| REGISTERED NUMBER: 01812607 (England and Wales) |
| Group Strategic Report, Report of the Directors and |
| Consolidated Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| for |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited |
| REGISTERED NUMBER: 01812607 (England and Wales) |
| Group Strategic Report, Report of the Directors and |
| Consolidated Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| for |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited (Registered number: 01812607) |
| Contents of the Consolidated Financial Statements |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| Page |
| Company Information | 1 |
| Group Strategic Report | 2 |
| Report of the Directors | 4 |
| Report of the Independent Auditors | 5 |
| Consolidated Statement of Income and Retained Earnings |
8 |
| Consolidated Balance Sheet | 9 |
| Company Balance Sheet | 10 |
| Consolidated Cash Flow Statement | 11 |
| Notes to the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement | 12 |
| Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements | 13 |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited |
| Company Information |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| DIRECTORS: |
| SECRETARY: |
| REGISTERED OFFICE: |
| REGISTERED NUMBER: |
| AUDITORS: |
| Statutory Auditor |
| First Floor, West Barn |
| North Frith Farm, Ashes Lane, Hadlow |
| Tonbridge |
| Kent |
| TN11 9QU |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited (Registered number: 01812607) |
| Group Strategic Report |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| The directors present their strategic report of the company and the group for the year ended 31 December 2024. |
| REVIEW OF BUSINESS |
| Business overview |
| W.E. Roberts Group is primarily engaged in the manufacture of corrugated cardboard packaging, supplying a diverse customer base across the United Kingdom. The company operates from its manufacturing facility in Northfleet, Kent, and continues to focus on operational efficiency, quality, and long-term sustainability. |
| Performance Review |
| During the year ended 31 December 2024, W.E. Roberts Group delivered a strong revenue performance in a competitive and cost-pressured trading environment. |
| Turnover increased to £26.4 million (2023: £24.1 million), representing growth of approximately 9.5%, driven by higher sales volumes across both conventional and stock-and-serve product ranges, including continued growth in e-commerce packaging. |
| Operating profit increased to £603,694 (2023: £361,212), reflecting improved gross margins and effective cost control despite ongoing inflationary pressures across labour, energy, and maintenance. After finance costs, the company reported a profit before tax of £304,908 (2023: £96,732). |
| The business continued to invest in its workforce throughout the year. Wage costs increased in line with labour market conditions and the company's strategy to attract and retain skilled employees. The W.E. Roberts Academy, launched previously, remains a key part of this strategy, supporting training, development, and operational resilience. |
| Capital investment continued during the year, with further expenditure on plant and machinery to support reliability, efficiency, and capacity. These investments have contributed to higher depreciation charges in the year but are expected to deliver long-term operational benefits. |
| Overall, the business closed 2024 with a solid order book, a stable balance sheet, and a strong platform from which to progress into 2025. |
| Key Financial Highlights |
| Turnover: £26.4 million (2023: £24.1 million) |
| Operating profit: £603,694 (2023: £361,212) |
| Profit before tax: £309,908 (2023: £96,732) |
| Gross profit margin: improved year-on-year |
| Average number of employees: 171 (2023: 166) |
| Sustainability and Strategic Development |
| W.E. Roberts Group continues to embed sustainability considerations into its operational and strategic decision-making. |
| During 2024, the Group progressed a number of initiatives aimed at reducing energy consumption and improving environmental efficiency, including: |
| expansion of electric forklift truck usage; |
| improved waste segregation and recycling controls; |
| enhanced monitoring of energy usage across production processes. |
| Carbon Reduction Project - 2025 |
| In 2025, the Group will formally progress its Carbon Reduction Project, a structured programme designed to identify, measure, and reduce carbon emissions and energy intensity across its manufacturing operations. |
| The project will focus on: |
| establishing detailed energy and emissions baselines and identifying high-consumption plant and processes for targeted efficiency improvements; |
| evaluating investment opportunities in energy-saving technologies and on-site generation; |
| supporting the Group's long-term objective of reducing environmental impact and operating costs. |
| This initiative reflects the Board's commitment to responsible manufacturing and long-term sustainability. |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited (Registered number: 01812607) |
| Group Strategic Report |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| Outlook |
| The directors remain cautiously optimistic for 2025. While market conditions remain competitive and cost pressures persist, the business enters the year with: |
| a strong revenue base; |
| continued focus on operational discipline; |
| planned investment in efficiency and carbon reduction; and |
| an experienced and committed workforce. |
| The Board believes these factors position W.E. Roberts Group well for sustainable performance and long-term growth. |
| ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD: |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited (Registered number: 01812607) |
| Report of the Directors |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| The directors present their report with the financial statements of the company and the group for the year ended 31 December 2024. |
| DIVIDENDS |
| The total distribution of dividends for the year ended 31 December 2024 was £710,880; in respect of B ordinary shares £238,880 and in respect of C ordinary shares £472,000. |
| DIRECTORS |
| The directors shown below have held office during the whole of the period from 1 January 2024 to the date of this report. |
| Other changes in directors holding office are as follows: |
| STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES |
| The directors are responsible for preparing the Group Strategic Report, the Report of the Directors 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 the group and of the profit or loss of the group 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; |
| - | 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 and the group's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and the group 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 the group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. |
| STATEMENT AS TO DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO AUDITORS |
| So far as the directors are aware, there is no relevant audit information (as defined by Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006) of which the group's auditors are unaware, and each director has taken all the steps that he or she ought to have taken as a director in order to make himself or herself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the group's auditors are aware of that information. |
| AUDITORS |
| The auditors, Deeks Evans Audit Services Limited, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. |
| ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD: |
| Report of the Independent Auditors to the Members of |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited |
| Opinion |
| We have audited the financial statements of W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Income and Retained Earnings, Consolidated Balance Sheet, Company Balance Sheet, Consolidated Cash Flow Statement and Notes to the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement, 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 group's and of the parent company affairs as at 31 December 2024 and of the group's profit for the year then ended; |
| - | have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and |
| - | have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. |
| Basis for opinion |
| We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group 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 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 the 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 |
| The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information in the Group Strategic Report and the Report of the Directors, but does not include the financial statements and our Report of the Auditors 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 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. We have nothing to report in this regard. |
| Opinions on other matters 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 Group Strategic Report and the Report of the Directors for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and |
| - | the Group Strategic Report and the Report of the Directors have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. |
| Report of the Independent Auditors to the Members of |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited |
| Matters on which we are required to report by exception |
| In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Group Strategic Report or the Report of the Directors. |
| 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 by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or |
| - | the parent company 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 four, 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 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 group's and the parent 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 group or the parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. |
| Auditors' 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 a Report of the Auditors 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. |
| The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below: |
| We identified areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the financial statements from our general commercial and sector experience; through verbal and written communications with those charged with governance and other management: auditors and via inspection of the company's regulatory and legal correspondence. |
| We discussed with those charged with governance and other management the polices and procedures regarding |
| compliance with laws and regulations. |
| We communicated identified laws and regulations to the audit team and remained alert to any indicators of non-compliance throughout the audit, we also specifically considered where and how fraud may occur within the company. |
| The potential effect of these laws and regulations on the financial statements varies considerably. |
| Firstly, the company is subject to laws and regulations that directly affect the financial statements, including: the company's constitution, relevant financial reporting standards; company law; tax legislation and distributable profits legislation and we assess the extent of compliance with these laws and regulation as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items. |
| Secondly the company is subject to many other laws and regulations where the consequences of non-compliance could have a material effect on the amounts or disclosures in the financial statements, for instance through the imposition of fines and penalties, or through losses arising from litigation. We identified the following areas as those most likely to have such an effect: employment legislation; health and safety legislation; trade legislation; data protection legislation; anti-bribery and corruption legislation. |
| Report of the Independent Auditors to the Members of |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited |
| Auditing Standards limit the required procedures to identify non-compliance with these laws and regulations to the procedures, and no procedures over and above those already noted are required. These limited procedures did not identify any actual or suspected non-compliance which laws and regulations that could have a material impact on the financial statements. |
| In relation to fraud, we performed the following specific procedures in addition to those already noted: |
| (a) identifying and testing journal entries, in particular those involving large or unusual account combinations |
| (b) obtaining third party confirmations of banking and finance arrangements and |
| (c) Ensuring that testing undertaken on transactions and the balance sheet includes a number of items selected on a random basis |
| These procedures did not identify any actual or suspected fraudulent irregularity that could have a material impact on the financial statements. |
| Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and preformed our audit in accordance with Auditing Standards.For example, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the procedures that we are required to undertake would identify it. In addition, as with any audit, there remains a high risk of non-detection of irregularities, as these might involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentation, or the override of internal controls. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance with laws and regulations or fraud, and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations or every incidence of fraud. |
| A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Auditors. |
| 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 a Report of the Auditors 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. |
| for and on behalf of |
| Statutory Auditor |
| First Floor, West Barn |
| North Frith Farm, Ashes Lane, Hadlow |
| Tonbridge |
| Kent |
| TN11 9QU |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited (Registered number: 01812607) |
| Consolidated |
| Statement of Income and |
| Retained Earnings |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| TURNOVER | 3 | 26,442,000 | 24,147,293 |
| Cost of sales | 17,425,393 | 16,686,237 |
| GROSS PROFIT | 9,016,607 | 7,461,056 |
| Distribution costs | 1,437,122 | 1,288,174 |
| Administrative expenses | 7,125,791 | 5,961,669 |
| 8,562,913 | 7,249,843 |
| 453,694 | 211,213 |
| Other operating income | 150,000 | 150,000 |
| OPERATING PROFIT | 5 | 603,694 | 361,213 |
| Interest receivable & similar income | 2,758 | 5,839 |
| 606,452 | 367,052 |
| Interest payable and similar expenses | 6 | 296,544 | 270,319 |
| PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION | 309,908 | 96,733 |
| Tax on profit | 7 | (439,100 | ) | 26,900 |
| PROFIT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR |
| Retained earnings at beginning of year | 3,078,686 | 3,107,103 |
| Dividends | 9 | (710,880 | ) | (117,300 | ) |
| RETAINED EARNINGS FOR THE GROUP AT END OF YEAR |
3,116,814 |
3,059,636 |
| Profit attributable to: |
| Owners of the parent | 749,008 | 69,833 |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited (Registered number: 01812607) |
| Consolidated Balance Sheet |
| 31 December 2024 |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| FIXED ASSETS |
| Tangible assets | 10 | 6,965,738 | 7,114,975 |
| Investments | 11 | - | - |
| 6,965,738 | 7,114,975 |
| CURRENT ASSETS |
| Stocks | 12 | 1,291,340 | 1,334,392 |
| Debtors | 13 | 4,746,799 | 4,665,878 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 14 | 42,134 |
| 6,038,153 | 6,042,404 |
| CREDITORS |
| Amounts falling due within one year | 14 | 6,458,334 | 5,879,387 |
| NET CURRENT (LIABILITIES)/ASSETS | (420,181 | ) | 163,017 |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
6,545,557 |
7,277,992 |
| CREDITORS |
| Amounts falling due after more than one year |
15 |
(3,313,424 |
) |
(3,644,887 |
) |
| PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES | 19 | - | (439,100 | ) |
| NET ASSETS | 3,232,133 | 3,194,005 |
| CAPITAL & RESERVES |
| Called up share capital | 20 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Revaluation reserve | 21 | 95,269 | 114,319 |
| Retained earnings | 21 | 3,135,864 | 3,078,686 |
| SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS | 3,232,133 | 3,194,005 |
| The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 30 December 2025 and were signed on its behalf by: |
| R J Puffette - Director |
| P T Roberts - Director |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited (Registered number: 01812607) |
| Company Balance Sheet |
| 31 December 2024 |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| FIXED ASSETS |
| Tangible assets | 10 |
| Investments | 11 |
| CREDITORS |
| Amounts falling due within one year | 14 |
| NET CURRENT LIABILITIES | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
| CAPITAL & RESERVES |
| Called up share capital | 20 |
| Retained earnings | 21 |
| SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS |
| Company's profit for the financial year | 710,880 | 117,300 |
| The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited (Registered number: 01812607) |
| Consolidated Cash Flow Statement |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| Notes | £ | £ |
| Cash flows from operating activities |
| Cash generated from operations | 1 | 1,366,528 | 998,108 |
| Interest paid | (241,180 | ) | (227,992 | ) |
| Interest element of hire purchase payments paid |
(55,364 |
) |
(42,327 |
) |
| Tax paid | 14,102 | (46,455 | ) |
| Net cash from operating activities | 1,084,086 | 681,334 |
| Cash flows from investing activities |
| Purchase of tangible fixed assets | (658,161 | ) | (843,775 | ) |
| Sale of tangible fixed assets | 83,011 | 37,213 |
| Interest received | 2,758 | 5,839 |
| Net cash from investing activities | (572,392 | ) | (800,723 | ) |
| Cash flows from financing activities |
| Loan repayments in year | (197,292 | ) | 844,423 |
| Capital repayments in year | (39,015 | ) | (256,846 | ) |
| Amount introduced by directors | 263,272 | - |
| Amount withdrawn by directors | - | (430,501 | ) |
| Equity dividends paid | (710,880 | ) | (117,300 | ) |
| Net cash from financing activities | (683,915 | ) | 39,776 |
| Decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (172,221 | ) | (79,613 | ) |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |
2 |
42,134 |
121,747 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of year |
2 |
(130,087 |
) |
42,134 |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited (Registered number: 01812607) |
| Notes to the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| 1. | RECONCILIATION OF PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION TO CASH GENERATED FROM OPERATIONS |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Profit before taxation | 309,908 | 96,733 |
| Depreciation charges | 738,248 | 749,033 |
| (Profit)/loss on disposal of fixed assets | (13,861 | ) | 8,263 |
| Finance costs | 296,544 | 270,319 |
| Finance income | (2,758 | ) | (5,839 | ) |
| 1,328,081 | 1,118,509 |
| Decrease in stocks | 43,052 | 158,686 |
| (Increase)/decrease in trade and other debtors | (236,054 | ) | 678,844 |
| Increase/(decrease) in trade and other creditors | 231,449 | (957,931 | ) |
| Cash generated from operations | 1,366,528 | 998,108 |
| 2. | CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
| The amounts disclosed on the Cash Flow Statement in respect of cash and cash equivalents are in respect of these Balance Sheet amounts: |
| Year ended 31 December 2024 |
| 31.12.24 | 1.1.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 14 | 42,134 |
| Bank overdrafts | (130,101 | ) | - |
| (130,087 | ) | 42,134 |
| Year ended 31 December 2023 |
| 31.12.23 | 1.1.23 |
| £ | £ |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 42,134 | 121,747 |
| 3. | ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET DEBT |
| At 1.1.24 | Cash flow | At 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Net cash |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 42,134 | (42,120 | ) | 14 |
| Bank overdrafts | - | (130,101 | ) | (130,101 | ) |
| 42,134 | (172,221 | ) | (130,087 | ) |
| Debt |
| Finance leases | (1,188,267 | ) | 39,015 | (1,149,252 | ) |
| Debts falling due within 1 year | (223,980 | ) | (12,299 | ) | (236,279 | ) |
| Debts falling due after 1 year | (2,905,923 | ) | 209,591 | (2,696,332 | ) |
| (4,318,170 | ) | 236,307 | (4,081,863 | ) |
| Total | (4,276,036 | ) | 64,086 | (4,211,950 | ) |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited (Registered number: 01812607) |
| Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| 1. | STATUTORY INFORMATION |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited is a |
| 2. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
| Basis of preparing the financial statements |
| 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. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. |
| These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and the directors have considered a period of at least twelve months from the date of signing of the balance sheet. |
| Significant judgements and estimates |
| Estimates and assumptions concerning the future and judgements are made by the management in the preparation of the financial statements. They affect the application of the Company's accounting policies, reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses and disclosures made. They are assessed on an going concern basis and are based on experience and relevant factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable in the period of revision and future periods, in case the revision also effects future periods. |
| Turnover |
| Turnover is recognised when it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the group and when the revenue and costs, if applicable, can be measured reliably and on the following basis: |
| Sales of products is recognised on transfer of risks and rewards of ownership, which generally coincides with the time when products are delivered to customers and the title passed. |
| Tangible fixed assets |
| Freehold property | - |
| Long leasehold | - |
| Plant & machinery | - |
| Motor vehicles | - |
| Computer equipment | - |
| Where freehold property has not been depreciated this is because the directors believe the current value to be reasonable. |
| Stocks |
| Stocks and work in progress are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items. |
| Cost is calculated using the first-in, first-out method and includes all purchase, transport, and handling costs in bringing stocks to their present location and condition. |
| Taxation |
| Taxation for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement, except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. |
| Current or deferred taxation assets and liabilities are not discounted. |
| Current tax is recognised at the amount of tax payable using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited (Registered number: 01812607) |
| Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| 2. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
| Deferred tax |
| Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date. |
| Timing differences arise from the inclusion of income and expenses in tax assessments in periods different from those in which they are recognised in financial statements. Deferred tax is measured using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the year end and that are expected to apply to the reversal of the timing difference. |
| Unrelieved tax losses and other deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. |
| Research and development |
| Expenditure on research and development is written off in the year in which it is incurred. |
| Foreign currencies |
| Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the date of transaction. Exchange differences are taken into account in arriving at the operating result. |
| Hire purchase and leasing commitments |
| Assets obtained under hire purchase contracts or finance leases are capitalised in the balance sheet. Those held under hire purchase contracts are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Those held under finance leases are depreciated over their estimated useful lives or the lease term, whichever is the shorter. |
| The interest element of these obligations is charged to the profit and loss account over the relevant period. The capital element of the future payments is treated as a liability. |
| Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the profit and loss account on a straight line basis over the period of the lease. |
| Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits |
| The group operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the group's pension scheme are charged to profit or loss in the period to which they relate. |
| Impairment |
| Assets not measured at fair value are reviewed for any indication that the asset may be impaired at each balance sheet date. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset, or the asset's cash generating unit, is estimated and compared to the carrying amount. Where the carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount, an impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss unless the asset is carried at a revalued amount where the impairment loss is a revaluation decrease. |
| 3. | TURNOVER |
| The turnover and profit before taxation are attributable to the one principal activity of the group. |
| An analysis of turnover by geographical market for the year ended 31 December 2023 is given below: |
| £ |
| United Kingdom | 24,147,293 |
| 24,147,293 |
| This analysis is not considered to be applicable to the year ended 31 December 2024. |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited (Registered number: 01812607) |
| Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| 4. | EMPLOYEES AND DIRECTORS |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Wages and salaries | 6,341,478 | 5,995,690 |
| Social security costs | 553,457 | 506,148 |
| Other pension costs | 105,085 | 88,920 |
| 7,000,020 | 6,590,758 |
| The average number of employees during the year was as follows: |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| Office & management | 56 | 56 |
| Manufacturing | 115 | 110 |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Directors' remuneration | 146,667 | 150,667 |
| The number of directors to whom retirement benefits were accruing was as follows: |
| Money purchase schemes | 1 | 1 |
| 5. | OPERATING PROFIT |
| The operating profit is stated after charging/(crediting): |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Depreciation - owned assets | 271,158 | 260,531 |
| Depreciation - assets on hire purchase contracts | 467,090 | 488,502 |
| (Profit)/loss on disposal of fixed assets | (13,861 | ) | 8,263 |
| Auditors' remuneration | 19,900 | 18,000 |
| Auditors' remuneration for non audit work | 24,000 | 24,750 |
| 6. | INTEREST PAYABLE AND SIMILAR EXPENSES |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Bank loan interest | 241,180 | 227,079 |
| Other interest payable | - | 913 |
| Hire purchase | 55,364 | 42,327 |
| 296,544 | 270,319 |
| 7. | TAXATION |
| Analysis of the tax (credit)/charge |
| The tax (credit)/charge on the profit for the year was as follows: |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Deferred tax | (439,100 | ) | 26,900 |
| Tax on profit | (439,100 | ) | 26,900 |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited (Registered number: 01812607) |
| Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| 7. | TAXATION - continued |
| Reconciliation of total tax (credit)/charge included in profit and loss |
| The tax assessed for the year is lower than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK. The difference is explained below: |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Profit before tax | 309,908 | 96,733 |
| Profit multiplied by the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25 % (2023 - 25 %) |
77,477 |
24,183 |
| Effects of: |
| Expenses not deductible for tax purposes | 3,223 | 3,375 |
| Superdeduction - capital allowances & Research & Development | (80,700 | ) | (658 | ) |
| Deferred tax movement re R& D claim | (439,100 | ) | - |
| Total tax (credit)/charge | (439,100 | ) | 26,900 |
| 8. | INDIVIDUAL INCOME STATEMENT |
| As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the Statement of Comprehensive Income of the parent company is not presented as part of these financial statements. |
| 9. | DIVIDENDS |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| B ordinary shares of £1 each |
| Dividends paid | 238,880 | 45,300 |
| C ordinary shares of £1 each |
| Dividends paid | 472,000 | 72,000 |
| 710,880 | 117,300 |
| 10. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
| Group |
| Freehold | Long | Plant & |
| property | leasehold | machinery |
| £ | £ | £ |
| COST OR VALUATION |
| At 1 January 2024 | 4,469,032 | 759,297 | 9,641,572 |
| Additions | 3,825 | - | 485,178 |
| Disposals | - | - | (126,704 | ) |
| At 31 December 2024 | 4,472,857 | 759,297 | 10,000,046 |
| DEPRECIATION |
| At 1 January 2024 | 80,714 | 454,981 | 7,363,139 |
| Charge for year | 16,169 | 57,289 | 580,876 |
| Eliminated on disposal | - | - | (106,354 | ) |
| At 31 December 2024 | 96,883 | 512,270 | 7,837,661 |
| NET BOOK VALUE |
| At 31 December 2024 | 4,375,974 | 247,027 | 2,162,385 |
| At 31 December 2023 | 4,388,318 | 304,316 | 2,278,433 |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited (Registered number: 01812607) |
| Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| 10. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS - continued |
| Group |
| Motor | Computer |
| vehicles | equipment | Totals |
| £ | £ | £ |
| COST OR VALUATION |
| At 1 January 2024 | 972,252 | 233,841 | 16,075,994 |
| Additions | 159,072 | 10,086 | 658,161 |
| Disposals | (84,800 | ) | - | (211,504 | ) |
| At 31 December 2024 | 1,046,524 | 243,927 | 16,522,651 |
| DEPRECIATION |
| At 1 January 2024 | 836,776 | 225,409 | 8,961,019 |
| Charge for year | 78,579 | 5,335 | 738,248 |
| Eliminated on disposal | (36,000 | ) | - | (142,354 | ) |
| At 31 December 2024 | 879,355 | 230,744 | 9,556,913 |
| NET BOOK VALUE |
| At 31 December 2024 | 167,169 | 13,183 | 6,965,738 |
| At 31 December 2023 | 135,476 | 8,432 | 7,114,975 |
| Leasehold costs were valued on an open market basis on 26 November 2018 by a firm of surveyors. |
| Fixed assets, included in the above, which are held under hire purchase contracts are as follows: |
| Plant & | Motor |
| machinery | vehicles | Totals |
| £ | £ | £ |
| COST OR VALUATION |
| At 1 January 2024 | 2,447,714 | 523,899 | 2,971,613 |
| Additions | 296,270 | 102,872 | 399,142 |
| Transfer to ownership | (198,850 | ) | (480,904 | ) | (679,754 | ) |
| At 31 December 2024 | 2,545,134 | 145,867 | 2,691,001 |
| DEPRECIATION |
| At 1 January 2024 | 1,137,810 | 498,103 | 1,635,913 |
| Charge for year | 437,917 | 29,173 | 467,090 |
| Transfer to ownership | (245,125 | ) | (480,904 | ) | (726,029 | ) |
| At 31 December 2024 | 1,330,602 | 46,372 | 1,376,974 |
| NET BOOK VALUE |
| At 31 December 2024 | 1,214,532 | 99,495 | 1,314,027 |
| At 31 December 2023 | 1,309,904 | 25,796 | 1,335,700 |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited (Registered number: 01812607) |
| Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| 11. | FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS |
| Company |
| Unlisted |
| investments |
| £ |
| COST |
| At 1 January 2024 |
| and 31 December 2024 |
| NET BOOK VALUE |
| At 31 December 2024 |
| At 31 December 2023 |
| The group or the company's investments at the Balance Sheet date in the share capital of companies include the following: |
| Subsidiaries |
| Registered office: Thames Works, Grove Road, Northfleet, Kent. DA11 9AX |
| Nature of business: |
| % |
| Class of shares: | holding |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Aggregate capital and reserves |
| Profit for the year |
| Registered office: Thames Works, Grove Road, Northfleet, Kent. DA11 9AX |
| Nature of business: |
| % |
| Class of shares: | holding |
| The company was not trading throughout the year. |
| Registered office: Thames Works, Grove Road, Northfleet, Kent. DA11 9AX |
| Nature of business: |
| % |
| Class of shares: | holding |
| The company was not trading throughout the year. |
| 12. | STOCKS |
| Group |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Stocks | 948,947 | 960,152 |
| Work-in-progress | 342,393 | 374,240 |
| 1,291,340 | 1,334,392 |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited (Registered number: 01812607) |
| Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| 13. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
| Group |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Trade debtors | 4,418,198 | 4,131,335 |
| Other debtors | 16,102 | 14,582 |
| Directors' current accounts | 41,783 | 196,916 |
| Prepayments & accrued income | 270,716 | 323,045 |
| 4,746,799 | 4,665,878 |
| 14. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
| Group | Company |
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Bank loans & overdrafts (see note 16) | 366,380 | 223,980 |
| Hire purchase contracts (see note 17) | 532,160 | 449,303 |
| Trade creditors | 1,247,209 | 1,475,479 |
| Amounts owed to participating interests | - | - | 325,157 | 325,157 |
| Corporation tax | 14,102 | - |
| Social security & other taxes | 627,769 | 534,099 |
| Other creditors | 3,222,488 | 3,057,253 |
| Directors' current accounts | 119,273 | 11,134 | - | - |
| Accrued expenses | 328,953 | 128,139 |
| 6,458,334 | 5,879,387 |
| 15. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR |
| Group |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Bank loans (see note 16) | 2,696,332 | 2,905,923 |
| Hire purchase contracts (see note 17) | 617,092 | 738,964 |
| 3,313,424 | 3,644,887 |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited (Registered number: 01812607) |
| Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| 16. | LOANS |
| An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below: |
| Group |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Amounts falling due within one year or on | demand: |
| Bank overdrafts | 130,101 | - |
| Bank loans | 236,279 | 223,980 |
| 366,380 | 223,980 |
| Amounts falling due between one and two | years: |
| Bank loans - 1-2 years | 234,322 | 245,980 |
| Amounts falling due between two and five | years: |
| Bank loans - 2-5 years | 732,308 | 686,408 |
| Amounts falling due in more than five years: |
| Repayable by instalments |
| Bank loans more 5 yr by instal | 1,729,702 | 1,973,535 |
| 17. | LEASING AGREEMENTS |
| Minimum lease payments fall due as follows: |
| Group |
| Hire purchase |
| contracts |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Gross obligations repayable: |
| Within one year | 580,261 | 491,919 |
| Between one and five years | 657,566 | 782,951 |
| 1,237,827 | 1,274,870 |
| Finance charges repayable: |
| Within one year | 48,101 | 42,616 |
| Between one and five years | 40,474 | 43,987 |
| 88,575 | 86,603 |
| Net obligations repayable: |
| Within one year | 532,160 | 449,303 |
| Between one and five years | 617,092 | 738,964 |
| 1,149,252 | 1,188,267 |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited (Registered number: 01812607) |
| Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| 18. | SECURED DEBTS |
| The following secured debts are included within creditors: |
| Group |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Bank loans | 2,932,611 | 3,129,903 |
| The following have a fixed and floating charge in the bank's standard form over the assets of the company: |
| Lloyds Commercial Finance Limited has a fixed and floating charge in the bank's standard form over the assets of the company dated 25 July 2011. |
| Lloyds Bank plc letter of set off dated 23 October 2020 to include W E Roberts (Holdings) Limited, W E Roberts Limited and W E Roberts (Packing Supplies) Limited |
| Trade creditors include amounts due in respect of stock purchases subject to reservation of title clauses. The total amount due is approximately £893,000. |
| 19. | PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES |
| Group |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Deferred tax | - | 439,100 |
| Group |
| Deferred |
| tax |
| £ |
| Balance at 1 January 2024 | 439,100 |
| Accelerated capital allowances |
| Balance at 31 December 2024 | 439,100 |
| 20. | CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL |
| Allotted, issued and fully paid: |
| Number: | Class: | Nominal | 2024 | 2023 |
| value: | £ | £ |
| A ordinary | £1 | 994 | 994 |
| B ordinary | £1 | 2 | 2 |
| C ordinary | £1 | 4 | 4 |
| 1,000 | 1,000 |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited (Registered number: 01812607) |
| Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| 21. | RESERVES |
| Group |
| Retained | Revaluation |
| earnings | reserve | Totals |
| £ | £ | £ |
| At 1 January 2024 | 3,078,686 | 114,319 | 3,193,005 |
| Profit for the year | 749,008 | 749,008 |
| Dividends | (710,880 | ) | (710,880 | ) |
| Revaluation in the year | 19,050 | (19,050 | ) | - |
| At 31 December 2024 | 3,135,864 | 95,269 | 3,231,133 |
| Company |
| Retained |
| earnings |
| £ |
| At 1 January 2024 |
| Profit for the year |
| Dividends | ( |
) |
| At 31 December 2024 |
| 22. | DIRECTORS' ADVANCES, CREDITS AND GUARANTEES |
| The following advances and credits to directors subsisted during the years ended 31 December 2024 and 31 December 2023: |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| A W E Roberts |
| Balance outstanding at start of year | 58,598 | (95 | ) |
| Amounts advanced | 81,106 | 58,693 |
| Amounts repaid | (153,000 | ) | - |
| Amounts written off | - | - |
| Amounts waived | - | - |
| Balance outstanding at end of year | (13,296 | ) | 58,598 |
| S W T Roberts |
| Balance outstanding at start of year | 60,997 | (75,425 | ) |
| Amounts advanced | 69,582 | 136,422 |
| Amounts repaid | (179,540 | ) | - |
| Amounts written off | - | - |
| Amounts waived | - | - |
| Balance outstanding at end of year | (48,961 | ) | 60,997 |
| P T Roberts |
| Balance outstanding at start of year | 74,591 | (93,072 | ) |
| Amounts advanced | 117,169 | 167,663 |
| Amounts repaid | (149,978 | ) | - |
| Amounts written off | - | - |
| Amounts waived | - | - |
| Balance outstanding at end of year | 41,782 | 74,591 |
| W. E. Roberts (Holdings) Limited (Registered number: 01812607) |
| Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| 22. | DIRECTORS' ADVANCES, CREDITS AND GUARANTEES - continued |
| R J Puffette |
| Balance outstanding at start of year | 2,730 | (1,377 | ) |
| Amounts advanced | 862 | 4,107 |
| Amounts repaid | (4,383 | ) | - |
| Amounts written off | - | - |
| Amounts waived | - | - |
| Balance outstanding at end of year | (791 | ) | 2,730 |
| 23. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |
| Other related parties |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Rent paid | - | (48,630 | ) |
| Amount due to related party | - | 8,958 |
| No compensation was paid to key management personnel during the year. However during the year ended 31 December 2023 a total of key management personnel compensation of £ 150,667 was paid. |