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Webstep

Investor Presentation Nov 9, 2023

3788_rns_2023-11-09_0a37eb05-cca7-4018-8f6e-468099acfe89.pdf

Investor Presentation

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Our agenda

Highlights from the quarter

Highlights

Continued revenue growth,planned and executed initiatives to increase margin

  • ● Revenue growth
    • 211.2 MNOK (+8.9%) for the quarter
    • 737.9 MNOK (+14.9%) YTD
  • ● EBIT
    • EBIT 2.3 MNOK (-57.5%) and EBIT margin 1.1% (-1.7 pp) for the quarter
    • EBIT 45.2 MNOK (+5.4%) YTD
  • Revenue development and EBIT
    • Impacted by challenging market conditions, especially for Webstep Sweden
    • The temporary increase in employer contribution results in higher costs for Webstep Norway, 3.8 MNOK
    • Provision of loss on accounts receivable from Q1-23 has been reversed 1 MNOK
    • Costs related to annual company gatherings
  • Planned and executed initiatives to increase margin
    • Estimated total cost reduction 15-25 MNOK
  • ● Growth in employees
    • 566 employees (+5.7%) at the end of third quarter

Profitability in focus

Planned and executed initiatives to increase margins; estimated total cost reduction at 15-25 MNOK

  • ● Downsizing non-billable FTEs
    • Total reduction of 9 non-billable FTEs for the Group
  • ● Reorganizing Oslo region
    • Enhanced scaling capacity, decreased overhead costs
    • Reorganising sales organisation to increase customer value
    • Maintaining delivery excellence and focus on competence
  • ● Other measures for the Group
    • Reduced consultants in areas struggling with utilization, especially in Webstep Sweden
    • Reduced overhead
    • Other cost initiatives not related to FTEs
    • Improvement of ratio consultants/sales
  • Cost reductions of 15 MNOK executed with full year effect from 2024
    • More information about additional initiatives will be shared going forward

Project highlights

For digitalisation, deep IT competence is key

Webstep's commitment to partnerships and major clients with extensive needs is well underway. Important framework agreements are landed, starting in 2024.

  • ● Webstep is prime in a framework agreement with Posten Bring Group
    • Covering wide-range deliveries and systems development
    • Estimated Posten Bring total spending* MNOK 250-500 mill
  • ● Collaboration with partners to comprehensive framework agreement for the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI)
    • IT development and maintenance of digital solutions
    • Estimated UDI total spending* NOK 2,1 billion
  • ● Collaboration with partners to framework agreement for the Norwegian Police, IT services
    • Long-term partnership to develop digital services and products
    • Estimated Police IT Service spending* NOK 4 billion

Business review

Leading supplier of development services

Tougher times reinforce faith in Webstep core pillars

Consultancies presently undergo a stringent stress test. We remain committed to strategy and synergies

  • Senior experts rule systems development
    • Tougher times call for experienced players and core competencies
    • The degree of utilisation reveals premium partnerships

Value creation for Webstep customers

  • Synergies key to holistic customer solutions and value creation through digitisation
  • Strategic partnerships, commitment and win-win relationships enable superior solutions
  • Long term profitable growth
    • Customer value of higher price and lower cost, simultaneously
    • Improved scalability, reduced overhead
    • The tailormade Webstep workplace experience

Organization and employees

The Webstep experience going forward

  • ● Strong culture, stable retention
    • Reduced headcount growth rightsizing recruitment
    • Investments in employees to secure retention

566 employees at the end of Q3 2023

  • Recruitment balanced against profitable growth
  • Experienced consultants key to demanding markets and utilisation

Financial review

Key figures - Group

Q3 Q3 Y/Y YTD YTD Y/Y FY
NOK million 2023 2022 change 2023 2022 change 2022
Revenues 211.2 193.9 8.9% 737.9 642.0 14.9% 888.4
EBITDA 8.0 10.7 (24.8%) 61.5 57.8 6.5% 76.2
EBITDA margin 3.8% 5.5% (1.7 pts) 8.3% 9.0% (-0.7 pts) 8.6%
EBIT 2.3 5.5 (57.5%) 45.2 42.9 5.4% 54.6
EBIT margin 1.1% 2.8% (1.7 pts) 6.1% 6.7% (-0.6 pts) 6.2%
Net profit 0.3 3.2 (91.5%) 31.8 30.8 3.1% 38.4
Net free cash flow (33.3) 0.1 - (10.8) 27.5 (139.2%) 63.3
Earnings per share (NOK) 0.01 0.12 (91.6%) 1.15 1.13 1.2% 1.40
Earnings per share fully diluted (NOK) 0.01 0.12 (91.6%) 1.14 1.11 2.3% 1.39
Equity ratio 54.0% 60.3% (6.4 pts) 54.0% 60.3% (-6.4 pts) 57.9%
Cash and cash equivalents 16.9 24.9 (32.0%) 16.9 24.9 (32.0%) 62.3
Number of employees, average (FTE) 557 524 6.4% 557 503 10.8% 512
Number of employees, end of period 566 535 5.7% 566 535 5.7% 538
Revenues per FTE (NOKt) 379 370 2.4% 1,325 1,281 3.4% 1,736
EBIT per FTE (NOKt) 4.2 10.5 (60.0%) 81.1 85.3 (4.9%) 106.8

Q3 Comments

  • Continued revenue growth
    • Primarily from the Norwegian segment, accounting for 87% of the consolidated revenues in the quarter

● EBIT affected by

  • The temporary increase in employer contribution results in higher costs 3.8 MNOK
  • Costs related to culture building activities in the Norwegian region
  • Challenges with reduced demand and prolonged sales cycles especially for Webstep Sweden
  • Negative cash flow from operations mainly explained by calendar effects related to when receivables are falling due
  • Employee growth of 31 employees

Norway Q3

Key figures - Norway

Q3 Q3 Y/Y YTD YTD Y/Y FY
NOK million 2023 2022 change 2023 2022 change 2022
Revenues 184.1 165.7 11.1% 633.4 551.3 14.9% 761.6
EBIT 5.0 4.3 17.0% 43.9 37.7 16.3% 47.7
EBIT margin 2.7% 2.6% 0.1 pts 6.9% 6.8% 0.1 pts 6.3%
Number of employees, average (FTE) 457 436 4.9% 456 418 8.9% 425
Number of employees, end of period 463 445 4.2% 463 445 4.2% 444
Number of workdays 65 66 (1.5%) 188 189 (0.5%) 253
Revenues per FTE (NOKt) 403 380 5.9% 1,390 1,323 5.1% 1,795
EBIT per FTE (NOKt) 11 10 11.5% 96 92 5.0% 114
Revenue breakdown
Q3 Q3 Y/Y YTD YTD Y/Y FY
NOK million 2023 2022 change 2023 2022 change 2022
Oslo 80.6 71.3 13.0% 271.6 232.3 16.9% 324.7
Regional offices 89.2 85.0 4.9% 315.0 287.8 9.4% 393.7
Subcontractors/resale of licenses* 15.1 9.8 53.9% 49.5 32.9 50.1% 45.7

*Change in revenues from subcontractors/resale of licenses is mainly due to internal change in accounting. Revenue from subcontractors isolated change + 2.3 MNOK Q3, + 8.7 MNOK YTD

Q3 Comments

  • Stable revenue growth for the quarter 11%
    • Revenue from own consultants MNOK 170 (+11%) for the quarter driven by hourly rate and number of consultants

● Stable EBIT

  • The temporary increase in employer contribution results in higher costs 3.8 MNOK
  • Provision of loss on accounts receivable from Q1-23 has been reversed 1 MNOK
  • Webstep tradition for annual company gatherings in the autumn affecting costs
  • Employee growth of 18 employees

Sweden Q3

Key figures - Sweden

Q3 Q3 Y/Y YTD YTD Y/Y FY
NOK million 2023 2022 change 2023 2022 change 2022
Revenues 27.1 28.3 (3.9%) 104.6 90.7 15.3% 126.9
EBIT (2.6) 1.2 (311.8%) 1.3 5.1 (74.9%) 6.9
EBIT margin (9.8%) 4.4% (14.2 pts) 1.2% 5.7% (-4.4 pts) 5.5%
Number of employees, average (FTE) 100 88 13.6% 101 84 20.8% 86
Number of employees, end of period 103 91 13.2% 103 91 13.2% 102
Number of workdays 65 66 (1.5%) 188 189 (0.5%) 253
Revenues per FTE (NOKt) 271 320 (15.4%) 1,030 1,084 (5.0%) 1,469
EBIT per FTE (NOKt) -26 14 (286.5%) 12 63 (80.4%) 81
Revenue breakdown
Q3 Q3 Y/Y YTD YTD Y/Y FY
NOK million 2023 2022 change 2023 2022 change 2022
Regional offices 21.1 21.8 (2.9%) 83.2 74.1 12.2% 103.0
Subcontractors 6.0 6.5 (7.5%) 21.4 16.6 28.9% 23.9

Q3 Comments

  • Market slowdown continues in the third quarter
    • Following strong organic growth, Webstep Sweden is particularly exposed to market changes
  • Revenue
    • Negative development in revenue from own consultants due to lower market demand and prolonged sales cycles
    • Use of subcontractors relates to services outside of core competencies
  • EBIT affected by decreased utilisation and cost commitments

Outlook

Outlook

Market

  • Long term trend of digitalisation continues regardless of a changing macroeconomic environment
  • Webstep has a strong position in the market with a robust business model and a diversified customer base which gives adaptive capabilities
  • Webstep will reinforce focus on expert system developers, as the proven cornerstones of the Group's strategic approach
  • Webstep is ready to deliver on important framework agreements recently closed both prime and in collaboration with other partners
  • AI development creates new opportunities which align well with Webstep's services

Path towards further sustainable growth and profits

  • Headcount growth balanced against profitability
  • Expect to be approximately 568 employees by year end
  • Continued and intensified focus on cost savings to secure margin improvement through measures implemented. Additional initiatives will be considered based on the market development
  • Costs related to the temporary increase in employer contribution for 2024 will be addressed differently than in 2023
  • Optimizing sales and strengthening focus on enterprise market
  • Long term target for EBIT above 10%

Please contact us at [email protected]

Appendix

A diversified customer base

Cash flow and net debt

NOK million 30 Sep
2023
Cash and cash equivalents* (16.9)
Restricted cash 1.7
Debt to credit institutions 19.5
Net interest bearing debt (NIBD)** 4.3
NIBD/EBITDA (rolling 12 months) 0.1
NIBD/EBITDA (rolling 12 months)
Including IFRS 16 Lease liabilities
1.1
Note: *Negative indicates positive amount.

Note: *Negative indicates positive amount. **Effects related to IFRS 16 (leasing) are excluded.

  • Q3 free cash flow of MNOK -32.9
  • Negative cash flow from operating activities mainly explained by calendar effects related to which weekday receivables fall due
  • The Group has credit facility of MNOK 110 in Norway and SEK 5m in Sweden
  • Credit facility was utilized with MNOK 19.5 by the end of third quarter
  • Capex relates to office and equipment

21

Top 20 shareholders at 8 November 2023

Shareholder name Shares 0%
1 EMBRO EIENDOM AS 8,312,727 30.0%
2 J.P. Morgan SE 1,970,890 7.1% Nominee
HVALER INVEST AS 1,735,018 6.3%
4 SALT VALUE AS 1,535,258 5.5%
5 PROTECTOR FORSIKRING ASA 1,300,000 4.7%
6 VPF FONDSFINANS UTBYTTE 1,100,000 4.0%
7 JAKOB HATTELAND HOLDING AS 1,000,000 3.6%
8 J.P. Morgan SE 900,000 3.3% Nominee
9 HOLMEN SPESIALFOND 861,524 3.1%
10 VERDIPAPIRFONDET NORDEA NORGE VERD 664,317 2.4%
11 Danske Invest Norge Vekst 542,000 2.0%
12 INTERTRADE SHIPPING AS 400,000 1.4%
13 Danske Bank A/S 320,000 1.2% Nominee
14 ESPEDAL & CO AS 308,980 1.1%
15 VERDIPAPIRFONDET DNB SMB 289,749 1.0%
16 EUROVEST AS 250,001 0.9%
17 Bank Pictet & Cie (Europe) AG 232,675 0.8% Nominee
18 MP PENSJON PK 224,000 0.8%
19 BERGEN KOMMUNALE PENSJONSKASSE 200,000 0.7%
20 LEROLI AS 197,281 0.7%
Top 20 shareholders 22,344,420 80.8%
Other 5,326,539 19.2%
Total share outstanding 27,670,959 100.0%

Revenue, EBIT and employee development

Revenues (LTM) EBIT (LTM)

Number of employees (EoP)

23

Number of employees EoP

Number of employees, end of period Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3
Norway 2023 2023 2023 2022 2022
Norway total 463 459 455 444 445
Oslo 221 211 205 194 193
Bergen 90 94 92 88 86
Trondheim 64 61 64 65 64
Stavanger 57 62 63 67 72
Sørlandet 22 22 21 20 21
Haugalandet 9 9 10 10 9
Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3
Sweden 2023 2023 2023 2022 2022
Sweden total 103 102 102 95 91
Stockholm 62 60 58 57 55
Malmö 19 20 22 18 17
Uppsala 22 22 22 20 19

Disclaimer

This Presentation includes and is based, inter alia, on forward-looking information and statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ. These statements and this Presentation are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about global economic conditions, the economic conditions of the regions and industries that are major markets for Webstep ASA and Webstep ASA's (including subsidiaries and affiliates) lines of business. These expectations, estimates and projections are generally identifiable by statements containing words such as "expects", "believes", "estimates" or similar expressions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expectations include, among others, economic and market conditions in the geographic areas and industries that are or will be major markets for Webstep ASA. Although Webstep ASA believes that its expectations and the Presentation are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that those expectations will be achieved or that the actual results will be as set out in the Presentation. Webstep ASA is making no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the Presentation, and neither Webstep ASA nor any of its directors, officers or employees will have any liability to you or any other persons resulting from your use.

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