secunet: 2009 Annual Financial Statements, outlook for 2010

The strong revenue growth of the secunet Group is primarily the result of successful sales activities in the Public Sector. Projects awarded as a result of the German government’s economic rescue package also had a positive impact. The High Security business unit generated the largest proportion of Group revenue, with a figure of Euro 38.9m, or 59%. In this business unit the main revenue driver is the Secure Inter-Network Architecture, SINA, which is used to ensure the secure processing, storage and transmission of classified information and other sensitive data. 26% of revenue, or Euro 17.1m, was generated in the Government business unit through, among other things, advising authorities on IT security issues, electronic ID documents (electronic passports and ID cards) and biometrics, as well as IT security for the electronic tax return ELSTER. Both High Security (up 36%) and Government (up 32%) managed to increase their revenue substantially. The Business Security and Automotive Security business units, which focus on the Private Sector, posted a decline in revenue as a result of the financial and economic crisis. In financial year 2009, the Business Security business unit generated Euro 9.1m, compared with Euro 9.5m in the previous year. Automotive Security generated Euro 1.2m, down from Euro 1.6m in 2008. secunet’s international sales were also affected by the crisis: revenue from secunet products and services marketed abroad fell from Euro 11.4m in 2008 to Euro 7.1m in 2009.

Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) rose disproportionately in relation to revenue by 136%: Euro 4.4m was achieved in 2009, up from Euro 1.9m in financial year 2008. The main reason behind this more than two-fold increase in EBIT is the growth in the SINA product business, which generates economies of scale, as well as earnings from the growth in Public Sector business due to excellent capacity utilisation. The individual expense items paint a similar picture. Due to the impact of the procurement of hardware in the fast-growing SINA business, the costs of materials and purchased services showed the biggest increase, up 29% to Euro 18.8m. Personnel expenses were up 18% to Euro 22.2m. At the end of 2009 secunet had 284 employees, 7% more than in the previous year. The rise in personnel expenses can be attributed to the increase in headcount and higher performance-related variable remuneration compared with the previous year. At Euro 0.8m, depreciation and amortisation was down slightly on the previous year’s figure by 2%, while other operating expenses rose by 13% to Euro 10.6m.

The net income of the secunet Group amounted to Euro 2.9m, up 67% on the previous year (Euro 1.7m). Earnings per share increased from Euro 0.27 to Euro 0.45.

"We are particularly proud of secunet’s success in 2009, as we were able to increase both our revenue and earnings despite the crisis", comments Dr Rainer Baumgart, Chairman of the Management Board of secunet Security Networks AG. "The profitable growth achieved in 2009 shows that our sustainable growth strategy is starting to have an impact."

Traditionally, the main focus of secunet's financial year has been the fourth quarter. This also proved to be the case in 2009, with around 56% of the revenue for the year, or Euro 37.2m, being generated in the fourth quarter. The associated high volume of invoices issued meant that receivables were also up considerably as at the reporting date of 31 December 2009. For this reason there was a slightly negative cash flow from operating activities of Euro -0.1m, compared to a figure of Euro 5.6m in the previous year. At Euro 14.7m, cash and cash equivalents as at 31 December 2009 were, accordingly, slightly below the level at the end of 2008 (Euro 15.9m).

secunet Security Networks AG’s order book at the end of 2009 stood at Euro 30.3m (previous year: Euro 31.1m). The sustained high volume of orders is a positive sign for the 2010 financial year, as was the case for 2009. Uncertainty with regard to the economic environment, continuing weak demand in the Private Sector and the debate about budgetary consolidation in the Public Sector have prompted the Management Board of secunet Security Networks AG to make a conservative forecast for 2010. Revenue is expected to be stable, with EBIT remaining at a high level.

"2010 will be a challenging year – we have therefore been cautious with our forecast", explains Dr Rainer Baumgart. "From 2011, a number of major issues that will result in major projects – including the electronic ID card, new Public Sector communication infrastructures and the modernisation of the German army’s mobile systems – as well as a rise in demand from abroad are expected to contribute to growth of around 10% once again."

Disclaimer

This press release contains prospective statements. Prospective statements are statements which do not describe actual facts from the past; they also comprise of statements about our suppositions and expectations. Every statement in this press release which reflects our intentions, suppositions, expectations or forecasts (together with the suppositions which give rise to such views) constitutes a prospective statement. These statements refer to plans, estimates and forecasts which the management of secunet Security Networks AG currently dispose of. Thus prospective statements only refer to the day on which they were made. We shall accept no obligation to further develop such statements in the light of new information or future results.