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Half-year Results

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AIREA plc (AIM: AIEA), the UK design-led specialist flooring company, supplying both the UK and international markets, today announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2024.

Financial summary

  • Group revenue decreased by 5.6% to £9.3m (2023: £9.8m)
  • Operating profit decreased to £0.2m (2023: £0.8m), heavily impacted by;

o sales slowdown in second quarter

o non-recurring costs associated with new investment

o ongoing strategic investment for future growth

  • EBITDA decreased to £0.6m (2023: £1.1m)
  • Cash and cash equivalents at £2.8m (2023: £4.9m)

Operational highlights

  • Sales performance slightly ahead of market
  • Business transformation progressing well, in line with plan
  • Major investment in manufacturing facility on track for completion in early 2025
  • Review of Group's stockholding policy underway
  • Successful launch of new carbon-neutral products
  • The Group's sustainability principles eco2matters® fully embedded

Martin Toogood, Non-Executive Chairman of AIREA plc, commented:

"The year started well, with strong demand for our carbon-zero and low-carbon product ranges in the first quarter. The Group then experienced an unforeseen slowdown in the second quarter, with international sales impacted by ongoing economic and geopolitical concerns. UK and ROI sales were less impacted, performing slightly ahead of the overall market trend.

"The Group had an encouraging start to the third quarter, with positive trading in July and August finishing with a strong order book. We anticipate continued improvement in trading during the second half with several new product launches scheduled and the Group is trading in line with the Board's recently revised expectations for the full year.

"The Board remains confident in the Group's long-term prospects as we focus on successfully delivering the investment in our manufacturing facility in early 2025 and the ongoing transformation of the business, positioning it for profitable future growth."

Chief Executive Officer's Statement

Introduction

I am pleased to report the Group's interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2024. Following a strong start to the year, there was an unexpected slowdown in the second quarter. Sales in our international markets were impacted by ongoing economic and geopolitical concerns, including the Middle East. Sales in the UK and ROI delivered a solid performance in challenging market conditions.

We remain focused on successfully delivering the investment in our manufacturing facility in early 2025 and the ongoing transformation of the business.

Results

Revenue for the period was 5.6% down year on year at £9.3m (2023: £9.8m). In the UK and ROI, sales were 0.3% down year on year. International sales were 21.9% behind the prior year.

The weaker than expected performance in the second quarter, due to the uncertainty around the UK general election, impacted operating profit which declined to £0.2m (2023: £0.8m). The Group's operating profit was also impacted by non-recurring costs associated with the major investment and the ongoing strategic investment in resources to deliver more profitable future growth. After charging net finance costs of £0.3m (2023: £0.3m) and tax of £0.1m (2023: £0.1m), the Group reported a loss of £0.2m (2023: profit of £0.5m). Basic earnings per share were (0.56p) (2023: 1.27p).

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital were £0.7m (2023: £1.2m). Working capital movements increased in the period to £1.6m (2023: £0.5m) predominantly due to an increase in inventory as a result of the sales shortfall in the second quarter. Appropriate action is being taken to reduce inventory levels through the course of the second half of the year with the aim of introducing a more efficient and cash generative strategy. Capital expenditure increased to £1.3m (2023: £0.9m) as the major investment in the Group's manufacturing facility commenced.

Net cash (cash less loans and borrowings) decreased to £1.3m (2023: £2.7m). The Group has access to further liquidity of £1.0m via its unutilised overdraft facility (2023: £1.0m). The Group has also taken the decision to divest its investment property, which has a carrying value of £4.1m.

Following the triennial valuation of the defined benefit pension scheme as at 1 July 2023, the Company and the trustees of the pension scheme have agreed in principle to a reasonable and affordable recovery plan to address the scheme's current deficit. At the end of July 2024, the Company made an initial contribution of £0.3m to the scheme.

Current Trading and Outlook

There has been an encouraging start to the third quarter, with positive trading in both July and August coupled with a strong order book. The Group's commitment to innovation and sustainability remains steadfast, with several new product launches scheduled for the second half of the year.

The Group's short term priority is the installation and commissioning of the new equipment at its manufacturing facility, which is pivotal to the transformation of the business. The Group will maintain its focus on cash preservation and will therefore not be proposing an interim dividend at this time (2023: £nil).

The Board anticipates a continued improvement in trading during the second half and the Group is trading in line with the Board's recently revised expectations for the full year.

The Board remains confident in the Group's long-term trading and growth prospects.

Médéric Payne

Chief Executive Officer

Consolidated Income Statement

6 months ended 30 June 2024

Unaudited 6 months ended 30 June 2024Unaudited 6 months ended 30 June 2023Audited 12 months ended 31 December 2023
£'000£'000£'000
Revenue9,2769,82521,102
Operating costs(9,239)(9,301)(19,788)
Other operating income178312490
Operating profit before valuation gain2158361,804
Unrealised valuation gain--60
Operating profit2158361,864
Finance income423972
Finance costs(325)(255)(523)
(Loss)/Profit before taxation(68)6201,413
Taxation(147)(130)(644)
(Loss)/Profit attributable to shareholders of the Group(215)490769
Earnings per share (basic and diluted) for the Group(0.56p)1.27p1.99p
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
6 months ended 30 June 2024
UnauditedUnauditedAudited
6 months6 months12 months
endedendedended
30 June30 June31 December
202420232023
£'000£'000£'000
(Loss)/Profit attributable to shareholders of the Group(215)490769
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss Actuarial gain/(loss) recognised in the pension scheme1,709513(3,281)
Related deferred taxation(427)(128)820
1,282385(2,461)
Items that will be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss when specific conditions are met Revaluation of property--315
Related deferred taxation--(79)
--236
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)1,282385(2,225)
Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to shareholders of the Group1,067875(1,456)
Consolidated Balance Sheet
as at 30 June 2024
Unaudited 30 June 2024Unaudited 30 June 2023Audited 31 December 2023
£'000£'000£'000
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment7,4295,9766,379
Intangible assets615965
Investment property4,0604,0004,060
Right-of-use asset1,0537541,413
Deferred tax asset841763895
13,44411,55212,812
Current assets
Inventories7,6206,5605,753
Trade and other receivables2,5652,8713,156
Cash and cash equivalents2,8144,9195,758
12,99914,35014,667
Total assets26,44325,90227,479
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables(3,438)(3,986)(3,795)
Provisions-(74)-
Lease liabilities(187)(127)(183)
Loans and borrowings(742)(736)(739)
(4,367)(4,923)(4,717)
Non-current liabilities
Deferred tax(1,653)(1,144)(1,439)
Pension deficit(3,509)(1,000)(4,972)
Lease liabilities(292)(140)(287)
Loans and borrowings(747)(1,489)(1,119)
(6,201)(3,773)(7,817)
Total liabilities(10,568)(8,696)(12,534)
Net assets15,87517,20614,945
Equity
Called up share capital10,33910,33910,339
Share premium account504504504
Own Shares(1,454)(1,805)(1,636)
Share-based payment reserve225--80150
Capital redemption reserve3,6173,6173,617
Revaluation reserve3,3763,0963,376
Retained earnings(732)1,375(1,405)
Total equity15,87517,20614,945
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
6 months ended 30 June 2024
Unaudited 6 months ended 30 June 2024Unaudited 6 months ended 30 June 2023Audited 12 months ended 31 December 2023
£'000£'000£'000
Cash flow from operating activities
(Loss)/Profit for the period(215)490769
Depreciation221165374
Depreciation of right-of-use assets168124279
Amortisation181533
Movement in p rovision-(3)(77)
Share-based payment expense7580150
Net f inance costs283216451
Unrealised valuation gain--(60)
Tax charge147130644
Operating cash flows before movements in working capital6971,2172,563
(Increase)/decrease in inventory(1,867)(665)142
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables591(520)(807)
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables(349)670479
Net cash generated from operating activities(928)7022,377
Cash flows from investing activities
Payments to acquire intangible fixed assets(14)(4)(27)
Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets(1,279)(868)(1,166)
Net cash used in investing activities(1,293)(872)(1,193)
Cash flows from financing activities
Interest paid on lease liabilities(14)(5)(17)
Interest paid on borrowings(65)(82)(160)
Interest received423972
Principal paid on lease liabilities(105)(66)(156)
Equity dividends paid(212)(193)(193)
Repayment of loans(369)(366)(734)
Net cash used in financing activities(723)(673)(1,188)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents(2,944)(843)(4)
Cash and cash equivalents at start of the period5,7585,7625,762
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period2,8144,9195,758
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
6 months ended 30 June 2024
Share capitalShare premium accountOwn SharesShare- based payment reserveCapital redemption reserveRevaluation reserveProfit and loss accountTotal equity
£'000£'000£'000£'000£'000£'000£'000£'000
At 1 January 2023 10,339504(2,000)-3,6173,09688816,444
Comprehensive income
for the year
Profit for the year ------769769
Remeasurement of the net
defined benefit liability ------(2,461)(2,461)
Revaluation of property -----315(79)236
Total comprehensive income for the year -----315(1,771)(1,456)
Contributions by and distributions to owners
Dividend paid- - -- - - (193)(193)
Share-based payment- - -150 - - -150
Own share transfer Revaluation reverse transfer- - 364 - - -- - - (364) - - (35) 35- -
Total contributions by and distributions to owners--364150-(35)(522)(43)
At 31 December 2023
and 1 January 2024 10,339504(1,636)1503,6173,376(1,405)14,945
Comprehensive income for the period Loss for the period - Remeasurement of the net defined benefit liability -- -- -- -- -- -(215) 1,282(215) 1,282
Total comprehensive income for the period ------1,0671,067
Contributions by and distributions to owners
Dividend paid ------(212)(212)
Share-based payment ---75---75
Own shares t ransfer --182---(182)-
Total contributions by and distributions to owners --18275--(394)(137)
At 30 June 2024 10,339504(1,454)2253,6173,376(732)15,875

Notes to the Financial Statements

BASIS OF PREPARATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2024 and the six months ended 30 June 2023 have not been audited and do not constitute full financial statements within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial information relating to the year ended 31 December 2023 does not constitute full financial statements within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. This information is based on the Group's statutory accounts for that period. The statutory accounts were prepared in accordance with UK adopted International Accounting Standards and received an unqualified audit report and did not contain statements under Section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006. These financial statements have been filed with the Registrar of Companies.

These interim financial statements have been prepared using the recognition and measurement principles of UK adopted International Accounting Standards. The accounting policies used are the same as those used in preparing the financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2023. These policies are set out in the annual report and accounts for the period ended 31 December 2023 which is available on the Company's website at www.aireaplc.co.uk.

Further copies of this report are available from the Company Secretary at the registered office at Victoria Mills, The Green, Ossett, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF5 0AN and are also available, along with this announcement, on the company's website at www.aireaplc.co.uk.

Cleaned text: letterheads, contacts and legal notices removed. View the original announcement ↗ · Company filings. Not investment advice.

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