Preliminary Results

Kenetics Group Limited 02 May 2008 Kenetics Group Limited ('Kenetics' or the 'Group' or the 'Company') Preliminary Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2007 Kenetics Group Limited ('Kenetics' or the 'Group' or the 'Company'), the Radio Frequency Identification ('RFID') Group focused on Security and RFID systems and products, announces the Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 December 2007. Period Highlights • Sales revenue increased by 121% to £699,768 (2006: £316,176). Sale of industrial products amounted to £694,500 as compared to £269,780 in the previous year, representing an increase of £424,720 (157%). • Reduction in pre-tax losses to £433,084, including a write-down due to impairment loss in an investment of £122,159 in 2007 (2006: Pre-tax loss of £449,034). Without this impairment loss, the pre-tax loss would have been £310,925, which represents a 31% reduction over the previous year. • Significant investments in research and development ('R&D') and product development resulting in the successful development of a range of High Frequency ('HF') and Ultra High Frequency ('UHF') GEN2 products to replace older existing products. • A partnership with Intel expedited the development of a new Kenetics UHF Technology platform based on Intel's new R1000 RFID chip, opening up markets in US and Europe. • Enlarged global sales network and improved customer support provided the platform for increased sales revenue. • Recruited and retained a team of skilled R&D engineers to form the backbone for the development of core technologies and new products • Structural changes were implemented to improve operational efficiencies and controlling operating costs. Commenting on the Preliminary Results, Ken Wong, Chairman of Kenetics said: '2007 has shown a marked improvement in sales revenue over the previous year. With the implementation of several structural changes, we are beginning to see our efforts bearing fruit. Sales revenue has more than doubled and the operating loss before an impairment charge was reduced by a third. The substantial investments in R&D and product development have resulted in a range of new RFID GEN2 products that will be rigorously marketed in 2008. The new UHF platform developed by Kenetics based on Intel's R1000 RFID chip is expected to open the substantial US UHF market for Kenetics. With the new products and backed by the support from our distribution channels, our focus for 2008 will be placed on expanding our Europe and US markets, increasing market share, strengthening our Sales team and further developing our distribution networks. With our clear strategy in place, we are confident that further progress will continue into 2008 and that the Group is in a strong position to seize the opportunities to grow the business.' Contact : Ken Wong Kenetics Group Limited Tel: +65 9616 6883 Website: www.kenetics-group.com Graeme Thom Zimmerman Adams International Ltd Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7060 1760 Website: www.zimmit.com Chairman's Statement Review of Operations One of the major focuses for 2007 was to re-organise the Company and its subsidiaries with the objective of overcoming the structural deficiencies and thereby prepare Kenetics for sustainable growth and profitably as a public listed company. Taking this to heart, Kenetics have identified major areas for improvements among which are the development of a new generation of products (' GEN2') to replace the existing product lines which had been in existence since 2001, recruit and develop a core team of highly-skilled technical staff, and to expand the marketing and distribution networks for greater sales revenue. I am pleased to report that while it takes time to fulfill these objectives, we are making good progress on all these fronts, forming the foundation for the future growth. Financial Results Group sales in 2007 were £699,768, an increase of 121% on the previous year (2006: £316,176), brought about by very significant improvements in Industrial Product sales. In delivering on our strategy of reducing reliance on the Original Design Manufacturers ('ODM') and Systems business that had previously brought about great fluctuations in sales revenue, new products were introduced in the second half of 2007 to complement the range of existing products that have been in the market for the past few years. With the product sales expected to increase over the next few years, we should be on track for a more balanced and even revenue growth between ODM project business and Industrial Product sales. Operating expenses in 2007 were £1,182,456 (2006: £765,297), with a substantial element being invested in research and development ('R&D') and product development. The loss before tax amounted to £433,084 (2006: £449,034) a reduction of 4%, despite a write-down due to impairment loss (£122,159) relating to an investment made prior to the Company's admission to the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange. Without this impairment loss, the loss before tax from its business would have been £310,925, a reduction of 31% over the prior year. Sales and Marketing The priority for Kenetics for 2007 was for sales growth and capturing market share. Following closely to the long-term strategy of giving equal emphasis to ODM projects and sales of industrial products, the Company implemented a series of actions to bring this about. 1) Developing New Generation ('GEN2') Industrial Products Some of the products that have been developed in the past, are moving gradually towards obsolescence as new Global Radio Frequency Identification ('RFID') standards are introduced. Coupled with new competitors entering into the market, such products have become more price-sensitive with a gradual erosion of margins in a wide range of first generation ('GEN1') products. This move is critical as it allows Kenetics to maintain its competitive advantage and to tap on a growing early user market where margins are higher. In the longer term, this strategy allows the Company to offset any potential shortfall in sales from industrial products or more importantly, a hollowing out of its Industrial Product sales. 2) Developing New Ultra High Frequency ('UHF') Technology Platform It was becoming more apparent that while there is some demand for High Frequency ('HF') products in the USA, the market preference is essentially towards the use of Ultra High Frequency ('UHF') products for logistics and pharmaceutical industries as examples. Without UHF products in the past, Kenetics was not able to effectively tap into the substantial US market. Taking full advantage of its partnership with Intel, the leading international chip manufacturer, Kenetics embarked on the development of a new UHF GEN2 technology platform from which it can launch a series of new UHF industrial products. To date, Kenetics had introduced two of these products and a third will be launched during the first half of 2008. 3) Increasing Product Visibility and Branding In 2007, our partners exhibited Kenetics products in 3 shows in Hanover, Germany, Birmingham, UK and Dallas, USA. Response to our products was encouraging but the impact on potential customers was generally small as only a handful of Kenetics products were displayed along with those of our partners. It was felt that without its own presence at these shows, Kenetics' branding and product visibility could not be achieved. Nevertheless, the exposure in these different geographical exhibitions has provided us with useful feedback on customers' preferences and requirements. This has led us to develop a marketing strategy to gain more market exposures through direct participation at selective exhibitions where connectivity to targeted customers are expected to be high. Our marketing plans have been finalised and these initiatives will be implemented in 2008. Research and Development In addition to new product development to replace the older products, we remained focused in investing in R&D to maintain our position as one of the leading players in the RFID industry. This has enabled Kenetics to put what we believe to be the most advanced products into the market, targeting specific niche customers, avoiding price-sensitive and lower margin markets. To expand our outreach beyond Asia, the Group has placed special emphasis on R&D for a new UHF Technology platform, which has been predominantly adopted as the RFID platform of most applications in the USA. On this front, we are proud to be one of the original group of partners worldwide selected by Intel to develop UHF readers based on its new integrated GEN2 RFID reader chip. The chip was officially launched in Dallas in March 2007, together with Kenetics' long range GEN2 UHF reader. One of the unique product features introduced by Kenetics is a more compact and smaller footprint coupled with its long reading distance and competitive pricing. As a result of this product introduction, several potential customers have requested product prototypes for evaluation before adoption. Based on this new technology platform, Kenetics will be poised to develop products that will meet a wider range of applications and functionalities demanded by the market. With multiple products offered, Kenetics can expect to gain wider acceptance in the US, an increase of share of the vast UHF market and cater to the needs of the existing and emerging market needs. Employees Despite a very tight labour market in Singapore, higher wages and increasing competition for highly skilled and capable technical staff, we are pleased to report that Kenetics have a strong R&D team in place to bring about innovations and new products into the market. I am grateful for the team's dedication and hard work during the year. Their intense energy and late nights have enabled Kenetics to successfully develop an impressive range of technologies and products that the Group will fully exploit in the years ahead. I am confident that their commitment and motivation will continue into 2008 as we work towards maintaining our technological leadership and market expansion. Outlook for 2008 We are beginning to see a positive upturn in our business that was reflected in a strong fourth quarter of 2007. We are confident that the progress made will continue into 2008 as our new GEN2 products enter into the market. For 2008, the Group will be participating selectively in key RFID shows, notably in USA, Europe and Japan. Coupled with our efforts to rapidly increase our distribution channels especially in Europe and the USA, we can expect to grow our industrial products business rapidly to complement our ODM business. On the ODM project front, we have been maintaining strong customer support and service, which has helped us to keep close track on customers needs. A number of significant projects are in the pipeline for 2008 and Kenetics is ready to seize these opportunities. These projects are expected to roll out in 2008 and some will stretch over to 2009 and beyond. With the building of a strong customer and distribution channel relationship, greater marketing efforts in Europe and the USA, a new range of GEN2 products, together with encouraging projects on offer, Kenetics is expected to benefit significantly in 2008 and the years ahead. We expect further improvements over 2007 and a turnaround for the Group. Ken Wong Chairman Kenetics Group Limited KENETICS GROUP LIMITED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2007 2007 2006 £ £ Continuing operations Revenue 699,768 316,176 Other operating income 49,604 87 Changes in inventories of finished goods and work-in-progress 80,075 29,112 Raw materials and consumables used (408,045) (139,210) Employee benefits expenses (491,594) (382,398) Depreciation of plant and equipment (59,578) (49,605) Other operating expenses (301,405) (225,649) Finance costs (1,909) 2,453 Loss before tax (433,084) (449,034) Income tax 6,217 - Loss for the year (426,867) (449,034) Attributable to: Equity holders of the Company (426,867) (446,414) Minority interests - (2,620) (426,867) (449,034) Loss per share (pence) - Basic and diluted (1.62) (1.93) KENETICS GROUP LIMITED BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2007 2007 2006 £ £ Non-Current Assets Plant and equipments 143,437 144,950 Investment in subsidiaries - - Available for sale financial asset 22,332 138,861 Total non-current assets 165,769 283,811 Current Assets Contract work-in-progress - 5,277 Inventories 236,610 155,114 Trade receivables 139,226 101,159 Other receivables 31,774 65,644 Cash and cash equivalents 172,865 375,751 Total current assets 580,475 702,945 Total assets 746,244 986,756 Equity Share capital 263,495 263,495 Share premium 280,204 280,204 Share option reserve 27,411 26,481 Merger reserve 369,579 369,579 Foreign currency translation reserve (26,514) (17,649) (Accumulated losses)/ Retained profits (632,423) (205,556) Total equity 281,752 716,554 Non-Current Liabilities Amount owing to director - 47,977 Obligations under finance leases 457 5,758 Total non-current liabilities 457 53,735 Current liabilities Excess of progress billings over contract work-in-progress - 33,554 Trade payables 146,521 31,633 Other payables 138,225 136,506 Amount owing to directors 51,447 9,710 Obligations under finance leases 5,535 5,064 Bank overdraft - secured 122,307 - Total current liabilities 464,035 216,467 Total liabilities 464,492 270,202 Total equity and liabilities 746,244 986,756 KENETICS GROUP LIMITED CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2007 2007 2006 £ £ Cash Flow From Operating Activities Loss before taxation (433,084) (449,034) Adjustments for: Depreciation 59,578 49,605 Impairment loss 122,159 - Plant and equipment written off 266 - Provision for inventory obsolescene 9,654 - Share option 930 - Interest received (1,579) (3,123) Interest paid 3,488 670 Operating loss before working capital changes (238,588) (401,882) (Increase)/decrease in contract work-in-progress/ Excess of progress billings over contract work-in-progress (29,424) 24,738 Decrease in trade and other receivables 2,632 98,885 Increase in inventories (84,376) (118,010) Increase in trade and other payables 105,937 37,548 Cash used in operations (243,819) (358,721) Interest paid (3,488) (670) Income tax refunded/(paid) 6,378 (52,688) Net cash flows used in operating activities (240,929) (412,079) Cash Flows from Investing Activities Purchase of unquoted shares - (138,861) Purchase of plant and equipment (56,392) (64,321) Capital contribution from minority interests - 2,620 Interest received 1,579 3,123 Net cash flows used in investing activities (54,813) (197,439) Cash Flows from Financing Activities Loan to director (8,579) (26,513) Proceed from issue of ordinary shares of holding company - 827,000 Proceed from issue of ordinary shares of subsidiary - 449,939 Payment of AIM admission expenses - (492,748) Payment of dividend - (1,522) Difference of fixed deposit balance due to accumulation of interest (1,603) (1,426) Loan from hire purchase creditor (5,269) (4,808) Net cash flows (used in)/generated from financing activities (15,451) 749,922 KENETICS GROUP LIMITED CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2007 2007 2006 £ £ Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents (311,193) 140,404 Effect of exchange rate changes (19,062) (17,359) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 290,417 167,372 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year (39,838) 290,417 Abbreviated notes to the financial statements 1. Financial information The preliminary results were approved by the Board of Directors on 30 April 2008. The financial information set out above does not comprise the Company's statutory financial statements for the years ended 31 December 2007 and 2006, but is derived from those financial statements. The auditors have reported on the statutory financial statements for the years ended 31 December 2007 and 2006; their report was unqualified. 2. Exchange rates The financial statements of the Group are presented in Pound Sterling ('£') which is the Company's functional currency. The functional currencies of Kenetics Innovations Pte Ltd and Kenetics Innovations (Beijing) Co Ltd are Singapore Dollars ('S$') and Renminbi ('RMB') respectively. The following exchange rates have been used in preparing the financial statements as at 31 December 2007: S$1 = £ RMB1 = £ 31 December 2007 0.3465 0.06868 Average rates 0.3319 0.06582 3. Basis of preparation These preliminary results have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies adopted by the Company which are consistent with those adopted in annual report and accounts for the period ended 31 December 2006. These preliminary results have also been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. 4. Loss per share Basic loss per share has been calculated by dividing the net loss attributable to equity holders of the Company of £426,867 (2006: £446,414) by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the financial year of 26,349,466 (2006: 23,125,500). The number of ordinary shares used for the calculation of basic loss per share in 2007 and 2006 where merger accounting is applied, is based on the contributed capital of Kenetics Innovations Pte Ltd, adjusted to equivalent shares of the Company whose shares are outstanding after the combination. 5. Income tax The income tax credit attributable to the loss of £6,217 (2006: Nil) is made up of over-provision of tax provision in prior year. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
UK 100

Latest directors dealings