GEREGLEMENTEERDE INFORMATIE EN VOORWETENSCHAP
Crescent halfjaarresultaten 2019
Leuven, België – 30 september 2019 – 7u30 - Crescent (EURONEXT: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY)
H1 Highlights
De omzet van de groep stijgt met 14% naar 8,9 miljoen EUR in vergelijking met 7,8 miljoen EUR in het eerste halfjaar van 2018
- De EBITDA bedraagt 0,5 miljoen EUR in het eerste semester in vergelijking met 0,3 miljoen EUR in het eerste halfjaar van 2018
- Begin juli heeft Crescent UEST NV overgenomen, (www.zembro.com)
- De groep handhaaft haar vooruitzichten van een omzetgroei met dubbele cijfers voor 2019 met een positieve EBITDA
Resultaten van het eerste halfjaar
De omzet van de groep kwam uit op 8.903 k€, in vergelijking met 7.838 k€ in het eerste halfjaar van 2018 en een EBITDA van 525 k€, in vergelijking met 300 k€ in het eerste halfjaar van vorig jaar. De pro-forma omzet in het eerste halfjaar 2018 kwam uit op 9.966 k€ met een EBITDA van -508 k€. De pro-forma resultaten van de groep van 2018 worden voorgesteld alsof alle vennootschappen die op 30 juni 2019 in de consolidatiekring zijn opgenomen, een volledig halfjaar hebben bijgedragen tot de resultaten.
(De gerapporteerde omzet van 7.838 k€, zou dan in de pro-forma cijfers worden aangevuld met 1.335 k€ (de omzet van Crescent over de eerste vijf maanden), en de omzet van het eerste kwartaal van NE-IT van 793 k€ om in totaal uit te komen op 9.966 k€.)
Het netto-resultaat van de groep kwam uit op -452 k€, in vergelijking met -20.044 k€ in het eerste halfjaar van 2018, wat toen voornamelijk het gevolg was van de goodwill impairment van Crescent NV ten gevolge van de omgekeerde overname van 22 mei 2018.
De omzetten en EBITDA van de drie divisies waren in het eerste semester :
In de Solutions divisie droeg Crescent NV (het voormalige Option NV) 1,8 miljoen EUR bij tot de omzetstijging, evenwel bedroeg de pro-forma omzetstijging over de volledige zes maanden 0,5 miljoen EUR; de omzet van SAIT BV verminderde met 0,7 miljoen EUR. Wat de EBITDA betreft verslechterde deze van SAIT BV met 0,2 miljoen EUR tot -0,3 miljoen EUR, maar was er een verbetering met 0,3 miljoen EUR naar 0,4 miljoen EUR voor het semester bij Crescent NV, Het dient gezegd dat hierin een netto niet-recurrente opbrengst van 0.3 miljoen EUR is opgenomen. De pro-forma semesteriële EBITDA van Crescent NV verbeterde met 1,2 miljoen EUR.
De impact van de introductie van de nieuwe Cloudgate productfamilie op het eind van het tweede kwartaal wordt verwacht vanaf het vierde kwartaal de omzet verder in positieve zin te laten evolueren.
Voor SAIT BV werd het plan voor het tweede semester herschreven en een breakeven als objectief aangehouden.
De omzet in de divisie Services verbeterde voornamelijk doordat de activiteiten van Ne-IT Hosting en Automatisering BV voor het volledige semester werden opgenomen. Door de integratie van de IT services activiteiten van Any-IT, en 2 Invision Managed Services, inclusief de Belgische, kon de EBITDA met 0,2 miljoen EUR worden verbeterd.
De omzet van de Lighting divisie in het eerste halfjaar reflecteerde de algemene terughoudendheid in de Nederlandse thuismarkt. Verwacht wordt dat in de tweede helft van het jaar de vraag weer zal aantrekken, en dat ook de commerciële inspanningen in Zuid-Afrika tot orders zullen leiden.
Balans
Kapitaal
Bij besluit van de bijzondere Algemene vergadering van 20 juni jl. werd het kapitaal van Crescent NV
verminderd van 32.446.419 EUR tot 3.857.902 EUR, ter aanzuivering voor eenzelfde bedrag van een deel van de overgedragen verliezen en werd eveneens besloten de uitgiftepremie zoals geplaatst op de onbeschikbare rekening "Uitgiftepremies", te verminderen met 17.608.896 EUR, om deze tot 0 EUR te herleiden, ter aanzuivering van een deel van de overgedragen verliezen.
Door deze balansherschikking wordt de Vennootschap Crescent NV niet langer als een onderneming in moeilijkheden beschouwd.
Op 30 juni 2019 waren de belangrijkste aandeelhouders:
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(A) Eric Van Zele/Van Zele Holding
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37,50%
|
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(B) Jan Callewaert
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10,59%
|
|
(C) Alychlo/Marc Coucke/Mylecke
|
10,29%
|
|
(D) Danlaw
|
7,59%
|
|
(E) Nanninga Beheer
|
3,43%
|
Na 30 juni ontving de Vennootschap een transparantieverklaring van de Heer Callewaert dat zijn aandelenbezit in Crescent 9,64% bedraagt op 6 augustus; Alychlo meldde verwerving van 20 miljoen bijkomende aandelen sinds 30 juni.
De bijgewerkte aandeelhoudersinformatie is te raadplegen op onze website.
Financiële schulden
Op 30 juni 2019 had de groep uitstaande financiële schulden van in totaal 6.100 k€. De stijging ten overstaan van de positie per eind december van 4.814 k€ wordt voornamelijk verklaard door de opname van de lease-verplichtingen door de eerste toepassing van IFRS 16, wat de financiële schuld met 1.899 k€ verhoogd heeft. Hiertegenover werden voor 1.877 k€ gebruiksrechten op activa toegevoegd in de vaste activa.
Werkkapitaal
Het netto werkkapitaal daalde verder met 1,3 miljoen EUR, wat volledig wordt verklaard door de toegenomen schuld voor de verwerving van Any-IT en 2 Invision Managed Services BV. Dit bedrag is verschuldigd aan de Heer Van Zele.
Raad van Bestuur
In de Algemene Aandeelhoudersvergadering van 20 juni jl. werden volgende onafhankelijke bestuurders aangesteld voor een periode van zes jaar: Mevrouw Prof. dr. Liesbet VAN DER PERRE, S&S BVBA vast vertegenwoordigd Mevrouw Prof. dr. Sarah STEENHAUT en Mevrouw Lieve DECLERCQ. Verder werd ook MICHIELS INVEST & MANAGEMENT BVBA vast vertegenwoordigd door de Heer Johan MICHIELS benoemd.
Van Zele Holding NV, vast vertegenwoordigd door de Heer Eric VAN ZELE, CRESCEMUS BVBA vast
vertegenwoordigd door de heer Pieter BOURGEOIS EN DE Heer Raju DANDU werden herbenoemd voor een periode van zes jaar.
Overname Uest nv
De Groep heeft op 5 juli 2019 100% van de aandelen verworven in Uest NV. De overname kadert in de strategie van de Crescent groep om te groeien via geïntegreerde IoT oplossingen en een uitbreiding van het activiteitenportfolio. Uest NV produceert, verkoopt en ondersteunt persoonlijke alarmsystemen voor senioren onder de merknaam Zembro. Zembro heeft een software-serviceplatform ontwikkeld dat gekoppeld aan de knowhow van Crescent in andere markten zal ingezet worden. UEST NV zal vanaf het tweede semester bijdragen tot de omzet en EBITDA van de groep.
De overnames van Livereach Media Europe Bvba en Crescent Smart lighting BV werden nog niet formeel afgerond; verwacht wordt dat dit voor jaareinde zal gebeuren.
Risico’s en onzekerheden
De meeste van de risico’s en onzekerheden worden bepaald door de specifieke evolutie van de markten waarin Crescent actief is.
Door de omgekeerde overname in 2018 is de facto het risicoprofiel van de Vennootschap veranderd en gemiddeld afgenomen doordat zij nu in drie verschillende markten actief is met elk hun eigen specifieke risico’s. Uiteraard zal voor de drie segmenten de gebeurlijke verslechtering van de macro-economische toestand een mogelijke negatieve rol spelen die niet zou toelaten dat het ene segment de mindere resultaten van de andere volledig kan opvangen. Verder heeft de nieuwe samenstelling van de Groep ook gevolgen voor de continuïteit, ondanks de immer beperkte kaspositie, hebben de segmenten Service en Lighting aangetoond dat zij inherent kaspositief werken, en daardoor in staat zijn de negatieve resultaten van het segment Solutions op te vangen.
In de Services- activiteiten is er de voortdurende uitdaging tot aanwerving van voldoende en competente ICT-profielen, naast het voortdurend beheersen van de cyber-risico’s zowel in de interne ICT-infrastructuur als in deze van de klanten.
In het solutions segment en vooraleer in te gaan op de specifieke risico’s voor de sector waarin Crescent NV (voormalig Option NV) actief is, wenst de Vennootschap te wijzen op de cycliciteit van de telecommarkt waarin Aardingen Maro haar belangrijkste omzet vandaan haalt, en op de inherente risico’s eigen aan de projectbusiness van SAIT BV door haar eindverantwoordelijkheid als integrator van verkochte oplossingen.
De markt waarin Crescent NV actief is, wordt gekenmerkt door de snelle en opeenvolgende introducties van nieuwe technologieën. Deze brengen inherent een aantal uitdagingen mee, zoals het tijdig intern terbeschikking hebben van de nodige competenties om de aanpassingen te kunnen doen om de produkten prijs/kwalitatief concurrentieel te houden, en de externe inkoop waar nodig om toegang te houden tot technologielicenties binnen de uitgestippelde product-roadmap. Bovendien moet elke nieuw product dat in de markt wordt geïntroduceerd gecertificeeerd worden inzake straling, veiligheid en compatibiliteit met de gangbare operatornetwerken. Nonconformititeit in dit certificatieproces verhoogt het risico op bijkomende kosten, en gemiste inkomsten. Ondanks de wereldwijde groei van 18% in gateway verkopen in 2018, is de adoptie van IoT verschillend in de diverse werelddelen en vormt de juiste positionnering zowel wat type gateway als timing een uitdaging, en een risico inzake rendabiliteit. Binnen de contouren van deze IoT markt, blijft waakzaamheid geboden om in orde te blijven met de intellectuele eigendomsrechten van alle betrokkenen, zowel concurrenten, leveranciers als klanten. Indien de verwachte explosie van de Internet of Things markt zich doorzet, zal het aantal aan internet geconnecteerde toestellen een gigantische groei kennen waardoor ook het risico op hacking en security-incidenten exponentieel zal toenemen. De oplossingen die worden aangeboden zullen voortdurend moeten rekening houden met deze cyberbedreigingen en evolueren telkens er nieuwe risico’s opduiken.
In de Lighting divisie is er enerzijds het risico dat de LED-technologie voorbijgestreefd wordt door andere
technologiëen vooraleer het merendeel van de bestaande normale armaturen door LED zijn vervangen, en anderzijds dat de smart lighting oplossingen niet bijtijds deze dalende markt zou hebben opgevuld.
Voor de hele groep, wensen wij onderstaand nog in te gaan op de continuïteit van de onderneming:
Eind december 2018 bedroeg de opname van het kortlopend Belfiuskrediet 1,45 miljoen EUR en de opname van de additionele kredietlijn van Van Zele Holding NV beliep 0,4 miljoen EUR. De cashpositie stond op 0,6 miljoen EUR. Eind juni 2019 is het Belfiuskrediet verhoogd naar 1,5 miljoen EUR, zij het dat de groep begonnen is met de aflossing van het investeringskrediet (0,08 miljoen EUR tijdens het eerste semester); de kredietlijn van Van Zele Holding NV stond nog op 0,4 miljoen EUR de cashpositie op 0,4 miljoen EUR en blijft daarmee beperkt. De bruto financiële schuld bedroeg eind 2018 4,8 miljoen EUR, deze bedraagt eind juni 2019 4,2 miljoen EUR, vermeerderd met de 1,9 miljoen EUR aan huur- en leaseverplichtingen ten gevolge van de toepassing van IFRS 16.
De schuldpositie veranderde niet noemenswaardig in vergelijking met begin van het jaar, zij het dat de referentie-aandeelhouders de vennootschap bijkomende kredieten hebben toegestaan om haar in staat te stellen de resterende externe brugfinanciering van 0,5 miljoen EUR terug te betalen.
Het management blijft geloven dat in de toekomst en in afwachting van een positieve cashflow in het segment Solutions, de segmenten Services en Lighting de negatieve EBITDA van het segment Solutions volledig moeten kunnen compenseren, wat evenwel nog niet het geval was in de eerste jaarhelft.
In afwachting van de verwachte doorbraak van de door Crescent NV nieuw gelanceerde produkten in de IOT markt, hebben de referentie-aandeelhouders hun steun toegezegd om de kasnoden in deze tussenperiode op te vangen indien de Vennootschap de middelen zelf nog niet kan genereren. Zo hebben zij hun voorschotten verhoogd in het derde kwartaal met 0,6 miljoen EUR, om de liquiditeitspositie van de groep te ondersteunen.
De Raad van Bestuur heeft de beslissing genomen om de schuldpositie van de vennootschap voor jaareinde af te bouwen door alle bestaande schulden aan aandeelhouders ten gevolge van de recente en de twee nog lopende overnames, alsmede de verstrekte voorschotten ter verbetering van de liquiditeitspositie in te brengen in kapitaal. Deze inbreng in natura zal een nominaal bedrag vertegenwoordigen van ongeveer 5 miljoen EUR. De Raad van Bestuur heeft verder de uitgifte van een nieuw warranteplan voor het senior management goedgekeurd.
Rekenend op de verbetering van de EBITDA, en de hierboven beschreven schuldafbouw is de Raad van Bestuur van oordeel dat de Vennootschap over voldoende middelen zal beschikken om in de komende jaren haar plan te realiseren.
MANAGEMENT VERKLARING
Het management verklaart dat, voor zover hen bekend:
- De verkorte financiële overzichten, die zijn opgesteld overeenkomstig de toepasselijke standaarden voor jaarrekeningen, een getrouw beeld geven van het vermogen, van de financiële toestand en van de resultaten van de Vennootschap en haar geconsolideerde ondernemingen;
- Het tussentijdse verslag een getrouw overzicht geeft van de belangrijke gebeurtenissen en de belangrijkste transacties die zich in de eerste zes maanden van het boekjaar hebben voorgedaan en het effect daarvan op de verkorte financiële overzichten, evenals een beschrijving van de voornaamste risico’s en onzekerheden voor de resterende maanden van het boekjaar.
Volledig persbericht inclusief tabellen - klik hier
Crescent NV - Halfjaarlijks Financieel Verslag - 30 juni 2019 - klik hier
CONTACT
Edwin Bex
Gaston Geenslaan 14
B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
FAX: +32 (0) 16 31 74 90
E-mail: investor@option.com
www.option.com
www.crescent-ventures.com
REGULATED INFORMATION - INSIDE INFORMATION
Crescent Half-year results 2019
Leuven, Belgium – 30 September 2019 – 7h30 - Crescent (EURONEXT: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY)
H1 Highlights
- The turnover of the group increases by 14% to EUR 8.9 million compared to EUR 7.8 million in the first half of 2018
- EBITDA amounts to EUR 0.5 million in the first semester compared to EUR 0.3 million in the first half of 2018
- At the beginning of July Crescent acquired UEST NV, (www.zembro.com)
- The group maintains its outlook for double digit revenue growth for 2019 with a positive EBITDA
Results of first half-year
The group's revenue amounted to k€ 8,903, compared to k€ 7,838 in the first half of 2018 and an EBITDA of k€ 525, compared to k€ 300 in the first half of last year. The pro forma revenue in the first half of 2018 amounted to k€ 9,966 with an EBITDA of k€ -508. The pro forma results of the 2018 group are presented as if all companies included in the consolidation scope on 30 June 2019 contributed a full half year to the results.
(The reported revenue of k€ 7,838 was increased in the pro forma figures with k€ 1,335 (Crescent NV's revenue for the first five months), and the NE-IT revenue of k€ 793 for the first quarter to bring the total revenue to k€ 9,966.)
The net result of the group amounted to k€ -452 compared to k€ -20,044 in the first half of 2018, which was then mainly due to the goodwill impairment of Crescent NV as a result of the reverse takeover of May22, 2018.
The revenues and EBITDA of the three divisions were in the first semester:
In the Solutions division, Crescent NV (formerly Option NV) contributed EUR 1.8 million to the revenue increase, the pro forma revenue increase over the entire six months amounted to EUR 0.5 million; SAIT BV's revenue decreased by EUR 0.7 million. As far as EBITDA is concerned, SAIT BV’s EBITDA decreased by EUR 0.2 million to EUR -0.3 million, on the other hand Crescent NV’s EBITDA improved with EUR 0.3 million to EUR 0.4 million for the half-year. It needs to be noted that a one time net revenue of EUR 0.3 million was included in this result. The pro forma half-year EBITDA of Crescent NV improved by EUR 1.2 million.
The impact of the introduction of the new Cloudgate product family at the end of the second quarter is expected to further improve sales from the fourth quarter onwards.
For SAIT BV, the plan for the second semester was rewritten and a breakeven was targeted as an objective.
Revenue in the Services division improved mainly because of the addition of the activities of Ne-IT Hosting and Automatisering BV which were included for the full semester. Due to the integration of the IT services activities of Any-IT, and 2 Invision Managed Services, including the Belgian company, EBITDA could be improved by EUR 0.2 million.
The turnover of the Lighting division in the first half year reflected the general purchase reluctance in the Dutch home market. Demand is expected to pick up again in the second half of the year, and commercial efforts in South Africa are also expected to lead to sales orders.
Balance Sheet
Share Capital
The extraordinary shareholders’ Assembly of June 20, decided to reduce the capital of Crescent NV
from EUR 32,446,419 to EUR 3,857,902, incorporating the same amount from a part of the losses carried forward and also decided to reduce the share premium as booked in the unavailable "Share Premiums" account by EUR 17,608,896 to EUR 0, to incorporate another part of the losses carried forward.
As a result of this balance sheet operation, Crescent NV no longer registers as a company in difficulty.
The major shareholders per June 30 were:
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(A) Eric Van Zele/Van Zele Holding
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37.50%
|
|
(B) Jan Callewaert
|
10.59%
|
|
(C) Alychlo/Marc Coucke/Mylecke
|
10.29%
|
|
(D) Danlaw
|
7.59%
|
|
(E) Nanninga Beheer
|
3.43%
|
After June 30, the Company received a transparency declaration from Mr. Callewaert that its shareholding in Crescent was 9.64% on August 6; Alychlo reported the acquisition of an additional 20 million shares since June 30.
The updated shareholder information can be consulted on our website.
Financial debt
On June 30, 2019, the group had outstanding financial debts totaling k€ 6,100. The increase compared to the amount of k€ 4,814 at the end of December 2018 is mainly explained by the recognition of the lease obligations due to the first application of IFRS 16, which increased the financial debt by k€ 1,899. On the other hand, user rights to assets were added to the balance sheet for an amount of k€ 1,877.
Working Capital
Net working capital decreased by EUR 1.3 million, which is fully explained by the increased debt for the acquisition of Any-IT and 2 Invision Managed Services BV. This amount is due to Mr. Van Zele.
Board of Directors
At the Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting of June 20, the following independent directors were appointed for a period of six years: Mrs. Prof. dr. Liesbet VAN DER PERRE, S&S BVBA permanently represented Mrs. Prof. Dr. Sarah STEENHAUT and Mrs. Lieve DECLERCQ. Furthermore, MICHIELS INVEST & MANAGEMENT BVBA permanently represented by Mr. Johan MICHIELS was appointed as well.
Van Zele Holding NV, permanently represented by Mr. Eric VAN ZELE, CRESCEMUS BVBA
permanently represented by Mr. Pieter BOURGEOIS AND Mr. Raju DANDU were reappointed for a period of six years.
Acquisition of Uest nv
On July 5, 2019, the Group acquired 100% of the shares in Uest NV. The acquisition fits in with the Crescent group's strategy to grow through integrated IoT solutions and an expansion of the business portfolio. Uest NV produces, sells and supports personal alarm systems for seniors under the Zembro brand name. Zembro has developed a software service platform that will be deployed in other markets and further enhanced by Crescent's know-how. UEST NV will contribute to the group's revenue and EBITDA from the second semester onwards.
The acquisitions of Livereach Media Europe Bvba and Crescent Smart lighting BV have not yet been formally completed; this is expected to happen before the end of the year
Risk and uncertainties
Most of the risks and uncertainties are determined by the specific evolution of the markets in which Crescent is operating.
The reverse takeover in 2018 has de facto changed the risk profile of the Company and, on average, has decreased the level of risk because it is now active in three different markets, each with its own specific risks. Of course, the potential deterioration of the macroeconomic situation for the three segments will play a possible negative role that would not allow one segment to fully absorb the lesser results of the other. Furthermore, the new composition of the Group also influences the continuity position of the Group. Despite the continuing limited cash position, the Service and Lighting segments have shown that they are inherently cash-positive, and therefore able to compensate the negative results of the Solutions segment.
In the Services activities, there is the constant challenge of recruiting sufficient and competent IT profiles, in addition to constantly managing cyber risks both in the internal IT infrastructure and in that of the customers.
In the solutions segment and before addressing the specific risks for the sector in which Crescent NV (formerly Option NV) operates, the Company wishes to point out the cyclicality of the telecom market from which Aardingen Maro derives its most important revenues, and the risks inherent in SAIT BV's project business due to its ultimate responsibility as an integrator of solutions sold.
The market in which Crescent NV is active is characterized by the rapid and continuing introduction of new technologies. These inherently present a number of challenges, such as having the necessary competences available internally in order to be able to keep the products price / qualitatively competitive, and external procurement necessary to keep access to technology licenses within the defined product road map. In addition, every new product that is introduced to the market must be certified for radiation, safety and compatibility with current operator networks. Non-conformity in this certification process increases the risk of additional costs and lost income. Despite the worldwide growth of 18% in gateway sales in 2018, the adoption of IoT is different in the various continents and the correct positioning involves a challenge both for the choice of type of gateway type and for the adequate timing of market introduction, and hence bears a profitability risk. Within the contours of this IoT market, vigilance remains necessary to stay in order with the intellectual property rights of all parties involved, both competitors, suppliers and customers. If the expected explosion of the Internet of Things market continues, the number of devices connected to the Internet will grow enormously, which will also increase the risk of hacking and security incidents exponentially. The solutions that are offered will have to constantly take into account these cyber threats and evolve every time new risks arise.
In the Lighting division, on the one hand, there is the risk that the LED technology will be replaced by other technologies before the majority of existing normal luminaires have been replaced by LED, and on the other hand that the smart lighting solutions would not have filled this declining market in time.
For the entire group, we would like to discuss the continuity risk of the company:
At the end of December 2018, the drawdown of the current Belfius credit amounted to EUR 1.45 million and the drawdown of the additional credit line of Van Zele Holding NV amounted to EUR 0.4 million. The cash position stood at EUR 0.6 million. At the end of June 2019, the Belfius credit was increased to EUR 1.5 million, be it that the group has started to repay the investment credit (EUR 0.08 million during the first semester); the credit line of Van Zele Holding NV was still at EUR 0.4 million and the cash position stood at EUR 0.4 million and therefore remains limited. The gross financial debt amounted to EUR 4.8 million at the end of 2018 and amounted to EUR 4.2 million at the end of June 2019, increased by the EUR 1.9 million in rental and lease obligations resulting from the application of IFRS 16.
The debt position did not change significantly compared to the beginning of the year, although the reference shareholders have allowed the company additional loans to enable it to repay the remaining external bridge financing of EUR 0.5 million.
Management continues to believe that until the moment a positive cash flow is obtained in the Solutions segment, the EBITDA derived from the Services and Lighting segments should be capable of fully offsetting the negative EBITDA of the Solutions segment, which was not yet the case in the first half of the year however.
Anticipating the breakthrough of the new products launched by Crescent NV in the IOT market, the reference shareholders have promised their support to meet the cash needs in this interim period if the Company cannot yet generate the funds itself. For example, they increased their advances in the third quarter by EUR 0.6 million to support the liquidity position of the group.
The Board of Directors has taken the decision to reduce the company's debt position by year-end by incorporating all existing debts to shareholders as a result of the recent and the two still ongoing acquisitions, as well as the advances made by shareholders to improve the liquidity position, into capital. This contribution in kind will represent a nominal amount of approximately EUR 5 million. The Board of Directors also approved the issuance of a new warrant plan for senior management.
Based on the improvement in EBITDA and the debt reduction described above, the Board of Directors is of the opinion that the Company will have sufficient means to realize its plan in the coming years.
MANAGEMENT STATEMENT
Management declares that, to the best of their knowledge:
- The abbreviated financial statements, prepared in accordance with the applicable accounting standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, the financial situation and the results of the Company and its consolidated companies;
- The interim report provides a true and fair view of the important events and transactions that occurred during the first six months of the financial year and its effect on the condensed financial statements, as well as a description of the main risks and uncertainties for the remaining months of the financial year
Full press release including tables - click here
Crescent Half year report 2019 - click here
CONTACT
Edwin Bex
Gaston Geenslaan 14
B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
FAX: +32 (0) 16 31 74 90
E-mail: investor@option.com
www.option.com
www.crescent-ventures.com
REGULATED INFORMATION - INSIDE INFORMATION
Crescent NV buys Uest NV ("ZEMBRO") and announces other acquisitions and changes in participation.
Leuven, Belgium – July 12, 2019 – 18h, Crescent NV, (Euronext Brussels: OPTI) and Alychlo NV & CAREvolution NV, report that the purchase/sale of UEST NV ("ZEMBRO") has been completed. All of the shares (100%) of UEST NV were hereby sold to Crescent NV.
After the rightsizing of Option NV and subsequent merger with Crescent NV, the group evolved into 4 Operating Divisions : IoT Devices, Managed Services, Lighting and IoT Solutions.
“This acquisition fits in the strategy of the Crescent Group to grow via integrated IoT solutions and an expansion of the activity portfolio in the important healthcare segment”, says Chairman Eric Van Zele.
UEST NV, under the brand name of "ZEMBRO", develops; markets and supports personal alarm systems for seniors and currently has more than 4,000 active users. Moreover ZEMBRO has also developed a very valuable software service platform, that –linked with the Crescent know-how– will be deployed into other markets (health, location monitoring , security, etc.).
"We see big opportunities to leverage and strengthen Zembro through the technology and marketing capabilities of Crescent NV, whilst capitalizing on their quality software platform” says Alain Van den Broeck, Division CEO.
“The combination of an integrated IoT player with the scale-up Uest (Zembro) is a very logical next step since both reference shareholders strongly believe that Crescent NV offers tremendous added value in terms of team, know how and network for the benefit and further profitable growth of Zembro” says Pieter Bourgeois (Investment Manager Alychlo NV).
Furthermore, the Board of Directors of Crescent NV has endorsed the purchase of LIVEREACH MEDIA EUROPE BVBA and CRESCENT SMART LIGHTING BV (NL) from VZH NV.
The addition of all these activities and companies should generate an increase in group revenues of EUR 1 million in the second half of the year, with positive EBITDA contributions.
All of the above acquisitions are funded by reference shareholders.
CONTACT
Edwin Bex
Crescent NV
Gaston Geenslaan 14
B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
FAX: +32 (0) 16 31 74 90
E-mail: investor@option.com
www.option.com
www.crescent-ventures.com
GEREGLEMENTEERDE INFORMATIE EN VOORWETENSCHAP
Crescent NV koopt Uest NV (« ZEMBRO ») en kondigt bijkomende overnames en participatiewijzigingen aan.
Leuven, België – 12 juli 2019 – 18u, Crescent NV, (Euronext Brussels: OPTI) en Alychlo NV & CAREvolution NV, melden dat de koop/verkoop van UEST NV (« ZEMBRO ») werd afgerond. Hierbij werden 100% van de aandelen van UEST NV verkocht aan Crescent NV.
Na de rightsizing van Option NV en samenvoeging met Crescent NV, evolueerde de groep naar 4 Operationele Divisies: IoT Devices, Managed Services, Lighting, and IoT Solutions. “Deze overname kadert in de strategie van de Crescent Groep om te groeien via geïntegreerde IoT oplossingen en een uitbreiding van het activiteiten portfolio in het belangrijke healthcare segment” zegt Voorzitter Eric Van Zele.
UEST NV, onder de merknaam “ZEMBRO” produceert, verkoopt en ondersteunt persoonlijke alarmsystemen voor senioren en heeft op vandaag 4.000 actieve klanten. ZEMBRO heeft daarvoor een software-serviceplatform ontwikkeld dat, gekoppeld aan de knowhow van Crescent, in andere markten zal ingezet worden (health, personen locatie, security, etc.).
“We zien een grote opportuniteit in het verder versterken van Zembro op basis van nieuwe technologie-bouwstenen van Crescent, en verder bouwend op het bestaande kwalitatieve software platform.” zegt Alain Van den Broeck, Divisie CEO.
“De combinatie van de geïntegreerde IoT speler met de scale-up Uest (Zembro) is een logische stap, beide Uest referentieaandeelhouders geloven er sterk in dat Crescent NV op vlak van team, kennis en netwerk een grote toegevoegde waarde bieden voor de verdere groei van Zembro .” zegt Pieter Bourgeois (Investment Manager Alychlo NV).
Verder heeft de Raad van Bestuur van Crescent NV ook beslist om LIVEREACH MEDIA EUROPE BVBA en CRESCENT SMART LIGHTING BV (NL) aan te kopen van VZH NV.
De toevoeging van al deze activiteiten en vennootschappen zou reeds in de tweede jaarhelft voor een stijging van de groepsomzet met 1miljoen EUR moeten zorgen, met een positieve EBITDA bijdrage. Al deze acquisities worden gefinancierd door referentie aandeelhouders.
CONTACT
Edwin Bex
Gaston Geenslaan 14
B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
FAX: +32 (0) 16 31 74 90
E-mail: investor@option.com
www.option.com
www.crescent-ventures.com
Leuven, België – 19 June 2019 - 8h15. At today’s IoT Convention in Mechelen, Internet of Things agency Bagaar and Option announced that they will be joining forces. Bagaar will use Option’s communication technology to connect corporate technical installations to the industrial Internet. This helps industrial companies to intelligently automate analogue and digital industrial machines - in other words, to implement Industry 4.0.
Usually, the biggest challenge when making factories and industrial businesses ‘smart’ is the size of such digitisation projects, but through their new partnership, Bagaar and Option aim to tackle these together. “We’ll work with Option to develop our own communication module further and to use our combined, modular technology for new IoT projects”, says Ludo Wijckmans, CEO at Bagaar. “Option and Bagaar aim to offer an affordable way to connect every analogue or digital industrial device with the Internet, which enables companies to implement new processes such as predictive maintenance. Teaming up with Option will allow us to reach this goal quicker.”
IoT agency Bagaar develops prototypes for smart devices like smart bikes, energy meters and sensors. One of Bagaar’s sensor designs lets water companies measure the pressure in underground water pipes to detect leaks faster. Bagaar also provides technical services to connect companies to the Internet of Things. They develop the IoT plan and install the necessary sensors and communication modules.
Scale-up Bagaar enriched with decades of experience
Option has over 30 years of experience developing connectivity technologies. Their CloudGate IoT Gateway is a modular communication module for the Internet of Things which communicates through cellular networks, like 3G and 4G, and through low-power networks (LoRa, NB-IoT, LTE CaTm en BLE).
“Bagaar has the business and technical expertise to support industrial automation projects”, says Alain Van den Broeck, CEO at Option. “They can perform large-scale installations of our communication modules and successfully complete complex IoT projects. Together with Bagaar’s parent company Xylos, we’ll take care of our customers’ IoT and Industry 4.0 projects from A to Z.”
End-to-end service
Xylos will process data from connected devices in Microsoft Azure IoT, Microsoft’s Internet of Things cloud. Based on this analysis in Azure, businesses can optimise their production processes through automated bottleneck detection, avoid unnecessary costs through predictive maintenance, and much more.
Click here to see pictures of Ludo Wijckmans and Options CloudGate IoT Gateway here.
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About Option
With more than 20 years of experience and many industry’s firsts in the wireless industry, the Company is ideally positioned to bring the most efficient, reliable and secure wireless solutions to business markets and industrial markets. The Company partners with system integrators, value added resellers, application platform providers, value add distributors and network operators to bring tailor made solutions to end-customers. Option is headquartered in Belgium and is a brand of Crescent. More info on http://option.com
About Bagaar
Based on the philosophy that connected things accelerate processes and give organizations access to new markets and commercial models, the digital agency Bagaar specialized in product development for the Internet of Things. The IoT agency provides services for innovation, design and development of IoT solutions. Among other things, Bagaar designed the smart energy meter June, connected the smart bike Cowboy and developed sensors that measure the water pressure in Antwerp water pipes. Bagaar is located in Antwerp and has thirty employees. Since 2017 it is part of the Xylos Group. More info on http://bagaar.be.
CONTACT OPTION
Anne Mawet, marketing
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
CONTACT BAGAAR
Rachel Young, marketingmanager
T: +32 (0) 2 264 13 03
Press Contact
Factivity
Rafaël Tirmarche
T: +32 476 68 94 92
E: rafael@factivity.be
Leuven, België – 19 juni 2019 - 8h15, Het Internet of Things agency Bagaar en het technologiebedrijf Option, slaan de handen in elkaar. Dat hebben beide organisaties vandaag aangekondigd op de IoT Convention in Mechelen. Bagaar zal de communicatietechnologie van Option inzetten om technische installaties van bedrijven te koppelen met het industriële internet. Zo kunnen industriebedrijven analoge en digitale industriële machines slim automatiseren, industry 4.0 in vaktermen.
De grootste uitdaging om fabrieken en industriebedrijven ‘smart’ te maken is vaak de omvang van zulke digitaliseringsprojecten. Dat willen de nieuwe partners aanpakken. “Samen met Option gaan we onze eigen communicatiemodule verder ontwikkelen en onze gecombineerde, modulaire technologie inzetten bij nieuwe IoT-projecten”, zegt Ludo Wijckmans, CEO van Bagaar. “Option en Bagaar willen elk industrieel toestel - analoog of digitaal – betaalbaar koppelen met het internet, om nieuwe processen zoals ‘predictive maintenance’ te ontwikkelen. Door met Option in zee te gaan willen we die ambitie nog versnellen.”
IoT agency Bagaar ontwerpt prototypes van slimme toestellen zoals slimme fietsen of energiemeters, maar ook slimme sensoren. Met sensoren die Bagaar ontwierp, kunnen watermaatschappijen bijvoorbeeld de druk in ondergrondse waterleidingen meten en sneller lekken opsporen. Bagaar levert ook technische diensten om bedrijven te koppelen met het internet of things. Ze tekenen het IoT-plan uit en zorgen ook voor de installatie van sensoren en communicatiemodules.
Scale-up Bagaar haalt tientallen jaren ervaring op
Option heeft van zijn kant ruim dertig jaar ervaring met de ontwikkeling van connectiviteitstechnologieën. Met zijn CloudGate IoT Gateway beschikt het over een modulaire communicatiemodule voor het Internet of Things. Het toestel communiceert via cellulaire netwerken zoals 3G en 4G, maar ook via de zogenaamde low-powernetwerken LoRa, NB-IoT, LTE CaTm en BLE.
“Bagaar heeft de zakelijke en technische expertise om automatiseringsprojecten in de industrie te begeleiden”, zegt Alain van Den Broeck, CEO van Option. “Ze zijn in staat om onze communicatiemodules op grote schaal te installeren en complexe IoT-projecten tot een goed einde te brengen. Samen met Bagaars moederbedrijf Xylos helpen we klanten voortaan van begin tot eind bij hun IoT- en Industry 4.0-projecten.”
End-to-end dienst
Xylos zal de informatie van de gekoppelde toestellen verwerken in Microsoft Azure IoT, de internet-of-thingscloud van Microsoft. Aan de hand van de analyse in Azure kunnen bedrijven hun productie optimaliseren door onder meer geautomatiseerd bottlenecks te vinden of kosten besparen door bijvoorbeeld onderhoud meer voorspelbaar te maken.
Foto’s van Ludo Wijckmans en Options CloudGate IoT Gateway vindt u hier.
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Over Option
Met meer dan 30 jaar ervaring en een groot aantal wereldpremières in de mobiele technologie, is Option ideaal geplaatst om de meest efficiënte, betrouwbare en veilige draadloze oplossingen te stellen voor de bedrijfswereld en industriële markten. Het bedrijf werkt hiervoor samen met systeemintegratoren, value added resellers, application platform providers, distributeurs met toegevoegde waarde en netwerkoperatoren, om zo op maat gemaakte oplossingen aan eindklanten te kunnen voorstellen. Option heeft zijn hoofdkwartier in België en is een merk van Crescent. Meer info op http://option.com
Over Bagaar
Vanuit de filosofie dat connected things processen versnellen en organisaties toegang geven tot nieuwe markten en commerciële modellen, specialiseerde het digitale agentschap Bagaar zich in productontwikkeling voor het Internet of Things. Het IoT agency levert diensten voor innovatie, ontwerp en ontwikkeling van IoT-oplossingen. Bagaar ontwierp onder meer de slimme energiemeter June, connecteerde de slimme fiets Cowboy en ontwikkelde sensoren die de waterdruk in Antwerpse waterleidingen meten. Bagaar is gevestigd in Antwerpen en telt dertig medewerkers. Sinds 2017 maakt het deel uit van de Xylos Groep. Meer info op http://bagaar.be.
CONTACT OPTION
Anne Mawet, marketing
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
CONTACT BAGAAR
Rachel Young, marketingmanager
T: +32 (0) 2 264 13 03
Contact voor journalisten
Factivity
Rafaël Tirmarche
T: +32 476 68 94 92
E: rafael@factivity.be
Leuven, Belgique – 19 juin 2019 - 8h15, L’agence spécialisée dans l’internet des objets Bagaar et l’entreprise technologique Option ont décidé de conclure un partenariat. Les deux entreprises annoncent cette décision lors de l’IoT Convention qui a lieu à Malines ce 19 juin. Bagaar utilisera la technologie de communication d’Option pour connecter les installations techniques des entreprises à l’internet des objets industriels. De cette manière, les entreprises industrielles peuvent automatiser intelligemment des machines industrielles analogiques et numériques, c’est ce qu’on appelle l’« Industrie 4.0 » dans le jargon technique.
Le plus grand défi pour rendre les usines et les entreprises industrielles « intelligentes » est souvent la portée de ces projets de digitalisation. C’est précisément à ce problème que les nouveaux partenaires entendent s’atteler. « En partenariat avec Option, nous continuerons à développer notre propre module de communication et utiliserons notre technologie combinée et modulaire dans de nouveaux projets IoT », explique Ludo Wijckmans, CEO de Bagaar. « Option et Bagaar entendent connecter tous les appareils industriels - analogiques ou numériques - à internet à un prix abordable, afin de développer de nouveaux processus tels que la maintenance prédictive. En collaborant avec Option, nous voulons encore accélérer cette ambition. »
L’agence IoT Bagaar conçoit des prototypes d’appareils intelligents tels que des vélos ou des compteurs d’énergie, mais aussi des capteurs. Grâce aux capteurs intelligents conçus par Bagaar, les compagnies des eaux, par exemple, peuvent mesurer la pression dans les conduites d’eau souterraines et détecter plus rapidement les fuites. Bagaar fournit également des services techniques pour connecter les entreprises à l’internet des objets. Elle élabore le plan IoT et se charge de l’installation des capteurs et des modules de communication.
Bagaar va tirer parti de dizaines d’années d’expérience
Option a à son actif plus de trente ans d’expérience dans le développement de technologies de connectivité. Forte de sa passerelle IoT CloudGate, elle dispose d’un module de communication modulaire pour l’internet des objets. L’appareil communique via des réseaux cellulaires tels que 3G et 4G, mais aussi via les réseaux « basse consommation » LoRa, NB-IoT, LTE CaTm et BLE.
« Bagaar possède l’expertise opérationnelle et technique nécessaire pour soutenir les projets d’automatisation dans l’industrie », constate Alain van Den Broeck, CEO d’Option. « Elle est capable d’installer nos modules de communication à grande échelle et de mener à bonne fin des projets d’IoT complexes. En collaboration avec la société mère de Bagaar, Xylos, nous aidons désormais nos clients du début à la fin de leurs projets IoT et Industrie 4.0. »
Service de bout en bout
Xylos traitera les informations provenant des appareils connectés dans Microsoft Azure IoT, le cloud « internet des objets » de Microsoft. Sur la base de l’analyse d’Azure, les entreprises peuvent optimiser leur production, entre autres, en détectant automatiquement des goulets d’étranglement ou en réduisant les coûts, par exemple, en augmentant la prévisibilité de la maintenance.
Vous trouverez des photos de Ludo Wijckmans et de la passerelle IoT CloudGate d’Option en suivant ce lien.
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À propos d’Option
Ayant à son actif plus de 30 ans d’expérience et de nombreuses premières mondiales dans le domaine de la technologie mobile, Option est idéalement positionnée pour fournir les solutions sans fil les plus efficaces, les plus fiables et les plus sécurisées pour les entreprises et les marchés industriels. La société collabore à cet effet avec des intégrateurs de systèmes, des revendeurs à valeur ajoutée, des fournisseurs de plates-formes applicatives et des opérateurs de réseaux afin d’offrir des solutions sur mesure aux clients finaux. Option a établi son siège en Belgique et est une marque de Crescent. Plus d’informations sur http://option.com
À propos de Bagaar
Se basant sur la philosophie selon laquelle les objets connectés accélèrent les processus des entreprises et leur ouvrent les portes de nouveaux marchés et modèles commerciaux, l’agence numérique Bagaar s’est spécialisée dans le développement de produits pour l’internet des objets (IoT). L’agence IoT fournit des services d’innovation, de conception et de développement de solutions IoT. Bagaar a, entre autres, conçu le compteur d’énergie intelligent June, a connecté le vélo intelligent Cowboy, et a développé des capteurs qui mesurent la pression de l’eau dans les conduites d’eau anversoises. Bagaar est basée à Anvers et totalise trente collaborateurs. Elle fait partie du groupe Xylos depuis 2017. Plus d’informations sur http://bagaar.be.
CONTACT OPTION
Anne Mawet, marketing
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
CONTACT BAGAAR
Rachel Young, marketingmanager
T: +32 (0) 2 264 13 03
Contact pour les journalistes
Factivity
Rafaël Tirmarche
T: +32 476 68 94 92
E: rafael@factivity.be
REGULATED INFORMATION - INSIDE INFORMATION
Leuven, Belgium – May 20, 2019 – 21h00, Crescent NV, Gaston Geenslaan 14, 3001 Heverlee (Euronext Brussels: OPTI) today announced its unaudited results for the full fiscal year 2018 ended December 31, 2018. The financial information reported in this release is presented in Euros and has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of IFRS as adopted by the European Union. The accounting policies and methods of computation followed in the attached financial statements are essentially the same as those followed in the most recent annual financial statements.
Message from the Chairman When we solved the short-term cash need of Option NV in January 2017 through the sale of Innolumis BV, a long and difficult process for rescuing the company in a sustainable way and reviving it began immediately.With the loyal support of many small investors and a few strong reference shareholders, we succeeded in converting a huge financial debt of EUR 29 million into capital. At the same time, drastic measures were taken to reduce the workforce in a socially responsible manner and to quickly reduce recurring expenses to an affordable level without affecting the basic competencies of Option.These were important first tactical realizations within a rescue trajectory that few thought possible, but in which it was already clear at the time that we also had to take strategic action to put Option back on profitable tracks.Remediation to survive was one thing, but achieving sustainable growth was another challenge of a different order.In 2018 we were then able to ensure that Option’s shareholders’ equity was positive again through a reverse takeover with Crescent Ventures, which was absolutely necessary to reschedule and refinance EUR 3 million in non-financial debts via a credit line with Belfius and via extra cash and guarantees from reference shareholders and from Gigarant.With the arrival of Alain Van den Broeck at the head of the new integrated Crescent group and with Michallis Pashidis as CTO, we were able to significantly strengthen the senior management team shortly afterwards.We could now gradually start working on the strategic refocusing of the Crescent group with an increased focus on an IOT 'Systems and Solutions' profile and with an 'end to end' value creation story thanks to synergies with Innolumis (smart lighting) and with 2Invision ( managed services).On the one hand, we chose to quickly and drastically upgrade Option's cloudgate platform and to prepare a number of targeted investments in emerging vertical markets for smart lighting and smart energy systems. We recently received support from the government for the latter. The recovery of previously paid social security fines will also contribute to the elimination of the enormous debt burden that has weighed on the company for years.In addition, the acquisition of 100% of the shares of 2Invision Managed Services BV was recently brought to a successful conclusion and we expect the introduction of the new Cloudgate platform at Crescent NV to be imminent in the second quarter of 2019. The ultimate turn around is now really under construction.I am pleased that recently we have also been able to convince four very competent and professional Directors to assist us in this fascinating but difficult course and I take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone, who continued to believe in us and supported us in this ultimate rescue attempt, for their confidence.We are determined to complete this story successfully. The best is yet to come!
Eric Van Zele
From Option to Crescent
On May 22 , 2018, the Group acquired Option NV (currently Crescent NV) and its associated subsidiaries through a "reverse acquisition". A reverse acquisition occurs when the entity that issues securities (the acquiring party in the legal sense, in this case Option NV) is identified as the acquired party. Although Crescent Ventures NV (formerly Crescent NV) is legally the subsidiary, it is therefore regarded as the parent company for the purposes of the consolidated accounts. Crescent NV (formerly Option NV) is processed as the subsidiary. This transaction has considerably changed the financial position of Crescent NV, and has substantially changed the consolidated statements. It may also be emphasized that the 2018 consolidated income statement is not representative of a full year of operations of the group as compiled at the end of 2018, because on one hand only seven months of results from Crescent NV were included and that its expenses also include non-recurring costs (EUR 497,000 in severance pay and EUR 391,000 in costs related to the reverse acquisition), and on the other hand only nine months of results from NE-IT Automatisering BV and NE-IT Hosting BV that were acquired at the end of March 2018. The pro forma turnover of the group for a full year of operations would have amounted to EUR 18.8 million for a REBITDA of EUR (0.6) million.The explanation for the largest movements from 2017 to 2018 in the profit and loss statement and the balance sheet are the result of the aforementioned reverse takeover, but also of the evolution of other changes in the composition of the group from one year to the next. Innolumis Public Lighting BV joined the group on 31 May 2017, and NE-IT as mentioned above on 31 March 2018.
Overview of results and allocation of results of the Company
Consolidated results
For a detailed report on the consolidated Income Statement and Balance Sheet, we refer to the financial report below.
The highlights of the consolidated results of 2018 include the following (in thousands EUR):
|
|
2018
|
2017
|
|
Revenues
|
16 675
|
11 383
|
|
EBIT
|
(25 859)
|
(1 891)
|
|
Depreciations and amortizations
|
23 298
|
1 322
|
|
EBITDA
|
(2 561)
|
(569)
|
|
Non-recurring expenses
|
2 366
|
311
|
|
REBTIDA
|
(195)
|
(259)
|
|
Financial Result
|
492
|
(65)
|
|
Result before taxes
|
(25 367)
|
(1 956)
|
|
Net result:
|
(25 032)
|
(2 638)
|
|
Attributable to shareholders Crescent
|
(25 262)
|
(2 459)
|
|
Attributable to non-controlling interest
|
230
|
(178)
|
The following table shows the analysis of the most important movements in revenue between 2017 and 2018 (Thousands EUR): Innolumis achieved a turnover of 4,352,000 EUR in 2018, which is an increase of almost 11% compared to 2017; in 2018, the company contributed to the group's revenues throughout the complete year, whereas this was only seven months in 2017, implying a turnover increase of EUR 1,783,000 for the group.The acquisition of the two NE-ITs by 2Invision Managed Services BV was signed on 31 March 2018. They contributed to the group's revenue for EUR 2,351,000. Together they achieved a revenue of EUR 3,192,000 in 2018, an increase of 20% compared to 2017.Crescent NV (formerly Option NV) was only included in the group results in the last seven months of 2018, which led to a contribution of EUR 2,073,000 to the increase in group revenue, but which meant a decrease in revenue for the company itself with 35% compared to 2017. This decrease can only be attributed to the lower sales of the Cloudgate products whose introduction of the new announced gamma was postponed by six months until the second quarter of 2019 due to certification problems.SAIT BV also had to take a 20% fall in turnover in 2018. The total turnover in 2018 amounted to EUR 3,619,000, a decrease of EUR 942,000 compared to 2017. The two causes were, on the one hand, the delayed completion of several large projects and, on the other hand, the reduced portfolio of new projects. The impact of previous revenue changes on REBITDA 2018 is shown in the following table (Thousands EUR):
The above table clearly shows the correlation between the increased or decreased revenue and the contribution to the group REBITDA, with the only exception being the results of Crescent NV, where the increased revenue for the group contributed negatively to the group result. Crescent NV realized a negative EBITDA of EUR 2 million in 2018, of which EUR 888,000 were non-recurring expenses. However, this was a deterioration of EBITDA by EUR 220,000 compared to 2017, despite the cost reduction of EUR 1 million in 2018. The negative net result of 2018 of EUR 25,859,000 was largely impacted by the impairment on the initial goodwill of EUR 28,040,000 resulting from the valuation of Crescent NV during the reverse acquisition. This goodwill was reduced to EUR 4,420,000 through a write-down of EUR 23,620,000.
In line with the internal follow-up of its activities, the company has divided its activities into the following segments: • Solutions - contains all activities related to the production of data cards, USB devices, routers and built-in modules, the end-to-end service offering as well as the activities related to building and maintaining telecom, earthing and lightning installations and installations for wireless communication in closed spaces; This segment includes Crescent NV, SAIT BV and Aardingen Maro Bvba • Services - contains all services related to the management of the IT environment and software for customers in public and private data center environments, as well as for small and medium-sized companies; the companies that belong to this segment are 2Invision Managed Services BV in the Netherlands, and NV in Belgium, furthermore the NE-ITs and the service division of SAIT BV. • Lighting - contains all activities related to LED street lighting and currently corresponds to the Innolumis company.
The following is an analysis of the Group's revenue and operating results per reported segment:
REBITDA contributions from the Services and Lighting segments were positive for resp. EUR 336,000 and EUR 175,000, but due to the negative REBITDA of the Solutions segment of EUR 706,000, the total REBITDA for the group amounted to EUR (195,000).
The following are the most important items in the balance sheet at the end of 2018 (Thousands EUR):
Equity increased as a result of the reverse takeover, but goodwill was increased accordingly. Full details of the description of the processing and the underlying assumptions can be found in the notes to the financial report. On May 22 , 2018, the extraordinary shareholders meeting of Crescent NV approved a capital increase by the contribution in kind of financial debts amounting to EUR 11,300,117 and by the contribution in kind of the shares of Crescent Ventures NV amounting to EUR 10,125,000.The issued capital of the company thus amounts to EUR 36,304,321, and the number of shares increased from 297,584,091 to a total of 1,368,839,925.All reports regarding this extraordinary shareholders meeting are available online at:
http://www.option.com/about-investor/.
Before the aforementioned contribution of financial debt was made on 22 May, various shareholders had made new financial resources available in early 2018 for an amount of EUR 2.1 million. These were also contributed on 22 May.
On September 27, the company announced that the credit agreement with Belfius Bank to refinance and restructure the remaining non-financial historical debt obligations (EUR 1.5 million) and to support the company with a working capital credit line of EUR 1.5 million was signed after approval by Gigarant.At year end this is drawn in total for resp. EUR 1.45 million and EUR 1.5 million.In addition, Van Zele Holding NV has responded to the request from Belfius and Gigarant to provide an additional credit line of EUR 0.5 million as an additional buffer if certain assumptions in the Group's liquidity plan could not be realized. EUR 0.4 million of this credit line was called up at year-end.
Statutory results
Full year sales amounted to EUR 3.4 million, a decrease of 35% compared to the previous financial year. This decrease was determined in both products and engineering services, on the one hand by postponing the introduction of the new CloudGate mini and micro gamma to 2019, and on the other by the decrease in engineering services for Danlaw Inc. Operating expenses decreased from EUR 7.5 million to EUR 4.0 million, resulting in a negative operating result or EBIT of EUR 2.1 million, the same as in 2017. In this result, EUR 0.9 million of non-recurring expenses were recognized in 2018 (EUR 0.5 million severance pay and EUR 0.4 million related to the reverse acquisition). Financial income includes a non-recurring income of EUR 0.2 million thanks to the sale of the shares that the company held in Autonet Mobile Inc. These were fully amortized in the accounts in the previous financial year.The financial costs decreased from EUR 0.4 million in 2017 to EUR 0.1 million in 2017, mainly due to the decrease in financial debts. With a loss of EUR 2.0 million, the net result remained approximately at the same level as in 2017 (EUR 2.1 million). The main movements in the balance sheet are explained by the contribution of Crescent Ventures NV to the capital of the Company for EUR 10.1 million and contribution of financial debts for a total amount of EUR 11.3 million. For the main assumptions and sensitivities of the underlying valuation, we refer to note 9 of the consolidated annual report.
As a result, the capital increased from EUR 14.9 million to EUR 36.3 million, the financial fixed assets increased to EUR 10.2 million and the current financial debts decreased by EUR 7.0 million and the non-current financial debts with EUR 1.8 million. In addition, shareholders made an additional EUR 2.1 million available at the beginning of 2018, which were also converted into capital. The existing non-current financial debt of EUR 0.4 million concerns a debt to Van Zele Holding NV, which was mainly used to grant an advance to the subsidiary Crescent Ventures for the purchase of the minority interests in 2Invision Managed Services BV.Belfius Bank also allowed a credit line of EUR 1.5 million, 60% guaranteed by Gigarant NV. As security for this credit line, the trading fund and the acquired shares in Crescent Ventures NV were pledged.EUR 1.45 million of this credit line was withdrawn at the end of 2018. This was mainly used to reduce the outstanding debts to social security charges, taxes and suppliers. On a balance sheet total of EUR 12.4 million, total equity amounted to EUR 4.5 million on December 31, 2018.
Allocation of the statutory result
The Board of Directors proposes to add the non-consolidated net loss of EUR 2.0 million of 2018 to the loss carried forward from the previous years. The loss carried forward increases from EUR 48 million to EUR 50 million.
Significant events that took place after the end of the financial year
The cash position of the group remains limited, but the reference shareholders have indicated that they continue to support the company. This was also made concrete in April 2019 by Van Zele Holding NV by providing an additional credit line of € 450,000, of which € 325,000 was immediately paid-in, and by Alychlo NV by an additional loan of € 400,000 that was also paid-in.In addition, smaller shareholders also promised a total of € 200,000. The agreements for the acquisition of the minority interests (40.5%) of 2Invision Managed Services BV were also definitively finalized on 27 March 2019. The remaining shares held by AJUST B.V. and PP Technology Group B.V. were acquired for a total amount of EUR 1,065,000. Of this, EUR 325,000 was paid as an advance in 2018 by a cash payment and EUR 740,000 was paid in 2019 through delivery of shares in the share capital of Crescent NV. The value of the majority of these shares is set at € 0.02. The number of shares to be delivered amounts thus to 34,157,500. On 13 April 2019 an addendum was signed to the agreement for the takeover of the two NE-IT companies. This provides for a new arrangement for the amounts still to be paid for the acquisition. The final installment (of the Purchase Price) of EUR 700,000 is paid as follows. An amount of EUR 160,000 was paid on April 26, 2019 and an amount of EUR 74,000 will be paid on May 31, 2019. With regard to the (remaining) amount of EUR 466,000, it is agreed that this will be paid by Crescent Ventures by means of delivery of bearer shares in the share capital of Crescent, subject to the provisions in sub b. The value of each share is set at EUR 0.04. Delivery of the shares will take place in the following manner:a. The seller is entitled to the delivery of 11,650,000 bearer shares in the share capital of Crescent. Crescent Ventures is obliged to deliver the aforementioned number of freely tradable shares within 31 days after the aforementioned number has been issued by Crescent, but no later than 31 August 2019 to the seller's securities account.b. The seller is aware that on 13 April 2019 Crescent Ventures does not have freely tradable shares in Crescent's share capital. If Crescent Ventures does not succeed in delivering the shares referred to in the aforementioned article on time, then the Seller will be entitled to payment of the remaining amount of EUR 466,000 in respect of the Purchase Price to the Buyer. This claim will then become due on September 14, 2019. For the obligations regarding the acquisition of the minority interests of 2Invision Managed Services BV, Van Zele Holding NV has stated its willingness to take over this temporarily from Crescent NV.After payment of the advance of EUR 325,000 in 2018, Crescent Ventures NV still had to deliver a total of 31,315,000 shares of Crescent NV to the minority shareholders in April 2019 and 2,842,500 shares before the end of July 2019. At the end of 2018, the Company submitted a request for remission of contribution surcharges to the National Social Security Office. In April 2019, she received a message that the fines paid were fully waived for the years 2013 to 2017 in the amount of € 603,000. This amount may be deducted from the following payments of social debts. This amount will be included in the 2019 results; the cash expenditure of 2019 will therefore be estimated to decrease by € 480,000, that of 2020 by € 123,000.
CRITICAL JUDGEMENTS
Going concern
In 2018, the group took a number of crucial steps in its ambition to refocus and restructure itself. On May 22, 2018, all but EUR 0.5 million of external financing debts (convertible bond loans and bridge financing) were contributed to the capital and the activities of Crescent Ventures were also contributed.This enabled the group to conclude an additional credit financing with Belfius in September 2018, 60% guaranteed by Gigarant. This has enabled the Group to improve its liquidity position, on the one hand by rescheduling the short-term financial debt by EUR 1.25 million to the long-term, and on the other by an additional credit line of EUR 1.5 million that has been used to pay off a number of overdue debts. In addition, Van Zele Holding NV has responded to the request from Belfius and Gigarant to provide an additional credit line of EUR 0.5 million as an additional buffer if certain assumptions in the Group's liquidity plan could not be realized.At the end of December 2018, however, the drawdown of the Belfius loan was already EUR 1.45 million and the drawdown of the additional credit line of Van Zele Holding amounted to EUR 0.4 million. The cash position at the end of December remains limited at EUR 0.6 million. The gross financial debt amounted to EUR 4.6 million at that time.
The realization of the various three-year plans should furthermore allow more than to supplement the liquidity shortages still foreseen in some companies with cash surpluses in others. The result and cash generation trends in the lighting and services segments look positive and compensate for the cash deficits of the companies in the Solutions segment, which still weigh on the liquidity position of the group.With the introduction of some new products from the second quarter of 2019 and the move towards solutions and software, management expects that the cash losses of Crescent NV can also be stopped, so that this company will gradually start contributing to positive cash flows. Although the board of directors has full confidence in the realization of the three-year plan for the group, for a number of activities in the group these represent a trend break or acceleration compared to the past. There is therefore a risk that this change in turnover could be delayed and the ambitious plans not realized, which could increase the pressure on the liquidity position. This liquidity pressure was also increased in April 2019 by the last repayment of a remaining bridge financing of EUR 0.5 million, which forced the group to obtain additional financing from the reference shareholders. At the beginning of April 2019, Van Zele Holding NV and Alychlo NV made funds available for EUR 325,000 and EUR 400,000 respectively, and in addition to Van Zele Holding NV, which will also further pay-in EUR125,000, other existing shareholders were willing to pay together another EUR 200,000.The current reference shareholders have indicated their intention to provide the company with the necessary resources to achieve its objectives and to meet the urgent working capital needs, and the board of directors is confident that this will happen if necessary.
In addition, the Company is continuing to negotiate with some suppliers to agree or revise payment plans, so that this can also be absorbed within existing cash projections without the need for additional financing.
The Board of Directors is of the opinion that through the combination of these measures and the successful completion of the actions already taken, the Company will have sufficient funds over the next 12 months to realize its plan and confirms herewith its valuation rules regarding going concern.
Full press release including tables here & on www.option.com/about-investor
CONTACT
Edwin Bex
Gaston Geenslaan 14
B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
FAX: +32 (0) 16 31 74 90
E-mail: investor@option.com
www.option.com
www.crescent-ventures.com
Investment
We will not invest in any of the following areas:
Employment
We will not engage in any of the following activities:
Discrimination
We will not discriminate against our employees in any of the following areas:
Purchasing
We will put into place checks, controls and procedures to ensure all our suppliers and sub-contractors:
Prevention of Corruption
We will include in our distribution and supply agreements anti-bribery standard clauses. Our employment policies outline measures that can and will be taken in order to prevent corruption. Option®, as a public company and a member of the ETHIBEL Sustainability index, respects the Corporate Governance rules.
- communication of our policies both internally and externally
- commitment to continual improvement in environmental performance
- taking account of the input of staff, customers, shareholders, government, local authorities, interested third parties and the general public
- awareness and training on environmental issues so as to create a better environment for all through the reduction, recycling and reuse of waste, optimum usage of resources and elimination of polluting releases into the environment
- compliance with all applicable regulations and legislation
- prevention of pollution
- manufacture in a safe environment of products supplied to customer specifications and requirements
Our management is committed to providing the resources necessary to ensure that the company’s environmental objectives and targets are achieved. Option has done substantial efforts to align customer requests for customization while lowering its ecological footprint. This resulted in our offering of environmentally friendly and highly customizable packaging. If you want to read more on our packaging, click here.GEREGLEMENTEERDE INFORMATIE EN VOORWETENSCHAP - Buitengewone Algemene Vergadering
Leuven, België – 20 november, 2019 – 8u00 - Crescent (EURONEXT: OPTI)
Crescent NV (Euronext Brussels: OPTI) zal een Buitengewone Algemene Vergadering bijeenroepen op 20 december 2019 met als belangrijkste agendapunten de goedkeuring van de acquisities van Crescent Smart Lighting BV en Livereachmedia Europe Bvba en een kapitaalverhoging door inbreng in natura van 6.044.145 EUR schulden in kapitaal. De uitgifteprijs van de nieuwe aandelen werd door de Raad van Bestuur bepaald op 0,0256 EUR.
Hierdoor zullen 236.099.445 nieuwe aandelen worden uitgegeven, waarvan de notering op Euronext onmiddellijk na de BAV van 20 december zal worden aangevraagd.
De oproeping wordt vandaag in het Belgisch Staatsblad en De Standaard gepubliceerd en de relevante verslagen van Raad van Bestuur en de Commissaris worden in de loop van de dag ter beschikking gesteld op de website.
CONTACT
Edwin Bex
Gaston Geenslaan 14
B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
FAX: +32 (0) 16 31 74 90
E-mail: investor@option.com
www.option.com
www.crescent-ventures.com
REGULATED INFORMATION - INSIDE INFORMATION - Extraordinary General Meeting
Leuven, Belgium – November 20, 2019 – 8h00 - Crescent (EURONEXT: OPTI)
Crescent NV (Euronext Brussels: OPTI) will convene an Extraordinary General Meeting on December 20, 2019 with as main agenda items the approval of the acquisitions of Crescent Smart Lighting BV and Livereachmedia Europe Bvba and a capital increase through contribution in kind of EUR 6,044,145 in debt in capital. The issue price of the new shares was set by the Board of Directors at EUR 0.0256.
As a result, 236,099,445 new shares will be issued, the listing of which will be requested on Euronext immediately after the EGM of December 20.
The notice is published today in the Belgian Official Gazette and De Standaard and the relevant reports of the Board of Directors and the Auditor are made available on the website during the course of the day.
CONTACT
Edwin Bex
Gaston Geenslaan 14
B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
FAX: +32 (0) 16 31 74 90
E-mail: investor@option.com
www.option.com
www.crescent-ventures.com
GEREGLEMENTEERDE INFORMATIE EN VOORWETENSCHAP
Crescent halfjaarresultaten 2019
Leuven, België – 30 september 2019 – 7u30 - Crescent (EURONEXT: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY)
H1 Highlights
De omzet van de groep stijgt met 14% naar 8,9 miljoen EUR in vergelijking met 7,8 miljoen EUR in het eerste halfjaar van 2018
Resultaten van het eerste halfjaar
De omzet van de groep kwam uit op 8.903 k€, in vergelijking met 7.838 k€ in het eerste halfjaar van 2018 en een EBITDA van 525 k€, in vergelijking met 300 k€ in het eerste halfjaar van vorig jaar. De pro-forma omzet in het eerste halfjaar 2018 kwam uit op 9.966 k€ met een EBITDA van -508 k€. De pro-forma resultaten van de groep van 2018 worden voorgesteld alsof alle vennootschappen die op 30 juni 2019 in de consolidatiekring zijn opgenomen, een volledig halfjaar hebben bijgedragen tot de resultaten.
(De gerapporteerde omzet van 7.838 k€, zou dan in de pro-forma cijfers worden aangevuld met 1.335 k€ (de omzet van Crescent over de eerste vijf maanden), en de omzet van het eerste kwartaal van NE-IT van 793 k€ om in totaal uit te komen op 9.966 k€.)
Het netto-resultaat van de groep kwam uit op -452 k€, in vergelijking met -20.044 k€ in het eerste halfjaar van 2018, wat toen voornamelijk het gevolg was van de goodwill impairment van Crescent NV ten gevolge van de omgekeerde overname van 22 mei 2018.
De omzetten en EBITDA van de drie divisies waren in het eerste semester :
In de Solutions divisie droeg Crescent NV (het voormalige Option NV) 1,8 miljoen EUR bij tot de omzetstijging, evenwel bedroeg de pro-forma omzetstijging over de volledige zes maanden 0,5 miljoen EUR; de omzet van SAIT BV verminderde met 0,7 miljoen EUR. Wat de EBITDA betreft verslechterde deze van SAIT BV met 0,2 miljoen EUR tot -0,3 miljoen EUR, maar was er een verbetering met 0,3 miljoen EUR naar 0,4 miljoen EUR voor het semester bij Crescent NV, Het dient gezegd dat hierin een netto niet-recurrente opbrengst van 0.3 miljoen EUR is opgenomen. De pro-forma semesteriële EBITDA van Crescent NV verbeterde met 1,2 miljoen EUR.
De impact van de introductie van de nieuwe Cloudgate productfamilie op het eind van het tweede kwartaal wordt verwacht vanaf het vierde kwartaal de omzet verder in positieve zin te laten evolueren.
Voor SAIT BV werd het plan voor het tweede semester herschreven en een breakeven als objectief aangehouden.
De omzet in de divisie Services verbeterde voornamelijk doordat de activiteiten van Ne-IT Hosting en Automatisering BV voor het volledige semester werden opgenomen. Door de integratie van de IT services activiteiten van Any-IT, en 2 Invision Managed Services, inclusief de Belgische, kon de EBITDA met 0,2 miljoen EUR worden verbeterd.
De omzet van de Lighting divisie in het eerste halfjaar reflecteerde de algemene terughoudendheid in de Nederlandse thuismarkt. Verwacht wordt dat in de tweede helft van het jaar de vraag weer zal aantrekken, en dat ook de commerciële inspanningen in Zuid-Afrika tot orders zullen leiden.
Balans
Kapitaal
Bij besluit van de bijzondere Algemene vergadering van 20 juni jl. werd het kapitaal van Crescent NV
verminderd van 32.446.419 EUR tot 3.857.902 EUR, ter aanzuivering voor eenzelfde bedrag van een deel van de overgedragen verliezen en werd eveneens besloten de uitgiftepremie zoals geplaatst op de onbeschikbare rekening "Uitgiftepremies", te verminderen met 17.608.896 EUR, om deze tot 0 EUR te herleiden, ter aanzuivering van een deel van de overgedragen verliezen.
Door deze balansherschikking wordt de Vennootschap Crescent NV niet langer als een onderneming in moeilijkheden beschouwd.
Op 30 juni 2019 waren de belangrijkste aandeelhouders:
(A) Eric Van Zele/Van Zele Holding
37,50%
(B) Jan Callewaert
10,59%
(C) Alychlo/Marc Coucke/Mylecke
10,29%
(D) Danlaw
7,59%
(E) Nanninga Beheer
3,43%
Na 30 juni ontving de Vennootschap een transparantieverklaring van de Heer Callewaert dat zijn aandelenbezit in Crescent 9,64% bedraagt op 6 augustus; Alychlo meldde verwerving van 20 miljoen bijkomende aandelen sinds 30 juni.
De bijgewerkte aandeelhoudersinformatie is te raadplegen op onze website.
Financiële schulden
Op 30 juni 2019 had de groep uitstaande financiële schulden van in totaal 6.100 k€. De stijging ten overstaan van de positie per eind december van 4.814 k€ wordt voornamelijk verklaard door de opname van de lease-verplichtingen door de eerste toepassing van IFRS 16, wat de financiële schuld met 1.899 k€ verhoogd heeft. Hiertegenover werden voor 1.877 k€ gebruiksrechten op activa toegevoegd in de vaste activa.
Werkkapitaal
Het netto werkkapitaal daalde verder met 1,3 miljoen EUR, wat volledig wordt verklaard door de toegenomen schuld voor de verwerving van Any-IT en 2 Invision Managed Services BV. Dit bedrag is verschuldigd aan de Heer Van Zele.
Raad van Bestuur
In de Algemene Aandeelhoudersvergadering van 20 juni jl. werden volgende onafhankelijke bestuurders aangesteld voor een periode van zes jaar: Mevrouw Prof. dr. Liesbet VAN DER PERRE, S&S BVBA vast vertegenwoordigd Mevrouw Prof. dr. Sarah STEENHAUT en Mevrouw Lieve DECLERCQ. Verder werd ook MICHIELS INVEST & MANAGEMENT BVBA vast vertegenwoordigd door de Heer Johan MICHIELS benoemd.
Van Zele Holding NV, vast vertegenwoordigd door de Heer Eric VAN ZELE, CRESCEMUS BVBA vast
vertegenwoordigd door de heer Pieter BOURGEOIS EN DE Heer Raju DANDU werden herbenoemd voor een periode van zes jaar.
Overname Uest nv
De Groep heeft op 5 juli 2019 100% van de aandelen verworven in Uest NV. De overname kadert in de strategie van de Crescent groep om te groeien via geïntegreerde IoT oplossingen en een uitbreiding van het activiteitenportfolio. Uest NV produceert, verkoopt en ondersteunt persoonlijke alarmsystemen voor senioren onder de merknaam Zembro. Zembro heeft een software-serviceplatform ontwikkeld dat gekoppeld aan de knowhow van Crescent in andere markten zal ingezet worden. UEST NV zal vanaf het tweede semester bijdragen tot de omzet en EBITDA van de groep.
De overnames van Livereach Media Europe Bvba en Crescent Smart lighting BV werden nog niet formeel afgerond; verwacht wordt dat dit voor jaareinde zal gebeuren.
Risico’s en onzekerheden
De meeste van de risico’s en onzekerheden worden bepaald door de specifieke evolutie van de markten waarin Crescent actief is.
Door de omgekeerde overname in 2018 is de facto het risicoprofiel van de Vennootschap veranderd en gemiddeld afgenomen doordat zij nu in drie verschillende markten actief is met elk hun eigen specifieke risico’s. Uiteraard zal voor de drie segmenten de gebeurlijke verslechtering van de macro-economische toestand een mogelijke negatieve rol spelen die niet zou toelaten dat het ene segment de mindere resultaten van de andere volledig kan opvangen. Verder heeft de nieuwe samenstelling van de Groep ook gevolgen voor de continuïteit, ondanks de immer beperkte kaspositie, hebben de segmenten Service en Lighting aangetoond dat zij inherent kaspositief werken, en daardoor in staat zijn de negatieve resultaten van het segment Solutions op te vangen.
In de Services- activiteiten is er de voortdurende uitdaging tot aanwerving van voldoende en competente ICT-profielen, naast het voortdurend beheersen van de cyber-risico’s zowel in de interne ICT-infrastructuur als in deze van de klanten.
In het solutions segment en vooraleer in te gaan op de specifieke risico’s voor de sector waarin Crescent NV (voormalig Option NV) actief is, wenst de Vennootschap te wijzen op de cycliciteit van de telecommarkt waarin Aardingen Maro haar belangrijkste omzet vandaan haalt, en op de inherente risico’s eigen aan de projectbusiness van SAIT BV door haar eindverantwoordelijkheid als integrator van verkochte oplossingen.
De markt waarin Crescent NV actief is, wordt gekenmerkt door de snelle en opeenvolgende introducties van nieuwe technologieën. Deze brengen inherent een aantal uitdagingen mee, zoals het tijdig intern terbeschikking hebben van de nodige competenties om de aanpassingen te kunnen doen om de produkten prijs/kwalitatief concurrentieel te houden, en de externe inkoop waar nodig om toegang te houden tot technologielicenties binnen de uitgestippelde product-roadmap. Bovendien moet elke nieuw product dat in de markt wordt geïntroduceerd gecertificeeerd worden inzake straling, veiligheid en compatibiliteit met de gangbare operatornetwerken. Nonconformititeit in dit certificatieproces verhoogt het risico op bijkomende kosten, en gemiste inkomsten. Ondanks de wereldwijde groei van 18% in gateway verkopen in 2018, is de adoptie van IoT verschillend in de diverse werelddelen en vormt de juiste positionnering zowel wat type gateway als timing een uitdaging, en een risico inzake rendabiliteit. Binnen de contouren van deze IoT markt, blijft waakzaamheid geboden om in orde te blijven met de intellectuele eigendomsrechten van alle betrokkenen, zowel concurrenten, leveranciers als klanten. Indien de verwachte explosie van de Internet of Things markt zich doorzet, zal het aantal aan internet geconnecteerde toestellen een gigantische groei kennen waardoor ook het risico op hacking en security-incidenten exponentieel zal toenemen. De oplossingen die worden aangeboden zullen voortdurend moeten rekening houden met deze cyberbedreigingen en evolueren telkens er nieuwe risico’s opduiken.
In de Lighting divisie is er enerzijds het risico dat de LED-technologie voorbijgestreefd wordt door andere
technologiëen vooraleer het merendeel van de bestaande normale armaturen door LED zijn vervangen, en anderzijds dat de smart lighting oplossingen niet bijtijds deze dalende markt zou hebben opgevuld.
Voor de hele groep, wensen wij onderstaand nog in te gaan op de continuïteit van de onderneming:
Eind december 2018 bedroeg de opname van het kortlopend Belfiuskrediet 1,45 miljoen EUR en de opname van de additionele kredietlijn van Van Zele Holding NV beliep 0,4 miljoen EUR. De cashpositie stond op 0,6 miljoen EUR. Eind juni 2019 is het Belfiuskrediet verhoogd naar 1,5 miljoen EUR, zij het dat de groep begonnen is met de aflossing van het investeringskrediet (0,08 miljoen EUR tijdens het eerste semester); de kredietlijn van Van Zele Holding NV stond nog op 0,4 miljoen EUR de cashpositie op 0,4 miljoen EUR en blijft daarmee beperkt. De bruto financiële schuld bedroeg eind 2018 4,8 miljoen EUR, deze bedraagt eind juni 2019 4,2 miljoen EUR, vermeerderd met de 1,9 miljoen EUR aan huur- en leaseverplichtingen ten gevolge van de toepassing van IFRS 16.
De schuldpositie veranderde niet noemenswaardig in vergelijking met begin van het jaar, zij het dat de referentie-aandeelhouders de vennootschap bijkomende kredieten hebben toegestaan om haar in staat te stellen de resterende externe brugfinanciering van 0,5 miljoen EUR terug te betalen.
Het management blijft geloven dat in de toekomst en in afwachting van een positieve cashflow in het segment Solutions, de segmenten Services en Lighting de negatieve EBITDA van het segment Solutions volledig moeten kunnen compenseren, wat evenwel nog niet het geval was in de eerste jaarhelft.
In afwachting van de verwachte doorbraak van de door Crescent NV nieuw gelanceerde produkten in de IOT markt, hebben de referentie-aandeelhouders hun steun toegezegd om de kasnoden in deze tussenperiode op te vangen indien de Vennootschap de middelen zelf nog niet kan genereren. Zo hebben zij hun voorschotten verhoogd in het derde kwartaal met 0,6 miljoen EUR, om de liquiditeitspositie van de groep te ondersteunen.
De Raad van Bestuur heeft de beslissing genomen om de schuldpositie van de vennootschap voor jaareinde af te bouwen door alle bestaande schulden aan aandeelhouders ten gevolge van de recente en de twee nog lopende overnames, alsmede de verstrekte voorschotten ter verbetering van de liquiditeitspositie in te brengen in kapitaal. Deze inbreng in natura zal een nominaal bedrag vertegenwoordigen van ongeveer 5 miljoen EUR. De Raad van Bestuur heeft verder de uitgifte van een nieuw warranteplan voor het senior management goedgekeurd.
Rekenend op de verbetering van de EBITDA, en de hierboven beschreven schuldafbouw is de Raad van Bestuur van oordeel dat de Vennootschap over voldoende middelen zal beschikken om in de komende jaren haar plan te realiseren.
MANAGEMENT VERKLARING
Het management verklaart dat, voor zover hen bekend:
Volledig persbericht inclusief tabellen - klik hier
Crescent NV - Halfjaarlijks Financieel Verslag - 30 juni 2019 - klik hier
CONTACT
Edwin Bex
Gaston Geenslaan 14
B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
FAX: +32 (0) 16 31 74 90
E-mail: investor@option.com
www.option.com
www.crescent-ventures.com
REGULATED INFORMATION - INSIDE INFORMATION
Crescent Half-year results 2019
Leuven, Belgium – 30 September 2019 – 7h30 - Crescent (EURONEXT: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY)
H1 Highlights
- The turnover of the group increases by 14% to EUR 8.9 million compared to EUR 7.8 million in the first half of 2018
- EBITDA amounts to EUR 0.5 million in the first semester compared to EUR 0.3 million in the first half of 2018
- At the beginning of July Crescent acquired UEST NV, (www.zembro.com)
- The group maintains its outlook for double digit revenue growth for 2019 with a positive EBITDA
Results of first half-year
The group's revenue amounted to k€ 8,903, compared to k€ 7,838 in the first half of 2018 and an EBITDA of k€ 525, compared to k€ 300 in the first half of last year. The pro forma revenue in the first half of 2018 amounted to k€ 9,966 with an EBITDA of k€ -508. The pro forma results of the 2018 group are presented as if all companies included in the consolidation scope on 30 June 2019 contributed a full half year to the results.
(The reported revenue of k€ 7,838 was increased in the pro forma figures with k€ 1,335 (Crescent NV's revenue for the first five months), and the NE-IT revenue of k€ 793 for the first quarter to bring the total revenue to k€ 9,966.)
The net result of the group amounted to k€ -452 compared to k€ -20,044 in the first half of 2018, which was then mainly due to the goodwill impairment of Crescent NV as a result of the reverse takeover of May22, 2018.
The revenues and EBITDA of the three divisions were in the first semester:
In the Solutions division, Crescent NV (formerly Option NV) contributed EUR 1.8 million to the revenue increase, the pro forma revenue increase over the entire six months amounted to EUR 0.5 million; SAIT BV's revenue decreased by EUR 0.7 million. As far as EBITDA is concerned, SAIT BV’s EBITDA decreased by EUR 0.2 million to EUR -0.3 million, on the other hand Crescent NV’s EBITDA improved with EUR 0.3 million to EUR 0.4 million for the half-year. It needs to be noted that a one time net revenue of EUR 0.3 million was included in this result. The pro forma half-year EBITDA of Crescent NV improved by EUR 1.2 million.
The impact of the introduction of the new Cloudgate product family at the end of the second quarter is expected to further improve sales from the fourth quarter onwards.
For SAIT BV, the plan for the second semester was rewritten and a breakeven was targeted as an objective.
Revenue in the Services division improved mainly because of the addition of the activities of Ne-IT Hosting and Automatisering BV which were included for the full semester. Due to the integration of the IT services activities of Any-IT, and 2 Invision Managed Services, including the Belgian company, EBITDA could be improved by EUR 0.2 million.
The turnover of the Lighting division in the first half year reflected the general purchase reluctance in the Dutch home market. Demand is expected to pick up again in the second half of the year, and commercial efforts in South Africa are also expected to lead to sales orders.
Balance Sheet
Share Capital
The extraordinary shareholders’ Assembly of June 20, decided to reduce the capital of Crescent NV
from EUR 32,446,419 to EUR 3,857,902, incorporating the same amount from a part of the losses carried forward and also decided to reduce the share premium as booked in the unavailable "Share Premiums" account by EUR 17,608,896 to EUR 0, to incorporate another part of the losses carried forward.
As a result of this balance sheet operation, Crescent NV no longer registers as a company in difficulty.
The major shareholders per June 30 were:
(A) Eric Van Zele/Van Zele Holding
37.50%
(B) Jan Callewaert
10.59%
(C) Alychlo/Marc Coucke/Mylecke
10.29%
(D) Danlaw
7.59%
(E) Nanninga Beheer
3.43%
After June 30, the Company received a transparency declaration from Mr. Callewaert that its shareholding in Crescent was 9.64% on August 6; Alychlo reported the acquisition of an additional 20 million shares since June 30.
The updated shareholder information can be consulted on our website.
Financial debt
On June 30, 2019, the group had outstanding financial debts totaling k€ 6,100. The increase compared to the amount of k€ 4,814 at the end of December 2018 is mainly explained by the recognition of the lease obligations due to the first application of IFRS 16, which increased the financial debt by k€ 1,899. On the other hand, user rights to assets were added to the balance sheet for an amount of k€ 1,877.
Working Capital
Net working capital decreased by EUR 1.3 million, which is fully explained by the increased debt for the acquisition of Any-IT and 2 Invision Managed Services BV. This amount is due to Mr. Van Zele.
Board of Directors
At the Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting of June 20, the following independent directors were appointed for a period of six years: Mrs. Prof. dr. Liesbet VAN DER PERRE, S&S BVBA permanently represented Mrs. Prof. Dr. Sarah STEENHAUT and Mrs. Lieve DECLERCQ. Furthermore, MICHIELS INVEST & MANAGEMENT BVBA permanently represented by Mr. Johan MICHIELS was appointed as well.
Van Zele Holding NV, permanently represented by Mr. Eric VAN ZELE, CRESCEMUS BVBA
permanently represented by Mr. Pieter BOURGEOIS AND Mr. Raju DANDU were reappointed for a period of six years.
Acquisition of Uest nv
On July 5, 2019, the Group acquired 100% of the shares in Uest NV. The acquisition fits in with the Crescent group's strategy to grow through integrated IoT solutions and an expansion of the business portfolio. Uest NV produces, sells and supports personal alarm systems for seniors under the Zembro brand name. Zembro has developed a software service platform that will be deployed in other markets and further enhanced by Crescent's know-how. UEST NV will contribute to the group's revenue and EBITDA from the second semester onwards.
The acquisitions of Livereach Media Europe Bvba and Crescent Smart lighting BV have not yet been formally completed; this is expected to happen before the end of the year
Risk and uncertainties
Most of the risks and uncertainties are determined by the specific evolution of the markets in which Crescent is operating.
The reverse takeover in 2018 has de facto changed the risk profile of the Company and, on average, has decreased the level of risk because it is now active in three different markets, each with its own specific risks. Of course, the potential deterioration of the macroeconomic situation for the three segments will play a possible negative role that would not allow one segment to fully absorb the lesser results of the other. Furthermore, the new composition of the Group also influences the continuity position of the Group. Despite the continuing limited cash position, the Service and Lighting segments have shown that they are inherently cash-positive, and therefore able to compensate the negative results of the Solutions segment.
In the Services activities, there is the constant challenge of recruiting sufficient and competent IT profiles, in addition to constantly managing cyber risks both in the internal IT infrastructure and in that of the customers.
In the solutions segment and before addressing the specific risks for the sector in which Crescent NV (formerly Option NV) operates, the Company wishes to point out the cyclicality of the telecom market from which Aardingen Maro derives its most important revenues, and the risks inherent in SAIT BV's project business due to its ultimate responsibility as an integrator of solutions sold.
The market in which Crescent NV is active is characterized by the rapid and continuing introduction of new technologies. These inherently present a number of challenges, such as having the necessary competences available internally in order to be able to keep the products price / qualitatively competitive, and external procurement necessary to keep access to technology licenses within the defined product road map. In addition, every new product that is introduced to the market must be certified for radiation, safety and compatibility with current operator networks. Non-conformity in this certification process increases the risk of additional costs and lost income. Despite the worldwide growth of 18% in gateway sales in 2018, the adoption of IoT is different in the various continents and the correct positioning involves a challenge both for the choice of type of gateway type and for the adequate timing of market introduction, and hence bears a profitability risk. Within the contours of this IoT market, vigilance remains necessary to stay in order with the intellectual property rights of all parties involved, both competitors, suppliers and customers. If the expected explosion of the Internet of Things market continues, the number of devices connected to the Internet will grow enormously, which will also increase the risk of hacking and security incidents exponentially. The solutions that are offered will have to constantly take into account these cyber threats and evolve every time new risks arise.
In the Lighting division, on the one hand, there is the risk that the LED technology will be replaced by other technologies before the majority of existing normal luminaires have been replaced by LED, and on the other hand that the smart lighting solutions would not have filled this declining market in time.
For the entire group, we would like to discuss the continuity risk of the company:
At the end of December 2018, the drawdown of the current Belfius credit amounted to EUR 1.45 million and the drawdown of the additional credit line of Van Zele Holding NV amounted to EUR 0.4 million. The cash position stood at EUR 0.6 million. At the end of June 2019, the Belfius credit was increased to EUR 1.5 million, be it that the group has started to repay the investment credit (EUR 0.08 million during the first semester); the credit line of Van Zele Holding NV was still at EUR 0.4 million and the cash position stood at EUR 0.4 million and therefore remains limited. The gross financial debt amounted to EUR 4.8 million at the end of 2018 and amounted to EUR 4.2 million at the end of June 2019, increased by the EUR 1.9 million in rental and lease obligations resulting from the application of IFRS 16.
The debt position did not change significantly compared to the beginning of the year, although the reference shareholders have allowed the company additional loans to enable it to repay the remaining external bridge financing of EUR 0.5 million.
Management continues to believe that until the moment a positive cash flow is obtained in the Solutions segment, the EBITDA derived from the Services and Lighting segments should be capable of fully offsetting the negative EBITDA of the Solutions segment, which was not yet the case in the first half of the year however.
Anticipating the breakthrough of the new products launched by Crescent NV in the IOT market, the reference shareholders have promised their support to meet the cash needs in this interim period if the Company cannot yet generate the funds itself. For example, they increased their advances in the third quarter by EUR 0.6 million to support the liquidity position of the group.
The Board of Directors has taken the decision to reduce the company's debt position by year-end by incorporating all existing debts to shareholders as a result of the recent and the two still ongoing acquisitions, as well as the advances made by shareholders to improve the liquidity position, into capital. This contribution in kind will represent a nominal amount of approximately EUR 5 million. The Board of Directors also approved the issuance of a new warrant plan for senior management.
Based on the improvement in EBITDA and the debt reduction described above, the Board of Directors is of the opinion that the Company will have sufficient means to realize its plan in the coming years.
MANAGEMENT STATEMENT
Management declares that, to the best of their knowledge:
Full press release including tables - click here
Crescent Half year report 2019 - click here
CONTACT
Edwin Bex
Gaston Geenslaan 14
B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
FAX: +32 (0) 16 31 74 90
E-mail: investor@option.com
www.option.com
www.crescent-ventures.com
GEREGLEMENTEERDE INFORMATIE
Openbaarmaking transparantiekennisgevingen
(artikel 14, eerste lid, van de wet van 2 mei 2007 op de openbaarmaking van belangrijke deelnemingen)
Leuven, België – 9 augustus 2019 – 18u - Crescent (EURONEXT: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY )– heeft op 6 augustus 2019 een transparantiekennisgeving ontvangen van de Heer Callewaert, waaruit blijkt dat de deelnemingsdrempel van 10% werd onderschreden. De relevante gegevens van deze transparantiemelding is als volgt:
Reden van kennisgeving:
Verwerving of overdracht van stemrechtverlenende effecten of stemrechten.
Kennisgeving door:
Een persoon die alleen kennis geeft
Kennisplichtige persoon:
Jan Callewaert
Datum van drempeloverschrijding :
31/07/2019
Overschreden drempel
Hierdoor werd de drempel van 10% onderschreden.
Noemer: totaal aantal aandelen
1.368.839.925
Detail van de kennisgeving
Houder van stemrechten
Jan Callewaert
Vorige kennisgeving
38.245.047 stemrechten
Na de transactie
131.996.147 stemrechten verbonden aan effecten
9,64% stemrechten verbonden aan effecten
Meer details zijn beschikbaar op de website van CRESCENT:
https://www.option.com/about-investor/ & https://www.crescent-ventures.com/
Overeenkomstig de statuten, werd de drempel vanaf dewelke een deelneming moet worden bekendgemaakt, vastgesteld op 3 %.
CONTACT
Edwin Bex
Gaston Geenslaan 14
B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
FAX: +32 (0) 16 31 74 90
E-mail: investor@option.com
www.option.com
www.crescent-ventures.com
REGULATED INFORMATION - INSIDE INFORMATION
Crescent NV buys Uest NV ("ZEMBRO") and announces other acquisitions and changes in participation.
Leuven, Belgium – July 12, 2019 – 18h, Crescent NV, (Euronext Brussels: OPTI) and Alychlo NV & CAREvolution NV, report that the purchase/sale of UEST NV ("ZEMBRO") has been completed. All of the shares (100%) of UEST NV were hereby sold to Crescent NV.
After the rightsizing of Option NV and subsequent merger with Crescent NV, the group evolved into 4 Operating Divisions : IoT Devices, Managed Services, Lighting and IoT Solutions.
“This acquisition fits in the strategy of the Crescent Group to grow via integrated IoT solutions and an expansion of the activity portfolio in the important healthcare segment”, says Chairman Eric Van Zele.
UEST NV, under the brand name of "ZEMBRO", develops; markets and supports personal alarm systems for seniors and currently has more than 4,000 active users. Moreover ZEMBRO has also developed a very valuable software service platform, that –linked with the Crescent know-how– will be deployed into other markets (health, location monitoring , security, etc.).
"We see big opportunities to leverage and strengthen Zembro through the technology and marketing capabilities of Crescent NV, whilst capitalizing on their quality software platform” says Alain Van den Broeck, Division CEO.
“The combination of an integrated IoT player with the scale-up Uest (Zembro) is a very logical next step since both reference shareholders strongly believe that Crescent NV offers tremendous added value in terms of team, know how and network for the benefit and further profitable growth of Zembro” says Pieter Bourgeois (Investment Manager Alychlo NV).
Furthermore, the Board of Directors of Crescent NV has endorsed the purchase of LIVEREACH MEDIA EUROPE BVBA and CRESCENT SMART LIGHTING BV (NL) from VZH NV.
The addition of all these activities and companies should generate an increase in group revenues of EUR 1 million in the second half of the year, with positive EBITDA contributions.
All of the above acquisitions are funded by reference shareholders.
CONTACT
Edwin Bex
Crescent NV
Gaston Geenslaan 14
B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
FAX: +32 (0) 16 31 74 90
E-mail: investor@option.com
www.option.com
www.crescent-ventures.com
GEREGLEMENTEERDE INFORMATIE EN VOORWETENSCHAP
Crescent NV koopt Uest NV (« ZEMBRO ») en kondigt bijkomende overnames en participatiewijzigingen aan.
Leuven, België – 12 juli 2019 – 18u, Crescent NV, (Euronext Brussels: OPTI) en Alychlo NV & CAREvolution NV, melden dat de koop/verkoop van UEST NV (« ZEMBRO ») werd afgerond. Hierbij werden 100% van de aandelen van UEST NV verkocht aan Crescent NV.
Na de rightsizing van Option NV en samenvoeging met Crescent NV, evolueerde de groep naar 4 Operationele Divisies: IoT Devices, Managed Services, Lighting, and IoT Solutions. “Deze overname kadert in de strategie van de Crescent Groep om te groeien via geïntegreerde IoT oplossingen en een uitbreiding van het activiteiten portfolio in het belangrijke healthcare segment” zegt Voorzitter Eric Van Zele.
UEST NV, onder de merknaam “ZEMBRO” produceert, verkoopt en ondersteunt persoonlijke alarmsystemen voor senioren en heeft op vandaag 4.000 actieve klanten. ZEMBRO heeft daarvoor een software-serviceplatform ontwikkeld dat, gekoppeld aan de knowhow van Crescent, in andere markten zal ingezet worden (health, personen locatie, security, etc.).
“We zien een grote opportuniteit in het verder versterken van Zembro op basis van nieuwe technologie-bouwstenen van Crescent, en verder bouwend op het bestaande kwalitatieve software platform.” zegt Alain Van den Broeck, Divisie CEO.
“De combinatie van de geïntegreerde IoT speler met de scale-up Uest (Zembro) is een logische stap, beide Uest referentieaandeelhouders geloven er sterk in dat Crescent NV op vlak van team, kennis en netwerk een grote toegevoegde waarde bieden voor de verdere groei van Zembro .” zegt Pieter Bourgeois (Investment Manager Alychlo NV).
Verder heeft de Raad van Bestuur van Crescent NV ook beslist om LIVEREACH MEDIA EUROPE BVBA en CRESCENT SMART LIGHTING BV (NL) aan te kopen van VZH NV.
De toevoeging van al deze activiteiten en vennootschappen zou reeds in de tweede jaarhelft voor een stijging van de groepsomzet met 1miljoen EUR moeten zorgen, met een positieve EBITDA bijdrage. Al deze acquisities worden gefinancierd door referentie aandeelhouders.
CONTACT
Edwin Bex
Gaston Geenslaan 14
B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
FAX: +32 (0) 16 31 74 90
E-mail: investor@option.com
www.option.com
www.crescent-ventures.com
REGULATED INFORMATION - INSIDE INFORMATION
Leuven, Belgium – July 2, 2019 – 20h00, Crescent NV, Gaston Geenslaan 14, 3001 Heverlee (Euronext Brussels: OPTI) announces approval by the FSMA on July 2, 2019 of the prospectus in the context of the admission to the trading of 1,071,255,834 additional shares following the capital increase of May 22, 2018, in accordance with article 18, §2, d of the Prospectus Act of June 16, 2006.
The total number of listed shares of Crescent NV will therefore increase from 297,584,091 to 1,368,839,925. The new shares will be listed from July 17 at the latest.
Crescent NV has also added corrected consolidated financial statements 2018 on its website, which correct the results per share in the previously published financial statements.
CONTACT
Edwin Bex
Gaston Geenslaan 14
B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
FAX: +32 (0) 16 31 74 90
E-mail: investor@option.com
www.option.com
www.crescent-ventures.com
GEREGLEMENTEERDE INFORMATIE EN VOORWETENSCHAP
Leuven, België – 2 juli 2019 – 20u00, Crescent NV, Gaston Geenslaan 14, 3001 Heverlee (Euronext Brussels: OPTI) meldt goedkeuring door de FSMA op 2 juli 2019 van de gelijkwaardige informatieverstrekking in het kader van de toelating tot de verhandeling van 1.071.255.834 bijkomende aandelen naar aanleiding van de kapitaalverhoging van 22 mei 2018, overeenkomstig art.18, §2, d van de Prospectuswet van 16 juni 2006.
Het totaal aantal noterende aandelen van Crescent NV zal daardoor verhogen van 297.584.091 tot 1.368.839.925. De nieuwe aandelen zullen noteren uiterlijk 17 juli.
Crescent NV heeft op haar website eveneens een gecorrigeerde geconsolideerde jaarrekening 2018 toegevoegd, die het resultaat per aandeel corrigeert in de eerder gepubliceerde jaarrekening.
CONTACT
Edwin Bex
Gaston Geenslaan 14
B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
FAX: +32 (0) 16 31 74 90
E-mail: investor@option.com
www.option.com
www.crescent-ventures.com
Leuven, België – 19 June 2019 - 8h15. At today’s IoT Convention in Mechelen, Internet of Things agency Bagaar and Option announced that they will be joining forces. Bagaar will use Option’s communication technology to connect corporate technical installations to the industrial Internet. This helps industrial companies to intelligently automate analogue and digital industrial machines - in other words, to implement Industry 4.0.
Usually, the biggest challenge when making factories and industrial businesses ‘smart’ is the size of such digitisation projects, but through their new partnership, Bagaar and Option aim to tackle these together. “We’ll work with Option to develop our own communication module further and to use our combined, modular technology for new IoT projects”, says Ludo Wijckmans, CEO at Bagaar. “Option and Bagaar aim to offer an affordable way to connect every analogue or digital industrial device with the Internet, which enables companies to implement new processes such as predictive maintenance. Teaming up with Option will allow us to reach this goal quicker.”
IoT agency Bagaar develops prototypes for smart devices like smart bikes, energy meters and sensors. One of Bagaar’s sensor designs lets water companies measure the pressure in underground water pipes to detect leaks faster. Bagaar also provides technical services to connect companies to the Internet of Things. They develop the IoT plan and install the necessary sensors and communication modules.
Scale-up Bagaar enriched with decades of experience
Option has over 30 years of experience developing connectivity technologies. Their CloudGate IoT Gateway is a modular communication module for the Internet of Things which communicates through cellular networks, like 3G and 4G, and through low-power networks (LoRa, NB-IoT, LTE CaTm en BLE).
“Bagaar has the business and technical expertise to support industrial automation projects”, says Alain Van den Broeck, CEO at Option. “They can perform large-scale installations of our communication modules and successfully complete complex IoT projects. Together with Bagaar’s parent company Xylos, we’ll take care of our customers’ IoT and Industry 4.0 projects from A to Z.”
End-to-end service
Xylos will process data from connected devices in Microsoft Azure IoT, Microsoft’s Internet of Things cloud. Based on this analysis in Azure, businesses can optimise their production processes through automated bottleneck detection, avoid unnecessary costs through predictive maintenance, and much more.
Click here to see pictures of Ludo Wijckmans and Options CloudGate IoT Gateway here.
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About Option
With more than 20 years of experience and many industry’s firsts in the wireless industry, the Company is ideally positioned to bring the most efficient, reliable and secure wireless solutions to business markets and industrial markets. The Company partners with system integrators, value added resellers, application platform providers, value add distributors and network operators to bring tailor made solutions to end-customers. Option is headquartered in Belgium and is a brand of Crescent. More info on http://option.com
About Bagaar
Based on the philosophy that connected things accelerate processes and give organizations access to new markets and commercial models, the digital agency Bagaar specialized in product development for the Internet of Things. The IoT agency provides services for innovation, design and development of IoT solutions. Among other things, Bagaar designed the smart energy meter June, connected the smart bike Cowboy and developed sensors that measure the water pressure in Antwerp water pipes. Bagaar is located in Antwerp and has thirty employees. Since 2017 it is part of the Xylos Group. More info on http://bagaar.be.
CONTACT OPTION
Anne Mawet, marketing
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
CONTACT BAGAAR
Rachel Young, marketingmanager
T: +32 (0) 2 264 13 03
Press Contact
Factivity
Rafaël Tirmarche
T: +32 476 68 94 92
E: rafael@factivity.be
Leuven, België – 19 juni 2019 - 8h15, Het Internet of Things agency Bagaar en het technologiebedrijf Option, slaan de handen in elkaar. Dat hebben beide organisaties vandaag aangekondigd op de IoT Convention in Mechelen. Bagaar zal de communicatietechnologie van Option inzetten om technische installaties van bedrijven te koppelen met het industriële internet. Zo kunnen industriebedrijven analoge en digitale industriële machines slim automatiseren, industry 4.0 in vaktermen.
De grootste uitdaging om fabrieken en industriebedrijven ‘smart’ te maken is vaak de omvang van zulke digitaliseringsprojecten. Dat willen de nieuwe partners aanpakken. “Samen met Option gaan we onze eigen communicatiemodule verder ontwikkelen en onze gecombineerde, modulaire technologie inzetten bij nieuwe IoT-projecten”, zegt Ludo Wijckmans, CEO van Bagaar. “Option en Bagaar willen elk industrieel toestel - analoog of digitaal – betaalbaar koppelen met het internet, om nieuwe processen zoals ‘predictive maintenance’ te ontwikkelen. Door met Option in zee te gaan willen we die ambitie nog versnellen.”
IoT agency Bagaar ontwerpt prototypes van slimme toestellen zoals slimme fietsen of energiemeters, maar ook slimme sensoren. Met sensoren die Bagaar ontwierp, kunnen watermaatschappijen bijvoorbeeld de druk in ondergrondse waterleidingen meten en sneller lekken opsporen. Bagaar levert ook technische diensten om bedrijven te koppelen met het internet of things. Ze tekenen het IoT-plan uit en zorgen ook voor de installatie van sensoren en communicatiemodules.
Scale-up Bagaar haalt tientallen jaren ervaring op
Option heeft van zijn kant ruim dertig jaar ervaring met de ontwikkeling van connectiviteitstechnologieën. Met zijn CloudGate IoT Gateway beschikt het over een modulaire communicatiemodule voor het Internet of Things. Het toestel communiceert via cellulaire netwerken zoals 3G en 4G, maar ook via de zogenaamde low-powernetwerken LoRa, NB-IoT, LTE CaTm en BLE.
“Bagaar heeft de zakelijke en technische expertise om automatiseringsprojecten in de industrie te begeleiden”, zegt Alain van Den Broeck, CEO van Option. “Ze zijn in staat om onze communicatiemodules op grote schaal te installeren en complexe IoT-projecten tot een goed einde te brengen. Samen met Bagaars moederbedrijf Xylos helpen we klanten voortaan van begin tot eind bij hun IoT- en Industry 4.0-projecten.”
End-to-end dienst
Xylos zal de informatie van de gekoppelde toestellen verwerken in Microsoft Azure IoT, de internet-of-thingscloud van Microsoft. Aan de hand van de analyse in Azure kunnen bedrijven hun productie optimaliseren door onder meer geautomatiseerd bottlenecks te vinden of kosten besparen door bijvoorbeeld onderhoud meer voorspelbaar te maken.
Foto’s van Ludo Wijckmans en Options CloudGate IoT Gateway vindt u hier.
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Over Option
Met meer dan 30 jaar ervaring en een groot aantal wereldpremières in de mobiele technologie, is Option ideaal geplaatst om de meest efficiënte, betrouwbare en veilige draadloze oplossingen te stellen voor de bedrijfswereld en industriële markten. Het bedrijf werkt hiervoor samen met systeemintegratoren, value added resellers, application platform providers, distributeurs met toegevoegde waarde en netwerkoperatoren, om zo op maat gemaakte oplossingen aan eindklanten te kunnen voorstellen. Option heeft zijn hoofdkwartier in België en is een merk van Crescent. Meer info op http://option.com
Over Bagaar
Vanuit de filosofie dat connected things processen versnellen en organisaties toegang geven tot nieuwe markten en commerciële modellen, specialiseerde het digitale agentschap Bagaar zich in productontwikkeling voor het Internet of Things. Het IoT agency levert diensten voor innovatie, ontwerp en ontwikkeling van IoT-oplossingen. Bagaar ontwierp onder meer de slimme energiemeter June, connecteerde de slimme fiets Cowboy en ontwikkelde sensoren die de waterdruk in Antwerpse waterleidingen meten. Bagaar is gevestigd in Antwerpen en telt dertig medewerkers. Sinds 2017 maakt het deel uit van de Xylos Groep. Meer info op http://bagaar.be.
CONTACT OPTION
Anne Mawet, marketing
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
CONTACT BAGAAR
Rachel Young, marketingmanager
T: +32 (0) 2 264 13 03
Contact voor journalisten
Factivity
Rafaël Tirmarche
T: +32 476 68 94 92
E: rafael@factivity.be
Leuven, Belgique – 19 juin 2019 - 8h15, L’agence spécialisée dans l’internet des objets Bagaar et l’entreprise technologique Option ont décidé de conclure un partenariat. Les deux entreprises annoncent cette décision lors de l’IoT Convention qui a lieu à Malines ce 19 juin. Bagaar utilisera la technologie de communication d’Option pour connecter les installations techniques des entreprises à l’internet des objets industriels. De cette manière, les entreprises industrielles peuvent automatiser intelligemment des machines industrielles analogiques et numériques, c’est ce qu’on appelle l’« Industrie 4.0 » dans le jargon technique.
Le plus grand défi pour rendre les usines et les entreprises industrielles « intelligentes » est souvent la portée de ces projets de digitalisation. C’est précisément à ce problème que les nouveaux partenaires entendent s’atteler. « En partenariat avec Option, nous continuerons à développer notre propre module de communication et utiliserons notre technologie combinée et modulaire dans de nouveaux projets IoT », explique Ludo Wijckmans, CEO de Bagaar. « Option et Bagaar entendent connecter tous les appareils industriels - analogiques ou numériques - à internet à un prix abordable, afin de développer de nouveaux processus tels que la maintenance prédictive. En collaborant avec Option, nous voulons encore accélérer cette ambition. »
L’agence IoT Bagaar conçoit des prototypes d’appareils intelligents tels que des vélos ou des compteurs d’énergie, mais aussi des capteurs. Grâce aux capteurs intelligents conçus par Bagaar, les compagnies des eaux, par exemple, peuvent mesurer la pression dans les conduites d’eau souterraines et détecter plus rapidement les fuites. Bagaar fournit également des services techniques pour connecter les entreprises à l’internet des objets. Elle élabore le plan IoT et se charge de l’installation des capteurs et des modules de communication.
Bagaar va tirer parti de dizaines d’années d’expérience
Option a à son actif plus de trente ans d’expérience dans le développement de technologies de connectivité. Forte de sa passerelle IoT CloudGate, elle dispose d’un module de communication modulaire pour l’internet des objets. L’appareil communique via des réseaux cellulaires tels que 3G et 4G, mais aussi via les réseaux « basse consommation » LoRa, NB-IoT, LTE CaTm et BLE.
« Bagaar possède l’expertise opérationnelle et technique nécessaire pour soutenir les projets d’automatisation dans l’industrie », constate Alain van Den Broeck, CEO d’Option. « Elle est capable d’installer nos modules de communication à grande échelle et de mener à bonne fin des projets d’IoT complexes. En collaboration avec la société mère de Bagaar, Xylos, nous aidons désormais nos clients du début à la fin de leurs projets IoT et Industrie 4.0. »
Service de bout en bout
Xylos traitera les informations provenant des appareils connectés dans Microsoft Azure IoT, le cloud « internet des objets » de Microsoft. Sur la base de l’analyse d’Azure, les entreprises peuvent optimiser leur production, entre autres, en détectant automatiquement des goulets d’étranglement ou en réduisant les coûts, par exemple, en augmentant la prévisibilité de la maintenance.
Vous trouverez des photos de Ludo Wijckmans et de la passerelle IoT CloudGate d’Option en suivant ce lien.
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À propos d’Option
Ayant à son actif plus de 30 ans d’expérience et de nombreuses premières mondiales dans le domaine de la technologie mobile, Option est idéalement positionnée pour fournir les solutions sans fil les plus efficaces, les plus fiables et les plus sécurisées pour les entreprises et les marchés industriels. La société collabore à cet effet avec des intégrateurs de systèmes, des revendeurs à valeur ajoutée, des fournisseurs de plates-formes applicatives et des opérateurs de réseaux afin d’offrir des solutions sur mesure aux clients finaux. Option a établi son siège en Belgique et est une marque de Crescent. Plus d’informations sur http://option.com
À propos de Bagaar
Se basant sur la philosophie selon laquelle les objets connectés accélèrent les processus des entreprises et leur ouvrent les portes de nouveaux marchés et modèles commerciaux, l’agence numérique Bagaar s’est spécialisée dans le développement de produits pour l’internet des objets (IoT). L’agence IoT fournit des services d’innovation, de conception et de développement de solutions IoT. Bagaar a, entre autres, conçu le compteur d’énergie intelligent June, a connecté le vélo intelligent Cowboy, et a développé des capteurs qui mesurent la pression de l’eau dans les conduites d’eau anversoises. Bagaar est basée à Anvers et totalise trente collaborateurs. Elle fait partie du groupe Xylos depuis 2017. Plus d’informations sur http://bagaar.be.
CONTACT OPTION
Anne Mawet, marketing
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
CONTACT BAGAAR
Rachel Young, marketingmanager
T: +32 (0) 2 264 13 03
Contact pour les journalistes
Factivity
Rafaël Tirmarche
T: +32 476 68 94 92
E: rafael@factivity.be
REGULATED INFORMATION - INSIDE INFORMATION
Trading Update Q1 2019
Leuven, Belgium – May 20, 2019 – 19h00, Crescent NV, Gaston Geenslaan 14, 3001 Heverlee (Euronext Brussels: OPTI) During the first quarter of 2019 Crescent NV realized 4.8 mio €of revenues.
EBITDA for the quarter turned positive and the company maintains its outlook guidance of double digit growth for calendar 2019.
The board of directors will present the appointment of 4 independent directors to the general meeting of shareholders of 20 June.
Crescent will organize an extraordinary shareholder meeting (dd.20.06.2019) to enact a capital decrease through the absorption of accumulated & historic financial losses in order to improve its “equity to capital” ratio and lower its balance sheet. The net equity position of the company will not be affected by this operation and remains at 4.5 mio €.
CONTACT
Edwin Bex
Gaston Geenslaan 14
B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
FAX: +32 (0) 16 31 74 90
E-mail: investor@option.com
www.option.com
www.crescent-ventures.com
GEREGLEMENTEERDE INFORMATIE EN VOORWETENSCHAP
Trading Update Q1 2019
Leuven, België – 20 mei 2019 – 19u00, Crescent NV, Gaston Geenslaan 14, 3001 Heverlee (Euronext Brussels: OPTI) Crescent NV realiseerde in het eerste kwartaal van 2019 4,8 miljoen euro opbrengsten. De EBITDA voor het kwartaal werd positief en de onderneming handhaaft haar vooruitzichten voor groei met dubbele cijfers voor kalenderjaar 2019.
De raad van bestuur zal de benoeming van 4 onafhankelijke bestuurders voorleggen aan de algemene aandeelhoudersvergadering van 20 juni.
Crescent zal een buitengewone aandeelhoudersvergadering organiseren (dd.20.06.2019) om een kapitaalvermindering tot stand te brengen door de absorptie van overgedragen & historische financiële verliezen om de ratio eigen vermogen tot kapitaal te verbeteren. De eigen vermogenspositie van het bedrijf wordt niet beïnvloed door deze operatie en blijft op 4,5 miljoen €.
CONTACT
Edwin Bex
Gaston Geenslaan 14
B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
FAX: +32 (0) 16 31 74 90
E-mail: investor@option.com
www.option.com
www.crescent-ventures.com
REGULATED INFORMATION - INSIDE INFORMATION
Leuven, Belgium – May 20, 2019 – 21h00, Crescent NV, Gaston Geenslaan 14, 3001 Heverlee (Euronext Brussels: OPTI) today announced its unaudited results for the full fiscal year 2018 ended December 31, 2018. The financial information reported in this release is presented in Euros and has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of IFRS as adopted by the European Union. The accounting policies and methods of computation followed in the attached financial statements are essentially the same as those followed in the most recent annual financial statements.
Message from the Chairman When we solved the short-term cash need of Option NV in January 2017 through the sale of Innolumis BV, a long and difficult process for rescuing the company in a sustainable way and reviving it began immediately.With the loyal support of many small investors and a few strong reference shareholders, we succeeded in converting a huge financial debt of EUR 29 million into capital. At the same time, drastic measures were taken to reduce the workforce in a socially responsible manner and to quickly reduce recurring expenses to an affordable level without affecting the basic competencies of Option.These were important first tactical realizations within a rescue trajectory that few thought possible, but in which it was already clear at the time that we also had to take strategic action to put Option back on profitable tracks.Remediation to survive was one thing, but achieving sustainable growth was another challenge of a different order.In 2018 we were then able to ensure that Option’s shareholders’ equity was positive again through a reverse takeover with Crescent Ventures, which was absolutely necessary to reschedule and refinance EUR 3 million in non-financial debts via a credit line with Belfius and via extra cash and guarantees from reference shareholders and from Gigarant.With the arrival of Alain Van den Broeck at the head of the new integrated Crescent group and with Michallis Pashidis as CTO, we were able to significantly strengthen the senior management team shortly afterwards.We could now gradually start working on the strategic refocusing of the Crescent group with an increased focus on an IOT 'Systems and Solutions' profile and with an 'end to end' value creation story thanks to synergies with Innolumis (smart lighting) and with 2Invision ( managed services).On the one hand, we chose to quickly and drastically upgrade Option's cloudgate platform and to prepare a number of targeted investments in emerging vertical markets for smart lighting and smart energy systems. We recently received support from the government for the latter. The recovery of previously paid social security fines will also contribute to the elimination of the enormous debt burden that has weighed on the company for years.In addition, the acquisition of 100% of the shares of 2Invision Managed Services BV was recently brought to a successful conclusion and we expect the introduction of the new Cloudgate platform at Crescent NV to be imminent in the second quarter of 2019. The ultimate turn around is now really under construction.I am pleased that recently we have also been able to convince four very competent and professional Directors to assist us in this fascinating but difficult course and I take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone, who continued to believe in us and supported us in this ultimate rescue attempt, for their confidence.We are determined to complete this story successfully. The best is yet to come!
Eric Van Zele
From Option to Crescent
On May 22 , 2018, the Group acquired Option NV (currently Crescent NV) and its associated subsidiaries through a "reverse acquisition". A reverse acquisition occurs when the entity that issues securities (the acquiring party in the legal sense, in this case Option NV) is identified as the acquired party. Although Crescent Ventures NV (formerly Crescent NV) is legally the subsidiary, it is therefore regarded as the parent company for the purposes of the consolidated accounts. Crescent NV (formerly Option NV) is processed as the subsidiary. This transaction has considerably changed the financial position of Crescent NV, and has substantially changed the consolidated statements. It may also be emphasized that the 2018 consolidated income statement is not representative of a full year of operations of the group as compiled at the end of 2018, because on one hand only seven months of results from Crescent NV were included and that its expenses also include non-recurring costs (EUR 497,000 in severance pay and EUR 391,000 in costs related to the reverse acquisition), and on the other hand only nine months of results from NE-IT Automatisering BV and NE-IT Hosting BV that were acquired at the end of March 2018. The pro forma turnover of the group for a full year of operations would have amounted to EUR 18.8 million for a REBITDA of EUR (0.6) million.The explanation for the largest movements from 2017 to 2018 in the profit and loss statement and the balance sheet are the result of the aforementioned reverse takeover, but also of the evolution of other changes in the composition of the group from one year to the next. Innolumis Public Lighting BV joined the group on 31 May 2017, and NE-IT as mentioned above on 31 March 2018.
Overview of results and allocation of results of the Company
Consolidated results
For a detailed report on the consolidated Income Statement and Balance Sheet, we refer to the financial report below.
The highlights of the consolidated results of 2018 include the following (in thousands EUR):
2018
2017
Revenues
16 675
11 383
EBIT
(25 859)
(1 891)
Depreciations and amortizations
23 298
1 322
EBITDA
(2 561)
(569)
Non-recurring expenses
2 366
311
REBTIDA
(195)
(259)
Financial Result
492
(65)
Result before taxes
(25 367)
(1 956)
Net result:
(25 032)
(2 638)
Attributable to shareholders Crescent
(25 262)
(2 459)
Attributable to non-controlling interest
230
(178)
The following table shows the analysis of the most important movements in revenue between 2017 and 2018 (Thousands EUR): Innolumis achieved a turnover of 4,352,000 EUR in 2018, which is an increase of almost 11% compared to 2017; in 2018, the company contributed to the group's revenues throughout the complete year, whereas this was only seven months in 2017, implying a turnover increase of EUR 1,783,000 for the group.The acquisition of the two NE-ITs by 2Invision Managed Services BV was signed on 31 March 2018. They contributed to the group's revenue for EUR 2,351,000. Together they achieved a revenue of EUR 3,192,000 in 2018, an increase of 20% compared to 2017.Crescent NV (formerly Option NV) was only included in the group results in the last seven months of 2018, which led to a contribution of EUR 2,073,000 to the increase in group revenue, but which meant a decrease in revenue for the company itself with 35% compared to 2017. This decrease can only be attributed to the lower sales of the Cloudgate products whose introduction of the new announced gamma was postponed by six months until the second quarter of 2019 due to certification problems.SAIT BV also had to take a 20% fall in turnover in 2018. The total turnover in 2018 amounted to EUR 3,619,000, a decrease of EUR 942,000 compared to 2017. The two causes were, on the one hand, the delayed completion of several large projects and, on the other hand, the reduced portfolio of new projects. The impact of previous revenue changes on REBITDA 2018 is shown in the following table (Thousands EUR):
The above table clearly shows the correlation between the increased or decreased revenue and the contribution to the group REBITDA, with the only exception being the results of Crescent NV, where the increased revenue for the group contributed negatively to the group result. Crescent NV realized a negative EBITDA of EUR 2 million in 2018, of which EUR 888,000 were non-recurring expenses. However, this was a deterioration of EBITDA by EUR 220,000 compared to 2017, despite the cost reduction of EUR 1 million in 2018. The negative net result of 2018 of EUR 25,859,000 was largely impacted by the impairment on the initial goodwill of EUR 28,040,000 resulting from the valuation of Crescent NV during the reverse acquisition. This goodwill was reduced to EUR 4,420,000 through a write-down of EUR 23,620,000.
In line with the internal follow-up of its activities, the company has divided its activities into the following segments: • Solutions - contains all activities related to the production of data cards, USB devices, routers and built-in modules, the end-to-end service offering as well as the activities related to building and maintaining telecom, earthing and lightning installations and installations for wireless communication in closed spaces; This segment includes Crescent NV, SAIT BV and Aardingen Maro Bvba • Services - contains all services related to the management of the IT environment and software for customers in public and private data center environments, as well as for small and medium-sized companies; the companies that belong to this segment are 2Invision Managed Services BV in the Netherlands, and NV in Belgium, furthermore the NE-ITs and the service division of SAIT BV. • Lighting - contains all activities related to LED street lighting and currently corresponds to the Innolumis company.
The following is an analysis of the Group's revenue and operating results per reported segment:
REBITDA contributions from the Services and Lighting segments were positive for resp. EUR 336,000 and EUR 175,000, but due to the negative REBITDA of the Solutions segment of EUR 706,000, the total REBITDA for the group amounted to EUR (195,000).
The following are the most important items in the balance sheet at the end of 2018 (Thousands EUR):
Equity increased as a result of the reverse takeover, but goodwill was increased accordingly. Full details of the description of the processing and the underlying assumptions can be found in the notes to the financial report. On May 22 , 2018, the extraordinary shareholders meeting of Crescent NV approved a capital increase by the contribution in kind of financial debts amounting to EUR 11,300,117 and by the contribution in kind of the shares of Crescent Ventures NV amounting to EUR 10,125,000.The issued capital of the company thus amounts to EUR 36,304,321, and the number of shares increased from 297,584,091 to a total of 1,368,839,925.All reports regarding this extraordinary shareholders meeting are available online at:
http://www.option.com/about-investor/.
Before the aforementioned contribution of financial debt was made on 22 May, various shareholders had made new financial resources available in early 2018 for an amount of EUR 2.1 million. These were also contributed on 22 May.
On September 27, the company announced that the credit agreement with Belfius Bank to refinance and restructure the remaining non-financial historical debt obligations (EUR 1.5 million) and to support the company with a working capital credit line of EUR 1.5 million was signed after approval by Gigarant.At year end this is drawn in total for resp. EUR 1.45 million and EUR 1.5 million.In addition, Van Zele Holding NV has responded to the request from Belfius and Gigarant to provide an additional credit line of EUR 0.5 million as an additional buffer if certain assumptions in the Group's liquidity plan could not be realized. EUR 0.4 million of this credit line was called up at year-end.
Statutory results
Full year sales amounted to EUR 3.4 million, a decrease of 35% compared to the previous financial year. This decrease was determined in both products and engineering services, on the one hand by postponing the introduction of the new CloudGate mini and micro gamma to 2019, and on the other by the decrease in engineering services for Danlaw Inc. Operating expenses decreased from EUR 7.5 million to EUR 4.0 million, resulting in a negative operating result or EBIT of EUR 2.1 million, the same as in 2017. In this result, EUR 0.9 million of non-recurring expenses were recognized in 2018 (EUR 0.5 million severance pay and EUR 0.4 million related to the reverse acquisition). Financial income includes a non-recurring income of EUR 0.2 million thanks to the sale of the shares that the company held in Autonet Mobile Inc. These were fully amortized in the accounts in the previous financial year.The financial costs decreased from EUR 0.4 million in 2017 to EUR 0.1 million in 2017, mainly due to the decrease in financial debts. With a loss of EUR 2.0 million, the net result remained approximately at the same level as in 2017 (EUR 2.1 million). The main movements in the balance sheet are explained by the contribution of Crescent Ventures NV to the capital of the Company for EUR 10.1 million and contribution of financial debts for a total amount of EUR 11.3 million. For the main assumptions and sensitivities of the underlying valuation, we refer to note 9 of the consolidated annual report.
As a result, the capital increased from EUR 14.9 million to EUR 36.3 million, the financial fixed assets increased to EUR 10.2 million and the current financial debts decreased by EUR 7.0 million and the non-current financial debts with EUR 1.8 million. In addition, shareholders made an additional EUR 2.1 million available at the beginning of 2018, which were also converted into capital. The existing non-current financial debt of EUR 0.4 million concerns a debt to Van Zele Holding NV, which was mainly used to grant an advance to the subsidiary Crescent Ventures for the purchase of the minority interests in 2Invision Managed Services BV.Belfius Bank also allowed a credit line of EUR 1.5 million, 60% guaranteed by Gigarant NV. As security for this credit line, the trading fund and the acquired shares in Crescent Ventures NV were pledged.EUR 1.45 million of this credit line was withdrawn at the end of 2018. This was mainly used to reduce the outstanding debts to social security charges, taxes and suppliers. On a balance sheet total of EUR 12.4 million, total equity amounted to EUR 4.5 million on December 31, 2018.
Allocation of the statutory result
The Board of Directors proposes to add the non-consolidated net loss of EUR 2.0 million of 2018 to the loss carried forward from the previous years. The loss carried forward increases from EUR 48 million to EUR 50 million.
Significant events that took place after the end of the financial year
The cash position of the group remains limited, but the reference shareholders have indicated that they continue to support the company. This was also made concrete in April 2019 by Van Zele Holding NV by providing an additional credit line of € 450,000, of which € 325,000 was immediately paid-in, and by Alychlo NV by an additional loan of € 400,000 that was also paid-in.In addition, smaller shareholders also promised a total of € 200,000. The agreements for the acquisition of the minority interests (40.5%) of 2Invision Managed Services BV were also definitively finalized on 27 March 2019. The remaining shares held by AJUST B.V. and PP Technology Group B.V. were acquired for a total amount of EUR 1,065,000. Of this, EUR 325,000 was paid as an advance in 2018 by a cash payment and EUR 740,000 was paid in 2019 through delivery of shares in the share capital of Crescent NV. The value of the majority of these shares is set at € 0.02. The number of shares to be delivered amounts thus to 34,157,500. On 13 April 2019 an addendum was signed to the agreement for the takeover of the two NE-IT companies. This provides for a new arrangement for the amounts still to be paid for the acquisition. The final installment (of the Purchase Price) of EUR 700,000 is paid as follows. An amount of EUR 160,000 was paid on April 26, 2019 and an amount of EUR 74,000 will be paid on May 31, 2019. With regard to the (remaining) amount of EUR 466,000, it is agreed that this will be paid by Crescent Ventures by means of delivery of bearer shares in the share capital of Crescent, subject to the provisions in sub b. The value of each share is set at EUR 0.04. Delivery of the shares will take place in the following manner:a. The seller is entitled to the delivery of 11,650,000 bearer shares in the share capital of Crescent. Crescent Ventures is obliged to deliver the aforementioned number of freely tradable shares within 31 days after the aforementioned number has been issued by Crescent, but no later than 31 August 2019 to the seller's securities account.b. The seller is aware that on 13 April 2019 Crescent Ventures does not have freely tradable shares in Crescent's share capital. If Crescent Ventures does not succeed in delivering the shares referred to in the aforementioned article on time, then the Seller will be entitled to payment of the remaining amount of EUR 466,000 in respect of the Purchase Price to the Buyer. This claim will then become due on September 14, 2019. For the obligations regarding the acquisition of the minority interests of 2Invision Managed Services BV, Van Zele Holding NV has stated its willingness to take over this temporarily from Crescent NV.After payment of the advance of EUR 325,000 in 2018, Crescent Ventures NV still had to deliver a total of 31,315,000 shares of Crescent NV to the minority shareholders in April 2019 and 2,842,500 shares before the end of July 2019. At the end of 2018, the Company submitted a request for remission of contribution surcharges to the National Social Security Office. In April 2019, she received a message that the fines paid were fully waived for the years 2013 to 2017 in the amount of € 603,000. This amount may be deducted from the following payments of social debts. This amount will be included in the 2019 results; the cash expenditure of 2019 will therefore be estimated to decrease by € 480,000, that of 2020 by € 123,000.
CRITICAL JUDGEMENTS
Going concern
In 2018, the group took a number of crucial steps in its ambition to refocus and restructure itself. On May 22, 2018, all but EUR 0.5 million of external financing debts (convertible bond loans and bridge financing) were contributed to the capital and the activities of Crescent Ventures were also contributed.This enabled the group to conclude an additional credit financing with Belfius in September 2018, 60% guaranteed by Gigarant. This has enabled the Group to improve its liquidity position, on the one hand by rescheduling the short-term financial debt by EUR 1.25 million to the long-term, and on the other by an additional credit line of EUR 1.5 million that has been used to pay off a number of overdue debts. In addition, Van Zele Holding NV has responded to the request from Belfius and Gigarant to provide an additional credit line of EUR 0.5 million as an additional buffer if certain assumptions in the Group's liquidity plan could not be realized.At the end of December 2018, however, the drawdown of the Belfius loan was already EUR 1.45 million and the drawdown of the additional credit line of Van Zele Holding amounted to EUR 0.4 million. The cash position at the end of December remains limited at EUR 0.6 million. The gross financial debt amounted to EUR 4.6 million at that time.
The realization of the various three-year plans should furthermore allow more than to supplement the liquidity shortages still foreseen in some companies with cash surpluses in others. The result and cash generation trends in the lighting and services segments look positive and compensate for the cash deficits of the companies in the Solutions segment, which still weigh on the liquidity position of the group.With the introduction of some new products from the second quarter of 2019 and the move towards solutions and software, management expects that the cash losses of Crescent NV can also be stopped, so that this company will gradually start contributing to positive cash flows. Although the board of directors has full confidence in the realization of the three-year plan for the group, for a number of activities in the group these represent a trend break or acceleration compared to the past. There is therefore a risk that this change in turnover could be delayed and the ambitious plans not realized, which could increase the pressure on the liquidity position. This liquidity pressure was also increased in April 2019 by the last repayment of a remaining bridge financing of EUR 0.5 million, which forced the group to obtain additional financing from the reference shareholders. At the beginning of April 2019, Van Zele Holding NV and Alychlo NV made funds available for EUR 325,000 and EUR 400,000 respectively, and in addition to Van Zele Holding NV, which will also further pay-in EUR125,000, other existing shareholders were willing to pay together another EUR 200,000.The current reference shareholders have indicated their intention to provide the company with the necessary resources to achieve its objectives and to meet the urgent working capital needs, and the board of directors is confident that this will happen if necessary.
In addition, the Company is continuing to negotiate with some suppliers to agree or revise payment plans, so that this can also be absorbed within existing cash projections without the need for additional financing.
The Board of Directors is of the opinion that through the combination of these measures and the successful completion of the actions already taken, the Company will have sufficient funds over the next 12 months to realize its plan and confirms herewith its valuation rules regarding going concern.
Full press release including tables here & on www.option.com/about-investor
CONTACT
Edwin Bex
Gaston Geenslaan 14
B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
FAX: +32 (0) 16 31 74 90
E-mail: investor@option.com
www.option.com
www.crescent-ventures.com
Half Year + Full Year 2018 results:
Annual Report 2018:
Half year 2019 results & Interim Financial report:
Monday September 30, 2019 - before market trading
Annual Shareholders Meeting: Thursday June 20, 2019 in Leuven (Belgium).
Half jaar + volledig jaar 2018 resultaten:
maandag 20 mei 2019
Jaarverslag 2017:
Half jaar 2018 resultaten en Tussentijds Financieel verslag:
Algemene aandeelhoudersvergadering: donderdag 20 juni 2019 in Leuven (België).
Financial News 2015 onwards - see Reports & Publications
Financial News 2015 / Financieel Nieuws 2015
Financial News 2014 / Financieel Nieuws 2014
Financial News 2013 / Financieel Nieuws 2013
Financial News 2012 / Financieel Nieuws 2012
Financial News 2011 / Financieel Nieuws 2011
Financial News 2010 / Financieel Nieuws 2010
Financial News 2009 / Financieel Nieuws 2009
Financial News 2008 / Financieel Nieuws 2008
Financial News 2007 / Financieel Nieuws 2007
Financial News 2006 / Financieel Nieuws 2006
Financial News 2005 / Financieel Nieuws 2005
Financial News 2004 / Financieel Nieuws 2004
Financial News 2003 / Financieel Nieuws 2003
Financial News 2002 / Financieel Nieuws 2002
Statutory Accounts – Enkelvoudige Jaarrekeningen 2018
Statutory Accounts – Enkelvoudige Jaarrekeningen 2017
Statutory Accounts – Enkelvoudige Jaarrekeningen 2016
Statutory Accounts – Enkelvoudige Jaarrekeningen 2015
Statutory Accounts – Enkelvoudige Jaarrekeningen 2014
Statutory Accounts – Enkelvoudige Jaarrekeningen 2013
Statutory accounts 2005 to 2012 - see Shareholders' meetings - Ordinary General meetings 2005 to 2012.
GELIJKWAARDIGE INFORMATIEVERSTREKKING
IN HET KADER VAN DE TOELATING TOT VERHANDELING
VAN 1.071.255.834 BIJKOMENDE AANDELEN
(artikel 18, § 2, d) van de Prospectuswet van 16 juni 2006)
Op grond van artikel 18, § 2, d) van de Wet van 26 juni 2006 op de openbare aanbieding van beleggingsinstrumenten en de toelating tot de verhandeling op een gereglementeerde markt, wordt de onderstaande gelijkwaardige informatie ter beschikking gesteld :
GELIJKWAARDIGE INFORMATIEVERSTREKKING
IN HET KADER VAN DE TOELATING TOT VERHANDELING
VAN 116.464.000 BIJKOMENDE AANDELEN - 27 juni 2017
(artikel 18, § 2, d) van de Prospectuswet van 16 juni 2006)
Bijlage A - Bijzonder verslag van de raad van bestuur overeenkomstig artikel 602 van het wetboek van vennootschappen
Bijlage B - Verslag van de commissaris overeenkomstig artikel 602 van het wetboek van vennootschappen
Bijlage B2 - Brief Deloitte Correctie Inbreng in natura
Bijlage C - Akte kapitaalverhoging
Bijlage D - Coördinatie statuten Option NV
Bijlage E - Corporate Governance Charter Option NV
Bijlage F - Jaarverslag en jaarrekening 2013
Bijlage G - Jaarverslag en jaarrekening 2014
Bijlage H - Jaarverslag en jaarrekening 2015
Bijlage I - Jaarverslag en jaarrekening 2016
Bijlage J – Halfjaarcijfers 2016
Bijlage K - Persberichten
GELIJKWAARDIGE INFORMATIEVERSTREKKING
IN HET KADER VAN DE TOELATING TOT VERHANDELING
VAN 82.677.545 BIJKOMENDE AANDELEN
(artikel 18, § 2, d) van de Prospectuswet van 16 juni 2006)
Bijlage A - Bijzonder verslag van de raad van bestuur overeenkomstig artikel 602 van het wetboek van vennootschappen
Bijlage B - Verslag van de commissaris overeenkomstig artikel 602 van het wetboek van vennootschappen
Bijlage C - Akte kapitaalverhoging
Bijlage D - Coördinatie statuten Option NV
Bijlage E - Corporate Governance Charter Option NV
Bijlage F - Jaarverslag en jaarrekening 2013
Bijlage G - Jaarverslag en jaarrekening 2014
Bijlage H - Jaarverslag en jaarrekening 2015
Bijlage I - Halfjaarcijfers 2016
Bijlage J – Jaarcijfers 2016
Bijlage K - Persberichten
KAPITAALSTRUCTUUR CRESCENT NV
Laatste update: augustus 2019
CAPITAL STRUCTURE CRESCENT NV
Last update: August 2019
Transparency filing
In accordance with the requirements of the current legislation on the disclosure of major participations in issuers of which shares are admitted to trading on a ‘regulated market’, are any natural or legal person who, directly or indirectly, acquire or resign shares or other voting granting financial instruments of the company, whether or not they represent capital, compulsory by the law applicable at that time, are obliged to inform both the Company and the FSMA of the number of financial instruments owned as well as the percentage of existing voting rights whenever the voting rights are attached to these financial instruments reach a first time three percent (3%) and then five percent (5%) or a multiple of five percent (5%), exceed or fall below such percentage. The involved shareholders must comply with the statutory requirements and regulations in this regard.
Overeenkomstig de voorschriften van de vigerende wetgeving inzake de`openbaarmaking van belangrijke deelnemingen in emittenten waarvan aandelen zijn toegelaten tot de verhandeling op een gereglementeerde markt', is elke natuurlijke of rechtspersoon die, rechtstreeks of onrechtstreeks, aandelen of andere stemrecht verlenende financiële instrumenten van de vennootschap, die al dan niet het kapitaal vertegenwoordigen, verwerft of afstaat, verplicht in de omstandigheden voorzien door de op dat ogenblik toepasselijke wetgeving, zowel de vennootschap als de FSMA kennis te geven van het aantal financiële instrumenten dat hij bezit, alsook het percentage van de bestaande stemrechten, telkens wanneer de stemrechten verbonden aan deze financiële instrumenten een eerste maal drie procent (3%) en vervolgens vijf procent (5%) of een veelvoud van vijf procent (5%) bereiken, overschrijden of beneden zulk percentage zakken. De betrokken aandeelhouders dienen zich te conformeren naar de wettelijke voorschriften ter zake.
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- Declaration of interest / Kennisgeving 2018
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Shareholders’ meeting
Extraordinary General Meeting - 20 December 2019
Convocation Extraordinary General Meeting (including agenda) (NL) CORRECTIE (Q NIEUW UIT TE GEVEN AANDELEN)
Ordinary General Meeting - 20 June 2019
Extraordinary General Meeting - 20 June 2019
Ordinary General Meeting - 15 June 2018
Extraordinary General Meeting - 22 May 2018
Ordinary General Meeting – 31 May 2018
Extraordinary General Meeting - 2 May 2018
Extraordinary General Meeting - 30 June 2017
Ordinary General Meeting – 30 June 2017
Extraordinary General Meeting - 12 June 2017
PREVIOUS Shareholder's meetings
Ordinary General Meeting – 31 May 2016
Extraordinary General Meeting - 26 June 2015
Extraordinary General Meeting - 29 May 2015
Ordinary General Meeting – 29 May 2015
Extraordinary General Meeting – 31 May 2013
Official By-Laws in Dutch (PDF), May 2018
GEREGULEERDE INFORMATIE
Leuven, België – 10 maart 2017 - Option (EURONEXT: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY ) publiceert de informatie zoals vereist in artikel 15, § 1 van de Wet van 2 mei 2007 op de openbaarmaking van belangrijke deelnemingen in beursgenoteerde bedrijven.
Informatie per 6 maart 2017:
Meer details zijn beschikbaar op de website van Option:
http://www.option.com/about_sub_pages/capital-structure-nl
Overeenkomstig Option’s statuten, werd de drempel vanaf dewelke een deelneming moet worden bekendgemaakt, vastgesteld op 3 %.
CONTACT
Steve Theunissen, General Counsel
Gaston Geenslaan 14
B-3001 Leuven, België
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
FAX: +32 (0) 16 31 74 90
E-mail: investor@option.com
REGULATED INFORMATION
Leuven, Belgium – March 10, 2017 – Option N.V. (EURONEXT Brussels: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY), discloses the information required under article 15, § 1 and article 18, § 1 of the Law of 2 May 2007 regarding the disclosure of important shareholdings in listed companies.
Information per March 6, 2017:
More details are available on Option’s website: http://www.option.com/about_sub_pages/capital-structure-uk
According to Option’s bylaws, the threshold as from which a shareholding needs to be disclosed, has been set at 3%.
CONTACT
Steve Theunissen, General Counsel
Gaston Geenslaan 14
B-3001 Leuven, België
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
FAX: +32 (0) 16 31 74 90
E-mail: investor@option.com
Deze informatie wordt gepubliceerd op www.option.com
FINANCIAL NOTIFICATION
Regulated Information – Inside information
LEUVEN – Belgium – March 8, 2017 – The Company announces that an agreement has been reached among Option and its major financial creditors. This should enable the Company to execute its business plan in 2017.
Within the context of a new business plan for 2017, Option developed a restructuring plan focusing on three areas:
- Significant restructuring of the debt on Option’s balance sheet through conversion into the capital, with regard to the existing bonds for an amount of EUR 11,721,000 of out of a total nominal amount of EUR 22,500,000 and with regard to the existing bridge loans for an amount of EUR 432,600.
- Changes in the Board of Directors and the management of the company; including the appointment of Mr. Eric Van Zele as chairman of the Board and the start of the search for a new CEO.
- New financing for the Company through a bridge loan of 2,6 m€.
Option issued a total of EUR 27,000,000 of convertible bonds, as follows:
- On 28 March 2013, Option issued 90 convertible bonds, each one at EUR 100,000, totalling EUR 9,000,000 (the 2013 Convertible Bonds) of which EUR 5,000,000 is still outstanding .
- On 11 April 2014, Option issued 120 convertible bonds, each one at EUR 100,000, totalling EUR 12,000,000 (the 2014 Convertible Bonds) of which EUR 11,500,000 is still outstanding .
- On 6 November 2015, Option issued 60 convertible bonds, each one at EUR 100,000, totalling EUR 6,000,000 (the 2015 Convertible Bonds) of which EUR 6,000,000 is still outstanding .
Most bondholders, covering over 95% of the outstanding nominal value of the bond loans of the Company prior to transaction, have agreed to restructure the bond loans subject to approval on the Shareholders’ Meeting. All bond loans will be extended to 5 November 2020 with lower interest rates and a reduced exercise price.
As part of the agreement a total of EUR 11,721,000 of receivables under the convertible bond loans have been converted into shares by means of a capital increase in kind within the authorized capital by a Board decision of 6 March 2017.
The bondholders will be offered the possibility to contribute the remaining part of their bonds into the capital of the Company on a next Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting.
Option issued a total of EUR 4,650,000 in bridge loans during the period 2015-2016.
Most lenders of bridge loans, covering over 95% of the value of bridge loans, have agreed to extend their bridge loans to expire on 28 February 2019 and to reduce the interest rates.
As part of the agreement a total of EUR 432,600 of receivables under the bridge loans have been converted into shares by means of a capital increase in kind within the authorized capital by a Board decision of 6 March 2017.
The lenders will be offered the possibility to contribute their remaining receivables in share capital of the Company on a next Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting.
The contribution of a total of EUR 12,153,600 receivables under bridge and bond loans was executed at EUR 0.147 per share, which equals the 30 days average closing stock price before the day of the transaction. For each new share, EUR 0.05 was accounted as new capital and EUR 0.097 was booked as issue premium.
As a result of the capital increase, 82,677,545 new shares were created, bringing the total number of shares, subject to approval for listing on Euronext, from 98,442,546 today to 181,120,091 shares after listing.
The capital of the Company has been increased with EUR 4,133,877.25 bringing the share capital of EUR 4,922,127.30 before capital increase to EUR 9,056,004.55 after capital increase. A total of EUR 8,019,722.75 is booked as premium issue.
As part of the agreement, most bondholders, covering over 95% of the outstanding nominal value of the bond loans before transaction, have agreed to participate in 2.6 mio EUR of new funding for the Company.
These funds are structured as a new 2 years loan at 1% interest during the first year and 2% in the second year.
With the current sales outlook for 2017 and the renewed efforts of Option’s stakeholders, Option will be able to execute its business plan for 2017 in going concern.
Finally Option announces changes to the Board and management team as follows:
Qunova BVBA, represented by Jan Vorstermans, has been replaced by Crescemus BVBA, represented by Mr. Pieter Bourgeois. Option thanks Jan Vorstermans for the years of commitment he showed to Option, its Board and management.
Mr Eric Van Zele joins the Board as new Chairman as from 7 March 2017.
As from 7 March 2017 the Board of directors of Option consists of following the 6 directors:
Eric Van Zele currently serves as Chairman of Reynaers Aluminium and Crescent NV. He was recently appointed chairman of the E17 network of hospitals and of the Hermes decision committee of The Flemish agency for Innovation and entrepreneurship. He continues to serve as a director of Barco NV .
Prior to his current mandates Eric served as president and Ceo of Barco NV in Kortrijk from 2009 thru 2016.
He served as CEO of Pauwels International (from 2004 thru 2008) and of Telindus nv (2000 thru 2003). Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Raychem Corporation in Menlo park, CA, USA and as Managing Director of Raychem nv in Leuven, Belgium. (1972 thru 1999).
He was nominated “Manager of the Year in 2012” and “ICT Personality of 2013”.
Eric holds a masters degree in electrical and mechanical engineering from the KUL in Leuven (1972) and postgraduate degrees in management from Stanford University (1992 CA, USA).
Pieter Bourgeois, 39, is an Investment Manager at Alychlo NV, the investment firm of Belgian entrepreneur Marc Coucke. Mr. Bourgeois holds a Masters Degree in Industrial Engineering and is an MBA from the Solvay Brussels School of Economics & Management.
Option is honoured and welcomes Mr Bourgeois as new director and Mr Van Zele as new Chairman of the Board.
Mr Jan Callewaert remains managing director ad interim until a new CEO has been appointed. Mr Callewaert replaced Frank Deschuytere as daily manager when Mr Deschuytere left the Company on 9 March 2016.
Within Option executive management team, Option regrets the departure of Jan Luyckx as CFO. Edwin Bex, former CFO at Telindus NV, has been appointed as new CFO.
For more information please contact:
Investors Relations
Gaston Geenslaan 14
B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
FAX: +32 (0) 16 31 74 90
E-mail: investor@option.com
ABOUT OPTION
Option connects Things to the Cloud. With more than 20 years of experience and many industry’s firsts in the wireless industry, the Company is ideally positioned to bring the most efficient, reliable and secure wireless solutions to business markets (B2B) and industrial markets (M2M). The Company partners with system integrators, value added resellers, application platform providers, value add distributors and network operators to bring tailor made solutions to end-customers. Option is headquartered in Belgium and maintains offices in Europe, the US, Greater China and Australia. More information: www.option.com
Copyright ©2017 OPTION. All rights reserved. All product and company names herein may be (registered) trademarks or trade names.
FINANCIËLE INFORMATIE
Gereglementeerde Informatie – Voorkennis
LEUVEN – België – 8 maart 2017 – De Vennootschap kondigt aan dat een akkoord werd bereikt met de grootste financiële schuldeisers. Dit akkoord zou de Vennootschap in staat moeten stellen om haar businessplan in 2017 uit te voeren.
Binnen het kader van een nieuw businessplan voor 2017 heeft Option een herstructureringsplan uitgewerkt, gericht op drie punten:
- Significante herstructurering van schulden op de balans van Option door conversie van schulden in kapitaal, voor een bedrag van EUR 11.721.000 op een totaal bedrag van EUR 22.500.000 uitstaande nominale obligatieleningen, en voor een bedrag van EUR 432.600 voor wat betreft overbruggingskredieten.
- Wijzigingen binnen de Raad van bestuur en binnen het management; inbegrepen de benoeming van de heer Eric Van Zele als nieuwe Voorzitter van de Raad van bestuur en de opstart van de zoektocht naar een nieuwe CEO.
- Nieuwe financiering via een overbruggingskrediet van EUR 2.6 mio.
Option heeft voor een totaalbedrag van EUR 27.000.000 aan obligatieleningen uitgegeven, als volgt:
- Op 28 maart 2013 heeft Option 90 converteerbare obligaties uitgegeven, elk voor EUR 100.000 per obligatie dat het totaalbedrag brengt op EUR 9.000.000 (de 2013 Convertible Bonds), waarvan EUR 5.000.000 terugbetaalbaar.
- Op 11 april 2014 heeft Option 120 converteerbare obligaties uitgegeven, elk voor EUR 100.000 per obligatie dat het totaalbedrag brengt op EUR 12.000.000 (de 2014 Convertible Bonds) waarvan EUR 11.500.000 terugbetaalbaar .
- Op 6 november 2015 heeft Option 60 converteerbare obligaties uitgegeven, elk voor EUR 100.000 per obligatie dat het totaalbedrag brengt op 6.000.000 EUR (de 2015 Convertible Bonds) volledig terugbetaalbaar .
De meeste obligatiehouders, met name zij die meer dan 95% van het openstaande nominale bedrag van de obligatieleningen vertegenwoordigen, zijn akkoord gegaan om de obligatieleningen te herstructureren, mits goedkeuring door de Buitengewone Algemene Vergadering van aandeelhouders.
Alle obligatieleningen worden verlengd tot 5 november 2020 aan lagere intresten en een gereduceerde conversieprijs.
Als onderdeel van het akkoord werd een totaalbedrag van EUR 11.721.000 aan schuldvorderingen onder de converteerbare obligatieleningen ingebracht in kapitaal tegen uitgifte van aandelen door een beslissing van de Raad van bestuur binnen het toegestaan kapitaal op 6 maart 2017.
De obligatiehouders zullen de mogelijkheid worden gegeven om het resterende gedeelte van hun schuldvorderingen in te brengen in kapitaal op eerstvolgende Buitengewone Algemene Vergadering van aandeelhouders.
Option heeft tijdens de periode 2015-2016 een aantal lopende overbruggingskredieten aangegaan voor een totaalbedrag van EUR 4.650.000.
Meeste kredietverleners, zijnde die voor een totaalbedrag van meer dan 95% van de waarde van de overbruggingskredieten vertegenwoordigen, zijn akkoord gegaan om hun overbruggingskredieten te verlengen tot 28 februari 2019 en om de rente die daarop wordt betaald, te verlagen.
Als onderdeel van het akkoord werd een totaalbedrag van EUR 432.600 aan schuldvorderingen uit de overbruggingskredieten ingebracht in kapitaal tegen uitgifte van aandelen door een beslissing van de Raad van bestuur binnen het toegestaan kapitaal op 6 maart 2017.
De kredietverleners zullen de mogelijkheid worden gegeven om het resterende gedeelte van hun schuldvorderingen in te brengen in kapitaal op eerstvolgende Buitengewone Algemene Vergadering van aandeelhouders.
De inbreng van EUR 12.153.600 aan schuldvorderingen uit overbruggingskredieten en obligatieleningen is gebeurd aan EUR 0.147 per aandeel, welke prijs gelijk is aan het 30 dagen gemiddelde slotkoers van het aandeel van Option voorafgaand de transactie.
Voor elk nieuw aandeel werd EUR 0.05 geboekt als nieuw kapitaal en EUR 0.097 als uitgiftepremie.
Ten gevolge van de kapitaalverhoging werden 82.677.545 nieuwe aandelen uitgegeven dat het totaal aantal aandelen, mits goedkeuring voor notering op Euronext, brengt van 98.442.546 aandelen vandaag, naar 181.120.091 aandelen na beursnotering.
Het kapitaal van de Vennootschap werd verhoogd met EUR 4.133.877, 25 dat het kapitaal van de Vennootschap brengt van EUR 4.922.127,30 voor de kapitaalverhoging, naar EUR 9.056.004,55 na de kapitaalverhoging. Een totaalbedrag van EUR 8.019.722,75 werd geboekt als uitgiftepremie.
Als onderdeel van het akkoord hebben de meeste obligatiehouders, met name zij die meer dan 95% van het openstaande nominale bedrag van de obligatieleningen vertegenwoordigen, hun akkoord gegeven om bij te dragen in een nieuwe brugfinanciering van 2.6 mio EUR voor de Vennootschap.
Deze lening zal lopen over 2 jaar aan 1% intrest gedurende het eerste jaar en 2% gedurende het tweede jaar.
Met huidig zicht op de verkoop voor 2017 en de nieuwe inspanningen van de investeerders zal Option haar businessplan voor 2017 kunnen uitvoeren in continuïteit.
Tenslotte kondigt Option een aantal wijzigingen aan in de Raad van bestuur en het management als volgt:
Qunova BVBA, vertegenwoordigd door de heer Jan Vorstermans, wordt vervangen door Crescemus BVBA, vertegenwoordigd door de heer Pieter Bourgeois. Option bedankt Jan Vorstermans voor de jaren van engagement dat de heer Vorstermans heeft getoond voor Option, de Raad van bestuur en het management.
De heer Eric Van Zele wordt nieuwe Voorzitter van de Raad van bestuur met ingang vanaf 7 maart 2017.
Vanaf 7 maart 2017 bestaat de Raad van bestuur van Option uit volgende 6 bestuurders:
Eric Van Zele is momenteel Voorzitter bij Reynaers Aluminium en Crescent NV. Hij is onlangs benoemd als voorzitter van het E17-ziekenhuisnetwerk en van het Hermes beslissingscomité van het Vlaams Agentschap Innoveren & Ondernemen. Hij houdt een mandaat aan als bestuurder van Barco NV .
Voordien was de heer Eric Van Zele Voorzitter en CEO bij Barco NV in Kortrijk (van 2009 tot 2016).
Hij was CEO van Pauwels International (van 2004 tot 2008) en van Telindus NV (van 2000 tot 2003). Daarvoor zetelde hij als Vice President van Raychem Corporation in Menlo park, CA, USA en Managing Director van Raychem NV in Leuven. (1972 tot 1999).
Hij was benoemd tot “Manager of the Year in 2012” en “ICT Personality of 2013”.
Eric heeft een masters degree in electrical and mechanical engineering van de K.U.L. in Leuven (1972) en een postgraduaat in management van Stanford University (1992 CA, USA).
Pieter Bourgeois, 39, is Investeringsmanager bij Alychlo NVhet investeringsbedrijf van de Belgische ondernemer Marc Coucke. Dhr. Bourgeois is Industrieel Ingenieur en heeft het MBA diploma van de Solvay Brussels School of Economics & Management.
Option is vereerd en verwelkomt de heer Pieter Bourgeois als bestuurder en de heer Eric Van Zele als nieuwe Voorzitter van de Raad van bestuur.
De heer Jan Callewaert blijft gedelegeerd bestuurder ad interim tot een nieuwe CEO is aangesteld.
De heer Callewaert heeft de heer Frank Deschuytere vervangen in het dagelijks beleid van de Vennootschap, toen de heer Deschuytere Option heeft verlaten op 9 maart 2016.
Binnen het uitvoerend management team van Option betreurt Option het vertrek van Jan Luyckx as CFO. Edwin Bex, voormalig CFO bij Telindus NV, werd aangesteld als nieuwe CFO.
For more information please contact:
Investors Relations
Gaston Geenslaan 14
B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
FAX: +32 (0) 16 31 74 90
E-mail: investor@option.com
OVER OPTION
Option staat voor ‘Connecting Things to the Cloud’. Met meer dan 25 jaar ervaring en een groot aantal wereldpremières in de mobiele technologie, is Option ideaal geplaatst om de meest efficiënte, betrouwbare en veilige draadloze oplossingen te stellen voor de bedrijfswereld (B2B) en industriële markten (M2M). Het bedrijf werkt hiervoor samen met systeemintegratoren, value added resellers, application platform providers, distributeurs met toegevoegde waarde en netwerkoperatoren, om zo op maat gemaakte oplossingen aan eindklanten te kunnen voorstellen. Option heeft zijn hoofdkwartier in België en heeft daarnaast kantoren in Europa, de VS, Groot-China en Australië. Meer informatie op www.option.com.
Copyright ©2016 OPTION. Alle rechten voorbehouden. Alle product- en bedrijfsnamen hierin kunnen betrekking hebben op (geregistreerde) handelsmerken of handelsnamen.
OPTION RAPPORTEERT JAARCIJFERS
FINANCIELE INFORMATIE – REREGLEMENTEERDE INFORMATIE - VOORKENNIS
Leuven, België – 8 maart 2017 – Option N.V. (EURONEXT Brussel: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY), het bedrijf dat staat voor ‘smart wireless M2M solutions’, heeft vandaag haar resultaten bekendgemaakt voor het volledige jaar van 2016, eindigend op 31 december 2016. De resultaten zijn uitgedrukt in euro en werden opgesteld in overeenstemming met de opname- en waarderingsgrondslagen van IFRS zoals aanvaard binnen de Europese Unie. De boekhoudprincipes en waarderingsregels die in de onderstaande financiële rapportering worden gevolgd, zijn dezelfde als deze in de meest recente jaarrekening.
FINANCIËLE KERNCIJFERS VOOR HET VOLLEDIGE JAAR 2016
CORPORATE
Op 21 januari 2016 kondigde Option aan de aandelen van de Nederlandse LED verlichtingsfabrikanten Lemnis Public Lighting BV en Innolumis Public Lighting BV te hebben gekocht en voegt de twee bedrijven samen tot één commerciële organisatie onder de naam Innolumis Public Lighting.
Op 26 januari 2016 heeft de Buitengewone Algemene Vergadering van de Vennootschap beslist om gedurende een periode van vijf (5) jaar vanaf de datum van bekendmaking van de statutenwijziging in de bijlagen bij het Belgisch Staatsblad, het kapitaal in één of meerdere malen te verhogen met een totaal bedrag gelijk aan vier miljoen achthonderd vierenveertig duizend achthonderd en twee euro zeventig cent (€ 4.844.802,70), zowel door middel van inbrengen in geld of in natura binnen de door het Wetboek van vennootschappen toegestane grenzen als door omzetting van reserves en uitgiftepremies, met of zonder uitgifte van nieuwe aandelen, met of zonder stemrecht, of door uitgifte van al dan niet achtergestelde converteerbare obligaties, of door uitgifte van warrants of van obligaties waaraan warrants of andere roerende waarden zijn verbonden, of van andere effecten, zoals aandelen in het kader van een Stock Option Plan. Om de raad van bestuur tevens bijzonder te machtigen om, ingeval van openbaar overnamebod op effecten uitgegeven door de vennootschap gedurende een periode van drie (3) jaar die loopt vanaf de Buitengewone Algemene Vergadering die tot deze machtiging zal besluiten, over te gaan tot kapitaalverhogingen in de voorwaarden voorzien door het Wetboek van vennootschappen. Om de raad van bestuur tenslotte te machtigen om, in het belang van de vennootschap, binnen de perken en overeenkomstig de voorwaarden voorgeschreven door het Wetboek van vennootschappen, het voorkeurrecht van de aandeelhouders te beperken of op te heffen, wanneer een kapitaalverhoging geschiedt binnen de grenzen van het toegestane kapitaal. Deze beperking of opheffing kan even eens gebeuren ten gunste van één of meer bepaalde personen.
Bijkomend heeft de Buitengewone Algemene Vergadering van de Vennootschap beslist om 17,391,304 warrants toe te kennen aan Danlaw Inc. voor een totaalbedrag van 4 miljoen EUR, indien uitgeoefend zal dit een kapitaalverhoging vertegenwoordigen van in totaal acht honderd negenenzestig vijfhonderd vijfenzestig euro en twintig cent (EUR 869,565.20).
Op 28 april 2016 verzekerde Option zich van een overbruggingskrediet van 2 miljoen EUR verleend door Dhr. Jan Callewaert oproepbaar in schijven volgens de behoefte van het bedrijf.
Bijkomende ‘corporate’ toelichtingen en transacties na balansdatum worden in een afzonderlijk persbericht op dezelfde datum, 8 maart 2017 gepubliceerd.
Voor het volledige persbericht, inclusief tabellen, gelieve op onderstaande link te klikken:
OPTION RAPPORTEERT JAARCIJFERS 2016
OPTION REPORTS FULL YEAR 2016 RESULTS
FINANCIAL INFORMATION – REGULATED INFORMATION - INSIDE INFORMATION
Leuven, Belgium – March 8, 2017 – Option N.V. (EURONEXT Brussels: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY), active in smart wireless M2M Solutions, today announced its unaudited results for the full fiscal year 2016 ended December 31, 2016. The financial information reported in this release is presented in Euros and has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of IFRS as adopted by the European Union. The accounting policies and methods of computation followed in the attached financial statements are the same as those followed in the most recent annual financial statements.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FULL FISCAL YEAR 2016
CORPORATE
On January 21, 2016 Option announced the acquisition of the shares of the Dutch LED lighting
companies Lemnis Lighting BV Public and Innolumis Public Lighting BV and merges the two
companies into a single commercial organization under the name Innolumis Public Lighting.
On November 22, 2016 Option announced the sale of Innolumis Public Lighting BV and Public Lighting BV.
On January 26, 2016, the Extraordinary Shareholder’s Meeting of the Company decided to renew
the authorized capital of the Company for a total amount of four million eight hundred forty four
thousand eight hundred two euro and seventy cent (EUR 4,844,802.70), both by means of
contribution in cash or in kind, within the limits imposed by the Belgian Code of Companies as well
as by conversion of reserves and issue premiums, with or without the issue of new shares, with or
without voting right, or trough the issue of convertible bonds, subordinated or not, or through the issue of warrants or of bonds to which warrants or other movables are linked, or of other securities, such as shares in the framework of a Stock Option Plan. Furthermore, to grant the board of directors special authority, in the event of a public take over bid for securities issued by the Company during a period of three (3) years, running from the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting which has resolved on this authorization, to proceed with capital increases under the conditions foreseen by the Belgian Code of Companies. To authorize the board of directors, in the interest of the company, within the limits and in accordance with the conditions imposed by the Belgian Code of Companies, to limit or suspend the preferential rights of the shareholders, when a capital increase occurs within the limits of the authorized capital. This limitation or suspension may likewise occur for the benefit of one or more specified persons.
Furthermore, the Extraordinary Shareholder’s Meeting of the Company decided to grant 17,391,304
warrants to Danlaw Inc. for a total amount of 4 mio EUR, if exercised, this would increase the capital of the company with eight hundred sixty-nine thousand five hundred sixty five euro and twenty cent (EUR 869,565.20).
On April 28, 2016 Option secured a bridge loan of 2.0 mio granted by Mr Jan Callewaert to be called off in installments according to the needs of the Company.
Other corporate events and post balance sheet events will be published in a separate press release on the same date (8 March 2017).
For the entire press release, including tables, click on the link below.
OPTION REPORTS FULL YEAR 2016 RESULTS
GEPUBLICEERD 18:30 CEST 16-02-2017
Leuven, België - 16 februari 2017 - Option (EURONEXT: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY ) Naar aanleiding van het bericht van 22 november, 2016, laat het bedrijf weten dat een aantal lopende acties om de financiële positie van de Groep voor de langere termijn veilig te stellen, zouden moeten leiden tot meer informatie die zal worden meegedeeld in de eerste week van maart 2017.
###
CONTACT
Steve Theunissen, Legal Counsel
Tel +32 (0)16 317 411, E-mail: s.theunissen@option.com
OVER OPTION
Option staat voor ‘Connecting Things to the Cloud’. Met 30 jaar ervaring en een groot aantal wereldpremières in de mobiele technologie, is Option ideaal geplaatst om de meest efficiënte, betrouwbare en veilige draadloze oplossingen te stellen voor de M2M-markten. Het bedrijf werkt hiervoor samen met industriële bedrijven, systeemintegratoren, value added resellers, application platform providers, distributeurs met toegevoegde waarde en netwerkoperatoren, om zo op maat gemaakte oplossingen te kunnen voorstellen. Option’s kern competenties zijn: Wireless Connectivy en Wireless Engineering Services. Option heeft zijn hoofdkwartier in België en heeft daarnaast kantoren in Europa en de VS. Meer informatie op www.option.com.
Copyright ©2017 OPTION. Alle rechten voorbehouden. Alle product- en bedrijfsnamen hierin kunnen betrekking hebben op (geregistreerde) handelsmerken of handelsnamen.
PUBLISHED 18:30 CEST 16-02-2017
Leuven, Belgium – February 16, 2017 – Option (EURONEXT: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY ) Subsequent to the notice of November, 22, 2016, the Company informs that a number of ongoing actions in order to secure further the Group’s financial position for the longer term should result in more information that will be communicated by the first week of March 2017.
###
CONTACT
Steve Theunissen, Legal Counsel
Tel +32 (0)16 317 411, E-mail: s.theunissen@option.com
ABOUT OPTION
Option connects Things to the Cloud. With 30 years of experience and many industry’s firsts in the wireless industry, the Company is ideally positioned to bring the most efficient, reliable and secure wireless solutions to business markets (B2B) and industrial markets (M2M). The Company partners with industrial companies, system integrators, value added resellers, application platform providers, value add distributors and network operators to bring tailor made solutions. The Company’s core expertises are: Wireless Connectivity and Wireless Engineering Services. Option is headquartered in Belgium and maintains offices in Europe and the US. More information: www.option.com
Copyright ©2017 OPTION. All rights reserved. All product and company names herein may be (registered) trademarks or trade names.
Gereglementeerde informatie – Voorkennis
GEPUBLICEERD 11:00 CEST 22-11-2016
VERDUIDELIJKING: VERKOOP VAN INNOLUMIS VERSTERKT CASH POSITIE VAN OPTION EN LAAT TOE TE FOCUSSEN OP KERN COMPETENTIES
Leuven, België – 22 november 2016 – Option (EURONEXT: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY verduidelijkt dat de verkoop van Innolumis Public Lighting BV en Public Lighting BV, een positief effect heeft van 300.000 EUR op het netto resultaat, wat de continuïteit van Option verzekert tot midden februari 2017.
CONTACT
Jan Poté, PR & Media Relations Option
Tel +32 (0)475 92 55 82
E-mail: j.pote@option.com
OVER OPTION
Option staat voor ‘Connecting Things to the Cloud’. Met 30 jaar ervaring en een groot aantal wereldpremières in de mobiele technologie, is Option ideaal geplaatst om de meest efficiënte, betrouwbare en veilige draadloze oplossingen te stellen voor de M2M-markten. Het bedrijf werkt hiervoor samen met industriële bedrijven, systeemintegratoren, value added resellers, application platform providers, distributeurs met toegevoegde waarde en netwerkoperatoren, om zo op maat gemaakte oplossingen te kunnen voorstellen. Option’s kern competenties zijn: Wireless Connectivy en Wireless Engineering Services. Option heeft zijn hoofdkwartier in België en heeft daarnaast kantoren in Europa, de VS, Groot-China, Japan en Australië. Meer informatie op http://www.option.com/.
Copyright ©2016 OPTION. Alle rechten voorbehouden. Alle product- en bedrijfsnamen hierin kunnen betrekking hebben op (geregistreerde) handelsmerken of handelsnamen.
Regulated Information – Inside information
PUBLISHED 11:00 CEST 22-11-2016
CLARIFICATION: SALE OF INNOLUMIS STRENGHTENS OPTION’S CASH POSITION AND ENABLES FOCUS ON CORE COMPETENCIES
Leuven, Belgium – November 22, 2016 – Option (Euronext: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY) clarifies that the sale of Innolumis Public Lighting BV and Public Lighting BV, has a positive effect of 300,000 EUR on its net result, which brings the continuity of Option to mid February 2017.
CONTACT
Jan Poté, PR & Media Relations Option
Tel +32 (0)475 92 55 82
E-mail: j.pote@option.com
ABOUT OPTION
Option connects Things to the Cloud. With 30 years of experience and many industry’s firsts in the wireless industry, the Company is ideally positioned to bring the most efficient, reliable and secure wireless solutions to business markets (B2B) and industrial markets (M2M). The Company partners with industrial companies, system integrators, value added resellers, application platform providers, value add distributors and network operators to bring tailor made solutions. The Company’s core expertises are: Wireless Connectivity and Wireless Engineering Services. Option is headquartered in Belgium and maintains offices in Europe, the US, Greater China and Australia. More information: http://www.option.com/
Copyright ©2016 OPTION. All rights reserved. All product and company names herein may be (registered) trademarks or trade names.
GEPUBLICEERD 07.15 CEST 22-11-2016
VERKOOP VAN INNOLUMIS VERSTERKT CASH POSITIE VAN OPTION EN LAAT TOE TE FOCUSSEN OP KERN COMPETENTIES
Leuven, België – 22 november 2016 – Option (EURONEXT: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY), maakt vandaag de verkoop bekend van Innolumis Public Lighting BV en Public Lighting BV, de 2 bedrijven die begin van dit jaar verworven werden. Deze transactie versterkt de cashpositie van het bedrijf en geeft het de mogelijkheid om de continuiteit te verzekeren naar 2017 toe.
Als onderdeel van de overeenkomst zal Option haar ‘engineering’ expertise aan Innolumis blijven verlenen op contractbasis, zoals bijvoorbeeld de verdere ontwikkeling van oplossingen voor Smart Lighting met sensoren en camera’s, die gebaseerd zijn op Option’s CloudGate technologie.
Jan Callewaert hierover: “De overeenkomst laat Option toe om zich te focussen op haar kern competenties. Via diverse contacten die ik de afgelopen maanden gehad heb met klanten en vele andere bedrijven is het glashelder dat Option’s sterktes, haar unieke reputatie en waarvoor we wereldwijd erkenning krijgen, liggen bij draadloze connectiviteit – in de wereld van het Industriële Internet der Dingen vertaalt in CloudGate oplossingen – en bij haar engineering diensten. Deze 2 activiteiten zijn de fundamenten van het toekomstig succes van ons bedrijf.”
Om nog meer tijd vrij te maken voor het dagdagelijkse management van het bedrijf en voor de internationale verkoop & business development activiteiten, heeft Jan Callewaert de Raad van Bestuur gevraagd om ontheven te worden van zijn functie als Uitvoerend Voorzitter van de Raad van Bestuur om voltijds CEO van het bedrijf te worden. De Raad van Bestuur heeft dit aanvaard en Francis Vanderhoydonck – huidig lid van de Raad van Bestuur – benoemd tot interim Voorzitter van de Raad van Bestuur. Jan Callewaert blijft lid van de Raad van Bestuur die nu uit 5 leden bestaat: Jan Callewaert, Francis Vanderhoydonck, Peter Cauwels, Jan Vorstermans en Raju Dandu.
Het bedrijf zal verdere stappen blijven nemen om de kosten in lijn te brengen met de business en blijft zich engageren om samen met de stakeholders te werken aan de herstructurering van de balans.
CONTACT
Jan Poté, PR & Media Relations Option
Tel +32 (0)475 92 55 82
E-mail: j.pote@option.com
OVER OPTION
Option staat voor ‘Connecting Things to the Cloud’. Met 30 jaar ervaring en een groot aantal wereldpremières in de mobiele technologie, is Option ideaal geplaatst om de meest efficiënte, betrouwbare en veilige draadloze oplossingen te stellen voor de M2M-markten. Het bedrijf werkt hiervoor samen met industriële bedrijven, systeemintegratoren, value added resellers, application platform providers, distributeurs met toegevoegde waarde en netwerkoperatoren, om zo op maat gemaakte oplossingen te kunnen voorstellen. Option’s kern competenties zijn: Wireless Connectivy en Wireless Engineering Services. Option heeft zijn hoofdkwartier in België en heeft daarnaast kantoren in Europa, de VS, Groot-China, Japan en Australië. Meer informatie op http://www.option.com/.
Copyright ©2016 OPTION. Alle rechten voorbehouden. Alle product- en bedrijfsnamen hierin kunnen betrekking hebben op (geregistreerde) handelsmerken of handelsnamen.
PUBLISHED 07:15 CEST 22-11-2016
SALE OF INNOLUMIS STRENGHTENS OPTION’S CASH POSITION AND ENABLES FOCUS ON CORE COMPETENCIES
Leuven, Belgium – November 22, 2016 – Option (Euronext: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY) today announces the sale of Innolumis Public Lighting BV and Public Lighting BV, the two companies acquired in the beginning of the year. The transaction strengthens the Company’s cash position and provides the opportunity to continue to operate in going concern mode moving into 2017.
As part of the agreement Option will continue to bring its engineering expertise to Innolumis on a contractual basis, e.g. the further development of the Smart Lighting solutions with sensors and camera’s, which is based on Option’s CloudGate technology.
Jan Callewaert commented: “The deal enables Option to focus on its core competencies. The numerous interactions I had with customers and many other companies over the past months have made it crystal clear that Option’s strengths, unique reputation and worldwide recognition, lies within Wireless Connectivity – in the Industrial Internet of Things world translated into CloudGate Solutions – and in its Wireless Engineering Services. These 2 activities are at the core of the future success of our Company.”
To free up even more time for the daily management of the Company, international sales & business development activities, Jan Callewaert has asked the Board of Directors to be relieved of his function of Executive Chairman of the Board to become full-time CEO. The Board has accepted and has appointed Mr. Francis Vanderhoydonck – current member of the Board – as interim Chairman of the Board. Jan Callewaert remains a member of the Board of Directors, which is now composed of 5 members: Jan Callewaert, Francis Vanderhoydonck, Peter Cauwels, Jan Vorstermans and Raju Dandu.
The Company will continue to take further steps to align costs with the business and remains committed to work together with its stakeholders to help restructure the Company’s balance sheet.
CONTACT
Jan Poté, PR & Media Relations Option
Tel +32 (0)475 92 55 82
E-mail: j.pote@option.com
ABOUT OPTION
Option connects Things to the Cloud. With 30 years of experience and many industry’s firsts in the wireless industry, the Company is ideally positioned to bring the most efficient, reliable and secure wireless solutions to business markets (B2B) and industrial markets (M2M). The Company partners with industrial companies, system integrators, value added resellers, application platform providers, value add distributors and network operators to bring tailor made solutions. The Company’s core expertises are: Wireless Connectivity and Wireless Engineering Services. Option is headquartered in Belgium and maintains offices in Europe, the US, Greater China and Australia. More information: www.option.com
Copyright ©2016 OPTION. All rights reserved. All product and company names herein may be (registered) trademarks or trade names.
GEPUBLICEERD 09.00 CEST 03-10-2016
FINANCIËLE KENNISGEVING
LEUVEN – België – 3 oktober 2016 – Volgend op de aankondiging van het bedrijf dat het de markt tegen eind september 2016 verder zou informeren over de verschillende initiatieven om de financiële positie van de groep te versterken zowel op korte als op lange termijn, kan gemeld worden dat de onderhandelingen met de bondholders en mogelijke investeerders nog steeds aan de gang zijn. Van zodra deze onderhandelingen zouden uitmonden in concrete resultaten zal het bedrijf de markt hier onmiddellijk over inlichten.
Voor meer informatie, contacteer
Jan Callewaert – Executive Chairman
Jan Luyckx – CFO
Gaston Geenslaan 14
B-3001 Leuven, België
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
FAX: +32 (0) 16 31 74 90
E-mail: investor@option.com
OVER OPTION
Option staat voor ‘Connecting Things to the Cloud’. Met meer dan 25 jaar ervaring en een groot aantal wereldpremières in de mobiele technologie, is Option ideaal geplaatst om de meest efficiënte, betrouwbare en veilige draadloze oplossingen te stellen voor de bedrijfswereld (B2B) en industriële markten (M2M). Het bedrijf werkt hiervoor samen met systeemintegratoren, value added resellers, application platform providers, distributeurs met toegevoegde waarde en netwerkoperatoren, om zo op maat gemaakte oplossingen aan eindklanten te kunnen voorstellen. Option heeft zijn hoofdkwartier in België en heeft daarnaast kantoren in Europa, de VS, Groot-China en Australië. Meer informatie op www.option.com.
PUBLISHED 09.00 CEST 03-10-2016
FINANCIAL NOTIFICATION
LEUVEN – Belgium – October 3, 2016 – Following the announcement that the Company would update the market by the end of September 2016 regarding the various initiatives to strengthen the group’s financial position in the short-term and long-term, the Company can report that discussions with the current bondholders and potential investors are still ongoing. As soon as any of these negotiations result in tangible outcomes the Company will immediately notify the market about this.
For more information please contact:
Jan Callewaert – Executive Chairman
Jan Luyckx – CFO
Gaston Geenslaan 14
B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
TEL: +32 (0) 16 31 74 11
FAX: +32 (0) 16 31 74 90
E-mail: investor@option.com
ABOUT OPTION
Option connects Things to the Cloud. With more than 20 years of experience and many industry’s firsts in the wireless industry, the Company is ideally positioned to bring the most efficient, reliable and secure wireless solutions to business markets (B2B) and industrial markets (M2M). The Company partners with system integrators, value added resellers, application platform providers, value add distributors and network operators to bring tailor made solutions to end-customers. Option is headquartered in Belgium and maintains offices in Europe, the US, Greater China and Australia. More information: www.option.com
Copyright ©2016 OPTION. All rights reserved. All product and company names herein may be (registered) trademarks or trade names.
Leuven, Belgium – September 1, 2016 – Option N.V. (EURONEXT Brussels: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY), the company connecting Things to the Cloud, today announced its results for the first half fiscal year ended June 30 2016. The financial information reported in this release is presented in Euros and has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of IFRS as adopted by the European Union. The accounting policies and methods of computation followed in the attached financial statements are the same as those followed in the most recent annual financial statements.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FIRST HALF FISCAL YEAR 2016
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Total revenues for the first half year of 2016 were EUR 3,9 million compared with EUR 2,6 million realized in the first half of 2015, an increase of 50%. This increase was mainly the result of Public Lighting sales (EUR 1,9 Mio) resulting from the acquisition of Innolumis Public Lighting BV and Lemnis Public Lighting BV in January 2016.
IOT related revenues decreased from EUR 1,3 million to EUR 0,8 million. This decrease is temporary and was the result of a change in strategy by the new management of the company which is expected to result in increased IOT sales in the second half of 2016.
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Gross margin for the first half year of 2016 was 45,8 % on total revenues compared with a gross margin of 42,1 % for the comparable period in 2015.
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Thanks to the continuous cost reductions, the operating expenditure decreased with 1,1 Million EUR. As the Opex includes EUR 780 thousand for the newly acquired Public Lighting business, the actual Opex savings amount to EUR 1,9 million.
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Financial costs increased, mainly as a result of interests due on the bridge loans which were issued in the first half of 2015 and in 2016 and also because of exchange rate losses.
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The first half of 2016 EBIT amounted to EUR -3,2 million compared to EUR -5,0 million during the corresponding period 2015. The net result amounted to EUR -4,5 million compared to EUR -6,0 million as per June 30 2015. The newly acquired Public Lighting Business made a small net profit of EUR 13 thousand.
-
The cash position decreased from EUR 4,1 million at the end of 2015 to EUR 0,4 million at the end of June 2016.
-
During the first half of 2016, the company received a bridge funding of 0,8 million EUR.
-
During the first half of 2016, 1.546.492 new shares we created as the result of the conversion of convertible bonds.
Jan Callewaert, Option’s Executive Chairman, commented on the results:
“Since the Board entrusted me with the Management of the Company following the departure of the CEO, I have focused on redirecting the CloudGate go-to-market from an indirect sales to a direct sales model.
Directly understanding the needs from end customers looking for IoT solutions enabled by the complete CloudGate solution is proving successful.
We are experiencing a business shift where we see the majority of sales coming from direct relationships with industrial corporations and manufacturers. I am happy to announce that the Company won business in the field of water pump monitoring, advanced energy monitoring, water consumption measurement in apartment buildings, frozen pipes monitoring in public buildings and connected stores.
Option’s daughter Innolumis, operating in the LED public lighting business, since its acquisition, is already at a break-even level and is showing promising opportunities in expanding its sales in Europe and beyond. With the demand of cities and municipalities for energy-efficient street lighting, coupled with smart technology, we are currently in discussions to start piloting several city projects.
We have passed the tipping point and in today’s outlook, we are confident to see Option’s overall revenues nearly double for 2016 compared to 2015.
We are focusing on sales.”
Business Update
In the first half of the year Option still faced postponed sales. However, this trend is changing as after a change in management the focus shifted towards a direct sales model and the Company has now sufficient signed sales orders to be confident to realize increased sales in the second half of the year.
Throughout the first half of 2016 the Company continued to embark on commercializing end-to-end solutions in different business segments.
On the financial level, the Company has limited means, but will continue its efforts to search and find funding and restructure its balance sheet in order to facilitate its commercial projects and activities.
Corporate
On January 21, 2016 Option announced the acquisition of the shares of the Dutch LED lighting companies Lemnis Public Lighting BV and Innolumis Public Lighting BV and merges the two companies into a single commercial organization under the name Innolumis Public Lighting.
On January 26, 2016, the Extraordinary Shareholder’s Meeting of the Company decided to renew the authorized capital of the Company for a total amount of four million eight hundred forty four thousand eight hundred two euro and seventy cent (EUR 4,844,802.70), both by means of contribution in cash or in kind, within the limits imposed by the Belgian Code of Companies as well as by conversion of reserves and issue premiums, with or without the issue of new shares, with or without voting right, or trough the issue of convertible bonds, subordinated or not, or through the issue of warrants or of bonds to which warrants or other movables are linked, or of other securities, such as shares in the framework of a Stock Option Plan. Furthermore, the extraordinary Shareholder’s Meeting of the Company decided, to grant the board of directors special authority, in the event of a public takeover bid for securities issued by the Company during a period of three (3) years, running from the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting which has resolved on this authorization, to proceed with capital increases under the conditions foreseen by the Belgian Code of Companies. The extraordinary Shareholder’s Meeting of the Company decided to authorize the board of directors, in the interest of the company, within the limits and in accordance with the conditions imposed by the Belgian Code of Companies, to limit or suspend the preferential rights of the shareholders, when a capital increase occurs within the limits of the authorized capital. This limitation or suspension may likewise occur for the benefit of one or more specified persons.
Furthermore, the Extraordinary Shareholder’s Meeting of the Company decided to grant 17 391 304 warrants to Danlaw Inc. for a total amount of EUR 4 million, if exercised, this would increase the capital of the company with eight hundred sixty-nine thousand five hundred sixty five euro and twenty cent (EUR 869,565.20).
On March 9, 2016 the Board of Directors has decided to terminate the mandate of the CEO, Frank Deschuytere, with immediate effect. The Board has decided to entrust its Executive Chairman, Mr. Jan Callewaert, with the daily management of the Company.
On May 12, 2016, 1.546.492 new shares were created as a result of the conversion of convertible bonds.
The decisions to terminate the mandates of FDVV CONSULT BVBA, represented by Mr. Frank Deschuytere, and JINVEST BVBA, represented by Jurgen Ingels, as directors of the Company, were accepted and approved by the Shareholder’s Meeting of May 31, 2016.
On June 3, 2016 the Board decided to co-opt VERMEC NV, represented by Peter Cauwels as new independent non-executive director of the Board for a period of 4 years as from July 1st, 2016.
As of June 30, 2016, the Board was composed of five members, namely: (1) Mr. Jan Callewaert, executive Chairman, (2) Raju Dandu, non-executive director, (3) FVDH Beheer BVBA, represented by Mr. Francis Vanderhoydonck (permanent representative), non-executive independent director, (4) Qunova BVBA, represented by Mr. Jan Vorstermans (permanent representative), non-executive independent director, and (5) Sabine Everaet, non-executive independent director.
Going concern
Given the continued cash drain during the first half of 2016, the Board continues to work on project and financial funding, and further cost alignment.
On the day of the publication of this report, the Company has very limited financial means.
However, the most recent sales forecasts, based on concrete signed orders, indicate a growth compared to actual realized revenues in the first half of the year. On that basis, there is sufficient confidence that the required additional funding will be found.
Thus, The company is taking initiatives to strengthen the group’s financial position in the short-term, in addition to the financial commitments until the end of October 2016 as set out in the annual report. The Company continues the negotiations on the balance sheet restructuring as also the search for new investors at the level of the group or its subsidiaries.
The Company is working on a long-term solution. The Company will further report to the market by the end of September and thereafter on an ongoing basis.
Therefore the Board has decided to prepare the interim accounts under the going concern principle.
For the entire press release, including tables, click on the link below.
Option reports First Half Year 2016 results
For the entire interim report, click on the link below
Interim Financial Report June 30 2016
Regulated information
LEUVEN – Belgium – December 8, 2014 – On 4 December 2014 Option NV received a notification of participation in accordance with the law of 2 May 2007 on the disclosure of major holdings in issuers. ParticipatieMaatschappij Vlaanderen NV (PMV) informed Option that as per 1 December 2014 its participation exceeded the threshold of 3% of the total outstanding voting rights. PMV holds a total of 3,508,771 voting rights, i.e. 3.70% of the total outstanding voting rights.
More information on the above notification is available on the Option website: http://www.option.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/TR2014-3.pdf
Gereguleerde informatie
LEUVEN, België – 8 december 2014 – Option NV heeft op 4 december 2014 een kennisgeving van deelneming ontvangen overeenkomstig de wet van 2 mei 2007 op de openbaarmaking van belangrijke deelnemingen in emittenten. ParticipatieMaatschappij Vlaanderen NV (PMV) bracht Option op de hoogte dat haar deelneming boven de statutair vastgestelde drempel van 3% van de uitstaande stemrechten is gestegen per 1 december 2014. PMV houdt in totaal 3.508.771 stemrechten, d.i. 3,70% van de totaal uitstaande stemrechten.
Meer informatie over bovenstaande kennisgeving is beschikbaar op de Option website: http://www.option.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/TR2014-3.pdf.
Gereglementeerde informatie
LEUVEN, België – 8 december 2014 – Option NV publiceert de informatie zoals
vereist in artikel 15, § 1 van de Wet van 2 mei 2007 op de openbaarmaking van belangrijke deelnemingen in beursgenoteerde bedrijven.
Informatie per 1 december 2014:
Bijkomende gegevens:
Overeenkomstig Option’s statuten, werd de drempel vanaf dewelke een deelneming moet worden bekendgemaakt, vastgesteld op 3 %.
Leuven, Belgium – August 28, 2014 – Option N.V. (EURONEXT Brussels: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY), the company connecting Things to the Cloud, today announced its results for the first half fiscal year ended June 30 2014. The financial information reported in this release is presented in Euros and has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of IFRS as adopted by the European Union. The accounting policies and methods of computation followed in the attached financial statements are the same as those followed in the most recent annual financial statements.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FIRST HALF FISCAL YEAR 2014
Frank Deschuytere, CEO of Option: “The results for the first half year are below our internal estimates. Thanks to the cash injection in the Company we are accelerating the key drivers of our strategic plan while addressing the root causes.
First, we are working hard in order to complete the shift from selling devices to the market to selling end-to-end solutions. Different M2M segments require tailor made solutions. Although CloudGate is specifically designed to cope with this, it remains a complex process resulting in long sales cycles. From the second quarter we have set up a dedicated application team that is focussed on delivering these end-to-end solutions. We already see a concrete impact on the sales process and we expect this trend to continue.
Together with our channel partners we are now actively promoting and commercializing these end-to-end solutions. This should accelerate CloudGate Sales and should improve Option’s position in the value chain of the overall M2M solution.
Second, we are increasing our reach into Europe, APAC and LATAM. As indicated in our first quarter trading update, we have added and will continue to add new distribution partners. In parallel we have strengthened our global sales organisation allowing faster insight and more transparency in the sales funnel.
Third, I am pleased to see the improvement of the sell through in the sales channel. In North America, the sell through was obstructed by partners requesting the Company to develop new software features and extra interface cards to complete their M2M solution and the lengthy CloudGate LTE certification process. We now have developed several new interface cards and have released major software updates. The CloudGate LTE certification is expected to be finalized soon.
We continue to realize design wins with major industrial players and have a growing and healthy opportunity funnel to support sound sales of CloudGate solutions in the coming months.
I remain convinced that the CloudGate-platform is very competitive and will enable the Company to capture the vast opportunity of the M2M market.
Consistent in the execution of our plan we should be cash-neutral by the end of this year.”
BUSINESS UPDATE
Product
Sales
Corporate
For the entire press release, including tables, click on the link below.
Option reports First Half Year 2014 results
For the entire interim report, click on the link below
Interim Financial Report June 30 2014
Leuven, België – 28 augustus 2014 – Option N.V. (EURONEXT Brussel: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY), het bedrijf dat staat voor ‘Connecting Things to the Cloud’, heeft vandaag haar resultaten bekendgemaakt voor het eerste halfjaar van 2014, eindigend op 30 juni. De resultaten zijn uitgedrukt in euro en werden opgesteld in overeenstemming met de opname- en waarderingsgrondslagen van IFRS zoals aanvaard binnen de Europese Unie. De boekhoudprincipes en waarderingsregels die in de onderstaande financiële rapportering worden gevolgd, zijn dezelfde als deze in de meest recente jaarrekening.
Financiële kerncijfers voor het eerste halfjaar van 2014
Frank Deschuytere, CEO van Option: “De resultaten voor het eerste halfjaar liggen onder onze interne ramingen. Dankzij de kapitaalinjectie versnellen we de sleutelelementen van ons strategisch plan om de onderliggende oorzaken aan te pakken.
Op de eerste plaats werken we hard om de overstap te maken van het verkopen van toestellen naar het verkopen van end-to-end oplossingen. Verschillende M2M-segmenten vragen om op maat gemaakte oplossingen. Hoewel CloudGate hiervoor specifiek ontworpen is, blijft het een complex proces dat resulteert in lange verkoopcycli. Sinds het tweede kwartaal hebben we daarom een applicatie team samengesteld met als focus het afleveren van deze end-to-end oplossingen. We zien nu al een concrete impact op het verkoopproces en we verwachten dat deze trend zal aanhouden.
Samen met onze distributiepartners promoten en commercialiseren we nu actief deze end-to-end oplossingen. Dit zou de verkoop van CloudGate moeten versnellen en de positie van Option versterken in de waardeketen van de totale M2M-oplossing.
Op de tweede plaats zijn we onze penetratie aan het vergroten in Europa, Azië, Oceanië en Latijns-Amerika. Zoals aangegeven in onze trading update na het eerste kwartaal, hebben we nieuwe distributeurs toegevoegd, en dat blijven we doen. Tegelijkertijd hebben we onze globale verkooporganisatie versterkt om zo een sneller inzicht en meer transparantie te hebben op de verkoop opportuniteiten.
Ten derde ben ik verheugd de verbetering te zien op het vlak van de doorverkoop via het verkoopkanaal. In Noord-Amerika werd deze gehinderd door partners die nieuwe software functionaliteit of een nieuw type interfacekaart vereisten om hun M2M-oplossing te vervolledigen, en ook door de lange procedure in Noord-Amerika voor de CloudGate LTE-certificering. We hebben nu verschillende nieuwe interfacekaarten ontwikkeld en belangrijke software-updates vrijgegeven die aan deze vereisten tegemoet komen. De LTE-certificering van CloudGate wordt naar verwachting kortelings afgerond.
We blijven design wins realiseren bij belangrijke industriële spelers en we hebben een groeiend potentieel van opportuniteiten dat solide verkoopsvolumes van CloudGate-oplossingen in de komende maanden mogelijk moet maken.
Ik blijf ervan overtuigd dat het CloudGate-platform dat we aanbieden bijzonder competitief is en het bedrijf de kans zal bieden om het grote potentieel dat de M2M-markt biedt te verzilveren. In overeenstemming met de uitvoering van onze plannen zouden we cash neutraal worden tegen het einde van dit jaar.”
BUSINESS UPDATE
Product
Sales
Corporate
Voor het volledige persbericht, inclusief tabellen, gelieve op onderstaande link te klikken:
Option rapporteert resultaten van het eerste halfjaar 2014
Voor het volledige tussentijds financieel verslag, gelieve op onderstaande link te klikken:
Tussentijds Financieel Verslag 30 juni 2014
Gereguleerde informatie
LEUVEN, België – 3 juli 2014 – Option NV heeft op 3 juli 2014 een nieuwe kennisgeving van deelneming ontvangen overeenkomstig de wet van 2 mei 2007 op de openbaarmaking van belangrijke deelnemingen in emittenten. ParticipatieMaatschappij Vlaanderen NV (PMV) bracht Option op de hoogte dat haar deelneming onder de statutair vastgestelde drempel van 3% van de uitstaande stemrechten is gedaald per 30 juni 2014. Meer informatie over bovenstaande kennisgeving is beschikbaar op de Option website: http://www.option.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/TR2014-2.pdf.
Regulated information
LEUVEN – Belgium – June 20, 2014 – On 20 June 2014 Option NV received a notification of participation in accordance with the law of 2 May 2007 on the disclosure of major holdings in issuers. ParticipatieMaatschappij Vlaanderen NV (PMV) informed Option that as per 2 June 2014 its participation exceeded the threshold of 3% of the total outstanding voting rights. PMV holds a total of 3,508,771 voting rights, i.e. 3.84% of the total outstanding voting rights. More information on the above notification is available on the Option website: http://www.option.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/TR2014-1.pdf.
Gereguleerde informatie
LEUVEN, België – 20 juni 2014 – Option NV heeft op 20 juni 2014 een kennisgeving van deelneming ontvangen overeenkomstig de wet van 2 mei 2007 op de openbaarmaking van belangrijke deelnemingen in emittenten. ParticipatieMaatschappij Vlaanderen NV (PMV) bracht Option op de hoogte dat haar deelneming boven de statutair vastgestelde drempel van 3% van de uitstaande stemrechten is gestegen per 2 juni 2014. PMV houdt in totaal op 3.508.771 stemrechten, d.i. 3,84% van de totaal uitstaande stemrechten. Meer informatie over bovenstaande kennisgeving is beschikbaar op de Option website: http://www.option.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/TR2014-1.pdf.
LEUVEN, Belgium – April 24, 2014 – Option (EURONEXT Brussels: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY) is of the opinion that in executing the new business model of connecting Things to the Cloud with M2M sales cycles that take from 8 to 18 months, quarterly revenue updates are less meaningful. A half year and full year financial and business update is better suited to evaluate the performance of the company.
Q1 HIGHLIGHTS
LEUVEN, België – 24 april 2014 – Option (EURONEXT Brussel: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY) is van mening dat bij het uitvoeren van het nieuwe businessmodel geënt op ‘connecting Things to the Cloud’, met verkoopcycli voor M2M-projecten die 8 tot 18 maanden in beslag nemen, kwartaalgebaseerde updates over de inkomsten minder betekenisvol zijn. Een halfjaarlijkse en jaarlijkse update over de financiële situatie en de business is beter geschikt om de prestaties van het bedrijf te evalueren.
Hoogtepunten eerste kwartaal
Leuven, België – 13 maart 2014 – Option N.V. (EURONEXT Brussels: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY), een wereldspeler op het gebied van draadloze connectiviteit, heeft vandaag haar resultaten bekendgemaakt van het volledige jaar, eindigend op 31 december 2013. De resultaten zijn uitgedrukt in euro en werden opgesteld in overeenstemming met de opname- en waarderingsgrondslagen van IFRS zoals aanvaard binnen de Europese Unie. De boekhoudprincipes en waarderingsregels die in de onderstaande financiële rapportering worden gevolgd, zijn dezelfde als deze in de meest recente jaarrekening.
Business Update
Frank Deschuytere, CEO van Option, gaf volgende commentaar:
“CloudGate, de intelligente M2M gateway van Option, is uniek gepositioneerd om in te spelen op de opportuniteiten in de belangrijkste M2M-markten. Deze oplossing is uiterst competitief. Als ik kijk naar het aantal partners dat heeft gekozen voor de CloudGateoplossing, naar de opportuniteiten in onze verkoopskanalen en naar de snelheid waarmee de verkoopscycli zich in een eindfase bevinden, heb ik er vertrouwen in dat dit zal resulteren in een gezonde omzetgroei, in lijn met onze plannen.”
Financiële kerncijfers voor het volledige jaar 2013
Voor het volledige persbericht, inclusief tabellen, gelieve op onderstaande link te klikken:
Option rapporteert resultaten van het volledige jaar 2013
Leuven, Belgium – March 13, 2014 – Option N.V. (EURONEXT Brussels: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY), a global leader in wireless connectivity, security and experience, today announced its results for the full fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. The financial information reported in this release is presented in Euros and has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of IFRS as adopted by the European Union. The accounting policies and methods of computation followed in the attached financial statements are the same as those followed in the most recent annual financial statements.
Business Update
Frank Deschuytere, CEO Option commented:
“CloudGate, Option’s intelligent M2M gateway, is uniquely positioned to capture the opportunities in the key M2M markets defined. The solution is highly competitive. Looking at the number of partners that have adopted the CloudGate solution, looking at the opportunities in our sales funnel and looking at the speed at which the sales cycles mature, I feel confident that this will result in a healthy top line growth in line with our plans.”
Financial Highlights of the full fiscal year 2013
For the entire press release, including tables, click on the link below.
Option reports full year 2013 results
LEUVEN, Belgium – October 24, 2013 – Option (EURONEXT Brussels: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY) today announced that the company posted revenue of EUR 2.2 million in the third quarter of 2013.
The company added several design wins in the third quarter as a result of the ecosystem of partners that has been developed in the Americas. These should result in significantly increased revenues from customer projects over the next 12 months. In addition to the successful deployment of CloudGate in the fuel truck monitoring solution of GPS4Hire, CloudGate is being deployed in solutions for sizeable projects for the marine industry and electrical power and water management applications in the utilities industries. Furthermore, the CloudGate is being used in demonstrations, pilot programs, and soon to be commercial deployments with middleware partners. The over two hundred seed and evaluation units in customer hands allow for implementation of solutions on any of the approved networks of the leading carriers in the US and Canada (AT&T, Bell Mobility, Sprint, Telus, T-Mobile, and Verizon). The competitive pricing and hardware and software flexibility of CloudGate is generating opportunities in the Latin America markets. The breath of solutions for which CloudGate is being considered and utilized is congruent with the large growth expectations for the M2M market.
In Europe the company continued to invest in sales & marketing programs to strengthen its M2M partner network and to increase its footprint in the M2M ecosystem. During the quarter CloudGate was integrated in the M2M solution offerings of several European partners with customer projects in piloting or deployment stages.
The company continues to monitor its financial situation closely and takes the necessary actions to bring its cost-base in line with the revenues.
LEUVEN, België – 24 oktober 2013 – Option (EURONEXT Brussels: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY), maakte vandaag bekend dat de onderneming een omzet realiseerde van 2,2 miljoen EURO in het derde kwartaal van 2013.
Het bedrijf heeft in het derde kwartaal verschillende design-wins gerealiseerd als gevolg van het eco-systeem van partners dat in de VS werd uitgebouwd. Deze zouden moeten zorgen voor een substantiële hogere omzet gedurende de volgende 12 maanden. Bijkomend op het succesvol uitrollen van CloudGate in de oplossing voor het monitoren van brandstof in tankwagens van GPS4Hire wordt CloudGate tevens uitgerold in oplossingen voor belangrijke projecten in de scheepvaart en voor toepassingen voor electrical power en water management van nutsbedrijven. Verder wordt CloudGate gebruikt in demo’s, pilootprogramma’s en andere commerciële toepassingen van middleware partners. De meer dan 200 test units van CloudGate in gebruik bij klanten zijn in staat om verschillende toepassingen te laten werken op de netwerken van de toonaangevende operatoren in de V.S. en Canada (AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile, Telus en Bell Mobility). Het feit dat CloudGate competitief geprijsd is en software flexibiliteit verschaft, zorgt er voor dat er ook mogelijkheden voor het product gecreëerd worden in Latijns-Amerika. De grote waaier van oplossingen waarvoor CloudGate in aanmerking komt en gebruikt kan worden is congruent met de grote groeiverwachtingen voor de M2M-markt.
In Europa blijft het bedrijf investeren in sales & marketing programma’s om zijn M2M-partnernetwerk te versterken en de omvang van zijn M2M-ecosysteem te vergroten. Tijdens het kwartaal werd CloudGate geïntegreerd in het aanbod van M2M-oplossingen van verschillende Europese partners, waarbij verschillende projecten bij klanten in een piloot- of uitrolfase zitten.
De onderneming blijft zijn financiële situatie van dichtbij volgen en neemt de noodzakelijke maatregelen om zijn kostenbasis in lijn te brengen met de omzet.
Regulated information
Leuven, Belgium – October 9, 2013 – The board of directors invites the shareholders to the extraordinary general meeting of the Company which will take place at the registered offices of the Company at Gaston Geenslaan 14, 3001 Leuven (Heverlee) on Friday 25 October 2013 at 10.30 a.m. If the required attendance quorum is not reached at this meeting, a second extraordinary general meeting with the same agenda will take place on Wednesday 13 November 2013 at 10.30 a.m.
In accordance with article 533ter §1 of the Belgian Code of Companies, on 2 October 2013 the Company received a request from a shareholder owning more than 3% of the outstanding shares of the Company to modify the agenda of the extraordinary general meeting.
I. Agenda
The board of directors is therefore honored to notify the shareholders in accordance with article 533ter §3 of the Belgian Code of Companies of the modified agenda of the abovementioned extraordinary general meeting, with additional agenda items containing proposals of decision (sub 3, 4 and 5) and rewording of a proposal of decision (sub 7, modifications in capital letters):
1. Acknowledgement of the special report drawn up by the board of directors pursuant to Article 633 of the Belgian Code of Companies.
2. Decision on the dissolution or continuation of the Company following the decrease of its net equity to less than a fourth of its share capital in conformity with Article 633 of the Belgian Code of Companies.
Proposal of decision:
The general meeting of shareholders resolves not to dissolve the Company and to continue the Company’s activities.
3. Capital increase by conversion of the issue premium into share capital
Proposal of decision:
To increase the share capital with an amount of fifty eight million nine hundred forty three thousand eight hundred euro (€58,943,800.00) to bring it from twelve million two hundred thirty two thousand one hundred and thirty four euro and forty two eurocents (€12,232,134.42) to seventy one million one hundred seventy five thousand nine hundred thirty four euro and forty two eurocent (€71,175,934.42) by conversion into share capital of the aforementioned amount from the “Issue premium” and without issue of new shares.
4. Decrease of the share capital via incorporation of the losses carried forward
Proposal of decision:
To decrease the share capital with an amount of sixty seven million fifty one thousand and four euro and eighty two eurocent (€67,051,004.82) to tione it from seventy one million one hundred seventy five thousand nine hundred thirty four euro and forty two eurocent (€71,175,934.42) to four million one hundred twenty four thousand nine hundred twenty nine euro and sixty eurocent (€4,124,929.60) by incorporation of the losses carried forward as of 31 December 2012 for the amount aforementioned and without reduction of the number of shares. From a tax point of view, given the absence of taxed reserves incorporated into the share capital, this capital decrease will be completely offset from the effectively paid up share capital.
5. Modification of the articles of association
Proposal of decision:
In Article 5: Share Capital of the articles of association
(i) To adjust the first sentence to the new amount of the share capital following the decisions taken with regards to the above mentioned agenda items
(ii) To add at the end of History of the share capital a new item 24 in which the decisions with regards to the above mentioned agenda items to increase and decrease the share capital are reflected.
6. Acknowledgment of the special report drawn up by the board of directors pursuant to Article 604 of the Belgian Code of Companies in which the board indicates under which special circumstances it will make use of the authorized capital and for what purposes.
7. Decision on the renewal of the authorized capital and accordingly the modification of the articles of association.
Proposal of decision:
Authorization to the board of directors, for a period of five (5) years as from the date of publication of the present amendment to the articles of association in the Annexes to the Belgian Official State Gazette, in one or more occasions, to increase the share capital by a total amount of [THE AMOUNT OF THE SHARE CAPITAL RESULTING FROM THE DECISION ON AGENDA ITEM 5. AS SET FORTH ABOVE], both by means of contribution in cash or in kind, within the limits imposed by the Belgian Code of Companies as well as by conversion of reserves and issue premiums, with or without the issue of new shares, with or without voting right, or trough the issue of convertible bonds, subordinated or not, or through the issue of warrants or of bonds to which warrants or other movables are linked, or of other securities, such as shares in the framework of a Stock Option Plan.
Furthermore to grant the board of directors special authority, in the event of a public take over bid for securities issued by the Company during a period of three (3) years, running from the extraordinary general shareholders’ meeting which will resolve on this authorization, to proceed with capital increases under the conditions foreseen by the Belgian Code of Companies.
To authorize the board of directors, in the interest of the company, within the limits and in accordance with the conditions imposed by the Belgian Code of Companies, to limit or suspend the preferential rights of the shareholders, when a capital increase occurs within the limits of the authorized capital. This limitation or suspension may likewise occur for the benefit of one or more specified persons.
Consequently, to reformulate the text of Article 5bis: Authorized Capital of the articles of association of the Company as follows:
“The Board of Directors is competent to increase the share capital in one or more occasions, with a total amount of [THE AMOUNT OF THE SHARE CAPITAL AS SET FORTH IN THE ABOVE DECISION ON AGENDA ITEM 5. OF THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING THAT WILL DECIDE UPON THE RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORIZATION].
The capital increases that are decided in accordance with this section, can occur following the modalities decided by the Board of Directors such as by means of contribution in cash or in kind, within the limits imposed by the Belgian Code of Companies as well as by conversion of reserves and issue premiums, with or without the issue of new shares, with or without voting right, or through the issue of convertible bonds, subordinated or not, or through the issue of warrants or of bonds to which warrants or other movables are linked, or of other securities, such as shares in the framework of a Stock Option Plan.
The board of directors can exercise this competence during a period of five years after the publication in the annexes of the Belgian Official State Gazette of the amendment of the articles of association approved by the extraordinary general meeting that resolved on granting this authorization.
This competence can be renewed in accordance with the statutory stipulations.
The board of directors receives special authority, in the event of a public take over bid for securities issued by the Company during a period of three (3) years, after the extraordinary general shareholders’ meeting which resolved on this authorization, to proceed with capital increases under the conditions foreseen by the Belgian Code of Companies.
The board of directors can, in the interest of the Company, within the limits and in accordance with the conditions imposed by the Belgian Code of Companies, limit or suspend the preferential rights of the shareholders, when a capital increase occurs within the limits of the authorized capital. This limitation or suspension may likewise occur for the benefit of one or more specified persons.
In the event that an issue premium is paid on the occasion of a capital increase decided by the board of directors, or following the conversion of bonds, or the exercise of warrants or of rights over other securities, this shall legally be paid onto an inaccessible account, named “Issue Premium”, which shall constitute the guarantee for third parties to the same extent as the share capital, and which, subject to the possibility for converting this reserve into share capital, may only be disposed of in accordance with the conditions for decrease of the share capital, as set forth by the Belgian Code of Companies.
The board of directors is authorized, with the possibility to substitute, following each capital increase, which has come about within the limits of the authorized capital to bring the articles of association into line with the new share capital and share situation, and to complete the history of the share capital.”
II. Admittance to the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders
To be admitted to the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (hereafter: the “general meeting”), the holders of securities issued by the company have to comply with the dispositions of articles 29 and 30 of the company’s articles of association and article 536 of the Companies Code.
In order to participate in the general meeting and to exercise their voting rights, shareholders must be registered as shareholders of the company on the fourteenth (14th) day preceding the general meeting (i.e. on 11 October 2013), at twelve (12:00) PM at the latest, either:
(i) by their inclusion in the register of registered shares of the company;
(ii) by their inclusion on the accounts of a certified account holder or a clearing institution;
The financial intermediary, certified account holder or clearing institution provides the shareholder with a certificate evidencing with how many dematerialized shares that are registered to the shareholder on the registration date (i.e. on 11 October 2013), he wishes to participate in the general meeting.
At the latest on the sixth day preceding the general meeting, (i.e. on 19 October 2013), the shareholders must notify the company or a person designated thereto by the company, of their intention to participate in the general meeting. Registration of participation can occur in writing (Christine Pollie, Gaston Geenslaan 14, 3001 Leuven), or by email (c.pollie@option.com; with a copy to j.bral@option.com).
Shareholders who comply with the formalities to be admitted to the general meeting can both orally (during the meeting) and in writing prior to the meeting ask questions. Written questions have to be submitted by letter to the company (at its registered office) on 19 October 2013, or by email (c.pollie@option.com, with a copy to j.bral@option.com). Only those written questions that are raised by shareholders who have complied with all the formalities to be admitted to the general meeting, and thus have proved to have the capacity of shareholder on the registration date, will be addressed during the meeting.
III. Right to request agenda items and to table proposals for decisions
One or more shareholders who jointly own more than 3% of the total outstanding share capital can, at the latest on 3 October 2013, have items placed on the agenda of the general meeting and propose resolutions relating to the thus added items on the agenda, if they can evidence that they are shareholders. Questions or resolutions can be transmitted in writing (Christine Pollie, Gaston Geenslaan 14, 3001 Leuven), or by email (c.pollie@option.com; with a copy to j.bral@option.com). Receipt is acknowledged by the company within 48 hours.
In the event that shareholders thereto entitled desire to add additional items or proposed resolutions to the agenda, an amended agenda will be made public no later than 10 October 2013 through the company’s website (www.option.com). This amended agenda will also be published in the Annexes of the Belgian State Gazette.
The shareholders may vote through proxy forms or by letter, using the forms thereto drafted by the company, which can be obtained free of charge at the company’s registered office. These forms will also be made available on the company’s website www.option.com. The proxy forms have to be deposited at least six days prior to the general meeting at the company’s registered office. In order to be valid, voting by letter has to be made through a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, which is sent at the latest six days prior to the general meeting to the registered office of the company (the post stamp serving as evidence) and containing the following information:
The holders of warrants have to inform the Company of their intention to participate in the meeting by ordinary letter to the Company’s registered office at the latest six working days prior to the general meeting.
The Board of Directors
GlobeSurfer III Reference Manual - revised on 5th March 2012
Learn the latest firmware development on the CloudGate
The iCON 7.2 will be updated to:
Firmware 2.5.11
GlobeTrotter Connect for Windows 2.3.0.630
GlobeTrotter Connect for MAC 1.3.0.164
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
The iCON 7.2 will be updated to:
Firmware 2.5.11
GlobeTrotter Connect for Windows 2.3.0.630
GlobeTrotter Connect for MAC 1.3.0.164
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
Step by step description on how to set up Dynamic DNS in GlobeSurfer II 7.2
GlobeSurfer III Reference Manual - revised on 5th March 2012
This application is the interface between the GlobeSurfer® III device and your personal desktop. It allows you to see incoming messages, phone calls, etc. on your desktop.
This document provides a description of how to configure an IPSec tunnel on
the GlobeSurfer® III.
This firmware updater cannot be run on a MAC running Safari browser. Please use Firefox or Chrome.
This firmware updater cannot be used for devices purchased through a network operator. Please contact your network operator for further information.
Please read 'What is new in firmware R1N89' document for updates in this firmware revision.
Note: The firmware upgrade process can take up to 20 minutes. Interrupting the process might lead to permanent failure of the device. Note: this update cannot be used with devices purchased through a network operator. Please contact your network operator directly for assistance.
Please read document for new features in this firmware R1N89
This application is the interface between the GlobeSurfer® III device and your personal desktop. It allows you to see incoming messages, phone calls, etc. on your desktop.
Frequently Asked Questions
GlobeSurfer III+ Firmware update procedure
Revised version to include watchdog and SMS control features.
This document provides a description of how to configure an IPSec tunnel on
the GlobeSurfer® III.
This document provides a description of how to configure Port Forwarding rules on the GlobeSurfer® III.
This document provides a description of how to configure the ADSL Failover functionality on the GlobeSurfer® III.
This document provides a description of how to configure a print server and a file server connected to the USB port of the GlobeSurfer III.
GlobeTrotter Connect 3.1 for Windows 2000, XP and Vista
Supports up to MAC OSX 10.6
Windows 7 Legacy Mode certified drivers.
Note: For use in 5.0.x.x driver upgrade only (e.g. GlobeTrotter Connect). Driver is used in Legacy Mode only. Mobile Broadband features is not supported
uCAN® Connect Standard software for Apple Mac OS X 10.7, OS X 10.6 (64-bit; recommended version 10.6.4), Apple Mac OS X 10.6 (32-bit; recommended version 10.6.4) and Apple Mac OS X 10.5 (recommended version 10.5.8)
uCAN® Connect software for Windows XP 32bit (SP3 recommended), Windows Vista 32 & 64bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
GlobeTrotter Connect 3.1 for Windows 2000, XP and Vista
Supports up to MAC OSX 10.6
Windows 7 Legacy Mode certified drivers.
Note: For use in 5.0.x.x driver upgrade only (e.g. GlobeTrotter Connect). Driver is used in Legacy Mode only. Mobile Broadband features is not supported
uCAN® Connect Standard software for Apple Mac OS X 10.7, OS X 10.6 (64-bit; recommended version 10.6.4), Apple Mac OS X 10.6 (32-bit; recommended version 10.6.4) and Apple Mac OS X 10.5 (recommended version 10.5.8)
uCAN® Connect software for Windows XP 32bit (SP3 recommended), Windows Vista 32 & 64bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
The GlobeTrotter Express 7.2 will be updated to:
Firmware 2.5.2
GlobeTrotter Connect for Windows 2.2.0.536
GlobeTrotter Connect for MAC 1.3.0.159
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
The GlobeTrotter Express HSUPA device will be updated to :
Firmware 2.12.3Hd
Windows software : GlobeTrotter Connect 3.0.0.866
MAC software : GlobeTrotter Connect for MAC 1.3.0.164
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
The GlobeTrotter Express HSUPA device will be updated to :
Firmware 2.12.3Hd
Windows software : GlobeTrotter Connect 3.0.0.866
MAC software : GlobeTrotter Connect for MAC 1.3.0.164
uCAN® Connect Standard software for Apple Mac OS X 10.7, OS X 10.6 (64-bit; recommended version 10.6.4), Apple Mac OS X 10.6 (32-bit; recommended version 10.6.4) and Apple Mac OS X 10.5 (recommended version 10.5.8)
GlobeTrotter GT Max 7.2 will be updated to:
Firmware 2.5.11
GlobeTrotter Connect for Windows 2.3.0.630
GlobeTrotter Connect for MAC 1.3.0.164
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
GlobeTrotter GT Max 7.2 will be updated to:
Firmware 2.5.11
GlobeTrotter Connect for Windows 2.3.0.630
GlobeTrotter Connect for MAC 1.3.0.164
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
The GlobeTrotter GT Max HSUPA device will be updated to :
Firmware 2.12.3Hd
Windows software to GlobeTrotter Connect 3.0.0.866
MAC software to GlobeTrotter Connect for MAC 1.3.0.164
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
The GlobeTrotter GT Max HSUPA device will be updated to :
Firmware 2.12.3Hd
Windows software to GlobeTrotter Connect 3.0.0.866
MAC software to GlobeTrotter Connect for MAC 1.3.0.164
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
GlobeTrotter GT Max 7.2 will be updated to:
Firmware 2.5.11
GlobeTrotter Connect for Windows 2.3.0.630
GlobeTrotter Connect for MAC 1.3.0.164
Version 3.0.0.866
Connection software for Windows 2000, XP and Vista
Supports Windows 7 only: - NDIS connection mode: Mobile Broadband - GPS mode: legacy + Sensor and Location Platform
No support for Windows 2K / Windows XP / Windows Vista
Supports Windows 7 only: - NDIS connection mode: Mobile Broadband - GPS mode: legacy + Sensor and Location Platform
No support for Windows 2K / Windows XP / Windows Vista
Supports Windows 7 only: - NDIS connection mode: Mobile Broadband - GPS mode: legacy + Sensor and Location Platform
No support for Windows 2K / Windows XP / Windows Vista
Supports Linux kernel versions 2.6.27 to 3.2
Supports Windows 7 only: - NDIS connection mode: Mobile Broadband - GPS mode: legacy + Sensor and Location Platform
No support for Windows 2K / Windows XP / Windows Vista
Windows 7 support: - NDIS connection mode : legacy - GPS mode : legacy
Supports Windows 2K / Windows XP / Windows Vista and Windows 7
Supports Linux kernel versions 2.6.27 to 3.2
Supports Windows 7 only: - NDIS connection mode: Mobile Broadband - GPS mode: legacy + Sensor and Location Platform
No support for Windows 2K / Windows XP / Windows Vista
Windows 7 support: - NDIS connection mode : legacy - GPS mode : legacy
Supports Windows 2K / Windows XP / Windows Vista and Windows 7
Supports Linux kernel versions 2.6.27 to 3.2
Supports Windows 7 only: - NDIS connection mode: Mobile Broadband - GPS mode: legacy + Sensor and Location Platform
No support for Windows 2K / Windows XP / Windows Vista
Windows 7 support: - NDIS connection mode : legacy - GPS mode : legacy
Supports Windows 2K / Windows XP / Windows Vista and Windows 7
Supports Windows 2K / Windows XP / Windows Vista and Windows 7
Supports Linux kernel versions 2.6.27 to 3.2
This upgrader will upgrade the iCON 225 to firmware version 2.5.24
Note: This flasher can only upgrade Option standard iCON 225 devices.
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
Windows 7 Legacy Mode certified drivers.
Note: For use in 5.0.x.x driver upgrade only (e.g. GlobeTrotter Connect). Driver is used in Legacy Mode only. Mobile Broadband features is not supported
GlobeTrotter Connect 3.0 for Windows 2000, XP and Vista
GlobeTrotter Connect for MAX OSX 10.3, 10.4, 10.5
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
Firmware upgrader to version 2.12.0
This upgrader is designed for Option standard device only. For devices purchased through a network operator, please contact your operator for assistance.
For MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7
For Windows XP 32 bit (SP3 recomended), Windows Vista 32 & 64 bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
Windows 7 Legacy Mode certified drivers.
Note: For use in 5.0.x.x driver upgrade only (e.g. GlobeTrotter Connect). Driver is used in Legacy Mode only. Mobile Broadband features is not supported
Supports up to MAC OSX 10.6
Upgrade firmware to version 2.12.0Hd and software to GlobeTrotter Connect 3.1.0.1086 for Windows and 3.1.19 for MAC OSX
This upgrader is designed for Option standard device only. For devices purchased through a network operator, please contact your operator for assistance.
Windows 7 Legacy Mode certified drivers.
Note: For use in 5.0.x.x driver upgrade only (e.g. GlobeTrotter Connect). Driver is used in Legacy Mode only. Mobile Broadband features is not supported
uCAN® Connect Standard software for Apple Mac OS X 10.7, OS X 10.6 (64-bit; recommended version 10.6.4), Apple Mac OS X 10.6 (32-bit; recommended version 10.6.4) and Apple Mac OS X 10.5 (recommended version 10.5.8)
uCAN® Connect software for Windows XP 32bit (SP3 recommended), Windows Vista 32 & 64bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
Supports up to MAC OSX 10.6
Connection software for Windows XP, Vista, and 7 (Legacy mode only)
Upgrade firmware to version 2.12.0Hd and software to GlobeTrotter Connect 3.1.0.1162 for Windows and 3.1.78 for MAC OSX
This upgrader is designed for Option standard device only. For devices purchased through a network operator, please contact your operator for assistance.
Windows 7 Legacy Mode certified drivers.
Note: For use in 5.0.x.x driver upgrade only (e.g. GlobeTrotter Connect). Driver is used in Legacy Mode only. Mobile Broadband features is not supported
uCAN® Connect Standard software for Apple Mac OS X 10.7, OS X 10.6 (64-bit; recommended version 10.6.4), Apple Mac OS X 10.6 (32-bit; recommended version 10.6.4) and Apple Mac OS X 10.5 (recommended version 10.5.8)
uCAN® Connect software for Windows XP 32bit (SP3 recommended), Windows Vista 32 & 64bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
Supports up to MAC OSX 10.6
Connection software for Windows XP, Vista, and 7 (Legacy mode only)
Upgrade firmware to version 2.12.0Hd and software to GlobeTrotter Connect 3.1.0.1162 for Windows and 3.1.78 for MAC OSX
This upgrader is designed for Option standard device only. For devices purchased through a network operator, please contact your operator for assistance.
Windows 7 Legacy Mode certified drivers.
Note: For use in 5.0.x.x driver upgrade only (e.g. GlobeTrotter Connect). Driver is used in Legacy Mode only. Mobile Broadband features is not supported
uCAN® Connect Standard software for Apple Mac OS X 10.7, OS X 10.6 (64-bit; recommended version 10.6.4), Apple Mac OS X 10.6 (32-bit; recommended version 10.6.4) and Apple Mac OS X 10.5 (recommended version 10.5.8)
uCAN® Connect software for Windows XP 32bit (SP3 recommended), Windows Vista 32 & 64bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
Enables the user to activate or deactivate the GPS port
Enables the user to activate or deactivate the GPS port
Windows 7 Legacy Mode certified drivers.
Note: For use in 5.0.x.x driver upgrade only (e.g. GlobeTrotter Connect). Driver is used in Legacy Mode only. Mobile Broadband features is not supported
uCAN® Connect Standard software for Apple Mac OS X 10.7, OS X 10.6 (64-bit; recommended version 10.6.4), Apple Mac OS X 10.6 (32-bit; recommended version 10.6.4) and Apple Mac OS X 10.5 (recommended version 10.5.8)
uCAN® Connect software for Windows XP 32bit (SP3 recommended), Windows Vista 32 & 64bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
GlobeTrotter Connect 3.1 for MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6
GlobeTrotter Connect 3.1 for Windows 2000, XP and Vista
Upgrade frimware to version 3.19.0 (HSDPA category to 14.4 mbps) and software to uCan Connect version 2.2.3.230.
uCAN® Connect Standard software for Apple Mac OS X 10.7, OS X 10.6 (64-bit; recommended version 10.6.4), Apple Mac OS X 10.6 (32-bit; recommended version 10.6.4) and Apple Mac OS X 10.5 (recommended version 10.5.8)
uCAN® Connect software for Windows XP 32bit (SP3 recommended), Windows Vista 32 & 64bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
GlobeTrotter Connect 3.1 for MAC OSX 10.5, 10.6
GlobeTrotter Connect 3.1 for Windows 2000, XP and Vista
Windows 7 Legacy Mode certified drivers.
Note: For use in 5.0.x.x driver upgrade only (e.g. GlobeTrotter Connect). Driver is used in Legacy Mode only. Mobile Broadband features is not supported
uCAN® Connect Standard software for Apple Mac OS X 10.7, OS X 10.6 (64-bit; recommended version 10.6.4), Apple Mac OS X 10.6 (32-bit; recommended version 10.6.4) and Apple Mac OS X 10.5 (recommended version 10.5.8)
uCAN® Connect software for Windows XP 32bit (SP3 recommended), Windows Vista 32 & 64bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
The download contains a document on how to use the iCON 711 in Linux.
This driver installer can only be used in Windows 7 Mobile Broadband mode. After installation, connection of the Option device can be made through Windows Mobile Broadband instead of using Option connection managers.
Important note: This driver CANNOT be installed on any other Microsoft OS than on the Windows 7.
If you already have installed the GlobeTrotter Connect, this driver package CANNOT be installed on top. This will create a driver conflict.
Windows 7 Legacy Mode certified drivers.
Note: For use in 5.0.x.x driver upgrade only (e.g. GlobeTrotter Connect). Driver is used in Legacy Mode only. Mobile Broadband features is not supported
uCAN® Connect Standard software for Apple Mac OS X 10.7, OS X 10.6 (64-bit; recommended version 10.6.4), Apple Mac OS X 10.6 (32-bit; recommended version 10.6.4) and Apple Mac OS X 10.5 (recommended version 10.5.8)
uCAN® Connect software for Windows XP 32bit (SP3 recommended), Windows Vista 32 & 64bit (SP2 recommended) and Windows 7 32 & 64 bit
How to manually add an APN or disable the PIN code of your SIM card
Frequently Asked Questions and answers
Quick and easy set up (also details LED status indicators)
Frequently Asked Questions and answers
Frequently Asked Questions and answers
Special Report of the Board of Directors - art. 602
Auditor Special Report - art. 602
Option NV - Auditer Special Report: Uitgifte van Converteerbare Obligaties met opheffing van het voorkeurrecht. Verslag van de Commissaris in het kader van artikel 596 en artikel 598 van het Wetboek van Vennootschappen
Special Report of the Board of Directors: Bijzonder verslag van de Raad van Bestuur overeenkomstig artikelen 583 en 596 juncto 598 van het Wetboek van Vennootschappen over de uitgifte van Converteerbare Obligaties
Download here
The articles of association stipulate that the Board of Directors is composed of a minimum of three and a maximum of nine members, who are appointed by the general shareholders meeting for a maximum period of six years. The Board of Directors has to contain at least three independent directors.
The Board of Directors is currently composed of three members, namely: Eric Van Zele (Chairman of the Board of Directors), Raju Dandu and Pieter Bourgeois (Representing Crescemus Bvba)
Eric Van Zele
Mr. Eric Van Zele currently serves as Chairman of Reynaers Aluminium and Crescent NV. He was recently appointed chairman of the E17 network of hospitals and of the Hermes decision committee of The Flemish agency for Innovation and entrepreneurship. He continues to serve as a director of Barco NV. Prior to his current mandates Eric served as president and Ceo of Barco NV in Kortrijk from 2009 thru 2016. He served as CEO of Pauwels International (from 2004 thru 2008) and of Telindus nv (2000 thru 2003). Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Raychem Corporation in Menlo park, CA, USA and as Managing Director of Raychem nv in Leuven, Belgium. (1972 thru 1999). He was nominated “Manager of the Year in 2012” and “ICT Personality of 2013”. Eric holds a masters degree in electrical and mechanical engineering from the KUL in Leuven (1972) and postgraduate degrees in management from Stanford University (1992 CA, USA).
Raju Dandu
Mr. Raju S. Dandu is the Founder-Chairman of Danlaw Inc. USA. He is also the Managing Director of Danlaw Technologies India Ltd. He is responsible for strategic planning and corporate management of both companies. Prior to founding Danlaw Inc., he held positions at the University of Iowa hospitals, Ford Motor Company, Dana Corporation and worked as an independent consultant at General Motors. He holds a bachelors’ degree in electronics engineering from Kakinada, India, a masters in electronics from University of Iowa and an MBA from University of Detroit.
Pieter Bourgeois
Mr. Pieter Bourgeois, is an Investment Manager at Alychlo NV, the investment firm of Belgian entrepreneur Marc Coucke. Prior to this, Mr. Bourgeois worked as CFO (and in other financial roles) focusing on M&A and strategic projects, gaining business acumen in a variety of sectors and different sizes of companies. Mr. Bourgeois holds a Masters Degree in Industrial Engineering and is an MBA from the Solvay Brussels School of Economics & Management.
Guy Sips
Equity Analyst
KBC Securities
E-mail: guy.sips@kbcsecurities.be
Address:
Havenlaan 12 SMK 8374, B-1080 Brussels
Gert De Mesure
Analyst
Vlaamse Federatie van Beleggingsclubs en Beleggers
E-mail: gert.de.mesure@skynet.be
Address:
Langestraat 221, B-2240 Zandhoven
Information about the Option share price can be found on several websites:
We welcome spontaneous applications.
Apply via recruitment@option.com.