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Ablebox Limited

Annual Report and Financial Statements
Year Ended 30 April 2024

Registration number: 02547129

 

Ablebox Limited

Contents

Company Information

1

Strategic Report

2 to 3

Directors' Report

4 to 5

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

6

Independent Auditor's Report

7 to 10

Statement of Income and Retained Earnings

11

Balance Sheet

12

Statement of Cash Flows

13

Notes to the Financial Statements

14 to 29

 

Ablebox Limited

Company Information

Directors

A B Lloyd

S P Ainsworth

J C Lloyd

T C Lloyd

S Sherman

B J Potts

Registered office

Unit 6
Coldharbour Business Park
Sherborne
Dorset
DT9 4JW

Auditors

PKF Francis Clark
Statutory Auditor
Ground Floor
Blackbrook Gate 1
Blackbrook Business Park
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 2PX

 

Ablebox Limited

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

The directors present their strategic report for the year ended 30 April 2024.

Principal activity

The principal activity of the company is to manufacture and distribute corrugated packaging.

Fair review of the business

The financial year demonstrated continued growth and success for Ablebox. Turnover was £17.0m (2023: £17.8m), overall volumes were up and Profit Before Tax increased to £3.37m (2023: £2.62m). The company continued to strengthen its financial position in the year with net assets of £8.06m (2023: £6.3m) as shown in the Balance Sheet on page 12.

The business had another progressive year with strong sales volumes. The inflationary pressures felt in the year ended April 2023 eased in the year. A constant drive for efficiency of process has allowed the company to reduce its direct and overhead costs significantly year-on-year.

The underlying raw materials market is forecasted to continue to experience price pressures over the second half of 2024. Ablebox’s lean operating model and robust commercial agreements allows the company to react quickly to these pressures. The efficient processes and production operations ensure that the company can maintain profit margins and high-quality standards against this backdrop.

In July 2023 the business invested in high-quality, high-volume machinery, housed at the Sherborne factory. This strategic investment significantly enhances Ablebox’s print capability, helping its customers on-shelf presence. It also supports the businesses plan for continued growth, utilising available capacity in the recent corrugator investment, giving a more competitive edge to further support existing and future customer requirements.

The directors have agreed it is of strategic importance to align with B-Corp values and hopes to gain certification over the coming year. This further demonstrates their commitment to the team members, supply chains and communities in which the company operates. Additionally, the business is leveraging its position of being a leader in technology with its inhouse technology development team, investing heavily in AI research and implementing AI-enabled technology into workflows to improve customer service and efficiency. This will help ensure the business is at the forefront of adopting this incredibly powerful technology within the manufacturing industry.

The business continues to remain ambitious, competitive and agile in the market through a sharp focus on their “5 Key Values”: adding value, innovation, customer service, continuous improvement, and quality.

The Board monitor performance by reference to various key performance indicators. These performance indicators are reviewed and discussed at monthly Board Meetings:
 

Financial KPIs

Unit

2024

2023

Turnover

£'m

16.95

17.80

Profit before tax

£'m

3.37

2.62

EBITDA

£'m

4.46

3.62

EBITDA

%

26.31

20.33

 

Ablebox Limited

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

Principal risks and uncertainties

In a post-Covid economy, stabilising after cost shocks in 2022 and 2023, the focus on “value” has increased significantly, necessitating a business that offers a competitive price and a quality product if it wishes to remain the supplier of choice to its customers. The directors believe that the company is well placed to meet these challenges, having developed a lean operation, that is driven by continuous improvement and leveraging technology at all stages. This ensures efficiency of operations and control of costs, allowing Ablebox to continue to be competitive and profitable, whilst delivering excellent value to its customers.

Despite an easing of inflationary pressures it remains a risk as the economy continues to catch up with cost shocks in 2022 and 2023. Labour market and raw materials remain the key areas of inflation. As described in the strategic report, the directors have recognised these challenges at an early stage and have taken steps and will continue to act accordingly whilst also taking a long-term view of the business strategy and direction.

These inflationary pressures are also likely to have an impact on the company’s customers. Therefore, the company monitors the performance of its customers and where necessary, makes decisions quickly to safeguard the business, maintaining insured credit limits to appropriate levels. AI also presents a risk to disrupting how business is conducted in the mid-term, Ablebox is researching and implementing AI technology so to be at the forefront of this change as described in the strategic report.

Further developments

The company continues to invest in the new Sherborne factory, with the view to bringing full scale, highly automated, production online within the next 12 months increasing capacity, print capability and further operational resilience.

Approved and authorised by the Board on 30 October 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
 

.........................................
S P Ainsworth
Director

 

Ablebox Limited

Directors' Report for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 30 April 2024.

Directors of the company

The directors who held office during the year were as follows:

A B Lloyd

S P Ainsworth

J C Lloyd

T C Lloyd

A L Takle (resigned 5 April 2024)

S Sherman (appointed 1 March 2024)

The following director was appointed after the year end:

B J Potts (appointed 10 June 2024)

Financial instruments

Objectives and policies

The company's activities expose it to a number of financial risks, including credit risk, cash flow risk and liquidity risk. The use and nature of financial instruments are determined by the directors in the context of trading terms made available to the company by customers and suppliers, with the objective of securing the liquidity and profitability of the company.

Price risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and cash flow risk

Price Risk - The company is exposed to price risk as a result of its operations. However, given the size of the company's operations, the costs of managing exposure to price risk exceed any potential benefits.

Credit Risk - The company has implemented policies for its finance operations that require appropriate credit checks on potential customers before finance is given. The nature of the company's main operations does not give rise to significant credit risk.

Liquidity Risk - The company actively maintains debt finance in respect of bank loans, hire purchases and an invoice financing facility that is designed to ensure the company has sufficient available funds for operations and expansions. The directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.

Cash Flow risk - The company has interest bearing liabilities and has selected a mixture of short and longer term borrowings to ensure that the company can meet its working capital requirements. The directors will revisit the appropriateness of this policy should the company's situation change.

Future developments

The company has taken advantage of Section 414C(11) of the Companies Act 2006 and included details of future developments in the Strategic Report.

 

Ablebox Limited

Directors' Report for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

Disclosure of information to the auditors

Each director has taken steps that they ought to have taken as a director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company's auditors are aware of that information. The directors confirm that there is no relevant information that they know of and of which they know the auditors are unaware.

Approved and authorised by the Board on 30 October 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
 

.........................................
S P Ainsworth
Director

 

Ablebox Limited

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

 

Ablebox Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Ablebox Limited

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Ablebox Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 30 April 2024, which comprise the Statement of Income and Retained Earnings, Balance Sheet, Statement of Cash Flows, and Notes to the Financial Statements, including a summary of 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).

In our opinion the financial statements:

give a true and fair view of the state of the company's affairs as at 30 April 2024 and of its profit for the year then ended;

have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for 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 responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the 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.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the director's 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 company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the original financial statements were 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 directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. 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.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

 

Ablebox Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Ablebox Limited

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

the information given in the Strategic Report and Directors' Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

the Strategic Report and Directors' Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

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.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

adequate accounting records have not been kept, or 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; or

we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

Responsibilities of directors

As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors' Responsibilities set out on page 6, 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 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 Responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

 

Ablebox Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Ablebox Limited

As part of our audit planning we obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that is applicable to the entity and the sector in which it operates to identify the key laws and regulations affecting the entity. As part of this assessment process we discussed with management the laws and regulations applicable to the company, reviewed certification identified on the company website and other communications and considered findings from previous audits.

The key laws and regulations we identified were Health and Safety Regulations, ISO 9001, Environmental regulations and Employment Law.

We have also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements, primarily Companies House Act 2006 and Corporation Taxes Acts 2009 and 2010.

We discussed with management how the compliance with these laws and regulations is monitored and discussed policies and procedures in place.

We also identified the individuals who have responsibility for ensuring that the entity complies with laws and regulations are deal with reporting any issues if they arise.

As part of our planning procedures, we assessed the risk of any non-compliance with such laws and regulations. Our procedures involved the following:

• Enquiries of management and those charged with governance regarding their knowledge of any non-compliance with laws and regulations that could affect the financial statements;

• Reviewed legal and professional costs to identify any possible non compliance or legal costs in respect of non compliance; and

• Examined regulatory inspection reports in relation to the key laws and regulations which such reports had been made during the period and after the period.

As part of our enquiries we discussed with management whether there have been any known instances, allegations or suspicions or fraud, of which management confirmed there had been none during or after the period.

We also evaluated the risk of fraud through management override including that arising from management's incentives. The key risks we identified were incentives relating to management bonuses and inflation of results reported to the principle supplier, and we determined that the principal risks were related to the overstatement of profit, either through overstating revenue or management bias in accounting estimates.

In response to the identified risk, as part of our audit work we:

• Used data analytics to test journal entries throughout the year, for appropriateness;

• Reviewed estimates and judgements made in the financial statements for any indication of bias and challenged assumptions used by management in making the estimates; and

 

Ablebox Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Ablebox Limited

• Undertook specific cut-off procedures in respect of revenue recognition.

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. This risk increases the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements as we are less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

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.

......................................
Robert Whitehead FCCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
PKF Francis Clark, Statutory Auditor

Ground Floor
Blackbrook Gate 1
Blackbrook Business Park
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 2PX

31 October 2024

 

Ablebox Limited

Statement of Income and Retained Earnings

Year Ended 30 April 2024

Note

2024
£

2023
£

Turnover

3

16,951,534

17,809,798

Cost of sales

 

(10,799,617)

(12,685,303)

Gross profit

 

6,151,917

5,124,495

Administrative expenses

 

(2,419,317)

(2,224,418)

Other operating income

4

96,300

57,780

Operating profit

5

3,828,900

2,957,857

Other interest receivable and similar income

9

34,418

3,925

Interest payable and similar charges

10

(493,160)

(342,335)

 

(458,742)

(338,410)

Profit before tax

 

3,370,158

2,619,447

Taxation

11

(439,637)

(552,910)

Profit for the financial year

 

2,930,521

2,066,537

Retained earnings brought forward

 

6,345,184

5,523,457

Dividends paid

22

(1,223,505)

(1,244,810)

Retained earnings carried forward

 

8,052,200

6,345,184

 

Ablebox Limited

Balance Sheet

30 April 2024

Note

2024
£

2023
£

Fixed assets

 

Tangible assets

12

15,199,649

14,486,755

Current assets

 

Stocks

13

908,382

873,899

Debtors

14

3,258,392

3,677,936

Cash at bank and in hand

 

1,093,260

628,886

 

5,260,034

5,180,721

Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

16

(4,000,039)

(4,372,425)

Net current assets

 

1,259,995

808,296

Total assets less current liabilities

 

16,459,644

15,295,051

Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year

16

(6,795,107)

(7,633,635)

Provisions for liabilities

20

(1,611,937)

(1,315,832)

Net assets

 

8,052,600

6,345,584

Capital and reserves

 

Called up share capital

210

210

Capital redemption reserve

190

190

Profit and loss account

8,052,200

6,345,184

Shareholders' funds

 

8,052,600

6,345,584

Approved and authorised by the Board on 30 October 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
 

.........................................
S P Ainsworth
Director

Company Registration Number: 02547129

 

Ablebox Limited

Statement of Cash Flows

Year Ended 30 April 2024

Note

2024
£

2023
£

Cash flows from operating activities

Profit for the year

 

2,930,521

2,066,537

Adjustments to cash flows from non-cash items

 

Depreciation and amortisation

5

631,594

663,431

Profit on disposal of tangible assets

(17,889)

(38,919)

Finance income

9

(34,418)

(3,925)

Finance costs

10

493,160

342,335

Income tax expense

11

439,637

552,910

 

4,442,605

3,582,369

Working capital adjustments

 

(Increase)/decrease in stocks

13

(34,483)

303,337

Decrease in debtors

14

419,544

201,562

Decrease in creditors

16

(339,571)

(158,475)

Decrease in deferred income, including government grants

18

(96,300)

(57,780)

Cash generated from operations

 

4,391,795

3,871,013

Income taxes paid

11

(30,995)

(468,529)

Net cash flow from operating activities

 

4,360,800

3,402,484

Cash flows from investing activities

 

Interest received

9

34,418

3,925

Acquisitions of tangible assets

(1,284,265)

(4,527,277)

Proceeds from sale of tangible assets

 

93,999

129,404

Net cash flows from investing activities

 

(1,155,848)

(4,393,948)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

Interest paid

10

(493,160)

(342,335)

Proceeds from bank borrowing draw downs

 

-

4,055,000

Repayment of bank borrowing

 

(255,000)

(265,695)

Payments to finance lease creditors

 

(768,913)

(763,280)

Dividends paid

22

(1,223,505)

(1,244,810)

Net cash flows from financing activities

 

(2,740,578)

1,438,880

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

464,374

447,416

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 May

 

628,886

181,470

Cash and cash equivalents at 30 April

 

1,093,260

628,886

 

Ablebox Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 April 2024

1

General information

Ablebox Limited is a private company limited by share capital, incorporated in England & Wales.

The address of its registered office and principle place of business is:
Unit 6
Coldharbour Business Park
Sherborne
Dorset
DT9 4JW

These financial statements were authorised for issue by the Board on 30 October 2024.

2

Accounting policies

Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Statement of compliance

These financial statements were prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland', and the Companies Act 2006. There are no material departures from FRS 102.

Basis of preparation

These financial statements have been prepared using the historical cost convention.

Going concern

The company has built a robust, efficient business model that has allowed it to achieve 28.5% growth in Profit Before Tax year on year. This is in the context of increased output but decreased selling price (a result of the underlying raw materials market), demonstrating the strong foundations that the business is based upon.

The company’s projections and cash flow forecasts to April 2025, which considers cost control, capital expenditure and has been stress tested for reasonably foreseeable circumstances, are such that the directors are confident about the future of the company, and its ability to meet bank covenants, and, accordingly, have adopted the going concern basis for the preparation of these accounts.

 

Ablebox Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 April 2024

Key accounting judgements and sources of estimation uncertainty

In the application of the company's accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts 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 if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

The key judgement in these financial statements is in respect of the going concern assessment as described above.

Another key judgement is in respect of the classification of software. Where software is integral to the company's operations and closely aligned with its plant and machinery, then the cost of such software is capitalised as a tangible fixed asset. The carrying amount is £703,473 (2023 - £753,729).


The key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements are as follows:

Tangible fixed assets are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and any subsequent accumulated impairment loss. This requires estimation of both the depreciation rates used and residual values (which are assessed annually). An assessment of the ongoing economic contribution of the assets of the company is undertaken to determine whether an indicator of impairment has occurred. The carrying amount is £15,199,649 (2023 - £14,486,755).


Stock is measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value. This requires estimation as to the net realisable value of each stock line, as to whether a provision is required. Management calculates impairments by considering the nature and condition of the stock and applies assumptions around anticipated saleability of finished goods and future usage of raw materials, overheads and labour. The carrying amount is £908,382 (2023 - £873,899).

Revenue recognition

Turnover comprises the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for the sale of goods and provision of services in the ordinary course of the company’s activities. Turnover is shown net of value added tax, returns and after eliminating sales within the company.

Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when the company has transferred the significant risks and rewards of ownership to the buyer, usually on delivery of the goods.

Government grants

Government revenue grants are accounted for under the accruals method. These are credited to the profit and loss account when the company is entitled to the income.

Finance income and costs policy

Finance costs are charged to profit or loss over the term of the debt using the effective interest method so that the amount charged is at a constant rate on the carrying amount. Issue costs are initially recognised as a reduction in the proceeds of the associated capital instrument.

 

Ablebox Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 April 2024

Foreign currency transactions and balances

Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded at the functional currency rate prevailing at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated into the respective functional currency of the entity at the rates prevailing on the reporting period date.

Tax

Tax is recognised in profit or loss, except that a change attributable to an item of income or expense recognised as other comprehensive income is also recognised directly in other comprehensive income.

The current corporation tax charge is calculated on the basis of tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date in the countries where the company operates and generates taxable income.

Deferred tax is recognised on all timing differences at the Balance Sheet date unless indicated below. Timing differences are differences between taxable profits and the results as stated in the profit and loss account and other comprehensive income. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and a valuation allowance is set up against deferred tax assets so that the net carrying amount equals the highest amount that is more likely than not to be recovered based on current or future taxable profit.

Tangible assets

Tangible assets are stated in the Balance Sheet at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. The cost of tangible assets includes directly attributable incremental costs incurred in their acquisition and installation.

Depreciation

Depreciation is charged so as to write off the cost of assets, other than land and properties under construction over their estimated useful lives, as follows:

Asset class

Depreciation method and rate

Land

Not depreciated

Plant and Machinery

5-50% reducing balance or 5-50% straight line

Freehold Property

2-10% straight line

Motor Vehicles

20% reducing balance

Furniture, Fittings and equipment

33% reducing balance

Stocks

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost is based on the cost of purchase on a weighted average basis. Work in progress and finished goods include labour and attributable overheads.

At each reporting date, stocks are assessed for impairment. If stocks are impaired, the carrying amount is reduced to its selling price less costs to complete and sell; the impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

 

Ablebox Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 April 2024

Leases

Leases in which substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases are charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee. Assets held under finance leases are recognised at the lower of their fair value at inception of the lease and the present value of the minimum lease payments. These assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the asset and the lease term. The corresponding liability to the lessor is included in the Balance Sheet as a finance lease obligation.

Lease payments are apportioned between finance costs in the profit and loss account and reduction of the lease obligation so as to achieve a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

Defined contribution pension obligation

The company operates a defined contribution plan for its employees. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the company pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. Once the contributions have been paid the company has no further payment obligations.

The contributions are recognised as an expense in profit or loss when they fall due. Amounts not paid are shown in accruals as a liability in the Balance Sheet. The assets of the plan are held separately from the company in independently administered funds.

 

Ablebox Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 April 2024

Financial instruments

Classification
The company holds the following financial instruments:

• Short term trade and other debtors and creditors;
• Hire purchase and finance lease obligations;
• Bank loans; and
• Cash and bank balances.

All financial instruments are classified as basic.

 Recognition and measurement
The company has chosen to apply the recognition and measurement principles in FRS102.

Financial instruments are recognised when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument and derecognised when in the case of assets, the contractual rights to cash flows from the assets expire or substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to another party, or in the case of liabilities, when the company’s obligations are discharged, expire or are cancelled.

Except for bank loans and hire purchase and finance lease obligations, such instruments are initially measured at transaction price, including transaction costs, and are subsequently carried at the undiscounted amount of the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received, after taking account of impairment adjustments.

Bank loans are initially measured at transaction price, including transaction costs, and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Assets held under hire purchase and finance lease are recognised at the lower of their fair value at inception of the lease and the present value of the minimum lease payments. The corresponding liability to the lessor is included in the Balance Sheet as a finance lease obligation. The assets is subsequently measured as discussed in the tangible fixed asset accounting policy above. Finance lease obligations are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

 

3

Turnover

The analysis of the company's Turnover for the year from continuing operations is as follows:

2024
£

2023
£

Sale of goods

16,947,472

17,809,798

Other revenue

4,062

-

16,951,534

17,809,798

All turnover was generated in the United Kingdom.

 

Ablebox Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 April 2024

4

Other operating income

The analysis of the company's other operating income for the year is as follows:

2024
£

2023
£

Government grants

96,300

57,780

5

Operating profit

Arrived at after charging

2024
£

2023
£

Depreciation expense

631,594

663,431

Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment

(17,889)

(38,919)

6

Auditor's remuneration

2024
£

2023
£

Audit of the financial statements

16,850

15,575


 

7

Staff costs

The aggregate payroll costs (including directors' remuneration) were as follows:

2024
£

2023
£

Wages and salaries

3,607,857

3,352,613

Social security costs

391,225

366,110

Pension costs, defined contribution scheme

228,435

204,978

4,227,517

3,923,701

The average number of persons employed by the company (including directors) during the year, analysed by category was as follows:

2024
No.

2023
No.

Production

59

64

Administration and support

29

29

88

93

 

Ablebox Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 April 2024

8

Directors' remuneration

The directors' remuneration for the year was as follows:

2024
£

2023
£

Remuneration

225,264

133,390

Contributions paid to money purchase schemes

33,564

28,749

258,828

162,139

During the year the number of directors who were receiving benefits and share incentives was as follows:

2024
No.

2023
No.

Accruing benefits under defined benefit pension scheme

3

2

In respect of the highest paid director:

2024
£

2023
£

Remuneration

109,617

-

Company contributions to money purchase pension schemes

7,661

-

9

Other interest receivable and similar income

2024
£

2023
£

Other finance income

34,418

3,925

10

Interest payable and similar expenses

2024
£

2023
£

Interest on bank overdrafts and borrowings

411,594

264,920

Interest on obligations under hire purchase contracts

81,566

77,415

493,160

342,335

 

Ablebox Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 April 2024

11

Taxation

Tax charged in the profit and loss account

2024
£

2023
£

Current taxation

UK corporation tax

635,130

514,599

UK corporation tax adjustment to prior periods

(491,598)

-

143,532

514,599

Deferred taxation

Arising from origination and reversal of timing differences

296,105

37,652

Deferred tax adjustment to prior periods

-

659

Total deferred taxation

296,105

38,311

Tax expense in the income statement

439,637

552,910

The tax on profit before tax for the year is lower than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK (2023 - higher than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK) of 25% (2023 - 19.49%).

The differences are reconciled below:

2024
£

2023
£

Profit before tax

3,370,158

2,619,447

Corporation tax at standard rate

842,540

510,530

Effect of expenses not deductible

2,543

1,356

Deferred tax expense relating to changes in tax rates or laws

-

8,293

Deferred tax expense from unrecognised temporary difference from a prior period

-

659

Corporation tax adjustment for prior periods

(491,598)

-

Tax increase from effect of capital allowances and depreciation

86,152

32,072

Total tax charge

439,637

552,910

 

Ablebox Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 April 2024

Deferred tax

Deferred tax assets and liabilities

2024

Asset
£

Liability
£

Fixed asset timing differences

-

1,616,563

Short term timing differences

4,626

-

4,626

1,616,563

2023

Asset
£

Liability
£

Fixed asset timing differences

-

1,319,481

Short term timing differences

3,649

-

3,649

1,319,481

 

Ablebox Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 April 2024

12

Tangible assets

Land and buildings
£

Furniture, fittings and equipment
 £

Motor vehicles
 £

Assets under construction
 £

Plant and machinery
£

Operational software
£

Total
£

Cost or valuation

At 1 May 2023

8,453,458

249,387

1,013,846

-

7,714,958

1,518,297

18,949,946

Additions

8,600

5,365

310,738

917,695

178,200

-

1,420,598

Disposals

-

-

(94,255)

-

(25,055)

-

(119,310)

At 30 April 2024

8,462,058

254,752

1,230,329

917,695

7,868,103

1,518,297

20,251,234

Depreciation

At 1 May 2023

258,094

221,526

723,909

-

2,495,094

764,568

4,463,191

Charge for the year

100,602

10,376

75,762

-

394,597

50,256

631,593

Eliminated on disposal

-

-

(18,144)

-

(25,055)

-

(43,199)

At 30 April 2024

358,696

231,902

781,527

-

2,864,636

814,824

5,051,585

Carrying amount

At 30 April 2024

8,103,362

22,850

448,802

917,695

5,003,467

703,473

15,199,649

At 30 April 2023

8,195,364

27,861

289,937

-

5,219,864

753,729

14,486,755

 

Ablebox Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 April 2024

Assets held under finance leases and hire purchase contracts

The net carrying amount of tangible assets includes the following amounts in respect of assets held under finance leases and hire purchase contracts:

 

2024
£

2023
£

Plant and machinery

3,200,747

3,585,699

Motor vehicles

187,526

199,266

 

3,388,273

3,784,965

Restriction on title and pledged as security

Assets with a carrying amount of £15,199,649 (2023 - £14,486,755) has been pledged as security for the bank borrowings of the company.

Included within the net book value of land and buildings above is £8,103,362 (2023 - £8,195,364) in respect of freehold land and buildings. Included within the net book value of freehold land and buildings above is land with a cost of £3,450,000 (2023 - £3,450,000) which is not depreciated.
 

13

Stocks

2024
£

2023
£

Raw materials and consumables

444,483

425,820

Finished goods and goods for resale

402,937

377,518

Other inventories

60,962

70,561

908,382

873,899

14

Debtors

2024
£

2023
£

Trade debtors

2,647,434

2,602,855

Other debtors

1,842

-

Prepayments

609,116

1,075,081

3,258,392

3,677,936

 

Ablebox Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 April 2024

15

Cash and cash equivalents

2024
£

2023
£

Cash on hand

590

814

Cash at bank

1,092,670

628,072

1,093,260

628,886

Analysis of cash and cash equivalents and net debt

At 1 May 2023

Cash flow

Non-cash movements

At 30 April 2024

£

£

£

Cash at bank and on hand

628,886

464,374

-

1,093,260

Cash and cash equivalents

628,886

464,374

-

1,093,260

Bank borrowings

(5,848,656)

255,000

-

(5,593,656)

Hire purchase liabilities

(2,642,637)

768,913

(136,333)

(2,010,057)

Net debt

(7,862,407)

1,488,287

(136,333)

(6,510,453)

16

Creditors

Note

2024
£

2023
£

Due within one year

 

Loans and borrowings

17

808,606

953,958

Trade creditors

 

1,695,440

2,251,372

Social security and other taxes

 

573,344

502,894

Outstanding defined contribution pension costs

 

20,670

16,889

Other creditors

 

407,357

311,001

Accruals

 

164,492

118,718

Corporation tax

11

330,130

217,593

 

4,000,039

4,372,425

Due after one year

 

Loans and borrowings

17

6,795,107

7,537,335

Deferred income

18

-

96,300

 

6,795,107

7,633,635

 

Ablebox Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 April 2024

17

Loans and borrowings

2024
£

2023
£

Current loans and borrowings

Bank borrowings

300,837

273,301

Hire purchase contracts

507,769

680,657

808,606

953,958

2024
£

2023
£

Non-current loans and borrowings

Bank borrowings

5,292,819

5,575,355

Hire purchase contracts

1,502,288

1,961,980

6,795,107

7,537,335

Bank borrowings

The bank loans are denominated in sterling with interest rates ranging from 1.75% to 3.99% above base rate and the final instalment is due on 31 July 2042. The carrying amount at year end of the bank loans is £5,593,655 (2023 - £5,848,656).

The bank loans are secured by a legal charge over the assets of the company, including fixed assets, stock and debtors.

Other borrowings

Hire purchase contracts is denominated in sterling with a nominal interest rate of 1.53%, and the final instalment is due on 30 September 2030. The carrying amount at year end is £2,010,057 (2023 - £2,642,637).

Hire purchase liabilities are secured on the assets to which they relate.

Included in the loans and borrowings are the following amounts due after more than five years:

2024
£

2023
£

After more than five years by instalments

4,216,945

4,399,525

-

-

18

Deferred income

£

At 1 May 2023

96,300

Released to profit during the year

(96,300)

At 30 April 2024

-

 

Ablebox Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 April 2024

19

Obligations under leases and hire purchase contracts

Hire purchase

The total of future minimum lease payments is as follows:

2024
£

2023
£

Not later than one year

562,632

760,236

Later than one year and not later than five years

1,263,516

1,652,152

Later than five years

272,593

465,012

2,098,741

2,877,400

Operating leases

The total of future minimum lease payments is as follows:

2024
£

2023
£

Not later than one year

140,259

149,992

Later than one year and not later than five years

526,529

538,337

Later than five years

256,000

384,000

922,788

1,072,329

The amount of non-cancellable operating lease payments recognised as an expense during the year was £150,700 (2023 - £150,527).

20

Provisions for liabilities

Deferred tax
£

Total
£

At 1 May 2023

1,315,832

1,315,832

Increase in existing provisions

296,105

296,105

At 30 April 2024

1,611,937

1,611,937

 

Ablebox Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 April 2024

21

Share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid shares

 

2024

2023

 

No.

£

No.

£

Ordinary A shares of £0.01 each

11,025

110

11,025

110

Ordinary C shares of £0.01 each

5,250

53

5,250

53

Ordinary D shares of £0.01 each

1,575

16

1,575

16

Ordinary E shares of £0.01 each

3,150

32

3,150

32

 

21,000

210

21,000

210

22

Dividends

Interim dividends paid

   

2024
£

 

2023
£

Interim dividend on ordinary shares

 

1,223,506

 

1,244,810

         

Subsequent to the financial year end, the directors have declared an interim dividend of £110,011 (2023 - £468,219). The dividend has not been accrued in the Balance Sheet.

23

Commitments

Capital commitments

Plant & Machinery additions:
The total amount contracted for but not provided in the financial statements was £288,819 (2023 - £Nil).

24

Parent and ultimate parent undertaking

There is no ultimate controlling party.

 

Ablebox Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 April 2024

25

Pension scheme

Defined contribution pension scheme

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the year represents contributions payable by the company to the scheme and amounted to £228,435 (2023 - £204,978).

Contributions totalling £20,670 (2023 - £16,889) were payable to the scheme at the end of the year and are included in creditors.

 

26

Related party transactions

Dividends paid to directors

   

2024
£

 

2023
£

       

Dividend paid

 

1,223,506

 

1,244,810

         

Other transactions with directors

During the year the directors maintained loan accounts with the company. Advances of £1,223,506 (2023 - £1,729,810) were made and repayments of £1,158,960 (2023 - £1,666,874). At the year end the company owed the directors £157,650 (2023 - £93,104).

Summary of transactions with other related parties

Director's pension fund:
The company was charged rent of £128,058 (2023 - £128,000) during the year. At the Balance Sheet date, the amount due to the pension fund was £Nil (2023 - £Nil).