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FY2016 Annual Report · Cogstate
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Castings P.L.C.
Annual Report for the 
year ended 31 March 2016

Stock Code: CGS

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Castings P.L.C. 

An Introduction 
to Castings P.L.C.

Castings P.L.C. is a market leading UK iron 
casting and machining group.
Our continued strength is largely as a result 
of our investment in the latest technologies 
and manufacturing processes. Maintaining an 
ungeared balance sheet provides investment 
flexibility, enabling us to maximise commercial 
opportunities to generate strong returns for 
the benefit of shareholders, customers and 
employees alike. 

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Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

Contents 

Strategic Report
Financial Highlights
Chairman’s Statement
Objectives and Strategy
Business Model
Business and Financial Review
Principal Risks and Uncertainties
Viability Statement
Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Governance

Board of Directors
Directors’ Report
Corporate Governance
Audit and Risk Committee Report
Directors’ Remuneration Report

Annual Statement
Remuneration Policy
Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities
Independent Auditors’ Report

Financial Statements

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
Notes to the Accounts
Five Year Financial History
Parent Company Balance Sheet
Parent Company Statement of Changes in Equity
Notes to the Parent Company Accounts

Company Information

Notice of Meeting
Directors, Officers and Advisers
Shareholder Information

02
03
04
04
05
07
08
09

11
12
15
17

18
19
21
23
24

27
28
29
30
31
48
49
50
51

58
60
61

01

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C. 

Financial Highlights

Group revenue  
(£m)
£132m 

(2015: £131m)

Profit before tax  
(£m)
£19.7m 

(2015: £17.5m)

Capital expenditure  
(£m)
£7.2m 

(2015: £8.2m)

2016

2015

2014

2013

132

131

137

122

2016

2015

2014

2013

19.7

17.5

21.8

19.2

2016

2015

2014

2013

7.2

8.2

6.9

9.7

Foundry sales volume  
(tonnes)
52,000 

(2015: 52,700)

EPS  
(basic and diluted)
37.10p 

(2015: 31.80p)

Dividend per share (excluding 
supplementary dividend) (pence)
13.71p 

(2015: 13.30p)

2016

2015

2014

2013

52,000

52,700

57,600

52,700

2016

2015

2014

2013

37.10

31.80

39.55

33.89

2016

2015

2014

2013

13.71

13.30

12.96

12.34

Revenue Profile

Geographical  
revenue split

Customer  
sector profile

United Kingdom 33%

Export 67%

Commercial vehicle 64%

Automotive 23%

Other 13%

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Chairman’s Statement

Strategic Report

The turnover of the group 
increased to £132 million 
(£131 million last year) with an 
increase in profits to £19.7 million 
compared to £17.5 million last 
year.

Dividend per share (excluding 

supplementary dividend) (pence)

Foundry businesses
The foundries have enjoyed stable trading 
conditions throughout the year and increased 
profits compared with the previous year.

I am pleased to report that we are making 
good progress at William Lee; a full 
reorganisation has taken place during the 
year to ensure standards are raised in line 
with the Brownhills foundry. We continue to 
review foundry production techniques and 
technologies across the group and invest 
in areas that will enhance the returns in this 
segment. 

The Brownhills warehouse is being extended 
so that part of the existing building can 
be used for expansion of our machining 
business; this will be complete by the end of 
the calendar year.

CNC Speedwell
CNC enjoyed a good year with improved 
profits, however a major contract ended in 
the last quarter of the year.  Replacement 
work will not come on stream immediately 
so it is expected profits will reduce during 
the current financial year.  It is anticipated 
an improvement will be seen in financial 
year 17/18 and onwards. Our investment 
in additional machining facilities reflects our 
commitment to this area and the potential 
opportunities for growth in the short to 
medium term.

Dividend
I am pleased to report that the directors 
recommend an increase in the final dividend 
to 10.33 pence per share to be paid on 
19 August 2016. This, together with an 
increased interim dividend, gives a total for 

the year of 13.71 pence per share. 

Supplementary dividend
In addition to the final dividend set out above, 
the board has reviewed the cash position 
of the group and considered the balance 
between increasing returns to shareholders 
whilst retaining flexibility for capital and other 
investment opportunities. As a result, the 
directors are declaring a supplementary 
dividend of 30 pence per share to be paid 
on 22 July 2016. This dividend, being 
discretionary and non-recurring, in no way 
compromises our commitment to invest in 
market leading technologies to maintain our 
competitive advantage.

Outlook 
It appears that customer demands remain 
steady at the present time and unless there 
is a substantial change we will only see a 
temporary reduction in profits due to the 
changing situation at CNC Speedwell.

It is also important that, whatever the result 
of the EU referendum, the Government 
return to the priority of focussing on the 
economy and recognising the important role 
of manufacturing in achieving higher levels of 
employment to the benefit of the country as 
a whole.

Directors
Paul King retired as non-executive director 
on 18 August 2015. I wish to thank him for 
his contribution over many years to Castings 
P.L.C.

In conclusion I wish to thank all our 
employees for their contribution during the 
year and hope we will now enjoy a period of 
stability.

B. J. Cooke 
Chairman

15 June 2016

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C. 

Objectives and Strategy

Group objective
Our objective is to generate shareholder value 
through the delivery of innovative design 
and flexible production solutions to global 
markets, delivering long-term sustainable 
revenues at higher than average margins 
through investment in market leading 
technologies.

We maintain sufficient available funds to be 
able to make strategic decisions to support 
customer demand increases and new orders. 
We are always mindful of our competitor 
activity and invest in the latest technology to 
maintain our market advantage.

Group strategy
Our strategy is to invest in the latest 
technologies to provide our customers with 
state-of-the-art design and flexible production 
offerings.

We invest to match the capacity of the 
foundries with the requirements of our major 
customers with the aim of building long-term 
supply relationships.

Our machining operation is invested to 
support both the capacity requirements of the 
foundry customer base and also to expand 
general machining in alternative materials with 
blue chip customers.

The group balance sheet is managed to 
ensure long-term financial stability and the 
ability to make efficient investment decisions 
to support our objectives.

We measure progress against our strategic 
priorities by reference to our financial 

performance as shown on page 27.

Business Model
We seek to enhance our strong 
margins by continually striving 
for further operational 
efficiencies. These efficiencies 
also provide the opportunity to 
invest in growth.

Group structure
Castings P.L.C. is an established iron casting 
and machining group based in the UK, 
supplying both the domestic and export 
markets. The group comprises three trading 
operations:

•  Castings (Brownhills) supplies spheroidal 
graphite iron castings to a variety of 
manufacturing industries from its highly 
mechanised foundries.

•  William Lee Limited supplies spheroidal 
graphite iron castings from its well 
invested foundries in Dronfield, Derbyshire.

•  CNC Speedwell Limited is a highly 

invested machining operation primarily 
focused on the prismatic machining of iron 
and aluminium castings from its sites in 
Brownhills and Fradley.

Management structure
Our board manages overall control of the 
group’s affairs and is responsible for delivering 
on the group’s objectives.

The group executive team includes a 
managing director from each of the three 
trading operations who are responsible for 
assisting the chief executive in implementing 
our strategy and the day-to-day management 
of the group.

Each managing director is supported by a 
local senior management team who are all 
directly involved in the detailed operations at 
their respective sites.

Group business model
Our trading operations share the common 
business model of working closely with 
customers in developing products to meet 
their specific needs. As part of this process 
we:

•  Undertake the design, including virtual 

analyses, of ductile and SG iron castings.

•  Produce rapid prototypes and pre-series 
castings using full production processes 
as well as serial quantities of fully 
machined ductile iron castings and  
sub-assemblies.

•  Provide vertical and horizontal machining 
capacity together with 5-axis prototyping.

•  Maintain international and customer 
specific quality and process control 
standards incumbent on a first tier 
supplier.

We seek to enhance our strong margins by 
continually striving for further operational 
efficiencies. These efficiencies also provide 
the opportunity to invest in growth.

We ensure the latest environmental standards 
are achieved in all areas of activity.

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Objectives and Strategy

Business and Financial Review

Machining
The machining business generated total 
sales of £33.2 million in the year compared to 
£31.4 million in the previous year. Of the total 
revenue, 53.3% was generated from external 
customers compared to 57.3% in 2015. 

The segmental profit has increased to £4.7 
million (2015 – £4.5 million) and the profit on 
total sales reduced to 14.2% (2015 – 14.4%). 

The end of a contract in the last quarter of 
the financial year, where there was no direct 
replacement work, impacted the result for the 
year. Whilst new orders have been secured 
to fill some of the available capacity created, 
it is expected to take up to three years to be 
in full production on parts to fully utilise this 
capacity.

We have invested £4.7 million during the 
year to accommodate new orders, many of 
which have not come into full production. 
This investment also includes expenditure 
on converting previous warehousing into a 
machining facility in Brownhills.

Overview of business 
segment performance
The segmental revenue and results for the 
current and previous years are set out in note 
2 on pages 34 and 35. An overview of the 
performance, position and future prospects of 
each segment, and the relevant KPIs, are set 
out below.

Foundry operations
The foundry businesses have experienced a 
slight reduction in output of 1.3% to 52,000 
tonnes but an increase in external sales 
revenue of 1.3% to £114.7 million. 

Sales revenue has been affected by the 
general reduction in raw material prices 
during the year. The increase in revenue 
on a lower tonnage output is a result of a 
slight change in mix of parts being sold; this 
year seeing an increase in more complex, 
machined parts compared to last year. 

The segmental profit has increased to £14.7 
million, from £13.1 million in the previous year, 
which represents a return of 10.9% on total 
segmental sales (2015 – 9.8%). 

The management team at William Lee 
continue to make good progress following the 
increase in complexity in the work mix which 
impacted profitability in the previous year and 
progress will continue during the current year.

With customer requirements forecast 
to remain steady at the current levels, 
particularly in the commercial vehicles 
sector, our focus will be on our continuous 
efforts to improve productivity through 
careful investment and further developing 
production methods. Just before the year 
end, work commenced on an extension to 
one of the premises at the Brownhills site 
which will provide additional warehousing 
and machining capacity for the group. It is 
anticipated that this project will be completed 
by the end of the calendar year.

Strategic Report

Business review and 
performance
Revenue
Group revenues increased by 0.9% to £132.4 
million compared to £131.3 million reported 
in 2015, of which 67% was exported (2015 
– 67%).

The revenue from the foundry operations 
to external customers increased 1.3% to 
£114.7 million (2015 – £113.3 million) with 
the dispatch weight of castings to third-party 
customers decreasing 1.3% to 52,000 tonnes 
(2015 – 52,700 tonnes). 

Revenue from the machining operation to 
external customers decreased by 1.7% 
during the year to £17.7 million (2015 - £18.0 
million).

Operating profit and segmental result
The group operating profit for the year was 
£19.5 million compared to £17.4 million 
reported in 2015, which represents a return 
on sales of 14.7% (2015 – 13.3%).

The foundry operations returned a segmental 
profit of £14.7 million compared to £13.1 
million in 2015. This represents a rise in 
segmental profit as a percentage of total 
segment sales to 10.9% from 9.8% in 2015.

The segmental profit of the machining 
operation was £4.7 million in the year 
compared to £4.5 million in 2015, being 
14.2% (2015 – 14.4%) of total segment sales. 

Icelandic bank receipts
During the year we have received £0.32 
million (2015 – £0.02 million) in respect of 
the failed Icelandic banks. Of the original 
balance of £5.7 million, the total received to 
date is £3.60 million which is £1.74 million in 
excess of the original estimate of recoverable 
amounts. Given the uncertainty over the 
quantum and timing of any possible further 
receipts, no allowance has been made for 
future recoverable amounts. 

Finance income
The increase in the level of finance income 
from £0.14 million in 2015 to £0.19 million in 
the current year reflects the higher average 
deposit balances compared to the previous 
year; the average interest rates being 
consistent at 0.5%.

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

05

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Balance sheet
Net assets at 31 March 2016 were £129.9 
million (2015– £119.3 million).  Other than the 
total comprehensive income for the year of 
£16.5 million, the only movement relates to 
the dividend charge of £5.9 million.  Non-
current assets have decreased to £70.7 
million (2015 – £71.6 million) primarily as a 
result of the change in the debtor due from 
the pension scheme of £3.4 million (2015 - 
£4.5 million), details of which are set out in 
note 6.  

Current assets have increased to £82.4 
million (2015 – £72.5 million) mainly as a 
result of net cash generated during the 
year and working capital movements.  Total 
liabilities have reduced to £23.2 million 
(2015 – £24.7 million), largely as a result of a 
reduction in trade payables, off-set slightly by 
an increase in the corporation tax creditor.

Castings P.L.C. 

Business and Financial Review 
continued

Profit before income tax
Profit before taxation has increased to £19.7 
million from £17.5 million.

Taxation
The current year tax charge of £3.49 million 
(2015 – £3.67 million) is made up of a current 
tax charge of £3.89 million (2015 – £3.14 
million) and a deferred tax credit of £0.40 
million (2015 – charge of £0.53 million). 

The effective rate of tax of 17.7% (2015 – 
20.9%) reflects the falling UK corporation 
tax rate and therefore the remeasurement 
of deferred tax liabilities at the lower 
substantively enacted future rates of 19% and 
18%.

Earnings per share
Underlying basic earnings per share increased 
16.7% to 37.10 pence (2015 – 31.80 pence) 
reflecting a 12.1% increase in profits and 
a lower effective tax rate compared to the 
previous year. There has been no change in 
the weighted average number of shares in 
issue of 43,632,068.

Dividends
The directors are recommending an increase 
in the final dividend to 10.33 pence per share 
(2015 – 10.08 pence per share) to be paid 
on 19 August 2016. This would give a total 
normal distribution for the year of 13.71 
pence per share (2015 – 13.30 pence per 
share). 

In addition, recognising the strong cash 
position at the balance sheet date and the 
cash generative nature of the group, the 
directors are declaring a supplementary 
dividend of 30 pence per share to be 
paid on 24 July 2016. This discretionary, 
non-recurring distribution is considered 
appropriate to provide a balance between 
increasing returns to shareholders whilst 
maintaining the flexibility for capital and other 
investment opportunities. 

Cash flow
The group generated cash from operating 
activities of £27.8 million compared to 
£20.4 million in 2015 with working capital 
levels remaining broadly consistent with the 
previous year.

Corporation tax payments during the year 
totalled £3.2 million compared to £4.4 million 
in 2015, reflecting the timing of quarterly 
payments and a lower tax rate compared to 
2015. 

Capital expenditure during the year amounted 
to £7.2 million (2015 – £8.2 million) with 
investment in production processes and 
warehousing in the foundry businesses and 
production facilities and machining centres 
within the machining operation. The charge 
for depreciation was consistent at £6.9 
million.

The current interest-bearing deposit of £10 
million taken out in the previous year was 
rolled-over and matures during the next 
financial year. 

Repayments of £1.1 million were received 
from the final salary pension schemes during 
the year and advances were made to the 
schemes of £2.6 million.

Dividends paid to shareholders were £5.9 
million in the year compared to £5.7 million 
in 2015. The resulting net cash and cash 
equivalents represented an increase of £10.4 
million (2015 – decrease of £7.8 million) 
including the impact of the current interest-
bearing deposit of £10 million in the previous 
year. 

At 31 March 2016, the total cash and 
deposits position at the balance sheet date is 
£40.4 million (2015 – £30.0 million). 

Pensions
The pension valuation showed a broadly 
consistent surplus, on an IAS 19 (Revised) 
basis, of £14.7 million compared to the 
previous year. The surplus continues not to 
be shown on the balance sheet due to the 
IAS 19 (Revised) restriction of recognition of 
assets where the company does not have 
an unconditional right to receive returns of 
contributions or refunds. 

06

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Business and Financial Review 

continued

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

Strategic Report

Risk
In common with all trading businesses, the 
group is exposed to a variety of risks in the 
conduct of its normal business operations.

The group maintains a range of insurance 
policies against major identified insurable 
risks, including (but not limited to) those 
related to business interruption, damage to 
property and equipment, damage to stocks, 
public and product liability and employers 
liability.

The directors have carried out a robust 
assessment of the principal risks facing the 
entity. Whilst it is difficult to either completely 
record or to quantify every material risk that 
the group faces, below is a summary of those 
risks and, where possible, how they are being 
managed or mitigated, that the directors 
believe are most significant to the group’s 
business and could have a material impact 
on future performance, causing it to differ 
materially from expected or historic achieved 
results.

Operational and 
commercial
The group’s revenues are principally derived 
from commercial vehicle and automotive 
markets. Both markets, and therefore group 
revenues, can be subject to variations in 
patterns of demand. Commercial vehicle 
sales are linked to technological factors  
(e.g. emission legislations) and economic 
growth. Passenger vehicle sales are 
influenced, inter alia, by consumer 
preferences, incentives and the availability  
of consumer credit.

Market competition
Automotive and commercial vehicle markets 
are, by their nature, highly competitive, which 
has historically led to deflationary pressure 
on selling prices. This pressure is most 
pronounced in cycles of lower demand. A 
number of the group’s customers are also 
adopting global sourcing models with the aim 
to reduce bought out costs. Whilst there can 
be no guarantee that business will not be lost 
on price, we are confident that we can remain 
competitive.

Customer concentration, 
programme dependencies 
and relationships
The loss of, or deterioration in, any major 
customer relationship could have a material 
impact on the group’s results.

Product quality and liability
The group’s businesses expose it to certain 
product liability risks which, in the event of 
failure, could give rise to material financial 
liabilities. Whilst it is a policy of the group 
to limit its financial liability by contract in all 
long-term agreements (‘LTAs’), it is not always 
possible to secure such limitations in the 
absence of LTAs. The group’s customers do 
require the maintenance of demanding quality 
systems to safeguard against quality-related 
risks and the group maintains appropriate 
external quality accreditations. The group 
maintains insurance for public liability-related 
claims but does not insure against the risk of 
product warranty or recall.

Foreign exchange
The group is exposed to foreign exchange 
risk on both sales and purchases that are 
denominated in currencies other than sterling, 
being primarily euro and US dollar. Foreign 
exchange rate risk is sometimes partially 
mitigated by using forward foreign exchange 

contracts. 

Equipment
The group operates a number of specialist 
pieces of equipment, including foundry 
furnaces, moulding lines and CNC milling 
machines which, due to manufacturing lead 
times, would be difficult to replace sufficiently 
quickly to prevent major interruption and 
possible loss of business in the event of 
unforeseen failure. Whilst this risk cannot 
be entirely mitigated without uneconomic 
duplication of all key equipment, all key 
equipment is maintained to the highest 
possible standards and inventories of 
strategic equipment spares maintained. 
The facilities at Brownhills and Dronfield 
have similar equipment and work can be 
transferred from one location to another 
very quickly. The machining business also 
operates from two separate locations enabling 
the transfer of some production if required.

Suppliers and trade credit
Although the group takes care to ensure 
alternative sources of supply remain available 
for materials or services on which the group’s 
businesses are critically dependent, this is 
not always possible to guarantee without 
risk of short-term business disruption, 
additional costs and potential damage to 
relationships with key customers. The ability 
of our suppliers to maintain credit insurance 
on the group and its principal operating 
businesses is an important issue. We have 
excellent relationships with our suppliers and 
we continue to work closely with them on 
a normal commercial basis. A reduction in 
the level of cover available to suppliers may 
impact on our trading relationship with them 
and may have a significant effect on cash 
flows.

Commodity and 
energy pricing
The principal metal raw materials used by 
the group’s businesses are steel scrap and 
various alloys. The most important alloy 
raw material inputs are premium graphite, 
magnesium ferro-silicon, copper, nickel and 
molybdenum. Wherever possible, prices and 
quantities (except steel) are secured through 
long-term agreements with suppliers. In 
general, the risk of price inflation of these 
materials resides with the group’s customers 
through price adjustment clauses. 

Energy contracts are locked in for at least 
twelve months, although renegotiation risks 
remain at contract maturity dates but again 
this is mitigated through the application of 
price adjustment clauses. At 31 March 2016, 
the group has electricity contracts in place 
until 30 September 2018. Consumption levels 
at the balance sheet date are well within the 
agreed tolerance levels and this situation is 
not expected to change.

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C. 

Principal Risks and Uncertainties 
continued

Information technology 
and systems reliability
The group is dependent on its information 
technology (‘IT’) systems to operate its 
business efficiently, without failure or 
interruption. Whilst data within key systems 
is regularly backed up and systems subject 
to virus protection, any failure of back-up 
systems or other major IT interruption could 
have a disruptive effect on the group’s 
business.

Short-term deposits
A review of credit ratings is undertaken 
prior to making new deposits and the 
maximum exposure to any one counterparty 
is restricted. However, institutions can be 
downgraded before maturity thereby possibly 
placing these deposits at risk.

Environmental
The group’s businesses are subject to 
compliance with many different laws and 
requirements in the UK, Europe, North 
America and elsewhere. Great care is made 
to act responsibly towards the environment 
to achieve compliance with all relevant 
laws and to establish a standard above the 
minimum level required. Whilst the group’s 
manufacturing processes are not generally 
considered to provide a high risk of harm 
to the environment, a major control failure 
leading to environmental harm could give 
rise to a material financial liability as well 
as significant harm to the reputation of our 
business. Further information is set out on 
page 9.

Pension scheme funding
The fair value of the assets and liabilities of 
the group’s defined benefit pension schemes 
is substantial. As at 31 March 2016 the 
schemes were in surplus on an IAS 19 
(Revised) basis. Further details are set out 
in note 6 to the accounts. The potential 
risks and uncertainties resulting from factors 
such as investment return, interest rates 
and mortality rates are mitigated by careful 
management and continual monitoring of 
the schemes and by appropriate and timely 
action to ensure as far as possible that the 
defined benefit pension liabilities do not 
increase disproportionately. The company 
works closely with the scheme trustees and 
specialist advisers in managing the inherent 
risks of such schemes.

The schemes were closed to future accruals 
from 6 April 2009, which only leaves past 
service liabilities to be funded.

Viability Statement

In preparing this statement of viability, the directors have considered the prospects of the group over the three year period immediately following 
the financial year ended 31 March 2016. This longer-term assessment process supports the board’s statements on both viability, as set out 
below, and going concern (on page 16). 

A three year period was determined as the most appropriate for the purpose of concluding on longer-term viability, given the limited forward 
visibility of the group.

In conducting the review of the group’s prospects the directors assessed three year profit and cash flow estimates, alongside the group’s current 
position, the group’s strategy and the principal risks facing the group (all of which are detailed in the Strategic Report on pages 4 to 10). This 
assessment considered the impact of the principal risks on the business model and on future performance, liquidity and solvency and was 
mindful of the limited forward visibility that the group has in respect of its major market of commercial vehicles. 

The directors’ viability assessment included a review of the sensitivity analysis performed on the three year estimate  whereby the principal risks, 
particularly those related to markets and customers, were applied to the plan. 

In making this viability statement the directors considered the mitigating actions that would be taken by the group in the event that the principal 
risks of the company become realised. The directors also took into consideration the group’s strong financial position at 31 March 2016, with 
cash of £40 million, no debt and a history of strong cash generation.

The directors have assessed the viability of the group and, based on the procedures outlined above in addition to activities undertaken by the 
Board in its normal course of business, confirm that they have a reasonable expectation that the group will be able to continue in operation and 
meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period to 31 March 2019.

08

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Principal Risks and Uncertainties 

continued

Corporate Social Responsibility

Strategic Report

General 
As a long-standing and principled company, 
we place great importance on our 
responsibilities to all our key stakeholders, 
whether shareholders, employees, 
customers, suppliers or the communities in 
which we operate. The group works hard 
to meet the legitimate expectations of these 
stakeholder groups whilst at the same time 
seeking to fulfil our objective of creating 
outstanding and enduring value through 
commercial success based on superior 
performance. 

The group has a network of policies and 
strategies through which we seek to ensure 
that our values form part of the culture of 
each of our operations. 

The environment 
We recognise our duty and responsibility 
towards protecting the environment wherever 
we conduct our business and strive to adopt 
the highest standards of environmental 
practices with the aim of minimising the 
impact of our commercial activities on the 
surrounding environment. Thus, we aim 
to meet, and wherever possible exceed, 
the standards demanded by applicable 
environmental legislation and operate a policy 
of effecting continual improvement in all of our 
processes that have the potential to impact 
the environment. 

Specifically, the company is committed to: 

• 

Implementing and maintaining an 
Environmental Management System in 
accordance with the ISO 14001 standard. 

•  Establishing procedures to review the 
impact of current or new activities or 
processes on the environment. 

•  Reviewing audit results and initiating 
corrective action to address any 
deficiencies found within the group’s 
environmental management system, 
policy, objectives or targets. 

•  Using techniques to avoid, reduce or 

control pollution. 

•  Complying with all relevant legal 

requirements, process, planning and 
discharge authorisations, as appropriate 
to its operations. 

•  Pursuing best practice techniques in the 

use of energy and raw materials. 

•  Encouraging the beneficial reuse, recycling 

and recovery of its waste products. 

The group has also in place an energy policy 
which requires each company to make 
continuing efforts to achieve the following 
objectives: 

•  Ensuring that environmental issues are 
considered when making decisions 
to invest in capital plant and in the 
planning and controlling of manufacturing 
processes. 

•  Promoting environmental awareness 

throughout the group and ensuring that 
personnel whose activities have the 
potential to cause a significant impact 
on the environment receive appropriate 
training. 

•  Ensuring that suppliers and contractors 
adopt environmental practices on-site 
that are compatible with our exacting 
environmental standards. 

•  Establishing and maintaining adequate 

contingency procedures and plans to deal 
effectively with any accidental discharge or 
emission of pollutants. 

•  Communicating our Environmental Policy 
Statement to any persons working on our 
behalf and any interested parties. 

The group demands that all activities and 
services will comply with applicable laws 
and regulations and that all substances 
and materials will be continually reviewed 
to ensure that only those that have the 
lowest impact on the environment will be 
used. In addition, where it is possible for us 
to assess, only waste disposal companies 
and facilities where the level of operational 
control and environmental compliance meets 
legislative requirements are used by our 
businesses. Noise from operations is kept 
to a level below legislative requirements to 
ensure the minimum of nuisance to the local 
environment. Appropriate and adequate 
environmental information and training is 
given to all employees and contractors. 

Both of our foundry sites are ISO 14001:2004 
accredited. The group’s practices 
and procedures are subject to regular 
environmental audits by external consultants. 

•  To monitor and record energy and water 

consumption. 

•  To reduce the consumption of fossil 

fuels and utilise energy from sustainable 
sources where practicable. 

•  To examine ways of reducing water 

consumption. 

•  To promote energy awareness amongst 

employees and contractors. 

•  To identify and implement energy saving 
measures and practise energy efficiency 
throughout all group premises, plant and 
equipment. 

•  To incorporate environmentally sensitive 
designs into both new and refurbished 
buildings. 

•  To target a reduction in energy 

consumption in line with the Government’s 
goal of cutting carbon dioxide emissions 
to counter the threat of climate change. 

Greenhouse gas emissions
Our gross greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 
for the year ended 31 March 2016 were 
68,847 tonnes of CO2 (2015 – 67,697 tonnes 
of CO2). Our material emissions arise entirely 
from indirect emissions that come from our 
use of electricity, gas and water (Scope 2). 

We have calculated our carbon footprint 
according to the World Resources Institute 
(WRI) and World Business Council for 
Sustainable Development (WBCSD) GHG 
Protocol, which is the internationally 
recognised standard for corporate carbon 
reporting.

For the foundry businesses, the most 
appropriate metric to measure the level of 
GHG emissions is per production tonne. 
The metric used for the machining operation 
is emissions per thousand pounds of sales 
revenue, the foundry emissions results 
for the year being 1.10 (2015 – 1.09) 
tonnes/production tonne and 0.19 (2015 
– 0.19) tonnes/£000 of machining revenue 
respectively. 

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C.

Corporate Social Responsibility 
continued

Employees 
The group’s policy is to employ people who 
embody its core values of commitment 
and excellence. These values apply to all 
employees regardless of seniority or position, 
including directors. 

The group seeks to communicate with its 
employees in a structured, open manner, 
including regular briefings and dissemination 
of relevant information on the group and 
business unit. 

Employees are informed weekly of 
production levels and the relative production 
performance. Similarly, they are kept informed 
of any factor affecting the group and the 
industry generally. 

Their involvement in the group’s performance 
is encouraged by means of a production 
bonus and at the time of annual wages and 
salaries review they are made aware of all 
economic factors affecting the previous year’s 
performance and the outlook for the ensuing 
year. 

Recognising the demands of our customers 
and our strategy, the group’s policy is to 
recruit the best available people and to invest 
in their training and development to enable a 
high level of retention. In this regard, we are 
committed to equality, judging applications 
for employment neither by race, nationality, 
gender, age, disability, sexual orientation nor 
political bias. 

The group gives full consideration to 
employment applications by disabled 
persons where they can adequately fulfil the 
requirements of the position. If necessary, 
we endeavour to retrain any employee who 
becomes disabled during their period of 
employment with the group. 

The gender of our staff at 31 March 2016 
was as follows:

Non-executive 
directors
Executive directors
Senior managers
Other employees

Male

Female

3
4
20
967

994

—
—
3
103

106

Health and safety 
The board regards the promotion of health 
and safety measures as a mutual objective 
for management and employees at all levels. 
It is our policy to do all that is practicable 
to prevent personal injury and damage 
to property and to protect everyone from 
foreseeable hazards, including third parties 
in so far as they come into contact with the 
group’s activities. In particular, we aim to fulfil 
our responsibilities: 

•  To provide and maintain safe and healthy 
working conditions complying with all 
statutory conditions. 

•  To provide training and instruction to 

enable employees to perform their work 
safely and efficiently. 

•  To make available all necessary safety 

devices and protective equipment and to 
supervise their use. 

•  To maintain a constant and continuing 
interest in health and safety matters 
applicable to the group’s activities, 
consulting and involving employees 
wherever possible. 

The group has clearly defined health and 
safety policies and we operate a system 
of strict reporting. Regular audits of health 
and safety at the group’s manufacturing 
operations are carried out using independent 
agencies who make recommendations 
for improvements to achieve best practice 
wherever appropriate. The group’s health 
and safety policy is regularly reviewed and 
modified as circumstances and experiences 
dictate.

The group encourages the maintenance of 
consistent high standards and each site is 
required to develop a safety management 
system that includes: 

•  Health and safety planning and objective 

setting. 

•  Carrying out risk assessments, both 

general and hazard specific. 

•  Producing and issuing safe systems of 

work. 

• 

Induction training, both job and hazard 
specific, and refresher training. 

•  Maintenance, inspection and statutory 

inspection of work equipment. 

•  Providing appropriate personal protective 

equipment and rules for its use. 

•  Occupational health including health 

surveillance and exposure monitoring as 
required. 

•  The control of visitors and contractors. 

• 

Incident reporting, recording and 
investigation. 

•  Routine workplace inspections. 

•  Performance monitoring and evaluation. 

Human rights
Given the nature of the group’s business 
model, we have concluded that human rights 
is not a material issue to the business due to 
existing regulatory controls in our core areas 
of activity.

The Strategic Report was approved by the 
board and signed on its behalf by

D. J. Gawthorpe 
Chief Executive Officer

15 June 2016

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Corporate Social Responsibility 

continued

Board of Directors

Corporate Governance

Mark Lewis 
Managing Director — CNC Speedwell Ltd 
Aged 52, he joined CNC Speedwell in 1990, 
becoming their managing director in 1996. 
He has overseen the machining requirements 
for the group and was appointed a director 
in 2003. 

Adam Vicary 
Managing Director — Brownhills 
Aged 48, he joined the company in 
September 2010 as joint managing director 
and was appointed to the main board in April 
2012. 

Alec Jones 
Non-executive Director 
Aged 64, he was appointed a director in April 
2012 and is an independent director. He was 
a partner in PricewaterhouseCoopers for 
27 years until his retirement in 2010. He is 
chairman of the audit and risk committee and 
is also a member of the remuneration and 
nomination committees. 

Executive directors
David Gawthorpe 
Chief Executive Officer 
Aged 54, he joined the company in 1984 and 
became local technical director at Brownhills 
in 1994. He was appointed a director in 2003 
and became chief executive in April 2007 and 
is the director with environmental and human 
resource responsibility. 

Steve Mant 
Finance Director 
Aged 40, he joined the company in June 
2010 and was appointed company secretary 
and finance director on 1 November 
2010. Prior to joining the company he had 
been working for BDO LLP specialising 
in manufacturing, international and listed 
companies. 

Non-executive directors
Brian Cooke 
Chairman 
Aged 76, he joined the company in 1960 
after attending foundry college and serving 
an engineering apprenticeship. He worked 
in all departments of the company and was 
appointed a director in 1966, becoming joint 
managing director in 1968 and managing 
director in 1970. He ceased to be chief 
executive in 2007. He has been executive 
chairman since 1983, becoming non-

executive chairman on 31 March 2015.

Gerard Wainwright 
Senior Independent Non-executive 
Director 
Aged 66, he was appointed a director in 1998 
and is the senior independent director. He 
has been chief executive of a wide range of 
manufacturing companies for over 25 years 
together with international experience. He 
is chairman of the remuneration committee 
and a member of the audit and risk and 
nomination committees. 

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C.

Directors’ Report

The directors submit the Annual 
Report and audited financial 
statements of Castings P.L.C. for 
the year ended 31 March 2016.

Strategic Report
The Strategic Report, which contains a review 
of the group’s business, a description of the 
principal risks and uncertainties facing the 
group and commentary on the likely future 
developments, is set out on pages 2 to 10.

Financial results and 
dividend
The profit for the year after taxation was 
£16,187,000 (2015 – £13,875,000), 
full details of which are set out in the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income on page 27.

An interim dividend of 3.38 pence per share 
was paid in January 2016 in respect of the 
year ended 31 March 2016.

A supplementary, discretionary dividend of 30 
pence per share has been declared which will 
be payable on 22 July 2016 to shareholders 
on the register on 24 June 2016.

The directors recommend a final dividend of 
10.33 pence per share payable on  
19 August 2016 to shareholders on the 
register on 15 July 2016, making a total 
distribution of 13.71 pence for the year.

Share capital
The company’s capital consists of 
43,632,068 (2015 – 43,632,068) ordinary 
shares of 10 pence each with voting rights. 
There are no restrictions on voting rights.

There are no restrictions on the transfer of 
shares in the company and in particular there 
are no limitations on the holding of shares 
and no requirements to obtain the approval of 
the company, or of other shareholders, for a 
transfer of shares.

Beneficial owners of shares who have been 
nominated by the registered holder of those 
shares to receive information rights under 
Section 146 of the Companies Act 2006 are 
required to direct all communications to the 
registered holder of their shares rather than to 
the company’s registrar, Capita Registrars, or 
to the company directly.

Subject to legislation and to any resolution of the company in general meeting, all unissued 
shares are at the disposal of the board who may allot, grant options over or otherwise dispose 
of them to such persons, on such terms and at such times as it may think fit.

The company is authorised to purchase its own shares.

Directors
The directors of the company are listed on page 11 and their interests in the ordinary share 
capital at the beginning and end of the year were:

Beneficial holdings

B. J. Cooke
G. B. Wainwright
D. J. Gawthorpe
A. Vicary
M. A. Lewis
S. J. Mant 
C. P. King (retired on 18 August 2015)
A. N. Jones

2016
Total 
1,959,636
101,261
29,379
22,000
3,025
1,000
—
—

2015
Total 
1,959,636
101,261
29,379
14,000
3,025
1,000
—
—

There have been no changes in the shareholdings of directors since the year end.

The following directors retire under the provisions of the Articles of Association and provision 
B.7.1 of the UK Corporate Governance Code for non-executive directors having served as 
directors for more than nine years and, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election:

•  B. J. Cooke – annual re-election

•  M. A. Lewis – by rotation

•  G. B. Wainwright – annual re-election

•  A. N. Jones – by rotation

The unexpired period of the contracts of service for D. J. Gawthorpe, S. J. Mant, M. A. 
Lewis, and A. Vicary is one year. B. J. Cooke, A. N. Jones and G. B. Wainwright do not have 
contracts of service. 

The company has made qualifying third-party indemnity provisions for the benefit of its 
directors which were in force during the year and exist at the date of this report.

There are no agreements between the company and its directors or employees providing for 
compensation for loss of office or employment that occurs because of a takeover bid.

The number of directors is not subject to any maximum but shall not be less than two. The 
company may by ordinary resolution elect any person to be director and the board has 
the power to appoint any person to be director, but any director so appointed shall retire 
from office at the next Annual General Meeting. A director is not required to hold any share 
qualification.

Directors retire from office at the third Annual General Meeting after the general meeting at 
which they were appointed or last reappointed and are eligible for reappointment. In addition, 
non-executive directors with service greater than nine years are subject to annual re-election.

The board considers that the performance of those directors proposed for re-election 
continues to be effective, that they remain independent in judgement and that they 
demonstrate a strong commitment to their role.

12

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Directors’ Report

Corporate Governance

The business of the company is managed by the board, who may exercise all such powers of 
the company as are not by legislation or by the company’s Articles required to be exercised in 
general meeting. The board may make such arrangements as it thinks fit for the management 
and transaction of the company’s affairs and may for that purpose appoint local boards, 
managers and agents and delegate to them any of the powers of the board (other than the 
power to borrow and make calls on shares) with power to sub-delegate.

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 future earnings per share, and 
if it is in the best interests of shareholders 
generally.

Other than the directors’ service contracts the directors have no interests in any other contract 
of the business.

Substantial shareholdings 
The directors have been notified that the following investors, including directors, held interests 
in 3% or more of the company’s issued share capital at 15 June 2016: 

Ruffer LLP 
Aberforth Partners’ Clients
Delta Lloyd Asset Management NV 
Henderson Group plc
B. J. Cooke 
Hamstall Investments Inc. 
Rathbone Investment Management Ltd 

Number
7,853,979
4,341,407
3,266,407
2,900,238
1,959,636
1,949,900
1,600,000

%
18.0
10.0
7.5
6.6
4.5
4.5
3.7

During the period between 31 March 2016 and 15 June 2016, the directors have not been 
notified of any changes to the shareholdings set out above.

Special business 
There will be two items of special business at 
the Annual General Meeting. 

Directors’ authority to allot shares 
Approval will be sought for a special 
resolution to renew the authority given to the 
directors to allot shares in the company. The 
present authority was granted on 18 August 
2015 and under the Companies Act must be 
renewed at least every five years. 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 £218,160, 
being approximately 5% of the current issued 
share capital. 

In any three year period no more than 7.5% 
of the issued share capital will be issued on a 
pre-emptive basis. 

Both authorities are to be for the period 
commencing on the date of passing of the 
resolution until 15 August 2021 but will be 
put to annual shareholder approval. The 
proposed resolutions are set out as items 9  
and 10 in the Notice of Meeting. 

Authority to purchase own shares 
At the Annual General Meeting in 2015, the 
board was given authority to purchase and 
cancel up to 4,358,844 of its own shares, 
representing 9.99% of the company’s existing 
shares, 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 10 pence. 

The current authority to make market 
purchases expires at the forthcoming Annual 
General Meeting. The directors are now 
seeking the approval of shareholders for 
the renewal of this authority upon the same 
terms, namely to allow the company to 
purchase and cancel up to 4,358,844 of its 
own shares, representing 9.99% of its issued 
share capital at 31 March 2016. The authority 
is sought by way of a special resolution, 
details of which are also included in the 
Notice of Meeting as item 11. 

Employee involvement 
Employees are informed weekly of 
production levels and the relative production 
performance. Similarly, they are kept informed 
of any factor affecting the group and the 
industry generally. 

Their involvement in the group’s performance 
is encouraged by means of a production 
bonus and at the time of annual wages and 
salaries review they are made aware of all 
economic factors affecting the previous year’s 
performance and the outlook for the ensuing 
year. 

Further details of employee involvement 
are given under the Corporate Social 
Responsibility section on pages 9 and 10. 

Health and safety 
As required by legislation, the group’s policy 
for securing the health, safety and welfare at 
work of all employees has been brought to 
their notice. In addition, safety committees 
hold regular meetings. 

Financial instruments 
Details of the use of financial instruments 
by the group are contained in note 19 in the 
Notes to the Accounts. 

Articles of Association 
Any amendments to the Articles of 
Association have to be adopted by the 
members by a special resolution in general 
meeting. The current articles were adopted in 
August 2011. 

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C.

Directors’ Report
continued

Auditors 
The auditors, BDO LLP, have indicated their 
willingness to continue in office. A resolution 
proposing their reappointment as auditors of 
the company and authorising the directors 
to determine their remuneration will be 
submitted at the Annual General Meeting. 

Each of the persons who are directors at the 
date when this report was approved confirms 
that so far as each of the directors is aware, 
there is no relevant audit information of which 
the group’s auditors are unaware, and each of 
the directors has taken all steps that he ought 
to have taken as a director to make himself 
aware of any relevant audit information and to 
establish that the auditors are aware of that 
information. 

Significant agreements 
There are no significant agreements to which 
the company is party that take effect, alter 
or terminate upon a change of control of the 
company following a takeover bid. 

Corporate Governance 
Details of the group’s corporate governance 
policies are dealt with on pages 15 and 16.

Greenhouse gas emissions 
Details of the group’s greenhouse gas 
emissions are dealt with on page 9.

Cautionary statement 
Under the Companies Act, a company’s 
strategic report and directors’ report 
are required, among other matters, to 
contain a fair review by the directors of the 
group’s business through a balanced and 
comprehensive analysis of the development 
and performance of the business of the group 
and the position of the group at the year end, 
consistent with the size and complexity of the 
business. 

The Directors’ Report set out above, 
including the Chairman’s Statement, the 
Principal Risks and Uncertainties and 
Corporate Social Responsibility incorporated 
into it by reference (together, the Directors’ 
Report), has been prepared solely to provide 
additional information to shareholders to 
assess the company’s strategies and the 
potential for those strategies to succeed. The 
Directors’ Report should not be relied upon 
by any other party or for any other purpose. 

The Directors’ Report (as defined) contains 
certain forward looking statements. These 
statements are made by the directors in good 
faith based on the information available to 
them up to the time of their approval of this 
report and such statements should be treated 
with caution due to the inherent uncertainties, 
including both economic and business risk 
factors, underlying any such forward looking 
information. 

Approval of Directors’ 
Report and Responsibility 
Statement 
Each of the persons who is a director at the 
date of approval of this report confirms that to 
the best of his knowledge: 

a.  each of the group and parent financial 
statements, prepared in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting 
Standards as adopted by the EU and UK 
Accounting Standards respectively, gives 
a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, 
financial position and the profit or loss of 
the issuer and the undertakings included 
in the consolidation taken as a whole; and 

b.  the Chairman’s Statement, Strategic 
Report and Directors’ Report include 
a fair review of the development and 
performance of the business and 
the position of the company and the 
undertakings included in the consolidation 
taken as a whole, together with a 
description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties they face. 

The directors consider that the annual 
report and financial statements, taken as a 
whole, is fair, balanced and understandable 
and provides the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the company’s and 
group’s performance, business model and 
strategy.

By order of the board 

B. J. Cooke 
Chairman

15 June 2016

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Corporate Governance

Directors’ conflicts of 
interest 
A director has a statutory duty to avoid a 
situation in which he has, or can have, an 
interest that conflicts or possibly may conflict 
with the interests of the company. A director 
will not breach that duty if the relevant matter 
has been authorised in accordance with the 
Articles of Association by the other directors. 

The board has conducted a review of actual 
or possible conflicts of interest in respect 
of each director. The board has an agreed 
process for identifying current conflicts, 
authorised conflicts that have been identified 
and stipulated conditions in accordance with 
the guiding principles and agreed a process 
to identify and authorise future conflicts. In 
practice, directors are asked to consider and 
disclose actual or potential conflicts at the 
beginning of each meeting and as and when 
a matter arises. There have been no conflicts 
identified during the period.

Attendance at board and board committee 
meetings during the year is detailed in the 
table shown below:

Corporate Governance

General 
Castings P.L.C. recognises the importance 
of high standards of corporate governance. 
The board has considered the principles 
and provisions of the 2014 UK Corporate 
Governance Code and will continue to adhere 
to them where it is in the interests of the 
business, and of the shareholders, to do so. 

Directors receive regular updates appropriate 
to the business throughout the year. 

To assist with the conduct of their function, 
the non-executive directors are able to 
obtain professional advice at the company’s 
expense if required in connection with their 
duties. In addition, all directors have access 
to the services of the company secretary. 

Board committees 
The principal committees established by the 
directors are: 

Audit and risk committee 
Further details are contained within the Audit 
and Risk Committee Report on page 17.

Remuneration committee 
Further details are set out in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on page 18. 

Nomination committee 
This committee comprises the three non-
executive directors and is chaired by  
G. B. Wainwright. The committee did not 
meet during the year. 

The manner in which the board provides 
leadership of the company within a 
framework of prudent and effective controls 
is set out in this section and also within the 
Remuneration Report. 

Board of directors 
The board meets regularly to monitor the 
current state of business and to determine  
its future strategic direction. During the 
financial year the board comprised four 
executive directors and three non-executive 
directors. The non-executive directors are 
independent of executive management 
and none of the non-executive directors 
participate in share option or other executive 
remuneration schemes nor do they qualify for 
pension benefits. 

Although two of the non-executive directors 
have served for more than ten years, their 
knowledge and advice are considered 
invaluable to the group. 

Director 
B. J. Cooke 
D. J. Gawthorpe 
S. J. Mant 
M. A. Lewis 
A. Vicary 
C. P. King (retired on 18 August 2015)
G. B. Wainwright 
A. N. Jones 

Board

Audit and risk 
committee

Remuneration 
committee

Eligible to 
attend 
7
7
7
7
7
3
7
7

Attended 
7
7
7
6
7
2
7
7

Eligible to 
attend 
4
— 
— 
— 
— 
3
4
4

Attended 
4
— 
— 
— 
— 
3
3
4

Eligible to 
attend 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
1 
1 
1 

Attended 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
1 
1 
1 

Relations with 
shareholders 
The company holds meetings from time 
to time with institutional shareholders to 
discuss the company’s strategy and financial 
performance. The Annual General Meeting 
is used to communicate with private and 
institutional investors.

Internal control 
The board is ultimately responsible for the 
group’s system of internal controls, including 
internal financial control, and for monitoring its 
effectiveness. There is a continuous process 
for identifying, evaluating and managing the 
significant risks faced by the group which 
is regularly reviewed and has been in place 
throughout the year under review and up to 
the date of approval of the Annual Report 

and accounts. 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 review covers 
all controls including financial, operational, 
compliance and risk management. 

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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•  There were three non-executive directors 
during the year. Although two of these 
directors have served for more than ten 
years the board recognises the value 
they bring and believes it is important too 
that shareholders have the reassurance 
of non-executives on the board whose 
independence is beyond question. 

•  The non-executive directors do not have 

specified term contracts. 

•  The roles of the financial director and 
company secretary are fulfilled by the 
same person as there is no one else within 
the group qualified to do the job and it 
would not be a full-time position. The 
board monitors the effectiveness of this 
arrangement annually. 

These are considered appropriate in relation 
to the size of the company and the way in 
which it operates. 

By order of the board 

S. J. Mant  
Company Secretary 

15 June 2016

Castings P.L.C.

Corporate Governance 
continued

The directors confirm that they have 
established procedures necessary to 
implement the internal control guidance for 
directors such that they fully comply with the 
2014 UK Corporate Governance Code for the 
accounting period ended on 31 March 2016. 

Internal financial control 
The directors are responsible for maintaining 
the group’s systems of internal financial 
control. These controls are designed to both 
safeguard the group’s assets and ensure the 
reliability of financial information used within 
the business and for publication. As with 
any such systems, controls can only provide 
reasonable and not absolute assurance 
against material misstatement or loss. 

Internal financial control is operated within a 
clearly defined organisational structure with 
clear control responsibilities and authorities, 
and a practice throughout the group of 
regular management and board meetings to 
review all aspects of the group’s businesses 
including those aspects where there is a 
potential risk to the group. 

For each business there are regular weekly 
and monthly reports, reviewed by boards 
and management, which contain both written 
reports and accounts. The accounts include 
income statements and balance sheets 
for the period under review, year to date 
and previous year and are compared with 
expected results. A variety of operational and 
financial ratios are also produced. 

Continual monitoring of the systems of 
internal financial control is conducted by all 
management. The external auditors, who 
are engaged to express an opinion on the 
group accounts, also consider the systems 
of internal financial control to the extent 
necessary to express that opinion. The 
external auditors report the results of their 
work to management, including members of 
the board and the audit committee. 

The board does not consider there is a need 
for an internal audit function due to the size 
and non-complexity of the group. 

Going concern 
The directors have assessed the future 
funding requirements of the group and the 
company and compared them to the level of 
funding available. Details of the cash position 
are set out in note 19 to the accounts. The 
group’s objectives, policies and processes 
for managing its capital, its financial risk 
management objectives, details of its financial 
instruments and hedging activities, and 
its exposure to credit risk and liquidity risk 
are also set out in notes 17 and 19 to the 
accounts. 

The directors’ assessment of going concern, 
and the viability statement on page 8, 
included a review of the group’s financial 
forecasts and financial instruments for a 
three year period. The directors considered 
a range of potential scenarios within the key 
markets the group serves and how these 
may impact on cash flow. The group and 
company’s business activities, together 
with the factors likely to affect its future 
development, performance and position are 
set out in the Strategic Report. The directors 
also considered what mitigating actions 
the group could take to limit any adverse 
consequences. 

After making these enquiries, the directors 
have a reasonable expectation that the 
company and the group have adequate 
resources to continue operations for the 
foreseeable future. For this reason, they 
continue to adopt the going concern basis in 
preparing the financial statements. 

Summary 
The board takes its responsibilities seriously 
even though there are a number of areas in 
which it does not comply fully with the 2014 
UK Corporate Governance Code. It does 
not feel that the size or complexity of the 
group and the way in which it governs would 
be enhanced or strengthened by further 
changing the already existing high standards 
of corporate governance practised. 

For the year ended 31 March 2016 the 
company complied with the 2014 UK 
Corporate Governance Code other than the 
following points: 

16

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Corporate Governance 

continued

Audit and Risk Committee Report

Corporate Governance

Responsibilities
The main responsibilities of the audit and risk 
committee are:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

to monitor the integrity of the financial 
statements of the company and any 
formal announcements relating to the 
company’s financial performance, 
reviewing significant financial reporting 
judgements contained in them;

to ensure the company’s Annual Report is 
fair, balanced and understandable;

to review the company’s internal financial 
controls and internal control and risk 
management systems;

to review the need for an internal audit 
function;

to make recommendations to the board, 
for it to put to the shareholders for their 
approval in general meeting, in relation 
to the appointment, reappointment and 
removal of the external auditor and to 
approve the remuneration and terms of 
engagement of the external auditors; 

to review and monitor the external 
auditors’ independence and objectivity 
and the effectiveness of the audit process, 
taking into consideration relevant UK 
professional and regulatory requirements; 

• 

to develop and implement policy on the 
engagement of the external auditors to 
supply non-audit services; and 

• 

to report to the board on how it has 
discharged its responsibilities.

Committee composition 
and meetings
The audit and risk committee comprises the 
three non-executive directors and is chaired 
by A. N. Jones. The finance director and 
other executive directors may also attend 
meetings as appropriate to the business in 
hand but are not members of the committee. 

The board considers that A. N. Jones has the 
most recent and relevant financial experience 
as required by the code.

The committee meets at least three times 
a year. Meetings are also attended by the 
executive directors and on at least one 
occasion by representatives of the group’s 
external auditors. At meetings attended by 
the external auditors time is allowed for the 
committee to discuss issues with the external 

auditors without the executive directors being 
present.

The committee operates under formal 
terms of reference and these are reviewed 
annually. The committee considers that it has 
discharged its responsibilities as set out in its 
terms of reference to the extent appropriate 
during the year. There were no changes to the 
terms of reference in the year under review. 

Financial reporting
During the year the committee reviewed 
the appropriateness of the group’s half year 
and full year financial statements, taking into 
account the reports of the group finance 
director and external auditors. 

The main areas of focus considered by the 
committee during the year were as follows: 

• 

• 

revenue recognition processes have been 
reviewed to ensure revenue has been 
recognised appropriately and consistency 
of policy applied across the group;

final salary pension scheme matters, in 
particular the financial reporting treatment 
of the balances due from the pension 
schemes to the company;

•  valuation of inventory, which involved 

understanding the approach to updating 
the standard costs used within the foundry 
businesses and ensuring a materially 
correct cost valuation at the year end; and

• 

reviewed the new requirements in respect 
of the viability statement and agreed an 
appropriate assessment period and the 
reasonableness of the profit and loss and 
cash flow estimates, together with an 
evaluation of the main risks affecting the 
viability of the company over that time-
frame.

Internal control
During the year the committee reviewed the 
effectiveness of the group’s system of internal 
controls and risk management. 

The committee again concurred with the 
board’s view that there is no requirement for 
an internal audit function due to the size and 
non-complex nature of the group.

External auditors
The committee oversees the relationship with 
the external auditors and monitors all services 
provided by and fees payable to them, to 

ensure that potential conflicts of interest 
are considered and that an objective and 
professional relationship is maintained.

In particular, the committee reviews and 
monitors the independence and objectivity 
of the external auditors and the effectiveness 
of the audit process. At the outset of the 
audit process, the committee receives from 
the auditors a detailed audit plan, identifying 
their assessment of the key risks and their 
intended areas of focus. This is agreed 
with the committee to ensure coverage is 
appropriately focused. 

Feedback on the audit process is requested 
from management and for the 2016 financial 
year, management were satisfied that there 
had been appropriate focus and challenge on 
the primary areas of audit risk and assessed 
the quality of the audit process to be 
satisfactory. The committee concurred with 
the view of management. 

The committee also keeps under review 
the nature, extent, objectivity and cost of 
non-audit services provided by the external 
auditors, which has again been minimal  
this year.

BDO LLP (‘BDO’) have been the group’s 
external auditors since 2006. In June 2015 
the committee reviewed the external audit 
mandate and confirmed the continuing 
appointment of BDO. This was on the basis 
that the committee was comfortable that 
the BDO audit team remained objective and 
independent on the basis of the rotation 
of the audit partner every five years. The 
committee has therefore recommended to the 
board that a resolution be put to shareholders 
for the reappointment of the auditor at the 
Annual General Meeting.

As part of its work, and in line with its terms 
of reference, the committee also considers 
the discharge of the board’s responsibilities in 
the areas of corporate governance, financial 
reporting and internal control, including the 
internal management of risk, as identified in 
the Turnbull Guidance. 

A. N. Jones 
Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee

15 June 2016

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C.

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Remuneration committee 
This committee comprises the three non-
executive directors and is chaired by G. B. 
Wainwright. 

None of the executive directors were 
present at meetings of the committee during 
consideration of their own remuneration. 

No advice has been provided by external 
advisers or consultants. 

Annual Statement
On behalf of the board, I am pleased to 
present the Directors’ Remuneration Report 
for the year ended 31 March 2016 which sets 
out the remuneration policy for the directors 
and the amounts earned during the current 
year.

The aim of the group’s remuneration policy 
is to produce an outcome which supports 
the business objectives of the group whilst 
remaining straightforward and transparent.

The policy is designed to ensure the 
remuneration of executive directors and 
senior management is sufficiently competitive 
to retain and motivate the existing directors. 

During the year the remuneration committee 
considered all aspects of its policy on 
executive director remuneration, including 
benchmarking against industry market rates 
and considering the appropriateness of long-
term incentive plans (‘LTIPs’). The conclusion 
of this review is that the current policy is 
in line with the strategy of the group and, 
accordingly, no substantial changes have 
been made. One minor change is to allow 
directors the flexibility to receive additional 
salary in lieu of pension contributions.

The remuneration committee welcomes 
any feedback on the disclosures made 
in this report. As the remuneration policy 
is unchanged, we have not consulted 
specifically with shareholders during the year, 
but will do so in the future where appropriate.

By order of the board

G. B. Wainwright  
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 

15 June 2016

18

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Directors’ Remuneration Report

Corporate Governance

Remuneration Policy
The underlying policy in setting the remuneration of the executive directors is that it shall be designed to retain and motivate the directors and be 
reasonable and fair in relation to their responsibilities. 

Detailed policy
The table below summarises the main components of the remuneration policy for executive directors for the three year period commencing  
19 August 2014 and highlights any changes to the policy when compared to that in operation for the current financial year.

Element of remuneration

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum potential value

Base salary

To provide competitive fixed 
remuneration. To attract and retain 
high calibre directors to deliver 
growth for the business.

Benefits

To aid retention and remain 
competitive within the marketplace.

Reviewed with effect from 1 April 
each year taking into account market 
rates, performance of the individual, 
performance of the company and the 
rates of salary increase across the 
group.

Currently include the provision of 
car benefit, private healthcare, life 
assurance and income protection. 
Benefits are reviewed annually and 
in comparison with other companies 
with discretion for the provided 
benefits to alter.

Annual bonus

Rewards contribution to 
performance of the group and 
aligned to shareholder aspirations.

Executive director bonus is based 
on 1% of PBIT (before exceptional 
items) in excess of £10m threshold.

Pension

To reward sustained contribution by 
providing retirement benefits.

D. J. Gawthorpe and M. A. Lewis 
are deferred members of the now 
closed final salary pension scheme. 
All executive directors receive 7% 
of base salary as contributions into 
personal pension plans or a cash 
equivalent.

Whilst no absolute maximum exists, 
increases will be referenced to other 
salary increases across the group, 
although discretion may be applied.

Car benefit increases in line with 
salary increases across the group. 
It is not possible to provide a 
maximum figure for the other 
insured benefits.

There is no maximum in place; 
however, there is discretion for 
the threshold level to be adjusted 
to restrict the maximum bonus 
payable.

Maximum of 7% of notional 
earnings cap.

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C.

Directors’ Remuneration Report
continued

Scenario charts
The following set out the potential 
remuneration payments for the year ended 
31 March 2016 under two scenarios (as there 
is no set maximum bonus, such a scenario 
cannot be shown):

•  Minimum – assuming no bonus payment 
due to group profits being below the 
thresholds.

•  Profit for year ended 31 March 2016 – 

based on profit before tax and exceptional 
items of £19.4 million, being the result for 
the year ended 31 March 2016.

As no element of remuneration is linked to 
performance measures in excess of one year, 
only fixed and annual variable elements have 
been shown.

Recruitment policy
In the event of the recruitment of a new 
executive director, the remuneration package 
would reflect the policy set out above. There 
have been no instances where additional 
upfront payments have been required to 
obtain the services of a director; however, 
discretion may be applied in this area. 

Non-executive director 
remuneration
The fees paid to non-executive directors 
are set out in the annual report on directors’ 
remuneration and are set by reference to 
current levels in the marketplace. Non-
executive directors do not receive other 
benefits or participate in the company’s 
bonus schemes, nor are they eligible to join a 
company pension scheme.

Directors’ contracts 
Executive directors have contracts of service 
terminable on one year’s notice. These 
contracts are considered appropriate in the 
context of the overall remuneration policy as, 
in the opinion of the board, it encourages 
directors to take a long-term rather than 
a short-term view of their conduct and 
planning of the company’s affairs. None 
of the contracts contain any provision for 
predetermined compensation in the event of 
termination. The date of contracts currently  
in place for the executive directors is  
1 April 2015. The non-executive directors 
do not have a contract of service and do not 
participate in the company’s bonus schemes 
and are not eligible to join a company pension 
scheme. 

Chief Executive Officer

Finance Director

Managing Director

0
0
0
£
n
o
i
t
a
r
e
n
u
m
e
R

400

300

200

100

0

27%

73%

100%

£000
Minimum

£000
2015/16 result

0
0
0
£
n
o
i
t
a
r
e
n
u
m
e
R

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

35%

65%

100%

£000
Minimum

£000
2015/16 result

0
0
0
£
n
o
i
t
a
r
e
n
u
m
e
R

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

33%

67%

100%

£000
Minimum

£000
2015/16 result

20

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Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Directors’ Remuneration Report

continued

Corporate Governance

Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration

Directors’ remuneration during the year (audited)
The directors’ remuneration for the year ended 31 March 2016 is set out in the table below.

B. J. Cooke 
D. J. Gawthorpe 
S. J. Mant 
M. A. Lewis 
G. Cooper (retired 30/09/14)
A. Vicary 
G. B. Wainwright 
C. P. King (retired 18/08/15)
A. N. Jones 

Salary/fees

Benefits

Performance-related 
bonus

Pension 
contributions

Total 
remuneration

2016 
£000 
80
250
175
188
—
188
36
13
34
964

2015 
£000
92
244
171
184
92
184
35
32
32
1,066

2016 
£000
6
12
11
11
—
12
—
—
—
52

2015 
£000
5
11
11
11
5
11
—
—
—
54

2016 
£000
—
100
100
100
—
100
—
—
—
400

2015 
£000
41
82
82
82
41
82
—
—
—
410

2016 
£000
—
10
10
10
—
10
—
—
—
40

2015 
£000
—
10
10
10
5
10
—
—
—
45

2016 
£000
86
372
296
309
—
310
36
13
34
1,456

2015 
£000
138
347
274
287
143
287
35
32
32
1,575

Directors’ pension entitlements (audited) 
The pension contributions set out in the above table relate to company contributions into personal pension plans. The Castings P.L.C. Staff 
Pension and Life Assurance Scheme was closed to future accrual of benefits on 5 April 2009. The table below sets out the pension entitlement 
which would be paid annually on retirement based on service to the end of the company financial year for those directors who were members of 
the scheme.

Increase 
in accrued 
pension 
during 
year net of 
inflation
£
—
—
—

Transfer 
value  
of increase 
net of 
inflation and 
directors’ 
contributions
£
—
—
—

Increase 
in accrued 
pension 
during the 
year
£
—
—
—

Directors’
contributions 
in the year
£
—
—
—

Accumulated 
total accrued 
pension at 
31/03/2016
£
51,623
23,999
75,622

Transfer 
Transfer 
Accumulated 
value of 
value of 
total accrued 
accrued 
accrued 
pension at 
benefits 
benefits 
31/03/2015
31/03/2016
31/03/2015
£ 
£
£
836,337
821,314
51,623
384,879
367,361
23,999
75,622 1,188,675 1,221,216

Difference 
in transfer 
values less 
contributions
£
208,743
100,084
308,827

Name of director
D. J. Gawthorpe 
M. A. Lewis

Age at 
year end
54
52

The accumulated accrued pension figures shown above are what would be paid annually on retirement based on service to the end of the 
financial year. No additional benefits are payable on early retirement.

Relative importance of spend on pay
The following table shows actual expenditure of the group and change in spend between the current and previous financial years on 
remuneration paid to all employees compared to distributions to shareholders.

Remuneration of all employees
Dividends to shareholders

2016 
£000 
38,682
5,982

2015
£000
37,080
5,803

Change 
£000
1,602
179

Change
%
4.3
3.1

Chief Executive Officer remuneration
The total remuneration paid to the chief executive officer for the last five years is as follows:

Remuneration

2016 
£000 
372

2015 
£000
347

2014 
£000
380

2013
£000
341

2012 
£000
370

The total remuneration (including performance bonus) paid to the chief executive officer in the current year represents an increase of 7.5% 
compared to the prior period. The corresponding increase in average pay to all employees in the same period is, on average, 4.0%.

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C.

Directors’ Remuneration Report
continued

Directors’ shareholdings (subject to audit)
The directors’ interests in the ordinary share capital of the company (including the interest of connected persons) are set out in the Directors’ 
Report on page 12.

Total shareholder return performance graph
The following graph shows the company’s performance, measured by total shareholder return, compared with the performance of the FTSE 350 
- Industrial Engineering Index, also measured by total shareholder return. This index has been selected for this comparison because this is the 
most relevant index in which the company’s shares are quoted.

Castings PLC — Total Return on Investment 

250

(cid:31)(cid:31)(cid:31)
200

(cid:31)(cid:31)(cid:31)
150

100
(cid:31)(cid:31)(cid:31)

50
(cid:31)(cid:31)

0

Mar 11

Sep 11

Mar 12

Sep 12

Mar 13

Sep 13

Mar 14

Sep 14

Mar 15

Sep 15

Mar 16

Castings PLC

FTSE 350 Industrial Engineering Index

22

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Directors’ Remuneration Report

continued

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

Corporate Governance

Directors’ responsibilities 
pursuant to DTR4
The directors confirm to the best of their 
knowledge: 

•  The group financial statements have been 
prepared in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) 
as adopted by the European Union and 
Article 4 of the IAS Regulation and give a 
true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, 
financial position and profit and loss of the 
group. 

•  The annual report includes a fair review of 
the development and performance of the 
business and the financial position of the 
group and the parent company, together 
with a description or the principal risks 
and uncertainties that they face.

The directors are responsible for keeping 
adequate accounting records that are 
sufficient to show and explain the company’s 
transactions and disclose with reasonable 
accuracy at any time the financial position 
of the company and enable them to ensure 
that the financial statements comply with the 
Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the 
group financial statements, Article 4 of the 
IAS Regulation. They are also responsible 
for safeguarding the assets of the company 
and hence for taking reasonable steps for the 
prevention and detection of fraud and other 
irregularities. The Directors are responsible for 
ensuring that the annual report and accounts, 
taken as a whole, are fair, balanced, and 
understandable and provides the information 
necessary for shareholders to assess the 
group’s performance, business model and 
strategy.

Website publication 
The directors are responsible for ensuring the 
Annual Report and the financial statements 
are made available on a website. Financial 
statements are published on the company’s 
website in accordance with legislation in the 
United Kingdom governing the preparation 
and dissemination of financial statements, 
which may vary from legislation in other 
jurisdictions. The maintenance and integrity 
of the company’s website is the responsibility 
of the directors. The directors’ responsibility 
also extends to the ongoing integrity of the 
financial statements contained therein.

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

Company law requires the directors to 
prepare financial statements for each financial 
year. The financial reporting framework that 
has been applied in the preparation of the 
group financial statements is applicable law 
and IFRSs as adopted by the European 
Union. The financial reporting framework 
that has been applied in the preparation of 
the parent company financial statements 
is applicable law and United Kingdom 
Accounting Standards (United Kingdom 
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) 
including Financial Reporting Standard 101 
“Reduced Disclosure Framework”. Under 
company law the directors must not approve 
the financial statements unless they are 
satisfied that they give a true and fair view of 
the state of affairs of the group and company 
and of the profit or loss for the group for that 
period. 

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

•  select suitable accounting policies and 

then apply them consistently; 

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

•  state whether they have been prepared in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the 
European Union, subject to any material 
departures disclosed and explained in the 
financial statements; and

•  prepare a directors’ report, strategic 

report and directors’ remuneration report 
which comply with the requirements of the 
Companies Act 2006. 

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C.

Independent Auditors’ Report  
to the Members of Castings P.L.C.

Our opinion on the financial statements
In our opinion

• 

• 

• 

• 

the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the 
Group’s and the parent Company’s affairs as at 31 March 2016 
and of Group’s profit for the year then ended;

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

the parent Company financial statements have been properly 
prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice; and

the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 
the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the 
Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

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

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditor
As explained more fully in the report of the Statement of Directors’ 
Responsibilities, the directors are responsible for the preparation of 
the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true 
and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion 
on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and 
International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards 
require us to comply with the FRC’s Ethical Standards for Auditors. 

A description of the scope of an audit of financial statements is 
provided on the Financial Reporting Council’s (FRC) website at www.

frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate

Our assessment of risks of material misstatement 
and overview of the scope of our audit
Our audit strategy was developed by obtaining an understanding of 
the Group and Company’s activities, the key functions undertaken 
by the Board and the overall control environment. Based on this 
understanding we assessed those aspects of the Group and 
Company’s transactions and balances which were most likely to 
give rise to a material misstatement. We identified three significant 
components, all of which were subject to full scope audit performed 
by ourselves. These components covered 100% of the Group’s Assets 
and Revenue. Below are those risks which we considered to have the 
greatest impact on our audit strategy and our audit response: 

What our opinion covers
Our audit opinion on the financial statements covers the:

•  Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income;

•  Consolidated Balance Sheet

•  Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

•  Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 

•  Company Balance Sheet

•  Company Statement of Changes in Equity; and

• 

related notes

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the 
preparation of the group financial statements is applicable law and 
IFRSs as adopted by the European Union. The financial reporting 
framework that has been applied in the preparation of the parent 
company financial statements is applicable law and United Kingdom 
Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice) including Financial Reporting Standard 101 
“Reduced Disclosure Framework”.

24

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Independent Auditors’ Report  

to the Members of Castings P.L.C.

Corporate Governance

Risk area

Audit response

Revenue recognition: 
We considered whether there is 

a risk of revenue misstatement 

•  For two of the three significant components within the group we performed audit procedures to 

understand and test the design and operating effectiveness of controls established by management 
over the completeness, accuracy and existence of sales recording.

because of the pressure 

•  For the other component we performed substantive procedures on individual transactions to test the 

management may feel to achieve 

completeness, accuracy and existence of sales recording.

•  For all components, as part of confirmation of the existence of sales, we also selected a sample of 
trade debtors and agreed to after date cash receipts and/or to customer signed delivery notes 

•  We performed sales cut off procedures on sales and despatch documentation prior to and post 

year end which included agreement to customer signed delivery notes and ensuring revenue was 
recognised appropriately.

•  We also reviewed after-date credit notes to ensure completeness of the sales credit note provision. 

•  Finally we reviewed the appropriateness of the revenue recognition policy compared to the 

requirements of accounting standards and that the policy was being complied with.

•  We performed audit procedures to understand the method of calculating standard cost. We 

compared the respective elements of this standard cost with the actual costs incurred based on 
underlying management information to ensure there was no material difference. We checked the 
arithmetical accuracy of the calculations within the standard cost.

•  We considered the nature of the overheads absorbed to ensure only directly attributable costs were 
included. We also considered production levels to ensure inefficiencies were not absorbed. We 
performed sample tests on the inputs to the calculation and we challenged management on the key 
assumptions and estimates used within the calculations.

•  We considered and challenged the director assessment that the year end stocks were manufactured 

in March 2016

planned results.

Inventory valuation method:
We focussed on this area because 

the Group uses a standard cost 

approach to calculate cost of 

inventories throughout the year 

which involves elements of 

judgement. The Group then ensures 

that this standard cost is materially 

correct by comparison to actual 

costs as recorded in production 

and cost records for the month of 

March, which is considered to be 

the period over which year end 

stocks are manufactured.

Risk of management override  

•  We assessed the overall control environment of the Group

of internal controls: 
Management is in a unique position 

to be able to manipulate results and 

override controls that otherwise 

appear to be operating effectively. 

We considered the risk of this 

occurring.

•  We examined the significant accounting estimates and judgements relevant to the financial 

statements for evidence of bias by the Directors that may represent a risk of material misstatement.

•  We performed testing of journals, with particular focus on adjustments to the income statement, to 

mitigate the risk of manipulation of revenue and profit figures

•  We note that two members of the senior management team at a significant component are related. 
As part of our response to this particular matter we extended our audit procedures to include: 
understanding and assessing the procedures adopted by those charged with governance and 
implemented by the group’s executive directors to mitigate this risk, testing the robustness of the 
independent review of the financial records of this component performed by the group’s finance 
director and examining revenue recognition, significant transactions, accounting estimates, 
judgements and journals made by component management for evidence of management override of 
controls.

The Audit Committee’s consideration of their key issues is set out on page 17.

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C.

Independent Auditors’ Report  
to the Members of Castings P.L.C. 
continued

Our application of materiality
We apply the concept of materiality both in planning and performing 
our audit, and in evaluating the effect of misstatements. We define 
materiality to be the magnitude by which misstatements, including 
omissions, could influence the economic decisions of reasonable 
users that are taken on the basis of the financial statements. We 
use materiality to determine the extent of testing needed to reduce 
to an appropriately low level the probability that the aggregate of 
uncorrected and undetected misstatements exceeds materiality for 
the financial statements as a whole.

We determined planning materiality for the group financial statements 
as a whole to be £1,000,000 and based this assessment at a level of 
circa 5% of the 3 year average Group profit before tax. Our objective 
in adopting these levels of materiality is to ensure that our audit 
procedures were designed to select appropriate sample sizes for 
detailed testing work performed, that our analytical procedures were 
performed at an appropriate level and to reduce to an appropriately low 
level the probability that detected and undetected misstatements do 
not exceed our materiality of £1,000,000 for the financial statements as 
a whole. In order to reduce to an appropriately low level the probability 
that any misstatements exceed materiality we use a lower materiality 
level, performance materiality which is set at 75% of the above level, 
to determine the extent of testing needed. Importantly, misstatements 
below this level will not necessarily be evaluated as immaterial as we 
also take into account the nature of identified misstatements, and the 
particular circumstances of their occurrence, when evaluating their 
effect on the financial statements. We agreed with the Audit Committee 
that we would report to the Committee all audit differences in excess of 
£20,000, as well as differences below that threshold that, in our view, 
warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. 

Materiality levels are not significantly different from those applied in the 
previous year.

Statement regarding the Directors’ assessment 
of the principal risks that would threaten the 
solvency or liquidity of the company
We have nothing material to add or to draw attention to in relation to:

the Directors’ confirmation in the annual report that they have 
carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the 
entity, including those that would threaten the business model, 
future performance, solvency or liquidity,

the disclosures in the annual report that describe those risks and 
explain how they are being managed or mitigated,

the Directors’ statement in the financial statements about whether 
they considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis 
of accounting in preparing them and their identification of any 
material uncertainties to the entity’s ability to continue to do so 
over a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval 
of the financial statements, and

the Directors’ explanation in the annual report as to how they have 
assessed the prospects of the entity, over what period they have 
done so and why they consider that period to be appropriate, and 
their statement as to whether they have a reasonable expectation 
that the entity will be able to continue in operation and meet its 
liabilities as they fall due over the period of their assessment, 
including any related disclosures drawing attention to any 
necessary qualifications or assumptions.

• 

• 

• 

• 

26

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the 
Companies Act 2006
In our opinion:

• 

• 

the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has 
been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 
2006; and

the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ 
Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are 
prepared is consistent with the financial statements.

Matters on which we are required to report by 
exception
Under the ISAs (UK and Ireland), we are required to report to you if, in 
our opinion, information in the Annual Report is:

•  materially inconsistent with the information in the audited financial 

statements; or 

•  apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent 
with, our knowledge of the company acquired in the course of 
performing our audit; or 

• 

is otherwise misleading.

In particular, we are required to consider whether we have identified 
any inconsistencies between our knowledge acquired during the audit 
and the directors’ statement that they consider the Annual Report is 
fair, balanced and understandable and whether the Annual Report 
appropriately discloses those matters that we communicated to the 
Audit Committee which we consider should have been disclosed.

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

•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent 
company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been 
received from branches not visited by us; or

• 

the parent company financial statements and the part of the 
directors’ remuneration report to be audited are not in agreement 
with the accounting records and returns; or

•  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are 

not made; or

•  we have not received all the information and explanations we 

require for our audit.

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review:

• 

• 

the Directors’ statements, set out on page 8, in relation to going 
concern and in relation to longer-term viability; and

the part of the corporate governance statement relating to the 
company’s compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code specified for our review.

We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.

Simon Brooker (senior statutory auditor)  
For and on behalf of BDO LLP  
Statutory auditor  
Birmingham 
United Kingdom  
15 June 2016

BDO LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales
(with registered number OC305127).

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Independent Auditors’ Report  

to the Members of Castings P.L.C. 

continued

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the year ended 31 March 2016

Financial Statements

Revenue 
Cost of sales
Gross profit 
Distribution costs
Administrative expenses
Excluding exceptional
Exceptional
Total administrative expenses
Profit from operations

Finance income
Profit before income tax 

Income tax expense
Profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent company

Other comprehensive income for the year:

Items that will not be reclassified to profit and loss:

Movement in unrecognised surplus on defined benefit pension schemes net of 
actuarial gains and losses
Tax effect of items that will not be reclassified

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss:
Change in fair value of available-for-sale financial assets
Reclassification adjustments for gains/(losses) on available for sale assets included in profit
Tax effect of items that may be reclassified

Total other comprehensive income/(losses) for the year (net of tax)
Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to the  
equity holders of the parent company
Earnings per share attributable to the equity holders of the parent company
Basic and diluted

Notes to the accounts are on pages 31 to 47.

Notes
2

4

3 

7

8 

6

2016
£000
132,448
(98,431)
34,017
(2,251)

(12,591)
315
(12,276)
19,490

186
19,676

(3,489)
16,187

228
—
228

(28)
85
5
62
290

2015
£000
131,268
(99,150)
32,118
(2,162)

(12,570)
24
(12,546)
17,410

137
17,547

(3,672)
13,875

283
—
283

(55)
—
11
(44)
239

16,477

14,114

10

37.10p

31.80p

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C.

Consolidated Balance Sheet
31 March 2016

ASSETS

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 

Financial assets

Other receivables

Current assets
Inventories 

Trade and other receivables 

Other current interest-bearing deposits 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables

Current tax liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent company
Share capital 

Share premium account 

Other reserve 

Retained earnings

Total equity 

Notes

2016
£000

2015
£000

11

12

14

13

14

19

15

16

17

66,948

354

3,383

70,685

11,992

30,047

10,000

30,385

82,424

66,572

467

4,538

71,577

12,115

30,342

10,000

20,021

72,478

153,109

144,055

16,769

2,029

18,798

4,378

23,176

129,933

4,363

874

13

124,683

129,933

18,602

1,336

19,938

4,788

24,726

119,329

4,363

874

13

114,079

119,329

The accounts on pages 27 to 47 were approved and authorised for issue by the board of directors on 15 June 2016, and were signed  
on its behalf by:

B. J. Cooke 
Chairman

S. J. Mant 
Finance Director

Notes to the accounts are on pages 31 to 47.

28

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Consolidated Balance Sheet

31 March 2016

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
for the year ended 31 March 2016

Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before income tax

Adjustments for:

Depreciation

(Profit)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 

Loss on disposal of financial assets

Finance income

Excess of employer pension contributions over income statement charge

Decrease in inventories

Decrease/(increase) in receivables

Decrease in payables
Cash generated from operating activities
Tax paid 

Interest received

Net cash generated from operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities
Dividends received from listed investments

Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment
Transfer other current interest-bearing deposits 
Proceeds from disposal of financial assets 
Repayments from pension schemes (see note 6)
Advances to the pension schemes (see note 6)
Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flow from financing activities
Dividends paid to shareholders

Net cash used in financing activities

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

Cash and cash equivalents:
Short-term deposits

Cash available on demand

Notes to the accounts are on pages 31 to 47.

Financial Statements

Notes

2016
£000

2015
£000

19,676

17,547

6,853

(62)

48

6,760

1

—

(186)

(137)

228

123

2,925

(1,832)
27,773

(3,202)

165

24,736

21

(7,236)
69
—
122
1,135
(2,610)
(8,499)

(5,873)

(5,873)

10,364

20,021
30,385

27,786

2,599

30,385

283

506

(2,127)

(2,474)
20,359

(4,423)

115

16,051

22

(8,210)
72
(10,000)
—
—
—
(18,116)

(5,694)

(5,694)

(7,759)

27,780
20,021

19,253

768

20,021

19

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Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C.

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 March 2016

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

At 1 April 2015

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income/(losses):
Movement in unrecognised surplus on defined benefit 
pension schemes net of actuarial loss

Change in fair value of available for sale assets
Reclassification adjustment for gains/(losses) on available for 
sale assets included in profit

Tax effect of items taken directly to reserves
Total comprehensive income for the period ended  
31 March 2016
Dividends (see note 9)

Share
capitala)
£000
4,363

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

Share
premiumb)

£000
874

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

At 31 March 2016

4,363

874

Other
reservec)
£000
13

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

13

Retained
earningsd)
£000
114,079

16,187

Total 
equity
£000
119,329

16,187

228

(28)

85

5

228

(28)

85

5

16,477
(5,873)

124,683

16,477
(5,873)

129,933

At 1 April 2014

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income/(losses):
Movement in unrecognised surplus on defined benefit 
pension schemes net of actuarial loss

Change in fair value of available for sale assets

Tax effect of items taken directly to reserves
Total comprehensive income for the period ended  
31 March 2015

Dividends (see note 9)

At 31 March 2015 

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

Share
capitala)
£000

4,363

—

Share
premiumb)
£000

874

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

4,363

874

Other
reservec)
£000

13

—

—

—

—

—

—

13

Retained
earningsd)
£000

105,659

13,875

Total 
equity
£000

110,909

13,875

283

(55)

11

283

(55)

11

14,114

(5,694)

14,114

(5,694)

114,079

119,329

a)  Share capital — The nominal value of allotted and fully paid up ordinary share capital in issue.

b)  Share premium — Amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value.

c)  Other reserve — Amounts transferred from share capital on redemption of issued shares.

d)  Retained earnings — Cumulative net gains and losses recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.

30

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Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

Notes to the Accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2016

Financial Statements

1  Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The group financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, International Accounting 
Standards (‘IAS’) and Interpretations (collectively ‘IFRS’), as endorsed for use in the EU.

The IFRSs applied in the group financial statements are subject to ongoing amendment by the IASB and subsequent endorsement by the 
European Commission and therefore subject to possible change in the future. Further standards and interpretations may be issued that will be 
applicable for financial years beginning on or after 1 April 2016 or later accounting periods but may be adopted early.

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires the use of certain accounting estimates. It also requires management 
to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the group’s accounting policies.

The primary statements within the financial information contained in this document have been presented in accordance with IAS 1 Presentation 
of Financial Statements. 

The accounts are prepared under the historical cost convention, except where adjusted for revaluations of certain assets, and in accordance 
with applicable Accounting Standards and those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. A summary of 
the principal group IFRS accounting policies is set out below. The presentation currency used is sterling and the amounts have been presented 
in round thousands (“£000”).

New standards effective and adopted by the group in the year
There have been no new standards, or amendments to standards, that have been applied in the year.

Basis of consolidation

The consolidated statement of comprehensive income and balance sheet include the accounts of the parent company and its subsidiaries 
made up to the end of the financial year. These subsidiaries include William Lee Limited and CNC Speedwell Limited, both of which are 100% 
owned, controlled by the company and are based in the UK. Control is achieved where the company has the power to govern the financial 
and operating policies of an investee entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. Intercompany transactions and balances between group 
companies are eliminated in full.

Business combinations and goodwill
Shares issued as consideration for the acquisition of companies have a fair value attributed to them, which is normally their market value at the 
date of acquisition. Net tangible assets acquired are consolidated at a fair value to the group at the date of acquisition. All changes to these 
assets and liabilities, and the resulting gains and losses that arise after the group has gained control of the subsidiary, are credited and charged 
to the post-acquisition income statement.

Under UK GAAP, goodwill arising on acquisitions prior to 1998 was written off to reserves. There have been no acquisitions since 1998. 
Following the exemption in IFRS 1 this treatment has continued to be followed.

Revenue recognition
Revenue is measured at the fair value of consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods and services 
provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts, VAT and other sales-related taxes. Revenue from the sale of goods relates to the 
sale of castings. Revenue from the sale of services relates to machining and minor assembly work performed on a subcontract basis for external 
customers. Revenue is recognised when the goods and services have been collected by, or delivered to, the customer in accordance with the 
agreed delivery terms, reflecting the point at which the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the customer.

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C.

Notes to the Accounts
continued

1  Accounting policies continued
Post-retirement benefits
Two of the group’s pension plans are of a defined benefit type. Under IAS 19R Employee Benefits the employer’s portion of the current service 
costs and curtailment gains are charged to operating profit for these plans, with the net interest also being charged/credited to operating 
profit subject to the asset ceiling. Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in other comprehensive income and the balance sheet reflects the 
schemes’ surplus or deficit at the balance sheet date. A full valuation is carried out triennially using the projected unit credit method.

Where the group cannot benefit from a scheme surplus in the form of refunds from the plans or reductions in future contributions, any asset 
resulting from the above policy is restricted accordingly.

Payments to the defined contribution scheme are charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income as they become payable.

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment assets are held at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on property, plant and equipment, 
other than freehold land and assets in the course of construction, on a straight-line basis. The periods of write-off used are as follows:

i.  Freehold buildings over 50 years.

ii.  Leasehold land and buildings over 50 years or the period of the lease, whichever is less.

iii.  Plant and equipment over a period of 3 to 15 years, straight-line.

The group annually reviews the assessment of residual values and useful lives in accordance with IAS 16.

Inventories
The group’s inventories are valued at the lower of cost on a first in, first out basis and net realisable value. Cost includes a proportion of 
production overheads based on normal levels of activity. Provision is made for obsolete and slow-moving items.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash in hand, deposits at call with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments with original 
maturities of three months or less from inception.

Foreign currencies
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated at the spot rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign 
currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction; all differences are dealt with through the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income.

Financial instruments

a) Financial assets
The group’s financial assets relate to loans and receivables and available-for-sale assets. Although the group occasionally uses derivative 
financial instruments in economic hedges of currency rate risk, it does not hedge account for these transactions and the amounts are not 
material. The group has not classified any of its financial assets as held to maturity.

Available-for-sale assets
Available-for-sale financial assets comprise the group’s strategic investments in entities not qualifying as subsidiaries. They are carried at fair 
value with changes in fair value recognised directly in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Fair value is determined with 
reference to published quoted prices in an active market.

Loans and receivables
These assets are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. They arise 
principally through the provision of goods and services to customers (e.g. trade receivables) and deposits held at banks and building societies, 
but may also incorporate other types of contractual monetary asset. They are initially recognised at fair value plus transaction costs that are 
directly attributable to the acquisition or issue and subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method, less provision 
for impairment.

32

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Notes to the Accounts

continued

Financial Statements

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

b) Financial liabilities
The group classifies its financial liabilities into liabilities measured at amortised cost. Although the group uses derivative financial instruments in 
economic hedges of currency risk, it does not hedge account for these transactions, and the amounts are not material. These derivative financial 
instruments are accounted for at fair value through the consolidated statement of income where material to the financial statements.

Unless otherwise indicated, the carrying amounts of the group’s financial liabilities are a reasonable approximation of their fair values.

Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost
Financial liabilities include trade payables and other short-term monetary liabilities, which are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently 
carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Fair value is calculated by discounting estimated future cash flows using a market rate of interest.

c) Share capital
The group’s ordinary shares are classified as equity instruments. Share capital includes the nominal value of the shares and any share premium 
attaching to the shares.

Current and deferred tax
Deferred tax is provided using the liability method. Deferred income tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable 
profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.

Deferred tax is measured at the actual tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which the temporary differences are expected to 
reverse, based on tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Current tax is provided for on the taxable profits of each company in the group, using current tax rates and legislation that has been enacted or 
substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Dividends
Equity dividends are recognised when they become legally payable. Interim equity dividends are recognised when paid. Final equity dividends 
are only recognised when approved by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting. 

Exceptional items
Exceptional items are those significant items which are separately disclosed by virtue of the size or incidence to enable a full understanding of 
the group’s financial performance.

Standards, interpretations and amendments to published standards that are not yet effective
The following new standards, amendments and interpretations have been issued but are not yet effective and therefore have not been adopted 
in these financial statements. Management are considering the impact of the changes on future reporting. 

• 

• 

• 

IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements;

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments; 

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers; and

•  Annual Improvements 2012–2014 Cycle – including IFRS 7 Financial Instruments, IAS 19 Employee Benefits and IAS 34 Interim Reporting.

There are a number of further standards, interpretations and amendments to published standards not set out above which the directors consider 
not to be relevant to the group.

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C.

Notes to the Accounts
continued

1  Accounting policies continued
Critical accounting estimates and judgements
The group makes certain estimates and judgements regarding the future. Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated based on 
historical experience and other factors, including expectation of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. In the 
future, actual experience may differ from these estimates and judgements. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing 
a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.

Pension assumptions
The costs, assets and liabilities of the defined benefit pension schemes operated by the group are determined using methods relying on actuarial 
estimates and assumptions. Details of the key assumptions are set out in note 6.

Pension surplus
In accordance with the winding-up provisions of the Trust Deed and Rules of the final salary pension schemes, management have concluded 
that the company does not have an unconditional right to receive returns of contributions or refunds when the schemes are in surplus. 
Accordingly, the surplus has not been recognised on the balance sheet as set out in note 6.

2   Operating segments
For internal decision-making purposes, the group is organised into three operating companies which are considered to be the operating 
segments of the group: Castings P.L.C. and William Lee Limited are aggregated into Foundry operations and CNC Speedwell Limited is the 
Machining operation.

The following shows the revenues, results and total assets by reportable segment in the year to 31 March 2016:

Revenue from external customers
Inter-segmental revenue

Segmental result 
Unallocated costs:
Exceptional credit for recovery of Icelandic bank deposits 
previously written off
Defined benefit pension cost
Finance income
Profit before income tax
Total assets
Non-current asset additions
Depreciation

All non-current assets are based in the United Kingdom. 

Foundry
operations
£000 

114,738
20,393

Machining
£000

Elimination
£000

17,710
15,496

14,682

4,699

—
—

22

129,704
2,511
3,331

33,089
4,725
3,522

(9,684)
—
—

Total
£000

132,448
35,889

19,403

315
(228)
186
19,676
153,109
7,236
6,853

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Notes to the Accounts

continued

Financial Statements

The following shows the revenues, results and total assets by reportable segment in the year to 31 March 2015:

Revenue from external customers
Inter-segmental revenue

Segmental result 
Unallocated costs:
Exceptional credit for recovery of Icelandic bank deposits previously written off
Defined benefit pension cost
Finance income
Profit before income tax
Total assets
Non-current asset additions
Depreciation

All non-current assets are based in the United Kingdom.

The geographical analysis of revenues by destination for the year is as follows:
United Kingdom 
Sweden 
Netherlands
Rest of Europe 
North and South America 
Other 

All revenue arises in the United Kingdom from the group’s continuing activities. 

Information about major customers

Foundry
operations
£000 
113,300
20,532

Machining
£000
17,968
13,398

Elimination
£000
—
—

Total
£000
131,268
33,930

13,064

4,521

84

17,669

122,650
4,303
3,507

31,919
3,907
3,253

(10,514)
—
—

24
(283)
137
17,547
144,055
8,210
6,760

2015
£000

43,544
31,348
14,715
35,902
3,967
1,792

2016
£000

43,514
33,381
17,422
33,389
4,074
668

132,488

131,268

Included in revenues arising from Foundry operations are revenues of approximately £33,044,000, £16,807,000 and £12,054,000 from three 
ultimate customer groups (2015 – £33,308,000, £15,923,000 and £9,985,000 respectively).

3   Profit from operations

This has been arrived at after charging/(crediting):
Staff costs (note 5)
Cost of inventories recognised as an expense
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Fees payable to the company’s auditors for the audit of the company’s annual accounts
Fees payable to the company’s auditors for other services:
— The audit of the company’s subsidiaries
— Tax compliance services
(Profit)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Loss of disposal of available for sale assets

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

2016
£000

42,866
53,701
6,853
22

30
9
(62)
48

2015
£000

41,087
57,609
6,760
22

30
9
1
—

35

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Castings P.L.C.

Notes to the Accounts
continued

4  Exceptional items

Recovery of past provision for losses on deposits with Icelandic banks 

2016
£000
(315)
(315)

2015
£000
(24)
(24)

The company reported in the year ended 31 March 2009 that £1.86 million was included in other receivables as the net recoverable after 
provision from various Icelandic banks. So far £3.6 million has been received of the original balance of £5.7 million with the excess over the 
£1.86 million being shown as an exceptional credit.

5   Employee information

Average number of employees during the year was: 
Production
Management and administration

Staff costs (including directors) comprise:
Wages and salaries
Defined contribution pension costs
Defined benefit pension cost/(credit) (note 6)
Employer’s national insurance contributions and similar taxes

2016

1,032
103
1,135

2016
£000

37,792
890
228
3,956
42,866

2015

1,022
104
1,126

2015
£000

36,121
959
283
3,724
41,087

In addition to the wages and salaries disclosed above, the group incurred costs of £128,000 (2015 – £314,000) in respect of agency workers.

The directors represent the key management personnel. Details of their compensation are given in the Remuneration Report on page 21.

6   Pensions
The group operates two pension schemes providing benefits based on final pensionable pay, which are closed to new entrants and were closed 
to future accruals on 6 April 2009. The assets are independent of the finances of the group and are administered by Trustees. 

The latest actuarial valuation was performed with an effective date of 6 April 2014 using the defined accrued method. It assumed that the rate 
of return on investments was 4.9% per annum for pre-retirement and 3.9% for post-retirement and price inflation was 3.4% under RPI and 
2.7% under CPI. The demographic assumptions are based on S2PA tables with an age rating of -1 year being applied to the tables for the 
Staff Scheme. For both schemes, the future mortality improvements were based on CMI 2013 projections with a 1.25% per annum long-term 
improvement rate.

The next actuarial valuation will be performed with an effective date of 6 April 2017. 

In order to help optimise the return on assets held by the pension schemes, the pension and administration costs incurred by the schemes are 
paid by the company. The net amount due from the schemes (being payments made less repayments received from the schemes) are subject 
to repayment to the company and recorded as amounts receivable from pension schemes in the group and company accounts (notes 14 and 
8 respectively). The amounts are recorded as payables by the schemes and shown as a reduction to asset values in the pension disclosures set 
out below. 

The pension schemes are related parties of the company and during the year £2,610,000 (2015 – £2,242,000) was paid by the company on 
behalf of the schemes in respect of pension payments and administration costs. There are no funding arrangements in place that would impact 
on future contributions and no contributions are expected to be made in the next financial period.

36

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Notes to the Accounts

continued

Financial Statements

The pension schemes made repayments to the company during the year of £1,135,000 (2015 – £nil). At 31 March 2016 the outstanding 
balance due from the schemes to the company was £7,148,000 (2015 – £5,673,000) as set out in note 14. The outstanding balance was not 
discounted to fair value on the change of terms because the resulting adjustment was not material to the financial statements.

In addition, the group made contributions to individual members’ Group Personal Pension Plans during the year.

Composition of the schemes
The group operates defined benefit schemes (in addition to a defined contribution scheme) in the UK. Full actuarial valuations of the defined 
benefit schemes were carried out at 6 April 2014 and updated to 31 March 2016 using the projected unit method by a qualified independent 
actuary. The major assumptions used by the actuary were (in nominal terms):

Rate of increase of pensions in payment
Discount rate
Inflation assumption (RPI)
Inflation assumption (CPI)

Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year 
Current service cost 
Past service cost
Interest cost on defined benefit obligation
Member contributions
Actuarial gain – demographic assumptions
Actuarial loss/(gain) – financial assumptions
Actuarial loss – experience
Benefits paid
Benefit obligation at end of year
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
Interest income on plan assets
Return on plan assets (less than)/greater than discount rate
Employer contribution
Member contributions
Administrative expenses
Benefits paid
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
Surplus
Unrecognised pension surplus (asset ceiling)
Net amount recognised in the balance sheet

2016
2.15%
3.50%
2.85%
2.15%

2016
£000

53,518
—
—
1,700
—
—
(2,543)
—
(2,404)
50,271

68,082
2,173
(2,658)
—
—
(228)
(2,404)
64,965
14,694
(14,694)
—

2015
2.20%
3.25%
2.90%
2.20%

2015
£000

46,582
—
—
2,050
—
(1,093)
7,620
317
(1,958)
53,518

61,169
2,706
6,448
—
—
(283)
(1,958)
68,082
14,564
(14,564)
—

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C.

Notes to the Accounts
continued

6   Pensions continued
The pension surplus has not been recognised as the group does not have an unconditional right to receive returns of contributions or refunds 
under the scheme rules.

Components of pension cost
Interest cost on defined benefit obligation
Interest income on plan assets
Interest expense on effect of asset ceiling on unrecognised surplus
Total net interest cost
Administrative expenses
Total pension cost recognised within administrative expenses (note 5)
Actuarial (gain)/loss
Return on plan assets greater than discount rate
Changes in asset ceiling on unrecognised surplus
Pension cost shown in statement of comprehensive income
Total defined benefit cost recognised in the year

Defined benefit obligation by participant category

Participant category
Active participants
Deferred participants
Pensioners

Year to 
31 March 
2016
£000

Year to 
31 March 
2015
£000

1,700
(2,173)
473
—
228
228
(2,543)
2,658
(343)
(228)
—

2,050
(2,706)
656
—
283
283
6,844
(6,448)
(679)
(283)
—

31 March
2016
£000

31 March
2015
£000

—
27,472
22,799
50,271

—
29,175
24,343
53,518

Plan assets
Investments of the defined benefit schemes are diversified, such that failure of any single investment would not have a material impact on the 
overall level of assets. The largest proportion of assets are invested in equities, although the schemes also invest in other assets including debt 
securities and managed property. The asset allocations at the year end were as follows:

Assets category
Cash and cash equivalents
Equities
Bonds
Real estate

Amounts repayable to the group

Plan
assets at
31 March
2016
£000

Plan
assets at
31 March
2015
£000

493
47,307
21,820
2,493
72,113
(7,148)
64,965

—
49,595
21,901
2,259
73,755
(5,673)
68,082

The equities are invested in UK equity index (58%), World equity index (37%) and Europe equity index (5%). Of the bonds, 75% of the value are 
invested in over 15 year gilts and active corporate bonds over 10 years.

In determining the appropriate discount rate, the company considers the interest rates of corporate bonds with at least an ‘AA’ rating. 

The projected pension cost for the year ending 31 March 2017 is £233,000.

38

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Notes to the Accounts

continued

Financial Statements

Weighted average life expectancy for mortality tables* used to determine benefit obligations at:

Scheme member age 65 

(current life expectancy)

Scheme member age 45 

(life expectancy at age 65)

2016

2015

Male
Staff/
Shopfloor

Female
Staff/
Shopfloor

Male
Staff/
Shopfloor

Female
Staff/
Shopfloor

23.4/22.5

25.4/24.5

23.3/22.4

25.3/24.4

25.2/24.3

27.3/26.4

25.1/24.2

27.2/26.3

*  Mortality tables S2PA CMI 2013 projections with a 1.25% long-term rate of improvement have been used for both schemes, with a -1 age 

rating applied to the Staff scheme.

Sensitivities
The calculations of the defined benefit obligations are sensitive to the assumptions set out on pages 36 to 39. The following table sets out 
the estimated impact of a change in the assumptions on the defined benefit obligation at 31 March 2016, while holding all other assumptions 
constant. The sensitivity analysis may not be representative of the actual change in defined benefit obligation as it is unlikely that the change in 
assumptions would occur in isolation of another as some of the assumptions may be correlated.

Increase in defined benefit obligation as a result of:
Reduction in the discount rate of 0.25%
Increase in inflation of 0.25%
One year increase in life expectancy

Maturity profile of defined benefit obligation

Expected benefit payments during:
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Years 6–10

£000

2,139
1,496
1,345

31 March
2016
£000

31 March
2015
£000

2,443
2,482
2,522
2,562
2,604
13,665

2,098
2,131
2,164
2,198
2,233
11,704

The maturity profile shown above is not the full maturity profile but that of the next ten years, based on an analysis of the present value of the 
defined benefit obligation.

The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation of the schemes is 17 years.

7   Finance income

Interest on short-term deposits
Income from listed investments

2016
£000
165
21
186

2015
£000
115
22
137

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C.

Notes to the Accounts
continued

8   Income tax

Corporation tax based on a rate of 20% (2015 – 21%)
UK corporation tax
Current tax on profits for the year
Adjustments to tax charge in respect of prior periods

Deferred tax
Current year origination and reversal of temporary differences
Prior year deferred tax movement
Change in rate of corporation tax

Taxation on profit on ordinary activities

Profit on ordinary activities before tax 

Tax on profit on ordinary activities at the standard rate of corporation tax 
in the UK of 20% (2015 – 21%)
Effect of:
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes
Adjustment to tax charge in respect of prior periods
Adjustment to deferred tax charge in respect of prior periods
Change in rate of future tax
Pension adjustments
Total tax charge for period
Effective rate of tax (%)

2016
£000

4,015
(121)
3,894

20
63
(488)
(405)
3,489

2015
£000

3,730
(586)
3,144

80
448
—
528
3,672

19,676

17,547

3,935

3,685

54
(121)
63
(488)
46
3,489
17.7

66
(586)
448
—
59
3,672
20.9

The reduction in the UK corporation tax rate to 19% from 1 April 2017 and 18% from 1 April 2020 were substantively enacted in October 2015. 
Accordingly, these rates have been applied in the measurement of the group’s deferred tax assets and liabilities at 31 March 2016.

9   Dividends

Final paid of 10.08p per share for the year ended 31 March 2015 (2014 – 9.83p)
Interim paid of 3.38p per share (2015 – 3.22p)

2016
£000
4,398
1,475
5,873

2015
£000
4,289
1,405
5,694

The directors are proposing a final dividend of 10.33 pence (2015 – 10.08 pence) per share totalling £4,507,193 (2015 – £4,398,112). In 
addition, the directors have declared a supplementary dividend of 30 pence per share, totalling £13,089,620. These dividends have not been 
accrued at the balance sheet date. 

10  Earnings per share 
Earnings per share is calculated on the profit on ordinary activities after taxation of £16,187,000 (2015 – £13,875,000) and on the weighted 
average number of shares in issue at the end of the year of 43,632,068 (2015 – 43,632,068). There are no potentially dilutive shares, hence the 
diluted earnings per share is the same as above.

40

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Notes to the Accounts

continued

Financial Statements

Land and
buildings
£000

Plant and 
other
equipment
£000

Total
£000

32,256

2,323

—

116,781

149,037

4,913

(716)

7,236

(716)

34,579

120,978

155,557

6,175

811
—

6,986

27,593
26,081

76,290

6,042
(709)

81,623

39,355
40,491

82,465

6,853
(709)

88,609

66,948
66,572

30,950

110,370

141,320

24

1,282

—

(24)

6,928

(493)

—

8,210

(493)

32,256

116,781

149,037

5,400

775

—

6,175

26,081

25,550

70,725

5,985

(420)

76,290

40,491

39,645

76,125

6,760

(420)

82,465

66,572

65,195

11 Property, plant and equipment

Cost
At 1 April 2015

Additions during year 

Disposals

At 31 March 2016

Depreciation and amounts written off
At 1 April 2015

Charge for year 
Disposals

At 31 March 2016

Net book values
At 31 March 2016

At 31 March 2015

Cost
At 1 April 2014

Adjustment to opening position

Additions during year 

Disposals

At 31 March 2015

Depreciation and amounts written off
At 1 April 2014

Charge for year 

Disposals

At 31 March 2015

Net book values
At 31 March 2015

At 31 March 2014

The net book value of group land and buildings includes £2,527,000 (2015 – £2,527,000) for land which is not depreciated. Included within the 
land and buildings are assets in the course of construction with a net book value of £1,971,000 (2015 – £1,015,000 and 2014 – £nil) which are 
not depreciated. The cost of land and buildings includes £359,000 for property held on long leases (2015 – £359,000). 

12  Financial assets

Available-for-sale assets

At 1 April 2015
Net losses transferred to statement of comprehensive income
Reclassification in respect of assets disposed of during the year
At 31 March 2016

2016
£000

354

2016
£000
467
(28)
(85)
354

2015
£000

467

2015
£000
522
(55)
—
467

Available-for-sale financial assets are UK quoted equity securities and are denominated in sterling. The fair value of the securities is based on 
published market prices.

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C.

Notes to the Accounts
continued

13  Inventories

Raw materials 
Work in progress 
Finished goods 

Inventories are net of impairment provisions of £115,000 (2015 – £197,000).

14  Trade and other receivables

Due within one year:
Trade receivables
Other receivables
Receivable from pension schemes (see note 6)
Prepayments 

Due after more than one year:
Receivable from pension schemes (see note 6)

15  Trade and other payables

Current trade and other payables:
Trade payables
Social security
Other payables
Accruals

2016
£000
2,433
4,828
4,731
11,992

2016
£000

23,391
1,237
3,765
1,654
30,047

2016
£000

3,383
3,383

2016
£000

9,592
1,694
205
5,278
16,769

2015
£000
2,527
4,521
5,067
12,115

2015
£000

26,200
1,123
1,135
1,884
30,342

2015
£000

4,538
4,538

2015
£000

11,378
1,814
413
4,997
18,602

Included within accruals is a warranty provision that is not material to the financial statements.

16  Deferred tax
Deferred tax is calculated in full on temporary differences under the liability method using the large company tax rate applicable in future years of 
19% and 18% (2015 – 20%). The movement on the deferred tax account is shown below:

Deferred tax – net

At 1 April 2015
Credited to other comprehensive income
(Credited)/charged to profit
At 31 March 2016

2016
£000
4,788
(5)
(405)
4,378

2015
£000
4,271
(11)
528
4,788

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Notes to the Accounts

continued

Financial Statements

Other
£000
(122)
140
(5)
13

Other
£000
(584)
473
(11)
(122)

2016
£000
(5)
(5)

2016
£000
5,000
4,363

Total
£000
4,788
(405)
(5)
4,378

Total
£000
4,271
528
(11)
4,788

2015
£000
(11)
(11)

2015
£000
5,000
4,363

The movement in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the year is shown below: 

Deferred tax – liabilities

At 1 April 2015
(Credited)/charged to profit
Credited to other comprehensive income
At 31 March 2016

The movement in the deferred tax assets and liabilities during the prior year is shown below:

At 1 April 2014
Charged to profit
Credited to other comprehensive income
At 31 March 2015

Accelerated 
tax 
depreciation
£000
4,910
(545)
—
4,365

Accelerated 
tax 
depreciation
£000
4,855
55
—
4,910

The deferred tax (credited)/charged to other comprehensive income during the year is as follows:

Tax on change in fair value of available-for-sale financial assets
Tax on items taken directly to other comprehensive income

17 Share capital

Authorised 50,000,000 10p ordinary shares
Allotted and fully paid 43,632,068 10p ordinary shares

The group considers its capital to comprise its ordinary share capital, share premium and accumulated retained earnings. In managing its capital, 
the group’s primary objective is to ensure its continued ability to provide a consistent return for its equity shareholders through a combination 
of capital growth and distributions. Each share entitles the holder to receive the amount of dividends per share declared by the company and a 
vote at any meetings of the company.

In order to achieve this objective, the group monitors its gearing to balance risks and returns at an acceptable level and also to maintain a 
sufficient funding base to enable the group to meet its working capital and strategic investment needs. In making decisions to adjust its capital 
structure to achieve these aims, either through altering its dividend policy or new share issues, the group considers not only its short-term 
position but also its long-term operational and strategic objectives.

18  Commitments and contingencies

Capital commitments contracted for by the group but not provided for in the accounts

2016
£000
6,087

2015
£000
1,174

As set out on page 7, the group does not insure against the potential cost of product warranty or recall. Accordingly, there is always the 
possibility of claims against the group for quality related issues on parts supplied to customers. As at 31 March 2016, the directors do not 
consider any significant liability will arise in respect of any such claims (2015 - £nil).

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

43

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Castings P.L.C.

Notes to the Accounts
continued

19 Financial instrument risk exposure and management
In common with all other businesses, the group is exposed to risks that arise from its use of financial instruments. This note describes the 
group’s objectives, policies and processes for managing those risks and the methods used to measure them. Further quantitative information in 
respect of these risks is presented throughout these financial statements.

There have been no substantive changes in the group’s exposure to financial instrument risks, its objectives, policies and processes for 
managing those risks or the methods used to measure them from previous periods unless otherwise stated in this note.

Principal financial instruments
The principal financial instruments used by the group, from which financial instrument risk arises, are as follows:

•  Trade receivables

•  Other receivables

•  Cash at bank

•  Other interest-bearing deposits

•  Trade and other payables

General objectives, policies and processes
The board has overall responsibility for the determination of the group’s risk management objectives and policies and, whilst retaining ultimate 
responsibility for them, it has delegated the authority for designing and operating processes that ensure the effective implementation of the 
objectives and policies to the group’s finance function. The board receives reports through which it reviews the effectiveness of the processes 
put in place and the appropriateness of the objectives and policies it sets.

The overall objective of the board is to set policies that seek to reduce risk as far as possible without unduly affecting the group’s 
competitiveness and flexibility. Further details regarding these policies are set out below:

Categories of financial assets and financial liabilities

Current financial assets
Trade receivables
Other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Other interest-bearing deposits
Total current financial assets
Non-current financial assets
Available for sale assets
Other receivables
Total non-current financial assets
Total financial assets

The maximum exposure to credit risks is detailed in the above table.

Current financial liabilities
Trade payables
Other payables
Accruals
Total current financial liabilities

Financial assets

2016
£000

23,391
5,002
30,385
10,000
68,778

354
3,383
3,737
72,515

2015
£000

26,200
2,258
20,021
10,000
58,479

467
4,538
5,005
63,484

Financial liabilities measured  
at amortised cost

2016
£000

9,592
205
5,278
15,075

2015
£000

11,378
413
4,997
16,788

44

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Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Notes to the Accounts

continued

Financial Statements

Credit risk
Credit risk arises principally from the group’s trade receivables. It is the risk that the counterparty fails to discharge its obligation in respect of the 
instrument. As at 31 March 2016, trade receivables of £23,092,000 (2015 – £25,916,000) were not past due. 

Apart from the largest customers set out in note 2, the group does not have any significant credit risk exposure to any single counterparty or 
any group of counterparties having similar characteristics, being related entities. Concentration of credit risk to the direct customers included in 
note 2 did not exceed 25% of trade receivables at any time during the year. Concentration of credit risk to any other counterparty did not exceed 
10% of trade receivables at any time during the year.

The credit risk on liquid funds is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit-ratings assigned by international credit-rating 
agencies.

Trade receivables
Credit risk is managed locally by the management of each subsidiary. Prior to accepting new customers, credit checks are obtained from a 
reputable external source (for example Creditsafe and trade references).

Based on this information, credit limits and payment terms are established, although for some large customers and contracts, credit risk is 
not considered to be high risk, and credit limits can sometimes be exceeded. These exceeded accounts are closely monitored and if there 
is a concern over recoverability accounts are put on stop and no further goods will be sold before receiving payment. Proforma invoicing is 
sometimes used for new customers, or customers with a poor payment history, until creditworthiness can be proven or re-established.

Management teams at each subsidiary receive regular ageing reports, and these are used to chase relevant customers for outstanding balances.

Impairment provisions are made against trade receivables when considered appropriate based upon objective evidence.

No major renegotiation of terms has taken place during the year. 

At 31 March 2016 trade receivables of £173,000 (2015 – £234,000) were past due but not impaired. They relate to customers with no default 
history. The credit quality of financial assets that are neither past due nor impaired can be assessed by reference to external credit-ratings (if 
available) or to historical information about default rates. The ageing of these receivables is as follows:

30–60 days
60–90 days
90+ days

2016
£000
63
80
30
173

2015
£000
78
156
—
234

The group records impairment losses on its trade receivables (including an impairment provision for trade receivables not past due) separately 
from gross receivables. The movements on this allowance account during the year are summarised below:

Opening balance 
Decrease in provisions
Written off against provisions
Recovered amounts reversed
Closing balance

Impairment loss reversals on trade receivables of £59,000 (2015 – £92,000) were recognised in administrative expenses.

2016
£000
227
(45)
(14)
—
168

2015
£000
319
(85)
(7)
—
227

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C.

Notes to the Accounts
continued

19 Financial instrument risk exposure and management continued 
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk arises from the group’s management of working capital. It is the risk that the group will encounter difficulty in meeting its financial 
obligations as they fall due. The group’s policy is to ensure that it will always have sufficient cash to allow it to meet its liabilities when they 
become due.

To achieve this aim, it seeks to maintain cash balances to meet expected requirements for a period of at least 90 days. The cash position is 
continuously monitored to ensure that there is sufficient cash and that the optimum interest rate is obtained.

Based on projected cash flows, the group expected to have sufficient liquid resources to meet its obligations under all reasonably  
expected circumstances. 

Market risk
Market risk arises from the group’s use of interest-bearing and foreign currency financial instruments. It is the risk that the fair value or future 
cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in interest rates (interest rate risk), foreign exchange rates (currency risk) or 
other market factors (other price risk).

Where the group has generated a significant amount of surplus cash it will invest in term deposits if liquidity risk is not unduly compromised. 
Whilst a review of credit ratings is performed for each counterparty, there will always remain an element of risk over deposits. The directors 
believe that the exposure to market price risk from these activities is acceptable in the group’s circumstances.

Interest rate and currency risk
The group does not have any financial liabilities subject to interest rate risk at the balance sheet date (2015 – £nil).

Foreign exchange risk arises when individual group operations enter into transactions denominated in a currency other than their functional 
currency. It is the group’s policy to convert all non-functional currency to sterling at the first opportunity after allowing for similar functional 
currency outlays. It does not consider the use of hedging facilities would significantly minimise this risk. At the balance sheet date the group had 
forward contracts in place to sell euros with a sterling value of £2,209,000 (2015 – £nil).

The fair value adjustment associated with these contracts is not considered material and was therefore not recognised in these financial 
statements. At the balance sheet date foreign exchange facilities of £1.9 million (2015 – £1.9 million) were unused and available to the group to 
enable it to enter into forward exchange contracts.

The currency and interest profile of the group’s financial assets and financial liabilities are as follows:

Sterling
US$
Euro

Sterling
US$
Euro

46

Floating rate 
assets 
2016
£000
5
211
636
852

Floating rate 
assets 
2015
£000
205
177
2,049
2,431

Fixed rate 
assets 
2016
£000
39,208
—
326
39,534

Interest-free 
assets
2016
£000
29,608
178
2,343
32,129

Fixed rate 
assets 
2015
£000
27,490
—
100
27,590

Interest-free 
assets
2015
£000
30,757
147
2,559
33,463

Total
2016
£000
68,821
389
3,305
72,515

Total
2015
£000
58,452
324
4,708
63,484

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Notes to the Accounts

continued

Financial Statements

Interest-free 
liabilities 
2016
£000
14,529
383
163
15,075

Interest-free 
liabilities 
2015
£000
16,573
—
215
16,788

Sterling
US$
Euro

Fixed rate assets attracted interest rates between 0.35% to 1.25% (2015 – 0.35% to 1.00%) on sterling deposits.

Floating rate assets consisted of overnight cash at bank at nominal interest rates.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand, deposits on call with banks and short-term deposits that have fixed interest rates and 
original maturities of three months or less on inception.

The effect of a +25/(25) increase/(decrease) in basis points with all other variables held constant would have the effect of increasing/(decreasing) 
profit before tax by £85,000/(£85,000) (2015 – £69,000/(£69,000)).

The group believes that movements on exchange rates of +/–5% could be possible, the effect of which is that profit before tax would increase/
(decrease) by £112,000/(£123,000) (2015 – £122,000/(£135,000)).

Other interest bearing deposits
Other interest bearing deposits comprise short-term deposits that have fixed interest rates and a maturity date of 23 November 2016.

Fair value

Unless otherwise indicated, the carrying amounts of the group’s financial instruments are a reasonable approximation of their fair values.

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C.

Five Year Financial History – unaudited

For the years ended 31 March
Trading results
Revenue
Profit before tax
Profit after tax
Dividends paid

Balance sheet summary
Equity
Share capital
Reserves
Total equity
Assets
Property, plant and equipment
Financial assets
Other receivables
Deferred tax asset

Current assets
Total liabilities

Dividends and earnings
Pence per share declared
Number of times covered (dividend paid)
Earnings per share — basic and diluted

2016
£000

132,448
19,676
16,187
5,873

4,363
125,570
129,933

66,948
354
3,383
—
70,685
82,424
(23,176)
129,933

2015
£000

131,268
17,547
13,875
5,694

4,363
114,966
119,329

66,572
467
4,538
—
71,577
72,478
(24,726)
119,329

2014
£000

137,466
21,833
17,258
5,450

4,363
106,546
110,909

65,195
522
—
—
65,717
73,154
(27,962)
110,909

2013
£000

122,215
19,157
14,786
5,157

4,363
97,735
102,098

61,676
494
—
—
62,170
67,622
(27,694)
102,098

2012
£000

126,271
23,093
17,591
4,778

4,363
88,241
92,604

62,226
495
—
—
62,721
57,306
(27,423)
92,604

13.71
2.8
37.10p

13.30
2.4
31.80p

12.96
3.2
39.55p

12.34
2.9
33.89p

11.75
3.7
40.32p

48

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Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Five Year Financial History – unaudited

Parent Company Balance Sheet
31 March 2016

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments
Financial assets
Other receivables

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Other current interest-bearing deposits
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Current tax liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Total liabilities 
Net assets
Equity attributable to the equity holders of the company
Share capital
Share premium account
Other reserve
Retained earnings
Total equity

Financial Statements

Notes

2016
£000

2015
£000

4
5
6
8

7
8

9

10

11

16,357
4,995
354
3,383
25,089

7,692
22,144
8,000
23,388
61,224
86,313

11,723
1,419
13,142

1,234
14,376
71,937

4,363
874
13
66,687
71,937

16,140
5,281
467
4,538
26,426

7,835
22,408
8,000
13,616
51,859
78,285

11,726
857
12,583

1,456
14,039
64,246

4,363
874
13
58,996
64,246

The parent company accounts on pages 49 to 56 were approved and authorised for issue by the board of directors on 15 June 2016, and were 
signed on its behalf by:

B. J. Cooke 
Chairman

S. J. Mant 
Finance Director

Notes to the accounts are on pages 51 to 56.

Registered number — 91580.

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C.

Parent Company Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 March 2016

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

Share
capitala)
£000
4,363

Share
premiumb)

£000
874

Other
reservec)
£000
13

At 1 April 2015

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income/(losses):

Change in fair value of available for sale assets
Reclassification adjustment for gains/(losses) on available for 
sale assets included in profit 

Tax effect of items taken directly to reserves
Total comprehensive income for the period ended  
31 March 2016
Dividends (see note 3)

—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—

—

—

—
—

At 31 March 2016

4,363

874

Retained
earningsd)
£000
58,996

13,502

(28)

85

5

13,564
(5,873)

66,687

—

—

—

—

—
—

13

At 1 April 2014 (as previously stated)

Prior year adjustment (see note 14)

At 1 April 2014 (as restated)

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income/(losses):

Change in fair value of available for sale assets

Tax effect of items taken directly to reserves
Total comprehensive income for the period ended  
31 March 2015

Dividends (see note 3)

At 31 March 2015 

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

Share
capitala)
£000

4,363

—

4,363

—

—

—

—

—

4,363

Share
premiumb)
£000

Other
reservec)
£000

874

—

874

—

—

—

—

—

874

13

—

13

—

—

—

—

—

13

Retained
earningsd)
£000

54,506

(1,120)

53,386

11,348

(55)

11

11,304

(5,694)

58,996

a)  Share capital — The nominal value of allotted and fully paid up ordinary share capital in issue.

b)  Share premium — Amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value.

c)  Other reserve — Amounts transferred from share capital on redemption of issued shares.

d)  Retained earnings — Cumulative net gains and losses recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.

Total 
equity
£000
64,246

13,502

(28)

85

5

13,564
(5,873)

71,937

Total 
equity
£000

59,756

(1,120)

58,636

11,348

(55)

11

11,304

(5,694)

64,246

50

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Parent Company Statement of Changes in Equity

for the year ended 31 March 2016

Notes to the Parent Company Accounts
The Directors’ Report is on pages 12 to 14 of the Annual Report and Accounts

Financial Statements

1   Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice) including Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework (‘FRS 101’). The principal accounting policies 
adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below. The policies have been consistently applied to all years presented, 
unless otherwise stated. 

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for the revaluation of certain financial instruments.

As permitted by FRS 101, the company has taken advantage of certain disclosure exemptions available under that standard and, therefore, 
these financial statements do not include:

•  certain comparative information otherwise required by EU endorsed IFRS;

•  certain disclosures regarding the company’s capital;

•  a statement of cash flows;

• 

• 

the effect of future accounting standards not yet adopted;

the disclosure of the remuneration of key management personnel; and

•  disclosure of related party transactions with other wholly owned members of the group headed by the company.

In addition, and in accordance with FRS 101, further disclosure exemptions have been adopted because equivalent disclosures are included 
in the group accounts. Therefore, these financial statements do not include certain disclosures in respect of business combinations, financial 
instruments (other than certain disclosures required as a result of recording instruments at fair value), impairment of assets and pension 
schemes.

First time application of FRS 100 and FRS 101
In the current year the company has adopted FRS 100 and FRS 101. In previous years the financial statements were prepared in accordance 
with applicable UK accounting standards. This change in basis has materially altered the recognition and measurement requirements previously 
applied; an explanation of the impact is set out in note 14.

Revenue
Revenue is measured at the fair value of consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods provided in the 
normal course of business, net of discounts, VAT and other sales-related taxes. Revenue is recognised when the goods have been collected 
by, or delivered to, the customer in accordance with the agreed delivery terms, reflecting the point that the risks and rewards of ownership are 
transferred to the customer.

Post-retirement benefits
For defined benefit schemes current service costs and curtailment gains are charged to operating profit, with the net interest also being charged/
credited to operating profit subject to the asset ceiling.  Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in other comprehensive income and the 
balance sheet reflects the schemes’ surplus or deficit at the balance sheet date.  A full valuation is carried out triennially using the projected 
unit credit method.  Where the company cannot benefit from a scheme surplus, in the form of refunds from the plans or reduction in future 
contributions, any asset resulting from the above policy is restricted accordingly. Contributions to defined contribution pension schemes are 
charged to the income statement as they become payable.

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment assets are held at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on property, plant and equipment, 
other than freehold land and assets in the course of construction, on a straight-line basis. The periods of write-off used are as follows:

•  Freehold buildings over 50 years

•  Plant and other equipment over a period of 3 to 15 years

Inventories
The company’s inventories are valued at the lower of cost on a first in, first out basis and net realisable value. Cost includes a proportion of 
production overheads based on normal levels of activity. Provision is made for obsolete and slow-moving items.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash in hand, deposits at call with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments with original 
maturities of three months or less from inception.

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C.

Notes to the Parent Company Accounts
continued

The Directors’ Report is on pages 12 to 14 of the Annual Report and Accounts

1   Accounting policies continued
Foreign currencies
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated at the spot rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign 
currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction; all differences are dealt with through the statement of comprehensive 
income.

Financial instruments

a) Financial assets
The company’s financial assets relate to loans and receivables and available for sale financial assets. Although the company occasionally uses 
derivative financial instruments in economic hedges of currency rate risk, it does not hedge account for these transactions and the amounts are 
not material. The company has not classified any of its financial assets as held to maturity.

Available-for-sale assets
Available-for-sale financial assets comprise the company’s strategic investments in entities not qualifying as subsidiaries. They are carried at 
fair value with changes in fair value recognised directly in the statement of comprehensive income. Fair value is determined with reference to 
published quoted prices in an active market.

Loans and receivables
These assets are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. They arise 
principally through the provision of goods and services to customers (e.g. trade receivables and amounts owed by subsidiary companies) and 
deposits held at banks and building societies, but may also incorporate other types of contractual monetary asset. They are initially recognised 
at fair value plus transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue and subsequently carried at amortised cost using the 
effective interest rate method, less provision for impairment.

The effect of discounting on these financial instruments is not considered to be material.

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

b) Financial liabilities
The company classifies its financial liabilities into liabilities measured at amortised cost. Although the company uses derivative financial 
instruments in economic hedges of currency risk, it does not hedge account for these transactions and the amounts are not material.

Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost
Financial liabilities include trade payables and other short-term monetary liabilities, which are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently 
carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Fair value is calculated by discounting estimated future cash flows using a market rate of interest.

c) Share capital
The company’s ordinary shares are classified as equity instruments. Share capital includes the nominal value of the shares and any share 
premium attaching to the shares.

Current and deferred tax
Deferred tax is provided using the liability method. Deferred income tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable 
profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.

Deferred tax is measured at the actual tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which the temporary differences are expected to 
reverse, based on tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Current tax is provided for on the taxable profits of each company in the group, using current tax rates and legislation that has been enacted or 
substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

52

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Notes to the Parent Company Accounts

continued

The Directors’ Report is on pages 12 to 14 of the Annual Report and Accounts

Financial Statements

Dividends
Equity dividends are recognised when they become legally payable. Interim equity dividends are recognised when paid. Final equity dividends 
are recognised when approved by the shareholders at an Annual General Meeting. 

Investments
Investments in subsidiaries are held at cost and reviewed for impairment annually.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements
The company makes certain estimates and judgements regarding the future. Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated based on 
historical experience and other factors, including expectation of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. In the 
future, actual experience may differ from these estimates and judgements. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing 
a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are set out on page 34 of the group accounts.

2   Company profit and loss account
Castings P.L.C. has taken advantage of Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not included its own profit and loss account in these 
accounts. The company’s profit after tax was £13,502,000 (2015 (as restated) – £11,348,000).

The profit and loss account includes £22,000 (2015 – £22,000) for audit fees.

3   Dividends

Final paid of 10.08p per share for the year ended 31 March 2015 (2014 – 9.83p)
Interim paid of 3.38p per share (2015 – 3.22p)

2016
£000
4,398
1,475
5,873

2015
£000
4,289
1,405
5,694

The directors are proposing a final dividend of 10.33 pence (2015 – 10.08 pence) per share totalling £4,507,193 (2015 – £4,398,112). In 
addition, the directors have declared a supplementary dividend of 30 pence per share, totalling £13,089,620. These dividends have not been 
accrued at the balance sheet date. 

4   Property, plant and equipment

Cost
At 1 April 2015
Additions during year
Disposals
At 31 March 2016
Depreciation and amounts written off
At 1 April 2015
Charge for year 
On disposals
At 31 March 2016
Net book values
At 31 March 2016
At 31 March 2015

Land and 
buildings 
£000

Plant and 
other 
equipment 
£000

16,188
669
—
16,857

3,176
281
—
3,457

13,400
13,012

27,137
622
(32)
27,727

24,009
786
(25)
24,770

2,957
3,128

Total
£000

43,325
1,291
(32)
44,584

27,185
1,067
(25)
28,227

16,357
16,140

The net book value of land and buildings includes £2,127,000 (2015 – £2,127,000) for land which is not depreciated. Included within the land 
and buildings are assets in the course of construction with a net book value of £669,000 (2015 and 2014 – £nil) which are not depreciated. The 
cost of land and buildings includes £359,000 for property held on long leases (2015 – £359,000).

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C.

Notes to the Parent Company Accounts
continued

The Directors’ Report is on pages 12 to 14 of the Annual Report and Accounts

5  Investments

Subsidiary companies
At cost

At 1 April 2015
Impairment losses
At 31 March 2016

2016
£000

4,995
4,995

2016
£000
5,281
(286)
4,995

2015
£000

5,281
5,281

2015
£000
5,281
—
5,281

The company owns 100% of the issued share capital of William Lee Limited, CNC Speedwell Limited and W. H. Booth & Co. Limited, 
companies which operate in the United Kingdom. William Lee Limited supplies spheroidal graphite iron castings from Dronfield, Sheffield and 
CNC Speedwell Limited is a machinist operation. W. H. Booth & Co. Limited does not trade and is dormant.

6   Financial assets

Available-for-sale assets

At 1 April 2015
Net losses transferred to the statement of comprehensive income
Reclassification in respect of assets disposed of during the year
At 31 March 2016

2016
£000

354

2016
£000
467
(28)
(85)
354

2015
£000

467

2015
£000
522
(55)
—
467

Available-for-sale financial assets are UK quoted equity securities and are denominated in sterling. The fair value of the securities is based on 
published market prices.

7   Inventories

Raw materials 
Work in progress 
Finished goods 

Inventories are net of impairment provisions of £47,000 (2015 – £90,000).

2016
£000
792
2,866
4,034
7,692

2015
£000
838
2,845
4,152
7,835

54

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Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Notes to the Parent Company Accounts

continued

The Directors’ Report is on pages 12 to 14 of the Annual Report and Accounts

Financial Statements

2016
£000

16,990
—
1,237
3,765
152
22,144

2016
£000

3,383
3,383

2016
£000

4,604
3,794
855
205
2,265
11,723

2015
£000

17,488
2,062
1,120
1,135
603
22,408

2015
£000

4,538
4,538

2015
£000

5,226
2,989
860
209
2,442
11,726

8   Trade and other receivables

Due within one year:
Trade receivables
Amounts receivable from subsidiary companies
Other receivables
Receivable from pension schemes (see note 6 of group accounts)
Prepayments

Due after more than one year:
Receivable from pension schemes (see note 6 of group accounts)

Trade receivables are net of impairment provisions of £50,000 (2015 – £50,000). 

9   Trade and other payables

Current trade and other payables
Trade payables
Amounts owed to subsidiary companies
Social security
Other payables
Accruals

10  Deferred tax
Deferred tax is calculated in full on temporary differences under the liability method using the large company tax rate applicable in future years of 
19% and 18% (2015 – 20%). The movement on the deferred tax account is shown below:

Deferred tax – net

At 1 April 2015
Credited to other comprehensive income
(Credited)/charged to profit
At 31 March 2016

2016
£000
1,456
(5)
(217)
1,234

2015
£000
1,023
(11)
444
1,456

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C.

Notes to the Parent Company Accounts
continued

The Directors’ Report is on pages 12 to 14 of the Annual Report and Accounts

10 Deferred tax continued
The movement in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the year is shown below: 

Deferred tax – liabilities

At 1 April 2015
(Credited)/charged to profit
Credited to other comprehensive income
At 31 March 2016

The movement in the deferred tax assets and liabilities during the prior year is shown below:

At 1 April 2014
(Credited)/charged to profit
Credited to other comprehensive income
At 31 March 2015

Accelerated 
tax 
depreciation
£000
1,557
(353)
—
1,204

Accelerated 
tax 
depreciation
£000
1,568
(11)
—
1,557

The deferred tax (credited)/charged to other comprehensive income during the year is as follows:

Tax on change in fair value of available-for-sale financial assets
Tax on items taken directly to other comprehensive income

11 Share capital

Allotted and fully paid 43,632,068 10p ordinary shares

Other
£000
(101)
136
(5)
30

Other
£000
(545)
455
(11)
(101)

2016
£000
(5)
(5)

2016
£000
4,363

Total
£000
1,456
(217)
(5)
1,234

Total
£000
1,023
444
(11)
1,456

2015
£000
(11)
(11)

2015
£000
4,363

12  Pensions
Castings P.L.C. has no contractual agreement or stated policy for charging its subsidiary entities for the net defined benefit cost on an IAS 19 
Employee Benefits measurement basis.  Legally, Castings P.L.C. is the sponsoring employer for the plan, so it recognises the full defined benefit 
cost or asset (where recoverable) in its financial statements.  The last valuation was performed with the effective date of 6 April 2014. Further details 
of the schemes are contained in note 6 to the group accounts.

13  Capital commitments and contingencies

Authorised, but not provided in the accounts

2016
£000
4,245

2015
£000
—

The company does not insure against the potential cost of product warranty or recall. Accordingly, there is always the possibility of claims 
against the company for quality related issues on parts supplied to customers. As at 31 March 2016, the directors do not consider any 
significant liability will arise in respect of any such claims (2015 - £nil).

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Notes to the Parent Company Accounts

continued

The Directors’ Report is on pages 12 to 14 of the Annual Report and Accounts

Financial Statements

14 First time adoption of FRS 101
For all periods up to and including the year ended 31 March 2015, the company prepared its financial statements in accordance with previously 
extant UK GAAP. These financial statements, for the year ended 31 March 2016, are the first the company has prepared in accordance with FRS 
101.

In preparing these financial statements, the company has started from an opening balance sheet as at 1 April 2014, the company’s date of 
transition to FRS 101, and made those changes in accounting policies and other restatements required for the first-time adoption of FRS 101.

On transition to FRS 101, the company has made the following elections:

•  To retain the carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment at the previous carrying amounts under applicable UK accounting standards

•  Not to restate any business combinations that occured before the date of transition to FRS 101

Reconciliation of equity
The following table summarises the effect on the company’s equity of applying FRS 101 for the first time. The effect of transition relates to the 
inclusion of an additional deferred tax liability relating to assets that attracted industrial buildings allowances in previous years. 

Equity

1 April 2014

31 March 2015

As previously 
stated
£000
59,756

Effect of 
transition
£000
(1,120)

FRS 101 
(as restated)
£000
58,636

As previously 
stated
£000
65,330

Effect of 
transition
£000
(1,084)

FRS 101 
(as restated)
£000
64,246

Reconciliation of total comprehensive income
The following table summarises the effect on the company’s total comprehensive income of applying FRS 101 for the first time. The effect of 
transition relates to the unwinding of an additional deferred tax liability relating to assets that previously attracted industrial buildings allowances. 

Total comprehensive income

31 March 2015

As previously 
stated
£000
11,268

Effect of 
transition
£000
36

FRS 101 
(as restated)
£000
11,304

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C.

Notice of Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the one hundred and ninth Annual General Meeting of Castings P.L.C. (the ‘Company’) will be held at Fairlawns Hotel & 
Spa, Little Aston Road, Aldridge, West Midlands, WS9 0NU on 16 August 2016 at 3.30 pm for the following purposes:

As ordinary business

1  To receive and adopt the Directors’ Report and audited accounts for the year ended 31 March 2016. 

2  To declare a final dividend. 

3  To re-elect B. J. Cooke as a director.

4  To re-elect M. A. Lewis as a director.

5  To re-elect G. B. Wainwright as a director.

6  To re-elect A. N. Jones as a director.

7  To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 March 2016.

8  To reappoint BDO LLP as auditors of the company at a fee to be agreed with the directors. 

To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolutions, of which resolution 9 will be proposed as an ordinary resolution and resolutions 10 
and 11 will be proposed as special resolutions.

The share capital consists of 43,632,068 ordinary shares with voting rights.

As an ordinary resolution

9  THAT:

(a)  the directors be and are hereby generally and unconditionally authorised in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 to exercise all 
the powers of the company to allot relevant securities provided that the aggregate nominal value of such securities shall not exceed 
£636,793, which represents approximately 14.6% of the current issued share capital of the company;

(b)  the foregoing authority shall expire on 15 August 2021 save that the company may before such expiry make an offer or enter into an 

agreement which would or might require relevant securities to be allotted after the expiry of such period and the directors may allot 
relevant securities in pursuance of any such offer or agreement as if the authority conferred had not expired;

(c)  the foregoing authority shall be in substitution for the authorities given to the directors under the Companies Act 2006 on  

18 August 2015, which authorities are accordingly hereby revoked;

(d)  this authority will be put to annual shareholder approval.

As special business

As special resolutions

10   THAT the directors be and are hereby empowered pursuant to the Companies Act 2006 to allot equity securities (within the meaning of 

that Act) for cash pursuant to the general authority conferred by the ordinary resolution numbered 9 set out in the notice convening this 

meeting as if the said Act did not apply to any such allotment provided that this power shall be limited:

(a)  to allotments in connection with an offer of equity securities to the ordinary shareholders of the Company where the securities 

respectively attributable to the interests of such holders are proportionate (as nearly as may be and subject to such exclusions or other 
arrangement as the directors may consider appropriate, necessary or expedient to deal with any fractional entitlements or with any 
legal or practical difficulties in respect of overseas holders or otherwise) to the respective numbers of ordinary shares then held by such 
shareholders; and

(b)  to the allotment (otherwise than pursuant to subparagraph (a) of this resolution) of equity securities having, in the case of relevant 

shares, an aggregate nominal amount, or, in the case of other equity securities, giving the right to subscribe for or convert into relevant 
shares having an aggregate nominal amount not exceeding £218,160, which represents approximately 5% of the current issued share 
capital of the Company,

and shall expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting following the date of this resolution save that the Company shall be 
entitled before such expiry to make an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and 
the directors shall be entitled to allot equity securities in pursuance of such offer or agreement as if the power conferred hereby had not 
expired. In any three year period no more than 7.5% of the issued share capital will be issued on a pre-emptive basis.

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Notice of Meeting

Financial Statements

11  THAT the Company be and is hereby generally and unconditionally authorised for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006 to make one or 

more market purchases of any of its ordinary shares of 10p each (the ‘ordinary shares’), provided that:

(a)  the maximum number of ordinary shares hereby authorised to be purchased is 4,358,844, representing 9.99% of the issued share 

capital at 31 March 2016;

(b)  the minimum price which may be paid for each ordinary share is 10p, exclusive of the expenses of purchase;

(c)  the maximum price (exclusive of expenses) which may be paid for each ordinary share is an amount equal to 105% of the average of the 
middle market quotations for the ordinary shares as derived from the Daily Official List of the London Stock Exchange Limited for the five 
business days immediately preceding the day of purchase;

(d)  unless previously revoked or varied, the authority hereby conferred shall expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of 

the company following the date of this resolution, unless such authority is renewed on or prior to such date;

(e)  the company may, before the expiry of this authority, conclude a contract to purchase ordinary shares under this authority which will or 
may be executed wholly or partly after such expiry and may make a purchase of ordinary shares pursuant to any such contract, as if 
such authority had not expired.

The record date for payment of the final dividend is 15 July 2016. Assuming the final dividend is approved by the members, the dividend will be 
paid on 19 August 2016.

Information about the meeting can be found on the company’s website (www.castings.plc.uk). The right to vote at the meeting is determined by 
reference to the register of members as it stands on 12 August 2016. Shareholders have the right to ask questions at the meeting.

By order of the board

S. J. Mant 

Company Secretary 
Registered Office: 
Lichfield Road, 
Brownhills, 
West Midlands, WS8 6JZ 
15 June 2016

Note:
Any member of the Company entitled to attend and vote at this meeting may appoint one or more proxies, who need not also be a member, to 
attend and vote, on a poll, in his stead. The instrument appointing a proxy, including authority under which it is signed (or a notarially certified 
copy of such authority), must be deposited at the offices of the company’s registrars: Capita Asset Services, PXS, 34 Beckenham Road, Kent, 
BR3 4TU, not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for the meeting.

Beneficial owners:

In accordance with Section 325 of the Companies Act 2006, the right to appoint proxies does not apply to persons nominated to receive 
information rights under Section 146 of the Act.

Persons nominated to receive information rights under Section 146 of the Act who have been sent a copy of this notice of meeting are hereby 
informed, in accordance with Section 149 (2) of the Act, that they may have a right under an agreement with the registered member by whom 
they were nominated to be appointed, or to have someone else appointed, as a proxy for this meeting. If they have no such right, or do not wish 
to exercise it, they may have a right under such an agreement to give instructions to the member as to the exercise of voting rights.

Nominated persons should contact the registered member by whom they were nominated in respect of these arrangements.

In accordance with Regulation 41 of the Uncertified Securities Regulations 2001, only those members entered on the company’s register of 
members at 6.00 pm on the day which is two days before the day of the meeting or, if the meeting is adjourned, shareholders entered on the 
Company’s register of members at 6.00 pm on the day two days before the date of any adjournment shall be entitled to attend and vote at the 
meeting.

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C.

Directors, Officers and Advisers

Directors

B. J. Cooke, AdvDipNFC, FICME    Non-executive Chairman
D. J. Gawthorpe, BSc (Hons), MICME    Chief Executive
S. J. Mant, BSocSc (Hons) FCA    Finance Director
M. A. Lewis    Managing Director, CNC Speedwell Limited
A. Vicary, BEng, MSc, FICME    Managing Director, Brownhills
G. B. Wainwright, MCMI, MIEx, FRSA    Senior Independent Non-executive
A. N. Jones, BA (Hons), FCA    Non-executive

Secretary and
Registered Office

S. J. Mant, FCA
Lichfield Road,
Brownhills,
West Midlands, WS8 6JZ
Tel: 01543 374341
Fax: 01543 377483
Web: www.castings.plc.uk

Registrars

Auditors

Solicitors

Bankers

Stockbrokers

Capita Asset Services
The Registry,
34 Beckenham Road,
Beckenham,
Kent, BR3 4TU
Tel: 0871 664 0300 (Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras,
lines are open 8.30 am to 5.30 pm Mon–Fri)
Fax: 020 8658 3430

BDO LLP
Chartered Accountants
Two Snowhill,
Birmingham, B4 6GA

Enoch Evans LLP
St Paul’s Chambers,
6/9 Hatherton Road,
Walsall,
West Midlands, WS1 1XS

Pinsent Masons LLP
3 Colmore Circus,
Birmingham, B4 6BH

HSBC Bank plc
High Street,
Brownhills,
West Midlands, WS8 6HJ

Arden Partners plc
Arden House,
Highfield Road,
Edgbaston,
Birmingham, B15 3DU

Registered No.

91580

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Shareholder Information

Company Information

Capital gains tax
The official price of Castings P.L.C. ordinary shares on 31 March 1982, adjusted for bonus issues, was 4.92 pence.

Warning to shareholders
The following guidance has been issued by the Financial Conduct Authority:

Over the last year many companies have become aware that their shareholders have received unsolicited phone calls or correspondence 
concerning investment matters. These are typically from overseas-based ‘brokers’ who target UK shareholders offering to sell them what often 
turn out to be worthless or high risk shares in US or UK investments. They can be very persistent and extremely persuasive and a 2006 survey 
by the then Financial Services Authority (FSA) has reported that the average amount lost by investors is around £20,000. It is not just the novice 
investor that has been duped in this way; many of the victims had been successfully investing for several years. Shareholders are advised to be 
very wary of any unsolicited advice, offers to buy shares at a discount or offers of free reports into the company.

If you receive any unsolicited investment advice:

•  Make sure you get the correct name of the person and organisation.

•  Check that they are properly authorised by the FCA before getting involved. You can check at http://www.fca.org.uk/register/

•  The FCA also maintains on its website a list of unauthorised overseas firms who are targeting, or have targeted, UK investors and any 

approach from such organisations should be reported to the FCA so that this list can be kept up to date and any other appropriate action 
can be considered. If you deal with an unauthorised firm, you would not be eligible to receive payment under the Financial Services 
Compensation Scheme. 

• 

If the calls persist, hang up.

More detailed information on this or similar activity can be found on the FCA website www.fca.org.uk/consumers/scams

Website
Castings P.L.C.’s website www.castings.plc.uk gives additional information on the group. Notwithstanding the references we make in this Annual 
Report to Castings P.L.C.’s website, none of the information made available on the website constitutes part of this Annual Report or shall be 
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein.

Castings P.L.C. 
Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016

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Castings P.L.C. 
Lichfield Road 
Brownhills 
West Midlands 
WS8 6JZ

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