SDL 2023 Annual Shareholder Meeting
2023 Annual Meeting Address 19 October 2023
FY2023 Overview
FY2023 was the first full financial year with Patrick Brand as Solution Dynamic’s (SDL) CEO
and produced a further record financial result. It was also the first financial year since
COVID with no border closures. The effects from COVID were still apparent in some parts
of the the business during FY2023, notably in international operations and the impact of
physical mail volumes broadly as postal organisations globally continued to significantly hike
postage rates. Postage cost pressure plays to SDL “digital transformation” sales strategy,
although the gross profit SDL earns on a digital communication is significantly lower than on
a comparable print communication.
A renewed focus on new business activity in New Zealand late in FY2022, following staff
changes and a restructured sales team, delivered solid domestic growth over FY2023
despite very challenging conditions for the overall print and mailhouse market. These wins
in New Zealand continued across FY2023, especially in the local authority sector where SDL
has gained market share. International operations were more difficult, with SDL no longer
participating in lower margin, commoditised activity. International sales have refocused on
segments where the Company has competitive advantage, such as cross-border mail or
domain knowledge such as in the global charity sector.
International revenue was modestly down, especially from ongoing weakness in US
mortgage-related communications as higher interest rates further depressed housing finance
activity, although this now seems to be finding a base, albeit at historically low volume levels.
Volumes in the UK continued to steadily recover over the year but remain below pre-COVID
levels.
The Company renovated its Auckland premises in H1 FY2023 and this assisted in improved
return-to-office staff levels. COVID did not affect operations in FY2023. While the pandemic
was a factor in skill and salary pressure across the technology sector over the last couple of
years, this pressure had largely abated by financial year end.
SDL closed the year with net cash on hand at $6.6 million (approximately 45 cents per
share). The Directors continue to maintain a preference for acquisition opportunities, most
likely aimed at delivering product or geographic expansion and remain conscious that any
transaction must add value to shareholders, with manageable financial and operational risks.
SDL secured an International Growth Fund co-funding grant from NZ Trade & Enterprise late
in H1 FY2023. This runs for three years and will reimburse 50% of US market development
costs to a maximum of $0.6 million. A condition of the grant is that SDL’s dividend payout is
capped at 50% (the cap includes distributions such as share buybacks) for the term of the
agreement.
2
FY2023 Financial Results
Despite ongoing headwinds in international activity, SDL generated a record net profit after
tax of $3.4 million, up 34%, and dividends to shareholders totalling 11.5 cents per share
(fully imputed).
Key result metrics ($figures are
’000)
FY23 FY22 Growth Y/Y CAGR (5-
yr)
Total Revenue 40,385 40,127 0.6% 12.2%
Digital Print & Outsourced 11,958 10,324 15.8% -23.3%
Software & Technology 28,427 29,803 -4.6% 36.3%
Gross Profit 15,986 13,941 14.7% 13.7%
Gross Margin 39.6% 34.7%
SG&A expenses 10,274 9,422 9.0% 10.8%
EBITDA
(a)
5,712 4,519 26.4% 20.2%
EBITDA Margin 14.1% 11.3%
Net Profit after Tax 3,425 2,563 33.6% 20.8%
Earnings per share (cents) 23.23 17.41 33.4% 20.5%
Dividends per share (cents) 11.50 13.00 -11.5% 8.9%
(a) EBITDA (i.e. Earnings before Interest, Taxation, Depreciation, Amortisation and Impairment) is a non-GAAP earnings
figure that equity analysts tend to focus on for comparable company performance analysis. The Company considers
that it is a useful financial indicator because it avoids the distortions caused by the differences in amortisation and
impairment policies.
The Company also delivered record revenue of $40.4 million, up 0.6%. International
revenue saw a drop off in low margin activity such as cyber security notices, which had
become increasingly commoditised. This was partly replaced by higher margin international
professional services and SaaS revenue.
While cost pressures continued, especially staff costs, SDL was able to manage staffing
levels and also implement a general price increase across its New Zealand customer base.
The price rise, along with improved revenue mix saw solid improvement in Gross Margin.
SG&A costs were reasonably well controlled given inflationary pressures. EBITDA grew
26% to $5.7 million.
In addition to minor assistance from the NZTE grant, the FY2023 result was assisted by a
modest R&D tax credit gain.
The long-term financial result trends continued their positive trajectory and SDL is pleased to
have delivered record revenue, and profit in FY2023. Success never runs in a straight line
and the global macroeconomic environment is highly uncertain. Strong macroeconomic
headwinds mean the Company has its work cut out in FY2024, but the Board, CEO and all
staff are aligned and focused on continuing to deliver results.
3
Business Strategy
SDL’s strategy remains unchanged; to progressively transform into a global business. The
2018 acquisition of Digital to Print (DTP) in the US was the foundational underpinning for our
international growth strategy. FY2023 confirmed that the Company’s differentiating value
outside of New Zealand is enabling global customer communications as a service, unlocking
significant customer cost savings while improving client engagement. SDL’s international
customers using our global platform are more profitable for the Company, while customers
with a single country solution are generally less profitable and more at risk of insourcing or
switching providers. The favourable mix shift to global customers was a key factor in
FY2023’s significant profit growth, but did increase customer concentration risk. The focus
is to reduce this concentration risk by driving new global business.
This global strategy is driving a focus on key verticals with large-scale, global
communications needs. This includes global charities and NGOs like World Vision, and
most recently L’Arche, and global CCM platform providers such as Pitney Bowes. Global
business process outsourcers have been added as a key vertical market based on a new
contract with EY. SDL continues to refine the segments and applications where the
Company believes it can win. The current international sales focus is on the global charity
sector, plus global print and postage management which is complex and a “pain point” for
organisations that undertake cross border mail.
Leading with digital transformation is not just an international strategy but a key differentiator
in the New Zealand market where NZ Post has implemented several large (20% to 30%
annually) increases in retail postage rates. The mail house market is expected to continue
its decline and likely to consolidate (or some participants may exit) so it was particularly
pleasing to see the New Zealand business generate growth in a declining market. The focus
on new business driven by new talent and leading with “digital transformation” has paid off
and continues to progress. SDL’s software business and strong financial position is well
positioned in the NZ market as a supplier of choice. SDL omni-channel solutions are
supporting our customers total print and digital communications needs.
The Company has redesigned its website to better communicate its strategy and benefits it
can offer, especially to key target market sectors.
Go-to-Market Strategy
Direct face-to-face business to business selling has changed and SDL is increasingly
leveraging digital transformation in our go-to-market channels. Prospects and partner
channels commonly rely on the web to identify and qualify potential suppliers and partners.
SDL recently updated its website to better aligned to the Company’s strategy and target
vertical markets, and is driving digital marketing campaigns both inbound and outbound, with
some early wins. Traditional tradeshows remain an important way of reaching targeted
audiences and SDL is exhibiting at tradeshows like NetHope, an NGO focused technology
conference. Increasing awareness and building trust and confidence in the key target
verticals is foundational to our strategy going forward. Although this has increased our sales
and marketing costs, it is an important long-term investment.
4
Global Customer Communications as a Service
Global customer communications technology delivered as a managed service is at the heart
of what SDL does. Progress has continued to unify the Company’s software products into a
Global Customer Communications Hub. The integration of the “Hub”, SDL’s global postal
management expertise and global service delivery network constitute the Company’s Global
Customer Communications Platform. The SDL “Platform” called DMC (Digital Mail Centre)
leverages a digital workflow approach to ensure the right message gets delivered through
the right channel and from the right location.
Customers are looking for end-to-end solutions covering digital and printed communications
through one platform that operates seamlessly. New capabilities recently added include
“Intelligent QR codes” to drive print customers to the web to view personalized content such
as child sponsorship videos for an NGO customer. User experience improvements include
single sign on across SDL and client applications. DMC was recently launched into the New
Zealand market, leading with “digital transformation” and mobile first communications – this
has driven new business wins with large councils and local government authorities.
Case study: EY (formerly Ernst and Young)
EY is a case study on the value SDL provides in global distributed print in the “Know Your
Customer” (KYC) market. KYC is an important regulatory requirement for most financial
services firms, to reduce the risk of money laundering. Firms are required to validate
customer information regularly and EY is providing KYC services to their marquee global
financial services clients.
SDL and EY are rolling out a KYC solution starting in India and moving to North America and
Europe. For example, by printing in India versus in the UK, postage and logistics costs have
been reduced by over 80% for EY and their client. EY has also determined that response
rates for KYC communications are higher for mail versus digital channels due to identity theft
concerns. The SDL/EY partnership is pursuing futher opportunities to expand.
FY2024 Outlook
New business momentum in New Zealand should deliver additional revenue in FY2024.
However, this will only provide incremental gains for the Company and international sales
success will be required to deliver meaningful growth from this point. The Company’s
international strategy is to utilise channel partners into the small-to-medium sized business
markets and has refocused direct sales into a small number of key verticals such as global
charities and large users of cross-border print and mail.
As previously advised to investors, SDL remains unable to provide FY2024 earnings
guidance. The Company largest customer, a global charity, has indicated it intends to RFP
tender its global communications programme work in early 2024, work that is currently
provided by SDL. The customer has stated it is very satisfied with SDL’s service quality and
that the RFP is part of the customer’s periodic review of its large contracts. This customer is
very material to SDL’s financial results and every effort will be undertaken to ensure the
5
business is retained, although an RFP process will inevitably carry significant risk for the
Company.
The rise in global interest rates has continued in recent months and it is difficult to see how
this will not lead to further global economic slowdown.
SDL is trading broadly in line with internal expectations for the first quarter of FY2024. The
first half FY2024 result will be unaffected by the RFP tender and the Company expects
earnings in the range of $2.0 to $2.3 million.
---
Solution
Dynamics
Limited
Annual
Shareholder
Meeting,
19
October
2023
SOLUTION
DYNAMICS
1
SOLUTION
DYNAMICS
This
presentation
has
been
prepared
by
Solution
Dynamics
Limited
(SDL)
for
informational
purposes.
This
disclaimer
applies
to
this
document
and
the
verbal
or
written
comments
of
any
person
presenting
it.
This
presentation
dated
19
October
2023
should
be
read
in
conjunction
with,
and
subject
to,
the
explanations
and
views
of
future
outlook
on
market
conditions,
earnings
and
activities
given
in
the
FY2023
Annual
Report
(together
with
management
commentary)
published
on
24
August
2023.
In
parts
of
this
presentation,
SDL
has
presented
certain
financial
information
exclusive
of
the
impact
of
significant
items.
A
number
of
non
‐
GAAP
financial
measures
are
used
in
this
presentation
which
are
used
by
management
to
assess
the
performance
of
the
business
and
have been
derived
from
SDL’s
financial
statements
for
the
12
months
ended
30
June
2023.
You
should
not
consider
any
of
these
statements
in
isolation
from,
or
as
a
substitute
for
the
information
provided
in
the
financial
statements
for
the
12
months
ended
30
June
2023.
The
information
in
this
presentation
has
been
prepared
by
SDL
with
due
care
and
attention,
however,
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SDL
nor
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shareholders,
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‐
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Such
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‐
looking
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uncertainties,
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events,
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‐
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There
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and
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looking
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Actual
results
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Except
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Listing
Rules,
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obligation
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The
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other
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or
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recommendation.
Important Information and Disclaimer
2
SOLUTION
DYNAMICS
•
Meeting
open:
Voting
and
Questions
procedure
•
FY2023
overview
•
FY2023
key
result
metrics
•
Business
commentary:
•
Vertical
market
focus
•
Go
‐
to
‐
market
strategy
•
Software
&
Technology
strategy
•
EY
case
study
•
Strategy
and
FY2024
Outlook
•
Formal
business
of
the
meeting,
including
resolutions:
•
to
fix
Auditor’s
remuneration
•
to
re
‐
elect
John
McMahon
•
General
business
and
Questions
Agenda
3
SOLUTION
DYNAMICS
Online Attendees: Voting Process
4
•
Once
the
voting
has
been opened,
the
vote
process
will
be
accessible
by
clicking
on
the
‘Vote’
tab.
•
To
vote
simply
select
your
voting
direction
from
the
options
shown
on
the
screen.
•
Your
vote
has
been
cast
when
the
tick
appears.
•
To
change
your
vote,
select
‘Change
your
Vote’.
SOLUTION
DYNAMICS
Online Attendees: Questions Process
5
•
If
you
have
a
question
to
submit
during
the
meeting,
select
the
Q&A
tab.
•
Type
your
question
and
press
‘Send’.
Your
question
will
be
immediately
submitted.
•
You
can
submit
a
question
at
any
time
but
it
may
not
be
answered
until
the
appropriate
point
in
the
meeting.
Similar
questions
will
be
answered
together.
•
The
Q&A
tab
may
also
be
used
for
help.
Please
submit
your
query
or
problem
the
same
way
as
typing
a
question.
SOLUTION
DYNAMICS
FY2023 Overview
6
•
First
full
year
with
Patrick
Brand
as
CEO;
pleased
to
report
record
earnings
•
no
COVID
constraints,
but
some
after
‐
effects
(labour
cost
pressure,
rapid
hikes
in
global
postage
rates)
•
Ongoing
business
and
earnings
momentum;
differing
NZ
and
International
performance
•
domestic
NZ
mailhouse
market
difficult,
but
strong
market
share
gains
saw
modest
volume
growth
•
international,
recovery
towards
pre
‐
COVID
volumes
in
UK,
but
US
difficult
(esp.
mortgage
market)
•
International
refocused
on
specific
verticals
where
SDL’s
IP/technology
better
differentiates
•
customer
pain
points
such
as
cross
‐
border
mail;
target
sectors
such
as
the
global
charity
market
•
Conservative
balance
sheet
($6.6
million,
~45cps)
with
a
cautious
approach
to
acquisitions
•
more
difficult
macroeconomic
environment
may
throw
up
acquisition
opportunities
•
NZTE
market
development
grant
of
$0.6m
co
‐
funding
of
costs
over
three
years
•
constrains
shareholder
distributions
(dividends,
buybacks)
to
50%
of
net
profit
for
the
grant
period
SOLUTION
DYNAMICS
FY2023 Overview: Key result metrics
7
Five
‐
Yr CAGR
Growth Y/Y
FY22
FY23
Financial
Metrics
($000)
12.2%
0.6%
40,127
40,385
Total Revenue
‐
23.3%
15.8%
10,324
11,958
Digital
Print
&
Outsourced
36.3%
‐
4.6%
29,803
28,427
Software
&
Technology
13.7%
14.7%
13,941
15,986
Gross
Profit
34.7%
39.6%
Gross
Margin
10.8%
9.0%
9,422
10,274
SG&A
expenses
20.2%
26.4%
4,519
5,712
EBITDA
(a)
11.3%
14.1%
EBITDA
Margin
20.8%
33.6%
2,563
3,425
Net
Profit
after
Tax
20.5%
33.4%
17.4
23.2
Earnings
per
share
(cents)
8.9%
‐
11.5%
13.0
11.5
Dividends
per
share
(cents)
(a) EBITDA
is
a
non
‐
GAAP
earnings
figure
that
equity
analysts
tend
to
focus
on
for
comparable
company
performance
analysis.
The
Company
considers
that
it
is
a
useful
financial
indicator
because
it
avoids
the
distortions
caused
by
the
differences
in
amortisation
and
impairment
policies.
SOLUTION
DYNAMICS
Business Strategy: Vertical market focus
8
•
Leveraging
global
advantages
in
key
vertical
markets
•
Global
charities
and
NGOs
•
Global
business
process
outsourcers
•
Global
communications
platforms
•
NZ
councils
and
government
SOLUTION
DYNAMICS
Go-To-Market Strategy
9
•
Modernising
go
‐
to
‐
market
to
drive
awareness
and
leads
•
New
website
•
Digital
marketing
•
tradeshows
SOLUTION
DYNAMICS
10
Significant
progress
integrating
solutions
into
Global
Customer
Communications
Hub
Complete
omni
‐
channel
cloud
solution
connected
to
global
digital
workflow/network
•
Moving
from
“bespoke”
solutions
to
integrated
and
configured
platforms
•
Integration
of
Jupiter
digital
workflow
with
DMC
•
Integration
of
digital
channels
with
print
delivers
“omni
‐
channel”
experience
•
One
integrated
user
experience
with
single
sign
‐
on
(SSO)
•
One
client
portal
to
access
range
of
SDL
software
solutions
•
Single
dashboard
of
global
campaign
status
•
Intelligent
QR
code
integration
drives
clients
to
personalized
web
content
•
Cloud
solution
hosted
on
AWS
•
Data
security
reviews,
encryption
security
and
pen
tests
routinely
Software and Technology Strategy
SOLUTION
DYNAMICS
EY Case Study
11
•
EY
(formerly
Ernst
and
Young)
partners
with
SDL
globally
•
Selected
SDL
as
global
partner
for
“Know
Your
Customer”
communications
•
SDL
is
supporting
EY
with
their
client,
a
marquee
global
financial
services
firm
•
KYC
mail
campaigns
have
higher
response
rates
than
digital
channels
•
Enabled
printing
directly
in
destination
country,
India,
versus
centrally
in
UK,
saving
over
80%
on
postage
•
Project
started
in
second
half
FY2023
and
expected
to
rollout
to
North
America
and
Europe
over
FY2024
•
Working
with
EY
to
expand
to
other
clients
SOLUTION
DYNAMICS
Strategy and FY2024 Outlook
12
•
Step
change
growth
requires
development
of
SDL’s
international
software
&
technology
business
•
sales
model
in
the
US
is
focused
on
channels
(e.g.
Pitney
Bowes)
•
direct
sales
aimed
at
key
vertical
markets
such
as
global
charities
and
specific
domains
•
restructured
global
sales
function,
activity
levels
already
improving
but
slow
sales
cycles
•
Key
risks
remain
global
macroeconomic
slowdown
and
accelerating
move
from
physical
mail
•
SDL’s
largest
customer
intends
to
tender
(RFP)
its
global
communications
activity
•
not
a
question
around
SDL’s
performance
(very
well
rated)
but
usual
large
organisation
re
‐
tendering
•
this
customer
is
very
material
to
SDL’s
financial
performance
•
Board
remains
conscious
of
recent
share
price
move
and
broader
problem
of
small
cap
illiquidity
•
Providing
H1
FY2024
earnings
guidance
in
range
of
$2.0
to
$2.3
million
(H1
FY2023:
$2.5
million)
•
NZ
operations
running
strongly
on
new
business
gains,
some
cost
pressues
not
fully
recovered
and
international
new
business
yet
to
regain
traction
•
no
full
year
FY2024
guidance
until
largest
customer
RFP
outcome
is
known
(H1
FY2024
not
affected)
SOLUTION
DYNAMICS
Question time
13
Questions?
SOLUTION
DYNAMICS
Formal Business of the M
eeting: Voting Procedure
14
•
Voting
will
be
by
way
of
poll
and
though
proxy
submission
•
votes
will
be
counted
by
Computershare
and
the
results
then
released
on
NZX
•
you
must
have
logged
on
to
this
meeting
using
the
details
you
received
in
the
Notice
of
Meeting
to
be
eligible
to
vote
•
How
to
vote
reminder
•
if
you
are
eligible
a
‘Vote’
tab
will
show
on
your
screen;
click
on
the
tab
icon
to
vote
•
the
resolutions
will
appear
along
with
voting
options
•
simply
select
the
voting
direction
from
the
options
shown
on
the
screen
•
your
vote
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been
cast
when
the
tick
appears
•
you
can
change
your
vote
any
time
until
the
meeting
ends
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selecting
‘Change
your
vote’.
SOLUTION
DYNAMICS
Formal Business of the
Meeting: Resolutions
15
•
Resolution
1:
Auditor
remuneration
•
That
the
Board
be
authorised to
fix
the
remuneration
of
the
Company’s
auditors
for
the
FY2024
year
•
Resolution
2:
Re
‐
election
of
John
McMahon
•
To
re
‐
elect
John
McMahon
as
a
director
of
Solution
Dynamics
Limited
SOLUTION
DYNAMICS
General business and Questions
16
•
Any
remaining
general
business
or
questions
from
shareholders?
•
Meeting
formally
closes
Thank
you
for
attending
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