TTG Tt Electronics Plc

2023 Final Results, 7 March 2024

TT Electronics plc 

Results for the year ended 31 December 2023

For further information, please contact:

TT Electronics

Peter France, Chief Executive Officer

Mark Hoad, Chief Financial Officer

Kate Moy, Head of Investor Relations and Communications                                     Tel: +44 (0)1932 827 779

MHP Communications

Tim Rowntree / Ollie Hoare                                                                                 Tel: +44 (0)20 3128 8100

A management presentation for analysts and investors will be held today at 0800hrs and can be accessed on https://stream.brrmedia.co.uk/broadcast/65a7a5a9c5ec665c02ecf6d4

A recording of the presentation and Q&A session will be available on the website later in the day.

A PDF of this full year announcement is available for download from https://www.ttelectronics.com/investors/investor-highlights/reports-presentations-videos/.

Results for the year ended 31 December 2023

Strong profit growth, margin enhancement and cash generation

Financial Highlights  

·    Free cash flow of £23.9 million with cash conversion at 92% and leverage reduced to 1.7x

·    Adjusted Group operating margin up 110 bps to 8.6% (8.9% excluding pass-through), supported by strong recovery in Power & Connectivity

·    Adjusted operating profit growth of 16%

·    Full year revenue up 3% year-on-year at constant currency excluding pass through revenue

·    Statutory operating profit of £8.7 million (including a £32.5 million non-cash fair value write down of assets held for sale), statutory basic EPS loss of 3.9p

·    ROIC increased 150 bps to 12.0%

·    Total dividend increase of 8% to 6.8p, reflecting strong performance and positive outlook

Operational highlights

·    Excellent business development success, with 37 significant contract awards delivering c. £250 million of potential lifetime revenues

·    Agreement for sale of Cardiff, Hartlepool and Dongguan business units for £20.8 million on cash and debt free basis signed - expected to enhance margins and reduce leverage

·    Broadened our customer offering by extending our capabilities in Mexico

·    Successful transfer of Ferranti business to a modern facility in Greater Manchester

·    Achieved employee engagement score² in line with 3 star 'world class companies to work for'

·    Delivered an 18% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions

·    Environmental ratings of AA from MSCI and an improved B- rating from CDP

Outlook

·    Order book visibility remains above historic, pre-Covid levels - total order cover at December c.11 months revenues of which c. 9 months relates to 2024 revenues

·    Focus on improved operational execution driving continued earnings growth

·    Strong free cash flow generation and continued reduction in leverage expected

·    On track to deliver 10% group operating margin in 2024

·    Capital Markets event on 9 April to provide details of our actions and plans to accelerate the execution of a refreshed strategy, that will unlock value and deliver continued growth.

Peter France, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"2023 was a year of strong operational and financial progress. The Group has delivered against the priorities that were set for the year: strong free cash generation has led to further reduction in leverage, and our strong order book was converted into double-digit operating profit growth, with good operating margin progression supported by a recovery in our P&C business.

I was delighted to join TT as CEO last October. TT is a strong business with robust fundamentals, talented people and market leading technologies. It is well-aligned with global megatrends, driving demand from our high growth end markets. We have the foundations from which to accelerate the execution of our strategy aimed at delivering sustainable disciplined growth, improved margins and a strong balance sheet. I see considerable opportunity to unlock further value in the business by strengthening operational execution, expanding and optimising our routes to market and by enhancing product innovation. A first step in driving improved margins and simplifying the portfolio is the recently announced sale of our businesses in Cardiff, Hartlepool and Dongguan.  I look forward to sharing more detail of my plans as part of our Capital Markets presentation on 9 April.

Based on the strength and level of visibility in our order book, current end market activity and operational improvement initiatives that are underway, while mindful of the wider macro environment, we are on track to deliver a 10% operating margin in 2024."

About TT Electronics

TT Electronics is a global provider of engineered electronics for performance critical applications.

TT solves technology challenges for a sustainable world. TT benefits from enduring megatrends in structurally high-growth markets including healthcare, aerospace, defence, electrification and automation. TT invests in R&D to create designed-in products where reliability is mission critical. Products designed and manufactured include sensors, power management and connectivity solutions. TT has design and manufacturing facilities in the UK, North America, and Asia.

Notes

1.   Throughout this announcement we refer to a number of alternative performance measures which provide additional useful information.  The Directors have adopted these measures to provide additional information on the underlying trends, performance and position of the Group with further details set out on pages 17 to 18.  The adjusted measures used are set out in the 'Reconciliation of KPIs and non IFRS measures' section on pages 42 to 49.

2.   Survey by Best Companies Ltd

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REVIEW

Introduction

Having joined TT in October, I have now visited nearly all of our sites, spent time with colleagues and met a number of our customers and other stakeholders. I have been greatly impressed by the quality of our people, the strength of the TT culture and the depth of our customer relationships.

The Group has delivered on all its priorities set at the beginning of 2023: it has converted its strong order book into revenue and profit growth, increased the margin by 110bps, and continued to improve the performance in its Power and Connectivity (P&C) division. From a balance sheet perspective, strong free cash flow generation has resulted in reduced net debt and a further reduction in leverage.

The Group's 2023 performance was led by the improvement in our P&C business, with Global Manufacturing Solutions (GMS) sustaining its best-in-class margin performance. The overall result of our Sensors & Specialist Components (S&SC) business was impacted by the one-off HVAC breakdown at Plano, which affected production from June through to September and resulted in a £3 million reduction in divisional profits.

I am excited about the potential for TT and can see opportunities to unlock further value across the business: driving growth, efficiencies and performance by capitalising on our positions in the structural growth markets in which we operate, by optimising our operational execution and by enhancing our innovation and product development strengths.

Our relationships with customers are long-term and collaborative in nature delivering positive order intake in the year. We secured 37 significant contract wins that are expected to deliver circa £250 million of potential lifetime revenue. As anticipated, we have seen order intake normalisation during the second half as lead times have reduced, however, our order book continues to provide levels of forward visibility ahead of historic, pre-Covid levels, and we are now starting to see order intake begin to improve again. At the end of December, the order book gives us visibility over circa 11 months of revenues, of which 9 months relates to 2024 revenues.

During the year organic investment in the business totalled £33.2m; we have invested £10.8 million in research and development (R&D) and £22.4 million in capital expenditure. This is an important and substantial investment in our future to support growth and the development and enhancement of our pipeline of new products. It included £4.5 million on the move of the acquired Ferranti business to a new facility in Greater Manchester and £4.1 million on expanding our manufacturing capabilities in Mexicali.

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles are central to our purpose, and our growth expectations partly reflect opportunities presented by the move to a lower carbon world for our design-led technologies. We have made further excellent progress in 2023 to reduce our Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions. These have decreased by 18 per cent in the year to 10,533 tonnes and are down 62 per cent against our 2019 baseline. In adjusting for revenue growth within the business, the intensity ratio has improved from 56 in 2019 to 17 in 2023. This improvement has been achieved due to our energy efficiency actions and switching to the use of electricity from renewable sources.

We were delighted to attain a 2023 employee engagement score in line with the three star "world class companies to work for" Best Companies Ltd benchmark, reflecting the importance we attribute to living the TT values every day.

Results and operations

Revenue for the year was £613.9 million, 1 per cent higher than the prior year at constant currency and 3 per cent higher excluding the impact of the unwind of pass-through revenues. Reported revenue included £19.9 million of zero margin pass-through revenues, a £10.4 million reduction on 2022 at constant currency. This relates to materials where we experienced very significant cost inflation which was being transparently passed on to customers with no margin mark-up.

Adjusted operating profit was £52.8 million, 16 per cent higher than the prior year at constant currency, reflecting the benefits of volume growth, improved pricing and the balance of the benefits of our self-help programme. The adjusted operating margin was 8.6 per cent. Excluding zero margin pass-through revenues, adjusted operating margin was 8.9 per cent.

After the impact of adjusting items, including restructuring, pension, acquisition and disposal costs, and a non-cash asset write-down, the Group's full-year statutory operating profit was £8.7 million. The non-cash write-down of £32.5 million relates to the recently announced disposal of businesses in the P&C and GMS divisions, referred to internally as "Project Albert". Cash flow impacting adjusting items totalled £4.0 million.

Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) increased to 19.2 pence (2022: 18.2 pence), reflecting the improved adjusted operating profit in the period offset by higher interest charges. Basic EPS was a loss of 3.9 pence (2022: 7.5 pence loss).

Cash conversion returned to target levels, at 92 per cent (2022: 33 per cent) and with significantly reduced cash impacting adjusting items and a pension surplus refund (see below), cash generation has inflected resulting in a free cash inflow of £23.9 million (2022: outflow £13.1 million). Adjusted operating cash inflow post capital expenditure during the period was £48.8 million (2022: £15.7 million). On a statutory basis, cash flow from operating activity was £62.9 million (2022: £12.7 million).

Following the buy-in of our UK defined benefit pension scheme (the "Scheme") in November 2022, the Scheme is de-risked with scheme liabilities now matched by the buy-in insurance policy. Given the higher level of confidence over there ultimately being a surplus in the Scheme at the point of wind-up, in December, the Scheme made an initial surplus refund to the Company of £5.0 million less tax (£3.2 million net).

We ended the year with net debt of £126.2 million[1] (2022: £138.4 million), including lease liabilities of £20.8 million (2022: £23.1 million). Year-end leverage was 1.7 times (2022: 2.0 times), within the Board's target leverage range of 1-2 times. We are confident this downward trajectory will continue as EBITDA increases and as we deliver further strong free cash flow in 2024.

Our return on invested capital was 12.0 per cent in 2023, increasing by 150 basis points due to the growth in adjusted operating profit, combined with the high cash conversion which meant there was only a limited increase in invested capital.

On 4 March 2024 we announced that we had agreed to divest our business units in Cardiff and Hartlepool, UK and Dongguan, China for £20.8 million on a cash and debt free basis. These assets were classified as held for sale at 31 December 2023 and were written down by £32.5 million reflecting fair value and costs to sell. The disposal is expected to complete by the end of Q1 2024 and is expected to enhance group margins and improve leverage.

Dividend

Given our strong trading performance in 2023 and the positive outlook, the Board is proposing a final dividend of 4.65 pence per share. The total cash cost of this dividend will be approximately £8.2 million. This, when combined with the interim dividend of 2.15 pence per share gives an increase of 8 per cent in the total dividend to 6.8 pence (2022: 6.3 pence per share).  Payment of the dividend will be made on 15 May 2024, to shareholders on the register at 12 April 2024.

Our strategy

The Group is positioned in attractive structurally growing markets. Our customer partnerships are long-term in nature with an extended order book providing circa 11 months of visibility. We are targeting through-cycle, outperformance of the medium-term growth in our end markets of 4-6 per cent, driven in part by our business development success with higher growth, blue-chip customers. We are focused on generating optimum returns for all our stakeholders while maintaining capital discipline, delivering strong cash generation and careful use of the balance sheet to facilitate continued investment. 

We look forward to presenting more detailed thoughts on a refreshed strategy for the Group at the Capital Markets event on 9 April 2024. TT has a strong platform from which to accelerate growth. Alongside this, we see a number of opportunities across the Group to create additional value by focusing on operational excellence, commercial discipline and innovation. The Group structure is evolving to improve execution and enable greater collaboration and we will provide more details of our plans in April.

On track to deliver 10% margins in 2024

The pursuit of higher margins remains core to the Group's strategy. In 2023 the Group made good progress delivering a 110 basis point improvement in adjusted operating margin to 8.6 per cent. Excluding the impact of pass-through revenues, adjusted operating margin was 8.9 per cent. We anticipate pass-through revenues becoming significantly less pronounced in 2024.

The reduction in pass-through revenues, the recently announced Project Albert disposal and our focus on efficiency, costs and pricing discipline alongside operational leverage on growth, where we have good visibility from our order book, all underpin our confidence in achieving a 10% operating margin in 2024.

Outlook

TT is a strong business with robust fundamentals, talented people and market leading technologies. It is well-aligned with global megatrends, driving demand from our high growth end markets. The foundations are set from which to accelerate the execution of our strategy aimed at delivering sustainable, disciplined growth, improved margins and a strong balance sheet. There is considerable opportunity to unlock further value in the business by strengthening operational execution, expanding and optimising our routes to market and by enhancing product innovation. A first step in driving improved margins and simplifying the portfolio is the recently announced sale of our businesses in Cardiff, Hartlepool and Dongguan. 

Based on the strength and level of visibility in our order book, current end market activity and operational improvement initiatives that are underway, while mindful of the wider macro environment, we are confident we are on track to deliver a 10% operating margin in 2024.

Our markets

Healthcare (24 per cent of Group revenue)

In healthcare, we provide design and manufacturing solutions for a range of diagnostic, surgical and direct patient care devices critical to the identification, treatment and prevention of disease. Growth is driven by a combination of ageing populations, growing patient expectations and the importance of digitalisation; electronics plays a central role in advancing the progress of medical technology.

We have increased our exposure to this attractive end market from 13 per cent of Group revenue in 2015 to 24 per cent in 2023. Our power, connectivity and sensor technologies span the modern surgical suite from patient monitoring and therapeutic devices to surgical navigation, diagnostic equipment and life sciences. By supporting our life sciences partners, we are improving laboratory automation systems and enabling samples to be collected and analysed with minimal human intervention, the benefits of which are improved data reliability and accuracy, minimised wastage, and time-efficient procedures. TT is focused on growing in three areas where we are well placed to capitalise on increasing demand for high-complexity products driven by technological advancement: robotic surgery, implantable devices and life sciences. We are supporting the development of smaller, lighter, more precise surgical devices, enabling reduced size of incisions, thereby shortening recovery times and improving overall patient outcomes. In addition, by improving the portability and ease of use of diagnostics, we are increasing the availability of medical imaging to point-of-care facilities. This promotes earlier detection and better monitoring, hence supporting measures taken to address the rising prevalence of cancer, cardiac, neurological, and musculoskeletal disorders.

Demand for elective surgery and for large installations for hospital or life science applications are expected to be supportive of market growth over the next few years. 

Examples of some of our new wins in the year:

·    In our Cleveland facility we have won a new healthcare customer which reflects our credentials in partnering with OEMs in highly regulated markets, such as healthcare. We will work on a new, innovative, infant feeding device for premature babies and will support the project to meet the stringent regulatory requirements of ISO 13485 and FDA (Food & Drug Administration) registration. This novel neonatal medical device will improve neurological development with the aim of reducing the length of stay in neonatal intensive care units and hence costs.

·    The next stage of our GMS expansion into our Kuantan site in Malaysia is evidenced by a life sciences contract win to provide printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) and systems integration for a mass spectrometer. Such machines are used in spectrometry elemental isotope analysis to understand the chemistry and composition of materials used in healthcare and life sciences. We are currently undertaking sample builds (first articles) with volume production expected to commence in H2 2024. This work was secured given our proven, 10+ year customer partnership and demonstrates the success of our global manufacturing footprint expansion strategy.

·    The U.S. team secured two different optical sensor opportunities with a medical device company, for use in a blood gas analyser. These sensors are used in the disposable test vessel cartridges designed for the device which is used for rapid blood analysis in laboratories and at point of care to measure, for example, blood gases, pH, electrolytes, metabolites and CO-Oximetry. The sensors are critical to detect the proper loading of the cartridge as its alignment with the analyser optics, for spectral measurements, is essential for proper execution of the test.

Aerospace and Defence (20 per cent of Group revenue)

In aerospace and defence we provide solutions for high-reliability applications across a broad range of platforms operating on land, air and sea. Growth is driven by increasing electrification of these platforms, which supports fuel efficiency and safety. Air travel is rebounding strongly to pre-COVID levels, with continuing tailwinds given a growing, global middle-class population with a greater propensity to travel. Robust activity levels span both aftermarket and, increasingly, original equipment (narrow body predominantly) as supply chains continue to show signs of steady improvement. Fundamentally, the need for more efficient, safer, and environmentally friendly aircraft remains.

The defence electronics manufacturing market exhibits consistent, moderate expansion as governments invest to maintain state-of-the-art capabilities. With the focus of global growth shifting to the east and south, creating more powerful national economies in different regions, there will be greater requirement for protection, and greater resources available to invest in security and defence. This rising tide looks set to support strong, sustainable compound growth over the next decade, with priorities shifting to intelligence and multi-domain integration.

Active conflict and geopolitical tensions have increased weapons demand and replenishment of stores. This is compounded by elevated security concerns in several regions. In defence our central focus is on next generation requirements for high-density power electronics and electrical machines, collaborating with our customers on the development of technologies that reduce size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C), while simultaneously enhancing command, control, communications, computing, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities. We have been successful recently in providing more integrated, design-led solutions, demonstrating our ability to deliver SWaP-C improvements.

Recent wins in the aerospace and defence end market:

·    We secured the first order for the development of a new power module as part of a long term collaborative agreement with a leading commercial aircraft engine manufacturer, aimed at advancing electric propulsion systems for electric aircraft applications. The cornerstone of this partnership revolves around the E Drive 150 Power Module which enhances various electrical switching functionalities, critical for vital aircraft systems. These include electric starter generators, cabin air systems, electric pumps, and electric actuation with future potential for use in urban air mobility and small modular (nuclear) reactors. We believe our power module expertise, along with our persistence in finding a solution, were key factors in securing this win.

·    An example of TT moving up the value chain and engineering power solutions being used in highly efficient, cutting-edge platforms is a new win with a global aerospace and defence innovator. TT will design and manufacture two novel custom AC/DC converters that will meet SWaP-C and electrical requirements for airborne applications. This multi-million dollar win showcases our ability to align our tech roadmap with our customers and provide an airborne solution that has never been seen in the market before. This technology is being designed and built in Kansas City.

·    Building on existing work on the UK Tempest programme, TT was awarded a further contract during 2023 to support feasibility studies for advanced electrical power solutions on the sixth-generation Tempest fighter aircraft entering service from 2035 in the UK's future combat air system ("FCAS"). The Team Tempest consortium is composed of the UK Ministry of Defence and industry partners BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo UK and MBDA, working together to deliver a FCAS that pioneers advanced technology including deep learning AI, ability to fly unmanned, and a virtual helmet cockpit to stay ahead of evolving threats. This award expands the longstanding business relationship and multiple development and manufacturing touchpoints between TT and BAE Systems on the Tempest military aircraft.

·    We have secured a multi-million, five-year contract with defence innovator, Marotta Controls, to provide complex printed circuit board assemblies for production of high-reliability electronics on a next generation military air platform. Our ability to scale to meet the customer and market demand was a key factor in this award.

Automation and Electrification (36 per cent of Group revenue)

In automation and electrification markets, we are continuing to invest in developing capabilities to address the needs of sophisticated automation applications. Customers rely on us to help solve their toughest automation and electrification challenges; streamlining their supply chains, increasing their efficiency and helping them bring smart, new products to the market.

Digitalisation is a megatrend in its own right as it permeates every industry and offers solutions for many of the challenges faced. Industrial automation is the backbone of manufacturing and production processes that support economies and, with increased focus on climate change and natural resources, there is continuing pressure to facilitate higher efficiency and productivity.

Given the wide scope of these markets, performance correlates strongly with global economic growth, with key indicators being GDP growth and the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), but the digitisation and proliferation of electronics and electrification means markets will grow faster than these indicators. Growth is also being driven by demand for sustainable solutions to improve energy efficiency, the use of robotics to improve productivity and the increasing use of remote asset tracking. Within electrification, our priority is in developing capabilities which will support increasing energy efficiency and connectivity. Core focus areas include complex systems integrations and AC and DC power conversion technologies. We are increasingly able to develop complete, high-value products and durable components featuring higher voltages. The positive long-term growth drivers in this market give us confidence that demand will increase for our power, sensing and connectivity solutions.

Recent wins in the automation and electrification space:

·    In Suzhou we have won a contract with Casco, a TT customer of over 10 years, for signalling solutions across the Urban Rail network in China. We will provide complex, high level assembly build cabinets and electronics solutions. The majority of Casco projects are focused on China, where it is the number one player in the domestic rail transit market. This win is further recognition of the success of our China for Asia strategy.

·    Our focus on working with our customers to bring smart, sustainable products to market is illustrated by a collaboration with one of the largest Tier-1 companies in India which supplies manual and hydraulic steering systems to all major commercial vehicle manufacturers in the country. TT is supplying an Electronic Power Steering ("EPS") sensor which is used to measure required torque and desired angle of the steering system by the driver. The steering torque and position sensor is mounted in line with the steering shaft of a vehicle and is a critical part of the EPS assembly. We started supporting the customer at an early design stage and provided technical assistance to complete the design and build stage of the EPS system for the company's 4W Electric Vehicles commercial segment. Our ability to provide the required customisation of our sensor established us as the right partner, leading to a growing business and technology relationship that has positioned TT as the single source of supply for all this customer's EPS projects.

·    Two long-standing customers in the Automation and Electrification sector are secured for our new Mexicali facility as they leverage the best-cost geography while retaining manufacturing footprint in the Americas to serve local markets.

Distribution sales channel (20 per cent of Group revenue)

We grew our revenues through distributors again in 2023 and this area now represents 20 per cent of our overall sales. The demand from distributors comes from a very wide range of customers and end markets but is, in large part, driven by the same megatrends supporting our focus end markets including rapid technological change and digital transformation.

Environmental, social and governance (ESG)

We are moving at pace to reduce our carbon emissions and have set ourselves a target to be Net Zero by 2035 for our Scope 1 & 2 emissions. In 2023 we made further excellent progress, with an 18 per cent reduction in year and our Scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions are now 62 per cent lower than our 2019 baseline. This has been accomplished by switching to renewable tariffs, further site rationalisation, transferring manufacturing capability and capacity to modern, green facilities and local site energy saving initiatives.

Our intensity ratio, which measures our Scope 1 & 2 emissions against our revenue has reduced to 17, down from 56 in 2019. All our sites that are able to purchase electricity on renewable tariffs are now doing so. Further reductions in our carbon emissions will require other measures such as infrastructure and process projects to reduce electricity consumption and investment in solar power or other renewables and we will be ready to benefit from renewables gradually coming on stream in China. In 2023 our first solar project at Kuantan in Malaysia was commissioned and we have commenced work on our next project in Mexicali. Each of our manufacturing sites has its own energy efficiency plan to include further rolling out of LED lighting, eliminating waste electricity, replacing inefficient legacy equipment or reorganising space to save heating/lighting and managing shift patterns.

In addition to our work on CO2 emissions we are also committed to reducing our impact on the environment due to use of precious resources such as water, use of single use plastics and our waste to landfill.

ESG matters including culture, strategy, regulatory compliance, risk and internal controls are controlled as part of our overall governance and risk management frameworks, ultimately overseen by senior management and the Board. An update on key health, safety and environmental (including sustainability) metrics is provided at each Board meeting and in-depth reviews are undertaken on at least an annual basis. 

Engaging employees by continually building our culture, communicating, listening and supporting is an important part of what we do every day. We encourage our teams to take an active role in their local and national communities, whether fundraising and volunteering for chosen charities or committing time and resources to promoting STEM education and careers. The resilience, contribution, and dedication of our employees in all regions has been remarkable over a prolonged period of global uncertainty. We will continue to focus on supporting them as they are critical to the success of TT.

We have always believed strongly that high levels of employee engagement enable excellent execution of strategy and we regularly test this. The latest Group-wide employee engagement survey was undertaken in the summer of 2023. We were delighted to attain a 2023 employee engagement score in line with the three star "world class companies to work for" Best Companies Ltd benchmark. Focus was directed on participation in 2023, encouraging our employees to have their say and make their voice heard, concluding with a record 91% of employees globally completing the survey, up from 86% in both 2021 and 2020.

Our continuing progress on ESG matters is recognised externally, with a rating of 'AA' in the latest MSCI ESG Ratings assessment and an improved 'B-' rating from CDP (2022: C rating).

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

Group revenue was £613.9 million (2022: £617.0 million). This included a currency translation headwind of £11.3 million. Group revenue was 1 per cent higher than the prior year at constant currency. Excluding the zero margin pass-through revenues, organic growth was 3 per cent, split approximately 1 per cent volume growth and 2 per cent pricing. Sales volumes across our key markets have been buoyant and the strength of our order book, and the pipeline of new business opportunities, gives us confidence that organic growth will continue despite the headwind to headline organic growth from the further unwind of pass-through revenue.

The Group's adjusted operating profit was £52.8 million (2022: £47.1 million) and statutory operating profit was £8.7 million (2022: £3.4 million loss) after a charge for items excluded from adjusted operating profit of £44.1 million (2022: £50.5 million) including:  

·    Restructuring costs of £2.0 million (2022: £6.4 million) largely comprising costs associated with the relocation of production facilities from our US site in Covina to Kansas, representing the last stage of the self-help programme which started in 2020.

·    Pension restructuring costs of £1.9 million (2022: £13.8 million) relating mainly to work to prepare the UK defined benefit scheme for buy-out.

·    Acquisition and disposal costs totalled £3.1 million (2022: £1.2 million) comprising £1.3 million (2022: £1.1 million) of integration costs relating primarily to the Ferranti acquisition, which was acquired early in 2022; £1.2 million (2022: £nil) in preparing assets held for sale; £0.4 million (2022: £0.1 million) relating to integration activities for the acquisition of Torotel, Inc. and £0.2 million (2022: £nil) of other costs.

·    Amortisation of intangible assets arising on business combinations of £4.6 million (2022: £6.0 million).

·    Non-cash write-down costs totalled £32.5 million relating to the Project Albert businesses held for sale in our IoT Solutions and GMS CGUs (2022: £23.1 million relating to the impairment of goodwill and other assets in the IoT Solutions business).

The adjusted operating margin of 8.6 per cent (2022: 7.6 per cent) reflects the benefits of operational leverage and our self-help programme. We successfully offset increases in input costs through price increases.

The net finance cost was £9.8 million (2022: £6.7 million) with the increase being due to a combination of higher base rates and higher drawn debt levels.  The Group's overall tax charge was £5.7 million (2022: £3.1 million), including a £3.5 million credit (2022: £5.3 million credit) on items excluded from adjusted profit. The adjusted tax charge was £9.2 million (2022: £8.4 million), resulting in an effective adjusted tax rate of 21.4 per cent (2022: 20.8 per cent). 

Adjusted EPS increased to 19.2 pence (2022: 18.2 pence), reflecting the improved adjusted operating profit in the period. Basic EPS was a loss of 3.9 pence (2022: 7.5 pence loss). Adjusted operating cash inflow after capex was £48.8 million (2022: £15.7 million inflow). The improvement was as a result of increased profitability and a significantly reduced working capital outflow both of which more than offset increased investment in capital expenditure. Capital and development expenditure of £24.0 million (2022: £14.0 million) reflected investment to support growth. This resulted in adjusted operating cash conversion of 92 per cent (2022: 33 per cent). On a statutory basis, cash flow from operating activities was £62.9 million (2022: £12.7 million).

There was a free cash inflow of £23.9 million (2022: outflow £13.1 million), net of £4.0 million of restructuring and acquisition related costs (2022: £11.1 million) primarily relating to integration costs of the Ferranti acquisition (£1.3 million), restructuring costs to move our facility in Covina, US to Kansas, US (£1.0 million), costs incurred in preparing assets held for sale (£0.9 million), pension costs (£0.2 million) and other costs (£0.6 million). There was a £3.2 million pension surplus refund from the UK Scheme (2022: £nil) net of £1.8 million tax paid. Dividend payments totalled £11.3 million (2022: £10.2 million).

In June 2022 the Group re-financed its bank revolving credit facility (RCF) with a syndicate of five relationship banks at commercially attractive rates. This £147.4 million facility had a four-year tenor with a one-year extension option. In the first half of 2023 we exercised £15 million of a £32.6 million accordion, thereby increasing the facility size to £162.4 million, and we also exercised the one-year extension, taking the facility maturity out to June 2027. The RCF is complemented by £75 million of private placement fixed rate loan notes, which were issued in December 2021, with 7 and 10 year maturities.

At 31 December 2023, the Group's net debt was £126.2 million (31 December 2022: £138.4 million), including £20.8 million of lease liabilities (31 December 2022: £23.1 million). Leverage at 31 December 2023, consistent with the bank covenants, was 1.7 times (31 December 2022: 2.0 times).

Following the buy-in of our UK defined benefit pension scheme (the "Scheme") in November 2022, the Scheme is de-risked with scheme liabilities now matched by the buy-in insurance policy. The Scheme had a surplus of £25.3 million at December 2023 (December 2022: £31.3 million). Given the higher level of confidence over there ultimately being a surplus in the Scheme at the point of wind-up, in December the Scheme made an initial surplus refund to the Company of £5.0 million less tax (£3.2 million net). TT is, in collaboration with the Scheme Trustee, in the process of preparing the scheme for buy-out, which is expected to be concluded by late 2024 or early 2025. Shortly after the year-end, we completed the buy-out of one of our much smaller US approved defined benefit pension schemes at a cash cost of £1.8 million.

The net surplus across all Group schemes (including some smaller defined benefit schemes in the US) at 31 December 2023 was £22.2 million (2022: £28.4 million).

Continued investment in the business

Organic investment in technology and capital is important to support new project growth and totalled £33.2 million in 2023. This in part results in us becoming firmly embedded with our customers as valued partners, enabling us to stay ahead of their needs and meet the challenges they set us. Our investment is focused on bringing higher growth, innovative, sustainable products to market. These typically yield higher returns and development is often undertaken in partnership with our customers.

Our R&D cash investment in the year was £10.8 million (2022: £11.0 million), representing 3.4 per cent (2022: 3.7 per cent) of the aggregate revenue of our product businesses. Capital expenditure totalled £22.4 million (2022: £11.7 million).

In the second half of 2023 we relocated our Ferranti business to a new flagship Power Solutions facility in Greater Manchester. We are also expanding our GMS offering in existing TT facilities. This started in 2020 with Kuantan, Malaysia and we are now adopting the same low capital intensity approach in Mexicali, Mexico to support growth programmes for our customers and to enable their re-shoring priorities.

DIVISIONAL REVIEW

POWER AND CONNECTIVITY

The Power and Connectivity division develops and manufactures power application products and connectivity devices which enable the capture and wireless transfer of data. We collaborate with our customers to develop innovative solutions to optimise their electronic systems.

¹ See note 1 on page 3 for an explanation of alternative performance measures.  Adjusting items are not allocated to divisions for reporting purposes.  For further discussion of these items please refer to the section titled 'Reconciliation of KPIs and non IFRS measures' on pages 42 to 49 of this document.

Revenue increased by £15.5 million to £169.7 million (2022: £154.2 million) and includes a currency headwind of £0.4 million. Organic revenue was 10 per cent higher with good growth from healthcare and aerospace & defence in particular, reflecting increased market demand and previous business win successes.

Adjusted operating profit increased by £6.4 million to £14.3 million (2022: £7.9 million). Included within this was a £0.1 million foreign exchange headwind. The material step up in operating profit reflects very healthy levels of drop through on the revenue growth, price increases which more than offset cost inflation and operational efficiencies. The adjusted operating margin was up 330 basis points to 8.4 per cent (2022: 5.1 per cent) for the full year and was 9.4 per cent in the second half.

Order intake has been good in the year and continues to exceed growing revenues giving us confidence for further growth and margin expansion in 2024.

In 2023 we have invested in and transferred production to a new facility for the acquired Ferranti Power and Control business, based in Greater Manchester, which designs and manufactures mission-critical complex power and control sub-assemblies for blue chip customers in high-reliability and high-performance end markets, primarily aerospace and defence.

GLOBAL MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS

The Global Manufacturing Solutions division provides manufacturing services and engineering solutions for our product divisions and to customers that often require a lower volume and higher mix of different products.  We manufacture complex integrated product assemblies for our customers and provide engineering services including designing testing solutions and value engineering.

¹ See note 1 on page 3 for an explanation of alternative performance measures.  Adjusting items are not allocated to divisions for reporting purposes.  For further discussion of these items please refer to the section titled 'Reconciliation of KPIs and non IFRS measures' on pages 42 to 49 of this document.

Revenue decreased, as expected, by £23.8 million to £299.2 million (2022: £323.0 million) of which the currency headwind was £10.9 million, with organic revenue 4 per cent lower. Excluding currency effects and the unwind of pass-through revenues, total revenue was broadly unchanged as anticipated with 2023 a year of consolidation following two years of exceptionally strong growth. Pass-through revenue was £12.5 million lower in the second half, than in the second half of 2022, and £10.4 million lower for the full year, which has created a head-wind to top line growth.

Adjusted operating profit increased by £2.4 million to £27.6 million (2022: £25.2 million), including a £1.5 million foreign exchange headwind. The constant currency increase reflects operational efficiencies and the benefit of improved pricing. The adjusted operating profit margin was 9.2 per cent (2022: 7.8 per cent), impacted by the pass-through revenues, without which margins would have been 9.9 per cent.

This division performed well in 2023, reflecting the momentum built from customers who are winners in their own markets and provide opportunities to grow share of wallet. The order book remains strong with long visibility and in 2023, GMS has made incremental capital investment to expand its capabilities into an existing TT facility in Mexicali, Mexico. This follows the successful addition of GMS capability to the Kuantan site in Malaysia, back in 2020, which added value through the regional expansion of our high-level assembly capabilities to a variety of key customers.

The order book position has been underpinned by several multi-million-pound wins, a number of which extend beyond 12 months. We continue to improve our understanding of how to leverage these opportunities from the customer perspective. Whether customers are seeking best-value-geographies for their product, risk mitigation against geopolitical uncertainties, or looking to reduce their carbon footprint by manufacturing locally to the end market, TT is well-positioned to support their needs.

Overall, the GMS division is in excellent shape and our enhanced customer relationships and business development initiatives are delivering strong order intake. GMS has achieved a step change in its margin profile over recent years, reflecting the value of the service we bring to our customers, reliability, and the value engineering and testing capability we offer. We believe GMS margins can improve incrementally with growth.

SENSORS AND SPECIALIST COMPONENTS

The Sensors and Specialist Components division works with customers to develop high-specification standard and customised solutions, including sensors and power management devices.  Our solutions improve the precision, speed and reliability of critical aspects of our customers' applications.

¹ See note 1 on page 3 for an explanation of alternative performance measures.  Adjusting items are not allocated to divisions for reporting purposes.  For further discussion of these items please refer to the section titled 'Reconciliation of KPIs and non IFRS measures' on pages 42 to 49 of this document.

Revenue increased by £5.2 million to £145.0 million (2022: £139.8 million) and the currency impact was neutral. Organic revenue was 4 per cent higher, with good growth through the division's distribution partners a key driver. This business is in the sweet spot of enabling our customers to reach their sustainability goals with components for smart energy & city infrastructure and factory automation.

Adjusted operating profit decreased by £2.8 million to £19.0 million (2022: £21.8 million) with no currency impact. The reduction in profit is attributable to the one-off impact of breakdown of the HVAC system in our Plano facility.

The permanent fix to the HVAC system at Plano, essential to the operation of our clean room, took longer to achieve than anticipated given delays in receiving parts. The facility is now operating as expected. We have undertaken a full review of the viability of the system to ensure it is fit for purpose and identified some control software and physical improvements which will be implemented before the return of warm weather.

We monitor the stock levels in our distribution channels and saw them increase in 2023. We are now starting to see them reduce and expect them to return to more normal levels in the first half of 2024. While order intake from distributors therefore remains somewhat subdued, we achieved new business wins from a number of blue-chip customers in 2023 which is benefitting our order intake in 2024.

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Summary of Adjusted results

To assist with the understanding of earnings trends, the Group has included non-GAAP alternative performance measures including adjusted operating profit and adjusted profit.  Further information is contained in the 'Reconciliation of KPIs and non IFRS measures' on pages 42 to 49. A reconciliation of statutory to adjusted profit numbers is set out on page 18.

A summary of the Group's adjusted results is set out below:

Cash flow, net debt and leverage

The table below sets out Group cash flows and net debt movement:

At 31 December 2023 the Group's net debt was £126.2 million (31 December 2022: £138.4 million). Included within net debt was £20.8 million of lease liabilities (31 December 2022: £23.1 million) and £1.0 million of assets and liabilities classified as held for sale (£3.6 million cash and £2.6m lease liabilities).  

Consistent with the Group's borrowing agreements, which exclude the impact of leases, leverage ratio was 1.7 times at 31 December 2023 (31 December 2022: 2.0 times). Net interest cover was 6.1 times (31 December 2022: 7.4 times). The Group's debt covenants state that the leverage ratio must not exceed 3.0 times and that interest cover must be more than 4.0 times.

Reconciliation of Adjusted results

Details of the reasons for and uses of adjusted measures are included in the section titled 'Reconciliation of KPIs and non IFRS measures' on pages 42 to 49 of this announcement.

Cautionary statement

This report contains forward-looking statements. These have been made by the Directors in good faith based on the information available to them up to the time of their approval of this report. The Directors can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. Due to the inherent uncertainties, including both economic and business risk factors underlying such forward-looking information, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The Directors undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise