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BELL EQUIPMENT LIMITED - Preliminary audited results for the year ended 31 December 2014

Release Date: 16/03/2015 12:19
Code(s): BEL     PDF:  
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Preliminary audited results for the year ended 31 December 2014

BELL EQUIPMENT LIMITED
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 1968/013656/06)
("Bell")
Share code: BEL
ISIN: ZAE000028304

PRELIMINARY AUDITED RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2014

SUMMARISED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
as at 31 December 2014                                                           Audited       Audited   
R'000                                                                               2014          2013   
ASSETS                                                                                                   
Non-current assets                                                             1 011 357       957 032   
Property, plant and equipment                                                    672 106       691 631   
Intangible assets                                                                203 078       149 217   
Investments                                                                          548           563   
Interest-bearing long-term receivables                                            45 357        18 297   
Deferred taxation                                                                 90 268        97 324   
Current assets                                                                 3 483 147     3 799 301   
Inventory                                                                      2 403 437     2 784 840   
Trade and other receivables                                                      728 638       851 871   
Current portion of interest-bearing long-term receivables                         42 519        21 059   
Prepayments                                                                       25 346        22 947   
Other financial assets                                                             2 071           578   
Non-current assets held for sale                                                  11 850             -   
Taxation                                                                          10 331        11 679   
Cash resources                                                                   258 955       106 327   
TOTAL ASSETS                                                                   4 494 504     4 756 333   
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                                                                                   
Capital and reserves                                                           2 536 331     2 488 661   
Stated capital (Note 5)                                                          230 567       230 534   
Non-distributable reserves                                                       466 669       485 145   
Retained earnings                                                              1 831 459     1 766 067   
Attributable to owners of Bell Equipment Limited                               2 528 695     2 481 746   
Non-controlling interest                                                           7 636         6 915   
Non-current liabilities                                                          214 273       247 690   
Interest-bearing liabilities                                                      87 161       113 271   
Repurchase obligations and deferred leasing income                                     -        17 871   
Deferred warranty income                                                          65 616        52 596   
Long-term provisions and lease escalation                                         44 813        40 382   
Deferred taxation                                                                 16 683        23 570   
Current liabilities                                                            1 743 900     2 019 982   
Trade and other payables                                                       1 376 773     1 193 013   
Current portion of interest-bearing liabilities                                   40 304        52 337   
Current portion of repurchase obligations and                                                            
deferred leasing income                                                           34 980        59 489   
Current portion of deferred warranty income                                       59 079        48 483   
Current portion of provisions and lease escalation                                65 941        59 148   
Other financial liabilities                                                        4 404         4 937   
Taxation                                                                          28 640        35 301   
Short-term interest-bearing debt                                                 133 779       567 274   
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                                                   4 494 504     4 756 333   
Number of shares in issue ('000)                                                  95 147        95 144   
Net asset value per share (cents)                                                  2 666         2 616                      

SUMMARISED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS                                                  
for the year ended 31 December 2014                                                                  
                                                                                 Audited       Audited   
R'000                                                                               2014          2013   
Revenue                                                                        6 608 545     6 319 104   
Cost of sales                                                                (5 067 408)   (4 890 116)   
Gross profit                                                                   1 541 137     1 428 988   
Other operating income                                                           148 597       144 847   
Expenses                                                                     (1 504 643)   (1 233 760)   
Profit from operating activities (Note 2)                                        185 091       340 075   
Net interest paid (Note 3)                                                      (54 818)      (34 699)   
Profit before taxation                                                           130 273       305 376   
Taxation                                                                        (63 853)      (99 623)   
Profit for the year                                                               66 420       205 753   
Profit for the year attributable to:                                                                     
- Owners of Bell Equipment Limited                                                63 452       183 007   
- Non-controlling interest                                                         2 968        22 746   
Earnings per share (basic) (cents) (Note 4)                                           67           193   
Earnings per share (diluted) (cents) (Note 4)                                         66           189   

SUMMARISED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND                                               
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                                                                            
for the year ended 31 December 2014                                                                   
                                                                                 Audited       Audited   
R'000                                                                               2014          2013   
Profit for the year                                                               66 420       205 753   
Other comprehensive income                                                                               
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:                                           
Exchange differences arising during the year                                    (21 915)       252 300   
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations                           (5 715)       244 106   
Exchange differences on foreign reserves                                           (711)         8 194   
Reclassification to profit or loss of foreign currency translation reserve on                            
deregistered operations                                                         (15 489)             -   
Items that may not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:                     -        26 304   
Surplus arising on revaluation of properties                                           -        37 616   
Taxation relating to surplus arising on revaluation of properties                      -      (11 312)   
Other comprehensive income for the year, net of taxation                        (21 915)       278 604   
Total comprehensive income for the year                                           44 505       484 357   
Total comprehensive income attributable to:                                                              
- Owners of Bell Equipment Limited                                                41 537       461 611   
- Non-controlling interest                                                         2 968        22 746   

SUMMARISED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
CHANGES IN EQUITY
for the year ended 31 December 2014                       
                                                       Attributable to owners of Bell Equipment Limited                           
                                                                            Non-                               Non-       Total   
                                                          Stated   distributable    Retained            controlling capital and   
R'000                                                    capital        reserves    earnings       Total   interest    reserves   
Balance at 31 December 2012 - Audited                    228 749         197 050   1 596 095   2 021 894     51 665   2 073 559   
Total comprehensive income for the year                        -         278 604     183 007     461 611     22 746     484 357   
Recognition of share-based payments                            -           4 704           -       4 704          -       4 704   
Share options exercised                                    1 785               -           -       1 785          -       1 785   
Dividends paid                                                 -               -    (37 991)    (37 991)          -    (37 991)   
Transactions with non-controlling interest                     -               -      29 743      29 743   (67 496)    (37 753)   
Increase in statutory reserves of foreign subsidiaries         -           4 787     (4 787)           -          -           -   
Balance at 31 December 2013 - Audited                    230 534         485 145   1 766 067   2 481 746      6 915   2 488 661   
Total comprehensive income for the year                        -        (21 915)      63 452      41 537      2 968      44 505   
Recognition of share-based payments                            -           3 132           -       3 132          -       3 132   
Share options exercised                                       33               -           -          33          -          33   
Increase in statutory reserves of foreign subsidiaries         -             307       (307)           -          -           -   
Transactions with non-controlling interest                     -               -       2 247       2 247    (2 247)           -   
Balance at 31 December 2014 - Audited                    230 567         466 669   1 831 459   2 528 695      7 636   2 536 331   

SUMMARISED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS                                                
for the year ended 31 December 2014                                                            
                                                                         Audited     Audited   
R'000                                                                       2014        2013   
Cash generated from operations before working capital changes            368 119     684 923   
Cash generated from (utilised in) working capital                        571 458   (694 480)   
Cash generated from (utilised in) operations                             939 577     (9 557)   
Net interest paid                                                       (54 818)    (34 699)   
Taxation paid                                                           (77 043)    (90 925)   
Net cash generated from (utilised in) operating activities               807 716   (135 181)   
Net cash utilised in investing activities                              (183 600)   (237 108)   
Net cash utilised in financing activities                               (37 993)   (144 165)   
Net cash inflow (outflow)                                                586 123   (516 454)   
Net (short-term interest-bearing debt) cash at beginning of the year   (460 947)      55 507   
Net cash (short-term interest-bearing debt) at end of the year           125 176   (460 947)   
Comprising:                                                                                    
Short-term interest-bearing debt                                       (133 779)   (567 274)   
Cash resources                                                           258 955     106 327   
Net cash (short-term interest-bearing debt) at end of the year           125 176   (460 947)   

ABBREVIATED NOTES TO THE PRELIMINARY AUDITED CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
for the year ended 31 December 2014
                                                                                         31 December 31 December
R'000                                                                                           2014        2013
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
  The consolidated financial statements from which these results are summarised have been
  prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the policies
  and methods of computation are consistent with those applied to the previous year,
  except for the adoption of new and amended standards and interpretations and the change
  in functional currencies as described below.

  In the current period the functional currency of the group's operation in Zambia changed
  from Zambian Kwacha to United States Dollar (US Dollar) and the functional currency of the
  group's operation in Russia changed from Russian Rouble to Euro. These operations'
  primary economic environments are significantly influenced by the US Dollar (in Zambia) and
  the Euro (in Russia). A significant portion of sales and the cost of goods and services in
  these operations have been indexed against the US Dollar and Euro respectively.

  In the current year the group has adopted all of the new and amended standards and
  interpretations relevant to its operations and effective for annual reporting periods
  beginning 1 January 2014. The adoption of these new and amended standards and
  interpretations has not had any significant impact on the amounts reported in the
  financial statements and in this preliminary report.

  The summarised consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical
  cost basis, except for the revaluation of properties and financial instruments. The summarised
  consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with the requirements of the JSE
  Limited's Listings Requirements for preliminary reports and the requirements of the Companies
  Act in South Africa. The Listings Requirements require preliminary reports to be prepared in
  accordance with the framework concepts and the measurement and recognition
  requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the SAICA
  Financial Reporting Guides as issued by the Accounting Practices Committee,
  Financial Reporting Pronouncements as issued by the Financial Reporting Standards
  Council and the information as required by IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting. The
  preparation of this preliminary report was supervised by the Group Finance Director,
  KJ van Haght CA (SA).

2 PROFIT FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                                                               
  Profit from operating activities is arrived at after taking into account:                                        
  Income                                                                                                           
  Currency exchange gains                                                                    195 831     181 880   
  Deferred warranty income                                                                    41 500      37 006   
  Import duty rebates                                                                         42 706      51 310   
  Reclassification to profit or loss of foreign currency translation reserve on                                    
  deregistered operations                                                                     15 489           -    
  Royalties                                                                                    4 647       2 641   
  Net surplus on disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets               1 485         998   
  Expenditure                                                                                                      
  Accrual for severance pay                                                                   21 378           -   
  Amortisation of intangible assets                                                           25 280      19 604   
  Auditors' remuneration - audit and other services                                           10 214      10 399   
  Currency exchange losses                                                                   186 976     269 826   
  Depreciation of property, plant and equipment                                              114 881     107 839   
  Increase in provision for doubtful debts                                                    69 887           -   
  Increase in warranty provision                                                               6 814       8 060   
  Operating lease charges                                                                    128 441     122 539   
  Research expenses (excluding staff costs)                                                   35 072      28 016   
  Staff costs (including directors' remuneration)                                          1 234 012   1 238 551   
  
3 NET INTEREST PAID                                                                                              
  Interest paid                                                                               67 722      42 047   
  Interest received                                                                         (12 904)     (7 348)   
  Net interest paid                                                                           54 818      34 699   
  
4 EARNINGS PER SHARE                                                                                             
  Basic earnings per share is arrived at as follows:                                                               
  Profit for the year attributable to owners of Bell Equipment Limited (R'000)                63 452     183 007   
  Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue ('000)                                  95 146      95 062   
  Earnings per share (basic) (cents)                                                              67         193   
  Diluted earnings per share is arrived at as follows:                                                             
  Profit for the year attributable to owners of Bell Equipment Limited (R'000)                63 452     183 007   
  Fully converted weighted average number of shares ('000)                                    95 640      96 933   
  Earnings per share (diluted) (cents)                                                            66         189   
  Headline earnings per share is arrived at as follows:                                                            
  Profit for the year attributable to owners of Bell Equipment Limited (R'000)                63 452     183 007   
  Net surplus on disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (R'000)     (1 485)       (998)   
  Taxation effect of net surplus on disposal of property, plant and equipment and                                  
  intangible assets (R'000)                                                                      416         279   
  Reclassification to profit or loss of foreign currency translation reserve on                                    
  deregistered operations                                                                   (15 489)           -   
  Headline earnings (R'000)                                                                   46 894     182 288   
  Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue ('000)                                  95 146      95 062   
  Headline earnings per share (basic) (cents)                                                     49         192   
  Diluted headline earnings per share is arrived at as follows:                                                    
  Headline earnings calculated above (R'000)                                                  46 894     182 288   
  Fully converted weighted average number of shares ('000)                                    95 640      96 933   
  Headline earnings per share (diluted) (cents)                                                   49         188               
  
5 STATED CAPITAL                                                                               
  Authorised                                     
  100 000 000 (2013: 100 000 000) ordinary shares of no par value                       
  Issued                                                                                
  95 146 885 (2013: 95 144 385) ordinary shares of no par value                              230 567     230 534   
 
6 CAPITAL EXPENDITURE COMMITMENTS                                                                                
  Contracted                                                                                  21 460      68 472   
  Authorised, but not contracted                                                              59 418     147 079   
  Total capital expenditure commitments                                                       80 878     215 551   

7 ABBREVIATED SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS                                                                                 
                                                                           Operating                               
  R'000                                                      Revenue   profit (loss)        Assets   Liabilities   
  December 2014                                                                                                    
  South African sales operation                            2 866 868         110 591     1 048 204       763 578   
  South African manufacturing and logistics operation      3 757 830         (2 709)     2 684 551     1 307 601   
  European operation                                       1 917 207          42 892       907 854       683 686   
  Rest of Africa and other international operations        1 540 758           6 537       951 258       825 981   
  North American operation                                   374 200        (15 855)        60 719        16 934   
  All other operations                                             -        (36 913)     1 113 956       137 515   
  Inter-segmental eliminations *                         (3 848 318)          80 548   (2 272 038)   (1 777 122)   
  Total                                                    6 608 545         185 091     4 494 504     1 958 173   
  December 2013                                                                                                    
  South African sales operation                            2 826 034          94 234       878 142       677 524   
  South African manufacturing and logistics operation      4 391 050         206 850     2 809 933     1 394 737   
  European operation                                       1 564 810          48 348     1 279 303     1 053 743   
  Rest of Africa and other international operations        1 867 623          96 086     1 144 502       988 200   
  North American operation                                   337 176        (18 940)       177 094       141 351   
  All other operations                                             -           8 447     1 143 113       145 743   
  Inter-segmental eliminations *                         (4 667 589)        (94 950)   (2 675 754)   (2 133 626)   
  Total                                                    6 319 104         340 075     4 756 333     2 267 672   
   
  * Inter-segmental eliminations above relate to the following:
  i) Revenue - the elimination of intra-group sales transactions, mainly sales
  from the South African manufacturing and logistics operation, to the distribution
  operations.
  ii) Operating profit (loss) - the elimination of profit (loss) on intra-group
  transactions, mainly sales transactions from the South African manufacturing
  and logistics operation to the distribution operations, where the inventory has
  not yet been on-sold by the distribution operations to a third party at year-end.
  iii) Assets and liabilities - the intra-group transactions result in intra-group
  receivables and payables balances and furthermore intra-group loans are in
  place between certain group operations. These are eliminated on consolidation.
                                                                                                  31 December   31 December
  R'000                                                                                                  2014          2013     
8 CONTINGENT LIABILITIES                                                                                 
  8.1 The group has assisted customers with the financing of equipment purchased
      through a financing venture with WesBank, a division of FirstRand Bank Limited.
      
      In respect of the different categories of financing provided by WesBank, the group
      carries certain credit risks. These are considered to be financial guarantee contracts.
      
      The group is liable for all credit risks and therefore the full balance due to WesBank
      by default customers with regard to Bell-backed deals and a portion of the credit
      risk and a portion of the balance due to WesBank by default customers with regard to
      Bell-shared risk deals. In terms of the Bell-shared risk deals the group's exposure
      is calculated as a percentage of the net selling price of the equipment.
      
      At year-end the group's credit risk exposure to WesBank under Bell-backed deals
      for which the group carries all the credit risk totalled                                        204 829       110 356
      
      At year-end the group's credit risk exposure to WesBank under Bell-shared risk 
      deals for which the group carries a portion of the credit risk totalled                             995         3 765
      
      In the event of default, the equipment financed would be recovered and it is 
      estimated that they would presently realise the following towards the above 
      liabilities                                                                                     243 954       158 624
      Net contingent liability                                                                              -             -
      
      The group has entered into similar shared risk arrangements with various other 
      institutions. These arrangements are first-loss undertakings and the group's exposure 
      remains fixed until the capital is repaid. These are considered to be financial 
      guarantee contracts. 
      
      At year-end the group's credit risk exposure to these financial institutions totalled            21 645        18 400
      
      In the event of default, the equipment financed would be recovered and it is 
      estimated that they would presently realise the following towards the above liability            25 902        21 870
                                                                                                      (4 257)       (3 470)
      Less: Provision for non-recovery                                                                (1 782)             -
      Net contingent liability                                                                              -             -
      
      Where customers are in arrears with these financial institutions and there is a shortfall
      between the estimated realisation values of equipment and the balances due by the
      customers to these financial institutions, an assessment of any additional security is
      done and a provision for any residual credit risk is made on a deal-by-deal basis.
        
  8.2 The repurchase of equipment sold to customers and financial institutions has been
      guaranteed by the group for an amount of                                                          4 420         2 224
  
      In the event of repurchase, it is estimated that the equipment would presently realise           19 037         6 234
      Net contingent liability                                                                              -             -
  
      This relates to sales transactions with buy-back obligations where the probability of
      return of the equipment by the customer at the end of the buy-back period has been
      assessed as remote and revenue has been recognised upfront. A provision for
      residual value risk is recognised subsequent to initial recognition of the sale on a
      deal-by-deal basis, to the extent that the assessed market value of the equipment is
      less than the cost of meeting the buy-back obligation.
  
  8.3 The residual values of certain equipment sold to financial institutions have been
      guaranteed by the group. The group's exposure is limited to the difference between
      the group's guaranteed amount and the financial institution's predetermined estimate.
  
      In the event of a residual value shortfall on this equipment, the group would be exposed
      to a maximum amount of                                                                            8 457        16 418
      Less: Provision for residual value risk                                                           (670)       (1 458)
      Net contingent liability                                                                          7 787        14 960
  
      In certain other transactions the group has paid cash collateral as security for the residual value
      risk. This cash collateral is recognised as retention deposits under interest-bearing long-term
      receivables. In the event of a residual value shortfall on this equipment, the group would
      be exposed to a maximum amount equal to the cash collateral of                                    2 867         5 638
      Less: Impairment of retention deposits                                                                -         (668)
      Net retention deposits and net contingent liability                                               2 867         4 970
  
      Total net contingent liabilities                                                                 10 654        19 930
  
      This relates to sales transactions to financial institutions which lease the equipment
      to customers for an agreed lease term. In certain cases, the group has a remarketing
      agreement with the institution for the disposal of the equipment returned after the lease
      term, but in all instances the group's risk is limited to the residual value risk described
      above.
  
      The provision for residual value risk and the impairment of the retention deposits are
      based on an assessment of the market value of the equipment.

9 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
  Categories of financial instruments included in the statement of financial position:

  - Loans and receivables at amortised cost comprising interest-bearing long-term
  receivables, trade and other receivables and cash resources.
  The directors consider that the carrying amount of loans and receivables at amortised
  cost approximates their fair value.

  - Financial liabilities at amortised cost comprising interest-bearing liabilities, trade
  and other payables and short-term interest-bearing debt.
  The directors consider that the carrying amount of financial liabilities at amortised
  cost approximates their fair value.

  - Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value through profit or loss include
  forward foreign exchange contracts and fair value is determined based on a Level 2
  fair value measurement. Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from
  inputs other than quoted prices.

  - Available for sale financial asset comprising an unlisted equity investment at cost
  for which a reliable fair value could not be determined.
         
10 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
   These summary consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2014
   have been audited by Deloitte & Touche, who expressed an unmodified opinion thereon.
   The auditor also expressed an unmodified opinion on the consolidated financial statements
   from which these summary consolidated financial statements were derived.

   A copy of the auditor's report on the summary consolidated financial statements and of the
   auditor's report on the consolidated financial statements are available for inspection at
   the company's registered office, together with the financial statements identified in the
   respective auditor's report.

   The auditor's report does not necessarily report on all of the information contained in this
   announcement. Shareholders are therefore advised that in order to obtain a full
   understanding of the nature of the auditor's engagement they should obtain a copy of the
   auditor's report together with the accompanying financial information from the issuer's
   registered office.

11 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
   The group has reviewed its cost structures group-wide to ensure alignment with revenue
   performance. The group's South African operations embarked on a consultation process
   with organised labour and other relevant stakeholders in terms of Section 189A of the Labour
   Relations Act. At the date of this report, a total of 124 employees had been awarded voluntary
   separation packages at a cost of R30,7 million. Similar restructuring processes were followed
   by all non-South African group operations. Of this, R21,4 million was incurred in the 2014
   financial year and was accrued at year-end.

COMMENTARY

Overview

Stakeholders will be aware that the global and local environments in which we operated throughout
2014 were extremely challenging. Globally, economies were weak, with China's slowdown possibly
having the largest impact. Only the USA showed any signs of resilience. Markets were impacted by the
collapse of the oil price, brought on by a combination of oversupply and lower demand. This also had a
negative effect on other resources and in particular, minerals, which constitutes Bell's largest market.
Political turmoil in Eastern Europe and the Middle East also added to global tensions. These, together
with the concerns over the spread of the Ebola virus and all the other issues around the world, simply
delayed prospects of any meaningful global recovery.

In South Africa, the year started with a five month long platinum industry strike only to be followed a
few weeks later by a five week long NUMSA strike. Both had significant detrimental effects on Bell's
trading as the former virtually closed an industry into which Bell markets much of its product and the
latter impacted Bell directly as many of its employees are NUMSA members. More recently, the
electricity supply breakdowns have added to the difficulties being experienced not only by Bell's
manufacturing operations but by many of our suppliers as well. As has been well documented, this is
likely to persist for a few years to come.

Notwithstanding the above, Bell is well known for its innovation and resilience and will adjust its
operations accordingly to meet the conditions that exist.

Financial

The financial year under review proved to be a difficult one for Bell with the Group recording a profit
after tax amounting to R66.4 million, a reduction of 68% in comparison with the prior year, and earnings
per share amount to 67 cents (2013:193 cents). Of these consolidated profits, R63.5 million is
attributable to shareholders of Bell. Total comprehensive income attributable to shareholders of Bell fell
to R42 million compared with R462 million in the prior year. The decline in the comprehensive income
over the current year's profit after tax and the previous year's comprehensive income has arisen largely
as a result of exchange differences on the translation of foreign operations. The net outcome of these
results saw shareholders wealth (capital and reserves) rise by 2% to R2.54 billion (2 666 cents per share).

The current year's profit after tax is disappointing as sales increased by 5% and overall gross profit in
Rand terms improved by 8% in comparison with the previous year. Unfortunately this improvement in
gross profit was more than offset by increased expenses stemming largely from an increased under
recovery of fixed overheads as production was curtailed and an increase in the doubtful debts provision.
This was especially pronounced in the second half of the year.

The abovementioned fall in profits is largely the result of the continuing weakness and unpredictability
of the resource based economy and closer to home, the delayed impact of the protracted strikes and
labour unrest. This has caused disruption to mining production which in turn has resulted in orders for
equipment not being fulfilled.

In contrast to the above, there has been a particularly pleasing improvement in working capital
management during the year under review. Both inventories and trade receivables are significantly
lower than in the previous year. This has resulted in a vastly improved positive cash flow for the year
under review of R586 million which in turn has resulted in a net cash position at year end amounting to
R125 million in comparison with the previous year's net short term interest bearing debt obligations of
R461 million.

Operational issues

The range of products marketed by Bell continue to be well accepted by our customers and we maintain
our reputation as innovators in the market. The company continues to upgrade its various facilities and
a new Customer Service Centre was opened during the year in Kitwe, Zambia. Bell also continues to
invest significantly into research and development to ensure it remains at the forefront of the industry
and to this end, will be displaying its new range of large E-Series trucks at two major industry trade
shows later this year – Intermat in France and BAUMA in South Africa. These trucks will be available to
worldwide markets in 2016.

The drop in demand for mining-related products resulted in reduced throughput in the Group's
production facilities which in turn led to an under recovery of fixed overheads. Further capacity exists at
each of Bell's plants and it is hoped that increased utilization will return in the not too distant future.
Management continues to be active in trying to secure new markets for the Group's products and to
identify new products to manufacture in order to increase production throughput. Management is also
seeking out new sources of supply for the products required in our production processes with a view to
achieving cost savings and reducing supply lead times.

Notwithstanding the strikes referred to above, a good relationship exists with the vast majority of
employees and the Unions which represent the scheduled staff, something that is critical from an
operational point of view. It did however become necessary to reduce staff numbers and costs with the
result that the Group embarked upon a restructuring and right-sizing exercise towards the end of the
financial year and this has extended into the first quarter of 2015.

We continue to engage with government at various levels. We are fully supportive of, and encouraged
by, the government's plans to expand production in the value-added sectors where high employment
and growth multipliers are present. South Africa desperately needs to stimulate employment and the
manufacturing sector is one of the areas where this can best be achieved. We look forward to ongoing
interaction with government as we seek to find ways in which we can profitably develop the local supply
base and increase employment.

Outlook

The start to the year ahead has been modest and apart from signs that North America is on the road to
recovery, it is difficult to be too optimistic about the prospects for the global economy for the year
ahead. There are clearly still concerns in the Eurozone with the political upheavals in Eastern Europe
compounding the lack of confidence in economic growth for that region. As mentioned earlier in this
statement however, plans are being developed and implemented to address these issues in order that
Bell can maintain its competitive edge in the global marketplace. Within South Africa, the projected
increase in infrastructure spend should have a positive impact upon Bell, although its timing remains
uncertain.

By order of the Board

BELL EQUIPMENT LIMITED

12 March 2015

Directors
MA Mun-Gavin* (Chairman)
GW Bell (Group Chief Executive)
KJ van Haght (Group Finance Director)
L Goosen, JR Barton*, B Harie*
TO Tsukudu*, DJJ Vlok*, AJ Bell**
*  Independent non-executive director
** Non-executive director

Company Secretary
Highway Corporate Services Proprietary Limited

Registered office
13 – 19 Carbonode Cell Road, Alton, Richards Bay, 3900

Transfer secretaries
Link Market Services South Africa Proprietary Limited
PO Box 4844, Johannesburg, 2000

Sponsor
Rand Merchant Bank
(A division of FirstRand Bank Limited)

Release date: 16 March 2015

www.bellequipment.com

Date: 16/03/2015 12:19:00 Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited ('JSE'). 
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