Severfield plc Annual report and accounts for the year ended 30 March 2024

Creating better
ways to build,
for a world of
Changing
demands

Severfield is the largest specialist structural steelwork group in the UK, with a growing presence in India and Europe and a reputation for performance and innovation.

Sustainable
growth in numbers

1 Underlying results are stated before non-underlying items. See note 33 for APM definitions.

Our year
in review

Kevin Whiteman
Chair

It has been an absolute privilege to be the Chair of Severfield. I am pleased to be leaving a business in great shape, which is performing strongly, and which has a clear strategy for further sustainable growth.

Alan Dunsmore
Chief Executive Officer

The Group demonstrated the importance of its diversified activities. Strong order books and market leading positions by delivering another year of underlying profit growth against a back drop of some challenging market conditions.

High-quality order books, good earnings visibility through 2024 and inflationary pressures being well managed

  • Stock Code: SFR
  • Revenue of £463.5m (2023: £491.8m)
  • Underlying1 profit before tax up 13 per cent to £36.5m (2023: £32.5m), ahead of expectations due to strong operational delivery
  • Profit before tax, including non-underlying items, was £23.0m (2023: 27.1m)
  • Underlying1 basic earnings per share up 5 per cent at 8.9p (2023: 8.5p)
  • Basic earning per share of 5.2p (2023: 7.0p)
  • Total dividend increased by 9 per cent to 3.7p per share (2023: 3.4p per share), includes proposed final dividend of 2.3p per share (2023: 2.1p per share)
  • Year-end net debt (on a pre-IFRS 16 basis1) of £9.4m (2023: net funds of £2.7m), includes Voortman acquisition loan of £15.2m, and reflects an operating cash conversion1 of 110% (2023: 145%)
  • High-quality, diversified UK and Europe order book of £478m at 1 June 2024 (1 November 2023: £482m), includes higher proportion of European orders
  • Momentum and value is building in JSSL – increased share of profit of £1.9m (2023: £1.3m), record EBITDA of £13m and output of over 100,000 tonnes, Gujarat expansion expected to commence in H2
  • Record India order book of £181m at 1 June 2024 (1 November 2023: £165m)
  • £10m share buyback programme launched in April 2024 to return surplus capital to shareholders

ESG

  • The Group was awarded ‘AAA’ under MSCI’s ESG rating for the third year running
  • Achieved CDP ‘A’ score for leadership on climate change mitigation and ‘A-’ for supply chain engagement, as well as maintaining our ‘very good’ BES 6001 responsible sourcing accreditation
  • Science-Based Target initiative (‘SBTi’) Net Zero targets approved
  • Maintained our carbon neutral accreditation from Achilles for Scope 1, 2 and operational Scope 3 emissions for our manufacturing, office and construction operations
  • Listed in Financial Times Europe’s Climate Leaders report for the fourth year running
  • Procured 100 per cent of our energy from renewable sources at all UK-owned facilities
  • Measured social value against the National TOMs – Themes, Outcomes and Measures – methodology framework
  • Maintained Gold membership of ‘The 5% Club’, demonstrating our commitment to ‘earn and learn’ apprenticeships

Except as otherwise stated ‘2023’ and ‘2024’ refers to the 52-week period ended 25 March 2023 and the 53-week period ended 30 March 2024 respectively. The Group’s accounts are made up to an appropriate weekend date around 31 March each year.

Underlying results are stated before non-underlying items of £13.5m (2023: £5.4m), including the amortisation of acquired intangible assets of £5.4m (2023: £3.3m), legacy employment tax charge £4.4m (2023: £nil), impairment of fixed assets £4.5m (2023: £nil), unwind of discount on contingent consideration of £0.3m (2023: £0.6m), fair value change in contingent consideration of £1.1m credit (2023: £0.3m credit), and net acquisitionrelated expenses of £nil (2023: £1.8m). See note 33 for APM definitions.

1 Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, using a market-based approach. Increase due to the inclusion of VSCH, acquired in April 2023.

OUR PURPOSE,
STRATEGY AND VALUES

Overview

Our purpose, strategy, and values are the pillars upon which sustainable success is built, they shape our identity and guide our actions.

Strategic Framework graphic

We set the bar high

Our passion drives us to go above and beyond expectations. As experts in our field, we are focused on staying on track, maintaining a positive approach, and developing our own knowledge. Continually raising the reputation of our teams and the work that they produce comes from always challenging ourselves to do more, having an unwavering commitment to deliver industry-leading projects, and always taking the utmost pride in our work.

We are in it together

Everyone at Severfield understands that we are part of one team. By working together and recognising that we all have unique, valuable contributions, we can achieve great things. This isn’t just about sharing in everyone’s successes – it’s about creating better links between all departments and locations, making people feel supported and empowered by their colleagues, and encouraging a collaborative approach across the Group.

We do the right thing

Our focus is on what’s best for each other, our business, our clients, and our communities. As market leaders we are passionate about what we do. Whether it’s leading the way in industry safety standards or sustainable practices, always having open and honest communication with each other, or speaking up if we make a mistake, we always do the right thing.

We find better ways

We are always looking for opportunities to improve. By always being open to change and taking best practice from other colleagues and the wider industry, we can make sure that we are adaptable in a world of changing demands. Whether this is developing a procedure following lessons learned, exploring different innovative ideas put forward by colleagues, or adopting brand new ways of working, we push the boundaries of what we do.

Drive growth

Our aim is to capitalise on growth opportunities, both in the UK and Europe, and to maximise our market share.

Grow Indian presence

Our aim is to build value in JSSL and we remain very positive about the long-term development of the Indian market.

Operational efficiency

Our emphasis is on delivering high-quality projects and reducing costs by driving excellence through our core business processes.

Investment
case

What we do

We manage every aspect of the fabrication and construction process, from initial scheme design, through detailing, specification and manufacture, to the eventual handover to our clients of a quality product on-site. By engaging with our clients in the design stage, we can add value throughout the project life cycle. Our in-house design and construction teams work closely together to create the most efficient and safest solutions that match our clients’ needs.

Our diversified
portfolio

As the UK’s market-leading structural steel company, we serve people every day, whether for work, leisure or travel, or to provide essential services, including power and energy, health and education.

We have extensive experience in multiple market sectors, which supports the business through changes in spending patterns and fluctuations in macroeconomic conditions. In other words, we have a balanced portfolio with market sector, geographical and client diversification.

core construction sectors

Commercial and industrial

  • Commercial Offices
  • Industrial and distribution
  • Data centres
  • Retail
  • Health and education
  • Stadia and leisure

Nuclear and infrastructure

  • Nuclear
  • Power and energy
  • Transport infrastructure
  • Process industries

ORDER BOOK BALANCE

The Group’s growth strategy has delivered a high-quality UK and Europe order book with a broad diversity of sectors, geographies and clients, providing us with good earnings visibility through 2024 and beyond.

Our
projects