AI assistant
Polight ASA Interim / Quarterly Report 2019
3717_rns_2020-02-14_38f5bcf7-871d-42a7-8dd4-f0a20d407003.pdf
Interim / Quarterly Report
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poLight ASA Quarterly Report
KEY EVENTS
- First commercial product launched in January with poLight TLens enabling advanced auto focus (AF) in new smartwatch phone
- A second commercial product launched in February, also with advanced TLens autofocus function in a new smartwatch phone
- Several other customer cases progressing in different market segments
- Increased probability of additional design-wins in 2020
- Record deliveries of TLens and ASIC drivers in the fourth quarter to support smartwatch phone launches
Øyvind Isaksen, CEO of poLight ASA:
"We are off to a good start to 2020 with two design-wins in two months and our commercial breakthrough in the consumer electronics market. Initial feedback is encouraging, and we experience increasing interest for TLens. Commercial adoption is an important proof-point of our unique products which enable new and lasting applications for both industrial and consumer segments and it supports our customer progress."
Summarised consolidated statement of income
| (in NOK million) | Q4 2019 | Q4 2018 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 2.0 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 1.0 |
| Cost of sales | -1.3 | -0.1 | -2.1 | -1.5 |
| Research and development expenses | -3.7 | -6.0 | -19.9 | -28.9 |
| Sales and marketing expenses | -2.5 | -2.1 | -8.7 | -7.6 |
| Administrative expenses | -5.5 | -6.3 | -17.1 | -35.8 |
| Operational / supply chain expenses | -2.7 | -1.5 | -8.2 | -3.4 |
| EBITDA | -13.7 | -15.5 | -53.0 | -76.1 |
MANUFACTURING, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND MARKET
Manufacturing and operations
poLight works primarily with two sub-contractors – STMicroelectronics (ST) and Tong Hsing Electronic Industries, Ltd. (THEIL). ST produces the actuator, and THEIL assembles the complete product. The polymer (i.e. lens material) is produced at poLight HQ.
Activity at ST remained low in the fourth quarter as the wafer buffer stock is expected to meet short-term requirements. Theil continued to assemble complete products based on wafers from buffer stock to supply TLens to the smartwatch phone projects and other ongoing customer cases at various stages in several market segments.
The project to minimise supply chain risk and establish redundancy in the assembly process progressed during the quarter. Following successful engineering sample pilot-runs in the second half of 2019, final qualification is underway, and the assembly line is estimated to be in full operation during the first half of 2020.
Product Development
poLight continued early-stage dialogues with smartphone related vendors concerning the new advanced design concepts based poLight´s technology platform.
The ASIC driver development project to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) and ease TLens system integration, progressed according to plan and is expected to go through testing during first half of 2020.
TLens Silver, Silver Premium and the ASIC driver have completed internal qualification and become mass production ready. Therefore, poLight has adjusted the organisation to reflect completion of the most resource intensive part of the product development phase. This has freed up capacity to drive commercialisation of existing products with emphasis on business development, system integration activities, manufacturing and customer support.
Market
Marketing activities have continued at a high level in the fourth quarter and into 2020 supported by commercial progress in the Wearable segment and the launch of the first two smartwatch phones with advanced auto focus (AF) enabled by TLens.
poLight is actively engaging with several segments including consumer market devices such smartphone, wearables and augmented reality, as well as a wide range of industrial applications such as barcode and machine vision/sensor applications. Inbound interest remains high and the company continues to make progress on several projects with potential customers in these segments. The TLens technology is increasingly being recognised by a broad range of potential customers which over time may develop into a diversified revenue base for poLight.
Consumer market
The first smartwatch phone with advanced AF functionality based on poLight TLens was launched on 7 January 2020. The watch targets a growing market for devices tailored for children in China. It comes with two cameras and the main camera which is used to take pictures is based on the (AF) function delivered by poLight.
The second smartwatch phone with advanced AF from poLight TLens was launched on 10 February 2020. The XUN Smartwatch Max Pro is aimed at children in the Chinese market. It has two cameras, one main camera used to take pictures which includes an advanced autofocus (AF) function delivered by poLight, and one camera integrated in the screen used for face camera without AF.
In the second half of 2019, poLight received four purchase orders for a total of approximately 124,000 units of TLens Silver and 120,000 ASIC drivers to support Product Verification Testing (PVT) and initial mass production (MP) related to the product releases mentioned above.
The market-momentum created by the release of the smartwatch phones using TLens has enabled poLight to establish dialogues with other relevant players in the same market.
TLens is also considered for realising improved augmented reality (AR) glasses by several market participants. While the AR market still is in an early stage with low volumes, it is considered to potentially be the next "big thing" in the consumer mass-market after the smartphone. TLens offers several advantages related to power consumption, speed, compactness, no gravity sensitivity which position poLight for market entry at an early stage without having to outcompete a long-established incumbent technology as in the smartphone market.
poLight continued to engage with the smartphone eco-system for various applications based in new advanced design concepts. This will continue into 2020 but it will likely take time before these discussions mature to concrete projects.
At the end of the fourth quarter, poLight's TLens was used in twelve PoC´s related to consumer market either ongoing (7) or completed (5). All ongoing and completed PoCs have reported overall positive performance results.
Industrial
At the end of December, a leading barcode maker had successfully progressed a real product project through the initial EVT (engineering verification test) phases. Product development continues with planned market release in mid-2020. In addition, five potential barcode customers continued to evaluate TLens for real product projects.
A barcode product may last for 5-10 years with a potential annual volume ranging from some 10,000 units and up to 3 million units per account. Revenue and cash flow generated from a successful entry to this market could cover a significant part of the company's cost base.
The company is also involved in other cases within the industrial segment such as machine vision and sensors.
At the end of the fourth quarter, poLight's TLens was used in nine PoC´s related to industrial market either ongoing (7) or completed (2). All ongoing and completed PoCs have reported overall positive performance results.
Other applications
The TLens technology continues to be subject to interest from other applications such as medical and iris scanning.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Summarised consolidated statement of income
| (in NOK million) | Q4 2019 | Q4 2018 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 2.0 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 1.0 |
| Cost of sales | -1.3 | -0.1 | -2.1 | -1.5 |
| Research and development expenses | -3.7 | -6.0 | -19.9 | -28.9 |
| Sales and marketing expenses | -2.5 | -2.1 | -8.7 | -7.6 |
| Administrative expenses | -5.5 | -6.3 | -17.1 | -35.8 |
| Operational / supply chain expenses | -2.7 | -1.5 | -8.2 | -3.4 |
| EBITDA | -13.7 | -15.5 | -53.0 | -76.1 |
Profit and loss
Revenue of NOK 2.0 million in the fourth quarter was related to delivery of TLens units and PDA50 drivers (ASIC) to customers to support testing and to prepare for the smartphone watch market launch.
R&D expenses amounted to NOK 3.7 million, compared with NOK 8.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2018 (including NOK 2.2 million capitalised). The decline was due to internal R&D resources directed to customer support projects and supply chain related tasks, in addition to lower external development activity compared with the same period of 2018.
Sales and marketing expenses were NOK 2.5 million in the fourth quarter (NOK 2.1 million). Operational / supply chain expenses were NOK 2.7 million (NOK 1.5 million) and reflects an increase in related activities including development of assembly redundancy.
Administration expenses were NOK 5.5 million in the quarter compared to NOK 6.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. A provision of NOK 1.5 million was recognised in the fourth quarter of 2019 related to severance packages for 6 FTE (full time equivalent) employees. The fourth quarter of 2018 was influenced by IPO related expenses.
EBITDA was NOK -13.7 million, compared with EBITDA of NOK -15.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. Depreciation and amortisation amounted to NOK 3.0 million (NOK 0.2 million) for the quarter. poLight started amortising previously capitalised R&D investments for TLens Silver and the related driver in the second quarter of 2019 as they became ready for commercial shipments.
Summarised consolidated statement of financial position
| (in NOK million) | FY 2019 | FY 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Intangible assets | 72.2 | 75.8 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 73.5 | 127.4 |
| Total equity | 146.7 | 201.5 |
| Total current liabilities | 15.9 | 18.1 |
| Total non-current liabilities | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Total equity and liabilities | 163.3 | 219.5 |
Total assets at 31 December 2019 were NOK 163.3 million, compared with NOK 219.5 at 31 December 2018.
Intangible assets amounted to NOK 72.2 million at 31 December, a decrease from NOK 75.8 million at year-end 2018 due to amortisation. The cash position was NOK 73.5 million, compared with NOK 127.4 at 31 December 2018.
Summarised consolidated statement of cash flow
| (in NOK million) | Q4 2019 | Q4 2018 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash flow from/(used in) operating activities | -5.9 | -42.1 | -49.5 | -79.9 |
| Net cash flow from/(used in) investing activities | -0.3 | -2.4 | -2.7 | -9.2 |
| Net cash flow from/(used in) financing activities | -0.3 | 4.1 | -1.7 | 122.8 |
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | -6.4 | -40.4 | -54.0 | 33.7 |
Cash flow
Net cash flow used in operating activities was NOK 5.9 million in the fourth quarter compared with NOK 42.1 million used in in the same period of 2018. The decrease reflects lower external expenses and non-recurring payments in the fourth quarter of 2018 comprising of a NOK 12.3 million VAT claim and IPO-related expenses of NOK 12.9 million.
The net cash flow used in investing activities was NOK 0.3 million (NOK 2.4 million) and reflected capitalised development expenses. Net cash flow used in financing activities was NOK 0.3 million compared to a positive cash flow of NOK 4.1 million in the corresponding period last year, reflecting the over-allotment option of the IPO proceeds.
The net decrease in cash was NOK 6.4 million for the quarter, compared with NOK 40.4 million in the same period of 2018. poLight received NOK 5.1 million in government grants in the quarter (NOK 3.1 million).
OUTLOOK
The design-win for smartwatch phone cases in early 2020 validates poLight's unique polymer-based camera-lens solution and its supply chain, both important for ongoing marketing and customer dialogues. The market-momentum created by the release of the smartwatch phones using TLens, has enabled poLight to establish dialogues with other relevant players in the same and other market segments.
poLight is having good progress in the barcode market, and the TLens is currently being planned used in several products by leading vendors. The estimated earliest market launch for this segment is mid-2020.
In addition poLight supports several other customer cases, for industrial and consumer markets, at PoC stage and at early design stage. This progress supports increased confidence in the continued commercialisation of poLight's technology and a likely diversified future revenue base with TLens used in various market segments.
The current available liquidity will likely fund the company's operations into the first quarter of 2021.
CONDENSED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Interim consolidated statement of income (unaudited)
| NOK 000 | Note | Q4 2019 | Q4 2018 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 2 017 | 533 | 2 988 | 1 038 | |
| Cost of sales | -1 335 | -79 | -2 075 | -1 488 | |
| Gross profit | 682 | 455 | 913 | -450 | |
| Research and development expenses | 7 | -3 654 | -5 988 | -19 874 | -28 918 |
| Sales and marketing expenses | -2 523 | -2 119 | -8 729 | -7 586 | |
| Administrative expenses | -5 475 | -6 302 | -17 073 | -35 770 | |
| Operational / supply chain expenses | -2 682 | -1 496 | -8 216 | -3 384 | |
| Depreciation, amortisation and net impairment losses | 8 | -3 046 | -235 | -7 911 | -1 025 |
| Operating profit | -16 699 | -15 685 | -60 890 | -77 133 | |
| Net financial items | 6 | 621 | 276 | 1 430 | 211 |
| Profit before tax | -16 078 | -15 409 | -59 460 | -76 922 | |
| Income tax expense | -50 | -88 | -124 | -243 | |
| Profit for the period | -16 128 | -15 497 | -59 584 | -77 165 | |
| Attributable to: | |||||
| Equity holders of the parent | -16 128 | -15 497 | -59 584 | -77 165 | |
| Non-controlling interests | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Earnings per share: | |||||
| Basic, attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent | |||||
| (NOK) | -1.99 | -1.91 | -7.34 | -12.66 | |
| Diluted, attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent | |||||
| (NOK) | -1.98 | -1.91 | -7.33 | -12.66 |
Interim consolidated statement of other comprehensive income (unaudited)
| NOK 000 | Note | Q4 2019 | Q4 2018 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Profit for the period | -16 128 | -15 497 | -59 584 | -77 165 | |
| Other comprehensive income | |||||
| Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations | -23 | 101 | -92 | -74 | |
| Income tax effect | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Net other comprehensive income to be reclassified to profit | |||||
| or loss in subsequent periods | -23 | 101 | -92 | -74 | |
| Total comprehensive income for the period, net of tax | -16 151 | -15 396 | -59 676 | -77 239 | |
| Attributable to: | |||||
| Equity holders of the parent | -16 151 | -15 396 | -59 676 | -77 239 | |
| Non-controlling interests | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Interim consolidated statement of financial position (unaudited)
| NOK 000 | Note | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASSETS | |||
| Property, plant and equipment | 1 235 | 1 605 | |
| Intangible assets | 8 | 72 216 | 75 829 |
| Right-of-use assets | 3 | 1 923 | 0 |
| Total non-current assets | 75 374 | 77 434 | |
| Inventories | 7 728 | 7 372 | |
| Trade and other receivables | 6 147 | 6 399 | |
| Other current assets | 565 | 901 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 73 463 | 127 424 | |
| Total current assets | 87 903 | 142 095 | |
| Total assets | 163 277 | 219 529 | |
| EQUITY AND LIABILITIES | |||
| Issued capital | 1 623 | 1 623 | |
| Share premium | 142 665 | 270 935 | |
| Other equity | 2 369 | -71 103 | |
| Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent Non-controlling interests |
146 658 0 |
201 456 0 |
|
| Total equity | 146 658 | 201 456 | |
| Lease liabilities | 3 | 766 | 0 |
| Total non-current liabilities | 766 | 0 | |
| Trade and other payables | 11 911 | 15 172 | |
| Interest-bearing loans and borrowings | 0 | 600 | |
| Current lease liabilities | 3 | 1 241 | 0 |
| Income tax payable | 0 | 225 | |
| Provisions | 2 701 | 2 076 | |
| Total current liabilities | 15 853 | 18 073 | |
| Total liabilities | 16 619 | 18 073 | |
| Total equity and liabilities | 163 277 | 219 529 |
Interim consolidated statement of changes in equity (unaudited)
| Attributable to equity holders of the parent | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOK 000 | Note | Issued capital |
Share premium |
Retained earnings |
Foreign currency translation reserve |
Total | Non controlling interest |
Total equity |
| As at 1 January 2018 | 542 | 148 036 | 425 | 993 | 149 996 | 0 | 149 996 | |
| Profit for the period | -77 165 | -77 165 | 0 | -77 165 | ||||
| Other comprehensive income | -74 | -74 | 0 | -74 | ||||
| Total comprehensive income | 0 | 0 | -77 165 | -74 | -77 239 | 0 | -77 239 | |
| Value of share option plan | 4 719 | 4 719 | 0 | 4 719 | ||||
| Increase of share capital | 542 | -542 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Issue of share capital | 539 | 134 150 | 134 689 | 0 | 134 689 | |||
| Transaction costs | -10 709 | -10 709 | 0 | -10 709 | ||||
| Allocation to retained earnings | -72 187 | 72 187 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| At 31 December 2018 | 1 623 | 198 748 | 166 | 919 | 201 456 | 0 | 201 456 | |
| As at 1 January 2019 | 1 623 | 198 748 | 166 | 919 | 201 456 | 0 | 201 456 | |
| Profit for the period | -59 584 | -59 584 | 0 | -59 584 | ||||
| Other comprehensive income | -92 | -92 | 0 | -92 | ||||
| Total comprehensive income | 0 | 0 | -59 584 | -92 | -59 676 | 0 | -59 676 | |
| Value of share option plan | 4 877 | 4 877 | 0 | 4 877 | ||||
| Allocation to retained earnings | -56 083 | 56 083 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| At 31 December 2019 | 1 623 | 142 665 | 1 542 | 827 | 146 658 | 0 | 146 658 |
Interim Consolidated statement of cash flows (unaudited)
| NOK 000 | Note | Q4 2019 | Q4 2018 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating activities | |||||
| Profit before tax | -16 078 | -15 409 | -59 460 | -76 922 | |
| Non-cash adjustment to reconcile profit before tax to net | |||||
| cash flows: | |||||
| Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets |
473 | 226 | 1 895 | 966 | |
| Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets | 2 573 | 9 | 6 017 | 59 | |
| Share option plan expense | 863 | 1 520 | 4 877 | 4 719 | |
| Other items related to operating activities | -1 514 | -158 | -1 459 | -300 | |
| Net foreign exchange differences | |||||
| Movements in provisions and government grants | -10 | -87 | -112 | -183 | |
| 1 763 | -928 | 3 230 | -3 456 | ||
| Working capital adjustments: Decrease (+) in trade and other receivables and prepayments |
|||||
| 231 | 505 | -560 | 532 | ||
| Decrease (+) in inventories | 808 | 123 | -356 | -5 591 | |
| Increase (+) in trade and other payables | 3 787 | -27 948 | -4 718 | 57 | |
| Interest received | 6 | 1 327 | 786 | 1 584 | 1 057 |
| Interest paid | 6 | -69 | -697 | -107 | -740 |
| Income tax paid | -34 | -27 | -367 | -118 | |
| Net cash flows from operating activities | -5 879 | -42 084 | -49 537 | -79 919 | |
| Investing activities | |||||
| Purchase of property, plant and equipment | -180 | -207 | -319 | -749 | |
| Development capital expenditures | 7 | -619 | -4 160 | -2 931 | -10 433 |
| Receipt of government grants | 526 | 1 989 | 526 | 1 989 | |
| Net cash flows used in investing activities | -273 | -2 378 | -2 724 | -9 193 | |
| Financing activities | |||||
| Issue of share capital | 0 | 4 689 | 0 | 134 689 | |
| Transaction costs on issue of shares | 0 | 0 | 0 | -10 709 | |
| Repayment of lease liabilities | -279 | 0 | -1 120 | 0 | |
| Repayment of borrowings | 0 | -600 | -600 | -1 200 | |
| Net cash flows from/(used in) financing activities | -279 | 4 089 | -1 720 | 122 780 | |
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | -6 430 | -40 373 | -53 981 | 33 667 | |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | -14 | 187 | 20 | 110 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the start of the period | 79 907 | 167 610 | 127 424 | 93 648 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period | 73 463 | 127 424 | 73 463 | 127 424 |
Notes to the condensed interim consolidated financial statements
1 General
poLight ASA is a limited company founded in 2005 and is incorporated and domiciled in Norway. The address of its registered office is Kongeveien 77, N-3188 Horten, Norway.
poLight offers a new autofocus lens which "replicates" the human eye for use in devices such as smartphones, wearables, barcode, machine vision systems and various medical equipment. poLight's TLens® enables better system performance and new user experiences due to benefits such as extremely fast focus, small footprint, no magnetic interference, low power consumption and constant field of view. For more information, visit www.polight.com.
2 Basis of preparation
The consolidated interim financial statements of the Group for the fourth quarter ended 31.12.2019 (unaudited) have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34. The financial statements do not include all the information required for the full annual financial statements of the Group and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for 2018.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis. The consolidated financial statements are presented in Norwegian kroner (NOK) and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand (NOK 000), except when otherwise indicated.
3 Accounting policies
The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the interim Consolidated Financial Statements are consistent with the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018, with the following exception;
IFRS 16 Leases was adopted from 1 January 2019. poLight has entered into commercial leases with regards to premises and office equipment. poLight used the modified retrospective approach and the 'low-value' and short-term leases exempts. For the first time adoption of this standard the group determined the value of the right-to-use assets equal to the liabilities of the leases at 1.1.2019. The effect on the consolidated financial statement at January 1, 2019 was increased assets and liabilities of NOK 1.9 million. The right-to-use assets are depreciated over the leasing period of 19 months.
4 Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions
The management makes accounting judgements on i) impairment of intangible assets ii) share option plans and iii) development costs, described in the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018.
The Norwegian practices under the Skattefunn research and development incentive scheme have been questioned in relation to certain clauses under the EEA agreement concerning public support to companies. Skattefunn is a government program designed to stimulate R&D in Norwegian trade and industry. poLight participates in the Skattefunn scheme and has received NOK 5.2 million under the program for 2018. Total NOK 7.3 million have been recognised as governmental grants in the consolidated statement of income for 2019 hereof NOK 4.7 million related to Skattefunn.
The book value of intangible assets as at 31 December 2019 is under consideration in relation to documentation requirements for future sales volume and profitability in accordance with international accounting standards (IAS). The process reflects that commercialisation of the TLens technology has taken more time than assumed when the recognition criteria for capitalisation of development expenditures was considered met in 2016. The ongoing process may lead to no, a partial or a full impairment of intangible assets as a reflection of not meeting documentation requirements according to IAS in the final 2019 accounts. Such impairment would not affect cash levels nor would it imply that the assets have no commercial value.
5 Specification of operating expenses by nature
| Capitalised intangible assets in progress -92 -2 171 -2 405 Employee benefits expense 9 756 10 437 35 701 Depreciation, amortisation and net impairment losses 3 046 235 7 911 Other operating expenses 4 671 7 639 20 596 Total operating expenses 17 381 16 139 61 804 6 Financial items (in NOK 000) Q4 2019 Q4 2018 FY 2019 FY 2018 Net foreign exchange gain (losses) 62 -228 -30 Interest income 519 424 1 600 Finance income 0 255 0 Interest expense on debts and borrowings -67 -159 -107 Interest expense on repaid VAT 0 0 0 Finance expenses 107 -17 -32 Net financial items 620 276 1 430 7 Research and development expense (in NOK 000) Q4 2019 Q4 2018 FY 2019 Employee benefits expense 3 495 5 004 14 863 Other operating expenses 2 809 6 185 14 538 Grants -2 558 -3 030 -7 122 Capitalized -92 -2 171 -2 405 -8 444 Total 3 654 5 988 19 874 8 Intangible assets (in NOK 000) Q4 2019 Q4 2018 FY 2019 FY 2018 At period beginning 74 698 73 670 75 829 67 444 Additions — internal development 35 -962 915 2 706 Additions 57 3 130 1 490 5 738 Amortisation -2 573 -9 -6 017 -59 Impairment losses 0 0 0 0 At period end 72 216 75 829 72 216 75 829 |
(in NOK 000) | Q4 2019 | Q4 2018 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -8 444 | |||||
| 37 538 | |||||
| 1 025 | |||||
| 46 564 | |||||
| 76 683 | |||||
| -292 | |||||
| 1 057 | |||||
| 255 | |||||
| -202 | |||||
| -539 | |||||
| -68 | |||||
| 211 | |||||
| FY 2018 | |||||
| 21 070 | |||||
| 24 113 | |||||
| -7 821 | |||||
| 28 918 | |||||
9 Related party transactions
poLight ASA is the ultimate parent. None of the shareholders of poLight ASA has control of the company. As of 31 December 2019, the largest shareholder was Investinor AS, with an ownership of 19.8%.
Intercompany agreements are entered into with all the group subsidiaries. All sales in the subsidiaries are made with parent company. All transactions are considered to be on an arm's length basis. No transactions have been made with other related parties for the relevant financial period.
10 Claims
On September 14, 2018, the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatt Sør) claimed repayment of refunded VAT, with effect from 1 January 2013. The Norwegian Tax Administration claims that the company is not capable of being profitable and does therefore not qualify as a "business" pursuant to the Norwegian laws and regulation regarding VAT. poLight has appealed the decision to The Tax Appeals Board (Skatteklagenemda).
As per 31 December 2019 the monetary impact of the ruling amounted to NOK 18.5 million, that have been recognised in the consolidated statement of income in 2018 and 2019. The monetary effect of not being VAT registered was NOK 1.6 million for the full year 2019, increasing the expenditures recognised in the consolidated statement of income.
Quarterly Report 4Q 2019
