Half-year Report, 30 Nov 2023 07:00

30 November 2023, 07:00

Source - LSE Regulatory

RNS Number : 1378V

Carclo plc

30 November 2023

Carclo plc

("Carclo" or the "Group")

Interim Report and Accounts

Half-year results for the six months ended 30 September 2023

Carclo plc, the leading global provider of high-precision components, offering comprehensive services from mould design, automation, and production to assembly and printing, serving the life sciences, aerospace, optics, and tech sectors, announces its results for the first six months of its financial year ending 31 March 2024 ("H1 2024").

Highlights:

· The Group faced challenging market conditions compared to the prior year, in particular from the life sciences sector, as demand for diagnostic equipment fell with key customers adjusting to post-COVID requirements. Demand from the aerospace sector remained robust. As a result, revenue from continuing operations decreased by 7.2% (4.8% at constant currency) to £66.9 million (H1 2023: £72.2 million).

· Our focus on operational excellence and efficiency delivered improved manufacturing contribution margins, in particular from our European operations, which partially mitigated the effect of the reduced volumes. As a result, segmental underlying return on sales increased to 7.0% from 6.5%.

· Underlying operating profit from continuing operations was £2.2 million (H1 2023: £3.6 million) with the £0.7 million foreign currency gain in H1 2023 not repeated in H1 2024 (£nil). On a constant currency basis, underlying operating profit was down by £1.1 million.

· Net exceptional costs in the period were £2.1 million (H1 2023: £0.3 million) being primarily £1.0 million rationalisation costs of which £0.4 million was cash. There is also a £1.0 million past service pension cost which is non-cash.

· We made excellent progress on the key strategic goal of improving the Group's cash generation with cash generated from operations of £11.4 million (H1 2023: £0.5 million) largely driven by strict working capital management.

· Net debt, including IFRS16 lease liabilities, decreased to £29.5 million (31 March 2023: £34.4m) as a result of the focus on cash management to allow increased debt repayment.

· The tough market conditions are expected to continue in the near term, primarily in the US. A major restructuring plan for the US business is being actioned to reduce expense and to drive operational efficiency with the full year benefit expected to be realised in FY 2025.

Commenting on the results, Frank Doorenbosch, Chief Executive Officer said:

"The Carclo team has responded robustly to the fall in demand by our major customers by adapting our business to achieve enhanced contribution margins through increased efficiency. This has allowed the Group to maintain profitability from its manufacturing operations and to achieve a significant increase in cash generation in H1 2024 compared to H1 2023. This activity will continue through H2 2024 to place the Group on a sound footing for FY 2025, so that we are well placed to satisfy the future recovery in demand and retain our position as the trusted partner of major blue-chip customers, in markets with medium to long term demand. Our strategy continues to focus on operational excellence and improved asset utilisation, in order to deliver outstanding service to our customers, and superior returns to our shareholders."

The key financial performance measures for the period are as follows:

	H1 2024	H1 2023
	£000	£000
Continuing operations
Revenue	66,921	72,151
Underlying operating profit¹	2,232	3,593
Exceptional items	(2,095)	(332)
Operating profit	137	3,261

Underlying (loss) / earnings per share - basic	(0.5p)	1.5p
Basic (loss) / earnings per share	(3.0p)	0.9p

	£000	£000
Cash generated from operations	11,439	512
	H1 2024	FY 2023
	£000	£000
Net debt excluding lease liabilities	17,838	22,490
Net debt	29,500	34,360
IAS 19 retirement benefit liability	36,683	34,493

Continuing operations

Revenue	H1 2024 £000	H1 2023 £000
CTP	63,072	69,133
Aerospace	3,849	3,018
Total	66,921	72,151

Underlying operating profit¹
CTP	3,687	4,009
Aerospace	1,002	673
Segment total	4,689	4,682
Central	(2,457)	(1,089)
Total	2,232	3,593

Notes:

(1) Underlying results are those calculated before exceptional items. A reconciliation to statutory figures is set out below.

Enquiries

Please contact:

Frank Doorenbosch - Chief Executive Officer, Carclo plc	+44 (0)1924 268040
Eric Hutchinson - Chief Financial Officer, Carclo plc	+44 (0)1924 268040

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements made in these reports & accounts are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause outcomes to differ materially from those expected.

Alternative performance measures

Alternative performance measures are defined in the financial review of the Annual Report and Accounts (ARA) for the year ended 31 March 2023, with a reconciliation to statutory figures included in this Half Year Report to aid the user of these accounts. The Directors believe that alternative performance measures provide a more useful comparison of business trends and performance. The term 'underlying' is not defined under IFRS and may not be comparable with similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Overview of Results

Group revenue fell by 7.2% to £66.9 million (H1 2023: £72.2 million), primarily as a result of the decrease in demand by major life sciences in vitro diagnostics companies restructuring their businesses as the demand for PCR-based diagnostic testing significantly reduced. At constant exchange rates, revenue decreased by 4.8%.

Revenue	H1 2024	H1 2023
	£000	£000

CTP Design & Engineering	11,322	10,151
CTP Manufacturing Solutions	51,750	58,982
CTP Total Revenue	63,072	69,133
Aerospace	3,849	3,018

Total	66,921	72,151


Underlying operating profit
CTP	3,687	4,009
Aerospace	1,002	673
Segment total	4,689	4,682
Central	(2,457)	(1,089)

Total	2,232	3,593

	%	%
Segmental underlying return on sales	7.0	6.5

Group underlying operating profit fell to £2.2 million (H1 2023: £3.6 million) largely due to a fall in demand for medical components. Exchange gains of £0.7 million in H1 2023 did not repeat in H1 2024, accounting for a major part of the fall in reported profit. At constant exchange rates underlying operating profit fell by £1.1 million, this being the difference between current period underlying operating profit and prior year underlying operating profit translated at the current year's average exchange rate. This impact is primarily in the CTP segment.

Net finance costs increased by £1.0 million to £2.6 million (H1 2023: £1.6 million) as a result of increasing market interest rates. Finance costs include the imputed net interest on the defined benefit pension liability of £0.8 million (H1 2023: £0.3 million).

The Group incurred net exceptional operating costs of £2.1 million in the period (H1 2023: £0.3 million), comprising £1.0 million rationalisation costs primarily in respect of the central division and CTP segment, £1.0 million past service cost in respect of retirement benefits GMP equalisation, a further £0.4 million net costs in respect of the cancellation of the future supply agreement announced earlier this year and a credit for the release of £0.3 million provisions not required following settlement of legacy claims.

Group loss before tax was £2.5 million (H1 2023: £1.7 million profit).

The income tax credit was £0.3 million (H1 2023: £1.0 million expense) and the underlying tax credit was £0.1 million (H1 2023: expense £0.9 million). The effective tax rate was 13.2% credit (H1 2023: 59.5% expense). The underlying effective tax rate was 17.7% credit (H1 2023: 43.8% expense) primarily due to the fall in taxable profits in the US.

Underlying earnings per share was 0.5 pence loss (H1 2023: 1.5 pence earnings). The statutory earnings per share for the period was 3.0 pence loss (H1 2023: 0.9 pence earnings).

ROCE was 8.4% (H1 2023: 10.1%) reflecting the operating profit reduction in the period.

CTP division

CTP revenues fell 8.8% to £63.1 million (H1 2023: £69.1m), reflecting the decrease in demand by major customers due to the significant fall in PCR-based diagnostic testing.

The CTP business principally operates in three key market sectors: Life Sciences, Precision Components and Optics. The Life Science segment experienced a marked fall in healthcare demand during the first half, down 12.3% to £51.8 million (H1 2023: £59.0m), particularly in North America which is exposed to the larger life science analytics market. New product development activity remained high and is set to improve demand in the medium to long term.

Demand in our traditional optics market of eyecare and aftermarket car-lighting significantly reduced, reflecting the constraints that consumers have seen as the cost of living increases. However, the products maintain a high contribution margin on the lowered activity level. Cost reductions are being implemented which are expected to improve profitability in the second half and beyond.

CTP Design and Engineering activity in the first half remained at a high level, with revenue £11.3 million, up 11.5% compared to the prior year (H1 2023: £10.2 million). The high level of Design and Engineering activity experienced over the last 18 months is expected to be converted into improved manufacturing efficiency during the next financial year.

CTP return on sales ratio remained stable at 5.8% as the benefit of significantly improved efficiency in the UK operations offset the impact of reduced volumes in the US, China and India. The business continues to seek opportunities to increase prices where possible to mitigate the effect of input cost increases. The current focus is on improving the cost base and efficiency of the business' US operations which is expected to have a significant positive impact on the performance in the second half of this financial year.

The decreased revenues resulted in CTP underlying operating profit being marginally lower than the prior year at £3.7 million (H1 2023: £4.0 million) whilst maintaining a stable return on sales of 5.8%. Compared to the second half of last year CTP delivered an increase in underlying operating profit of £0.4 million.

Aerospace division

The aerospace market continued to recover as aircraft manufacturers restarted build programs responding to the continuing increase in passenger numbers from the low levels during the height of the COVID pandemic. As a result, Aerospace first half revenues grew by 27.5% to £3.8 million (H1 2023: £3.0 million).

Aerospace return on sales ratio strengthened further to 26.0% (H1 2023: 22.3%) as the business benefitted from the focus on its niche products. As a result, the increased activity levels translated into robust growth in underlying operating profit, up 48.9% at £1.0 million (H1 2023: £0.7 million).

Central costs

Central costs increased by £1.4 million to £2.5 million largely due to the non-repeat of significant foreign exchange gains in the prior year and investing in stronger leadership of the company.

Carclo 2025 Strategy

The strategic focus for the business continues to be to drive improved returns and cash flow through our Carclo 2025 plan, "Focus and Value", which resets our operational model and is targeted to restore our margins, with the medium-term goal of delivering a through-cycle ROCE of 15%. The key elements of the Carclo 2025 plan are:

· A focus on operational excellence throughout the business to increase efficiency and improve customer service.

· Increasing the utilisation of our asset base, in particular in the CTP business, with near-term investment focused on continuous improvement, delivering more predictable and higher returns.

· Targeting growth in less capital-intensive areas of the business.

· Building a "One Carclo" culture of entrepreneurialism and collaboration across the group to re-establish Carclo as a destination for talent and career development.

We have made excellent progress on improving the efficiency of our European operations and our focus is now on replicating this turnaround across our US business. Our focus on cash management has delivered a significant improvement in cash generation and allowed us to reduce the Group's debt burden over and above the required scheduled debt repayments.

Board changes

On 21 August 2023 the Board announced, with immediate effect, the resignation of David Bedford as Chief Financial Officer, Company Secretary, and as a Director of the Company. On the same day, Eric Hutchinson, formerly a Non-Executive Director was appointed as Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary with immediate effect, thus becoming an Executive Director.

Also on 21 August 2023, Rachel Amey, a Non-Executive Director, was appointed as Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee, Interim Chair of the Remuneration Committee and Interim Senior Independent Director with immediate effect. Rachel joined the Board as a Non-Executive Director on 1 March 2023. This essential strengthening of the leadership team is necessary to ensure the successful turnround of the Group and achieving the Carclo 2025 Plan.

Financial Position

Net debt excluding lease liabilities decreased by £4.7 million during the first half to £17.8 million (31 March: 2023 £22.5 million). Total net debt decreased by £4.9 million to £29.5 million (31 March 2023: £34.4 million). Cash was £7.2 million (31 March 2023: £10.4 million).

Cash

Net cash inflow from operating activities during the first half was £8.5 million (H1 2023: net cash outflow £1.3 million), comprising underlying EBITDA of £6.2 million (H1 2023: £7.5 million), net working capital inflows of £7.0 million (H1 2023: outflow £4.7 million), net pension contributions of £1.4 million (H1 2023: £1.6 million), interest costs of £2.2 million (H1 2023: £1.2 million), taxes of £0.7 million (H1 2023: £0.7 million), exceptional rationalisation costs of £0.4 million (H1 2023: £0.7 million). Focus on cash management resulted in a working capital turnaround benefit of £11.7 million; with the current year working capital reducing by £7.0 million against a prior period increase of £4.7 million.

Net cash outflow from investing activities during the first half was £1.7 million (H1 2023: inflow £0.2 million) comprising mainly £2.1 million for capital investment in adapting production lines for new products expected to be manufactured in H2 2024.

Net cash outflow from financing activities during the first half was £10.0 million (H1 2023: £1.6 million), comprising £2.1 million repayment of lease liabilities (H1 2023: £1.8 million) and net repayment of other borrowings £7.9 million (H1 2023: £0.9 million).

A negligible foreign exchange gain on cash (H1 2023: £1.1 million), coupled with the £3.2 million net cash outflow (H1 2023: net cash outflow £2.7 million) resulted in an overall £3.2 million reduction in cash during the first half (H1 2023: £1.6 million).

Debt

Debt decreased by £8.0 million during the first half of the financial year to £36.7 million. It was reduced by £4.4 million repayments of term loans (of which £3.7 million were unscheduled), £3.5 million repayment of the revolving credit facility and £2.1 million repayments of lease liabilities. It was increased by £1.8 million from new lease debt and by £0.1 million from negative foreign exchange movements.

The debt facilities available to the Group at 30 September 2023 comprise term loans of £25.1 million, denominated in sterling 9.9 million, in US Dollar 13.3 million and in Euro 4.9 million. Of the sterling loan £0.7 million will be amortised by 31 March 2024, a further £2.2 million by 31 March 2025 and a final payment of £1.3 million in May 2025 before the balance becomes payable by 30 June 2025. The facility also includes a £3.5 million revolving credit facility, denominated in sterling, maturing 30 June 2025.

The revolving credit facility was fully repaid in the period to 30 September 2023, leaving an amount drawn at that date of £nil (31 March 2023: £3.5 million).

Pensions

The most recent triennial actuarial valuation of the Group pension scheme was carried out as at 31 March 2021. This reported a significantly reduced actuarial technical deficit of £82.8 million (previously £90.4 million based upon the 31 March 2018 valuation).

The statutory accounting method of valuing the Group pension scheme deficit under IAS 19 resulted in net liability of £36.7 million at 30 September 2023 (31 March 2023: £34.5 million). Remeasurement gains during the first half of the financial year were £7.9m, due mainly to a change in the discount rate from 4.90% to 5.55%. These were offset by £9.6m adverse asset return experience over the period due to the Scheme's liability-driven investments being designed to hedge the larger actuarial liabilities and therefore being over-hedged relative to the IAS 19 liabilities and due to falls in the Scheme's growth assets, offset partially by an increase in corporate bond spreads. Further, a GMP equalisation past service cost of £1.0 million has been recognised as an exceptional item in the period to 30 September 2023.

Over the period, the Group's contributions to the scheme were £1.8 million (H1 2023: £2.4 million).

Dividend

Under the terms of its financing agreements the Company is not permitted to make a dividend payment to shareholders before June 2025.

Outlook

The tough market conditions are expected to continue in the near term. In the US demand for Manufacturing Solutions is anticipated to continue at the lower levels experienced during H1 2024, with Design and Engineering activity reducing as programmes are completed. A major restructuring plan for the US business is being actioned to reduce expense and to drive operational efficiency with the full year benefit expected to be realised in FY 2025.

Increased global interest rates are impacting the cost of financing the Group and we expect these to persist. We continue to seek opportunities to reduce the Group's debt burden wherever possible.

All of the above means that the severe downside risk scenarios considered by the Board when assessing the Group's future prospects create a material uncertainty that the interest cover covenant will not be met in March 2024.

The Board remains positive about the medium to long term prospects for the Group, driven by structural growth drivers in our end-markets, our strong customer relationships across our global footprint and the opportunity to drive improved financial performance through our focus on operational excellence.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

In the Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2023 Carclo provided a detailed review of the principal risks faced by the Group and how these risks were being managed. The Group continues to face and proactively manage the risks and uncertainties in our business and, whilst the Board considers that these principal risks and uncertainties have not materially changed since the publication of the 2023 Annual Report, it is worth noting that the following risks remain particularly relevant for the remainder of the financial year:

· Supply chain and political disruption is expected to continue with inflation creating further pressure on input costs.

· There has been a noticeable destocking of products by some of our customers over the last six to nine months, which has led to a reduction in orders, particularly in the USA and there is a risk that this may continue in H2 2024.

· Global interest rates remain high which continues to put pressure on interest cover covenants.

Mitigating actions being taken include:

· Strengthening procurement management to improve supply chain logistics and lower input costs;

· Pursuing operating efficiencies to lower the cost of production;

· Increasing asset utilisation to create additional capacity for customers who demand higher volumes of existing products; and

· Marketing to win new customers;

as we continue to focus on debt reduction to mitigate the interest burden that faces the Group.

Going Concern

These interim financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as detailed in Note 1. The Board's forecasts show that the Group can operate within its available facilities and meet its covenants as they fall due, however the interest cover covenant headroom is limited at 31 March 2024, principally due to the continuation of high interest rates.

The Board continues to take actions including operational restructuring, cost savings, working capital management, debt reduction and interest reduction initiatives and it considers that whilst the potential benefits from these give comfort that the downside risks can be mitigated, there remains a material uncertainty that the interest cover covenant may be breached under certain severe downside risk scenarios.

Responsibility Statement

We confirm to the best of our knowledge:

(a) the condensed consolidated set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting;

(b) the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R (indication of important events during the first six months and description of principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year); and

(c) the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.8R (disclosure of related party transactions and changes therein).

By order of the Board,

Frank Doorenbosch	Eric Hutchinson
Chief Executive Officer	Chief Financial Officer

29 November 2023

Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures - H1 2024

£000	Underlying	Exceptional items	Statutory
CTP operating profit	3,687	(841)	2,846
Aerospace operating profit	1,002	(50)	952
Central costs	(2,457)	(1,204)	(3,661)
Operating profit / (loss)	2,232	(2,095)	137
Net finance expense	(2,635)	-	(2,635)
Loss before tax	(403)	(2,095)	(2,498)
Income tax credit	71	259	330
Loss for the period	(332)	(1,836)	(2,168)
Basic loss per share (pence)	(0.5)p	(2.5)p	(3.0)p

Glossary of Terms

CONSTANT CURRENCY	Prior period translated at the current period's average exchange rate. Included to explain the effect of changing exchange rates during volatile times to assist the reader's understanding
CASH CONVERSION RATE	Cash generated from operations add back pension contributions net of pension administration costs and cash from exceptional items, less total capex divided by underlying EBIT as defined below
GROUP CAPITAL EXPENDITURE	Non-current asset additions
NET BANK INTEREST	Interest receivable on cash at bank less interest payable on bank loans and overdrafts. Reported in this manner due to the global nature of the Group and its banking agreements
NET CASH FLOW	Cash generated from operations add back pension contributions net of pension administration costs and cash from exceptional items, less total capex and net interest paid
NET DEBT	Cash and cash deposits less loans and borrowings. Used to report the overall financial debt of the Group in a manner that is easy to understand
NET DEBT EXCLUDING LEASE LIABILITIES	Net debt, as defined above, excluding lease liabilities. Used to report the overall non-leasing debt of the Group in a manner that is easy to understand
EBIT	Profit before interest and tax
EBITDA	Profit before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation
UNDERLYING	Adjusted to exclude all exceptional and separately disclosed items
UNDERLYING EBIT	Profit before interest and tax adjusted to exclude all exceptional and separately disclosed items
UNDERLYING EBITDA	Profit before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation adjusted to exclude all exceptional and separately disclosed items
UNDERLYING EARNINGS PER SHARE	Earnings per share adjusted to exclude all exceptional and separately disclosed items
UNDERLYING OPERATING PROFIT	Operating profit adjusted to exclude all exceptional and separately disclosed items
UNDERLYING PROFIT BEFORE TAX	Profit before tax adjusted to exclude all exceptional and separately disclosed items
OPERATIONAL GEARING	Ratio of fixed overheads to sales
RETURN ON SALES	Underlying operating profit, as defined above, from continuing operations, as a percentage of revenue from continuing operations
RETURN ON CAPITAL EMPLOYED ("ROCE")	Return on capital employed measures the underlying operating profit for the Group, including discontinued operations, as a percentage of assets employed, defined as working capital plus tangible assets

Condensed consolidated income statement
				Six months ended		Six months ended		Year ended
				30 September		30 September	31 March
				2023		2022		2023
				unaudited		unaudited		audited
	Notes			£000		£000		£000
Continuing operations:
Revenue			4	66,921		72,151		143,445


Underlying operating profit				2,232		3,593		5,939

Exceptional items			5	(2,095)		(332)		(4,710)

Operating profit			4	137		3,261		1,229

Finance revenue			6	283		60		218
Finance expense			6	(2,918)		(1,670)		(3,967)

(Loss) / profit before tax				(2,498)		1,651		(2,520)

Income tax credit / (expense)			7	330		(983)		(1,437)

(Loss) / profit for the period				(2,168)		668		(3,957)


Attributable to:

Equity holders of the parent company				(2,168)		668		(3,957)
Non-controlling interests				-		-		-
				(2,168)		668		(3,957)

(Loss) / earnings per ordinary share		8

Basic				(3.0)	p	0.9	p	(5.4) p


Diluted				(3.0)	p	0.9	p	(5.4) p

Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income

			Six months ended	Six months ended		Year ended
			30 September	30 September	31 March
			2023	2022		2023
			unaudited	unaudited		audited
	Notes		£000	£000		£000

(Loss) / profit for the period			(2,168)	668		(3,957)

Other comprehensive (expense) / income:

Items that will not be reclassified to the income statement

Remeasurement losses on defined benefit scheme		12	(1,719)	(201)		(10,577)

Total items that will not be reclassified to the income statement			(1,719)	(201)		(10,577)

Items that will or may in the future be classified to the income statement

Foreign exchange translation differences			(696)	6,911		1,129
Net investment hedge			(94)	(1,971)		818
Deferred tax arising			1	(246)		(190)

Total items that are or may in future be classified to the income statement			(789)	4,694		1,757

Other comprehensive (expense) / income, net of income tax			(2,508)	4,493		(8,820)

Total comprehensive (expense) / income for the period			(4,676)	5,161		(12,777)

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the parent			(4,676)	5,161		(12,777)
Non-controlling interests			-	-		-
Total (expense) / comprehensive income for the period			(4,676)	5,161		(12,777)

Condensed consolidated statement of financial position
		30 September	30 September		31 March
		2023		2022		2023
		unaudited		unaudited		audited
	Notes	£000		£000		£000
Non-current assets
Intangible assets	10	23,136		24,580		23,463
Property, plant, and equipment	11	43,776		49,453		45,321
Deferred tax assets		1,732		1,469		1,185
Trade and other receivables		-		66		-
Total non-current assets		68,644		75,568		69,969

Current assets
Inventories		12,510		18,073		15,203
Contract assets		3,503		10,634		5,763
Trade and other receivables		19,578		22,648		21,383
Cash and cash deposits	14	7,185		10,724		10,354
Total current assets		42,776		62,079		52,703

Total assets		111,420		137,647		122,672

Non-current liabilities
Loans and borrowings	15	30,583		43,583		39,668
Deferred tax liabilities		4,693		5,187		4,917
Contract liabilities		1,458		589		-
Trade and other payables		124		76		-
Retirement benefit obligations	12	36,683		24,928		34,493

Total non-current liabilities		73,541		74,363		79,078

Current liabilities
Loans and borrowings	15	6,102		3,971		5,046
Trade payables		11,401		12,938		13,085
Other payables		8,878		7,946		8,323
Current tax liabilities		93		504		372
Contract liabilities		4,364		8,175		4,689
Provisions		96		95		473
Total current liabilities		30,934		33,629		31,988

Total liabilities		104,475		107,992		111,066

Net assets		6,945		29,655		11,606

Equity
Ordinary share capital issued	17	3,671		3,671		3,671
Share premium		7,359		7,359		7,359
Translation reserve		8,454		12,180		9,243
Retained earnings		(12,513)		6,471		(8,641)
Total equity attributable to equity holders of the Company		6,971		29,681		11,632
Non-controlling interests		(26)		(26)		(26)
Total equity		6,945		29,655		11,606

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity
	Attributable to equity holders of the Company
	Share	Share	Translation	Retained		Non-controlling	Total
	capital	premium	reserve	earnings	Total	interests	equity
	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000

Current half year period - unaudited

Balance at 1 April 2023	3,671	7,359	9,243	(8,641)	11,632	(26)	11,606

Loss for the period	-	-	-	(2,168)	(2,168)	-	(2,168)

Other comprehensive income:
Foreign exchange translation differences	-	-	(696)	-	(696)	-	(696)
Net investment hedge	-	-	(94)	-	(94)	-	(94)
Remeasurement losses on defined benefit scheme	-	-	-	(1,719)	(1,719)	-	(1,719)
Taxation on items above	-	-	1	-	1	-	1

Total comprehensive expense for the period	-	-	(789)	(3,887)	(4,676)	-	(4,676)

Transactions with owners recorded directly in equity:
Share based payments	-	-	-	15	15	-	15

Balance at 30 September 2023	3,671	7,359	8,454	(12,513)	6,971	(26)	6,945

Prior half year period unaudited
Balance at 1 April 2022	3,671	7,359	7,486	5,926	24,442	(26)	24,416

Profit for the period	-	-	-	668	668	-	668

Other comprehensive income:
Foreign exchange translation differences	-	-	6,911	-	6,911	-	6,911
Net investment hedge	-	-	(1,971)	-	(1,971)	-	(1,971)
Remeasurement losses on defined benefit scheme	-	-	-	(201)	(201)	-	(201)
Taxation on items above	-	-	(246)	-	(246)	-	(246)

Total comprehensive income for the period	-	-	4,694	467	5,161	-	5,161

Transactions with owners recorded directly in equity:
Share based payments	-	-	-	78	78	-	78

Balance at 30 September 2022	3,671	7,359	12,180	6,471	29,681	(26)	29,655

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity continued
	Attributable to equity holders of the Company
	Share	Share	Translation	Retained		Non-controlling	Total
	capital	premium	reserve	earnings	Total	interests	equity
	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity continued

Prior year - audited
Balance at 1 April 2022	3,671	7,359	7,486	5,926	24,442	(26)	24,416

Loss for the year	-	-	-	(3,957)	(3,957)	-	(3,957)

Other comprehensive income-
Foreign exchange translation differences	-	-	1,129	-	1,129	-	1,129
Net investment hedge	-	-	818	-	818	-	818
Remeasurement losses on defined benefit scheme	-	-	-	(10,577)	(10,577)	-	(10,577)
Taxation on items above	-	-	(190)	-	(190)	-	(190)

Total comprehensive income / (expense) for the period	-	-	1,757	(14,534)	(12,777)	-	(12,777)

Transactions with owners recorded directly in equity:
Share based payments	-	-	-	(33)	(33)	-	(33)

Balance at 31 March 2023	3,671	7,359	9,243	(8,641)	11,632	(26)	11,606

Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows
		30 September		30 September		31 March
			2023		2022		2023
			Unaudited		Unaudited		Audited
	Notes		£000		£000		£000
Cash generated from operations	13		11,439		512		7,778

Interest paid			(2,204)		(1,198)		(2,955)
Tax paid			(719)		(652)		(1,051)

Net cash from / (used in) operating activities			8,516		(1,338)		3,772

Cash flows (used in) / from investing activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment			225		1,129		1,390
Interest received			283		60		218
Purchase of property, plant and equipment			(2,142)		(976)		(2,313)
Purchase of intangible assets			(77)		(59)		(104)

Net cash (used in) / from investing activities			(1,711)		154		(809)

Cash flows from / (used in) financing activities
Drawings on new facilities			74		198		359
Refinancing costs			(50)		-		(250)
Proceeds from sale and leaseback of property, plant and equipment			-		1,222		1,222
Repayment of borrowings excluding lease liabilities			(7,868)		(1,100)		(1,800)
Repayment of other loan facilities			(103)		(45)		(102)
Repayment of lease liabilities			(2,060)		(1,838)		(4,104)

Net cash used in financing activities			(10,007)		(1,563)		(4,675)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents			(3,202)		(2,747)		(1,712)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			10,354		12,347		12,347
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held			33		1,124		(281)

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	14		7,185		10,724		10,354

Notes to the accounts

Basis of preparation

The condensed consolidated half year report for Carclo plc ("Carclo" or "the Group") for the six months ended 30 September 2023 has been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the audited accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023 and in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the UK Financial Conduct Authority and the requirements of UK adopted International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting'.

The financial information is unaudited.

The half year report does not constitute financial statements and does not include all the information and disclosures required for full annual statements. It should be read in conjunction with the annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 which is available either on request from the Company's registered office, Unit 5, Silkwood Court, Ossett, WF5 9TP, or can be downloaded from the corporate website www.carclo-plc.com

The comparative figures for the financial year ended 31 March 2023 are not the Company's complete statutory accounts for that financial year. Those accounts have been reported on by the Company's auditors and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors was (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and (iii) did not contain statements under Section 498 (2) of the Companies Act 2006.

The half year report was approved by the Board of Directors on 29 November 2023. Copies are available from the corporate website.

The Group financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 have been prepared and approved by the Directors in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards.

Going concern

These interim financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis.

The Directors have reviewed cash flow and covenant forecasts to cover the twelve-month period from the date of the approval of these condensed interim financial statements considering the Group's available debt facilities and the terms of the arrangements with the Group's bank and the Group pension scheme.

The debt facilities currently available to the Group comprise a term loan of £25.1 million, of which £0.7 million will be amortised by 31 March 2024, a further £2.2 million by 31 March 2025 and a final payment of £1.3 million in May 2025, before the balance becomes payable by 30 June 2025. At 30 September 2023, the term loans are denominated as follows: sterling 9.9 million, US Dollar 13.3 million and Euro 4.9 million. The facility also includes a £3.5 million revolving credit facility, denominated in sterling, maturing on 30 June 2025.

Net debt at 30 September 2023 was £29.5 million, a significant decrease from £34.4 million at 31 March 2023 (30 September 2022: £36.8 million), £3.7 million of the decrease is unscheduled repayments made since March 2023 to reduce the cost of debt.

A schedule of contributions is in place with the pension trustees being £3.5 million to be paid annually until 31 October 2039. Additional contributions also agreed are 25% of any surplus of 2023 / 24 underlying EBITDA over £18 million payable from 30 June 2024 to May 2025, extending to 26% of any 2024/25 surplus payable from 30 June 2025 to 31 May 2026.

The Group is subject to bank facility covenant tests, as described in note 1 of the Annual Report and Accounts for the year to 31 March 2023. On 22 June 2023, the bank agreed to the Group's request to amend the interest cover covenant to June 2025 and the net leverage covenant to December 2023 with the amendment deed signed 17 July 2023. The pension scheme had the benefit of a fifth covenant to be tested annually up to and including 2023. This test was completed earlier this year and the requirements have now been met.

The Board's forecasts show that the Group can operate within its available facilities and meet its covenants as they fall due, however the interest cover covenant headroom is limited at 31 March 2024, principally due to the continuation of high interest rates.

The Directors have reviewed sensitivity testing modelling a range of severe downside scenarios. These sensitivities attempt to incorporate identified risks set out in the Principal Risks and Uncertainties section of this report and in the Annual Report and Accounts for the year to 31 March 2023.

Severe downside sensitivities modelled included a range of scenarios modelling the financial effects of loss of business from: discrete sites, an overall fall in gross margin of 1% across the Group, a fall in Group sales of 3% matched by a corresponding fall in cost of sales of the same amount, general underperformance against forecast of certain sites and interest rate risk.

Because the interest cover covenant headroom is limited, principally due to the continuation of high interest rates, manifestation of the above risks, individually or in combination, could lead to a breach of the Group's banking covenants.

Accounting policies

The accounting policies applied in these interim financial statements are the same as those applied in the Group's consolidated financial statements as at, and for the year ended 31 March 2023. Certain new standards, amendments and interpretations to existing standards have been published that are mandatory for the Group's accounting period beginning on 1 April 2023 but they are not expected to have a material effect on the Group's financial statements.

Accounting estimates and judgements

The preparation of the interim financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income, and expenses. In preparing these half year financial statements, the significant judgements made by management in applying the Group's accounting policies and the key source of estimation uncertainty were the same as those applied to the audited consolidated financial statements as at, and for the year ended, 31 March 2023.

Notes to the accounts continued

4.		Segment reporting
		The Group is organised into two, separately managed, business segments - CTP and Aerospace. These are the segments for which summarised management information is presented to the Group's chief operating decision maker (comprising the Main Board and Group Executive Committee).
		The CTP segment supplies value-adding engineered solutions from mould design, automation, and production to assembly and printing for the life science, optical and precision component industries. This business operates internationally in a fast growing and dynamic market underpinned by rapid technological development.
		The Aerospace segment supplies systems to the manufacturing and aerospace industries.
		The Central costs relate to the running of the Group, plc and non-trading companies.
		Transfer pricing between business segments is set on an arm's length basis. Segmental revenues and results presented are after the elimination of transfers between business segments. Those transfers are eliminated on consolidation.

				CTP £000
							Aerospace £000							Central £000			Group Total £000


		The segment results for the six months ended 30 September 2023 were as follows:
		Consolidated income statement
		Continuing operations:

		External revenue		63,072					3,849					-			66,921
		Expenses		(59,385)					(2,847)					(2,457)	(64,689)
		Underlying operating profit / (loss)		3,687					1,002					(2,457)			2,232
		Exceptional operating items				(841)					(50)			(1,204)			(2,095)

		Operating profit / (loss)		2,846					952					(3,661)			137

		Net finance expense															(2,635)
		Income tax credit															330

		Loss for the period															(2,168)
	Consolidated statement of financial position

	Segment assets				102,539			6,420					2,461		111,420
	Segment liabilities				(38,639)			(1,523)					(64,313)		(104,475)
	Net assets				63,900							4,897		(61,852)		6,945

Other segmental information
	Capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment				3,155			577					154		3,886
	Capital expenditure on computer software				-			-					77		77
	Depreciation				3,719			116					41		3,876
	Impairment of property, plant and equipment				1,006			-					-		1,006
	Amortisation of computer software				15			-					35		50
	Amortisation of other intangible assets				35			-					-		35

	Disaggregation of revenue
	Major products/service lines
	Manufacturing		51,750					3,849						-	55,599
	Tooling - Design & Engineering				11,322			-					-		11,322
					63,072					3,849				-		66,921
	Timing of revenue recognition
	Products transferred at a point in time				51,750			3,849						-	55,599
	Products and services transferred over time				11,322			-						-	11,322
					63,072							3,849		-		66,921

Notes to the accounts continued

4. Segment reporting continued
		CTP			Aerospace		Central			Group Total
			£000			£000		£000		£000

	The segment results for the six months ended 30 September 2022 were as follows:
	Consolidated income statement
	Continuing operations:

	External revenue		69,133			3,018		-		72,151

	Expenses		(65,124)			(2,345)		(1,089)		(68,558)

	Underlying operating profit / (loss)		4,009			673		(1,089)		3,593

	Exceptional operating items			457		-		(789)		(332)

	Operating profit / (loss)		4,466			673		(1,878)		3,261

	Net finance expense									(1,610)
	Income tax expense									(983)

	Profit for the period									668

	Consolidated statement of financial position
	Segment assets		128,967			5,355		3,325		137,647
	Segment Liabilities		(44,637)			(1,257)		(62,098)	(107,992)
	Net assets / (liabilities)		84,330			4,098		(58,773)		29,655

	Other segmental information
	Capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment		2,628			231		-		2,859
	Capital expenditure on computer software			27		-		32		59
	Depreciation		3,664			117		33		3,814
	Amortisation of computer software			20		-		50		70
	Amortisation of other intangible assets			35		-		-		35

	Disaggregation of revenue
	Major products/service lines
	Manufacturing		58,982			3,018		-		62,000
	Tooling - Design & Engineering		10,151			-		-		10,151
			69,133			3,018		-		72,151

	Timing of revenue recognition
	Products transferred at a point in time		58,982			3,018		-		62,000
	Products and services transferred over time		10,151			-		-		10,151
			69,133			3,018		-		72,151

Notes to the accounts continued

4. Segment reporting continued

								Group
			CTP	Aerospace	Central			total
			£000	£000		£000		£000

	The segment results for the year ended 31 March 2023 were as follows:

	Consolidated income statement
	Continuing operations:

	External revenue		136,814	6,631		-		143,445

	Expenses	(129,493)		(5,111)		(2,902)	(137,506)

	Underlying operating profit / (loss)		7,321	1,520		(2,902)		5,939

	Exceptional operating items		(2,752)	-		(1,958)		(4,710)
	Operating profit / (loss)		4,569	1,520		(4,860)		1,229

	Net finance expense							(3,749)
	Income tax expense							(1,437)

	Loss for the period							(3,957)

	Consolidated statement of financial position

	Segment assets		114,231	5,886		2,555		122,672
	Segment liabilities		(40,000)	(1,198)		(69,868)	(111,066)

	Net assets / (liabilities)		74,231	4,688		(67,313)		11,606

	Other segmental information
	Capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment		5,474	287		49		5,810
	Capital expenditure on computer software		36	-		-		36
	Capital expenditure on other intangibles		68	-		-		68
	Depreciation		7,516	223		76		7,815
	Impairment of property		783	-		-		783
	Amortisation of computer software		43	-		101		144
	Amortisation of other intangibles		67	-		-		67
	Impairment of intangible assets		208	-		-		208

	Disaggregation of revenue
	Major products/service lines
	Manufacturing		116,737	6,631		-		123,368
	Tooling - Design & Engineering		20,077	-		-		20,077
			136,814	6,631		-		143,445

	Timing of revenue recognition
	Products transferred at a point in time		117,038	6,631		-		123,669
	Products and services transferred over time		19,776	-		-		19,776
			136,814	6,631		-		143,445

Notes to the accounts continued

5.	Exceptional items
				Six months ended				Six months ended					Year ended
				30 September				30 September				31 March
					2023				2022				2023
					£000				£000				£000

	Continuing operations

	Rationalisation costs				(971)				(1,101)				(3,404)
	Past service cost in respect to retirement benefits				(1,020)				-				-
	Net costs arising from cancellation of future supply agreement				(396)				-				(877)
	Settlement / (costs) in respect to legacy claims				292				-				(302)
	Credit arising on the disposal of surplus properties				-				769				769
	Doubtful debt and related inventory provision				-				-				(896)

	Exceptional items recognised in operating profit				(2,095)				(332)				(4,710)

	The cash element of exceptional items is a net £0.4 million outflow and a future net cash inflow of £0.4 million.
	Rationalisation costs during the six months ended 30 September 2023 relate to the restructuring and refinancing of the Group. These include £0.4 million of costs following the announcement of the closure of the Group's US Derry NH facility being primarily asset provisions and impairments (31 March 2023: £1.0 million), £0.3 million central employee related costs following reorganisation, £0.2 million costs to ensure compliance with the Group's principal bank financing arrangement and £0.1 million other restructuring related costs.
	During the period to 30 September 2023 the Trustees of the Carclo Group Pension Scheme identified that a group of members required an adjustment to their benefits in respect of the requirement to provide equal benefits to males and females following the Barber judgment in 1990. In summary, the adjustment consisted of decreasing the normal retirement age from 65 to 60 for some members' benefits for some elements of service after 17 May 1990. This has resulted in additional liabilities in the Scheme which have been accounted for as a £1.0 million past service cost in the income statement (approximately 0.8% of liabilities).
	On 30 May 2023, the Group signed a full and final settlement agreement with a leading global OEM customer who had decided not to proceed with the production phase of their project. An impairment review was undertaken in the year to 31 March 2023, with final settlement providing evidence that impairment existed and a resultant impairment cost of £0.9 million was recognised as an exceptional item at that date. During the current period, a further £0.9 million impairment has been recognised in order that the fixed assets not intended for continued use within the business be written down to management's best estimate of recoverable amount at 30 September 2023, see note 11 for further details. Also, during the period, ancillary assets relating to this customer were sold at a loss of £0.2 million. Although the details of the agreement remain confidential, as reported in the annual report and accounts for the year to 31 March 2023, offsetting these costs is a £0.6 million gain received on final settlement and recognised in the current period.
	During the period to 30 September 2023 the Group received notice from its third-party advisor there would be no obligation on Carclo plc to make payment to settle two of the health-related claims that had been provided for at 31 March 2023. As such, the provision held at that date, £0.3 million, has been released back to exceptional items.

6.	Net finance expense
			Six months ended			Six months ended 30 September					Year ended
		30 September								31 March
			2023			2022				2023
			£000			£000				£000

	Continuing operations:
	The expense recognised in the condensed consolidated income statement comprises:

	Interest receivable on cash and cash deposits		283				60				218
	Interest payable on bank loans and overdrafts		(1,559)				(1,030)				(2,569)
	Lease interest		(422)				(303)			(674)
	Other interest		(118)				-				(59)
	Net interest on the net defined benefit liability		(819)				(337)				(665)

	Net finance expense		(2,635)				(1,610)				(3,749)

Notes to the accounts continued


7.	Income tax (credit) / expense
				Six months ended			Six months ended		Year ended
			30 September			30 September			31 March
				2023			2022			2023
				£000			£000			£000

	Continuing operations:
	The credit / (expense) recognised in the condensed consolidated income statement comprises:


	Current tax expense on ordinary activities			(701)			(795)			(1,370)
	Deferred tax credit / (expense) on ordinary activities			772			(74)			(558)
	Current tax credit / (expense) on exceptional items			259			(114)			491

	Total income tax credit / (expense) recognised in the condensed consolidated income statement			330			(983)			(1,437)


	The half year tax credit represents 13.2% of statutory loss before tax (6 months to 30 September 2022: tax expense 59.5%) based on the estimated average effective tax rate on ordinary activities for the full year.
	The half year underlying effective tax rate amounts to 17.6% credit of underlying loss before tax and exceptional items (6 months to 30 September 2022: 43.8% expense).
	The Group's underlying effective tax rate is lower than the underlying UK tax rate of 25.0% (6 months to 30 September 2022: 19.0%) because losses are not recognised in the UK for deferred tax purposes. This is partially offset by the payment of withholding tax on dividends and royalties from certain tax jurisdictions.
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities at 30 September 2023 have been calculated on the rates substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. A change to the main UK corporation tax rate, set out in the Finance Bill 2021 was substantively enacted on 24 May 2021 and the main rate of corporation tax became 25% from 1 April 2023. Overseas taxes are calculated at the rates prevailing in the respective jurisdictions.

8.	(Loss) / earnings per share
	Continuing operations:
	The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on the (loss) / profit attributable to equity holders of the parent company divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

	The calculation of diluted earnings per share is based on the (loss) / profit attributable to equity holders of the parent company divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period (adjusted for dilutive options).

	The following details the result and average number of shares used in calculating the basic and diluted earnings per share:

		Six months ended			Six months ended			Year ended
		30 September			30 September			31 March
		2023			2022				2023
		£000			£000				£000


	(Loss) / profit after tax	(2,168)			668			(3,957)
	(Loss) / profit attributable to non-controlling interests		-		-				-
	(Loss) / profit after tax, attributable to equity holders of the parent	(2,168)			668				(3,957)


		Six months ended			Six months ended			Year ended
		30 September			30 September			31 March
		2023			2022				2023
		Shares			Shares			Shares
	Weighted average number of ordinary shares in the period	73,419,193			73,419,193			73,419,193

	Effect of dilutive share options in issue	15,974			376,151				15,974

	Weighted average number of ordinary shares (diluted) in the period	73,435,167			73,795,344				73,435,167

Notes to the accounts continued

8. Earnings per share continued
	76,598 of share options granted on 21 September 2023 have been excluded from the calculation of weighted average number of dilutive earnings per share in the current period as they are antidilutive. These options could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future.
	In addition to the above, the Company also calculates a (loss) / earnings per share based on underlying (loss) / profit as the Board believe this provides a more useful comparison of business trends and performance. Underlying (loss) / profit is defined as (loss) / profit before impairments, rationalisation costs, one-off retirement benefit effects, exceptional bad debts, business closure costs, litigation costs, other one-off costs and the impact of property and business disposals, net of attributable taxes.
	The following table reconciles the Group's (loss) / profit to underlying (loss) / profit used in the numerator in calculating underlying (loss) / earnings per share:
		Six months ended	Six months ended		Year ended
		30 September	30 September	31 March
		2023	2022		2023
		£000	£000		£000
	(Loss) / profit after tax, attributable to equity holders of the parent	(2,168)	668		(3,957)

	Exceptional - rationalisation costs, net of tax	890	1,023		3,070
	Exceptional - past service cost in respect to retirement benefits	1,020	-		-
	Exceptional - net costs arising from cancellation of future supply agreement, net of tax	218	-		752
	Exceptional - (Settlement) / costs in respect to legacy claims, net of tax	(292)	-		302
	Exceptional credit arising on the disposal of surplus properties, net of tax	-	(577)		(578)
	Exceptional - doubtful debt and related inventory provision, net of tax	-	-		(673)

	(Loss) / profit after tax but before exceptional items, attributable to equity holders of the parent	(332)	1,114		262

	Underlying operating profit	2,232	3,593		5,939

	Finance revenue	283	60		218
	Finance expense	(2,918)	(1,670)		(3,967)
	Income tax credit / (expense)	71	(869)		(1,928)

	Underlying (loss) / profit attributable to equity holders of the parent	(332)	1,114		262

	Notes to the accounts continued

	8.	Earnings per share continued
		The following table summarises the earnings per share figures based on the above data:
			Six months ended	Six months ended		Year ended
			30 September	30 September	31 March
			2023	2022		2023
			Pence	Pence		Pence

		Basic (loss) / earnings per share	(3.0)	0.9		(5.4)


		Diluted (loss) / earnings per share	(3.0)	0.9		(5.4)


		Underlying (loss) / earnings per share - basic	(0.5)	1.5		0.4


		Underlying (loss) / earnings per share - diluted	(0.5)	1.5		0.4

9.		Dividends paid and proposed
		No dividends were paid in the period or the comparative periods.
		Under the terms of the amended and restated bank facilities agreement, the Group is not permitted to make a dividend payment to shareholders up to the period ending June 2025.

10.		Intangible assets
		The movements in the carrying value of intangible assets are summarised as follows:
			Six months ended	Six months ended		Year ended
			30 September	30 September	31 March
			2023	2022		2023
			£000	£000		£000

		Net book value at the start of the period	23,463	22,714		22,714

		Additions	77	59		104
		Disposals	-	-		(14)
		Amortisation	(85)	(105)		(211)
		Impairment	-	-		(208)
		Effect of movements in foreign exchange	(319)	1,912		1,078

		Net book value at the end of the period	23,136	24,580		23,463

		Included within intangible assets is goodwill of £22.7 million (31 March 2023 - £23.0 million). The carrying value of goodwill is subject to annual impairment tests by reviewing detailed projections of the recoverable amounts from the underlying cash generating units. At 31 March 2023, the carrying value of goodwill was supported by value-in-use calculations. There has been no indication of subsequent impairment in the current financial period.
		In the year ended 31 March 2023, a customer-related intangible asset recognised on acquisition of the US Derry, NH facility was fully impaired as the Group now has minimal trading with the customers to which it related, the cost was recognised as an exceptional item in that year of £0.2 million.

Notes to the accounts continued

11.	Property, plant and equipment
	The movements in the carrying value of property plant and equipment are summarised as follows:
		Six months ended	Six months ended		Year ended
		30 September	30 September	31 March
		2023	2022		2023
		£000	£000		£000

	Net book value at the start of the period	45,321	46,964		46,964

	Additions	3,886	2,859		5,810
	Depreciation	(3,876)	(3,814)		(7,815)
	Disposals	(384)	(207)		(484)
	Impairment	(1,006)	-		(783)
	Reclassification of assets held for sale	-	(65)		(64)
	Effect of movements in foreign exchange	(165)	3,716		1,693
	Net book value at the end of the period	43,776	49,453		45,321

	Of the net book value at 30 September 2023, £23.3 million is land and buildings and £20.5 million is plant and equipment (31 March 2023: £25.5 million and £19.9 million respectively). Additions to 30 September 2023 were £0.7 million to land and buildings and £3.2 million to plant and equipment, disposals were land and buildings £0.1 million and plant and equipment £0.3 million.
	Receiving notice from a leading global OEM CTP customer in December 2022 that they would not be proceeding into the production phase of a project was deemed by management to be an event that might be an indicator of impairment at 31 March 2023. An impairment review was undertaken, with final settlement providing evidence that impairment existed. The Directors undertook an exercise to determine the recoverable amount of assets that were earmarked for use on this project where recoverable amount is the higher of value in use and fair value less costs of disposal. There are a number of machines which management decided not to repurpose within the business and as a result, an impairment charge of £0.485 million was recognised in the year ended 31 March 2023 being the difference between net book value at year end and fair value less costs to dispose. These assets remain on balance sheet at 30 September 2023, with no intended use, and as such management have reviewed the recoverable amount of the assets at this date. Fair value less costs to dispose uses an estimate of the value which would be expected to be received from a third party in a sale of the asset, net of estimated sale costs. In the period to 30 September 2023, a further impairment of £0.861 million has been recognised as an exceptional cost to write the current carrying value down to FVLCD, see right-of-use assets below.
	The announced closure of the US Derry, NH facility is deemed by management to be an event that might be an indicator of impairment. Management have undertaken a review of the fixed assets that were not impaired at 31 March 2023 and determined that they should be fully impaired as fair value less costs to dispose is estimated to be £nil, resulting in an impairment charge of £0.145 million recognised as an exceptional cost.
	FVLCD is a level 3 measurement which is based on inputs which are normally unobservable to market participants, including offers received and managements experience of selling similar assets.

Notes to the accounts continued

11.	Property, plant and equipment continued

	Right-of-use assets
	Right-of-use assets related to lease agreements are presented within property, plant and equipment above. The movements are summarised as follows:
		Six months ended			Six months ended			Year ended
		30 September			30 September		31 March
		2023			2022			2023
		£000			£000			£000

	Net book value at the start of the period	12,451			11,713			11,713

	Additions	2,063			2,002			3,469
	Depreciation	(1,701)			(1,321)			(2,817)
	Asset transferred to right-of-use assets from owned property, plant and equipment	-			372			372
	Derecognition of right-of-use assets	(93)			(207)			(233)
	Impairment	(861)			-			(485)
	Effect of movements in foreign exchange	30			1,020			432

	Net book value at the end of the period	11,889			13,579			12,451

	Of the net book value at 30 September 2023, £5.5 million is land and buildings and £6.4 million is plant and equipment (31 March 2023: £6.2 million and £6.2 million respectively). Additions to 30 September 2023 were £0.7 million to land and buildings and £1.3 million to plant and equipment with disposals of £0.1 million to land and buildings.
	The impairment presented within right-of-use assets in the current period is in respect to the OEM global customer assets referred to above.

12.	Retirement benefit obligations

	The Group operates a defined benefit UK pension scheme which provides pensions based on service and final pay. Outside of the UK, retirement benefits are determined according to local practice and funded accordingly.

	The amounts recognised in the condensed consolidated statement of financial position in respect of the defined benefit scheme were as follows:

				Six months ended	Six months ended			Year ended
		30 September			30 September		31 March
		2023				2022		2023
			£000			£000		£000

	Present value of funded obligations		(125,038)			(128,079)	(134,091)
	Fair value of scheme assets		88,355			103,151		99,598
	Recognised liability for defined benefit obligations		(36,683)			(24,928)		(34,493)

Notes to the accounts continued

12.	Retirement benefit obligations continued
		Six months ended	Six months ended			Year ended
		30 September	30 September		31 March
		2023		2022		2023
		£000		£000		£000

	Movement in the net liability for defined benefit obligations recognised in the condensed consolidated statement of financial position:

	Net liability for defined benefit obligations at the start of the period	(34,493)		(25,979)		(25,979)
	Contributions paid	1,750		2,392		4,142
	Net expense recognised in the condensed consolidated income statement	(2,221)		(1,140)		(2,079)
	Remeasurement losses recognised in other comprehensive income	(1,719)		(201)		(10,577)
	Net liability for defined benefit obligations at the end of the period	(36,683)		(24,928)		(34,493)


		Six months ended	Six months ended			Year ended
		30 September	30 September		31 March
		2023		2022		2023
		£000		£000		£000
	Movements in the fair value of Scheme assets:

	Fair value of Scheme assets at the start of the period	99,598		155,780		155,780
	Interest income	2,362		2,057		4,085
	Loss on Scheme assets excluding interest income	(9,576)		(49,846)		(51,251)
	Contributions by employer	1,750		2,392		4,142
	Benefit payments	(5,397)		(6,429)		(11,744)
	Expenses paid	(382)		(803)		(1,414)
	Fair value of Scheme assets at the end of the period	88,355		103,151		99,598

	Actual loss on Scheme assets	(7,214)		(47,789)		(47,166)

Notes to the accounts continued

12.	Retirement benefit obligations continued

				Six months ended		Six months ended		Year ended
				Six months ended		Six months ended		Year ended
		30 September				30 September		31 March
					2023		2022		2023
				£000			£000		£000

	Movements in the present value of defined benefit obligations:

	Defined benefit obligation at the start of the period			134,091			181,759		181,759
	Interest expense			3,181			2,394		4,750
	Actuarial loss due to scheme experience			-			-		4,897
	Actuarial gains due to changes in demographic assumptions			-			-		(7,539)
	Actuarial gains due to changes in financial assumptions			(7,857)			(49,645)		(38,032)
	Benefits paid			(5,397)			(6,429)		(11,744)
	Past service cost			1,020			-		-
	Defined benefit obligation at the end of the period			125,038			128,079		134,091

			Six months ended			Six months ended		Year ended


		30 September				30 September		31 March
		2023					2022		2023
	The principal actuarial assumptions at the balance sheet date (expressed as weighted averages) were:
	Discount rate at period end			5.55%			5.30%		4.90%
	Inflation (RPI) (non-pensioner)			3.30%			3.55%		3.25%
	Inflation (CPI) (non-pensioner)			2.80%			3.05%		2.75%
	Allowance for revaluation of deferred pensions of RPI or 5% p.a. if less			3.30%			3.55%		3.25%
	Allowance for revaluation of deferred pensions of CPI or 5% p.a. if less			2.80%			3.05%		2.75%
	Allowance for pension in payment increases of RPI or 5% p.a. if less			3.10%			3.45%		2.90%
	Allowance for pension in payment increases of CPI or 3% p.a. if less			2.20%			2.55%		2.00%
	Allowance for pension in payment increases of RPI or 5% p.a. if less, minimum 3% p.a.			3.75%			3.75%		3.80%
	Allowance for pension in payment increases of RPI or 5% p.a. if less, minimum 4% p.a.			4.30%			4.25%		4.35%

	Life expectancy		years				years		years
	Male (current age 45)		18.7				19.7		18.7
	Male (current age 65)		17.8				18.8		17.8
	Female (current age 45)		21.6				22.0		21.6
	Female (current age 65)		20.4				20.9		20.4

Notes to the accounts continued

13.	Cash generated from operations
		Six months ended			Six months ended		Year ended 31 March 2023 £000
		30 September			30 September 2022 £000
				2023
				£000

	Continuing operations:
	(Loss / profit for the period			(2,168)		668		(3,957)

	Adjustments for -
	Pension scheme contributions net of administration costs settled by the Company		(1,443)			(1,869)		(3,287)
	Pension scheme administration costs settled by the Scheme		75			280		559
	Depreciation charge			3,876		3,814		7,815
	Amortisation charge			85		105		211
	Exceptional rationalisation costs			(57)		-		1,304
	Exceptional past service cost in respect to retirement benefits		1,020			-		-
	Exceptional costs arising from cancellation of future supply agreement		1,027			-		751
	Exceptional (settlement) / costs in respect to legacy claims			(292)		-		302
	Exceptional profit on disposal of surplus property			-		(769)		(769)
	Exceptional doubtful debt and related inventory provision			-		-		896
	Exceptional provision for staff costs			-		330		-
	Loss on disposal of intangible non-current assets			-		-		14
	Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment			(14)		-		-
	Share based payment charge / (credit)			15		78		(33)
	Financial income			(283)		(60)		(218)
	Financial expense			2,918		1,670		3,967
	Taxation (credit) / expense			(330)		983		1,437

	Operating cash flow before changes in working capital			4,429		5,230		8,992

	Changes in working capital
	Decrease in inventories			2,429		410		1,539
	Decrease / (increase) in contract assets			2,306		(2,112)		2,388
	Decrease / (increase) in trade and other receivables			2,111		(1,601)		(1,656)
	Decrease in trade and other payables			(1,006)		(2,669)		(943)
	Increase / (decrease) in contract liabilities			1,170		1,254		(2,542)
	Cash generated from operations			11,439		512		7,778

14.	Cash and cash deposits			As at		As at		As at
		30 September			30 September		31 March
				2023		2022		2023
				£000		£000		£000

	Cash and cash deposits			7,185		10,724		10,354


	The Group has a net UK multi-currency overdraft facility with a £nil net limit and a £12.5 million gross limit. At 30 September 2023, Carclo plc's overdraft of £8.8 million (31 March 2023: £6.5 million) has been recognised within cash and cash deposits when consolidated due to a right of off-set under a UK net overdraft arrangement.

Notes to the accounts continued

15.	Net debt

								As at	As at			As at
						30 September			30 September		31 March
								2023	2022			2023
								£000	£000			£000
	Net debt comprises -
	Cash and cash deposits							7,185	10,724			10,354
	Term loan							(24,695)	(30,722)		(28,950)
	Revolving credit facility							-	(3,500)			(3,500)
	Lease liabilities							(11,662)	(13,057)			(11,870)
	Other loans							(328)	(275)			(394)

	Net debt							(29,500)		(36,830)		(34,360)

	The debt facilities currently available to the Group comprise a term loan of £25.1 million (31 March 2023: £29.3 million), of which £0.7 million will be amortised by 31 March 2024, a further £2.2 million by 31 March 2025 and a final payment of £1.3 million in May 2025 before the balance becomes payable by 30 June 2025. An arrangement fee of £0.1 million became payable on 17 July 2023 following the deed amendment to reset the interest cover and debt leverage covenants. Half has been paid in the period to 30 September 2023 and the balance will be settled by 31 March 2024. At 30 September 2023, the term loans are denominated as follows: sterling 9.9 million, US Dollar 13.3 million and Euro 4.9 million. The facility also includes a £3.5 million (31 March 2023: £3.5 million) revolving credit facility, denominated in sterling, maturing on 30 June 2025. £nil balance was drawn on this facility at 30 September 2023 (31 March 2023: £3.5 million).

	Reconciliation of movements of liabilities to cash flows arising from financing activities

		Term loan		Revolving credit facility				Lease liabilities		Other loans		Total
		£000		£000			£000			£000		£000

	Balance at 31 March 2022	30,260		3,500			10,870			122		44,752

	Changes from financing cash flows
	Drawings on new facilities		-	-				3,092		198		3,290
	Transaction costs associated with the issue of debt	(500)		-				-		-		(500)
	Repayment of borrowings	(1,100)			-			(1,838)		(45)		(2,983)
		(1,600)			-		1,254			153		(193)

	Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates	1,972		-				933		-		2,905

	Liability-related other changes
	Interest expense - presented within exceptional items	69		-				-		-		69
	Interest expense - presented within finance expense	21		-				-		-		21

		90			-		-			-		90

	Equity-related other changes		-		-			-		-		-
	Balance at 30 September 2022	30,722			3,500		13,057			275		47,554

Notes to the accounts continued

15.	Net debt continued
		Term loan		Revolving credit facility		Lease liabilities			Other loans	Total
		£000			£000	£000			£000	£000
	Changes from financing cash flows
	Drawings on new facilities		-		-		-		161	161
	Repayment of borrowings	(700)			-		(2,490)		(57)	(3,247)
		(700)			-	(2,490)			104	(3,086)

	Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates	(1,154)		-			(560)		15	(1,699)

	Liability-related other charges
	Drawings on new facilities		-		-		1,863		-	1,863
	Interest expense - presented within finance expense	82			-		-		-	82
		82			-	1,863			-	1,945

	Equity-related other charges		-		-		-		-	-

	Balance at 31 March 2023	28,950			3,500	11,870			394	44,714

	Changes from financing cash flows
	Drawings on new facilities		-		-		1,841		74	1,915
	Transaction costs associated with the issue of debt	(100)		-			-		-	(100)
	Repayment of borrowings	(4,350)			(3,500)	(2,060)			(121)	(10,031)
		(4,450)			(3,500)	(219)			(47)	(8,216)

	Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates	95		-			11		(19)	87

	Liability-related other changes
	Interest expense - presented within finance expense	100			-		-		-	100
		100			-	-			-	100
	Equity-related other charges				-		-		-	-

	Balance at 30 September 2023	24,695			-	11,662			328	36,685

16.	Financial instruments

	The fair value of financial assets and liabilities are not materially different from their carrying value.

	Except as described in note 11, there are no material items required to be disclosed under the fair value hierarchy.

17.	Ordinary share capital

									Number
	Ordinary shares of 5 pence each -							of shares		£000

	Issued and fully paid at 30 September 2022, 31 March 2023 and 30 September 2023								73,419,193	3,671

Notes to the accounts continued

18.

Related parties

Identity of related parties

The Company has a related party relationship with its subsidiaries, its directors and executive officers and the Group pension scheme. There are no transactions that are required to be disclosed in relation to the Group's 60% dormant subsidiary Platform Diagnostics Limited.

Transactions with key management personnel

The Board was expanded on 6 October 2022 with the appointment of Frank Doorenbosch as Chief Executive Officer. Joe Oatley became Non-executive Chair on 7 November 2022 with the departure of Nick Saunders, Executive Chair. Rachel Amey was appointed as a new Non-executive Director on 1 March 2023. This essential strengthening of the leadership team is necessary to ensure the successful turnround of the Group and achieving the Carclo 2025 plan.

During the period to 30 September 2023, the Group was billed £0.5 million (30 September 2022: £0.5 million) by Thingtrax, a company that offers intelligent manufacturing infrastructure as a service. Frank Doorenbosch, a Carclo plc Executive Director, is also a Non-Executive Director of Thingtrax and, as such, the company is identified as a related party. In the six months to 30 September 2023, £0.3 million (30 September 2022: £0.3 million) has been recognised as a cost in the condensed consolidated income statement; a balance of £0.3 million remains on balance sheet as prepaid at 30 September 2023 and will be recognised in the second half of the year to 31 March 2024.

Key management personnel are considered to be the Executive Directors of the Group. Full details of directors' remuneration is disclosed in the Group's annual report. In the six months ended 30 September 2023, remuneration to current and former directors amounted to £0.322 million (six months ended 30 September 2022 - £0.434 million).

Group pension scheme

A third-party professional firm is engaged to administer the Group pension scheme (the Carclo Group Pension Scheme). The associated investment costs are borne by the scheme in full. It has been agreed with the trustees of the pension scheme that, under the terms of the recovery plan, the scheme would bear its own administration costs.

Core contributions of £0.292 million per month have been made during the six months to 30 September 2023, incorporating both deficit recovery contributions and scheme expenses including PPF levy.

Carclo incurred administration costs of £0.382 million during the period which has been charged to the consolidated income statement, including £0.011 million presented as exceptional costs, (30 September 2022: £0.803 million, of which £0.124 million was presented as exceptional). Of the administration costs, £0.075 million was paid directly by the scheme (30 September 2022: £0.280 million). The total deficit reduction contributions and administration costs paid during the period was £1.750 million (30 September 2022: £2.392 million).

19.

Post balance sheet events

On 25 October 2023, the Group announced the strategic decision to close its US Derry NH facility. The Group has recognised exceptional costs in the six months to 30 September 2023 of £0.4 million, being primarily to recognise Derry assets on the balance sheet at that date, at recoverable amount. The Group estimates that a further £0.4 million of costs will be recognised in respect to the facility closure in the final six months to 31 March 2024.

20.

Seasonality

There are no specific seasonal factors which impact on the demand for products and services supplied by the Group, other than for the timing of holidays and customer shutdowns. These tend to fall predominantly in the first half of Carclo's financial year and, as a result, revenues and profits are usually higher in the second half of the financial year compared to the first half.

INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO CARCLO PLC

Conclusion

We have been engaged by Carclo plc ("the company") to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2023 which comprises the condensed consolidated income statement, the condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the condensed consolidated statement of financial position, the condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity, the consolidated cash flow statement and related notes.

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2023 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with UK adopted International Accounting Standard 34 and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

Basis for conclusion

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK) 2410 (Revised), "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with UK adopted IFRSs. The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with UK adopted International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting.

Material uncertainty relating to going concern

We draw attention to note 1 to the interim financial information which indicates that the directors have considered the Group's ability to operate within its available banking facilities and to meet the associated covenants as they fall due. In the base case forecasts the interest cover covenant headroom is limited at 31 March 2024, principally due to continuation of high interest rates, and therefore there is a risk that the interest cover covenant may be breached under certain severe downside risk scenarios.

These events and conditions, indicate the existence of a material uncertainly in respect of the Group's ability to continue as a going concern.

Our conclusion is not modified in this respect.

Responsibilities of directors

The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

In preparing the half-yearly financial report, the directors are responsible for assessing the company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the review of the financial information

In reviewing the half-yearly report, we are responsible for expressing to the Company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statement in the half-yearly financial report. Our conclusion, including our Conclusions Relating to Going Concern, are based on procedures that are less extensive than audit procedures, as described in the Basis for Conclusion paragraph of this report.

The purpose of our review work and to whom we owe responsibilities

This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with the terms of our engagement letter to assist the Company in meeting the requirements of the DTR of the UK FCA. Our review has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company those matters we are required to state to it in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have reached.

Mazars LLP

Chartered Accountants

30 Old Bailey

London

EC4M 7AU

Date: 29 November 2023

Notes:

(a) The maintenance and integrity of the Carclo plc web site is the responsibility of the directors; the work carried out by us does not involve consideration of these matters and, accordingly, we accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the interim report since it was initially presented on the web site.

(b) Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial information may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our Privacy Policy.

END

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