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.
Parking & Access Control Charging, Tolling & RUC Enforcement

Related Content

  • September 18, 2012
    Q-Free reinforces ITS capabilities, expertise at World Congress
    Q-Free intends to use its appearance at the ITS World Congress to reflect a broader and more accurate reality of the company’s strength and capabilities. That’s not going to be difficult, if one considers the technological and geographical diversity of the company’s success since the beginning of this year alone.
    Read More
  • April 30, 2014
    Q-Free reports increased revenue for first quarter of 2014
    Q-Free reported 22 per cent increase in revenues to US$28 million in the first quarter of 2014, reflecting continued growth for products and service and maintenance but lower projects revenues. Operating profit (EBIT) increased to US$166,000 from an operating loss of US$8.8 million in the first quarter of 2013; pre-tax profit improved to US$333,000 from a loss of US$9.1 million in the same period last year.
    Read More
  • September 18, 2012
    Q-Free reinforces ITS capabilities, expertise at World Congress
    Q-Free intends to use its appearance at the ITS World Congress to reflect a broader and more accurate reality of the company’s strength and capabilities. That’s not going to be difficult, if one considers the technological and geographical diversity of the company’s success since the beginning of this year alone.
    Read More
  • June 21, 2013
    French toll tag order for Q-Free
    Vinci Autoroutes in France, the largest toll operator in Europe, has chosen Q-Free’s OBU 610 universal toll tag in an order valued at US$5.5 million. With more than four thousand kilometres under their concession Vinci Autoroutes controls around half of France’s national network. The OBU 610 is Q-Free’s fourth generation transponder, small yet powerful enough to support all 5.8 GHz CEN DSRC protocols.
    Read More

Highlighted Content