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HOWDEN AFRICA HOLDINGS - UNAUDITED FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30

Release Date: 29/08/2003 16:30
Code(s): HWN
Wrap Text

HOWDEN AFRICA HOLDINGS - UNAUDITED FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2003 HOWDEN AFRICA HOLDINGS LIMITED (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Registration number 1996/002982/06) Share code: HWN ISIN: ZAE000010583 UNAUDITED FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2003 ABRIDGED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT Actual Actual Actual 6 months ended 6 months ended 12 months ended 30 June 30 June 31 December 2003 2002 Actual 2002
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) % (Audited) R"000 R"000 change R"000 Turnover 281 284 235 710 19,3 522 598 Operating profit 14 646 8 799 66,5 23 872 Net financial revenue/(cost) 2 739 (224) 734 Foreign exchange losses (2 920) (2 053) (7 196) Exceptional item - loan written down - - (112) Diminution in value of investment in a subsidiary - - (152) Amortisation of goodwill on acquisition - (1 821) (827) Share of results of associate - (1 397) (1 397) Profit before taxation 14 465 3 304 337,8 14 922 Taxation (5 308) (1 587) (10 286) Profit after taxation 9 157 1 717 433,3 4 636 Minority interest (2 146) (1 255) (2 393) Net profit for the period 7 011 462 2 243 Number of shares in issue(000"s) 65 729 65 729 65 729 Earnings per share: (cents) 10,67 0,70 3,41 Headline earnings per share: (cents) 15,49 3,18 7,87 Dividends per share: (cents) - - - Reconciliation of headline earnings Net profit for the period 7 011 462 2 243 Amortisation of goodwill 147 166 248 Loss on sale of subsidiary 3 080 - 2 110 Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment (57) (357) (518) Exceptional item - loan written down - - 112 Diminution in value of investment in a subsidiary - - 152 Amortisation of goodwill on acquisition - 1 821 827 Headline earnings 10 181 2 092 5 174 OTHER GROUP SALIENT FEATURES Actual 6 months Actual 6 months Actual 12 months ended 30 June ended 30 June ended 31 December
2003 2002 2002 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) R"000 R"000 R"000 Net asset value per share (cents) 166,11 147,78 153,99 Depreciation 3 446 3 260 6 557 Capital expenditure 2 735 3 198 6 984 Capital commitments Authorised and contracted 896 - 811 Authorised not contracted 80 - - abridged consolidated statement of changes in equity Opening balance 101 215 95 669 95 669 Currency translation differences 959 1 005 2 393 Net profit 7 011 462 2 243 Subsidiary reserves disposed of - - 910 Closing balance 109 185 97 136 101 215 ABRIDGED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET Actual 6 months Actual 6 months Actual 12 months ended 30 June ended 30 June ended 31 December
2003 2002 2002 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) R"000 R"000 R"000 ASSETS Non - current assets 34 274 39 712 35 957 Property, plant and equipment 33 063 34 400 34 601 Intangible assets 724 1 163 871 Investment in associate - - - Non-current loans - 4 149 - Deferred tax 487 - 485 Current assets 248 112 178 577 209 353 Inventories 65 263 65 381 54 663 Receivables and pre-payments 134 362 103 769 123 105 Amounts owing by fellow subsidiaries 128 66 28 Cash and cash equivalents 48 359 9 361 31 557 Total assets 282 386 218 289 245 310 EQUITIES AND LIABILITIES Capital and reserves 109 185 97 136 101 215 Minority interest 4 188 5 482 6 556 Non-current liabilities 3 164 5 152 3 164 Post retirement medical benefit obligations 3 164 3 164 3 164 Deferred tax - 1 988 - Current liabilities 165 849 110 519 134 375 Trade and other payables 157 629 109 687 123 124 Taxation 4 770 (1 565) 7 550 Amounts owing to fellow subsidiaries 3 450 2 397 3 701 Total liabilities 169 013 115 671 137 539 Total equity and liabilities 282 386 218 289 245 310 ABRIDGED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT Actual 6 months Actual 6 months Actual 12 months ended 30 June ended 30 June ended 31 December 2003 2002 2002 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
Cash flow from operating activities Cash generated by operations 18 195 7 380 24 825 Utilised to decrease working capital 13 501 7 036 13 632 Cash generated from operating activities 31 696 14 416 38 457 Financial revenue/(cost) 2 739 (224) 734 Taxation paid (8 072) (8 164) (10 170) 26 363 6 028 29 021 Cash utilised in investing activities (5 061) (1 045) (5 879) Cash effects of financing activities (4 500) - 4 037 Increase in cash and cash equivalents 16 802 4 983 27 179 SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS BY OPERATING DIVISION Actual 6 months Actual 6 months Actual 12 months ended 30 June ended 30 June ended 31 December 2003 2002 2002 Turnover Fans and heat exchangers 110 866 93 178 188 068 Environmental control 91 569 58 524 141 412 Pumps 66 237 53 461 114 798 Hertz Technologies 1 499 4 102 10 571 Overseas operations 11 113 26 445 67 749 281 284 235 710 522 598 COMMENTS A continued improvement in performance is reported for the half year to June 2003 despite a noticeable deterioration in economic conditions reported in the local economy. The second quarter of the year in particular provided a challenge with orders received in the period down 30% on the position achieved in the first quarter. An order book of R214 million, however,gives encouragement that Group companies should trade through to the improvement forecast towards the last quarter of the year. RESULTS In the six months ended June 2003, orders receivable of R295,4 million were up 12% compared with the corresponding period in 2002. Turnover of R281,3 million was 19% up on last year, due largely to the completion of contracts into the mining and power markets. The strong opening order book in particular assisted in generating a useful start to the year. In the period to 30 June 2003 Group operating profits of R14,6 million are reported, against R8,8 million for the same period last year. Reorganisation efforts associated with the offshore operations, together with the sale of Hertz Technologies (Pty) Ltd in May 2003, have resulted in profit improvements of R3,4 million being reported for the period, offset by a R3,1 million loss on sale of the subsidiary. A net cash position of R48,4 million compares with the R31,6 million net cash reported at the end of December 2002. Improvement in profitability, and a lower net working capital position, more than compensated for payments associated with capital expenditure and corporate taxation. Earnings per share of 10,67 cents compare with 0,7 cents last year, after absorbing foreign exchange losses of R2,9 million (2002: R2,1 million) associated with the continued strengthening of the Rand. REVIEW OF OPERATIONS Fans and heat exchangers Order intake for fans and heat exchangers totalled R131,4 million compared to R120,4 million in the corresponding period last year. Business in this division benefited from the strong opening order book and healthy market share in the mining industry. The industry continues to be serviced by too many competitors operating at marginal levels, given the available market, and consolidation could be considered in order to establish businesses with the required critical mass. Shareholders will be kept informed of any developments in this regard. Indications are that orders receivable over the balance of the year will be at a lower level than achieved in the first half. Environmental control The environmental control business received orders totalling R95,8 million compared to R89,0 million last year. This achievement included an order worth R44 million received by Bateman Howden for the supply of fabric filters to Kelvin Power Station. Outside of this achievement, order intake has come off measurably and intense effort will be required over the balance of the year to convert outstanding prospects into orders. Business in the second half of the year, is expected to reflect an improvement on that achieved in the first half, excluding the aforementioned fabric filter order. Pumps Order intake for the pumps business totalled R68,2 million against the R54,2 million achieved last year, dry weather patterns over large parts of the country contributing to an improved demand for pump products in the agricultural sector. Good results have also been achieved in other market sectors and the pump company continues to reflect improvement in earning satisfactory shareholder returns. OFFSHORE OPERATIONS As noted in the 2002 Annual Report, operations offshore have largely been sold off or closed. The offshore businesses that remain active are Howden 3Ts International and Engart Incorporated (USA). Continued Rand strength has impacted negatively on each of these entities competitiveness as a large portion of their work tends to be produced locally. Moving forward, a view will need to be taken as to how both businesses could more effectively serve their respective markets without negatively impacting Group results. OUTLOOK There is concern at present that order prospects could be delayed over the second half of the year with implications for the order book carried forward to 2004. An improvement in economic conditions is, however, forecast towards year end and Group companies would generally be well placed to compete should this materialise. DIVIDEND At the Annual General Meeting held in June 2001 it was announced that future dividend policy would be set in the light of earnings and cash flow, also taking into account forward orders and the need to invest in the Group"s future. Given the improvement in earnings and the stronger cash position, it is proposed that a dividend of 3 cents be declared payable to shareholders. The last date to trade cum-div is Friday, 3 October 2003. Shares start trading ex dividend on Monday, 6 October 2003. The record date is Friday, 10 October 2003. Payment will be made on Monday, 13 October 2003. No share certificates are to be dematerialised or rematerialised between Monday, 6 October 2003 and Friday, 10 October 2003, both days inclusive. DIRECTORATE Mr Colin Ferreira resigned as an Executive Director of the company at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting on 12 June 2003. We thank him for his valued contribution and wish him well into his retirement. Mr. Arthur Mashiatshidi has been appointed as an independent non-executive director as from 31 July 2003. He is the CEO and founder of Decorum Capital Partners, the Fund Manager of the New Africa Mining Fund, a private equity fund that focusses on financing exploration projects in South Africa and around the continent. He is an independent director of Thebe Investment Corporation and also serves on the Financial Markets Advisory Board as well as the Advisory Board of the Graduate School of Business at the University of Cape Town. BASIS OF PREPARATION These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice in South Africa. There has been no change in accounting policies since the annual report of 31 December 2002. For and on behalf of the Board of Directors. J S Feek (Chairman) 29 August 2003 Directors: J S Feek (Chairman) , R J Cleland # **, S Meyer, Dr R Mokate **, A B Mashiatshidi ** (# British) (** Non-executive) Company secretary: M J M Lake Registered office: 1a Booysens Road Booysens, 2091 Postal address: PO Box 2239 Johannesburg, 2000 Transfer secretaries: Computershare Limited, 70 Marshall Street Johannesburg, 2001
Sponsor: PricewaterhouseCoopers Corporate Finance (Pty) Limited Date: 29/08/2003 04:30:09 PM Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za Produced by the JSE SENS Department

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