Biome Technologies plc (LON:BIOM) has announced the appointment of Robert (Rob) Smith to the Board of the Company as Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective 30th November 2020.
Rob is a chartered management accountant with significant experience in leadership roles in a number of technology companies, where he has been instrumental in leading growth strategies and improving operational efficiencies.
Most recently Rob served in the CFO and CEO roles at Filtronic plc (LON:FTC), an AIM listed electronics designer and manufacturer of advanced filters, antennas and transceivers. Prior to this he was Finance Director of AIM listed APC Technology Group, a specialist distributor and manufacturer of electronic components and semiconductor products with a focus on green technology industries.
The Board would like to thank Michael Holton and David Hughes for their significant contributions to the Company in acting Finance Director roles during the preceding period.
John Standen, Biome Technologies Chairman, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Rob Smith to the Board. As our Bioplastics division is beginning to demonstrate its significant growth potential, this is a good time to reinforce the Board with a CFO of Rob’s capability and experience.”
The company went on to provide a trading update for the nine months ended 30th September 2020.
Bioplastics Division
Revenues in the Bioplastics division in Q3 at £1.6m were 48% ahead of the previous quarter (Q2 2020: £1.1m) and 131% ahead of the prior year comparative (Q3 2019: £0.7m).
The division’s revenues in the first nine months of the financial year stood at £3.8m, 93% ahead of the equivalent period last year (2019: £2.0m).
Revenues in Q3 reflected strong underlying demand for products that have been commercialised for some time (e.g. outer packaging and non-woven filter mesh applications for the US coffee market), coupled with growing revenues in rigid materials used in coffee pods. The Board expects revenues in Q4 to be below the Q3 quarterly level but in line with its expectations for this financial year.
The Bioplastics division is working with an expanding list of potential new customers, particularly in the US. Developmental work related to this continues with some vigour, despite the impact of Covid-19. In particular, the implementation of a filtration mesh project with a second US end-customer has moved forward assuredly and initial revenues are expected later this quarter.
During Q3, the activities of the Bioplastics division were recognised when Biome received the London Stock Exchange’s Green Economy Mark. The Green Economy Mark, launched in 2019, recognises listed companies and funds which derive 50% or more of their revenues from environmental solutions.
Stanelco RF Technologies Division
Revenues in the RF Technologies division in Q3 were £0.2m (Q3 2019: £0.6m), resulting in revenues in the first nine months of the financial year of £0.6m (2019: £2.8m).
The fibre optic cable market, normally a major driver of the business, remains impacted by both over-capacity and COVID-19 disruption. The division continues to make a concerted effort to increase its geographic footprint and range of applications and already benefits from recurring revenue from power generation, medical and general industrial markets.
The business has continued to win small projects in the UK induction heating and welding market, but overall demand remains subdued.
Group Performance
Total Group revenues in Q3 were £1.8m (2019: £1.3m) taking Group revenues for the nine months to 30 September 2020 to £4.3m (2019: £4.7m). It is to be noted that all revenue figures in this statement exclude grant income (£38,000 in the third quarter of this year and £124,000 for the nine months).
Costs and capital expenditure continue to be managed tightly and as the Government furlough scheme ends in October, activity levels are such that staff are returning to normal duties.
The Group’s cash position as at 30 September 2020 was £0.9m (30 June 2020: £1.1m) and the Group had no debt.
In September 2020, the Group announced that it had raised £1.1m (£1.0m net of costs), via a fundraising made up of three tranches, to support and accelerate the Bioplastics division’s growth. Shareholder approval was obtained on 12 October 2020 and the net proceeds from the first and second tranches have now been received which enhances the Group’s cash position from that at the end of Q3.
Group Outlook
The funds from the recent fundraise will support a vigorous approach to growing the Group’s bioplastics business. It is against the above that the Board expects the full year results to be in line with current market expectations.
