2nd November 2012
Executive Chairman's Address to AGM
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I propose to discuss the following in my address:
1. 2012 Financial Result
2. What will make a difference for 2013 where I will consider
both strategy and management;
3. Likely developments in 2013; and finally
4. Outlook
1. 2012 Financial Result
Taken as a whole over the full year, the financial results
for 2012 were disappointing. Trading conditions were tough
particularly in Europe and the US where the impact of the GFC
were felt the most and were further exacerbated by the
aftermath of natural disasters. Revenues were $7,143,493
being $343,932 or 4.6% lower than in 2011 and the
consolidated net loss after income tax was
$1,652,638 being $1.069 million higher than in 2011.
However, disaggregating the two consecutive half years, the
results reveal the positive transition to recovery that I
undertook to accomplish when the Board re-structured
management in January and I assumed the role of Executive
Chairman.
In the first half of the financial year to 31st
December, consolidated revenues of $3,317,772 were
$819,492 or 20% lower than in the corresponding period in
2011. In the second half to 30th June,
consolidated revenues of $3,825,721 exceeded first half
revenues by $507,949, or 15%.
And while the consolidated net loss after income tax was
$1,196,072 in the first half, it improved to a loss of
$456,566 in the second half, including an R&D tax incentive
benefit of $508,687.
This marked reversal in performance in the second half was
driven on both sides of the ledger: on the revenue side by an
increase of $507,949 and on the cost side by making further
annualised reductions of more than $900,000 by reducing head
count and closing underperforming activities.
Implementing these additional, recurrent cost savings
actually increased the annual loss by a further
$510,000, as they involved non-recurrent costs of $315,297 in
restructuring and $194,703 in intangible asset impairment
That is to say, excluding the non-recurring items, the net
loss of $1,196,072 in the first half would have been
transformed into a pro-forma profit of $53,434 in the second
half, which further underlines the transformation achieved in
the second half.
I have represented this graphically by comparing both
reported financial performance and performance normalised for
these 2 mentioned items for the last 4 half years. You can
see from these graphs that both revenue and earnings of the
business appear to have turned the corner in the
2nd
half of the 2012 year.
$4,500
$4,000
$3,500
$3,000
$2,500
$2,000
$1,500
$1,000
$500
$- ($500 ) ($1,000 ) ($1,500 )
DataDot Technology Limited - as reported
Jul10-Dec10 Jan11-Jun11 Jul11-Dec11 Jan12-Jun12
Revenue Net Profit after Tax EBITDA
$4,500
$4,000
$3,500
$3,000
$2,500
$2,000
$1,500
$1,000
$500
$- ($500 ) ($1,000 ) ($1,500 )
DataDot Technology Limited - normalised
Jul10-Dec10 Jan11-Jun11 Jul11-Dec11 Jan12-Jun12
Revenue Net Profit after Tax EBITDA
Note: Net Profit after Tax and EBITDA in period from January 2012 to June 2012 are normalised to exclude non-recurring items of restructuring provisions ($315,297) and intangible asset impairment ($194,703).
As stated at the outset, the results are disappointing but
indications of better performance emerged in the second half
which makes us confident that we are now on the right track.
2. What will make a difference for 2013
Strategy
DataDot has two major products being DataDotDNA, which is a
microdot used for asset identification, and DataTraceDNA,
which uses spectral technology for asset authentication and
anti-counterfeiting. DataDotDNA has been very effective
preventing theft in the auto sector and DataTraceDNA is
proving very effective in the brand protection and asset
authentication sectors.
The strategy has been refocussed on these core products and
capabilities. Greater emphasis has been put on DataDotDNA
sales into the auto sector, particularly in high theft
markets such as Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia and China and
further strengthening our relationships with our Australian
customers.
Most exciting and prospective is replicating in the
industrial sector the proven formula for sales in the auto
sector, using DataDotDNA asset marking to prevent theft in
mining & construction, public transport, road haulage and the
power industry where losses of tools, plant, equipment and
metal such as copper are extensive.
We are on target to progressively launch these DataDot Plus
programs under the National Equipment Register and National
Metals Register brands in conjunction with partners in the US
within about 6 weeks. Europe will follow. You will have seen
from our announcement to the ASX earlier this week that this
program under the National Equipment Register brand is now
launched in Australia and has already been successfully
introduced to a number of large customers in this market.
Rather than selling microdots alone, we have assembled in
DataDot Plus an offering or solution that includes
sophisticated database services for recording and tracking
assets together with law enforcement support and engagement
through their accessing these databases. These value-added
solutions can be sold at a material premium to microdots as a
standalone and takes DataDot out of contested industrial
commodity markets with limited value proposition for
customers.
We have put in place the necessary partnerships in these
markets to enhance the value proposition to our customers and
provide credibility and utility to law enforcement in those
markets.
With DataTraceDNA, we are focussing on our core capabilities
and targeting global companies that wish to use this product
to protect their brands and products from counterfeiting.
This product has a longer lead time to revenue given the
invariable need for trialling and customisation but many
relationships have been worked on for the last couple of
years and we expect sales from this product to grow both to
satisfied old clients and new clients who are working their
way to the end of trials. We already have existing customers
in pharmaceuticals, bearings, casino chips, industrial seals,
auto and packaging for this product.
A good example of the path to revenue for this product is the
announcement we made last week regarding AgTechnix's
agreement with a major global seed company to conduct field
trials in China using Intelliseed and DataTrace over the next
8 months in agriculture. Success in this trial has the
potential to lead to a licencing agreement for the Chinese
market and in other markets.
DataDot is determined to focus on core product with a strong
value proposition for customers and believes this strategy
will lead to strong growth going forward particularly when
regional economies, especially Europe, begin to grow
again.
Management
The senior management team at the company has been materially
revamped. The company is now managed by a smaller executive
team under my guidance as Executive Chairman. This smaller
management team has been augmented with the addition of a new
GM Sales & Marketing in May
2012 with global responsibilities (Mr Paul McClean) and a new
domestic Manager Business
Development (Ms Nici Andronicus) joining the Sydney team
shortly after year end. This injection of proven business
development capability is already having a markedly positive
impact on our sales capability and revenue.
3. Likely developments in 2013
I have already discussed the refocussed strategy the company
is pursuing and the new DataDot Plus initiative being rolled
out in the industrial non-auto sector in Australia, US and
Europe. This further diversifies our revenue streams and
provides less reliance on the auto sector. Diversification
stands side by side with revenue and earnings growth as one
of our major goals for 2012/13.
Nevertheless and as previously mentioned, we continue to
pursue high theft markets in the auto sector such as Brazil,
Mexico, Indonesia and China as these are huge market
opportunities for our product range. Much hard work is going
into these initiatives and we will announce developments in
these markets as and when they are realised.
We will continue to work hard with our Australian business
partners to continue to grow our domestic microdot business.
To this end, we have added additional resources in Sydney, as
mentioned, dedicated to these relationships and building new
relationships.
AgTechnix has been rationalised and folded back into the
company as a wholly owned subsidiary. There are a number of
opportunities with global majors in the agricultural sector
being pursued and we expect these opportunities to mature
during the year. I have already mentioned the recent
agreement signed regarding trials in China as one major
opportunity for this business.
Whole of Vehicle Marking in South Africa has now been
mandated and our South African distributor has been very
successful in securing a major share of the OEM market. As a
result, we expect royalties from this market will grow
strongly during the course of the 2012/13 year.
DataDot has now developed and purchased the laser technology
necessary to produce its own metal dots known as Thor dots.
This equipment has been deployed initially for use in
delivery of the industrial dot applications in the US and
Europe. We have mentioned this initiative previously but now
have in house manufacturing capability.
DataDot's relationship with its US distributor, DataDot
Dealer Services, has materially expanded with a new 50/50
joint venture (DataDot Security Solutions Inc) being
established to facilitate the offering of the DataDot Plus
industrial products in the US. An enhanced partnership with
Retainagroup Limited in the UK has also been established for
the same reason in the UK and European markets.
Minority shareholders have been taken out of our UK
subsidiary company DataDot Technology (UK) Limited, which
gives full control over that company. These minority
shareholders had super voting rights inhibiting our ability
to fully integrate that business into our global network. Our
Executive Director DDUK is now reviewing both revenue
opportunities and cost efficiencies which should
substantially improve that company's performance during
2012/13.
The company continues to explore entry points for the Indian
market after a false start and is in discussion with a high
potential business partner there regarding a distributorship
or joint venture. A wholly owned subsidiary has been
established to facilitate this.
These are but a few selected major initiatives for the new
financial year which are likely to have a positive impact on
the company's performance in 2012/13.
4. Outlook
The company has redefined and developed its strategy as
discussed earlier and signs are emerging that these new
initiatives together with new executive additions are
starting to generate additional revenue both from existing
and new clients.
The first quarter of the new financial year started slowly as
expected due to the holidays in the Northern hemisphere but
business from existing customers has firmed considerably with
October finishing very solidly. We expect growth in our US
auto business, new revenue coming on stream from the DataDot
Plus initiatives particularly in Australia and new customers
through to the end of the calendar year. The rollout of
DataDot Plus in the US and Europe in December should
contribute to new revenue growth early in the New Year.
Management continues with cost reduction initiatives in
Australia and identification of efficiencies in our overseas
operations. These initiatives should enable the company to
capture a greater proportion of revenue growth on the bottom
line.
As foreshadowed in the full year results and announced
earlier this week, the tax rebate has now been received from
the ATO adding to our cash position. We expect cash to grow
with revenue growth and efficiencies realised during the
balance of the 2013 year. Our capital requirements are under
constant review, however, given growth opportunities
available to us and the volatility of trading conditions.
The Board is aware that the company must turn its potential
into reality and is determined to do so. It thanks its
shareholders for their patience with the company and their
ongoing support. However, the Board also recognises the
contribution made by staff who have worked very hard during
challenging market conditions.
Are there any Questions? Bruce Rathie
DataDot Technology Limited Bruce Rathie, Executive Chairman Phone: 02 - 89774900
e-mail: brathie@datadotdna.com
web site: www.datadotdna.com
