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

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Q-Free strengthens market offering
    October 25, 2013
    Q-Free is to acquire Serbian traffic management company Elcom in a deal worth US$1.8 million. Q-Free has signed a share purchase agreement (SPA) for the acquisition which it says reflects the company’s efforts to strengthen its business area within advanced transportation management systems (ATMS) and follows a US$1 million investment in ten percent ownership of US traffic management company Intelight. Established in 1994, Elcom offers traffic controllers, LED street lights and traffic control system sol
    Read More
  • Royal Imtech results ‘a decisive step’
    August 26, 2014
    Royal Imtech has published its second quarter and half year 2014 results, taking what the CEO, Gerard van de Aast says is “a decisive step in Imtech's financial recovery”. The company has reported significant debt reduction and a fully underwritten rights issue of US$791 million. Revenue in the second quarter was US$1.2 billion, with an EBITDA loss in the same period of US$18.4 million. Order intake in the second quarter was US$1.24 billion. In addition, Imtech has reached agreement with Vinci SA on
    Read More
  • Q-Free tolling system for Sydney Harbour Bridge
    September 26, 2012
    Norwegian headquartered Q-Free, supplier of road user charging solutions and advanced transportation management systems, has been awarded a contract by Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) in Australia for the design, supply and installation of an electronic tolling system for the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. The contract, worth US$5.7 million with additional options worth approximately US$2.9 million, comprises the supply and delivery of a roadside system, based on the company’s unique single gantry tolling
    Read More
  • Q-Free toll tags for Thailand
    June 7, 2013
    Norwegian toll systems supplier Q-Free is to supply its OBU610 on board toll tag to the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT). Due to Q-Free’s use of new production technology, the US£2 million order will be delivered within a month. Q-Free’s universal OBU610 is designed to blend into the interior of any modern vehicle and supports all 5.8GGhz CEN DSRC protocols for automatic vehicle identification and toll fee collection.
    Read More

Highlighted Content