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Unigel Group PLC - Half-year Report


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Unigel Group plc · UNX

17/09/2024 07:00

Unigel Group PLC - Half-year Report
RNS Number : 3882E
Unigel Group PLC
17 September 2024
 

 

 

Logo Description automatically generated

 

Unigel Group plc

(the "Group" or the "Company")

Interim Results

 

Unigel Group plc (AQSE: UNX), the manufacturer and supplier of materials used in the manufacture of telecommunication fibre optic cables announces its unaudited half-year results for the period ended 30 June 2024. Comparative data is for the period ended 30 June 2023 and the year ended 31 December 2023.

 

Operational highlights

 

The Group continues to make good progress in various business areas:

 

·      Successful transition of Unigel UK's Tolling services in its Malaysian operations

·      Operational improvement in operations and logistics in Unitape's operations

·      Market share gains in our steel tape business

·      Improvement in profit margins through higher margins product mix, cost controls and productivity gains

 

 

Financial highlights

 

Key figures for the six months to 30 June 2024 with comparatives for the six months to 30 June 2023 and the year to 31 December 2023 were as follows:

 

                                                                       6 months        6 months             Year

                                                                        30.06.24         30.06.23            31.12.23


Revenue                                                           £14.80m         £17.95m            £28.47m

Gross profit                                                       £3.01m         £2.39m             £4.09m

Gross profit percentage                                      20.3%          13.3%               14.4%

Administrative expenses                                     £1.78m         £1.47m             £3.17m

Profit after tax                                                    £0.93m         £0.63m             £0.61m

 

A dividend of 2.5p per share was distributed in July 2023.

 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the UK Market Abuse Regulation and the Directors of the Company are responsible for the release of this announcement.

 

Enquiries:  

 

Unigel Group plc

 

Eric Chhoa

+81 7022 613 812

Gary Revel-Chion

 

+44 (0) 1273 612 122

Cairn Financial Advisers LLP (AQSE Corporate Adviser)

 

 

Jo Turner

+44 (0) 20 7213 0880

Ludovico Lazzaretti

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Editors

Unigel Group plc is the holding company whose operating subsidiaries, Unigel (UK) Limited ("Unigel") and Unitape Limited ("Unitape") manufacture and distribute materials used in the manufacture of telecommunication fibre optic cables.

 

Unigel is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Group following the acquisition of the minority shareholder's 40% holding. Unigel formulates, manufactures, and markets thixotropic gels primarily to the fibre optic cable industry. In addition, it also makes specialty gel products for the construction, green energy, and high voltage transmission apparatus markets.

 

Unitape, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Group, is one of the largest domestic manufacturers and suppliers of laminated steel tapes to the fibre optic cable industry in North America.

 

 

Chief Executive Officer's review

 

Despite a weaker start in the global fibre optic cable industry, our businesses outperformed expectations in the first half of 2024.  Most of the gains were in the steel tape segment in the US, but we also managed to chalk up strong sales in the thixotropic gel and cable components trading business in certain selected markets.

 

The global fibre optic cable industry, which is a key market for the Group, continued to show lethargic demand growth across most major markets in the first half of 2024.  We see a continued slowdown in telecommunications network deployment as telcos remain cautious due to inflation, persistent high interest rates and anaemic economic recovery in most markets. 

 

Our business initiatives to improve overall engagement with our customer base and focus on operational efficiency are starting to see tangible results in our bottom line for the first half of 2024 despite increased logistics cost due to geopolitical development. We continue to improve our cost structure and execute more efficiently across all business domains.

 

The Group is maintaining an optimistic but cautious outlook for the remainder of 2024.

 

 

Business review

 

Although turnover for the six months to 30 June 2024 reduced by 17.6% compared to the previous six months, gross margin improved significantly as raw material prices and logistics costs continued to become more stable. Administrative overheads rose by 21.3% compared to the previous six months mainly due to exchange rate gains and losses across the two periods. Profit after tax rose by 47.7% to £0.93m in the six months to 30 June 2024. The Group balance sheet showed net assets of £4.40m as at 30 June 2024 compared to £2.88m on 30 June 2023 and £2.57m on 31 December 2023.

 

 

Outlook

 

According to the IMF, the global economy is expected to grow by 3.2 percent in 2024 whilst macroeconomic uncertainties continue due to geopolitical conflicts, trade tensions, persistent inflation and a longer than anticipated high-interest rate environment. In our industry, we do see some optimistic signs in certain markets as some of the global telcos start to normalise their capital investment from their lower investment levels of 2022 and 2023.

 

 

 

Chairman

Sven Janne Sjoden

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNIGEL GROUP PLC

 



UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 


PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

 





6 months to

6 months to

Year to



30 June 2024

30 June 2023

31 December 2023



£

£

£






TURNOVER

             14,795,303

             17,950,547

              28,465,064






Cost of sales

           (11,784,680)

           (15,561,317)

            (24,378,323)






Gross profit

               3,010,623

               2,389,230

                4,086,741






Administrative expenses

             (1,784,890)

             (1,471,418)

              (3,165,984)






OPERATING PROFIT

               1,225,733

                  917,812

                   920,757






Other income

 



Interest receivable and similar income

                    77,323

                      9,710

                     24,204

Interest payable and similar charges

                  (24,142)

                  (75,573)

                 (129,464)






PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES BEFORE TAXATION

               1,278,914

                  851,949

                   815,497






Tax on profit on ordinary activities

                (350,602)

                (223,249)

                 (206,691)






PROFIT FOR THE FINANCIAL PERIOD FOR THE GROUP

                  928,312

                  628,700

                   608,806






Other comprehensive income for the period

 



(Loss)/gain on foreign exchange

                      7,908

                  (71,051)

                   (80,476)






TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE PERIOD

                  936,220

                  557,649

                   528,330






Minority interest

                  (58,403)

                (128,306)

                   (89,094)






TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE GROUP

                  877,817

                  429,343

                   439,236
















CONTINUING OPERATIONS

 



All amounts were derived from continuing operations.




 

 

 

 

 

UNIGEL GROUP PLC

 




UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

 


30 JUNE 2024

 






30 June 2024

30 June 2023

31 December 2023


Notes

£

£

£

Fixed assets

 




Intangible assets


                  611,001

                  508,113

                    480,612

Tangible assets


               1,237,626

               1,313,853

                 1,256,611








               1,848,627

               1,821,966

                 1,737,223






CURRENT ASSETS

 




Stocks


               5,973,809

               6,635,740

                 4,979,027

Debtors


               5,707,802

               4,665,990

                 2,711,296

Cash at bank and in hand


               1,242,385

                  758,946

                    402,568



             12,923,996

             12,060,676

                 8,092,891

CREDITORS

 




Amounts falling due within one year


             10,103,802

             10,676,068

                 6,981,569






NET CURRENT ASSETS

 

               2,820,194

               1,384,608

                 1,111,322






TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

               4,668,821

               3,206,574

                 2,848,545






CREDITORS

 




Amounts falling due after more than one year


                    20,478

                    35,987

                      23,832






PROVISION FOR LIABILITIES

 




Deferred tax


                  250,262

                  289,008

                    254,578






Net assets

 

               4,398,081

               2,881,579

                 2,570,135











CAPITAL AND RESERVES

 




Called up share capital

3

                    72,291

                    56,425

                      56,425

Share premium


               2,483,933

                  469,011

                    469,011

Profit & loss account


               1,865,693

               1,257,973

                    992,961

Translation reserve


                  (23,836)

                  (21,701)

                    (28,921)






EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE

 




OWNERS OF THE PARENT COMPANY

 

               4,398,081

               1,761,708

                 1,489,476






Minority interest


                           -  

               1,119,871

                 1,080,659






SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS

 

               4,398,081

               2,881,579

                 2,570,135



 

UNIGEL GROUP PLC

 






UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 



30 JUNE 2024

 














Share

Share

Retained

Translation

Minority

Total

 

capital

premium

earnings

reserve

interest

equity

 

£

£

£

£

£

£

At 1 January 2023

             56,425

           469,011

           780,745

             26,184

           991,565

        2,323,930

Comprehensive income for the

 






period

 






Profit for the period



           628,700



           628,700

Minority interest in profit/(loss) for







the period



         (128,306)


           128,306

                     -  

Other comprehensive income for







the period



           (23,166)

           (47,885)


           (71,051)








Total comprehensive income for

 






the period at 30 June 2023

             56,425

           469,011

        1,257,973

           (21,701)

        1,119,871

        2,881,579















At 1 January 2024

             56,425

           469,011

           992,961

           (28,921)

        1,080,659

        2,570,135

Upon issue of shares

             15,866

        2,014,922




        2,030,788

Upon acquisitions





      (1,139,062)

      (1,139,062)

Comprehensive income for the

 






period

 






Profit for the period



           928,312



           928,312

Minority interest in profit/(loss) for







the period



           (58,403)


             58,403

                     -  

Other comprehensive income for







the period



               2,823

               5,085


               7,908








Total comprehensive income for

 






the period at 30 June 2024

             72,291

        2,483,933

        1,865,693

           (23,836)

                     -  

        4,398,081

 


 

 

UNIGEL GROUP PLC

 




UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

 




PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

 












 Note

30 June 2024

30 June 2023

31 December 2023




£

£

£

 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from

 




 operating activities

1

               575,781

               243,614

              1,181,246







 Return on investments and

 




 servicing of finance

2

               (16,819)

               (65,863)

                (382,459)







 Taxation

 

              (159,938)

               (49,611)

                (274,099)







 Capital expenditure

2

               (44,084)

               (61,894)

                (124,322)










               354,940

                66,246

                 400,366







 Financing

2

               484,877

               (38,160)

                (728,658)







 Increase/(decrease) in cash in the period

 

               839,817

                28,086

                (328,292)


 


 















 Reconciliation of net cash flow

 




 to movement in net debt

3

 









 Increase/(decrease) in cash in the period


               839,817

                28,086

                (328,292)







 Cash inflow/(outflow) from movement in debt


               239,411

                38,160

                 728,658







 Change in net debt resulting from cash flows


            1,079,228

                66,246

                 400,366







 Opening net cash balances

 

              (128,060)

              (528,426)

                (528,426)







 Closing net cash balances

 

               951,168

              (462,180)

                (128,060)

 

 

 

 

UNIGEL GROUP PLC

 




NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

 


PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

 










1.

 RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT TO NET CASH INFLOW FRON OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 










30 June 2024

30 June 2023

31 December 2023




£

£

£








 Operating profit


            1,225,733

               917,812

                 920,757


 Depreciation and amortisation charges


               107,474

               103,969

                 202,278


 Loss on fixed asset disposals


                       65

                       -  

                   33,318


 (Increase)/decrease in stocks


              (994,782)

            2,121,805

              3,778,518


 Decrease/(increase) in debtors


           (2,996,506)

            1,006,442

              2,961,136


 Increase/(decrease) in creditors


            3,233,797

           (3,906,414)

             (6,714,761)








 Net cash inflow from operating activities

 

               575,781

               243,614

              1,181,246













2.

 ANALYSIS OF CASH FLOWS FOR HEADINGS NETTED IN THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT

 










30 June 2024

30 June 2023

31 December 2023




£

£

£


 Returns on investments and servicing of finance

 





 Proceeds on sale of fixed assets


                       -  

                       -  

                    4,926


 Interest received and similar income


                77,323

                       -  

                   24,204


 Interest paid and similar charges


               (24,142)

               (65,863)

                (129,464)


 Dividends paid


               (70,000)

                       -  

                (282,125)








 Net cash outflow for returns on investments and

 





servicing of finance

 

               (16,819)

               (65,863)

                (382,459)














 Capital expenditure

 





 Purchase of intangible fixed assets


                 (7,922)

               (10,269)

                  (17,557)


 Purchase of tangible fixed assets


               (36,162)

               (51,625)

                (106,765)








Net cast outflow for capital expenditure

 

               (44,084)

               (61,894)

                (124,322)














 Financing

 





 Proceeds from issue of shares


            2,030,788

 -

                         -  


 Acquisition of minority interest in subsidiary


           (1,306,500)

 



 (Loan repaid)/new loan received


              (239,411)

               (38,160)

                (728,658)








Net cash inflow from financing

 

               484,877

               (38,160)

                (728,658)













3.

 ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET DEBT

 







At 01/01/24

Cash flow

At 30/06/24

 



£

£

£

 







 Net cash:






Cash at bank and in hand


               402,568

               839,817

              1,242,385








 Debt:






 Loan


              (530,628)

               239,411

                (291,217)








Cash at bank and in hand


              (128,060)

            1,079,228

                 951,168

 

 


 

UNIGEL GROUP PLC

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

 

1.   ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

      Company information

    The company is a public limited company incorporated in England and Wales (registered number 13934232) and its registered office is Unigel House, 7 Park View, Alder Close, Eastbourne, BN23 6QE.

 

      The principal activity of the group is the manufacture and sale of cable filling and flooding compounds, associated pumping and delivery equipment, and tapes.

 

      Accounting convention and basis of preparation

    The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention unless otherwise specified within these accounting policies and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland and the Companies Act 2006.

 

      The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in compliance with FRS 102 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgement in applying the group's accounting policies. Information is given in the accounting policies noted below. 

 

2.   EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit after tax for the period by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period.

 

               




30 June 2024

30 June 2023

31 December 2023





£

£

£









 Profit after tax



            928,312

            628,700

               323,547









 Weighted average ordinary shares in issue



       12,226,471

       11,285,000

          11,285,000









 Earnings per share

 


 7.59p

 5.57p

 2.87p

 

 

 

3.     CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL


 

            Allotted, issued and fully paid:







            Number

 Class:

 Nominal

30 June 2024

30 June 2023

31 December 2023




 value:

 £

 £

 £









           14,458,106 (2023: 11,285,000)

 Ordinary

 £0.005

              72,291

              56,425

                 56,425

 

 

 

4.     FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Certain statements made in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but rather are based on the Group's current expectations, estimates and projections about its industry; its beliefs; and assumptions. Words such as 'anticipates,' 'expects,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'believes,' 'seeks,' 'estimates,' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond the Group's control, are difficult to predict, and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecast in the forward-looking statements. The Group cautions security holders and prospective security holders not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect the view of the Group only as of the date of this announcement. The forward-looking statements made in this announcement relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. The Group will not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions or updates to these forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances, or unanticipated events occurring after the date of this announcement except as required by law or by any appropriate regulatory authority.

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