Ymagis Group has reported its consolidated financial results for the first quarter of 2017, ending March 31. In a market where replacement sales have not yet significantly taken off and after a first quarter generally unrepresentative of annual business, revenue for Ymagis Group was down by 2.9 percent at €41.5 million over the first three months of 2017, mainly due to the effect of a scheduled reduction in VPF business and a temporary fall in equipment sales.
As forecast, revenue for the VPF BU dropped by 5.9 percent at €16.9 million given the initial recoupments, particularly in the Czech Republic. On 31 March 2017, the number of screens under VPF contract stood at 5,918 as compared to 6,127 during the first quarter of 2016 and 5,925 on 31 December 2016.
CinemaNext revenue fell by 19.2 percent at €11.3 million as compared to €14.0 million during the first quarter of 2016. The business unit (BU) was penalized by a drop in equipment sales during this first quarter due to a slower-than-expected start to replacement sales and delays in some new cinema installation projects. Technical Services & Support and Consultancy activities were stable during the quarter. It should therefore be stressed that the drop-in revenue is attributed to business with a low gross margin.
Boosted by recent acquisitions, Eclair achieved a significant 23 percent increase in revenue at €13.3 million as compared to €10.8 million at the end of March 2016. The excellent start to business in Italy with OpenSky Cinema and the growth recorded in Germany means revenue for Distribution & Preservation increased by 29.6 percent at €6.1 million versus €4.7 million twelve months ago. Post Production and Restoration, which is done primarily in France, dropped to €2.5 million as compared to 3.9 million Euros during the first quarter of 2016. The volume of business should accelerate over the coming months. BU growth is also boosted by the Versioning and Accessibility activities, which more than doubled, rising from €2 million to €4.5 million driven by the positive impact of recent acquisitions and organic growth.
Despite the market's "wait-and-see" stance over the first three months of 2017, Group business picked up speed as of March for all services BUs.
For CinemaNext, sales of replacements gathered pace during March and the trend is confirmed with a number of discussions in progress. The Group expects the replacement market to accelerate over the second quarter of 2017. CinemaNext also kicked off the development of its business in the United States with the creation of CinemaNext North America during the first quarter. Business began well with the signature of maintenance contracts for 135 U.S. screens in its first month.
Several post-production contracts were signed by Eclair during the first quarter of 2017. Distribution and Versioning & Accessibility business is on the up and should drive revenue over the remainder of the year.
The Group is confident for the rest of the fiscal year and confirms its average annual growth targets of at least 10 percent by 2020 for its Services activities. The launch of the Group’s latest innovations (EclairColor, EclairPlay and Sphera) received an overwhelmingly positive response from professionals in the sector and should also drive the Group’s business during the coming months.
Ymagis Group www.ymagis.com