TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 12, 2024 / Volatus Aerospace Corp. (TSXV:VOL) (OTCQB:VLTTF) ("Volatus" or "the Company"), a leader in the drone industry, is pleased to announce its financial results for the year ended Dec 31, 2023.
The Company generated revenues of $34,872,815 for the year ended Dec 31, 2023, with a 32% gross margin, and adjusted EBITDA improvement of $1,981,972 from ($5,616,940) in 2022 to ($3,634,968) in 2023.
The Company announces that it has restated its financial results for the financial years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. The identification of the need for the restatements arose in the course of the Company's new auditors review of the financials statements for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. The restatements reflect changes in recognition of contingent consideration, recognition of acquired intangible assets, amortization of intangible assets, creation of deferred tax liability due to acquisition, and recognition of additional goodwill and bargain purchase gain. A summary of the restatements is set forth below. Management is of the view that the restatements do not have a material impact on the Company's revenue, gross profit, adjusted EBITDA and the reported net cash provided by operating activities and does not result in a change to the cash balance for any restated periods.
Annual (2023) Performance Highlights:
Revenue increased to $34,872,815 from $24,414,418 in 2022, a 43% improvement on a comparative and normalized basis.
Gross profit was $11,135,842, an increase of $4,578,391 compared to 2022 on an adjusted basis after excluding charter services.
Gross margins increased to 32%, an increase of 4% compared to 2022.
Available cash on hand on December 31, 2023 was $1,682,402.
Comprehensive loss of ($9,693,626) in 2023 compared to ($5,449,917) restated for 2022. This 2022 restatement includes a bargain purchase gain of $2,112,19. If excluded, the 2022 losses would have been ($7,562,113).
Adjusted EBITDA improved by 35% to ($3,634,968) from ($5,616,940) in 2022. Efficiency measures implemented in late Q3 2023 will continue to be realised over the next few quarters. Management feels that adjusted EBITDA is an efficient measure of the performance of the Company.
Quarterly (Q4 2023) Performance Highlights:
Revenue increased to $10,500,995 from $7,213,129 in Q3 2022, a 46% improvement.
Gross Profit increased by $777,964, to $2,800,114 from $2,022,150 in Q4 2022.
Adjusted EBITDA improved by 80% to ($769,943) from ($3,768,238) in Q4 2022.
Notable Operational Accomplishments During the Year:
Continued expansion in the US with the strategic acquisition of Empire Drones of New York and Skyscape Industries of New Jersey.
Signed a 3-year Master Service Agreement to provide pipeline right-of-way asset and environmental monitoring throughout Ontario.
Signed a multi-year Master Service Agreement worth up to $60 million with a US based power utility.
Entered a strategic partnership to automate airborne gas leak detection.
Expanding its Scientific Experiential Aerial Research (SEAR) Program in the US.
Received regulatory approvals to expand operations in wildfire suppression and to operate heavy spray drones for precision agriculture.
Was issued a Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) License for cargo deliveries using drones.
SUMMARY OF RESTATEMENTS
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
December 31, 2022 | Adjustments | December 31, 2022 | |
| Intangible assets | 8,815,125 | (4,686,451) | 4,128,674 |
| Goodwill | 689,835 | 273,769 | 963,604 |
| Total Assets | 33,609,987 | (4,412,682) | 29,197,305 |
| Other short-term liabilities | 373,163 | 3,165,943 | 3,539,106 |
| Total current liabilities | 6,165,334 | 3,165,943 | 9,331,277 |
| Deferred tax liability | - | 619,511 | 619,511 |
| Long-term borrowings | 10,063,911 | (3,165,942) | 6,897,969 |
| Contingent consideration | 2,356,850 | (1,252,307) | 1,104,543 |
| Total non-current liabilities | 13,246,800 | (3,798,739) | 9,448,061 |
| Total Liabilities | 19,412,133 | (632,795) | 18,779,338 |
| Deficit | (8,971,689) | 1,844,287 | (7,127,402) |
| Contributed Surplus | 2,989,819 | (2,777,988) | 211,830 |
| Non controlling interest | 1,066,963 | (2,846,185) | (1,779,222) |
| Total Shareholders Equity | 14,197,852 | (3,779,886) | 10,417,966 |
January 1, 2022 | Adjustments | January 1, 2022 | |
| Intangible assets | 5,811,929 | (4,204,325) | 1,607,604 |
| Goodwill | 583,188 | 273,769 | 856,957 |
| Total Assets | 22,668,821 | (3,930,556) | 18,738,264 |
| Deferred tax liability | - | 260,319 | 260,319 |
| Total non-current liabilities | 3,788,122 | 260,319 | 4,048,441 |
| Total Liabilities | |||
| Non controlling interest | 288,768 | (1,254,379) | (965,611) |
| Deficit | (2,345,515) | (158,509) | (2,504,024) |
| Contributed Surplus | 2,989,819 | (2,777,988) | 211,831 |
| Total Shareholders Equity | 15,260,042 | (4,190,876) | 11,069,166 |
Consolidated Statement of Loss and Comprehensive Loss
For the year ended December 31, 2022 | Adjustments | For the year ended December 31, | |
| Depreciation and amortization | - | (482,126) | (482,126) |
| Bargain purchase gain | - | 2,112,197 | 2,112,197 |
| Fair value changes in contingent consideration | (33,846) | (33,846) | |
| Deferred tax expense | - | (71,311) | (71,311) |
| Net Loss and comprehensive loss | 6,974,830 | (1,524,914) | 5,449,916 |
| Owners of Volatus Aerospace | (6,626,174) | 2,002,796 | (4,623,378) |
| Non-controlling interest | (348,656) | (477,882) | (826,538) |
| EPS - basic and diluted | ($0.06) | $0.02 | ($0.04) |
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
| January 1, 2022 Previously reported | Adjustments | January 1, 2022 As restated | |
| Non-controlling interest | 288,768 | (1,254,379) | (965,611) |
| Deficit | (2,345,515) | (158,509) | (2,504,024) |
| Contributed Surplus | $2,989,819 | (2,777,988) | 211,831 |
December 31, 2022 | Adjustments | December 31, 2022 | |
| Non-controlling interest | $1,066,963 | (2,846,185) | (1,779,222) |
| Deficit | ($8,971,689) | 1,844,287 | (7,127,402) |
| Contributed Surplus | $2,989,819 | (2,777,989) | 211,831 |
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended December 31, 2022 | Adjustments | For the year ended December 31, | |
| Net loss | (6,974,830) | 1,524,914 | (5,449,916) |
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,367,503 | 482,126 | 1,849,630 |
| Deferred income taxes | - | 71,311 | 71,311 |
| Bargain purchase gain | - | (2,112,197) | (2,112,197) |
| Fair value changes on contingent consideration | - | 33,846 | 33,846 |
| Total cash outflows from operating activities | (7,112,174) | - | (7,112,174) |
SUMMARY OF RESULTS
| Twelve months ended Dec 31 | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Product and Services Revenue | 34,872,815 | 24,414,418 | 9,913,953 | |||||||||
Aircraft Sale | - | 5,356,721 | - | |||||||||
Direct Cost | 23,736,973 | 21,425,786 | 7,385,243 | |||||||||
Gross Profit | 11,135,842 | 8,345,353 | 2,528,710 | |||||||||
| 32 | % | 28 | % | 26 | % | |||||||
OPERATING EXPENSES | ||||||||||||
Advertising & marketing | 1,856,220 | 2,225,224 | 521,250 | |||||||||
IT & tech | 669,096 | 512,056 | 169,571 | |||||||||
Personnel | 6,984,713 | 5,660,069 | 2,080,871 | |||||||||
R&D | 1,341,377 | 541,023 | - | |||||||||
Office cost | 2,830,861 | 1,513,960 | 425,355 | |||||||||
Travel | 479,163 | 419,823 | 196,998 | |||||||||
External partner cost | 1,281,121 | 1,556,278 | 318,844 | |||||||||
Depreciation | 4,033,731 | 1,866,791 | 637,203 | |||||||||
Share based Payments | 723,804 | 1,244,858 | 459,152 | |||||||||
| 20,200,086 | 15,540,082 | 4,809,244 | ||||||||||
(Loss) from Operations | (9,064,243 | ) | (7,194,729 | ) | (2,280,534 | ) | ||||||
OTHER ITEMS - INCOME/(EXPENSE) | ||||||||||||
Finance cost | (1,775,236 | ) | (526,238 | ) | (438,954 | ) | ||||||
Goodwill Impairment | - | - | (1,399,029 | ) | ||||||||
Bargain Purchase Gain | 221,808 | 2,112,197 | - | |||||||||
FV changes in Contingent Consideration | 386,731 | (33,846 | ) | |||||||||
Other income (expense) | 15,405 | 411,502 | 192,963 | |||||||||
Gain (Loss) on disposal of drones | 92,782 | 9,969 | 37,006 | |||||||||
Foreign exchange translation | (35,089 | ) | (157,460 | ) | (25,958 | ) | ||||||
Net loss and comprehensive loss before tax | (10,157,842 | ) | (5,378,605 | ) | (3,914,506 | ) | ||||||
Deferred Tax Income/ (Expense) | 464,216 | (71,311 | ) | |||||||||
Net loss and comprehensive loss after tax | (9,693,626 | ) | (5,449,916 | ) | (3,914,506 | ) | ||||||
Total comprehensive loss for the period attributable to: | ||||||||||||
Owners of Volatus Aerospace Corp. | (9,464,043 | ) | (4,623,378 | ) | (2,953,117 | ) | ||||||
Non-controlling interest | (229,583 | ) | (826,538 | ) | (961,389 | ) | ||||||
| (9,693,626 | ) | (5,449,916 | ) | (3,914,506 | ) | |||||||
Loss per share | ||||||||||||
Basic and Diluted | (0.08 | ) | (0.04 | ) | (0.03 | ) | ||||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | ||||||||||||
Basic and Diluted | 117,887,327 | 104,932,598 | 84,447,725 | |||||||||
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS
| Q4 2023 | Q3 2023 | Q2 2023 | Q1 2023 | Q4 2022 | Q3 2022 | Q2 2022 | Q1 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | 10,500,995 | 8,274,349 | 8,684,991 | 7,412,480 | 7,213,129 | 11,120,589 | 6,629,593 | 4,807,829 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Direct Cost | 7,700,881 | 5,265,775 | 5,724,516 | 5,045,802 | 5,190,979 | 7791145 | 4728672.918 | 3714988.951 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Profit | 2,800,114 | 3,008,574 | 2,960,475 | 2,366,678 | 2,022,150 | 3,329,444 | 1,900,920 | 1,092,840 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 26.67 | % | 36.36 | % | 34.09 | % | 31.93 | % | 28.03 | % | 29.94 | % | 28.67 | % | 22.73 | % | |||||||||||||||||
OPERATING EXPENSES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Advertising & marketing | 278,781 | 541,635 | 629,686 | 406,118 | 575,539 | 599,285 | 591,365 | 459,035 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
IT & tech | 28,439 | 243,602 | 211,960 | 185,095 | 164,260 | 140,392 | 110,775 | 96,629 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personnel | 1,312,983 | 1,727,086 | 1,788,347 | 2,156,297 | 1,552,913 | 1,393,606 | 1,565,456 | 1,148,094 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R&D | 771,861 | 104,832 | 364,263 | 100,420 | 541,023 | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Office cost | 605,396 | 722,276 | 610,650 | 892,539 | 490,740 | 378,474 | 416,589 | 228,157 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Travel | 126,710 | 90,804 | 167,364 | 94,285 | 144,372 | 140,622 | 54,456 | 80,373 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
External partner cost | 436,686 | 243,443 | 326,979 | 274,013 | 602,171 | 403,238 | 168,371 | 382,497 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation | 1,647,364 | 843,744 | 797,487 | 745,136 | 604,849 | 270,081 | 300,511 | 209,224 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share based Payments | 173,671 | 195,372 | 178,361 | 176,401 | 340,761 | 330,918 | 290,103 | 283,076 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5,381,891 | 4,712,793 | 5,075,097 | 5,030,304 | 5,016,628 | 3,656,616 | 3,497,626 | 2,887,086 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Loss) from Operations | (2,581,777 | ) | (1,704,219 | ) | (2,114,622 | ) | (2,663,626 | ) | (2,994,477 | ) | (327,172 | ) | (1,596,707 | ) | (1,794,246 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
OTHER ITEMS - INCOME/(EXPENSE) | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Finance cost | (667,949 | ) | (425,671 | ) | (368,635 | ) | (312,982 | ) | (249,798 | ) | (121,672 | ) | (81,239 | ) | (73,528 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Bargain Purchase Gain | 221,808 | 2,112,197 | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Changes in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration | 386,731 | (33,846 | ) | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other income (expense) | 14,955 | (39,229 | ) | 41,237 | (1,558 | ) | 192,498 | 79,640 | 31,576 | 107,788 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Gain (Loss) on disposal of equipment | (125,476 | ) | 228,769 | (0 | ) | (10,511 | ) | 414 | 10,566 | (1,011 | ) | - | ||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange translation | (24,156 | ) | 19,946 | (16,191 | ) | (14,688 | ) | (195,277 | ) | 6,430 | 20,484 | (14,412 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Net loss and comprehensive loss before tax | (2,775,864 | ) | (1,920,403 | ) | (2,458,211 | ) | (3,003,365 | ) | (1,168,290 | ) | (352,208 | ) | (1,626,897 | ) | (1,774,398 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Deferred Tax Income/ (Expense) | 464,216 | (71,311 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Loss and comprehensive loss after tax | (2,311,647 | ) | (1,920,403 | ) | (2,458,211 | ) | (3,003,365 | ) | (1,239,601 | ) | (352,208 | ) | (1,626,897 | ) | (1,774,398 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Loss per share | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic and Diluted | (0.02 | ) | (0.02 | ) | (0.03 | ) | (0.02 | ) | (0.01 | ) | (0.01 | ) | (0.02 | ) | (0.02 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBIDTA TO NET LOSS
| Three months ended Dec 31 | For the year ended Dec 31 | |||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA (loss) | (769,943 | ) | (3,768,238 | ) | (3,634,968 | ) | (5,616,940 | ) | ||||||||
Interest | 667,949 | 249,798 | 1,775,236 | 526,238 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation | 1,647,364 | 604,849 | 4,033,731 | 1,866,791 | ||||||||||||
Share-based Payments | 173,671 | 340,761 | 723,804 | 1,244,858 | ||||||||||||
Loss from LATAM Operations | - | - | 286,423 | - | ||||||||||||
Loss from Sale of Drones | 125,476 | (414 | ) | (92,782 | ) | (9,969 | ) | |||||||||
Lease Termination | - | - | 405,000 | - | ||||||||||||
Crewed Revenue | - | (1,787,902 | ) | - | (1,787,902 | ) | ||||||||||
Bargain Purchase Gain | (221,808 | ) | (2,112,197 | ) | (221,808 | ) | (2,112,197 | ) | ||||||||
FV changes in Contingent Consideration | (386,731 | ) | 33,846 | (386,731 | ) | 33,846 | ||||||||||
Deferred Tax Income | (464,216 | ) | 71,311 | (464,216 | ) | 71,311 | ||||||||||
Net Loss | (2,311,647 | ) | (1,168,290 | ) | (9,693,626 | ) | (5,449,916 | ) | ||||||||
Other Corporate Update:
Further to the Company's press release dated July 27, 2023, in respect of TSX Venture Exchange's extension of the non-brokered private placement of up to $250,000 of convertible debenture units of the Company, the Company has decided not to pursue this private placement and as such the private placement has been terminated.
Further to the Company's press release dated January 9, 2024, the Company announced that it had completed the acquisition of Aerial Motion Pictures Ltd., dba UAVHub and Open Sky Consulting International Ltd., dba The Drone Mentor by issuing 1,680,000 common equity shares instead of 1,575,000 common equity shares of the Company as previously mentioned.
About Volatus Aerospace:
Volatus Aerospace Corp. is a leading provider of integrated drone solutions throughout North America and growing into Latin America and globally. Volatus serves civil, public safety, and defense markets with imaging and inspection, security and surveillance, equipment sales and support, training, as well as R&D, design, and manufacturing. Through our subsidiary, Volatus Aviation, we are introducing green and innovative drone solutions to supplement and replace traditional aircraft and helicopters for long-linear inspections such as pipeline, energy, rail, and cargo services. Volatus is committed to carbon neutrality; the fostering of a safe, equitable and inclusive workplace; and responsible governance.
Note Regarding Non-GAAP Measures
In this press release we describe certain income and expense items that are unusual or non-recurring. There are terms not defined by International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Our usage of these terms may vary from the usage adopted by other companies. Specifically, gross profit, gross margin, and Adjusted EBITDA are undefined terms by IFRS that may be referenced herein. We provide this detail so that readers have a better understanding of the significant events and transactions that have had an impact on our results.
Throughout this release, reference is made to "gross profit," "gross margin," and "Adjusted EBITDA" which are non-IFRS measures. Management believes that gross profit, defined as revenue less operating expenses, is a useful supplemental measure of operations. Gross profit helps provide an understanding on the level of costs needed to create revenue. Gross margin illustrates the gross profit as a percentage of revenue. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA"). The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as IFRS comprehensive loss excluding interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, share-based payments, income tax expense, integration and due diligence costs, one time profit or loss (non-recurring), and impairment of goodwill, property, plant, and equipment and right-of-use assets (ROU). The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA is a meaningful financial metric as it measures cash generated from operations which the Company can use to fund working capital requirements, service future interest and principal debt repayments and fund future growth initiatives. Readers are cautioned that these non-IFRS measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. Readers are also cautioned not to view these non-IFRS financial measures as an alternative to financial measures calculated in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). Adjusted EBITDA does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers and should not be construed as alternatives to comprehensive loss or income determined in accordance with IFRS. For more information with respect to financial measures which have not been defined by GAAP, including reconciliations to the closest comparable GAAP measure, see the "Non-GAAP Measures and Additional GAAP Measures" section of the Company's most recent MD&A which is available on SEDAR.
Forward-Looking Statement
This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Often, but not always, forward-looking information and forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements formed in the future tense or indicating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" (or other variations of the foregoing) be taken, occur, be achieved, or come to pass. Forward-looking information includes information regarding: (i) the business plans and expectations of the Company; and (ii) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Forward-looking information is based on currently available competitive, financial, and economic data and operating plans, strategies, or beliefs as of the date of this news release, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors may be based on information currently available to the Company, including information obtained from third-party industry analysts and other third-party sources, and are based on management's current expectations or beliefs. Any and all forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Forward-looking information and forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to it and on assumptions it believes to be not unreasonable in light of all of the circumstances. In some instances, material factors or assumptions are discussed in this news release in connection with statements containing forward-looking information. Such material factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to: the commercialization of drone flights beyond visual line of sight and potential benefits to the Company; and meeting the continued listing requirements of the TSXV. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release and, other than as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
TSXV: VOL
OTCQB: VLTTF
CONTACT DETAILS
Abhinav Singhvi
Chief Financial officer
+1 833-865-2887
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COMPANY WEBSITE
https://volatusaerospace.com
| Last Trade: | US$0.19 |
| Daily Volume: | 0 |
| Market Cap: | US$42.600M |
June 20, 2024 June 10, 2024 June 05, 2024 May 29, 2024 May 28, 2024 | |
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