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James Halstead plc

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FY2017 Annual Report · James Halstead plc
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JAME S  HA LSTEA D PLC
Covering the World

Report and Accounts 2017

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7

Beechfield

Hollinhurst Road

Radcliffe

Manchester 

M26 1JN

J A M E S   H A L S T E A D   p l c

Tel  +44 (0)161 767 2500

Fax +44 (0)161 766 7499

www.jameshalstead.com

James Halstead Cover 2017 A4 5.3mm spine.indd   1

04/10/2017   15:34

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nominated adviser
Panmure Gordon & Co
One New Change
London
EC4M 9AF

Stockbrokers
Arden Partners
125 Broad Street
London
EC2N 1AR

Auditor
BDO LLP
3 Hardman Street
Spinningfields
Manchester
M3 3AT 

Directors and Advisers 

Directors
G Halstead
M Halstead
G R Oliver FCA MCT
J A Wild FCA
E K Lotz
S D Hall

Secretary
D W Drillingcourt ACA

Registered office
Beechfield
Hollinhurst Road
Radcliffe
Manchester 
M26 1JN

Company registration No.
140269

Website
www.jameshalstead.com

Bankers
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
6th Floor
1 Spinningfields Square
Manchester 
M3 3AP

Registrars
Capita Registrars
The Registry
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham
Kent
BR3 4TU

Raststätte Würzburg Germany, 
Expona Art and Design

1

Contents

Strategic Report

Chairman’s Statement                                                                       2

Chief Executive’s Review                                                                   3

Financial Director’s Review                                                                6

Governance

Report of the Directors                                                                      9

Board Report on Remuneration                                                       12

Corporate Governance                                                                     13

Financial Statements

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members
of James Halstead plc                                                                      15

Consolidated Income Statement                                                     19

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income                       20

Consolidated Balance Sheet                                                            21

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity                                22

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement                                                23

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements                            24

Company Balance Sheet                                                                  50

Company Statement of Changes in Equity                                     51

Notes to the Company Financial Statements                                 52

Supplementary Information

Ten Year Summary                                                                           59

Shareholder Information                                                                 60

Notice of Annual General Meeting                                                  61

2

Chairman’s Statement

Results

Acknowledgements

As we close this year I would like to express the gratitude of
the Board to our customers and employees for their part in
our success. I would especially like to extend our gratitude
to  Mr  Eberhard  Lotz  who  at  the  upcoming AGM  will  step
down  as  a  director  of  the  Group  after  nine  years  on  the
Group Board having been one of the founders of Objectflor
Art & Design Belags GmbH which was acquired in 1996 and
which  has  been  such  an  important  part  of  our  flooring
operations for many years.

It  is  with  sadness  that  I  report  the  passing  of  our  former
director  Mr Arthur  Halstead  in  July  of  this  year  who  was
employed by the Group for 50 years, 36 of these as director
of James Halstead plc. Always a trusted and loyal colleague,
friend and family member – he will be greatly missed.

Outlook

I have been Chairman for 17 years and a director of James
Halstead plc for 55 years and it is time for me to step down
from  the  Board  at  the AGM.  In  doing  so  I  leave  a  strong
team  and  a  business  solidly  built  and  not  only  capable  of
continued growth, but achieving this growth.

Trading since our year-end has been strong, particularly in
the  UK.  In  addition,  both  our  antipodean  and  French
colleagues  reported  record  sales  in  the  first  two  months.
Taking current trading into account I can only be confident
of progress in the coming year.

On behalf of the board

Geoffrey Halstead
Chairman

29 September 2017   

It  is  gratifying  to  report  turnover  of  £240.8  million  (2016:
£226.1 million) - a record. Just as satisfying to report as the
sales is the record profit before tax at £46.6 million (2016:
£45.5  million).  There  was  clearly  a  boost  to  our  export
activities  given  the  general  weakness  of  Sterling  aiding
competitiveness and margins. This was tempered by a 5.2%
fall  in  UK  sales  and  turmoil  in  the  supply  chain  of  raw
materials. The drop in UK sales is entirely accounted for by
de-stocking at two of the larger distributor chains. We are
satisfied that the actual purchases of Polyflor ranges by end
users  increased  and  we  are  encouraged  that  other
independent distributors increased sales.

Strategy

Our businesses are totally flooring focused and our strategy
is  designed  to  enhance  our  brand  identity  thereby
generating goodwill and customer satisfaction with the aim
of continued repeat business. This approach is designed to
increase revenue, and consequently profitability, which then
creates wealth for our shareholders in the form of dividend
as  reward  for  their  investment  in  our  company.  It  also
underpins  job  security  for  our  employees  and  benefits  all
stakeholders in the business.

Over many years our strategy has also included a policy of
continual  investment  in  both  process  improvement  and  in
product  development  to  improve  output  efficiency  and
product offering.

The strategy evolves over time, but our focus on sustainable
growth is undiminished. Indeed sustainability in general is a
key  strategy  and,  from  our  award  winning  recycling
initiatives  through  to  our  environmental  policies,  we  are
recognised as leaders in this area.

Dividend

Profit  and  earnings  per  share  have  increased  and  our  cash
reserves continue to be healthy. Cash flows from operating
activities  are  £47.5  million  and  our  cash  balances  stand
19.1% ahead of last year, even after dividends paid in the
last year, which amounted to £25.4 million.

It is pleasing to report that the Board proposes, once again,
an increased final dividend. The final dividend will be 9.25p
(2016: 8.5p) representing an 8.8% increase which combined
with the interim dividend, paid in June 2017, of 3.75p (2016:
3.5p) makes a total of 13.0p (2016: 12.0p) for the year, an
increase  of  8.3%.  It  is  pleasing  to  have  reported  a  record
dividend as I have done now each year for over 40 years.

Chief Executive’s Review 

The  major  benefit  to  the  year  was  the  positive  effects  of
exchange 
rates  on  our  export  margins  and  our
competitiveness. Turnover at £240.8 million (2016: £226.1
million)  was  ahead  by  some  6.5%  but the  exchange  rate
benefits were offset to a large degree by raw material costs
increasing.

Raw  material  price  increases  noted  in  the  first  half  year
continued into the second half as a result of an explosion at
the  BASF  site  in  Germany  followed  by  a  fire  at  a  Shell
refinery in the Netherlands which interrupted supply of PVC
from  Shin-Etsu’s  Dutch  PVC  plant  and  then  a  fire  at
Vinnolit’s plant in Germany. These events resulted in greater
demand  for  raw  materials  from  other  manufacturers who
struggled  to  fulfil  the  demand. In  addition  we  saw the
withdrawal of one US supplier from the European markets
and the currency cost increases, as Sterling fell in value after
the Brexit vote. In mitigation we visited Asia and established
extended relationships with three Asian suppliers. Moreover,
by  utilising  bulk  storage  tanks  located  at  Seal  Sands  in
Teesside we reduced some of the cost effects and most of
the shortages associated with the turmoil.

We  make  significant  purchases  of 
finished  goods
denominated in US dollars and the strength of that currency
has  been  far  from  helpful.  In  mitigation  product  sourced
from Korea has increased (free of import tariffs) and we are
investigating  opportunities  for  supply  from  Europe.  More
significant are plans for our own UK manufacture of these
sourced  items  at  Teesside  which,  initial  costings  suggest,
could offer cost advantage as well as the logistical benefit of
being nearer our European markets.

Our  gross  margin  improved  in  all  markets,  a  major
achievement  given  the  challenges  facing  the  group  during
the  year  and  obviously  greatly  helped  by  the  weakness  of
Sterling.

expect 

sustainability 

International  trade  is  about  more  than  just  shipping
product.  Our  customers,  often  governments  and  multi-
nationals, 
and
environmental  credentials.  To  us  this  means  action  and
involvement,  not  just  the  glossy  PR  so  often  seen.  For
example,  we  are  one  of  the  first  to  achieve  SA  8000
certification  (for  global  working  practices),  BES  6001
certification (for ethical sourcing) and BRE Global A+ rating
(for sustainable manufacture).

standards 

Achieving  these  certifications gives  us added  credibility  in
the  market.  Our  recycling  initiatives  and  co-operations
demonstrate both innovation and solid action whether it is

3

the UK with the Chartered Institute of Waste Management
(CIWM) (who awarded us for environmental excellence) or
the  Green  Councils  of  Australia/New  Zealand  (awarded
Green Tag certificate). Polyflor is leading the industry.

Reviewing the businesses in more detail:

Objectflor/Karndean and James
Halstead France, our European
operations

Turnover was on a par with last year although within this it
was  encouraging  that  there  was  growth  in our Expona
brand, by some 3.3%, offset by a reduction in the Karndean
ranges of 6.4%.

As  anticipated  given  our  market  share  and  the  intense
pressure  from  competitors  within  the  German  market  a
decline in turnover within Germany was noted but this was
compensated for by performance in surrounding territories
most  markedly  Belgium,  Austria,  Eastern  Europe  and
Switzerland.

During the year augmenting the Benelux and Eastern bloc
sales force has been a strategy to increase our penetration
of  surrounding  territories  whilst  defending  our  leading
position in Germany. Germany sales represent 68% of total
sales serviced from Cologne (2016: 71%).

For several years we have supplied flooring to the expanding
fitness  chains  Fit  One  and  McFit  but  this  year  we  have
secured many other national chains of which Fitness First,
Linzenich Fitness and Pfitzenmeier Group are but examples.
Retail  chains  are  important  clients  and  Objectflor  have
secured  many  customers  including  Euronics  stores  across
the  region  as  well  as  Unitymedia  stores  and  the  retail
outlets of Bijou Brigitte. Hotel chains such as Sol Umag in
Croatia and Aquis Grana are referenced as good installations
but our flooring was also supplied and fitted to the central
police  station  in  Frankfurt  and  in  the  Kika  Leiner  furniture
stores across Germany.

In  France,  turnover  was  on  a  par  with  the  record  of  the
previous  year  with  increased  profit  as  a  result  of  product
sales  migrating  to  higher  margin  lines.  Turnover  across
France  was  strong.  In  the  Paris  region  we  have  supplied
‘Passy  Plaza’,  the  prestigious  shopping  centre,  in  the  16th
arrondissement  and  other  installations  as  diverse  at  the
‘Thalassa’,  Frances  flagship  oceanographic  vessel  and  the
Puy du Fou theme park. 

4

Chief Executive’s Review 
continued

Polyflor Pacific – encompassing
Australia, New Zealand and Asia

Turnover  was  6.8%  above  last  year,  with  profit  greatly
increased.  Margins  improved  by  over  5%  reflecting  both
favourable  product  mix  and  the  cessation  of  sales  of  dis-
continued stock which was a feature of the prior year. This
top  line  benefit  was  further  improved  by  reduced  freight
costs  (equivalent  to  1.3%  of  sales)  by  the  realignment  of
stock holdings across the continent.

Our  team  in  NSW  have  relocated  our  Victoria  offices,
augmented the Queensland staff with representation in Far
North  Queensland  and  recruited  a  state  manager  for
Western  Australia.  The  breadth  of  installations  was
impressive  whether  it  be  the  rollout  of  Polyflor  across
Woolworths stores nationally, the Narrogin Hospital in WA
or  the  Western  Sydney  University  as  well  as  countless
refurbishments across the country.

Our  Hong  Kong  office  continues  to  supply  impressive
projects  across  China  such  as  Qinhuangdou  Welfare
Hospital and the award winning Fudan University Hospital
of Shanghai. As important as healthcare continues to be, our
Chinese  presence  is  much  more  broadly  based  with  the
recent Toys R Us franchises and Louis Vuitton shops in Hong
Kong illustrating the breadth of customers as does the MGM
Casino in Macau.

New  Zealand  showed  modest  1%  growth  and  improved
margins.  This  achievement  illustrates  the  underlying
strength  of  the  day  to  day  business  where  for  some  key
product  ranges  we  continue  to  have  significant  market
share, particularly for UK manufactured products. This share
is over 30% of the market which is commendable for such
a  distant  location. The  headline  1%  hides  good  growth  in
the  North  Island  contrasting  with  the  South  Island,  where
activity  generally  for  our  customers  has  been  poor,  still
affected  by  continued  uncertainty 
the
Christchurch earthquake some years ago. 

following 

We retained the main New Zealand social housing contract
which came up for renewal in the period. Success in this is
testament to the high level of service and quality provided,
a key factor in decision making. Polyflor in New Zealand was
voted Vinyl  Flooring  Supplier  of  the  year  by  the  Flooring
Xtra group and continues to offer retail stores such as the
Spark  Stores  chain  and  Motorcycle  Mecca  in  Invercargill
design led flooring. Healthcare will always be a key market
segment  but  beyond  this  use  of  our  products  in  the  year

extended  from  buses,  and  BP  garages  to  the  Rorotonga
sports stadium in the Cook Islands. 

A  key  development  in  the  year  was  the  move  to  the  new
warehouse in Auckland, which is better suited to our current
and  likely  business  needs.  This  has  assisted  with  the
profitability of the business.

Polyflor & Riverside Flooring, based in
UK

Overall  turnover  reduced  by  2.5%  and  profit  was
consequently affected but Riverside continued to grow with
3% increase in turnover. 

The last 12 months in the UK have been difficult. One of the
major  distributors  was  prepared  for  sale  by  its  PLC  parent
which  involved  de-stocking, a  lack  of  investment  and
ultimately disposal. Another of the major distributors looked
to  rationalise  stock  and  focused  on  margin  improvement.
Whilst this de-stocking did affect our sales, ultimately it is
temporary. The  similarities  to  the  actions  of  the  large  UK
retailers such as Tesco, Sainsbury, etc., a few years ago seem
appropriate  to  mention  because,  whilst  the  major  chains
focused  on  margin  and  own  label  products,  the  large
independent distributors have focused on branded products,
such as ours, at keen price points and showed good growth
and  increased  market  share.  Sales  in  the  market  place  of
Polyflor product were higher than the previous year despite
the de-stocking which is encouraging.

Productivity  improvements  in  line  speed  and  capacity  at
Radcliffe combined with the, at best, flat UK demand that was
a consequence of the aforementioned de-stocking inevitably
led  us  to  drop  shifts  from  each  of  our  Radcliffe  production
lines.  Regrettably  there  were  redundancies  (just  under  30).
This obviously had a financial cost (which hit the bottom line
in the early part of the year) and a human cost, but thankfully
all the redundancies were voluntary, but the consequence was
570 man years of experience left the business.

Product development was at the forefront and a lot of time,
and  cost,  has  gone  into  new  product  lines  for  the  future.
Over £900,000 has been invested into the Riverside plant in
Teesside and the company can now offer in line registered
embossing  on  its  award  winning  heterogeneous  sheet.  In
addition we have secured planning permission to extend the
plant. 

Polyflor  has  for  the  fourth  consecutive  year  won  the
Contract  Flooring  Association’s  Manufacturer  of  the  Year

5

Award as Best Vinyl Award (for the 8th year in a row) which
helped  us  to  secure  the  order  for  the  new  Dumfries  Royal
Infirmary  which  faced  competition  from  one  of  our
continental  competitors.  Range  launches  and  re-vamps
were  several  and  included  our  new  ‘Silentflor’  commercial
flooring with unique sound-deadening properties and vivid
colour  ranges.  ‘Bloc’,  our  vivid  single  colour  homogenous
range, has received very good responses from architects and
specifiers.

Polyflor Nordic comprising Polyflor
Norway based in Oslo and Falck
Design based in Sweden

Norway posted a small increase in turnover in the year of
just  under  2%  increase  over  the  prior  year.  As  a  largely
primary economy, the low oil prices of the recent past had
an impact on this market. Nevertheless, turnover comprised
a greater proportion of UK manufactured product (around
39%  of  the  total)  which  was  gratifying.  Projects  included
the  new  Svalbard  Satellite  Station  (SvalSat  2)  which  is
located at 78° north of the equator and probably our most
Northern  installation  together  with  the  new  Trondheim
Spektrum arena. Profit in Norway was comfortably ahead of
the prior year.

In Sweden, turnover declined 8.3%. Profit, though reduced,
held up surprisingly well as a result of a swing to our higher
end  products  leading  to  improved  margins.  The  Swedish
business  experienced  a  change  in  management  following
the retirement of the previous Managing Director. This along
with some staff disruption resulted in a poor second half of
the  year,  however  as  new  sales  and  marketing  strategies
have been implemented sales are improving. Higher margins
and tight overhead control meant that the shortfall in sales
was  not  reflected  to  as  great  an  extent  in  terms  of
profitability.

Close  control  of  overheads  where  possible  means  that
profitability across the Scandinavian business has increased
vis a vis the prior year.

Polyflor Canada, based in Toronto

Turnover  continued  to  grow  with  an  8%  growth  in
distributor  sales.  However  this  was  offset  by  a  decline  in
direct sales into the mining sector due to lower activity in
this sector.

National retailers such as Boston Pizza and Booster Juice are
valued  clients  as  well  as  Landmark  Cinemas  and  Chevron
Gas stations. In addition prestigious new buildings continue
to choose Polyflor such as the Royal Victoria Hospital, the
National Hockey League Association NHLA head offices and
Omers Towers in Toronto.

Polyflor India, based in Mumbai

We had a good year as this relative new business reported a
small profit. With five regional sales managers and a dealer
network approaching two dozen we have exited the start-up
phase of our move into this market and several healthcare
projects  have  contributed  to  this  record  year  such  as  the
Humancare Trust  Hospital  in  Dwarka,  the  Royalcare  Super
Speciality  Hospital,  Coimbatore  and  the  ESIC  Medical
College in Mandi.

Rest of the World

Outside  our  headline  markets  we  continue  to  cover  the
world and a few locations worthy of mention are Banco De
la  Natu  in  Mexico  City,  Salalah  airport  in  Oman,  the  new
Schengen terminal at Athens airport and Tamana University
in  Trinidad.  Our  distribution  network  has  performed  well
with  several  countries  at  record  levels  of  turnover  (Ghana,
Lithuania,  Italy,  Portugal,  Puerto  Rica  and  the  USA  being
examples).

Outlook

There are positive signs in the UK that after the turbulence
of the last year resulting from changes at two of the larger
distributors conditions are now normalising. In addition, our
supply  chain  issues  have  largely  been  resolved.  The  early
months of the new financial year have provided encouraging
signs of growth with turnover increasing. I am optimistic for
the coming year.

On behalf of the board

Mark Halstead
Chief Executive  

29 September 2017    

6

Financial Director’s Review

As  is  usual,  we  have  prepared  these  accounts  by  the
consistent  application  of  accounting  standards,  the
matching  of  costs  and  revenues  with  due  appraisal  and
accrual for subjective (but probable) liabilities at the year-
end.  Prudence  is  less  regarded  in  the  preparation  of
published  accounts  than  it  was  even  a  decade  ago  but
caution  remains  important.  The  group  operates  through
separate  legal  entities  in  certain  areas  of  the  world  and
though these are discussed in the Chief Executive’s Review
we,  as  a  Board,  have  concluded  that  these  operations  are
one segment for the purposes of IFRS 8. 

This year’s profit before tax is a record being 2.5% ahead of
the profit for the year to 30 June 2016. 

Profit after tax is also at a record level being 3.6% ahead of
the prior year to 30 June 2016. Our gross margins increased
as a percentage and in absolute terms. The main reason was,
broadly,  the  beneficial  effects  of  exchange  rates  on  export
activities  offset  by  increased  raw  material  and  purchase
costs.  There  were  monthly  fluctuations  in  raw  material
prices initially exacerbated by shortages in certain areas but
overall by the weakness of Sterling.

Some key statistics:

Group  turnover  at  £240.8  million  (2016:  £226.1
million)  was  6.5%  higher  than  last  year  and  was
significantly affected by the exchange rates.

Net  finance  income  (excluding  the  effects  of  IAS19
accounting for pensions) was £0.1 million (2016: £0.2
million) reflecting rates that remain very low.

Selling  and  distribution  costs  were  15.9%  ahead  of
last  year  reflecting  foreign  exchange  translation
effects

Trade  debtors  decreased  to  £28.5  million  (2016:
£30.7million).  Trade  creditors  were  higher  at  £41.3
million (2016: £32.8 million).

Stock  levels  have  risen  and  stand  at  £72.9  million
(2016: £62.8 million) and this 16% increase is partly
related  to  year  end  translation  where  the  exchange
rate  has  moved  6  %  against  last  year  and  the
remaining growth from product launch stock prior to
July despatch and wider product ranges.

Cash  stands  at  £52.5  million  (2016:  £44.1  million)
even after the payment of £25.4 million in dividends,
£10.7  million  in  tax  and  £4.2  million  of  capital
expenditure.

Key Performance Indicators 

The board considers growth in profit before tax and growth
in  dividend  key  targets  in  line  with  the  task  of  delivering
shareholder  value.  Control  of  working  capital  continues  to
be important and the level of cash is monitored. 

Rather  than  focus  on  individual  working  capital  targets  or
ratios,  the  Board  are  informed  of  all  significant  issues
directly  by  subsidiary  management  by  means  of  monthly
reports  on  the  key  decisions  and  influences  on  working
capital. Our focus at subsidiary level is on stock availability
and  appropriate  credit  given  to  and  received  from
customers  and  suppliers  respectively.  Obviously  sales,
margin  and  profitability  are  monitored  as  well  as  cash,
which  is  the  final  result  of  our  economic  activities.
Appropriate summaries of these statistics are collated into
monthly Group reports.

No individual key performance indicator, or group thereof, is
regarded  as  more  important  than  informed  in-depth
knowledge  of  the  underlying  businesses.  Subsidiaries
present  key  performance  indicators  on  debtor  days,  stock
turn and creditor days but the consolidation of these for the
whole  Group  offers  no  extra  benefit  as  the  component  of
mix can mask underlying effects. 

In terms of non-financial KPIs brand awareness, reputation,
customer  satisfaction  and  market  share  are  all  important
but difficult to assess. We do not believe that surveys and
market share data, to the extent that is collated by various
trade bodies, is complete and wholly accurate. Consequently
little reliance is placed upon this data. Customer satisfaction
awards are always welcome.

Principal Business Risks and
Uncertainties 

The  ongoing  discussions  regarding  the  UK  leaving  the  EU
(“Brexit”)  is  an  ongoing  uncertainty.  It  has  affected
exchange rates and interest rates, at least in the short term,
but it is as yet unclear what will unfold and we continue to
await the evolution of the repercussions.

The Board constantly assesses risks and discusses business
issues regularly. To the extent risk is insurable the Board is
risk  averse  and  the  Group 
insured.  A
comprehensive  insurance  appraisal  takes  place  annually  to
mitigate exposure to risks, such as business interruption and
fire but obviously key risks such as escalating raw material
prices  and  energy  costs  fall  outside  any  insurable  event.

is  widely 

7

Inevitably the unexpected cannot be anticipated but given
the depth of understanding of our principal business by the
senior management, and the Board, risk is ameliorated but
not eliminated. 

Our  goals  are  simple  and  we  avoid  over-stretching  our
capabilities. Our plans are not limited to a twelve month set
of figures, though budgets are prepared and monitored, and
we look to benefit from decisions over a longer time frame.
A  major  mitigation  of  risk  is  a  close  understanding  of  our
people,  their  motivations,  experience  and  limitations.  In
general  it  is  in  the  nature  of  the  Board  to  talk  about  and
focus on the problems of our business. This is the major way
in which risk is not merely identified but mitigated. Excess
capacity  exists  in  our  businesses  and  across  Europe,  but
turnover and profit have advanced.

The  risks  identified  beyond  insured  events  include  foreign
exchange risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and key management.
There  are,  additionally,  key  customers  and  key  suppliers
which  create  dependencies.  Sales  and  purchasing  policies
are  under  regular  review  to  assess  these  dependencies.  In
the main, risk and control are measured and assessed from
a  financial  perspective,  but  this  is  not  to  the  exclusion  of
non-financial  risks  and  uncertainties.  It  is  clear  that
scenarios can be envisaged where the Group’s activities may
be  disrupted  and  little  could  be  done  to  mitigate  the
negative effects.

In terms of credit risk certain companies have insurance in
place  and  where  there  is  no  insurance  we  often  require
letters  of  credit  or  bills  of  exchange  but  fundamentally
credit  control  and  market  awareness  are  important.  Our
cash  balances,  and  bank  facilities  combined  with  a  robust
balance sheet are buffers against liquidity risk.

In  respect  of  exchange  risk,  the  Group  operates
internationally  and  is  exposed  to  foreign  exchange  risk  on
both sales and purchases that are dominated in currencies
other than Sterling. Those giving rise to the most significant
risk are US Dollar, Euro and Australian Dollar. To mitigate risk
associated  with  exchange  rate  fluctuations  the  Group’s
policy  is  to  hedge  known  and  forecast  transactions.  This
hedging is at least 25% and on occasion, albeit rarely, more
than  100%  of  the  next  year’s  anticipated  exposure.  IFRS7
dictates several disclosures on risk and we have undertaken
a  market  risk  sensitivity  analysis  on  fluctuations  in  our
major  currency  exposure  and  the  effects  on  the  financial
assets and liabilities in the balance sheet (which is included
in the notes to the accounts).

Several external factors can be envisaged that would affect
operating activities. These include technical failures, labour
disputes  outside  our  businesses,  availability  of  raw
materials, and import or customs delays. Given the spread

of  our  operating  activities  there  is  a  reduced  risk  of  any
single event being catastrophic, but external factors are an
area  of  risk  that  continues  to  be  monitored.  Certain
suppliers would be difficult to replace or their products to
substitute  and  delays  could  be  of  several  weeks  duration,
which  would  be  not  be  covered  by  our  current  levels  of
stock  holding.  Given  the  length  of  service  of  many  senior
managers  succession  planning  becomes  a  risk  and/or  an
uncertainty but again the open style of decision making and
collaboration mitigate the risk.

The activity and progress of our competitors is a significant
risk.  Whether  there  is  a  new  innovation  or  a  gain  in
competitive  advantage  by  a  new  process,  or  the  loss  of
market  share  by  any  means,  any  effect  on  our  volume
throughput  will  have  an  effect  on  profitability. The  Board
looks for market intelligence, and devotes significant time to
understanding  the  strategy  of  our  competitors.  It  is  clear
that the success this business has achieved over the last 20
years  leads  our  competitors  to  scour  all  information  we
publish for data on our activities. 

I  would  note  that  we  have  overseas  subsidiaries  with
significant profit and assets which are translated at average
exchange rates (in the case of profit and loss items) and at
year  end  rates  (in  the  case  of  balance  sheet  items).  The
effect  of  this  is  shown  annually  in  the  Consolidated
Statement  of  Comprehensive  Income.  Inevitably  there  is  a
translational exposure on these items and since they are not
necessarily  cash  flows  (excepting  dividend  payments)  the
consolidated net worth of the Group varies over time. We do
not hedge this translational exposure though we have in the
past hedged overseas assets with matching debt. At present
the cost and complexity in terms of arranging facilities and
complying  with  local  taxation  rules  would  seem  to
outweigh the benefits.

The  last  five  years  of  these  exposures  in  terms  of
increase/(decrease) in the value of our overseas assets are as
follows:

2017
2016
2015
2014
2013

£’000

2,168
4,808
(3,868)
(2,260)
93

Aside  from  the  strategic,  operational  and  financial  risks
described  there  are  also  compliance  risks  relating  to  the
legal and regulatory requirements of the various markets in
which  we  operate.  Directors  and  senior  management  are
involved in health and safety, duty and customs clearance,
waste management and other such issues.

8

Financial Director’s Review
continued

Defined Benefit Pension Scheme 

These ratios for this Group based on a share price of £4.68
(2016: £4.09) are:

The net deficit to market capitalisation is 2.2% (2016:
2.5%);

The  total  liabilities  to  market  capitalisation  is  8.5%
(2016: 9.6%); and,

The  deficit  to  operating  profit  is  45.0%  (2016:
55.2%).

I pass no comment on the merits of these ratios but note
that  with  the  assumptions  changing  annually  (despite  the
long term nature of the liability) there does not seem to be
a  consistent  long  term  measure  of  the  deficit. The  above
merely give some idea of the “affordability” of the deficit to
the  group.  The  dominant  assumption  that  drives  up  the
deficit  is  that  the  current  very  low  gilt  yields  are  used  to
determine liabilities. There is an irony in that pension funds
have  an  unquenchable  appetite  for  government  bonds  at
ever lower interest rates.

The strategic report was approved by the board.

On behalf of the board

Gordon Oliver
Finance Director

29 September 2017     

In common with other long established businesses we have
the complications and uncertainty associated with having a
“final salary” pension scheme. The scheme has been closed
to  new  entrants  since  2002  and  was  only  offered  to  UK
based employees; of our UK based work force around 30%
of employees are members of this scheme. At this moment
in time we are considering closure of the scheme to future
accrual. 

Accounting for this defined benefit scheme is prescribed by
IAS 19 and the quantum of the deficit is ever more volatile
due  to  the  nature  of  using  current  (low)  gilt  yields  and
arguably over prudent assumptions.  

Actuaries  undertake  a  tri-annual  valuation  of  the  scheme.
Our  defined  benefit  scheme  is  “contracted-out”  and  with
the cessation of contracted-out status in 2016 there is an
added  cost  (increased  employer  national 
insurance
contributions). There was much debate recently over the old
British  Steel  pension  fund  and  talk  of  legislation  to  cap
pension in payments at CPI rather than the discredited RPI.
The  implications  are  broadly  beneficial  to  the  group,  but
since the issue was raised the effects of “Brexit” have taken
precedence. 

The scheme comprises active members (existing employees),
deferred  members  (past  employees  not  yet  in  retirement)
and  pensioners.  Under  the  current  accounting  standard  for
pensions  the  current  service  costs  of  active  members  are
dealt  with  in  the  profit  and  loss  account  with  the  costs
associated with deferred members and pensioners dealt with
through  the  Consolidated  Statement  of  Comprehensive
Income. This year there is a net actuarial gain of £2.4 million
against a net actuarial loss in 2016 of £7.4 million which is
largely the effect of changing assumptions. It is of note that
since the adoption of the pension scheme into the balance
sheet (2006) the deficit has had the effect of improving the
return on capital employed (since it is a deficit and a liability)
and  for  this  reason  it  is  excluded  from  any  performance
measure  (or  related  bonus  remuneration)  internally.  The
majority of UK employees are in one or other of our defined
contribution schemes.

In an effort to offer some perspective by which to view the
pension scheme deficit the following statistics are used by
some investors:

The  comparison  of  scheme  deficit  to  market
capitalisation as a percentage;

The  comparison  of  scheme  liabilities  to  market
capitalisation; and,

The comparison of the deficit to operating profit.

9

Report of the Directors

The  directors  are  pleased  to  present  their  report,  together
with the audited accounts for the year ended 30 June 2017.

Substantial interests

Results and dividends

The group results for the year and the financial position at
30  June  2017 are  shown  in  the  consolidated  income
statement on page 19 and the consolidated balance sheet
on page 21.

The  directors  are  recommending  a  final  dividend  of 9.25p
per share  on  the  ordinary  share  capital  for  payment  on
1 December  2017  to  those  shareholders  whose  names
appear on  the  register  at 3 November  2017.  This  final
dividend together with the interim dividend paid on 6 June
2017 makes a total of 13.0p per share (2016: 12.0p).

Directors

Mr  S  D  Hall  and  Mr  E  K  Lotz  are  the  directors  retiring  by
rotation. Mr S D Hall will offer himself for re-election at the
annual general meeting. Mr E K Lotz has decided to retire as
a director of the company and will not seek re-election at
the annual general meeting.

Two new directors will be appointed by the board and will
offer themselves for election at the annual general meeting.
Further  details  of  these  appointments  will  be  given  in  the
notice of the annual general meeting.

The interests of the directors and their families in the share
capital of the company were as follows:

                           30 June 2017                30 June 2016
                      Beneficial   As Trustee    Beneficial   As Trustee

Ordinary shares
G Halstead        8,621,937                    –      8,401,937                    –
G R Oliver            207,550         432,041         207,550         583,575
M Halstead   13,241,468  11,541,547  13,241,468  11,693,081
E K Lotz                         –                  –                  –                  –
J A Wild              150,300  12,512,032       150,300  12,512,032
S D Hall                  5,700                  –           5,700                  –

Preference shares
G Halstead           86,405                  –         86,405                  –

The  directors  consider  that  the board  of directors  include
key management for all areas of the business and that there
are no other key management which require disclosure.

Details  of  the  directors’  options  under  the  terms  of  the
executive share option scheme are set out in note 23.

As at 21 September 2017 the company had been notified of
the following interests which represent 3% or more of the
existing issued share capital:
                                                              Number                % 

John Halstead Settlement                 35,447,218            17.0
Rulegale Nominees                           35,276,816            17.0
Octopus Investment Nominees          6,639,982              3.2

Share capital

During  the  year  new  ordinary  shares  were  issued  and
allotted as fully paid to enable share options to be exercised
as follows:

22 August 2016
24 August 2016
19 October 2016
1 November 2016
22 November 2016
5 April 2017
3 May 2017
12 May 2017
15 May 2017
23 June 2017

25,232
42,868
45,000
21,000
5,000
160,000
10,000
20,000
5,000
60,000

394,100

Special business at the annual general
meeting

Resolution 7 renews  the  directors’  authority  to  offer
ordinary  shareholders  the  opportunity  to  take  ordinary
shares in lieu of any cash dividends which may be payable
prior to the Annual General Meeting in 2018.

Resolution 8 authorises  the  directors  to  allot  relevant
securities  pursuant  to  section  551  of  the  Companies  Act
2006  up  to  a  maximum  nominal  amount  of  £3,466,227
representing  approximately  33.33%  of  the  total ordinary
share  capital. The  authority  will  expire  at  the  next Annual
General Meeting of the company to be held in 2018 or six
months  after  the  next  accounting  reference  date  of  the
company (whichever is the earlier).

Except for the issue of shares to satisfy the exercise of share
options granted under the share schemes, the board has no
present intention of issuing any ordinary share capital of the
company. As  at  the  date  of  this  document,  the  company
holds no treasury shares.

Resolution 9 invites  shareholders  to  renew  the  board’s
authority  to  issue  shares  for  cash  without  first  being
required  to  offer  them  pro  rata to  existing  shareholders.

10

Report of the Directors
continued

The proposed  authority  will  terminate  at  the  next Annual
General Meeting of the company to be held in 2018 or six
months  after  the  next  accounting  reference  date  of  the
company  (whichever  is  earlier). The  authority  is  limited  to
equity  securities  up  to  an  aggregate  nominal  amount  of
5.0%  of  the  company’s  issued  ordinary  share  capital. The
resolution also contains provisions to enable the directors to
deal  with  fractional  entitlements  and  other  practical
difficulties which could arise in the event of a rights issue or
similar pre-emptive offer.

Resolution 10 seeks to renew the authority of shareholders
to allow the company to purchase its own shares in respect
of up to 10.0% of the issued capital at prices not exceeding
5.0% above the average of the middle market quotations for
the five business days preceding the purchase. The directors
undertake that the authority would only be exercised if the
directors were satisfied that a purchase would result in an
increase in expected earnings per share and was in the best
interests  of  the  company  at  that  time. The  directors  may
choose to hold shares purchased under such authority in the
form of treasury shares (subject to a maximum of 10% of
the issued ordinary share capital at any one time).

Employment policies and involvement

totally  non-discriminatory
The  group  operates  a 
employment policy, an integral part of which is the proper
consideration  of  all  applications  for  employment  from
disabled persons who, after appointment, receive training for
career  development  and  promotion  consistent  with  both
the  needs  of  the  group  and  their  own  particular  abilities.
Employee  involvement  in  the  overall  performance  of  the
group  continues  to  be  encouraged  through  the  employee
profit sharing scheme and the share option plan. There are in
existence  various  well  established  committees  and
discussion groups which range from formal structures to less
formal  gatherings  and  which  deal  with  a  whole  range  of
issues from the group’s financial performance to health and
safety issues. Copies of this annual report are available to all
employees.

Environmental policy

A policy has been issued and implemented on safeguarding
against air, water, noise and land pollution. The management
team  constantly  reviews  and 
implements  at  every
opportunity the most effective use of materials and energy.
A  number  of  control  measures  have  been  introduced  and
these,  combined  with  materials  storage  and  handling
methods,  together  with  training,  form  the  basis  of  the
environmental  programme. The  policy  is  fully  endorsed  by
the  directors  and  is  under  constant  review  to  ensure  full
compliance with the UK Environmental Protection Act 1990.

All employees, suppliers and contractors are made aware of
the  environmental  policy  which  is  also  freely  available  to
the general public and regulatory authorities.

Health and safety

The health and safety of the group’s employees, customers
and members of the general public who may be affected by
the  group’s  activities  continue  to  be  matters  of  primary
concern.  It  is  therefore  the  group’s  policy  to  manage  its
activities  so  far  as  to  avoid  causing  any  unnecessary  or
unacceptable  risk  to  the  health  and  safety  of  all  those
affected by its activities. In order to ensure that the group’s
high  standards  in  this  area  are  maintained,  a  substantial
programme  of  training  and  retraining  of  employees  took
place throughout the year.

Research and development

We 
remain  totally  committed  to  the  continuing
development  of  our  processes  and  our  products  to  both
satisfy  the  needs  of  our  customers  and  ensure  that  we
remain at the forefront of our industry.

Directors’ responsibilities statement

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

Company  law  requires  the  directors  to  prepare  financial
statements  for  each  financial  year.  Under  that  law  the
directors have, as required by the AIM Rules of the London
Stock  Exchange,  elected  to  prepare  the  group  financial
statements  in  accordance  with  International  Financial
Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union. The
directors  have  elected  to  prepare  the  parent  company
financial  statements  in  accordance  with  United  Kingdom
Generally  Accepted  Accounting  Practice  (United  Kingdom
Accounting  Standards  and  applicable  law)  including
Financial  Reporting  Standard  101  Reduced  Disclosure
Framework.  Under  company  law  the  directors  must  not
approve  the  financial  statements  unless  they  are  satisfied
that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of
the group and the company and of the profit or loss of the
group for that period.

The  directors  are  also  required  to  prepare  financial
statements  in  accordance  with  the  rules  of  the  London
Stock  Exchange  for  companies  trading  securities  on  the
Alternative Investment Market.

11

Auditor’s remuneration – non-audit
related fees

Our  auditor  may  undertake  non-audit  related  work.  This
work would be tendered for separately from audit work.

The board has always sought to ensure that the auditor does
not automatically receive additional fees. This approach, the
board  believes,  enables  the  company  to  ensure  value  for
money  on  the  company’s  part,  and  maintains  the
independence of the auditor.

Auditor

A resolution  to  re-appoint BDO  LLP  as  auditor  will  be
proposed at the forthcoming annual general meeting.

Directors’ statement as to the disclosure
of information to the auditor

All of the current directors have taken all the steps that they
ought  to  have  taken  to  make  themselves  aware  of  any
information  needed  by  the  company’s  auditor  for  the
purposes  of  their  audit  and  to  establish  that  the  auditor  is
aware of that information. The directors’ are not aware of any
relevant audit information of which the auditor is unaware.

Approved by the board of directors and signed on behalf of
the board.

D W Drillingcourt                                                   Beechfield
Secretary                                                     Hollinhurst Road
                                                                                Radcliffe
Manchester
29 September 2017
M26 1JN

In  preparing  these  financial  statements  the  directors  are
required to:

select  suitable  accounting  policies  and  then  apply
them consistently;

make judgements and accounting estimates that are
reasonable and prudent;

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

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

The  directors  are  responsible  for  keeping  adequate
accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain
the  company’s  transactions,  to  disclose  with  reasonable
accuracy at any time the financial position of the company
and  enable  them  to  ensure  that  the  financial  statements
comply  with  the  Companies  Act  2006.  They  are  also
responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and
the  group  and  hence  for  taking  reasonable  steps  for  the
prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The directors are responsible for ensuring the annual report
and  financial  statements  are  made  available  on  a  website.
Financial  statements  are  published  on  the  company’s
website  in  accordance  with  legislation  in  the  United
Kingdom  governing  the  preparation  and  dissemination  of
financial  statements  which  may  vary  from  legislation  in
other jurisdictions.

The  directors  are  responsible  for  the  maintenance  and
integrity of the corporate and financial information included
on  the  company's  website. The  directors’  responsibilities
also  extend  to  the  ongoing  integrity  of  the  financial
statements contained therein.

Going concern

After  making  enquiries  the  directors  have  formed  a
judgement  at  the  time  of  approving  the  financial
statements that there is a reasonable expectation that the
group  has  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
accounts.

                                                                                              
12

Board Report on Remuneration

Remuneration committee

Pensions

The remuneration committee comprises the non-executive
directors,  with  Mr  J  A  Wild,  as  chairman.  The  committee
meets  at  least  once  a  year,  although  usually  more
frequently, to determine the remuneration packages of the
executive directors of the group.

The  company  operates  Inland  Revenue  Approved  defined
benefit  and  defined  contribution  pension  schemes. The
group  chief  executive  and  group  finance  director  are
members  of  the  defined  benefit  scheme.  Pension
entitlements are calculated on basic salary only.

All  members  of  the  schemes  are  required  to  contribute  a
percentage of their pensionable earnings. Several years ago
pensionable  salary  was  restricted  to  the  growth  in  the
consumer price index.

Other benefits within the schemes are death in service lump
sums, spouse’s and dependants’ pensions following death in
service of the member and ill health early retirement where
the appropriate circumstances arise.

Service agreements

The  chairman  and  the  group  chief  executive  do  not  have
service agreements. The group finance director has a service
agreement which terminates within or is terminable by the
company  and  the  executive  on  not  more  than  one  year’s
notice.  The  remuneration  committee  has  taken  the  view
that  notice  periods  of  one  year  are  reasonable  and  in  the
interests  of  both  the  company  and  its  executive  directors
having  regard  to  prevailing  market  conditions  and  current
practice. Mr  S  D  Hall  has  a  service  contract  for  an  initial
term of two years from the date of his appointment, which
can be terminated by either party by one month’s written
notice. Mr J A Wild does not have a service agreement.

J A Wild
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

The remuneration policy for the non-executive directors is
determined by the board as a whole by reference to market
rates. They  do not  participate  in  the  group  bonus  scheme,
pension  scheme  or  share  option  scheme.  No  director  can
vote in regard to his own remuneration.

Remuneration policy

The remuneration policy is to provide terms of employment
such that the recruitment, motivation and retention of high
calibre personnel is achieved and maintained to the mutual
benefit  of  shareholders  and  employees. The  committee  is
assisted from time to time by data supplied by independent
professional  remuneration  consultants  as  to  comparable
companies,  although  identical  circumstances  are  rarely
found.

Basic salary and bonus payments

is  determined  by 

Annual  bonus  schemes  are  in  place  which  reward  the
executive  directors  on  achieving  performance  objectives.
Performance 
index-linked  profit
improvements through a trend of earnings per share growth.
UK based executives are eligible members of the employee
share scheme. Performance bonuses of £415,000 to each of
the group chief executive and group finance director were
paid during the year.

Share option schemes

The  remuneration  committee  believes  that  share  option
plans  are  an  important  long  term  incentive  to  executive
directors and other senior employees. They are intended to
link the exercise of the option to a sustained and significant
improvement in the underlying financial performance of the
group.

The  share  option  plan  is  reviewed  by  the  remuneration
committee and is open to executive directors and selected
employees of the group. The option price per ordinary share
will not be less than the market value on the day of grant. A
limit of four times earnings has been placed on the value of
the aggregate price payable on the exercise of all options or
rights  to  subscribe  for  ordinary  shares  granted  to  an
individual employee under the share option plan and under
all other discretionary schemes.

13

Corporate Governance

As an AIM listed company, the company is not required to
comply with the provision of the UK Corporate Governance
Code. However, the board recognises the importance of, and
is  committed  to,  ensuring  that  effective  corporate
governance procedures relevant to smaller listed companies
are in place. 

The board

The Remuneration Committee – comprising Mr J A Wild as
chairman,  Mr  G  Halstead  and  Mr  S  D  Hall  decides  on  the
remuneration of the executive directors.

The Nomination Committee – comprising the whole board
is chaired by Mr G Halstead and considers the appointment
of  directors.  As  a  result,  the  committee  consists  of three
executive directors and three non-executive directors.

The  membership  of  the  board  during  the  year  comprised
three executive directors and three non-executive directors.

Internal control

The board, which meets regularly (six times during the last
financial  year  including  the  annual  general  meeting)
determines  the  policies  and  objectives  of  the  group  and
provides  overall  strategic  direction  to  ensure  that  the
policies  and  objectives  are  carried  out.  There  is  a  list  of
matters which are specifically the responsibility of the board
to resolve. Monthly management accounts are circulated to
the  directors.  An  agenda  of  matters  to  be  discussed,
including  latest  group  management  accounts,  is  circulated
to board members in advance of each main board meeting
and discussions and decisions taken at those meetings are
minuted in full.

The  board  believes Mr  S  D  Hall  and  Mr  J  A  Wild  to  be
independent.

Given the size of the group, the board does not consider it
necessary  to  change  the  ratio  of  non-executives  to
executive  directors,  or  to  have  formal  procedures  for  the
directors,  in  the  furtherance  of  their  duties,  to  take
independent professional advice at the company’s expense.
All directors have access to company secretarial services and
advice.

Attendance at the six board meetings was as follows:

                                                               Possible         Actual 
G Halstead  – non-executive                             6                 6
M Halstead                                                       6                 6
G R Oliver                                                         6                 6
E K Lotz                                                             6                 3
J A Wild  – non-executive                                   6                 6
S D Hall – non-executive                                  6                 6

Board committees

The  following  board  committees  have  been  in  operation
throughout the year:

The Audit Committee – comprising Mr J A Wild as chairman,
Mr  G  Halstead  and  Mr  S  D  Hall  meets  twice  a  year. The
external  auditor
is  present  at  the  meetings  and  the
executive  directors  may  attend  at  the  request  of  the
committee.

The  board  has  ultimate  responsibility  for  the  system  of
internal  control  operating  throughout  the  group  and  for
reviewing its effectiveness. Internal control systems in any
group  are  designed  to  meet  the  particular  needs  of  that
group  and  the  risks  to  which  it  is  exposed.  No  system  of
internal  control  can  provide  absolute  assurance  against
material  misstatement  or  loss.  The  group’s  system  is
designed to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure
in  order  to  achieve  business  objectives  and  to  provide  the
board  with  reasonable  assurance  that  potential  problems
will normally be prevented or will be detected in a manner
which will enable appropriate action to be taken.

The  key  procedures  which  the  directors  have  established
with  a  view  to  providing  effective  internal  control  are  as
follows:

the  group  directors  are  responsible  for  establishing,
maintaining  and  reviewing  the  group’s  system  of
internal control and meet regularly to consider group
financial  performance,  business  development  and
management  issues,  and  to  review  these  against
predetermined objectives;

the  group  board  establishes  corporate  strategy  and
business  objectives.  Management  of  subsidiary
companies  integrate  these  objectives  into  their
business  strategies  for  presentation  to  the  group
board with supporting financial objectives;

subsidiary company budgets, containing financial and
operating  targets,  capital  expenditure  proposals  and
performance/profitability indicators, are presented to
and  reviewed  by  the  group  executive  directors. The
consolidated group budget is approved by the group
board;

there is an ongoing process for identifying, evaluating
and managing the significant risks faced by the group.
These  risks  are  appraised  and  evaluated  by
responsible  executives  and  endorsed  by  subsidiary
and  group  management.  This  process  has  been  in
place  throughout  the  year  and  up  to  the  date  of
approval of the annual accounts;

14

Corporate Governance
continued

as  part  of  the  regular  monitoring  and  review,  the
group executive directors hold regular meetings with
the  management  of  the  subsidiary  companies  at
which  reports  covering  such  areas  as  forecasts,
business  development,  strategic  planning,  risk
exposure  and  performance  against  budget,  are
presented and discussed. These are then reported to
the group board, on a quarterly basis;

the  group  board  reviews  and  considers  any  major
problem which may have occurred and assesses how
the risks have changed in the period under review;

there is a group-wide policy governing appraisal and
approval of capital expenditure and asset disposals;

to  underpin  the  effectiveness  of  controls,  it  is  the
group’s  policy  to  recruit  management  and  staff  of
high  calibre,  integrity  and  appropriate  disciplines.
High  standards  of  integrity,  business  ethics  and
compliance  with  laws,  regulations  and  internal
policies are demanded from staff at all levels;

the  audit  committee  keeps  under  review  the
effectiveness  of  the  system  of  internal  control  and
reports its conclusions to the full board;

the  board  also  conducts  an  assessment  of  the
effectiveness  of  the 
internal  control  system.
This assessment  consists  of  a  review  of  all  the
significant  areas  of  internal  control,  including  risk
assessment,  the  control  environment,  control
activities,  information  and  communication,  and
monitoring.

Relations with shareholders

The  executive  directors  are  available  to  meet  institutional
shareholders  and  fund  managers,  given  reasonable  notice.
The  entire  board  is  available  to  answer  shareholders’
questions at the annual general meeting.

15

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of
James Halstead plc
Opinion

Conclusions relating to going concern

We have audited the financial statements of James Halstead
plc (the ‘parent company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘group’)
for  the  year  ended  30  June  2017  which  comprise  the
consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement
of  comprehensive  income,  the  consolidated  and  parent
company  balance  sheets,  the  consolidated  and  parent
company statement of changes in equity, the consolidated
cash flow statement and notes to the financial statements,
including a summary of significant accounting policies. 

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

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 30 June 2017 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
European Union;

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

the  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in
accordance with the requirements of the Companies
Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We  conducted  our  audit  in  accordance  with  International
Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law.
Our  responsibilities  under  those  standards  are  further
described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the
financial  statements  section  of  our  report.  We  are
independent  of  the  group  and  the  parent  company  in
accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant
to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including
the FRC’s Ethical Standard as applied to listed entities, and
we  have  fulfilled  our  other  ethical  responsibilities  in
accordance  with  these  requirements. We  believe  that  the
audit  evidence  we  have  obtained  is  sufficient  and
appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

We  have  nothing  to  report  in  respect  of  the  following
matters  in  relation  to  which  the  ISAs  (UK)  require  us  to
report to you where:

the  directors’  use  of  the  going  concern  basis  of
accounting  in  the  preparation  of  the  financial
statements is not appropriate; or

the  directors  have  not  disclosed  in  the  financial
statements any identified material uncertainties that
may cast significant doubt about the group’s or the
parent  company’s  ability  to  continue  to  adopt  the
going concern basis of accounting for a period of at
least twelve months from the date when the financial
statements are authorised for issue.

Key audit matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional
judgment,  were  of  most  significance  in  our  audit  of  the
financial statements of the current period and include the
most  significant  assessed  risks  of  material  misstatement
(whether or not due to fraud) we identified, including those
which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy,
the  allocation  of  resources  in  the  audit;  and  directing  the
efforts  of  the  engagement  team.  These  matters  were
addressed  in  the  context  of  our  audit  of  the  financial
statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon,
and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

Inventory valuation and provisioning

As  described  in  Note 2 (accounting  policies)  and  Note  17
(inventories),  the  Group  carries  inventory  at  the  lower  of
cost and net realisable value. As at 30 June 2017, the Group
held inventories of £72.9m (2016: £62.8m). 

Judgement  is  required  to  assess  the  appropriate  level  of
provisioning  for  items  which  may  be  sold  below  cost  as  a
result  of  a  reduction  in  consumer  demand  particularly  in
light of changing consumer tastes and new products being
developed.  Such 
include  management’s
expectations for future sales. This is a significant risk for the
audit.

judgements 

How we addressed the key audit matter 

We  obtained  assurance  over  management’s  assumptions
applied in calculating the value of inventory provisions by:

assessing  the  Group’s  inventory  provisioning  policy,
with  specific  consideration  given  to  slow  moving  or
obsolete stock lines;

16

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of
James Halstead plc continued

verifying  the  value  of  a  sample  of  inventory  to
confirm  it  is  held  at  the  lower  of  cost  and  net
realisable value, through comparison to invoices and
sales prices; and

We also reviewed the bases of stock provisioning applied by
all group entities and considered whether these were being
applied  consistently  and  reflected  the  nature  of  the  stock
held in each location.

Accruals

As described in Note 2 (accounting policies) and Note 20,
the Group records a significant number of accrual balances
which are specific to the business and its operations. 

At 30 June 2017, the aggregate of all accruals was £13.7m
(2016:  £15.2m).  The  accruals  balance  includes  a  large
volume of accruals and whilst some accruals are easily and
ordinarily  calculated,  others  contain  an  element  of
judgement  and  are  more  complex  in  nature,  for  example,
customer warranty claims in respect of manufactured stock,
rectification accruals and self-insurance accruals.

We focused on these areas because there is an inherent level
of  complexity  in  management  estimating  certain  accruals
owing  to  their  nature  and  the  risk  of  management  bias.
These  types  of  accruals  are  not  individually  material  but
may,  under  certain  circumstances,  be  material  in  the
aggregate.

How we addressed the key audit matter 

We understood and evaluated the processes, procedures and
controls  in  place  in  respect  of  these  judgmental  accrual
balances and assessed key account reconciliation processes. 

We  tested  and  challenged  the  reasonableness  of  the  key
assumptions  underlying  the  judgmental  accruals  which
included: 

Claim history;

Levels of customer claims; and 

Time periods over which the assessment is made. 

We  tested  the  input  data  of  the  judgmental  accruals,  re-
performed  the  underlying  calculations  and  performed
sensitivity analysis over the key drivers of the estimation of
the accruals. 

For warranty  and  rectification  accruals,  we  reviewed
correspondence  with  third  parties,  critically  assessed  the
assumptions around relay costs and costs per square metre
and  held  conversations  with  members  outside  the  finance
team to understand the nature of each claim. 

For  the  self-insurance  accruals,  we  have  reviewed  the
assumptions  against  data  from  the  insurance  company,
reviewed  against  historic  actual  claims  and  performed
sensitivity  analysis  to  confirm  the  reasonableness  of  the
accrual made by management.

Pension scheme assumptions

As  described  in  Note 2 (accounting  policies)  and  Note  22
(retirement  benefit  obligations),  the  Group  has  a  defined
benefit pension plan in the UK. At 30 June 2017, the Group
recorded  a  net  retirement  obligation  of  £21.3m  (2016:
£25.4m),  comprising  scheme  assets  of  £61.1m  (2016:
£56.2m) and scheme liabilities of £82.4m (2016: £81.7m). 

The  pension  valuation  is  dependent  on  market  conditions
and  key  assumptions  made,  in  particular  relating  to
investment  markets,  discount  rate,  inflation  expectations
and life expectancy assumptions. 

The  setting  of  these  assumptions  is  complex  and  requires
the exercise of significant management judgement with the
support of third party actuaries.

How we addressed the key audit matter 

In  testing  the  pension  valuation,  we  have  utilised  internal
pension  actuarial experts to  review  the  key  actuarial
assumptions  used,  both  financial  and  demographic,  and
considered  the  methodology  utilised  to  derive  these
assumptions. 

We have benchmarked and performed a sensitivity analysis
on the key assumptions determined by the Directors.

We tested the membership data utilised in the valuation of
the schemes to assess whether the basis of the valuation is
appropriate.

Furthermore, we have assessed the disclosure of the pension
scheme assumptions in the financial statements.

Our application of materiality

Group materiality        Group materiality      Basis for
FY 2017                       FY 2016                     materiality

£3.49 million               £3.41 million             7.5% of profit
                                                                     before tax 

We apply the concept of materiality both in planning and
performing  our  audit,  and  in  evaluating  the  effect  of
misstatements.  We  consider  materiality  to  be  the
magnitude  by  which  misstatements,  including  omissions,
could influence the economic decisions of reasonable users

17

The Central European operations form a significant part of
group  turnover  and  profitability.  As  part  of  our  audit
strategy, the Responsible Individual and senior members of
the  group  audit  team  visited  Germany. The  audit  visits  by
the  Group  audit  team  were  timed  to  enable  us  to  be
involved during the planning and risk assessment process in
addition  to  during  the  completion  of  detailed  audit
procedures.  During  our  visits,  we  attended  key  meetings
with  component  management  and  auditors,  and  reviewed
detailed component auditor work papers.

The Australian operations form a further significant part of
group turnover and profits. Again the Responsible Individual
and senior members of the group audit team were involved
at all stages of the audit process, directing the planning and
risk  assessment  work  performed  through  calls  with  the
overseas  component  auditors  and  local  management.
Reviews of the component auditor working papers were also
completed.

The  remaining  components  of  the  group  were  considered
non-significant  and  these  components  were  principally
subject to analytical review procedures.

Other information

The directors are responsible for the other information. The
other  information  comprises  the  information  included  in
the annual report, other than the financial statements and
our  auditor’s  report  thereon.  Our  opinion  on  the  financial
statements  does  not  cover  the  other  information  and,
except  to  the  extent  otherwise  explicitly  stated  in  our
report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion
thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our
responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing
so,  consider  whether  the  other  information  is  materially
inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge
obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially
misstated.  If  we  identify  such  material  inconsistencies  or
apparent  material  misstatements,  we  are  required  to
determine whether there is a material misstatement in the
financial  statements  or  a  material  misstatement  of  the
other information. If, based on the work we have performed,
we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this
other  information,  we  are  required  to  report  that  fact. We
have nothing to report in this regard.

that  are  taken  on  the  basis  of  the  financial  statements.
Importantly,  misstatements  below  these  levels  will  not
necessarily  be  evaluated  as  immaterial  as  we  also  take
account of the nature of identified misstatements, and the
particular  circumstances  of  their  occurrence,  when
evaluating  their  effect  on  the  financial  statements  as  a
whole. 

Our  determination  of  materiality  increased  from  FY  2016
with the higher profitability of the group. We consider profit
before  tax  to  be  the  most  significant  determinant  of  the
group’s financial performance used by shareholders. 

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report
to the committee all individual audit differences identified
during the course of our audit in excess of £60,000 (2016:
£68,000). We also agreed to report differences below these
thresholds  that,  in  our  view,  warranted  reporting  on
qualitative grounds.

There  were  no  misstatements  identified  during  the  course
of  our  audit  that  were  individually,  or  in  aggregate,
considered  to  be  material  in  terms  of  their  absolute
monetary value or on qualitative grounds. 

An overview of the scope of our audit

Our group audit was scoped by obtaining an understanding
of  the  Group  and  its  environment,  including  group-wide
controls, and assessing the risks of material misstatement at
the group level.

Our  group  audit  scope  focused  on  the  group’s  principal
operating  locations  being  the  United  Kingdom,  Germany
and Australia. The  operations  in  the  United  Kingdom  were
subject  to  a  full  scope  audit  while  the  significant
components  in  Germany  and  Australia  were  audited  to
component  materiality.  The  Australian  component  is
audited by a BDO member firm.

Together  with  the  parent  company  and 
its  group
consolidation, which was also subject to a full scope audit,
these locations represent the principal business units of the
group and account for 95% of the group’s revenue, 98% of
the group’s total assets and 98% of the group’s profit before
tax.

Whilst  materiality  for  the  financial  statements  as  a  whole
was £3.49m, each component of the group was audited to
a lower level of materiality.

Audits of the components were performed at a materiality
level  calculated  by  reference  to  a  proportion  of  group
materiality appropriate to the relative scale of the business
concerned. 

18

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of
James Halstead plc continued
Opinions on other matters prescribed
by the Companies Act 2006

as  applicable,  matters  related  to  going  concern  and  using
the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors
either intend to liquidate the group or the parent company
or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to
do so.

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course
of the audit:

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

the  strategic  report  and  the  report  of  the  directors
have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  applicable
legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to
report by exception

In  the  light  of  the  knowledge  and  understanding  of  the
group  and  the  parent  company  and  its  environment
obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified
material misstatements in the strategic report or the report
of the directors.

We  have  nothing  to  report  in  respect  of  the  following
matters  in  relation  to  which  the  Companies  Act  2006
requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

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

the  parent  company  financial  statements  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.

Responsibilities of directors

As  explained  more  fully  in  the  directors’  responsibilities
statement set out on page 10, the directors are responsible
for the preparation of the financial statements and for being
satisfied  that  they  give  a  true  and  fair  view,  and  for  such
internal  control  as  the  directors  determine  is  necessary  to
enable the preparation of financial statements that are free
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In  preparing  the  financial  statements,  the  directors  are
responsible  for  assessing  the  group’s  and  the  parent
company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing,

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit
of the financial statements

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.

Our  objectives  are  to  obtain  reasonable  assurance  about
whether the financial statements as a whole are free from
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and
to  issue  an  auditor’s  report  that  includes  our  opinion.
Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not
a  guarantee  that  an  audit  conducted  in  accordance  with
ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when
it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are
considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they
could  reasonably  be  expected  to  influence  the  economic
decisions  of  users  taken  on  the  basis  of  these  financial
statements.

financial 

A  further  description  of  our  responsibilities  for  the  audit
of 
the
the 
at:
Financial 
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities.  This  description
forms part of our auditor’s report.

located  on 
website 

is 
Council’s 

statements 

Reporting 

Gary Harding (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of BDO LLP, Statutory Auditor
Manchester
United Kingdom
29 September 2017

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

19

Consolidated Income Statement
for the year ended 30 June 2017

                                                                                                                Note                                       2017                                  2016
                                                                                                                                                              £’000                                  £’000

Revenue                                                                                                   5                                        240,784                             226,141
Cost of sales                                                                                                                                     (135,974)                           (130,177)

Gross profit                                                                                                                                        104,810                                95,964

Selling and distribution costs                                                                                                             (47,659)                             (41,105)
Administration expenses                                                                                                                      (9,867)                               (8,776)

Operating profit                                                                                                                                  47,284                                46,083

Finance income                                                                                       9                                               134                                     177
Finance cost                                                                                             9                                              (802)                                  (761)

Profit before income tax                                                                         7                                          46,616                                45,499

Income tax expense                                                                                10                                       (10,106)                             (10,243)

Profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders                                                                      36,510                                35,256

Earnings per ordinary share of 5p
– basic                                                                                                      11                                          17.6p                                  17.0p
– diluted                                                                                                  11                                          17.6p                                  17.0p

All amounts relate to continuing operations.

Details of dividends paid and proposed are given in note 12.

20

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the year ended 30 June 2017

                                                                                                                                                               2017                                  2016
                                                                                                                                                              £’000                                  £’000

Profit for the year                                                                                                                       36,510                             35,256

Other comprehensive income net of tax:

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently
to the income statement:

Remeasurement of the net defined benefit liability                                                                        2,404                                (7,360)
Deferred taxation – change of rate                                                                                                          –                                     106

                                                                                                                                                               2,404                                (7,254)

Items that could be reclassified subsequently
to the income statement if specific conditions are met:

Foreign currency translation differences                                                                                          2,168                                  4,808
Fair value movements on hedging instruments                                                                                  410                                (2,126)

                                                                                                                                                               2,578                                  2,682

Other comprehensive income for the year net of tax                                                                         4,982                                (4,572)

Total comprehensive income for the year                                                                                          41,492                                30,684

Attributable to:
Equity holders of the company                                                                                                          41,492                                30,684

Items in the statement above are disclosed net of tax. The income tax relating to each component of other comprehensive income
is disclosed in note 10.

21

Consolidated Balance Sheet
as at 30 June 2017

                                                                                                                Note                                       2017                                  2016
                                                                                                                                                              £’000                                  £’000
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment                                                               14                                        36,103                                34,384
Intangible assets                                                                                      15                                          3,232                                  3,232
Deferred tax assets                                                                                  16                                          4,151                                  5,129

                                                                                                                                                            43,486                                42,745

Current assets
Inventories                                                                                               17                                        72,936                                62,828
Trade and other receivables                                                                    18                                        31,176                                33,820
Derivative financial instruments                                                             27                                             416                                     433
Cash and cash equivalents                                                                      19                                        52,532                                44,096

                                                                                                                                                          157,060                             141,177

Total assets                                                                                                                                       200,546                             183,922

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables                                                                        20                                        59,321                                53,395
Derivative financial instruments                                                             27                                          1,362                                  2,066
Current income tax liabilities                                                                                                                3,860                                  4,300

                                                                                                                                                            64,543                                59,761

Non-current liabilities
Retirement benefit obligations                                                               22                                        21,257                                25,431
Deferred tax liabilities                                                                             16                                                 –                                     603
Borrowings                                                                                               21                                             200                                     200
Other payables                                                                                        20                                             486                                     460

                                                                                                                                                            21,943                                26,694

Total liabilities                                                                                                                                     86,486                                86,455

Net assets                                                                                                                                         114,060                                97,467

Equity
Equity share capital                                                                                 23                                        10,393                                10,374
Equity share capital (B shares)                                                                23                                             160                                     160

                                                                                                                                                             10,553                                10,534
Share premium account                                                                                                                        3,615                                  3,096
Capital redemption reserve                                                                                                                   1,174                                  1,174
Currency translation reserve                                                                                                                 6,194                                  4,026
Hedging reserve                                                                                                                                       (289)                                  (699)
Retained earnings                                                                                                                                92,813                                79,336

Total equity attributable to shareholders of the parent                                                               114,060                                97,467

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf on 29 September 2017.

M Halstead                                                                                  G R Oliver
Director                                                                                        Director

James Halstead plc           Registration Number 140269 

22

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 30 June 2017

                                                                                                     Capital       Currency                                                                
                                                             Share             Share  redemption    translation        Hedging        Retained              Total
                                                           capital       premium          reserve          reserve          reserve        earnings           equity
                                                            £'000             £'000            £'000            £'000            £’000            £’000             £'000

Balance at 30 June 2015                       10,524              2,917              1,174               (782)            1,427           91,200         106,460

Profit for the year                                           –                     –                     –                     –                     –           35,256           35,256
Remeasurement of the net defined
benefit liability                                               –                     –                     –                     –                     –            (7,360)           (7,360)
Deferred taxation change of rate                   –                     –                     –                     –                     –                106                106
Foreign currency translation
differences                                                       –                     –                     –              4,808                     –                     –              4,808
Fair value movements on
hedging instruments                                       –                     –                     –                     –            (2,126)                    –            (2,126)

Total comprehensive income for
the year                                                           –                     –                     –              4,808            (2,126)          28,002           30,684

Dividends                                                        –                     –                     –                     –                     –          (39,867)         (39,867)
Issue of share capital                                    10                179                     –                     –                     –                     –                189
Share based payments                                    –                     –                     –                     –                     –                     1                     1

Balance at 30 June 2016                       10,534              3,096              1,174              4,026               (699)          79,336           97,467

Profit for the year                                           –                     –                     –                     –                     –           36,510           36,510
Remeasurement of the net defined
benefit liability                                               –                     –                     –                     –                     –              2,404              2,404
Foreign currency translation
differences                                                       –                     –                     –              2,168                     –                     –              2,168
Fair value movements on
hedging instruments                                       –                     –                     –                     –                410                     –                410

Total comprehensive income for
the year                                                           –                     –                     –              2,168                410           38,914           41,492

Dividends                                                        –                     –                     –                     –                     –          (25,438)         (25,438)
Issue of share capital                                    19                519                     –                     –                     –                     –                538
Share based payments                                    –                     –                     –                     –                     –                     1                     1

Balance at 30 June 2017                       10,553              3,615              1,174              6,194               (289)          92,813         114,060

23

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
for the year ended 30 June 2017

                                                                                                                Note                                       2017                                  2016
                                                                                                                                                              £’000                                  £’000

Cash inflow from operations                                                                   25                                        47,478                                50,325
Interest received                                                                                                                                       134                                     177
Interest paid                                                                                                                                               (33)                                    (43)
Taxation paid                                                                                                                                      (10,682)                             (10,220)

Cash inflow from operating activities                                                                                                 36,897                                40,239

Purchase of property, plant and equipment                                                                                        (4,234)                               (4,842)
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment                                                                     234                                     200

Cash outflow from investing activities                                                                                                (4,000)                               (4,642)

Equity dividends paid                                                                                                                         (25,438)                             (39,867)
Shares issued                                                                                                                                            538                                     189

Cash outflow from financing activities                                                                                              (24,900)                             (39,678)

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                                                         7,997                                (4,081)
Effect of exchange differences                                                                                                                  439                                     749

Cash and cash equivalents at start of year                                                                                         44,096                                47,428

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                                                                                          52,532                                44,096

24

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

1. General information
James  Halstead  plc  (“the  company”  or “the  parent  company”)  is  a  limited  liability  company, registered  in  England  and Wales,
domiciled in the United Kingdom and listed on AIM on the London Stock Exchange. The address of its registered office is Beechfield,
Hollinhurst Road, Radcliffe, Manchester, M26 1JN.

Accounting policies

2.
Basis of preparation
The group financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs and IFRIC
interpretations) as endorsed by the European Union (“endorsed IFRS”) and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to
companies preparing their accounts under endorsed IFRS. The company financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework, and are presented separately following the group financial statements.

The group financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis as modified by the valuation of financial assets and
financial liabilities (including derivative instruments) at fair value.

Basis of consolidation
The group financial statements consolidate the financial statements of the parent company and all its subsidiaries, as if they formed
a single entity. Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the group. Control exists if all three of the following elements are present:
power  over  the  entity,  exposure  to  variable  returns  from  the  entity,  and  the  ability  to  affect  those  variable  returns.  Control  is
reassessed whenever facts and circumstances indicate that there may be a change in any of these elements of control. Control is
normally achieved by a majority shareholding. The company, directly or through an intermediate subsidiary owned 100% of the
share capital of all of its subsidiaries. The results of subsidiaries acquired are consolidated from the date on which control passes to
the group. The results of disposed subsidiaries are consolidated up to the date on which control passes from the group. All intra-
group transactions and balances are eliminated on consolidation.

Recent accounting developments
The financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and interpretations in force
at the reporting date. The group has not adopted any standards or interpretations in advance of the required implementation dates.

There were no new standards or interpretations effective for the first time for periods beginning on or after 1 July 2016. None of
the amendments to standards that are effective from that date had a significant effect on the group’s financial statements.

The following new standards, interpretations and amendments, which are not yet effective and have not been adopted early in
these financial statements, will or may have an effect on the group’s future financial statements:

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments replaces IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, and is effective for accounting
periods  beginning  on  or  after  1  January  2018.  The  final  standard  contains  new  requirements  which  cover  classification  and
measurement, impairment, and hedge accounting. The recognition and derecognition requirements for financial assets and financial
liabilities are unchanged from IAS 39.  In particular IFRS 9 sets out a new forward looking expected credit loss model which replaces
the incurred loss model in IAS 39.

IFRS  15  Revenue  from  contracts  with  customers  replaces  IAS  18  Revenue  and  IAS  11  Construction  contracts  and  related
interpretations, and is effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018. The standard establishes principles for
reporting useful information to users of financial statements about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash
flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. Revenue is recognised when a customer obtains control of a good or service
and thus has the ability to direct the use and obtain the benefits from the good or service. 

IFRS 16 Leases replaces the existing accounting requirements in IAS 17 Leases, and is effective for accounting periods beginning on
or  after  1  January  2019. A  single  model  for  lessees  will  be  required,  eliminating  off  balance  sheet  accounting  for  non-exempt
operating leases. Related lease assets and liabilities will therefore come onto the balance sheet and the presentation and timing of
income and expense recognition in the income statement will change. 

Beyond the information above, it is not practicable to provide a reasonable estimate of the effect of IFRS 9, IFRS 15 and IFRS 16
until the detailed reviews have been completed.

25

Accounting policies (continued)

2.
Segment reporting

Operating segments are those segments for which results are reviewed by the group’s chief operating decision maker (CODM) to
assess performance and make decisions about resources to be allocated. The CODM is the group board which meets regularly
throughout the year to discuss the performance and results of the group as a whole. The business of the group is the manufacture
and distribution of flooring products. The group operates through separate legal entities in certain areas of the world and in order
to  provide  information  in  a  structured  manner  to  readers  of  the  accounts  who  are  unfamiliar  with  the  internal  management
reporting of the group, these operations are discussed by the chief executive in his report. However, the directors consider that
under the definitions contained within IFRS 8 there is only one reportable segment, which is the group as a whole. This is consistent
with the core principle of IFRS 8, which is to disclose information to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature
and financial effects of the business activities in which the group engages and the economic activities in which it operates.

Foreign currencies

Functional  and  presentation  currency  –  the  group’s  consolidated  financial  statements  are  presented  in  pounds  sterling,  the
functional currency of the parent company, being the currency of the primary economic environment in which the parent company
operates.

Transactions  and  balances  –  transactions  in  foreign  currencies  are  recorded  at  the  rate  ruling  at  the  date  of  the  transaction.
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are reported at the rates of exchange prevailing at the balance
sheet date. Exchange differences on retranslating monetary assets and liabilities are recognised in the income statement except
where they relate to qualifying cash flow hedges, in which case the exchange differences are deferred in equity.

Foreign subsidiaries – the results of foreign subsidiaries (none of which has the currency of a hyperinflationary economy), that have
a functional currency different from the group’s presentation currency, are translated at the average rates of exchange for the year.

Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries, that have a functional currency different from the group’s presentation currency, are
translated at the exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. Exchange differences arising from the translation of the results
of foreign subsidiaries and their opening net assets are recognised as a separate component of equity.

When a foreign subsidiary is sold the cumulative exchange differences relating to the retranslation of the net investment in that
foreign subsidiary are recognised in the income statement as part of the gain or loss on disposal. This applies only to exchange
differences recorded in equity after 1 July 2006. Exchange differences arising prior to 1 July 2006 remain in equity on disposal as
permitted by IFRS 1.

Intangible assets

Goodwill – goodwill arising on the acquisition of a subsidiary undertaking is the excess of the aggregate of the fair value of the
consideration transferred, the fair value of any previously held interests, and the recognised value of the non-controlling interest in
the acquiree over the net of the acquisition date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is
reviewed for impairment at least annually and when there are indications that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. For
the purpose of impairment review, goodwill is allocated to the relevant cash generating unit (CGU) within the group. An impairment
loss is recognised if the carrying value of the goodwill or its CGU exceeds its recoverable amount. Any impairment loss is recognised
immediately in the income statement and is not subsequently reversed. On disposal of a subsidiary, the attributable amount of
goodwill is included in the calculation of the profit or loss on disposal. Goodwill arising on acquisitions before the date of transition
to IFRS has been retained at the UK GAAP value as at that date having been reviewed for impairment at that date and subsequently
at least annually.

26

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

Accounting policies (continued)

2.
Taxation
Income tax on the profit for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognised in the income statement except
to the extent that it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income.

Current tax assets and liabilities are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to taxation authorities based
on tax rates and laws that are enacted at the balance sheet date. Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability method,
on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their corresponding book values as recorded in
the group’s financial statements with the following exceptions:

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

deferred income tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against
which the deductible temporary differences can be utilised;

deferred income tax is not provided on unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries where there is no likelihood to remit the
earnings.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are based on tax rates and laws that are substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

Share-based payments
The group grants share options to certain of its employees. An expense in relation to such options based on their fair value at the
date of grant, is recognised over the vesting period. The group uses the Black Scholes model for the purpose of computing fair value.

Inventories
Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value on a weighted average cost basis. Cost includes expenditure
incurred in acquiring the inventories and bringing them to their existing location and condition. In the case of finished and partly
finished goods, cost represents the cost of raw materials, direct labour, other direct costs and related production overheads on bases
consistently applied from year to year. In all cases provision is made for obsolete, slow-moving or defective items where appropriate.

Trade and other receivables
Trade and other receivables are non-interest bearing and are stated at their nominal amount less provisions made for estimated
irrecoverable amounts. Estimated irrecoverable amounts are based on historical experience together with specific amounts that are
not expected to be collectible. Individual amounts are written off when management deems them not to be collectible.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, short-term (with an original maturity of three
months or less) deposits and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are disclosed as current liabilities except where the group participates
in offset arrangements with certain banks whereby cash and overdraft amounts are offset against each other.

Pension scheme arrangements
The group operates several defined contribution pension schemes and a defined benefit pension scheme for certain of its United
Kingdom domiciled employees.

A defined contribution scheme is a scheme in which the group pays contributions into publicly or privately administered schemes
on a voluntary, statutory or contractual basis. The group has no further payment obligations once the contributions have been
made. The amount charged to the income statement is the contribution payable in the year. Differences between contributions
payable in the year and contributions actually paid are shown as receivables or payables in the balance sheet.

27

Accounting policies (continued)

2.
Pension scheme arrangements (continued)

A defined benefit scheme is a scheme in which the amount of pension benefit that an employee will receive on retirement is
defined. For the defined benefit scheme, pension costs and the costs of providing other post retirement benefits are charged to the
income statement in accordance with the advice of qualified independent actuaries. Past service costs are recognised immediately
in the income statement. The service cost is charged against operating profit and the net interest cost is charged as a finance cost.
The  net  interest  cost  is  calculated  using  the  discount  rate  at  the  beginning  of  the  period. The  retirement  benefit  obligations
recognised on the balance sheet represent the difference between the fair value of the scheme’s assets and the present value of
the scheme’s defined benefit obligations measured at the balance sheet date. The defined benefit obligation is calculated annually
by independent actuaries using the projected unit method.

Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability are recognised in the period in which they arise in other comprehensive income.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost less subsequent depreciation and impairment except for land which is shown at
cost less any impairment. Cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset. The group has taken
advantage of the exemption under IFRS 1 not to restate property previously revalued under UK GAAP and to treat these earlier
revaluations as deemed cost. Depreciation is calculated on the depreciable amount (being cost less the estimated residual value)
on a straight line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

Freehold land: Not depreciated
Freehold buildings: 10 to 50 years
Plant and equipment: 2 to 20 years

Residual values and useful lives are reviewed at each group balance sheet date for continued appropriateness and indications of
impairment and adjusted if appropriate.

Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are non-interest bearing and are stated at their nominal value.

Revenue recognition

Revenue comprises the amounts received or receivable in respect of the sale of goods provided in the normal course of business,
net of trade discounts, rebates, VAT and other sales related taxes.

Revenue is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer.

Research and development

Expenditure  on  research  activities,  undertaken  with  the  prospect  of  gaining  new  scientific  or  technical  knowledge  and
understanding, is recognised in the income statement as an expense as incurred.

Development expenditure not meeting all the criteria for capitalisation contained in IAS 38 – Intangible Assets, is recognised in the
income statement as an expense as incurred.

Dividends

Interim dividends are recognised when they are paid. Final dividends are recognised when they are approved by the shareholders.

Leases

Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are accounted for as operating
leases. Payments made under such leases are charged to the income statement on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

28

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

Accounting policies (continued)

2.
Derivative financial instruments and hedging

The group uses derivative financial instruments to hedge its exposure to foreign currency transactional risk. In accordance with its
treasury policy the group does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value on the date the derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently
remeasured at fair value at each group balance sheet date.

The method by which any gain or loss arising from remeasurement is recognised depends on whether the instrument is designated
as  a  hedging  instrument  and,  if  so,  the  nature  of  the  item  being  hedged. The  group  recognises  an  instrument  as  a  hedging
instrument by documenting at the inception of the transaction the relationship between the instrument and the hedged items and
the objectives and strategy for undertaking the hedging transaction. To be designated as a hedging instrument, an instrument must
also be assessed, at inception and on an ongoing basis, to be highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of hedged items.

For derivatives not used in hedging transactions, the gain or loss on remeasurement of fair value is recognised immediately in the
income statement.

Where a derivative financial instrument is designated as a hedge of the variability in cash flows of a recognised asset or liability, or
of a highly probable forecast future transaction, the gain or loss on remeasurement which relates to the portion of the hedge which
is deemed effective is recognised directly in equity, with the balance of the gain or loss, relating to the ineffective portion, being
recognised immediately in the income statement.

Amounts accumulated in equity are recycled in the income statement in the periods when the hedged item affects profit or loss.
The fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts is determined using forward exchange market rates at the balance sheet date.

Financial risk management

3.
Financial risk and treasury policies

A full description of the James Halstead plc group’s treasury policy is contained in the financial director’s review.

The group’s activities expose it to a number of financial risks as detailed below. These risks are managed, with the objective of
limiting adverse effects, from the group’s head office in accordance with policies determined by and decisions made by the group
board.

There have been no changes in financial risks from the previous year.

Market risks

Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as currency exchange rates and interest rates will affect the group’s results.
The objective of market risk management is to control it within suitable parameters.

(a)    Foreign exchange risk
The  group  operates  internationally  and  is  exposed  to  foreign  currency  risk  on  sales  and  purchases  that  are  denominated  in  a
currency other than the functional currency of the entity making the sale or purchase. There are a range of currencies giving rise to
this risk, but most significant is the euro. To mitigate risks associated with future exchange rate fluctuations, the group’s policy is
to use forward exchange contracts to hedge its known and certain forecast transaction exposures based on historical experience
and projections. The group hedges at least 25% but rarely more than 100% of the next twelve months’ anticipated exposure.

(b)    Interest rate risk
The group does not use derivative financial instruments to mitigate its exposure to interest rate risk. The main element of interest
rate risk concerns sterling deposits which are made on floating market based rates and short-term overdrafts in foreign currencies
which are also on floating rates.

29

Financial risk management (continued)

3.
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  principally  from  the  group’s  trade  receivables  from  customers  and  monies  on  deposit  with
financial institutions.

With regard to trade receivables, the group is not subject to significant concentration of credit risk. Exposure is spread across a large
number of companies and the underlying local economic and sovereign risks vary across the world. Trade receivable exposures are
managed  locally  in  the  individual  operating  units  where  they  arise  and  credit  limits  are  set  as  deemed  appropriate. Where
practicable and deemed necessary the group endeavours to minimise credit risks by the use of trade finance instruments such as
letters of credit and insurance.

The group controls credit risk in relation to counterparties to other financial instruments by dealing only with highly rated financial
institutions.

The group’s maximum credit exposure on financial assets is represented by their book value.

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.

Capital risk

The group’s objectives in managing capital are to safeguard the ability of all entities within the group to continue as going concerns,
whilst maximising the overall return to shareholders over time. The capital structure of the group consists of equity attributable
to equity holders of the parent company less cash and cash equivalents.

The group will only usually take on borrowings where those borrowings would be financed by the cash expected to be generated
by the related investment opportunity and where the borrowing would not significantly increase the group’s exposure to risk.

At the year end the group had preference shares classified as debt of £200,000 and no other debt.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

4.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires the use of certain
estimates and associated assumptions that affect the application of policies, the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although these
estimates are based on management’s best assessments of amounts, events or actions, actual results may ultimately differ from
those estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on a regular and ongoing basis.

The estimates and judgements that have had the most significant effect on the amounts included in these consolidated financial
statements are as follows:

30

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

Critical accounting estimates and judgements (continued)

4.
Inventories

For financial reporting purposes the group evaluates its inventory to ensure it is carried at the lower of cost or net realisable value.
Provision is made against slow moving, obsolete and damaged inventories. Damaged inventories are identified and written down
through the inventory counting procedures conducted within each business. Provision for slow moving and obsolete inventories is
assessed by each business as part of their ongoing financial reporting. Obsolescence is assessed based on comparison of the level
of inventory holding to the projected likely future sales. Future sales are assessed based on historical experience, and adjusted where
the  market  conditions  are  known  to  have  changed. To  the  extent  that  future  events  impact  the  saleability  of  inventory  these
provisions could vary significantly. For example, changes in specifications or regulations may render inventory, previously considered
to have a realisable value in excess of cost, obsolete and require such inventory to be fully written off.

Allowance for doubtful debts

Provision is made against accounts that in the estimation of management may be impaired. Within each of the operating units,
assessment is made locally of the recoverability of trade receivables based on a range of factors including the age of the receivable
and the creditworthiness of the customer. Determining the recoverability of an account involves estimation as to the likely financial
condition of the customer and their ability to subsequently make payment. If the group is cautious as to the financial condition of
the customer the group may provide for accounts that are subsequently recovered. Similarly, if the group is optimistic as to the
financial condition of the customer, the group may not provide for an account that is subsequently determined to be irrecoverable.
In recent years the group has not experienced significant variation in the amount charged to the income statement in respect of
doubtful accounts, when compared to sales.

Income taxes

In determining the group’s provisions for income tax and deferred tax it is necessary to consider transactions in a small number of
key tax jurisdictions for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. To the extent that the final outcome differs from the
tax  that  has  been  provided,  adjustments  will  be  made  to  income  tax  and  deferred  tax  provisions  held  in  the  period  the
determination is made.

Retirement benefit obligations

The liability recognised in respect of retirement benefit obligations is dependent on a number of estimates including those relating
to mortality, inflation, salary increases, and the rate at which liabilities are discounted. Any change in these assumptions would
impact the retirement benefit obligations recognised. Further details on these estimates are provided in note 22.

Goodwill

Each year the group carries out impairment tests of its goodwill balances. This requires estimates to be made of the value in use
of the relevant cash generating units (CGUs). These value in use calculations are dependent on estimates of the future cash flows
and long-term growth rates of the relevant CGUs.

31

Segmental information

5.
Operating segments are  those segments for which results are reviewed by the group’s chief operating decision maker (CODM) to
assess performance and make decisions about resources to be allocated. The CODM is the group board which meets regularly
throughout the year to discuss the performance and results of the group as a whole. The business of the group is focussed almost
entirely  on  the  manufacture  and  distribution  of  flooring  products. The  directors  consider    that  under  the  definitions  contained
within IFRS 8 there is only one reportable segment, which is the group as a whole. This is consistent with the core principle of IFRS
8, which is to disclose information  to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the
business  activities  in  which  the  group  engages  and  the  economic  activities  in  which  it  operates. Therefore  the  majority  of  the
disclosures required under IFRS 8 have already been given in these financial statements.

Segment  assets comprise property,  plant  and  equipment and intangibles. Geographical  disclosures  in  respect  of  revenues and
segment  assets are  provided  below and  include  revenue for  Germany  of  £55,427,000  (2016:  £49,574,000)  and  Australia
£26,400,000 (2016: £20,704,000), and assets in Germany of £10,255,000 (2016: £10,098,000).

Revenue

United Kingdom
Europe and Scandinavia
Australasia and Asia
Rest of the World

Assets

United Kingdom
Europe and Scandinavia
Australasia and Asia
Rest of the World

Total segment assets
Deferred tax assets

Total non-current assets

Revenue is by location of customer. Assets are by location of asset.

2017
£’000

80,189
103,440
39,761
17,394

2016
£’000

84,579
91,013
34,243
16,306

240,784

226,141

2017
£’000

25,858
11,524
1,948
5

39,335
4,151

43,486

2016
£’000

24,857
11,429
1,329
1

37,616
5,129

42,745

32

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

Employee profit share

6.
Profit for the year is after charging the cost of the James Halstead plc share ownership plan. Since 1980 the group has operated an
employee  share  scheme,  approved  under  the  Finance  Act  1978.  In  December  2001  the  shareholders  approved  a  new  share
ownership plan in line with the requirements of legislative changes. The aim of this scheme is to enable employees to build up a
personal shareholding in James Halstead plc and to participate in its continued expansion and success as shareholders as well as
employees.

As  members  of  the  scheme the following  directors  received  shares  to  the  value  of,  Mr  G  Halstead  £nil,
Mr M Halstead £nil and Mr G R Oliver £nil.

Profit before income tax

7.
Profit before tax is stated after charging/(crediting) the following:

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Operating lease rentals – land and buildings
Operating lease rentals – other
Research and development
Loss/(profit) on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Fees payable to the group’s auditor for the audit of the parent company and
consolidated financial statements
Fees payable to the group’s auditor and its associates for other services:
The audit of the group’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation
Taxation compliance
Taxation advisory
Other services

2017
£’000

2,830
2,185
1,116
2,388
8

41

106
34
1
11

2016
£’000

2,872
1,889
1,057
2,144
(46)

41

88
31
7
11

8.

Staff costs and numbers

Staff costs comprised:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs – defined benefit scheme

– defined contribution schemes

Share based payments

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

Manufacturing, selling and distribution
Administration

The directors’ remuneration was:

Salary or fees
Bonuses
Benefits

Total remuneration excluding pension contributions
Pension contributions

9.

Finance income/(cost)

Interest receivable and similar income:
On bank deposits
Other

Finance income 

Preference share dividend
Interest on short-term borrowing and other financing costs

Net pension interest cost

Finance cost

Net finance cost

33

2016
£’000

31,467
3,534
544
825
1

36,371

2017
£’000

33,441
3,829
542
735
1

38,548

2017
Number

2016
Number

683
141

824

2017
£’000

961
830
12

1,803
54

1,857

2017
£’000

127
7

134

(11)
(22)

(33)
(769)

(802)

(668)

694
138

832

2016
£’000

924
780
14

1,718
53

1,771

2016
£’000

163
14

177

(11)
(32)

(43)
(718)

(761)

(584)

34

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

10.

Income tax expense

Current tax
Current tax – current year
Current tax – adjustments in respect of prior years

Deferred tax
Deferred tax – current year
Deferred tax – adjustments in respect of prior years

2017
£’000

10,726
(518)

10,208

76
(178)

(102)

2016
£’000

10,251
(653)

9,598

418
227

645

Total taxation

10,106

10,243

The effective tax rate for the year to 30 June 2017 is higher (2016: higher) than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK. The
differences are explained below:

Profit before tax

Profit before tax multiplied by the standard rate of corporation tax in
the UK of 19.75% (2016: 20.00%)
Effects of:
Adjustments to tax in respect of prior periods
Overseas tax rates
Disallowable items
Remeasurement of deferred tax due to change in UK tax rate

Total taxation

2017
£’000

2016
£’000

46,616

45,499

9,207

9,100

(696)
1,486
128
(19)

(426)
1,143
360
66

10,106

10,243

In addition to the amounts above £492,000 has been charged (2016: £839,000 credited) as other comprehensive income in respect
of  the remeasurement  of  the  net  defined  benefit  liability,  and  have  been  netted  off  the  amounts  shown  in  the  Consolidated
Statement of Comprehensive Income.

The UK corporation tax rate will change from 19% to 17% on 1 April 2020.

11. Earnings per share

Profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders

Weighted average number of shares in issue

Dilution effect of outstanding share options

Diluted weighted average number of shares

Basic earnings per 5p ordinary share
Diluted earnings per 5p ordinary share

12. Dividends

Equity dividends
Interim dividend for current year of 3.75p (2016: 3.5p)
Final dividend for previous year of 8.5p (2016: 7.858p)
Special dividend of nil p (2016: 7.858p)

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity shareholders in the year

35

2017
£’000

36,510

2016
£’000

35,256

207,620,432

207,431,307

216,506

473,629

207,836,938

207,904,936

17.6p
17.6p

17.0p
17.0p

2017
£’000

7,792
17,646
–

25,438

2016
£’000

7,262
16,302
16,303

39,867

A final dividend of 9.25p per share for the year ended 30 June 2017, amounting to £19,238,000, will be proposed at the Annual
General Meeting. This dividend is not reflected in these financial statements as it is not approved at the balance sheet date.

13. Profit of the parent company
The company has taken advantage of the provisions of Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and elected not to present its own
profit and loss account. The profit after taxation for the  financial year dealt with in the financial statements of the company was
£53,777,000 (2016:  £33,474,000). The  aggregate  amount  of  directors’  emoluments  excluding  pension  contributions  was
£1,803,000 (2016: £1,718,000) of which the highest paid director’s emoluments were £815,000 (2016: £775,000). The directors’
salaries or fees for the year ended 30 June 2017 were Mr G Halstead £90,000, Mr M Halstead £397,000, Mr G R Oliver £370,000,
Mr J A Wild £32,000, Mr E K Lotz £52,000 and Mr S D Hall £20,000.

36

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

14. Property, plant and equipment

Cost
At 30 June 2015
Additions
Disposals
Exchange differences

At 30 June 2016
Additions
Disposals
Exchange differences

At 30 June 2017

Depreciation
At 30 June 2015
Charge for the year
Disposals
Exchange differences

At 30 June 2016
Charge for the year
Disposals
Exchange differences

At 30 June 2017

Net book value
At 30 June 2015

At 30 June 2016

At 30 June 2017

Freehold
land and
buildings
£’000

Plant and
equipment
£’000

23,888
1,405
–
1,370

26,663
383
–
526

27,572

6,661
639
–
319

7,619
671
–
131

8,421

17,227

19,044

19,151

63,450
3,437
(694)
805

66,998
3,851
(3,038)
387

68,198

49,505
2,233
(540)
460

51,658
2,159
(2,796)
225

51,246

13,945

15,340

16,952

Total
£’000

87,338
4,842
(694)
2,175

93,661
4,234
(3,038)
913

95,770

56,166
2,872
(540)
779

59,277
2,830
(2,796)
356

59,667

31,172

34,384

36,103

15.

Intangible assets

Cost and net book value at 30 June 2015, 2016 and 2017

37

Goodwill
£’000

3,232

An impairment review of goodwill was done by reference to value in use. Value in use was determined using ten year cash flow
projections, based on current levels of profitability and assumed growth of 0% to 5% and a discount rate of 4%. The result of the
review indicated that no impairment was required.

16. Deferred tax assets and liabilities

At 30 June 2015
Charged to income
Credited to other comprehensive income
Exchange differences

At 30 June 2016
Credited/(charged) to income
Charged to other comprehensive income
Exchange differences

At 30 June 2017

Pension
scheme
deficit
£’000

Accelerated
tax
depreciation
£’000

Property
revaluation
£’000

Other
timing
differences
£’000

3,698
(214)
839
–

4,323
(217)
(492)
–

3,614

(381)
(38)
–
–

(419)
(157)
–
–

(576)

(709)
–
106
–

(603)
–
–
–

(603)

1,591
(393)
–
27

1,225
476
–
15

1,716

Total
£’000

4,199
(645)
945
27

4,526
102
(492)
15

4,151

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax
liabilities and the deferred income taxes relate to the same tax authority. The balances after allowing for such offsets are as follows:

At 30 June 2015

At 30 June 2016

At 30 June 2017

All deferred tax assets and liabilities are analysed as non-current.

17.

Inventories

Raw materials and consumables
Work in progress
Finished goods

Asset
£’000

4,908

5,129

4,151

Liability
£’000

(709)

(603)

–

2017
£’000

2,926
1,774
68,236

72,936

Total
£’000

4,199

4,526

4,151

2016
£’000

3,306
1,284
58,238

62,828

An amount of £1,260,000 has been credited (2016: £1,218,000 credited) to the income statement in respect of movements in
inventory write-downs. The cost of inventory recognised as an expense was £135,974,000 (2016: £130,177,000).

38

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

18. Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables
Other receivables
Prepayments and accrued income

2017
£’000

28,496
1,129
1,551

31,176

2016
£’000

30,688
1,146
1,986

33,820

All amounts within trade and other receivables are due within one year. The fair value of amounts included in trade and other
receivables approximates to book value. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the fair value of each class
of receivable. The group does not hold any collateral as security.

The group’s trade receivables are stated after a provision for impairment of £3,202,000 (2016: £3,048,000). Other balances within
trade and other receivables do not contain impaired assets. The provision for impairment against trade receivables is based on
specific risk assessments taking into account past default experience and is analysed as follows:

At 1 July
Exchange movements
Charged to the income statement – selling and distribution costs

At 30 June 

2017
£’000

3,048
39
115

3,202

2016
£’000

2,810
91
147

3,048

As at 30 June 2017, trade receivables of £2,348,000 (2016: £6,014,000) were past due but not impaired. These relate to a number
of independent customers for whom there is no recent history of default. The ageing analysis of these trade receivables is as follows:

Up to three months overdue
Over three months overdue 

Total

The maximum exposure to credit risk for trade and other receivables by currency was:

Sterling
Euro
Australian Dollars
New Zealand Dollars
Norwegian Krone
US Dollars
Hong Kong Dollars
Other currencies

Total

2017
£’000

2,055
293

2,348

2017
£’000

7,111
12,295
3,591
833
517
2,485
991
1,802

29,625

2016
£’000

5,938
76

6,014

2016
£’000

9,733
11,105
3,663
877
486
3,265
582
2,123

31,834

19. Cash and cash equivalents
The fair values of cash and cash equivalents approximate to book value due to their short maturities.

The currency analysis of cash and cash equivalents is as follows:

Sterling
Euro
Australian Dollars
New Zealand Dollars                                                                                   
Norwegian Krone
US Dollars
Other currencies                                                                             

Total

20. Trade and other payables

Amounts falling due within one year
Trade payables
Value added, payroll and other taxes
Other payables
Accruals

Amounts falling due after more than one year
Other payables

The fair value of amounts included in trade and other payables approximates to book value.

21. Borrowings

Non-current liabilities
Preference shares

39

2016
£’000

30,428
4,451
2,251
385
703
4,916
962

44,096

2016
£’000

32,806
3,891
1,533
15,165

53,395

2017
£’000

37,907
3,677
2,701
296
559
6,671
721

52,532

2017
£’000

41,309
3,503
820
13,689

59,321

486

460

2017
£’000

2016
£’000

200

200

All items included within borrowings are denominated in pounds sterling.

The cumulative preference shares have no fixed repayment date. They are not listed and therefore no market price is available. At
30 June 2017 and 30 June 2016 the fair value of the preference shares was not materially different from their book value.

40

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

22. Retirement benefit obligations
In the UK the group operates a defined benefit pension scheme which was closed to new members in 2002. In addition some
employees  both  in  the  UK  and  overseas  are  provided  with  retirement  benefits  through  defined  contribution  arrangements.
Executive directors Mr M Halstead and Mr G R Oliver are members of the defined benefit scheme and the employer pension
contributions  for  the  year  were  £28,000 and  £26,000 respectively. At  30  June  2017  the accrued  pension  for  the  highest  paid
director was £108,000 and the transfer value of this accrued benefit was £2,228,000.

Disclosures relating to the defined benefits pension scheme are as follows: 

The company sponsors the Halstead Group Pension Scheme, a funded defined benefit pension scheme in the UK. The scheme is
administered within a trust which is legally separate from the company. Trustees are appointed by both the company and the
scheme’s membership and act in the interest of the scheme and all relevant stakeholders, including the members and the company.
The trustees are also responsible for the investment of the scheme’s assets.

Existing members accrue an annual pension of 1/60th or 1/80th (depending on category) of final salary for each year of pensionable
service, increasing in line with inflation whilst in payment. On the death of an active member the scheme provides the widow(er)
a lump sum and a spouse’s pension. Members who leave service before retirement are entitled to a deferred pension.

Active  members  of  the  scheme  pay  contributions  at  the  rate  of  either  7.5%  or  6%  of  salary  depending  on  category  and  the
company pays the balance of the cost as determined by regular actuarial valuations.

The scheme poses a number of risks to the company, for example, longevity risk, investment risk, interest rate risk, inflation risk and
salary risk. The trustees are aware of these risks and use various techniques to control them. The trustees have a number of internal
control policies including a risk register, which are in place to manage and monitor the various risks they face.

The scheme is subject to regular actuarial valuations, which are usually carried out every three years. These actuarial valuations are
carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Pensions Act 2004 and so include margins for prudence. This contrasts with
these accounting disclosures, which are determined using best estimate assumptions.

The last formal actuarial valuation was carried out as at 5 April 2014. The results of that valuation have been projected forward to
30 June 2017 by a qualified independent actuary. The figures in the following disclosure were measured using the Projected Unit
Method.

Principal actuarial assumptions at the balance sheet date
Discount rate at end of year
Future salary increases
Future pension increases
Rate of inflation – RPI
– CPI

Future expected lifetime of current pensioner at age 65:

Male born in 1952
Female born in 1952

Future expected lifetime of future pensioner at age 65:

Male born in 1972
Female born in 1972

2017

2016

2.70%
1.90%
3.00%
3.10%
1.90%

3.15%
2.20%
2.95%
2.95%
2.20%

21.6 years
24.1 years

22.1 years
25.0 years

22.4 years
25.0 years

23.1 years
26.1 years

41

22. Retirement benefit obligations (continued)
The sensitivities of the principal assumptions used to measure the scheme liabilities are as follows:

Assumption
Discount rate
Rate of inflation
Expected lifetime

Change in assumption
Decrease by 0.1%
Increase by 0.1%
Increase by 1 year

Impact on scheme liabilities
Increase by £1.3m
Increase by £0.9m
Increase by £3.9m

The sensitivities may not be representative of the actual change in the present value of the scheme obligations, as it is unlikely that
the change in assumptions would occur in isolation of each other, as the assumptions may be linked.

Amounts recognised in the balance sheet

Present value of funded obligations
Fair value of scheme assets

Net liability before deferred taxation
Related deferred tax asset

Net liability after deferred taxation

Amounts recognised in the income statement

Current service cost
Net interest cost

Amounts recognised in other comprehensive income
Return on assets excluding amount included in net interest cost
Loss arising from changes in financial assumptions
Gain arising from changes in demographic assumptions

Deferred tax

Remeasurement of the net defined benefit liability

The actual return on the scheme assets in the year was a £6,012,000 gain (2016: £2,266,000 gain).

Changes in the present value of the scheme assets
Opening fair value of scheme assets
Interest income
Return on assets excluding interest income
Employer contributions
Employee contributions
Benefits paid

2017
£’000

(82,370)
61,113

(21,257)
3,614

(17,643)

2017
£’000

(542)
(769)

2016
£’000

(81,655)
56,224

(25,431)
4,323

(21,108)

2016
£’000

(544)
(718)

(1,311)

(1,262)

2017
£’000

4,259
(4,831)
3,468

2,896
(492)

2,404

2017
£’000

56,224
1,753
4,259
2,589
233
(3,945)

61,113

2016
£’000

49
(8,248)
–

(8,199)
839

(7,360)

2016
£’000

54,200
2,217
49
2,522
272
(3,036)

56,224

42

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

22. Retirement benefit obligations (continued)

Changes in the present value of the scheme obligations
Opening defined benefit obligations
Service cost
Interest cost
Employee contributions
Loss arising from changes in financial assumptions
Gain arising from changes in demographic assumptions
Benefits paid

Changes in the net defined benefit liability
Opening net defined benefit liability
Service cost
Net interest cost
Return on assets excluding interest income
Loss arising from changes in financial assumptions
Gain arising from changes in demographic assumptions
Employer contributions

Major categories of scheme assets

Return seeking
UK equities
Overseas equities
Diversified growth fund

Debt instruments
Corporates
Gilts
Index linked

Other
Property
Cash

Total market value of assets

2017
£’000

(81,655)
(542)
(2,522)
(233)
(4,831)
3,468
3,945

(82,370)

2017
£’000

(25,431)
(542)
(769)
4,259
(4,831)
3,468
2,589

(21,257)

2017
£’000

682
31,931
10,517

43,130

6,328
785
5,250

2016
£’000

(72,692)
(544)
(2,935)
(272)
(8,248)
–
3,036

(81,655)

2016
£’000

(18,492)
(544)
(718)
49
(8,248)
–
2,522

(25,431)

2016
£’000

953
24,707
12,105

37,765

5,178
1,625
7,801

12,363

14,604

1,876
3,744

5,620

1,592
2,263

3,855

61,113

56,224

All of the scheme assets are held in pooled managed funds which can be classified as level 2 instruments based on the definition
in IFRS 13.
The scheme has no investments in the company or in property occupied by the company.

22. Retirement benefit obligations (continued)

Scheme liabilities by category of membership

Active members
Deferred pensioners
Pensions in payment

Average duration of scheme liabilities

Active members
Deferred pensioners
Pensions in payment
All scheme liabilities

43

2016
£’000

33,158
13,415
35,082

81,655

2016
years

20
21
11
16

2017
£’000

36,090
13,134
33,146

82,370

2017
years

20
21
11
16

Normal company contributions of £1,235,000 (2016: £1,350,000) are expected to be paid into the scheme during the year ended
30 June 2018.

23. Share capital
Ordinary shares – allotted, issued and fully paid

At 1 July ordinary shares of 5p each
Ordinary shares of 5p each issued

At 30 June ordinary shares of 5p each

2017
Number

2016
Number

207,470,508
394,100

207,282,508
188,000

207,864,608

207,470,508

Ordinary B shares of 1p each at 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2017

16,042,530

16,042,530

2017
£’000

10,374
19

10,393

160

2016
£’000

10,364
10

10,374

160

Total allotted, issued and fully paid

10,553

10,534

The group also has preference shares in issue as detailed below which are required, under accounting rules, to be disclosed as
financial instruments within creditors. Full details of these are given in note 12 of the financial statements of the company.

Authorised
9,265,580 C preference shares of 60p each
200,000 5.5% preference shares of £1 each

Allotted, issued and fully paid
200,000 5.5% preference shares of £1 each

2017
£’000

5,559
200

2016
£’000

5,559
200

200

200

The respective rights of each class of shares are detailed in note 12 of the financial statements of the company.

44

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

23. Share capital (continued)
Issue of ordinary shares and number of ordinary shares under option
Under  the  terms  of  the  executive  share  option  scheme  approved  on  3  December  1998,  options  were  exercised  on 394,100
shares and 290,000 share options were granted during the year. Details of those options still outstanding are as follows:

Date of
grant

Date
exercisable

Date of
expiry

Exercise
price
(pence)

Number
01.07.16

Exercised
in the year

Granted
in the year

Number
30.06.17

4 Jul 07
6 Oct 08

4 Jul 10

3 Jul 17
6 Oct 11     5 Oct 18

144.7125
105.2500

160,000
60,000

(160,000)
(60,000)

Director

G Halstead

M Halstead

4 Jul 07     
6 Oct 08
21 Jul 14
12 Jun 17

4 Jul 10     
6 Oct 11
21 Jul 17
12 Jun 20

3 Jul 17
5 Oct 18
20 Jul 24
11 Jun 24

144.7125
105.2500
270.2900
476.5000

–
–

–
–
–
50,000

–
50,000

–
–

–
80,000
20,000
50,000

20,000
50,000

–

60,000

10,000
80,000
20,000
–

20,000
–

(10,000)
–
–
–

–
–

–

G R Oliver

21 Jul 14
12 Jun 17

21 Jul 17
12 Jun 20

20 Jul 24
11 Jun 27

270.2900
476.5000

E K Lotz

6 Oct 08

6 Oct 11

5 Oct 18

105.2500

60,000

Total – directors

410,000

(230,000)

100,000

280,000

Date of
grant

Date
exercisable

4 Jul 07
6 Oct 08
9 Apr 14
21 Jul 14
12 Jun 17

4 Jul 10
6 Oct 11
9 Apr 17
21 Jul 17
12 Jun 20

Date of
expiry

3 Jul 17
5 Oct 18
8 Apr 24
20 Jul 24
11 Jun 27

Exercise
price
(pence)

144.7125
105.2500
290.2500
270.2900
476.5000

Employees

Total – employees

Grand total

The market price of the shares at 30 June 2017 was 468p (2016: 409p).

The share price during the year ranged from 379p to 542p.

Number
01.07.16

Exercised
in the year

Granted
in the year

81,232
122,868
40,000
91,500
–

(51,232)
(92,868)
(20,000)
–
–

–
–
–
–
190,000

Number
30.06.17

30,000
30,000
20,000
91,500
190,000

335,600

(164,100)

190,000

361,500

745,600

(394,100)

290,000

641,500

45

23. Share capital (continued)
Issue of ordinary shares and number of ordinary shares under option (continued)

The average share price when options were exercised in the year was £4.76.

Directors exercised 230,000 (2016: 170,000) share options during the year. Aggregate gains on exercising the share options by
directors in the year amounted to £812,000 (2016: £584,000) of which £38,000 (2016: £nil) related to the highest paid director.

A summary of movements in numbers of share options is as follows:

At 30 June 2015
Exercised in the year
Lapsed in the year

At 30 June 2016
Exercised in the year
Granted in the year

At 30 June 2017

Weighted
average
exercise
price (£)

1.42
1.00
0.80

1.58
1.37
4.77

3.15

Number of
options

1,013,600
(188,000)
(80,000)

745,600
(394,100)
290,000

641,500

At 30 June 2017 there were 220,000 (2016: 574,100) share options exercisable at a weighted average exercise price of £1.27
(2016: £1.23).

Share based payments
The group’s equity settled share based payments comprise the grant of share options to certain employees under the group’s
executive share option scheme. Details of such options are given above. The group calculated the fair value of the options at the
date of grant using the Black Scholes model. The inputs into the model were as follows:

Expected life of option
Expected share price volatility
Expected dividend yield
Risk free interest rate
Exercise price

2017

2016

3.5 years
10.0%
5.50%
0.50%
476.5p

–
–
–
–
–

An expense based on the fair value calculated at the date of grant was recognised in the profit and loss account over the vesting
period of the options. The share based payment expense for the year ended 30 June 2017 was £1,000 (2016: £1,000).

46

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued

24. Reserves
The nature and purpose of each reserve within equity is as follows.

Reserve

Equity share capital

Share premium account

Capital redemption reserve

Currency translation reserve

Hedging reserve

Retained earnings

Description and purpose

Nominal value of equity share capital issued.

Amount subscribed for equity share capital in excess of nominal value.

Amounts transferred from share capital on redemption of issued shares.

Cumulative  currency  translation  gains  and  losses  arising  on  the
retranslation of the net assets of the group’s foreign operations.

Gains and losses arising on the fair value of financial instruments in an
effective designated cash flow hedging relationship.

All  other  gains  and  losses  and  transactions  with  owners,  such  as
dividends, not recognised in other reserves.

25. Cash inflow from operations

Profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders
Income tax expense

Profit before income tax
Finance cost
Finance income

Operating profit
Depreciation
Loss/(profit) on sale of property, plant and equipment
(Increase)/decrease in inventories
Decrease in trade and other receivables
Increase in trade and other payables
Defined benefit pension scheme service cost
Defined benefit pension scheme employer contributions paid
Changes in fair value of financial instruments
Share based payments

2017
£’000

36,510
10,106

46,616
802
(134)

47,284
2,830
8
(8,054)
2,838
4,982
542
(2,589)
(364)
1

47,478

2016
£’000

35,256
10,243

45,499
761
(177)

46,083
2,872
(46)
539
842
2,051
544
(2,522)
(39)
1

50,325

47

26. Operating lease commitments

The group leases various warehouses and items of plant and equipment under non-cancellable leases over various periods. The
future minimum aggregate lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Not later than one year
Later than one year and not later than five years
Later than five years

2017
Land and
buildings
£’000

2,318
4,159
257

6,734

2017

Other
£’000

561
753
70

1,384

2016
Land and 
buildings
£’000

1,911
4,965
691

7,567

2016

Other
£’000

709
489
11

1,209

27. Derivative financial instruments
The group is exposed to foreign currency risk on sales and purchases that are denominated in a currency other than the functional
currency of the entity concerned. The currencies giving rise to this risk are various, but the most significant are US Dollar and Euro.
Forward exchange contracts are used to manage this exposure to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.

The  group  hedges,  using  forward  exchange  contracts,  transactions  denominated  in  a  foreign  currency  which  are  not  matched
against other transactions in the same currency within the group. Most of the forward exchange contracts have maturities of less
than one year after the balance sheet date. The group buys or sells foreign currency at spot where necessary to address any short-
term imbalances.

The group classifies its forward exchange contracts hedging forecasted transactions as cash flow hedges and states them at fair
value.

The  fair  values  have  been  calculated  by  applying  (where  relevant),  for  equivalent  maturity  profiles,  the  rate  at  which  forward
currency contracts with the same principal amounts could be acquired at the balance sheet date.

Changes in the fair value of forward exchange contracts for which no hedge accounting is applied or where the hedge is considered
ineffective are recognised in the income statement.

Other  than  the  use  of  forward  exchange  contracts  as  detailed  above, the  group  does  not  make  use  of  derivative  financial
instruments.

48

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

28. Financial instruments
For cash and cash equivalents and trade and other payables and receivables the fair value approximates to their book value due to
the short maturity profile of these financial instruments. On receivables, allowances are made within the book value for credit risk.
The fair value of forward exchange contracts is determined by reference to spot rates adjusted for the forward points to the contract
value date.

The book values and fair values of financial instruments are set out below:

Current:
Trade and other receivables
Forward exchange contracts
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other payables
Forward exchange contracts

Total

Non-current:
Borrowings

2017
Book value
£’000

2017
Fair value
£’000

2016
Book value
£’000

2016
Fair value
£’000

29,625
416
52,532
(55,818)
(1,362)

25,393

29,625
416
52,532
(55,818)
(1,362)

25,393

31,834
433
44,096
(49,504)
(2,066)

24,793

31,834
433
44,096
(49,504)
(2,066)

24,793

(200)

(200)

(200)

(200)

Other than forward exchange contracts which are categorised as derivative instruments, all financial assets are categorised as loans
and receivables and all financial liabilities are categorised as financial liabilities measured at amortised cost.

The following table provides an analysis of financial instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair value.
IFRS 7 requires that these be grouped into Levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable. All items in the
table below are categorised as Level 2 which, as defined by IFRS 7, refers to those items whose fair value measurement is derived
from inputs other than that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly.

Forward exchange contracts at fair value through profit and loss account
Forward exchange contracts at fair value through hedging reserve

2017 
£’000 

37
(983)

(946)

2016
£’000

(195)
(1,438)

(1,633)

Sensitivity analysis

The group’s principal exposures in relation to market risks are to changes in the euro exchange rate against sterling and to changes
in UK interest rates. The group does not fix the interest rate receivable on its sterling balances, and based on balances held at the
year  end,  a  1%  increase  or  decrease  in  sterling  interest  rates  would  lead  to  an  increase  or  decrease  in  post-tax  earnings  of
£304,000 (2016: £249,000). The table below details the notional impact of changes in the euro exchange rate against sterling on
the group’s post-tax profit and equity. The gains and losses arise from the translation of receivables, payables, cash and forward
exchange contracts which are denominated in currencies other than each subsidiary’s reporting currency.

Euro 5% stronger against sterling
Euro 5% weaker against sterling

2017
Post-tax
profits
£’000

41
(37)

2017

Equity
£’000

41
(37)

2016
Post-tax
profits
£’000

20
(18)

2016

Equity
£’000

20
(18)

49

Proportion
owned
(%)

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

29. Group companies
At 30 June 2017, the trading subsidiaries of the group were:

Name of subsidiary

Activity

Polyflor Limited
Riverside Flooring Limited 
Polyflor Australia Pty Limited
Polyflor New Zealand Limited
Polyflor Canada Inc.
Polyflor India Pvt Limited
Objectflor Art und Design Belags GmbH
Karndean International GmbH
James Halstead France SAS
Falck Design AB

Flooring manufacturing and distribution
Flooring manufacturing
Flooring distribution
Flooring distribution
Flooring distribution
Flooring distribution
Flooring distribution
Flooring distribution
Flooring distribution
Flooring distribution

Country of 
incorporation

England
England 
Australia
New Zealand
Canada
India
Germany
Germany
France
Sweden

A complete list of the group’s subsidiaries is provided in note 5 of the financial statements of the company.

30. Exchange rates
The currency exchange rates used to translate the results, assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries were:

Euro
Australian dollar
New Zealand dollar
Canadian dollar
Swedish krona
Indian rupee

2017
Closing 
1.14
1.69
1.77
1.69
10.96
83.96

2017
Average
1.16
1.68
1.78
1.68
11.20
84.43

2016
Closing 
1.20
1.80
1.88
1.74
11.33
90.23

2016
Average
1.34
2.04
2.23
1.97
12.50
98.48

31. Related parties
Transactions between the company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed in this note.
The group’s contributions to the defined benefit pension scheme are disclosed in note 22.

Details of other related party transactions for the group are shown in the directors' report, board report on remuneration and in
the notes to the financial statements. The key management personnel are the directors.

50

Company Balance Sheet
as at 30 June 2017

Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
Investments

Current assets
Debtors due within one year
Debtors due after one year

Total debtors
Derivative financial instruments
Cash at bank and in hand

Total current assets
Creditors – amounts falling due within one year
Derivative financial instruments

Net current assets

Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors – amounts falling due after more than one year
Retirement benefit obligations

Net assets

Capital and reserves
Equity share capital
Equity share capital (B shares)

Called up share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Hedging reserve
Profit and loss account

Total shareholders’ funds

Note

4
5

6
8

9
8

10
11

12

2017
£’000

5,051
40,152

45,203

31,743
3,543

35,286
416
32,497

68,199
(9,534)
(1,362)

57,303

102,506
(200)
(21,257)

81,049

10,393
160

10,553
3,615
1,174
(983)
66,690

81,049

2016
£’000

4,987
19,152

24,139

35,983
4,339

40,322
433
21,952

62,707
(9,837)
(2,066)

50,804

74,943
(200)
(25,431)

49,312

10,374
160

10,534
3,096
1,174
(1,438)
35,946

49,312

The company has taken advantage of the provisions of Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has elected not to present its
own profit and loss account. The profit after taxation for the financial year dealt with in the financial statements of the company
was £53,777,000 (2016: £33,474,000).

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf on 29 September 2017.

M Halstead
Director

G R Oliver
Director

James Halstead plc           Registration Number 140269 

51

Company Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 30 June 2017

Share 
capital 
£'000 

Share 
premium 
£'000 

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£'000 

Hedging
reserve
£’000

Profit
and loss
account
£’000

Total
shareholders’
funds
£'000

Balance at 30 June 2015

10,524

2,917

1,174

2,206

49,698

66,519

Profit for the year 
Remeasurement of the net defined
benefit liability
Fair value movements on
hedging instruments

Total comprehensive income for
the year

Dividends
Issue of share capital 
Share based payments

–

–

–

–

–
10
–

–

–

–

–

–
179
–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

33,474

33,474

(7,360)

(7,360)

(3,644)

–

(3,644)

(3,644)

26,114

22,470

–
–
–

(39,867)
–
1

(39,867)
189
1

Balance at 30 June 2016

10,534

3,096

1,174

(1,438)

35,946

49,312

Profit for the year 
Remeasurement of the net defined
benefit liability
Fair value movements on
hedging instruments

Total comprehensive income for
the year

Dividends
Issue of share capital 
Share based payments

–

–

–

–

–
19
–

–

–

–

–

–
519
–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

53,777

53,777

2,404

2,404

455

–

455

455

56,181

56,636

–
–
–

(25,438)
–
1

(25,438)
538
1

Balance at 30 June 2017

10,553

3,615

1,174

(983)

66,690

81,049

52

Notes to the Company Financial Statements

1.

Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The separate financial statements of the company are presented as required by the Companies Act 2006. The company meets the
definition of a qualifying entity under FRS 100 Application of Financial Reporting Requirements issued by the Financial Reporting
Council. Accordingly, the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework as
issued by the Financial Reporting Council.

The company has used the disclosure exemptions available under FRS 101 in relation to presentation of a cash flow statement,
comparative information for certain assets, capital management, transactions with other group companies, compensation of key
management personnel and the effects of new but not yet effective IFRS.

As  the  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  equivalent  disclosures,  the  company  has  used  the  disclosure  exemptions
available under FRS 101 in relation to share based payments, and financial instruments. The disclosures for the defined benefit
retirement obligations are included in the consolidated financial statements.

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis and in accordance with the historical cost convention, except for
certain financial instruments that have been measured at fair value.

The  accounting  policies  of  the  company  are  the  same  as  those  set  out  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements. The  critical
accounting estimates and judgements are income taxes and retirement benefit obligations as set out in the consolidated financial
statements.

The following additional accounting policies are specific to the company’s financial statements.

Investments

Investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost less provision for impairment in value.

Investment land and buildings

Investment land and buildings are stated at cost less depreciation and any provision for impairment. Depreciation is calculated to
write off the buildings on a straight line basis over their estimated economic life of fifty years. No depreciation is charged in respect
of land.

Profit for the year

2.
The company has taken advantage of the provisions of Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has elected not to present its
own profit and loss account. The profit after taxation for the financial year dealt with in the financial statements of the company
was £53,777,000 (2016: £33,474,000).

3.

Staff costs and numbers

Staff costs comprised
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
Share based payments

The average monthly number of employees during the year was 20 (2016: 23).

4.

Tangible fixed assets

2017
£’000

2,834
361
115
1

3,311

Cost
At 30 June 2016
Additions
Disposals

At 30 June 2017

Depreciation
At 30 June 2016
Charge for the year
Disposals

At 30 June 2017

Net book value
At 30 June 2017

At 30 June 2016

Investment
land and
buildings
£’000

Freehold
land and
buildings
£’000

Plant and
equipment
£’000

7,671
307
–

7,978

3,898
188
–

4,086

3,892

3,773

1,311
–
–

1,311

204
24
–

228

1,083

1,107

440
41
(38)

443

333
62
(28)

367

76

107

53

2016
£’000

2,840
351
125
1

3,317

Total
£’000

9,422
348
(38)

9,732

4,435
274
(28)

4,681

5,051

4,987

The investment land and buildings relates to a freehold property that is occupied by a subsidiary company. The rental income was
£600,000 (2016: £500,000).

54

Notes to the Company Financial Statements
continued

5.

Investments

Cost
At 30 June 2016
Additions

At 30 June 2017

Provision for impairment
At 30 June 2016

At 30 June 2017

Net book value
At 30 June 2017

At 30 June 2016

Shares in
subsidiary
undertakings
£’000

28,552
21,000

49,552

9,400

9,400

40,152

19,152

The additions to investments comprised Polyflor Limited £17,000,000 and Riverside Flooring Limited £4,000,000.

At 30 June 2017, the company held directly and indirectly 100% of the equity and voting rights of the following undertakings:

Subsidiary

Owned by the company

Polyflor Limited
Riverside Flooring Limited
Titan Leisure Group Limited
Halstead Flooring International Limited
Expona Limited
JHL Limited
Arai (UK) Limited
Halstead Floorings Limited
Halstead Flooring Concepts Pty Limited
Polyflor Canada Inc.
Polyflor India Pvt Limited
Objectflor Art und Design Belags GmbH
James Halstead France SAS
Falck Design AB

Owned by subsidiaries

Phoenix Distribution (NW) Limited
Polyflor Australia Pty Limited
Colonia Flooring Pty Limited
Polyflor New Zealand Limited
Karndean International GmbH

Activity

Country of 
incorporation

Proportion
owned
(%)

Flooring manufacturing and distribution
Flooring manufacturing
Holding company
Dormant company
Dormant company
Dormant company
Dormant company
Dormant company
Holding company
Flooring distribution
Flooring distribution
Flooring distribution
Flooring distribution
Flooring distribution

England
England
England
England
England
England
England
Ireland
Australia
Canada
India
Germany
France
Sweden

Dormant company
Flooring distribution
Dormant company
Flooring distribution
Flooring distribution

England
Australia
Australia
New Zealand
Germany

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

100
100
100
100
100

55

5.

Investments continued

Subsidiary

Polyflor Limited
Riverside Flooring Limited
Titan Leisure Group Limited
Halstead Flooring International Limited
Expona Limited
JHL Limited
Arai (UK) Limited
Phoenix Distribution (NW) Limited

Halstead Floorings Limited

Halstead Flooring Concepts Pty Limited
Polyflor Australia Pty Limited
Colonia Flooring Pty Limited

Polyflor Canada Inc.

Polyflor India Pty Limited

Objectflor Art und Design Belags GmbH
Karndean International GmbH

James Halstead France SAS

Falck Design AB

Polyflor New Zealand Limited

Address

Beechfield
Hollinhurst Road
Radcliffe
Manchester
M26 1JN
England

24/26 City Quay
Dublin 2
D02NY19
Ireland

101 Prosperity Way
Dandenong
VIC 3175
Australia

6350 Northwest Drive
Mississauga
Ontario L4V 1J7
Canada

B-408 Knox Plaza
Mindspace, Malad West
Mumbai 400 064
India

Wankelstrase 50
D 50996 Koln
Germany

Parc Saint Christophe
10 Avenue de l’Enterprise
95861 Cergy Pontoise
France

Box 102 51
434 23 Kungsbacka
Besoksadress
Energigatan 9
Sweden

2 Narek Place
Manukau City
Auckland 2104
New Zealand

56

Notes to the Company Financial Statements
continued

6.

Debtors

Trade debtors
Amounts owed by group undertakings
Corporation tax
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income

Debtors due within one year

Deferred tax assets (note 7)

Debtors due after one year

Total debtors

7.

Deferred tax assets

At 30 June 2016
Charged to income
Charged to other comprehensive income

At 30 June 2017

Pension
scheme
deficit
£’000

Accelerated
tax
depreciation
£’000

Other
timing
differences
£’000

4,323
(217)
(492)

3,614

(119)
(22)
–

(141)

135
(65)
–

70

Derivative financial instruments

8.
Derivative financial instruments are forward foreign exchange contracts recognised in the balance sheet at fair value.

9.

Creditors – amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors
Amounts due to group undertakings
Corporation tax
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income

2017
£’000

470
6,644
–
246
153
2,021

9,534

2017
£’000

131
31,031
265
81
235

31,743

3,543

3,543

2016
£’000

76
35,594
–
136
177

35,983

4,339

4,339

35,286

40,322

Total
£’000

4,339
(304)
(492)

3,543

2016
£’000

517
6,631
11
114
231
2,333

9,837

10. Creditors – amounts falling due after more than one year

Preference shares

11. Retirement benefit obligations

Present value of funded obligations
Fair value of scheme assets

Net liability

57

2017
£’000

200

2016
£’000

200

2017
£’000

(82,370)
61,113

2016
£’000

(81,655)
56,224

(21,257)

(25,431)

The company sponsors the Halstead Group Pension Scheme. Disclosure information is provided in note 22 to the consolidated
financial statements.

12. Share capital
Ordinary shares – allotted, issued and fully paid

At 1 July ordinary shares of 5p each
Ordinary shares of 5p each issued

At 30 June ordinary shares of 5p each

2017
Number

2016
Number

207,470,508
394,100

207,282,508
188,000

207,864,608

207,470,508

Ordinary B shares of 1p each at 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2017

16,042,530

16,042,530

2017
£’000

10,374
19

10,393

160

2015
£’000

10,364
10

10,374

160

Total allotted, issued and fully paid

10,553

10,534

The group also has preference shares as detailed below which are required, under accounting rules to be disclosed as financial
instruments within creditors.

Authorised
9,265,580 C preference shares of 60p each
200,000 5.5% preference shares of £1 each

Allotted, issued and fully paid
200,000 5.5% preference shares of £1 each

2017
£’000

5,559
200

2016
£’000

5,559
200

200

200

Shareholders approved a proposal for the return of capital (“return of capital”) at an extraordinary general meeting on 6 December
2004. This resulted in the creation of the 1 pence B ordinary shares (“B shares”) and the 60 pence C preference shares (“C shares”)
as described below.

58

Notes to the Company Financial Statements
continued

12. Share capital (continued)
The B shares were issued on 14 January 2005 on the basis of 1 B share for every ordinary share held on the record date by those
shareholders who either (a) elected to receive B shares or (b) elected to receive C shares, but whose allocation was scaled back
according to the restriction on the number of C shares available for issue. Following the issue of the B shares, holders received a
single dividend of 60p for every B share held, after which all B shares were automatically converted into deferred shares. These
shares are not listed, have extremely limited rights and are of negligible value.

The 5.5% cumulative preference shares of £1 shall confer on the holders thereof the right to receive in priority to all other shares
in the capital of the company out of the profits of the company which it shall be determined to distribute, a fixed cumulative
preferential dividend at the rate of 5.5% per annum on the capital for the time being paid up thereon and the right in the event of
a winding up, in priority to all other shares in the capital of the company, to repayment of the capital paid up thereon together
with a premium of 5p per share and a sum equivalent to any arrears and accruals of the said fixed cumulative preferential dividend
thereon (whether earned or declared or not) calculated up to the date of such repayment of capital but shall not confer any further
right to participate in profits or assets of James Halstead plc.

The company shall not be at liberty to create or issue any further share ranking in priority to or pari passu with the preference
shares  without  the  consent  in  writing  of  the  holders  of  three-fourths  of  the  issued  preference  shares  or  the  sanction  of  an
extraordinary  resolution  of  the  holders  of  such  preference  shares  passed  at  a  separate  general  meeting  of  such  holders. The
preference shares shall not confer upon the holders thereof the right to attend or vote at any general meeting of the company or
to receive notice thereof, unless either:

(i)  At the date of the notice convening the meeting the fixed cumulative preferential dividend on the preference shares is six
months in arrears and then so long only as such dividend shall remain unpaid, and so that for this purpose the dividend on the
preference shares shall be deemed to accrue due and be payable by equal half-yearly instalments on 30 June and 31 December in
every year, or

(ii)  The business of the meeting includes the consideration of a resolution for reducing the capital or winding up the company or
for the sale of its undertaking or of any resolution directly abrogating or varying any of the special rights or privileges attached to
the preference shares.

The  preference  shares  shall  nevertheless  entitle  the  holders  thereof  to  receive  notice  of  every  general  meeting. At  a  general
meeting at which the holders of preference shares are entitled to attend and vote, the preference shares shall entitle a holder
thereof, or his proxy, to vote only for every preference share held by him.

13. Related party transactions
The company has taken advantage of the exemption granted by FRS 101 not to disclose transactions and balances with other group
companies.

59

Ten Year Summary (Unaudited)

2008
£’000

2009
£’000

2010
£’000

2011
£’000

2012
£’000

2013
£’000

2014
£’000

2015
£’000

2016
£’000

2017
£’000

Revenue

158,740 169,263 186,424 213,944 226,335 217,082 223,488 227,261 226,141 240,784

Profit before income tax

29,605

32,604

35,307

37,538

41,726

40,495

41,753

44,184

45,499

46,616

Income tax

(9,431)

(8,036)

(9,948) (10,768) (11,941) (10,446) (10,301) (10,250) (10,243) (10,106)

Profit after income tax

20,174

24,568

25,359

26,770

29,785

30,049

31,452

33,934

35,256

36,510

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Basic earnings per 5p share
Dividends paid per 5p share

9.8p
4.4p

11.9p
5.6p

12.3p
6.3p

12.9p
6.9p

14.4p
7.4p

14.5p
8.3p

15.2p
9.0p

16.4p
10.1p

17.0p
11.4p

17.6p
12.3p

Figures for the years ended 30 June 2008 to 2013 have been restated to reflect the impact of the revision to IAS 19 which was
implemented in the year ended 30 June 2014.

Figures for previous years have been restated to take account of the one for one bonus share issues in the years ended 30 June
2011 and 2013.

Special dividends are not included.

60

Shareholder Information

Financial calendar

Annual general meeting

Announcement of results

For the half year

For the full year

Dividend payments

Ordinary shares – interim

– final

1 December 2017

March

September

June
December

Preference shares

June and December

Share dealing information

The ordinary shares of the company are traded on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange.

Information concerning the day-to-day movement of the share price can be found on the London Stock Exchange website.

Shareholder analysis

as at 21 September 2017

By size of holding
1-10,000
10,001-50,000
50,001-100,000
100,001-500,000
500,001 and over

By category
Banks and nominee companies
Other limited companies/corporate bodies
Miscellaneous bodies/pension funds
Private individuals
Investment trusts and funds

Number of
holders

Number of
shares

1,820
588
91
97
54

5,535,914
13,341,159
6,448,635
20,922,231
161,725,669

%

2.7
6.4
3.1
10.1
77.7

2,650

207,973,608

100.0

Number of
holders

Number of
shares

629
34
13
1,968
6

97,169,401
1,130,913
304,062
109,263,416
105,816

%

46.7
0.5
0.1
52.6
0.1

2,650

207,973,608

100.0

61

Notice of Annual General Meeting

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the ONE HUNDREDTH and SECOND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the company will be
held  at  the Oldham  Event  Centre,  off  Hilbre Avenue,  Oldham,  Lancs,  OL2  5BL  on 1 December  2017  at  12  Noon  for  the
following purposes:

Ordinary Business
1

To  receive  and  adopt  the  report  of  the  directors  and  the  statement  of  accounts  for  the  year  ended  30  June  2017
together with the report of the auditors.

2

3

4

5

6

To declare a final dividend on the ordinary shares in the capital of the company for the year ended 30 June 2017.

To re-elect Mr S D Hall who is retiring by rotation under the articles of association as a director.

To elect Mr M J Halstead as a director under the articles of association (note 9).

To elect Mr R P Whiting as a director under the articles of association (note 10).

To  re-appoint BDO  LLP  as  auditors  of  the  company  and  authorise  the  directors  to  fix  their  remuneration  for  the
ensuing year.

Special Business
To  consider  and,  if  thought  fit,  pass  the  following  resolutions  of  which  resolutions 7 and 8 shall  be  proposed  as  ordinary
resolutions and resolutions 9 and 10 will be proposed as special resolutions:

7

That, subject to the passing of the ordinary and special resolutions numbered 8 and 9 below, the directors be and they
are hereby authorised, pursuant to article 35.14 of the company’s articles of association:

(i)

(ii)

to exercise the power contained in article 35.14 so that, to the extent determined by the directors, the holders of
ordinary shares be permitted to elect to receive new ordinary shares of 5.0p each in the capital of the company,
credited as fully paid, instead of all or part of any interim or final dividends which shall be declared before the
conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the company after the passing of this resolution; and

to capitalise the appropriate amount of new ordinary shares falling to be allotted pursuant to any elections made
as aforesaid out of profits, or sums standing to the credit of any share premium account or capital reserves of
the company, to apply such sums in paying up such new ordinary shares and to allot such new ordinary shares
to the members of the company making such elections in accordance with their respective entitlements.

8

That in substitution for all existing and unexercised authorities and powers, the directors of the company be and they
are hereby generally and unconditionally authorised for the purpose of section 551 Companies Act 2006 (the “Act”)
to exercise all or any of the powers of the company to allot shares of the company or to grant rights to subscribe for,
or to convert any security into, shares of the company (such shares and rights being together referred to as “Relevant
Securities”) up to an aggregate nominal value of £3,466,227 to such persons at such times and generally on such
terms and conditions as the directors may determine (subject always to the articles of association of the company)
PROVIDED THAT this authority shall, unless previously renewed, varied or revoked by the company in general meeting,
expire  at  the  conclusion  of  the  next  annual  general  meeting  or  on  the  date  which  is  six  months  after  the  next
accounting reference date of the company (if earlier) save that the directors of the company may, before the expiry
of such period, make an offer or agreement which would or might require relevant securities or equity securities (as
the case may be) to be allotted after the expiry of such period and the directors of the company may allot relevant
securities  or  equity  securities  (as  the  case  may  be)  in  pursuance  of  such  offer  or  agreement  as  if  the  authority
conferred hereby had not expired.

62

Notice of Annual General Meeting
continued

9

That  subject  to  the  passing  of  the  ordinary  resolution  numbered 8 above  the  directors  be  and  they  are  hereby
empowered  pursuant  to  Section  570  of  the  Companies Act  2006  to  allot  equity  securities  (within  the  meaning  of
Section 560 subsection (1) of the said Act) for cash pursuant to the authority conferred by resolution numbered 7
above as if Section 561 of the said Act did not apply to any such allotment provided that this power shall be limited
to:

(i)

(ii)

the allotment of equity securities in connection with an offer of such securities by way of rights to holders of
ordinary shares in proportion (as nearly as may be practical) to their respective holdings of such shares, but
subject to such exclusions or other arrangements as the directors may deem necessary or expedient in relation
to  fractional  entitlements  or  any  legal  or  practical  problems  under  the  laws  of  any  territory,  or  the
requirements of any regulatory body or stock exchange; and

the allotment (otherwise than pursuant to sub-paragraph (i) above) of equity securities up to an aggregate
nominal amount of 5 per cent. of the ordinary share capital of the company in issue at the date of the passing
of this resolution;

and shall expire at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting or on the date which is six months after the
next accounting reference date of the company (if earlier) save that the company may before such expiry make an
offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and the directors
may  allot  equity  securities  in  pursuance  of  such  an  offer  or  agreement  as  if  the  power  conferred  hereby  had  not
expired.

10

That the company is hereby generally and unconditionally authorised for the purposes of section 693 and 701 of the
Companies Act 2006 to make one or more market purchases (within the meaning of section 693(4) of the said Act)
of fully paid ordinary shares of 5 pence each in the capital of the company (“ordinary shares”) provided that:

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

(v)

the maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares hereby authorised to be purchased is 10% of the ordinary
shares in issue at the date of passing of this resolution;

the maximum price (exclusive of any expenses) which may be paid for an ordinary share shall not be more
than 5% above the average of the middle market quotations for an ordinary share as derived from the Daily
Official List of The London Stock Exchange plc for the five business days immediately preceding the day on
which the ordinary share is purchased;

the minimum price which may be paid for each ordinary share is 5 pence (exclusive of any expenses);

unless previously revoked or varied, the authority hereby conferred shall expire at the conclusion of the next
annual general meeting of the company or twelve months from the date, if earlier, of passing this resolution;

the company may make a contract or contracts to purchase its ordinary shares under the authority hereby
conferred prior to the expiry of such authority which will or may be executed wholly or partly after the expiry
of such authority and the company may make a purchase of its ordinary shares in pursuance of such contract
as if the authority hereby conferred had not expired; and

(vi)

the directors may elect to hold shares purchased under this authority in the form of treasury shares (subject
to a maximum of 10% of the issued ordinary share capital of the company at any one time).

By order of the board
D W Drillingcourt
Secretary

13 October 2017

Beechfield
Hollinhurst Road
Radcliffe
Manchester
M26 1JN

63

Notes

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Preference shareholders are advised that they are not entitled to attend or vote at the annual general meeting.

Members entitled to attend and to speak and vote at the AGM are entitled to appoint a proxy to exercise all or any of their rights to
attend and to speak and vote on their behalf at the meeting. A shareholder may appoint more than one proxy in relation to the meeting
provided that each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different share or shares held by that shareholder. A proxy
need not be a shareholder of the company. A proxy form which may be used to make such appointment and give proxy instructions
accompanies  this  notice.  If  you  require  additional  forms,  please  contact  the  company’s  registrars  at, PXS,  34  Beckenham  Road,
Beckenham, Kent, BR3 4TU.

To be valid any proxy form or other instrument appointing a proxy must be received by post or (during normal business hours only) by
hand  by  the  company’s  registrars  at, PXS,  34  Beckenham  Road,  Beckenham  BR3  4TU,  in  each  case  no  later  than  12  noon  on
29 November 2017. Any power of attorney or other authority under which the proxy form is signed (or a duly certified copy of such
power or authority) must be enclosed with the proxy form.

If you wish to attend the meeting in person, please attend at the address set out at the beginning of this notice on 1 December 2017
bringing either your attendance card or other appropriate identification so that you can be identified by the company’s registrars. It is
recommended that you arrive at least 15 minutes before the time appointed for the meeting to begin.

To be entitled to attend and vote at the meeting (and for the purpose of the determination by the company of the votes they may
cast), shareholders must be registered in the register of members of the company at close of business on 29 November 2017.

Any corporation which is a member can appoint one or more corporate representatives who may exercise on its behalf all of its powers
as a member provided that they do not do so in relation to the same shares.

The following documents will be available for inspection at the company’s registered office during normal business hours from the date
of this notice until the time of the meeting and at the address set out at the beginning of this notice from 15 minutes before the
meeting until it ends:

(i)

the register of interests of the directors in the share capital of the company; and

(ii) 

copy of the service contract of Mr G R Oliver.

Warrants for the final dividend, if approved, will be posted on 1 December 2017 to shareholders on the register as at 3 November 2017.

Mr Michael Halstead, aged 60, is an executive of many years standing in the advertising industry, in recent years for his own company
(HH&S Group Ltd) and formerly as an account director for Saatchi & Saatchi.

10 Mr Russell Whiting, aged 51, who is a local businessman and a director and shareholder of Associated Credit Holdings Ltd. Mr Whiting

has extensive experience of offering leasing solutions to a broad range of commercial enterprises.

64

JAME S  HA LSTEA D PLC
Covering the World

Report and Accounts 2017

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Beechfield

Hollinhurst Road

Radcliffe

Manchester 

M26 1JN

J A M E S   H A L S T E A D   p l c

Tel  +44 (0)161 767 2500

Fax +44 (0)161 766 7499

www.jameshalstead.com

James Halstead Cover 2017 A4 5.3mm spine.indd   1

04/10/2017   15:34