DUO_PLASTICS_LIMITED - Accounts

The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2022.

Duo Plastics Ltd is one of the UK's leading consultants, manufacturers and sourcing of packaging solutions. Duo Plastics Ltd provides an outstanding range of products to many of the world’s leading online and traditional retailers and industrial brands, and has a growing international client base.

There have not been any significant changes to the company’s activities during the year under review and the Directors are not aware, at the date of this report, of any likely changes to the principal activities in the next year.

The reduction in turnover for 2022 is in-line with the Directors expectations. The prior year included a significant increase in sales associated with the shift to on-line shopping and home deliveries during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The company recognises its portfolio bias towards online shopping and home deliveries and is now looking to spread its market risk by actively targeting new customers outside of this area.

Profitability generally has been impacted by global economic pressures and inflationary increases, impacting all trading costs. The Directors closely manage, monitor and negotiate the best terms available from suppliers as well as seek new innovations to improve operational efficiencies.

The company continues to invest in its UK production site and will continue its research into innovative sustainable packaging products and increase its use of recycled and GreenPE material, where appropriate to do so and broadening its product range in the growing area of automated packaging technology.

The business has a long-term funding strategy to support both its growth in business and continued investment.

The overall balance sheet value continues to improve in the year and remain strong at £5.6m (2021: £5.4m) and the directors are satisfied with this, believing it places the company in a strong and stable position financially for the future.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The company uses various financial instruments including bank loan and hire purchase, plus various other items, such as debtors and creditors that arise directly from its operations. The main purpose of these financial instruments is to raise finance for the company's operations.

The existence of these financial instruments exposes the company to a number of financial risks, which are described in more detail below. The directors review and agree policies for managing these risks. These policies have remained unchanged from previous years.

Price risk

The company is exposed to price risk in relation to the cost of raw materials and associated costs. The company monitors trends in the market closely and liaises with related companies and third-party suppliers in relation to fluctuations in the prices and impact on future profitability. The company does not hedge its future purchase requirement but it does seek to recover major movements in the purchase price through price adjustments with its customers when appropriate.

Environmental risk

There has been a UK government led campaign over the last few years targeting the reduction in the usage of plastic products because of their perceived negative environmental impact. There is a risk of further reduction in plastic bag and other similar packaging usage both in the UK and overseas markets as further targets and/ or environmental taxes are introduced. The company is at the forefront in the offering of alternative materials and product solutions to its customers to assist them in meeting their environmental obligations whilst meeting the needs of consumers. In addition, the company is now working closely with the recycling operation run by its sister company and is investing heavily in the concept of ‘closed loop recycling’ which the Directors believe not only helps the business further exceed its environmental responsibilities but also provides a unique selling point to customers looking to achieve theirs.

The company continues to closely monitor, and evaluate, environmental and other regulatory matters which could have a major impact on its activities.

Economic risk

As a result of global economic factors, including both the recovery post Covid-19 and the Ukraine war, costs generally have increased impacting on raw materials and overhead costs, including energy. These inflation related price increases are expected to remain for some time to come. Close monitoring of costs by the directors to budget are in place to mitigate the financial impact on on-going profitability.Liquidity risk

The company seeks to manage financial risk by ensuring liquidity is available to meet foreseeable needs and to invest cash assets safely and profitably. Short-term flexibility is achieved by an invoice discounting facility.

Interest rate risk

The company finances its operations through a combination of retained profits, bank loans and hire purchase contracts. The company exposure to interest rate fluctuations on its borrowings is managed by the use of both fixed and floating facilities.

Foreign currency risk

The company's principal foreign currency exposures arose from trading with overseas companies. Company policy permits but does not demand that these exposures may be hedged in order to fix the cost in sterling.

Credit risk

The principal credit risk arises from the company's trade debtors. All customers who wish to trade on credit terms are subject to robust credit verification procedures and a credit insurance policy is in place against which customer outstanding balances are closely monitored. Trade debtors are monitored on an ongoing basis and provision is made for doubtful debts where necessary.

On behalf of the board

The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022.

The principal activity of the company continued to be that of polythene extrusion, printing and conversion.

The results for the year are set out on page 9.

Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £298,000. The directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend.

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

The directors will continue to monitor profit margins, cost control and sales growth in the forthcoming year. The company's growth strategy is based around strong customer partnership and continued development of sustainable products.

The auditors, Cowgill Holloway LLP, are deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors are responsible for preparing the Directors' 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.

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.

We have audited the financial statements of Duo Plastics Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 31 December 2022 which comprise the statement of comprehensive income, the balance sheet, the statement of changes in equity and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 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 2022 and of its profit 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

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.

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.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

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 contained within the annual report. 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. 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 course of 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 this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. 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 or the directors' report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which 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 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.

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.

We identified areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the financial statements from our general commercial and sector experience, and through discussions with the directors (as required by auditing standards) and discussed with the directors the policies and procedures regarding compliance with laws and regulations. We communicated identified laws and regulations throughout our team and remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit. The potential effect of these laws and regulations on the financial statements varies considerably.

Firstly, Duo Plastics Ltd is subject to laws and regulations that directly affect the financial statements including financial reporting legislation and taxation legislation. We assessed the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items.

Secondly, Duo Plastics Ltd is subject to many other laws and regulations where the consequences of non-compliance could have a material effect on amounts or disclosures in the financial statements, for instance through the imposition of fines or litigation or the loss of the company's license to operate. We identified the following areas as those most likely to have such an effect: laws related to packaging and the regulated nature of the packaging industry, especially in relation to waste and plastic materials, health & safety, employment and data protection.

Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance with these laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. Through these procedures we did not become aware of any actual or suspected non-compliance.

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For example, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations (irregularities) is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the inherently limited procedures required by auditing standards would identify it. In addition, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of non-detection of irregularities, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations.

We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined below to detect material misstatement due to fraud:

• Matters are discussed amongst the audit engagement team regarding how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud

• Identifying and assessing the design and effectiveness of controls that management have in place to prevent and detect fraud

• Detecting and responding to the risks of fraud following discussions with management and enquiring as to whether management have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud.

A further description of our responsibilities is available 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 members, as a body, 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 members 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 members as a body, 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.

Duo Plastics Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Vickers Street, Miles Platting, Manchester, M40 8PU.

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 on the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties. 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 4 ‘Statement of Financial Position’: Reconciliation of the opening and closing number of shares;

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

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

The financial statements of the company are consolidated in the financial statements of Duo Packaging Group Limited. These consolidated financial statements are available from its registered office, Vickers Street, Miles Platting, Manchester, M40 8PU.

Atruet the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes. The fair value of consideration takes into account trade discounts, settlement discounts and volume rebates.

Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have passed to the buyer (usually on dispatch of the goods), the amount of revenue can be measured reliably, it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation 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:

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is credited or charged to profit or loss.

Freehold land is not depreciated.

Interests in subsidiaries 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.

At each reporting period end date, the company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible 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.

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition.

At each reporting date, an assessment is made for impairment. Any excess of the carrying amount of stocks over its estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell is recognised as an impairment loss in profit or loss. Reversals of impairment losses are also recognised in profit or loss.

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.

Trade debtors, loans and other receivables that have fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market are classified as 'loans and receivables'. Loans and receivables are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment.

Interest is recognised by applying the effective interest rate, except for short-term receivables when the recognition of interest would be immaterial. The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a debt instrument and of allocating the interest income over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the debt instrument to the net carrying amount on initial recognition.

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.

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.

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 tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The company’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.

Deferred taxation is recognised in respect of all timing differences which have originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date. Timing differences are differences between taxable profits and the results as stated in the financial statements which arise from the inclusion of gains and losses in tax assessments in periods different from those in which they are recognised for tax purposes.

A net deferred tax asset is regarded as recoverable and therefore recognised only when it can be regarded as more likely than not that there will be suitable taxable profits from which the future reversal of underlying timing differences can be deducted.

Deferred tax is measured at the average tax rates which are expected to apply in the periods in which the timing differences are expected to reverse, based on tax rates and laws which have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. Deferred tax is measured on a non-discounted basis.

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.

Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessees. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets at the lower of the assets fair value at the date of inception and the present value of the minimum lease payments. The related liability is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are treated as consisting of capital and interest elements. The interest is charged to profit or loss so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease except where another more systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leases asset are consumed.

Rental income from operating leases is recognised on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Initial direct costs incurred in negotiating and arranging an operating lease are added to the carrying amount of the leased asset and recognised on a straight line basis over the lease term.

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.

All costs arising from initiatives to reduce the impact on the environment of the company's activities and for complying with environmental regulations including those relating to engineering modifications, plant, monitoring, audit and further development costs necessary, are expensed as the obligation arises.

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 estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows.

The useful economic life of tangible fixed assets has to be estimated by the directors of the company to ensure that a depreciation charge of £584,540 (2021: £586,102) is an appropriate charge to recognise in the year.

The age of stock held is considered by directors and is used as a basis to estimate the likelihood of future sales. At the year-end, the directors have included a stock provision for slow-moving and potentially obsolete stock of £654,472 (2021: £599,313).

The valuation of the property has been reviewed by the directors and the valuation of £1.5m is deemed to be appropriate.

An analysis of the company's turnover is as follows:

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

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

The number of directors for whom retirement benefits are accruing under defined contribution schemes amounted to 4 (2021 - 3).

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

Deferred tax has been recognised at a rate of 25%. In October 2022, the government announced an increase in the corporation tax main rate from 19% to 25% for companies with profit over £250,000. There is a small company rate of 19% for taxable profits under £50,000 and marginal relief available for profits falling between £50,000 - £250,000 with effect from 1 April 2023.

The net carrying value of tangible fixed assets includes the following in respect of assets held under finance leases or hire purchase contracts.

Freehold properties were revalued on an open market basis, following independent valuations undertaken by Eddisons Taylors on 24th August 2018. The valuation conformed to International Valuation Standards and was based on market transactions on arm's length terms for similar properties. The directors consider this represented the fair value at 31 December 2022.

If revalued assets were stated on an historical cost basis rather than a fair value basis, the total amounts included would have been as follows:

Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 December 2022 are as follows:

Bank loans and overdrafts are secured.

Net obligations under hire purchase contracts and finance loans are secured by fixed charges on the asset concerned.

Included in other creditors is a balance of £5,954,478 (2021: £3,915,998) in respect of an invoice discounting facility. This balance is secured on book debts.

Bank loans are secured.

Net obligations under hire purchase contracts and finance leases are secured by fixed charges on the assets concerned.

The company's bankers, HSBC UK Bank plc hold securities comprising an all monies debenture with a fixed and floating charge over the undertaking and all its assets, and a fixed and floating charge over all book debts, together with a chattel mortgage over all unencumbered plant and legal mortgages over the company's land and premises situated in Manchester and Alfreton. The total amount secured is in respect of HSBC UK Bank PLC is £1,742,879 (2021: £706,823).

Finance lease payments represent rentals payable by the company for certain items of plant and machinery. Leases include purchase options at the end of the lease period, and no restrictions are placed on the use of the assets. The average lease term is 5 years. All leases are on a fixed repayment basis and no arrangements have been entered into for contingent rental payments.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where the company has a legally enforceable right to do so. The following is the analysis of the deferred tax balances (after offset) for financial reporting purposes:

The deferred tax liability set out above is expected to reverse in future periods and relates to accelerated capital allowances and other tax relief timing differences that are expected in the future.

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.

Revaluation reserve

The revaluation reserve represents the excess above initial cost recognised on certain categories of tangible fixed assets.

Capital redemption reserve

The capital redemption reserve includes the nominal value of shares which have been redeemed by the company.

Profit and loss account

The profit and loss account represents accumulated trading profit and losses less dividends.

The company has entered into a cross guarantee with fellow group companies, in favour of HSBC UK Bank PLC in respect of group bank borrowings. The amount owed under this agreement as at 31 December 2022 is £870,000 (2021: £191,172).

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:

At the reporting end date the company had contracted with tenants for the following minimum lease payments:

Amounts contracted for but not provided in the financial statements:

The company has taken advantage of the exemption available in accordance with FRS 102 section 1.12(e) 'Related party disclosures' not to disclose transactions entered into between two or more members of a group, as the company is a wholly owned subsidiary undertaking of the group to which it is party to the transactions.

During the year, rent at an open-market rate of £88,500 (2021: £90,134) was paid to the SIPP of D P Brimelow.

Advances or credits have been granted by the company to its directors as follows:

The overdrawn director's loan accounts were fully repaid on 29 September 2023.

The ultimate parent company is Duo Packaging Group Limited, a company registered in England and Wales. The ultimate controlling parties are D B Brimelow and A M Brimelow by virtue of their majority shareholding.

Duo Plastics Limited is consolidated within the Duo Packaging Group Limited's group financial statements and copies can be obtained upon request from the groups registered office, Vickers Street, Miles Platting, Manchester, M40 8PU.