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Henry Ling Limited

Annual Report and Financial Statements
Year Ended 30 June 2024

Registration number: 00224715

 

Henry Ling Limited

Contents

Company Information

1

Strategic Report

2 to 3

Directors' Report

4

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

5

Independent Auditor's Report

6 to 8

Profit and Loss Account

9

Statement of Comprehensive Income

10

Balance Sheet

11

Statement of Changes in Equity

12

Notes to the Financial Statements

13 to 25

 

Henry Ling Limited

Company Information

Directors

A V Kennett

H M Kennett

M W Kennett

R M Kennett

Company secretary

R M Kennett

Registered office

The Dorset Press
Dorchester
Dorset
DT1 1HD

Auditors

PKF Francis Clark
Statutory AuditorTowngate House
2-8 Parkstone Road
Poole
Dorset
BH15 2PW

 

Henry Ling Limited

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2024

The directors present their strategic report together with the audited financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2024.

Review of business and future developments

The company prints for book and journal publishers, ranging from small boutique publishers and societies to members of listed groups and Royal Societies. We have invested to position ourselves as a quality provider of both short and long-run cased and limp books and journals.

This year we have seen a continuation in the trend for our customers to manage and reduce print quantities. Our cost base remains high, the increases we saw last year in materials and energy supplies have not reversed and with labour rates reflecting cost of living standards, the combination has again reduced operating margins.

The company continues to invest in latest technology including energy efficiencies. Last year’s investment in our Defined Benefit Pension Fund by entering into a Bulk Purchase Annuity contract with Legal & General has taken longer to finalise than we hoped. At the time of signing these accounts the Pension Fund has finally moved to Buy-out and Wind-up has been triggered. This has significantly de-risked the company and removed the finance risk of this Pension Fund.

Environmental matters and sustainability

The company retains ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems and the ISO 9001 Quality Management accreditations, as well as offering the use of its FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) accreditation. These accreditations continue to be pre-requisites for winning and retaining work.

Henry Ling recognises the importance of reducing its carbon footprint. In order to align with the UN recommendations for Climate change and set science-based targets and prevent global warming exceeding levels of 1.5 degrees centigrade we are targeting halving our CO₂ emissions by 2030, and achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. We currently source all our electricity from tariffs with zero emissions.

We have a policy that clearly states our commitment to protect the environment and prevent pollution, monitor our impact and continually look for ways to improve by reducing consumption and waste and a pledge to foster a sense of responsibility for the environment amongst our staff.

This year we achieved external recognition of this with a Bronze Award from Ecovadis and a B Score from CDP.

We commit to being a responsible employer with high ethical, labour and employment standards. We appreciate our people and recognise they are core to the success of our business.

Review of financial performance and position

The results for the year show sales of £ 7,324,982 (2023 - £ 8,788,164) and Operating loss of £296,838 (2023 - £117,049 profit). This year’s operating loss is stated after charging £136,000 of professional charges relating to the Defined Benefit Purchase Fund. This year’s Loss is stated after Other finance expense of £249,922 (2023 - £1,569,000) relating to the Bulk Purchase Annuity contract in the Defined Benefit Pension Fund.

The company's net assets have decreased by £362,708 to £5,867,662 (2023 - £6,230,370).

 

Henry Ling Limited

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2024

Key statement of financial position movements include:

Fixed Assets Net Book Value (NBV) decreased by £730,542 to £3,256,213 (2023 - £3,986,755). Plant and Machinery additions amounted to £0.12m (2023 - £0.39m), with depreciation being £0.85m (2023 - £0.83m);

Net Current Assets increased by £0.35m to £3.26m (2023 - £2.91m)

Key performance indicators

Given that the business is a family owned and managed business in a highly competitive market the directors are of the opinion that there are no further appropriate KPIs to publish in the Strategic Report other than those referenced in the section above.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The company has reduced the financing risk of its Defined Benefit Pension Fund, which was closed to further contributions in June 2001, as disclosed above. At the end of last year the remaining risk related to final actuarial and contractual computations which were provided for as best as could be estimated then, these have now been agreed and provided for at the year end.

The current economic conditions remain challenging for our suppliers and customers and we are monitoring of all our trading partners

The printing sector remains highly competitive. Recent years have seen technical journal and educational book segments consolidate at publisher level. There is a continuing trend for journals to publish on-line as well as, or instead of, printing. The company manages these risks by maintaining strong relationships with customers and investing in appropriate equipment and services that add value.

Information on exposure to price risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and cash flow risk

The company's credit risk is attributable to its customers and is managed by monitoring existing customers and credit checking new customers. It uses a recognised credit checking provider and is a member of the industry federation BPIF.

The company holds a high level of cash and therefore considers there is no liquidity risk.

Approved and authorised by the Board on 23 December 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
 


M W Kennett
Director

 

Henry Ling Limited

Directors' Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2024

The directors present their report together with the audited financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2024.

Results and dividends

The loss for the year, after taxation, amounted to £362,708 (2023 - £1,115,961). This year’s Loss is stated after Other finance expense of £249,922 (2023 - £1,569,000) relating to the Bulk Purchase Annuity contract in the Defined Benefit Pension Fund.

No dividends were declared during the year on the 'A' ordinary shares (2023 - £Nil)

The directors did not propose a dividend on the 2% non-cumulative preference shares (2023- £Nil).

Financial risk management and future developments

Details of the financial risk management objectives and policies, exposure to price/credit/liquidity/cash flow risk and future developments are included in the strategic report.

Indemnification of directors

Qualifying third party indemnity provisions (as defined in section 234(2) of the Companies Act 2006) are in force for the benefit of the directors and former directors who held office during the year ended 30 June 2024.

Directors of the company

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

A V Kennett

H M Kennett

M W Kennett

R M Kennett

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 23 December 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
 


M W Kennett
Director

 

Henry Ling 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.

 

Henry Ling Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Henry Ling Limited

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Henry Ling Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 30 June 2024, which comprise the Profit and Loss Account, Statement of Comprehensive Income, Balance Sheet, Statement of Changes in Equity, 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 June 2024 and of its loss 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.

 

Henry Ling Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Henry Ling 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 5, 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:

 

Henry Ling Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Henry Ling Limited

Based on our understanding of the company, we considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Companies Act 2006. We evaluated management incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements including management override and considered that the principal risks were related to the posting of inappropriate journal entries and making inappropriate estimates or judgements.

Procedures performed by the audit team included:

- discussions with management regarding known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations;

- assessing journal entries as part of our planned audit approach; and

- assessing the judgements made by management when making key accounting estimates and judgements, and challenging management on the appropriateness of these judgements.

We communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.

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. 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 omissions, collusion, forgery, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. We are also less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements.

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.





Chloe Mills FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
PKF Francis Clark, Statutory Auditor

Towngate House
2-8 Parkstone Road
Poole
Dorset
BH15 2PW

23 December 2024

 

Henry Ling Limited

Profit and Loss Account

Year Ended 30 June 2024

Note

2024
£

2023
£

Turnover

3

7,324,982

8,788,164

Changes in stocks of finished goods and work in progress

 

(44,145)

(173,447)

Other operating income

4

79,777

17,616

Raw materials and consumables

 

(1,969,422)

(2,543,515)

Other external charges

 

(1,299,739)

(1,393,302)

Staff costs

6

(3,174,720)

(3,371,364)

Depreciation and amortisation

 

(849,774)

(834,402)

Other operating expenses

 

(363,797)

(372,701)

Operating (loss)/profit

5

(296,838)

117,049

Interest receivable and similar income

8

75,530

16,715

Interest payable and similar expenses

9

-

(2,309)

Other finance (expense)/ income

19

(249,922)

(1,569,000)

 

(174,392)

(1,554,594)

Loss before tax

 

(471,230)

(1,437,545)

Tax on loss

10

108,522

321,584

Loss for the year

 

(362,708)

(1,115,961)

The above results were derived from continuing operations.

 

Henry Ling Limited

Statement of Comprehensive Income

Year Ended 30 June 2024

2024
£

2023
£

Loss for the year

(362,708)

(1,115,961)

Actuarial gain on defined benefit pension schemes net of deferred tax

-

62,370

Total comprehensive income for the year

(362,708)

(1,053,591)

 

Henry Ling Limited

Balance Sheet

30 June 2024

Note

2024
£

2023
£

Fixed assets

 

Tangible assets

11

3,256,213

3,986,755

Investments

12

13,516

15,016

 

3,269,729

4,001,771

Current assets

 

Stocks

13

400,372

444,516

Debtors

14

1,443,445

1,370,982

Cash at bank and in hand

15

2,349,043

2,046,333

 

4,192,860

3,861,831

Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

16

(934,052)

(954,835)

Net current assets

 

3,258,808

2,906,996

Total assets less current liabilities

 

6,528,537

6,908,767

Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year

16

(19,000)

(19,000)

Provisions for liabilities

18

(308,875)

(417,397)

Net assets excluding pension asset/(liability)

 

6,200,662

6,472,370

Net pension liability

19

(333,000)

(242,000)

Net assets

 

5,867,662

6,230,370

Capital and reserves

 

Called up share capital

1,900

1,900

Profit and loss account

5,865,762

6,228,470

Shareholders' funds

 

5,867,662

6,230,370

Approved and authorised by the Board on 23 December 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
 


M W Kennett
Director

Company Registration Number: 00224715

 

Henry Ling Limited

Statement of Changes in Equity

Year Ended 30 June 2024

Share capital
£

Profit and loss account
£

Total
£

At 1 July 2023

1,900

6,228,470

6,230,370

Loss for the year

-

(362,708)

(362,708)

At 30 June 2024

1,900

5,865,762

5,867,662

Share capital
£

Profit and loss account
£

Total
£

At 1 July 2022

1,900

7,282,061

7,283,961

Loss for the year

-

(1,115,961)

(1,115,961)

Other comprehensive income

-

62,370

62,370

Total comprehensive income

-

(1,053,591)

(1,053,591)

At 30 June 2023

1,900

6,228,470

6,230,370

 

Henry Ling Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 June 2024

1

General information

The company is a private company limited by share capital, incorporated in England and Wales.

The address of its registered office is:
The Dorset Press
Dorchester
Dorset
DT1 1HD

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 have been 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.

Basis of preparation

These financial statements have been prepared using the historical cost convention except that as disclosed in the accounting policies certain items are shown at fair value.

Summary of disclosure exemptions

The company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by the FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland":
- the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows;
- the requirements of Section 3 Financial Statement Presentation paragraph 3.17 (d);
- the requirements of Section 33 Related Party Disclosures paragraph 33.7.

Going concern

The directors have undertaken their forecasting process for 2024/2025 and concluded that the business is a going concern.

Henry Ling Limited has significant cash reserves available to mitigate against unexpected cashflow outcomes. The directors have considered a number of possible budgeting scenarios and concluded that the business is, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, a going concern and that no material uncertainty exists.

 

Henry Ling Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 June 2024

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 rechargeable carriage, value added tax, returns, rebates and discounts and after eliminating sales within the company.

The company recognises revenue when:
The amount of revenue can be reliably measured;
it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the entity;
and specific criteria have been met for each of the company's activities.

This is upon despatch of goods.

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

Leasehold improvements

between 3 and 17 years straight line

Plant, equipment, fixtures & fittings

between 3 and 17 years straight line

Valuation of investments

Investments in subsidiaries and associated undertakings are measured at cost less accumulated impairment.

Stocks

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.

The cost of finished goods and work in progress comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition. 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.

Cash and cash equivalents and short term deposits

Cash is represented by cash in hand and deposits with financial institutions repayable without penalty on notice of not more than 24 hours. Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the date of acquisition and that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with insignificant risk of change in value.

Short term deposits that mature in more than three but less than twelve months from the date of acquisition are included at transaction price.

 

Henry Ling Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 June 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.

Dividends

Dividend distribution to the company's shareholders is recognised as a liability in the financial statements in the reporting period in which the dividends are declared.

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.

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.

Defined contribution pension obligation

A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the company has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as employee benefit expense when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.

Financial instruments

Classification
The company holds the following financial instruments:

• Short term trade and other debtors and creditors;
• 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.
 

 

Henry Ling Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 June 2024

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, 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.

Judgements

Leases - determine whether leases entered into by the company as a lessee are operating or finance leases. These decisions depend on an assessment of whether the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred from the lessor to the lessee on a lease by lease basis.

Impairment of tangible fixed assets - determine whether there are indicators of impairment of the company's tangible assets. Factors taken into consideration in reaching such a decision include the economic viability and expected future financial performance of the asset.

Key sources of estimation uncertainty

Tangible fixed assets (see note 11) - tangible fixed assets are depreciated over their useful lives taking into account residual values, where appropriate. The actual lives of the assets and residual values are assessed annually and may vary depending on the number of factors. In re-assessing asset lives, factors such as technological innovation, product life cycles and maintenance programmes are taken into account. Residual value assessments consider issues such as future market conditions, the remaining life of the asset and projected disposal values.

 

Henry Ling Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 June 2024

3

Turnover

The analysis of the company's Turnover for the year by market is as follows:

2024
£

2023
£

UK

6,640,714

7,999,664

Europe

569,002

700,482

Rest of world

115,266

88,018

7,324,982

8,788,164

4

Other operating income

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

2024
£

2023
£

Miscellaneous other operating income

37,117

17,616

Profit on disposal of tangible fixed assets

42,660

-

79,777

17,616

5

Operating (loss)/profit

Arrived at after charging/(crediting)

2024
£

2023
£

Defined benefit/ defined contribution pension schemes

511,811

1,815,988

Depreciation expense

849,774

834,402

Operating lease expense

8,149

4,994

Fees payable to the company's auditor for the auditing of the company's annual accounts

26,179

24,850

Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment

(42,660)

(726)

6

Staff costs

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

2024
£

2023
£

Wages and salaries

2,637,882

2,839,875

Social security costs

274,949

284,501

Pension costs, defined benefit scheme

136,266

128,409

Pension costs, defined contribution scheme

125,623

118,579

3,174,720

3,371,364

 

Henry Ling Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 June 2024

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 staff

62

65

Sales, distribution and administrative staff

20

21

82

86

7

Directors' remuneration

The directors' remuneration for the year was as follows:

2024
£

2023
£

Remuneration

171,968

283,598

In respect of the highest paid director:

2024
£

2023
£

Remuneration

82,216

92,767

8

Other interest receivable and similar income

2024
£

2023
£

Other finance income

75,530

16,715

9

Interest payable and similar expenses

2024
£

2023
£

Interest on obligations under finance leases and hire purchase contracts

-

2,309

 

Henry Ling Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 June 2024

10

Taxation

Tax charged/(credited) in the profit and loss account

2024
£

2023
£

Deferred taxation

Arising from origination and reversal of timing differences

(108,522)

(321,584)

The tax on profit before tax for the year is calculated at the small profits rate of 19% (2023 - 19%).

The differences are reconciled below:

2024
£

2023
£

Loss before tax

(471,230)

(1,437,545)

Corporation tax at standard rate

(89,534)

(273,134)

Effect of expense not deductible in determining taxable profit (tax loss)

(602)

626

Deferred tax credit relating to changes in tax rates or laws

(35,897)

(5,797)

Decrease from effect of tax incentives

-

(13,755)

Tax increase arising from group relief

7,659

38,348

Tax relief from defined benefit scheme contribution

9,852

(67,872)

Total tax credit

(108,522)

(321,584)

An increase in the UK Corporation tax rate from 19% to 25% (19% effective from 1 April 2017, and 25% effective from 1 April 2023) was substantively enacted. This will impact the company's future tax charge accordingly. The value of the deferred tax liability at the statement of financial position date has been calculated using the applicable rate when the liability is expected to be realised.

 

Henry Ling Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 June 2024

11

Tangible assets

Land and buildings
£

Plant and machinery
£

Total
£

Cost or valuation

At 1 July 2023

501,409

13,744,765

14,246,174

Additions

-

119,682

119,682

Disposals

-

(161,978)

(161,978)

At 30 June 2024

501,409

13,702,469

14,203,878

Depreciation

At 1 July 2023

460,366

9,799,053

10,259,419

Charge for the year

2,783

846,991

849,774

Eliminated on disposal

-

(161,528)

(161,528)

At 30 June 2024

463,149

10,484,516

10,947,665

Carrying amount

At 30 June 2024

38,260

3,217,953

3,256,213

At 30 June 2023

41,043

3,945,712

3,986,755

 

Henry Ling Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 June 2024

12

Investments

Investments in

subsidiary

Investments in

Loans to

companies

associates

associates

Total

£

£

£

£

Cost or valuation

At 1 July 2023

1

1

15,014

15,016

Repayment

-

-

(1,500)

(1,500)

At 30 June 2024

1

1

13,514

13,516

Details of undertakings

Details of the investments (including principal place of business of unincorporated entities) in which the company holds 20% or more of the nominal value of any class of share capital are as follows:

Undertaking

Registered office

Holding

Proportion of voting rights and shares held

2024

2023

Subsidiary undertakings

Skyline Bookbinders Limited

The Dorset Press,
Dorchester,
England,
DT1 1HD

England and Wales

Ordinary

100%

100%

Associates

Friary Lane Garage Development Company Limited

34 High East Street,
Dorchester,
Dorset,
DT1 1HA

Ordinary

33.33%

33.33%

England and Wales

Subsidiary undertakings

Skyline Bookbinders Limited

The principal activity of Skyline Bookbinders Limited is dormant.

 

Henry Ling Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 June 2024

Associates

Friary Lane Garage Development Company Limited

The principal activity of Friary Lane Garage Development Company Limited is buying, selling and rental of own real estate.

13

Stocks

2024
£

2023
£

Raw materials and consumables

236,512

302,992

Work in progress

163,860

141,524

400,372

444,516

14

Debtors

2024
£

2023
£

Trade debtors

999,359

1,054,483

Amounts owed by related parties

131,017

-

VAT recoverable

42,293

41,119

Prepayments and sundry debtors

270,776

275,380

1,443,445

1,370,982

15

Cash and cash equivalents

2024
£

2023
£

Cash on hand

345

410

Cash at bank

1,227,817

991,112

Short-term deposits

1,120,881

1,054,811

2,349,043

2,046,333

 

Henry Ling Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 June 2024

16

Creditors

Note

2024
£

2023
£

Due within one year

 

Trade creditors

 

692,950

610,269

Amounts due to group undertakings

23

-

73,770

Social security and other taxes

 

52,484

61,550

Other creditors

 

104,696

106,908

Accruals

 

83,922

102,338

 

934,052

954,835

Due after one year

 

Loans and borrowings

17

19,000

19,000

17

Loans and borrowings

Non-current loans and borrowings

2024
£

2023
£

Redeemable preference shares

19,000

19,000

The dividend on the 2% non-cumulative preference shares is payable in priority to any dividend on 'A' ordinary shares. In certain circumstances holders are entitled to repayment of capital together with arrears of dividend before any return of capital is made to the ordinary shareholders. In accordance with FRS102 the preference shares are presented as a liability in the statement of financial position.

The parent company has waived its entitlement to preference share dividends in 2023 and 2024. No dividends were proposed in 2023 and 2024.

18

Provisions for liabilities

Deferred tax
£

At 1 July 2023

417,397

Increase (decrease) in existing provisions

(108,522)

At 30 June 2024

308,875

 

Henry Ling Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 June 2024

19

Pension and other schemes

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 £125,623 (2023 - £118,579).

Defined benefit pension schemes

Henry Ling Ltd DB Pension Fund

In April 2023 the Trustees decided to enter into a Bulk Purchase Annuity (BPA) Agreement with Legal & General. This BPA is commonly referred to as a buy-in. A scheme buy-in is a financial transaction in which the pension scheme purchases an insurance policy from an insurer to cover the payment of benefits to scheme members. This means that the insurer takes on the financial risk of funding benefits, rather than the scheme itself. A constructive obligation for the buy-out existed from April 2023 and as such, this note no longer presents the gross assets and liabilities for the year ended 30 June 2023 or 2024. The provision of £333,000 (2023 - £242,000) represents the expected costs to be paid in respect of GMP equalisation and other historic pension scheme liabilities not covered by Legal & General which the Company will fund by employer contributions. The buy-out is expected to take place during the subsequent year.

Expenses recognised as other finance expenses in relation to the defined benefit pension scheme in the Profit and Loss Account:

2024

2023

£

£

Net Interest

-

(34,000)

Settlement Cost

249,922

1,603,000

Total

249,922

1,569,000

Other costs relating to defined benefit schemes for the year recognised in profit or loss as an expense were £136,266 (2023 - £133,430).

 

20

Obligations under leases and hire purchase contracts

Operating leases

The total of future minimum lease payments is as follows:

2024
£

2023
£

Not later than one year

7,460

7,460

Later than one year and not later than five years

6,216

13,676

13,676

21,136

 

Henry Ling Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 30 June 2024

The amount of non-cancellable operating lease payments recognised as an expense during the year was £8,149 (2023 - £4,994).

21

Commitments

Capital commitments

At year end, the company had capital commitments for plant and machinery.

The total amount contracted for but not provided in the financial statements was £Nil (2023 - £82,941).

22

Share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid shares

2024

2023

No.

£

No.

£

'A' ordinary shares of £0.10 each

19,000

1,900

19,000

1,900

       

23

Related party transactions

The company has taken advantage of the exemption conferred by Section 33.1A of FRS 102 not to disclose transactions with members of the group headed by The Dorset Press Limited on the grounds that 100% of the voting rights in the company are controlled within that group and the company is included in consolidated financial statements.

At 30 June 2024, the company was owed £13,514 (2023 - £15,014) by Friary Lane Garage Development Company Limited, an associated undertaking. Full details of this relationship are disclosed in Note 12.

24

Parent and ultimate parent undertaking

The company's immediate parent is The Dorset Press Limited, incorporated in England and Wales.

  These financial statements are available upon request from the registered office address (The Dorset Press, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1HD).