GINV.L Regulatory News (GINV)

12 May 2016

Global Invacom Group Limited

Q1 FY2016 Results

- Revenue up 13.8% to US$30.8M (Q1 FY2015: US$27.0M), including US$11.5M in three-month contributions from recently-acquired business Skyware Global

- Net loss narrowed to S$0.7M from US$0.9M in Q1 FY2015

- Group continues to experience effects of technology shift; completed R&D for next-generation products and is now well positioned for improved sales

Global Invacom Group Limited ("Global Invacom" or "the Group"), a satellite communications ("Sat Comms") equipment provider listed on the Singapore Exchange and the U.K. AIM Market, announced today its results for the three months ended 31 March 2016 ("Q1 FY2016").

Revenue for Q1 FY2016 rose 13.8% to US$30.8 million, up from US$27.0 million a year ago ("Q1 FY2015"). This was due to the recognition of US$11.5 million in Q1 FY2016 contributions from subsidiary Satellite Acquisition Corporation (trading as "Skyware Global"), the purchase of which was completed on 24 August 2015. North Carolina-headquartered Skyware Global is a leading U.S. designer and manufacturer of antennae for Broadband, Satellite and Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT) covering C-band, Ku-band and Ka-band frequency platforms.

The impact of the technology changes during FY2015 continued to affect the Group's largest customer in the U.S., with revenues reduced by US$5.1 million in Q1 FY2016. The Group also saw a reduction of US$2.0 million in its Contract Manufacturing segment, as well as lower demand from its largest Malaysian customer compared to Q1 FY2015.

With the inclusion of Skyware Global, Q1 FY2016 revenue from America and the Rest of the World increased by US$5.0 million (+33.9%) and US$0.9 million (+172.2%), respectively; offset by declining revenue from Europe and Asia of US$1.4 million (-16.2%) and US$0.8 million (-26.8%), respectively.

Gross profit decreased marginally by US$0.2 million, or 2.9%, to US$5.7 million in Q1 FY2016 from US$5.9 million in Q1 FY2015; while gross profit margin fell to 18.5% in Q1 FY2016 from 21.6% in Q1 FY2015. Excluding Skyware Global, gross profit margin would have risen by 2.7% to 24.3% in Q1 FY2016. The margin for Skyware Global recognised one-off costs following the acquisition and change in management, as well as lower margins from an adverse product mix.

Administrative expenses decreased by US$0.7 million or 10.5% to US$6.3 million in Q1 FY2016 from US$7.0 million in Q1 FY2015, representing 20.4% and 25.9% of revenue, respectively, including three months of Skyware Global's manpower and expenses in Q1 FY2016. A restructuring and rationalisation exercise in 2015 at the Group's U.K. operations and its programme of streamlining internal efficiencies have translated into operational cost savings for the Group in Q1 FY2016.

The Group narrowed its net loss in Q1 FY2016 to US$0.7 million from $0.9 million in Q1 FY2015. Excluding the net loss for Skyware Global, which arose mainly from one-off post-acquisition costs and an adverse product mix, the Group would have posted a net loss of US$0.1 million. Loss per share on a fully diluted basis was 0.24 U.S. cent in Q1 FY2016 while net asset value per share was 20.05 U.S. cents as at 31 March 2016.

The Group's overall performance for Q1 FY2016 continued to be restricted by the current technology shift in the satellite ground equipment industry which occurs every eight to ten years. The Group expects sales to improve through FY2016.

The Group has completed R&D work on next-generation Low Noise Block ("LNB") technology, which it expects to provide to a larger customer base by expanding its product range.

The Group is focused on increasing sales and marketing activities in all territories - including developing markets in South America, Malaysia and Indonesia - and is monitoring opportunities in India and Africa. The Group expects to recognise further contributions from the inclusion of Skyware Global in its FY2016 results. In particular, the Group aims to increase its range of VSAT offerings, where its customer base includes a major U.S. broadcaster that intends to launch two new satellites later in the year.

Mr Tony Taylor, Executive Chairman of Global Invacom, said, "Since the acquisition of Skyware Global, we have consolidated our supply chain footprint in the U.S. and strengthened both our management team and global sales network. We will continue to pursue global leadership in the research and production of Sat Comms equipment, and remain committed to providing premium satellite services to our clients."

For media queries, please contact

Matthew Garner

Chief Financial Officer

Global Invacom Group Limited 

On behalf of Global Invacom Group Limited:

finnCap Ltd (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker)

Christopher Raggett / Simon Hicks (Corporate Finance)

Rhys Williams (Corporate Broking and Sales)

+44 207 220 0500

Mirabaud Securities LLP (Joint Broker)

Peter Krens (Equity Capital Markets)

+44 207 878 3362

Bell Pottinger LLP (UK Financial PR)

David Rydell / David Bass / Lucy Stewart

+44 203 772 2500

WeR1 Consultants Pte Ltd (Singapore Financial PR)

Grace Yew, graceyew@wer1.net

Ian Lau, ianlau@wer1.net 

+65 6737 4844

About Global Invacom Group Limited 

Global Invacom Group Limited ("Global Invacom") is listed on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited Mainboard ("SGX-ST") and its shares are admitted to trading on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange in the U.K.

Global Invacom is a fully integrated satellite equipment provider with seven manufacturing plants across China, Israel, Malaysia, U.K. and the U.S. Its customers include satellite broadcasters such as BSkyB of the U.K. and Dish Network of the U.S.A.

On 24 August 2015, Global Invacom completed the acquisition of Skyware Global, a leading U.S.-based designer and supplier of satellite antenna products and services for C-band, Ku-band and Ka-band frequency platforms, positioning itself as the world's only full-service outdoor unit supplier.

Global Invacom provides a full range of dish antennas, LNB receivers, transmitters, switches and video distribution components and electronics manufacturing services in satellite communications, as well as manufacturing services in TV peripherals, computer peripherals, medical, and consumer electronics industries.

For more information, please refer to www.globalinvacom.com

Q1 FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2016

PART I - INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS OF QUARTERLY (Q1, Q2 & Q3), HALF-YEAR AND FULL YEAR RESULTS

1(a) A statement of comprehensive income (for the group) together with a comparative statement for the corresponding period of the immediately preceding financial year.

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the three months period ended 31 March 2016. These figures have not been audited.

N.M.: Not Meaningful

Note:

(i) Loss before income tax was determined after (charging)/crediting the following:

1(b)(i) A statement of financial position (for the issuer and group), together with a comparative statement as at the end of the immediately preceding financial year.

1(b)(ii) Aggregate amount of group's borrowings and debt securities.

Amount repayable in one year or less, or on demand

Amount repayable after one year

Details of any collateral

The loans of US$6,872,000 were secured over the cash collateral of US$1,000,000 and corporate guarantees provided by the Company.

1(c) A statement of cash flows (for the group), together with a comparative statement for the corresponding period of the immediately preceding financial year.

Note:

(i) For the purpose of presentation in the consolidated statement of cash flows, the consolidated cash and cash equivalents comprise the following:

* Restricted cash includes cash collateral amounted to US$1,000,000 (Q1 FY2015: Nil), fixed deposits amounted to US$400,000 (Q1 FY2015: US$400,000) and bank balance amounted to US$6,000 (Q1 FY2015: US$62,000) pledged with the banks for banker's guarantee and loans granted to the Group. As at 31 March 2016, the Group had utilised US$6,872,000 of the facilities and loans granted.

1(d)(i) A statement (for the issuer and group) showing either (i) all changes in equity or (ii) changes in equity other than those arising from capitalisation issues and distributions to shareholders, together with a comparative statement for the corresponding period of the immediately preceding financial year.

1(d)(ii) Details of any changes in the company's share capital arising from rights issue, bonus issue, share buy-backs, exercise of share options or warrants, conversion of other issues of equity securities, issue of shares for cash or as consideration for acquisition or for any other purpose since the end of the previous period reported on.

State also the number of shares that may be issued on conversion of all the outstanding convertibles, as well as the number of shares held as treasury shares, if any, against the total number of issued shares excluding treasury shares of the issuer, as at the end of the current financial period reported on and as at the end of the corresponding period of the immediately preceding financial year.

There were 10,740,072 and 24,953,000 treasury shares held by the Company as at 31 March 2016 and 31 March 2015 respectively.

1(d)(iii) To show the total number of issued shares excluding treasury shares as at the end of the current financial period and as at the end of the immediately preceding year.

1(d)(iv) A statement showing all sales, transfers, disposal, cancellation and/or use of treasury shares as at the end of the current financial period reported on.

2. Whether the figures have been audited or reviewed and in accordance with which auditing standard or practice.

These figures have not been audited or reviewed.

3. Where the figures have been audited or reviewed, the auditors' report (including any qualifications or emphasis of a matter).

Not applicable.

4. Whether the same accounting policies and methods of computation as in the issuer's most recently audited annual financial statements have been applied.

The accounting policies and methods of computation have been applied consistently for the current financial period ended 31 March 2016 as those used in the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015, except for the adoption of the new or revised International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") applicable for the financial period beginning 1 January 2016.

5. If there are any changes in the accounting policies and methods of computation, including any required by an accounting standard, what has changed, as well as the reasons for, and the effect of, the change.

The Group has adopted all of the new or revised IFRS that are effective for the financial period beginning 1 January 2016 and are relevant to its operations.

6. Earnings per ordinary share of the group for the current financial period reported on and the corresponding period of the immediately preceding financial year, after deducting any provision for preference dividends.

7. Net asset value (for the issuer and group) per ordinary share based on the total number of issued shares excluding treasury shares of the issuer at the end of the:

(a) current financial period reported on; and

(b) immediately preceding financial year.

8. A review of the performance of the group, to the extent necessary for a reasonable understanding of the group's business. It must include a discussion of the following:

(a) any significant factors that affected the turnover, costs, and earnings of the group for the current financial period reported on, including (where applicable) seasonal or cyclical factors; and

(b) any material factors that affected the cash flow, working capital, assets or liabilities of the group during the current financial period reported on.

Review of Financial Performance

Revenue

The Group's revenue increased by US$3.7 million, or 13.8%, to US$30.8 million in Q1 FY2016 from US$27.0 million in Q1 FY2015. The Group recognised three months contribution of US$11.5 million revenue in Q1 FY2016 from its latest acquisition, Satellite Acquisition Corporation ("Skyware Global"), headquartered in North Carolina, United States ("U.S."). The impact of the technology changes experienced during FY2015 continued to affect the Group's largest customer in America with revenues reduced by US$5.1 million in Q1 FY2016. The Group also saw a reduction in its Contract Manufacturing segment of US$2.0 million and in demand from its largest Malaysian customer against Q1 FY2015.

By geography, with the inclusion of Skyware Global, revenue for Q1 FY2016 from America and the Rest of the World increased by US$5.0 million (+33.9%) and US$0.9 million (+172.2%), respectively; this was offset by a fall in revenue from Europe and Asia by US$1.4 million (-16.2%) and US$0.8 million (-26.8%), respectively.

Gross Profit

Gross profit decreased marginally by US$0.2 million or 2.9% to US$5.7 million in Q1 FY2016 from US$5.9 million in Q1 FY2015. Gross profit margin fell to 18.5% in Q1 FY2016 from 21.6% in Q1 FY2015. With the exclusion of Skyware Global, gross profit margin would have risen by 2.7% against Q1 FY2015 to 24.3% in Q1 FY2016. The reduction from the inclusion of Skyware Global recognises one-off costs in Q1 FY2016 following the acquisition and change in the management team and lower margins from an adverse product mix.

Other Income

Other income decreased by US$0.2 million mainly attributable to the reduction in foreign exchange gain.

Distribution Costs

Distribution costs increased in line with the rise in sales and marketing activities following the acquisition of Skyware Global.

Administrative Expenses

Administrative expenses decreased by US$0.7 million, or 10.5%, to US$6.3 million in Q1 FY2016 from US$7.0 million in Q1 FY2015, representing 20.4% and 25.9% of revenue, respectively, including three months of Skyware Global's manpower and expenses in Q1 FY2016 of US$1.3 million. A restructuring and rationalisation exercise at the Group's U.K. operations during 2015 and its programme of streamlining internal efficiencies have translated into operational cost savings for the Group in Q1 FY2016 against Q1 FY2015.

Finance Costs

The increase in finance costs was mainly attributable to the increase in borrowings in Q1 FY2016 relating to Skyware Global.

Loss before Tax

The Group recorded a loss before tax of US$0.6 million in Q1 FY2016 from US$0.8 million in Q1 FY2015, with a negative margin of 2.0% compared to 3.1%, respectively. Excluding the loss from Skyware Global, which arose mainly from one-off post-acquisition costs and an adverse product mix, the Group would have posted a loss before tax of US$0.1 million.

Taxation

Income tax reduced mainly due to the reduction of taxable profits from all subsidiaries.

Net Loss

Overall, the Group posted a net loss of US$0.7 million in Q1 FY2016 from US$0.9 million in Q1 FY2015, with a net loss margin of 2.1% compared to 3.5%, respectively. Excluding Skyware Global, the Group would have posted a net loss of US$0.1 million.

Review of Financial Position

Non-current assets increased by US$0.2 million mainly attributable to the addition of property, plant and equipment.

Net current assets decreased by US$0.6 million to US$28.3 million as at 31 March 2016 from US$28.9 million as at 31 December 2015. Better internal control and improved collections resulted in inventories, trade and other receivables, and trade and other payables decreasing by US$0.1 million, US$3.9 million and US$3.2 million, respectively. Borrowings increased by US$1.5 million to US$6.9 million. Cash and cash equivalents improved by US$1.5 million to US$10.4 million. Provision for tax decreased by US$0.2 million as at 31 March 2016.

Non-current liabilities decreased by US$0.4 million due to the reversal of provision for litigation that the Group had successfully settled with a former supplier. There will be no further liability to the Group.

The Group's net asset value stood at US$54.5 million as at 31 March 2016 and 31 December 2015.

Review of Cash Flows

Net cash generated from operating activities was US$0.5 million, comprising cash inflow from operating cash activities before working capital changes of US$0.7 million, net working capital inflow of US$0.1 million and payment of interest and income tax expense of US$0.3 million.

Net cash used in investing activities was US$0.7 million, comprising mainly the purchase of machinery and equipment.

Net cash generated from financing activities was US$1.6 million, arising from the net proceeds from borrowings.

Overall, the Group recorded a net increase in cash and cash equivalents of US$1.4 million in Q1 FY2016, bringing cash and cash equivalents per the consolidated statement of cash flows to US$9.0 million as at 31 March 2016.

9. Where a forecast, or a prospect statement, has been previously disclosed to shareholders, any variance between it and the actual results.

No forecast or prospect statement was made by the Company in the previous announcement made on 25 February 2016.

10. A commentary at the date of the announcement of the significant trends and competitive conditions of the industry in which the group operates and any known factors or events that may affect the group in the next reporting period and the next 12 months.

The global Satellite Communications ("Sat Comms") industry was valued at US$203 billion in 2014* while the satellite ground equipment market, in which the Group operates, is expected to continue to grow at 5% per year. This growth is driven by technological advancements in the pay-TV industry, expansion of broadband internet services and increasing demand for digital media. Amidst rapid changes and consolidation in the sector, the Group in FY2015 acquired Skyware Global. This leading designer and manufacturer of antennas for Broadband, Satellite and Very Small Aperture Terminals ("VSAT") covering C-band, Ku-band and Ka-band frequency platforms is based in North Carolina, U.S. The Group is now the only supplier of outdoor satellite antenna products and services for C-band, Ku-band and Ka-band frequency platforms.

Since the 24 August 2015 completion of the acquisition of Skyware Global, the Group has begun integrating Skyware Global's suite of capabilities, consolidated the Group's supply chain footprint in North America (including shutting down one warehouse), strengthened the management team, integrated its global sales network as well as increased sales and marketing activities in South America, Asia, Africa and Europe. The refreshed sales network has reviewed its go-to-market strategy and accelerated sales efforts with a particular focus on multi-channel sales, with all sales staff selling the Group's full range of products across territories in which the Group has a presence.

The Group has started to realise opportunities from the integration, lowering some operational costs and widening the range of customer offerings; particularly its VSAT range, where the Group's customer base includes a major U.S. broadcaster that intends to launch two new satellites later in the year. Revenue contribution from Skyware Global is expected to increase in FY2016 compared to the previous period due to full year inclusion.

The satellite ground equipment industry is undergoing a significant technology change, that involves the introduction of digital channel stacking ("DCS"), a technology that allows up to 32 continuous video streams from a single Low Noise Block ("LNB"). This technology shift impacted the Group's performance in FY2015 due to destocking by three main customers, and the Group expects the effects of this change to persist in FY2016.

The Group has completed research and development work on next generation LNBs that support DCS, positioning it for improved sales. The Group is currently awaiting qualification from one of its main customers, and intends to supply similar technology LNBs to other customers.

*Source: The Satellite Industry Association's 2015 State of the Satellite Industry Report 

11. Dividend

(a) Current Financial Period Reported On

Any dividend declared for the current financial period reported on?

None.

(b) Corresponding Period of the Immediately Preceding Financial Year

Any dividend declared for the corresponding period of the immediately preceding financial year?

None.

(c) Date payable

Not applicable.

(d) Books closure date

Not applicable.

12. If no dividend has been declared/recommended, a statement to that effect.

No dividend has been declared or recommended for the three months period ended 31 March 2016.

13. If the Group has obtained a general mandate from shareholders for Interested Person Transactions ("IPTs"), the aggregate value of such transactions as required under Rule 920(1)(a)(ii). If no IPTs mandate has been obtained, a statement to that effect.

The Company does not have a shareholders' mandate for IPTs and there were no IPTs for the three months period ended 31 March 2016.

14. Confirmation that the Company has procured undertaking from all its directors and executive officers pursuant to Rule 720(1).

The Company confirms that it has procured undertakings from all its directors and executive officers under Rule 720(1) of the Listing Manual of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited.

CONFIRMATION BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (THE "BOARD") PURSUANT TO RULE 705(5) OF THE LISTING MANUAL

We do hereby confirm, for and on behalf of the Board of Global Invacom Group Limited (the "Company"), that to the best of our knowledge, nothing has come to the attention of the Board of the Company which may render the financial results for the three months period ended 31 March 2016 to be false or misleading in any material aspect.

On behalf of the Board

Anthony Brian Taylor Matthew Jonathan Garner

Director Director

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD

Anthony Brian Taylor

Chairman

12 May 2016