SURGICAL INNOVATIONS GROUP PLC

Earnings Release • Apr 15, 2014

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RNS Number : 8121E

Surgical Innovations Group PLC

15 April 2014

	##### 15 April 2014

Surgical Innovations Group plc

("SI" or the "Group" or the "Company"")

Preliminary Results

Surgical Innovations Group plc (AIM: SUN), a leading creator of innovative medical technology addressing unmet clinical needs in minimally invasive surgery, today announces its preliminary results for the financial year ended 31 December 2013.

Summary

·      Revenue of £8.55 million (2012: £7.64 million), a 12% increase against the previous year

·      Revenue of SI branded products increased by 22% to £6.50 million (2012: £5.33 million), driven by the demand for the Group's Resposable® technology

·      73% increase in revenue to the US of SI branded products, through multiple new routes to market

·      Significant investment in manufacturing and revenue infrastructure to support the US market and related uplift in demand

·      Adjusted EBITDA of £2.51 million (2012: £2.89 million) was impacted by the introduction of improved manufacturing processes and currency fluctuations

·      Basic earnings per share increased to 0.20p (2012: 0.17p)

·      SI continues to be at the forefront of 3mm 'Ultra' MIS as it becomes a globally accepted technique

·      Further progress on development of world-class clinical training facility underpinned by Regional Growth Fund (RGF) award of £5.05 million

Doug Liversidge, Non-executive Chairman, commented: "During the period the Group has driven revenue in the US, vindicating the Board's investment into this market. Being the principal consumer of medical devices in the world, the US offers real opportunities for SI both in terms of revenue and brand recognition. The Board believes that the Group is now well placed to develop its revenue channels both in the UK and internationally, particularly capitalising on the demand from the US.

"Ultra MIS creates an opportunity for the Group to develop a unique clinical proposition. The Board is confident that this strategy will result in future growth in revenues and looks forward with confidence."

-Ends-

For further information please contact:

Surgical Innovations Group plc
Graham Bowland, Chief Executive Officer Mike Thornton, Chief Financial Officer	Tel: +44 (0) 113 230 7597 www.sigroupplc.com
Nominated Adviser and Broker
Panmure Gordon Freddy Crossley (Corporate Finance) Adam Pollock (Corporate Broking)	Tel: +44 (0) 207 886 2500 www.panmure.com
Media Enquiries
Abchurch Communications Joanne Shears/Jamie Hopper surgical@abchurch-group.com	Tel: +44 (0) 207 398 7719 www.abchurch-group.com

Notes to editors:

Surgical Innovations Group plc (AIM: SUN) is a highly reputable UK-based medical device designer and manufacturer, focused on delivering clinical solutions for surgeons that are both cost effective and efficient. Since the Group's inception in 1992, it has established itself as a pioneer within the laparoscopic surgery field through a successfully developed portfolio of innovative medical devices.

SI's innovative products are centred on its Resposable® concept which utilises a combination of disposable and reusable components to deliver cost-efficient solutions to healthcare organisations. Within the Group's SI Brand division, the portfolio of products includes port access systems, instrumentation and retraction devices.

The technologies used in SI's laparoscopic products can be adapted to meet the needs of surgeons in other specialties of minimally invasive surgery (MIS), including hip arthroscopy, cardiac and thoracic. SI is currently working with leading clinicians to develop tailored solutions in these emerging areas of MIS surgery. SI has successfully adapted its technology to the industrial sector, conducting "keyhole surgery" on jet engines, creating revenue streams from both development work and eventual device sales.

The business has a compelling market position with an established international footprint. Through its developed network of distribution partners, SI's branded products are being sold in all the major high growth medical device markets. With a balanced investment strategy focused on R&D and manufacturing, coupled with revenue, marketing and clinical training, the Group is well positioned and has the management expertise in place to capitalise on the growing demand, gain market share and deliver return to shareholders.

For more information, please see www.sigroupplc.com.

Chairman's statement

Results and operating review

We are pleased to report that, following strategic investment into the Group's revenue channels in the US, there has been an increased exposure to the SI Branded product offering, which has underpinned the overall 12% increase in Group revenue to £8.55 million (2012: £7.64 million). The appointment of Rick Barnett, President of US Sales and Operations, as reported previously, has driven this growth and the Board is encouraged by the further opportunities that this market offers SI. Overall there has been an increase in the demand for the Group's Resposable® technology as SI branded product revenues have grown by 22%. The growth in revenue of consumable elements reflects an important measure of our performance worldwide.

As previously announced, due to the considerable demand for the Group's products and the step change in manufacturing volumes in the final quarter of 2013, the Group experienced difficulties in delivering the quantities required. Significant management time was invested in resolving these issues and the Board is pleased to report that new improved production processes have now been introduced. Following this investment, output capabilities are improving, whilst maintaining the exacting standards required for medical devices. Underpinning this is the recent appointment of Richard Tattersall as Director of Manufacturing. Richard brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge within large-scale manufacturing that is already proving invaluable to our manufacturing and planning operations.  

The Group's profitability was adversely affected by the combined effect of the US Dollar exchange rate in the final quarter of 2013 and the necessary improvements in manufacturing operations designed to streamline and improve process flows of individual product lines, in particular to support the 73% growth in US revenues. As a result, operational capacity was initially reduced, inevitably impacting on manufacturing contribution to profitability, before being re-established at the end of the year to deal with the order backlog. These changes in the product processes initially resulted in higher than anticipated levels of material wastage, but subsequently, following the validation of production lines, substantial improvements are now evident.

The consequence of the above is overall lower Group profitability than expected, with an adjusted EBITDA (excluding exceptional items) for the year ended 31 December 2013 of £2.51 million (2012: £2.89 million). Retained profit for the year was £800,000 (2012: £686,000) and basic earnings per share was 0.20p (2012: 0.17p).

The bank overdraft position at the year-end was £2.58 million (2012: £1.41 million). Since the year end, the Board has successfully concluded a refinancing of bank facilities providing the necessary working capital headroom for the foreseeable future.

Strategy

The core strategy of the Group is to deliver sustained growth of SI branded products within the MIS clinical space, and, at present, revenues are purely derived from the specific area of laparoscopic surgery. The secondary OEM segment of the business provides a revenue stream from devices again targeted at laparoscopic surgery. Importantly, these instruments, although third party branded, have intellectual property and manufacturing "know-how" under SI ownership and control.

Laparoscopic surgery is the strategic focus of the business, in both the SI Brand and OEM segments. Within this environment SI has traditionally developed and manufactured devices to address access, manipulation and retraction into and within the abdominal cavity. Current surgical techniques command specific diameter instrumentation of 12mm, 10mm and 5mm. There has been a logical progression towards smaller sizes and, being appreciative of Clinical Advisory Board (CAB) input, the Group is committed to the development of 3mm laparoscopic surgery, "Ultra MIS". In order to convert the vast majority of laparoscopic procedures to this clinical technique, SI intends to promote a complete range of 3mm devices. The Group is now committed to an internal development programme and, importantly, a "buying in of technology" approach, through OEM / licence opportunities that will together deliver these surgical requirements.

The Group's objective is to deliver the overall core strategy of growth in SI Branded products by developing a unique and dominant position within 3mm laparoscopic surgery.  

Our philosophy of providing cost-effective, quality instrumentation remains a key component of our value-added proposition to hospital procurement managers worldwide. Our aim is, wherever possible, the development of Resposable® devices, which consistently provide cost savings against mainstream disposable alternatives.

The Group has substantially invested in the creation of a US infrastructure that will support this campaign towards Ultra MIS, and in Europe key distributors have been identified to raise its profile. Clinical endorsement and support will be achieved through the ongoing expansion of our CAB, both in the UK and internationally, together with attendance at specific clinical congresses.

SI's OEM strategy is now dictated by the added value an OEM agreement will have on both our OEM and SI Branded segments.

Our current OEM project with Advanced Medical Solutions (AMS) to develop a device for laparoscopic deployment of glue for hernia mesh fixation aligns itself to this strategy as we envisage increased revenues from our own products within the hernia procedure market. The Group looks forward to the device receiving CE approval and a subsequent UK launch later in 2014.

SI currently occupies the laparoscopic field within the discipline of MIS. It is an objective of the business to transfer our core competences into other areas of MIS. Such technology transfers are classified as "blue sky" development projects and are primarily funded through Technology Strategy Board (TSB) awards. Our first project remains focused on hip arthroscopy and associated procedures and is supported by two eminent hip arthroscopy surgeons from our CAB.

The advances towards Ultra MIS and the move into new areas of MIS will be supported by the new clinical training centre in Leeds. The project, backed by the RGF award, is progressing well in terms of agreed timescales and budget requirements. The training centre aims to further enhance our global reputation as an innovative medical device company, building and developing our links with both UK and international surgeons. With the training centre located within our new design and manufacturing facility, attending surgeons will have the opportunity to make a positive contribution towards all aspects of the design process.

Dividend

The Board maintains the belief that at this stage in the Group's development it would be more appropriate to continue its focus on strong inward investment and does not intend to pay a dividend for the year ended 31 December 2013.

Outlook

The first quarter of 2014 has seen a focus on further improvement in manufacturing operations to ensure the Group is positioned to support the execution and implementation of the Group's clinical and development strategy.

By working towards a unique product offering within a developing area of laparoscopic surgery, the Board looks forward to the future with confidence.

Doug Liversidge

Non-executive Chairman

14 April 2014

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

for the year ended 31 December 2013

		2013	2012
		£'000	£'000
Revenue		8,553	7,639
Cost of sales		(4,763)	(3,779)
Gross profit		3,790	3,860
Other operating expenses		(2,905)	(2,537)
Adjusted EBITDA		2,514	2,888
Exceptional items		(196)	(294)
Amortisation of intangible assets		(906)	(700)
Depreciation of tangible assets		(527)	(571)
Operating profit		885	1,323
Finance costs		(119)	(94)
Finance income		30	4
Profit before taxation		796	1,233
Taxation credit/(charge)		4	(547)
Profit and total comprehensive income for the period attributable to the owners of the parent		800	686
Earnings per share, total and continuing
Basic		0.20p	0.17p
Diluted		0.20p	0.17p

The Consolidated statement of comprehensive income above relates to continuing operations.

Adjusted EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, amortisation and exceptional items.

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

for the year ended 31 December 2013

	Share	Share	Capital	Retained
	capital	premium	reserve	earnings	Total
	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
Balance as at 1 January 2012	3,952	226	329	8,109	12,616
Employee share-based payment options	-	-	-	68	68
Exercise of share options	94	99	-	-	193
Total - transactions with owners	94	99	-	68	261
Profit and total comprehensive income for the period	-	-	-	686	686
Balance as at 31 December 2012	4,046	325	329	8,863	13,563
Employee share-based payment options	-	--	-	150	150
Exercise of share options	1	1	-	-	2
Total - transactions with owners	1	1	-	150	152
Profit and total comprehensive income for the period	-	-	-	800	800
Balance as at 31 December 2013	4,047	326	329	9,813	14,515

Consolidated balance sheet

at 31 December 2013

		2013	2012
		£'000	£'000
Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment		2,788	2,990
Intangible assets		7,341	6,393
Trade receivables		2,124	637
		12,253	10,020
Current assets
Inventories		3,120	3,605
Trade receivables		4,464	3,953
Other current assets		810	679
		8,394	8,237
Total assets		20,647	18,257
Equity and liabilities
Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent company
Share capital		4,047	4,046
Share premium account		326	325
Capital reserve		329	329
Retained earnings		9,813	8,863
Total equity		14,515	13,563
Non-current liabilities
Obligations under finance leases		505	786
Deferred income - government grant		100	-
Deferred tax liabilities		562	369
		1,167	1,155
Current liabilities
Bank overdraft		2,584	1,419
Trade and other payables		1,605	1,475
Obligations under finance leases		399	422
Accruals		377	223
		4,965	3,539
Total liabilities		6,132	4,694
Total equity and liabilities		20,647	18,257

Consolidated cash flow statement

for the year ended 31 December 2013

	2013	2012
	£'000	£'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Operating profit	885	1,323
Adjustments for:
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	527	571
Amortisation of intangible assets	906	700
Share-based payment charge	150	68
Grant income	(20)	-
Loss on disposal of fixed assets	1	-
Operating cash flows before movement in working capital	2,449	2,662
Decrease/(increase) in inventories	485	(747)
Increase in non-current trade receivables	(1,457)	(637)
Increase in current receivables	(590)	(523)
Increase/(decrease) in payables	284	(49)
Cash generated from operations	1,171	706
Taxation received	216	-
Interest paid	(119)	(94)
Net cash generated from operating activities	1,268	612
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest received	-	4
Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment	(189)	(133)
Acquisition of intangible assets	(1,854)	(1,850)
Net cash used in investment activities	(2,043)	(1,979)
Cash flows from financing activities
Cash received from issue of shares	2	193
Cash received from government grant	49	-
Repayment of obligations under finance leases	(441)	(445)
Net cash used in financing activities	(390)	(252)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(1,165)	(1,619)
(Net debt)/cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	(1,419)	200
Net debt at end of period - bank overdraft	(2,584)	(1,419)

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

1. Reporting entity

Surgical Innovations Group plc (the "Company") is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales (registration number 2298163). The Company's registered address is Clayton Wood House, 6 Clayton Wood Bank, Leeds LS16 6QZ.

The Company's ordinary shares are traded on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. The financial statements of the Company for the twelve months ended 31 December 2013 comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the "Group").

The Group is primarily involved in the design, development and manufacture of devices for use in Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) and industrial markets. Surgical devices are targeted at the operating theatre environment in both public and private hospitals. In international markets, the Group sells through independent healthcare distributors, through Original Equipment Manufacture (OEM) and licensing contracts with major suppliers of medical equipment.

2. Basis of preparation

This preliminary announcement has been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the annual report for the year ended 31 December 2013 and those to be adopted at 31 December 2013 (see note 3).

While the financial information included in this preliminary announcement has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as adopted for use in the EU, this announcement does not itself contain sufficient information to comply with IFRS. The Group expects to publish full financial statements that comply with IFRS in May 2014.

3. Accounting policies

The same accounting policies, presentations and methods of computation are followed in the condensed set of financial statements as applied in the Group's latest annual audited financial statements. The annual financial statements of Surgical Innovations Group plc are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union.

4. Publication of non-statutory financial statements

The financial information set out in this preliminary announcement does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Sections 434 and 435 of the Companies Act 2006.

The Consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the Consolidated statement of changes in equity, the Consolidated balance sheet at 31 December 2013 and the Consolidated cash flow statement have been extracted from the Group's financial statements upon which the auditor's opinion is unqualified and does not include any statement under Section 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006. Those financial statements have not yet been delivered to the Registrar.

The audited accounts will be posted to all shareholders in due course and will be available on request by contacting the Company Secretary at the Company's Registered Office.

5.  Segmental reporting

Information reported to the Board and for the purpose of assessing performance and making investment decisions is organised into three operating segments. The Group's operating segments under IFRS 8 are as follows:

SI Brand	-	the research, development, manufacture and distribution of SI branded minimally invasive devices
OEM	-	the research, development, manufacture and distribution of minimally invasive devices for third party medical device companies through either own label or co-branding
Industrial	-	the research, development, manufacture and sale of minimally invasive technology products for industrial application.

The measure of profit or loss for each reportable segment is gross margin less amortisation of product development costs.

Assets and working capital are monitored on a Group basis, with no separate disclosure of asset by segment made in the management accounts, and hence no separate asset disclosure is provided here.

The following segmental analysis has been produced to provide a reconciliation between the information used by the key decision maker within the business and the information as it is presented under IFRS.

	SI Brand	OEM	Industrial	Total
Year ended 31 December 2013	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
Revenue	6,500	1,757	296	8,553
Result
Segment result	2,229	395	260	2,884
Unallocated expenses				(1,999)
Profit from operations				885
Finance income				30
Finance costs				(119)
Profit before taxation				796
Tax credit				4
Profit for the year				800

Included within the segment/operating results are the following significant non-cash items:

	SI Brand	OEM	Industrial	Total
Year ended 31 December 2013	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
Amortisation of intangible assets	708	196	2	906

Unallocated expenses for 2013 include sales and marketing costs (£643,000), research and development costs (£369,000) and central overheads (£701,000).

	SI Brand	OEM	Industrial	Total
Year ended 31 December 2012	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
Revenue	5,334	2,204	101	7,639
Result
Segment result	2,250	815	95	3,160
Unallocated expenses				(1,837)
Profit from operations				1,323
Finance income				4
Finance costs				(94)
Profit before taxation				1,233
Tax				(547)
Profit for the year				686

Included within the segment/operating results are the following significant non-cash items:

	SI Brand	OEM	Industrial	Total
Year ended 31 December 2012	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
Amortisation of intangible assets	530	169	1	700

Unallocated expenses for 2012 include sales and marketing costs (£441,000), research and development costs (£429,000) and central overheads (£748,000).

Geographical analysis of revenues

	2013	2012
	£'000	£'000
United Kingdom	2,341	1,777
Europe	2,392	2,392
US	2,871	2,149
Rest of World	949	1,321
	8,553	7,639

Revenues are allocated geographically on the basis of where revenues were received from and not from the ultimate final destination of use. During 2013, £1,290,000 (15%) and £1,277,000 (15%) of the Group's revenue depended on two customers in the SI Brand segment (2012: £843,000 (11%), one customer within the SI Brand segment). No other single customer accounted for more than 10% of the Group's revenue in either year. Revenues to Europe included £710,000 (2012: £318,000) to Belgium and £697,000 (2012: £704,000) to France.

6.  Earnings per ordinary share

Basic earnings per ordinary share

The calculation of basic earnings per ordinary share for the year ended 31 December 2013 was based upon the profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of £800,000 (2012: £686,000) and a weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding for the year ended 31 December 2013 of 404,591,902 (2012: 402,200,875).

Diluted earnings per ordinary share

The calculation of diluted earnings per ordinary share for the year ended 31 December 2013 was based upon the profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of £800,000 (2012: £686,000) and a weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding for the year ended 31 December 2013 of 409,062,516 (2012: 415,283,787).

	2013	2012
No. of shares used in calculation of earnings per ordinary share ('000s)	No. of shares	No. of shares
Basic earnings per share	404,592	402,201
Dilutive effect of unexercised share options	4,471	13,083
Diluted earnings per share	409,063	415,284

7.  Share capital

	2013	2012
	£'000	£'000
Authorised 600,000,000
(2012: 600,000,000) ordinary shares of 1p each	6,000	6,000
Allotted, called up and fully paid 404,731,902
(2012: 404,591,902) ordinary shares of 1p each	4,047	4,046

8.  Annual General Meeting

The annual report will be available from the Company's website, www.sigroupplc.com, and posted to shareholders by 19 May 2014. The annual report contains notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Company which will be held at 2.00pm on 24 June 2014 at Clayton Wood House, 6 Clayton Wood Bank, Leeds LS16 6QZ.

- Ends -

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