RNS Number : 3995H
Sarantel Group PLC
27 May 2011
 



27 May 2011

 

 

Sarantel Group PLC

 

Interim results for the six months to 31 March 2011 

 

Sarantel Group PLC, (AIM: SLG, "Sarantel" or the Group), a leading manufacturer of high-performance, miniature antennas for mobile and wireless devices, announces unaudited interim results for the six month period ended 31 March 2011.

 

Highlights:

 

·      Revenues of £1.0m (H1 2010: £1.4m)

·      Global Positioning Systems ("GPS") revenues up 1% despite lack of orders from Group's largest GPS customer

·      Revenues from military applications increased 26%

·      Development revenues increased 186%

·      Major development contract awarded by leading tactical radio supplier for rugged GPS antenna

·      Cash balance of £0.4m with an additional £0.17m tax credit received after the half-year end

 

 

Geoff Shingles, Chairman, said:

 

"We are making good progress despite setbacks in sales resulting from two of our largest customers experiencing internal technical issues earlier this year. We are continuing to diversify our client base and have won a major contract to supply rugged GPS antennas to a leading US military tactical radio supplier.

 

"The value of Sarantel's antenna technology is becoming clear as customers demand increased performance and GPS functionality proliferates into a broad range of applications."

 

 

Enquiries

 

Sarantel Group PLC

01933 670 560

David Wither, Chief Executive Officer


Nicola Malyon, Finance Director




Seymour Pierce

020 7107 8000

John Cowie/Freddy Crossley, Nominated Adviser

David Banks/Paul Jewell, Corporate Broking




College Hill

020 7457 2020

Kay Larsen/Rozi Morris


 

 

About Sarantel www.sarantel.com

 

Sarantel is a leader in the design of high-performance miniature antennas for portable wireless applications. Sarantel's revolutionary ceramic filtering antennas offer dramatically improved performance over existing antenna designs, resulting in a clearer signal, better range and a 90 per cent reduction in the amount of signal radiation absorbed by the body. Because of their smaller size and higher capabilities, Sarantel's antennas enable manufacturers to create innovative wireless products for the GPS, Satellite Radio and Satellite phone markets.

 

 

Interim Results

 

In the six months to 31 March 2011, Group revenues were £1.0 million (H1 2010: £1.4m), with GPS revenues growing 1% by value and 3% by unit volume. Revenues from high-value military and satellite data applications were lower than in 2010 due to one of the Group's larger customers sourcing a second supplier for their iridium satellite antenna.   

 

Gross margins of 30% (H1 2010: 34%) reflect the proportion of lower-margin GPS products in the revenue mix. 

 

The Group continued to manage its cost base effectively, with operating costs falling by 1.3% to £1.97 million. 

 

The Group's loss before depreciation, interest and tax was £1.3m (H1 2010:  £1.0m).

 

At £0.8m, operating cash outflow was lower than in 2010 (H1 2010: £0.9m) with ongoing cost savings expected through the recent reorganisation.

 

The Group's cash balance of £0.4m was lower than expected due to the impact on revenues as two of our largest customers experienced internal technical issues which delayed orders in the first half. As a result of this, further funding is now required and the Group is currently seeking funding to take the Group through to cash breakeven and profitability.

 

 

Development of Sarantel's Markets

 

Sarantel designs and manufactures high-performance antennas for a wide number of applications. For the past few years, Sarantel has been focusing its sales efforts on consumer GPS, military GPS and communications and mobile satellite services.

 

GPS usage continues to proliferate across a wide range of applications as the total cost of GPS functionality continues to fall. In consumer markets, location based applications for smartphones such as Layar and Foursquare are increasingly influencing consumer behaviour. Applications which require real time location content are among the most popular and rapidly growing on the Apple iTunes and the Android marketplace.

 

The addition of location status to Facebook and other social networking platforms indicates that the pace of new location-sensitive applications is accelerating. Additionally, Google's acquisition of AdMob and Apple's acquisition of Quattro Wireless demonstrate the level of investment that market leaders are making in location-based advertising or "GeoMarketing". The mobile services consultancy Berg Insight forecasts the global mobile advertising market to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 43% to €8.7 billion in 2014.

 

All of these market drivers are encouraging consumers to use the GPS functionality on their mobile devices, and this increased usage is highlighting GPS performance problems that are directly addressed by Sarantel's technology.

 

High-volume GPS products

 

The trend of integrating GPS into digital cameras for "geotagging" photographs is accelerating.  Sarantel recently hired a Japanese salesperson to facilitate the direct conversations it is already having with a number of major camera and wireless module manufacturers about using Sarantel technology in high volume consumer camera models. Sarantel's antenna technology offers clear advantages over incumbent antennas, where poor performance and integration problems have produced frustrating results for consumers who use GPS functionality.  

 

A number of camera manufacturers are already beginning to work on their second generation of GPS enabled cameras and there is broad acknowledgement that Sarantel's technology directly addresses the performance problems occurring with GPS cameras currently on the market. If the Group establishes a foothold in the high volume camera market, the economies of scale gained will help to lower the barriers to entry for mobile phone customers as well.

 

In the high-volume mobile phone market, consumers are increasingly aware of the poor performance of GPS-enabled mobile phones and this is driving mobile handset manufacturers to focus on improving the user's GPS experience.

 

Military applications

 

Applications for GPS in the military market continue to grow, especially in the United States and the UK.  Military customers are performance focused, require higher levels of integration and are less cost sensitive than consumer customers so these applications provide a very exciting near to medium term growth opportunity as expenditure continues on tracking, tagging and locating applications for which Sarantel's antenna technology has unique advantages.

 

Mobile satellite services ("MSS")

 

The MSS market is dynamic and provides additional opportunities for revenue growth, with key players such as Inmarsat, Iridium and Globalstar all continuing to invest in growing applications for their services. Companies in this market are key target customers for Sarantel's technology and the Group has already demonstrated commercial success with its technology in the NAL Shout Nano. 

 

 

Business Review

 

Consumer GPS

 

Sarantel experienced a significant sales setback in the first half when its largest GPS customer failed to place production orders because of a technical problem with their best selling product. This problem was not related to Sarantel's technology but negatively impacted GPS revenues. Despite this setback, GPS revenues grew 1% and the company continued to expand its customer base. Sarantel is currently tracking more than 200 different sales opportunities across a very broad range of GPS applications which the board believes will drive significant revenue growth over the next two to three years.

 

Military

 

Revenues for the company's rugged L1/L2 GPS antenna were delayed following a customer's technical problem which was unrelated to Sarantel's antenna. This problem has now been fixed and orders have been placed, with deliveries scheduled in the second half. Revenues from this product are difficult to predict as the US Government's budget restraints caused our customer to re-schedule orders on two occasions. 

 

However, Sarantel's momentum in this market is growing and the board believes that consistent revenues from this important market will come through and drive significant revenue growth in time. As evidence of this growing momentum, Sarantel won a significant contract to develop a rugged GPS antenna for the world's leading supplier of tactical radio systems. This customer already uses Sarantel's second generation GPS antenna and has now worked with Sarantel to develop a solution for installing it into a rugged housing. This improved design, which will be produced by Sarantel will help to increase the value-added content and significantly increase its revenues and profits.

 

During the period, the Group also received funding from the US military and from a major supplier to the US Department of Defense to develop a number of new antenna products.

 

Mobile satellite services

 

Sarantel also received funding from a military contractor to develop an antenna for Globalstar. This antenna will add to a growing portfolio of products which have been developed to address the exciting military and commercial opportunities within the rapidly developing satellite services sector.

 

 

Outsourced Manufacturing

 

The Group successfully executed on its plan to outsource its assembly, test and supply chain processes to Elcoteq. The manufacturing line was transferred during October and production resumed in November. The company has already experienced significant improvements in product quality levels and operational efficiency. The initiative is expected to generate annual production savings of approximately £0.5m.

 

Outsourcing has simplified day-to-day operations by reducing the number of direct suppliers to the Group's remaining operations. Sarantel also benefits from Elcoteq's sourcing capabilities to reduce costs and from its design-for-manufacturing experience, which will be critical as the company develops its next generation, lower cost antenna solutions.

 

 

Outlook

 

The Group is working to diversify its customer base and revenue streams and is making solid progress. The Board remains optimistic about the future of Sarantel's technology and is currently seeking further funding to provide sufficient finance for working capital and to capitalise on future opportunities.

 

 

Unaudited Consolidated statement OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

for the six months ended 31 March 2011

 


Note

Six months to 31 March

 2011

Six months to
31 March

 2010

12 months to

30 September 2010



£'000

£'000

£'000






Revenue

2

1,030

1,387

2,889






 Cost of sales 


721

911

1,840






Gross profit


309

476

  1,049






Research and development costs


603

613

1,258






Selling and distribution costs


288

273

527






Administration costs


1,082

1,113

2,163






Total operating costs


1,973

1,999

3,948

Operating loss


(1,664)

(1,523)

(2,899)






Operating loss before depreciation and  amortisation


(1,259)

(997)

(1,854)

Depreciation and amortisation


(405)

(526)

(1,045)






Finance and other income


4

37

12

Finance and other costs


(31)

(32)

(78)






Loss before tax 


(1,691)

(1,518)

(2,965)






Tax

3

66

147

227






Loss for the period


(1,625)

(1,371)

(2,738)

Other comprehensive income


-

-

-

Total comprehensive loss for the period


(1,625)

(1,371)

(2,738)

 

Basic and diluted loss per share

4

(0.4)p

(0.5)p

(1.0)p

 

 

All of the activities of the Group are classed as continuing.

 

 

Unaudited Consolidated balance sheet

as at 31 March 2011

 


 

 

Note

As at

31 March

 2011

As at
31 March

 2010

As at

30 September 2010



£'000

£'000

£'000

Assets





Non-current assets





Intangible assets


1,617

1,574

1,601

Property, plant and equipment


480

1,001

677






Total non-current assets


2,097

2,575

2,278






Current assets





Inventories


269

189

308

Trade and other receivables


651

641

821

Current tax


278

379

160

Cash and cash equivalents


431

1,625

629

                                                





Total current assets


1,629

2,834

1,918

Total assets


3,726

5,409

4,196











Current liabilities





Trade and other payables


1,055

877

831

Amounts due under finance leases and HP agreements


126

198

211

Amounts due under invoice financing facility


156

64

299

Total current liabilities


1,337

1,139

1,341

 

Non-current liabilities





Amounts due under finance leases and HP agreements


-

243

134

Total liabilities


1,337

1,382

1,475






Equity





Share capital

5,6

10,889

9,789

9,789

Share premium


17,388

17,234

17,234

Share scheme reserve


708

608

669

Warrant reserve


76

76

76

Merger reserve


13,390

13,390

13,390

Retained loss


(40,062)

(37,070)

(38,437)

Total equity


2,389

4,027

2,721






Total liabilities and equity


3,726

5,409

4,196

 

 

Unaudited CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

for the six months ended 31 March 2011

 


Six months to 31 March

 2011

Six months to 31 March

 2010

12 months to 30 September

 2010


£'000

£'000

£'000

Operating activities




Loss before tax

(1,691)

(1,518)

(2,965)

Adjustment for non cash items:




Depreciation and amortisation

382

493

970

Depreciation absorbed to cost of sales

23

33

75

Investment revenue

(2)

(5)

(12)

Finance costs

19

30

54

Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments

-

28

-

Share based payments

39

109

169

Decrease/(increase) in inventories

39

36

(83)

Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables

118

(222)

(365)

Increase in trade and other payables

224

127

108

Taxation received

-

-

262

Net cash  outflow from operating activities 

(849)

(889)

(1,787)





Investing activities




Interest receivable and similar income

2

5

12

Payments to acquire intangible assets

(129)

(204)

(339)

Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment

(95)

(38)

(125)

Net cash used in investing activities

(222)

(237)

(452)

Cash outflow before financing

(1,072)

(1,126)

(2,239)





Financing activities




Finance lease interest paid

(19)

(31)

(54)

Issue of shares

1,375

2,250

2,250

Expenses paid in connection with issue of shares

(121)

(181)

(181)

Capital element of finance lease rentals

(219)

(90)

(185)

Net cash inflow from financing activities

1,016

1,948

1,830





Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

(55)

822

(409)





Cash and cash equivalents at start of period

330

739

739





Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

275

1,561

330

 

Analysis

Cash and cash equivalents

431

1,625

629

Amounts due under invoice financing facility

(156)

(64)

(299)

Net cash and cash equivalents

275

1,561

330

 

 

unaudited CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

for the six months to 31 March 2011

 


Share capital

Share premium

Share scheme reserve

Warrant reserve

Merger reserve

Retained earnings

Total

 equity


     £'000

     £'000

  £'000

     £'000

   £'000

        £'000

     £'000

For the six months to

31 March 2011








At 1 October 2010

9,789

17,234

669

 

76

13,390

(38,437)

2,721

Loss after tax

-

-

-

-

-

(1,625)

(1,625)

Total comprehensive income for the period

-

-

-

-

-

(1,625)

(1,625)

Shares issued

1,100

275

-

-

-

-

1,375

Cost of share issue

-

(121)

-

-

-

-

(121)

Share based payments

-

-

39

-

-

-

39

Transactions with owners

1,100

154

39

-

-

-

1,293








At 31 March 2011

10,889

17,388

708

76

13,390

(40,062)

2,389









For the six months to

31 March 2010








At 1 October 2009

8,789

16,165

500

 

76

13,390

(35,699)

3,221

Loss after tax

-

-

-

-

-

(1,371)

(1,371)

Total comprehensive income for the period

-

-

-

-

-

(1,371)

(1,371)

Shares issued

1,000

1,250

-

-

-

-

2,250

Cost of share issue

-

(181)

-

-

-

-

(181)

Share based payments

-

-

108

-

-

-

108

Transactions with owners

1,000

1,069

108

-

-

-

2,177








At 31 March 2010

9,789

17,234

608

76

13,390

(37,070)

4,027









For the 12 months to

30 September 2010








At 1 October 2009

8,789

16,165

500

 

76

13,390

(35,699)

3,221

Loss after tax

-

-

-

-

-

(2,738)

(2,738)

Total comprehensive income for year

-

-

-

-

-

(2,738)

(2,738)

Shares issued

1,000

1,250

-

-

-

-

2,250

Cost of share issue

-

(181)

-

-

-

-

(181)

Share based payments

-

-

169

-

-

-

169

Transactions with owners

1,000

1,069

169

-

-

-

2,238









At 30 September 2010

9,789

17,234

669

76

13,390

(38,437)

2,721

 

 

notes to the Unaudited interim FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the six months ended 31 March 2011

 

1          Basis of Preparation

 

These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements of Sarantel Group PLC are for the six months ended 31 March 2011. They do not include all of the information required for full annual financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended 30 September 2010.  The financial information for the year ended 30 September 2010 set out in these interim consolidated financial statements does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.  The Group's statutory financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2010 have been filed with the Registrar of Companies.  The auditor's report on those financial statements was unqualified and did not contain a statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

These interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of the Group's accounting policies.  These are set out in its Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 September 2010 which is available on the Group's website (www.sarantel.com). 

 

2          Revenue

 


Six months to

31 March
2011

Six months to

31 March
2010

12 months to

30 September 2010


Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited


£'000

£'000

£'000





Sales of antennas

719

1,315

2,739

Sale of Non-Recurring Engineering services (NRE)

206

72

   150

Sales of consumables

105

-

-





Total revenue

1,030

1,387

2,889

 

All revenue originates from the UK.

 

 

3          Tax on Loss

 


Six months to 31 March

 2011

Six months to 31 March

 2010

12 months to 30 September

 2010


£'000

£'000

£'000





Current tax:




UK corporation tax based on the results for six months to 31 March 2011

(66)

(147)

(227)





The taxation credit arises in respect of research and development expenditure and is subject to agreement with H M Revenue and Customs.

 

A deferred tax asset, calculated using a tax rate of 28%, amounting to approximately £8.2m (2010: £7.5m) arising from taxable trading losses has not been recognised on the grounds that, at the current time, there is insufficient evidence that the asset will be recoverable in the foreseeable future.

 

 

4          Loss per Share

 

The calculation of the basic loss per share is based on the loss attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period as follows: 

 


Six Months to 31 March

 2011

Six Months to 31 March

 2010

12 Months to 30 September

 2010


£'000

£'000

£'000





Loss for the period

(1,625)

(1,371)

(2,738)

Weighted average number of shares (thousands)

362,859

256,321

273,636

Basic and diluted loss per share*

(0.4)p

(0.5)p

(1.0)p

 

* The effect of options and warrants are anti-dilutive.

 

 

5          Share Capital

 


As at  31 March

2011

As at  31 March

2011

As at  31 March

2010

As at  31 March

2010

As at  30 September

2010

As at  30 September 2010


Number

£'000

Number

£'000

Number

£'000








Allotted, called-up and fully paid:

 






A ordinary shares of   £0.01 each

399,899,991

3,999

289,899,991

2,899

289,899,991

2,899

B ordinary shares of   £0.01 each

1,036,340

11

1,036,340

11

1,036,340

11

Deferred shares of    £0.09 each

76,435,531

6,879

76,435,531

6,879

76,435,531

6,879


477,371,862

10,889

367,371,862

9,789

367,371,862

9,789

 

During the period the company issued 110,000,000 A ordinary shares at a price of 1.25 pence per share.

 

 

6          Share Options

 


As at 31

March

2011

As at 31

March

2010

As at 30 September

2010

As at 30 September 2010


Number

Weighted average exercise price (p)

Number

Weighted average exercise price (p)

Number

Weighted average exercise price (p)








Number of share options brought forward

36,650,744

2.4

27,048,075

4.1

27,048,075

4.1

Options granted

15,867,968

2.5

13,045,000

1.9

32,339,881

2.3

Options lapsed and eliminated

(9,638,815)

1.1

(2,000)

4.7

(22,737,212)

0.4

Number of share options carried forward

42,879,897

1.7

40,091,075

2.2

36,650,744

2.2








 


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