EX-99.1 2 ex99-1.htm

 

Quest Solution Reports Full Year 2018 Revenue up to $56.2M; Fourth

Quarter Gross Margin Improves to 32%

 

  Fiscal year 2018 revenue grew 12% excluding impact of ASC 606
  Fiscal Year 2018 adjusted EBITDA increased 31%
  Q4 2018 revenue grew 10.1% excluding impact of ASC 606
  Q4 first full quarter which includes recently acquired Artificial Intelligence business
  Q4 Gross profit margin of 32% as compared to 20% in Q4 2017
  Q4 adjusted EBITDA of $1.2 Million
  Company has applied for Nasdaq listing

 

Salt Lake City, UT, June 5, 2019 — Quest Solution, Inc. (QUES) (“Quest” or “the Company”), a provider of Supply Chain and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based solutions, announced its financial results for the three month and year-end periods ended December 31, 2018.

 

Shai Lustgarten, CEO, commented, “This was a milestone quarter for Quest in which we realized substantial improvement in our gross profit and adjusted EBITDA margins while transforming the growth prospect for the business with the acquisition of HTS Imaging Processing (HTS). HTS adds superior patented AI-Machine Vision technology, a critical component in new and growing markets such as Security, Safe City, Traffic Management, Autonomous Cars, Parking Automation and Access Control. Moreover, this technology enables us to offer proprietary AI-based solutions to the multi-billion dollar Supply Chain market, where we have a strong and solid existing customer base of Fortune 500 corporations.

 

“Our AI technology is already being implemented in Homeland Security projects in critical areas of the Middle East as well as in several select areas of the U.S. Recently, we announced the initial deployment of our solution at a pre-K-12 preparatory school in Florida to enhance the safety of students, teachers, and staff as well as the integration of our vehicle recognition system with the municipal law enforcement database for a large state. In addition to its security and safety applications, our enhanced portfolio of patented pattern recognition technology also captures important data for use in parking automation and warehouse management. We’re excited about the interest we’re seeing in the multi-billion dollar markets we participate in, and believe that our AI solutions represent an unprecedented opportunity for a continuation of the accelerated growth and higher margins we achieved in the fourth quarter of 2018 as we move through 2019 and beyond.”

 

Fourth Quarter and Recent Operational Highlights:

 

  Acquired HTS Image Processing, Inc., transforming Quest’s capabilities to now include AI-based vision technology
  Entered airport parking vertical using AI-based technology with expected installations at JFK, La Guardia and Newark Airports, among others
  Received order for AI-Based “Visual Cortex” software for safe city, transportation management and data collection for use in Brazil
  Signed an approximately $3 million follow-on agreement for manufacture and supply of mobile computers
  Awarded ten-year contract from Better Made Snack Foods, Inc. for comprehensive supply chain solution

 

 
 

 

  Added color and make recognition capabilities to the Visual Cortex™ Algorithm for Vehicle Recognition
  Awarded contract to install AI-Based “Visual Cortex” safe school security offering at south Florida School
  Awarded $4 million contract for data collection project from leading food distributor servicing the U.S. and Canada; also awarded subsequent $1.8 million in follow-on purchase orders
  Won $7 million project from leading U.S. supply chain & logistics firm for mounted rugged computers
  Awarded a U.S. patent for cloud-based automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) management
  Announced the U.S. launch of AI-Based smart ticketless parking solution
  Completed $5 Million private placement of equity
  Announced integration of AI-based vehicle recognition system with law enforcement database for community safety and crime prevention
  Received $1.8 million purchase order for mobile computers from multinational third party logistics firm

 

Financial Results:

 

Quest adopted the new accounting standard, ASC 606 which impacts the way the Company records revenue from customer contracts. Details on the Company’s adoption of ASC 606 and its impact on fiscal 2018 revenue and profitability are contained in the 10K.

 

Fourth Quarter 2018

 

Quest reported revenues of $13.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 as compared to $13.6 million in the comparable 2017 period. Excluding the impact of recently implemented ASC 606, revenue for the quarter would have increased 10.1% to $14.9 million. The revenue increase for the quarter was primarily related to strong execution by the Company’s sales team and growing customer relationships, as well as the inclusion of a full quarter of revenues from Quest’s new subsidiary HTS Image Processing, acquired in early October 2018. Gross margin in the quarter increased to 32% compared to 20% in the prior year period. Excluding the impact of Topic 606, gross margin for the fourth quarter increased to 27%.  Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2018 were $5.4 million compared to $3.1 million in the fourth quarter last year. The increase in operating expense was largely related to increases in non-cash stock based compensation and professional fees related to the Company’s acquisition and integration of HTS and financing activities.

 

Net loss for the quarter was $0.9 million, compared to $0.7 million, for the fourth quarter of last year. Adjusted EBITDA (Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) for the fourth quarter of 2018 increased to $1.2 million compared to $191,400 on the fourth quarter of 2017.

 

Full Year 2018

 

For the year ended December 31, 2018, Quest reported revenues of $56.2 million as compared to $54.5 million in the prior year. Excluding the impact of ASC 606, revenue for 2018 was $60.8 million, an increase of 11.7% compared to the previous year. The increase was primarily related to strong execution by the Company’s sales team and growing customer relationships, as well as the inclusion of fourth quarter revenues from Quest’s new subsidiary HTS Image Processing, as described above. Gross margin improved to 23% as compared to 21% in 2017. Excluding the impact of ASC 606, gross margin for the year was 21%. Total operating expenses for 2018 were $16.1 million compared to $12.2 million in 2017. The increase in operating expenses was primarily related to increases in non-cash stock compensation as well as professional fees related to the Company’s acquisition and integration of HTS, and financing activities.

 

Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $5.4 million, or a loss of $0.11 per share on a full year basis, compared to a net loss of $2.1 million, or a loss of $0.06 per share, for full year 2017.

 

Total stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2018 was $2,292,602 compared to a deficit of $1,248,168 at December 31, 2017.

 

Please refer to the financial tables included below for a reconciliation of generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) to non-GAAP financial results.

 

 
 

 

Mr. Lustgarten continued, “We recently announced the closing of a $5 million private placement and plan to use the net proceeds for the further development of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning solutions for school security, smart city and supply chain as well as for increasing sales and marketing efforts and for general working capital. With our IP and patents, we believe we are competitively positioned to grow our leadership role as a provider of AI-Machine Learning based solutions. With Quest’s continued development in mind, we plan to pursue a Nasdaq listing which we believe will introduce Quest to a broader audience and create future opportunities.”

 

Mr. Lustgarten concluded: “2018 was a transformative year and we are energized to build on the momentum generated by our acquisition of industry leading AI technology which brought new customers, contracts and end markets. We remain focused on growing our list of Fortune 500 customers by providing exceptional solutions that intelligently connect people, assets and data. As we move through 2019, we are intent on continuing to introduce innovative technology to expand our customer base, capture increased market share and drive continued growth.”

 

About Quest Solution, Inc.

 

Quest Solution’s HTS Image Processing subsidiary is a leading provider of computer vision image processing-based solutions using patented and proprietary AI technology to provide real-time surveillance and monitoring for homeland security, traffic & parking management, law enforcement and access control applications as well as supply chain management.

 

Rated in the Top 1% of global solution providers, Quest specializes in the design, deployment and management of enterprise mobility solutions including Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC), Mobile Cloud Analytics, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), and proprietary Mobility software. Our mobility products and services offering is designed to identify, track, trace, share and connect data to enterprise systems such as CRM or ERP solutions. Our customers are leading Fortune 500 companies from several sectors including manufacturing, retail, distribution, food / beverage, transportation and logistics, health care and chemicals/gas/ oil.

 

Information about Forward-Looking Statements

 

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this press release relating to plans, strategies, economic performance and trends, projections of results of specific activities or investments, and other statements that are not descriptions of historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This release contains “forward-looking statements” that include information relating to future events and future financial and operating performance. The words “may,” “would,” “will,” “expect,” “estimate,” “can,” “believe,” “potential” and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which that performance or those results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time they are made and/or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in demand for Quest Solution, Inc.’s products, the introduction of new products, the Company’s ability to maintain customer and strategic business relationships, the impact of competitive products and pricing, growth in targeted markets, the adequacy of the Company’s liquidity and financial strength to support its growth, the Company’s ability to manage credit and debt structures from vendors, debt holders and secured lenders, the Company’s ability to successfully integrate its acquisitions, risks related to the sale of Quest Solution Canada Inc. to Viascan Group Inc. and other information that may be detailed from time-to-time in Quest Solution Inc.’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Examples of such forward looking statements in this release include, among others, statements regarding revenue growth, driving sales, operational and financial initiatives, cost reduction and profitability, and simplification of operations. For a more detailed description of the risk factors and uncertainties affecting Quest Solution, Inc. please refer to the Company’s recent Securities and Exchange Commission filings, which are available at http://www.sec.gov. Quest Solution, Inc. undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless otherwise required by law.

 

Investor Contact:

John Nesbett/Jen Belodeau

IMS Investor Relations

203.972.9200

jnesbett@institutionalms.com

 

Financial Tables Follow

 

 
 

 

QUEST SOLUTION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(AUDITED)

 

   Three months ended   Year ended 
   December 31,
(Unaudited)
   December 31,
(Audited)
 
   2018   2017   2018   2017 
Revenues                
Total Revenues, net  $13,800,431   $13,572,090   $56,202,332   $54,458,845 
                     
Cost of goods sold                    
Cost of goods sold   9,452,435    10,826,086    43,139,895    43,089,210 
Total costs of goods sold   9,452,435    10,826,086    43,139,895    43,089,210 
                     
Gross profit   4,347,996    2,746,004    13,062,437    11,369,635 
                     
Operating expenses                    
General and administrative   748,730    550,453    2,472,240    1,858,847 
Salary and employee benefits   3,458,498    1,906,407    9,917,079    7,951,970 
Depreciation and amortization   529,147    438,592    1,841,363    1,762,937 
Professional fees   686,603    223,864    1,855,525    674,374 
Total operating expenses   5,422,978    3,119,316    16,086,207    12,248,128 
                     
Loss from operations   (1,074,982)   (373,312)   (3,023,770)   (878,493)
                     
Other income (expenses):                    
Interest expense   (607,446)   (480,202)   (1,570,003)   (1,555,350)
Restructuring expense   -    (26,880)   -    (26,880)
Other (expenses) income   217,087    40,305    (1,133,410)   29,548 
Total other expense   (390,359)   (466,778)   (2,703,413)   (1,552,682)
                     
Net Loss Before Income Taxes   (1,465,341)   (840,090)   (5,727,183)   (2,431,175)
                     
(Provision) benefit for Income Taxes                    
Current   27,553    91,410    (47,351)   - 
Deferred   552,489    -    552,489    - 
Total Income Tax Benefit (Provision)   580,042    91,410    505,138    - 
                     
Net loss from continuing operations  $(885,299)  $(748,680)  $(5,222,045)  $(2,431,175)
Less: Preferred stock – Series C dividend   (47,153)   430,766    (188,612)   289,695 
                     
Net loss attributable to the common stockholders   (932,452)   (317,914)   (5,410,657)   (2,141,480)
Foreign currency translation adjustment   881         881    - 
Other comprehensive income (loss)  $(931,571)  $(317,914)  $(5,409,776)  $(2,141,480)
                     
Net loss per share - basic  $(0.02)  $(0.01)  $(0.11)  $(0.06)
Net loss per share - diluted  $(0.02)  $(0.01)  $(0.11)  $(0.06)
                     
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted   49,630,590    35,814,751    49,630,590    35,814,751 

 

 
 

 

QUEST SOLUTION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(AUDITED)

 

   December 31,   December 31, 
   2018   2017 
ASSETS        
Current assets          
Cash and cash equivalents  $377,892   $24,634 
Accounts receivable, net   12,261,628    6,387,734 
Inventory   1,803,523    439,720 
Prepaid expenses   169,455    476,840 
Other current assets   77,780    126,187 
Total current assets   14,690,278    7,455,115 
           
Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,036,713 and $3,285,245, respectively   388,955    92,803 
Goodwill   13,920,508    10,114,164 
Trade name   1,804,596    2,359,481 
Customer relationships   7,514,001    5,310,938 
Other intangibles   1,267,432    - 
Cash, restricted   531,938    684,610 
Other assets   30,763    39,512 
Total assets  $40,148,471   $26,056,623 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)          
Current liabilities          
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  $17,484,212   $13,239,810 
Accrued interest and accrued liabilities, related party   -    38,430 
Line of credit   4,533,575    3,667,417 
Accrued payroll and sales tax   2,173,345    1,531,233 
Deferred revenue, net   -    761,194 
Notes payable, related parties – current portion   1,891,000    106,500 
Notes payable – current portion   8,823,151    3,429,025 
Other current liabilities   265,178    121,117 
Total current liabilities   35,170,461    22,894,726 
           
Long term liabilities          
Notes payable, related party, less current portion   1,911,973    3,222,900 
Accrued interest and accrued liabilities, related party   32,898    165,014 
Notes payable, less current portion   130,294    130,294 
Deferred revenue, net   -    452,024 
Other long term liabilities   610,243    439,833 
Total liabilities   37,855,869    27,304,791 
           
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)   -    - 
           
Stockholders’ equity (deficit)          
Series A Preferred stock; $0.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares designated, 0 shares issued and outstanding   -    - 
Series B Preferred stock; $0.001 par value; 1 share designated, 0 shares issued and outstanding   -    - 
Series C Preferred stock; $0.001 par value; 15,000,000 shares designated, 4,828,530 and 3,143,530 shares issued and outstanding, respectively   4,829    4,829 
Common stock; $0.001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 71,931,693 and 36,828,371 shares issued and outstanding, respectively.   71,933    36,828 
Common stock; $0.001 par value; 11,084,657 shares to be received   (2,615,979)   - 
Common stock to be repurchased by the Company   (230,490)   (230,490)
Additional paid-in capital   44,813,861    34,375,659 
Accumulated (deficit)   (39,752,433)   (35,554,994)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   881    - 
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)   2,292,602    (1,248,168)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)  $40,148,471   $26,056,623 

 

 
 

 

QUEST SOLUTION, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP MEASURES TO NON-GAAP MEASURES

(UNAUDITED)

 

   Three months ended   Year ended 
   December 31,   December 31, 
Adjusted EBITDA Calculation  2018   2017   2018   2017 
                 
Net loss   (885,299)   (748,680)   (5,222,045)   (2,431,176)
Depreciation & amortization   529,147    438,592    1,841,363    1,762,937 
Interest expense   607,446    480,202    1,570,003    1,555,350 
Income taxes   (580,042)   (91,410)   (505,138)   - 
Stock compensation   1,021,267    112,687    2,145,819    750,745 
Gain on cancellation of insurance   -    -    (150,146)   - 
Loss on forgiveness of debt   -    -    1,264,237    - 
Nonrecurring financing-related costs   485,693    -    1,204,615    - 
Adjusted EBITDA   1,178,212    191,391    2,148,708    1,637,856 
                     
Total revenues, net   13,800,431    13,572,090    56,202,332    54,458,845 
                     
Adjusted EBITDA as a % of total revenues, net   8.54%   1.41%   3.82%   3.01%

 

 
 

 

QUEST SOLUTION, INC.

CALCULATION OF ADJUSTMENT FROM ASC 606 TO ASC 605

(UNAUDITED)

 

   Three months ended       Year ended     
   December 31,       December 31,     
   2018   2017       2018   2017     
Revenues                        
Revenues per financial statements  $13,800,431   $13,572,090    1.7%  $56,202,332   $54,458,845    3.2%
Add revenues, ASC 605   1,786,777    -         6,577,260    -      
Deduct revenues, ASC 606   (649,062)   -         (1,956,569)   -      
Total revenues excluding impact of ASC 606   14,938,146   13,572,090    10.1%   60,823,023    54,458,845    11.7%
                               
Cost of goods sold   9,452,435    10,826,086    -12.7%   43,139,895    43,089,210    0.1%
Add cost of goods sold, ASC 605   1,423,907    -         5,216,493    -      
Deduct cost of goods sold, ASC 606   -    -         -    -      
Total cost of goods sold excluding impact of ASC 606   10,876,342    10,826,086    0.5%   48,356,388    43,089,210    12.2%
                               
ASC 606 net change to gross profit   286,192    -         595,802    595,802      
                               
Gross profit, ASC 606   4,347,996    2,746,004    58.3%   13,062,437    11,369,635    14.9%