Financial Information
AlarmForce Announces Record Third Quarter Results
AlarmForce, Canada's largest manufacturer and installer of live two-way voice home alarms systems, is pleased to announce results for the nine months ended July 31, 2005, achieving record levels for revenue, net income and subscriber account base:
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Ended July 31, 2005
| July 31, 2005 (9 months ended) | July 31, 2004 (9 months ended) | Change (Over same period) | |
| $ | $ | ||
| Revenue | 12,525,000 | 10,631,000 | + 18% |
| Cash flow from Operations | 5,667,000 | 5,655,000 | + 0.2% |
| Income before taxes | 2,435,000 | 2,005,000 | + 24% |
| Net income | 1,329,000 | 1,144,000 | + 16% |
| EBITDA* | 6,060,000 | 5,076,000 | + 20% |
| Diluted net income/share | 0.11 | 0.11 | 0.0% |
| Cash flow/share* | 0.548 | 0.444 | + 23% |
| Subscriber base | 54,000 | 46,000 | + 18% |
(* EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Income Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) is a key measure in the security industry and should not be interpreted as GAAP)
Joel Matlin, President and CEO, said that, "Our base of subscriber accounts continued to show robust growth, thus reaching new record levels for revenue and net income. Revenues for the nine months increased to $12,525,000, up by 18% from the corresponding nine months of 2004. EBITDA increased to $6,060,000, up by 20%. Income before taxes increased by 24% while net income increased by 16%. The increase in per-share net income was lower due to share issuances last year, which resulted in a higher denominator representing the weighted average total shares outstanding in 2005. Cash flows from total operating activities marginally increased from a year ago as a result of investments in working capital, including our US expansion. Out of the operating cash flows, $977,000 was applied to debt repayments during the period, and as at the end of the third quarter we continued to operate with zero net debt."
US Expansion Update
Mr. Matlin added: "I am very pleased with the progress AlarmForce has made in the United States. From a stand-still start in late February our results to date have proven that our business and operating model works successfully in the North Carolina market. As a result of the positive acceptance and growing account base in Charlotte, we have expanded our installation coverage to also include Greensboro-Winston Salem and Raleigh-Durham. These three areas combined represent a significant portion of the North Carolina population. Notwithstanding that the cost per deal to create a new subscriber account remains higher than in established markets, we are extremely optimistic and expect the cost per deal to continue to decrease, as a direct result of the positive effects of branding. We are also pleased that this expansion has been funded entirely through our existing operating cash flows. The results of our marketing efforts in the United States will be more dramatically felt in the 2006 fiscal year which will reflect a full year of operating results."
Change in accounting policy:
Mr. Matlin also announced that commencing August 1, 2005 the company will change the way it accounts for direct-response marketing expenditures. Previously these costs were deferred and amortized over a four year term (the life of the subscriber contracts). These costs will now be expensed as incurred and previously deferred expenses will be retroactively adjusted in the forth quarter. The policy of deferring costs was originally selected as to facilitate the matching of the marketing expenses with the revenue generated from the four year subscriber contracts. There have been a number of changes in generally accepted accounting principles in both Canada and the US regarding presentation of the matching of revenues and expenses. The company has decided to change its policy to reflect the most conservative of the new alternatives. This policy is consistent with generally accepted accounting policies for organically created intangible assets and is consistent with the changes made by other companies, in other industries, over the last 12 months.
"This change will be adopted as a retroactive change in accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and will be applied to all marketing costs including the costs incurred with our US expansion."
The following summarizes the impact of the new policy on the cumulative results for the three previous quarters of 2005 and comparative figures as they would have been reported using the new accounting method. Revenues, Gross Margin and Cash Flow would have remained unchanged; Income before taxes would have decreased by $ 1,265,000 for the nine month period ended July 31, 2005 and after tax income would have decreased by $ 685,000. As at July 31, 2005 net Deferred Charges would have been reduced by $ 7,043,000 and Future Tax assets would have increased by $2,680,000. For July 31, 2005 Basic Earnings per Share would have also been reduced to $0.064 and Fully Diluted Earnings per Share to $ 0.062. This change in accounting policy will be applied retroactively with restatement of prior periods commencing in the fourth quarter. The impact of restating prior periods as at October 31, 2004 will be a net reduction in Deferred Charges of $ 5,778,000, a reduction in shareholders' equity of 3,678,000 and a decrease in the future tax liability by $ 2,100,000. The number of subscribers as well as the Cash position remained unchanged for both periods."
Comparative industry factors:
Mr. Matlin explained that most companies in the home security industry purchase subscriber accounts and capitalize those purchase costs amortizing them over their useful lives which is usually the term of the subscriber contract. AlarmForce is one of the few companies whose growth is internally generated and therefore the accounting treatment is not directly comparable. The value of companies in this industry is normally based on the number of subscribers and multiples of monthly recurring revenues (MRR). In addition there are premiums associated with large account bases, value of the brand, client loyalty, future growth rate and retention. AlarmForce with an annual growth rate of approximately 20% compares favorably with the industry average growth rate of 8%.
"In simplified terms, the change represents a non-cash accounting event, which does not have impact on the fundamentals of our business, such as MRR, account values, and subscriber base as well as cash flows and cash position. Our organic account creation and inherent business value remain the same in all respects. In addition, the company's financial stability and banking relationships are not in any way changed. This is because the new policy is consistent with the bank's method of calculating net assets which excludes intangible assets and deferred charges, and will thus have no impact on financial leverage or compliance with covenants for the company."
"The change will harmonize the accounting treatment of creation costs of different business stages of development that the company expects to be operating in. It reflects our expansion plans for new markets outside Canada and the company's emerging presence in the wider North American public market. The new accounting policy will be simpler to apply to the costs of the early-stage business and brand building in the US."
Mr. Matlin added that, "We expect to continue to achieve strong organic account growth through direct-response marketing programs, which have proven highly cost-effective and a major differentiating feature of our organic model of growth. Our monthly recurring revenues, cash flows and subscriber base are expected to continue to grow strongly in 2005 and subsequent years."
AlarmForce is Canada's largest manufacturer and installer of two-way voice home alarms systems, serving all major markets in Canada and selected markets in the US.
For further information, contact:
Investors Relations Dept.
Tel: 416-445-2001 ext#225
Fax: 416-445-9381
E-mail: investor@AlarmForce.com
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Testimonials
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The response the day I fell was great. The police were here within 10 minutes and an ambulance shortly after. I live in the country and the response time was extremely good for the location.
-Mattie, NC -
It was five days before Christmas in 2009, when I was finally getting off of work, to come home and enjoy my holidays. I had been in Northern Alberta and British Columbia working for awhile and not getting the chance to come home very often. My landlord of the house, my spouse and I were renting, lived across the street and was able to watch our house while we were both out of town. It was 9:00pm the night before I flew home, when my landlord called to say our house had gotten broken into. I was very frustrated, upset and angry mainly because I come from a small town in Saskatchewan and not a lot of crime goes on. I did not know what to expect when I got home to see if all of our belongings were missing and the house destroyed. I remember coming home from the airport, very scared, not wanting to even stay at my house over night. When I got home, there was this feeling of someone there, but really there wasn't. Everything seemed to still be intact, and not missing, but I did not feel safe staying there by myself that night. I decided to stay with family. The next day, I called Alarm Force to have a system set up in our house. I was leaving for Saskatchewan within 72 hours, and no one from alarm force could come. This was very understandable since it was short timing. I explained to AlarmForce over the phone what had happened, how I did not feel safe, and I wanted to purchase a system. AlarmForce was very helpful. Their best intention was to get a system for me installed as soon as possible so I would feel safe in my own home. AlarmForce was very helpful and they worked with my landlord and me in installing a system in my house, even knowing me and my spouse were gone from Christmas. After Christmas I came home to find a wonderful, easy, accessible alarm to use that was very understanding to learn. The best part was how much room the alarm took up, which was not much! The amount of money I have to pay for having the alarm is well worth than having my belongings maybe gone one day, or myself in danger. I like how the payment system is set up on a monthly payment, and I can transfer my system to friends or family if need be. We still live in the house so it is definitely paying off. I also love that if we were to move, we can move our system to different locations. I am more home now, than I used to be but my spouse is still out of town lots. I sometimes get very nervous staying by myself which affects sometimes the way I sleep. Being paranoid about staying in a house by yourself is not a very good feeling. It bothers me a lot that for whoever broke in knows where I live and what belongings are in the house. Will they return? But when I put my alarm system on while I am in the house, and at night going to sleep- the system makes me feel very stress and paranoid free. I know if something was to happen and someone had gotten into my house- help would be around the corner. One time, my family was up visiting with our family dog, and we were going out for supper. I was not used to having a pet around, and I set the alarm not even thinking the dog was in the house. I had received a call from Alarm Force on our way to the restaurant but I missed the call. Next thing I knew, my landlord was calling me to state that he had received a call from AlarmForce. He knew most likely I set the alarm and the dog had been in the house. I was very shocked in how the phone call was sent out asking if everything was okay. This was the first time in over a year, AlarmForce had to call, and it was amazing how comforting the time was and how it did not take long for someone to contact me. This made me feel even better about the purchase we made of installing Alarm Force in our house. I would recommend Alarm Force to anyone who is insisting to have a system put into their house. I have told many people about my story of how Alarm Force was there for me, even if I was not able to be there. I explain to others how comforting it is to have someone “with” you even knowing no body physically is there. It is an affordable way to keep one or one's family safe.
-Sara G. - Edmonton, AB -
Excellent service, fast response. Would recommend products and services.
-Trevor, AB -
We enjoy having AlarmForce in our home. It's a superior system that delivers on its promise of a much more affordable price than the other guys.
-Shane, AB -
AlarmForce is the best choice. They make sure you get the best system that not only works with your budget..and does NOT try to sell you anything you will not need or is no use for your home/garage...I have been fortunate enough not to have any one try to break into my home since I got the system..couldn't say that before...they make me feel more secure because they are very caring and no matter where I am in my travels I know I can count on them to protect my sons and my home..I always worried about my sons and my house when I was away..Not now.. Knowing that even when my sons sleep they are as I say "being watched over by the Angels at AlarmForce" My experience with AlarmForce has always been pleasant and reassuring..They answer all and every question I have..They are always willing to help with testing my equipment.. Letting me know what needs to be replaced if anything(batteries etc)..When I go away they ALWAYS ask details of my departure and arrival back home..who to contact if there is an emergency..t hey never question me why I want the police called and not one of their own security...Full of information and always so caring! My best experience was when I was so unhappy with my other alarm company the staff at AlarmForce made it so easy for me to say YES to using AlarmForce and leaving the 'other" company… that was over 3 years ago!! Thank You for making it so easy! It is a Perfect Fit in Security for My Family! I am always recommending folks to AlarmForce..I simply tell them there is no price you can put on your families safety...with AlarmForce it is cost efficient..You wouldn't get the care their team provides any where else..most of all The Peace of Mind You have knowing not only your house but your family is being taken care of at all times!! They make life simple for you and your family.. Thank You AlarmForce for treating my Family like it is your own, you are keeping safe at all times!
-Kelli P - Edmonton, AB -
Still the best value in the industry!
-Dave, ON -
Thanks to AlarmForce, I feel safer in my home. My children and I live in a not so nice area of Edmonton and have had 1 attempted break-in so with alarm force I know that the alarm system helps to protect my family. On 2 occasions the alarm has been activated by mistake and AlarmForce always made sure everyone was ok and even sent security to our house to check on us. Thanks AlarmForce.
-Teresa B. - Edmonton, AB -
On the occasions we have had to talk to Central Station, your representatives have always been very patient and courteous.
-Donna, AB


