The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Principal Activities
In the year ended 31 December 2024 the principal activities of the company are the design, manufacture and supply of beavertail trucks bodies and associated products across the UK.

Business environment

As a leading manufacturer of beavertail trucks bodies the company’s operations are closely related to the construction industry. Customers rely upon reliability, efficiency and a diverse range of bodies. The company has a long established and stable supply chain with key suppliers mainly in the UK and a limited supply from Europe.

There have been no specific negative impacts on the supply chain during the financial year and the company is continually working with its suppliers to ensure this remains the case in the short, medium and long term.

The company’s three-year plan for growth ‘Vision 2027’ focuses upon excelling in the supply of a diverse product range to customers and providing first rate service and aftersales support.

Business Strategy

As part of a family-controlled group, the directors have strong values and hold themselves against the company strapline ‘The Higher Standard’. This is reflected in the company's core values which include: Quality Product and Service, Seamless Collaboration, Continuous Improvement, Communicate Well

The success of the business is built upon revenue growth, profit growth, sustainable cash flow and continuous improvement. To ensure the continued success of the business, management regularly evaluate and monitor KPIs and take appropriate remedial actions.

Future developments

The company continues to invest in product development, undertaking research and development into both new and existing products and their application.

Risk management is continually monitored by way of a framework of policies, procedures and internal controls. All such policies and procedures are overseen by the board of directors, senior management and the company risk committee. The company reviews this framework to ensure compliance with statutory regulations and best practice.

Main risks: the ability to identify, evaluate, monitor and mitigate risk is fundamental to the continued success of the business. As the market leader for manufacture and supply of beavertail truck bodies the main business risk is potential contraction in the construction industry. Risk associated with escalating raw material prices are closely monitored and countered with agility in product pricing.

Monitoring risks: the company actively monitors its own day to day working capital requirements and is in a healthy position to maintain the required level of self-financed liquidity. This is reinforced by having a stocking financing facility in place and long-standing relationships with its bankers.

Supply risks are being mitigated as the company is expanding in-house operations for fabrication and painting. Resource planning and talent management ensure the company can build on staff potential and secure the pipeline of talent it needs to meet business requirements. An attractive profit share scheme is being implemented to ensure employees are well remunerated based on business results.

Policies and procedures: senior management are responsible for ensuring all critical processes and activities are documented in detailed standard operating procedures and drawings. The company is certified ISO9001.

Sales for the year ended 2024 declined slightly by approximately 7% compared to 2023. Despite the reduction in revenue, gross profit margin improved by 9%, contributing to a strong operating profit of 17.91% (2023: 20.92%).

Directors opinion: The directors are confident that the company's three year plan has enabled the business to retain a strong financial position and a robust base for further growth.

The directors are pleased to report that the company achieved a strong operating profit margin of 17.91% for the year (2023 – 20.92%), maintaining a solid level of profitability despite margin pressures arising from increased cost of sales.

At the balance sheet date, the company reported shareholders’ funds of £4,989,281 (2023 – £3,684,996), reflecting continued strengthening of its financial position. The company’s current assets exceeded its current liabilities by £4,632,280 (2023 – £3,397,383), resulting in a robust current ratio of 4.60 as at year-end.

Customer satisfaction feedback is formally requested from all clients following supply of finished vehicles and assessed as part of the company’s policy to deliver continuous improvement.

The directors and its senior management team consider health and safety performance to be a primary non-financial indicator. A Health and Safety Executive is in position and the H&S Committee meets regularly to reinforce behaviour.

On behalf of the board

The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.

In the year ended 31 December 2024 the principal activities of the company are the design, manufacture and supply of beavertail trucks bodies and associated products across the UK.

The results for the year are set out on page 9.

Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £238,883. The directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend.

The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:

The company manages its cash and borrowing requirements in order to maximise interest income and minimise interest expense, whilst ensuring the company has sufficient liquid resources to meet the operating needs of the business.

Investments of cash surpluses, borrowings and derivative instruments are made through banks and companies which must fulfil credit rating criteria approved by the Board.

All customers who wish to trade on credit terms are subject to credit verification procedures. Trade debtors are monitored on an ongoing basis and provision is made for doubtful debts where necessary.

Details of future developments are given in the Strategic Report.

Benee Consulting Limited were appointed as auditor of the company during the year in accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006. In accordance with section 487 of the Companies Act 2006, they will be deemed to be re-appointed for the next financial year.

The directors are responsible 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 then apply them consistently;

• make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable UK 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.

So far as each person who was a director at the date of approving this report is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company’s auditor is unaware. Additionally, the directors individually have taken all the necessary steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditor is aware of that information.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the medium-sized companies exemption.

Qualified opinion on the financial statements

We have audited the financial statements of Sterling GP Ltd (the 'company') for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the profit and loss account, the statement of comprehensive income, the balance sheet, the statement of changes in equity 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).

In our opinion, except for the effects of the matter described in the Basis for Qualified Opinion paragraph the financial statements:

• give a true and fair view of the state of the company’s affairs as at 31 December 2024, and of its profit for the year then ended;

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

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

Basis for qualified opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion except for the evidence relating to stock. We were not appointed as auditor of the company until after 31 December 2023 and thus did not observe the counting of physical stocks at the start of the year. We were unable to satisfy ourselves by alternative means concerning the stock quantities held at 31 December 2023, which are included in cost of sales during 2024 and the comparative balance sheet at £ 850,591, by using other audit procedures. Consequently we were unable to determine whether any adjustment to this amount was necessary.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

As described in the basis for qualified opinion section of our report, we were unable to satisfy ourselves concerning the stock quantities of £ 850,591 held at 31 December 2023.We have concluded that where the other information refers to the stock balance or related balances such as cost of sales, it may be materially misstated for the same reason.

Qualified opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

We were not appointed as auditor of the company until after 31 December 2023 and thus did not observe the counting of physical stocks for the year ended 31 December 2023. We were unable to satisfy ourselves by alternative means concerning the stock quantities acquired at 31 December 2023 of £851,591 by using other audit procedures. Consequently we were unable to determine whether any adjustment to this amount was necessary. In addition, were any adjustment to this stock balance required, the strategic report would also need to be amended.

Except for the possible effects of the matter described in the basis for qualified opinion section of our report, in our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

• the information given in the strategic report and the directors’ report for the financial period for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• the strategic report and the directors’ report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Except for the matter described in the basis for qualified opinion section of our report, in the light of our knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report and the directors’ report.

In respect solely of the limitation on our work relating to stock, described above:

• we have not obtained all of the information and explanations we considered necessary for the purpose of our audit; and

• we were unable to determine whether adequate accounting records had been maintained.

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

• returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

• the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

• certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made.

As explained more fully in the directors' responsibilities statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the 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.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

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

Extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above and on the Financial Reporting Council’s website, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud.

We obtain and update our understanding of the entity, its activities, its control environment, and likely future developments, including in relation to the legal and regulatory framework applicable and how the entity is complying with that framework. Based on this understanding, we identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. This includes consideration of the risk of acts by the entity that were contrary to applicable laws and regulations, including fraud.

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, including fraud, we designed procedures which included:

• Enquiry of management and those charged with governance around actual and potential litigation and claims as well as actual, suspected and alleged fraud;

• Reviewing minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;

• Assessing the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations considered to have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the company through enquiry and inspection;

• Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

• Performing audit work over the risk of management bias and override of controls, including testing of
  journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business and reviewing accounting estimates for indicators of potential bias.

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

Other matters which we are required to address

We were appointed to audit the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. In the previous year the company directors took advantage of the small companies audit exemption in Companies Act 2006. Financial statements for the prior year were not subject to audit.

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.

The profit and loss account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions relating to medium-sized companies.

Sterling GP Ltd is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Unit 7 Burdon Way, Stokesley Business Park, Stokesley, TS9 5PY.

In the year ended 31 December 2024 the principle activity continued to be the manufacturing of trailers and semi-trailers.

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, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

This company is a qualifying entity for the purposes of FRS 102, being a member of a group where the parent of that group prepares publicly available consolidated financial statements, including this company, which are intended to give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the group. The company has therefore taken advantage of exemptions from the following disclosure requirements:

• Section 4 ‘Statement of Financial Position’: Reconciliation of the opening and closing number of shares;

• Section 7 ‘Statement of Cash Flows’: Presentation of a statement of cash flow and related notes and disclosures;

• Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instrument Issues’: Carrying amounts, interest income/expense and net gains/losses for each category of financial instrument; basis of determining fair values; details of collateral, loan defaults or breaches, details of hedges, hedging fair value changes recognised in profit or loss and in other comprehensive income;

• Section 26 ‘Share based Payment’: Share-based payment expense charged to profit or loss, reconciliation of opening and closing number and weighted average exercise price of share options, how the fair value of options granted was measured, measurement and carrying amount of liabilities for cash-settled share-based payments, explanation of modifications to arrangements;

• Section 33 ‘Related Party Disclosures’: Compensation for key management personnel.

The financial statements of the company are consolidated in the financial statements of Sterling GP Holdings Ltd. These consolidated financial statements are available from its registered office, Unit 7 Burdon Way, Stokesley Business Park, Stokesley, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom, TS9 5PY.

Atruet the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company 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 comprises sales of goods or services provided to customers net of value added tax and other sales taxes, less an appropriate deduction for actual and expected returns and discounts. Revenue is recognised when performance obligations are satisfied and the control of goods or services is transferred to the buyer. Where the performance obligation is satisfied over time, revenue is recognised in accordance with its progress towards complete satisfaction of that performance obligation.

When cash inflows are deferred and represent a financing arrangement, the promised consideration is adjusted for the effects of the time value of money, which is recognised as interest income.

The nature, timing of satisfaction of performance obligations and significant payment terms of the company's major sources of revenue are as follows:

Turnover 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.

Turnover from contracts for the provision of professional services is recognised by reference to the stage of completion when the stage of completion, costs incurred and costs to complete can be estimated reliably. The stage of completion is calculated by comparing costs incurred, mainly in relation to contractual hourly staff rates and materials, as a proportion of total costs. Where the outcome cannot be estimated reliably, revenue is recognised only to the extent of the expenses recognised that are recoverable.

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.

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquisition of unincorporated businesses over the fair value of net assets acquired. It is initially recognised as an asset at cost and is subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is considered to have a finite useful life and is amortised on a systematic basis over its expected life, which is 10 years.

For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to the cash-generating units expected to benefit from the acquisition. Cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated are tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently when there is an indication that the unit may be impaired. If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than the carrying amount of the unit, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit pro-rata on the basis of the carrying amount of each asset in the unit.

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

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 credited or charged to profit or loss.

At each reporting period end date, the company 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.

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.

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost 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.

Stocks held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured at the lower of cost and replacement cost, adjusted where applicable for any loss of service potential.

At each reporting date, an assessment is made for impairment. Any excess of the carrying amount of stocks over its estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell is recognised as an impairment loss in profit or loss. Reversals of impairment losses are also recognised in profit or loss.

Stock is measured on a FIFO basis

Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

The company 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 company's balance sheet when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with 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.

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 company 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.

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 company’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

Equity instruments issued by the company 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 company.

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 company’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.

Provisions are recognised when the company has a legal or constructive present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that the company will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the reporting end date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the amount expected to be required to settle the obligation is recognised at present value. When a provision is measured at present value, the unwinding of the discount is recognised as a finance cost in profit or loss in the period in which it arises.

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 leases asset are consumed.

Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each reporting end date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting end date. Gains and losses arising on translation in the period are included in profit or loss.

In the application of the company’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.

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:

Factors that may affect future tax charges
Future tax charges may be influenced by changes in UK corporation tax rates, the availability and utilisation of capital allowances on qualifying plant and property investments, and the treatment of revenue and capital expenditure incurred during the year. In addition, the group has claimed research and development (R&D) tax relief in the current year, which has reduced the overall tax charge. The availability and impact of such relief in future periods will depend on the continuation and qualifying nature of eligible projects.

At the reporting date, there are no material unrecognised deferred tax assets or liabilities, and no significant movements are anticipated outside the group’s normal trading activity.

No impairment losses have been recognised or reversed in the year.

Tangible fixed assets includes assets held under finance leases or hire purchase contracts, as follows:

Depreciation charged during the year in respect of motor vehicles held under finance lease and hire purchase agreements amounted to £42,138. The assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life of 4 years and plant and machinery at 15% straight line basis. The motor vehicles are secured under finance lease and hire purchase agreements, with legal title transferring to the company upon settlement of the final instalment.

Inventories recognised as an expense during the year amounted to £4,435,720 (2023: £5,508,657) and are included within cost of sales in the statement of profit and loss.

Included within other debtors is an amount of £1,068,370 due from a connected company. This balance is unsecured, interest-free, and repayable on demand.

At 31 December 2024, the company had total loans of £410,967 (2023: £606,586), comprising £204,485 payable within one year and £206,482 payable after more than one year. The balance includes a Funding Circle loan and a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (“CBILS”) facility. The Funding Circle loan was originally advanced for £500,000 with a term of 72 months and carries a fixed annual interest rate of 8.9% applied to the principal, with repayments made monthly. The CBILS loan was advanced for £500,000 with a 72-month term and bears interest at 3% above the Bank of England base rate. The CBILS loan is with the government providing a guarantee under the CBILS scheme. Both loans are measured at amortised cost, with interest expenses recognised in profit or loss on an accruals basis.

Assets held under finance leases are capitalised and depreciated over the shorter of their useful lives or the lease term. The corresponding liability is recognised within creditors, and lease payments are apportioned between capital and interest.

The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the 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.

The company's only reserve, other than share capital, is the profit and loss account, which represents accumulated retained earnings available for distribution.

At the reporting end date the company had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

Amounts contracted for but not provided in the financial statements:

At 31 December 2024, the company had capital commitments of £31,512 (2023: £nil) relating to an agreement entered into with Autoline Automation Ltd for the supply of a robot welding facility. The commitment was due for settlement in 2025. Subsequent to the year end, the outstanding amount has been paid and the asset is now in use at Sterling.

The company has taken advantage of the exemption available under paragraph 1.12 of FRS 102 and has not

disclosed transactions with other wholly owned members of the group headed by Sterling GP Holdings Ltd, whose consolidated financial statements are publicly available.

During the year the trade of Antony, Laura & James Partnership was transferred to Sterling GP Ltd, while the property was transferred to the partners’ pension scheme and the holding company. Sterling GP Ltd paid £109,480 in rent to the Partnership before the transfer. As part of the reorganisation, balances were reclassified to amounts due to related parties: trade creditors £163,400, rental deposit £170,000, and net trade debtors £4,418 which was cleared by transferring to parent companies. Transactions were between entities under common control, unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand.

Parent Company
The parent company is Sterling GP Holdings Ltd. Consolidated group accounts are available upon request from the registered office of the parent company at Unit 7 Burdon Way, Stokesley Business Park, Stokesley, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom, TS9 5PY.


Ultimate Controlling party
The controlling party and ultimate controlling party is the board of directors of Sterling GP Holdings Ltd, by virtue of their control over the group’s governance and share capital.