of grant. These will normally vest in 3 equal tranches on the third, fourth and fifth anniverary of grant subject to
satisfaction of performance conditions set by the Remuneration Committee of the Company. These options expire on the tenth
anniversary of grant.

44

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20 

SHARE BASED PAYMENTS (continued)

Under all of the above, options lapse if the employee leaves the group subject to certain exceptions set out in the scheme rules. Under the 
transitional arrangements in IFRS 2, only live options granted after 7 November 2002 which had not vested at the effective date of the IFRS are
included in the share based payment calculations. Due to the small number of individual grants made, each individual option is priced using the
Black Scholes pricing model, rather than applying the model to weighted average figures for options granted in each year.

Relevant options (excluding 22,000 options granted before 7 November 2002) outstanding during the year were as follows:

At 31 March 2007

Granted
Lapsed 
Surrendered

At 31 March 2008

Granted
Exercised
Lapsed 

At 31 March 2009

No. of
options

519,410

Exercise
price

151.0p

–
–
–

–
–
–

519,410

151.0p

837,071
–
–

87.8p
–
–

1,356,481

112.0p

Weighted
average
Remaining
contractual
life (years)

9.6

–
–
–

8.6

7.6
–
–

7.6

Based on the following assumptions at 31 March 2009, the total fair value of options was £142,000, of which £12,000 was charged to the income
statement (2008: charge of £27,000). The fair value of options granted in the year was £118,000 (2008: £nil). The exercise price of options range
from nil p to 231p.

Share price at 31 March 2009
Expected volatility 
Expected life
Risk free rate
Expected dividend yield 

2009 

2008

46.5p 
30.0% 
4.6 years 
3.0% 
7.7%

158.5p
30.0%
4.8 years
3.0%
7.5%

Expected volatility, to which the fair value is most sensitive, is based on movements in the share price during the year and the directors’
expectations of future volatility. The expected life has been arrived at based on the directors’ best estimate taking into account exercise
conditions and behavioural considerations.

The mid-market price of the shares ranged between 38.5p and 173p during the year to 31 March 2009.

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Notes to the Accounts

continued

21

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

Group

Balance at 1 April 2007 
Total recognised income and expense for the year
to 31 March 2008
Dividends paid (note 9) 
Share based payments 
Issue of shares 

Balance at 1 April 2008 
Total recognised income and expense for the year
to 31 March 2009
Dividends paid (note 9) 
Share based payments 

Capital
redemption
reserve

Share
premium
account

Share
capital

£000

1,854

–
–
–
5

£000

109

–
–
–
–

1,859

109

–
–
–

–
–
–

£000

828

–
–
–
34

862

–
–
–

Balance at 31 March 2009

1,859

109

862

Company 

Balance at 1 April 2007 
Total recognised income and expense for the year
to 31 March 2008
Dividends paid (note 9) 
Recognition of share based payments
Issue of shares 

Balance at 1 April 2008 
Total recognised income and expense for the year
to 31 March 2009
Dividends paid (note 9) 
Recognition of share based payments

£000 

1,854

£000 

109

£000 

828

–
–
–
5

–
–
–
–

1,859

109

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
34

862

–
–
–

Attributable to
Retained equity holders
earnings
of the parent
(Restated*)
£000

£000

8,594

11,385

1,119
(881)
27
–

1,119
(881)
27
39

8,859

11,689

(1,556)
(684)
12

6,631

£000 

3,797

1,778
(881)
27
–

4,721

282
(684)
12

(1,556)
(684)
12

9,461

£000

6,588

1,778
(881)
27
39

7,551

282
(684)
12

7,161

Balance at 31 March 2009

1,859

109

862

4,331

* Restated for deferred tax, see note 2

Share Premium Account
The share premium account balance includes the proceeds that were above the nominal value from issuance of the Company’s equity share capital
comprising 25p shares.

Capital redemption reserve
The capital redemption reserve has arisen on the cancellation of previously issued shares and represents the nominal value of those shares cancelled.

Retained earnings
Retained earnings include the accumulated profits and losses arising from the Consolidated Income Statement and certain items from the
Statement of Recognised Income and Expense attributable to equity shareholders, less distributions to shareholders.

46

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22  

FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS

Shares in subsidiary undertakings
Cost at 1 April 2008 
Addition

Cost at 1 April 2009 

Wholly owned operating 
subsidiaries
Fred Duncombe Ltd
Petrel Ltd
Russell Ductile Castings Ltd  
Chamberlin & Hill Castings Limited  

Principal activity

Manufacture and sale of architectural hardware
Manufacture and sale of lighting, switchgear and electrical installation products
Manufacture and sale of engineering castings
Manufacture and sale of engineering castings

£000 

7,159
1,000

8,159

The Company owns 100% of the issued ordinary share capital of the above companies, all of whom operate principally in England and Wales.

23   PENSION ARRANGEMENTS

During the year, the Group operated funded defined benefit and defined contribution pension schemes for the majority of its employees, these
being established under trusts with the assets held separately from those of the Group. The pension operating cost for all of the Group schemes 
for 2009 was £366,000 (2008: £473,000) plus £39,000 of financing cost (2007: £149,000 income).

The pension cost for the defined benefit scheme, providing benefits based on final salary has been projected forward, updated each 6 months by
an independent qualified actuary, from the results of an actuarial valuation carried out as at 1 April 2007 using the projected unit method. The
market value of the schemes total assets on that date was £14,080,000 and the value of these assets represented 96% of the benefits that had
accrued to members allowing for expected future increases in salaries (which from 1 April 2002 have been limited to inflation).

The other schemes within the Group are defined contribution schemes and the pension cost represents contributions payable. The total cost
of defined contributions schemes was £366,000 (2008: £418,000). The notes below relate to the defined benefit scheme.

The service cost has been calculated using the Projected Unit method. The major assumptions used by the actuary were (in nominal terms):-

Rate of increase in salaries
Rate of increase of pensions in payment – post 1997 accrual only
Discount rate
Inflation assumption 

At 31 March
2009 

At 31 March
2008

At 31 March
2007

n/a
3.1% 
7.0%
3.1% 

n/a
3.6%
6.1%
3.6%

2.9%
2.9%
5.2%
2.9%

Demographic assumptions are all based on the PA92 (YOB) mc+2 mortality tables. The post retirement mortality assumptions allow for expected 
increases in longevity. The current disclosures relate to assumptions based on longevity in years following retirement as of the balance sheet date,
with future pensioners relating to an employee retiring in 2032.

Current pensioners at 65 – male

Future pensioners at 65

– female
– male
– female

2009 
Years

20.3  
23.1 
21.2
24.0

2008
Years

20.3
23.1
21.2
24.0

The scheme was closed to future accrual with effect from 30 November 2007, after which the Company’s regular contribution rate reduced to zero
(previously the rate had been 9.1% of members’ pensionable salaries). In addition the past service “catch up” contribution was reduced to £21,475
per month (previously £23,900 per month) designed to return the scheme to a fully funded position by April 2012. The contributions expected to
be paid during the year to 31 March 2010 are £257,700.

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Notes to the Accounts

continued

23   PENSION ARRANGEMENTS (continued)

The scheme assets are stated at the market values at the respective balance sheet dates and overall expected rates of return are established
by applying published brokers forecasts for each category of scheme asset. The rates quoted below are the expected net rates of return after
allowance for expenses.

The assets and liabilities of the scheme and the expected rates of return were:

As at 31 March 2009

As at 31 March 2008

Equities
Gilts  
Bonds 
Property

Market value of assets net of insured annuities 
Actuarial value of liability

Recoverable deficit in scheme
Related deferred tax asset

Net pension liability

Recognised in the income statement

Current service cost

Total charge disclosed in operating profit

Recognised as finance (cost)/income

Expected return on pension scheme assets 
Interest on pension liabilities

Net return disclosed in finance (cost)/income

Analysis of amount recognised in consolidated Statement

of Recognised Income and Expense (“SORIE”) 

Actual return less expected return on assets
Other actuarial gain on liabilities

Actuarial (loss)/gain recognised in the SORIE

Cumulative actuarial (losses)/gains recognised in the SORIE 

Rate of
return
%

7.55
4.05
7.00
7.05

Rate of
return
%

7.50
4.00
4.70
7.00

Value
£000

4,909
1,767
2,160
981

9,817
(11,645)

(1,828)
512

(1,316)

Value
£000

7,631
1,653
2,162
1,273

12,719
(13,797)

(1,078)
302

(776)

Year to

Year to
31 March 2009 31 March 2008
£000

£000 

–

–

55

55

Year to

Year to
31 March 2009 31 March 2008
£000

£000 

777
(816)

(39) 

911
(762)

149

Year to

Year to
31 March 2009 31 March 2008
£000

£000 

(3,118)
2,136

(982) 

(165)

(1,856)
2,585

729

817

The cumulative amount of actuarial gains and losses recognised since 1 January 2004 in the Group statement of recognised income and expense
is £(165,000) (2008: £817,000). The directors are unable to determine how much of the pension scheme deficit recognised on transition to IFRSs,
and taken directly to equity of £2,136,000 in the Group, is attributable to actuarial gains and losses since inception of those pension schemes. 
Consequently, the directors are unable to determine the amount of actuarial gains and losses that would have been recognised in the Group
statement of recognised income and expense before 1 January 2004.

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23   PENSION ARRANGEMENTS (continued)

Actual loss on plan assets

(2,328) 

(945)

Year to

Year to
31 March 2009 31 March 2008
£000

£000 

Movement in deficit during the year

Deficit in scheme at beginning of year 
Movement in year:
Current service cost
Regular contributions
Net expected return on assets
Actuarial (loss)/gain

Deficit in scheme at end of year 

Movement in scheme assets

Fair value at beginning of year
Expected return on scheme assets 
Actuarial losses
Employer contributions
Member contributions 
Benefits paid 

Fair value at end of year

Movement in scheme liabilities

Benefit obligation at start of year
Current service cost
Interest cost
Scheme members’ contributions
Actuarial loss
Benefits paid 

Benefit obligation at end of year 

Experience gains and losses 

Year to

Year to
31 March 2009 31 March 2008
£000

£000 

(1,078)

(2,235)

–
271
(39) 
(982) 

(55)
334
149
729

(1,828)

(1,078)

Year to

Year to
31 March 2009 31 March 2008
£000

£000 

12,719
777
(3,118)
271
–
(832) 

9,817

13,952
911
(1,856)
334
46
(668)

12,719

Year to

Year to
31 March 2009 31 March 2008
£000

£000 

13,797
–
816
–
(2,136)
(832) 

16,187
55
762
46
(2,585)
(668)

11,645

13,797

Year to

Year to
31 March 2009 31 March 2008 31 March 2007 31 March 2006 31 March 2005

Year to

Year to

Year to

Difference between expected and actual return
on scheme assets 

£’000
% of assets 

(3,118)
(31.8)%

(1,856)
(14.6)%

Experience gains/(losses) on scheme liabilities 

£’000 
% of liabilities 

–
– 

Other gains/(losses) on scheme liabilities

Net (losses)/gains

£’000 
% of liabilities 

2,136
18.3%

£’000 
% of liabilities 

(982) 
(8.4)% 

600
4.3%

1,985
14.4%

729
5.3%

(38)
(0.3)%

–
–

(2,094)
12.9%

(2,132)
13.2%

1,285
9.4%

–
–

(144)
1.0%

1,141
8.0%

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347
3.4%

(145)
(1.1)%

514
5.9%

716
5.2%

49

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Notes to the Accounts

continued

24

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Cross guarantees exist between the Company and its subsidiary undertakings in respect of the Group’s bank overdrafts. The borrowings of the 
subsidiaries at 31 March 2009 amounted to £2,034,000 (2008: £nil).

25  

FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS

Group

Company

Capital expenditure
Contracted for but not provided in the accounts

Lease commitments
The Group had total outstanding commitments under operating leases as follows:

2009 
£000 

46

2008
£000

102

Future minimum payments due:
Not later than one year 
After one year but not more than five years
After five years

2009 
£000 

–

2009 
£000 

315
1,084
813

2,212

Group

2008
£000

–

2008
£000

–
146
1,962

2,108

Leases on land and buildings comprise the lease for the Leicester foundry (£271,000 per annum with an end date, subject to earlier termination,
of 31 March 2017), and a lease within the Engineering Division for £110,000 terminating in August 2009. The lease on the Leicester foundry is
terminable by the Company only on 12 months notice.

26  DERIVATIVES AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Group considers the use of derivatives to reduce financial risk in a number of areas noted below.

The only area where the use of derivatives is considered appropriate at present is that of currency risk.

Currency risk
The Group’s functional currency is sterling but approximately 15% of revenues are denominated in foreign currencies, principally Euros in relation
to castings exports. In order to reduce the Group’s exposure to currency fluctuations the Group sells approximately 80% of its expected Euro
revenues on forward currency contracts of 12 months or less. At the year end it had net monetary liabilities denominated in Euros of £442,000 
(2008: £802,000 asset) . If these contracts were not in place and the Euro moved by plus or minus 5% the corresponding gain/loss would be
£213,000 (2008: £230,000).

Forward currency contracts for the sale of Euros outstanding at the year end have been retranslated to the prevailing year end rate with the
difference being taken to the income statement, as follows:

Contracted
amount
(Euros ‘000)

5,250

6,000

Weighted
average
contract
rate

1.2258

1.3941

Contracted

amount Exchange rate
at year end

£’000

4,283

4,304

1.0794

1.2543

Contract
value at
year end
rate
£’000

4,864

4,784

Loss
£’000

(581)

(480)

At 31 March 2009

At 31 March 2008

50

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26  DERIVATIVES AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

Interest rate risk
The Group operates an overdraft facility with HSBC Bank plc and has no other borrowings. Exposure to interest rate risk is considered to be low
and no derivatives are used to modify the Group’s interest rate risk profile. The impact of a 50 basis point increase in UK interest rates would be a
£17,000 reduction in profit before tax (2008: £5,000). An equivalent decrease in rates would increase profit before tax by £17,000 (2008: £5,000). 

An analysis of interest bearing financial assets and liabilities is given below.

Cash and cash equivalents/(bank overdraft)

Group

Company

Bank overdraft (Sterling denominated)
Bank overdraft (Euro denominated)

2009 
£000 

(1,974)
(1,284)

2008
£000

(640)
(391)

(3,258) 

(1,031)

2009 
£000 

(1,225)
–

(1,225)

2008
£000

(1,275)
–

(1,275)

Balances outstanding on the Group’s overdraft facility are subject to floating rate interest and are repayable on demand.

Credit risk
The Group trades only with recognised, creditworthy third parties. It is the Group’s policy that all customers who wish to trade on credit terms
are subject to credit verification procedures. In addition, receivable balances are monitored on an ongoing basis with the result that the Group’s 
exposure to bad debts is not significant. The maximum exposure is the carrying amount as disclosed in note 16. For transactions that do not occur
in the UK, the Group does not offer credit terms without the approval of the operating business Finance Director. There are no concentrations of
credit risk within the Group.

With respect to credit risk arising from the other financial assets of the Group, which comprise cash and cash equivalents, the Group’s exposure
to credit risk arises from default of the counterparty, with the maximum exposure equal to the carrying amount of the instrument. There are
no material differences between the fair values and carrying values of the financial assets and liabilities. The bad debt charge for the year was
£130,000 (2008: £76,000).

Liquidity risk
The Group aims to mitigate liquidity risk by managing the cash generation of its operating units, and applying cash generation targets across the
Group. Investment is carefully controlled, with authorisation limits operating up to Group board level and cash payback periods applied as part of 
the investment appraisal process. In this way the Group aims to maintain a good credit rating and operate within its existing facilities.

The Group’s funding strategy is to maintain flexibility in managing its day to day working capital needs through the use of an overdraft facility,
and to fund acquisitions and significant capital projects through the use of longer term funding including bank loans and equity.

The table below summarises the maturity profile of the Group’s financial liabilities at 31 March 2009 and 31 March 2008.

At 31 March 2009
Bank overdraft
Trade and other payables

At 31 March 2008
Bank overdraft
Trade and other payables

On demand

Less than
3 months

3 to 12
months

3,258
–

3,258

1,031
–

1,031

–
4,434

4,434

–
5,473

5,473

–
5

5

–
5

5

Total

3,258
4,439

7,697

1,031
5,478

6,509

Capital management
The Group defines capital as the total equity of the Group. The Group objective for managing capital is to deliver competitive, secure and
sustainable returns to maximize long-term shareholder value. Chamberlin is not subject to any externally-imposed capital requirements. The
Group monitors capital on the basis of the gearing ratio, that is, the ratio of net debt to equity. Net debt is calculated as gross finance debt, as
shown in the balance sheet, less cash and cash equivalents. All components of equity are included in the denominator of the calculation. The 
Directors believe that a net debt ratio in the range 30-40% provides an efficient capital structure and an appropriate level of financial flexibility.
At 31 March 2009 the net debt ratio was 34% (2008: 8%).

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Notes to the Accounts

continued

27

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Group
All transactions between the parent company and subsidiary companies and between subsidiaries companies have been eliminated on preparation
of the consolidated accounts. The Group has not entered into any other related party transactions.

Company
The Company provides certain management services to subsidiary companies free of charge.

Certain payments in relation to items settled or provided on a central basis, principally corporation tax and insurance payments, are made by the
Company and are then recharged to subsidiaries at cost.

Compensation of key management personnel (including directors)

Group

Company

Short term employee benefits
Share based payments 
Pension contributions

2009 
£000 

1,156
12
71

1,239

2008
£000

1,106
27
65

1,198

2009 
£000 

533 
12
33

578

2008
£000

522
27
29

578

Key management, other than directors of the Company, comprise the Managing Directors and Finance Directors of the main operating subsidiaries.

52

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Directors and Advisors

Directors

Tom Brown (Non-executive Chairman)

Tim Hair (Chief Executive)

Mark Bache (Finance Director)

Adam Vicary (MD – Chamberlin & Hill Castings Ltd)

Keith Jackson (Non-executive)

Alan Howarth (Non-executive)

Company Secretary

Mark Bache

Registered Office

Chuckery Road,

Walsall WS1 2DU

Registered in England No. 76928

Auditors

Solicitors

Stockbrokers

Bankers

Ernst & Young LLP,

Birmingham

DLA Piper

Birmingham

Charles Stanley Securities

London

HSBC Bank plc,

Birmingham

Registrars

Neville Registrars Limited,

Neville House,

18 Laurel Lane,

Halesowen,

West Midlands B63 3DA

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Notice of Annual General Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held on Thursday 23 July 2009 at the Registered Office, Chuckery Road,
Walsall at 2.00 p.m. for the following purposes.

Ordinary business
1.

To receive and adopt the Report of the Directors, Statement of Accounts and Report of the Auditors for the year ended 31 March 2009.

2. 

To declare no Final Dividend for the year ended 31 March 2009.

3. 

To re-elect as a Director Mark Bache who is retiring by rotation pursuant to Article 107 of the Company’s Articles of Association.

4. 

To re-elect as a Director Alan Howarth who is retiring by rotation pursuant to Article 107 of the Company’s Articles of Association.

5. 

To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 March 2009.

6. 

To reappoint Ernst & Young LLP as Auditors of the Company and to authorise the Directors to fix their remuneration.

(Resolution 1)

(Resolution 2)

(Resolution 3)

(Resolution 4)

(Resolution 5)

(Resolution 6)

Special Business
7.

To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following as a special resolution. That:
7.1

the Directors be and are hereby generally and unconditionally authorised in accordance with Section 80 of the Companies Act 1985
(in substitution for any existing power to allot relevant securities) to exercise all the powers of the Company to allot relevant securities
(within the meaning of the said Section 80) up to an aggregate nominal amount of £618,805 provided that such authority shall expire at the
earlier of the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company or 31 October 2010, but so that this authority shall allow the
Company to make, before the expiry of this authority, offers or agreements which would or might require relevant securities to be allotted
after such expiry and notwithstanding such expiry the Directors may allot relevant securities in pursuance to such offers or agreements; and

7.2

pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Article 18 of the Company’s Articles of Association and pursuant to section 95 of 
the Companies Act 1985 the Directors be empowered (in substitution for any existing authority to allot relevant securities) to allot equity 
securities (as defined in Section 94 of the Companies Act 1985) for cash pursuant to the general authority given to them for the purposes 
of Section 80 of the Act as if Section 89(1) of the Companies Act 1985 did not apply to such allotment:

(i) 

up to an aggregate nominal amount of £92,971; and

(ii) 

such authority to expire at the earlier of the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting, of the Company or 31 October 2010, but
so that this authority shall allow the Company to make, before the expiry of this authority, offers or agreements which would or might
require relevant securities to be allotted after such expiry and notwithstanding such expiry the Directors may allot relevant securities 
in pursuance of such offers or agreements.

(Resolution 7)

8. 

To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following as a special resolution:

That the Company be and hereby is generally and unconditionally authorised pursuant to Article 12 of the Articles of Association of the Company
and pursuant to section 166 of the Companies Act 1985 to make market purchases (within the meaning of section 163(3) of the Companies Act
1985) of Ordinary Shares of 25p each in the capital of the Company (“Ordinary Shares”) on such terms and in such manner as the Directors may
from time to time determine provided that:-

(i) 

the maximum number of Ordinary Shares which may be purchased is 743,700;

(ii) 

the minimum price (exclusive of expenses) which may be paid for each Ordinary Share is 25 pence;

(iii) 

(iv) 

54

the maximum price which may be paid for each Ordinary Share is an amount equivalent to 105 per cent. of the average of the middle 
market quotations for an Ordinary Share as derived from the AIM List of the London Stock Exchange Plc for the five dealing days immediately
preceding the day on which the Ordinary share in question is purchased; and

the authority hereby conferred shall expire at the earlier of the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company or
31 October 2010 (except in relation to the purchase of Ordinary Shares the contract for which remains wholly or partly executory
at that time) unless such authority is renewed prior to that time.

(Resolution 8)

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9. 

To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following as a special resolution:

That with effect on and from 1 October 2009:

9.1 

9.2 

the articles of association of the Company be amended by deleting all the provisions of the Company’s memorandum of association which, 
by virtue of section 28 of the Companies Act 2006, are to be treated as provisions of the Company’s articles of association; and

the draft regulations produced to the meeting and for the purposes of identification signed by the chairman of the meeting be adopted as 
the articles of association of the Company in substitution for, and to the exclusion of, the existing articles of association.

(Resolution 9)

10.

To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following as an ordinary resolution:

That, with effect on and from 1 October 2009 and subject to the passing of resolution 9, the Directors be and are hereby authorised to offer the
holders of Ordinary Shares of 25p each in the Company (subject to such exclusions or other arrangements as the Directors may consider necessary
or expedient in relation to any legal or practical problems under the laws of any territory or the requirements of any regulatory body or stock
exchange) the right to elect to receive new Ordinary Shares instead of cash in respect of all or part of any dividend either declared by the Directors
as an interim dividend at any time or as a fi nal dividend approved by the shareholders in general meeting.

By order of the Board

Mark Bache
Company Secretary
4 June 2009 

(Resolution 10)

Chuckery Road
Walsall
WS1 2DU

General Information
Any member of the Company entitled to attend and vote may appoint another person (whether a member or not) as his proxy to attend and vote on a
poll instead of him, for which purpose a form of proxy is enclosed. Proxies must be lodged at the office of the Company’s Registrars, Neville Registrars Ltd,
18 Laurel Lane, Halesowen, West Midlands B63 3DA, not later than 48 hours before the time of the Meeting. Completion and return of the form of proxy
in accordance with its instructions will not prevent a member from attending and voting at the Meeting instead of their proxy if they wish. A member may
appoint more than one proxy in relation to the meeting provided that each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different share or shares
held by the member. A member wishing to appoint more than one proxy should photocopy the proxy card and indicate on each copy the name of the
proxy he appoints and the number of shares in respect of which that proxy is appointed. A failure to specify the number of shares each proxy appointment
relates to or specifying a number in excess of those held by the member may result in the proxy appointment being invalid.

In order to facilitate voting by corporate representatives at the meeting, arrangements will be put in place at the meeting so that:

(a) 

(b) 

if a corporate shareholder has appointed the chairman of the meeting as its corporate representative with instructions to vote on a poll in
accordance with the directions of all of the other corporate representatives for that shareholder at the meeting, then on a poll those corporate
representatives will give voting directions to the chairman and the chairman will vote (or withhold a vote) as corporate representative in accordance 
with those directions; and 

if more than one corporate representative for the same corporate shareholder attends the meeting but the corporate shareholder has not
appointed the chairman of the meeting as its corporate representative, a designated corporate representative will be nominated, from those
corporate representatives who attend, who will vote on a poll and the other corporate representatives will give voting directions to that designated
corporate representative.

Corporate shareholders are referred to the guidance issued by the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators on proxies and corporate
representatives (http://www.icsa.org.uk/) for further details of this procedure. The guidance includes a sample form of representation letter if the
chairman is being appointed as described in (a) above.

There will be available for inspection at the Registered Office of the Company during normal business hours (Weekends and Public Holidays excepted)
from the date of this notice until the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting:-

(a) 

(b) 

copies of contracts of service of Directors with the Company or with any of its subsidiary undertakings; and

a copy of the articles of association of the Company proposed to be adopted pursuant to Resolution 9 together with a table describing all the
material changes proposed to be made to the Company’s current articles of association.

Biographical details of all those directors who are offering themselves for re election at the meeting are set out on page 10 of the enclosed annual report
and accounts.

An explanation of Resolutions 7, 8 and 10 is set out in the Report of the Directors on pages 10 to 11. An explanation of Resolution 9 is set out in the
accompanying letter from the Chairman.

Members should notify the Registrars without delay of any change of address.

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Shareholder Notes

56

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Chamberlin plc is a respected engineering group which provides 
specialised castings and safety/security products to a wide variety 
of industries across the world.

Despite the recent downturn in the market the group has been able 
to sustain relationships with existing clients and win new business, 
demonstrating the underlying strength of the business.

Contents
Highlights 

Board of Directors 

Chairman’s Statement 

Business Review 

Report of the Directors 

Corporate Governance 

Directors’ Remuneration Report 

Independent Auditors’ Report 

Consolidated Income Statement 

1

2

3

4

8

13

16

20

21

Consolidated Statement of 

Recognised Income and Expense 

Consolidated Balance Sheet 

Parent Company Balance Sheet 

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement 

Parent Company Cash Flow Statement 

Notes to the Accounts 

Directors and Advisors 

Notice of Annual General Meeting 

22

23

24

25

26

27

53

54

Principal Activities and Markets

Small complex grey iron castings, principally for the 
automotive sector and hydraulic applications.

Emergency exit equipment and traditional architectural 
hardware directed mainly at the DIY and construction 
markets.

Products associated with cable management. Lighting 
and switchgear associated with petrochemicals and 
construction applications.

Large grey, ductile and alloyed iron castings for a range of 
applications including power generation, bearing housings, 
steelworks, construction and compressors.

CHAMBERLIN & HILL CASTINGS LTD
Chuckery Road
Walsall, WS1 2DU

Tel: 01922 721411
Fax: 01922 614610

www.chcastings.co.uk

FRED DUNCOMBE LTD
Progress Drive
Cannock,
WS11 0JE

Tel: 01543 460030
Fax: 01543 573534

www.fredduncombe.co.uk

PETREL LTD
22 Fortnum Close,
Kitts Green,
Birmingham B33 0LB

Tel: 0121 783 7161
Fax: 0121 783 5717

www.petrel-ex.co.uk

RUSSELL DUCTILE CASTINGS LTD
Bonchurch Street, Leicester LE3 5EP
Tel: 0116 2992000
Fax: 0116 2998844

RUSSELL DUCTILE CASTINGS LTD
Trent Foundry, Dawes Lane
Scunthorpe DN15 6UW
Tel: 01724 862152
Fax: 01724 280461

www.russellcastings.co.uk

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C
h
a
m
b
e
r
l
i

n

p

l
c

R
e
p
o
r
t

a
n
d

A
c
c
o
u
n
t
s

2
0
0
9

2009

Chamberlin plc

Chuckery Road, Walsall, West Midlands WS1 2DU

Tel: 01922 707100   Fax: 01922 638370

website: www.chamberlin.co.uk

email: plc@chamberlin.co.uk

R e p o r t  a nd   A c c o u nt s   2 0 0 9

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