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REG - Midwich Group PLC - Interim Results

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RNS Number : 6033C  Midwich Group PLC  03 September 2024

3 September 2024

Midwich Group plc

("Midwich", the "Company" or the "Group")

Interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2024

Robust performance with record gross margins despite market challenges; full
year expectations unchanged

Midwich Group (AIM: MIDW), a global specialist audio visual distributor to the
trade market, today announces its Interim Results for the six months ended 30
June 2024 ("H1 2024").

Statutory financial highlights

                                     Six months ended
                                     30 June 2024  30 June 2023  Growth

                                      £m            £m           %
 Revenue                             646.1         610.4         5.8%

 Gross profit                        111.8         99.6          12.2%
 Gross profit %                      17.3%         16.3%

 Operating profit                    12.8          18.6          (30.9%)

 Profit before tax                   10.1          15.6          (34.9%)
 Profit after tax                    7.4           11.6          (36.1%)

 Reported EPS - pence                6.50          12.14         (46.5%)

 Interim dividend per share - pence  5.5           5.5

Adjusted financial highlights

                                Six months ended
                                30 June 2024  30 June 2023  Growth   Growth at constant currency %

                                 £m            £m           %
 Revenue                        646.1         610.4         5.8%     7.5%

 Gross profit                   111.8         99.6          12.2%    14.1%
 Gross profit %                 17.3%         16.3%

 Adjusted operating profit(1)   22.0          26.4          (16.8%)  (15.1%)
 Adjusted operating profit %    3.4%          4.3%

 Adjusted profit before tax(1)  17.2          21.8          (20.8%)  (20.1%)

 Adjusted profit after tax(1)   12.6          16.1          (21.9%)

 Adjusted EPS - pence(1)        11.22         16.93         (33.7%)

( )

(1)Definitions of the alternative performance measures are set out in Note 2

 

Financial highlights

 ·           Revenue increased 5.8% (7.5% at constant currency) to £646.1m.
 ·           Acquired businesses contributed 8.7% growth (at constant currency) with
             organic revenues down 1.2% despite market share gains.
 ·           Significant improvement in gross margins to 17.3% from 16.3% in the prior
             year, driven by continued shift in sales mix towards technical products, in
             line with the Group's strategy.
 ·           Operating cash conversion in line with Board's expectations at 13%, which
             reflects typical seasonal investments in working capital (H1 2023: 27%). Full
             year expectations remain at 70-80%.
 ·           Adjusted net debt of £132.2m at period end with leverage(^) at 2.0x, to
             reduce to approximately 1.8-1.9x by the year end.
 ·           Interim dividend declared of 5.5 pence per share (Interim 2023: 5.5p).

Operational highlights

 ·           Against a backdrop of continued challenging market conditions in several key
             markets, the Group's diverse product and geographic portfolio resulted in
             revenue growth of 7.5% at constant currency, and further market share gains
             with many of the Group's key vendors.
 ·           Technical product revenue grew by over 13%, reflecting a mix of both organic
             growth and the impact of acquisitions, with technical products now almost two
             thirds of the Group's revenue. This included strong performances in the
             technical video, audio, LED and rental categories driven by end user
             investments in live events and entertainment.
 ·           Strong performance in North America, with sales up 69.0%, organic revenue up
             16.8% and record gross margins of 19.7%.
 ·           In January 2024, the Group acquired California based The Farm, a sales
             representative to manufacturers acting as the exclusive value added sales
             agent on behalf of its vendor partners, primarily in the audio and technical
             video segments.

 

Post period trading and outlook

 ·           A positive start to the second half, with a return to growth in July, and the
             Board continues to expect organic sales growth in H2 2024.
 ·           The Group has now made substantial progress with its overhead reduction
             programme, which is expected to be largely complete in the current financial
             year and deliver estimated annualised savings of over £5m from early FY25.
 ·           On 31 July 2024, the Group acquired the remaining 70% stake in Dry Hire
             Lighting Limited ("DHL"), a supplier to the UK live events market.
 ·           Management also continues to pursue selective bolt-on acquisition
             opportunities across a number of regions.
 ·           Whilst the Board expects macroeconomic conditions to remain challenging in
             certain markets for the remainder of this year, there have been early signs of
             the market stabilising, reflected in positive trading in the first two months
             of the second half. As a result of this, and the continued focus on the
             Group's long-term strategy, the Board continues to expect trading performance
             for the full year to be in line with its previous expectations.

 

(^)For these purposes Adjusted EBITDA includes proforma EBITDA for
acquisitions acquired in the last 12 months.

Stephen Fenby, Managing Director of Midwich Group plc, commented:

 

"Our performance in H1 2024 demonstrated the robustness of Midwich's offering,
against a tough market backdrop, with the Group delivering revenue growth of
7.5% at constant currency and a significant improvement in our Group gross
profit percentage, moving from 16.3% in H1 2023 to a new record of 17.3%.

The AV market at the end of 2023, and through the first half of 2024, was
affected by a degree of oversupply of mainstream products and associated
discounting. Demand in corporate and education markets remained subdued,
although this was largely offset by ongoing strength in the live event and
entertainment sectors. This change in mix is reflected in both a further
increase in the mix of technical video and audio products sold by the Group
and the higher gross margins.

Whilst it is prudent to assume macroeconomic conditions in certain markets,
such as the UK & Ireland, will likely remain challenging for the remainder
of 2024, we have seen some signs of the market stabilising in recent weeks,
with market survey data indicating a recovery in pricing in the second half of
the year. Trading since the start of July has been in line with the Board's
expectations and slightly ahead of 2023.

The Group has acted to become even stronger during recent months, ahead of the
anticipated market recovery, with a focus on adding new vendor opportunities,
further targeted acquisitions and a tight focus on overhead efficiencies.
These actions position the Group well to return to operating profit growth in
H2 2024.

I would like to thank our team, customers and vendors for their unwavering
support during 2024 to date."

 

There will be a meeting and webinar for sell-side analysts and investors at
10:45am BST today, 3 September 2024, the details of which can be obtained from
FTI Consulting: midwich@fticonsulting.com.

For further information:

 Midwich Group plc                                      +44 (0) 1379 649200

Stephen Fenby, Managing Director

Stephen Lamb, Finance Director
 Investec Bank plc (NOMAD and Joint Broker to Midwich)  +44 (0) 20 7597 5970

 Carlton Nelson / Ben Griffiths
 Berenberg (Joint Broker to Midwich)                    +44 (0) 20 3207 7800

Ben Wright / Richard Andrews
 FTI Consulting                                         +44 (0) 20 3727 1000

Alex Beagley / Tom Hufton / Matthew Young

 

About Midwich Group

 

Midwich Group is a specialist AV distributor, with operations in the UK and
Ireland, EMEA, Asia Pacific and North America. The Group's long-standing
relationships with over 800 vendors, including blue-chip organisations,
support a comprehensive product portfolio across major audio visual categories
such as displays, projectors, technical AV, broadcast, professional audio,
lighting and unified communications. The Group operates as the sole or largest
in-country distributor for a number of its vendors in their respective product
sets.

The Directors attribute this position to the Group's technical expertise,
extensive product knowledge and strong customer service offering built up over
a number of years. The Group has a large and diverse base of over 24,000 trade
customers, most of which are professional AV integrators and IT resellers
serving sectors such as corporate, education, retail, residential and
hospitality.

Initially a UK only distributor, the Group now has almost 1,900 employees
across the UK and Ireland, EMEA, North America and Asia Pacific. A core
component of the Group's growth strategy is further expansion of its
international operations and footprint into strategically targeted
jurisdictions.

For further information, please visit www.midwichgroupplc.com
(http://www.midwichgroupplc.com/)

 

 

 

Managing Director's Report

Overview

The Group has continued to navigate challenging trading conditions in the
first half of 2024, particularly in the UK & Ireland, and has delivered a
solid result despite this backdrop. In line with our long-term strategy, we
achieved further sales growth in higher margin technical products, with the
result that gross margins increased to record levels in the period. Technical
products now represent almost two thirds of the Group's revenue compared to
21% at IPO in 2016.

When market conditions are more challenging, maintaining a consistent high
service level to our customers and vendors becomes an even greater priority
for the Group, so we remain a long-term trusted partner. We continue to work
hard to provide exceptional service and have also increased our market share
with many of the Group's key vendors in the period. Our focus on developing
our offering in the AV market continues to be beneficial for our customers and
vendors alike.

The impact of subdued demand in corporate and education markets, driven by
wider macro-economic factors, has continued beyond our, and the wider AV
industry's, expectations at the beginning of the year. We believe that this
resulted in some oversupply of products and associated discounting. Whilst we
have largely maintained gross margins in mainstream product categories,
revenue declined in this category. Demand in the live event and entertainment
sectors has remained strong which resulted in a further increase in the mix of
technical video and audio products sold by the Group and the higher gross
margins.

We believe that we have the best team in the industry and our long-term view
(supported by independent market research) remains that the AV industry will
continue to grow at above GDP rates going forwards. However, the ongoing
delayed market recovery resulted in some short-term pressure on adjusted
operating margins. We expect these to recover through operating leverage as
the market returns to normal, but the Group has also acted to deliver targeted
efficiencies to improve profitability in the second half of 2024.

Working capital management continues to be a key focus for the Group with a
small operating cash inflow in the period reflecting the normal seasonal
investment in working capital. We expect operating cash generation for the
full year to be in line with our long-term trend of 70-80% of adjusted EBITDA.

Trading performance

Revenue in H1 2024 grew by 7.5% (constant currency basis) to £646.1m. Organic
revenue declined by 1.2%. Compared with H1 2023, organic revenue grew strongly
in North America, but was slightly lower in other regions. Based on our
customer and vendor data, combined with independent market data, we believe
that the decline in these territories is significantly less than the overall
market decline, with Midwich maintaining or expanding its market share in key
markets.

The Group gross margin percentage of 17.3%, was a 1.0 percentage point
improvement on H1 2023, and also a Group record. There were strong gross
margin improvements in both North America and EMEA due to the increased mix of
technical product sales, which reflected the positive impact of recent
acquisitions. In a challenging market, the robust gross margin performance in
the UK & Ireland was testament to the quality of our teams and the added
value that they provide to our customers.

Overheads increased as expected during the period. The majority of the
overhead increase was attributable to the acquisitions completed in the last
twelve months, together with labour cost inflation, which is now showing signs
of easing, and further investment in the Middle East. The adjusted operating
profit margin reduced to 3.4% in H1 2024 from 4.3% in H1 2023.

Given the challenging market conditions, we have identified targeted cost
actions to improve future profitability. These actions are expected to be
largely completed in the current year with estimated annualised savings of
over £5m from early 2025. The exceptional costs (approximately £3m)
associated with these actions will be excluded from adjusted operating profit.

Products

Overall revenue from the two mainstream product areas (displays and
projection) declined by around 10%, reflecting the wider market dynamics.
These mainstream categories now account for less than a third of Group revenue
as we continue to diversify into specialist areas. The gross margin on
mainstream categories was broadly in line with the same period last year.

Revenue in the technical product areas grew by over 13%, through a mix of both
organic growth and the impact of acquisitions. There were strong performances
in the technical video, audio, LED and rental categories driven by end user
investments in live events and entertainment. The overall margin on these
categories also improved compared to the same period last year.

The Board continues to believe that the complexity and breadth of the AV
market highlight the need for manufacturers to use a high-quality specialist
distributor, such as Midwich. We continue to have significant success with the
roll out of brand relationships acquired over the last few years, together
with the expansion of existing relationships into new territories. The Group
has a strong pipeline of new brands which will have a positive impact from the
second half of 2024.

Customers

The Group's focus has always been on seeking to provide our customers with
consistently high levels of service and support. Although our customer base
tends to be adaptable and resilient, we are aware that softer demand in some
areas, combined with higher interest rates, have caused some challenges. We
continue to use our distribution expertise and value add advice to support our
customers through these challenges and to accommodate the needs of the
channel.

Strategy

The Group's strategy remains clearly focused on markets and product areas
where it can leverage its value add services, technical expertise, and sales
and marketing skills. Services, expertise and geographies are developed either
in-house or through acquisitions.

Using its market knowledge and skills, the Group provides its vendors with
support to build and execute plans to grow market share. The Group supports
its customers to win and then deliver successful projects.

Historically, the Group has successfully used acquisitions to enter new
geographical markets and to add both expertise and new product areas. Once
acquired, and integrated, businesses are supported to grow organically and
increase profitable market share. The Group continues to pursue a strong
pipeline of opportunities, either self-sourced or, increasingly, through
approaches by business owners who wish to join a strong AV focused group.

The Group has continued to deliver on this strategy in 2024, with the
successful integration of the businesses acquired in 2023, the addition of two
acquisitions in the year to date, and the ongoing development of our Middle
East business.

The Board continues to focus on strengthening the Group's product offering,
technical expertise and geographical reach.

Acquisitions

The Group completed one small acquisition during H1 2024 and exercised its put
and call option to acquire the remaining 20% of its Middle Eastern business
during the period.

In January 2024, the Group acquired The Farm North West LLC and The Farm
Norcal LLC ("The Farm"), a west coast manufacturers' representative and
technical services provider. Based in Silicon Valley, The Farm has now been
integrated into the Group's U.S. operation, Starin Marketing, to expand its
geographical footprint and enhance its current levels of customer and
manufacturer support.

On 31 July 2024, post the period-end, the Group acquired the remaining 70% of
DHL, having previously acquired a 30% stake in 2023. DHL is a provider of dry
hire lighting services to trade customers primarily operating in the UK live
events market.

These acquisitions bring new technologies, customers and vendor relationships,
further delivering on the Group's strategy to grow earnings both organically
and through selective acquisitions of strong, complementary businesses.

The acquisition pipeline remains healthy, and the management team continues to
review attractive opportunities in a number of markets and regions.

 

Outlook

Whilst the Board believes it is prudent to assume macroeconomic conditions in
certain markets, such as the UK & Ireland, will likely remain challenging
for the remainder of 2024, market survey data indicates an expected return to
growth in mainstream product demand in a number of our key geographies during
H2 2024.

The Group has a strong pipeline of new vendor opportunities as well as
selected bolt-on acquisition opportunities it continues to review which, when
combined with a tight focus on overheads efficiencies in H2, means that the
Board's expectations of adjusted operating profit for the full year remain in
line with its expectations. Despite some softness in the AV market so far in
2024, according to research published by industry trade body AVIXA in July
2024, the global AV market is expected to grow at an annualised rate of 5.4%
in the five years to 2029.

The Board concurs that the wider AV industry is well positioned for long-term
growth and believes that the Group is very well placed to take advantage of
growth opportunities. In particular, the Group's ongoing focus on more
specialist areas of the market should help to sustain higher gross margins and
drive incremental profit opportunities.

The Board believes that, despite early signs of improvement, the Group's major
markets will remain challenging across the remainder of 2024. However, order
books remain steady and underpin the Board's confidence in the Group's outlook
for the current year and beyond.

Trading since the end of H1 has been in line with the Board's expectations for
the full year.

 

Regional highlights

 

                                   Six months ended
                                   30 June         30 June  Total growth      Growth at constant currency     Organic growth(     )

%
                                   2024            2023     %                 %

                                    £m              £m
 Revenue
 UK & Ireland                      233.1           234.0    (0.4%)            (0.3%)                          (4.2%)
 EMEA                              274.6           281.3    (2.4%)            (0.2%)                          (2.9%)
 Asia Pacific                      23.3            25.2     (7.7%)            (4.1%)                          (4.1%)
 North America                     115.1           69.9     64.7%             69.0%                           16.8%
 Total Global                      646.1           610.4    5.8%              7.5%                            (1.2%)

 Gross profit margin
 UK & Ireland                      17.0%           17.7%    (0.7) ppts
 EMEA                              16.7%           15.5%    1.2 ppts
 Asia Pacific                      15.8%           17.5%    (1.7) ppts
 North America                     19.7%           14.5%    5.2 ppts
 Total Global                      17.3%           16.3%    1.0 ppts

 Adjusted operating profit(1)
 UK & Ireland                      8.5             13.9     (39.0%)           (38.8%)
 EMEA                              11.2            12.5     (10.8%)           (8.6%)
 Asia Pacific                      (0.5)           0.1
 North America                     5.3             3.0      79.3%             84.0%
 Group costs                       (2.5)           (3.1)
 Total Global                      22.0            26.4     (16.8%)           (15.1%)

 Adjusted net finance costs        (4.8)           (4.6)
 Adjusted profit before tax(1)     17.2            21.8     (20.8%)           (20.1%)

(1)Definitions of the alternative performance measures are set out in Note 2

All percentages referenced in this section below are at constant currency
unless otherwise stated.

 

UK & Ireland ("UK&I")

Revenue in the UK&I was in line with H1 2023, but down 4.2% on an organic
basis. The Group has its highest market shares in this region and the
challenging market backdrop resulted in relatively soft demand, and a degree
of oversupply and associated discounting in mainstream product categories.
Stronger demand in markets such as live events, entertainment and hospitality
supported further growth in technical product sales. After an exceptional
performance in H1 2023, gross margins held up well in the period at 17.0% (H1
2023: 17.7%). The two small acquisitions completed in H2 2023 have now been
fully integrated.

Based on industry data, combined with our own analysis of customer and vendor
activity, we believe that the mainstream market should begin to recover in the
second half of 2024. Our long-term focus on increasing the mix of technical
product sales has helped us grow or maintain market shares in the UK&I and
we remain confident that the pro AV market will continue to grow faster than
GDP in the medium term.

 

Overheads in the UK&I increased, as expected, in the period, reflecting
the impact of the 2023 acquisitions and labour cost inflation. This resulted
in a decline in adjusted operating profit of 38.8% to £8.5m (H1 2023:
£13.9m). Stronger mainstream product demand and the impact of additional new
brands, combined with targeted cost reductions, are expected to result in a
stronger operating profit performance in the second half of the year.

EMEA

In EMEA, the Group's biggest region by revenue, sales fell by only 0.2% on a
constant currency basis. Organic revenue declined by 2.9% reflecting a
reduction in mainstream product sales largely offset by increased technical
product revenue. Although the mainstream markets have been challenging in
Northern Europe, we have continued to build market share across EMEA, with
notable performances in Southern Europe and the Middle East, where strong
demand for technical solutions, including pro audio and live event solutions,
continued. The acquisitions completed in 2023 are contributing well.

Gross profit margins improved to 16.7% (H1 2023: 15.5%) because of favourable
product mix and the benefit of the acquisition of prodyTel in November 2023.

Adjusted operating profit in EMEA was £11.2m (H1 2023: £12.5m), down 8.6% on
the prior year due to the combined impact of lower revenue and further
investment in growth areas such as the Middle East. A seasonally stronger
second half, combined with cost efficiencies, is expected to result in a
return to operating profit growth in H2 2024.

Asia Pacific

Revenue in Asia Pacific was down 4.1% on the prior year (H1 2023: +2.3%). New
brands, added in the last twelve months, are now beginning to build momentum
in the region with a return to growth in the second quarter of the year.
Demand for larger projects also increased in the period.

The Asia Pacific gross profit margin of 15.8% (H1 2023: 17.5%) reflected a
higher mainstream product mix. The adjusted operating loss in Asia Pacific was
£0.5m (H1 2023: £0.1m profit).

North America

Revenue in North America increased by 69.0% (H1 2023: 18.7%) reflecting both a
full contribution from SFM in Canada (acquired in June 2023), and further
market share gains in the United States. Organic revenue growth of 16.8% (H1
2023: 5.3%) reflected demand for unified communications solutions, an increase
in customer wallet share and higher project activity.

The record gross margins in the region at 19.7% (H1 2023: 14.5%) are
attributable to the positive mix impact from the acquisition of SFM and The
Farm (January 2024). The Farm, which enhances the region's sales capabilities,
has now been fully integrated into the Starin business.

Adjusted operating profit in North America was significantly ahead of the
prior year at £5.3m (H1 2023: £3.0m).

Group costs

Group costs for the half year were £2.5m (H1 2023: £3.1m) reflecting the
focus on costs and lower levels of performance-related staff costs.

Operating profit

Adjusted operating profit for the period at £22.0m (H1 2023: £26.4m) is
stated before the impact of acquisition related expenses of £0.3m (H1 2023:
£0.3m), restructuring costs of £0.5m (2023: nil), share based payments and
associated employer taxes of £2.6m (H1 2023: £2.8m) and amortisation of
acquired intangibles of £5.8m (H1 2023: £4.8m). The reported operating
profit for the period was £12.8m (H1 2023: £18.6m).

Exceptional costs

In response to the more challenging mainstream product market conditions, the
Group made some targeted cost reductions in both discretionary expenditure and
headcount in the period as part of a productivity programme that has continued
into the second half of the year. This programme is expected to result in
savings of c.£3.5m in H2 2024, with associated one-off costs of c.£3.0m
(including £0.5m in H1 2024). These one-off costs are deemed to be
exceptional and have been excluded from the Group's adjusted profit measures.
Annualised savings from this programme are expected to be over £5m from early
2025.

 

Movement in foreign exchange

Compared to the prior year, Sterling strengthened in the period. These
movements reduced reported revenue and adjusted operating profit in H1 by 1.7%
and 1.6% respectively. Based on current exchange rates this trend is expected
to continue for the remainder of the year. Note, the Group makes most of its
sales and purchases in local currency; this provides a natural hedge for
transactional activity.

 

Net finance costs

Adjusted net finance costs for the period were an expense of £4.8m (H1 2023:
£4.6m) and mainly relate to the financing costs of the Group's revolving
credit facility which is used to fund its acquisition investments.

Reported net finance costs were £2.7m (H1 2023: £3.0m). The adjustments to
net finance costs include fair value movements in derivatives and foreign
exchange movement on borrowings for acquisitions of (£0.6m) (H1 2023:
(£1.5m)), valuation changes in deferred and contingent considerations of
(£0.9m) (H1 2023: £0.3m), and movements in put option liabilities over
non-controlling interests of (£0.6m) (H1 2023: (£0.4m)).

Taxation

The reported tax charge for the period was £2.8m (H1 2023: £4.0m). The
adjusted effective tax rate was 27.1%; (H1 2023: 26.1%) calculated based on
the adjusted tax charge divided by adjusted profit before tax. The increase in
effective tax rate is mainly attributable to the introduction of corporation
tax in the United Arab Emirates and geographic mix.

Cash flows and net debt

The Group had an adjusted net cash inflow from operations before tax of £3.6m
for the period (H1 2023: £8.2m inflow). The first half is traditionally more
working capital intensive when compared with the full year due to the
seasonality of demand, especially in the education sector. A continued focus
on cash management resulted in a reduction in total working capital, as a
percentage of annualised revenue, compared to the same period in the prior
year. The Board is comfortable that the Group's long-term average annual cash
conversion rate (70-80%) remains sustainable.

Gross capital spend on tangible assets was £2.7m (H1 2023: £2.4m) and
included investment in rental assets in UK&I. An investment of £4.9m in
intangible fixed assets (H1 2023: £5.9m) was predominantly in relation to the
Group's new ERP solution, which went live in its first country at the end of
the period.

Adjusted net debt (excluding leases liabilities), was £132.3m at 30 June 2024
(£102.1m at 30 June 2023), equivalent to 2.0x adjusted EBITDA.

The adoption of IFRS 16 in 2019 resulted in an increase in recognised lease
liabilities (predominantly for office, showroom and warehouse facilities).
Lease liabilities excluded from adjusted net debt totalled £21.8m at 30 June
2024 (£22.8m 30 June 2023). Total net debt was £154.1m at 30 June 2024
(£124.9m at 30 June 2023).

The Group's has a revolving credit facility of £175m which is primarily used
for acquisition investments. Approximately 63% of the facility was drawn at 30
June 2024 (54% at 31 December 2023). This facility is supported by six banks,
runs to June 2028 and has an adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDA covenant
ratio of 3 times and an adjusted interest cover covenant of 4 times adjusted
EBITDA. The EBITDA covenant is calculated on a historical twelve-month basis
and includes the full benefit of the prior year's earnings of any businesses
acquired. Other borrowing facilities are to provide working capital financing.
The Group has access to total facilities of c.£300m.

The Group has various instruments to hedge certain exchange rate and interest
rate exposures. These include borrowing in local currency to finance
acquisitions and financial instruments to fix part of the Group's interest
charges. These instruments are marked to market at the end of each reporting
period, with the change in valuation recognised in the income statement. Given
any amounts recognised generally arise from market movements, and accordingly
bear no direct relation to the Group's underlying performance, any gains or
losses have been excluded from adjusted profit measures.

Dividend

The Board is pleased to declare an interim dividend of 5.5 pence per share (H1
2023: 5.5p). This will be paid on 18 October 2024 to those shareholders on the
Company's register as at 13 September 2024. The last day to elect for dividend
reinvestment ("DRIP") is 27 September 2024.

The Board believes in a progressive dividend policy to reflect the Group's
strong earnings and cash flow while maintaining an appropriate level of
dividend cover to allow for investment in longer-term growth.

Stephen Fenby

Managing Director

Unaudited consolidated income statement for the 6 months ended 30 June 2024

                                                              Note    30 June      30 June      31 December 2023

                                                                      2024         2023
                                                                      Unaudited    Unaudited    Audited
                                                                      £'000        £'000        £'000

 Revenue                                                      4       646,134      610,442      1,289,144
 Cost of sales                                                        (534,369)    (510,868)    (1,072,675)
 Gross profit                                                 4       111,765      99,574       216,469

 Distribution costs                                                   (74,405)     (61,126)     (130,873)
 Administrative expenses                                              (28,012)     (23,411)     (51,029)
 Other operating income                                               3,479        3,514        7,016
 Operating profit                                             4       12,827       18,551       41,583

 Adjusted operating profit                                    4       21,997       26,424       59,593
 Costs of acquisitions                                                (302)        (306)        (1,489)
 Restructuring costs                                                  (503)        -            -
 Share based payments                                                 (2,419)      (2,385)      (4,738)
 Employer taxes on share based payments                               (131)        (370)        (603)
 Amortisation of brands, customer and supplier relationships          (5,815)      (4,812)      (11,180)
                                                                      12,827       18,551       41,583

 Share of profit after tax from associate                             30           -            24
 Finance income                                                       275          63           293
 Finance costs                                                5       (2,984)      (3,018)      (5,353)
 Profit before taxation                                               10,148       15,596       36,547
 Taxation                                                             (2,758)      (4,037)      (7,621)
 Profit after taxation                                                7,390        11,559       28,926

 Profit for the financial period/year attributable to:
 The Company's equity shareholders                                    6,620        10,959       26,817
 Non-controlling interests                                            770          600          2,109
                                                                      7,390        11,559       28,926
 Basic earnings per share                                     3       6.50p        12.14p       27.98p
 Diluted earnings per share                                   3       6.33p        11.76p       27.06p

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaudited consolidated statement of comprehensive income for 6 months ended 30
June 2024

                                                                         30 June      30 June      31 December
                                                                         2024         2023         2023
                                                                         Unaudited    Unaudited    Audited
                                                                         £'000        £'000        £'000

 Profit for the period/financial year                                    7,390        11,559       28,926

 Other comprehensive income
 Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
 Actuarial gains and (losses) on retirement benefit obligations          -            -            (172)

 Items that will be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
 Foreign exchange losses on consolidation                                (2,481)      (6,307)      (5,432)
 Other comprehensive income for the financial period/year, net of tax    (2,481)      (6,307)      (5,604)

 Total comprehensive income for the period/financial year                4,909        5,252        23,322

 Attributable to:
 Owners of the Parent Company                                            4,574        5,015        21,681
 Non-controlling interests                                               335          237          1,641
                                                                         4,909        5,252        23,322

 

Unaudited consolidated statement of financial position as at 30 June 2024

                                                        Note    30 June        30 June        31 December
                                                                2024           2023           2023
                                                                Unaudited      Unaudited      Audited
                                                                £'000          £'000          £'000
 Assets
 Non-current assets
 Investments                                                    329            -              299
 Goodwill                                                       54,285         38,443         51,216
 Intangible assets                                              120,679        86,095         117,009
 Right of use assets                                            19,032         20,955         21,051
 Property, plant and equipment                                  16,537         15,890         16,640
 Deferred tax assets                                            839            3,092          617
                                                                211,701        164,475        206,832
 Current assets
 Inventories                                                    184,322        168,262        165,588
 Trade and other receivables                                    239,442        236,967        223,826
 Derivative financial instruments                               2,455          4,033          2,084
 Cash and cash equivalents                                      31,229         20,095         56,135
                                                                457,448        429,357        447,633
 Current liabilities
 Trade and other payables                                       (242,089)      (220,621)      (230,915)
 Derivative financial instruments                               (9)            (176)          (26)
 Put option liabilities over non-controlling interests          (16,295)       (9,301)        (21,958)
 Deferred and contingent considerations                         (875)          (9,642)        (11,694)
 Borrowings and financial liabilities                           (57,786)       (65,531)       (49,146)
 Current tax                                                    (372)          (2,685)        (179)
                                                                (317,426)      (307,956)      (313,918)
 Net current assets                                             140,022        121,401        133,715
 Total assets less current liabilities                          351,723        285,876        340,547

 Non-current liabilities
 Trade and other payables                                       (3,654)        (1,694)        (3,915)
 Put option liabilities over non-controlling interests          (786)          (6,231)        (743)
 Deferred and contingent considerations                         (5,882)        -              (3,685)
 Borrowings and financial liabilities                           (127,498)      (79,481)       (113,180)
 Deferred tax liabilities                                       (18,458)       (12,563)       (18,920)
 Other provisions                                               (3,978)        (3,635)        (3,960)
                                                                (160,256)      (103,604)      (144,403)

 Net assets                                                     191,467        182,272        196,144

 Equity
 Share capital                                          6       1,042          1,033          1,033
 Share premium                                                  116,959        116,959        116,959
 Share based payment reserve                                    9,039          10,404         10,843
 Investment in own shares                               6       (618)          (20)           (616)
 Retained earnings                                              65,630         51,448         63,093
 Translation reserve                                            (1,654)        (588)          392
 Put option reserve                                             (14,783)       (10,799)       (18,649)
 Capital redemption reserve                                     50             50             50
 Other reserve                                                  150            150            150
 Equity attributable to owners of Parent Company                175,815        168,637        173,255
 Non-controlling interests                                      15,652         13,635         22,889
 Total equity                                                   191,467        182,272        196,144

Unaudited consolidated statement of changes in equity for 6 months ended 30
June 2024

For the period ended 30 June 2024

 

                                                   Share     Share premium  Investment in own shares  Retained                    Equity attributable to owners of the Parent  Non-controlling interests  Total

capital
earnings

                                                                                                                 Other reserves
                                                   £'000     £'000          £'000                     £'000      £'000            £'000                                        £'000                      £'000
                                                                                                                 (note 7)

 Balance at 1 January 2024                         1,033     116,959        (616)                     63,093     (7,214)          173,255                                      22,889                     196,144
 Profit for the period                             -         -              -                         6,620      -                6,620                                        770                        7,390
 Other comprehensive income                        -         -              -                         -          (2,046)          (2,046)                                      (435)                      (2,481)
 Total comprehensive income for the year           -         -              -                         6,620      (2,046)          4,574                                        335                        4,909
 Shares issued (note 6)                            9         -              (9)                       -          -                -                                            -                          -
 Share based payments                              -         -              -                         -          2,300            2,300                                        -                          2,300
 Deferred tax on share based payments              -         -              -                         -          (425)            (425)                                        -                          (425)
 Share options exercised                           -         -              7                         3,678      (3,679)          6                                            -                          6
 Acquisition of non-controlling interest (note 9)  -         -              -                         3,706      3,866            7,572                                        (7,572)                    -
 Dividends paid (note 14)                          -         -              -                         (11,467)   -                (11,467)                                     -                          (11,467)
 Balance at 30 June 2024 (unaudited)               1,042     116,959        (618)                     65,630     (7,198)          175,815                                      15,652                     191,467

 

For the period ended 30 June 2023

 

                                          Share     Share premium  Investment in own shares  Retained                    Equity attributable to owners of the Parent  Non-controlling interests  Total

capital
earnings

                                                                                                        Other reserves
                                          £'000     £'000          £'000                     £'000      £'000            £'000                                        £'000                      £'000
                                                                                                        (note 7)

 Balance at 1 January 2023                889       67,047         (5)                       46,023     6,782            120,736                                      13,398                     134,134
 Profit for the period                    -         -              -                         10,959     -                10,959                                       600                        11,559
 Other comprehensive income               -         -              -                         -          (5,944)          (5,944)                                      (363)                      (6,307)
 Total comprehensive income for the year  -         -              -                         10,959     (5,944)          5,015                                        237                        5,252
 Shares issued (note 6)                   144       49,912         (23)                      -          -                50,033                                       -                          50,033
 Share based payments                     -         -              -                         -          2,357            2,357                                        -                          2,357
 Deferred tax on share based payments     -         -              -                         -          (124)            (124)                                        -                          (124)
 Share options exercised                  -         -              8                         3,854      (3,854)          8                                            -                          8
 Dividends paid (note 14)                 -         -              -                         (9,388)    -                (9,388)                                      -                          (9,388)
 Balance at 30 June 2023 (unaudited)      1,033     116,959        (20)                      51,448     (783)            168,637                                      13,635                     182,272

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the year ended 31 December 2023 (audited)

 

                                          Share     Share premium  Investment in own shares  Retained                    Equity attributable to owners of the Parent  Non-controlling interests  Total

capital
earnings

                                                                                                        Other reserves
                                          £'000     £'000          £'000                     £'000      £'000            £'000                                        £'000                      £'000
                                          (note 6)                                                      (note 7)

 Balance at 1 January 2023                889       67,047         (5)                       46,023     6,782            120,736                                      13,398                     134,134
 Profit for the year                      -         -              -                         26,817     -                26,817                                       2,109                      28,926
 Other comprehensive income               -         -              -                         (172)      (4,964)          (5,136)                                      (468)                      (5,604)
 Total comprehensive income for the year  -         -              -                         26,645     (4,964)          21,681                                       1,641                      23,322
 Shares issued (note 6)                   144       49,912         (23)                      -          -                50,033                                       -                          50,033
 Shares purchases (note 6)                -         -              (600)                     -          -                (600)                                        -                          (600)
 Share based payments                     -         -              -                         -          4,661            4,661                                        -                          4,661
 Deferred tax on share based payments     -         -              -                         -          (434)            (434)                                        -                          (434)
 Share options exercised                  -         -              12                        5,407      (5,409)          10                                           -                          10
 Acquisition of subsidiaries (note 8)     -         -              -                         -          (7,850)          (7,850)                                      7,850                      -
 Dividends paid (note 14)                 -         -              -                         (14,982)   -                (14,982)                                     -                          (14,982)
 Balance at 31 December 2023              1,033     116,959        (616)                     63,093     (7,214)          173,255                                      22,889                     196,144

 

 

( )

 

 

Unaudited consolidated cashflow statement for 6 months ended 30 June 2024

                                                                                            30 June      30 June      31 December
                                                                                            2024         2023         2023
                                                                                            Unaudited    Unaudited    Audited
                                                                                            £'000        £'000        £'000
                              Cash flows from operating activities
                              Profit before tax                                             10,148       15,596       36,547
                              Depreciation                                                  4,956        3,817        9,286
                              Amortisation                                                  5,938        5,067        11,818
                              (Gain)/loss on disposal of assets                             46           (65)         763
                              Share based payments                                          2,300        2,357        4,661
                              Foreign exchange (gains)/losses                               (1,513)      (3,529)      (2,467)
                              Share of profit after tax from associate                      (30)         -            (24)
                              Finance income                                                (275)        (63)         (293)
                              Finance costs                                                 2,984        3,018        5,353
                              Profit from operations before changes in working capital      24,554       26,198       65,644
                              (Increase)/decrease in inventories                            (18,734)     2,353        10,524
                              (Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables            (15,213)     (9,138)      9,637
                              Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables               10,716       (15,094)     (9,429)
                              Cash inflow from operations                                   1,323        4,319        76,376
                              Income tax paid                                               (5,290)      (6,134)      (12,586)
                              Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities           (3,967)      (1,815)      63,790

                              Cash flows from investing activities
                              Acquisition of businesses net of cash acquired                (2,803)      (20,215)     (42,359)
                              Deferred consideration paid                                   (12,325)     (9,300)      (9,300)
                              Investment in associate                                       -            -            (275)
                              Purchase of intangible assets                                 (4,929)      (5,945)      (10,364)
                              Purchase of plant and equipment                               (2,680)      (2,442)      (5,605)
                              Proceeds on disposal of plant and equipment                   189          226          198
                              Interest received                                             276          63           293
                              Net cash outflow from investing activities                    (22,272)     (37,613)     (67,412)

                              Cash from financing activities
                              Gross proceeds on issue of shares                             -            51,250       51,250
                              Costs associated with shares issued                           -            (1,217)      (1,217)
                              Purchase of own shares                                        -            -            (600)
                              Proceeds on exercise of share options                         6            8            10
                              Acquisition of non-controlling interest                       (5,036)      -            (61)
                              Dividends paid                                                (11,467)     (9,388)      (14,982)
                              Invoice financing inflows                                     3,368        2,948        (3,009)
                              Proceeds from borrowings                                      17,328       1,525        39,228
                              Repayment of loans                                            (571)        (16,436)     (19,690)
                              Interest paid                                                 (4,816)      (4,240)      (9,360)
                              Interest on leases                                            (443)        (419)        (651)
                              Capital element of lease payments                             (2,362)      (2,235)      (5,235)
                              Net cash inflow from financing activities                     (3,993)      21,796       35,683

                              Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                     (30,232)     (17,632)     32,061
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period/year                                      52,053       20,938       20,938
 Effects of exchange rate changes                                                           (36)         (409)        (946)
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period/year                                            21,785       2,897        52,053

 

 Comprising:
 Cash at bank       31,229     20,095      56,135
 Bank overdrafts    (9,444)    (17,198)    (4,082)
                    21,785     2,897       52,053

Notes to the interim consolidated financial information

1.    General information

 

The interim financial information for the period to 30 June 2024 is unaudited
and does not constitute statutory financial statements within the meaning of
Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.

The interim consolidated financial information does not include all the
information required for statutory financial statements in accordance with UK
adopted International Accounting Standards ("IAS"), and should therefore be
read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for the year
ended 31 December 2023.

2.    Accounting policies

 

Basis of preparation

The interim financial information in this report has been prepared on the
basis of the accounting policies set out in the audited financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2023. The audited financial statements for the
year ended 31 December 2023 were prepared in accordance with UK adopted
International Accounting Standards ("IAS") in conformity with the requirements
of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors have adopted the going concern basis in preparing the financial
information. In assessing whether the going concern assumption is appropriate,
the directors have taken into account all relevant available information about
the foreseeable future.

The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023, have been
delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors reported on these
accounts; their report was unqualified; did not contain a statement under
section 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006, and did not include
reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of
emphasis.

Use of alternative performance measures

The Group has defined certain measures that it uses to understand and manage
performance. These measures are not defined under IAS and they may not be
directly comparable with other companies' adjusted measures. These non-GAAP
measures are not intended to be a substitute for any IAS measures of
performance, but management has included them as they consider them to be key
measures used within the business for assessing the underlying performance.

Constant currency: This eliminates the impact of foreign exchange movement,
which is outside of management's control.

Growth at constant currency: This measure shows the year on year change in
performance at constant currency.

Organic growth: This is defined as growth at constant currency growth
excluding acquisitions until the first anniversary of their consolidation.

Adjusted operating profit: Adjusted operating profit is disclosed to indicate
the Group's underlying profitability. It is defined as profit before
acquisition related expenses, restructuring costs, share based payments and
associated employer taxes and amortisation of brand, customer and supplier
relationship intangible assets and impairments. Share based payments are
adjusted to the provide transparency over the costs.

Adjusted EBITDA: This represents operating profit before acquisition related
expenses, share based payments and associated employer taxes, depreciation and
amortisation.

Adjusted net finance costs: These represent the net financing costs of the
Group's credit facilities less interest income and excludes non-cash items
relating to changes in deferred or contingent considerations and put option
liabilities over non-controlling interests, foreign exchange gains or losses
on borrowings for acquisitions, fair value movements on derivatives for
borrowings, and financing fair value remeasurements.

Adjusted profit before tax: This is adjusted operating profit less adjusted
finance costs.

Adjusted taxation: This represents taxation less the tax impact of the
adjusting items included within adjusted profit before tax.

Adjusted profit after tax: This is adjusted profit before profit less adjusted
taxation.

Adjusted EPS: Adjusted EPS is EPS calculated using the basis of adjusted
profit after tax instead of profit after tax after deducting adjustments to
profit after tax due to non-controlling interests.

Adjusted net debt: Net debt is borrowings less cash and cash equivalents.
Adjusted net debt excludes leases.

Adjusted net debt: Adjusted EBITDA: This is calculated as per the Group's RCF
debt facility covenant and includes the benefit of proforma annualised
earnings for acquisitions completed in the last 12 months.

3.    Earnings per share

 

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit after tax
attributable to equity shareholders of the Company by the weighted average
number of shares outstanding during the year. Shares outstanding is the total
shares issued less the own shares held in employee benefit trusts. Diluted
earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit after tax attributable
to equity shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of shares
in issue during the year adjusted for the effects of all dilutive potential
Ordinary Shares.

 

The Group's earnings per share and diluted earnings per share, are as follows:

 

                                                                         June         June        December

                                                                         2024         2023        2023
 Profit attributable to equity holders of the Parent Company (£'000)     6,620        10,959      26,817
 Weighted average number of shares outstanding                           101,918,847  90,242,805  95,852,306
 Dilutive (potential dilutive) effect of share options                   2,688,918    2,974,694   3,233,327
 Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of diluted  104,607,765  93,217,499  99,085,633
 earnings per share

 Basic earnings per share                                                6.50p        12.14p      27.98p
 Diluted earnings per share                                              6.33p        11.76p      27.06p

 

 

 

 

4.    Segmental reporting

 

 

 30 June 2024                                                UK & Ireland                           EMEA                    Asia                North America £'000             Other          Total

Pacific

                                                             £'000                                  £'000
                                                   ( )

                                                                                                                          £'000

                                                                                                                                                                                £'000          £'000

 Revenue                                                     233,123                                274,608                 23,301              115,102                         -              646,134

 Gross profit                                                39,633                                 45,804                  3,673               22,655                          -              111,765
 Gross profit %                                              17.0%                                  16.7%                   15.8%               19.7%                           -              17.3%

 Adjusted operating profit                                   8,484                                  11,228                  (468)               5,301                           (2,548)        21,997

 Cost of acquisitions                                        -                                      -                       -                   -                               (302)          (302)
 Restructuring costs                                         (94)                                   (323)                   (54)                (13)                            (19)           (503)
 Share based payments                                        (910)                                  (750)                   (117)               (69)                            (573)          (2,419)
 Employer taxes on share based payments                      (35)                                   (54)                    2                   (3)                             (41)           (131)
 Amortisation of brand, customer and supplier relationships  (2,191)                                (2,026)                 (126)               (1,472)                         -              (5,815)

 Operating profit                                            5,254                                  8,075                   (763)               3,744                           (3,483)        12,827
 Share of profit after tax from associate                                                                                                                                                      30
 Net interest expense                                                                                                                                                                          (2,709)
 Profit before tax                                                                                                                                                                             10,148

 Other segmental information
 June 2024                                                   UK & Ireland                           EMEA                    Asia                North America £'000             Other          Total

Pacific

                                                             £'000                                  £'000
                                                   ( )

                                                                                                                          £'000

                                                                                                                                                                                £'000          £'000
 Segment assets                                              284,049                                252,758                 24,679              107,585                         78             669,149
 Segment liabilities                                         (222,984)                              (156,462)               (21,536)            (76,082)                        (618)          (477,682)
 Segment net assets                                          61,065                                 96,296                  3,143               31,503                          (540)          191,467
 Depreciation                                                2,181                                  1,622                   334                 819                             -              4,956
 Amortisation                                                2,214                                  2,050                   132                 1,542                           -              5,938

 Segment country information                                                                               UK                    Germany                USA                          Other           Total

                                                                                                           £'000                 £'000                  £'000                        £'000           £'000
 Non-current assets                                                                                        94,226                27,554                 28,751                       61,170          211,701
 Deferred tax assets                                                                                       -                     -                      -                            839             839
 Non-current assets excluding deferred tax                                                                 94,226                27,554                 28,751                       60,331          210,862

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 30 June 2023                                                UK & Ireland      EMEA                            Asia           North America £'000        Other         Total

Pacific

                                                             £'000             £'000
                                         ( )

                                                                                                             £'000

                                                                                                                                                         £'000         £'000

 Revenue                                                     234,022           281,284                         25,252         69,884                     -             610,442

 Gross profit                                                41,450            43,580                          4,427          10,117                     -             99,574
 Gross profit %                                              17.7%             15.5%                           17.5%          14.5%                      -             16.3%

 Adjusted operating profit                                   13,909            12,583                          101            2,957                      (3,126)       26,424

 Cost of acquisitions                                        -                 -                               -              -                          (306)         (306)
 Share based payments                                        (947)             (733)                           (158)          (48)                       (499)         (2,385)
 Employer taxes on share based payments                      (112)             (167)                           (12)           (5)                        (74)          (370)
 Amortisation of brand, customer and supplier relationships  (2,142)           (1,781)                         (136)          (753)                      -             (4,812)

 Operating profit                                            10,708            9,902                           (205)          2,151                      (4,005)       18,551
 Share of profit after tax from associate                                                                                                                              -
 Net interest expense                                                                                                                                                  (2,955)
 Profit before tax                                                                                                                                                     15,596

 Other segmental information
 June 2023                                                   UK & Ireland      EMEA                            Asia           North America £'000        Other         Total

Pacific

                                                             £'000             £'000
                                         ( )

                                                                                                             £'000

                                                                                                                                                         £'000         £'000
 Segment assets                                              246,154           241,682                         23,532         81,069                     1,395         593,832
 Segment liabilities                                         (187,844)         (170,034)                       (19,600)       (32,691)                   (1,391)       (411,560)
 Segment net assets                                          58,310            71,648                          3,932          48,378                     4             182,272
 Depreciation                                                1,501             1,666                           275            375                        -             3,817
 Amortisation                                                2,248             1,812                           144            863                        -             5,067

 Other segmental information                                                                                             UK                     International          Total

                                                                                                                         £'000                  £'000                  £'000
 Non-current assets                                                                                                      73,239                 91,236                 164,475
 Deferred tax assets                                                                                                     1,806                  1,286                  3,092
 Non-current assets excluding deferred tax                                                                               71,433                 89,950                 161,383

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 31 December 2023                                                      UK & Ireland          EMEA          Asia      North America  Other    Total

                                                                       £'000                 £'000         Pacific   £'000

                                                                                                           £'000                    £'000    £'000

 Revenue                                                               474,722               589,270       47,643    177,509        -        1,289,144

 Gross profit                                                          85,699                92,287        8,025     30,458         -        216,469
 Gross profit %                                                        18.1%                 15.7%         16.8%     17.2%          -        16.8%

 Adjusted operating profit                                             27,110                28,122        (245)     9,425          (4,819)  59,593

 Costs of acquisitions                                                 -                     -             -         -              (1,489)  (1,489)
 Share based payments                                                  (1,905)               (1,389)       (274)     (102)          (1,068)  (4,738)
 Employer taxes on share based payments                                (180)                 (258)         (13)      (9)            (143)    (603)
 Amortisation of brands, customer and supplier relationships           (5,247)               (3,614)       (267)     (2,052)        -        (11,180)

 Operating profit                                                      19,778                22,861        (799)     7,262          (7,519)  41,583
 Share of profit after tax from associate                                                                                                    24
 Interest                                                                                                                                    (5,060)
 Profit before tax                                                                                                                           36,547
 December 2023                                                         UK & Ireland          EMEA          Asia      North America           Total

                                                                       £'000                 £'000         Pacific   £'000          Other

                                                                                                           £'000                             £'000

                                                                                                                                    £'000
 Segment assets                                                        265,463               276,633       22,471    89,838         60       654,465
 Segment liabilities                                                   (197,062)             (182,015)     (18,575)  (59,936)       (733)    (458,321)
 Segment net assets                                                    68,401                94,618        3,896     29,902         (673)    196,144
 Depreciation                                                          3,570                 3,640         642       1,434          -        9,286
 Amortisation                                                          5,623                 3,684         284       2,227          -        11,818

 Segment country information                                                                 UK            Germany   USA            Other    Total

                                                                                             £'000         £'000     £'000          £'000    £'000
 Non-current assets                                                                          92,509        29,404    20,942         63,977   206,832
 Deferred tax assets                                                                         -             310       135            172      617
 Non-current assets excluding deferred tax                                                   92,509        29,094    20,807         63,805   206,215

 

 

 

 

 

5.    Finance costs

 

                                                                                June 2024      June 2023      December 2023
                                                                                £'000          £'000          £'000

 Interest on overdraft and invoice discounting                                  1,061          1,413          3,894
 Interest on leases                                                             451            419            651
 Interest on loans                                                              3,460          2,756          5,214
 Fair value movements on foreign exchange derivatives                           87             141            54
 Other interest costs                                                           4              2              88
 Fair value movements on derivatives for borrowings                             (192)          (763)          1,219
 Foreign exchange gains on borrowings for acquisitions                          (430)          (751)          (554)
 Interest, foreign exchange and other finance costs of deferred and contingent  (873)          243            (4,150)
 considerations
 Interest, foreign exchange and other finance costs of put option liabilities   (584)          (442)          (1,063)
                                                                                2,984          3,018          5,353

 

6.    Share capital

 

The total allotted share capital of the Parent Company is:

Allotted, issued and fully paid

                                                       June 2024                June 2023                December 2023
 Classed as equity:                                    Number       £'000       Number       £'000       Number       £'000
 Issued and fully paid ordinary shares of £0.01 each
 Opening balance                                       103,251,326  1,033       88,879,912   889         88,879,912   889
 Shares issued                                         993,800      9           14,371,414   144         14,371,414   144
 Closing balance                                       104,245,126  1,042       103,251,326  1,033       103,251,326  1,033

 

During the period Midwich Group plc issued 993,800 shares (2023: 2,312,476)
into an employee benefit trust. During the prior period the Group also issued
12,058,938 shares for total proceeds less issue cost of £50,033k.

 

Own shares held in employee benefit trusts

                                                       June 2024              June 2023              December 2023
                                                       Number     £'000       Number     £'000       Number       £'000
 Issued and fully paid ordinary shares of £0.01 each
 Opening balance                                       1,770,282  616         501,460    5           501,460      5
 Shares issued                                         993,800    9           2,312,476  23          2,312,476    23
 Shares purchased                                      -          -           -          -           149,838      600
 Exercise of share options                             (830,958)  (7)         (833,092)  (8)         (1,193,492)  (12)
 Closing balance                                       1,933,124  618         1,980,844  20          1,770,282    616

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A reconciliation of LTIP option movements during the current and comparative
period, and the year to 31 December 2023 is as follows:

 

                                              Six months to June 2024      Six months to June 2023      Twelve months to December 2023

 Outstanding at 1 January                     3,885,946                    4,115,317                    4,115,317
 Granted                                      -                            -                            1,047,711
 Lapsed                                       7,000                        (10,200)                     (177,490)
 Exercised                                    (746,058)                    (827,992)                    (1,099,592)
 Outstanding at period end                    3,146,888                    3,277,125                    3,885,946
 Weighted average remaining contractual life  0.9 years                    1.0 years                    1.1 years

 

A reconciliation of SIP option movements during the current and comparative
period, and the year to 31 December 2023 is as follows:

 

                                              Six months to June 2024      Six months to June 2023      Twelve months to December 2023

 Outstanding at 1 January                     276,300                      280,800                      280,800
 Granted                                      186,600                      111,300                      111,300
 Lapsed                                       (11,400)                     (3,300)                      (21,900)
 Exercised                                    (84,900)                     (5,100)                      (93,900)
 Outstanding at period end                    366,600                      383,700                      276,300
 Weighted average remaining contractual life  2.0 years                    1.6 years                    1.4 years

 

7.    Other reserves

 

Movement in other reserves for the year ended 30 June 2024 (Unaudited)

 

                                                   Share based payment reserve  Translation reserve  Put option reserve  Capital redemption  reserve   Other reserve  Total
                                                   £'000                        £'000                £'000               £'000                         £'000          £'000

 Balance at 1 January 2024                         10,843                       392                  (18,649)            50                            150            (7,214)
 Other comprehensive income                        -                            (2,046)              -                   -                             -              (2,046)
 Total comprehensive income for the period         -                            (2,046)              -                   -                             -              (2,046)
 Share based payments                              2,300                        -                    -                   -                             -              2,300
 Deferred tax on share based payments              (425)                        -                    -                   -                             -              (425)
 Share options exercised                           (3,679)                      -                    -                   -                             -              (3,679)
 Acquisition of non-controlling interest (note 9)  -                            -                    3,866               -                             -              3,866
 Balance at 30 June 2024                           9,039                        (1,654)              (14,783)            50                            150            (7,198)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Movement in other reserves for the year ended 30 June 2023 (Unaudited)

 

                                            Share based payment reserve  Translation reserve  Put option reserve  Capital redemption  reserve   Other reserve  Total
                                            £'000                        £'000                £'000               £'000                         £'000          £'000

 Balance at 1 January 2023                  12,025                       5,356                (10,799)            50                            150            6,782
 Other comprehensive income                 -                            (5,944)              -                   -                             -              (5,944)
 Total comprehensive income for the period  -                            (5,944)              -                   -                             -              (5,944)
 Share based payments                       2,357                        -                    -                   -                             -              2,357
 Deferred tax on share based payments       (124)                        -                    -                   -                             -              (124)
 Share options exercised                    (3,854)                      -                    -                   -                             -              (3,854)
 Balance at 30 June 2023                    10,404                       (588)                (10,799)            50                            150            (783)

 

Movement in other reserves for the year ended 31 December 2023 (Audited)

 

                                          Share based payment reserve  Translation reserve  Put option reserve  Capital redemption  reserve   Other reserve  Total
                                          £'000                        £'000                £'000               £'000                         £'000          £'000

 Balance at 1 January 2023                12,025                       5,356                (10,799)            50                            150            6,782
 Other comprehensive income               -                            (4,964)              -                   -                             -              (4,964)
 Total comprehensive income for the year  -                            (4,964)              -                   -                             -              (4,964)
 Share based payments                     4,661                        -                    -                   -                             -              4,661
 Deferred tax on share based payments     (434)                        -                    -                   -                             -              (434)
 Share options exercised                  (5,409)                      -                    -                   -                             -              (5,409)
 Acquisition of subsidiary (note 8)       -                            -                    (7,850)             -                             -              (7,850)
 Balance at 31 December 2023              10,843                       392                  (18,649)            50                            150            (7,214)

 

 

 

 

8.    Business combinations

 

Acquisitions were completed by the Group during the current and comparative
periods to increase scale, broaden its addressable market and widen the
product offering.

 

Subsidiaries acquired

 

 Acquisition    Principal activity                                                  Date of acquisition  Proportion acquired (%)  Fair value of consideration

                                                                                                                                  £'000
 The Farm       Distribution of audio visual products to trade customers            19 January 2024      100%                     7,613

 prodyTel       Distribution of professional audio products to trade customers      10 November 2023     51%                      8,170
 Pulse Cinemas  Distribution of specialist home cinema products to trade customers  31 July 2023         100%                     1,715
 Video Digital  Distribution of broadcast products to trade customers               21 July 2023         100%                     1,364
 HHB            Distribution of professional audio products to trade customers      12 July 2023         100%                     21,078
 76 Media       Distribution of broadcast products to trade customers               5 July 2023          100%                     1,123
 Toolfarm       Distribution of video editing software to trade customers           5 July 2023          100%                     5,057
 SF Marketing   Distribution of audio visual products to trade customers            31 May 2023          100%                     21,369

2024 acquisitions

Fair value of consideration transferred 2024

                           The Farm
                           £'000
 Cash                      2,948
 Deferred consideration    292
 Contingent consideration  4,373
 Total                     7,613

 

Acquisition costs of £302k in relation to the acquisitions of The Farm and
other acquisitions not completed by the period end were expensed to the income
statement during the period ended 30 June 2024.

 

 

 

 

Fair value of acquisitions 2024

                                                                               The Farm
                                                                               £'000
 Non-current assets
 Goodwill                                                                      3,512
 Intangible assets - brands                                                    352
 Intangible assets - customer relationships                                    1,135
 Intangible assets - supplier relationships                                    3,895
 Right of use assets                                                           236
 Property, plant and equipment                                                 3
                                                                               9,133
 Current assets
 Trade and other receivables                                                   403
 Cash and cash equivalents                                                     145
                                                                               548
 Current liabilities
 Trade and other payables                                                      (218)
 Borrowings and financial liabilities                                          (32)
                                                                               (250)
 Non-current liabilities
 Borrowings and financial liabilities                                          (205)
 Deferred tax                                                                  (1,613)
                                                                               (1,818)

 Non-controlling interests                                                     -
 Fair value of net assets acquired attributable to equity shareholders of the  7,613
 Parent Company

 

Goodwill acquired in 2024 relates to the workforce, synergies and sales know
how. Goodwill arising on the The Farm acquisition has been allocated to the
North America segment.

 

Net cash outflow on acquisition of subsidiaries 2024

                                                   The Farm
                                                   £'000

 Consideration paid in cash                        2,948
 Less: cash and cash equivalent balances acquired  (145)
 Net cash outflow                                  2,803
 Plus: borrowings acquired                         237
 Net debt outflow                                  3,040

 

 

 

 Fair value of considerations 2023  SF Marketing  HHB     prodyTel  Others
                                    £'000         £'000   £'000     £'000
 Cash                               20,215        13,087  7,406     7,706
 Deferred consideration             1,154         -       -         689
 Contingent consideration           -             7,991   764       864
 Total                              21,369        21,078  8,170     9,259

 

Costs of £1,489k were expensed to the income statement during the year in
relation to acquisitions.

 

 Fair value of acquisitions 2023                                               SF Marketing  HHB      prodyTel  Others
                                                                               £'000         £'000    £'000     £'000
 Non-current assets
 Goodwill                                                                      3,792         4,259    4,744     3,391
 Intangible assets - patents and software                                      284           -        -         2
 Intangible assets - brands                                                    1,702         702      487       680
 Intangible assets - customer relationships                                    2,485         5,082    3,751     1,722
 Intangible assets - supplier relationships                                    6,924         7,095    9,052     4,493
 Right of use assets                                                           972           140      297       55
 Property, plant and equipment                                                 686           36       162       239
                                                                               16,845        17,314   18,493    10,582
 Current assets
 Inventories                                                                   10,792        3,836    959       702
 Trade and other receivables                                                   9,217         2,674    1,784     1,176
 Derivative financial instruments                                              21            -        -         -
 Cash and cash equivalents                                                     118           3,794    634       1,510
                                                                               20,148        10,304   3,377     3,388
 Current liabilities
 Trade and other payables                                                      (9,690)       (3,092)  (1,093)   (2,672)
 Borrowings and financial liabilities                                          (700)         -        -         (3)
 Current tax                                                                   -             -        (129)     (146)
                                                                               (10,390)      (3,092)  (1,222)   (2,821)
 Non-current liabilities
 Borrowings and financial liabilities                                          (2,781)       (501)    (357)     (117)
 Deferred tax                                                                  (2,453)       (2,947)  (4,271)   (1,773)
                                                                               (5,234)       (3,448)  (4,628)   (1,890)
 Non-controlling interests                                                     -             -        (7,850)   -
 Fair value of net assets acquired attributable to equity shareholders of the  21,369        21,078   8,170     9,259
 Parent Company

 

Goodwill acquired in 2023 relates to the workforce, synergies, sales and
purchasing knowledge and experience. Goodwill arising on the SF Marketing,
Toolfarm and 76 Media acquisitions has been allocated to the North America
segment. Goodwill arising on the Video Digital and prodyTel acquisitions has
been allocated to the Europe Middle East and Africa segment. Goodwill arising
on the HHB and Pulse Cinemas acquisitions has been allocated to the United
Kingdom and Republic of Ireland segment.

 

 

Net cash outflows of acquisitions 2023

                                                   SF Marketing  HHB      prodyTel  Others
                                                   £'000         £'000    £'000     £'000

 Consideration paid in cash                        20,215        13,087   7,406     7,706
 Less: cash and cash equivalent balances acquired  (118)         (3,794)  (634)     (1,509)
 Net cash outflow                                  20,097        9,293    6,772     6,197
 Plus: borrowings acquired                         3,481         501      357       120
 Net debt outflow                                  23,578        9,794    7,129     6,317

 

9.    Acquisition of non-controlling interest

 

During the period to 30 June 2024 the Group exercised a call option to acquire
the remaining 20% non-controlling interest in Midwich International Limited,
which had a value of £7,572k. The present value of the option exercised was
£9,627k, of which £5,036k was paid during the period. The remaining
liability is due to be paid in 2025. £3,866k of the put option reserve was
transferred to retained earnings when this call option was exercised and the
put option was extinguished.

 

10.  Currency impact

The Group reports in Pounds Sterling (GBP) but has significant revenues and
costs as well as assets and liabilities that are denominated in other
currencies including Euros (EUR), Dollars (USD) Canadian Dollars (CAD) and
Australian Dollars (AUD). The table below sets out the exchange rates in the
current and prior periods.

          Six months to 30 June 2024  Six months to 30 June 2023      At 30 June 2024  At 30 June 2023     At 31 December 2023
          Average                                     Average

 EUR/GBP  1.170                                       1.144           1.180                      1.165                 1.154
 AUD/GBP  1.915                                       1.841           1.893                      1.910                 1.868
 NZD/GBP  2.076                                       1.987           2.074                      2.075                 2.013
 USD/GBP  1.267                                       1.236           1.264                      1.271                 1.275
 CHF/GBP  1.121                                       1.128           1.136                      1.137                 1.073
 NOK/GBP  13.437                                      12.925          13.461                     13.619                12.947
 AED/GBP  4.650                                       4.540           4.641                      4.667                 4.678
 QAR/GBP  4.608                                       4.500           4.600                      4.626                 4.637
 SAR/GBP  4.750                                       4.583           4.743                      4.769                 4.769
 CAD/GBP  1.713                                       1.648           1.730                      1.682                 1.682

 

The following tables illustrate the effect of changes in foreign exchange
rates in the EUR, AUD, NZD, USD, CHF, NOK, AED, QAR, SAR and CAD relative to
the GBP on the profit before tax and net assets. The amounts are calculated
retrospectively by applying the current period exchange rates to the prior
period results so that the current period exchange rates are applied
consistently across both periods. Changing the comparative result illustrates
the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates relative to the current period
result.

 

 

 

Applying the current period exchange rates to the results of the prior period
has the following effect on the translation of profit before tax and net
assets of foreign entities:

 

Profit before tax

                     Revised 2023  2023    Impact  Impact
                     £'000         £'000   £'000   %

 EUR                 15,387        15,596  (209)   (1.3%)
 AUD                 15,602        15,596  6       -%
 NZD                 15,597        15,596  1       -%
 USD                 15,569        15,596  (27)    (0.2%)
 CHF                 15,593        15,596  (3)     -%
 NOK                 15,590        15,596  (6)     -%
 AED                 15,514        15,596  (82)    (0.5%)
 QAR                 15,585        15,596  (11)    (0.1%)
 SAR                 15,602        15,596  6       -%
 CAD                 15,587        15,596  (9)     (0.1%)
 All currencies      15,262        15,596  (334)   (2.1%)

 

Net assets

                     Revised 2023  2023     Impact   Impact
                     £'000         £'000    £'000    %

 EUR                 181,474       182,272  (798)    (0.4%)
 AUD                 182,304       182,272  32       -%
 NZD                 182,274       182,272  2        -%
 USD                 182,355       182,272  83       -%
 CHF                 182,274       182,272  2        -%
 NOK                 182,300       182,272  28       -%
 AED                 182,371       182,272  99       0.1%
 QAR                 182,290       182,272  18       -%
 SAR                 182,274       182,272  2        -%
 CAD                 181,684       182,272  (588)    (0.3%)
 All currencies      181,152       182,272  (1,120)  (0.6%)

 

11.  Events after the reporting date

 

On 31 July 2024, the Group acquired the remaining 70% of the share capital of
Dry Hire Lighting Limited, a Company based in High Wycombe, United Kingdom.
The business specialises in the rental of lighting products to the trade
market. The consideration is comprised of an initial payment of £3.0m, a
deferred consideration of £0.5m due later in 2024, and a contingent
consideration of up to £0.8m payable in 2026.

12.  Copies of interim report

 

Copies of the interim report are available to the public free of charge from
the Company at Vinces Road, Diss, IP22 4YT.

 

 

 

 

13.  Adjustments to reported results

 

                                                                                 Six months ended
                                                                                 30 June 2024  30 June 2023
                                                                                 £000          £000

 Operating profit                                                                12,827        18,551
 Cost of acquisitions                                                            302           306
 Restructuring costs                                                             503           -
 Share based payments                                                            2,419         2,385
 Employer taxes on share based payments                                          131           370
 Amortisation of brands, customer and supplier relationships                     5,815         4,812
 Adjusted operating profit                                                       21,997        26,424
 Depreciation                                                                    4,956         3,817
 Amortisation of patents and software                                            123           255
 Adjusted EBITDA                                                                 27,076        30,496
 (Increase)/decrease in inventories                                              (18,734)      2,353
 (Increase) in trade and other receivables                                       (15,213)      (9,138)
 Increase/(decrease) in adjusted(1) trade and other payables                     10,466        (15,492)
 Adjusted cash flow from operations                                              3,595         8,219
 Adjusted EBITDA cash flow conversion                                            13.3%         27.0%

 Profit before tax                                                               10,148        15,596
 Cost of acquisitions                                                            302           306
 Restructuring costs                                                             503           -
 Share based payments                                                            2,419         2,385
 Employer taxes on share based payments                                          131           370
 Amortisation of brands, customer and supplier relationships                     5,815         4,812
 Derivative fair value and foreign exchange gains and losses on acquisition      (622)         (1,514)
 borrowings
 Finance costs - deferred and contingent considerations                          (873)         243
 Finance costs - put option liabilities over non-controlling interests           (584)         (443)
 Adjusted profit before tax                                                      17,239        21,755

 Profit after tax                                                                7,390         11,559
 Cost of acquisitions                                                            302           306
 Restructuring costs                                                             503           -
 Share based payments                                                            2,419         2,385
 Employer taxes on share based payments                                          131           370
 Amortisation of brands, customer and supplier relationships                     5,815         4,812
 Derivative fair value and foreign exchange gains and losses on acquisition      (622)         (1,514)
 borrowings
 Finance costs - deferred and contingent considerations                          (873)         243
 Finance costs - put option liabilities over non-controlling interests           (584)         (443)
 Tax impact                                                                      (1,917)       (1,636)
 Adjusted profit after tax                                                       12,564        16,082

 Profit after tax                                                                7,390         11,559
 Non-controlling interest (NCI)                                                  (770)         (600)
 Profit after tax attributable to equity holders of the Parent Company           6,620         10,959

 Adjusted profit after tax                                                       12,564        16,082
 Non-controlling interest                                                        (770)         (600)
 Share based payments attributable to NCI                                        (9)           (7)
 Employer taxes on share based payments attributable to NCI                      -             -
 Amortisation of brands, customer and supplier relationships attributable to     (472)         (243)
 NCI
 Tax impact attributable to NCI                                                  119           45
 Adjusted profit after tax attributable to equity holders of the Parent Company  11,432        15,277

 Weighted average number of ordinary shares                                      101,918,847   90,242,805
 Diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares                              104,607,765   93,217,499

 Adjusted basic earnings per share                                               11.22p        16.93p
 Adjusted diluted earnings per share                                             10.93p        16.39p

 

(1) Excludes the movement in cash settled share based payments

 

14.  Dividends

 

During the period the Group declared a final dividend of 11.00 pence per
share. (30 June 2023: 10.50 pence per share). After the period end the Group
declared an interim dividend for the six months to 30 June 2024 of 5.50 pence
(30 June 2023: 5.50 pence per share) that relates to profits earned over the
period.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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