Annual results 2016

15 Mar 2017 18:16 CET

REGULATED PRESS RELEASE - 2016 ANNUAL RESULTS

High profitability in both divisions

Group current EBITDA up to € 26.5 million, supported by the record performance of the Goods ID division

Net result of € 11.5 million, up 6.9% on 2015.

Goods ID: stable revenues and further improved profitability 

Sales of € 205.0 million buoyed by a strong second half growth

Current EBITDA of € 15.9 million

(+8.7% on 2015)

People ID: key role of long-term contracts with high added value

Sales of € 48.4 million

(-10.3% on 2015)

Current EBITDA of € 14.2 million

(-8.4% on 2015)

After the strong sales growth in 2015, associated in particular with a major project in the Goods ID division, the challenge for 2016 was to repeat the 2015 performance without relying on a similar major contract. Finally, sales for the year amounted to € 253.4 million, down just 1.9% from 2015, with current EBITDA stabilizing at € 26.5 million (€ 26.7 million in 2015).

This decline in sales reflects the lower turnover of the People ID division (-10.3%), supported solely by long-term contracts, while the turnover of the Goods ID Division was stable (+0.4% on 2015), despite the negative impact of exchange rates.

The gross margin ended up at € 114.8 million, close to the 2015 record (-0.6%). In relative terms it represented 45.3% of sales, which is higher than 2015 (44.8%), influenced essentially by the product mix of the People ID division and the constant improving margins in Goods ID.

Current EBITDA of the Group is € 26.5 million, which is stable compared with 2015, supported by a good performance in both divisions: € 15.9 million in Goods ID (+8.7%) and € 14.2 million in People ID (-8.4%).

The Goods ID division succeeded in maintaining sales at the 2015 level without any one major contract equivalent to the one carried out in the first half 2015. The Division is reaping the benefits of the 6 key solutions-based commercial strategy introduced in 2012, particularly in the retail, postal services and transport sectors. Its serialization solution (ZetesAtlas) used in production units is also growing strongly, even if its impact on the Division's sales figure remains right now more limited.

In People ID, sales are down: -10.3% compared with 2015. This reflects the decrease in short-term contracts. Business development efforts remained strong, but without translating into sales in 2016. The execution of the various long-term contracts enabled the Division to maintain a good profitability, with a current EBITDA of € 14.2 million (-8.4% compared to 2015).

Non-recurring expenses are up, mainly as a result of the - ongoing - transaction - of the purchase of Zetes Industries SA by Panasonic. The costs related to this transaction in 2016 amount to € 0.5 million.

1. "Current" excludes restructuring expenses and other non-current items (badwill/other)
2. Net profit of the Group

Provisions, depreciation, amortization and impairment losses were down at € 8.9 million.

Financial charges are significantly down, while financial income remained stable. Foreign exchange losses amounted to € 1.0 million in 2016, vs. 1.4 million in 2015. In this way the net financial result for the year is a slight improvement on 2015:  a net charge of € 0.5 million vs. € 0.8 million. This relatively low level reflects both the macro-economic environment with low interest rates and the good solvency of the Group (net cash). Finally, taxes reach € 4.9 million, or 29.8% of the pre-tax result.  This is in line with the rate applicable in Belgium, where the Group has its operations centre.

The net result of the Group is € 11.5 million, up 6.9% on 2015. 

Analysis by half-year

The second half confirmed the good performance of the first half with growing sales and EBITDA. The seasonality of sales was more pronounced than in 2015, and was in line with the historical trend in the Goods ID division.

The development by division is discussed below.

1. Goods ID

For the fourth consecutive year, the Goods ID Division improved its performance; sales stabilized at a record € 205.0 million, a slight increase of 0.4% compared to 2015. This evolution, organic in nature, is the result of the 6 key solutions strategy introduced in 2012. It was negatively impacted by changes in exchange rates, as explained below. The macroeconomic environment remained good in the various countries where Zetes operates, and almost all local entities contributed positively to Group earnings.

The contribution of the 6 solutions to the results and in particular to the gross margin of the division is significant: it is these that made it possible to increase the gross margin as a percentage of sales (40.1% vs. 39.4% in 2015 and 39.2 % in 2014). With just a limited increase in sales, gross margin rose by € 1.7 million to € 82.3 million.

The impact is particularly visible at the level of operating profitability: with operating expenses under control (+ 0.7% compared to 2015), the Division achieved an 8.7% rise in recurring EBITDA, up for the fourth consecutive year.

Zetes  continues  of course to  refine  its  solutions  along  with  its  mobility  platform  that  allows  sector-specific applications to be developed and implemented for mobile devices and communication protocols of every type. These development efforts translate into rising R&D investments, up to € 2.9 million in Goods ID (EUR 2.5 million in 2015) and also slightly increased amortization: € 2.6 million against € 2.3 million in 2015. Depreciation of other non-current assets amounted to € 2.4 million, which is significantly lower than in 2015. Other provisions, depreciation, amortization and impairment losses remained stable at € 0.9 million. In all, non-cash expenses were € 5.9 million, down 8.0% on 2015.

As a result, the Division generated a current EBIT of € 10.0 million, up 21.8% on 2015 (€ 8.2 million).

Analysis by half-year

Sales seasonality reverted to the normal pattern in 2016, with much higher sales in the second half. Gross margin as a percentage of sales moved in the right direction, with 41.6% in H1 2016 and 38.8% in H2 2016, vs. 40.5% in H1 2015 and 38.4% in H2 2015.

The increase in sales is small, but the division had set itself the objective of stabilizing its revenues in 2016 without the benefit of a roll-out like the one in H1 2015. The efforts to develop the recurrent portion of revenues made it possible to increase visibility on margins. Zetes continues to increase its recurring revenues and to win major contracts, especially in growth sectors such as postal services.

Evolving exchange rates impacted sales figures, but with a less marked effect on EBITDA. The change is due to the appreciation (vis-à-vis the euro) of the South African rand, offset by the depreciation of the pound sterling. At constant exchange rates, sales revenue and gross profit would have been 2.8% and 4.5% higher respectively. The negative impact of exchange rate changes on current EBITDA is € 0.4 million.

All the growth is internally generated, with the Goods ID division remaining focused on implementing its 6 key solutions strategy, which is generating internal growth.

1. People ID

In People ID, sales revenue dipped by 10.3%, but with margins behaving very well thanks to the product mix. Most revenue comes either from long-term contracts with high added value, or from small services-only contracts. The added value added of the software solutions lies in data security, flow management and traceability. This sets the Division aside and is also the main factor in improved margins. 

In 2016 Zetes undertook development work in the authentication area, with € 0.3 million invested over and above specific equipment. This, combined with the development work in the Goods ID division, explains the higher amounts recorded in the balance sheet (see below).

Despite a drop in income, the Division's performance remains very satisfactory.

In 2016, Build and Operate contracts contributed significantly to revenues and results,

Identity and travel documents are at the centre of the security systems of all States. These documents must to be secure and non-forgeable. Moreover, in the present era of connectivity and mobile computing, these documents must be electronic to permit secure interconnection with the authorities' computer systems. 

The Zetes People ID solutions provide strong authentication of a country's citizens, both in the individual's relationship with his document and in the linkage with the country's databases.

Zetes provides its customers with the capture of citizens' biographic and biometric data, sound population databases, issuance and distribution of identity documents and fixed and mobile control equipment.

The Build and Operate model, whereby a State entrusts Zetes with every stage of the process, is particularly attractive in enabling customers to provide their citizens with leading-edge security documents without upfront investment or risk of poor choice or supplier. It is also attractive for Zetes, as once the solution is deployed, the company has good visibility on the business for several years on out.

The same software architecture can be deployed for multiple government applications. This limits the risk to clients since the solution is tested and developed according to the most advanced standards, including ISO 27001. Again, this provides good synergies for Zetes.

The very high added value of these solutions explains the division's current EBITDA performance of € 14.2 million (down 8.7%).

Analysis by half-year

The division’s revenues and results display a considerable degree of stability. Indeed, income volatility comes mainly from short-term contracts with large hardware deliveries.  There was no significant contract of this type in 2016.

1. Group

The costs of the Corporate Division amounted to € 3.6 million, in line with 2015 (+3.7%). The Corporate Division's missions remain strategy definition, financial control, marketing and acquisitions. 

Over all three divisions together (Goods ID and People ID and Corporate), the company generated a current EBITDA of € 26.5 million. This is in line with the performance of 2015 which was the best ever recorded by Zetes (€ 26.7 million).

In terms of earnings per share, Zetes again exceeded € 2 per share.

II. BALANCE SHEET, INVESTMENTS AND CASH FLOW STATEMENT

Non-current assets are very stable, the limited increase in tangible and intangible assets being offset by the decrease in deferred tax assets.

Investments in development, included in intangible assets, rose in 2016 to € 3.2 million (against € 2.6 million in 2015). This results, after depreciation for the year, in a € 0.5 million increase in R&D assets. 

The € 0.6 million decrease in deferred tax assets reflects the good performance of subsidiaries, especially in the UK.

Inventory has grown significantly, as have receivables (trade and other current receivables). The higher inventories reflect preparations to deploy equipment at customers in two subsidiaries (+  € 4.3 million Goods ID Division). The increase in trade receivables at 31/12/2016 is offset by increased trade payables. This evolution reflects the substantial activity towards year-end. Zetes expects working capital to improve in 2017.

Cash and equivalents has evolved favourably, with a balance at 31/12/2016 of € 19.9 million. The impact of the 2016 performance on the Group's debt structure is limited due to the distribution, for the first time, of an interim dividend (December 2016). In total, € 8.4 million was distributed to shareholders in 2016. The net cash position remains strong at € 9.4 million (€ 9.6 million at the end 2015).

The total balance sheet is larger at € 199.1 million against € 188.7 million in 2015 (+ € 10.4 million). The net working capital needs followed the same trend, rising from € 14.1 million in 2015 to € 17.5 million.

With a very strong equity of € 93.3 million, up € 3.7 million on 2015, and a balance sheet total of € 199.1 million, the solvency ratio was 46.9% (47.5% in 2015). The increase in equity is substantial given the distribution in 2016 of both the dividend and the interim dividend mentioned above. The capital is determined after deducting treasury shares (€ 3.9 million), held primarily to cover the exercise of options by Company executives.

LT debts decreased significantly (€ 3.4 million). These are loans for financing the building on balance sheet of the companies acquired in July 2015. These loans mature in H2 2017.

Zetes is committed to maintaining a strong balance sheet structure. This allows it to bid for and, where successful, to manage very large deals, where the income streams can follow well after the capital outlay (People ID concessions) and to inspire confidence among potential customers like governments with which it signs multi-year contracts.

CASH FLOW STATEMENT

Operating activities generated a cash flow of € 16.5 million over the year. This breaks down into a P&L cash flow of € 21.4 million and a rising working capital requirement (€ -4.9 million). Zetes expects an at least partial improvement of the working capital situation in 2017.

€ 5.2 million was invested in non-current assets, which is more than in 2015 (€ 4.6 million). These break down into € 3.2 million for the Goods ID Division and € 2.0 million for the People ID division. Specific efforts were made in IT and in buildings upgrading and security.

Capitalized R&D expenses increased at € 3.2 million. These costs relate principally to the Goods ID division, divided as before between the development of the MCL software and that of the application solutions, which form the basis of the new strategy. The R&D effort in People ID focused on the development and certification of a certificate issuance infrastructure that enables Zetes to gain access to issuer status.

Financing-wise, a net € 2.2 million could be repaid to banks (loans / leasing / overdrafts). Zetes also paid a dividend of € 4.2 million in June 2016 and an interim dividend of the same amount of € 4.2 million in December 2016. 

III. ACQUISITION

Zetes examined several acquisition projects in 2016 without taking any of them further. Generally, the targets were insufficiently complementary with the Group's strategy and did not exhibit enough potential.

IV. OUTLOOK

In Goods ID, the 6 key solutions strategy continues to attract more and more customers, while the recurring income component linked to it increases the Division's visibility into the future.

The postal and parcel delivery sector is continuing to invest, with Zetes’s range of products enabling it to win more and more customers. These represent huge investments for customers, who are equipping all their employees with mobile devices to enhance efficiency and service quality. Unique ID (serialization of products) also remains a very promising area, under the pressure of increasingly demanding regulations. The Atlas solution has been implemented in various fields such as pharmaceuticals, luxury goods and explosives. The generalization of this obligation of unit-by-unit traceability opens up prospects for the coming years.

In People ID, the current Build and Operate contracts are making a very significant contribution to sales and profitability. In 2017, the concessions will all contribute to the good performance of the Division. The business development efforts should allow Zetes to renew these contracts and add more short-term contracts. This team continues to grow and expand to bring it ever closer, both geographically and technically, to its potential customers.

Zetes' strategy of value-added solutions in its two divisions has attracted the attention of Panasonic, one of the world's largest companies.

As it announced on 22 December 2016, Panasonic intends, through the rapprochement with Zetes, to become a leading world supplier of logistics solutions and to extend the range and quality of the services it can offer to its customers. As of the date of this publication, this operation has not yet received the green light from all relevant merger control authorities.

In conclusion, the objective in 2016 of repeating the performance of 2015 (largely supported by a single major contract) was reached. The Group is now turning to the future with a strategy that confirms its relevance and which, under the umbrella of a global group, will potentially give it significant new prospects for growth.

V. RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Investing in Zetes shares has risks attached. These risks are described in the annual report and continue to apply.

VI. TREASURY SHARES

In 2016, the Company acquired 69,216 shares (53,016 shares in the first half and 16,200 shares in the second). Zetes Industries also sold 84,497 shares in the context of the exercise of options and 34,017 shares under a staff benefit plan.  At 31 December 2016, Zetes held 124.944 own shares (174.242 end of 2015), representing 2.32% of the issued shares These are intended primarily to respond to the exercise of options by Company executives.

VII. DIVIDEND

Following the Annual General Meeting in May 2016, Zetes increased its dividend by 27% to € 0.80 per share.

The second half of 2016 generated a very strong cash flow from operations. This allowed Zetes to pay in December 2016 an interim dividend of the same amount of € 0.80 per share.

There are no plans to pay additional dividend after the General Meeting on May 31^st 2017.

VIII. DRAWING UP OF ACCOUNTS

The financial statements, the publication of which was approved by the Board of Directors on 15 March 2017 and which are presented below, constitute a summary of the annual report which will be available on 28 April 2017. They are drawn up in euros and are in conformity with IFRS standards as adopted by the European Union.

IX. WORK OF THE STATUTORY AUDITOR

The audit of the annual accounts is under way. The Statutory Auditor has confirmed that his audit procedures, which are substantially completed, have not revealed the need for any material correction to the accounting information contained in the press release.

CALENDAR

Publication of the Annual Report: 28 April 2017

Ordinary General Meeting: 31 May 2017

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