TANFIELD GROUP PLC

Management Reports • May 7, 2019

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RNS Number : 2499Y

Tanfield Group PLC

07 May 2019

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014. Upon the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service ("RIS"), this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain

Tanfield Group Plc

("Tanfield" or the "Company")

Snorkel Investment Update

The Board of Tanfield (the "Board") is pleased to update the market on its investment in Snorkel International Holdings LLC ("Snorkel"), the aerial work platform business.

Investment Background

·    Tanfield is a 49% shareholder in the equity of Snorkel following the joint venture between Tanfield Group Plc and Xtreme Manufacturing LLC, a Company owned by Don Ahern of Ahern Rentals Inc ("Ahern"), relating to Snorkel, in October 2013.

·    As reported in the Interim Results on 28 September 2018, the Board impaired the Snorkel investment value from £36.3m to £19.1m.

·    Snorkel's growth trend continues with sales during 2018 increasing once again, resulting in a fourth quarter increase of 14% to US$47.8m and a full year increase of 21% to US$200.5m (when compared to the same periods in 2017).

·    The Board reported in the 2017 Annual Report that entering into the next phase would bring with it a level of uncertainty and the Board anticipated that there would likely be a period of negotiation - potentially protracted - prior to any financial realisation. On 22 November the Company announced it had received a call option notice over its interest in Snorkel which the Board rejected as being invalid. This continues to be the position and the Board will continue to take appropriate advice to safeguard Tanfield's investment and will provide an update upon any material change.

Business Update

Tanfield is a 49% shareholder in the equity of Snorkel following the joint venture between Tanfield Group Plc and Xtreme Manufacturing LLC ("Xtreme"), a Company owned by Don Ahern of Ahern Rentals Inc ("Ahern"), relating to Snorkel, in October 2013. 

Snorkel has provided management account information for the business.  Snorkel's sales in the fourth quarter of 2018 were US$47.8m (Q4 2017: US$41.7m), an increase of 14% in comparison to the same period in 2017, with an operating result, excluding depreciation, of US$0m (Q4 2017: US$1.0m loss). Sales for the full year in 2018 were US$200.5m (2017: US$165.8m), an increase of 21% in comparison to 2017, with an operating profit, excluding depreciation, of US$2.9m (2017: US$1.6m). The Board is unaware of any reason why the continuing growth and operating profitability trends should not continue and therefore expect to see further growth in 2019.

Below is a summary of the consolidated operating statement for the last 5 years:

US$000's	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
Net sales	85,282	109,895	130,490	165,811	200,507
Cost of goods sold	72,256	99,047	118,087	144,828	175,654
Gross profit	12,756	10,848	12,403	20,982	24,823
	15.0%	9.9%	9.5%	12.7%	12.4%
Selling, general & administrative costs	27,639	21,443	15,205	19,345	21,948
Operating profit/(loss) excl depreciation	(14,883)	(10,595)	(2,801)	1,637	2,874
Depreciation & non-operating costs	3,697	5,014	2,084	2,636	3,274
Net loss	(18,580)	(15,609)	(4,885)	(999)	(400)

The Board expects to be able to update shareholders with the results for the first quarter of 2019 in due course.

For further information:

Tanfield Group Plc                                                                       020 7220 1666

Daryn Robinson                                                                                                 

WH Ireland Limited - Nominated Advisor / Broker

James Joyce / Lydia Zychowska                                                 020 7220 1666

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