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AKVA Group — Earnings Release 2019
Feb 14, 2020
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Earnings Release
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AKVA group ASA: 4Q 2019 financial reporting
AKVA group ASA: 4Q 2019 financial reporting
Record high order intake
AKVA group delivered a revenue for Q4 of 655 MNOK (726 MNOK), down 10% from Q4
2018. EBITDA decreased from 57 MNOK in Q4 2018 to -40 MNOK in Q4 2019, due to a
challenging quarter with several exceptional items particularly within Land
Based segment. The Net Profit decreased from 19 MNOK last year to -85 MNOK in Q4
Record high order intake of 1.4 BNOK in Q4 with a backlog of 2.3 BNOK at the end
of Q4 2019.
Dividend of NOK 1.00 per share to be paid in March 2020.
Cage Based Technology (CBT)
CBT revenue for Q4 2019 ended at 529 MNOK (553). EBITDA for the segment in Q4
came out at 31 MNOK (34). The EBITDA margin was 5.9% (6.2%). EBIT and EBIT
margin ended at -26 MNOK (6) and -4.9% (1.2%), respectively.
The revenue in the Nordic region ended at 323 MNOK (359). AKVA Marine Services
increased margins and had a strong quarter, significantly better than last year.
In the Nordic region, the order intake ended at 392 MNOK (498) in the fourth
quarter, and despite a decrease from same period last year the region continues
to experience high activity with a strong pipeline.
In the Americas region, the activity is still on a relatively high level and the
order book is increasing although revenue decreased from 152 MNOK fourth quarter
last year to 123 MNOK in Q4 2019.
EME achieved revenue of 82 MNOK in Q4 2019, an increase from 41 MNOK in the same
quarter last year. The operations in Scotland, Turkey and export out of Norway
came in well above Q4 2018 revenue.
Software (SW)
The revenue in the segment was 16 MNOK (44). EBITDA and EBIT ended at 5 MNOK (9)
and 3 MNOK (6), respectively. The related EBITDA and EBIT margins were 33.6%
(20.7%) and 18.4% (13.1%). Last year the sold business Wise ehf, was included in
revenue and EBITDA with 29 MNOK and 5 MNOK respectively.
Land Based Technology (LBT)
Revenues for the fourth quarter were 110 MNOK (129). EBITDA for Q4 2019 was -77
MNOK (13) and EBIT was -82 MNOK (10). EBITDA margin was -69.8% (10.0%) and EBIT
margin -74.6% (7.4%).
Order intake in Q4 2019 was 815 MNOK compared to 218 MNOK in Q4 2018. The
pipeline of projects continues to be strong. Order backlog ended at 1,274 MNOK
compared to 448 MNOK last year.
Atlantis Subsea Farming AS
In January 2016, AKVA group, together with Sinkaberg-Hansen AS and Egersund Net
AS, established Atlantis Subsea Farming AS for the purpose of developing
submersible fish-farming facilities for salmon on an industrial scale, which
will both enable better and more sustainable utilization of today's locations,
and also open up the opportunity for farming at more exposed locations.
The Atlantis Subsea Farming project requires large-scale testing of the
technological and operational solutions. On 22 February 2018, the Norwegian
Directorate of Fisheries announced that the company has been granted one
license. Atlantis Subsea Farming AS is now in a technology testing phase with
regards to execution of the project, including testing with fish in the pen.
Dividend of NOK 1.00 per share to be paid in Q1 2020
The Company's main objective is to maximize the return on the investment made by
its shareholders through both increased share prices and dividend payments.
According to AKVA group ASAs' dividend policy a dividend of 1.00 NOK per share
is to be paid in March 2020.
Order Backlog
In the fourth quarter, we experienced record high order intake in the Land Based
segment. The order intake in Q4 2019 was 1425 MNOK (997 MNOK). The order backlog
at the end of Q4 2019 was 2,294 MNOK (1,356 MNOK). 1,274 MNOK of the total order
backlog at end of Q4 2019 relates to Land Based technology.
Outlook
2019 ended with a challenging quarter with several unexpected items affecting
earnings significantly. Specifically for the Land Based segment the
identification of recent irregularities in accounting uncovered losses not
reflected in the P&L. None of these irregularities affect the order book which
is at record heights, and a review has been done within Land Based to ensure
that the order book includes projects with normal margin expectation.
A strategy process is initiated which amongst others include a more focused
effort on full grow out RAS facilities. Further, the organizational structure
has been revisited and a new management structure is set up. Although the
competitive situation is demanding within areas of our offering, by
strengthening our execution skills, which will be a core part of the strategy,
we will enhance the organization, both in liens of our market offering and
execution capabilities.
Our net service businesses are about to be expanded, as a new service station is
to be built in northern Norway with a partner and plans for another one are
underway. Plans are also progressing well for expanding net sales
internationally. On Newfoundland AKVA has made good progress to establish a
strong presence, most recently by signing an agreement to acquire Newfoundland
Aqua Service Ltd, a net service business.
Our product portfolio was strengthened by introducing several new products in
Q3, subsequently digital solutions and an environmental sensor buoy are
launched. The tube net, a preventive sea lice solution, has received strong
interest in the market and a new generation of the product is underway to be
launched.
Within the digital segment the interest for our precision feeding solution
(Observe) is increasing and a solid pipeline exist.
About AKVA group
AKVA group is a technology and service partner to the aquaculture industry
worldwide. The company has 1 436 employees, offices in 11 countries and a total
turnover of NOK 3.1 billion in 2019. We are a public listed company operating in
one of the world's fastest growing industries and supply everything from single
components to complete installations, both for cage farming and land based
aquaculture. AKVA group is recognized as a pioneer and technology leader through
more than 40 years.
Dated: 14 February 2020
AKVA group ASA
Web: www.akvagroup.com
CONTACTS:
Knut Nesse Chief Executive Officer
Phone: +47 51 77 85 00
Mobile: +47 91 37 62 20
E-mail: [email protected]
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section
5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act