24 February 2022
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£ millions (unless stated) | 20211 | 2020 | Change vs 2020 | Change vs 20193 |
Group revenue | 2,093.7 | 1,547.5 | +35.3% | +32.2% |
UK depots revenue | 2,043.3 | 1,509.6 | +35.4% | +31.8% |
Gross profit | 1,289.0 | 930.0 | +38.6% | +30.7% |
Gross profit margin, % | 61.6% | 60.1% | +150bps | (70)bps |
Operating profit | 401.7 | 195.7 | +105.3% | +54.5% |
Operating profit margin, % | 19.2% | 12.6% | +660bps | +280bps |
Profit before tax | 390.3 | 185.3 | +110.6% | +49.7% |
Basic earnings per share, p | 53.2p | 24.9p | +113.7% | +52.0% |
Total ordinary dividend per share, p | 19.5p | 9.1p | ||
Special dividend, p | - | 9.1p | ||
Cash at end of period | 515.3 | 430.7 |
1 The information presented relates to the 52 weeks to 25 December 2021, the 52 weeks to 26 December 2020 and the 52 weeks to 28 December 2019, unless otherwise stated. The 2021 and 2020 results are presented under IFRS 16, 2019 results have not been restated.
2 Same depot basis for any year excludes depots opened in that year and the prior year. See Financial Review on page 4.
3 2019 included due to the significant impact of COVID-19 on the 2020 results.
“2021 was a very successful year for Howdens as we both delivered record financial results and progressed our strategic plans for the business. Our performance demonstrates the strength of our trade only, in-stock local business model and our ability to meet heightened demand for our products. I would like to express my thanks to our 11,000 employees for their dedication and commitment to delivering outstanding service to our customers against a continued backdrop of COVID-19 and supply chain challenges.
“We believe there is now potential for at least 950 depots in the UK and we are expanding our presence in France and the Republic of Ireland. We continue to invest in our depot network, market leading products, manufacturing and supply chain, and digital capabilities, all of which improve service to our customers and help us take advantage of market opportunities. Our robust balance sheet gives us the flexibility to continue to invest in our growth plans for the business at the same time as delivering enhanced returns to shareholders through ordinary dividends and share buy-backs.”
Capital expenditure investment is expected to be around £100m in 2022 (2021: £90m) which includes investment in our strategic initiatives. There will also be an additional one-off investment of £10m this year on the acquisition of freehold land to support our investments in additional manufacturing capacity.
The following table shows sales in the first two periods of the new financial year to 19 February 2022 in absolute terms, on a same depot (LFL) basis2 and adjusted for working days.
Revenue growth (%) | Periods 1-2 | Periods 1-2 Adj* | ||
% | LFL% | % | LFL % | |
UK depots | 17.1% | 15.6% | 19.5% | 18.0% |
Continental European depots** | 21.4% | 18.9% |
* compared with 2021 which had 38.5 trading days, 1 more than 2022 in the UK. The 38.5 trading days in Continental Europe depots are the same in both 2021 and 2022.
** excludes 5 French depots which will be closed in 2022.
We have made an encouraging start to 2022 and are confident in our resilient business model across changing market conditions:
While it is still early in the new financial year, we have, at present, the momentum for another successful year in 2022 and the plans in place to deliver one.
For further information please contact | ||
Howdens Joinery Group Plc | Media Enquiries | |
Paul Hayes, CFO Tel: +44 (0) 207 535 1110 | Nina Coad, David Litterick (Brunswick) Tel: +44 (0) 207 404 5959 | |
Mark Fearon, Director of IR and Communications Mobile: +44 (0)7711 875050 | ||
Results presentation: There will be a live audio webcast for analysts and investors at 08:30 UK time today, 24 February 2022: https://brrmedia.news/HWDN_FY21 For more information see: www.howdenjoinerygroupplc.com. The presentation can also be heard by dialling the phone numbers below, where there will be the opportunity to ask questions: | ||
Location United Kingdom, Local United States, Local | Phone Number +44 (0)330 336 9601 +1 323-701-0160 Confirmation code: 7136938 | |
The webcast will be recorded and available on our website after the event has finished at: www.howdenjoinerygroupplc.com | ||
Note to editors:
1. About Howdens Joinery Group Plc
Howden Joinery Group Plc is the parent company of Howden Joinery (Howdens). In the UK, Howdens sells kitchens and joinery products to trade customers, primarily small local builders, through 778 depots. In 2021, the business generated revenues of around £2.1 billion and profit before tax of £390.3 million. Around one-third of the products it sells are manufactured in house at its factories in Runcorn, Cheshire, and Howden, East Yorkshire both of which recently achieved carbon neutral status. The business also operates a total of 40 depots in France and Belgium.
2. Timetable for the final dividend
The timetable for payment of the proposed final dividend of 15.2 pence per ordinary share is as follows:
Ex-dividend date: | 7 April 2022 |
Record date: | 8 April 2022 |
Payment date: | 20 May 2022 |
3. Provisional financial calendar
2022 | |
Trading update | 28 April 2022 |
Annual General Meeting | 12 May 2022 |
Half Year Report | 21 July 2022 |
Trading update | 3 November 2022 |
End of financial year | 24 December 2022 |
Revenue £m (unless stated) | 2021 | # of depots | 2020 |
Group: | 2,093.7 | 818 | 1,547.5 |
Howden Joinery UK depots - same depot basis | 2,017.7 | 731 | 1,508.8 |
UK depots opened in previous two years | 25.6 | 47 | 0.8 |
Howden Joinery UK depots – total sales | 2,043.3 | 778 | 1,509.6 |
Howden Joinery Continental European depots | 50.4 | 37.9 | |
Local currency revenue (€m) | |||
France and Belgium – same depot basis | 55.3 | 26 | 41.7 |
Depots opened in previous two years | 3.1 | 14 | 0.9 |
France and Belgium – total sales | 58.4 | 40 | 42.6 |
1 The information presented relates to the 52 weeks to 25 December 2021 and the 52 weeks to 26 December 2020 unless otherwise stated.
2 Same depot basis for any year excludes depots opened in that year and the prior year.
Total Group revenue of £2,093.7m was ahead by 35.3% (2020: 1,547.5m). UK depot revenue grew 35.4% to £2,043.4m (2020: £1,509.6m). UK revenue increased by 33.7% on a same depot basis2 to £2,017.7m (2020: £1,508.8m); this excludes the additional revenue from depots opened in 2021 and 2020 of £25.6m (2020: £0.8m).
Depot revenue in Continental Europe was £50.4m (2020: £37.9m). On a local currency basis, revenue at our depots in France and Belgium increased by 37.3% on a same depot basis2.
Gross profit was £1,289.0m (2020: £930.0m; 2019: £986.2m). The £359m increase compared with 2020 reflected a positive volume and mix impact of £282m and higher pricing of £107m. There were also £30m of cost pressures reflecting the net impact of higher commodity, freight costs and foreign exchange. These factors contributed to an increase in gross margin of 150 basis points versus the prior year to 61.6% (2020: 60.1%; 2019 62.3%) as we appropriately balanced mix with higher overall volumes.
The £303m increase compared with 2019 reflected growth in sales volumes and mix of £254m and changes in price of £91m partly offset by £42m of product cost pressures. This included the net impact of significant increases in input costs including commodities, freight and transportation partially offset by initiatives to reduce costs.
Operating profit was strongly ahead of last year and 2019 at £401.7m (2020: £195.7m; 2019: £260.0m on a pre IFRS 16 basis) and the operating profit margin was 19.2% (2020: 12.6%; 2019 16.4%).
Selling and distribution costs and administrative expenses (SD&A) increased by 20.8% to £887.3m (2020: £734.3m; 2019: £726.2m). As expected, costs increased due to continued investment in areas across the business. Compared to 2020 this included £11m on UK depots opened in 2020 and 2021 and £13m on French depots opened in the period. We also invested £28m in warehouse and transportation initiatives which included the investment in regional XDCs and £10m in marketing and digital costs. £70m of additional costs were also incurred in the existing depot network as a result of the significant increase in volumes and there was also a £21m increase in other operating costs.
SD&A costs increased in 2021 compared with 2019 by £161.1m. Investment in executing our strategy included £33m on new depots in the UK opened since 2019, and £22m on new depots in France. Other growth initiatives included logistics investments of £38m (including XDCs) and £13m of marketing and digital investment. This was partly offset by £17m of the non-repeat benefit from depot closure costs in Germany and the Netherlands, and lease amortization charges consequent upon adopting IFRS 16. Between 2019 and 2021 the increase in revenue in the older UK depots resulted in £50m of additional costs.
The net interest charge was £11.4m (2020: £10.4m; 2019: £0.7m credit, on a pre IFRS 16 basis) principally reflecting the additional interest rate expense on our lease liabilities. Profit before tax of £390.3m was strongly ahead of the prior year (2020: £185.3m; 2019: £260.7m).
The tax charge on profit before tax was £75.8m (2020: £37.7m; 2019: £51.7m) as a result of the higher operating profit and represented an effective tax rate of 19.4% (2020: 20.3%; 2019: 19.8%). As a result, profit after tax was £314.5m (2020: £147.6m; 2019: £209.0m). Reflecting the above and the reduced share count following share buy backs, basic earnings per share were 53.2p (2020: 24.9p; 2019 35.0p).
During 2020 we were granted a patent on a new plastic leg design which we have incorporated into our sales of c.5m of kitchen cabinet units. We applied for the patent in 2017 and there is a potential to claim tax relief under HMRC patent box rules. We will review the potential scale of any claim with our advisers before deciding whether to make a claim under these rules.
The net cash inflow from operating activities was £437.4m (2020: £329.5m). Net working capital increased by £1.7m due to higher levels of business activity. Debtors at the end of the period were £39m higher than at the beginning of the period, creditors were £84m higher and stock was £47m higher due to our actions to increase levels of safety stock to support our customers. Capital expenditure was £85.9m (2020: £69.7m). Corporation tax payments were £73.1m (2020: £32.2m), and dividends amounted to £133.6m (2020: nil). Share buy backs totalled £50.0m (2020: £9.8m) and the cash contribution to the Group’s pension schemes in excess of the operating charge was £18.5m (2020: £22.2m). The interest and principal paid on lease liabilities totalled £85.8m (2020: £87.6m).
Reflecting the above, there was a net cash inflow of £84.6m (2020: £163.3m), leaving the Group with cash at the year end of £515.3m (26 December 2020: £430.7m). The Group has access to a £140m asset backed lending facility which remained undrawn at the balance sheet date.
Our approach to capital allocation has primarily focused on achieving sustainable profit growth by investing in and developing our vertically integrated business. We also want to maintain and grow our ordinary dividend in line with earnings to reward shareholders with an attractive ongoing income stream. After allowing for these uses of cash, Howdens remains committed to returning any surplus capital to shareholders.
Within its definition of surplus capital, the Board believes it is appropriate for the Group to be able to operate through the annual working capital cycle without incurring bank debt, noting that there is seasonality in working capital balances through the year, particularly in advance of our peak trading period in the second half. We also take into account that the Group has a significant property lease exposure for the depot network, and a large defined benefit pension scheme that has only recently moved into a surplus.
Howdens has a prudent risk appetite towards balance sheet management, an approach which has been borne out over the past two years with the balance sheet being a source of great strength through the challenges of the pandemic. In the crisis phase of COVID-19 the Board took decisive action to conserve capital, and as markets have recovered, we have progressively reinstated our capital priorities including the return to paying dividends in 2021 and also the return of surplus capital in the second half of the year. These returns were only initiated after having repaid all government support received early in the pandemic.
The Board has recently reviewed its capital allocation policy considering the current economic environment to ensure it is clearly defined and retains a disciplined approach to enhance shareholder value. This prioritises our strategy of continuing to invest in depots, manufacturing and logistics capabilities and related strategic investments while delivering a progressive dividend. Our policy will be that where year end cash is in excess of £250m we expect to return surplus cash to shareholders, which provides sufficient headroom to support organic growth, our working capital requirements and ongoing investments in our strategic priorities. At this level of cash, the balance sheet will remain strong with a leverage of approximately 0.7x EBITDA after taking into account lease liabilities.
On this basis, the Board has decided that the Group will undertake a £250m share buyback programme which we aim to complete over the next 12 months. This is in addition to the £50m share buyback programme announced with the half year results, which was completed during the second half of 2021.
During 2020, no interim dividend was paid, but a final dividend of 9.1p per ordinary share and a special dividend of 9.1p per ordinary share were paid in June 2021 in respect of 2020. Taking into account the Group’s prospects and strong financial position, in July 2021 the Board declared an interim dividend of 4.3p per ordinary share. The Group’s unchanged dividend policy is to target a dividend cover of between 2.5x and 3.0x and Board is recommending a final dividend for 2021 of 15.2p per ordinary share, giving a total dividend of 19.5p per ordinary share. The final dividend will be paid on 20 May 2022 to shareholders on the register on 8 April 2022.
At 25 December 2021, the defined benefit pension scheme was in a surplus at £141m (26 December 2020: deficit of £48m) on an IAS 19 basis. This movement from a deficit to a surplus was primarily a result of an increase in the net discount rate which was a benefit of £113m, a £25m cash contribution and an increase in asset returns of £58m. The current service, administrative and finance charges totalled £7m. The defined benefit pension scheme closed for future accrual from 31 March 2021. The scheme’s funding level on an IAS19 basis was 104.1% (2020: 99.0%) at the end of the financial year and in accordance with the scheme rules, deficit contributions were suspended in July 2021. Due to the scale of the scheme with around £1.6bn of assets and liabilities, it is possible that the scheme could return to a deficit position on a technical provisions basis. If this were the case, then deficit contributions of £2.5m per month would recommence.
We announced in February 2022 that Richard Pennycook had indicated his intention to retire from the Board with effect from 17 September 2022. Richard was appointed as Howdens' Chairman in May 2016, having joined the Board in September 2013, initially as a non-executive Director and Chairman of the Audit committee. His retirement aligns with the Company's Board succession plan and good governance practice, including the UK Corporate Governance Code requirement for a chair to step down after nine years on the Board. A process is already underway to identify and appoint his successor. The Board would like to express its thanks to Richard for the significant contribution he has made to Howdens and his outstanding stewardship of the Board.
Howdens has made good progress on its strategic initiatives which are aimed at increasing profit and volumes and we expect these opportunities to deliver profitable growth and market share gains over the medium term. The four strategic initiatives are:
These ongoing investments support the execution of our growth strategy and are within our overall capital expenditure guidance. Progress on each of these initiatives is reviewed below:
High service levels, including local proximity and immediate availability are very important to our customers and we have continued to extend our UK depot footprint in 2021. We are opening all new depots in our updated format which is designed to provide the best environment in which to do business and to make space utilisation and productivity gains in a cost-effective way, by using vertical racking in the warehouse section of the depot.
In 2021, we opened 31 new depots, up from the 16 opened in 2020. We now believe there is potential for at least 950 depots in the UK, including c.25 in Northern Ireland, and we plan to open around 25 new depots in 2022. We have also continued with our revamp programme for existing depots, concentrating on our older estate where the largest incremental sales uplifts are expected. The programme is delivering additional sales and has received very positive feedback from depots and customers.
During the year, including relocations, we reformatted a total of 62 depots, taking the total number of revamped depots to 103 at the year-end. The scale and scope of the revamps has been refined, with an average cost per depot of circa £225,000 going forward with an average payback of less than 4 years. Including relocations, we plan to re-format around 70 more depots in 2022 and to re-rack the warehouses of a further 35 sites without other modifications at that time.
At the end of 2021, including new depots we had 210 UK depots trading in the updated format. By the end of 2022 we expect to have increased this to around 305 UK depots and, to have re-racked the warehouses of 133 depots without other modifications. By the end of 2022, these new refurbished depots and reracks will represent around 55% of our UK estate.
Range Management
As product lifecycles shorten, managing the number of kitchen ranges efficiently is crucial for both our customers, who want best availability, and for profitability. We are managing range introductions and clearances so that our 2022 current range count is around 80, organised in nine families. New products for 2021 featured 17 new kitchen ranges with total sales well ahead of 2020 and 2019. We are now placing greater emphasis on building out our share of higher priced kitchens where we have been historically under-represented. Such kitchens contributed more to our kitchen mix by volume in 2021, in a year in which sales and volumes across all price bands increased.
New product introductions for 2022 features 20 new kitchens and include:
Manufacturing and supply chain
Our dedicated manufacturing and supply chain is critical to the success of our in-stock offer. We supply all product, whether manufactured or sourced, to all depots, each of which have individual and changing day to day requirements. In 2021 we continued to hold “safety” stock as a contingency against unexpected demand patterns and interruptions to supply and we are utilising multi modal freight routes to ship in-bound goods and materials where appropriate. Last year we broadened the range of products we protect in this way and increased the number of weeks cover we have on some lines. In 2022, we will continue with our policies on safety stocks to support our customers.
We keep under review what we believe it is best to make or buy, balancing cost and overall supply chain availability, resilience and flexibility. In 2019, investment in manufacturing technology enabled us to make the kitchen frontals for our popular Hockley kitchen ranges. We then committed to further investment to make frontals for more of our kitchen ranges, at the same quality as we can source externally but at a lower cost and at a reduced lead time to delivery. We expect the new frontal lines located at our Howdens site to be operational in the second half of 2022. Our second architrave and skirting line is scheduled to be completed in July 2022, enabling us to service in-house more of the substantial increase in demand we have seen for these products.
We are also upgrading our bespoke solid surface worktop capabilities, which is a growing segment of the market, supporting our strategy to increase our share of the higher priced segment of the kitchen market. We first partnered with three fabrication companies to develop a design, template and fit capability and then acquired the assets of a solid surface fabricator which we branded as Howdens Work Surfaces (“HWS”). We have subsequently been investing in expanding HWS’s capacity and, to support this further. In February 2022 we acquired Sheridan Fabrications Ltd, a leading industry specialist for the manufacture, fabrication, laser templating and installation of premium worksurfaces. The acquisition increases our manufacturing capacity and will lead to lower installation costs, with associated margin benefits. The business is based in Normanton, West Yorkshire and employs around 200 people.
To support continued growth plans we have acquired 5 acres of land and, subject to detailed planning, we are committed to acquire an additional 20 acres of land to extend our factory at Howden, East Yorkshire. In particular, we will increase the manufacturing capacity for cabinets with new panel machining and rigid assembly lines and a new machining line for shaker doors. With this investment, we plan to have the capability to manufacture kitchen doors for most of our ranges and we expect that the new lines will be operating by early 2025. At the same time, we will retain the benefits of sourcing from external suppliers, who will continue to provide around half of our kitchen frontals. We also plan to invest in a new, purpose-built warehouse and distribution near the Howden site and once built, both the picking and dispatch will migrate there. This will enable the Howden site to be dedicated primarily to manufacturing, allowing it to flow and operate more efficiently, with room for further expansion if needed.
Regional cross docking centre (‘XDCs’)
In 2020 we initiated a programme to make an improvement to stock replenishment via XDCs. We know that our customers value our high levels of stock availability and XDCs improve stock replenishment by supplementing depots’ core weekly deliveries with a daily top-up service. This improves the service levels they can deliver to customers and frees up more time and resources to focus on sales and service reducing the need for inter-depot stock transfers.
This year we have significantly increased the number of depots serviced by XDCs and feedback from depots and customers using the service has been very positive. By rebalancing where we hold stock and changing the delivery pattern of some lines to depots, depots can allocate more warehouse space to faster selling lines and can reduce stocks of slower moving lines while providing a high level of service across the product range. By the year end, we had 6 XDCs operating in the UK with the service available to around 400 depots, up from 120 at the end of 2020. We plan to roll out the XDC service to all our depots during 2022, taking the number of XDCs to 12 in total.
Our digital strategy reinforces our model of strong local relationships between depots and their customers by raising brand awareness and further supports the business model with new services and ways to trade. It also frees up time for depot staff and customers to use more productively. In 2021 we have seen increased activity on our web platform and growth in our social media presence. “Impressions” were present in 28% more organic search results a month with site visits at 24 million, 11% ahead of last year. The time users spent looking at pages increased by 20% and the number of pages viewed per session was up 11%. Across our social media sites our follower base was c.400,000, up 49%, with our monthly reach up 34% and 1.3m users actively engaging monthly.
Take-up and usage of online account facilities which enable our trade customers to manage their accounts and make payments at any time, continues to increase. New account registrations exceeded 100,000 for the year and the service is being used across the week, both in and out of hours on average twice weekly per account. Payments made per account increased 70%. In February 2021, “Anytime Ordering” was launched, providing efficiencies for depots and customers alike. Developed with input from customers, features of the service include enabling account holders to see their confidential prices, order product and quote for individual jobs out of hours. There is also a scheduler for customers to select a collection depot and pick-up time of their choosing and we have seen average weekly logins on our trade platform increase by 160%. In Autumn 2021, we launched new search functionality on www.howdens.com to help our customers with both improved product search and extended search results to connect to documents and other features.
We have also invested in capabilities which help end users interact with Howdens on-line at each stage of their buying decision. For example, at the turn of the year, we launched “Real Kitchens” which utilises user generated content to showcase Howdens’ kitchens in peoples’ homes. Image views were 17.2 million in 2021 and this content is being used both by consumers and our designers to streamline the buying and design process.
In 2019 we refocussed our international operations on a city-based approach in France serving solely trade customers. The business’ performance has been encouraging and has given us confidence to accelerate our investment in more depots in this region. Revenues of €58.4m were 37% ahead of 2020 and 55% ahead of 2019. We believe appreciation of the advantages of our trade only, in-stock model with our high service levels and competitive pricing is growing and our account base grew by 37% in 2021. We opened 10 depots in France in 2021, ending the year with a total of 40 in France and Belgium and we plan to expand our footprint to 60 depots by the end of 2022, 40 being located in the Paris area.
In 2022, we will also be opening for business in the Republic of Ireland. As in France we will be using a “city-based” approach which fits the population distribution of the region. Initially we will test the model with 5 depots around Dublin, and we expect all of these to be open by June 2022. The depot teams will be supported by our UK infrastructure and the Group’s digital platform.
We actively manage risks and identify opportunities across the business to improve our environment, social and governance performance. The Board has detailed oversight of our ESG performance and we are determined to minimise our impact on the environment and make a positive contribution to all our stakeholders, including our customers, staff, communities, suppliers and shareholders. That means that our business needs to be worthwhile for all concerned.
During 2020, we carried out a wide-ranging strategic review of our ESG performance. This identified four priority commitments for 2021, including enhanced reporting and disclosure aligned with the Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and we have made good progress towards full implementation this year. An Executive Committee member has been assigned responsibility for delivery of each commitment.
The four main commitments are:
Zero Waste to Landfill | Carbon Neutral Manufacturing | Behavioural Health and Safety Leader | Reporting and Disclosure |
Maintain zero waste to landfill in manufacturing and distribution. Zero waste to landfill in depots over time, with target of less than 5% by end of 2022. | Carbon neutral manufacturing by the end of 2021. | Maintain international safety standard ISO 45001 in our manufacturing and distribution operations. Achieve ISO45001 in our depot network by the end of 2021. | Progressive, phased implementation of high quality TCFD reporting. Implement the ISS ESG reporting platform in 2021. |
The review also confirmed Howdens’ five material focus areas. These are:
In our first year since formalising our ESG strategy, we have continued to work on improving and expanding our reporting and making progress on each of our four main commitments. A highlight during this year was certification of the achievement of our target of 100% carbon neutral manufacturing at our two major UK manufacturing sites in Howden, East Yorkshire, and Runcorn, Cheshire. We have also continued to focus on waste reduction and building on the achievement of our target of zero waste to landfill in our manufacturing and distribution facilities last year. We are now committed to reducing waste in our depot network and during 2021 we achieved 99% depot waste avoiding landfill across all 778 UK depots, which was achieved from a baseline performance of 60% in 2019. With respect to carbon emissions while our overall gross emissions increased by 12% given higher activity levels though our turnover ratio improved by 17% to 27.3 tCO2e per £m of revenue.
Howdens is committed to embedding safety as a core value driver in everything we do and we have worked hard to drive better performance. While there was some disruption to the business due to COVID-19 in 2021 our accident frequency rate was flat year-on-year which was encouraging as we held the gains in performance made in recent years. This was achieved despite a significant increase in activity levels, new staff and changes to working practices due to COVID-19. Despite several years of improving trends the Company’s reportable injuries per 100,000 employees under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulation), increased in 2021 to 196 reportable injuries (2020: 162). We are determined to improve our RIDDOR performance in 2022 and have engaged with our leadership teams and specialists in the business as well as employees to ensure we learn the lessons and continue to reduce overall accident rates.
Further details of the Group’s ESG strategy and performance can be found in the 2021 Annual Report and Accounts which will be available shortly on the Group’s website www.howdenjoinerygroupplc.com.
The directors have adopted the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements and have concluded that there are no material uncertainties leading to significant doubt about the Group’s going concern status. The reasons for this are explained below.
Going concern review period
This going concern review period covers the period of 12 months after the date of approval of these financial statements. The directors consider that this period continues to be suitable for the Group.
Assessment of principal risks
The directors have reached their conclusion on going concern after assessing the Group’s principal risks. Pages 13 to 18 give more detail on these risks, their potential impacts and mitigations, and include a discussion of the effects of COVID and Brexit. While all the principal risks could have an impact on the Group’s performance, the specific risks which could most directly affect going concern are the risks relating to continuity of supply, changes in market conditions, and product relevance. The directors note that the Group is currently holding additional amounts of fast-moving stock items as a specific mitigation against supply chain disruption, and they consider that the other effects of these risks would be reflected in lower sales and/or lower margins, both of which are built into the financial scenario modelling below.
Review of trading results, future trading forecasts and financial scenario modelling
The directors have reviewed trading results and financial performance in 2021, as well as early weeks’ trading in 2022. They have reviewed the Group balance sheet at December 2021, particularly noting that the Group is debt-free, has cash and cash equivalents of £515m, and has appropriate stock levels. They have also considered three financial modelling scenarios prepared by management:
In the first two scenarios the Group has significant cash throughout the going concern period after meeting its commitments. In the reverse stress-test scenario, the results show that sales would have to fall by a significant amount over and above the fall modelled in the plausible downside scenario before the Group would have to draw on borrowing facilities or take further mitigating actions. The likelihood of this level of fall in sales is considered to be remote.
Borrowing facilities available but not included in the scenario modelling
The Group has a bank facility which allows borrowing of up to £140m, which expires in December. The facility has not been used at any time since it was set up. All the going concern scenarios are modelled on the basis that the Group does not draw on this facility.
Conclusion
Taking all the factors above into account, the directors believe that the Group is well placed to manage its financing and other business risks satisfactorily and they have a reasonable expectation that the Group will have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the going concern review period set out above. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these financial statements.
Assessment of long-term prospects
The Directors have assessed the Group’s long-term prospects, solvency and liquidity, with particular reference to the factors below:
Current position
Strategy and business model
Robust assessment of principal risks
Time period and scenario modelling
The Directors’ review of the Group’s long-term viability used a three-year period to December 2024. This was considered to be the most suitable period as it aligns with the Group’s strategic planning process. The financial modelling to support the assessment of viability was based on the three scenarios used for the going concern assessment and detailed above.
The Directors consider that the reasonably foreseeable financial effects of any reasonably likely combination of the Group’s principal risks are unlikely to be greater than those effects which were modelled in the severe but plausible downside and reverse stress-test scenarios.
The results of the base case and plausible downside scenario modelling showed that the Group would have sufficient cash over the viability assessment period and would not need to use its borrowing facility. The reverse stress-test showed that the level of fall in sales required in the first year of the viability assessment period before the Group would need to use its borrowing facility at any point over the viability period was over three times the fall modelled in the severe but plausible downturn scenario.
Having considered the Group’s current position, strategy, business model and principal risks in their evaluation of the prospects of the business, and having reviewed the outputs of the scenario modelling, the Directors concluded that they have a reasonable expectation that the Group will continue to operate and to meet its liabilities in full and as they fall due during the three-year period to December 2024.
Our approach to risk is adaptive. We aim to protect what we have while responding to opportunities to grow and create value. 2021 presented some significant risk challenges with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic impacting on a number of our principal risks. These are explained in more detail below.
Risk and Impact
Mitigating factors
Mitigation Actions in 2021
Risk and Impact
Mitigating factors
Mitigation Actions in 2021
Risk and Impact
Mitigating factors
Mitigation Actions in 2021
Risk and Impact
Mitigating factors
Mitigation Actions in 2021
Risk and Impact
Mitigating factors
Mitigation Actions in 2021
Risk and Impact
Mitigating factors
Mitigation Actions in 2021
Risk and Impact
Mitigating factors
Mitigation Actions in 2021
Risk and Impact
Mitigating factors
Mitigation Actions in 2021
Risk and Impact
Mitigating factors
Mitigation Actions in 2021
COVID-19 continues to have an effect on our business. Our rapid implementation of an appropriate governance framework and risk mitigations during 2020 allowed us to maintain a safe working environment and continue to trade throughout 2021. Over the year we have learned that several of the actions we took were key to ensuring the impact that COVID was minimised. These actions included:
These actions continue to help deal with the impacts of Covid-19 into 2022, including our ongoing management of new variants. Further to this, our learning will help us be better prepared for any future pandemics as well as improve our wider business continuity management approach.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement that came into force at the end of the transitional period on the 24th of December 2020 provides a framework for trade between the UK and the EU. Any breakdown of this agreement has the potential to bring with it some risk for all companies operating in the UK and the European Union. The main areas of potential risk for Howdens include:
We continue to actively monitor the ongoing relationship between the EU and UK and reconsider our mitigation plans and potential impacts as part of our risk process.
Certain statements in this Full Year results announcement are forward-looking. Although the Group believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. Because these statements contain risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
The 2021 Annual Report and Accounts which will be issued in March 2022, contains a responsibility statement in compliance with DTR 4.1.12 of the Listing Rules which sets out that as at the date of approval of the Annual Report on 23 February 2022, the directors confirm to the best of their knowledge:
By order of the Board
Andrew Livingston Paul Hayes
Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer
23 February 2022
Notes | 52 weeks to 25 December 2021 £m | 52 weeks to 26 December 2020 £m | |
---|---|---|---|
Continuing operations: | |||
Revenue | 2,093.7 | 1,547.5 | |
Cost of sales | (804.7) | (617.5) | |
Gross profit | 1,289.0 | 930.0 | |
Selling & distribution costs | (756.5) | (636.7) | |
Administrative expenses | (130.8) | (97.6) | |
Operating profit | 3 | 401.7 | 195.7 |
Finance income | – | 0.6 | |
Finance costs | (11.4) | (11.0) | |
Profit before tax | 390.3 | 185.3 | |
Tax on profit | 4 | (75.8) | (37.7) |
Profit for the period attributable to the equity holders of the parent | 314.5 | 147.6 | |
Earnings per share: | |||
Basic earnings per 10p share | 5 | 53.2p | 24.9p |
Diluted earnings per 10p share | 5 | 53.0p | 24.8p |
Notes | 52 weeks to 25 December 2021 £m | 52 weeks to 26 December 2020 £m | |
---|---|---|---|
Profit for the period | 314.5 | 147.6 | |
Items of other comprehensive income: | |||
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: | |||
Actuarial gains/(losses) on defined benefit pension scheme | 7 | 170.4 | (12.7) |
Deferred tax on actuarial gains and losses on defined benefit pension scheme | 4 | (33.5) | 2.4 |
Change of tax rate on deferred tax | 4 | (8.5) | 1.1 |
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: | |||
Currency translation differences | (2.3) | 0.5 | |
Other comprehensive income for the period | 126.1 | (8.7) | |
Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to equity holders of the parent | 440.6 | 138.9 |
Notes | 25 December 2021 £m | 26 December 2020 £m | |
---|---|---|---|
Non-current assets | |||
Intangible assets | 22.6 | 24.3 | |
Property, plant and equipment | 295.8 | 248.8 | |
Lease right-of-use assets | 555.8 | 544.2 | |
Pension asset | 7 | 140.8 | – |
Deferred tax asset | 13.4 | 17.0 | |
Prepaid credit facility fees | 0.3 | 0.6 | |
1,028.7 | 834.9 | ||
Current assets | |||
Inventories | 301.6 | 255.0 | |
Trade and other receivables | 205.8 | 166.6 | |
Cash and cash equivalents | 515.3 | 430.7 | |
1,022.7 | 852.3 | ||
Total assets | 2,051.4 | 1,687.2 | |
Current liabilities | |||
Lease liabilities | (57.5) | (70.0) | |
Trade and other payables | (384.7) | (300.4) | |
Current tax liability | (25.9) | (22.2) | |
(468.1) | (392.6) | ||
Non-current liabilities | |||
Pension liability | 7 | – | (47.7) |
Lease liabilities | (533.7) | (510.5) | |
Deferred tax liability | (37.7) | (1.7) | |
Provisions | (20.4) | (13.9) | |
(591.8) | (573.8) | ||
Total liabilities | (1,059.9) | (966.4) | |
Net assets | 991.5 | 720.8 | |
Equity | |||
Share capital | 59.8 | 60.3 | |
Capital redemption reserve | 5.4 | 4.9 | |
Share premium | 87.5 | 87.5 | |
ESOP reserve | 5.9 | (3.5) | |
Treasury shares | (27.1) | (28.2) | |
Retained earnings | 860.0 | 599.8 | |
Total equity | 991.5 | 720.8 |
The financial statements were approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 23 February 2022 and were signed on its behalf by:
Paul Hayes
Chief Financial Officer
Share capital £m | Capital redemption reserve £m | Share premium account £m | ESOP reserve £m | Treasury shares £m | Retained profit £m | Total £m | |
At 28 December 2019 | 60.5 | 4.7 | 87.5 | (6.3) | (29.3) | 498.1 | 615.2 |
Impact of adopting IFRS 16 | – | – | – | – | – | (30.9) | (30.9) |
Tax effect of adopting IFRS 16 | 3.6 | 3.6 | |||||
Adjusted opening balance after adopting IFRS 16 | 60.5 | 4.7 | 87.5 | (6.3) | (29.3) | 470.8 | 587.9 |
Accumulated profit for the period | – | – | – | – | – | 147.6 | 147.6 |
Other comprehensive income for the period | – | – | – | – | – | (8.7) | (8.7) |
Total comprehensive income for the period | – | – | – | – | – | 138.9 | 138.9 |
Current tax on share schemes | – | – | – | – | – | 0.1 | 0.1 |
Deferred tax on share schemes | – | – | – | – | – | (0.2) | (0.2) |
Movement in ESOP | – | – | – | 3.9 | – | – | 3.9 |
Buyback and cancellation of shares | (0.2) | 0.2 | – | – | – | (9.8) | (9.8) |
Transfer of shares from treasury into share trust | – | – | – | (1.1) | 1.1 | – | – |
At 26 December 2020 | 60.3 | 4.9 | 87.5 | (3.5) | (28.2) | 599.8 | 720.8 |
Accumulated profit for the period | – | – | – | – | – | 314.5 | 314.5 |
Other comprehensive income for the period | – | – | – | – | – | 126.1 | 126.1 |
Total comprehensive income for the period | – | – | – | – | – | 440.6 | 440.6 |
Current tax on share schemes | – | – | – | – | – | (0.1) | (0.1) |
Deferred tax on share schemes | – | – | – | – | – | 1.3 | 1.3 |
Movement in ESOP | – | – | – | 10.5 | – | – | 10.5 |
Reclaim of forfeited dividends | – | – | – | – | – | 0.2 | 0.2 |
Proceeds from sale of forfeited shares | – | – | – | – | – | 1.8 | 1.8 |
Buyback and cancellation of shares | (0.5) | 0.5 | – | – | – | (50.0) | (50.0) |
Transfer of shares from treasury into share trust | – | – | – | (1.1) | 1.1 | – | – |
Dividends | – | – | – | – | – | (133.6) | (133.6) |
At 25 December 2021 | 59.8 | 5.4 | 87.5 | 5.9 | (27.1) | 860.0 | 991.5 |
The ESOP reserve includes shares in Howden Joinery Group Plc with a market value on the balance sheet date of £41.7m (2020: £35.9m), which are held by the Group’s Employee Share Trusts to satisfy share options and awards made under the
Group’s various share-based payment schemes.
The item ‘Movement in ESOP’ consists of the share-based payment charge in the year, together with any receipts of cash from employees on exercise of share options.
At the current period end there were 5,567,555 ordinary shares held in treasury, each with a nominal value of 10p (2020: 5,775,230 shares).
Notes | 52 weeks to 25 December 2021 £m | 52 weeks to 26 December 2020 £m | |
---|---|---|---|
Operating profit | 401.7 | 195.7 | |
Adjustments for: | |||
Depreciation and amortisation of owned assets | 40.6 | 34.5 | |
Depreciation, impairment and loss on termination of leased assets | 74.8 | 79.5 | |
Share-based payments charge | 10.1 | 3.6 | |
Decrease in prepaid credit facility fees | 0.3 | 0.3 | |
Write downs of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets | 3.2 | – | |
Operating cash flows before movements in working capital | 530.7 | 313.6 | |
Movements in working capital and exceptional items | |||
Increase in inventories | (46.6) | (23.2) | |
(increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables | (39.2) | 2.3 | |
Increase in trade and other payables and provisions | 84.1 | 91.2 | |
Difference between pensions operating charge and cash paid | (18.5) | (22.2) | |
(20.2) | 48.1 | ||
Cash generated from operations | 510.5 | 361.7 | |
Tax paid | (73.1) | (32.2) | |
Net cash flow from operating activities | 437.4 | 329.5 | |
Cash flows used in investing activities | |||
Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment and intangible assets | (85.9) | (69.7) | |
Receipts from sale of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets | 0.1 | – | |
Interest received | – | 0.6 | |
Net cash used in investing activities | (85.8) | (69.1) | |
Cash flows used in financing activities | |||
Payments to acquire own shares | (50.0) | (9.8) | |
Receipts from release of shares from share trust | 0.4 | 0.3 | |
Inflow from receipt of forfeited dividends | 0.2 | – | |
Inflow from sale of forfeited shares | 1.8 | – | |
Dividends paid to Group shareholders | (133.6) | – | |
Interest paid - including on lease liabilities | (11.0) | (10.4) | |
Repayment of principal on lease liabilities | (74.8) | (77.2) | |
Net cash used in financing activities | (267.0) | (97.1) | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 84.6 | 163.3 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 430.7 | 267.4 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | 515.3 | 430.7 |