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Zytronic plc

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FY2015 Annual Report · Zytronic plc
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Zytronic plc
Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

The world at your fingertips

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Financial

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategic report

Overview

Zytronic is a leading global manufacturer 
of touch-based products for public 
access and industrial applications.

Over 15 years we have developed our patented PCT™ and MPCT™ sensing 
technologies into a family of product offerings. Operating through a network 
of channel partners across the globe, our integrated technologies are being 
used at leisure, on the street and in the workplace.

Unlike the majority of other touch technologies, the active component of 
Zytronic’s technology is embedded behind the glass front for protection, 
providing a true safety laminated, pure-glass fronted construction.

Point of sale

Gaming

Touch tables

Industrial

Financial

Digital signage

In the workplace

On the street

At leisure

Highlights

C  Group revenue increased by 13% to £21.3m (2014: £18.9m)

C  Touch revenue accounted for 81% (2014: 79%) of Group revenue

C  Touch sensor units sold increased to 149,000 units (2014: 139,000 units)

C  Gross profit margin increased to 41.9% from 36.6% in 2014

C  Profit before tax increased by 39% to £4.5m (2014: £3.3m)

C  Basic earnings per share of 24.7p (2014: 19.6p) with diluted earnings 

per share of 24.3p (2014: 19.5p)

C  Net cash generated from operating activities of £4.9m (2014: £4.2m)

C  Net cash balances increased by £2.0m to £9.8m

C  Total dividend for the year increased by 20% to 12.0p (2014: 10.0p)

Group revenue 

Gross profit margin 

Profit before tax (“PBT”) 

£21.3m
+13%

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41.9%
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£4.5m
+39%

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Earnings per share 

Dividends 

24.7p
+26%

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Cash generated  
from operating activities

£4.9m
+17%

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Strategic report
IFC Overview
01  Highlights
02  A a glance 
04  Chairman’s statement
05  Our competitive advantages
06   Our strategy and key 

performance indicators 
(“KPIs”)

08  Risk management
09  Operational review
15  Financial review

Corporate governance
17  Board of Directors
18  Corporate governance
20  Directors’ report
22  Remuneration report

Financial statements
Group accounts
25  Independent auditors’ report
26   Consolidated statement 

of comprehensive income

27   Consolidated statement 
of changes in equity

28  Consolidated balance sheet
29   Consolidated cashflow 

statement

30   Notes to the consolidated 
financial statements 
50  Five-year summaries

Parent Company accounts
 52   Statement of Directors’ 

responsibilities

53  Parent Company balance sheet
54   Notes to the Parent Company 

financial statements

58   Notice of Annual 
General Meeting
60  Corporate information

www.zytronic.co.uk
In-depth view of our technology 
and applications

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

01

Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportAt a glance
A world of touch

Our integrated touchscreen technologies are being used daily across the globe 
in a variety of applications for leisure, on the street and in the workplace.

We continue to see increased market penetration and growth in our largest market 
sectors, and are exploiting the potential for our newer multi-touch and larger format 
touchscreens in other niche markets which require rugged, toughened glass solutions.

Point of sale
Point of sale
Customer name: The Coca-Cola® Company
Location: USA
Industry: Food and beverage
Application: Quick service restaurants

Leisure
Gaming
Customer name: Shuffle Master
Location: USA
Industry: Gaming
Application: Table game for casinos

Touch tables
Touch Tables
Customer name: HUMElab
Location: France
Industry: Leisure
Application: Touch table

Market updates
Americas
The Americas exhibited revenue growth 
of 10% in 2015. The year benefited from 
a substantial increase in units required 
for the Coca-Cola® Freestyle™ project.

UK
The UK market grew by 7% in 2015, 
due to demand for large format MPCT™ 
sensors for tables.

EMEA
The EMEA region remains Zytronic’s 
largest exporting region accounting 
for 45% of total exports.

02

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Strategic reportIndustrial
Industrial
Customer name: K2 Medical
Location: UK
Industry: Medical
Application: Foetal heart monitoring system

Financial
Financial
Customer name: Scheidt and Bachmann
Location: Worldwide/South Korea
Industry: Retail
Application: Self-service fuel dispensing

Digital signage
Digital Signage
Customer name: Abuzz Technologies
Location: Australia
Industry: Retail
Application: Shopping mall way-finder

APAC
The APAC region exhibited 49% export 
growth in 2015, due in the main to growth 
in the supply of product to the gaming 
market through South Korea.

Revenue

The analysis of segment revenue 
by geographical area based on the 
location of customers is given below.

Americas £4.7m
UK £1.6m
EMEA £8.9m
APAC £6.1m

22+

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

03

Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic report8
+
42
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G
Chairman’s statement
Continued growth

We have seen an increase in demand for our proprietary 
touchscreen products and a continuing improvement 
in revenues, margins and profits.

Summary
 C Profit after tax increased by 

27% to £3.8m (2014: £3.0m)

 C EPS increased by 26% to 24.7p 

(2014: 19.6p)

 C Total dividend for year increased 
by 20% to 12.0p (2014: 10.0p)

 C Touch revenue accounts for 81% 
of Group revenue (2014: 79%)

 C Gross profit margin increased 

to 41.9% from 36.6%

 C Net cash generated from operating 
activities of £4.9m (2014: £4.2m)

 C Net cash balances increased 

by £2.0m to £9.8m

We are pleased to announce a significantly 
improved set of results for the year ended 
30 September 2015 with performance benefiting 
from both volume and revenue growth in the 
supply of our touch sensor products.

Results
Revenues for the year ended 30 September 2015 
increased by 13% to £21.3m (2014: £18.9m); 
profit before tax increased by 39% to £4.5m 
(2014: £3.3m); and basic earnings per share 
increased by 26% to 24.7p (2014: 19.6p).

The significant improvement in performance this 
year has principally arisen from a 16% revenue 
growth in our proprietary touch sensor products 
to £17.3m (2014: £14.9m), which accounted for 
81% (2014: 79%) of sales and was one of the 
main contributors to the improvement in gross 
profit margin from 36.6% to 41.9%. 

As Mark Cambridge, our CEO, describes in his 
comprehensive Operational review, volumes of 
our touch sensors supplied in the year grew by 7%, 
notwithstanding the end of life effects in the first 
quarter of the year of projects in the telematics 
and fuel vend markets. In ultra large sensors 

“ Revenues for the year ended 
30 September 2015 increased 
by 13% to £21.3m.”

greater than 30 inches, a key performance and 
growth target area for Zytronic, we experienced 
an approximate 50% increase in volume over the 
prior year, reflecting the benefit of work done 
in the further commercialisation of our patented 
mutual capacitive products and curved sensor 
solutions. Sales across our key growth sectors of 
financials, vending and gaming, where the unique 
capabilities and durability of our products 
is a prerequisite, all showed growth. 

The Group continues to convert a high proportion 
of its profits into cash with cash generation 
from operating activities for the year ended 
30 September 2015 being £4.9m (2014: £4.2m). 
We have continued our policy of further research 
and development, and capital equipment 
investments, with investment activities for the year 
totalling £1.3m (2014: £0.5m). Cash generation 
continues to support our progressive dividend 
policy with dividends paid during the year 
of £1.6m (2014: £1.4m).

Dividend
The Directors propose a final dividend of 8.87p 
(2014: 7.16p) payable on 11 March 2016 to 
shareholders on the Register on 26 February 2016, 
which increases the total dividend for the year 
by 20% to 12.01p (2014: 10.01p) at a total cost 
for the year to 30 September 2015 of £1.8m.

Outlook
The year has started positively with maintained 
momentum and a continued drive to develop 
product functionality and expand the global sales 
footprint. We continue the focus on increasing 
shareholder value and shall update shareholders 
on progress and material developments during 
the course of the coming year.

Tudor Davies BSc
Chairman
7 December 2015

04

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Strategic reportOur competitive advantages

The Group’s competitive advantages are based upon both the patented 
technology relating to the operation of the touch sensors and the lamination 
techniques and processes, built up over more than 40 years of operations, 
which are a feature of all the Group’s products.

These advantages allow the Group to produce 
products that have optical clarity and ruggedness 
and can be customised to include individual 
features for customers, including privacy filters, 
curved touch sensor display products and 
anti-reflective and anti-glare properties. In the 
case of touch sensors, these advantages also 
result in the significant ability for them to be used 
by bare fingers and gloved hands and result 
in their not experiencing positional drift and 
therefore not requiring periodic re-calibration.

The growth of the Group and its future prospects 
come from the exploitation of this touch sensor 
technology. Our focus on the development of 
this patented technology has resulted in both 
the continual improvement to the operation 
and functionality of the touch sensors and the 
expansion of the range of different glass-based 
products available.

Channel partner agreements

38

Representation

70 countries

Creating added value – our capabilities

Profiling
Our long experience in machining glass using 
in-house CNC controlled equipment enables us 
to provide our clients with bespoke touchscreen 
designs quickly, from ground and polished 
edges, to slots for credit card accepters.

Optical clarity
Zytronic’s proprietary projected capacitive 
touchscreen technology does not rely upon 
surface coatings to function, meaning it has 
inherently high light transmission, maximising 
the performance of high brightness displays.

Printing
In recent years we have invested in state of the 
art multi-colour silk-screen printing technology 
and are able to offer system designers with 
customised touchscreens that make their 
concepts a reality.

Multi-touch
Our newest MPCT™ products are capable of 
detecting up to 40 independent touch points, 
all with millisecond response times, in thick, 
toughened and ultra large glass formats. This 
unrivalled capability means that users can 
experience a tablet-like touch performance, 
in ruggedised self-service systems. 

Work outside
Our PCT™ touchscreens are proven in some of 
the most demanding and extreme environments, 
working reliably in applications ranging from 
control panels on North Sea oil rigs to external 
ATM screens in Arizona, reducing total cost of 
ownership and increasing end user satisfaction.

Large format
Our flexible manufacturing process enables an 
almost limitless range of sizes to be produced, 
currently up to 85 inches, allowing our 
touchscreens to match large commercial 
displays in growing vertical markets such as 
interactive digital signage and touch tables.

Curved
As our gaming clients take advantage of the 
development of curved LCDs and OLED displays 
to differentiate their upright cabinet machine 
designs, our glass bending capability allows 
us to “stay ahead of the curve” and provide 
stunning looking interactive player interfaces. 

Technical support
Zytronic is one of the very few touchscreen 
manufacturers that develops and designs both 
the touchscreens themselves and the control 
electronics and software that link them to the 
outside world. This end-to-end support means 
that we can quickly adapt our products to 
provide cost effective solutions to our clients.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

05

Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportOur strategy
Our mission is to increase the profitability of our 
business by growing revenues from touch sensors 
through continual improvement and development 
of our PCT™ and MPCT™ touch technologies.

Our aim is to continue to roll out sales channels around the world, while investing 
in the manufacturing facilities and personnel to enable the Group to meet that sales growth.

Innovate

Grow

We identify development projects that will 
enhance our technology, increase its ease of 
use and functionality for customers and end users, 
and listen to existing and potential customers 
and our markets on future requirements.

We continue to seek opportunities to expand 
our sales channels across the world. We have 
new additions in the USA and China and aim 
to establish representation in new countries, 
for example Indonesia, and in the Middle East.

What we did in 2014/2015

What we did in 2014/2015

C  Four of our six MPCT™ GB patent applications were granted 

C  We continued to sell more units in 2015 than in 2014.

with the final two still awaiting further examination.

C  We have developed software that is specifically tuned 
for shape recognition, rather than individual fingers, 
to be used in retail and advertising markets.

C  We commenced the project to develop an MPCT™ 

Application Specific Integrated Chip (“ASIC”) to reduce 
the footprint and cost of our multi-touch controllers.

C  We opened a representative office in Taiwan to increase 
our sales opportunities in the Greater China region.

C  We employed a regional specialist sales consultancy 
organisation in Japan to further develop this market.

C  To further develop our presence in the market for flexible 

plastic sensors, we appointed a sales consultancy company 
with specific market and product knowledge.

Our priorities for 2015/2016

Our priorities for 2015/2016

C  Release a new MPCT™ controller designed specifically 

C  Expand the direct sales in North America with further 

to work with sensors <20 inches in size.

recruitments for Zytronic Inc.

C  Continue to develop the ASIC.

C  Commercialise encrypted touch solutions with Cryptera®.

C  Develop sales channel partnerships across 
South East Asia and Central America.

06

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Strategic reportMeasuring our performance

Our key performance indicators 
reflect the business’ financial 
success throughout the year.

Commentary on the actual performance of 
the Group against each of these KPIs is set out 
in the Chairman’s statement and the Operational 
and Financial reviews.

C  The current KPIs consist of: setting targets for and 

monitoring the level and growth of sales; improving the 
gross profit margin; controlling the level of overheads 
(administration expenses); and managing cashflow 
from operating activities. 

C   In addition, the Directors review a sales pipeline log 
which the sales team uses to record validated sales 
opportunities, the key dates in the development of each 
sales prospect with the customer, volumes and values 
of the opportunities and expected production 
commencement dates.

Group revenue 

Gross profit margin 

£21.3m
+13%

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41.9%
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Administration expenses 

£4.1m
+17%

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Cash generated 
from operating activities

£4.9m
+17%

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Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

07

Invest

We review our manufacturing methods regularly 
to bring through efficiencies in production. We add 
new plant and equipment each year, as necessary, 
to add capacity and replace old equipment. 
We invest in our marketing activities to promote 
our business on a global level.

What we did in 2014/2015

C   We expanded and refurbished our original cleanroom 

to give increased manufacturing capabilities and ensure 
consistency of our facilities across the business.

C  We exhibited at G2E, ISE, DSE and Electronica during 

the year. Our products were also well exhibited at a number 
of local trade shows through our regional partners.

C  We strengthened our digital PR approach during the year 
and also changed our trade PR agency to enable better 
coverage in key markets.

Our priorities for 2015/2016

C  Exhibit at market specific trade shows such as GITEX, 

ISE, DSE and G2E Macau.

C  Develop a production engineering training 

apprenticeship scheme.

Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportRisk management

Key 

 no change  

 decreased risk  

 increased risk

Risk description

Mitigation

Change

Advances in competing 
technologies

The main risk to the Group’s business is that of advances in 
competing technology, whereby a new, better touch sensor 
technology is created.

 Management is very conscious of this and monitors competitors’ 
developments and changes within the whole industry. By continually 
developing and evolving its own technologies, the Group expects to 
build upon its competitive strengths and thereby keep its technology 
ahead of its competitors.

Downward price pressures 
from competing technologies

This is most prevalent in the lower valued touch sensor sector 
dominated by resistive, capacitive and surface acoustic wave 
touchscreens. However, price pressure in those markets does 
have a knock-on effect on prices throughout the industry: 
new, better touch sensor technology is created.

Management has successfully met these challenges to date by 
re-designing and re-engineering the ZYTOUCH® touch sensor in 
developing the ZYPOS® touch sensor. This enabled the Group to 
reduce the cost of manufacture and therefore the sales price for 
subsequent touch sensor designs and has allowed the Group to 
enter markets that were previously closed to it on price grounds. 
The Group has subsequently taken the touch sensor manufacturing 
process changes and applied them to the re-design and manufacture 
of the optical display filters which it also produces.

Increasing costs of raw 
material supplies

There are continual upward pressures on the cost of raw 
material supplies, many arising from increases in oil prices 
and energy costs. Raw materials can also be purchased 
in US Dollars and Euros, whereby movements in exchange 
rates can affect the pricing.

Managing increases 
in the overhead base

With the significant time that may occur between meeting 
potential customers and receiving first orders, management 
must ensure that the capacity of its factories is adequate for 
future growth in sales and the development of the business, 
while managing the profitability of the Group.

Risks associated with 
currency movements

A large proportion of the Group’s sales are denominated in 
US Dollars and Euros, so the Group is subject to risks associated 
with currency movements. It is the Group’s policy to manage 
these risks and provide a degree of certainty for cashflows 
into the UK without taking the risks of speculative positions.

Risks associated with timing 
of customer projects

One of the main risks to the business is that of the timing 
of customer projects, where as a component supplier 
we are wholly reactive to our customer demands.

Management continually reviews the sources and costs of raw 
material supplies, the design of the Group’s products and the 
operational processes that are used in the manufacture. Where 
possible, it has used increases in volume purchases to obtain 
price reductions, discounts and improved specifications. Foreign 
exchange contracts are in place to mitigate FX movements.

This is not straightforward when the business is developing new 
products and manufacturing processes and when the visibility 
and timing of orders from customers is unclear. Management uses 
a comprehensive sales pipeline model to monitor potential future 
sales levels and has built in a degree of flexibility to its two main 
factories, one of which has been further enhanced during the year.

Natural hedging is adopted to manage currency risk, whereby goods 
and services are sourced from Europe and the USA and the liability 
arises in the respective currencies. Surplus currency is then protected 
through the use of forward foreign exchange contracts for a period 
of twelve to 18 months ahead. This ensures the business knows 
its position around FX in the current year.

The demands of our customers are not something we can control so 
in order to mitigate this risk we constantly strive to have a diversified 
customer base with multiple projects over different time periods 
occurring at any one time. We regularly review a project log to ensure 
we are capturing up to date information regarding pipeline projects.

08

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Strategic report 
Operational review
Continued growth

Summary
 C Total revenue grew by 13% 
to £21.3m (2014: £18.9m)

 C Touch revenue accounts for 81% 
of Group revenue (2014: 79%)

 C Touch sensor units sold 

increased to 149,000 units 
(2014: 139,000 units)

 C Gross profit margin increased 
to 41.9% from 36.6% in 2014

 C Profit before tax increased by 
39% to £4.5m (2014: £3.3m)

“  Total 2015 revenues of £21.3m 
were stronger than those of 2014 
by 13% (2014: £18.9m).”

The following Operational review provides 
information on the sales and marketing, research 
and development and operational activities 
of the business during fiscal year 2015 and, 
except where otherwise indicated, draws 
comparisons with the previous year.

Overview
The 2015 fiscal year has shown significant 
improvement in trading over the previous year, 
continuing the historic trend of second half 
trading being better than the first. 

Total 2015 revenues of £21.3m were stronger 
than those of 2014 by 13% (2014: £18.9m). 
Revenues generated by sales of touch products 
at £17.3m accounted for 81% (2014: 79%) of total 
revenues and were 16% higher than the prior 
year (2014: £14.9m). Revenues generated by 
sales of non-touch products of £4.0m (2014: £4.0m) 
were unchanged, even though ATM product 
revenues, as expected, declined by £0.6m 
to £2.3m from the £2.9m of 2014. 

In a similar fashion to that of last year, 2015 
has benefited considerably from a higher level 
and better mix of touch product sales in the year, 
especially in the second half of 2015 as shipments 
of a curved 42-inch multi-touch sensor design 
began. This, together with management actions 
to maintain and improve cost control and 
production efficiencies during the year, resulted 
in a significantly higher gross margin of 41.9% 
(2014: 36.6%) and a resultant 39% increase 
in profit before tax to £4.5m (2014: £3.3m).

Sales
Zytronic continues to be heavily export focused, 
with £19.7m or 93% (2014: £17.6m, 94%) of 
revenues attributable to export sales. 

The largest area of export growth was attributable 
to sales to the Asia Pacific (“APAC”) region, which 
saw an increase in revenue of £2.0m to £6.1m. 
The region was significantly influenced by a £2.3m 
increase in South Korean revenues to £2.8m, 
mostly for supplies into the gaming market. 

Mainland China, which is driven in the main by 
ATM sales, accounted for £1.9m of total APAC 
revenues (2014: £1.9m). The most significant 
year-on-year reduction affecting APAC revenues 
was the end of life of an agricultural telematics 
project for an Australian customer, which 
significantly contributed to the £0.3m (50%) 
reduction in Australian revenues.

The EMEA region (Europe, Middle East 
and Africa, excluding the UK) remains by 
far Zytronic’s largest export region at £8.9m 
or 45% of total exports (2014: £9.2m, 52%). 
The revenue decrease observed in this region 
is mainly attributed to the £0.5m reduction in 
non-touch product revenues in the financial 
market, across Germany, Hungary and the 
Netherlands. Other contributing factors were 
associated with the vending market with a fuel 
service payment terminal touch project in 
Benelux which concluded at the start of the 
second quarter of the year. 

The Americas, significantly influenced by 
sales in the gaming market in 2014, exhibited 
total revenue growth in 2015 of nearly 10% to 
£4.7m, which accounts for 24% of total exports 
(2014: £4.3m, 24%). Gaming in the Americas 
during 2014 was predominantly driven by 
direct supply into Las Vegas-based equipment 
manufacturers for casino cabinet slots, which 
during the year reduced as some machines 
approached end of life and new designs were 
being developed, with a change in the resultant 
supply chain in 2015 through South Korea. The 
2015 period has benefited from the substantial 
increase in the purchase of units through Canada 
for the Coca-Cola® Freestyle™ drinks dispensing 
touch project, which was triggered by an end 
of life notification for the LCD unit used 
in the existing design.

Revenues from UK sales grew in 2015 by 28% 
to £1.6m (2014: £1.2m). The main driver of growth 
was the work undertaken by Zytronic in providing 
ultra-large format touch products to an interactive 
table manufacturer for the retail sector, and in 
particular a project for a car showroom deployment 
across a number of European outlets associated 
with the launch of a new car model.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

09

Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportOperational review continued

Sales continued
Non-touch product sales
The non-touch product revenues of £4.0m (2014: £4.0m) were higher in the year than management’s forecast. This has been mostly attributable to the 
£0.4m of revenues generated by the uptake of a curved non-touch display unit into APAC, used in the same design of casino cabinets as the touch sensor 
provided. In total, non-touch ATM product revenues (display filters (curved and flat), electronic noise filtering laminates, light diffusers and sundries) 
increased by £0.6m to £1.7m (2014: £1.1m). However, even though non-touch revenues did not in totality decrease against those of 2014 as expected, 
the revenues from the largest contributor of ATM display filter glasses did decline, contributing £2.3m compared with the £2.9m in 2014.

The following table provides details on the regional export split of non-touch revenues:

Export regions

EMEA
APAC
Americas

Totals

2015

2014

Variance

Value £m

% export

Value £m

% export

Value £m

2.1
1.1
0.2

3.4

62
32
6

100

2.3
0.9
0.3

3.5

67
26
7

100

 (0.2)
0.2
(0.1)

(0.1)

%

(9)
22
(33)

(3)

Touch product sales
Touch revenues of £17.3m grew by 16% (£2.4m) over the £14.9m reported for 2014 and accounted for 81% of total revenues (2014: 79%). 
The total touch revenues comprise £15.0m for sensors (2014: £13.3m) and £2.3m for electronic controllers and componentry (2014: £1.6m).

Touch export revenues in 2015 account for £16.3m or 94% of the £17.3m of total touch revenues, which represents a £2.2m or 15% increase (2014: £14.1m, 
95% of £14.9m). The split of regional export revenues is illustrated in the following table: 

Export regions

EMEA
APAC
Americas

Totals

2015

2014

Variance

Value £m

% export

Value £m

% export

Value £m

6.8
5.0
4.5

16.3

42
31
27

100

6.9
3.2
4.0

14.1

49
23
28

100

 (0.1)
1.8
0.5

2.2

The total volume of sensor units sold increased by 10,000 units to 149,000 units (2014: 139,000). The mix of the volume of sensors sold by the key 
sensor size ranges is shown in the following table:

Sensor sizes

0–14.9"
15.0–29.9"
30.0"+

Totals

2015

2014

Variance

Units (thousands)

% total

Units (thousands)

% total

Units (thousands)

42
98
9

149

28
66
6

100

46
87
6

139

33
63
4

100

(4)
11
3

10

%

(1)
56
13

16

%

(9)
13
50

7

Of the 9,000 units sold that were >30 inches in size 6,000 (67%) were of the higher functional performance mutual projected capacitance technology 
(“MPCT™”) type.

10
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Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015
Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Strategic reportFinancial touchscreen trends

Cryptera leads the way with CryptoTouch®

In recent years there has been an evolution in the financial services 
sector. The emergence of internet and phone banking has appealed to 
a new tech savvy generation of users who demand real time updates 
and fast responses to meet demanding lifestyles; contactless payments 
and touch sensors are in, buttons and keyboards are undeniably out. 

To keep up with demands financial institutions have really stepped up. 
They are increasingly focusing on improving the customer experience 
and offering more convenient services. Using digital technologies 
branches are becoming more like showrooms, where large format 
touch tables with multi-touch operation, wall-mounted displays using 
high definition graphics and self-service kiosks are now commonplace. 
The new Post Office digital concept store is an example of this.

The humble ATM has also evolved to offer greater levels of automation 
and can be used for not only banking transactions but is now a highly 
sought after advertising space. This has led to more advanced ATMs, 
where dual and multi-touch function is increasingly expected, with an 
almost secondary function of interactive digital signage, all the while still 
meeting the high demands expected from outdoor, unattended terminals.

The trend for no-fuss digital solutions means we are seeing more and 
more transactions, particularly in the retail sector where payments are 
being made through apps and “bolt-ons” to tablets or smartphones. 
Rather than using traditional cash registers or till operations, transactions 
are being made and sensitive details transferred quickly on shop floors 
and temporary Point of Service units. It has always been integral for banking 
businesses to utilise terminals that can withstand acts of vandalism, 
impacts and severe weather conditions. The evolution of ATMs now 
means banking institutions can offer display protection as well as 
encrypted touch and interactive digital signage, creating secure, 
functional points of service and payment transactions that 
customers can rely on.

Introducing ZYFILM® Multi-touch

A rollable, flexible projected capacitive touch film

Zytronic has extended its offering with the introduction of a 
rollable and extremely flexible touch film to complement its range 
of award-winning glass touch sensors. The flexible film, which utilises 
the Company’s proprietary Multi-touch Projected Capacitive Technology 
(“MPCT™”), is expected to prove particularly popular in retail and 
other digital signage applications that require large, eye-catching 
interactive displays.

The new film gives customers the option of creating their own touchscreen 
displays by laminating the film onto the rear of a transparent substrate 
– such as a shop window – and combining it with a projector or LCD. 
Currently available in sizes up to 85 inches, the polyester touch foils 
can be deployed in semi-permanent and permanent applications 
when correctly laminated to a suitable substrate.

Used in conjunction with Zytronic’s ZXY200 and ZXY300 multi-touch 
controllers, the touch foils are capable of detecting up to 40 simultaneous 
touch points through glass thicknesses of 10mm. This results in a cost 
effective interactive solution with class-leading touch performance. 
The thinner construction of the new ZYFILM® touch foils means that 
they can be packed in tubes when shipped in small quantities, minimising 
transportation costs. When mounted on the rear surface of a protective 
substrate, the projected capacitive sensor is well protected and highly 
resilient to the rigours of everyday public use.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc
Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc
Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

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Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportStrategic report

Operational review continued

Financial 
The financial market continues to be our largest, 
accounting for £6.3m (2014: £5.7m) of revenues, 
and includes application uses such as ATMs, bill 
payment kiosks and financial point of information 
(“POI”) kiosks. This market remains the strongest 
touch market area due to the unique durability, 
reliability and all-weather capabilities of our touch 
products and technologies, especially for 
unattended use and locations. The year started 
to see the benefit from a new platform launch by 
one of our major ATM customers, where Zytronic 
is providing multiple different sized touch sensors 
used in the same ATM machine. Consequently, 
this, coupled with a level of growth from existing 
designs, gave a total volume increase in ATM units.

As observed in 2014, we again experienced 
a reduction in financial type kiosks, partly 
countering the increase in the ATM volumes. 

Vending 
Vending maintains its ranking as the second 
largest touch market area for Zytronic in both 
revenue and volume, with revenue growth 
across all constituent applications of 24% to 
£3.7m (2014: £3.0m). There were two major 
factors that influenced the overall performance 
of this market during the year, the first being the 
positive uplift in the Coca-Cola® project mentioned 
earlier, where the uplift in the volume of sensors 
sold was nearly double the units sold in 2014. 
However, this was countered by a volume and 
revenue reduction of sales across our fuel vend 
application area, which in the main had an 
effect on EMEA sales, as described earlier. 

Industrial, gaming and healthcare 
Sales into the industrial market for human machine 
interface (“HMI”) control devices and general 
application kiosks were similar to those of 2014 
at £2.0m (2014: £2.0m).

Significant growth in the year has been observed 
in the gaming market, which showed the highest 
percentage revenue growth of all Zytronic touch 
markets at 80%. In revenue terms the growth was 
£1.5m to £3.4m (2014: £1.9m). Approximately 
a third of all units supplied in the year were for 
a new curved 42-inch MPCT™ design, supplied 
into the market through a South Korean display 
integrator customer, replacing a flat designed 
PCT™ model to the same end market.

The healthcare market also exhibited sales 
growth in both revenue and volume, due in the 
main to sales to a Singaporean manufacturer 
of a blood analyser unit. Healthcare revenues 
increased to £0.4m from £0.3m.

During the year, four of the six MPCT™ GB patent 
applications made in May 2012 were granted, 
being: GB2502596, GB2502598, GB2502600 
and GB2502602. The final two GB applications 
are still awaiting further examination.

Telematics, signage and home 
We did experience a decline in revenues from 
the telematics and signage markets, the former 
being significantly influenced by the end of life 
of an agricultural GPS project which declined by 
£0.5m to £0.1m. Revenues from the signage 
market also declined by £0.2m (2014: £1.4m), 
as the mix of larger sized units supplied (>30 inches) 
decreased, whilst the total volume across all 
sizes increased by 6%. 

The home market, which was solely influenced in 
2015 by sales of the Bosch cooktop unit, also saw 
an increase and was in line with management 
expectations for the year. 

R&D
The research and development team (“R&D”) 
during the year have continued to concentrate 
on both product and process improvements.

At the beginning of the year, R&D concluded 
development and the subsequent production 
release of an improvement to the existing PCT™ 
controller, which in 2015 accounted for 96% 
of touch sensors produced (MPCT™: 4%). 
This new controller utilises a frequency hopping 
technique to tune into the least noisy frequency 
across a range of controlled frequencies 
for maximum performance.

The team also initiated development of a new 
MPCT™ controller for sensor sizes of <20 inches. 
This controller when coupled with a Zytronic 
MPCT™ sensor design will provide tablet-like 
performance for the harshest of environments 
for up to ten individual yet simultaneous touches. 
The development has the potential to drive 
performance and functional improvements into 
the 89% of the units <20 inches in size that 
Zytronic has produced during 2015. It is 
anticipated that a production release will 
occur early in 2016.

In combination with further developments 
of the MPCT™ controller electronics, R&D 
has initiated the design and development of a 
second Zytronic Application Specific Integrated 
Chip (“ASIC”), which will drive cost savings, 
performance improvements and PCB size 
reductions across the MPCT™ family of 
controllers. As this is a twelve to 18 month 
project, the above benefits will become 
realisable from 2017.

Additional developments have been undertaken 
to improve material performance aspects of the 
sensors, being either PCT™ or MPCT™ designs, 
and include specialist anti-reflective coated 
materials to improve the optical performance 
of the touch sensors in high bright outdoor 
conditions as well as antimicrobial glass to aid 
in reducing the potential for the transmission 
of microbes from one user to another through 
the touch interaction process.

The underlying technology and physical nature 
of the hardware are two of the four key components 
that make up a touch solution, the other two being 
the firmware which resides within the processor 
on the electronics which translates the technology 
interaction to an output for the computer system, 
and the operating system driver, which translates 
the incoming output from the electronics to an 
interaction on the system display. 

It is in the two latter key components where a 
considerable amount of the developed Zytronic 
IP resides, in both PCT™ and MPCT™. R&D’s 
work on firmware improvements is continuous 
and ensures end use equipment compatibility, 
whilst software development is more ad-hoc as 
the type and requirements of the computer 
operating system (“OS”), such as Windows, 
Linux, Android and Mac, are continually being 
changed and improved upon by their providers.

During the year, the engineers have further 
improved the ZyConfig Tool, which is Zytronic’s 
own developed software set-up, monitoring and 
diagnostic tool for compatibility with the OSs 
named above, with the aim of driving towards 
a single tool set which covers under one release, 
all OS. They have also during the year developed 
software that is tuned specifically for shape 
recognition rather than individual finger touches, 
as that level of functionality has also become 
a request for some flat surface interactive 
table applications, especially in retail and 
advertising markets.

Over the year the engineers have continued 
the firmware and software development work 
with Cryptera A/S, the globally renowned Danish 
encryption device design and manufacturing 
specialist, on CryptoTouch®, an encrypted touch 
solution for ATM and unattended transactional 
self-service payment markets. 

12

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

During the year Zytronic has also partnered 
with a European Commission consortium group, 
comprising academic and industrial partners, 
under the European Horizons 2020 fund to 
evaluate and develop, over a three-year period, 
high resolution and small feature-sized inkjet 
printing techniques for printed electronics. 
Zytronic’s involvement is to determine the potential 
for a developed solution as a method for 2D 
printing of metallic fluids for touch sensors, 
as a means of complementing its present 
manufacturing processes.

Strategic initiatives
As a significantly export focused business, 
Zytronic has continued to evaluate its regional 
routes to market, looking to adapt and improve 
upon the flourishing development of the sales 
channel partnerships that it has around the world.

With the successful establishment in 2014 of 
the USA entity Zytronic Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia, 
a wholly owned subsidiary of Zytronic Displays Ltd, 
to offer on-the-ground and in-region technical 
support, the Group assessed the need to repeat 
the process in Asia. After a thorough evaluation, 
it was agreed that the primary effort across 
the Greater China Region should initially be 
focused towards business development and 
sales opportunity generation rather than 
technical support.

It was to this end that, in April 2015, Zytronic 
Displays Ltd opened up a representative office 
in Taipei, Taiwan, to service sales opportunity 
generation across Greater China, which includes 
mainland China, Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan. 
To facilitate a quick deployment, Zytronic employed 
directly the key employee from its regional Taiwan 
partner, who had worked on its behalf on the 
Zytronic account for over five years and was 
therefore very familiar with the products offered.

From June 2015, Zytronic has also employed in 
Tokyo, Japan, a regional specialist sales consultancy 
organisation to further develop the Japanese market, 
through close collaboration with its existing sales 
channel partner, and to provide services and 
directly promote the Zytronic Japan entity.

Since inception, Zytronic has been well 
established as a glass touch sensor producer to 
the market, but has been aware of the developing 
need for smaller volumes of larger sized flexible 
plastic sensors, which can be adhered to in-field 
glass surfaces in less controlled environments. 
To continue to explore the market potential for 
these types of products, Zytronic has appointed 
a sales consultant with specific market and 
product knowledge to develop further its 
presence for this particular product type.

Unfortunately, the initiative in mainland China 
mentioned in the 2014 report, and referred to as 
FastTrack China, did not prove as successful as 
hoped, due to local initiative funding issues in 
China. This has resulted in FastTrack China 
drawing to a premature close. 

The overall channel partner network has increased 
by a net one to 38 during 2015, with 14 agreements 
across the Americas, eleven agreements across 
APAC, twelve agreements across EMEA and one in 
the UK. The net change in the year has been 
attributable to the termination of two representatives 
in the USA, with their territories being covered 
either directly or through the extension of an existing 
representative and the appointment of three new 
partners, TouchMedia (Singapore), MPU (China) 
and Cloud Technologies (India). The increase 
in agreements does not fully represent the 
changing landscape as the number of active 
countries now covered has more significantly 
increased from 60 in 2014 to 70 in 2015 and 
includes Argentina, Brazil, the UAE, Vietnam, 
Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos 
and Myanmar. Some of this coverage has been 
as a consequence of widening the area of coverage 
of some of its established partners as well as 
adding new representatives. 

Zytronic is continually evaluating its channel 
partner network and looking to fortify it with new 
appointments and territories, whilst also expanding 
its own direct footprint through planned future 
sales personnel recruitment for Zytronic Inc. 

“ During the year, four of the six 
MPCT™ GB patent applications 
made in May 2012 were granted.”

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

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Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportOperational review continued

Marketing 
The Group’s sales efforts during 2015 have 
continued to be underpinned with a focused 
marketing endeavour to strengthen its digital 
PR including YouTube®, LinkedIn® and Twitter® to 
work more in tandem with its traditional printed 
PR. During the year, it has evaluated its trade PR 
processes and recognised that coverage in key 
markets such as the USA and China was not as 
responsive as required, and has changed agency 
to one which has brought a co-ordinated approach 
to those regions by partnering up with local 
region-specific agencies to improve the 
Zytronic trade PR. 

During the year, the Group participated at 
the Electronica Expo in Munich, Germany, the 
Integrated Systems Europe (“ISE”) exhibition in 
Amsterdam, the Netherlands, the Digital Signage 
Expo (“DSE”) as well as the Global Gaming Expo 
(“G2E”) in the USA. Indirectly, products were also 
well represented at a number of tradeshows by 
either customers or suppliers at the ICE Totally 
Gaming Expo in London and the Society of 
Information Displays Expo (“SID”) and the 
Infocomm Expo, both in the USA.

A range of “How To” instructional videos were 
also compiled during the year and uploaded onto 
the Zytronic YouTube® channel, https://www.
youtube.com/user/ZytronicTouchSensor/videos, 
as well as new corporate and investor videos 
to aid in the sales and marketing process.

Opportunities analysis
As a project-based business, Zytronic maintains 
an active log to monitor all valid touch enquiries 
raised by the sales channel partners, regional 
sales managers and business development 
managers in the normal course of business. 
Enquiries are separated into the key market 
sectors and range in size and value depending 
upon the quantity, sensor size and constraints 
of the products required.

The activity log is updated as new opportunities 
are added, and monitored and reviewed on a 
monthly basis, where, depending upon the level 
of activity having been undertaken at that point 
in time in relation to an enquiry and its prospect 
of success, the status of an enquiry is subsequently 
moved over time into Projects and Prospects. 
Projects are defined as those enquiries which 
have either an immediate likelihood of success, 
or a longer term high probability of success. 
It is normal, as time progresses, for Prospects to, 
therefore, become Projects, or on rare occasions, 
vice versa. 

During the course of the financial year, the log 
increased through the addition of 314 opportunities. 
A total of 141 opportunities moved into production 
and 172 opportunities became inactive, leaving 
360 active opportunities at 30 September 2015.

Of the 360 active opportunities, 68 are of Project 
status and are comprised of: 14 Projects that 
were in the log and active pre 30 September 2014, 
15 Projects that were at Prospect status pre 
30 September 2014 and re-rated to Project status 
during the course of the year and 39 newly added 
Projects. The 68 Projects are divided into the 
following market sectors: six in finance, two 
in gaming, 25 in signage, 14 in vending, 
16 in industrial and five in other.

Operations
The maintenance and improvement of the cost 
controls and production efficiencies established 
during 2014 continued into 2015 in the form 
of tight labour controls to accommodate the 
inevitable month-on-month variability the Group 
encounters as a project driven, short visibility and 
low volume bespoke component manufacturer. 
At the start of the period, the productive labour 
complement was 92 people, comprising 89 
permanent employees and three on temporary 
contracts. By the period end, the complement 
had increased by five, with 83 employees on 
permanent contracts and 14 on temporary. 

As reported in the 2014 review, in early 
2015 the Group undertook a review of the 
touch manufacturing capacity and capability 
requirements across the three factory facilities. 
This resulted in a capital project being undertaken 
over 2015 to remove the oldest section of its 
original 1989 cleanroom and refurbish its existing 
2001 cleanroom to expand into the floor space 
created. This has increased its total touch sensor 
manufacturing cleanroom footprint within the 
business by 25% to 10,000 ft2.

In addition, Zytronic invested during the year 
in several new 2D direct write electrode printing 
machines and a further automated laminator, to 
increase throughput of ultra large, up to 65-inch 
touch sensors. A new computer-controlled glass 
profiling machine was also installed to replace 
an older obsolete machine, allowing Zytronic 
to improve the finish of the edges of its glass 
across much larger glass sizes than previous, 
whilst extending the range of customisations 
the Group can offer in the supply of its bespoke 
touch sensors.

To conclude, I would like to take this opportunity 
on behalf of the Board to thank all Zytronic 
employees who have contributed to the strong 
performance of the business during 2015.

Mark Cambridge BSc (Hons), FIoD
Chief Executive Officer
7 December 2015

14

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Strategic reportFinancial review
Progressive growth in dividends

Group revenue

£21.3m

Gross profit

£8.9m

Summary
 C Profit after tax increased by 27% 

to £3.8m (2014: £3.0m)

 C EPS increased by 26% to 24.7p 

(2014: 19.6p)

 C Total dividend for year increased 
by 20% to 12.0p (2014: 10.0p)

 C Working capital increased by £0.3m 

(2014: £0.1m decrease)

 C Net cash generated from operating 
activities of £4.9m (2014: £4.2m)

 C Net cash balances increased 

by £2.0m to £9.8m

Overview
The Group performance for the year ended 
30 September 2015 exceeded that of 2014, 
with sales up 13% to £21.3m and gross profit 
margin significantly improving to 41.9% 
(2014: 36.6%). This has resulted in an increase 
in Group EBITDA to £5.6m (2014: £4.3m), 
trading profit of £4.6m (2014: £3.3m) and 
profit before tax of £4.5m (2014: £3.3m).

Gross margin
Gross margin improved to 41.9% (2014: 36.6%) 
in the year, having been positively impacted 
by not only the increased volumes of touch sensor 
products sold but also the mix. Sales of traditional 
products have also benefited margin through the 
sale of complementary display offerings to one of 
the touch customers. Total labour costs remained 
controlled throughout the year, showing only a slight 
increase over that of last year in real terms, but as 
a percentage of sales the costs have reduced. 

Increased costs have arisen in commissions 
whereby more commissionable sales were made 
throughout 2015 and further channel partners have 
been engaged, on a retainer basis, to drive sales in 
growing territories. Factory costs have risen slightly 
in line with increased sales and continue to be 
closely monitored.

The Group transacts its operations in three 
different currencies, being GBP, USD and Euros. 
Movements in exchange rates can therefore 
impact its margin. During the year, from a gross 
margin perspective, the USD moved in the 
Group’s favour whereas the Euro moved against 
the Group, compared to the average rates as of 
the prior year. The net effect in gross margin 
was an overall benefit of 0.9% from exchange 
rate movements. This benefit offsets a large 
portion of the £0.3m loss on exchange 
in overheads as described below.

Curved products
Combining outstanding durability and lightning fast multi-touch responsiveness, projective capacitive 
touch technology is leading the way in the design of innovative interactive products in recent years.

Standing head and shoulders above the crowd
Large concave touchscreen displays have the ability to absorb the user in 
an all-encompassing environment, immersing them in the content and 
enhancing their experience. This was seen in practice at the Global 
Gaming Expo in Las Vegas in 2014 and 2015 where a number of upright 
cabinet slot machines were on display. Featuring a dual 42-inch display 
and curved touchscreen, the unit stands tall amongst a sea of bright 
and flashing casino games.

Touchscreen technology like never before
During the design process of a display unit, gaming cabinet, vending 
machine or kiosk, aesthetics are sometimes secondary to usability. 
However, with Zytronic projected capacitive technology (“PCT™”), 
incredible functionality and proven performance go hand in hand with 
near limitless levels of customisation, so design ideas are rarely compromised. 
Combining cutting edge touch sensing electronics, PCT™ allows for 
beautifully responsive, accurate and rugged touch sensing.

Multi-touch sensors can boost the density of touch data captured by 
the screen, significantly increasing touch resolution whilst still maintaining 
millisecond response times. Supporting up to 40 simultaneous touch 
points, multi-user designed product experiences are enriched by the 
capabilities of MPCT™ multi-touch sensors. By creating these surfaces in 
which multiple users can interact simultaneously, sharing their experiences, 
new opportunities have arisen for companies using touch displays.

MPCT™ touch sensors support large format displays up to 85 inches 
and will react to a finger or a conductive stylus but not a carelessly 
dropped book, or the brush of a sleeve – making them ideal for table 
applications. As the touch sensors are made from thick toughened 
glass, the Zytronic enabled tables shrug off the kind of abuse that 
would see other touch technologies run for the hills.

As industrial design, marketing and technological concepts collide, 
the outcome is a new innovative digital experience that is equally 
as beneficial to the vendor as it is to the end users.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc
Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc
Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

15
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Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportFinancial review continued

“ Gross margin improved to 41.9% (2014: 36.6%) 
in the year, having been positively impacted 
by not only the increased volumes of touch 
sensor products sold but also the mix.”

Group trading profit
Group trading profit has increased further 
during the year through the increase in sales 
and gross margin; however, administration 
expenses have again continued to rise, due to 
a number of factors. Staff costs have increased 
year on year by £0.5m arising mainly from the 
£0.2m share option charge incurred following 
the 2014 implementation of the long term 
incentive plan by the Board. Bonus provisions 
have also been higher in the year to reward all 
employees for enhanced Group performance. 
The introduction of additional headcount in 
the year in the sales team to target new market 
opportunities has also impacted on costs. 
The Group has also incurred a net £0.3m for 
exchange adjustments following the strengthening 
of the USD post the contracts being entered into 
in August 2014, for the financial year 2015. 
These contracts, at adverse rates, have now 
fully expired. All other costs have been well 
controlled in the year.

Taxation
The Group’s taxation charge for the year ended 
30 September 2015 of £0.8m represents an 
effective tax rate of 17%, reflecting the continued 
utilisation of R&D tax credits and the allowances 
for the exercising of share options which occurred 
during the year. The Group is currently seeking 
clarification from its tax advisers as to its qualifying 
status under the Patent Box regime and has 
therefore made no adjustment for this in the year.

Earnings per share
The issued share capital is 15,322,346 ordinary 
shares of 1.0p each and the resultant EPS for 
the year is 24.7p, which represents growth of 
26% from that reported last year (2014: 19.6p). 

Dividend
The Directors recommend the payment of 
a final dividend of 8.87p per share for the year 
ended 30 September 2015 (2014: 7.16p). 
Subject to approval by shareholders, the 
dividend will be paid on Friday 11 March 2016 
to shareholders on the register as at the close 
of business on Friday 26 February 2016.

Including the interim dividend paid of 3.14p 
(2014: 2.85p), the total dividend for the year 
would be 12.01p, which is an increase of 20% 
over last year. The dividend is covered 2.1 times 
by underlying earnings.

Capital expenditure
The Group embarked on a significant capital 
expenditure programme in the year with total 
investment of £1.0m in property, plant and 
equipment. £0.4m of this was incurred on 
the refurbishment of the original cleanroom 
to increase capacity to meet customer demand 
and ensure consistency of operations across 
both production facilities. A new laminating 
machine was added to increase throughput 
of ultra large format touch sensors at a cost 
of £0.3m, with other additions being made 
to complement the existing and new facilities. 
£0.4m of capital expenditure was incurred in 
intangible assets over a variety of development 
projects, some of which will continue to be 
added to in the year ahead. Depreciation and 
amortisation for the year was at similar levels 
to that reported for 2014 at just over £1.0m 
and it is likely that this may marginally rise 
in 2016.

Cash and debt
The Group continues to generate cash, and 
despite the increased investment in capital 
expenditure in the year, has recorded an 
increase in cash and cash equivalents of 
£2.0m (2014: £2.3m). This has enabled the 
Group to continue its policy of investing in 
internal R&D and capital refurbishments and 
to maintain its progressive dividend policy.

Net cash balances at 30 September 2015 were 
£9.8m (2014: £7.8m), of which £2.6m was held 
between instant access and 95 days’ notice 
interest-bearing deposit accounts with the remainder 
being managed through a set-off arrangement. 

The Group maintains an overdraft facility, which 
it utilises in US Dollars and Euros, as part of 
the hedging of its FX exposure. To complement 
this, the Group also has an FX policy in place 
whereby it is hedged in both currencies for a 
minimum period of twelve months ahead up to 
a maximum period of 18 months ahead to better 
manage its net GBP inflows. As the timing of 
the receipts is difficult to accurately forecast, 
a sensitivity analysis has been applied to determine 
a portion of the expected net exposure to be 
hedged with any other surplus currency being 
managed in the month in which it occurs.

The Group retains a property mortgage with 
Barclays Bank plc, entered into in 2012, which 
is repayable at £0.2m per annum for five years, 
at which time it will either be re-financed 
or repaid. As of 30 September 2015, the 
outstanding property mortgage is £1.3m. 

At 30 September 2015, the Group had cash 
balances net of the property-backed mortgage 
of £8.5m and was therefore not geared.

Claire Smith BA (Hons), ACMA, 
CGMA, CertICM
Group Finance Director
7 December 2015 

16

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Strategic reportBoard of Directors

Tudor Griffith Davies BSc • 
Non-executive Chairman
Tudor has wide industry experience at boardroom 
level, as Chairman, Chief Executive and Executive 
and Non-executive Director of several public 
companies. These have included Hicking 
Pentecost plc, Stratagem plc, Dowding & Mills plc 
and Castle Support Services plc. He was formerly 
a partner in Arthur Young (a predecessor firm 
of Ernst & Young LLP) specialising in corporate 
finance and recovery. Tudor is Chairman 
of the audit committee.

Claire Smith BA (Hons), ACMA, 
CGMA, CertICM 
Group Finance Director
Claire graduated in 2000 in Business 
and Finance and attained CIMA accreditation 
in 2006 and a certificate in International 
Cash Management in 2011. She held various 
positions within Procter & Gamble and the 
NAAFI before joining Zytronic Displays Limited 
in April 2007 as Group Financial Controller. 
In 2012, Claire was appointed Finance Director 
of the operating subsidiary Zytronic Displays 
Limited and Finance Director of Zytronic plc 
in January 2014.

Mark Cambridge  
BSc (Hons), FIoD
Chief Executive
Mark graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Materials 
Science in 1986 and has a Securities Institute 
Certificate in Corporate Finance (2003). 
Joining the Romag Group of companies in 1991, 
he held the positions of Technical Manager, 
Quality Manager and Technical and Quality 
Director, up to the demerger and flotation of 
Zytronic plc. Since 2000 he has overseen the 
development, market introduction and sales 
of the ZYTOUCH® touch sensor product and 
the market launch of ZYPOS® touch sensors. 
Mark was Sales and Marketing Director of 
Zytronic Displays Limited from 2002 until 
his appointment as its Managing Director 
in February 2006. On 1 June 2007 Mark 
was appointed to the Board and promoted 
to Chief Executive on 21 January 2008.

• Member of audit committee.

  Member of remuneration committee.

All of the Directors served throughout 
the financial year.

David John Buffham • 
Independent Non-executive Director
David is a Director of Newcastle Building Society, 
where he chairs the group risk committee 
and sits on the nominations and remuneration 
committees. He is a Director of William Leech 
(Investments) Ltd, where he additionally sits on 
the investment committee and serves as a trustee 
of the William Leech Foundation. Until 2010 David 
worked for the Bank of England. This included 
spells in banking supervision, risk management 
and advising overseas central banks on the 
conduct of monetary policy operations. Most 
recently, he was the Bank’s regional agent 
for the North East for nine years.

Sir David Robert Macgowan 
Chapman, Bt., DL, B Comm • 
Senior Independent Non-executive Director
Sir David, a former Chairman of the CBI North 
East, has held a variety of Non-executive roles, 
including at Northern Rock Plc and at the London 
Stock Exchange. He is currently Chairman of Virgin 
Money‘s Pension Scheme and its Independent 
Governance Committee and is an Advisory Board 
member of North East Finance in addition to being 
a Director of several regional venture capital funds. 
A former First Vice President of Merrill Lynch 
International Bank and a consultant to UBS 
Wealth Management, Sir David was a member 
of the Greenbury Committee on Directors’ 
remuneration. He is currently Chairman 
of the remuneration committee.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

17

Financial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceCorporate governance

“ The Non-executive Directors demonstrate a 
range of experience and sufficient calibre to bring 
independent judgement on issues of strategy, 
performance, resources and standards of conduct, 
which are vital to the success of the Group.”

As an AIM-listed company, Zytronic plc is not obliged 
to comply with the UK Corporate Governance 
Code published in September 2014 (the “Code”) 
but instead uses the provisions of the Code as 
a guide, applying them as the Board considers 
appropriate to the circumstances of the Company.

The workings of the Board 
and its committees
The Board
Throughout the year, Tudor Davies, the 
Non-executive Chairman, Mark Cambridge, 
the Chief Executive, Claire Smith, the Group 
Finance Director, and Sir David Chapman, Bt. 
and David Buffham, the two Independent 
Non-executive Directors, were members 
of the Board. 

The Non-executive Directors demonstrate a range 
of experience and sufficient calibre to bring 
independent judgement on issues of strategy, 
performance, resources and standards of conduct, 
which are vital to the success of the Group.

The Board normally meets at least five times 
per year. Its direct responsibilities include setting 
annual budgets, reviewing trading performance, 
approving significant capital expenditure, ensuring 
adequate funding, setting and monitoring strategy, 
examining major acquisition possibilities and 
reporting to shareholders. Between meetings 
there is regular informal discussion between 
the Chairman, the Chief Executive, the Group 
Finance Director and the individual Non-executive 
Directors. The Non-executive Directors have a 
particular responsibility to ensure that the strategies 
proposed by the Executive Directors are 
fully considered. 

To enable the Board to discharge its duties, 
all Directors receive appropriate and timely 
information. Briefing papers are distributed 
by the Company Secretary to all Directors in 
advance of Board meetings. The Chairman 
ensures that the Directors are able to take 
independent professional advice as required, 
at the Company’s expense.

The standing committees established by the 
Board are the remuneration committee and 
the audit committee, each of which operates 
within defined terms of reference.

A nominations committee has not been established 
as the Board is small. The nominations process 
prior to Board appointments takes into account 
the views of all existing Board members and 
some advisers. Any Director appointed to the 
Board since the last Annual General Meeting is 
required to seek re-election at the subsequent 
Annual General Meeting. All Directors are subject 
to re-election at least once every three years. 

The number of meetings of the Board, and the 
attendance of Directors, is shown on the right.

Remuneration committee
The remuneration committee is chaired by 
Sir David Chapman, Bt., the Senior Independent 
Non-executive Director. The other member is 
David Buffham, an Independent Non-executive 
Director. The committee is responsible for 
making recommendations to the Board, within 
agreed terms of reference, on the Company’s 
framework of executive remuneration and 
its cost, including the remuneration of some 
subsidiary Directors. The committee determines 
the contract terms, remuneration and other 
benefits for each of the Executive Directors, 
including performance related bonus schemes, 
pension rights and compensation payments. 
Further details of the Company’s policies on 
remuneration, service contracts and compensation 
payments are given in the Remuneration report. 
The Chairman’s remuneration is determined 
by a sub-committee comprising only the 
Independent Non-executive Directors.

The number of meetings of the committee, 
and the attendance of members, is shown 
on the right.

Audit committee
The audit committee is chaired by Tudor Davies. 
The other members are Sir David Chapman, Bt., 
the Senior Independent Non-executive Director, 
and David Buffham, an Independent Non-executive 
Director. The Independent Non-executive Directors’ 
meetings are also attended, by invitation, by the 
other Directors. The committee normally meets 
at least twice a year. The committee provides a 
forum for reporting by the Group’s external auditors.

The audit committee is responsible for reviewing 
a wide range of matters, including the half-year 
and annual financial statements before their 
submission to the Board, and monitoring the 

18

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

controls which are in force to ensure the 
integrity of the information reported to the 
shareholders. The audit committee advises the 
Board on the appointment of external auditors 
and on their remuneration both for audit and 
non-audit work and discusses the nature, scope 
and results of the audit with the auditors.

The audit committee keeps under review the 
cost effectiveness of the auditors. It also reviews 
the extent of the non-audit services provided 
by the auditors and reviews with them their 
independence and objectivity. The Chairman 
of the audit committee reports the outcome 
of audit committee meetings to the Board and 
the Board receives minutes of the meetings.

The number of meetings of the committee, 
and the attendance of members, is shown 
on the right.

Relations with shareholders
Communication with shareholders is given 
high priority. There is regular dialogue with 
major and/or institutional shareholders, including 
presentations after the Company’s announcements 
of the half-year and full-year results in May and 
December, respectively. Presentations are also 
made to analysts and journalists at those times 
to present the Group’s results and report on 
developments. This assists with the promotion 
of knowledge of the Group in the investment 
marketplace and with shareholders. The financial 
statements include a review of the business and 
future developments. These financial statements, 
the presentations and other financial information 
relating to the Group are also available on the 
Group’s website, www.zytronicplc.com.

Following the half-year and year-end 
presentations of results, the Executive Directors 
report to the Board on the feedback received 
from journalists, analysts and shareholders. 
In addition, the Company’s Nomad produces 
a feedback report from those meetings which 
is made available to all Directors. The Executive 
Directors also report to the Board on any 
meetings with shareholders or institutional 
investors that may take place at other times 
of the year.

Corporate governanceNumber of meetings 
and the attendance 
of Directors

The Board
2015 total: 5 meetings
Tudor Davies (5)

Mark Cambridge (5)

Claire Smith (5)

David Buffham (5)

Sir David Chapman, Bt. (5)

Remuneration committee
2015 total: 1 meeting
Sir David Chapman, Bt. (1)

David Buffham (1)

Audit committee
2015 total: 1 meeting
Tudor Davies (1)

Sir David Chapman, Bt. (1)

David Buffham (1)

by the Board include reports on operational 
as well as financial issues.

Capital and development expenditure 
is regulated by a budgetary process and 
authorisation levels. For expenditure beyond 
specified levels, detailed written proposals 
have to be submitted to the Board for approval. 
Reviews are carried out after the purchase is 
complete. The Board requires management to 
explain any major deviations from authorised 
capital proposals and to seek further sanction 
from the Board.

Due diligence work is carried out if a business 
is to be acquired.

The Board has reviewed the need for an 
internal audit function and concluded that this 
is not currently necessary in view of the small 
size of the Group and the close supervision by 
senior management of its day-to-day operations. 
The Board will continue to keep this under review.

The Group has a whistle-blowing policy 
and procedures to encourage staff to contact 
the Chairman if they need to raise matters of 
concerns other than via the Executive Directors 
and senior management.

Going concern
The Group’s business activities, together with 
the factors likely to affect its future development, 
performance and position are set out in the 
Strategic report. The financial position of the 
Group, its cashflows, liquidity position and 
borrowing facilities are described within the 
Financial review section of the Strategic report 
also. In addition, note 20 to the financial statements 
includes the Group’s objectives and policies of 
its financial risk management and details of its 
financial instruments and hedging activities and 
its exposure to credit risk and liquidity risk.

The Group’s business is well diversified, with 
relationships with customers and suppliers 
across different geographic areas and industries. 
It also has considerable financial resources. 
As a consequence, the Directors believe that 
the Group is well placed to manage its business 
risks successfully. 

After making enquiries, the Directors have a 
reasonable expectation that the Company and 
the Group have adequate resources to continue 
in operational existence for the foreseeable 
future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the 
going concern basis in preparing the annual 
report and financial statements.

The Board uses both the annual report and 
financial statements and the Annual General 
Meeting to communicate directly with private 
and institutional investors and welcomes their 
participation. The Chairman aims to ensure 
that the Chairmen of the audit and remuneration 
committees are available at the Annual General 
Meeting to answer questions. Details of resolutions 
to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting on 
Thursday 25 February 2016 can be found in the 
Notice of Annual General Meeting on pages 58 
and 59.

In addition, the Senior Independent Director 
is available to shareholders if they have any 
concerns which contact through the normal 
channels of the Chairman, the Chief Executive 
or the Group Finance Director has failed to resolve 
or for which such contact is inappropriate.

Internal control
The Board is responsible for establishing 
and maintaining the Group’s system of internal 
control and for reviewing its effectiveness. 
The system is designed to manage rather than 
eliminate the risk of failure to achieve the Group’s 
strategic objectives and can only provide 
reasonable and not absolute assurance against 
material misstatement or loss. As an AIM-listed 
company, the Company does not need to comply 
with Code provision C2.1 regarding the Directors 
giving a summary of the process applied by the 
Board in reviewing the effectiveness of the 
system of internal control. Instead, the Directors 
set out below some of the key aspects of the 
Group’s internal control procedures.

An ongoing process, in accordance with the 
guidance of the Turnbull Committee on internal 
control, has been established for identifying, 
evaluating and managing the significant risks 
faced by the Group. The process has been in 
place for the full year under review and up to the 
date of approval of the annual report and financial 
statements. The Board regularly reviews this 
process as part of its review of such risks within 
Board meetings. Where any weaknesses are 
identified, an action plan is prepared to address 
the issues and is then implemented.

The Board has overall responsibility for the 
Group and there is a formal schedule of matters 
specifically reserved for decision by the Board. 

Authority to operate the trading subsidiary, 
Zytronic Displays Limited, is delegated to its 
Board of Directors and through it, it is run by 
its management, within limits set by the Board. 
The appointment of Executives to the most 
senior positions within the Group requires 
the approval of the Board.

Each year the Board approves the annual 
budget. Key risk areas are identified, reviewed 
and monitored. Performance is monitored 
against budget, relevant action is taken 
throughout the year and quarterly rolling 
forecasts are prepared. The reports reviewed 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

19

Financial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governance 
Directors’ report

 “ Management ensures that the Group has 
sufficient facilities to provide the Directors 
with comfort on the Group’s foreseeable 
needs and its liquidity position.”

The Directors present their annual report 
and financial statements for the year ended 
30 September 2015.

Principal activities
Zytronic is the developer and manufacturer of 
a unique range of internationally award-winning 
touch sensor products. Zytronic’s products 
incorporate an embedded array of metallic 
micro-sensing electrodes which offer significant 
durability, environmental stability and optical 
enhancement benefits to designers of  
system-integrated interactive displays for 
public access and industrial-type applications.

Likely future development
Our priorities for 2015/16 are disclosed 
in the Strategic report on pages 6 and 7.

The Group will continue to identify further 
opportunities for the development of new 
product groups and expends a considerable 
amount on R&D. By continually developing and 
adapting its technologies the Group has been 
able to expand the applications of the touch 
sensors into a widening range of applications 
and new sectors of business and to promote the 
Group’s products on a global basis. At present 
93% of all products are directly exported from 
the UK, with a large proportion of UK sales 
eventually being exported as well.

The Group draws strength from the diverse 
spread of its worldwide selling operations, 
particularly given the current uncertain 
economic conditions affecting different 
countries. The incorporation of Zytronic Inc. 
has further strengthened the Group’s presence 
in the USA and the employment of a Taiwanese 
national in the APAC region in the year has 
increased its presence there. Management 
continues to look for suitable appointees to 
expand the Group’s presence of value added 
resellers (“VARs”) worldwide.

Capital management
Capital management is intended to ensure 
and maintain strong credit ratings and healthy 
capital ratios in order to support the Group’s 
business and maximise shareholder value. 
It includes the monitoring of cash balances, 

available bank facilities, cashflows, dividend 
policy and retained reserves and gearing levels 
(borrowings net of cash balances divided by 
shareholders’ equity).

Management ensures that the Group has 
sufficient facilities to provide the Directors 
with comfort on the Group’s foreseeable needs 
and its liquidity position. The Financial review 
includes a paragraph referring to the continuing 
strength of cashflows which occurred in the year 
ended 30 September 2015 and the absence 
of net gearing.

No changes were made to these objectives, 
policies or processes during the years ended 
30 September 2014 and 2015.

Research and development
The Group has again continued with the 
development of its electronic controllers, software 
and firmware used in the touch sensors and 
commenced the project to develop an MPCT™ 
ASIC to reduce the footprint and cost of its 
multi-touch controllers.

Zytronic has partnered during the year with a 
consortium group to evaluate and develop high 
resolution and small feature-sized inkjet printing 
techniques for printed electronics. Further details 
on the Group’s R&D activities are included in the 
Operational review section of the Strategic report.

Results and dividends
The consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income is set out on page 26. The Group profit 
after taxation amounted to £3.8m (2014: £3.0m). 
The Directors propose the payment of a final 
dividend of 8.87p per share (2014: 7.16p). 
Following the dividend of 3.14p per share paid 
in July 2015, this will bring the total dividend for 
the year to 12.01p per share (2014: 10.01p), 
an increase of 20%.

Directors
The Directors of the Company are shown on 
page 17. All of the Directors were Directors 
for the whole of the year. The emoluments and 
interests of the Directors in the shares of the 
Company are set out in the Remuneration report.

20

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Statement of Directors’ 
responsibilities in relation to 
the Group financial statements 
and annual report
The Directors are responsible for preparing the 
annual report and the Group financial statements 
in accordance with UK law and those International 
Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as 
adopted by the European Union.

Under company law the Directors must not 
approve the Group financial statements unless 
they are satisfied that they give a true and fair 
view of the state of affairs of the Group and of 
the profit or loss of the Group for that period. 
In preparing those financial statements the 
Directors are required to:

 C present fairly the financial position, financial 
performance and cashflows of the Group;

 C select suitable accounting policies in 

accordance with IAS 8 Accounting Policies, 
Changes in Accounting Estimates and 
Errors and then apply them consistently;

 C present information, including 

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

 C make judgements that are reasonable; 

 C provide additional disclosures when 

compliance with the specific requirements 
of IFRS, as adopted in the European Union, 
is insufficient to enable users to understand 
the impact of particular transactions, other 
events and conditions on the Group’s financial 
position and financial performance; and

 C state whether the Group financial statements 
have been prepared in accordance with IFRS, 
as adopted by the European Union, subject 
to any material departures disclosed and 
explained in the financial statements. 

Corporate governanceSignificant interests 
in shares

On 13 November 2015, 
the following had significant 
interests in the ordinary 
shares of the Company:

Brown Shipley
1,147,062 shares 

Hargreaves Lansdown
1,091,832 shares 

7.5%

7.1%

Cavendish Asset Management
901,300 shares 

5.9%

AXA Framlington
Investment Managers
825,000 shares 

Barclays Stockbrokers
761,981 shares 

5.4%

5.0%

to a maximum of 766,117 ordinary shares, being 
5% of the issued ordinary share capital of the 
Company at 30 September 2015. The authority 
(special resolution 2 in the Notice of Annual 
General Meeting) will extend until the Annual 
General Meeting held in 2016 and also would 
enable the Directors to implement a rights issue.

In addition, the Directors consider it advisable 
that the Company has the authority to make 
market purchases of its own shares up to a 
maximum of 1,532,235 ordinary shares of the 
Company, being 10% of the issued ordinary 
share capital. The authority (special resolution 3 
in the Notice of Annual General Meeting) will 
extend until the Annual General Meeting held 
in 2016. The power conferred by this authority 
would only be used after careful consideration by 
the Directors, having taken into account market 
conditions prevailing at the time, the investment 
needs of the Company, its opportunities for 
expansion and its overall financial position. 
The authority would only be exercised by the 
Directors if they considered it to be in the best 
interests of shareholders generally and if the 
purchase(s) could be expected to result in 
an increase in EPS. 

Auditors
A resolution to re-appoint Ernst & Young LLP 
as the Company’s auditors will be put to the 
shareholders at the forthcoming Annual 
General Meeting.

On behalf of the Board

Claire Smith BA (Hons), ACMA,  
CGMA, CertICM
Company Secretary
7 December 2015

Registration number
3881244

The Directors are responsible for keeping 
adequate accounting records that are sufficient 
to show and explain the Group’s transactions and 
disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time 
the financial position of the Group and enable 
them to ensure that the Group financial statements 
comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are 
also responsible for safeguarding the assets of 
the Group and hence for taking reasonable steps 
for the prevention and detection of fraud and 
other irregularities. The Directors are responsible 
for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate 
and financial information included on the 
Company’s website. Legislation in the UK 
governing the preparation and dissemination 
of financial statements may differ from 
legislation in other jurisdictions.

Disclosure of information 
to auditors
The Directors who were members of the Board 
at the time of approving the Directors’ report 
are listed on page 17. Having made enquiries of 
fellow Directors and of the Company’s auditors, 
each of these Directors confirms that:

 C to the best of each Director’s knowledge 
and belief, there is no information (that 
is, information needed by the Company’s 
auditors in connection with preparing their 
report) of which the Company’s auditors 
are unaware; and

 C each Director has taken all the steps 

a Director might reasonably be expected 
to have taken to be aware of relevant audit 
information and to establish that the 
Company’s auditors are aware of 
that information.

Special business
Three special resolutions are to be proposed 
at the AGM this year. The special resolutions 
provide for the granting of share allotment and 
share buy-back authorities which are sought by 
the Company on an annual basis at the AGM to 
permit the Company to issue or buy back shares 
in accordance with terms of the authorities 
granted to the Company and its Directors, 
should the need arise.

A resolution will be proposed at the forthcoming 
Annual General Meeting to renew the existing 
authority of the Directors, last conferred by a 
resolution passed at the Annual General Meeting 
held in 2014, to allot unissued ordinary shares of 
the Company. The authority (special resolution 1 in 
the Notice of Annual General Meeting) will extend 
until the Annual General Meeting held in 2016 
and is in respect of one-third of the Company’s 
issued share capital.

The Directors consider it advisable that they 
continue to have power to make allotments of 
ordinary shares of the Company for cash without 
reference to the statutory pre-emption rights, up 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

21

Financial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceRemuneration report

“ The Company has executive share option 
and incentive schemes, which are designed 
to promote long term improvement 
in the performance of the Group.”

As the Company is AIM listed, the Directors 
are not required, under Section 420(1) of the 
Companies Act 2006, to prepare a Directors’ 
Remuneration report for each financial year 
of the Company and so Zytronic plc makes the 
following disclosures voluntarily, which are not 
intended to, and indeed do not, comply with 
the requirements of Section 420(1) of the 
Companies Act 2006.

The remuneration committee is responsible 
for determining the remuneration and other 
terms of employment for the Executive Directors 
of Zytronic plc and some of the Directors in its 
trading subsidiary, Zytronic Displays Limited. 
The committee is composed of the Senior 
Independent Non-executive Director, as its 
Chairman, and the Independent Non-executive 
Director. In determining remuneration for the 
year, the committee has given full consideration 
to the requirements of the Combined Code.

Remuneration policy
The remuneration of Executive Directors 
is determined by the committee and the 
remuneration of Non-executive Directors 
is approved by the full Board of Directors. 
The remuneration of the Chairman is determined 
by the Independent Non-executive Directors.

The key objectives of the committee in 
determining the remuneration packages 
of Executive Directors are:

 C the recruitment, retention and incentivisation 
of executive management of the right calibre; and

 C the alignment of executive management 

and shareholder interests.

The remuneration packages of Executive 
Directors comprise the following elements:

Basic salary and benefits
Basic salaries for Executive Directors are 
reviewed annually having regard to individual 
performance and market practice. In most 
cases benefits provided to Executive Directors 
comprise the provision of a company car, or 
appropriate allowance, health insurance and 
contributions to a Group personal pension 
scheme. Details of emoluments for the Directors 
of Zytronic plc are set out on page 23.

Annual bonus
In 2014, the remuneration committee 
implemented a three-year annual bonus plan 
linked to corporate performance targets, being 
the achievement of certain profit before tax 
(“PBT”) measures.

A maximum bonus of 50% of base salary for 
both the Chief Executive and the Group Finance 
Director will be payable if these targets are met.

In the financial year 2015 actual bonus 
payments of 50% of base salary are payable. 
The remuneration committee believes that this 
is a reasonable situation given the financial 
performance of the Group.

The remuneration committee also retains its 
right to provide special discretionary bonuses 
where deemed appropriate.

Long term incentive plan
The remuneration committee also agreed, 
in 2014, a long term cumulative cash bonus 
incentive scheme, payable in addition to the 
annual bonus scheme following the finalisation 
of the fiscal year 2016 annual report and financial 
statements, providing certain performance 
measures have been achieved.

A bonus of 60% of base salary will be payable to 
the Chief Executive and 45% of base salary to the 
Group Finance Director, on achievement of the 
performance measures.

Share options and incentive schemes
The Company believes that share ownership by 
Executive Directors and employees strengthens 
the link between their personal interests and 
those of the Company and the shareholders.

The Company has executive share option and 
incentive schemes, which are designed to promote 
long term improvement in the performance of the 
Group, sustained increase in shareholder value 
and clear linkage between executive reward and 
the Group’s performance. The share options and 
incentive schemes of the Directors of Zytronic plc 
are set out on pages 23 and 24.

It will normally be the case that, on the option 
holder ceasing employment with the Group, the 
options will be terminated. In some circumstances, 
the Board may have discretion to waive this where 
the past contribution to the business by the 
option holder justifies it.

22

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Service contracts
Mark Cambridge and Claire Smith each have 
a service contract with a notice entitlement 
of six months.

The committee considers the Directors’ notice 
entitlements to be appropriate as they are in 
line with the market and take account of the 
Directors’ knowledge and experience. There 
are no special provisions for predetermined 
compensation in the event of loss of office.

Non-executive Directors
The fees of the Non-executive Directors are 
determined by the full Board within the limits 
set out in the Memorandum and Articles of 
Association. The Non-executive Directors are 
not eligible for bonuses, pension benefits 
or share options.

Directors’ emoluments
Emoluments of the Directors for the year ended 
30 September 2015 are shown in the table on 
the right.

Pension contributions
During the year, the Group made annual 
pension contributions for Mark Cambridge 
and Claire Smith, Executive Directors, to a 
Group personal pension scheme (i.e. a defined 
contribution scheme). Neither benefits in kind 
nor bonuses are pensionable.

Details of contributions payable by the 
Company are:

Director

Mark Cambridge
Claire Smith

Total*

2015
£’000

31
36

67

2014
£’000

4
3

7

*   The Directors opted to pay some of their 2014 
bonus award into their pension scheme as 
a Company contribution.

Corporate governanceDirectors’ shareholdings
Beneficial interests of the Directors in the shares of the Company, including those of their immediate families, are shown below:

Tudor Davies
Mark Cambridge 
Sir David Chapman, Bt.
David Buffham
Claire Smith

There has been no change in Directors’ shareholdings since 30 September 2015.

Directors’ emoluments for the year ended 30 September 2015

30 September 2015

30 September 2014

Number

90,909
50,791
40,000
18,500
714

%

0.59
0.33
0.26
0.12
—

Number

90,909
50,791
40,000
18,500
714

%

0.60
0.33
0.26
0.12
—

Non-executive Chairman
Tudor Davies
Executive
Mark Cambridge
Claire Smith
Non-executive
Sir David Chapman, Bt.
David Buffham

Salary
£’000

—

120
85

—
—

205

Fees
£’000

Benefits
£’000

Bonuses
£’000

Total

emoluments*

2015
£’000

Total
emoluments*
2014
£’000

71

—
—

28
28

127

—

14
10

—
—

24

—

60
42

—
—

102

71

194
137

28
28

458

65

190
129

28
26

438

*  Excluding pension contributions.

The Directors have opted to pay some of their bonus into their pension scheme.

Directors’ share incentive scheme 
The remuneration committee agreed, in March 2014, an incentive award scheme for Mark Cambridge, Chief Executive, and Claire Smith, Group Finance 
Director, to offer them each up to 125,000 shares at a price of 200.0p per share to vest based on specified performance criteria:

 C the consolidated PBT, after bonuses payable to certain individuals, of the Group for the accounting period ending 30 September 2016 being 

in excess of £4.5m; and

 C the consolidated PBT, after bonuses payable to certain individuals, of the Group for the three accounting periods ending 30 September 2014, 

2015 and 2016 being together at least £10.0m (where a loss in any such period shall be treated as a minus for those three years).

If the performance target set out above is satisfied, option shares will vest on the date on which the consolidated accounts for the Group 
for the accounting period ending 30 September 2016 are finalised.

The exercise of this option shall be conditional on the option holder entering into an agreement with the Company pursuant to which the option 
holder shall agree to retain one-third in aggregate of the shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of this option for a period of two years from the 
date of exercise of the option and to deposit the share certificate in respect of such shares with the Company Secretary for the retention period.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

23

Financial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceRemuneration report continued

Share price during the year
During the year to 30 September 2015, the highest share price was 316.0p and the lowest share price was 232.5p. The market price of the shares 
at 30 September 2015 was 305.0p.

Directors’ interests in material contracts
No Director was materially interested either at the year end or during the year in any contract of significance to the Group other than their employment 
or service contract.

Directors’ share options

Enterprise
Management
Incentive Scheme

Mark Cambridge

Mark Cambridge

Claire Smith

Claire Smith

Claire Smith

Claire Smith

Claire Smith

Unapproved Scheme

Mark Cambridge

Claire Smith

30 September
2014
Number

Granted
during
year
Number

Lapsed
during
year
Number

Exercised
during
year
Number

30 September
2015
Number

21,750

71,787

5,000

10,000

10,000

10,000

67,800

30 September
2014
Number

53,213

57,200

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Granted
during
year
Number

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

21,750

71,787

5,000

10,000

10,000

10,000

67,800

Lapsed
during
year
Number

—

—

Exercised
during
year
Number

—

—

30 September
2015
Number

53,213

57,200

Exercise dates

29 March 2014 to  
28 March 2021
December 2016 to 
December 2018
28 February 2011 to  
27 February 2018
25 January 2015 to  
24 January 2022
25 January 2016 to  
24 January 2022
25 January 2017 to  
24 January 2022
December 2016 to 
December 2018

Exercise dates

December 2016 to
 December 2018
December 2016 to
 December 2018

Option
price

172.8p

200.0p

216.5p

195.0p

195.0p

195.0p

200.0p

Option
price

200.0p

200.0p

24

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Corporate governance 
 
Independent auditors’ report
To the members of Zytronic plc

We have audited the financial statements of Zytronic plc for the year ended 30 September 2015 which comprise the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of changes in equity, the consolidated balance sheet and Parent Company balance sheet, 
the consolidated cashflow statement and the related notes 1 to 25 for the Group and the related notes 1 to 12 for the Parent Company. The financial 
reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the Group financial statements is applicable law and International Financial Reporting 
Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted by the European Union. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the Parent 
Company financial statements is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom 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 auditors’ report and for no 
other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company’s 
members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Respective responsibilities of Directors and auditors
As explained more fully in the Directors’ responsibilities statement set out on pages 20 and 21, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of 
the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial 
statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with 
the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the 
financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting 
policies are appropriate to the Group’s and the Parent Company’s circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the 
reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the Directors; and the overall presentation of the financial statements. In addition, we read 
all the financial and non-financial information in the annual report and financial statements to identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial 
statements and to identify any information that is apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with the knowledge acquired by us 
in the course of performing the audit. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications 
for our report.

Opinion on financial statements
In our opinion:

 C the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs as at 30 September 2015 

and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended;

 C the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union; 

 C the Parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

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

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

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

 C 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

 C the Parent Company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

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

 C we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

Stuart Watson (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of Ernst & Young LLP, Statutory Auditor
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
7 December 2015

Notes
1.   The maintenance and integrity of the Zytronic plc website is the responsibility of the Directors; the work carried out by the auditors does not involve consideration of these matters 

and, accordingly, the auditors accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the financial statements since they were initially presented on the website.

2.   Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

25

Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportConsolidated statement of comprehensive income
For the year ended 30 September 2015

Group revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Distribution costs

Administration expenses

Group trading profit

Finance costs

Finance revenue

Profit before tax

Tax expense

Profit for the year

Earnings per share

Basic

Diluted

All profits are from continuing operations.

Notes

2

3

5(a)

5(b)

6

8

8

2015
£’000

21,267

(12,366)

8,901

(278)

(4,073)

4,550

(29)

23

4,544

(775)

3,769

24.7p

24.3p

2014
£’000

18,886

(11,979)

6,907

(156)

(3,488)

3,263

(35)

33

3,261

(301)

2,960

19.6p

19.5p

26

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Financial statementsConsolidated statement of changes in equity
For the year ended 30 September 2015

At 30 September 2013

Profit for the year

Tax recognised directly in equity

Exercise of share options

Share-based payments

Dividends

At 30 September 2014

Profit for the year

Tax recognised directly in equity

Exercise of share options

Share-based payments

Dividends

At 30 September 2015

Called
up share
capital
 £’000

150

—

—

2

—

—

Share
premium
£’000

7,003

—

—

287

—

—

152

7,290

—

—

1

—

—

—

—

262

—

—

Retained
earnings
£’000

8,948

2,960

—

—

93

Total
£’000

16,101

2,960

—

289

93

(1,390)

(1,390)

10,611

3,769

—

—

180

18,053

3,769

—

263

180

(1,574)

(1,574)

153

7,552

12,986

20,691

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

27

Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportConsolidated balance sheet
At 30 September 2015

Assets

Non-current assets

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Other current financial assets

Cash and short term deposits

Total assets

Equity and liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Financial liabilities

Other current financial liabilities

Accruals

Taxation liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Financial liabilities

Provisions

Government grants

Deferred tax liabilities (net)

Total liabilities

Net assets

Capital and reserves

Equity share capital

Share premium

Revenue reserve

Total equity

These financial statements have been approved by the Board of Directors and signed on its behalf by:

Mark Cambridge BSc (Hons), FIoD   
Chief Executive 
7 December 2015

Claire Smith BA (Hons), ACMA, CGMA, CertICM
Group Finance Director

28

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Notes

9

10

11

12

15(a)

13

14

15(b)

15(b)

14

16

17

19

21

21

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

1,427

7,807

9,234

3,214

3,055

—

9,833

16,102

25,336

971

200

89

1,201

255

2,716

136

59

590

1,929

4,645

1,413

7,443

8,856

3,126

3,068

48

7,806

14,048

22,904

1,057

200

224

1,264

30

2,775

1,341

139

—

596

2,076

4,851

20,691

18,053

153

7,552

12,986

20,691

152

7,290

10,611

18,053

15(b)

1,144

Financial statements 
 
 
Consolidated cashflow statement
For the year ended 30 September 2015

Operating activities

Profit from continuing operations

Net finance costs

Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment

Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets

Loss on sale of fixed assets

Amortisation of government grant

Share-based payments

Fair value movement on foreign exchange forward contracts

Working capital adjustments

(Increase)/decrease in inventories

Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables

(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables and provisions

Cash generated from operations

Taxation paid

Net cashflow from operating activities

Investing activities

Interest received

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment

Receipt of government grant

Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment

Payments to acquire intangible assets

Net cashflow from investing activities

Financing activities

Interest paid

Dividends paid to equity shareholders of the Parent

Proceeds from share issues relating to options

Repayment of borrowings

Net cashflow from financing activities

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

Cash and cash equivalents at the year end

Notes

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

4,544

3,261

6

708

336

54

(4)

180

(87)

(88)

13

(249)

5,413

(556)

4,857

23

3

63

(994)

(388)

(1,293)

(26)

(1,574)

263

(200)

(1,537)

2,027

7,806

9,833

2

672

362

—

—

93

176

383

(638)

370

4,681

(497)

4,184

33

36

—

(263)

(322)

(516)

(35)

(1,390)

289

(200)

(1,336)

2,332

5,474

7,806

13

13

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

29

Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the consolidated financial statements
For the year ended 30 September 2015

1. Accounting policies
(a) Authorisation of financial statements and statement of compliance
The financial statements of Zytronic plc and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) for the year ended 30 September 2015 were authorised for issue by the Board 
of Directors on 7 December 2015 and the balance sheet was signed on behalf of the Board by Mark Cambridge and Claire Smith. Zytronic plc is a public limited 
company incorporated, domiciled and registered in England and Wales. The Company’s ordinary shares are traded on AIM. The address of its registered 
office and principal place of operation are disclosed in the Corporate information section of this report.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted for use in the European Union and as applied in 
accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006. The Directors consider the following accounting policies to be relevant in relation to the Group’s 
financial statements.

(b) New standards and interpretations not applied
The International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) and the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (“IFRIC”) have issued 
the following standards, interpretations and amendments with an effective date after the date of these financial statements:

Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38

Clarification of Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and Amortisation

Amendments to IAS 27R

Equity Method in Separate Financial Statements

Effective date

1 January 2016

1 January 2016

Amendments to IAS 28 and IFRS 10

Sale or Contribution of Assets Between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture

1 January 2016

Amendments to IAS 1

Disclosure Initiative

Amendments to IFRS 10, 12 and IAS 28

Investment Entities: Applying the Consolidation Exemption

Amendments to IFRS 11

Allowing for Acquisitions of Interests in Joint Operations

Amendments to IAS 16 and 41

Bearer Plants

IFRS 15

IFRS 9

Annual improvements to IFRSs

Annual improvements to IFRSs

Annual improvements to IFRSs

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Financial Instruments

2010–2012

2011–2013

2012–2014

1 January 2016

1 January 2016

1 January 2016

1 January 2016

1 January 2018

1 January 2018

1 February 2015

1 March 2015

1 January 2016

We have not yet done sufficient work to identify the impact of these new standards on the financial statements in future years.

(c) New standards adopted
The following new standards or interpretations are mandatory for the first time for the financial year ended 30 September 2015:

IAS 27

IAS 28

IAS 32

IAS 36

IAS 39

IFRS 10

IFRS 11

IFRS 12

Separate Financial Statements

Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures

Amendment of IAS 32 Offsetting of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

Recoverable Amount Disclosures for Non-financial Assets (amendment)

Novation of Derivatives and Continuation of Hedge Accounting (amendment)

Consolidated Financial Statements

Joint Arrangements

Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities

Adoption of these new standards had no material impact on the financial performance of the Group.

(d) Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
The preparation of the Group’s consolidated financial statements requires the Directors to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect 
the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and disclosures at the date of the financial statements and the reported income and expense during the year. 
Although these judgements and assumptions are based on the Directors’ best knowledge of the amounts, events or actions, actual results may differ 
from those estimates.

In the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies, the Directors have made the following judgements concerning the future and other key 
sources of estimation uncertainty at the statement of financial position date which have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised 
in the financial statements.

30

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Financial statements 
 
 
1. Accounting policies continued
(d) Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty continued
Share-based payments
The Group measures the cost of equity-settled transactions with employees by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments at the date at 
which they are granted. Estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions requires determination of the most appropriate valuation model, 
which is dependent on the terms and conditions of the grant. This estimate also requires determination of the most appropriate inputs to the valuation 
model, including the expected life of the share option, volatility and dividend yield, and making assumptions about them. The assumptions and models 
used for estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions are disclosed in note 21.

Fair value measurement of financial instruments
The fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities are recorded in the statement of financial position and measured by the financial institutions 
using valuation techniques based on market practice. Judgements include considerations around foreign exchange spot and forward rates and interest 
rate curves.

Development costs
Development costs are capitalised in accordance with the accounting policy given below. Initial capitalisation of costs is based on management’s 
judgement that technological and economical feasibility is confirmed, usually when a product development project has reached a defined milestone.

(e) Basis of consolidation and goodwill
The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of Zytronic plc and its subsidiaries as at 30 September each year. 
They are presented in Sterling and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds (£’000) except where otherwise indicated.

All intra-group balances and transactions, including unrealised profits arising from them, are eliminated. 

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the consideration 
transferred, measured at acquisition date fair value, and the amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree. For each business combination, the 
acquirer measures the non-controlling interest in the acquiree either at fair value or at the proportionate share of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets. 
Acquisition costs incurred are expensed and included in administrative expenses.

When the Group acquires a business, it assesses the financial assets and liabilities assumed for appropriate classification and designation in accordance 
with the contractual terms, economic circumstances and pertinent conditions as at the acquisition date. 

Any contingent consideration to be transferred by the acquirer will be recognised at fair value at the acquisition date. Subsequent changes to the fair 
value of the contingent consideration, which is deemed to be an asset or liability, will be recognised in accordance with IAS 39 either in profit or loss or 
as a change to other comprehensive income. If the contingent consideration is classified as equity, it should not be remeasured until it is finally settled 
within equity.

Goodwill is initially measured at cost being the excess of the aggregate of the consideration transferred and the amount recognised for non-controlling 
interest over the net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. If this consideration is lower than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary 
acquired, the difference is recognised in profit or loss.

After initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill 
acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each of the Group’s cash-generating units that are expected to benefit 
from the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the acquiree are assigned to those units.

(f) Exceptional items
The Group presents as exceptional items on the face of the income statement those material items of income and expense which, because of the 
nature and expected infrequency of the events giving rise to them, merit separate presentation to allow shareholders to better understand the elements 
of financial performance in the year, so as to facilitate comparison with prior periods and to better assess trends in financial performance.

(g) Foreign currencies
The consolidated financial statements are presented in Sterling, which is the Company’s functional and presentation currency. Transactions in foreign 
currencies are initially recorded in the functional currency at the rate ruling at the date of transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in 
foreign currencies are retranslated at the functional currency rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. All differences are taken to the income 
statement. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates as at the 
dates of the initial transactions.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

31

Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the consolidated financial statements continued
For the year ended 30 September 2015

1. Accounting policies continued
(h) Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment charges. Such costs include those directly attributable 
to making the asset capable of operating as intended and the cost of replacing significant parts of such plant and equipment when that cost is incurred, 
if the recognition criteria are met. Depreciation is provided on all property, plant and equipment, other than freehold land, at rates calculated to write off 
the cost, less estimated residual value, of each asset evenly over its expected useful life, as follows:

Freehold land 
Freehold property 
Long leasehold property 
Plant and machinery  

– 
– 
– 
– 

Nil
50 years
50 years
varying rates between 5% and 25% per annum

Any gain or loss arising on disposal of an asset (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset) 
is included in the income statement in the year the asset is derecognised.

The assets’ residual values, useful lives and methods of depreciation are reviewed at each financial year end and adjusted, if appropriate. The Group 
assesses at each reporting date whether there is an indication that an asset may be impaired. If any such indication exists the Group makes an estimate 
of the asset’s recoverable amount. An asset’s recoverable amount is the higher of the asset’s fair value, or the cash-generating unit’s fair value of which 
it forms part, less costs to sell and its value in use and is determined for an individual asset, unless the asset does not generate cash inflows that are 
largely independent of those from other assets or groups of assets. Where the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is 
considered impaired and is written down to its recoverable amount. Impairment losses of continuing operations are recognised in the income statement 
in those expense categories consistent with the function of the impaired asset.

(i) Intangible assets
Intangible assets acquired separately are measured on initial recognition at cost. The cost of intangible assets acquired in a business combination 
is deemed to be their fair value as at the date of acquisition. Following initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost less any accumulated 
amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses. Other than capitalised development costs, internally generated intangible assets are not capitalised.

Intangible assets are amortised on a straight line basis over their useful economic lives and reviewed for impairment at each financial year end. 
The amortisation expense on intangible assets is recognised in the income statement in the expense category consistent with the function of the 
intangible asset. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Patents 
Licences   
Capitalised development expenditure 
Software   

– 
– 
– 
– 

20 years
period of licensing agreements (ten and 17 years)
four or ten years
four years

Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, such as goodwill, are tested for impairment annually and are not amortised. The useful life of an intangible 
asset with an indefinite life is reviewed annually to determine whether indefinite life assessment continues to be supportable.

Patent applications
The costs associated with the drafting and filing of patent applications are capitalised as incurred.

Those costs are not amortised until the patent has been granted, after which they will be amortised over its useful economic life of 20 years. 
If the application fails, the capitalised costs will then be impaired and written off.

(j) Research and development costs
Research expenditure is written off as incurred. An intangible asset arising from development expenditure on an individual project is recognised only 
when the Group can demonstrate the technical feasibility of completing the intangible asset so that it will be available for use or sale, its intention to 
complete and its ability to use or sell the asset, how the asset will generate future economic benefits, the availability of resources to complete the asset 
and the ability to measure reliably the expenditure during the development. 

During the period of development, the asset is tested annually for impairment. Following the initial recognition of the development expenditure, the cost 
model (as defined in IFRS) is applied, requiring the asset to be carried at cost less any accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. 
Amortisation of the asset begins when development is complete and the asset is available for use. It is amortised over the period of expected future sales.

(k) Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Costs incurred in bringing each product to its present location and condition 
are accounted for as follows:

Raw materials and consumables 
Finished goods and work in progress 

– 
– 

purchase cost on a first-in, first-out basis
 cost of direct materials and labour and a proportion of manufacturing overheads based on normal 
operating capacity but excluding borrowing costs

Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs 
necessary to make the sale.

32

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1. Accounting policies continued
(l) Trade and other receivables
Trade receivables are recognised and carried at their original amount less an allowance for any uncollectable amounts. An estimate for doubtful debts 
is made when collection of the full amount is no longer probable. Bad debts are written off when identified. Trade and other receivables do not carry interest.

(m) Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and short term deposits in the balance sheet comprise cash at bank and in hand and short term deposits with an initial maturity of three months 
or less or for a longer period but with the ability to break the deposit with a similar notice period. Bank overdrafts are shown within financial assets on 
the balance sheet as the Group has a set-off arrangement in place. For the purpose of the cashflow statement, cash and cash equivalents comprise 
these balances, net of outstanding bank overdrafts.

(n) Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
All loans and borrowings are initially recognised at the fair value of the consideration received less directly attributable transaction costs. After initial 
recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. 

Gains and losses are recognised in the income statement when the liabilities are derecognised, as well as through the amortisation process.

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of an asset that necessarily takes a substantial period of time to get 
ready for its intended use are capitalised as part of the costs of the respective assets. All other borrowing costs are expensed in the period they occur. 
Borrowing costs consist of interest and other costs that an entity incurs in connection with the borrowing of funds.

(o) Derecognition of financial assets and liabilities
A financial asset or financial liability is derecognised when the contract that gives rise to it is discharged, sold, cancelled or expires.

Where an existing financial liability is replaced by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability 
are substantially modified, such an exchange or modification is treated as a derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability, 
and the difference in the respective carrying amounts is recognised in the income statement.

(p) Financial instruments
Fair value measurement of financial instruments
The Group measures financial instruments, such as derivatives, at fair value at each balance sheet date. Fair value is the price that would be received 
to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The Group uses valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data are available to measure fair value, 
maximising the use of relevant observable inputs and minimising the use of unobservable inputs.

All assets and liabilities for which fair value is measured or disclosed in the financial statements are categorised within the fair value hierarchy, described 
as follows, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole:

Level 1: quoted (unadjusted) market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2: valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is directly or indirectly observable; and

Level 3: valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is unobservable.

(q) Pension scheme
The Group operates a group personal pension scheme, which is a defined contribution scheme, for its employees. Contributions are recognised 
in the income statement as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.

(r) Share-based payment transactions
Equity-settled transactions
The cost of equity-settled transactions with employees is measured by reference to the fair value at the date at which they are granted and is recognised 
as an expense over the vesting period, which ends on the date on which the relevant employees become fully entitled to the award. Fair value is determined 
using an appropriate pricing model. In valuing equity-settled transactions, no account is taken of any service performance conditions (vesting conditions), 
other than performance conditions linked to the price of the shares of the Company (market conditions). Any other conditions which are required to be 
met in order for an employee to become fully entitled to an award are considered to be non-vesting conditions. Like market performance conditions, 
non-vesting conditions are taken into account in determining the grant date fair value.

No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately vest, except for awards where vesting is conditional upon a market vesting condition, which 
are treated as vesting irrespective of whether or not the market vesting condition or non-vesting condition is satisfied, provided that all other non-market 
vesting conditions are satisfied.

At each balance sheet date before vesting, the cumulative expense is calculated, representing the extent to which the vesting period has expired and 
management’s best estimate of the achievement or otherwise of non-market vesting conditions and the number of equity instruments that will ultimately 
vest or, in the case of an instrument subject to a market vesting condition or a non-vesting condition, be treated as vesting. The movement in cumulative 
expense since the previous balance sheet date is recognised in the income statement, with a corresponding entry in equity.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

33

Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the consolidated financial statements continued
For the year ended 30 September 2015

1. Accounting policies continued
(r) Share-based payment transactions continued
Equity-settled transactions continued
Where the terms of an equity-settled award are modified or a new award is designated as replacing a cancelled or settled award, the cost based on 
the original award terms continues to be recognised over the original vesting period. In addition, an expense is recognised over the remainder of the new 
vesting period for the incremental fair value of any modification, based on the difference between the fair value of the original award and the fair value 
of the modified award, both as measured on the date of the modification. No reduction is recognised if this difference is negative.

Where an equity-settled award is cancelled (including when a non-vesting condition within the control of the entity or employee is not met), it is 
treated as if it had vested on the date of cancellation and any cost not yet recognised in the income statement for the award is expensed immediately. 
Any compensation paid up to the fair value of the award at the cancellation or settlement date is deducted from equity, with any excess over fair value 
being treated as an expense in the income statement.

(s) Employee benefits 
Certain employees of the Group participate in a long term incentive scheme, whereby they will achieve additional remuneration in the form of a cash 
bonus and share options on achievement of predetermined performance measures. The bonus payable and options exercisable are considered in 
conjunction with assumptions over potential leavers and also the likelihood of performance targets being met. Bonuses expected to become payable 
are attributed to each of the years in which the award is earned.

(t) Revenue recognition
Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have passed to the buyer. This is when 
the goods have been dispatched or made available to the customer, an invoice has been raised for them and the Group’s obligations to the customer 
have been met. There is not usually any significant delay between the occurrence of these three events.

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received, excluding discounts, rebates and other sales taxes. Appropriate provisions 
for known returns are deducted from revenue.

(u) Government grants and subsidies
Government grants are recognised where there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and all attaching conditions will be complied 
with, normally when a grant claim has been approved by the government authority and the grant monies have been received. The fair value of grants 
is credited to a deferred income account and released to the income statement over the life of the projects to which they relate.

The interest rate subsidy received, as a discounted upfront cash sum, by the Group under the National Loan Guarantee Subsidy Scheme has been 
credited to a deferred interest subsidy account and will be released to the income statement over the life of the loan upon which it is based.

(v) Royalty payments
Under the terms of its patent licence, Zytronic Displays Limited pays royalties to the patent owner on the value of the touch sensors that it sells. 
An agreed annual payment is made by monthly instalment under the licence.

In the event that the actual quarterly royalties due from Zytronic Displays Limited exceed the payments on account for that quarter, Zytronic Displays 
Limited pays the balance to the patent owner.

In the event that the payments on account for that quarter exceed the actual royalties due to that date, the excess payment is treated by Zytronic 
Displays Limited as a prepayment of royalties that will become due in the future. Similarly, should the annual agreed payment be in excess of the 
royalties due for the year, the difference is rolled over and deducted from future years’ royalty calculations.

Management reviews its forecasts of future sales to determine whether any impairment has occurred which might affect the carrying value of the prepayment.

From 1 January 2008, and for each subsequent calendar year, the annual payment will increase either by the greater of RPI or to the level of the previous 
year’s actual royalties.

The royalty licence agreement expired as of April 2015.

(w) Deferred tax
Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts 
in the financial statements, with the following exceptions:

 C where the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business 

combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss;

 C in respect of taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, where the timing of the reversal 

of the temporary differences can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future; and

 C deferred taxation assets are recognised only to the extent that the Directors consider that it is more likely than not that there will be suitable taxable 

profits from which the future reversal of the underlying timing differences can be deducted.

Deferred tax is measured on an undiscounted basis at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which the related asset or liability 
is settled, based on tax rates and laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

34

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Financial statements2. Group revenue and segmental analysis
Revenue represents the invoiced amount of goods sold and services provided, stated net of value added tax, rebates and discounts.

For management purposes, the Group considers that it has a single business unit comprising the development and manufacture of customised 
optical filters to enhance electronic display performance. All revenue, profits or losses before tax and net assets are attributable to this single 
reportable business segment.

The Board monitors the operating results of its entire business for the purposes of making decisions about resource allocation and performance 
assessment. Business performance is evaluated based on operating profits.

All manufacturing takes place in the UK and accordingly all segment assets are located in the UK. The analysis of segment revenue by geographical 
area based on the location of customers is given below:

30 September 2015

30 September 2014

– Americas (excluding USA)
– USA
– EMEA (excluding UK and Hungary)
– Hungary
– UK
– APAC (excluding South Korea)
– South Korea

Sale of goods 

Revenue
Finance revenue

Total revenue

£’000

1,467
3,247
5,405
3,487
1,582
3,297
2,782

21,267
23

21,290

%

7
15
25
16
7
17
13

100

£’000

476
3,823
5,515
3,729
1,240
3,617
486

18,886
33

18,919

%

3
20
29
20
6
19
3

100

Individual revenues from three major customers exceeded 10% of total revenue for the year. The total amount of revenue was £9.3m (2014: £6.3m).

The individual revenues from each of these three customers were: £4.4m (2014: £4.2m); £2.6m (2014: £2.1m); and £2.3m (2014: £Nil).

3. Group trading profit
This is stated after charging/(crediting):

R&D costs
Amortisation and impairment of development expenditure

Auditors’ remuneration  

– in respect of audit services*
– in respect of taxation compliance services
– in respect of taxation advisory services**
– in respect of other assurance services

Depreciation of owned assets
Amortisation of software 
Amortisation and impairment of licences 
Cost of inventories recognised as an expense including:
– write-down of inventories to net realisable value
– the net movement in the stock provision
Hire of plant and machinery
Loss on disposal of plant and machinery
Operating lease rentals – minimum lease payments
Amortisation of capital grants
Net foreign currency differences

*  £15,000 of this relates to the Company (2014: £13,500).
** Credit arose due to release of over-provision in the prior year.

30 September
2015
£’000

30 September
2014
£’000

418
178

596

55
11
(16)
1
708
45
113
6,864
50
(45)
2
16
54
(4)
319

296
206

502

54
9
93
2
672
43
113
6,405
6
(38)
1
—
45
—
20

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

35

Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
For the year ended 30 September 2015

4. Staff costs and Directors’ emoluments

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs

30 September
2015
£’000

30 September
2014
£’000

4,997
411
143

5,551

4,601
383
96

5,080

Included in wages and salaries is a total charge for share-based payments of £180,000 (2014: £93,000), all of which arises from transactions 
accounted for as equity-settled share-based payment transactions.

The total of Directors’ emoluments is £458,000 (2014: £438,000). The aggregate value of contributions paid to money purchase pension schemes 
includes £64,000 (2014: £7,000) in respect of two Directors (2014: two).

Amounts paid to the highest paid Director are £194,000 (2014: £209,000) plus a contribution paid to the money purchase pension scheme 
of £30,000 (2014: £4,000).

The average number of employees during the year was made up as follows:

Production
Administration and sales

30 September
2015
Number

30 September
2014
Number

131
43

174

128
41

169

The information required by AIM rule Schedule 5 of the Large and Medium Sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 
is contained in the Remuneration report under Directors’ emoluments, pension contributions, Directors’ shareholdings and Directors’ share options.

5. Finance costs payable and revenue receivable
(a) Finance costs

Interest payable

Bank loans and overdrafts

(b) Finance revenue

Interest receivable

Bank interest receivable

6. Taxation

Current tax
UK corporation tax
Corporation tax over-provided in prior years

Total current tax charge

Deferred tax
Effect of change in tax rates
Origination and reversal of temporary differences

Total deferred tax credit

Tax charge in the income statement

36

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

30 September
2015
£’000

30 September
2014
£’000

29

35

30 September
2015
£’000

30 September
2014
£’000

23

33

30 September
2015
£’000

30 September
2014
£’000

750
31

781

—
(6)

(6)

775

549
(218)

331

—
(30)

(30)

301

Financial statements6. Taxation continued
Tax relating to items credited to equity

Deferred tax
Tax on share-based payments

Total deferred tax debit

Tax charge in the statement of changes in equity

30 September
2015
£’000

30 September
2014
£’000

(28)

(28)

(28)

—

—

—

Reconciliation of the total tax charge
The effective tax rate of the tax expense in the income statement for the year is 17.1% (2014: 9.2%) compared with the average rate of corporation tax 
in the UK of 20.5% (2014: 22.0%). The differences are reconciled below:

Accounting profit before tax

Accounting profit multiplied by the UK average rate of corporation tax of 20.5% (2014: 22.0%)
Effects of:
(Income not chargeable)/expenses not deductible for tax purposes
“Gain” on exercise of share options allowable for tax purposes
but not reflected in the income statement
Depreciation in respect of non-qualifying items
Enhanced tax reliefs
Difference in tax rates
Tax over-provided in prior years

Total tax expense reported in the income statement

30 September
2015
£’000

30 September
2014
£’000

4,544

932

(19)

(25)
38
(179)
(3)
31

775

3,261

717

(14)

(25)
42
(199)
(2)
(218)

301

Factors that may affect future tax charges
Under current tax legislation, some of the amortisation of licences will continue to be non-deductible for tax purposes.

The “gain” on the exercise of share options, being the difference between the grant/exercise price and the market value at the time of exercise, 
is allowable as a tax deduction from profits, although it is not reflected within the income statement. These gains will arise in future years but their 
timing and amount is uncertain.

There are no tax losses to carry forward at 30 September 2015 (2014: £Nil).

The main rate of tax reduced to 21% from 1 April 2014 and further reduced to 20% from 1 April 2015; this was substantively enacted on 17 July 2013. 
This rate of 20% has been applied to the deferred tax assets/liabilities arising at the balance sheet date.

The Patent Box regime was introduced with effect from 1 April 2013 and allows companies to apply a lower rate of corporation tax to profits attributable 
to qualifying patents. This may have relevance for Zytronic insofar as such profits are embedded in the sales price of products incorporating patented 
components. The Company is in the process of assessing its qualifying status under the regime, and, to the extent that the Company will have relevant 
profits under the regime, will accordingly consider whether to elect into the regime and make a claim for the additional relief available. The rules effective 
from 1 April 2013 may be subject to amendment following the recommendations made by the OECD as published on 5 October 2015. The Company will 
consider further its position in respect of Patent Box in light of any amendments resulting from the OECD recommendations.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

37

Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
For the year ended 30 September 2015

7. Dividends
The Directors propose the payment of a final dividend of 8.87p per share (2014: 7.16p), payable on 11 March 2016 to shareholders on the Register 
of Members on 26 February 2016. This dividend has not been accrued in these financial statements. The dividend payment will amount to some £1.4m.

Ordinary dividends on equity shares
Final dividend of 6.35p per ordinary share paid on 14 March 2014
Interim dividend of 2.85p per ordinary share paid on 25 July 2014
Final dividend of 7.16p per ordinary share paid on 13 March 2015
Interim dividend of 3.14p per ordinary share paid on 24 July 2015

30 September
2015
£’000

30 September
2014
£’000

—
—
1,093
481

1,574

958
432
—
—

1,390

8. Earnings per share
Basic EPS is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares 
in issue during the year. All activities are continuing operations and therefore there is no difference between EPS arising from total operations and EPS 
arising from continuing operations. 

Profit on ordinary activities after taxation

Basic EPS

Weighted
 average
number
of shares
30 September 
2015
Thousands

15,259

15,259

Earnings
30 September 
2015
£’000

3,769

3,769

EPS
30 September 
2015
Pence

Earnings
30 September 
2014
£’000

24.7

24.7

2,960

2,960

Weighted
 average
number
of shares
30 September 
2014
Thousands

15,098

15,098

EPS
30 September 
2014
Pence

19.6

19.6

The weighted average number of shares for diluted EPS is calculated by including the weighted average number of potentially dilutive shares under option.

Profit on ordinary activities after taxation
Weighted average number of shares under option

Diluted EPS

Weighted
 average
number
of shares
30 September 
2015
Thousands

15,259
239

15,498

Earnings
30 September 
2015
£’000

3,769
—

3,769

EPS
30 September 
2015
Pence

Earnings
30 September 
2014
£’000

24.7
(0.4)

24.3

2,960
—

2,960

Weighted
 average
number
of shares
30 September 
2014
Thousands

15,098
95

15,193

EPS
30 September 
2014
Pence

19.6
(0.1)

19.5

38

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Financial statements9. Intangible assets

Cost
At 30 September 2013
Additions
Disposals

At 30 September 2014
Additions
Disposals

At 30 September 2015

Amortisation and impairment
At 30 September 2013
Provided during the year
Impaired during the year
Disposals

At 30 September 2014
Provided during the year
Impaired during the year
Disposals

At 30 September 2015

Net book value at 30 September 2015

Net book value at 30 September 2014

Net book value at 30 September 2013

Software
£’000

Goodwill 
£’000

Patents and 
licences
 £’000

Development
 expenditure 
£’000

495
59
—

554
24
—

578

419
43
—
—

462
45
—
—

507

71

92

76

235
—
—

235
—
—

235

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—

235

235

235

1,903
21
—

1,924
69
(18)

1,975

1,382
107
6
—

1,495
102
11
(9)

1,599

376

429

521

Total
 £’000

4,707
322
(71)

4,958
388
(91)

2,074
242
(71)

2,245
295
(73)

2,467

5,255

1,453
179
27
(71)

1,588
178
—
(44)

1,722

745

657

621

3,254
329
33
(71)

3,545
325
11
(53)

3,828

1,427

1,413

1,453

As from the date of transition to IFRS, goodwill is no longer amortised but is now subject to an annual impairment test.

Impairment of goodwill
The goodwill of £235,000 relates to the operations of Intasolve Limited, which were merged into the business of Zytronic Displays Limited on 1 September 2002.

Zytronic Displays Limited operates in one continuing area of activity, which is the lowest level at which goodwill is monitored for internal purposes. 
That activity has demonstrated growth in sales revenues, gross profit margins, profitability before tax and cash generation over recent years.

The recoverable amount of goodwill has been determined based on a value-in-use calculation for the cash-generating unit, using cashflow projections 
based on financial budgets and forecasts approved by senior management covering a three-year period. Growth has been extrapolated forward from the 
end of the forecasts using a growth rate of 3%, which reflects the Directors’ view of the long term growth rate in the business.

The cashflows for the cash-generating unit have been discounted using a discount rate of 10%, derived from the Group’s weighted average cost of capital.

The calculation of value in use is most sensitive to the forecast operating cashflows, the discount rate and the growth rate used to extrapolate cashflows 
beyond the budget period. The operating cashflows are based on assumptions of revenue, cost of sales and general overheads. These assumptions are 
influenced by several factors both internally and externally.

The Directors consider the assumptions used around revenue and costs to be consistent with the historical performance and to be realistically 
achievable in light of economic and industry measures and forecasts. It is believed that any reasonably possible movement on assumptions will 
not lead to an impairment and we have therefore not presented any sensitivity analysis.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

39

Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the consolidated financial statements continued
For the year ended 30 September 2015

10. Property, plant and equipment
The amounts carried in the balance sheet comprise:

Cost
At 30 September 2013
Additions
Disposals

At 30 September 2014
Additions
Disposals

At 30 September 2015

Depreciation and impairment
At 30 September 2013
Provided during the year
Disposals

At 30 September 2014
Provided during the year
Disposals

At 30 September 2015

Net book value at 30 September 2015

Net book value at 30 September 2014

Net book value at 30 September 2013

11. Inventories

Raw materials and consumables
Work in progress
Finished goods

Land
£’000

207
—
—

207
—
—

207

—
—
—

—
—
—

—

207

207

207

Freehold
 property
 £’000

3,070
—
—

3,070
—
—

3,070

339
61
—

400
62
—

462

2,608

2,670

2,731

Long
leasehold 
property 
 £’000

2,413
11
—

2,424
1
—

Plant and
machinery
£’000

8,541
252
(38)

8,755
1,090
(91)

Total
£’000

14,231
263
(38)

14,456
1,091
(91)

2,425

9,754

15,456

292
80
—

372
80
—

452

1,973

2,052

2,121

5,712
531
(2)

6,241
566
(72)

6,735

3,019

2,514

2,829

6,343
672
(2)

7,013
708
(72)

7,649

7,807

7,443

7,888

30 September
2015
£’000

30 September
2014
£’000

1,984
377
853

3,214

1,970
409
747

3,126

30 September
2015
£’000

30 September
2014
£’000

2,773
92
190

3,055

2,784
123
161

3,068

The difference between purchase price or production cost of stocks and their replacement cost is not material.

12. Trade and other receivables
Current assets

Trade receivables
VAT recoverable
Prepayments

40

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Financial statements 
12. Trade and other receivables continued
Current assets continued
Trade receivables are denominated in the following currencies:

Sterling
US Dollar
Euro

30 September
2015
£’000

30 September
2014
£’000

807
1,164
802

2,773

735
861
1,188

2,784

Out of the carrying amount of trade receivables of £2.8m (2014: £2.8m), £1.8m (2014: £1.5m) is the amount of debts owed by three major customers. 
Regular reviews are undertaken on these major customers so as to ascertain that there are no going concern issues with them.

Trade receivables are non-interest bearing and are generally on 30 to 60-day terms. They are shown net of a provision for impairment.

As at 30 September 2015, trade receivables at a nominal value of £26,000 (2014: £23,000) were impaired due to poor payment history. 
Movements in the provision for impairment of trade receivables were as follows:

At 30 September 2013
Charge for the year
Utilised

At 30 September 2014
Charge for the year
Utilised

At 30 September 2015

At 30 September, the ageing analysis of trade receivables overdue but not impaired was as follows:

2015

2014

 Past due but not impaired

Neither past due
nor impaired

<3 months
£’000

>3 months
£’000

2,147

1,736

625

1,031

1

17

£’000

35
—
(12)

23
3
—

26

Total
£’000

2,773

2,784

Credit limits are set for each customer, using Dun & Bradstreet credit reports as appropriate, or pro-forma invoices are raised, or cash upfront is 
received for a new customer where a credit limit is not easily established. Slow payers are chased vigorously, including making use of solicitors in the 
collection process. The credit quality of trade receivables that are neither past due nor impaired is assessed by reference to external credit ratings where 
available; otherwise, historical information relating to counterparty default rates is used.

13. Cash and short term deposits

Cash at bank and in hand
Short term deposits
Bank overdrafts

30 September
2015
£’000

30 September
2014
£’000

8,583
2,578
(1,326)

9,833

6,950
2,560
(1,704)

7,806

Cash at bank earns interest at floating rates based on daily bank deposit rates. Short term deposits are made for variable lengths being overnight, 
three months or one year (with break conditions), depending on the immediate cash requirements of the Group, and earn interest at variable rates.

At 30 September 2015, the Group had available a net £1.0m (total cash less overdrawn accounts) overdraft facility from Barclays Bank plc which 
will fall for review in November 2016.

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents is £9.8m (2014: £7.8m).

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

41

Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the consolidated financial statements continued
For the year ended 30 September 2015

14. Trade and other payables

Trade payables
Other taxes and social security costs

Accruals

Terms and conditions of the above financial liabilities:

 C trade payables are non-interest bearing and are normally settled on 30-day terms.

15. Financial assets and financial liabilities
(a) Financial assets
Financial assets at fair value through the income statement

Derivatives not designated as hedges
Foreign exchange forward contracts

(b) Financial liabilities

Loans

Bank loan – current
Bank loan – non-current
Foreign exchange forward contracts

Total

Total current

Total non-current

30 September
2015
£’000

30 September
2014
£’000

870
101

971
1,201

2,172

961
96

1,057
1,264

2,321

30 September
2015
£’000

30 September
2014
£’000

—

48

30 September
2015
£’000

30 September
2014
£’000

200
1,144
89

1,433

289

1,144

200
1,341
224

1,765

424

1,341

The foreign exchange forward contract assets and liabilities above are measured at fair value through the income statement as they are not in designated 
hedge relationships. They are, nevertheless, intended to reduce the level of foreign currency risk for expected sales and purchases.

Property mortgage
On 29 June 2012, Zytronic plc borrowed £2.0m under a ten-year mortgage (to be re-financed after five years) with Barclays Bank plc to re-mortgage 
the borrowings on its three properties. The funds are repayable in quarterly instalments of £50,000. Interest is payable at 2.35% above three-month 
LIBOR, offset by a National Loan Guarantee Scheme subsidy. The balance is shown net of issue costs which are being amortised over five years.

(c) Fair values
The fair value of the financial assets and liabilities is included at the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction 
between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale.

Management asserts that the fair value of cash, trade debtors and trade creditors approximate to their carrying amounts largely due to the short term 
maturities of these instruments.

The Group uses the following hierarchy for determining and disclosing the fair value of financial instruments by valuation technique:

Level 1: quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2: other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly; and

Level 3: techniques which use inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable market data.

At 30 September 2015, the Group has used a Level 2 valuation technique to determine the fair value of all forward exchange contracts and loans.

42

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Financial statements 
15. Financial assets and financial liabilities continued
Derivative financial instruments
The Group enters into derivative financial instruments with financial institutions. Derivatives valued using valuation techniques with market observable 
inputs are foreign exchange forward contracts. The most frequently applied valuation techniques include forward pricing and swap models, using 
present value calculations prepared by the financial institutions. The models incorporate foreign exchange spot and forward rates, and interest rate 
curves. These derivatives are valued externally by the financial institutions using both intrinsic value and time value, which is standard market practice. 

Loans
The fair value of the Group’s interest-bearing loans are determined by discounting future cashflows using rates currently available for debt on similar 
terms, credit risk and remaining maturities. The fair value of the loan outstanding at 30 September 2015 is not significantly different to its book value.

16. Provisions

At 1 October 2014
Arising during the year
Released during the year

At 30 September 2015

Non-current

Holiday pay 
£’000

Long term
incentive plan
£’000

71
—
(71)

—

—

68
68
—

136

136

Total
£’000

139
68
(71)

136

136

Holiday pay
The holiday pay provision related to the estimated exposure to additional costs in relation to inclusion of overtime in holiday payments as a result 
of rulings on the interpretation of the Working Time Directive. During the year, the Group began to include overtime as part of its holiday payments. 
This decision and the amount of time lapsed enabled the release of the provision.

Long term incentive plan
The provision for the long term incentive scheme relating to the Chief Executive, the Group Finance Director and other management personnel is 
calculated based on future expectations that the bonus will be payable. Management has assessed the criteria that determine the payout and taken 
a view that a proportion of the bonus should again be provided for in the year ended 30 September 2015.

The provision included in the table above is expected to be utilised after the announcement of the financial year 2016 results, provided the performance 
targets have been achieved.

17. Government grants

At 1 October
Received during the year
Released to the income statement

At 30 September

Non-current

30 September
2015
£’000

30 September
2014
£’000

—
63
(4)

59

59

—
—
—

—

—

Government grants have been received as part of R&D work on a European Commission (“EC”) consortium project.

There are no unfulfilled obligations or contingencies attached to these grants.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

43

Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the consolidated financial statements continued
For the year ended 30 September 2015

18. Obligations under leases
Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Group as lessee

Operating leases which expire:
– not later than one year
– later than one year and not later than five years

19. Deferred taxation liability/(asset)
The deferred tax included in the balance sheet is as follows:

Deferred tax liability
Accelerated capital allowances
R&D tax credit
Other

Deferred tax asset
Share-based payment
Pension asset

Disclosed on the balance sheet

The deferred tax included in the Group income statement is as follows:

Deferred tax in the income statement
Accelerated capital allowances
R&D tax credits
Share-based payment
Other

Effect of change in tax rates

Deferred income tax expense

44

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

30 September
2015
£’000

30 September
2014
£’000

26
12

38

30
28

58

30 September
2015
£’000

30 September
2014
£’000

532
148
12

692

(100)
(2)

(102)

590

496
128
14

638

(40)
(2)

(42)

596

30 September
2015
£’000

30 September
2014
£’000

36
20
(60)
10

6
—

6

(3)
10
(39)
4

(28)
(2)

(30)

Financial statements 
20. Financial risk management policy and financial instruments
The Group’s principal financial instruments comprise one secured bank loan, an overdraft facility and cash. The main purpose of these financial 
instruments is to raise finance for the Group’s operations. The Group has various other financial instruments, such as trade receivables and trade 
payables, that arise directly from its operations.

The main risks associated with the Group’s financial assets and liabilities are set out below:

Credit risk
The risk of financial loss due to a counterparty’s failure to honour its obligations arises principally in relation to transactions where the Group provides 
goods on deferred terms. 

Group policies are aimed at minimising such losses and require that deferred terms are granted only to customers who demonstrate an appropriate 
payment history and/or satisfy creditworthiness procedures. Individual exposures are monitored with customers subject to credit limits to ensure that 
the Group’s exposure to bad debts is not significant. Goods may be sold on a cash-with-order basis to mitigate credit risk. 

Management’s assessment of the maximum credit risk exposure relating to financial assets is represented by the carrying value as at the balance 
sheet date.

Liquidity risk
The Group aims to mitigate liquidity risk by managing cash generated by its operations. Capital expenditure is approved at Group level. 

Flexibility is maintained by retaining surplus cash in readily accessible bank accounts.

The Group has an unsecured net overdraft facility of £1.0m arranged with its principal banker, Barclays Bank plc. This facility extends until 
November 2016 and is to provide funding for working capital.

In January 2006, the Company acquired a freehold property and in May and June 2009 the Company acquired the freehold of, and a 999-year 
lease on, its existing two leased factories. To manage liquidity risk, the Company part-funded these acquisitions using two secured property loans, 
each repayable over ten years. In June 2012 these two loans were repaid and were replaced by a new secured property loan of £2.0m, repayable 
in 20 quarterly instalments of £50,000, with the balance of £1.0m to be re-financed in 2017.

Maturity profile of financial liabilities
Year ended 30 September 2015

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Trade and other payables 
Foreign exchange forward contracts – outflows

Total

On
demand
£’000

—
1,632
—

1,632

<3 months
£’000

3–12 months
£’000

60
439
1,300

1,799

180
—
2,155

2,335

1–5 years
£’000

1,262
—
1,788

3,050

Total
£’000

1,502
2,071
5,243

8,816

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings comprise principal repayments due of £1.5m and contractual interest payments of £0.2m. Interest is calculated 
based on interest rates prevailing at the balance sheet date.

Year ended 30 September 2014

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Trade and other payables 
Foreign exchange forward contracts – outflows

Total

On
demand
£’000

—
1,738
—

1,738

<3 months
£’000

3–12 months
£’000

1–5 years
£’000

61
487
1,323

1,871

182
—
3,970

4,152

1,488
—
—

1,488

Total
£’000

1,731
2,225
5,293

9,249

Derivatives comprise both cashflows from derivative financial instruments with negative fair values and cashflows from derivatives with positive fair 
values for which gross settlement has been agreed. The cash outflows from derivatives for which gross settlement has been agreed are matched in part 
by cash inflows. These cash inflows are not reported in the maturity analysis above. If these cash inflows were recognised, the cashflows presented 
would be substantially lower.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

45

Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the consolidated financial statements continued
For the year ended 30 September 2015

20. Financial risk management policy and financial instruments continued
Foreign exchange risk 
The Group has a policy in that forward contracts are used to sell surplus US Dollars and Euros, generated from sales less purchases in those currencies. 
Contracts are in place at 30 September 2015 for a period of up to twelve to 18 months ahead so that the budgeted US Dollar and Euro rates are known. 
Any additional surplus currency at the end of each month is dealt with at spot rates. Following 30 September 2015, the Group has entered into further forward 
extra exchange contracts to protect both US Dollars and Euros. The US Dollar is protected at a rate of $1.5370 and $1.5272 for March 2017 
and April 2017 respectively. The Euro is protected at a rate of €1.3832 and €1.4059 for October 2016 and November 2016 respectively.

Foreign currency risk is the risk that the fair value of future cashflows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in foreign exchange rates. 
The Group’s exposure to the risk of changes in foreign exchange rates relates primarily to the Group’s operating activities (when revenue or expense 
are denominated in a different currency from the Group’s functional currency).

The Group entered into forward extra exchange contracts and forward vanilla contracts during the year in both US Dollars and Euros. A series of six 
one-monthly contracts may be triggered for the US Dollar depending on the movement of the US Dollar rate within each month. A protection rate of 
$1.62 offers the worst case scenario for exchange with the trigger being granted at $1.42. Movements between these two rates offer the best possible 
outcome and these contracts are in place until March 2016. The forward vanilla contracts are fixed over a series of eleven one-monthly contracts 
at rates between $1.48 and $1.56, and are in place until February 2017.

A series of three one-monthly contracts may be triggered for the Euro depending on the movement of the Euro rate within each month. A protection rate 
of €1.28 offers the worst case scenario for exchange with the trigger being granted at €1.21. These contracts are in place until December 2015. The forward 
vanilla contracts are fixed over a series of nine one-monthly contracts at rates between €1.34 and €1.41, and are in place until September 2016.

The following table demonstrates the sensitivity to a reasonably possible change in the US Dollar and Euro exchange rates, with all other variables held 
constant, of the Group’s profit before tax (due to changes in the fair value of monetary assets and liabilities).

2015
Sterling

2014
Sterling

Change in
US Dollar rate

Effect on profit
before tax
£’000

Change in
Euro rate

Effect on profit
before tax
£’000

+5%

-5%

+5%

-5%

(11)

12

13

(12)

+5%

-5%

+5%

-5%

(2)

2

(14)

13

Interest rate risk
The Group has not sought to tie itself into fixed rate debt but has instead accepted a degree of interest rate risk from having only floating rate debt. 
This is because the Group has positive net cash balances, a relatively low level of borrowings and estimates that an increase of 1% in interest rates 
would not have a material effect on the Group’s pre-tax profits.

The following table demonstrates the sensitivity to a reasonably possible change in interest rates, with all other variables held constant, of the Group’s 
profit before tax (through the impact on floating rate borrowings). There is no impact on the Group’s equity.

2015
Sterling

2014
Sterling

Increase/
decrease in
basis points

Effect
on profit
before tax
£’000

+100

–100

+100

–100

(10)

10

(18)

18

The floating rate financial assets comprise cash. The benchmarks for floating rates on both liabilities and assets are LIBOR and the Bank of England base rate.

Capital management
The Group’s policies on capital management are included in the Directors’ report on page 20.

46

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Financial statements 
21. Share capital and share-based payments
(a) Share capital

Authorised
Ordinary shares of 1p each

Allotted, called up and fully paid
Ordinary shares 1p each

(b) Share premium

At 1 October 2014
Increase for cash on exercise of share options

At 30 September 2015

2015
Number
Thousands

2014
Number
Thousands

25,000

25,000

15,322

15,193

2015
£’000

250

153

2014
£’000

250

152

£’000

7,290
262

7,552

(c) Share-based payments
Senior Executive Plans and EMI Scheme – pre-2014 awards
Share options are granted to senior executives at the discretion of the remuneration committee. The exercise price of the options is based on the market 
price of the shares at the date of grant. In most instances the options vest three years from the date of grant, and the contractual life of each option 
granted is ten years. There are no cash settlement alternatives.

Senior Executive Plans and EMI Scheme – 2014 awards
The remuneration committee agreed, in March 2014, an incentive award scheme for Mark Cambridge, Chief Executive, and Claire Smith, Group Finance 
Director, to offer them each up to 125,000 shares, and to other Executives, a combined volume of 275,000 shares, at a price of 200.0p per share, to vest 
based on specified performance criteria:

 C the consolidated PBT, after bonuses payable to certain individuals, of the Group for the accounting period ending 30 September 2016 being in excess 

of £4.5m; and 

 C the consolidated PBT, after bonuses payable to certain individuals, of the Group for the three accounting periods ending 30 September 2014, 

2015 and 2016, being together at least £10.0m (where a loss in any such period shall be treated as a minus for those three years).

If the performance target set out above is satisfied, option shares will vest on the date on which the consolidated accounts for the Group for the accounting 
period ending 30 September 2016 are finalised.

The exercise of this option shall be conditional on the option holder entering into an agreement with the Company pursuant to which the option holder 
shall agree to retain one-third in aggregate of the shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of this option for a period of two years from the date of exercise 
of the option and to deposit the share certificate in respect of such shares with the Company Secretary for the retention period.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

47

Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the consolidated financial statements continued
For the year ended 30 September 2015

21. Share capital and share-based payments continued
(c) Share-based payments continued
Senior Executive Plans and EMI Scheme – 2014 awards continued
During the year the Group had two share option schemes in place: an Unapproved Executive Option Scheme and an Enterprise Management Incentive 
(“EMI”) Scheme. Under these schemes, options to subscribe for the Company’s shares have been granted as follows:

30 September
2014
Number

Granted
during 
year
 Number

Exercised
during 
year
 Number

Lapsed
during 
year
Number

30 September
2015
Number

Exercise
dates

Option
 price

Unapproved Executive 
Option Scheme

EMI Scheme

20,000

141,861

24,000

15,000

32,500

24,000*

31,750

32,000

82,823

20,000

20,000

20,000

7,500

20,000

383,139

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(24,000)

(10,000)

(32,500)

(24,000)

—

(20,000)

(32,378)

(10,000)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

141,861

31,750

12,000

20,000

—

—

29 March 2016 to 
28 March 2021
December 2016 to 
December 2018
— 11 January 2009 to 
10 January 2016 
5,000 28 February 2011 to 
27 February 2018 
15 July 2013 to 
15 July 2020 
6 October 2013 to 
5 October 2016 
29 March 2014 to 
28 March 2021
29 March 2014 to 
28 March 2021
25 January 2015 to 
24 January 2022
25 January 2015 to 
24 January 2022
29 March 2015 to 
28 March 2021
25 January 2016 to 
24 January 2022
25 January 2016 to 
24 January 2022
25 January 2017 to 
24 January 2022
December 2016 to 
December 2018

7,500

10,000

20,000

20,000

20,000

50,445

383,139

172.8p

200.0p

274.5p

216.5p

177.5p

176.0p

172.8p

216.0p

243.5p

195.0p

172.8p

195.0p

243.5p

195.0p

200.0p

*   These options were issued on 5 October 2010, in “parallel” to options issued in 2006 (exercisable between 11 January 2009 and 10 January 2016 at 274.5p). 

Each individual is allowed to exercise the appropriate number of shares under either the 2006 grant or the 2010 grant (hence the term “parallel”) but not under both. 
The exercise of one grant automatically terminates the other grant.

There are no performance conditions attached to any share options awarded prior to the grant of options in 2014.

Income statement expense for year ended 30 September 2015
The expense recognised for share-based payments in respect of employee services received during the year to 30 September 2015 is £180,000 
(2014: £93,000).

48

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Financial statements21. Share capital and share-based payments continued
(c) Share-based payments continued
Income statement expense for the year ended 30 September 2015 continued
The following table illustrates the number and weighted average exercise prices (“WAEP”) of, and movements in, share options during the year:

Outstanding at 30 September
Granted during the year
Lapsed during the year
Exercised during the year

Outstanding at 30 September

Exercisable at 30 September 

2015
Number

874,573
—
(24,000)
(128,878)

721,695

129,195

2015
WAEP 
Pence

203.3
—
274.5
204.2

200.8

207.8

2014
Number

525,105
525,000
(14,000)
(161,532)

874,573

159,250

2014
WAEP 
Pence

201.0
200.0
274.5
179.0

203.3

202.4

For the share options outstanding as at 30 September 2015, the weighted average remaining contractual life is 4.0 years (2014: 5.0 years).

There was no grant of options during the year. The range of exercise prices for options outstanding at the end of the year was 172.8p to 243.5p 
(2014: 172.8p to 274.5p).

The fair value of equity-settled share options granted is estimated as at the date of grant using a model designed by the Quoted Company Alliance 
(based on a Black-Scholes-Merton model), taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted. The following table 
lists the inputs to the model used for the year ended 30 September 2014:

Dividend yield 
Expected share price volatility
Risk-free interest rate 
Expected life of option (years)

2014

3.7%
46.0%
2.6%
3–7

The expected life of the options is based on historical data and is not necessarily indicative of exercise patterns that may occur. The expected volatility 
reflects the assumption that the historical volatility is indicative of future trends, which may also not necessarily be the actual outcome.

No other features of options grant were incorporated into the measurement of fair value.

22. Capital commitments
Amounts contracted for at 30 September 2015 but not provided in the financial statements amounted to £959,000 (2014: £419,000) for the Group.

23. Pension scheme commitments
Contributions for the year ended 30 September 2015 amounted to £143,000 (2014: £96,000) and the outstanding contributions at the balance sheet 
date were £12,000 (2014: £10,000). The Group is a member of a group personal pension scheme which is a defined contribution scheme. Contributions 
are charged to the income statement as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme. The increase in contributions for the year 
arises due to some employees opting to pay part of their bonus into their pension.

24. Related party transactions
There are no related party transactions required to be disclosed in the financial statements.

The key management personnel are considered to be the Directors of the Group. The following table highlights the remuneration which is recorded 
in the income statement to the Directors:

Salaries/fees
Bonuses
Pension contributions
Share-based payments

2015
£’000

405
116
77
70

668

2014
£’000

388
112
8
14

522

25. Guarantees
Zytronic plc has given a guarantee to Barclays Bank plc in connection with the overdraft facility detailed in note 13.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

49

Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportFive-year summaries

Consolidated income statement
For the five years ended 30 September 2011 to 2015

Group revenue

Cost of sales

Exceptional costs

Gross profit

Distribution costs

Administration expenses

Group trading profit

Other operating income

Group operating profit

Finance costs 

Finance revenue

Profit before tax

Tax expense

Profit for the period

Earnings per share

Basic

Diluted

Adjusted basic

Adjusted diluted

Dividends per share

All profits are from continuing operations.

Dividends are shown in the accounts in the year in which they are paid.

2015
£’000

21,267

(12,366)

—

8,901

(278)

(4,073)

4,550

—

4,550

(29)

23

4,544

(775)

3,769

24.7p

24.3p

24.7p

24.3p

10.3p

2014
£’000

18,886

(11,979)

—

6,907

(156)

(3,488)

3,263

—

3,263

(35)

33

3,261

(301)

2,960

19.6p

19.5p

19.6p

19.5p

9.1p

2013
£’000

17,282

(11,961)

(413)

4,908

(210)

(2,858)

1,840

94

1,934

(39)

44

1,939

(277)

1,662

11.1p

11.0p

13.9p

13.8p

8.7p

2012
£’000

20,424

(13,008)

—

7,416

(243)

(3,089)

4,084

187

4,271

(91)

15

4,195

(898)

3,297

22.2p

21.9p

22.2p

21.9p

8.2p

2011
£’000

20,488

(13,574)

—

6,914

(239)

(3,194)

3,481

187

3,668

(112)

1

3,557

(865)

2,692

18.3p

18.1p

18.3p

18.1p

7.1p

50

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Financial statementsConsolidated balance sheet
At 30 September 2011 to 2015

Assets

Non-current assets

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Trade and other receivables

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Other current financial assets

Cash and short term deposits

Total assets

Equity and liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Financial liabilities

Other current financial liabilities

Accruals

Taxation liabilities

Government grants

Non-current liabilities

Financial liabilities

Provisions

Government grants

Deferred tax liabilities (net)

Total liabilities

Net assets

Capital and reserves

Equity share capital

Share premium

Revenue reserve 

Total equity

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

2013
£’000

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

1,427

7,807

—

9,234

3,214

3,055

—

9,833

16,102

25,336

971

200

89

1,201

255

—

2,716

1,413

7,443

—

8,856

3,126

3,068

48

7,806

14,048

22,904

1,057

200

224

1,264

30

—

1,453

7,888

—

9,341

3,509

2,430

—

5,474

11,413

20,754

1,410

200

—

688

192

—

2,775

2,490

1,144

1,341

1,538

136

59

590

1,929

4,645

139

—

596

2,076

4,851

—

—

625

2,163

4,653

1,613

8,231

413

1,811

8,113

296

10,257

10,220

3,441

3,090

—

4,217

10,748

21,005

1,299

200

—

1,016

476

97

3,088

1,735

—

—

602

2,337

5,425

2,754

4,021

—

4,513

11,288

21,508

1,778

2,266

—

1,118

502

192

5,856

1,722

—

97

726

2,545

8,401

20,691

18,053

16,101

15,580

13,107

153

7,552

12,986

20,691

152

7,290

10,611

150

7,003

8,948

149

6,862

8,569

147

6,588

6,372

18,053

16,101

15,580

13,107

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

51

Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportStatement of Directors’ responsibilities
In relation to the Parent Company financial statements

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

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors have elected to prepare 
the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and 
applicable law). Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair 
view of the state of affairs of the Company and the profit or loss of the Company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Directors 
are required to:

 C select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

 C make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

 C state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial 

statements; and

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

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

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

The Directors confirm that the financial statements comply with the above requirements.

52

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Financial statementsParent Company balance sheet
At 30 September 2015

Fixed assets

Tangible assets

Investments

Current assets

Debtors:

– amounts falling due within one year

– amounts falling due after one year

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

Provisions for liabilities and charges

Deferred tax

Capital and reserves

Called up share capital

Share premium

Profit and loss account

Shareholders’ funds

Notes

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

3

4

5

5

6

7

9

10

11

11

4,626

10,035

14,661

8

320

7,570

7,898

416

7,482

22,143

1,144

4,739

9,855

14,594

6

1,178

5,671

6,855

438

6,417

21,011

1,341

96

102

20,903

19,568

153

7,552

13,198

20,903

152

7,290

12,126

19,568

These financial statements have been approved by the Board of Directors on 7 December 2015 and signed on its behalf by:

Mark Cambridge BSc (Hons), FIoD   
Chief Executive 
7 December 2015

Claire Smith BA (Hons), ACMA, CGMA, CertICM
Group Finance Director

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

53

Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
 
 
Notes to the Parent Company financial statements
For the year ended 30 September 2015

1. Accounting policies
(a) Basis of preparation
The financial statements of Zytronic plc were approved for issue by the Board of Directors on 4 December 2015. The financial statements are prepared 
under the historical cost convention and in accordance with applicable accounting standards.

A profit and loss account is not presented for the Company as permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and the Company has taken 
advantage of the exemptions under FRS 1 not to present a cashflow statement.

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption available to parent companies under FRS 29 Financial Instruments: Disclosures so as not 
to provide the information otherwise required by the standard, as the Group’s consolidated financial statements, in which the Company is included, 
provide equivalent disclosures under IFRS 7 Financial Instruments and Disclosure.

(b) Share-based payments
Equity-settled transactions
The cost of equity-settled transactions with employees is measured by reference to the fair value at the date at which they are granted and is recognised 
as an expense over the vesting period, which ends on the date on which the relevant employees become fully entitled to the award. Fair value is determined 
using an appropriate pricing model. In valuing equity-settled transactions, account is not taken of any service performance conditions (vesting conditions), 
other than performance conditions linked to the price of the shares of the Company (market conditions). Any other conditions which are required to be 
met in order for an employee to become fully entitled to an award are considered to be non-vesting conditions. Like market performance conditions, 
non-vesting conditions are taken into account in determining the grant date fair value.

An expense is not recognised for awards that do not ultimately vest, except for awards where vesting is conditional upon a market vesting condition, 
which are treated as vesting irrespective of whether or not the market vesting condition or non-vesting condition is satisfied, provided that all other 
non-market vesting conditions are satisfied.

At each balance sheet date before vesting, the cumulative expense is calculated, representing the extent to which the vesting period has expired and 
management’s best estimate of the achievement or otherwise of non-market vesting conditions and the number of equity instruments that will ultimately 
vest or, in the case of an instrument subject to a market vesting condition or a non-vesting condition, be treated as vesting as described above. The movement 
in cumulative expense since the previous balance sheet date is recognised in the income statement, with a corresponding entry in equity.

Where the terms of an equity-settled award are modified or a new award is designated as replacing a cancelled or settled award, the cost based on 
the original award terms continues to be recognised over the original vesting period. In addition, an expense is recognised over the remainder of the 
new vesting period for the incremental fair value of any modification, based on the difference between the fair value of the original award and the fair 
value of the modified award, both as measured on the date of the modification. A reduction is not recognised if this difference is negative.

Where an equity-settled award is cancelled (including when a non-vesting condition within the control of the entity or employee is not met), it is treated 
as if it had vested on the date of cancellation, and any cost not yet recognised in the profit and loss account for the award is expensed immediately. 
Any compensation paid up to the fair value of the award at the cancellation or settlement date is deducted from equity, with any excess over fair value 
being treated as an expense in the profit and loss account.

The Company records an increase in its investment in subsidiaries with a credit to equity equivalent to the FRS 20 costs in the subsidiary undertakings.

(c) Tangible fixed assets
Property is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Such cost includes costs directly attributable to making 
the asset capable of operating as intended. Borrowing costs attributable to assets under construction are recognised as an expense when incurred.

Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets, at rates calculated to write off the costs, less the estimated residual value of each asset evenly 
over its expected useful life, as follows:

Freehold land 
Freehold property 
Long leasehold property 

– 
– 
– 

Nil
50 years
50 years

The carrying values of tangible fixed assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not 
be recoverable. The expected useful lives of assets are reviewed annually. 

(d) Investments
Fixed asset investments in subsidiaries are shown at cost less provision for impairment.

(e) Deferred taxation
The charge for taxation is based on the profit for the year and takes into account taxation deferred because of timing differences between the treatment 
of certain items for taxation and accounting purposes.

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date where transactions or 
events that result in an obligation to pay more, or a right to pay less, tax in the future have occurred at the balance sheet date, with the exception of 
deferred tax assets which are recognised only to the extent that the Directors consider that it is more likely than not that there will be suitable taxable 
profits from which the future reversal of the underlying timing differences can be deducted.

Deferred tax is measured on a non-discounted basis at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which timing differences reverse, 
based on tax rates and laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

54

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Financial statements 
 
1. Accounting policies continued
(f) Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
All interest-bearing loans and borrowings are initially recognised at net proceeds, being fair value of the consideration received net of issue costs 
associated with the borrowings. Finance costs (including issue costs) are taken to the profit and loss account over the term of the debt at a constant rate 
on the balance sheet carrying amount. The carrying amount is increased by the finance charges amortised and reduced by payments made in respect 
of the accounting period.

2. Auditors’ remuneration
Auditors’ remuneration for the year ended 30 September 2015 was £15,000 (2014: £13,500).

3. Tangible fixed assets

Cost 
At 30 September 2014 and 2015

Depreciation
At 30 September 2014
Provided during the year

At 30 September 2015

Net book value at 30 September 2015

Net book value at 30 September 2014

4. Investments
Investments in subsidiary companies

Shares in subsidiary companies
At beginning of year
Share options granted to subsidiary employees

At end of year

Land
 £’000

Freehold
property
£’000

Long
leasehold
property
£’000

Total
 £’000

207

3,070

2,097

5,374

—
—

—

207

207

401
61

462

2,608

2,669

234
52

286

1,811

1,863

2015
£’000

9,855
180

10,035

635
113

748

4,626

4,739

2014
£’000

9,766
89

9,855

Nature of 
business

Details of the investments in which the Company holds 20% or more of the nominal value of any class of share capital are as follows:

Name of company

Zytronic Displays Limited
Zytronic Inc.
Intasolve Limited
Zytronic Glass Products Limited

Proportion of
voting rights and
shares held

Holding

Ordinary shares
Ordinary shares
Ordinary shares
Ordinary shares

100% Manufacture of transparent composites, including touch sensors 
Technical sales support
100%
Dormant
100%
Dormant
100%

The trading subsidiary is incorporated in England.

Zytronic Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zytronic Displays Limited.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

55

Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the Parent Company financial statements continued
For the year ended 30 September 2015

5. Debtors

Prepayments and accrued income

Amounts falling due after more than one year are:

Amounts owed by Group undertakings

6. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Bank loan (note 8)
Trade creditors
Other creditors and accruals
Other amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings
Corporation tax

7. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

Bank loan (note 8)

2015
£’000

8

2015
£’000

320

2015
£’000

200
2
106
81
27

416

2015
£’000

1,144

2014
£’000

6

2014
£’000

1,178

2014
£’000

200
1
126
81
30

438

2014
£’000

1,341

8. Bank loan
On 29 June 2012, Zytronic plc borrowed £2.0m under a ten-year mortgage (to be re-financed after five years) with Barclays Bank plc to re-mortgage the 
borrowings on its three properties. The funds are repayable in quarterly instalments of £50,000. Interest is payable at 2.35% above three-month LIBOR, 
offset by a National Loan Guarantee Scheme subsidy. The balance is shown net of issue costs which are being amortised over five years.

9. Deferred taxation liability
The deferred tax included in the balance sheet is as follows:

Accelerated capital allowances

At 1 October
Credit in the profit and loss account

At 30 September

10. Share capital and share-based payments
(a) Share capital

Authorised
Ordinary shares of 1p each

Allotted, called up and fully paid
Ordinary shares of 1p each

2015
£’000

96

102
(6)

96

2015
£’000

250

153

2014
£’000

102

108
(6)

102

2014
£’000

250

152

2015
Number
Thousands

2014
Number
Thousands

25,000

25,000

15,322

15,193

Note 21(c) in the Group financial statements sets out the details of the share option schemes of the Group and the numbers of shares in the Parent Company 
which are contingently exercisable under them.

56

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Financial statements10. Share capital and share-based payments continued
(b) Share-based payments
Note 21(c) in the Group financial statements identifies the basis of the Senior Executive Plans and the EMI Scheme. It also contains a table that 
illustrates the number and weighted average exercise prices of, and movements in, share options during the year.

(c) Directors’ share incentive scheme
Note 21(c) in the Group financial statements sets out the details of the Share Incentive Award Scheme for Mark Cambridge, Chief Executive, and Claire Smith, 
Group Finance Director, in shares of the Parent Company.

11. Reconciliation of movements in shareholders’ funds

At 30 September 2013
Exercise of share options
Profit on ordinary activities after taxation
Share-based payments
Dividends

At 30 September 2014
Exercise of share options
Profit on ordinary activities after taxation
Share-based payments
Dividends

At 30 September 2015

Called
up share
capital 
£’000

150
2
—
—
—

152
1
—
—
—

153

Share
premium
£’000

7,003
287
—
—
—

7,290
262
—
—
—

Profit
and loss
account
£’000

11,413
—
2,010
93
(1,390)

12,126
—
2,466
180
(1,574)

Total
£’000

18,566
289
2,010
93
(1,390)

19,568
263
2,466
180
(1,574)

7,552

13,198

20,903

A profit of £2,466,000 (2014: £2,010,000), before payments of dividends of £1,574,000 (2014: £1,390,000), has been dealt with in the financial statements 
of the Company, which, under the exemption contained in Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, has not presented its own profit and loss account.

Included in the Company’s opening and closing profit and loss account reserves is an amount of £8,919,000, which was a dividend received from 
a subsidiary company in a prior year. This is not included in Group reserves and does not form part of the Company’s distributable reserves.

12. Guarantees
Zytronic plc has given guarantees regarding funding advanced to Zytronic Displays Limited by Barclays Bank plc in connection with an overdraft facility 
detailed in note (a) below.

(a) Borrowing facilities
The Group has an unsecured overdraft facility of £1.0m arranged with its principal banker, Barclays Bank plc. This facility extends until November 2016. 
This facility is to provide funding for working capital.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

57

Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotice of Annual General Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at Whiteley Road, Blaydon-on-Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE21 5NJ 
on Thursday 25 February 2016 at 2.00pm for the following purposes:

Ordinary business
To consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following resolutions as ordinary resolutions of the Company:

1.  To receive the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2015 and the reports of the Directors and auditors thereon.

2. 

 To pay a final dividend of 8.87p per ordinary share of 1.0p for the year ended 30 September 2015 on Friday 11 March 2016 to members 
on the Register at the close of business on Friday 26 February 2016.

3.  To re-elect Mark Cambridge as a Director.

4.  To re-elect Sir David Chapman Bt. as a Director.

5.  To re-appoint Ernst & Young LLP as auditors and to authorise the Directors to fix their remuneration.

Special business
To consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following resolutions as special resolutions of the Company:

1. 

 The Directors of the Company be and are hereby generally and unconditionally authorised (in substitution for any previous authority) for the 
purposes of Section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 (as amended) (the “Act”) to exercise all the powers of the Company to allot shares in the 
Company, or to grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into shares in the Company (such shares and such rights to subscribe for 
or to convert any security into shares in the Company being “relevant securities”) on such terms and in such manner as they shall think fit, up to a 
maximum aggregate nominal amount of £50,530.76 at any time (unless and to the extent previously revoked, varied or renewed by the Company in 
general meeting) during the period from the date hereof until the conclusion of the Company’s Annual General Meeting held in 2017 provided that 
the Directors of the Company may make an offer or enter into an agreement which would or might require relevant securities to be allotted, offered 
or otherwise dealt with or disposed of after the expiry of such authority and the Directors may allot any relevant securities after the expiry of such 
authority in pursuance of any such offer or agreement as if this authority had not expired. 

2. 

 Subject to and conditional upon the passing of special resolution 1 above, the Directors of the Company be given power pursuant to Sections 570 
and 573 of the Act to allot equity securities (as defined in Section 560 of the Act) of the Company for cash pursuant to the authority conferred by 
special resolution 1 above, as if Section 561 of the Act did not apply to any such allotment, such power to expire at the conclusion of the Company’s 
Annual General Meeting held in 2017 provided that before such expiry the Directors of the Company may make an offer or enter into an agreement 
which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after the expiry of such power and the Directors may allot equity securities after such 
expiry under this power in pursuance of any such offer or agreement as if this power had not expired. This power is limited to:

2.1. 

 the allotment of equity securities for cash in connection with a rights issue or other pre-emptive offer to holders of ordinary shares of 1.0p 
each in the capital of the Company where the equity securities respectively attributable to the interests of such holders are proportionate 
(as nearly as may be practicable) to the respective numbers of ordinary shares of 1.0p each in the capital of the Company held by them but 
subject to such exclusions or other arrangements as the Directors may deem necessary or expedient to deal with any fractional entitlements 
or any legal or practical problems under the laws of, or the requirements of any regulatory body or any recognised stock exchange in, 
any territory; and

2.2. 

 the allotment (other than pursuant to 2.1 of this special resolution) of equity securities up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of £7,661.12.

 This power applies in relation to any sale of shares which is an allotment of equity securities by virtue of Section 560(3) of the Act as if in the first 
paragraph of this resolution the words “pursuant to the authority conferred by special resolution 1 above,” were omitted.

58

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Financial statements 
 
 
Special business continued
3. 

 That the Company be and is hereby generally and unconditionally authorised pursuant to Section 701 of the Act to make market purchases (within 
the meaning of Section 693(4) of the Act) of ordinary shares of 1.0p each in the capital of the Company (for the purposes of this special resolution 3, 
“Shares”) provided that:

3.1. 

 the maximum number of Shares hereby authorised to be purchased shall be 1,531,235; 

3.2.    the minimum price which may be paid for a Share shall be 1.0p; 

3.3.    the maximum price which may be paid for a Share shall be not more than 5% above the average of the middle market quotations for Shares 

as derived from the London Stock Exchange daily list for securities admitted to the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange for the five 
business days immediately preceding the date of the purchase of the Share; and

3.4.    unless previously renewed, revoked or varied, the authority hereby conferred shall expire at the conclusion of the Company’s Annual General Meeting 
held in 2017 save that the Company may, prior to such expiry, enter into a contract to purchase Shares which will or may be executed wholly 
or partly after the expiry of such authority and may purchase Shares pursuant to such contract as if such authority has not expired,

 and that all Shares so purchased in pursuance of this authority shall be held as Treasury Shares (as defined by Section 724 of the Act) for future 
resale for cash, transfer for the purposes of an employees’ share scheme or for cancellation.

By order of the Board

Claire Smith BA (Hons), ACMA, CGMA, CertICM
Company Secretary
Zytronic plc
Whiteley Road
Blaydon-on-Tyne
Tyne and Wear
NE21 5NJ
7 December 2015

Notes
1.   Every member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting may appoint a proxy or proxies to attend, speak and vote (whether on a show of hands or on a poll) 

at the meeting on their behalf. A proxy need not be a member of the Company. A prepaid form of proxy is enclosed.

2.   Completed forms of proxy must be returned to the Company’s registrars at the address shown on the form of proxy not later than 2.00pm on Tuesday 23 February 2016 

or two working days prior to any adjourned meeting or, in the case of a poll taken more than 48 hours after it is demanded, one working day before the time appointed for 
the taking of the poll. The sending of a completed form of proxy to the Company’s registrars will not preclude members from attending and voting at the meeting, or any 
adjournment thereof, in person, should they so wish.

3.  The Company, pursuant to Regulation 41 of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (as amended), specifies that only those holders of ordinary shares of 1.0p 

each of the Company registered in the Register of Members of the Company as at:

  3.1. 
  3.2. 

as at close of business or 6.00pm on 23 February 2016; or 
 if this meeting is adjourned, at close of business two working days prior to the adjourned meeting,

 shall be entitled to attend and vote at the meeting in respect of the number of ordinary shares of 1.0p each in the capital of the Company registered in their name at that 
time. Changes to entries on the Register of Members after 4.00pm on Tuesday 23 February 2016 shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend or 
vote at the meeting.

4.   Copies of contracts of service between Directors and the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings will be available for inspection during normal business hours 
by members at the registered office of the Company on each business day from the date of this notice until the date of the Annual General Meeting, and at the place 
of the Annual General Meeting for at least 15 minutes prior to, and during, that meeting.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 Zytronic plc

59

Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate information

Websites
www.zytronicplc.com

www.zytronic.co.uk

www.zytronic-inc.com

www.zytronic.cn

www.zytronic.jp

Secretary
Claire Smith BA (Hons), ACMA, CGMA, CertICM

E-mail: claire.smith@zytronic.co.uk

Registered office
Whiteley Road
Blaydon-on-Tyne
Tyne and Wear
NE21 5NJ

Tel: 0191 414 5511
Fax: 0191 414 0545

Registration number
3881244

Stockbrokers and  
nominated adviser
N+1 Singer
One Bartholomew Lane
London
EC2N 2AX

Registrars
Computershare Investor  
Services PLC
The Pavilions 
Bridgwater Road 
Bristol 
BS13 8AE

Auditors
Ernst & Young LLP
Citygate 
St James’ Boulevard 
Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
NE1 4JD

Bankers
Barclays Bank plc
71 Grey Street 
Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
NE99 1JP

Santander Corporate Banking
Baltic Place 
South Shore Road 
Gateshead 
NE8 3AE

Yorkshire Bank
131–135 Northumberland Street
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
NE1 7AG

Regions Bank
2653 Marietta Hwy  
Canton, GA  
30114  
USA

Solicitors
Ward Hadaway
Sandgate House 
102 Quayside 
Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
NE1 3DX

Muckle LLP
Time Central 
32 Gallowgate 
Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
NE1 4BF

60

Zytronic plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

Financial statementsKeep in touch

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business news and touchscreen developments online.

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/ZytronicDisplaysLtd

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@Zytronic

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Zytronic plc
Whiteley Road 
Blaydon-on-Tyne 
Tyne and Wear 
NE21 5NJ
Tel:  0191 414 5511
Fax:  0191 414 0545
Web:  www.zytronicplc.com