🔺 What to do when markets are at an all-time high? Find smart bargains, like these.See Undervalued Shares

BluGlass: Transition To Direct-To-Market Components Model

Published 06/10/2021, 08:58 pm
BLG
-

During FY21 BluGlass (ASX:BLG) continued the transition from an equipment sales and licensing business to a direct-to-market components operation focused on rapidly expanding opportunities in the laser diode industry. While the launch of its first laser diodes has been delayed by reliability issues relating to third-party processing steps, management notes that the fund-raising activities this June and July should provide a cash runway through to initial customer revenues from laser diode sales.

EPS Estimates

Share Price Performance

Share Price Performance

Fully funded to laser diode commercialisation

Revenues from customers, which were entirely attributable to epitaxy services, fell by 45% year-on-year during FY21 to A$0.4m because orders were delayed by coronavirus related lockdowns and the company was focused on laser diode development. Costs widened, reflecting high levels of R&D activity on laser diodes and investment in the US operation, which was set up to manage the sequence of third-party processing steps required once the laser diode epitaxy has been manufactured in the group’s Australian manufacturing facility. Adjusted EBITDA losses consequently widened by A$1.0m to A$4.6m. The year-end balance sheet had A$4.2m cash and a A$2.0m short-term loan, which was repaid following an oversubscribed entitlement offer and private placing collectively raising A$6.4m (gross) in July 2021. Management notes that these fund-raising activities should provide a cash runway through to initial customer revenues from laser diodes.

On the cusp of revenue growth

BluGlass had hoped to start shipping samples of its first-generation laser diodes by the end of FY21 (June 2021). The product launch has been delayed until problems in the post-epitaxial processing steps carried out by third parties have been resolved. The company is currently working with multiple vendors and expert fabrication specialists with established production capabilities to solve this issue.

Valuation: Aiming to secure 6–10% of global laser diode market

While management has not provided formal guidance, it aims to secure 6–10% of the global laser diode market by 2026, which it estimates will then total US$658m (A$849m). This represents annual revenues of around A$60–90m. This level of market penetration is dependent on BluGlass successfully completing the development of the second generation of higher-performance laser diodes using its remote plasma chemical vapour deposition (RPCVD) technology. Our scenario analysis calculates this level of revenues would generate EBITDA of A$14.1–21.6m.

Y21 performance

Revenues still attributable only to epitaxy services

Revenues up to this point have been derived entirely from epitaxy services. Revenues from customers fell by 45% year-on-year during FY21 to A$0.4m because EpiBlu foundry orders were delayed by coronavirus related lockdowns in Europe and the United States and the company was highly focused on laser diode development.

Click on the PDF below to read the full report:

Latest comments

Loading next article…
Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.