Trackwise Designs PLC Trading Update (1962N)

TIDMTWD

RNS Number : 1962N

Trackwise Designs PLC

16 January 2019

16 January 2019

Trackwise Designs Plc

("Trackwise" or the "Company")

Trading Update

Trackwise, a leading provider of specialist products using printed circuit technology, is pleased to provide a trading update in respect of the year ended 31 December 2018.

During 2018, the Company has seen strong growth in both its Radio Frequency ("RF") and Improved Harness Technology ("IHT") divisions versus the prior year and profits for the year ended 31 December 2018 are expected to be in line with market expectations, subject to year-end financial close and audit procedures.

The Company is experiencing improved profit margins due to the product mix and as a result of the improved operational efficiencies resulting from the move to the Company's new Ashvale facility at the end of 2017. As planned, the equity funds raised at the time of the Company's Admission to AIM in July 2018 are being invested in both manufacturing capability and capacity, together with sales and marketing resource.

Whilst there have been some delays in ordering from IHT customers, and some uncertainty regarding the impact of Brexit, Trackwise continues to experience accelerating interest and demand for its unique IHT technology across the Company's chosen markets of Aerospace, Automotive, Space and Industrial. Recent highlights include:

Aerospace - Unmanned Aerial Vehicles ("UAV")

 
 -   Trackwise' lead customer, a subsidiary of a large US 
      corporation, has publicly unveiled their UAV/High Altitude 
      Pseudo Satellite and announced plans for its first flight 
      in H1 2019; an important milestone for the Company. 
      Trackwise is the sole supplier of the entire aircraft 
      wiring harness and has received purchase orders for 
      the build of the second aircraft; with a third flight 
      model being discussed. 
 -   Trackwise has received a first purchase order from a 
      large Israeli aerospace manufacturer for the development 
      of a large flex Printed Circuit Board ("PCB"), utilising 
      the Company's IHT technology, for use in a UAV application. 
 

Aerospace - Civil

 
 -   Trackwise has received an initial order from a large 
      French Tier One aerospace manufacturer for the development 
      of a large, high temperature flex PCB for use in an 
      engine nacelle application. 
 

Automotive - Electric Vehicles ("EV")

 
 -   Brexit is causing significant uncertainties in the UK 
      and European automotive sector, notably with Trackwise' 
      major EV battery pack customer, however wider EV development 
      continues apace. 
 -   Trackwise has received a first purchase order from a 
      UK OEM for a low voltage harnesses for an electric scooter 
      battery pack. The same OEM is also developing with Trackwise 
      an integrated signal and power distribution harnesses 
      for their electric van. 
 

Industrial

 
 -       The Company's CERN Large Hadron Collider HiLumi contract 
          proceeds according to plan, with the contract running 
          to 2020. This supply has led to a further contract with 
          KEK, a Japanese High Energy Accelerator research organisation. 
 -       Trackwise has received an initial order from a UK manufacturer 
          to supply large slip ring assemblies for a medical scanner 
          application. 
 

Space

 
 -         Trackwise has signed a contract with the European Space 
            Agency and a large French satellite OEM to study the replacement 
            of spacecraft wire harnesses by large flex PCBs utilising 
            the Company's IHT technology. 
 

While the precise timing and progress of many of these projects is outside of Trackwise' control, the directors consider that the accelerating interest and demand for the Company's unique long-PCB manufacturing capability across multiple sectors and applications is important affirmation of the Company's unique IHT technology.

Philip Johnston, CEO of Trackwise commented:

"2018 was a transformational year for Trackwise. We are very pleased with the growth in IHT revenues during 2018 and see considerable expansion in this area as new markets open up. Current trading remains in line with expectations and we view the future with optimism despite the uncertainties around Brexit and the global economy.

"2019 has begun strongly with an increasing level of enquiries from new customers for IHT solutions."

For further information contact:

 
 Trackwise 
  Philip Johnston (CEO) / Mark Hodgkins 
  (CFO)                                    [phone] 
 Arden Partners plc (Nominated Adviser 
  and Broker) 
  Steve Douglas / Ciaran Walsh / Daniel 
  Gee-Summons                              [phone] 
 IFC Advisory Limited (Financial PR 
  & IR) 
  Tim Metcalfe / Miles Nolan / Zach 
  Cohen                                      [phone] 
 

Notes to editors

Trackwise is an established business that manufactures specialist products using printed circuit technology. The Company consists of two divisions Radio Frequency ("RF") and Improved Harness Technology ("IHT").

The RF business unit manufactures specialist printed circuits which are primarily used in the antenna infrastructure to support the 3G/4G mobile phone networks. However, the technology has a number of other applications which render the RF business a stable revenue generator.

The IHT division utilises the Company's unique proprietary technology, a patented process that Trackwise has developed to manufacture unlimited length multilayer flexible printed circuits. The Directors believe that the technology has many applications but believe one of its primary uses could be to replace traditional wire harness used in a variety of industries.

Trackwise Designs plc was admitted to trading on AIM on 31 July 2018 with the ticker TWD.

For additional information please visit: www.trackwise.co.uk

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact [e-mail] or visit www.rns.com.

END

TSTUVAURKUAAAUR

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 16, 2019 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)