REGISTERED NUMBER: |
Report of the Directors and |
Unaudited Financial Statements |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
for |
Architectural Bronze Limited |
REGISTERED NUMBER: |
Report of the Directors and |
Unaudited Financial Statements |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
for |
Architectural Bronze Limited |
Architectural Bronze Limited (Registered number: 09288067) |
Contents of the Financial Statements |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
Page |
Company Information | 1 |
Report of the Directors | 2 |
Chartered Accountants' Report | 4 |
Balance Sheet | 5 |
Notes to the Financial Statements | 6 |
Architectural Bronze Limited |
Company Information |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
DIRECTORS: |
REGISTERED OFFICE: |
REGISTERED NUMBER: |
ACCOUNTANTS: |
Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers |
15 Newland |
Lincoln |
Lincolnshire |
LN1 1XG |
Architectural Bronze Limited (Registered number: 09288067) |
Report of the Directors |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
The directors present their report with the financial statements of the company for the year ended 31 March 2024. |
PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY |
The principal activity of the company in the year under review was that of the design and manufacture of bronze windows, doors, screens and secondary glazing. |
REVIEW OF BUSINESS |
Architectural Bronze Limited is a family owned and managed business whose primary activity consists of the design and manufacture of bespoke bronze windows, doors, screens and secondary glazing, and the ancillary supply of timber frames and glass units for its products. It also offers a measuring, templating and installation service for those that require it. |
Market Conditions in 2023/24 |
The UK economy has emerged from the twin global shocks of the pandemic and Russian invasion of Ukraine into a period of declining inflation but stagnating output. The early part of the year saw inflation still at high levels but a downward trend in inflation continued throughout the year, and by March 2024 the Consumer Price Index measured inflation at 3.2%. |
To control inflation, the Bank of England continued to increase its base lending rate in May, June and August, resulting in a base rate of 5.25%, the highest since 2008. |
This combination of inflationary pressures and higher bank base rates contributed to a significant decline in living standards with suppressed consumer spending in the year to March 2024. Although we anticipate interest rates to fall during the coming year and inflation to stabilize at a lower rate the medium-term economic outlook remains challenging. Nonetheless we remain well placed to deal with the coming year, despite the challenges it may bring. |
Results |
Some sluggishness in the market meant that overall orders were not as high as we had hoped but nonetheless, with a significant order book as we entered the year and with orders in the year of £3.69m, there was a regular supply of work to occupy the factory throughout the year and into the new financial year. The sluggishness in the market, however, meant that our turnover reduced from £6.0m in 2023 to £5.3m in 2024. |
However, there was a significant focus in the year on improving systems and processes throughout the entire business. This focus, together with the appointment of some key staff, bore early fruit and we saw a significant improvement in our gross profit margins from 34.5% in 2023 to 50.4% in 2024. Consequently, our net trading profit (excluding bank deposit interest and short term investment income) increased from £568k in 2023 to £914k in 2024. Taking into account bank deposit interest and short term investment income, our overall pre-tax profits for the year increased from £579k in 2023 to £1.03m in 2024. |
We carry no debt whatsoever in the company and our overall liquidity has strengthened again during the year with cash and liquid investment balances at the year-end of £4.24m (2023: £3.61m). Stable cash flow is a good measure of a company's performance and the strong liquidity of the company is an indicator that the company is well placed for the coming year and has the necessary resources to withstand any extended periods of uncertainty or economic instability in the future. Our strong cash position has also allowed us to continue to hold a significant level of stock, providing our clients with long term assurances and confidence in our ability to deliver projects to them. |
Similarly, our balance sheet has strengthened in the year and at the year-end our net asset value stood at £4.90m (2023: £4.13m). |
A key reason for the strong liquidity and strong balance sheet of the business is our policy to retain and re-invest most of our profits back into the business. With corporate bankruptcies increasing significantly, it is reassuring for our clients to know that they are dealing with a financially resilient, well-run business that will be around over the long term. |
Although our main focus is on trading, our holdings of bank deposits and liquid investments meant that we could take advantage of the higher bank deposit rates on offer in the year, resulting in interest income of £112k. |
Investment in our business |
We continue to invest in state-of-the-art technology, machinery and equipment and remain focused on improving systems, manufacturing processes and streamlining production, to create greater efficiencies throughout the whole of the business. |
PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES |
With ongoing economic challenges and geopolitical turbulence around the world we have identified the supply of materials to the business as an ongoing risk. We have mitigated such risks by making sure our stock levels are sufficiently high and making sure that we have in place more than one supplier for our key materials. |
The skilled labour market always seems to be in short supply but we have mitigated these shortages by paying competitive rates for our workers, multi-skilling our teams and continuing to train and develop people. |
Architectural Bronze Limited (Registered number: 09288067) |
Report of the Directors |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
We continually monitor the market and, where appropriate, undertake forward buying to take advantage of favourable market conditions and minimise the risk posed by adverse swings in the exchange rate. |
We have invested in our IT security infrastructure to ensure that we have resilient systems in the face of any IT failures or cyber attacks, through a full disaster recovery plan and off site back up processes. |
DIRECTORS |
The directors shown below have held office during the whole of the period from 1 April 2023 to the date of this report. |
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. |
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD: |
Chartered Accountants' Report to the Board of Directors |
on the Unaudited Financial Statements of |
Architectural Bronze Limited |
The following reproduces the text of the report prepared for the directors in respect of the company's annual unaudited financial statements. In accordance with the Companies Act 2006, the company is only required to file a Balance Sheet. Readers are cautioned that the Income Statement and certain other primary statements and the Report of the Directors are not required to be filed with the Registrar of Companies. |
In order to assist you to fulfil your duties under the Companies Act 2006, we have prepared for your approval the financial statements of Architectural Bronze Limited for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Statement of Changes in Equity and the related notes from the company's accounting records and from information and explanations you have given us. |
As a practising member firm of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), we are subject to its ethical and other professional requirements which are detailed within the ICAEW's regulations and guidance at http://www.icaew.com/en/membership/regulations-standards-and-guidance. |
This report is made solely to the Board of Directors of Architectural Bronze Limited, as a body, in accordance with our terms of engagement. Our work has been undertaken solely to prepare for your approval the financial statements of Architectural Bronze Limited and state those matters that we have agreed to state to the Board of Directors of Architectural Bronze Limited, as a body, in this report in accordance with ICAEW Technical Release 07/16AAF. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than Architectural Bronze Limited and its Board of Directors, as a body, for our work or for this report. |
It is your duty to ensure that Architectural Bronze Limited has kept adequate accounting records and to prepare statutory financial statements that give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of Architectural Bronze Limited. You consider that Architectural Bronze Limited is exempt from the statutory audit requirement for the year. |
We have not been instructed to carry out an audit or a review of the financial statements of Architectural Bronze Limited. For this reason, we have not verified the accuracy or completeness of the accounting records or information and explanations you have given to us and we do not, therefore, express any opinion on the statutory financial statements. |
Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers |
15 Newland |
Lincoln |
Lincolnshire |
LN1 1XG |
Architectural Bronze Limited (Registered number: 09288067) |
Balance Sheet |
31 March 2024 |
2024 | 2023 |
Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
FIXED ASSETS |
Intangible assets | 4 |
Tangible assets | 5 |
CURRENT ASSETS |
Stocks | 6 |
Debtors | 7 |
Cash at bank and in hand |
CREDITORS |
Amounts falling due within one year | 8 |
NET CURRENT ASSETS |
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES | 9 |
NET ASSETS |
CAPITAL AND RESERVES |
Called up share capital | 10 |
Retained earnings |
SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS |
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for: |
(a) | ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and |
(b) | preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of each financial year and of its profit or loss for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the company. |
In accordance with Section 444 of the Companies Act 2006, the Income Statement has not been delivered. |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on |
Architectural Bronze Limited (Registered number: 09288067) |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
1. | STATUTORY INFORMATION |
Architectural Bronze Limited is a |
The presentation currency of the financial statements is the Pound Sterling (£). |
2. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Basis of preparing the financial statements |
Turnover |
Turnover is represented by the value of work done on contracts during the year, where the value includes both direct costs and overheads absorbed into contracts. No profit is taken on contracts until they are complete but if a contract is showing a loss then it is recognised immediately. |
Intangible assets |
Intangible assets are initially measured at cost. After initial recognition, intangible assets are measured at cost less any accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses. |
Computer software is being amortised evenly over its estimated useful life of 3-5 years. |
Tangible fixed assets |
Land and Buildings | - |
Plant and machinery | - |
Fixtures and fittings | - |
Motor vehicles | - |
Stocks |
Stocks and work in progress are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items. |
Cost is calculated using the first-in, first-out method and includes all purchase, transport, and handling costs in bringing stocks to their present location and condition. |
Financial instruments |
The Company only enters into basic financial instrument transactions that result in the recognition of financial assets and liabilities like trade and other debtors and creditors, loans from banks and other third parties, loans to related parties and investments in ordinary shares. |
Financial assets that are measured at cost and amortised cost are assessed at the end of each reporting period for objective evidence of impairment. If objective evidence of impairment is found, an impairment loss is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. |
For financial assets measured at cost less impairment, the impairment loss is measured as the difference between an asset's carrying amount and best estimate of the recoverable amount, which is an approximation of the amount that the Company would receive for the asset if it were to be sold at the balance sheet date. |
Taxation |
Taxation for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the Income Statement, except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. |
Current or deferred taxation assets and liabilities are not discounted. |
Current tax is recognised at the amount of tax payable using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. |
Architectural Bronze Limited (Registered number: 09288067) |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
2. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Deferred tax |
Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date. |
Timing differences arise from the inclusion of income and expenses in tax assessments in periods different from those in which they are recognised in financial statements. Deferred tax is measured using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the year end and that are expected to apply to the reversal of the timing difference. |
Unrelieved tax losses and other deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. |
Pensions |
The pension costs charges in the financial statements represent the contribution payable by the company during the year. |
Amounts recoverable on contracts |
The amount by which recorded turnover on contracts is in excess of payments on account is classified as amounts recoverable on contracts under debtors. |
Payments on account |
The balance of payments on account in excess of amounts offset against amounts recoverable on contracts and long term contract balances is classified as payments received on account under creditors,where applicable. |
3. | EMPLOYEES AND DIRECTORS |
The average number of employees during the year was |
4. | INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
Other |
intangible |
assets |
£ |
COST |
Additions |
At 31 March 2024 |
AMORTISATION |
Charge for year |
At 31 March 2024 |
NET BOOK VALUE |
At 31 March 2024 |
Architectural Bronze Limited (Registered number: 09288067) |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
5. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
Fixtures |
Land and | Plant and | and | Motor |
Buildings | machinery | fittings | vehicles | Totals |
£ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
COST |
At 1 April 2023 |
Additions |
Disposals | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
At 31 March 2024 |
DEPRECIATION |
At 1 April 2023 |
Charge for year |
Eliminated on disposal | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
At 31 March 2024 |
NET BOOK VALUE |
At 31 March 2024 |
At 31 March 2023 |
6. | STOCKS |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Stocks |
Work-in-progress |
7. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Trade debtors |
Amounts recoverable on contracts |
Other debtors |
Prepayments and accrued income |
8. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Trade creditors |
Tax |
Social security and other taxes |
VAT | 9,845 | 181,250 |
Other creditors |
Payments on account | 855,056 | 1,397,871 |
Accrued expenses |
9. | PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Deferred tax | 29,949 | 21,436 |
Architectural Bronze Limited (Registered number: 09288067) |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
9. | PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES - continued |
Deferred |
tax |
£ |
Balance at 1 April 2023 |
Provided during year |
Balance at 31 March 2024 |
10. | CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL |
Allotted and issued: |
Number: | Class: | Nominal | 2024 | 2023 |
value: | £ | £ |
Ordinary | £1 | 100 | 100 |