• Water Management has seen lower first half export volumes, but a stronger performance is expected in H2 as a result of the next phase of the Chek Lap Kok airport project and other overseas project phasing.
• Whilst market conditions remain uncertain in the near term, the Group continues to demonstrate its ability to outperform underlying markets through innovation and service, as well as manage costs and improve efficiency.
• As a result, the Board remains confident in the Group achieving its full year expectations.
• With a clear strategy and the majority of revenues directly linked to sustainability benefits to its customers, the Group remains well positioned to deliver long term market outperformance.
Notes:
(1) A reconciliation of underlying to statutory profit is provided in note 4 to the interim financial statements
(2) Underlying operating margin: underlying operating profit as a percentage of sales 1
Products had strong first half performances and good
Outlook
• Building Envelope and Housebuilding momentum going into the second half.
Underlying(1) earnings per share of 12.3p (H1 FY22: 14.1p).
Reported profit before tax of £5.3m (H1 FY22: £6.2m).
Underlying(1) profit before tax of £5.6m (H1 FY22: £6.3m).
• Dividend per share increased to 3.40p (H1 FY22: 3.35p) reflecting the Board's confidence in the future performance of the business.
Underlying(1) operating margin(2) of 13.4% (H1 FY22: 15.3%):
o Building Envelope underlying operating margin of 14.1% (H1 FY22: 13.3%).
o Housebuilding Products underlying operating margin of 23.0% (H1 FY22: 19.3%).
o Water Management underlying operating margin of 12.8% (H1 FY22: 18.1%), reflecting the prior year divisional mix benefitting from large export orders.
Tuesday 7 February 2023
The Alumasc Group plc
Interim results
Confidence in delivering full year expectations
Alumasc (ALU.L) the sustainable building products, systems and solutions Group today announces results for the six months ended 31 December 2022.
Commenting on the interim results, Paul Hooper, Chief Executive of Alumasc said:
"This was a strong first half performance, against a comparative that included significant sales to Chek Lap Kok airport in Hong Kong. While the short term market remains uncertain, we enter the second half with encouraging momentum and a record half year order book, which includes the next phase of the Chek Lap Kok project, giving us confidence in the delivery of our expectations for the full year."
Financial Overview: continuing operations
• Group revenues up by 5% to £45.0m (H1 FY22: £42.6m), with organic growth and pricing offsetting significant export orders in the first half of the prior year:
o Building Envelope delivered a 29% increase in revenues to £18.3m (H1 FY22: £14.2m).
o Housebuilding Products delivered a 24% increase in revenues to £7.0m (H1 FY22: £5.7m).
o Water Management delivered revenues of £19.6m (H1 FY22: £22.8m), reflecting significant export project sales in the prior half year.

Enquiries:

The Alumasc Group plc

+44 (0) 1536 383844

Paul Hooper, Chief Executive

Simon Dray, Group Finance Director

Peel Hunt (Broker)

Mike Bell

+44 (0) 20 7418 8831

finnCap (Nominated Adviser)

Julian Blunt, Edward Whiley

+ 44 (0)207 220 0561

Camarco (Financial PR)

alumasc@camarco.co.uk

Ginny Pulbrook

+ 44 (0)203 757 4992

Rosie Driscoll

+ 44 (0)203 757 4981

2

REVIEW OF INTERIM RESULTS

Chief Executive's Statement

Group sales from continuing operations for the six months ended 31 December 2022 were £45.0m (2021: £42.6m). UK sales were strong, increasing by £6.7m (18%). In particular, the Building Envelope and Housebuilding Products Divisions had strong first half performances driven by very good sales, the result of efforts in taking market share and the launch of new products into existing and adjacent markets.

As expected, Export sales in the period were lower, due to the timing of several significant contracts in Asia. The prior period included c.£2.8m of sales of Gatic access and drainage products into a number of projects, notably Chek Lap Kok airport in Hong Kong. This project was successfully completed in the prior year, and the next phase is due to commence in the final quarter of this financial year. Export sales outside Asia were also lower, due to project timings and in particular to the temporary slowing of sales to the Middle East caused by the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, but are expected to recover in the second half of the year.

The results of Levolux, which was sold by the Group on 26 August 2022, have been excluded from continuing operations in the current and prior period, and presented as discontinued operations.

Operational Review

Water Management

H1 FY23

H1 FY22

Revenue

£19.6m

£22.8m

Underlying operating profit

£2.5m

£4.1m

Underlying operating margin

12.8%

18.1%

Operating profit

£2.5m

£4.1m

Following two successive years of record performance, the Water Management Division fell back predominantly due to the timing of several significant projects, including at Chek Lap Kok airport in Hong Kong, which delivered c.£2.8m of sales to the prior period. Export sales are expected to recover in the second half of the financial year, as the next phase of the Chek Lap Kok development starts.

UK sales were strong, with several large projects for Gatic Slotdrain and Access Covers and another very good performance by our Architectural Aluminium business, Skyline, which benefitted from the successful introduction of a number of new products to complement the existing ranges.

With its greater exposure to self-build projects, Rainclear had a slower performance than the prior period, due to pressure on household income. However, it mitigated some of these effects through work with regional housebuilders, and the high profile launches of its new canopy and veranda ranges, both of which are showing early promise.

Building Envelope

Continuing operations

H1 FY23

H1 FY22*

Revenue

£18.3m

£14.2m

Underlying operating profit

£2.6m

£1.9m

Underlying operating margin

14.1%

13.3%

Operating profit

£2.6m

£1.9m

* The results for the half year to 31 December 2021 have been re-presented to show the Levolux business as a discontinued operation.

The Building Envelope Division had a very strong first half year, growing its revenue by 29%, the result of investment in high quality employees and some new products, including a very successful flat to pitch roof system along with the successfully increased promotion of the CO2 reducing product, Olivine.

Previously weaker areas of the UK have improved significantly following the strengthened representation in those areas. A good level of Academy work was won in the year. Some reasonably significant cost increases were successfully passed on. The Roofing business continues to focus on high end specification offers supported by the highest standards, and a customer focused service level which delivers low carbon

3

systems combined with safety in installation, all supported by long term warranties. This has allowed the business to increase market share in its core areas.

Housebuilding Products

H1 FY23

H1 FY22

Revenue

£7.0m

£5.7m

Underlying operating profit

£1.6m

£1.1m

Underlying operating margin

23.0%

19.3%

Operating profit

£1.4m

£1.1m

Timloc, our Housebuilding Products business, had an outstanding first half, growing its revenue by 24%. This was achieved through the extended distribution of its existing products and the continued growth of new products, including the significant launch of its new range of Tile Vents. These have been very well received by the marketplace for their quality and service proposition and take Timloc into a new distribution channel of roofing merchants.

Despite the challenges of cost increases, which were successfully passed on, the Housebuilding Products Division managed to increase its operating margin to a record 23.0%. Improved efficiencies, outstanding next day service and rigorous cost controls contributed significantly to this performance.

Timloc's continued investment and focus on sustainability, including being the first building products company to become a carbon neutral manufacturer, leaves it well positioned to support the Housebuilders drive to build carbon zero homes. During 2022 Timloc moved all of its company vehicles to fully electric.

Strategic Overview

The significant improvement in the Group's performance across the last two years emanate from the execution of the Group's strategy which includes the stated objectives of:

Short-term:

  • Continuing to simplify, streamline and reduce fixed costs across the Group.

Long-term:

  • Drive organic growth across the Group by increasing market share and entering adjacent categories.
  • Continual efficiency improvements.
  • Geographical expansion within selected territories.
  • New product development focused on environmental and sustainable solutions.
  • Bolt-onM&A to expand products and markets.
  • Use of sustainable materials with recycled and fully recyclable materials.

We have managed to streamline the business and have removed reasonable levels of cost in the last three years, while continuing to invest in capacity and capability. The Group's full year operating margin from its continuing operations increased from 8.4% in FY20 to 14.9% in FY22, and our medium term target is to increase this to between 15% and 20%.

The Group has continued to progress its long-term strategy to deliver profitable growth through leveraging its strong strategic positions in sustainable building products, and to outperform the UK construction market while continuing development of export markets. The Group's 18% increase in UK revenues is testament to that.

Alumasc is also in a very strong position to benefit from the move towards sustainable construction and green buildings, both in terms of its own actions and through the development of its portfolio of products to manage energy consumption in buildings, to produce a greener built environment, and to manage the scarce resource of water. Many internal initiatives have also been taken to act in an environmentally sustainable manner, including the sourcing of electricity from renewable sources for 100% of the Group's supply. The Group's Net Zero planning is underway.

4

Financial Review

Discontinued operations

The Group sold Levolux Ltd on 26 August 2022, for an initial consideration of £1. Additional consideration, contingent on a subsequent sale of the business, is unlikely to be paid and has not been included in the loss on disposal. Levolux's trading results up to the date of disposal, which were formerly reported within the Building Envelope division, have been presented within discontinued operations, together with the loss arising on disposal. Results for H1 FY22 have been re-presented accordingly.

Tax rate and earnings per share

The Group's underlying tax rate was 21.2%, above the H1 FY22 rate of 19.4% reflecting the increase of UK corporation tax rate from 19% to 25% which comes into effect from April 2023, part way through our financial year ending 30 June 2023. Underlying earnings per share for the period were 12.3p, 12.8% lower than H1 FY22 (14.1p), reflecting the lower underlying profit before tax and the higher effective tax rate. Basic earnings per share were 7.5p (H1 FY22: 11.2p).

Cash flows and net debt

H1 FY23

H1 FY22

£m

£m

Underlying operating profit from continuing operations

6.0

6.5

Underlying depreciation/amortisation

1.4

1.3

Underlying EBITDA

7.4

7.8

Change in working capital

(1.9)

(2.1)

Deferred VAT paid

-

(0.6)

Operating cash flow from continuing operations

5.5

5.1

Discontinued operation

-

(0.7)

Operating cash flow from continuing and

discontinued operations

5.5

4.4

Capital expenditure

(1.4)

(1.4)

Interest

(0.3)

(0.2)

Tax

(0.1)

(1.3)

Pension deficit funding

(1.0)

(1.3)

Lease payments

(0.4)

(0.4)

Dividend payments

(2.4)

(2.2)

Purchase of own shares

(0.1)

(0.4)

Sub total

(0.2)

(2.8)

Cash outflow on Levolux disposal

(1.7)

-

Other non-underlying payments

(0.2)

(0.3)

Net cash flow

(2.1)

(3.1)

Net bank debt at 31 December

6.8

4.1

The Group's operating cash inflow was £5.5m (H1 FY22: £4.4m). Operating cash inflow from continuing

operations as a percentage of underlying operating profit was 92% (H1 FY22: 78%). Supply chain disruption and cost price inflation eased over the period, allowing partial reversal of the selective inventory investments made over FY22 to maintain customer service. Provided these pressures continue to ease, this trend will continue in H2 FY23. Average trade working capital as a percentage of sales for the half year was 19.4% (H1 FY22: 14.6%).

Capital expenditure was £1.4m (H1 FY22: £1.4m), representing 111% of depreciation (H1 FY22: 111%). Key investments were made on capacity/capability upgrades (£0.9m), tooling for new products (£0.4m) and system upgrades (£0.1m).

5

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Alumasc Group plc published this content on 07 February 2023 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 07 February 2023 15:18:06 UTC.