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TT Electronics
Annual Report 2009

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FY2009 Annual Report · TT Electronics
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TT electronics plc Annual Report 2009

Positioned for 
sustainable 
growth 

TT electronics plc

Clive House
12 – 18 Queens Road
Weybridge
Surrey KT13 9XB

Reg No 87249

Tel   +44(0) 1932 841310
Fax  +44(0) 1932 836450

 
 
 
 
 
OVERVIEW

Who we are

TT electronics is a focused, 
global electronics group 
supplying leading 
manufacturers in the 
defence, aerospace, medical, 
automotive and industrial 
electronics markets.

Our development of new 
technologies is based 
on understanding our 
customers’ needs and 
providing innovative 
solutions to meet them.

Designed and produced by Radley Yeldar (www.ry.com) using the paperless proofi ng system Wizardry. 

TT electronics plc are committed to caring for the environment and looking for sustainable ways to minimise our impact on it.

We take care to minimise the impact on the environment in the paper we use. The paper we have chosen: 

• contains material sourced from responsibly managed forests, certifi ed in accordance with the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)

• is manufactured under strict environmental management systems, the international ISO 14001 standard, EMAS (Eco-Management & Audit Scheme) and the IPPC 
(Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) regulation.

FSC – Forest Stewardship Council. This ensures there is an audited chain of custody from the 
tree in the well-managed forest through to the fi nished document in the printing factory.

 ISO 14001 – A pattern of control for an environmental management system against which 
an organisation can be credited by a third party.

1

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

OVERVIEW

Our performance

Overview
Our performance  
Chairman’s statement  
How our Group is organised  
Our Group at a glance  
Our strategy in action 
Measuring our performance  
Overview of markets 

Revenue

Underlying operating cash flow1

£499.6m 

2008: £584.3m

£83.9m 

2008: £50.1m

Business review
Business review  
Principal risks and uncertainties  
Corporate responsibility  
Outlook for 2010  
Chairman    

1 
2
5
6
8
10
12

20
28
30
31
31

Profit before taxation1

£0.8m 

2008: £21.1m

Net debt

£56.9m 

2008: £113.2m

Creditable performance in challenging market conditions

Group revenue was down 14.5% to £499.6 million (2008: £584.3 million). 
Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, Group revenue was down 
22%, refl ecting the severe economic downturn

The Group traded profi tably in the second half of 2009 and reported a 
full year operating profi t before exceptional items of £6.5 million (2008: 
£27.0 million). Profi t before tax and exceptional items was £0.8 million 
(2008: £21.1 million)

Exceptional restructuring costs of £14.2 million were incurred during the 
year and together with other measures implemented during 2008 and 
2009 will have resulted in an annualised cost reduction of over £31 million

Signifi cant reduction in working capital of £47.2 million with underlying 
operating cash fl ow of £83.9 million (2008: £50.1 million), resulting in a near  
halving of net debt to £56.9 million (December 2008: £113.2 million)

Good progress in implementing the actions identifi ed in the Strategic 
Review with the new organisation structure and leadership enabling a 
clear focus on delivery and accountability

1 Reported before exceptional items in 2009 and 2008.

Cautionary statement on forward-looking statements and related information

This document contains a number of forward-looking statements relating to the Group/Company with respect to, amongst 
others, the following: fi nancial conditions; results of operations; economic conditions in which the Group/Company operates; 
the business of the Group/Company; and management plans and objectives. The Group/Company considers any statements 
that are not historical facts as “forward-looking statements”. They relate to events and trends that are subject to risks and 
uncertainties that could cause the actual results and fi nancial position of the Group/Company to diff er materially from the 
information presented in the relevant forward-looking statement. When used in this document the words “estimate”, “project”, 
“intend”, “aim”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “should” and similar expressions, as they relate to the Group/Company or the 
management of it, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue 
reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as at the date of this document. Neither the Group/Company 
nor any member of the Group’s/Company’s Board or management undertake any obligation publicly to update or revise any 
of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, save in respect of any 
requirement under applicable laws, the Listing Rules, and other regulations.

Governance
Directors and Company Secretary  
Directors’ report  
Directors’ report on corporate governance  
Directors’ remuneration report  

32
33
37
42

47
48
49

Group accounts
Report of the Independent Auditors on the  
consolidated fi nancial statements  

Consolidated income statement  
Consolidated balance sheet  
Consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income  

50
Consolidated statement of changes in equity  50
Consolidated cash fl ow statement 
51
Accounting policies for the consolidated 

 fi nancial statements  

52
Notes to the consolidated fi nancial statements  55

Company accounts
Report of the Independent Auditors on the 
  Company fi nancial statements    
Company balance sheet  
Accounting policies for the Company 

fi nancial statements   

Notes to the Company fi nancial statements  

Historical record  
Shareholder information  

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74

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76

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2

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

OVERVIEW

Chairman’s statement

John W Newman
 Chairman

TT electronics is pleased to be able to report a creditable 
performance against the backdrop of the global economic 
recession. For the year ended 31 December 2009, Group 
revenue was £499.6 million (2008: £584.3 million), down 
14.5 per cent, producing an operating profi t before exceptional 
items of £6.5 million compared with £27.0 million in 2008. 
This includes an operating loss of £2.9 million from AB 
Automotive, the climate control business which was closed 
during the year. Finance costs were £5.7 million net (2008: 
£5.9 million) which comprised £3.4 million of banking and 
fi nance interest (2008: £4.1 million) and £2.3 million relating 
to pension fund accounting (2008: £1.8 million). Profi t before 
tax and exceptional items was £0.8 million compared with 
£21.1 million in 2008. The taxation charge was £2.4 million 
(2008: £5.7 million). Exceptional charges relating to closure 
costs and redundancies were £14.2 million (2008: £3.8 million). 
In addition, the Group has recognised an impairment to the 
goodwill relating to Optek Technology, Inc of £3.8 million. 
Headline loss per share was 1.3 pence compared with 9.2 pence 
of earnings in 2008. In line with the dividend policy set out in 
January last year, the Board is not recommending the payment 
of a dividend for 2009.

Given the weaker economic climate TT electronics has done 
well, especially signifi cantly reducing net debt which at 
31 December 2009 was £56.9 million compared with £113.2 
million at the previous year end, a decrease of 49.7 per cent. 
This was principally due to a reduction in working capital and 
lower capital expenditure. Signifi cant time and resources were 
committed to restructuring the businesses with costs incurred 
relating to factory closures and redundancies, which regrettably 
resulted in a reduction in the total number of our employees 
by 19 per cent compared to June 2008. 

3

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

“ The Board would 
like to express its 
thanks to employees 
worldwide who have 
continued to support 
the Group during a 
challenging year.”

Despite the diffi  cult market conditions, we have made good 
progress against the strategic plan announced in January 2009. 
We have taken signifi cant steps to improve the way in which we 
service our major customers with the implementation of unifi ed 
regional sales teams in the Components division and a continued 
focus on our key account management programme. We have 
also taken actions to focus the Group on those markets which 
we believe will provide us with the opportunity for higher 
growth and enhanced margins in the medium term. 

In line with the Group’s strategy to manage the businesses within 
the General Industrial division for value, on 17 February 2010, we 
announced the conditional sale of Wire Systems Technology (Pty) 
Ltd, our South African manufacturer of winding wire, electrical 
motor components and electrical insulation products. 
The consideration for the sale, payable in cash on completion, 
is Rand 60 million (currently approximately £5.4 million) plus 
an amount equal to the cash balances of the company on the 
day preceding the completion date. This represents the most 
signifi cant disposal from our General Industrial division, following 
the sales of two smaller businesses during 2009. 

The pension scheme trustees have benefi ted from the guidance
of their investment advisers. We believe the pension scheme has 
performed well and, on an IAS19 basis, it is 88 per cent funded 
(2008: 94 per cent).

The Board would like to express its thanks to employees 
worldwide who have continued to support the Group during 
a challenging year. 

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TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

OVERVIEW

Chairman’s statement (continued)

On 26 January 2010 the Board of TT electronics appointed Tim 
Roberts as Group Business Development Director. Tim has been 
with the Group for two years, he is a solicitor and has played a 
major part in formulating and implementing the new strategic 
plan and I am confi dent that the Board will benefi t from his skills 
and experience.

Now in my 65th year I have decided to retire as Chairman and 
from the Board following the 2010 Annual General Meeting. 
I was appointed Chief Executive of the Group in 1987 after a 
company in which I was a major shareholder was acquired by 
TT electronics plc (then called Tyzack Turner). In 1995 I became 
executive Chairman before becoming non-executive Chairman 
in September 2009. Sean Watson, who joined the Board as an 
independent non-executive Director in 2007, will become non-
executive Chairman following the next Annual General Meeting 
to be held in May. Last year the Group completed an in-depth 
review and determined a new strategy and direction. I am 
confi dent that Sean’s experience and knowledge of the business, 
together with his strong relationships with the Directors and 
executive management, will ensure that the Group continues 
successfully to deliver on the strategy which we have laid out. 
Sean is a corporate partner at CMS Cameron McKenna LLP, 
a major City law fi rm.

We saw some improvement in trading conditions in the fi nal 
quarter of 2009 which has continued in the fi rst two months of 
this year. I am confi dent that the actions we have taken in 2009, 
together with those underway, will enable TT electronics to 
improve its performance.

John W Newman
Chairman
12 March 2010

5

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

OVERVIEW

How our Group is organised

Our divisional structure 
enables organic growth to 
be delivered by bringing 
together our strong 
underlying businesses, 
technologies and 
customers.

Components 
(see page 22)

Speciality and custom passive 
components, optoelectronics, 
microelectronic modules, 
semiconductor products, 
connectors and harnesses.

Sensors 
(see page 23)

Highly engineered custom sensor 
solutions for specifi c transportation 
and industrial applications.

Integrated Manufacturing 
Services (IMS) (see page 24)

Outsourced manufacturing 
and supply chain solutions for 
customers with lower volume, 
complex build and assembly 
electronic products.

Secure Power 
(see page 25)

Secure power solutions including 
generator sets, uninterruptible 
power supplies and service 
for customers’ critical power 
requirements worldwide.

General Industrial 
(see page 26)

Manufacturing and distribution 
operations serving a range of 
market sectors with a variety of 
products and services. 

The Group is segmented into fi ve business divisions, each 
with a clear strategy and direction to achieve value for 
our shareholders. We are focused on delivering technology, 
products and services to markets where we see the greatest 
opportunities for growth and profi t.

Markets where we see 
the greatest opportunity are:

Defence and aerospace

These markets are growth opportunities 
for the Components and IMS divisions, 
which off er electronic components, 
connectors and cable assemblies, 
magnetics, microelectronic modules, 
semiconductors, optoelectronics and 
manufacturing services to original 
equipment manufacturers (OEMs) 
and their suppliers.

Medical

Although modest in terms of revenue 
in 2009, the medical market is a growth 
sector for the Components, Sensors 
and IMS divisions which off er precision 
resistors, optical and potentiometric 
sensors, microcircuits and assembly 
services to customers. 

Automotive

The automotive market remains 
important for the Components and 
Sensors divisions with applications 
including steering sensors, crank and 
camshaft sensors, chassis height sensors, 
electrical throttle control sensors and 
temperature and pressure sensors. 

Industrial

The Group sells into numerous diverse 
segments within the industrial market 
with a focus on specifi c applications 
where our broad technology and 
design capabilities enable us to 
provide innovative solutions. 

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12

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14

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16

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18

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TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

OVERVIEW

Our Group at a glance

TT electronics plc
is a focused, global 
electronics company 
supplying the 
world’s leading 
manufacturers in 
markets including 
defence and 
aerospace, medical, 
automotive and 
industrial. We 
operate from more 
than 20 major 
manufacturing 
locations worldwide. 
The Group consists 
of fi ve divisions as 
follows: Components, 
Sensors, IMS, Secure 
Power and General 
Industrial. In 2009, total 
revenues for the Group 
were £499.6 million 
with 6,302 people 
employed worldwide. 

Components

Sensors

Supported by a global network 
of application sales engineers the 
Components division provides 
engineered component solutions 
which include fi xed and variable 
resistor products, optoelectronics, 
power modules and control circuitry 
for multiple applications, especially 
where reliability, performance and 
packaging considerations are critical 
to the customer.

Key growth drivers are the increased 
use of complex control electronics, 
the need for electronics to operate in 
harsh environments and the increase 
in circuit speeds. 

Supplies high performance custom 
solutions to the automotive and 
industrial markets. The business 
has competitive positions in speed, 
direction and position sensing 
particularly in chassis, powertrain 
and transmission applications, and 
is developing a position in high 
temperature, gas, fl uid quality and 
low pressure sensing. 

The division is focused on growing 
in the more attractive broader 
transportation, automotive emission 
and safety and selective industrial 
control segments.

Revenue
Operating profit

£190.8m
£5.9m

Revenue
Operating loss

£105.4m
£(3.9)m

Proportion of
Group revenue 

Proportion of
Group revenue 

38%

21%

Markets served
defence and aerospace,
industrial, medical,
automotive

Markets served
automotive, 
industrial

Products

Products

Hybrid power module 
for electric vehicle motor 
control

38999 series III connectors 
are the preferred connectors 
for defence and aerospace 
applications

Temperature sensor used 
for treatment of exhaust gas 
in trucks

Fully coated and freeze 
protected sensor

U

For more information on our business, 
please go to www.ttelectronics.com

For more information 
please go to page 22

For more information 
please go to page 23

7

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

IMS

Secure Power

General Industrial

Specialises in providing high quality 
electronic manufacturing services 
to customers in the defence and 
aerospace and premium industrial 
sectors. The division off ers a broad 
capability from board assembly to 
full systems integration, design for 
manufacturing and logistics support. 
The business is focused on higher mix/
lower volume business with a strategy 
to move towards more specialised 
integrated assembly. IMS has a 
substantial design engineering team 
and supports the Group international 
purchasing offi  ce based in China. 

Provides power protection solutions 
including generating sets, uninterruptible 
power supplies and customer support 
from operations in the UK, Mexico, Brazil 
and the Middle East.

Secure Power protects customers’ critical 
power supplies with a reputation for 
bespoke engineered solutions designed 
for the most demanding applications in 
the petrochemical, medical, utilities and 
fi nancial services sectors.

Comprises manufacturing and 
distribution operations serving a range 
of market sectors with applications 
including magnetics, electrical 
fusegear, specialist compounds for the 
cable and pipe markets and fastenings 
for the industrial and automotive 
sectors. General Industrial also included 
the AB Automotive climate control 
business, which was closed in 2009 
and gave rise to an operating loss of 
£2.9 million in the year on revenue 
of £16.0 million. 

Revenue
Operating profit

£75.1m
£2.4m

Revenue
Operating profit

£59.1m
£4.8m

Revenue
Operating loss

£69.2m
£(2.7)m

Proportion of
Group revenue 

Proportion of
Group revenue 

Proportion of
Group revenue 

15%

12%

14%

Markets served
industrial, 
defence and aerospace, 
medical

Markets served
industrial

Markets served
industrial, 
automotive

Services

Products

Products

The division provides outsourced manufacturing 
solutions across the entire product lifecycle from design 
to bespoke logistics

New E-Series UPS designed 
to provide uninterruptible 
power for high reliability 
applications

New generating set range 
primarily designed for the 
rental market where space 
and high power is a priority

High performance power 
cable insulation compound 
used in major infrastructure 
projects

Weatherproof distribution 
box used by major electricity 
companies in overhead and 
underground applications

For more information 
please go to page 24

For more information 
please go to page 25

For more information 
please go to page 26

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8

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

OVERVIEW 

Our strategy in action

Our key goals:

Our core values:

Align the organisation 
with the strategic 
objectives of the Group, 
recognising that our 
employees are critical 
to our success.

Achieve operational 
excellence in the ways in 
which we interface with 
our customers, develop 
and market our 
technologies and 
manufacture our 
products. 

Increase our presence in 
higher growth and higher 
margin markets.

Deliver a signifi cant 
increase in shareholder 
value through the further 
development of our core 
Components division.

Reposition the Sensors 
division for growth in the 
broader transportation 
and industrial markets.

Develop the IMS and 
Secure Power divisions 
through increased 
management focus and 
investment.

Convert over 100% 
of operating profi t to 
operating cash fl ow after 
capital expenditure.

Our values are key diff erentiators and the source 
of our competitive advantage:

Customer Driven
We are in business to deliver 
value to our customers. All that 
we do is geared to providing 
world-class products and 
the best possible customer 
experience.

Integrity
We will always be straightforward
and transparent in our dealings. 
Upholding high ethical 
standards and maintaining 
integrity are cornerstones of our 
business. We are committed to 
our corporate and social 
responsibilities.

Passion for 
Excellence
We stretch ourselves to make 
the diff erence and look for 
continuous improvements 
by constantly challenging 
the status quo.

People Focused
Success for our business will 
be determined by our people. 
We aim to attract, retain and 
develop high quality staff  
and ensure that they are 
fully committed and 
positively engaged.

Innovative 
Problem Solving
We pride ourselves on our 
We pride ourselves on our 
ability to solve our customers’ 
ability to solve our customers’ 
problems, focusing on 
delivering innovative solutions 
in a timely manner.

Teamwork
Teamwork underpins our 
business. We encourage a 
team-working environment, 
constantly challenging each 
other whilst maintaining 
mutual respect and a clear 
focus on the achievement 
of common goals.

9

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

Implementing our strategy:

Organisation development
In order to provide a clear focus on delivery 
and accountability, new operational and 
organisational structures were introduced 
with eff ect from 1 January 2009.

The senior management team was 
strengthened during the year with the 
appointment of new leaders for the Sensors 
and General Industrial divisions. We also 
appointed a new Divisional Chief Executive 
for the Components division in January 2010. 

We recognise that our people form the 
foundations for our future. In 2009, we 
established core values for the Group. 
These provide a set of guiding principles 
and behaviours to ensure that all employees 
are aligned to our strategic objectives, as 
outlined opposite. During the fi nal quarter 
of this year, we began the roll-out of a new 
web-based performance management 
system. This system is enabling us to assess 
the managers across our businesses, identify 
and address their development needs, and set 
and track objectives, ensuring that these are 
aligned with the Group’s key goals. Finally, a 
revised management incentive plan has been 
introduced with a focus on the achievement 
of strategic objectives and cash generation, 
as well as profi t.

Operational excellence
We continue to improve the way in which we 
interface with our customers. For example, on 
1 July 2009, we implemented a new unifi ed 
sales structure across Europe in order to help 
the businesses within the Components division 
address specifi c markets and customers. 
Following the success of this initiative, similar 
regional sales structures were implemented in 
the USA and Asia on 1 January 2010, in each 
case creating a single route to market which 
will allow us to better serve our customers. 

A key account management programme, 
focused primarily on the defence and aerospace 
and medical markets, has been applied to 14 
major customers, each of which now benefi ts 

from a nominated key account manager with 
global responsibility. In certain market areas, 
we have established virtual teams to enable us 
to bring together the full extent of the Group’s 
world-class facilities, technologies and skills 
in order to enhance our customer off ering. 
In particular, we are seeing good progress by 
the defence and aerospace team, with the 
combined Group capabilities being presented 
to key customers via an ongoing programme of 
technical roadshows. Our connectors business 
has secured a substantial new customer in 
Smiths Detection in support of their chemical 
detection products, and a number of other new 
opportunities have been identifi ed with major 
defence companies. The creation of the hybrid 
vehicle electronics team has allowed us to map 
our Group-wide capabilities against specifi c 
applications including in the areas of battery 
management and powertrain and we are 
working on over 20 separate projects, including 
a number with major car manufacturers. 
Although slower to develop, the medical 
electronics team is also now making good 
progress in identifying opportunities that 
can be better served on a co-ordinated 
Group-wide basis.

The development and introduction of new 
technologies and applications is key to the 
Group’s continued success. During 2009, 
the engineering teams in a number of our 
businesses in the Components, Sensors and 
Secure Power divisions began to work more 
closely together. They are sharing technologies 
and expertise across businesses within each 
division, including within the framework of 
the virtual market teams and we expect this 
to continue through 2010. 

Good progress was made in 2009 to reduce 
inventories and increase manufacturing 
effi  ciency. During 2010, we will conduct an 
assessment of 10 businesses within the 
Components and Sensors divisions to 
establish areas for further improvement.

Market focus
We have identifi ed a number of markets which 
we believe will provide the Components and 
Sensors divisions with the opportunity for 
higher growth and margins. These include the 
defence and aerospace and medical markets. 
We have also identifi ed certain segments within 
the automotive, broader transportation and 
industrial markets, which we believe represent 
attractive opportunities for us. Although our 
revenue was adversely impacted during 2009 
by the global economic downturn, we made 
progress on developing our position in the 
target segments. This was driven by the key 
account management programme, the virtual 
market teams and by specifi c actions on a 
business-by-business basis. In addition, we have 
de-emphasised a number of lower growth or 
lower profi t market segments and completed 
the withdrawal from the AB Automotive climate 
control business.

Development of Components, 
Sensors, IMS and Secure 
Power divisions

The Strategic Review identifi ed clear priorities 
for each of the divisions for 2009. Progress was 
made during the year across all divisions and 
this is set out in more detail on pages 22 to 26. 

Cash fl ow generation 
The Group generated an underlying operating 
cash fl ow of £83.9 million during 2009, 
principally due to a reduction in working capital. 
As a result, Group net debt was nearly halved 
to £56.9 million from an opening position of 
£113.2 million, improving the Group’s ability 
to fund programmes to develop the business 
in line with its strategy.

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10

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

OVERVIEW

Measuring our performance

Measuring our 
performance is 
integral to the 
next phase of our 
strategic growth. 
We have carefully 
selected the following 
Key Performance 
Indicators (KPIs) 
to benchmark our 
progress. In 2009, the 
global recession has 
impacted progress 
against the KPIs.

Non-fi nancial KPIs
We recognise that our people are critical to the 
success of our business. We are committed to 
creating a safe working environment which 
supports the development of our employees 
and rewards them for their achievements. 
We have taken a number of steps in this area 
during 2009 including the introduction of 
a clear set of core values for the Group and 
the implementation of a new performance 
management system. We will be introducing 
a number of non-fi nancial KPIs during 2010 to 
measure and report on progress.

Financial KPIs

Organic revenue growth

Defi nition
Organic revenue growth measures the change 
in revenue in the current year compared 
with the prior year, from continuing Group 
operations. The eff ect of currency movements 
and acquisitions made during the current or 
prior fi nancial period have been removed.

We have chosen this specifi c KPI because our 
strategy is to participate in markets which 
have the ability to provide us with growth 
opportunities.

Performance
Organic revenue growth was adversely 
impacted by the downturn in the global 
economy during 2009. 

2009 

Target
for next fi ve years

 -24.3%  Mid to high    
single digits

Operating profi t margin

Defi nition
Operating profi t margin is defi ned as operating 
profi t before exceptional items from continuing 
operations expressed as a percentage of 
revenue from continuing operations.

Performance
Profi tability was impacted in all divisions by a 
reduction in revenue during the year.

This KPI is appropriate because we are focused 
on increasing the proportion of revenue 
from those markets where we can make 
higher returns, in addition to delivering an 
improvement in operational effi  ciency.

2009 
Group

1.3% 

Target
in medium term

8-10%

2009 
Components 

3.1% 

Target
in medium term

 10%

2009 
Secure Power

8.1% 

Target
in short term

10%

2009 
Sensors 

-3.7% 

Target
in longer term

10%

2009 
IMS 

 3.2% 

Target
in medium term

6-8%

 
 
11

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

Operating cash conversion

Defi nition
Operating cash conversion is defi ned as 
cash generated from continuing operations 
after capital and development expenditure 
expressed as a percentage of operating profi t 
before exceptional items from continuing 
operations. Cash conversion is an important 
metric to track the management of our working 
capital and capital expenditure programme.

Performance
Good cash fl ow was delivered in 2009 due 
to actions taken to reduce working capital 
across all divisions in response to the decline in 
revenues, together with a lower level of capital 
expenditure.

2009 

Target
for next three years

1,040%  

 100%

Earnings Per Share (EPS) growth

Defi nition
EPS growth is calculated as profi t before 
exceptional items attributable to the 
shareholders divided by the weighted average 
number of shares in issue during the year. 

We have chosen EPS growth as a KPI as it is 
a standard metric to determine corporate 
profi tability for shareholders. In addition, it is 
a measure used as one of the performance 
conditions in the Group’s Long Term Incentive 
Plan – see further detail on page 43.

Performance
EPS was negative during the year due to the 
impact of the global economic downturn on 
the Group’s results.

2009 
Not meaningful 

Target

Year on year 
growth of ≥ 3% 
in excess of RPI 

Relative Total Shareholder 
Return (TSR)

Defi nition
TSR is defi ned as capital growth plus dividends 
paid, assuming dividends are re-invested over 
the period using a three-month opening and 
closing average.

Performance
There was a strong improvement in the Group’s 
share price during 2009 resulting in a TSR of 
62.7 per cent compared to the median of the 
.
comparator group of 39.4 per cent
comparator group of 39.4
comparator group of 39.4 per cent

We believe that TSR is an important measure 
of the delivery of shareholder value as well as 
relative performance. In addition, it is a measure 
used as one of the performance conditions 
in the Group’s Long Term Incentive Plan – see 
further detail on page 43.

2009 

Between 
median 
and upper 
quartile

Target

Above median 
performance 
against the FTSE 
Small Cap (excluding 
investment trusts)

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12

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

OVERVIEW

Focused on
defence & 
aerospace

We have extensive experience of working on complex 
projects for major defence contractors supplying technical 
solutions for critical applications operating in harsh 
environments. The defence market is driven by US and 
European government spending on long-term programmes 
such as Eurofi ghter, the upgrade of communications networks 
and new military vehicles for use in Iraq and Afghanistan. 
As technology continues to develop, we are well positioned 
to increase our supply of components for the increasingly 
complex electronic systems that are being deployed on 
the battlefi eld including those in land-based vehicles, 
unmanned aerial vehicles and on personnel. 
We expect the civil aviation market to continue to experience 
demand in emerging economies and replacement activities in 
mature markets, as aircraft become more effi  cient. There is also 
an increased demand for critical electronic components and 
systems resulting from the ongoing move from hydraulic to 
electrical systems to reduce weight and increase effi  ciency. 

Contract

The Components division is supporting 
Thales UK on the integration of counter 
measure and communication systems 
on armoured vehicles being supplied 
to the British Armed Forces to be 
deployed in Afghanistan. The contract, 
worth up to £2 million, involves the 
supply of specialist connectors and 
harnesses by AB Connectors Ltd and 
New Chapel Electronics Ltd. 

Image courtesy of ST Kinetics

Product 
Working with Ultra Electronics Limited, we 
have developed circuit protection for the 
Wing Ice Protection System on the Boeing 
787 Dreamliner with production starting 
in 2010. This specialist software controlled 
fuse is ideal for high reliability safety critical 
systems and versions have also been 
designed into military aircraft applications. 

13

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

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14

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

15

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

OVERVIEW

Contract 

Our design engineering teams have 
worked with a global healthcare 
product leader to design a high voltage 
optical isolator for use in medical 
device applications where there is a 
requirement to separate high voltage 
and low voltage circuitry. Initially, the 
product will be used in defi brillators 
and electro scalpels.

Focused on
medical

We work with leading medical device manufacturers to 
provide more reliable solutions to doctors and patients 
worldwide in areas such as defi brillators and other patient 
monitoring and diagnosis applications. The medical device 
market continues to grow driven by an ageing population in 
the US and Europe and by greater access to medical care in 
developing economies. In 2009, we saw an increased 
demand in a number of areas and a growing trend for 
manufacturers to outsource the assembly of equipment, 
which is expected to benefi t our IMS division.
We have invested in research and development and are 
working closely with customers, enabling them to deliver 
safer and more advanced solutions.

Product
Optek’s self-calibrating fl uid sensor is 
capable of adapting itself to diff erent optical 
densities. This delivers two benefi ts to 
medical device customers: reduced design 
time and consistent long-term reliability. 
Outperforming more costly ultrasonic 
solutions, the sensor is ideal for air or fl uid 
detection in infusion and transfusion pumps.

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16

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

OVERVIEW

Focused on
automotive

Our Components and Sensors divisions have many years’ 
experience delivering complex electronic solutions to 
major automotive OEMs. Although little overall improvement 
in volumes is expected in the short term, the increased 
use of electronics and sensors will continue, driven by an 
increase in safety features and a desire for more effi  cient 
and environmentally friendly vehicles. Evidence can be 
seen in applications such as the development of stop/start 
technologies, which require additional sensors and electronics. 
Signifi cant electronics are also required for the control and 
operation of hybrid and fully electric vehicles, although it will 
be some years before these reach full volume production. 

Contract 

We are constantly working with our 
customers on technology to reduce the 
impact of vehicles on the environment. 
2009 saw us win signifi cant business 
with leading European truck 
manufacturers including MAN, with 
the design of a high temperature 
sensor to monitor the eff ectiveness 
of the cleaning process within the 
exhaust system. The technology 
ensures that all MAN trucks and buses 
are compliant with environmental 
legislation Euro 4 and Euro 5. 

Product
The Sensors division was chosen by 
BMW to supply a new range of speed 
sensors for a stop/start application. Using 
proprietary magnetic sensing technology, 
we developed an application which will be 
fi tted onto all BMW four and six-cylinder 
engines, worldwide, starting in 2010. 

17

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

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18

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

19

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

OVERVIEW

Focused on
industrial

Our design engineering teams develop innovative 
solutions for a wide range of industrial customers 
worldwide. Product applications include industrial sensors 
for manufacturing equipment and smart valve control, 
electronic power and control modules for a variety of 
applications including downhole drilling and discrete 
electronic components for numerous applications. 
We focus on identifying growth segments where we can 
provide innovative solutions for critical applications based 
on our broad technologies and design capabilities. 

Contract

The Components division worked 
with Xerox to help create a market- 
leading digital colour printer. 
Our high-accuracy refl ective sensor 
is being used by Xerox to precisely 
register multiple colour images on 
top of each other to ensure a crisp 
clear output.

Image courtesy of Xerox Corporation

Product
We are a market leader in the design 
and manufacture of customised input 
protection resistors for smart electricity 
meters. The Components division has 
contracts with global energy metering 
companies, supplying a wide range of 
resistors, including the Z Form (pictured), 
capable of withstanding extreme 
conditions including lightning strikes.

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20

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

BUSINESS REVIEW

Delivering our strategy 

Overview of Group 
performance
Announced in January 2009, the results 
of our Strategic Review identifi ed our core 
business as the design and development 
of highly engineered, bespoke electronic 
components for specialist growth markets, 
addressed by the Components and Sensors 
divisions. The IMS and Secure Power 
divisions were identifi ed as representing 
scalable strategic opportunities, with the 
businesses within the General Industrial 
division to be “run for value”. In addition, 
we set out an objective to increase the 
proportion of Group revenue from the 
industrial (including medical) and the 
defence and aerospace markets and to 
reduce reliance on the automotive market 
from 40 per cent of revenue in 2008 to a 
targeted range of 25 to 30 per cent 
in the medium term.

During 2009, signifi cant time and resources 
were committed to restructuring the businesses 
and implementing the actions identifi ed by the 
Strategic Review. The proportion of revenue 
from the defence and aerospace market 
increased to 13 per cent in 2009 (2008: 
11 per cent) whilst the medical market 
increased to 3 per cent (2008: 2 per cent). 
Sales to the automotive market decreased 
from 40 per cent to 36 per cent.

We made good progress during the year in 
strengthening the senior management team 
and creating a structure to enable a clear focus 
on delivery and accountability. A number of 
initiatives have been implemented to improve 
the way we interface with customers, most 
notably within the Components division. In 
addition, we have introduced virtual market 
teams to drive growth in key areas. Further 
details are set out on page 9.

Market conditions
During the fi rst half of the year, performance was 
aff ected by a signifi cant reduction in demand 
from the automotive industry and to a lesser 
extent, from many industrial customers. This 
particularly impacted the Components, Sensors 
and General Industrial divisions. Whilst the 
reduced demand continued through the third 
quarter, there was some improvement towards 
the end of the year particularly in the automotive 
business, although this was partly due to 
government “scrappage” schemes. Following a 
robust end to 2008, IMS saw demand fall in early 
2009 and continue at lower levels throughout 
the year as the global downturn impacted 
manufacturing. Whilst 2009 was a diffi  cult year 
for the Secure Power division with a decrease 
in new orders for large projects, there was good 
activity in a number of markets and geographies 
including the petrochemical sector and in 
Latin America.

Geraint Anderson
Group Chief Executive

Shatish D Dasani
Group Finance Director

12 March 2010

Revenue
£499.6m
499.6
09

08

584.3

Operating profit*
£6.5m
6.5
09

08

27.0

*before exceptional items

Capital employed
£212.7m
212.7
09

Year end headcount
6,302
09

6,302

08

326.1

08

7,466

Operating profit margin
1.3%
09

1.3%

08

4.6%

Operating cash flow*
£83.9m
83.9
09

08

50.1

*before exceptional items

U

For more information on our business, 
For more information on our business, 
please go to www.ttelectronics.com

£499.6m

Group revenue

£6.5m

Operating profi t

21

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

Revenue
Group revenue reduced by 14.5 per cent to 
£499.6 million (2008: £584.3 million). However, 
the revenue fi gure benefi ted from foreign 
exchange movements of approximately £44 
million. The underlying reduction in revenue was 
22 per cent. Volumes deteriorated sharply in the 
fi rst half of 2009, with underlying sales down by 
29 per cent at the half year. The second half saw 
some relative improvement, particularly in the 
fi nal months of 2009.

For the full year, underlying revenue in the 
Components division was down 11.7 per cent. 
The Sensors division saw some stabilisation of 
activity in the last quarter but overall revenues 
were down by 25.3 per cent. Revenue in the IMS 
division was down by 35.9 per cent on an 
underlying basis and in Secure Power by 9.0 per 
cent. The performance of the General Industrial 
division was distorted by the AB Automotive 
climate control business which was run to 
closure in 2009. The other businesses in the 
division saw an underlying reduction in revenue 
of 11.7 per cent. All fi gures exclude foreign 
exchange variations.

Operating profi ts (before exceptional items)
Operating profi t was severely aff ected by the 
reduction in sales. Following a diffi  cult fi rst four 
months, the Group traded profi tably from May 
onwards as cost reduction actions began to 
off set the drop in volumes. We achieved an 
operating profi t of £7.1 million in the second half 
compared with a loss of £0.6 million in the fi rst 
half, giving an overall result for the year of 

£6.5 million (2008: £27.0 million). This includes 
the impact of the AB Automotive climate control 
business which gave rise to a loss of £2.9 million. 
Operating margins for all divisions, apart from 
IMS, improved in the second half. There was a 
small net benefi t of £0.2 million from the 
impact of foreign exchange variations on 
the retranslation of operating profi t.

Restructuring
The restructuring programme has been 
implemented extensively with a series of 
measures to reduce costs and improve 
performance. These included the closure of 
facilities and the consolidation of manufacturing 
activity, headcount reductions, short time 
working, a pay freeze and an extension to 
normal factory shut-downs. Much of the 
restructuring is now complete, with the 
remaining activity being implemented in 
the fi rst few months of 2010.

As a result of the measures taken, it is estimated 
that costs will have been reduced by over 
£31 million on an annualised basis. Headcount 
reduced by 1,507 between June 2008 and 
December 2009, representing 19 per cent 
of the global workforce.

The cost of the restructuring in 2009 was 
£15.9 million, of which £14.2 million relates 
to major programmes or plant closures 
and is treated as an exceptional cost. 
The balance of £1.7 million has been 
charged to operating profi ts.

AB Automotive – Climate control exit
Sensors – European restructuring
Sensors – Romford closure
IMS – UK consolidation
BI SMT – closure of manufacturing
General Industrial restructuring
Other restructuring
Profi t on sale of properties
Total exceptional
Operating
Total

Costs

2009
£m
3.2
7.4
0.4
1.2
1.0
1.4
0.6
(1.0)
14.2
1.7
15.9

Benefi ts – 
annualised 
cost 
reduction
£m
4.0
8.2
1.6
1.9
0.8
0.9
0.3
–
17.7
13.6
31.3

2008
£m
2.7
–
1.1
–
–
–
–
–
3.8
2.1
5.9

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22

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

BUSINESS REVIEW

Components

“This is a very 
exciting time to join 
the management 
team. The actions 
completed in 2009, 
and those currently 
in progress, provide 
the Components 
division with a great 
platform to deliver 
diff erentiated 
technical solutions 
to our global 
customers in our 
target markets.”

Billal Hammoud
Divisional Chief Executive – 
Components

The focus of the Components division is on 
delivering highly engineered components, 
including products which are custom 
designed for specifi c applications by the 
division’s global network of application sales 
engineers, who support customers’ own 
design centres. The business has strong 
market positions in a number of product 
segments including fixed and variable resistors 
as well as military connectors and harnesses. 
It is continuing to invest in new product 
development in growth segments such as 
visible optical and power semiconductors. 

The division benefi ts from a global footprint with 
facilities in North America, Mexico, Europe and 
Asia, and with a sales presence in all major markets.

Historically, each of the division’s businesses had 
their own sales teams and routes to market. 
Following the Strategic Review, it was 
determined that a single unifi ed sales force in 
each of Europe, Asia and the US, would deliver 
signifi cant benefi ts. The new sales structure for 
Europe was implemented with eff ect from 1 July 
2009 in order to improve the way in which all of 
the division’s businesses address the European 
market. New sales structures in the US and Asia 
were launched on 1 January 2010. The key 
account management programme launched 
in 2009 has now been extended to 14 of the 
Group’s top accounts. It has been well received 
by customers leading to the development 
of higher level partnerships. For example, the 
Group has recently been granted “key supplier” 
status by Schneider Electric.

Revenue 
Operating profi t 

£190.8m
£5.9m

Market conditions
The division operates across a number of end 
markets including defence and aerospace, 
industrial and automotive. Key growth drivers are 
the increased use of complex control electronics 
in applications where high reliability is vital, the 
need for electronics to operate in harsh 
environments and the increased circuit speeds 
required by modern electronic solutions. 

Demand in most market segments was 
signifi cantly impacted in the fi rst half of the year 
by the global recession. Whilst there was some 
increase in demand towards the end of the year, 
we remain cautious that this was primarily due to 
a re-stocking of the supply chain as opposed to 
a material increase in end market demand.

Performance
Underlying revenue was down by 11.7 per cent 
after adjusting for foreign exchange movements. 
Gross margins held up across most businesses 
but there was a decline in operating profi t due 
to  the signifi cant reduction in volumes which 
was off set to some extent by cost reductions. 
Redundancy costs of £1.3 million were charged 
to operating profi ts in the year and there was a 
headcount reduction of 293. 

Outlook
The increase in orders in the fi nal quarter of 2009 
has continued into the fi rst quarter of 2010 with 
improved visibility for the fi rst half of the year. 
We will continue to improve the way in which 
we serve our customers and expect to see 
increasing benefi ts from the unifi ed sales 
structures now in place in Europe, USA and Asia.

Revenue
£190.8m
190.8
09

08

192.1

Operating profit*
£5.9m
5.9
09

08

9.7

*before exceptional items

Operating profit margin
3.1%
09

3.1%

08

5.0%

Capital employed
£148.8m
148.8
09

Year end headcount
3,113
09

3,113

08

188.5

08

3,406

23

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

BUSINESS REVIEW

Sensors

Historically, the Sensors division has focused 
on providing highly engineered sensors 
for specifi c automotive and industrial 
applications, particularly with major German 
automotive OEMs. The business has strong 
market positions in speed, direction and 
position sensing, especially in chassis, 
powertrain and transmission applications, 
and is developing an emerging position 
in high temperature, gas, fl uid quality and 
low pressure sensing. The division is now 
focused on growing its business in system 
critical automotive applications, the broader 
transportation market and selective high 
accuracy industrial sensors segments 
whilst also consolidating its presence 
in emerging markets. 

Principal operations are based in Germany 
with further sites in the UK, Eastern Europe, 
China and India.

As part of the fundamental realignment of the 
division’s cost base, a major restructuring 
programme was implemented in Germany, 
resulting in a headcount reduction of over 250 
during the year. The cost arising from this of 
£7.4 million has been charged as an exceptional 
item and annualised savings of £8.2 million are 
projected from these actions. The closure of the 
AB Electronic facility at Romford was completed 
on schedule with the majority of manufacturing 
transferred to existing low-cost facilities in India 
and China. These actions meant that the division 
traded profi tably from June 2009. 

Operations in China and India made signifi cant 
progress in 2009 with support from our German 
operations, with several strategic orders secured 
from targeted indigenous OEMs in each region.

Revenue 
Operating loss 

£105.4m
£(3.9)m

Market conditions 
Sensor usage on vehicles is growing, due to 
tighter legislation relating to vehicle emissions 
and safety. In Europe, Euro 5, which brought a 
step change in standards, came into force in 
2009 and similar standards are being rolled 
out globally. In response, OEMs are striving 
to improve engine effi  ciency and meet the 
legislation whilst remaining competitive.  

Notwithstanding a steady increase in sensors 
on each platform, demand from automotive 
manufacturers in the US and in Europe 
experienced a sharp reduction in the fourth 
quarter of 2008 as all major OEMs reduced 
their manufacturing output. This continued 
throughout 2009 as many customers 
implemented short time working and 
extended factory close-downs. The premium 
end of the passenger car market was 
impacted the most, with smaller cars seeing 
some benefi t from the scrappage schemes 
implemented in the US and Europe in the 
second half of the year. In addition, truck 
volumes also reduced signifi cantly.

Performance
Underlying revenue in 2009, excluding the eff ect 
of foreign exchange, fell by 25.3 per cent due to 
the signifi cant reduction in automotive demand. 
Although this was partly mitigated by cost 
reductions, operating profi t before exceptional 
items reduced sharply to a loss of £3.9 million. 

Outlook
Whilst there has been some improvement in 
demand in recent months, we do not expect to 
see a material improvement in overall passenger 
car or truck volumes amongst our European 
customers during 2010. Instead, any revenue 
growth is expected to be delivered by new 
automotive programmes moving into volume 
production. This will be augmented by our 
progress in developing automotive business in 
India and China and by a further move into new 
industrial and broader transportation markets. 

“We took signifi cant 
steps during 2009 to 
adjust the division’s 
cost base leaving 
us well positioned 
to benefi t from any 
recovery in demand 
in 2010. In addition 
to better serving 
our traditional 
customers, we are 
actively pursuing 
new business in 
China and India 
and looking at 
ways to exploit our 
technical expertise 
in the broader 
transportation 
and industrial 
markets over the 
medium term.”

Revenue
£105.4m
105.4
09

08

125.9

Capital employed
£55.7m
55.7
09

Operating loss*
£(3.9)m
(3.9)
09

Operating profit margin
(3.7)%
09

(3.7)%

Pat Murray
Divisional Chief Executive –  
Sensors

08

1.1

08 0.9%

*before exceptional items

Year end headcount
989
09

989

08

73.5

08

1,284

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24

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

BUSINESS REVIEW

IMS

“The outsourced 
manufacturing 
market suff ered 
from a signifi cant 
drop in demand 
in 2009 as a result 
of the global 
downturn. Whilst we 
see some signs of 
stability returning, 
we remain cautious 
about the coming 
year and will 
continue to focus 
on the actions we 
have put in place 
to better serve our 
customers and win 
new business.”

John Molloy
Divisional Chief Executive – 
IMS

With operations in the UK, USA, China 
and Malaysia, the division specialises in 
providing high quality electronic 
manufacturing support for customers in 
the defence and aerospace, telecom and 
premium industrial sectors. The division 
has a broad capability from board assembly 
to full systems integration, design for 
manufacturing and logistics support, 
focused on higher mix/lower volume 
business. It has a substantial design 
engineering team and supports an 
international purchasing offi  ce in China.

Market conditions 
Following a robust end to 2008, the division 
experienced a signifi cant reduction in 
demand in early 2009 as the global downturn 
impacted manufacturing volumes worldwide. 
The lower levels of demand persisted 
throughout the year with many customers 
reducing commitments and re-scheduling 
deliveries. The move towards greater use 
of outsourcing by medical and industrial 
manufacturers seeking to reduce fi xed 
costs continued during the year, albeit 
at reduced levels.

A unifi ed strategy was implemented across 
all businesses, targeting customers that require 
more specialised integrated assembly in certain 
markets. In line with this strategy, all businesses 
within the division attained new quality awards 
during 2009, with the facility in China becoming 
the fi rst electronic manufacturing services 
provider in the country to obtain the “IRIS” 
international rail standard. The global footprint 
of the IMS operations is a key strength that is 
increasingly valued by customers. A global sales 
structure is now in place to allow the division to 
better meet the needs of customers across 
multiple geographies. In the UK we have 
announced the closure of the Aylesbury plant. 
This is on track for completion by the end of 
March 2010 and the transfer of business to our 
Rogerstone facility is substantially complete.  

Revenue 
Operating profi t 

£75.1m
£2.4m

Performance
Underlying revenue was down by 35.9 per 
cent after adjusting for foreign exchange 
movements. The signifi cant reduction in 
volumes resulted in a decline in operating 
profi t to £2.4 million and there was a 
headcount reduction of 179 during the year. 

Outlook
We are seeing some improvement in demand 
in China and the US as we move into 2010. 
This is being accompanied by some tightening 
in the labour market and a shortage of certain 
components in China. Although there still 
remains signifi cant uncertainty, customers are 
beginning to provide more visibility in terms 
of forward demand. 

Revenue
£75.1m
75.1
09

Operating profit*
£2.4m
2.4
09

Operating profit margin
3.2%
09

3.2%

08

103.4

08

6.0

08

5.8%

Capital employed
£19.9m
19.9
09

*before exceptional items

Year end headcount
1,011
09

1,011

08

34.7

08

1,190

25

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

BUSINESS REVIEW

Secure Power

The division has two principal operations: 
Ottomotores in Mexico and Dale Power 
Solutions in the UK. Both companies 
provide secure power solutions for 
customers’ critical power needs in 
selected markets worldwide.

Ottomotores manufactures generator sets and 
distributes uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) 
within Mexico and key markets in the Middle 
East and Latin America. Dale Power Solutions 
provides a similar product line within the UK 
and certain overseas markets. It has a particular 
focus on delivering bespoke power solutions 
to customers with mission critical power 
requirements, including utilities and companies 
in the petrochemical, fi nancial services and 
healthcare sectors. 

The Secure Power division has taken steps 
to increase export business with further 
development of its distribution network in Latin 
America, coupled with new sales and service 
offi  ces opened in the Middle East during the 
latter part of 2009 and in Brazil in January 2010. 
The generator set and UPS product ranges have 
also been improved and extended.

As part of the strategic development of the 
Secure Power service business, a facility was 
opened in Aberdeen to support the Group’s 
growing off shore oil and gas maintenance 
customer and contract base in the region. This 
facility has already proved valuable in supporting 
a three-year agreement with Total E&P UK Ltd to 
provide service and maintenance, which was 
secured during the year. In addition, four regional 
support centres were established in Mexico to 
enhance customer service and improve the 
capture and retention of service business. 

Revenue 
Operating profi t 

£59.1m
£4.8m

Market conditions 
2009 was a diffi  cult year for the global secure 
power market with a reduction in new orders 
for large projects linked to construction, 
fi nancial services and tourism, particularly 
in the UK and Middle East. The division was 
able to off set some of this market weakness 
through its focus on the petrochemical 
sector and increased market penetration 
in Latin America, notably Brazil.

Performance
The division delivered a solid performance in 
2009 in diffi  cult market conditions. Revenue was 
down 9.0 per cent after adjusting for foreign 
exchange movements. Operating profi t reduced 
by £3 million due to lower revenues. In addition, 
2008 operating profi t for the Mexican business 
benefi ted from a foreign exchange gain, which 
arose from a strengthening of the US dollar. 
The successful completion of a gas turbine 
refurbishment project in Kazakhstan, coupled 
with the ongoing supply of secure power 
systems to a number of UK hospitals, helped 
underpin performance. The Mexican operation 
benefi ted from new contracts in the domestic 
oil exploration and power utilities sector. 

Outlook
Developed markets are expected to remain 
challenging during 2010 although there has 
been an increase in activity for larger secure 
power projects since the beginning of the year. 
There is ongoing demand in developing 
economies, particularly in Latin America, as 
demand for power continues to outstrip 
investment in generation and distribution 
infrastructure. Demand from the Middle East 
remains subdued.

Revenue
£59.1m
59.1
09

08

65.9

Operating profit*
£4.8m
4.8
09

08

7.8

*before exceptional items

Operating profit margin
8.1%
09

8.1%

08

11.8%

Capital employed
£11.6m
11.6
09

Year end headcount
589
09

589

08

18.4

08

629

“During 2009 we 
implemented a 
number of steps 
to better serve 
new markets 
and customers 
including opening 
a new service 
offi  ce in Aberdeen, 
broadening and 
enhancing our 
product range 
and establishing a 
presence in Brazil. 
Whilst we expect 
the market to 
remain diffi  cult 
in 2010, I believe 
that these actions 
position the division 
well for continued 
future growth.”

Nigel Brice
Divisional Chief Executive – 
Secure Power

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26

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

BUSINESS REVIEW

General Industrial

“Despite diffi  cult 
trading conditions 
during 2009, the 
General Industrial 
division, with 
the exception of 
AB Automotive, 
generated cash 
and profi t in the 
second half of the 
year. The actions 
taken to reduce 
costs and develop 
sales position the 
division well for 
the coming year.”

Andrew Dick
Divisional Chief Executive – 
General Industrial

U

For more information on our business, 
please go to www.ttelectronics.com

With operations in the UK, South Africa, 
India, China, USA and Canada, the division 
serves a range of market sectors. 
Applications include magnetics, electrical 
fusegear, specialist compounds for the cable 
and pipe markets and fastenings for the 
industrial and automotive sectors. 
General Industrial also incorporated the 
AB Automotive climate control business, 
which was closed during 2009.

A new Divisional Chief Executive was appointed 
in April to manage the businesses for value. In 
2009, the Group invested in the relocation of AEI 
Compounds to a new facility and in additional 
capacity to meet the increasing demand for 
specialist low smoke and fume compound for 
the cable market. The relocation of further 
manufacturing from the W T Henley facility 
in the UK to the Group’s site in China was 
announced in November and is on track to 
be completed by the end of March 2010.

During 2009, the sales of two small businesses 
in Scotland and Australia were completed. 
In addition, the conditional sale of Wire Systems 
Technology (Pty) Ltd, based in South Africa, 
was announced on 17 February 2010.

Revenue 
Operating loss 

£69.2m
£(2.7)m

Market conditions 
The businesses within General Industrial serve 
a wide range of end markets all of which were 
impacted by the global recession during 2009. 
In general terms, there was a signifi cant decline 
in the fi rst half of the year with some signs of 
stability in the fourth quarter.

Performance
Revenue for the division reduced by 32.1 per 
cent on a constant currency basis with a £5.1 
million reduction in operating profi t. The 
fi nancial performance was impacted by the exit 
from the AB Automotive climate control business 
which was completed by the end of 2009 and 
which gave rise to an operating loss of £2.9 
million for the year, and by the sales of two 
small businesses during the year. Revenue for 
continuing businesses reduced by 11.7 per cent 
to £53.2 million with an operating profi t in 2009 
of £0.2 million (2008: £4.9 milllion). £0.3 million of 
restructuring costs were charged to operating 
profi t during the year.

Outlook
Following a steep decline in demand, particularly 
in the fi rst half of 2009, there have been signs of 
stability in the fi rst quarter of 2010 with volumes 
refl ecting a reversal of some of the de-stocking 
which took place in the fi rst half of last year. 

Revenue
£69.2m
69.2
09

08

97.0

Capital employed
£23.2m
23.2
09

Operating loss*
£(2.7)m
(2.7)
09

Operating profit margin
(3.9)%
09

(3.9)%

08

2.4

08

2.5%

*before exceptional items

Year end headcount
556
09

556

08

35.8

08

911

27

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

BUSINESS REVIEW

Financial review

Overview
Operating profi t for the year reduced to 
£6.5 million (2008: £27.0 million) due to the 
impact of the global economic slowdown, off set 
to some extent by the cost reductions arising 
from the implementation of the restructuring 
programme. Profi t before tax and exceptional 
items was £0.8 million (2008: £21.1 million).

Exceptional items
Exceptional costs of £18.0 million were incurred 
in the year (2008: £3.8 million). This comprised 
£14.2 million in respect of restructuring 
described on page 21 and £3.8 million on 
impairment of goodwill in respect of Optek 
Technology, Inc. The impairment has been 
made following a review of the future cash 
fl ows of the business compared with the 
carrying value of goodwill and other assets.

Taxation
The tax charge for the year was £2.4 million, 
after a £0.4 million credit relating to exceptional 
items. The charge arises from profi ts generated 
in overseas countries, particularly Mexico and 
China. There was no tax payable in the UK due 
to current year losses.

Underlying operating cash fl ow of £83.9 million 
was £33.8 million higher than 2008 due mainly 
to the signifi cant reduction in working capital 
which off set reduced profi ts. The working capital 
improvement of £47.2 million represented a 
signifi cant out-performance on the upgraded 
target reduction of £17-20 million. This 
achievement was driven by actions undertaken 
at all business units to improve material fl ows 
across the factory, deliver supply chain 
effi  ciencies and agree improved terms with 
customers and suppliers. Inventory reduced by 
£31.1 million accompanied by an improvement 
in stock turns from 4.1 to 5.0 times. There was 
also an improvement in debtor days and creditor 
days as shown above with a £22.2 million 
reduction in debtors off set in part by a £6.1 
million reduction in creditors.

Capital expenditure was £9.4 million compared 
with depreciation of £24.1 million. New approval 
processes have been introduced to ensure that 
expenditure is focused on key projects with an 
attractive return and that post-implementation 
reviews are undertaken for major projects 
to compare the benefi ts attained with 
previous projections.

Dividends and earnings per share
Headline loss per share was 1.3 pence compared 
with earnings of 9.2 pence in 2008. Basic loss 
per share was 12.6 pence (2008: earnings 
of 7.5 pence).

Exceptional restructuring cash costs were 
£9.6 million (2008: £1.7 million) arising from 
the implementation of the cost-reduction 
programmes described previously.

As announced in January 2009, the Board has 
set a dividend policy to maintain cover of at 
least two times underlying earnings per share.

For the year ending 31 December 2009, the 
Board has not recommended a fi nal dividend 
(2008: nil) and no interim dividend was paid 
(2008: 3.69 pence).

Cash fl ow, borrowings and facilities
2009
£million

2008
£million

Underlying operating 
cash fl ow
Capital expenditure 
Development expenditure 
Exceptional restructuring costs
Net debt 
Stock turn (times)
Debtor days 
Creditor days 

83.9
9.4
6.9 
9.6

50.1
21.9
10.9
1.7
56.9  113.2
4.1
58
50

5.0
48
57

Net cash fl ow for the year was £51.4 million 
(2008: £16.1 million negative) and this, together 
with the favourable £4.9 million exchange 
variance, led to a near halving of the net debt to 
£56.9 million (December 2008: £113.2 million).

The Group has total banking facilities available 
of £131 million, of which £32 million comprises 
working capital facilities with a number of 
major UK and overseas banks. This amount 
is periodically reviewed. The main term loan 
of £70 million is a multi-currency revolving 
facility with HSBC extending to 2011.

The main fi nancial covenants are in the HSBC 
loan agreement and restrict gross debt to below 
three times total earnings before interest, tax, 
depreciation, amortisation and exceptional 
items (”EBITDA before exceptionals”). In addition, 
EBITDA before exceptionals is required to cover 
gross interest by at least six times. The covenants 
are tested annually and were satisfi ed 
comfortably at December 2009:

Gross debt / EBITDA 
before exceptionals 
EBITDA before 
exceptionals / gross interest 

Term  Actual

< 3 

1.9

> 6 

11.8

The Directors have reviewed the budgets for 
2010 and the projections for 2011 developed 
during the 2009 annual strategic planning cycle, 
which have been adjusted to take account of the 
current trading environment. Demand in most of 
the Group’s end markets was severely aff ected 
by the global economic recession. Recognising 
this, the Directors have considered a range of 
diff erent scenarios and the impact of these on 
the Group’s cash fl ow, facilities and headroom 
within its banking covenants. Further, the 
Directors have assessed the future funding 
requirements of the Group and compared them 
with the level of available borrowing facilities. 
Based on this work the Directors are satisfi ed that 
the Group has adequate resources for the 
foreseeable future.

Pensions
The Group operates both defi ned benefi t and 
defi ned contribution schemes in the UK. Assets 
and liabilities of the defi ned benefi t schemes 
are summarised below:

Fair value of assets
Liabilities
Defi cit – UK scheme
Overseas schemes
Total Group defi cit

December
2009
£million
302.9
(343.6)
(40.7)
(3.0)
(43.7)

December
2008
£million
279.0
(294.1)
(15.1)
(3.5)
(18.6)

The increase in the defi cit during the year was 
due to the reduction in the discount rate, off set 
in part by higher asset values. 

The defi ned benefi t schemes have been closed 
to new entrants for a number of years and, 
following consultations with members, a 
decision has been taken to close the UK scheme 
to future accrual and to transfer members to 
a defi ned contribution scheme. This was 
implemented for the USA scheme during 2009.

A revised funding agreement was agreed with 
the Trustee in January 2009, fi xing defi cit 
contributions out to 2016. Under the agreement, 
a contribution of £2.2 million was made into the 
scheme in 2009 (2008: £2.2 million).

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28

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

BUSINESS REVIEW

Principal risks and uncertainties

The Group is subject to a variety of risks which could have a negative impact on its 
performance and fi nancial position. The Board is responsible for the Group’s system 
of internal control and risk management and for reviewing its eff ectiveness. The principal 
risks are considered to be:

Principal risks

Description of risk

How we mitigate that risk

Market and customer 
related

General economic downturn leading to reduction in 
customer demand and production volumes

Signifi cant erosion of existing customer base as a 
result of customer relocation or a reduction in end user 
demand for their products

Over-dependence on one or more key market sectors

Major customer default giving rise to bad debts and/or 
unsold inventory

Manufacturing and 
operational

Major product liability claim or recall costs from quality 
failure, particularly in the automotive sector

Forward-looking indicators are regularly 
reviewed to identify deteriorating market 
conditions. The cost base is reduced as required 
and there is a management structure in 
place to enable a rapid response to changing 
circumstances 

We review key customers as part of the annual 
strategic planning process and establish and 
monitor plans to diversify the customer base. 
A key account management programme ensures
major customers are serviced on a global basis. 
We continue to increase our capabilities to 
service customers in emerging markets

Market concentration is reviewed annually at 
a business, divisional and Group level as part of 
the annual strategic planning process. Plans are 
established to address any issues identifi ed

Customer credit limits are regularly reviewed 
and the ageing of receivables is reported 
monthly. Major new customers are credit 
checked and, where appropriate, payments 
are secured in advance of shipping

Comprehensive quality control procedures are 
backed up by an appropriate level of insurance. 
Major contracts are reviewed by the Group 
Legal Counsel 

Failure of business continuity plans with consequential 
impact on revenue and profi t

Robust business continuity plans in place at 
each business and tested periodically

Inadequate succession planning, combined with a 
lack of training and development, resulting in a lack of 
management talent

Damage to reputation amongst key stakeholders due to 
product quality or product delivery issues

A talent review process is held twice a year to 
assess senior management across the Group, 
identify succession issues and determine 
training and development needs. In addition, 
we are now able to identify, assess and monitor 
the development of the Group’s management 
using a web-based performance management 
tool introduced in the fi nal quarter of 2009

Comprehensive quality control procedures are 
in place and we continuously work to build and 
maintain relationships with all key stakeholders

Financial 

Liquidity, foreign exchange and interest risk

Financial risks are managed at a Group level as 
further described below 

29

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

Financial risks
As an international business, the major fi nancial 
risks faced by the Group are liquidity risk, 
currency risk and interest rate risk and these 
are regularly reviewed by the Board.

Liquidity
The current economic conditions continue to 
create uncertainty regarding the availability of 
bank fi nancing and consequently there is a risk 
that the Group may have insuffi  cient resources 
to meet its fi nancial liabilities as they fall due. 
The Group addresses this risk by maintaining 
adequate banking facilities and by continuously 
monitoring forecast and actual cash fl ows to 
ensure that bank covenants and liquidity 
requirements will be met. The Group regularly 
discusses its requirements with its principal 
bankers and it is considered unlikely that the 
Group will face any signifi cant funding issues 
in the foreseeable future.

Foreign currency
The Group’s main foreign exchange exposures 
relate to the translation of profi ts and net 
assets denominated in overseas currencies into 
sterling and transactions in foreign currencies. 
The Group’s policy is to use hedges to reduce 
these risks. These hedges are achieved 
through forward currency contracts and 
currency borrowings.

Interest cost
Interest cost risk is mitigated by the use of a 
combination of short and medium-term debt 
at both fi xed and fl oating rates and by the use 
of interest rate caps where appropriate.

Directors’ review
The Directors have reviewed the eff ectiveness 
of risk management and internal control during 
the year to 31 December 2009 and the period 
since then to the date of this report and have 
taken appropriate actions for improvement 
where necessary.

Risk management process
In common with other international businesses, 
the Group is exposed to a number of potential 
risks which may have a material eff ect on its 
reputation and fi nancial or operational 
performance including product liability, credit 
risk, reliance on customers’ commitments and 
other usual commercial risks. We have a wide 
portfolio of products and operate in a number 
of market sectors. It is not possible to identify 
or anticipate every risk that may aff ect us, or 
the materiality of that risk. However, there are 
established control procedures in place to 
manage such risks, including production quality 
control, management and fi nancial control 
procedures and insurance with reliable insurers, 
which are considered appropriate to the risk 
involved and the marketplace in which the 
exposure arises. The Board has overall 
responsibility for risk management and internal 
controls, supported by the Risk Committee 
and the Audit Committee.

The Risk Committee of the Board holds monthly 
meetings to review risks and assess and monitor 
actions to mitigate those risks. This provides a 
framework for managing risks throughout the 
Group. During the year the Committee was 
chaired by the Group Chief Executive and 
included the Group Finance Director, the Group 
Legal Counsel, the Group Internal Controls 
Executive and up to four senior executives from 
within the Group. Business risk evaluation 
including the nature, likelihood and materiality 
of the risks aff ecting each Group business 
is assessed by operational management on a 
monthly basis during the year and a Principal Risk 
Register maintained for each business. On the 
basis of these assessments, the Risk Committee 
produces a Group Risk Register and a Group Risk 
Map. Minutes of the Risk Committee meetings, 
together with the Group Risk Register and Risk 
Map, are circulated to the Board and to the 
Audit Committee.

The Risk Committee monitors the eff ectiveness 
of risk management with the assistance of the 
Group Internal Controls Executive who conducts 
a series of internal audits in line with an annual 
plan approved by the Audit Committee. After 
each site visit, a report is prepared and presented 
to local entity and divisional management and to 
the Chairman of the Audit Committee. A copy 
is also made available to the external auditors. 
Further details of the Group’s system of internal 
controls are contained in the Directors’ report 
on corporate governance on pages 37 to 41.

As described in the Corporate governance 
report, there is an embedded process for 
monitoring and managing risks through 
monthly fi nancial and operational reporting 
procedures. In addition, appropriate levels of 
cover are maintained under the Group insurance 
programme in respect of insurable risks.

The risk management procedures and systems 
of internal control are designed to identify and 
assess the signifi cant risks which the Group faces 
and to manage them appropriately. It should be 
recognised that such systems can only provide 
reasonable and not absolute protection against 
risk, material misstatement or loss.

Operational risks
The ongoing eff ects of the global fi nancial crisis 
continue to present signifi cant challenges to the 
Group, principally related to the level of demand.

The Group directly and indirectly serves large 
automotive OEM customers. This exposes the 
Group to several risks including fl uctuating 
manufacturing volumes, the potential for 
signifi cant quality and recall claims and customer 
default. In the event that one of the larger 
automotive manufacturers or suppliers defaults 
or seeks protection from its creditors, the Group 
may not recover all of the amounts owed to it.

In addition, the Group is exposed to risks of 
product liability, credit risk, supply chain issues, 
reliance on customers’ commitments and other 
usual commercial risks in all of its businesses, 
including those identifi ed as Principal Risks 
in the table opposite. The Group has a wide 
portfolio of products and operates in a 
number of market sectors.

There are established procedures in place to 
manage such risks, including production quality 
control procedures and insurance with reliable 
insurers, which have been put in place taking 
into account the risk involved and the 
marketplace in which the exposure arises. 
In addition, major contracts are reviewed by 
the Group Legal Counsel. 

The Group has contractual and other 
arrangements with numerous third parties 
in support of its business activities. This report 
does not contain information about any of 
these third parties as none of the arrangements 
with them are considered essential to the 
business of the Group.

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Environment 
Above and beyond the commitment to 
ISO14001 already described, we are focused on 
effi  ciency and waste reduction together with 
reducing the use of potentially dangerous, 
volatile or environmentally damaging chemicals. 

Community engagement
In 2009, the Group contributed £53,000 to 
charitable causes in addition to giving-in-kind 
through employee time.

We are immensely proud of the causes our 
employees support. During the year, these 
included blood donation services, substance 
abuse centres, medical research charities and 
children’s charities. This work helps us to attract 
and retain talent, by engaging existing 
employees and building a local reputation as 
an employer of choice. In 2010, a more robust 
structure will be implemented around 
community engagement to ensure that it 
meets the needs of our business and continues 
to inspire our people.

30

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

BUSINESS REVIEW

Corporate responsibility

Priority issues
People and culture
A talented, engaged workforce is central 
to our ability to deliver world-class products. 
We focus on making TT electronics a place 
where people feel supported, can develop 
their skills and have a clear understanding 
of the Group’s business objectives.

In 2009, we launched a set of Group values, 
which seek to defi ne what the organisation 
stands for and to bring employees together 
under a clear common purpose. The values 
focus on themes such as integrity, excellence, 
innovation and teamwork. However, they also 
acknowledge our commitment to delivering 
customer value through the retention and 
development of high quality people.

Health and safety
Providing a workplace where our employees 
feel safe is not only a legal obligation, but a 
fundamental factor in building their 
engagement with the Group. We aim to reduce 
the frequency of accidents through management 
intervention, awareness campaigns and a culture 
that encourages employees to raise concerns 
about workplace safety. 

Low-carbon technology
Our expertise in technological innovation 
ensures that we are well positioned to support 
the global transition to a low-carbon economy. 
Work to date has seen several businesses within 
the Group deliver solutions to increase energy 
effi  ciency or renewable energy production. For 
example, in 2009 we established a team to look 
at opportunities in electric and hybrid vehicles 
and we are already working with customers to 
increase the effi  ciency of the systems we design 
and build for them.

We are an integral part of the lives of our 
people and the communities where we 
operate and we have a clear duty to
operate responsibly.

Operating responsibly means a number of 
things for the Group. Whilst it means running our 
businesses in line with the expectations of diverse 
global stakeholders, Corporate Responsibility 
(CR) is also a discipline which helps manage 
risks, eliminate waste and maximise the 
opportunities presented by a changing world. 

In 2009, we invested signifi cant energy in 
CR, including a global audit of CR activity, 
engagement with industry bodies and the 
roll out of new Group values. 

A commitment to CR
We use CR to manage issues such as measuring 
and improving performance on environmental 
impacts, health and safety and employee and 
community engagement.

The Group Chief Executive chairs the Corporate  
and Social Responsibility Committee which also 
includes an independent non-executive Director, 
the Group Legal Counsel and up to three senior 
executives from within the Group.

An audit of Group-wide activity in 2009 helped 
to benchmark existing activity and will be used 
to inform future actions.

Although we have not historically measured 
our performance against non-fi nancial 
targets or indicators, this is something that 
will be implemented during 2010 as explained 
on page 10.

External standards and benchmarking
In 2009, the Group became a member of the 
Electronics Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC). 
Membership mandates the adoption of EICC’s 
code of conduct, which, in 2010 and beyond, 
will be embedded throughout our operating 
companies. This year also saw the Group 
become a member of Business in the Community.

Approximately half of the Group’s operating 
companies have ISO9001 accreditation, with 
around 40 per cent holding ISO14001 accreditation. 
All operating companies are encouraged to gain 
accreditation to adopt these standards as a 
baseline for non-fi nancial management. 

In addition, the virtual market teams are 
highlighting growth opportunities off ered by 
their target markets. With the strengthened 
senior management team now in place and new 
systems implemented to identify and develop 
our key employees, the Board is confi dent that 
the actions taken during 2009, and those in 
progress in 2010, will provide the Group with 
a platform for sustainable growth.

Although the shape and timing of the global 
economic recovery is diffi  cult to predict, visibility 
for the fi rst half of the year has improved in 
certain markets with the Group tracking slightly 
ahead of the Board’s previous expectations.

31

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

BUSINESS REVIEW

Outlook for 2010

Following diffi  cult trading conditions 
throughout most of 2009, the situation 
improved in the fourth quarter in most of our 
markets. This has continued in the fi rst two 
months of 2010. A number of factors have 
contributed to an increase in demand, including 
government scrappage schemes in the 
automotive sector, the fi scal stimulus packages 
introduced in many countries and a re-stocking 
of the supply chain following the aggressive 
de-stocking that took place in late 2008 and the 
fi rst half of 2009. 

We continue to implement the actions outlined 
in this report, focusing the Group on those 
markets which we believe will provide 
opportunities for higher growth and margins. 
We are improving the way we interface with our 
customers through the implementation of 
unifi ed regional sales teams in the Components 
division and maintaining our focus on the key 
account management programme, which 
is enabling us to better serve our major 
global customers. 

Chairman

After more than 20 years with the Group, 
John Newman has announced his intention 
to step down from the Board at the next AGM. 
We would like to express our gratitude to John 
for his leadership and vision in developing 
TT electronics over many years and also for his 
support to us since joining the Group. The Board 
is delighted that Sean Watson, who has been a 
non-executive Director since 2007, will become 
non-executive Chairman following the next 
AGM, to be held in May.

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32

TT electronics plc
Annual Report 2009

GOVERNANCE

Directors and Company Secretary

John W Newman (64) 
Non-executive Chairman 
Chairman of the Nominations and Corporate 
Governance Committees 

Appointed to the Board in 1986. Became 
Non-executive Chairman on 1 September 2009, 
having previously served as Executive Chairman. 
A Chartered Accountant who is also Chairman of 
the Newship group of companies. 

Geraint Anderson (50)
Group Chief Executive
Chairman of the Corporate and Social
Responsibility and Risk Committees

Appointed to the Board in 2008. Previously Vice 
President and General Manager of the Worldwide 
Service Provider Organisation for Linksys, a division 
of Cisco Systems, Inc.

Shatish D Dasani ACA (48) 
Group Finance Director 
Member of the Corporate Governance and 
Risk Committees

Appointed to the Board in 2008. A Chartered 
Accountant, previously with De La Rue plc, 
Lafarge SA and Blue Circle Industries plc. 
Was also previously a non-executive director 
of Camelot plc.

David S Crowther (64) 
Senior Independent Non-executive Director 
Chairman of the Audit and Remuneration 
Committees and member of the Nominations 
Committee 

Appointed to the Board in 2005. A Chartered 
Accountant who was a senior partner with 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Member of the 
Professional Oversight Board, a part of the Financial 
Reporting Council, and a non-executive Board 
Member and chairman of the Audit Committee of 
the Treasury Solicitor’s Department. 

Tim H Roberts (39)
Group Business Development Director

Appointed to the Board on 26 January 2010. 
Joined TT electronics in January 2008. Previously 
Strategy and Business Development Director with 
Spirent Communications plc and formerly a solicitor 
specialising in corporate fi nance.

John C Shakeshaft (55) 
Independent Non-executive Director 
Member of the Audit, Remuneration, Nominations 
and Corporate Governance Committees 

Appointed to the Board in 2007. Currently chairman 
of Ludgate Environmental Fund Limited and of 
Valiance Special Opportunities Fund of Funds 
and Co-Investment Fund; investment director, 
Corestone, AG and a director of Tele2 AB, Xebec 
Adsorption, Inc and TEB, NV. Also an external 
member of the Audit Committee of Cambridge 
University. Previously a corporate fi nancier with 
ABN AMRO, Lazard and Barings.

Sean M Watson (61) 
Independent Non-executive Director 
Member of the Remuneration, Nominations and 
Corporate and Social Responsibility Committees 

Appointed to the Board in 2007. A partner at CMS 
Cameron McKenna LLP and was a non-executive 
director of Informa plc from 2000 to 2009. 

Wendy J Sharp ACA (44) 
Group Company Secretary 
Member of the Corporate Governance Committee 

33 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GOVERNANCE 

Directors’ report 

The Directors present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2009.  

Principal activities and business review  
TT electronics plc is the parent company of a group whose principal activities during the year were the design, manufacture and sale of electronic 
and electrical components for the defence, aerospace, medical, automotive and other industrial electronics markets. Further details of the Group’s 
activities and future plans are set out in the Chairman’s statement and the Business review on pages 2 to 4 and 20 to 31 of this Annual Report and 
these should be read as part of the Directors’ report.  

The principal operating subsidiaries are listed on pages 81 to 82.  

Results and dividends  
The Group’s profit on ordinary activities before taxation and exceptional items was £0.8 million (2008: £21.1 million). After taxation and exceptional 
items a loss of £19.6 million was reported (2008: profit of £11.6 million). The audited financial statements of the Group and the Company are set 
out on pages 47 to 82. Further details of the Group’s activities are set out in the Business review on pages 20 to 31.  

The Directors are not recommending a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2009 (2008: nil). No interim dividend was paid during the 
year (2008: 3.69p).  

Disposals 
No significant disposals have been made during the year. 

Post balance sheet event 
On 17 February 2010, the conditional sale of Wire Systems Technology (Pty) Ltd was announced, the consideration being Rand 60 million plus an 
amount equal to the cash balances of the company on the day preceding the completion date, subject to completion accounts.  

Fixed assets  
No professional valuation of land and buildings has been carried out during the year, but in the opinion of the Directors the market value, on an 
existing use basis, is considered to be not materially different from net book value.  

Research and development  
The Group carries out research and development in order to develop new products and processes and to substantially improve existing products 
and processes. Further details are given in note 11 to the consolidated financial statements. 

Financial risk management objectives and policies  
These are set out under Financial risks in the Business review on page 29.  

Significant agreements relating to change of control  
The Group has a number of borrowing facilities provided by various banking groups. Some of these facility agreements include change of control 
provisions which, in the event of a change in ownership of the Company, could result in renegotiation or withdrawal of these facilities.  

There are a number of other agreements that may be renegotiated upon a change of control of the Company. None is considered to be 
significant in terms of their potential impact on the business of the Group as a whole.  

Supplier payments policy  
The Group’s policy in relation to the payment of its suppliers is to agree its terms of payment with each supplier when negotiating the terms of 
each business transaction. It is Group practice to abide by the agreed terms of payment unless the supplier defaults under its own obligations. 
Trade creditors at the year end amount to 57 days of average supplies for the year (2008: 50 days).  

Employment 
The Group is committed to the fair and equal treatment of all its employees regardless of gender, race, age, religion, disability or sexual 
orientation. Where existing employees become disabled, the policy of the Group is to provide continuing employment and training wherever 
practicable. The Group makes significant efforts to ensure that high standards of employee welfare are maintained worldwide in all its operations, 
irrespective of geography and local market conditions, and intends to seek assurances from suppliers that they too are committed to high 
standards of employee welfare. 

Further details on the Group’s policies relating to its employees are given on page 30. 

Corporate governance  
The application of the principles and provisions of the Combined Code is set out in the Directors’ report on corporate governance on pages  
37 to 41.  

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34 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GOVERNANCE 

Directors’ report (continued) 

Directors  
The Directors are listed on page 32 with brief biographical notes. All the Directors held office throughout the year, with the exception of  
T H Roberts who was appointed on 26 January 2010. J W Newman, who had previously been executive Chairman became non-executive 
Chairman with effect from 1 September 2009. J W Armstrong retired on 5 January 2009.  

At the forthcoming Annual General Meeting D S Crowther retires and, being eligible, offers himself for re-election. T H Roberts, having been appointed 
since the previous Annual General Meeting, retires in accordance with the Articles of Association and, being eligible, offers himself for re-election. 

Rules for the appointment and replacement of Directors are set out in the Company’s Articles of Association. Directors are appointed by the Board 
on the recommendation of the Nominations Committee. Directors may also be appointed or removed by the Company by ordinary resolution at 
a general meeting of holders of Ordinary shares. The office of a Director shall be vacated if his resignation is requested by all the other Directors, 
not being fewer than three in number. The Corporate governance report sets out further details of the requirements for re-election of Directors  
on page 37. In addition, further details of the activities of the Nominations Committee are set out on pages 39 to 40.  

There are no agreements between the Company and its Directors or employees providing for compensation for loss of office or employment that 
occurs as a result of a takeover bid except that provisions of the Company’s share plans may cause options and awards granted under such schemes 
to vest on takeover, subject to the satisfaction of any performance conditions. Further details of the executive Directors’ service contracts can be found 
in the Directors’ remuneration report on pages 42 to 46. Copies of the executive Directors’ service contracts and letters of appointment of the non-
executive Directors are available for inspection by any person at the Company’s registered office during normal business hours on any weekday 
(public holidays excepted) and at the Annual General Meeting from 15 minutes before the Annual General Meeting until it ends. 

The Group maintains Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance. The Directors of the Company also benefit from a qualifying third party indemnity 
provision in accordance with Section 234 of the Companies Act 2006 and the Company’s Articles of Association. The Company has provided a 
pension scheme indemnity within the meaning of Section 235 of the Companies Act 2006 to directors of associated companies.  

Directors’ interests  
The Directors of the Company at 31 December 2009 held interests in the following numbers of the Company’s Ordinary shares of 25p each on  
1 January 2009, 31 December 2009 and 8 March 2010:  

J W Newman  
G Anderson 
S D Dasani 
J W Armstrong 
D S Crowther  
J C Shakeshaft  
S M Watson  

8 March 2010  

Ordinary shares 
10,848,627  
140,000  
350,000  
n/a  
65,000  
15,479  
62,950  

31 Dec 2009  
Ordinary shares   
10,848,627  
140,000  
350,000  
n/a  
65,000  
15,479  
62,950  

1 Jan 2009
Ordinary shares 
10,848,627
90,000
150,000
70,582
40,000
15,479
62,950

T H Roberts, who was appointed on 26 January 2010, held interests in 33,196 of the Company’s Ordinary shares of 25p each on appointment and 
at 8 March 2010. 

The interests of the Directors in the Company’s share options and Long Term Incentive Plan are shown in the Directors’ remuneration report on 
pages 42 to 46.  

Substantial shareholding notifications  
At 8 March 2010 the Company had been notified of the following voting rights attaching to TT electronics plc shares in accordance with the 
Disclosure and Transparency Rules:  

Legal & General Group plc and Legal & General Investment Management Limited(1) 
Tweedy, Browne Company LLC  
J O Hambro Capital Management Group Limited  
J W Newman(2)  
Legal & General Group plc(1) 

Number
15,620,319
 15,620,319
 15,359,648
 15,359,648
 15,107,960
15,107,960
 9,452,010
 9,452,010
9,313,546
 9,313,546

% 
10.0
9.9
9.7
6.1
6.0

(1)  Legal & General Group plc have a direct interest in TT electronics shares which makes them a substantial shareholder in their own right. Accordingly, under the Disclosure and 

Transparency Rules, their direct interest is initially notifiable at 3% (and thereafter every time it moves through a percentage point – eg. from 3% to 4%) . They also hold shares as a fund 
manager, via their subsidiary, Legal & General Investment Management Limited, whereby they have an indirect interest. The combined total of their direct and indirect interests is then 
subject to 5% and 10% disclosure thresholds.  

(2)  At the time of the last disclosure made by J W Newman in his capacity as a substantial shareholder under the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, 9,432,437 TT electronics shares in  

which J W Newman had voting rights were held by Newship Investments Limited. (Newship Investments Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Newship Industries Limited, in which  
J W Newman holds a controlling interest). Since then, various transactions have taken place and directors shareholding announcements containing details of these transactions have 
been released to the Stock Exchange in accordance with DTR 3.1.4R. No further disclosure has been made by J W Newman in his capacity as a substantial shareholder because these 
transactions have not resulted in the total number of shares over which he holds voting rights crossing a requisite threshold. 

 
 
35 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

So far as has been ascertained no other person or corporation holds or is beneficially interested in any substantial part of the share capital of the 
Company.  

Share capital  
The Company’s issued share capital comprises a single class of share capital which is divided into Ordinary shares of 25p each. All issued shares 
are fully paid. The share capital during the year and the number of Ordinary shares reserved for issue are shown in note 14 to the consolidated 
financial statements. The rights and obligations attaching to the Company’s Ordinary shares are set out in the Company’s Articles of Association, 
copies of which can be obtained from Companies House in the United Kingdom or by writing to the Group Company Secretary. Subject to 
applicable statutes, shares may be issued with such rights and restrictions as the Company may by ordinary resolution decide, or (if there is no 
such resolution or so far as it does not make specific provision) as the Board may decide. Holders of Ordinary shares are entitled to speak at 
general meetings of the Company, to appoint one or more proxies and, if they are corporations, to appoint corporate representatives and to 
exercise voting rights. Holders of Ordinary shares may also receive a dividend and on a liquidation may share in the assets of the Company.  

In addition, holders of Ordinary shares are entitled to receive the Company’s Annual Report and accounts. Subject to meeting certain thresholds, 
holders of Ordinary shares may require a general meeting of the Company to be held or the proposal of resolutions at Annual General Meetings.  

Authority to allot shares and disapply statutory pre-emption rights  
The Directors will be seeking to renew their authorities to allot unissued shares and to disapply statutory pre-emption rights at the Annual General 
Meeting to be held on 12 May 2010. Further details are set out in the papers containing details of the Annual General Meeting which accompany 
this document.  

Purchase of own shares  
At the Annual General Meeting held on 13 May 2009, the Company was given authority to purchase up to 15,495,279 of its Ordinary shares until 
the date of its next Annual General Meeting. No purchases were made during the year. The Directors will be seeking a new authority for the 
Company to purchase its Ordinary shares at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. Further details are set out in the papers containing details 
of the Annual General Meeting which accompany this document.  

Voting rights and restrictions on transfer of shares  
On a show of hands at a general meeting of the Company every holder of Ordinary shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote has 
one vote and on a poll every member present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote has one vote for every Ordinary share held. Further 
details regarding voting at the Annual General Meeting can be found in the Notice of the Annual General Meeting which accompanies this 
document. None of the Ordinary shares carry any special rights with regard to control of the Company. Electronic and paper proxy appointments 
and voting instructions must be received by the Company’s Registrars not later than 48 hours before a general meeting. A shareholder can lose 
his entitlement to vote at a general meeting where that shareholder has been served with a disclosure notice and has failed to provide the 
Company with information concerning interests in those shares.  

The Directors may refuse to register a transfer of a certificated share which is not fully paid, provided that the refusal does not prevent dealings in 
shares in the Company from taking place on an open and proper basis. The Directors may also refuse to register a transfer of a certificated share 
unless the instrument of transfer: (i) is lodged, duly stamped (if stampable), at the registered office of the Company or any other place decided by 
the Directors accompanied by the certificate for the share to which it relates and/or such other evidence as the Directors may reasonably require 
to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer; (ii) is in respect of only one class of shares; (iii) is in favour of a person who is not a minor, 
bankrupt or a person in respect of whom an order has been made on the ground that such person is suffering from a mental disorder or is 
otherwise incapable of managing their affairs; or (iv) is in favour of not more than four transferees.  

Transfers of uncertificated shares must be carried out using CREST and the Directors can refuse to register a transfer of an uncertificated share in 
accordance with the regulations governing the operation of CREST.  

The Directors may decide to suspend the registration of transfers, for up to 30 days a year, by closing the register of shareholders. The Directors 
cannot suspend the registration of transfers of any uncertificated shares without obtaining consent from CREST.  

There are no other restrictions on the transfer of Ordinary shares in the Company except:  
•  certain restrictions may from time to time be imposed by laws and regulations (for example insider trading laws);  
•  pursuant to the Company’s share dealing code whereby the Directors and certain employees of the Group require approval to deal in the 

Company’s shares; and  

•  where a shareholder with at least a 0.25 per cent interest in the Company’s certificated shares has been served with a disclosure notice and has 

failed to provide the Company with information concerning interests in those shares.  

The Company is not aware of any agreements between shareholders that may result in restrictions on the transfer of Ordinary shares or on 
voting rights.  

Articles of Association  
The Company’s Articles of Association may only be amended by special resolution approved at a general meeting of the shareholders.  

Annual General Meeting  
The Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held on Wednesday 12 May 2010 at the offices of KBC Peel Hunt Ltd, 111 Old Broad Street, 
London EC2N 1PH at 11.30 am. The Notice of the Company’s Annual General Meeting accompanies this document.  

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36 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GOVERNANCE 

Directors’ report (continued) 

Auditors  
Grant Thornton UK LLP have expressed their willingness to continue in office as Auditors and a resolution will be proposed to reappoint them at 
the Annual General Meeting.  

The Auditors’ responsibilities are set out on pages 47 and 73 and should be read in conjunction with those of the Directors as set out below.  

Going concern  
The Directors have reviewed the budgets for 2010 and the projections for 2011 developed during the 2009 annual strategic planning cycle, which 
have been adjusted to take account of the current trading environment. Demand in most of the Group’s end markets was severely affected by the 
global economic recession. Recognising this, the Directors have considered a range of different scenarios and the impact of these on the Group’s 
cash flow, facilities and headroom within its banking covenants. Further, the Directors have assessed the future funding requirements of the 
Group and compared them with the level of available borrowing facilities. Based on this work, the Directors are satisfied that the Group has 
adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern 
basis in preparing the financial statements.  

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities in relation to financial statements  
The Directors are responsible for the preparation of the Annual Report and the financial statements for each financial year in accordance with 
applicable law and regulations. 

The Directors are required to prepare the consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 
as adopted by the European Union. The Directors have elected to prepare the Company’s financial statements under UK Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice (UK GAAP).  

The financial statements are required by law to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and the Company and of the profit or 
loss of the Group.  

The Directors, in preparing the financial statements, are required to:  
•  use suitable accounting policies and to apply them consistently;  
•  make reasonable and prudent judgements and estimates;  
•  state that the consolidated financial statements comply with IFRS as adopted by the European Union and that the Company financial 

statements comply with UK GAAP subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;  

•  prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the Company will continue in business.  

The Directors have responsibility for:  
•  ensuring that the Company and the Group prepare and maintain adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any 
time the financial position of the Company and the Group at that time and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply 
with the Companies Act 2006 and Article 4 of the lAS Regulation;  

•  taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the Company and the Group and to prevent and detect fraud and 

other irregularities;  

•  the maintenance and integrity of the financial information on the Company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the 

preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.  

To the best of each Director’s knowledge and belief, there is no audit information relevant to the preparation of the Auditors’ report of which the 
Auditors are unaware and each Director has taken all the steps which might be expected to be aware of such relevant information and to 
establish that the Auditors are also aware of that information.  

By order of the Board:  

W J Sharp 
Group Company Secretary  

12 March 2010 

Responsibility statement  
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:  
•  the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the applicable set of accounting standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, 

liabilities, financial position and loss of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole; and  

•  the Business review includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Company and the 

undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face. 

G Anderson  
Group Chief Executive  

12 March 2010  

S D Dasani  
Group Finance Director  

37 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GOVERNANCE 

Directors’ report on corporate governance 

The Company is committed to achieving and maintaining high standards of corporate governance. The principles of good corporate governance 
set out in Section 1 of the 2008 Combined Code (“Code”) contained in the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority, have been complied 
with throughout the year ended 31 December 2009 and this compliance has continued through to the date of this report. Details and 
explanations of the application of the principles of corporate governance are set out below. 

The Board  
Subject to the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, UK legislation and any directions given by special resolution, the business 
of the Company is managed by the Board. The Board’s main roles are to provide leadership to the management of the Group, determine the 
Group’s strategy and ensure that the agreed strategy is implemented. The Board has also reserved certain specific matters to itself for decision. 
These include financial policy, acquisition and disposal policy, and the approval of major capital expenditure projects. The Board appoints its 
members and those of its Committees, and reviews recommendations of the Board committees and the financial performance and operation of 
each of the Group businesses. It regularly reviews the identification, evaluation and management of the principal risks faced by the Group and the 
effectiveness of the Group’s system of internal control.  

During 2009 the Board comprised up to three executive Directors and up to four non-executive Directors. J W Newman, the Chairman, served as 
an executive Director until 1 September 2009 when he became a non-executive Director. 

Of the remaining executive Directors, S D Dasani and G Anderson served throughout the year. T H Roberts was appointed on 26 January 2010 and 
therefore did not serve during the year. 

The remaining non-executive Directors, D S Crowther, J C Shakeshaft and S M Watson served throughout the year. D S Crowther is the senior non-
executive Director.  

S M Watson is a partner at CMS Cameron McKenna LLP, one of a number of law firms which advise the Company. Prior to his appointment as a 
non-executive Director, the Company, in consultation with Riskmetrics and major shareholders, undertook an assessment to ascertain whether 
S M Watson met the criteria for independence set out in the Code. It was concluded that he did as the value of the fees charged by CMS Cameron 
McKenna LLP to the Company, relative to each of their respective turnovers, was not significant enough to be considered material. This continues 
to be the position, the Company having paid CMS Cameron McKenna LLP circa £65,000 during 2009 in respect of legal advice. 

Accordingly, of the non-executive Directors, D S Crowther, J C Shakeshaft and S M Watson are considered to be independent as defined by the Code.  

During the year there were seven Board meetings on scheduled dates for which full notice was given. Unscheduled supplementary meetings also 
take place as and when required and, during 2009, two such meetings took place. The Board has had two scheduled and three unscheduled 
supplementary meetings to date during 2010. Full details of each Director’s Board and Committee meeting attendance are given on page 40. 

Directors’ biographies including the Committees on which they serve and chair are shown on page 32. In accordance with the Company’s Articles 
of Association each Director will offer himself for re-election every three years. 

The non-executive Chairman and Group Chief Executive  
Up until 31 August 2009, the Company had an executive Chairman and a Group Chief Executive. However, from 1 September 2009, in line with 
the announcement made on 21 January 2009, J W Newman became non-executive Chairman and, as a result, the division of responsibilities 
between the non-executive Chairman and the Group Chief Executive has been re-defined, formalised in writing and approved by the Board: 

The non-executive Chairman maintains responsibility for the leadership and effectiveness of the Board and setting its agenda; ensuring that all 
Directors receive accurate, timely and clear information on financial, business and corporate matters to enable them to participate effectively in 
Board decisions; facilitating the effective contribution of non-executive Directors in particular and ensuring constructive relations between 
executive and non-executive Directors; and ensuring effective communication with shareholders. 

The Group Chief Executive is responsible for the operations of the Group. He is responsible for developing Group objectives and strategy having 
regard to the Group’s responsibilities to its shareholders, customers, employees and other stakeholders and, following presentation to, and 
approval by, the Board, for the successful implementation and achievement of those strategies and objectives. His other areas of responsibility 
include managing the Group’s risk profile, including its health and safety performance; ensuring that the Group’s businesses are managed in line 
with strategy and approved business plans, and comply with applicable legislation and Group policy; and ensuring effective communication 
with shareholders.  

Under the provisions of the Code, the Chairman should on appointment be considered independent. However, J W Newman was appointed 
executive Chairman in 1995 before the Company was bound by any provision as to the independence of its Chairman.  

Board procedures and performance evaluation  
All Directors have access to the advice and services of the Group Company Secretary and are offered training to fulfil their role as Directors, both 
on appointment and at any subsequent time. There is an agreed procedure for any individual Director to take independent professional advice at 
the Company’s expense if he considers it necessary.  

In accordance with the provisions on conflicts of interest in the Companies Act 2006, the Company has put in place procedures for the disclosure 
and review of any conflicts, or potential conflicts, of interest which the Directors may have and for the authorisation of such conflict matters  
by the Board. In deciding whether to authorise a conflict or potential conflict the Directors must have regard to their general duties under the 
Companies Act 2006. The authorisation of any conflict matter, and the terms of authorisation, may be reviewed at any time and, in accordance 
with best practice, a review of Directors’ conflicts of interests is conducted annually. 

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38 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GOVERNANCE 

Directors’ report on corporate governance (continued) 

During the year the Board conducted an evaluation of its performance covering, among other matters:  
•  maintaining and improving its performance;  
•  developing the Group’s strategy;  
•  maintaining the optimum mix of skills and knowledge among the Directors;  
•  ensuring robust and effective risk management; and  
•  considering full and timely information on financial and other performance.  

In addition, each of the principal Committees carried out an assessment of its own performance during the year.  

The performance of individual Directors is also reviewed annually and includes discussions between the Chairman and senior non-executive 
Director on their respective performance. 

Following these detailed reviews it was considered that the Board and its Committees were performing satisfactorily, although it was noted that 
as the Audit Committee comprised just two members, and it was thus reliant on both members being available to be quorate, a third member 
would be an advantage. It is anticipated that this will be addressed during 2010. 

Review of principal risks and internal controls  
The Directors have overall responsibility for the Group’s systems of internal control and for reviewing their effectiveness. These systems have been 
in place for the full financial year. The Group is committed to a policy of maintaining strict internal control over all of its activities. Controls are 
designed to provide the Directors with reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded, transactions are properly authorised, and that material 
errors and irregularities are prevented or, failing which, are discovered on a timely basis. The systems of control are reviewed regularly and 
improved where necessary to meet the Group’s requirements. Business risk evaluation takes place at operating company and Group level as part 
of the annual budget preparation. Having identified risks, each operating company then monitors, reviews and updates them regularly.  

The Group Chief Executive oversees maintenance of the Group’s Register of Principal Risks. Members of staff who are involved in the Group’s risk 
management function report directly to the Group Chief Executive at a monthly Risk Committee meeting. The principal risks of the Group are 
subject to review by the Risk Committee, Audit Committee and the Board. Further details of the Group’s exposure to risk and processes in place  
to manage the same are set out in the Business review on pages 28 to 29.  

The risk management procedures and systems of internal control are designed to identify and assess the significant risks which the Group  
faces and to manage them appropriately. However, such systems can only provide reasonable and not absolute protection against material  
mis-statement or loss.  

Principal features of the system of internal control  
•  The Directors meet as a Board at least every other month to monitor financial performance, give direction on significant strategic and financial 

issues and review the principal risks of the Group.  

•  The Group Chief Executive chairs a Committee (“Operating Board”) consisting of the executive Directors, Divisional Chief Executives and other 
senior management. The Operating Board meets on a monthly basis and reviews the historical performance and the outlook for the Group as 
a whole and agrees and implements any actions as necessary. In addition, it is responsible for monitoring and driving delivery of the Group’s 
key priorities and acts as a forum to raise and debate significant operational issues. 

•  The Group Chief Executive also chairs the Risk Committee which meets monthly. Further details on the remit and activities of the Risk 

Committee are set out on page 41. 

•  Each operating company within the Group operates within the policies, rules and procedures determined by the Directors and communicated 
through a Group manual. The Directors exercise control over operating companies through divisional senior executives who monitor and 
oversee the activities, financial performance and controls of each operating company. The directors of operating companies are held 
accountable for the effectiveness of the implementation and maintenance of controls within their companies. This provides constant and 
consistent management.  

•  The Group has detailed financial planning and reporting systems. Detailed management accounts are prepared monthly by each operating 
company comparing actual performance with budget. The financial performance of each operating company is subjected to detailed formal 
review at monthly meetings. One purpose of these reviews is the early identification of potential business risks and agreement on suitable  
and prompt courses of action. Operating companies prepare strategic plans and annual budgets which are reviewed and approved by the 
divisional senior executives, Group management and the Board.  

•  The Group has comprehensive control and approval procedures which are rigorously enforced. There are clear definitions of appropriate 
authorisation levels. Capital investment and other major items of expenditure are made only after compliance with detailed appraisal 
procedures and, if above set levels, only with the approval of the executive Directors.  

•  Accounting and reporting policies and practices require that the Group’s accounting records are prepared consistently, accurately and in 

compliance with Group policy and relevant accounting standards. 

•  The framework for maintaining control and the adherence to procedures is reviewed by the Group Internal Controls Executive, who reports  

to the Group Finance Director and to the Audit Committee.  

•  Certain key functions, including treasury, taxation, pensions, provision of legal advice, risk and insurance are controlled at the Group’s head 

office and are monitored by the executive Directors.  

39 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

The Directors have reviewed the effectiveness of the systems of risk management and internal control during the year to 31 December 2009  
and during the period since then to the date of this report. They have made improvements where necessary.  

Board Committees  
The Board has established a number of Committees, each with its own delegated authority defined in terms of reference. These terms are 
reviewed periodically and the Board receives reports and copies of minutes of Committee meetings. The Board appoints the chairmen of all 
principal Board Committees, having received the recommendations of the Nominations Committee.  

The principal Committees and brief descriptions of their terms of reference (full details of which are available for inspection by shareholders at the 
Annual General Meeting and on the Group’s website) and duties are as follows:  

a) Audit Committee  
During the year, the Audit Committee comprised two of the independent non-executive Directors: D S Crowther (Chairman) and J C Shakeshaft, 
the former having recent and relevant financial knowledge, as required by the Code. The Committee’s duties include reviewing and advising the 
Board on:  
•  the integrity of the financial statements;  
•  the appointment and remuneration of external auditors;  
•  the effectiveness of the Auditors in line with the requirements of the Code;  
•  the nature and extent of non-audit services provided by the Auditors to ensure that their independence and objectivity are maintained;  
•  changes to accounting policies and procedures, decisions of judgement affecting financial reporting, compliance with accounting standards 

and with the Companies Act;  

•  the Auditors’ assessment of internal audit and other internal controls;  
•  the scope, performance and effectiveness of the internal audit and other internal control functions;  
•  risk management (by reference to reports received regularly from the Risk Committee and the head of the internal control/audit function) and 

any changes to the Register of Principal Risks; and  

•  the Company’s written procedures for responding to any allegations made by whistleblowers.  

In order to fulfil its duties the Audit Committee regularly receives reports from the Risk Committee and on the findings of the Group Internal 
Controls Executive who is required to attend the Committee’s meetings. The Committee also reviews internal audit plans and recommendations.  

During 2009 the Audit Committee met five times and has had one meeting to date during 2010. Both committee members attended all the 
meetings. The Committee met twice with the Auditors without executives of the Company being present. The Committee also met twice with 
the head of the internal control function without executives of the Company being present. 

The Committee reviewed the effectiveness of the external Auditors during the year. This process included seeking feedback from the finance 
directors of each operating subsidiary. Comments received were then analysed to identify both recurring themes and specific issues and the 
results were presented to the Committee. It was concluded that the Auditors’ performance had been satisfactory and, where areas for 
improvement had been identified, these were communicated to the Auditors. 

The independence of the Auditors is assessed annually by the Audit Committee. This is achieved by means of a self-assessment of independence 
which is completed by the Auditors and is then subject to review, analysis and query by the Audit Committee to ensure that suitable policies  
and procedures are in place to safeguard the Auditors’ independence and objectivity. Such policies and procedures include the Company’s policy 
regarding the provision of non-audit services which states that non-audit services may be obtained from the most appropriate source having 
regard to expertise, availability, knowledge and cost. Non-audit services where fees are expected to exceed a pre-determined threshold should  
be approved, in advance, by the Chairman of the Audit Committee or in his absence by another member of the Audit Committee. There is a 
restriction so that non-audit services fees will not exceed the audit service fees, paid to the same service provider, for more than two consecutive 
years unless specifically recommended by the Audit Committee and agreed by the Board. The preference of the Committee is not to engage the 
Auditors for additional non-assurance services, absent compelling reason (e.g. capability, time, cost) to the contrary. 

The Committee also carried out a self assessment of its performance, based on a questionnaire completed by the members of the Committee.  

b) Remuneration Committee  
The Directors’ remuneration report on pages 42 to 46 includes details of the Remuneration Committee and its work.  

c) Nominations Committee  
The Nominations Committee generally meets twice a year to make recommendations to the Board regarding the appointment of replacement  
or additional directors. It comprises the independent non-executive Directors and the non-executive Chairman, who also chairs the Committee. 
The Committee has an established procedure for recommending Board appointments and for the appointment of members to the Audit and 
Remuneration Committees. In 2009 the Committee met three times. All Committee members attended each meeting. The Committee also 
carried out an assessment of its performance in 2009.  

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40 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GOVERNANCE 

Directors’ report on corporate governance (continued) 

The Committee has had two meetings to date during 2010, following which the appointments of T H Roberts as an executive Director and 
S M Watson as Chairman were recommended to the Board. 

T H Roberts had joined the Company in 2008, in advance of the retirement of J W Armstrong, who had previously held the post of Corporate 
Development Director. At the recommendation of the Nominations Committee, T H Roberts is receiving executive coaching which involves 
networking with other executive directors, governance training and coaching to address other identified development needs. This commenced 
in advance of his appointment as an executive Director. 

S M Watson has been an independent non-executive Director of the Company since 2007. Before nominating him to become Chairman the 
Committee weighed the relative merits of appointing an internal candidate conversant with the agreed strategy and its current execution or an 
external candidate with different skills and experience from existing Board members. The Committee took external advice from the Company’s 
bankers, brokers and remuneration consultants. Two members of the Board offered themselves as candidates. The Committee took soundings 
of all Board members and engaged recruitment consultants to interview both candidates against a set of professional competences (board 
leadership; influencing and collaboration; coaching and development; strategic acumen; independence and integrity; and industry and market 
knowledge) and also against a control group of possible external candidates. Both candidates measured well on both sets of criteria and stronger 
than the external set on the particular requirements of the Company. Reviewing all the assessments the Committee recommended S M Watson’s 
nomination. 

Board and Committee  eeting  ttendance 2009  
m
The table below shows the number of meetings held by the Board and its principal committees and the attendance of each of the Directors at 
those meetings.  

a

Total meetings held  
J W Newman  
G Anderson  
S D Dasani 
D S Crowther  
J C Shakeshaft  
S M Watson  

Board   
9  
9  
9  
9  
8(1)
9  
8(1)

Audit 
Committee 
5  
n/a  
n/a  
n/a  
5  
5  
n/a  

Remuneration 
Committee
7 
n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
7 
7 
7 

Nominations 
Committee
3
3
n/a 
n/a 
3 
3
3

(1)  D S Crowther and S M Watson were each unable to attend one unscheduled supplementary board meeting.  

J W Armstrong retired on 5 January 2009. However, given that no Board or Committee meetings took place during the period 1 to 5 January 2009, 
he has not been included in the above table.  

Corporate Governance Committee  
The Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for monitoring the Group’s compliance with good corporate governance. During the year it 
was chaired by the Chairman and included the Group Finance Director, one independent non-executive Director and the Group Company 
Secretary. The Committee’s duties are as follows: 
•  to review regularly the corporate governance procedures of the Company; 
•  to ensure that the Company’s corporate governance procedures are up-to-date and effective and that these are communicated to those 

employees, officers and/or Directors of the Company or its subsidiaries to whom they are relevant; 

•  to make recommendations to the Board from time to time on any procedures, or processes, that may need changing, in order to ensure that 

the Company is compliant with relevant legislation, including but not limited to, the Companies Act 2006; 

•  to ensure that the Company is compliant with the standards and disclosures required by the Combined Code and the Listing, Prospectus and 

Disclosure rules of the UK Financial Services Authority; and 

•  to receive reports, or any views expressed by shareholders, stakeholders, government or other regulatory bodies and any other interested 

parties in relation to corporate governance. 

The Committee met three times during 2009.  

41 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

Corporate and Social Responsibility Committee 
The Corporate and Social Responsibility Committee is chaired by the Group Chief Executive and also comprises one non-executive Director, the 
Group Legal Counsel, and up to three senior executives from within the Group. The Committee met four times during 2009 and has had one 
meeting to date during 2010. The Board regularly receives reports on its activities. 

Further information on the activities of the Corporate and Social Responsibility Committee is given in the Corporate responsibility section of the 
Business review on page 30. 

Risk Committee  
The Risk Committee assists the Board and the Audit Committee in fulfilling their responsibilities by: 
•  providing a framework for managing risks throughout the Group; and 
•  providing an appropriate level of reporting on the status of risk management within the Group. 

This is achieved by promoting awareness of risk management, and ensuring that a risk management framework is in place to ensure that risks are 
identified, quantified, managed, monitored and reported.  

During the year the Committee was chaired by the Group Chief Executive and included the Group Finance Director, the Group Legal Counsel, the 
Group Internal Controls Executive and up to four senior executives from within the Group. A representative from the Company’s insurance brokers 
also regularly attends meetings. The Committee met 12 times during 2009 and has had three meetings to date in 2010.  

Further information on the activities of the Risk Committee is given in the Principal Risks and Uncertainties section of the Business review on  
pages 28 to 29. 

Donations  
During the year the Group contributed £53,000 (2008: £50,000) for charitable purposes. Employees across the Group regularly fund-raise for 
charity.  

There were no political contributions.  

Communications with shareholders  
G Anderson and S D Dasani meet institutional investors immediately after publication of the annual and interim results, as well as providing the 
information needed to maintain an orderly market in the Company’s shares. D S Crowther, as senior independent non-executive Director, also 
undertakes consultation on certain matters with major shareholders. Through these Directors the Company maintains a regular dialogue with 
institutional shareholders and analysts and feedback received is reported to the Board so that all Directors develop an understanding of the views 
of major shareholders about the Company. Trading updates and press releases are issued as appropriate and the Company’s brokers provide 
briefings on shareholder opinion and compile independent feedback from investor meetings. Information offered at the analysts’ meetings 
together with our financial press releases are available on the Group’s website. The Annual General Meeting is used by the Directors to 
communicate with both institutional and private investors.  

Approved by the Board on 12 March 2010 and signed on its behalf by:  

W J Sharp  
Group Company Secretary  

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42 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GOVERNANCE 

Directors’ remuneration report  

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and Schedule 8 of the Large and Medium Sized Companies and 
Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. A resolution to approve the report will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting on  
12 May 2010. This report sets out the Company’s policy for Directors’ remuneration, the arrangements for 2009 and proposals for 2010, and  
has been divided into separate sections for audited and unaudited information. 

Unaudited information  

Remuneration Committee  
The Remuneration Committee (the “Committee”) comprises the independent non-executive Directors and is chaired by D S Crowther (the  
senior independent non-executive Director). Its other members are J C Shakeshaft and S M Watson. The Company Chairman is not a member  
of the Committee.  

In 2009 the Committee met seven times and all members of the Committee attended each meeting. During the year the Committee carried out a 
self assessment of its performance, constitution and terms of reference based on a questionnaire completed by the members of the Committee.  

The role of the Committee is to recommend to the Board the policy for, and the amount of, the remuneration of the Chairman, executive 
Directors, Divisional Chief Executives, Divisional Directors and the Group Company Secretary. Such remuneration covers fees, salaries and other 
benefits, pensions, performance-related pay and share incentive plans, and the terms and conditions of service. In determining these matters the 
Committee has due regard to the contents of the Code as well as to the UK Listing Authority’s Listing Rules and associated guidance. No director 
is involved in deciding his own remuneration. 

As well as considering the circumstances of the Group and the demands on its senior management, the Committee takes into account the 
position of the Company relative to other companies and is informed of what these companies are paying, though comparisons are treated with 
caution. The Committee has appointed independent external consultants to advise on senior executive remuneration matters. During 2009 this 
advice was provided by Hewitt New Bridge Street (“HNBS”) and they continue to advise the Remuneration Committee. HNBS provided no other 
services to the Company during the year.  

Remuneration policy  
The objectives of the Group’s remuneration policy are to recruit, retain and motivate talented and well-qualified senior executives so as to realise 
the Group's strategy and business objectives and to align their interests with those of shareholders. A significant proportion of their remuneration 
is structured so as to link rewards to corporate and individual performance.  

Base salary  
The policy is to provide senior executives with a base salary that is competitive with the base salary paid in other comparable companies.  

The base salaries of executive Directors are reviewed annually at 1 July having regard to personal performance, Group performance, competitive 
market practice as determined by external research and pay levels within the Group.  

Details of current base salary levels for executive Directors who served during the year are set out below: 

G Anderson  
S D Dasani(1) 

1 July 2009 
£350,000
£240,000

At date of 
appointment 
£350,000 
£220,000 

(1)  S D Dasani’s base salary was increased from £220,000 to £240,000 on 1 January 2009 as specified in his letter of appointment. 

These salaries were not increased at the July 2009 review, consistent with the pay freeze that applied to the Group’s workforce generally 
during 2009. 

T H Roberts’ base salary on appointment to the Board on 26 January 2010 was £175,000. 

Annual bonus  
Executive Directors participate in an annual bonus arrangement. The objective of the performance linked element of remuneration is to stimulate 
improved results of the Group by providing the opportunity of increased remuneration, subject to achieving challenging performance criteria.  

For 2009, the performance measures were a balanced set of annual performance targets, comprising a sliding scale of profit targets (50 per cent  
of total bonus potential), a sliding scale of cash flow targets (30 per cent of total bonus potential) and tailored personal objectives linked to the 
implementation of the Group’s strategy (20 per cent of total bonus potential). No bonus for personal objectives arises unless at least threshold 
performance against both the profit and cash flow targets has been achieved.  

For 2010 similar performance criteria will apply except that achievement of strategy-related personal objectives will qualify for bonus potential 
separately from financial target elements. This recognises the importance attached to successful implementation of the Group’s strategy, 
notwithstanding a possible delayed financial benefit. Furthermore the bonus arrangements for all senior executives below Board level are to be 
based consistently on the same performance criteria, including (to encourage greater team working) an element of profit of the whole division or 
group into which they report.  

The maximum potential bonus which can be earned was, and continues to be, capped at 100 per cent of salary. Annual bonus payments are 
not pensionable.  

Details of bonuses awarded to the executive Directors for the year ended 31 December 2009 are set out in the emoluments table on page 44.  

 
43 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

Long Term Incentive Plan 2005 (“LTIP”)  
The LTIP is the primary long-term incentive arrangement of the Company. LTIP participants may receive annual awards of up to 100 per cent  
of base salary. The award is a contingent right to receive shares in the future, subject to continued employment and the achievement of 
predetermined performance criteria.  

Participants make no payment upon the grant, vesting or release of an award (other than such as may be required as a result of tax, social security 
or other regulatory requirements). Awards normally vest three years after the date of grant.  

Performance conditions  
The performance targets attached to awards granted in May 2009 require the achievement of earnings per share (“EPS”) and total shareholder 
return (“TSR”) targets as follows:  
•  The performance target attached to 50 per cent of an award is based on three year EPS targets: 25 per cent of the shares subject to this part of 

the award will vest for EPS growth of 3 per cent compound per annum in excess of Retail Price Index (“RPI”), increasing on a straight-line basis to 
100 per cent vesting for EPS growth of at least 7 per cent compound per annum in excess of RPI; and  

•  The performance target attached to the other 50 per cent of an award is based on TSR performance targets against companies within the FTSE 
SmallCap (excluding investment trusts) index; 25 per cent of shares subject to this part of the award will vest at median performance increasing 
on a straight-line basis to 100 per cent vesting at the upper quartile of the comparator group. As well as the TSR targets, the Committee will 
consider the Company’s underlying financial performance to ensure that vesting percentages under this part of an award are appropriate.  

The Committee considers that the combined use of EPS and TSR performance conditions provides a good blend of performance metrics, with 
EPS rewarding strong financial performance and TSR rewarding relative stock market performance. It is envisaged that similar targets will apply to 
the 2010 LTIP awards. 

Award levels  
At its meeting in early March 2009, reflecting investor pronouncements with respect to reducing award levels where a company’s share price has 
fallen, the Committee resolved to grant LTIP awards over 875,000 and 600,000 shares to the Group Chief Executive and Group Finance Director 
respectively. This equated to an award of approximately 50 per cent of salary based on a share price of circa 20 pence at that date (a reduction 
from the normal 75 per cent of salary policy). The awards were granted in May 2009 when the share price had risen to circa 30 pence. Following a 
substantial recovery in the Company’s share price over the past year and good progress in implementing strategy, the intention is to grant 
between 75 and 100 per cent of base salary for the 2010 executive Director LTIP awards. 

Shareholding guidelines  
The Company now operates shareholding guidelines for executive Directors which are linked to the out-turn of the LTIP. At the time awards vest 
under the LTIP (or any other executive plan operated in the future), there will be a requirement to retain no fewer than 50 per cent of the shares 
(net of taxes) until such time as a total personal shareholding equivalent to 100 per cent of prevailing base salary has been achieved.  

Total shareholder returns  
The Company’s total shareholder return performance for the five years to 31 December 2009 is shown on the graph below compared with the 
index of the FTSE SmallCap companies (excluding investment trusts). The Company is a constituent of the FTSE SmallCap Index and for this 
reason the Directors consider it appropriate to benchmark the Company’s performance against it.  

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TT electronics plc

FTSE Small Cap (excl. Investment Trusts)

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44 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GOVERNANCE 

Directors’ remuneration report (continued) 

Share options  
The Company has operated a number of share option schemes in the past. It is the Committee's intention not to make further grants to executive 
Directors under these plans.  

Sharesave Scheme 
The Company is seeking shareholder approval for the adoption of a Sharesave Scheme at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. Further 
details regarding the proposed Sharesave Scheme can be found in the Notice of the Annual General Meeting which accompanies this document. 

Service contracts  
The executive Directors have service contracts which reflect both current market practice and the appropriate balance between the interests of 
the Company and the individual Director. These contracts include 12 month non-compete clauses and standard provisions for summary 
termination and are terminable on 12 months’ notice from either side.  

Non-executive Directors  
The remuneration of each of the independent non-executive Directors is determined by the Chairman and the executive members of the Board, 
reflecting time commitment, responsibility of each role and the fees paid in other comparable companies. Consistent with the Group’s pay freeze, 
no fee increases were awarded in 2009. No benefits in kind are provided for non-executive Directors. 

The remuneration of the Company Chairman is a matter for the Committee. Following J W Newman’s switch from executive to non-executive 
Chairman on 1 September 2009, the Committee determined that an annual fee of £100,000 would be appropriate from that date. As executive 
Chairman he was previously earning £214,882. 

Audited information  

Aggregate Directors’ emoluments  
Set out below are tables of remuneration of the Directors who served during 2009 and 2008. The amount of each element of the remuneration 
received and receivable by the Directors in the year including base salary and fees paid during the year, bonus, benefits in kind and other 
payments is:  

Executive Directors  
G Anderson(1)   
S D Dasani(1)   
J W Armstrong(2)  
N A Rodgers(1)   
R W Weaver(1)   
Non-executive Directors 
J W Newman(3)  
D S Crowther  
D E A Crowe(1)   
J C Shakeshaft  
S M Watson  

Salary/fees
£000

Annual   
Bonus(4) 
£000   

Other
£000

Benefits 
£000 

350
240
–
–
–

177
42
–
32
32
873

105 
72   
–    
–  
–  

–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
177  

–
–
25
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
25

26 
23 
4 
– 
– 

1 
– 
– 
– 
– 
54 

2009
Total 
£000

481
335
29
–
–

178
42
–
32
32
1,129

2008
Total
£000

151 
161 
216 
582 
230 

226 
41 
21 
31 
31 
1,690 

(1)  G Anderson was appointed on 4 August 2008 and S D Dasani was appointed on 1 August 2008. N A Rodgers resigned on 11 June 2008 and R W Weaver and D E A Crowe retired on 

1 August 2008 and 3 September 2008 respectively.  

(2)  J W Armstrong retired on 5 January 2009. The bonus of £25,000 was paid based on the bonus arrangements in place for 2008. 

(3)  J W Newman became non-executive Chairman from 1 September 2009 and it was agreed that his fees from that date would be £100,000. 

(4)  The amounts are payable under the bonus arrangements in place for 2009 as explained on page 42. 

T H Roberts, who was appointed to the Board on 26 January 2010, is due to be paid a bonus of £40,000 in respect of the year to  
31 December 2009. 

Benefits in kind during the year comprised company car benefits, telephone expenses and the provision of private medical insurance.  
No Director received an expense allowance during the year.  

 
 
 
45 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

Executive Directors’ pensions – defined benefit  
Two individuals who were executive Directors at the start of the financial year were members of the Company’s defined benefit pension scheme. 

J W Newman  
J W Armstrong  

Notes  

Increase/ 
(decrease) in 
accrued 
pension
£000
6
(5)

Accrued 
pension at
31 December
2009
£000
226
61

Lump sum  
received  
during year
£000
–
99

Value at 
31 December 
2009 
£000 
3,943 
1,231 

(Decrease)/
increase 
in value
£000
(250)
88

Value at
31 December
2008
£000
4,193
1,143

(a)  J W Newman is in receipt of a pension from the scheme. The cash equivalent value of J W Newman’s future benefits fell during the year primarily due to the amounts paid to him during 

2008 and, to a lesser degree, due to a rise in gilt yields.  

(b)  J W Armstrong retired on 5 January 2009 and elected to take a pension commencement lump sum in exchange for part of his pension entitlement.  

(c)  Pensions in payment accrued between 1 January 1989 and 5 April 2005 are increased annually in line with the annual rise in the All Items Index of Retail Prices subject to a maximum of  

5 per cent per annum. Post 5 April 2005, increases are subject to a maximum of 2.5 per cent per annum.  

(d)  In the event of the death of an executive or former executive Director, a pension equal to one half of the Director’s pre-commutation pension will become payable to a surviving spouse.  

Executive Directors’ pensions – defined contribution  
During the year the Company contributed £35,000 for G Anderson and £37,200 for S D Dasani to the Company’s group personal pension 
arrangement.  

Long Term Incentive Plan  
As at 31 December 2009, Directors’ interests under the LTIP were as follows: 

J W Newman  
J W Armstrong 

G Anderson  

S D Dasani  

Notes  

  Date of grant 
16 Jan 07 
16 Jan 07 
31 May 07 
24 Apr 08 

28 Aug 08 
5 May 09 

28 Aug 08 
5 May 09 

1 January 
2009 
117,596
38,754
19,969
43,182
101,905
341,463
–
341,463
214,634
–
214,634

Granted 
during the 
year 
–
–
–
–
–
–
875,000
875,000
–
600,000
600,000

Lapsed 
–
38,754
19,969
43,182
101,905
–
–
–
–
–
–

31 December   
Vested  
2009    
117,596(1) 
–
–(1) 
–
–(1) 
–
–(1) 
–
–  
–
341,463(1) 
–
875,000(2) 
–
– 1,216,463   
214,634(1) 
–
600,000(2) 
–
814,634   
–

Vesting date
16 Jan 10

Market price 
at grant date 
Pence 
248.0
248.0
217.5
110.0

102.5
30.25

28 Aug 11
5 May 12

102.5
30.25

28 Aug 11
5 May 12

(1)  For LTIP awards granted in 2007 and 2008, 25 per cent of the shares subject to an award will vest for EPS growth of 3 per cent compound per annum in excess of RPI, increasing on a 

straight-line basis to 100 per cent vesting for EPS growth of at least 7 per cent compound per annum in excess of RPI. 

(2)   Performance targets for LTIP awards granted in 2009 are set out under “Long Term Incentive Plan 2005” above. 

(3)   J W Armstrong retired on 5 January 2009. His awards lapsed as the performance criteria had not been met. 

T H Roberts holds LTIP awards granted in April 2008(1) and May 2009(2) over 10,000 and 202,667 shares respectively which are subject to the 
relevant performance criteria as noted for the executive Directors above. 

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46 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GOVERNANCE 

Directors’ remuneration report (continued) 

Directors’ share options 
Options set out below granted under the 1994 Executive Share Option Scheme (Approved) are marked(1), the 1996 Executive Share Option 
Scheme (Unapproved) are marked(2) and the 2004 Company Share Option Plan (Unapproved) are marked(3):  

J W Newman 

J W Armstrong 

Notes  

1 January 
2009 
147,058
248,192 
128,593 
273,180 
155,241 
112,823
1,065,087 
73,529
109,289
38,253 
11,818 
28,975 
86,662 
49,247
37,181
434,954 

Lapsed 
147,058

147,058
73,529
109,289
38,253
11,818
28,975
86,662
49,247
37,181
434,954

31 December  
2009   
– (2)
248,192(2)
128,593(2)
273,180(2)
155,241(3)
112,823(3)
918,029  
– (2)
– (2)
– (2)
– (1)
– (2)
– (2)
– (3)
– (3)
–   

Exercise  
price  
Exercise period 
Pence 
136.0 
Sep 2002–Sep 2009
166.0  May 2004–May 2011
165.0 
Apr 2005–Apr 2012
80.0  Mar 2006–Mar 2013
145.0  May 2007–May 2014
Apr 2008–Apr 2015
205.5 

136.0 
91.5 
166.0 
165.0 
165.0 
80.0 
145.0 
205.5 

Sep 2002–Jul 2009
Mar 2003–Jul 2009
May 2004–Jul 2009
Apr 2005–Jul 2009
Apr 2005–Jul 2009
Mar 2006–Jul 2009
May 2007–Jul 2009
Apr 2008–Jul 2009

(1, 2)  Options granted under the 1994 and 1996 Executive Share Option Schemes are generally exercisable not less than three and not more than ten years after their grant, and only then 
if a performance criterion has been achieved. Prior to 2001 the Group must have experienced annual growth in its earnings per share of at least 2 per cent over and above the Retail 
Price Index for a period of three years following the grant of the options. Options granted after 2000 carry a performance condition of annual growth in the Group’s earnings per share 
of at least 4 per cent over and above the Retail Price Index for a period of three years following the grant of the options. The constituent parts of the condition are calculated each year 
to see if the performance condition has been met.  

(3)   Options granted under the 2004 HMRC Approved and the Unapproved Company Share Option Plans carry a performance condition stating that the growth in the Group’s earnings 
per share must exceed the increase in Retail Price Index by an average of 4 per cent per annum over a period of three consecutive years. Any year in which earnings per share is 
negative cannot be included. Options granted under these schemes lapse on the sixth anniversary of the date of grant in the event that any exercise condition is no longer capable 
of satisfaction.  

During the year options granted to the executive Directors totalling 582,012 shares have lapsed. No options were exercised by the executive 
Directors.  

The closing middle market prices for an Ordinary share of 25p of the Company on 31 December 2009 and 2008 as derived from the Stock 
Exchange Daily Official List were 73.25p and 34.88p respectively. During 2009 the middle market price of TT electronics plc Ordinary shares ranged 
between 19.25p and 84p.  

Approved by the Board on 12 March 2010 and signed on its behalf by:  

D S Crowther  
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
47 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GROUP ACCOUNTS 

Report of the Independent Auditors to the members  
of TT electronics plc 

Independent auditor’s report to the members of TT electronics plc 
We have audited the group financial statements of TT electronics plc for the year ended 31 December 2009 which comprise the consolidated 
income statement, the consolidated balance sheet, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated cash flow statement, 
the consolidated statement of changes in equity and the related notes. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their 
preparation is applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. 

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 page 36, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of the 
group financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit the group 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 (APB’s) Ethical Standards for Auditors. 

Scope of the audit of the financial statements 
A description of the scope of an audit of financial statements is provided on the APB’s website at www.frc.org.uk/apb/scope/UKP. 

Opinion on financial statements 
In our opinion the group financial statements: 
•  give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s affairs as at 31 December 2009 and of its loss for the year then ended;  
•  have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union; and 
•  have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 
In our opinion: 
•  the information given in the Directors’ report for the financial year for which the group financial statements are prepared is consistent with the 

group financial statements; and 

•  the information given in the Directors’ report on corporate governance set out on pages 38 and 39 with respect to internal control and risk 
management systems in relation to financial reporting processes and the information given in the Directors’ report on page 35 about share 
capital structures 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: 
•  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or 
•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or 
•  a Directors’ report on corporate governance has not been prepared by the Company. 

Under the Listing Rules, we are required to review: 
•  the Directors’ statement, set out on page 36, in relation to going concern; and  
•  the part of the Directors’ report on corporate governance relating to the Company’s compliance with the nine provisions of the 2008 Combined 

Code specified for our review. 

Other matters 
We have reported separately on the parent company financial statements of TT electronics plc for the year ended 31 December 2009 and the 
information in the Directors’ remuneration report that is described as having been audited.  

David Miller 
Senior Statutory Auditor  
for and on behalf of Grant Thornton UK LLP  
Statutory Auditor, Chartered Accountants  
London 

12 March 2010 

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48 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GROUP ACCOUNTS 

Consolidated income statement 

for the year ended 31 December 2009 

Revenue 
Cost of sales 
Gross profit  
Distribution costs 
Administrative expenses 
Other operating income 
Operating profit before exceptional items 
Exceptional items – restructuring 

– goodwill impairment 

Operating (loss)/profit 
Finance income 
Finance costs 
(Loss)/profit before taxation 
Taxation 
(Loss)/profit for the year  
Minority interests 
(Loss)/profit for the year attributable to shareholders 

(Loss)/earnings per share 
– basic 
– diluted 

Note 
1 

1 
4 
4 

2 
2 

5 

7 

2009
£million
499.6
(420.4)
79.2
(33.7)
(40.2)
1.2
6.5
(14.2)
(3.8)
(11.5)
15.8
(21.5)
(17.2)
(2.4)
(19.6)
–
(19.6)

2008
£million
584.3
(480.8)
103.5
(37.5)
(40.4)
1.4
27.0
(3.8)
–
23.2
18.1
(24.0)
17.3
(5.7)
11.6
–
11.6

(12.6)p
(12.6)p

7.5p
7.5p

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
49 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GROUP ACCOUNTS 

Consolidated balance sheet 

at 31 December 2009 

Assets 
Non-current assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Goodwill 
Other intangible assets 
Deferred tax assets 
Total non-current assets 
Current assets 
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables 
Financial asset 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Total current assets 
Total assets 
Liabilities 
Current liabilities 
Short-term borrowings 
Financial derivatives 
Trade and other payables 
Current tax payable 
Provisions for liabilities 
Total current liabilities 
Non-current liabilities 
Long-term borrowings 
Deferred tax 
Pensions and other post-employment benefits 
Provisions for liabilities 
Other non-current liabilities 
Total non-current liabilities 
Total liabilities 
Net assets 
Equity 
Share capital 
Share premium account 
Share options reserve 
Hedging reserve 
Translation reserve 
Retained earnings 
Minority interests 
Total equity 

Approved by the Directors on 12 March 2010 and signed on their behalf by:  

G Anderson  
Director  

S D Dasani 
Director 

Note 

2009
£million

2008
£million

9 
10 
11 
19 

12 
13 
18 
13 

17 
18 
22 

21 

17 
19 
27 
21 
22 

14 

15 
15 
16 

111.3
65.9
17.6
4.9
199.7

83.9
85.1
0.3
24.7
194.0
393.7

11.2
0.5
88.7
1.7
8.9
111.0

70.4
5.9
43.7
0.2
6.7
126.9
237.9
155.8

38.7
0.2
1.0
(11.5)
38.7
86.3
2.4
155.8

137.4
74.5
23.6
5.5
241.0

120.0
111.5
–
10.1
241.6
482.6

51.2
2.9
99.4
3.1
5.6
162.2

72.1
8.7
18.6
0.1
8.0
107.5
269.7
212.9

38.7
0.2
1.2
(18.1)
53.9
134.6
2.4
212.9

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50 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GROUP ACCOUNTS 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 

for the year ended 31 December 2009 

(Loss)/profit for the year 
Exchange differences on net foreign currency investments 
Hedging reserve 
Actuarial net loss on defined benefit pension schemes 
Comprehensive (expense)/income for the year attributable to shareholders 

Note 

27 

2009
£million
(19.6)
(10.7)
2.1
(28.7)
(56.9)

2008
£million
11.6
39.4
(2.1)
(3.2)
45.7

Consolidated statement of changes in equity 

for the year ended 31 December 2009 

At 1 January 2008 
Comprehensive (expense)/income for the period 
Minority interests 
Dividends paid 
Share-based payment 
At 31 December 2008 
Comprehensive (expense)/income for the period 
Share-based payment 
At 31 December 2009 

Share capital
£million
38.7
–
–
–
–
38.7
–
–
38.7

Share 
premium 
account
£million
0.2
–
–
–
–
0.2
–
–
0.2

Share options
reserve
£million
1.1
–
–
–
0.1
1.2
–
(0.2)
1.0

Hedging 
reserve
£million
6.1
(24.2)
–
–
–
(18.1)
6.6
–
(11.5)

Translation 
reserve
£million
(7.6)
61.5
–
–
–
53.9
(15.2)
–
38.7

Retained 
earnings 
£million 
141.8 
8.4 
– 
(15.6) 
– 
134.6 
(48.3) 
– 
86.3 

Minority 
interest
£million
2.0
–
0.4
–
–
2.4
–
–
2.4

Total
£million
182.3
45.7
0.4
(15.6)
0.1
212.9
(56.9)
(0.2)
155.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
51 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GROUP ACCOUNTS 

Consolidated cash flow statement 

for the year ended 31 December 2009 

Operating activities 
Operating profit before exceptional items 
Adjustments for: 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 
Amortisation of intangible assets 
Share-based payment (credit)/expense 
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Pension curtailment gain 
Other non-cash items 
(Decrease)/increase in financial derivatives 
Decrease/(increase) in inventories 
Decrease in receivables 
(Decrease)/increase in payables 
Cash generated from operations before exceptional payments 
Special payments to pension funds  
Exceptional restructuring costs 
Net cash generated from operations 
Tax paid 
Net cash from operating activities 
Cash flows from investing activities: 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and grants received 
Development expenditure and purchase of patents and licences 
Acquisition of subsidiary net of cash acquired 
Loan repayment 
Net cash proceeds from sale of business 
Net cash used in investing activities 
Cash flows from financing activities: 
Interest paid (net) 
Repayment of loans 
New loans 
Finance leases 
Dividends paid 
Net cash used in financing activities 
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 
Exchange difference 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise: 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Bank overdrafts 

Note 

2009
£million

2008
£million

6.5

27.0

24.1
11.8
(0.2)
(0.4)
(1.9)
(0.5)
(2.7)
31.1
22.2
(6.1)
83.9
(2.2)
(9.6)
72.1
(5.3)
66.8

(9.4)
5.7
(6.9)
(1.0)
–
–
(11.6)

(3.8)
(17.6)
2.9
(0.1)
–
(18.6)
36.6
(12.2)
0.1
24.5

24.7
(0.2)
24.5

23.4
10.9
0.1
(1.9)
(1.2)
(4.8)
2.2
(6.6)
–
1.0
50.1
(2.2)
(1.7)
46.2
(3.6)
42.6

(21.9)
5.1
(10.9)
(13.9)
2.0
0.9
(38.7)

(3.8)
(0.6)
10.0
(0.4)
(15.6)
(10.4)
(6.5)
(5.2)
(0.5)
(12.2)

10.1
(22.3)
(12.2)

23 

13 
17 

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52 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GROUP ACCOUNTS 

Accounting policies for the consolidated  
financial statements 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as endorsed by the 
European Union.  

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention modified by the revaluation of financial assets and derivatives 
held at fair value and by the revaluation at the transition date to IFRS of certain property, plant and equipment.  

IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements, IFRS 8 Operating Segments, IAS 23 Borrowing Costs and IFRS 7 Amended Financial Instruments 
disclosure have been adopted in the current period. The Group’s operating segments have been redesignated, see note 1, and the Group’s policy 
on the capitalisation of borrowing costs has been changed. The Group is not yet required to adopt and has not adopted revised versions of IFRS 5, 
IAS 7, IFRS 3, IAS 27 and IAS 28. Adoptions of these revisions would not have had any significant effect on these financial statements. 

IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements (Revised) requires presentation of a comparative balance sheet at the beginning of the first 
comparative period in some circumstances. Management considers that this is not necessary this year because the 2007 balance sheet is the 
same as that previously published. 

Basis of consolidation  
The Group's financial statements consolidate the financial statements of TT electronics plc and all its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries are consolidated 
from the date on which control transfers to the Group and are included until the date on which the Group ceases to control them. Transactions 
between Group companies are eliminated, together with unrealised gains on inter-group transactions, on consolidation.  

Revenue recognition  
Revenue is the fair value of the consideration, usually the invoiced value, for the provision of goods and services to external customers excluding 
value added tax and other sales related taxes in accordance with IAS 18.  

Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have transferred to the buyer.  
In most cases this coincides with the transfer of legal title of the goods. 

Revenue from the provision of services is recognised when the amount of revenue can be measured reliably and the receipt of the economic 
benefit is probable, in accordance with IAS 18. The amount of revenue recognised is determined by reference to the stage of completion. 

Goodwill  
Goodwill arising on the acquisition of a business, representing the difference between the cost of acquisition and the fair value of the identifiable 
net assets acquired, is capitalised and is tested annually for impairment. The net book value of goodwill at the date of transition to IFRS has been 
treated as deemed cost. On the subsequent disposal or discontinuance of a previously acquired business, the relevant goodwill is dealt with in the 
income statement except for the goodwill already charged to reserves.  

Other intangible assets  
Intangible assets acquired as part of a business combination are stated in the balance sheet at their fair value at the date of acquisition less 
accumulated amortisation. Internally generated intangible assets, principally product development costs, are stated in the balance sheet at cost 
less accumulated amortisation. The amortisation rates for intangible assets are:  

Acquired patents and licences  
Product development costs  
Customer relationships  

 – up to 10 years  
 – up to 3 years  
 – 3-8 years  

Amortisation is on a straight-line basis.  

The carrying values of intangible assets are tested for impairment when there is an indication that they may be impaired.  

Foreign currencies  

Initial recognition 
Foreign currency transactions are recorded on initial recognition in the functional currency of the relevant operating company by applying to the 
foreign currency amount the spot exchange rate between the functional currency and the foreign currency at the date of the transaction. 

Translation of foreign operations  
Assets and liabilities of overseas subsidiaries are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. The results and 
cash flows of overseas subsidiaries are translated into sterling using an exchange rate that approximates to the exchange rates at the dates  
of the transactions. The exchange differences arising from these translations are recognised within equity and reported in the statement of 
comprehensive income. All other exchange differences are dealt with through the consolidated income statement. On disposal of an overseas  
subsidiary any cumulative exchange movements relating to that subsidiary held in the translation reserve are transferred to the consolidated 
income statement.  

The Group uses forward currency contracts in order to partially hedge its exposure to foreign exchange risks.  

53 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

Property, plant and equipment  
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less a provision for depreciation. Depreciation is calculated so as to write-off the cost less 
estimated residual value of the assets in equal instalments over their expected useful lives. No depreciation is provided on freehold land. 
Depreciation is provided on other assets at the following rates:  

Freehold buildings  
Leasehold buildings  
Plant, equipment and vehicles  

– 2 per cent  
– 2 per cent (or over the period of the lease if less than 50 years)  
– 10 per cent to 33 per cent  

The carrying values of property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment when there is an indication that they may be impaired.  

Borrowing costs from 1 January 2009 directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of assets that take a substantial period of 
time to get ready for use are capitalised. In previous financial years such costs were expensed. The effect in 2009 is immaterial. 

Inventories  
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost, including related overheads, and net realisable value. Cost comprises direct materials and, where 
applicable, direct labour costs and the overheads incurred in bringing inventories to their present location and condition. Cost is calculated on a 
weighted average cost basis.  

Deferred taxation  
Deferred taxation is provided on taxable temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements 
and their corresponding tax bases. Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against 
which temporary differences can be utilised or that they will reverse. No provision is made for deferred tax which would become payable on the 
distribution of retained profits by overseas subsidiaries unless there is an intention to distribute such profits. Deferred tax is measured using the 
tax rates expected to apply when the asset is realised or the liability settled based on tax rates enacted or substantially enacted by the balance 
sheet date. However, deferred tax is not provided on the initial recognition of goodwill, nor on the initial recognition of an asset or liability unless 
the related transaction is a business combination or affects tax or accounting profit. 

Leases  
Assets acquired under finance leases which confer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of an asset are capitalised within property, 
plant and equipment and the outstanding rental instalments, net of interest, are shown in borrowings. Assets held under finance leases are 
depreciated over the shorter of the lease terms and the expected useful lives of the assets.  

Payments on operating leases are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term.  

Trade and other receivables  
Trade and other receivables are carried at the invoiced or contractually agreed amount less any required allowances for uncollectable amounts.  

Financial derivatives  
Derivative financial instruments are measured at fair value. The Group uses forward foreign exchange contracts and interest rate instruments to 
manage the relevant exposures. These derivative financial instruments are classified as fair value through profit or loss and all changes in fair value 
are recognised in the consolidated income statement.  

Hedge accounting  
The Group uses cash flow hedges to reduce its exposure to exchange rate, interest rate and other financial risks. The application of the hedge is 
documented before hedge accounting commences and is regularly reviewed for effectiveness. The net gains or losses relating to hedged items 
to the extent that the hedge is effective are dealt with in the statement of comprehensive income. Any ineffective portions are dealt with in the 
income statement.  

Cash and cash equivalents  
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at hand, demand deposits and short-term highly liquid investments that are easily convertible into 
known amounts of cash.  

Bank borrowings  
Bank borrowings are carried at amortised cost. 

Trade payables  
Trade payables are carried at the amounts expected to be paid to counterparties.  

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54 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GROUP ACCOUNTS 

Accounting policies for the consolidated  
financial statements (continued) 

Employee benefits  
The Group operates defined benefit post-retirement benefit schemes and defined contribution pension schemes. 

The liability recognised in the balance sheet for defined benefit schemes is the present value of schemes’ liabilities less the fair value of schemes’ 
assets. The operating and financing costs of defined benefit schemes are recognised separately in the income statement. Operating costs 
comprise the current service cost, any gains or losses on settlement or curtailments, and past service costs where benefits have vested. Finance 
items comprise the unwinding of the discount on schemes’ liabilities and the expected return on schemes’ assets. Actuarial gains or losses 
comprising differences between the actual and expected return on schemes’ assets, changes in schemes’ liabilities due to experience and 
changes in actuarial assumptions are recognised immediately in the statement of comprehensive income.  

Pension costs for the defined contribution plans represent the amount of contributions payable in respect of the accounting period.  

Government grants  
Government grants relating to non-current assets are treated as deferred income and credited to the income statement by equal instalments over 
the anticipated useful lives of the assets to which the grants relate. Other grants are credited to the income statement over the period of the 
project to which they relate.  

Research and development  
Research costs are written-off as incurred. Development costs incurred in the development of new or substantially improved products and 
processes are capitalised as intangible assets if it is probable that the expenditure will generate future economic benefits and can be measured 
reliably. Such costs are amortised on a straight-line basis over three years.  

Share-based payments  
The fair value at the date of grant of share-based remuneration is calculated using appropriate pricing models and charged to the income 
statement on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award. The charge to the income statement takes account of the estimated 
number of shares that will vest. All share-based remuneration is equity settled.  

Discontinued operations  
The Group reports a business as a discontinued operation when its sale, probable sale or abandonment results in the cessation of a major line of 
business or geographical area of operation.  

Segmental reporting  
Operating segments are those components of the business where results are regularly reviewed by the Board to assess their performance and to 
make resource allocation decisions. The operating segments are identified by the products and services they supply and the similarity of their 
economic characteristics and not by their geographical area of operation. 

Critical judgements in applying the entity’s accounting policies  
Other than the key sources of estimation uncertainty there were no material transactions or events during the year requiring critical judgements 
in applying the Group's accounting policies.  

Key sources of estimation uncertainty  

i Recoverability of internally generated intangible assets  
The recoverability of capitalised development costs is dependent on assessments of the future commercial viability of the relevant products and 
processes. The carrying amount of £13.4 million at 31 December 2009 (2008: £18.3 million) is considered to be fairly stated.  

ii Impairment of goodwill  
The carrying amount of goodwill is £65.9 million (2008: £74.5 million). This has been tested for impairment by estimating the value in use of the 
cash-generating units to which it has been allocated. The value in use is estimated by discounting future cash flows. This process gives rise to 
uncertainty in respect of the cash flows themselves and the discount factors applied. An impairment of £3.8 million has been charged as an 
exceptional cost in 2009. 

iii Defined benefit pension obligations  
The defined benefit pension obligations are calculated using a number of assumptions, such as future inflation, salary increases and mortality and 
the obligation is then discounted to its present value using an assumed discount rate. The pension deficit of £43.7 million at 31 December 2009 
has been calculated using the assumptions set out in note 27. A decrease of 0.1 per cent in the discount rate of 5.8 per cent increases the deficit 
by approximately £6.6 million. An increase of 0.1 per cent in the inflation rate of 3.4 per cent increases the deficit by approximately £5.7 million. 
The deferred tax asset recognised in relation to pension obligations has been restricted to £5.2 million (2008: £4.1 million). 

iv Provisions  
The Group makes appropriate provision on a consistent basis for risks of product liability, litigation, credit risk and other normal trading exposures.  

v Deferred tax  
The recognition of deferred tax assets is dependent on assessments of future taxable income in the countries concerned. 

 
55 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GROUP ACCOUNTS 

Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements 

1 Segmental reporting  
Following the Strategy Review, the Group’s businesses have been reorganised into the following divisions with effect from 1 January 2009: 
•  Components – specialist resistive components and microcircuits, connectors and interconnection systems. 
•  Sensors – electronic accelerator pedals, engine and wheel speed, temperature and pressure sensors and chassis height sensors. 
•  Integrated Manufacturing Services – the provision of global electronics manufacturing capability with logistics, interconnect and 

integrated solutions. 

•  Secure Power – standby generation and uninterruptible power systems manufacture and service. 
•  General Industrial – manufacturing operations serving a range of market sectors with applications including magnetics, electrical fusegear, 

compounding and fine wire. 

Further descriptions of the operating segments are given in the Business review on pages 22 to 26. Comparatives have been restated. 

Revenue    

Sector result

– Components 
– Sensors  
– Integrated Manufacturing Services  
– Secure Power  
– General Industrial  
Total  
Exceptional operating items (note 4)  
Operating (loss)/profit  
Finance income (note 2)  
Finance costs (note 2)  
(Loss)/profit before tax  
Taxation (note 5)  
(Loss)/profit for the year  

There are no significant sales between sectors.  

– Components 
– Sensors  
– Integrated Manufacturing Services  
– Secure Power   
– General Industrial 
Sector assets and liabilities 
Pensions and other post-employment benefits  
Unallocated assets and liabilities  
Total net assets  

2009 
£million 
190.8 
105.4 
75.1 
59.1 
69.2 
499.6 

2008 
£million   
192.1   
125.9   
103.4   
65.9   
97.0   
584.3   

2009
£million
5.9
(3.9)
2.4
4.8
(2.7)
6.5
(18.0)
(11.5)
15.8
(21.5)
(17.2)
(2.4)
(19.6)

2008
£million
9.7
1.1 
6.0 
7.8 
2.4
27.0 
(3.8) 
23.2 
18.1 
(24.0) 
17.3 
(5.7) 
11.6 

2009
£million
181.1
80.9
39.1
28.8
34.2
364.1
–
29.6
393.7

Assets

2008
£million
226.8
98.1
56.9 
33.9 
51.3
467.0 
– 
15.6 
482.6 

2009 
£million 
32.3 
25.2 
19.2 
17.2 
11.0 
104.9 
43.7 
89.3 
237.9 

Liabilities 

Total capital employed

2008 
£million   
38.3   
24.6   
22.2   
15.5   
15.5   
116.1   
18.6   
135.0   
269.7   

2009
£million
148.8
55.7
19.9
11.6
23.2
259.2
(43.7)
(59.7)
155.8

2008
£million
188.5
73.5 
34.7 
18.4 
35.8
350.9 
(18.6) 
(119.4) 
212.9 

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56 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GROUP ACCOUNTS 

Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements (continued) 

1 Segmental reporting (continued) 

– Components 
– Sensors  
– Integrated Manufacturing Services  
– Secure Power  
– General Industrial 
Total – before exceptional items  
Exceptional items  
Total 

Geographical analysis 
The Group operates globally. Revenue by geographical destination is: 

United Kingdom 
Rest of Europe  
North America  
Rest of the World  

Capital additions 

Depreciation 
and amortisation

2009
£million
3.9
9.1
0.5
0.4
2.4
16.3
–
16.3

2008 
£million 

11.2   
16.0   
1.0   
1.0   
3.6   
32.8   
–   
32.8   

2009
£million
13.9
16.5
2.2
0.6
2.7
35.9
–
35.9

2009 
£million
91.5
195.9
132.5
79.7
499.6

2008
£million
13.6
14.2
2.3
0.6
3.2
33.9
0.4
34.3

2008
£million
108.3 
213.4 
154.3 
108.3 
584.3 

Revenue from transactions with any individual major customers is below 10% of Group revenues. Revenue from services is less than 2% of Group 
revenues. All other revenue is from the sale of goods. 

The carrying amount of non current assets, excluding deferred tax assets, analysed by the geographical area in which the assets are located is 
as follows: 

United Kingdom 
Rest of Europe  
North America  
Rest of the World  

2009 
£million
40.0
58.7
84.5
11.6
194.8

2008
£million
47.6
72.0
101.3
14.6
235.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
57 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

2 Finance costs – net 

Interest receivable  
Expected return on pension scheme assets  
Finance income  
Interest on bank overdrafts and loans  
Interest on finance leases  
Unwinding of the discount on pension scheme liabilities  
Finance costs  
Finance costs – net  

3 (Loss)/profit for the year 
(Loss)/profit for the year is stated after charging/(crediting): 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment  
Amortisation of intangible assets included in cost of sales  
Net foreign exchange losses  
Cost of inventories recognised as an expense  
Employee emoluments  
Fees to Group Auditors  
– Company and consolidation statutory audits  
Fees to Group Auditors and associates  
– statutory audit of subsidiaries  
– tax services  
Fees to other Auditors  
– statutory audit of subsidiaries  
– tax services  
Government grants credited  
Share-based payment  

4 Exceptional items 

Restructuring costs 
AB Automotive – closure costs 

– property profit 

General Industrial – Climate control exit costs 
Sensors – European restructuring 
Sensors – Romford closure 
IMS – UK consolidation including Aylesbury closure 
Components – BI SMT closure of manufacturing 
General Industrial restructuring 
Other restructuring 
Profit on sale of properties 
Exceptional restructuring costs 
Exceptional impairment of goodwill, see note 10 
Exceptional items 

2009 
£million
0.2
15.6
15.8
3.6
–
17.9
21.5
5.7

2009 
£million
24.1
11.8
0.8
420.4
139.3

0.1

0.8
0.2

0.1
0.1
(1.1)
(0.2)

2009 
£million
4.1
(0.9)
3.2
7.4
0.4
1.2
1.0
1.4
0.6
(1.0)
14.2
3.8
18.0

2008
£million
0.4 
17.7 
18.1 
4.4 
0.1 
19.5 
24.0 
5.9 

2008
£million
23.4 
10.9 
1.1 
480.8 
153.9 

0.1 

0.8 
0.2 

0.1 
0.1 
(1.4) 
0.1 

2008
£million
2.7
–
2.7
–
1.1
–
–
–
–
–
3.8
–
3.8

Exceptional restructuring costs include redundancy costs of £13.7 million, impairment to plant and equipment of £1.0 million, loss on disposal of 
surplus plant and equipment of £1.0 million and stock write offs of £0.4 million. 

The Group reports income or expenditure as exceptional when the size, nature or function of an item or aggregation of similar items is such that 
separate presentation is relevant to an understanding of its financial position. 

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58 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GROUP ACCOUNTS 

Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements (continued) 

5 Taxation 

Current tax  
Deferred tax (note 19)  

2009
£million
4.1
(1.7)
2.4

2008
£million
5.9 
(0.2) 
5.7 

UK tax is calculated at 28% (2008: 28.5%) of taxable profit. Overseas tax is calculated at the rates ruling in the relevant countries. Despite the Group 
reporting a loss before taxation a tax charge of £2.4 million (2008: £5.7 million) has arisen due to profits generated in certain overseas countries.  
An overall tax rate of 33

% was reported for 2008. 

The tax charge is explained as follows: 

(Loss)/profit before taxation  
Tax at the UK income tax rate  
Effect of tax rates of non-UK subsidiaries  
Utilisation of losses not previously recognised  
Losses for which no deferred tax asset is recognised  
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes  
Other  

6 Dividends 
No dividends have been paid in the year: 

Final dividend for prior year  
Interim dividend for current year  

The Directors are not recommending the payment of a final dividend for 2009. 

7 (Loss)/earnings per share 

Headline(1)  
Basic  
Diluted  

2009
£million
(17.2)
(4.8)
(0.1)
(1.0)
8.0
0.9
(0.6)
2.4

2009
pence per 
share
–
–
–

2009 
£million 
– 
– 
– 

2008
pence per 
share
6.36 
3.69 
10.05

2008
£million
17.3
4.9 
0.6 
(1.1) 
0.5 
0.8 
– 
5.7 

2008
£million
9.9 
5.7 
15.6 

2009
pence per 
share
(1.3)
(12.6)
(12.6)

2008
pence per 
share
9.2 
7.5 
7.5 

(Loss)/earnings per share has been calculated by dividing the (loss)/profit attributable to shareholders by the weighted average number of shares 
in issue during the year. The numbers used in calculating basic and fully diluted earnings per share are reconciled below: 

(Loss)/profit for the year attributable to shareholders  

2009
£million
(19.6)

2008
£million
11.6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
59 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

7 (Loss)/earnings per share (continued) 
Weighted average number of shares in issue: 

Basic  
Adjustment for share options  
Diluted  

2009
million
155.0
–
155.0

2008
million
155.0 
0.1 
155.1 

(1)  Headline loss per share on continuing operations before exceptional items of 1.3p (2008: earnings of 9.2p) is based on the loss for the year of £19.6 million (2008: profit of £11.6 million) 

adjusted for exceptional items of £18.0 million (2008: £3.8 million) less the associated taxation of £0.4 million (2008: £1.1 million). 

8 Employees  
The average number of full time equivalent employees (including Directors) during the year was: 

By function 
Production  
Sales and distribution  
Administration  

By sector  
– Components 
– Sensors  
– Integrated Manufacturing Services  
– Secure Power   
– General Industrial 
Total continuing operations  

The aggregate emoluments including those of Directors for the year were: 

Wages and salaries  
Employers’ social security charges  
Employers’ pension costs  

Remuneration in respect of the Directors was as follows: 

Emoluments  

2009
number

2008
number

5,369
598
436
6,403

3,027
1,044
1,056
587
689
6,403

2009
£million
115.3
20.2
3.8
139.3

6,455 
645 
492 
7,592

3,326 
1,280 
1,343 
630 
1,013
7,592 

2008
£million
129.1 
21.3 
3.5 
153.9  

2009
£million
1.1

2008
£million
1.7

Further details of individual Directors’ remuneration, pension benefits and share options are shown in the Directors’ remuneration report on  
pages 42 to 46. 

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60 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GROUP ACCOUNTS 

Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements (continued) 

9 Property, plant and equipment 

Cost  
At 1 January 2008 
Additions  
Acquisition of subsidiary 
Disposals  
Exchange translation differences  
At 1 January 2009 
Additions  
Disposals  
Exchange translation differences  
At 31 December 2009 
Accumulated depreciation and impairment  
At 1 January 2008 
Depreciation charge for the year  
Acquisition of subsidiary 
Eliminated on disposals  
Exchange translation differences  
At 1 January 2009  
Depreciation charge for the year  
Impairment 
Eliminated on disposals  
Exchange translation differences  
At 31 December 2009 
Carrying amount 
At 31 December 2009 
At 31 December 2008 

The following rates are used for the depreciation of property, plant and equipment:  

Land and 
buildings 
£million 

Plant and 
equipment
£million

Total 
£million

55.9  
3.4  
2.6  
(3.7) 
10.9  
69.1 
0.5 
(1.9) 
(2.9) 
64.8 

13.7  
1.7  
–  
(2.7) 
2.5  
15.2 
2.1 
– 
(0.2) 
(0.8) 
16.3 

48.5 
53.9  

291.3 
18.5 
2.6 
(8.7) 
60.6 
364.3
8.9
(26.2)
(15.9)
331.1

221.5 
21.7 
1.0 
(8.3) 
44.9 
280.8
22.0
1.0
(23.7)
(11.8)
268.3

347.2 
21.9 
5.2 
(12.4) 
71.5 
433.4
9.4
(28.1)
(18.8)
395.9

235.2 
23.4 
1.0 
(11.0) 
47.4 
296.0
24.1
1.0
(23.9)
(12.6)
284.6

62.8
83.5 

111.3
137.4 

Freehold property  
Leasehold land and buildings   2% (or over the period of the lease if less than 50 years)  
Plant and equipment  

10% to 33%  

2%  

The carrying amount of land and buildings includes £0.3 million (2008: £0.4 million) in respect of assets held under finance leases.  

The impairment of plant and equipment relates to items that are no longer of economic value following the exit from the climate 
control business. 

 
 
 
 
61 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

10 Goodwill 

Cost  
At 1 January 2008 
Acquisition of subsidiaries 
Exchange translation differences  
At 1 January 2009 
Impairment 
Exchange translation differences  
At 31 December 2009 

Goodwill is primarily attributed to the following cash generating units in the sectors shown: 

Bl Technologies – Components 
Optek Technology Inc – Components, after impairment of £3.8 million 
TT electronics integrated manufacturing services, Inc USA – Integrated Manufacturing Services  
TT electronics integrated manufacturing services (Suzhou) Co Ltd – Integrated Manufacturing Services  
New Chapel Electronics Limited – Components 
Semelab Limited – Components 

£million 

52.3
5.7
16.5
74.5
(3.8)
(4.8)
65.9

£million 
28.5
18.0
7.9 
5.1 
3.4 
2.3 

Goodwill has been tested for impairment by assessing the value in use of the relevant cash generating units. The value in use calculations were 
based on projected cash flows for the years 2010 onwards. Cash flows for 2010 are based on the budget for the year, which was finalised in 
December 2009. Cash flows for 2011 and 2012 are based on the financial data derived from the annual strategic review. The strategic review was 
conducted for every subsidiary and reviewed in depth by key management. The results of the strategic review have been endorsed by the Board.  

Cash flows for 2013 and 2014 assume sales growth of 6% per annum and beyond 2014 the assumed sales growth rate is 2%. Using these 
conservative assumptions and discounting future cash flows by 10% per annum which is the estimated weighted average cost of capital for the 
businesses concerned, there was no impairment except for Optek Technology Inc where the impairment was £3.8 million. Sensitivity analyses 
using a range of sales growth projections and discount rates confirmed that Optek’s goodwill was impaired but that the remainder were not 
impaired. The sensitivity analyses for Optek showed a range from no impairment (sales growth of 10% up to 2013 and 3% in perpetuity and a 
discount rate of 10%) to impairment of £7.4 million (based on 6% sales growth up to 2015 and 3% thereafter discounted at 12%). The conclusion 
reached from the value in use assessments and consideration of Optek’s trading history was that the goodwill attributable to Optek Technology 
Inc of £21.8 million was impaired by £3.8 million. 

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62 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GROUP ACCOUNTS 

Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements (continued) 

11 Other intangible assets 

Cost  
At 1 January 2008 
Additions  
Acquisition of subsidiaries 
Retirements  
Exchange translation differences  
At 1 January 2009 
Additions  
Retirements  
Exchange translation differences  
At 31 December 2009 
Amortisation  
At 1 January 2008 
Charge for the year  
Retirements  
Exchange translation differences  
At 1 January 2009 
Charge for the year  
Retirements  
Exchange translation differences  
At 31 December 2009 
Carrying amount  
At 31 December 2009 
At 31 December 2008 

Product 
development 
costs
£million

Patents 
and licences  
£million 

Customer
relationships
£million

Total
£million

27.7
10.3
–
(9.3)
7.3
36.0
6.9
(10.6)
(2.0)
30.3

13.4
10.0
(9.3) 
3.6
17.7
10.8
(10.6)
(1.0)
16.9

13.4
18.3

3.7 
0.6 
0.2 
–  
0.2 
4.7 
–  
–  
(0.1) 
4.6 

1.3 
0.4 
–  
0.1 
1.8 
0.4 
– 
– 
2.2 

2.4 
2.9 

1.1
– 
2.3
– 
0.2
3.6
– 
– 
(0.1)
3.5

0.5
0.5
– 
0.2
1.2
0.6
–
(0.1)
1.7

1.8
2.4

32.5
10.9
2.5
(9.3) 
7.7
44.3
6.9
(10.6)
(2.2)
38.4

15.2
10.9
(9.3) 
3.9
20.7
11.8
(10.6)
(1.1)
20.8

17.6
23.6

Product development costs are amortised over up to three years and are retired when fully written-off. Patents and licences are amortised over 
ten years. The attributed value of customer relationships are amortised over 3-8 years.  

12 Inventories 

Raw materials  
Work in progress  
Finished goods  

2009
£million
37.8
19.5
26.6
83.9

2008
£million
51.9 
24.3 
43.8 
120.0 

Inventories are stated after deduction of a provision for slow moving and obsolete items of £17.9 million (2008: £19.0 million). The carrying 
amount of inventories has reduced by £4.7 million as a result of currency exchange rate movements.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
63 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

13 Other financial assets and prepayments 

Financial assets 

Loans and receivables (including cash and cash equivalents) 
Financial derivatives 

Trade and other receivables  
Trade receivables 
Prepayments  
Other debtors  

The carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates to their fair value. 

Financial derivatives  

Financial derivatives are the market value of forward currency contracts. 

Cash and cash equivalents  

2009 
£million
101.8
0.3
102.1

2008
£million
113.0
–
113.0

2009 
£million

2008
£million

68.3
8.0
8.8
85.1

2009 
£million
0.3

2009 
£million
24.7

98.1 
8.1 
5.3 
111.5 

2008
£million
–

2008
£million
10.1

Cash and cash equivalents comprise bank balances and short-term bank deposits. The carrying amount approximates to fair value.  

Credit risk 
Credit risk arises from the possibility that counterparties may not be able to settle their obligations as they fall due. The credit risk on the cash and 
cash equivalents is negligible because the counterparties are banks with high credit ratings. The carrying amount approximates to fair value.  

Trade receivables are stated net of an allowance for estimated irrecoverable amounts of £2.3 million (2008: £2.8 million) and the carrying amount 
approximates to fair value. The Group is not reliant on any particular customer in the markets in which it operates and there is no significant 
concentration of credit risk.  

An analysis of the age of loans and receivables (excluding cash) that were past due at the year end but for which no impairment provision was 
made is: 

Not more than three months  
More than three months but not more than six months  
More than six months but not more than 1 year  

2009 
£million
11.0
1.1
1.3
13.4

2008
£million
20.7 
1.4 
0.1 
22.2 

The Group has strict procedures in place to manage the credit risk on trade receivables. It ensures credit limits are properly authorised and that 
debts are collected in a timely manner.  

Trade receivables are denominated in the currencies in which the Group trades. The Group’s policy is that receivables and payables not in the 
functional currency of the subsidiary concerned are covered by forward foreign currency exchange contracts. The exchange risk at Group level is 
therefore restricted to the risk on the translation of overseas assets, liabilities and cash flows into sterling.  

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TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GROUP ACCOUNTS 

Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements (continued) 

13 Other financial assets and prepayments (continued) 
Financial assets analysed by currency are: 

Sterling  
US dollar  
Euro  
Other  

14 Share capital 

Authorised  
226,000,000 (2008: 226,000,000) Ordinary shares of 25p each  
Issued and fully paid  
154,952,795 (2008: 154,952,795) Ordinary shares of 25p each  

The Ordinary shares of 25p each are equity share capital. 

2009 
£million
35.8
18.5
30.4
17.4
102.1

2008
£million
35.5 
24.5 
23.3 
29.7 
113.0 

2009 
£million

2008 
£million

56.5

56.5 

38.7

38.7 

Potential issues of Ordinary shares 
The Company has share option schemes, which are closed for future grants, and a Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) for senior executives.  

Details of the share options outstanding during the year are:  

At 1 January  
Granted  
Forfeited  
Exercised  
Expired  
At 31 December  
Exercisable at 31 December  

2009 

Weighted 
average  
Number of 
Exercise 
price (p) 
share options
134.2    5,136,108 
– 
–   
(849,302) 
125.6   
– 
–   
146.4   
(141,387) 
135.3    4,145,419 
546,730 
145.0   

2008

Weighted 
average 
exercise
price (p)
135.0 
– 
111.4 
– 
300.0 
134.2 
145.0 

Number of 
share options
4,145,419
–
(1,036,879)
–
(490,497)
2,618,043
447,419

For share options outstanding at 31 December 2009 the range of exercise prices was 80.0p to 205.5p (2008: 80.0p to 205.5p) and the weighted 
average remaining contractual life was 3.0 years (2008: 3.4 years). Options are equity settled, have a life of ten years (with the exception of certain 
schemes where the options lapse after six years if the performance criteria are not achieved) and vest after three years. Exercise of the options is 
conditional on there being an increase in earnings per share over any consecutive three year period of 2% per annum for options granted prior to 
2001 and 4% per annum for options granted after 2000 above the increase in the Retail Price Index over the same period. 

On 5 May 2009 and 27 October 2009 grants of awards were made under the LTIP for the issue of up to 3,799,835 and 202,667 shares in 2012. 
During the year, 733,953 shares were forfeited and 5,458,293 shares were outstanding as at 31 December 2009 (2008: 2,189,744 shares).  

The award is a contingent right to receive shares in the future, subject to continued employment and the achievement of predetermined 
performance criteria. The performance targets attached to awards granted in 2009 require the achievement of earnings per share (“EPS”) and total 
shareholder return (“TSR”) targets as follows:  
•  The performance target attached to 50% of an award is based on three year EPS targets: 25% of the shares subject to this part of the award will 
vest for EPS growth of 3% compound per annum in excess of Retail Price Index (“RPI”), increasing on a straight-line basis to 100% vesting for EPS 
growth of at least 7% compound per annum in excess of RPI; and  

•  The performance target attached to the other 50% of an award is based on TSR performance targets against companies within the FTSE 

SmallCap (excluding investment trusts) index; 25% of shares subject to this part of the award will vest at median performance increasing on a 
straight-line basis to 100% vesting at the upper quartile of the comparator group. As well as the TSR targets, the Committee will consider the 
Company's underlying financial performance to ensure that vesting percentages under this part of an award are appropriate.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
65 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

14 Share capital (continued) 
The estimated fair values of the LTIP grants on 5 May 2009 and 27 October 2009 are 28.75p and 75.0p per share respectively for those with non 
market conditions and 7.19p and 18.75p per share for those with market conditions respectively. These fair values were calculated using the 
following inputs:  

Share price  
Dividend per annum  
Grant vesting  

5 May 
Market 
Condition 
28.75p 
– 
100% 

5 May 
Non-Market 
Condition 
28.75p 
–  
25% 

27 October
Market 
Condition
75.0p
–
100%

27 October 
Non-Market 
Condition
75.0p
– 
25% 

The Group credited £0.2 million (2008: charge of £0.1 million) to the Consolidated income statement in respect of share-based payments. 
The credit represents the cost allocated to 2009 in respect of the LTIP grants in 2007, 2008 and 2009 offset by credits arising from the 2006 LTIP 
not vesting and attrition to options and LTIPs issued in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2008.  

15 Hedging and translation reserves 

At 1 January 2008  
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations  
Exchange differences on US$124 million borrowings  
Cash flow hedges  
At 1 January 2009 
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations  
Tax on exchange differences 
Exchange differences on US$124 million 
Cash flow hedges  
At 31 December 2009 

borrowings

16 Retained earnings 

At 1 January 2008 
Profit for the year  
Actuarial net loss on defined benefit pension schemes  
Dividends paid  
At 1 January 2009 
Loss for the year 
Actuarial net loss on defined benefit pension schemes (see note 27)
At 31 December 2009 

Hedging 
reserve  
£million 
6.1  
–  
(22.1) 
(2.1) 
(18.1) 
–  
–
4.5 
2.1 
(11.5) 

Translation 
reserve
£million
(7.6) 
61.5  
– 
– 
53.9 
(15.6) 
0.4
– 
– 
38.7

Total
£million
(1.5)
61.5
(22.1)
(2.1)
35.8  
(15.6)
0.4
4.5
2.1
27.2 

£million 
141.8 
11.6 
(3.2)
(15.6)
134.6  
(19.6)
(28.7) 
86.3 

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TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GROUP ACCOUNTS 

Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements (continued) 

17 Borrowings 

Bank overdrafts  
Bank loans  
Finance leases  

The borrowings are repayable as follows: 

In one year or less  
In more than one year but not more than two years  
In more than two years but not more than three years  
In more than three years but not more than four years  
In more than four years but not more than five years  
In more than five years  
In more than one year  

The carrying amounts of the Group's borrowings are denominated in the following currencies:  

Sterling  
US dollar  
 Euro  
Other  

Borrowings of £77.0 million (2008: £96.9 million) are at fixed interest rates for an average period of 0.1 years (2008: 0.4 years).  

The average interest rates at the balance sheet date were:  

Bank overdrafts  
Bank loans  
Finance leases  

The estimated fair value of borrowings is: 

Bank overdrafts  
Bank loans  
Finance leases  

2009
£million
0.2
81.0
0.4
81.6

2009
£million
11.2
70.0
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
70.4

2009
£million
75.6
–
6.0
–

2009
%
5.5
1.1
8.0

2008
£million
22.3 
100.5 
0.5 
123.3 

2008
£million 
51.2 
1.7 
70.0 
0.1 
0.1 
0.2 
72.1 

2008
£million 
22.2 
89.0 
11.7 
0.4 

2008
%
3.1 
4.0 
7.8 

2009 
£million 
0.2
81.0
0.4

2008
£million 
22.3 
100.5 
0.5 

The borrowing facilities available to the Group at 31 December 2009 amounted to £142.1 million (2008: £166.2 million).  

At 31 December 2009, the Group had available £27.8 million (2008: £14.9 million) of undrawn committed borrowing facilities.  

The Group borrowings at 31 December 2009 are funded mainly through bank overdrafts including short-term committed facilities of £38.7 million 
and a committed unsecured £70.0 million multi-currency revolving bank loan facility which expires in April 2011. Under this facility funds can be 
drawn in sterling, US dollars or euros or a combination thereof at fixed rates of interest for periods varying from one month to a year. Interest rates 
are at a fixed margin over the inter-bank borrowing rate at the date the funds are drawn. The £70 million multi-currency bank loan was drawn 
down in US dollars up to 2 June 2009 and in sterling thereafter. The Group’s approach to liquidity risk is described in the Business review. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
67 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

17 Borrowing (continued) 

Hedge of net investment  
The Group had designated $124.0 million of its borrowings as a currency hedge of its US dollar denominated net assets until 2 June 2009. 
This is an effective partial hedge. The net result of translating the US dollar net assets and the $124.0 million of borrowings is dealt with in the 
translation and hedging reserves and reported in the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income, together with the exchange difference 
arising from the translation of the Group's other overseas net assets.  

In 2009 there was a net loss of £10.7 million (2008: net gain of £39.4 million) on translation of overseas assets after accounting for this hedge.  

Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt 

At 1 January 2008 
Cash flow 
Exchange differences 
At 31 December 2008 
Cash flow 
Exchange differences 
At 31 December 2009 

18 Derivative financial instruments 

Forward foreign currency contracts  
Interest rate hedge 

Net cash/ 
overdraft 
£million 
(5.2) 
(6.5) 
(0.5) 
(12.2) 
36.6 
0.1 
24.5 

Loans and 
finance 
leases
£million
(69.8)
(9.0)
(22.2)
(101.0)
14.8
4.8
(81.4)

Net debt
£million
(75.0)
(15.5)
(22.7)
(113.2)
51.4
4.9
(56.9)

2009  
Assets 
£million 
0.3 
– 

2008  
Assets 
£million 
– 
– 

2009 
Liabilities
£million
–
0.5

2008 
Liabilities
£million
2.9
–

The Group uses forward foreign exchange contracts to reduce currency exposure on sales and purchasing transactions for up to a year ahead. 

At 31 December 2009 the Group had an interest rate cap applying to $50.0 million of borrowings at a rate of 4.75% from 4 February 2008 to  
4 February 2010. This cap is designated as a cash flow hedge and marked to market at the year end. At 31 December 2009 and 31 December 2008 
the market value was £nil million.  

At 31 December 2009 the Group had an interest rate swap fixing the interest rate on $50.0 million of borrowings to April 2011. This swap is 
designated as a cash flow hedge and marked to its market value, a liability of £0.5 million at the year end.  

The Group hedged the effect of currency movements against sterling on the translation of 2009 profit earned in US dollars and Chinese yuan, by 
selling forward US dollars and Chinese yuan for sterling at fixed exchange rates. At 31 December 2009 contracts were in place to hedge the 
translation of 2010 profits for $3.6 million and euro 0.6 million. Subsequently contracts for the sale of a further $4.0 million were entered into. 
The contracts were marked to market at 31 December 2009 and were a net liability of less than £0.1 million.  

The Group's financial assets and liabilities are sensitive to movements in currency exchange rates against sterling. Analysis of financial assets and 
liabilities by currency are given in notes 13 and 22, the major overseas currencies being the US dollar and the euro. The effect of any such currency 
movement on the net financial liabilities is reported in equity in the Group accounts. 

US dollar   – effect of 10% strengthening: an increase in equity of £0.3 million  

Euro  

  – effect of 10% strengthening: an increase in equity of £1.2 million  

Whilst the Group had a small net financial asset in US dollars, overall it had a large net asset position when taking into account inventory and non-
current assets. Details of the Group's exposure to risk are given on pages 28 to 29 of the Business review.  

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68 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GROUP ACCOUNTS 

Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements (continued) 

19 Deferred tax 

At 1 January 2008 
Income statement  
Exchange differences  
At 1 January 2009 
Income statement  
Exchange differences  
At 31 December 2009 

Deferred tax assets  
Deferred tax liabilities  

Accelerated 
capital 
allowances
£million
(5.4) 
0.6
(1.6)
(6.4) 
(0.3)
0.5
(6.2)

Deferred 
development 
costs
£million
(4.1)
(0.1)
(1.3)
(5.5)
1.2
0.3
(4.0)

Retirement  
benefit  
obligations 
£million 
4.3  
– 
(0.2) 
4.1  
0.9 
0.2 
5.2 

Other
£million
3.4 
(0.3)
1.5
4.6 
(0.1)
(0.5)
4.0

2009
£million
4.9
(5.9)

Total
£million
(1.8) 
0.2
(1.6)
(3.2) 
1.7
0.5
(1.0)

2008
£million
5.5 
(8.7) 

At 31 December 2009 the Group had unused tax losses of £28.2 million (2008: £14.0 million) for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised. 
None of these tax losses have an expiry date.  

At the balance sheet date the aggregate unrecognised deferred tax liability in respect of undistributed earnings of subsidiaries is £1.4 million 
(2008: £2.1 million).  

20 Obligations under finance leases 

Amounts payable under finance leases:  
One year or less  
Between one and five years  
Over five years  

Minimum lease payments 

Present value of minimum 
lease payments

2009
£million

2008 
£million  

2009
£million

2008
£million

0.1
0.3
0.1

0.1    
0.3    
0.2    

0.1
0.2
0.1

0.1 
0.2 
0.2 

The obligations derive mainly from property leases where the risks and rewards of ownership are considered to be with the Group and which are 
therefore accounted for as finance leases. The average implicit interest rate used to evaluate the obligation is 8% (2008: 8%). The fair value of the 
lease obligation approximates to carrying amount. Total minimum lease payments include £0.1 million (2008: £0.1 million) of future finance costs. 

21 Provisions for liabilities 

At 1 January 2009 
Utilised  
Transfer from/(to) Consolidated income statement  
At 31 December 2009 

Reorganisation 
£million
2.5
(9.6)
13.7
6.6

Environmental  
£million 
0.1
0.1  
– 
–
–
– 
0.1

Legal and
other claims 
£million
3.1 
3.
1
(1.0)
1.0)
0.3
3
0.
2.4

Total 
£million
5.7 
(10.6)
14.0
9.1

The reorganisation provision relates to the restructuring programme described in note 4. The environmental provision is for probable clean up 
costs of ex-production sites. Legal and other claims represent the best estimate for the cost of settling outstanding product and other claims. 

The total provisions are analysed: 

Non-current  
Current  

2009 
£million
0.2
8.9
9.1

2008
£million
0.1 
5.6 
5.7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
69 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

22 Trade and other payables 

Financial liabilities 
Financial derivatives 
Other financial liabilities 

Current liabilities  
Trade payables  
Taxation and social security  
Other payables, accruals and deferred income  

Non-current liabilities  
Accruals and deferred income  

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£million

2008
£million

0.5
143.2
143.7

2.9
190.2
193.1

2009 
£million

2008
£million

50.5
5.6
32.6
88.7

58.7 
4.7 
36.0 
99.4  

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£million

2008
£million

6.7

8.0 

The carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates to their fair value.  

Trade and other payables are denominated in the currencies in which the Group trades. The Group’s policy is that trade receivables and payables 
not in the functional currency of the subsidiary concerned are covered by forward foreign currency exchange contracts. The exchange risk at 
Group level is therefore restricted to the risk on the translation of overseas assets, liabilities and cash flows into sterling.  

Financial liabilities comprising trade and other creditors, bank overdrafts and other borrowings analysed by currency are: 

Sterling  
US dollar  
Euro  
Other  

The maturity analysis of financial liabilities (including estimated interest where appropriate) is as follows: 

0 – 6 months 
6 months – 1 year 
1 – 2 years 
2 – 3 years 
Over 3 years 

2009 
£million
98.4
15.2
18.4
11.7
143.7

2009 
£million
73.4
0.7
70.4
0.1
0.3
144.9

2008
£million
52.2 
100.6 
22.6 
17.7 
193.1

2008
£million
102.2
24.0
4.5
70.7
0.4
201.8

23 Acquisition of subsidiaries  
The Group acquired New Chapel Electronics Limited on 2 April 2008 and assets comprising the majority of the business of Semelab Limited on 
21 August 2008. The Group owns 100% of the equity of the acquired entities. The total consideration for these assets was £14.9 million of which 
£13.9 million was paid in 2008. Deferred consideration capped at £1.0 million was paid in 2009 in respect of New Chapel Electronics Limited.  
The fair value of the assets acquired was £9.2 million. 

24 Contingent liabilities  
The Group has contingent liabilities amounting to £1.5 million (2008: £2.7 million) in respect of performance bonds and guarantees entered into 
in the normal course of business. The Group is the subject of claims which arise in the ordinary course of business. Other than those for which 
provisions have been included within note 21, the Directors consider the likelihood of any other claims giving rise to a liability to be remote.  

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70 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GROUP ACCOUNTS 

Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements (continued) 

25 Capital commitments 

Contractual commitments for the purchase of property, plant and equipment  

26 Operating leases 

Minimum operating lease payments charged to operating profit:  
Fixtures and equipment  
Land and buildings  

The Group has outstanding commitments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows: 

In less than one year  
Between one and five years  
After five years  

2009 
£million
1.8

2008
£million
6.3

2009 
£million

2008
£million

0.3
4.4

0.3 
4.6 

2009 
£million
4.0
9.1
4.0

2008
£million
4.6 
11.0 
4.2 

Lease terms for land and buildings are predominantly for less than ten years with rents fixed for an average of four years. There are no 
contingent rents. 

27 Retirement benefit schemes  

Defined contribution schemes  
The Group operates defined contribution schemes in the United Kingdom and the Rest of the World and 401(k) plans in North America. The assets 
of these schemes are held independently of the Group. The total contributions charged by the Group in respect of defined contribution schemes 
were £2.1 million (2008: £1.6 million).  

Defined benefit schemes  
The Group operated one significant defined benefit pension scheme in the United Kingdom and two overseas. The Company has reached 
agreement with the UK scheme for additional fixed contributions extending to 2016 based on the actuarial deficit at April 2007. These planned 
contributions amount to: 2010 £3.2 million, 2011 £3.5 million then increasing by £0.2 million each year to £4.5 million in 2016. The freeze on 
pensionable salaries in the UK was extended by one year to April 2011 and this generated a curtailment gain of £1.2 million. The Group also 
operates defined benefit schemes in the United States and Japan. The United States defined benefit scheme was closed to further accruals in 
2009 and this gave rise to a curtailment gain of £0.7 million. All these schemes are closed to new members. Actuarial valuations of the schemes 
were carried out by independent qualified actuaries in 2007 and 2009 using the projected unit credit method. These actuarial valuations have 
been updated by the actuaries to assess the assets and liabilities of the schemes at 31 December 2009. Pension scheme assets are stated at 
market value at 31 December 2009. The Group has entered into discussions with affected staff on the proposed closure to future accrual of its 
defined benefit scheme in the UK.  

The principal assumptions used for the purpose of the actuarial valuations were as follows: 

Discount rate  
Inflation rate  
Increases to pensions in payment  
Salary increases to April 2011 (pensionable salaries have been frozen)  
Salary increases thereafter  

2009 
%
5.8
3.4
2.5–3.4
–
3.9

2008
%
6.1 
2.9 
2.2–2.9 
– 
3.4 

A decrease in the discount rate by 0.1 % per annum increases the liabilities by approximately £6.6 million. An increase in the inflation rate of 0.1 % 
per annum increases the liabilities by approximately £5.7 million.  

The expected percentage long-term rates of return on the main asset classes, net of expenses, set by management having regard to actuarial 
advice and relevant indices were:  

Equities  
Bonds  
Gilts and swaps 
Cash 

The mortality tables applied by the actuaries at 31 December 2009 were PA92 MC + two years.  

2010 
7.8 
5.2 
3.8 
0.1 

2009
7.0
5.4
3.0
1.3

2008
7.4
5.9
4.4
4.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
71 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

27 Retirement benefit schemes (continued) 
The amounts recognised on the Consolidated balance sheet are: 

Equities  
Bonds  
Gilts and cash  
Swaps  
Fair value of assets  
Present value of funded obligation  
Net liability recognised on the Consolidated balance sheet  

2009
£million
190.0
36.8
61.6
18.1
306.5
(350.2)
(43.7)

2008
£million
174.7 
25.8 
48.7 
33.9 
283.1 
(301.7) 
(18.6) 

2007 
£million 
182.0  
12.4  
103.8  
–  
298.2  
(315.6) 
(17.4) 

2006 
£million 
187.8  
10.9  
73.4  
–  
272.1  
(344.7) 
(72.6) 

2005
£million
170.5 
2.9 
72.3 
– 
245.7 
(335.9) 
(90.2) 

2004
£million
154.6
4.0
44.9
–
203.5
(274.4)
(70.9)

The schemes’ assets do not include the Group’s financial instruments nor any property occupied by, or other assets used by the Group. Swaps are 
liability driven instruments taken out to hedge part of the scheme inflation and interest rate risks. 

Amounts recognised in the Consolidated income statement are: 

Current service cost  
Curtailment 
Interest on obligation  
Expected return on schemes’ assets  

2009
£million
1.7
(1.9)
17.9
(15.6)

2008
£million
1.9 
(1.2)
19.5 
(17.7) 

Of the current service cost of £1.7 million (2008: £1.9 million), £1.1 million (2008: £1.3 million) is included in cost of sales in the income statement, 
£0.3 million (2008: £0.3 million) is included in distribution costs and £0.3 million (2008: £0.3 million) is included in administrative expenses. 
The actual return on schemes' assets was a gain of £31.4 million (2008: a loss of £7.7 million). Actuarial gains and losses are recognised directly in 
retained earnings and reported in the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income and, since transition to IFRS, amount to a net loss of 
£26.6 million.  

Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligation are: 

Opening defined benefit obligation  
Current service cost  
Interest on obligation  
Scheme participant contributions  
Curtailment  
Change in actuarial estimates and assumptions  
Exchange differences  
Benefits paid  
Closing defined benefit obligation  

Changes in the fair value of the schemes’ assets are: 

Opening fair value of schemes’ assets  
Expected return on schemes’ assets  
Excess/(deficit) of actual over expected returns  
Contributions by employer  
Contributions by employees  
Exchange differences  
Benefits paid  
Closing fair value of schemes’ assets  

2009
£million
301.7
1.7
17.9
1.0
(1.9)
44.5
(0.6)
(14.1)
350.2

2009
£million
283.1
15.6
15.8
5.4
1.0
(0.3)
(14.1)
306.5

2008
£million
315.6 
1.9 
19.5 
1.2 
(1.2) 
(22.2) 
2.2 
(15.3) 
301.7 

2008
£million
298.2 
17.7 
(25.4) 
5.1 
1.2 
1.6 
(15.3) 
283.1 

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72 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

GROUP ACCOUNTS 

Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements (continued) 

27 Retirement benefit schemes (continued) 
The experience adjustments arising on the schemes' assets and liabilities are reported in the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
and expense and are as follows: 

Experience adjustments on schemes’ liabilities  
Experience adjustments on schemes’ assets  

2009
£million
(44.5)
15.8
(28.7)

2008
£million
22.2 
(25.4) 
(3.2)

2007
£million
37.8 
0.5 
38.3

2006 
£million 
(6.2)
9.4
3.2

2005
£million
(47.6) 
21.6 
(26.0)

2004
£million
(19.1)
8.9
(10.2)

The Group expects to contribute approximately £6.0 million to defined benefit schemes in 2010. 

28 Related party transactions 

TT electronics plc  
Subsidiaries  

Purchase of goods and 
services

  Sale of goods and services

Rents paid

Rents received 

Amounts owed to 
related parties

2009  
£000 
– 
– 
– 

2008
£000  
1  
– 
1 

2009  
£000 
1 
– 
1 

2008
£000
9 
– 
9 

2009 
£000
110
–
110

2008
£000
165 
2 
167

2009 
£000
–
–
–

2008 
£000 

5   
–    
5    

2009 
£000
–
–
–

2008
£000
16
–
16

Sales and purchases of goods and services were on normal credit terms at third party prices. Rentals, which included for premises used by 
J W Newman in performing duties as executive Chairman up to 31 August 2009, were calculated on open market bases and paid to agreed terms. 

As part of the demerger from TT electronics plc on 14 May 2001 two loans totalling £8 million were made to Newship Limited (formerly Send 
Group Limited). Subsequently, Newship Limited became a related party on 15 November 2002. One loan of £6.0 million was repaid in 2004 and 
the other of £2.0 million was repaid on 15 May 2008. Interest on the loan amounted to £46,000 for 2008. 

Compensation of key management personnel  
The remuneration of key management during the year was as follows: 

Short-term benefits  
Compensation for loss of office  
Post-employment benefits  
Share-based payments  

2009
£million
2.3
0.1
0.2
–
2.6

2008
£million
2.5 
0.4 
0.2 
0.1 
3.2 

Key management personnel comprise the Directors, Company Secretary, Divisional Chief Executives and Divisional Directors. Their compensation 
is considered and recommended to the Board by the Remuneration Committee.  

29 Post balance sheet event  
On 17 February 2010, the Group announced the disposal of its wholly-owned South African subsidiary Wire Systems Technology (Pty) Ltd (WST). 
The sale will complete following approval from the South African authorities. The consideration payable on completion is Rand 60 million, plus 
cash on completion, adjusted by the difference between the net assets on completion and Rand 77.8 million. 

WST is part of the Group’s General Industrial division. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
73 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

COMPANY ACCOUNTS 

Report of the Independent Auditors to the members 
of TT electronics plc 

Independent auditor’s report to the members of TT electronics plc 
We have audited the parent company financial statements of TT electronics plc for the year ended 31 December 2009 which comprise the parent 
company balance sheet, and the related notes. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and 
United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

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

Respective responsibilities of Directors and auditors 
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement set out on page 36, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of the 
parent company financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit the parent company 
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 (APB’s) Ethical Standards for Auditors. 

Scope of the audit of the financial statements 
A description of the scope of an audit of financial statements is provided on the APB’s website at www.frc.org.uk/apb/scope/UKP.  

Opinion on financial statements 
In our opinion the parent company financial statements: 
•  give a true and fair view of the state of the Company’s affairs as at 31 December 2009 
•  have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and 
•  have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. 

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 
In our opinion: 
•  the part of the Directors’ remuneration report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006; and 
•  the information given in the Directors’ report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the parent 

company financial statements. 

Matters on which we are required to report by exception 
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion: 
•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from 

branches not visited by us; or 

•  the parent company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ remuneration report to be audited are not in agreement with the 

accounting records and returns; or 

•  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or 
•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 

Other matters 
We have reported separately on the Group financial statements of TT electronics plc for the year ended 31 December 2009.  

David Miller 
Senior Statutory Auditor  
for and on behalf of Grant Thornton UK LLP  
Statutory Auditor, Chartered Accountants  
London 

12 March 2010 

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74 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

COMPANY ACCOUNTS 

Company balance sheet 

at 31 December 2009 

Fixed assets  
Tangible assets  
Investments  

Current assets  
Debtors  
Cash at bank and in hand  

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year  
Net current assets  
Total assets less current liabilities  
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year  
Total net assets  
Capital and reserves  
Share capital  
Share premium  
Profit and loss account  
Shareholders’ funds  

Approved by the Directors on 12 March 2010 and signed on their behalf by: 

G Anderson 
Director 

 S D Dasani 
 Director 

Note 

2009
£million

2008
£million

1 
2 

3 

4 

4 

6 
8 
8 

2.3
132.3
134.6

119.0
0.1
119.1
(7.7)
111.4
246.0
(70.0)
176.0

38.7
0.2
137.1
176.0

2.3 
132.3 
134.6 

122.0 
– 
122.0 
(20.6) 
101.4 
236.0 
(70.0) 
166.0 

38.7 
0.2 
127.1 
166.0 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
75 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

COMPANY ACCOUNTS 

Accounting policies for the Company 
financial statements 

The financial statements of TT electronics plc (the Company) have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the 
revaluation of financial assets and derivatives held at fair value in accordance with applicable United Kingdom accounting standards.  

The principal accounting policies of the Company are:  

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation  
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less a provision for depreciation. Depreciation is calculated so as to write-off the cost less estimated residual 
value of tangible fixed assets, in equal instalments over their expected useful lives. No depreciation is provided on freehold land. The depreciation 
rates for the major categories of asset are given in note 1. The carrying values of fixed assets are reviewed for impairment when there is an 
indication that the assets may be impaired.  

Investments  
Investments in subsidiaries are carried at cost less amounts written-off.  

Deferred taxation  
Deferred taxation is the taxation attributable to timing differences between the results computed for taxation purposes and results as stated in 
the financial statements. It is recognised on all timing differences where the transaction or event which gives the Company an obligation to pay 
more tax, or the right to pay less tax in the future, has occurred by the balance sheet date. Deferred tax assets are recognised when it is more likely 
than not that they will be recovered. Deferred tax is measured using the rates of tax enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.  

Pension costs  
The Company is a member of a multi-employer defined benefit scheme. The Company cannot identify its share of the scheme assets and 
liabilities. Pension costs are therefore accounted for under the rules for defined contribution schemes and represent the contributions payable in 
respect of the period.  

Foreign currencies  
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. 

Share-based payments  
The fair value at the date of grant of share-based remuneration is calculated using appropriate pricing models and charged to the profit and loss 
account on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award. The charge to the profit and loss account takes account of the estimated 
number of shares that will vest. All share-based remuneration is equity settled.  

Leases  
Payments on operating leases are charged to the profit and loss account on a straight-line basis over the lease term.  

Financial instruments  
Derivative financial instruments used to manage exposure to interest rate risk and to changes in currency exchange rates are measured at fair 
value. All changes in fair value are recognised in the profit and loss account.  

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76 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

COMPANY ACCOUNTS 

Notes to the Company 
financial statements 

1 Tangible fixed assets 

Cost at 31 December 2009 and 1 January 2009  
Depreciation at 1 January 2009  
Charge for the year  
Depreciation at 31 December 2009  
Net book amounts  
At 31 December 2009  
At 31 December 2008  

Freehold land and buildings includes a carrying value for freehold land of £0.6 million (2008: £0.6 million). 

No depreciation is provided on freehold land. Depreciation is provided on other assets at the following rates: 

Freehold buildings 

2% 

Plant, equipment and vehicles  10% to 33% 

2 Fixed asset investments  

At 1 January 2009 
Provision  
At 31 December 2009 

Freehold 
land  
and 
buildings  
£million 
2.9 
0.7 
– 
0.7 

Plant, 
equipment
and vehicles 
£million 
0.7
0.6
–
0.6

Total 
£million
3.6
1.3
–
1.3

2.2 
2.2  

0.1
0.1 

2.3
2.3 

Subsidiary 
undertakings
£million
132.3
–
132.3

The Company's principal operating subsidiary undertakings and the location of their principal operations are shown in note 14.  

The Company owns 100% of the ordinary share capital or equivalent and 100% of voting rights of all subsidiary undertakings other than Thuthuka 
Conductors and Insulations (Pty) Ltd which is 74% owned, Padmini TT Electronics Private Limited which is 51% owned and Rodco Limited, which 
is non-trading and is 60% owned. Shareholdings are held indirectly for all principal operating subsidiary undertakings.  

3 Debtors 

Amounts falling due within one year  
Trade debtors  
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings  
Prepayments and accrued income  
Corporation tax  

2009
£million

2008
£million

0.1
115.1
0.5
3.3
119.0

0.1
116.7 
0.6 
4.6 
122.0 

 
 
 
 
77 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

4 Creditors 

Amounts falling due within one year  
Short-term borrowings (note 5)  
Trade creditors  
Financial derivatives 
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings  
Taxation and social security  
Accruals and deferred income  

Amounts falling due after more than one year  
Bank loans (note 5)  

2009
£million

2008
£million

0.2
0.6
0.5
3.1
0.4
2.9
7.7

14.4
0.8 
–
2.3 
0.5 
2.6 
20.6

70.0

70.0 

5 Borrowings and financial derivatives  
The Company's principal borrowing is under a committed unsecured multi-currency loan facility which expires in April 2011. Under this facility 
funds can be drawn in either sterling, US dollars or euros or a combination thereof at fixed rates of interest for periods varying from one month to 
one year. Interest rates are at a fixed margin over the appropriate inter-bank borrowing rate at the date the funds are drawn. In November 2007 
the Company purchased an interest rate cap of 4.75% on $50.0 million of borrowings for the period 4 February 2008 to 4 February 2010. The fair 
value of this cap at 31 December 2009 was £nil million (2008: £nil million). 

The carrying amounts of the Company's borrowings are denominated in the following currencies:  

Sterling  
US dollars  

The borrowings are repayable as follows: 

On demand or within one year  
In the second year  
In the third year  

2009
£million
70.2
–
70.2

2009
£million
0.2
70.0
–
70.2

2008
£million
– 
84.4 
84.4 

2008
£million
14.4 
– 
70.0 
84.4 

The fair value of borrowings is the same as their carrying value. At 31 December 2009, the Company had committed undrawn borrowing facilities 
available of £nil million (2008: £nil million). There are other substantial committed and uncommitted borrowing facilities available to the Group.  

Financial derivatives 

Current liabilities 
Interest rate swap 

2009
£million

2008
£million

0.5

–

At 31 December 2009 the Group had an interest rate swap fixing the interest rate on $50 m
liability of £0.5 million. 

illion

 of borrowings to April 2011. The fair value was a 

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78 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

COMPANY ACCOUNTS 

Notes to the Company  
financial statements (continued) 

6 Share capital 

Authorised  
226,000,000 (2008: 226,000,000) Ordinary shares of 25p each  
Issued called up and fully paid  
154,952,795 (2008: 154,952,795) Ordinary shares of 25p each  

Ordinary shares of 25p each are equity share capital. 

2009
£million

2008
£million

56.5

56.5 

38.7

38.7 

Share option schemes  
At 31 December 2009 options were exercisable over 2,618,043 (2008: 4,145,419) Ordinary shares under the Group share option schemes up to 
2015. Subscription prices range from 80.0p to 205.5p with a weighted average of 135.3p. Subsequent to 31 December 2009 no options have been 
exercised. Following the approval of the Long Term Incentive Plan 2005 at the Extraordinary General Meeting held on 20 October 2006, all existing 
share option schemes were closed for future grants.  

1994 Executive scheme  
This scheme for senior executives was approved at the Annual General Meeting on 24 May 1994. The options outstanding at the date of this 
report are over 655,432 Ordinary shares and such options are:  

Exercisable  
on or after 
28.03.2003  
18.04.2004  
03.04.2005  
26.03.2006  

Options
122,556 
122,395 
171,981 
248,500 

Subscription 
price (p)
91.5 
163.0 
165.0 
80.0 

1996 Executive scheme 
This scheme for senior executives was approved at the Annual General Meeting on 14 May 1996. The options outstanding at the date of this 
report are over 1,154,355 Ordinary shares and such options are:  

Exercisable  
on or after 
28.03.2003  
18.04.2004  
23.05.2004  
03.04.2005  
26.03.2006  

Options
106,338 
69,240 
248,192 
189,605 
540,930 

Subscription 
price (p)
91.5 
163.0 
166.0 
165.0 
80.0 

Options issued under the 1994 and 1996 Executive Share Option Schemes may not generally be exercised for a period of three years from the 
date of grant and are conditional on there being an increase in earnings per share over any consecutive three year period between the date of 
grant and the date of exercise of 2% per annum for options granted prior to 2001 and 4% for options granted after 2000 above the increase in the 
All Items Index of Retail Prices over the same period. For this purpose earnings per share on any relevant date is that derived from the audited 
financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries last published prior to such date.  

2004 Approved Plan  
This scheme for senior executives was approved at the Annual General Meeting on 19 May 2004. The options outstanding at the date of this 
report are over 202,413 Ordinary shares and such options are: 

Exercisable  
on or after 
25.05.2007  
07.04.2008  

Options
113,884 
88,529 

Subscription 
price (p)
145.0 
205.5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
79 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

6 Share capital (continued) 

2004 Unapproved Plan 
This scheme for senior executives was approved at the Annual General Meeting on 19 May 2004. The options outstanding at the date of this 
report are over 605,843 Ordinary shares and such options are: 

Exercisable  
on or after 
25.05.2007 
17.04.2008 

Options
333,535
272,308

Subscription 
price (p)
145.0
205.5

Options issued under the 2004 Approved and Unapproved Company Share Option Plans may not generally be exercised for a period of three 
years from the date of grant and are conditional on there being growth in the Group's earnings per share exceeding the Retail Price Index by an 
average of 4% per annum over a period of three consecutive years prior to exercise. Any year in which earnings per share is negative cannot be 
included. For this purpose the earnings per share on any relevant date is that derived from the audited financial statements of the Company and 
its subsidiaries last published prior to such date.  

Long Term Incentive Plan 2005  
This scheme for senior executives was approved at the Extraordinary General Meeting held on 20 October 2006. On 5 May 2009 and 27 October 
2009 grants of awards were made under the Long Term Incentive Plan 2005 for the issue of up to 3,799,835 and 202,667 shares in 2012. 

The awards outstanding at the date of this report are over 5,458,293 Ordinary shares and such awards potentially vest on the following dates: 

Normal 
vesting 
date
16.01.2010
31.05.2010
24.04.2011
28.08.2011
05.05.2012
27.10.2012

Shares 
301,283
358,066
535,512
556,097
3,504,668
202,667

The award is a contingent right to receive shares in the future, subject to continued employment and the achievement of predetermined 
performance criteria.  

The performance targets attached to awards granted in 2007 and 2008 are that the Group's earnings per share, measured over a three year 
period, must grow by at least 3% compound per annum in excess of the Retail Price Index. At this level only 25% of an award will vest. For an 
award to vest in full, the Group's earnings per share measured over the same period must have grown by at least 7% compound per annum in 
excess of the Retail Price Index. For earnings per share between these thresholds, the number of shares vesting will be calculated on a 
proportional basis. Any part of an award that does not vest after three years where the performance criterion is not reached will lapse.  

The performance targets attached to awards granted in 2009 require the achievement of earnings per share (‘EPS’) and total shareholder return 
('TSR') targets as follows:  
•  The performance target attached to 50% of an award is based on three year EPS targets: 25% of the shares subject to this part of the award will 
vest for EPS growth of 3% compound per annum in excess of Retail Price Index (“RPI”), increasing on a straight-line basis to 100% vesting for EPS 
growth of at least 7% compound per annum in excess of RPI; and  

•  The performance target attached to the other 50% of an award is based on TSR performance targets against companies within the FTSE 

SmallCap (excluding investment trusts) index; 25% of shares subject to this part of the award will vest at median performance increasing on a 
straight-line basis to 100% vesting at the upper quartile of the comparator group. As well as the TSR targets, the Remuneration Committee will 
consider the Company's underlying financial performance to ensure that vesting percentages under this part of an award are appropriate.  

7 Share-based payments  
Details of the share options issued and Long Term Incentive Plan are given in note 6. The bases of calculation of the share-based payments are 
given in the consolidated financial statements, note 14.  

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80 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

COMPANY ACCOUNTS 

Notes to the Company  
financial statements (continued) 

8 Reserves 

At 1 January 2009 
Share-based payment  
Profit for the year  
At 31 December 2009  

Share 
premium
£million
0.2 
–
–
0.2

Profit and 
loss account
£million
127.1 
(0.2)
10.2
137.1

In accordance with the exemption allowed by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company has not presented its own profit and 
loss account.  

9 Guarantees and financial commitments  
Financial commitments relating to bank loans are set out in note 5. The Company has guaranteed bank borrowings of a subsidiary up to 
£10 million. The amount outstanding at 31 December 2009 was £5.0 million. 

10 Obligations under operating leases 
The operating lease payments due within one year to which the Company was committed at 31 December 2009 were: 

On leases expiring:  
Within one year  
Between two and five years  

11 Pension schemes  

Land and 
buildings
£million

Other
£million

2009 
Total
£million

Land and  
buildings 
£million 

Other
£million

2008 
Total
£million

0.1
0.4
0.5

–
0.1
0.1

0.1
0.5
0.6

0.3  
0.5  
0.8  

– 
0.1 
0.1 

0.3 
0.6 
0.9

Defined benefit scheme:  
The Company is a member of a multi-employer defined benefit scheme which is closed to new entrants. The Company is unable to identify its 
share of the underlying assets and liabilities of the scheme. Accordingly the Company has applied the exemption in FRS 17 and accounted for  
the scheme as if it were a defined contribution scheme. The total contributions charged by the Company in respect of the year ended  
31 December 2009 were £2.2 million (2008: £2.5 million). The most recent triennial valuation of the scheme has been updated by an independent 
qualified actuary, taking account of the requirements of FRS 17 to assess the liabilities of the scheme at 31 December 2009. The market value of 
the scheme's assets at the year end was £299.5 million and the present value of the scheme's liabilities was £339.7 million.  

Further details and an analysis of the Group’s pension schemes are given in note 27 to the consolidated financial statements.  

Defined contribution scheme:  
The Company operates a group personal pension plan for employees and pays contributions to administered pension insurance plans.  
The Company has no further payment obligation once the contributions have been paid. Payments to the defined contribution scheme are 
charged as an expense as they fall due. The total contributions charged by the Company in respect of the year ended 31 December 2009 were 
£151,000 (2008: £84,000).  

 
 
 
 
81 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

12 Employees 
The average number of employees (including Directors) during the year was: 

By function 
Administration  

The aggregate emoluments (including those of Directors) for the year were:  

Wages and salaries  
Employer’s social security charges  
Employer’s pension contributions  

Remuneration in respect of the Directors was as follows:  

Emoluments  

2009
number

2008
number

41

46

2009
£million
4.3
0.5
2.3
7.1

2009
£million
1.1

2008
£million
4.4 
0.6 
2.5 
7.5 

2008
£million
1.7 

Further details of individual Directors’ remuneration, pension benefits and share options are shown in the Directors' remuneration report on pages 
42 to 46.  

13 Related party transactions 
Related party transactions of the Company are reported in note 28 to the consolidated financial statements. 

14 Principal operating subsidiaries  
The principal operating subsidiaries are:  

Components  
International Resistive Company, Inc, USA 
BI Technologies, USA, UK, Mexico, Malaysia 
Optek Technology, USA, Mexico 
Semelab Limited 
AB Mikroelektronik GmbH, Austria  
Welwyn Components Limited  
AB Connectors Limited  
AB Interconnect, Inc, USA  
New Chapel Electronics Limited 

Sensors 
AB Elektronik GmbH, Germany  
AB Elektronik Sachsen GmbH, Germany  
AB Electronic Limited  
Padmini TT electronics Private Limited, India (51% owned) 

Integrated Manufacturing Services  
TT electronics integrated manufacturing services Limited  
TT electronics integrated manufacturing systems Limited  
TT electronics integrated manufacturing services (Suzhou) Co Ltd, China  
TT electronics integrated manufacturing services, Inc, USA  
BI Technologies, Malaysia  

Secure Power 
Ottomotores SA de CV, Mexico  
Dale Power Solutions plc  

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Annual Report 2009 

COMPANY ACCOUNTS 

Notes to the Company  
financial statements (continued) 

1  Principal operating subsidiaries (continued) 

4

General Industrial 
AEI Compounds Limited  
WT Henley Limited  
ABtest Limited  
BAS Components Limited  
MMG Magdev Limited  
Wire Systems Technology (Pty) Ltd, South Africa  
MMG India (Private) Limited, India 

Companies are located and incorporated in the UK except where indicated.  

 
83 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

Historical record 

Accounting year  
Revenue  
Operating profit  
Profit before taxation  
Earnings  
Earnings per Ordinary share  
Ordinary dividend  
Ordinary dividend per share  
Average Ordinary shares in issue  
Net debt  
Shareholders’ funds  

Notes  

(£million) 
(£million) 
(£million) 
(£million) 
(p) 
(£million) 
(p) 
(million) 
(£million) 
(£million) 

2009 
499.6
6.5
0.8
(2.0)
(1.3)
–
–
155.0
56.9
155.8

2008 
584.3  
27.0  
21.1  
14.3  
9.2  
5.7  
3.69  
155.0  
113.2  
212.9  

2007 
544.9  
37.7  
33.3  
24.0  
15.5  
15.6  
10.05  
154.9  
75.0  
182.3  

2006
539.4 
36.2 
31.2 
21.8 
14.1 
15.6 
10.05 
154.8 
71.0 
157.0 

2005
503.8 
29.9 
24.5 
16.4 
10.6 
15.6 
10.05 
154.8 
47.1 
151.7 

(1)  Results have been adjusted where appropriate to exclude discontinued operations. 

(2)  Operating profit, profit before taxation, earnings and earnings per share are stated as being before impairment provisions, goodwill amortisation and exceptional items where 

appropriate for the applicable accounting standards ruling at that time.  

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84 

TT electronics plc 
Annual Report 2009 

Shareholder information 

Annual General Meeting  
The Annual General Meeting will be held on 12 May 2010 at 11.30 am at the offices of KBC Peel Hunt Ltd, 111 Old Broad Street, London EC2N 1PH. 

Results  
Announcement of 2010 half year results – late August 2010.  

Preliminary announcement of 2010 results – late March 2011.  

Annual report 2010 – to be posted mid April 2011.  

Dividends  
For the year ending 31 December 2009, the Board has not recommended a final dividend (2008: nil). No interim dividend was paid during the year 
(2008: 3.69p).  

Multiple accounts on the shareholder register  
If you have received two or more copies of this document, this means that there is more than one account in your name on the shareholder 
register. This may be caused by either your name or address appearing on each account in a slightly different way. For security reasons, the 
Registrars will not amalgamate the accounts without your written consent, so if you would like any multiple accounts combined into one 
account, please write to Equiniti Limited at the address given below.  

Share dealing services  
Shareview Dealing is a telephone and internet service provided by Equiniti and provides a simple and convenient way of buying and selling  
TT electronics plc shares.  

Log on to www.shareview.co.uk/dealing or call 0845 603 7037 between 8.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, for more information about this 
service and for details of the rates and charges.  

A weekly postal dealing service is also available and a form together with terms and conditions can be obtained by calling 0871 384 2248*. 
Commission is 1 per cent with a minimum of £10.  

ShareGift  
ShareGift is a charity share donation scheme for shareholders, administered by The Orr Mackintosh Foundation. lt is especially for those who may 
wish to dispose of a small parcel of shares whose value makes it uneconomical to sell on a commission basis. Further information can be obtained 
at www.sharegift.org or from Equiniti.  

Shareholder enquiries  
Equiniti maintain the register of members of the Company. If you have any queries concerning your shareholding, or if any of your details change, 
please contact the Registrars:  

Equiniti Limited  
Aspect House  
Spencer Road  
Lancing  
West Sussex  
BN99 6DA  

Telephone 0871 384 2396*  

Fax 0871 384 2100*  

Textphone for shareholders with hearing difficulties 0871 384 2255*  

Equiniti also offer a range of shareholder information on-line at www.shareview.co.uk.  

* Calls to this number are charged at 8p per minute from a BT landline. 

Other telephony provider costs may vary.

Website  
Information on the Group’s financial performance, activities and share price is available at www.ttelectronics.com.  

 
OVERVIEW

Who we are

TT electronics is a focused, 
global electronics group 
supplying leading 
manufacturers in the 
defence, aerospace, medical, 
automotive and industrial 
electronics markets.

Our development of new 
technologies is based 
on understanding our 
customers’ needs and 
providing innovative 
solutions to meet them.

Designed and produced by Radley Yeldar (www.ry.com) using the paperless proofi ng system Wizardry. 

TT electronics plc are committed to caring for the environment and looking for sustainable ways to minimise our impact on it.

We take care to minimise the impact on the environment in the paper we use. The paper we have chosen: 

• contains material sourced from responsibly managed forests, certifi ed in accordance with the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)

• is manufactured under strict environmental management systems, the international ISO 14001 standard, EMAS (Eco-Management & Audit Scheme) and the IPPC 
(Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) regulation.

FSC – Forest Stewardship Council. This ensures there is an audited chain of custody from the 
tree in the well-managed forest through to the fi nished document in the printing factory.

 ISO 14001 – A pattern of control for an environmental management system against which 
an organisation can be credited by a third party.

l

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TT electronics plc Annual Report 2009

Positioned for 
sustainable 
growth 

TT electronics plc

Clive House
12 – 18 Queens Road
Weybridge
Surrey KT13 9XB

Reg No 87249

Tel   +44(0) 1932 841310
Fax  +44(0) 1932 836450