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Solid State PLC

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FY2013 Annual Report · Solid State PLC
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SOLID STATE PLC

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www.solidstateplc.com

 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

CONTENTS  

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  gniteeM lareneG launnA fo ecitoN

Page 

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1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

Directors:  

DIRECTORS, SECRETARY AND ADVISERS 

Deputy Chairman 
Chief Executive Officer  

Gordon Leonard Comben, Chairman 
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 ,hsraM nehpetS yraG
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John Michael Lavery, Director   
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William George Marsh, Director 

Director 

 Finance Director 

Company Secretary and  
Registered Office:  

Peter Haining, FCA  
Solid State PLC  
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 daoR aredeH
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  YE9 89B

Company Number:  

00771335  

Nominated Adviser:  

Broker:

Auditors:  

Solicitors:  

Bankers:  

Registrars:  

W H Ireland Limited 
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 detimiL dnalerI H W
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Shakespeares 
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HSBC plc  
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Capita Registrars Limited 
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 UT4 3RB

Country of Incorporation 
of Parent Company: 

Great Britain 

Legal Form:  

Public Limited Company 

Domicile: 

Great Britain 

2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT  

Solid State PLC

Financial Review  
Financial Review  
I am very pleased to report that the Group has performed strongly this year, delivering our third consecutive year of 
I am very pleased to report that the Group has performed strongly this year, delivering our third consecutive year of 
record results. 
record results. 

Revenues  grew  by  22%  to  £31.50m  (2012:  £25.87m)  with  profits  before  tax  rising  by  17%  to  £1.87m  (2012: 
Revenues  grew  by  22%  to  £31.50m  (2012:  £25.87m)  with  profits  before  tax  rising  by  17%  to  £1.87m  (2012: 
£1.60m)  before  charging  exceptional  costs  totalling  £100k  in  the  year;  comprising  relocation  costs  of  £85k  and 
£1.60m)  before  charging  exceptional  costs  totalling  £100k  in  the  year;  comprising  relocation  costs  of  £85k  and 
abortive acquisition costs of £15k.  
abortive acquisition costs of £15k.  

The £3.5m export contract delivered in the first half of the year illustrates the margin variation we experience due to 
The £3.5m export contract delivered in the first half of the year illustrates the margin variation we experience due to 
order size and product mix which resulted in our first half gross margins declining to 24.4%.  However, as indicated 
order size and product mix which resulted in our first half gross margins declining to 24.4%.  However, as indicated 
in  our  interim  statement,  our  gross  profit  margin  improved  in  the  second  half  to  27.9%  in  line  with  recent  years 
in  our  interim  statement,  our  gross  profit  margin  improved  in  the  second  half  to  27.9%  in  line  with  recent  years 
(2011 & 2012: 27.8%). 
(2011 & 2012: 27.8%). 

Operating margins after exceptional costs were stable at 6.2%, again in line with recent years (2011: 6.1% & 2012: 
Operating margins after exceptional costs were stable at 6.2%, again in line with recent years (2011: 6.1% & 2012: 
6.4%), with earnings per share increasing by 12% to 21.8p (2012: 19.5p). 
6.4%), with earnings per share increasing by 12% to 21.8p (2012: 19.5p). 

Total net assets strengthened by 23% to £6.3m (2012: £5.1m) with the Group’s net gearing levels being 37% (2012: 
Total net assets strengthened by 23% to £6.3m (2012: £5.1m) with the Group’s net gearing levels being 37% (2012: 
53%).      
53%).      

Highlights in the period include: 
Highlights in the period include: 

Financial: 
Financial: 

 revonruT
 revonruT
Profit before tax* 
Profit before tax* 
Earnings per share (basic) 
Earnings per share (basic) 
Gross profit margin 
Gross profit margin 
Operating margin* 
Operating margin* 
 dnediviD
 dnediviD

 3102
 3102
 m05.13£
 m05.13£
£1.87m 
£1.87m 
21.8p 
21.8p 
26.1% 
26.1% 
6.2% 
6.2% 
 p0.8
 p0.8

 2102
 2102
 m78.52£
 m78.52£
£1.60m 
£1.60m 
19.5p 
19.5p 
27.8% 
27.8% 
6.4% 
6.4% 
 p52.7
 p52.7

 egnahC
 egnahC
 %22+
 %22+
+17% 
+17% 
+12% 
+12% 
-170bps 
-170bps 
-20bps 
-20bps 
 %01+
 %01+

*Before exceptional items of £100k (£81k H1, £19k H2) 
*Before exceptional items of £100k (£81k H1, £19k H2) 

Operational: 
Operational: 

(cid:129)  £3.5m in-vehicle rugged electronics contract for export 
(cid:129)  £3.5m in-vehicle rugged electronics contract for export 
(cid:129)  Successful relocation of Solid State Supplies to new Redditch HQ increasing scalability and scope for future 
(cid:129)  Successful relocation of Solid State Supplies to new Redditch HQ increasing scalability and scope for future 

efficiency savings 
efficiency savings 

(cid:129)  Acquisition of Q-Par Angus Ltd for £900k (post year end) 
(cid:129)  Acquisition of Q-Par Angus Ltd for £900k (post year end) 

Commenting on the results, Gordon Comben, Chairman of Solid State said: 
Commenting on the results, Gordon Comben, Chairman of Solid State said: 

“These  results  highlight  the  positive  momentum  at  Solid  State,  delivering  our  third  consecutive  year  of  record 
“These  results  highlight  the  positive  momentum  at  Solid  State,  delivering  our  third  consecutive  year  of  record 
results.  In recognition of this performance and future prospects the Board is recommending a 10% increase in the 
results.  In recognition of this performance and future prospects the Board is recommending a 10% increase in the 
annual dividend. 
annual dividend. 

“The recent acquisition of Q-Par is further evidence of our commitment to making complementary acquisitions to 
“The recent acquisition of Q-Par is further evidence of our commitment to making complementary acquisitions to 
strengthen our position in global niche markets and to continue our growth strategy.” 
strengthen our position in global niche markets and to continue our growth strategy.” 

Dividends 
Dividends 
The  resilient  performance  of  the  Group  has  enabled  us  to  continue  our  stated  policy  of  offering  a  progressive 
The  resilient  performance  of  the  Group  has  enabled  us  to  continue  our  stated  policy  of  offering  a  progressive 
dividend  to  shareholders  whilst  retaining  a  prudent  level  of  dividend  cover.    The  Board  is  recommending  a  final 
dividend  to  shareholders  whilst  retaining  a  prudent  level  of  dividend  cover.    The  Board  is  recommending  a  final 
dividend of 5.25p.  An interim dividend of 2.75p per share was paid on 28th January 2013 giving a total dividend in 
dividend of 5.25p.  An interim dividend of 2.75p per share was paid on 28th January 2013 giving a total dividend in 
respect of the year of 8p per share, a 10% increase on the 2012 dividend of 7.25p.   The final dividend will be paid 
respect of the year of 8p per share, a 10% increase on the 2012 dividend of 7.25p.   The final dividend will be paid 
on 2nd September 2013 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 9th August 2013.  The shares will 
on 2nd September 2013 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 9th August 2013.  The shares will 
go ex-dividend on 7th August 2013. 
go ex-dividend on 7th August 2013. 

3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT (continued) 

Business Review 
The Group is focussed on the supply and support of specialist electronics equipment which include high tolerance 
and tailor made battery packs, specialist electronic components, specialist antennas and industrial/rugged computers. 

The market for the Group’s products and services is driven by the need for custom electronic solutions to address 
complex  needs,  typically  in  harsh  environments  where  enhanced  durability  and  resistance  to  extreme  and  volatile 
temperatures  is  vital.    Drivers  in  our  markets  include  efficiency  improvement,  cost  saving,  environmental 
monitoring and safety. 

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

Steatite 
Steatite is one of the leading UK suppliers of electronic equipment. It designs, manufactures and supplies a range of 
products  and  solutions  that  include  bespoke  Lithium  battery  packs,  rugged  mobile  computing/radio  solutions, 
antennas and industrial computer hardware and software. Key to its strategy is the ability to design, manufacture and 
test  to  customer  requirements  for  usage  in  some  of  the  most  difficult  and  harsh  environments  against  the  most 
stringent of standards and qualifications.  

Steatite has performed well during the year delivering 20% growth in sales and a 25.5% increase in pre tax profits, 
matching the significant progress made over the past few years.  

The Steatite division has benefited from taking market share from competitors who are unable to match the breadth 
and technical depth of our business offering, whilst continuing to attract both new supply partners from around the 
world and continuing to invest in the development of new products. 

The strategy we have followed, as a niche specialist business, is continuing to bear fruit.  The successful acquisition 
of Q-Par, post the year end, extends our product offering and client base in a high  margin environment.  We will 
proactively continue to look for acquisitions that offer both synergy and market opportunities enhancing our product 
range and engineering capacity. 

The business is well resourced to take benefit from the growing pipeline of new opportunities in markets such as Oil 
& Gas, Transport and Security and it is  well positioned for further growth as economic conditions improve.  It is 
worth  noting  that  the  Division  will  not  have  the  benefit  of  the  one  off  £3.5million  export  order  in  financial  year 
2013/2014.    This  order  was  delivered  at  lower  than  average  margin  due  to  its  scale  however  made  a  meaningful 
contribution to the results for the Division.  

Given  the  continuing  difficult  economic  conditions  and  the  uncertainty  of  the  pace  of  any  recovery,  we  remain 
cautious for the year ahead, but well positioned to accelerate growth as and when conditions improve. 

Solid State Supplies 
Solid State Supplies is a distributor of specialist components to the UK OEM community; selling semiconductors, 
related  components  and  modules  for  embedded  processing,  control  and  communications  switches,  power 
management units and components for LED lighting.  

Despite the broader market decline in the electronics component sector during the financial 2012/13 period, which 
saw  a  decline  of  c.-13%  as  reported  by  our  industry  association  AFDEC,  Solid  State  Supplies  continued  to 
outperform  the  sector  as  a  whole  and  achieved  growth  in  excess  of  10%.  The  improved  performance  has  been 
derived  through  a  combination  of  organic  growth  and  the  impact  of  franchises  signed  in  the  previous  year.  I  am 
pleased  to  be  able  to  report  that  this  now  concludes  three  successive  years  in  which  the  company  has  achieved 
significant growth. 

4
4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT (continued) 

Solid State PLC

Solid State Supplies (continued) 

2012/13 was a very significant period for Solid State Supplies in which it relocated its business from Paddock Wood 
in Kent to Redditch in the West Midlands. Significantly, the company only lost three members of staff during the 
transition process and was able to maintain its shipments without impact to the customer base. The company now 
operates from approximately 18,000 square feet of modern warehouse and office facilities and this has enabled the 
company to execute on its plan to enter the value added services market. Value added services are now contributing 
to  the  gross  margin  development  of  the  company  and  have  increased  the  perceived  value  of  the  company  to  its 
customers. The company expects to see this element of its business increase throughout the next financial year. 

Franchises added in the previous financial year and during the early part of this financial year are now contributing 
well  to  turnover  growth  and  are  expected  to  have  a  significant  impact  in  the  forthcoming  year  with  several  high 
value projects already pipelined. 

In all, 2012/13 was a strong year for the distribution business despite the one off costs associated with the relocation.  
The outlook for 2013/14 remains positive and the company expects to continue to outperform the market. 

Divisional Summary 
The  companies  in  the  Solid  State  group  have  distinct  characteristics  in  their  market  places.    A  depth  of  technical 
understanding  and  a  collaborative  approach  to  client  relationships  have  always  promoted  an  integrated  process  of 
product design and supply.  The degree of co-operation has always been appreciated by our clients and we believe it 
is of significant commercial value both to us and our customers.  Solid State will continue to pursue this approach 
and to extend it into new relationships where appropriate. 

Our stated strategy is to supplement organic growth with selective acquisitions within the electronics industry which 
will complement our existing Group companies and enable us to achieve improved operating margins through the 
employment of operational efficiencies, scale and distribution. 

Acquisition of Q-Par Angus Limited 
The acquisition of Q-Par Angus Ltd for a consideration of £900,000 in May 2013 is our 6th acquisition in the last 11 
years.    Q-Par’s  expertise  is  in  a  range  of  antennas  and  microwave  systems  that  will  broaden  the  products  and 
services  available  to  our  customers.  Its  solutions  are  in  a  technically  complex  area  that  command  higher  gross 
margins than we currently average across the Group.  We also believe the wide network of international sales agents 
used by Q-Par will benefit our overall business in the coming years.   

Renewal of authority to purchase the Company’s shares and authorities to issue 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 at the end 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 1,045,805 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 
determined by reference to current market prices.  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. 

Resolutions are also being proposed at the Annual General Meeting with regard to the issue of further shares.  One 
resolution will authorise the company to issue new shares up to a third of the current issued share capital by way of a 
rights issue and the second resolution will authorise the company to issue new shares up to 20% of the current issued 
share  capital  without  rights  of  pre-emption  for  existing  shareholders,  and  to  the  extent  that  new  shares  are  issued 
under the second resolution the limit on the first resolution will be reduced such that the total number of new shares 
issued cannot exceed one third of the current share capital. 

5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT (continued) 

Renewal of authority to purchase the Company’s shares and authorities to issue shares (continued) 
Your Directors consider that the resolutions to be proposed at the meeting are 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 4,480,640 
Ordinary shares, representing 64.3% of the Company’s issued Ordinary share capital. 

Outlook 

The current year has started as anticipated and our order book remains strong, with a backlog of £10.4m as at 30th 
April 2013 (£10.5m 31st March 2012). We will continue to drive organic growth and seek further acquisitions that 
complement our existing operations and benefit shareholders. 

Finally, I would like to thank my fellow Directors and all our staff for their continued support in delivering another 
strong Group performance this year.  

Gordon Comben 
Chairman 
18th June 2013 

6

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT  
For the year ended 31st March 2013 

Solid State PLC

The Directors submit their report together with the audited financial statements of the Group in respect of the year 
ended 31st March 2013.  

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 principal risks faced by the Group are foreign currency risk, liquidity risk and credit risk. 

Foreign currency risk primarily relates to the US dollar: Sterling exchange rate and although much progress has been 
made in recent years in converting the sales currency into line with the purchase currency on any contract, the Group 
still has purchases in dollars which are considerably in excess of the sales made in dollars. In the year under review the 
Group purchased US$6,750,000. 

The risk is managed by way of using forward purchase contracts to cover much of the required dollar purchases and 
spot  purchases  to  buy  the  balance  of  the  dollars  enabling  the  Group  to  take  advantage  of  short  term  exchange  rate 
fluctuations.  In  addition,  the  extent  of  dollar  holdings  by  the  Group  is  minimised  to  avoid  unnecessary  exposure  to 
losses in the event of the decline of the dollar against sterling. 

The nature of the business  means that cash  flow requirements  fluctuate  very significantly  with  some large contracts 
requiring significant funding in the short term. Invoice discounting is used as a source of funding on trade debtors in 
Steatite Limited, but in addition the Group has an overdraft facility of £2m to ensure that facilities are always available 
to progress contracts, including circumstances where the contract has been awarded close to the date of commencement 
and advance payments to suppliers are required. As last year, such a contract was completed just prior to the year end 
giving rise, for a second year, to a significant increase in trade receivables and bank overdraft. 

Credit risk arises as the vast majority of sales are on credit terms, and the high turnover in the last month of the year has 
led again to trade receivables being  unusually  high at  £6,713,844 compared  with  £6,519,349 at the end of last  year. 
However it is Group policy that all new customers are assessed for their credit risk before any binding contracts are 
entered into and all existing accounts are reviewed at least once a year. In the year under review bad debts written off 
have amounted to less than 0.03% of the turnover. 

Since  the  end  of  the  year  the  Group  has  acquired  the  whole  of  the  issued  share  capital  of  Q-Par  Angus  Limited,  a 
company  which  specialises  in  the  design  and  manufacture  of  microwave  and  other  RF  (radio  frequency)  products, 
including antenna systems. The company will extend the range of products available within the manufacturing division 
of the Group. The consideration for the purchase was £900,000 subject to a net asset adjustment. 

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 of the Group have increased during the year under review 
by over £1,000,000. 

The Group does not comment on environmental matters. 

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

7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

DIRECTORS’ REPORT 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

Results and Dividends  
The consolidated statement of comprehensive income is set out on page 13. The Directors recommend that a final 
dividend of 5.25p per share is paid. The total dividend for the year is thus 8.00p per share. The final dividend will be 
paid on 2nd September 2013 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 9th August 2013. 

Directors  
The Directors of the Company during the year were:  
G L Comben 
A B Frere 
G S Marsh  
P Haining, FCA 
J M Lavery  
J L Macmichael 
W G Marsh 

Gordon Comben, (dob 09/09/1939), Chairman 
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, and was reappointed as Chairman in November 2011.  

Tony Frere (dob 15/10/1947), Deputy Chairman 
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 sitting 
on the executive council of the ECSN (the electronic component supply network trade association), and in 2013 was 
appointed as Deputy Chairman. 

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 2011 following the acquisition of Rugged Systems Ltd he 
was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Group. 

Peter Haining FCA, (dob 05/09/1956), Finance Director and Company Secretary 
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 Finance Director and Company Secretary, Peter Haining has specific responsibility for reviewing and advising on 
the Group’s budgets and financial affairs.  

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  Steatite  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 2011.  

8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT   
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

Solid State PLC

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 as a Non-executive Director.  

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.  

Corporate Governance  
The Board confirms that the Group has had regard, throughout the accounting period, with the provisions set out in 
the UK Corporate Governance Code which was issued by the Financial Reporting Council in May 2010. 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 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  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 three 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 1,027,714 ordinary shares under authority given by 
a resolution at the Annual General Meeting on 8th August 2012 This authority expires on 8th February 2014. 

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.  

9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

DIRECTORS’ REPORT 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities  
The  Directors  are  responsible  for  keeping  proper  accounting  records  that  are  sufficient  to  show  and  explain  the 
company’s transactions and disclose  with reasonable accuracy at any  time the  financial  position of the  group and 
enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 and Article 4 of the IAS 
Regulation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the group and hence for taking reasonable steps 
for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

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 
Under  company  law  the  directors  must  not  approve  the  financial  statements  unless  they  are  satisfied  that  they 
present fairly the financial position, financial performance and cash flows of the Group for that period.  

In preparing the financial statements  the Directors are required to: 

(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 

select suitable accounting policies in accordance with IAS 8 Accounting Policies, changes in Accounting 
Estimates and Errors and then apply them consistently. 

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. 

(cid:129)  State that the group has complied with IFRS, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in 

the financial statements,  

(cid:129) 

and make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. 

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: 

(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. 

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

(cid:129)  make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent. 

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  corporate  and  financial  information  group’s  website  is  the 
responsibility  of  the  Directors.  The  Directors’  responsibility  also  extends  to  the  ongoing  integrity  of  the  financial 
statements contained therein. The work carried out by the auditors does not include consideration of the maintenance 
and  the  integrity  of  the  website  and  accordingly  the  auditor  accepts  no  responsibility  for  any  changes  that  have 
occurred to the financial statements when they are presented on the website. 

10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT   
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

Solid State PLC

Creditor Payment Policy  
The Company’s policy for the year to 31st March 2013 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 38 days (2012: 47 days). 

Auditors  
Each of the persons who are Directors at the time when this Directors’ Report is approved has confirmed that: 

(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 

so far as that Director is aware , there is no relevant audit information of which the company’s auditors are 
unaware, and 
that  Director  has  taken  all  steps  that  ought  to  have  been  taken  as  a  Director  in  order  to be  aware  of  any 
information  needed  by  the  auditors  in  connection  with  preparing  their  report  and  to  establish  that  the 
company’s auditors are aware of that information. 

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  
18th June 2013 

Registered Office: 2 Ravensbrook Business Park, Hedera Road, Redditch, B98 9EY 

11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 2013 which comprise the 
Consolidated  Statement  of  Comprehensive  Income,  the  Consolidated  Statement  of  Changes  in  Equity,  the 
Consolidated  Statement  of  Financial  Position,  the  Consolidated  Statement  of  Cash  Flows,  the  Company  Balance 
Sheet 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  Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the 
Companies Act 2006.  Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those 
matters  we  are  required  to  state  to  them  in  an  Auditor’s  report  and  for  no  other  purpose.    To  the  fullest  extent 
permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company’s 
members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors 
As  explained  more  fully  in  the  Directors’  Responsibilities  Statement  set  out  on  pages  9  and  10,  the  directors  are 
responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. 
Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law 
and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland).  Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing 
Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors. 

Scope of the audit of the financial statements 
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.  In 
addition,  we  read  all  the  financial  and  non-financial  information  in  the  Directors’  Report  to  identify  material 
inconsistencies with the audited financial statements.  If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or 
inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report. 

Opinion on financial statements 
In our opinion: 
(cid:129) 

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 2013 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. 

(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 

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: 

(cid:129) 

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 
(cid:129) 
the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or 
(cid:129) 
certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or 
(cid:129)  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 

12

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS 
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF SOLID STATE PLC  (continued) 

Solid State PLC

Notes 

1.  The maintenance and integrity of the group’s website is the responsibility of the directors, the work carried 
out by the auditors does not involve consideration of those matters and, accordingly, the auditors accept no 
responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the financial statements since they were initially 
presented on the website. 

2.  Legislation  in  the  United  Kingdom  governing  the  preparation  and  dissemination  of  financial  statements 

may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

David Cox (Senior statutory auditor) 
for and on behalf of haysmacintyre, Statutory Auditor 
18th June 2013 

Fairfax House 
15 Fulwood Place 
London  WC1V 6AY 

13

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 

        For the year ended 31st March 2013 

  euneveR
 selas fo tsoC

 TIFORP SSORG
 stsoc noitubirtsiD
 sesnepxe evitartsinimdA
 noitisiuqca no niaG

 SNOITAREPO MORF TIFORP

 stsoc ecnaniF

 NOITAXAT EROFEB TIFORP
 esnepxe xaT

 YTIUQE OT ELBATUBIRTTA TIFORP
 TNERAP EHT FO SREDLOH

 EMOCNI EVISNEHERPMOC REHTO
Translation differences on overseas operations 

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR 

 setoN
 2

 3

 6

 7

2013 
£ 
 779,494,13
 )915,062,32(
 _________

 854,432,8
 )579,715,2(
 )483,278,3(
 -
 _________

2012 
£ 
 151,478,52
)749,676,81(
 _________

 402,791,7
 )908,813,2(
 )039,173,3(
 782,061
 _________

 990,448,1

 257,666,1

 )666,37(
 _________

)806,76(
 _________

 334,077,1
 )553,382(
 _________

 441,995,1
 )951,282(
 _________

 870,784,1
 _________

589,613,1
 _________

 -
_________ 

 -
_________ 

1,487,078 
 _________

1,316,985 
 _________

 ERAHS REP SGNINRAE
 cisaB
 detuliD

 8
 8

 p8.12
 p1.12

 p5.91
 p2.91

The notes on pages 19 to 50 form part of these financial statements.

14

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 

Solid State PLC

 erahS  
 latipaC

 latipaC

 erahS  
 deniateR egnahcxE  noitpmedeR muimerP
 evreseR

 evreseR

 ngieroF

Reserve  Earnings  Total 

Balance at 31st March 2011 

307,826 

756,980 

4,674 

59,834 

2,809,288 

3,938,602 

Total comprehensive income 
For the year ended 31st March 2012 

- 

- 

Issue of new shares 

31,746 

168,254 

Share based payment expense 

 sdnediviD

Reallocation on winding up of a subsidiary 

- 

 -

- 

- 

 -

- 

- 

- 

- 

 -

- 

- 

- 

- 

 -

1,316,985 

1,316,985 

- 

200,000 

92,023 

92,023 

 )344,144(

 )344,144(

(59,834) 

59,834 

- 

Balance at 31st March 2012 

339,572 

925,234 

4,674 

- 

3,836,687 

5,106,167 

 _______

 _______

 _______

 _______

 _______

 _______

Total comprehensive income  
For the year ended 31st March 2013 

- 

- 

 serahs wen fo eussI

 030,9

 071,841

Share based payment expense 

 sdnediviD

- 

 -

- 

 -

- 

 -

- 

 -

- 

 -

- 

 -

1,487,078 

1,487,078 

 -

 002,751

44,445 

44,445 

 )758,315(

 )758,315(

 _______

 _______

 _______

 _______

 _______

 _______

Balance at 31st March 2013 

348,602 
 _______

1,073,404 
 _______

4,674 
 _______

- 
 _______

4,854,353 
 _______

6,281,033 
 _______

The notes on pages 19 to 50 form part of these financial statements.

15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 
at 31st March 2013 

Company Number: 00771335 

 setoN

£ 

£ 

£ 

£ 

2013 

2012 

 STESSA
 STESSA TNERRUC-NON
 tnempiuqe dna tnalp ,ytreporP
 stessa elbignatnI

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 

 STESSA TNERRUC
 seirotnevnI
 selbaviecer rehto dna edarT
 stnelaviuqe hsac dna hsaC

 STESSA TNERRUC LATOT

 STESSA LATOT

 SEITILIBAIL
 SEITILIBAIL TNERRUC
 tfardrevo knaB
 selbayap rehto dna edarT
 sgniworrob knaB
 seitilibail xat noitaroproC

 01
 11

 41
 51

 949,419
 207,693,2
 ________

3,311,651 

 071,158
 975,524,2
 ________

3,276,749 

 537,650,3
 057,271,7
 279,790,1
 ________

 500,260,3
 086,278,6
 868,14
 ________

 754,723,11 
 _________ 

 801,936,41 
 _________ 

 355,679,9
 _________ 

 203,352,31 
 _________ 

 61
 71

 549,694,2
 054,417,4
 225,509
 037,981
 ________

 599,763,1
 765,563,5
 714,460,1
 353,162
 ________

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 

8,306,647 

8,059,332 

 81
 02

 -
 824,15
 ________

 -
 308,78
 ________

NON CURRENT LIABILITIES 
  sgniworroB
 ytilibail xat derrefeD

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 

 SEITILIBAIL LATOT

 STESSA TEN LATOT

CAPITAL AND RESERVES ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY 
 TNERAP EHT FO SREDLOH
 latipac erahS
 evreser muimerp erahS
 evreser noitpmeder latipaC
 sgninrae deniateR

 12
 22
 22
 22

 YTIUQE LATOT

51,428 
 ________

 570,853,8
 ________

 330,182,6
 ________

 206,843
 404,370,1
 476,4
 353,458,4
 ________

 330,182,6
 ________

87,803 
 ________

 531,741,8
 ________

 761,601,5
 ________

 275,933
 432,529
 476,4
 786,638,3
 ________

 761,601,5
 ________

The financial  statements  were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised  for issue on 18th June 2013 and 
were signed on its behalf by: 

P. Haining, Director  

G S Marsh, Director 

The notes on pages 19 to 50 form part of these financial statements.

16

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 

2013 

2012 

£ 

£ 

£ 

£ 

 SEITIVITCA GNITAREPO
 noitaxat erofeb tiforP
Adjustments for: 
 noitaicerpeD
 noitasitromA
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
 esnepxe tnemyap desab erahS
 stsoc ecnaniF
 noitisiuqca no niaG

 segnahc erofeb snoitarepo morf tiforP
 snoisivorp dna latipac gnikrow ni

 seirotnevni ni )esaercni(/esaerceD
(Increase) in trade and other receivables 
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables 

 snoitarepo morf detareneg hsaC

 diap sexat emocnI

 seitivitca gnitarepo morf wolf hsaC

 SEITIVITCA GNITSEVNI
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
 erawtfos retupmoc fo esahcruP
Proceeds of sales from property, plant and equipment 
Consideration paid on acquisition of business 

 SEITIVITCA GNICNANIF
 serahs yranidro fo eussI
Invoice discounting finance (net movement) 
 diap tseretnI
Dividend paid to equity shareholders 

(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH 
 STNELAVIUQE

 334,077,1

 540,232
 377,34
3,978 
 544,44
 666,37
 -
 ________

 043,861,2

 072,5
(300,070) 
(651,117) 
 ________

 )333,69(
  (2,657,987) 
  1,147,734 
 ________ 

 )719,549(
 ________

 324,222,1

 )353,193(
 _______

   )628,852(
 _______

(313,885) 
 )698,41(
14,083 
- 
 _______

 002,751
(158,895) 
 )666,37(
(513,857) 
 _______

 )353,193(
 _______

 070,138

 )896,413(
 _______

 273,615

 )812,985(
 _______

 )648,27(
 _______

(288,787) 
 )411,8(
36,500 
(200,000) 
 _______

 000,002
(120,548) 
 )806,76(
(441,443) 
 _______

 441,995,1

 877,691
 351,43
8,095 
 320,29
 806,76
 )782,061(
 ________

 415,738,1

 )685,606,1(
 ________

 829,032

 )628,852(
 _______

 )898,72(

 )104,064(
 _______

 )992,884(

 )995,924(
 _______

 )898,719(
 _______

The notes on pages 19 to 50 form part of these financial statements.

17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

Cash and cash equivalents comprise: 

 stnelaviuqe hsac dna hsac ni )esaerced( teN

 )648,27(

 )898,719(

 raey fo gninnigeb ta stnelaviuqe hsac dna hsaC

 )721,623,1(

 )922,804(

2013 
£ 

2012 
£ 

 stnelaviuqe hsac dna hsac no sniag egnahcxE

 raey fo dne ta stnelaviuqe hsac dna hsaC

There were no significant non-cash transactions. 

 dnamed no elbaliava hsaC
 stfardrevO

 -
 _________

 -
 _______

 )379,893,1(
 _________

 )721,623,1(
 _______

2013 
£ 

2012 
£ 

 279,790,1
 )549,694,2(
 _________

 868,14
 )599,763,1(
 ________

 )379,893,1(
 _________

 )721,623,1(
 _______

18

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 

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 statement of comprehensive income 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. 

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

Any gains on acquisition are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income on the date of acquisition. 

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  statement  of 
comprehensive income, 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. 

19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (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  statement  of 
comprehensive income. Software is amortised over its useful economic life of 5 years and other intangible assets 
over their useful economic life of 10 years. 

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.   

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  statement  of  comprehensive  income  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. 

20

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

Solid State PLC

1. 

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS (continued) 

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: 

(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 

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 statement of comprehensive income. 

On consolidation, the statement of  financial position of overseas operations are translated into sterling at rates 
approximating  to  those  ruling  at  the  statement  of  financial  position  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: 

(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 

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  statement  of 
comprehensive income. 

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

None of the development costs during the years ended 31st March 2012 and 31st March 2013 met the conditions 
necessary for capitalisation. 

21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (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 
statement  of  financial  position  at  fair  value  with  changes  in  fair  value  recognised  in  the  statement  of 
comprehensive income. 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  statement  of  financial  position  at  fair  value  with  changes  in  fair  value  recognised  in  the  statement  of 
comprehensive income. 

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

(cid:129)  Trade payables and other short term monetary liabilities, which are recognised at amortised cost. 
(cid:129)  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  statement  of  financial 
position  “Interest  expense”  in  this  context  includes  initial  transaction  costs  and  premia  payable  on 
redemption, as well as any interest while the liability is outstanding. 

22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

Solid State PLC

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  statement  of  comprehensive  income  over  the  vesting  period.    Non-market  vesting  conditions  are 
taken into account by adjusting the number of equity instruments expected to vest at each statement of financial 
position  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 charge 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  statement  of 
comprehensive income over the remaining vesting period. 

Standards and amendments and interpretations to published standards not yet effective 

Certain  new  standards,  amendments  and  interpretations  to  existing  standards  have  been  published  that  are 
mandatory for the group’s accounting periods beginning on or after 1st April 2013 or later periods and which the 
group has decided not to adopt early are: 

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (effective for accounting periods beginning or after 1st January 2015).  IFRS 9 
introduces new requirements for classifying and measuring financial assets and liabilities. 

IFRS  10  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  (effective  for  accounting  periods  beginning  on  or  after  1st 
January  2014).    IFRS  10  establishes  principles  for  the  presentation  and  preparation  of  consolidated  financial 
statements when an entity controls one or more entities. 

IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements (effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1st January 2013).  IFRS 
11 focuses on the rights and obligations of joint arrangements, rather than its legal form. 

IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities (effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1st 
January  2014).    IFRS  12  introduces  new  disclosure  requirements  for  all  forms  of  interests  in  other  entities 
including subsidiaries, joint arrangements, associates and unconsolidated structured entities. 

IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement (effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1st January 2013).  
IFRS 10 establishes a single framework for all fair value measurements when fair value is required or permitted 
by IFRS. 

IAS 1 (amended) Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income (effective  for accounting periods 
beginning on or after 1st January 2013) IAS 1 prescribes the basis for presentation of general purpose financial 
information to ensure comparability with the entity’s financial statements of previous periods and with financial 
statements of other entities. 

IAS 16 (revised) Property, Plant and Equipment (effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1st 
January 2013). IAS 16 outlines accounting treatment for most types of property, plant and equipment. 

IAS 19 (revised) Employee Benefits (effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1st January 2013) 
IAS 19 prescribes the accounting and disclosure for employee benefits i.e. all forms of consideration given by an 
entity in exchange for service rendered by an employee. 

IAS  27  (revised)  Separate  Financial  Statements  (effective  for  accounting  periods  beginning  on  or  after  1st 
January 2014) IAS 27 assists in the preparation and presentation of consolidated financial statements for a group 
of  entities  under  the  control  of  a  parent  and  in  accounting  for  investments  in  subsidiaries,  jointly  controlled 
entities  and  associates  when  an  entity  elects,  or  is  required  by  local  regulations  to  present  separate  (non 
consolidated) financial statements. 

23

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

1. 

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS (continued) 

Standards and amendments and interpretations to published standards not yet effective (continued) 

IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures (effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 
1st  January  2013)  IAS  28  outlines  how  to  apply,  with  certain  limited  exceptions,  the  equity  method  to 
investments  in associates and joint ventures. 

IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting (effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1st January 2013) 
IAS  34  prescribes  the  minimum  content  of  an  interim  financial  report  and  the  principles  for  recognition  and 
measurement in financial statements presented for an interim period. 

IAS 36 Impairment of Assets (effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1st January 2014)  IAS 36 
prescribes the accounting treatment to ensure that assets are carried at no more than their recoverable amount and 
to define how the recoverable amount is determined. 

The  implementation  of  these  standards  is  not  expected  to  have  any  material  effect  on  the  Group’s  financial 
statements. 

2. 

REVENUE 

Revenue arises from:  

 sdoog fo elaS
 secivres fo noisivorP

3. 

PROFIT FROM OPERATIONS 

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

 )4 eton ees( stsoc ffatS
 )stsoc ffats ni dedulcni( stsoc noitanimret tnemyolpmE
 tnempiuqe dna tnalp ,ytreporp fo noitaicerpeD
Amortisation of computer software and other intangible assets 
 tnempiuqe dna tnalp ,ytreporp fo lasopsid no ssoL
 :noitarenumer ’srotiduA
 seef tiduA
Audit of accounts of associates of the company pursuant to legislation 
 :slatner esael gnitarepO
 yrenihcam dna tnalP
 rehtO
 stsoc tnempoleved dna hcraeseR
 secnereffid egnahcxe ngieroF
 snwod etirw kcotS

2013 
£ 

2012 
£ 

 806,893,13
 963,69
 _________

 681,287,52
 569,19
 _________

 779,494,13
 _________

151,478,52
 _________

2013 
£ 

 351,356,4
 665,81
 540,232
43,773 
 879,3

 000,3
36,000 

 199,13
 716,403
 450,613
 )629,331(
 000,252
 _______

2012 
£ 

 066,470,4
 064,501
 877,691
34,153 
 590,8

 005,5
32,000 

 005,14
 349,202
 014,871
 )195,812(
 000,031
 _______

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

24

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

Solid State PLC

4. 

STAFF COSTS 

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

 seiralas dna segaW
 stsoc ytiruces laicoS
 stsoc noisnep rehtO

2013 
£ 
 746,881,4
 825,444
 879,91
 ________

 351,356,4
 ________

2012 
£ 
 536,076,3
 390,493
 239,9
 ________

066,470,4
 ________

Wages and salaries include termination costs of £18,566 (2012: £105,460) 

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

 noitubirtsid dna gnilleS
 gnirutcafunaM
 noitartsinimda dna tnemeganaM

2013 
Number 

2012 
Number 

 43
 73
 34
 ___

 411
 ___

 23
 72
 73
 __

 69
 __

25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (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 

 £

Bonuses 
 £

Benefits 
in kind 
 £

Total 
emoluments 
 £

Pension 
contributions 
 £

Total 

 £

31st March 2013 

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

Total 

31st March 2012 

W G Marsh 
G S Marsh 
J M Lavery 
J L Macmichael 
P Haining 
G L Comben 
 ererF B A

Total 

49,000 
160,000 
150,000 
120,000 
59,000 
49,000 
7,000 
 ______

- 
30,000 
30,000 
30,000 
- 
- 
- 
 ______

19,000 
24,000 
20,000 
20,000 
- 
18,000 
- 
 ______

594,000 
 ______

90,000 
 ______

101,000 
 ______

36,000 
125,000 
120,000 
85,000 
19,000 
36,000 
 -
 ______

- 
125,000 
120,000 
79,000 
- 
- 
 -
 ______

18,000 
14,000 
19,000 
18,000 
- 
17,000 
 -
 ______

421,000 
 ______

324,000 
 ______

86,000 
 ______

68,000 
214,000 
200,000 
170,000 
59,000 
67,000 
7,000 
 ______

785,000 
 ______

54,000 
264,000 
259,000 
182,000 
19,000 
53,000 
 -
 ______

831,000 
 ______

- 

68,000 
12,000  226,000 
9,000  209,000 
9,000  179,000 
59,000 
67,000 
7,000 
 ______

- 
- 
- 
 ______

30,000 
 ______

815,000 
 ______

- 
54,000 
-  264,000 
2,000  261,000 
-  182,000 
19,000 
- 
- 
53,000 
 -
 -
 ______
 ______

2,000 
 ______

833,000 
 ______

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

In addition to the above, fees totalling £26,198 (2012: £63,345) 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 £8,218 
(2012: £7,458) was due to The Kings Mill Partnership at 31st March 2013.   

Fees totalling £44,507 (2012: £16,053) arose during the year in respect of the services of A B Frere provided by 
Condev Limited. A balance of £3,943 (2012: £1,938) was due to Condev Limited at 31st March 2013. 

The 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  18th  June  2013  and  at  the  statement  of  financial  position  date,  and  their 
interest  in  the  issued  ordinary  share  capital  of  the  Company  at  that  date,  at  31st  March  2013  and  31st  March 
2012 or date of appointment if later, were as follows: 

 nebmoC L G
 hsraM G W
 hsraM S G
 yrevaL M J
 gniniaH P
 leahcimcaM L J
 ererF B A

18.06.13 

31.03.13 

31.03.12 

 000,000,2
 000,834,1
 291,193
 849,834
 005,25
 000,45
 000,601

 000,000,2
 000,834,1
 291,193
 894,834
 005,25
 000,45
 000,601

 000,000,2
 000,884,1
 291,193
 543,813
 005,25
 000,11
 000,65

26

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

Solid State PLC

5. 

DIRECTORS’ EMOLUMENTS, INTERESTS AND SERVICES CONTRACTS (continued) 

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

 snoitpO
 ta dleh

 desicrexE 21.40.10

 detnarG 

 snoitpO
 ta dleh
 31.30.13

 esicrexE
 ecirp

 fo etaD
 tnarg

  esicrexE
 doirep

G S Marsh 

120,603 

- 

J M Lavery 

120,603 

120,603 

J L Macmichael 

60,000 
88,085 

60,000 
- 

-  

- 

- 
- 

120,603   

99.5p 

10.05.11 

May 2012- March 2016 

- 

99.5p 

10.05.11  May 2012- March 2016 

- 
88,085 

62.0p 
94.0p 

23.12.10 
01.04.11 

December 2011 onwards 
April 2012 onwards 

The market price of the shares at 31st March 2013 was £2.19 (2012: £1.96), with a quoted range during the year 
of £1.90 to £2.75 

All the options at 31st March 2013 are subject to performance criteria which have been satisfied. 

The options held by G S Marsh are split into two equal tranches. For the first tranche to be exercisable, Solid 
State  PLC’s  ordinary  share  price  needs  to  have  exceeded  £2.00  per  share  for  20  consecutive  days  and  for  the 
second  tranche  to  be  exercised  the  ordinary  share  price  needs  to  have  exceeded  £2.50  per  share  for  20 
consecutive days. At the balance sheet date all these criteria had been met. 

The options held by J Macmichael are subject to Solid State Supplies Limited exceeding a certain level of annual 
turnover. They are split into two equal tranches. For the first tranche to be exercisable, the annual turnover must 
exceed £5m and for the second tranche the annual turnover must exceed £6m. At the balance sheet date all these 
criteria had been met. 

27

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

6. 

FINANCE COSTS 

 sgniworrob knaB
 tseretni gnitnuocsid eciovnI
 tseretni rehtO

2013 
£ 

 023,05
 575,81
 177,4
______ 

73,666 
______ 

2012 
£ 

 443,72
 481,62
 080,41
______ 

67,608 
______ 

Other interest includes £4,001 (2012: £9,000) to G L Comben and £770 (2012: £5,080) to W G Marsh in respect 
of their unsecured loans to the group.  Further details of these loans are stated in Note 18 on page 31. 

7. 

TAX EXPENSE 

Current tax expense 

 raey eht rof sessol ro stiforp no xat noitaroproc KU
 sdoirep roirp fo tcepser ni tnemtsujdA

Deferred tax (credit)/charge 

Total tax charge 

2013 
£ 

2012 
£ 

 037,913
 -
_______ 

 353,162
-
______ 

319,730 

261,353 

(36,375) 
 _______

283,355 
 _______

20,806 
 _______

282,159 
 _______

The deferred tax credit has been increased by £1,124 (2012: £4,883) as a result of the reduction in the applicable 
rate of corporation tax from 24% to 23%. 

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: 

 xat erofeb tiforP

Expected tax charge based on the standard rate of  
 )%62 – 2102( %42 fo KU eht ni xat noitaroproc
Effect of: 
 sesoprup xat rof elbitcuded ton sesnepxE
Deductible expenses not charged in Group accounts 
Difference between depreciation for the year and capital allowances 
Tax relief on exercise of share options at less than market value 
Timing difference on recognition of gain on acquisition for tax purposes 
 feiler lanigraM
Enhanced relief on research and development expenditure 

 egrahc xat latoT

2013 
 £

2012 
 £

 334,077,1
 _______

441,995,1
 _______

 409,424

 777,514

 207,51
(4,900) 
4,793 
(54,677) 
(3,651) 
 )000,4(
(94,816) 
 _______

 553,382
 _______

 805,82
(5,308) 
(26) 
(104,825) 
(1,600) 
 )005,4(
(45,867) 
 _______

 951,282
 _______

28

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

Solid State PLC

8. 

EARNINGS PER SHARE 

The earnings per share is based on the following: 

 sgninraE

 serahs fo rebmun egareva dethgieW
 serahs fo rebmun detuliD

 erahs rep sgninraE
 erahs rep sgninrae detuliD

2013 
£ 

 870,784,1
_________ 

 205,538,6
 937,330,7

2012 
£ 

589,613,1
_______ 

 316,077,6
 252,078,6

 p8.12
 p1.12

 p5.91
 p2.91

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 6,835,502 (2012: 6,770,613). 

The  diluted  earnings  per  share  is  based  on  7,033,739  (2012:  6,870,252)  ordinary  shares  which  allow  for  the 
exercise of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. 

9. 

DIVIDENDS 

Final dividend paid for the prior year of 4.75p per share (2012: 4p) 
 )p5.2 :2102( erahs rep p57.2 fo diap dnedivid miretnI

Final dividend proposed for the year 5.25p per share (2012: 4.75p) 

2013 
£ 

325,443 
 414,881
_______ 

513,857 
_______ 

366,032 
_______ 

2012 
£ 

271,657 
 687,961
_______ 

441,443 
_______ 

322,593 
_______ 

The  proposed  final  dividend  has  not  been  accrued  for  as  the  dividend  was  declared  after  the  statement  of 
financial position date. 

29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

10.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

Year ended 31st March 2012 
 tsoC
  1102 lirpA ts1
 snoitiddA
 slasopsiD

 2102 hcraM ts13

 noitaicerpeD
 1102 lirpA ts1
 raey eht rof egrahC
 lasopsid nO

 2102 hcraM ts13

 eulav koob teN
 2102 hcraM ts13

Year ended 31st March 2013 
 tsoC
  2102 lirpA ts1
 snoitiddA
 slasopsiD

 3102 hcraM ts13

 noitaicerpeD
 2102 lirpA ts1
 raey eht rof egrahC
 lasopsid nO

 3102 hcraM ts13

 eulav koob teN
 3102 hcraM ts13

 trohS
 dlohesael
 ytreporp

 rotoM

 selcihev stnemevorpmi

 sgnittiF
 dna tnempiuqe
 sretupmoc

 £

 £

 £

 latoT
 £

 133,991
 543,91
 -

 030,893
 050,491
 )578,06(

 342,979
 293,562
 -

 406,675,1
 787,874
)578,06(

 _______

 _______

 _______

 ________

 676,812
 _______

 502,135
 _______

 536,442,1
 _______

 615,499,1
 ________

 274,8
 168,43
 -
 _______

 532,09
 093,99
 )082,61(
 _______

 141,468
 725,26
 -
 _______

 848,269
 877,691
 )082,61(
 ________

 333,34
 _______

 543,371
 _______

 866,629
 _______

 643,341,1
 ________

  343,571
 _______

 068,753
 _______

 769,713
 _______

 071,158
 ________

 676,812
 042,901
 )716,02(
 _______

 502,135
 083,811
 )423,14(
 _______

 536,442,1
 562,68
 -
 _______

 615,499,1
 588,313
 )149,16(
 ________

 992,703
 _______

 162,806
 _______

 009,033,1
 _______

 064,642,2
 ________

 333,34
 674,73
 )716,02(
 _______

 543,371
 422,501
 )362,32(
 _______

 866,629
 543,98
 -
 _______

 643,341,1
 540,232
 )088,34(
 ________

 291,06
 _______

 603,552
 _______

 310,610,1
 _______

 115,133,1
 ________

 701,742
 _______

 559,253
 _______

 788,413
 _______

 949,419
 ________

30

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

Solid State PLC

11. 

INTANGIBLE ASSETS 

 NU
 secneciL
 £

 retupmoC
 erawtfos
 £

 no lliwdooG
 noitadilosnoc
 £

Other 
 elbignatni
 stessa
 £

 latoT
 £

Year ended 31st March 2012 

 tsoC
1st April 2011 
 snoitiddA

31st March 2012 

 noitasitromA
 1102 lirpA ts1
Charge for the year 

31st March 2012 

 eulav koob teN
31st March 2012 

Year ended 31st March 2013 

 tsoC
1st April 2012 
 snoitiddA

31st March 2013 

 noitasitromA
  2102 lirpA ts1
Charge for the year 

31st March 2013 

 eulav koob teN
31st March 2013 

9,800  
 -
 _____

9,800 
 _____

  -
-  
 _____

-  
 _____

9,800 
 _____

9,800 
 -
 _____

9,800 
 _____

  -
-  
 _____

-  
 _____

9,800 
 _____

56,089 
 411,58
 _______

141,203 
 _______

 049,32
20,110 
 ______

44,050 
 ______

97,153 
 ______

141,203 
 698,41
 _______

156,099 
 _______

 050,44
29,730 
 ______

73,780 
 ______

82,319 
 ______

2,206,278 
 -
 ________

2,206,278 
 ________

  -
-  
 ________

-  
 ________

2,206,278 
 ________

2,206,278 
 -
 ________

2,206,278 
 ________

  -
-  
 ________

-  
 ________

2,206,278 
 ________

140,434 
 -
 _______

2,412,601 
 411,58
 ________

140,434 
 _______

2,497,715  
 ________

 340,41
14,043 
 _______

 389,73
34,153 
 ________

28,086 
 _______

72,136 
 ________

112,348 
 _______

2,425,579 
 ________

140,434 
 -
 _______

2,497,715 
 698,41
 ________

140,434 
 _______

2,512,611  
 ________

 680,82
14,043 
 _______

 631,27
43,773 
 ________

42,129 
 _______

115,909 
 ________

98,305 
 _______

2,396,702 
 ________

Other intangible assets comprise the estimated net present value of customer relationships of Rugged Systems 
Limited at the date of acquisition. 

31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

12.  GOODWILL AND IMPAIRMENT 

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

 detimiL etitaetS

 Goodwill carrying amount 

2013 
£ 

2012 
£ 

 872,602,2
________ 

 872,602,2
________ 

2,206,278 
________ 

2,206,278 
________ 

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% (2012: 15%) has been 
used based on the weighted 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 (2012: 0.84). 

The  recoverable  amount  exceeds  the  carrying  amount  by  £9,217,000  (2012:  £9,719,000).  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% 

13. 

SUBSIDIARIES 

The principal subsidiaries of Solid State PLC, both 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 

Proportion of 
voting rights and 
Ordinary share 
capital held 

Solid State Supplies Limited 
Steatite Limited 

Great Britain 
Great Britain 

100% 
100% 

100% 
100% 

Nature of business 

Nature of business 

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

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

32

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

14. 

INVENTORIES 

 elaser rof sdoog dna sdoog dehsiniF
 ssergorp ni kroW

Solid State PLC

2013 
£ 

 201,865,2
 336,884
________ 

3,056,735 
________ 

2012 
£ 

 591,457,2
 018,703
________ 

3,062,005 
________ 

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

15.  TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES 

 selbaviecer edarT
 selbaviecer rehtO
 stnemyaperP

2013 
£ 

 448,317,6
 281,231
 427,623
________ 

7,172,750 
________ 

2012 
£ 

 943,915,6
 -
 133,353
________ 

6,872,680 
________ 

Group  trade  receivables  include  £1,254,755  (2012:  £1,572,639)  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 2% over bank base rate and an administration fee of 0.175% of the gross value of the debts per month.  
At 31st March 2013 borrowing under the agreement of £1,040,439 (2012: £1,280,235) was available of which 
£905,522 (2012: £1,064,417) was taken up. Interest charges in the  year amounted to  £18,575 (2012: £26,184) 
and administration fees to £21,640 (2012: £22,935). 

16.  TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES (CURRENT) 

 selbayap edarT
 sexat ytiruces laicos dna sexat rehtO
 selbayap rehtO
 slaurccA
 emocni derrefeD

2013 
£ 

 356,680,3
 073,807
 446,105
 195,032
 291,781
________ 

4,714,450 
________ 

2012 
£ 

 552,061,3
 276,708
 773,946
 571,745
 880,102
________ 

5,365,567 
________ 

33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

17.  BANK BORROWINGS 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

 sretnuocsid eciovni ot eud stnuomA

2013 
£ 

2012 
£ 

 225,509
_______ 

 714,460,1
________ 

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 £637,000 (2012: £632,000).  

18.  TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES (NON CURRENT) 

 snaol mret muideM

2012 
£ 

2013

£ 

 -
_______ 

 -
________ 

At 31st March 2012, the medium term loans comprised loans of £150,000 from G L Comben and £150,000 from 
W  G  Marsh  and  these  were  included  within  other  payables  due  within  less  than  one  year.  The  loans  were 
unsecured and, for G L Comben’s loan, interest was payable at the rate of 6% per annum and for W G Marsh’s 
loan,  interest  was  payable  at  the  rate  of  6%  per  annum  on  the  first  £50,000  and  at  2%  over  base  rate  for  the 
remainder. Both loans were repaid on 21st May 2012. There were no loans outstanding at 31st March 2013. 

A further loan of £700,000 was provided by G L Comben from 2nd July 2012 to 20th August 2012 at an interest 
rate of 2.8572% 

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: 

(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 
(cid:129) 

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 on the next page: 

34

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

19.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued) 

Solid State PLC

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 statement of financial position 
as shown in note 15 and in the statement of financial position.  The amount of the exposure shown in note 15 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 
 selbaviecer rehto dna edarT
 stnelaviuqe hsac dna hsaC

35

Loans and Receivables 
2012 
£ 

2013 
£ 

 057,271,7
 279,790,1
 ________

 227,072,8
 ________

 086,278,6
868,14
 ________

 845,419,6
 ________

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

19.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued) 

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

 KU
 KU noN

Carrying value 

2013 
£ 

 724,812,6
 714,594
________ 

6,713,844 
________ 

2012 
£ 

 570,303,6
 472,612
________ 

6,519,349 
________ 

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  £9,909  (2012:  £Nil)  which  represented  0.03%  (2012:  0%)  of  revenue.  This 
provision  is  included  within  the  management  and  administration  costs  in  the  Consolidated  Statement  of 
Comprehensive Income. 

Trade receivables ageing by geographical segment 

Geographical area 

 3102
 KU
 KU noN

 latoT

Total 
£ 

Current 
£ 

30 days 
past due 
£ 

60 days 
past due 
£ 

90 days 
past due 
£ 

 323,823,6
 714,594
 ________

 599,768,5
 704,084
 ________

 571,893
 010,51
 _______

 291,16
 -
 ______

 169
 -
 ______

 047,328,6

 204,843,6

 581,314

 291,16

 169

 snoisivorP :sseL

 )698,901(

 -

 )347,74(

 )291,16(

 )169(

 latoT

2012 
 KU
 KU noN

 latoT

 ________

 ________

 _______

 ______

 ______

 448,317,6
 ________

 204,843,6
 ________

 244,563
 _______

 -
 ______

 -
 ______

 311,193,6
 390,532
 ________

 162,890,6
 946,491
 ________

 368,572
 526,12
 _______

 371,21
 838,11
 ______

 618,4
 189,6
 ______

 602,626,6

 019,292,6

 884,792

 110,42

 797,11

 snoisivorP :sseL

 )758,601(

 -

 )940,17(

 )110,42(

 )797,11(

 latoT

 ________

 ________

 _______

 ______

 ______

 943,915,6
 ________

 019,292,6
 ________

 934,622
 _______

 -
 ______

 -
 ______

36

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

Solid State PLC

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: 

 ecnalab gninepO
 snoisivorp ni sesaercnI
 snoisivorp tsniaga ffo nettirW

 ecnalab gnisolC

2013 
£ 

 758,601
 909,9
 )758,6(
_______ 

 909,901
_______ 

2012 
£ 

 509,901
 758,6
 )509,9(
_______ 

 758,601
_______

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 2013 trade receivables of £365,442 which were past their due date 
were not impaired (2012: £226,439). All of these were less than 60 days past their due date. 

Liquidity risk 

Current financial liabilities 
 selbayap rehto dna edarT
 sgniworrob knaB
 tfardrevo knaB

Non current financial liabilities 
 sgniworrob dna snaoL

Financial liabilities 

measured at amortised cost 

2013 
£ 

 054,417,4
 225,509
 549,694,2
________ 

8,116,917 
________ 

 -
________ 

2012 
£ 

 765,563,5
 714,460,1
 599,763,1
________ 

7,797,979 
________ 

 -
________ 

37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

19.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued) 

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

 lautcartnoC gniyrraC
 tnuoma

 wolf hsac

 shtnom 6
 ssel ro

 21 – 6
 shtnom

 erom ro 1
 sraey   

2013 
Secured bank loans 
Bank overdrafts 
Amounts due to invoice 
    discounters 
Trade and other payables 

2012 
Secured bank loans 
Bank overdrafts 
Amounts due to invoice 
    discounters 
Trade and other payables 

- 
2,496,945 

- 
2,496,945 

- 
2,496,945 

- 
 - 

-   
  -   

905,522 
4,714,450 
________ 

905,522 
4,714,450 
________ 

- 
905,522 
4,714,450 
- 
________  _______ 

   -   

_______ 

8,116,917 
________ 

8,116,917 
________ 

8,116,917 
- 
________  _______ 

-   

_______ 

- 
1,367,995 

- 
1,367,995 

- 
1,367,995 

- 
 - 

-   
  -   

1,064,417 
5,365,567 
________ 

1,064,417 
5,365,567 
________ 

- 
1,064,417 
5,365,567 
- 
________  _______ 

   -   

_______ 

7
,797,979 
________ 

7,797,979 
________ 

7,797,979 
- 
________  _______ 

-   

_______ 

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 15. 

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  £24,605  (2012:  £19,117)  higher  and  if  1%  lower  throughout  the  year  the  level  of 
interest payable would have been lower by the same amount. 

38

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

19.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued) 

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 statement of financial position date. 

The  following  table  shows  the  net  liabilities  exposed  to  exchange  rate  risk  that  the  Group  has  at  31st  March 
2013: 

 selbaviecer edarT
 stnelaviuqe hsac dna hsaC
 selbayap edarT

2013 
£ 

2012 
£ 

 217,762,4
 916,390,1
 )492,346,1(
________ 

 952,394,1
 036,8
 )591,228,1(
________ 

3,718,037 
________ 

(320,306) 
_______ 

There were also net liabilities of £19,775 in euros (2012: £7,660). 

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 statement of financial position 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 statement of 
financial position date would have resulted in an estimated net increase/(decrease) in pre-tax profit for the year 
and  an  increase/(decrease)  in  net  assets  of  approximately  £370,000  (2012:  £(32,000))  and  the  effect  of  a 
weakening of 10% in the rate of exchange in the currencies against sterling at the statement of financial position 
date  would  have  resulted  in  an  estimated  net  decrease/(increase)  in  pre-tax  profit  for  the  year  and  a 
decrease/(increase) in net assets of approximately £370,000 (2012: £(32,000)). 

39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

19.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued) 

 Foreign currency risk (continued)
At 31st March 2012 the Group had entered into agreement with its bankers to purchase US dollars as follows: 

 2102 lirpA dn2
 2102 yaM ts1
 2102 yaM ts1
 2102 enuJ ts1

$ 
 000,005
 000,003,1
 000,005
 000,005

Rate 
 1065.1
 975.1
 8295.1
 6295.1

At 31st March 2013 the Group had entered into agreement with its bankers to purchase US dollars as follows: 

Up to  19th April 2013 
Up to  19th April 2013 

$ 

1,100,000 
1,100,000 

Rate 

1.6257 
1.6023 

Applying the actual exchange rate at the statement of financial position date to these agreements gives rise to a 
liability of £86,035 at 31st March 2013 (2012: £19,521). A full provision for these liabilities 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 2013 is shown below: 

2013 
£ 
 )279,790,1(
 549,694,2
 225,509
 -
 -
________ 

2,304,495 
________ 

 206,843
 404,370,1
 353,458,4
 476,4
________ 

6,281,033 
________ 

 73.0
________ 

2012 
£ 
 )868,14(
 599,763,1
 714,460,1
 -
 000,003
________ 

2,690,544 
________ 

 275,933
 432,529
 786,638,3
 476,4
________ 

5,106,167 
________ 

 35.0

________ 

 stnelaviuqe hsac dna hsaC
 stfardrevo knaB
 ecnavda gnitnuocsid eciovnI
 snaol mret muideM
 snaol mret trohS

 latipac erahS
 tnuocca muimerp erahS
 sgninrae deniateR
 evreser noitpmeder latipaC

 oitar gniraeG

40

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

20.  DEFERRED TAX 

 2102 lirpA 

 secnawolla latipac detareleccA
At 1st
 raey eht rof egrahc/)tiderC(
 egnahc etar xat fo tceffE

At 31st

 3102 hcraM 

Deferred tax rates are at 23% (2012: 24%) being the rate substantially enacted. 

21. 

SHARE CAPITAL 

SHARE CAPITAL 

 diap ylluf dna deussi dettollA
6,972,034 (2012: 6,791,431) ordinary shares of 5p each 

 diap ylluf dna deussi dettollA
6,972,034 (2012: 6,791,431) ordinary shares of 5p each 

Solid State PLC

2013 
£ 

 308,78
 )152,53(
 )421,1(
______ 

 824,15
______ 

2012 
£ 

 899,66
 886,52
 )388,4(
_____ 

 308,78
_____ 

  2013  
  2013  
£ 
£ 

    2012 
    2012 
£ 
£ 

348,602 
______ 

348,602 
______ 

339,572 
______ 

339,572 
______ 

On 27th July 2012, Mr J L Macmichael exercised share options over 60,000 ordinary shares which were 
issued at an exercise price of 62p. 

On 27th July 2012, Mr J L Macmichael exercised share options over 60,000 ordinary shares which were 
issued at an exercise price of 62p. 

On 22nd March 2013, Mr J M Lavery exercised share options over 120,603 ordinary shares which were 
issued at an exercise price of 99.5p. 

On 22nd March 2013, Mr J M Lavery exercised share options over 120,603 ordinary shares which were 
issued at an exercise price of 99.5p. 

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. 

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 2013 the number of shares covered by option 
agreements amounted to 208,688 (2012: 389,291). 

Details of options granted are set out in Note 5.  At 31st March 2013 the number of shares covered by option 
agreements amounted to 208,688 (2012: 389,291). 

22. 

RESERVES 

RESERVES 

Full details of movements in reserves are set out in the consolidated statement of changes in equity on page 
14.   

Full details of movements in reserves are set out in the consolidated statement of changes in equity on page 
14.   

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

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

 evreseR

 evreseR

 esopruP dna noitpircseD

 esopruP dna noitpircseD

Share premium 
Share premium 
Capital redemption 
Capital redemption 
Retained earnings 
Retained earnings 

Amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value. 
Amounts transferred from share capital on redemption of issued shares. 
Cumulative net gains and losses recognised in the consolidated income 
statement. 

Amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value. 
Amounts transferred from share capital on redemption of issued shares. 
Cumulative net gains and losses recognised in the consolidated income 
statement. 

23. 

LEASING COMMITMENTS 

LEASING COMMITMENTS 

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

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

 raey 1 naht retal oN
 sraey 5 naht retal on dna raey 1 naht retaL
 sraey 5 naht retaL

 raey 1 naht retal oN
 sraey 5 naht retal on dna raey 1 naht retaL
 sraey 5 naht retaL

41

2013 
2013 
£ 
£ 
 055,262
 055,262
 328,388
 328,388
 005,947
 005,947
______ 
______ 

2012 
2012 
£ 
£ 
 463,551
 463,551
 178,305
 178,305
 005,244
 005,244
______ 
______ 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

24. 

SHARE BASED PAYMENT 

SHARE BASED PAYMENT 

The Group operates an approved Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme whereby Mr G S Marsh, Mr J M 
Lavery  and  Mr  J  L  Macmichael  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 2013 all have an exercise period of any time after one  year  from the date of the  grant 
subject to certain criteria having been met. As at the year end all criteria have been met. Full details are set 
out in Note 5 on pages 25 and 26. 

The Group operates an approved Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme whereby Mr G S Marsh, Mr J M 
Lavery  and  Mr  J  L  Macmichael  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 2013 all have an exercise period of any time after one  year  from the date of the  grant 
subject to certain criteria having been met. As at the year end all criteria have been met. Full details are set 
out in Note 5 on pages 25 and 26. 

The share-based remuneration expenses amounted to £44,445 for the year (2012: £92,023). 

The share-based remuneration expenses amounted to £44,445 for the year (2012: £92,023). 

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

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

Equity settled share based payments 

Equity settled share based payments 

Option pricing model used 
Option pricing model used 
 etad tnarg ta ecirp erahS
 etad tnarg ta ecirp erahS
 ecirp esicrexE
 ecirp esicrexE
 noitaived dradnatS
 noitaived dradnatS
 etar tseretni eerf ksiR
 etar tseretni eerf ksiR

Black Scholes 
Black Scholes 
 p0.26
 p0.26
 p0.26
 p0.26
 %15
 %15
 %78.1
 %78.1

Black Scholes 
Black Scholes 
 p0.49
 p0.49
 p0.49
 p0.49
 %35
 %35
 %61.2
 %61.2

Black Scholes 
Black Scholes 
 p5.99
 p5.99
 p5.99
 p5.99
 %05
 %05
 %61.2
 %61.2

The standard deviation is based on the statistical analysis of daily share prices over the twelve months prior to 
the date of the grant.   

The standard deviation is based on the 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. 

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. 

42

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

Solid State PLC

25. 

 SEGMENT INFORMATION 
 SEGMENT INFORMATION 

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

Year ended 31st March 2013 
Year ended 31st March 2013 

Revenue 
Revenue 
 lanretxE
 lanretxE
 ynapmocretnI
 ynapmocretnI

Distribution 
Distribution 
 noisivid
 noisivid
 £
 £

Manufacturing 
Manufacturing 
 noisivid
 noisivid
 £
 £

Head 
Head 
 eciffo
 eciffo
 £
 £

 latoT
 latoT
 £
 £

 500,641,7
 500,641,7
 -
 -
________ 
________ 

 279,843,42
 279,843,42
 437,6
 437,6
_________ 
_________ 

 -
 -
   -
   -
________ 
________ 

 779,494,13
 779,494,13
 437,6
 437,6
_________ 
_________ 

 500,641,7
 500,641,7
________ 
________ 

 607,553,42
 607,553,42
_________ 
_________ 

 -
 -
________ 
________ 

 117,105,13
 117,105,13
_________ 
_________ 

Profit/(loss) before tax 
Profit/(loss) before tax 

105,385 
105,385 
 ________
 ________

2,456,104 
2,456,104 
 ________
 ________

(791,056) 
(791,056) 
 ________
 ________

1,770,433 
1,770,433 
 ________
 ________

Balance sheet 
Balance sheet 
 stessA
 stessA
 seitilibaiL
 seitilibaiL

 155,501,4
 155,501,4
 )459,993,4(
 )459,993,4(
 _________
 _________

 206,216,11
 206,216,11
 )405,410,6(
 )405,410,6(
 ________
 ________

 )540,970,1(
 )540,970,1(
 383,650,2
 383,650,2
 _______
 _______

 801,936,41
 801,936,41
 )570,853,8(
 )570,853,8(
 ________
 ________

Net (liabilities)/assets 
Net (liabilities)/assets 

(294,403) 
(294,403) 
 _________
 _________

5,598,098 
5,598,098 
 ________
 ________

977,338 
977,338 
 _______
 _______

6,281,033 
6,281,033 
 ________
 ________

Other 
Other 
 erutidnepxe latipaC
 erutidnepxe latipaC
-  Tangible fixed assets 
-  Tangible fixed assets 
-  Intangible fixed assets 
-  Intangible fixed assets 
Depreciation, amortisation and 
Depreciation, amortisation and 
  other non cash expenses 
  other non cash expenses 
 diap tseretnI
 diap tseretnI

206,348 
206,348 
11,341 
11,341 

102,549 
102,549 
 836,52
 836,52
 ________
 ________

107,537 
107,537 
3,555 
3,555 

143,183 
143,183 
 752,13
 752,13
 ________
 ________

- 
- 
- 
- 

313,885 
313,885 
14,896 
14,896 

78,509 
78,509 
 177,61
 177,61
 ________
 ________

324,241 
324,241 
 666,37
 666,37
 ________
 ________

43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

25. 

SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued) 

Year ended 31st March 2012 

 euneveR
 lanretxE
 ynapmocretnI

Profit/(loss) before tax 

Balance sheet 
 stessA
 seitilibaiL

Distribution 
 noisivid

 £

Manufacturing 
 noisivid
 £

Head 
 eciffo
 £

 latoT
 £

 011,934,6
 -
________ 

 011,934,6
________ 

493,518 
 ________

 140,534,91
 269,04
________ 

 -
   -
________ 

 151,478,52
 269,04
_________ 

 300,674,91
________ 

 -
________ 

 311,519,52
_________ 

1,709,874 
 ________

(604,248) 
 ________

1,599,144
 ________

 511,956,2
)084,180,3(
 _________

 851,965,01
(4,416,212) 
 ________

 920,52
649,443 
 _______

 203,352,31
(8,147,135) 
 ________

Net (liabilities)/assets 

(422,365) 
 _________

6,152,946 
 ________

(624,414) 
 _______

5,106,167 
 ________

Other 
 erutidnepxe latipaC
-  Tangible fixed assets 
 stessa dexif elbignatnI  -
Depreciation, amortisation and 
  other non cash expenses 
 diap tseretnI

159,664 
 -

57,119 
 607,71
 ________

319,123 
 411,58

147,843 
 222,62
 ________

- 
 -

34,064 
 086,32
 ________

478,787 
 411,58

239,026 
 806,76
 ________

 yb eunever lanretxE
 remotsuc fo noitacol
2012 
£ 

2013 
£ 

ts by 

essa latoT
 stessa fo noitacol
2012 
2013 
£ 
£ 

25,443,731  24,352,381  14,639,108  13,253,302 
- 
- 
- 
- 
  - 
  - 
- 
 _________ _________ _________ _________

86,809 
1,012,698 
863,688 
4,059,015 
23,671 
5,112 
253 

172,762 
1,069,359 
95,497 
143,803 
30,000 
10,089 
260 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

Net tangible capital 
expenditure by location 

 stessa fo

2013 
£ 

313,885 
- 
- 
- 
- 
  - 
  - 
- 
 _______

2012 
£ 

478,787 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
 _______

United Kingdom 
Ireland 
Rest of Europe 
North America 
Asia 
Africa 
Australasia 
South America 

 203,352,31 801,936,41 151,478,52 779,494,13
 _________ _________ _________ _________

 588,313
 _______

 787,874
 _______

All the above relate to continuing operations. 

44

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2012 (continued) 

Solid State PLC

26. 

POST BALANCE SHEET EVENT 

POST BALANCE SHEET EVENT 

On  1st  May  2013  the  Group  acquired  100%  of  the  ordinary  shares  in  Q-Par  Angus  Limited  for  a  cash 
consideration of £900,000 subject to a net asset adjustment. The investment in Q-Par Angus Limited will be 
included in the Group’s balance sheet at its  fair  value at the date of acquisition. Q-Par Angus  Limited is a 
specialist  electronics  business  involved  in  the  design  and  manufacture  of  microwave  and  other  RF  (radio 
frequency) engineering with specialisation in antenna systems. 

On  1st  May  2013  the  Group  acquired  100%  of  the  ordinary  shares  in  Q-Par  Angus  Limited  for  a  cash 
consideration of £900,000 subject to a net asset adjustment. The investment in Q-Par Angus Limited will be 
included in the Group’s balance sheet at its  fair  value at the date of acquisition. Q-Par Angus  Limited is a 
specialist  electronics  business  involved  in  the  design  and  manufacture  of  microwave  and  other  RF  (radio 
frequency) engineering with specialisation in antenna systems. 

45

 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

Company Number: 00771335 

COMPANY BALANCE SHEET 
at 31st March 2013 

 STESSA DEXIF
 stnemtsevnI

 STESSA TNERRUC
 srotbeD
 dnah ni dna knab ta hsaC

CREDITORS:  Amounts falling due within 
 raey eno

NET CURRENT (LIABILITIES)/ASSETS 

 STESSA TEN

 SEVRESER DNA LATIPAC
 latipac erahs pu dellaC
 tnuocca muimerp erahS
 evreser noitpmeder latipaC
 tnuocca ssol dna tiforP

 SDNUF ’SREDLOHERAHS

 setoN

 3102

 2102

£ 

£ 

£ 

£ 

 4

 5

 153,567,2 
 _________

 353,617,2 
 ________ 

 153,567,2 

 353,617,2 

 444,308,1
 -
 ________

 940,761,1 
 -
 ________ 

 444,308,1

 940,761,1 

 6

 365,758,2
 ________

 417,172,1 
 ________ 

(1,054,119) 
 ________ 

 232,117,1 
 ________ 

 206,843 
 404,370,1 
 476,4
 255,482 
 ________ 

 232,117,1 
 ________ 

  (104,665) 
 ________ 

 886,116,2 
 ________ 

 275,933 
 432,529 
 476,4
 802,243,1 
 ________ 

 886,116,2 
 ________ 

 7
 8
 8
 8

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 18th June 2013. 

P Haining 
Director 

G S Marsh 
Director 

The notes on pages 47 to 50 form part of these financial statements.

46

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013  

Solid State PLC

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 2013 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: 

(cid:129)(cid:129)(cid:129)  Amounts owed by group undertakings and other creditors, which are recognised at amortised cost. 
(cid:129)(cid:129)  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 £505,894 (2012: £471,235) and comprised the share based payment expense of £44,445 
(2012: £93,023) and salary and related costs in respect of Mr G L Comben, Mr W G Marsh, Mr A B Frere, 
Mr  G  S  Marsh  and  Mr  P  Haining.  No  other  remuneration  was  paid  by  the  Company.  Details  of  directors’ 
emoluments are given in note 5 to the Group financial statements. 

47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013  

3. 

SHARE BASED PAYMENT 

The Group operates an approved Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme whereby Mr G S Marsh, Mr J M 
Lavery  and  Mr  J  L  Macmichael  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  2013  all have  an  exercise  period  of  any  time  after  one  year  from  the  date  of  the  grant 
subject to certain criteria having been met. Full details are set out in Note 5 on pages 25 and 26. 

The share-based remuneration expenses amounted to £44,445 for the year (2012: £92,023). 

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

Equity settled share based payments 

Option pricing model used 
 etad tnarg ta ecirp erahS
 ecirp esicrexE
 noitaived dradnatS
 etar tseretni eerf ksiR

Black Scholes 

Black Scholes 

Black Scholes 

 p0.26
 p0.26
 %15
 %78.1

 p0.49
 p0.49
 %35
 %61.2

 p5.99
 p5.99
 %05
 %61.2

The standard deviation is based on the 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. 

48

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (continued) 

4.       INVESTMENTS 

  Company 

Cost 
1st April 2012 
Addition 
Disposal 

 3102 hcraM ts13

Net book value 
 3102 hcraM ts13

 2102 hcraM ts13

Subsidiary undertakings 

Solid State PLC

Group 
undertakings 

£ 

2,716,353 
49,998 
(1,000) 
________ 

 153,567,2
________ 

 153,567,2
________ 

 353,617,2
________ 

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

 gnitov fo noitroporP
rights and Ordinary 
share capital held 

 gnitov fo noitroporP
rights and Ordinary 
share capital held 

Nature of business 

Nature of business 

Nature of business 

 sgnikatrednu yraidisbuS
 detimiL seilppuS etatS diloS
 detimiL etitaetS

 %001
 %001

 %001
 %001

 stnenopmoc cinortcele fo noitubirtsiD
 stnenopmoc cinortcele fo noitubirtsiD
 dna stnenopmoc cinortcele fo noitubirtsiD
 dna stnenopmoc cinortcele fo noitubirtsiD
manufacture of electronic equipment 
manufacture of electronic equipment 

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

5. 

DEBTORS 

 sgnikatrednu puorG yb dewo stnuomA
 srotbed rehtO
 stnemyaperP

6. 

CREDITORS:  Amounts falling due within one year 

 )deruces( tfardrevo knaB
 sgnikatrednu puorG ot dewo stnuomA
 srotiderc rehtO
 slaurccA

49

2013 
£ 

2012 
£ 

 617,467,1
 417,8
 410,03
 _________

 020,241,1
 944,42
 085
 _________

 444,308,1
 _________

 940,761,1
 ________

 371,357
 382,770,2
 601,12
 100,6
 ________

 365,758,2
 ________

 657,913
 463,833
 946,323
 549,982
 ________

 417,172,1
 ________

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solid State PLC

NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31st March 2013 (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 £505,374 (2012: 
£1,048,239).  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 
6,972,034 (2012: 6,791,431) ordinary shares of 5p each 

2013 
£ 

348,602 
 _______

2012 
£ 

339,572 
 _______

On 27th July 2012, Mr J L Macmichael exercised share options over 60,000 ordinary shares which were 
issued at an exercise price of 62p. 

On 22nd March 2013, Mr J M Lavery exercised share options over 120,603 ordinary shares which were 
issued at an exercise price of 99.5p. 

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 2013 the number of shares covered by option        
agreements amounted to 208,688 (2012: 389,291). 

8. 

RESERVES 

 2102 lirpA ts1
 serahs fo eussI
 raey eht rof )ssoL(

 esnepxe desab erahS :ddA

 diap dnediviD

 3102 hcraM ts13

Share premium  Capital redemption  Profit & loss 
ser

 tnuocca

account 

erve 

 432,529
 071,841
 -
 _______

 404,370,1
 -
 _______

 404,370,1
 -
 ________

 404,370,1
 ________

 476,4
 -
 -
 _____

 476,4
 -
 _____

 476,4
 -
 _____

 476,4
 _____

 802,243,1
 -
 )442,885(
 _______

 469,357
 544,44
 _______

 904,897
 758,315
 _______

 255,482
 _______

The cumulative amount of goodwill which has been eliminated against reserves at 31st March 2013 is 
£30,000 (2012: £30,000). 

50

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  2, Ravensbank Business Park, 
Hedera Road Redditch B98 9EY, on 7th August 2013 at noon for the following purposes: 

(1) 

(2) 
(3) 

(4) 

(5) 
(6) 
(7) 

ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS 

To  receive  and  adopt  the  accounts  for  the  year  ended  31st  March  2013,  together  with  the  reports  of  the 
Directors and auditors thereon.  (Resolution 1) 
To declare a final dividend of 5.25p 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 haysmacintyre as auditors of the Company.  (Resolution 5) 
To authorise the Directors to fix the auditors’ remuneration,  (Resolution 6) 
To pass the following resolution: 
That  the  Directors  be  generally  and  unconditionally  authorised  to  allot  shares  in  the  Company  (Relevant 
Securities): 

i) 

 comprising  equity  securities  (as  defined  by  section  560  of  the  Companies  Act  2006)  up  to  an 
aggregate nominal amount of £116,200.50 (which is 33% of the issued share capital) (such amount 
to be reduced by the nominal amount of any Relevant Securities allotted under paragraph (ii) below) 
in connection with an offer by way of a rights issue: 

ii) 

(a)  to  holders  of  ordinary  shares  in  proportion  (as  nearly  as  may  be  practicable)  to  their 
respective holdings; and 
(b)  to  holders  of  other  equity  securities  as  required  by  the  rights  of  those  securities  or  as  the 
Directors otherwise consider necessary, 

but subject to such exclusions or other arrangements as the Board may deem necessary or expedient 
in relation to treasury shares, fractional entitlements, record dates, legal or practical problems in or 
under the laws of any territory or the requirements of any regulatory body or stock exchange; and 
in  any  other  case,  up  to  an  aggregate  nominal  amount  of  £69,720.40  (which  is  20%  of  the  issued 
share  capital)  (such  amount  to  be  reduced  by  the  nominal  amount  of  any  equity  securities  allotted 
under paragraph i) above, 
provided that this authority shall, unless renewed, varied or revoked by the Company, expire after a 
period  of  18  months  from  the  passing  of  this  resolution  or,  if  earlier,  the  date  of  the  next  annual 
general  meeting  of  the  Company  save  that  the  Company  may,  before  such  expiry,  make  offers  or 
agreements which would or might require Relevant Securities to be allotted and the Directors may 
allot Relevant Securities in pursuance of such offer or agreement notwithstanding that the authority 
conferred by this resolution has expired. 

This  resolution  revokes  and  replaces  all  unexercised  authorities  previously  granted  to  the  Directors  to  allot 
Relevant Securities but without prejudice to any allotment of shares or grant of rights already made, offered 
or agreed to be made pursuant to such authorities.  (Resolution 7) 

SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS 

(8) 

To pass the following resolution: 
That  the  Company  is  authorised  to  allot  equity  securities  pursuant  to  resolution  7  above  up  to  an  aggregate 
nominal amount of £69,720.40, which is 20% of the issued share capital , as if Section 561 of the Companies 
Act  2006 (existing shareholders – right of pre-emption): 

i) 
ii) 

did not apply to the allotment; or 
applied  to  the  allotment  with  such  modifications  as  the  Directors  may  determine  provided  that  this 
authority shall, unless renewed, varied or revoked by the company, expire after a period of 18 months 
from  the  passing  of  this  resolution  save  that  the  company  may,  before  such  expiry,  make  offers  or 
agreements  which would or might require equity securities to be allotted and the Directors may allot 
equity securities in pursuance of such offer or agreement not withstanding that the authority conferred 
by the resolution ahs expired.  (Resolution 8) 

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Solid State PLC

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (continued) 

SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS (continued) 

(9) 

i)  
ii) 

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; 
the  maximum  price  that  may  be  paid  for  such  shares  is,  in  respect  of  a  share  contracted  to  be 
purchased on any day , an amount (exclusive of all expenses) equal to 105 per cent  of the average 
middle  market quotations of the ordinary shares of the company as derived  from the Daily  Official 
List of the London Stock Exchange on the 10 dealing days immediately preceding the day on which 
the shares are contracted to be purchased; 
the  authority  hereby  conferred  shall  expire  after  a  period  of  18  months  from  the  passing  of  this 
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 9) 

iii) 

iv) 

vi) 

v) 

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD 

P Haining FCA 
Director 
18th June 2013 

Registered office: 2 Ravensbrook Business Park, Hedera Road, Redditch, B98 9EY 

NOTES: 

1. 

2. 

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. 

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. 

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