Interim Results

RNS Number : 2319P
BATM Advanced Communications Ld
30 August 2017
 

                                                                                  

BATM Advanced Communications Limited

("BATM" or the "Group")

 

Interim results for six months ended 30 June 2017

BATM Advanced Communications Limited (LSE: BVC), a leading provider of real-time technologies for networking solutions and medical laboratory systems, announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2017.

 

Financial Summary

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

* Adjusted to exclude amortisation of intangible assets (See note 3)

Operational Summary

Bio-Medical Division (58% of total revenues)

·    

·     Eco-Med Unit (formerly Pathogenic Waste Treatment and Sterilisation Unit)

Launched the world's first mobile agri-waste treatment solution and was awarded a contract with a total value of $3.6m

First large installation of the Group's new solution for treating agricultural waste, that was installed at a poultry slaughterhouse, continued to perform well and is running very successfully

 

Highest ever backlog of $4.4m, most of which is expected to be recognised by the end of 2017 and the remainder during 2018

·    

 

 

Networking and Cyber Division (42% of total revenues)

·     Networking Unit

 

·   

 

 

Commenting on the results, Dr Zvi Marom, Chief Executive Officer of BATM, said: "After a period of meaningful investment in new products, capability and bolt-on acquisitions, we are pleased to report year-on-year and sequential growth in revenue resulting from solid progress made in the Bio-Medical division as well as the Networking and Cyber division during H1 2017. 

 

"Looking ahead, we are making further inroads in the Bio-Medical division, gaining new customers and increasing sales to current ones. Our Cyber business continues to experience increased interest from government agencies across the globe. As a result of this, the Group has increased its backlog substantially compared with this time last year and, consequently, expects to report growth for full year 2017, in line with market expectations."

 

 

Enquiries:

 


Dr Zvi Marom, Chief Executive Officer

+972 9866 2525                 

Moti Nagar, Chief Financial Officer





Mark Percy, Anita Ghanekar

+44 20 7408 4050 




Harry Chathli, Claire Norbury

+44 20 7618 9100

The information communicated in this announcement is inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation 596/2014.



 

Operational Review

 

In the first half of 2017, both divisions made significant operational progress as new products and technologies continued to replace legacy products. The foundations that the Group laid during 2016 have begun to translate to sales, with the revenues of both divisions increasing year-on-year as well as sequentially.

 

Total Group revenues in H1 2017 were $49.8m (H1 2016: $45.1m), of which the Bio-Medical division accounted for 58% with the contribution from the Networking and Cyber division being 42%.

 

 

Bio-Medical Division

 


H1 2017

H1 2016

H2 2016

FY 2016

Revenues

$28.6m

$25.8m

$25.8m

$51.6m

Blended gross margin

25%

26%

23%

25%

Adjusted operating profit (loss)

 

$(0.3m)

 

$0.0m

 

$(0.3m)

 

$(0.3m)

 

Distribution

 

Sales increased by 17.2% and contributed approximately 69% of the Bio-Medical division revenues, including organic growth of 10%. The revenue contribution to the first half from the newly-acquired Zer Laboratories Ltd ("Zer") was $1.1m. Gross margin in H1 2017 improved to 26.4% compared with 25.8% in H1 2016 as a result of operational improvements in the distribution business in Hungary.

 

The two new diagnostics laboratories in Romania, an analytics lab in Timisoara and a genetic lab in Bucharest, which were opened in 2016, commenced operation during the period. The Group uses these labs to provide customers' products and diagnostic tests to end customers thereby establishing a footprint in the end-customer market.

 

In the first half of the year, the Group acquired the entire issued share capital of Zer, which is the largest private diagnostic laboratory in Israel for clinical tests, mainly providing prenatal screening tests for Down's Syndrome, genetic tests and additional tests performed during IVF and fertility treatments, for a total consideration of NIS2.75m (c. £580,000) payable in cash. 

Eco-Med (formerly Pathogenic Waste Treatment and Sterilisation)

 

The Eco-Med unit accounted for 13% of the Bio-Medical division's revenues in H1 2017 compared with 9% of revenues in H1 2016, reflecting an increase of 57.5% in sales. This increase is primarily due to successful implementation of the strategic decision to transition from sales of control systems and products for treating medical waste to new, larger solutions developed for the biopharma and agri-business sectors. The unit continues to focus on the treatment of biological waste, based on its unique patented Integrated Shredder and Steriliser ("ISS") technology, which it is leveraging to apply to industries where the solutions have a higher value and greater market potential.

 

The unit achieved a significant improvement in gross margin to 18.6% (H1 2016: 13.1%) as a result of sales of higher margin agri-waste solution projects. In addition, it received the highest ever number of orders with a backlog as of period end of $4.4m, most of which is expected to be recognised by the end of 2017 and the remainder during 2018.

 

During the period the Group launched the world's first mobile agri-waste treatment solution and was awarded a contract of $2.5m for the delivery of a mobile unit, which was subsequently extended by $1.1m, with 25% upfront payment, increasing the total value of the contract to $3.6m.

 

The first large installation of the Group's new solution for treating agricultural waste, that was installed last year at a slaughterhouse of major poultry farming company, continued to perform very successfully.

 

The Group also commenced sales of the new ISS  

The Diagnostics unit continued to make steady progress and sales in H1 2017 represented 18% of Bio-Medical division revenues.

 

During the period, the production of reagents increased 8% over H1 2016. The Group sold 268 instruments to multiple new and existing customers compared with 325 in H1 2016 and 180 in H2 2016.

 

Good progress was made by the Group's joint venture company, Ador, established in December 2015 with Gamida for Life, an international group of companies focused on healthcare and life sciences, as it remains on track in its preparations for the production and marketing of a unique rapid-results sample-to-answer molecular diagnostics system - that has already been granted several patents in the US - and a selection of reagent kits. The new instrument and reagents are expected to reach the market during H2 2017.

 

Post period, the Group appointed Dr. David Perry MD as Chief Executive Officer of Adaltis, whose previous experience includes VP Global Clinical and Medical Affairs at Baxter Bioscience. The new role was created within Adaltis as it begins to gear up to take advantage of the advances within its molecular biology business unit, as well as the growing in-vitro diagnostics field.

 

 

Networking and Cyber Division

 


H1 2017

H1 2016

H2 2016

FY 2016

Revenues

$21.0m

$19.1m

$19.4m

$38.5m

Blended gross margin

37%

42%

39%

40%

Adjusted operating profit (loss)

 

$(0.4m)

 

$0.0m

 

$(2.2m)

 

$(2.2m)

 

The Networking and Cyber division produced mixed results for the first half of 2017. There was an increase of 10% in revenues to $21.0m.

 

During the period, the Group was awarded a contract by

 

The Group started delivering on the cyber contract, which had been delayed from H2 2016, as good progress was made by the partners. Other key developments included a significant contract, awarded last year by a government defence department, for an ICT solution combined with several cyber elements, being increased during the first half of 2017 to $5.2m. A significant portion is planned to be supplied during H2 2017.

 

The Group also engaged in several POCs in multiple countries.

 

The Group received increased demand for its SDN/NFV solutions and it conducted several successful POCs worldwide. The Group believes that some of these will translate to orders during H2 2017.

 

A Tier 1 cyber security customer launched its new security systems that contain the Group's latest ATCA product 100GE card. The new ATCA 100GE is gaining increasing momentum and interest from various customers. In addition, the 100GE card is playing a key role in the new aggregation platform, T-Metro 8100 - a next-generation, high-density, standalone 100GE services aggregation platform that is planned to be released in H2 2017.

 

 

Financial Review

 

Revenues in the first half of 2017 increased by 10% to $49.8m (H1 2016: $45.1m), mainly due to an increase in sales in the Eco-Med and Distribution units of the Bio-medical division.

 

The blended gross profit margin for the first half was 30.1% (H1 2016: 32.8%). This decrease is mostly due to a reduction in the gross margin of the Networking and Cyber division as a result of the contribution to revenues from a large government contract, which carries a lower gross margin..

 

Sales and marketing expenses for the first half were $7.2m (H1 2016: $7.3m), representing 14.5% of revenues compared with 16.2% in H1 2016.

 

General and administrative expenses were $5.2m (H1 2016: $4.7m). The increase is mainly due to the effect of the consolidation of the newly-acquired Zer Laboratories.  

 

Research and development investment in the first half of 2017 increased to $4.0m (H1 2016: $3.4m), primarily as a result of the increase in investments in new technologies in the Eco-Med unit and investments in new software applications.

 

Net finance expense was $0.2m (H1 2016: $0.4m). The decrease is mainly due to the positive effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

 

Net loss after tax attributable to equity holders of the parent amounted to $2.6m (H1 2016: $0.9m loss), resulting in a basic loss per share of 0.66¢ (H1 2016: 0.23¢ loss).

 

Adjusted operating

 

The Group's balance sheet remains strong with effective liquidity of $22.4m at 30 June 2017 compared with $27.6m at 31 December 2016 and $18.6m at 30 June 2016. Period-end cash is comprised as follows: cash and deposits up to three months duration of $13.2m and short-term cash deposits up to one year and held for trading bonds of $9.2m. The decrease in cash balances is a result of the investment in the subsidiary Zer Laboratories and investment in the joint venture Ador as well as purchase of fixed assets.

 

As at 30 June 2017, inventory was $20.8m (31 December 2016: $20.5m; 30 June 2016: $20.9m). Trade and other receivables was $33.6m (31 December 2016: $28.1m; 30 June 2016: $28.1m), with the increase mainly due to the growth in revenues in H1 2017. 

 

Intangible assets and goodwill was $22.8m (31 December 2016 $20.6m; 30 June 2016: $20.2m). This increase compared with the prior year was mostly due to the investment in Zer Laboratories.

 

Property, plant and equipment and investment property increased to $20.3m (31 December 2016: $17.7m; 30 June 2016: $23.2m). The increase is due to leasehold improvement in two new buildings.

 

The balance of trade and other payables was $31.9m (31 December 2016: $27.1m; 30 June 2016: $23.4m). The increase is due to an increase in the out-sourcing services in the Networking and Cyber division and in the Eco-Med unit.

 

Cash outflow from operations was $0.4m for H1 2017, compared with an inflow of $0.1m for the prior period, due to the operating loss incurred in the period.

 

 

Outlook

 

The Group continues to make further inroads in the Bio-Medical division, gaining new customers and increasing sales to current ones. Specifically, the Eco-Med unit is receiving a lot of interest in its innovative agri-waste solutions. In the second half of the year it is on track to deliver the mobile unit for agri-waste treatment as well as the delivery of the contract for the bovine slaughterhouse facility. In the second half, the Diagnostics unit will also experience increased sales of reagents and machines compared with H1 2017.

 

In the Networking and Cyber division, the Cyber unit continues to experience increased interest from government agencies across the globe. In H2 2017, the unit expects to deliver a significant portion of the Cyber contract that was first won in 2016 and expanded to incorporate other elements in H1 2017. The Group also expects to report on the success of POC trials currently taking place. In the Networking unit, the Group continues to progress with the SDN/NFV solutions POC trials and expects to announce follow-on orders during H2 2017.

 

As a result of this, the Group has an increased backlog compared with this time last year and, consequently, expects to report growth for full year 2017, in line with market expectations.

 

BATM ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS LTD.

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

 


         Six months ended 30 June


2 0 1 7

2 0 1 6


           US$ in thousands


  Unaudited

  Unaudited




Revenues

49,825

45,122




Cost of revenues

        34,846

        30,340




Gross profit

14,979

14,782


---------------

---------------

Operating expenses






Sales and marketing expenses

7,210

7,305




General and administrative expenses

5,240

4,710




Research and development expenses

3,966

3,394




Other operating expenses

             622

             545




Total operating expenses

17,038

15,954


---------------

---------------

Operating loss

(2,059)

(1,172)




Finance income  

293

125




Finance expenses 

           (494)

           (513)




Loss before tax

(2,260)

(1,560)




Income tax (expenses)

             (75)

               27




Loss for the period before share of a loss of a joint venture
and associated companies

    

  (2,335)

 

       (1,533)




Share of a loss of joint venture and associated companies

__  __(597)

____     __-




Loss for the period

       (2,932)

       (1,533)




Attributable to:



Owners of the Company

(2,645)

(935)




Non-controlling interests

           (287)

           (598)




Loss for the period

       (2,932)

        (1,533)

Profit (loss) per share (In cents):



From continuing

and discontinued operations Basic and Diluted

         (0.66)

          (0.23)




From continuing operations Basic and Diluted

         (0.66)

          (0.23)




BATM ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 


         Six months ended 30 June


2 0 1 7

2 0 16


          US$ in thousands


Unaudited

Unaudited




Loss for the period

(2,932)

(1,533)




Items that may  be reclassified subsequently 

to profit or loss :






Exchange differences on translating foreign operations

        3,193

            595




Total Comprehensive income (loss) of the Period

            261

         (938)

Attributable to:



Owners of the Company

1,133

(184)

Non-controlling interests

         (872)

         (754)


            261

         (938)

BATM ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

 


30 June

30 June

31 December


2 0 1 7

2 0 1 6

2 0 1 6


                              US$ in thousands


Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited

Current assets




Cash and cash equivalents

13,168

16,112

22,015

Trade and other receivables

33,627

28,067

28,124

Financial assets

9,237

2,537

5,593

Inventories

20,804

20,894

20,479


76,836

67,610

76,211

Non-current assets




Property, plant and equipment

16,447

19,445

14,078

Investment property

3,846

3,729

3,669

Goodwill

16,928

15,339

15,011

Other intangible assets

5,862

4,841

5,604

Investment in Joint venture and associate

1,082

-

854

Available for sale Investments carried at fair value

576

614

614

Deferred tax asset

3,683

3,582

3,570


48,424

47,550

43,400





Total assets

125,260

115,160

119,611

Current liabilities




Short-term bank credit

3,126

4,667

4,407

Trade and other payables

         31,948

        23,424

        27,100


         35,074

        28,091

        31,507

Non-current liabilities




Long-term bank credit

3,047

1,281

1,104

Long-term liabilities

4,455

4,448

4,722

Deferred tax liabilities

880

997

912

Retirement benefit obligation

              599

              738

             476


           8,981

          7,464

          7,214





Total liabilities

        44,055

        35,555

       38,721

 

Equity




Share capital

1,216

1,216

1,216

Share premium account

407,598

407,487

407,544

Foreign currency translation reserve
and other reserves

(17,292)

(19,637)

(21,070)

Accumulated deficit

(306,455)

(307,249)

(303,810)

Equity attributable to equity holders of the:




Owners of the Company

85,067

81,817

83,880

Non-controlling interest

(3,862)

(2,212)

(2,990)

Total equity

81,205

79,605

        80,890

Total equity and liabilities

125,260

115,160

      119,611

 

 


BATM ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 

Six months ended 30 June 2017


 

Share Capital

Share Premium Account

 

Translation reserve

 

Other

Reserve

 

Accumulated

Deficit

Attributable to owners of the Parent

Non-Controlling Interests

 

Total

equity


US$ in thousands

As at 1 January  2017

1,216

407,544

(20,558)

 

(512)

(303,810)

83,880

(2,990)

80,890

Recognition of share-based payments


 

 

54




 

 

54


 

 

54

Loss for the period





(2,645)

(2,645)

(287)

(2,932)

Comprehensive income (loss) for the period



3,778


-

3,778

(585)

3,193

Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period



     3,778


   (2,645)

   1,133

    (872)

      261

As at 30 June 2017

(unaudited)

    1,216

407,598

(16,780)

 

    (512)

(306,455)

85,067

(3,862)

81,205

 

Six months ended 30 June 2016

 


 

Share Capital

Share Premium Account

 

Translation reserve

 

Other

Reserve

 

Accumulated

Deficit

Attributable to owners of the Parent

Non-Controlling Interests

 

Total

equity


US$ in thousands

As at 1 January  2016

1,216

407,436

(20,053)

 

(335)

(306,314)

81,950

(1,458)

80,492

Recognition of share-based payments


 

 

51




 

 

51


 

 

51

Loss for the period





(935)

(935)

(598)

(1,533)

Comprehensive income (loss) for the period



751


-

751

(156)

595

Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period



        751


     (935)

   (184)

   (754)

   (938)

As at 30 June 2016

(unaudited)

    1,216

407,487

(19,302)

 

    (335)

(307,249)

81,817

(2,212)

79,605

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



BATM ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 


                          Six months ended 30 June


                    2 0 1 7

               2 0 1 6


                       US$ in thousands





   Unaudited

   Unaudited




Net cash used in operating activities  (Appendix A)

             (919)

             (158)




Investing activities



Interest received

88

91

Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment

45

52

Proceeds on disposal of deposits

1,152

1,651

Proceeds on disposal of financial assets carried
at fair value   through profit and loss

 

3,000

 

525

Proceeds on disposal of held to maturity investment

-

3,229

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

(2,174)

(1,731)

Increase of other intangible assets

 (663)

 (1,192)

Purchases of financial assets carried at fair value
through profit and loss

 

(2,452)

 

-

Purchases of deposits

(5,351)

(1,151)

Investment in joint venture

 (834)

-

Acquisition of subsidiaries (Appendix B)

 (1,361)

         (1,862)

Net cash used in investing activities

          (8,550)

            (388)

Financing activities



Decrease in short-term bank credit

-

(2)

Bank loan repayment

  (4,816)

(3,928)

Bank loan received

5,138

           3,599

Net cash from (used in)  financing activities

              322

           (331)




Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

(9,147)

(877)




Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

22,015

17,042




Effects of exchange rate changes on the balance
of cash held in foreign currencies

 

             300

 

             (53)




Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

       13,168

          16,112

BATM ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS LTD.

APPENDICES TO CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

APPENDIX A

RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING LOSS FOR THE PERIOD TO NET CASH

USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES


Six months ended 30 June


      2 0 1 7

      2 0 1 6


    US$ in thousands


Unaudited

Unaudited

Operating loss from continuing operations

(2,059)

(1,172)

 

Adjustments for:



Amortization of intangible assets

644

579

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment and investment property

1,112

901

Capital gain of property, plant and equipment

(32)

-

Stock options granted to employees

54

51

Increase in retirement benefit obligation

123

30

Increase (decrease) in provisions

                 2

                (2)

Operating cash flow before movements in working capital

(156)

387

Decrease (increase) in inventory

(258)

1,821

Decrease (increase) in receivables

(5,143)

3,763

Increase (decrease) in payables

 3,442

(5,864)

Effects of exchange rate changes on the balance sheet

           1,720

             (49)

Cash from (used in)  operations

(395)

58

Income taxes paid

(268)

(12)

Income taxes received

1

-

Interest paid

           (257)

           (204)

Net cash used in operating activities

            (919)

            (158)

 

 

 

APPENDIX B

ACQUISITION OF SUBSIDIARY - Zer Laboratories

 


2017
US$ in thousands


Unaudited

Net assets acquired


Property, plant and equipment

78

Trade payables and other liabilities

             (85)


(7)

Goodwill

          1,207

Total consideration

           1,200

 

Satisfied by:


Cash

787

Consideration recorded as a contingentliability

            420


         1,207

Net cash outflow arising on acquisition


Cash consideration

787

Cash and cash equivalents acquired

                -


           787

BATM ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS LTD

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1 - Basis of preparation

 

The interim consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in conformity with International Accounting Standard No. 34 "interim financial reporting" (hereafter "IAS 34").

 

In preparing these interim consolidated financial statements, the Company implemented accounting policies, presentation principles and calculation methods identical to those implemented in preparation of its consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 2016 and for the period ended on that date. The condensed interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs.

 

Note 2 - Profit/(loss) per share

 

Profit/(loss) per share is based on the weighted average number of shares in issue for the period of 403,150,820 (H1 2016: 403,150,820). The number used for the calculation of the diluted profit per share for the period (which includes the effect of dilutive stock option plans) is 403,150,820 shares (H1 2016 403,150,820).

 

Note 3 - Other alternative performance measures

 


              Six months ended 30 June


                     2 0 1 7

                 2 0 1 6


Unaudited

Unaudited




Operating loss

(2,059)

(1,172)




Amortisation of Intangible assets

 

             644

            579

Other alternative Operating profit

        (1,415)

          (593)

 

 

Note 4 - Segments

 

Business Segment

Six months ended 30 June 2017

 

 

 

Networking and Cyber

 

Bio-Medical                                                          

 

Unallocated

 

Total


US$ in thousands

Revenues

20,987

28,643

195

49,825





Segment profit/(loss)

(369)

(296)

(772)

(1,437)



Reconciliation- Other operating expenses



 

(622)



Net Finance cost



       (201)









Loss before tax



       (2,260)

 



 

BATM ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS LTD

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 4 - Segments (cont.)

 

 

Six months ended 30 June 2016

 

 

 

Networking and Cyber

 

Bio-Medical

 

Unallocated

 

Total


   US$ in thousands

Revenues

19,137

25,800

185

45,122





Segment profit/(loss)

43

4

(674)

(627)



Reconciliation- Other operating expenses



 

(545)



Net Finance cost



       (388)









Loss before tax



       (1,560)

 

       


Note 5 - Financial instruments

 

The amortised cost of the financial instruments of the Group is not considered to be materially different from the fair value.

 

The following provides information of financial instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair value, grouped into Level 3 based on the degree to which their fair value is observable:

 

Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the liabilities that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

 

Financial liabilities-Government grants total amount: $3.4m.

 

 

Note 6 - Investment in subsidiaries

 

In January 2017, the Group acquired the entire issued share capital of Zer Laboratories Ltd, which is the largest private diagnostic laboratory in Israel for clinical tests, mainly providing prenatal screening tests for Down's Syndrome, genetic tests and additional tests performed during IVF and fertility treatments, for a total consideration of $1.2m payable: $0.8m in cash and $0.4m as a contingent liability, which will be paid over a period of four years.

 

Zer Laboratories is part of the Bio-Medical division.

 

The Company has not yet completed the purchase price allocation to the assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of Zer Laboratories and has temporarily classified the access cost as goodwill.

 

 

 


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
IR SEFFAUFWSEDA
UK 100

Latest directors dealings