Highlights
Operational and financial performance improved in H2 with strong 40mm volumes and favourable currency impact
Cash generation improved with cash flows from operating activities of £76.4 million (2015: £35.4 million), giving cash conversion* of underlying operating profit of 123% (2015: 53%)
Net debt reduced to £87.6 million; net debt to EBITDA at 1.15x
Continued improvement in safety performance, with LTI rate the lowest on record
Continued progress on R&D phases of key US Programs of Record and on F-35
Operational Excellence Programme launched to drive further improvements in safety, knowledge sharing, gross margins and cash generation
New Group Finance Director appointed post period end
Order book at year end of £592.9 million (2015: £569.6 million), of which £368.0 million is currently expected to be recognised as revenue in FY17
Board recommending a final dividend of 1.3p per share (2015: nil)
Michael Flowers, Chemring Group Chief Executive, commented:
"2016 was a busy year for Chemring, both from a corporate and operational perspective, and it is pleasing to see that the efforts of so many have delivered a positive result. Order intake and revenue has been solid across the Group, and strong in the Energetics segment. Subsequent to the completion of the rights issue and with good cash conversion, the balance sheet is now strengthened, positioning us well for the future.
Against the backdrop of a stronger balance sheet and improving delivery performance, I see continued opportunities for the Group. The ongoing execution against the US Programs of Record within the Sensors businesses, combined with a slow but steady ramp up of F-35 countermeasure requirements, are key to future growth, as is the continued level of performance at Roke. Our base business in Energetic Systems and Countermeasures continues to be solid, and the order book provides good visibility.
Progress on site and business consolidations in 2017, combined with efforts to ensure our cost base matches market need, is expected to underpin profitability, and the Board's expectations for FY17 are unchanged, based on current FX rates. The initiation of an Operational Excellence Programme, designed to further enhance safety, improve gross margins and cash conversion, is expected to deliver improved returns in the coming years."
