Interim Management Statement.
Implementation of strategic review actions on track, capital structure review progressing
Mouchel Group plc ("Mouchel"), the infrastructure and business services Group, today issues its Interim Management Statement for the period from 1 February 2012 to 11 June 2012.
Summary:
· Implementation of strategic review actions continues:
o Reorganisation of business with two clear divisions in place
o Craig Apsey appointed Managing Director of Mouchel Business Services
o Previously announced overhead cost reduction programme on track; at least £3 million of additional overhead cost savings identified, increasing target from £18m to £21m
o Costs reduced in Middle East business, now operating on a break-even basis; one-off cost of £2m
· Review of options to provide Mouchel with a long term sustainable capital structure is progressing with a balance sheet restructuring due to be announced prior to the year end on 31 July 2012
· All the options being considered will result in there being only limited value for existing shareholders
· Underlying business continues to perform well despite the on-going uncertainty around the balance sheet; £165m of contracts secured in financial year to date. Order book is stable at just over £1.1billion and forward orders for 2013 now total over £325m
· Costs related to on-going operational restructuring and anticipated financial restructuring will impact the current year financial performance
Grant Rumbles, CEO of Mouchel said:
"We have continued to work with our clients, employees and key stakeholders to implement our strategic actions and are encouraged by the good progress made since the interim results. Although the environment remains challenging, the actions we are taking will create a platform for long term growth for Mouchel. The final piece to setting this platform for securing the long term future of the business is to complete the restructure of the balance sheet and we remain on track to announce this by our financial year end on 31 July 2012.