PDF format - Chemring Group PLC

PDF format - Chemring Group PLC PDF format - Chemring Group PLC

chemring.co.uk
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12.07.2015 Views

sole-source suppliers. It has also just become the primary supplier of the M55 detonator, andproduction is expected to grow to two million units per month by the end of 2008.The rationalisation and integration of the newly acquired businesses continues to be a majoroperational priority. We have now successfully completed the transfer of manufacturing ofour marine pyrotechnic products to Germany. Considerable improvement in our operatingmargins has already begun to emerge.ACQUISITIONSThe acquisition of Simmel Difesa brings the Group additional complementary products,strengthens our relationship with a number of major prime contractors, and improves ourpresence in the Italian market as well as several export territories. Earlier this month weannounced the acquisition of Dyno Nobel’s High Energy Materials business in Norway for acash consideration of £2.8 million. The business is Europe’s largest producer of primaryexplosives and will boost the Group’s capability in the increasingly important field ofinsensitive munitions (“IM”).We continue to search for new acquisition opportunities which meet our stated strategicobjectives.COMPANY NAMESThe name of Chemring is now well recognised in defence circles throughout the world andmany of our operating subsidiaries, which have previously traded under their own brandnames, believe their position could be further enhanced, and their own marketing effortsassisted, if they carried the Chemring name. A programme to achieve this is thereforeunderway, although important product brand names will be retained. Future reports may,therefore, contain slightly altered subsidiary company names.PENSIONSThe Board has recently been engaged in discussions with the trustees of the UK final salarypension schemes, together with all appropriate advisors, on the scheme valuations andfunding requirements. In previous reports I have indicated that I did not believe that ourobligations to continue funding our UK final salary schemes for the existing members wouldpresent any financial problems, and this position remains unchanged.6

PEOPLEThe Group continues to search for and employ experienced personnel to strengthen itsoperational management, to manage the growth opportunities and to be available as requiredto integrate acquisitions.PROSPECTSThe prospects for both our divisions remain excellent. We have a record order book of £293million and the order book for our Energetics division is running ahead of theCountermeasures division for the first time.The unstable political climate in the Middle East and other parts of the world continues todrive peacekeeping operations and the consequent demand for our products. The FY08 USdefence budget proposals include significant growth in the funding potentially allocated todecoy programmes. The vulnerability of helicopters and transport aircraft to shoulderlaunchedmissiles of increasing sophistication provides a secure future for ourCountermeasures business. In Energetics, the growing order book and rapidly improvingmargins are most encouraging, and our ability to generate organic growth and leverage ourinternational presence within a £4.5 billion Energetics market provides growing confidence inthe potential for this business. Against this background and recognising the opportunities forfurther complementary acquisitions, the future for the Group is enormously encouraging.K C SCOBIE – CHAIRMAN26 JUNE 20077

sole-source suppliers. It has also just become the primary supplier of the M55 detonator, andproduction is expected to grow to two million units per month by the end of 2008.The rationalisation and integration of the newly acquired businesses continues to be a majoroperational priority. We have now successfully completed the transfer of manufacturing ofour marine pyrotechnic products to Germany. Considerable improvement in our operatingmargins has already begun to emerge.ACQUISITIONSThe acquisition of Simmel Difesa brings the <strong>Group</strong> additional complementary products,strengthens our relationship with a number of major prime contractors, and improves ourpresence in the Italian market as well as several export territories. Earlier this month weannounced the acquisition of Dyno Nobel’s High Energy Materials business in Norway for acash consideration of £2.8 million. The business is Europe’s largest producer of primaryexplosives and will boost the <strong>Group</strong>’s capability in the increasingly important field ofinsensitive munitions (“IM”).We continue to search for new acquisition opportunities which meet our stated strategicobjectives.COMPANY NAMESThe name of <strong>Chemring</strong> is now well recognised in defence circles throughout the world andmany of our operating subsidiaries, which have previously traded under their own brandnames, believe their position could be further enhanced, and their own marketing effortsassisted, if they carried the <strong>Chemring</strong> name. A programme to achieve this is thereforeunderway, although important product brand names will be retained. Future reports may,therefore, contain slightly altered subsidiary company names.PENSIONSThe Board has recently been engaged in discussions with the trustees of the UK final salarypension schemes, together with all appropriate advisors, on the scheme valuations andfunding requirements. In previous reports I have indicated that I did not believe that ourobligations to continue funding our UK final salary schemes for the existing members wouldpresent any financial problems, and this position remains unchanged.6

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