12 March 2015
Full year results for the period ended 31 December 2014
SIG plc ("SIG") is a leading distributor of specialist building products in Europe, with strong positions in its core markets of insulation & energy management, interior fit out and roofing.
Continuing operations* | 2014 | 2013 | % change | % change constant currency |
Revenue | £2,602.9m | £2,539.7m | +2.5% | +5.6% |
Underlying** operating profit | £110.2m | £101.3m | +8.8% | +12.0% |
Underlying** profit before tax | £98.1m | £90.0m | +9.0% | +12.4% |
Underlying** basic earnings per share | 11.9p | 10.7p | +11.2% | |
Dividend per share | 4.40p | 3.55p | +23.9% | |
Post-tax return on capital employed | 10.3% | 9.4% | +90bps | |
* Continuing operations excludes divested businesses (German Roofing, Miller Pattison and Ice Energy).
** Underlying is before the amortisation of acquired intangibles, restructuring costs, other one-off items, profits and losses arising on the sale of businesses and associated impairment charges, trading profits and losses associated with disposed businesses, goodwill impairment charges, unwinding of provision discounting and fair value gains and losses on derivative financial instruments.
*** Like-for-like is defined as sales per day in constant currency excluding acquisitions and disposals.
Highlights
· Like-for-like*** sales increased by 3.8%; market outperformance of 2.8%
· Return on capital employed up 90bps to 10.3%
· Strong progress and overdelivery on strategic initiatives
o £10.1m net benefit in 2014, well ahead of original target
o Procurement gains drive 50bps improvement in gross margin
· Underlying operating margin increased 20bps to 4.2%
· Underlying EPS up 11.2% to 11.9p
· Statutory profit before tax of £39.0m
· 12 infill acquisitions for £20.9m and related earn-out
· Three underperforming businesses divested
· Net debt of £126.9m; leverage remains at 1.0x
· Final dividend increased by 24.2%; total dividend up 23.9% to 4.40p per share
Statutory
Total operations | 2014 | 2013 |
Revenue | £2,633.9m | £2,719.8m |
Operating profit | £53.2m | £15.4m |
Profit before tax | £39.0m | £2.1m |
Basic earnings / (loss) per share | 5.6p | (2.5p) |
Commenting on the results and outlook, Stuart Mitchell, Chief Executive, said:
"In 2014 SIG delivered good like-for-like sales growth of nearly 4% and improved its return on capital employed by 90bps, driven by a strong performance in the UK & Ireland. Following a robust first half, which benefited from the mild weather, trading moderated as Mainland European markets deteriorated.
"The Group made good progress on self-help measures, both in terms of market outperformance and strategic initiatives, where it over delivered against its targets and achieved a net benefit of £10m last year, mainly from procurement. This gives a high degree of confidence in delivery of the remainder of the programme, which targets a cumulative net benefit of c.£20m in 2015 and c.£30m in 2016.
"We anticipate that trading conditions will remain variable across the Group's countries of operation in 2015, with continued good growth in the UK & Ireland and uncertainty persisting in Mainland Europe. While the Group also notes the continuing weakening of the Euro and potential adverse translational effect on profit, it expects this headwind to be partially offset by lower fuel costs.
"Although weighted towards the second half, due to strong H1 comparators, our continued scope for self-help through market outperformance and the strategic initiatives give SIG confidence in achieving further progress this year."
Enquiries
SIG plc
Stuart Mitchell Chief Executive | + 44 (0) 114 285 6300 |
Doug Robertson Group Finance Director | + 44 (0) 114 285 6300 |
Simon Bielecki Head of Investor Relations | + 44 (0) 7515 794359 |
FTI Consulting
Richard Mountain / Nick Hasell | + 44 (0) 20 3727 1340 |
Analyst presentation
A briefing to analysts will take place at 9.00am on Thursday 12 March 2015 at FTI Consulting, 200 Aldersgate, Aldersgate Street, London, EC1A 4HD. A live webcast will be available on the investor relations section of www.sigplc.com which will also be available on replay later in the day.
Summary
SIG began the year strongly, benefiting from the mild weather and weak comparatives, increasing like-for-like ("LFL") sales by 7.1% in the first half, with good growth in both the UK & Ireland and Mainland Europe. The Group's trading performance then moderated in the second half, with LFL sales increasing marginally, by 0.8%. While for the UK & Ireland this moderation was in line with SIG's expectations, and mainly due to stronger comparatives, Mainland Europe was weaker than anticipated due to a downturn in the macroeconomic environment.
For the year as a whole SIG delivered good LFL sales growth of 3.8%, with the Group experiencing marginal product price inflation of 0.1% and a volume increase of 3.7%. Given SIG estimates that the overall market, weighted according to the sectors in which it operates, was up by 1.0%, this equates to an outperformance of 2.8%.
Group sales from continuing operations, which exclude the disposals of Miller Pattison, German Roofing and Ice Energy, were up 2.5% to £2,602.9m (2013: £2,539.7m), despite the adverse effects of foreign exchange translation, which reduced sales by 3.1%.
In the UK & Ireland revenues from continuing operations increased 11.3% to £1,336.2m (2013: £1,200.3m), and were up 9.2% on a LFL basis, having been driven primarily by strong demand in the UK and Irish residential sectors. In the UK LFL sales increased by 8.9% and in Ireland were up by 14.7%.
Sales in Mainland Europe from continuing operations decreased by 5.4% to £1,266.7m (2013: £1,339.4m), due in part to the adverse effect of movements in foreign exchange rates. On a LFL basis sales in Mainland Europe declined by 1.0%.
The Group made strong progress on its strategic initiatives to improve business performance, delivering a net benefit after incremental costs of £10.1m, mainly sourced from procurement, well ahead of its original target. As a result SIG's underlying gross margin increased 50bps to 26.9% (2013: 26.4%).
Underlying operating profit increased 8.8% to £110.2m (2013: £101.3m) and underlying operating margin was up by 20bps to 4.2% (2013: 4.0%). Underlying net finance costs increased slightly to £12.1m (2013: £11.3m), which resulted in underlying profit before tax increasing by 9.0% to £98.1m (2013: £90.0m). Underlying basic earnings per share from continuing operations increased 11.2% to 11.9p (2013: 10.7p).
On a statutory basis profit before tax was £39.0m (2013: £2.1m) and basic earnings per share were 5.6p (2013: loss of 2.5p).
Net debt at 31 December 2014 was £126.9m, an increase of £5.7m compared to the prior year (2013: £121.2m). Net capital expenditure (excluding property disposals) was £36.6m (2013: £38.1m), 53% higher than depreciation of £24.0m (2013: £23.7m) and in line with guidance.
Return on Capital Employed
Post-tax Return on Capital Employed ("ROCE") is the key metric for the Group and is calculated as underlying operating profit less tax, divided by average net assets plus average net debt.
In 2014 SIG's ROCE increased by 90bps to 10.3% (2013: 9.4%), 310bps higher than Group WACC of 7.2% (2013: 8.3%). The Group has therefore achieved its target of ROCE exceeding WACC by 300bps a year early, although in doing so it recognises that it has benefited from a lower WACC.
For 2015 SIG remains committed to its medium-term objective of achieving ROCE in excess of 11.0%. As well as taking a disciplined approach to its capital management, SIG seeks to achieve this target through further improvements in its gross and operating margins.
Strategic Initiatives
The Group has made strong progress on its strategic initiatives to improve business performance, delivering a net profit benefit after incremental costs of £10.1m, well ahead of its original £1-5m target, in what was only the first full year of the programme. This was derived from gross savings of £16.9m, which represented a significant overdelivery on SIG's initial expectations, net of additional investment of £6.8m, which was in line with the Group's original cost estimate.
Going forward SIG continues to target a cumulative net benefit of c.£20m in 2015 and c.£30m in 2016 from its strategic initiatives. Given its strong start in 2014 the Group has a high degree of confidence in achieving these targets.
The delivery of the Group's strategic initiatives is underpinned by a significant culture change programme. Its operating businesses are now working more closely together to ensure the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Procurement
During 2014 SIG made gross savings of £14.7m from its procurement initiative, significantly exceeding its expectations. These savings, of which £7.9m were in the UK & Ireland and £6.8m were in Mainland Europe, have resulted in a 50bps improvement in the Group's gross margin.
Procurement efficiencies have been obtained from all of SIG's six international category forums covering roofing, ceilings, technical insulation, structural insulation, air handling and drylining, and are broadly proportionate to the Group's expenditure in each of these areas.
In addition to delivering these savings, the Group set out three milestones to help investors to track its progress on this initiative.
The first, which was to fully recruit its procurement team, was completed in H1 2014. SIG has recruited 27 procurement specialists, who have joined from the construction industry as well as other sectors, such as retail, and 81 employees have attended a leading negotiation training programme.
Having cut supplier numbers by 22%, from 9,678 in 2012 to 7,573 in 2014, the Group is well on track to achieve its second milestone, which is to reduce its suppliers by a third by the end of 2015.
Finally SIG remains on track to grow its own label products by 50% by 2016, from c.10% to c.15% of Group sales, and has plans in progress to achieve this target.
Branch network
The Group has made substantial progress consolidating its network over recent years, significantly reducing the number of branches in SIGD, its UK insulation and interiors business. This rationalisation included the opening of a new supersite in the North East of England in December 2013, which combined four branches into one. The supersite continues to perform well and was ahead of its budget in 2014. In addition the Group consolidated a further six SIGD branches during 2014.
The Group also scoped its ideal UK and German networks during 2014, concluding that there are further opportunities to rationalise its insulation and interiors businesses, and that there is potential to grow its UK exteriors business either organically or through acquisitions. These plans are currently being implemented.
Concurrently, SIG is undertaking a comprehensive supply chain review. This review, which is due to report in Q3 2015, is considering how the Group can most efficiently and best serve its customers from receipt of order to fulfilment.
Commercial vehicles
SIG is improving the utilisation of its commercial vehicles through the more effective use of technology. Telematics has been implemented in the Group's UK and French fleets, with the next roll-outs expected in Germany and Poland later this year.
The Group is also improving the way it procures commercial vehicles, which were previously purchased by individual businesses on an ad hoc basis. SIG has signed Group-wide purchasing agreements for its fork lift trucks with Linde, and with Mercedes and DAF for its fleet, where it has adopted a dual sourcing strategy.
eCommerce
The design phase of the Group's new UK eCommerce platform was completed on schedule in 2014. Further development is now planned for 2015. SIG is committed in the first half of 2016 to launching a market-leading online proposition that meets its customers' needs.
In Mainland Europe SIG is already successfully operating eCommerce sites and the Group will continue to progress these local solutions. The Air Trade Centre eCommerce proposition in Belgium is well established, while strong progress is being made in developing the platforms in both Germany and Poland.
Acquisitions
In 2014 SIG acquired 12 businesses for £20.9m together with a contingent consideration of up to £29.8m depending on future performance. Seven of the acquisitions were in the UK, three in France and one each in Germany and The Netherlands.
Since restarting its acquisition programme in 2012, newly acquired infill businesses are performing well and meeting their internal targets, with returns in aggregate higher than the Group's ROCE.
Given the Group's good cash conversion rates and strong financial position, going forward SIG is seeking to increase the pace at which it makes its acquisitions and is targeting larger infill businesses. It therefore is targeting to spend around £200m on infill acquisitions over the next three years, while maintaining its strict financial criteria and hurdle rates.
Disposals
During the year SIG divested three businesses whose returns were below the Group's WACC and whose prospects of significantly improving performance over the medium-term were considered unlikely. These disposals were:
· the Group's German Roofing business, which was acquired by The Gores Group, a US private equity firm in February 2014;
· Miller Pattison Limited, a residential insulation installation and contracting business, which was sold to Help-Link UK in April 2014; and
· a 50.6% stake in Ice Energy Technologies Limited, a renewable energy solutions provider of air and ground source heat pumps, which was sold to the existing Ice Energy management team in October 2014.
In 2013, the last full year of SIG ownership, these three businesses reported combined sales of £180.1m and made an underlying operating loss of £1.8m.
Operating costs and non-underlying items
SIG's operating cost base increased by £21.1m to £590.4m (2013: £569.3m) due to £14.9m on acquisitions and new branches, of which nine were opened in the year, a £5.7m increase in incentive payments and £5.4m net investment in its strategic initiatives. There were also additional volume related costs of £7.0m and other costs increases of £9.2m. These were offset by an £18.2m beneficial currency impact and £4.5m of cost savings.
Non-underlying items before taxation during the period totalled £59.1m (2013: £87.9m) and included amortisation of acquired intangibles of £19.6m (2013: £20.6m), profits and losses on sale of businesses and associated impairment charges of £14.0m (2013: £42.8m), net operating losses attributable to businesses divested in 2014 of £6.7m (2013: £1.8m), net restructuring costs of £9.2m (2013: £18.0m), net fair value losses on derivative financial instruments and unwinding of provision discounting of £2.1m (2013: £1.9m) and other one-off items of £7.5m (2013: £0.7m). The prior year comparative also included a goodwill impairment charge of £2.0m and the share of loss of associate of £0.1m.
Dividend
The Board has proposed a final dividend of 2.98p per ordinary share, an increase of 24.2% on prior year. Taken together with the interim dividend of 1.42p per ordinary share, this provides a total dividend of 4.40p per ordinary share for the year (2013: 3.55p), an increase of 23.9% on prior year. The final dividend is expected to be paid on 29 May 2015 to shareholders on the register at close of business on 1 May 2015. The ex-dividend date is 30 April 2015.
Going forward the Board remains committed to a progressive dividend policy while maintaining a dividend cover of 2-3x on an underlying basis over the medium-term.
UK & Ireland trading review
· Sales from continuing operations increased 11.3% to £1,336.2m (2013: £1,200.3m)
· Gross margin from continuing operations up 50bps to 26.7% (2013: 26.2%)
· Underlying operating profit up 31.0% to £65.9m (2013: £50.3m)
· Underlying operating margin up 70bps to 4.9% (2013: 4.2%)
· Statutory operating profit of £18.8m (2013: £24.1m)
Continuing operations | 2014 Sales | Change | LFL change | Change in gross margin |
United Kingdom | £1,265.2m | 11.5% | 8.9% | 50bps |
Ireland | £71.0m | 8.4% | 14.7% | (30)bps |
UK & Ireland | £1,336.2m | 11.3% | 9.2% | 50bps |
United Kingdom
Sales in the UK from continuing operations increased 11.5%, and by 8.9% on a LFL basis. Gross margin was up by 50bps principally due to savings from the Group's strategic procurement initiative, together with an improved performance in its roofing business compared to 2013, when margin was affected by market pricing and volume pressures.
The residential market experienced good growth in 2014, with the Construction Product Association reporting that the value of the private new build UK housing market grew by 18.0%. SIG expects continued robust growth in the sector in 2015, although the rate of expansion may slow somewhat compared to prior year.
While trading conditions in the non-residential sector are improving, SIG has not yet benefited from this growth mainly due to its later cycle exposure. However, assuming this upturn continues, the Group anticipates that this should start to feed through into its sales performance during 2015.
Although the Group's overall outlook for the UK construction market this year is positive, it recognises that there are risks principally relating to the General Election and ongoing uncertainty in the Eurozone.
The roll out of the UK's new ERP system, Kerridge K8, continues to progress well and has now been completed across the back offices. The branch roll out is also well underway and is expected to be completed in 2016.
Ireland
Sales in Ireland increased by 8.4%, and were up 14.7% on a LFL basis. Gross margin fell by 30bps due to pricing pressures in the market. SIG benefited from a strong recovery in the Irish residential market, which according to Euroconstruct was up by 17.5% compared to 2013. SIG anticipates that the market will remain robust in 2015, although growth is likely to slow from its 2014 level.
Mainland Europe trading review
· Sales from continuing operations decreased 5.4% to £1,266.7m (2013: £1,339.4m)
· Gross margin from continuing operations increased 50bps to 27.1% (2013: 26.6%)
· Underlying operating profit declined 8.1% to £54.2m (2013: £59.0m)
· Underlying operating margin down 10bps to 4.3% (2013: 4.4%)
· Statutory operating profit of £44.3m (2013: loss of £0.7m)
Continuing operations | 2014 Sales | Change | LFL change | Change in gross margin |
France | £586.1m | (5.8)% | (2.1)% | 80bps |
Germany & Austria | £412.2m | (5.8)% | (0.3)% | (40)bps |
Benelux* | £156.4m | 1.0% | 5.1% | 100bps |
Poland | £112.0m | (10.2)% | (5.7)% | 160bps |
Mainland Europe | £1,266.7m | (5.4)% | (1.0)% | 50bps |
* includes Air Trade Centre
France
Sales in France decreased by 2.1% on a LFL basis, and were down by 5.8% in Sterling due to movements in foreign exchange. However, gross margin increased 80bps having benefited significantly from the Group's procurement initiative.
The French construction market remained challenging during 2014, declining by 5.1%. The residential sector in particular performed poorly, with new housing starts down by 10%, falling back to around 300,000, a level not seen in France since 1998. Activity in the non-residential sector also continued to decline, although not to the same degree as the housing market.
However, SIG outperformed the French market in 2014, by 3.0%. The Group believes this is due to a number of factors including a continuing shift in the market away from generalists towards specialists, the strength of SIG's local management team and the increasing maturity of the Group's new branches.
SIG operates a lean business in France and despite market conditions continues to make good returns in this market. Although stable, the Group expects market conditions to remain weak in France during 2015.
Germany & Austria
Sales in Germany & Austria decreased marginally on a LFL basis, by 0.3%, broadly in line with the market, and were down by 5.8% in Sterling. Gross margin was down by 40bps, as savings from the Group's procurement initiative were offset by the downward impact of changes in product mix, particularly lower demand for industrial insulation. However, the longer-term trend has been positive with gross margin improving by 110bps over the last three years.
Following a good first half performance, when SIG reported LFL sales growth of 5.1%, the German construction market took an unexpected downturn in the third quarter, which was not helped by the crisis in Ukraine. As a result the Group's LFL sales in Germany were down by 5.0% in the second half.
Although the market has stabilised, there are no signs yet of any improvement in trading conditions in SIG's markets in Germany.
Benelux and Poland
Sales in Benelux (which includes Air Trade Centre) were up 1.0% and by 5.1% on a LFL basis. While Belgium performed well in the first half of the year, and the construction market in The Netherlands was weak, in the second half the recovery in The Netherlands began, whereas Belgium weakened.
In Poland, sales decreased by 10.2%, and 5.7% on a LFL basis, outperforming the market by 1.1%. Sales were partly impacted by the closure of two loss-making branches towards the end of 2013, and deteriorating macroeconomic conditions as the year progressed, with business confidence being affected by the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
Gross margin in both regions benefited from the Group's procurement initiative. In Poland gross margin was also helped by increased sales of higher margin own label products.
Group outlook
SIG anticipates that trading conditions will remain variable across the Group's countries of operation in 2015, with continued good growth in the UK & Ireland and uncertainty persisting in Mainland Europe. While the Group also notes the continuing weakening of the Euro and potential adverse translational effect on profit, it expects this headwind to be partially offset by lower fuel costs.
With continued scope for self-help through market outperformance and the strategic initiatives, SIG is confident of achieving further progress this year, although strong H1 comparators mean that this will be weighted towards the second half.
Directors' Responsibility Statement on the Annual Report
The responsibility statement below has been prepared in connection with the Company's full Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014. Certain parts thereof are not included within this announcement.
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:
· the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the relevant financial reporting framework, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole;
· the Strategic Report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face; and
· the Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable and provide the information necessary for Shareholders to assess the Company's performance, business model and strategy.
The responsibility statement was approved by the Board of Directors and signed on its behalf by:
Stuart Mitchell | | Doug Robertson |
Director | Director |
11 March 2015 | 11 March 2015 |
Consolidated Income Statement | | | | | | | | |
for the year ended 31 December 2014 | | | | | | | | |
| | Before other items* | Other items* | Total | | Before other items* | Other items* | Total |
| | 2014 | 2014 | 2014 | | 2013 | 2013 | 2013 |
| Note | £m | £m | £m | | £m | £m | £m |
| | | | | | | | |
Revenue | 2 | 2,602.9 | 31.0 | 2,633.9 | | 2,539.7 | 180.1 | 2,719.8 |
Cost of sales | | (1,902.3) | (27.5) | (1,929.8) | | (1,869.1) | (141.5) | (2,010.6) |
Gross profit | | 700.6 | 3.5 | 704.1 | | 670.6 | 38.6 | 709.2 |
Other operating expenses | | (590.4) | (60.5) | (650.9) | | (569.3) | (124.5) | (693.8) |
Operating profit | | 110.2 | (57.0) | 53.2 | | 101.3 | (85.9) | 15.4 |
Finance income | | 0.9 | 0.1 | 1.0 | | 1.4 | 0.2 | 1.6 |
Finance costs | | (13.0) | (2.2) | (15.2) | | (12.7) | (2.1) | (14.8) |
Profit before tax and share of loss of associate | | 98.1 | (59.1) | 39.0 | | 90.0 | (87.8) | 2.2 |
Share of loss of associate | | - | - | - | | - | (0.1) | (0.1) |
Profit before tax | | 98.1 | (59.1) | 39.0 | | 90.0 | (87.9) | 2.1 |
Income tax expense | 3 | (27.6) | 23.1 | (4.5) | | (26.6) | 10.2 | (16.4) |
Profit/(loss) after tax | | 70.5 | (36.0) | 34.5 | | 63.4 | (77.7) | (14.3) |
| | | | | | | | |
Attributable to: | | | | | | | | |
Equity holders of the Company | | 70.1 | (37.1) | 33.0 | | 63.1 | (78.1) | (15.0) |
Non-controlling interests | | 0.4 | 1.1 | 1.5 | | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.7 |
| | | | | | | | |
Earnings per share | | | | | | | | |
Basic earnings/(loss) per share | 4 | 11.9p | (6.3p) | 5.6p | | 10.7p | (13.2p) | (2.5p) |
Diluted earnings/(loss) per share | 4 | 11.9p | (6.3p) | 5.6p | | 10.7p | (13.2p) | (2.5p) |
| | | | | | | | |
* "Other items" relate to the amortisation of acquired intangibles, restructuring costs, other one-off items, profits and losses arising on the sale of businesses and associated impairment charges, trading profits and losses associated with disposed businesses, goodwill impairment charges, unwinding of provision discounting, fair value gains and losses on derivative financial instruments, one-off recognition of deferred tax assets, the taxation effect of "Other items" and the effect of changes in taxation rates. "Other items" have been disclosed separately in order to give an indication of the underlying earnings of the Group (see Note 4). |
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income | | | | |
for the year ended 31 December 2014 | | | | |
| | 2014 | | 2013 |
| | £m | | £m |
Profit/(loss) after tax | | 34.5 | | (14.3) |
Items that will not subsequently be reclassified to the Consolidated Income Statement: | | | | |
Remeasurement of defined benefit pension liability | | (7.7) | | 8.3 |
Deferred tax movement associated with remeasurement of defined benefit pension liability | | 1.7 | | (2.0) |
Effect of change in rate on deferred tax | | (0.1) | | (0.9) |
| | (6.1) | | 5.4 |
Items that may subsequently be reclassified to the Consolidated Income Statement: | | | | |
Exchange difference on retranslation of foreign currency goodwill and intangibles | | (14.3) | | 6.6 |
Exchange difference on retranslation of foreign currency net investments (excluding goodwill and intangibles) | | (18.9) | | 4.7 |
Exchange and fair value movements associated with borrowings and derivative financial instruments | | 8.9 | | (1.9) |
Tax (charge)/credit on exchange and fair value movements arising on borrowings and derivative financial instruments | | (1.9) | | 0.4 |
Exchange difference reclassified to the Consolidated Income Statement in respect of the disposal of foreign operations | | (6.7) | | - |
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges | | (3.7) | | (0.4) |
Transfer to profit and loss on cash flow hedges | | 2.3 | | 2.1 |
| | (34.3) | | 11.5 |
Other comprehensive (expense)/income | | (40.4) | | 16.9 |
Total comprehensive (expense)/income | | (5.9) | | 2.6 |
| | | | |
Attributable to: | | | | |
Equity holders of the Company | | (7.4) | | 1.9 |
Non-controlling interests | | 1.5 | | 0.7 |
| | (5.9) | | 2.6 |
2. Revenue and segmental information (continued)
(b) Revenue by product group
The Group focuses its activities into three product sectors: Insulation and Energy Management; Exteriors; and Interiors.
The following table provides an analysis of Group sales by type of product:
| 2014 | 2013 |
| £m | £m |
| | |
Insulation and Energy Management | 1,195.0 | 1,181.1 |
Exteriors | 807.6 | 754.9 |
Interiors | 600.3 | 603.7 |
Total continuing | 2,602.9 | 2,539.7 |
Sales attributable to businesses divested in 2014 | 31.0 | 180.1 |
Total | 2,633.9 | 2,719.8 |
(c) Geographic information
The Group's revenue from external customers and its non-current assets (including property, plant and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets but excluding deferred tax, deferred consideration and derivative financial instruments) by geographical location are as follows:
| 2014 | | 2013 |
Country | Revenue | Non-current assets | | Revenue | Non-current assets |
| £m | £m | | £m | £m |
| | | | | |
United Kingdom | 1,265.2 | 323.2 | | 1,134.8 | 308.4 |
Ireland | 71.0 | 0.8 | | 65.5 | 0.9 |
France | 586.1 | 205.7 | | 622.4 | 223.9 |
Germany and Austria | 412.2 | 17.8 | | 437.5 | 16.5 |
Poland | 112.0 | 16.8 | | 124.7 | 18.4 |
Benelux* | 156.4 | 31.7 | | 154.8 | 30.5 |
Total continuing | 2,602.9 | 596.0 | | 2,539.7 | 598.6 |
Attributable to businesses divested in 2014 | 31.0 | - | | 180.1 | 3.9 |
Total | 2,633.9 | 596.0 | | 2,719.8 | 602.5 |
*Includes Air Trade Centre.
There is no material difference between the basis of preparation of the information reported above and the accounting policies adopted by the Group.
3. Income tax
The income tax expense comprises: | 2014 | 2013 |
| £m | £m |
Current tax | | |
UK corporation tax: - on profits/(losses) for the year | - | - |
- adjustments in respect of previous years | - | 0.3 |
| - | 0.3 |
Overseas tax: - on profits/(losses) for the year | 14.7 | 15.7 |
- adjustments in respect of previous years | 0.9 | 0.2 |
Total current tax | 15.6 | 16.2 |
Deferred tax | | |
Current year | 3.4 | (0.9) |
Adjustments in respect of previous years | (15.1) | 0.2 |
Deferred tax charge in respect of pension schemes* | 0.7 | 0.2 |
Effect of change in rate | (0.1) | 0.7 |
Total deferred tax | (11.1) | 0.2 |
Total income tax expense | 4.5 | 16.4 |
* Includes a credit of £0.1m in respect of the change in rate.
3. Income tax (continued)
The total tax charge for the year differs from that resulting from applying the standard rate of corporate tax in the UK at 31 December 2014 of 21.0% (31 December 2013: 23.0%). The differences are explained in the following reconciliation:
| 2014 | 2013 |
| £m | % | £m | % |
Profit on ordinary activities before tax | 39.0 | | 2.1 | |
Tax at 21.0% (2013: 23.0%) thereon | 8.2 | 21.0 | 0.5 | 23.0 |
Factors affecting the income tax expense for the year: | | | | |
- non-deductible and non-taxable items | 6.2 | 15.9 | 1.6 | 76.2 |
- impairment charges not deductible for tax | - | - | 9.5 | 452.4 |
- losses not recognised | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 4.8 |
- losses utilised not previously recognised | (0.1) | (0.3) | (1.7) | (81.0) |
- other adjustments in respect of previous years | (14.2) | (36.4) | 0.7 | 33.3 |
- effect of overseas tax rates | 4.2 | 10.8 | 5.0 | 239.0 |
- effect of change in rate on deferred tax | (0.2) | (0.5) | 0.7 | 33.3 |
Total income tax expense | 4.5 | 11.5 | 16.4 | 781.0 |
The effective tax rate for the Group on the total profit before tax of £39.0m is 11.5% (2013: 781.0%).
The effective tax charge for the Group on profit before tax before amortisation of acquired intangibles, goodwill impairment charges, restructuring costs, other one-off items, profits and losses arising on the sale of businesses and associated impairment charges, trading profits and losses associated with disposed businesses, unwinding of provision discounting and net losses on derivative financial instruments of £98.1m is 28.1% (2013: 29.6%), which comprises a tax charge of 27.3% (2013: 29.1%) in respect of current year profits and a tax charge of 0.8% (2013: 0.5%) in respect of prior years.
The following factors will affect the Group's future total tax charge as a percentage of underlying profits:
- the mix of profits between the UK and overseas; in particular, France/Germany/Belgium/Netherlands (corporate tax rates greater than 20%) and Ireland/Poland (corporate tax rates less than 20%). If the proportion of profits from these jurisdictions changes, this could result in a higher or lower Group tax charge;
- the impact of non-deductible expenditure and non-taxable income;
- the agreement of open tax computations with the respective tax authorities; and
- the recognition or utilisation (with a corresponding reduction in cash tax payments) of unrecognised deferred tax assets.
A deferred tax asset of £14.9m was recognised in the year in respect of previously unrecognised UK excess non-trading losses incurred in 2008.
In addition to the amounts charged to the Consolidated Income Statement, the following amounts in relation to taxes have been recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income with the exception of deferred tax on share options which has been recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity.
| 2014 | 2013 |
| £m | £m |
Deferred tax movement associated with remeasurement of defined benefit liabilities* | 1.7 | (2.0) |
Deferred tax on share options | 0.5 | 0.1 |
Tax (charge)/credit on exchange and fair value movements arising on borrowings and derivative financial instruments | (1.9) | 0.4 |
Effect of change in rate on deferred tax* | (0.1) | (0.9) |
Total | 0.2 | (2.4) |
*These items will not subsequently be reclassified to the Consolidated Income Statement.
4. Earnings per share
The calculations of earnings per share are based on the following profits/(losses) and numbers of shares: | |
| | | | | |
| | Basic and diluted | |
| | 2014 | 2013 | |
| | £m | £m | |
Profit/(loss) after tax | | 34.5 | (14.3) | |
Non-controlling interests | | (1.5) | (0.7) | |
| | 33.0 | (15.0) | |
| | | | | |
| | Basic and diluted before Other items | |
| | 2014 | 2013 | |
| | £m | £m | |
| | | | |
Profit/(loss) after tax | | 34.5 | (14.3) | |
Non-controlling interests | | (1.5) | (0.7) | |
Other items: | | | |
Amortisation of acquired intangibles | 19.6 | 20.6 | |
Profits and losses arising on the sale of businesses and associated impairment charges (Note 8) | 14.0 | 42.8 | |
Net operating losses attributable to businesses divested in 2014 | 6.7 | 1.8 | |
Restructuring costs | 9.2 | 18.0 | |
Other one-off items | 7.5 | 0.7 | |
Goodwill impairment charge | - | 2.0 | |
Net fair value losses on derivative financial instruments | 1.9 | 1.9 | |
Unwinding of provision discounting | 0.2 | - | |
Share of loss of associate | - | 0.1 | |
One-off recognition of deferred tax assets | (14.9) | - | |
Tax credit relating to Other items | | (8.2) | (10.2) | |
Other items attributable to non-controlling interests | 1.1 | 0.4 | |
| | 70.1 | 63.1 | |
| |
Weighted average number of shares | | | | |
| | 2014 Number | 2013 Number |
| | | |
For basic earnings per share | | 591,112,524 | 590,881,190 |
Exercise of share options | | 99,237 | 154,065 |
For diluted earnings per share | | 591,211,761 | 591,035,255 |
| | 2014 | 2013 |
Earnings per share | | | |
Basic earnings/(loss) per share | | 5.6p | (2.5p) |
Diluted earnings/(loss) per share | | 5.6p | (2.5p) |
Earnings per share before Other items^ | | | |
Basic earnings per share | | 11.9p | 10.7p |
Diluted earnings per share | | 11.9p | 10.7p |
| | | | | | | | | |
^ Earnings per share before Other items has been disclosed in order to present the underlying performance of the Group.
The impact of Other items on the Consolidated Income Statement, along with their associated tax impact, is disclosed in the table below:
| 2014 | | 2013 |
| Other items | Tax impact | Tax impact | | Other items | Tax impact | Tax impact |
| £m | £m | % | | £m | £m | % |
Amortisation of acquired intangibles | 19.6 | 5.3 | 27.0 | | 20.6 | 3.3 | 16.0 |
Profits and losses arising on the sale of businesses and associated impairment charges (Note 8) | 14.0 | - | - | | 42.8 | 1.3 | 3.0 |
Net operating losses attributable to businesses divested in 2014 | 6.7 | 0.4 | 6.0 | | 1.8 | 0.5 | 27.8 |
Restructuring costs | 9.2 | 1.5 | 16.3 | | 18.0 | 4.0 | 22.2 |
Other one-off items | 7.5 | 0.3 | 4.0 | | 0.7 | - | - |
Goodwill impairment charge | - | - | - | | 2.0 | - | - |
Impact on operating profit | 57.0 | 7.5 | 13.2 | | 85.9 | 9.1 | 10.6 |
Net fair value losses on derivative financial instruments | 1.9 | 0.4 | 21.1 | | 1.9 | 0.4 | 21.1 |
Unwinding of provision discounting | 0.2 | - | - | | - | - | - |
Share of loss of associate | - | - | - | | 0.1 | - | - |
Impact on profit before tax | 59.1 | 7.9 | 13.4 | | 87.9 | 9.5 | 10.8 |
One-off recognition of deferred tax assets | - | 14.9 | - | | - | - | - |
Utilisation of losses not previously recognised | - | 0.1 | - | | - | 1.4 | - |
Effect of change in rate on deferred tax | - | 0.2 | - | | - | (0.7) | - |
Impact on profit after tax | 59.1 | 23.1 | 39.1 | | 87.9 | 10.2 | 11.6 |
Other items attributable to non-controlling interests | 1.1 | - | - | | 0.6 | 0.2 | 23.2 |
Impact on profit attributable to equity holders of the Company | 60.2 | 23.1 | 38.4 | | 88.5 | 10.4 | 11.8 |
5. Reconciliation of operating profit to cash generated from operating activities
| 2014 | 2013 |
| £m | £m |
Operating profit | 53.2 | 15.4 |
| | |
Depreciation | 21.2 | 21.8 |
Amortisation of computer software | 2.8 | 1.9 |
Impairment of property, plant and equipment | 6.1 | 0.2 |
Profits and losses arising on sale of businesses and associated impairment charges (Note 8) | 14.0 | 42.8 |
Amortisation of acquired intangibles | 19.6 | 20.6 |
Goodwill impairment charge | - | 2.0 |
Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment | (2.2) | (1.2) |
Share-based payments | 0.7 | 0.4 |
Working capital movements: | | |
Increase in inventories | (9.0) | - |
Increase in receivables | (0.4) | (12.0) |
Decrease in payables | (10.4) | (5.7) |
| | |
Cash generated from operating activities | 95.6 | 86.2 |
Included within the cash generated from operating activities is cash paid in respect of current year and prior year restructuring costs of £10.8m (2013: £13.3m).
Also included within the cash generated from operating activities is a defined benefit pension scheme employer's special contribution of £2.5m (2013: £3.0m).
6. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movements in net debt
| | | | | | 2014 | 2013 |
| | | | | | £m | £m |
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents in the year | | | (2.7) | (11.9) |
Cash flow from decrease in debt | | | | 0.7 | 4.0 |
Increase in net debt resulting from cash flows | | | (2.0) | (7.9) |
Debt added on acquisition | | | | | (0.1) | (0.3) |
Non-cash items^ | | | | | (3.8) | (6.7) |
Exchange differences | | | | | 0.2 | (1.0) |
| | | | | | | |
Increase in net debt in the year | | | | (5.7) | (15.9) |
Net debt at 1 January | | | | (121.2) | (105.3) |
Net debt at 31 December | | | | | (126.9) | (121.2) |
^ Non-cash items relate to the fair value movement of debt recognised in the year which does not give rise to a cash inflow or outflow, and also includes £1.5m of deferred consideration agreed on the divestment of Miller Pattison Limited (Note 8).
Net debt is defined as the net of cash and cash equivalents, deferred consideration, other financial assets, bank overdrafts, derivative financial instruments, loan notes, private placement notes, bank loans and obligations under finance lease contracts.
7. Dividends
An interim dividend of 1.42p per ordinary share was paid on 7 November 2014 (2013: 1.15p). The Directors have proposed a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2014 of 2.98p per ordinary share (2013: 2.40p). The proposed final dividend is subject to approval by Shareholders at the Annual General Meeting and has not been included as a liability in these financial statements. No dividends have been paid between 31 December 2014 and the date of signing the Accounts.
8. Divestments
The Group has divested of three businesses in the year which in combination reported sales in 2014 of £31.0m (2013: £180.1m) and made an operating loss of £6.7m (2013: £1.8m).
German Roofing
As disclosed in the 2013 Annual Report and Accounts, at 31 December 2013 the Board had resolved to dispose of the Group's German Roofing operations, and because a loss was anticipated, the net assets of the business were impaired to reflect the estimated net proceeds. The disposal was completed on 28 February 2014 and, in accordance with IAS 21 "The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates", the cumulative exchange differences on the retranslation of the net assets and goodwill and intangibles of the business (a credit of £6.7m) were reclassified to the Consolidated Income Statement. The Group has incurred a further £1.7m of costs relating to the sale in the year ended 31 December 2014, resulting in a profit on disposal within "Other items" in the Consolidated Income Statement of £5.0m.
Miller Pattison Limited
On 24 April 2014 the Group sold Miller Pattison Limited, formerly known as SIG Energy Management Limited, for a consideration of £1.5m deferred until 31 December 2016, resulting in a loss on disposal of £12.9m. Following the payment of a dividend of £4.7m prior to divestment, the net assets of the business at the date of disposal were as follows:
| At date of disposal | At 31 December 2013 |
| £m | £m |
Property, plant and equipment | 0.6 | 0.5 |
Cash | 7.6 | 2.7 |
Inventories | 0.3 | 0.4 |
Trade and other receivables | 6.9 | 25.5 | |
Trade and other payables | (5.9) | (12.7) | |
Net assets | 9.5 | 16.4 | |
Provisions recognised on disposal | 4.9 | | |
Loss on disposal | (12.9) | | |
Sale proceeds (deferred consideration) | 1.5 | | |
| | | | | |
Ice Energy Technologies Limited
The Group disposed of its 50.6% shareholding in Ice Energy Technologies Limited on 13 October 2014. At the date of disposal, the net assets of the business were as follows:
| At date of disposal | At 31 December 2013 |
| £m | £m |
Property, plant and equipment | 0.1 | 0.1 |
Cash (less debt) | 1.0 | 1.0 |
Inventories | 0.4 | 0.5 |
Trade and other receivables | 3.6 | 3.1 | |
Trade and other payables | (4.2) | (2.6) | |
Deferred tax asset | 0.4 | 0.4 | |
Net assets | 1.3 | 2.5 | |
Impairment of goodwill | 3.3 | | |
Impairment of loan receivable | 3.0 | | |
Reclassification of non-controlling interest reserve to the Consolidated Income Statement | (1.5) | | |
Loss on disposal and associated impairment charges | (6.1) | | |
Sale proceeds | - | | |
| | | | | |
Reconciliation of cash flows on divestment of businesses
| German Roofing | Miller Pattison | Ice Energy | Total |
| £m | £m | £m | £m |
Sales proceeds^ | 7.6 | - | - | 7.6 |
Cash at date of disposal | (1.6) | (7.6) | (1.0) | (10.2) |
Net cash flow arising on sale of businesses | 6.0 | (7.6) | (1.0) | (2.6) |
^ Sale proceeds for Miller Pattison Limited of £1.5m are represented by deferred consideration which is payable on 31 December 2016.
9. Acquisitions
During the period SIG acquired the following:
Acquisition name | % of share capital acquired | Acquisition date | Country of incorporation | Principal activity |
Trimform Products Limited | 100% | 20 January 2014 | United Kingdom | Manufacturer and distributor of roofing materials and associated products |
IBSL Group Limited | 100% | 13 March 2014 | United Kingdom | Fabricator and distributor of technical insulation products |
Coxbench IP Limited | 100% | 30 May 2014 | United Kingdom | Manufacturer and distributor of insulation materials |
Technische Handelmaatschappij "Inatherm" B.V. | 100% | 2 July 2014 | The Netherlands | Distributor of air handling products |
RoofSpace Solutions Limited | 100% | 15 July 2014 | United Kingdom | Designer, supplier and installer of panelised roofing systems |
Société Distribution Matériaux SARL | 100% | 17 July 2014 | France | Distributor of flat roofing materials |
Cheshire Roofing Limited | 100% | 28 August 2014 | United Kingdom | Distributor of roofing materials and associated products |
Bowller Group Limited | 100% | 25 September 2014 | United Kingdom | Distributor of roofing materials and associated products |
Kent Flooring Supplies Limited | 100% | 13 November 2014 | United Kingdom | Distributor of carpet and flooring products |
The Group also acquired the trade and certain assets and liabilities of the following businesses:
Acquisition name | Acquisition date | Country of operation | Principal activity |
Schwäbische Dämmstoffe GmbH | 15 September 2014 | Germany | Fabricator and distributor of technical insulation products |
Société Régionale d'Isolation et Calorifuge SAS | 31 October 2014 | France | Distributor of air handling products |
Tours Ventilation SARL | 14 November 2014 | France | Distributor of air handling products |
The fair value of the net assets of these businesses at acquisition (in aggregation) were as follows:
| £m |
Property, plant and equipment | 1.8 |
Inventories | 3.0 |
Trade and other receivables | 5.4 |
Net cash acquired | 2.5 |
Trade and other payables | (5.2) |
Net corporation tax and deferred tax liability | (0.4) |
Finance leases and other debt items | (0.1) |
Net assets acquired | 7.0 |
| |
Intangible assets - customer relationships | 12.2 |
Intangible assets - non-compete clauses | 0.5 |
Deferred tax liability on acquired intangible assets | (3.1) |
Goodwill | 18.6 |
Total consideration | 35.2 |
| |
Consideration is represented by: | |
Cash | 21.5 |
Loan notes | 1.9 |
Contingent consideration | 11.8 |
Total consideration | 35.2 |
| |
Total consideration including assumed cash: | |
Cash (per above) | 21.5 |
Net cash acquired | (2.5) |
Settlement of amounts payable for purchase of businesses | 19.0 |
In accordance with IFRS 3 "Business Combinations", acquisition expenses of £1.0m in relation to the above acquisitions have been recognised within the Consolidated Income Statement and have been presented within "Other items".
9. Acquisitions (continued)
In addition, it is currently expected that, dependent upon future profits, a further £18.0m will be paid to the vendors of recent acquisitions who are employed by the Group. These payments are contingent upon the vendors remaining within the business, and as required by IFRS 3, this will be treated as remuneration and will be charged to the income statement as earned. The related accrual of potential consideration in the period to 31 December 2014 is £2.9m (31 December 2013: £0.6m). Added to the £1.0m acquisition expenses, this has led to a charge within "Other items" in the Consolidated Income Statement of £3.9m in respect of acquisitions.
Further to this, £11.8m of contingent consideration (not subject to the vendors remaining within the business) has been recognised within goodwill and intangible assets in the year.
The Directors have made a provisional assessment of the fair value of the net assets acquired. Any further adjustments arising will be accounted for in 2015. These fair value adjustments may relate primarily to:
a) the review of the carrying value of all non-current assets to ensure that they accurately reflect their fair value;
b) the alignment of valuation and provisioning methodologies to those adopted by the Group; and
c) an assessment of all provisions and payables to ensure they are accurately reflected in accordance with the Group's policies.
The fair value of financial assets includes trade receivables with a fair value of £5.4m and a gross contractual value of £5.5m. The best estimate at the date of acquisition of the contractual cash flows not to be collected is £0.1m.
Included within goodwill is the benefit of staff acquired as part of the business and strategic acquisition synergies which are specifically excluded in the identification of intangible assets on acquisition in accordance with the relevant accounting standards. The goodwill of £18.6m arising from the acquisitions is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.
Post-acquisition revenue and operating profit for the year ended 31 December 2014 for all 2014 acquisitions amounted to £20.7m and £1.0m respectively.
The Directors estimate that the combined pre-acquisition revenue and operating profit of the 2014 acquisitions for the period from 1 January 2014 to the acquisition dates was £25.0m and £1.0m respectively.
Post balance sheet events
On 30 January 2015, the Group acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Advanced Cladding & Insulation Group Limited, a distributor of roofing materials and associated products in the United Kingdom for an initial consideration of £2.5m, with net assets acquired of £1.1m.
On 7 March 2015, the Group acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Gutters & Ladders (1968) Limited, a distributor of roofline materials and associated products in the United Kingdom for an initial consideration of £3.5m, with net assets acquired of £1.7m.
10. Related party transactions
Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation and have therefore not been disclosed.
SIG has a shareholding of less than 0.1% in a German purchasing co-operative. Net purchases from this co-operative (on commercial terms) totalled £311m in 2014 (2013: £364m). At the balance sheet date trade payables in respect of the co-operative amounted to £9m (2013: £15m).
During the year, the Group exercised its option to acquire the remaining 2% non-controlling interest of Air Trade Centre Romania s.r.l. The Group now holds 100% of the ordinary share capital of Air Trade Centre Romania s.r.l.
In 2014 SIG incurred expenses of £0.3m (2013: £0.5m) on behalf of the SIG plc Retirement Benefits Plan, the UK defined benefit pension scheme.
The Group has provided a loan of £0.1m (2013: £nil) to Passive Fire Protection (PFP) UK Limited, a jointly controlled entity.
Remuneration of key management personnel
The total remuneration of key management personnel of the Group, being the Executive Committee members and the Non-Executive Directors, was £4.3m (2013: £4.5m). In addition, the Group recognised a share-based payment charge under IFRS 2 in respect of the Directors of £0.1m (2013: £0.1m).
11. Forward-looking statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risk factors including the economic and business circumstances occurring from time to time in countries and markets in which the Group operates and risk factors associated with the building and construction sectors. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions because they relate to events and/or depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future and could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that the forward-looking statements in this announcement will be realised. Statements about the Directors' expectations, beliefs, hopes, plans, intentions and strategies are inherently subject to change and they are based on expectations and assumptions as to future events, circumstances and other factors which are in some cases outside the Group's control. Actual results could differ materially from the Group's current expectations.
It is believed that the expectations set out in these forward-looking statements are reasonable but they may be affected by a wide range of variables which could cause actual results or trends to differ materially, including but not limited to, changes in risks associated with the level of market demand, fluctuations in product pricing and changes in exchange and interest rates.
The forward-looking statements should be read in particular in the context of the specific risk factors for the Group identified in Note 13. The Company's Shareholders are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. This announcement has not been audited or otherwise independently verified. The information contained in this announcement has been prepared on the basis of the knowledge and information available to the Directors at the date of its preparation and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise this announcement during the financial year ahead.
12. Going concern basis
In determining whether the Group's 2014 financial information can be prepared on a going concern basis, the Directors considered all factors likely to affect the Group's future development, performance and its financial position, including cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities and the risks and uncertainties relating to its business activities.
The key factors considered by the Directors were as follows:
· the implications of the weak economic environment in Mainland Europe on demand for the products the Group sells;
· projections of working capital requirements;
· the impact of the competitive environment in which the Group's businesses operate;
· the availability and market prices of the goods that the Group sells;
· the credit risk associated with the Group's trade receivable balances;
· the potential actions that could be taken in the event that revenues are worse than expected, to ensure that operating profit and cash flows are protected; and
· the committed finance facilities available to the Group.
Having considered all the factors above impacting the Group's businesses, including downside sensitivities, the Directors are satisfied that the Group will be able to operate within the terms and conditions of the Group's financing facilities, and has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Group's 2014 financial information.
13. Principal risks and uncertainties
Risk management involves the identification and evaluation of risks and is the responsibility of the Group Board. The Group's ability to manage risk is continually growing through the focus on risk management capability to ensure that it remains robust and that emerging risks are identified, assessed and managed effectively.
The risk management process incorporates both top down and bottom up elements to the identification, evaluation and management of risks, and all risks evaluated are referenced to the achievement of the Group's strategic initiatives. Risks are continually evaluated using consistent measurement criteria. Mitigating controls are identified and opportunities for the enhancement of the Group's control environment are implemented.
