30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021Stock Code: CGSCastings-AR2021.indd 3Castings-AR2021.indd 318/06/2021 12:26:1718/06/2021 12:26:17 Castings P.L.C. An Introduction to Castings P.L.C. Castings P.L.C. is a market leading iron casting and machining group based in the UK supplying both the domestic and export markets. 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. Castings-AR2021.indd 4 Castings-AR2021.indd 4 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:17 18/06/2021 12:26:17 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 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 2021 71 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 Castings-AR2021.indd 6 Castings-AR2021.indd 6 27506 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof shell 18/06/2021 12:26:17 18/06/2021 12:26:17 Contents Strategic Report Financial Highlights Chairman’s Statement Group Overview and Strategy Business Model Business and Financial Review Principal Risks and Uncertainties Viability Statement Environmental, Social and Governance S172(1) Statement 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 Auditor’s Report Financial Statements Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income Consolidated Balance Sheet Consolidated Cash Flow Statement Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity Notes to the Financial Statements Five Year Financial History Parent Company Balance Sheet Parent Company Statement of Changes in Equity Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statements Company Information Notice of Meeting Directors, Officers and Advisers Shareholder Information 02 03 04 05 06 08 13 14 18 19 20 23 25 26 27 29 31 32 37 38 39 40 41 58 59 60 61 67 70 71 01 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 1 Castings-AR2021.indd 1 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:17 18/06/2021 12:26:17 Castings P.L.C. Financial Highlights Group revenue (£m) £115m (2020: £139m) 2021 2020 2019 2018 Foundry sales volume (tonnes) 40,100 (2020: 47,700) Revenue Profile Geographical revenue split 115 139 150 133 2021 2020 2019 2018 40,100 47,700 52,200 49,200 United Kingdom 24% Export 76% Customer sector profile Profit before tax (£m) £5.0m (2020: £12.7m) Profit before tax (excluding exceptional items) £4.4m (2020: 12.7m) 4.4 2021 2020 2019 2018 12.7 14.1 12.1 12.7 12.0 15.3 EPS (basic excluding exceptional items) 8.06p (2020: 23.05p) 5.0 2021 2020 2019 2018 EPS (basic) 9.51p (2020: 23.07p) 9.51 2021 2020 2019 2018 8.06 2021 2020 2019 2018 23.07 25.23 22.46 23.05 22.21 28.16 Commercial vehicle 71% Automotive 11% Other 18% Capital expenditure (£m) £5.2m (2020: £8.2m) Dividend per share (excluding supplementary dividend) (pence) 15.26p (2020: 14.88p) 2021 2020 2019 2018 02 5.2 5.3 8.2 2021 2020 2019 2018 11.2 15.26 14.88 14.78 14.50 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 2 Castings-AR2021.indd 2 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:18 18/06/2021 12:26:18 Chairman’s Statement Strategic Report The turnover of the group decreased to £115 million (£139 million last year) with a reduction in profit before exceptional items and income tax to £4.4 million compared to £12.7 million last year. Overview It has been a very difficult year for the company and its employees as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As stated in the interim report in November, output was reduced by 80% during the first two months of the financial year. This was because all our major customers in the commercial vehicle sector stopped building trucks. During this period of lower demand we had to furlough many of our employees. The furlough scheme was put in place by the government to help employees retain their jobs; the alternative would have been a significant number of redundancies in the group. During the second half of the year, demand continued to increase to pre-COVID output levels. However, production was hampered by more employees needing to self-isolate as UK COVID cases increased around the turn of the calendar year. We are now back to full production and busy, however our customers are still seeing shortages of semi-conductors and other materials. We have also seen large increases in raw material prices, in particular steel scrap and copper. These increases will be reflected in price rises in the new financial year, but the profit for the last three months of the year has been affected by under recovery. Foundry businesses During this year our oldest foundry in Brownhills was rebuilt with an improved cooling line and sand plant. This upgrade was delayed until December due to our supplier being unable to obtain some products and the availability of engineers to carry out the job due to COVID-19. I am pleased to say the plant is now working well. Further automation investments have been made at Brownhills and at William Lee in the finishing processes. William Lee have also invested in a heat treatment plant to improve productivity and remove the need to subcontract this process. CNC Speedwell It is disappointing that just as profitability was starting to improve in the machining business, COVID-19 happened. However, we have continued to invest in robotic handling and we have now seen an improvement with extra volumes and greater utilisation of our investments. We anticipate this improvement will continue and that the company will return to profitability in the current year. Outlook Our customers are forecasting increased volumes in the second half of this financial year and despite some problems in their supply chain we are maintaining full production and increasing our stock back to our previous levels. Dividend Once again our conservative financial policy has proved to be a strength during these difficult times and it is gratifying that, as a result, we have been able to maintain dividend payments during the COVID-19 pandemic. The directors are recommending the payment of a final dividend of 11.69 pence per share to be paid on 23 August 2021 to shareholders on the register on 23 July 2021. This, together with the interim dividend, gives a total dividend for the year of 15.26 pence per share. It has been a very difficult year and, in this respect, I particularly wish to thank the directors and senior management of the group who kept the operations running during the worst of the pandemic. I also wish to thank all of our employees for their help and understanding during this unique period. B. J. Cooke Chairman 16 June 2021 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 03 Castings-AR2021.indd 3 Castings-AR2021.indd 3 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:18 18/06/2021 12:26:18 Castings P.L.C. Group Overview and Strategy Group overview Castings P.L.C. is a market leading iron casting and machining group based in the UK, supplying both the domestic and export markets. The original foundry operation dates back to 1835 and today the group comprises of three trading businesses, employing over 1,000 people in the UK. The group operates two iron foundries – Castings P.L.C. (Brownhills, West Midlands) and William Lee Limited (Dronfield, Derbyshire) – together with the CNC Speedwell Limited machining operation which is also based in Brownhills. The group produces Ductile iron, SG iron, Austempered ductile iron (ADI), SiMo and Ni-resist castings up to 45kg in weight. Our three Disamatic moulding machines and three horizontal green sand moulding machines provide a foundry capacity of 70,000 tonnes per annum. Our machining operation is invested to support the capacity requirements of the foundry customer base and also to expand general machining in alternative materials Strategy Our continued strength is largely as a result of our investment in the latest technologies and manufacturing processes. Utilising high volume equipment in a medium batch environment, we are perfectly positioned to our commercial vehicle focussed customer base in Europe and beyond. The management team is committed to developing the business for the benefit of shareholders, employees and customers. Our focus is to deliver long term sustainable revenues and higher than average margins through the following strategic priorities: Reinvestment for innovation and efficiency We invest in the latest technologies to provide our customers with innovative design and production offerings and to ensure we maximise production process efficiencies. We seek to strike a balance in the allocation of strong cash flows between reinvestment and providing attractive returns for shareholders. Increase OEM market share By continuing to work collaboratively with customers to develop innovative, cost- effective solutions, we strive to increase our market share within our existing core commercial vehicle customer base. With our investment in warehousing and logistics systems, we are well placed to take advantage of opportunities to bring additional products to our current OEM customers. Strength of balance sheet The group balance sheet is managed to ensure long-term financial stability and the ability to make efficient investment decisions to support our strategic objectives. Investment in our people With over 1,000 employees in the UK, our workforce are a critical element to the continued success of the group. We are committed to developing our people through targeted and balanced training across all levels whilst maintaining an eye on the future with apprenticeship programmes in all companies in the group. 04 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 4 Castings-AR2021.indd 4 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:18 18/06/2021 12:26:18 Group Overview and Strategy Business Model INVESTMENT D E S I G N C OLLABORATION O U R PEOPLE R E M O T S U C O T Y R E V I L E D F O U N D R Y P R O D U C T IO N MACHIN I N G CAPABILI T I E S INVESTMENT VALUE FOR STAKEHOLDERS Customers Employees Shareholders Flexible, agile and cost-effective supply of high- quality and diverse product range. Long-term security of supply. Training and investment allowing our employees to develop in a challenging and ambitious environment. Maintaining competitive position affords us growth opportunities to increase returns to our shareholders. Strong cash generation and a progressive dividend policy. Communities and environment We aim to contribute positively to the communities and environment in which we operate. A recycler of steel scrap metal produced in the UK. Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Strategic Report Design collaboration Work closely with customers to develop cost effective solutions to meet their needs. Use of 3D design simulation and rapid prototyping. Our people Committed, experienced workforce with a high degree of technical knowledge. Foundry production High-volume moulding equipment used in a flexible manner (zero time changeovers) to allow production of small or large volume batches. Ability to produce a diverse range of parts. Technical expertise, investment in flexible automation and efficient working practices ensure cost of production is kept low, whilst quality of output is very high. Machining capability Highly invested machine shop focussed on the prismatic machining of castings primarily for the group customer base. Robotic feeding of machines being rolled out to aid efficiencies and quality standards. Vertical integration of assembly processes available. Delivery to customer Investment in logistics systems ensures a diverse product range is managed effectively meeting strict customer delivery deadlines. Experience in managing logistics both domestically and for the export market. 05 Castings-AR2021.indd 5 Castings-AR2021.indd 5 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:18 18/06/2021 12:26:18 Castings P.L.C. Business and Financial Review General overview The year has been significantly impacted by reduced demand as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first two months of the year saw commercial vehicle customers, which make up approximately 70% of group revenue, close their production facilities. Schedules increased gradually from that point and by the end of the first half of the year revenue was 57% of the level compared to the first six months of the previous financial year. During the second half of the year, demand continued to increase to pre-COVID output levels. However, production was hampered by the need for more employees having to self-isolate as UK COVID cases increased around the turn of the calendar year. Overview of business segment performance The segmental revenue and results for the current and previous years are set out in note 2 on pages 44 and 45. An overview of the performance, position and future prospects of each segment, and the relevant KPIs, are set out below. Key Performance Indicators The key performance indicators considered by the group are: • Segmental revenue • Segmental profit • EPS • Net cash • Dividends per share Foundry operations As set out above, customer demand was weak during the first quarter of the financial year but started to improve during the second quarter and through the second half of the year. The foundry businesses experienced a decrease in output of 15.9% to 40,100 tonnes and a fall in external sales revenue of 16.2% to £112.0 million. The trend of an increase in more complex, machined parts has continued in the year. Of the total output weight for the year, 57.5% related to machined castings compared to 55.8% in the previous year. The segmental profit has decreased to 06 £6.7million, from £13.4 million in the previous year, which represents a profit margin of 5.4% on total segmental sales (2020 – 8.9%). In addition to the disruption of self-isolation, margins have been negatively impacted by significant increases in raw material prices in the last three months of the year. Due to the nature of the customer escalator mechanism, these price increases will not be reflected in the selling price until the current financial year. During the period of lower production, the opportunity was taken to advance the automation in the finishing processes. The businesses are now well positioned to achieve the productivity gains in this area. Investment of £3.7 million has been made in the foundry businesses during the year. This included £1.5 million on an upgrade to one of the Brownhills production lines and a £0.5 million investment to bring in-house a finishing process that was previously outsourced. Machining The machining business generated total sales of £18.3 million in the year compared to £24.4 million in the previous year. Of the total revenue, 14.8% was generated from external customers compared to 20.6% in 2020. The segmental result for the year was a loss of £2.3 million (2020 – loss of £0.67 million). The significantly lower volumes during the first half of the year have a particularly negative impact on such a well invested business; resulting in a first half loss of £2.1 million. The benefits of the engineering and productivity improvements that have been made started to be realised as volumes increased in the second half of the year; the loss reducing to £0.2 million in this period. We have invested £1.5 million during the year, which remains in line with the forecast lower levels, continuing management’s focus on enhancing the return on the capital already invested in the machining business. This investment included £0.9 million in the roll-out of automation which will continue during the current year. Business review and performance Revenue Group revenues decreased by 17.3% to £114.7 million compared to £138.7 million reported in 2020, of which 76% was exported (2020 – 74%). The revenue from the foundry operations to external customers decreased by 16.2% to £112.0 million (2020 – £133.6 million) with the dispatch weight of castings to third- party customers decreasing by 15.9% to 40,100 tonnes (2020 – 47,700 tonnes). Revenue from the machining operation to external customers decreased by 46.1% during the year to £2.7 million (2020 – £5.0 million). Operating profit and segmental result The group operating profit for the year was £4.9 million compared to £12.5 million reported in 2020, which represents a return on sales of 4.3% (2020 – 9.0%). However, this year’s result includes an exceptional gain of £0.63 million, primarily relating to the profit on the sale of a property during the year; an adjusted return on sales figure for the year would be 3.7%. Finance income The level of finance income decreased to £0.08 million compared to £0.21 million in 2020, reflecting the lower interest rates available on deposits compared to the prior year. Profit before income tax and exceptional items Profit before income tax and exceptional items has decreased to £4.4 million from £12.7 million. Taxation The current year tax charge of £0.84 million (2020 – £2.63 million) is made up of a current tax charge of £1.18 million (2020 – £2.18 million) and a deferred tax credit of £0.35 million (2020 – charge of £0.45 million). The effective rate of tax of 16.8% (2020 – 20.7%) is lower than the main rate of corporation tax of 19%. The main reason being an adjustment to the deferred tax balance relating to the prior year. Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 6 Castings-AR2021.indd 6 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:18 18/06/2021 12:26:18 Business and Financial Review Strategic Report Earnings per share Basic earnings per share decreased 58.8% to 9.51 pence (2020 – 23.07 pence), reflecting the 60.1% decrease in profit before income tax and a lower effective tax rate compared to the previous year. Options over 35,292 shares were granted during the year, as set out on page 29. The weighted average number of shares in issue has therefore increased to 43,667,360, resulting in a diluted earnings per share of 9.50 pence per share Due to the magnitude of the exceptional items in the year, an alternative earnings per share excluding exceptional items has been presented. This year’s basic figure is 8.06 pence per share (2020 - 23.05 pence). Dividends The directors are recommending a final dividend of 11.69 pence per share (2020 – 11.40 pence per share) to be paid on 23 August 2021 to shareholders on the register on 23 July 2021. This would give a total ordinary distribution for the year of 15.26 pence per share (2020 – 14.88 pence per share). Cash flow The group generated cash from operating activities of £13.0 million compared to £27.2 million in 2020, a decline of £14.2 million. When compared to 2020, the variance is due to a decrease in operating profit of £8.4 million and a working capital movement difference of £5.8 million. In the year to 31 March 2021, the inflows from a decrease in inventories of £2.5 million and increase in payables of £4.3 million were offset by an outflow from an increase in receivables of £7.0 million. The movement in receivables is a result of the higher demand in the final quarter of the year when compared to the lower, COVID impacted, demand in the same quarter of the prior year. Corporation tax payments during the year totalled £0.7 million compared to £4.4 million in 2020. The current year outflow reflects the estimates made relating to the current year profits. The prior year saw a change in the timing of quarterly payments such that all are paid in the financial year to which they relate. As a result, the prior year had an outflow of four quarterly payments relating to that year as well as two payments relating to the year ended 31 March 2019. Capital expenditure during the year amounted to £5.2 million (2020 – £8.2 million). This included investment of £1.5 million in a foundry plant upgrade as well as other automation and productivity enhancements. The charge for depreciation was £8.8 million compared to £8.9 million in 2020. Proceeds from the disposal of an asset held for sale of £1.7 million represents the sale of the Fradley site previously occupied by the machining business. The proceeds are shown net of disposal costs and a payment to secure the freehold of the site. The other current interest-bearing deposit (a deposit with a maturity of more than three months at inception) inflow in the prior year reflected the maturity of a £5.0 million deposit that was placed on a shorter term deposit and was therefore treated as a cash and cash equivalent inflow. The company pays pensions on behalf of the two final salary pension schemes and then reclaims these advances from the schemes (as set out in note 6). During the year repayments of £2.8 million (2020 – £3.5 million) were received from the schemes and advances were made to the schemes of £2.5 million (2020 – £2.8 million). Dividends paid to shareholders were £6.5 million in the year (2020 - £13.0 million). The prior year figure includes £6.5 million in respect of a supplementary dividend declared in respect of the year ended 31 March 2019. The net cash and cash equivalents movement for the year was an increase of £2.7 million (2020 – £7.6 million). At 31 March 2021, the total cash and deposits position was £36.1 million (2020 – £33.4 million). Pensions The pension valuation showed a decrease in the surplus, on an IAS 19 (Revised) basis, to £9.9 million compared to £11.2 million in the previous year. The majority of the liabilities of the schemes are covered by an insurance asset that fully matches, subject to final adjustment of the bulk annuity pricing, the remaining pension liabilities of the schemes. However, there remains the uninsured element relating to the GMP equalisation liability (which has been extended to include previous transfer values as well as current members). This liability has increased during the year as a result of the change in valuation assumptions (further detail is set out in note 6). The pension 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. Balance sheet Net assets at 31 March 2021 were £129.5 million (2020 – £131.7 million). Other than the total comprehensive income for the year of £4.3 million, the only movement relates to the dividend payment of £6.5 million. Non-current assets have decreased to £67.4 million (2020 – £71.1 million) primarily as a result of investment in property, plant and equipment during the year being at a level below the depreciation charge. Current assets have increased to £90.2 million (2020 – £84.6 million). The level of receivables and total cash balances have increased compared to 2020 but this has been partially offset by the reduction in inventories and the disposal of the held for sale asset. Total liabilities have increased to £28.1 million (2020 – £24.0 million), largely as a result of an increase in trade payables along with the current tax balance moving to be a liability this year. Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 07 Castings-AR2021.indd 7 Castings-AR2021.indd 7 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:18 18/06/2021 12:26:18 Castings P.L.C. Principal Risks and Uncertainties 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 regularly assess the principal risks facing the entity. Whilst it is difficult to completely quantify every material risk that the group faces, below is a summary of those risks that the directors believe are most significant to the group’s business and could have a material impact on future Risk description COVID-19 As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the group has seen significant disruption to its operations. Our commercial vehicle customers, which comprise 71% of our revenue base, reported plant closures impacting the period between March and May 2020. Since that time, all OEMs have reopened their facilities and have increased their build rates during the remainder of the financial year. European market exposure The negotiations on the UK’s membership and future relationship with the European Union have now been concluded. As a group with over 70% of sales exported to Europe, the process presented a potential commercial and compliance risk and threatened possible business interruptions due to the logistics network not functioning on a timely basis. Whilst a deal has now been concluded, the continuing evolution of business processes, regulatory understanding and commercial positioning in the post Brexit market presents a material risk to the group’s financial position and prospects. performance, causing it to differ materially from expected or historic achieved results. Information is also provided as to how the risks are, where possible, being managed or mitigated. The group does not operate an internal audit function; however, risk management is overseen by senior management and group risk registers are maintained and regularly reviewed, alongside factors which may result in changes to risk assessments or require additional mitigation measures to be implemented. Key risks arising or increasing in impact are reviewed at both group and subsidiary board meetings. The impact of each risk set out below has been described as increasing, stable or decreasing dependent upon whether the business environment and group activity has resulted in a change to the potential impact of that risk. A number of risks have been described as constantly under review. Due to the unprecedented trading conditions during the financial period, managing the impact the risks have on operations and stakeholders has been a core part of the business management activity during the period and management continues to monitor and react to changes to those risks daily whilst maintaining a focus on delivery of medium and long-term objectives. Impact Mitigation and control Constantly under review Operationally, the group maintained production at all locations commensurate with the level of demand. A significant proportion of the workforce was placed on furlough leave under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme with others working remotely or operating under strict social distancing guidelines. Other than lower demand, which remains an on-going risk, the group has continued to operate in the usual manner and the normal controls have been maintained. Constantly under review Any additional duties could reduce how competitive the group is in key European markets and therefore impact future demand. The greater administrative complexity of trading with the EU could increase the operating cost of the business. Short term business interruption could damage relationships with key customers. The group has implemented strict social distancing guidelines for those employees whose job roles cannot be performed remotely to minimise the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks disrupting business activity and to safeguard our employees. Additional protective equipment is available, and cleaning of shared site facilities has increased in line with government guidance. As part of the short-term mitigation, we maintained higher than normal levels of raw material inventories and customers and suppliers were encouraged to build stock. We maintain a regular dialogue with our key suppliers and customers to ensure the risk in disruption to supply is mitigated. The group conducted Brexit reviews led by the group CEO which included senior management of each entity in order to ensure that a coordinated and timely response to issues minimised negative impacts and maximised any strategic opportunities arising. 08 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 8 Castings-AR2021.indd 8 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:19 18/06/2021 12:26:19 Principal Risks and Uncertainties Strategic Report Risk description Impact Mitigation and control Operational and commercial The group’s revenues are principally derived from the commercial vehicle markets which can be subject to variations in patterns of demand. Commercial vehicle sales are linked to technological factors (for example emissions legislation) and economic growth. Market competition 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. Constantly under review The operational and commercial activity of the business is driven by customer demand. At present demand continues to change rapidly dependent upon the significant variable factors in the macroeconomic environment such as COVID-19, Brexit and changing regulatory positions. The groups operations are set up in such a way as to ensure that variation in demand can be accommodated and rapidly responded to. Demand is closely reviewed by senior management on a constant basis. Stable Erosion of market share could result in loss of revenue and profit. Whilst there can be no guarantee that business will not be lost on price, we are confident that we can remain competitive. The group continues to mitigate this risk through investment in productivity, with a strong focus on cost and customer value. Customer concentration, programme dependencies and relationships The group has strong relationships with key customers in the commercial vehicle market which form the majority of the customer base. Stable The loss of, or deterioration in, any major customer relationship could have a material impact on the group’s results. We build strong relationships with our customers to develop products to meet their specific needs. 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. Stable Fines or penalties could result in a loss of revenue, additional costs and reduced profits. Whilst it is a policy of the group to endeavour 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. Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 09 Castings-AR2021.indd 9 Castings-AR2021.indd 9 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:19 18/06/2021 12:26:19 Castings P.L.C. Principal Risks and Uncertainties continued Impact Mitigation and control Stable The group is exposed to gains or losses that could be material to the group’s financial results and can increase or decrease how competitive the group’s pricing is to overseas markets. The group’s foreign exchange risk is well mitigated through commercial arrangements with key customers. Foreign exchange rate risk is sometimes partially mitigated by using forward foreign exchange contracts. Such contracts are short term in nature, matched to contractual cash flows and non-speculative. Stable A large incident could disrupt business at the site affected and result in significant rectification costs or material asset impairments. Whilst this risk cannot be entirely mitigated without uneconomic duplication of all key equipment, all key equipment is maintained to a high standard and inventories of strategic equipment spares maintained. Risk description Foreign exchange The group is exposed to foreign exchange risk on both sales and purchases denominated in currencies other than sterling, being primarily euro and US dollar. 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. Suppliers The group holds longstanding relationships with key suppliers and there is a risk that a business which the group is critically dependent upon could be subject to significant disruption and that this could materially impact the operations of the group. Increasing The risk of a supplier’s business interruption is increased due to the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks or delays to deliveries as the logistics industry adjusts to import requirements now in place following the UK’s exit from the European Union. There is also a greater risk of suppliers having financial difficulties arise due to closures or business interruption which could negatively impact the group. The facilities at Brownhills and Dronfield have similar equipment and work can be transferred from one location to another very quickly. 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 group continues to maintain productive dialogue with key suppliers, working together to adjust to changes to the business environment. 10 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 10 Castings-AR2021.indd 10 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:19 18/06/2021 12:26:19 Principal Risks and Uncertainties continued Strategic Report Risk description Impact Mitigation and control Commodity and energy pricing The group is exposed to the risk of price inflation on raw materials and energy contracts. 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. Stable Changes to the pricing of the group’s commodity and energy purchases could materially impact the financial performance of the group if no mitigating actions were taken. Information technology and systems reliability Increasing Significant failures to the IT systems of the group as a result of external factors could result in operational disruption and a negative impact on customer delivery and reporting capabilities. The group is dependent on its information technology (“IT”) systems to operate its business efficiently, without failure or interruption. The group continues to invest in IT systems to aid in the operational performance of the group and its reporting capabilities. There are increasing global threats faced by these systems as a result of sophisticated cyber-attacks. Short-term deposits The group holds a number of short-term deposits which are subject to recoverability or downgrade risk. Regulatory and legislative compliance 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 12 months, although renegotiation risks remain at contract maturity dates but again this is mitigated through the application of price adjustment clauses. At 31 March 2021, the group had electricity contracts in place until 30 September 2022. Whilst data within key systems is regularly backed up and systems subject to virus protection, any failure of backup systems or other major IT interruption could have a disruptive effect on the group’s business. IT projects are reviewed and approved at board level and the group continues to invest in IT security to improve our resilience and response towards such threats. Stable Institutions can be downgraded before maturity, thereby possibly placing these deposits at risk. A review of credit ratings is undertaken prior to making new deposits and the maximum exposure to any one counterparty is restricted. The group must comply with a wide range of legislative and regulatory requirements including modern slavery, anti-bribery and anti-competition legislation, taxation legislation, employment law and import and export controls. Increasing Failure to comply with legislation could lead to substantial financial penalties, business disruption, diversion of management time, personal and corporate liability and loss of reputation. The group maintains a comprehensive range of policies, procedures and training programmes in order to ensure that both management and relevant employees are informed of legislative changes and it is clear how the group’s business is expected to be carried out. Whistleblowing procedures and an open- door management style are in place to enable concerns to be raised and addressed. Specialist advice is made available to management when required to ensure that the group is up to date with changes in regulation and legislation. Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 11 Castings-AR2021.indd 11 Castings-AR2021.indd 11 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:19 18/06/2021 12:26:19 Castings P.L.C. Principal Risks and Uncertainties continued Risk description Climate change The group’s operations are energy intensive and whilst the group considers that its businesses provide fundamental components and services which will prove resilient in a transition towards a net zero economy, the board recognises the group is likely to receive increased scrutiny in the future in relation to emissions and climate change. Impact Mitigation and control Increasing It is expected that green taxes on energy and the compliance cost of meeting developing reporting obligations for our stakeholders will result in increased energy prices and administrative expenses. The group is developing its ability to report under the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure with a view to reporting under the TCFD recommendations in the year ending 31 March 2022. A working group has been formed to continue to monitor and report on developments with regards to climate risk. As part of the renewal of energy contracts the group reviews whether investment in renewable energy sources would meet the group’s investment criteria and such proposals will continue to be considered on their commercial merits. The group will continue to engage with and understand the needs of its stakeholders with regards to climate risk. 12 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 12 Castings-AR2021.indd 12 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:19 18/06/2021 12:26:19 Principal Risks and Uncertainties continued Viability Statement Strategic Report In conducting the review of the group’s long-term prospects, the directors considered economic and market conditions in conjunction with the strategy and the principal risks facing the group (as set out in the Strategic Report on pages 2 to 19). 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 review has been performed against the backdrop of uncertain levels of demand following the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 2021. This longer-term assessment process supports the board’s statements on both viability, as set out below, and going concern (on page 24). 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. The directors’ viability assessment included a review of three year profit and cash flow estimates, alongside the group’s current position, and 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. The assessment was based on current demand schedules from customers and assumed that these levels remained consistent for the three year period. The sensitivity analysis was based on the assumption that demand levels were reduced by 50% for the three year period. 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 2021, with cash and deposits of £36.1 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 2024. Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 13 Castings-AR2021.indd 13 Castings-AR2021.indd 13 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:19 18/06/2021 12:26:19 Castings P.L.C. Environmental, Social and Governance At a glance • Whilst our foundries are energy intensive, we only operate electric furnaces whereas a number of competitors still use fossil fuel based melting techniques. • 100% of our electricity (which makes up around 90% of our total kWh energy consumed) is purchased from renewable sources, as defined by OFGEM, due to the associated Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origins certificates. • Just under 11% of the total kWh energy consumed in the year is from the consumption of natural gas in our production processes. • We are a recycler of scrap metal and, in turn, seek to recycle waste produced in our own manufacturing facilities. • All staff are employed on permanent contracts of employment, the group does not operate any zero-hours contracts. Our Strategy As an established manufacturing company, we define standards and are guided by long-term values. Corporate responsibility includes financial transparency, clear and open communication, being a socially responsible employer and being aware of the environmental impact of our operations. Strong and straight-forward corporate governance underpins all our business activities. 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. Our ESG activities continue to focus on providing safe, long-term employment for the local economy whilst generating sustainable value for its stakeholders (set out on page 5) in a manner which meets and exceeds our governance obligations. 14 We recognise our duty and responsibility towards protecting the environment wherever we conduct our business and strive to adopt high 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 our processes that have the potential to impact the environment. Governance Significant risks identified as potentially impacting the group form a part of the group risk register, which is maintained by senior management and reviewed by the group’s executive management team regularly. The risk register forms part of the overall risk management and reporting process overseen by the Audit and Risk Committee. This year climate change has been recognised as a principal risk to the group and a climate risk committee has been formed in order to develop the group’s governance and activity in response to the risk presented. This committee is led by the group’s executive management team and is supported by senior management from across the group. The committee considers both the practical implications of climate change and the potential operational, commercial and reporting impacts on the group and its strategy as associated market and regulatory changes develop. The group is working towards reporting under the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”) for the year ended 31 March 2022. The group recognises that focus on ESG matters is increasing and that there is a need for industrials to address stakeholder concerns, with the environmental impact of operations particularly relevant. Further information is set out in the Corporate Governance section on page 23 and 24. Environment The group continuously strives to improve our energy consumption through investment in productivity initiatives and energy improvement projects. Projects might include upgrading lighting systems, recycling of waste or purchasing renewable energy where possible. Investment in recycling During the year significant efforts have been made to increase the recycling of core materials in the production process. Over £0.5m has been invested in scrap recycling facilities in the machining business and this enables waste products arising during the machining process to be re-melted at the group’s foundry operations. The recycling process reduces the group’s raw material cost, the volume of raw material required to be produced by the supply chain as a whole and the level of energy required to be consumed in the production of machined iron castings. Although this process is more energy efficient for the group, the main benefits with regards to reduction of gross greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions are seen through a reduction in the purchasing of materials produced through energy intensive mining processes (which the group purchases in a recycled form) as opposed to a direct reduction in the group’s own GHG output. The group has also been able to reduce the volume of hazardous waste it produces during the year through investments in evaporation and recycling equipment, significantly reducing the disposal costs to the group. Such investments continue to be made in line with the group’s investment criteria to ensure sustainable value is generated for all stakeholders. Energy consumption Whilst many foundry operations still utilise fossil fuels to power furnaces, generating direct emissions, the group’s operations utilise furnaces and CNC machines which are powered by purchased electricity. This allows the plant and equipment to be fuelled by power purchased from commercial energy providers supplying power from certified renewable sources. The electricity used by the group is Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 14 Castings-AR2021.indd 14 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:19 18/06/2021 12:26:19 Environmental, Social and Governance purchased entirely from renewable sources and the group will endeavour to source all its energy requirement from renewable sources as and when commercial energy contracts become due for renegotiation. 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. The group’s total CO2 emission data is based on Scope 1 and Scope 2. Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions resulting from fuel usage and operation of facilities. Scope 2 emissions are indirect energy emissions resulting from purchased electricity and power for own use. The group collects monthly consumption information from each facility and converts to tonnes of CO2e (“tCO2e”) produced using the DEFRA published national carbon conversion factors. Strategic Report • 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. • Endeavour to ensure that suppliers and contractors adopt environmental practices on-site that are compatible with our own 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 endeavour 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. The group’s practices and procedures are subject to regular environmental audits by external consultants. The group also has in place an energy policy which requires each company to make continuing efforts to achieve the following objectives: • To monitor and record energy and water 2021 12,829,000 104,664,000 117,493,000 2020 14,910,000 127,970,000 142,880,000 2021 2,359 24,401 26,760 2020 2,741 32,709 35,450 most cost and energy efficient operations, 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. Energy consumption kWh: Scope 1 Scope 2 Total energy consumption Greenhouse Gas (“GHG”) emissions (tCO2e): Scope 1 Scope 2 Total GHG emissions For the foundry businesses, the most appropriate metric to measure the level of GHG emissions is per production tonne; this has decreased to 0.56 (2020 – 0.60) tCO2e/production tonne. We actively seek to minimise energy use in the group, particularly in the foundry businesses, so it is pleasing to see a reduction in emissions per tonne produced. Energy efficiency is maximised when the plants can operate uninterrupted, which has not been the case this year due to COVID-19 related disruptions. The metric used for the machining operation is emissions per thousand pounds of machining revenue; emissions remained unchanged at 0.10 (2020 – 0.10) tCO2e /£000. Despite producing at lower than optimal volume during the period, the GHG emissions measure has remained the same. Ongoing commitment to managing environmental impact Reducing the environmental impact of the group’s activities is taken very seriously. The actions we undertake will align all our facilities to the compliance requirements of ISO 14001, to which all of the group companies are accredited. The group will continue to monitor and minimise its net GHG output and ensure that energy is responsibly sourced. To support this aim and in order to pursue the • Pursuing best practice techniques in the consumption. use of energy and raw materials. • To reduce the consumption of fossil • Encouraging the beneficial reuse, recycling and recovery of its waste products. fuels and utilise energy from sustainable sources where practicable. • Ensuring that environmental issues are • To examine ways of reducing water considered when making decisions to invest in capital plant and in the planning and controlling of manufacturing processes. consumption. • To promote energy awareness amongst employees and contractors. Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 15 Castings-AR2021.indd 15 Castings-AR2021.indd 15 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:19 18/06/2021 12:26:19 Castings P.L.C. Environmental, Social and Governance continued • To identify and implement energy saving measures and practise energy efficiency throughout all group premises, plant and equipment. • 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. Social The group’s strength is based on its people and we strive to support our employees’ health and wellbeing while driving a performance culture of business understanding and shared values. 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 is a significant employer in each of the locations it operates and takes pride in operating its business based on permanent contracts, with employees carrying full employee status and without the use of zero hours contracts. As a result, the group has excellent staff retention levels and a dedicated, long term focussed workforce. 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. Response to COVID-19 The COVID-19 pandemic required the group to be agile in its response to ensure the wellbeing of our employees, the supply to our customers and the business as a whole. This resulted in a balanced, socially responsible approach which included amendments to working practices to ensure social distancing, the flexibility of working from home and a number of the workforce being placed on furlough leave. Those who remained onsite, worked flexibly and diligently to ensure we continued to service our customer base. The rapid implementation of new safety measures during this time serves to demonstrate the resilience and commitment of our people. Throughout this period, the group communicated regularly to ensure those offsite were kept informed of developments. Equality, diversity and inclusion Recognising the demands of our customers and our strategy, the group’s diversity and recruitment 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 diversity and equality, judging applications for employment neither by race, nationality, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation nor political bias. We have made a commitment to consider applicants from a wide range of educational backgrounds and have an active apprenticeship programme. 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 2021 was as follows: Non-executive directors Executive directors Senior managers Other employees Male 3 2 27 1,038 1,070 Female — — 3 121 124 Human rights The group’s operations are all based in the United Kingdom. Each of the group’s businesses has a core of longstanding, local suppliers and several key partners based in the European Union. The group rarely deals with suppliers outside of these areas, therefore due to the existing regulatory controls in our core areas of geographical activity human rights is not considered to be a material issue. Management have a high level of involvement in the day-to-day activities of the business and its suppliers and are trained to identify areas of concern which may not align with the standards the group demands. The board received regular updates on corporate responsibility issues including the UK Modern Slavery Act. We have a Code of Conduct that sets out our policy on compliance with legislation, child labour, anti-slavery and human trafficking and conditions of employment. 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 16 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 16 Castings-AR2021.indd 16 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:19 18/06/2021 12:26:19 Environmental, Social and Governance continued Strategic Report 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. Responsible business We are committed to conducting business with the utmost integrity and in accordance with the Bribery Act 2010 and have a clear Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy in place, which is available on the company website. Non-financial information statement We comply with the Non Financial Reporting requirements contained in sections 414CA and 414CB of the Companies Act 2006. Information regarding our policies on environmental matters, employees, social matters, human rights and anti-corruption and anti-bribery matters are disclosed on pages 14 and 17. Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 17 Castings-AR2021.indd 17 Castings-AR2021.indd 17 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:19 18/06/2021 12:26:19 Castings P.L.C. S172(1) Statement The following disclosures describe how the directors have had regard to the matters set out in section 172(1)(a) to (f), relating to the directors’ duty to promote the success of the company, and forms the directors’ statement required under section 414CZA(1) of the Companies Act 2006. Stakeholder engagement Our success depends on the relationships we have with the people, communities and organisations that have an interest in our business and may be impacted by the decisions we take. The key stakeholders are set out in the business model on page 5 and the manner of our engagement with them is described below. Customers Dedicated sales, technical and production teams engage with customers to foster a collaborative working relationship for the long term. Investment in the latest production technologies ensures we provide the quality, efficiency and on-time delivery they require. Employees An important part of the culture of the group is our open-door style of management. All senior personnel are visible throughout the business on a daily basis engaging with the workforce across all levels; it is important to both the company and our employees that they have that chance to share their opinions. In addition, regular function-specific committee meetings take place as well as regular information sharing to the whole workforce. Shareholders We engage with our shareholders through a number of channels which include the annual report, AGM, investor site visits, one-to-one meetings and telephone conversations. They are interested in the strategy and its execution, generating strong returns and maintaining financial discipline. We report and discuss these areas on a regular basis. Communities and environment As a significant employer for each area where we are based, we support local employment and apprenticeship schemes. We seek to engage and collaborate with local educational institutes where possible and increase the overall visibility of the group. The local communities are keen to ensure we are supporting and investing in local jobs, operating safely and ethically as well as reducing our environmental impact. We provide direct employment to over 1,000 people, invest in our facilities to provide a safe workplace and consider opportunities to ensure a more sustainable strategy. Suppliers We seek to improve our business relationships with our key suppliers to protect the operations of the company. We engage with suppliers to ensure they comply with our code of conduct to maintain high standards of supply. Principal decisions taken during the year COVID-19 The spread of COVID-19 during the financial year highlighted the need to act quickly to address the immediate impact, consider the needs of key stakeholders, whilst having regard to the longer term consequences of decisions taken. The implementation of enhanced safety protocols and hygiene measures ensured we could protect our workforce and enabled trading to continue to satisfy demand from those customers who remained open. To help preserve the financial health of the group in the initial phase of the lockdown, inventory levels were utilised thus preserving cash levels By keeping all production sites operational, albeit at lower levels initially, the group was well placed to satisfy the schedule increases during the second half of the financial year. As a result, disruption to trading was lessened to the benefit of all stakeholders. The Strategic Report was approved by the board and signed on its behalf by A. Vicary Chief Executive Officer 16 June 2021 18 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 18 Castings-AR2021.indd 18 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:19 18/06/2021 12:26:19 S172(1) Statement Board of Directors Corporate Governance Executive directors Adam Vicary Chief Executive Officer Having obtained a degree in metallurgy and a business masters, Adam has worked in the foundry industry for all of his career and joined the company in September 2010 as joint managing director. He was appointed to the main board in April 2012, becoming chief executive on 31 March 2017. Steve Mant Finance Director Steve is a fellow of the ICAEW and joined the company in June 2010. He 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. Andrew Eastgate Independent Non-executive Director Andrew was appointed a director on 1 September 2018 and is an independent director. He is a solicitor and was a partner in Pinsents and is currently chairman of Epwin Group plc. Until 31 May 2019 he was non- executive director of Headlam Group plc and was chairman of the remuneration committee. Andrew is chairman of the remuneration and nomination committees and is also a member of the audit and risk committee. Non-executive directors Brian Cooke Chairman Brian 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. Alec Jones Senior Independent Non-executive Director Alec 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. Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 19 Castings-AR2021.indd 19 Castings-AR2021.indd 19 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:19 18/06/2021 12:26:19 Castings P.L.C. Directors’ Report The directors submit the Annual Report and audited consolidated financial statements of Castings P.L.C. for the year ended 31 March 2021. 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 18. Financial results and dividend The profit for the year after taxation was £4,149,000 (2020 – £10,066,000), full details of which are set out in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income on page 37. An interim dividend of 3.57 pence per share was paid in January 2021 in respect of the year ended 31 March 2021. The directors recommend a final dividend of 11.69 pence per share payable on 23 August 2021 to shareholders on the register on 23 July 2021, making a total ordinary distribution of 15.26 pence for the year. Share capital The company’s capital consists of 43,632,068 (2020 – 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, Link Asset Services, 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 but none have been purchased during the year. Directors The directors of the company are listed on page 19 and their interests in the ordinary share capital at the beginning and end of the year were: Beneficial holdings B. J. Cooke A. Vicary S. J. Mant A. K. Eastgate A. N. Jones 2021 Total 1,978,936 30,000 5,000 1,000 — 2020 Total 1,964,636 30,000 5,000 1,000 — There have been no changes in the shareholdings of directors since the year end. In accordance with Provision 18 of the UK Corporate Governance Code all directors 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. The unexpired period of the contracts of service for A. Vicary and S. J. Mant is one year. B. J. Cooke, A. N. Jones and A. K. Eastgate 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 a director and the board has the power to appoint any person to be a director, but any director so appointed will be subject to election at the next Annual General Meeting. There is no minimum shareholding requirement for directors. 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. Other than the directors’ service contracts, the directors have no interests in any contract of the business. 20 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 20 Castings-AR2021.indd 20 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:20 18/06/2021 12:26:20 Directors’ Report Corporate Governance Further details of employee involvement and the group’s policy on the employment of disabled persons are given under the Environmental, Social and Governance section on pages 14 to 17 and the S172(1) statement on page 18. 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. Further details of health and safety are given under the Environmental, Social and Governance section on pages 14 to 17. Financial instruments Details of the use of financial instruments by the group are contained in note 19 in the notes to the financial statements. Research & development Activities and likely future developments for the business are described in the Strategic Report on pages 2 to 18. 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. Post balance sheet events There were no reportable subsequent events following the balance sheet date. Substantial shareholdings As at 16 June 2021, the company had been notified, in accordance with DTR Rule 5, of the following disclosable interests, including directors, in its voting rights: Ruffer LLP Aberforth Partners’ Clients Threadneedle Asset Management Limited B. J. Cooke Rathbone Investment Management Ltd Special business There will be the following items of special business at the Annual General Meeting. Directors’ authority to allot shares Approval will be sought to renew the authority given to the directors to allot shares in the company in accordance with section 551 of the Companies Act 2006. The present authority was granted on 13 August 2020 and under the Companies Act must be renewed at least every five years. The renewed authority would therefore expire on 18 August 2026, but will be put to annual shareholder approval. Authority will also be sought from shareholders to allow the directors to allot equity securities for cash as if section 561 of the Act (which gives shareholders certain pre-emption rights on the issue of shares) did not apply. Such allotments being up to a maximum nominal amount of £218,160, being approximately 5% of the current issued share capital. The renewed authority would expire on 18 August 2022. In any three year period no more than 7.5% of the issued share capital will be issued on a pre-emptive basis. The proposed resolutions are set out as items 10 and 11 in the Notice of Meeting. Authority to purchase own shares At the Annual General Meeting in 2020, 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 Number 8,749,156 5,824,928 2,191,674 1,978,936 1,600,000 % 20.1 13.4 5.0 4.5 3.7 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 2021. The authority is sought by way of a special resolution, details of which are also included in the Notice of Meeting as item 12. 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. Stakeholder engagement The key stakeholders are set out in the Business Model on page 5. The engagement and decisions taken during the year are set out in the Section 172(1) statement on page 18. 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. Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 21 Castings-AR2021.indd 21 Castings-AR2021.indd 21 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:20 18/06/2021 12:26:20 Castings P.L.C. Directors’ Report continued Independent auditor The auditor, Mazars LLP, have indicated their willingness to continue in office. A resolution proposing their reappointment as auditor 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 auditor is 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 auditor is 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 23 and 24. Greenhouse gas emissions Details of the group’s greenhouse gas emissions are set out on pages 14 and 15. 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 Environmental, Social and Governance section 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 in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and UK Financial Reporting 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. On behalf of the board B. J. Cooke Chairman 16 June 2021 22 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 22 Castings-AR2021.indd 22 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:20 18/06/2021 12:26:20 Corporate Governance 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 2018 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. 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 two 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. The Chairman is a non-executive director. However, given that he joined the company in 1960 and has previously served as chief executive of the company, he is not considered to be independent under the UK Corporate Governance Code. However, the board consider his knowledge of the industry and advice to continue to be invaluable to the group and that this outweighs concerns as to his independence from the company. A. N. Jones has served on the board for more than nine years, having been appointed in April 2012. Notwithstanding the length of service, the board considered that he remains independent and that the skill and experience he brings to his position of chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee as well as his overall contribution to the board remains of significant value to the group. The directors maintain their knowledge through a combination of technical and market bulletins and attendance at seminars. The company secretary has responsibility for bringing new regulatory developments to the attention of the board. 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 25. Remuneration committee Further details are set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 26. Nomination committee This committee comprises the two non- executive directors and is chaired by A. K. Eastgate and met once during the year. The committee takes an active role in considering, with the wider board, the overall culture of the company. It is also involved in ensuring the company considers equality, inclusion and diversity in senior management positions. The terms of reference for the three committees are available on the company’s website www.castings.plc.uk. Effectiveness The board undertakes an annual assessment of its own performance, its committees and the directors. The executive directors are appraised annually by the chairman and the non-executive directors. The chairman is appraised annually by the non-executive directors. The chairman considers the effectiveness of each non-executive director annually. The results of these appraisals are considered by the Remuneration Committee for the determination of their remuneration recommendations. 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 year. Attendance at board and board committee meetings during the year is detailed in the table shown below (including attendances when not formally a member of a specific committee due to corporate governance guidelines): Board Audit and Risk committee Remuneration committee Director B. J. Cooke A. Vicary S. J. Mant A. N. Jones A. K. Eastgate Required to attend 9 9 9 9 9 Attended 9 9 9 9 9 Required to attend — — — 4 4 Attended 4 3 4 4 4 Required to attend — — — 2 2 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Attended 2 — — 2 2 23 Castings-AR2021.indd 23 Castings-AR2021.indd 23 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:20 18/06/2021 12:26:20 Castings P.L.C. Corporate Governance continued Relations with shareholders The company holds meetings from time to time with institutional shareholders to discuss the company’s strategy and financial performance. The board regularly receives copies of analysts’ and brokers’ briefings. The chairman is available to meet major shareholders on request to discuss governance and strategy. The senior independent director and other non-executive director are also available to meet shareholders if requested. 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 financial statements. 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. The directors confirm they have established procedures necessary to implement the internal control guidance for directors such that they comply with the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code for the accounting year ended on 31 March 2021. 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. 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. For each business there are regular weekly and monthly reports, reviewed by boards and management, which contain both written reports and management accounts. The accounts include income statements and balance sheets for the year 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 auditor, who is engaged to express an opinion on the group financial statements, also considers the systems of internal financial control to the extent necessary to express that opinion. The external auditor reports 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 financial statements. 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 financial statements. The directors’ assessment of going concern, and the viability statement on page 13, 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 including an assessment of impacts of COVID-19 on future demand 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, 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 2018 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 2021 the company complied with the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code other than the following points: • Whilst there were three non-executive directors during the year, one has served for more than nine years as at 31 March 2021 and was not independent on appointment. However, the board recognises the value he brings to the group. • The non-executive directors do not have specified term contracts. • The finance director also performs the role of company secretary as there is no one else within the business qualified to fulfil the position. The role of company secretary is not full-time. These are considered acceptable given the size of the company and the way in which it operates. By order of the board S. J. Mant Company Secretary 16 June 2021 24 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 24 Castings-AR2021.indd 24 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:20 18/06/2021 12:26:20 Audit and Risk Committee Report Corporate Governance external auditor. At meetings attended by the external auditor 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 and accounting judgements 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 auditor. 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; and reviewed 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 including, but not limited to, the continuing risks associated to COVID-19. Internal control During the year, the committee reviewed the effectiveness of the group’s system of internal controls and risk management and the disclosures of the results in this annual report. 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. 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 provide advice on whether 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 auditor; to review and monitor the external auditor 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 auditor 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 two non-executive directors and is chaired by A. N. Jones. The chairman, 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 representatives of the group’s External auditor The committee oversees the relationship with the external auditor 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 auditor and the effectiveness of the audit process. At the outset of the audit process, the committee receives from the auditor 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 2021 financial year, management was 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. Mazars LLP (“Mazars”) has been the group’s external auditor since 2020. In June 2020 the committee reviewed the external audit mandate and confirmed the continuing appointment of Mazars. This was on the basis the committee were satisfied that the Mazars audit team remained objective and independent. The committee has 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 UK Corporate Governance Code. A. N. Jones Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee 16 June 2021 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 25 Castings-AR2021.indd 25 Castings-AR2021.indd 25 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:20 18/06/2021 12:26:20 Castings P.L.C. Directors’ Remuneration Report Annual statement On behalf of the board, I am pleased to present the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 March 2021. The aim of the remuneration policy is to produce an outcome which is sufficiently competitive to retain, motivate and, where necessary, recruit executive directors and senior management whilst supporting the business objectives of the group. The remuneration structure is straightforward and transparent, striking an appropriate balance between fixed and performance-related remuneration. When determining the application of the remuneration policy, the committee considered clarity, simplicity, risk, predictability, proportionality and alignment to culture as set out in the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code. We operate simple variable pay arrangements which are aligned with the group’s strategy and interests of all stakeholders. During the year, the remuneration committee introduced a long term share plan for executive directors with the aim of providing an additional incentive and mechanism to enable them to build and hold a shareholding in the company, thus further aligning them with shareholders. The share plan was approved by shareholders at the 2020 AGM with 76.8% of the votes cast being in favour. Following the AGM, as required by the Combined Code, I wrote to the shareholders who had cast the majority of votes against the resolution in order to understand the reasons behind their votes. From responses received, it appears that certain shareholders were voting in accordance with recommendations made by Institutional Shareholder Services, a proxy advisory organisation (‘ISS’), which advised against support of the resolution on the grounds that the share plan provides for vesting of shares subject only to continuing employment and does not impose performance hurdles. When developing the plan, the Remuneration Committee took external advice and considered the possibility of imposing vesting conditions in line with ISS’s policy. The Committee remains of the view that, taking into account the overall structure of executive remuneration and the desire to avoid a complicated scheme, the simple and relatively modest form of plan approved by shareholders at the 2020 AGM is in line with the group’s culture and serves its best interests By order of the board A. K. Eastgate Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 16 June 2021 Remuneration committee The remuneration committee is chaired by A. K. Eastgate and comprises the two non-executive directors. The group chairman, whilst not a formal member of the committee, is also invited to attend meetings. The remuneration committee is responsible within the authority delegated by the board for determining the remuneration policy and for determining the specific remuneration packages for each of the executive directors and the chairman. The committee also monitors the structure of remuneration of senior management. None of the executive directors were present at meetings of the committee during consideration of their own remuneration. The remuneration committee’s terms of reference are available on the company’s website www.castings.plc.uk. Statement of shareholding voting The voting to approve last year’s annual report on the directors’ remuneration and the directors’ remuneration policy at the AGM held on 13 August 2020 are set out in the following table: Annual report on remuneration Directors’ remuneration policy Votes for (including discretionary) Number % 33,387,049 99.99% 25,638,352 76.78% Votes against Number % 3,264 0.01% 7,751,961 23.22% Total number of votes cast 33,390,313 Number of votes withheld — 33,390,313 — Remuneration policy The underlying policy in setting the remuneration of the executive directors is that it shall be designed to attract, retain and motivate the directors and be reasonable and fair in relation to their responsibilities. 26 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 26 Castings-AR2021.indd 26 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:20 18/06/2021 12:26:20 Directors’ Remuneration Report Corporate Governance Detailed policy The table below sets out the Directors’ Remuneration Policy for executive directors for the three year period commencing on 13 August 2020. Remuneration element Purpose and link to strategy Operation Maximum potential value Base salary To provide competitive fixed remuneration in order to attract and retain high calibre directors to deliver growth for the business. Reviewed with effect from 1 April each year taking into account market rates, performance of the individual and the company and the rates of salary increase across the group. Benefits To provide broadly market competitive benefits as part of the total remuneration package. Annual bonus To reward contribution to the performance of the group, aligned to shareholder interests. Currently include the provision of car benefit, private healthcare, life assurance and income protection. Benefits are reviewed annually taking into account market practice. The committee does have discretion to alter benefits. Bonus is based on 1% of the profit before tax (excluding exceptional items) that is in excess of £10 million, subject to variation at the discretion of the committee. The committee does have discretion to pay an annual bonus (not to exceed 50% of base salary) if, in its opinion, the bonus otherwise payable does not adequately recognise the performance of the individual. It is anticipated that this discretion would only be used in unusual circumstances. Whilst no absolute maximum is prescribed, increases will take account of other salary increases across the group. However, in certain circumstances, including changing roles and responsibilities, market levels and individual and group performance, the committee will have discretion to award larger increases. Whilst the committee has not set an absolute maximum on the level of benefits, these are set at a level that the committee considers appropriate against the market. The annual bonus cannot exceed 125% of base salary. Pension Share plan To provide competitive retirement benefits as part of the overall remuneration package. Executive Directors receive 7% of base salary as contributions to personal pension plans or a cash equivalent. 7% of base salary. Awards will normally be granted to a value of 25% of the base salary at the time of granting, though the committee has the discretion to increase this to 50% of base salary in exceptional circumstances. To provide a mechanism to enable executive directors to build a shareholding in the company with a view to providing a further incentive and alignment with the interests of shareholders. Awards will be in the form of nil-cost options and will normally vest three years after the date of grant, subject to continued employment with the group. Awards will normally be subject to a two year holding period after vesting and may be granted on the basis that the participant shall be entitled to an additional benefit (in cash or shares) in respect of dividends paid over the subsequent holding period. Awards are subject to malus and clawback provisions covering such matters as material misstatement of financial results, material irregularity and misconduct. Non-executive director remuneration The fees paid to non-executive directors are set by reference to current levels in the market. Non-executive directors do not receive benefits (except for the chairman) or participate in the company’s bonus schemes, nor are they eligible to join a company pension scheme. Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 27 Castings-AR2021.indd 27 Castings-AR2021.indd 27 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:20 18/06/2021 12:26:20 Castings P.L.C. Directors’ Remuneration Report continued Scenario charts The following charts set out the potential total remuneration payments for the year ended 31 March 2022 under our remuneration policy based on the following assumptions: • Minimum – base salary, no bonus payment and no share option award. • Prior year – base salary, bonus based on profit as for year ended 31 March 2021 and 25% of base salary as share option award. • Maximum – base salary, bonus of 125% of base salary and 25% of base salary as share option award. Chief Executive Officer Finance Director Minimum 100% Minimum 100% FY21 result 80% 20% FY21 result 80% 20% Maximum 40% 50% 10% Maximum 40% 50% 10% 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650 700 750 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 Remuneration £000 Remuneration £000 Salary Bonus Share option award Recruitment policy In the event of the recruitment of a new executive director, the remuneration package would reflect the policy set out above so far as is possible. The overall maximum level of variable remuneration which may be granted (excluding ‘buyout’ awards as referred to below) is 175% of salary. The committee may make payments or awards in respect of hiring an employee to ‘buyout’ remuneration arrangements forfeited on leaving a previous employer. In doing so, the committee will take account of relevant factors, including any performance conditions attached to the forfeited arrangements and the time over which they would have vested. The committee will generally seek to structure ‘buyout’ awards or payments on a comparable basis to the remuneration arrangement forfeited. Any such payments or awards are excluded from the maximum level of variable remuneration referred to above. Fees payable on the appointment of a chairman or non-executive director would be in line with the fee policy in place at the time of appointment. 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 20. Directors’ contracts The Executive Directors entered into new service contracts on 4 June 2020. The contracts are terminable on twelve months’ notice, which is considered by the committee to be appropriate, and do not contain any provision for predetermined compensation in the event of termination. Any payments for loss of office would be determined at the time taking into account all the circumstances. Non-executive directors do not have a contract of service. 28 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 28 Castings-AR2021.indd 28 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:21 18/06/2021 12:26:21 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 2021 is set out in the table below. B. J. Cooke A. Vicary S. J. Mant A. N. Jones A. K. Eastgate Salary/fees Benefits Performance-related bonus1 Pension contributions Total remuneration 2021 £000 85 294 214 39 37 669 2020 £000 85 290 211 39 37 662 2021 £000 9 13 13 — — 35 2020 £000 8 13 12 — — 33 2021 £000 — — — — — — 2020 £000 — 30 30 — — 60 2021 £000 — 12 12 — — 24 2020 £000 — 12 12 — — 24 2021 £000 94 319 239 39 37 728 2020 £000 93 345 265 39 37 779 1 the performance-related bonus represents a variable element of remuneration. Share options The following nil-cost options were granted during the year under the Castings 2020 Restricted Share Plan: A. Vicary S. J. Mant Grant date 27 August 2020 27 August 2020 Number of shares 20,432 14,860 Market price at grant date1 £3.548 £3.548 Face value at grant date £72,490 £52,723 1 The average closing share price of the five days preceding the grant date. The options vest three years after the grant date and are subject to continued employment with the group. The options are also subject to a two year holding period during which the participant shall be entitled to an additional benefit (in cash or shares) in respect of dividends paid in that period. No other share options were brought forward, granted, exercised or lapsed during the year and therefore the table above reflects the share awards that are outstanding at 31 March 2021. 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 declared to shareholders 2021 £000 33,002 6,658 2020 £000 42,214 6,492 Change £000 (9,212) 166 Change % -21.8% 2.6% Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 29 Castings-AR2021.indd 29 Castings-AR2021.indd 29 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:21 18/06/2021 12:26:21 Castings P.L.C. Directors’ Remuneration Report continued Chief Executive Officer remuneration The total remuneration paid to the chief executive officer for the last ten years is as follows: Performance-related bonus1 Total remuneration 2021 £000 — 319 2020 £000 30 345 2019 £000 57 357 2018 £000 54 341 2017 £000 61 340 2016 £000 100 372 2015 £000 82 347 2014 £000 123 380 2013 £000 91 341 2012 £000 142 361 1 The performance-related bonus for 2021 represents 0% of the maximum; there was no maximum amount for years 2020 and earlier. Percentage change in remuneration The following table sets out the annual percentage change in remuneration from 2020 to 2021 for each of the directors compared to that of an average employee. Salary/fees Taxable benefits Performance related bonus A. Vicary 1.4% 1.6% -100.0% S. J. Mant 1.4% 1.5% -100.0% B. J. Cooke 0.0% 4.9% n/a A. N. Jones 0.0% n/a n/a A. K. Eastgate 0.0% n/a n/a Average employee 2.1% n/a -30.6% Chief Executive Officer pay ratio The table below shows the chief executive officer’s pay ratio at 25th, median and 75th percentile of our employees as for the year to 31 March 2021. The ratios have been determined using Option A of The Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018. Year ended 31 March 2021 Year ended 31 March 2020 25th percentile pay ratio 13.6 13.8 Median pay ratio 9.9 10.6 75th percentile pay ratio 8.3 8.8 The ratios are lower in 2021 compared to 2020 largely as a result of a reduction in the performance related bonus paid to the chief executive officer. 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 TSR performance vs FTSE 350 Industrial Engineerin Index (rebased to 100) 250 200 150 100 50 0 Mar 16 Sep 16 Mar 17 Sep 17 Mar 18 Sep 18 Mar 19 Sep 19 Mar 20 Sep 20 Mar 21 Cas�ngs P.L.C. FTSE 350 Industrial Engineering Index 30 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 30 Castings-AR2021.indd 30 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:21 18/06/2021 12:26:21 Directors’ Remuneration Report continued Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities in Respect of the Financial Statements Corporate Governance together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that it faces. In the case of each director in office at the date the Directors’ Report is approved: • so far as the director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the group and parent company’s auditor is unaware; and • they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as a director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the group and parent company’s auditor is aware of that information. 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 regulation. Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have prepared the group financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) in accordance with Companies Act 2006 and parent company financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework”, and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the group and parent company and of the profit or loss of the group and parent company for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the directors are required to: • select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; • state whether applicable IFRSs in accordance with Companies Act 2006 have been followed for the group financial statements and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101, have been followed for the company financial statements, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; • make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and • prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the group and parent company will continue in business. The directors are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the group and parent company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the group and parent company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and parent company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements and the Directors’ Remuneration Report comply with the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the parent company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. Directors’ confirmations The directors consider that the annual report and accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the group and parent company’s position and performance, business model and strategy. Each of the directors, whose names and functions are listed in Board of Directors on page 19 confirm that, to the best of their knowledge: • • • the parent company financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework”, and applicable law), give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the company; the group financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs in accordance with Companies Act 2006, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the group; and the Business and Financial Review includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the group and parent company, Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 31 Castings-AR2021.indd 31 Castings-AR2021.indd 31 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:21 18/06/2021 12:26:21 Castings P.L.C. Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Castings P.L.C. Opinion We have audited the financial statements of Castings Plc (the ‘parent company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘group’) for the year ended 31 March 2021 which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Balance Sheet, Consolidated Cash Flow Statement, Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, Parent Company Balance Sheet, Parent Company Statement of Changes in Equity and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the parent company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the group financial statements, international financial reporting standards adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union. In our opinion, the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and: • give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 March 2021 and of the group’s profit for the year then ended; • • the group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and international financial reporting standards adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union; and the parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006. Basis for Opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the “Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements” section of our report. We are independent of the group and the parent company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard as applied to listed entities and public interest entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. Conclusions relating to going concern In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Our audit procedures to evaluate the directors’ assessment of the group’s and the parent company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting included but were not limited to: • Undertaking an initial assessment at the planning stage of the audit to identify events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the group’s and the parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern; • Making enquiries of the directors to understand the period of assessment considered by them, the assumptions they considered and the implication of those when assessing the parent company’s and the group’s future financial performance; • Challenging the appropriateness of the directors’ key assumptions in their cash flow forecasts, by reviewing supporting and contradictory evidence in relation to these key assumptions and assessing the directors’ consideration of severe but plausible scenarios. This included assessing the viability of mitigating actions within the directors’ control; • Testing the accuracy and functionality of the model used to prepare the directors’ forecasts; • Assessing and challenging key assumptions and mitigating actions put in place in response to COVID-19; • Considering the consistency of the directors’ forecasts with other areas of the financial statements and our audit; and • Evaluating the appropriateness of the directors’ disclosures in the financial statements on going concern. Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group’s and the parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. In relation to the group’s and the parent company’s reporting on how it has applied the UK Corporate Governance Code, we have nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to the directors’ statement in the financial statements about whether the director’s considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report. Key audit matters Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) we identified, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. 32 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 32 Castings-AR2021.indd 32 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:21 18/06/2021 12:26:21 Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Castings P.L.C. Corporate Governance We summarise below the key audit matters in forming our audit opinion above, together with an overview of the principal audit procedures performed to address each matter and key observations arising from those procedures. These matters, together with our findings, were communicated to those charged with governance through our Audit Completion Report. Key Audit Matter How our scope addressed this matter Revenue Recognition The group’s and the parent company’s accounting policy for revenue recognition is set out in the accounting policy notes on pages 41 and 61 respectively. Revenue is material for the group and the parent company and represents the largest figure in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. An error in this balance could significantly affect a user’s interpretation of the financial statements. As a result, we identified revenue recognition, and in particular cut-off (where revenue may be manipulated close to the year end to record revenue in the incorrect financial period) as a key audit matter. Our audit procedures included, but were not limited to, the following: • Reviewing key controls relating to revenue recognition and performing a walkthrough to evaluate their design and implementation; • Reviewing the contract terms for a selection of customers to assess whether revenue was recognised in line with the agreed terms; and • Selecting a sample of transactions close to the year-end and verifying that they had been posted to the correct financial period. Key observations Based on the procedures performed, we did not identify any material misstatements in relation to revenue recognition. Our application of materiality and an overview of the scope of our audit The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. We set certain quantitative thresholds for materiality. These, together with qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures on the individual financial statement line items and disclosures and in evaluating the effect of misstatements, both individually and on the financial statements as a whole. Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows: Overall materiality How we determined it Group £803k Company £559k Materiality has been determined with reference to a benchmark of revenue, of which it represents 0.7%. Rationale for benchmark applied We used revenue to calculate our materiality as, in our review, this is the most relevant and stable measure of the underlying financial performance of the group for this year end. Performance materiality Reporting threshold Performance materiality is set to reduce to an appropriately low level the probability that the aggregate of uncorrected and undetected misstatements in the financial statements exceeds materiality for the financial statements as a whole. On the basis of our risk assessments, together with our assessment of the group’s overall control environment, our judgement was that performance materiality should be set at approximately 65% of our financial statement materiality, representing a value of £562k. On the basis of our risk assessments, together with our assessment of the group’s overall control environment, our judgement was that performance materiality should be set at approximately 65% of our financial statement materiality, representing a value of £392k. We agreed with the directors that we would report to them misstatements identified during our audit above £24k as well as misstatements below that amount that, in our view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons. We agreed with the directors that we would report to them misstatements identified during our audit above £17k as well as misstatements below that amount that, in our view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons. As part of designing our audit, we assessed the risk of material misstatement in the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and then designed and performed audit procedures responsive to those risks. In particular, we looked at where the directors made subjective judgements such as making assumptions on significant accounting estimates. We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed sufficient work to be able to give an opinion on the financial statements as a whole. We used the outputs of a risk assessment, our understanding of the group and the parent company, their environment, controls and critical business processes, to consider qualitative factors in order to ensure that we obtained sufficient coverage across all financial statement line items. Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 33 Castings-AR2021.indd 33 Castings-AR2021.indd 33 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:21 18/06/2021 12:26:21 Castings P.L.C. Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Castings P.L.C. continued Our group audit scope included an audit of the group and parent company financial statements of Castings plc. Based on our risk assessment, all entities within the group were subject to full scope audit, which was performed by the group audit team. Audit work on subsidiary entities for the purpose of obtaining audit coverage over significant financial statement accounts is undertaken based on individual statutory performance materiality which is lower than the consolidated materiality set out above. The performance materiality set for each subsidiary is based on the relative scale and risk of the subsidiary to the group as a whole and our assessment of the risk of misstatement at subsidiary level. The range of financial statement materiality across components, audited to the lower of local statutory audit materiality and materiality capped for group audit purposes, was between £366k and £646k, being all below group financial statement materiality. At the parent level we also tested the consolidation process and carried out analytical procedures to confirm our conclusion that there were no significant risks of material misstatement of the aggregated financial information. Other information The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. Opinions on 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. In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit: • • the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements and those reports have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements; the information about internal control and risk management systems in relation to financial reporting processes and about share capital structures, given in compliance with rules 7.2.5 and 7.2.6 in the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook made by the Financial Conduct Authority (the FCA Rules), is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements; and • information about the parent company’s corporate governance code and practices and about its administrative, management and supervisory bodies and their committees complies with rules 7.2.2, 7.2.3 and 7.2.7 of the FCA rules. Matters on which we are required to report by exception In light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in: • • the Strategic Report or the Directors’ Report; or the information about internal control and risk management systems in relation to financial reporting processes and about share capital structures, given in compliance with rules 7.2.5 and 7.2.6 of the FCA Rules. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion: • 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; or • a corporate governance statement has not been prepared by the parent company. 34 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 34 Castings-AR2021.indd 34 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:21 18/06/2021 12:26:21 Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Castings P.L.C. continued Corporate Governance Corporate governance statement The Listing Rules require us to review the directors’ statement in relation to going concern, longer-term viability and that part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to Castings P.L.C.’s compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Statement specified for our review. Based on the work undertaken as part of our audit, we have concluded that each of the following elements of the Corporate Governance Statement is materially consistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained during the audit: • Directors’ statement with regards the appropriateness of adopting the going concern basis of accounting and any material uncertainties identified (set out on page 24); • Directors’ explanation as to its assessment of the entity’s prospects, the period this assessment covers and why they consider this period is appropriate (set out on page 13); • Directors’ statement on fair, balanced and understandable (set out on page 22); • Board’s confirmation that it has carried out a robust assessment of the emerging and principal risks (set out on page 8); • The section of the annual report that describes the review of effectiveness of risk management and internal control systems (set out on page 24); and; • The section describing the work of the audit committee (set out on page 25). Responsibilities of Directors As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities statement set out on page 31, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the group’s and the parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the group or the parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below. Based on our understanding of the group and the parent company and their industry, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to the UK tax legislation, pensions legislation, employment regulation, health and safety regulation and non- compliance with implementation of government support schemes relating to COVID-19, and we considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect to irregularities including non-compliance with laws and regulations, our procedures included but were not limited to: • At the planning stage of our audit, gaining an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the group and parent company, the industry in which they operate, and the structure of the group, and considered the risk of acts by the group and the parent company which were contrary to the applicable laws and regulations; • Discussing with the directors and management the policies and procedures in place regarding compliance with laws and regulations; • Discussing amongst the engagement team the identified laws and regulations, and remaining alert to any indications of non-compliance; and • During the audit, focusing on areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the financial statements from our general commercial and sector experience and through discussions with the directors (as required by auditing standards), from inspection of the parent company’s and the group’s regulatory and legal correspondence and review of minutes of directors’ meetings in the year. Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 35 Castings-AR2021.indd 35 Castings-AR2021.indd 35 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:21 18/06/2021 12:26:21 Castings P.L.C. Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Castings P.L.C. continued Our procedures in relation to fraud included but were not limited to: • Making enquiries of the directors and management on whether they had knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud; • Gaining an understanding of the internal controls established to mitigate risks related to fraud; • Discussing amongst the engagement team the risks of fraud such as opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of financial statements, and determined that the principal risks were related to revenue recognition (cut-off), posting manual journal entries to manipulate financial performance and management bias through judgements and assumptions in significant accounting estimates; and • Addressing the risks of fraud through management override of controls by performing journal entry testing. The primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of irregularities including fraud rests with both those charged with governance and management. As with any audit, there remained a risk of non-detection of irregularities, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations or the override of internal controls. The risks of material misstatement that had the greatest effect on our audit, including fraud, are discussed under “Key audit matters” within this report. A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. Other matters which we are required to address Following the recommendation of the audit committee, we were appointed by the Audit and Risk Committee on the 8 January 2020 to audit the financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2020 and subsequent financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted engagement is two years, covering the years ending 31 March 2020 to date. The non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard were not provided to the group or the parent company and we remain independent of the group and the parent company in conducting our audit. Our audit opinion is consistent with the additional report to the audit committee. Use of the audit report This report is made solely to the parent company’s members as a body in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the parent company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the parent company and the parent company’s members as a body for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. Louis Burns (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Mazars LLP Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor Two Chamberlain Square Birmingham B3 3AX 16 June 2021 36 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 36 Castings-AR2021.indd 36 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:21 18/06/2021 12:26:21 Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Castings P.L.C. continued Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended 31 March 2021 Financial Statements Revenue Cost of sales Gross profit Distribution costs 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 Profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent company Other comprehensive income/(losses) 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 Defined benefit pension schemes GMP equalisation charge Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss: Change in fair value of financial assets Tax effect of items that may be reclassified Other comprehensive income 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 Diluted Basic (before exceptional items) Notes 2 3 7 8 6 6 10 Notes to the financial statements are on pages 41 to 57. Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 2021 Before exceptional items £000 114,702 (94,870) 19,832 (2,237) (13,320) 4,275 79 4,354 (838) Exceptional items (note 4) £000 — — — — 633 633 — 633 — Before exceptional items £000 138,667 (109,186) 29,481 (2,510) (14,487) 12,484 206 12,690 (2,634) Total £000 114,702 (94,870) 19,832 (2,237) (12,687) 4,908 79 4,987 (838) 2020 Exceptional items (note 4) £000 — — — — 10 10 — 10 — Total £000 138,667 (109,186) 29,481 (2,510) (14,477) 12,494 206 12,700 (2,634) 3,516 633 4,149 10,056 10 10,066 4,149 10,066 142 66 208 (50) 10 (40) 168 4,317 9.51p 9.50p 8.06p 23.05p 258 — 258 (22) 4 (18) 240 10,306 23.07p 23.07p 37 Castings-AR2021.indd 37 Castings-AR2021.indd 37 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:22 18/06/2021 12:26:22 Castings P.L.C. Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2021 ASSETS Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment Financial assets Current assets Inventories Trade and other receivables Current tax asset Cash and cash equivalents Assets classified as held for sale 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 2021 £000 2020 £000 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 67,112 308 67,420 18,719 35,358 — 36,092 90,169 — 90,169 157,589 24,371 184 24,555 3,570 28,125 129,464 4,363 874 13 124,214 129,464 70,693 358 71,051 21,175 28,661 332 33,401 83,569 1,060 84,629 155,680 20,092 — 20,092 3,930 24,022 131,658 4,363 874 13 126,408 131,658 The financial statements on pages 37 to 57 were approved and authorised for issue by the board of directors on 16 June 2021, and were signed on its behalf by: B. J. Cooke Chairman S. J. Mant Finance Director Notes to the financial statements are on pages 41 to 57. Company registration number - 91580. 38 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 38 Castings-AR2021.indd 38 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:22 18/06/2021 12:26:22 Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2021 Consolidated Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 31 March 2021 Cash flows from operating activities Profit before income tax Adjustments for: Depreciation Loss/(profit) on disposal of property, plant and equipment Profit on disposal of asset held for sale Finance income Equity settled share-based payment expense Pension administrative costs Pension GMP equalisation charge Decrease/(increase) in inventories (Increase)/decrease in receivables Increase/(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 Proceeds from disposal of asset held for sale Transfer from other current interest-bearing deposits Repayments from pension schemes Advances to the pension schemes Net cash used in investing activities Cash flow from financing activities Dividends paid to shareholders Net cash used in financing activities Net increase 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 financial statements are on pages 41 to 57. Financial Statements Notes 2021 £000 2020 £000 4,987 12,700 11 8,802 8,903 3 4 7 6 6 7 7 6 6 9 19 3 (658) (79) 21 142 66 2,456 (6,979) 4,279 13,040 (672) 60 12,428 19 (5,244) 20 1,718 — 2,778 (2,496) (3,205) (40) — (206) — 258 — (2,011) 11,713 (4,130) 27,187 (4,355) 186 23,018 20 (8,158) 40 — 5,000 3,525 (2,778) (2,351) (6,532) (6,532) (13,037) (13,037) 2,691 33,401 36,092 13,062 23,030 36,092 7,630 25,771 33,401 28,610 4,791 33,401 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 39 Castings-AR2021.indd 39 Castings-AR2021.indd 39 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:22 18/06/2021 12:26:22 Castings P.L.C. Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the year ended 31 March 2021 At 1 April 2020 Profit for the year Other comprehensive income/(losses): Movement in unrecognised surplus on defined benefit pension schemes net of actuarial gains and losses Defined benefit pension schemes GMP equalisation charge Change in fair value of financial assets Tax effect of items taken directly to reserves Total comprehensive income for the year Equity settled share-based payments Dividends (see note 9) At 31 March 2021 At 1 April 2019 Profit for the year Other comprehensive income/(losses): Movement in unrecognised surplus on defined benefit pension schemes net of actuarial gains and losses Change in fair value of financial assets Tax effect of items taken directly to reserves Total comprehensive income for the year Dividends (see note 9) At 31 March 2020 Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent Share capitala) £000 4,363 — Share premiumb) £000 874 — Other reservec) £000 13 — Retained earningsd) £000 126,408 4,149 Total equity £000 131,658 4,149 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 4,363 874 — — — — — — — 13 142 66 (50) 10 4,317 21 (6,532) 142 66 (50) 10 4,317 21 (6,532) 124,214 129,464 Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent Share capitala) £000 4,363 Share premiumb) £000 874 Other reservec) £000 13 — — — — — — — — — — — — 4,363 874 — — — — — — 13 Retained earningsd) £000 129,139 10,066 258 (22) 4 10,306 (13,037) 126,408 Total equity £000 134,389 10,066 258 (22) 4 10,306 (13,037) 131,658 a) Share capital (note 17) — 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. 40 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 40 Castings-AR2021.indd 40 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:22 18/06/2021 12:26:22 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2021 Financial Statements 1 Accounting policies General information Castings Public Limited Company (the “company”, “Castings P.L.C.”) is incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom and registered in England as a public company limited by shares. The company’s registered office is at Lichfield Road, Brownhills, West Midlands, WS8 6JZ, United Kingdom. The company’s ordinary shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange’s Regulated Market (Premium Listing). There has been no change in this information since the annual report for the year ended 31 March 2020. Basis of preparation The group financial statements have been prepared in accordance with international financial reporting standards adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union. The IFRSs applied in the group financial statements are subject to ongoing amendment by the IASB 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 2021 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 financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis and 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, applied in the year. Basis of consolidation The consolidated statement of comprehensive income and balance sheet include the financial statements 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 once the performance obligation has been met. This is deemed to be when the goods and services have been collected by, or delivered to, the customer in accordance with the agreed delivery terms. Post-retirement benefits Two of the group’s pension plans are of a defined benefit type. Under IAS 19 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. Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 41 Castings-AR2021.indd 41 Castings-AR2021.indd 41 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:22 18/06/2021 12:26:22 Castings P.L.C. Notes to the Financial Statements continued 1 Accounting policies continued 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 and leasehold buildings over 50 years or the period of the lease, whichever is less. ii. Plant and equipment over a period of 3 to 15 years. 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 classifies its financial assets into one of the categories discussed below, depending on the purpose for which the asset was acquired. The group’s accounting policy for each category is as follows: Fair value through other comprehensive income Fair value through other comprehensive income 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 in other comprehensive income. The cumulative fair value gains and losses are held within retained earnings and are not treated as distributable. Fair value is determined with reference to published quoted prices in an active market. Amortised cost These assets are held in order to collect contractual cash flows, on specific dates, which are solely payments of the principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding. 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. Impairment provisions for trade receivables are recognised based on the simplified approach within IFRS 9 using the lifetime expected credit losses. During this process the probability of the non-payment of the trade receivables is assessed. Where specific receivables are known to be ‘bad’ or it becomes apparent that payment is ‘doubtful’ then a credit loss allowance of 100% is applied. 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. 42 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 42 Castings-AR2021.indd 42 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:22 18/06/2021 12:26:22 Notes to the Financial Statements continued Financial Statements 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. Government assistance Economic support provided to the group as part of government initiatives to support employees is recognised in the income statement on the date at which conditions attached to the receipt of such assistance have been met in the period it becomes receivable. The income is presented net against the applicable staff costs within cost of sales and overheads in the income statement. Share based payments The cost of equity-settled transactions with employees of the company is measured by reference to the fair value at the date at which they are granted and is recognised as an expense over the vesting period, which ends on the date on which the relevant employees become fully entitled to the award. The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of awards for which the related service conditions are met, such that the amount ultimately recognised as an expense is based on the number of awards that meet the related service conditions at the vesting 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. Finance income and expense Finance income and expense is recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income as it accrues. 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 There are no significant IFRSs or IFRIC interpretations that are not yet effective that would be expected to have a material impact on the group. Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 43 Castings-AR2021.indd 43 Castings-AR2021.indd 43 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:22 18/06/2021 12:26:22 Castings P.L.C. Notes to the Financial Statements 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 judgements 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 below: Estimates 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. Judgements Pension surplus In accordance with the winding-up provisions of the Trust Deed and Rules of the final salary pension schemes, management has 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, due to the similar nature of the businesses, and CNC Speedwell Limited is the Machining operation. Inter-segment transactions are entered into under the normal commercial terms and conditions that would be available to third parties. The following shows the revenues, results and total assets by reportable segment in the year to 31 March 2021: Revenue from external customers Inter-segmental revenue Segmental result Unallocated costs: Exceptional credit for recovery of Icelandic bank deposits previously written off Profit on disposal of held for sale asset Defined benefit pension cost Defined benefit pension GMP equalisation charge Finance income Profit before income tax Total assets Non-current asset additions Depreciation Total liabilities All non-current assets are based in the United Kingdom. Foundry operations £000 111,987 11,089 Machining operations £000 2,715 15,594 Elimination £000 — — Total £000 114,702 26,683 6,659 (2,255) 13 4,417 41 658 (142) (66) 79 4,987 157,589 5,244 8,802 (28,125) 140,141 3,744 4,582 (26,525) 28,795 1,500 4,220 (7,725) (11,347) — — 6,125 44 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 44 Castings-AR2021.indd 44 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:23 18/06/2021 12:26:23 Notes to the Financial Statements continued Financial Statements The following shows the revenues, results and total assets by reportable segment in the year to 31 March 2020: 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 Total liabilities 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 Germany Rest of Europe North and South America Other Foundry operations £000 133,626 17,701 Machining operations £000 5,041 19,471 Elimination £000 — — Total £000 138,667 37,172 13,400 (667) 9 12,742 137,247 5,651 4,406 (23,135) 29,523 2,507 4,497 (6,744) 10 (258) 206 12,700 155,680 8,158 8,903 (24,022) 2020 £000 36,499 37,161 18,826 11,637 26,257 7,691 596 (11,090) — — 5,857 2021 £000 26,805 32,237 14,754 12,618 21,435 6,208 645 114,702 138,667 All revenue arises in the United Kingdom from the group’s continuing activities. Information about major customers Included in revenues arising from Foundry operations are revenues of approximately £32,042,000, £16,206,000 and £11,128,000 from three ultimate customer groups (2020 – £38,459,000, £17,540,000 and £12,853,000 respectively). 3 Net operating costs Raw materials and consumables Changes in inventories of finished goods and work in progress Staff costs (note 5) Depreciation of property, plant and equipment Light, heat and power Outside processing Carriage Loss/(profit) on disposal of property, plant and equipment Profit on disposal of asset held for sale Other costs Total cost of sales, distribution costs and administrative expenses Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 2021 £000 25,556 2,660 36,881 8,802 9,642 13,470 2,237 3 (658) 11,201 109,794 2020 £000 31,506 (2,310) 46,665 8,903 11,329 15,192 2,510 (40) — 12,418 126,173 45 Castings-AR2021.indd 45 Castings-AR2021.indd 45 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:23 18/06/2021 12:26:23 Castings P.L.C. Notes to the Financial Statements continued 3 Net operating costs continued During the year the group obtained the following services from the company’s auditors: Fees payable to the company’s auditors for the audit of the parent company and group financial statements Fees payable to the company’s auditors for other services - the audit of the company’s subsidiaries 4 Exceptional items Recovery of past provision for losses on deposits with Icelandic banks Profit on the disposal of asset classified as held for sale Defined benefit pension scheme GMP equalisation charge 2021 £000 62 42 2021 £000 (41) (658) 66 (633) 2020 £000 61 41 2020 £000 (10) — — (10) 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 £3.9 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. The group completed on the sale of the Fradley site during the year, an asset classified as held for sale, resulting in a profit of £0.66 million. An additional GMP equalisation charge to that applied in the year ended 31 March 2019 has been recognised following the High Court ruling on 20 November 2020. The ruling clarified that pension equalisation should be applied to past transfer values from the defined benefit pension schemes. The best estimate, working with the schemes’ actuaries, is an increase of £66,000 to the pension liabilities. 5 Employee information Average monthly number of employees during the year was: Production Management and administration Staff costs (including directors) comprise: Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs – defined contribution plans Other pension costs – defined benefit plans (note 6) 2021 996 116 1,112 2021 £000 32,092 3,453 1,128 208 36,881 2020 1,097 120 1,217 2020 £000 40,753 4,193 1,461 258 46,665 The directors represent the key management personnel. Details of their compensation are given in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 29. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic the group received, and paid to employees, £6.5 million of payments under the UK Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. The amounts received have been presented net against the applicable staff costs within cost of sales and administrative expenses. 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 Trustee board is appointed by both the company and the members of the schemes and acts in the interest of the schemes and all relevant stakeholders, including the members and the company. The Trustees are responsible for the investment of the assets of the schemes. The latest actuarial valuation was performed with an effective date of 6 April 2017 using the defined accrued benefit method. It assumed that the rate of return on investments was 2.1% per annum for pre-retirement and 2.1% for post-retirement and price inflation was 3.5% under RPI and 2.8% under CPI. The demographic assumptions were based on S2PA (YoB) tables with an age rating of -1 year being applied to the tables for the staff scheme and no age rating applied to the shop floor scheme. The future mortality improvements were based on CMI 2015 projections 46 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 46 Castings-AR2021.indd 46 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:23 18/06/2021 12:26:23 Notes to the Financial Statements continued Financial Statements with a 1.5% per annum long-term improvement rate. The next actuarial valuation is being performed with an effective date of 6 April 2020. In order to help optimise the return on assets held by the pension schemes, the pension payments and administration costs incurred by the schemes are paid by the company. The net amount due from the schemes (being pension payments made plus administrative costs 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 financial statements (notes 14 and 9 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 £2,496,000 (2020 – £2,778,000) 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 year. The pension schemes made repayments to the company during the year of £2,778,000 (2020 – £3,525,000). At 31 March 2021 the outstanding balance due from the schemes to the company was £2,496,000 (2020 – £2,778,000) as set out in note 14. In addition, the group made contributions to individual members’ Group Personal Pension Plans during the year. Related risks Through its defined benefit pension plans, the group was exposed to a number of risks that are inherent in such plans and arrangements. The main risks are summarised below and there are no unusual, entity-specific or plan-specific risks and no significant concentration risks: • asset value volatility, with the associated impact on the assets held in connection with the funding of pension obligations and the related cash flows; • changes in bond yields, with any reduction resulting in an increase in the present value of pension obligations, mitigated by an increase in the value of some of the plan assets; inflation, as pension obligations are linked to inflation; and life expectancy, as pension benefits are generally provided for the life of beneficiaries and their dependants. • • 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 2017 and updated to 31 March 2021 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 Past service cost Interest cost on defined benefit obligation Actuarial losses/(gains) arising from changes in financial assumptions Actuarial losses arising from changes in demographic assumptions Other experience gains 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 greater/(less) than discount rate 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 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 2021 3.00% 2.10% 3.20% 2.80% 2021 £000 54,834 66 1,277 9,073 — — (3,288) 61,962 66,061 1,544 7,767 (142) (3,288) 71,942 9,980 (9,980) — 2020 2.10% 2.40% 2.60% 2.10% 2020 £000 57,510 — 1,352 (1,676) — — (2,352) 54,834 81,928 1,935 (15,192) (258) (2,352) 66,061 11,227 (11,227) — 47 Castings-AR2021.indd 47 Castings-AR2021.indd 47 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:23 18/06/2021 12:26:23 Castings P.L.C. Notes to the Financial Statements 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 Current service cost Past service cost Interest cost on defined benefit obligation Interest income on plan assets Interest expense on effect of asset ceiling on unrecognised surplus Administrative expenses Total pension cost recognised within administrative expenses (note 5) Loss/(gain) arising from changes in financial assumptions Loss arising from changes in demographic assumptions Experience gain Return on plan assets (greater)/less than discount rate Changes in asset ceiling on unrecognised surplus Pension gain 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 2021 £000 Year to 31 March 2020 £000 — 66 1,277 (1,544) 267 142 208 9,073 — — (7,767) (1,514) (208) — — — 1,352 (1,935) 583 258 258 (1,676) — — 15,192 (13,774) (258) — 31 March 2021 £000 31 March 2020 £000 — 33,717 28,245 61,962 — 29,365 25,469 54,834 Scheme 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. On 24 March 2020, the Trustees of the schemes completed a bulk annuity insurance buy-in with Aviva Life & Pensions UK Limited (“Aviva”) thus providing certainty and security for all members of the schemes. The buy-in secures an insurance asset from Aviva that fully matches, subject to final price adjustment of the bulk annuity pricing, the remaining pension liabilities of the schemes (excluding those relating to GMP equalisation). The buy-in covers the investment, longevity, interest rate and inflation risks in respect of the schemes and therefore substantially reduces the pension risk to the company. The asset allocations at the year end were as follows: Assets category Cash and cash equivalents Asset held by insurance company Amounts repayable to the group Plan assets at 31 March 2021 £000 Plan assets at 31 March 2020 £000 13,971 60,467 74,438 (2,496) 71,942 15,269 53,570 68,839 (2,778) 66,061 48 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 48 Castings-AR2021.indd 48 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:23 18/06/2021 12:26:23 Notes to the Financial Statements continued Financial Statements 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 2022 is £146,000. 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) 2021 2020 Male Staff/ Shopfloor Female Staff/ Shopfloor Male Staff/ Shopfloor Female Staff/ Shopfloor 23.8/23.0 26.0/25.1 23.7/22.9 25.9/25.0 26.1/25.2 28.3/27.4 26.0/25.1 28.2/27.3 * Mortality tables S2PA CMI 2015 projections with a 1.5% long-term rate of improvement have been used for both schemes, with a -1 age rating applied for the staff scheme. Sensitivities The calculations of the defined benefit obligations are sensitive to the assumptions set out on pages 46 to 49. The following table sets out the estimated impact of a change in the assumptions on the defined benefit obligation at 31 March 2021, whilst 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 31 March 2021 £000 2,762 2,368 2,030 31 March 2021 £000 31 March 2020 £000 1,872 1,951 1,992 2,035 2,154 12,513 1,813 1,872 1,951 1,992 2,035 12,009 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 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 2021 £000 60 19 79 2020 £000 186 20 206 49 Castings-AR2021.indd 49 Castings-AR2021.indd 49 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:23 18/06/2021 12:26:23 Castings P.L.C. Notes to the Financial Statements continued 8 Income tax expense Corporation tax based on a rate of 19% (2020 – 19%) UK corporation tax Current tax on profits for the year Adjustments to tax charge in respect of prior years Deferred tax Current year origination and reversal of temporary differences Adjustment to deferred tax charge in respect of prior years Adjustment to deferred tax charge in respect of change in tax rate Taxation on profit Profit before income tax Tax on profit at the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19% (2020 – 19%) Effect of: Expenses/(income) not deductible/chargeable for tax purposes Adjustment to tax charge in respect of prior years Adjustment to deferred tax charge in respect of prior years Adjustment to deferred tax charge in respect of change in tax rate Pension adjustments Total tax charge for the year Effective rate of tax (%) 2021 £000 1,220 (32) 1,188 (196) (154) — (350) 838 2020 £000 2,480 (299) 2,181 (110) 135 428 453 2,634 4,987 12,700 948 2,413 36 (32) (154) — 40 838 16.8 (88) (299) 135 428 45 2,634 20.7 Changes to the UK corporation tax rates were substantively enacted as part of Finance Bill 2020 on 17 March 2020, the applicable rate being 19%. Deferred taxes at the balance sheet date have been measured using these enacted tax rates and reflected in these financial statements. 9 Dividends Final paid of 11.40p per share for the year ended 31 March 2020 (2019 – 11.40p) Interim paid of 3.57p per share (2020 – 3.48p) Supplementary dividend of 15.00p per share for the year ended 31 March 2019 2021 £000 4,974 1,558 — 6,532 2020 £000 4,974 1,518 6,545 13,037 The directors are proposing a final dividend of 11.69 pence (2020 – 11.40 pence) per share totalling £5,100,589 (2020 – £4,974,056). This dividend has not been accrued at the balance sheet date. 10 Earnings per share and diluted earnings per share The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the following data: Profit after taxation (£000) Weighted average number of shares - basic calculation Earnings per share - basic calculation (pence per share) Number of dilutive share options in issue Weighted average number of shares - diluted calculation Earnings per share - diluted calculation (pence per share) 2021 4,149 43,632,068 9.51p 35,292 43,667,360 9.50p 2020 10,066 43,632,068 23.07p — 43,632,068 23.07p 50 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 50 Castings-AR2021.indd 50 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:23 18/06/2021 12:26:23 Notes to the Financial Statements continued Financial Statements Earnings per share (basic) excluding exceptional items of 8.06 pence per share (2020 – 23.05 pence per share) is calculated on the profit on ordinary activities before exceptional items after taxation of £3,516,000 (2020 – £10,056,000), using the basic weighted average number of shares of 43,632,068. The corresponding diluted earnings per share excluding exceptional items, using the weighted average number of shares of 43,667,360 is 8.05 pence per share. 11 Property, plant and equipment Cost At 1 April 2020 Additions during the year Disposals At 31 March 2021 Accumulated depreciation At 1 April 2020 Charge for year Disposals At 31 March 2021 Net book values At 31 March 2021 At 31 March 2020 Cost At 1 April 2019 Additions during the year Disposals At 31 March 2020 Accumulated depreciation At 1 April 2019 Charge for year Disposals At 31 March 2020 Net book values At 31 March 2020 At 31 March 2019 Freehold and leasehold land and buildings £000 Plant and equipment £000 Total £000 40,183 147,449 187,632 584 (410) 4,660 (278) 5,244 (688) 40,357 151,831 192,188 10,941 1,101 (410) 11,632 28,725 29,242 105,998 116,939 7,701 (255) 8,802 (665) 113,444 125,076 38,387 41,451 67,112 70,693 39,826 139,967 179,793 357 — 7,801 (319) 8,158 (319) 40,183 147,449 187,632 9,780 1,161 — 98,575 7,742 (319) 108,355 8,903 (319) 10,941 105,998 116,939 29,242 30,046 41,451 41,392 70,693 71,438 The net book value of land and buildings includes £2,169,000 (2020 – £2,169,000) for land which is not depreciated. Included within plant and equipment are assets in the course of construction with a net book value of £464,000 (2020 – £1,993,000). Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 51 Castings-AR2021.indd 51 Castings-AR2021.indd 51 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:24 18/06/2021 12:26:24 Castings P.L.C. Notes to the Financial Statements continued 12 Financial assets Financial assets at FVOCI At 1 April 2020 Net losses recognised in other comprehensive income At 31 March 2021 2021 £000 308 2021 £000 358 (50) 308 2020 £000 358 2020 £000 380 (22) 358 Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) are UK quoted equity securities and are denominated in sterling. The fair value of the securities is based on published quoted prices in an active market. The cumulative fair value gains and losses which are undistributable and held within retained earnings totalled £151,000 (2020 – £201,000). 13 Inventories Raw materials Work in progress Finished goods 2021 £000 4,994 6,016 7,709 18,719 2020 £000 4,812 6,169 10,194 21,175 Inventories are net of impairment provisions of £852,000 (2020 – £647,000). The cost of inventories recognised as an expense is £18,228,000 (2020 – £20,009,000). 14 Trade and other receivables Due within one year: Trade receivables Other receivables Receivable from pension schemes (see note 6) Prepayments 15 Trade and other payables Current trade and other payables: Trade payables Social security Other payables Accruals Included within accruals is a warranty provision that is not material to the financial statements. 2021 £000 27,383 1,535 2,496 3,944 35,358 2021 £000 15,533 1,692 664 6,482 24,371 2020 £000 21,813 1,316 2,778 2,754 28,661 2020 £000 12,147 1,529 477 5,939 20,092 52 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 52 Castings-AR2021.indd 52 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:24 18/06/2021 12:26:24 Notes to the Financial Statements continued 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% (2020 – 19%). The movement on the deferred tax account is shown below: Deferred tax – net At 1 April 2020 Credited to other comprehensive income (Credited)/charged to profit At 31 March 2021 The movement in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the year is shown below: Deferred tax – liabilities At 1 April 2020 (Credited)/charged to profit Credited to other comprehensive income At 31 March 2021 2021 £000 3,930 (10) (350) 3,570 Other £000 (51) 41 (10) (20) 2020 £000 3,481 (4) 453 3,930 Total £000 3,930 (350) (10) 3,570 Accelerated tax depreciation £000 3,981 (391) — 3,590 Of the deferred tax liabilities, £713,000 (2020 – £657,000) is expected to be recovered within 12 months with £2,857,000 (2020 – £3,273,000) expected to be recovered after more than 12 months. The movement in the deferred tax assets and liabilities during the prior year is shown below: At 1 April 2019 Charged to profit Credited to other comprehensive income At 31 March 2020 The deferred tax charged/(credited) to other comprehensive income during the year is as follows: Accelerated tax depreciation £000 3,549 432 — 3,981 Tax on change in fair value of 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 Other £000 (68) 21 (4) (51) 2021 £000 (10) (10) 2021 £000 5,000 4,363 Total £000 3,481 453 (4) 3,930 2020 £000 (4) (4) 2020 £000 5,000 4,363 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. Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 53 Castings-AR2021.indd 53 Castings-AR2021.indd 53 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:24 18/06/2021 12:26:24 Castings P.L.C. Notes to the Financial Statements continued 18 Commitments and contingencies Capital commitments contracted for by the group but not provided for in the financial statements 2021 £000 1,784 2020 £000 3,323 As set out on page 9, 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 2021, the directors do not consider any significant liability will arise in respect of any such claims (2020 – £nil). 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 years 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 Financial assets measured at amortised cost Trade receivables Other receivables Cash and cash equivalents Total current financial assets Non-current financial assets Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income Total non-current financial assets Total financial assets Financial assets 2021 £000 27,383 4,031 36,092 67,506 308 308 67,814 2020 £000 21,813 4,094 33,401 59,308 358 358 59,666 The maximum exposure to credit risks is detailed in the above table, being the total financial assets excluding those at fair value through other comprehensive income. 54 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 54 Castings-AR2021.indd 54 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:24 18/06/2021 12:26:24 Notes to the Financial Statements continued Financial Statements Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost 2021 £000 15,533 664 6,482 22,679 2020 £000 12,147 477 5,939 18,563 Current financial liabilities Trade payables Other payables Accruals Total current financial liabilities 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 2021, trade receivables of £25,659,000 (2020 – £20,630,000) 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 27% of trade receivables at any time during the year. Concentration of credit risk to any other counterparty did not exceed 9% 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 (e.g. 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 there is no reasonable expectation of recovery based upon objective evidence. Impairment provisions are also recognised based on the simplified approach within IFRS 9 using the lifetime expected credit losses. To measure the expected credit losses, trade receivables have been grouped based on shared credit risk and the days past due. The expected loss rates are based on the payment profiles and historical credit losses experience over a three year period. The historical loss rates are adjusted to reflect current and forward looking information on macroeconomic factors affecting the ability of the customers to settle the receivables, including the potential financial impact of COVID-19. No major renegotiation of terms has taken place during the year. 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 credit quality of trade receivables that are neither past due nor impaired are all assessed to be virtually fully recoverable (2020 – virtually fully recoverable). At 31 March 2021 trade receivables of £1,238,000 (2020 – £571,000) were past due but not impaired. They relate to customers with no default history. The ageing of these receivables is as follows: 30–60 days 60–90 days 90+ days 2021 £000 114 449 675 1,238 2020 £000 36 42 493 571 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 55 Castings-AR2021.indd 55 Castings-AR2021.indd 55 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:24 18/06/2021 12:26:24 Castings P.L.C. Notes to the Financial Statements continued 19 Financial instrument risk exposure and management continued 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)/increase in provisions Written off against provisions Closing balance 2021 £000 597 (49) (62) 486 2020 £000 747 28 (178) 597 Impairment losses on trade receivables of £111,000 (2020 – £150,000) were recognised in administrative expenses. 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 (2020 – £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 did not have any forward contracts in place to sell euros (2020 – £nil). At the balance sheet date foreign exchange facilities of £1.9 million (2020 – £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 56 Floating rate assets 2021 £000 5 1,566 2,352 3,923 Fixed rate assets 2021 £000 32,034 — 136 32,170 Interest-free assets 2021 £000 27,238 1,513 2,970 31,721 Total 2021 £000 59,277 3,079 5,458 67,814 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 56 Castings-AR2021.indd 56 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:24 18/06/2021 12:26:24 Notes to the Financial Statements continued Financial Statements Floating rate assets 2020 £000 5 158 1,508 1,671 Fixed rate assets 2020 £000 31,534 55 141 31,730 Interest-free assets 2020 £000 23,716 898 1,651 26,265 Interest-free liabilities 2021 £000 21,770 829 80 22,679 Total 2020 £000 55,255 1,111 3,300 59,666 Interest-free liabilities 2020 £000 17,787 19 757 18,563 Sterling US$ Euro Sterling US$ Euro Fixed rate assets attracted interest rates of between 0.05% and 0.25% (2020 – 0.20% and 0.95%) 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 £80,000/(£60,000) (2020 – £71,000/(£71,000)). The group believes that movements on exchange rates of +/–5% could be possible, the effect of which is that profit before tax would (decrease)/ increase by (£141,000)/£156,000 (2020 – (£79,000)/£87,000). Fair value Unless otherwise indicated, the carrying amounts of the group’s financial instruments are a reasonable approximation of their fair values. 20 Related party transactions The group has a related party relationship with its directors; details of salaries and other benefits paid to directors are disclosed in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 26 to 30. Transactions with the group’s pension schemes and balances owed to the company by the schemes are disclosed in note 6. Controlling party The company’s shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange’s Regulated Market (Premium Listing) and are widely held. There is no one controlling party or group of related parties who have control of the group. Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 57 Castings-AR2021.indd 57 Castings-AR2021.indd 57 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:24 18/06/2021 12:26:24 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 Current assets Total liabilities Dividends and earnings Pence per share declared Number of times covered (dividend paid, excluding special) Earnings per share — basic Earnings per share — diluted Earnings per share — basic excluding exceptional items 2021 £000 114,702 4,987 4,149 6,532 4,363 125,101 129,464 67,112 308 — 67,420 90,169 (28,125) 129,464 15.26 0.6 9.51p 9.50p 8.06p 2020 £000 138,667 12,700 10,066 13,037 4,363 127,295 131,658 70,693 358 — 71,051 84,629 (24,022) 131,658 14.88 1.6 23.07p 23.07p 23.05p 2019 £000 150,236 14,050 11,010 6,327 4,363 130,026 134,389 71,438 380 — 71,818 92,116 (29,545) 134,389 14.78 1.7 25.23p 25.23p 28.16p 2018 £000 133,276 12,077 9,798 6,095 4,363 123,779 128,142 75,448 336 1,135 76,919 78,448 (27,225) 128,142 14.50 1.6 22.46p 22.46p 22.21p 2017 £000 118,822 15,915 13,004 19,072 4,363 119,781 124,144 72,762 408 2,269 75,439 74,480 (25,775) 124,144 13.97 2.2 29.80p 29.80p 29.51p 58 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 58 Castings-AR2021.indd 58 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:24 18/06/2021 12:26:24 Five Year Financial History – unaudited Parent Company Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2021 ASSETS Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment Investments Financial assets Current assets Inventories Trade and other receivables Current tax asset Cash and cash equivalents Assets classified as held for sale 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 shareholders’ funds Financial Statements Notes 2021 £000 2020 £000 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 22,085 4,995 308 27,388 13,227 26,760 — 27,207 67,194 — 67,194 94,582 13,850 278 14,128 684 14,812 79,770 4,363 874 13 74,520 79,770 21,614 4,995 358 26,967 15,330 23,178 119 26,909 65,536 1,060 66,596 93,563 12,404 — 12,404 853 13,257 80,306 4,363 874 13 75,056 80,306 The company’s profit for the financial year was £6,015,000 (2020 – £9,332,000). The parent company financial statements on pages 59 to 66 were approved and authorised for issue by the board of directors on 16 June 2021, and were signed on its behalf by: B. J. Cooke Chairman S. J. Mant Finance Director Notes to the financial statements are on pages 61 to 66. Registered number — 91580. Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 59 Castings-AR2021.indd 59 Castings-AR2021.indd 59 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:24 18/06/2021 12:26:24 Castings P.L.C. Parent Company Statement of Changes in Equity for the year ended 31 March 2021 At 1 April 2020 Profit for the year Other comprehensive income/(losses): Change in fair value of financial assets Tax effect of items taken directly to reserves Total comprehensive income for the year Equity settled share-based payments Dividends (see note 4) At 31 March 2021 At 1 April 2019 Profit for the year Other comprehensive income/(losses): Change in fair value of financial assets Tax effect of items taken directly to reserves Total comprehensive income for the year Dividends (see note 4) At 31 March 2020 Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent Share capitala) £000 4,363 — — — — — — 4,363 Share premiumb) £000 874 — — — — — — 874 Other reservec) £000 13 — Retained earningsd) £000 75,056 6,015 — — — — — 13 (50) 10 5,975 21 (6,532) 74,520 Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent Share capitala) £000 4,363 Share premiumb) £000 874 Other reservec) £000 13 — — — — — — — — — — 4,363 874 — — — — — 13 Retained earningsd) £000 78,779 9,332 (22) 4 9,314 (13,037) 75,056 Total equity £000 80,306 6,015 (50) 10 5,975 21 (6,532) 79,770 Total equity £000 84,029 9,332 (22) 4 9,314 (13,037) 80,306 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. 60 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 60 Castings-AR2021.indd 60 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:25 18/06/2021 12:26:25 Parent Company Statement of Changes in Equity for the year ended 31 March 2021 Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statements The Directors’ Report is on pages 20 to 22 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements Financial Statements 1 Accounting policies General information Castings Public Limited Company (the “company”, “Castings P.L.C.”) is incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom and registered in England as a public company limited by shares. The company’s registered office is at Lichfield Road, Brownhills, West Midlands, WS8 6JZ, United Kingdom. The Company’s ordinary shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange’s Regulated Market (Premium Listing). There has been no change in this information since the annual report for the year ended 31 March 2020. 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 on a going concern basis and under the historical cost convention, except for the revaluation of certain financial instruments, and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. 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; • 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 financial statements. 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. 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 once the performance obligation has been met. This is deemed to be when the goods and services have been collected by, or delivered to, the customer in accordance with the agreed delivery terms. 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 and leasehold land and buildings over 50 years • Plant and equipment over a period of 3 to 10 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 2021 61 Castings-AR2021.indd 61 Castings-AR2021.indd 61 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:25 18/06/2021 12:26:25 Castings P.L.C. Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statements continued The Directors’ Report is on pages 20 to 22 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements 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 group classifies its financial assets into one of the categories discussed below, depending on the purpose for which the asset was acquired. The group’s accounting policy for each category is as follows: Fair value through other comprehensive income Fair value through other comprehensive income 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 in other comprehensive income. The cumulative fair value gains and losses are held within retained earnings and are not treated as distributable. Fair value is determined with reference to published quoted prices in an active market. Amortised cost These assets are held in order to collect contractual cash flows, on specific dates, which are solely payments of the principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding. 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. Impairment provisions for trade receivables are recognised based on the simplified approach within IFRS 9 using the lifetime expected credit losses. During this process the probability of the non-payment of the trade receivables is assessed. Where specific receivables are known to be ‘bad’ or it becomes apparent that payment is ‘doubtful’ then a credit loss allowance of 100% is applied. 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 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. 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. 62 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 62 Castings-AR2021.indd 62 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:25 18/06/2021 12:26:25 Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statements continued The Directors’ Report is on pages 20 to 22 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements Financial Statements Government assistance Economic support provided to the group as part of government initiatives to support employees is recognised in the income statement on the date at which conditions attached to the receipt of such assistance have been met in the period it becomes receivable. The income is classified as other operating income. Share based payments The cost of equity-settled transactions with employees of the company is measured by reference to the fair value at the date at which they are granted and is recognised as an expense over the vesting period, which ends on the date on which the relevant employees become fully entitled to the award. The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of awards for which the related service conditions are met, such that the amount ultimately recognised as an expense is based on the number of awards that meet the related service conditions at the vesting date. 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 44 of the group financial statements. 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 financial statements. The company’s profit for the financial year was £6,015,000 (2020 – £9,332,000). The profit and loss account includes £62,000 (2020 – £61,000) for audit fees. The cost of inventories recognised as an expense during the year was £37,234,000 (2020 – £50,857,000). 3 Employee information Average monthly number of employees during the year was: Production Management and administration Staff costs (including directors) comprise: Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs 2021 2020 348 24 372 2021 £000 14,994 1,570 595 17,159 357 26 383 2020 £000 15,844 1,684 635 18,163 The directors represent the key management personnel. Details of their compensation are given in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 29. Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 63 Castings-AR2021.indd 63 Castings-AR2021.indd 63 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:25 18/06/2021 12:26:25 Castings P.L.C. Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statements continued The Directors’ Report is on pages 20 to 22 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements 4 Dividends Final paid of 11.40p per share for the year ended 31 March 2020 (2019 – 11.40p) Interim paid of 3.57p per share (2020 – 3.48p) Supplementary dividend of 15.00p per share for the year ended 31 March 2020 2021 £000 4,974 1,558 — 6,532 2020 £000 4,974 1,518 6,545 13,037 The directors are proposing a final dividend of 11.69 pence (2020 – 11.40 pence) per share totalling £5,100,589 (2020 – £4,974,056). This dividend has not been accrued at the balance sheet date. 5 Property, plant and equipment Cost At 1 April 2020 Additions during year Disposals At 31 March 2021 Accumulated depreciation At 1 April 2020 Charge for year Disposals At 31 March 2021 Net book values At 31 March 2021 At 31 March 2020 Freehold and leasehold land and buildings £000 Plant and equipment £000 20,963 323 — 21,286 4,485 361 — 4,846 16,440 16,478 32,732 1,902 (94) 34,540 27,596 1,370 (71) 28,895 5,645 5,136 Total £000 53,695 2,225 (94) 55,826 32,081 1,731 (71) 33,741 22,085 21,614 The net book value of land and buildings includes £1,768,000 (2020 – £1,768,000) for land which is not depreciated. Included within plant and other equipment are assets in the course of construction with a net book value of £185,000 (2020 – £571,000) which are not depreciated. 6 Investments Subsidiary companies At cost At 1 April 2020 Impairment losses At 31 March 2021 2021 £000 4,995 4,995 2021 £000 4,995 — 4,995 2020 £000 4,995 4,995 2020 £000 4,995 — 4,995 The company owns 100% of the issued share capital of William Lee Limited, CNC Speedwell Limited, W. H. Booth & Co. Limited and Castings Property Limited, companies which operate in the United Kingdom. William Lee Limited supplies spheroidal graphite iron castings and CNC Speedwell Limited is a machinist operation. W. H. Booth & Co. Limited and Castings Property Limited do not trade and are dormant. The registered office of William Lee Limited is Callywhite Lane, Dronfield, Sheffield, S18 2XU. The registered office for all other subsidiaries is Lichfield Road, Brownhills, West Midlands, WS8 6JZ. 64 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 64 Castings-AR2021.indd 64 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:25 18/06/2021 12:26:25 Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statements continued The Directors’ Report is on pages 20 to 22 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements Financial Statements 2021 £000 308 2021 £000 358 (50) 308 2020 £000 358 2020 £000 380 (22) 358 7 Financial assets Financial assets at FVOCI At 1 April 2020 Net losses recognised in other comprehensive income At 31 March 2021 Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) are UK quoted equity securities and are denominated in sterling. The fair value of the securities is based on published quoted prices in an active market. The cumulative fair value gains and losses which are undistributable and held within retained earnings totalled £151,000 (2020 – £201,000). 8 Inventories Raw materials Work in progress Finished goods Inventories are net of impairment provisions of £150,000 (2020 – £224,000). 9 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 financial statements) Prepayments Trade receivables are net of impairment provisions of £259,000 (2020 – £317,000). Amounts receivable from subsidiary companies are interest free and have no fixed repayment terms. 10 Trade and other payables Current trade and other payables Trade payables Amounts owed to subsidiary companies Social security Other payables Accruals Amounts owed to subsidiary companies are interest free and have no fixed repayment terms. Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 2021 £000 2,431 4,158 6,638 13,227 2021 £000 19,621 2,133 1,167 2,496 1,343 26,760 2021 £000 7,642 2,461 658 284 2,805 13,850 2020 £000 2,450 4,374 8,506 15,330 2020 £000 15,378 2,546 1,187 2,778 1,289 23,178 2020 £000 6,183 2,583 709 264 2,665 12,404 65 Castings-AR2021.indd 65 Castings-AR2021.indd 65 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:25 18/06/2021 12:26:25 Castings P.L.C. Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statements continued The Directors’ Report is on pages 20 to 22 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements 11 Deferred tax liabilities 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% (2020 – 19%). The movement on the deferred tax account is shown below: Deferred tax liabilities At 1 April 2020 Credited to other comprehensive income (Credited)/charged to profit At 31 March 2021 The movement in deferred tax liabilities during the year is shown below: Deferred tax liabilities At 1 April 2020 Credited to profit Credited to other comprehensive income At 31 March 2021 The movement in the deferred tax liabilities during the prior year is shown below: At 1 April 2019 Charged/(credited) to profit Credited to other comprehensive income At 31 March 2020 Accelerated tax depreciation £000 815 (159) — 656 Accelerated tax depreciation £000 744 71 — 815 The deferred tax charged/(credited) to other comprehensive income during the year is as follows: Tax on change in fair value of financial assets Tax on items taken directly to other comprehensive income 12 Share capital Allotted and fully paid 43,632,068 (2020 – 43,632,068) 10p ordinary shares 2021 £000 853 (10) (159) 684 Other £000 38 — (10) 28 Other £000 5 37 (4) 38 2021 £000 (10) (10) 2021 £000 4,363 2020 £000 749 (4) 108 853 Total £000 853 (159) (10) 684 Total £000 749 108 (4) 853 2020 £000 (4) (4) 2020 £000 4,363 13 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 2017. Further details of the schemes are contained in note 6 to the group financial statements. 14 Capital commitments and contingencies Authorised, but not provided in the financial statements 2021 £000 436 2020 £000 1,352 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 2021, the directors do not consider any significant liability will arise in respect of any such claims (2020 – £nil). 66 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 66 Castings-AR2021.indd 66 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:25 18/06/2021 12:26:25 Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statements Notice of Meeting continued The Directors’ Report is on pages 20 to 22 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements Company Information Notice is hereby given that the one hundred and fourteenth 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 19 August 2021 at 3.30 pm for the purposes set out below. As ordinary business 1 To receive and adopt the Directors’ Report and audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021. 2 To declare a final dividend. 3 To re-elect B. J. Cooke as a director. 4 To re-elect A. Vicary as a director. 5 To re-elect S. J. Mant as a director. 6 To re-elect A. N. Jones as a director. 7 To re-elect A. K. Eastgate as a director. 8 To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 March 2021. 9 To reappoint Mazars LLP as auditors of the company at a fee to be agreed with the directors. As special business To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolutions, of which resolution 10 will be proposed as ordinary resolutions and resolutions 11 and 12 will be proposed as special resolutions. The share capital consists of 43,632,068 ordinary shares with voting rights. As ordinary resolutions 10 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 18 August 2026 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 13 August 2020, which authorities are accordingly hereby revoked; and (d) this authority will be put to annual shareholder approval. As special resolutions 11 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 10 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. Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 67 Castings-AR2021.indd 67 Castings-AR2021.indd 67 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:25 18/06/2021 12:26:25 Castings P.L.C. Notice of Meeting continued 12 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 2021; (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 23 July 2021. Assuming the final dividend is approved by the members, the dividend will be paid on 23 August 2021. 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 17 August 2021. By order of the board S. J. Mant Company Secretary Registered Office: Lichfield Road, Brownhills, West Midlands, WS8 6JZ 16 June 2021 Note 1 - Proxy voting: 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 their 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: Link Group, PXS 1, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4DL, not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for the meeting. CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies through the CREST electronic proxy appointment service may do so for the Meeting (and any adjournment of the Meeting) by using the procedures described in the CREST Manual (available from www.euroclear.com/site/public/EUI). CREST Personal Members or other CREST sponsored members, and those CREST members who have appointed a service provider(s), should refer to their CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s), who will be able to take the appropriate action on their behalf. In order for a proxy appointment or instruction made by means of CREST to be valid, the appropriate CREST message (a ‘CREST Proxy Instruction’) must be properly authenticated in accordance with Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited’s specifications and must contain the information required for such instructions, as described in the CREST Manual. The message must be transmitted so as to be received by the issuer’s agent (ID RA10) by 3.30 pm on 17 August 2021. For this purpose, the time of receipt will be taken to mean the time (as determined by the timestamp applied to the message by the CREST application host) from which the issuer’s agent is able to retrieve the message by enquiry to CREST in the manner prescribed by CREST. After this time, any change of instructions to proxies appointed through CREST should be communicated to the appointee through other means. CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting service providers should note that Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited does not make available special procedures in CREST for any particular message. Normal system timings and limitations will, therefore, apply in relation to the input of CREST Proxy Instructions. It is the responsibility of the CREST member concerned to take (or, if the CREST member is a CREST personal member, or sponsored member, or has appointed a voting service provider(s), to procure that their CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s) take(s)) such action as shall be necessary to ensure that a message is transmitted by means of the CREST system by any particular time. In this connection, CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting system providers are referred, in particular, to those sections of the CREST Manual concerning practical limitations of the CREST system and timings. The Company may treat as invalid a CREST Proxy Instruction in the circumstances set out in Regulation 35(5)(a) of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001. 68 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 68 Castings-AR2021.indd 68 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:26 18/06/2021 12:26:26 Notice of Meeting continued Company Information Note 2 - 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 the close of business 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 the close of business 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 2021 69 Castings-AR2021.indd 69 Castings-AR2021.indd 69 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — V4 18/06/2021 12:26:26 18/06/2021 12:26:26 Castings P.L.C. Directors, Officers and Advisers Directors B. J. Cooke, AdvDipNFC, FICME Non-executive Chairman A. Vicary, BEng, MSc, FICME Chief Executive Officer S. J. Mant, BCom (Hons) FCA Finance Director A. N. Jones, BA (Hons), FCA Senior Independent Non-executive A. K. Eastgate, BA (Hons) 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 Link Group 10th Floor, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4DL Tel: 0371 664 0300 (Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the UK will be charged at the applicable international rate. Lines are open 9.00 am to 5.30 pm Mon – Fri) Email: shareholderenquiries@linkgroup.co.uk Mazars LLP Two Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3AX Enoch Evans LLP St Paul’s Chambers, 6/9 Hatherton Road, Walsall, West Midlands, WS1 1XS Pinsent Masons LLP 55 Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 2FG HSBC Bank plc 49 Market Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6LB Arden Partners plc Arden House, Highfield Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3DU Registered No. 91580 70 Castings P.L.C. Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 Castings-AR2021.indd 70 Castings-AR2021.indd 70 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4 18/06/2021 12:26:26 18/06/2021 12:26:26 30611 — 18 June 2021 12:25 pm — Proof V4Castings P.L.C. Lichfield Road Brownhills West Midlands WS8 6JZCastings-AR2021.indd 1Castings-AR2021.indd 118/06/2021 12:26:1418/06/2021 12:26:14