Preliminary summarised audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended 28 February 2019
ALLIED ELECTRONICS
CORPORATION LIMITED
(Registration number 1947/024583/06)
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
Share code: AEL
ISIN: ZAE000191342
PRELIMINARY SUMMARISED AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2019 AND FINAL DIVIDEND ANNOUNCEMENT
FINANCIAL COMMENTARY
We continue to deliver on our stated goal of consistent double-digit growth at an EBITDA level despite the
ongoing challenging economy. During the year, the group’s financial performance continued to improve
significantly on a statutory basis:
– Revenue from continuing operations increased by 7% to R15.7 billion.
– EBITDA from continuing operations increased by 30% to R1.6 billion.
– HEPS from continuing operations increased by 50% to 179 cents.
– ROCE from continuing operations at 20%.
– Final dividend declared of 44 cents per share, with total dividend for the year of 72 cents per share.
In the financial year under review, we secured key wins in both the private and public sector. These included,
amongst others, the Gauteng Broadband Network Phase 2 contract, secured by Altron Nexus. Altron CyberTech was
awarded the Gautrain management agency tender, through which we provide a secure and protected
technology network. Altron Bytes Systems Integration was awarded a data and analytics contract by
FNB, Netstar won a three-year contract from the eThekwini Municipality for the supply, integration and
maintenance of a vehicle tracking technology solution for 7 000 vehicles, as well as Bytes UK being awarded a
five-year GBP 155 million (R2.7 billion) Windows 10 contract with the UK NHS, as reported at the financial half-year.
Netstar Australia Group was awarded a fleet management contract by Ausgrid.
The disposal of the remaining material non-core businesses and assets of the group has been successfully concluded.
Powertech Transformers was disposed of with effect from 31 July 2018. The disposal of Altech UEC/Multimedia,
being the last non-core control asset, was concluded during the financial year.
To improve market comprehension of our solutions and services, we have grouped our operations into the
following segments, namely Digital Transformation, Fintech/Healthtech, Smart IoT and Managed Services. Our
operating companies are also presented to the market under one identity following the introduction of a new
Altron brand in FY19.
Due to the inclusion of non-core discontinued operations in the total results for the year, the continuing operations’ results
provide stakeholders with an accurate measure of the core sustainable earnings of Altron. The numbers
presented in the commentary below are shown on a normalised basis.
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Gross revenue increased by 30% to R19.2 billion, however, the impact of adopting IFRS 15 Revenue from
Contracts with Customers resulted in reported revenue from the continuing operations increasing by 7% from
R14,7 billion to R15.7 billion, while normalised EBITDA increased by 24% to R1.6 billion, with strong year-on-year
EBITDA growth of 79% from Bytes UK. The group’s normalised EBITDA margin on reported revenue increased to
10.4% compared to 8.9% in the prior year. Free cash flow increased significantly to R425 million. Within a South
African context, the group generates 83% of its revenue from the private sector and 17% from the public sector.
Organic EBITDA growth for the year was 18%, with 6% growth attributable through acquisitions.
In line with accounting standards, during the year, the amortisation of contract costs in Netstar were reclassified
from operating expenses to depreciation, resulting in an increase in depreciation and amortisation expense of R253 million
in the current year and by R199 million in FY18. Capital items were a loss of R26 million, mostly as a result of the impairment
of contract costs in Netstar, which were offset by profit on the disposal of property. The net interest costs
in the continuing operations at R176 million remained relatively constant compared to the prior year. Other
comprehensive income for the year includes R113 million (a loss of R62 million in FY18) relating to foreign currency
translation differences in respect of foreign operations, due to the weakening of the rand during FY19.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
The results of the discontinued operations continue to show a significant improvement from the previous
financial year. EBITDA improved to R54 million compared to a prior year of R8 million. This was mainly due to
the operational improvement of the Powertech Transformers and Altech UEC/Multimedia businesses, which
maintained their momentum in delivering strong EBITDA turnaround.
Profit after-tax improved significantly from a loss of R253 million in the prior year to a profit of R70 million.
This is mainly due to the improved operational performance, profits on disposals realised in the current year
and a further reduction in the interest expense as proceeds from disposals have been used to reduce debt.
Furthermore, impairments processed in the prior year were not needed in the current year.
CASH MANAGEMENT
The group’s overall net debt of R1.3 billion (including deferred disposal receipts) showed a meaningful improvement
on the FY18 year-end position of R1.5 billion. Cash generated from operations totalled R1.5 billion for the year.
A total of R184 million was absorbed into working capital, compared to R298 million in the prior year. Net finance
expenses continued to reduce to R196 million (R239 million in FY18), while tax paid for the year amounted to R147 million.
The group utilised R414 million on investment activities for the year, funded out of internally generated cash.
Included in this amount was R191 million relating to capital rental devices in Netstar, which reflects the
continued improved growth in its subscriber base, R146 million relating to the acquisition of Altron Karabina
and R58 million which was paid towards EZY2C acquired in FY18. Furthermore, R190 million was investment in
property, plant and equipment and R93 million in intangible assets, as development costs were capitalised
throughout the year. Also included in investment activities are inflows of R176 million relating to proceeds on
the disposal of non-core assets and R123 million concerning the disposal of property, plant and equipment.
R185 million cash utilised in financing activities predominantly relates to the net repayment of term loans.
Given the continued improved performance of the group, our long and short-term facilities were successfully
refinanced with effect from 28 February 2019 which will result in a decrease in finance costs during FY20.
OPERATIONAL REVIEW
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Bytes UK had another strong year, growing revenue by 5% and EBITDA by 79% to R368 million. The performance
of the business was positively impacted by the inclusion of Phoenix Software for the full year (acquired in the
second half of the previous financial year). The business is set to grow further, following the five-year, GBP155
million (circa R2.7 billion) NHS contract, secured during the year.
The mandatory adoption of IFRS 15 in the current year impacted the revenue recognition of Bytes UK.
The business changed from a principal to an agent in a major part of its cloud-based business resulting in an
adverse impact of GBP200 million on revenue during the year, although EBITDA remained unaffected.
Altron Bytes Systems Integration (“BSI”) refined its operating model which resulted in revenue increasing by 7%,
while EBITDA decreased by 3%. The newly adopted operating model has already started to yield a significant
increase in pipeline opportunities. BSI continues to streamline the business and drives large group initiatives
in Cloud Services, IoT, Data Analytics and Security.
Altron Nexus (“Nexus”) produced positive results for the year, with revenue largely in line with the prior year, while
growing EBITDA by 54% to R123 million. The business responded to a disappointing first half of the year, with a
strong performance in the second half, due to delays in the award and implementation of large projects which
have since been realised. The roll-out of the Gauteng broadband network phase 2 project, together with the
closing out of historic projects have resulted in a significant improvement in EBITDA for the year.
As at the date of the release of this announcement, the challenges relating to the City of Tshwane (“CoT”)
broadband network contract remain unresolved. While the parties still await the release of the court
judgement, meaningful progress has been made in the group’s negotiations with CoT. Management
remains positive regarding the outcome of this matter. The business continues to win and deliver on current
broadband network opportunities, further building on its momentum of evolving into the preferred safe city
solution provider for the smart city evolution.
Altron Karabina was acquired effective 1 September 2018 in response to our strategy to extend Altron’s
capabilities in Cloud Services and Data Analytics. The results for the five months of the financial year were in
line with our expectations for the business. We are excited by the enhanced skills introduced to the group by
Altron Karabina, with the team contributing to cross- and up-sell initiatives into our larger customers.
FINTECH/HEALTHTECH
Altron Bytes Secure Transaction Solutions (“BSTS”) continues to perform well, growing revenue by 6%
and EBITDA by 14% to R289 million, driven by further improved EBITDA margins of 25% and a number of
new contracts secured during the year. BSTS maintains its status as a key growth focus for the group. All
components of this business performed well, with the NuPay division again being the outstanding performer.
The Healthtech side of the business continues to focus its attention in the healthcare space delivering higher
value services to healthcare professionals, as well as within the public health sector. Looking forward, it is also
assessing opportunities in the Altron Rest of Africa markets. Fintech is expanding its product offerings further
into the unsecured lending environment, which presents significant growth opportunity for this division, while
the CyberTech division is seeing gains through its cyber security operations centre to provide security for
customer networks, such as being awarded the Gautrain management agency tender.
SMART IoT
Netstar, inclusive of its Australian operations, showed continued improvements in its performance. The
business reported a 10% increase in revenue and 19% improvement in EBITDA to R582 million against the prior
year. Netstar further improved the growth in its subscriber base, particularly in stolen vehicle recovery (“SVR”),
with churn and retentions under close control, improving by 6%.
During the second half of the year, Netstar re-evaluated its ground recovery suppliers in SVR. Through a
formal process, managed by Deloitte, Netstar effected a change in its service providers in this space to
ensure enhanced services, while having a lower cost of delivery going into FY20.
During the year, the business consolidated its Australian operations, Pinpoint and EZY2C. These are now driven
through a single Netstar Australia brand.
MANAGED SERVICES
Altron Bytes Document Solutions (“BDS”) has seen revenue improve by 11% and EBITDA increase by 10% to
R77 million compared to the prior year. This is testament to the successful efforts by the business of gaining
market share in a declining market.
Strategically the business remains focused on selected growth areas, including managed print services
and the high-end production environment. BDS’ growth strategy of driving cross-selling of Altron’s various
offerings into its extensive base of more than 4 500 customers remains on course.
Altron Bytes Managed Solutions (“BMS”) reported revenue and EBITDA increase of 14% and 5% year-on-year,
respectively. In a highly competitive market, BMS is focused on quality of service while closely managing its
cost base and maintaining its drive to enhance annuity income. Further improvement in the performance of
BMS are being driven by the ongoing diversification of its offerings, including a focus on growing into retail
and end-user computing.
Altron Bytes People Solutions (“BPS”) grew revenue by 5% for the year, with EBITDA in line with the prior year.
As BPS’ customer base continues to digitally transform their businesses and finding new and innovative ways
to service their customers, it results in declining call volumes through BPS’ call centre environments. This
has necessitated an internal drive by the business to reduce costs in line with declining call volumes. BPS is
furthermore focusing on growing its enabling technologies, including robotic processes, in order to diversify
its offerings from traditional call centres, to providing digitally transformed customer experiences.
ALTRON ARROW
Altron Arrow’s experienced a challenging year, given the problems faced in the SA contract manufacture
space, whereby the demand for the delivery of components have been curtailed. This resulted in revenue and
EBITDA for the year declining by 11% and 12%, respectively. In challenging economic conditions, the business
maintained its leading component distributor position, with a market share of 27%. Altron Arrow continues to
drive market share expansion in a declining market by leveraging their established global brand.
DIVIDEND
Notice is hereby given that a final cash dividend of 44 cents per share (35.2 cents net of 20% dividend
withholding tax) for the financial year ended 28 February 2019 has been declared, payable to shareholders
recorded in the register of the company at the close of business on the record date appearing below. The
board has confirmed by resolution that the solvency and liquidity test as contemplated by the Companies
Act, No. 71 of 2008, as amended, has been duly considered, applied and satisfied. This is a dividend as
defined in the Income Tax Act, 1962 and is payable from income reserves. The income tax number of the
company is 9725149711. The number of ordinary shares in issue at the date of this declaration is 399 380 572,
including 28 180 080 treasury shares. The salient dates applicable to the interim dividend are as follows:
Dividend dates:
Last day to trade cum dividend Tuesday, 28 May 2019
Commence trading ex dividend Wednesday, 29 May 2019
Record date Friday, 31 May 2019
Payment date Monday, 3 June 2019
Share certificates may not be dematerialised or rematerialised between Wednesday, 29 May 2019 and Friday,
31 May 2019.
DIRECTORATE AND CHANGE IN FUNCTION
During the past financial year, our board took further steps to ensure alignment to our ICT focused strategy
and implementing its diversity policy at board level. As part of this process, Ms Phumla Mnganga was
appointed as an independent non-executive director on the Altron board, with effect from 1 February 2019.
On 14 March 2019, the board announced the appointment of Mr Cedric Miller as executive financial director
and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of Altron, with effect from 1 May 2019. Following Mr Miller’s appointment,
Mr Andrew Holden, the Altron Group Chief Operations Officer, who assumed the additional role of acting
CFO on 20 October 2018, stepped down as acting CFO, with effect from 30 April 2019. Furthermore, Mr Miller has
also been appointed to the Altron Risk Management Committee and the Altron Investment Committee, with effect
from 9 May 2019.
The board further announced that Dr WP Venter, Chairman Emeritus, retired as non-executive director of
the Altron board, with effect from 31 July 2018. Dr Penuell Maduna and Ms Dawn Mokhobo also retired as
independent non-executive directors from the board, with effect from 28 February 2019.
Following the retirement of Ms Mokhobo, Mr Stewart van Graan assumed the role of Chairman of the Altron
Social and Ethics Committee, with effect from 3 May 2019.
OUTLOOK
Despite the muted economic conditions in the jurisdictions in which the group operates, Altron remains well-
positioned for continued growth and accelerating the implementation of its One Altron strategy of offering
end-to-end solutions to its extensive customer base. We continue to focus on organic growth, supplemented
by selective acquisitions. In particular:
– cross- and up-selling in Altron’s top accounts in South Africa;
– extending our Microsoft capabilities to include Licencing Solutions Provider status;
– driving margin expansion in Altron BSI;
– increased focus on the automotive sector within Netstar South Africa;
– solidify our Netstar operation in India; and
– the group remains committed to double digit EBITDA growth.
For and on behalf of the board.
MJ Leeming M Nyati C Miller
Chairman Chief Executive Chief Financial Officer
Registered office
Altron House, 4 Sherborne Road, Parktown, 2193
Sponsor
Investec Bank Limited
Transfer secretaries
Computershare Investor Services Proprietary Limited, 1st Floor, Rosebank Towers, 15 Biermann Avenue,
Rosebank, 2196
Directors
MJ Leeming (Chairman), M Nyati (Chief Executive)*, C Miller (Chief Financial Officer)*, AC Ball, BW Dawson,
BJ Francis, GG Gelink, P Mnganga, S Sithole (Zimbabwean), SW van Graan, RE Venter
* Executive
Group Company Secretary
WK Groenewald
9 May 2019
AUDITED SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2019
Independent auditor’s report on the summary consolidated financial statements
To the Shareholders of Allied Electronics Corporation Limited
Opinion
The summary consolidated financial statements of Allied Electronics Corporation Limited, contained in the
accompanying preliminary report, which comprise the summary consolidated balance sheet as at 28 February 2019,
the summary consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the year then
ended, and the related notes, are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of
Allied Electronics Corporation Limited for the year ended 28 February 2019.
In our opinion, the accompanying summary consolidated financial statements are consistent, in all material respects,
with the audited consolidated financial statements, in accordance with the requirements of the JSE Limited
Listings Requirements for preliminary reports, as set out in note 3 to the summary consolidated financial statements,
and the requirements of the Companies Act of South Africa as applicable to summary financial statements.
Summary Consolidated Financial Statements
The summary consolidated financial statements do not contain all the disclosures required by
International Financial Reporting Standards and the requirements of the Companies Act of South Africa as applicable
to annual financial statements. Reading the summary consolidated financial statements and the auditor’s report thereon,
therefore, is not a substitute for reading the audited consolidated financial statements and the auditor’s report thereon.
The Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Our Report Thereon
We expressed an unmodified audit opinion on the audited consolidated financial statements in our report dated 8 May 2019.
That report also includes communication of key audit matters. Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional
judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period.
Director’s Responsibility for the Summary Consolidated Financial Statements
The directors are responsible for the preparation of the summary consolidated financial statements in accordance with
the requirements of the JSE Limited Listings Requirements for preliminary reports, set out in note 3 to the summary
consolidated financial statements, and the requirements of the Companies Act of South Africa as applicable to summary
financial statements.
Auditor’s Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on whether the summary consolidated financial statements are consistent,
in all material respects, with the audited consolidated financial statements based on our procedures, which were conducted
in accordance with International Standard on Auditing (ISA) 810 (Revised), Engagements to Report on the Summary Financial Statements.
PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.
Director: A.M Motaung
Registered Auditor
Johannesburg
8 May 2019
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEET
GROUP
R millions Note 28 Feb 2019 28 Feb 2018 1 Mar 2017
Restated(1) Restated(1)
ASSETS
Non-current assets 4 171 3 798 2 893
Property, plant and equipment 620 615 569
Intangible assets and goodwill 1 965 1 669 1 029
Equity-accounted investments 19 20 23
Other investments – 468 302
Financial assets at amortised cost 350 – –
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 202 – –
Financial assets at fair value through other
comprehensive income 21 – –
Finance lease assets 196 187 190
Contract costs capitalised 83 – –
Capital rental devices 293 461 404
Trade and other receivables 87 – –
Defined benefit asset 180 164 178
Deferred taxation 155 214 198
Current assets 7 430 6 138 6 991
Inventories 1 017 993 1 046
Trade and other receivables 4 725 3 360 2 752
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 6 – –
Contract assets 195 –
Taxation receivable 25 4 3
Restricted cash 26 – –
Cash and cash equivalents 1 381 1 067 1 546
7 375 5 424 5 347
Assets classified as held-for-sale 9 55 714 1 644
Total assets 11 601 9 936 9 884
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Total equity 3 373 2 545 2 028
Share capital and share premium 2 866 2 861 2 448
Retained earnings 3 148 2 543 2 356
Other reserves (2 479) (2 614) (2 536)
Attributable to Altron shareholders 3 535 2 790 2 268
Non-controlling interests (162) (245) (240)
Non-current liabilities 1 424 1 580 2 048
Loans 1 262 1 502 2 000
Provisions – 5 5
Contract liabilities 87 – –
Deferred taxation 75 73 43
Current liabilities 6 804 5 811 5 808
Loans 484 404 395
Bank overdrafts 1 181 972 956
Provisions 15 20 16
Trade and other payables 3 603 3 881 3 350
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss 18 – –
Contract liabilities 1 423 – –
Taxation payable 80 69 67
6 804 5 346 4 784
Liabilities classified as held-for-sale 9 – 465 1 024
Total equity and liabilities 11 601 9 936 9 884
(1) Refer to note 17 for more detail in respect of the restatement of prior year balances
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
% Restated*
R millions Notes Change 2019 2018
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Revenue 13 7 15 723 14 743
Operating costs excluding capital items* (14 116) (13 509)
Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation,
amortisation, capital items and equity accounted losses
(EBITDA and capital items)** 30 1 607 1 234
Depreciation and amortisation* (566) (451)
Operating profit before capital items 33 1 041 783
Capital items 5 (26) (38)
Operating profit 36 1 015 745
Finance income 130 164
Finance expense (306) (342)
Share of loss of equity accounted investees, net of taxation (1) (1)
Profit before taxation 48 838 566
Taxation (158) (145)
Profit for the year from continuing operations 62 680 421
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Revenue 13 (59) 1 202 2 938
Operating costs excluding capital items (1 148) (2 930)
Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation,
amortisation, capital items and equity accounted losses
(EBITDA and capital items)** 54 8
Operating profit excluding capital items 575 54 8
Capital items 5 24 (271)
Operating profit/(loss) 78 (263)
Finance income 24 56
Finance expense (27) (77)
Proft/(loss) before taxation 75 (284)
Taxation (5) 31
Profit/(loss) for the year from discontinued operations 70 (253)
Profit for the year from total operations 750 168
* Costs incurred to fulfil contracts relating to hardware and fitment have been reclassified from materials and
services consumed to depreciation and amortisation, as a result the prior year has been restated.
** The group presents in its consolidated statement of comprehensive income earnings before interest, taxation,
depreciation, amortisation, capital items and equity accounted losses from associates. This represents the contribution by
the group from its revenue after deducting the associated employee costs and materials and services consumed expenses.
This also includes other income earned; and finance lease interest income that is considered to be to be revenue for the group.
% Restated*
R millions Note Change 2019 2018
Other comprehensive income
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss
Remeasurement of net defined benefit asset 4 (5)
Items that are or may be reclassified subsequently
to profit or loss
Foreign currency translation differences in respect of
foreign operations*** 113 (62)
Effective portion of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges 3 2
Transfer to reserves – (3)
Other comprehensive income for the year, net of taxation 120 (68)
Total comprehensive income for the year 870 100
Net profit/(loss) attributable to:
Non-controlling interests 39 (19)
Non-controlling interests from continuing operations 25 17
Non-controlling interests from discontinued operations 14 (36)
Altron equity holders 711 187
Altron equity holders from continuing operations 655 404
Altron equity holders from discontinued operations 56 (217)
Net profit for the year 750 168
Total comprehensive income attributable to:
Non-controlling interests 39 (18)
Non-controlling interests from continuing operations 25 17
Non-controlling interests from discontinued operations 14 (35)
Altron equity holders 831 118
Altron equity holders from continuing operations 775 356
Altron equity holders from discontinued operations 56 (238)
Total comprehensive income for the year 870 100
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (cents) 6 62 177 109
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (cents) 6 62 175 108
Basic earnings/(loss) per share from discontinued operations
(cents) 6 125 15 (59)
Diluted earnings/(loss) per share from discontinued operations
(cents) 6 126 15 (58)
Basic earnings per share from total operations (cents) 6 276 192 51
Diluted earnings per share from total operations (cents) 6 280 190 50
*** This component of other comprehensive income is not subject to tax.
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Restated*
R millions 2019 2018
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Cash generated by operations 1 127 1 062
Interest received 134 178
Interest paid (330) (417)
Dividends received from equity accounted investees and other investments 4 32
Taxation paid (147) (142)
Dividends paid, including to non-controlling interests (111) (5)
Net cash inflow from operating activities 677 708
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired (218) (698)
Proceeds on the disposal of subsidiaries, associate and businesses net of cash
disposed of 176 233
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 123 3
Cash (outflow)/received relating to finance lease arrangements (6) 15
Acquisition of intangible assets (93) (84)
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment (190) (194)
Other investing activities (206) (246)
Net cash (outflow) from investing activities (414) (971)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Loans repaid (1 716) (755)
Loans advanced 1 543 195
Settlement of finance leases (12) –
Proceeds from share issue – 400
Net cash (outflow) from financing activities (185) (160)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 78 (423)
Net cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 95 502
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 95 590
Cash previously classified as held-for-sale – (88)
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held 27 16
Net cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 200 95
* Refer to note 17 for more detail in respect of the restatement of prior year balances.
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
Attributable to Altron equity holders
Share Non-
capital and Treasury Retained controlling Total
R millions premium shares Reserves earnings Total interests equity
Balance at 28 February 2017 2 747 (299) (2 536) 2 356 2 268 (240) 2 028
Total comprehensive income for the year
Profit for the year – – – 187 187 (19) 168
Other comprehensive income
Foreign currency translation differences in respect of foreign operations – – (62) – (62) – (62)
Remeasurement of net defined benefit asset – – (5) – (5) – (5)
Effective portion of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges – – 1 – 1 1 2
Transfer to reserves – – (3) – (3) – (3)
Total other comprehensive income – – (69) – (69) 1 (68)
Total comprehensive income for the year – – (69) 187 118 (18) 100
Transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity
Contributions by and distributions to owners
Dividends to equity holders – – – – – (5) (5)
Issue of share capital 413 – (13) – 400 – 400
Share-based payment transactions – – 20 – 20 – 20
Total contributions by and distributions to owners 413 – 7 – 420 (5) 415
Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries
Buy-back of non-controlling interest – – (16) – (16) 16 –
Acquisition of subsidiary – – – – – 2 2
Total changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries – – (16) – (16) 18 2
Total transactions with owners 413 – (9) – 404 13 417
Balance at 28 February 2018 3 160 (299) (2 614) 2 543 2 790 (245) 2 545
Adjustment on initial application of IFRS 9 and IFRS 15 – – – (1) (1) – (1)
Restated total equity at the beginning of the year 3 160 (299) (2 614) 2 542 2 789 (245) 2 544
Total comprehensive income for the year
Profit for the year – – – 711 711 39 750
Other comprehensive income
Foreign currency translation differences in respect of foreign operations – – 113 – 113 – 113
Remeasurement of net defined benefit asset – – 4 – 4 – 4
Effective portion of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges – – 3 – 3 – 3
Total other comprehensive income – – 120 – 120 – 120
Total comprehensive income for the year – – 120 711 831 39 870
Transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity
Contributions by and distributions to owners
Dividends to equity holders – – – (105) (105) (5) (110)
Issue of share capital 5 – (5) – – – –
Share-based payment transactions – – 20 – 20 – 20
Total contributions by and distributions to owners 5 – 15 (105) (85) (5) (90)
Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries
Disposal of operations – – – – – 49 49
Total changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries – – – – – 49 49
Total transactions with owners 5 – 15 (105) (85) 44 (41)
Balance at 28 February 2019 3 165 (299) (2 479) 3 148 3 535 (162) 3 373
Dividend per share declared 44 cents(final) and 28 cents(interim)(2018: nil).
NOTES TO THE SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. INDEPENDENT AUDIT
The summary consolidated financial statements have been derived from the audited consolidated
financial statements. The directors of the company take full responsibility for the preparation of the
summary consolidated financial statements and that the financial information has been correctly
derived and are consistent in all material respects with the underlying audited consolidated financial
statements. The summary consolidated financial statements for the year ended 28 February 2019 have
been audited by our independent auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. who have expressed an
unmodified opinion thereon. The auditors also expressed an unmodified opinion on the consolidated
financial statements from which the summary consolidated financial statements were derived.
A copy of the auditor’s report on the consolidated financial statements is available for inspection at the
company’s registered office, together with the financial statements identified in the auditor’s report.
2. GENERAL INFORMATION
Altron is a leading ICT business, operating in a number of geographies. Its principal subsidiaries are
Altron TMT Proprietary Limited (which includes various operating divisions); Netstar Proprietary Limited
and the balance of the Netstar group (including its Australian operations); Altron Nexus Proprietary
Limited (previously known as Altech Radio Holdings Proprietary Limited); Bytes Software Services Limited
and Phoenix Software Limited in the UK; and the Altron Rest of Africa operations.
3. BASIS OF PREPARATION
The summary consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with the requirements
of the JSE Limited Listings Requirements for preliminary financial statements and the requirements of
the Companies Act applicable to summary financial statements. The summary financial statements
were prepared in accordance with the framework concepts and the measurement and recognition
requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the SAICA Financial Reporting
Guides as issued by the Accounting Practices Committee (APC) and the Financial Pronouncements
as issued by the Financial Reporting Standard Council (FRSC), and to also, as a minimum, contain the
information required by IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting.
The accounting policies applied in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements from which
the summary consolidated financial statements were derived, are in terms of IFRS and are consistent
with those accounting policies applied in the preparation of the previous consolidated financial
statements, apart from restatements and the changes to accounting policies noted below. The summary
consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements for the year ended 28 February 2019, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS.
A copy of the full set of the audited consolidated financial statements is available for inspection from
the company secretary at the registered office of the company.
This report was compiled under the supervision of Mr Andrew Holden, Chief Operating Officer and
Mr Cedric Miller CA(SA), Chief Financial Officer.
4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The group adopted all new, revised or amended accounting pronouncements that became effective in the
current reporting period. The following standards had an impact on the group:
– IFRS 9 Financial Instruments
– IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers
The group had to change its accounting policies and make certain retrospective adjustments, which
were recorded on 1 March 2018 in terms of the adoption approach elected, following the adoption of
IFRS 9 and IFRS 15, which is disclosed in note 14. The other amendments listed above did not have a material
impact on the amounts recognised in prior periods and have not; and are not expected to significantly
affect the current or future periods.
The accounting policies applied in the preparation of the summary consolidated financial statements
are in terms of IFRS and are consistent with those accounting policies applied in the preparation of the
consolidated financial statements.
R millions 2019 2018
5. CAPITAL ITEMS
Continuing operations
Impairment of goodwill – (30)
Net profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment 16 1
Impairment of property, plant and equipment (7) (17)
Contract costs written off (35) –
Reversal of provision related to East Africa – 10
Impairment of historic proceeds receivable – (2)
(26) (38)
Discontinued operations
Profit/(loss) on disposal of discontinued operations 30 (90)
Profit/(loss) on disposal of intangible assets (2) (6)
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment 63 –
Impairment of held-for-sale disposal groups (67) (175)
24 (271)
Total (2) (309)
Cents % change 2019 2018
6. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Headline earnings per share from continuing operations 50 179 119
Headline earnings per share from discontinued operations 500 12 2
Headline earnings per share from total operations 58 191 121
Diluted headline earnings per share from continuing operations 50 179 119
Diluted headline earnings/(loss) per share
from discontinued operations 500 12 2
Diluted headline earnings per share from total operations 58 191 121
Normalised headline earnings per share from continuing operations 36 183 135
R millions 2019 2018
6.1 Reconciliation between earnings and headline earnings
Attributable to Altron equity holders 711 187
Capital items – gross 3 309
Tax effect of capital items (6) (22)
Non-controlling interests in capital items – (26)
Headline earnings 708 448
Headline earnings per share from total operations (cents) 191 121
6.2 Reconciliation between earnings and headline earnings from
continuing operations
Attributable to Altron equity holders 655 404
Capital items – gross 26 38
Tax effect of capital items (18) (1)
Headline earnings from continuing operations 663 441
Headline earnings per share from continuing operations (cents) 179 119
6.3 Reconciliation between earnings and headline earnings from
discontinued operations
Attributable to Alton equity holders 56 (217)
Capital items – gross (23) 271
Tax effect of capital items 12 (21)
Non-controlling interests in capital items – (26)
Headline earnings from discontinued operations 45 7
Headline earnings per share from discontinued operations (cents) 12 2
Number Number
of shares of shares
6.4 Reconciliation of weighted average number of shares
Issued shares at the beginning of the year (A ordinary and N ordinary shares) 399 092 426 370 040 477
Share buy back (9 A shares for every 10 N shares) – (26 438 009)
Effect of own shares held at the beginning of the year (28 180 081) (28 180 081)
Effect of shares issued during the year 100 522 54 726 365
Weighted average number of shares 371 012 867 370 148 752
6.5 Reconciliation between number of shares used for earnings per share
and diluted earnings per share
Weighted average number of shares 371 012 867 370 148 752
Dilutive options 3 801 170 2 473 130
Diluted weighted average number of shares 374 814 037 372 621 882
R millions 2019 2018
6.6 Reconciliation between earnings and diluted earnings are as follows:
Earnings attributable to shareholders 711 187
Diluted earnings 711 187
6.7 Reconciliation between headline earnings and diluted headline
earnings
Headline earnings 708 448
Diluted headline earnings 708 448
Diluted headline earnings per share from total operations (cents) 189 120
6.8 Reconciliation between headline earnings and normalised headline earnings
Normalised headline earnings have been presented to demonstrate the impact of material, non-
operational once-off costs associated with accessing benefits that will only be realised in subsequent
reporting periods, as well as certain restructuring costs, on the headline earnings of the group.
The presentation of normalised headline earnings is not an IFRS defined measure or requirement.
R millions 2019 2018
Headline earnings are reconciled to normalised headline earnings as follows:
Headline earnings 663 441
Foreign currency gains on contingent consideration 5 (6)
Retrenchment and restructuring costs 34 77
Acquisition-related costs – 8
Settlement of contingent consideration (13) –
Tax effect of adjustments (10) (20)
679 500
7. ACQUISITION OF SUBSIDIARIES AND BUSINESS
The following material acquisition was concluded during the current year:
Acquisition of iSPartners Group Proprietary Limited (“Altron Karabina”)
Effective 1 September 2018, Altron TMT SA Group Proprietary Limited acquired 100% of the issued share
capital of Altron Karabina, a Microsoft solutions business, for a purchase price of R217 million, of which
R161 million was paid upfront and the remainder is payable over the next two years, with no targets
attached to the payment of the remaining balance.
The acquisition contributed revenue of R105 million and a net profit after tax of R6 million to the group
since acquisition. If Altron Karabina was acquired on 1 March 2018, the contributed revenue would have
been R210 million and the net profit after tax would have been R12 million.
Goodwill of R148 million was recognised on the acquisition of Altron Karabina which relates to the
expected future synergies flowing from the group’s intention to increase its footprint in the Microsoft
environment in South Africa.
Carrying Fair value Recognised
R millions amount adjustments values
The acquired balances at the effective date were as follows:
Property, plant and equipment 4 – 4
Intangible assets 16 50 66
Deferred tax (2) (14) (16)
Trade and other receivables 37 – 37
Trade and other payables (37) – (37)
Cash and cash equivalents 15 – 15
Net identifiable assets acquired 33 36 69
Goodwill on acquisition 148
Total purchase consideration 217
Less: Cash and cash equivalents in subsidiary acquired (15)
Less: Deferred purchase consideration (56)
Net cash outflow on acquisitions 146
In addition to the above, the group acquired Cape Office Machines, a partner to the Altron Bytes
Document Solutions Business for a purchase price of R14 million. The acquisition resulted in intangible
assets of R15 million being recognised.
8. DISPOSAL OF SUBSIDIARY
Effective 31 July 2018, the group disposed of its collective 80% equity interest in Powertech Transformers
for R250 million.
Net assets of the above operations disposed:
R millions 2019
Non-current assets 1
Other 1
Current assets 493
Inventories 252
Trade and other receivables 241
Equity 49
Non-controlling interest 49
Current-liabilities (284)
Trade and other payables (239)
Other (45)
Disposal value 259
Less: Proceeds receivable (150)
Profit on disposal of subsidiaries 30
Proceeds received on disposal 139
9. ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Impairment of held-for-sale disposal groups
In prior years the decision was taken to dispose of the Powertech group and the Multimedia group and,
as a result, these businesses were classified as discontinued operations. The relevant requirements
of IFRS 5 were met for this classification at the time. The disposals of the assets and liabilities held-
for-sale were completed during the 2019 financial year, except for the investment held in CBI-Electric
Telecom Cables (ATC), which remains held for sale at the end of the year. Management believe that the
conclusion of the disposal of the investment will be affected in the 2020 financial year.
Net assets of disposal group held-for-sale:
R millions 2019 2018
Assets classified as held-for-sale 55 714
Non-current assets 55 129
Current assets – 585
Liabilities classified as held-for-sale – (465)
Non-current liabilities – (5)
Current liabilities – (460)
During the current year, the group recognised a further impairment loss in respect of the investment in
ATC based on the determination of the fair value less cost to sell of the investment in accordance with
IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale.
The impairment is based on management’s best estimate and judgement of the fair value of the
investment and represents the lowest value that the group will dispose the investment to a willing buyer.
The fair value is a level 3 due to the unobservable inputs used in the determining the value.
10. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The group has a related-party relationship with its subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures and with
its directors and key management personnel.
R millions 2019 2019 2018
Associates and joint ventures
Sale of goods and services to joint venture 31 246
Services received from associates 57 295
Interest earned from associate – 5
Dividends received from joint venture – 26
Dividends received from associates – 2
Balances
Thobela Telecoms – Joint venture (Trade receivables) 301 265
Credit risk, concentration risk and significant judgement applied by management
Gross trade receivable with Thobela Telecoms (RF) Proprietary Limited (“TT”)
Altron Nexus Proprietary Limited (Nexus) holds a jointly controlled interest in TT. TT is the vehicle through
which the City of Tshwane (“CoT”) has contracted for the procurement and installation of a fibre
broadband network (“CoT project”). Nexus has in turn been contracted by TT to complete the build and
implementation of the CoT project. In the prior year, CoT initiated legal proceedings to halt progress on
the project combined with a review of the tender given concerns over internal CoT irregularities related
to the tender process.
As at the end of the reporting period, the group had an outstanding balance of R301 million (2018:
R265 million) outstanding from TT. The increase in the balance from the prior year is as a result of delay
costs that were invoiced to TT in terms of the agreements entered into.
Management is of the view that their legal case is sound and that there is a very high probability that
judgment will go in their favour, which would escalate receipt of the outstanding funding. In addition,
CoT has commenced with certain initiatives in relation to the project in order to amicably resolve the
ongoing dispute
Any potential loss is further negated through the group’s right to collect the equipment that has been
installed due to amounts owing remaining outstanding.
Management is confident that the judge presiding over the matter will issue judgment in the near future.
As at year-end management has not raised a loss allowance in respect of the outstanding balance from
TT. In accordance with IFRS 15; R34 million of the revenue relating to the delay costs charged have been
constrained at year-end.
11. FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT FAIR VALUE
(a) Accounting classifications and fair values
The following table shows the carrying amounts and fair values of financial assets and liabilities,
including their levels in the fair value hierarchy. It does not include fair value information for financial
assets and financial liabilities not measured at fair value as the carrying amount is a reasonable
approximation of fair value.
28 February 2019
Carrying amount Fair value
Designated
R millions at fair value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Financial assets measured
at fair value
Preference share investment
in Technologies Acceptances
Receivables Proprietary Limited 21 21 – – 21 21
Cash collateral – Share-linked
incentive (“SLI”) hedge* 108 108 108 – – 108
Investment in Aberdare Cables
Proprietary Limited 94 94 – – 94 94
Forward exchange contracts 6 6 – 6 – 6
229 229 108 6 115 229
Financial liabilities measured
at fair value
Forward exchange contracts (18) (18) – (18) – (18)
(18) (18) – (18) – (18)
28 February 2018
Carrying amount Fair value
Designated Fair value-
at fair hedging Available-
R millions value instruments for-sale Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Financial assets
measured at
fair value 71 – – 71 71 – – 71
Equity investments 185 – 21 206 – – 206 206
Forward exchange
contracts – 30 – 30 – 30 – 30
256 30 21 307 71 30 206 307
Financial liabilities
measured at
fair value
Forward exchange
contracts – (96) – (96) – (96) – (96)
Contingent
consideration (66) – – (66) – – (66) (66)
(66) (96) – (162) – (96) (66) (162)
The carrying amounts of financial assets that are not subsequently measured at fair value i.e. finance
lease assets and financial assets is considered to approximate the fair value.
The carrying amount of financial liabilities that are not subsequently measured at fair value i.e. financial
liabilities at amortised cost is considered to approximate the fair value.
The different levels as disclosed in the table above have been defined as follows:
Level 1 Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or
liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).
Level 3 Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market date (unobservable
inputs).
(b) Measurement of fair values
Valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs
The following tables show the valuation techniques used in measuring Level 2 and Level 3 fair values, as
well as the significant unobservable inputs used.
Financial instruments measured at fair value
Inter-relationship between
Significant significant unobservable
unobservable inputs and fair value
Type Valuation technique inputs measurements
Market comparison technique:
The fair value of foreign exchange
contracts are marked-to-market
Forward by comparing the contracted Not applicable Not applicable
exchange forward rate to the present value
contracts of the current forward rate of an
equivalent contract with the same
maturity date
The estimated fair value would
increase (decrease) if:
– the discount rate were
lower (higher) by 1% then
Preference share The dividend growth model was Discount rate of the value would increase
in Technologies used to determine the fair value 14.68% (2018: 13.50%) (decrease) by R2 million;
Acceptances of the preference share using and
Receivables the historic dividends that were Forecast annual
Proprietary received from the investment perpetuity growth – the annual perpetuity
Limited 0% (2018: 3%) growth rate were higher
(lower) by 1% then the
value would increase
(decrease) by R2 million.
The valuation of the investment
Investment in in underpinned by the underlying
Aberdare Cables call and put option structure Contractually The fair value is driven by
Proprietary implemented by the group with agreed amounts the put and call structure as
Limited the other shareholder to this contractually agreed.
investment
Transfers
There were no transfers between levels 1, 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy for the years ended
28 February 2019 and 28 February 2018.
12. EVENTS AFTER REPORTING PERIOD
Effective 1 March 2019, the group acquired a 64.59% interest in Altron Aloe Machines for R9.7 million.
This business forms part of Altron Bytes Document Solutions division.
The initial accounting for the business combination has not been completed and, as a result, it was
impracticable for certain IFRS 3 Business Combination disclosures to be made due to the close proximity
of the acquisition to the financial statements release date.
The group declared a dividend of 44 cents per share on 8 May 2019.
The group exercised its put option in respect of the investment in Aberdare Cables Proprietary Limited.
The directors are not aware of any other events after the reporting period that will have an impact on
financial position, performance or cash flows of the group.
R millions 2018*
13. REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
13.1 Prior year disclosure
Goods sold 12 521
Services rendered 5 084
Rental finance income 76
17 681
Continuing operations 14 743
Discontinued operations 2 938
17 681
R millions 2019 2018*
13.2 Assets and liabilities related to contracts with customers
The group has recognised the following assets and liabilities related to
contracts with customers:
Current contract assets 196 –
Loss allowance (1) –
Total current contract assets 195 –
Non-current contract costs capitalised 83 –
Current contract costs capitalised 98
Total contract costs capitalised 181 –
Non-current contract liabilities 87 –
Current contract liabilities 1 423 –
Total contract liabilities 1 510 –
Contract liabilities recognised at the beginning of the year
At the beginning of the year, R1 394 million was recognised as a contract
liability. The total amount was recognised as revenue during the current
year, due to the short-term nature of the contracts entered into. The closing
balance represents new contracts entered into where the performance
obligations have not yet been met at year-end. The contract liability is
expected to be recognised as revenue in the next financial year.
Revenue in terms of IAS 18 2019
Had the group applied the accounting policies effective in the prior year,
the total revenue would have been:
Revenue 20 356
Unsatisfied long-term service contracts
The following table shows unsatisfied performance obligations.
R millions 2019 2018*
Aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to contracts that are
partially or fully unsatisfied as at 28 February 2019 3 553 –
3 553 –
Management expects the contract liabilities that are allocated to contracts
with partially or fully unsatisfied performance obligations will be recognised
as follow:
Within one year 257 –
Within two years 114 –
Thereafter 3 182 –
3 553 –
* The group elected to adopt IFRS 15 using the modified retrospective approach without restating the prior year,
therefore prior year balances have not been disclosed.
13.3 Revenue by segment
The Altron group is a diversified group which derives its revenues and profits from a variety of sources.
Segmentation is based on the group’s internal organisation and reporting of revenue based upon
internal accounting presentation.
Revenue by reportable segment is disaggregated by major product/service and geographic region
below.
Continuing operations Altron ICT international operations Altron ICT South African operations
Altron
Altron Altron Altron Bytes Altron Altron
Bytes Bytes Bytes Secure Bytes ICT South Bytes Other Altron ICT Corporate
Altron Document Managed People Transaction Systems Altron African Technology international International Altron and con- Continuing
R millions Nexus Solutions Solutions Solutions Solutions Integration Karabina Operations Group UK operations operations Arrow Netstar solidation operations
Revenue by product
Project related revenue 515 – – – – 522 80 1 117 216 2 218 – – (42) 1 293
Over time 515 – – – – 522 80 1 117 216 2 218 – – (42) 1 293
Sale of goods and
related services 150 861 407 – 276 602 – 2 343 320 152 472 499 1 521 (155) 4 680
At a point in time 150 861 407 – 245 560 – 2 223 320 152 472 499 85 (105) 3 174
Over time – 47 – – 31 42 – 120 – – – – 1 436 (50) 1 506
Maintenance, support
and outsource services 520 557 761 – 124 580 8 2 550 91 89 180 – – (87) 2 643
Over time 520 557 761 – 124 580 8 2 550 91 89 180 – – (87) 2 643
Training and skills
management – – – 427 – – 1 428 34 – 34 – – (15) 447
Over time – – – 427 – – 1 428 34 – 34 – – (15) 447
Software, cloud and
related licences,
including software
assurance services – 33 – 31 168 36 – 268 5 712 42 5 754 – – (209) 5 813
At a point in time – 33 – 23 168 36 – 260 4 137 42 4 179 – – (154) 4 285
Over time – – – 8 – – – 8 1 575 – 1 575 – – (55) 1 528
Software application
and development – – – – 34 212 16 262 – – – – – (9) 253
Over time – – – – 34 212 16 262 – – – – – (9) 253
Switching and other
transactional services – – – – 539 75 – 614 – – – – – (20) 594
Over time – – – – 539 75 – 614 – – – – – (20) 594
Total Revenue 1 185 1 451 1 168 458 1 141 2 027 105 7 535 6 373 285 6 658 499 1 521 (537) 15 676
Rental finance income – 47 – – – – – 47 – – – – – – 47
Total Revenue 1 185 1 498 1 168 458 1 141 2 027 105 7 582 6 373 285 6 658 499 1 521 (537) 15 723
Revenue by geographic
region
South Africa 1 169 1 351 1 056 450 1 120 1 937 105 7 188 5 22 27 494 1 292 (194) 8 807
Rest of Africa 16 147 112 1 21 77 374 2 208 210 5 – (35) 554
Total Africa 1 185 1 498 1 168 451 1 141 2 014 105 7 562 7 230 237 499 1 292 (229) 9 361
Europe – – – 7 – 10 – 17 6 311 17 6 328 – 1 (308) 6 038
Rest of world – – – – – 3 – 3 55 38 93 – 228 – 324
Total international – – – 7 – 13 – 20 6 366 55 6 421 – 229 (308) 6 362
Total Revenue 1 185 1 498 1 168 458 1 141 2 027 105 7 582 6 373 285 6 658 499 1 521 (537) 15 723
28 February 2019
Discontinued operations Discontinued operations
Corporate
Powertech Multimedia Autopage and Discontinuing
R millions Group Group Group consolidation operations
Revenue by product
Sale of goods and related services 427 761 – – 1 188
At a point in time 427 761 – – 1 188
Maintenance, support
and outsource services – 14 – – 14
Over time – 14 – – 14
Total revenue 427 775 – – 1 202
Revenue by geographic region
South Africa 394 481 – – 875
Rest of Africa 33 – – – 33
Total Africa 427 481 – – 908
Rest of world – 294 – – 294
Total international – 294 – – 294
Total revenue 427 775 – – 1 202
14. CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The group has adopted the following new accounting pronouncements as issued by the International
Accounting Standards Board (IASB), which were effective for the group from 1 March 2018:
– IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (IFRS 9).
– IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (IFRS 15).
The changes in accounting policies have been applied retrospectively, however, the comparative
numbers have not been restated, the cumulative impact of the changes in accounting policies have
been recognised in opening retained earnings i.e on 1 March 2018.
Adoption of IFRS 9
The adoption of IFRS 9 had the following impact on the group:
– Change from the IAS 39 incurred loss model to the Expected Credit Loss (ECL) model to calculate impairments on applicable financial assets
– Change in classification of the measurement categories for financial instruments.
Impairments
Before the adoption of IFRS 9, the group calculated the allowance for credit losses using the incurred loss
model. Under the incurred loss model, the group assessed whether there was any objective evidence of
impairment at the end of each reporting period. If such evidence existed the allowance for credit losses
in respect of financial assets at amortised cost were calculated as the difference between the asset’s
carrying amount and its recoverable amount, being its present value of the estimated future cash flows
discounted at the original effective interest rate (EIR).
Under IFRS 9, the group calculates the allowance for credit losses based on the ECLs for financial assets measured at amortised cost,
finance lease assets, investments at FVOCI and contract assets. ECLs are a probability weighted estimate of credit losses. Credit losses are measured
as the present value of all cash shortfalls, being the difference between the cash flows to the group in accordance with the contract and the cash flows
that the group expects to receive. ECLs are discounted at the original EIR of the financial asset.
The impact of applying the ECL model (under the general 3 step approach) on non-current financial assets at amortised cost and at fair value
through other comprehensive income was not material on adoption date.
The group applies the simplified approach to determine the ECL for trade receivables, finance lease
assets and contract assets. This results in calculating lifetime ECLs for these assets. ECLs for trade
receivables, finance lease assets and contract assets are determined using a simplified parameter-
based approach.
The table below reconciles the loss allowance as reported on 28 February 2018 in accordance with IAS 39
to the ECL as determined under IFRS 9 of financial instruments that have been impacted by the adoption
of IFRS 9:
R millions 2018
Loss allowance
Closing balance at 28 February 2018 169
Adjustment on adoption of IFRS 9 3
Opening loss allowance as at 1 March 2018 172
Due to the conservative approach previously followed, the adoption of IFRS 9 did not result in a material change in
the loss allowance on adoption date.39.
Classification, initial recognition and subsequent measurement
IFRS 9 introduces new measurement categories for financial assets, the impact of which is illustrated in
the table below. From 1 March 2018, the group classifies financial assets in each of the IFRS 9 categories
based on the group’s business model for managing the financial asset and the cash flow characteristics
of the financial asset.
The group intends to hold the non-current financial assets at amortised costs to maturity to collect
contractual cash flows and these cash flows consists solely of payments of principal and interest on the
principal amount outstanding. The group’s business model for these instruments is to hold to collect the
contractual cash flows and is monitored at an investment level.
The group intends to hold the non-current financial assets at FVOCI as long-term strategic investments
that are not expected to be sold in the short to medium term.
Measurement category Carrying amount
28 February 1 March
R millions IAS 39 IFRS 9 2018 2018 Difference
Non-current financial assets
Participation Loan to TAR Loans and
receivables Amortised cost 191 191 –
Preference share investment
in TAR Available for sale FVOCI 21 21 –
Cash collateral – Share linked
incentive (“SLI”) hedge FVTPL* FVTPL 71 71 –
Preference share investment in Loans and
Auto X Proprietary Limited receivables* Amortised cost 91 91 –
Investment in Aberdare Cables
Proprietary Limited FVTPL* FVTPL 94 94 –
Current financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents Loans and
receivables Amortised cost 1 067 1 067 –
Trade and other receivables Loans and
receivables Amortised cost 3 031 3 028 (3)
Forward exchange contracts FVTPL FVTPL 30 30 –
Non-current financial liabilities
Loans Amortised cost Amortised cost 1 464 1 464 –
Loans – contingent consideration FVTPL FVTPL 38 38 –
Current financial liabilities
Loans Amortised cost Amortised cost 386 386 –
Loans – contingent consideration FVTPL FVTPL 28 28 –
Trade and other payables Amortised cost Amortised cost 3 562 3 562 –
Bank overdraft Amortised cost Amortised cost 972 972 –
Forward exchange contracts FVTPL FVTPL 101 101 –
* These financial assets were classified as available for sale in the prior year, however, the measurement of
these instruments were in accordance with the categories indicated above. These have been amended
accordingly to present the appropriate classification.
The reclassification into the new measurement categories of IFRS 9 did not have a significant impact on
the group. The impact of the reclassifications on financial assets measurement categories was as follows:
Amortised
FVOCI cost
(Available- (loans and
for-sale receivables
R millions FVTPL under IAS 39) under IAS 39)
Financial assets
Closing balance at 28 February 2018 195 21 4 081
Change in carrying amount due to change in measurement
under IFRS 9 – – (3)
Opening balance at 1 March 2018 195 21 4 078
Transition to IFRS 9
Changes in accounting policies from the adoption of IFRS 9 have been applied retrospectively,
however, the group has elected not to restate comparative information. Differences between the
carrying amounts of financial instruments as at 28 February 2018 and 1 March 2018 resulting from the
initial application of IFRS 9 are recognised in retained earnings. Accordingly, information relating to
28 February 2018 does not reflect the requirements of IFRS 9 but rather those of IAS 39.
The group has elected as an accounting policy choice to not adopt the hedge accounting requirements
of IFRS 9, but rather to continue applying the hedge accounting requirements of IAS 39.
Adoption of IFRS 15
IFRS 15 establishes a comprehensive framework for determining whether, how much and when revenue is
recognised. It replaced IAS 18 Revenue, IAS 11 Construction Contracts and related interpretations.
Under IFRS 15, revenue is recognised at an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for transferring goods or
services to a customer when a customer obtains control of the goods or services. For additional information about the group’s accounting policy
relating to revenue recognition, refer to the accounting policies section of the financial statements.
On adoption of IFRS 9 and IFRS 15, the group restated its retained earnings at 1 March 2018 as follows:
R millions 2018
Retained earnings – as previously reported at 28 February 2018
Closing balance at 28 February 2018 2 543
Impact on the adoption of IFRS 9 (3)
Impact on the adoption of IFRS 15 2
Opening retained earnings – 1 March 2018 2 542
The nature of the changes in the accounting policies are set out below:
Project related revenue
Changes in the accounting policy relate to certain broadband rollout projects where goods and services were provided to customers, in terms
of which the costs and related revenue relating to equipment delivered at the respective client site, was historically recognised on a milestone
basis upon delivery.
The group reviewed its contracts relating to these arrangements and in terms of IFRS 15, the goods and services were concluded to be part
of a combined performance obligation. In addition, taking into account the guidance in IFRS 15 as it relates to uninstalled materials, the group
resolved that the cost of the uninstalled materials (delivered equipment) be excluded from measuring the progress in these contracts. This
resulted in the costs (i.e. fulfilments costs) and related revenue billed to the client (contract liabilities) in respect of open contracts on adoption
date, being deferred in the opening balance sheet and subsequently recognised during the current financial reporting period.
Cloud services and related licences
The group reviewed its accounting policy for the sale of cloud services (and related licences) on adoption of IFRS 15. Previously, management
applied their judgement in determining the accounting in accordance with the “risks and rewards” approach followed under IAS 18, which resulted
in these arrangements being accounted for by the group as the principal. One of the considerations applied in reaching this conclusion was the
consideration of credit risk.
Under IFRS 15, based on the concept of “control” and the transfer thereof; and the change in the criteria to be considered when assessing
whether an arrangement should be accounted for on a principal or agent basis, these arrangements are now accounted for by the group as
an agent in terms of IFRS 15. One of the previously relevant indicators, i.e. credit risk is no longer included in the guidance under IFRS 15
further supporting the conclusion reached.
Transition to IFRS 15
Changes in accounting policies from the adoption of IFRS 15 have been applied retrospectively, however,
the group has elected not to restate comparative information. The cumulative impact of IFRS 15 is
recognised as an adjustment in retained earnings, on 1 March 2018. Accordingly, information relating
to 28 February 2018 does not reflect the requirements of IFRS 15 but rather those of IAS 18.
The group applied the following practical expedients when applying IFRS 15:
1. The group has elected to apply IFRS 15 only to contracts that are not completed as at the date of initial application.
2. For contracts that were completed that had variable consideration, the transaction price at the date that the contract was completed was
used, rather than estimating variable consideration amounts.
3. For contracts that were modified before the adoption date, the contracts were not restated for these contract modifications and instead, the
aggregate effect of all modifications that occurred before the adoption date were considered in aggregate when identifying the satisfied and
unsatisfied performance obligations, determining the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to the satisfied and unsatisfied
performance obligations.
4. For all reporting periods presented before the date of initial application, we have elected not to disclose the amount of the transaction price
allocated to the remaining performance obligations and an explanation of when we expect to recognise that amount as revenue.
5. We have elected when, at contract inception, the period between the transfer of a promised good or service and payment for that good or
service will be one year or less, not to account for the effects of the time value of money; and
15. STANDARDS AND INTERPRETATIONS IN ISSUE BUT NOT YET EFFECTIVE
The group is required to adopt IFRS 16 Leases from 1 March 2019. The group has made an initial
assessment of the impact that the standards will have on its financial statements and is in the process of
quantifying the impact on equity as at 1 March 2019. Further the group is in the process of implementing
changes to its processes relating to leases.
IFRS 16 Leases
IFRS 16 was issued in January 2016. It will result in almost all leases being recognised on the statement of
financial position by lessees, as the distinction between operating and finance leases is removed. Under
the new standard, an asset (the right to use the leased item) and a financial liability to pay rentals are
recognised. Practical expedients are available for short-term and low-value leases. Lessors continue
to classify leases as operating or finance, with IFRS 16’s approach to lessor accounting substantially
unchanged from its predecessor, IAS 17 Lease (IAS 17).
The group expects that the most significant impact of the new standard will result from its current
property and network site operating leases. As at the reporting date, the group has non-cancellable
operating lease commitments of R481 million. Of these commitments, approximately R73 million relates to
non-lease components of operating leases which will continue to be recognised as an expense in profit
or loss as they are incurred.
For lease commitments (excluding non-lease components, short-term and low-value leases) the group
will recognise lease liabilities, representing the present value of the future minimum lease payments
discounted at a rate appropriate and after taking into account the lease term, value, economic
environment and security over the asset applicable, on 1 March 2019, and corresponding right-of-use
assets in respect of these leases, adjusted for prepayments recognised as at 28 February 2019.
On adoption of IFRS 16 operating lease costs (other than short-term and low value lease) will no longer
be recognised as part of operating expenses. The group intends to apply a threshold of R100 000
for assessing what constitutes low-value assets. For the year ended 28 February 2019 the group has
recognised lease expenses of R176 million. Of these operating lease expenses, approximately R39
million relates to non-lease components of operating leases which will continue to be recognised as an
expense in operating expenses as they are incurred.
As a result of the new accounting rules, EBITDA (as defined) used to measure segment results is expected
to increase, as the total operating lease payments were previously included in EBITDA (as defined) under
IAS 17. The group will recognise depreciation on the right-of-use assets and interest on the lease liabilities
over the lease term in profit or loss – these charges are excluded from EBITDA (as defined).
Due to the impact of reducing finance charges over the life of the lease, the impact on earnings
will initially be dilutive, before being accretive in later periods. Furthermore, leases denominated in
currencies that are not the functional currency of the operation will increase foreign exchange exposure.
Therefore, the group expects that net profit after tax may decrease for 2019 as a result of adopting the
new standards.
Cash generated from operations will increase, as lease costs will no longer be included in this category
of cash flows. Interest paid will increase, as it will include the interest portion of the lease liability
repayments. This is expected to have a net positive impact on net cash generated from operating
activities. Net cash used in financing activities will increase, as the capital portion of lease liability
repayments will be included within repayment of borrowings.
The group’s activities as a lessor are not material and hence the group does not expect any significant
impact on the financial statements. However, some additional disclosures will be required in the next
reporting period.
The Group will apply the standard using the modified retrospective approach on 1 March 2019 with
optional practical expedients and will apply its election consistently to all of its leases. Therefore, the
cumulative effect of adopting IFRS 16 will be recognised as an adjustment to the opening balance of
retained earnings at 1 March 2019, with no restatement of comparative information. Right-of-use assets
will be measured at the amount of the lease liability on adoption (adjusted for any prepaid lease
expenses). The group has elected to apply the practical expedient to not reassess the lease definition.
Other standards
The following relevant amended standards and interpretations are not expected to have a significant
impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.
– IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments.
16. REPORTING SEGMENTS
An operating segment is a component of the group that engages in business activities from which it may
earn revenues and incur expenses, including revenues and expenses that relate to transactions with any
of the group’s other components. The group determines and presents operating segments based on the
information that is internally provided to the group’s executive committee and board of directors, who
is the group’s chief operating decision-makers (“CODM”). An operating segment’s operating results are
reviewed regularly by the CODM to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and
assess its performance, and for which discrete financial information is available. Segment results that
are reported to the CODM include items directly attributable to a segment as well as those that can be
allocated on a reasonable basis. Unallocated items comprise mainly corporate assets (primarily the
group’s headquarters and the subgroup’s headquarters).
The segmental information has been prepared to highlight the continuing and discontinued operating segments.
This provides more insight into revenue and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation before capital
items (EBITDA before capital items), disclosed in the statement of comprehensive income.
The below is categorised in accordance with the group’s reporting segments. The segment revenues and
earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and capital items (EBITDA and capital items) by
each of the group’s reportable segments are the key performance measures reviewed by the CODM and
are summarised as follows:
Revenue EBITDA before capital items
Growth Growth
R millions 2019 2018 % 2019 2018 %
Altron Nexus 1 185 1 155 3 123 80 54
Altron Bytes Document Solutions 1 498 1 353 11 77 70 10
Altron Bytes Managed Solutions 1 168 1 027 14 78 74 5
Altron Bytes People Solutions 458 438 5 29 29
Bytes Secure Transaction
Solutions 1 141 1 073 6 289 253 14
Bytes Systems Integration 2 027 1 897 7 119 123 (3)
Altron Karabina 105 – 10 –
Altron ICT South African
operations 7 582 6 943 9 725 629 15
Bytes Technology Group UK 6 373 6 088 5 368 206 79
Other international operations 285 244 17 7 16 (56)
Altron ICT international
operations 6 658 6 332 5 375 222 69
Corporate and consolidation
(other) – – 29 33 (12)
Revenue EBITDA before capital items
Growth Growth
R millions 2019 2018 % 2019 2018 %
Altron ICT 14 240 13 275 7 1 129 884 28
Altron Netstar* 1 521 1 378 10 582 490 19
Altron Arrow 499 560 (11) 29 33 (12)
Corporate and consolidation
(other) (537) (470) (14) (107) (94) (14)
Normalised continuing
operations 15 723 14 743 7 1 633 1 313 24
Foreign currency gains on
deferred acquisition liability 6
Retrenchment and
restructuring costs (26) (77)
Acquisition related costs (8)
Continuing operations
as reported 15 723 14 743 7 1 607 1 234 30
Altech Multimedia 775 974 (20) 15 44 (66)
Altech Autopage – – 5 (23) 122
Powertech Group 427 1 964 (78) 34 (13) 362
Discontinued operations 1 202 2 938 (59) 54 8 575
Altron Group 16 925 17 681 (4) 1 661 1 242 34
Segment EBITDA before capital items can be reconciled to operating profit before capital items as
follows:
R millions 2019 2018
EBITDA before capital items 1 661 1 242
Reconciling items:
Depreciation (179) (149)
Amortisation (134) (103)
Amortisation of costs incurred to fulfil contracts* (253) (199)
Total operating profit before capital items 1 095 791
Discontinued operations profit before capital items (54) (8)
Continuing operations profit before capital items 1 041 783
* Costs incurred to obtain contracts and capital rental devices have been reclassified to amortisation.
The expense was previously included in operating costs before capital items.
Revenues/EBITDA before capital items from segments below the quantitative thresholds
are attributable to smaller operating segments of the Altron group.
None of those segments have met any of the quantitative thresholds for determining reportable
segments for the reportable periods.
Quantitative thresholds have been calculated based on totals for the Altron group and not per
subgroup.
17. CORRECTION OF PRIOR YEAR ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
During the current year, the group undertook a detailed review of the contracts with customers
and vendors in respect of specific business operations. Upon conclusion of this process, the group
discovered that the terms and conditions of certain contracts had not been correctly accounted for
historically. As a consequence, these contracts had an impact on the presentation and disclosure of the
prior year balances.
Matters identified
The group sells goods under finance lease arrangements in certain parts of its business. As part of these
transactions, the group enters into back-to-back arrangements with an external party to receive cash
from the transaction on day one. As the customer settles the monthly lease instalments with the group,
the group settles its monthly instalments with the external financier. In previous years, the finance lease
asset and the finance lease liability were set off on presentation in the balance sheet. Upon analysis
of the IFRS requirements for set off, i.e. that the group currently has a legally enforceable right to set off
the recognised amounts and intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the
liability simultaneously, were not met. Due to the offset requirements not being met in accordance with
the requirements of IFRS, the finance lease asset and finance lease liability needed to be presented
separately on the balance sheet and as a result the comparative balances were accordingly restated.
The group enters into arrangements in terms of which it acts as a clearing/collecting agent on behalf of certain merchants.
In terms of these arrangements, the group collects the cash on behalf of the merchant which is paid into the group’s bank account,
after which it is paid over by the group to the merchant immediately once the payment clears the bank account. In prior years, the
group netted the amounts received into its bank account and the amounts payable to the merchant when presenting its balance
sheet. Upon reflection, it was concluded that the balance sheet presentation as previously applied was not appropriate and the cash
received as well as the payable to the merchant should have been included on a gross basis, resulting in the comparative balances
being restated. As this arrangement had an impact on the cash on hand balances maintained by the group, the statement of cash
flow has been restated to reflect the impact of the additional cash on hand at the end of the preceeding reporting periods.
The above has been corrected by updating each of the affected financial statement line items for the prior period noted below.
The corrections did not have an impact on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income:
Year ended 28 February 2017 Year ended 28 February 2018
As As
previously previously
R millions reported Adjustments Restated reported Adjustments Restated
Statement of
financial position
(Extract)
Non-current assets
Finance lease assets 98 89 187 113 77 190
Current assets
Trade and other
receivables 3 270 90 3 360 2 669 83 2 752
Cash and cash
equivalents 768 299 1 067 1 373 173 1 546
Non-current
liabilities
Loans 1 413 89 1 502 1 923 77 2 000
Current liabilities
Loans 314 90 404 312 83 395
Trade and other
payables 3 582 299 3 881 3 177 173 3 350
28 February 2018
As
previously
R millions reported Adjustments Restated
Cash flow (Extract)
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations 936 126 1 062
Cash flow
(Extract)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Cash generated from operations 936 126 1 062
CASH FLOWS USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Loans advanced 67 (128) 195
Loans repaid (627) 128 (755)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (549) 126 (423)
Net cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 329 173 502
Net cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year (204) 299 95
18. COMMITMENTS
R Millions 2019 2018
Non-cancellable operating leases
At year-end the group had outstanding commitments under non-cancellable
operating leases, which fall due as follows:
Within one year
Property 114 155
Plant, equipment and vehicles 13 22
127 177
One to five years
Property 250 252
Plant, equipment and vehicles 15 48
265 300
Thereafter
Property 44 35
Plant, equipment and vehicles 45 1
89 36
Total 481 513
Capital commitments
Significant capital expenditure authorised and contracted for at the end of the
reporting period but not recognised as liabilities are as follow:
Property, plant and equipment 6 –
6 –
19. OTHER MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS DURING THE CURRENT YEAR
During the current year, the group renegotiated its long-term debt financing with the banks at more
favourable terms. A long-term facility of R2 billion was granted to the group of which R1.3 billion was
drawn at 28 February 2019. The previous drawn facility of R1.2 billion was settled on 28 February 2019.
The remaining undrawn facility at year-end is R700 million. At year-end, R267 million is repayable within
12 months and R1 033 million repayable after 12 months.
During the current year the group acquired property, plant and equipment at a cost of R190 million, consisting
mainly of land, buildings and leasehold improvements, motor vehicles, furniture and equipment and IT equipment
and software. During the current year the group disposed of property, plant and equipment with a carrying amount of
R43 million, consisting mainly of land, buildings and leasehold improvements and motor vehicles, furniture and equipment.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
(TOTAL OPERATIONS)
R millions 2019 2018
Total operations
Depreciation and amortisation* 566 451
Net foreign exchange (profits)/losses (11) 43
Cashflow movements
Capital expenditure (including intangibles) 283 278
Net additions to costs to fulfil contracts (42) 58
Additions to costs to fulfil contracts 246 257
Amortisation of costs incurred to fulfil contracts during the year (353) (199)
Contract costs written off (35) –
Lease commitments 481 513
Payable within the next 12 months: 127 180
Payable thereafter: 354 333
Weighted average number of shares (millions) 371 370
Diluted average number of shares (millions) 374 373
Shares in issue at the end of the year (millions) 371 371
Ratios
EBITDA margin (%) 9,8 7,0
ROCE (%) 21,4 17,8
ROE (%) 21,3 16,7
ROA (%) 12,0 9,9
RONA (%) 17,3 14,9
Current ratio 1,1:1 1,1:1
Acid test ratio 0,9:1 0,9:1
* Amortisation of contract costs and capital rental devices have been reclassified from operating expenses to
depreciation and amortisation.
CONTACT US
Altron
4 Sherborne Road, Parktown 2193
Gauteng SOUTH AFRICA
PO Box 981, Houghton 2041
Gauteng SOUTH AFRICA
Date: 09/05/2019 08:30:00 Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited (‘JSE’).
The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or completeness of
the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers, employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct,
indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature, howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on,
information disseminated through SENS.