CONSTELLIUM_UK_LIMITED - Accounts
CONSTELLIUM_UK_LIMITED - Accounts
The directors present their annual report and audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020.
The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
The loss for the financial year amounted to £142,000 (2019: a loss of £891,000). No dividend was proposed during the year (2019: £nil).
The directors have taken advantage of the exemption to prepare a strategic report in accordance with section 414B of the Companies Act 2006 which states that a company is entitled to small companies exemption in relation to the strategic report for a financial year if it would be considered a small company but for being or having been a member of an ineligible group.
The company continues to be funded by the group and will continue to bid for government funding on its research and development programs where available.
In 2020, the company, along with a consortium of automotive manufacturers and suppliers, was successful in its application to the Advanced Propulsion centre for grant funding to cover part of the cost of the £15m ALIVE (Aluminium Intensive Vehicle Enclosures) project which takes place over the next 3 years.
COVID-19
The company has assessed the risks and uncertainties associated with the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic and they do not believe that they will materially affect the company’s operation. The management team have implemented various protocols and procedures to mitigate the operating risk which has allowed the business to continue to operate as normal. The company continues to monitor the developments and potential impacts of the pandemic.
Brexit
On 31 January 2020, the United Kingdom formally withdrew from the EU and on 24 December 2020 the UK and EU announced they had entered into a post Brexit deal on certain aspects of trade and other strategic and political issues. This withdrawal has created political and economic uncertainty which may last for years. Our business could be affected by new trade agreements between the UK and EU countries and by the possible imposition of trade and other regulatory barriers in the UK. The company will continue to monitor the uncertainties around Brexit and manage associated risks accordingly.
The company's ultimate parent undertaking has indicated that for at least twelve months from the date of approval of these financial statements, it will continue to make available such funds as are needed by the company to pay its liabilities as they fall due and in particular will not seek repayment of the amounts currently made available.
The directors consider that this should enable the company to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future by meeting its liabilities as they fall due for payment. As with any company placing reliance on other group entities for financial support, the directors acknowledge that there can be no certainty that this support will continue although, at the date of approval of these financial statements, they have no reason to believe that it will not do so.
Based on the undertakings from the parent company the directors believe that it remains appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Auditors, be reappointed as auditors of the company will be put at a General Meeting.
so far as the director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company’s auditors are unaware; and they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as a director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditors are aware of that information.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemption.
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 102, have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
give a true and fair view of the state of the company’s affairs as at 31 December 2020 and of its loss for the year then ended; have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland”, and applicable law); and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
Conclusions relating to going concern
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, this conclusion is not a guarantee as to the company's ability to continue as a going concern.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Reporting on other information
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 an apparent material inconsistency or material misstatement, we are required to perform procedures to conclude whether there is a material misstatement of 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 based on these responsibilities.
With respect to the Directors’ report, we also considered whether the disclosures required by the UK Companies Act 2006 have been included.
Based on our work undertaken in the course of the audit, the Companies Act 2006 requires us also to report certain opinions and matters as described below
Directors’ report
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, the information given in the Directors’ report for the year ended 31 December 2020 is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we did not identify any material misstatements in the Directors’ report.
Responsibilities of the directors for the financial statements
As explained more fully in the Statement of directors' responsibilities in respect of the financial statements, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the applicable framework and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. The directors are also responsible for such internal control as they 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.
Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
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 auditors’ 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.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements (continued)
Based on our understanding of the company and industry, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to UK tax legislation, and we considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We evaluated management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and determined that the principal risks were related to management bias in accounting estimates and the posting of inappropriate journals. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:
Enquiry of management including considerations of known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulation and fraud.
Reviewing minutes of meetings of those charged with governance.
Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any journal entries posted with unusual account combinations.
Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their significant accounting estimates
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. We are less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the FRC’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditors’ report.
Use of this report
This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the company’s members as a body in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.
Other required reporting
Companies Act 2006 exception reporting
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:
we have not obtained all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
adequate accounting records have not been kept by the company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns.
We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.
Entitlement to exemptions
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion, the directors were not entitled to: prepare financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime; and take advantage of the small companies exemption from preparing a strategic report. We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.
The profit and loss account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.
Constellium UK Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Grenville Court, Britwell Road, Burnham, Buckinghamshire, SL1 8DF.
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 £ 000.
FRS 102 allows a qualifying entity certain disclosure exemptions, subject to certain conditions, which have been complied with, including notification of, and no objection to, the use of exemptions by the Company’s shareholders.
The Company has taken advantage of the exemption, under FRS 102 paragraph 1.12 (e), from disclosing the Company key management personnel compensation, as required by FRS 102 paragraph 33.7.
The company has taken advantage of the exemption under section 7 of FRS 102 and para 3.17 (d) from preparing the statement of cash flows.
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.
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 and loans from fellow group companies, 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.
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.
A net deferred tax asset is recognised as recoverable and recognised only when, on the basis of all available evidence, it can be regarded as more likely than not that there will be suitable taxable profits against which to recover carried forward tax losses and form which the future reversal of underlying timing differences can be deducted.
Deferred tax is measured at the average tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which the timing differences are expected to reverse, based on tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. Deferred tax is measured on an undiscounted basis.
Government grants towards costs relating to the LEAAST, CAAHS, BicycAL, ALIVE and Liberate projects are recognised as income over the periods necessary to match them with related costs and are deducted in reporting the related expense.
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. There were no significant accounting estimates in the current year.
All other estimates have been disclosed in the accounting policies (Note 1).
An analysis of the company's turnover is as follows:
Grants received from the UK Government are in respect of the development of lightweight aluminium solutions for use within the automotive industry.
The number of directors for whom retirement benefits are accruing under defined contribution schemes amounted to 2 (2019 - 2).
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the company during the year was:
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
The actual (credit)/charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected credit for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:
Factors that may affect future tax charges:
In the March 2021 Budget it was announced that legislation will be introduced in Finance Bill 2021 to increase the main rate of UK corporation tax from 19% to 25%, effective 1 April 2023. As a result, as the substantive enactment is after the balance sheet date, deferred tax balances as at 31 December 2020 would continue to be measured at a rate of 19% however there were no deferred tax movements in the curent year.
Amounts due to group undertakings are unsecured and payable on demand.
Deferred tax is not recognised in respect of tax losses of £5,037,286 (2019: £4,109,457) as it is not probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or future taxable profits.
The parent company grants equity-settled Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and Performance Stock Units (PSUs) to selected employees of the company.
These units will vest after three years from the grant date if the following conditions are met:
A vesting condition under which the beneficiaries must be continuously employed by the Company through the end of the vesting period (3 years); and
For PSUs granted in 2018, 2019 and 2020, a performance condition, contingent on the Total Stockholder Return (TSR) performance of Constellium over the measurement periods compared to the TSR of a specified group of peer companies. PSUs will ultimately vest, depending on the TSR performance at each testing period, based on a vesting multiplier in a range from 0 to 3;
For PSUs granted in 2018 and 2019 and 2020, a performance condition, contingent on the TSR performance of Constellium over the three-year measurement period compared to the TSR of specified indices. PSUs will ultimately vest based on a range from 0 to 2.
The weighted average stock prices at the date of exercise for plans that vested during the year were £Nil (2019 - £Nil).
The weighted average fair value of options granted in the year was determined using the Monte Carlo option pricing model. The Monte Carlo model is considered to apply the most appropriate valuation method due to the options having multiple sources of uncertainty or with complicated features.
The expected life used in the model has been adjusted, based on management’s best estimate, for the effect of non-transferability, exercise restrictions, and behavioural considerations.
Non-vesting conditions and market conditions are taken into account when estimating the fair value of the option at grant date. Service conditions and non-market performance conditions are taken into account by adjusting the number of options expected to vest at each reporting date.
During the year, the company recognised total share-based payment expenses of £164,000 (2019 - £279,000) and employer's NICs of £23,000 (2019 - £24,000) which related to equity settled share based payment transactions.
100,000 of 3% redeemable non-voting non-cumulative preference shares of a par value £1 each, were issued to Constellium International SAS on 10 December 2020 as part of a capital restructuring exercise.These preference shares are redeemable at the discretion of Constellium UK Limited.
The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund.
The charge to profit and loss in respect of defined contribution schemes was £192,000 (2019 - £135,000).
Other post employment benefit schemes
The company has a constructive obligation to continue to make payments for health care insurance premiums for retired key personnel. No other post retirement benefits are provided.
The present value of the obligation has been calculated using the discounted cash flow model, based on life expectancy in the UK, age related insurance premium increases and inflation.
Assumed life expectations on retirement at age 65:
Included in administrative expenses is the release of £99,071 (2019 - £142,571) of the provision relating to premiums paid in the year. Included in finance costs is £13,467 (2019 - £15,946) relating to the unwinding of the discount factor.
The amounts included in the balance sheet arising from the company's obligations in respect of defined benefit plans are as follows:
The defined benefit obligations arise from plans which are wholly unfunded.
During the year, the company switched healthcare providers which resulted in a 41% decrease in the cost of premiums for the remaining retired key personnel. This saving has resulted in a similar reduction in the post employment benefits liability going forwards.
Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the company for employee vehicles. Leases are fixed for 3 years at which point the vehicles are returned to the lessor.
At the reporting end date the company had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
The ultimate parent undertaking is Constellium S.E., a company incorporated in France.
Constellium S.E. is the parent undertaking of the largest and smallest group of undertakings to consolidate these financial statements at 31 December 2020. The consolidated financial statements of Constellium S.E. are available at the following address:
40-44 rue Washington
75008 Paris
France