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Ticker: OPTT
Date: July 31, 2007
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Operator:
2007 audio webcast. Today’s conference is being recorded and webcast. At this time for
opening remarks, I would like to turn the call over to the Chief Financial Officer of
Ocean Power Technologies, Mr. Charles Dunleavy. Please go ahead sir.
Charles F. Dunleavy, Chief Financial Officer
Thank you. Good afternoon and welcome to Ocean Power Technologies’ Audio Webcast
for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2007. OPT has filed its annual report on Form 10-K
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For access to this document you can view
it and all of our public filings on the SEC website at
website,
click on SEC Filings.
SLIDE #2 FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
During the course of this conference call, management may make projections or other
forward-looking statements regarding future events or financial performance of the
company within the meaning of the Safe Harbor Provision of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may relate to, among other things,
future financial performance indicating expected cash flow, the ability to reduce costs
and improve operational efficiencies, revenue growth and increased sales volume,
success in key markets, our ability to enter into relationships with partners and other third
parties, delivery and deployment of PowerBuoys
PowerBuoys, hiring new key employees, and the expected costs of our PowerBuoy
product. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions made
by management regarding future circumstances over which the company may have little
or no control and involve risks and uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual
results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements.
We refer you to the company’s Form 10-K and other recent filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission for a description of these and other risk factors. I’ll now turn
the call over to George Taylor our Chief Executive Officer.
George W. Taylor, Chief Executive Officer
Thank you, Chuck. I am delighted to host our first earnings webcast since our IPO and
listing on Nasdaq and would also like to welcome all our shareholders.
The global market for renewable energy is seeing an unprecedented level of interest and
potential growth. Our successful public capital-raising means that the Company has the
capital base and the credibility of listings on two of the world’s premier stock exchanges
to benefit from this trend. As a leading wave power company, our systems have been
extensively ocean tested over the past ten years. OPT is now moving rapidly to full
commercialisation with exciting projects in the US and Europe.
Before we discuss the financial results, I would like to take a few minutes to highlight
OPT’s business strategy and the progress being made to capitalize on our world-wide
opportunities.
SLIDE #3 BUSINESS STRATEGY:
OPT has an early mover advantage in wave power systems. Our strategy is to sell turnkey
power stations, and to obtain long term contracts from our customers for the
operation and maintenance of these wave farms.
Our product development effort is aimed at increasing the output of our PowerBuoy
systems – up to 500 kW in the next several years. This, with high production volume, we
believe will enable us to achieve our goal of competing with fossil fuel energy without
the need for subsidies.
Most of the system steel fabrication for the PowerBuoys is outsourced to sub-contractors,
often locally. The "smart part" of the system (the power generation and control modules)
is assembled and tested at OPT’s facility, then shipped to a location close to the wave
power station site for integration into the PowerBuoys.
Our primary target markets are the world’s advanced economies where demand for
renewable energy is growing due to environmental pressures and the ever-increasing
need for energy in general.
To accelerate market adoption we plan to build demonstration wave power stations on a
selective basis and will discuss these later.
OPT has blue chip partners such as Iberdrola, Total and the US Navy, which will help to
leverage acceptance of OPT’s systems.
Our strategy is to broaden the company’s addressable market, such as through the
development of autonomous power buoys for remote locations that are non-grid
connected.
SLIDE #4 – COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES
We enjoy considerable competitive advantages.
Our patented PowerBuoy system has been refined and tested through long term ocean
trials over many years. It has a simple structure, most of which is below the surface of the
ocean, and is easily deployed with existing maritime infrastructure.
The system is designed for maintainability and to survive 100-year storm wave
conditions.
The system has been independently tested and approved for connection to electricity
grids. It has also passed environmental assessment studies which concluded that there is
no significant impact.
A major advantage of our system is that it can automatically tune itself to changing wave
conditions, allowing for maximum power output. Also, each PowerBuoy installed
around the world can be monitored continuously at OPT’s headquarters.
As mentioned earlier, our strong capital and customer base provides a solid springboard
for growth as well as comfort for existing and potential new customers.
SLIDE #5 – RECENT TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS
During the past year we have made excellent progress to position the Company for its
commercial ramp-up.
A notable milestone was the achievement of grid certification from an internationally
recognized testing agency. This means our systems have been quality-approved for
connection to electricity grids.
The design of our PB40 PowerBuoy is completed and the system has been successfully
ocean tested. I am pleased to report that the design of our larger PB150 PowerBuoy is
well underway and we expect to commence ocean testing in 2008.
The advanced control system, or "smart part", is now complete and will be utilized in our
range of PowerBuoys from the PB150 to the PB500.
Our intellectual property portfolio continues to strengthen with six new patent
applications filed during the fiscal year, and three new patents being issued.
SLIDE #6 – KEY COMMERCIAL MILESTONES
I said at the outset that the Company was moving rapidly into a commercialization phase.
This is reflected by our increasing order book, or backlog, and project activity.
Our largest order won during the year, was for $3.2 million, for the second phase of
construction of the wave power station OPT is building for Iberdrola in northern Spain.
This was followed by a separate Operations & Maintenance contract for this project.
In the UK, a $1.2m contract was awarded by the Scottish Executive for the construction,
installation and in-ocean demonstration of our 150 kW PowerBuoy product.
In the US, the Company signed an agreement with the Oregon-based electric power
group PNGC Power to work cooperatively on OPT’s development of an initial 2MW
demonstration station in Reedsport on the coast of Oregon. OPT has been granted a
preliminary permit for this project from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC). OPT also has applied for FERC permits to build two other wave parks off the
coast of Oregon. In total, the permit applications submitted to FERC for Oregon are to
build three wave parks with a total capacity of up to 250 MW.
Since the fiscal year end, OPT has expanded its relationship with the US Navy with the
award of a $1.7 million order for the powering of a deep water acoustic detection system.
All this activity has translated into a strong order pipeline and we closed the year with a
total backlog of $5.2 million – double the level of the previous year.
SLIDE #7 – UPDATE ON PROJECTS
OPT is currently working on projects in four countries.
The primary customer for our wave power station in Spain is Iberdrola, the utility with
the largest renewable power generating capacity in the world. We are building a 1.4 MW
wave power station for connection to the grid in Northern Spain. We have completed the
first phase, which was for assessment and planning. We received the second phase
contract in the first quarter of fiscal 2007. This current phase includes construction of the
infrastructure, installation of the first PowerBuoy and connection to the grid. We plan for
this first PowerBuoy to be ready for deployment by the end of 2007.
The French oil giant Total and Iberdrola are the customers for our project on the West
Coast of France. We are currently working under contract for the first phase of this
project, for the study and assessment of a 2 to 5 MW wave power station. We have
identified several possible sites with good wave resources and close connection points to
the French power grid.
In March 2007, we were awarded funding from the Scottish Ministers’ Wave and Tidal
Energy Support Scheme, managed by the Scottish Executive. This funding is to support
the design, manufacture and installation of a single 150 kW PowerBuoy system in
Orkney, Scotland. This site is fully permitted and a subsea power transmission cable is
already in place, allowing the electricity generated by our PB150 to be fed directly into
the UK grid. We expect the system to be ready for ocean deployment in the first half of
2008.
We received approval from the South West of England Regional Development Agency to
install a 5 MW demonstration wave power station off the coast of Cornwall, England.
The Agency is responsible for permitting of the site, the installation of the subsea power
transmission cable and its connection to the grid. We are currently in the planning and
development stage. This wave power station will serve as a demonstration wave power
station, which we intend to operate as an independent power producer. We plan to
collect revenue from the sale of power to electrical utilities.
Our contract in Hawaii with the US Navy is to develop and build wave power systems at
the US Marine Corps Base in Oahu. Two PowerBuoy systems have been tested at the
ocean site at various times over the past two years. Our second system was installed in
June 2007 for testing at this location. It operated well for four weeks generating power,
and was electronically monitored, controlled and observed via video feed to our
Pennington, New Jersey facility. Its automatic control features were also tested
successfully during this period. Subsequently, the system has been returned to shore for
analysis of a problem caused by one component. Work is currently in progress on the
design and construction of a third PowerBuoy system, which is expected to be ready for
deployment at the Marine Corps Base by the end of 2007.
In February 2007, the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, granted us a
preliminary permit to evaluate the feasibility of a location off the coast of Reedsport,
Oregon for the proposed construction and operation of a wave power station with an
anticipated maximum rated output of 50 MW, of which up to the first 5 MW will be a
demonstration wave power station. In February 2007, we signed a cooperative agreement
with a utility partner, PNGC Power for the development of a wave power station. In July
2007, we filed a Pre-Application Document and Notice of Intent with FERC for
Reedsport, which provides notice of our intent to seek a license for the Reedsport wave
park and information regarding the project. We believe this is the first Pre-Application
Document and Notice of Intent filed by a wave power company, and is an important step
in the full licensing process for the Reedsport project. We plan to generate revenue from
this demonstration wave power station in Reedsport by selling electricity to utilities.
Our PowerBuoy system off the coast of New Jersey was ocean-deployed for a twelve
month period and removed for planned maintenance. During the test period the
PowerBuoy was subjected to hurricane storm forces. We are very pleased that after
extensive diagnostic testing, there were no significant problems with the system. The
system will be re-deployed shortly for demonstration and marketing purposes.
SLIDE #8 - STAFFING
The Company has significantly increased investment in management and staff to support
the growth of the business.
Over the last fiscal year, six new staff members have been added to our UK and US
offices. I am very pleased that Mark Draper has been appointed to the position of Chief
Operating Officer. As Chief Executive of our European-subsidiary, Mark has been
instrumental in the Company’s success in that region. Our efforts to increase staffing in
various operational areas include the filling of key positions in the areas of business
development, production and engineering.
I also want to acknowledge the strong on-going efforts of our current employees, whose
dedication and expertise is so important to growing our Company.
After this business update I would like to hand over the presentation to Chuck to discuss
last year’s results:
Thank you George.
SLIDE #9 – FINANCIAL SUMMARY – OPERATING RESULTS
Our revenues increased by 45% in fiscal 2007 to $2.5 million, as compared to $1.7
million in fiscal 2006. The increase in revenues was primarily attributable to the
following factors:
•
$1.1 million due to three major areas: First, work that commenced on the first
phase of construction of a 1.39MW wave power station off the coast of Spain;
secondly, increased revenues relating to our US Navy project in Hawaii from a
higher activity level; and third, work that began on the design, manufacture and
installation of an OPT wave power station consisting of a PB150 (150kW)
PowerBuoy system in Orkney, Scotland.
approximately $0.3 million primarily as a result of the completion of a
development and construction contract with Lockheed Martin in the fiscal year
ended April 30, 2006. It is important to note that we were awarded a $1.7 million
contract in July 2007 from the US Navy for the use of our autonomous buoy in
connection with a deep water ocean sensing application.
Cost of revenues increased by $1.9 million, or 93%, to $4.0 million in fiscal 2007, as
compared to $2.1 million in fiscal 2006. The main driver of the decrease in gross profit in
fiscal 2007 was our providing for an anticipated loss of $1.3 million on our contract for a
wave power station off the coast of Spain. The anticipated loss of $1.3 million was
recognized based on a change in estimated costs upon completion associated with this
contract. This was partially offset by an increase in gross profit recognized in connection
with our US Navy project in Hawaii. In addition, approximately $0.3 million of
compensation expense was recorded as cost of revenues under Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 123(R), which requires companies to recognize
compensation expense for all stock-based payments to employees. Because we adopted
SFAS 123(R) effective May 1, 2006, we did not record similar compensation expense in
fiscal 2006.
Product development costs increased by 47% to $6.2 million in fiscal 2007, as compared
to $4.2 million in fiscal 2006. This increase in product development costs was primarily
attributable to our efforts to increase the power output of our utility PowerBuoy system,
including the 150kW PowerBuoy. In addition, we recorded approximately $0.3 million
of compensation expense as product development costs under SFAS 123(R). We
anticipate that our product development costs related to the planned increase in the output
of our utility PowerBuoy system will increase significantly over the next several years
and that the amount of these expenditures will not necessarily be affected by the level of
revenue generated over that time period.
Selling, general and administrative costs increased 53% to $4.9 million in fiscal 2007, as
compared to $3.2 million in fiscal 2006. The increase was primarily attributable to an
increase of $0.4 million related to additional marketing expenses and consulting costs,
$0.3 million in professional fees, $0.5 million in employee incentive-based compensation
and $0.5 million of compensation expense recorded under SFAS 123(R). As George
noted previously, we expect to hire a vice president of business development and
marketing, and to increase our spending in that area as we accelerate our marketing
efforts in Europe, North America, Australia and Japan.
Interest income in fiscal 2007 was relatively flat at $1.4 million, as compared to the prior
fiscal year, due to a reduction in cash and certificates of deposit, offset by higher interest
rates in fiscal 2007. We closed on the US IPO on April 30, 2007, so the net proceeds of
that offering will not affect interest income reported until our first quarter of fiscal 2008.
Foreign exchange gain was $1.5 million in fiscal 2007, compared to a loss of $1.0 million
in fiscal 2006. The difference was primarily attributable to the appreciation of the British
pound compared to the US dollar between the two periods.
SLIDE #10 – FINANCIAL SUMMARY – FINANCIAL CONDITION
We finished the year with very strong liquidity. At April 30, 2007 our total cash, cash
equivalents and certificates of deposit were $116 million. Long-term debt of $232,000
represents amounts due to the State of New Jersey under a non-interest bearing loan
which must be repaid no later than January 2012. Stockholders’ equity and common
shares outstanding reflect the closing in late April 2007 of the US IPO and listing on the
Nasdaq Global Market. We raised a net amount of approximately $90 million through the
sale of 5 million common shares. Also in connection with that transaction, we reincorporated
Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. in Delaware, and gave effect to a one-forten
reverse stock split, as approved by Shareholders at the January 12, 2007 Shareholders
meeting.
SLIDE #11 – FINANCIAL SUMMARY – CASH FLOWS
Net cash used in operating activities was $7.5 million for fiscal 2007. This primarily
resulted from the net loss for the fiscal year of $9.6 million, decreased by a net change in
operating assets and liabilities, non-cash charges for depreciation and amortization, and
SFAS 123(R) Compensation expense. This was partially offset by a non-cash foreign
exchange gain.
Net cash used in investing activities was $9.3 million for fiscal 2007, resulting primarily
from a net purchase of $7.9 million of certificates of deposit, a $1.0 million restricted
cash balance related to a bank credit facility for Ocean Power Technologies Limited, and
$0.3 million in purchases of equipment and patent costs.
We invested in expanding our assembly and test facilities and developed several new
patent applications as part of our on-going investment in technology development.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $90.8 million for fiscal 2007 resulting
primarily from the initial public offering in the United States.
Now let me turn the conference back over to George.
I would like to close our webcast by summarizing the pioneer achievements of the
Company, as well as the highlights over the past fiscal year.
SLIDE #12 – PIONEER ACHIEVEMENTS
Among the Company’s pioneering "firsts" are:
market and Nasdaq
SLIDE #13 - HIGHLIGHTS
Let me now summarize the highlights of the past fiscal year:
and the Orkney Islands.
underway and grid certification has been received
manufacture shortly
three separate sites
I believe OPT is now perfectly poised as a company to grow into a major corporation.
We have established a significant customer base, which by itself would allow the
Company to grow to a large size. The Company is actively working to increase its
customer base in the four regions of the world we are now focused on, and to fully
commercialize its technology.
The technology that OPT has successfully developed and ocean tested has clear
advantages over competing technologies. We have a well defined production plan which
minimizes capital expenditures and risks.
The world recognizes the need for renewable energy, because of global warming and
pollution. As a company, we are excited to provide a new and completely benign
renewable energy solution, which has the ability on a large scale to provide a significant
amount of energy at an economical price.
I would like to thank all of you for attending and listening to OPT’s earnings presentation
today and also thank all Shareholders for their continuing support and interest as we grow
the Company.
disconnect.