This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("MAR"), and is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of MAR.

22 July 2026

Hardide plc

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

Trading Update

Strong trading momentum - ahead of previously upgraded expectations

Investment in capacity to support continued growth

Hardide (AIM: HDD), the provider of advanced surface treatment technology, is pleased to provide an update on trading for the financial year ending 30 September 2026.

The strong momentum in the business continues. Revenues for the third quarter to 30 June were £4.1m in the period, such that revenues for the year to that date total £8.9m. This has been enabled by new contract wins (as previously announced) and combined with ongoing improvements in operational performance which have facilitated improved factory utilisation and output rates.

The Group is also achieving operating profit margins higher than anticipated, reflecting effective management of input cost inflation (as further explained below), the ongoing identification and harnessing of operational efficiencies, and a lower than expected investment requirement to support the growth that is coming through. 

As a result, the Board now expects that full year financial performance will be materially ahead of its previous expectations¹.

The Board is also confident for the future. The momentum and trajectory of the business mean that the Board now expects to achieve its first objective to double its revenues in the current financial year, well ahead of the original schedule. Building on this progress, the Board believes that the foundations are now in place to support an ambition to more than double annual revenues again over the next 2-3 years.

To support this anticipated growth the Board has approved capital investment in three new coating reactors and associated infrastructure at a total cost of £4.5m, to become operational in the latter part of the 2027 financial year. This investment will be funded through a combination of internal cash resources and borrowings as necessary.

The growth is anticipated to be achieved by diversifying the customer base, growing existing key accounts, including progressing ongoing supply arrangements with its major energy sector customer in North America, and developing the potential for significant revenues in the Middle East from a similar end use application. In addition, the Company has a growing pipeline of new business opportunities that it is seeking to convert in the short to medium term, including in new end use sectors such as semi-conductors.

Effective management of input costs

The costs of tungsten gas have recently stabilised, albeit at higher levels than those prevailing in the first half of the year. These additional costs have been mitigated through management actions previously announced. 

In recent months Hardide has diversified its sources of tungsten gas supply and has now secured approximately 50% of its anticipated requirements for its 2027 financial year. This provides the business and its customers with greater ongoing certainty, stability and visibility of costs and pricing. As a consequence, the Company believes it is prudent and has the financial ability to hold higher levels of inventory over the financial year end, to cater for any fluctuation in commodity pricing. 

Management structure changes

Hardide intends to establish a new Leadership Team effective from 1 October 2026 to manage delivery of the Group's strategic ambitions and the expanding day to day activities of the Group. This will include the appointment of two operational leaders to run its plants in Bicester, UK and Martinsville, Virginia, USA, both reporting to Matt Hamblin, CEO.

Dr. Yuri Zhuk, currently Technical Director, will become the Group's Chief Technology Officer and serve on the Leadership Team enabling him to focus exclusively on supporting the growth of the business, including expanding the product range to meet customer demand, developing IP and increasing the capacity and efficiency of our coating operations. Consequently, and to allow him more time to dedicate to this role, Yuri intends to step down as a director of Hardide plc on 30 September 2026.

Matt Hamblin, Chief Executive said:

"I am delighted with the ongoing growth trajectory and progress being achieved across the Group, and I would like to thank all my colleagues for their individual and team contributions to this success.

"We are now focused on doubling revenues again from current year levels and diversifying our customer base over the next few years.

"In support of this, I am excited to announce the formation of our new Leadership Team. I believe this will improve our effectiveness in managing and realising the significant further growth potential of the Group. 

"We would like to thank Yuri Zhuk for his highly valued contribution to the public company board since Hardide's inception, and we look forward to continuing to work with Yuri and benefiting from his unrivalled expertise in CVD coatings technology, as we further develop the business."

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1.   The Board believes previous expectations for the financial year to 30 September 2026 to have been revenues of £13.4m and EBITDA of £4.3m

Notes to editors:

www.hardide.com

Hardide develops, manufactures and applies advanced technology tungsten carbide/tungsten metal matrix coatings to a wide range of engineering components. Its patented technology is unique in combining in one material, a mix of toughness and resistance to abrasion, erosion and corrosion; together with the ability to coat accurately interior surfaces and complex geometries. The material is proven to offer dramatic improvements in component life, particularly when applied to components that operate in very aggressive environments. This results in cost savings through reduced downtime and increased operational efficiency as well as a reduced carbon footprint. Customers include leading companies operating in the energy sectors, valve and pump manufacturing, industrial gas turbine, precision engineering and aerospace industries.