Excellent Organic Growth Achieved, Supported by Increasing Sales

Hong Kong, Dec 12, 2012 - (ACN Newswire) - United Pacific Industries Limited ("UPI" or the "Group", Stock Code: 00176.hk), a world-class tools and electronics manufacturer, today announces its consolidated annual results for the year ended 30 September 2012 (the "Year").

During the Year, UPI achieved revenues of HK$1,468.6 million, up 15% compared to the previous year (2011: HK$1,277.0 million). Profit attributable to owners of the company soared 61% to HK$60.6 million when compared to last year (2011: HK$37.7 million). Earnings per share were 6.20 HK cents, representing an increase of 61% over last year (2011: 3.86 HK cents).

Given the good performance and substantial net cash balance, the Group's Board of Directors recommended the payment of a final dividend of 1.0 HK cent per ordinary share for the year ended 30 September 2012 (2011 final dividend: Nil). Together with the interim dividend of 0.5 HK cent per share, the total dividends for the year ended 30 September 2012 were 1.5 HK cents per share (Dividends for the year end 30 September 2011: Nil).

The Group recorded revenue for the Year of HK$1,468.6 million, of which 41.3% was from the tools division (2011: 46.0%); 24.2% from the contract manufacturing division (2011: 26.1%); 13.6% from the consumer electronics division (2011: 6.2%); 12.3% from the precision measurement division (2011: 12.5%); and 8.6% from the magnetic technologies division (2011: 9.2%).

In the contract manufacturing division, Pantene Group delivered excellent sales of HK$355.4 million during the Year, representing a 6.8% increase compared to the previous year (2011: HK$332.8 million). Sales shortfalls resulting from reducing demand levels from certain existing customers were offset by securing orders from new customers. In addition, the Group was successful in passing on price increases to customers via the renegotiation of selling prices, controlling expenditure and implementing productivity improvements. In view of the global economic slowdown, UPI will continue to explore new business opportunities by proactive sales and marketing activity and will take all measures to further streamline operational efficiency.

Sales generated from the magnetic technologies division increased 7.2% to HK$127.2 million compared to the previous year (2011: HK$118.7 million). Thanks to new product introduction during the Year, all product groups showed growth in the UK market. The new "Boilermag" domestic filtration unit was launched in the UK in August to extremely positive market feedback and UPI has high expectations for this product in 2013. The division has established a good platform for further growth with a pipeline of new products and by the establishment of distribution networks within Asia and the Eastern Europe market.

Sales in the precision measurement division increased 12.7% to HK$185.6 million compared to last year (2011: HK$164.6 million). This increase was driven by growth in the UK, Germany, China and India. During the Year, core products such as the Bowers 3-point bore gauge and Baty Non-contact Vision Systems reported excellent sales, reflecting the huge demand for high quality measuring instruments by equipment manufacturers. Long lead times on product sourced from China and India, together with the implementation of a new SAP ERP system adversely affected the division but the division started to see benefits from the new system in the second half of the year. In addition, the Bowers MicroGauge was launched during the Year which received an excellent response at two main tradeshows in Germany and USA. The division will continue to focus on sales to the automotive, aerospace and energy sectors.

In the consumer electronics division, the sales revenues of Alford Industries increased 1.5 times to HK$199.4 million compared to the previous year (2011: HK$79.6 million) despite severe market competition. Significantly, the division returned to profitability after sustaining losses in the prior year. This encouraging result was attributable to substantially improved sales of baby monitors in North America. Two new baby monitors with a 3.5" and 2.7" screen and the "Boom Cube", a keychain speaker for use on mobile devices and PCs, were launched, which contributed an additional HK$48 million to sales during the Year.

Revenues in the tools division improved 3.4% to HK$609.0 million during the Year (2011: HK$589.0 million). Overseas markets where Spear & Jackson and Eclipse Tools have presence bounced back and were 22% ahead of the previous year. UK and French garden product sales were affected by poor spring and summer weather in Europe. In addition, hacksaw blade sales shortfalls resulting from manufacturing problems in the PRC, now corrected, were compensated by good trading results from the French arm of the division.

As at 30 September 2012, UPI has a strong financial position with a net cash balance of HK$79.6 million, an increase of 124% over last year (2011: HK$35.5 million). The Group's gearing ratio calculated as net debt to total equity was Nil (as at 30 September 2011: Nil).

About United Pacific Industries Limited

United Pacific Industries Limited ("UPI", "the Group") is a diversified holding company which has been listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since 1994. Its principal operations are in tools, magnetic technologies, precision measurement, consumer electronics and contract electronic manufacturing. The Group has its core operating subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, France, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the PRC and its products are sold in more than 100 countries around the world.

For more information on UPI, please visit its website at www.upi.com.hk.

Source: United Pacific Industries Limited

Contact:

Quam IR 
Ms Anita Wan    Tel: (852) 2217-2811 	E-mail: anita.wan@quamgroup.com 
Ms Sharon Au 	Tel: (852) 2217-2812   	E-mail: sharon.au@quamgroup.com  
Ms Venus Lam	Tel: (852) 2217-2813	E-mail: venus.lam@quamgroup.com