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Solid State PLC

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FY2010 Annual Report · Solid State PLC
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Annual Report & Accounts

31 March 2010

Solid State PLC

CONTENTS 

Directors, Secretary and Advisers  

Chairman’s Statement  

Directors’ Report  

Report of the Independent Auditors 

Consolidated Income Statement  

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 

Consolidated Balance Sheet 

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement  

Notes to the Financial Statements  

Notice of Annual General Meeting  

Page 

2 

3 

5 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

17 

48 

1

Solid State PLC

Directors:  

DIRECTORS, SECRETARY AND ADVISERS 

Peter Haining, FCA, Chairman 
Lewis Cyril Ashby Newnham, Deputy Chairman
Gary Stephen Marsh, Chief Executive Officer  
William George Marsh, Director  
John Michael Lavery, Director 
Gordon Leonard Comben, Director 
John Lawford Macmichael, Director
Anthony Brian Frere, Director 

Company Secretary and  
Registered Office:  

Peter Haining, FCA  
Solid State PLC  
Unit 2  
Eastlands Lane  
Paddock Wood  
Kent TN12 6BU  

Company Number:  

771335  

Nominated Adviser:  

Broker:  

Auditors:  

Solicitors:  

Bankers:  

Registrars:  

Charles Stanley Securities 
131 Finsbury Pavement 
London EC2A 1NT  

Charles Stanley Securities 
131 Finsbury Pavement 
London EC2A 1NT  

Haysmacintyre 
Fairfax House 
15 Fulwood Place 
London  WC1V 6AY 

Thomson Snell & Passmore  
3 Lonsdale Gardens  
Tunbridge Wells  
Kent TN1 1NX  

HSBC plc  
9 Wellesley Road  
Croydon  
Surrey CR9 2AA  

Capita IRG plc 
Northern House 
Woodsome Park 
Fenay Bridge 
Huddersfield 
West Yorkshire 
HD8 0LA 

Country of Incorporation 
of Parent Company: 

Great Britain 

Legal Form:  

Public Limited Company 

2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT  

Key Results 

• Turnover 
• Profit before tax 
• Earnings per share  
• Cash generated from operations   

£13.5m 
£530k  
6.6p 
£425k  

(2009: £12.5m) 
(2009: £615k) 
(2009: 7.9p) 
(2009: £632k) 

Dividends 
The Directors recommend that a final dividend of 2p per share be paid.  An interim dividend of 1p per share was 
paid in January 2010 giving a total dividend in respect of the year of 3p per share (2009: 3p per share).  The final 
dividend will be paid on 6th September 2010 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 20th August 
2010.

Trading Review 
The key performance indicators measured by management are sales, bookings and gross profit margins. Bookings 
are sales orders received. 

Solid State Supplies 
Although sales from our component distribution business declined by 3.4% in FY09/10, the effects of the economic 
downturn  were  not  as  great  as  those  felt  by  the  market  in  general.    Our  industry  association  AFDEC  reported  a 
contraction  in  the  DTAM  (Distributor’s  Total  Available  Market)  for  the  UK  of  11.3%  in  2009.    We  believe  our 
strategy of focusing on specialist electronic components and the continued programme of new product introductions 
helped  to  insulate  us  from  the  worst  of  the  recession.    We  are  pleased  to  report  gross  margins  improved  in  the 
second half of the year and closed at 27.3% (2009: 27.4%). 

In the light of the contraction of the overall market we implemented a restructuring programme which we completed 
in the first quarter of the new financial year.  We began to see an upturn in the market during the final quarter and 
our bookings at the close of this financial year were 5.4% up on the previous year.  We start the new financial year 
with an increased order book 11.2% up on this time last year.  Whilst the economic outlook remains uncertain these 
results coupled with the newly restructured business give us grounds for optimism as we start the new financial year. 

Steatite 
As a result of new product developments we achieved a very strong performance during the second half of the year 
and are very pleased to report sales  for a  whole of  FY09/10 increased by 11.8%.  Both  the battery and  industrial 
computer divisions performed well.  Gross margins remained under pressure owing to the weakness of Sterling, with 
overall margins slipping by 0.9% compared to FY08/09.  The strong bookings performance throughout the year has 
meant the open order book going into FY10/11 is some 76% up on the previous year.  Our robust order book and 
potential for a number of significant new contracts together place us in a strong position as we enter the new fiscal 
year. 

Summary 
Despite the fall in profit before tax of 13.8%, the increase achieved in turnover of 7.9% and in gross profit of 3.7%, 
reflect a strong result in what has been a very difficult economic climate. 

We completed our fourth acquisition with the purchase of Rugged Systems Limited at the beginning of April 2010.  
The addition of this company will strengthen significantly our computer business as we seek to become the UK’s 
leading supplier of industrial computers. 

Steatite  has  had  a  strong  start  to  the  new  financial  year  and  we  believe  that  the  restructuring  undertaken  at  Solid 
State Supplies will return that division to profitability.   

We believe that the Group is well placed to benefit from the current economic recovery and to achieve increases in 
turnover and profitability in the new financial year. 

3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT (continued) 

Renewal of authority to purchase the Company’s shares
Last year, a resolution was passed at the Annual General Meeting to give the Company the authority to purchase its 
own Ordinary shares on the Stock Exchange.  This authority would expire after a period of eighteen months from 
the passing of the resolution.  In order to avoid this authority expiring during the next year and the need to call an 
extraordinary general meeting to renew the authority, a resolution to renew the authority is set out in the notice of 
the Annual General Meeting on page 50 of this document. 

Under the terms of the resolution to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting, the maximum number of shares 
which may be purchased is 923,476 shares representing 15% of the issued Ordinary share capital of the Company.  
The minimum price payable by the Company for its Ordinary shares will be 5p and the maximum price will be £1.  
The authority will automatically expire after a period of eighteen months from the passing of the resolution unless 
renewed. 

It is not the Directors’ current intention to exercise the power to purchase the Company’s Ordinary shares but they 
believe that under certain circumstances it would be in the Company’s best interests to do so. 

Your Directors consider that the resolution to be proposed at the meeting is in the best interests of the Company and 
its shareholders.  They unanimously recommend that all Ordinary shareholders vote in favour of the resolution at the 
Annual  General  Meeting  as  they  intend  to  do  in  respect  of  their  beneficial  holdings  amounting  to  4,525,113 
Ordinary shares, representing 73.5% of the Company’s issued Ordinary share capital. 

Conclusion
I would like to thank my fellow Directors and all the staff of the Group for their continued support. 

Peter Haining
Chairman
28th July 2010 

4

Solid State PLC

DIRECTORS’ REPORT 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 

The Directors submit their report together with the audited financial statements of the Group in respect of the year 
ended 31st March 2010.  

Principal Activities, Review of the Business and Future Developments  
The  principal  activities  of  the  Group  during  the  year  continued  to  be  those  of  the  manufacturing  of  electronic 
equipment and the distribution of electronic components and materials. 

The key performance indicators recognised by management are sales, bookings and group profit margins. Bookings 
are sales orders received. 

An  overall  review  of  the  Group’s  trading  performance  and  future  developments  is  given  in  the  Chairman’s 
Statement.  

The Directors consider the results for the year to be satisfactory in view of the decline in the UK economy. Group 
turnover increased by 7.8% and despite considerable pressure on gross profit margins during the economic recession 
and the weakness of sterling against the dollar throughout the period the Group gross profit margin declined but this 
decline was restricted to a fall from 28.1% to 27.0%. Trends in gross profit margins remain under close review by 
the board. The net profit before tax of £529,785 is lower than the corresponding figure of £614,501 in the prior year 
but the Directors believe this to be a sound result in what, at its start, was expected to be a difficult year. 

The book to bill ratio had been 0.939 to 1 in the previous year and in the first three months of the year under review 
the turnover was 15.9% lower than in the previous year. The fact that turnover for the whole year was 7.8% higher 
than the previous year reflects the success in obtaining bookings during the year. At Steatite the book to bill ratio for 
the  year  under  review  was  1.19  :  1  and  at  Solid  State  Supplies  1.05  :  1,  and  this  strong  result  has  already  been 
reflected  in  an  increase  in  group  turnover  in  the  first  quarter  of  the  new  financial  year  of  29.8%  over  the 
corresponding  period  last  year  and  ignoring  the  turnover  of  Rugged  Systems  Limited  which  was  acquired  on  1st 
April 2010. Despite the strong turnover in the first quarter, the Directors are pleased to report that the group book to 
bill ratio this quarter has remained positive at 1.1 : 1. 

The close scrutiny of group profit margins is reflected in the enhanced rates achieved at both Steatite and Solid State 
Supplies in the first quarter of the new financial year compared with the corresponding period last year. The newly 
acquired  Rugged  Systems  Limited  historically  has  fairly  low  gross  profit  margins  but  these  too  are  being  closely 
monitored and the Directors are confident that a satisfactory margin level will be achieved in the first year of trading 
as part of the Group. 

Overheads increased in the year compared with the previous year, by 8.8%, mainly reflecting the increased scale of 
operations at Steatite. In the first quarter of the new financial year a review of costs at Solid State Supplies has been 
undertaken and cuts are being effected in overheads, in particular staff and premises costs, with a view to returning 
the distribution business undertaken by the Group to profitability. The results to date are encouraging. 

The  Directors  are  mindful  of  the  forthcoming  reductions  in  Government  expenditure  which  will  almost  certainly 
result in significant reductions in military budgets. The Group has been successful in obtaining significant contracts 
in non-military products to mitigate the effect of defence spending reductions. 

The  Group  has  continued  to  invest  in  research  and  development  activities  at  Redditch  with  expenditure  of 
approximately  £66,000  in  the  year,  particularly  in  the  area  of  industrial  batteries.    The  Group  has  continued  to 
improve its websites which are considered a major marketing tool. 

The  Group  finances  its  operations  by  a  mixture  of  retained  profits,  bank  borrowings  and  invoice  discounting 
facilities.  The Directors are pleased to note that the net tangible assets have increased by over £230,000 in the year. 

5

Solid State PLC

DIRECTORS’ REPORT
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

The  Group  is  mainly  exposed  to  credit  risk  from  credit  sales.    It  is  Group  policy  to  assess  the  credit  risk  of  new 
customers  and  to  factor  the  information  from  these  credit  ratings  into  future  dealings  with  the  customers.    At  the 
balance sheet date there were no significant concentrations of credit risk.  The maximum exposure to credit risk is 
represented by the carrying amount of each financial asset in the balance sheet.  The Directors monitor the liquidity 
and cash flow risk of the Group carefully.  The Group has an agreed overdraft limit with the Group’s bankers to help 
manage fluctuations in cash flow.  Cash flow is monitored by the Directors on a regular basis and appropriate action 
is taken where additional funds are required. 

The  success  of  the  Group’s  policies  on  credit  sales  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  the  provision  in  the  year  was 
£20,000 which is approximately 0.15% of turnover. 

The Group does not comment on environmental matters. 

The Group continues to look for suitable UK acquisitions within the electronics industry. 

Results and Dividends  
The consolidated income statement is set out on page 11. The Directors recommend that a final dividend of 2p per 
share is paid. The total dividend for the year is thus 3p per share. The final dividend will be paid on 6th September 
2010 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 20th August 2010. 

Directors 
The Directors of the Company during the year were:  
P Haining FCA 
L C A Newnham  
G S Marsh  
W G Marsh  
J M Lavery  
G L Comben  

On 1st April 2010 J L Macmichael and A B Frere joined the board 

Peter Haining FCA, (dob 05/09/1956), Non-executive Director, Company Secretary and Chairman
Peter  Haining  qualified  as  a  chartered  accountant  in  1980  and  later  worked  at  Binder  Hamlyn.  He  left  Binder 
Hamlyn in 1992, together with three colleagues, to establish The Kings Mill Partnership. As well as fulfilling a role 
as Non-executive Director and Chairman, Peter Haining has specific responsibility for  reviewing and advising on 
the Group’s budgets and financial affairs.  

Cyril Newnham, (dob 19/08/1937), Non-executive Director and Deputy Chairman
Cyril Newnham is a chartered accountant who has held senior management posts in major companies, both in the 
UK  and  overseas.  He  has  held  a  number  of  directorships  within  the  electronics  industry.  He  currently  conducts  a 
management consultancy practice. 

Gary Marsh, (dob 27/04/1966), Chief Executive Officer 
Gary  Marsh  joined  the  Company  in  1986  having  gained  an  HND  in  Business  and  Finance  Studies.    He  has  held 
various  positions  within  the  Group  including  that  of  Operations  Director  of  Solid  State  Supplies  prior  to  his 
appointment as its Managing Director in 1997.  In addition to this role, Gary Marsh was appointed Group Managing 
Director in 2002 following the acquisition of Steatite. In 2010 following the acquisition of Rugged Systems Ltd he 
was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Group. 

6

Solid State PLC

DIRECTORS’ REPORT
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

William Marsh, (dob 23/07/1937), Director 
Educated  at  Kingston-upon-Thames  Technical  College,  Bill  Marsh  started  work  at  Hackbridge  Transformers  in 
1954 as a Student Apprentice. In 1960, having gained an HNC qualification in electrical/electronic engineering he 
joined  the  Royal  Air  Force  as  an  Air  Radar  Fitter.  In  1962  he  joined  Hewittic  Rectifiers  where  he  worked  as  a 
Design  Engineer  and  later  as  a  Contracts  Engineer.  In  1968  Bill  joined  International  Rectifier  as  an  Area  Sales 
Manager, rising to the position of General Sales Manager (Northern Europe). In 1974 he joined Solid State Supplies 
as Managing Director until he stepped down in 1997. Following a spell as Company Chairman he has continued to 
serve on the Board of Directors.  

John Lavery, (dob 06/05/1961), Director 
John Lavery is an apprenticed trained engineer in Electronics Communications. He moved into Sales in the 1980’s 
with Steatite before being appointed to The Board of Directors at the age of 28.He has held positions of Director of 
Sales  and  Marketing  after  a  years  training  with  the  Institute  of  Directors  for  Corporate Governance,  before  being 
appointed Managing Director of Steatite in 1999. He presently runs the operations of both Steatite and Wordsworth 
on behalf of Solid State plc.  

John Macmichael, (dob 20/04/1961), Director 
John  Macmichael  is  an  electronics  and  communications  graduate  whose  career  has  encompassed  design  and 
development through applications engineering, sales, sales management and general business management. John has 
gained  extensive  management  experience  of  multiple  sales  channels  with  distributors  and  OEMs  both  here  in  the 
UK and worldwide through his international sales management role whilst living in the USA. Formerly managing 
director  of  Breckenridge  Technologies  Limited  John  joined  Solid  State  Supplies  Limited  in  2006  before  being 
appointed managing director in April 2010.  

Gordon Comben, (dob 09/09/1939), Non-executive Director 
Gordon Comben trained as radio officer and after leaving the merchant navy worked in the electronics industry with 
Plessey, Texas Instruments, Philips and International Rectifier.  In 1971 he founded Solid State Supplies and has 
been employed in various roles including Company Chairman.  He is currently a Non-executive Director of the 
Company.  

Tony Frere (dob 15/10/1947) Non-executive Director 
Tony Frere has been in the Electronics Industry for 40 years, 30 of which serving the component distribution sector.  
Former  directorships  include  Managing  Director  of  DT  Electronics  and  Nu  Horizons  Electronics.    Currently  a 
member  of  the  Institute  of  Directors  and  sitting  on  the  executive  council  of  the  ECSN  (the  electronic  component 
supply network trade association). 

Details of the interests of Directors in the shares of the Company and Directors’ service contracts are stated in Note 
5 to the financial statements.  

7

Solid State PLC

DIRECTORS’ REPORT
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

Corporate Governance  
The Board confirms that the Group has had regard, throughout the accounting period, with the provisions set out in 
Section  1  of  the  Combined  Code  which  was  issued  by  the  Financial  Reporting  Council  in  June  2006.  Whilst  not 
required  to  do  so,  as  a  matter  of  best  practice,  the  Directors  have  voluntarily  endeavoured  to  comply  with  those 
provisions which they consider to be relevant to a company of this size. 

The audit committee consists of Messrs L C A Newnham, W G Marsh and A B Frere, and meets regularly to ensure 
that the financial performance of the Group is properly recorded and monitored, to meet the auditors and to review 
the reports from the auditors relating to accounts and internal control systems.  

The  remuneration  committee  consists  of  Messrs  G  L  Comben,  A  B  Frere,  L  C  A  Newnham  and  P  Haining.  The 
purpose of the committee is to review the performance of the full time executive Directors and to set the scale and 
structure  of  their  remuneration  and  the  basis  of  their  service  agreements  with  due  regard  to  the  interests  of  the 
shareholders. It is a rule of the committee that no Director shall participate in discussions or decisions concerning his 
own remuneration.  

Board of Directors  
The Board consists of four executive Directors and four Non-executive Directors and meets regularly throughout the 
year.  

The  Board  comprises  the  executive  management  of  the  Group  and  thus  maintains  full  control  over  its  activities. 
Decisions  are  accordingly  taken  quickly  and  effectively  following  consultation  among  the  Directors  concerned  if 
any matters arise. The Board takes the view that this direct but flexible approach has enabled the Company to deal 
effectively with all matters.  

Going Concern 
The Directors confirm that they are satisfied that the Group has adequate resources to continue in business for the 
foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the accounts.  

Purchase of Own Shares 
At the year end the Company had in place authority to purchase 923,476 ordinary shares under authority given by a 
resolution at the Annual General Meeting on 3rd September 2009. This authority expires on 3rd March 2011. 

Financial Instruments 
Details  of  the  use  of  financial  instruments  by  the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  are  contained  in  Note  19  of  the 
financial statements. 

Internal Control 
In  respect  of  internal  controls,  the  Directors  are  aware  of  the  Turnbull  Report  and  are  continually  reviewing  the 
effectiveness of the systems of internal controls, the key elements of which having regard to the size of the Group 
are  that  the  Board  meets  regularly  and  takes  the  decisions  on  all  material  matters,  the  organisational  structure 
ensures  that  responsibilities  are  defined  and  authority  only  delegated  where  appropriate,  and  that  the  regular 
management accounts are presented to the Board wherein the financial performance of the Group is analysed.  

The Directors acknowledge that they are responsible for the system of internal control which is established in order 
to  safeguard  the  assets,  maintain  proper  accounting  records  and  ensure  that  financial  information  used  within  the 
business or published is reliable. Any such system of control can, however, only provide reasonable, not absolute, 
assurance against material misstatement or loss.  

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 
The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any 
time the financial position of the Group, for safeguarding the assets of the company, for taking reasonable steps for 
the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities and for the preparation of a Directors’ Report which 
complies with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. 

8

Solid State PLC

DIRECTORS’ REPORT
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

The  Directors  are  responsible  for  preparing  the  annual  report  and  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  the 
Companies Act 2006. The Directors are also required to prepare financial statements for the Group in accordance 
with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  as  adopted  by  the  European  Union  (IFRSs)  and  the  rules  of  the 
London Stock Exchange for companies trading securities on the Alternative Investment Market. The Directors have 
chosen  to  prepare  financial  statements  for  the  Company  in  accordance  with  UK  Generally  Accepted  Accounting 
Practice. 

Group Financial Statements 
International  Accounting  Standard  1  requires  that  financial  statements  present  fairly  for  each  financial  year  the 
Group’s  financial  position,  financial  performance  and  cash  flows.  This  requires  the  faithful  representation  of  the 
effects  of  transactions,  other  events  and  conditions  in  accordance  with  the  definitions  and  recognition  criteria  for 
assets, liabilities, income and expenses set out in the International Accounting Standards Board’s “Framework for 
the preparation and presentation of financial statements.” In virtually all circumstances, a fair presentation will be 
achieved by compliance with all applicable IFRSs.  

A fair presentation also requires the Directors to: 

•

•

•

consistently select and apply appropriate accounting policies; 

present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable 
and understandable information; and 

provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRSs is insufficient to 
enable users to understand the impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions on the entity’s 
financial position and financial performance. 

Parent company financial statements 
Company  law  requires  directors  to  prepare  financial  statements  for  each  financial  year  which  give  a  true  and  fair 
view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these 
financial statements, the Directors are required to: 

•

•

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. 

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

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. 

•

state  whether  applicable  accounting  standards  have  been  followed,  subject  to  any  material  departures 
disclosed and explained in the financial statements. 

Financial  statements  are  published  on  the  Group’s  website  in  accordance  with  legislation  in  the  United  Kingdom 
governing  the  preparation  and  dissemination  of  financial  statements,  which  may  vary  from  legislation  in  other 
jurisdictions.  The  maintenance  and  integrity  of  the  Group’s  website  is  the  responsibility  of  the  Directors.  The 
Directors’ responsibility also extends to the ongoing integrity of the financial statements contained therein. 

Creditor Payment Policy  
The Company’s policy for the year to 31st March 2010 for all suppliers is to fix terms of payment when agreeing the 
terms of each business transaction, to ensure the supplier is aware of those terms and to abide by the agreed terms of 
payment.  

Creditor days based on the year end trade creditors and purchases made in the year were 56 days (2009: 47 days). 

9

Solid State PLC

DIRECTORS’ REPORT
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

Auditors 
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 auditors for the purposes of their audit and to establish that the auditors are 
aware of that information. The directors are not aware of any relevant audit information of which the auditors are 
unaware. 

BDO Stoy Hayward LLP resigned as auditors on 7th October 2009.  The Directors appointed Haysmacintyre to fill 
the casual vacancy.  A resolution to reappoint Haysmacintyre as auditors will be proposed at the next annual general 
meeting. 

By order of the Board  
P Haining FCA 
Secretary 
28th July 2010 

Registered Office: Unit 2, Eastlands Lane, Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6BU 

10

Solid State PLC

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS 
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF SOLID STATE PLC  

We have audited the financial statements of Solid State PLC for the year ended 31st March 2010 which comprise the 
Consolidated Income Statement, the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, the Consolidated and Company 
Balance  Sheets,  the  Consolidated  Cash  Flow  Statement  and  the  related  notes.   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 (United Kingdom GAAP). 

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Section 495 of the Companies 
Act 2006.  Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we 
are required to state to them in an Auditor’s report and for no other purpose.  To the fullest extent permitted by law, 
we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company’s members as a body, 
for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors 
As  explained  more  fully  in  the  Directors’  Responsibilities  Statement  set  out  on  pages  7  and  8,  the  directors  are 
responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view.  
Our responsibility is to audit the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards 
on Auditing (UK and Ireland).  Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical 
Standards for Auditors. 

Scope of the audit of the financial statements 
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give 
reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or 
error.  This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the group’s and the parent 
company’s  circumstances  and  have  been  consistently  applied  and  adequately  disclosed;  the  reasonableness  of 
significant accounting estimates made by the directors; and the overall presentation of the financial statements. 

Opinion on financial statements 
In our opinion: 
•

the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and of the parent company’s 
affairs as at 31 March 2010 and 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 and, as regards the group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 

•

•

•

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 
In  our  opinion  the  information  given  in  the  Directors’  Report  for  the  financial  year  for  which  the  financial 
statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements. 

Matters on which we are required to report by exception 
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to 
you if, in our opinion: 

•

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

David Cox (Senior statutory auditor) 
for and on behalf of Haysmacintyre, Statutory Auditor 
28th July 2010 

Fairfax House 
15 Fulwood Place 
London 
WC1V 6AY 

11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT 

            For the year ended 31st March 2010 

Revenue  
Cost of sales 

GROSS PROFIT 
Distribution costs 
Administrative expenses 

PROFIT FROM OPERATIONS 

Finance income 
Finance costs 

PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION 
Tax expense 

PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY 
HOLDERS OF THE PARENT 

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (EXPENSE)/INCOME 
Translation differences on overseas operations 

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR 

Notes 
2 

3 

6 
7 

8 

2010
£ 
13,509,123 
(9,865,137) 
_________ 

3,643,986 
(1,331,452) 
(1,760,052) 
_________ 

2009
£ 
12,521,786 
(9,007,486)
_________ 

3,514,300 
(1,204,574) 
(1,634,967)
_________ 

552,482 

674,759 

- 
(22,697) 
_________ 

67 
(60,325)
_________ 

529,785 
(124,150) 
_________ 

614,501 
(128,670) 
_________ 

405,635 
_________ 

485,831
_________ 

(3,000) 
_________ 

5,262 
_________ 

402,635 
_________ 

491,093 
_________ 

EARNINGS PER SHARE 
Basic 
Diluted 

9 
9 

6.6p 
6.6p 

7.9p 
7.9p

The notes on pages 17 to 47 form part of these financial statements.

12

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 

Solid State PLC

  Share 
Capital 

Capital 

  Share 
Premium  Redemption   Exchange Retained 
Reserve 

Reserve 

Foreign 

Reserve  Earnings  Total 

Balance at 31st March 2008 

307,826 

756,980 

4,674 

52,864 

1,477,535 

2,599,879 

Total comprehensive income 
For the year ended 31st March 2009 

Share based payment expense 

Dividends 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

5,262 

485,831 

491,093 

- 

12,546 

12,546 

- 
_______ 

- 
_______ 

- 
_______ 

- 
_______ 

(138,522) 
________ 

(138,522) 
________ 

Balance at 31st March 2009 

307,826 

756,980 

4,674 

58,126 

1,837,390 

2,964,996 

Total comprehensive income  
For the year ended 31st March 2010 

Share based payment expense 

Dividends 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(3,000) 

405,635 

402,635 

- 

12,546 

12,546 

- 
_______ 

- 
_______ 

- 
_______ 

- 
_______ 

(184,695) 
_______ 

(184,695)   
_______ 

Balance at 31st March 2010 

307,826 
_______ 

756,980 
_______ 

4,674 
_______ 

55,126 
_______ 

2,070,876 
_______ 

3,195,482 
_______ 

The notes on pages 17 to 47 form part of these financial statements.

13

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

ASSETS 
NON-CURRENT ASSETS 
Property, plant and equipment 
Intangible assets 

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 

CURRENT ASSETS 
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 

TOTAL ASSETS 

LIABILITIES 
CURRENT LIABILITIES 
Bank overdraft 
Trade and other payables 
Bank borrowings 
Corporation tax liabilities 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET 
at 31st March 2010 

Notes 

£ 

£ 

£ 

£ 

2010 

2009 

289,248 
2,032,806 
________ 

2,322,054 

3,990,699 
________ 

6,312,753 
________ 

299,844 
2,028,946 
________ 

2,328,790 

4,693,742 
________ 

7,022,532 
________ 

11 
12 

15 
16 

1,787,520 
2,562,387 
343,835 
________ 

17 
18 

461,627 
2,172,882 
1,063,703 
118,814 
________ 

1,554,029 
2,219,874 
216,796 
________ 

668,280 
1,838,768 
712,039 
128,670 
________ 

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 

3,817,026 

3,347,757 

NON CURRENT LIABILITIES 
Deferred tax liability 

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 

TOTAL LIABILITIES 

TOTAL NET ASSETS 

CAPITAL AND RESERVES  
ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY  
HOLDERS OF THE PARENT 
Share capital 
Share premium reserve 
Capital redemption reserve 
Foreign exchange reserve 
Retained earnings 

TOTAL EQUITY 

20 

10,024 
________ 

- 
________ 

10,024 
________ 

3,827,050 
________ 

3,195,482 
________ 

307,826 
756,980 
4,674 
55,126 
2,070,876 
________ 

3,195,482 
________ 

- 
________ 

3,347,757 
________ 

2,964,996 
________ 

307,826 
756,980 
4,674 
58,126 
1,837,390 
________ 

2,964,996 
________ 

21 
22 
22 
22 
22 

The  financial  statements  were  approved  by  the  Board  of  Directors  and  authorised  for  issue  on  28th  July  2010  and 
were signed on its behalf by: 

P. Haining
Director

The notes on pages 17 to 47 form part of these financial statements.

14

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 

2010 

2009 

£ 

£ 

£ 

£ 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES 
Profit before taxation 
Adjustments for: 
Depreciation 
Amortisation 
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Share based payment expense 
Finance income 
Finance costs 

Profit from operations before changes 
in working capital and provisions 

(Increase)/decrease in inventories 
(Increase) in trade and other receivables 
Increase in trade and other payables 

Cash generated from operations 

Income taxes paid 

Cash flow from operating activities 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
Purchase of computer software 
Proceeds of sales from property, plant and equipment 
Interest received 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES 
Repayment of bank borrowings 
Invoice discounting finance (net movement) 
Interest paid 
Dividend paid to equity shareholders 

INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH 
EQUIVALENTS 

529,785 

88,929 
 7,695 
4,928 
12,546 
- 
22,697 
_______ 

666,580 

(233,491) 
(342,513) 
334,117 
________ 

8,803 
(176,005) 
12,334 
  ________ 

(241,887) 
_______ 

424,693 

(123,982) 
_______ 

(106,871)   
_______ 

(158,014) 
(3,835) 
53,558 
- 
_______ 

- 
351,664 
(22,697) 
(184,695) 
_______ 

(123,982) 
_______ 

300,711 

(108,291) 
_______ 

192,420 

144,272 
_______ 

336,692 
_______ 

(101,795) 
- 
8,500 
67 
_______ 

(216,337) 
(10,517) 
(60,325) 
(138,522) 
_______ 

614,501 

89,235 
7,567 
3,346 
12,546 
(67) 
60,325 
______ 

787,453 

(154,868) 
_______ 

632,585 

(106,871) 
_______ 

525,714 

(93,228) 
_______ 

432,486 

(425,701) 
_______ 

6,785 
_______ 

The notes on pages 17 to 47 form part of these financial statements.

15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

Cash and cash equivalents comprise: 

2010 
£ 

2009 
£ 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 

336,692 

6,785 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 

(451,484) 

(463,531) 

Exchange gains on cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

There were no significant non-cash transactions. 

Cash available on demand 
Overdrafts 

(3,000) 
_______ 

(117,792) 
_______ 

5,262  
_______ 

(451,484) 
_______ 

2010 
£ 

2009 
£ 

343,835 
(461,627) 
_______ 

(117,792) 
_______ 

216,796 
(668,280) 
_______ 

(451,484) 
_______ 

16

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 

1. 

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS 

Solid State PLC

 The  principal  accounting  policies  adopted  in  the  preparation  of  the  financial  statements  are  set  out  below.  
The policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated. 

 These  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting 
Standards,  International  Accounting  Standards  and  Interpretations  issued  by  the  International  Accounting 
Standards  Board  as  adopted by  the  European  Union  (“IFRSs”)  and  with  those  parts  of  the  Companies  Act 
2006 applicable to companies preparing their accounts under IFRSs.  The consolidated financial statements 
have been prepared under the historical cost convention. 

 As  allowed  by  IFRS  1,  we  have  elected  not  to  apply  IFRS  retrospectively  for  business  combinations 
computed  prior  to  1st  April  2006  and  have  used  the  carrying  value  of  goodwill  resulting  from  business 
combinations occurring before the date of transition as deemed costs, subjecting this to impairment reviews 
at the date of transition (1st April 2006) and at the end of each financial year thereafter. 

Basis of Consolidation
 Where the company has the power, either directly or indirectly, to govern the financial and operating policies 
of another entity or business so as to obtain benefits from its activities, it is classified as a subsidiary.  The 
consolidated financial statements present the results of the company and its subsidiaries (“the Group”) as if 
they formed a single entity.  Intercompany transactions and balances between Group companies are therefore 
eliminated in full. 

 Business Combinations
 The  consolidated  financial  statements  incorporate  the  results  of  business  combinations  using  the  purchase 
method  other  than  disclosed  above.  In  the  consolidated  balance  sheet,  the  acquiree’s  identifiable  assets, 
liabilities  and  contingent  liabilities  are  initially  recognised at  their  fair  values  at  the  acquisition  date.    The 
results  of  acquired  operations  are  included  in  the  consolidated  income  statement  from  the  date  on  which 
control is obtained. 

 Goodwill
 Goodwill  represents  the  excess  of  the  cost  of  a  business  combination  over  the  interest  in  the  fair  value  of 
identifiable  assets,  liabilities  and  contingent  liabilities  acquired.    Cost  comprises  the  fair  value  of  assets 
given, liabilities assumed and equity instruments issued, plus any direct costs of acquisition. 

 Goodwill  is  capitalised  as  an  intangible  asset  with  any  impairment  in  carrying  value  being  charged  to  the 
income statement. 

Impairment of non-financial assets
 Impairment  tests  on  goodwill  are  undertaken  annually  on  31st  March,  and  on  other  non-financial  assets 
whenever  events  or  changes  in  circumstances  indicate  that  their  carrying  value  may  not  be  reasonable.  
Where the carrying value of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount (ie the higher of value in use and fair 
value less costs to sell), the asset is written down accordingly. 

 Impairment  charges  are  included  in  the  administrative  expenses  line  item  in  the  consolidated  income 
statement, except to the extent that they reverse gains previously recognised in the consolidated statement of 
recognised income and expense. An impairment loss recognised for goodwill is not reversed. 

17

Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

1. 

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS (continued) 

Intangible Assets (other than goodwill) 
Intangible assets are recognised on business combinations if they are separable from the acquired entity or arise 
from other contractual/legal rights. The amounts ascribed to such intangibles are arrived at by using appropriate 
valuation techniques. 

Externally acquired intangible assets are initially recognised at cost and subsequently amortised on a straight line 
basis  over  their  useful  economic  lives.  Cost  includes  all  directly  attributable  costs  of  acquisition.  The 
amortisation  expense  is  included  within  the  administration  expense  line  in  the  consolidated  income  statement. 
Software is amortised over its useful economic life of 5 years, and UN licences are amortised over their expected 
useful life of 10 years from the date of original grant. 

Intangible assets are subject to impairment tests whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their 
carrying value may not be recoverable. 

Revenue 
Revenue represents sales to external customers at invoiced amounts less value added tax or local taxes on sales. 
Revenue  is  recognised  when  the  risks  and  rewards  of  owning  the  goods  has  passed  to  the  customer  which  is 
generally on collection. For goods that are subject to bill and hold arrangements this means: 

the goods are complete and ready for collection; 
the goods are separately identified from the Group’s other stock and are not used to fulfil any other orders;  

• 
• 
•  and the customer has specifically requested that the goods be held pending collection. 

Normal payment terms apply to the bill and hold arrangements. 

Property, plant and equipment 
Items  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  are  initially  recognised  at  cost.    As  well  as  the  purchase  price,  cost 
includes directly attributable costs.  The corresponding liability is recognised within provisions. 

Depreciation is provided on all items of property, plant and equipment to write off the carrying value of items 
over their expected useful economic lives.  It is applied at the following rates: 

Short leasehold property improvements- straight line over minimum life of lease 
Fittings and equipment- 25% per annum on a reducing balance basis 
Computers- 20% per annum on a straight line basis 
Motor vehicles- 25% per annum on a reducing balance basis 

Depreciation  is  provided  on  all  UN  licences  to  write  off  the  carrying  value  of  each  licence  over  its  expected 
useful life, which is generally 10 years from its original grant. 

Leased assets
Where substantially all of the risks and rewards incidental to ownership are retained by the lessor (an “operating 
lease”), the total rentals payable under the lease are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over 
the lease term. 

The  land  and  buildings  elements  of  property  leases  are  considered  separately  for  the  purposes  of  lease 
classification. 

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is based on the cost of purchase on a first 
in, first out basis. Work in progress and finished goods include labour and attributable overheads.  Net realisable 
value is based on estimated selling price less any additional costs to completion and disposal. 

18

 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

1. 

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS (continued) 

Solid State PLC

Deferred taxation 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised where the carrying amount of an asset or liability in the balance 
sheet differs from its tax base, except for differences arising on: 

•
•

•

the initial recognition of goodwill 
the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction which is not a business combination and at 
the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit: and 
investments in subsidiaries and jointly controlled entities where the Group is able to control the timing 
of  the  reversal  of  the  difference  and  it  is  probable  the  difference  will  not  reverse  in  the  foreseeable 
future. 

Recognition of deferred tax assets is restricted to those instances where it is probable that taxable profit will be 
available against which the differences can be utilised. 

The amount of the asset or liability is determined using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted 
by  the  balance  sheet  date  and  are  expected  to  apply  when  the  deferred  tax  liabilities/(assets)  are 
settled/(recovered) 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when the Group has a legally enforceable right to offset current tax 
assets and liabilities, and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority. 

Pensions
The  pension  schemes  operated  by  the  Group  are  defined  contribution  schemes.  The  pension  cost  charge 
represents the contributions payable by the Group.  

Foreign currency
Transactions  entered  into  by  Group  entities  in  a  currency  other  than  the  currency  of  the  primary  economic 
environment in which it operates are recorded at the rates ruling when the transactions occur.  Foreign currency 
monetary assets and liabilities are retranslated at the rates ruling at the balance sheet date.  Exchange differences 
arising are recognised in the income statement 

On consolidation, the balance sheet of overseas operations are translated into sterling at rates approximating to 
those ruling at the balance sheet date. Exchange differences arising on retranslation of the net assets and results 
of the overseas operations are recognised directly in the “foreign exchange reserve”. 

Research and development costs 
Expenditure on internally developed products is capitalised if it can be demonstrated that: 

•
•
•
•
•
•

it is technically feasible to develop the product for it to be sold; 
adequate resources are available to complete the development; 
there is an intention to complete and sell the product; 
the Group is able to sell the product; 
sale of the product will generate future economic benefits; and 
expenditure on the project can be measured reliably. 

Capitalised  development  costs  are  amortised  over  the  periods  the  Group  expects  to  benefit  from  selling  the 
products developed.  The amortisation expense is included within the cost of sales line in the income statement. 

Development  expenditure  not  satisfying  the  above  criteria  and  expenditure  on  the  research  phase  of  internal 
projects are recognised in the income statement as incurred. 

None of the development costs during the years ended 31st March 2009 and 31st March 2010 met the conditions 
necessary for capitalisation. 

19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

1. 

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS (continued) 

Dividends 
Equity dividends are recognised when they become legally payable. Interim dividends are recognised when paid. 
Final dividends are recognised when approved by the shareholders at an annual general meeting. 

Financial assets 
The Group classifies its assets into one of the following categories, depending on the purpose for which the asset 
was acquired. The Group’s accounting policy for each category is as follows: 

Fair value through profit or loss: This category comprises only in-the-money derivatives. They are carried in the 
balance sheet at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in the income statement. Other than derivatives, 
the Group does not have any assets held for trading nor does it voluntarily classify any financial assets as being at 
fair value through the profit and loss account 

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

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

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

Financial liabilities
The Group classifies its financial liabilities into one of two categories, depending on the purpose for which the 
liability  was  acquired.  Other  than  financial  liabilities  in  a  qualifying  hedging  relationship  (see  below),  the 
Group’s accounting policy for each category is as follows: 

Fair value through the profit and loss: This category comprises only out-of-money derivatives. They are carried 
in the balance sheet at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in the income statement. 

Other financial liabilities: Other financial liabilities include the following items: 

•
•

Trade payables and other short term monetary liabilities, which are recognised at amortised cost. 
Bank  borrowings  are  initially  recognised  at  the  amount  advanced  net  of  any  transaction  costs  directly 
attributable  to  the  issue  of  the  instrument.  Such  interest  bearing  liabilities  are  subsequently  measured  at 
amortised  cost  using  the  effective  interest  rate  method,  which  ensures  that  any  interest  expense  over  the 
period  to  repayment  is  at  a  constant  rate  on  the  balance  of  liability  carried  in  the  balance  sheet.  “Interest 
expense” in this context includes initial transaction costs and premia payable on redemption, as well as any 
interest while the liability is outstanding. 

20

Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

1. 

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS (continued) 

Shared based payment 
Where share options are awarded to employees, the fair value of the options at the date of grant is charged to the 
consolidated income statement over the vesting period.  Non-market vesting conditions are taken into account by 
adjusting the  number of equity instruments expected to vest at each balance sheet date  so that,  ultimately, the 
cumulative amount recognised over the  vesting period is based on the  number of options that eventually  vest. 
Market  vesting  conditions  are  factored  into  the  fair  value  of  options  granted.  As  long  as  all  other  vesting 
conditions are satisfied, a change is made irrespective of whether the market vesting conditions are satisfied. The 
cumulative expense is not adjusted for failure to achieve a market vesting condition. 

Where  the  terms  and  conditions  of  options  are  modified  before  they  vest,  the  increase  in  the  fair  value  of  the 
options, measured immediately before and after the modification, is also charged to the income statement over 
the remaining vesting period. 

2. 

REVENUE

Revenue arises from: 

Sale of goods 
Provision of services 

2010 
£ 

2009 
£ 

13,440,759 
68,364 
_________ 

12,487,364 
34,422 
_________ 

13,509,123 
_________ 

12,521,786
_________ 

21

 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

3. 

PROFIT FROM OPERATIONS

This has been arrived at after charging/(crediting): 

Staff costs (see note 4) 
Employment termination costs (included in staff costs) 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 
Amortisation of computer software 
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Goodwill impairment charge 
Auditors’ remuneration: 
Audit fees 
Audit of accounts of associates of the company pursuant to legislation 
Operating lease rentals: 
Plant and machinery 
Other 
Research and development costs 
Foreign exchange differences 

2010 
£ 

2,111,835 
5,000 
88,929 
7,695 
4,928 
- 

1,000 
26,395 

29,166 
103,801 
87,461 
(127,648) 
_______ 

2009 
£ 

1,961,019 
16,559 
89,235 
7,567 
3,346 
- 

1,000 
36,273 

23,423 
100,473 
154,348 
(238,397) 
_______ 

The foreign exchange differences have been treated as a reduction in cost of sales rather than as a negative 
overhead.   

4. 

STAFF COSTS

Staff costs for all employees during the year, including the executive Directors, were as follows: 

Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Other pension costs 

2010 
£ 
1,912,592 
197,400 
1,843 
________ 

2,111,835 
________ 

2009 
£ 
1,768,479 
192,540 
-   
________ 

1,961,019
________ 

Wages and salaries include termination costs of £5,000 (2009: £16,559) 

The average monthly number of employees during the year, including the three executive Directors, was as 
follows: 

Selling and distribution 
Manufacturing 
Management and administration 

22

2010 
Number 

2009 
Number 

23 
19 
24 
__ 

66 
__ 

26 
14 
25 
__ 

65 
__ 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

5. 

DIRECTORS’ EMOLUMENTS, INTERESTS AND SERVICES CONTRACTS 

The value of all elements of remuneration received by each Director in the year was as follows: 

Salary 
£ 

Fees 
£ 

Benefits 
in kind 
£ 

Total 
emoluments 
£ 

Pension 
contributions 
£ 

Share based 
payments 
£ 

Total 
£ 

31st March 2010 
Executive Directors 
W G Marsh 
G S Marsh 
J M Lavery 
Non-executive Directors 
P Haining 
L C A Newnham 
G L Comben 

Total 

31st March 2009 
Executive Directors 
W G Marsh 
G S Marsh 
J M Lavery 
Non-executive Directors 
P Haining 
L C A Newnham 
G L Comben 

Total 

12,000 
107,000 
107,000 

- 
12,000 
12,000 
______ 

- 
- 
- 

12,000 
- 
- 
______ 

5,000 
11,000 
15,000 

- 
- 
5,000 
______ 

250,000 
______ 

12,000 
______ 

36,000 
______ 

12,000 
109,000 
102,000 

- 
-
5,000 
______ 

- 
- 
- 

12,000 
12,000 
-
______ 

4,000 
9,000 
16,000 

- 
-
2,000 
______ 

228,000 
______ 

24,000 
______ 

31,000 
______ 

17,000 
118,000 
122,000 

12,000 
12,000 
17,000 
______ 

298,000 
______ 

16,000 
118,000 
118,000 

12,000 
12,000 
7,000 
______ 

283,000 
______ 

- 
- 
2,000 

- 
- 
- 
______ 

2,000 
______ 

- 
- 
- 

- 
-
-
______ 

-
______ 

- 

17,000 
6,000  124,000 
6,000  130,000 

- 
- 
- 
______ 

12,000 
12,000 
17,000 
______ 

12,000  312,000 
______ 
______ 

- 

16,000 
6,000  124,000 
6,000  124,000 

- 
-
-
______ 

12,000 
12,000 
7,000 
______ 

12,000  295,000 
______ 
______ 

The executive Directors waived their entitlement to emoluments during the year as follows: 

W G Marsh 

2010 
£ 

2009 
£ 

24,000 
______ 

24,000 
______ 

The principal benefits in kind relate to the provision of company cars. 

In addition to the above, fees totalling £50,895 (2009: £52,655) arose during the year in respect of accountancy 
services provided by The Kings Mill Partnership, a firm of which P Haining is a partner.  A balance of £11,574 
(2009: £8,369) was due to The Kings Mill Partnership at 31st March 2010.  

23

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

5. 

DIRECTORS’ EMOLUMENTS, INTERESTS AND SERVICES CONTRACTS (continued)

The three executive Directors have service contracts with the Company which are terminable by the Company, 
or the relevant Director, on one year’s notice. 

The Directors of the Company on 28th July 2010 and at the balance sheet date, and their interest in the issued 
ordinary share capital of the Company at that date, at 31st March 2010 and 31st March 2009 or date of 
appointment if later, were as follows: 

G L Comben 
W G Marsh 
G S Marsh 
J M Lavery 
P Haining 
L C A Newnham 
J L Macmichael 
A B Frere 

28.07.10 

31.03.10 

31.03.09 

2,727,606 
1,700,500 
73,683 
824 
12,500 
10,000 
- 
- 

2,727,606 
1,700,500 
73,683 
824 
12,500 
10,000 
- 
- 

2,727,606 
1,700,500 
73,472 
569 
12,500 
10,000 
- 
- 

Details of the options over the Company’s shares granted under the Enterprise Management Incentives Scheme 
are as follows: 

Options 
held at 
01.04.09 

Lapsed  Granted 

G S Marsh 

317,460 

J M Lavery 

317,460 

- 

- 

-   

-   

Options 
held at 
31.03.10 

317,460   

317,460   

Exercise 
price 

Date of 
grant 

Exercise  
period 

31.5p 

31.5p 

22.01.08 

Jan 2009 onwards 

22.01.08 

Jan 2009 onwards 

The market price of the shares at 31st March 2010 was 37.5p (2009: 17.5p), with a quoted range during the 
year of 17.5p to 51.5p.  No director exercised any share options during the year, or in the prior year. 

6. 

FINANCE INCOME

Interest receivable 

2010 
£ 

- 
___ 

- 
___ 

2009 
£ 

67 
_____ 

67 
_____ 

24

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

7. 

FINANCE COSTS 

Bank borrowings 
Invoice discounting interest 
Other interest 

8. 

TAX EXPENSE 

Current tax expense 
UK corporation tax and income tax of overseas operations on 
profits or losses for the year 
Adjustment in respect of prior periods 

Deferred tax expense 

Total tax charge 

Solid State PLC

2010 
£ 

11,565 
10,474 
658 
______ 

22,697 
______ 

2009 
£ 

35,796 
24,529 
-   
______ 

60,325 
______ 

2010 
£ 

2009 
£ 

118,814 
(4,688) 
______ 

128,670 
-   
______ 

114,126 

128,670 

10,024 
_______ 

124,150 
_______ 

- 
_______ 

128,670 
_______ 

The reasons for the difference between the actual tax charge for the year and the standard rate of corporation 
tax in the UK applied to profits for the year are as follows: 

Profit before tax 

Expected tax charge based on the standard rate of  
corporation tax in the UK of 28% (2009 – 28%) 

Effect of: 
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 
Deductible expenses not charged in Group accounts 
Difference between depreciation for the year and capital allowances 
Utilisation of tax losses 
Marginal relief 
Enhanced relief on research and development expenditure 
Non-taxable government incentive received 
Different tax rates and rules applied in overseas jurisdictions 
Adjustment to enhanced relief on research and development 
expenditure in prior year 

Total tax charge 

25

2010 
£ 

2009 
£ 

529,785 
_______ 

614,501
_______

148,340 

172,060

8,535 
(9,649) 
1,225 
- 
(1,246) 
(18,367) 
- 
- 

(4,688) 
_______ 

124,150 
_______ 

11,947 
(9,649) 
(7,233) 
(3,391) 
(8,902) 
(21,609) 
(28) 
(4,525)  

- 
_______ 

128,670 
_______ 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

9. 

EARNINGS PER SHARE 

The earnings per share is based on the following: 

Earnings 

Weighted average number of shares 
Diluted number of shares 

Earnings per share 
Diluted earnings per share 

2010 
£ 

2009 
£ 

405,635 
_______ 

485,831
_______ 

6,156,511 
6,156,511 

6,156,511 
6,156,511 

6.6p 
6.6p 

7.9p 
7.9p 

Earnings per ordinary share has been calculated using the weighted average number of shares in issue during 
the year.  The weighted average number of equity shares in issue was 6,156,511 (2009: 6,156,511). 

The Diluted earnings per share is based on 6,156,511 (2009: 6,156,511) ordinary shares which allow for the 
exercise of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. 

Certain employee options have not been included in the calculation of diluted EPS because their exercise is 
contingent on the satisfaction of certain criteria that had not been met at the end of the year. In addition, certain 
employee options have also been excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS as their exercise price is greater 
than the weighted average share price during the year (ie they are out-of-the-money) and therefore it would not 
be advantageous for the holders to exercise the options. 

The number of shares included in the option agreement which have not been included in the calculation of the 
weighted average number of shares was 634,920 (2009: 634,920). 

10. 

DIVIDENDS 

Final dividend paid for the prior year of 2p per share (2009: 1.25p) 
Interim dividend paid of 1p per share (2009: 1p) 

Final dividend proposed for the year 2p per share (2009: 2p) 

2010 
£ 

123,130 
61,565 
_______ 

184,695 
_______ 

123,130 
______ 

2009 
£ 

76,957 
61,565 
_______ 

138,522 
_______ 

123,130 
_______ 

The proposed final dividend has not been accrued for as the dividend was declared after the balance sheet date. 

26

 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

11. 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Solid State PLC

Year ended 31st March 2009 
Cost 
1st April 2008 
Additions 
Disposals 

31st March 2009 

Depreciation 
1st April 2008 
Charge for the year 
On disposal 

31st March 2009 

Net book value 
  31st March 2009 

31st March 2008 

Year ended 31st March 2010 
Cost 
1st April 2009  
Additions 
Disposals 

31st March 2010 

Depreciation 
1st April 2009 
Charge for the year 
On disposal 

31st March 2010 

Net book value 
31st March 2010 

Short 
leasehold 
property 

Motor 

improvements  vehicles 

Fittings 
equipment and 
computers 

£ 

£ 

£ 

Total 
£ 

255,176 
- 
- 
_______ 

279,241 
56,546 
(26,204) 
_______ 

853,364 
45,249 
- 
_______ 

1,387,781 
101,795 
(26,204) 
________ 

255,176 
_______ 

309,583 
_______ 

898,613 
_______ 

1,463,372 
________ 

255,176 
- 
- 
_______ 

94,323 
50,353 
(14,358) 
_______ 

749,748 
38,882 
- 
_______ 

1,099,247 
89,235 
(14,358) 
________ 

255,176 
_______ 

130,318 
_______ 

788,630 
_______ 

1,174,124 
________ 

- 
_______ 

179,265 
_______ 

109,983 
_______ 

289,248 
________ 

- 
_______ 

184,918 
_______ 

103,616 
_______ 

288,534 
________ 

255,176 
- 
-  
_______ 

309,583 
132,459 
(142,963) 
_______ 

898,613 
25,552 
- 
_______ 

1,463,372 
158,011 
(142,963) 
________ 

255,176 
_______ 

299,079 
_______ 

924,165 
_______ 

1,478,420 
________ 

255,176 
- 
   - 
_______ 

130,318 
51,015 
(84,477) 
_______ 

788,630 
37,914 
- 
_______ 

1,174,124 
88,929 
(84,477) 
________ 

255,176 
_______ 

96,856 
_______ 

826,544 
_______ 

1,178,576 
________ 

-  
_______ 

202,223 
_______ 

97,621 
_______ 

299,844 
________ 

There were no capital commitments at 31st March 2009 and 31st March 2010. 

27

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

12. 

INTANGIBLE ASSETS 

Year ended 31st March 2009 

Cost 
1st April 2008 and 31st March 2009 

Amortisation 
1st April 2008  
Charge for the year 

31st March 2009 

Net book value 
31st March 2009 

Year ended 31st March 2010 

Cost 
1st April 2009 
Additions 

31st March 2010 

Amortisation 
1st April 2009  
Charge for the year 

31st March 2010 

Net book value 
31st March 2010 

UN 
Licences 

£ 

Computer 
software 

Goodwill on 
consolidation 

£ 

£ 

Total 
£ 

9,800  
_____ 

38,477 
______ 

1,992,737 
________ 

2,041,014 
________ 

641  
7,567 
______ 

8,208 
______ 

30,269 
______ 

38,477 
3,835 
______ 

42,312 
______ 

8,208  
7,695 
______ 

15,903 
______ 

26,409 
______ 

-  
-  
________ 

-  
________ 

1,992,737 
________ 

1,992,737 
- 
________ 

1,992,737 
________ 

-  
-  
________ 

-  
________ 

1,992,737 
________ 

641 
7,567 
________ 

8,208 
________ 

2,032,806 
________ 

2,041,014 
3,835 
________ 

2,044,849  
________ 

8,208 
7,695 
________ 

15,903 
________ 

2,028,946 
________ 

-  
-  
_____ 

-  
_____ 

9,800 
_____ 

9,800  
- 
_____ 

9,800 
_____ 

-  
-  
_____ 

-  
_____ 

9,800 
_____ 

28

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

13. 

GOODWILL AND IMPAIRMENT 

Details of the carrying amount of goodwill allocated to cash generating units (CGUs) is as follows: 

Steatite Limited 
Wordsworth Technology Limited 

 Goodwill carrying amount 

2010 
£ 

2009 
£ 

1,992,737 
- 
________ 

893,214 
1,099,523 
________ 

1,992,737 
________ 

1,992,737 
________ 

The  recoverable  amounts  of  all  the  above  CGUs  have  been  determined  from  a  review  of  the  current  and 
anticipated  performance  of  these  units.  In  preparing  the  projection,  a  discount  rate  of  15%  (2009:  15%)  has 
been used based on the working average cost of capital and a future growth rate of 2.25% has been assumed 
beyond the first year for which the projection is based on the budget approved by the board of directors. The 
future  growth  rate  has  been  applied  for  the  next  four  years.  It  has  been  assumed  investment  in  capital 
equipment  will  equate  to  depreciation  over  this  period.  The  discount  rate  was  based  on  the  group’s  “beta” 
which is a measure of the volatility of the share price against the market. This amounts to 0.84 (2009: 0.84). 

The  recoverable  amount  exceeds  the  carrying  amount  by  £2,110,000  (2009:  £2,048,000).  If  any  one  of  the 
following  changes  were  made  to  the  above  key  assumptions,  the  carrying  amount  would  still  exceed  the 
recoverable amount. 

Discount rate: Increase from 15% to 18% 
Growth rate: Reduction from 2.25% to 1.75% 

14. 

SUBSIDIARIES 

The principal subsidiaries of Solid State PLC, all of which have been included in these consolidated financial 
statements are as follows: 

Subsidiary undertakings 

Country of 
Incorporation 

Proportion of 
voting rights and 
Ordinary share 
capital held 

Solid State Supplies Limited 
Steatite Limited 

Great Britain 
Great Britain 

100% 
100% 

Nature of business 

Distribution of electronic components 
Distribution of electronic components  
and manufacture of electronic equipment 

In both cases the country of operation and of incorporation or registration is England. 

With effect from 1st April 2009 the trade of Wordsworth Technology Limited was transferred to Steatite 
Limited and the company became dormant. 

29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

15. 

INVENTORIES

Finished goods and goods for resale 
Work in progress 

2010 
£ 

1,422,504 
365,016 
________ 

1,787,520 
________ 

2009 
£ 

1,408,602 
145,427 
________ 

1,554,029 
________ 

There is no material difference between the replacement cost of inventories and the amount stated above.

16. 

TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade receivables 
Other receivables 
Prepayments 

2010 
£ 

2,489,507 
- 
72,880 
________ 

2,562,387 
________ 

2009 
£ 

2,115,226 
2,232 
102,416
________ 

2,219,874 
________ 

Group  trade  receivables  include  £1,318,785  (2009:  £1,016,697)  which  are  subject  to  an  invoice  discounting 
agreement.    Under  this  agreement,  borrowing  equal  to  85%  of  the  relevant  book  debts  can  be  taken  with 
interest charged at 1.35% over bank base rate and an administration fee of 0.175% of the gross value of the 
debts  per  month.    At  31st  March  2010 borrowing  under  the  agreement  of  £1,063,703  (2009:  £864,191)  was 
available  of  which  £1,063,703  (2009:  £712,039)  was  taken  up.  Interest  charges  in  the  year  amounted  to 
£10,474 (2009: £24,529) and administration fees to £17,770 (2009: £16,114). 

17. 

TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Trade payables 
Other taxes and social security taxes 
Other payables 
Accruals 
Deferred income 

2010 
£ 

1,525,761 
321,837 
12,574 
143,140 
169,570 
________ 

2,172,882 
________ 

2009 
£ 

1,456,699 
244,207 
2,402 
135,460 
-  
________ 

1,838,768 
________ 

30

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

18. 

BANK BORROWINGS

Amounts due to invoice discounters 

Solid State PLC

2010 
£ 

2009 
£ 

1,063,703 
_______ 

712,039 
_______ 

The bank overdraft is secured by a fixed and floating charge over the assets of the Company and the Group.  
At the balance sheet date, the Group had an undrawn overdraft facility of £140,000 (2009: £nil).  

19.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS  

The Group’s overall risk management programme seeks to minimise potential adverse effects on the Group’s 
financial performance.

The  Group’s  financial  instruments  comprise  cash  and  cash  equivalents  and  various  items  such  as  trade 
payables and receivables that arise directly from its operations.  The Group is exposed through its operations to 
the following risks: 

•
•
•
•

Credit risk 
Foreign currency risk 
Liquidity risk 
Cash flow interest rate risk 

In  common  with  all  other  businesses,  the  Group  is  exposed  to  risks  that  arise  from  its  use  of  financial 
instruments.    This  note  describes  the  Group’s  objectives,  policies  and  processes  for  managing  those  risks.  
Further quantitative information in respect of these risks is presented throughout these financial statements. 

There  have  been  no  substantive  changes  in  the  Group’s  exposure  to  financial  instrument  risks  and 
consequently the objectives, policies and processes are unchanged from the previous period. 

The  Board  has  overall  responsibility  for  the  determination  of  the  Group’s  risk  management  policies.    The 
objective of the Board is to set policies that seek to reduce the risk as far as possible without unduly affecting 
the Group’s competitiveness and effectiveness.  Further details of these policies are set out below: 

31

Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

19. 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued) 

Credit risk
The  Group  is  exposed  to  credit  risk  primarily  on  its  trade  receivables,  which  are  spread  over  a  range  of 
customers and countries, a factor that helps to dilute the concentration of the risk. 

It  is  Group  policy,  implemented  locally,  to  assess  the  credit  risk  of  each  new  customer  before  entering  into 
binding contracts.  Each customer account is then reviewed on an ongoing basis (at least once a year) based on 
available information and payment history. 

The maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the carrying value in the balance sheet as shown in note 
16  and  in  the  balance  sheet.    The  amount  of  the  exposure  shown  in  note  16  is  stated  net  of  provisions  for 
doubtful debts. 

The  credit  risk  on  liquid  funds  is  low  as  the  funds  are  held  at  banks  with  high  credit  ratings  assigned  by 
international credit rating agencies. 

Foreign currency risk 
Foreign exchange transaction risk arises when individual Group operations enter into transactions denominated 
in a currency other than their functional currency.  The general policy for the Group is to sell to customers in 
the  same  currency  that  goods  are  purchased  in  reducing  the  transactional  risk.    Where  transactions  are  not 
matched excess foreign currency amounts generated from trading are converted back to sterling and required 
foreign currency amounts are converted from sterling and the use of forward currency contracts is considered. 

Foreign  exchange  translation  risk  arises  on  translation  of  the  balance  sheets  of  Group  operations  whose 
functional currency is different to that of the Group as a whole. The predominant area where this risk applies is 
US dollars and Swiss francs. 

Liquidity risk 
The Group operates a Group overdraft facility common to all its trading companies and invoice discounting is 
used on some sales to customers meaning that the UK business can receive immediate payment on its sales. 

The  Group  has  approximately  a  three  month  visibility  in  its  trading  and  runs  a  rolling  3  month  cash  flow 
forecast.    If  any  part  of  the  Group  identifies  a  shortfall  in  its  future  cash  position  the  Group  has  sufficient 
facilities that it can direct funds to the location where they are required.  If this situation is forecast to continue 
into the future remedial action is taken. 

Cash flow interest rate risk
External  Group  borrowings  are  approved  centrally.    The  Board  accepts  that  this  neither  protects  the  Group 
entirely  from  the  risk  of  paying  rates  in  excess  of  current  market  rates  nor  eliminates  fully  cash  flow  risk 
associated with interest payments.  It considers, however, that by ensuring approval of borrowings is made by 
the Board the risk of borrowing at excessive interest rates is reduced.  The Board considers that the rates being 
paid are in line with the most competitive rates it is possible for the Group to achieve. 

Credit risk
The carrying amount of financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure.  The maximum exposure to 
credit risk at the reporting date was: 

Current financial assets 
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 

32

Loans and Receivables 
2009 
£ 

2010 
£ 

2,562,387 
343,835 
________ 

2,906,222 
________ 

2,219,874 
216,796
________ 

2,436,670 
________ 

 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

Solid State PLC

19. 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued) 

The maximum exposure to credit risk for trade receivables at the reporting date by geographic region was: 

UK 
Non UK 

Carrying value 

2010 
£ 

2,346,611 
142,896 
________ 

2,489,507 
________ 

2009 
£ 

1,998,256 
116,970 
________ 

2,115,226 
________ 

The  Group  policy  is  to  make  a  provision  against  those  debts  that  are  overdue,  unless  there  are  grounds  for 
believing  that  all  or  some  of  the  debts  will  be  collected.    During  the  year  the  value  of  provisions  made  in 
respect  of  bad  and  doubtful  debts  was  £20,000  (2009:  £28,000)  which  represented  less  than  0.15%  (2009: 
0.22%)  of  revenue.  This  provision  is  included  within  the  management  and  administration  costs  in  the 
Consolidated Income Statement. 

Trade receivables ageing by geographical segment 

Geographical area 

2010
UK 
Non UK 

Total 

Total 
£ 

Current 
£ 

30 days 
past due 
£ 

60 days 
past due 
£ 

90 days 
past due
£ 

2,449,254 
142,896 
________ 

2,309,465 
138,913 
________ 

135,142 
1,790 
_______ 

3,293 
2,193 
______ 

1,354 
- 
______ 

2,592,150 

2,448,378 

136,932 

5,486 

1,354 

Less: Provisions 

(102,643) 

-  

(95,803) 

(5,486) 

(1,354) 

Total 

2009
UK 
Non UK 

Total 

________ 

________ 

_______ 

______ 

______ 

2,489,507 
________ 

2,448,378 
________ 

41,129 
_______ 

-  
______ 

-  
______ 

2,100,397 
116,970 
________ 

1,815,974 
107,921 
________ 

236,493 
9,017 
________ 

42,394 
- 
______ 

5,536 
32 
______ 

2,217,367 

1,923,895 

245,510 

42,394 

5,568 

Less: Provisions 

(102,141) 

- 

(54,179) 

(42,394) 

(5,568) 

________ 

________ 

______ 

______ 

______ 

Total 

2,115,226 
________ 

1,923,895 
________ 

191,331 
______ 

- 
______ 

- 
______ 

33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

19. 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued) 

The  Group  records  impairment  losses  on  its  trade  receivables  separately  from  gross  receivables.  The 
movements on this allowance account during the year are summarised below: 

Opening balance 
Increases in provisions 
Written off against provisions 

2010 
£ 

102,141 
20,000 
(19,498) 
_______ 

102,643 
_______ 

2009 
£ 

131,464 
28,000 
(57,323)
_______ 

102,141 
_______

The  main  factor  used  in  assessing  the  impairment  of  trade  receivables  is  the  age  of  the  balances  and  the 
circumstances of the individual customer. 

As shown in the earlier table, at 31st March 2010 trade receivables of £41,129 which were past their due date 
were not impaired (2009: £191,331). All of these were less than 60 days past their due date. 

34

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

19.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued) 

Liquidity risk 

Current financial liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Bank borrowings 
Bank overdraft 

Non current financial liabilities 

Loans and borrowings 

Solid State PLC

Financial liabilities 

measured at amortised cost 

2010 
£ 

2,200,308 
1,063,703 
434,201 
________ 

3,698,212 
________ 

- 
________ 

2009 
£ 

1,838,768 
712,039 
668,280 
________ 

3,219,087 
________ 

-   
________ 

The following are maturities of financial liabilities, including estimated contracted interest payments. 

Carrying  Contractual 
amount 

cash flow 

6 months 
or less 

6 – 12 
months 

1 or more 
   years 

2010 
Secured bank loans 
Bank overdrafts 
Amounts due to invoice 
    discounters 
Trade and other payables 

2009
Bank overdrafts 
Amounts due to invoice 
    discounters 
Trade and other payables 

- 
461,627 

- 
461,627 

- 
461,627 

- 
 - 

- 
  - 

1,063,703 
2,172,882 
________ 

1,063,703 
2,172,882 
________ 

1,063,703 
2,172,882 
________ 

- 
- 
_______ 

   - 
_______ 

3,698,212 
________ 

3,698,212 
________ 

3,698,212 
________ 

- 
_______ 

- 
_______ 

668,280 

668,280 

668,280 

   - 

-   

712,039 
1,973,388 
________ 

712,039 
1,973,388 
________ 

712,039 
1,838,768 
________ 

    - 
134,620 
_______ 

-   
-   
________ 

3,353,707 
________ 

3,353,707 
________ 

3,219,087 
________ 

134,620 
_______ 

-   
________ 

Interest rate risk 
The  Group  finances  its  business  through  a  mixture  of  bank  overdrafts  and  invoice  discounting  facilities.  
During the year the Group utilised these facilities at floating rates of interest. 

The Group bank overdraft with HSBC plc incurs interest at the rate of 2.3% over the HSBC’s base rate.  The 
Group is affected by changes in the UK interest rate. 

Details of interest payable under the invoice discounting agreement are stated in Note 16. 

35

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

19. 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued) 

Interest rate risk (continued) 
The US Dollar overdraft  facility bears the interest rate of 2.3% over the HSBC’s US dollar base rate and is 
therefore affected by changes in the US interest rate. 

The fair value of the Group’s financial instruments is not materially different to the book value. 

In  terms  of  sensitivity,  if  the  HSBC  base  rate  had  been  1%  higher  throughout  the  year  the  level  of  interest 
payable  would  have  been  £19,235  (2009:  £11,579)  higher  and  if  1%  lower  throughout  the  year  the  level  of 
interest payable would have been lower by the same amount. 

Foreign currency risk 
The Group’s main foreign currency risk is the short term risk associated with accounts receivable and payable 
denominated in currencies that are not the subsidiaries functional currency.  The risk arises on the difference in 
the  exchange  rate  between  the  time  invoices  are  raised/received  and  the  time  invoices  are  settled/paid.    For 
sales denominated in foreign currencies the Group will try to ensure that the purchases associated with the sale 
will be in the same currency.  

All  monetary  assets  and  liabilities  of  the  Group  were  denominated  in  sterling  with  the  exception  of  the 
following items which were denominated in US dollars, and which are included in the financial statements at 
the sterling value based on the exchange rate ruling at the balance sheet date. 

The following table shows the net liabilities exposed to exchange rate risk that the Group has at 31st March 
2010: 

Trade receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade payables 

2010 
£ 

636,794 
84,796 
(825,929) 
_______ 

(104,339) 
_______ 

2009 
£ 

677,047 
85,843 
(854,922) 
_______ 

(92,032) 
_______ 

There were also net liabilities of £32,954 in euros (2009: £19,832). 

The Group is exposed to currency risk because it undertakes trading transactions in US dollars and euros.  The 
Directors  do  not  generally  consider  it  necessary  to  enter  into  derivative  financial  instruments  to  manage  the 
exchange risk arising from its operations, but from time to time when the Directors consider foreign currencies 
are weak and it is known that there will be a requirement to purchase those currencies, forward arrangements 
are entered into.  Details of those outstanding at the balance sheet date are given later in this note. 

The effect of a strengthening of 10% in the rate of exchange in the currencies against sterling at the balance 
sheet date would have resulted in an estimated net decrease in pre-tax profit for the year and a decrease in net 
assets of approximately £13,700 (2009: £11,200) and the effect of a weakening of 10% in the rate of exchange 
in the currencies against sterling at the balance sheet date would have resulted in an estimated net increase in 
pre-tax profit for the year and an increase in net assets of approximately £13,700 (2009: £11,200). 

36

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

Solid State PLC

19.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued) 

Foreign currency risk (continued)
At 31st March 2009 the Group had entered into agreement with its bankers to purchase US dollars as follows: 

1st April 2009 
9th April 2009 
9th April 2009 
1st May 2009 
1st May 2009 

$ 
200,000 
250,000 
100,000 
250,000 
100,000 

Rate 
1.40 
1.42 
1.4515 
1.42 
1.4515 

At 31st March 2010 the Group had entered into agreement with its bankers to purchase US dollars as follows:

1st April 2010 
4th May 2010 
1st June 2010 

$ 
200,000 
200,000 
200,000 

Rate 
1.5582 
1.558 
1.529 

Applying  the  actual  exchange  rate  at  the  balance  sheet  date  to  these  agreements  gives  rise  to  an  asset  of 
£10,561 at 31st March 2010 (2009: a liability of £421).  In view of the immaterial nature of these amounts, no 
adjustment has been made in the financial statements. 

Capital under management
The  Group  considers  its  capital  to  comprise  its  ordinary  share  capital,  share  premium  account,  capital 
redemption reserve, foreign exchange reserve and accumulated retained earnings. 

In managing its capital, the Group’s primary objective is to maximise returns for its equity shareholders.  The 
Group  seeks  to  maintain  a  gearing  ratio  that  balances  risks  and  returns  at  an  acceptable  level  and  also  to 
maintain sufficient funding to enable the Group to meet its working capital and strategic investment need.  In 
making  decisions  to  adjust  its  capital  structure  to  achieve  these  aims  the  Group  considers  not  only  its  short 
term position but also its long term operational and strategic objectives. 

The Group’s gearing ratio at 31st March 2010 is shown below: 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Bank overdrafts 
Invoice discounting advance 

Share capital 
Share premium account 
Retained earnings 
Capital redemption reserve 
Foreign exchange reserve 

Gearing ratio 

37

2010 
£ 
(343,835) 
461,627 
1,063,703 
________ 

1,181,495 
________ 

307,826 
756,980 
2,199,714 
4,674 
55,126 
________ 

3,324,320 
________ 

0.262 
________ 

2009 
£ 
(216,796) 
668,280 
712,039 
________ 

1,163,523 
________ 

307,826 
756,980 
1,837,390 
4,674 
58,126 
________ 

2,964,996 
________ 

0.282 
________ 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

20.

DEFERRED TAX 

Accelerated capital allowances 
At 1st April 2009 
Charge for the year 

At 31st March 2010 

21. 

SHARE CAPITAL

Allotted issued and fully paid 
6,156,511 ordinary shares of 5p each 

2010 
£ 

- 
10,024 
______ 

10,024 
______ 

  2010  
£ 

    2009 
£ 

307,826 
_______ 

307,826 
_______ 

An Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme was adopted by the Company in September 2000 and formally 
approved at an Extraordinary General Meeting on 12th December 2000. 

Details of options granted are set out in Note 5.  At 31st March 2010 the number of shares covered by option 
agreements amounted to 634,920 (2009: 634,920). 

No options were exercised in the year (2009: nil). 

22. 

RESERVES

Full details of movements in reserves are set out in the consolidated statement of changes in equity on page 12.   

The following describes the nature and purpose of each reserve within owners’ equity. 

Reserve 

Description and Purpose 

Share premium 
Capital redemption 
Foreign exchange 

Retained earnings 

Amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value. 
Amounts transferred from share capital on redemption of issued shares. 
Gains/losses from the retranslation of net assets of overseas operations 
into sterling 
Cumulative net gains and losses recognised in the consolidated income 
statement. 

23. 

LEASING COMMITMENTS 

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

2010 
£ 

86,402 
32,555 
- 
______ 

2009 
£ 

117,454 
81,822 
1,320 
______ 

No later than 1 year 
Later than 1 year and no later than 5 years 
Later than 5 years 

38

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

24. 

SHARE BASED PAYMENT 

The Group operates an approved Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme whereby Mr G S Marsh and Mr J 
M Lavery have been granted options to purchase shares in Solid State PLC at a subscription price which was 
not less than the market value at the time the option was granted. The options in place at 31st March 2010 all 
have an exercise period of any time after one year from the date of the grant subject to the Group share price 
having equalled or exceeded 50p per share at the close of business on 20 consecutive business days. 

None of the options have been exercised since the scheme was put into place.  Details of the current options 
are stated in Note 5. 

The share-based remuneration expenses amounted to £12,546 for the year (2009: £12,546). 

The following information is relevant to the determination of the fair value of the options.  

Equity settled share based payments 

Option pricing model used 
Weighted average share price at grant date 
Exercise price 
Weighted average contractual life 
Expected volatility 
Expected dividend growth rate 
Risk free interest rate 

2009 and 2010 

Binominal Tree 
31.5p 
31.5p 

1.2 years 
78.52% 
- 
4.31% 

The  volatility  assumption,  measured  at  the  standard  deviation  of  expected  share  price  returns,  is  based  on  a 
statistical analysis of daily share prices over the twelve months prior to the date of the grant. 

The market vesting conditions have been factored into the calculation by applying an appropriate discount to 
the fair value of equivalent share options without the specified vesting conditions. 

39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

25.

  SEGMENT INFORMATION 

The  Group’s  primary  reporting  format  for  segment  information  is  business  segments  which  reflect  the 
management reporting structure in the Group.  The distribution division includes Solid State Supplies Limited 
and  the  manufacturing  division  includes  Wordsworth  Technology  Limited  and  Steatite  Limited  which 
incorporates RZ Pressure. 

Year ended 31st March 2009 

Revenue 
External 
Intercompany 

Distribution 
division 

£ 

Manufacturing 
division 
£ 

Head
office 
£ 

Total 
£ 

3,642,911 
- 
________ 

8,878,875 
96,789 
________ 

- 
- 
________ 

12,521,786 
96,789 
________ 

3,642,911 

8,975,664 

- 

12,618,575

________ 

________ 

________ 

________ 

Profit/(loss) before tax 

38,827 
________ 

782,674 
________ 

(207,000) 
________ 

614,501 
________ 

Balance sheet 
Assets 
Liabilities 

1,719,736 
(2,111,952) 
________ 

4,593,017 
(1,217,921) 
________ 

- 
(17,884) 
________ 

6,312,753 
(3,347,757) 
________ 

Net assets/(liabilities) 

(392,216) 
________ 

3,375,096 
________ 

(17,884) 
________ 

2,964,996 
________ 

Other
Capital expenditure 
-  Tangible fixed assets 
-  Intangible fixed assets 
Depreciation, amortisation and 
  other non cash expenses 
Interest paid 

44,812 
- 

48,108 
12,000 
________ 

56,983 
- 

80,040 
12,639 
________ 

- 
- 

- 
35,686 
________ 

101,795 
- 

128,148 
60,325 
________ 

40

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

25. 

SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued) 

Year ended 31st March 2010 

Revenue 
External 
Intercompany 

Profit/(loss) before tax

Balance sheet 
Assets 
Liabilities 

Distribution 
division 

£ 

Manufacturing 
division 
£ 

Head
office 
£ 

Total 
£ 

3,544,437 
- 
________ 

3,544,437 
________ 

(40,748) 
________ 

9,964,686 
6,125 
________ 

9,970,811 
________ 

779,533 
________ 

-   
-   
________ 

13,509,123 
6,125 
_________ 

-   
________ 

13,515,248 
_________ 

(209,000) 
________ 

529,785 
________ 

1,650,165 
(2,059,313) 
________ 

5,372,367 
(1,708,268) 
________ 

-   
(49,445) 
_______ 

7,022,532 
(3,817,026) 
________ 

Net assets/(liabilities) 

(409,148) 
________ 

3,664,099 
_________ 

(49,445) 
_______ 

3,205,506 
________ 

Other
Capital expenditure 
-  Tangible fixed assets 
-  Intangible fixed assets 
Depreciation, amortisation and 
  other non cash expenses 
Interest paid 

69,929 
3,835 

53,956 
11,565 
________ 

88,082 
- 

67,596 
10,474 
________ 

- 
- 

- 
658 
________ 

158,011 
3,835 

121,552 
22,697 
________ 

Included  within  the  manufacturing  division  is  £1,864,461  (2009:  £0)  relating  to  income  from  a  major 
customer which accounts for greater than 10% of the Group’s turnover. 

United Kingdom 
Ireland 
Europe 
North America 
Asia 
Africa 
Australasia 
South America 

External revenue by 
location of customer 
2009 
£ 

2010 
£ 

Total assets by 
location of assets 
2009 
2010 
£ 
£ 

12,351,720  11,397,659 
- 
747,966 
119,234 
148,332 
92,076 
14,302 
2,217 
_________  _________ 

109,893 
763,260 
95,930 
159,643 
15,894 
12,442 
341 

7,007,211 
- 
15,321 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
________ 

6,195,887 
- 
116,866 
- 
- 
  - 
  - 
- 
________ 

Net tangible capital 
expenditure by location 

of assets 

2010 
£ 

104,456 
- 
- 
- 
- 
  - 
  - 
- 
______ 

2009 
£ 

93,295 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
_______ 

13,509,123  12,521,786 
_________  _________ 

7,022,532 
________ 

6,312,753 
________ 

104,456 
______ 

93,295
_______ 

All the above relate to continuing operations. 

41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

26. 

POST BALANCE SHEET EVENT 

On  1st  April  2010  the  Group  acquired  100%  of  the  ordinary  shares  in  Rugged  Systems  Limited  for  a  cash 
consideration of £225,263. The investment in Rugged Systems Limited will be included in the Group’s balance 
sheet at its fair value at the date of acquisition.  Rugged Systems Limited is one of Europe’s leading suppliers 
of rugged mobile computer, display and communications services which will strengthen the Group’s product 
offering. 

Analysis of the acquisition of Rugged Systems Limited: Net assets at the date of acquisition. 

Intangible fixed assets 

Tangible fixed assets 

Net current (liabilities) 

Deferred tax 

Net assets/(liabilities) on acquisition 

Goodwill arising on acquisition 

Discharged by: 

Cash 

Book 
value 

Fair value 
adjustments 

Fair value 
to Group 

£ 

£ 

£ 

- 

140,434 

140,434 

71,690 

(63,851) 

7,839 

(100,038) 

-  

(100,038) 

- 
_______ 

(28,348) 
_______ 

(36,513) 
______ 

40,070 
______ 

(36,513) 
_______ 

11,722 

213,541 
_______ 

225,263 
_______ 

225,263 
_______ 

In addition to the purchase price, the Group incurred costs relating to the acquisition of £7,500. 

The intangible fixed assets comprise the estimated net present value of customer relationships.  The goodwill 
arises from the expected synergies from adding Rugged Systems Limited to the rugged computer division of 
Steatite Limited with the aim of becoming the UKs leading supplier of rugged computers. 

42

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

COMPANY BALANCE SHEET 
at 31st March 2010 

FIXED ASSETS 
Investments 

CURRENT ASSETS 
Debtors 
Cash at bank and in hand 

CREDITORS:  Amounts falling due within 
one year 

NET CURRENT ASSETS/(LIABILITIES) 

NET ASSETS 

CAPITAL AND RESERVES 
Called up share capital 
Share premium account 
Capital redemption reserve 
Profit and loss account 

SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS 

Notes 

2010 

2009 

£

£ 

£

£

4 

5 

 2,454,056 
_________ 

 2,464,056 
 ________ 

 2,454,056 

 2,464,056 

1,425,091   
254,603 
________ 

1,679,694 

-   

- 
- 
 ________ 

- 

- 

6 

922,288 
________ 

  998,736 
 ________ 

  757,406 
 ________ 

 3,211,462 
 ________ 

  307,826 
  756,980 
4,674 
 2,141,982 
 ________ 

 3,211,462 
 ________ 

  (998,736) 
 ________ 

 1,465,320 
 ________ 

  307,826 
  756,980 
4,674 
  395,840 
 ________ 

 1,465,320 
 ________ 

7 
8 
8 
8 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 28th July 2010. 

P Haining 
Director 

The notes on pages 46 to 49 form part of these financial statements.

43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010  

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are considered 
material in relation to the Company’s financial statements. 

Basis of preparation 
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable UK accounting standards and under 
the historical cost convention.  The accounts have been prepared on the going concern basis. 

Profit and loss account 
Under section 408(4) of the Companies Act 2006 the Company is exempt from the requirement to present its 
own profit and loss account.  The loss for the year ended 31st March 2010 is disclosed in Note 8. 

Foreign currencies 
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at closing rates of exchange. 

Investments in subsidiaries 
Investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost less amounts provided for impairment. 

Other financial liabilities 
Other financial liabilities include the following items: 

•• Amounts owed by group undertakings and other creditors, which are recognised at amortised cost. 
•

Bank  borrowings  are  initially  recognised  at  the  amount  advanced  net  of  any  transaction  costs  directly 
attributable to the issue of the instrument.  Such interest bearing liabilities are subsequently measured at 
amortised  cost  using  the  effective  interest  rate  method  which  ensures  that  any  interest  expense  over  the 
period  to  repayment  is  at  a  constant  rate  on  the  balance  of  the  liabilities  carried  in  the  balance  sheet.  
Interest expense in this context includes initial transaction costs and premium payable on redemption, as 
well as any interest or coupon payable while the liability is outstanding. 

Shared based payment 
Where share options are awarded to employees, the fair value of the options at the date of grant is charged to 
the profit and loss account over the vesting period.  Non-market vesting conditions are taken into account by 
adjusting the number of equity instruments expected to vest at each balance sheet date so that, ultimately, the 
cumulative amount recognised over the vesting period is based on the number of options that eventually vest. 
Market  vesting  conditions  are  factored  into  the  fair  value  of  options  granted.  As  long  as  all  other  vesting 
conditions are satisfied, a change is made irrespective of whether the market vesting conditions are satisfied. 
The cumulative expense is not adjusted for factors to achieve a market vesting condition. 

Where the terms and conditions of options are modified before they vest, the increase in the fair value of the 
options, measured immediately before and after the modification, is also charged to the profit and loss account 
over the remaining vesting period. 

2.

STAFF COSTS

Staff costs amounted £12,546 (2009: £12,546) and comprised the share based payment expense. There were 4 
employees (2009: 4), all of whom were executive directors and none of whom received any remuneration from 
the Company. No other remuneration was paid by the Company and the Directors receive their remuneration 
from  subsidiary  companies.  Details  of  directors’  emoluments  are  given  in  note  5  to  the  Group  financial 
statements. 

44

 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010  

3.

SHARE BASED PAYMENT

The Group operates an approved Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme whereby Mr G S Marsh and Mr J 
M Lavery have been granted options to purchase shares in Solid State PLC at a subscription price which was 
not less than the market value at the time the option was granted. The options in place at 31st March 2010 all 
have an exercise period of any time after one year from the date of the grant subject to the Group share price 
having equalled or exceeded 50p per share at the close of business on 20 consecutive business days. 

None of the options have been exercised since the scheme was put into place.  Details of the current options 
are stated in Note 5 of the consolidated financial statements. 

The share-based remuneration expenses amounted to £12,546 for the year (2009: £12,546). 

The following information is relevant to the determination of the fair value of the options.  

Equity settled share based payments 

Option pricing model used 
Weighted average share price at grant date 
Exercise price 
Weighted average contractual life 
Expected volatility 
Expected dividend growth rate 
Risk free interest rate 

2009 and 2010 

Binominal Tree 
31.5p 
31.5p 

1.2 years 

78.52% 
- 
4.31% 

The  volatility  assumption,  measured  at  the  standard  deviation  of  expected  share  price  returns,  is  based  on  a 
statistical analysis of daily share prices over the twelve months prior to the date of the grant. 

The market vesting conditions have been factored into the calculation by applying an appropriate discount to 
the fair value of equivalent share options without the specified vesting conditions. 

45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

4. 

INVESTMENTS
Company 

NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

Cost 
1st April 2009 
Disposal 

31st March 2010 

Net book value 
31st March 2010 

31st March 2009 

Subsidiary undertakings

Group 
undertakings 

£

2,464,056 
(10,000) 
________ 

2,454,056 
________ 

2,454,056 
________ 

2,464,056 
________ 

The principal undertakings in which the Company’s interest at the year end is 20% or more are as follows: 

Subsidiary undertakings 
Solid State Supplies Limited 
Steatite Limited 

Proportion of voting 
rights and Ordinary 
share capital held 

Nature of business 

100% 
100% 

Distribution of electronic components 
Distribution of electronic components and 
manufacture of electronic equipment 

In both cases the country of operation and of incorporation or registration is England. 

With effect from 1st April 2009 the trade of Wordsworth Technology Limited was transferred to Steatite 
Limited and the company became dormant. 

5. 

DEBTORS 

Amounts owed by Group undertakings 

6. 

CREDITORS:  Amounts falling due within one year 

Bank overdraft (secured) 
Amounts owed to Group undertakings 
Other creditors 

46

2010 
£ 

2009 
£ 

1,425,091   
_______ 

- 
_______ 

2010 
£ 

27,426 
893,040 
1,822 
_______ 

922,288 
_______ 

2009 
£ 

-  
997,019 
1,717 
_______ 

998,736 
_______ 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2010 (continued) 

6. 

CREDITORS:  Amounts falling due within one year (continued) 

The  Company  has  guaranteed  bank  borrowings  of  its  subsidiary  undertakings,  Solid  State  Supplies  Limited 
and Steatite Limited.  At the year end the liabilities covered by those guarantees amounted to £434,201 (2009: 
£567,337).    The  Company  accounts  for  guarantees  provided  to  Group  companies  as  insurance  contracts, 
recognising a liability only to the extent that it is probable the guarantees will be called upon. 

7.

SHARE CAPITAL 

Allotted issued and fully paid 
6,156,511 ordinary shares of 5p each 

2010 

2009 
£                                £ 

307,826 
_______ 

307,826 
_______ 

An Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme was adopted by the Company in September 2000 and formally 
approved at an Extraordinary General Meeting on 12th December 2000. 

Details of options granted are set out in Note 5 of the Consolidated Accounts.  At 31st March 2010 the number 
of shares covered by option agreements amounted to 634,920 (2009: 634,920). 

No options were exercised in the year (2009: nil). 

8. 

RESERVES 

1st April 2009 
Profit for the year 

Add: Share based expense 

Dividend paid 

31st March 2010 

Share premium  Capital redemption  Profit & loss 

account 

reserve 

account 

756,980 
- 
_______ 

756,980 
- 
_______ 

756,980 
- 
________ 

756,980 
________ 

4,674 
- 
_____ 

4,674 
- 
_____ 

4,674 
- 
_____ 

4,674 
_____ 

395,840 
1,918,291 
_______ 

2,314,131 
12,546 
_______ 

2,326,677 
(184,695) 
_______ 

2,141,982 
_______ 

The profit for the year comprises a dividend received and the share based expense and the loss on disposal of a 
dormant subsidiary.   

Overheads relating to the audit of the Company and to its listing on the London Stock Exchange are processed 
in the accounts of Solid State Supplies Limited. 

The cumulative amount of goodwill which has been eliminated against reserves at 31st March 2010 is £30,000 
(2009: £30,000). 

47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notice  is  hereby  given  that  the  annual  general  meeting  of  Solid  State  PLC  will  be  held  at  Unit  2,  Eastlands  Lane, 
Paddock Wood, Kent TN12 6BU on 1st September 2010 at 11.00am for the following purposes: 

ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS 

(1) 

(2) 
(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

To  receive  and  adopt  the  accounts  for  the  year  ended  31st  March  2010,  together  with  the  reports  of  the 
Directors and auditors thereon.  (Resolution 1) 
To declare a final dividend of 2p per share.  (Resolution 2) 
To reappoint John Michael Lavery, who retires by rotation, as a Director of the Company in accordance with 
the Company’s Articles of Association.  (Resolution 3) 
To reappoint William George Marsh, who retires by rotation, as a Director of the Company in accordance with 
the Company’s Articles of Association.  (Resolution 4) 
To reappoint John Lawford Macmichael, who has been appointed as a Director since the last annual general 
meeting, as a Director of the Company in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association (Resolution 
5)
To reappoint Anthony Brian Frere, who has been appointed as a Director since the last annual general meeting, 
as a Director of the Company in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association (Resolution 6) 
To  reappoint  Haysmacintyre  as  auditors  of  the  Company  and  to  authorise  the  Directors  to  fix  their 
remuneration.  (Resolution 7) 
To pass the following resolution: 
That  the  Company  is,  pursuant  to  Section  701  of  the  Companies  Act  2006,  hereby  generally  and 
unconditionally  authorised  to  make  market  purchases  (within  the  meaning  of  Section  693  of  the  Companies 
Act 2006) of ordinary shares of 5p each in the capital of the Company (“ordinary shares”) provided that:- 
the minimum price which may be paid for the ordinary shares is 5p per ordinary share; 
i) 
the maximum price which may be paid for the ordinary shares is £1.00 per ordinary share; 
ii)
the  authority  hereby  conferred  shall  expire  after  a  period  of  18  months  from  the  passing  of  this 
iii)
resolution unless such authority is renewed prior to such expiry; 
the authority hereby conferred is in substitution for any existing authority to purchase ordinary shares 
under the said Section 701; 
the Company may make a contract to purchase ordinary shares under the authority hereby conferred 
prior to the expiry of such authority which will be executed wholly or partly after the expiry of such 
authority and may make a purchase or purchases of ordinary shares in pursuance of any such contract; 
and 
the maximum number of ordinary shares hereby authorised to be purchased by the Company does not 
exceed 15 per cent of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company at the date of the passing of 
this resolution.  (Resolution 8) 

iv)

vi)

v)

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD 

P Haining FCA 
Director
28th July 2010 

Registered office:
Unit 2, Eastlands Lane, Paddock Wood, Kent TN12 6BU 

NOTES:
1.

Proxies 
Only holders of ordinary shares are entitled to attend and vote at this meeting.  A member entitled to attend and 
vote may appoint a proxy or proxies who need not be a member of the Company to attend and to vote instead of 
him  or  her.    Forms  of  proxy  need  to  be  deposited  with  the  Company’s  registrar,  Capita  Group  plc,  Balfour 
House, The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU, not later than 48 hours before the time 
of the meeting.  Completion of a form of proxy will not preclude a member attending and voting in person at the 
meeting. 

2. 

Documents on Display 
The register of Directors’ interests in the share capital and debentures of the Company, together with copies of 
service  agreements  under  which  Directors  of  the  Company  are  employed,  are  available  for  inspection  at  the 
Company’s  registered  office  during  normal  business  hours  from  the  date  of  this  notice  until  the  date  of  the 
Annual General Meeting and will also be available for inspection at the place of the Annual General Meeting for 
at least 15 minutes prior to the meeting. 

48

 
 
SOLID STATE PLC

FORM OF PROXY 

Please read the notes below before completing the form. Any amendments to this form should be initialled by the
signatory.

I/We (name/(s) in full
of address(es)

being  a  member(s)  of  the  above  named  company, hereby  appoint  the  Chairman  of  the  Meeting, or
failing him
as my/our proxy to vote for me/us on my/our behalf at the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held
at Unit 2, Eastlands Lane, Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6BU on Wednesday 1st September 2010 at 11.00am and
at any adjournment thereof.

Resolution

For

Against

1. To  receive  and  adopt  the  accounts  for  the  year  ended  31st  March  2010

together with the reports of the Directors and auditors thereon.

2. To declare a final dividend of 2p per share.

3. To  re-appoint  John  Michael  Lavery, who  retires  by  rotation, as  a  Director
of the Company in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association.

4. To re-appoint William George Marsh, who retires by rotation, as a Director
of the Company in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association.

5. To  re-appoint  John  Lawford  Macmichael, who  has  been  appointed  as  a
Director since the last annual general meeting, as a Director of the Company
in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association.

6. To  re-appoint Anthony  Brian  Frere, who  has  been  appointed  as  a  Director 
since  the  last  annual  general  meeting, as  a  Director  of  the  Company  in 
accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association.

7. To re-appoint Haysmacintyre as auditors of the Company and to authorise

the Directors to fix their remuneration.

8. To authorise the Company to purchase its own shares.

Signature

Notes

Date

1. You may appoint one or more proxies of your own choice, if you are unable to attend the meeting but would like to vote.
If such an appointment is made, delete the words “the Chairman of the Meeting” and insert the name(s) of the person or
persons appointed as proxy/proxies in the space provided. A proxy need not be a member of the Company. If no name is
entered above, the return of this form duly signed will authorise the Chairman of the meeting to act as your proxy.

2.

In the case of a corporation, this form of proxy must be properly executed under the hand of its duly authorised officer or
attorney or any other person authorised to sign on behalf of the corporation.

3. To be valid, this form must be deposited (together with any power of attorney or other authority under which it is signed
or a notarially certified copy of such power or a copy certified in accordance with Powers of Attorney Act 1971 or in some
other manner approved by the Directors), at Capita IRG plc, The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, Kent BR3 4TU, not later
than 48 hours before the time appointed for the Meeting. The completion and return of a form of proxy will not, however,
preclude shareholders from attending and voting in person at the Meeting.

4.

5.

If two or more persons are jointly entitled to a share conferring the right to vote, any one of them may vote at the Meeting
either  in  person  or  by  proxy, but  if  more  than  one  joint  holder  be  present  at  the  Meeting  either  in  person  or  by  proxy
the one whose name stands first in the Register of Members in respect of the joint holding shall alone be entitled to vote.
In any event the names of all joint holders should be stated above.

If  this  form  is  returned  without  any  indication  as  to  how  the  person(s)  appointed  shall  vote  on  the  resolutions, such
persons(s) will exercise his/her/their discretion as to how to vote or whether to abstain from voting.  Unless instructed other
wise, the proxy may also vote or abstain from voting as he or she thinks fit on any other business, which may properly
come before the meeting (including amendments to resolutions).

Please return this form to:

Capita IRG plc, The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU