4th Mar 2014 07:00
Plant Impact plc
("Plant Impact" or the "Company")
Trading Update
Plant Impact today announces a trading update for the six months to 31 January 2014. This update covers the interim period for the first full financial year to be reported on the company's revised, July year-end. The change in year-end to 31 July was implemented to provide shareholders with discrete visibility of the Southern Hemisphere business in the first half of the financial year and the Northern Hemisphere businesses in the second half of the year. This trading update provides prior period comparison data for the six months ending 31 January 2013, which have not previously been released to investors. In April 2014, the Company plans to release unaudited Interim Results for these periods.
The Directors are pleased to report significant progress in trading. Turnover for the six month period was £1,160,000 compared to £350,000 in the comparable prior period. The increased turnover is the result of the Company's launch of its new product Veritas™ in Brazilian soybeans as well as some over-winter business in certain Northern Hemisphere markets such as Spain. The turnover growth is net of a significant decline in our Egyptian business this year, a consequence of the political instability in that country. The Company's net loss in the period narrowed to approximately £500,000 compared to nearly £800,000 in the six month period to 31 January 2013. The Company is expected to report approximately £500,000 of net cash on its balance sheet at 31 January 2014. This is a seasonal low-point for the Company, accompanied by higher than expected receivables balances related to shipment and collection timing in the first six months of the year. Net cash balances are expected to rebuild through the second half of the Company's financial year.
John Brubaker, Plant Impact CEO commented, "After three years of intensive field work, we are delighted with these sales in our first commercial year in Brazilian soya. Growers who have used Veritas™ in the 2013/14 main season soybean crop are achieving value through yield increases that are consistent with our pre-launch promise. We are currently working with our commercial partners in two late season crops, dry beans and winter season soybeans, to maximize usage in the 2013/14 season. I am confident that this work will create a strong foundation for the realisation of our Brazilian plans in the next years."
The Company is continuing work to expand its European business in the 2014 season, which is now in its early stages. Our particular focus is on high value fruit and vegetable crops in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. The Company expects steady growth in these sectors, underpinned this year by a widening of our distribution network, with new appointments in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and France.
Plant Impact's research and development programme currently awaits initial field test results for the Company's second product for the Brazilian soybean market, and plans are moving forward for a second year of efficacy testing for the Company's first product prototypes for cereals, specifically winter wheat.
The Company will host an Investor Day at its research facilities and head office at the Rothamsted Centre for Research and Enterprise, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2LG. The event will be held on 11 July 2014, from 9:00am to 1:30pm and will focus on the Company's strategy for expansion in broad acre crops (e.g. soybeans and wheat), as well as its current and prospective research pipeline. Attendees are invited to pre-register by emailing the Company at [email protected].
For more information please contact:
Plant Impact plc |
|
David Jones, Chairman John Brubaker, Chief Executive Officer | Tel: +44 (0) 1582 465 540 |
Peel Hunt - Nominated Adviser and Broker |
|
Dan Webster Dan Harris Richard Brown
| Tel: +44 (0) 207 418 8900 |
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