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Arribatec Group ASA — Earnings Release 2018
Feb 28, 2019
3541_rns_2019-02-28_219a6076-e4d2-4296-b64d-4658e5d98528.html
Earnings Release
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HIDDN: Financial results for the fourth quarter of 2018
HIDDN: Financial results for the fourth quarter of 2018
Record top line growth, improved EBIT, a significantly reduced negative cash
flow and a continued strong cost control, giving improved results and lower
operating cost in the fourth quarter of 2018.
(Oslo, 28 February 2019) Hiddn Solutions ASA (Hiddn, OSE: HIDDN) reported
revenues of NOK 8.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, up from NOK 6.3
million in the corresponding period in 2017, while the negative cash flow from
operating activities improved to NOK-3.5 million, down from NOK-11.2 million in
the same period in 2017. Hiddn continues to expand the product offering and
distribution capabilities as the company is preparing for increased sales and
volume production in 2019.
"Hiddn continued to expand the product offering, improved production
capabilities and opened new distribution channels during the fourth quarter of
2018. We delivered on our 2018 targets and reported record growth for the
encryption products, significantly reduced negative cash flow, continued our
strong cost control and maintained gross margins of 40%. In addition, we
developed our product roadmap as we are looking towards increased sales and
volume production in 2019, " says Carl Espen Wollebekk, CEO of Hiddn.
Hiddn reported revenues of NOK 8.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, up
from NOK 6.3 million in the corresponding quarter in 2017. The operating
revenues for Hiddn's encryption products were NOK 4.3 million in the fourth
quarter of 2018 compared to NOK 1.6 million in the corresponding quarter in
2017, representing a growth of 166%. The gross profit increased with NOK 1.4
million to NOK 3.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, representing a gross
profit of 40% for the period, while the cash burn improved to NOK -3.5 million
(Q4 2017: NOK -11.2 million). Hiddn secured commitment from certain existing
shareholders and new investors for a private placement of NOK 20 million in
December 2018. In addition, the company secured an interim credit facility of
NOK 12 million.
During the fourth quarter of 2018, Hiddn received the first order from ALSO
Holding AG (ALSO). The initial order from ALSO covers Hiddn's flash and USB
products for Scandinavia and Hiddn is finalizing the availability for these
products for the rest of Europe. The company has also finalized the design and
production readiness process with Swissbit for the M.2 Hiddn Safedisk encryption
product. The test production is expected to take place in the second quarter of
2019. The first purchase order for 10.000 units, depending a positive final
product test, will be issued shortly.
"All major elements of the Hiddn growth strategy should now be in place. Going
forward, Hiddn will focus on sales and marketing efforts as well as optimising
set-up for volume production. As volumes increase, the company will work to
reduce its sourcing and production cost to create future profitability. We are
prepared to respond to an accelerated growth in demand. Our aim is to leverage
on our position as a leading technology provider in the global encryption
market. We expect Swissbit to start volume shipments late in the second quarter
of 2019, giving a positive revenue impact from the third quarter of 2019,"
Wollebekk says.
Hiddn has recently announced its ambition to join forces with Tactilis to create
a fast-growing industry leader within biometric encrypted smartcards. Hiddn has
initiated a technical, legal and financial due diligence which is close to
completion. The timeline for the transaction has however been revised and final
conclusions are not expected before late in the second quarter of 2019, at the
earliest.
Following the positive conclusions from the joint technical due diligence,
Tactilis and Hiddn have however agreed to enter into a cooperation, where Hiddn
will start implementing the Tactilis technology into the Hiddn solutions. Vice
versa, Tactilis can implement Hiddn's technology into their future roadmap.
Hiddn targets to introduce new Tactilis functionality and user friendliness to
Hiddn products in the second half of 2019.
Please find the full financial report and presentation enclosed.
ENDS
Hiddn will host an open presentation Thursday 28 February 2019 at 08:30 (CET) at
Felix Conference Centre. The presentation will be broadcasted live at
www.hiddn.no and on
http://webtv.hegnar.no/presentation.php?webcastId=97605598
For further information, please contact:
Carl Espen Wollebekk, CEO, telephone: + 47 930 55 505 /e-mail: [email protected]
About Hiddn Solutions ASA
Hiddn Solutions ASA is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker HIDDN.
The company is offering impenetrable proprietary hardware-based authentication
and encryption products with a superior level of security as well as a wider
product suite addressing all market segments looking for solutions to ensure
that sensitive information stays confidential and unavailable to unauthorised
access. Based on Hiddn's unrivalled and proven position in the high-end
encryption market, Hiddn is implementing a strategy of adapting the proprietary
technology to the high-volume markets to take advantage of the growing global
security challenges and the arising regulatory requirements. Hiddn has
established a product offering that addresses all market segments from the high
-end security clients to the retail market, and established partnerships with
some of the most important sales and distribution partners in Europe. Hiddn sees
significant growth opportunities and rising demand from customers and is well on
its way to solidify its leading position in the growing market for secure data
storage.
For more information, please visit: www.hiddn.no