Exhibit 99.3
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015
(Expressed in US dollars)
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| Norsat International Inc. | Management’s Discussion & Analysis | |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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| 1.0 INTRODUCTION | 3 |
| 2.0 BUSINESS OVERVIEW | 3 |
| 2.1 OVERVIEW OF THE BUSINESS | 3 |
| 2.2 COMPANY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES | 4 |
| 2.3 MARKETS AND TRENDS | 6 |
| 2.4 STRATEGY | 8 |
| 3.0 OVERVIEW | 9 |
| 3.1 OUTLOOK | 10 |
| 4.0 FINANCIAL REVIEW | 11 |
| 4.1 NON-IFRS MEASURES | 11 |
| 4.2 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2015 | 13 |
| 4.3 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2014 | 15 |
| 4.4 SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS | 18 |
| 4.5 LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL CONDITION | 19 |
| 4.6 CAPITAL RESOURCES | 20 |
| 4.7 CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND CONTINGENCIES | 22 |
| 4.8 ISSUED CAPITAL | 22 |
| 5.0 OFF BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS | 23 |
| 6.0 TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES | 23 |
| 7.0 PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS | 23 |
| 8.0 CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES | 23 |
| 9.0 OUTSTANDING SHARE DATA | 24 |
| 10.0 RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES | 24 |
| 11.0 DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING | 24 |
| 11.1 DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES | 24 |
| 11.2 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVERFINANCIAL REPORTING | 24 |
| 11.3 CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING | 24 |
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| Norsat International Inc. | Management’s Discussion & Analysis | |
1.0 Introduction
The following management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) of Norsat International Inc. (“Norsat”, “the Company”, “we” or “us”) as of August 5, 2015 should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed interim financial statements for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, and related notes included therein. These unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015, including comparatives, have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard (“IAS”) 34 “Interim Financial Reporting”. They do not include all of the information required in annual financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 2014 annual audited consolidated financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). The MD&A and unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements were reviewed by our Audit Committee and approved by our Board of Directors.
Additional information relating to the Company including our most recent Annual Information Form may be found atwww.sedar.com.
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| | Forward Looking Statements
The following discussion and analysis of the financial conditions and results of operations contains forward-looking statements concerning anticipated developments in our operations in future periods, the adequacy of our financial resources and other events or conditions that may occur in the future. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,”, “predicts,” “potential,” “targeted,” “plans,” “possible” and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results “will,” “may,” “could” or “should” occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements about our market opportunities, strategies, competition, expected activities and expenditures as we pursue our business plan, the adequacy of our available cash resources and other statements about future events or results. Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, such as business and economic risks and uncertainties. Our forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made. Consequently, all forward-looking statements made in this discussion and analysis of the financial conditions and results of operations or the documents incorporated by reference are qualified by this cautionary statement and there can be no assurance that actual results or developments we anticipate will be realized. Some of these risks, uncertainties and other factors are described herein under the heading “Risks and Uncertainties” and in the most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, under the heading “Risk Factors” available at www.sec.gov. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. | |
2.0 Business Overview
2.1 Overview of the Business
Norsat is a leading provider of innovative communication solutions used by government organizations, militaries, transportation, resource and marine industry companies, news organizations, public safety search and rescue operators and others. Our solutions enable the transmission of data, audio and video for remote and challenging applications. Our products and services include leading-edge product design and development, production, distribution and infield support and service of fly-away satellite terminals, microwave components, antennas, radio frequency (“RF”) conditioning products, maritime based satellite terminals and remote networks connectivity solutions.
Our business currently operates primarily through two business segments: Land Mobile Radio (“Sinclair Technologies”) and Satellite Communications.
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Our common shares trade on The Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the ticker symbol ‘NII’ and on the New York Stock Exchange - MKT (“NYSE MKT”) under the ticker symbol ‘NSAT’.
2.2 Company Products and Services
Sinclair Technologies
Sinclair Technologies specializes in RF antenna and filter products designed for high performance, reliability and durability in extreme mechanical/electrical environments and weather conditions. Within these two main product lines, we offer over 2,000 distinct products, including base station antennas, mobile/transit antennas, covert antennas, filters, receiver multi-couplers, and accessories. Engineers in our Sinclair Technologies segment are experienced in custom designing complete systems based on the customer’s unique needs. With a strong focus on R&D and continuous product enhancement, we continue to expand our product offerings and improve existing designs to better serve customers.
Antennas
Our Sinclair Technologies segment has developed an exceptionally broad range of antennas, especially in the frequency bands allocated to public safety, air traffic control and land mobile radio applications. Some of these frequencies are currently being “re-farmed” or re-allocated to new applications by governing bodies such as the FCC in the US and Industry Canada. This “re-farming” of frequencies creates new demand, which we can satisfy through engineering derivative modifications to our existing products. This, in turn, preserves our leadership position in the antenna market.
Our Sinclair Technologies segment also manufactures several lines of omni-directional, yagi and panel dipole antennas covering the 30 MHz to 1900 MHz bands. Our family of collinear omni-directional antennae has a strong reputation with private mobile radio operators who use these antennas to provide coverage solutions. Sinclair Technologies was instrumental in developing low passive inter-modulation (“PIM”) antennas.
Filters
Sinclair Technologies also produces an extensive portfolio of RF filter products used to optimize the performance of antenna systems including cavity filters, transmitter combiners, duplexers, isolators, circulators and receiver multi-couplers. Our filter product line is based on standard cavity and combines resonator technologies, as well as very small high-performance filters, using cross-coupled technology.
Satellite Communications
Our Satellite Communications segment provides two broad categories of product: satellite terminals and microwave components.
Our Satellite Communications segment, provides a comprehensive portfolio of fly-away satellite terminals and software interfaces designed for easy portability and reliable connectivity in locations where traditional communication infrastructure is insufficient, unreliable, damaged or non-existent.
In addition it designs, develops and markets receivers, transmitters and power amplifiers that enable the transmission, reception and amplification of signals to and from satellites. Our product portfolio of microwave components includes a comprehensive range of satellite receivers (“LNBs”), transmitters (“BUCs”), transceivers, solid-state power amplifiers (“SSPAs”) and other microwave components.
Satellite Terminals
Our portfolio of portable satellite systems includes:
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The upgraded Norsat GLOBETrekker™ 2.0 is an intelligent, auto-acquire, rapidly deployable fly-away satellite terminal. GLOBETrekker now includes a modular architecture that enables easy component swapping in the field, a simple one-touch interface, elevated electronics for all terrain deployment and a variety of other feature enhancements that improve usability, performance and ruggedness. The terminal is built to military-grade specifications (MIL-STD-810G) and is easily transported via airline checkable packaging. GLOBETrekker is ideal for users with mission critical communication requirements such as military, resource, emergency response, and transportation applications.
The Norsat ROVER™ is an ultra-portable fly-away satellite terminal with assisted acquire technology. Easily assembled in a matter of minutes, the ROVER is ideal for the rapid deployments of military and other highly mobile operations. The ROVER is easily capable of data transfer rates in excess of 12 Mbps, yet is still compact enough to fit into a single backpack.
SigmaLink™ is a fly-away satellite terminal with antenna sizes up to 2.4m, suitable for longer term deployments, yet portable enough for mobile operations. SigmaLink is ideal for use by government and peacekeeping agencies, broadcasters, resource exploration companies, distance education institutions, financial institutions, and large corporations.
Norsat’s GLOBETrekker, Rover and SigmaLink fly-away terminals offer superior ease of use, ruggedness, and portability compared to competitive offerings. All systems are shipped with LinkControl software, the industry’s most intuitive and powerful suite of satellite pointing tools. LinkControl seamlessly integrates the various hardware components, automates the process of satellite acquisition, and enables users to pre-configure settings for rapid field deployments.
We also have available the RANGER - an assisted-acquire micro-sat terminal. The RANGER is a ruggedized, high performance and portable terminal ideal for rapid deployments where portability is essential.
We also offer a series of SATCOM Baseband Kits. These convenient, all-in-one tool kits can be used for worldwide satellite system field deployments. Baseband kits support a variety of applications and are available in Compact Flyaway Kits, Emergency Communications Kits and Red/Black Gateway Kits. Key features include the ability to provide core office functions while operating in emergency situations, market leading portability, and connectivity support in challenging environments.
Norsat’s satellite communications for the maritime market includes the COM series, which is a high performance very small aperture terminal solution, designed for militaries, fisheries, Oil & Gas and other commercial applications.
Recently, Norsat announced the launch of the Journey Manpack ultra-portable Ku-Band satellite terminal, which is a 6-segment, carbon fiber portable terminal weighing less than 18 kilograms (40 pounds), including the backpack, ideal for military Special Forces and government applications that require maximum portability and quick set up.
Microwave components
Our portfolio of microwave components includes:
Low Noise Block Down Converters (“LNBs”), are required by every satellite antenna (or “dish”) irrespective of aperture or location. The LNB is mounted at the focal point of the dish to convert incoming microwave signals into electrical signals that are routed to the remote receiver or indoor unit. Reliability is critical for these products as they are used in remote areas around the world.
Satellite transmitters or Block Up Converters (“BUCs”) convert electrical signals into microwave signals that can be transmitted to an orbiting satellite. A BUC is required to transmit to a satellite for applications such as news gathering, broadband internet access, and broadcasting.
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Norsat’s product offering includes the new ATOM Series BUCs. These Block Up Converters are the smallest, lightest and most energy efficient transmitters available on the market today. The high efficiency ATOM reduces power consumption significantly; delivering overall cost savings over the lifetime of the device.
Norsat is a market leader in microwave products. Through more than three decades of participation in this market, we have developed a reputation for quality, reliability and innovation. We believe that we have the largest market share of any of our competitors in the commercial LNB space.
2.3 Markets and Trends
Land Mobile Radio Communications - Markets
The antenna and filter products supplied by our Sinclair Technologies segment are used primarily by the land mobile radio (“LMR”) industry and specifically by the following industry segments:
Public safety operators, including several police forces, the coast guards and navies, and a large set of ambulance and fire dispatch services;
Private sector networks including rail, ground and air transportation networks used by natural resource, utility, taxi, trucking, and construction companies, as well as other dedicated network operators. These customers are generally served through an extensive set of dealers specializing in radio systems;
Mobile radio, public safety, aviation and heavy transport industries; and
Original equipment manufacturers.
Sinclair products are well established globally. Operating in the 30 MHz to 1.9 GHz frequency range, Sinclair antennas and filters are integral components of many wireless communications networks - controlling, enhancing and propagating radio frequency signals associated with these systems. Most Sinclair products support both voice and data.
Land Mobile Radio Communications - Trends
Communication networks, and in particular, mobile wireless communications systems, are widely used in public safety, national security, natural resource management, and other specialized applications.
Limited availability of licensed and unlicensed frequencies is causing governments to re-assign spectrum for public safety networks. As an example, US broadcasters were recently required to vacate the 700 MHz frequency band to allow spectrum for new public safety networks.
Demand by mobile radio users for more radio channels is causing network operators to reduce channel spacing and increase demand for filter products.
Large competitors are more focused on the larger cellular market and appear to be reducing investment in new product development for the LMR market, and
Original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) are driving greater efficiencies and increasing their bargaining power by favouring fewer vendors with a broad product portfolio.
Satellite-based Communications - Markets
Norsat’s satellite-based communications business includes satellite terminals and microwave components. These products employ satellites that are orbiting the earth to transmit and receive content. Our equipment interoperates with satellites that orbit the earth at the same speed as the earth rotates. These satellites appear to remain at the same
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point relative to the earth’s surface, thus giving the impression that they are stationary. These satellites are known as geostationary satellites, or satellites in geostationary orbit (orbiting approximately 22,300 miles above the earth).
While geostationary satellites are operated on a commercial basis and are fairly standard in their operation, some are owned and operated by militaries and may have unique characteristics. Our equipment has been standardized so that it can operate on most satellites, without further customization. These products permit users to establish a broadband communications link (up to 10 Mbps) between any two points on earth. This broadband communications link is capable of transporting a broad range of content including voice, data and motion video.
The satellite industry continues to see increased demand, driven primarily by the backlog of satellite launches, across all sectors of the market including the commercial and military markets. Our products operate primarily on widely deployed commercial Ku-band satellites. However, some of our products operate on other commercial (C-band and Ka-band) and military (Ka-band and X-band) satellites as well.
Satellite-Based Communications – Trends
Although we continue to see softness in the satellite-based communications market as a result of the US budget cuts and decrease in U.S. military spending, investments to develop new products have been well received by other global militaries, which we believe will translate into future revenue growth. In addition, we believe that a number of longer term trends are positively influencing the sector. Specific trends include the following:
There is a growing expectation that organizations and individuals are always “connected” to some type of communications infrastructure, regardless of where they may be positioned geographically.
As companies are increasingly required to look beyond traditional locations to meet the world’s demand for natural resources, there has been a proliferation of remote sites far removed from existing infrastructure.
Demand for bandwidth is ever-expanding as users increasingly expect that video and audio files are capable of being transmitted, and that the transmissions will occur in real time.
In the era of 24-hour news coverage, viewers have come to expect media to cover a breaking story nearly instantaneously, regardless of where it occurs around the world. Media outlets need to be able to deploy quickly to meet this expectation.
Major media are experiencing competition from alternative news sources that typically make content available over the Internet. Partly in response, governments and non-governmental organizations are increasingly producing their own content relating to events they deem significant, and making this available to third parties or directly to the public.
The nature of modern military operations is such that mobility and rapid establishment of communication links in the field are increasingly considered vital.
Major organizations that have global operations are increasingly aware of, and plan for, natural or manmade crisis events. Their plans often include establishing communication capabilities that are not dependent on terrestrial infrastructure as part of their contingency or emergency action plans.
A number of large-scale disasters in recent years have proven the critical importance of first responders being able to establish rapid communication links to coordinate recovery efforts.
Experience with information technology and communication equipment in recent decades has conditioned users to expect that related hardware will become smaller and more portable over time, while offering improved functionality. Providers who are able to meet this expectation can realize competitive advantages.
Applications for satellite technology are becoming ubiquitous. From their traditional role in the broadcast and telecommunications fields, communications satellites have more recently been extended to such applications as broadband services, cellular and Internet backhaul, location-based services and satellite imagery. As a result, a broader base of users has a need for ground-based satellite equipment.
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2.4 Strategy
Provide leading communication solutions
Norsat’s mission is to become a leading provider of innovative communication solutions for remote and challenging applications. Our primary value proposition is rooted in our longevity and reputation for quality, and in our track record for being highly successful when dealing with projects in challenging parts of the world. Customers with critical applications for which reliability of performance is absolutely essential tend to place significant value in the quality of Norsat’s products and after-sales support infrastructure. In addition, we have a track record of introducing innovative new products to the RF antenna and filter, and satellite industries and we plan to remain a product leader in these areas. Supported by a strong financial base, we continue to invest in research and development for the RF antenna and filter, satellite, and microwave businesses. These attributes will remain core elements of our strategy, forming the foundation of our organic growth.
Pursue acquisition opportunities
While we continue to focus on organic growth within our existing product segments, we are also actively pursuing a mergers-and-acquisition-based growth strategy. As such, we are constantly identifying and evaluating potential candidates that are leaders in their field and that meet our core acquisition criteria of:
enhancing our ability to provide communication solutions in challenging environments;
providing access to high-end commercial markets; and,
increasing our ability to generate a stable revenue stream.
While we believe a proportion of our future growth will come via business combinations, we are proceeding prudently. Any merger or acquisition opportunity must be attractively priced, advance our corporate objectives and have the potential to be accretive to our shareholders.
On April 16, 2013, Norsat acquired certain business assets and assumed certain liabilities of CVG Inc. This acquisition has advanced our core business by augmenting our product portfolio and enhancing intellectual property (IP) for our Satellite Communications business unit.
In January 2011, we acquired Aurora, Ontario-based Sinclair Technologies Holdings Inc. (“Sinclair”), a private company and a leading provider of antenna and radio frequency conditioning products.
The Sinclair acquisition has proved to be a good fit with our strategy in that it complements our core businesses and supports our goal of becoming a premium provider of communication solutions for remote and challenging applications. Like Norsat’s other product lines, Sinclair products are used all over the world and are often operated in the harshest of environments. Both the Norsat and Sinclair brands are equated with superior products, the latest technologies and customized solutions. However, the Sinclair product line targets different end-markets than Norsat products, providing opportunities to expand our market base and generate cross-selling opportunities between the two units. The integration of Sinclair has enabled Norsat to achieve modest costs savings as a result of efficiencies gained from being a larger organization.
Continue to provide innovative products
We invest in research and development to maintain our status as “best in class.” Our R&D efforts are directed toward enhancing existing product lines and introducing new products. We believe that the development of new products within our various product segments will keep Norsat on the cutting edge of the industry, attract new business and lead to the development of new market verticals.
Expand into new markets
Our long-term objectives include entering new geographic markets and strengthening our reach into existing markets, broadening our customer base, and expanding into new market verticals.
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The Sinclair acquisition has strongly supported this strategy. Sinclair products are well established among customers in the commercial space and at the municipal government level and have provided opportunities for Norsat to diversify into these markets. We have seen the benefits of engaging new and past customers under the strength of a larger combined entity resulting in ordering activities. We will continue to pursue new opportunities that further expand our market reach.
Provide a breadth of solutions to our existing customers
Another component of our growth strategy is to expand the breadth of the solutions we provide to each customer. Currently, the vast majority of our revenues are generated by the hardware and systems we manufacture. We believe there are a number of opportunities to provide ancillary services and third-party hardware components related to these core products. In particular, we believe customers in remote and challenging environments would benefit from an end-to-end solution provider approach, enabling them to purchase all of their secure communication requirements from a single vendor. Customers could then be confident that all elements would be configured to work well together, and that they would receive comprehensive product support. Norsat, in turn, would benefit from stronger customer relationships, higher sales, and the long-term development of a stable, recurring revenue stream.
We continue to actively evaluate various technologies and commercial applications that complement our current suite of product and service offerings. Our goal is to become the connectivity solutions provider of choice for challenging applications and environments.
We are also seeking new opportunities in remote and challenging applications where we can offer our expertise to solve communications and logistics problems. We plan on leveraging our secure and reliable products, along with our experience on how to better serve customers and give them the best value and product performance. As we establish more initiatives in the world’s remote and challenging regions and environments, our expectation is that many of the customers we currently serve will have scalable opportunities and will rely on us to assist in further build-outs or expansion projects.
Grow our business through existing and new customers
We market the majority of our products in North America through our direct sales force, OEMs, distributors and manufacturer representatives. In Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, our products are sold through a direct sales force, OEMs, and system integrators.
Almost all of our portable satellite systems sales to the US Government were initially sold through our direct sales force. Due to successful deployments with the US Government, additional militaries and governments around the world have become Norsat customers.
We will continue to use, increase and invest in our various sale channels, and we are increasingly emphasizing those that enable us to target large commercial customers. In addition, we are pursuing opportunities to cross-sell our products to customers within all of our segments.
Continue to focus resources prudently
Norsat has been fiscally prudent with regard to expenses. We will continue to focus our resources strategically and make appropriate investments. While we seek growth opportunities, we also continue to review opportunities for strategic cost-cutting measures.
3.0 Overview
On April 13, 2015, the Company announced the launch of the 5000 Series PLL (Phase-locked loop) LNBs, a new product family that delivers high performance and reliability at an industry leading price point.
On April 15, 2015, the Company announced that the Company received an order from the Defense Media Activity (“DMA”) to purchase Norsat’s GLOBETrekkerTM 2.0 portable satellite terminals, along with Norsat’s
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50W ATOM series BUCs to enable satellite uplink of live high definition or standard definition video from the field, as well as data transfer and email access.
On June 2, 2015, the Company announced that the company recently received orders in excess of $0.8 million for its mobile, wayside and base station antennas for exclusive use in positive train control (“PTC”) applications. This latest order is a positive sign in the railroad sector as it brings total 2015 year to date commitments from customers to purchase approximately $1.3 million worth of Norsat’s ruggedized communication antennas, including base station, locomotive and waystation antennas, in the continuation of the rollout of the government-mandated PTC initiative.
During the second quarter the Company repaid the remaining balance of its $1.3 million acquisition loan, including a $0.8 million voluntary accelerated payment, resulting in the Company being debt free.
Total sales for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was $9.0 million, compared to $9.6 million in the same period in 2014.
Our Sinclair Technologies segment recorded sales of $4.8 million in the second quarter of 2015, compared to $5.6 million in the same period of 2014. The decrease reflects the continued softness in the infrastructure and public safety markets, in particular the Canadian markets. In addition, the weaker Canadian dollar has an adverse effect of converting Canadian dollar denominated sales to US dollars.
Satellite Communications segment recorded sales of $4.1 million in the second quarter of 2015, compared to $4.0 million in the same quarter in 2014. For the three months ended June 30, 2015, Satellite terminal and related product sales were $2.1 million compared to $0.5 million during the same period in 2014, reflecting stronger terminal sales. Microwave products sales were approximately $2.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015, compared to $3.5 million for the same period in 2014. The decrease reflects a significant ATOM contract in 2014 that was not repeated in 2015.
Consolidated gross margins for the three months ended June 30, 2015 were 39%, compared to 42% during the same period in 2014.
Continued global economic weakness and US budget cuts has increased competitiveness in our markets. Going forward, pricing pressure could negatively impact our ability to maintain or improve margins.
3.1 Outlook
As we look forward to the second half of 2015, we expect our revenues to be higher compared to the same period in 2014. Exact timings of deliveries can be difficult to predict, but given the improved backlog level of the business, the next few quarters should produce improved revenues compared to the year ago periods. Looking into overall 2015 annual revenue growth compared to 2014, the Company expects modest improvement as strength in the second half offsets the weakness from the first half of the year. The Company expects this growth to be led by the Satellite Communications segment, due to increases in global military spending. In contrast the Company’s Land Mobile Radio division’s revenue is expected to be lower than 2014, due to ongoing softness in its Canadian markets and the adverse effect of converting Canadian dollar denominated sales to US dollars.
Going forward, the Company will continue to work to diversify its business by broadening its product portfolio and expanding its customer base on a geographic and market sector basis. Norsat continues to focus on markets beyond the US, as well as on the commercial, resource, transportation and public safety segments. The Company is also continuing to pursue other new revenue opportunities.
The current global economic uncertainties, coupled with Norsat’s stable financial position and capital structure, continue to create excellent conditions for realizing growth through business combinations. The Company will continue to actively pursue merger and acquisition opportunities that provide strong value, further key strategic objectives and have the potential to be accretive to shareholders.
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Management will also continue to execute a balanced growth strategy that incorporates investment in staffing levels, new product introductions, continued enhancement of existing product lines, greater diversification by geographic region as well as by industry verticals, and a broadening of the solutions we provide to customers. In addition, the Company continues to evaluate other strategic opportunities for improving overall operating and financial performance.
4.0 Financial Review
4.1 Non-IFRS Measures
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
Management uses non-IFRS measures, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as supplemental measures to evaluate the performance of the Company. EBITDA is defined as earnings before income tax expense, financing costs, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA adjusted with foreign exchange gain or loss, corporate development costs, write-down of inventory, impairment charges or recoveries, discontinued operations and other non-cash charges.
Management believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provide important measures of the Company’s operating performance because they allow management, investors and others to evaluate and compare the Company’s core operating results, including its return on capital and operating efficiencies, from period to period by removing the impact of its capital structure (interest expenses), asset base (depreciation and amortization) and tax consequences. Both EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS, other companies may calculate these non-IFRS measures differently, and therefore our EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similar titled measures of other companies. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on them and are also urged to read all IFRS accounting disclosures presented in the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, a reconciliation of IFRS to non-IFRS measures:
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| ('000s) | | Three months ended June 30, | | | | | | | |
| | | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | Change | |
| Net earnings for the period | $ | 674 | | $ | 1,000 | | $ | (326 | ) | | (33% | ) |
| Interest expense | | 7 | | | 32 | | | (25 | ) | | (78% | ) |
| Amortization and depreciation | $ | 330 | | | 303 | | | 27 | | | 9% | |
| Tax recovery | | 133 | | | (283 | ) | | 416 | | | >(100% | ) |
| EBITDA | $ | 1,144 | | $ | 1,052 | | $ | 92 | | | 9% | |
| Foreign exchange loss/(gain) | | 211 | | | 282 | | | (71 | ) | | (25% | ) |
| Other income | | (199 | ) | | - | | | (199 | ) | | >100% | |
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,156 | | $ | 1,334 | | $ | (178 | ) | | (13% | ) |
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Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was $1.2 million, compared to $1.3 million in the same period last year, reflects a decrease of gross profit of $0.6 million from lower sales volume and margins, partially offset by a decrease in operating expenses of $0.4 million. The decrease in operating expenses reflects the strengthening of the US dollar against the Canadian dollar as a significant portion of the Company’s expenses are in Canadian dollars, partially offset by increase in strategic investments, including product development costs.
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| ('000s) | | Six months ended June 30 | | | | | | |
| | | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | Change | |
| Net earnings for the period | $ | 1,234 | | $ | 3,177 | | $ | (1,943 | ) | (61% | ) |
| Interest expense | | 22 | | | 65 | | | (43 | ) | (66% | ) |
| Amortization and depreciation | | 658 | | | 623 | | | 35 | | 6% | |
| Tax recovery | | (1 | ) | | (353 | ) | | 352 | | (100% | ) |
| EBITDA | $ | 1,913 | | $ | 3,512 | | $ | (1,599 | ) | (46% | ) |
| Foreign exchange loss/(gain) | | 389 | | | (586 | ) | | 975 | | >(100% | ) |
| Other income | | (199 | ) | | - | | | (199 | ) | >100% | |
| Adjustd EBITDA | $ | 2,103 | | $ | 2,926 | | $ | (823 | ) | (28% | ) |
Adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was $2.1 million, compared to $2.9 million during the same period in 2014. The change in EBITDA reflects a $1.0 million decrease in gross profit contributions from lower sales volume, and lower margins, offset by $0.2 million decrease in operating expenses compared to the same period in 2014. The decrease in operating expenses mainly reflects the strengthening of the US dollar against the Canadian dollar, as a significant portion of the Company’s expenses are in Canadian Dollars, partially offset by strategic investments, in particular product development.
Adjusted Working Capital and Adjusted Current Ratio
Adjusted Working Capital is a non-IFRS measure that does not have a standardized meaning and may not be comparable to a similar measure disclosed by other issuers. Management believes that Adjusted Working Capital provides an important measure of the Company’s operating performance because it allows management, investors and others to evaluate and compare the efficiency of our allocation of short-term financial resources.
Our acquisition loan balance, if any, is a current liability, which we believe it is a non-operating item and is not reflective of our current operations, and accordingly it has been excluded in the Adjusted Working Capital calculations. Adjusted Working Capital is calculated by subtracting current liabilities, excluding acquisition loan, from current assets. As at June 30, 2015, Adjusted Working Capital decreased to $16.0 million, from $16.1 million at December 31, 2014.
Adjusted Current Ratio is also a non-IFRS measure that does not have a standardized meaning and may not be comparable to a similar measure disclosed by other issuers. We believe that monitoring our adjusted current ratio helps to assess the health of our liquidity.
Our acquisition loan balance, if any, has also been excluded from the Adjusted Current Ratio calculations as we believe it is a non-operating item. Adjusted Current Ratio is defined as current assets divided by current liabilities, excluding the acquisition loan. As at June 30, 2015, Adjusted Current Ratio increased to 3.4 times from 3.2 times as at December 31, 2014.
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| Norsat International Inc. | Management’s Discussion & Analysis | |
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, a reconciliation of IFRS to non-IFRS measures:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| ('000s), except ratio amounts | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | June 30, 2015 | | December 31, 2014 | | | Change | |
| Current Assets (A) | $ | 22,614 | $ | 23,630 | | $ | (1,016 | ) | | (4% | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Current Liabilities (B) | | 6,625 | | 9,861 | | | (3,236 | ) | | (33% | ) |
| Less Acquisition Loan | | - | | (2,371 | ) | | 2,371 | | | (100% | ) |
| Adjusted Current Liabilities (C) | $ | 6,625 | $ | 7,490 | | $ | (865 | ) | | (12% | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Working Capital (A)-(B) | $ | 15,989 | $ | 13,769 | | $ | 2,220 | | | 16% | |
| Adjusted Working Capital (A)-(C) | $ | 15,989 | $ | 16,140 | | $ | (151 | ) | | (1% | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Current Ratio (A)/(B) | | 3.4 | | 2.4 | | | 1.0 | | | 42% | |
| Adjusted Current Ratio (A)/(C) | | 3.4 | | 3.2 | | | 0.3 | | | 8% | |
4.2 Results of Operations for the three months ended June 30, 2015
Sales and Gross Margin
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three months ended June 30 | | | | | | | |
| | | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | Change | |
| Sales (in '000s) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Sinclair Technologies | $ | 4,814 | | $ | 5,555 | | $ | (741 | ) | | (13% | ) |
| Satellite Communications | | 4,136 | | | 4,029 | | | 107 | | | 3% | |
| Total | $ | 8,950 | | $ | 9,584 | | $ | (634 | ) | | (7% | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Gross Profit Margin | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Sinclair Technologies | | 46% | | | 42% | | | 4% | | | | |
| Satellite Communications | | 31% | | | 43% | | | (12% | ) | | | |
| Total | | 39% | | | 42% | | | (3% | ) | | | |
Results from our business segments fluctuate from quarter to quarter due to seasonal influences on sales volumes. In our Sinclair Technologies segment, the first and second quarters are historically the strongest, as most of Sinclair’s products are installed before the winter season. Among our Satellite Communications segment, the third and fourth quarters are typically the strongest, as these have traditionally been the periods when military sales occur. The timing of contract awards also creates significant fluctuations in our quarterly results as some large contracts represent a significant share of sales for a given quarter. The timing of these orders is unpredictable.
For the three months ended June 30, 2015, total sales were $9.0 million, compared to $9.6 million from the same quarter of 2014.
Sales from the Sinclair Technologies segment were $4.8 million for the second quarter of 2015, compared to $5.6 million during the same period in 2014, reflecting the continued softness in the infrastructure and public safety markets, particularly in the Canadian markets.
Second quarter Satellite Communications sales were $4.1 million, compared to $4.0 million in Q2 2014, reflecting stronger satellite terminal sales which were $2.1 million compared to $0.4 million in the same period a year ago. Other service revenues were $0.1 million, comparable to $0.1 million in Q2 2014. Within the Satellite Communications segment, second quarter microwave product sales were $2.0 million, compared to $3.5 million in the second quarter of 2014. The $1.6 million decrease was mainly due to deliveries against a significant ATOM product contract in 2014, which was not repeated in 2015.
On a consolidated basis, gross profit was $3.5 million compared to $4.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and second quarter gross margin percentages were 39% compared to gross margins of 42% for the same period in 2014.
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| Norsat International Inc. | Management’s Discussion & Analysis | |
The Sinclair Technologies segment achieved a second quarter gross profit margin of 46%, compared to 42% gross margin in the same quarter in 2014. The increase in gross margin primarily reflects the strengthening of the US dollar against the Canadian dollar as our labor and overhead costs are predominately in Canadian dollars.
The Satellite Communications segment recorded a gross profit margin of 31%, compared to a gross margin of 43% during the same quarter of 2014. Microwave products margins were 41% for the three months ended June 30, 2015, compared to 44% in the same period in 2014. The decrease reflects lower-margin revenues in the product mix. Satellite terminal and related product margins were 21% for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to 35% in Q2 2014. The Q2 2015 margins reflect our satellite terminals being sold into more competitive low-cost markets.
Expenses
| | | | | | | | | | |
| ('000s) | | Three months ended June 30 | | | | | | |
| | | 2015 | | 2014 | | Change | |
| Selling and distributing expenses | $ | 1,272 | $ | 1,373 | $ | (101 | ) | | (7% | ) |
| General and administrative expenses | | 934 | | 1,045 | | (111 | ) | | (11% | ) |
| Product development expenses, net | | 418 | | 574 | | (156 | ) | | (27% | ) |
| Other expenses | | 53 | | 330 | | (277 | ) | | (84% | ) |
| Total expenses | $ | 2,677 | $ | 3,322 | $ | (645 | ) | | (19% | ) |
For the three months ended June 30, 2015, total expenses decreased to $2.7 million, from $3.3 million compared to the same quarter in 2014.
Second quarter selling and distribution expenses were $1.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015, comparable to $1.4 million in 2014. Increased employee costs were offset by the strengthening of the US dollar against the Canadian dollar as a significant portion of the Company’s selling distribution expenses are in Canadian dollars.
Second quarter general administration expenses decreased to $0.9 million, from $1.0 million incurred for the same period in 2014. The decrease reflects strengthening of the US dollar against the Canadian dollar as a significant portion of the Company’s administration expenses are in Canadian dollars, offset by increase in strategic investments.
Product development expenses, net
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three months ended June 30 | | | | | | | |
| | | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | Change | |
| Direct expenses | $ | 680 | | $ | 690 | | | (10 | ) | | (1% | ) |
| Amortization | | 51 | | | 67 | | | (16 | ) | | (24% | ) |
| Less: Government contribution | | (313 | ) | | (183 | ) | | (130 | ) | | 71% | |
| Total product development expenses, net | $ | 418 | | $ | 574 | | $ | (156 | ) | | (27% | ) |
Second quarter direct product development expenses were $0.7 million on par with $0.7 million during the same period last year. Increase in headcount in product development was offset by the strengthening of the US dollar against the Canadian dollar as a significant portion of the Company’s product development expenses are in Canadian dollars.
Direct product development expenses were offset by government contributions of $0.3 million in the second quarter of 2015, compared to government contributions of approximately $0.2 million for the same period in 2014, resulting in net product development expenses of approximately $0.4 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $0.6 million in the same period in 2014.
Other income for the second quarter of 2015 was approximately $53,000, compared to a $0.3 million during the same period last year. The change reflects other income of $0.2 million compared to $nil in the same period in 2014 and a decrease of foreign exchange loss to $0.2 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $0.3 million in the same period of 2014. Interest and bank charges decreased to approximately $41,000 in the second quarter of
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| Norsat International Inc. | Management’s Discussion & Analysis | |
2015 compared to $48,000 for the same period in 2014, reflecting lower interest costs from a lower average outstanding acquisition loan balance during the quarter.
Net earnings for the period
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| ('000s), except per share amounts | | Three months ended June 30 | | | | | | | |
| | | 2015 | | 2014 | | | Change | |
| Earnings before income taxes | $ | 807 | $ | 717 | | $ | 90 | | | 13% | |
| Net income tax expense/(recovery) | | 133 | | (283 | ) | | 416 | | | (147% | ) |
| Net earnings for the period | $ | 674 | $ | 1,000 | | $ | (326 | ) | | (33% | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Basic and diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.17 | | $ | (0.05 | ) | | (29% | ) |
Second quarter earnings before income taxes increased to $0.8 million compared to $0.7 million for the same period in 2014.
A decrease in operating expenses of $0.4 million, an increase of other income of $0.2 million and a decrease in loss of foreign exchange of $0.1 million compared to the same period in 2014, was partially offset by a decrease in gross profit of $0.6 million from lower sales volume and margins. The decrease in 2015 operating expenses reflects the strengthening of the US dollar against the Canadian dollar as a significant portion of the Company’s expenses are in Canadian dollars, partially offset by increase in strategic investments, including product development costs.
Net income tax expense was approximately $133,000 in the second quarter of 2015, compared to a net income tax recovery of approximately $0.3 million in the same period in 2014, reflecting a $0.2 million reduction of the deferred income tax assets from $4.9 million to $4.7 million, and an income tax recovery of $0.2 million in the second quarter of 2014 that was not repeated in 2015.
Second quarter net earnings was $0.7 million, or $0.12 per share, basic and diluted, compared to $1.0 million or $0.17 per share, basic and diluted for the second quarter in 2014.
4.3 Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
Sales and Gross Margin
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Six months ended June 30 | | | | | | | |
| | | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | Change | |
| Sales (in '000s) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Sinclair Technologies | $ | 9,458 | | $ | 11,174 | | $ | (1,716 | ) | | (15% | ) |
| Satellite Communications | | 7,902 | | | 7,527 | | | 375 | | | 5% | |
| Total | $ | 17,360 | | $ | 18,701 | | $ | (1,341 | ) | | (7% | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Gross Profit Margin | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Sinclair Technologies | | 45% | | | 41% | | | 4% | | | | |
| Satellite Communications | | 33% | | | 43% | | | (10% | ) | | | |
| Total | | 39% | | | 42% | | | (3% | ) | | | |
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, total sales were $17.4 million, compared to $18.7 million for the same period last year.
Sales from our Sinclair Technologies segment were $9.5 million in the first six months of 2015, comparable to $11.2 million during the same period in 2014. Sales from this segment were impacted by the continued softness in the infrastructure and public safety markets, particularly in the Canadian markets.
Satellite Communications sales increased to $7.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, compared to $7.5 million for the same period in 2014, driven by the increase in Satellite terminal sales.
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| Norsat International Inc. | Management’s Discussion & Analysis | |
Satellite terminal sales were $3.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $0.7 million in the same period a year ago, reflecting an increase of military sales. Other service revenues were $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, compared to $0.4 million in Q2 2014. The decrease reflects the non-renewal of significant airtime contracts.
Within the Satellite Communications segment, Microwave Products sales were $3.9 million in the first six months of 2015, compared to $6.4 million during the same period in 2014. The $2.5 million decrease was mainly due to the deliveries against a significant ATOM product contract in 2014, which was not repeated in 2015.
On a consolidated basis, gross margin percentage decreased to 39% for the six months ended June 30, 2015, compared to 42% from the same period in 2014.
Our Sinclair Technologies segment achieved a first half 2015 gross margin of 45%, compared to 41% from the first half of 2014. The increase in gross margin reflects the strengthening of the US dollar against the Canadian dollar as our labor and overhead costs are predominately in Canadian dollars, and certain materials costs that are in Canadian dollars.
Margins from the Satellite Communications segment were 33% for the first half 2015, compared to 43% in first six months of 2014. Within the Satellite Communications segment, Satellite Solutions gross margin decreased to 25% year-to-date, from 32% in the first six months of 2014, reflecting our satellite terminals being sold into more competitive low-cost markets. Microwave Products margins decreased to 41% in the first six months from 45% in the same period in 2014. The decrease reflects lower-margin revenues in the product mix.
Expenses
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| ('000s) | | Six months ended June 30 | | | | | | | |
| | | 2015 | | 2014 | | | Change | |
| Selling and distributing expenses | $ | 2,539 | $ | 2,677 | | $ | (138 | ) | | (5% | ) |
| General and administrative expenses | | 1,927 | | 1,904 | | | 23 | | | 1% | |
| Product development expenses, net | | 846 | | 883 | | | (37 | ) | | (4% | ) |
| Other expenses/(income) | | 297 | | (485 | ) | | (782 | ) | | >100% | |
| Total expenses | $ | 5,609 | $ | 4,979 | | $ | (934 | ) | | (19% | ) |
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, total expenses increased to $5.6 million, from $5.0 million during the same period in 2014 mainly as a result of other expenses of $0.3 million in 2015 compared to other income of $0.5 million in the same period in 2014.
First half selling and distributing expenses decreased to $2.5 million, compared to $2.7 million for the same period in 2014. Increased employee costs were offset by the strengthening of the US dollar against the Canadian dollar as a significant portion of the Company’s selling distribution expenses are in Canadian dollars.
General and administrative expenses were $1.9 million in the first half of 2015, on par with $1.9 million in the same period in 2014. Increased strategic investments were offset by the strengthening of the US dollar against the Canadian dollar as a significant portion of the Company’s administration expenses are in Canadian dollars.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ('000s) | | Six months ended June 30 | | | | | | | |
| | | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | Change | |
| Direct expenses | $ | 1,388 | | $ | 1,305 | | $ | 83 | | | 6% | |
| Amortization | | 102 | | | 148 | | | (46 | ) | | (31% | ) |
| Less: Government contribution | | (644 | ) | | (570 | ) | | (74 | ) | | 13% | |
| Total product development expenses, net | $ | 846 | | $ | 883 | | $ | (37 | ) | | (4% | ) |
Direct product development expenses for the first six months of 2015 increased to $1.4 million from $1.3 million during the same period last year. Increased headcount in product development was partially offset by the strengthening of the US dollar against the Canadian dollar as a significant portion of the Company’s product development expenses are in Canadian dollars.
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| Norsat International Inc. | Management’s Discussion & Analysis | |
Direct product development expenses were offset by government contributions of $0.6 million in the first six months of 2015, on par with government contributions of approximately $0.6 million for the same period in 2014, resulting in net product development expenses of approximately $0.8 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to $0.9 million in the same period in 2014.
Net other expenses for the first six months of 2015 were $0.3 million versus a $0.5 million net other income during the same period last year. The change reflects a $0.4 million loss on foreign exchange for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to a gain on foreign exchange of $0.6 million for the same period in 2014. This change was offset by other income of $0.2 million in the first six months of 2015, and lower interest expense in the first six months of 2015 at approximately $80,000 compared to $0.1 million in the same period in 2014, as result of Company repaying the entire acquisition loan during Q2 2015.
Net earnings for the period
| | | | | | | | | | |
| ('000s), except per share amounts | | Six months ended June 30 | | | | | | |
| | | 2015 | | 2014 | | Change | |
| Earnings before income taxes | $ | 1,232 | $ | 2,824 | $ | (1,592 | ) | | (56% | ) |
| Net income tax expense | | 1 | | 353 | | (352 | ) | | (100% | ) |
| Net earnings for the period | $ | 1,233 | $ | 3,177 | $ | (1,944 | ) | | (61% | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Basic and diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.21 | $ | 0.55 | $ | (0.34 | ) | | (61% | ) |
For the six months ended June 30, 2015 earnings before income taxes decreased to $1.2 million, from $2.8 million during the same period in 2014.
Income tax expense for the first half of 2015 was approximately $1,000 compared to income tax expense of $0.4 million for the same period in 2014. For the first six months of 2015 income tax recovery related to an additional current tax recovery of approximately $66,000 and a deferred income tax expense of approximately $65,000. This compares to an income tax recovery of $0.2 million and a deferred income tax recovery of $0.1 million in the first six months of 2014.
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| Norsat International Inc. | Management’s Discussion & Analysis | |
4.4 Summary of Quarterly Results
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ('000s), except for earnings per share | Three months ended | | | |
| | | Mar 31 | | | Jun 30 | | | Sep 30 | | | Dec 31 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2015 | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | |
| Sales | | 8,410 | | | 8,950 | | | | | | | |
| Net earnings for the period | | 560 | | | 674 | | | | | | | |
| EBITDA(1) | | 769 | | | 1,144 | | | | | | | |
| Adjusted EBITDA(1) | | 947 | | | 1,156 | | | | | | | |
Earnings per share from continuing operations and net earnings per share - basic and diluted | | 0.10 | | | 0.12 | | | | | | | |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic ('000s) | | 5,766 | | | 5,759 | | | | | | | |
Diluted ('000s) | | 5,789 | | | 5,783 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2014 | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | |
| Sales | | 9,118 | | | 9,584 | | | 8,107 | | | 9,371 | |
| Net earnings | | 2,177 | | | 1,000 | | | 968 | | | 51 | |
| EBITDA(1) | | 2,459 | | | 1,052 | | | 1,200 | | | 380 | |
| Adjusted EBITDA(1) | | 1,592 | | | 1,334 | | | 1,017 | | | 742 | |
Earnings per share from continuing operations and net earnings per share - basic and diluted | | 0.38 | | | 0.17 | | | 0.17 | | | 0.01 | |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - | | # | | | # | | | # | | | # | |
Basic ('000s) | | 5,767 | | | 5,766 | | | 5,761 | | | 5,764 | |
Diluted ('000s) | | 5,771 | | | 5,770 | | | 5,763 | | | 5,770 | |
| | | . | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2013 | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | |
| Sales | | 8,354 | | | 8,598 | | | 8,788 | | | 10,677 | |
| Net earnings | | 412 | | | 914 | | | 683 | | | 1,698 | |
| EBITDA(1) | | 845 | | | 1,259 | | | 1,045 | | | 1,464 | |
| Adjusted EBITDA(1) | | 797 | | | 819 | | | 1,361 | | | 2,144 | |
Earnings per share from continuing operations and net earnings per share - basic and diluted | | 0.07 | | | 0.16 | | | 0.12 | | | 0.29 | |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - | | # | | | # | | | # | | | # | |
Basic ('000s) | | 5,804 | | | 5,783 | | | 5,767 | | | 5,767 | |
Diluted ('000s) | | 5,811 | | | 5,787 | | | 5,768 | | | 5,768 | |
(1) EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are Non-IFRS Measures. See Section 4.1 “Non-IFRS Measure”.
Quarterly results from our two revenue generating business segments fluctuate from quarter-to-quarter due to seasonal influences on sales volumes. In our Sinclair Technologies segment, the first and second quarters are historically the strongest, as most of Sinclair’s customers build inventories during these quarters prior to commencing installation in the spring and summer seasons. For our Satellite Communications segment, the third and fourth quarters are typically the strongest, as these have traditionally been the periods when military sales occur. The timing of contract awards also creates significant fluctuations in our quarterly results as some large contracts represent a significant share of sales for a given quarter. The timing of these orders is unpredictable.
We are working to reduce quarterly revenue fluctuations by cultivating revenue streams that are more stable in nature and distributed throughout the year. Our acquisition of Sinclair reflects this strategy as Sinclair’s sales are generally more evenly distributed than those of our other segments. They also tend to be strongest during periods when sales from our other segments are relatively weak. We have mitigated revenue instability by creating revenue backlog, which is expected to help reduce some of the volatility in our financial results in 2015.
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| Norsat International Inc. | Management’s Discussion & Analysis | |
4.5 Liquidity and Financial Condition
Liquidity
Our principal cash requirements are for working capital, capital expenditures and repayment of loan balances, if any.
Our balance sheet remains sound. As at June 30, 2015, we had $2.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, a decrease of $2.9 million from $5.5 million as at December 31, 2014. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, we made principal repayments totaling $2.3 million, which includes voluntary accelerated payment of $1.3 million and scheduled payments of $1.0 million in the first half of 2015, compared to scheduled payments of $1.0 million for the same period in 2014.
To meet our working capital requirements and to provide additional short-term liquidity in each period, we may draw on our $3.2 million operating line of credit. As at June 30, 2015, the Company issued a standby letter of credit of $0.2 million against its credit facilities.
Cash used in operating activities was approximately $1.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015, compared to cash provided of $1.0 million for the comparable periods in 2014. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, cash used in operating activities was $1.4 million compared to $0.6 million provided by operating activities in the comparable period in 2013.
For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015, approximately $43,000 and $0.1 million was used for investing activities as compared to approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million used in the same period in 2014.
For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015, we used $1.5 million and $1.7 million in financing activities, compared to use of approximately $0.4 million and $0.5 million in the same period in 2014. In the second quarter of 2015, we repaid $1.3 million of the Company’s acquisition loan compared to $0.5 million in the same period in 2014. In addition for the three months ended June 30, 2015, we purchased $0.3 million in treasury shares compared to $0.1 million for the same period in 2014. Proceeds from government contributions were approximately $70,000 in the second quarter of 2015, compared to $0.2 million in the same period in 2014. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, we repaid $2.3 million of the acquisition loan compared to $1.0 million in the same period in 2014. In addition proceeds from government contributions were $0.8 million in the first half of 2015, compared to $0.6 million in the same period in 2014.
Our working capital requirements are mainly for materials, production, selling, operations and general administrative expenses. Our working capital may be improved by increasing sales, shortening collection cycles and monetizing inventory.
Adjusted Working capital1as at June 30, 2015 was at $16.0 million, compared to $16.1 million at December 31, 2014. The Adjusted Current Ratio2as at June 30, 2015 was 3.4 times, compared to 3.2 times as at December 31, 2014.
Trade and other receivables were $8.5 million as at June 30, 2015, compared to $7.6 million as at December 31, 2014. Net government funding receivables were $0.4 million as at June 30, 2015, compared to $0.6 million in 2014. The increase in trade receivables reflects the timing of customer payments.
____________________
1Adjusted Working Capital is calculated by subtracting current liabilities from current assets and is a non-IFRS measure. See Section 4.1 “Non-IFRS Measures”.
2Adjusted Current ratio is defined as current assets divided by current liabilities and is a non-IFRS measure. See Section 4.1 “Non-IFRS Measures”.
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| Norsat International Inc. | Management’s Discussion & Analysis | |
Trade and other payables and accrued liabilities decreased to $5.3 million as of June 30, 2015 compared to $5.4 million at December 31, 2014. The decrease reflects the timing of vendor payments.
Current deferred revenue was approximately $0.5 million as at June 30, 2015 compared to $1.2 million as at December 31, 2014. The balance decreased as we were able to recognize revenue of a significant contract during the three months ended June 30, 2015.
Inventory as at June 30, 2015 was $11.0 million, compared to $10.1 million as at December 31, 2014. The increase reflects additional inventory for significant contracts to be delivered in the coming quarters.
As of June 30, 2015, shareholders’ equity increased to $30.0 million compared to $29.0 million at December 31, 2014. Net earnings for the period were $1.2 million offset by a comprehensive loss from foreign exchange of $0.1 million.
Going forward, we may deploy cash for any suitable investments consistent with our long-term strategy of entering new geographic markets, broadening our customer base, and expanding into new market verticals. In addition to utilizing some or all of our current cash resources, we may also raise additional capital from equity markets or utilize debt to complete investment and financing transactions that would accelerate our growth in the areas outlined above.
4.6 Capital Resources
Our objectives and policies for managing capital are to maintain a strong capital base so as to maintain investor, creditor and market confidence, sustain future development of the business and to safeguard our ability to support normal operating requirements on an ongoing basis.
Our capital consists of the items included in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position in the shareholders’ equity section, and the operating line of credit (if drawn). We manage our capital structure and make changes based on economic conditions and the risk characteristics of our assets. As at June 30, 2015 shareholders’ equity was $30.0 million (December 31, 2014 - $29.0 million).
To manage our capital requirements, we have a planning and budgeting process that helps determine the funds required to ensure we have the appropriate liquidity to meet our operating and growth objectives. We plan to continue to fund our short-term cash requirements through operations, and if required, we have an operating line of credit in place that can be drawn upon.
On March 28, 2013, we entered into an agreement with the Canadian Federal Minister of Industry (the “Minister”) through the Strategic Aerospace & Defense Initiative (“SADI”). Under this agreement, the Minister will provide funding of 30% of eligible spending related to the research and development of the aerospace, defense, space or security (“A&D”) technology development projects to a maximum funding amount of Cdn$13.3 million. The agreement covers eligible costs starting from July 27, 2012 up to and including December 31, 2017 (“SADI II”). We are obliged to repay the funding over the repayment period. Funding is conditional on maintaining certain reporting requirements. As at June 30, 2015, we were in compliance with these reporting requirements.
For the three months ended June 30, 2015, there were no other changes in our approach to capital management.
Credit Facilities
For the three months ended June 30, 2015, we made principal repayments totaling $1.3 million (Q1 2014 - $0.5 million), including a $0.8 million voluntary accelerated payment in the second quarter of 2015. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, we made principal repayments totaling $2.3 million (six months ended June 30, 2014 - $1.0 million), which includes $1.3 million in voluntary accelerated payments against the acquisition loan in the first half of 2015. As at June 30, 2015, we had no bank debt outstanding.
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| Norsat International Inc. | Management’s Discussion & Analysis | |
As at June 30, 2015, we had cash and cash equivalents of $2.6 million as our capital resources. We plan to continue to fund cash requirements through operations. If required, we have credit facilities of $3.2 million in place that can be drawn upon. There are currently no major capital projects or divestitures in progress. As at June 30, 2015, the Company had drawn $0.2 million of the $3.2 million operating line of credit for a standby letter of credit of a significant sales contract.
As of June 30, 2015, we were in compliance with our externally imposed covenants.
Strategic Aerospace and Defense Initiative I (“SADI I”)
As at June 30, 2015, the Company did not accrue any liability for repayment relating to SADI I as the amount cannot yet be determined since the repayment amount is contingent on 2015 financial results compared to those achieved in 2014.
Strategic Aerospace and Defense Initiative II (“SADI II”)
For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company has recorded $0.3 million (three months ended June 30, 2014- $0.2 million) and $0.6 million (six months ended June 30, 2014 - $0.6 million) as a reduction to product development expenses related to SADI II in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income. The Company has recorded $nil for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015 (three months and six months ended June 30, 2014 –$nil and approximately $27,000) as a reduction to intangible assets, property and equipment costs related to SADI II funding.
As at June 30, 2015, the Company has recorded $3.9 million or Cdn$4.3 million of the maximum funding amount of Cdn$13.3 million under SADI II.
As at June 30, 2015, eligible costs related to SADI II of $0.4 million (June 30 2014 - $0.6 million) was included in trade and other receivables.
For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015, total cash received under SADI II was approximately $70,000 and $0.8 million (three months and six months ended June 30, 2014 – $0.2 million and $0.6 million).
SADI II repayment will commence in 2018 over a period of 15 years and is contingent on performance benchmarks. The annual repayment amount over the 15 year period is calculated based on a percentage of gross business revenue as defined in the agreement multiplied by the adjustment rate (based on the growth of gross business revenue over the previous year). The total amount of repayment is capped at 1.5 times the contribution (actual amounts disbursed by the Minister). In addition, if the Company has made total payments equal to 1.5 times the Minister’s contribution before the 15 year repayment period, annual repayments will cease.
As at June 30, 2015, the Company did not accrue any liability for repayment relating to SADI II as the amount to be repaid cannot yet be determined since the repayment amount is contingent on 2018 financial results compared to those achieved in 2017.
Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.
For the three months and six months June 30, 2015, we invested $0.7 million and $1.5 million into product development, on par with $0.8 million and $1.5 million in the comparable period in 2014, reflecting our commitment to ongoing product development activities.
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4.7 Contractual Obligations and Contingencies
Our known contractual obligations at June 30, 2015, are quantified in the following table:
| | | | | | | | | |
| ('000s) | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Inventory purchase | | | Operating lease | | | | |
| | | obligations | | | obligations | | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Remaining 2015 | $ | 5,458 | | $ | 370 | | $ | 5,828 | |
| 2016 | | 80 | | | 691 | | | 771 | |
| 2017 | | - | | | 179 | | | 179 | |
| 2018 | | - | | | - | | | - | |
| 2019 | | - | | | - | | | - | |
| | $ | 5,538 | | $ | 1,240 | | $ | 6,778 | |
The Company has operating lease commitments extending to June 2017. The Company also enters into purchase commitments, including inventory purchase obligations in the normal course of business as disclosed above. In addition, the Company is required to make contingent repayment of SADI I government contributions and SADI II government contributions that will commence starting in 2018, pursuant to the repayment terms of the respective agreements. As at June 30 2015, the Company did not accrue any liability for repayment as the amount cannot yet be determined.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time the Company may enter into legal proceedings relating to certain potential claims. It is impossible at this time for the Company to predict with any certainty the outcome of any such claims. However, management is of the opinion, based on legal assessment and information available, that it is unlikely that any liability would be material in relation to the Company’s consolidated financial position.
4.8 Issued Capital
Total shares issued and outstanding as at August 5thand June 30, 2015 were 5,831,658.
On January 16, 2015, the Company consolidated its outstanding common shares on the basis of one new common share for every ten existing common shares. As no fractional common shares were issued in connection with the share consolidation and any fractional shares that resulted from the share consolidation were rounded to the nearest whole number, the 58,316,532 pre-consolidation common shares issued and outstanding as at December 31, 2014 were being reduced to 5,831,658 common shares on a post-consolidated basis.
Stock Option Plan
During the three months ended June 30, 2015, the Company renewed its Stock Option Plan dated May 9, 2012 (the “Plan”). The policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange require the Company to seek shareholder approval for its option plan every three years. At the Company’s Annual General Meeting on May 6, 2015, the shareholders of the Company approved, by ordinary resolution, the continuation of the Plan. The terms of the Plan remained unchanged. Further information is contained in the Company’s information circular dated March 25, 2015 available on www.sedar.com.
During the six months ended June 30, 2015, a total of 29,352 stock purchase options were granted at an average weighted exercise price of Cdn$6.75 and a fair value of Cdn$2.20 of which 4,642 stock purchase options were granted to senior management and directors at the same average price and fair value.
During the six months ended June 30, 2014, a total of 39,216 stock purchase options were granted at an exercise price of Cdn$5.30 and a fair value of Cdn$1.86, of which 26,014 stock purchase options were granted to senior management and directors at the same average price and fair value.
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| Norsat International Inc. | Management’s Discussion & Analysis | |
For the three months ended and six months ended June 30, 2015, we charged approximately $13,000 and $27,000 to operating expenses as share-based payments for stock options with a corresponding increase in contributed surplus (three months and six months ended June 30, 2014 – approximately $16,000 and $31,000).
Options typically vest in two years and expire five years from the grant date.
Option pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected price volatility. Changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, and therefore the existing models may not necessarily provide a reliable measure of the fair value of the Company’s share purchase options.
Restricted Share Unit Plan
As at June 30, 2015, a total of 98,591 RSUs were outstanding. For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015, we charged approximately $51,000 and $91,000 to operating expenses as share-based payments for RSUs with a corresponding increase in contributed surplus (three months and six months ended June 30, 2014–approximately $53,000 and $93,000).
5.0 Off Balance SheetArrangements
As at June 30, 2015 and August 5, 2015, we did not have any off balance sheet arrangements.
6.0 Transactions with Related Parties
Compensation of key management personnel, including the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and General Manager in the ordinary course of their employment are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ('000s) | Three months ended June 30 | | Six months ended June 30 | |
| | | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | |
| Short-term employee benefits | $ | 266 | | $ | 271 | | $ | 527 | | $ | 552 | |
| Share based payments | | 32 | | | 36 | | | 57 | | | 70 | |
| Total | $ | 298 | | $ | 307 | | $ | 584 | | $ | 622 | |
The amounts disclosed in the table above are the amounts recognized as an expense during the reporting period related to key management personnel.
7.0 Proposed Transactions
As at June 30, 2015 and August 5, 2015, we had not committed to any asset or business acquisitions or dispositions.
8.0 CriticalAccounting Estimates andAccounting Policies
Accounting Estimates
Critical accounting estimates are described in Section 8.0 “Critical Accounting Estimates” of our 2014 annual MD&A found at www.sedar.com. When preparing the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements, management undertakes a number of judgments, estimates and assumptions about recognition and measurement of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. The actual results may differ from these judgments, estimates and assumptions.
The judgments, estimates and assumptions applied in the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements, including key sources of estimation uncertainty were the same as those applied in our last annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.
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| Norsat International Inc. | Management’s Discussion & Analysis | |
Changes in Accounting Policies and Future Accounting Pronouncements
The unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared using accounting policies consistent with those used in the preparation of the audited consolidated financial statements as at December 31, 2014. The unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.
9.0 Outstanding Share Data
We have an unlimited number of Common Stock authorized.
On January 16, 2015, the Company consolidated its outstanding common shares on the basis of one new common share for every ten existing common shares. As no fractional common shares were issued in connection with the share consolidation and any fractional shares that resulted from the share consolidation were rounded to the nearest whole number, the 58,316,532 pre-consolidation common shares issued and outstanding as at December 31, 2014 were reduced to 5,831,658 common shares on a post-consolidated basis.
There were 231,020 options outstanding to acquire common shares at exercise prices ranging from Cdn$3.60 to Cdn$8.60 per share as at June 30, 2015.
10.0 Risks and Uncertainties
There have been no significant changes or updates to our risk and risk management approach and discussion as outlined in Section 12.0 “Risks and Uncertainties” of our annual 2014 MD&A found at www.sedar.com.
Investors should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described in its annual 2014 MD&A before making an investment decision. If any of the risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or operating results could be materially harmed. This could cause the trading price of our common shares to decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment
11.0 Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
11.1 Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that all relevant information is gathered and reported to senior management, including the President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), on a timely basis so that appropriate decisions can be made regarding public disclosure.
11.2 Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
Internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States, as applicable. Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial reporting for the Company.
11.3 Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
During the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015, there were no changes in internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
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