Half Yearly Report
Group Highlights
· Performing well in core retail and corporate office markets despite difficult UK economic conditions
· Developing our presence in engineering services and hospitality sectors
· Growing reputation and traction in our overseas businesses
· Continuing revenue stream from London 2012 Olympics
· Net cash balance of £25.3m at 31 December 2012 (30 June 2012: £25.4m), with banking facilities renewed until September 2015
· Order book ahead by 9% at £766m (2011: £704m), of which £512m is for delivery in current year, with private sector bias of 80% (2011: 77%)
· Interim dividend maintained at 4.41p per share
Divisional Highlights
UK Fit Out
· Operating profit of £2.0m (2011: £2.3m) on revenue of £119m (2011: £92m)
· London office fit out market remains competitive, with project sizes smaller, but larger scale projects beginning to re-emerge
· Increased revenue from growing engineering services market
· Order book up 83% to £170m (2011: £93m)
UK Retail
· Operating profit, as anticipated, decreased to £2.6m (2011: £3.0m), on reduced revenue of £164m
· Business has maintained its market leading position and margins are stable
· Substantial work under frameworks carried out for the leading major UK supermarket and retail banking brands
· Order book lower at £102m (2011: £148m) reflecting decrease in investment in new build projects by retail customers
Continental Europe
· Operating profit of £1.1m (2011: £1.3m) on revenue of £51m (2011: £53m)
· Office fit out business saw France and Germany performing well, but Italy weaker
· Retail fit out business continuing to grow, working for several repeat customers
· Order book lower at £26m (2011: £49m); since period end awarded £15m of projects
Middle East and Africa
· Later project starts have again impacted the first half results
· New office in Johannesburg opened
· Order book up 100% from prior year to £20m supports a stronger second half
Asia
· Operating profit maintained at £0.7m (2011: £0.7m) reflecting higher margins despite lower revenue of £35m (2011: £47m)
· North Asia driven by strong retail, hospitality and leisure sectors
· South East Asia, successfully diversified into hospitality and leisure sector
· Continue to invest for growth in our consulting businesses
· Order book higher at £39m (2011: £27m) supporting stronger second half activity in South East Asia
UK Construction
· Revenue increased by 18% to £280m (2011: £237m) on the back of London 2012 Games overlay works contract, generating an operating profit of £0.7m
· Strategic focus is on repeat customers and frameworks
· Market conditions remain challenging - in process of reorganising UK East region
· Order book increased to £409m (2011: £377m) and now weighted 65% towards private sector (2011: 58%)