Articles
RT-SET Announces 2000 Third Quarter Results: Record Revenue, Gross Margin and Order Taking; Realization of Acquisitions Cost Synergies
December 12, 2000
New York, November 6, 2000 – vizrt, the company formed by the acquisition of RT-SET with Peak Broadcast Systems on July 4, 2000, a leading provider of fully integrated broadcast graphic solutions, today reported results for the third quarter of 2000. The company is still traded under the name of RT-SET (RTZR.F) at the Neuer Markt of Frankfurt stock exchange. The following are the key financial highlights:
- Consolidated revenue for the third quarter of 2000 was $5.8 million representing an increase of 163% from $2.2 million in the third quarter of 1999, and an increase of 93% from the second quarter of 2000.
- Consolidated revenue for the first nine months of 2000 was $12.2 million representing an increase of approximately 250% from $3.5 million in the comparable period for 1999.
- The Company was able to secure significant order backlog of which a substantial portion is expected to be recognized as revenue over the remainder of 2000 and into early 2001.
- Major customers have placed orders for integrated solutions. Among them included: RTL, ITN, New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), Televisa, QVC and many more.
- Gross margin for the third quarter of 2000 increased to record levels of 52% as compared to the 39% reflected for the third quarter of 1999, and 40% for the second quarter of 2000. This is attributed to the improved business model resulted from the Company's acquisitions.
- During the third quarter, the Company has leveraged a series of cost synergies attributed to the acquisitions which will result in with an approximately 10% reduction in the operating costs which will be fully realized in the first quarter of 2001.
- As part of this restructuring the Company has recognized a total of $5.9 million in restructuring write-offs including the un-amortized goodwill and intellectual property related to certain previous acquisitions. In addition, the Company has write-off a total of approximately $17.2 million relating to in-process research and development costs and amortization related to the Peak acquisition.
- As of September 30, 2000 the Company had $18.2 million in cash. The ratio of current assets to liabilities was in excess of three and the receivables days outstanding were less than 90 days.
- Excluding amortization cost and non-recurring expenses, the Company's operating loss during the third quarter was $1.77 million, 30.5% of revenue, compared with $1.5, 68% of revenue, in the third quarter of 1999 and $2.65 million, 87.5% of revenue, during the second quarter of 2000.
Commenting on the financial results for first nine months of 2000, Bjarne Berg vizrt's newly appointed Chairman said, "I am very pleased with the consolidated revenue growth and operating results achieved by the combined companies in the third quarter of 2000. I am also proud as to the speed at which the two entities have been able to integrate their respective products into a combined powerhouse product offering. The Company's overall progress to date is in line with its two tier strategy of leading the digital revolution in the broadcasting marketplace, while expanding its market reach to the new media markets as well. I look forward to the continued growth and expansion of the consolidated operations for the remainder of 2000 and beyond."
Shlomo Nimrodi, President & CEO of vizrt have said, "We have transitioned the Company from a single product Company to a solution provider. We are covering the entire work-flow management addressing the challenges arising from the convergence of medias."
Highlights of Third Quarter
Acquisition And Integration
The Company announced the acquisition of Peak, the world leader in On-Air Broadcast Graphics, on July 4, 2000 in a stock swap transaction. The transaction was formally completed in October upon the exchange of RT-SET shares for all of the outstanding Peak Broadcast shares.In connection with the acquisition, the Company has written off $14.6 million of the acquisition cost deemed to be in-process research and development costs.
Streamlining of Operations
As a result of the Peak acquisition, the Company has realized significant synergy efficiencies in both its organization as well as in its product offering. All the Company products are now based on one software architecture across multiple hardware platforms. Certain duplications were eliminated including the closure of two offices and the relocation of certain employees. As a result, the Company has decided to recognize write off approximately $5.9 million related to the restructuring of the former acquisitions of Evolving Video Technologies (EVT), Design Visualization Partners (DVP), and the in process research and development product line acquired from E&S. As a result of the restructuring, the Company expects to realize cost savings of approximately 10% from its operating costs starting in the first quarter of 2001.
Mr. Shlomo Nimrodi, said, "Clearly successful acquisitions are measured on their synergies the new created entity. I believe that by realizing such synergies we are able to not only improve our internal efficiencies but also to improve our product offering significantly."
The new integrated product line reflects significant synergies whereby sales of Broadcast Graphics solutions are promoting the sales of more Virtual Studio System. In addition, the Company's exclusive NT based offerings reduces the barriers to entry for many broadcasters and is already substantially expanding the market reach for the Company's products.
Net Earnings/Per Share
Pro forma net loss (excluding amortization expenses and the non-recurring expenses such as the restructuring costs and write-off of in process R&D) for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2000 was $2.6 million and $5.1 million, respectively. The Company's net operating loss during the third quarter and the first nine months of 2000, excluding restructuring, acquisition and in process R&D write off, was $1.77 million and $6.4 million, respectively. Net loss for the third quarter of 2000 was $25.74 million compared with net loss of $1.5 million in the third quarter of 1999. The net loss for the first nine months of 2000 was $30.3 million compared with net loss of $4.2 million for the first nine months of 1999. Loss per common share for the third quarter of 2000 was $1.94 compared with a loss of $0.44 per common share for the third quarter of 1999. The loss per common share for the first nine months of 2000 was $2.79 compared with a loss of $1.231 per common share for the first nine months of 1999. Excluding the non-recurring expenses as well as the restructuring write-off and related acquisition costs and the write-off of in process R&D, the Company's pro forma net loss per share for the third quarter, and the first nine months of 2000 was $0.20 and $0.47, respectively.
New Customers
During the third quarter of 2000, the Company's sales extended to many existing and new customers across the globe in both the broadcast and webcasting marketplaces. Sales in Europe included sales to the IMP Plazamedia and Wige in Germany, ORF in Austria, TV2 Denmark, Alter in Greece, Ultimatte in the Netherlands and Televiza and Rederecord in Latin America. In the US, the Company recorded sales to such premier customers as NBC (Olympics) and CBS Sports.
Special Invitation
Vizrt invites all interested parties to log onto the website at www.vizrt.com to view the webcasting presentation of the third quarter results as presented by Shlomo Nimrodi, President and CEO starting at the close of business on November 6, 2000 . In addition, a teleconference has been scheduled by German DVFA for November 7th , 2000 at 10:30 AM (11:30 European Central Time) to review the third quarter 2000 results. For more information, contact our investor relations firm noted on this release.
About vi[z]rt
vi[z]rt (www.vizrt.com), is the leading provider of fully-integrated broadcast graphics solutions including virtual studio systems, on-air graphics, character generator systems and creative design services. RT-SET is a 21% owned affiliate of BVR Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ:BVRT). Vizrt is the company formed following the acquisition of Peak Broadcast Systems by RT-SET on July 4, 2000. RT-SET is traded on the Neuer Markt (RTZR.F).
For further financial information visit our website at www.vizrt.com, or contact:
RT-SET Corporate Headquarters New York,
James Gallagher, Vice President and CFO
Toll Free Phone: (877) 955-2230
Phone: (212) 463-9902 ext 104
Fax: (212) 463-9931
jgallagher@rtset.com
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