Skip to main content

Q-Free preparing for new projects

Q-Free has announced revenues of US$21.11 million during the first quarter 2012 compared to US$29.66 million in the corresponding quarter in 2011, while order intake came in at $44.29 million, $6.45 million more than in previous quarter and $2.96 million more than in Q1-2011, reflecting, the company says, that its general optimism regarding demand is well grounded.
April 27, 2012 Read time: 3 mins
108 Q-Free has announced revenues of US$21.11 million during the first quarter 2012 compared to US$29.66 million in the corresponding quarter in 2011, while order intake came in at $44.29 million, $6.45 million more than in previous quarter and $2.96 million more than in Q1-2011, reflecting, the company says, that its general optimism regarding demand is well grounded.

Most important short term is the development in the Jakarta project which Q-Free signed at the end of October, 2011, with PT Rin for the delivery of an electronic law enforcement (ELE) system for Jakarta (DKI) and greater area of Jakarta (Bodetabek). Based on Q-Free's latest tolling solutions, it will be used by the local police for controlling traffic in Jakarta. The purpose of the system is to provide a more efficient system for registration and control of registered vehicles in Indonesia and will improve the efficiency of the local police to enforce stolen vehicles, fake number plates and security related incidents. The potential contract value is some US$167 million for road side infrastructure, operational back office, tags and a service and a maintenance contract for six years. More than half of the contract value is related to delivery of tags.

Although the financing for the project is not concluded yet, Q-Free reports that good progress has been made. 5320 GIEK has approved to give guarantees for the project and 5321 Eksportfinans and Q-Free’s client are currently negotiating the loan agreement. It is expected that this will be signed during May 2012.

The $44.29 million order intake in the quarter is comprised of congestion charging infrastructure in Gothenburg, Sweden, a tag frame agreement with Spanish operator Abertis, AutoPASS contracts in Norway, an access control contract with Brisbane Airport in Australia, a tag order from 3843 Via Verde, Portugal, and other smaller product orders from various markets. The Group’s order backlog totalled US$103.75 at the end of the first quarter 2012 compared to $80.57 at the end of the fourth quarter 2011.

“Our order intake this quarter indicates the high market activity,” says Q-Free CEO Øyvind Isaksen. The company communicated last quarter an addressable opportunity pipeline of US$872 million - $2.62 billion globally for the next three years, and Isaksen says he sees no reasons to revise this. ”We are working on company changing projects and believe it is just a matter of time before breakthrough in new markets.”

The company targeted US$174.42 million in revenue with EBIT level exceeding 10 % for 2012. As the financial close for the Jakarta project is somewhat delayed, the key assumption for the year target is not met. Even so, Q-Free says it still aims to be in the range of the target, depending on kick-off of the Jakarta project in May and conclusion on other projects in the first half of the year.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Suppliers reshape to provide tolling and traffic management expertise
    August 2, 2013
    Jason Barnes examines the trend towards single source supply of complete tolling and traffic management solutions with some senior tolling industry figures. Only a few years back, the major tolling system suppliers were aggressively positioning themselves as one-stop shops for tolling solutions and operations. No sooner has that little flurry of innovation settled than another trend has emerged – tolling companies wanting to become major ITS suppliers as well. Various tolling company seniors have in recent
  • Massachusetts plans all-electric tolling
    March 8, 2013
    Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is committed to implementing all-electronic tolling (AET) by the middle of 2016; the Tobin Bridge will be converted first as a demonstration to familiarise the public, according to Frank DePaola, the state's highway administrator. The state is going all-electronic because with modern technology it's the most cost-effective way to collect tolls, and because it reduces delays to motorists and improves safety at toll points, he said. MassDOT has estimated it
  • Q-Free celebrates 40th birthday in Phoenix
    April 24, 2024
    Join Q-Free as it celebrates its 40th anniversary at the forefront of ITS in Phoenix. Its story is one of pioneering innovation and visionary leadership.
  • Finnish light rail contract awarded
    December 1, 2016
    Finnish organisations Pöyry, YIT and VR Track are to implement the Tampere light rail project on behalf of the City of Tampere for the implementation of the Tampere light rail project. The revised cost estimate for the implementation stage is US$2154.5 million (€238.8 million). The first phase of construction will commence in the first half of 2017 and is expected be complete by 2021. During this phase, the new rail line will be extended by 15 kilometres and a depot will be constructed in Hervanta. The