The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Business environment
The main sector the group operates in is the food and beverage sector. Customers rely on a secure and efficient supply chain and the group has a long established and stable supply chain with key suppliers across the UK and Europe.
There have been no specific negative impacts on the supply chain during the financial year and the group is continually working with its suppliers to ensure this remains the case in the short, medium and long term.
The group's three-year plan for growth focuses upon excelling in delivering solutions to customers utilising its product range, by region, across the UK and Europe. The business monitors targets against the three-year plan ensuring that it identifies key detractors to enable it to manage any risks and uncertainties that have the potential to affect the achievement of its targets.
Strategy
As part of a family-controlled group, the directors have strong values and hold themselves to the highest standards. This is reflected in the group's values which include: care, competence and focus.
The success and longevity of the business is built upon revenue growth, profit growth, sustainable cash flow and debtor management. To ensure the continued success of the business, management regularly evaluate and monitor KPIs and take appropriate remedial actions.
During the year ended 31 December 2023 the group's parent undertaking has invested in a new premises which will provide state-of-the-art production and warehouse facilities to support the continuing demands of the group. This is expected to become operational in September 2024. The directors consider this an investment in meeting the demands of both existing and future customers whilst supporting staff in continuing to fulfil the volume, and high standards of quality, that customers expect.
Principal risks and uncertainties
Risk acceptance and risk management is continually monitored by means of a framework of policies, procedures and internal controls. All such policies and procedures are overseen by the board of directors and senior management and are constantly under review to comply with statutory regulations and best practice.
The principal risks to the business are inflation and supply chain uncertainty due to global unrest. The group continues to monitor inflation and the effect this has on the cost of incoming goods and overhead costs. The group concentrates the bulk of their sourcing of products and materials from the UK and Europe to minimise supply chain challenges.
Following the outbreak of war in Ukraine, in February 2022, the group carried out a review of its supply chain and client base to assess and manage impacts on various stakeholder groups. The group has identified no significant exposure to Ukraine or Russia through its operations but will continue to monitor escalating energy prices and the potential for further impact on supply chain costs more generally.
In the wider macro environment shortages of resources, and skilled staff at all levels, is constraining all sectors of industry. Resource planning and talent reviews ensure the group can build the pipeline of talent it needs to meet its business requirements. A robust talent acquisition process, with line managers trained to make the best hiring decisions and on boarding processes, ensures new starters are integrated into the business effectively.
Policies and procedures
Senior management are responsible for the Integrated Management System which they are committed to reviewing monthly ensuring that particular focus is given to driving continuing improvements to achieve scalable processes for future growth.
In the food sector, standards are high, markets are demanding and the margin for error is non-existent. The group’s rigorous commitment to compliance and continuous improvement is underpinned by external accreditation including UKAS, ISO 9001 and an ongoing BRCGS partnership.
The groups approach to managing liquidity and credit risk are provided in the financial instrument section of the directors report.
As anticipated by the directors, sales for 2023 were stronger than in 2022 and grew by 11.9%. The gross profit margin and operating profit percentages have remained consistent in 2023 when compared to 2022.
The directors are confident that the company's three year plan has enabled the business to retain a strong financial position and together with the dedication of its staff, new premises, and an accountable leadership team, will successfully deliver the company's objectives for 2024.
The directors were pleased to report a group operating profit of 29.5% for the year (2022 – 33.6%), which continues a track record of strong performance.
At the year end the group had shareholders funds of £11,713,393 (2022 - £10,642,493). The directors believe the group's position to be satisfactory, especially as the company's current assets exceed its current liabilities by £6,929,676 (2022 - £9,764,704), resulting in a strong current ratio, at the end of the year, of 2.75 (2022 - 4.95). The reduction in the current ratio relates primarily to the acquisition of the group's new premises during 2023. This has reduced current assets, but correspondingly increased fixed assets.
Client satisfaction is a key non-financial indicator. NPI (net promotor indicator) feedback is formally requested from clients, usually upon delivery of goods.
Future developments
The company continues to invest in product development conformance, undertaking research and development into both new and existing products and their application methodologies.
On behalf of the board
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.
The results for the year are set out on page 10.
Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £2,279,460. The directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend.
No preference dividends were paid. The directors do not recommend payment of a final dividend.
The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
The group manages its cash and borrowing requirements in order to maximise interest income and minimise interest expense, whilst ensuring the group has sufficient liquid resources to meet the operating needs of the business.
Investments of cash surpluses, borrowings and derivative instruments are made through banks and companies which must fulfil credit rating criteria approved by the Board.
All customers who wish to trade on credit terms are subject to credit verification procedures. Trade debtors are monitored on an ongoing basis and provision is made for doubtful debts where necessary.
During the year ended 31 December 2023 the company invested in a new premises which will provide state-of-the-art production and warehouse facilities to support the continuing demands of the company and its subsidiary. This is expected to become operational in September 2024 and the sale of company's current premises, at Farthing Road, is also expected to complete in September 2024. The company's new premises are located at: Foxtail House, Foxtail Road, Ransomes Industrial Estate, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 9RX and this will become the company's registered office in due course.
Details of future developments are given in the Strategic Report.
The auditor, , is deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the medium-sized companies exemption.
Qualified Opinion on the financial statements
We have audited the financial statements of Klipspringer Holdings Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 December 2023 which comprise the group profit and loss account, the group statement of comprehensive income, the group balance sheet, the company balance sheet, the group statement of changes in equity, the company statement of changes in equity, the group statement of cash flows, the company statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Basis for qualified opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion except for the evidence relating to stock. We were not appointed as auditor of the group until after 31 December 2022 and thus did not observe the counting of physical stocks and we were unable to satisfy ourselves by alternative means, or by using other audit procedures, concerning the stock quantities held at 31 December 2022, valued at £1,509,944, and which are included in cost of sales during the year ended 31 December 2023. Consequently we were unable to determine whether any adjustment to this amount was necessary.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group's and parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
As described in the basis for qualified opinion section of our report, we were unable to satisfy ourselves concerning the stock quantities of £1,509,944 held at 31 December 2022. We have concluded that where the other information refers to the stock balance or related balances such as cost of sales, it may be materially misstated for the same reason.
Qualified opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
We were not appointed as auditor of the company until after 31 December 2022 and thus did not observe the counting of physical stocks for the year ended 31 December 2022. We were unable to satisfy ourselves by alternative means concerning the stock quantities acquired at 31 December 2022 of £1,509,944 by using other audit procedures. Consequently we were unable to determine whether any adjustment to this amount was necessary. In addition, were any adjustment to this stock balance required, the strategic report would also need to be amended.
Except for the possible effects of the matter described in the basis for qualified opinion section of our report, in our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
the information given in the strategic report and the directors’ report for the financial period for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the strategic report and the directors’ report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Except for the matter described in the basis for qualified opinion section of our report, in the light of our knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report and the directors’ report.
In respect solely of the limitation on our work relating to stock, described above:
we have not obtained all of the information and explanations we considered necessary for the purpose of our audit; and
we were unable to determine whether adequate accounting records had been maintained.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made.
As explained more fully in the directors' responsibilities statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the parent 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 parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above and on the Financial Reporting Council’s website, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud.
We obtain and update our understanding of the entity, its activities, its control environment, and likely future developments, including in relation to the legal and regulatory framework applicable and how the entity is complying with that framework. Based on this understanding, we identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. This includes consideration of the risk of acts by the entity that were contrary to applicable laws and regulations, including fraud.
In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, including fraud, we designed procedures which included:
Enquiry of management and those charged with governance around actual and potential litigation and claims as well as actual, suspected and alleged fraud;
Reviewing minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;
Assessing the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations considered to have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the company through enquiry and inspection;
Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
Performing audit work over the risk of management bias and override of controls, including testing of
journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business and reviewing accounting estimates for indicators of potential bias.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's 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 and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
As permitted by s408 Companies Act 2006, the company has not presented its own profit and loss account and related notes. The company’s profit for the year was £795,904 (2022 - £3,513,495 profit).
Klipspringer Holdings Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is .
The group consists of Klipspringer Holdings Limited and all of its subsidiaries.
The principal activity of the group continued to be that of supplying specialist safety and compliance products and services to the food and beverage industry.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company Klipspringer Holdings Limited together with all entities controlled by the parent company (its subsidiaries) and the group’s share of its interests in joint ventures and associates.
All financial statements are made up to 31 December 2023. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with those used by other members of the group.
All intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.
Subsidiaries are consolidated in the group’s financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.
Entities in which the group holds an interest and which are jointly controlled by the group and one or more other venturers under a contractual arrangement are treated as joint ventures. Entities other than subsidiary undertakings or joint ventures, in which the group has a participating interest and over whose operating and financial policies the group exercises a significant influence, are treated as associates.
Investments in joint ventures and associates are carried in the group balance sheet at cost plus post-acquisition changes in the group’s share of the net assets of the entity, less any impairment in value. The carrying values of investments in joint ventures and associates include acquired goodwill.
If the group’s share of losses in a joint venture or associate equals or exceeds its investment in the joint venture or associate, the group does not recognise further losses unless it has incurred obligations to do so or has made payments on behalf of the joint venture or associate.
Unrealised gains arising from transactions with joint ventures and associates are eliminated to the extent of the group’s interest in the entity.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes. The fair value of consideration takes into account trade discounts, settlement discounts and volume rebates.
When cash inflows are deferred and represent a financing arrangement, the fair value of the consideration is the present value of the future receipts. The difference between the fair value of the consideration and the nominal amount received is recognised as interest income.
Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have passed to the buyer (usually on dispatch of the goods), the amount of revenue can be measured reliably, it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.
Revenue from contracts for the provision of professional services is recognised by reference to the stage of completion when the stage of completion, costs incurred and costs to complete can be estimated reliably. The stage of completion is calculated by comparing costs incurred, mainly in relation to contractual hourly staff rates and materials, as a proportion of total costs. Where the outcome cannot be estimated reliably, revenue is recognised only to the extent of the expenses recognised that it is probable will be recovered.
Freehold land is not depreciated.
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the profit and loss account.
Equity investments are measured at fair value through profit or loss, except for those equity investments that are not publicly traded and whose fair value cannot otherwise be measured reliably, which are recognised at cost less impairment until a reliable measure of fair value becomes available.
In the parent company financial statements, investments in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.
A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the group. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.
An associate is an entity, being neither a subsidiary nor a joint venture, in which the company holds a long-term interest and where the company has significant influence. The group considers that it has significant influence where it has the power to participate in the financial and operating decisions of the associate.
Investments in associates are initially recognised at the transaction price (including transaction costs) and are subsequently adjusted to reflect the group’s share of the profit or loss, other comprehensive income and equity of the associate using the equity method. Any difference between the cost of acquisition and the share of the fair value of the net identifiable assets of the associate on acquisition is recognised as goodwill. Any unamortised balance of goodwill is included in the carrying value of the investment in associates.
Losses in excess of the carrying amount of an investment in an associate are recorded as a provision only when the company has incurred legal or constructive obligations or has made payments on behalf of the associate.
In the parent company financial statements, investments in associates are accounted for at cost less impairment.
Entities in which the group has a long term interest and shares control under a contractual arrangement are classified as jointly controlled entities.
At each reporting period end date, the group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.
The carrying amount of the investments accounted for using the equity method is tested for impairment as a single asset. Any goodwill included in the carrying amount of the investment is not tested separately for impairment.
Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.
If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.
Recognised impairment losses are reversed if, and only if, the reasons for the impairment loss have ceased to apply. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.
The group has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the group's balance sheet when the group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amounts presented in the financial statements when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Other financial assets, including investments in equity instruments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss, except that investments in equity instruments that are not publicly traded and whose fair values cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment.
Financial assets, other than those held at fair value through profit and loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting end date.
Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. If an asset is impaired, the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.
If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed. The reversal is such that the current carrying amount does not exceed what the carrying amount would have been, had the impairment not previously been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in profit or loss.
Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the group transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the group after deducting all of its liabilities.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the group's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
Equity instruments issued by the group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the group.
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.
The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease except where another more systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased asset are consumed.
Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each reporting end date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting end date. Gains and losses arising on translation in the period are included in profit or loss.
In the application of the group’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the group and company during the year was:
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
The actual charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected charge for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:
Deferred tax of £87,565 is expected to reverse in the next year as accelerated capital allowances reduce (see note 21).
Factors that may affect future tax charges
From 1 April 2023, the main rate of ccorporation tax increased from 19% to 25% for companies in the United Kingdom with profits exceeding £250,000. This change will place a greater tax burden on the company in future accounting periods, in comparison with previous years.
Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 December 2023 are as follows:
The differences between purchase and replacement cost are not material.
Borrowings include unsecured interest free loans of £1,499,900 (2022 - £Nil) from non-group companies controlled by directors of the company. There are no formal repayment terms.
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the group and company, and movements thereon:
The deferred tax liability set out above is expected to reverse within 12 months and relates to accelerated capital allowances that are expected to mature within the same period.
A defined contribution pension scheme is operated for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund.
The company has multiple classes of ordinary shares which carry no right to fixed income. Additionally, the company has in issue 1,100,000 preference shares of £1 each, classified as equity. The holders of the preference shares have a right to request a redemption, but the company has an unconditional right to reject any such request if it sees fit.
The company issued two £1 ordinary shares at nominal value during the year ended 31 December 2023. The shares were issued to non-group companies controlled by directors of the company.
The capital redemption reserve represents amounts transferred from the profit and loss reserve following the redemption of the company's own shares.
The profit and loss reserve represents the cumulative retained profits generated since incorporation less distributions.
During the year ended 31 December 2023 the company invested in a new premises which will provide state-of-the-art production and warehouse facilities to support the continuing demands of the company and its subsidiary. This is expected to become operational in September 2024 and the sale of company's current premises, at Farthing Road, is also expected to complete in September 2024. The company's new premises are located at: Foxtail House, Foxtail Road, Ransomes Industrial Estate, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 9RX and this will become the company's registered office in due course.
Other debtors due within one year includes interest free loans to directors and their close family members totalling £312,414 (2022 - £5,502). The loans have been made on an interest free basis and are repayable on demand.
Included in other creditors due within one year are interest free loans of £1,499,900 (2022 - £Nil) from non-group companies controlled by directors of the company. There are no formal repayment terms.
Other creditors due within one year includes interest free loans from the directors and their close family members totalling £773,174 (2022 - £1,028,284). The loans have been made on an interest free basis and are repayable on demand.