1 February 2024
Tandem Group plc
(the
"Company" or "Group")
Trading Update and Notice of
Results
Tandem Group plc (AIM: TND)
designers, developers, distributors and retailers of sports,
leisure and mobility equipment, provides the following trading
update and confirms that its annual results for the year ended 31
December 2023 ("FY23") will be announced on 25 March
2024.
Trading and operations update
As the Company reported in its
interim results on 20 September 2023, revenue in the first half of
the year was approximately 24% behind the equivalent period in the
previous year. A comparatively stronger second half of the
financial year resulted in unaudited Group revenue for the full
year of £22.2m, 17% behind the prior year and in line with updated
guidance provided by the Company on 13 December 2023.
The economic environment in the
consumer sector continued to pose challenges, which reflected the
broader issues faced by many businesses in the UK. Suppressed
consumer spending continued to impact the domestic sales market,
which proved more challenging than anticipated, further
complicating the landscape.
The Directors expect the loss before
tax for FY23, subject to audit, to be in line with guidance
provided by the Company on 13 December 2023.
Toy, Sports & Leisure
The Toys, Sports, and Leisure (TSL)
business encompasses character-licensed products, primarily wheeled
toys and in-house sports and leisure items. These products are
distributed to both independent and national retailers. Revenue
from this division reduced by approximately 32% compared to the
previous year.
Throughout FY23 we have emphasised
that retailers have been transitioning away from Freight on Board
(FOB) sales as a result of them adopting a more cautious approach
to their stockholding amid restrained consumer spending. This
aligns with widespread reports of retailers facing tough trading
conditions during the run up to Christmas, as businesses continue
to navigate the challenging market conditions.
Golf turnover, including electric
golf trolleys* finished behind the previous year by 8%. However,
turnover from electric golf trolleys more than doubled during the
period.
Bicycles
Bicycle sales, including electric
bikes* finished, the year 17% ahead of the prior year, defying
widespread challenges reported across the cycling sector. The
successful introduction of our newly launched electric bikes range
played a significant role in bolstering overall sales and in
delivering significant overperformance by the group in this
area.
Sales of our lightweight premium
Squish bikes experienced growth for the year, surpassing the
figures from the prior year.
Mechanical bike sales declined by
12% overall, and we continue to see the market move away from
traditional mechanical bikes in favour of electric powered
alternatives.
Home & Garden
Our Home and Garden revenue was
approximately 27% behind the previous period. This can be largely
attributed to the adverse weather conditions prevailing throughout
2023, impacting both heating and cooling products, which sharply
contrasted with the more favourable climate experienced in
2022.
Despite these challenges,
performance in November and December showed positive signs in this
division, outperforming the prior year by around 9% over the same
months in the prior year.
eMobility
As part of our strategic focus on
eMobility products, we have successfully delivered a strong
performance this year, with the division achieving a 44% increase
in sales compared to the previous year. As detailed above, the
sales of both electric golf trolleys and electric bikes played a
significant role in driving this growth.
Outlook
The Group is targeting a 19%
increase in turnover for the year 2024 at £26.5m, in line with
existing market expectations, and a planned return to
profitability. The recent addition of three new national retailer
accounts is a testament to our expanding market presence and
enhances our growth prospects. During January 2024, we have seen
encouraging indicators from retailers which are aligning well with
our projections to attain the heightened turnover for the
year.
We are pleased to announce that the
Group continues to enjoy the support of our banking partners, HSBC.
Further to the update provided in the Company's interim results
published on 20 September 2023, the Group has now entered into a
new five year bank facility with HSBC, which will refinance and
replace all existing loans with HSBC on drawdown, ensuring
stability for our future plans and growth.
In order to improve operational
efficiency and overall performance, we are implementing strategic
improvements, particularly within our warehouse operations. We are
actively engaged in discussions to maximise the short-term
utilisation of our newly constructed warehouse, including
considering potential acquisition opportunities that would have the
potential to create synergies.
Investing in innovation and newness
continues to be a strategic priority. Across all divisions, our
focus remains on developing new products. Specifically, we are
introducing new features to our ride-on toys, launching new
electric and mechanical bike designs in June 2024, and we continue
to develop innovative products in Home and Garden.
In summary, the Group retains a
strong balance sheet and a well-managed current stock position. The
refinancing of our lending facility, increased turnover target, new
national retailer accounts, operational improvements, and our
commitment to innovation and market expansion collectively pave the
way for a positive outlook in 2024 and beyond for the
Group.
Notice of results
The Group expects to publish its
FY23 results on 25 March 2024.
A final results presentation will be
available on the website after the results are published at
www.tandemgroupplc.co.uk/investor-presentations. Investors with
questions are asked to email the Company at
investorrelations@tandemgroupplc.co.uk.
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes
of the UK Market Abuse Regulation and the Directors of the Company
take responsibility for this announcement.
*which form part of the
eMobility category
Enquiries:
Tandem Group plc
Peter Kimberley, CEO
David Rock, Company
Secretary
Telephone 0121 748 8075
Nominated Adviser
Cavendish Capital Markets Limited
(Nominated Adviser and Broker)
Ben Jeynes / Dan Hodkinson -
Corporate Finance
Michael Johnson / Charlie Combe -
Sales and Equity Capital Markets
Telephone 0207 220 0500
Forward Looking Statements
This announcement contains
forward-looking statements relating to expected or anticipated
future events and anticipated results that are forward-looking in
nature and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties, such as general economic, market and business
conditions, competition for qualified staff, the regulatory process
and actions, technical issues, new legislation, uncertainties
resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, uncertainties
resulting from working in a new political jurisdiction,
uncertainties regarding the results of exploration, uncertainties
regarding the timing and granting of prospecting rights,
uncertainties regarding the Company's or any third party's ability
to execute and implement future plans, and the occurrence of
unexpected events. Actual results achieved may vary from the
information provided herein as a result of numerous known and
unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors.