u-blox achieves strong 2013 results

u-blox achieves strong 2013 results

u-blox (SIX: UBXN), a leading provider of embedded positioning and wireless communication solutions, today announces its financial results for 2013.

Financial highlights
u-blox achieved strong top-and bottom line growth:

++ Consolidated revenue of u-blox was CHF 219.8 million in 2013, a growth of 27.0% as compared to 2012
++ Gross profit improved from CHF 81.2 million to CHF 101.2 million, with a continued good gross profit margin of 46.0% in 2013
++ Operating profit (EBIT) increased from CHF 22.9 million to CHF 30.1 million, a growth of 30.9% as compared to 2012
++ EBITDA margin of 21.0%, EBIT margin of 13.7%
++ Net profit increased by 44.3% from CHF 17.1 million to CHF 24.6 million, representing a 11.2% net profit margin for 2013
++ Strong net cash generated from operating activities was CHF 38.5 million, representing 17.5% of revenue
++ Healthy balance sheet with a high equity ratio of 79.7%
++ The payout of a dividend of CHF 1.30 per share from capital reserves is to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting.

Continued growth in sales and profit
In 2013, worldwide sales growth of 27.0% over 2012 was achieved. Strong growth in APAC (+68%) and very robust development in EMEA (+34%) was realized; revenues in the Americas declined by 13% because several large US customers chose to outsource manufacturing to Asia. Without this effect business generated by the US-based sales team increased by over 20%.

The company’s dominance in components for vehicle tracking was maintained with continued expansion. High growth was also experienced in the in-dash automotive navigation market where u-blox is acknowledged as the global technology and quality leader. Business also grew strongly for people and animal monitoring devices, financial transaction terminals, recreation equipment and vehicle telematics systems (emergency call, insurance, anti-theft, etc.).

u-blox’ product and service business segments both generated positive EBIT during 2013. Consolidated revenue was up byCHF 46.7 million to CHF 219.8 million with increased volumes, while EBIT increased from CHF 22.9 million to CHF 30.1 million, a 30.9% increase over the previous year. Net profit grew by 44.3% to CHF 24.6 million, representing an 11.2% net profit margin for 2013.

Growth driven by demand for connected mobility in the “Internet of Things”
u-blox’ products serve virtually all growth sectors that make up the “Internet of Things” (IoT). The company is positioned at the heart of this megatrend, able to deliver crucial chips and modules for both embedded positioning and wireless communications. With the IoT theme now firmly established, demand for the company’s products has proliferated right across its core markets.

Successful strategy development
u-blox’ corporate strategy focuses on an ambitious goal: to reach a half-billion dollar in annual revenues, with comparable growth in EBIT, within the next few years. The company’s expansion, acquisition, manufacturing, and product strategies are all aligned to meet this target. In doing so, u-blox intends to become the number one provider of wireless and positioning modules and chips that serve the broad range of applications supporting embedded mobility.

The company’s focus on wireless and positioning technologies that support Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications and the IoT continues to drive innovation. u-blox’ positioning product strategy clearly focuses on serving all five deployed satellite navigation systems, u-blox’ wireless strategy is to support all four mobile communication standards worldwide. u-blox continues to leverage complementary functionality between its positioning and wireless technologies, a strategy that has resulted in the “AssistNow” accelerated positioning and “CellLocate” indoor positioning services, both of which were expanded and improved during the year. u-blox’ packaging strategy to deliver form-factor and layout compatible products across successive product generations is highly appreciated by customers and remains a key reason why they stay with u-blox.

Finally, u-blox’ underlying philosophy of delivering its own chip and module solutions based on in-house technology is being extended to the wireless domain. This places the company in an excellent position to participate in the extremely promising 4G LTE revolution. At the same time the company remains committed not to compete with customers, but rather focus on supporting them with outstanding components and services.

Acquisitions
Although no acquisitions were made in 2013, previous acquisitions were further integrated into the company during the year. With healthy liquidity of CHF 60.6 million, u-blox remains in an agile position to acquire the necessary technologies, expertise and products to maintain its market lead and further broaden its technology base.

Products highlights and market firsts
Thirteen attractive new products were launched. This included several market firsts: the world’s smallest satellite positioning module (EVA-7M), the world’s smallest 3G wireless communications module (SARA-U2), the smallest 4G LTE module (TOBY-L1) and the company’s next generation u-blox M8 positioning platform. u-blox M8 can track two satellite systems simultaneously, and was the world’s first commercially available single-chip solution to support all deployed Global Navigation Satellite Systems (“GNSS”), including China’s BeiDou system.

Industry recognition
u-blox earned two awards for excellence during 2013; Korea’s New Media Prize for best communications product for the LISA-U2 3G wireless module, and M2M magazine’s Global Top 100 award for excellence in connectivity solutions for the 3rd year in a row.

Focus on quality
The company continued its focus on quality and logistical excellence during a year of strong production ramp-up at our customers. u-blox celebrated a 10-year collaboration with module partner Flextronics in Austria where production lines became fully automated. u-blox successfully passed ISO 9001:2008 re-certification audits at its headquarters in Thalwil, Switzerland, and wireless R&D center in Sgonico, Italy.

Revenue breakdown
u-blox operates in two segments:

  • Positioning and Wireless products u-blox develops and sells GPS/GNSS chips and modules, and wireless modules which are used in automotive, industrial and consumer applications. Revenue was CHF 218.9 million for 2013 as compared to CHF 171.1 million in 2012.
  • Wireless services u-blox also offers wireless communication technology services in terms of reference designs and software, an activity which was reinforced by the acquisitions in 2012 of Cognovo Ltd. and 4M Wireless Ltd. In 2013, revenue for Wireless services was CHF 18.9 million compared to CHF 14.4 million in 2012 (including intra-group revenue).

In 2013, the company made about 80% of its total revenue from 67 customers. u-blox’ largest customer accounted for less than 11% of revenue. u-blox served over 4’500 customers and achieved global expansion into new regions and markets.

Increased gross profit
Gross profit increased by 24.6% to CHF 101.2 million in 2013 from CHF 81.2 million in 2012. Gross profit margin was 46.0% for 2013, declining from 46.9% in 2012 because of the changes in product mix.

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