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REG - Luceco PLC - 2024 Interim Results

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RNS Number : 5085D  Luceco PLC  10 September 2024

10 September 2024

 

LUCECO PLC - 2024 INTERIM RESULTS

 

 Strong first half revenue increase and 17% operating profit growth

 Full year expectations unchanged

 

Luceco plc, the supplier of wiring accessories, EV chargers, LED lighting, and
portable power products, today announces its unaudited results for the six
months ended 30 June 2024 ("H1 2024" or "the period").

 

 

 H1 2024 Summary results

 

 Six months ended 30 June 2024      H1 2024  H1 2023  Change

 (£m unless otherwise stated)

 Revenue                            109.6    101.1    +8.4%

 Adjusted Results(1)
 Adjusted operating profit          12.6     10.8     +16.7%
 Adjusted profit before tax         11.2     9.4      +19.1%
 Adjusted profit after tax          8.8      7.7      +14.3%
 Adjusted basic earnings per share  5.7p     5.0p     +14.0%

 Statutory Results
 Operating profit(2)                10.1     7.4      +36.5%
 Profit before tax                  8.7      6.2      +40.3%
 Profit after tax                   6.9      5.3      +30.2%
 Basic earnings per share           4.5p     3.4p     +32.4%

 Metrics
 Adjusted(1) Operating margin %     11.5%    10.7%    +0.8ppts
 Bank Net Debt                      39.4     37.6     +4.8%
 Bank Net Debt : EBITDA(3)          1.1x     1.3x     (15.4%)
 Adjusted(1) Free cash flow         (1.7)    (8.0)    +£6.3m
 Dividend per share                 1.7p     1.6p     +6.3%

1.   The definitions of the adjustments made and reconciliations to the
reported figures can be found in note 1 of the condensed consolidated
financial statements

2.   Re-presented for H1 2023 - see note 1 of the condensed financial
statements

3.   Includes pro-forma adjustment for EBITDA of acquired businesses, as
shown in note 1 of the condensed consolidated financial statements

 

 

Performance highlights

 

·    The Group has performed strongly in the first half of the year:

 o  Revenue: £109.6m up 8.4% over the prior year driven by organic and
    acquisition-led growth
 o  Adjusted Operating Profit up 16.7% to £12.6m (H1 2023: £10.8m) reflecting an
    improvement in operating margin which increased 80 basis points over the prior
    year to 11.5%
 o  Adjusted EPS: 5.7p (H1 2023: 5.0p) up 14.0% over the prior year
 o  Bank Net Debt increased marginally year-on-year reflecting the acquisition of
    D-Line. Bank Net Debt : EBITDA ratio reduced to 1.1x (H1 2023: 1.3x) and
    remains at the lower end of our stated target range of 1-2x

 

·    Strong performance despite challenging market conditions:

 o    The Group grew market share delivering 3.6% organic growth in the first half
      of the year, an encouraging result, with UK residential property transactions
      below the historical average and the overall market in 2024 expected to
      decline c.3%
 o    The Group has been encouraged by sales growth of nearly 10% in its Residential

    RMI related divisions which make up circa two thirds of Group sales, assisted
      by product range extensions with key customers. This more than compensated for
      the 13% reduction in infrastructure revenue, which is circa 15% of Group sales
      and can be dependent on individual project timings

 

 

 

Outlook

 

·    The Group continues to perform in line with full year expectations*

·    With UK interest rates easing we are hopeful that confidence in our
sectors of the economy will begin to return, providing reasons to be more
optimistic for 2025 and beyond

·    Our Residential EV Charging business is growing strongly and we are
excited by the imminent launch of EV Chargers for Commercial Premises, as well
as a Home Energy Management System for integrating Residential Batteries, EV
Chargers, PV Solar Systems and Heating Controls

·    The cost of container shipping remains high but has begun to ease
recently

·    We continue to explore M&A opportunities, in line with our
capital allocation policy

 

 

Commenting on the results, Chief Executive Officer, John Hornby said:

 

"These are strong results despite a challenging market backdrop. The Group's
diverse portfolio and channels have ensured that we continue to grow and
achieve a good financial performance, with adjusted operating profit up 17% in
H1 2024.  We are successfully integrating D-Line, which we acquired in
February 2024 and we expect it to add circa £15m of sales in 2024. The
balance sheet remains strong with debt levels at the lower end of our target
range, giving us flexibility to continue to invest in new organic and M&A
opportunities in line with our capital allocation policy."

 

* consensus at 9 September 2024, full year 2024 Adjusted Operating Profit
£26.1m (Analyst Range £25.5m - £26.5m)

 

 Results information

 

A meeting for analysts will be held at 9:30am BST today, Tuesday 10 September
2024 at the offices of Deutsche Numis, 45 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7BF. To
register to attend please email luceco@mhpgroup.com
(mailto:luceco@mhpgroup.com) . To register to watch a live webcast of the
meeting, please follow this link:

 

https://stream.brrmedia.co.uk/broadcast/66b3897c9680466ed9656921
(https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/___https:/stream.brrmedia.co.uk/broadcast/66b3897c9680466ed9656921___.bXQtcHJvZC1jcC1ldXcyLTE6bmV4dDE1OmM6bzowZjBjYzMwZTliODg0ZGM0MWM1MGNjMjFiNzdkMWE5ZDo2Ojc1YWQ6MDUzNzcxOTExMDg0MjAzOWQzZjMyMDY2YmZiZTg3ODY5NTUzYzc5NzA4YWRkMTExYzkzNzYyNjA3MDU4NDNhYzpwOlQ6Tg)

 

 

 Luceco plc                            Contact
 John Hornby, Chief Executive Officer   (Via MHP)
 Will Hoy, Chief Financial Officer      (Via MHP)

 MHP                                   Contact
 Tim Rowntree                          07817 458804
 Ollie Hoare                           07817 458804

 

This announcement is released by Luceco plc and contains inside information
for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as
it forms part of the domestic law of the UK by virtue of the European Union
(Withdrawal) Act 2018 (MAR). It is disclosed in accordance with the Company's
obligations under Article 17 of MAR. Upon the publication of this
announcement, this information is considered to be in the public domain.

 

For the purposes of MAR and Article 2 of Commission Implementing Regulation
(EU) 2016/1055 as it forms part of the domestic law of the UK by virtue of the
European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, this announcement is being made on
behalf of Luceco plc by Will Hoy, Chief Financial Officer.

 

Note to Editors

 

Luceco plc - Bringing Power To Life

 

Luceco plc (LSE:LUCE) is a supplier of wiring accessories, EV chargers, LED
lighting, and portable power products.

Luceco plc ("Luceco", "the Group" or "the Company").

 

For more information, please visit www.lucecoplc.com
(https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/___http:/www.lucecoplc.com___.bXQtcHJvZC1jcC1ldXcyLTE6bmV4dDE1OmM6bzo5NzlhYzQxMDgwZDQwOTk2MjQ0NjI5ZjUzYjE1ZWM2Zjo2OjMwNTQ6OGQ5Zjg4ZGM0MDAwN2U1NWNmMGExNWExMWI0YmJjNWYxYWJkNTEyNDk2ZjRkMDU4YjdhYzZmYTMxNjIzZDJmNTpwOkY6Tg)
.

 

 

Forward-looking statements

 

This announcement contains forward‑looking statements that are subject to
risk factors associated with, among other things, the economic and business
circumstances occurring from time to time in the countries, sectors and
markets in which the Group operates. It is believed that the expectations
reflected in these statements are reasonable, but they may be affected by a
wide range of variables which could cause actual results to differ materially
from those currently anticipated. No assurances can be given that the
forward‑looking statements in this announcement will be realised.

 

The forward‑looking statements reflect the knowledge and information
available at the date of preparation of this announcement and the Company
undertakes no obligation to update these forward‑looking statements. Nothing
in this announcement should be construed as a profit forecast.

 

Use of alternative performance measures

 

The commentary in both the Chief Executive Officer's and Chief Financial
Officer's Reviews uses alternative performance measures, which are described
as "Adjusted". Definitions of these measures can be found in note 1 of the
condensed consolidated financial statements. The measures provide additional
information for users on the underlying performance of the business, enabling
consistent year-on-year comparisons.

 

 

 Chief Executive's review

 

 

Performance highlights

 

During the first half of 2024, we achieved revenue of £109.6m (H1 2023:
£101.1m) and Adjusted Operating Profit of £12.6m (H1 2023: £10.8m), which
is slightly ahead of the performance reported in our July trading update. We
continue to outperform a softer market, growing revenue by 3.6% on a
like-for-like basis.

 

Our lean operating model has enabled us to grow our operating margin, as
material costs eased, albeit these have been partially offset by increasing
wage and shipping costs.

 

Macroeconomic factors

 

Like most businesses, we continue to experience the effects of changes in
macroeconomic and geopolitical influences.

 

Following the global supply and demand imbalances during the pandemic, we
entered 2024 with easing material cost inflation. So far, this has helped to
mitigate the impact of elevated sea freight prices and continuing wage
inflation, though the latter has been at more modest levels than we
experienced in the prior year and shipping costs have eased. Furthermore,
following the conclusion of the previously reported temporary period of
post-pandemic destocking, our customers returned to more normalised purchasing
patterns.

 

Overall, these factors have resulted in our gross margin returning to
through-the-cycle levels in the first half of 2024, and demand from key
customers now more closely reflects end market conditions with consumers.

 

More recently, in quarter two of 2024, we have noted the price of copper
becoming more volatile and freight costs increasing, linked to the events in
the Red Sea and other geopolitical influences which we continue to monitor
closely. We have hedging arrangements in place that offer short-term
protection for copper prices and will continue to work with our customers to
ensure our products are priced appropriately.

 

Underlying demand

 

Our like-for-like revenue growth of 3.6% in the first half of 2024 is put into
context when we compare ourselves to the wider construction market, with data
from the Construction Products Association ("CPA") indicating that output of
our addressable markets is forecast to reduce c.3% in 2024. While this is less
of a decline than reported in 2023 it still represents a significant headwind.

 

Despite these headwinds, it is encouraging that we have seen resilient demand
in both residential professional and residential DIY markets, supported by our
innovative product portfolio and our enviable sales channel access.

 

Although key industry metrics remain weak, the fundamental growth drivers
supporting our industry and business remain in place. The drive towards net
zero, ongoing regulatory change, new technology and an underlying need to
invest in UK housing stock means we can be confident that our markets will
deliver healthy and stable growth over the medium and long term.

 

The steps the business has taken in recent years leave us well positioned to
continue to outperform whatever market conditions we face.

 

Strategic highlights

 

I am pleased with the work we have done to further progress our strategic
priorities to Innovate, Grow and Sustain, which is enabling us to deliver on
our purpose to help people harness power in everyday life and create value for
our stakeholders.

 

Innovate

 

The key first step in us carrying out our purpose is to innovate. Our ability
to see and do things differently is driving profitable growth, sustaining our
competitive advantage and contributing towards the transition to net zero. We
continually focus on developing new products and enhancing our existing ranges
with increased functionality that fits our customers' needs. Our global team
of over 100 product development specialists drive a development process which
is customer‑centric, rapid and carries relatively low execution risk. It has
been a key driver of the Group's success.

 

In 2024 we have made further advances in the development of our EV chargers
through the release of our first commercially focused "Pro Charge" range.
These products are supplemented by our new EV Balancer, which connects up to
16 EV chargers, dynamically monitoring and communicating with connected
chargers to ensure each receives equal power, allowing for easy expansion
without exceeding a building's safe power limits.

 

Within our professional LED lighting range, we have enhanced our portfolio of
lighting solutions through the release of Climate Essence and Luxpack Essence
ranges. These new products are designed to be both sustainable and adaptable,
offering efficient and durable lighting solutions which support power and
colour customisation, enhancing their versatility. They are designed to
emphasise easy installation and maintenance, ensuring hassle-free upgrades and
long-term reliability for industrial facilities.

 

We continue to enhance our portfolio of wiring accessories and Masterplug
products. Thanks to our vertically integrated manufacturing model, we can
swiftly make low investment adjustments within our existing ranges to suit
changing market trends. We have been able to continue to do this in 2024
through the release of our Superfast USB-C sockets sold under the BG brand and
our new USB-C wall chargers sold under the Masterplug brand.

 

Grow

 

Despite challenging market conditions, we continue to grow the business both
organically as well as through targeted M&A in line with our capital
allocation policy.

 

Through years of experience, our strong sales teams are adept at using the
innovative products we create to extend our market reach with £7m of sales in
H1 2024 generated from products developed in the last three years.

 

The long-standing deep relationships we have with our customers means we can
work together to ensure the right products are being made available to the end
consumer. Our sales teams continue to work closely with our R&D teams to
extend existing product ranges to generate new business wins.

 

In 2024, we released our first EV charger sold under the Masterplug brand.
This product extends our reach by utilising our existing strong customer
relationships and leveraging our strong Masterplug brand.

 

Ultimately, our customers choose our products as they know they can sell them
to the end consumer with confidence in their quality and reliability; this
leaves us well placed for future organic growth.

 

We have complemented the Group's long history of organic growth with
acquisitions funded by our consistently strong cash flow.

 

In February 2024, we were delighted to complete the acquisition of D-Line
(Europe) Limited ("D-Line"). Headquartered in Tyne & Wear in the UK,
D-Line designs and supplies a range of innovative cable management solutions,
including decorative cable trunking and accessories, fire-rated cable
supports, floor cable protectors and cable organisers. It employs
approximately 60 people and supplies retail, wholesale and eCommerce customers
mainly in the UK, Europe and North America. The business supports its
customers in North America from a sales and distribution facility in Kentucky,
USA.

 

For the unaudited 12-month period ended 30 November 2023 D-Line generated
revenue of £17.0m and underlying operating profit of £1.4m. Gross assets at
the end of the period were £8.1m. The acquisition remains on track to be
earnings enhancing and to deliver an operating margin consistent with that of
the wider Group in its first full year of ownership.

 

D-Line's product range is a natural fit alongside our existing categories. The
business has developed a strong brand in the UK and internationally, and we
are particularly excited about the opportunity to leverage D-Line's operation
in North America to support our growing business in the territory. The
integration of the business is on track, and we are beginning to deliver
product development, sales and sourcing synergies.

 

A further year of cash generation, driven by organic growth in addition to
synergy delivery from previous acquisitions, means we end the half year with
Bank Net Debt of £39.4m. With the right foundations we continue to explore
M&A opportunities that have a strong strategic fit and the potential to
deliver future growth.

 

Sustain

 

Our sustain strategy is focused on taking action to contribute to society's
sustainability goals as well as investing in our people and our industry.
Taking these actions now will ensure we sustain our competitive advantage into
the future. Our operations continue to offer one of the lowest operational
carbon footprints in our industry and this was reaffirmed with a "B" rating
from the Carbon Disclosure Project in the first quarter of 2024. This is our
third year of reporting to the platform, so we are delighted our progress
integrating climate-related factors into our business operations has been
reflected with a strong grade.

 

We remain committed to our Science Based Targets initiative ("SBTi") validated
targets of reducing operational emissions by 46.2% and reducing value chain
emissions by 27.5% by 2031.

 

Together with these targets, in 2021 we also set ourselves a challenging
objective of reaching £100m of revenue from low carbon products by 2025.
Whilst we are pleased with the progress we have made in generating low carbon
sales and helping our customers to make sustainable choices, we are mindful
that consumer uptake of electric vehicles has been somewhat delayed when
compared to 2021 market forecasts. As such, we will keep this target under
review to ensure we set ourselves challenging but achievable objectives which
align with the activity of the wider market.

 

We continue to invest in the next generation of contractors and are proud to
sponsor both the prestigious eFIXX 30 under 30 awards and highly acclaimed
SPARKS Learner of the Year. Both awards are aimed at recognising talented,
young electricians in the UK, who are vital for the future of the industry.

 

We invest in our business model to sustain and accelerate future growth and in
2024 we are taking further steps to generate production and procurement cost
savings from our facility in China. I am pleased with the progress we have
made to extend and automate our production of EV chargers and DW Windsor
products, which provide us with a great platform from which to scale as we
move forwards.

 

Our attractive markets

 

Over the last decade, we have worked hard to grow our share of existing
markets as well as entering adjacent markets where we see a competitive
advantage. As a result, we now hold enviable positions across a range of
industries that are supported by long-term growth drivers.

 

Our extensive, strategically built product range, combined with our strong
sales channel access and vertically integrated model means we are able to
successfully compete within multiple markets. Moving forwards, our growing
portfolio of EV chargers in addition to innovative new ranges within our core
offering will enable us to extend our reach within new and existing markets.
Each of our four distinct construction markets has exhibited attractive
long-term growth. We are confident that the right fundamental drivers are in
place in each of our chosen markets for us to see sustained growth over the
coming years.

 

Although our markets are attractive, the opportunities they create can only be
harnessed by those with the correct processes and knowledge. Our advantaged
business model allows us to innovate, manufacture new products at our own
facilities and bring new ranges to market quickly and efficiently under our
trusted brands.

 

Outlook

 

The Group's diverse portfolio and channels have ensured that we continue to
grow both revenues and profits.  Our successful integration of D-Line, which
we acquired in February 2024 is progressing well and we expect it to add circa
£15m of sales in 2024. The balance sheet remains strong with debt levels
towards the lower end of our target range, giving us flexibility to continue
to invest in new organic and M&A opportunities in line with our capital
allocation policy.

 

With UK interest rates easing we are hopeful that confidence in our sectors of
the economy will begin to return, providing reasons to be more optimistic for
2025 and beyond.            The Group's trading remains in line
with expectations for the year ending December 2024.

 

 

JOHN HORNBY

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

9 September 2024

 

 

 Chief Financial Officer's review

 

 

Summary of reported results

 

 Summary results (£m)   H1 2024  H1 2023
 Revenue                109.6    101.1
 Operating profit       10.1     7.4
 Profit before tax      8.7      6.2
 Taxation               (1.8)    (0.9)
 Profit for the period  6.9      5.3

 

Operating profit of £10.1m was ahead of the prior year by 36.5% - a strong
result despite the macroeconomic backdrop. Improvements in gross margin
continue as cost pressures ease ensuring that margins are moving towards
through-the-cycle levels. For H1 2023, we have re-presented the results to
show the impact of currency hedging aligned with the associated cost of sales.
This has the effect of changing gross profit and operating profit, however,
revenue, profit before tax, profit after tax and earnings per share all remain
unchanged.

 

Adjusting items

 

Certain alternative performance measures ("APMs") have been included within
this report. These APMs are used by the Board to monitor and manage the
performance of the Group, in order to ensure that decisions taken align with
the Group's long-term interests. A table summarising the reconciliation of
adjusted measures to statutory measures is included in note 1 of the
consolidated financial statements. Adjusting items are those which we consider
unusual by virtue of their size or incidence and therefore not representative
of our underlying trading performance. We have identified £2.5m of such items
within our reported operating profit for 2024 (H1 2023: £1.0m). They consist
of:

 

·    Amortisation of acquired intangibles: £1.0m (H1 2023: £1.0m)

·    Acquisition related costs: £1.5m (H1 2023: nil)

·    Fair value movements of hedging portfolio: nil (H1 2023: £2.4m
charge)

 

Adjusted Operating Profit for the period, excluding the items above, was
therefore £12.6m (H1 2023: £10.8m).

 

Income statement

 

Revenue

 

Revenue of £109.6m was £8.5m (8.4%) higher than H1 2023 with the main
movements summarised below:

 

                                       Bridge from H1 2023     Bridge from H1 2022
 Revenue bridge:                       £m          Change %    £m          %
 2023/22                               101.1                   106.4
 Acquisitions/closures                 5.9                     (1.3)
 Like-for-like increase/(decrease)(1)  3.6         3.6%        (6.2)       (5.8%)
 Constant Currency(2)                  110.6                   98.9
 Currency movements                    (1.0)                   2.2
 2024/23                               109.6       8.4%        101.1       (5.0%)

1.      Like-for-like revenue increase excludes the impact of currency
movements and acquisitions, see note 11 of the condensed consolidated
financial statements

2.      2024 revenue translated at 2023 exchange rates and 2023 revenue
translated at 2022 exchange rates

 

Total revenue increased by 8.4% which included the acquisition of D-Line in
February 2024. Like-for-like revenue increased by 3.6% against a backdrop of
challenging economic conditions with the UK economy struggling to demonstrate
real growth in the first half of the year.

 

We group our customers into the following sales channels:

 

·    Retail: Distributors serving consumers only, including DIY sheds,
pure-play online retailers and grocers

·    Hybrid: Distributors serving both consumers and professionals,
typically with multi-channel service options

·    Professional Wholesale: Distributors serving professionals only,
largely via a branch network

·    Professional Projects: Sale agreed by Luceco direct with
professionals, but largely fulfilled via Professional Wholesale

 

Performance by sales channel was as follows:

 

 Like-for-like revenue by sales channel:  H1 2024  H1 2024      Change v H1 2023 %

                                          £m       % of total
 Retail                                   25.3     24.1%        21.1%
 Hybrid                                   25.0     23.9%        2.9%
 Professional Wholesale                   27.7     26.5%        3.0%
 Professional Projects                    26.7     25.5%        (7.9%)
 Like-for-like revenue                    104.7    100.0%       3.6%
 Currency impact                          (1.0)
 Acquisitions                             5.9
 TOTAL                                    109.6                 8.4%

 

The Group achieved growth in all sales channels with the exception of
Professional Projects in the first half of the year.  The Retail channel grew
by over 21% in the period largely as a result of portable power growth as
activity returned to more normalised levels following more variable revenue
after COVID. The Hybrid channel grew modestly in the period, with just less
than 3% growth, with strong growth coming from wiring accessories products - a
key growth driver for the Group.

 

The Professional Wholesale channel grew by 3% in the period again largely
helped by wiring accessories product growth which is encouraging for future
expectations. The Professional Projects channel reduced by around 8% in the
period as a result of a reduction in LED product sales, largely due to
infrastructure related market pressures.

 

 

 Revenue by geographical location of customer:  H1 2024  H1 2023  Change v

                                                £m       £m       H1 2023 %
 UK                                             86.8     86.5     0.3%
 Europe                                         9.5      6.3      50.8%
 Middle East and Africa                         4.8      3.8      26.3%
 Asia Pacific                                   1.7      1.2      41.7%
 Americas                                       6.8      3.3      106.1%
 Total revenue                                  109.6    101.1    8.4%

 

The change in revenue by geography has a number of characteristics by location
of the customer.

 

Within the UK, professional residential and non-residential demand has been
flat hence a very minor change in revenue from this geographic location.

 

With the acquisition of D-Line in the period, this has boosted our sales
representation in both Europe and the Americas during the period - with
overall sales growth increasing by 50.8% and 106.1% in Europe and the Americas
respectively.

 

Moderate growth was achieved in the Middle East and Africa and Asia Pacific in
the period, up £1.5m over the prior year.

 

Profitability

 

Adjusted Operating Profit of £12.6m for H1 2024 was £1.8m higher than H1
2023. The key drivers were as follows:

 

                                 Bridge from  Bridge from

 Adjusted Operating profit       H1 2023      H1 2022

                                 £m           £m
 2023/22                         10.8         11.5
 Acquisitions/closures           0.5          0.2
 Organic increase/(decrease)(1)  1.3          (0.9)
 2024/23                         12.6         10.8

1.      Organic movements exclude the impact of acquisitions

 

The organic operating profit increase includes the cost of targeted
investments in some key areas of the Group's capabilities designed to generate
future value, including marketing, EV charger and the lighting teams.
Overhead wage inflation has been somewhat less pronounced than that
experienced coming into 2023, overall Adjusted operating profit on an organic
basis increased by £1.3m. As previously outlined, the Group has strong
operational leverage, so with future growth we expect operating margin to make
further progress in the future.

 

Looking forward, we continue to drive efficiency improvements within our
manufacturing facility which will serve to benefit 2025 and beyond.

 

Operating costs

 

Adjusted operating costs increased by £3.3m to £32.3m (11.4%), some of this
increase was the impact of the acquisition of D-line which had operating costs
of £1.4m from the acquisition date in February 2024 to the end of June 2024.
Excluding D-line operating costs increased by £1.9m, with £1.5m being labour
and associated cost increases.

 

Net finance expense

 

The Adjusted Net Finance Expense remained flat year-on-year at £1.4m in the
first half.  This has been aided by the fact that we have mitigated the
interest risk by swaps which fixed the interest rate applicable to
approximately 70% of our borrowings on a rolling three-year basis with 30% of
our borrowings remaining at floating interest rates.

 

Taxation

 

We currently expect a Group adjusted effective tax rate of a little over c.21%
for the year ending 31 December 2024, the increase reflects the higher UK tax
rate.

 

 

Adjusted Free Cash Flow

 

                                    Adjusted(1)  Adjusted(1) H1 2023

 Adjusted(1) Free Cash Flow (£m)    H1 2024
 Operating profit                   12.6         10.8
 Depreciation and amortisation      3.6          3.8
 EBITDA                             16.2         14.6
 Changes in working capital         (11.8)       (17.7)
 Other items                        0.7          0.6
 Operating Cash flow                5.1          (2.5)
 Operating cash conversion(2)       40.5%        (23.1%)
 Net capital expenditure            (2.8)        (2.4)
 Interest paid                      (1.3)        (1.3)
 Tax paid                           (2.7)        (1.8)
 Free Cash Flow                     (1.7)        (8.0)
 Free Cash Flow as % revenue        (1.6%)       (7.9%)

1.      A reconciliation of the reported to Adjusted results is shown
within note 1 of the condensed consolidated financial statements

2.      Adjusted Operating Cash Conversion is defined as Adjusted
Operating Cash Flow divided by Adjusted Operating Profit

 

Adjusted operating cashflow was strong in the first half of the year with an
inflow of £5.1m versus an outflow of £2.5m in the prior year. Typically our
cash generation is stronger in the second half of the year.

 

Capital expenditure

 

The Group's net capital expenditure consists of capitalised product
development costs and the purchase of physical assets. Capital expenditure was
£2.8m in the first half in line with the prior year (H1 2023: £2.4m) and was
2.6% of revenue (H1 2023: 2.4%). We continue to see opportunities to invest in
low risk, high return automation projects in our Chinese production facility
and continue to invest in R&D projects, particularly in relation to
acquired businesses.

 

Capital structure and returns

 

Return on capital

 

Return on Capital Invested was higher than prior year at 19.6% (H1 2023:
15.7%). We expect average Return on Capital Invested through the economic
cycle to be 20% or higher as recent acquisitions are fully integrated into the
Group.

 

Capital structure

 

The business continues to consistently generate ample cash flow to support its
dividend policy and fund M&A activity.

 

 £m                            H1 2024   H1 2023   Change
 Reported net debt             £45.7m    £42.8m    6.8%
 Less: IFRS 16 Finance Leases  (£7.0m)   (£5.8m)   20.6%
 Finance Leases - pre-IFRS 16  £0.7m     £0.6m     16.7%
 Bank Net Debt                 £39.4m    £37.6m    4.8%
 Bank Net Debt : EBITDA        1.1x      1.3x      (15.4%)

 

The Group's Bank Net Debt : EBITDA ratio of 1.1x remains at the lower end of
the 1-2x target - an impressive performance with the £8.6m acquisition of
D-Line within the period.  The Group's non-utilised facilities totalled
£36.6m, with an option (subject to lender consent) to add up to a further
£40.0m under the terms of its syndicated bank facility signed in October
2021. The facility matures in September 2026. The Group is therefore in a
position both to invest organically and execute its M&A strategy.

 

The Company's bank ratio position and headroom at 30 June 2024 were as
follows:

 

 H1 2024 Bank position                       Covenant  Actual    Headroom
  Bank Net Debt : EBITDA                     3.0 : 1   1.1 : 1   Bank Net Debt headroom: £64.8m(1)

                                                                 Bank EBITDA headroom: £21.6m
 Bank EBITDA : Adjusted Net Finance Expense  4.0 : 1   24.8 : 1  Bank EBITDA headroom: £29.1m

                                                                 Net Finance Expense headroom: £7.3m

1.      Headroom with increased facility. Current facility headroom is
£39.9m.

 

The key measures which management use to evaluate the Group's use of its
financial resources and capital management are set out below:

                                         H1 2024  H1 2023
 Adjusted(1) Earnings Per Share (pence)  5.7      5.0
 Bank Net Debt : EBITDA (times)          1.1x     1.3x
 Adjusted(1) Free Cash Flow (£m)         (1.7)    (8.0)

1.      Note 1 in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial
statements provides an explanation of the Group's alternative performance
measures.

 

The Group complied with its bank requirements throughout the first half with
significant headroom on all metrics. The Group has conducted a going concern
review for the first half of 2024 and this is outlined in note 1 of the
condensed consolidated financial statements. The Group has a strong balance
sheet and significant facility headroom under even a realistic severe but
plausible downside scenario. No bank breaches occur in any of our severe but
plausible downside scenarios, all of which are before any mitigating actions,
illustrating our financial resilience.

 

Dividends

 

The Board will pay an interim dividend of 1.7p per share, up 6.3% over the
prior year. This will be paid to shareholders on 25 October 2024 who are on
the register on 20 September 2024 and the last day for dividend reinvestment
("DRIP") elections is 4 October 2024. This equates to one third of the annual
payout ratio of 40%.

 

Operating segment review

 

The revenue and profit generated by the Group's operating segments are shown
below. Operating profits are stated after the proportional allocation of fixed
central overheads.

 

Wiring Accessories

 

                     Adjusted(1)                 Reported
                     H1 2024  H1 2023  Change    H1 2024  H1 2023  Change
 Revenue             £48.9m   £41.1m   +19.0%    £48.9m   £41.1m   +19.0%
 Operating profit    £9.4m    £7.1m    +32.4%    £7.8m    £6.1m    +27.9%
 Operating margin %  19.2%    17.3%    +1.9ppts  16.0%    14.8%    (1.2ppts)

1.      A reconciliation of the reported to Adjusted results is shown
within note 1 of the condensed consolidated financial statements

 

Wiring Accessories is the Group's most profitable segment, generating three
quarters of the Group's operating profit and 45% of its revenue, under a brand
established over 80 years ago.

 

Sales from the Wiring Accessories segment were £48.9m which was a significant
improvement of 19.0% over the prior period, in part due to the acquisition of
D-Line which contributed £5.8m. Strong sales from the Hybrid channel helped
deliver this result particularly from electrical switches particularly from
the UK. Wiring Accessories contribution has returned to more normalised levels
as destocking has been completed and material costs have eased.

 

LED Lighting

 

                     Adjusted(1)                  Reported
                     H1 2024  H1 2023  Change     H1 2024  H1 2023  Change
 Revenue             £36.3m   £37.8m   (4.0%)     £36.3m   £37.8m   (4.0%)
 Operating profit    £0.7m    £1.9m    (63.2%)    nil      £0.2m    (100.0%)
 Operating margin %  1.9%     5.0%     (3.1ppts)  nil%     0.5%     (0.5ppts)

1.      A reconciliation of the reported to Adjusted results is shown
within note 1 of the condensed consolidated financial statements

 

The Group entered the lighting market in 2013 as the industry adopted LED
technology which represents about 33% of Group revenue.

 

Revenue from the LED Lighting segment was £1.5m (4.0%) lower than 2023.
Demand has been particularly strong in the professional projects space in the
period, as demand for energy-saving retrofits grows, however, this was offset
with a reduction in growth within the infrastructure markets. Adjusted
Operating Profit of £0.7m was behind the prior year by £1.2m largely driven
by the decline in the infrastructure space which we expect to be temporary.

 

Portable Power

 

                     Adjusted(1)                Reported
                     H1 2024  H1 2023  Change   H1 2024  H1 2023  Change
 Revenue             £24.4m   £22.2m   +9.9%    £24.4m   £22.2m   +9.9%
 Operating profit    £2.5m    £1.8m    +38.9%   £2.3m    £1.1m    +109.1%
 Operating margin %  10.2%    8.1%     2.1ppts  9.4%     5.0%     +4.4ppts

1.      A reconciliation of the reported to Adjusted results is shown
within note 1 of the condensed consolidated financial statements

 

The Portable Power segment consists of two main elements:

 

·    Cable reels, extension leads and associated accessories sold under
the Masterplug brand

·    EV chargers sold under the BG Sync EV brand

 

The Group enjoys a leading position in the UK portable power market. This
business segment generates 22% of Group revenue and 20% of Group Adjusted
Operating Profit. Revenue in the period was 9.9% higher than the prior year
due to final customer destocking particularly impacting cable reel product
categories in the prior year. Adjusted operating margin was stronger than the
prior year at 10.2% (H1 2023: 8.1%).

 

We are still encouraged by EV charger sales which were over £4.3m in the
period, a pleasing increase over the prior year. We remain excited about the
opportunities, in both retail and commercial spaces, that this new sector will
provide as the vehicle market moves towards electrification.

 

Going concern

 

The directors have reviewed the current financial performance and liquidity of
the business and assessed its resilience

to a reduction in sales through a series of scenarios. The directors report
that, having reviewed current performance

and forecasts, they have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate
resources to continue its operations for

the foreseeable future. For this reason, they have continued to adopt the
going concern basis in preparing the interim

financial statements.

 

WILL HOY

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

9 September 2024

 

 

 Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") update

 

We continue to make progress on our ESG workstreams:

 

 ·         We committed to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) and this was
           validated by the SBTi during the first half of the year. This means we have
           committed to reductions in carbon emissions over the near-term consistent with
           the Paris Agreement
 ·         Achievement of an improved management-level score ("B") attained in March 2024
           from the Carbon Disclosure Project
 ·         We have delivered significant progress against our low carbon product revenue
           target and continue to work towards £100m of such revenue
 ·         We continue to improve our packaging specifications, particularly around
           plastic packaging.

 

Key achievements by area

 

Products and services

 

·    Acquisition of Sync EV and launch of single-phase Mode 3 EV chargers
under the joint BG Sync EV brand

·    £80m of revenue from low carbon product categories in full year
2023, delivering significant progress against our £100m low carbon product
revenue target for 2025

·    3.5-fold increase in revenue from the sale of lighting control
devices into lighting projects in full year 2023

 

Supply Chain

 

·    Insourcing of EV charger production within our China manufacturing
facility with 100% renewable electricity supply

·    Evaluation of key suppliers' physical climate risk exposure to
understand vulnerabilities within our supply chain

 

Research and Development

 

·    Specialist R&D function in China and the UK

·    Development of higher power, three-phase EV chargers for larger homes
and commercial premises

·    Investigating on-street EV charging solutions within DW Windsor

·    Dedicated optical engineer focusing on improvements to lens design to
improve lighting efficiency

·    Working towards the development of environmental product declarations
(EPD) and industry best practise on circular design in lighting

 

Operations

 

·    Sourced renewable electricity for all group operations for 2024 and
2023, bringing our scope 2 emissions to zero.

·    Offsetting residual Scope 1 emissions for 2024 and 2023

·    Investment into energy efficiency and automation projects within the
China manufacturing facility

·    Evaluation of our key locations (manufacturing and distribution
centres) to better understand physical climate risk exposure to understand
vulnerabilities across direct operations

·    All plastic packaging is recyclable with a minimum 30% recycled
content

 

Our ESG objectives for 2024 are as follows:

 

·      Begin the alignment with the IFRS S2 Standard

·      Start the development of the transition plan

·      Development of TM65 for all new Luceco product ranges

·      TM66 Target (DW Windsor)

·      Respond to the CDP

·      Independent assurance of GHC inventory

 

 

 Principal risks and uncertainties

 

 

The Board is responsible for identifying, reviewing and managing business and
operational risk. It is also responsible for determining the level of risk
appetite it is prepared to take in the ordinary course of business to achieve
the Group's strategic objectives and to ensure that appropriate and sufficient
resource is allocated to the management and mitigation of risk.

 

In addition to the risk management framework, the Board has delegated
responsibility to the Audit Committee for reviewing the overall process of
assessing business risks and managing the impact on the Group. The Group's
risk management process is set out below.

 

The principal risks identified, and actions taken to minimise their potential
impact are detailed on pages 66 to 71 in the Annual Report and Accounts. This
is not an exhaustive list but those the Board believes may have an adverse
effect on the Group's cash flow and profitability.

 

In determining whether it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in
the preparation of the financial statements, the Directors have considered
these principal risks and uncertainties. The Viability Statement on pages 72
to 73 of the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts considers the prospects of the
Group should a number of these risks crystallise together.

 

 

 Statement of Directors' responsibilities

 

 

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

 

 ·             the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with
               IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted for use in the UK;

 ·             the interim management report includes a fair, balanced and understandable
               review of the information required by:

 

(a)   DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, being an
indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months
of the financial year and their impact on the condensed set of financial
statements; and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the
remaining six months of the year; and

 

(b)   DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, being
related party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of
the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial
position or performance of the entity during that period; and any changes in
the related party transactions described in the last annual report that could
do so.

 

Approved by a Committee of the Board on 9 September 2024 and signed on its
behalf.

 

 

 

JOHN HORNBY

Chief Executive Officer

 

WILL HOY

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

9 September 2024

 

 

 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

 

For the period ended 30 June 2024

 

                                 H1 2024   H1 2023(1)
                          Note  £m         £m
 Revenue                  2     109.6      101.1
 Cost of sales                  (64.7)     (63.7)
 Gross profit                   44.9       37.4
 Distribution expenses          (4.7)      (4.3)
 Administrative expenses        (30.1)     (25.7)
 Operating profit         2,3   10.1       7.4
 Finance expense                (1.4)      (1.2)
 Net finance expense            (1.4)      (1.2)
 Profit before tax              8.7        6.2
 Taxation                 4     (1.8)      (0.9)
 Profit for the period          6.9        5.3
 Earnings per share (p)
 Basic                    5     4.5p       3.4p
 Fully diluted            5     4.5p       3.4p

1.      Re-presented in respect of H1 2023 is detailed in note 1

 

 

Adjusted(1) Results

 

                                             H1 2024   H1 2023
                                      Note  £m         £m
 Adjusted operating profit            1     12.6       10.8
 Adjusted profit before tax           1     11.2       9.4
 Adjusted profit after tax            1     8.8        7.7
 Adjusted basic earnings per share    5     5.7p       5.0p
 Adjusted diluted earnings per share  5     5.7p       4.9p

1.     See note 1 for alternative performance measures

 

 

 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

For the period ended 30 June 2024

 

                                                                              H1 2024  H1 2023
                                                                              £m       £m
 Profit for the period                                                        6.9      5.3
 Other comprehensive income - amounts that may be reclassified to profit or
 loss in the future:
 Changes in the fair value of equity investments at fair value through other  (0.3)    -
 comprehensive income
 Foreign exchange translation differences - foreign operations                (1.0)    (3.2)
 Total comprehensive income for the year                                      5.6      2.1

 

All results are from continuing operations.

 

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

 

 

 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

 

At 30 June 2024

 

                                                                            H1 2024                                           H1 2023                             FY 2023
                                                                      Note  £m                                                £m                                  £m
 Non-current assets
 Property, plant and equipment                                        7     20.4                                              19.7                                20.0
 Right-of-use assets                                                        9.6                                               5.7                                 7.6
 Intangible assets                                                    8     44.0                                              40.5                                40.1
 Investment in equity instruments                                           2.3                                               -                                   2.3
 Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss             -                                                 0.8                                 0.4
 Deferred tax asset                                                         1.2                                               0.7                                 2.5
                                                                            77.5                                              67.4                                72.9
 Current assets
 Inventories                                                                54.0                                              45.7                                40.8
 Trade and other receivables                                                63.4                                              63.7                                55.7
 Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss             0.3                                               0.8                                 0.3
 Current tax asset                                                          2.4                                               1.6                                 2.5
 Cash and cash equivalents                                                  4.7                                               3.2                                 4.6
                                                                            124.8                                             115.0                               103.9
 Total assets                                                               202.3                                             182.4                               176.8
 Current liabilities
 Trade and other payables                                                   53.5                                              42.9                                47.9
 Financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss        1.2                                               4.8                                 1.5
 Other financial liabilities                                                2.5                                               2.1                                 2.0
                                                                            57.2                                              49.8                                51.4
 Non-current liabilities
 Interest-bearing loans and borrowings                                9     43.4                                              40.1                                22.3
 Other financial liabilities                                                4.5                                               3.8                                                    3.1
 Deferred tax liability                                                                            2.4                                        1.8                 3.6
 Financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss        0.2                                               -                                   0.3
 Provisions                                                                 4.1                                               2.1                                 2.3
                                                                            54.6                                              47.8                                31.6
 Total liabilities                                                          111.8                                             97.6                                83.0
 Net assets                                                                 90.5                                              84.8                                93.8
 Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent
 Share capital                                                              0.1                                               0.1                                 0.1
 Share premium                                                              24.8                                              24.8                                24.8
 Other reserves                                                             (0.6)                                             (0.6)                               0.7
 Treasury reserve                                                           (11.6)                                            (7.4)                               (8.6)
 Retained earnings                                                          77.8                                              67.9                                76.8
 Total equity                                                               90.5                                              84.8                                93.8

 

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

 

 

 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 

For the period ended 30 June 2024

 

                                                             Share    Share    Translation  Financial        Retained  Treasury  Total
                                                             capital  premium  reserve      assets at FVOCI  earnings  reserve   equity
                                                             £m       £m       £m           £m               £m        £m        £m
 Balance at 1 January 2023                                   0.1      24.8     2.6          -                67.9      (8.7)     86.7
 Total comprehensive income
 Profit for the period                                       -        -        -            -                5.3       -         5.3
 Currency revaluations of investments                        -        -        (0.1)        -                -         -         (0.1)
 Currency translation differences                            -        -        (3.1)        -                -         -         (3.1)
 Total comprehensive income for the period                   -        -        (3.2)        -                5.3       -         2.1
 Transactions with owners in their

 capacity as owners:
 Dividends                                                   -        -        -            -                (4.7)     -         (4.7)
 Disposal of own shares                                      -        -        -            -                (1.3)     1.3       -
 Deferred tax on share-based payment transactions            -        -        -            -                0.1                 0.1
 Share-based payments charge                                 -        -        -            -                0.6       -         0.6
 Total transactions with owners in their capacity as owners  -        -        -            -                (5.3)     1.3       (4.0)
 Balance at 30 June 2023                                     0.1      24.8     (0.6)        -                67.9      (7.4)     84.8

 Balance at 1 January 2024                                   0.1      24.8     0.1          0.6              76.8      (8.6)     93.8
 Total comprehensive income
 Profit for the period                                       -        -        -            -                6.9       -         6.9
 Investment revaluation                                      -        -        -            (0.3)            -         -         (0.3)
 Currency revaluations of investments                        -        -        (0.6)        -                -         -         (0.6)
 Currency translation differences                            -        -        (0.4)        -                -         -         (0.4)
 Total comprehensive income for the period                   -        -        (1.0)        (0.3)            6.9       -         5.6
 Transactions with owners in their

 capacity as owners:
 Dividends                                                   -        -        -            -                (4.9)     -         (4.9)
 Purchase of own shares                                      -        -        -            -                -         (4.7)     (4.7)
 Disposal of own shares                                      -        -        -            -                (1.7)     1.7       -
 Deferred tax on share-based payment transactions            -        -        -            -                0.1       -         0.1
 Share-based payments charge                                 -        -        -            -                0.6       -         0.6
 Total transactions with owners in their capacity as owners  -        -        -            -                (5.9)     (3.0)     (8.9)
 Balance at 30 June 2024                                     0.1      24.8     (0.9)        0.3              77.8      (11.6)    90.5

 

The accompanying notes form part of theses financial statements.

 

 

 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

 

For the period ended 30 June 2024

 

                                                         Note  H1 2024  H1 2023(1)

                                                               £m       £m
 Cash flows from operating activities
 Profit for the period                                         6.9      5.3
 Adjustments for:
 Depreciation and amortisation                           7,8   4.6      4.8
 Finance expense                                               1.4      1.2
 Taxation                                                4     1.8      0.9
 Share-based payments charge                                   0.6      0.6
 Increase in provisions                                        0.1      -
 Non-cash items                                                -        2.4
 Operating cash flow before movement in working capital        15.4     15.2
 (Increase) in trade and other receivables                     (5.0)    (11.0)
 (Increase)/decrease in inventories                            (8.0)    0.8
 Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables               2.5      (7.5)
 Cash from operations                                          4.9      (2.5)
 Tax paid                                                      (2.7)    (1.8)
 Net cash from operating activities                            2.2      (4.3)
 Cash flows from investing activities
 Acquisition of property, plant and equipment            7     (1.6)    (1.9)
 Acquisition of other intangible assets                  8     (1.3)    (0.6)
 Disposal of tangible assets                             7     0.1      0.1
 Acquisition of subsidiary                                     (7.8)    -
 Investments                                                   (0.3)    -
 Net cash used in investing activities                         (10.9)   (2.4)
 Cash flows from financing activities
 Origination of borrowings                                     21.1     11.7
 Interest paid                                                 (1.3)    (1.3)
 Dividends paid                                                (4.9)    (4.7)
 Finance lease liabilities                                     (1.3)    (1.0)
 Purchase of own shares                                        (4.7)    -
 Net cash from financing activities                            8.9      4.7
 Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents          0.2      (2.0)
 Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January                        4.6      5.3
 Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held             (0.1)    (0.1)
 Cash and cash equivalents at 30 June                          4.7      3.2

1.    Re-presented in respect of H1 2023 is detailed in note 1

 

The accompanying notes form part of theses financial statements.

 

 

 NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

For the period ended 30 June 2024

 

1. Basis of preparation

 

Luceco plc (the "Company") is a company incorporated and domiciled in the
United Kingdom. These condensed consolidated interim financial statements
("interim financial statements") for the period ended 30 June 2024 comprise
the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the "Group"). The
Group is primarily involved in the supply of wiring accessories, EV chargers,
LED lighting and portable power products to global markets (see note 2).

 

This condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance
with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted for use in the UK.

 

The annual financial statements of the Group for the year ending 31 December
2023 have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting
standards. As required by the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of
the Financial Conduct Authority, the condensed set of financial statements has
been prepared applying the accounting policies and presentation that were
applied in the preparation of the company's published consolidated financial
statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 which were prepared in
accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards ("UK-adopted
IFRS").

 

The interim financial statements do not comprise statutory accounts within the
meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. Statutory accounts for the
year ended 31 December 2023 were approved by the Board of Directors and have
been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The audit report on those
accounts was unqualified and did not contain any statement under section
498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

The interim financial information has been reviewed, not audited.

 

Risks and uncertainties

 

An outline of the key risks and uncertainties faced by the Group is described
in the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts. Risk is an inherent part of doing
business and the Directors believe that the Group is well placed to manage the
key risks it faces.

 

Going concern

 

The Directors have concluded that it is reasonable to adopt a going concern
basis in preparing the financial statements. This is based on an expectation
that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in
operational existence for at least 12 months from the date of signing these
accounts and our cash flow forecasts support this. The Group has reported a
profit before tax of £8.7m for the six months to June 2024 (H1 2023: £6.2m),
has net current assets of £67.6m (30 June 2023: £65.2m and 31 December 2023:
£52.5m) and net assets of £90.5m (30 June 2023: £84.8m and 31 December
2023: £93.8m), net debt of £45.7m (30 June 2023: £42.8m and 31 December
2023: £22.8m) and net cash inflow from operating activities of £2.2m (six
months to 30 June 2023: outflow £4.3m and 12 months to 31 December 2023:
inflow £29.0m). The bank facilities mature on 30 September 2026.

 

The capital resources at the Group's disposal at 30 June 2024:

 

·    A revolving credit facility of £80.0m, £43.4m drawn at 30 June 2024

 

The revolving credit facility requires the Group to comply with the following
quarterly financial bank ratios:

 

·    Closing Bank Net Debt of no more than 3.0 times Bank EBITDA for the
preceding 12-month period

·    Bank EBITDA of no less than 4.0 times Bank Net Finance Expense for
the preceding 12‑month period

 

The Directors ran scenario tests on the severe but plausible downside case at
the 2023 year end and for the first half of 2024 have completed a reverse
stress test which is implausible. The assumptions in the 2023 year end
scenarios were as follows: concentration risks with associated operations (25%
reduction in revenue for three months followed by 50% reduction for three
months and 20% increase in shipping costs during the period) and
macroeconomic, political and environmental risks (18-month recession with a
10% reduction in revenue and gross profit). These severe but plausible
downside scenarios do not lead to any breach in bank ratio nor any breach in
facility. All modelling has been conducted without any mitigation activity.
There have been no changes to post balance sheet liquidity positions. The
Directors are confident that the Group and Company will have sufficient funds
to continue to meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least 12 months
from the date of approval of the financial statements and therefore have
prepared the financial statements on a going concern basis.

 

Statutory and non-statutory measures of performance - adjusted measures

 

The financial statements contain all the information and disclosures required
by the relevant accounting standards and regulatory obligations that apply to
the Group.

 

The Group's performance is assessed using a number of financial measures which
are not defined under IFRS (the financial reporting framework applied by the
Group). Management uses the adjusted or alternative performance measures
(APMs) as a part of their internal financial performance monitoring and when
assessing the future impact of operating decisions. The APMs disclose the
adjusted performance of the Group excluding specific items. The measures allow
a more effective year-on-year comparison and identification of core business
trends by removing the impact of items occurring either outside the normal
course of operations or as a result of intermittent activities such as a
corporate acquisition. The Group separately reports acquisition costs, other
exceptional items and other specific items in the condensed consolidated
income statement which, in the Directors' judgement, need to be disclosed
separately by virtue of their nature, size and incidence in order for users of
the financial statements to obtain a balanced view of the financial
information and the underlying performance of the business.

 

In following the guidelines on Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) issued
by the European Securities and Markets Authorities, the Group has included a
condensed consolidated income statement and condensed consolidated cash flow
statement that have both Statutory and Adjusted performance measures. The
definitions of the measures used in these results are below and the principles
to identify adjusting items have been applied on a basis consistent with
previous years.

 

 Nature of measure                    Related IFRS measure                                  Related IFRS source                                                           Definition                                                                      Use/relevance
 Adjusted Gross Profit Margin         Gross Profit Margin                                   Condensed consolidated income statement                                       Based on the related IFRS                                                       Allows management to

                                                                                                                                                                          measure but excluding the                                                       assess the performance

                                                                                                                                                                          adjusting items.                                                                of the business after

                                                                                                                                                                          A breakdown of the                                                              removing large/unusual

                                                                                                                                                                          adjusting items from H1 2024                                                    items or transactions that

                                                                                                                                                                          and H1 2023, which reconciles                                                   are not reflective of the

                                                                                                                                                                          the adjusted measures to                                                        underlying business

                                                                                                                                                                          statutory figures, can be                                                       operations

                                                                                                                                                                          found later in this document
 Adjusted Operating Costs             Operating Gross profit less Operating profit          Condensed consolidated income statement
 Adjusted Operating Profit            Operating profit                                      Condensed consolidated income statement
 Adjusted Basic EPS                   Basic EPS                                             Condensed consolidated income statement
 Constant Currency                                                                                                                                                        Current period reviewed translated at the average exchange rate of the prior    Allows management
                                                                                                                                                                          period

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          to identify the relative

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          year-on-year performance

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          of the business by removing

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          the impact of currency

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          movements that are outside

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          of management's control
 EBITDA                               Operating profit                                      Condensed consolidated income statement                                       Consolidated earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation       Provides management with an approximation of cash generation from the Group's
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          operational activities
 Low Carbon Sales                     Revenue                                               Segmental operating revenue                                                   EV charger revenue and LED revenue less sales from lighting columns             Provides management with a measure of low

                                                                                                                                                                          and downlight accessories                                                       carbon sales
 Adjusted EBITDA                      Operating profit                                      Condensed consolidated income statement                                       EBITDA excluding the adjusting items excluded from Adjusted Operating Profit    Provides management with an approximation of cash generation from the Group's
                                                                                                                                                                          except for any adjusting items that relate to depreciation and amortisation     underlying operating activities
 Bank EBITDA                          Operating profit                                      Condensed consolidated income statement                                       As above definition of "Adjusted EBITDA" but including EBITDA generated from    Aligns with the definition of EBITDA used for bank covenant testing
                                                                                                                                                                          acquisitions between 1 January and the date of acquisition and excluding
                                                                                                                                                                          share-based payment expense
 Contribution profit                  Operating profit and operating costs                  Condensed consolidated income statement                                       Contribution profit is after allocation of directly attributable adjusted       Provides management with an assessment of profitability by operating segment
                                                                                                                                                                          operating expenses for each operating segment
 Contribution margin                  Operating profit and operating costs                  Condensed consolidated income statement                                       Contribution margin is contribution profit, as above, divided by revenue for    Provides management with an assessment of margin by operating segment
                                                                                                                                                                          each operating segment
 Adjusted Operating Cash Flow         Cash flow from operations                             Condensed consolidated cash flow statement                                    Adjusted Operating Cash Flow is the cash from operations but excluding the      Provides management with an indication of the amount of cash available for
                                                                                                                                                                          cash impact of the adjusting items excluded from Adjusted Operating Profit      discretionary investment
 Adjusted Free Cash Flow              Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  Condensed consolidated cash flow statement                                    Adjusted Free Cash Flow is calculated as Adjusted Operating Cash Flow less      Provides management with an indication of the free cash generated by the
                                                                                                                                                                          cash flows in respect of investing activities (except for those in respect of   business for return to shareholders or reinvestment in M&A activity
                                                                                                                                                                          acquisitions or disposals), interest and taxes paid
 Adjusted Net Cash Flow               Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  Condensed consolidated cash flow statement                                    Adjusted Free Cash Flow less cash flows relating to dividend payments and the   Provides management with an indication of the net cash flows generated by the
                                                                                                                                                                          purchase of own shares                                                          business after dividends and share purchases
 Adjusted Operating Cash Conversion   None                                                  Condensed consolidated cash flow statement and condensed consolidated income  Operating Cash Conversion is defined as Adjusted Operating Cash Flow divided    Allows management to monitor the conversion of operating profit into cash
                                                                                            statement                                                                     by Adjusted Operating Profit
 Return on Capital Invested ("ROCI")  None                                                  Operating profit and Net assets                                               Adjusted Operating Profit divided into the sum of net assets and net debt       To provide an assessment of how profitability capital is being deployed in the
                                                                                                                                                                          (average for the last two years) expressed as a percentage                      business

 

Re-presented prior year comparative

 

Revenue, profit before and after tax and EPS all unchanged

In the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts the Group amended its presentation of
its net finance expense line. Previously in the 2022 Annual Report and
Accounts and 2023 Interim accounts the Group combined the finance interest
together with the impact of re-measurement of the fair value of the hedging
portfolio. Given that the impact of the hedging relates to the purchase of
goods bought in a foreign currency, the Board believes it is preferable for
the reader to show this as a cost of sale item rather than a net finance
expense item. This leaves the finance expense line with borrowing and cash
interest impacts only. Accordingly, the presentation of the accounts has been
restated for the interim 2023 and the impact is as follows from the 2023
interim Reported numbers:

 

The revised presentation has no impact on reported profit before tax, cash
flows or net assets as reported previously.

 

                          H1 2023                             H1 2023
                          Reported  Presentation restatement  Re-presented
 Revenue                  101.1     -                         101.1
 Cost of sales            (61.3)    (2.4)                     (63.7)
 Gross profit             39.8      (2.4)                     37.4
 Distribution expenses    (4.3)     -                         (4.3)
 Administrative expenses  (25.7)    -                         (25.7)
 Operating profit         9.8       (2.4)                     7.4
 Finance expense          (3.6)     2.4                       (1.2)
 Net finance expense      (3.6)     2.4                       (1.2)
 Profit before tax        6.2       -                         6.2
 Taxation                 (0.9)     -                         (0.9)
 Profit for the period    5.3       -                         5.3
 Earnings per share (p)
 Basic                    3.4p      -                         3.4p
 Fully diluted            3.4p      -                         3.4p

 

The following is the impact on the cashflow, it has no impact on any subtotal
items, just within the Operating cash flow before movement in working capital
section.

 

 £m                                                      H1 2023    Presentation restatement  H1 2023

                                                         Reported                             Re-presented
 Cash flows from operating activities
 Profit for the period                                   5.3        -                         5.3
 Adjustments for:
 Depreciation and amortisation                           4.8        -                         4.8
 Finance expense                                         3.6        (2.4)                     1.2
 Taxation                                                0.9        -                         0.9
 Share-based payments charge                             0.6        -                         0.6
 Other non-cash items                                    -          2.4                       2.4
 Operating cash flow before movement in working capital  15.2       -                         15.2
 (Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables      (11.0)     -                         (11.0)
 Decrease in inventories                                 0.8        -                         0.8
 Decrease in trade and other payables                    (7.5)      -                         (7.5)
 Cash from operations                                    (2.5)      -                         (2.5)
 Tax paid                                                (1.8)      -                         (1.8)
 Net cash from operating activities                      (4.3)      -                         (4.3)
 Cash flows from investing activities
 Acquisition of property, plant and equipment            (1.9)      -                         (1.9)
 Acquisition of other intangible assets                  (0.6)      -                         (0.6)
 Disposal of tangible assets                             0.1        -                         0.1
 Net cash used in investing activities                   (2.4)      -                         (2.4)
 Cash flows from financing activities
 Repayment of borrowings                                 11.7       -                         11.7
 Interest paid                                           (1.3)      -                         (1.3)
 Dividends paid                                          (4.7)      -                         (4.7)
 Finance lease liabilities                               (1.0)      -                         (1.0)
 Net cash from financing activities                      4.7        -                         4.7
 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents               (2.0)      -                         (2.0)
 Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January                  5.3        -                         5.3
 Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held       (0.1)      -                         (0.1)
 Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December                3.2        -                         3.2

 

The following table reconciles all adjustments from the reported to the
adjusted figures in the income statement:

 

                          Adjusted  Amortisation of acquired intangibles and related acquisition costs(1)  Re-measurement                          2023          Reported

                          H1 2024   £m                                                                     to fair value of hedging portfolio(2)   Adjustments   H1 2024

                          £m                                                                               £m                                      £m            £m
 Revenue                  109.6     -                                                                      -                                       -             109.6
 Cost of sales            (64.7)    -                                                                      -                                       -             (64.7)
 Gross profit             44.9      -                                                                      -                                       -             44.9
 Distribution expenses    (4.7)     -                                                                      -                                       -             (4.7)
 Administrative expenses  (27.6)    (2.5)                                                                  -                                       (2.5)         (30.1)
 Operating profit         12.6      (2.5)                                                                  -                                       (2.5)         10.1
 Net finance expense      (1.4)     -                                                                      -                                       -             (1.4)
 Profit before tax        11.2      (2.5)                                                                  -                                       (2.5)         8.7
 Taxation                 (2.4)     0.6                                                                    -                                       0.6           (1.8)
 Profit for the period    8.8       (1.9)                                                                  -                                       (1.9)         6.9
 Gross margin             41.0%     -                                                                      -                                       -             41.0%

1.   Relating to Kingfisher Lighting, DW Windsor, Sync EV and D-Line

2.   Relating to currency/interest hedges

 

 

                          Adjusted  Amortisation of acquired intangibles and related acquisition costs(1)  Re-measurement                          H1 2023       Reported

                          H1 2023   £m                                                                     to fair value of hedging portfolio(2)   Adjustments   H1 2023

                          £m                                                                               £m                                      £m            £m
 Revenue                  101.1     -                                                                      -                                       -             101.1
 Cost of sales            (61.3)    -                                                                      (2.4)                                   (2.4)         (63.7)
 Gross profit             39.8      -                                                                      (2.4)                                   (2.4)         37.4
 Distribution expenses    (4.3)     -                                                                      -                                       -             (4.3)
 Administrative expenses  (24.7)    (1.0)                                                                  -                                       (1.0)         (25.7)
 Operating profit         10.8      (1.0)                                                                  (2.4)                                   (3.4)         7.4
 Net finance expense      (1.4)     -                                                                      0.2                                     -             (1.2)
 Profit before tax        9.4       (1.0)                                                                  (2.2)                                   (3.2)         6.2
 Taxation                 (1.7)     0.2                                                                    0.6                                     0.8           (0.9)
 Profit for the period    7.7       (0.8)                                                                  (1.6)                                   (2.4)         5.3
 Gross margin             39.4%     -                                                                      -                                       -             37.2%

1.   Relating to Kingfisher Lighting, DW Windsor and Sync EV

2.   Relating to currency/interest hedges

 

The following tables indicate how alternative performance measures are
calculated:

 

                                         H1 2024  H1 2023
 Adjusted 12 months rolling EBITDA       £m       £m
 Adjusted Operating Profit               25.8     21.3
 Adjusted Depreciation and Amortisation  7.2      7.7
 Adjusted 12 months rolling EBITDA       33.0     29.0

 

                                                                               H1 2024  H1 2023
 Bank EBITDA                                                                   £m       £m
 Adjusted 12 months rolling EBITDA                                             33.0     29.0
 EBITDA from acquisitions from 1 January to the date of acquisition and share  1.8      0.6
 based payment expense
 Bank EBITDA                                                                   34.7     29.6

 

                                                                         H1 2024  H1 2023
 Adjusted Operating Cash Conversion                                      £m       £m
 Cash from operations (from condensed consolidated cash flow statement)  4.9      (2.5)
 Adjustments to operating cash flow                                      0.2      -
 Adjusted Operating Cash Flow                                            5.1      (2.5)
 Adjusted Operating Profit                                               12.6     10.8
 Adjusted Operating Cash Conversion                                      40.5%    (23.1%)

 

                                         H1 2024  H1 2023
 Adjusted Net Cash Flow as % of revenue  £m       £m
 Adjusted Free Cash Flow (see below)     (1.7)    (8.0)
 Purchase of own shares                  (4.7)    -
 Dividends                               (4.9)    (4.7)
 Adjusted Net Cash Flow                  (11.3)   (12.7)
 Revenue                                 109.6    101.1
 Adjusted Net Cash Flow as % of revenue  (10.3%)  (12.6%)

 

                                                                               H1 2024  H1 2023

 Adjusted Free Cash Flow as % of revenue                                       £m       £m
 Adjusted Operating Cash Flow (see table above)                                5.1      (2.5)
 Net Cash used in investing activities excluding acquisitions (from condensed  (2.8)    (2.4)
 consolidated cash flow statement)
 Interest paid (from condensed consolidated cash flow statement)               (1.3)    (1.3)
 Tax paid (from condensed consolidated cash flow statement)                    (2.7)    (1.8)
 Adjusted Free Cash Flow                                                       (1.7)    (8.0)
 Revenue                                                                       109.6    101.1
 Adjusted Free Cash Flow as % of revenue                                       (1.6%)   (7.9%)

 

                                                                        H1 2024  H1 2023
 Return on Capital Investment                                           £m       £m
 Net assets                                                             90.5     84.8
 Net debt                                                               45.7     42.8
 Capital invested                                                       136.2    127.6
 Average capital invested (from last two years)                         131.9    135.4
 Adjusted Operating Profit (from above)                                 25.8     21.3
 Return on Capital Invested (Adjusted Operating Profit/average capital  19.6%    15.7%
 invested)

 

 

Standards and interpretations issued

 

The following UK-adopted IFRS have been issued and have been applied in these
financial statements. Their adoption did not have a material effect on the
financial statements, unless otherwise indicated, from 1 January 2024:

 

 •    Amendments to IFRS 16 Leases: Lease Liability in a Sale and Leaseback (issued
      on 22 September 2022)
 •    Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements: Classification of
      Liabilities as Current or Non-current (July 2020) Non-current liabilities with
      Covenants (Oct 2022)
 •    Amendments to IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows and IFRS 7 Financial Instruments:
      Disclosures: Supplier Finance Arrangements (issued on 25 May 2023)

 

The following UK adopted IFRS have been issued but have not been applied and
adoption is not expected to have a material effect on the financial
statements, unless otherwise indicated, from 1 January 2025:

 

 •    Amendments to IAS 21: Lack of Exchangeability
 •    Optional adoption for Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28: Sale or Contribution
      of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture

 

 

2. Operating segments

 

The Group's principal activities are in the manufacturing and supply of Wiring
Accessories, LED Lighting and Portable Power equipment. For the purposes of
management reporting to the Chief Operating Decision-Maker (the Board), the
Group consists of three operating segments which are the product categories
that the Group distributes. The Board does not review the Group's assets and
liabilities on a segmental basis and, therefore, no segmental disclosure is
included. Inter-segment sales are not material. Revenue and operating profit
are reported under IFRS 8 Operating Segments.

 

 

                     Adjusted                Reported  Adjusted                Reported

                     H1 2024   Adjustments   H1 2024   H1 2023   Adjustments   H1 2023
                     £m        £m            £m        £m        £m            £m
 Revenue
 Wiring Accessories  48.9      -             48.9      41.1      -             41.1
 LED Lighting        36.3      -             36.3      37.8      -             37.8
 Portable Power      24.4      -             24.4      22.2      -             22.2
                     109.6     -             109.6     101.1     -             101.1
 Operating profit
 Wiring Accessories  9.4       (1.6)         7.8       7.1       (1.0)         6.1
 LED Lighting        0.7       (0.7)         nil       1.9       (1.7)                               0.2
 Portable Power      2.5       (0.2)         2.3       1.8       (0.7)         1.1
 Operating profit    12.6      (2.5)         10.1      10.8      (3.4)         7.4

 

 

 Revenue by location of customer
                                  H1 2024  H1 2023
                                  £m       £m
 UK                               86.8     86.5
 Europe                           9.5      6.3
 Middle East and Africa           4.8      3.8
 Asia Pacific                     1.7      1.2
 Americas                         6.8      3.3
 Total revenue                    109.6    101.1

 

 

3. Expenses recognised in the condensed consolidated income statement

Included in the condensed consolidated income statement are the following:

                                                                         H1 2024   H1 2023
                                                                        £m         £m
 Research and development costs expensed as incurred                    2.4        2.0
 Depreciation of property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets  3.0        3.0
 Amortisation of intangible assets                                      1.6        1.8

 

 

4. Income tax expense

 

A tax charge for the six-month period has been included in the condensed
consolidated income statement of £1.8m (H1 2023: £0.9m) and has been
calculated using the anticipated effective tax rate on the taxable profit of
the Group. The anticipated adjusted effective tax rate for the year ending 31
December 2024 is expected to be c21%.

 

 

5. Earnings per share

 

Earnings per share is calculated based on the profit for the period
attributable to the owners of the Group. Adjusted earnings per share is
calculated based on the adjusted profit for the period, as detailed below,
attributable to the owners of the Group. These measures are divided by the
weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.

 

                                                                            H1 2024  H1 2023  FY 2023
                                                                            £m       £m       £m
 Earnings for calculating basic earnings per share                          6.9      5.3      16.7
 Adjusted for:
     Amortisation of acquired intangibles and related acquisition costs     2.5      1.0      2.3
     Remeasurement to fair value of hedging portfolio                       -        2.2      -
     Income tax on above items                                              (0.6)    (0.8)    (0.5)
     Other tax items                                                        -        -        (1.2)
 Adjusted earnings for calculating adjusted basic earnings per share        8.8      7.7      17.3

 

                                                                H1 2024  H1 2023  FY 2023
                                                                Number   Number   Number
 Weighted average number of ordinary shares                     Million  Million  Million
 Basic                                                          153.8    155.2    155.2
 Dilutive effect of share options on potential ordinary shares  0.9      1.4      1.3
 Diluted                                                        154.7    156.6    156.5

 

                                      H1 2023  H1 2023  FY 2023
                                      Pence    Pence    Pence
 Basic earnings per share             4.5      3.4      10.8
 Diluted earnings per share           4.5      3.4      10.7
 Adjusted basic earnings per share    5.7      5.0      11.1
 Adjusted diluted earnings per share  5.7      4.9      11.1

 

 

6. Dividend

 

An interim dividend of 1.7 pence per share will be paid to shareholders on 25
October 2024. This compares to a 1.6 pence interim dividend in 2023.

 

 

7. Property, plant and equipment

During the six months ended 30 June 2024, the Group purchased assets at a cost
of £2.1m (H1 2023: £1.9m and FY 2023: £6.4m); including plant and equipment
£0.7m, tooling £0.6m, construction in progress £0.4m, land and buildings
£0.3m and fixtures and fittings £0.1m. Assets with a fair value of £1.0m
were acquired as part of the D-Line (Europe) Limited ("D-Line") acquisition.
Assets with a book value of £0.1m were disposed of (H1 2023: £0.1m and FY
2023 £0.2m). Total depreciation for the period was £1.8m (H1 2023: £2.0m
and FY 2023: £3.9m). Assets with a book value of £0.5m were transferred out
of the tooling category and into the development cost category.

During the period there were lease additions totalling £1.5m and a
depreciation charge of £1.2m. Right-of-use assets with a fair value of £1.8m
were acquired as part of the D-Line acquisition. The net book value of
right-of-use assets at 30 June 2024 was £9.6m (30 June 2023: £5.7m and 31
December 2023: £7.6m).

The Group has not included any borrowing costs within additions in 2024 (2023:
£nil). There were no funds specifically borrowed for the assets and the
amount eligible as part of the general debt instruments pool (after applying
the appropriate capitalisation rate) is not considered material.

 

8. Intangible assets and goodwill

 

Development expenditure is capitalised and included in intangible assets when
it meets the criteria laid out in IAS 38, "Intangible Assets". During the six
months ended 30 June 2024, the Group incurred internally generated development
costs of £0.8m (H1 2023: £0.6m and FY 2023: £1.8m). The Group has not
included any borrowing costs within capitalised development costs. There were
no funds specifically borrowed for this asset and the amount eligible as part
of the general debt instruments pool (after applying the appropriate
capitalisation rate) is not considered material. Amortisation for the six
months ended 30 June 2024 was £1.6m (H1 2023: £1.8m and FY 2023: £3.4m).
Additionally, intangibles and goodwill were recognised on acquisition of
D-Line - see note 10 for further information.

 

In the condensed consolidated income statement these amounts have been
included within "adjustments" in calculating the Adjusted Operating
Profit/loss (refer to note 1 in the Notes to the condensed consolidated
financial statements).

 

There have been no triggers to necessitate an impairment of goodwill since the
review undertaken as part of the year ended 31 December 2023. Goodwill has
been allocated to cash-generating units and can be referred to in the Group's
2023 Annual Report and Accounts.

 

 

9. Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

 

This note provides information about the contractual terms of the Group's
interest-bearing loans and borrowings, which are measured at amortised cost.
For more information about the Group's exposure to interest rate and foreign
currency risk, please refer to note 20 in the 2023 Annual Report and
Accounts.

 

 

                            H1 2024  H1 2023  FY 2023
                            £m       £m       £m
 Non-current liabilities
 Revolving credit facility  43.4     36.3     22.3
 Overdrafts                 -        3.8      -
                            43.4     40.1     22.3

 

Bank loans are secured by a fixed and floating charge over the assets of the
Group.

 

 

10. Acquisitions

 

On 29 February 2024, the Group acquired the entire issued share capital of
D-Line, the supplier of cable management solutions for initial consideration
of £8.6m. The fair value (which is currently being assessed in conjunction
with our independent valuation experts who have not issued their final report)
of the consideration paid and the consolidated net assets acquired, together
with the goodwill arising in respect of this acquisition, was as follows:

 

                                        Provisional fair value estimate on acquisition
                                        £m
 Intangible assets                      2.8
 Property, plant and equipment          2.8
 Inventories                            5.6
 Trade and other receivables            2.9
 Cash                                   0.8
 Interest-bearing loans and borrowings  (1.7)
 Corporation tax (liability)            (0.1)
 Deferred tax (liability)               (1.1)
 Provisions                             (0.9)
 Trade and other payables               (3.0)
 Total                                  8.1
 Consideration - cash                   8.6
 Contingent consideration               0.8
 Goodwill arising                       1.3

 

 

11. Exchange rates

 

The following significant Sterling exchange rates were applied during the
year:

 

      Average rate      Reporting date spot rate
      H1 2024  H1 2023  H1 2024        H1 2023
 USD  1.27     1.23     1.26           1.27
 EUR  1.17     1.14     1.18           1.16
 RMB  9.13     8.54     9.18           9.18

 

 

12. Financial risk management and financial instruments

 

The Group's activities expose it to a variety of financial risks that include
currency risk, interest rate risk, credit risk and liquidity risk.

 

These interim financial statements do not include all financial risk
management information and disclosures required in

the Annual Report and Accounts. They should therefore be read in conjunction
with the Group's Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December
2023. There have been no changes to the risk management policies since the
year ended 31 December 2023.

 

 

13. Related party transactions

 

The Group has related party relationships with its subsidiaries and with its
Directors. Transactions between Group companies, which are related parties,
have been eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed in this note.
There have been no related party transactions with Directors other than in
respect of remuneration.

 

 

14. Date of approval of financial information

 

The interim financial information covers the period 1 January 2024 to 30 June
2024 and was approved by the Board on 9 September 2024. Further copies of the
interim financial information can be found at www.lucecoplc.com
(https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/___http:/www.lucecoplc.com___.bXQtcHJvZC1jcC1ldXcyLTE6bmV4dDE1OmM6bzo5NzlhYzQxMDgwZDQwOTk2MjQ0NjI5ZjUzYjE1ZWM2Zjo2OjMwNTQ6OGQ5Zjg4ZGM0MDAwN2U1NWNmMGExNWExMWI0YmJjNWYxYWJkNTEyNDk2ZjRkMDU4YjdhYzZmYTMxNjIzZDJmNTpwOkY6Tg)
.

 

 

 INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO LUCECO PLC

 

Conclusion

We have been engaged by the company to review the condensed set of financial
statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30
June 2024 which comprises condensed consolidated income statement, condensed
consolidated statement of comprehensive income, condensed consolidated
statement of changes in equity, condensed consolidated balance sheet,
condensed consolidated cash flow statement and the related explanatory notes.

 

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to
believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly
financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2024 is not prepared, in all
material respects, in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as
adopted for use in the UK and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules
("the DTR") of the UK's Financial Conduct Authority ("the UK FCA").

 

Basis for conclusion

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review
Engagements (UK) 2410 Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the
Independent Auditor of the Entity ("ISRE (UK) 2410") issued for use in the UK.
A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries,
primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and
applying analytical and other review procedures. We read the other information
contained in the half-yearly financial report and consider whether it contains
any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in
the condensed set of financial statements.

 

A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance
with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and consequently does not enable
us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters
that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit
opinion.

 

Conclusions relating to going concern

Based on our review procedures, which are less extensive than those performed
in an audit as described in the Basis of conclusion section of this report,
nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the Directors
have inappropriately adopted the going concern basis of accounting, or that
the Directors have identified material uncertainties relating to going concern
that have not been appropriately disclosed.

 

This conclusion is based on the review procedures performed in accordance with
ISRE (UK) 2410. However, future events or conditions may cause the group to
cease to continue as a going concern, and the above conclusions are not a
guarantee that the group will continue in operation.

 

Directors' responsibilities

The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been
approved by, the Directors. The Directors are responsible for preparing the
half-yearly financial report in accordance with the DTR of the UK FCA.

 

As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the group are
prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards.

 

The Directors are responsible for preparing the condensed set of financial
statements included in the half-yearly financial report in accordance with IAS
34 as adopted for use in the UK.

 

In preparing the condensed set of financial statements, the Directors are
responsible for assessing the group's ability to continue as a going concern,
disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the
going concern basis of accounting unless the Directors either intend to
liquidate the group or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative
but to do so.

 

Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the company a conclusion on the condensed
set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report based on our
review. Our conclusion, including our conclusion relating to going concern,
are based on procedures that are less extensive than audit procedures, as
described in the Basis of conclusion section of this report.

 

 

The purpose of our review work and to whom we owe our responsibilities

This report is made solely to the company in accordance with the terms of our
engagement to assist the company in meeting the requirements of the DTR of the
UK FCA. Our review has been undertaken so that we might state to the company
those matters we are required to state to it in this 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 for our review work, for this
report, or for the conclusions we have reached.

 

 

Gordon Docherty

for and on behalf of KPMG LLP

One Snowhill

Snow Hill Queensway

Birmingham

B4 6GH

 

 

9 September 2024

 

 

Additional information

 

Financial calendar

 

 Item                                                 Date
 2024 Interim dividend record date                    20 September 2024
 2024 Interim dividend reinvestment elections (DRIP)  04 October 2024
 2024 Q3 trading update                               24 October 2024
 2024 Interim dividend payment date                   25 October 2024
 2024 Year end                                        31 December 2024
 2024 Full year trading update                        23 January 2025
 2024 Full year results statement                     01 April 2025
 2025 AGM                                             20 May 2025
 2025 Half year end                                   30 June 2025
 2025 Half year trading update                        22 July 2025
 2025 Half year result statement                      09 September 2025

 

 

Contacts

 

 Type                            Name                   Address                     Website/Email/Phone
 Company's registered office     Luceco plc             Building E Stafford Park 1  www.lucecoplc.com

                           (https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/___http:/www.lucecoplc.com___.bXQtcHJvZC1jcC1ldXcyLTE6bmV4dDE1OmM6bzoxZTdjNThmZDI5NDQ2ZTE3ODUzZjY1YmYxOTkwZGQ0Njo2OjVmMjM6NDY5ZTI1ZTcyZmUwN2YyM2JjZjVmMDYyMWM3MzgxOTE0ZjI1NTc3YzA0NzZkMGI5MDNhNTM1ZDZiY2Q4ODk3MTpwOlQ6Tg)
                                                        Stafford Park

                           ir@luceco.com
                                                        Telford

                                                        TF3 3BD
 Independent auditor             KPMG LLP               Chartered Accountants       www.kpmg.co.uk

                           (https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/___http:/www.kpmg.co.uk___.bXQtcHJvZC1jcC1ldXcyLTE6bmV4dDE1OmM6bzoxZTdjNThmZDI5NDQ2ZTE3ODUzZjY1YmYxOTkwZGQ0Njo2OmFiOGI6N2QyMzY0MDkzNzhiNWZlYWJjZmRjNjE1ZDhjNmRlMmYyZThkMzlmYjJkNmVlYzdkMTlmOWQ3ODRmNWJjODU2NjpwOlQ6Tg)
                                                        One Snowhill

                                                        Snow Hill Queensway

                                                        Birmingham

                                                        B4 6GH
 Financial advisors and brokers  Deutsche Numis         45 Gresham Street           www.dbnumis.com

                           (https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/___http:/www.dbnumis.com___.bXQtcHJvZC1jcC1ldXcyLTE6bmV4dDE1OmM6bzo5NzlhYzQxMDgwZDQwOTk2MjQ0NjI5ZjUzYjE1ZWM2Zjo2Ojk2ZmM6ZmYzMmFiM2M3ZWE3YTE1MDZhZmM0NmFjOTBkODJmYWRlNWU4ZGFjZjA3ZThjMjRjNzdiNTliOGJlMzM3NzY5ZDpwOkY6Tg)
                                                        London

                                                        EC2V 7BF
                                 Panmure Liberum        Ropemaker Place             www.panmureliberum.com

                           (https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/___http:/www.panmureliberum.com___.bXQtcHJvZC1jcC1ldXcyLTE6bmV4dDE1OmM6bzo5NzlhYzQxMDgwZDQwOTk2MjQ0NjI5ZjUzYjE1ZWM2Zjo2OjQxMDQ6NWRhZDY1MDYyZGM3NTk4NTM1MmZlYmMxOTVhMjQ2Nzc4NDU3OGZiM2VhOTJiYzIwYjhhYTRjZmRhNDFlNDg2MTpwOkY6Tg)
                                                        Level 12

                                                        25 Ropemaker Street

                                                        London

                                                        EC2Y 9LY
 Company registrar               Link Group             Central Square              shareholderenquiries@linkgroup.co.uk

                           (mailto:shareholderenquiries@linkgroup.co.uk)
                                                        29 Wellington Street

                                                        Leeds

                           Tel: +44 (0)371 664 0300
                                                        LS1 4DL

 Company Secretary               Company Matters        6(th) Floor                 luceco@linkgroup.co.uk (mailto:luceco@linkgroup.co.uk)

                                 (part of Link Group)   65 Gresham Street

                                                        London                      Tel: +44 (0)333 300 1950

                                                        EC2V 7NQ
 Financial PR                    MHP                    60 Great Portland Street    luceco@mhpgroup.com (mailto:luceco@mhpgroup.com)

                                                        London

                                                        W1W 7RT                     Tel: +44 (0)20 3128 8100

 

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.   END  IR LLMTTMTBMTAI

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