TIDMHSS

RNS Number : 9101N

HSS Hire Group PLC

28 September 2023

HSS Hire Group Plc

Continued strategic progress, well placed for future growth

HSS Hire Group plc ("HSS" or the "Group") today announces results for the 26 week period ended 1 July 2023

 
 Financial Highlights (Unaudited)             H1 2023                      H1 2022                  Change 
                                      (26 weeks to 1 July 2023)    (26 weeks to 2 July 2022) 
----------------------------------  ---------------------------  ---------------------------      --------- 
Revenue                                      GBP170.1m                    GBP159.9m                 6.3% 
----------------------------------  ---------------------------  ---------------------------      --------- 
Adjusted EBITDA(1)                           GBP32.1m                     GBP32.9m                 (2.6)% 
Adjusted EBITA(2)                            GBP11.8m                     GBP13.6m                 (12.9)% 
Adjusted profit before tax(3)                 GBP5.9m                      GBP8.4m                GBP(2.5)m 
Adjusted basic EPS                             0.66p                        0.96p                  (0.30)p 
----------------------------------  ---------------------------  ---------------------------      --------- 
ROCE(4)                                        20.0%                        23.8%                  (3.8)pp 
Net debt leverage(5) - non IFRS16              1.0x                         0.9x                   (0.1)x 
Net debt leverage(5) - IFRS16                  1.6x                         1.5x                   (0.1)x 
----------------------------------  ---------------------------  ---------------------------      --------- 
Operating profit                             GBP10.8m                     GBP10.2m                 GBP0.6m 
Profit before tax                             GBP5.5m                      GBP6.5m                GBP(1.0)m 
Basic EPS                                      0.78p                        0.86p                  (0.08)p 
 

Financial Highlights

   --      Solid trading performance with H1 23 revenue growth +6.3%, ahead of market(6) 

o Continued strong growth in capital-light Services segment(7) , +14%, enabled by technology and expanded supplier partner network

o Rental growth of 2% with fleet utilisation maintained at 56%

   --      Adjusted EBITDA post material strategic investment broadly in line with H1 22 

o GBP2.2m invested in additional operating expenditure, including new central sales team, and GBP2.4m technology platform capex, both to drive future growth through new routes to market

o Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITA up 4% excluding the GBP2.2m strategic opex

o Continued strong returns with ROCE at 20%, in line with Group medium term target

   --      Robust balance sheet with non-IFRS16 leverage of 1.0x (H1 22: 0.9x) 

o Material liquidity headroom to support ongoing strategic investment

   --      Interim dividend increased by 6% to 0.18 pence per share(8) 

Operational Highlights

   --      Good progress with transformational marketplace growth strategy 

o 67 customers successfully transitioned to our HSS Pro self-service platform with 50% average revenue growth compared to H1 22

o 28% of Group transactions(9) (H1 22: 21%) are now originated through our self-serve technology platforms: HSS Pro and HSS.com

o Data-driven central sales team delivered 25% growth on targeted customer portfolios

-- Low-cost builders merchant network expanded to 67 locations (June 22: 54) and delivered 23% growth on a same stores basis(10)

o Accelerating migration of remaining HSS branches to this model with 16 to be closed in H2 23 delivering cGBP1m annualised cost saving

   --      ESG plan remains on track to meet key milestones 
   --      2040 Net Zero action plan and targets(11) validated by SBTi(12) 
   --      Achieved ISO27001 cyber-security accreditation 

Current trading and outlook

-- The Group has delivered solid results in H1 23, ahead of the market(6) , and demonstrated positive progress against its strategic initiatives.

-- However, the weak macro environment has caused trading in the first twelve weeks of H2 23 to slow considerably to 2% (H1 23: 6.3%), albeit with significant week on week variation.

-- While the Group's Services segment has continued to deliver double-digit growth, Rental has been impacted by demand softness across certain customer segments including RMI and fit-out, exacerbated by seasonal product weakness.

-- Management has responded quickly with targeted action to minimise costs. This is expected to deliver benefits of approximately GBP6m in H2 23, including accelerating the branch migration to the builders merchant model.

-- Forward visibility is limited given the weekly volume volatility that the Group has recently experienced, and as such the Board currently expects full year Adjusted EBITA to be in the range of GBP23m to GBP30m. Even at the lower end of this range, the Group will deliver the second highest Adjusted Profit Before Tax in its listed history.

-- The Board remains very confident in its transformation strategy to evolve HSS into a leading marketplace for equipment services. It will therefore continue to maintain the appropriate balance between shorter term profitability and future growth. With the early positive results coming from this strategy despite challenging market conditions, GBP6.5m strategic operating expenditure investment and GBP6m technology roadmap capex for the full year will remain as planned.

Steve Ashmore, Chief Executive Officer, said:

"I am pleased to report another consecutive period of growth with strong underlying performance driven by continued double-digit growth in our capital-light Services segment. We have made great strides delivering our strategy in the first half of 2023 as our marketplace proposition continues to develop for our customers and suppliers. The early results underpin our confidence in our transformational strategy to be the leading marketplace for equipment services and as such we will continue to invest in the balance of 2023 to build upon this success.

"The macro environment has become more challenging from July; we have experienced significant volatility of demand in our Rental segment over the last few weeks which has widened the range of possible performance outcomes for the balance of the year. However, this will be temporary, and we therefore plan to leverage our robust balance sheet to sustain investment in the business, implementing our strategy to ensure that HSS can take full advantage of the market when it recovers."

Notes

 
 1)    Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating profit before depreciation, amortisation, and exceptional 
        items. For this purpose depreciation includes the net book value of hire stock losses and 
        write offs, and the net book value of other fixed asset disposals less the proceeds on those 
        disposals 
 2)    Adjusted EBITA defined as Adjusted EBITDA less depreciation 
 3)    Adjusted Profit before tax defined as profit before tax excluding amortisation of brand and 
        customer lists and exceptional items 
 4)    ROCE is calculated as Adjusted EBITA for the 52 weeks to 1 July 2023 divided by the average 
        of total assets less current liabilities (excluding intangible assets, cash and debt items) 
        over the same period 
 5)    Net debt leverage is calculated as closing net debt divided by adjusted EBITDA for the 52 
        weeks to 1 July 2023 (prior year 52 weeks to 2 July 2022). 
 6)    European Rental Association forecast +3.3%, ONS Construction Output H1 23 +3.4% 
 7)    Historic operating segments will continue to be reported to provide year-on-year comparative 
        performance as the Group transitions to its new operating segments 
 8)    All dividends will be paid in cash and no scrip dividend, other dividend reinvestment plan 
        or scheme or currency election will be offered to shareholders. Ex-dividend date of 5 October 
        2023 
 9)    Contracts raised through HSS.com and HSS Pro as a percentage of total contracts raised in 
        August 2023 
 10)   Merchant locations open for comparable period in both H1 23 and H1 22 
 11)   Net Zero action plan as shared in the 2(nd) edition of the HSS ESG Impact Report published 
        in Q2 23 
 12)   Science Based Targets initiative 
 

-Ends-

Disclaimer:

This announcement has been prepared solely to provide additional information to shareholders and meets the relevant requirements of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority. This announcement should not be relied on by any other party or for any other purpose.

This announcement contains forward-looking statements relating to the business, financial performance and results of HSS Hire Group plc and the industry in which HSS Hire Group plc operates. These statements may be identified by words such as "expect", "believe", "estimate", "plan", "target", or "forecast" and similar expressions, or by their context. These statements are made on the basis of current knowledge and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties. Various factors could cause actual future results, performance or events to differ materially from those described in these statements and neither HSS Hire Group plc nor any other person accepts any responsibility for the accuracy of the opinions expressed in this presentation or the underlying assumptions. No obligation is assumed to update any forward-looking statements.

Notes to editors

HSS Hire Group plc provides tool and equipment hire and related services in the UK and Ireland through a nationwide network of Group companies and third-party suppliers. It offers a one-stop shop for all equipment through a combination of its complementary rental and re-hire business to a diverse, predominantly B2B customer base serving a range of end markets and activities. Over 90% of its revenues come from business customers. HSS is listed on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange. For more information please see www.hsshiregroup.com .

For further information, please contact:

 
 HSS Hire Group plc               Tel: 020 3757 9248 (on 28 September 
                                   2023) 
 Steve Ashmore, Chief Executive   Thereafter, please email: Investors@hss.com 
  Officer 
 Paul Quested, Chief Financial 
  Officer 
 Phil Golding, Head of Group 
  Finance 
 
 
 Teneo 
 Tom Davies                    Tel: 07557 491 860 
  Charles Armitstead            Tel: 07703 330 269 
 Numis Securities (Nominated   Tel: 020 7260 1000 
  Adviser and Broker) 
 Stuart Skinner 
  George Price 
 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014 as it forms part of domestic law of the United Kingdom by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended (together, "MAR"). Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain. The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of HSS is Paul Quested, Chief Financial Officer.

Chief Executive Officer's Report

The Group has progressed well during the first six months of 2023, delivering a solid set of numbers alongside increased strategic investment, a combination of additional operating expenditure including the new central sales team, and technology capex building a platform for continued growth and high returns.

Our two main businesses, HSS ProService and HSS Operations, continue to work alongside each other, but with their own objectives and performance frameworks. Both businesses have performed well in the first half of 2023.

HSS ProService

We have invested in both our technology platform and our sales channels, to extend the range of services we offer and enable more customers to self-serve, improving loyalty and increasing share of wallet. During the last six months we have seen the benefits of this investment start to materialise, with changing customer behaviours and improvement across all these metrics. We expect to see our investments drive market share growth over the next two years, enabling margin improvement as the business scales and leverages our technology platform.

Self-Serve

We now have 67 customers signed up to our HSS Pro platform. The platform allows these customers to fulfil their own requirements with no need for active intervention with a HSS colleague unless they wish to. This convenience is supporting an increase in share of wallet with growth of 50% on average across these specific customers, significantly faster than those not using the platform.

In the last three months we have successfully migrated our biggest single customer on to our HSS Pro platform. During the rest of the year, we plan to move more of our key accounts on to and drive further volumes through the self-serve platform.

28% of all contracts are now transacted through our HSS Pro and HSS.com self-serve technology platforms. This has increased from 21% in H1 22.

Central Sales

Our data-driven central sales team formed of 95 colleagues now manage a portfolio of over 10,000 customers, utilising our ProPOS platform and our new Microsoft Dynamics CRM software, This team is promoting our full and expanding range of products and services through increased customer contact. Revenue from this portfolio of 10,000 customers is up 25% year to date, with a large proportion of the growth delivered through our rehire partner network.

Following a significant increase in the first half of the financial year, we believe the team is now at optimum size. As the team matures and productivity improves, we will add more customers to their portfolio. This capacity will also be increased as the central sales colleagues migrate customers to self-serve at the appropriate time.

Training vertical

We continue to deliver strong growth through our training vertical, achieving an increase of 17% in H1 23 compared to the prior year. We are seeing customers across a broad range of end-markets consolidate their training requirements, taking advantage of our one-stop-shop solution, through a combination of self-delivered and third-party channels. We have strong digital penetration with 33% of training revenue now booked online and over 10% of the courses delivered online. We have enhanced our 'Training Plus' marketplace proposition (third-party delivered) by expanding our seller network (up 48% year on year) and therefore our course catalogue (now 750 unique courses).

New Verticals

During the first half of this year we launched two new product verticals: Equipment Sales and Building Materials. Independent research of our customer base had previously highlighted that 70-80% of all buyer groups are interested in an online marketplace offering a range of products and services. We are now seeing this demand materialise, with customers purchasing both equipment and building materials, and our supply chain is fulfilling their requirements well. Our network of builders merchant partners is well placed to supply our customer base and our sales of materials to date has already surpassed GBP1m. On Equipment Sales, we have so far fulfilled over GBP2m worth of customer requirements this year. We look forward to adding further product verticals next year.

HSS Operations

Our Operations business continues to benefit from the route optimisation software, Satalia, that it rolled out in H1 of last year, with improved vehicle productivity and reduced carbon footprint. As part of our continuous improvement and efficiency initiatives, the Operations business has rolled out further technology in our workshops. We have created a digital service portal for our technicians to use when servicing our equipment providing enhanced information, improving process adherence and ultimately driving higher equipment quality.

We have continued to invest in the HSS Operations equipment fleet, maintaining strong levels of utilisation.

Network Optimisation

We continue to see good performance through our builders merchant locations. During the first six months of the year we added a further four locations, bringing the total to 67. We are now accelerating the migration of the remaining HSS branches to this lower and variable cost model. By the end of 2023 we plan to add a further 20 builders merchants and close 16 traditional branches, with annual cost savings of cGBP1m and redeployment of all impacted colleagues. There will be some one-off exceptional costs associated with this change which will mainly be non-cash in nature, namely the impairment of existing branch assets.

ESG Progress

We were pleased to receive validation of our Net Zero strategy from the Science Based Targets Initiative in H1 23, an endorsement of our ESG plans. We continue to be focussed on a 'zero harm' safety environment and have seen continuous improvement in our safety metrics. Our wider ESG plan continues to make progress this year with a new improved waste reduction strategy and the launch of new customer dashboards providing information on carbon footprint. We have also recently published the second edition of our HSS ESG Impact Report, which is being well received by customers.

Market Outlook

The construction market provides us with a challenging outlook, with mixed performance across sectors in the first half, and weakening forecasts for the second half of 2023. Activity in the housing sector has been particularly weak and further softening is expected in the short term. Infrastructure has seen growth in the first half, but this is also expected to soften as the government has put several major projects on hold. The contrasting fortunes are evident in the July PMI index showing a range in sentiment from house-building (43.0) to civil engineering (53.9).

Despite the challenging market, we continue to benefit from the broad spectrum of customers we serve, the wide range of end markets that they work in, and the large product range offered through a combination of owned and rehire assets. The continued strength of our balance sheet and our increasingly flexible business model mean that we are well positioned to address ongoing market challenges and uncertainty.

Summary

In summary, during H1 2023 we have accelerated investment in our strategic initiatives and they are starting to demonstrate success. We strive to strike the appropriate balance between shorter term profitability and strategic investment for future transformational growth. Based on the proof points to date, we remain confident that the strategy will drive long term growth with improved returns and therefore will continue to invest to scale these initiatives as planned. These changes will ensure that the Group is well placed when market conditions normalise.

Group Financial Performance

Revenue and segmental contribution

The H1 23 results are based on 26 weeks of trading, consistent with H1 22.

Revenue in H1 23 was GBP170.1m, 6.3% higher than the previous period (H1 22: GBP159.9m), a solid trading performance delivered through effective strategy execution against the backdrop of a more challenging macro-environment.

Turning to our segmental performance, historically our segments have been Rental and Services. However, following the legal and organisational change (July 22 and January 23 respectively), our new segments are ProService, Operations and Ireland. However, given that it is not feasible to measure H1 FY22 in these segments, FY23 will be a transitional year for segment reporting.

Based on our historic segments, Rental and related revenues were GBP101.2m in H1 23 (H1 22: GBP99.3m), 1.9% higher than in H1 22, with high utilisation maintained at 56% despite a larger fleet. Contribution is GBP67.5m (H1 22: GBP64.9m). Margin increased to 66.7% (H1 22: 65.3%) with continued price management and focus on operational efficiency.

Services revenue has increased by 13.7% to GBP68.9m (H1 22: GBP60.6m). Contribution increased to GBP10.4m (H1 22: GBP9.1m). This double-digit growth continues to evidence demand for an easy to access one-stop-shop that has been further delivered by improved customer experience via ongoing technology enhancements and broadening the third party rehire supply chain. Margins continue to be maintained at record high levels of 15.1% (H1 22: 15.1%).

Following our new segments, H1 23 revenues were ProService GBP151.6m, Operations GBP68.4m and Ireland GBP13.5m, partly offset by intercompany eliminations of GBP63.4m in Central. The H1 23 EBITDA were ProService GBP9.7m, Operations GBP27.5m, Ireland GBP3.7m less GBP8.8m Central (being intercompany revenue eliminations and central management costs).

Costs

Cost of sales increased to GBP85.9m during the period (H1 22: GBP81.3m) mainly driven by the growth in the rehire revenue reflecting the continued demand for the Group's one stop shop.

Distribution costs increased by GBP1.2m to GBP15.6m (H1 22: GBP14.4m). Costs continue to be tightly managed but have increased due to volume driven uplift in activity and the combined impact of higher vehicle costs (including rising fuel and maintenance costs) along with higher salaries.

Administrative expenses increased by GBP3.4m to GBP56.6m (H1 22: GBP53.2m). This reflects additional overhead investment in the Group's strategy and higher inflation.

Net finance expenses

Net finance expenses have increased by GBP1.5m to GBP5.2m (H1 22: GBP3.7m ) due to the impact of UK base rate changes on our GBP70m senior finance facility and our lease liabilities.

Other operating income

Other operating income of GBP0.1m (H1 22: GBP0.3m) relates to sub-let income on property space not required by the Group.

Exceptional items

Total exceptional items of GBP0.3m have been recognised in the period. GBP0.2m relate to the final costs associated with the Group's restructuring and GBP0.2m unwinding of the discount within the onerous contract provision, partly offset by GBP0.1m sublease income from vacant stores.

Profitability

With the early positive results of HSS ProService's strategic initiatives, the Group has invested additional overhead in H1 2023 of GBP2.2m which has had an expected impact on profit performance. Without this investment for future returns, profit measures would have increased.

Adjusted EBITDA of GBP32.1m in H1 23 is slightly lower than the prior period (H1 22: GBP32.9m) by 3%. Whilst Adjusted EBITA decreased to GBP11.8m (H1 22: GBP13.6m) with margin decreasing from 8.5% in H1 22 to 6.9% in the current year.

The positive performance in Operating Profit of GBP10.8m, GBP0.6m higher than GBP10.2m H1 FY22 was aided by an extension to our Useful Economic Lives (UEL) of intangible and tangible fixed assets with more detail covered in notes 9 and 10 to the interim financial statements. This resulted in lower depreciation and amortisation during H1 23 of GBP1.0m and GBP1.3m respectively.

The reduced profitability led to the adjusted basic earnings per share decreasing to 0.66p in H1 23 from 0.96p in the prior period. Both the basic earnings per share and diluted basic earnings per share were lower than the prior period at 0.78p (H1 22 0.86p) and 0.76p (H1 22 0.84p) respectively.

Return on Capital Employed

ROCE decreased to 20% from 24% in the prior year. This has been driven by a lower EBITDA from strategic initiative led overhead investment and higher capital employed following continued targeted investment in fleet and materials and equipment for hire. ROCE is calculated as Adjusted EBITA (last twelve months) divided by average capital employed, where capital employed is total assets except intangibles, derivatives and cash, less current liabilities excluding current debt items.

Net debt

Net debt on 1 July 2023 was GBP110.6m, an increase of GBP7.4m from the H1 22 (GBP103.2m), contributed by the Group's strategic investment (both overhead and software development) and increased net interest paid following the well documented rate rises. Continued strong working capital management has resulted in leverage only marginally increasing to 1.6x from 1.5x (H1 22 as reported, FY 22: 1.3x).

The debt facilities consist of a GBP70.0m senior finance facility and an undrawn revolving credit and overdraft facility of GBP25.0m, both maturing in November 2025 but with an option to extend for a further 12 months. Including cash balances of GBP36.6m, the Group had access to GBP61.6m of combined liquidity at 1 July 2023.

Dividend

The Board has decided to continue with a progressive dividend policy and an interim dividend of 0.18p per share was approved by the Board on 27 September 2023 and will be paid during November 2023.

Going concern

At 27 September 2023 the Group had sufficient liquidity to operate within banking covenants for the next fifteen months even under a 'reasonable worst case' scenario. The reasonable worst case scenario models lower underlying revenue performance, lower value from strategic initiatives, increase in debtor days and further interest rate increases.

After reviewing the above, considering current and future developments and principal risks and uncertainties, and making appropriate enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence over a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of these financial statements. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Risks and uncertainties

The principal risks and uncertainties that could have a material impact upon the Group's performance over the remaining 26 weeks of the 2023 financial year have not changed significantly from those described in the Group's 2022 Annual Report and are summarised in note 17 of this interim report.

Global inflationary pressures and associated interest rate increases continue to impact macroeconomic risk and therefore this risk will continue to be closely monitored for its effect on demand and colleague welfare so that we can take appropriate actions.

By order of the Board

Steve Ashmore

Director

28 September 2023

HSS Hire Group plc

Unaudited condensed consolidated income statement

 
 
                            Note             26 weeks ended                        26 weeks ended 
                                               1 July 2023                           2 July 2022 
-------------------------  -----  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------ 
                                   Underlying   Exceptional      Total   Underlying   Exceptional      Total 
                                                      items                                 items 
                                                      (note                                 (note 
                                                         5)                                    5) 
-------------------------  ----- 
                                      GBP000s       GBP000s    GBP000s      GBP000s       GBP000s    GBP000s 
-------------------------  -----  -----------  ------------  ---------  -----------  ------------  --------- 
 Revenue                       3      170,093             -    170,093      159,937             -    159,937 
 Cost of sales                       (85,872)             -   (85,872)     (81,254)             -   (81,254) 
                                                                                                           - 
 Gross profit                          84,221             -     84,221       78,683             -     78,683 
-------------------------  -----  -----------  ------------  ---------  -----------  ------------  --------- 
                                                                                                           - 
 Distribution costs                  (15,562)             -   (15,562)     (14,425)             -   (14,425) 
 Administrative 
  expenses                           (56,347)         (209)   (56,556)     (52,414)         (746)   (53,160) 
 Impairment loss 
  on trade receivables 
  and contract assets                 (1,454)             -    (1,454)      (1,204)             -    (1,204) 
 Other operating 
  income                       4            -           112        112           57           258        315 
                                                                                                           - 
-------------------------  -----  -----------  ------------  ---------  -----------  ------------  --------- 
 Operating profit                      10,858          (97)     10,761       10,697         (488)     10,209 
                                                                                                           - 
 Financial expense             7      (5,035)         (187)    (5,222)      (3,608)          (66)    (3,674) 
-------------------------  -----  -----------  ------------  ---------  -----------  ------------  --------- 
 Profit before 
  tax                                   5,823         (284)      5,539        7,089         (554)      6,535 
-------------------------  -----  -----------  ------------  ---------  -----------  ------------  --------- 
 Income tax charge                       (45)             -       (45)        (449)                    (449) 
-------------------------  -----  -----------  ------------  ---------  -----------  ------------  --------- 
 Profit for the 
  financial period                      5,778         (284)      5,494        6,640         (554)      6,086 
-------------------------  -----  -----------  ------------  ---------  -----------  ------------  --------- 
 
 Alternative performance                                      26 weeks                              26 weeks 
  measures GBP000s                                               ended                                 ended 
                                                                1 July                                2 July 
                                                                  2023                                  2022 
                                                               GBP000s                               GBP000s 
 Adjusted EBITDA              18                                32,065                                32,917 
 Adjusted EBITA               18                                11,814                                13,558 
 Adjusted profit 
  before tax                  18                                 5,885                                 8,376 
 
 Earnings per 
  share (pence) 
 Adjusted basic 
  earnings per share           8                                  0.66                                  0.96 
 Adjusted diluted 
  earnings per share           8                                  0.64                                  0.94 
 Basic earnings 
  per share                    8                                  0.78                                  0.86 
 Diluted earnings 
  per share                    8                                  0.76                                  0.84 
 

The notes form part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

HSS Hire Group plc

Unaudited condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income

 
                                           26 weeks   26 weeks 
                                              ended      ended 
                                             1 July     2 July 
                                               2023       2022 
                                            GBP000s    GBP000s 
 
 Profit for the financial period              5,494      6,086 
 
 Items that may be reclassified 
  to profit or loss: 
 Foreign currency translation 
  differences arising on consolidation 
  of foreign operations                       (368)          7 
 
 Other comprehensive gain/(loss) 
  for the period, net of tax                  (368)          7 
                                          ---------  --------- 
 
 Total comprehensive profit 
  for the period                              5,126      6,093 
                                          =========  ========= 
 
 Attributable to owners of the 
  Group                                       5,126      6,093 
                                          =========  ========= 
 

The notes form part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

HSS Hire Group plc

Unaudited condensed consolidated statement of financial position

 
 
                                                   At 1       At 31 
                                                   July    December 
                                                   2023        2022 
                                         Note   GBP000s     GBP000s 
 ASSETS 
 Non-current assets 
 Intangible assets                        9     151,178     147,867 
 Property, plant and equipment 
   - Hire equipment                       10     80,539      73,613 
   - Non-hire assets                      10     12,908      14,162 
 Right of use assets 
   - Hire equipment                       11      3,061       2,736 
   - Non-hire assets                      11     50,993      49,077 
 Deferred tax asset                               7,968       7,515 
                                                306,647     294,970 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                                      4,020       3,779 
 Trade and other receivables              12     85,679      86,068 
 Cash                                            36,622      47,709 
                                               --------  ---------- 
                                                126,321     137,556 
 
 Total assets                                   432,968     432,526 
 
 LIABILITIES 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                 13     78,526      88,302 
 Lease liabilities                        14     15,025      13,182 
 Borrowings                               15      5,834       5,168 
 Provisions                               16      4,380       4,258 
 Current tax liabilities                            405         290 
                                               --------  ---------- 
                                                104,170     111,200 
 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Lease liabilities                        14     44,690      43,110 
 Borrowings                               15     80,814      78,591 
 Provisions                               16     15,510      17,045 
 Deferred tax liabilities                           113         117 
                                                141,127     138,863 
 
 Total liabilities                              245,297     250,063 
 
 Net assets                                     187,671     182,463 
                                               ========  ========== 
 
 EQUITY 
 Share capital                                    7,050       7,050 
 Share premium                                   45,552      45,552 
 Merger reserve                                  97,780      97,780 
 Foreign exchange translation reserve             (790)       (422) 
 Retained earnings                               38,079      32,503 
 Total equity                                   187,671     182,463 
                                               ========  ========== 
 

The notes form part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

HSS Hire Group plc

Unaudited condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity

 
                                                                                Foreign 
                                                                               exchange 
                                             Share      Share     Merger    translation    Retained     Total 
                                           capital    premium    reserve        reserve    earnings    equity 
                                           GBP000s    GBP000s    GBP000s        GBP000s     GBP000s   GBP000s 
 
 At 1 January 2023                           7,050     45,552     97,780          (422)      32,503   182,463 
 
 Profit for the period                           -          -          -              -       5,494     5,494 
 Foreign currency translation 
  differences arising on consolidation 
  of foreign operations                          -          -          -          (368)           -     (368) 
 Total comprehensive profit 
  for the period                                 -          -          -          (368)       5,494     5,126 
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------  -------- 
 Transactions with owners 
  recorded directly in equity 
 Share-based payment charge                      -          -          -              -          82        82 
 At 1 July 2023                              7,050     45,552     97,780          (790)      38,079   187,671 
                                         =========  =========  =========  =============  ==========  ======== 
 
 
 
                                                                                Foreign 
                                                                               exchange 
                                             Share      Share     Merger    translation    Retained     Total 
                                           capital    premium    reserve        reserve    earnings    equity 
                                           GBP000s    GBP000s    GBP000s        GBP000s     GBP000s   GBP000s 
 
 At 2 January 2022                           7,050     45,552     97,780          (754)      12,273   161,901 
 
 Profit for the period                           -          -          -              -       6,086     6,086 
 Foreign currency translation 
  differences arising on consolidation 
  of foreign operations                          -          -          -              7           -         7 
 Total comprehensive profit 
  for the period                                 -          -          -              7       6,086     6,093 
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------  -------- 
 Transactions with owners 
  recorded directly in equity 
 Share-based payment charge                      -          -          -              -         358       358 
 At 2 July 2022                              7,050     45,552     97,780          (747)      18,717   168,352 
                                         =========  =========  =========  =============  ==========  ======== 
 
 

The notes form part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

HSS Hire Group plc

Unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows

 
                                                 Note                 Restated(1) 
                                                                         26 weeks 
                                                          26 weeks 
                                                             ended          ended 
                                                            1 July         2 July 
                                                              2023           2022 
                                                           GBP000s        GBP000s 
 Profit for the financial period                             5,494          6,086 
 Adjustments for: 
 - Tax                                                          45            449 
 - Amortisation                                    6           956          2,851 
 - Depreciation                                    6        17,881         17,749 
 - Accelerated depreciation relating to 
  hire stock customer losses and hire stock 
  write offs                                       6         2,808          1,666 
 - Profit on disposal of property, plant 
  and equipment and right of use assets            6         (438)           (64) 
 - Share-based payment charge                                   82            358 
 - Foreign exchange gains on operating 
  activities                                                 (161)           (40) 
 - Finance expense                                 7         5,222          3,674 
 Changes in working capital (excluding 
  the effects of disposals and exchange 
  differences on consolidation): 
 - Inventories                                               (241)          (423) 
 - Trade and other receivables                    12           617        (1,775) 
 - Trade and other payables                       13       (9,994)          1,954 
 - Provisions                                     16       (1,772)        (1,800) 
 Net cash flows from operating activities 
  before purchase of hire equipment                         20,499         30,685 
 Purchase of hire equipment                       10      (14,163)       (14,404) 
 Cash generated from operating activities                    6,336         16,281 
 
 Net interest paid                                         (4,471)        (3,228) 
 Income tax (paid)/received                                  (614)        (1,238) 
                                                        ----------  ------------- 
 Net cash generated from operating activities                1,251         11,815 
                                                        ----------  ------------- 
 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
 Purchases of non-hire property, plant, 
  equipment and software                         10,11     (5,147)        (3,670) 
 Proceeds on disposal of non-hire property, 
  plant and equipment                              6           315              - 
                                                        ----------  ------------- 
 Net cash used in investing activities                     (4,832)        (3,670) 
                                                        ----------  ------------- 
 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Capital element of lease liability payments 
  and hire purchase arrangements                  14       (7,506)       (11,725) 
                                                        ----------  ------------- 
 Net cash paid in financing activities                     (7,506)       (11,725) 
                                                        ----------  ------------- 
 
 
 Net decrease in cash                                     (11,087)        (3,580) 
 Cash at the start of the period                            47,709         42,269 
                                                        ----------  ------------- 
 Cash at the end of the period                              36,622         38,689 
                                                        ----------  ------------- 
 
 

(1) As discussed in Note 3 of these interim financial statements, restatements have been made to comparative figures regarding the treatment of certain leases between right of use and hire purchase arrangements.

The notes form part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

HSS Hire Group plc

Notes forming part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

   1.     General information 

The Company is a public limited company, is quoted on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and is incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom. The address of the registered office is Building 2, Think Park, Mosley Road, Manchester M17 1FQ. These condensed consolidated financial statements comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (the 'Group') and cover the 26 week period ended 1 July 2023.

The Group is primarily involved in providing tool and equipment hire and related services in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

The condensed consolidated financial statements were approved for issue by the Board on 27 September 2023.

The condensed consolidated financial statements do not constitute the Statutory Accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 and have not been subject to audit by the Group's auditor. Statutory Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 were approved by the Board on 26 April 2023 and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditor's report on those accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

   2.     Basis of preparation and significant accounting policies 

The condensed consolidated financial statements for the 26 weeks ended 1 July 2023 have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Group's Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022, which were prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the UK (IFRS).

Accounting policies are consistent with those in the Statutory Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 except where specifically included below.

Going concern

At 1 July 2023, the Group's financing arrangements consisted of a drawn senior finance facility of GBP70.0m, an undrawn revolving credit facility of GBP19.0m and undrawn overdraft facilities of GBP6.0m. Cash at 1 July 2023 was GBP36.6m, providing liquidity headroom of GBP61.6m. Both the senior finance facility and revolving credit facility are subject to net debt leverage and interest rate cover financial covenant tests each quarter. At the reporting date the Group had significant headroom against these covenants.

The Directors continue to model via a number of scenarios current macroeconomic factors such as increasing inflation and interest rates. At 27 September 2023 the Group had sufficient liquidity to operate within banking covenants for the period to 28 December 2024 even under a 'reasonable worst case' scenario. The reasonable worst case scenario models lower underlying revenue performance, lower value from strategic initiatives, increase in debtor days and further interest rate increases.

After reviewing the above, considering current and future developments and principal risks and uncertainties, and making appropriate enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence over a period of at least fifteen months from the date of approval of these financial statements. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Prior period restatement

In the Group's 2022 Annual Report, it identified the need to restate the balance sheets at 1 January 2022 and 26 December 2020 where hire equipment subsequently financed by hire purchase agreements had been reclassed to Property, Plant and Equipment from Right of Use assets. This reclassification includes the corresponding adjustment between lease liabilities and borrowings. This restatement has no impact on income statement, net assets or reserves.

The only restatements included within these interim financial statements that were not in the 2022 Annual Report relate to certain tabular disclosures in respect of movements on the balance sheet and presentation of items within the cash flow statement during the comparative period ended 2 July 2022.

Change in Accounting Estimates

Intangible Assets

During the period, the estimate for the useful economic lives of software assets has been reviewed and updated from not exceeding four years in the previous year, to not exceeding ten years. More details of the change in accounting estimate can be found in the Intangible Assets note (see note 9).

Tangible Fixed Assets

In addition to the change noted above, the Group has conducted a review of the useful economic lives of hire stock assets and has extended the lives of certain types of assets. More details of the change in accounting estimate can be found in the Tangible Fixed Assets note (see note 10).

   3.     Segmental reporting 

As disclosed in the Group's 2022 Annual Report, the Group completed a significant internal restructuring exercise to support its long-term strategic objectives. This included the creation of a new divisional structure, separating out the ProService and Operations businesses:

-- HSS ProService - Digital marketplace business focussed on customer and supplier acquisition. Technology driven, extremely scalable and uniquely differentiated including training services.

-- HSS Operations - Fulfilment business including power generation, focused on health and safety and quality, with circular economy credentials, comprehensive national footprint and high customer satisfaction.

Since the start of the current financial period the Group's Chief Operating Decision Maker, identified as the Board of Directors, have changed their internal reporting to reflect the two divisions that have been created.

During the review of operating segments, the Group has identified that one operating segment, HSS Operations Ireland ('Ireland'), the Group's operations in the Republic of Ireland, has exceeded the IFRS 8 threshold test for separate presentation and has therefore not been aggregated with the wider Operations segment and is instead shown as a standalone segment. The Group continues to present separately costs relating to central management within the "Central" heading in the segments disclosure. This also includes the elimination of revenue between trading segments. Under the new divisional structure, it is possible to allocate more costs against the relevant underlying segments and accordingly the level of central costs shown within this category has fallen, making it not directly comparable with the former 'Central' heading previously used by the Group.

As a result of this the Group's operating segments have changed from those presented in the prior year. Under IFRS 8 Operating Segments, comparatives should be restated when reportable segments change as a result of internal restructuring. The Group has not previously had the ability to reliably separate the results, assets and cash flows of the business between the Operations and ProService divisions. IFRS 8 Operating Segments allows for comparatives to be omitted where the information is unavailable and would involve excessive cost to create. The availability of information prior to the restructure is such that the Group are not able to present comparatives under the newly identified reportable segments.

To ensure that comparable segmental information is available to the users of the financial statements, the Group have presented two segmental reporting disclosures for the current period's results. After the period of transition for FY23, the Group will only present the newly identified reportable segments.

The reportable segments identified in the previous period were 'Rental (and related revenue)' and 'Services'. Rental and related revenue comprises the rental income earned from owned tools and equipment, including powered access, power generation and HVAC assets, together with directly related revenue such as resale (fuel and other consumables), transport and other ancillary revenues. Services comprise the Group's HSS OneCall rehire business and HSS Training. These ceased to be reportable segments in FY23 and will not be presented in the FY24 Annual Report.

All segment revenue, operating profit, assets and liabilities are attributable to the principal activity of the Group being the provision of tool and equipment hire and related services in, and to customers in, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. No single customer represented more than 10% of Group Revenue in the 26 week period ending 1 July 2023 (26 weeks ending 2 July 2022: None).

 
                                           26 weeks ending 1 July 2023 
                             ProService   Operations   Ireland    Central      Total 
                                GBP000s      GBP000s   GBP000s    GBP000s    GBP000s 
 
 Total revenue (including 
  intergroup)                   151,641       68,361    13,541   (63,450)    170,093 
                            -----------  -----------  --------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Adjusted EBITDA                  9,746       27,479     3,678    (8,838)     32,065 
 Less: Depreciation               (801)     (17,982)   (1,371)       (97)   (20,251) 
 Adjusted EBITA                   8,945        9,497     2,307    (8,935)     11,814 
 
 Less: Exceptional items 
  (non-finance)                                                                 (97) 
 Less: Amortisation                                                            (956) 
 Operating profit                                                             10,761 
 Net finance expenses                                                        (5,222) 
                                                                           --------- 
 Profit before tax                                                             5,539 
                                                                           --------- 
 
 

Central includes the elimination of revenue between trading segments, the largest being between HSS Operations and HSS ProService, along with central management costs to support the businesses.

 
                                                      As at 1 July 2023 
                                  ProService   Operations   Ireland     Central       Total 
                                     GBP000s      GBP000s   GBP000s     GBP000s     GBP000s 
 
 Additions to non-current 
  assets 
 Property, plant and equipment           228       15,284     3,256           -      18,768 
 Right of use assets                   1,147        8,922       312         245      10,626 
 Intangible assets                     3,762          484         -           -       4,246 
                                 -----------  -----------  --------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Non-current assets net 
  book value 
 Property, plant and equipment           580       83,419     9,448           -      93,447 
 Right of use assets                   3,573       47,470     2,628         383      54,054 
 Intangible assets                    67,503       75,980     7,510         185     151,178 
 Deferred tax assets                                                      7,968       7,968 
 Current assets                                                         126,321     126,321 
 Current liabilities                                                  (104,170)   (104,170) 
 Non-current liabilities                                              (141,127)   (141,127) 
 Net assets                                                                         187,671 
                                                                                 ---------- 
 
 

Included within intangible assets is goodwill of GBP115.9m. Historically, the Group's goodwill has been allocated to HSS Core - UK, HSS Core - Ireland and HSS Power. Under the newly identified reporting segments, the Group has now allocated HSS Core - UK goodwill between ProService and Operations of GBP35.1m and GBP67.2m respectively. There has been no change to the goodwill allocated to HSS Core - Ireland or HSS Power.

This allocation is based on the current estimated value in use for the segments and will be updated at the year end once a full year of trading results are available.

 
                                     26 weeks ending 1 July 2023 (Historic 
                                                    segments) 
                                        Rental 
                                  (and related 
                                      revenue)   Services    Central      Total 
                                       GBP000s    GBP000s    GBP000s    GBP000s 
 
 Total revenue from external 
  customers                            101,174     68,919          -    170,093 
                                --------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Contribution                           67,525     10,404          -     77,929 
 
 
 Branch and selling costs                                   (30,507)   (30,507) 
 Central costs                                              (15,357)   (15,357) 
 
 Adjusted EBITDA                                                         32,065 
 Less: Exceptional items 
  (non-finance)                                                 (97)       (97) 
 Less: Depreciation and 
  amortisation                        (10,831)      (766)    (9,610)   (21,207) 
 
 Operating profit                                                        10,761 
 
 Net finance expenses                                                   (5,222) 
 
 Profit before tax                                                        5,539 
                                                                      --------- 
 
 
 
                                           As at 1 July 2023 (Historic segments) 
                                             Rental 
                                       (and related 
                                           revenue)   Services     Central       Total 
                                            GBP000s    GBP000s     GBP000s     GBP000s 
 Additions to non-current assets 
 Property, plant and equipment               17,788          5         975      18,768 
 Right of use assets                          1,012        269       9,345      10,626 
 Intangible assets                                -      3,762         484       4,246 
                                     --------------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Non-current assets net book value 
 Property, plant and equipment               80,541        125      12,781      93,447 
 Right of use assets                          3,061        726      50,267      54,054 
 Intangible assets                          138,160     10,467       2,551     151,178 
 Deferred tax asset                                                  7,968       7,968 
 Current assets                                                    126,321     126,321 
 Current liabilities                                             (104,170)   (104,170) 
 Non-current liabilities                                         (141,127)   (141,127) 
 Net assets                                                                    187,671 
                                                                            ---------- 
 
 
 
                                               26 weeks ended 2 July 2022 (Historic 
                                                             segments) 
                                                 Rental 
                                           (and related 
                                               revenue)   Services    Central      Total 
                                                GBP000s    GBP000s    GBP000s    GBP000s 
 
 Total revenue from external customers           99,311     60,626          -    159,937 
                                         --------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Contribution                                    64,872      9,129          -     74,001 
 
 Branch and selling costs                                            (26,740)   (26,740) 
 Central costs                                                       (14,344)   (14,344) 
 
 Adjusted EBITDA                                                                  32,917 
 Less: Exceptional items (non-finance)                                  (488)      (488) 
 Less: Depreciation and amortisation           (12,295)      (224)    (9,701)   (22,220) 
 
 Operating profit                                                                 10,209 
 
 Net finance expenses                                                            (3,674) 
 
 Profit before tax from continuing 
  operations                                                                       6,535 
                                                                               --------- 
 
 
 
                                              As at 31 December 2022 (Historic 
                                                          segments) 
                                             Rental 
                                       (and related 
                                           revenue)   Services     Central       Total 
                                            GBP000s    GBP000s     GBP000s     GBP000s 
 
 Additions to non-current assets 
 Property, plant and equipment               30,436         49       5,461      35,935 
 Right of use assets                          2,220        521       7,672      10,413 
 Intangible assets                            3,052         35       2,505       5,592 
                                     --------------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Non-current assets net book value 
 Property, plant and equipment               73,613        138      14,024      87,775 
 Right of use assets                          2,736        614      48,463      51,813 
 Intangible assets                          145,430         67       2,370     147,867 
 Deferred tax assets                                                 7,515       7,515 
 Current assets                                                    137,556     137,556 
 Current liabilities                                             (111,200)   (111,200) 
 Non-current liabilities                                         (138,863)   (138,863) 
                                                                               182,463 
                                                                            ---------- 
 
 
   4.     Other operating income 
 
                                      26 weeks       26 weeks 
                                         ended          ended 
                                   1 July 2023    2 July 2022 
                                       GBP000s        GBP000s 
 
 Sublease rental and service 
  charge income                            112            315 
                                 -------------  ------------- 
 
 

During the period sub-let rental income of GBP0.1m (26 weeks ended 2 July 2022: GBP0.3m) was received on properties no longer used by the Group for trading purposes.

   5.     Exceptional items 

Items of income or expense have been shown as exceptional because of their size and nature or because they are outside the normal course of business. During the 26 weeks ended 1 July 2023 the Group has recognised exceptional items as follows:

 
                                                                                        Total 
                                                           Included                  26 weeks 
                                              Included     in other      Included       ended 
                                     in administrative    operating    in finance      1 July 
                                              expenses       income       expense        2023 
                                               GBP000s      GBP000s       GBP000s     GBP000s 
 
 Onerous property 
  costs/(credits)                                   10        (112)            18        (84) 
 Costs relating to restructure                     208            -             -         208 
 Onerous contract                                  (9)            -           169         160 
                                   -------------------  -----------  ------------  ---------- 
 Total                                             209        (112)           187         284 
                                   ===================  ===========  ============  ========== 
 

During the 26 weeks ended 2 July 2022, the Group recognised exceptional items analysed as follows:

 
                                                           Included                     Total 26 
                                              Included     in other      Included    weeks ended 
                                     in administrative    operating    in finance         2 July 
                                              expenses       income       expense           2022 
                                               GBP000s      GBP000s       GBP000s        GBP000s 
 
 Onerous property 
  costs/(credits)                                   12        (258)            13          (233) 
 Costs relating to restructure                     945            -             -            945 
 Onerous contract                                (211)            -            53          (158) 
                                   -------------------  -----------  ------------  ------------- 
 Total                                             746        (258)            66            554 
                                   ===================  ===========  ============  ============= 
 

Costs related to onerous properties: branch and office closures (incurred in 2023 and 2022)

In the 26 weeks ended 1 July 2023 an exceptional credit of GBP0.1m has been recognised within other operating income, this mainly relates to sublease income on vacant stores (2022: credit of GBP0.3m).

Cost relating to restructuring (incurred in 2023 and 2022)

Following the changes made to its operating network in Q4 2020 and the roll-out of HSS Pro in Q1 2021, the Group finalised the restructuring exercise in the prior period. This related primarily to the legal separation of the HSS Operations and HSS Pro Service divisions into distinct entities, with the legal separation completed on 3 July 2022.

In the current period, additional fees of GBP0.2m (2022: costs of GBP0.9m) have been incurred in respect of liquidation for the now dormant holding companies and accession to the banking group for new group companies as part of this legal restructure. The remaining costs of this programme are not expected to be material.

   6.     Depreciation and amortisation expense 
 
 
                                                                           26 weeks              26 weeks 
                                                                              ended                 ended 
                                                                        1 July 2023           2 July 2022 
                                                                            GBP000s               GBP000s 
 
 Amortisation                                                                   956                 2,861 
 Depreciation                                                                20,251                19,359 
                                                             ======================      ================ 
 
                                                                                                 As restated(1) 
 Amounts charged in respect                 26 weeks ending 1 July                       26 weeks ending 2 July 
  of depreciation:                                            2023                                         2022 
                                   Property,     Right                    Property,           Right 
                                   plant and    of use                        plant          of use 
                                   equipment    assets       Total    and equipment          assets       Total 
                                     GBP000s   GBP000s     GBP000s          GBP000s         GBP000s     GBP000s 
 
 Depreciation (notes 
  10,11)                               9,897     7,984      17,881           10,039           7,710      17,749 
 Accelerated depreciation 
  relating to hire stock 
  lost by customers or 
  written off (notes 10,11)            2,680       128       2,808            1,371             295       1,666 
 Loss on disposal of 
  other assets (notes 
  10,11)                                 259       115         374               56               -          56 
 Total depreciation per 
  notes 10,11                         12,836     8,227      21,063           11,466           8,005      19,471 
                                 -----------  --------  ----------  ---------------  --------------  ---------- 
 
 Profit on surrender 
  of leases                            (163)     (340)       (503)            (120)               -       (120) 
 Proceeds on disposal 
  of property, plant and 
  equipment                            (315)         -       (315)                -               -           - 
 Dilapidations profit 
  on surrender of leases                 (4)         -         (4)                -               -           - 
 Accelerated depreciation 
  included in exceptionals                10         -          10                8               -           8 
 Total depreciation 
  per the income statement            12,364     7,887      20,251           11,354           8,005      19,359 
                                 ===========  ========  ==========  ===============  ==============  ========== 
 
 

(1) As discussed in Note 3 of these interim financial statements, certain notes have been changed following a prior period restatement relating to the classification of leases within the Group's FY22 Annual Report between property, plant and equipment and right of use assets.

Amounts charged in respect of amortisation:

 
                               26 weeks 
                                  ended   26 weeks ended 
                            1 July 2023      2 July 2022 
                                GBP000s          GBP000s 
 Intangible assets 
 Amortisation (note 
  9)                                935            2,851 
 Loss on write off                   21               10 
 Total amortisation                 956            2,861 
                          -------------  --------------- 
 
 
   7.     Finance income and expense 
 
                                               26 weeks       26 weeks 
                                                  ended          ended 
                                            1 July 2023    2 July 2022 
                                                GBP000s        GBP000s 
 
 Senior finance facility                          2,462          1,269 
 Amortisation of debt issue costs                   254            254 
 Lease liabilities and hire purchase 
  arrangements                                    2,094          1,936 
 Interest unwind on discounted 
  provisions                                        358             94 
 Revolving credit facility, including 
  commitment fees                                   108            132 
 Other interest received                           (54)           (11) 
 Net finance expense                              5,222          3,674 
                                          =============  ============= 
 
 
   8.     Earnings per share 

Basic earnings per share:

 
                                              Weighted 
                                               average     Earnings 
                                   Profit    number of    after tax 
                                after tax       shares    per share 
                                  GBP000s         000s        pence 
                              -----------  -----------  ----------- 
 26 weeks ended 1 July 2023         5,494      704,988         0.78 
 26 weeks ended 2 July 2022         6,086      704,988         0.86 
                              ===========  ===========  =========== 
 

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the result attributable to equity holders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue for that period.

Diluted earnings per share:

 
                                                Weighted 
                                                 average     Earnings 
                               Profit after    number of    after tax 
                                        tax       shares    per share 
                                    GBP000s         000s        pence 
                              -------------  -----------  ----------- 
 26 weeks ended 1 July 2023           5,494      726,283         0.76 
 26 weeks ended 2 July 2022           6,086      722,559         0.84 
                              =============  ===========  =========== 
 

Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the result attributable to equity holders divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding assuming the conversion of potentially dilutive equity derivatives outstanding, being market value options, nil-cost share options (LTIP shares), restricted stock grants, deferred bonus shares and warrants.

All of the Group's potentially dilutive equity derivative securities were dilutive for the purpose of diluted basic earnings per share for the period (26 weeks ending 2 July 2022: all equity derivative securities were dilutive).

The following is a reconciliation between the basic earnings per share and the adjusted basic earnings per share:

 
                                                 26 weeks     26 weeks 
                                             ended 1 July      ended 2 
                                                     2023    July 2022 
                                                    Pence        pence 
 Basic earnings per share                            0.78         0.86 
 Add back: 
 Exceptional items per share                         0.04         0.08 
 Amortisation of customer relationships 
  and brands per share                               0.01         0.18 
 Tax per share                                       0.01         0.06 
 Charge: 
 Tax charge at prevailing rate                     (0.18)       (0.22) 
 Adjusted basic earnings per 
  share                                              0.66         0.96 
                                           ==============  =========== 
 
 

The following is a reconciliation between the diluted earnings per share and the adjusted diluted earnings per share:

 
                                                 26 weeks        26 weeks 
                                             ended 1 July    ended 2 July 
                                                     2023            2022 
                                                    pence           pence 
 Diluted earnings per share                          0.76            0.84 
 Add back: 
 Adjustment to basic loss per 
  share for the impact of dilutive 
  securities 
 Exceptional items per share                         0.04            0.08 
 Amortisation of customer relationships 
  and brands per share                               0.01            0.18 
 Tax per share                                       0.01            0.06 
 Charge: 
 Tax charge at prevailing rate                     (0.18)          (0.22) 
 Adjusted diluted earnings per 
  share                                              0.64            0.94 
                                           ==============  ============== 
 

The weighted average number of shares for the purposes of calculating the diluted earnings per share are as follows:

 
                                    26 weeks          26 weeks 
                                       ended             ended 
                                 1 July 2023       2 July 2022 
                                    Weighted          Weighted 
                              average number    average number 
                                   of shares         of shares 
                                        000s              000s 
 
 Basic                               704,988           704,988 
 LTIP share options                    3,003             4,687 
 Restricted stock grant               18,209            12,801 
 CSOP options                             83                83 
 Diluted                             726,283           722,559 
                            ================  ================ 
 
 
   9.     Intangible assets 
 
                                      Customer 
                    Goodwill     relationships    Brands   Software     Total 
                     GBP000s           GBP000s   GBP000s    GBP000s   GBP000s 
 Cost 
 At 1 January 
  2023               115,855            25,400    22,585     32,764   196,604 
 Additions                 -                 -         -      4,246     4,246 
 Disposals                 -                 -         -    (3,827)   (3,827) 
 At 1 July 2023      115,855            25,400    22,585     33,183   197,023 
                   ---------  ----------------  --------  ---------  -------- 
 
 Amortisation 
 At 1 January 
  2023                     -            25,291       327     23,119    48,737 
 Charge for the 
  period                   -                45        17        873       935 
 Disposals                 -                 -         -    (3,827)   (3,827) 
 At 1 July 2023            -            25,336       344     20,165    45,845 
                   ---------  ----------------  --------  ---------  -------- 
 Net book value 
 At 1 July 2023      115,855                64    22,241     13,018   151,178 
                   =========  ================  ========  =========  ======== 
 
                                      Customer 
                    Goodwill     relationships    Brands   Software     Total 
                     GBP000s           GBP000s   GBP000s    GBP000s   GBP000s 
 Cost 
 At 2 January 
  2022               115,855            25,400    22,590     31,856   195,701 
 Additions                 -                 -         -      2,764     2,764 
 At 2 July 2022      115,855            25,400    22,590     34,620   198,465 
                   ---------  ----------------  --------  ---------  -------- 
 
 Amortisation 
 At 2 January 
  2022                     -            23,301       298     24,454    48,053 
 Charge for the 
  period                   -             1,270        17      1,564     2,851 
 At 2 July 2022            -            24,571       315     26,018    50,904 
                   ---------  ----------------  --------  ---------  -------- 
 Net book value 
 At 2 July 2022      115,855               829    22,275      8,602   147,561 
                   =========  ================  ========  =========  ======== 
 
 
                                     Customer 
                    Goodwill    relationships    Brands   Software     Total 
                     GBP000s          GBP000s   GBP000s    GBP000s   GBP000s 
 Cost 
 At 2 January 
  2022               115,855           25,400    22,590     31,856   195,701 
 Additions                 -                -         -      5,592     5,592 
 Disposals                 -                -       (5)    (4,684)   (4,689) 
 At 31 December 
  2022               115,855           25,400    22,585     32,764   196,604 
                   ---------  ---------------  --------  ---------  -------- 
 
 Amortisation 
 At 2 January 
  2022                     -           23,301       298     24,454    48,053 
 Charge for the 
  period                   -            1,990        34      3,290     5,314 
 Disposals                 -                -       (5)    (4,625)   (4,630) 
 At 31 December 
  2022                     -           25,291       327     23,119    48,737 
                   ---------  ---------------  --------  ---------  -------- 
 Net book value 
 At 31 December 
  2022               115,855              109    22,258      9,645   147,867 
                   =========  ===============  ========  =========  ======== 
 
 

The Group tests property, plant and equipment, goodwill and indefinite life brands for impairment annually and considers at each reporting date whether there are indicators that impairment may have occurred.

During the year, as part of a routine review of the useful lives of assets, the Group considered how the new Operations and ProService divisional structure impacted the intended use, and by extension the lifespan, of certain Intangible assets. Specifically, the Group considered their core operating systems used by Operations and ProService, Spanner and Brenda, and related intangible assets.

In response to the new divisional structure and following an extensive review process, the Directors revised the estimated useful economic life of both assets from four to ten years. The D irectors consider this to reflect the most reliable estimate of the minimum period of operation for the systems in their current form.

The impact of this change was a reduction in amortisation for these assets of GBP1.3m during the current financial period. Details of the total impact on the change for the 2023 financial year will be included in the Group's 2023 Annual Report.

10. Property, plant and equipment

 
                                                                   Materials 
                                                                 & equipment 
                                          Land          Plant       held for 
                                   & buildings    & machinery           hire      Total 
                                       GBP000s        GBP000s        GBP000s    GBP000s 
 Cost 
 At 1 January 2023                      35,045         29,196        174,508    238,749 
 Transferred from right 
  of use assets                              -              -            242        242 
 Additions                                 575            405         17,788     18,768 
 Disposals                               (360)           (40)        (9,958)   (10,358) 
 Remeasurement                               -              -              -          - 
 Foreign exchange differences             (32)            (3)          (302)      (337) 
 At 1 July 2023                         35,228         29,558        182,278    247,064 
                                 -------------  -------------  -------------  --------- 
 
 Accumulated depreciation 
 At 1 January 2023                      23,957         26,122        100,895    150,974 
 Transferred from right 
  of use assets                              -              -            169        169 
 Charge for the period                   1,278            666          7,953      9,897 
 Disposals                               (102)           (40)        (7,278)    (7,420) 
 Foreign exchange differences              (3)              -              -        (3) 
 At 1 July 2023                         25,130         26,748        101,739    153,617 
                                 -------------  -------------  -------------  --------- 
 
 Net book value 
 At 1 July 2023                         10,098          2,810         80,539     93,447 
                                 =============  =============  =============  ========= 
 

The transferred from right of use assets category represents the acquisition of ROU assets at expiry of the lease in cases where the title is transferred to the Group.

 
                                               Land                     Materials 
                                        & buildings                   & equipment 
                                                             Plant       held for 
                                                       & machinery           hire     Total 
                                            GBP000s        GBP000s        GBP000s   GBP000s 
 Cost 
-----------------------------------   -------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 At 2 January 2022 - as previously 
  reported                                   37,303         43,163        133,674   214,140 
 Restatement(1)                                   -              -         26,457    26,457 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 At 2 January 2022 - as restated             37,303         43,163        160,131   240,597 
 Transferred to right of 
  use assets                                      -              -        (1,504)   (1,504) 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Transferred from right of 
  use - as previously reported                    -              -          4,498     4,498 
 Restatement(1)                                   -              -        (3,761)   (3,761) 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Transferred from right of 
  use - as restated                               -              -            737       737 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Additions - as previously 
  reported                                      221            685         15,416    16,322 
 Restatement(1)                                   -              -          2,352     2,352 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Additions - as restated                        221            685         17,768    18,674 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Disposals - as previously 
  reported                                    (266)           (41)        (7,086)   (7,393) 
 Restatement(1)                                   -              -           (13)      (13) 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Disposals - as restated                      (266)           (41)        (7,099)   (7,406) 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Remeasurement - as previously 
  reported                                    (790)              -              -     (790) 
 Restatement(1)                                   -              -          1,504     1,504 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Remeasurement - as restated                  (790)              -          1,504       714 
 Foreign exchange differences                     4              9             71        84 
 At 2 July 2022                              36,472         43,816        171,608   251,896 
                                      -------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 
 Accumulated depreciation 
-----------------------------------   -------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 At 2 January 2022 - as previously 
  reported                                   25,453         39,408         89,342   154,203 
 Restatement(1)                                   -              -          7,666     7,666 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 At 2 January 2022 - as restated             25,453         39,408         97,008   161,869 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Transferred from right of 
  use assets - as previously 
  reported                                        -              -          2,140     2,140 
 Restatement(1)                                   -              -        (1,403)   (1,403) 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Transferred from right of 
  use assets - as restated                        -              -            737       737 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Charge for the period - 
  as previously reported                      1,163            833          6,091     8,087 
 Restatement(1)                                   -              -          1,952     1,952 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Charge for the period - 
  as restated                                 1,163            833          8,043    10,039 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Disposals - as previously 
  reported                                    (209)           (42)        (5,682)   (5,933) 
 Restatement(1)                                   -              -           (47)      (47) 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 Disposals - as restated                      (209)           (42)        (5,729)   (5,980) 
 Foreign exchange differences                     -              -              1         1 
 At 2 July 2022                              26,407         40,199        100,060   166,666 
                                      -------------  -------------  -------------  -------- 
 
 Net book value 
 At 2 July 2022                              10,065          3,617         71,548    85,230 
                                      =============  =============  =============  ======== 
 

(1) As discussed in Note 3 of these interim financial statements, certain notes have been changed following a prior period restatement relating to the classification of leases within the Group's FY22 Annual Report between property, plant and equipment and right of use assets.

 
                                                                    Materials 
                                                                  & equipment 
                                           Land          Plant       held for 
                                    & buildings    & machinery           hire      Total 
                                        GBP000s        GBP000s        GBP000s    GBP000s 
 Cost 
 At 2 January 2022                       37,303         43,163        160,131    240,597 
 Transferred from right 
  of use assets                               -              -            283        283 
 Additions                                4,919            592         30,435     35,946 
 Disposals                              (4,606)       (14,561)       (16,686)   (35,853) 
 Remeasurement                          (2,497)              -              -    (2,497) 
 Foreign exchange differences                28              2            243        273 
 Transfers                                (102)              -            102          - 
 At 31 December 2022                     35,045         29,126        174,508    238,749 
                                  -------------  -------------  -------------  --------- 
 
 Accumulated depreciation 
 At 2 January 2022                       25,453         39,408         97,008    161,869 
 Transferred from right 
  of use assets                               -              -            261        261 
 Charge for the year                      2,433          1,501         16,654     20,588 
 Disposals                              (3,927)       (14,621)       (13,189)   (31,737) 
 Foreign exchange differences               (2)            (5)              -        (7) 
 Transfers                                    -          (161)            161          - 
 At 31 December 2022                     23,957         26,122        100,895    150,974 
                                  -------------  -------------  -------------  --------- 
 
 Net book value 
 At 31 December 2022                     11,088          3,074         73,613     87,775 
                                  =============  =============  =============  ========= 
 

During the year, as part of a routine review of the useful lives of assets, the Group revised the useful economic lives of assets included within the "material and equipment held for hire" class of property, plant and equipment. As part of this review, the Group have considered the levels of disposals and write offs for these assets, as well as their period of service in the business and anticipated remaining useful economic lives.

The product of this review was that certain assets useful lives were extended but remained within the original estimates as disclosed in note 4f of the Group's 2022 Annual Report, with one exception. The Group's powered access equipment had previously been depreciated over between five and ten years but has been revised to between five and fifteen years from the start of the current period.

The impact of this change was a reduction in depreciation for these assets of GBP1.0m during the current financial period. Details of the total impact on the change for the 2023 financial year will be included in the Group's 2023 Annual Report.

11. Right of use assets

 
 
                                                             Equipment 
                                                          for internal   Equipment 
                                  Property   Vehicles              use    for hire     Total 
                                   GBP000s    GBP000s          GBP000s     GBP000s   GBP000s 
 Cost 
 At 1 January 
  2023                              56,895     31,613              520       3,606    92,634 
 Additions                           2,152      7,462                -       1,012    10,626 
 Transferred to property, 
  plant and equipment                    -          -                -       (242)     (242) 
 Disposals                             (4)      (547)            (200)       (179)     (930) 
 Foreign exchange differences         (64)       (35)                -           -      (99) 
 At 1 July 
  2023                              58,978     38,493              320       4,197   101,989 
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------------  ----------  -------- 
 
 Accumulated depreciation 
 At 1 January 
  2023                              20,540     18,909              502         870    40,821 
 Charge for the period               4,028      3,453               17         486     7,984 
 Transferred to property, 
  plant and equipment                    -          -                -       (169)     (169) 
 Disposals                             (4)      (432)            (200)        (51)     (687) 
 Foreign exchange differences          (5)        (9)                -           -      (13) 
 At 1 July 
  2023                              24,559     21,921              319       1,137    47,935 
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------------  ----------  -------- 
 
 Net book value 
 At 1 July 
  2023                              34,419     16,573                1       3,061    54,054 
                                 =========  =========  ===============  ==========  ======== 
 

The transferred to property, plant and equipment category represents the acquisition of ROU assets at expiry of the lease in cases where the title is transferred to the Group.

 
                                                                   Equipment 
                                                                for internal   Equipment 
                                         Property   Vehicles             use    for hire      Total 
                                          GBP000s    GBP000s         GBP000s     GBP000s    GBP000s 
 Cost 
------------------  ------------------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ----------  --------- 
 At 2 January 2022 - as 
  previously reported                      56,847     26,283             520      25,339    108,989 
 Restatement(1)                                 -          -               -    (23,011)   (23,011) 
--------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ----------  --------- 
 At 2 January 2022 - as 
  restated                                 56,847     26,283             520       2,328     85,978 
--------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ----------  --------- 
 Additions - as previously 
  reported                                      -      1,451               -       3,700      5,151 
 Restatement(1)                                 -          -               -     (2,352)    (2,352) 
--------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ----------  --------- 
 Additions - as restated                        -      1,451               -       1,348      2,799 
--------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ----------  --------- 
 Remeasurements - as previously 
  reported                                      -          -               -       1,504      1,504 
 Restatement(1)                                 -          -               -     (1,504)    (1,504) 
--------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ----------  --------- 
 Remeasurements - as restated                   -          -               -           -          - 
--------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ----------  --------- 
 Transferred to property, 
  plant and equipment                           -          -               -     (3,761)    (3,761) 
 Restatement(1)                                 -          -               -       3,761      3,761 
--------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ----------  --------- 
 Transferred to property,                       -          -               -           -          - 
  plant and equipment - as 
  restated 
--------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ----------  --------- 
 Disposals - as previously 
  reported                                   (71)      (334)               -       (489)      (894) 
 Restatement(1)                                 -          -               -          13         13 
--------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ----------  --------- 
 Disposals - as restated                     (71)      (334)               -       (476)      (881) 
 Foreign exchange differences                   4         12               -           -         16 
 At 2 July 
  2022                                     56,780     27,412             520       3,200     87,912 
                                        ---------  ---------  --------------  ----------  --------- 
 
 Accumulated depreciation 
--------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ----------  --------- 
 At 2 January 2022 - as 
  previously reported                      15,104     12,773             444       4,688     33,009 
 Restatement(1)                                 -          -               -     (4,220)    (4,220) 
--------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ----------  --------- 
 At 2 January 2022 - as 
  restated                                 15,104     12,773             444         468     28,789 
--------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ----------  --------- 
 Transferred to property, 
  plant and equipment - as 
  previously reported                           -          -               -     (1,403)    (1,403) 
 Restatement(1)                                 -          -               -       1,403      1,403 
--------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ----------  --------- 
 Transferred to property,                       -          -               -           -          - 
  plant and equipment - as 
  restated 
--------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ----------  --------- 
 Charge for the period - 
  as previously reported                    3,878      3,296              29       2,459      9,662 
 Restatement(1)                                 -          -               -     (1,952)    (1,952) 
-----------------------  -------------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ----------  --------- 
 Charge for the period - 
  as restated                               3,878      3,296              29         507      7,710 
--------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ----------  --------- 
 Disposals - as previously 
  reported                                   (71)      (334)               -       (227)      (632) 
 Restatement(1)                                 -          -               -          47         47 
--------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ----------  --------- 
 Disposals - as restated                     (71)      (334)               -       (180)      (585) 
 At 2 July 
  2022                                     18,911     15,735             473         795     35,914 
                                        ---------  ---------  --------------  ----------  --------- 
 
 Net book 
  value 
 At 2 July 
  2022                                     37,869     11,677              47       2,405     51,998 
                                        =========  =========  ==============  ==========  ========= 
 
 

(1) As discussed in Note 3 of these interim financial statements, certain notes have been changed following a prior period restatement relating to the classification of leases within the Group's FY22 Annual Report between property, plant and equipment and right of use assets.

 
                                                            Equipment 
                                                         for internal   Equipment 
                                  Property   Vehicles             use    for hire     Total 
                                   GBP000s    GBP000s         GBP000s     GBP000s   GBP000s 
 Cost 
 At 2 January 2022                  56,847     26,283             520       2,328    85,978 
 Additions                           2,290      5,903               -       2,220    10,413 
 Transferred to property, 
  plant and equipment                    -          -               -       (293)     (293) 
 Disposals                         (2,273)      (548)               -       (649)   (3,470) 
 Foreign exchange differences           31       (25)               -           -         6 
 At 31 December 
  2022                              56,895     31,613             520       3,606    92,634 
                                 ---------  ---------  --------------  ----------  -------- 
 
 Accumulated depreciation 
 At 2 January 2022                  15,104     12,773             444         468    28,789 
 Transfers to property, 
  plant and equipment                    -          -               -       (271)     (271) 
 Charge for the 
  year                               7,458      6,522              58         868    14,906 
 Disposals                         (2,022)      (386)               -       (195)   (2,603) 
 At 31 December 
  2022                              20,540     18,909             502         870    40,821 
                                 ---------  ---------  --------------  ----------  -------- 
 
 Net book value 
 At 31 December 
  2022                              36,355     12,704              18       2,736    51,813 
                                 =========  =========  ==============  ==========  ======== 
 

Disclosures relating to lease liabilities are included in note 14.

12. Trade and other receivables

 
                                                26 week period ended 1 July 2023 
                                                                    Provision 
                                                      Provision    for credit       Net of 
                                        Gross    for impairment         notes    provision 
                                      GBP000s           GBP000s       GBP000s      GBP000s 
 
 Trade receivables                     74,452           (3,479)       (5,969)       65,004 
 Accrued income                         8,911              (92)             -        8,819 
                                     --------  ----------------  ------------  ----------- 
 Trade receivables and contract 
  assets                               83,363           (3,571)       (5,969)       73,823 
 Net investment in sublease               677                 -             -          677 
 Other debtors                          4,357                 -             -        4,357 
 Prepayments                            6,822                 -             -        6,822 
                                     --------  ----------------  ------------  ----------- 
 Total trade and other receivables     95,219           (3,571)       (5,969)       85,679 
                                     ========  ================  ============  =========== 
 
 
 
                                                  Year ended 31 December 2022 
                                                                    Provision 
                                                      Provision    for credit       Net of 
                                        Gross    for impairment         notes    provision 
                                      GBP000s           GBP000s       GBP000s      GBP000s 
 
 Trade receivables                     77,308           (3,343)       (5,554)       68,411 
 Accrued income                        10,543             (106)             -       10,437 
                                     --------  ----------------  ------------  ----------- 
 Trade receivables and contract 
  assets                               87,851           (3,449)       (5,554)       78,848 
 Net investment in sublease               712                 -             -          712 
 Other debtors                          3,493                 -             -        3,493 
 Prepayments                            3,015                 -             -        3,015 
                                     --------  ----------------  ------------  ----------- 
 Total trade and other receivables     95,071           (3,449)       (5,554)       86,068 
                                     ========  ================  ============  =========== 
 

The following table details the movements in the provisions for credit notes and impairment of trade receivables and contract assets:

 
                                   26-week period ended                 Year ended 
                                        1 July 2023                   31 December 2022 
                                                   Provision                       Provision 
                                     Provision    for credit         Provision    for credit 
                                for impairment         notes    for impairment         notes 
                                       GBP000s       GBP000s           GBP000s       GBP000s 
 
 Balance at the beginning 
  of the period                        (3,449)       (5,554)           (3,931)       (3,225) 
 Increase in provision                 (1,454)       (4,750)           (1,667)       (6,278) 
 Utilisation                             1,332         4,335             2,149         3,949 
 Balance at the end 
  of the period                        (3,571)       (5,969)           (3,449)       (5,554) 
                              ================  ============  ================  ============ 
 
 

The bad debt provision based on expected credit losses and applied to trade receivables and contract assets, all of which are current assets, is as follows:

 
 At 1 July 2023                                  0-60   61-365        1-2 
                                                 days     days      years 
                                                 past     past       past 
                                      Current     due      due        due    Total 
 Trade receivables and contract 
  assets                               66,330   7,574    8,210      1,249   83,363 
 Expected loss rate                      1.1%    3.0%    19.0%      83.7%     4.3% 
 Provision for impairment 
  charge                                  740     224    1,561      1,046    3,571 
 
 
 
At 31 December 2022                              0-60   61-365 
                                                 days     days  1-2 years 
                                                 past     past       past 
                                      Current     due      due        due    Total 
Trade receivables and contract 
 assets                                71,292   7,747    7,262      1,550   87,851 
Expected loss rate                       0.9%    2.8%    20.9%      69.4%     3.9% 
Provision for impairment 
 charge                                   638     218    1,517      1,076    3,449 
 

Contract assets consist of accrued income.

The provision for impairment is estimated using the simplified approach to expected credit loss methodology and is based upon past default experience and the Directors' assessment of the current economic environment for each of the Group's ageing categories.

The Directors have given specific consideration to the macroeconomic uncertainty leading to pressures on businesses facing staff and material shortages and, more latterly, increased inflation. At the balance sheet date, similar to 2022, the Group considers that historical losses are not a reliable predictor of future failures and has exercised judgement in the expected loss rates across all categories of debt. In so doing the Group has applied an adjusted risk factor of 1.25x (2022: 1.25x) to reflect the increased risk of future insolvency. As in the prior year, historical loss rates have been increased where debtors have been identified as high risk, with a reduction applied to customer debt covered by credit insurance.

In line with the requirements of IFRS 15, provisions are made for credit notes expected to be raised after the reporting date for income recognised during the period.

The combined provisions for bad debt and credit notes amount to 11.4% of trade receivables and contract assets at 1 July 2023 (31 December 2022: 10.2%).

13. Trade and other payables

 
                                     1 July  31 December 
                                       2023         2022 
                                    GBP000s      GBP000s 
Current 
Trade payables                       42,785       41,693 
Other taxes and social security 
 costs                                4,447        4,718 
Other creditors                       1,712        2,010 
Accrued interest on borrowings          677          534 
Accruals                             27,622       38,689 
Deferred income                       1,283          658 
                                     78,526       88,302 
 
 

14. Lease liabilities

 
                        1 July  31 December 
                          2023         2022 
                       GBP000s      GBP000s 
Current 
Lease liabilities       15,025       13,182 
Non-current 
Lease liabilities       44,690       43,110 
                        59,715       56,292 
 
 

The interest rates on the Group's lease liabilities are as follows:

 
                           1 July  31 December 
                             2023         2022 
 
Equipment for             10.6 to      11.1 to 
 hire          Fixed        19.1%        19.1% 
                           3.5 to       3.5 to 
Other          Fixed         9.5%         6.0% 
 

The weighted average interest rates on the Group's lease liabilities are as follows:

 
                       1 July  31 December 
                         2023         2022 
 
Lease liabilities        6.2%         6.1% 
 
 

The Group's leases have the following maturity profile:

 
                            1 July  31 December 
                              2023         2022 
                           GBP000s      GBP000s 
 
Less than one year          19,124       16,227 
Two to five years           38,763       36,798 
More than five years        13,542       15,133 
                            71,429       68,158 
 
Less interest cash 
 flows:                   (11,714)     (11,866) 
Total principal cash 
 flows                      59,715       56,292 
 
 

The maturity profile, excluding interest cash flows of the Group's leases is as follows:

 
                                                               1 July  31 December 
                                                                 2023         2022 
                                                              GBP000s      GBP000s 
 
Less than one year                                             15,025       13,182 
Two to five years                                              33,544       30,690 
More than five years                                           11,146       12,420 
                                                               59,715       56,292 
 
The lease liability movements                               Equipment 
 are detailed below:                                         for hire 
                                                         and internal 
                                    Property  Vehicles            use        Total 
                                     GBP000s   GBP000s        GBP000s      GBP000s 
At 1 January 2023                     39,268    13,472          3,552       56,292 
Additions                              2,153     7,462            994       10,609 
Discount unwind                        1,196       305            290        1,791 
Payments (including interest)        (4,502)   (2,695)        (1,637)      (8,834) 
Disposals                               (34)     (106)              -        (140) 
Foreign exchange differences             (3)         -              -          (3) 
At 1 July 2023                        38,078    18,438          3,199       59,715 
 
                                                            Equipment 
                                                             for hire 
                                                         and internal 
                                    Property  Vehicles            use        Total 
                                     GBP000s   GBP000s        GBP000s      GBP000s 
At 2 January 2022                     44,879    14,247          2,339       61,465 
Additions                              2,290     5,903          2,090       10,283 
Discount unwind                        2,460       444              3        2,907 
Payments (including interest)       (10,144)   (7,023)          (880)     (18,047) 
Disposals                              (217)     (107)              -        (324) 
Foreign exchange differences               -         8              -            8 
At 31 December 2022                   39,268    13,472          3,552       56,292 
 
 

15. Borrowings

 
 
                                 1 July  31 December 
                                   2023         2022 
                                GBP000s      GBP000s 
Current 
Hire purchase arrangements        5,834        5,168 
 
Non-current 
Hire purchase arrangements       11,947        9,978 
Senior finance facility          68,867       68,613 
                                 80,814       78,591 
 
 

The senior finance facility is stated net of transaction fees of GBP1.1m (31 December 2022: GBP1.4m) which are being amortised over the loan period.

The nominal value of the Group's loans at each reporting date is as follows:

 
                                 1 July  31 December 
                                   2023         2022 
                                GBP000s      GBP000s 
 
Hire purchase arrangements       17,781       15,146 
Senior finance facility          70,000       70,000 
 
 

The interest rates on the Group's borrowings are as follows:

 
                                                            1 July  31 December 
                                                              2023         2022 
 
Hire purchase arrangements              % above NatWest    2.2% to       2.3 to 
                             Floating   base rate             2.5%         2.9% 
Revolving credit 
 facility                    Floating   % above SONIA         3.0%         3.0% 
Senior finance 
 facility                    Floating   % above SONIA         3.0%         3.0% 
 

The weighted average interest rates on the Group's borrowings are as follows:

 
                                                           1 July  31 December 
                                                             2023         2022 
 
                                        % above NatWest 
Hire purchase arrangements   Floating   base rate            6.9%         6.0% 
Revolving credit 
 facility                    Floating   % above SONIA        7.9%         6.4% 
Senior finance 
 facility                    Floating   % above SONIA        7.9%         6.4% 
 

The Group had undrawn committed borrowing facilities of GBP36.3m at 1 July 2023 (2022: GBP36.3m), including GBP11.3m (2022: GBP11.3m) of finance lines to fund hire fleet capital expenditure not yet utilised. Including net cash balances, the Group had access to GBP72.9m of combined liquidity from available cash and undrawn committed borrowing facilities at 1 July 2023 (2022: GBP84.0m).

The Group's borrowings have the following maturity profile:

 
                                1 July 2023                 31 December 2022 
                       Hire purchase  Senior finance  Hire purchase  Senior finance 
                        arrangements        facility   arrangements        facility 
                             GBP000s         GBP000s        GBP000s         GBP000s 
 
Less than one year             6,656           5,550          5,718           2,235 
Two to five years             12,976          77,740         10,670          74,245 
                              19,632          83,290         16,388          76,480 
 
Less interest cash 
 flows:                      (1,851)        (13,290)        (1,242)         (6,480) 
 
Total principal cash 
 flows                        17,781          70,000         15,146          70,000 
 
 

16. Provisions

 
                        Onerous 
                       property                    Onerous 
                          costs  Dilapidations   contracts    Total 
                        GBP000s        GBP000s     GBP000s  GBP000s 
 
At 1 January 2023           117         11,380       9,806   21,303 
Additions                   128             12           -      140 
Utilised during the 
 period                   (128)           (85)     (1,645)  (1,858) 
Unwind of provision           2            187         169      358 
Impact of change              -              -           -        - 
 in discount rate 
Releases                   (27)            (1)           -     (28) 
Foreign exchange              -           (25)           -     (25) 
At 1 July 2023               92         11,468       8,330   19,890 
 
Of which: 
Current                      41          1,307       3,032    4,380 
Non-current                  51         10,161       5,298   15,510 
                             92         11,468       8,330   19,890 
 
 
 
                        Onerous 
                       property                    Onerous 
                          costs  Dilapidations   contracts    Total 
                        GBP000s        GBP000s     GBP000s  GBP000s 
 
At 2 January 2022           186         10,174      13,463   23,823 
Additions                     -          4,430           -    4,430 
Utilised during the 
 period                     (7)           (58)     (3,289)  (3,354) 
Unwind of provision           1            113           -      114 
Impact of change in 
 discount rate              (6)        (2,822)       (368)  (3,196) 
Releases                   (57)          (467)           -    (524) 
Foreign exchange              -             10           -       10 
At 31 December 2022         117         11,380       9,806   21,303 
 
Of which: 
Current                      47          1,232       2,979    4,258 
Non-current                  70         10,148       6,827   17,045 
                            117         11,380       9,806   21,303 
 
 

Onerous property costs

The provision for onerous property costs represents the current value of contractual liabilities for future rates payments and other unavoidable costs (excluding lease costs) on leasehold properties the Group no longer uses. The releases are the result of early surrenders being agreed with landlords - the associated liabilities are generally limited to the date of surrender but were provided for to the date of the first exercisable break clause to align with the recognition of associated lease liabilities.

Onerous contract

The onerous contract represents amounts payable in respect of the agreement reached in 2017 between the Group and Unipart to terminate the contract to operate the NDEC.

17. Risks and uncertainties

The principal risks and uncertainties which could have a material impact upon the Group's performance over the remaining 26 weeks of the 2023 financial year have not changed significantly from those set out on pages 38 to 41 of the Group's 2022 Annual Report, which is available at https://www.https://www.hsshiregroup.com/investor-relations/financial-results/.

These risks and uncertainties are:

   1)    Macroeconomic conditions; 
   2)    Competitor challenge; 
   3)    Strategy execution; 
   4)    Customer service; 
   5)    Third party reliance; 
   6)    IT infrastructure; 
   7)    Financial risk; 
   8)    Inability to attract and retain personnel; 
   9)    Legal and regulatory requirements; 

10) Safety; and

11) Environment, Social and Governance ('ESG').

With global inflationary pressures and associated interest rate increases the main risk expected to affect the Group in the remaining 26 weeks for the 2023 financial year is macroeconomic conditions.

The conflict in Ukraine, pandemic recovery and Brexit have contributed to labour shortages, inflation and interest rate rises. Therefore, this risk will continue to be closely monitored for its effect on demand and colleague welfare so that we can take appropriate actions.

18. Alternative performance measures

Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) and Adjusted EBITDA, earnings before interest, tax and amortisation (EBITA) and Adjusted EBITA and Adjusted profit before tax are alternative, non-IFRS and non-Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (GAAP) performance measures used by the Directors and Management to assess the operating performance of the Group.

- EBITDA is defined as operating profit before depreciation and amortisation. For this purpose, depreciation includes depreciation charge for the year on property, plant and equipment and on right of use assets; the net book value of hire stock losses and write-offs; the net book value of other fixed asset disposals less the proceeds on those disposals; impairments of right of use assets; the net book value of right of use asset disposals, net of the associated lease liability disposed of; and the loss on disposal of sub-leases. Amortisation is calculated as the total of the amortisation charge for the year and the loss on disposal of intangible assets. Exceptional items are excluded from EBITDA to calculate Adjusted EBITDA.

- EBITA is defined by the Group as operating profit before amortisation. Exceptional items are excluded from EBITA to calculate Adjusted EBITA.

- Adjusted profit before tax is defined by the Group as profit before tax, amortisation of customer relationships and brand related intangibles as well as exceptional items.

The Group discloses Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITA and Adjusted profit before tax as supplemental non-IFRS financial performance measures because the Directors believe they are useful metrics by which to compare the performance of the business from period to period and such measures like Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITA and Adjusted profit before tax are broadly used by analysts, rating agencies and investors in assessing the performance of the Group. Accordingly, the Directors believe that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITA and Adjusted profit before tax provides useful information to users of the financial statements.

As these are non-IFRS measures, other entities may not calculate the measures in the same way and hence are not directly comparable.

Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as follows:

 
                                               26 weeks      26 weeks 
                                                  ended         ended 
                                            1 July 2023   2 July 2022 
                                                GBP000s       GBP000s 
 
Operating profit                                 10,761        10,209 
Add: Depreciation of property, plant and 
 equipment and right of use assets               20,251        19,359 
Add: Amortisation of intangible assets              956         2,861 
EBITDA                                           31,968        32,429 
Add: Exceptional items (non-finance)                 97           488 
Adjusted EBITDA                                  32,065        32,917 
 

Adjusted EBITA is calculated as follows:

 
                                             26 weeks      26 weeks 
                                                ended         ended 
                                          1 July 2023   2 July 2022 
                                              GBP000s       GBP000s 
 
Operating profit                               10,761        10,209 
Add: Amortisation of intangible assets            956         2,861 
EBITA                                          11,717        13,070 
Add: Exceptional items (non-finance)               97           488 
Adjusted EBITA                                 11,814        13,558 
 

Adjusted profit before tax is calculated as follows:

 
                                                       26 weeks      26 weeks 
                                                          ended         ended 
                                                    1 July 2023   2 July 2022 
                                                        GBP000s       GBP000s 
 
Profit before tax                                         5,539         6,535 
Add: Amortisation of customer relationships 
 and brands                                                  62         1,287 
Profit before tax and amortisation of customer 
 relationships and brands                                 5,601         7,822 
Add: Exceptional items (finance and non-finance)            284           554 
Adjusted profit before tax                                5,885         8,376 
 

19. Post Balance Sheet Events

Based on the ongoing successful performance of the Group's builders merchant locations, the decision was made to accelerate the migration to this lower variable cost model over the next twelve months. To this end, in September the closure of sixteen branches located in England and Wales was announced. This specific change will reduce ongoing costs by cGBP1m per annum with expected exceptional costs of between GBP2.1m and GBP2.4m, the majority non-cash and asset impairment related. All impacted branch colleagues have been informed of the changes and it is anticipated that they will all migrate to new roles within this model. Work is now underway with the Group's property restructuring specialist to review all possible options with the remaining property leases.

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September 28, 2023 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)

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