Operating Review
Spirent Communications PLC
27 April 2007
SPIRENT COMMUNICATIONS PLC
OPERATING REVIEW
London, UK - 27 April 2007: Spirent Communications plc ("Spirent" or "the
Group ")
(LSE: SPT; NYSE: SPM), a leading communications technology company, is
announcing today the results of the first phase of its previously announced
Group Review and providing an update on current trading.
As stated in our preliminary results announcement on 1 March 2007, the chief
purpose of the Group Review was to decide where to focus our resources and how
to be the most efficient and effective competitor in our chosen areas. The
Review is in two parts: an Operating Review encompassing our Performance
Analysis business, shared services and corporate functions, and a Strategic
Review of the Group, which will also include balance sheet structure and other
matters. It is anticipated that the findings of the Strategic Review will be
reported to shareholders in October 2007.
Following completion of the Operating Review, the Board is implementing a number
of changes in order to achieve three key objectives:
• Improve profitability at current sales levels
• Refocus attention on Performance Analysis, which is the largest business
within the Group
• Optimise future product development investments
Improved profitability
The Operating Review has been focused on Performance Analysis, shared services
and corporate overheads with the objective to improve the base level of earnings
in order to reduce volatility and to deliver higher operational leverage when
sales increase. The operational restructuring has been principally centred on
items that do not affect future revenue growth. The restructuring will
eliminate duplicated activities and processes, consolidate manufacturing and
reduce general overheads. In addition, corporate overheads will be reduced
significantly, with a number of activities being integrated into business units.
The total annualised cost reductions resulting from the restructuring are £21.5
million (US$43.0 million) representing an approximate 12 per cent reduction in
costs for Performance Analysis, shared services and corporate overheads
combined. Approximately 70 per cent of the cost reductions will occur in
manufacturing and overhead areas. The benefits will be realised progressively
through the second quarter and second half of 2007, such that the
£21.5 million of annualised savings are expected to be fully realised in the
year ending December 2008.
Refocus on Performance Analysis and optimise product development
The Operating Review has confirmed our view of Performance Analysis, the largest
business within the Group, as a very high quality business with significant
growth potential. While underlying sales growth in the Performance Analysis
business has more recently been obscured by the declining sales of legacy
broadband products, there are significant opportunities for growth in broadband
revenues, Wireless products and in Spirent TestCenter sales. In order to best
exploit those opportunities, the allocation of development resources has been
adjusted to achieve net sales growth and reduce risk by concentrating on the
development and adoption of Spirent TestCenter and investing in the growth of
Wireless and positioning products. The resulting reduction in product
development spending for Performance Analysis will be achieved in significant
part by consolidating projects into a smaller number of locations.
One-time charges
As a result of the cost reduction actions, Spirent will record a one-time charge
in 2007 of £15.0 million, of which £4.0 million will be paid in cash for
severance and other reorganisation costs. The balance of £11.0 million relates
to asset write-downs and a provision for vacant leasehold properties resulting
from the restructuring.
Current trading
As stated at the time of the preliminary results, market conditions are such
that only modest growth in Performance Analysis revenue is expected in 2007. It
is anticipated that Performance Analysis revenue will be slightly ahead in US
dollar terms of the same period in 2006. However, the average dollar exchange
rate in the first half of 2006 was approximately 10% higher than at present.
Accordingly, revenues when translated into sterling are expected to be lower.
Service Assurance and Systems revenues are anticipated to decline in line with
previous guidance.
Board composition
The Group is seeking additional independent Non-executive Directors.
Commenting on the outcome of the Operating Review, Edward Bramson, Executive
Chairman, said:
"We anticipate that the actions taken will leave us with a more profitable
business, with lower earnings volatility, that is well provided with resources
to support future profitable growth. We look forward to reporting the results
of the Strategic Review, which is currently underway, in October."
- ends -
Enquiries
Edward Bramson, Executive Chairman Spirent Communications plc +44 (0)1293 767704
Eric Hutchinson, Chief Financial Officer
Andrew Dowler/Harriet Keen Financial Dynamics +44 (0)20 7831 3113
The Company will host a presentation of the findings of the Operating Review
today at 09.45 for 10.00 UK time at the offices of ABN AMRO, 250 Bishopsgate,
London, EC2M 4AA
About Spirent Communications plc
Spirent Communications plc is a leading communications technology company,
focused on delivering innovative systems and services to meet the needs of
customers worldwide. We are a global provider of performance analysis and
service assurance solutions that enable the development and deployment of
next-generation networking technologies such as broadband services, Internet
telephony, 3G wireless and web applications and security testing. The Systems
group develops power control systems for specialist electrical vehicles in the
mobility and industrial markets. Further information about Spirent
Communications plc can be found at www.spirent.com.
Spirent Communications plc Ordinary shares are traded on the London Stock
Exchange (ticker: SPT) and on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker: SPM; CUSIP
number: 84856M209) in the form of American Depositary Shares ("ADS"),
represented by American Depositary Receipts, with one ADS representing four
Ordinary shares.
Spirent and the Spirent logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Spirent
Communications plc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks mentioned
herein are held by their respective companies. All rights reserved.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements (as that term is
defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995)
based on current expectations or beliefs, as well as assumptions about future
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to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. You should
not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are not a
guarantee of future performance and are subject to factors that could cause our
actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these
statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the extent to which
customers continue to invest in next-generation technology and deploy advanced
IP-based services; our ability to manage a significant transition in product
revenues to new product solutions incorporating latest technology; the
implementation of the operating review; the outcome of the business review; our
ability to successfully expand our customer base; continuing variable market
conditions; pace of economic recovery; our ability to improve efficiency,
achieve the benefits of our cost reduction goals and adapt to economic changes
and other changes in demand or market conditions; our ability to develop and
commercialise new products and services, extend our existing capabilities in IP
services and expand our product offering internationally; our ability to attract
and retain qualified personnel; the effects of competition on our business;
fluctuations in exchange rates and heavy exposure to the US dollar; changes in
the business, financial condition or prospects of one or more of our major
customers; risks of doing business internationally; risks relating to the
acquisition or sale of businesses and our subsequent ability to integrate
businesses; our reliance on proprietary technology; our exposure to liabilities
for product defects; our reliance on third party manufacturers and suppliers;
and other risks described from time to time in Spirent Communications plc's
Securities and Exchange Commission periodic reports and filings. The Company
undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in
this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
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