STRAX – Tough trading conditions remain, yet managed to complete first divestment process
The Group’s sales for the period January 1 – September 30, 2023, amounted to MEUR 20.4 (25.9) with a gross margin of 14.2 (17.9) percent.
The Group’s result for the period January 1 – September 30, 2023, amounted to MEUR -26.6 (-6.4) corresponding to EUR -0.22 (-0.05) per share.
EBITDA from remaining operations for the period January 1 – September 30, 2023, amounted to
MEUR -14.6 (-2.1).
Equity as of September 30, 2023, amounted to MEUR -33.6 (4.7) corresponding to EUR -0.28 (0.04)
per share.
Auditors’ review report of the interim report includes a reservation concerning the Segment distribution as well as information of special importance.
As of September 30, 2023, STRAX is not fulfilling the special conditions in the loan agreement with PCP due to the development of profitability and financial position in the Group. STRAX board and management is working closely with PCP on the strategical and tactical plan to return to compliance of the agreement. The plan includes divestment of non-core assets to increase focus as well as reduce costs and lightening the balance sheet and in the longer perspective increase the financial position of the Group. In addition, several initiatives have been taken to partially divest and find strong financial partners for core parts of the business to ensure they can continue to grow and prosper without being limited by the constrained cash of the Group. With these initiatives we are optimistic STRAX will be sitting on solid assets that will continue to develop in the right direction and generate value for STRAX and its stakeholders. STRAX is now executing the plan and expects to considerably lower the debt level of the Group during 2023 and 2024 and in particular repay significant parts of the outstanding amounts under the loan agreement. The board and management have taken numerous actions to ensure the remaining business returns to profitability as well as taking actions on loss making operations being discontinued. After the end of the period STRAX has received a waiver from PCP concerning the breach.
STRAX signed a MEUR 10 investment agreement with ZEBRA Invest GmbH, a Germany based investment company, for 50.1% ownership of its European based distribution business. All closing conditions have been fulfilled and the transaction closed during the period. The divestment of the majority ownership in the European Distribution represented the full Segment “Distribution” and as an effect it has been reported applying IFRS – Discontinued operations. The effect is that the profit or loss for the period January 1 – September 30, 2023 and July 1 – September 30, 2023 and corresponding figures last year has been reported Profit/loss from discontinued operations in the Income statement. The result relating to the divestment of the Distribution, including goodwill, amounted to MEUR 0.5.
STRAX subsidiary Urbanista launched Malibu, the world’s first solar charging speaker using Powerfoyle solar cell technology by Exeger. Following the previous highly successful launches of the Los Angeles solar charging headphones in 2021 and Phoenix earphones in 2022, the addition of the Malibu speaker to the family of solar powered products completes the brand's offering in the segment. The launch of Malibu speaker further cements Urbanista's position as the leader in the category in the audio space.
Pia Anderberg decided to resign as a Board Member. Pia was elected as a Board Member in 2018 and has ever since contributed greatly to STRAX. Pia Anderberg has several other board assignments and has recently accepted to join the board of a larger corporation and in light of this will no longer have capacity to be engaged as a board member of STRAX.
“We remain committed to completing our restructuring plan with the objective of presenting a better funded, leaner, and simpler company that has solid growth potential with healthy underlying margins. Our entire team is fully engaged to achieve the desired outcome and I’m thankful for their continued belief in our mission.
Once and again, I would like to thank all our stakeholders for their patience and support whilst we future proof STRAX “.
Gudmundur Palmason, CEO