NATIONAL_TIMBER_GROUP_MID - Accounts

The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2019.

The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Timber Group TopCo Limited.

The principal activity of the company continued to be that of an intermediate holding company.

Following the significant growth of the business through acquisition in prior periods, the opportunity was taken in February 2020 to simplify the Group’s corporate structure. As a result, the trade and assets of Thornbridge Sawmills Limited, a subsidiary of the Company, were sold at book value to National Timber Group Scotland Limited (formerly Rembrand Timber Limited) on 29th February 2020. The reorganised structure, while retaining both trading brands, enables synergies to be realised and increased focus on the delivery of the Group’s growth strategy.

Future developments

Subsequent to the balance sheet date, the UK’s economic outlook deteriorated as a consequence of the COVID19 pandemic and the measures taken by the Government to control the spread of the virus. As a result, sales volumes within the Company’s investments were significantly disrupted in March, April and May. In response the Group has quickly adapted its operating model to ensure that safe systems of work are in place for our employees and customers. The Company has seen trading volumes rebound sharply, in each of its investments, following the lockdown restrictions being lifted returning to levels in line with 2019 from the end of June. This recovery enables the Group to focus on the continued implementation of its growth strategy, in pursuit of creating the UK’s leading independent timber, sheet, EWP and joinery specialist.

The Company operates in markets and an industry which by their nature are subject to a number of inherent gross risks. The Group has a risk management programme that seeks to limit the adverse effect of such risks on financial performance.

Given the size of the Group, the directors have not delegated the responsibility of monitoring financial risk management to a sub-committee of the board. The policies set by the board of directors are implemented by the Group's finance department.

As a holding company, the key risk that the business faces relates to the potential diminution in the carrying value of investments which the Company holds that would arise as a result of the risks faced by each subsidiary undertaking. Risks faced by subsidiary undertakings include price risk, credit risk.

The company is also exposed to liquidity risk and interest rate cash flow risk. A summary of these risks is set out below.

Liquidity risk

The Group maintains a mixture of long-term and short-term debt finance that is designed to ensure that the Group has sufficient funds for its operations.

Interest rate cash flow risk

The Group has both interest bearing assets and liabilities. The interest bearing assets only include cash balances. The Group has a policy of maintaining debt at both fixed and floating rates, thereby enabling the Group to benefit from any reduction in interest rates whilst still maintaining an element of certainty over the future interest cash flows. The directors will re-visit the appropriateness of this policy should the Group's operations change in size or nature.

As an intermediate holding company, key performance indicators are not considered necessary for understanding of the development, performance or position of the Company.

In accordance with section 172(1)(a) to (f) of the Companies Act 2006, each of our directors acts in the way he considers, in good faith would promote the success of the Group for the benefit of its members as a whole.

The Board acknowledge that every decision it makes will not necessarily result in a positive outcome for all of the Company’s stakeholders. By considering the Company’s purpose, vision and values, together with its strategic priorities and having a process in place for decision making the Board does however, aim to make sure that its decisions are consistent.

Stakeholder engagement

The Board believe that considering our stakeholders in key business decisions is not only the right thing to do, but is fundamental to our ability to drive value creation. The Board seeks to understand the respective interest of such stakeholder groups through various methods, including direct engagement by Board members; receiving of reports and updates from members of management who engage with such groups; and coverage in our Board papers of relevant stakeholder interests with regards to proposed courses of action. The directors consider the following to be the Company’s key stakeholders:

Employees

The strength of our business is built on the hard work and dedication of our employees. The Board recognises that the implementation of an effective people strategy and strong culture underpin the effective delivery of the Company’s strategy.

Employees are kept informed of performance and strategy through regular presentations and updates from members of the Board. These updates are further supported by newsletters and management briefings. The directors attend key business meetings throughout the year, including weekly trading meetings. An anonymous employee whistleblowing line is also in place, allowing employees to raise any concerns in confidence.

Key focus of the Board includes employee health and well-being, personal development, pay and benefits.

Government and regulations

We engage with the government and regulators through a range of industry consultations, forums, and meetings to communicate our views to policy makers relevant to our business. Key areas of focus are compliance with laws and regulations, health and safety and product safety. The Board is updated on legal and regulatory developments and takes these into account when considering future actions.

Investors

The Company relies on our shareholders and providers of debt funding as essential sources of capital to further our business objectives. Investor involvement in the decision making process includes representation on the Company Board. The Company has open dialogue with all investors through regular meetings which cover a wide range of topics including financial performance, strategy, outlook and governance.

On behalf of the board

The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019.

The principal activity of the company is that of an intermediate holding company within the Group and provides management services to the Group (being National Timber Group Topco Limited and its subsidiaries).

The results for the year are set out on page 7.

No ordinary dividends were paid. The directors do not recommend payment of a final dividend.

The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:

BHP LLP were appointed as auditor to the company and in accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006, a resolution proposing that they be re-appointed will be put at a General Meeting.

So far as each person who was a director at the date of approving this report is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company’s auditor is unaware. Additionally, the directors individually have taken all the necessary steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditor is aware of that information.

The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

•     select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

•     make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

•     state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

•     prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

We have audited the financial statements of National Timber Group Midco Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 31 December 2019 which comprise the statement of comprehensive income, the balance sheet, the statement of changes in equity and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

•     give a true and fair view of the state of the company's affairs as at 31 December 2019 and of its loss for the year then ended;

•     have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

•     have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you where:

• the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is not appropriate; or

• the directors have not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt about the company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve months from the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:

• the information given in the strategic report and the directors' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• the strategic report and the directors' report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report and the directors' report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

•     adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

•     the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

•     certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

•     we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

As explained more fully in the directors' responsibilities statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the company's member in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company's member those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company's member for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

The profit and loss account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.

National Timber Group Midco Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 22 Cross Keys Close, Marylebone, London, United Kingdom, W1U 2DW.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

This company is a qualifying entity for the purposes of FRS 102, being a member of a group where the parent of that group prepares publicly available consolidated financial statements, including this company, which are intended to give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the group. The company has therefore taken advantage of exemptions from the following disclosure requirements:

• Section 7 ‘Statement of Cash Flows’: Presentation of a statement of cash flow and related notes and disclosures;

• Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instrument Issues’: Interest income/expense and net gains/losses for each category of financial instrument; basis of determining fair values; details of collateral, loan defaults or breaches, details of hedges, hedging fair value changes recognised in profit or loss and in other comprehensive income;

• Section 26 ‘Share based Payment’: Share-based payment expense charged to profit or loss, reconciliation of opening and closing number and weighted average exercise price of share options, how the fair value of options granted was measured, measurement and carrying amount of liabilities for cash-settled share-based payments, explanation of modifications to arrangements;

• Section 33 ‘Related Party Disclosures’: Compensation for key management personnel.

The company has taken advantage of the exemption under section 400 of the Companies Act 2006 not to prepare consolidated accounts. The financial statements present information about the company as an individual entity and not about its group.

National Timber Group Midco Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Timber Group Topco Limited and the results of National Timber Group Midco Limited are included in the consolidated financial statements of National Timber Group Topco Limited which are available from Companies House.

As part of their assessment of the going concern basis of preparation, the Directors have considered the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Company's trade, workforce and the wider markets. Detailed modelling has been undertaken to assess the effects on financial performance, liquidity and covenant compliance under a range of scenarios with stress testing performed to assess the resilience of the business. true

During the pandemic, the Directors have been in regular discussion with the company's bankers in relation business performance and ongoing facilities. Trading volumes in the subsidiaries rebounded sharply following lockdown restrictions being lifted with the business returning to profitability as it exited June.

Taking into account the scenario modelling, current trading performance and discussions with investors, including bankers, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.

Intangible assets acquired separately from a business are recognised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.

Intangible assets acquired on business combinations are recognised separately from goodwill at the acquisition date where it is probable that the expected future economic benefits that are attributable to the asset will flow to the entity and the fair value of the asset can be measured reliably; the intangible asset arises from contractual or other legal rights; and the intangible asset is separable from the entity.

Amortisation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Interests in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. The investments are assessed for impairment at each reporting date and any impairment losses or reversals of impairment losses are recognised immediately in profit or loss.

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the company. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

An associate is an entity, being neither a subsidiary nor a joint venture, in which the company holds a long-term interest and where the company has significant influence. The company considers that it has significant influence where it has the power to participate in the financial and operating decisions of the associate.

Entities in which the company has a long term interest and shares control under a contractual arrangement are classified as jointly controlled entities.

At each reporting period end date, the company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.

Recognised impairment losses are reversed if, and only if, the reasons for the impairment loss have ceased to apply. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.

Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

The company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the company's balance sheet when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Other financial assets, including investments in equity instruments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss, except that investments in equity instruments that are not publicly traded and whose fair values cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment.

Financial assets, other than those held at fair value through profit and loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting end date.

Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. If an asset is impaired, the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.

If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed. The reversal is such that the current carrying amount does not exceed what the carrying amount would have been, had the impairment not previously been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in profit or loss.

Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the company transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting all of its liabilities.

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derivatives, including interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts, are not basic financial instruments. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognised in profit or loss in finance costs or finance income as appropriate, unless hedge accounting is applied and the hedge is a cash flow hedge.

Debt instruments that do not meet the conditions in FRS 102 paragraph 11.9 are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. Debt instruments may be designated as being measured at fair value through profit or loss to eliminate or reduce an accounting mismatch or if the instruments are measured and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy.

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the company’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

Equity instruments issued by the company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the company.

The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each reporting end date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting end date. Gains and losses arising on translation in the period are included in profit or loss.

In the application of the company’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the company during the year was:

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

In the previous period the directors' remuneration was expensed in the relevant trading subsidiaries to which the directors were employed.

The number of directors for whom retirement benefits are accruing under defined contribution schemes amounted to 2 (2018 - 0).

The actual charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected (credit)/charge for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:

As disclosed in note 19, the trade and assets of the company's subsidiary Thornbridge Sawmills Limited were acquired by a fellow subsidiary, National Timber Group Scotland Limited, on 29 February 2020 for consideration of £8,236,000. The directors have reviewed the ongoing carrying value of the investments and are satisfied that they remain recoverable.

Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 December 2019 are as follows:

Bank loans are repayable in monthly instalments and are secured by fixed and floating charges over the assets of the company.

Interest is charged on borrowings at rates ranging between 3% and 12%. Unless certain business conditions are fulfilled, shareholder loan notes are repayable on 7 November 2025.

Covid 19

The impacts of Covid-19 could not have been reasonably anticipated at 31 December 2019. The Directors therefore consider the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the business to be a non-adjusting post-balance sheet event in the preparation of these financial statements.

Group reorganisation

On 29th February 2020 the trade and assets of Thornbridge Sawmills Limited were acquired by National Timber Group Scotland Limited for a consideration of £8,236,000. The consideration remains outstanding as an unsecured, interest free debt repayable on demand.

The company has taken advantage of the exemption provided by FRS 102 from the requirement to report transactions with other group companies that are 100% subsidiaries of the parent company National Timber Group Topco Limited.

The Company has issued loan notes with a nominal value of £30,246,837 to Cairngorm Capital II LP. The loan notes bear interest at 12% compounded per annum. The Company and Cairngorm Capital II LP are related parties due to the existence of common members / directorships and because the private equity funds Cairngorm Capital II LP which is managed by Cairngorm Capital Partners LLP own a controlling interest in the parent company National Timber Group Topco Limited. Total interest payable during the year is £3,875,469 and the total outstanding balances at year end was £35,809,539.

During the period, the Company incurred fees of £85,243 from Cairngorm Capital Partners LLP.

The company's immediate and ultimate parent undertaking is National Timber Group Topco Limited, a company registered in England and Wales.

The ultimate controlling party is Cairngorm Capital Partners II LP, a fund managed by Cairngorm Capital Partners LLP, a partnership registered in England and Wales.