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Hill International

hil · ASX Industrials
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FY2018 Annual Report · Hill International
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8

ANNUAL
REPORT

for the year ended 30 June 2018

Hills Limited ABN 35 007 573 417

 
 
 
 
 
 
Hills limitedShareholders‘ letterHills Limited
Annual report
For the year ended 30 June 2018 

ABN 35 007 573 417

Contents

Shareholders’ letter  

Directors’ report  

Auditor’s independence declaration  

Consolidated Financial statements  

Directors’ declaration  

Independent auditor’s report to the members  

Shareholder information  

Corporate directory  

2

5

28

29

87

88

92

94

1

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Shareholders‘ letter
For the year ended 30 June 2018

Dear Shareholder,

Financial Year 2018 (FY18) was another busy year for everyone at Hills as we continued to drive business improvements  
across all aspects of the organisation and delivered a small profit in line with guidance.

Our FY 18 net profit after tax (NPAT) result of $0.4 million was an $8.3 million improvement on the FY17 NPAT result and 
represented a significant turnaround within the business as indicated in the chart below.

s
n
o
i
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M

$20.0

$0.0

($20.0)

($40.0)

($60.0)

($80.0)

($100.0)

Statutory Net Profit/(Loss) – FY15 to FY18

($7.9)

$0.4

($68.3)

($85.9)

FY15

FY16

FY17

FY18

This result was achieved whilst:

• 

investing in our E-Commerce platform which improves customer service levels by allowing our customers to search 
products and product specifications, view inventory levels and pricing, place and track orders, retrieve statements and 
make payments; and

•  establishing a National Distribution Centre & Trade Centre at Seven Hills in NSW which consolidates our inventory into  

a single warehouse facility streamlining your Company’s supply chain to deliver better customer service.

In addition, during the year in review we:

 continued our focus on inventory management reducing inventory from $46.5 million to $44.0 million;

further reduced our operating expenses by $21.2 million or 20.1% from $105.6 million to $84.4 million;

• 
• 
•  generated operating cashflows1 of $12.0 million up by $12.8m from FY17; and
• 

reduced net debt by $3.1 million to $16.9 million.

Due to the efforts of our dedicated people, we delivered growth in our two largest businesses, Hills Health Solutions and 
Security, Surveillance and Communications (SSIT), with the Nurse Call business growing revenue by 26%, our Enterprise-
focussed security business growing revenue by 14% and our IT businesses growing revenue by 20% being the standout 
performers in the Group.

The overall Health business continued to be profitable in FY18 and has a strong pipeline in Nurse Call and Patient 
Engagement projects as we enter FY19.

During the period we continued to strengthen our relationship with our key vendors and customers which was rewarded  
with the:

• 

• 

 extension of our appointment by Ericsson for the installation of fixed wireless services associated with the NBN rollout 
until 2020; and

 extension of our exclusive distribution relationship in Australia and NZ with Genetec, a leading provider of security  
and public safety solutions until 2020.

1   Operating cashflows includes $2.4 million for amounts paid out against restructure provisions during the year.

2

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedShareholders‘ letter
For the year ended 30 June 2018

We experienced some changes in Vendor portfolios and were delighted to accept the:

•  appointment by Dahua Technology as a distributor in Australia and NZ of some of the world’s leading security and  

video surveillance equipment; and

• 

 appointment by MC2 Audio, XTA Electronics and Xilica Audio Design as distributor of audio-visual solutions that 
complement our existing vendor portfolio including Community Speakers to enable Hills to deliver a complete 
professional audio solution to the market.

On the back of a successful year Hills secured several key contracts in our Health business, including projects at:

•  Westmead Central Acute Services Building (NSW)
•  Blacktown Hospital Acute Services Building Stage 1 and 2 (NSW)
•  Joan Kirner Children’s Hospital (Victoria)
•  Royal Hobart Hospital (Tasmania)

as well as aged care facilities across Australia including:

•  Fresh Hope Care
•  Calvary Health Care; and 
•  Baptcare,

demonstrating our ability to deliver projects of any size and complexity in the Health sector. 

In our SSIT business we engaged in many major infrastructure projects supplying:

 a Genetec unified IP security solution together with Axis IP Cameras to Siemens for Brisbane Airport;

•  AXIS IP Cameras and Ipsotek analytics through SAAB for Queensland Corrections;
• 
• 
•  Vivotek IP cameras at Sydney Trains together with Indra Australia. 

together with Siemens, Genetec unified IP security solutions and AXIS IP Cameras to Woodside Petroleum HQ Perth; and

It is a tribute to the whole Hills team that we won several key awards again during FY18, including:

 Genetec: Asia Pacific Distributor of the year and Software Development Kit (SDK) Developer of the year;

• 
•  Axis: Pacific Region Distributor of the Year;
•  Ruckus: Distributor of the year ANZ; and
• 

 Williams Sound: Outstanding Sales Growth Award. 

Our key strategic focus in FY19 will be to:

• 

• 

 continue our investment in IT Projects including the implementation of both Customer Relationship Management (CRM) 
& Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software solutions in partnership with Microsoft;

 invest in research and development of our Nurse Call solutions to expand on our current capabilities and productise the 
next generation iP7500 & staff terminal solutions to maintain our market leadership;

 continue to strengthen our relationship with Vendors and Customers incorporating feedback through market surveys;

• 
•  add value by delivering high quality professional services and unequalled expertise to our Customers across the Company;
• 
 build on the training and development of our dedicated team including our managers, sales, design, technical support, 
installation, internal quality and governance teams.

In July 2018, we welcomed two new members to our Management team; Roger Edgar who joined Hills to lead our Security, 
Surveillance and Communications team, and Andy Hall who has been promoted to lead our Hills Health Solutions business 
after managing the Health sales team since joining Hills in 2017.

Both Roger and Andy bring strong experience and ability to their roles and we look forward to working with them in growing 
their businesses.

3

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Shareholders‘ letter (continued)
For the year ended 30 June 2018

We were also pleased to welcome our Chief Executive Officer, David Lenz, to the Board in February 2018 as Managing 
Director. He has successfully led the Hills team in establishing a solid platform for growth in the healthcare, security and 
surveillance, communications and audio-visual sectors since his appointment as CEO in September 2016.

We thank the Hills team of loyal employees for their dedication and contribution during FY18.

Whilst we still have work to do, we are confident that the strategies undertaken in FY18 and the continued focus on reducing 
operating expenses, strengthening customer and vendor partnerships and the rollout of our digital transformation project 
will deliver an increased profit in FY19.

We look forward to welcoming you to the AGM on 23 November 2018 in Adelaide and providing you with an update on your 
Company’s performance for the first quarter of the current financial year.

Yours sincerely

Jennifer Hill-Ling 
Chairman 

David Lenz 
Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director

4

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills Limited 
Directors’ report
For the year ended 30 June 2018

The Directors present their report on the 
consolidated entity (referred to hereafter as Hills, 
the Company or the Group) consisting of Hills 
Limited and the entities it controlled at the end of, 
or during, the year ended 30 June 2018 (FY18), and 
the independent auditors report thereon.

Directors

The following persons were Directors of the Company  
during the whole of the financial year and up to the date  
of this report:

Jennifer Helen Hill-Ling

Fiona Rosalyn Vivienne Bennett 

Philip Bullock AO

Kenneth James Dwyer

David John Joseph Lenz was appointed a director on  
19 February 2018 and continues in office at the date of  
this report.

Principal activities

The principal activities of Hills during the year are outlined 
within the Review of Operations.

Review of operations
ABOUT THE GROUP

The Group operates in Australian and New Zealand and 
is a value-added distributor of technology products and 
services in the Security & Surveillance and Audio-Visual 
markets, and the supplier of Technology solutions in the 
Health market.

Hills commenced business in Adelaide, South Australia in 
1945 and has a long history of developing and innovating 
products over the years whilst diversifying and divesting as 
market conditions and customer demands have changed.

OUR BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

The Principal activities of the Group are the valued-
added distribution of technology products and services 
that connect, entertain and secure people’s lives into the 
environments that people need and trust most: their homes, 
hospitals and healthcare facilities, places of learning, 
entertainment venues, retail spaces, houses of worship, 
workplaces and government institutions.

OUR BUSINESS MODELS

The Group provides its products and solutions to a similar 
customer base, primarily building contractors, consultants 
and system integrators via three key business divisions:

•  Hills Health Solutions
•  Hills Security, Surveillance & Communication
•  Hills Audio Visual

Hills develops strong relationships with key vendors in 
Australia and overseas, and designs and manufactures Hills 
own products. It maintains an experienced team of experts 
with a broad footprint in Australia and New Zealand which 
allows the Group to service its customers.

HILLS HEALTH SOLUTIONS

Hills Health Solutions (HHS) is a market leader and 
comprises the design, supply and installation of health 
technology solutions, nurse call and patient entertainment 
and other related solutions including security, Wi-Fi and 
telephony, into the health and aged care sectors.

We continue to undertake research and development 
activities in Australia to enhance and develop our Nurse Call 
IP ensuring our products remain market leaders.

HILLS SECURITY, SURVEILLANCE AND 
COMMUNICATIONS (SSIT)

Hills is the leading value-added provider of technology 
for homes, hospitals and healthcare facilities, places of 
learning, entertainment venues, retail spaces, transport 
and infrastructure, banking and finance, workplaces and 
government institutions.

Together with maintaining strong vendor relationships 
and contracts Hills also invests in expert resources across 
Australia and New Zealand to offer products and solutions 
that allow customers to manage:

•  Access Control solutions
•  Alarms & Intruder solutions
•  Card access control
•  CCTV Cameras
•  Video Management Solutions
•  Wireless & networking solutions
•  Analytics software for Facial recognition & People 

Counting solutions

•  HillsTrak (asset management)
•  Fire detectors and alarms
•  Antenna, Set top boxes, Digital TV Systems
•  Satellite Dishes
•  Pre and Post installation service

5

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Directors’ report
For the year ended 30 June 2018

HILLS AUDIO VISUAL

Hills Audio Visual (AV) provides audio visual products for education, infrastructure projects, businesses, sporting venues, 
healthcare facilities, houses of worship, enterprise and entertainment venues.

Solutions offerings include:

•  Unified Communication
•  Hearing Augmentation
•  Professional LCD Displays
•  Projectors
•  Australian Monitor – Hills owned and designed product
•  Professional Audio solutions for indoor & outdoor applications

Group performance highlights

The Group has announced a statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) of $0.4 million for the year ended 30 June 2018, an increase 
of $8.3 million on the prior year loss of $7.9 million as summarised in the table below.

A$ million

Sales Revenue

Gross Margin (excluding other income)

Gross Margin%

Other Income

Operating Expenses (excluding non-operating)

Non-operating expenses

Interest & Tax

Net Profit/(Loss) After Tax

2018

271.8

86.7

2017

298.1

87.8

31.9%

29.4%

0.9

13.1

(84.3)

(101.6)

(0.1)

(2.8)

0.4

(4.0)

(3.2)

(7.9)

6

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedDirectors’ report
For the year ended 30 June 2018

Although not yet at the target profitability levels it was encouraging to see the Group achieve the first statutory profit since FY14.

Statutory Net Profit/(Loss) – FY15 to FY18

($7.9)

$0.4

($68.3)

($85.9)

FY15

FY16

FY17

FY18

s
n
o
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l
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M

$20.0

$0.0

($20.0)

($40.0)

($60.0)

($80.0)

($100.0)

Revenue

Sales revenue was down by $26.3 million, or 8.8%, from $298.1 million to $271.8 million primarily due to the decision to focus 
on NBN fixed wireless installations and exit Satellite installations in March 2017 as well as lower Antenna sales due to the 
competitive Pay TV market in Australia and New Zealand. Operating expenses were reduced to offset the impact of these 
lower sales levels which are outlined later in this report.

s
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M

$500.0

$400.0

$300.0

$200.0

$100.0

$0.0

Sales Revenue – FY15 to FY18

$428.8

$328.9

$298.1

$271.8

FY15

FY16

FY17

FY18

The remaining business divisions were down $3.0 million, or 1.2% in sales on the prior year, primarily due to lower audio visual 
sales which were offset in part by stronger SSIT and Health revenue.

NET PROFIT

The FY18 NPAT result of $0.4 million is a continuation of improved financial results over recent years and was an improvement 
of $8.3 million from the $7.9 million loss in FY17 and was supported by significantly lower expenses offsetting the one-off 
income from the HHL business exit in FY17.

Gross margins were 31.9% for FY18, up from 29.4% in FY17 offsetting in part the $26.3 million sales revenue decline noted 
earlier with gross margin down by $1.1 million on the prior year.

Operating expenses declined significantly during the year to $84.4 million down $21.2m or 20.1% from $105.6 million with 
reductions achieved across all 3 major expense areas and continuing the trend seen since FY15.

7

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Directors’ report
For the year ended 30 June 2018

Operating expenses – FY15 to FY18

s
n
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M

$200.0

$150.0

$100.0

$50.0

$0

$157.6

$105.6

$89.4

$47.3

$34.7

$4.0
$33.2

$75.6

$68.4

FY16

FY17

$0.1
$30.3

$54.0

FY18

Labour and Related Other

Non-operating

Labour and related costs reduced by $14.4 million, or 21.0% due to lower resources required to service the NBN  
satellite business, the transition from a third-party logistics provider to an in-house managed supply chain and general 
headcount reductions.

The prior year expenses included $4.0 million of one-off non-operating expenses relating to the proposed Lincor merger as 
well as further restructure costs. No such expenses of note were incurred in FY18.

Other expenses were lower by a further $2.9 million in FY18 with reductions achieved across most expense lines as the Group 
continues to make efforts to reduce costs.

Interest expenses were down 3.9% on the prior year and a small tax benefit of $0.2 million was recorded for the year. The 
Group retains significant unrecognised tax losses which remain available to reduce tax expenses for future periods as the 
Group’s profitability continues to improve.

Financial Position

Net debt at June 2018 was $16.9 million, down from $20.0 million as the Group maintained a focus on managing working 
capital balances efficiently.

$35.0

$30.0

$25.0

$20.0

$15.0

$10.0

$5.0

$0.0

s
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4 Year Net Debt Comparison

$32.0

$24.2

$20.0

$16.9

FY15

FY16

FY17

FY18

Net Debt

The improved net debt position was supported by an operating cash inflow for the year of $12.0 million, up from the prior year 
outflow of ($0.8 million).

Inventory levels decreased by a further $2.4 million during the year to $44.0 million following changes to the logistics 
approach noted above and refinements to purchasing disciplines driving this reduction.

Subsequent events

There were no events subsequent to balance date that would have a material effect on the Group’s financial statements at  
30 June 2018.

8

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedDirectors’ report
For the year ended 30 June 2018

Dividends

Year ended 30 June 2018

Year ended 30 June 2017

No dividends were paid 
during the year and no 
final dividend has been 
declared.

No dividends were paid 
during the year and no final 
dividend was declared.

For more information regarding dividends please refer  
to note 16 of the financial statements.

Significant changes  
in the state of affairs

Significant changes in the state of affairs of Hills during the 
financial year are set out in the Review of Operations section 
of the Directors’ report.

FY19 Outlook

Information on Directors

Jennifer Helen Hill-Ling 
LLB (Adel) FAICD

Chairman,  
Non-Independent Non-Executive Director 
Age 56

Experience and expertise

Appointed Director in August 1985. Appointed Deputy 
Chairman in June 2004. Appointed Chairman 28 October 
2005.

Jennifer Hill-Ling has extensive experience in corporate 
and commercial law, specialising in corporate and business 
structuring, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and 
related commercial transactions. She practiced law for some 
25 years and was a senior partner in two Sydney law firms in 
that time. She was formerly a director of Tower Trust Limited 
and MS Limited. She is a fellow of the Australian Institute of 
Company Directors.

Other current listed company directorships

None.

Former listed company directorships in last 3 years

Whilst we still have work to do, we are confident that the 
strategies undertaken in FY18 and the continued focus on 
reducing operating expenses, strengthening customer 
and vendor partnerships and the rollout of our digital 
transformation project will deliver an increased profit in FY19.

None.

Special responsibilities

Chairman of the Board

As with any technology distribution business, Hills is 
exposed to the risk of potential loss of vendors, customers 
or employees; slippages associated with contracts; supply 
issues; general economic conditions; and exposure to 
foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

Member of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.

Interests in shares and options at the date of this report

18,146,677 ordinary shares in Hills Limited (including 1,188,918 
shares owned by Hills Associates Limited and Poplar Pty Ltd 
(jointly held) and 16,768,441 shares owned by Hills Associates 
Limited of which JH Hill-Ling is a Director).

She does not hold any options over ordinary shares in Hills 
Limited.

9

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Directors’ report
For the year ended 30 June 2018)

Fiona Rosalyn Vivienne Bennett 
BA (Hons) FCA FAICD FIML

Independent Non-Executive Director 
Age 62

Philip Bullock AO 
BA, MBA, GAICD, Dip.Ed.

Independent Non-Executive Director 
Age 65

Experience and expertise

Experience and expertise

Appointed non-executive Director on 31 May 2010.

Appointed non-executive Director on 23 June 2014.

Fiona Bennett is a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years’ 
experience in business and financial management, corporate 
governance, risk management and audit. She has previously 
held senior executive positions at BHP Billiton Limited and 
Coles Group Limited and has been a Chief Financial Officer 
at several organisations in the health sector. She is currently 
Chairman of the Victorian Legal Services Board.

Other current listed company directorships

Director of Select Harvests Limited (since July 2017)

Former listed company directorships in last 3 years 

Mr Bullock AO was formerly Vice President of the Systems 
and Technology Group, IBM Asia Pacific, based in Shanghai, 
China. Prior to that he was CEO & Managing Director of IBM 
Australia and New Zealand. Mr Bullock AO is a non-executive 
director of Perpetual Limited, and formerly of CSG Limited 
and Healthscope Limited. He has also provided advice to the 
Federal Government, through a number of organisations, 
most notably as Chair of Skills Australia.

Other current listed company directorships

Non-executive director of Perpetual Limited  
(since June 2010)

Director of Beach Energy Limited (retired in November 2017)

Director of Boom Logistics Limited (retired in June 2015)

Special responsibilities

Former listed company directorships in last 3 years

Non-executive Director of CSG Limited (August 2009 to 
November 2015).

Chairman of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee.

Special responsibilities

Interests in shares and options at the date of this report

Chairman of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee;

178,444 ordinary shares in Hills Limited.

Member of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee

She does not hold any options over ordinary shares in  
Hills Limited.

Interests in shares and options at the date of this report

200,000 ordinary shares in Hills Limited.

He does not hold any options over ordinary shares in  
Hills Limited.

10

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedDirectors’ report
For the year ended 30 June 2018 

Kenneth James Dwyer 
BCom, GMQ, GAICD

Independent Non-Executive Director 
Age 60

Experience and expertise

Appointed non-executive Director on 20 September 2016

Mr Dwyer formerly worked in banking, including investment 
banking in the US and Australia specialising in M&A, debt 
and equity funding.

Mr Dwyer has established and grown two businesses in 
the highly competitive audio industry in Australia and 
New Zealand via a combination of organic growth and 
acquisitions.

Mr Dwyer also has experience in the distribution of premium 
European machinery for textile manufacturing.

Other current listed company directorships

None.

David John Joseph Lenz

Executive Director  
Age 56

Experience and expertise

Appointed Managing Director 19 February 2018 and Chief 
Executive Officer on 1 September 2016.

Mr Lenz has over 30 years of proven experience in sales, 
business development, management and operational 
leadership across Australia and New Zealand, Asia Pacific 
and the Global ICT markets.

Other current listed company directorships

None.

Former listed company directorships in last 3 years

None.

Special responsibilities

Chief Executive Officer

Former listed company directorships in last 3 years

Interests in shares and options at the date of this report

100,000 ordinary shares in Hills Limited.

He holds performance rights as detailed in section 6.3  
of the Remuneration Report.

None.

Special responsibilities

Member of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee;

Member of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee.

Interests in shares and options at the date of this report

250,000 ordinary shares in Hills Limited.

He does not hold any options over ordinary shares in  
Hills Limited.

11

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Directors’ report
For the year ended 30 June 2018

COMPANY SECRETARY

David Robert Fox  
LLB, BA

Mr Fox was appointed to the position of General Counsel on 
11 March 2013 and, on 22 December 2016, to the position of 
General Counsel and Company Secretary.

As General Counsel and Company Secretary, Mr Fox 
is responsible for legal, risk and company secretarial 
matters associated with Hills. Mr Fox has vast experience 
in corporate law. He was first admitted to practise law in 
2001 and previously held the position of Partner at a Sydney 
based law firm.

12

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedDirectors’ report
For the year ended 30 June 2018

Meetings of Directors

The numbers of meetings of the Company’s Board of Directors and of each Board Committee held during the year ended  
30 June 2018, and the numbers of meetings attended by each Director were:

J Hill-Ling

F Bennett

P Bullock AO

K Dwyer

D Lenz2

Full meetings of 
Directors

Audit, Risk and 
Compliance 
Committee

Remuneration 
& Nomination 
Committee

Held1

Attended

Held1

Attended

Held1

Attended

17

17

17

17

6

17

17

17

17

6

–

5

5

5

–

–

5

5

5

–

3

–

3

3

–

3

–

3

3

–

Insurance of officers

Since the end of the previous financial year, the Company has paid insurance premiums in respect of Directors’ and officers’ 
liability and legal expenses for current and former Directors and officers, including senior executives of the Company and 
Directors, senior executives and secretary of its controlled entities.

The liabilities insured are legal costs that may be incurred in defending civil or criminal proceedings that may be brought 
against the officers in their capacity as officers of entities in Hills Group of Companies, and any other payments arising from 
liabilities incurred by the officers in connection with such proceedings. This does not include such liabilities that arise from 
conduct involving a wilful breach of duty by the officers or the improper use by the officers of their position or of information 
to gain advantage for themselves or someone else or to cause detriment to the Company. It is not possible to apportion the 
premium between amounts relating to the insurance against legal costs and those relating to other liabilities.

The Directors have not included details of the nature of the liabilities covered or the amount of the premiums paid in respect 
of the Directors’ and officers’ liability and legal expenses insurance contracts as such disclosure is prohibited under the 
terms of the contracts.

1   Number of meetings held during the period that the Director held office as a Director or was a member of the committee during 

the year.

2   D Lenz was appointed Managing Director on 19 February 2018 and had attended Board meetings in the capacity of CEO up to  

that date.

13

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Directors’ report
For the year ended 30 June 2018

Indemnification of officers

The Company has agreed to indemnify the Directors and officers of the Company against all liabilities to another person 
(other than the Company or a related body corporate) that may arise from their position as Directors of the Company and its 
controlled entities, except where the liability arises out of conduct involving a lack of good faith.

The agreement stipulates that the Company will meet the full amount of any such liabilities, including costs and expenses.

The Company has also agreed to indemnify the current Directors of its controlled entities for all liabilities to another person 
(other than the Company or a related body corporate) that may arise from their position, except where the liability arises out 
of conduct involving a lack of good faith. The agreement stipulates that the Company will meet the full amount of any such 
liabilities, including costs and expenses.

Environmental regulation
MANUFACTURING

Hills holds all required environmental licences, registrations and permits for its sole remaining manufacturing site in 
O’Sullivan Beach in South Australia. No significant environmental incidents were reported during the 2018 financial year and 
Hills continued to meet the requirements specified in relevant licenses and authorisations.

AUSTRALIAN PACKAGING COVENANT

The Australian Packaging Covenant (APC) is a voluntary initiative by Government and industry to reduce the environmental 
impact of packaging. Hills became a signatory to the APC in 2010 and established ongoing action plans aimed at optimising 
packaging design, material recovery, recycling and product stewardship. Hills remains supportive of the goals and initiatives 
of the APC and remains compliant following the submission of its annual report during June 2018.

Auditor’s independence declaration

A copy of the auditor’s independence declaration as required under section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001 is set out  
on page 28.

Non-audit services

The Company may decide to employ the auditor on assignments additional to their statutory audit duties where the auditors 
expertise and experience with Hills are important.

Details of the amounts paid or payable to the auditor of Hills, KPMG, and its related practices for audit and non-audit services 
provided during the year are set out below.

The Board of Directors has considered the position and, in accordance with advice received from the Audit, Risk and 
Compliance Committee, is satisfied that the provision of the non-audit services is compatible with the general standard of 
independence for auditors imposed by the Corporations Act 2001. The Directors are satisfied that the provision of non-audit 
services by the auditor, as set out below, did not compromise the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations 
Act 2001 for the following reasons:

•  all non-audit services have been reviewed by the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee to ensure they do not impact 

the impartiality and objectivity of the auditor; and

• 

 none of the services undermine the general principles relating to auditor independence as set out in APES 110 Code of 
Ethics for Professional Accountants.

14

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedDirectors’ report
For the year ended 30 June 2018

During the year the following fees were paid or payable for services provided by the auditor of the Company, its related 
practices and non-related audit firms:

KPMG audit and non-audit services

Audit and other assurance services

KPMG Australia – audit and review of the financial statements

Overseas KPMG firms – audit and review of the financial statements

Total remuneration for audit services

KPMG Australia – other assurance services

Total remuneration for audit and other assurance services

Taxation services

KPMG Australia – taxation and other services

Overseas KPMG firms – taxation services

Total remuneration for taxation services

Other services

Other consulting services

Total remuneration for other services

Total remuneration of KPMG

Rounding of amounts

2018 
$

2017 
$

219,000

298,000

40,000

42,223

259,000

340,223

–

165,000

259,000

505,223

16,000

78,238

4,390

3,967

20,390

82,250

7,250

7,250

12,816

12,816

286,640

600,244

The Company is an entity to which the ASIC Corporations (Rounding in Financial/Directors’ Reports) Instrument 2016/191 
applies. Amounts have been rounded off in accordance with the instrument to the nearest thousand dollars, or in certain 
cases, the nearest dollar.

15

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Directors’ report
For the year ended 30 June 2018

Letter from the Chairman of the  
Nomination and Remuneration Committee

Dear Shareholder,

On behalf of your Board, I am pleased to present Hills’ FY18 
Remuneration Report which sets out remuneration information 
for the Chief Executive officer & Managing Director (CEO & 
MD), the Key Management Personnel (KMP), the Non-Executive 
Directors and the broader employee group.

FY18 REMUNERATION OUTCOMES

In my letter last year, the focus was largely on the actions 
that we had taken to bring executive compensation in line 
with a company the size of Hills Limited. This was appropriate 
at the time, but as our turnaround continues we need to 
retain and build the type of workforce that has the skills and 
motivation to sustain Hills into the future.

From a financial perspective you have seen the tremendous 
turnaround in profitability of our business, this has only been 
achieved through the leadership of our managers and the 
loyalty of our staff. We remain grateful for the efforts and 
sacrifices they have made.

In FY17, we took action to reduce the layers of management 
and levels of compensation such that, for those 
employees earning over $150,000 per year (Base Salary 
and Superannuation), the total salary costs reduced from 
$9,735,163 as at 30/6/16 to $7,258,437 as at 30/6/17 while 
at the same time reducing overall headcount (Full Time 
Equivalents – FTE) from 665 to 557. As we moved into FY18, 
we continued to maintain a strong focus on costs and as 
at 30/6/18 the total compensation for employees earning 
over $150,000 p.a. was $5,731,420 and our overall FTE sits at 
534. As we did in FY17, we continued to look closely at those 
employees earning less than $150,000 to ensure that where 
increases and promotions are warranted, they occurred.

At the same time, we turned our attention to how to enhance 
the capability of our staff. We had focused on senior 
appointments, such as our CEO & MD and CFO, and other 
key personnel, for example in the Operations, Marketing 
and Vendor Management areas, but we recognised that 
ongoing success depended upon the performance of 
our “people” managers. Statistically and from a “common 
sense” perspective, we know that our best people managers 
provide the leadership and motivation to help our employees 
deliver the types of service our customers require and 
therefore better results.

What are the characteristics of a Hills people manager? What 
are the expectations for their performance and behaviour? 
This is an ongoing project, however we embarked upon 
a Manager Forum in July 2017, followed by another in 

16

February 2018 with a further planned for August. These 
forums help our managers better understand the strategy 
of the Company, the focus areas and their individual role in 
achievement of the strategy. In addition, we have contracted 
to a third party to run an analysis of the skills of our 
managers benchmarked against global capabilities. We plan 
to utilize these results to help run a series of development 
sessions with our managers on those areas which are critical 
to Hills where skills are lacking. The first stage of this work 
will take place at the August Managers Forum.

Naturally this program is supported by on the job coaching, 
however I use this as an example of how we balance our cost 
focus. Later in the report we also cover some of the ongoing 
employee programs we undertake.

CEO & MD REMUNERATION

With the appointment of David Lenz in September 2016,  
we adopted a new market-based compensation framework.  
In FY18 the framework was as follows:

•  Base Pay (including superannuation): $350,000
•  Variable Pay: $200,000

The Variable Pay was to be determined as a result of the 
performance of Hills over FY18 and would be paid 50% in 
cash and 50% in equity. The equity would vest over three 
years at the rate of:

•  20% in year one;
•  30% in year two; and
•  50% in year three.

The hurdles associated with the variable pay for FY18  
were as follows:

Element

Measure

Financial (60%)

Non-financial (40%)

•  Net Profit After Tax (NPAT)
•  Operating Cash Flow
•  Inventory Management

 Customer Satisfaction

•  Delivery of Digital Transformation
• 
•  Employee Engagement
•  Vendor Engagement

During FY18, the Hills management team delivered a 
significant turnaround in the financial performance of the 
company. In addition, they implemented a new e-commerce 
platform as well as improved our vendor satisfaction and 

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedDirectors’ report
For the year ended 30 June 2018

retained focus on employee satisfaction. However, given 
that our original financial targets were not met, the Board 
has determined that a reduced incentive payment was 
appropriate (as per table 3.5).

You should note that the “Non-Financial” measures typically 
focus on things that we need to put in place to help sustain 
and benefit Hills in the years ahead, for example the 
successful implementation of an e-commerce platform 
which enables our customers to purchase on-line.

FY19 OUTLOOK

As we move into FY19, our main focus is the continued 
alignment of reward to performance and the establishment 
of market-based compensation at all levels through  
our organisation.

CEO & MD and CFO measures are largely in line with FY18 
and are distributed as follows:

•  The Hills Customer Service Excellence Training 

Program – offering our Customer Service Consultants 
a Certificate IV in Business. 16 Customer Service 
Consultants graduated with a Certificate IV qualification 
in FY18.

•  The commencement of new online compliance training 
with initial focus on Workplace, Health & Safety and 
Bullying and Harassment Training.

Thank you for taking the time to review the FY18 
Remuneration Report. We have made progress in terms of 
better alignment of compensation to the market, however we 
must remain focused on talent development more broadly 
to help our people develop the skills that they require in this 
new world. With this in mind, it is fitting to close by again 
thanking the employees of Hills for their ongoing loyalty and 
dedication to our customers and suppliers.

Yours sincerely

Philip Bullock AO

Chairman, Remuneration and Nominations Committee

Element

Measure

Financial (70%)

Non-financial (30%)

•  Operating Cash Flow
•  Net Profit After Tax (NPAT)
•  Inventory Management

•  Vendor Engagement 
•  Employee Engagement
•  Board discretion

At the same time, we continue to look to enhance employee 
morale by improving the levels of communications and 
management capability not to mention the continuation of 
programs such as:

•  Partnering with Make-A-Wish Foundation and running 
fund raising team-based events in all our Hills offices 
leading to the granting of a wish to a 4-year-old child 
battling a critical illness in June 2018.

•  HillsXtra – recognising the hard work of everyone at 

Hills through employee reward, recognition and retail 
shopping discounts.

•  Health insurance discounts through Bupa.
•  Completing the Hills Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales 
Training program for over 120 employees across the 
company’s Australian and NZ operations, providing 
foundational skills and capabilities.

•  Providing a flu vaccination program for all Australia 

and New Zealand employees as part of Hills Wellness 
Program and partnership with BUPA.

•  Bringing together all of Hills people managers twice 
yearly – July 2017 and February 2018 to share Hills 
strategy and align business plans for FY18.

17

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Directors’ report
For the year ended 30 June 2018

Remuneration report – audited

This Remuneration Report explains Hills approach to executive remuneration, performance and remuneration  
outcomes for Hills and its Key Management Personnel (KMP) for the year ended 30 June 2018 (FY18). In this report,  
‘senior executives’ refers to the KMP excluding non-executive directors.

The information provided in the Remuneration Report has been audited as required by Section 308 (3C) of the  
Corporations Act 2001.

The Remuneration Report comprises the following sections:

1

Key Management Personnel

2 Remuneration Governance

3 Executive Remuneration

4 Executive Contracts and Termination Arrangements

5

Five Year Snapshot – Business and Remuneration Outcomes

6 Statutory Remuneration Tables

7 Non-Executive Directors’ Remuneration

8 Equity instrument disclosures relating to Key Management Personnel

1   KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL

KMP encompasses all Directors, as well as those senior executives who had specific responsibility for planning,  
directing and controlling material activities of Hills during FY18.

Full Year

Full Year

Full Year

CEO to 18 February 2018. CEO & MD  
from 19 February 2018

CEO to 18 February 2018. CEO & MD  
from 19 February 2018

Name

Directors

J Hill-Ling

F Bennett

Position

Term as KMP in FY18

Chairman, Non-Independent and Non-Executive

Full Year

Independent, Non-Executive Director

P Bullock AO

Independent, Non-Executive Director

K Dwyer

D Lenz

Independent, Non-Executive Director

Executive Director

Senior Executives

D Lenz

C Jacka

D Fox

Former Senior Executives

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Finance Officer

Company Secretary & General Counsel

Full Year

Full Year

D Osborne

Head of Hills Health Solutions

Resigned 26 June 2018

18

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills Limited 
Directors’ report
For the year ended 30 June 2018

2  REMUNERATION GOVERNANCE

2.4  Hills Clawback Policy

2.1  Role of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee

The Board, with assistance from the Nomination and 
Remuneration Committee, is ultimately responsible for 
ensuring that the Hills remuneration framework is consistent 
with the business strategy and performance, supporting 
increased shareholder wealth over the long term.

The Nomination and Remuneration Committee, consisting 
of non-executive directors: Philip Bullock AO (Chairman), 
Jennifer Hill-Ling, and Ken Dwyer have responsibility for 
reviewing the remuneration strategy annually and advises 
the Board on remuneration policies and practices generally.

The Nomination and Remuneration Committee is 
responsible for:

• 

• 

• 

 the ongoing appropriateness and relevance of the 
remuneration framework for the Chairman, the Board 
Committees and the non-executive Directors;

 Hills remuneration policy for the CEO, his direct reports 
and other senior executives, any changes to the policy, 
and the implementation of the policy including any 
shareholder approvals required; and

incentive plans for the CEO, his direct reports and other 
senior executives.

Further detail on the Nomination and Remuneration 
Committee’s responsibilities is set out in its Charter, which is 
reviewed annually, and which is available on the Hills website 
at: http://www.corporate.hills.com.au/about-us/governance.

2.2  Use of Independent Remuneration Consultants

In accordance with the Nomination and Remuneration 
Committee Charter, the Nomination and Remuneration 
Committee seeks advice and market data from independent 
remuneration consultants as required.

During the year no advisors were retained.

2.3  Hills Share Trading Policy

The Hills Share Trading Policy imposes trading restrictions 
on all Hills employees who are considered to be in 
possession of ‘inside information’ and additional restrictions 
in the form of trading windows for senior executives. Board 
members, senior executives and members of the broader 
management team are prohibited from trading in Hills shares 
during specific periods prior to the announcement of the 
half and full year results. This policy applies equally to shares 
received as part of remuneration. The Securities Policy is 
available on the Hills website at:  
http://www.corporate.hills.com.au/about-us/governance.

To strengthen the governance of the remuneration 
strategy, Hills has an executive remuneration Clawback 
Policy in place. The policy is designed to further align the 
remuneration outcomes of the Hills senior executive team 
with the long-term interests of Hills and its shareholders, 
to ensure that excessive risk taking is not rewarded, and to 
provide the Board with the ability to claw back incentives 
paid, where there has been a material misstatement in  
Hills Financial Statements.

3  EXECUTIVE REMUNERATION

3.1  Alignment of Remuneration Strategy  
with Business Strategy

The Board has established a Remuneration Strategy that 
supports and drives the achievement of the Hills Business 
Strategy. The Board is confident that the remuneration 
framework aligns the remuneration of the senior executives 
with shareholder interests. Hills is a business that is heavily 
focused on key performance indicators (KPIs) and rewards 
its people at all levels on achievement of those KPIs.

3.2  Remuneration Mix

Senior executive remuneration is comprised of Fixed 
Remuneration (made up of base salary and superannuation), 
and Variable Incentive. The diagram below provides an 
illustration of the mix between Fixed Remuneration and 
Variable Incentive for the executives at Hills and the split 
between financial measures and non-financial measures 
for determining the variable portion. The CEO & MD split 
is 65% Fixed Remuneration and 35% Variable Incentive. 
Other executives have a split of approximately 70% Fixed 
Remuneration and 30% Variable Incentive.

Chart 3.2: CEO & MD Remuneration Mix FY1

Variable & Fixed

Variable
Incentive – 
35%

Fixed 
Remuneration – 
65%

Measures for  
Variable Incentive

Financial – 
60%

Non Financial – 
40%

19

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018 
Directors’ report
For the year ended 30 June 2018

3.3  Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director 
(MD) Remuneration

The CEO & MD, Mr David Lenz has a fixed remuneration  
of $350,000 per annum (inclusive of superannuation).

Fixed Remuneration is reviewed annually by the Board with 
reference to performance of the Company, performance of 
the CEO & MD, and market information.

Variable Incentive FY18

Mr Lenz had a variable incentive opportunity of up  
to $200,000.

The variable incentive for FY18 adopted a balanced 
scorecard approach which was aligned to the Company’s 
strategic plan. The balanced scorecard focused on the 
following key areas:

Element

Financial 
(60%)

Non-financial 
(40%)

Measure

•  Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) 
•  Operating Cash Flow
•  Inventory Management

•  Delivery of Digital 
•  Transformation Vendor 

Engagement

•  Customer Satisfaction
•  Employee Engagement

Weighting is distributed across these measures.

The variable incentive is paid 50% as cash and 50% 
as Performance Rights (unless the Board determines 
otherwise), with vesting to take place over a 3-year period  
in the following manner:

•  20% after 1 year;
•  30% after 2 years; and
•  50% after 3 years.

The amount of equity that will be awarded will be 
determined by 50% of the total Variable incentive divided 
by the Company’s share price. The share price will be 
determined by the 30-day volume-weighted average price 
of the shares immediately following the announcement of 
the full year results.

Mr Lenz was awarded 159,152 Performance rights in FY18 
relating to the FY17 variable incentive paid as Performance 
Rights of which 31,830 vested by 30 June 2018.

Mr Lenz was awarded an initial sign-on bonus of 200,000 
Hills Performance Rights on 1 September 2016. The first 
tranche of 100,000 shares vested in September 2017 and the 
second tranche will vest in September 2018 subject to  

20

Mr Lenz being employed by Hills at the time of vesting.

3.4  Senior Executive Variable Incentive FY18

Variable Incentive – How It Works

The variable incentive is an at-risk component of 
remuneration and is designed to reward performance 
against the achievement of a balanced scorecard which is 
aligned to the Company’s strategic plan. Senior executive 
variable incentives are determined on similar measures as 
the CEO & MD.

Each senior executive has specific KPI’s in each of these 
areas to achieve the results in the balanced scorecard. 

The variable incentive performance period was from  
1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018.

The maximum variable incentive available to each senior 
executive was set at a level based on role, responsibilities 
and market data for the achievement of targets against 
specific KPIs. The maximum variable incentive opportunity 
for each senior executive is listed at section 3.5 as an 
absolute dollar amount and as a percentage of the senior 
executive’s fixed remuneration.

In any one year, there are always circumstances that 
may fall outside the scorecard and require special 
consideration. Hence the Board reserves its right to adjust 
the variable pay component both up or down, taking into 
consideration these factors.

The following table summarises the potential FY18 variable 
incentive payments where a senior executive ceased 
employment with Hills:

Resignation and 
retirement

Company initiated 
termination

Summary dismissal

Any entitlement to a payment was 
subject to the participant being 
employed by Hills at the time  
of payment.

Any entitlement to a payment would 
be for completed months, with 
no pro-rata for partly completed 
months. The calculation of an 
entitlement was based on actual 
results for the year and paid on the 
scheduled date.

If summarily dismissed, a 
participant forfeits all rights to any 
payments under the FY18 variable 
incentive which had not already 
vested or been made.

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedDirectors’ report
For the year ended 30 June 2018

Assessment of Performance and Approval of Payment

The Nomination and Remuneration Committee assessed the individual senior executive’s performance based on the CEO 
& MD’s recommendations and against the KPIs set at the beginning of the financial year. The assessment of individual 
performance was combined with the achievement of financial results to determine the amount of payment for each senior 
executive. The Nomination and Remuneration Committee recommended the variable incentive payment outcome to the 
Board for approval. Variable incentive payments for FY18 were delivered as cash payments following approval by the Board. 
Details of Variable Incentive payments are provided in section 3.5.

3.5  FY18 Variable Incentive Performance and Outcomes

FY18 has been a year of continued rebuilding and producing a profit for the Company which is reflected in the variable 
incentive plan results detailed in this report. A summary of Company performance compared to previous years is provided in 
section 5.

Target 
Variable 
Incentive 
opportunity 
(pro-rata)

$200,000

$100,000

$80,000

Name

D Lenz1

C Jacka

D Fox

D Osborne2

$100,000

TOTAL

$480,000

%  
of fixed 
remuneration

Financial 
outcome

Non financial 
outcome

Actual 
Variable 
Incentive 
outcome

57%

43%

28%

32%

41%

–

–

–

–

 –

$75,000

$75,000

$44,000

$44,000

$24,000

$24,000

–

–

$143,000

$143,000

% 
Achieved

% 
Forfeited

38%

44%

30%

0%

30%

62%

56%

70%

100%

70%

3.6  FY19 Variable Incentive Design for CEO 

Variable Incentive Plan – FY19

For FY19, it was decided to continue the variable incentive plan which involved remunerating the CEO on his annual 
performance by cash and shares which vest over a 3-year period according to the following vesting scale:

•  20% after 1 year;
•  30% after 2 years; and
•  50% after 3 years.

From 1 September 2018, the CEO & MD Total Remuneration package will increase. Base and Superannuation will remain at 
$350,000 with the variable incentive to increase from $200,000 to $250,000.

The annual performance against which the CEO will be measured is in accordance with the balanced scorecard which had 
the following measures.

Element

Measure

1. Financial Measures 
70% of Variable Incentive

2. Non-financial Measures 
30% of Variable Incentive

(a)  Net Profit After tax (NPAT)

(b)  Operating Cash Flow

(c)  Inventory Management

(a)  Employee Engagement

(b)  Vendor Commitment

(c)  Board Discretion

Weighting will be distributed across these measures.

1 D Lenz was promoted to CEO & Managing Director on 19 February 2018. Prior to that he was Chief Executive Officer.
2 D Osborne resigned as Head of Hills Health Solutions on 26 June 2018. The Board awarded an ex-gratia payment of $40,000.

21

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Directors’ report
For the year ended 30 June 2018

4  EXECUTIVE CONTRACTS AND TERMINATION ARRANGEMENTS

Employment contracts

The remuneration and other terms of employment for the CEO & MD, and senior executives are covered in their individual 
employment contracts and are summarised in this table:

Chief Executive Officer

•  Hills or the CEO & MD may terminate his employment at any time by giving three months’ 

written notice.

Senior Executives

•  The contracts may be terminated by either party by giving 3 months written notice.

Chief Executive Officer  
and Senior Executives

•  There are no guaranteed base pay increases included in any senior executive contract.
• 
 In the instance of serious misconduct, Hills may terminate employment at any time.  
The executive will only receive payment to the date of termination and any  
statutory entitlements.

•  Retirement benefits comprise employer contributions to defined contribution 

superannuation funds.

5  FIVE YEAR SNAPSHOT – BUSINESS AND REMUNERATION OUTCOMES

An underlying principle of the Hills remuneration strategy is that remuneration must be linked to the performance of Hills.

The following is a summary of financial performance and share price information over the last five years.

Key Financials

Shareholders’ funds

Statutory net profit/(loss)

Basic earnings/(loss) per share

Dividends

Share Price – as at 30 June

Short Term Incentive Payments –  
% of Target Opportunity

$000

$000

Cents

Cents

$

%

FY18

61,308

359

0.2

–

0.23

30%

FY17

60,931

(7,932)

(3.4)

–

0.16

29%

FY16

FY15

FY14

69,077

136,600

245,228

(68,305)

(85,780)

26,387

(29.4)

–

0.25

19%

(37.0)

2.1

0.46

4%

10.4

7.0

1.74

85%

22

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedDirectors’ report
For the year ended 30 June 2018

6  STATUTORY REMUNERATION TABLES

6.1  Senior Executive Remuneration

The following table of senior executives’ remuneration has been prepared in accordance with accounting standards and the 
Corporations Act 2001 requirements. The amounts shown are equal to the amounts expensed (and not necessarily paid) in 
the Company’s financial statements.

FY18

$

Name

Short-term benefits

Post-
employment 
benefits

Long term 
benefits

Share 
based 
payments

Cash 
salary 
& fees

Cash 
bonus1

Other

Super-
annuation

LSL2

Term-
ination 
benefits3

Perfor-
mance 
rights

TOTAL

Executive Director

D Lenz4

327,756

37,500

Senior Executives

C Jacka

D Fox

Former Senior Executives

211,305

44,000

246,040

31,643

D Osborne

278,410

–

Total Senior Executives

1,063,511

113,143

–

–

–

–

–

21,978

3,736

19,727

22,257

1,562

20,767

24,696

–

88,658

26,065

–

–

–

–

–

32,075

422,828

–

–

–

276,594

320,707

303,106

32,075

1,323,235

Short-term benefits

Post-
employment 
benefits

Long term 
benefits

Share 
based 
payments

Cash 
salary 
& fees

Cash 
bonus1

Other

Super-
annuation

LSL2

Term-
ination 
benefits3

Perfor-
mance 
rights

TOTAL

310,818

30,000

8,606

161,581

40,000

1,984

128,827

24,000

2,465

D Osborne7

138,448

39,250

4,906

Former Senior Executives

G Logan8

G Turner9

130,400

–

12,484

105,543

25,000

–

G Stephens10

130,125

5,000

6,938

D McKim-Smith11

102,002

–

–

26,491

12,897

10,156

13,163

18,286

15,232

20,468

17,889

2,237

498

2,830

2,015

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

48,167

426,319

–

–

–

–

216,960

168,278

197,782

161,170

63,765

(2,911)

206,629

115,525

(4,756)

273,300

65,407

–

185,298

Total Senior Executives

1,207,744

163,250

37,383

134,582

7,580

244,697

40,500

1,835,736

1   MD & CEO cash bonus reflects the 50% of variable incentive 
paid as performance share rights as noted in Section 3.3 of 
this report.

2   Long Service Leave.
3   In accordance with statutory and legal obligations.
4   D Lenz became CEO on 1 September 2016. Prior to that he was 

7   D Osborne became Head of Hills Health Solutions effective 

 1 January 2017.

8   G Logan ceased as CEO on 1 September 2016.
9   G Turner ceased as CFO on 14 November 2016.
10  G Stephens ceased as Company Secretary on 2 

2 December 2016.

Chief Operating Officer.

11   D McKim-Smith ceased as Head of Hills Health Solutions on  

5   C Jacka became CFO on 14 November 2016.
6   D Fox became Company Secretary & General Counsel on 22 

1 November 2016

December 2016.

23

FY17

$

Name

Senior Executives

D Lenz4

C Jacka5

D Fox6

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Directors’ report
For the year ended 30 June 2018

6.2  Remuneration components as a proportion of total remuneration paid or expensed

The following table reflects the fixed remuneration and Variable Incentive for FY18 calculated in accordance with the 
accounting standards as a proportion of the total.

Full Year 
Potential 
Variable 
Incentive

Pro-rata 
Potential 
Variable 
Incentive

Actual 
Variable 
Incentive 
paid/payable

Actual 
Variable 
Incentive  
paid/payable 
as % of Full 
Year Potential

Actual 
Variable 
Incentive 
paid/payable 
as % of  
Pro-rata

Variable 
Incentive 
paid/payable 
as % of Fixed 
Remuneration

Name

Executive Director

D Lenz

$200,000

$200,000

$75,000

38%

38%

Senior Executives

C Jacka

D Fox

Former Senior Executives

$100,000

$100,000

$44,000

$80,000

$80,000

$24,000

44%

30%

44%

30%

D Osborne

$100,000

$100,000

–

0%

0%

The following table reflects the fixed remuneration, Variable Incentive and total performance-based remuneration for  
FY18 calculated in accordance with the accounting standards as a proportion of the total remuneration.

21%

19%

8%

0%

Name

Executive Director

D Lenz

Senior Executives

C Jacka

D Fox

Former Senior Executives

D Osborne

Fixed  
remuneration 
 %

At risk Variable 
Incentive paid or 
payable  
%

Value of 
performance  
rights 
 %

Total  
performance  
based  
%

84%

84%

90%

100%

9%

16%

10%

0%

8%

0%

0%

0%

17%

16%

10%

0%

24

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedDirectors’ report
For the year ended 30 June 2018

The following table shows the proportion weighting of each element of remuneration for each of the senior executives 
employed during FY18 based on maximum potential outcome.

Name

D Lenz

Senior Executives

C Jacka

D Fox

Former Senior Executives

D Osborne

Fixed  
remuneration %

Maximum  
Variable Incentive %

Maximum  
Long-Term Incentive %

FY18

62%

70%

78%

75%

FY17

58%

74%

78%

76%

FY18

35%

30%

22%

25%

FY17

17%

26%

22%

24%

FY18

3%

FY17

25%

–

–

–

–

–

–

6.3  Number of performance rights granted, vested and expired / forfeited in FY18

Name

At 1 July 2017

Granted

Vested

Forfeited At 30 June 2018

Executive Director

D Lenz

200,0001

159,1522

(131,830)3

–

227,322

7  NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION

The Board sets non-executive Director Remuneration at a level which enables the attraction and retention of directors of the 
highest calibre, while incurring a cost which is acceptable to shareholders. The remuneration of the non-executive directors 
is determined by the Board on recommendation from the Nomination and Remuneration Committee within a maximum fee 
pool. Non-executive directors receive a base fee and statutory superannuation contributions. Non-executive directors do not 
receive any performance-based pay. The Non-Executive Directors’ fees were reduced by 20% in FY15 and have remained at 
the same level through to FY18.

7.1  Fee Pool

The maximum amount of fees that can be paid to non-executive directors is capped by a pool approved by shareholders.  
At the FY11 Annual General Meeting, shareholders approved the current fee pool of $1.2 million which is recorded on an 
accrual basis. The fee pool did not change in FY18.

1   As at 1 July 2017 a sign-on bonus of 200,000 Hills Performance Rights had been granted (See section 3.3).
2   During FY18 the share of the FY17 variable incentive (50% of the amount payable) provided by way of Hills Performance 

Rights were granted (See section 3.3).

3  During FY18 50% of the sign-on bonus Hills Performance Rights and 20% of the FY17 variable incentive Performance 

Rights vested.

25

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Directors’ report
For the year ended 30 June 2018

7.2  Directors’ FY18 Fee Structure

Board

Audit and Risk Committee

Nomination Remuneration and Committee

Chair fee $ Member fee $

160,000

16,000

16,000

80,000

8,000

Nil

7.3  Non-executive Directors’ remuneration details

Non-Executive Directors

Year

Board and 
 Committee fees  
$

J Hill-Ling

F Bennett

P Bullock AO1

K Dwyer2

I Elliot3

D Spence4

TOTAL

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

146,119

146,119

87,672

87,671

94,978

94,050

80,367

63,056

–

49,905

–

17,928

409,136

458,729

Superannuation  

$

13,881

13,881

8,328

8,329

9,022

8,935

7,633

5,990

–

4,741

–

1,703

38,864

43,579

Total 

 $

160,000

160,000

96,000

96,000

104,000

102,985

88,000

69,046

–

54,646

–

19,631

448,000

502,308

7.4  Retirement Allowance for Non-Executive Directors

Ms J Hill-Ling is the only Director entitled to receive benefits on retirement under a scheme that was discontinued on  
1 August 2003. Under the scheme, Ms J Hill-Ling is entitled to a maximum retirement benefit of twice her annual Director’s 
fee (calculated as an average of her fees over the last three years) with a vesting period of eight years, which has been 
achieved. Since the scheme was discontinued, no new Directors have become entitled to any benefit and the benefit multiple 
(up to a maximum of two times fees) remains fixed. The benefit is fully provided for in the financial statements.

1   P Bullock AO was appointed Chair of the Remuneration and Nominations Committee, effective September 2016.
2   K Dwyer was appointed as director, effective September 2016.
3   I Elliot retired as director, effective November 2016. Following his retirement, Mr Elliot was retained on a consultancy basis until 

February 2017.

4   D Spence resigned as a director, effective September 2016.

26

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills Limited 
 
Directors’ report
For the year ended 30 June 2018

8  EQUITY INSTRUMENT DISCLOSURES RELATING TO KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL

8.1  Share Holdings

The numbers of shares in the Company held during the financial year by each Director of Hills Limited and other key 
management personnel of the Company, including their personally related parties, are set out below. There were no shares 
granted during the reporting period as compensation.

As announced at the 2016 AGM, the Company has introduced a policy requiring directors to hold a minimum number of 
shares. Specifically, directors are required to hold a minimum of shares equal to 1 year of Director Fees after tax and are 
required to attain this shareholding over a reasonable time and after taking into account share price fluctuations.

Balance at start 
of the year

Received during the year on  
the exercise of options/rights

Other changes  
during the year

Balance at the  
end of the year

Ordinary shares

18,146,677

88,444

100,000

200,000

–

–

–

–

–

100,000

–

18,146,677

90,000

100,000

50,000

–

178,444

200,000

250,000

100,000

Directors

J Hill-Ling

 F Bennett

P Bullock AO

 K Dwyer

D Lenz

8.2  Loans to Key Management Personnel

There were no outstanding loans to KMP or their related parties at the reporting date.

8.3  Other Transactions with Key Management Personnel

A number of KMP or their related parties hold positions in other entities that result in them having control or significant 
influence over the financial or operating policies of those entities.

From time to time, KMP of the Company or its controlled entities, or their related entities, may purchase goods or services 
from Hills or make sales of goods or services to Hills. These purchases or sales are on the same terms and conditions as 
those entered into by Hills employees, customers or suppliers and are trivial and domestic in nature.

This report is made in accordance with a resolution of Directors.

Jennifer Hill-Ling 
Director 

Sydney 
27 August 2018

Philip Bullock AO 
Director

27

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018 
Lead Auditor’s Independence Declaration under 

Section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001 

To the Directors of Hills Limited 

I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, in relation to the audit of Hills Limited for the financial 
year ended 30 June 2018 there have been: 

i.

no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements as set out in the Corporations Act 2001 
in relation to the audit; and 

ii.

no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit. 

KPMG 

Paul Cenko 
Partner 

Adelaide 

27 August 2018 

KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG 
network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG 
International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under 
Professional Standards Legislation.

28

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements 
For the year ended 30 June 2018

Contents

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated statement of profit or loss 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 

Consolidated statement of financial position 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity 

Consolidated statement of cash flows 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 30 June 2017 (continued)

Section A: About this report 

Page  30

Page 

Page 

Page 

Page 

31

32

33

34

Page  35

SECTION C:  OPERATING ASSETS & LIABILITIES

SECTION B:  BUSINESS PERFORMANCE 
1  Segment information 

2  Revenue 

3  Other income 

4  Expenses 

5 

Income tax 

6  Profit/(Loss) per share 

Page  37

Page  39

Page  40

Page  41

Page  43

Page  47

7  Cash and cash equivalents 

8  Trade and other receivables 

9 

Inventories 

10  Trade and other payables 

11  Property, plant and equipment 

12  Intangible assets 

13  Provisions 

SECTION D:  CAPITAL AND FINANCING

SECTION E:  GROUP STRUCTURE

14  Contributed equity 

15  Reserves 

16  Dividends 

17  Borrowings 

18  Derivative financial instruments 

Page  58

Page  59

Page  60

Page  61

Page  63

19  Capital and financial risk management 

Page  65

20  Fair value measurements 

Page  71

21  Interests in other entities 

22  Related party transactions 

23  Parent entity financial information 

24  Deed of cross guarantee 

SECTION F:  UNRECOGNISED ITEMS

25  Contingencies 

26  Commitments 

27  Events after the reporting period 

Page  78

Page  78

Page  79

SECTION G: OTHER

28  Share-based payments 

29  Remuneration of auditors 

30  Other accounting policies 

SIGNED REPORTS

Directors’ declaration 

Independent auditor’s report 

ASX INFORMATION

Shareholder information 

Corporate directory 

Page  48

Page  49

Page  51

Page  51

Page  52

Page  54

Page  55

Page  72

Page  73

Page  75

Page  76

Page  80

Page  83

Page  84

Page  87

Page  88

Page 

92

Page  94

29

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of profit or loss
For the year ended 30 June 2018

Continuing operations

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross Margin

Other income

Expenses excluding net finance expenses

Labour and related expenses

Operational and equipment expenses

Property expenses

Depreciation and amortisation

Other expenses

Expenses excluding net finance expenses

Profit/(Loss) before net finance expense and income tax

Finance income

Finance expenses

Net finance expenses

Profit/(Loss) before income tax

Income tax benefit/(expense) from continuing operations

Profit/(Loss) from continuing operations

Profit/(Loss) for the year, attributable to owners of Hills Limited

Notes

2018 
$’000

2017  
$’000

2

4a

3

4a

4b

4a

5

271,781

298,068

(185,101)

(210,300)

86,680

910

87,768

13,100

(54,044)

(68,430)

(7,163)

(7,867)

(7,711)

(6,519)

(7,865)

(7,072)

(8,950)

(14,348)

(84,387)

(105,582)

3,203

(4,714)

121

66

(3,284)

(3,163)

40

319

359

359

Cents

(3,356)

(3,290)

(8,004)

72

(7,932)

(7,932)

Cents

Profit/(Loss) per share for loss from continuing operations attributable to the ordinary 
equity holders of the Company:

Basic and diluted profit/(loss) per share

6

0.2

(3.4)

The above consolidated statement of profit or loss should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

30

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedConsolidated statement of comprehensive income
For the year ended 30 June 2018

Profit/(Loss) for the year 

Other comprehensive income

Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss

Changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

Income tax relating to components of other comprehensive income

Other comprehensive (loss)/income for the year, net of tax

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year, attributable to owners of Hills Limited

Notes

2018 
$’000

359

2017  
$’000

(7,932)

15

15

5

318

(237)

(95)

(14)

345

(328)

(20)

98

(250)

(8,182)

The above consolidated statement of comprehensive income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

31

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018 
Consolidated statement of financial position
For the year ended 30 June 2018

ASSETS

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Inventories

Current tax assets

Derivative financial instruments

Total current assets

Non-current assets

Investments

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Deferred tax assets

Total non-current assets

Total assets

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Borrowings

Provisions

Derivative financial instruments

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Borrowings

Provisions

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

EQUITY

Contributed equity

Reserves

Accumulated losses

Total equity

Notes

2018 
$’000

2017  
$’000

7

8

9

5

11

12

5

10

17

13

18

17

13

14

15

15,783

59,651

8,651

59,489

44,043

46,460

–

93

229

–

119,570

114,829

2

2

14,915

16,600

6,267

11,122

2,578

10,917

32,306

30,097

151,876

144,926

47,731

6,357

6,206

–

40,266

295

10,556

287

60,294

51,404

26,339

3,935

30,274

90,568

61,308

28,395

4,196

32,591

83,995

60,931

278,439

278,439

11,053

11,035

(228,184)

(228,543)

61,308

60,931

The above consolidated statement of financial position should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

32

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedConsolidated statement of changes in equity
For the year ended 30 June 2018

Attributable to owners of Hills Limited

Contributed 
equity

Reserves 

Accumulated 
losses

Total 

Notes

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

Balance at 1 July 2016

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year

Transactions with owners in their 
capacity as owners:

Employee share schemes 

Balance at 30 June 2017

Balance at 1 July 2017

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year

Transactions with owners in their 
capacity as owners:

Employee share schemes 

Balance at 30 June 2018

28

28

278,439

–

–

278,439

278,439

–

–

278,439

11,249

(250)

36

11,035

11,035

(14)

32

11,053

(220,611)

(7,932)

69,077

(8,182)

–

(228,543)

(228,543)

359

36

60,931

60,931

345

–

32

(228,184)

61,308

The above consolidated statement of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

33

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Consolidated statement of cash flows
For the year ended 30 June 2018

Cash flows from operating activities

Receipts from customers (inclusive of goods and services tax)

Payments to suppliers and employees (inclusive of goods and services tax)

300,312

345,464

(285,947)

(343,007)

Notes

2018 
$’000

2017  
$’000

14,365

(2,607)

219

11,977

(1,233)

(5,193)

188

–

2,457

(3,255)

13

(785)

(1,507)

(2,249)

6,701

4

(6,238)

2,949

3,461

(1,961)

1,500

7,239

8,651

(107)

8,004

(5,522)

2,482

4,646

3,994

11

8,651

Net finance costs paid

Net income taxes received

Net cash flows from/(used in) operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Payments for property, plant and equipment

Payments for intangible assets

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

Rent received

Net cash flows (used in)/from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

Net cash flows from financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

7

11

12

17

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

7

15,783

The above consolidated statement of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

34

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedSection A: About this report

These consolidated financial statements are for the group consisting of Hills Limited (the “Company” or “parent entity”)  
and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the “Group” or “Consolidated Entity” and individually as “Group Entities”).

The notes to the consolidated financial statements that follow present information relevant to understanding the Group’s:

•  business performance;
•  operating assets and liabilities;
•  capital and financing arrangements, including the Group’s approach to risk;
• 
•  unrecognised items at the end of the reporting period.

 structure, including related party transactions and parent entity information; and

Other information that is required to be disclosed to comply with the accounting standards, the Corporations Act 2001 
or the Corporations Regulations, but are not considered significant to understand the financial performance or financial 
position of the Group are provided at the end of the notes.

Hills Limited is a for profit company limited by shares, incorporated and domiciled in Australia.

The consolidated financial statements were authorised for issue by the Directors on 27 August 2018. The Directors have  
the power to amend and reissue the consolidated financial statements.

Basis of preparation

These general purpose consolidated financial statements:

•  are presented in Australian dollars;
• 

 have been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards (AASBs), other authoritative pronouncements  
of the Australian Accounting Standards Board, and the Corporations Act 2001;

• 

• 

 comply with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards 
Board (IASB); and

 have been prepared on the basis of historical costs, except for financial instruments (derivatives) at fair value.  
The methods used to measure fair values are discussed further in note 20.

Key accounting estimates

In preparing these financial statements, management are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that 
affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual 
results may differ from these estimates.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised  
in the period in which the estimate is revised and in any future periods affected.

In particular, information about significant areas of estimation, uncertainty and critical judgements in applying accounting 
policies that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the consolidated financial statements are 
described in the following notes:

Note 2

Note 5

Note 9

Recognition of revenue accounted for using the percentage of completion method

Tax losses for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised

Net realisable value of inventory

Notes 11 and 12

Measurement of the useful lives of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

Notes 13 and 25

Provisions and contingencies

Note 20

Measurement of fair value

35

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statementsPRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION 

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION 

Subsidiaries

Functional and presentation currency

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the 
assets and liabilities of all subsidiaries of the Company as at 
30 June 2018 and the results of all subsidiaries for the year 
then ended. A list of subsidiaries is included in note 21.

Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has control. 
The Group controls an entity when the Group is exposed to, 
or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with 
the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through 
its power to direct the activities of the entity.

Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on  
which control was obtained by the Group. They are  
de-consolidated from the date that control ceases.

Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised gains 
on transactions between Group companies are eliminated. 
Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction 
provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. 
Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed 
where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies 
adopted by the Group.

Changes in ownership interests

The Group treats transactions with non-controlling interests 
that do not result in a loss of control as transactions with 
equity owners of the Group. A change in ownership interest 
results in an adjustment between the carrying amounts of 
the controlling and non-controlling interests to reflect their 
relative interests in the subsidiary. Any difference between 
the amount of the adjustment to non-controlling interests 
and any consideration paid or received is recognised in a 
separate reserve within equity attributable to owners of Hills.

When the Group ceases to have control, joint control or 
significant influence, any retained interest in the entity is 
remeasured to its fair value with the change in carrying 
amount recognised in profit or loss. This fair value becomes 
the initial carrying amount for the purposes of subsequently 
accounting for the retained interest as an associate, jointly 
controlled entity or financial asset. In addition, any amounts 
previously recognised in other comprehensive income in 
respect of that entity are accounted for as if the Group had 
directly disposed of the related assets or liabilities. This 
may mean that amounts previously recognised in other 
comprehensive income are reclassified to profit or loss.

Items included in the consolidated financial statements of 
each of the Group's entities are measured using the currency 
of the primary economic environment in which the entity 
operates (‘the functional currency'). The Australian dollar is 
the Company's functional and presentation currency and 
the functional and presentation currency of the majority  
of the Group.

Transactions and balances

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to the 
respective functional currencies of Group Entities using 
exchange rates at the dates of the transactions. Monetary 
assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies 
at the reporting date are retranslated to the functional 
currency at the foreign exchange rate at that date.  
Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign 
currencies that are measured at fair value are translated 
to the functional currency at the exchange rate at the date 
that the fair value was determined. Non-monetary assets 
and liabilities that are measured in terms of historical 
cost are translated using the exchange rate at the date of 
the transaction. Foreign currency differences arising on 
retranslation are recognised in profit or loss.

Group entities

The results and financial position of all Group Entities that 
have a functional currency different from the presentation 
currency are translated into the presentation currency as 
follows:

Closing rate

Assets and liabilities for each statement of 
financial position

Average rate

Income and expenses for each income 
statement: average rates, unless this is 
not a reasonable approximation of the 
cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on 
the transactions dates (in which case, the 
rates on the transaction dates are used)

All resulting exchange differences are recognised in other 
comprehensive income.

Rounding

The Company is an entity to which the ASIC Corporations 
(Rounding in Financial/Directors’ Reports) Instrument 
2016/191 applies. Amounts have been rounded off in 
accordance with the instrument to the nearest thousand 
dollars, or in certain cases, the nearest dollar.

36

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSection B: Business performance

This section contains information relevant to understanding the results and performance of the Group during the 
reporting period:

1  Segment information

2  Revenue

3  Other income

4  Expenses

5  Income tax

6  Profit/(Loss) per share

1  Segment information

In line with FY17 the Board of Directors (being the Chief Operating Decision Maker) consider that there is only one reportable 
segment for the year ended 30 June 2018.

Although the Group’s divisions are managed on a products and services basis, they operate in two main geographical areas:

Australia

Overseas

Comprises manufacturing facilities in South Australia and sales offices and customers in most states  
and territories.

Comprises sales offices and customers in New Zealand and customers in the Pacific Islands, the Middle East, 
Europe, Asia and North America.

(A)  INFORMATION ABOUT REPORTABLE SEGMENTS

Reportable segment

Hills Limited

Total segment result2

(B)  OTHER SEGMENT INFORMATION 

Segment revenue

2018 
$ ’000

Revenue

2017 
$ ’000 

271,781

298,068

271,781

298,068

2018 
$ ’000

9,371

9,371

EBITDA1 

2017 
$ ’000

6,353

6,353

The revenue from external customers reported to the CODM is measured in a manner consistent with that in the 
consolidated income statement. There are no sales between segments. Segment revenue reconciles to total revenue 
per note 2.

The Group did not derive 5% or more of its revenues from any single external customer.

1  Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, goodwill and other receivables (EBITDA) 
is a non-IFRS measure not subject to audit or review. Segment EBITDA excludes the impact of costs associated with the proposed 
demerger of the Hills Health Solutions business and other net costs associated with structuring the Company in line with its future 
growth opportunities. This non-IFRS measure is relevant because it is consistent with the measures used internally by management 
and some in the investment community to assess the operating performance of the business.

2   Total segment revenue represents revenue from external customers.

37

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSegment EBITDA

The CODM assesses performance based on a measure of EBITDA. This excludes the effects of non-recurring expenditure 
from the operating segments such as restructuring costs and goodwill and other intangible asset impairments when the 
impairment is the result of an isolated, non-recurring event and business combination acquisition transaction costs which, 
although expensed under IFRS, are considered to otherwise distort the operational view of the business.

Segment EBITDA reconciles to the loss before income tax as follows:

Segment EBITDA

Depreciation and amortisation

Net finance expenses

Net costs not considered part of segment EBITDA

Other income not considered part of segment EBITDA

Profit/(Loss) before income tax from continuing operations

Net costs not considered part of segment EBITDA comprise:

Notes

4

4

Costs related to proposed demerger of business

Reversal of impairment of property, plant and equipment

Other net costs related to the Company’s restructure and transformation program

Other income relating to recovery of previously written off bad debt (see note 3)

Total net income/(costs) not considered part of segment EBITDA

Segment assets and liabilities

The assets and liabilities of the reportable operating segment are as shown in the balance sheet.

Geographical information

2018 
$’000

9,371

(6,519)

(3,163)

(67)

418

40

2018 
$’000

(121)

165

(111)

(67)

418

351

2017  
$’000

6,353

(7,072)

(3,290)

(3,995)

–

(8,004)

2017  
$’000

(2,207)

30

(1,818)

(3,995)

–

(3,995)

Segment revenue and non-current assets (excluding financial instruments and deferred tax assets) by geographical location 
are shown below. Segment revenues are allocated based on the country in which the customer is located. Segment assets are 
allocated based on where the assets are located.

Australia

Other countries

Revenue

Non-current assets 

2018 
$’000

252,326

2017 
$’000 

273,651

19,455

24,417

271,781

298,068

2018 
$’000

20,703

481

21,184

2017 
$’000

20,423

715

21,138

1  Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, goodwill and other receivables 

(EBITDA) is a non-IFRS measure not subject to audit or review. Segment EBITDA excludes the impact of costs associated with the 
proposed demerger of the Hills Health Solutions business and other net costs associated with structuring the Company in line with 
its future growth opportunities. This non-IFRS measure is relevant because it is consistent with the measures used internally by 
management and some in the investment community to assess the operating performance of the business.

38

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
Recognition and measurement

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the Chief Operating 
Decision Maker (CODM). The CODM, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing the performance of the 
operating segments, has been identified as the Board of Directors.

Operating segments that exhibit similar long term economic characteristics, and have similar products, processes, 
customers, distribution methods and regulatory environments are aggregated.

2  Revenue

Sales revenue

Sale of goods

Services

Other revenue

Rents and sub-lease rentals

Licence fee revenue

Total revenue from continuing operations

2018 
$’000

2017  
$’000

225,739

46,042

231,154

66,410

271,781

297,564

–

–

4

500

271,781

298,068

RECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT 

Revenue

Revenue is recognised for the major business activities as follows:

Sale of goods

Revenue from the sale of goods is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, net of returns, 
trade discounts and volume rebates. Revenue is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been 
transferred to the buyer, recovery of the consideration is probable, the associated costs and possible return of goods can 
be estimated reliably, there is no continuing management involvement with the goods and the amount of revenue can be 
measured reliably.

Services

Revenue from services rendered is recognised in profit or loss in proportion to the stage of completion of the transaction 
at the reporting date. The stage of completion is assessed by reference to estimates of work performed.

Rental income

Rental income from property is recognised in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Lease 
incentives granted are recognised as an integral part of the total rental income, over the term of the lease.

Licence fee revenue

Licence fee revenue is recognised on an accrual basis in accordance with the substance of the relevant licence agreement 
when it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the Group and the amount of 
revenue can be measured reliably.

39

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements3  Other income 

Net gain on disposal of non-current assets

Other income

Net gain on disposal of non-current assets

2018 
$’000

52

858

910

2017  
$’000

6,435

6,665

13,100

The net gain on disposal of non-current assets for the year ended 30 June 2017 included a gain on the sale of Hills Home 
Living assets (comprising intellectual property of $4.0 million and tooling, goodwill and other assets of $2.4 million),  
to AMES Australasia.

Other income

Other income for the year ended 30 June 2018 includes settlement of a previously written off customer receivable relating  
to a discontinued operation for $0.4 million and income of $0.26 million from chargeable repair income.

Other income for the year ended 30 June 2017 included income of $6.0 million received from Woolworths on termination of 
the licence arrangement in relation to Hills Home Living products. Deferred costs of $0.65 million were reflected in operating 
expenses for FY17.

40

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements4  Expenses
(A)  PROFIT/(LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC EXPENSES:

Cost of Sales

Cost of goods sold (inventories) 

Direct cost of services provided

Total cost of sales

Depreciation

Plant and equipment 

Total depreciation

Amortisation

Software 

Development costs

Total amortisation

Total depreciation and amortisation

Employer benefits expenses

Wages and salaries

Defined contribution superannuation expense

Other employee benefit expenses

Equity-settled share-based payment transactions

Total employee benefits expenses

Finance expenses

Interest and finance charges paid/payable 

Unwinding of discount on provisions

Finance income

Interest income

Net finance costs expensed

2018 
$’000

2017  
$’000

165,955

172,095

19,146

38,205

185,101

210,300

5,018

5,018

1,442

59

1,501

6,519

5,889

5,889

1,144

39

1,183

7,072

40,203

52,360

3,829

2,910

32

4,532

3,485

36

46,974

60,413

2018 
$’000

2017  
$’000

(3,243)

(3,321)

(41)

(35)

(3,284)

(3,356)

121

121

66

66

(3,163)

(3,290)

41

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements(B)  INFORMATION ON EXPENSES

Accounting standards require that an analysis of expenses is presented using a classification based on either their nature 
or their function. The Group presents expenses classified by nature in order to provide information that is relevant and 
consistent with how management monitors business performance.

Further information on expenses as shown in the Consolidated statement of profit and loss is provided below:

Cost of goods sold (inventories)

Cost of goods sold include expenses relating to the change in inventories of finished 
goods and work in progress, and raw materials used.

Included in this balance for the year ended 30 June 2018 is an expense of  
$0.20 million.

Included in this balance for the year ended 30 June 2017 is an expense of $4.4 million 
relating to the impairment of inventory (comprising inventory purchased on signing 
a distribution agreement with Tyco in February 2015 of $3.46 million and other exited 
brands of $0.93 million).

Direct costs of services provided include subcontractor costs, commissions and 
subscriptions payable, and other direct costs associated with provision of services 
by Group entities. This balance does not include internal labour costs related to 
carrying out services, which are included in Labour and related expenses.

Labour and related expenses include employee benefits expenses of $46.97 million 
(as shown in note 4(A) above) and other labour and related expenses such as  
third-party logistics, labour hire, employee training and recruitment.

Direct costs of services provided

Labour and related expenses

Operational and equipment 
expenses

Operational and equipment expenses include costs of freight, consumables,  
motor vehicle and other equipment expenses, repairs and maintenance.

Property expenses

Other expenses

Property expenses include rent, rates, utilities, cleaning and security expenses 
related to properties leased by the Group.

Other expenses include overhead expenses (such as insurance, advertising and 
marketing, professional and consulting fees, telecommunications and information 
technology related expenses) and other net costs not considered part of segment 
EBITDA of $0.07 million (2017: $3.99 million) (as shown in note 1(B).

RECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT

Depreciation and amortisation

Refer to notes 11 and 12 for recognition and measurement of depreciation and amortisation.

Employee benefits expense

Refer to note 13 for information relating to employee benefits expense.

Finance income and expense

Finance income comprises interest income on funds invested. Interest income is recognised in profit or loss as it accrues. 
Finance expenses comprise interest expense on borrowings and unwinding of the discount on provisions. Borrowing costs 
are recognised in profit or loss using the effective interest method.

42

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements5  Income tax

(A)  INCOME TAX (BENEFIT)/EXPENSE

Current tax

Deferred tax

(B)   NUMERICAL RECONCILIATION OF INCOME TAX  

(BENEFIT)/EXPENSE TO PRIMA FACIE TAX PAYABLE

Profit/(Loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense

Tax at the Australian tax rate of 30% (2017: 30%)

Tax effect of amounts which are not deductible (taxable) in calculating taxable income:

Non-deductible expenses 

Acquisition costs

Utilisation of previously unrecognised capital losses 

(Recognition)/Derecognition of deferred tax assets

Tax losses for which no deferred tax asset is recognised 

Tax effect of prior year adjustments

Difference in overseas tax rates 

Total income tax benefit

(C)   INCOME TAX EXPENSE RELATING TO ITEMS OF OTHER  

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Aggregate current and deferred tax arising in the reporting period and not recognised in  
net profit or loss but directly debited or credited to other comprehensive income:

Income/(Losses) on cash flow hedges

Aggregate income tax benefit

2018 
$’000

2017  
$’000

–

(319)

(319)

40

12

54

(22)

–

(3,429)

3,305

(231)

(311)

(8)

(319)

(60)

(12)

(72)

(8,004)

(2,401)

153

175

(1,464)

(5,289)

20,599

(11,850)

(77)

5

(72)

2018 
$’000

2017  
$’000

95

95

(98)

(98)

43

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(D)  TAX LOSSES

At the end of the reporting period, the Group had unused tax losses in respect of revenue items of $205.7 million  
(2017: $194.3 million) and capital items of $31.0 million (2017: $49.5 million).

Unused losses for which no deferred tax asset  
has been recognised

Revenue items

Capital items

2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

205,744

194,276

31,012

49,522

Potential tax benefit

61,715

58,283

9,304

14,856

Revenue and capital tax losses do not expire under current legislation.

Revenue losses

Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of revenue tax losses because the period  
over which the Group expects to utilise the benefits of these items extends beyond 3 years  
(the time horizon during which their recovery is considered probable).

Capital losses

Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of capital losses because it is not probable that 
future capital gains will be available against which the Group can utilise the benefits from these items.

(E)  CURRENT TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

There were no current tax assets for the Group at 30 June 2018 (2017: $0.23 million).

(F)  DEFERRED TAX

The balance comprises temporary differences attributable to:

2018 
$’000

2017  
$’000

2,953

4,768

1,665

120

1,263

381

(28)

450

5,614

2,054

178

2,039

515

67

11,122

10,917

Property, plant and equipment

Inventories 

Employee benefits

Receivables 

Provisions

Other accruals

Derivative financial instruments

44

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statementsMovements 2017

Property, plant and equipment

Inventories

Employee benefits

Receivables

Provisions

Other accruals

Derivative financial instruments

Exchange differences

Movements 2018

Property, plant and equipment

Inventories

Employee benefits

Receivables

Provisions

Other accruals

Derivative financial instruments

Exchange differences

Balance at  
1 July

Recognised 
in profit or 
loss

Recognised in 
other 
comprehensive 
income

Balance at 
30 June

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

149

9,009

1,283

16

16

366

(31)

–

10,808

450

5,614

2,054

178

2,039

515

67

–

10,917

301

(3,395)

771

162

2,023

149

–

1

12

2,503

(846)

(389)

(58)

(776)

(134)

–

19

319

–

–

–

–

–

–

98

(1)

97

–

–

–

–

–

–

(95)

(19)

(114)

450

5,614

2,054

178

2,039

515

67

–

10,917

2,953

4,768

1,665

120

1,263

381

(28)

–

11,122

(G)  TAX CONSOLIDATION LEGISLATION

The Company and its wholly owned Australian controlled entities have implemented the tax consolidation legislation.

Tax sharing 
agreement

Tax funding 
agreement

On adoption of the tax consolidation legislation, the entities in the tax consolidated group entered 
into a tax sharing agreement that, in the opinion of the Directors, limits the joint and several liability 
of the wholly owned entities in the case of a default by the head entity, Hills Limited.

The entities have also entered into a tax funding agreement under which the wholly owned entities 
fully compensate the Company for any current tax payable assumed and are compensated by the 
Company for any current tax receivable and deferred tax assets relating to unused tax losses or 
unused tax credits that are transferred to the Company under the tax consolidation legislation. 
The funding amounts are determined by reference to the amounts recognised in the wholly owned 
entities’ financial statements.

The amounts receivable/payable under the tax funding agreement are due upon receipt of the 
funding advice from the head entity, which is issued as soon as practicable after the end of 
each reporting period. The head entity may also require payment of interim funding amounts to 
assist with its obligations to pay tax instalments. The funding amounts are recognised as current 
intercompany receivables or payables and eliminated on consolidation.

Assets or liabilities arising under tax funding agreements with the tax consolidated entities are 
recognised as amounts receivable from or payable to other entities in the Group.

45

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
 
 
 
 
RECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT

Income tax

The income tax expense or revenue for the period is the tax payable on the current period's taxable income based on the 
applicable income tax rate for each jurisdiction adjusted by changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to 
temporary differences and to unused tax losses.

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the end of  
the reporting period in the countries where the Company's subsidiaries operate and generate taxable income.

Current and deferred tax is recognised in profit or loss, except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in other 
comprehensive income or directly in equity. In this case, the tax is also recognised in other comprehensive income or 
directly in equity, respectively.

Deferred tax

Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax  
bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements.

Deferred tax liabilities are not recognised if they arise from the initial recognition of goodwill. Deferred income tax is 
also not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business 
combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss. Deferred income  
tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the end of the reporting 
period and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realised, or the deferred income tax 
liability is settled.

Deferred tax assets are recognised for deductible temporary differences and unused tax losses only if it is probable  
that future taxable amounts will be available to utilise those temporary differences and losses.

Deferred tax liabilities and assets are not recognised for temporary differences between the carrying amount and 
tax bases of investments in foreign operations where the Company is able to control the timing of the reversal of the 
temporary differences and it is probable that the differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Offsetting

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and 
liabilities and when the deferred tax balances relate to the same taxation authority. Current tax assets and tax liabilities  
are offset where the entity has a legally enforceable right to offset and intends either to settle on a net basis, or to  
realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Tax consolidation

The head entity, Hills Limited, and the controlled entities in the tax consolidated group account for their own current and 
deferred tax amounts arising from temporary differences. These tax amounts are measured as if each entity in the tax 
consolidated group continues to be a standalone taxpayer in its own right.

In addition to its own current and deferred tax amounts, Hills Limited also recognises the current tax liabilities (or assets) 
and the deferred tax assets arising from unused tax losses and unused tax credits assumed from controlled entities in  
the tax consolidated group.

KEY ESTIMATE: UNRECOGNISED DEFERRED TAX ASSETS

Deferred tax assets are only recognised for deductible temporary differences and tax losses to the extent that it is 
probable that taxable profits will be available to utilise them. The financial projections used in assessing the probability  
of taxable profits are inherently subject to management judgement.

46

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
6  Profit/(Loss) per share

(A)  BASIC AND DILUTED PROFIT/(LOSS) PER SHARE

From profit/(loss) attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the Company

0.2

(3.4)

2018 
Cents

2017  
Cents

(B)   RECONCILIATION OF EARNINGS USED IN CALCULATING  

PROFIT/(LOSS) PER SHARE

Profit/(Loss) attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the Company used in  
calculating basic profit/(loss) per share

359

(7,932)

2018 
$’000

2018 
$’000

(C)  WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES USED AS DENOMINATOR

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used as the denominator in calculating  
basic profit/(loss) per share

Effect of performance rights on issue

Weighted average number of ordinary and potential ordinary shares used as the denominator 
 in calculating diluted profit/(loss) per share

2018 
Shares 
’000

2018 
Shares 
’000

231,986

231,986

–

–

231,986

231,986

Performance rights have not been included in the weighted average number of shares for diluted profit/(loss) per share  
as no shares are expected to be issued to satisfy performance rights.

RECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing:

• 

the profit attributable to owners of the Company, excluding any costs of  
servicing equity other than ordinary shares

•  by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the  

reporting period.

Diluted earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share adjusts the figures used in the determination of basic earnings 
per share to take into account:

• 

• 

the after-income tax effect of interest and other financing costs associated with 
dilutive potential ordinary shares, and

the weighted average number of additional ordinary shares that would have been 
outstanding assuming the conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.

47

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSection C: Operating assets and liabilities

This section provides information on the operating assets used and the operating liabilities incurred by the Group:

7  Cash and cash equivalents

8  Trade and other receivables

9  Inventories

10  Trade and other payables

11  Property, plant and equipment

12  Intangible assets

13  Provisions

7  Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand 

Deposits

(A)   RECONCILIATION OF PROFIT/(LOSS) AFTER INCOME TAX TO NET CASH FLOW  

FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES PROFIT/(LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD

Profit/(Loss) for the period

Depreciation and amortisation

Net gain on sale of non-current assets

(Reversal of impairment) impairment of property, plant and equipment

Non-cash employee benefits expense (credit) – share-based payments

Rent received

Fair value adjustment to derivatives

Unwinding of discount on provisions 

Other non-cash items

Change in operating assets and liabilities: 

(Increase)/Decrease in trade and other receivables 

Decrease in inventories

Increase/(Decrease) in trade and other payables 

Decrease in provisions

Increase/(Decrease) in provision for income taxes receivable 

(Increase)/Decrease in deferred tax assets

Net cash flows from operating activities

48

2018 
$’000

10,704

5,079

15,783

2018 
$’000

359

6,519

(52)

–

32

–

(59)

552

–

(257)

2,300

7,571

(4,888)

220

(320)

11,977

2017  
$’000

5,360

3,291

8,651

2017  
$’000

(7,932)

7,072

(6,435)

(30)

36

(4)

62

35

(7)

11,008

9,126

(9,900)

(3,756)

(48)

(12)

(785)

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statementsRECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, deposits held at call with financial institutions, other short term, highly 
liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash 
and that are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

8  Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables

Provision for impairment of  
receivables (a)

Other receivables

Prepayments

2018

Non-
current 
$’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

Current 

$’000

51,483

(402)

51,081

5,819

2,751

59,651

Total 

Current 

$’000

51,483

(402)

$’000

52,914

(594)

51,081

52,320

5,819

2,751

5,271

1,898

59,651

59,489

2017

Non 
Current 
$’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total 

$’000

52,914

(594)

52,320

5,271

1,898

59,489

Unamortised borrowing costs, which were included in prepayments in the prior year, have been reclassified to borrowings.  
The amount at 30 June 2018 of $1.404 million is shown in note 17.

(A)  IMPAIRED TRADE RECEIVABLES

The ageing of the Group’s trade receivables at the reporting date is as follows: 

Not past due

Past due 0–30 days

Past due 31–90 days

Past due more than 90 days

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

At 1 July

Provision for impairment recognised/(released) during the period 

Receivables written off during the period as uncollectable

At 30 June

2018 
$’000

2017  
$’000

33,476

36,781

12,851

3,115

2,041

11,441

3,307

1,385

51,483

52,914

594

(108)

(84)

402

1,275

283

(964)

594

Based on low historic default rates, the Group believes that no impairment allowance is necessary in respect of trade 
receivables not yet past due.

49

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
 
 
 
The provision for impaired receivables for the Group of $0.402 million (2017: $0.594 million) relates to receivables past due 
more than 30 days, on a case by case assessment. Receivables past due between 0 and 30 days are not considered impaired.

(B)  TRANSFER OF TRADE RECEIVABLES

The Group has entered into a Receivables Purchase Facility, as described in note 17, under which trade receivables have been 
sold with recourse. These receivables have not been derecognised from the statement of financial position as the Group 
retains substantially all of the risks and rewards (primarily credit risk).

The carrying amount of transferred trade receivables not derecognised is show below:

Carrying amount of trade receivables transferred

Carrying amount of associated liabilities

(C)  FINANCIAL RISK

2018 
$’000

35,016

2018 
$’000

35,597

(31,091)

(30,353)

See note 19 for information about the Group’s exposure to foreign currency risk, interest rate risk and credit risk in relation  
to trade and other receivables.

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying amount of each class of receivables mentioned 
above. The fair value of securities held for certain trade receivables is insignificant as is the fair value of any collateral sold  
or re-pledged.

RECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT

Trade receivables

Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest method, less provision for impairment. Trade receivables are generally due for settlement within 30 to 90 days. 
They are presented as current assets unless collection is not expected for more than 12 months after the reporting date.

The fair value of trade and other receivables is estimated as the present value of future cash flows, discounted at the 
market rate of interest at the reporting date. Cash flows relating to short term receivables are not discounted if the effect 
of discounting is immaterial.

Collectability of trade receivables is reviewed on an ongoing basis. The amount of the impairment loss is recognised in 
profit or loss. When a trade receivable for which an impairment allowance had been recognised becomes uncollectible in 
a subsequent period, it is written off against the allowance account. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written 
off are credited against expenses in profit or loss.

50

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements9  Inventories

Raw materials and work in progress

Finished goods

2018 
$’000

2,674

41,369

2017 
$’000

2,343

44,117

44,043

46,460

Inventories stated above are net of provisions for net realisable value of $4.37 million (2017: $6.39 million)

RECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT

Inventories

Raw materials, work in progress and finished goods are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

Cost comprises direct materials, direct labour and an appropriate proportion of variable and fixed overhead expenditure, 
the latter being allocated on the basis of normal operating capacity. Cost includes the reclassification from equity of any 
gains/losses on qualifying cash flow hedges relating to purchases of inventory.

Costs are assigned to individual items of inventory on the basis of weighted average costs. Costs of purchased inventory 
are determined after deducting rebates and discounts. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less the 
estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.

The fair value of inventories acquired in a business combination is determined based on its estimated selling price in the 
ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and sale, and a reasonable profit margin based on the 
effort required to complete and sell the inventories.

10  Trade and other payables

Trade payables

Other payables and accrued expenses

2018 
$’000

33,521

14,210

47,731

2017 
$’000

25,940

14,326

40,266

Other payables and accrued expenses include amounts payable in respect of employee benefits (including wages and 
salaries, superannuation/pension contributions, commissions and bonuses, payroll tax), Goods and Services Tax (GST), 
customer rebates and other sundry accrued expenses.

RECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT

Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost.

They represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Group prior to the end of the reporting period that are 
unpaid. The amounts are unsecured and are paid in accordance with the Group’s terms of trade.

Trade and other payables are presented as current liabilities unless payment is not due within twelve months after the 
reporting period.

51

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements11  Property, plant and equipment

Year ended 30 June 2017

Opening net book amount

Exchange differences

Additions

Disposals

Depreciation charge

Impairment reversal

 Closing net book amount

 At 30 June 2017

Cost

Accumulated depreciation and impairment

Net book amount

Year ended 30 June 2018

Opening net book amount 

Exchange differences

Additions

Disposals

Depreciation charge

 Impairment reversal

Closing net book amount

At 30 June 2018

Cost

Accumulated depreciation and impairment 

Net book amount

Plant & 
equipment 
$’000

19,948

(7)

2,770

(252)

(5,889)

30

   16,600

59,834

(43,234)

16,600

16,600

(24)

3,489

(297)

(5,018)

165

14,915

60,611

(45,696)

14,915

Additions include an amount of $0.303 million (2017: $1.26 million) for the estimated costs to remove leasehold  
improvements from properties leased by the Group and restore the premises on which they are located. These estimated 
costs have been capitalised in accordance with AASB 116 Property, Plant and Equipment as an element of cost of the 
leasehold improvement assets.

Additions includes an amount of $1.95 million (2017: nil) for equipment installed at hospitals to generate service rental  
income which have been funded by finance leases. See note 17(a) for further details of these loans.

Payments for property, plant and equipment of $1.23 million (2017: $1.50 million) as shown in the Consolidated statement  
of cash flows do not include either of these non-cash additions.

During the year fully depreciated assets with a cost of $2.39 million were written off (2017: $13.80 million).

52

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(A)  ASSETS IN THE COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION

The carrying amounts of the assets disclosed above and in note 12 Intangible assets include the following expenditure 
recognised in relation to non-current assets (principally plant and equipment, leasehold improvements and software 
development), which are in the course of construction:

Plant and equipment, leasehold improvements and software development

2018 
$’000

–

2017 
$’000

3,626

KEY ESTIMATE: USEFUL LIVES OF PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The assessment of the useful lives of property, plant and equipment requires management judgement based on past 
experience and industry practice. Management reassess the useful lives when there are indications of a change in 
economic circumstances that may impact the assets.

RECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT

Property, plant and equipment

Plant and equipment

Plant and equipment is stated at historical cost less depreciation. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly 
attributable to the acquisition of the items. Cost may also include transfers from equity of any gains or losses on  
qualifying cash flow hedges of foreign currency purchases of property, plant and equipment.

Purchased software that is integral to the functionality of the related equipment is capitalised as part of that equipment.

When parts of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate 
items (major components) of property, plant and equipment.

Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when 
it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can 
be measured reliably. The carrying amount of any component accounted for as a separate asset is derecognised when 
replaced. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to profit or loss during the reporting period in which they are 
incurred.

Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method as considered appropriate to allocate their cost or revalued 
amounts, net of their residual values, over their estimated useful lives, as follows (current and comparative periods):

Buildings 

2.5%

Plant and equipment, including leasehold improvements   5.0% to 66.7%

Impairment

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at the end of each reporting period. 
An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying amount is greater 
than its estimated recoverable amount. Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing proceeds with the 
carrying amount. These are included in profit or loss. When revalued assets are sold, it is Group policy to transfer any 
amounts included in other reserves in respect of those assets to the profits reserve.

53

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
12  Intangible assets

Year ended 30 June 2017

Opening net book amount

Additions

Disposals

Amortisation charge

Closing net book amount

At 30 June 2017

Cost

Accumulated amortisation and impairment

Net book amount

Year ended 30 June 2018

Opening net book amount

Additions

Disposals/transfers

Amortisation charge

Impairment charge

Closing net book amount

At 30 June 2018

Cost

Accumulated amortisation and impairment

Net book amount

Software1 

$’000

Development 
Costs 
$’000

Total 

$’000

753

3,014

(6)

(1,183)

2,578

19,133

(16,555)

2,578

2,578

5,193

–

(1,501)

(3)

6,267

121

140

(2)

(39)

220

1,895

(1,675)

220

220

814

(28)

(59)

–

947

2,681

(1,734)

947

23,217

(16,950)

6,267

632

2,874

(4)

(1,144)

2,358

17,238

(14,880)

2,358

2,358

4,379

28

(1,442)

(3)

5320

20,531

(15,211)

5,320

There were no additions for the year incurred but not yet paid at the end of the period (2017: $0.765 million).

During the year ended 30 June 2018, fully amortised or impaired intangible assets with a cost of $1.1 million  
(2017: $8.7 million) were written off.

1   Software includes capitalised development costs, being an internally generated intangible asset.

54

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
 
RECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT

IT development and software

Costs incurred in developing products or systems and costs incurred in acquiring software and licenses that will 
contribute to future period financial benefits through revenue generation and/or cost reduction are capitalised to software 
and systems. Costs capitalised include external direct costs of materials and service and direct payroll and payroll related 
costs of employees’ time spent on the project. Amortisation is calculated on a straight-line basis over periods generally 
ranging from 3 to 5 years.

IT development costs include only those costs directly attributable to the development phase and are only recognised 
following completion of technical feasibility and where the Group has an intention and ability to use the asset.

Research and development

Research expenditure is recognised as an expense as incurred. Costs incurred on development projects (relating to the 
design and testing of new or improved products) are recognised as intangible assets when it is probable that the project 
will, after considering its commercial and technical feasibility, be completed and generate future economic benefits and 
its costs can be measured reliably. The expenditure capitalised comprises all directly attributable costs, including costs 
of materials, services, direct labour and an appropriate proportion of overheads. Other development expenditures that 
do not meet these criteria are recognised as an expense as incurred. Development costs previously recognised as an 
expense are not recognised as an asset in a subsequent period. Capitalised development costs are recorded as intangible 
assets and amortised from the point at which the asset is ready for use on a straight-line basis over its useful life, which is 
estimated to be 5 to 20 years.

13  Provisions

Employee benefits

Outstanding claims

Restructuring costs

Other provisions

2018

Non-
current 
$’000

475

660

668

2,132

Current 

$’000

5,087

545

118

456

6,206

3,935

Total 

Current 

$’000

$’000

2017

Non-
current 
$’000

695

660

802

6,170

866

2,336

5,562

1,205

786

2,588

10,141

1,184

2,039

10,556

4,196

14,752

Total 

$’000

6,865

1,526

3,138

3,223

(A)  DESCRIPTION OF PROVISIONS

Employee benefits

Provisions for employee benefits include liabilities for annual leave and long service leave.

Outstanding claims

Restructuring costs

The provision for claims comprises the amounts set aside for estimated warranty claims. 
In the prior year, it also included the estimated future liability of the Group’s  
self-insurance arrangements.

The restructuring costs provision comprises redundancy costs and other costs of closing 
and restructuring businesses (including onerous lease and make-good costs related to 
properties affected by restructure).

Other provisions

Other provisions comprise provisions for environmental monitoring of a site, make good 
obligations, onerous lease costs and other provisions as required.

55

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
 
 
 
(B)  MOVEMENTS IN PROVISIONS

Movements in each class of provision during the reporting period, other than employee benefits, are set out below:

Movements 2018

Carrying amount at the start of the year

Additional provisions made during the period 

 Amounts used (incurred or charged against provision)

Unused amounts reversed during the period

Carrying amount at the end of the year

Outstanding 
claims 
$’000

Restructuring 
costs 
$’000

Other 

Total 

$’000

$’000

1,526

–

(321)

–

1,205

3,138

47

(2,295)

(104)

786

3,223

127

(762)

–

2,588

7,887

174

(3,378)

(104)

4,579

56

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
 
RECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT

Provisions

Provisions for legal claims, service warranties, make good obligations and onerous leases are recognised when the  
Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, it is probable that an outflow of resources 
will be required to settle the obligation and the amount has been reliably estimated. Warranty provisions are recognised 
when the underlying products or services are sold. Restructuring provisions are recognised when the Group has approved 
a detailed and formal restructuring plan, and the restructuring has either commenced or been announced publicly. 
Provisions are not recognised for future operating losses.

Provisions are measured at the present value of management’s best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the 
present obligation at the end of the reporting period. The discount rate used to determine the present value is a pre-tax 
rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability. The increase 
in the provision due to the passage of time is recognised as interest expense.

Employee benefits

Short-term obligations

Liabilities for wages and salaries, including non-monetary benefits and annual leave expected to be settled within  
12 months after the end of the period in which the employees render the related service, are recognised in respect of 
employees’ services up to the end of the reporting period and are measured at the amounts expected to be paid when  
the liabilities are settled. The liability for annual leave is recognised in the provision for employee benefits. All other  
short-term employee benefit obligations are presented as payables.

Other long-term employee benefits obligations

The liability for long service leave and annual leave which is not expected to be settled within 12 months after the end of 
the period in which the employees render the related service is recognised in the provision for employee benefits and 
measured as the present value of expected future payments to be made in respect of services provided by employees 
up to the end of the reporting period. Consideration is given to expected future wage and salary levels, experience of 
employee departures and periods of service.

Expected future payments are discounted using market yields at the end of the reporting period on corporate bonds  
rates with terms to maturity and currency that match, as closely as possible, the estimated future cash outflows.

The obligations are presented as current liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial position if the Group does 
not have an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, regardless of when 
settlement is expected to occur.

Retirement benefit obligations

A defined contribution plan is a post-employment benefit plan which receives fixed contributions from Group Entities and 
the Group's legal or constructive obligation is limited to these contributions.

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense as they become payable.

Profit-sharing and bonus plans

A liability is recognised for the amount expected to be paid under short term cash bonus or profit sharing plans if the Group 
has a present legal or constructive obligation to pay this amount as a result of past service provided by the employee and the 
obligation can be estimated reliably, or where there is past practice that has created a constructive obligation.

57

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
Section D: Capital and financing

This section provides information on how the Group manages its capital structure and financing, including its exposure  
to financial risk:

14  Contributed equity

15  Reserves

16  Dividends

17  Borrowings

18  Derivative financial instruments

19  Capital and financial risk management

20  Fair value measurements

14  Contributed equity
(A)  SHARE CAPITAL

Ordinary shares – fully paid

231,985,526 231,985,526

278,439

278,439

2018 
Shares

2017 
Shares

2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

(B)  ABOUT SHARE CAPITAL

Ordinary shares

Performance rights

Holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time 
and are entitled to one vote per share at meetings of the Company. Ordinary shares have 
no par value. The Company does not have a limited amount of ordinary share capital.

Information relating to the Incentive Share Plan, including details of performance rights 
issued, exercised, lapsed and forfeited during the reporting period and performance 
rights outstanding at the end of the reporting period, is set out in note 28.

RECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT 

Contributed equity

Ordinary shares are classified as equity.

Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, 
from the proceeds.

If the Company reacquires its own equity instruments, for example as the result of a share buyback, those instruments 
are deducted from equity and the associated shares are cancelled. No gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss and the 
consideration paid including any directly attributable incremental costs (net of income taxes) is recognised directly in equity.

58

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements15  Reserves

Hedging reserve – cash flow hedges

Equity compensation reserve

Foreign currency translation reserve

Profits reserve

(A)  MOVEMENTS IN RESERVES

Hedging reserve – cash flow hedges

Opening balance 1 July

Revaluation – gross

Deferred tax

Closing balance 30 June

Equity Compensation reserve

Opening balance 1 July

Employee share plan expense/(credit)

Closing balance 30 June

Foreign currency translation reserve

Opening balance 1 July

Currency translation differences arising during the year

Closing balance 30 June

Profits reserve

Opening balance 1 July

Closing balance 30 June

(B)  NATURE AND PURPOSE OF RESERVES

2018 
$’000

65

738

117

10,133

11,053

2017  
$’000

(158)

706

354

10,133

11,035

(158)

318

(95)

65

706

32

738

354

(237)

117

72

(328)

98

(158)

670

36

706

374

(20)

354

10,133

10,133

10,133

10,133

Hedging reserve –  
cash flow hedges

Equity compensation 
reserve

Foreign currency 
translation reserve

 Profits reserve

The hedging reserve is used to record changes in the fair value of derivative financial 
instruments designated in a cash flow hedge relationship that are recognised in other 
comprehensive income. Amounts are reclassified to profit or loss when the associated hedged 
transaction affects profit or loss.

The equity compensation reserve represents the value of performance rights held by an equity 
compensation plan of the Group. This reserve will be reversed against share capital when the 
underlying performance rights are exercised and shares vest in the employee. No gain or loss 
is recognised in profit or loss on the purchase, sale, issue or cancellation of the Group’s own 
equity instruments.

 Exchange differences arising on translation of the financial statements of a foreign controlled 
entity are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in this reserve. The 
cumulative amount is reclassified to profit or loss when the net investment is disposed of.

Current period and realised profits are transferred from retained earnings and other reserves to 
the profits reserve and dividends are paid out of the profits reserve.

59

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements16  Dividends
(A)  ORDINARY SHARES

Year ended 30 June 2018

No dividends were paid during the year and no final dividend has been declared.

Year ended 30 June 2017

No dividends were paid during the year and no final dividend has been declared.

 (B)  FRANKED DIVIDENDS

Franking credits available for subsequent reporting periods based on a tax rate of  
30% (2017: 30%)

2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

1,787

1,787

The above amounts represent the balance of the franking account as at the end of the reporting period, adjusted for franking 
credits that will arise from:

• 
• 
• 

the payment of the amount of the provision for income tax;

the payment of dividends recognised as a liability at the reporting date; and

the receipt of dividends recognised as receivables at the reporting date.

The consolidated amounts include franking credits that would be available to the Company if distributable profits 
 of subsidiaries were paid as dividends.

RECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT

Dividends

Provision is made for the amount of any dividend declared, being appropriately authorised and no longer at the discretion 
of the entity, on or before the end of the reporting period but not distributed at the end of the reporting period.

60

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements17  Borrowings

Loans 

Transaction costs

Total borrowings

2018

Current 

$’000

Non-
current 
$’000

Total 

Current 

$’000

$’000

2017

Non-
current 
$’000

Total 

$’000

6,357

27,743

34,100

295

30,353

30,648

–

(1,404)

(1,404)

–

(1,958)

(1,958)

6,357

26,339

32,696

295

28,395

28,690

Non-current borrowings include transactions costs directly attributable to the issue of the borrowings.  
At 30 June 2018, unamortised borrowing costs totalled $1.404 million (2017: $1.958 million).

(A)  LOANS

The Group has its financing facilities with Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) through a Bilateral Facility and Recfin 
Nominees Pty Ltd through a Receivables Purchase Facility.

Bilateral Facility

 The CBA facility was amended in January 2018 and now comprises a facility for contingent 
liabilities (bank guarantees/letter of credit), with the following limits (denominated in AUD):

•  Contingent liabilities: $4.472 million.

Interest is charged at prevailing market rates plus a fixed margin.

Receivables  
Purchase Facility

The Recfin Nominees Pty Ltd facility totals $36 million (denominated in AUD), with funding 
provided based upon the Group’s accounts receivable book. The facility expires on 13 May 2021.

The facility is secured on the Group’s Accounts Receivable book, with a second mortgage over 
the other assets of the Group.

Interest is charged at prevailing market rates plus a fixed margin.

DLL Financing

In December 2017, the Group entered into a Progressive Payment Agreement (PPA) with DLL  
for the provision of finance for equipment purchases in the Hills Health Solutions business.  
At 30 June 2018, the Group had drawn down $1.95 million.

The PPA is an unsecured, interest only facility, which will be replaced by a set term Chattel 
Mortgage once the equipment is installed.

61

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
 
 
 
(B)   RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS OF LIABILITIES TO CASHFLOWS  

ARISING FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 

Balance at 30 June 2016

Changes from financing cash flows

Proceeds from loans and borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

Total changes from financing cash flows

Other changes

Reclassify capitalised borrowing costs from Trade and other receivables

Other

Total Other changes

Balance at 30 June 2017

Balance at 30 June 2017

Changes from financing cash flows

Proceeds from loans and borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

Total changes from financing cash flows

Other changes

Amortise capitalised borrowing costs

New finance leases

Total Other changes

Balance at 30 June 2018

Total 
$’000

28,167

8,004

(5,522)

2,482

(1,958)

(1)

(1,959)

28,690

28,690

3,461

(1,961)

1,500

554

1,952

2,506

32,696

The Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries have provided an interlocking guarantee and indemnity to its financiers  
for these facilities. An assessment of the contractual maturities of financial liabilities is provided in note 19, together with 
details of undrawn borrowing facilities at the period end.

62

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statementsRECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT

Borrowings

Borrowings are initially recognised at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently  
measured at amortised cost. Any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption amount 
is recognised in profit or loss over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method. Fair value, which 
is determined for disclosure purposes, is calculated based on the present value of future principal and interest cash 
flows, discounted at the market rate of interest at the reporting date. Fees paid on the establishment of loan facilities are 
capitalised as a prepayment and amortised over the period of the facility to which it relates.

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

Borrowing costs

Borrowing costs incurred for the construction of any qualifying asset are capitalised during the period of time that is 
required to complete and prepare the asset for its intended use or sale. Other borrowing costs are expensed.

18  Derivative financial instruments

The Group is party to derivative financial instruments in the normal course of business in order to hedge exposure to fluctuations 
in interest and foreign exchange rates in accordance with the Group’s financial risk management policies (refer to note 19).

Current assets

Forward foreign exchange contracts – cash flow hedges

Total current derivative financial instrument assets

Current liabilities

Forward foreign exchange contracts – cash flow hedges

Forward foreign exchange contracts – held for trading

Total current derivative financial instrument liabilities

Net derivative financial instrument assets/(liabilities)

(A)  INSTRUMENTS USED BY THE GROUP

2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

93

93

_

_

_

93

–

–

(225)

(62)

(287)

(287)

Forward exchange 
contracts:  
cash flow hedges

The Group purchases goods and materials from overseas, principally in US dollars. In order to 
protect against exchange rate movements, the Group has entered into forward exchange contracts 
to purchase US dollars. These contracts are hedging highly probable forecasted purchases for 
approximately the following two to three months.

The portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument that is determined to be an effective 
hedge is recognised in other comprehensive income. When the cash flows occur, the Group adjusts 
the initial measurement of the component recognised in the consolidated statement of financial 
position by removing the related amount from other comprehensive income.

During the year ended 30 June 2018, no gain or loss was recognised in profit or loss for the 
ineffective portion of these hedging contracts (2017: nil).

Forward exchange 
contracts:  
held-for-trading

Group Entities have entered into forward foreign exchange contracts that are economic hedges 
but do not satisfy the requirements for hedge accounting. These contracts are subject to the same 
risk management policies as all other derivative contracts, see note 19 for details. However, they 
are accounted for as held for trading.

63

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statementsDERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently 
remeasured to their fair value at the end of each reporting period. The accounting for subsequent changes in fair value 
depends on whether the derivative is designated as a hedging instrument, and if so, the nature of the item being hedged. 
The Group designates certain derivatives as hedges of a particular risk associated with the cash flows of recognised assets 
and liabilities and highly probable forecast transactions (cash flow hedges).

The Group documents at the inception of the hedging transaction the relationship between hedging instruments and 
hedged items, as well as its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions.

The Group also documents its assessment, both at hedge inception and on an ongoing basis, of whether the derivatives 
that are used in hedging transactions have been and will continue to be highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values 
or cash flows of hedged items.

The full fair value of a hedging derivative is classified as a non-current asset or liability when the remaining maturity of 
the hedged item is more than 12 months; it is classified as a current asset or liability when the remaining maturity of the 
hedged item is less than 12 months. Trading derivatives are classified as a current asset or liability.

The fair value of forward exchange contracts is based on their listed market price, if available. If a listed market price is not 
available, then fair value is estimated by discounting the difference between the contractual forward price and the current 
forward price for the residual maturity of the contract using a risk-free interest rate (based on government bonds). The fair 
value of interest rate swaps is determined by discounting estimated future cash flows based on the terms and maturity of 
each contract and using market rates at the measurement date.

Cash flow hedge

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges is 
recognised in other comprehensive income and within the hedging reserve in equity. The gain or loss relating to the 
ineffective portion is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

Amounts accumulated in equity are reclassified to profit or loss in the periods when the hedged item affects profit 
or loss. The gain or loss relating to the effective portion of interest rate swaps hedging variable rate borrowings is 
recognised in profit or loss within ‘finance income' or 'finance costs'. The gain or loss relating to the effective portion of 
forward foreign exchange contracts hedging export sales is recognised in profit or loss within ‘sales'. However, when the 
forecast transaction that is hedged results in the recognition of a non-financial asset (for example, inventory or plant 
and equipment) the gains and losses previously deferred in equity are reclassified from equity and included in the initial 
measurement of the cost of the asset. The deferred amounts are ultimately recognised in profit or loss as cost of goods 
sold in the case of inventory, or as depreciation or impairment in the case of plant and equipment.

When a hedging instrument expires or is sold or terminated, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge 
accounting, any cumulative gain or loss existing in equity at that time remains in equity and is recognised when the 
forecast transaction is ultimately recognised in profit or loss. When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, 
the cumulative gain or loss that was reported in equity is immediately reclassified to profit or loss.

Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting

Certain derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting. Changes in the fair value of any derivative instrument 
that does not qualify for hedge accounting are recognised immediately in profit or loss.

64

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements19  Capital and financial risk management
(A)  CAPITAL RISK MANAGEMENT

The Group’s objective when managing capital is to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern to provide returns for 
shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital.

To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may vary the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital 
to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt.

The Group monitors capital by assessing its gearing ratio. The gearing ratio is calculated as:

net debt

Net debt

Total borrowings as shown in the consolidated statement of financial  
position less cash and cash equivalents

net debt + total equity

Total equity

Equity as shown in the consolidated statement of financial position  
(including non-controlling interests)

The Group continues to maintain a strategy of a target gearing ratio (calculated as net debt divided by net debt plus equity) 
of less than 40%. The gearing ratios at 30 June 2018 and 30 June 2017 were as follows:

Total borrowings

Less: cash and cash equivalents

Net debt 

Total equity

Gearing ratio

Notes

17

7

2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

32,696

28,690

(15,783)

(8,651)

16,913

20,039

61,308

60,931

21.6%

24.7%

(B)  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

Management manages the Group’s exposure to financial risks under policies approved by the Board. Management identifies, 
evaluates and manages financial risks in close cooperation with the Group's business units. The Board provides written 
principles for overall risk management, as well as policies covering specific areas, such as foreign exchange risk, interest rate 
risk, credit risk, use of financial instruments and investment of excess liquidity.

The risk management approach focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential adverse 
effects on the financial performance of the Group.

The Group uses derivative financial instruments such as foreign exchange contracts exclusively for risk mitigation and not as 
trading or other speculative instruments.

65

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statementsThe Group holds the following financial instruments:

Financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Derivative financial instruments

 Investments

Financial liabilities

Trade and other payables 

Borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

15,783

59,651

93

–

8,651

57,591

–

2

75,527

66,244

47,731

40,266

32,696

28,690

–

287

80,427

69,243

The Group uses different methods to measure different types of risk, including sensitivity analysis  
(for interest rate, foreign exchange and other price risks) and aging analysis (for credit risk).

(i) Market risk

Price risk

Foreign exchange risk

The Group has no material financial exposure to other market price risk as it is not exposed to 
equity securities price risk. The Group does not enter into commodity contracts other than to 
meet the Group's expected usage requirements.

Foreign exchange risk arises when future commercial transactions and recognised financial 
assets and financial liabilities are denominated in currencies other than the Group's 
functional currency. The risk is measured using sensitivity analysis and cash flow forecasting.

The Group’s main foreign exchange risk exposure is to US dollars.

Group Entities and business units are required to hedge their foreign exchange risk exposure 
using forward exchange contracts.

The Group’s policy is to hedge approximately three months of anticipated cash flows  
(mainly purchases of inventories) in US dollars.

Cash flow and fair value 
interest rate risk

 Borrowings issued at variable rates expose the Group to cash flow interest rate risk.  
See details of the Group’s borrowings in note 17.

66

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statementsForeign exchange risk

The Group's exposure to foreign exchange risk at the reporting date, expressed in Australian dollars at the closing  
exchange rates, was:

30 June 2017

Cash at bank

Trade receivables

Trade payables

Forward exchange contracts:

•  buy foreign currency (cash flow hedges)

•  buy foreign currency (FVTPL1)

30 June 2018

Cash at bank

Trade receivables

Trade payables

Forward exchange contracts:

•  buy foreign currency (cash flow hedges)

•  buy foreign currency (FVTPL)

Cash flow interest rate risk

USD 
$’000

EUR 
$’000

GBP 
$’000

Total 
$’000

129

823

–

–

–

–

129

823

(5,518)

(147)

(11)

(5,676)

(14,612)

(1,118)

–

413

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(14,612)

(1,118)

–

413

(10,028)

(280)

(12)

(10,320)

(6,366)

(543)

–

–

–

–

(6,366)

(543)

The Group’s financing arrangement is principally a Receivables Purchase Facility, where the balance outstanding changes 
daily. Accordingly, the Group does not use interest rate swaps to hedge cash flow interest rate risk.

During 2018 and 2017, the Group's cash and borrowings at variable rate were denominated in Australian Dollars and NZ Dollars.

As at the end of the reporting period, the Group had the following variable rate cash and borrowings outstanding:

Bank overdrafts and loans

Cash and cash equivalents

Other loans

1   Fair Value Through Profit and Loss.

2018

2017

Weighted 
average 
interest 
rate  
%

5.86%

1.43%

4.91%

Balance 
$’000

(31,639)

15,783

(1,057

Weighted 
average 
interest 
rate 
%

Balance 
$’000

5.46%

(28,395)

1.16%

7.63%

8,651

(295)

67

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
An analysis by maturities is provided in section (iii) below.

Sensitivity analysis

Foreign exchange rates

Interest rates

The sensitivity of profit or loss to changes in exchange rates arises mainly from US dollar 
denominated financial instruments and the impact on other components of equity arises 
from forward exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges.

Profit or loss is sensitive to higher/lower interest income and interest expense from cash  
and cash equivalents and borrowings respectively, as a result of changes in interest rates. 
Other components of equity change as a result of an increase/decrease in the fair value  
of the cash flow hedges of borrowings.

The following table summarises the sensitivity of the Group's financial assets and financial liabilities to interest rate risk  
and foreign exchange risk.

Interest rate risk

Foreign exchange risk

-100 bps

+100 bps

-10%

+10%

Carrying  
amount 
$’000

Profit 
$’000

Other 
equity 
$’000

Profit 
$’000

Other 
equity 
$’000

Profit 
$’000

Other 
equity 
$’000

Profit 
$’000

Other 
equity 
$’000

30 June 2017

Financial assets

  Cash and cash equivalents

  Trade and other receivables

8,651

57,591

  Derivatives – cash flow hedges

Total increase/(decrease) 
in financial assets 

Financial liabilities

  Trade & other payables

  Borrowings

  Derivatives – cash flow hedges

  Derivatives – FVTPL

Total increase/(decrease) 
in financial liabilities

Total increase/(decrease)

(40,266)

(28,690)

(225)

(62)

(81)

–

(81)

–

306

–

–

306

225

–

–

_

–

–

–

–

–

–

110

–

110

–

(306)

–

–

(306)

(196)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

14

91

105

(640)

–

–

68

–

–

–

–

1,253

(12)

(75)

(87)

524

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(1,631)

–

(147)

–

(572)

1,253

377

(1,631)

(467)

1,253

290

(1,631)

68

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statementsInterest rate risk

Foreign exchange risk

-100 bps

+100 bps

-10%

+10%

Carrying  
amount 
$’000

Profit 
$’000

Other 
equity 
$’000

Profit 
$’000

Other 
equity 
$’000

Profit 
$’000

Other 
equity 
$’000

Profit 
$’000

Other 
equity 
$’000

30 June 2018

Financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Derivatives – FVTPL

Total increase/(decrease) 
in financial assets 

Financial liabilities

Trade & other payables

Borrowings

15,783

59,651

272

(47,731)

32,696

Derivatives – cash flow hedges

(179)

Derivatives – FVTPL

Total increase/(decrease) 
in financial liabilities 

Total increase/(decrease)

(ii) Credit risk

Nature of the risk

(162)

–

–

(162)

–

341

–

341

179

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

225

–

–

225

–

(341)

–

(341)

(116)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

46

45

91

(1,169)

–

–

–

–

–

–

849

–

(38)

(62)

(100)

956

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(463)

(1,169)

849

956

(463)

(1,078)

849

856

(463)

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a  
financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations and arises principally from  
the Group’s customers.

Risk management

Credit risk is managed at a Group level through a credit policy and trade credit insurance, which is carried for the majority of 
Group debtors.

Each new customer is assessed for creditworthiness including external credit risk ratings before the Group’s standard terms 
and conditions are offered.

Purchase limits are established for each customer, which represent the maximum open amount without requiring further 
approval. These limits are reviewed periodically, and credit worthiness is continually monitored. Limits in excess of $150,000 
must be endorsed by the trade credit insurer. Customers that fail to comply with the terms of the Trade Credit Insurance 
Policy or the Group’s benchmark creditworthiness may only transact with the Group on a prepayment basis.

In most cases, goods are sold subject to retention of title clauses and this security is registered on the Personal Property 
Securities Register, so that in the event of non-payment the Group may have a priority claim. Depending upon the Group’s 
assessment of industry or company risk, the Group may require personal guarantees from customer company directors and 
charging clauses over real property.

The ageing of the Group’s trade receivables is analysed in note 8.

69

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements(iii)  Liquidity risk

Nature of the risk

Risk management

Financing arrangements

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations  
as they fall due. The Group’s approach to managing liquidity is to ensure, as far as possible,  
that it will always have sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities when due, under both normal 
and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the 
Group’s reputation.

The Group manages liquidity risk by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash 
flows and matching the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities. Surplus funds are 
generally only invested in instruments that are tradeable in highly liquid markets.

Details of the Group’s borrowings are discussed in note 17. The Group had access to the following undrawn borrowing 
facilities from its bankers at the end of the reporting period:

Floating rate

  Expiring within one year (bank overdraft)

  Expiring beyond one year (loans)

Maturities of financial liabilities

2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

–

3,000

3,925

3,925

5,244

8,244

The tables below analyse the Group’s financial liabilities, including derivative financial instruments, into relevant maturity 
groupings based on the remaining period at the reporting date to the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in 
the table are the contractual undiscounted cash flows.

At 30 June 2017

Trade and other payables

Borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Total

At 30 June 2018

Trade and other payables

Borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Total

Less than 
6 months 
$'000

6–12 
months 
$'000

Between 
1 and 2 
years 
$'000

Between 
2 and 5 
years 
$'000

Total 
contractual 
cash flows 
$'000

Carrying 
amount 
liabilities 
$'000

40,266

1,025

383

41,674

47,731

2,221

(113)

49,839

–

948

–

948

–

6,117

–

6,117

–

1,656

–

1,656

–

33,402

–

33,402

–

–

2,234

29,035

–

–

40,266

37,031

383

77,680

47,731

39,607

(113)

40,266

28,690

287

69,243

47,731

32,696

(93)

2,234

29,035

87,225

81,334

70

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
20  Fair value measurements
(A)  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, trade payables and borrowings approximate their carrying 
amounts due to their short-term nature and the impact of discounting not being significant.

The Group measures and recognises derivative financial assets at fair value on a recurring basis.

AASB 13 requires disclosure of fair value measurements by reference to the following fair value measurement hierarchy:

Level 1

Level 2

Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability,  
either directly (as prices) or indirectly (derived from prices).

Level 3

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

The Group's financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value are as follows:

30 June 2017 

Liabilities

Derivatives financial instruments

Total liabilities

30 June 2018

Assets

Derivatives financial instruments

 Total assets

Level 1 
$’000

Level 2 
$’000

Level 3 
$’000

Total  
$’000

–

–

–

–

(287)

(287)

93

93

–

–

–

–

(287

(287

93

93

The Group recognises transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy as of the end of the reporting period during  
which the transfer has occurred. There were no transfers between levels 1, 2 and 3 for recurring fair value measurements 
during the year.

The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market (for example, derivatives used for hedging) is 
determined using valuation techniques. These valuation techniques maximise the use of observable market data where it is 
available and rely as little as possible on entity specific estimates. All significant inputs required to fair value derivatives used 
for hedging are observable, and hence the instruments are included in level 2. There have been no movements between 
levels during the year ended 30 June 2018.

71

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
Section E: Group structure

This section provides information on the Hills Limited Group structure, including business acquisitions and disposals, 
controlled entities and related parties:

21  Interests in other entities

22  Related party transactions

23  Parent entity financial information

24  Deed of cross guarantee

21  Interests in other entities
(A)  INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES

The controlled entities of the Group listed below were wholly owned during the current and prior year, unless otherwise stated.

Australia

Hills Finance Pty Ltd ▲

Hills Group Operations Pty Ltd ▲ 

Hills Integrated Solutions Pty Ltd ▲

Audio Products Group Pty Ltd ▲

EMG Finance Pty Ltd 

Pacific Communications (PACOM) Pty Ltd 

Pacom Security Pty Ltd ▲

Hills Health Solutions Pty Ltd ▲

New-Tone (Aust) Pty Ltd ▲

T.V. Rentals Pty Ltd ▲

Hospital Telecommunications Pty Ltd ▲

Hills Polymers Pty Ltd ▲

Hills Hoists Pty Ltd ▲

Hills Share Plans Pty Ltd

Step Electronics 2005 Pty Ltd ●

Lan 1 Pty Ltd ▲

Woodroffe Industries Pty Ltd ▲

ACN 091 954 442 Pty Ltd ▲

ACN 099 403 139 Pty Ltd

Zen 99 Pty Ltd ▲

ACN 010 853 817 Pty Ltd ▲

ACN 094 103 090 Pty Ltd ▲

ACN 093 760 895 Pty Ltd

Access Television Services Pty Ltd ▲

ACN 614 478 090 Pty Ltd

72

New Zealand

Hills NZ Limited

▲     These entities are party to a Deed of Cross Guarantee –  

see note 24.

●     50% ownership interest. Step Electronics 2005 Pty Ltd 
is controlled by virtue of the Company’s control of this 
entity’s Board through the Chairman’s casting vote, effective 
management of the entity and exposure to the risks and 
benefits of ownership, or control of voting rights through the 
dilution of the minority shareholders. This is a dormant entity.

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(B)  NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS (NCI)

There is no individual subsidiary that has non-controlling interests that are material to the Group in either the current 
or the prior reporting period.

22  Related party transactions
(A)  PARENT ENTITIES

The parent entity within the Group and the ultimate parent entity is Hills Limited.

(B)  SUBSIDIARIES

Interests in subsidiaries are set out in note 21.

(C)  KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL

2018 
$

2017 
$

Short-term employee benefits (fixed and variable incentive remuneration) 

1,585,791

1,867,106

Post-employment benefits (superannuation)

Long term benefits (cash variable component under the Incentive Share Plan  
and accrued long service leave)

Termination benefits1

Share-based payments (performance rights variable component under the Incentive 
Share Plan and employee share bonus plan expense)

127,521

26,065

178,595

7,850

–

244,697

32,075

40,500

1,771,452

2,338,748

Detailed remuneration disclosures are provided in the Remuneration Report.

(D)  LOANS TO/FROM RELATED PARTIES 

Subsidiaries

Group entity trading transactions and borrowings result in balances arising in respect of current and non-current 
assets and liabilities. At 30 June 2018 the Group current assets and liabilities that were eliminated totalled  
$35.138 million (2017: $32.651 million).

1   Termination payments refer to statutory and legal obligations on cessation of employment.

73

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements(E)  TRANSACTIONS WITH OTHER RELATED PARTIES

The following transactions occurred with related parties:

Transactions with Director related entities

During the year no related party transactions with director related entities took place.

Amounts were billed and payable under normal commercial terms and conditions as a supplier and as a customer. There 
were no other transactions during the reporting period with KMP and their related parties. From time to time, KMP of the 
Company or its controlled entities, or their related entities, may purchase goods or services from Hills or make sales of goods 
or services to Hills. These purchases or sales are on the same terms and conditions as those entered into by Hills employees, 
customers or suppliers and are trivial or domestic in nature.

Subsidiaries

All transactions with partly owned controlled entities are on normal commercial terms and conditions. Transactions with 
controlled entities are determined on a cost basis.

Sales of goods and services

Sales of goods and services within the Group, that eliminated with cost of goods sold 
and services provided amounted to $2.977 million (2017: $3.767 million).

Loans and borrowings

Loans and borrowings with Australian wholly owned controlled entities are interest 
free and payable on demand while loans to or from non-wholly owned subsidiaries and 
overseas wholly controlled entities are charged interest at rates no more favourable 
than current market rates. Intragroup interest paid and received during the year was nil 
(2017: $0.013 million).

Dividends

There were no intragroup dividends paid and received during the year  
(2017: $1.278 million).

74

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements23  Parent entity financial information
(A)  SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The individual financial statements for the parent entity show the following aggregate amounts:

Balance sheet 

Current assets

 Non-current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities

Net assets 

Shareholders' equity

Contributed equity

Reserves

Hedging reserve – cash flow hedges 

Equity compensation reserve

Profits reserve

Retained earnings

Loss for the year

Total comprehensive income

2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

96,204

42,562

96,410

42,496

138,766

138,906

76,743

27,022

103,765

35,001

66,809

32,388

99,197

39,709

278,439

278,439

65

738

(158)

706

32,859

32,859

(277,100)

(272,138)

35,001

39,709

(4,963)

(26,268)

(4,740)

(26,498)

()  GUARANTEES, CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND COMMITMENTS OF THE PARENT ENTITY

Guarantees

Bank guarantees given by the Company in favour of customers and suppliers amounted to $2.466 million 
(2017: $2.778 million).

Cross guarantees are given by the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries as described in note 24. 
Under the terms of the Deed of Cross Guarantee the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries have 
guaranteed the debt in each other's companies.

Contingent 
liabilities

The parent entity had a contingent liability in respect of claims, as disclosed in note 25. For information 
about guarantees given by the parent entity, please see above.

Contractual 
commitments

As at 30 June 2018, the Company had $2.9 million contractual commitments for the acquisition of plant, 
equipment or intangible assets (2017: $2 million). These commitments are not recognised as liabilities as 
the relevant assets have not yet been received.

RECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT 

Parent entity financial information

The financial information for the parent entity has been prepared on the same basis as the consolidated  
financial statements.

75

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements24  Deed of cross guarantee

The wholly owned subsidiaries identified with a ▲ in note 21 are relieved from the Corporations Act 2001 requirements for 
preparation, audit and lodgement of financial reports and Directors’ reports, under ASIC Corporations (Wholly-owned 
Companies) Instrument 2016/785.

The Company and each of these subsidiaries have entered into a Deed of Cross Guarantee (the “Deed”), under which each 
company guarantees the debt of the others. No entities have become a party to the Deed during the reporting period.

Hills Limited is the Holding company and Pacom Security Pty Ltd is the Trustee under the Deed.

The entities identified with a ▲ in note 21 represent a ‘closed group’ for the purposes of the ASIC Instrument, and as there are 
no other parties to the Deed that are controlled by Hills Limited, they also represent the ‘extended closed group’.

Set out below is a consolidated income statement, a consolidated statement of comprehensive income, a summary of 
movements in consolidated retained earnings for the year ended 30 June 2018 and a consolidated statement of financial 
position as at 30 June 2018 of the Company and controlled entities that are a party to the Deed, after eliminating all 
transactions between parties.

(A)   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME  

AND SUMMARY OF MOVEMENTS IN CONSOLIDATED RETAINED EARNINGS

2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

255,360

787

(3,189)

278,512

13,045

(3,295)

(253,299)

(294,363)

(341)

478

137

318

(95)

223

360

(6,101)

–

(6,101)

(328)

98

(230)

(6,331)

(232,923)

(226,822)

137

(6,101)

(232,786)

(232,923)

Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income

Revenue from continuing operations

Other income

Finance costs

Other expenses

Loss before income tax 

Income tax expense

Profit/(Loss) for the year

Other comprehensive income

Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss:

Changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges

Income tax relating to these items

Other comprehensive profit/(loss) for the period, net of tax

Total comprehensive profit/(loss) for the year

Summary of movements in consolidated retained earnings

Accumulated losses at the beginning of the reporting period

Profit/(Loss) for the year

Accumulated losses at the end of the reporting period

76

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements(B)  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Inventories

Derivative financial instruments

Total current assets

Non-current assets

Investments

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Deferred tax assets

Total non-current assets

 Total assets

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Borrowings

Provisions

Derivative financial instruments

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Borrowings

Provisions

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Contributed equity

Reserves

Accumulated losses

Total equity

2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

13,195

55,211

40,903

93

5,921

57,494

42,802

–

109,402

106,217

814

14,433

6,267

10,693

32,207

814

15,884

2,578

10,311

29,587

141,609

135,804

45,877

38,622

6,357

5,985

–

295

9,950

225

58,219

49,092

24,935

3,739

28,674

86,893

54,716

28,395

3,993

32,388

81,480

54,324

278,439

278,439

9,063

8,808

(232,786)

(232,923)

54,716

54,324

77

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSection F: Unrecognised items

This section contains information about items that are not recognised in the financial statements but may have a 
significant impact on the Group’s financial position or performance.

25  Contingencies

26  Commitments

27  Events after the reporting period

25  Contingencies
(A)  CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

The Group had contingent liabilities at 30 June 2018 in respect of:

Claims

In consultation with the Environmental Protection Authority, ground water contamination potentially 
originating from the Company’s former Edwardstown site continues to be monitored by the Company. It is 
anticipated that ongoing monitoring will be required to be undertaken by Hills. The Company has provided 
for the anticipated costs of ongoing assessments.

The Group has various commercial legal claims common to businesses of its type that constitute contingent 
liabilities, none of which are deemed material to the Group's financial position.

The Directors are of the opinion that provisions are not required in respect of these matters, as it is not 
probable that a future outflow of economic benefits will be required.

Guarantees

Bank guarantees in favour of customers and suppliers totalling $2.466 million (2017: $2.778 million). The 
decrease from 30 June 2017 is due to bank guarantees no longer required being cancelled during the year 
ended 30 June 2018.

26  Commitments
(A)  CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

Capital expenditure contracted for at the reporting date but not recognised as liabilities is as follows:

Plant, equipment and intangible assets

2018 
$'000

2017 
$'000

2,931

2,000

78

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements(B)  LEASE COMMITMENTS: GROUP AS LESSEE 

Non-cancellable operating leases

The Group leases a number of office, warehouse and factory facilities under operating leases.

The leases run for a period from 1 to 7 years with the majority running for a period of 3 to 5 years, with options to renew  
the lease after that date. Lease payments are increased each renewal period to reflect market rentals.

Some leases provide for additional rent payments that are based on changes in the consumer price index, local capital  
city consumer price indices or a fixed percentage.

The Group also leases motor vehicles and materials handling equipment under operating leases.

Commitments for minimum lease payments in relation to non-cancellable operating leases are payable as follows:

Within one year

Later than one year but not later than five years

Later than five years

(C)  LEASE COMMITMENTS: WHERE A GROUP COMPANY IS THE LESSOR 

The future minimum lease payments receivable under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Within one year

Later than one year but not later than five years

RECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT 

Leases

2018 
$’000

6,579

11,526

2,159

2017 
$’000

6,312

9,289

–

20,264

15,601

2018 
$’000

150

150

2017 
$’000

104

78

182

Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are not transferred to the Group as lessee are 
classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) are 
charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

27  Events after the reporting period

There have been no events subsequent to balance date that would have a material effect on the Group’s financial statements 
at 30 June 2018.

79

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSection G: Other

This section contains disclosures required for the Group to comply with the accounting standards and other 
pronouncements, the Corporations Act 2001 or the Corporations Regulations but are not considered to be significant in 
understanding the financial position or performance of the Group:

28  Share-based payments

29  Remuneration of auditors

30  Other accounting policies

28  Share–based payments
(A)  EXECUTIVE SHARE OPTIONS

All executive share options were forfeited or cancelled during the previous reporting period.

(B)  EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE RIGHTS

In 2010, the Group established the Incentive Share Plan. The Incentive Share Plan was designed to provide long term 
incentives to eligible senior employees of the Group and entitled them to acquire shares in the Company, subject to the 
successful achievement of performance hurdles related to earnings per share (EPS) and total shareholder returns (TSR). 
Details of performance rights under the Incentive Share Plan are as follows:

Expiry 

date

Exercise 
price

Balance at 
start of the 
year

Granted 
during 
the 
year

Exercised 
during 
the 
year

Forfeited/ 
cancelled 
during 
the year

Balance 
at the 
end of 
the year

Vested& 
exercisable 
at the end of 
the year

Number

Number

Number

Number

Number

Number

Grant 

date

2017

Performance Rights

27 Feb 2015

30 Jun 2017

1 Sep 2016

1 Sep 2017

1 Sep 2016

1 Sep 2018

Total

2018

Performance Rights

1 Sep 2016

1 Sep 2017

1 Sep 2016

1 Sep 2018

31 Jul 2017

30 Jun 2020

Total

–

–

–

–

–

–

83,608

–

–

–

100,000

100,000

83,608

200,000

–

–

–

–

(83,608)

–

–

–

100,000

100,000

(83,608)

200,000

100,000

100,000

–

200,000

–

–

159,152

159,152

(100,000)

–

(31,830)

(131,830)

–

–

–

–

–

100,000

127,322

227,322

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Fair value of performance rights granted

The fair value assessed in accordance with AASB 2 Share Based Payments at grant date of performance rights granted  
on 1 September 2016 was 34.0 cents per performance right, based on the quoted share price at grant.

80

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
The fair value of performance rights granted on 27 Feb 2015 was assessed as 52.0 cents per performance right for the 
performance rights subject to market hurdles and 77.0 cents per performance right for the performance rights subject to 
non-market hurdles. The fair value at grant date was independently determined using a Black Scholes methodology for the 
non-market hurdles and a Monte Carlo valuation methodology for the market hurdles, that took into account the exercise 
price, the expected life and vesting period of the performance right, the share price at grant date and expected price 
volatility of the underlying shares, the expected dividend yield and the risk-free interest rate for the term of the performance 
rights. The model inputs for the valuation of performance rights granted during the year ended 30 June 2015 included:

Exercise price

Life

$0.00

2.3 years

Grant date (for Accounting Standards)

27 February 2015

Expiry date

Share price at grant

Expected price volatility

 Expected dividend yield

Risk free interest rate

30 June 2017

$0.88

40%

5.7%

1.8%

(C)  EXPENSES ARISING FROM SHARE–BASED PAYMENT TRANSACTIONS

Total expense/(credit) arising from share-based payment transactions recognised during the period as part of  
employee benefit expense were as follows:

Performance rights issued under Incentive Share Plan

2018 
$’000

2017 
$’000

32

36

81

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statementsRECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT 

Share-based payments

Share based compensation benefits are provided to employees via the Incentive Share Plan – see below:

Incentive Share Plan

The Incentive Share Plan allows Group executives to acquire shares of the Company.

The fair value of performance rights granted under the Incentive Share Plan is recognised as an employee benefits 
expense with a corresponding increase in equity. The total amount to be expensed is determined by reference to the fair 
value of the performance rights granted, measured at the grant date, which includes any market performance conditions 
and the impact of any non-vesting conditions but includes the probability of meeting any service and non-market 
performance vesting conditions.

The valuation method takes into account the exercise price of the performance right, the life of the performance right, the 
current price of the underlying shares, the expected volatility of the share price, the dividends expected of the shares and 
the risk-free interest rate for the life of the performance right.

Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number of rights that are expected to vest. The 
total expense is recognised over the vesting period, which is the period over which all of the specified vesting conditions 
are to be satisfied. At the end of each period, the entity revises its estimates of the number of rights that are expected to 
vest based on the non-market vesting conditions. It recognises the impact of the revision to original estimates, if any, in 
profit or loss, with a corresponding adjustment to equity. No change is made for changes in market conditions.

82

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements29  Remuneration of auditors

During the year the following fees were paid or payable for services provided by the auditor of the Company, its related 
practices and non-related audit firms:

KPMG audit and non-audit services 

Audit and other assurance services

KPMG Australia – audit and review of the financial statements 

Overseas KPMG firms – audit and review of the financial statements

Total remuneration for audit and other assurance services 

KPMG Australia – other assurance services

Total remuneration for audit and other assurance services

Taxation services

KPMG Australia – taxation and other services

Overseas KPMG firms – taxation services

Total remuneration for taxation services

Other services

Other consulting services

Total remuneration for other services

Total remuneration of KPMG

2018 
$

2017 
$

219,000

298,000

40,000

42,223

259,000

340,223

–

165,000

259,000

505,223

16,000

78,238

4,390

3,967

20,390

82,250

7,250

7,250

12,816

12,816

286,640

600,244

83

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements30  Other accounting policies
(A)  NEW AND AMENDED STANDARDS ADOPTED BY THE GROUP

The Group has not applied any new accounting standards and amendments for the first time for the annual reporting  
period commencing 30 June 2018.

(B)  EARLY ADOPTION OF STANDARDS

The Group has not elected to early adopt any new accounting standards and amendments.

(C)  NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND INTERPRETATIONS NOT YET ADOPTED

Certain new accounting standards and interpretations have been published that are not mandatory for 30 June 2018 
reporting periods and have not been early adopted by the Group. The Group's assessment of the impact of these new 
standards and interpretations is set out below. 

Title

Effective date 
(reporting periods 
beginning on or after…)

Details

AASB 9

1 January 2018

Financial 
Instruments

 (early adoption 
permitted) 
Hills Group: Applicable 
for the year ending 
30 June 2019

This standard will change the classification and measurement of financial 
instruments, introduce new hedge accounting requirements including changes 
to hedge effectiveness testing, treatment of hedging costs, risk components 
that can be hedged and disclosures, and introduce a new expected-loss 
impairment model that will require more timely recognition of expected  
credit losses.

The Group has completed a preliminary assessment of the requirements of the 
standard and expects that there will not be a significant impact on the financial 
statements on transition to AASB 9.

(i) Classification and measurement

The Group does not expect any impact on its balance sheet or equity on 
applying the classification and measurement requirements of AASB 9. Financial 
assets currently held at fair value will continue to be measured at fair value. 
Trade and other receivables are held to collect contractual cash flows and these 
contractual cash flows are solely payments of principle and interest. These 
receivables will be measured at amortised cost.

(ii) Impairment

It is expected that the revised methodology for calculation of impairment will 
not have a significant impact on the financial statements. The Group will use the 
simplified approach to determining the expected credit loss provision.

(iii) Hedge accounting

As permitted by AASB 9 the group has chosen to continue to apply the hedge 
accounting requirements of AASB 139 Financial Instruments: Recognition  
and Measurement.

The Group will adopt AASB 9 from 1 July 2018. The transition approach to be 
applied on adoption of AASB 9 has not yet been determined as it is dependent 
on the Group finalising its assessment.

84

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statementsTitle

Effective date 
(reporting periods 
beginning on or after…)

Details

AASB 15

1 January 2018

Revenue 
from 
Contracts 
with 
Customers

(early adoption 
permitted)

Hills Group: Applicable 
for the year ending  
30 June 2019

AASB 16

1 January 2019

Leases

(early adoption 
permitted)

Hills Group: Applicable 
for the year ending  
30 June 2020

The standard outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in 
accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The core 
principle is that an entity recognises revenue to depict the transfer of promised 
goods and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration  
to which the entity expects to be entitled to receive.

The Group is continuing its analysis and assessment of the impact of AASB 15 
on its financial results. The preliminary assessment has included an analysis 
of the specific requirements of the standard and the consideration of material 
contracts entered into by the Group that give rise to revenue.

Sale of goods represent around 83% of total revenue. Product sales include 
a number of variable considerations such as discounts, rebates and rights of 
return, which may change the way that revenue is recognised under AASB 15.

Services revenue represents around 17% of total revenue. Revenue recognition for 
contracts within the Hills Health Solutions division may be impacted because of 
timing differences between invoicing and the delivery of performance obligations.

The new standard also introduces expanded disclosure requirements and 
changes in presentation. These are expected to change the nature and extent of 
the Group's disclosures about its revenue from contracts with the customer and 
associated assets, particularly in the year of the adoption of the new standard.

The transition approach to be applied on adoption of AASB 15 has not yet been 
determined as it is dependent on the Group finalising its assessment.

This standard introduces a single lessee accounting model that eliminates the 
requirement for leases to be classified as operating or finance leases. The main 
changes introduced by the new standard include:

a) 

 Recognition of a right-to-use asset and liability for all leases (excluding short 
term leases with less than 12 months of tenure)

b)    Deprecation of right-to-use assets in-line with AASB 116 Property, plant and 
equipment in profit or loss and unwinding of the liability in principal and 
interest components;

c)  

 Additional disclosure requirements. 
The Group leases property, motor vehicles and materials handling 
equipment under operating leases, the accounting for which will be affected 
by AASB 16. It is expected that this change will have a material impact on the 
balance sheet particularly via the recognition of the respective right-of-use 
asset and corresponding liability. 
It is not practicable to provide a reasonable estimate of the financial effect 
until a full assessment of the potential impact is completed by the Group. 
Details of the Group’s operating lease commitments at 30 June 2018 are 
shown in note 26.

85

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements(D)  GOODS AND SERVICES TAX (GST)

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of associated GST, unless the GST incurred is not 
recoverable from the taxation authority. In this case it is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part  
of the expense.

Receivables and payables are stated inclusive of the amount of GST receivable or payable. The net amount of GST 
recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority is included with other receivables or payables in the consolidated 
statement of financial position.

Cash flows are presented on a gross basis. The GST components of cash flows arising from investing or financing activities 
that are recoverable from, or payable to the taxation authority, are presented as operating cash flows.

86

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
Directors’ declaration

In the opinion of the Directors of Hills Limited (the Company):

(a)   the consolidated financial statements and notes set out on pages 29 to 86 and the Remuneration Report on  

pages 18 to 27 are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including:

(i) 

 complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001; and

(ii)   giving a true and fair view of the Group's financial position as at 30 June 2018 and of its performance for the 

financial year ended on that date; and

(b)   there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company will be able to pay its debts as and when they become 

due and payable; and

(c)   there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company and the Group Entities identified in note 21 will be 

able to meet any obligations or liabilities to which they are, or may become, subject to by virtue of the Deed of 
Cross Guarantee between the Company and those Group Entities pursuant to ASIC Corporations (Wholly-owned 
Companies) Instrument 2016/785.

Section A of the notes confirms that the consolidated financial statements also comply with International Financial 
Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

The Directors have been given the declarations by the Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, and Chief Financial 
Officer required by section 295A of the Corporations Act 2001.

This declaration is made in accordance with a resolution of the Directors.

Jennifer Hill-Ling 
Director 

Sydney 
27 August 2018

Philip Bullock AO 
Director

87

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018    
 
Independent Auditor’s Report 

To the shareholders of Hills Limited 

Report on the audit of the Financial Report 

Opinion 

We have audited the Financial Report of 
Hills Limited (the Company). 

In our opinion, the accompanying Financial 
Report of the Company is in accordance 
with the Corporations Act 2001,  including: 

•  giving a true and fair view of the 

Group's financial position as at 30 
June 2018 and of its financial 
performance for the year ended on 
that date; and 

The Financial Report comprises: 

•  Consolidated statement of financial position as at 30 

June 2018; 

•  Consolidated statement of profit or loss, Consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income, Consolidated 
statement of changes in equity, and Consolidated 
statement of cash flows for the year then  ended; 
•  Notes including a summary of significant accounting 

policies; and 

•  Directors' Declaration. 

•  complying with Australian Accounting 
Standards and the Corporations 
Regulations 2001. 

The Group consists of the Hills Limited (the Company) and 
the entities it controlled at the year end or from time to 
time during the financial year. 

Basis for opinion 

We  conducted  our  audit  in  accordance  with  Australian  Auditing  Standards.  We  believe  that  the  audit 
evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit 
of the Financial Report section of our report. 

We are independent of the Group in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 and the ethical requirements 
of  the  Accounting  Professional  and  Ethical  Standards  Board’s  APES  110  Code  of  Ethics  for  Professional 
Accountants (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the Financial Report in Australia. We have fulfilled 
our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code. 

Key Audit Matter 

The Key Audit Matters we identified are: 

•  Valuation of inventories; and 

•  Revenue cut-off. 

Key Audit Matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our 
audit of the Financial Report of the current period. 

These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the Financial Report as a whole, and in 
forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. 

KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG 
network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG 
International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. 

Liability limited by a scheme approved under 
Professional Standards Legislation. 

95 

88

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Valuation of inventories 

Inventories $44.043 million – Note 9 

The key audit matter 

How the matter was addressed in our audit 

At 30 June 2018, the group held inventory 
with a net carrying value of $44.043 
million. 

The audit of the carrying value of 
inventory is a key audit matter due to the 
extent of judgement involved in 
determining the recoverable value, 
particularly in relation to slow moving, 
obsolete or excessive inventory. 

The Group has a broad range of 
technology products that are at risk of 
being superseded by technological 
advances or have been sourced under 
specific distribution arrangements, or for a 
specific customer, which increases the 
amount of judgement required in 
assessing the carrying value of inventory. 

Our procedures included: 

•  Assessing the appropriateness of the Group's policies for 
the valuation of inventory against the requirements of the 
accounting standards. 

• 

• 

Examining the processes, and testing controls, relating to 
inventory movements, standard costing and the application 
of the inventory valuation policy. 

Attending year-end stocktakes in significant locations which 
included observing the process of identifying slow moving 
and potentially obsolete inventory. 

•  Obtaining management's calculation for the inventory 

obsolescence provision, including the ageing of inventory, 
and assessing it against the Group's accounting policies, 
sales trends, analysis of slow moving inventory and future 
usage estimates. 

• 

• 

Analysing the future selling price and resulting gross margin 
for inventory items to identify evidence of negative or 
declining gross margins and comparing to the inventory 
obsolescence provision. 

Assessing the level of provision in light of our 
understanding of the business, and knowledge of the 
industry in which the Group operates. 

Revenue cut-off 

Revenue $271.781 million – Note 2 

The key audit matter 

How the matter was addressed in our audit 

For the year ended 30 June 2018, total 
revenue for the Group from continuing 
operations was $271.781 million. 

The Group derived revenue from two  
main sources, being the sale of goods and 
provision of services. 

The audit of revenue cut-off is a key audit 
matter due to the high number of 
transactions, and the judgement involved 
in recording revenue in the appropriate 
financial period. This includes 
consideration of when the risks and 
rewards of ownership have been 
transferred to the buyer for the sale of 
goods, or in proportion to the stage of 
completion for services rendered. 

Our procedures included: 

•  Assessing the appropriateness of the Group's policies for 
the recognition of revenue against the requirements of the 
accounting standards. 

• 

• 

Testing controls with respect to matching of sales invoices 
to goods delivery notes and sales orders. 

Sample testing significant sales recorded pre and post 
balance date to check they had been recorded in the correct 
financial period. 

•  Obtaining and assessing the appropriateness of 

management’s adjustment for sales invoiced, but not 
delivered by balance date. 

• 

Sample testing sales recorded on a percentage of 
completion basis to obtain evidence that revenue has been 
recognised based on the progress of the project. 

96 

89

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Information 

Other  Information  is  financial  and  non-financial  information  in  Hills  Limited’s  annual  reporting  which  is 
provided in addition to the Financial Report and the Auditor’s Report. The Directors are responsible for the 
Other Information. 

Our  opinion  on  the  Financial  Report  does  not  cover  the  Other  Information  and,  accordingly,  we  do  not 
express  an  audit  opinion  or  any  form  of  assurance  conclusion  thereon,  with  the  exception  of  the 
Remuneration Report and our related assurance opinion. 

In connection with our audit of the Financial Report, our responsibility is to read the Other Information. In 
doing so, we consider whether the Other Information is materially inconsistent with the Financial Report or 
our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. 

We are required to report if we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this Other Information, 
and based on the work we have performed on the Other Information that we obtained prior to the date of 
this Auditor’s Report we have nothing to report. 

Responsibilities of the Directors for the Financial Report 

The Directors are responsible for: 

• 

• 

• 

preparing the Financial Report that gives a true and fair view in accordance with Australian Accounting 
Standards and the Corporations Act 2001 
implementing necessary internal control to enable the preparation of a Financial Report that gives a true 
and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or  error 
assessing the Group and Company's ability to continue as a going concern and whether the use of the 
going concern basis of accounting is appropriate. This includes disclosing, as applicable, matters related 
to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend to liquidate 
the Group and Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the Financial Report 

Our objective is: 

• 

• 

to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the Financial Report as a whole is 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 Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. 

Misstatements can arise from fraud or error. They 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 the 
Financial Report. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the Financial Report is located at the Auditing and 
Assurance  Standards  Board  website  at:  http://www.auasb.gov.au/auditors_responsibilities/ar1.pdf.  This 
description forms part of our Auditor’s Report. 

90

97 

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Report on the Remuneration Report 

Opinion 

Directors’ responsibilities 

In  our  opinion,  the  Remuneration  Report  of 
Hills Limited for the year ended 30 June 2018, 
complies  with  Section 
the 
Corporations Act 2001. 

300A 

of 

The  Directors  of  the  Company  are  responsible  for  the 
preparation  and  presentation  of  the  Remuneration 
Report 
the 
Corporations Act 2001. 

in  accordance  with  Section  300A  of 

Our responsibilities 

We  have  audited  the  Remuneration  Report  included  in 
the Directors’ report for the year ended 30 June 2018. 

Our  responsibility  is  to  express  an  opinion  on  the 
Remuneration Report, based on our audit conducted in 
accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. 

KPMG 

Paul Cenko 
Partner 

Adelaide 

27 August 2018 

98 

91

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholder information

The shareholder information set out below was applicable as at 11 July 2018.

Distribution of equity securities

Analysis of numbers of ordinary shareholders by size of holding:

Size of holding

1–1000

1,001–5,000

5,001–10,000

10,001–100,000

100,001 and over

Number of holders

3,838

5,279

2,170

2,168

237

There were 6,476 holders of less than a marketable parcel of ordinary shares.

Twenty largest shareholders

The names of the 20 largest holders of ordinary shares are listed below:

Name

Number of shares

% of shares issued

16,768,441

16,550,845

6,891,872

5,868,699

4,676,510

3,650,042

3,434,198

3,200,000

3,100,345

2,676,153

2,609,826

2,156,565

2,103,530

2,100,000

2,000,000

1,600,000

1,435,000

1,377,501

1,303,750

1,208,298

7.23

7.13

2.97

2.53

2.02

1.57

1.48

1.38

1.34

1.15

1.13

0.93

0.91

0.91

0.86

0.69

0.62

0.59

0.56

0.52

Hills Associates Limited

Poplar Pty Ltd

Mr Peter J Roach

Jacaranda Pastoral Pty Ltd

Mr Gregory V Shalit

Greybox Holdings Pty Ltd

Hart Capital Partners

Mr John R Homewood

Realindex Investments

Dimensional Fund Advisors

Mr James A Middleweek

Norges Bank Investment Mgt

Mr & Mrs Alan R Bignell

AcomeA

Mr Leonard A Milner

Mrs Leora Shamgar

Mr Gregory V Shalit & Ms Miriam Faine

Mr John Gassner

Mr & Mrs Joseph Zanca

Mr Jack G Mordes & Ms Leanne J Howard

92

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018 
Shareholder information

Substantial holders

Substantial holders in the Company are set out below:

Name 

Poplar Pty Ltd1

Hills Associates Limited

Voting rights

Number 
held

% of shares 
issued

17,775,724

16,768,441

7.66

7.23

The voting rights attaching to each class of equity securities are set out below:

Ordinary shares

On a show of hands every member present at a meeting in 
person or by proxy shall have one vote and upon a poll each 
share shall have one vote.

Rights/options

No voting rights.

On-market buyback

There is no current on-market buyback in place.

Direct payment to shareholder accounts

Dividends may be paid directly to bank, building society or credit union accounts in Australia. Payments are electronically 
credited on the dividend date and confirmed by mailed payment advice. Shareholders who want their dividends paid this  
way should advise the Company’s share register in writing.

Securities exchange

The Company is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. The home exchange is Sydney.

1   The total number of shares held includes the joint shareholding held by Poplar Pty Ltd and Hills Associates Limited and the 

shareholding held by Ling Nominees Pty Ltd.

93

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Corporate directory

Registered office

Unit 1, Building F, 3-29 Birnie Avenue, Lidcombe, NSW 2141 

Telephone: (02) 9216 5510

Facsimile: (02) 9216 5999

 Web: http://www.hills.com.au

Executives

David John Joseph Lenz, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director

Christopher Stuart Jacka, Chief Financial Officer

Non-executive directors

Jennifer Helen Hill-Ling

Fiona Rosalyn Vivienne Bennett 

Philip Bullock AO

Kenneth James Dwyer

Company secretary

David Robert Fox

Share registry

Link Market Services Limited

Locked Bag A14, Sydney South, NSW 1235, Australia

Telephone

•  Australia: +61 1300 554 474 

Facsimile

•  Australia and International: +61 2 9287 0303 

ASX code: HIL

Email: registrars@linkmarketservices.com.au 

Web: www.linkmarketservices.com.au

94

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018Notes

95

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018For the year ended 30 June 2018Notes

96

Hills Limited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2018Hills LimitedFor the year ended 30 June 2018H

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Hills Limited

Registered Office
Unit 1, Building F
3-29 Birnie Avenue
Lidcombe NSW 2141

t + 61 2 9216 5510
f + 61 2 9216 5999
e   info@hills.com.au
w   hills.com.au 

ABN 35 007 573 417

hills.com.au