CRM - Ceramic Industries Limited - Unaudited interim results for the six9 Mar 2010
CRM
CRM                                                                             
CRM - Ceramic Industries Limited - Unaudited interim results for the six        
months ended 31 January 2010                                                    
CERAMIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED                                                      
(Registration number 1982/008520/06)                                            
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)                                  
("Ceramic Industries" or "the Group")                                           
Share code: CRM    ISIN: ZAE000008538                                           
Unaudited interim results for the six months ended 31 January 2010              
Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income                        
                                        Six months  Six months  Year ended      
                                             ended       ended                  
31 January  31 January     31 July      
                                              2010        2009        2009      
                               Change    Unaudited   Unaudited     Audited      
                                    %       R000`s      R000`s      R000`s      
Revenue                            8.2      779 976     720 811   1,440,199     
Tiles                             10.3      672 440     609 775   1,218,277     
Sanitaryware                     (3.2)      107 536     111 036     221 922     
Operating profit before           21.9      177 671     145 783     307 285     
depreciation                                                                    
Depreciation                      17.5     (62 235)    (52 971)   (100 734)     
Operating profit before           24.4      115 436      92 812     206 551     
share-based payment cost                                                        
Tiles                             38.6      121 837      87 908     193 126     
Sanitaryware                   (230.5)      (6 401)       4 904      13 425     
Share-based payment cost of                       -           -    (49 343)     
transaction with BEE                                                            
partners                                                                        
Operating profit after share-     24.4      115 436      92 812     157 208     
based payment cost                                                              
Finance income                    66.0        8 634       5 201       9 863     
Finance expenses                (99.8)          (8)     (3 519)     (8 300)     
Profit before taxation            31.3      124 062      94 494     158 771     
Taxation                          20.2     (36 424)    (30 293)    (68 080)     
Profit for the period             36.5       87 638      64 201      90 691     
Other comprehensive income                                                      
Foreign currency translation                 19 157    (17 662)    (26 078)     
differences for foreign                                                         
operations                                                                      
19 157    (17 662)    (26 078)      
Total comprehensive income                  106 795      46 539      64 613     
for the period                                                                  
Profit attributable to:                                                         
Ordinary shareholders of the      34.3       86 707      64 582      90 729     
Group                                                                           
Non-controlling interest                        931       (381)        (38)     
Total comprehensive income                                                      
attributable to:                                                                
Ordinary shareholders of the                105 014      47 426      65 676     
Group                                                                           
Non-controlling interest                      1 781       (887)     (1 063)     
Earnings per share                                                              
Basic earnings per share          34.3        504,3       375,5       527,6     
(cents)                                                                         
Diluted earnings per share        29.4        486,0       375,5       525,3     
(cents)                                                                         
Dividend per share (cents)        27.3        140,0       110,0       210,0     
Reconciliation of headline                                                      
earnings                                                                        
Profit attributable to                       86 707      64 582      90 729     
ordinary shareholders of the                                                    
Group                                                                           
Loss on disposal of plant                        78         115         177     
and equipment                                                                   
Headline earnings                 34.1       86 785      64 697      90 906     
Headline earnings per share       34.2        504,7       376,1       528,6     
(cents)                                                                         
Diluted headline earnings         29.3        486,5       376,1       526,4     
per share (cents)                                                               
Condensed consolidated statement of financial position                          
                                        31 January  31 January     31 July      
2010        2009        2009      
                                         Unaudited   Unaudited     Audited      
                                            R000`s      R000`s      R000`s      
ASSETS                                                                          
Non-current assets                          887 622     934 866     921 325     
Property, plant and equipment               876 955     917 631     910 749     
Goodwill                                      4 520       4 520       4 520     
Unlisted investment                           5 704       6 005       5 682     
Deferred taxation assets                        443       6 710         374     
Current assets                              636 396     466 820     518 761     
Inventories                                  87 513     124 287     119 247     
Trade and other receivables                 207 775     242 124     244 504     
Income taxation receivable                   11 952       6 567           -     
Cash and cash equivalents                   329 156      93 842     155 010     
Total assets                              1 524 018   1 401 686   1 440 086     
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                                                          
Equity                                    1 314 649   1 180 391   1 227 149     
Share capital                                64 816      64 962      64 816     
Shares held by share trust                (112 110)   (112 110)   (112 110)     
Share-based payment reserve                  47 212           -      47 235     
Share awards reserve                          7 913       7 176       7 959     
Reserves                                     87 087      68 960      61 093     
Retained earnings                         1 211 460   1 144 737   1 151 666     
Ordinary shareholders` interest           1 306 378   1 173 725   1 220 659     
Minority shareholders` interest               8 271       6 666       6 490     
Non-current liabilities                      81 579      78 452      72 328     
Shareholders` loans                           9 638      10 134       9 736     
Deferred taxation liabilities                71 941      61 817      60 660     
Borrowings                                        -       6 501       1 932     
Current liabilities                         127 790     142 843     140 609     
Trade and other payables and                127 586     142 653     135 825     
provisions                                                                      
Income taxation payable                           -           -       3 247     
Shareholders for dividends                      204         190       1 537     
Total equity and liabilities              1 524 018   1 401 686   1 440 086     
Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows                                  
Six months  Six months        Year      
                                             ended       ended       ended      
                                        31 January  31 January     31 July      
                                              2010        2009        2009      
Unaudited   Unaudited     Audited      
                                            R000`s      R000`s      R000`s      
Operating activities                                                            
Operating profit adjusted for non-cash      191 387     136 504     299 899     
items                                                                           
Changes in working capital                   60 224     (8 354)    (12 522)     
Cash generated from operations              251 611     128 150     287 377     
Finance income                                8 634       5 201       9 863     
Finance expenses                                (8)     (3 519)     (8 300)     
Dividends paid                             (20 559)    (27 514)    (47 315)     
Taxation paid                              (47 531)    (69 871)    (92 075)     
                                           192 147      32 447     149 550      
Investing activities                       (15 948)    (51 258)   (101 932)     
Acquisition of shares in unlisted              (22)     (6 005)     (5 682)     
investments                                                                     
Property, plant and equipment (net)        (15 926)    (45 253)    (96 250)     
Financing activities                        (2 053)    (13 609)    (18 870)     
Costs incurred in respect of BEE               (23)     (1 960)     (2 108)     
transaction                                                                     
Additional shares issued                          -           -           8     
Share buy back                                    -           -       (154)     
Cash outflow from share trust dealings            -       (481)       (481)     
Borrowings repaid                           (1 932)    (10 948)    (15 517)     
Shareholders` loans repaid                     (98)       (220)       (618)     
Net movement in cash and cash               174 146    (32 420)      28 748     
equivalents                                                                     
Cash and cash equivalents at the            155 010     126 262     126 262     
beginning of the period                                                         
Cash and cash equivalents at the end        329 156      93 842     155 010     
of the period                                                                   
Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity                           
                                        Six months  Six months        Year      
to          to          to      
                                        31 January  31 January     31 July      
                                              2010        2009        2009      
                                         Unaudited   Unaudited     Audited      
R000`s      R000`s      R000`s      
Balance at the beginning of the           1 227 149   1 162 781   1 162 781     
period                                                                          
Net additional shares acquired by                 -       (481)       (481)     
share trust                                                                     
Share-based payment cost of                       -           -      49 343     
transaction with BEE partners                                                   
Costs incurred in respect of BEE               (23)     (1 960)     (2 108)     
transaction                                                                     
Additional shares issued                          -           -           8     
Share buy back                                    -           -       (154)     
Share awards reserved                          (46)       1 037       1 820     
Profit attributable to ordinary              86 707      64 582      90 729     
shareholders of the Group                                                       
Movement in foreign currency                 18 307    (17 156)    (25 053)     
translation reserve                                                             
Movement in minority shareholders             1 781       (887)     (1 063)     
Transfer to dividend reserve               (26 913)    (18 921)    (38 139)     
Dividend reserve                             26 913      18 921      38 139     
Net dividend paid                          (19 226)    (27 525)    (48 673)     
Balance at the end of the period          1 314 649   1 180 391   1 227 149     
Commentary                                                                      
Operating environment                                                           
The sustained economic slowdown continued to have a negative impact on tile     
and sanitaryware industries globally. Further market contraction was            
experienced in the South African sanitaryware sector as a result of             
stagnation in new build projects in both the private and government sectors.    
In line with the previous six months, tile consumption in this country          
remained constrained, although a slight improvement in the renovation market    
became evident towards the end of the period.                                   
Financial results                                                               
Notwithstanding the difficult trading environment and continued subdued         
demand, Ceramic achieved good results attributable to the following factors:    
-  A substantially improved performance by Centaurus in Australia;              
-  Improved customer service and internal efficiencies, achieved through        
balancing production levels and product mix with market demand; and             
-  An increased share of the tile market gained from import replacement as      
customers sought consistency of supply.                                         
Whilst the Group`s tile factories reported a pleasing performance, Betta and    
Aquarius delivered disappointing results. Reduced demand in both the private    
and government sectors was exacerbated by strike action and operational         
inefficiencies at these plants.                                                 
Group revenue increased 8,2% to R780,0 million (2009: R720,8 million). Tile     
revenue improved 10,3% to R672,4 million (2009: R609,8 million). Average        
selling prices increased by approximately 6% during the period under review.    
Tile sales volumes across the Group improved from 17,215 million mSquared to    
17,667 million mSquared, with the bulk of the increase experienced in           
Australia where sales volumes increased 35%. Tile production increased 9,2%     
from 15,528 million mSquared to 16,963 million mSquared.                        
Revenue from the Group`s sanitaryware factories, Betta and Aquarius, declined   
3,2% to R107,5 million (2009: R111,0 million). Sales and production volumes     
decreased by 13% (from 634 424 pieces to 553 290 pieces) and 24% (from 659      
035 to 500 621 pieces) respectively.                                            
Group operating profit increased 24,4% to R115,4 million (2009:                 
R92,8 million). Operating profit from tiles increased 38,6% to                  
R121,8 million (2009: R87,9 million); in contrast, sanitaryware operating       
profit declined from a profit of R4,9 million to a loss of R6,4 million.        
The effective tax rate reduced from 32,1% for 2009 to 29,4% for 2010. The       
higher charge for 2009 was the result of a proportionally higher STC charge     
and the fact that a deferred tax asset was not created for the accumulated      
losses of the Australian company.                                               
Headline earnings increased 34,1% to R86,8 million (2009: R64,7 million),       
with a corresponding increase of 34,2% in headline earnings per share to        
504,7 cents (2009: 376,1 cents).                                                
In all of the South African tile factories, sales volumes outstripped           
production. Consequently, inventories reduced from R119,2 million to            
R87,5 million.                                                                  
The Group`s cash reserves increased from R155,0 million to R329,2 million,      
largely due to the cash generative nature of the business, improved margins,    
reduced inventories, reduced receivables and reduced capital expenditure        
during the review period.                                                       
Ceramic`s net asset value per share increased 11,4 % to 7,646 cents (2009:      
6,862 cents).                                                                   
Manufacturing operations - tile division                                        
Pegasus                                                                         
Pegasus produces large format glazed pressed tiles for the DIY and contract     
market. The quality, cost effective range has broad market appeal and           
competes successfully against Chinese and Brazilian imports.                    
The factory increased year on year production by 10% from 6,08 million          
mSquared to 6,68 million mSquared. Sales volumes grew 3% from 6,63 million      
mSquared to 6,80 million mSquared. Pegasus` improved performance is             
attributable to range rationalization, improved yields and development of new   
product ranges.                                                                 
Vitro                                                                           
This factory manufactures full bodied glazed and unglazed extruded punched      
tiles for the up-market domestic and contract sectors.                          
The recently commissioned drier extension has been successful in improving      
output of larger volumes of first grade product and facilitated range           
expansion of the 40x40 format. Production increased from 2,49 million           
mSquared in 2009 to 2,54 million mSquared. Whilst sales volumes decreased       
from 2,71 million mSquared to 2,61 million mSquared, internal efficiencies      
resulted in reduced production costs. A second drier extension will be          
commissioned in May 2010.                                                       
Samca Floor Tiles                                                               
Samca Floor Tiles produces primarily large format fashionable pressed glazed    
floor tiles.                                                                    
Three months of strike action, which has now been resolved, reduced             
production volumes from 2,65 million mSquared to 2,38 million mSquared and      
sales volumes declined commensurately from 2,95 million mSquared to 2,65        
million mSquared. Despite the challenging circumstances, Samca Floor Tiles      
improved operational efficiencies to generate higher first grade yields and     
the opportunity to increase average selling price. Lower production costs       
positively impacted margins.                                                    
Samca Wall Tiles                                                                
This is the only factory in the Group and the country that manufactures wall    
tiles. The pressed, glazed tiles are produced for both the commodity and        
fashion markets.                                                                
Production volumes, which increased from 2,56 million mSquared to 2,59          
million mSquared, were restricted from further growth by strike action in the   
review period. While sales volumes declined marginally from 2,87 million        
mSquared to 2,83 million mSquared, the factory delivered a sound performance    
to improve efficiencies and increase margins. Continued focus on developing     
fashionable matching wall and floor tile combinations in this factory will      
provide an opportunity to expand Samca Wall Tiles` market share.                
Centaurus - Australia                                                           
Centaurus produces glazed porcelain floor tiles in various size formats. As     
the only volume tile manufacturer in Australia, the business benefits from      
import replacement based on its competitive pricing and strong local support    
for domestically manufactured products.                                         
In spite of the economic downturn in Australia, management is pleased to        
report a turnaround at this factory after several years of disappointing        
results. Production volumes grew 60% from 1,74 million mSquared to 2,78         
million mSquared while sales volumes increased 35% from 2,05 million mSquared   
to 2,77 million mSquared. This improvement, which is attributable to a focus    
on matching production with demand, rationalising products and developing new   
ranges, has generated a favourable response from customers and extended         
Centaurus` share of the floor tile market.                                      
The increase in volumes has in turn improved economies of scale, enabling the   
factory to make a creditable contribution to Group profits.                     
Manufacturing operations - sanitaryware division                                
Betta                                                                           
Betta is a high volume, low cost manufacturer of glazed porcelain               
sanitaryware.                                                                   
The factory failed to meet management`s expectations and delivered another      
disappointing performance.                                                      
Production volumes decreased from 617 988 pieces in the previous period to      
447 791 pieces. Sales volumes declined from 586 957 pieces to 500 810 pieces.   
Difficult trading conditions contributed to this performance. Strike action     
for three months from November 2009 to the end of January 2010 hampered         
production and sales, while the industry in general continued to experience     
constrained demand. The residential new build market showed no significant      
improvement and roll out of public sector programmes remained sluggish.         
Management is currently implementing a rigorous review and restructuring of     
the business.                                                                   
Aquarius                                                                        
Aquarius manufactures free standing and custom made acrylic baths and shower    
trays for the local and export market.                                          
Operational shortcomings were exacerbated by margin pressure resulting from     
high input costs and an oversupply in the market.                               
Whilst Aquarius delivered below expectation, management did succeed in          
reducing the loss for the period compared with the prior period.                
Production volumes were 52 830 pieces (2009: 41 047 pieces), and sales          
volumes were 52 480 pieces (2009: 47 467 pieces).                               
At the end of July 2009, management identified areas in this business           
requiring remedial action. As a result, during the past six months, the         
factory management team was strengthened, and enhanced systems and processes    
were implemented, which should deliver benefits for the business in future.     
Improvement of efficiencies will remain a priority in the forthcoming six       
months.                                                                         
Black Economic Empowerment                                                      
At the General Meeting held on 11 December 2008, shareholders approved the      
conclusion of a BEE equity ownership transaction. The remaining component of    
that transaction, namely the empowerment of Ceramic`s clay quarries, is still   
awaiting approval from the Department of Mineral Resources. It is hoped that    
this suspensive condition will be fulfilled within the next six months, and     
the accounting impact of this transaction will be reflected in the reported     
results for the period ended 31 July 2010. It is anticipated that operating     
profit will be impacted by a once-off, non-cash IFRS2 charge of approximately   
R8 million.                                                                     
Prospects                                                                       
Management expects prevailing economic conditions to persist for the            
forthcoming six months. Whilst a modest improvement in the renovation market    
is anticipated, the new build segment and public sector programmes are          
expected to remain subdued.                                                     
Ceramic Industries has a proven ability to manufacture competitively priced     
fashionable product. The benefits of improved production planning and           
internal efficiencies evident in the tile factories` contribution to results    
will remain a priority in future.                                               
Aquarius and Betta will continue to be re-engineered to meet management`s       
expectations of their potential.                                                
While investment will be made on routine maintenance, no major capital          
expenditure is planned for the six months to the end of the financial year.     
Dividend                                                                        
The Board has declared an interim dividend (number 40) of 140 cents per share   
(2009: 110 cents per share).                                                    
On behalf of the Board                                                          
G A M Ravazzotti                   N Booth                                      
Chairman                           Chief Executive Officer                      
3 March 2010                                                                    
Dividend announcement                                                           
The Board has declared an interim dividend (number 40) of 140 cents per share   
to all shareholders recorded in the books of Ceramic Industries Limited at      
the close of business on Friday, 16 April 2010. The last day to trade cum       
dividend in order to participate in the dividend will be Friday, 9 April        
2010. The shares will commence trading ex dividend from the commencement of     
business on Monday, 12 April 2010 and the record date will be Friday, 16        
April 2010. The dividend will be paid on Monday, 19 April 2010. Share           
certificates may not be dematerialised or rematerialised between Monday, 12     
April 2010 and Friday, 16 April 2010, both days inclusive.                      
By order of the Board                                                           
E J Willis                                                                      
Secretary                                                                       
3 March 2010                                                                    
Basis of preparation of accounting policies                                     
The unaudited interim financial results for the period are prepared in          
accordance with IAS 34 - Interim Financial Reporting, and comply with the       
Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited and the South African Companies Act,   
1973.                                                                           
The accounting policies applied in these unaudited interim financial            
statements are consistent in all material respects with those applied in the    
preparation of the Group`s annual financial statements for the previous year    
ended 31 July 2009 except for the adoption of new standards and                 
interpretations. The following two standards had an impact for the half year-   
ended 31 January 2010. Other standards and interpretations that were issued     
did not have any impact on the entity.                                          
- IAS 1 (Revised) Presentation of Financial Statements - The Group has          
adopted IAS 1 (Revised) which is effective for financial periods beginning on   
or after 1 January 2009. The amendment mandates requirements for the            
presentation of financial statements on the basis of shared characteristics.    
- IFRS 8 Operating segments - The Group has adopted IFRS 8 Operating Segments   
which is effective for financial periods beginning on or after                  
1 January 2009. This standard requires the disclosure of information based on   
the "management approach" to reporting on the financial performance of          
operating segments.                                                             
Directors:  G A M Ravazzotti (Chairman), N Booth (Chief Executive Officer), D   
R Alston (Chief Financial Officer), S D Jagoe, E M Mafuna, N S Nematswerani,    
N D Orleyn, L E V Ravazzotti, K M Schultz, G Zannoni (Italian)                  
Company Secretary: E J Willis                                                   
Registered office:  Farm 2, Old Potchefstroom Road, Vereeniging, PO Box 2247,   
Vereeniging, 1930                                                               
Transfer secretaries:  Computershare Investor Services (Pty) Limited, 70        
Marshall Street, Johannesburg 2001, PO Box 61051, Marshalltown 2107             
09 March 2010                                                                   
Date: 09/03/2010 07:05:02 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.                  
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