TIDMDIS

RNS Number : 7144C

Distil PLC

13 October 2022

Distil plc

("Distil", the "Company" or the "Group")

Interim Results for the six months ended 30 September 2022

Distil plc (AIM:DIS), owner of premium drinks brands RedLeg Spiced Rum, Blackwoods Gin and Vodka, TRØVE Botanical Vodka and Blavod Black Vodka, announces its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2022.

Operational highlights:

   --              Major move from UK Distributor to a new business model 
   --              Relationship with major UK retail customers taken under direct control 

-- Significant reduction in UK market stock cover associated with removal of distributor

-- Commercial Director appointed to manage major retail and exports to deliver ambitious growth plans

   --              Appointment of leading distributor to service the UK hospitality sector 
   --              RedLeg TV advertisement developed and tested in two key regions 
   --              Major listing for RedLeg Tropical with leading pub group 
   --              New export market opened in Scandinavia 

-- Blackwoods Gin & Vodka Distillery and visitor centre at the Ardgowan site on track to open Spring 2023

Financial highlights:

   --              Turnover decreased by 68% to GBP0.46 million (2021: GBP1.44 million) 
   --              Gross profit decreased by 74% to GBP210k (2021: GBP794k) 
   --              Volumes (litres) decreased by 72% 

-- Investment in brand marketing and promotion decreased by 6% to GBP376k (2021: GBP398k)

   --              Administrative costs increased by 29% to GBP436k (*2021: GBP338k) 
   --              Adjusted** Operating loss of GBP602k (2021: GBP58k profit) 
   --              Loss before tax of GBP555k (2021: GBP45k loss) 

-- Cash reserves*** at period end of GBP0.95 million (2021: GBP4.22 million (GBP1.02 million excluding funds raised for, and applied to, Ardgowan investment))

* Administrative costs for the prior period adjusted to remove one-off transaction costs associated with the Ardgowan investment.

** Operating loss for the prior period adjusted for one-off transaction costs associated with the Ardgowan investment and for both periods for share-based payment expense.

*** Prior period cash reserves include proceeds from the fundraising completed in August 2021 amounting to GBP3.20 million (before expenses), of which GBP3 million was invested in Ardgowan by way of a convertible loan.

Don Goulding, Executive Chairman, commenting on these results said:

"The first six months of this financial year have seen major changes to our business model and the creation of a stronger platform for accelerated future growth.

The key change year-on-year is our decision to take direct control of relationships with our major UK retail customers, and to move away from our previous distributor, Hi-Spirits, managing our entire UK trade. From mid-September we transitioned to a hybrid model, which sees direct sales to our largest retail customers supported by a new, highly effective distributor, Marussia Beverages Group, covering hospitality, wholesale and other sectors where we are currently underdeveloped and have an opportunity for new growth.

To support this significant development, we appointed a Commercial Director to navigate the restructure and create new relationships with our major customers, broaden our on-trade distribution, and advance our international export network. The strengthening of our commercial operation will also support our drive for new product development.

While the remodel has seen a one-off hit to the half year figures as we transition, we are confident that this move will put Distil in a stronger position from which to accelerate future growth"

Executive Chairman's Statement

We are grateful to our UK distributor for helping us build our distribution platform especially in the off trade but, after several years with our chosen partner, we decided it was the right time to create a hybrid distribution platform which would facilitate the next phase of accelerated brand development and growth. We subsequently took direct control of relationships with our largest retail stockists in late September. This was made possible by the appointment of our Commercial Director who joined us in June and played an important role in selection of, and transition to, the right partner to broaden our list of stockists in the on-trade, online and premium retail. We subsequently began our distribution partnership with Marussia Beverages Group in September, and early signs are most encouraging.

This new business model has led to an associated reduction of stock in trade with little or no 'pipeline' replenishment into the UK distributor for almost four months as we worked through a contractual notice period and existing warehouse inventories were depleted. This has caused a sizeably negative hit to sales out from Distil, however there has been no real effect on actual consumer sales.

H1 also saw the launch of the first TV advertising campaign for RedLeg Spiced Rum in collaboration with ITV Adventures. The campaign, valued at over GBP500,000, ran on linear channels in two targeted regions and nationally across ITV Video-On-Demand services. Focused around bringing the RedLeg crab logo to life, the creative was named Ad of the Week in a leading trade publication and has already begun to deliver positive results for the brand. The Company views this initial test as the first step towards a robust above-the-line plan to accelerate brand growth.

Our priority remains settling our brands into the new distribution platform and restoring the momentum previously enjoyed with accelerated future growth.

Operations

Our operations team has continued to work well by keeping average year-on-year cost increases, per case, down to single digit figures despite increased energy costs, general inflationary pressures, and staff shortages throughout the supply chain, storage and freight. This has been managed through sourcing new suppliers and procurement consolidation.

We anticipate continued cost pressure in the short to medium-term and will maintain our efforts to mitigate price inflation.

Sustainability is increasingly becoming an important purchasing consideration for both consumers and trade customers alike. Over the past six months, our team has been working closely with suppliers at all stages of the chain in order to reduce the environmental impact of our brands. This includes sourcing the latest technologies and materials for closures, and exploring new sustainable substrates with our label suppliers. Sustainability will continue to be a key focus across our brands moving forward.

Ardgowan Distillery Project, Blackwoods distillery and visitor centre

Site clearance work began earlier in the year as planned and the building for Blackwoods Gin & Vodka distillery and visitor experience is now taking shape, with an anticipated opening in Spring 2023. Photos are available on the Distil website.

Good progress is also being made by the Ardgowan team on its whisky distillery, which remains on-track for a scheduled 2024 opening.

The Ardgowan Distillery project ambition is to become the most CO 2 efficient distillery in the Scotch Whisky industry, and Blackwoods will play a key role on site.

The option remains for Distil to invest a further GBP2m into the Ardgowan project and the team is working closely with Ardgowan to move this forward.

Results versus same period last year

Total revenues fell 68% to GBP0.46 million against the prior period, with UK sales adversely impacted by the removal of inventory from the distributor supply chain as we transitioned away from our UK distributor and to direct sales during Q2. The one-off negative impact on H1 sales of this change amounted to GBP0.67 million inventories depletions and GBP0.3million reduced promotional activity in the period leading to distributor contract termination. The transition to direct sales was complete at the end of September and we do not anticipate any further significant impact on sales in the second half of the current financial year attributable to the transition.

The Company sustained an operating loss (after adjusting for share-based payment expense) of GBP602k (2021: GBP58k profit after adjusting for share-based payment expense and one-off transaction costs associated with the Ardgowan investment).

Cash reserves stood at GBP0.95 million at the end of the period compared to GBP4.22 million at the end of the prior period, which included proceeds of GBP3.20 million (before expenses) from the fundraising completed in August 2021, of which GBP3 million was invested in Ardgowan by way of a convertible loan .

Outlook

The past six months have seen one-off impacts to the business. However, we are seeking to return to sales growth in seasonally stronger H2 and continue that growth into the next financial year and beyond as our new business model delivers additional stockists, new markets, and our marketing focus delivers strong campaigns and new products.

Rebuilding distribution across our brands is a key priority, and we have seen encouraging early results, having recently added new on-trade listings, including a major pub group, as well as new export markets, both of which will come through from October onwards.

The spirits market continues to perform well in the UK, with value +14% vs 3 years ago (Data: WSTA). The rum category in particular is showing good growth, reaching GBP1bn in sales and having overtaken whisky in the UK on trade in the first half of this year. RedLeg Spiced Rum is positioned in line with consumer needs, and our new partnership with Marussia Beverages UK will ensure we are well placed to benefit from market trends.

In addition to the appointment of a Commercial Director, we have subsequently appointed a new Marketing Director and a Head of Finance & Operations which will further strengthen our team and broaden our capabilities.

The current political and economic uncertainties are likely to see consumers shopping for true value in both on and off trade outlets, especially over the peak Christmas trading period and through Spring next year. Our brands are well positioned in this regard, and we aim to maintain a strong promotional support programme across all trade sectors. We anticipate full year performance for the year ending 31 March 2023 to be in line with current market expectations.

For further information please contact:

 
 Distil plc 
 Don Goulding Executive Chairman    Tel: +44 203 283 4007 
  Shaun Claydon, Finance Director 
                                   ---------------------- 
 SPARK Advisory Partners 
  Limited (NOMAD) 
                                   ---------------------- 
 Neil Baldwin                       Tel +44 203 368 3550 
  Mark Brady 
                                   ---------------------- 
 Turner Pope Investments 
  (TPI) Limited (Broker) 
                                   ---------------------- 
 Andy Thacker / James Pope          Tel +44 20 3657 0050 
                                   ---------------------- 
 
 
 Distil plc - Half Year Results 
 Consolidated comprehensive interim 
  income statement 
                                              -----------  -----------  ---------- 
                                               Six months   Six months     Year 
                                                ended 30     ended 30      ended 
                                                September    September    31 March 
                                                  2022         2021         2022 
                                               Un-audited   Un-audited    Audited 
                                                GBP'000      GBP'000      GBP'000 
 
 Revenue                                              460        1,435       2,942 
 Cost of sales                                      (250)        (641)     (1,313) 
                                              -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Gross profit                                         210          794       1,629 
 Administrative expenses: 
 Advertising and promotional costs                  (376)        (398)       (890) 
 Other administrative expenses                      (436)        (410)       (812) 
 Share based payment expense                         (30)         (30)        (59) 
 Total administrative expenses                      (842)        (838)     (1,761) 
 Operating loss                                     (632)         (44)       (132) 
 Finance income                                        77            -          37 
 Finance expense                                        -          (1)           - 
 Loss before tax from continuing operations         (555)         (45)        (95) 
 Income tax                                             -           65         269 
                                              -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 (Loss)/profit for the period                       (555)           20         174 
                                              -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 
 (Loss)/profit per share: 
 From continuing operations 
 Basic (pence per share)                           (0.08)         0.01        0.03 
 Diluted (pence per share)                         (0.08)         0.01        0.02 
 
 
 
 Consolidated interim statement of            As at           As at         As at 
  financial position                       30 September    30 September    31 March 
                                               2022            2021          2022 
                                           Un-audited      Un-audited      Audited 
                                             GBP'000         GBP'000       GBP'000 
 ASSETS 
 Non-current assets 
 Property, plant and equipment                      159             167         167 
 Intangible fixed assets                          1,613           1,602       1,606 
 Financial assets                                 3,038           3,000       3,000 
 Deferred tax assets                                445             241         445 
                                         --------------  --------------  ---------- 
 Total non-current assets                         5,255           5,010       5,218 
 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                                        793             542         637 
 Trade and other receivables                        586             674         687 
 Cash and cash equivalents                          948           4,215       1,562 
                                         --------------  --------------  ---------- 
 Total current assets                             2,327           5,431       2,886 
                                         --------------  --------------  ---------- 
 Total assets                                     7,582          10,441       8,104 
                                         --------------  --------------  ---------- 
 
 LIABILITIES 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                           410             512         407 
 Financial liabilities                              150           3,000         150 
 Total current liabilities                          560           3,512         557 
 Total liabilities                                  560           3,512         557 
                                         --------------  --------------  ---------- 
 
 Net assets                                       7,022           6,929       7,547 
                                         --------------  --------------  ---------- 
 
 EQUITY 
 Equity attributable to equity holders 
  of the parent 
 Share capital                                    1,474           1,308       1,474 
 Share premium                                    6,211           5,964       6,211 
 Share based payment reserve                        228             147         198 
 Accumulated losses                               (891)           (490)       (336) 
                                         --------------  --------------  ---------- 
 Total equity                                     7,022           6,929       7,547 
                                         --------------  --------------  ---------- 
 
 
 
 
 Consolidated interim cash flow statement 
                                                -----------  -----------  --------------- 
                                                 Six months   Six months   Year ended 
                                                  ended 30     ended 30     31 March 
                                                  September    September      2022 
                                                    2022         2021 
                                                 Un-audited   Un-audited    Audited 
 Cashflows from operating activities              GBP'000      GBP'000      GBP'000 
 Loss before tax                                      (555)         (45)         (95) 
 Adjustments for non-cash/non-operating 
  items: 
  Finance income                                       (77)            -         (37) 
 Depreciation                                             8            8           16 
 Share based payment expense                             30           30           59 
  Expenses settled by shares                              -            -           15 
                                                      (594)          (7)         (42) 
 
 Movements in working capital 
 (Increase)/decrease in inventories                   (156)           11         (84) 
 Decrease/(increase) in trade receivables               101         (65)         (78) 
 Increase in trade payables                               3          154           54 
                                                -----------  -----------  ----------- 
 Cash (used in)/generated by operations                (52)          100        (108) 
 Net cash (used in)/generated by operating 
  activities                                          (646)           93        (150) 
 
 Cashflows from investing activities 
 Purchase of property plant & equipment                   -          (8)         (16) 
 Expenditure relating to the acquisition                (7)          (4)          (8) 
  and registration of licenses and trademarks 
  Payment on issue of convertible loan notes              -            -      (2,850) 
                                                -----------  -----------  ----------- 
 Net cash used in investing activities                  (7)         (12)      (2,874) 
 
 Cashflows from financing activities 
 Proceeds from issue of shares                            -        3,072        3,492 
  Interest received on convertible loans                 38            -           32 
 Net cash generated by financing activities              38        3,072        3,524 
 
 
 Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash 
  equivalents                                         (615)        3,153          500 
 Cash & cash equivalents at the beginning 
  of the period                                       1,563        1,062        1,062 
 
 Cash & cash equivalents at the end of 
  the period                                            948        4,215        1,562 
                                                -----------  -----------  ----------- 
 
 
 

Notes to the interim accounts:

   1.     Basis of preparation 

This interim consolidated financial information for the six months ended 30 September 2022 has been prepared in accordance with AIM rule 18, 'Half yearly reports and accounts'. This interim consolidated financial information is not the group's statutory financial statements within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 (and information as required by section 435 of the Companies Act 2006) and should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2022, which have been prepared under UK-adopted International Accounting Standards (IFRS) and have been delivered to the Register of Companies. The auditors have reported on those accounts; their report was unqualified, did not include references to any matters to which drew attention by way of emphasis of matter without qualifying their report and did not contain any statements under Section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

The interim consolidated financial information for the six months ended 30 September 2022 is unaudited. In the opinion of the Directors, the interim consolidated financial information presents fairly the financial position, and results from operations and cash flows for the period. Comparative numbers for the six months ended 30 September 2021 are also unaudited.

   3.     Availability 

Copies of the interim report will be available from the Distil's registered office at 201 Temple Chambers, 3-7 Temple Avenue, EC4Y 0DT and also on www.distil.uk.com .

   4.     Approval of interim report 

This interim report was approved by the board on 12 October 2022.

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