Croma Security Solutions Group Plc

("CSSG", "Croma", "the "Company" or the "Group")

Interim Results

A Solid First Half

Croma Security Solutions Group plc (AIM:CSSG), the total security services provider is pleased to announce its unaudited interim results for the six months to 31 December 2021.

Financial Highlights:

·      A good performance in a challenging market

·      Continued steady demand for the Company's security solutions

·      Revenues up by 9% to £17.87m (H1 2020: £16.36m)

·      Generating EBITDA of £0.87m (H1 2020: £0.86m)

·      Other than lease liabilities, the Group remains ungeared with cash balances of £3.5m (31 December 2020: £3.9m)

·      No interim dividend declared, however the Board expect to pay a final dividend once the financial year has been completed

Operational Highlights: Expansion of Security Store Portfolio and New Technology led Partnerships

·      Acquired Manchester based security store in November 2021 and further opportunities in the pipeline

·      Systems and Locksmiths businesses increased revenues by 16% despite closing security stores during Covid-19 restrictions

·      In October 2021, announced the Group is the UK strategic partner for iLOQ, a leading Finnish security business

·      In January 2022, post the period end, the Group announced a new strategic partnership with Fingo a biometric identity authentication and payments platform

PROception leading the way for modern security solution

·      Croma PROception the ground-breaking front of house business, which combines reception and security is establishing a new standard in building security

·      Overall, manned guarding revenues increased by 8% alongside offering increased optionality over a wider range of security solutions

Outlook

·      Second half trading has started well and therefore the Board believes the business is well placed to deliver a good a trading performance for the year.

Sebastian Morley, Chairman of CSSG, said: "We are pleased to have delivered a good  performance amidst a challenging market. Demand from our client base was steady which given the disruption caused by the pandemic was a solid performance. We completed the acquisition of a new security store in Manchester, and we believe we have a good pipeline of further opportunities. Similarly, we see opportunity in technology led areas such as the tie up with Biometric expert Fingo and iLOQ the specialist locks business. Overall, the business is well placed, our balance sheet is strong, our core businesses are profitable and cash generative and we are adding to them with bolt on acquisitions and through partnerships with technology leaders."

For further information visit www.cssgroupplc.com or contact:

Croma Security Solutions Group Plc                                                                             Tel: +44 (0)7768 006 909

Sebastian Morley (Chairman)

WH Ireland Limited                                                                                                         Tel: +44 (0)207 220 1666

(Nominated Adviser and Broker)

Mike Coe

Jessica Cave

Sarah Mather

Novella                                                                                                                                 Tel: +44 (0)203 151 7008

Tim Robertson

Fergus Young

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the UK version of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended ("MAR"). Upon the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

Chairman's Statement

Introduction

I am pleased to report Croma's unaudited interim results for the six months to 31 December 2021 which saw the Group generate revenues of £17.87 million and EBITDA of £0.87 million. A good performance in a challenging market during which we managed any change caused by the pandemic and continued to deliver uninterrupted guarding services for the buildings, assets and individuals under our protection. Alongside this, the Company continued to focus on expanding our services and asset base in pursuit of our objective of establishing Croma as the British security brand.

Group strategy

Our overall strategy remains focused on:

·    setting new standards in providing premium guarding services, community awareness schemes and innovative front of house solutions under the Croma Vigilant and PROception brands;

·      building a national network of Croma Security Centres, through which all the Group's services are sold; and

·      becoming the British security brand.

Like many businesses, as restrictions associated with the pandemic recede, we can reflect on what we have learnt from operating under Covid-19 and have a better understanding of the flexibility of our teams, operating structures and have uncovered additional efficiencies all of which we are feeding into the business and will further support the Company in achieving its objectives.

With the deeply saddening events unfolding in Ukraine coupled with the visible inflationary cost increases, all businesses will need to adapt.  While Croma is reasonably positioned to manage inflationary cost increases, it is likely some customers will be impacted and may well look to reduce the costs of their security solutions.  Anticipating this, Croma Vigilant has introduced a wider range of security solutions with more flexible cost structures.

Longer term, the prospects look unchanged for the Group.  The UK security market continues to be made up of a large number of smaller enterprises laying the ground for the Group to act as a consolidator. In the period, the Company completed the acquisition of a security store in Manchester and there is a good pipeline of similar opportunities.

The macro security trends also remain unchanged; individuals, government and business all want to ensure their safety and that of their assets. Security attacks are increasing and have become more sophisticated. Consequently, technology is a central part of our security solutions, and to keep ahead we are significantly evolving our offer every year. That said, at the heart of all of Croma's security solutions is a strong military ethos and a focus on security personnel being a part of a premium service in which individuals are well trained, well-motivated and well paid.  The combination of a strong team and leading technology continues to prove to be a compelling commercial proposition.

Croma Vigilant

Croma Vigilant is the largest part of our business providing manned guarding for assets and individuals.  Employing over 950 high-grade security personnel throughout the UK and continued to deliver an uninterrupted service throughout the period under review despite the restrictions and staff isolation required to comply with Covid-19 related rules.

The adaptability of the whole team has been very impressive coupled with excellent operational organisation. There is no doubt the pandemic has shown the division what it is capable of, if required.  Croma Vigilant's point of differentiation is that it offers a premium security solution in all aspects and has built a successful business based on this proposition. That said, more recently due to rising cost pressures on customers, it is providing the same premium manned guarding services but on a more flexible basis. For example, replacing a 24-hour guarding service of an office building with regular patrol visits. This flexibility is important to retain and meet the full range of our customers' needs and budgets.

Improving on the traditional security offering is fundamental to the success of the business. The introduction and subsequent demand for the PROception service is an excellent example of the Group leading the way for modern security solutions. Making the reception desk part of a building's security solution has improved the appearance of the security team, introduced a more technology led solution and created economies of scale with reception duties being combined with security. The success of this new modern guarding concept is reflected in the strong customer demand.

Reflecting the prevailing trends in the market, an increasing proportion of this division's income is now contracted which increases visibility over future earnings and enhances our ability to invest for the future.
 

Croma Systems & Locksmiths

Croma Systems & Locksmiths, the provider of a range of innovative security technology services including CCTV, Intruder Alarms, FastVein (Biometrics) and high security locks, delivered a resilient performance.

The division now operates through 11 security centres with one added following the acquisition of a site in Manchester in October 2022.  The security centres are all operating under the Croma brand and are marketing, under one roof, the entire range of the Group's services.

The Company has also formed two new strategic partnerships both of which have significant future potential.

In October 2021, the Company announced it had agreed to be the UK strategic partner for iLOQ, a leading Finnish security business. Specialising in locks, iLOQ has developed a new battery free door lock which can be opened by smartphone. The lock is powered by the mobile phone opening it, a unique feature clearly differentiating it from competing products. The potential applications for the mobile iLOQ are significant across multiple industries given its' advantages relating to security, data collection and central control. Under the partnership, Croma will sell, install and maintain iLOQ equipment in the UK.

In January 2022, the Company announced a new strategic partnership with FinGo, a biometric identity authentication and payments platform. The Company's existing biometrics solution, FASTVEIN™ which provides quick, easy to use, accurate and cost-effective identity management, is a natural fit with FinGo. Working together will allow Croma to expand its product suite to include payments alongside existing identity and access control offerings in these sectors. This partnership will also expand FinGo's digital identity management and payment expertise to include access management.

Financial Review

Revenue increased by 9% for the six months to 31 December 2021 to £17.87m (H1 2020: £16.36m). Cash balances at 31 December 2021 are £3.5m (30 December 2020: £3.9m).  Earnings per share increased 13.8% to 2.97p per share (H1 2020: 2.61p).

Other than lease and short-term trading liabilities, the Group remains free from borrowings.

Dividend

The Board has decided to maintain the decision to not pay an interim dividend and instead to consider the payment of a single final dividend, allowing the business to complete the financial year before deciding on the level of the dividend to be paid for the 12-month period. This maintains a slightly more prudent approach, started during the pandemic, and now reflecting the continuation of challenging market conditions.

Outlook

Looking ahead, we believe the business is well placed with no long-term borrowings and £3.5m of cash to support future investment. All business units are performing well and we are seeing opportunities to expand organically and via acquisition.

Sebastian Morley

Chairman

9 March 2022

CROMA SECURITY SOLUTIONS GROUP PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR 6 MONTHS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

CROMA SECURITY SOLUTIONS GROUP PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AT 31 DECEMBER 2021

CROMA SECURITY SOLUTIONS GROUP PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS

FOR 6 MONTHS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021