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Thu 11 Aug 2005, 17:11 Bell Equipment Ltd - Interim Report for the six mo
Bell Equipment Ltd - Interim Report for the six months ended 30 June 2005       
Bell Equipment Ltd                                                              
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)                                  
(Share code: BEL & ISIN: ZAE000028304)                                          
Registration number 1968/013656/06                                              
(`Bell`)                                                                        
INTERIM REPORT for the six months ended 30 June 2005                            
Consolidated Balance Sheet                                                      
                                                Restated           Restated
                                        Unaudited                  Audited      
                               at 30 June     at 30 June     at 31 December    
R`000                                2005           2004               2004     
ASSETS                                                                          
Non-current assets                284 532        245 406            276 753     
Property, plant and equipment     231 211        166 579            219 200     
Investments and                                                                 
long-term receivables              53 321         67 454             57 553     
Deferred taxation                       -         11 373                  -     
Current assets                  1 343 099      1 111 106          1 328 002     
Inventory                         940 653        810 032          1 056 828     
Trade and other receivables       360 203        258 460            213 139     
Current portion of                                                              
long-term receivables               7 112         21 579             11 264     
Prepayments                         3 367          6 684              6 881     
Taxation                           25 346          4 960             26 809     
Cash resources                      6 418          9 391             13 081     
TOTAL ASSETS                    1 627 631      1 356 512          1 604 755     
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                                                          
Capital and reserves              738 654        709 700            711 834     
Stated capital (Note 5)           225 776        224 380            224 414     
Non-distributable reserves         45 627         25 600             33 147     
Retained earnings                 467 251        459 720            454 273     
Non-current liabilities            61 444         20 030             49 348     
Interest-bearing                    6 248          8 540              6 669     
Repurchase obligations                                                          
and deferred leasing income        43 386              -             34 431     
Long-term warranty provision       10 224         11 490              6 937     
Deferred taxation                   1 586              -              1 311     
Current liabilities               827 533        626 782            843 573     
Trade and other payables          495 057        348 363            390 989     
Current portion of                                                              
interest-bearing liabilities        3 411          3 803              3 684     
Current portion of                                                              
repurchase obligations and                                                      
deferred leasing income             8 130              -             14 617     
Current portion of provisions      51 889         40 277             48 734     
Short-term interest bearing                                                     
debt                              269 046        234 339            385 549     
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES    1 627 631      1 356 512          1 604 755     
Number of shares in issue                                                       
(`000)                             94 713         94 234             94 246     
Net asset value per                                                             
share(cents)                          780            753                755     
Consolidated Income Statement                                                   
                                                Unaudited               Audited 
6 months       6 months      12 months 
                                            ended          ended          ended 
                                          30 June        30 June    31 December 
R`000                                        2005           2004           2004 
Revenue                                 1 668 402      1 356 616      2 526 488 
Cost of sales                           1 418 553      1 091 216      2 053 943 
Gross profit                              249 849        265 400        472 545 
Other operating income                     44 987         24 366         84 228 
Distribution costs                      (209 279)      (212 052)      (429 821) 
Administration expenses                  (29 679)       (27 322)       (57 135) 
Other operating expenses                 (23 118)       (24 732)       (44 466) 
Profit from operating activities          32 760          25 660         25 351 
Net finance costs (Note 2)                13 835          30 035         31 428 
Profit (loss) before                                                            
taxation (Note 3)                         18 925        (4 375)         (6 077) 
Taxation                                   6 291          1 491           5 356 
Profit (loss) for the period              12 634        (5 866)        (11 433) 
Earnings (loss) per share                                                       
(basic) (cents) (Note 4)                      13            (6)            (12) 
Earnings (loss) per share                                                       
(diluted) (cents) (Note 4)                    13            (6)            (12) 
Headline earnings (loss)                                                        
per share (basic) (cents) (Note 4)            11            (6)            (13) 
Headline earnings                                                               
(loss) per share (diluted)                                                      
(cents) (Note 4)                              11            (6)            (13) 
Proposed dividend                                                               
per share (cents)                              -              -              -  
Abbreviated Cash Flow Statement                                                 
                                             Unaudited                 Audited  
                                      6 months      6 months         12 months  
                                         ended         ended             ended  
30 June       30 June       31 December  
R`000                                     2005          2004              2004  
Cash operating profit                                                           
before working capital changes         63 009          3 221            11 622  
Cash generated from                                                             
(invested in) working capital          76 693         68 929          (85 034)  
Cash generated from                                                             
(applied to) operations                139 702        72 150          (73 412)  
Net finance costs paid                (13 835)      (30 035)          (31 428)  
Taxation paid                          (4 070)      (10 500)          (28 984)  
Net cash generated from                                                         
(applied to) operating activities      121 797         31 615        (133 824)  
Invested in property,                                                           
plant, equipment, investments                                                   
 and long-term receivables            (15 093)      (17 519)          (46 692)  
Net cash inflow (outflow)              106 704        14 096         (180 516)  
Proceeds from shares issued              1 362            28                62  
Net (repayment of)                                                              
increase in borrowings               (108 066)      (14 124)           180 454  
(Cash surplus applied)                                                          
funding requirement                  (106 704)      (14 096)           180 516  
Statement of Changes in Equity                                                  
                                                   Restated        Restated     
                                             Unaudited              Audited     
6 months     6 months       12 months     
                                         ended        ended           ended     
                                       30 June      30 June     31 December     
R`000                                     2005         2004            2004     
Equity at the beginning                                                         
of the period                          711 834      711 257         711 257     
Changes in share capital                 1 362           28              62     
Issue of share capital                   1 362           28              62     
Changes in                                                                      
non-distributable reserves              12 480      (9 283)         (1 736)     
Surplus on revaluation                                                          
of properties                                -            -          16 820     
Deferred taxation on                                                            
revaluation of properties                    -            -         (5 046)     
Effect of change in                                                             
tax rate on surplus                                                             
on revaluation of properties               265            -               -     
Realisation of revaluation                                                      
reserve on                                                                      
depreciation of buildings                (344)        (121)           (241)     
Increase (decrease) in                                                          
foreign currency                                                                
translation reserve of                                                          
foreign subsidiaries                    12 239      (8 571)        (11 934)     
Exchange differences on                                                         
foreign reserves                           320        (591)         (1 335)     
Changes in retained earnings            12 978        7 698           2 251     
Effect of adoption of IFRS:                                                     
Adjustment to opening                                                           
retained earnings                                                               
in respect of depreciation                                                      
on property, plant                                                              
and equipment previously                                                        
taken into account                           -       13 443          13 443     
Net profit (loss) for the period        12 634      (5 866)        (11 433)     
Transfer from                                                                   
revaluation reserve on                                                          
depreciation of buildings                  344          121             241     
Equity at the end of the period        738 654      709 700         711 834     
Notes to Interim Report                                                         
Unaudited             Audited     
                                       6 months        6 months   12 months     
                                          ended           ended       ended     
                                        30 June         30 June 31 December     
R`000                                      2005            2004        2004     
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES                                                          
In the current period, the Group has adopted all of the new and revised         
Standards and Interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards  
Board (the IASB) and the International Financial Reporting Interpretations      
Committee (IFRIC) of the IASB that are relevant to its operations and effective 
for accounting periods beginning on 1 January 2005. The adoption of these new   
and revised Standards and Interpretations has resulted in changes to the        
Group`s accounting policies in the following areas that have affected the       
amounts reported for the current or previous periods:                           
Property, Plant and Equipment (IAS 16)                                          
2. NET FINANCE COSTS                                                            
Net interest paid                        12,769          13,688      24,003     
Net currency exchange losses              1,066          16,347       7,425     
Net finance costs                        13,835          30,035      31,428     
3. PROFIT (LOSS) BEFORE TAXATION                                                
Profit (loss) before taxation                                                   
is arrived at after taking into                                                 
account:                                                                        
Income                                                                          
Import duty rebates                      20,428          11,125      38,197     
Decrease in warranty provision                -          25,763      30,042     
Net surplus on disposal of                                                      
property, plant and equipment             3,403              49         454     
Expenditure                                                                     
Auditors` remuneration -                                                        
audit and other services                  6,995           2,301       3,795     
Depreciation of property,                                                       
plant and equipment                      14,869          12,535      26,364     
Increase in warranty provision            1,340               -           -     
Operating lease charges                                                         
- equipment and motor vehicles            3,256           1,668      11,497     
- properties                              8,143           7,943      16,188     
Research and development expenses        12,735          11,215      27,548     
Staff costs                             193,548         167,344     337,856     
4. EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE                                                    
The calculation of earnings (loss) per share is based on profit (loss) after    
taxation and the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the 
period.The weighted average number of shares in issue for the period under      
review was 94,399,542 (June 2004: 94,228,800).                                  
On a diluted basis,the fully converted weighted average number of shares is     
94,481,028 (June 2004: 94,674,328).                                             
Headline earnings (loss) is arrived at after excluding the net surplus on       
disposal of property,plant and equipment as reflected in note 3.                
5. STATED CAPITAL                                                               
Authorised                                                                      
100 000 000 (June 2004:100 000 000)                                             
ordinary shares of no par value                                                 
Issued                                                                          
94 712 900 (June 2004:94 233 500)                                               
ordinary                                                                        
shares of no par value                  225,776         224,380     224,414     
6.CAPITAL EXPENDITURE COMMITMENTS                                               
Contracted                                  304           1,005         488     
Authorised, but not contracted           10,405           5,353      18,286     
Total capital expenditure commitments    10,709           6,358      18,774     
7.SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS                                                            
Geographical segments                                                           
The group operates in two principal geographical areas                          
                                    Operating                                   
R`000               Revenue     (loss) profit        Assets     Liabilities     
June 2005                                                                       
South Africa        731 021           (3 767)     1 095 926         636 032     
Rest of world       937 381            36 527       531 705         252 945     
Total             1 668 402            32 760     1 627 631         888 977     
June 2004                                                                       
(Restated)                                                                      
South Africa        664 796             8 820     1 037 682         556 935     
Rest of world       691 820            16 840       318 830          89 877     
Total             1 356 616            25 660     1 356 512         646 812     
                                      Unaudited                     Audited     
                               at 30 June     at 30 June     at 31 December     
R`000                                2005           2004               2004     
8 CONTINGENT LIABILITIES                                                        
8.1 The repurchase of units                                                     
sold to customers                                                               
and financial institutions                                                      
has been guaranteed                                                             
by the group for an amount of     172 405        275 673            248 713     
In the event of repurchase,                                                     
it is estimated                                                                 
that these units would                                                          
presently realise                 172 596        274 548            242 699     
                                    (191)          1 125              6 014     
Less: provision for residual                                                    
value risk                        (6 016)              -            (4 669)     
Net contingent liability                -          1 125              1 345     
The provision for residual                                                      
value risk is based                                                             
on the assessment of the                                                        
probability                                                                     
of return of the units.                                                         
Notes to Interim Report                                                         
(continued)                                                                     
8.2 The group has assisted customers with the financing of equipment purchased  
through a financing venture with Wesbank, a division of FirstRand Bank Limited. 
In respect of a certain category of this financing provided and in the event of 
default by customers, the group is at risk for the full balance due to Wesbank  
by the customers.                                                               
At period end the amount due                                                    
by customers                                                                    
to Wesbank in respect of                                                        
these transactions                                                              
totalled                          151 978        160 483            133 202     
In the event of default,                                                        
the units financed                                                              
would be recovered and                                                          
it is estimated that                                                            
they would presently realise    (115 778)      (153 627)           (94 645)     
                                   36 200          6 856             38 557     
Less: provision for                                                             
non-recovery                     (20 929)              -           (18 248)     
Net contingent liability           15 271          6 856             20 309     
To the extent that both                                                         
customers                                                                       
are in arrears with                                                             
Wesbank and there is a                                                          
shortfall                                                                       
between the estimated                                                           
realisation values of units                                                     
and the balance due by the                                                      
customers to Wesbank, a                                                         
provision                                                                       
for the full shortfall is made.                                                 
8.3 The residual values of                                                      
certain equipment sold to                                                       
financial institutions                                                          
has been guaranteed by the                                                      
group. In the event of a                                                        
residual value shortfall,                                                       
the group would be exposed                                                      
to an amount of                    10 512         11 974              8 564     
8.4 Certain trade receivables                                                   
have been discounted with                                                       
financial institutions                                                          
for an amount of                    3 498         21 088              1 467     
These transactions are                                                          
with recourse to the group.                                                     
In the event of default,                                                        
certain units could be                                                          
recovered                                                                       
and it is estimated that                                                        
these units would                                                               
presently realise                   3 498         17 489              1 467     
9. EXCHANGE RATES                                                               
The following major       30 June             30 June           31 December     
rates of exchange          2005                2004                  2004       
were used:         Weighted            Weighted               Weighted          
average   Closing   average   Closing      average  Closing 
Euro: United                                                                    
States $               1.28      1.21      1.22      1.22         1.25     1.36 
SA Rand: United                                                                 
States $               6.24      6.66      6.60      6.21         6.37     5.63 
British GBP: U                                                                  
nited States $         1.87      1.79      1.82      1.81         1.84     1.93 
10.COMPARATIVE INFORMATION                                                      
Comparative information has been restated for the effects of adopting           
International Financial Reporting Standards. The aggregate effect of the        
restatements is as follows:                                                     
                                      Previously                                
stated       Adjustment      Restated 
Retained earnings - 31 December 2003     452 022           13 443       465 465 
For the six months ended 30 June 2004                                           
Property, plant and equipment            147 375           19 204       166 579 
Deferred taxation asset                   17 134          (5 761)        11 373 
Retained earnings                        446 277           13 443       459 720 
For the year ended 31 December 2004                                             
Property, plant and equipment            202 464           16 736       219 200 
Deferred taxation asset (liability)        3 709          (5 020)       (1 311) 
Non-distributable reserves                34 874          (1 727)        33 147 
Retained earnings                        440 830           13 443       454 273 
11.INDEPENDENT AUDITORS` REPORT                                                 
The financial information set out in the interim report has been reviewed, but  
not audited, by the company`s auditors, Deloitte & Touche. Their unqualified    
report is available for inspection at the company`s registered office.          
Chairman`s Statement                                                            
The results for the six months ended 30 June 2005 are acceptable given the      
trading conditions and exchange rates in which the group operated. Revenue for  
the six months was up 23% on the comparative period in 2004. Gross profit       
however dropped from 20% to 15% of revenue, which is as a result of continuing  
losses on the contracted export of product to the United States and             
discounting in the face of fierce competition in our domestic and U.K.          
markets. Exports as a percentage of sales were 56%, up 5% from the comparative  
period, as were export volumes up by 9%. Margins were also affected by the      
strengthening of the Rand, earning on average R6,24 for each U.S. Dollar of     
exports as compared with June 2004`s average rate of R6,60. Fortunately we      
benefited from a strengthening Rand against the Euro in this period otherwise   
gross profit would have been lower. Net operating profit was R32,8 million as   
compared to R25,7 million this despite a R15,6 million drop in gross profit.    
Net asset value per share has increased by 25 cents since the beginning of the  
year.                                                                           
The most pleasing aspect of these results is the positive cash flow of R106,7   
million that was generated in the six months despite capital expenditure of     
R15,1 million in the period. The working capital was reduced and as a result    
trade cycle days were down from 133 days to 83 days at the 30 June. The         
inventory reduction of R116,2 million, was the single most important factor in  
the improvement in the working capital cycle. On the contrary debtors did       
increase but this was largely due to exceptionally high revenue of R427,8       
million in June. Subsequent to half year the cash flow has continued to         
improve with further reductions in borrowings. We have still not enjoyed the    
full working capital benefits of our German assembly plant as high volumes      
stress the supply chain and increased competition erodes the margin             
expectation. During the next six months we expect a further reduction in        
borrowings of over R100 million. Total overheads of R262,1 million are 1%       
lower than the comparative period despite the substantial increase in volumes   
and sales. We have seen some small cost reduction benefits from the Project     
100 Plus cost reduction programme in this period but expect increased savings   
in overheads and product costs to flow from this project in the next 12 to 18   
months as the various initiatives are implemented.                              
Another noteworthy feature of these results is the excellent work done by our   
Treasury team in managing foreign exchange losses down from R16,3 million last  
June to R1,1 million in this period.                                            
During the last two months we have been able to see the implementation of the   
new arrangements with our strategic alliance partner, John Deere Construction   
and Forestry Company (Deere). Manufacturing part of the range of our            
Articulated Dump Trucks (ADTs) has commenced in Davenport U.S. and the first    
batch of Tractor Loader Backhoes (TLBs) being assembled and partially           
manufactured have come off our Richards Bay production line. The first          
consignment of Front End Loaders (FELs) kits imported from Deere is now being   
assembled in Richards Bay. This production in Richards Bay will substantially   
reduce our overall manufactured cost of these products and will improve our     
gross margin. The setting up of the ADT plant in the U.S. allows us to make a   
margin on the kits manufactured in Richards Bay and exported to this facility   
and at the same time reduces losses that we are making on the sales of          
completed units to the U.S. We expect these three manufacturing processes to    
be completely bedded down by 31 December 2005. The migration of manufacturing   
between South Africa, the U.S. and our German facility should improve           
profitability, reduce manufacturing costs and currency dependency as well as    
improving our responsiveness to customers. Management`s efforts to reduce       
product and operating costs continue unabated.                                  
Our Southern African Sales and Distribution operation which forms the backbone  
of the Group, continues to be profitable and at the forefront of the industry.  
I am pleased to report that the entire Bell team see the progress being made    
and have a combined clear resolve to achieve the stated targets set for cost    
reduction, efficiency and quality improvements. The sustainable benefits of     
our Project 100 Plus programme and more importantly our strategic alliance      
with Deere we expect to flow substantially to the bottom line during 2006.      
HJ Buttery                                                                      
Group Chairman                                                                  
5 August 2005                                                                   
Bell Equipment Ltd                                                              
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)                                  
(Share code: BEL   ISIN: ZAE000028304)                                          
Registration number 1968/013656/06 (`Bell`)                                     
Directors: HJ Buttery (Group Chairman), GW Bell (Group Chief Executive), DL     
Smythe, JP Du Toit, GP Harris, BW Schaffter*#, JW Kloet*#, RL Bridges*#, DJJ    
Vlok*, PJC Horne*, TO Tsukudu*                                                  
Alternate Directors: PA Bell, PC Bell, MA Campbell, DM Gage*#                   
(*Non Executive Directors)    (#USA)                                            
Company Secretary: DP Mahony                                                    
Registered Office                                                               
13 - 19 Carbonode Cell                                                          
2004 (Pty) Limited                                                              
Alton                                                                           
Richards Bay                                                                    
Sponsor                                                                         
Investec Bank Limited                                                           
Transfer Secretaries                                                            
Computershare Investor Services 2004 (Pty) Ltd                                  
70 Marshall Street                                                              
Johannesburg                                                                    
Date: 11/08/2005 05:04:29 PM            
Produced by the JSE SENS Department                                             
                                                                                
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