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Hill & Smith

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FY2012 Annual Report · Hill & Smith
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Annual Report for the year 
ended 31 December 2012

Front Cover

Top Galvanizing of a pedestrian escalator subframe structure 
at Joseph Ash Chesterfield in its 15.2 metre galvanizing bath, 
the second largest in the UK.

Middle Varioguard in use at Hammersmith flyover.

Bottom Asset International ltd, provided a 10,000m3 
Weholite attenuation tank and 300 metres of associated 
pipework in 2.1 metre nominal diameter, to help improve 
river and bathing water quality in Irvine and Kilmarnock, 
Scotland.

Contents
Overview

3  
4  
5 
6 
8 
10 

Our Strategy
Our International Operations
Our Performance
Our Sectors
Measuring Our Performance
Principal Risks and Uncertainties

Business Review

14  
16  
16 
20 
24 

Chairman’s Statement
Review of 2012
Operational Review
Financial Review
Corporate Social Responsibility

Governance

Board of Directors and Key Executives
Chairman’s Introduction

30  
32 
33   Governance Report
43   Audit Committee Report
45  
48 
56   Directors’ Report (other statutory information)
58   Directors’ Responsibilities

Remuneration Committee Report
Directors’ Remuneration Report

Financial Statements

Independent Auditor’s Report
Group Financial Statements

60 
61 
103  Company Financial Statements
111  Five Year Summary
112  Financial Calendar

Other Information

114   Shareholder Information
115   Group Subsidiaries
118  Other Information

Forward Looking Statement

This annual report contains forward looking statements which are 
made in good faith based on the information available at the time of 
its approval.

It is believed that the expectations reflected in these statements 
are reasonable but they may be affected by a number of risks and 
uncertainties that are inherent in any forward looking statement which 
could cause actual results to differ from those currently anticipated.

See further information 
online: hsholdings.com

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

1

We are an international group with leading positions in the 
supply of infrastructure products and galvanizing services to 
global markets. Through a focus on strong positions in niche 
markets we aim to consistently deliver strong returns and 
shareholder value.

We operate from facilities in Australia, China, France, India, 
Sweden, Thailand, the UK and the USA.

Reasons to invest

 › Resilience and opportunities through product and international 

diversification 

 › Well financed to pursue organic and acquisitive growth

 › Organic revenue growth of 7.4% in 2012

 › Strong cash generation

 › Dividends central to the strategy and total shareholder return ethos

Our ten year track record

Dividends (pence per share) 

9.20

7.50

7.80

6.80

5.70

5.10

4.20

3.40

2.45

2.75

2.15

2.25

2.60

3.00

3.60

4.30

4.70

2.4

2.1

5.20

5.40

5.80

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Varioguard temporary road barrier in use for the M25 carriageway widening for junctions 16 to 23.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

3

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Active portfolio management
Our strategic objective is to develop more substantial businesses 
in each of our chosen sectors through both organic and acquisitive 
growth. This, consequently, leads us to continually examine the 
smaller and lower performing units within the portfolio. 

Our acquisition strategy is to buy businesses in markets we understand 
through our existing activities. The majority of targets are likely to be 
privately owned. We will also look at acquiring distressed businesses 
in the UK which complement our existing operations and therefore 
enable us to consolidate our market position. This in turn will allow 
us, in some instances, to develop our smaller business units into 
larger and more dominant market players. Overseas acquisitions 
must have a high quality existing management team in place and a 
proven earnings stream as it is more demanding to manage distressed 
businesses effectively from a distance. 

We will continue to dispose of or rationalise operations that are 
either non-core to the market strategy set out above, or incapable of 
achieving our target returns, or insufficiently cash generative. 

Entrepreneurial culture
We encourage an entrepreneurial culture in our business through a 
decentralised management structure. We provide our management 
teams the freedom to run and grow their own businesses supported 
by the resources available through being part of a larger group, whilst 
adhering to the levels of governance and controls appropriate for a 
quoted company.  This culture ensures that decisions are made close 
to the market and that our businesses are agile and responsive to 
changes in their competitive environment.

The group’s 
product and 
geographical 
diversification 
provides resilience 
and opportunities 
for future growth

Our Strategy

Balanced profitable growth
Our strategy is to deliver balanced profitable growth through the 
supply of Infrastructure Products and Galvanizing Services. Our 
objective is to deliver at least mid, single-digit balanced organic 
revenue growth which, combined with selective acquisitions, will 
deliver growth in earnings per share. A strong focus on cash generation 
supports this growth strategy and enables a progressive dividend 
policy.

In the Infrastructure Products division, our focus is on businesses 
which supply into the Utilities and Roads markets, both of which enjoy 
long term growth dynamics. Our businesses have niche positions, high 
margins and provide us with access to global markets. 

In Utilities, our focus is on the power generation, oil and gas and 
water sectors, capitalising primarily on the growing demand for new 
power generation in emerging markets and the replacement of ageing 
infrastructure in developed economies.

In Roads, we will continue to strengthen our position as an 
international supplier of road safety products into markets with strong 
infrastructure spend and regulatory controls, leveraging our products 
developed to European and US standards.

In the Galvanizing Services division, which serves external customers 
as well as our own Infrastructure Products businesses, we are focused 
on our existing geographies of the UK, USA and France. Growth will be 
Delivery
achieved through increasing our geographical footprint in the USA and 
through potential consolidation opportunities in the UK and France.

›

Geographic diversification
Our target was for operating profit from manufacturing plants located 
overseas to reach 75% by 2013 and then to remain at or close to this 
level; this target was exceeded in 2012. Our overall geographic mix 
will be dictated by a focus on further growth in emerging markets, 
whilst recognising that opportunities still exist in our major developed 
markets of the UK and USA. 

We also aim to continue to reduce our dependence on UK Government 
spend, now at 11% of group revenue compared to 24% in 2010. As our 
focus is on international growth, this percentage is now likely to remain 
stable despite the anticipated recovery in UK roads investment in 2013.

Target returns and leverage
Operating margins are an integral measure of the group’s success 
and one which we will continue to drive for improvement. Improved 
product mix and value-added customer-focused solutions, as well as 
high levels of operational efficiency, are important drivers of operating 
margin improvement.

Our target operating margin for a business unit is 10%, although 
a lower margin profile may be acceptable if that business’s return 
on capital employed (ROCE) is above 20%. A period of grace will be 
granted to business units which can demonstrate a plan for margin 
improvement to the targeted level.

We aim to create value by consistently exceeding this 20% benchmark 
for ROCE. There is currently an increased focus across the group for 
all individual business units to improve working capital and ROCE, 
particularly through effective management of working capital 
employed.

We aim to operate with an efficient balance sheet by maintaining 
debt at between 1.5 and 2.0 times EBITDA, which in turn allows 
us to complement balanced organic growth with value enhancing 
acquisitions.

4

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Overview

Our International Operations

Percentage of £440.7m revenue shown 
by end market geography

Percentage of £44.0m underlying operating 
profit shown by location of the operating site

UK - 24%

Europe - 25%

N America - 50%

ROW - 1%

UK - 45%

Europe - 23%

N America - 26%

M East - 2%

Asia - 2%

ROW - 2%

Where we operate

Australia – new office in Queensland for the development of 
our wire rope and safety barrier products. 

Sweden – location of ATA Bygg-och Markprodukter AB, the road 
safety barrier and signage business.

China – manufacturing and trading facilities located in the 
Jiangsu province for the further expansion of our pipe supports 
business.

. 

France – the location of France Galva and Conimast where we 
have ten galvanizing plants and a lighting column business.

India – new manufacturing facility for pipe supports and 
also offices for development of our Hill & Smith infrastructure 
products business.

Thailand – location of part of our pipe supports manufacturing 
capability, where we have plants near Bangkok.

UK – head office and various group site locations covering our 
main infrastructure products businesses and network of UK 
galvanizing plants.

USA – our V&S galvanizing and utilities plants are situated on 
the east coast along with the Bergen and Carpenter & Paterson 
pipe supports businesses and the fibre reinforced composite 
profiles business, Creative Pultrusions. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

5

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Our Performance - 2012

 › Revenue growth of 8.5% with strong performances from both Infrastructure Products and 

Galvanizing Services.

 › Underlying profit before tax up 8.0%.

 › 76% of profits generated from overseas operations, including 50% from the USA, one year 

ahead of plan.

 › Significant £17.0m reduction in net debt (down to £86.8m).

 › Dividend increased by 13.6%.

Revenue

Underlying* operating profit

Underlying* profit before tax

Profit before tax

Underlying* earnings per share

Basic earnings per share

Dividend per share

Net debt

2012

2011

Change %

£440.7m £406.2m
£41.5m

£44.0m

£40.4m

£35.2m

£37.4m

£25.4m

38.8p

33.9p

15.0p

34.5p

20.9p

13.2p

£86.8m £103.8m

+ 8.5

+ 6.0

+ 8.0

+ 38.6

+ 12.5

+ 62.2

+ 13.6

Revenue  

Underlying operating 
profit 

Dividend per share

Underlying earnings per 
share 

£440.7m up 8.5%

£44.0m up 6.0%

15.0p up 13.6%

38.8p up 12.5%

.

m
8
9
1
4
£

.

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7
9
8
3
£

.

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2
4
7
3
£

.

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7
0
4
4
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2
6
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4
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.

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4
7
4
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9
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4
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.

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0
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5
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.

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2
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1

.

p
7
2
1

.

p
0
5
1

.

p
3
8
3

.

p
0
9
3

.

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8
8
3

.

p
5
4
3

.

p
2
2
3

.

p
5
1
1

.

p
0
0
1

2008

2009 2010

2011 2012

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

2008

2009 2010 2011 2012

2008

2009 2010 2011 2012

* All underlying profit measures exclude certain non-operational items, which are as defined in the section of the financial statements headed “group accounting policies” on page 71. References 
to an underlying profit measure throughout this annual report are made on this basis.

 
6

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Overview

Our Sectors

2012 Revenue of £440.7m - by segment

Infrastructure - 73%

Roads - 26%

Utilities - 47%

£319.8m 

Galvanizing - 27%

£120.9m 

Infrastructure Products

Performance

For the core markets of Roads and Utilities – supplying products 
and services such as permanent and temporary road safety 
barriers, fencing, overhead sign gantries, street lighting columns, 
bridge parapets, glass reinforced plastic railway platforms, variable 
road messaging solutions, traffic data collection systems, plastic 
drainage pipes and pipe supports for the power and liquefied 
natural gas markets, energy grid components and security fencing.

Operating from subsidiaries in Australia, China, France, India, 
Sweden, Thailand, the UK and the USA.

 ›

 ›

 ›

Operating in international territories with the prospect of 
sustained long term investment in infrastructure.

Focused on engineered products for the roads and utilities 
markets.

Accounts for 73% (2011: 68%) of the group’s revenue and 43% 
(2011: 48%) of the group’s underlying operating profit.

Revenue 
£319.8m 
up 16%

Underlying operating profit 
£18.7m 
down 6%

.

m
1
6
7
2
£

.

m
8
9
1
3
£

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m
9
9
1
£

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7
8
1
£

2011

2012

2011

2012

Galvanizing Services

Performance

Providing zinc and other coating services for a wide range of 
products including fencing, lighting columns, structural steelwork, 
bridges, agricultural and other products for the infrastructure and 
construction markets.

Services are delivered from a network of galvanizing operations in 
France, the USA and the UK.

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

Geographical diversity - France 10 plants; UK 9 plants; USA 6 
plants.

Strong market positions in the chosen territories and with a 
reputation for service and quality.

Accounts for 27% (2011: 29%) of the group’s revenue and 
57% (2011: 52%) of the group’s underlying operating profit.

Total volume of production from all plants, 409,000 tonnes in 
2012, up 5.4%.

Revenue 
£120.9m 
up 2%

.

m
9
0
2
1
£

.

m
5
8
1
1
£

Underlying operating profit  
£25.3m 
up 17%

.

m
3
5
2
£

.

m
6
1
2
£

Note: The group’s revenue for 2011 also included £11.6m (3%) for the Building and Construction segment.

2011

2012

2011

2012

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

7

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

2012 Underlying Operating Profit of £44.0m - by segment

Infrastructure - 43%

Roads - 12%

Utilities - 31%

£18.7m 

Galvanizing - 57%

£25.3m 

Roads

Utilities

Revenue 
£114.1m 
up 5%

.

m
1
4
1
1
£

.

m
1
9
0
1
£

Underlying operating profit 
£5.3m 
down 37%

Revenue 
£205.7m 
up 23%

Underlying operating profit 
£13.4m 
up 17%

m
4
8
£

.

m
3
5
£

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2
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£

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

Galvanizing volumes in tonnes (+5.4% year on year)

USA : 123,500 tonnes

France : 139,000 tonnes

UK : 146,500 tonnes

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

Volume increase ▲ 16%  
(H1▲21%; H2▲12%).

All plants exceeding 2008 volumes.

Transmission poles, bridges and solar 
volumes strong.

Significant productivity gains, 
profitability up 34%. 

 ›

 ›

 ›

Volume decrease ▼ 1%  
(H1 flat; H2▼3%).

12 month contract for transmission 
poles assisted volumes by 6%.

Higher energy and social employment 
costs adversely impacted profitability.

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

Volume increase ▲ 4%  
(H1▲6%; H2▲2%).

Q1 internal volumes strong.

Contract for Beauly to Denny  
transmission towers, 6500 tonnes 
through to 2013.

Markets for structural steel, waste 
to energy plants and car parks have 
improved.

8

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Overview

Measuring Our Performance

The board has adopted certain financial and non-financial key performance indicators. Other similar performance indicators are used at subsidiary 
business level and adapted to suit the diversity and variety of the group’s operations.

The group uses a number of performance indicators to measure operational and financial activity in the business. Most of these are monitored 
and reviewed on a weekly or monthly basis. A comprehensive monthly management accounts pack, including profit and loss statements and 
key ratios, is prepared for each business. In addition, every managing director in the group submits a monthly report which is the basis of regular 
operational meetings.

The key performance indicators (KPIs) below are used as measures of the longer-term health of the business and for monitoring progress in the 
implementation of the group’s strategy.

 KPIs

Link to our strategy

Total revenue  
growth

Underlying  
operating profit  
margin

Underlying  
earnings per share 
(UEPS) growth

The group’s core strategy is to deliver 
balanced profitable growth. This is 
achieved with the target of mid-single 
digit organic revenue growth and 
selective acquisitions.

In line with its strategy of delivering 
balanced profitable growth, the group 
reviews underlying operating margins 
to assess returns achieved on revenues.

The group considers UEPS growth to 
be its key indicator of the profitable 
growth of the group. Achieving 
acceptable UEPS growth also enables 
the group to maintain its progressive 
dividend policy.

KPI definition

Annual % growth in revenue.

Annual % organic growth in revenue.

Underlying operating profit as a % of 
total revenue.

Underlying profit for the year divided 
by weighted average number of ordi-
nary shares.

2012 performance

Total growth

Organic 
growth

%
6
8

.

%
5
8

.

%
2
0
1

.

%
0
0
1

.

%
4
7

.

.

p
8
8
3

2011 -  
11.5% reduction.

2012 -  
12.5% growth.

.

p
5
4
3

%
9
2

.

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011 2012

2011 2012

Comment

Organic revenue growth of 7.4% in 
2012 was primarily achieved through 
a strong revenue performance in 
the Utilities segment, with the full 
year impact of prior year acquisitions 
contributing to the total revenue 
growth of 8.5%.

The group’s underlying operating profit 
for 2012 of £44.0m represents a 10.0% 
return on revenue, marginally lower 
than the 10.2% return achieved in 
2011. Strong margins in the Galvanizing 
segment, particularly in the USA, largely 
offset the negative impact in the Roads 
segment resulting from reduced activity 
associated with the London Olympic 
Games.

The group’s UEPS for 2012 is 38.8p, 
an increase of 12.5% compared to 
2011. The key factors contributing to 
this growth are an improved operating 
profit performance, particularly in 
the Galvanizing segment and in the 
US Utilities businesses, a reduction in 
interest costs resulting from lower base 
rates and lower levels of average net 
debt, and a reduction in the underlying 
effective tax rate to 26% (2011: 29%).

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

9

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Free cash flow 

Return on invested 
capital (ROIC)

Health and safety

CO2 emissions

The group monitors free cash flow 
performance to ensure that its profits 
generate sufficient cash to support its 
acquisition strategy and to maintain 
progressive dividend payments.

The group targets ROIC to ensure 
it maintains an efficient balance 
sheet and that its operations, both 
existing and acquired, enhance 
shareholder value.

The health and safety performance 
of each subsidiary is key to our 
management of the group as a 
responsible employer and to our 
reputation in the markets we 
operate.

Cost reductions and greater 
efficiency, improve not only our 
operating margins but also the 
sustainability of our operations.

Underlying free cash flow divided by 
underlying operating profit.

Underlying operating profit divided 
by average invested capital.

Number of accidents.

Audit scores and bench markings.

Carbon usage comparison year 
on year and over a three year 
programme.

Underlying free cash flow is defined 
as operating cash flow less capital 
expenditure.

Invested capital is defined as 
net assets excluding current and 
deferred tax, net debt, retirement 
benefit obligations and derivative 
financial instruments.

%
5
1

%
4
1

2
5
3

5
4
3

%
2
0
1

%
7
6

)
e
s
a
e
r
c
n
i
(

%
8

)
n
o
i
t
c
u
d
e
r
(

%
5

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

The group achieved an underlying 
cash conversion rate of 102% in 2012. 
Despite the increase in volumes, 
working capital reduced by £3.7m 
over the course of the year and now 
represents 14.7% of annualised 
revenue, down from 15.5% at 
December 2011. Capital expenditure 
of £18.3m represents a multiple of 1.3 
times depreciation and amortisation, 
higher than the benchmark 1.0 times 
as a result of planned investment in 
a new galvanizing plant in Columbus, 
USA.

The group aims to achieve ROIC 
that exceeds the group’s weighted 
average cost of capital (currently 
9.5% on a pre-tax basis), with 
a target return of 20%. In 2012 
the group achieved ROIC of 15%, 
marginally ahead of the 14% 
achieved in 2011. The improvement 
in the year reflects higher levels 
of profitability on similar levels of 
average net assets.

During 2012 we achieved a 
marginal 1.4% reduction in the 
number of accidents and continued 
to improve our prevention 
management performance through 
the scored audit programme.

We continue to improve and 
refine our monitoring and 
management of CO2 emission 
reduction. Further details of our 
achievement for 2012 and our 
plans for 2013 are contained in 
the corporate social responsibility 
report on page 24.

 
 
10

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Overview

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

Our risk management processes are designed to be forward-looking in the identification, management and mitigation of business risks that could 
impact the group’s performance and value. The processes will not eliminate risks but rather mitigate them to an acceptable level within the 
context of the business environment in which we operate.

Market/Strategic Risks

Strategic Connection/Explanation

Mitigation

Economic environment
and markets

Medium to long-term revenue and earnings growth 
investment funding.

The impact of a general economic downturn that leads to a 
reduction in customer demand and production volumes. The 
group derives part of its revenue from Government spending 
on infrastructure projects such as road and rail and any timing, 
funding or policy issues can have an adverse impact on key 
areas of the business.

Competition and
commercial relationships

Revenue growth, market positioning and profitability.

The group benefits from well established commercial 
relationships with long standing key customers and 
suppliers. The significant loss of any of these or a worsening 
of commercial terms could have an impact on the group’s 
performance.

Diversification of markets and territories with expansion 
into markets in India, China, Australia and Sweden.

Expanding the market for existing products and services 
e.g. pipe supports in the US power generation market.

The group board is in close contact with the subsidiary 
management and identifies any wider trends requiring 
action.

These risks are also managed at local level where they are 
best understood and where we are close to our customers.

Each business reviews its cost base in response to changing 
circumstances.

Maintaining and developing the quality and 
competitiveness of products and services.

Close engagement with both key customers and suppliers 
supported by monitoring of customer and supplier 
reliability, our dependency and their financial security.

Strengthening of commercial functions to manage 
contract progress and variations.

Immediate response to any quality or timing issues. Use of 
credit insurance to lessen impact of customer failure.

Financial Risks

Strategic Connection/Explanation

Mitigation

Liquidity/Foreign
Exchange and Fiscal

Future investment projects and expansion of foreign earnings.

The group is exposed to a number of financial risks including 
credit risk, liquidity risk and foreign exchange volatility. Short 
term impact on earnings.

The group operates in a range of different legal, political and 
fiscal regimes presenting both operating and culture risks.

Group companies operate a common set of reporting 
procedures and accounting policies and have the 
availability of the group intranet. The internal audit 
programme regularly reviews our operations.

We have centralised cash and banking controls and a 
treasury function which governs all group companies.

Pensions

Capital that would otherwise be available for investment.

Factors outside the company’s control, such as mortality rates, 
interest and inflation rates and investment performance, may 
lead to an increase in the deficit and company contributions.

Hedging of transactions exposure through forward foreign 
exchange rates.

Regular monitoring of tax developments in major 
jurisdictions and actions taken to ensure (through specialist 
advice) the most effective tax structures.

Quarterly reporting to the board of invested asset 
performance.

Management and scheduling of deficit funding in 
agreement with trustees.

Reduction in liabilities through cessation of future accrual 
for the UK executive scheme, as from January 2012. 

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

11

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Operational Risks

Strategic Connection/Explanation

Mitigation

Product failure

Market share and profitability.

Many of the group’s products are supplied to the public 
sector for the benefit of members of the public. To the 
extent that should any of the group’s products fail, this 
could generate adverse publicity and have a significant 
effect on the group’s reputation, its financial position and 
its ability to win new business.

Where appropriate, accreditation, regulatory approval and 
testing are undertaken to reach required compliance levels. 
Comprehensive quality control procedures are backed up 
by an appropriate level of insurance cover through a global 
insurer.

Processes are in place to respond to a given situation to 
minimise reputational risk.

Pressure to develop products in competitive markets with 
low margins, to achieve organic growth.

Improve policies and internal controls and apply across the 
group.

Supply of key raw
materials and services

Organic growth and market share.

Pressure on margins and competitiveness.

Risks to the quality of service to our customers through 
the failure in the supply chain through abilities and 
competencies. 

Dependency on key suppliers.

Human resources

Market share, revenue and shareholder value growth.

Our future success will depend, to a large degree, on 
the ability of the group to attract and retain skilled and 
qualified personnel, particularly at senior management 
level.

Environmental and safety

Organic growth of the business and market share.

Changes in legislation and standards, or the group’s failure 
to adequately control environmental risks, may have an 
adverse effect on the group.

A serious failure on the part of the group to adequately 
control its health and safety risks could have an adverse 
effect upon on its operations, reputation and financial 
performance.

We monitor the availability and price of key raw materials 
and energy and where appropriate hedge against volatility. 
We are reinforcing our controls over supplier selection due 
diligence and performance monitoring both internally 
and through the use of external specialists. We also have 
dual sourcing and a focus upon maintaining long-standing 
relationships.

The group offers competitive rates of pay, reviews salaries 
annually and provides a competitive package of benefits and 
incentives.

Succession planning is undertaken and reviewed at subsidiary 
and board level.

Operational management work within the policies and 
processes laid down by the group. Where appropriate outside 
specialist expertise is engaged and recommendations and 
improvements monitored for implementation as necessary.

Monthly reporting to the board of health and safety 
management and performance, including accident statistics 
and ranked audit performance.

Implementation of a group “safety cloud” IT system in 2012 
to enhance compliance monitoring and levels of assurance 
on improvement actions.

Project Assurance

Strategic Connection/Explanation

Mitigation

Acquisitions

Revenue and growth of shareholder value. Acquisitions are 
a key driver of the strategy.

Sensible profit multiples/prices are paid for businesses 
operating in markets that we know well.

The group is an active acquirer. Acquisitions can involve 
risks that might have a material impact on the group’s 
financial performance and reputation. Integration plans 
not implemented properly.

Comprehensive, rigorous and structured due diligence is 
carried out prior to completion.

Formal prior approval process at board level before 
commitment.

A post acquisition programme of integration and review of 
performance is undertaken for the first 100 days.

Key personnel retained with appropriately incentivised 
remuneration and benefits.

Legal & Regulatory

Strategic Connection/Explanation

Mitigation

Compliance (laws and
regulations)

Prohibitor on future investment and shareholder backing.

The group operates in a number of different territories and 
is subject to wide-ranging laws and regulations including 
its business conduct.

We mitigate compliance risks through various means, 
including but not limited to:
 ›
 ›
 ›

Systems of internal control and risk management.

The group’s code of business conduct and policies.

External and internal legal, compliance and audit 
resources, including peer review programme.

 ›
 ›

Improved training and assurance programmes.

Strengthening of management with international 
experience.

Bergen Pipe Supports foam shop in Thailand.

Bergen Pipe Supports newly constructed factory in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Bergen Pipe Supports pipe shoes, manufactured for use on the 1650mm diameter GRE piping installation for a natural gas plant providing domestic and industrial supplies into Qatar.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

13

Business Review

14  
16  
16 
20 
24 

Chairman’s Statement
Review of 2012
Operational Review
Financial Review
Corporate Social Responsibility

See further information online: hsholdings.com

14

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Business Review

Chairman’s Statement

“Our international businesses 
have been the foundation of the 
performance in 2012, providing 
a diversity of markets and 
income streams.”

Bill Whiteley
Chairman

Overview
I am pleased to report another strong performance from the group’s 
Infrastructure Products and Galvanizing Services businesses.

The group’s strategy of complementing organic growth with selective 
acquisitions, combined with the reshaping of the group over the last 
five years, has resulted in increased earnings, dividend and shareholder 
value in 2012. 

Our international businesses have been the foundation of the 
performance in 2012, providing a diversity of markets and income 
streams. The group has now achieved its target of 75% of profits 
derived from its overseas operations, one year earlier than the target 
of 2013. 

Further commentary on these results and the divisional performance is 
contained in the business review section on pages 16 to 22.

Dividends
In view of the strong performance, the board is recommending a 
final dividend of 9.2p per share (2011: 7.8p per share) making a total 
dividend for the year of 15.0p per share (2011: 13.2p per share) an 
increase of 13.6%. 

We continue to perform at levels that enable us to maintain a 
progressive dividend policy that has increased dividend payments by 
an average of 10% in each of the last five years. Underlying dividend 
cover is a healthy 2.6 times (2011: 2.6 times). The final dividend, if 
approved, will be paid on 5 July 2013 to those shareholders on the 
register at close of business on 31 May 2013.

The innovative and entrepreneurial culture of the group continues to 
drive our success in competitive markets and challenging economic 
conditions and I would like to thank all our employees for their support 
and efforts during the year.

Governance
Key to the management of our international group is effective 
corporate governance. 

Performance highlights
Below are the highlights of the group’s performance in 2012.

2012

2011 % change

Revenue

£440.7m £406.2m

Underlying* operating profit

£44.0m

£41.5m

Underlying* profit before tax

£40.4m

£37.4m

+ 8.5

+ 6.0

+ 8.0

Profit before tax

£35.2m

£25.4m

+ 38.6

Underlying* earnings per share

Basic earnings per share

Full year dividend

Net debt

38.8p

33.9p

15.0p

34.5p

+ 12.5

20.9p

+ 62.2

13.2p

+ 13.6

£86.8m £103.8m

-

As chairman I aim to ensure that the board and our governance are as 
effective as possible. I have a strong experienced board, with a balance 
of skills appropriate to the scale and nature of the group and with a 
clear focus on:

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

strategic development

the risks involved in achieving that development

the international diversity of the group

a good understanding of the group’s operations

performance at all levels

We have continued to make progress on the effectiveness of our 
governance with a greater focus on time dedicated to strategy, 
operational site visits, risk management and the compliance 
programme for an internationally diverse group. Further details of our 
governance activities are contained in the separate governance report.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

15

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Outlook
Trading in the USA remains strong with good order backlogs in our 
Utilities businesses. USA galvanizing is expected to perform at similar 
record levels to 2012 plus additional revenues from the increased 
capacity of the new plant in Ohio.

With the UK Government spend on roads now expected to increase 
and without the adverse impact of the Olympics this year, we expect 
to benefit from up to six managed motorway projects running 
throughout 2013. Furthermore, the number of UK water industry AMP5 
projects for large diameter pipework, outfalls and attenuation tanks to 
prevent flooding, continues to be encouraging.  

The prospects for our Bergen Pipe Supports businesses are mixed 
with good levels of demand in the emerging markets and ongoing 
weakness in the USA. 

We retain an element of caution about the level of economic 
uncertainty within Europe which is impacting our galvanizing and 
lighting columns operation in France.

Elsewhere in the group we have seen a reduction of large project 
work, as many of the orders for such projects were in place in 2012. 
However, we continue to tender for new projects and anticipate these 
being awarded and delivered in the second half of 2013. 

Overall, 2013 has started slowly, which will lead to earnings being 
weighted towards the later part of the year, nevertheless the board 
remains confident that our international diversity will continue to 
provide resilience in the short term and significant organic growth in 
the medium to longer term.

Shareholder communication
We hold our AGM on 15 May 2013 and it is an excellent opportunity 
for shareholders to meet the board and certain senior executives of 
the company. If you are able to attend my colleagues and I will be 
delighted to see you.

Bill Whiteley 
Chairman

12 March 2013

Varioguard in use at junctions 5 to 7 of the M25 for the central reservation work of the managed motorways contract.

16

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Business Review

Review of 2012

Derek Muir
Group Chief Executive

Mark Pegler
Group Finance Director

2012 overview
The overall performance of the group for 2012 was in line with the 
outlook statement given at the time of our interim results in August 
2012 and reiterated in our November 2012 interim management 
statement. 

Revenues increased by 16% to £319.8m (2011: £276.1m). Margins 
declined by 140 basis points to 5.8% (2011: 7.2%) due primarily to 
higher than anticipated costs and operational difficulties for our 
new lightweight gantries and lower profitability in roads, due to the 
Olympics.

The year on year comparatives reflect strong organic revenue growth 
within Infrastructure Products particularly in the Utilities division 
where we have an international footprint, offset partly by a weaker 
performance in the Roads division due to the London Olympics. 
Galvanizing saw a robust performance from France and the UK and an 
outstanding performance from the USA.

The international diversity and strength of our businesses within their 
respective markets, especially in the USA aided our performance. 
Profits from the USA operations represented 50% of underlying 
operating profits (2011: 32%) and in total 76% of profits were 
generated from operations outside the UK (2011: 65%).

Revenue for the year increased by 8% to £440.7m (2011: £406.2m). 
Organic revenue growth, at constant currency, was 7.4%. Adjusting for 
the net £9.2m revenue arising from acquisitions and disposals, revenue 
increased by £25.3m to £431.5m (6% higher than 2011). Underlying 
operating margin was relatively constant at 10.0% (2011: 10.2%). 
Strong organic growth resulted in underlying operating profit increasing 
by 6% to £44.0m (2011: £41.5m). Acquisitions accounted for £0.9m of 
the growth in underlying operating profit. Underlying operating profit 
before taxation was higher at £40.4m (2011: £37.4m).

Infrastructure Products
The division is focused on supplying engineered products to the roads 
and utilities markets in geographies where there is a prospect of 
sustained long term investment in infrastructure. In 2012 the division 
accounted for 73% (2011: 68%) of the group’s revenue and 43% 
(2011: 48%) of the group’s underlying operating profit.

Utilities
The requirements for new power generation in emerging economies 
and replacement of ageing infrastructure in developed countries, 
provide an excellent opportunity for the group’s utilities businesses.

Revenues increased to £205.7m (2011: £167.0m) which after adjusting 
for acquisitions and currency impacts, reflects 13% organic growth of 
£22.5m. Underlying operating profit increased by £1.9m to £13.4m 
(2011: £11.5m) with acquisitions contributing £0.9m of the growth.

The organic growth was driven mainly by our US based businesses V&S 
Utilities and Creative Pultrusions, which benefitted from a more active 
USA utilities market.

V&S Utilities manufacture substation structures which are in demand 
due to the long awaited upgrade to the USA power grid together with 
the requirements placed on the grid to connect through to the solar 
and wind renewable sectors. During the year we supplied complete 
substation packages to the North Bloomfield project for Northeast 
Utilities and, as part of the Texas CR62 project (Competitive Renewable 
Energy Zones), also supplied substation structures to AEP. There 
remains good visibility in this arena and we have entered 2013 with a 
strong order book.

Creative Pultrusions, our composites company in the USA, achieved 
a record performance delivering a number of large projects in the 
transmission, rail and cooling tower markets. Over the year we further 
developed high value products for niche markets. These products are 
lightweight, corrosion resistant and offer improved installation times, 
thereby substituting traditional materials. There is a growing demand 
for composite products and this was evident in the supply of 85 railway 
platform extensions for the upgrade to the Wessex Line in the UK. 

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

17

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

“Strong organic growth resulted in underlying 
operating profit increasing by 6% to £44.0m.”

The first half performance was assisted by two large projects, one of 
which, the supply of ballistic panels to the US Department of Defense, 
is unlikely to be repeated. 

Bergen Pipe Supports is the largest business within the Utilities 
division, with a global manufacturing footprint. Bergen designs and 
manufactures large industrial pipe supports for gas, coal and nuclear 
power plant applications around the world.

Manufacturing plants in the USA were successful in growing their 
business supplying support to petrochemical plants, power station 
upgrades and a major MOX nuclear weapons decommissioning plant 
under construction in South Carolina. There remains a hiatus on the 
decision of fuel type for new power plants in the USA due to the 
abundance and low cost of shale gas. We expect more enquiries for 
large gas power plants later in the year.

In August 2012 we completed the construction of our Indian factory 
near Chennai, which was built to supply the growth markets of power 
generation in India. During the year we supplied supports to three 
large coal-fired power stations in India from our plants in the UK and 
Thailand. This created operational challenges in the second half of the 
year as we worked through a record order book.

We ended 2012 with an order book of £16m (2011: £10m) which has 
continued to grow in the first two months of 2013. New orders have 
been particularly encouraging from our Global Supply Agreements for 
key projects in Australia and the Middle East.

We have strengthened the international experience of the Bergen 
management team with the recruitment of Andrew Logue from 
Siemens. This will also assist the integration of our acquisitions as we 
harmonise our routes to market.

The UK Water Industry’s Asset Management Programme (AMP5) is now 
in its third year and our order book remains strong for large diameter 
plastic pipework, storm attenuation tanks and sewage outfalls. The 
increased risk of flooding and improving housing markets will see 
demand for our products remains strong for the foreseeable future.

Access Design, which manufactures and installs secondary steelwork, 
industrial flooring and handrails to AMP5 projects, started with a record 
order book, but the UK contracting arena has proved very challenging. 
We have taken action to reduce our exposure in contracting and 
concentrate our efforts in manufacture and supply only of industrial 
flooring. This has resulted in a cost reduction exercise, including a 
number of redundancies announced since the year end.

Large orders were received for our enhanced security products 
Stronguard and Bristorm to a gold mine in the Dominican Republic 
and an aluminium smelter in Saudi Arabia, which demonstrates our 
products are specified by clients who are required to protect their 
strategic assets. This is a growing international market where products 
from the UK are being specified for major projects.

Demand has continued for our newly developed solar panel mounting 
system which was supplied to projects in Germany, Belgium, Greece 
and the UK. Whilst the feed in tariffs have been reduced, lower solar 
panel prices have assisted the viability of the projects. We expect the 
UK to be our main market in 2013 as a number of large schemes are 
planned.

Our acquisition of Expamet Building Systems, a company based in 
Hartlepool supplying expanded metal products through the major 
builders’ merchants and DIY retailers, has been integrated into Birtley 
Building Products, also based in the North East. The synergies of the 
two businesses are now being realised and the acquisition is already 
earnings enhancing.

Roads
Primarily in the UK, but with an increasing international presence, our 
Roads division designs, manufactures and supplies temporary and 
permanent safety products for the roads market.

Revenues increased by 5% to £114.1m (2011: £109.1m) representing 
36% of the Infrastructure Products segment. At constant currencies 
and adjusting for the effects of acquisitions, annual growth was £1.7m 
(2%). Underlying operating profit of £5.3m was £3.1m lower than the 
prior year (2011: £8.4m) with no material effect from acquisitions or 
currency movements.

As anticipated, a number of major roads schemes were completed 
ahead of the London Olympics. There was reduced roadwork activity 
during both the Olympics and Paralympics which led to low utilisation 
of Varioguard, our temporary vehicle restraint system, in the second 
half of 2012.

Since the beginning of 2013 we have secured a number of long term 
rental contracts for Varioguard on major Managed Motorway Schemes 
and lane widening contracts. The largest of these schemes is on the 
M25 where there is currently 30km of Varioguard, which will rise to 
60km in the second quarter. We anticipate the utilisation of Varioguard 
to return to more normalised levels in 2013. 

To compensate for the reduced activity in the UK we promoted our 
European and USA tested road restraint systems into Australia, the 
Middle East and Scandinavia. As a result a number of large projects 
were won and completed in 2012. Our newly formed company in 
Australia provides an excellent foundation for future growth where 
we are awaiting final approval for Zoneguard and where is it already 
established in the rental market for temporary steel barriers. 

18

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Business Review

Review of 2012 continued

In the USA we ended the year with the strongest utilisation of 
Zoneguard to date. This is a result of our activities in the Southern 
States where construction is carried out throughout the year. We are 
continuing to establish distributors for Zoneguard in States where 
full approval has been granted and we anticipate a combination of 
sales and rentals going forward. The utilisation levels in 2013 have so 
far been encouraging and we expect to benefit from a two-year USA 
Roads Bill put in place at the end of 2012, which calls for the use of 
additional barriers in work zones.

Profitability in our lighting column businesses in France and the 
UK benefitted from our investments, the additional volumes 
from five lighting column PFI’s secured in 2011 and a further PFI 
project for Sheffield was won in the first half of 2012. In France 
we are experiencing lower domestic demand due to the economic 
environment, however, further investment in a large automated press 
will reduce manufacturing costs and allow us to target more export 
projects.

Our first major motorway contract for new lightweight gantries was 
completed in 2012. As previously reported at our interim results, the 
costs of the design, manufacture and installation for this project 
exceeded initial expectations. A second project was manufactured 
later than the initial programme which resulted in sub-contracting the 
fabrication work, consequently leading to additional costs to complete 
the contract. The experience and knowledge gained through this new 
programme has resulted in improved design and more robust contract 
controls.

Techspan, our electronic signage business, supplied £4m of road 
signage for the approaches to the new Forth Bridge Crossing. We also 
supplied Varioguard, gantries and traffic data collection equipment 
to this project, which is similar to the managed motorway projects in 
England. The Highways Agency have placed a small order for supply 
in the first quarter of 2013, however, there is currently no indication 
of a large bulk purchase order as the design and layout of the signs 
continue to evolve and are yet to be finalised. 

ATA, our Swedish roads business acquired in 2011, had a disappointing 
first half in 2012. Market conditions however, improved in the second 
half when we were successful bidders on larger roads projects. We 
expect a stronger performance in 2013 as our highway products from 
the UK become more established in this geography. During the year 
we established a branch of ATA in Norway to further penetrate the 
Scandinavian market.

Galvanizing Services
Offering corrosion protection services to the steel fabrication industry 
with multi-plant facilities in the UK, France and USA, Galvanizing 
Services now accounts for 27% (2011: 29%) of the group’s revenue 
and more significantly 57% (2011: 52%) of the group’s underlying 
operating profit.

At constant currency, revenues increased 5% to £120.9m (2011: 
£118.5m) whilst operating profit was higher at £25.3m (2011: 
£21.6m). Margin improvement in the UK and USA resulted in an overall 
margin of 20.9% (2011: 18.2%).

Overall, galvanizing volumes were 5% ahead of 2011 primarily due to a 
strong performance in the USA.

USA
Located in the North East of the country, we are the market leader with 
six plants offering local services and extensive support to fabricators 
and product manufacturers involved in highways, construction, utilities 
and transportation.

Volumes increased 16% year on year, led by increased demand from 
utilities, transmission, bridge and solar sectors and a more positive 
trend on industrial production. Zinc prices remained stable throughout 
the year and due to the additional volumes, operational efficiencies 
and lower cost base we were able to improve our profitability by 34%. 
The construction of the new plant in Columbus, Ohio, was completed 
on time and on budget and will be fully operational in March 2013, 
providing improved operational efficiencies and adding an additional 
40% capacity to the existing site.

A location for the next greenfield plant has been identified and is 
planned to be operational in the second half of 2014. This is part of 
our organic growth strategy in the USA where galvanizing is a young 
market growing through specification and design, encouraging 
architects and engineers to move from painting to galvanizing.

France
France Galva has ten strategically located galvanizing plants each 
serving a local market. We act as a key part of the manufacturing 
supply chain in those markets, and have delivered a high level of 
service and quality to maintain our position as market leaders.

Volumes remained stable at prior year levels assisted by a twelve 
month contract for galvanizing transmission and lighting poles for a 
manufacturer which is re-building its galvanizing plant.  Excluding the 
contribution from this one off contract, underlying volumes in France 
would have been lower by 6%. Energy and employment costs were 
higher which resulted in a slight reduction in profitability. We expect 
reduced volumes in 2013 due to the ongoing challenging economic 
climate in France.

UK
Our galvanizing businesses are located on nine sites, four of which are 
strategically adjacent to our Infrastructure Products manufacturing.

Compared to 2011, volumes improved by 4%. The improvement took 
place in the first quarter of 2012, due to a mild winter and increased 
volumes of our own infrastructure products. Later in the year we were 
encouraged by an improvement in the volumes of structural steel 
for car parks and waste to energy plants. Volumes were also assisted 
by the Beauly to Denny transmission tower project which will run 
through 2013. Operational improvements, together with the additional 
volumes resulted in improved profitability. The market remains stable 
and volumes are expected to be similar in 2013.

Galvanized guard rail and structures for the renovated court 17b at Queens tennis club, New York. The galvanizing work was undertaken by US galvanizer Voigt & Schweitzer.

Machinery in operation at the newly acquired business of Expamet Building Systems (Hartlepool, UK). Showing on the left hand side is the Expamet metal beading widely used for plastered 
surfaces and one of Expamets leading branded products.

Barkers StronGuard security fencing installed complete with a full length electric fence, protecting a CNI listed sub-station.

20

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Business Review

Review of 2012 continued

Financial review

Income statement phasing

2012

Revenue £m

Underlying operating profit £m

Margin %

2011

Revenue £m

First 
half

Second 
half

Full 
year

223.8

216.9

440.7

22.7

10.1

21.3

9.8

44.0

10.0

Group net debt at 31 December 2012 was £86.8m, a decrease of 
£17.0m against 31 December 2011 (£103.8m) principally driven by 
the strong operating cash flow performance during the year. The 
group’s net debt remains principally denominated in US Dollars and 
Euros which act as a hedge against the net asset investments in 
overseas businesses. Net debt decreased year on year by £2.5m due to 
exchange rate movements.

Change in net debt

195.1

211.1

406.2

Operating profit

Underlying operating profit £m

Margin %

18.2

9.3

23.3

11.0

41.5

10.2

Revenue of £440.7m was £34.5m or 8% ahead of the prior year 
with acquisitions/disposals completed during both 2011 and 2012 
contributing a net £9.2m additional revenue and £0.9m underlying 
operating profit. Organic revenue growth amounted to £30.0m, some 
7% ahead of 2011. Underlying operating profit of £44.0m included 
organic growth of £2.3m, representing a 6% improvement on the 
previous year. Further details of the organic performance of the 
business are provided in the business review. The translation impact 
arising from changes in exchange rates, principally the US Dollar and 
Euro, reduced total revenue and underlying operating profit by £4.7m 
and £0.7m respectively.

As expected, in contrast with the second half weighted results in 2011, 
the phasing of revenue and underlying operating profit was more first 
half biased in 2012, principally reflecting the impact of the London 
Olympic Games on our Roads activity. The performance in 2013 is 
expected to revert to being more weighted to the second half, as 
noted in the business review. 

Cash generation and financing
The group again demonstrated its cash generating abilities with strong 
operating cash flow of £58.4m (2011: £35.3m), including a reduction 
in working capital of £3.7m (2011: £16.1m increase). The impact on 
working capital of zinc and steel commodity prices year on year was 
not material. Working capital as a percentage of annualised sales 
improved to 14.7%, from 15.5% at December 2011, an underlying 
reduction of c.£3.5m taking into account the higher revenues. Debtor 
days were broadly similar to the prior year at 61 days (2011: 60 days).

Capital expenditure at £18.3m (2011: £12.6m) represents a multiple 
of depreciation and amortisation of 1.3 times (2011: 0.9 times). During 
2012, the group expended £5.2m on a new build galvanizing facility in 
Columbus, Ohio, with a further £2.5m expected to be spent in 2013. 
Other significant items of expenditure included £1.6m in respect of the 
new pipe supports manufacturing facility in India and £1.5m of new 
manufacturing equipment for the French lighting column operation, in 
furtherance of the group’s organic growth plans. The group continues 
to invest in organic growth opportunities where returns exceed internal 
benchmarks.

The group measures its operating cash flow performance based on 
its underlying cash conversion rate, defined as the ratio of underlying 
operating cash flow less capital expenditure to underlying operating 
profit. In 2012 the group achieved an underlying cash conversion rate 
of 101% (2011: 67%) and over the past five years has achieved an 
average rate of 95% despite a number of major capital projects being 
undertaken during that time. 

Depreciation and amortisation*

Working capital movement

Pensions and provisions

Other items

Operating cash flow

Tax paid

Interest paid (net)

Capital expenditure

Sale of fixed assets

Free cash flow

Dividends

Acquisitions

Disposals

Net issue of shares

Change in net debt

Opening net debt

Exchange

Closing net debt

2012 
£m

39.2

16.4

3.7

(2.0)

5.2

58.4

(11.6)

(4.3)

(18.3)

0.5

24.7

(10.2)

(0.5)

-

0.5

14.5

(103.8)

2.5

(86.8)

2011 
£m

32.9

16.8

(16.1)

(4.3)

6.0

35.3

(7.5)

(7.7)

(12.6)

0.1

7.6

(9.8)

(36.2)

6.2

(0.7)

(32.9)

(70.6)

(0.3)

(103.8)

* includes £2.4m (2011: £2.2m) in respect of acquisition intangibles.

In May 2011 the group announced the refinancing of its principal debt 
facility by entering into a new £210m five year multicurrency revolving 
credit agreement. The facility, provided on competitive terms, is 
funded by a syndicate of five leading banks which include existing and 
new relationships. 

Maturity profile of debt facilities 

2012 
£m

On demand

£15.7m

On demand

2013-2015

£3.1m

2012-2015

2016

£211.5m

2016

2011 
£m

£12.8m

£7.1m

£215.4m

The principal facility matures in April 2016, which affords the group 
significant certainty in terms of its funding requirements for the 
foreseeable future. At the year end the group had committed debt 
facilities available of £214.6m and a further £15.7m in overdrafts and 
other on-demand facilities.

 
Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

21

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

The principal debt facility is subject to covenants which are tested 
semi-annually on 30 June and 31 December. The covenants 
require that the ratio of EBITDA (adjusted profit before interest, tax, 
depreciation and amortisation as defined in the facility agreement) to 
net interest costs exceeds four times and require the ratio of net debt 
to EBITDA to be no more than three times. 

The results of the covenant calculations at 31 December 2012 were:

Interest Cover 
Net debt to EBITDA 

Actual 
16.1 times 
1.5 times 

 Covenant 
4.0 times 
3.0 times

Appropriate monitoring procedures are in place to ensure continuing 
compliance with banking covenants and, based on our current 
estimates, we expect to comply with the covenants in the foreseeable 
future. The facilities available to the group provide significant 
headroom against its expected funding requirements. 

Underlying net cash interest

 › Bank loans / overdrafts

 ›

Finance leases / other

One off financial expenses relating to 
refinancing

 › Bank and legal fees

 ›

Termination of interest rate swaps

Non cash

 › Change in fair value of financial 

instruments

 › Net pension interest

2012 
£m

2011 
£m

3.5

0.1

3.6

-

-

-

-

0.4

0.4

4.0

3.7

0.4

2.9

0.4

(0.1)

0.2

4.1

3.3

0.1

7.5

Net financing costs decreased by £3.5m to £4.0m (2011: £7.5m). Net 
financing costs in 2011 included one-off costs of £3.3m associated 
with refinancing the group’s principal debt facility. The net cost from 
pension fund financing under IAS19 was £0.4m (2011: £0.2m) and 
given its non-cash nature continues to be treated as ‘non-underlying’ 
in the consolidated income statement. The underlying cash element 
of net financing costs decreased by £0.5m to £3.6m (2011: £4.1m) 
directly as a result of lower margins incurred on the principal debt 
facility triggered by lower levels of Net Debt : EBITDA, falls in LIBOR 
over the period and lower levels of average net debt generally. 
Underlying operating profit covered net cash interest 12.2 times (2011: 
10.1 times). 

The group has approximately 39% (2011: 30%) of its gross debt of 
£95.7m at fixed interest rates, either through interest rate swaps or 
finance leases. Interest rates are predominantly denominated in US 
Dollars, with smaller tranches of Sterling and Euros, and closely reflect 
the group’s debt profile. 

Return on invested capital (ROIC)
The group aims to maintain ROIC above its pre-tax weighted average cost 
of capital (currently around 9%), with a target return of 20%. In 2012, 
ROIC increased to 15% (2011: 14%) as a result of improved profitability 
on a relatively stable asset base. The group measures ROIC as the ratio of 
underlying operating profit to average invested capital. Invested capital 
is defined as net assets excluding current and deferred tax, net debt, 
retirement benefit obligations and derivative financial instruments. 

Exchange rates
Given its international operations and markets, the group is exposed 
to movements in exchange rates when translating the results of 
international operations into Sterling. Retranslating 2011 revenue and 
underlying operating profit using 2012 average exchange rates would 
have reduced the prior year revenue and underlying operating profit by 
£4.7m and £0.7m respectively.

Non-underlying items
The total non-underlying items charged to operating profit in the 
consolidated income statement amounted to £4.8m (2011: £8.6m) 
and were made up of the following:

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

Business reorganisation costs of £0.8m (2011: £1.2m) – principally 
relating to redundancies and other costs associated with site 
restructuring, of which £0.5m were cash costs; 

Non-cash amortisation of acquired intangible fixed assets of 
£2.4m (2011: £2.2m);

Acquisition related expenses of £0.8m (2011: £0.7m) – costs 
associated with acquisitions expensed to the consolidated 
income statement in accordance with IFRS3 (Revised);

A curtailment loss of £0.4m arising from the UK Defined Benefit 
Pension Scheme ceasing future accruals in November 2012; and 

Losses of £0.4m (2011: gains of £0.4m) in respect of the fair value 
of forward foreign currency contracts.

Non-underlying items in 2011 included:

 ›

 ›

A loss of £5.9m on the disposal of Ash & Lacy Building Systems 
Limited, a non-core business, on 22 July 2011, including £5.0m of 
capitalised goodwill;

A gain of £1.6m in respect of the group’s UK defined benefit 
pension obligations following amendments to the inflation 
assumptions to reflect CPI rather than RPI (£1.1m) and a 
curtailment gain (£0.5m) on the cessation of future accrual in 
respect of the UK Executive Scheme. In addition, a loss of £0.4m 
was recognised in respect of the group’s French defined benefit 
pension obligations following changes in local legislation to 
equalise benefits across various member categories; and 

 ›

Losses on sale of properties of £0.2m.

The cash impact of the above items was an outflow of £0.9m (2011: 
£1.6m) with a further £0.4m expected to be spent in 2013. The non-
cash element therefore amounted to £3.5m, principally due to the 
amortisation of acquired intangibles of £2.4m noted above.

Tax
The group’s tax charge for the year was £9.1m (2011: £9.3m). The 
underlying effective tax rate for the group was 26% (2011: 29%). 
The international nature of our operations does mean that the mix 
of profits in a particular year can impact the group’s effective rate 
of tax. The income statement tax charge was lower than tax paid of 
£11.6m (2011: £7.5m) due to the beneficial impact of prior year credit 
following the satisfactory resolution of certain historical tax matters.

The group’s net deferred tax liability is £11.2m (2011: £17.0m). A 
£9.2m (2011: £10.5m) deferred tax liability is provided in respect of 
brand names and customer relationships acquired. A further £2.0m 
(2011: £2.3m) is provided on the fair value revaluation of French 
properties acquired as part of the Zinkinvent acquisition in 2007. 
These liabilities do not represent a future cash tax payment and will 
unwind as the brand names, customer relationships and properties are 
amortised.

 
22

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

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Business Review
Business Review

Review of 2012 continued

Earnings per share
The board believes that underlying earnings per share (UEPS) give the 
best reflection of performance in the year as it strips out the impact 
of non-underlying items, essentially one off non-trading items and 
acquisition intangible amortisation. UEPS for the period under review 
increased by 12.5% to 38.8p (2011: 34.5p). The diluted UEPS was 38.5p 
(2011: 34.2p). Basic earnings per share was 33.9p (2011: 20.9p). The 
weighted average number of shares in issue was 77.0m (2011: 76.9m) 
with the diluted number of shares at 77.8m (2011: 77.7m) adjusted for 
the outstanding number of dilutive share options.

Going concern
The directors have assessed the future funding requirements of the 
group and the company and compared them to the level of committed 
available borrowing facilities. The assessment included a review of 
both divisional and group financial forecasts, financial instruments 
and hedging arrangements, for the 15 months from the balance sheet 
date. Major assumptions have been compared to external reference 
points such as infrastructure spend forecasts across our chosen market 
sectors, Government spending plans on road infrastructure, zinc, steel 
price and economic growth forecasts.

Pensions
The group operates a number of defined contribution and defined 
benefit pension plans in the UK, the USA and France. The IAS19 deficit 
of the defined benefit plans as at 31 December 2012 was £16.3m 
compared with £16.4m at 31 December 2011. The impact of lower 
discount rates (as a result of falling gilt rates) used to value the 
pension obligations was broadly offset by increases in value of the 
underlying assets.

The forecasts show that the group will have sufficient headroom in the 
foreseeable future and the likelihood of breaching banking covenants 
in this period is considered to be remote.

Having undertaken this work, the directors are of the opinion that the 
group has adequate committed resources to fund its operations for 
the foreseeable future and so determine that it is appropriate for the 
financial statements to be prepared on a going concern basis.

Derek Muir 
Group Chief Executive  Group Finance Director

Mark Pegler 

12 March 2013

The Hill & Smith executive pension scheme and the Hill & Smith 
pension scheme (the ‘schemes’) remain the largest employee benefit 
obligations within the group. The IAS19 deficit of the Schemes as at 31 
December 2012 was £13.8m (2011: £14.3m). In common with many 
other UK companies, the schemes are mature having significantly 
more pensioners and deferred pensioners than active participating 
members. The group has recently completed negotiations with the 
trustees regarding the triennial valuation dated 5 April 2012, agreeing 
deficit recovery plans that require cash contributions over and above 
the current service accrual amounting to £2.5m for the three years to 
April 2016, followed by payments of £2.3m for a further seven years. 
The date of the next triennial review is 5 April 2015.

The schemes are closed to new members. Future accruals in the 
executive scheme ceased in December 2011 and in the main scheme 
in November 2012. 

Revisions to IAS 19 will become effective in 2013 that will have the 
impact of increasing the net financing cost of the schemes by around 
£0.5m. It should be noted that the change has no impact on the 
group’s underlying earnings, as the non-cash net financing cost on 
defined benefit pension schemes is treated as a non-underlying item.

Acquisitions
On 23 May 2012 the group acquired the trade and certain of the 
assets and liabilities of Expamet Holdings Limited and subsidiaries 
(In Administration), a company operating in the UK, manufacturing 
and distributing expanded metal products into the building and 
infrastructure markets. The consideration was £0.5m in cash.

Treasury management
All treasury activities are co-ordinated through a central treasury 
function, the purpose of which is to manage the financial risks of the 
group and to secure short and long term funding at the minimum 
cost to the group. It operates within a framework of clearly defined 
board-approved policies and procedures, including permissible funding 
and hedging instruments, exposure limits and a system of authorities 
for the approval and execution of transactions. It operates on a cost 
centre basis and is not permitted to make use of financial instruments 
or other derivatives other than to hedge identified exposures of 
the group. Speculative use of such instruments or derivatives is not 
permitted. Liquidity, interest rate, currency and other financial risk 
exposures are monitored weekly. The overall indebtedness of the 
group is reported on a daily basis to the chief executive and the finance 
director. The group treasury function is subject to an annual internal 
and external review of controls. 

Access Designs’ newly designed and manufactured gantry being installed close to junction 2a on the M90 in Scotland.

FlexBeam Hi-Flex crash barrier, supplied by our Swedish company ATA Bygg-och Markprodukter AB, in Nyköping, Sweden.

‘GRP’ SUPERDECK mass transit decking installed at 45th Road, Courthouse Square rail station, New York, which replaced the existing concrete platform with a lightweight limited maintenance 
decking system. The platform comprised 13,000 square feet of SUPERDECK which was manufactured and supplied by our US company Creative Pultrusions Inc.

24

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Business Review

 emissions for our UK sites under the Carbon 

The first disclosure of CO2
Disclosure Project (www.cdproject.net/CDPResults/CDP-FTSE-350-
Climate-Change-Report-2012.pdf) was made in 2012 and we will 
be disclosing all our group site CO2
calendar year. 

 emissions in 2014, for the 2013 

We are currently being assessed for the Carbon Trust Standard in 
respect of our performance in 2012 and we expect to achieve that 
standard.

The company is a full participant of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme 
(CRC). Out of 2,097 participants in the CRC performance league table, 
we are ranked at number 729 (a marked improvement over our 
previous ranking in November 2011 of 1,301). The CRC performance 
league table can be seen at crc.environment-agency.gov.uk/pplt/web/
plt/public/2011-12/CRCPerformanceLeagueTable20112012.

Our worldwide emissions data is already being collected in advance 
of the proposed UK legislation relating to “Mandatory Greenhouse Gas 
Emissions reporting” which is about to be placed before Parliament 
and will require reporting of the global emissions, from the 2014 
annual report.

The localised solutions we have for waste disposal and recycling 
continued to be challenged and reviewed during the year, to assist 
monitoring of the recycling of waste across the group. This initiative is 
in its early stages and it is therefore not possible to provide meaningful 
performance data until 2013.

We reviewed the management of water usage through a third 
party specialist and concluded that there was little scope to reduce 
consumption and therefore produce material net financial savings.

Our challenge continues to be balancing the achievement of our 
corporate social responsibility targets with the increased activity and 
development of the group’s operations and products. The initiatives 
and monitoring, we have now put in place, such as the Carbon 
Disclosure Project and Carbon Trust Standard, will assist us in achieving 
that balance and effectively determine delivery in a realistic financial 
framework and timescale. 

Corporate Social Responsibility

Our aims
The group assesses those corporate responsibility issues material 
to the delivery of its strategic objectives, its long term growth and 
the interests of all its stakeholders. To achieve this we focus upon 
economic, ethical, social and sustainable policies and practices that 
can be appropriately applied and developed throughout the group.

The board of directors has implemented, reviewed and updated 
policies dealing with the group’s responsibilities for the environment 
and relationships with its various stakeholder groups, including 
its employees. These policies are structured to be appropriate to 
country legislation, custom and practice from around the group and 
relevant industry best practice. The policies set the framework for 
the implementation and development of the corporate and social 
responsibility activities for the group, in the context of the delivery of 
the group’s strategic objectives and of the interests of all stakeholders. 

Responsibilities and accountability
Derek Muir, the chief executive, is the main board director responsible 
for the corporate social responsibility performance of the group.

Divisional executives and operating company directors are responsible 
for compliance with the group’s policies, their communication across 
the businesses, implementation of the supporting principles and 
monitoring. 

Use of a dedicated forum on our group intranet, enables the individual 
companies to network on any initiatives related to our corporate 
responsibilities and to share their plans and experiences.

All our employees have a responsibility to be aware of and to comply 
with, the group’s policies and procedures, which have been developed 
for their guidance and to regulate the conduct of the day to day 
operations of the business. Employees are able to make suggestions to 
improve these policies and procedures.

Measuring our performance
In accordance with our aims, we have continued to focus our 
monitoring and management on carbon dioxide CO2 emissions, energy 
consumption and health and safety. We have established measures 
and performance targets for these matters and our progress is 
explained under the key corporate social responsibility categories of:

 ›

Environment - the environmental impact of our operations 

 › Workplace - health and safety of employees and third parties

Environment
In order to minimise the environmental impact of our operations and 
related costs, we:

 ›

assess the potential impact and implement measures to mitigate 
these (e.g. capital expenditure projects), and 

 › measure consumption and emissions, to monitor and control 
performance efficiency and compliance with our policies.

The group’s UK sites continued to make progress in reducing their CO2 
emissions through lower electricity and fuel consumption. Our second 
three year programme, which runs through to the end of 2013, has a 
target of 5% per annum reduction in CO2 emissions. In 2011, the first 
year of this programme, we achieved the target for that year, with 
a reduction of 5%. However in 2012 we recorded an overall 8% per 
annum increase primarily due to the acquisition of the manufacturing 
business of Expamet in the UK and the increased activity within our 
galvanizing and infrastructure production plants.

 
Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

25

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Workplace
Health and safety
We are committed to providing our employees and all those who visit the group’s sites, with a safe and healthy workplace and environment.

Below is the framework of our policies and processes for managing our health and safety and environmental responsibilities. 

Health, Safety & Environmental Policy (HS&E)

group wide policy statement

group code of business conduct
(reference to health & safety and the environment)

Arrangements for HS&E

group roles & responsibilities

group management standards

group governance assurance

PLC HS&E Strategy

annual action plan (part of 3 year strategy)

regular reporting to the group board

Local/Subsidiary arrangements

health & safety and environment 
policies

local management structure

local procedures

In 2012 we made the following progress on the group’s health and safety initiatives and objectives, identified for that year:

Our objective/initiatives 2012

What we did

Lowering the accident rate so that we 
recover to our stated target of a 10% year 
on year reduction.

We achieved a 1.4% reduction. As can be seen from the table below our galvanizing operations 
reported a 7.6% increase.

Infrastructure

Galvanizing

Total no. of incidents/accidents

2011

2012

218

132

350

203

142

345

Full implementation of the “safety cloud” 
IT system.

Full implementation was achieved for all our UK sites and a programme has been set to roll this 
out to our international operations in 2013. Both our US and French galvanizing businesses have 
comprehensive locally designed software reporting and the “safety cloud” system will therefore 
complement rather than replace the systems for these two major businesses.

Full assessment and analysis of 
international practices and any potential 
divisional (e.g. galvanizing) or individual 
company benefits.

Health and safety officer exchange visits were undertaken for the US and UK galvanizing 
businesses and information exchanged on a group basis through our intranet communication 
site. We are continuing to develop this initiative with a dedicated international site and company 
assessment programme through an independent health and safety consultant.

Maintenance of our current UK audit 
weighted average health and safety 
management performance score levels 
and where feasible, improving the average 
score.

Use of a divisional or comparable business 
measure to monitor performance.

The UK weighted average score achieved for 2012 improved by 7% bringing the level of 
improvement, since inception of the measure, in 2010, to 40%. This programme is ongoing and 
has a target of 5% improvement for 2013.

Use of comparable key reporting measures across the group was further developed as part of 
the implementation of the “safety cloud” programme for the UK. With extension of the use of 
this system to our international operations, further reporting of key measures will be available for 
monitoring at the group level.

Implementation of a group strategy for 
occupational health.

This project has now been prioritised for 2013.

26

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

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Business Review

Corporate Social Responsibility continued

Employment policies
The group has a clear policy of promoting an environment in which 
all employees are motivated in order to achieve their best. Employees 
at all levels throughout the group are encouraged to make a full 
contribution. Fairness and equal opportunity are core to the group’s 
employment policy and this applies to not only any job applicant or 
matters relating to gender, age, race, sexual preference, marital status, 
religion, belief or disability but also promotion, development and 
training. The group has a policy of non-discrimination and does not 
tolerate bullying or harassment.

The group gives full consideration to applications for employment from 
disabled persons where the requirements of the job can be adequately 
fulfilled by a disadvantaged or disabled person. In the event of an 
existing employee becoming disabled, continuing employment will be 
provided wherever practicable.

Each operating subsidiary has employment and related policies 
and procedures tailored to the local operations and detailed in 
staff handbooks or employment terms and conditions. These 
are reviewed and updated as necessary in the light of any policy, 
legislative or employment practice changes. The board values two 
way communication between the operating businesses, management 
and employees on all matters affecting the welfare of the business 
including regular group senior management and board director visits 
to operating units.

Involvement and reward
Effective communication is encouraged within the group through the 
subsidiary company management, the group’s website and its intranet 
site, along with the development of centralised briefings and training 
programmes.

The group encourages employee share ownership through the 2005 
Employee ShareSave Scheme which currently has 223 employees 
participating, 29 of whom contribute at the maximum permitted by 
HMRC.

Training and development
Recruitment, training and development is designed to ensure that 
the group has suitably skilled and qualified employees to satisfy the 
operational needs of the business as well as offer opportunity for 
personal growth and development.

The group provide a range of training and development opportunities 
to employees, including:

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

induction training;

health and safety training;

programmes relating to the enhancement of knowledge and skills 
for each employee’s current position;

programmes relating to the provision of knowledge and skills for 
new procedures or standards;

programmes with a specific management or supervisory focus; 

support with programmes leading to a professional or academic 
qualification; and

programmes for compliance with the bribery act and our code of 
business conduct.

The group recognises that normally the main training method will be 
through each employee’s immediate line manager, with most training 
carried out in the workplace. Training is primarily delivered through 
internal resources with assistance from external providers as and when 
required. At the head office of the group we held 11 training courses 
covering:

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

IT training - Powerpoint, Excel and Outlook;

group management development programme;

successful supervisors programme;

sales development programme;

appraisal skills;

 › management workshops;

 ›

 ›

assertive communication in the workplace; and 

group health and safety forum.

Diversity and inclusion
We believe in equal opportunities regardless of gender, sexual 
orientation, age, marital status, race, religion or other beliefs and 
ethnic or national origin. Our policies, practices and regulations for 
recruitment, training and career development promote equality of 
opportunity while being appropriate for the relevant market sector 
and country of operation. Our aim is to encourage a culture in which 
all employees have the opportunity to develop fully according to their 
individual abilities and the needs of the group. The group remains 
committed to the fair treatment of people with disabilities regarding 
applications, training, promotion and career development. 

An employee who becomes disabled would, where appropriate, be 
offered appropriate training.

Marketplace
The group’s relationship with its customers, suppliers and the 
communities it operates in is founded on an established reputation for 
integrity and fairness.

The development and continuation of long term business relationships 
are important to the ongoing success of the company and provide 
further evidence of the reputation it has in international markets.

Our policy on the management of human rights, working conditions 
and the environment, in relation to the supply chain, is intended to 
underpin the group’s values.

The group sources components, materials and services for its 
manufacturing processes from a number of countries. Whilst there are 
local and national differences in standards, in relation to many aspects 
of the manufacturing and wider business environment, there are a 
number of minimum standards that must be achieved by all.

It is the policy of the group that it will only trade with suppliers who 
meet or exceed these minimum standards or demonstrate progression 
towards them, over an agreed and suitable timescale.

Where practicable, each operation of the group is required to ensure 
that suppliers comply with the following requirements:

 ›

 ›

compliance with appropriate legislation;

compliance with the group’s code of business conduct;

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

27

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Employee initiatives - below is an example of one of the innovative 
posters used by France Galva to promote employee suggestions. France 
Galva have adopted the rhino character for a range of posters covering 
health and safety, good working practices and the environment.

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

provision of a safe and competent workforce employed in 
accordance with industry best practice;

acknowledgement of compliance with our anti-bribery and 
corruption policy;

timely submission of tenders and delivery to the agreed 
specification, time and agreed price;

co-operation with the group and the rest of its supply chain. 

Throughout 2012 we continued to focus upon roll out of our anti-
bribery and corruption training programme, including reviewing our 
due diligence processes and engagement terms for third parties. 
Accordingly, the development and integration of our new code of 
business conduct has been deferred until the first quarter of 2013. This 
has been an extensive exercise requiring new policies and procedures 
along with a comprehensive training and implementation plan.

Community
The group’s support for the communities it operates in is driven at a 
local rather than corporate level. Where appropriate we support and 
enhance the employees’ efforts in areas of education, enterprise, 
health, welfare and the environment.

Throughout the group our businesses continued their engagement 
with local communities with involvement in a variety of different 
projects and initiatives. These projects range from support and 
sponsorship given to local schools, charitable donations through 
voluntary fund raising and interaction with trade associations and 
universities. Our businesses are actively encouraged to contribute to 
their local communities.

Below is an example of community involvement by our Newport, South 
Wales, business, Asset International who manufacture and supply 
Weholite storm and water attenuation pipes.

 “Student finds a new way to use Weholite -
16 year old Abigail Toller, from Yarn School in Stockton-on-Tees, has 
found an innovative new use for Weholite pipes in pursuit of her GCSE in 
Design and Technology. 
Abigail approached Asset International last year looking for someone 
to supply the right material to make a storage drum (pictured) as part 
of her coursework. The drums, built using Weholite pipe of diameter 
750mm rotate, allowing access to three different compartments for the 
storage of her art materials.”

Above are the finished storage drums designed by Abigail.

ENRACINERfrance galvahJ’apporte régulièrement des améliorationsDeployment of our Varioguard barrier system on the M4/M5 Almondsbury interchange, Bristol for a managed motorway project undertaken in the summer of 2012.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

29

Governance

Board of Directors and Key Executives
Chairman’s Introduction

30  
32 
33   Governance Report
43   Audit Committee Report
45  
48 
56   Directors’ Report (other statutory information)
58   Directors’ Responsibilities

Remuneration Committee Report
Directors’ Remuneration Report

See further information online: hsholdings.com

30

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

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Governance

Board of Directors

W H Whiteley BSc, FCMA

Chairman and non-executive

Bill, aged 64, joined the board on 1 January 2010. He has spent the majority of his career at 
international engineering group Rotork plc, where he was chief executive from 1996 to 2008. 
He is chairman of Spirax Sarco Engineering plc and Brammer plc and a non-executive director of 
Renishaw plc.

D W Muir BSc, C Eng, MICE

Group Chief Executive

Derek, aged 52, joined the company in 1988. He was appointed to the board in 2006 and served 
as group managing director of the core Infrastructure Products segment from 2001. Derek has 
been a senior manager within the Hill & Smith group for over 25 years, having been managing 
director of Hill & Smith Limited, one of the group’s principal subsidiaries since 1998. 

M Pegler BCom, FCA

Group Finance Director

Mark, aged 44, joined the company as finance director designate on 7 January 2008 and was 
appointed to the board on 11 March 2008. Mark has extensive experience on an international 
level having been group finance director of Whittan Group Limited, a private equity backed 
business, between 2002 and 2007. After qualifying with Price Waterhouse, he spent several 
years in various corporate and operational roles in international manufacturing businesses.

J F Lennox CA

Independent non-executive

Jock, aged 56, joined the Board in May 2009. He is a non-executive director of A&J Mucklow 
Group plc, Dixons Retail plc, EnQuest PLC and Oxford Instruments plc. He is an adviser to Roland 
Berger, the strategy consulting firm. Jock was formerly a partner of Ernst & Young where he 
began his career in 1977, becoming a partner in 1988. Jock is chairman of the audit committee.

C J Snowdon BA, FCA

Senior independent non-executive

Clive, aged 59, joined the board in May 2007. He is executive chairman of Shimtech Industries 
Group Limited and chairman of the Midlands Aerospace Alliance. He retired from Umeco plc in 
June 2011 having been chief executive since April 1997. Clive is the senior independent director 
and chairman of the remuneration committee. 

Key Executives

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

31

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

B Miller

President and Managing Director, Voigt & Schweitzer LLC

Brian, aged 49, has been with Voigt & Schweitzer LLC since 1993 when he started as the finance 
director. Appointed President in 2009; he was previously employed by the accounting firms of 
Crowe Chizek and Company and Arthur Andersen. Brian is a licensed Certified Public Accountant. 

A Logue BEng, MBA

Chief Executive, Pipe Supports Group

Andrew, aged 55, joined the Pipe Supports Group in 2012 and has 35 years of senior level 
business experience gained in various oil & gas, manufacturing and power generation 
organisations including Siemens, John Wood Group Plc, Schlumberger International and 
Caterpillar Inc.

M A Tonks

Managing Director, Hill & Smith Ltd

Mark, aged 50, was previously employed by NEI & Rolls Royce Plc. Mark joined Hill & Smith 
in 1994 and has been a senior manager within the group. Mark has extensive national and 
international industry relations and an in depth knowledge of the roads business. Qualifications 
include HNC Production Engineering and Certificate in Institute of Industrial Management. 
Mark’s directorships include Hill & Smith Ltd, Varley & Gulliver Ltd, ATA, Hill & Smith 
Infrastructure Products India Private Limited and Hill & Smith, Inc. 

Y Delot BSc

Managing Director, France Galva and Conimast

Yves, aged 65, started his career in the galvanizing business in 1972 and has been involved in 
the manufacture of street lighting columns since 1988. Yves has a Bachelor of Science in higher 
mathematics and is also the Mayor of Saint Florentin, France.

J C Humphreys FCIS

Company Secretary

John, aged 60, joined the company in November 2004, having held the position of company 
secretary and property director of retail opticians Dollond & Aitchinson Group Limited for 17 
years and where he was a member of a successful management buy out team. Previously John 
had held the position of assistant company secretary at a number of industrial and retailing 
public listed companies.

32

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Governance

Introduction

Bill Whiteley
Chairman

Dear shareholder,

On behalf of the board, I am pleased to present the governance report for the year ended 31 December 2012.

Good governance is fundamental to maximising shareholder value over the longer term. My fellow directors and I, continue to be committed to 
achieving profitable growth on a disciplined, controlled basis. In particular this means applying the following principles:

 ›

 ›

 ›

Ensuring we have appropriate controls and processes aligned with the entrepreneurial drive and ambition of the board and senior 
management of the group;

Directors setting the tone as well as the direction of the group’s strategy and management; and

Evolving the implementation of our corporate governance so that it is in line with the group’s strategy.

In 2012 we have applied such principles through:

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

Reviewing our strategy and our appetite for risk;

Re-assessing our approach to risk management as the group continues to expand internationally;

Continuing to be selective about the nature and fit of potential acquisitions;

Increasing the non-executive directors’ exposure to the operating businesses and senior management;

Implementing new policies, procedures and training focused on governance and compliance;

Ensuring the remuneration of the executive directors and senior executives continue to be aligned to the overall strategic objectives;

The board evaluation process assessing the need for any changes in composition, balance or experience of the board; and

Continuation of our programme of engagement with major shareholders.

Your board has a balanced perspective on business issues and a range of skills, experience, independence and knowledge of the company 
that enables it to effectively discharge its responsibilities for the governance of the company. Diversity on boards of directors and elsewhere in 
corporate life continues to be a significant theme in corporate governance. This is an issue that the board and I continue to keep under review, 
along with the composition of the board, both in the context of the diverse geographical and decentralised nature of the group. 

In this governance report we describe how our governance ethos is applied and how the appropriate responsibilities are handled through the work 
of the board and its committees.  

Yours sincerely

Bill Whiteley 
Chairman

12 March 2013

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

33

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Governance Report

Statement of compliance
This report explains how the company complied with the provisions of 
the UK Corporate Governance Code (the Code) issued by the Financial 
Reporting Council, which has been applicable to the company since 1 
January 2011.

In the opinion of the directors, the company has throughout 2012 
complied with Section 1 of the Code. This corporate governance report, 
together with the separate audit committee, nominations committee 
and the directors’ remuneration report, provides the information 
shareholders need to evaluate how the company has applied the 
principles of corporate governance.

Governance structure

Governance framework
The Hill & Smith Holdings PLC group consists of the company and 26 
principal subsidiary companies, operating in eight different countries. 
The group’s businesses are directly supervised by local operating 
boards and monitored at divisional level. The two executive directors 
of the board review divisional and individual operating company 
performance and regularly liaise with selected senior executives and 
subsidiary company directors. The group has a structure of monthly 
subsidiary company board meetings (which are attended by the two 
executive directors) and regular liaison across divisions to ensure, 
where appropriate, consistent application of governance, operational 
procedures and group practices. The two executive directors are 
accountable to the board for the divisional and subsidiary company 
governance and controls.

Each of the three committees of the board comprise the non-executive 
directors and non-executive chairman and each committee reports to 
the board. 

The Board
Board of Directors
William Whiteley chairman 
W H Whiteley Chairman and non-executive
Derek Muir chief executive
D W Muir Group Chief Executive
Mark Pegler finance director
M Pegler Group Finance Director
Clive Snowdon non-executive director
J F Lennox Non-executive
Jock Lennox non-executive director
C J Snowdon Non-executive

J C Humphreys Company Secretary

Audit Committee

Remuneration Committee

Nomination Committee

The audit committee has responsibility 
for planning and reviewing the company’s 
interim and preliminary reports and accounts, 
its internal controls and risk management 
assurance.

The remuneration committee is responsible 
for the policy for the remuneration of 
executive directors, company secretary and 
senior executives and its implementation.

The nomination committee has responsibilty 
for assisting the board with succession 
planning and with the selection of a new 
director or chairman.

Chairman

J F Lennox 

other members

C J Snowdon
W H Whiteley

Secretary

J C Humphreys

Chairman

C J Snowdon 

other members

J F Lennox
W H Whiteley

Secretary

J C Humphreys

Chairman

W H Whiteley 

other members

J F Lennox 
D W Muir
C J Snowdon

Secretary

J C Humphreys

34

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Governance

Governance Report continued

Board of directors
Composition of the board
 › W H Whiteley (chairman) - independent on appointment

 ›

 ›

D W Muir (group chief executive) and M Pegler (group finance 
director) - executive directors

C J Snowdon (senior independent director) and J F Lennox - 
independent non-executive directors

(The Code provides that they should comprise at least half of the 
board, excluding the chairman).

The biographies of the directors of the board are shown on page 30 
along with any significant other commitments and appointments they 
may have. 

The directors are experienced and influential individuals from varied 
commercial industries, professional backgrounds and international 
involvement. Their diverse and balanced mix of skills and business 
experience are key elements to the effective functioning of the board 
and its committees, ensuring that matters are fully and effectively 
debated and challenged and that no individual or group dominates the 
board’s decision-making processes. 

Board balance
Independence
Taking into account the provisions of the Code, the board has 
determined that during the year under review none of the non-
executive directors has any relationship or circumstance which would 
affect their performance and the board considers all of the non-
executive directors to be independent in character and judgement.

Chairman
There is a clear division of responsibilities between the chairman 
and the chief executive which is set out in writing. The chairman is 
responsible for the leadership and effective working of the board. The 
small size of the board ensures all directors contribute fully to the 
discussions and decisions of the board. The chairman drives the board 
agenda and determines how the board should use the time available 
to it during board meetings.

Chief executive
The chief executive is responsible for the management of the 
company, executing the group’s strategy and development, meeting 
financial objectives, implementing policies and maintaining controls. 
The executive directors provide information to the board via their 
regular written reports and the presentation of proposals for board 
approval. 

Support
The board is supported by the company secretary who, under 
the direction of the chairman, ensures good communication and 
information flows between board members. The company secretary 
is also responsible for assisting the chairman in all matters relating to 
corporate governance, including board evaluation process. Directors 
are able to take independent professional advice, when necessary, at 
the company’s expense.

From time to time, other members of the management team attend 
board meetings to present annual budgets, updates and proposals 
relating to their areas of responsibility and reporting on regulatory 
compliance, risk management and internal controls.

How the board operates
The board manages the overall control of the company’s affairs with 
reference to a formal schedule of matters reserved to the board for 
decision including the review and approval of key policies.

In particular the board makes decisions and reviews and approves: 

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

group strategy and operating plans; 

business development, including major investments and 
disposals; 

risk management; 

corporate governance; 

compliance with laws, regulations and the company’s code of 
business conduct; 

financial reporting and audit; 

financing and treasury; 

corporate sustainability and responsibility, ethics, health and 
safety, the environment; and

pension benefits and liabilities.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

35

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

The board has established processes designed to help maximise its performance. These processes operate from a framework of:

Operation of  
the board

Strategic 
focus

Board 
information

Board 
knowledge

 ›
 ›
 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›
 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›
 ›

Board meetings are scheduled to ensure adequate time for discussion of each agenda item.

Board discussions are held allowing for questions, scrutiny and constructive challenge where appropriate.

Full debate allows decisions to be taken by consensus (although any dissenting views would be minuted accordingly). 

›  other members of senior group management regularly attend and give presentations at board meetings.

› 

local managers may also attend when matters of particular significance or country relevance are proposed or being 
reviewed.

The development of strategy is led by the chief executive officer together with the group finance director and with input, 
challenge, examination and ongoing testing from the non-executive directors.

Group strategy is regularly addressed by the board, with strategic matters being reviewed and updated as appropriate 
at each main meeting. In addition, the board holds at least one annual strategy meeting. The board has particular 
responsibility for ensuring that the business strategies proposed are fully discussed and critically reviewed.

The executive directors and members of the senior management team draw on the collective experience of the board.

Comprehensive reporting packs are provided to the board, which are designed to be clear, accurate and analytical, whilst 
avoiding excessive and unnecessary information.

Reporting packs are normally distributed electronically three working days in advance of board meetings, enabling 
them to be as up-to-date as possible, whilst allowing sufficient time for their review and consideration in advance of the 
meeting.

Clarification or amplification of reports or proposals are sought in advance of, or at, meetings as appropriate.

Management accounts with commentary are distributed to the board on a monthly basis.

The board regularly reviews its appetite for and management of risk in the context of the strategy and the periodic review 
of the group risk register.

The chief executive officer and group finance director have a programme of visits to the group’s business locations to 
review the operations and performance and to engage and support local management.

In the financial year, at least one Hill & Smith Holdings PLC board meeting is held at the operational site of a subsidiary.

All directors have open access to the group’s key advisors, senior management and the company secretary.

Meetings and attendance 2012
Below is a table of the meetings held of the board and of its committees in 2012.

Board (main meetings)

Board (conference call)

AGM

Strategy meeting

Audit committee

Nominations committee

Remuneration committee

Jan

Feb



Mar

Apr

May

June

July

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

Total











































8

1

1

2

4

3

3

The attendance of directors at the above meetings of the board and its committees was as shown below:

W H Whiteley

D W Muir

J F Lennox

M Pegler

C J Snowdon

* In attendance only.

Board

Audit committee

Nominations committee

Remuneration committee

9

9

9

9

9

4

4*

4

4*

4

3

1

3

-

3

3

3*

3

-

3

36

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Governance

Governance Report continued

All directors of the board attended the AGM and the strategy meetings.

The non-executive directors meet independently without the 
chairman present and also meet with the chairman independent of 
management.

Evaluation of the performance of the board
On broadly the same basis as used in 2011, an evaluation of the 
board’s effectiveness was undertaken internally by way of completion 
of a written questionnaire, collective discussion of the results of the 
questionnaire and separate meetings and discussions. Below is a 
summary of the process and results.

Main elements of the questionnaire issued to each director:
 ›

Assessment of the follow up from the evaluation exercise of 2011

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

The performance of the chairman

The performance of the executive and non-executive directors

Board composition and diversity

Succession planning 

Content and operation of board meetings and quality of 
information presented at these meetings

Shareholder contact and relations

Results of the questionnaire and conclusions
The results were summarised by the company secretary in 
consultation with the chairman and reported to the board. Following 
a review of the results, the board drew conclusions and agreed the 
following actions:

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

To further review later in the year the composition of the board 
with particular regard to broadening the international experience.

Strengthening the organisational support structure for the group, 
particularly at the holding company.

Reviewing in 2013 the continued membership of Bill Whiteley on 
the audit and remuneration committees.

Increasing the profile of the group strategy, at the operating 
businesses.

Increasing the number of operational visits by the board.

Further consideration be given to the use of a third party 
facilitator for the 2013 board evaluation. 

Each of the executive directors should consider taking up one 
external non-executive appointment.

Meetings and discussions
 ›

The chairman and non-executive directors met in the absence 
of the executive directors to discuss the performance of the 
executive directors.

 ›

 ›

The non-executive directors met in the absence of the chairman 
to review his performance.

Follow up by the chairman with each director, on a one to one 
basis, the evaluation process and conclusions.

Training and advice
All directors are provided with the opportunity and encouraged to 
attend regular training to ensure they are kept up to date on relevant 
legal developments or changes, best practice and changes to 
commercial and financial risks. Typical training experience for directors 
includes attendance at seminars, forums, conferences and working 
groups, as well as the provision of information from the company 
secretary. In order to fulfil their duties, procedures are in place for 
directors to seek both independent advice and the advice and services 
of the company secretary. 

Conflicts
The Companies Act sets out directors’ general duties concerning 
conflicts of interest and related matters. The board has agreed an 
approach and adopted guidelines for dealing with conflicts of interest 
and has added responsibility for authorising conflicts of interest under 
the schedule of matters reserved for the board. The board confirmed 
that it was not aware of any situations that may or did conflict with 
the interests of the company, other than those that may arise from 
directors’ other appointments as disclosed in their biographies on 
page 30. In accordance with the articles, the board authorised the 
company secretary to receive notifications of conflicts of interest on 
behalf of the board and to make recommendations as to whether the 
relevant matters should be authorised by the board. The company has 
complied with these procedures during the year.

Re-election of directors
The company’s articles require that not more than one-third of 
the directors be re-elected at each annual general meeting of the 
company, the directors so doing being those who have been longest 
in office since their last appointment or re-election. Every director 
must in any event be re-elected at least every three years. The board 
however, has noted that the Code recommends that all directors of 
FTSE 350 companies should be subject to annual re-election. Whilst 
the company has not, during the period under review, ever been a 
constituent of the FTSE 350, the board has nevertheless decided to 
apply this recommendation. Accordingly, the board implemented 
annual re-election of all directors with effect from the annual general 
meeting of 16 May 2012 and all re-elections are now on an annual 
basis.

Committees of the board
The board has three committees - audit, nominations and 
remuneration. The composition responsibilities and activities of each 
of these committees are described below. In addition, both the audit 
and remuneration committee chairman have given separate reports 
on pages 43 and 45. Each of the non-executive directors is a member 
of each of the committees. Hill & Smith Holdings PLC is not in the FTSE 
350 and therefore is permitted to have two independent non-executive 
directors and a chairman, who was independent on appointment, as a 
member of both its audit and remuneration committees. This position 
continues to be kept under review by the board.

The company secretary acts as secretary to all of these committees. 
The terms of reference of the committees are available on the 
company’s website at www.hsholdings.com.  

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

37

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Meetings and attendance
The committee met four times in the year to coincide with the 
financial reporting timetable of the group. The attendance at these 
meetings was:

Names

J F Lennox

C J Snowdon

W H Whiteley

Attendance 2012 Meeting

4

4

4

Both Derek Muir and Mark Pegler were in attendance at each meeting.

Internal control and risk management
The board is committed to satisfying the internal control guidance 
for directors set out in the revised version of the Turnbull Guidance on 
Internal Control. In accordance with this guidance, there is an ongoing 
process, regularly reviewed by the directors, for identifying, evaluating, 
managing and mitigating (where possible) the internal controls and 
the significant risks faced by the group. The process for reviewing 
the group’s internal controls has been in place throughout the 2012 
financial year and up to the date of approval of this annual report.

The main elements of the group’s internal financial control framework 
and key procedures are set out below and operate together with the 
group’s system of risk management on page 39.

The Audit Committee
Composition of the committee
 ›

J F Lennox (chairman) - independent non-executive director

 ›

C J Snowdon (senior independent director) and W H Whiteley 
(chairman of the board) 

Governance
The committee was in place throughout the year under review and 
for the whole of that period Jock Lennox was the chairman. Both Clive 
Snowdon and Jock Lennox are independent non-executive directors. In 
view of the size of the company and the fact that it is not in the FTSE 
350, Bill Whiteley, who was independent upon appointment, continues 
to be a member of the committee. The position is kept under review by 
the board. The committee meets at least three times per year.

The audit committee is appointed by the board from the non-executive 
directors of the company.

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

The chairman, whose biography is included on page 30, has 
recent and relevant financial experience from his former position 
as a partner of Ernst & Young and his current other non-executive 
director and audit committee roles.

The group finance director and other senior members of financial 
management attend and present at meetings (other than during 
private discussions between the committee and the external 
auditors).

Representatives of the external auditors attend and present 
at meetings (other than during discussions regarding their 
performance).

The group risk and compliance counsel attends meetings.

The committee routinely meets the auditors without the 
involvement of the executive directors or senior management.

Role and responsibilities
The audit committee is responsible for monitoring and reviewing:

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

the integrity of the financial statements, including a review of the 
significant financial reporting judgements contained in them;

the effectiveness of the group’s internal control and risk 
management and of control over financial reporting;

the effectiveness of the global audit and risk function, including 
the programme of work undertaken by that function;

the group’s policies and practices concerning business conduct 
and ethics, including whistleblowing;

the group’s overall approach to securing compliance with laws, 
regulations and company policies in areas of risk; and

the company’s relationship with the external auditor, including 
its independence and management’s response to any major 
external audit recommendations.

38

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Governance

Governance Report continued

The main elements of the group’s internal financial control framework and procedures include:

Controls framework

Element

Governance

Policies and procedures

Controls

Reporting and review

Assurance

Key Activities

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

Regular board meetings which consider the schedule of matters reserved for the directors’ consideration 
and any regulatory or practice developments. 

The audit committee considers significant financial control and risk matters, as appropriate. 

Operating companies and divisional executives review risk and control issues at the time of budget 
preparation and thereafter at monthly subsidiary board meetings. 

Regular review of the group guidance and policy documentation for the preparation and reporting of 
financial and management information. 

Use of comprehensive policies which are approved by the board and made available on the company 
website. 

Local operating boards and divisional executives have appropriate pre-approved delegated levels of 
authority. 

Rigorous annual budgeting processes and presentations provide a point of reference for reviewing 
financial performance during the year. Selected individual budget presentations are made to the board. 

All budgets are subject to group board approval including capital expenditure.

Controls for authorisation of acquisitions, disposals and capital expenditure include comprehensive due 
diligence, annual budgets, appraisal and post-completion integration and review procedures. 

Consolidated reports and independent commentaries are prepared and submitted to the board for review 
at formal scheduled board meetings. 

The review and comparison of detailed monthly management reports, received from each operating 
company, against budgets and forecasts, at local operating company and group board level. 

The chief executive and finance director report to the board and audit committee on all aspects of 
internal control.

The board receives the papers and minutes of the board and audit committee meetings and uses these 
as a basis for its annual review of internal control. 

Internal audit work is programmed to take account of the risk assessment results and subsequent 
processes. 

Use of peer and third party reviews for internal audit function. 

External professional advisers are used to carry out due diligence for potential acquisitions and from time 
to time, review internal policies and procedures.

Employment of a dedicated group risk and compliance counsel. 

Use of a single third party tax advisor across the whole of the group.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

39

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Key procedures
 ›

Clearly defined responsibilities and limits of authority, including a 
schedule of matters that are required to be brought to the board 
for decision.

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

A comprehensive group-wide system of financial reporting, 
budgeting and cash forecasting and control through which 
financial accounts are prepared and submitted to the board 
monthly and revised when necessary, to monitor actual against 
expected performance.

The company has in place internal control and risk management 
systems in relation to the company’s financial reporting process 
and the group’s process for preparation of consolidated accounts. 
Furthermore, a review of the consolidated financial statements is 
completed by management to ensure that the financial position 
and results of the group are appropriately reflected therein.

The close involvement of the executive directors, including 
regular meetings with the senior management team to review all 
operational aspects of the business.

Business units are subject to peer reviews of the effectiveness of 
the design of their internal control framework. The central finance 
function review the results of these peer reviews and summary 
reporting is provided to the audit committee. 

Regular meetings of the board and audit committee at which 
financial information is reviewed and internal control issues are 
reported upon and monitored. Processes are in place to ensure 
appropriate action is taken and where necessary, to remedy 
any deficiencies identified through the group’s internal control 
procedures.

Risk management
Risk management and internal control processes encompass activity 
to mitigate financial, operational, compliance and reputational risk. 
Specific processes, as described on pages 37 and 39, are also in place 
to ensure management maintain adequate internal control over 
financial reporting. 

All business units and the executive management are required to 
maintain a process to ensure key risks are identified, evaluated 
and managed appropriately. This process is also applied to major 
business decisions or initiatives, such as capital expenditure, 
systems implementations, new product development, business 
combination activity, rationalisation or significant business strategy 
implementation. Additional risk management activity is focused 
directly towards operational risks within the business, including health 
and safety, product quality and environmental risk management. 

Review by the group’s risk and compliance counsel of specific areas 
of the group’s operations, selected in consultation with the audit 
committee. Reports of the results of these reviews are discussed with 
the chairman of the audit committee and presented to and considered 
by the audit committee.

The governance, audit and risk and compliance functions give the 
audit committee and board visibility and understanding of the group’s 
key risks and risk management capability and provide assurance over 
the quality of the group’s internal control and management of key risks 
in line with a plan agreed by the audit committee.

Through the processes outlined:

 ›

 ›

areas for enhancement of risk management and internal controls 
are identified;

action plans to deliver such enhancements are devised; and 

 ›

delivery is then monitored by management and the board or the 
audit committee.

As part of this ongoing process of enhancement, existing policies and 
procedures are reviewed and where considered appropriate, amended 
and new policies and procedures put in place.

During the year the board considered the nature and extent of the risks 
it was willing to take to achieve its strategic goals and reviewed the 
existing internal statement of principal risks and uncertainties which 
are set out on pages 10 and 11.

Assurance
The board considers that the information it receives is sufficient to 
enable it to review the effectiveness of the group’s risk management 
and internal controls, which manage rather than eliminate the risk of 
not achieving business or governance objectives. Whilst they cannot 
provide absolute assurance, the board believe they provide reasonable 
assurance against material misstatement or loss.

The Nomination Committee
Composition of the committee
 › W H Whiteley (chairman) – independent on appointment

 ›

 ›

C J Snowdon and J F Lennox - independent non-executive 
directors 

D W Muir - chief executive 

Role of the nomination committee
The committee assists the board in the key areas of board 
composition, performance, succession planning and recruitment.

Having the appropriate range of high calibre directors on our board is 
key to determining and achieving the group’s strategic objectives and 
ensuring that success can be sustained over the long term.

Meetings
The committee met on three occasions during the year. The 
attendance of these meetings was:

Names

W H Whiteley 

C J Snowdon

J F Lennox

D W Muir

Attendance 2012 Meeting

3

3

3

1

Appointment of new directors
All of the non-executive directors, including the chairman and the 
group finance director, were selected through externally facilitated 
recruitments. All non-executive directors are independent, as was 
the chairman on appointment (although not counted as such under 
the Code following appointment). The board believes this has created 
an effective group of executive and non-executive directors able to 
provide the required range of skills, knowledge and experience to 
ensure development of the group, implementation of its strategy and 
sound governance. During 2013, the committee does not anticipate 
any changes in the composition of the board but will be reviewing the 
merits of the appointment of an additional non-executive director in 
the context of the international expansion of the group.

40

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Governance

Governance Report continued

Following initial three-year terms, the terms of non-executive directors 
are reviewed annually, in line with their annual retirement under the 
Code. The letters of appointment for the non-executive directors are 
available for inspection at the company’s registered office and the 
annual general meeting (‘AGM’).

Non-executive directors’ letters of appointment set out the time 
commitments normally required. Such time commitments can involve 
peaks of activity at particular times and all directors are expected to 
be flexible in managing these. Any significant changes to their other 
commitments are notified to the board before they arise. The board 
remains satisfied as to the time availability and commitment of the 
non-executive directors.

Re-election of directors
All directors retire at every AGM, under the UK Code. If deemed 
appropriate by the board, directors are proposed for re-appointment 
by shareholders at the forthcoming AGM. In reaching its decision to 
propose re-election, the board acts on the advice of the nominations 
committee, taking account of the results of the board evaluation 
commented upon on page 36.

Following the formal evaluation of the performance of the board in 
2012, all directors are being proposed for re-election at the 2013 AGM. 
Biographies for each director can be found on page 30.

Succession planning
The committee continues to develop its succession planning for the 
executive and non-executive directors and the senior management 
in the group. This includes encouragement and facilitation of the 
development of each individual as well as career progression as 
opportunities arise. For each executive director, the board encourages 
the appointment of one outside, non-executive directorship.

Succession planning is reviewed at each meeting of the committee.

Board and employee diversity
Diversity within our board is key to maximising its effectiveness and 
the success of the business. 

Whilst gender is just one element of diversity, we welcome the 
increased focus that this has widely received over the past year and it 
is a subject that the board continues to keep under review, particularly 
in relation to the diverse geographical and decentralised nature of the 
group.

Board evaluation
A summary of the key matters arising from the 2012 board evaluation 
led by the chairman and internally facilitated by the company 
secretary, is contained on page 36.

The Remuneration Committee
The role of the remuneration committee and details of how it applies 
the group’s policy and the principles of the Code, in respect of directors’ 
remuneration, are set out in the directors’ remuneration report on 
pages 45 to 55.

Compliance and ethics programme
We are committed to conducting our business responsibly, ethically 
and in accordance with the laws and regulations to which our activities 
are subject. The board has training and education programmes for 
employees, relating to compliance within each market and function. 
Our recently revised code of business conduct is supported by a set 
of global policies issued through our group intranet and internal 
communications. During the year we reviewed a number of these 
policies and the processes to make access and governance of the 
same easier.

The full texts of the code of business conduct, and other group policies 
that comprise the compliance programme are available on the 
company’s website at www.hsholdings.com. 

The group’s anti-bribery and corruption policy applies to all directors, 
employees (whether permanent, fixed-term, or temporary), pension 
trustees, consultants and other business advisers, contractors, 
trainees, volunteers, business agents, distributors, joint venture 
partners and any other person working for or performing a service on 
behalf of the company, its subsidiaries and associated companies in 
which it has a majority interest.

During the year, the company updated its anti-bribery and corruption 
policy. As part of this process, additional procedures were required 
within some of the group businesses in relation to the use of sales 
agents who operate in high risk areas of the world, together with the 
general development of stricter policies and procedures when trading 
in certain territories for the first time. Additional procedures have also 
been developed with regard to gift, hospitality and charitable donation 
registers.

The company has developed a specific training and communication 
process to ensure all relevant senior employees are aware of the 
group’s policy and their individual obligations in helping to ensure 
adherence. As an addition to this, each business is required to provide 
an annual confirmation to the company that it has fully complied with 
the group’s anti-bribery and corruption policy.

Our compliance and policy guidelines specify the manner in which 
any potential violations should be dealt with, including line manager 
reporting and referral to the group risk and compliance counsel. All 
reports are sent, in confidence, to the group risk and compliance 
counsel for review, and where appropriate, investigation and escalation 
to the audit committee as required. There is a certification requirement 
for all management level employees to confirm compliance with 
the code of business conduct and to identify areas of possible non-
compliance to the group risk and compliance counsel. 

The company also updated its whistleblowing policy during the year, as 
part of the anti-bribery and corruption communication process within 
the group. This enables individuals to make protected disclosures to 
the group risk and compliance counsel or the group company secretary 
or the chairman of the audit committee if they have concerns about 
possible improprieties in financial reporting or any other malpractices 
within their business. 

Dialogue with shareholders
The board is managing the group ultimately on behalf of its 
shareholders and it undertakes this responsibility in such a way so as 
to maximise shareholder value over the long term and to advance the 
interests of all of the group’s stakeholders. In this respect: 

 ›

 ›

 ›

The chief executive officer and group finance director meet 
with institutional shareholder representatives regularly during 
the year to discuss strategic and other issues as well as to give 
presentations on the group’s results.

The board receives reports from the company’s brokers and 
financial public relations agency of feedback from institutional 
shareholders on the executive directors’ presentations.

The chairman of the remuneration committee consults with 
major shareholders before any significant changes in executive 
remuneration are implemented, the results of which are reported 
to the remuneration committee.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

41

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

 ›

 ›

 ›

The company’s annual report and notice of annual general 
meeting (AGM) are published as soon as the time required for 
their printing allows to provide the maximum time in advance of 
the AGM for feedback on these, which is shared with the relevant 
directors.

All directors are able and available to meet with shareholders to 
discuss matters and can be contacted through the company secretary. 
The chairman and senior independent director are available to meet 
with shareholders concerning corporate governance issues, if so 
required. 

A presentation is given to shareholders attending the company’s 
AGM at which shareholder participation is encouraged. All 
directors are present and questions and feedback are invited.

Proxy votes of shareholders for the AGM are tabulated 
independently by the company’s registrars, provided at the AGM 
and published on our website shortly after the conclusion of that 
meeting.

Copies of all major press releases and interim and annual reports are 
posted on the company’s website together with additional detail on 
major contracts and projects, key financial information, governance 
and organisational structure. 

On behalf of the board

Bill Whiteley 
Chairman

12 March 2013

Information

Terms of reference for the Hill & Smith board committees and copies 
of the principal policies of the company

Address

www.hsholdings.com

 ›

 ›

Click on Investor Relations/Responsibilities/Committees and/or

Click on CSR Policies

Steel piping being galvanized at a Joseph Ash UK galvanizing plant.

An installation of our Brifen wire rope restraining system.

Staples garage at Framingham Massachusetts where our US galvanizer Voigt & Schweitzer galvanized the steel framework comprising 272 tonnes.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

43

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Audit Committee Report

Jock Lennox
Chairman, Audit Committee

Activities
The committee’s principal activities in 2012 were:

Financial reporting
The committee reviewed and commented upon both the financial 
information and non-financial information in the group’s 2011 annual 
report and 2012 interim report, including the interim statements 
prepared by management and issued in May 2012 and November 
2012. A key objective was to confirm that such reports and statements 
presented a balanced and understandable assessment of the group’s 
position and prospects. 

The audit committee are satisfied that the financial statements 
presented a true and fair view of the group’s financial performance 
and prospects. The audit committee also considered the external 
auditor’s management letter, at the time of reviewing the 2011 annual 
report and financial statements and the going concern basis for 
preparation of those financial statements.

Interim management statements were considered by the members 
of the committee in their capacity as directors, rather than at specific 
audit committee meetings. This was considered appropriate in view of 
the limited amount of financial information contained in the group’s 
interim management statements, the thorough review process 
undertaken by the board as a whole and the membership of the 
committee.

External audit
The committee approved the scope and terms of engagement of 
the audit for 2012 and subsequently reviews the performance of the 
auditor following the completion of each audit.

The audit committee has an agreed procedure setting out the basis 
upon which it considers and makes recommendations, as appropriate, 
concerning the appointment, re-appointment or removal of the 
external auditor. During the year, the committee carried out an 
evaluation of the company’s external auditor KPMG Audit Plc and 
reviewed their effectiveness, this included obtaining feedback from 
the group’s businesses. The review concluded that the external auditor 
performed their function effectively and the committee recommended 
to the board that a resolution for KPMG Audit Plc’s re-appointment be 
proposed at the next AGM.

Key matters discussed with KPMG Audit Plc in the conduct of their 
audit were: controls, contracting, provisions, tax, impairment of 
intangible assets, accounting for acquisitions and accounting for 
pension liabilities. These matters were concluded satisfactorily.  

Auditor independence
The auditor confirmed its policies on ensuring audit independence and 
provided the committee with a report on their own audit and quality 
procedures. This report was reviewed during the period under review 
and the committee remained satisfied of the auditor’s independence 
and with the rotation of the external audit personnel, which complied 
with the professional guidelines.

Whilst the group does not consider it necessary to have a policy for 
rotation of external audit firms, consideration was given to placing 
future audits out to tender. In reaching its positive recommendation 
to the board for the re-appointment of KPMG Audit Plc, the committee 
reviewed, as part of its terms of reference, the external auditors’ 
performance and effectiveness in the past year. 

The group has a policy whereby, before any former employee of the 
external auditors may be employed by the group, careful consideration 
be given to whether the independence of the auditor will be adversely 
affected and approval of the audit committee is required.

As part of the standard committee agenda, a review of the group’s 
policy on the use of the external auditor to carry out non-audit 
services was undertaken. This policy is reviewed annually and such 
review forms part of the terms of reference of the committee. The 
current policy is consistent with the ethical standards recommended 
by the accounting practices board. Included within the policy are 
activities which the external auditor cannot undertake, such as: 
those for compiling accounting records, certain aspects of internal 
audit, IT consultancy and advice to the remuneration committee. For 
any non-audit services which are not excluded under the policy, the 
policy provides for approval by the finance director of any expenditure 
below the level of £50,000 and above that figure, approval of the 
audit committee chairman. A report is also submitted to the audit 
committee of any non-audit services carried out by the external 
auditor, irrespective of value.

Where the committee believes it is more cost effective for the external 
auditor to be engaged, for non-audit services, that are not excluded, 
such as those relating to merger and acquisition due diligence work, 
it will consider the engagement of the external auditor, subject to 
application of the principles of the policy, including the financial limits. 

During 2012, there were no fees paid to the auditors other than for 
audit services. Further details of the amounts paid are included in note 
6 of the accounts. The engagement of the external auditor on pension 
services ceased in 2011.

44

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

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Governance

The group risk and compliance counsel submitted an update of 
the group risk register and assurance reporting, progress on the 
implementation of the compliance programme and the new 
compliance systems and training for anti-bribery and corruption.

Whistleblowing
The group has a written policy which states that if any employee in 
the group has reasonable grounds to believe that the group’s code of 
business conduct is being breached by any person or group of people, 
he or she is able to contact the group risk and compliance counsel with 
full details, or if necessary the company secretary or the chairman of 
the audit committee. 

The committee received individual reports from the group risk 
and compliance counsel on matters reported under the group’s 
whistleblowing policy. In the main the incidents reported through the 
whistleblowing helpline related to individual employment terms or 
working relationships with other employees.

Terms of reference
The terms of reference for the committee were reviewed during the 
year. The committee considered that its terms of reference remained 
appropriate, that it had acted transparently and maintained a 
thorough understanding of the group, its business and associated risks.

Yours sincerely

Jock Lennox 
Independent non-executive director
Chairman, Audit Committee

12 March 2013

Audit Committee Report continued

Risk management
The committee reviewed the effectiveness of the group’s internal 
controls, risk management and related disclosures made in the 
annual report and financial statements. It also considered separate 
internal reports on treasury, IT and risk assessment, including where 
appropriate, reports from specialist third parties.

Updated principal risks and uncertainties, including mitigation 
actions, were confirmed by the executive directors on the board of 
the company and are more fully described on pages 10 and 11. These 
principal risks and uncertainties were identified by the operating 
businesses senior management as part of the budget preparation 
process. Further work was carried out by the committee during the 
year in developing processes for risk identification and mitigation, 
through the compliance programme managed by the group risk and 
compliance counsel. 

In conjunction with the work on the new code of business conduct 
and the additional work on the Bribery Act, an assessment was made 
of the levels of due diligence covering the abilities and competencies 
of suppliers and agents, used throughout the group. This has resulted 
in improved vetting of the supply chain and agency network and 
enhanced risk mitigation. 

The compliance programme, together with the peer review work 
referred to below, has provided the committee with an appropriate 
level of reporting and management of risks arising from the growing 
complexity and international footprint of the group.

Internal controls
The board has overall responsibility for ensuring that the group 
maintains a system of internal control that will provide it with a level 
of assurance that is adequate and effective. This includes control over 
financial, operational and compliance matters and the management 
of risk, with the objective of ensuring that the assets are safeguarded 
and the shareholders’ investment protected.

The responsibility for reviewing the effectiveness of the system of 
internal control has been delegated to the audit committee that 
as part of its normal business received reports and assurances 
during the year, on any weaknesses. As part of that review process, 
the committee initiated specific peer review reports covering the 
integration of acquisitions, supply chain management, agency and 
supplier due diligence, operational controls for international businesses 
and the level of expertise for management of large contracting 
projects. The reports were supplemented with further assessment by 
external third parties, such as the external auditor, under the direction 
of the committee.

Following consideration of these reports certain actions were taken to 
strengthen internal controls, improve the supply chain management, 
restructure and refocus one of the businesses and apply the lessons 
learned elsewhere in the group, as appropriate.

Internal audit
The new approach to our internal auditing continued to deliver a more 
focused flexible result with the peer review programme and one-off 
reviews referred to above, producing quality and timely reports that 
facilitated decisive management and committee responses to issues 
raised. The programme has also enabled the management and the 
committee to share information throughout the group and to apply 
new practices and lessons learned. A total of eleven reports were 
submitted to the committee during the year covered by presentations 
to the committee on progress and overall results of the programme.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

45

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Remuneration Committee Report

Clive Snowdon
Chairman, Remuneration Committee

Dear shareholder,

I am pleased to present, on pages 46 to 55, the directors’ remuneration report for the year ended 31 December 2012.

Whilst the committee is satisfied that the current remuneration arrangements are appropriate and that rewards received under the company’s 
incentive plans reflect the performance delivered, it will continue to keep these under review. The principal purpose of such review is to ensure 
continued links to our strategic objectives and incentivisation of performance through simple transparent arrangements.

Key actions and decisions that we have taken during the financial year include:

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

Review of executive directors’ and senior executive salaries;

Review of executive directors’ bonus arrangements for 2013;

Bonus payments for the year ending 31 December 2011;

Awards under the 2007 long term incentive plan (LTIP’s);

Review of vesting of LTIP awards made in 2009; and

Award of Executive Share Options for senior executives within the group (excluding any senior executive participating in LTIP’s).

As described in the ‘business review’, the company has delivered a strong performance for the year ended 31 December 2012 and a high level 
of free cash flow. This performance reflects positively against the board’s commitment to deliver growth in a disciplined manner, positioning the 
business well for the future. This strong financial performance has resulted in the group chief executive and finance director each receiving a 
cash bonus of 85% of their base pay for the year ended 31 December 2012. In view of the group’s results, the committee is satisfied that this is 
appropriate.

In line with emerging guidance from the Government and the Financial Reporting Council, we have introduced a new table at the start of this 
report, (see page 46) that summarises the total annual earnings of the executive directors as a single remuneration figure. We hope that this 
evolution of our reporting practice helps to create a fuller understanding of our reward policies and forms a transparent basis for engagement 
with key stakeholders going forward.

We have also set out on page 47 a remuneration policy table to convey the key elements of the policy and its implementation.

We look forward to receiving your support at the AGM on 15 May 2013.

Yours sincerely

Clive Snowdon 
Senior independent non-executive director 
Chairman, Remuneration Committee 

12 March 2013

46

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

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Governance

Remuneration Committee Report continued

Executive directors’ total remuneration (2012)

D W Muir 

M Pegler 

£941,000

£588,000

The total remuneration figures stated above comprise the following elements and are further explained below.

Executive 
Director

D W Muir

M Pegler

Salary  
£000’s

425 

271 

Benefits 
£000’s

49* 

19 

Pension 
£000’s

106 

68 

Incentive 
Payments 
£000’s

361 

230 

LTIP Vesting 
£000’s

nil 

nil 

Total 
£000’s

941 

588 

Salary 
Total amount of salary in respect of that year.

Benefits
All taxable benefits and any cash dividends received over the vesting period of long term incentives. 

Pensions
All pension related benefits including cash in lieu of pension.

Incentive payments
Money or other assets awarded in the reporting year as a result of the achievement of performance conditions that related to that period (e.g. 
bonus). 

Long term incentive plan (LTIP) 
The vesting of awards made under the LTIP Scheme where the final vesting is determined as a result of the achievement of performance 
conditions that end on 31 December 2012. For this vesting period, the awards, which were issued in March 2009, did not achieve the vesting 
criteria and accordingly none vested.

* a total of £23,000 (2011: £31,000) was paid in the form of subsistence which is subject to PAYE and NIC deductions.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

47

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Executive directors’ remuneration arrangements (2012) 
The company operates in increasingly competitive international markets and for it to continue to compete successfully, it is essential that the level 
of remuneration and benefits offered for leadership roles achieves the objectives of attraction, retention, motivation, performance and reward. 
The table below gives a summary of the elements of remuneration designed to achieve objectives in relation to the executive directors.

Elements of Remuneration

Purpose and link 
to strategy

Operation

Opportunity Performance metrics

Base salary

Help recruit and 
retain employees.

Reviewed annually and fixed for 
twelve months commencing 1 
January. Decision influenced by:

N/A

Reflects individual 
experience and 
role.

Benefits

Help recruit and 
retain employees.

Pension

Rewards sustained 
contribution.

Incentive 
payments

Rewards the 
achievement 
of annual 
financial and 
strategic business 
objectives.

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

role and performance;

average change in broader 
workforce salary;

total organisational salary 
budgets;

peer group benchmarking.

Directors are entitled to 
healthcare, car (or cash 
allowance) ill health and life 
assurance.

The company operates a defined 
contribution pension scheme 
or cash in lieu of pension 
contributions, based upon a 
maximum of 25% of base salary.

The company has closed its 
defined benefits scheme but D W 
Muir is still a deferred member. 

Targets are reviewed annually.

Bonus level is determined by the 
committee after the year end, 
based on performance against 
targets.

Page 
of the 
Report 
providing 
further 
details

49

Changes in 
year to 31 
December 
2012

Directors 
salaries 
increased by 
3% p.a.

 ›

 ›

 ›

Group performance

Group strategy

International 
dimension of the 
group

Annual cost 
of benefits

None

None

50

Maximum 
25% base 
salary

Maximum 
% of salary: 
100%

None

None

49 and 53

50

No change 
has been 
made to the 
measures or 
weighting.

The majority of the bonus 
is based on achievement 
of challenging financial 
objectives, both of which 
are aligned to the strategic 
objectives:

 ›

 ›

50% based on actual 
performance against 
budgeted profit before 
tax

50% based on growth 
in the underlying 
earnings per share

LTIP

Incentivises 
directors to 
achieve returns 
for shareholders 
over a longer time 
frame.

Existing LTIP was approved by 
shareholders in May 2007.

Awards of conditional shares 
are made annually with vesting 
dependent on the achievement of 
performance conditions over the 
three subsequent years.

The committee reviews the 
quantum of awards annually to 
ensure that they are in line with 
market rates.

Maximum 
% of salary: 
100%

Awards vest at end of three 
year performance period 
based on two performance 
measures:

 ›

 ›

Underlying earnings 
per share (50% of the 
award)

Relative TSR 
performance (50% of 
the award

50 and 
54 to 55

No change 
has been 
made to the 
measures or 
weighting.

48

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

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Governance

Directors’ Remuneration Report

The directors’ remuneration report is divided into two parts. “Part 1” 
contains commentary on the company’s remuneration policy, which is 
not required to be audited. “Part 2” contains information that has been 
audited in accordance with the relevant statutory requirements.

As required, a resolution to approve the report will be proposed at the 
annual general meeting to be held on 15 May 2013.

PART 1 – UNAUDITED INFORMATION
Remuneration committee
The members of the committee during the year were:

Meetings
The committee meets at least twice each year and met three times 
in the period under review in March, October and December. The 
company secretary acts as secretary to the committee. The chief 
executive also attended meetings of the committee by invitation. 
None of the committee has any personal financial interest (other than 
as shareholders), conflicts of interests arising from cross-directorships 
or day-to-day involvement in running the business. No director or 
executive plays a part in any discussion about his own remuneration.

During the year attendance by committee members was as follows:

 ›

 ›

C J Snowdon (Chairman) 

J F Lennox

 › W H Whiteley

All members of the committee are non-executive directors of the 
company, are regarded as independent and do not participate in 
any form of performance related pay or pension arrangements. In 
view of the size of the classification of the company as a non-FTSE 
350 constituent the board remains satisfied that W H Whiteley’s 
appointment to the remuneration committee is necessary but 
continues to keep this under review.

Responsibilities of the committee
The committee determines, on behalf of the board, the company’s 
policy on remuneration and the remuneration and terms of 
engagement of the executive directors and certain other agreed senior 
executives. The committee operates under clear written terms of 
reference (available on the company’s website: www.hsholdings.com). 

The responsibilities of the committee include:

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

reviewing and recommending the remuneration policy for 
executive directors and certain other agreed senior executives; for 
the board to approve; 

within this policy, agreeing the individual remuneration packages;

approving the design of, and determining targets for, any 
performance incentive pay schemes operated by the company for 
the executive directors and certain other agreed senior executives 
and approving the total payments made under such schemes;

reviewing and recommending the design of, and any changes 
to, all share incentive plans for approval by the board and 
shareholders;

reviewing the terms and conditions to be included in the service 
agreements for executive directors and certain other agreed 
senior executives; and

approving the terms of any compensation package in the event 
of early termination of contracts of executive directors or certain 
other agreed senior executives, ensuring that they are fair to 
the individual and to the company. In so doing the committee 
ensures that failure is not rewarded and the duty to mitigate loss 
is fully recognised.

Names

C J Snowdon

J F Lennox

W H Whiteley

D W Muir

Attendance 2012 Meetings

3

3

3

1

Activities during the year
During the year the committee:

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

reviewed the remuneration policy and determined the 
appropriate individual remuneration packages of each executive 
director and other agreed senior executives;

determined final annual bonus payments for each executive 
director and other agreed senior executives for the 2011 financial 
year;

considered awards to each executive director and one senior 
executive, under the company’s 2007 LTIP (including a review of 
the performance conditions and targets to ensure that they were 
appropriately challenging); 

considered the vesting of awards made in March 2009 under the 
company’s 2007 long term incentive plan, for the chief executive, 
finance director and one senior executive. None of the awards 
made in March 2009 satisfied the vesting performance criteria 
and therefore all of these awards lapsed;

approved the directors’ remuneration report for inclusion in the 
2011 annual report;

reviewed the level of incentive and performance criteria for the 
2013 incentive arrangements for the executive directors and 
other senior executives; 

considered and approved an award of share options under 
its 2005 executive share option scheme for senior executives 
(excluding participants of the 2007 LTIP); and

reviewed the terms of reference of the committees.

Advisers
The committee did not require or use the services of external advisers 
during 2012 having previously taken external advice in 2010 in relation 
to performance related pay and awards made under the company’s 
LTIP. The committee considered that, in the context of the work that 
had already been undertaken, no further advice was required on such 
matters or any continued work on benchmarking of salaries.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

49

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Overall remuneration policy and purpose 
The remuneration policy is designed to be in line with the company’s fundamental principles of fairness, being competitive and having the right 
calibre of employee to deliver the company’s corporate strategy. 

Accordingly, the company sets out to provide fair and competitive remuneration to all its employees and which is appropriate to the business 
environment and markets it operates in. To achieve this, the remuneration packages are based on the following principles: 

 ›

 ›

Total rewards should be set to be fair and attractive; and 

Appropriate elements of the remuneration package should be designed to reinforce the link between performance and reward. 

The company also seeks to align the interests of shareholders and employees at all levels by giving employees opportunities and encouragement 
to build up a shareholding in the company through various share option and incentive schemes. 

Balance of executive directors’ remuneration 
The current balance of the executive directors’ remuneration between base salary and the performance incentive (bonus) is considered by the 
committee to be appropriate and in line with the policy on incentivisation. 

Below is a split of the base salary and performance incentive (bonus) element for the executive directors.

2012 (Actual)

2013 (Expected)

Performance 
incentive - 42.5%

Base salary - 57.5%

Performance 
incentive - 50%

Base salary - 50%

Fixed remuneration 
Basic salary
Basic annual salaries for executive directors are reviewed by the 
committee on an annual basis or when a material change of 
responsibility occurs. In making decisions the committee considers 
salaries offered for similar roles by reference to practice across industry 
comparators and companies of a similar size and complexity to the 
company. The committee does not however have a formal positioning 
policy for base salary as it is acutely aware of the issues around setting 
pay solely by reference to a benchmark reference point.

During the period under review the committee reviewed the salaries 
of the executive directors and other senior executives in the context 
of the previous benchmarking exercises, the current performance of 
the company and the levels of pay increases to be applied throughout 
what is now a large group of international businesses. This approach is 
consistent with that taken since January 2009, the point at which the 
last major benchmarking exercise was undertaken. Accordingly, the 
following salary increases have applied to the executive directors:

Pension arrangement (chief executive)
As from 31 October 2011 D W Muir ceased to participate in the Hill & 
Smith executive pension scheme (the “scheme”), which provided him 
with a defined benefit pension and other related benefits. D W Muir is 
therefore no longer an active member of that scheme and all future 
accrual of benefits ceased as from 31 October 2011, with D W Muir 
becoming a deferred member from that date.

Under his pension arrangement, as an active member, D W Muir’s 
pension benefit was based upon an accrual of 1/30th of the earnings 
cap (applying prior to 6 April 2006 and increased in line with the rules 
of the Scheme) for each year of pensionable service calculated from 1 
October 1998. 

Following cessation of his defined benefit scheme active membership 
(and future accrual) D W Muir has, with effect from 1 November 2011, 
been in receipt of a salary supplement of 25% of his basic salary in 
lieu of any form of pension contribution and as compensation for his 
becoming a deferred member of the defined benefit scheme. 

review date

D W Muir
chief executive

M Pegler
finance director

Previous review 1 Jan 2012

3.1% increase

3.0% increase

Review 1 Jan 2013

3.0% increase

3.0% increase

In making these awards the committee also took into account the 
overall performance of the group, in a challenging economic climate, 
the continued development of the international scale of the group and 
the management of the group’s net debt.

Pension arrangement (finance director)
M Pegler receives a payment of 25% of his base salary as a defined 
contribution to his own private pension arrangements.

Other than as stated above, there are no other pension arrangements 
in place for executive directors.

50

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

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Governance

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Other benefits
These principally comprise car benefits, life insurance, membership 
of the company’s healthcare scheme, income protection scheme 
and personal accident insurance. These benefits do not form part of 
pensionable earnings.

Performance related remuneration
Performance incentive payment
Executive directors are eligible for an annual performance related cash 
bonus, designed to pay the maximum only in circumstances where 
stretching performance targets have been satisfied.

Effective from 1 January 2012, the basis for the payment of any 
bonus was determined by reference to a combination of achievement 
of levels of underlying profit before tax and in the growth of the 
underlying earnings per share over one financial year of the company. 
The weighting between the two performance measures of profit 
achievement and UEPS growth for the 2012 financial year was as 
follows:

 ›

 ›

50% of the bonus judged against achievement of underlying 
actual profit before tax compared to budget

50% of the bonus judged against achievement of underlying 
earnings per share growth

Note: for the 2011 financial year the weighting was 70% for underlying 
profit before tax achievement and 30% for underlying earnings per 
share growth. 

In all other respects the incentive scheme for 2012 remained the same 
as it was for 2011.  The arrangements for 2012 will also be applied in 
the current form to the executive director’s incentive arrangements for 
the financial year commencing 1 January 2013.

Incentive payments are subject to a clawback provision for material 
errors or the misstatement of results or information coming to light, 
which had it been known, would have affected the award decision. 
The incentive arrangement does not have any deferred element and 
incentive payments are not pensionable.

Long term incentive plans (LTIP’s)
The company operates three share plans: the 2007 long term incentive 
plan, the 2005 executive share option scheme and the 2005 sharesave 
scheme. The LTIP is the primary long term incentive vehicle for 
executive directors. Prior to the implementation of the LTIP in 2007, 
awards were made to executive directors under the 2005 executive 
share option scheme. Any director or senior executive in the 2007 
LTIP cannot participate in the 2005 executive share option scheme. 
Full details of the three share plans are set out as an appendix to this 
report on pages 54 and 55.

Dilution
The dilutive effect of the grants of awards is considered by the 
committee when granting awards under the LTIP and share option 
plans. In accordance with its commitment, the percentage of the 
issued share capital that could be allocated under all of the company’s 
employee share plans over a period of ten years should be under 
10%. Currently the LTIP, as the principal long term incentive vehicle 
for executive directors, does not have a dilutive effect because it is the 
preference of the board to satisfy awards through the market purchase 
of shares rather than the issue and allotment of shares.

Shareholding guidelines
The committee has established a shareholding guideline for the 2007 
LTIP under which it is expected that executive directors retain half of 
any shares which vest for awards made from 2008 onwards and for 
awards made from 1 January 2011, as much of their shares that vest 
until they reach 100% of their salary as an equivalent shareholding.

Executive directors’ service agreements
The committee operates a policy of one year rolling contracts for 
executive directors. Each executive director has such a contract, 
executed at the time of his appointment (and amended from time to 
time as required). The committee would consider the circumstances 
of any individual case of early termination and would determine 
compensation payments accordingly. A fair but robust principle of 
mitigation would be applied to the payment of compensation in these 
circumstances.

Current service agreements as at the date of this report:

Executive 
director

D W Muir

M Pegler

Date of 
service contract

4 June 2007

28 November 2007

Notice period to be 
given to the director

12 months

12 months

D W Muir’s service agreement provides twelve months’ notice of 
termination to be given by the company and for D W Muir to give the 
company twelve months’ notice of termination. During the period of 
ninety days following a change of control the notice period to be given 
by the company to D W Muir is twelve months and by D W Muir to 
the company is reduced from twelve months to ninety days. If during 
the period of ninety days following a change of control, the service 
agreement is terminated by D W Muir or is terminated by the company 
without prior notice, D W Muir is entitled to a sum equal to twelve 
months basic salary.

M Pegler’s service agreement entitles him to receive twelve months’ 
notice of termination by the company. In the event that M Pegler 
terminates the service agreement he is due to give the company six 
months’ notice. During the period of ninety days following a change 
of control the notice period to be given by the company to M Pegler 
is twelve months and by M Pegler to the company is reduced from six 
months to ninety days. If during the period of ninety days following a 
change of control, the service agreement is terminated by M Pegler or 
is terminated by the company without prior notice, M Pegler is entitled 
to a sum equal to twelve months basic salary.

Apart from the above, there are no special provisions in the executive 
directors’ service contracts for compensation for loss of office.

Policy on external appointments
Executive directors may accept one external appointment as a 
non-executive director of other companies and retain any related 
fees paid to them provided always that such external appointment 
is not considered by the board to prevent or reduce the ability of the 
executive director to perform his role to the required standard. Such 
appointments are seen as a way in which executive directors can 
gain a broader business experience and, in turn, benefit the company. 
Currently the chief executive and the finance director do not hold any 
external non-executive directorships.

Non-executive directors
The non-executive directors do not have service contracts. Fees for 
non-executive directors are determined by the executive directors 
in light of market best practice and with reference to the time 
commitment and responsibilities associated with the role. The non-
executive directors do not participate in any decision in relation to the 
determination of their fees.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

51

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

The audit committee chairman and the remuneration committee chairman receive additional fees as does the senior independent director. These 
additional fees, effective 1 January 2013, are set out below:

chairman of the audit committee 
£5,300 per annum  
(£5,150 per annum 1 Jan 2012)

chairman of the remuneration committee 
£4,300 per annum  
(£4,150 per annum 1 Jan 2012)

senior independent director 
£1,600 per annum 
(£1,550 per annum 1 Jan 2012)

The non-executive directors are not eligible for performance related bonuses or the grant of awards under the company’s LTIP. No pension 
contributions are made on their behalf.

The appointments of all the non-executive directors are governed by letters of engagement. Under the terms of their engagement, the notice 
period to be given by the non-executive directors to the company is three months and the company is obliged to give the same length of notice to 
each individual director to terminate their engagement.

Directors’ interests in shares
The table below shows the beneficial interests as at the beginning of the year and as at 31 December 2012 of the persons who on that date were 
directors (including the interests of their connected persons) in the ordinary shares of Hill & Smith Holdings PLC. All such interests were beneficial 
except as otherwise stated. However, interests in ordinary shares that are the subject of awards under the 2007 LTIP, the 2005 executive share 
option scheme and the 2005 sharesave scheme, are not included in the table below but are shown on pages 52 and 53. 

None of the directors has a beneficial interest in the shares of any of the company’s subsidiaries.

Current directors

W H Whiteley

D W Muir

M Pegler

C J Snowdon

J F Lennox

Beneficial interest in ordinary 
shares at 1 Jan 2012 

Change to  
beneficial interest

Beneficial interest in ordinary  
shares at 31 Dec 2012 

22,100

116,328

19,000

33,930

5,000

-

-

6,500

5,000

-

22,100

116,328

25,500

38,930

5,000

There were no changes in the beneficial interests of the directors in the company’s ordinary shares between 31 December 2012 and the date of 
this report.

The register of directors’ interests, which is open to inspection, contains full details of directors’ shareholdings and options to subscribe for or be 
awarded ordinary shares in the company.

Total shareholder return graphs
The UK Directors’ Remuneration Report Regulations 2002 require the inclusion in the directors’ remuneration report of a graph showing TSR over a 
five year period in respect of a holding of the company’s shares, plotted against TSR in respect of a hypothetical holding of shares of a similar kind 
and number by reference to which a broad equity market index is calculated.

The following graphs show the TSR performance of the company over the five year period to 1 January 2013 compared against the FTSE All-Share 
Index and FTSE Small Cap Index, respectively (both excluding Investment Trusts “IT”).

)
0
0
1
o
t
d
e
s
a
b
e
r
(
n
r
u
t
e
R
r
e
d
l
o
h
e
r
a
h
S
l
a
t
o
T

175

150

125

100

75

50

25
Jan 08

Source: Datastream

)
0
0
1
o
t
d
e
s
a
b
e
r
(
n
r
u
t
e
R
r
e
d
l
o
h
e
r
a
h
S
l
a
t
o
T

175

150

125

100

75

50

25
Jan 08

Jan 09

Jan 10

Jan 11

Jan 12

Jan 09

Jan 10

Jan 11

Jan 12

Hill & Smith

FTSE All Share (ex IT)

Hill & Smith

FTSE Small Cap (ex IT)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
52

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Governance

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

PART 2 – AUDITED INFORMATION
Directors’ emoluments in 2012
The aggregate remuneration, excluding pension contributions and the value of long term incentive awards, paid to or accrued for all directors of 
the company for services in all capacities during the year ended 31 December 2012 was £1.6m (2011: £1.2m). The remuneration of individual 
directors is set out below:

Directors

W H Whiteley

D W Muir

M Pegler

C J Snowdon

J F Lennox

Total

Basic salary/fees  
£000

Performance related 
bonus £000

Value of benefits  
£000

Total 2012 
£000

Total 2011 
£000

127

425

271

47

46

916

-

361

230

-

-

591

-

49

19

-

-

68

127

835

520

47

46

124 

591 

361 

45 

45 

1,575

1,166

* A total of £23,000 (2011: £31,000) was paid to D W Muir in the form of subsistence which was subject to PAYE and NIC deduction. 

The executive directors were also granted awards of ordinary shares under the company’s 2007 long term incentive plan (LTIP). Details of awards 
made in the year under the LTIP are given below. 

2007 long term incentive plan (LTIP) 
The interests of directors at 31 December 2012, in shares that are the subject of awards under the LTIP are shown below: 

Directors

D W Muir

Total D W Muir

M Pegler

Total M Pegler

Award Date

25 Mar 2009‡
31 Mar 2010§
18 Mar 2011*
21 Mar 2012¥

25 Mar 2009‡
31 Mar 2010§
18 Mar 2011*
21 Mar 2012¥

At
1 Jan 2012
number of
shares

75,000
117,879
136,990

329,869

75,000
75,148
87,448

237,596

Awarded
in 2012
number
of shares

125,091

125,091

79,764

79,764

Lapsed in 
2012

75,000

75,000

75,000

At
31 Dec 2012
number
of shares

-
117,879
136,990
125,091

379,960

-
75,148
87,448
79,764

Performance
period
3 years from

1 Jan 2009
1 Jan 2010
1 Jan 2011
1 Jan 2012

Vesting
date

1 Jan 2012
1 Jan 2013
1 Jan 2014
1 Jan 2015

1 Jan 2009
1 Jan 2010
1 Jan 2011
1 Jan 2012

1 Jan 2012
1 Jan 2013
1 Jan 2014
1 Jan 2015

75,000

242,360

‡ The share price as calculated on 25 March 2009 in accordance with the LTIP rules was 154p. 
§ The share price as calculated on 31 March 2010 in accordance with the LTIP rules was 339p.  
* The share price as calculated on 18 March 2011 in accordance with the LTIP rules was 300.75p. 
¥The share price as calculated on 21 March 2012 in accordance with the LTIP rules was 339.75p.

Share options
The interests of directors, who served during 2012, in options for ordinary shares in the company, which include options granted under the 2005 
executive share option scheme and the 2005 sharesave scheme, together with options granted and exercised during 2012, are included in the 
following table: 

D W Muir

2005 executive share option scheme

2005 sharesave scheme

Total D W Muir

M Pegler

2005 sharesave scheme

Total M Pegler

At
1 Jan 2012
number
of shares

78,114

1,328

4,855

84,297

3,902

3,902

Grant price

205p

318p

238p

246p

Granted
in 2012
number
of shares

Exercised
in 2012
number
of shares

At
31 Dec 2012
number
of shares

Dates
from which
exercisable

Latest
expiry date

-

-

-

-

-

-

78,114

-

4 Oct 2008

4 Oct 2015

1 Jan 2013

1 Jul 2013

1 Jan 2016

1 Jul 2016

1 Dec 2011

1 Jun 2012

1,328

4,855

6,183

-

-

78,114

3,902

3,902

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

53

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

On 20 September 2012, D W Muir exercised options to subscribe for 78,114 new ordinary shares at a price of 205p per share. Following the 
exercise of these options D W Muir sold 78,114 ordinary shares at a price of 375p per share on the London Stock Exchange. D W Muir accounted 
for the PAYE and NIC on the gain attaching to 63,468 shares. The remaining 14,646 shares were subject to capital gains tax.

Apart from the LTIP awards made to D W Muir and M Pegler on 21 March 2012 no further options or awards were made to directors.

During 2012, the mid market price of ordinary shares in the company ranged from 250.0p to 410.75p. 

The mid market price of an ordinary share on 31 December 2012 was 398.0p. 

Pensions
D W Muir became a deferred member of the company’s defined benefit scheme on 31 October 2011 and as such has ceased, from that date, 
to accrue any future benefits. D W Muir’s deferred pension is subject to statutory increases in line with inflation. The transfer value of D W Muir’s 
deferred benefits increased by £792,047 from £1,766,953 at 1 January 2012 to £2,559,000 at 31 December 2012. The increase in the transfer 
value was due to the change in financial conditions over the period from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012, with decreasing yields on 
corporate bonds and gilts whereas expectations on inflation remained largely unchanged. D W Muir has a normal retirement date of aged 60.

D W Muir receives a cash payment in lieu of any pension contribution, equal to 25% of his base salary. In 2012 he received £106,000 as a taxable 
cash payment in lieu of pension.

M Pegler receives a payment of 25% of his base salary as a defined contribution to his own private pension arrangement. The company 
contributed £67,750 to M Pegler’s private defined contribution pension arrangement in 2012.

Transactions with directors
There were no material transactions between the company and the directors during 2012.

Clive Snowdon 
Senior independent non-executive director
Chairman, Remuneration Committee

12 March 2013

54

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Governance

Appendix to Directors’ Remuneration Report

2007 long term incentive plan (LTIP)
Awards
The Hill & Smith 2007 LTIP provides for the grant of conditional share 
awards. Generally, awards are made to executive directors on an 
annual basis with the level of vesting determined by reference to 
stretching performance conditions. The maximum market value of 
shares pursuant to an award to any director or employee in respect of 
any financial year is 100% of that director’s or employee’s base salary. 
Awards are not pensionable and may not generally be assigned or 
transferred.

Awards to the chief executive and finance director were made on 21 
March 2012. The value of the shares subject to the award was equal to 
100% of the chief executive’s salary and 100% of the finance director’s 
salary. Details of subsisting awards to executive directors are shown in 
the table on page 52.

Performance criteria review
In 2010, the committee reviewed the LTIP performance criteria 
and, after consultation with major shareholders, made certain 
minor changes for any awards made after 1 January 2011. These 
minor changes comprise more appropriate “target” and “stretch” 
performance figures for that half of the award dependent upon 
absolute growth in UEPS and a move away from the FTSE All Share 
earnings per share (EPS) growth measure to one based upon total 
shareholder return (TSR) for the relative growth measure. Both 
changes are seen by the committee as more appropriate in the current 
economic climate and avoid any practical difficulties in compiling the 
FTSE All Share EPS comparator.

For awards made after 1 January 2011
In respect of awards made after 1 January 2011 the absolute UEPS 
growth measures (i.e. target and stretch) have been amended to:

Performance criteria
The performance criteria, which is measured over three financial years, 
and upon which vesting of the award rests, is as follows:

 ›

 ›

10% plus RPI (in substitution of 20% “target”) 

25% plus RPI (in substitution of 45% “stretch”)

For awards made prior to 1 January 2011
The performance targets are based solely on the company’s underlying 
earnings per share (UEPS) measured over the relevant three year 
period. The UEPS criterion was chosen to reflect the business strategy 
and ensure that earnings attributable to the shareholders increased at 
an appropriate rate before any awards under the LTIP vested.

Half of the vesting is based on the company’s absolute UEPS 
performance against prescribed targets which are determined by the 
committee at the time each award is granted. The committee set a 
target level of UEPS growth (20% over the performance period), below 
which none of this proportion of the award vests, and a stretch level 
of UEPS growth (45% over the performance period), at which all of 
this proportion of the award vests. Vesting is on a straight line basis 
between the target and stretch points of 20% and 45% respectively.

Straight line vesting will continue to apply between these two points.

The committee believes that the new absolute UEPS targets are 
appropriate to incentivise the executive directors to develop the UEPS 
in line with the business plan.

Also for awards made after 1 January 2011 the relative growth 
measure will be based upon TSR for the company compared to that for 
the FTSE SmallCap and not UEPS. The ranking of the company’s UEPS or 
TSR performance over the performance period determines the vesting 
for this proportion of the award, as per the vesting schedule shown in 
the table below.

Absolute UEPS Growth Condition* 
For awards made after 1 Jan 2011

UEPS performance of the company

Vesting Percentage*

These measures continue to apply to any outstanding awards made 
before 1 January 2011 and are set out in the table below.

At target of 10% plus RPI

At stretch of 25% plus RPI

0%

100%

Absolute UEPS Growth Condition*  
For awards made prior to 1 Jan 2011

UEPS performance of the company

Vesting Percentage*

At target of 20%

At stretch of 45%

Vesting on a straight line between 20% and 45%

0%

100%

Relative UEPS Growth Condition* 
For awards made prior to 1 Jan 2011

UEPS performance of the company compared  
to EPS of FTSE All-Share index

Vesting 
Percentage*

Below median

Between median and upper quartile

Between upper quartile and 100th percentile

0%

50%

100%

No straight line vesting between the median and upper quartile

* Accounts for 50% of the total Award and applies over a 3 year vesting period

In March 2012 the committee considered the vesting of awards made 
in March 2009 and confirmed that such awards were to lapse as they 
had not satisfied either of the performance criteria for vesting.

Vesting on a straight line between 10% + RPI and 25% + RPI

Relative TSR Growth Condition* 
For awards made after 1 Jan 2011

TSR performance compared to the FTSE SmallCap 
TSR performance

Vesting 
Percentage*

Below median

Between median and upper quartile

Between upper quartile and 100th percentile

0%

30%

100%

Between the median and upper quartile on a straight line basis

The committee determined that the measurement of relative growth 
for half of the award would complement the absolute growth targets 
to ensure that an award could only fully vest if the company’s 
performance is superior to a majority of the companies in either the 
FTSE All-Share index or as from 1 January 2011 the TSR for the FTSE 
SmallCap.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

55

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Vesting
The committee also has the discretion to make an adjustment to 
the number of shares vesting from an award to take account of 
the underlying financial performance of the company over which 
performance is measured. 

LTIP awards/vestings are subject to a clawback provision for material 
errors or the misstatement of results or information coming to light, 
which had it been known, would have affected the award/vesting 
decision.

2005 executive share option scheme
Under this scheme, options may be awarded at the discretion of the 
committee to acquire ordinary shares at an exercise price no lower 
than the market value of a share at the date of grant. The options can 
only be exercised between three and ten years after the date of grant. 
Additionally options may only be exercised if the growth in UEPS of the 
company over a three year period is not less than the increase in the 
Retail Price Index plus 9%, over the same period.

Awards were made under this scheme in 2012 to certain senior 
executives, excluding the executive directors and any other executive 
receiving awards under the 2007 LTIP. This scheme has not been 
available to the executive directors since 2007. For options outstanding 
under the 2005 executive share option scheme see the table on page 
52.

2005 sharesave scheme
The 2005 sharesave scheme is open to all employees (including 
executive directors) who have completed six months’ continuous 
service. Under this scheme the company can, if it thinks fit, grant 
options at a price up to 20% below the market price.

Executive directors participated in the scheme in 2012 and details 
are contained in the table on page 52 including those for subsisting 
options.

Clive Snowdon 
Senior independent non-executive director
Chairman, Remuneration Committee

12 March 2013

56

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Governance

Directors’ Report (other statutory information)

Principal activities and business review
The company acts as a holding company to all the group’s subsidiaries.

During 2012 the principal activities of the group comprised the 
manufacture and supply of:

- 
- 

Infrastructure Products 
Galvanizing Services

Pages 3 to 22 contain further details of these areas of the business and 
the principal subsidiaries operating within them are set out on pages 
115 to 117.

The chairman’s statement and the director’s business review include:

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

an analysis of the development and performance of the 
company’s business during the financial year;

key performance indicators used to measure the group’s 
performance;

the position of the company’s business at the end of the financial 
year;

a description of the principal risks and uncertainties faced by the 
group; and

 › main trends and factors likely to affect the future development, 

performance and position of the company’s business.

Statement on corporate governance
The directors’ report for Hill & Smith Holdings PLC for the year ended 31 
December 2012 comprises these pages and the sections of the annual 
report referred to under ‘directors’ business review’, and ‘governance’, 
which are incorporated into the directors’ report by reference.

Results
The group profit before taxation for the year amounted to £35.2m 
(2011: £25.4m). Group revenue at £440.7m was 8.5% higher than 
the prior year. Operating profit at £39.2m (2011: £32.9m) was 19.2% 
above the level for the previous year.

Details of the results for the year are shown on the consolidated 
income statement on page 61 and the business segment information 
is given on pages 72 and 73.

Dividends
The directors recommend the payment of a final dividend of 9.2p per 
ordinary share (2011: 7.8p per ordinary share) which, together with the 
interim dividend of 5.8p per ordinary share (2011: 5.4p per ordinary 
share) paid on 7 January 2013, makes a total distribution for the year 
of 15.0p per ordinary share (2011: 13.2p per ordinary share). Subject 
to shareholders approving this recommendation at the annual general 
meeting, the final dividend will be paid on 5 July 2013 to shareholders 
on the register at the close of business on 31 May 2013. The latest 
date for receipt of Dividend Re-investment Plan elections is 14 June 
2013. 

Share capital
There are no restrictions on the transfer of shares in the company 
provided they are fully paid up and the company does not hold any 
lien over them and as the shares rank equally none of them carry any 
special rights with regards to control of the company. Such equal rights 
apply to shares acquired through any of the company’s employee 
share schemes and those shares so acquired carry no lesser or 
greater rights than shares acquired in the company in any other way. 
Accordingly there are no restrictions on voting rights attaching to any 
shares, whether relating to the level of shareholding or otherwise.

The company is not aware of any arrangements between shareholders 
of the company that may result in restrictions on the transfer of 
ordinary shares or voting rights.

In relation to the purchase by the company of its own shares the rules 
relating thereto are set out in the company’s articles of association 
which state that the directors’ powers to authorise such purchase by 
the company are subject to the provisions of the relevant statutes and 
also the UK Listing Authority requirements, as the company’s shares 
are listed on the London Stock Exchange.

No shares were held in treasury.

Articles of association
The rules relating to amendment of the company’s articles of 
association are that any change must be authorised by a special 
resolution of the company in a general meeting.

Accordingly the following resolutions are to be put to the members of 
the company at the company’s annual general meeting each year:

 ›

 ›

The authority for making market purchases of shares greater than 
5% of the company’s then issued share capital is limited by the 
resolution of the 2012 annual general meeting and will be limited 
by the resolution to be put to the 2013 annual general meeting. 
The prices to be paid for such purchases must be a minimum 
price of 25 pence per ordinary share (the nominal value) and a 
maximum price of 5% above the average of the middle market 
quotations for ordinary shares derived from the London Stock 
Exchange Daily Official List for the five business days immediately 
preceding the day on which any such purchase takes place. 

The Companies (Shareholders’ Rights) Regulations 2009 provide 
that a company can reduce the notice period for calling meetings 
to the shorter period of 14 clear days on two conditions: firstly 
that the company offers a facility for shareholders to vote by 
electronic means and secondly that there is an annual resolution 
of shareholders approving such reduction in the required 
minimum notice period. Approval to the calling of general 
meetings other than annual general meetings on 14 clear days 
notice was approved at the AGM on 16 May 2012 to assist the 
company in conducting its business and subject to any necessary 
matters being put to shareholders promptly. This approval 
remains effective until the earlier of the company’s next following 
annual general meeting or 16 August 2013.

Share capital summary 

Exchange trade

Class

Issued share capital 1 January 2012

The company’s ordinary shares are listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange

Single class of ordinary shares of 25p each

Total new ordinary shares issued during the year

2005 sharesave scheme and 2005 executive share option scheme

Issued share capital 31 December 2012

Rights and Obligations

All issued shares rank equally. Rights and obligations attaching to the 
company’s shares are set out in the company’s articles of association

 Further details can be found in note 20 on pages 93 and 94 of the group financial statements.

76,954,818

180,525

77,135,343

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

57

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Substantial shareholdings
As at 12 March 2013, the company had been notified of the following 
holdings of voting rights in shares under Rule 5 of the Disclosure and 
Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority, based upon an 
issued share capital of 77,236,563 shares. 

Shareholder

F&C Asset Management

Henderson Global Investors

Charles Stanley, stockbrokers

Number of 
ordinary 
shares

6,583,762

5,402,648

4,351,776

Legal & General Investment Managers

3,448,178

Aberforth Partners

2,564,423

% of issued 
share capital

8.53

7.00

5.64

4.47

3.32

Directors 
The names of the directors of the company who served throughout the 
year, including brief biographies, are set out on page 30.

Appointment and replacement of directors 
The appointment and replacement of directors of the company is 
governed by its articles of association, the UK Corporate Governance 
Code, the Companies Acts and related legislation. Directors can be 
appointed by ordinary resolution at a general meeting or by the board. 
If a director is appointed by the board, such director will hold office 
until the next annual general meeting and shall then be eligible for re-
election at that meeting.

Directors’ and officers’ liability 
The company maintains an appropriate level of directors’ and officers’ 
insurance whereby directors are indemnified against liabilities to third 
parties to the extent permitted by the Companies Act 2006.

Change of control/significant agreements
There are no agreements between the group and its directors or 
employees providing for compensation for loss of office or employment 
that occurs because of a change of control, other than revised notice 
periods and termination payments for D W Muir and M Pegler set out in 
the directors’ remuneration report on page 50.

The group has a multi-currency revolving credit facility which includes a 
change of control provision. Under this provision, a change in ownership/
control of the company could result in withdrawal of these facilities.

All of the company’s share schemes contain provisions relating to a 
change in control. Outstanding options and awards normally vest and 
become exercisable on a change of control subject to the satisfaction of 
any performance conditions at that time.

The directors consider that there are no contractual or other 
arrangements, such as those with major suppliers, which are likely 
to materially influence, directly or indirectly, the performance of 
the business and its values. Furthermore, there are no contracts of 
significance subsisting during the financial year between any group 
undertaking and a controlling shareholder or in which a director is or 
was materially interested.

Independent auditor
A resolution for the re-appointment of KPMG Audit Plc as auditor of the 
company will be proposed at the forthcoming annual general meeting.

Disclosure of information to auditors 
The directors who held office at the date of approval of this directors’ 
report confirm that, so far as they are each aware: there is no relevant 
audit information of which the company’s auditors are unaware; each 
director has taken all the steps that he ought to have taken as a director 
to make himself aware of any relevant audit information and has 
established that the company’s auditors are aware of that information.

Financial instruments 
The financial risk management objectives and policies are as detailed in 
note 19 on pages 87 to 93.

Events since 31 December 2012
There were no events since 31 December 2012 to report.

Annual General Meeting
The annual general meeting of the company will be held at 11.00 a.m. 
on Wednesday 15 May 2013 at The Village Hotel, The Green Business 
Park, Shirley, Solihull, B90 4GW. Notice is sent to shareholders separately 
with this report, together with an explanation of the special business 
to be considered at the meeting and is also available on the company’s 
website at www.hsholdings.com.

Other important dates can be found in the financial calendar on page 
112.

By order of the board

John Humphreys 
Company Secretary

12 March 2013

Research and development 
During the year, the group spent a total of £1.2m (2011: £0.9m) on 
research and development.

Political and charitable donations 
Charitable donations amounting to £37,000 (2011: £33,000) were 
made in the year principally to local charities serving the communities 
in which the group operates. There were no political contributions.

Employment policies 
Details of the group’s employment policies are set out on page 26.

Supplier payment policy
Individual operating companies within the group are responsible for 
establishing and adhering to appropriate policies for the payment of 
their suppliers. The companies agree terms and conditions under which 
business transactions with suppliers are conducted. The group does not 
follow any code or standard on payment practice but it is the group’s 
policy that, provided a supplier is complying with the relevant terms 
and conditions, including the prompt and complete submission of all 
required documentation, payment will be made in accordance with the 
agreed terms. It is the group’s policy to ensure that suppliers know the 
terms on which payments will take place when transactions are agreed.

The group’s average credit period was 69 days (2011: 70 days). 

The company’s average credit period was 36 days (2011: 36 days). 

58

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Governance

In respect of the annual report and the financial statements
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of 
the corporate and financial information included on the company’s 
website. Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and 
dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in 
other jurisdictions.

Responsibility statement of the directors in respect of the annual 
financial report
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

 ›

 ›

the group and parent company financial statements, prepared in 
accordance with the applicable set of accounting standards, give 
a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and 
profit or loss of the company and group as a whole; and

the management report (which comprises the business review 
and other statutory information) includes a fair review of the 
development and performance of the business and the position 
of the company and group as a whole, together with a description 
of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.

By order of the board

John Humphreys 
Company Secretary

12 March 2013

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

Company law requires the directors to prepare group and parent 
company financial statements for each financial year. Under that 
law they are required to prepare the group financial statements in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU and applicable law and 
have elected to prepare the parent company financial statements in 
accordance with UK Accounting Standards and applicable law (UK 
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

Under Company law the directors must not approve the financial 
statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view 
of the state of affairs of the group and parent company and of their 
profit or loss for that period. In preparing each of the group and parent 
company financial statements, the directors are required to:

 ›

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them 
consistently; 

 › make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and 

prudent; 

 ›

 ›

 ›

for the group financial statements, state whether they have been 
prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU;

for the parent company financial statements, state whether 
applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject 
to any material departures disclosed and explained in the parent 
company financial statements; and

prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis 
unless it is inappropriate to presume that the group and the 
parent company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the parent company’s 
transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the 
financial position of the parent company and enable them to ensure 
that its financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. 
They have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably 
open to them to safeguard the assets of the group and to prevent and 
detect fraud and other irregularities.

Under applicable law and regulations, the directors are also responsible 
for preparing a directors’ report, directors’ remuneration report and 
corporate governance statement that complies with that law and 
those regulations.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

59

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Financial Statements

Independent Auditor’s Report
Group Financial Statements

60 
61 
103  Company Financial Statements
111  Five Year Summary
112  Financial Calendar

See further information online: hsholdings.com

60

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Matters on which we are required to report by exception 
We have nothing to report in respect of the following: 

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

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

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

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

certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are 
not made; or 

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

a corporate governance statement has not been prepared by the 
company. 

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review: 

 ›

 ›

 ›

the directors’ statement, set out on page 22, in relation to going 
concern;  

the part of the corporate governance statement on pages 32 and 
33 relating to the company’s compliance with the nine provisions 
of the UK Corporate Governance Code specified for our review; 
and

certain elements of the report to shareholders by the board on 
directors’ remuneration.

Michael Steventon  
(Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of KPMG Audit Plc, 
Statutory Auditor 

Chartered Accountants  
1 Snowhill 
Snow Hill Queensway 
Birmingham 
B4 6GH

12 March 2013 

To the members of Hill & Smith Holdings PLC 
Independent Auditor’s Report

We have audited the financial statements of Hill & Smith Holdings PLC 
for the year ended 31 December 2012 set out on pages 61 to 112. The 
financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation 
of the group financial statements is applicable law and International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the EU. The 
financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation 
of the parent company financial statements is applicable law and UK 
Accounting Standards (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

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

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditor 
As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities statement set 
out on page 58, the directors are responsible for the preparation of 
the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true 
and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit, and express an opinion 
on, the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and 
International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards 
require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical 
Standards for Auditors. 

Scope of the audit of the financial statements 
A description of the scope of an audit of financial statements is 
provided on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.
uk/auditscopeukprivate. 

Opinion on financial statements 
In our opinion: 

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state 
of the group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 
December 2012 and of the group’s profit for the year then ended; 

the group financial statements have been properly prepared in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU; 

the parent company financial statements have been properly 
prepared in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting 
Practice; and

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

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

 ›

 ›

 ›

the part of the directors’ remuneration report to be audited has 
been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 
2006; and 

the information given in the directors’ report for the financial year 
for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with 
the financial statements; and 

the information given in the corporate governance statement set 
out on pages 37 to 39 with respect to internal control and risk 
management systems in relation to financial reporting processes 
and about share capital structures is consistent with the financial 
statements. 

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

61

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Year ended 31 December 2012
Consolidated Income Statement

Revenue

Trading profit

Amortisation of acquisition intangibles

Business reorganisation costs

Acquisition costs

Loss on disposal of subsidiary

Loss on sale of properties

Operating profit

Financial income

Financial expense

Profit before taxation

Taxation

Profit for the year attributable to owners of the parent

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

Dividend per share – Interim

Dividend per share – Final proposed

Total

Underlying
 £m

440.7

44.0

-

-

-

-

-

44.0

0.8

(4.4)

40.4

(10.5)

29.9

38.8p

38.5p

Notes

1, 2

3

3

3

3

3

1, 2

5

5

7

8

8

9

9

9

2012

Non- 
underlying*  
£m

Total 
£m

Underlying
 £m

2011

Non-
underlying* 
£m

Total 
£m

-

440.7

406.2

-

406.2

(0.8)

(2.4)

(0.8)

(0.8)

-

-

(4.8)

3.1

(3.5)

(5.2)

1.4

(3.8)

43.2

(2.4)

(0.8)

(0.8)

-

-

39.2

3.9

(7.9)

35.2

(9.1)

26.1

33.9p

33.6p

5.8p

9.2p

15.0p

1.6

(2.2)

(1.2)

(0.7)

(5.9)

(0.2)

(8.6)

3.7

(7.1)

(12.0)

1.5

(10.5)

41.5

-

-

-

-

-

41.5

0.8

(4.9)

37.4

(10.8)

26.6

34.5p

34.2p

43.1

(2.2)

(1.2)

(0.7)

(5.9)

(0.2)

32.9

4.5

(12.0)

25.4

(9.3)

16.1

20.9p

20.7p

5.4p

7.8p

13.2p

* The group’s definition of non-underlying items is included in the principal accounting policies on page 71 .

62

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Year ended 31 December 2012
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Profit for the year

Exchange differences on translation of overseas operations

Exchange differences on foreign currency borrowings denominated as net investment hedges

Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges

Transfers to the income statement on cash flow hedges

Actuarial loss on defined benefit pension schemes

Taxation on items taken directly to other comprehensive income

Other comprehensive income for the year

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to owners of the parent

Notes

22

7

2012 
£m

26.1

(6.4)

2.8

(0.8)

0.3

(0.9)

(0.1)

(5.1)

21.0

2011 
£m

16.1

(0.5)

(0.4)

(0.2)

0.8

(8.4)

1.6

(7.1)

9.0

Year ended 31 December 2012
Consolidated Balance Sheet

Non-current assets

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Current liabilities

Trade and other liabilities

Current tax liabilities

Provisions for liabilities and charges

Interest bearing borrowings

Net current assets

Non-current liabilities

Other liabilities

Provisions for liabilities and charges

Deferred tax liability

Retirement benefit obligation

Interest bearing borrowings

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Share capital

Share premium

Other reserves

Translation reserve

Hedge reserve

Retained earnings

Total equity

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

63

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Notes

2012 
£m

2011 
£m

10

11

13

14

15

1

16

18

16

17

18

12

22

17

1

1

20

124.8

106.8

231.6

57.8

88.7

8.9

155.4

387.0

(84.2)

(13.7)

(0.5)

(2.0)

(100.4)

55.0

(0.2)

(2.8)

(11.2)

(16.3)

(93.7)

(124.2)

(224.6)

162.4

19.3

29.6

4.5

2.1

(0.9)

107.8

162.4

130.9

104.9

235.8

56.2

90.8

12.7

159.7

395.5

(79.5)

(11.3)

(0.5)

(4.1)

(95.4)

64.3

(0.2)

(3.5)

(17.0)

(16.4)

(112.4)

(149.5)

(244.9)

150.6

19.2

29.2

4.5

5.7

(0.5)

92.5

150.6

Approved by the board of directors on 12 March 2013 and signed on its behalf by:

D W Muir 
Director

M Pegler 
Director 

Company Number: 671474

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
64

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Year ended 31 December 2012
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

Notes

Share 
capital 
£m

19.2

Share
 premium
£m

29.1

Other
reserves†
£m

4.5

Translation
 reserves 
£m

6.6

Hedge 
reserves
£m

(0.9)

Retained
 earnings
£m

93.6

At 1 January 2011

Comprehensive income

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income for the year

Transactions with owners recognised 
directly in equity

Dividends

Credit to equity of share-based payments

Tax taken directly to the consolidated 
statement of changes in equity

Satisfaction of long term incentive plan

Shares issued

At 31 December 2011

Comprehensive income

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income for the year

Transactions with owners recognised 
directly in equity

Dividends

Credit to equity of share-based payments

Tax taken directly to the consolidated 
statement of changes in equity

Shares issued

At 31 December 2012

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

19.2

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.1

29.2

-

-

-

-

-

0.1

19.3

0.4

29.6

9

20

7

20

9

20

7

20

Total
equity
£m

152.1

16.1

(7.1)

(9.8)

0.2

(0.2)

(0.8)

0.1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(0.9)

-

0.4

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

16.1

(6.6)

(9.8)

0.2

(0.2)

(0.8)

-

4.5

5.7

(0.5)

92.5

150.6

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(3.6)

-

(0.4)

26.1

(1.1)

26.1

(5.1)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(10.2)

(10.2)

0.3

0.2

-

0.3

0.2

0.5

4.5

2.1

(0.9)

107.8

162.4

† Other reserves represent the premium on shares issued in exchange for shares of subsidiaries acquired and £0.2m (2011: £0.2m) capital redemption reserve.

Year ended 31 December 2012
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Profit before tax

Add back net financing costs

Operating profit

Adjusted for non-cash items:

Share-based payments

Loss on disposal of subsidiaries

Movement in fair value of forward currency contracts

Loss on disposal of non-current assets

Depreciation

Amortisation of intangible assets

Impairment of non-current assets

Operating cash flow before movement in working capital

Increase in inventories

Decrease/(increase) in receivables

Increase in payables

Decrease in provisions and employee benefits

Net movement in working capital

Cash generated by operations

Income taxes paid

Interest paid

Net cash from operating activities

Interest received

Proceeds on disposal of non-current assets

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Purchase of intangible assets

Disposal of subsidiaries

Deferred consideration received in respect of disposals

Acquisitions of subsidiaries

Net cash used in investing activities

Issue of new shares

Purchase of shares for the employee benefit trust

Dividends paid

New loans and borrowings

Costs associated with refinancing revolving credit facility

Repayment of loans and borrowings

Repayment of obligations under finance leases

Net cash used in financing activities

Net decrease in cash

Cash at the beginning of the year

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations

Cash at the end of the year

Notes

5

1, 2

4, 20

3

3

6

6, 11

6, 10

6, 10

3

10

20

20

9

15

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

65

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

2012

£m

0.3

-

0.4

0.1

12.8

3.6

0.3

(0.6)

0.6

3.7

(2.0)

0.8

0.5

(17.5)

(0.8)

-

-

(0.5)

0.5

-

(10.2)

19.1

-

(33.4)

(3.6)

£m

35.2

4.0

39.2

17.5

56.7

1.7

58.4

(11.6)

(5.1)

41.7

£m

25.4

7.5

32.9

22.8

55.7

(20.4)

35.3

(7.5)

(5.2)

22.6

2011

£m

0.2

5.9

(0.4)

0.3

13.3

3.5

-

(7.0)

(15.0)

5.9

(4.3)

0.8

0.1

(11.9)

(0.7)

5.1

1.1

(36.2)

(17.5)

(41.7)

0.1

(0.8)

(9.8)

156.7

(3.0)

(134.6)

(3.8)

(27.6)

(3.4)

12.7

(0.4)

8.9

4.8

(14.3)

27.0

-

12.7

66

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Group Accounting Policies

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC is a company incorporated in the UK.

The group considers a company a subsidiary when it holds more than 50% of the shares and voting rights, so that it has the power to govern the 
operating and financial policies of that entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. The group considers a company to be an associate when it 
holds more than 20% of the shares and voting rights and is able to significantly influence the decisions of that entity.

The group financial statements consolidate the company and its subsidiaries, proportionately consolidate any jointly controlled entities and equity 
account the group’s interest in associates. The parent company financial statements present information about the company as a separate entity 
and not about the group.

The group financial statements have been prepared and approved by the directors in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, 
as adopted by the EU (‘Adopted IFRSs’). The company has elected to prepare its parent company financial statements in accordance with UK 
GAAP; these are presented on pages 103 to 110.

The accounting policies set out below have, unless otherwise stated, been applied consistently to all periods presented in these group financial 
statements.

Judgements made by the directors in the application of these accounting policies that have a significant effect on the group financial statements 
and estimates with a significant risk of material adjustment in the next year are discussed in note 23.

Going concern and liquidity risk
The group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position are set out in the 
business review on pages 16 to 22. The financial position of the group, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are described in the 
business review on pages 20 to 22. In addition, note 19 to the group financial statements includes the group’s objectives, policies and processes 
for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; details of its financial instruments and hedging activities; and its exposures to 
credit risk and liquidity risk.

The businesses of the group have long established relationships with customers and suppliers which, together with the group’s current financial 
strength, provide a solid foundation. The group’s forecasts and projections, taking account of reasonably possible changes in trading performance, 
show that the group should be able to operate within the level of its current bank facilities, of which the group’s principal debt facility is a multi-
currency agreement with a value of £209.4m at 31 December 2012, expiring in April 2016. As a consequence, the directors believe that the group 
is well placed to manage its business risks successfully despite the current uncertain economic outlook.

After making enquiries, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company and its subsidiaries have adequate resources to continue 
in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual report 
and financial statements.

New IFRS standards and interpretations adopted during 2012
In 2012 the following amendments had been endorsed by the EU, became effective and therefore were adopted by the group:

 ›

 ›

 ›

Amendments to IAS 12 Income Taxes - Deferred Tax: Recovery of Underlying Assets

Amendments to IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures –Transfers of Financial Assets

Annual Improvement Projects to IFRS’s

The Annual Improvement Project to IFRS’s provides a vehicle for making non-urgent but necessary amendments to IFRS’s. Amendments to a 
number of standards have been adopted.

The adoption of these standards and amendments has not had a material impact on the group’s financial statements.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

67

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

New IFRS standards, amendments and interpretations not adopted
The IASB and IFRIC have issued additional standards and amendments which are effective for periods starting after the date of these financial 
statements. The following standards and amendments have not yet been adopted by the group:

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 July 2012)

Amendments to IAS 19 Employee Benefits (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2013)

IAS 27 (2011) Separate Financial Statements (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2014)

IAS 28 (2011) Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2014)

Amendments to IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation - Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (effective for annual periods 
beginning on or after 1 January 2014)

Amendments to IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures - Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (effective for annual periods 
beginning on or after 1 January 2013)

IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2014)

IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2014)

IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2014)

IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2013)

The amendment to IAS 19 makes significant changes to the recognition and measurement of the defined benefit pension expense and 
termination benefits and disclosures relating to all employee benefits. If the revised standard had been adopted in 2012 it is anticipated that the 
amendment would increase the pension cost recognised, and therefore reduce profit before taxation by approximately £0.3m. The amendment, 
which is effective for accounting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2013 has no cash impact and, since net financing charges on pension 
obligations are treated by the group as a non-underlying item, has no impact on underlying earnings. The group does not anticipate that the 
adoption of the other standards and amendments noted above will have a material effect on its financial statements on initial adoption.

Measurement convention
The group financial statements are prepared on the historical cost basis except where the measurement of balances at fair value is required as 
explained below.

Intangible assets
IFRS3 was revised in 2010 such that acquisition costs cannot be capitalised for investments made on or after 1 January 2010. Acquisitions prior 
to this date have had these costs included with the purchase consideration and as such the goodwill on acquisition of subsidiaries comprises 
the excess of this fair value of the purchase consideration over the group’s share of the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities 
acquired. On an ongoing basis the goodwill is measured at cost less impairment losses (see accounting policy ‘Impairment of assets’). Fair value 
adjustments are always considered to be provisional at the first balance sheet date after the acquisition to allow the maximum time to elapse for 
management to make a reliable estimate.

Goodwill prior to 1 October 1998 was written off to reserves. Goodwill from 1 October 1998 to 31 December 2003 was amortised in line with 
UK GAAP. From 1 January 2004 this goodwill is subject to annual impairment testing. Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity include the 
carrying amount of goodwill relating to the entity sold.

Brands and customer lists that are acquired by the group as part of a business combination are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation 
and impairment losses (see accounting policy ‘Impairment of assets’). Cost reflects management’s judgement of the fair value of the individual 
intangible asset calculated by reference to the net present value of future benefits accruing to the group from the utilisation of the asset, 
discounted at an appropriate discount rate.

Certain US brands are considered to have an indefinite life and therefore are subject to annual impairment testing (see accounting policy 
‘Impairment of assets’). For other brands and customer lists, amortisation is provided equally over the estimated useful economic life of the assets 
concerned, currently up to 20 years.

Expenditure on development activities is capitalised if the product or process is considered to be technically and commercially viable and 
the group has sufficient resources to complete development. The expenditure capitalised includes the cost of materials, direct labour and an 
appropriate proportion of overheads. Other development expenditure is recognised in the consolidated income statement as an expense as 
incurred. Capitalised development expenditure is stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses. Amortisation is provided 
equally over the estimated useful economic life of the assets concerned, currently up to seven years.

Trade licences are amortised over the specific term granted to each individual licence.

68

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Group Accounting Policies continued

Property, plant, equipment and depreciation
Depreciation is provided to write off the cost or deemed cost less the estimated residual value of property, plant and equipment by equal 
instalments over their estimated useful economic lives as follows:

Freehold buildings 
Leasehold buildings 
Plant, machinery and vehicles 

5 to 50 years
life of the lease
4 to 20 years

No depreciation is provided on freehold land.

The group has chosen to take the first time adoption exemption available under IFRS1 to use a previous revaluation for certain land and buildings 
as its deemed cost at the transition date. All other items of property, plant and equipment are stated at cost unless it is felt that this value should 
be impaired. 

Financial instruments
Financial assets and liabilities are recognised on the group’s balance sheet when the group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the 
instrument.

The group’s investments in equity securities and certain debt securities are classified as available for sale financial assets. Subsequent to initial 
recognition, they are measured at fair value and changes therein, other than impairment losses and foreign exchange gains and losses on 
available for sale monetary items, are recognised directly in equity. When an investment is derecognised, the cumulative gain or loss in equity is 
transferred to profit or loss.

Trade receivables and trade payables are initially measured at fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition, they are carried at amortised cost using 
the effective interest method, less any impairment losses.

Derivative financial instruments of the group are used to hedge its exposure to interest rate and foreign currency risks arising from operational, 
financing and investment activities.

In accordance with its treasury policy, the group does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. However, derivatives 
that do not qualify for hedge accounting are accounted for as trading instruments, as follows:

 ›

 ›

 ›

Derivative financial instruments are stated at fair value. The unhedged gain or loss on remeasurement to fair value is recognised immediately 
in the consolidated income statement.

The fair value of interest rate swaps is the estimated amount that the group would receive or pay to terminate the swap at the balance sheet 
date, taking into account current interest rates and the current creditworthiness of the swap counterparties.

The fair value of foreign exchange contracts is the estimated amount that the group would receive or pay to terminate such contracts at the 
balance sheet date, taking into account the forward exchange rates prevailing at that date.

Where derivative financial instruments are used to hedge cash flow risk, such as interest rate swaps, the effective part of any gain or loss on 
the fair value of cash flow hedges is recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income and in the hedge reserve, while any 
ineffective part is recognised immediately in the consolidated income statement. Amounts recorded in the hedge reserve are subsequently 
reclassified to the consolidated income statement when the interest expense is actually recognised.

To qualify for hedge accounting the hedging relationship must meet several conditions with respect to documentation, probability of occurrence, 
hedge effectiveness and reliability of measurement. At the inception of the transaction, the group documents the relationship between hedging 
instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge transaction. This process includes 
linking all derivatives designated as hedges to specific assets and liabilities or to specific firm commitments or forecast transactions. The group 
also documents its assessment, at hedge inception and on a half yearly basis, as to whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions 
have been, and are likely to continue to be, effective in offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows of hedged items.

Interest bearing borrowings are recognised initially at fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition, interest bearing borrowings are stated at 
amortised cost with any difference between cost and redemption value being recognised in the consolidated income statement over the period of 
the borrowings on an effective interest basis.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

69

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and call deposits. Bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of 
the group’s cash management are included as a component of cash and cash equivalents for the purpose of the consolidated statement of cash 
flows.

Foreign currencies
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded using the rate of exchange ruling at the date of the transaction. Any gain or loss on translation of 
monetary foreign currency assets and liabilities arising from a movement in exchange rates subsequent to initial measurement is included as an 
exchange gain or loss in the consolidated income statement.

The assets and liabilities of overseas subsidiary undertakings, including goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on acquisition, are translated 
at the closing exchange rate. Income statements and cash flows of such undertakings are translated into Sterling at weighted average rates of 
exchange, other than substantial transactions that are translated at the rate on the date of the transaction. The adjustments to period end rates 
are taken to the cumulative translation reserve in equity and reported in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. When an overseas 
operation is disposed of, in part or in full, the relevant amount in the translation reserve is transferred to profit or loss.

Foreign currency differences arising on the retranslation of a financial liability designated as a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation are 
recognised directly in equity and reported in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, to the extent that the hedge is effective. To 
the extent that the hedge is ineffective, such differences are recognised in profit or loss. When the hedged part of a net investment is disposed of, 
the associated cumulative amount in the translation reserve is transferred to profit or loss as an adjustment to the profit or loss on disposal.

The principal exchange rates used were as follows:

Sterling to Euro (£1 = EUR)

Sterling to US Dollar (£1 = USD)

Sterling to Thai Bhat (£1 = THB)

Sterling to Swedish Krona (£1 = SEK)

2012

2011

Average 

1.23

1.59

49.25

10.73

 Closing 

1.23

1.62

49.46

10.52

Average 

1.15

1.60

48.87

10.41

 Closing 

1.20

1.55

48.79

10.66

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. In determining the cost of raw materials, consumables and goods purchased 
for resale, the FIFO or average cost method is used. Cost for work in progress and finished goods comprises direct materials, direct labour and an 
appropriate proportion of attributable overheads.

Provisions
A provision is recognised in the balance sheet when the group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event and it 
is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. If the effect is material, provisions are determined by 
discounting the expected future cash flows at a pre tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and, when 
appropriate, the risks specific to the liability.

A provision for restructuring is recognised when the group has approved a detailed and formal restructuring plan, and the restructuring either has 
commenced or has been announced publicly. Future operating costs are not provided for.

In accordance with the group’s environmental policy and applicable legal requirements, a provision for site restoration in respect of contaminated 
land is recognised as an obligation arises.

The estimated cost of returning properties held under leases to their original condition in accordance with the terms of specific lease contracts is 
recognised as soon as such costs are able to be reliably estimated.

Impairment of assets
The carrying amounts of the group’s non-financial assets, other than inventories (see accounting policy ‘Inventories’) and deferred tax balances 
(see accounting policy ‘Deferred taxation’), are reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether there is an indication of impairment. 
Impairment reviews are undertaken at the level of each significant cash generating unit, which are no larger than operating segments as 
defined in IFRS8 – Segmental reporting. If such an indication exists, the relevant asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. An impairment loss is 
recognised whenever the carrying amount of the asset or its cash generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount.

For goodwill and intangible assets that have an indefinite life, the recoverable amount is assessed at each balance sheet date and an impairment 
loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount.

The recoverable amount of an asset or cash generating unit is the greater of its value in use and its fair value less costs to sell. In assessing 
value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre tax discount rate that reflects current market 
assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset.

70

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Group Accounting Policies continued

Leases
Leases for which the group assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases. Upon initial recognition 
the leased asset is measured at an amount equal to the lower of its fair value and the present value of the minimum lease payments. Subsequent 
to initial recognition, the asset is accounted for in accordance with the accounting policy applicable to that asset. 

Other leases are classified as operating leases and the leased assets are not recognised on the group’s balance sheet. Payments made under 
operating leases are recognised in the consolidated income statement on a straight line basis over the term of the lease. Lease incentives received 
are recognised as an integral part of the total lease expense, over the term of the lease.

Minimum lease payments made under finance leases are apportioned between the finance expense and the reduction of the outstanding liability. 
The finance expense is allocated to each period during the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining 
balance of the liability.

Rental income from operating leases is recognised as revenue in the consolidated income statement on an accruals basis.

Revenue
Revenue from the sale of goods and services represents the amount (excluding value added tax) invoiced to third party customers, 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 and the amount of revenue can be measured reliably. No revenue is recognised where the recovery of the consideration is not probable or 
where there are significant uncertainties regarding associated costs or the possible return of goods.

Contract revenue is recognised in profit or loss in proportion to the stage of completion of the contract. Contract expenses are recognised as 
incurred unless they create an asset related to future contract activity. The stage of completion is assessed by reference to work performed. When 
the outcome of a contract cannot be estimated reliably, contract revenue is recognised only to the extent of contract costs incurred that are likely 
to be recoverable. An expected loss on a contract is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

Government grants
Government grants are recognised as a liability in the balance sheet and credited to operating profit over the estimated useful economic life of the 
relevant assets or the length of employment specified in the grant.

Guarantees
The group’s policy is to not give external guarantees.

Retirement benefits
The group operates pension schemes under which contributions by employees and by the sponsoring companies are held in trust funds separated 
from the group’s finances.

Obligations for contributions to defined contribution pension schemes are recognised as an expense in the consolidated income statement as 
incurred.

The group’s net obligation in respect of defined benefit pension schemes is calculated separately for each scheme by estimating the amount of 
future benefit that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods. This benefit is discounted to determine its 
present value, and the fair value of any scheme assets is deducted. The discount rate is the yield at the balance sheet date on AA rated bonds that 
have maturity dates approximating to the terms of the group’s obligations. The calculation is performed by a qualified actuary using the projected 
unit method. Scheme assets are valued at bid price.

Current and past service costs are recognised in operating profit within the consolidated income statement. Also in the consolidated income 
statement, the expected return on pension scheme assets is included in financial income and the expected costs on pension scheme liabilities in 
financial expense.

All actuarial gains and losses in calculating the group’s obligation in respect of defined benefit schemes are recognised annually in reserves and 
reported in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Share-based payment transactions
The fair value of shares/options granted is recognised as an employee expense, with a corresponding increase in equity reserves. The fair value 
is calculated at the grant date and spread over the period during which the employees become unconditionally entitled to the shares/options. 
The Black–Scholes model has been adopted as the method of evaluating the fair value of the options where vesting is based on non-market 
conditions, while a Monte Carlo Simulation is used where vesting is based on market conditions. The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted 
to reflect the actual number of awards for which the related service and non-market vesting conditions are expected to be met, such that the 
amount ultimately recognised as an expense is based on the number of awards that do meet the related service and non-market performance 
conditions at the vesting date. For share-based payment awards with non-vesting conditions, the grant date fair value of the share-based 
payment is measured to reflect such conditions and there is no adjustment for differences between expected and actual outcomes.

The fair value of amounts payable to employees in respect of share appreciation rights settled in cash is recognised as an employee expense and 
corresponding increase in liabilities. The fair value of the liability is remeasured at each reporting date and spread over the period during which 
employees become unconditionally entitled to the payment.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

71

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Financial income and expense
Financial income comprises interest income on funds invested, expected returns on pension scheme assets and gains on the fair value of financial 
assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss. Interest income is recognised as it accrues in the consolidated income statement using the 
effective interest method.

Financial expense comprises interest expense on borrowings, expected interest cost on pension scheme obligations, unwinding of discounts, 
losses on the fair value of financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, the interest expense component of finance lease 
payments and financial expenses related to refinancing. All borrowing costs are recognised in the consolidated income statement using the 
effective interest method with the exception of those meeting the criteria for capitalisation set out in IAS 23.

Non-underlying items
Non-underlying items are non-trading items disclosed separately in the consolidated income statement where the quantum, nature or volatility of 
such items would otherwise distort the underlying trading performance of the group. The following are included by the group in its assessment of 
non-underlying items:

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

Gains or losses arising on disposal, closure, restructuring or reorganisation of businesses that do not meet the definition of discontinued 
operations

Amortisation of intangible fixed assets arising on acquisitions

Expenses associated with acquisitions

Impairment charges in respect of tangible or intangible fixed assets

Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments

Significant past service items or curtailments and settlements relating to defined benefit pension obligations resulting from material changes 
in the terms of the schemes

Net financing costs or returns on defined benefit pension obligations

Costs incurred as part of significant refinancing activities.

The tax effect of the above is also included.

Details in respect of the non-underlying items recognised in the current and prior year are set out in note 3 to the financial statements.

Income tax
Income tax on the profit or loss for the year represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax. Income tax is recognised in the 
consolidated income statement except to the extent that it relates to items either recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity.

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the consolidated 
income statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are not taxable or deductible. The group’s liability for current tax is 
calculated using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date, and any adjustments to tax payable in respect of previous 
years.

Deferred taxation
Deferred tax is provided in full using the balance sheet liability method and represents the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on the 
temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation 
purposes. The following temporary differences are not provided for: goodwill not deductible for tax purposes, the initial recognition of assets and 
liabilities not resulting from a business combination that affects neither accounting or taxable profit, and differences relating to investments 
in subsidiaries to the extent that they will not reverse in the foreseeable future. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected 
manner of realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the 
balance sheet date.

A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the asset can be 
utilised. The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable 
that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the group intends to 
settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.

Ordinary dividends
Dividends are recognised as a liability in the period in which they are approved by the company’s shareholders.

72

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Segmental information
Business segment analysis
The group has four reportable segments which are Infrastructure Products - Roads, Infrastructure Products - Utilities, Galvanizing Services and 
Building and Construction Products. Several operating segments that have similar economic characteristics have been aggregated into these 
reporting segments. A description of the activities of each of these segments is included in the group overview on page 6.

For the year ended 31 December 2012, the group has expanded its reportable segments to better reflect the way in which the group’s operations 
are focused. Previously the Infrastructure Products segment was reported as one. In 2012 this segment has been subdivided into Roads and 
Utilities to reflect the inherently different characteristics in each of these market sectors in which the group operates. The group sets its strategies 
and targets to take account of these differing market features and the chief operating decision maker receives financial information reported on 
this basis.

The comparatives in this note have been restated accordingly.

Following the disposal of Ash & Lacy Building Systems Limited in July 2011, there are no businesses remaining in the Building and Construction 
Products segment.

The acquisition detailed in note 10 falls into the Infrastructure Products - Utilities segment.

Income Statement

Infrastructure Products - Utilities

Infrastructure Products - Roads

Infrastructure Products - Total

Galvanizing Services

Building and Construction Products

Total group

Net financing costs

Profit before taxation

Taxation

Profit after taxation

Revenue 
£m

205.7

114.1

319.8

120.9

-

440.7

2012

Result 
£m

Underlying
result* 
£m

10.2

4.3

14.5

24.7

-

39.2

(4.0)

35.2

(9.1)

26.1

13.4

5.3

18.7

25.3

-

44.0

(3.6)

40.4

(10.5)

29.9

Revenue 
£m

167.0

109.1

276.1

118.5

11.6

406.2

2011 (restated)

Result 
£m

10.0

8.0

18.0

21.0

(6.1)

32.9

(7.5)

25.4

(9.3)

16.1

Underlying
result* 
£m

11.5

8.4

19.9

21.6

–

41.5

(4.1)

37.4

(10.8)

26.6

* Underlying result is stated before non-underlying items as defined in the accounting policies on page 71 , and is the measure of segment profit used by the chief operating decision maker, who 
is the chief executive. The Result columns are included as additional information.

Galvanizing Services provided £4.1m (2011: £4.7m) revenues to Infrastructure Products - Roads and £1.8m (2011: £1.5m) revenues to 
Infrastructure Products - Utilities. Infrastructure Products - Utilities provided £1.9m (2011: £1.8m) revenues to Infrastructure Products - Roads. 
These internal revenues, along with revenues generated from within their own segments, have been eliminated on consolidation.

Balance Sheet

Infrastructure Products - Utilities

Infrastructure Products - Roads

Infrastructure Products - Total

Galvanizing Services

Total segment assets/(liabilities)

Taxes

Provisions and retirement benefits

Net debt

Total group

Net assets

2012

2011 (restated)

Total
assets 
£m

134.7

56.8

191.5

186.6

378.1

-

-

8.9

387.0

Total 
liabilities 
£m

(39.9)

(18.1)

(58.0)

(26.4)

(84.4)

(24.9)

(19.6)

(95.7)

(224.6)

162.4

Total 
assets 
£m

125.8

63.5

189.3

193.5

382.8

-

-

12.7

395.5

Total
 liabilities 
£m

(35.8)

(17.8)

(53.6)

(26.1)

(79.7)

(28.3)

(20.4)

(116.5)

(244.9)

150.6

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

73

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

2012

2011 (restated)

Capital
expenditure
£m

Impairment losses,
amortisation and
depreciation
£m

Capital
expenditure
£m

Impairment losses,
amortisation and
depreciation
£m

5.5

3.4

8.9

10.6

-

19.5

18.7

0.8

19.5

4.2

6.2

10.4

6.3

-

16.7

12.8

3.9

16.7

3.7

4.0

7.7

5.5

0.1

13.3

12.6

0.7

13.3

3.5

5.8

9.3

7.3

0.2

16.8

13.3

3.5

16.8

2011
£m 

184.9

102.3

92.2

9.5

11.6

5.7

406.2

2011
£m 

145.9

102.9

136.9

9.6

0.2

395.5

2011
£m 

3.7

6.2

2.2

1.2

13.3

2012
£m 

197.6

101.5

114.4

9.3

10.3

7.6

440.7

2012
£m 

138.1

98.7

134.5

15.0

0.7

387.0

2012
£m 

5.6

4.2

7.9

1.8

19.5

1. Segmental information continued
Capital expenditure and amortisation/depreciation

Infrastructure Products - Utilities

Infrastructure Products - Roads

Infrastructure Products - Total

Galvanizing Services

Building and Construction Products

Total group
Property, plant and equipment (note 11)

Intangible assets (note 10)

Total group

Geographical analysis
Revenue (irrespective of origin)

UK

Rest of Europe

North America

The Middle East

Asia

Rest of World

Total

Total assets

UK

Rest of Europe

North America

Asia

Rest of World

Total group

Capital expenditure

UK

Rest of Europe

North America

Asia

Total group

74

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

2. Operating profit

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Distribution costs

Administrative expenses

Loss on disposal of non-current assets

Other operating income

Operating profit

2012
£m 

440.7

(297.5)

143.2

(20.3)

(84.7)

(0.1)

1.1

39.2

2011
£m 

406.2

(269.3)

136.9

(18.9)

(85.6)

(0.3)

0.8

32.9

3. Non-underlying items
Non-underlying items included in operating profit comprise the following:

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

 ›

Business reorganisation costs of £0.8m (2011: £1.2m), principally relating to redundancies and other costs associated with site restructuring. 
The cost for 2012 includes asset impairments of £0.3m.

Amortisation of acquired intangible fixed assets of £2.4m (2011: £2.2m).

Acquisition expenses of £0.8m (2011: £0.7m) relating to acquisitions made by the group (note 10).

Losses on sale of properties of £nil (2011: £0.2m).

A loss of £0.4m (2011: gain of £1.6m) in respect of the group’s UK defined benefit pension obligations. The loss in 2012 relates to changes 
in the terms of the UK Scheme. The gains in 2011 relate to amendments to the inflation assumptions and changes in the terms of the UK 
Executive Scheme. In 2011 a further loss of £0.4m was recognised in respect of the group’s French defined benefit pension obligations 
following changes in local legislation.

Losses of £0.4m (2011: gains of £0.4m) in respect of the fair value of forward foreign currency contracts.

The costs in 2011 also included a loss of £5.9m on the disposal of Ash & Lacy Building Systems Limited, a non-core business, on 22 July 2011, the 
details of which are included in the following table:

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Inventories

Current assets

Current liabilities

Deferred tax

Net assets

Consideration:
Consideration receivable

Less costs to sell and provisions for indemnities

Loss on disposal

£m 

5.1

1.0

3.4

6.0

(5.2)

0.1

10.4

5.1

(0.6)

5.9

Non-underlying items included in financial income and expense represent the net financing cost on pension obligations of £0.4m (2011: £0.2m) 
and gains in the fair value of financial instruments of £nil (2011: £0.1m). 

The costs in 2011 also included expenses of £3.3m associated with the group’s refinancing of its revolving credit facility.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

75

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

2012
No. 

2011 (restated) 
No .

1,831

563

2,394

1,258

-

3,652

1,548

568

2,116

1,260

63

3,439

£m 

£m 

91.5

0.3

16.3

2.3

110.4

82.4

0.2

15.9

1.0

99.5

4. Employees

The average number of people employed by the group during the year
Infrastructure Products - Utilities

Infrastructure Products - Roads

Infrastructure Products - Total

Galvanizing Services

Building and Construction Products

The aggregate remuneration for the year
Wages and salaries

Share-based payments

Social security costs

Pension costs

Details of the directors’ remuneration and share interests are given in the directors’ remuneration report on pages 45 to 53. The comparatives in 
this note have been restated as explained in note 1.

5. Net financing costs

Interest on bank deposits

Change in fair value of financial assets and liabilities

Expected return on pension scheme assets (note 22)

Total other income

Financial income
Interest on bank loans and overdrafts

Interest on finance leases and hire purchase contracts

Total interest expense

Financial expenses related to refinancing

Expected interest cost on pension scheme obligations (note 22)

Financial expense

Net financing costs

Underlying
£m

0.8

-

-

-

0.8

4.2

0.2

4.4

-

-

4.4

3.6

Non-
underlying
£m

-

-

3.1

3.1

3.1

-

-

-

-

3.5

3.5

0.4

2012
£m

0.8

-

3.1

3.1

3.9

4.2

0.2

4.4

-

3.5

7.9

4.0

Underlying
£m

0.8

-

-

-

0.8

4.5

0.4

4.9

-

-

4.9

4.1

Non-
underlying
£m

-

0.1

3.6

3.7

3.7

-

-

-

3.3

3.8

7.1

3.4

2011
£m

0.8

0.1

3.6

3.7

4.5

4.5

0.4

4.9

3.3

3.8

12.0

7.5

76

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

6. Expenses and auditor’s remuneration

Income statement charges
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment:

Owned

Leased

Operating lease rentals:

Plant and machinery

Other

Research and development expenditure

Amortisation of acquisition intangibles

Amortisation of development costs

Amortisation of other intangible assets

Impairment losses

Loss on disposal of non-current assets

Income statement credits
Grants receivable

Rental income

Foreign exchange gain

A detailed analysis of the auditor’s remuneration worldwide is as follows:

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC

Audit of the company’s annual accounts

Audit of the company’s subsidiaries

Services relating to corporate finance transactions

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC pension schemes

Other services – pension administration

2012
£m 

11.7

1.1

2.2

3.7

0.4

2.4

1.1

0.1

0.3

0.1

-

7.0

-

£m 

0.1

0.5

-

0.6

-

-

2011
 £m 

11.2

2.1

2.1

3.7

0.2

2.2

1.2

0.1

-

0.3

0.1

7.5

0.1

£m 

0.1

0.5

0.1

0.7

0.2

0.2

A description of the work of the audit committee is set out in the audit committee report on pages 43 and 44 and includes an explanation of how 
auditor objectivity and independence is safeguarded when non audit services are provided by the auditor.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

77

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

2012
£m 

1.8

(0.8)

13.4

14.4

(0.4)

(1.1)

(3.3)

(0.5)

9.1

0.2

(0.1)

0.1

-

(0.2)

(0.2)

2011 
£m 

2.3

0.3

8.3

10.9

0.8

(1.4)

(0.6)

(0.4)

9.3

(1.8)

0.2

(1.6)

-

0.2

0.2

7. Taxation

Current tax
UK corporation tax

Adjustments in respect of prior periods

Overseas tax at prevailing local rates

Deferred tax (note 12)
Current year

Adjustments in respect of prior periods

Overseas tax at prevailing local rates

Effect of change in tax rate

Tax on profit in the consolidated income statement

Deferred tax (note 12)
Relating to defined benefit pension schemes

Relating to financial instruments

Tax on items taken directly to other comprehensive income

Current tax
Relating to share-based payments

Deferred tax (note 12)
Relating to share-based payments

Tax taken directly to the consolidated statement of changes in equity

The tax charge in the consolidated income statement for the period is higher (2011: higher) than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK. 
The differences are explained below:

Profit before taxation
Profit before taxation multiplied by the effective rate of corporation tax in the UK of 24.5% (2011: 26.5%)

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

Capital profits less losses and write downs not subject to tax

Overseas profits taxed at higher/(lower) rates

Overseas losses not relieved

Withholding taxes

Deferred tax benefit of future reductions in UK corporation tax rates

Adjustments in respect of prior periods

Tax charge

2012
£m 

35.2

8.6

0.1

(1.3)

3.6

0.3

0.2

(0.5)

(1.9)

9.1

2011 
£m

25.4

6.7

0.3

1.7

2.1

-

-

(0.4)

(1.1)

9.3

78

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

8. Earnings per share
The weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year was 77.0m (2011: 76.9m), diluted for the effects of the outstanding 
dilutive share options 77.8m (2011: 77.7m). Underlying earnings per share have been shown because the directors consider that this provides 
valuable additional information about the underlying performance of the group.

Basic earnings

Non-underlying items*

Underlying earnings

Diluted earnings

Non-underlying items*

Underlying diluted earnings

* Non-underlying items as detailed in note 3.

2012

Pence
per share

33.9

4.9

38.8

33.6

4.9

38.5

2011

Pence
per share

20.9

13.6

34.5

20.7

13.5

34.2

£m

16.1

10.5

26.6

16.1

10.5

26.6

£m

26.1

3.8

29.9

26.1

3.8

29.9

9. Dividends
Dividends paid in the year were the prior year’s interim dividend of £4.2m (2011: £4.0m) and the final dividend of £6.0m (2011: £5.8m). Dividends 
declared after the balance sheet date are not recognised as a liability, in accordance with IAS10. The directors have proposed the following interim 
dividend and final dividend for the current year, subject to shareholder approval:

Equity shares
Interim

Final

Total

2012

Pence
per share

5.8

9.2

15.0

£m

4.5

7.1

11.6

2011

Pence
per share

5.4

7.8

13.2

£m

4.2

6.0

10.2

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

79

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Goodwill
£m

Brands
£m

Customer 
lists
£m

Capitalised
development
costs
£m

Licences
£m

Total
£m

3.3

0.1

10.1

-

(0.1)

-

13.4

(0.3)

0.1

-

13.2

1.8

-

1.8

-

3.6

92.3

-

11.6

-

(5.0)

-

98.9

(2.3)

-

-

12.5

0.2

6.0

-

-

-

18.7

(0.7)

-

-

96.6

18.0

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

92.3

98.9

96.6

1.0

-

0.4

-

1.4

(0.1)

(0.1)

0.4

-

1.7

11.5

17.3

16.3

2.0

-

5.5

1.5

9.8

7.7

8.1

-

-

0.7

-

-

8.8

-

-

0.8

9.6

4.2

-

1.2

-

5.4

-

1.1

0.3

6.8

3.9

3.4

2.8

0.7

-

1.1

-

-

(0.1)

1.7

-

-

-

116.9

0.3

28.8

0.7

(5.1)

(0.1)

141.5

(3.3)

0.1

0.8

1.7

139.1

0.2

-

0.1

(0.1)

0.2

-

0.1

-

0.3

0.5

1.5

1.4

7.2

-

3.5

(0.1)

10.6

(0.2)

3.6

0.3

14.3

109.7

130.9

124.8

10. Intangible assets

Cost

At 1 January 2011

Exchange adjustments

Acquisitions

Additions

Disposal of subsidiary

Disposals

At 31 December 2011

Exchange adjustments

Acquisitions

Additions

At 31 December 2012

Amortisation and impairment losses

At 1 January 2011

Exchange adjustments

Amortisation charge for the year

Disposals

At 31 December 2011

Exchange adjustments

Amortisation charge for the year

Impairment

At 31 December 2012

Carrying values

At 1 January 2011

At 31 December 2011

At 31 December 2012

80

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

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Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

10. Intangible assets continued
2012 
On 23 May 2012 the group acquired the trade and certain of the assets and liabilities of Expamet Holdings Limited and subsidiaries (In 
Administration). Details of the acquisition are as follows:

Expamet Holdings Limited (In Administration)

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Inventories

Total assets

Current liabilities

Net assets

Consideration

Consideration in the year

Goodwill

Cash flow effect

Consideration paid

Net cash consideration shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows

Policy 
alignment and 
provisional 
fair value 
adjustments
£m

Pre acquisition 
carrying amount
£m

-

0.4

0.6

1.0

(0.6)

0.4

0.1

-

-

0.1

-

0.1

Total
£m

0.1

0.4

0.6

1.1

(0.6)

0.5

0.5

-

0.5

0.5

Customer relationships have been recognised as a specific intangible asset as a result of the acquisition. Policy alignment and fair value 
adjustments principally relate to harmonisation with group IFRS accounting policies, including the provisional application of fair values on 
consolidation.

Post acquisition the business acquired has contributed £11.0m revenue and £0.6m underlying operating profit, which are included in the group’s 
consolidated income statement.

If the acquisition had been made on 1 January 2012 the group’s results for the year would have shown revenue of £447.1m and underlying 
operating profit of £43.5m.

2011
On 16 March 2011 the group acquired 100% of the issued share capital of The Paterson Group, Inc. and its related subsidiaries, a leading 
manufacturer of pipe supports and hangers for the power generation, commercial and industrial markets in North America. Cash consideration for 
this acquisition was £29.1m, resulting in goodwill of £7.8m and intangible assets of £12.5m.

On 18 May 2011, the group acquired 100% of the issued share capital of ATA Bygg-och Markprodukter AB, a distributor of road safety barriers and 
manufacturer and distributor of road signage to the infrastructure markets in Sweden. Cash consideration for this acquisition was £9.9m, resulting 
in goodwill of £3.8m and intangible assets of £4.7m.

The goodwill arising on these acquisitions primarily represents the assembled workforce, technical expertise, know-how, market share and 
geographical advantages afforded to the group.

Details of the acquisitions are included in the following tables.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

81

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Pre acquisition 
carrying amount
£m

Policy 
alignment and 
fair value 
adjustments
£m

-

3.2

5.8

5.5

2.8

17.3

(2.8)

0.1

0.7

(2.0)

15.3

12.5

0.5

(1.0)

(0.1)

-

11.9

(1.1)

(1.1)

(3.7)

(5.9)

6.0

Pre acquisition 
carrying amount
£m

Policy 
alignment and 
fair value 
adjustments
£m

-

0.6

2.4

2.5

-

5.5

(2.3)

-

(2.3)

3.2

4.7

0.3

(0.9)

(0.1)

-

4.0

-

(1.1)

(1.1)

2.9

Total
£m

12.5

3.7

4.8

5.4

2.8

29.2

(3.9)

(1.0)

(3.0)

(7.9)

21.3

29.1

7.8

29.1

-

(2.8)

26.3

Total
£m

4.7

0.9

1.5

2.4

-

9.5

(2.3)

(1.1)

(3.4)

6.1

9.9

3.8

9.9

-

-

9.9

10. Intangible assets continued

The Paterson Group, Inc.

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Inventories

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Deferred tax

Total liabilities

Net assets

Consideration

Consideration in the year

Goodwill

Cash flow effect

Consideration

Deferred consideration

Cash and cash equivalents received in the business

Net cash consideration shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows

ATA Bygg-och Markprodukter AB

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Inventories

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Current liabilities

Deferred tax

Total liabilities

Net assets

Consideration

Consideration in the year

Goodwill

Cash flow effect

Consideration

Deferred consideration

Cash and cash equivalents received in the business

Net cash consideration shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows

Policy alignment and fair value adjustments principally relate to harmonisation with group IFRS accounting policies, including the application of 
fair values on acquisition.

82

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

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Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

10. Intangible assets continued
Cash generating units with significant amounts of goodwill

Galvanizing Services - France

Galvanizing Services - USA

Joseph Ash Limited

Other cash generating units with no individually significant value

2012
£m 

22.5

21.0

14.3

38.8

96.6

2011
£m 

22.9

22.0

14.3

39.7

98.9

Goodwill impairments have been carried out at an operating segment level on all cash generating units to which goodwill is allocated.

Impairment tests on the carrying values of goodwill and US brand names of £10.0m (2011: £10.5m), which are the group’s only other indefinite 
life intangible assets, are performed by analysing the carrying value allocated to each significant cash generating unit against its value in use. 
All goodwill is allocated to specific cash generating units which are in all cases no larger than operating segments. Value in use is calculated 
for each cash generating unit as the net present value of that unit’s discounted future cash flows. These cash flows are based on budget cash 
flow information for a period of one year with an average growth rate of 3% applied subsequent to the initial budget period based on a prudent 
management estimate for revenue and associated cost growth.

Pre-tax discount rates of between 13% and 17% are applied in determining the recoverable amounts of cash generating units. The discount rates 
are estimated based on the group’s cost of capital, risk adjusted for individual unit’s circumstances.

Other cash generating units with no significant amounts of goodwill principally consist of subsidiaries in the Infrastructure Products - Utilities and 
Infrastructure Products - Roads segments.

The group has applied sensitivities to assess whether any reasonable possible changes in assumptions could cause an impairment that would be 
material to these consolidated financial statements and no such impairments were identified.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

83

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Land and
buildings
£m

Plant, machinery
and vehicles
£m

Total
£m

56.6

(0.3)

3.4

2.8

-

(0.3)

62.2

(1.8)

-

6.9

-

(0.3)

67.0

8.1

(0.1)

-

(0.3)

2.6

-

10.3

(0.3)

-

(0.2)

2.7

12.5

48.5

51.9

54.5

125.0

181.6

(0.4)

1.2

9.8

(6.1)

(3.3)

(0.7)

4.6

12.6

(6.1)

(3.6)

126.2

188.4

(1.4)

0.4

11.8

(1.9)

(2.8)

(3.2)

0.4

18.7

(1.9)

(3.1)

132.3

199.3

70.6

(0.1)

(5.1)

(2.9)

10.7

-

73.2

(0.5)

(0.5)

(2.3)

10.1

80.0

54.4

53.0

52.3

78.7

(0.2)

(5.1)

(3.2)

13.3

-

83.5

(0.8)

(0.5)

(2.5)

12.8

92.5

102.9

104.9

106.8

11. Property, plant and equipment

Cost

At 1 January 2011

Exchange adjustments

Acquisitions

Additions

Disposal of subsidiary

Disposals

At 31 December 2011

Exchange adjustments

Acquisitions

Additions

Reclassification

Disposals

At 31 December 2012

Depreciation and impairment losses
At 1 January 2011

Exchange adjustments

Disposal of subsidiary

Disposals

Charge for the year

Impairment provision

At 31 December 2011

Exchange adjustments

Reclassification

Disposals

Charge for the year

At 31 December 2012

Carrying values
At 1 January 2011

At 31 December 2011

At 31 December 2012

The gross book value of land and buildings includes freehold land of £12.0m (2011: £12.7m). 

Included in the carrying value of plant, machinery and vehicles is £4.5m (2011: £9.0m) in respect of assets held under finance lease and hire 
purchase contracts. 

Included within plant, machinery and vehicles are assets held for hire with a cost of £27.2m (2011: £28.8m) and accumulated depreciation of 
£16.6m (2011: £14.8m).

During the year, assets with a cost of £1.9m and accumulated depreciation of £0.5m, have been transferred to inventories for future resale.

84

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

12. Deferred taxation

At 1 January 2011

Exchange adjustments

Acquisitions (note 10)

Disposal of subsidiary

Credited/(charged) for the year in the consolidated income 
statement (note 7)

(Charged)/credited for the year in the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income (note 7)

Charged for the year in the consolidated statement of 
changes in equity (note 7)

At 31 December 2011

Exchange adjustments

Credited for the year in the consolidated  
income statement (note 7)

(Charged)/credited for the year in the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income (note 7)

Credited for the year in the consolidated statement of 
changes in equity (note 7)

(5.1)

(0.1)

(6.0)

-

0.7

-

-

(10.5)

0.3

1.0

-

-

Intangible
assets
£m

Property, plant
and equipment
£m

Inventories
£m

Retirement
obligation
£m

Other timing
differences
£m

Total
£m

(10.0)

(2.1)

0.1

(0.1)

(0.1)

0.1

0.9

-

3.0

-

0.1

-

(1.7)

(15.9)

-

1.0

-

0.1

(4.1)

(0.1)

1.0

(0.1)

(0.6)

0.6

1.6

-

-

(9.1)

0.2

1.4

-

-

-

-

(1.2)

(0.1)

1.7

-

-

1.8

-

4.3

-

-

(0.2)

1.6

(0.2)

(0.2)

(0.5)

(17.0)

-

1.2

0.4

5.3

(0.2)

0.1

(0.1)

-

4.1

0.2

0.2

1.0

(11.2)

2012
£m 

1.0

(12.2)

(11.2)

2011 
£m 

0.2

(17.2)

(17.0)

At 31 December 2012

(9.2)

(7.5)

0.4

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

Deferred tax liability

No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of tax losses of £14.5m (2011: £14.7m) as their future use is uncertain. There is no time limit 
on the carrying forward of these losses.

On 26 March 2012, it was announced that the main rate of corporation tax would reduce to 24% from 1 April 2012, with a subsequent 1% 
reduction to reach 23% with effect from 1 April 2013. The legislation to reduce the tax rate to 23% from 1 April 2013 was substantively enacted 
on 3 July 2012. The deferred tax liability provided at the balance sheet date has therefore been recalculated at 23% on the basis that it will 
materially reverse after 1 April 2013. This recomputation has resulted in no material change in the overall deferred tax liability, with a credit of 
£0.5m in the consolidated income statement and a charge of £0.5m directly in equity.

The Government has also indicated that it intends to enact further reductions in the main rate of corporation tax, reducing the rate to 21% by 1 
April 2014. These tax rate reductions had not been substantively enacted at the balance sheet date and therefore have not been reflected in the 
financial statements. The effect of any such changes on deferred tax balances will be accounted for in the period in which any such changes are 
enacted.

13. Inventories

Raw materials and consumables

Work in progress

Finished goods and goods for resale

2012
£m 

28.6

8.9

20.3

57.8

2011
£m 

29.1

7.7

19.4

56.2

The amount of inventories expensed to the consolidated income statement in the year was £257.1m (2011: £232.6m). The value of inventories 
written down and expensed in the consolidated income statement during the year amounted to £nil (2011: £nil). The amount of inventories held 
at fair value less cost to sell included in the above was £0.4m (2011: £0.6m).

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

85

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

14. Trade and other receivables

Trade and other current receivables
Trade receivables

Prepayments and accrued income

Other receivables

Fair value derivatives

2012
£m 

81.9

4.3

2.5

-

88.7

The charge to the consolidated income statement in the year in respect of impairment of trade receivables was £0.5m (2011: £1.1m).

15. Cash and borrowings

Cash and cash equivalents in the balance sheet
Cash and bank balances

Call deposits

Cash

Interest bearing loans and borrowings
Amounts due within one year (note 16)

Amounts due after more than one year (note 17)

Net debt

Change in net debt
Operating profit

Non-cash items

Operating cash flow before movement in working capital

Net movement in working capital

Changes in provisions and employee benefits

Operating cash flow
Tax paid

Net financing costs paid

Capital expenditure

Proceeds on disposal of non-current assets

Free cash flow
Dividends paid (note 9)

Purchase of shares for the employee benefit trust

Disposals (see below)

Acquisitions (note 10)

Issue of new shares (note 20)

Net debt decrease/(increase)
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations

Net debt at the beginning of the year

Net debt at the end of the year

Disposals
Disposal of subsidiary (note 3)

Deferred consideration received in respect of disposals

Total

2012
£m 

8.8

0.1

8.9

(2.0)

(93.7)

(86.8)

39.2

17.5

56.7

3.7

(2.0)

58.4

(11.6)

(4.3)

(18.3)

0.5

24.7

(10.2)

-

-

(0.5)

0.5

14.5

2.5

(103.8)

(86.8)

-

-

-

2011 
£m 

84.2

5.0

1.2

0.4

90.8

2011 
£m 

12.6

0.1

12.7

(4.1)

(112.4)

(103.8)

32.9

22.8

55.7

(16.1)

(4.3)

35.3

(7.5)

(7.7)

(12.6)

0.1

7.6

(9.8)

(0.8)

6.2

(36.2)

0.1

(32.9)

(0.3)

(70.6)

(103.8)

5.1

1.1

6.2

86

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

16. Current liabilities

Interest bearing loans and borrowings (note 15)
Current portion of long term borrowings

Finance lease and hire purchase obligations

Trade and other current liabilities
Trade payables

Other taxation and social security

Accrued expenses and deferred income

Fair value derivatives

Other payables

17. Non-current liabilities

Interest bearing loans and borrowings (note 15)
Long term borrowings

Finance lease and hire purchase obligations

Other non-current liabilities
Deferred government grants

2012
£m 

0.5

1.5

2.0

50.7

10.9

17.3

1.0

4.3

84.2

2012
£m 

93.4

0.3

93.7

0.2

2011
 £m 

0.6

3.5

4.1

47.5

10.0

17.2

0.5

4.3

79.5

2011
 £m 

110.7

1.7

112.4

0.2

Finance leases and hire purchase obligations and the effective interest rates for the period they mature as at the balance sheet date are detailed 
below:

Finance leases and hire purchase obligations

Amounts due within one year

Amounts due after more than one year

Between one and two years

Between two and five years

Principal liability

Finance charges payable on outstanding commitments

Effective
interest
rate %

3.75

4.75

-

2012

Minimum
lease
payment
£m

Principal
£m

Effective
interest
rate %

2011

Minimum
lease
payment
£m

1.6

0.3

-

0.3

1.9

1.8

0.1

3.53

4.08

5.00

1.5

0.3

-

0.3

1.8

3.7

1.5

0.2

1.7

5.4

5.2

0.2

Principal
£m

3.5

1.5

0.2

1.7

5.2

The unsecured bank borrowings carry a rate of interest of 1.55% above LIBOR/EURIBOR/US LIBOR subject to a ratchet as defined in the facility 
agreement. In the USA, borrowings that are not fixed (note 19) are at US LIBOR +1.5% and are secured against substantially all of the assets of 
V&S LLC and its subsidiaries. Obligations under finance leases and hire purchase obligations are secured on the relevant assets.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

87

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Property
related
£m

Other
regulatory
£m

4.0

-

0.8

(0.8)

-

4.0

-

(0.5)

(0.2)

3.3

0.4

-

-

(0.1)

(0.3)

-

-

-

-

-

2012
£m 

0.5

2.8

3.3

Total
£m

4.4

-

0.8

(0.9)

(0.3)

4.0

-

(0.5)

(0.2)

3.3

2011
 £m 

0.5

3.5

4.0

18. Provisions for liabilities and charges

At 1 January 2011

Exchange adjustments

Acquisitions of subsidiaries

Utilised during the year

Released to consolidated income statement

At 31 December 2011

Exchange adjustments

Utilised during the year

Released to consolidated income statement

At 31 December 2012

Amounts due within one year

Amounts due after more than one year

Provisions utilised during the year reflect cash spend associated with the closure of one of the group’s manufacturing plants late in 2010. 
Provisions amounting to £0.2m were released where the group no longer has any known obligations. The group has sought expert valuations 
in relation to its property provisions where appropriate, although there are factors outside of the group’s control that give rise to uncertainties 
surrounding these matters. The group does not expect to be reimbursed for any of the future costs.

19. Financial instruments 
(a) Management of financial risks 
Overview
The group has exposure to a number of risks associated with its use of financial instruments.

This note presents information about the group’s exposure to each of these risks, the group’s objectives, policies and processes for measuring and 
managing risk, and the group’s management of capital. Further quantitative disclosures are included throughout these consolidated financial 
statements.

The board of directors has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the group’s risk management framework.

The group’s risk management policies are established to identify and analyse the risks faced by the group, to set appropriate risk limits and 
controls, and to monitor risks and adherence to limits. Risk management policies and systems are reviewed regularly to reflect changes in market 
conditions and the group’s activities. The group, through its training and management standards and procedures, aims to develop a disciplined 
and constructive control environment in which all employees understand their roles and obligations.

The group audit committee oversees how management monitors compliance with the group’s risk management policies and procedures and 
reviews the adequacy of the risk management framework in relation to the risks faced by the group. A programme of peer and third party reviews 
is in place to assist the group audit committee with its assessment of the effectiveness of risk management and internal control procedures.

Credit risk
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 from cash and cash equivalents, derivative financial instruments and principally from the group’s receivables from customers. The 
maximum exposure to credit risk for receivables and other financial assets is represented by their carrying amount.

It is the group’s policy to insure a substantial part of the group’s trade receivables. Any residual risk is spread across a significant number of 
customers. As such the impairment losses are not significant. Purchase limits are established for each customer, which represent the maximum 
open amount without requiring approval from the board and are reviewed regularly. Customers that fail to meet the group’s benchmark 
creditworthiness may transact with the group only on a prepayment basis.

88

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

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Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

19. Financial instruments continued
The group’s UK companies represent the majority of the trade receivable at 31 December 2012 with 61% (2011: 57.6%) and currently the only 
geographical region that does not generally insure their trade receivables is North America, which represents 17% (2011: 20.4%) of the group’s 
trade receivables. Subsidiaries in North America have a policy of taking out trade references before granting credit limits and selectively insuring 
where it is deemed necessary by management.

The group’s policy is to not provide financial guarantees. At 31 December 2012 and 2011, no guarantees were outstanding.

Liquidity risk
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.

It is the group’s policy to minimise its liquidity risk in terms of limiting the amounts of borrowings maturing within the next 12 months. As at 31 
December 2012 all such debt was covered by cash and cash equivalents netting to £6.9m positive current liquidity (2011: £8.6m).

In 2011 the group refinanced its principal UK revolving credit facility. The facility is a multicurrency revolving credit agreement that expires in April 
2016 and has a value at 31 December 2012 of £209.4m, based on year end exchange rates. Along with various other on demand lines of credit, 
including bank overdrafts, finance leases and bills of exchange, the group has access to facilities of £230.3m.

Market risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as foreign exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices will affect the group’s 
income or the value of its holdings of financial instruments. The objective of market risk management is to manage and control market risk 
exposures within acceptable parameters, while optimising the return on risk. The group buys and sells derivatives in the ordinary course of 
business, and also incurs financial liabilities, in order to manage market risks. All such transactions are carried out within the guidelines set by the 
board.

Counterparty risk
A group of relationship banks provides the bulk of the banking services, with pre-approved credit limits set for each institution. Financial derivatives 
are entered into with these core banks and the underlying credit exposure to these instruments is included when considering the credit exposure 
to the counterparties. At the end of 2012 credit exposure including cash deposited did not exceed £3.2m with any single institution (2011: £3.0m).

Currency risk
The group publishes its consolidated financial statements in Sterling, but conducts business in several foreign currencies, including significant 
operations based in Continental Europe, North America and Asia. This results in foreign currency exchange risk due to exchange rate movements 
which will affect the group’s transaction costs and the translation of the results and underlying net assets of its foreign operations.

The trading currency of each operation is predominantly in the same denomination, however, the group uses forward exchange contracts to 
hedge the majority of exposures that do exist. The group does not apply hedge accounting to these derivative financial instruments.

The group has hedged its investment in US and European operations by way of financing the acquisitions through like denominations of its multi 
currency banking facility. The group’s investments in other subsidiaries are not hedged because fluctuations on translation of their assets into 
Sterling are not significant to the group.

Interest rate risk
The group adopts interest rate swaps when engaging in long term specific investments or contracts in order to more reliably assess financial 
implications of these procurements. However, the group currently feels that using fixed interest rates for short term day to day trading is not 
appropriate.

The UK parent company and certain of its UK subsidiaries hold Sterling, US Dollar and Euro derivative instruments, designed to reduce the group’s 
exposure to interest rate fluctuations, as shown in the following table. The notional amounts represent approximately 29% (2011: 16%) of the 
gross year end Sterling borrowings, 38% (2011: 84%) of the Euro borrowings and 53% (2011: 0%) of the US Dollar borrowings under the group’s 
principal UK revolving credit facility. The group also has US Dollar arrangements which are held locally, the notional amounts representing 
approximately 12% (2011: 52%) of the local US Dollar year end gross borrowings.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

89

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

19. Financial instruments continued

Country

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

USA

Financial
instrument

Swap

Swap

Swap

Swap

Swap

Maturity date

1 April 2016

1 April 2016

1 April 2016

1 April 2016

1 April 2016

Swap

1 October 2015

Rate excluding
margin %

2012 Notional 
amounts £m

2012 Notional
amounts €m

2012 Notional
amounts $m

1.148

1.130

1.133

1.360

1.544

4.800

-

-

-

10.0

-

-

-

-

-

-

10.0

-

10.0

10.0

10.0

-

-

0.7

Insurance
The group purchases insurance for commercial, legal and contractual reasons. The group retains insurable risk where external insurance is not 
commercially viable.

Capital management
The board maintains a strong capital base so as to maintain investor, creditor and market confidence and to sustain future development of the 
business. The board monitors both the demographic spread of shareholders, as well as the return on capital, which the group defines as total 
shareholders’ equity and the level of dividends to ordinary shareholders.

The board seeks to maintain a balance between the higher returns that might be possible with higher levels of borrowings and the advantages 
and security afforded by a sound capital position.

There are financial covenants associated with the group’s borrowings, which are interest cover and EBITDA to net debt. The group comfortably 
complied with these covenants in 2012 and 2011, as set out in the business review on page 21.

There were no changes in the group’s approach to capital management during the year.

(b) Total financial assets and liabilities
The table below sets out the group’s accounting classification of its financial assets and liabilities and their fair values as at 31 December. The fair 
values of all financial assets and liabilities are not materially different to the carrying values.

Designated at fair value
£m

Other derivatives 
at fair value
£m

Amortised cost
£m

Total carrying value
£m

Fair value
£m

Cash and cash equivalents

Interest bearing loans due within one year

Interest bearing loans due after more than one 
year

Derivative assets

Derivative liabilities

Other assets

Other liabilities

Total at 31 December 2012

Cash and cash equivalents

Interest bearing loans due within one year

Interest bearing loans due after more than one 
year

Derivative assets

Derivative liabilities

Other assets

Other liabilities

Total at 31 December 2011

-

-

-

-

(1.0)

-

-

(1.0)

-

-

-

-

(0.5)

-

-

(0.5)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.4

-

-

-

0.4

8.9

(2.0)

(93.7)

-

-

84.4

(72.3)

(74.7)

12.7

(4.1)

(112.4)

-

-

85.4

(69.0)

(87.4)

8.9

(2.0)

8.9

(2.0)

(93.7)

(93.7)

-

(1.0)

84.4

(72.3)

(75.7)

12.7

(4.1)

-

(1.0)

84.4

(72.3)

(75.7)

12.7

(4.1)

(112.4)

(112.4)

0.4

(0.5)

85.4

(69.0)

(87.5)

0.4

(0.5)

85.4

(69.0)

(87.5)

90

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

19. Financial instruments continued
Fair value hierarchy
The table below analyses financial instruments carried at fair value, by valuation method. The different levels have been defined as follows:
 › Level 1: unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
 › Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either as a direct price or 

indirectly derived from prices.

 › Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data.

Derivative financial assets

Derivative financial liabilities

Total at 31 December 2012
Derivative financial assets

Derivative financial liabilities

Total at 31 December 2011

Level 1
£m

-

-

-
-

-

-

Level 2
£m

-

(1.0)

(1.0)
0.4

(0.5)

(0.1)

Level 3
£m

-

-

-
-

-

-

Total
£m

-

(1.0)

(1.0)
0.4

(0.5)

(0.1)

At 31 December 2012 the group did not have any liabilities classified at Level 1 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. There have been no transfers 
in any direction in the year.

The group’s financial assets, excluding short term receivables, consist mainly of cash and call deposit accounts.

Where cash surpluses arise in the short term, interest is earned based on a floating rate related to bank base rate or LIBOR/EURIBOR. Where the 
group’s funding requirements allow longer term investment of surplus cash, management will review available options to obtain the best possible 
return whilst maintaining an appropriate degree of access to the funds.

The group’s financial liabilities, excluding short term creditors, are set out below. Fixed rate financial liabilities comprise Sterling, Euro and US Dollar 
denominated finance leases and hire purchase agreements and bank loans. Floating rate financial liabilities comprise Sterling, Euro and US Dollar 
bank loans and overdrafts, and Sterling finance leases and hire purchase agreements. The floating rate financial liabilities bear interest at rates 
related to bank base rates or LIBOR/EURIBOR.

Each subsidiary has financial assets and liabilities which are predominantly in the same denomination as that subsidiary’s functional currency. 
Excluding the UK parent company, the financial assets and liabilities not denominated in the functional currency of these entities are insignificant 
to the group.

The UK parent company and certain of its UK subsidiaries hold Euro £21.2m (2011: £31.9m) and US Dollar £35.2m (2011: £50.1m) denominated 
interest bearing loans, which are predominantly used to fund the group’s European and United States operations and include £56.4m (2011: 
£82.0m) designated as a hedge of the net investment in a foreign operation. The foreign currency gain of £2.8m (2011: loss of £0.4m) for the 
effective portion was recognised directly in equity netted against exchange differences on translation of foreign operations. Any ineffective portion 
recognised in the consolidated income statement is insignificant.

Fixed rate financial liabilities

Sterling at 31 December 2012

US Dollar at 31 December 2012

Euro at 31 December 2012
Sterling at 31 December 2011

US Dollar at 31 December 2011

Euro at 31 December 2011

Weighted average
interest rate
%

Weighted average period for
which rate is fixed
Years

1.5

1.2

1.5
3.1

4.5

2.3

3.2

3.2

3.3
0.7

1.9

1.3

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

91

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

19. Financial instruments continued
(c) Maturity profile 
The table below sets out the contractual cash flows associated with the group’s financial liabilities, including estimated interest payments, 
analysed by maturity:

Carrying
amounts
£m

Contractual
cash flows
£m

Due within
one year
£m

Due between
one and
two years
£m

Due between
two and
five years
£m

Secured bank borrowings

Unsecured bank borrowings

Finance lease obligations

Other liabilities

Derivative liabilities

Total at 31 December 2012

Secured bank borrowings

Unsecured bank borrowings

Finance lease obligations

Other liabilities

Derivative liabilities

Total at 31 December 2011

3.5

90.4

1.8

72.3

1.0

169.0

4.1

107.2

5.2

69.0

0.5

186.0

(3.6)

(95.9)

(1.9)

(72.3)

(1.3)

(175.0)

(4.2)

(118.8)

(5.4)

(69.0)

(0.9)

(198.3)

(0.5)

(1.7)

(1.5)

(72.3)

(0.4)

(76.4)

(0.5)

(2.8)

(3.7)

(69.0)

(0.2)

(76.2)

(0.5)

(1.7)

(0.4)

-

(0.4)

(3.0)

(0.5)

(2.7)

(1.5)

-

(0.2)

(4.9)

(0.9)

(92.5)

-

-

(0.5)

(93.9)

(1.2)

(113.3)

(0.2)

-

(0.5)

Due after
more than
five years
£m

(1.7)

-

-

-

-

(1.7)

(2.0)

-

-

-

-

(115.2)

(2.0)

The group had the following undrawn committed facilities at 31 December, in respect of which all conditions precedent had been met:

Undrawn committed borrowing facilities

Expiring after more than one year

2012
£m 

2011
 £m 

119.0

106.0

(d) Fair values
The loss in the year on the interest rate swaps held by the UK group was £0.4m (2011: gain of £0.4m) which is recognised directly in equity as 
these instruments are accounted for as cash flow hedges. Any ineffective portion of these hedges is taken to the consolidated income statement 
and was insignificant. The gain in the year on the US fixed rate interest swaps taken to the consolidated income statement was £nil (2011: gain 
of £0.1m). The fair value of forward currency exchange contracts realised in the consolidated income statement as part of fair value derivatives 
amounted to a loss of £0.4m (2011: gain of £0.4m). The fair values of the group’s other financial instruments at 31 December 2012 and 2011 
were not materially different to their carrying value. Fair values were calculated using market rates where available, otherwise cash flows were 
discounted at prevailing rates.

Impairment charges of £0.3m (2011: £nil) were recognised in respect of the carrying values of non-current assets, as detailed in note 3.

(e) Credit risk
Exposure to credit risk
The exposure to credit risk is substantially mitigated by the credit insurance employed by the group. In the absence of this insurance the 
maximum credit exposure on the carrying value of financial assets at the reporting date was:

Carrying amount

Loans and receivables

Cash at the end of the year (note 15)

Total

2012
£m 

84.4

8.9

93.3

2011
 £m 

85.4

12.7

98.1

92

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

19. Financial instruments continued
At the reporting date the maximum exposure to credit risk for trade receivables, ignoring credit insurance was:

Carrying value of trade receivables by geography

UK

Rest of Europe

North America

Asia

Total

Carrying value of trade receivables by business segment

Infrastructure Products - Utilities

Infrastructure Products - Roads

Infrastructure Products - Total

Galvanizing Services

Total

2012
£m 

50.3

15.2

13.6

2.8

81.9

2012
£m 

40.9

20.5

61.4

20.5

81.9

2011
£m 

48.5

17.0

17.2

1.5

84.2

2011 (restated) 
£m 

39.8

20.9

60.7

23.5

84.2

The comparatives in this note have been restated as explained in note 1.

Impairment losses
The group maintains a substantial level of credit insurance covering the majority of its trade receivables which mitigates against possible 
impairment losses, therefore such impairment losses are not significant.

The ageing of trade receivables at the reporting date was:

Not past due

Past due 1–30 days

Past due 31–120 days

Past due more than 120 days

Total

Gross
£m

58.6

16.0

4.8

4.8

84.2

2012

Provisions
£m

(0.3)

(0.1)

(0.1)

(1.8)

(2.3)

Net
£m

58.3

15.9

4.7

3.0

81.9

Gross
£m

61.1

16.3

6.7

3.1

87.2

2011

Provisions
£m

(0.3)

(0.3)

(1.0)

(1.4)

(3.0)

The movements in provisions for impairment of trade receivables are as follows:

At 1 January 2011

Acquisitions of subsidiaries

Charged to the consolidated income statement during the year

Utilised during the year

At 31 December 2011

Exchange adjustments

Charged to the consolidated income statement during the year

Utilised during the year

At 31 December 2012

Net
£m

60.8

16.0

5.7

1.7

84.2

£m

2.2

0.5

0.5

(0.2)

3.0

(0.1)

0.1

(0.7)

2.3

(f) Sensitivity analysis
In managing interest rate and currency risks the group aims to reduce the impact of short term fluctuations on the group’s earnings. Over the 
longer term, however, permanent changes in foreign exchange and interest rates may have an impact on consolidated earnings. At the end of the 
reporting periods, the effects of hypothetical changes in interest and currency rates are as follows:

 ›

Based on average month end net debt balances that are not subject to an interest rate swap, if interest rates had varied throughout the 
year by 1% the positive or negative variation on the year’s result would have been £0.7m (2011: £0.8m), which would directly impact on the 
consolidated income statement.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

93

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

19. Financial instruments continued
(f) Sensitivity analysis
 ›

Based on a 10% weakening in Sterling against all currencies throughout the year, the impact on the consolidated income statement would 
have been a gain of £2.7m (2011: £1.9m) and the impact on equity would have been a gain of £13.1m (2011: £10.7m).

 ›

Based on a 10% strengthening in Sterling against all currencies throughout the year, the impact on the consolidated income statement 
would have been a loss of £2.2m (2011: £1.6m) and the impact on equity would have been a loss of £10.7m (2011: £9.1m).

20. Called up share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid

77.1m ordinary shares of 25p each (2011: 77.0m)

2012
£m 

19.3

2011
 £m 

19.2

In 2012 the company issued 0.1m shares under its various share option schemes (2011: 0.1m), realising £0.5m (2011: £0.1m). 

Options outstanding over the company’s shares

2007 LTIP Award (granted March 2012)*

2007 LTIP Award (granted March 2011)*

2007 LTIP Award (granted March 2010)*

2007 LTIP Award (granted March 2009)*

2005 approved executive share option
scheme (granted October 2005)*

2005 unapproved executive share
option scheme (granted October 2005)*

2007 grant of 2005 approved executive
share option scheme (granted April 2007)*

2007 grant of 2005 unapproved executive 
share option scheme (granted April 2007)*

2012 grant of 2005 approved executive share 
option scheme (granted April 2012)*

2012 grant of 2005 unapproved 
executive share option scheme (granted April 
2012)*

2008 grant of 2005 savings related share
option scheme (granted January 2008)*†

2008 grant of 2005 savings related share
option scheme (granted December 2008)*†

2008 grant of 2005 savings related share
option scheme (granted December 2008)*†

2010 grant of 2005 savings related share
option scheme (granted January 2011)*†

Outstanding at the end of the year
Exercisable at the year end

Not exercisable at the year end

Outstanding at the end of the year

* Subject to share-based payments under IFRS2 (see below).

Number
of shares

263,721

287,779

247,546

-

40,792

4,907

183,551

326,876

125,828

159,172

122,599

-

134,630

456,697

2,354,098

556,126

1,797,972

2,354,098

2012
Option
price (p)

-

-

-

-

205

205

350

350

316

316

318

246

246

238

Number
of shares

-

287,779

247,546

180,000

2011
Option
price (p)

-

-

-

-

Date first exercisable

Expiry date

§

§

§

§

§

§

§

§

66,938

205

4 October 2008 4 October 2015

68,375

205

4 October 2008 4 October 2015

236,830

370,170

-

-

350

350

-

-

13 April 2010

13 April 2017

13 April 2010

13 April 2017

19 April 2015

19 April 2022

19 April 2015

19 April 2022

131,350

318

1 January 2013

1 July 2013

77,474

246 1 December 2011

1 June 2012

146,067

246 1 December 2013

1 June 2014

238

1 January 2016

1 July 2016

499,970

2,312,499

819,787

1,492,712

2,312,499

† Options may be exercised early under the terms of this scheme if employees meet the criteria of ‘good leaver’, which encompasses circumstances such as retirement or redundancy.

§ Awards lapse on the earlier of the award holder ceasing their employment or the applicable performance conditions not being met. The earliest possible date for award is 1 January 2013 for the 

2010 grant, 1 January 2014 for the 2011 grant and 1 January 2015 for the 2012 grant.

The remaining weighted average life of the outstanding share options is 3 years 3 months (2011: 3 years 2 months).

94

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

20. Called up share capital continued
The movement and weighted average exercise prices of share options during the year are as follows:

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Granted during the year

Exercised during the year

Lapsed during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Weighted
average
exercise
price (p)
2012

197

169

(241)

(144)

195

Millions
of options
2012

2.3

0.6

(0.1)

(0.4)

2.4

Weighted
average
exercise
price (p)
2011

206

164

(50)

(244)

197

Millions
of options
2011

2.0

0.9

(0.3)

(0.3)

2.3

The weighted average share price on the dates of exercise during the year for the above share options was 356p (2011: 311p), and the weighted 
average fair value of options and awards granted in the year was 145p (2011: 104p). The weighted average exercise price of outstanding options 
exercisable at the year end was 338p.

Share-based payments
All option schemes marked as being subject to share-based payments have 2005 to 2012 as their first qualifying year.

The fair value of services received in return for share options granted is measured by reference to the fair value of the share options granted. 
The estimate of the fair value of the services received is measured based on the Black–Scholes model where vesting is based on non-market 
conditions, or a Monte Carlo Simulation where vesting is based on market conditions. The contractual life is the life of the option in question and 
the growth in dividend yield is based on the best current estimate of future yields over the contractual period.

2012 grant
of 2007 LTIP
Award

2011 grant
of 2007 LTIP
Award

2010 grant
of 2007 LTIP
Award

January
2011 grant of
2005 Savings
Related
Share Option
Scheme

December
2008 grant of
2005 Savings
Related Share
Option
Scheme

January
2008 grant of
2005 Savings
Related Share
Option
Scheme

2012 grant of
2005 Share
Option
Schemes

2007 grant of
2005 Share
Option
Schemes

2005 grant 
of 2005 
Share
Option
Schemes

Fair value at measurement date (p)

337/194

303/171

Share price at grant date (p)

Exercise price (p)

Expected volatility (%)

Option life (years)

Dividend yield (%)

Risk free interest rate (%)

337

0

28

3

0.0

0.6

303

0

28

3

0.0

1.6

344

339

0

27

3

0.0

1.9

44

290

238

21

5

4.4

1.6

3/3

160

246

51/49

331

318

28/24

29/25

3/5

4.6

1.8/2.8

3/5

4.6

4.0

41

316

316

28

3

4.2

0.6

59

351

350

22

3

3.7

5.1

34

208

205

36

3

3.7

4.5

The expected volatility is wholly based on the historical volatility (calculated based on the weighted average remaining life of the share options), 
adjusted for any expected changes to future volatility due to publicly available information.

Share options have been granted to qualifying employees in line with either HM Revenue & Customs approved or non-approved schemes, as 
indicated above. Other than the LTIP, the strike price for the option is made based on the market values of shares at the date the option is offered.

The total expense recognised for the period arising from share-based payments is as follows:

Expensed during the year

21. Guarantees and other financial commitments
(a) Guarantees
The group had no financial guarantee contracts outstanding (2011: £nil).

(b) Capital commitments

Contracted for but not provided in the accounts

2012
£m 

0.3

2012
£m 

0.4

2011
£m 

0.2

2011
£m 

0.7

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

95

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

21. Guarantees and other financial commitments continued
(c) Operating lease commitments
The total future minimum commitments payable under non-cancellable operating leases are analysed as follows:

Group
Within one year

Between one and two years

Between two and five years

After five years

2012

Land and
buildings
£m

4.4

4.3

10.0

13.7

32.4

Other
£m

2.2

1.6

1.9

0.1

5.8

2011

Land and
buildings
£m

4.4

4.3

11.1

16.7

36.5

Other
£m

2.1

1.6

1.6

-

5.3

The group leases properties, plant, machinery and vehicles for operational purposes. Property leases vary considerably in length up to a maximum 
period of 99 years. Plant, machinery and vehicle leases typically run for periods of up to 5 years.

The total future minimum commitments receivable under non-cancellable operating leases are analysed as follows:

Group
Within one year

Between one and five years

After five years

2012

Land and
buildings
£m

0.6

1.4

0.7

2.7

Other
£m

6.1

4.0

-

10.1

2011

Land and
buildings
£m

0.6

1.6

1.0

3.2

22. Pensions
Total
The total group retirement benefit assets and obligations are detailed below:

Total fair value of scheme assets

Present value of scheme funded obligations

Present value of scheme unfunded obligations

Retirement benefit obligation

UK
£m

62.0

(75.8)

-

(13.8)

Overseas
£m

2.5

(4.9)

(0.1)

(2.5)

2012
£m

64.5

(80.7)

(0.1)

(16.3)

UK
£m

54.9

(69.2)

-

(14.3)

Overseas
£m

2.6

(4.6)

(0.1)

(2.1)

Other
£m

5.0

2.0

-

7.0

2011
£m

57.5

(73.8)

(0.1)

(16.4)

United Kingdom
The group operates two main pension schemes in the UK. The Hill & Smith executive pension scheme provides benefits on a defined benefit basis, 
while the other larger Hill & Smith pension scheme provides benefits that are on a defined contribution basis. This second scheme also contains 
some defined benefit liabilities. The assets of both schemes are administered by trustees and are kept entirely separate from those of the group. 
Independent actuarial valuations are carried out every three years. Contribution rates are determined on the basis of advice from an independent 
professionally qualified actuary, with the objective of providing the funds required to meet pension obligations as they fall due. There are also 
separate personal pension plans.

The consolidated income statement for the year includes a pension charge within operating profit of £1.7m (2011: £0.1m), which includes the 
costs of the defined contribution scheme and the defined benefit scheme.

All actuarial gains and losses are recognised immediately in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

96

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

22. Pensions continued
Composition of the Scheme
The group operates defined benefit schemes in the UK. A full actuarial valuation of the schemes was last carried out as at 5 April 2012 and was 
updated to 31 December 2012 by a qualified actuary.

The principal assumptions used by the actuary

Rate of increase in salaries

Rate of increase in pensions payment

Discount rate

Inflation - RPI

Inflation - CPI

Mortality table

2012

n/a

2.60%

4.20%

2.70%

1.95%

2011

2.00%

2.90%

4.90%

3.00%

2.00%

2010

3.50%

3.30%

5.60%

3.50%

-

2009

3.60%

3.40%

5.80%

3.60%

-

2008

2.70%

2.60%

6.50%

2.70%

-

116%120%  116%120% 116%120%
S1PAmc1% S1PAmc1%

S1PACMI2011 1%*

PA92YOB

PA92YOB

* With the addition of the short cohort for the Hill & Smith executive pension scheme, approximately 1.6 years is added to the life expectancies shown below:

The mortality assumptions imply the following expected future lifetimes from age 65:

Males currently aged 45

Females currently aged 45

Males currently aged 65

Females currently aged 65

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

21.8 years

24.3 years

20.8 years

23.0 years

21.6 years

21.6 years

21.1 years

21.0 years

24.2 years

24.2 years

24.1 years

24.0 years

20.0 years

20.0 years

19.9 years

19.8 years

22.7 years

22.7 years

22.9 years

22.8 years

The assumptions have been chosen by the directors from a range of possible actuarial assumptions which, due to the timescales covered, may 
not be borne out in practice.

Assets and liabilities
One scheme holds assets and liabilities in respect of defined contribution benefits which are equal in value and are excluded from the following 
figures. The fair values of scheme assets, which are not intended to be realised in the short term and may be subject to significant change before 
they are realised, and the value of the scheme liabilities, which is derived from cash flow projections over long periods and which is therefore 
inherently uncertain, are as follows:

Assets
Equities

Bonds

With profits policies

Hedge funds

Currency funds

Cash

Total fair value of scheme assets
Present value of scheme funded obligations

Retirement benefit obligation

Rate of return
expected
2012
%

Market value
2012
£m

Rate of return
expected
2011
%

Market value
2011
£m

Rate of return
expected
2010
%

Market value
2010
£m

6.40

3.70

3.90

8.00

6.40

2.60

5.00

21.7

33.0

1.4

5.5

-

0.4

62.0

(75.8)

(13.8)

6.40

4.50

4.10

8.00

6.40

2.80

5.40

16.2

29.5

2.5

5.4

0.9

0.4

54.9

(69.2)

(14.3)

7.60

5.00

5.30

8.00

7.60

4.00

6.27

19.0

27.2

2.3

5.8

1.9

0.4

56.6

(66.1)

(9.5)

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

97

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Rate of return
expected
2009
%

Market value
2009
£m

Rate of return
expected
2008
%

Market value
2008
£m

8.00

5.20

5.70

8.00

8.00

4.40

6.49

16.0

24.9

2.1

5.6

2.3

1.1

52.0

(67.4)

(15.4)

8.40

6.50

5.30

8.00

8.40

3.70

7.08

10.7

25.3

2.9

5.0

2.1

0.4

46.4

(56.8)

(10.4)

22. Pensions continued

Assets
Equities

Bonds

With profits policies

Hedge funds

Currency funds

Cash

Total fair value of scheme assets
Present value of scheme funded obligations

Retirement benefit obligation

The overall expected return on assets assumption has been calculated as an approximate weighted average of the expected returns of each asset 
class taking into account the asset allocation of the scheme. When setting an expected return for each asset class, the following factors have 
been considered:

Equities – a higher long term rate of return is expected on equity investments than that which is available on bonds. The extent to which equities 
are assumed to provide higher returns than bonds in the future is estimated based on the returns achieved above bond returns historically, market 
conditions at the balance sheet date and the employment of a UK active management approach with equities.

Bonds, gilts and cash – where assets are held in bonds, gilts and cash, the expected long term rate of return is taken to be the yields generally 
prevailing on such assets as at the balance sheet date.

With profits policies – the underlying asset allocation of the policies and the overall rate is based on the expected long term rate of return on each 
of the asset classes with reference to this allocation.

Hedge funds – these funds invest in a range of investments including equities, bonds and alternatives to generate stable absolute returns at 
a level above cash. The extent to which these funds are assumed to provide higher returns than cash in the future is based on the manager’s 
objectives with regards to the average annual returns above cash and having regard to market conditions at the balance sheet date.

Currency funds – these funds incorporate gearing to generate expected returns significantly above the returns available on cash. The extent to 
which these funds are assumed to provide higher returns than cash in the future is estimated based on expected returns on equity investments 
and market conditions at the balance sheet date.

Total expense recognised in the consolidated income statement

Current service costs

Past service costs

Losses/(gains) on curtailments and settlements

Charge/(credit) to operating profit
Expected return on pension scheme assets

Expected interest cost on pension scheme obligations

Total charged/(credited) to profit before tax

Defined
contribution
schemes
£m

2012

Defined
benefit
schemes
£m

1.1

-

-

1.1

-

-

1.1

0.2

-

0.4

0.6

(2.9)

3.3

1.0

Defined
contribution
schemes
£m

2011

Defined
benefit
schemes
£m

1.1

-

-

1.1

-

-

1.1

0.6

(1.1)

(0.5)

(1.0)

(3.5)

3.6

(0.9)

Total
£m

1.3

-

0.4

1.7

(2.9)

3.3

2.1

Total
£m

1.7

(1.1)

(0.5)

0.1

(3.5)

3.6

0.2

98

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

22. Pensions continued
Change in the present value of the defined benefit obligations

Opening defined benefit obligations

Current service costs

Past service costs

Expected interest cost

Actuarial loss

Losses/(gains) on curtailments and settlements

Employee contributions

Benefits paid

Closing defined benefit obligations

Changes in fair values of scheme assets

Opening fair value of assets

Expected return on assets

Actuarial gain/(loss)

Employer contributions

Employee contributions

Benefits paid

Closing fair value of assets

Actual return on scheme assets

Expected employer contributions in the following year
Defined benefit schemes

Defined contribution schemes

Amounts recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Difference between actual and expected return on 
scheme assets

Experienced loss on scheme obligations

Changes in assumptions underlying the present value 
of scheme obligations

Annual amount recognised

Total amount recognised

% of scheme
assets/
liabilities
%

11

1

9

1

2012
£m

6.7

(0.5)

(6.7)

(0.5)

(25.2)

Difference between actual and expected return on scheme assets

Experienced gain/(loss) on scheme obligations

Changes in assumptions underlying the present value of scheme obligations

Annual amount recognised

Total amount recognised

2012
£m 

69.2

0.2

-

3.3

7.2

0.4

-

(4.5)

75.8

2012
£m 

54.9

2.9

6.7

2.0

-

(4.5)

62.0

9.6

2.5

1.2

% of 
scheme
assets/
liabilities
%

8

-

6

12

% of scheme
assets/
liabilities
%

9

-

(16)

(8)

% of 
scheme
assets/
liabilities
%

4

-

3

7

% of scheme
assets/
liabilities
%

(35)

(1)

20

(9)

2011
£m

(4.3)

-

(3.9)

(8.2)

(24.7)

2009
£m

4.4

0.3

(10.5)

(5.8)

(21.1)

2011
£m 

66.1

0.6

(1.1)

3.6

3.9

(0.5)

0.1

(3.5)

69.2

2011
£m 

56.6

3.5

(4.3)

2.5

0.1

(3.5)

54.9

(0.7)

1.8

1.2

2010
£m

2.4

-

2.2

4.6

(16.5)

2008
£m

(16.2)

(0.7)

11.6

(5.3)

(15.3)

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

99

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

22. Pensions continued
Overseas
In France the group provides certain long term benefits and operates post employment defined benefit plans which provide lump sum benefits at 
retirement in accordance with collective labour agreements. Some of those plans are funded with insurance companies.

In the USA Bergen-Power Pipe Supports, Inc., operates a defined benefit pension plan comprising current and deferred pensioners such that no 
future benefits accrue.

The group also operates defined contribution plans in the USA and in Sweden. The amount contributed to these plans during the year was £0.5m 
(2011: £0.4m).

The consolidated income statement for the year includes a pension charge within operating profit of £0.6m (2011: £0.9m), which includes the 
costs of the defined contribution schemes and the defined benefit schemes.

All actuarial gains and losses are recognised immediately in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Composition of the schemes
The group operates defined benefit schemes in France and the USA. Actuarial valuations of the schemes were carried out by independent 
actuaries as at 31 December 2012.

The principal assumptions used by the actuaries

Rate of increase in salaries

Discount rate

Inflation

Expected long term rate of return on plan assets

Mortality table

USA

0.00%

4.50%

0.00%

7.50%

2012
France

2.00%

4.00%

2.00%

4.50%

USA

0.00%

4.50%

0.00%

7.50%

2011
France

2.00%

5.00%

2.00%

4.50%

2010 
France

2.00%

4.60%

2.00%

4.00%

2009 
France

2.00%

5.00%

2.00%

4.50%

94 GAR

TH 00-02,

94 GAR

TH 00-02,

TH 00-02,

TH 00-02,

Proj. 2002

TF 00-02

Proj. 2002

TF 00-02

TF 00-02

TF 00-02

Assets and liabilities
The fair values of scheme assets, which are not intended to be realised in the short term and may be subject to significant change before they are 
realised, and the value of the scheme liabilities, which is derived from cash flow projections over long periods and which is therefore inherently 
uncertain, are as follows:

Assets
Cash and other insured fixed interest assets

Total fair value of scheme assets
Present value of scheme funded obligations

Present value of scheme unfunded obligations

Retirement benefit obligation

Assets
Cash and other insured fixed interest assets

Total fair value of scheme assets
Present value of scheme funded obligations

Present value of scheme unfunded obligations

Retirement benefit obligation

Rate of return 
expected
2012
%

Market
 value
2012
£m

Rate of return
expected
2011
%

Market 
value
2011
£m

Rate of return
expected
2010
%

7.30

7.30

2.5

2.5

(4.9)

(0.1)

(2.5)

7.30

7.30

2.6

2.6

(4.6)

(0.1)

(2.1)

4.00

4.00

Rate of return
expected
2009
%

Market value
2009
£m

Rate of return
expected
2008
%

4.50

4.50

0.2

0.2

(1.4)

(0.1)

(1.3)

4.50

4.50

Market 
value
2010
£m

0.1

0.1

(1.4)

(0.1)

(1.4)

Market 
value
2008
£m

0.2

0.2

(1.4)

(0.2)

(1.4)

100 Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

22. Pensions continued
Cash and other insured fixed interest assets – where assets are held in cash or a policy with a fixed interest asset allocation, the expected long 
term rate of return is taken to be the yields generally prevailing on such assets as at the balance sheet date.

Total expense recognised in the consolidated income statement

Current service cost

Past service costs

Charge to operating profit
Expected return on pension scheme assets

Expected interest cost on pension scheme obligations

Total charged to profit before tax

Defined
contribution
schemes
£m

2012

Defined
benefit
schemes
£m

0.5

-

0.5

-

-

0.5

0.1

-

0.1

(0.2)

0.2

0.1

Defined
contribution
schemes
£m

0.4

-

0.4

-

-

0.4

Total
£m

0.6

-

0.6

(0.2)

0.2

0.6

2011

Defined
benefit
schemes
£m

0.1

0.4

0.5

(0.1)

0.2

0.6

Change in the present value of the defined benefit obligation

Opening defined benefit obligation

Acquisitions of subsidiaries

Current service costs

Past service costs

Expected interest cost

Actuarial losses

Benefits paid

Employee contributions

Exchange adjustments

Closing defined benefit obligation

Changes in fair values of scheme assets

Opening fair value of assets

Acquisitions of subsidiaries

Actuarial gains

Expected return on assets

Benefits paid

Exchange adjustments

Closing fair value of assets

Actual return on scheme assets

Expected employer contributions in the following year
Defined benefit schemes

Defined contribution schemes

2012
£m 

4.7

-

0.1

-

0.2

0.5

(0.4)

-

(0.1)

5.0

2012
£m 

2.6

-

0.1

0.2

(0.3)

(0.1)

2.5

0.3

-

0.5

Total
£m

0.5

0.4

0.9

(0.1)

0.2

1.0

2011
£m 

1.5

2.6

0.1

0.4

0.2

0.2

(0.1)

 (0.3)

0.1

4.7

2011
£m 

0.1

2.4

-

0.1

(0.1)

0.1

2.6

0.1

-

0.4

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

101

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

22. Pensions continued
Amounts recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Experienced loss on scheme obligations

Difference between actual and expected return on 
assets

Changes in assumptions underlying the
present value of scheme obligations

Exchange rate adjustment on assets and
liabilities

Amount recognised in the period

Total amount recognised

% of scheme
assets/
liabilities
%

2

4

(12)

n/a

2012
£m

0.1

0.1

(0.6)

-

(0.4)

(1.0)

Experienced loss on scheme obligations

Changes in assumptions underlying the present value of scheme obligations

Exchange rate adjustment on assets and liabilities

Amount recognised in the period

Total amount recognised

% of scheme
assets/
liabilities
%

-

-

(4)

n/a

% of scheme
assets/
liabilities
%

3

-

n/a

% of scheme
assets/
liabilities
%

(2)

-

-

n/a

% of scheme
assets/
liabilities
%

(9)

-

n/a

2011
£m

-

-

(0.2)

-

(0.2)

(0.6)

2009
£m

-

-

0.1

0.1

(0.4)

2010
£m

-

-

-

-

-

(0.4)

2008
£m

(0.1)

-

(0.3)

(0.4)

(0.5)

102 Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

23. Accounting estimates, assumptions and judgements
The principal accounting estimates, assumptions and judgements employed in the preparation of these consolidated group financial statements 
which could affect the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date are as follows:

Actuarial assumptions on pension obligations 
In determining the valuation of the defined benefit pension deficit, certain assumptions about the scheme have been made, notably the expected 
return on assets, inflation, discount rates, mortality, salary increases and pension increases. The factors affecting these assumptions are largely 
outside the group’s control (note 22).

Impairment of goodwill 
The determination of whether goodwill and other indefinite life intangible assets should be impaired requires the estimation of future cash flows 
and growth factors adopted by each cash generating unit. Furthermore, discount rates applied to these cash flows are determined by reference to 
the markets in which they operate and are risk adjusted to reflect risks and opportunities existing for each cash generating unit. These factors are 
all affected by prevailing market and economic factors outside the group’s control. Further information on this issue is included in note 10.

Share-based payments 
In valuing the share-based payments charged in the group’s accounts, the company has used the Black–Scholes calculation model where 
vesting is based on non-market conditions or a Monte Carlo simulation where vesting is based on market conditions. Both models make various 
assumptions about factors outside the group’s control, such as share price volatility and risk free interest rates. Details of the options and 
assumptions used in deriving the share-based payments are disclosed in note 20.

Environmental and dilapidation provisions 
Estimated environmental and dilapidation costs have been derived on the basis of the most recent assessments of the likely cost. Certain factors 
concerning these costs are outside the group’s control. In making this assessment the group has sought the aid of independent experts where 
appropriate. Further information is included in note 18.

Deferred taxation 
Deferred taxation has been estimated using the best information available, including seeking the opinion of independent experts where applicable 
(note 12).

Valuation of intangible assets
Where an acquisition is of a significant size, it is reviewed by independent experts to assess the specific intangibles arising from the acquisition. 
Brands and customer lists have been identified as part of this process and are disclosed in note 10. The reasons for the residual excess of 
consideration over net asset value are then identified to identify the reasons for goodwill arising, which in the case of recent acquisitions, has 
resulted mainly from assembled workforce, technical expertise, know-how, market share and geographical advantages.

Brands have been valued based on estimated royalty rates discounted over their useful lives, which is normally 20 years, but considered 
indefinite for the US Voigt & Schweitzer and Carpenter & Paterson brands which have both been successfully trading for over 50 years. Customer 
relationships have been valued based on discounted forecast turnover rates and have been deemed to have useful economic lives of between five 
and ten years based upon the average expected length of relationships with customers.

Construction contracts
In determining the revenue and costs to be recognised each year for work done on construction contracts, estimates are made in relation to final 
out-turn on each contract. On major construction contracts, it is assessed, based on past experience, that their outcome cannot be estimated 
reliably during the early stages of the contract, but that costs incurred will be recoverable. Once the outcome can be estimated reliably the 
estimates of final out-turn on each contract may include cost contingencies to take account of the specific risks within each contract that have 
been identified during the early stages of the contract. Management continually reviews the estimated final out-turn on contracts and makes 
adjustments where necessary.

24. Related party transactions
The key management are considered to be the board of directors of Hill & Smith Holdings PLC, whose remuneration can be seen in the directors’ 
remuneration report on pages 45 to 53. The compensation in total for each category required by IAS24 is as follows:

Salaries and short term employee benefits

Non-executive directors’ fees

Pension costs

Share-based payments

2012
£m

1.4

0.2

0.2

0.1

1.9

2011
£m

1.0

0.2

0.1

0.1

1.4

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

103

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Notes

3

4

5

6,7

6

7

9

10

10

10

2012 
£m

0.1

291.3

291.4

25.3

25.3

(4.5)

(103.0)

(107.5)

(82.2)

209.2

(44.2)

165.0

19.3

29.6

0.2

115.9

165.0

2011 
£m

0.1

291.3

291.4

19.9

19.9

(5.0)

(110.5)

(115.5)

(95.6)

195.8

(46.0)

149.8

19.2

29.2

0.2

101.2

149.8

Year ended 31 December 2012
Company Balance Sheet

Fixed assets

Tangible assets

Investments

Current assets

Debtors

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Bank loans and overdrafts

Other creditors

Net current liabilities

Total assets less current liabilities

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

Net assets

Share capital and reserves

Called up share capital

Share premium

Capital redemption reserve

Profit and loss account

Equity shareholders’ funds

Approved by the board of directors on 12 March 2013 and signed on its behalf by:

D W Muir 
Director

M Pegler 
Director

104 Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Year ended 31 December 2012
Company Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders’ Funds

Profit for the year
Dividends

Credit to equity of share-based payments

Satisfaction of long term incentive payments

Shares issued in the year

Net increase/(decrease) in shareholders’ funds
Opening shareholders’ funds

Closing shareholders’ funds

2012
£m

24.6

(10.2)

0.3

-

0.5

15.2

149.8

165.0

2011
£m

3.0

(9.8)

0.2

(0.8)

0.1

(7.3)

157.1

149.8

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

105

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Company Principal Accounting Policies 

The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the company’s 
financial statements, except as noted below.

Basis of preparation
The company’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable UK GAAP accounting standards and under the historical cost 
accounting rules.

Under Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 the company is exempt from the requirement to present its own profit and loss account.

Under FRS1 cash flow statements, the company is exempt from the requirement to prepare a cash flow statement, on the grounds that the 
company is included in its own published consolidated financial statements.

The company has taken advantage of the exemptions contained in FRS8 Related Party Disclosures and has not disclosed transactions or balances 
with wholly owned subsidiaries of the group. Related party transactions with the company’s key management personnel are disclosed in note 
24 to the group financial statements. The company has adopted the requirements of FRS29 Financial Instruments Disclosures and has taken the 
exemption under that standard from disclosure on the grounds that the group financial statements contain disclosures in compliance with IFRS7.

Investments in subsidiary undertakings
In the company’s financial statements, investments in subsidiary undertakings are stated at cost, less amounts written off for impairment. They are 
reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

Foreign currencies
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded using the rate of exchange ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at closing rates at the balance sheet date and the gains or losses on translation 
included in the profit and loss account. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated into sterling at historic rates of exchange and are not 
updated to closing rates at the balance sheet date.

This policy applies to the company’s long term bank loans denominated in foreign currencies, which are monetary items, and are therefore 
translated into sterling at closing rates at the balance sheet date, with exchange differences arising passing through the profit and loss account.

This policy also applies to long term amounts denominated in foreign currencies owed to subsidiary undertakings and to investments denominated 
in foreign currencies in intermediary holding companies.

However, the company applies fair value hedge accounting where appropriate, in accordance with FRS26, in order to hedge loans denominated 
in foreign currencies against all, or part, of the foreign currency denominated investments. Therefore, foreign exchange differences arising on 
translation into sterling of both the hedging loans and hedged investments using the closing rates at the balance sheet date are taken to the profit 
and loss account. Any unhedged investment balances continue to be held at cost as described above.

Financial instruments
The company has adopted the requirements of FRS29 and has taken the exemption under that standard from disclosure on the grounds that the 
consolidated financial statements contain disclosures in compliance with IFRS7 in note 19.

Financial assets and liabilities are recognised on the company’s balance sheet when the company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of 
the instrument.

In accordance with its treasury policy, the company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. However, 
derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are accounted for as trading instruments.

Bank loans and overdrafts are recognised initially at fair value less attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, bank loans and 
overdrafts are stated at amortised cost with any difference between cost and redemption value being recognised in the profit and loss account over 
the period of the borrowings on an effective interest basis.

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Depreciation is provided to write off the cost or valuation less the estimated residual value of tangible fixed assets by equal instalments over their 
estimated useful economic lives as follows:

Leasehold improvements 
Plant, machinery and vehicles 

life of the lease
4 to 20 years

106 Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Company Principal Accounting Policies continued

Leases
Assets acquired under finance leases are capitalised and the outstanding future lease obligations are shown in creditors. Operating lease rentals 
are charged to the profit and loss account on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

Pension scheme arrangements
The company participates in the Hill & Smith executive pension scheme and the Hill & Smith pension scheme, as described in note 22. As the 
company is unable to identify its share of the group pension scheme assets in respect of the defined benefit sections on a consistent and 
reasonable basis, the schemes are accounted for as if they are defined contribution schemes, as permitted by FRS17. Contributions in respect of 
defined contribution schemes are charged to the profit and loss account in the period to which they relate.

Share-based payments
The share option programme allows employees to acquire shares of the company. The fair value of options granted are expensed with a 
corresponding increase in equity. The fair value is measured at grant date and spread over the period during which the employees become 
unconditionally entitled to the options. The fair value of the options granted is measured using an option pricing model, taking into account the 
terms and conditions upon which the options were granted. The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of 
share options that vest except where forfeiture is only due to share prices not achieving the threshold for vesting.

Where the company grants options over its own shares to the employees of its subsidiaries it recognises an increase in the cost of investment 
in its subsidiaries equivalent to the equity settled share-based payment charge recognised in its subsidiary’s financial statements with the 
corresponding credit being recognised directly in equity. This increase is offset in full by amounts recharged to the subsidiary, which are recognised 
as a reduction in the cost of investment in subsidiary.

Income tax
The charge for taxation on the profit or loss for the year represents the sum of the tax currently payable or recoverable and deferred tax. This 
charge is recognised in the profit and loss account except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity, in which case it is 
recognised in equity.

Current tax is the expected tax payable or recoverable on the taxable result for the year. The taxable result differs from net profit or loss as 
reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are not taxable or not deductible. The company’s 
debtor or creditor for current tax is calculated using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date, and any adjustments in 
respect of previous years.

Deferred taxation
Deferred tax is provided, without discounting, on timing differences between the treatment of items for taxation and accounting purposes as 
required by FRS19.

Ordinary dividends
Dividends payable are recognised as a liability in the period in which they are approved by the company’s shareholders. Dividends receivable are 
accounted for on a cash accounting basis.

Financial guarantees
Where the company enters into financial guarantee contracts to secure the indebtedness of other companies within its group, the company treats 
the guarantee contract as a contingent liability until such time as it becomes probable that the company will be required to make a payment 
under the guarantee.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

107

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Notes to the Company Financial Statements

1. Profit on ordinary activities before taxation

The profit on ordinary activities is stated after charging

Operating lease rentals – land and buildings

2012
£m

0.1

2011
£m

0.1

Fees paid to KPMG Audit Plc and its associates for audit and non-audit services to the company itself are not disclosed in the individual financial 
statements of Hill & Smith Holdings PLC because the group financial statements are required to disclose such fees on a consolidated basis.

2. Dividends
Dividends paid in the year were the prior year’s interim dividend of £4.2m (2011: £4.0m) and the final dividend of £6.0m (2011: £5.8m). Dividends 
declared after the balance sheet date are not recognised as a liability. The directors have proposed a final dividend for the current year, subject to 
shareholder approval, as shown below:

Equity shares
Interim

Final

Total

3. Tangible fixed assets

Cost or valuation
At 31 December 2011

Additions

At 31 December 2012

Depreciation
At 31 December 2011

Charge for the year

At 31 December 2012

Net book value

At 31 December 2012
At 31 December 2011

4. Fixed asset investments

Cost
At 31 December 2011

Return on capital

Additions

At 31 December 2012

Provisions
At 31 December 2011

Impairment

At 31 December 2012

Net book value

At 31 December 2012
At 31 December 2011

2012

Pence
per share

5.8

9.2

15.0

2011

Pence
per share

5.4

7.8

13.2

£m

4.5

7.1

11.6

Short leasehold
properties
£m

Plant, machinery
and vehicles
£m

0.1

-

0.1

-

-

-

0.1
0.1

0.3

-

0.3

0.3

-

0.3

-
-

Shares in
subsidiary
undertakings
£m

Loans to
subsidiary
undertakings
£m

Trade
investments
£m

279.9

-

-

279.9

11.1

-

11.1

268.8
268.8

23.8

-

-

23.8

1.3

-

1.3

22.5
22.5

0.8

-

-

0.8

0.8

-

0.8

-
-

£m

4.2

6.0

10.2

Total
£m

0.4

-

0.4

0.3

-

0.3

0.1
0.1

Total
£m

304.5

-

-

304.5

13.2

-

13.2

291.3
291.3

108 Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Notes to the Company Financial Statements continued

4. Fixed asset investments continued
A list of the principal businesses owned by the company is given on pages 115 to 117. All of the company’s subsidiaries are wholly owned.

The company also holds a trade investment of 19.5% in an unlisted company whose fair value cannot be accurately measured and is fully written 
down.

5. Debtors

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings

Corporation tax

Deferred tax (note 8)

Other debtors

Prepayments and accrued income

6. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Bank loans and overdrafts (note 7)
Bank overdrafts

Other creditors
Trade creditors

Other taxation and social security

Corporation tax

Accruals and deferred income

Other creditors

Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings

2012
£m

23.7

-

0.2

1.3

0.1

25.3

2012
£m

4.5

4.5

1.4

0.1

0.3

2.4

1.2

2011
£m

19.0

0.2

0.2

0.4

0.1

19.9

2011
£m

5.0

5.0

1.5

0.1

-

2.1

1.1

97.6

103.0

105.7

110.5

7. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
The company’s interest bearing loans and borrowings are detailed below. Further information on the company’s exposure to interest rate and 
foreign currency risk is provided in note 19 of the group financial statements.

Long term bank loans

The company’s bank loans and borrowings are also analysed below into the periods in which they mature:

Bank loans and overdraft
Amounts due within one year (note 6)

Amounts due after more than one year:

Between one and two years

Between two and five years

2012
£m

44.2

44.2

2012
£m

4.5

-

44.2

44.2

48.7

2011
£m

46.0

46.0

2011
£m

5.0

-

46.0

46.0

51.0

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

109

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

2012
£m

(0.2)

-

(0.2)

(0.2)

2012
£m

19.3

2011
£m

(0.2)

-

(0.2)

(0.2)

2011
£m

19.2

8. Deferred tax

At 1 January

Credited for the year in the profit and loss account

At 31 December (note 5)
Other timing differences

9. Called up share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid
77.1m Ordinary Shares of 25p each (2011: 77.0m)

In 2012 the company issued 0.1m shares under its various share option schemes (2011: 0.1m), realising £0.5m (2011: £0.1m). Details of share 
options and related share-based payments are contained in note 20 to the group financial statements.

10. Share premium and reserves

At 1 January 2011

Profit for the year

Dividends

Credit to equity of share-based payments

Satisfaction of long term incentive payments

Shares issued

At 31 December 2011

Profit for the year

Dividends

Credit to equity of share-based payments

Satisfaction of long term incentive payments

Shares issued

At 31 December 2012

Share
premium
£m

29.1

Capital
redemption
reserve
£m

0.2

Profit 
and Loss
Account
£m

108.6

3.0

(9.8)

0.2

(0.8)

-

101.2

24.6

(10.2)

0.3

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.2

-

-

-

-

-

0.2

115.9

-

-

-

-

0.1

29.2

-

-

-

-

0.4

29.6

Details of share options and related share-based payments are contained in note 20 to the group financial statements.

Transactions of the group sponsored Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) are included in the company financial statements. In particular, the EBT’s 
purchase of shares in the company to satisfy shares awarded under the long term incentive plan is debited directly to equity. 

110 Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Notes to the Company Financial Statements continued

11. Guarantees and other financial commitments
(a) Guarantees
The company had no financial guarantee contracts outstanding (2011: £nil).

The company guarantees the bank loans and overdrafts of certain subsidiary undertakings. The amount outstanding at 31 December 2012 was 
£68.2m (2011: £76.6m).

(b) Operating lease commitments
Annual commitments under non-cancellable operating leases expire in the periods as detailed below:

After five years

2012

2011

Land and
buildings
£m

0.1

Other
£m

-

Land and
buildings
£m

0.1

Other
£m

-

12. Pensions
The company contributes to two group pension schemes, one providing benefits accruing in the future on a defined benefit basis and a second 
scheme providing benefits that are on a defined contribution basis. Details of the schemes and their most recent actuarial valuations are 
contained in note 22 to the group financial statements. Because the company is unable to identify its share of the scheme assets and liabilities 
on a consistent and reasonable basis, the schemes have been accounted for by the company as if they were defined contribution schemes, as 
permitted by FRS17 Retirement Benefits. There are also separate personal pension plans.

The pension cost for the year includes contributions payable by the company to the fund and amounted to £1.8m (2011: £1.5m), of which 
additional deficit contributions were £1.8m (2011: £1.4m), plus £nil (2011: £0.4m) for the reduced liability in deferred defined benefit pensioners 
detailed in note 22 of the group’s consolidated financial statements. There were no outstanding or prepaid contributions at either the beginning or 
the end of the financial year.

Full details of the group schemes are given in note 22 to the group financial statements.

13. Related party transactions
The company related party transactions are the same as those transactions disclosed for the group in note 24 to the group financial statements.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

111

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

2012
£m

440.7

44.0

40.4

162.4

Pence

38.8

15.0

2011
£m

406.2

41.5

37.4

150.6

Pence

34.5

13.2

2010
£m

374.2

45.9

42.2

152.1

Pence

39.0

12.7

2009
£m

389.7

47.0

42.2

131.4

Pence

38.3

11.5

2008
£m

419.8

47.4

38.9

118.2

Pence

32.2

10.0

Five Year Summary

Revenue

Underlying operating profit

Underlying profit before taxation

Shareholders’ funds

Underlying earnings per share 

Proposed dividends per share

112 Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Financial Statements

Financial Calendar

Annual General Meeting 2013

Interim Management Statement

Ex-dividend date for 2012 final dividend

Record date 2012 final dividend

Dividend Reinvestment Plan – last date for election

Final 2012 ordinary dividend payable

Announcement of 2013 interim results

Interim Management Statement

Payment of 2013 interim dividend

15 May 2013

May 2013

29 May 2013

31 May 2013

14 June 2013

5 July 2013

August 2013

November 2013

January 2014

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

113

Other Information

114   Shareholder Information
115   Group Subsidiaries
118  Other Information

See further information online: hsholdings.com

 
114 Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Other Information

Shareholder Information

Shareholder base 
Holdings of ordinary shares at 12 March 2013

Range of Shares

1 - 500
501 - 1,000
1,001 – 5,000
5,001 – 50,000
50,001 – 100,000
100,001 – 500,000
500,001 – 1,000,000
Above 1,000,000

Totals

Shareholder type

Individuals
Institutions
Other corporate

Totals

Dividend History – proposed dividends per share

Interim
Final
Total

Communication with shareholders and analysts
Directors meet with major shareholders and potential investors 
following interim and final results, and at other times if requested. 
Presentations for analysts are also held on the day of these 
announcements and we keep in regular contact with analysts 
throughout the year.

Corporate information
The annual and interim reports are the main forms of communication 
with our shareholders. We have updated our website to supplement 
these reports with additional information. The website address is 
www.hsholdings.com and includes share price information, investor 
relations information and contact details.

Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The AGM will be held on Wednesday 15 May 2013 at 11.00 a.m. at 
The Village Hotel, The Green Business Park, Shirley, Solihull, B90 4GW. 
Full details are contained within the Notice of AGM. A proxy card is also 
enclosed with this statement for voting. Alternatively you can vote 
electronically as explained in the next paragraph.

Electronic proxy voting
To lodge your proxy vote via the internet, log on to www.
eproxyappointment.com. You will need the Control number, 
Shareholder Reference number (SRN) and PIN number printed on your 
Form of Proxy where you will find the full instructions.

Shareholding online
Computershare Investor Centre gives access to view your holdings 
online. To register click on Investor Centre on the Computershare home 
page www.computershare.co.uk and follow the instructions. You will 
be able to:

 ›

 ›

View all your holding details for companies registered with 
Computershare
View the market value of your portfolio

Number of holders

589
355
924
578
44
62
10
20

2,582

Number of holders

1,697
881
4

2,582

%

22.81
13.75
35.79
22.39
1.7
2.4
0.38
0.78

100

%

65.72
34.12
0.16

100

Number of Shares

116,087
279,227
2,385,917
7,874,226
3,284,030
14,602,621
7,667,923
41,026,532

77,236,563

Number of Shares

6,742,802
70,451,699
42,062

77,236,563

2012

5.8
9.2
15.0

 ›
 ›
 ›
 ›

2011

5.4
7.8
13.2

2010

5.2
7.5
12.7

2009

4.70
6.80
11.50

Update your contact address and personal details online
Access current and historical market prices
Access trading graphs
Add additional shareholdings to your portfolio

%

0.15
0.36
3.09
10.20
4.25
18.91
9.93
53.11

100

%

8.73
91.22
0.05

100

2008

4.30
5.70
10.00

Share dealing
Share dealing services are available through Computershare Investor 
Services PLC. Log on to www.computershare.com/sharedealingcentre 
for internet share dealing and for telephone dealing ring 0870 703 
0084.

Dividend Reinvestment Plan “DRIP” (Latest date for election is 14 June 
2013)

The company offers shareholders the facility to reinvest their cash 
dividends to buy more shares in the company.

 ›

 ›

The service allows you to increase your shareholding in an easy 
and convenient way.

Online application process enables you to participate easily and 
securely; www.investorcentre.co.uk.

-  Click on “Register” to sign up to the Investor Centre. This will 

allow you to carry out a number of share related transactions     
online, including opting for the DRIP.

-  You will be required to fill in your SRN and your postcode, 

together with your e-mail address. You will also be asked to 
select a User name (ID) and password of your choice.

-  Once registered select “Dividend Plans” from the left hand 
menu and amend your current cash dividend instruction, 
confirming acceptance of the DRIP terms and conditions.

 ›

New shares will be purchased as soon as possible on or after the 
dividend pay date.

Shareholder helpline number
There is a helpline for shareholders who have enquiries about their 
shareholdings. The dedicated helpline number is 0870 707 1058. 

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

115

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Principal Group Businesses

Infrastructure Products

Access Design and Engineering (D)
Access covers, gantries, security products
and specialist steelwork

Halesfield 18, Telford, Shropshire, TF7 4JS
Tel: +44 (0) 1952 588788
Fax: +44 (0) 1952 685139
sales@access-design.co.uk
www.access-design.co.uk

Asset International Limited
Weholite HDPE structured wall, large 
diameter pipes, for use in the water and 
construction sectors

Stephenson Street, Newport,
South Wales, NP19 4XH
Tel: +44 (0) 1633 273081
Fax: +44 (0) 1633 290519
sales@assetint.co.uk
www.weholite.co.uk

Asset VRS (D)
(for address see Hill & Smith Limited)
Permanent and temporary solutions
for vehicle restraints

Tel: +44 (0) 1902 499445
Fax: +44 (0) 1902 402104
sales@asset-vrs.co.uk
www.asset-vrs.co.uk

ATA Bygg-och Markprodukter AB*
Road safety barriers and road signage
Incorporated in Sweden

Box 7051, Staffans väg 7, Sollentuna,
192 07, Sweden
Tel: +46 (0) 8 98 80 70
Fax: +46 (0) 8 29 25 15
ata@ata.se
www.ata.se

Barkers Engineering Limited*
Security solutions and fasteners

Duke Street, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent,
Staffordshire, ST4 3NS
Tel: +44 (0) 1782 319264
Fax: +44 (0) 1782 599724
sales@barkersfencing.com
www.barkersengineering.com

Bergen Pipe Supports India Private
Limited*
Manufacturer and supply of pipe supports 
solutions, including constant and variable 
effort supports
Incorporated in India

No.720, Belerica Road, Sector 22,
Sri City DTZ, Varadaiahpalem Manndal
Chittor District, Andhra Pradesh, 517 541
Tel: +91 8576 305 666
swaminathan@pipesupports.com
www.pipesupports.com

Bergen-Power Pipe Supports, Inc.*
Manufacturer and supply of pipe supports 
solutions, including constant and variable 
effort supports
Incorporated in the USA

484 Galiffa Drive, Donora, 
Pennsylvania, 15033, USA
Tel: +1 (781) 935 9550
Fax: +1 (781)
bpwoburn@bergenpower.com
www.bergenpower.com

Bergen Pipe Supports (Jiangsu)
Limited*
Manufacturer and supply of pipe supports 
solutions, including constant and variable 
effort supports
Incorporated in China

West End of Fuyang Road,
South Developing District,
Jingjiang City, Jiangsu Province,
PRC, 214500, China
Tel: +86 (0) 523 8462 1515
Fax: +86 (0) 523 8462 1536
bps@pipesupports.com.cn
www.pipesupports.com

Berry Systems (D)
(for address see Hill & Smith Limited)
Car park and industrial barriers, spring steel 
barriers, protection bollards, speed ramps, 
handrail panels

Tel: +44 (0) 1902 491100
Fax: +44 (0) 1902 494080
sales@berrysystems.co.uk
www.berrysystems.co.uk

Birtley Building Products Limited*
Galvanized lintels, balconies, structural 
fittings for construction and doors

Mary Avenue, Birtley, County Durham,
DH3 1JF
Tel: +44 (0) 191 410 6631
Fax: +44 (0) 191 410 0650
info@birtley-building.co.uk
www.birtley-building.co.uk

Brifen (D)
(for address see Hill & Smith Limited)
Wire rope safety fence vehicle
restraints

Tel: +44 (0) 1902 499400
Fax: +44 (0) 1902 499419
enq@brifen.co.uk
www.brifen.co.uk

Bristorm (D)
(for address see Hill & Smith Limited)
Anti-terrorist security fencing

Tel: +44 (0) 1902 499400
Fax: +44 (0) 1902 499419
info@bristorm.com
www.bristorm.com

Bromford Iron & Steel Company
Limited*
Hot rolled steel flats, bars, sections and
profiles

Bromford Lane, West Bromwich,
West Midlands, B70 7JJ
Tel: +44 (0) 121 553 6121
Fax: +44 (0) 121 525 0913
enquiries@bromfordsteels.co.uk
www.bromfordsteels.co.uk

CA Traffic Limited
Traffic monitoring equipment and number
plate recognition

Griffin Lane, Aylesbury,
Buckinghamshire, HP19 8BP
Tel: +44 (0) 1296 333499
Fax: +44 (0) 1296 333498
sales@c-a.co.uk
www.ca-traffic.com

Carpenter & Paterson, Inc.*
Industrial hangers and fasteners
Incorporated in the USA

225 Merrimac Street, Woburn, 
Massachusetts. 01801, USA
Tel: +1 (781) 935 7036
Fax: +1 (781) 935 9555
www.carpenterandpaterson.com

Creative Pultrusions, Inc.*
Manufacturer of fibre reinforced composite
profiles
Incorporated in the USA

214 Industrial Lane, Alum Bank,
Pennsylvania, 15521, USA
Tel: +1 (814) 839 4186
Fax: +1 (814) 839 4276
crpul@pultrude.com
www.creativepultrusions.com

Notes:
The above lists the company’s subsidiary undertakings, except for some intermediate holding companies and certain other undertakings of minor importance. Except where indicated, the 
undertakings are subsidiaries incorporated in Great Britain and the share capital consists of ordinary shares only.
* The company’s effective interest is held indirectly for these undertakings.
(D) Operating division only, not a limited company

116 Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Other Information

Principal Group Businesses continued

Infrastructure Products

Conimast International SAS*
Specialist steel lighting columns
Incorporated in France

Z.I. La Sauniere BP70, 89600,
Saint Florentin, France
Tel: +33 (0) 3 86 43 82 00
Fax: +33 (0) 3 86 43 41 08
contact@conimast.fr
www.conimast.fr

Hill & Smith Limited
Highway and off-highway safety barriers,
temporary highway barriers for workzone 
protection. Corrugated steel structures

Springvale Business and Industrial Park,
Bilston, Wolverhampton, WV14 0QL
Tel: +44 (0) 1902 499400
Fax: +44 (0) 1902 499419
info@hill-smith.co.uk
www.hill-smith.co.uk

Hill & Smith, Inc.*
Temporary road barrier solutions for 
workzone protection
Incorporated in the USA

1000 Buckeye Park Road, Columbus,
Ohio, 43207, USA
Tel: +1 (614) 340 6294
Fax: +1 (614) 340 6296
info@hillandsmith.com
www.hillandsmith.com

Hill & Smith Infrastructure Products
India Pvt Limited*
Road safety barrier systems, traffic
monitoring and number plate recognition
systems
Incorporated in India

292 Udyog Vihar, Phase IV, 
Gurgaon, Haryana, 122015, India
Tel: +91 124 400 9208
Fax: +91 124 400 9408
enquiries@hsipi.in
www.hsipi.in

Hill & Smith Pty Limited*
Wire rope and fixed safety barriers
Incorporated in Australia

Unit 10, 65 Business Street, Yatala,
Queensland 4207, Australia
Tel: +61 (0) 7 3807 8050
Fax: +61 (0) 7 3807 9189
hillandsmith.com.au

JA Envirotanks (D)
Large steel storage tanks

PO Box 16, Charles Henry Street,
Birmingham, B12 0SP
Tel: +44 (0) 121 622 4661
Fax: +44 (0) 121 622 1402
sales@jaenvirotanks.co.uk
www.jaenvirotanks.com

Lionweld Kennedy Flooring Limited
Open steel flooring, handrailing and
ancillary products

Marsh Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 5JS
Tel: +44 (0) 1642 245151
Fax: +44 (0) 1642 224710
sales@lk-uk.com
www.lk-uk.com

Mallatite Limited
Manufacturer of lighting columns, bespoke
support structures, traffic sign columns,
posts and associated lighting products

Holmewood Industrial Estate, Hardwick
View Road, Holmewood, Chesterfield,
Derbyshire, S42 5SA
Tel: +44 (0) 1246 593280
Fax: +44 (0) 1246 593281
sales@mallatite.co.uk
www.mallatite.co.uk

Pipe Supports Limited*
Manufacturer and supply of pipe supports 
solutions, including constant and variable 
effort supports

Unit 22, West Stone, Berry Hill Industrial
Estate, Droitwich, Worcestershire, WR9 9AS
Tel: +44 (0) 1905 795500
Fax: +44 (0) 1905 794126
psl@pipesupports.com
www.pipesupports.com

Pipe Supports Asia Limited*
Manufacturer and supply of pipe supports 
solutions, including constant and variable 
effort support, and cryogenic supports
Incorporated in Thailand

26/5 Moo 9, Soi Rattanaraj,
Bangna-Trad Road. Km 18.2,
Bangchalong, Bangplee, Samut Prakarn,
10540, Thailand
Tel: +66 (2) 312 7685
Fax: +66 (2) 312 7710
psa@pipesupports.com
www.pipesupports.com

Pipe Supports Group Trading
(Jingjiang) Limited*
(for address see Bergen Pipe Supports)
Materials and components trading
Incorporated in China

Redman Fisher Engineering Limited*
Specialising in industrial flooring and GRP
platforms

Halesfield 18, Telford, Shropshire, TF7 4JS
Tel: +44 (0) 1952 588788
Fax: +44 (0) 1952 685117
sales@redmanfisher.co.uk
www.redmanfisher.co.uk

Techspan Systems (D)
Electronic information messaging and
display systems

Griffin House, Gatehouse Way,
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP19 8BP
Tel: +44 (0) 1296 673000
Fax: +44 (0) 1296 673002
enquiries@techspan.co.uk
www.techspan.co.uk

V&S Utilities**
Electrical utility products and services.
Incorporated in the USA

1000 Buckeye Park Road, Columbus, 
Ohio, 43207, USA
Tel: +1 (614) 449 8281
Fax: +1 (614) 449 8851
info@vsschuler.com
www.vsschuler.com

Varley & Gulliver Limited
Vehicle and pedestrian parapets, 
and passive sign supports

57-70 Alfred Street, Sparkbrook, 
Birmingham, B12 8JR
Tel: +44 (0) 121 773 2441
Fax: +44 (0) 121 766 6875
sales@v-and-g.co.uk
www.v-and-g.co.uk

Notes:
The above lists the company’s subsidiary undertakings, except for some intermediate holding companies and certain other undertakings of minor importance. Except where indicated, the 
undertakings are subsidiaries incorporated in Great Britain and the share capital consists of ordinary shares only.
* The company’s effective interest is held indirectly for these undertakings.
** Trading name for V&S Schular Engineering, V&S Schular Tubular Products and V&S Clark Substations, all indirectly held and all wholly owned and incorporated in the USA.
(D) Operating division only, not a limited company

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

117

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Galvanizing Services

France Galva SA*
Galvanizing and powder coaters of steel
Incorporated in France

Z.I. La Sauniere BP70, 89600
Saint Florentin, France
Tel: +33 (0) 3 86 43 82 28
Fax: +33 (0) 3 86 43 82 29
contact@galva.fr
www.francegalva.fr

Joseph Ash Limited*
Galvanizing Services

Alcora Building 2, Mucklow Hill
Halesowen, West Midlands, B62 8DG
Tel: +44 (0) 121 504 2560
Fax: +44 (0) 121 504 2599
sales@josephash.co.uk
www.josephash.co.uk

Voigt & Schweitzer, LLC*
Galvanizing Services
Incorporated in the USA

1000 Buckeye Park Road, Columbus
Ohio, 43207, USA
Tel: +1 (614) 449 8281
Fax: +1 (614) 449 8851
info@hotdipgalvanizing.com
www.hotdipgalvanizing.com

Notes:
The above lists the company’s subsidiary undertakings, except for some intermediate holding companies and certain other undertakings of minor importance. Except where indicated, the 
undertakings are subsidiaries incorporated in Great Britain and the share capital consists of ordinary shares only.
* The company’s effective interest is held indirectly for these undertakings.
(D) Operating division only, not a limited company

118 Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Other Information

Directors, Contacts & Advisors

Directors

Contacts

Professional Advisors

W H Whiteley BSc, FCMA
(chairman and non-executive)

D W Muir BSc, CEng, MICE
(group chief executive)

M Pegler BCom, FCA
(group finance director)

J F Lennox CA
(non-executive)

C J Snowdon BA, FCA
(non-executive)

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC
Registered Office
Westhaven House
Arleston Way
Shirley, Solihull
West Midlands
B90 4LH

Tel: +44 (0) 121 704 7430
Fax: +44 (0) 121 704 7439

Registration Details
Registered in England and Wales
Company Number: 671474

Company Website
www.hsholdings.com

Company Secretary
John Humphreys FCIS

Auditors
KPMG Audit Plc
1 Snowhill
Snow Hill Queensway
Birmingham
B4 6GH

Brokers and Financial Advisers
Investec Investment Banking
2 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7QP

Principal Bankers
Barclays Bank Plc
Midlands Corporate Banking Centre
PO Box 3333
1 Snowhill
Snow Hill Queensway
Birmingham
B3 2WN

Lawyers
Wragge & Co
55 Colmore Row
Birmingham
B3 2QD

Silks Solicitors
Barclays Bank Chambers
Birmingham Street
Oldbury
B69 4EZ

Financial Public Relations
MHP Communications
60 Great Portland Street
London
W1W 7RT

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

119

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Financial Statements

Other Information

Shareholder Notes

120 Hill & Smith Holdings PLC Annual Report 2012

www.hsholdings.com

Shareholder Notes

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01926 881178 | www.denfield.co.uk

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC
Westhaven House
Arleston Way
Shirley, Solihull 
B90 4LH
United Kingdom

Tel:  +44 (0) 121 704 7430
Fax: +44 (0) 121 704 7439

www.hsholdings.com

Stock code: HILS