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Portmeirion Group PLC

14 August 2003





                             PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC

                           RESULTS FOR 6 MONTHS ENDED

                                  30 JUNE 2003





CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT



Financial Highlights:-



                                 First Half        First Half         Decrease

                                       2003              2002                %

                                     £000's            £000's



Turnover                             13,211            14,395             (8.2)

------------------                -----------       -----------      -----------

Profit before tax                       506             1,015            (50.1)

------------------                -----------       -----------      -----------

Earnings per share - Basic             3.07p             6.56p           (53.2)

------------------                -----------       -----------      -----------

Interim dividend per share             3.30p             3.30p               -

------------------                -----------       -----------      -----------





Results



First half sales decreased by 8.2% compared to last year's. Profit before tax

decreased by 50.1% and earnings per share decreased by 53.2%





Dividend





The Board has decided to declare an unchanged interim dividend of 3.30p payable

on 1 October 2003, to shareholders on the register on 12 September 2003.





Trading Performance





The first half sales were severely affected by the impact of the uncertain

political situation in Iraq early in the year, and the outbreak of the SARS

virus. These factors resulted in first quarter Group sales being 15% lower than

the previous year mainly due to sales in the USA being particularly badly

affected.





However, with the overall economic climate improving as these negative factors

diminished, sales in the second quarter improved and were level with the

previous year. As a result, first half sales in the UK were in line with the

Group performance, at 7% below the previous year. In the USA, which accounts for

approximately 30% of turnover, dollar sales in the first half were 24% below the

previous year. Our Far Eastern sales performance continues to offset some of the

decline in the USA, with sales in the first half increasing by 24% and

representing 15% of Group turnover. There was also a welcome turnaround in sales

to Europe, with first half sales increasing by 62%.





Despite the overall reduction in production volumes, improvements in

manufacturing efficiency continued and overall gross margins were maintained.





The Group is faced with an intensely price competitive environment in the UK and

the USA. Average retail prices have moved ever lower, and greater volumes of

ceramic products have been sourced in low-cost countries in the Far East.

Supermarkets and lower priced national retailers are increasing their market

share each year, directly affecting the market segment in which we operate.





Recognising this as a permanent trend, the Group has developed a lower cost

range, still incorporating our design and quality standards, under the new brand

of PS portmeirion studio. This new range has been successfully launched in the

USA, and will be selling into the market this autumn. I believe that the PS

portmeirion studio range can be developed for our other important markets.

Another important strategic development is the introduction of additional gift

merchandise in both ceramic and glassware ranges which, I believe, will benefit

sales in the second half of the year.





Investment



Besides achieving continuous cost reductions, the Group's production staff have

investigated and planned a fundamental re-organisation of our equipment and

working methods. We are now convinced that this is the way to make our ceramic

products fully competitive and profitable, even in recession.





At present an urgent problem is to meet the growing calls from our retail

customers for ever quicker delivery of orders and for greater flexibility in

labelling and packaging.





As a first step in our long-term plan, the Board, after careful research, has

approved the construction of a new warehousing and distribution centre. A newly

built modern warehouse and distribution centre, using up-to-date, high

efficiency, handling equipment, will be cost effective and give all our products

a real competitive advantage. The warehousing and distribution centre will cost

approximately £6 million, which can be met from existing cash resources.





In the short term, I believe we can only be cautious about prospects for the

second half of this year. However, if there is an improvement in the economic

climate, particularly in the USA, the Group is well prepared with new product

ranges to take advantage, and therefore improve on the Group's first half

performance.





A Ralley

Chairman

13 August 2003





INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT

TO PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC





Introduction





We have been instructed by the Company to review the financial information for

the six months ended 30 June 2003 which comprises the consolidated profit and

loss account, the consolidated balance sheet, the consolidated cash flow

statement, the statement of total recognised gains and losses, the

reconciliation of movements in shareholders' funds and related notes 1 to 9. We

have read the other information contained in the interim report and considered

whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with

the financial information.





This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with Bulletin 1999/4

issued by the Auditing Practices Board. Our work has been undertaken so that we

might state to the Company those matters we are required to state to them in an

independent review 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, for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we

have formed.





Directors' responsibilities





The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, is

the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors

are responsible for preparing the interim report in accordance with the Listing

Rules of the Financial Services Authority which require that the accounting

policies and presentation applied to the interim figures are consistent with

those applied in preparing the preceding annual accounts except where any

changes, and the reasons for them, are disclosed.





Review work performed





We conducted our review in accordance with the guidance contained in Bulletin

1999/4 issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A

review consists principally of making enquiries of group management and applying

analytical procedures to the financial information and underlying financial data

and, based thereon, assessing whether the accounting policies and presentation

have been consistently applied unless otherwise disclosed. A review excludes

audit procedures such as tests of controls and verification of assets,

liabilities and transactions. It is substantially less in scope than an audit

performed in accordance with United Kingdom auditing standards and therefore

provides a lower level of assurance than an audit. Accordingly, we do not

express an audit opinion on the financial information.





Review conclusion





On the basis of our review we are not aware of any material modifications that

should be made to the financial information as presented for the six months

ended 30 June 2003.





Deloitte & Touche LLP



Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors



Birmingham





13 August 2003







PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC

CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT



                    Notes        Six Months       Six Months              Year

                                 to 30.6.03       to 30.6.02       to 31.12.02

                                     £000's           £000's            £000's



Turnover -               6           13,211           14,395            30,712

continuing

operations



Raw materials and                   (12,885)         (13,539)          (28,174)

operating costs

                                    --------          -------           -------

Operating profit -                      326              856             2,538

continuing

operations



Share of profit of                       87               81               230

associated

undertakings

Interest receivable                      93               78               155

and similar

income

                                    --------          -------           -------

Profit on ordinary                      506            1,015             2,923

activities before

taxation



Taxation on profit                     (187)            (333)             (870)

on ordinary

activities

                                    --------          -------           -------

Profit for the                          319              682             2,053

period



Dividends                              (344)            (343)           (1,378)

                                    --------          -------           -------

Retained (loss)/                        (25)             339               675

profit for the                      ========          =======           =======

period



Earnings per             4             3.07p            6.56p            19.75p

share                               ========          =======           =======



Diluted earnings         4             3.06p            6.55p            19.71p

per share                           ========          =======           =======



Dividend per             5             3.30p            3.30p            13.25p

share                               ========          =======           =======



See notes on pages

8 and 9







PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET



                 As at 30.6.03          As at 30.6.02         As at 31.12.02

                £000's    £000's       £000's    £000's       £000's    £000's



Fixed assets

Tangible                   7,984                  8,694                  8,249

assets

Investments                1,632                  1,448                  1,503

                          -------                 ------                 ------

                           9,616                 10,142                  9,752

Current

assets

Stocks           7,104                  7,410                  6,195

Debtors          5,265                  5,712                  5,715

Cash at bank     6,142                  5,413                  7,678

and in hand

                -------                 ------                 ------

                18,511                 18,535                 19,588



Creditors:      (3,548)                (3,980)                (4,732)

amounts         -------                 ------                 ------

falling due

within one

year



Net current               14,963                 14,555                 14,856

assets                    -------                 ------                 ------



Total assets              24,579                 24,697                 24,608

less current

liabilities



Provisions for              (162)                  (240)                  (261)

liabilities

and charges

                           -------                 ------                 ------

Net assets                24,417                 24,457                 24,347

                           =======                 ======                 ======



Capital and

reserves

Called up                    521                    520                    520

share

capital

Share premium              4,580                  4,547                  4,547

account

Profit and                19,316                 19,390                 19,280

loss account              -------                 ------                 ------



Equity                    24,417                 24,457                 24,347

shareholders'             =======                 ======                 ======

funds







PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT



                    Notes        Six Months       Six Months              Year

                                 to 30.6.03       to 30.6.02       to 31.12.02

                                     £000's           £000's            £000's



Cash flow from           8             (244)           1,645             5,053

operating

activities



Returns on               9               99               72               175

investments and

servicing of

finance



Taxation                               (176)            (164)             (827)



Capital expenditure      9             (214)            (323)             (563)

and financial

investments



Equity dividends                     (1,035)          (1,034)           (1,377)

paid                                 --------          -------          --------



Cash (outflow)/                      (1,570)             196             2,461

inflow before use

of liquid

resources and

financing



Management of                         1,155             (345)           (1,824)

liquid resources



Financing                9               34               12                12

                                     --------          -------          --------



(Decrease)/increase                    (381)            (137)              649

in cash in the                       ========          =======          ========

period



Note to

consolidated cash

flow statement:

Reconciliation of net cash flow

to movement in net funds



(Decrease)/increase                    (381)            (137)              649

in cash in the

period



Cash (inflow)/outflow from           (1,155)             345             1,824

(decrease)/increase in liquid

resources



Net funds at 1st                      7,678            5,205             5,205

January                              --------          -------          --------



Net funds at period      7            6,142            5,413             7,678

end                                  ========          =======          ========



See notes on pages

8 and 9







                                PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC

                     STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES

                   RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS







STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES



                                 Six Months       Six Months              Year

                                 to 30.6.03       to 30.6.02       to 31.12.02

                                     £000's           £000's            £000's



Profit for the period                   319              682             2,053



Currency translation                     61             (162)             (608)

differences

                                     --------         --------          --------

Total recognised gains and              380              520             1,445

losses for the period                ========         ========          ========



RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS



                                 Six Months       Six Months              Year

                                 to 30.6.03       to 30.6.02       to 31.12.02

                                     £000's           £000's            £000's



Profit for the period                   319              682             2,053



Dividends                              (344)            (343)           (1,378)



Currency translation                     61             (162)             (608)

differences



Shares issued under employee             34               12                12

share schemes

                                     --------         --------          --------

Net addition to shareholders'            70              189                79

funds



Opening shareholders' funds          24,347           24,268            24,268

                                     --------         --------          --------

Closing shareholders' funds          24,417           24,457            24,347

                                     ========         ========          ========







PORTMEIRION GROUP PLC



NOTES



 1.  The consolidated profit and loss account for the six months ended 30 June

     2003, the consolidated balance sheet at that date, the consolidated cash

     flow statement, the statement of total recognised gains and losses, the

     reconciliation of movements in shareholders' funds and the notes to the

     financial information, have been reviewed by the auditors but not audited.

     The consolidated profit and loss account for the six months ended 30 June

     2002 and the consolidated balance sheet at that date have also been

     reviewed by the auditors but not audited.



 2.  The comparative figures for the financial year ended 31 December 2002 are

     not the Group's statutory accounts for that year. Those accounts have been

     reported on by the Group's auditors and delivered to the Registrar of

     Companies. The report of the auditors was unqualified and did not contain

     a statement under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985.







 3.  This Interim Statement has been prepared in accordance with the accounting

     policies set out in the Group's 2002 Report and Accounts.



 4.  The earnings per share are calculated on earnings of £319,000 (2002 -

     £682,000) and the weighted average number of Ordinary shares of 10,406,114

     (2002 - 10,392,147) in issue during the period. The options in existence

     during the six months ended 30 June 2003 have a dilutive effect as defined

     by FRS 14. The diluted earnings per share under FRS 14 are calculated on

     earnings of £319,000 (2002 - £682,000) and a weighted average number of

     Ordinary shares in issue adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive

     potential Ordinary Shares which is 10,409,295 (2002 - 10,417,861).



 5.  A dividend of 3.3p (2002 - 3.3p) per Ordinary share will be paid on 1

     October 2003 to shareholders on the register on 12 September 2003.



 6.  Turnover by destination





                                       Six Months    Six Months           Year

                                       to 30.6.03    to 30.6.02    to 31.12.02

                                           £000's        £000's         £000's



     United Kingdom                         5,337         5,759         12,820

     North America                          4,255         5,932         12,108

     European Union                         1,402           865          1,792

     Far East                               1,938         1,560          3,448

     Rest of the World                        279           279            544

                                           --------     ---------       --------

                                           13,211        14,395         30,712

                                           ========     =========       ========



 7.  Analysis of net funds

                                            As at         As at          As at

                                          30.6.03       30.6.02       31.12.02

                                           £000's        £000's         £000's



     Cash in hand, at bank                    813           408          1,194

     Short term money market                5,329         5,005          6,484

     deposits

                                           --------     ---------       --------

                              Total         6,142         5,413          7,678

                                           ========     =========       ========







 8.  Reconciliation of operating profit to operating cash flows



                                        Six Months       Six Months              Year

                                        to 30.6.03       to 30.6.02       to 31.12.02

                                            £000's           £000's            £000's



Operating profit                               326              856             2,538

Depreciation                                   487              573             1,231

Exchange gain/(loss)                            11             (103)             (478)

(Profit)/loss on sale of tangible              (30)               8                 9

fixed assets

(Increase)/decrease in stocks                 (909)             181             1,396

Decrease in debtors                            415              592               461

Decrease in creditors                         (544)            (462)             (104)

                                            --------        ---------          --------

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from                (244)           1,645             5,053

operating activities                        ========        =========          ========



All of the above relate to continuing

operations.



 9.  Analysis of cash flows for headings netted in the cash flow statement



                               Six Months             Six Months              Year

                               to 30.6.03             to 30.6.02           to 31.12.02

                           £000's    £000's       £000's    £000's       £000's    £000's



Returns on investments

and servicing of

finance

Interest received              99                     72                    175

                             ------                 ------                 ------



Net cash inflow from

returns on investments

and servicing of                         99                     72                    175

finance                                ======                 ======                =======



Capital expenditure and

financial investments

Purchase of tangible         (285)                  (335)                  (611)

fixed assets

Sale of tangible fixed         71                     12                     48

assets                       ------                 ------                 ------



Net cash outflow for

capital expenditure

and financial                          (214)                  (323)                  (563)

investments                            ======                 ======                =======



Financing

Issue of Ordinary shares

under share option

schemes                        34                     12                     12

                             ------                 ------                 ------



Net cash inflow from                     34                     12                     12

financing                              ======                 ======                =======





For further information please contact Arthur Ralley (Chairman), Brett Phillips

(Finance Director) on: 01782 744721