The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 30 April 2024.
Principal activities
The group entities currently operate under the trading names of Uform and Andoras utilising brand names such as Stori, Aisling & Novelle. The principal activities of the group in the year under review were the distribution and manufacture of kitchen and bedroom furnishings, primarily frontals and accessories.
No significant change in the nature of these activities occurred during the year.
The profit and loss for the year ended 30 April 2024 and the balance sheet at that date are set out on pages 10-13.
The group reported a profit after taxation of £2,078,089 (2023: £2,566,018). At the year end the group net assets amounts to £33,289,845 (2023: £31,277,026)
The Company's key financial and other performance indicators during the year were as follows:
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
Turnover | 60,949,262 | 62,211,104 |
Gross Profit | 33,640,485 | 34,121,515 |
Profit before Taxation | 3,101,254 | 3,419,253 |
Net Current Assets | 16,067,969 | 11,674,148 |
Net Assets | 33,289,845 | 31,277,026 |
Turnover has decreased from £62,211,104 to £60,949,262 driven by a decline in kitchen and bedroom volumes in the Group's UK and Ireland markets. Gross profit decreased from £34,121,515 to £33,640,485. Profit before tax decreased from £3,419,253 to £3,101,254. Given the prevailing macro environment, the business experienced inflationary pressure on costs including wages, freight, consumables and paint which impacted profit margins in the year.
During the year the group invested £1,646,435 (2023: £2,974,763) in tangible fixed assets to support future growth.
The Group’s strategic plan to grow its current market share through its high quality offering, product innovation and enhanced customer service remains a key focus of the Board. The Board recognises the impact the prevailing macro environment has on the kitchen and bedroom sectors as a whole and has introduced new innovative product offerings to meet the changing end consumer demands. The Board is confident that a diverse and innovative product portfolio best facilitates the Group in implementing its strategy and promoting the future financial performance of the Group.
The directors recognise the key business risks and uncertainties of a consumer driven market which the Group operates in. The Group's end consumers are increasingly seeking more flexibility and choice coupled with high levels of customer service. This operational environment provides risks such as customer retention, pricing and profitability. The directors continue to work closely with our customer base, suppliers and staff to carefully manage the Group’s operations.
Competition risk
Competition risk comes from other kitchen manufacturers and distributors of kitchen door frontals and panels. The directors manage this risk by providing a diverse high quality and competitively priced product offering to all customers. The Group continually seeks to expand its customer base through new product innovation supported by excellent customer service.
Financial risk
The Group is exposed to financial risk in relation to competition price risk, foreign exchange risk, credit risk and macro environment supply chain risk. The Group has business policies, operational processes, procedures and KPIs in place to mitigate these risks. The Board of Directors regularly monitor, review and, if required, update these policies and procedures.
Health & safety
The Group is committed to achieving the highest practicable standards in health and safety management and strives to make all sites and offices safe environments for employees and customers alike.
Future developments
The Group is committed to the long term creation of shareholder value by increasing the Group’s market share in the UK and Irish markets. The Group will continue to develop and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with our customer base and supply chain, generate new business through customer acquisition and increase the Group’s average spend per customer. The Group will continue to develop new and innovative product offerings to meet the evolving demands of the market.
This report sets out how the directors comply with the requirements of section 172 (1) and how these requirements have impacted the decision making of the directors throughout the financial year. The primary responsibility of the directors is to promote the long term success of the Group by creating and delivering sustainable shareholder value as well as contributing to wider society. The Group is focused on engaging with its stakeholders to make informed decisions at board level.
The board ensures that the directors have acted both individually and collectively in the way that they consider, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the Group for the benefit of its members as a whole with regard to all its stakeholders and to the matters set out in paragraphs a-f of section 172 of the Companies Act 2006.
a The likely consequence of any decision in the long term
The board is focused on the continuing sustainability of the Group and has implemented a strategy which considers the various risks facing the business and concentrates on the long-term prospects for the Group.
The directors constantly reassess all internal and external aspects including devoting due consideration to economic, social, technological, legal and environmental factors.
b The interest of the Group's employees
The board recognises that a skilled and experienced workforce is an integral part of the Group's continued success. The health, safety and wellbeing of the Group's employees (and other stakeholders) remains its utmost priority and the Group continues to demand the highest standards of health and safety.
We offer a range of training and development programs for employees at all levels. There is an ongoing focus on employee wellbeing delivered through supporting mental health initiatives via our Employee Forum process where encouragement of a healthier lifestyle is promoted.
c The need to foster the Group's business relationships with suppliers, customers and service providers
The board regularly reviews how the Group maintains positive relationships with all its stakeholders including suppliers, customers, and service providers.
The group places huge importance on partnering with all its clients and continues to build on long term associations with existing customers whilst also developing enduring commercial relationships with new ones.
The Group's continued success has been founded on our heavily customer-focused culture, high levels of product innovation and the quality of its service offering. These values are the cornerstone of our relationship with our long-standing customers, suppliers, and service providers.
We place importance in partnering with our customers in assisting them to build successful and sustainable long-term businesses. We assist our customers through development programs such as our internally developed “Steps to Selling” workshops.
The Group has an extensive and valued supply chain, and it is important that they also support our values. Suppliers are treated in a fair and consistent manner, which includes on time payments.
d The impact of the Group's operations on the community and the environment
The board aims to promote the Group as the employer of choice in the areas it is established in, by offering competitive remuneration and benefit packages to staff. The Group is constantly reviewing its commitment to our corporate environmental responsibilities by actively researching and developing more effective and sustainable environmentally friendlier methods of production.
e The desirability of the Group maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct
The directors continue to take the responsibility of ensuring that the Group remains a good corporate citizen very seriously and consider that maintaining its strong reputation for the highest standard of business conduct is a key priority.
Operationally our aim is to deliver customer orders on time and in full each and every time and this has become a significant key metric for the Group to monitor and measure.
f The need to act fairly as between members of the Group
The Group traces its origins back over 30 years with a reputation as a leading player within our sector, community, and region.
The Board comprises of executive director shareholders and non-executive investor director shareholders that allows the Group to benefit from a blended mix of experiences and skills, which assists to ensure long-term success of the Group.
On behalf of the board
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 April 2024.
The profit and loss for the year ended 30 April 2024 and the balance sheet at that date are set out on pages 10-13.
During the financial year the directors have not paid any dividends or recommend the 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 adopts a consultative approach on matters that effect employees and holds regular employee forums and meetings.
There is an ongoing focus on employee wellbeing delivered through supporting mental health initiatives via our Employee Engagement Platform – Boon, where encouragement of a healthier lifestyle is promoted.
Information about matters of concern to employees is also delivered via this platform which seek to achieve a common awareness on the part of all employees of the financial and economic factors affecting the group's performance.
Environmental sustainability is at the heart of the group’s decision making process. Multiple initiatives have been launched over the years which includes the redesign of products to include more recycled materials, waste reduction through automation, more energy efficient painting processes, refreshing the company fleet with the addition of electric/hybrid vehicles and the installation of charging points for EV’s
The following figures covers our Oakwood Design Doors Limited subsidiary and accounts for 90% energy use throughout the business. The Group report 100% of scope 1 emissions with verifiable records. Outputs are reported in KwH and CO2e (Carbon Dioxide equivalent), using the appropriate conversions factor.
| 2024 | 2023 |
Total Energy Usage (KwH) | 2,578,275 | 2,456,413 |
CO2 Emission | 782,047 | 745,867 |
The board have approved the investments needed to implement greener energy at its Toomebridge location. The ESG project will consist of 3 phases with phase 1 due for implementation during FY25. Phase 1 will consist of the implementation of a 700kW solar panel infrastructure which is expected to reduce KwH energy by 18% over a 12 month basis.
We have audited the financial statements of Uform Holdings Ltd (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 30 April 2024 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 opinion
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
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:
the information given in the strategic report and the directors' report for the financial year 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.
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.
Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:
the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the company through discussions with directors and/or senior management, and from our commercial knowledge and experience of the sector;
we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the company, including Companies Act 2006, taxation legislation, data protection, anti-bribery, employment, environmental and health and safety legislation
we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management and inspecting legal correspondence; and
identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit.
We assessed the susceptibility of the company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:
making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and
considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations.
To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:
performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;
tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions;
assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates set out in Note 2 were indicative of potential bias; and
investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.
In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:
agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;
enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims.
There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.
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 purpose of our audit work and to whom we owe our responsibilities
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.
The profit and loss account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.
The prior year profit and loss account has been reformatted to present in line with the wider Group’s profit & loss format. There are no changes to previously reported Operating profit, Profit before taxation and Profit for the financial year.
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 £1 (2023 - £2 profit).
Uform Holdings Ltd (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in Northern Ireland. The registered office is 2 Creagh Industrial Estate, Hillhead Road, Toomebridge, Northern Ireland, BT41 3UF.
The group consists of Uform Holdings Ltd and all of its subsidiaries.
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 Uform Holdings Ltd 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 30 April 2024. 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.
Research expenditure is written off against profits in the year in which it is incurred. Identifiable development expenditure is capitalised to the extent that the technical, commercial and financial feasibility can be demonstrated.
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.
Derivatives, including interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts, are not basic financial instruments. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognised in profit or loss in finance costs or finance income as appropriate, unless hedge accounting is applied and the hedge is a cash flow hedge.
Debt instruments that do not meet the conditions in FRS 102 paragraph 11.9 are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. Debt instruments may be designated as being measured at fair value through profit or loss to eliminate or reduce an accounting mismatch or if the instruments are measured and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy.
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 tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.
Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the profit and loss account, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if, and only if, there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.
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.
Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessees. All other leases are classified as operating leases.
Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets at the lower of the assets fair value at the date of inception and the present value of the minimum lease payments. The related liability is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are treated as consisting of capital and interest elements. The interest is charged to profit or loss so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.
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.
Government grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable when there is reasonable assurance that the grant conditions will be met and the grants will be received.
A grant that specifies performance conditions is recognised in income when the performance conditions are met. Where a grant does not specify performance conditions it is recognised in income when the proceeds are received or receivable. A grant received before the recognition criteria are satisfied is recognised as a liability.
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 estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows.
The group trades with a large and varied number of customers on credit terms. Some debts due will not be paid through the default of a small number of customers. The group uses estimates based on historical experience and current information in determining the level of debts for which an impairment charge is required. The level of impairment required is reviewed on an ongoing basis. The total amount of trade debtors is £8,134,788 (2023: £7,789,333).
The group holds stocks amounting to £10,179,095 (2023: £10,241,877) at the financial year end date. The directors are of the view that an adequate charge has been made to reflect the possibility of stocks being sold at less than cost. However, this estimate is subject to inherent uncertainty.
Long-lived assets comprising primarily of property, plant and machinery and intangible assets represent a significant portion of total assets. The annual depreciation and amortisation charge depends primarily on the estimated lives of each type of asset and, in certain circumstances, estimates of residual values. The directors regularly review these useful lives and change them if necessary to reflect current conditions. In determining these useful lives management consider technological change, patterns of consumption, physical condition and expected economic utilisation of the assets. Changes in the useful lives can have a significant impact on the depreciation and amortisation charge for the financial year. The net book value of Tangible Fixed Assets subject to depreciation at the financial year end date was £7,610,576 (2023: £7,175,693). The net book value of Intangible Assets at the financial year end date was £11,389,734 (2023: £13,780,986).
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:
During the prior year, on 1st April 2023 the corporation tax rate in the UK changed to 25% for reported profits above £250,000.
Details of the company's subsidiaries at 30 April 2024 are as follows:
The group's bank facilities are secured by an unlimited inter-company cross guarantee between the group and a debenture in favour of the bank over the assets of the company, parent company and ultimate parent company and a floating charge over the assets of a related party.
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.
At the reporting end date the group had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
Government Grants
Under the terms of Invest NI support there is a contingent liability to repay a portion of capital and revenue grants received in the event that certain conditions are not complied with. The company continued to comply with these conditions during the period.