Securus Technologies, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2008 Operating Results

DALLAS, March 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Securus Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of inmate communications services and innovative offender and case management software design, today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2008.

Highlights for Q4 and Full Year 2008:

  • Continued Substantial Operational and Financial Metric Improvements
  • Q4 to Q4 Core (Direct and Syscon) Revenue Increase of 6.2%
  • Q4 to Q4 Syscon Revenue Increase of 94.4%
  • Q4 to Q4 EBITDA Increase of 26.5%
  • Q4 to Q4 Free Cash Flow Increase of 73.7%
  • Q4 to Q4 Levered Free Cash Flow Increase of 81.0%
  • Q4 to Q4 Bad Debt Decrease of 39.1%
  • 2008 versus 2007 Proforma Syscon Revenue Increase of 28.1%
  • 2008 versus 2007 Proforma EBITDA Increase of 37.2%
  • 2008 versus 2007 Proforma Free Cash Flow Increase of 173.1%
  • 2008 versus 2007 Proforma Levered Free Cash Flow Increase of 118.4%
  • 2008 versus 2007 Bad Debt Decrease of 38.2%
  • Executive Additions - Increased bandwidth, history of achieving results, Larry Ehlers - VP of Software Development and Applications.

"2008 was a year in which we made significant strides at improving our financial and operating performance," stated Richard A. Smith, Securus' Chief Executive Officer and President. "The 37.2% annual increase in Proforma EBITDA and 173.1% improvement in Proforma Free Cash Flow versus 2007 reflects our on-going commitment to deliver on the EBITDA improving initiatives we started in 2008 and which we will continue to implement over the next several years. We continue to enhance the executive management team with the recent addition of Larry Ehlers, our new Vice President of Software Development and Applications. I have worked previously with Larry Ehlers and I know he will deliver good results. Although 2009 will be challenging for us given the current economic conditions facing the United States and the world, I like the initiatives that we have documented and the ways that we can grow EBITDA and cash flow. One of these initiatives is our plan to construct a sophisticated customer service call center that will handle all of our customer's needs on a domestic basis. This action will significantly improve customer satisfaction of the friends and families of inmates who use our calling services. We also believe this action will help drive more calling revenue by making it easier for our friends and family customers to fund prepaid calling accounts. We plan to spend incremental capital in 2009 to bring additional products and features to our correctional facility customers, as well as to enhance the reliability, redundancy and call throughput of our packet-based network. We have a dedicated team of Associates (a.k.a. employees) at Securus that will extend the positive momentum that we started in 2008--and I am looking forward to see what we can accomplish in 2009."

The following table highlights financial and operating results:



                            Securus Technologies, Inc.
                    Consolidated Financial and Operating Data
                  (Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Unit Amounts)


                                            Q4           Q3         Q4

                                           2008         2008       2007

    Total Revenue                        $95,364      $95,794    $93,441
    Revenue - Direct Provisioning        $82,278      $81,661    $80,111
    Revenue - Syscon (1)                  $6,095       $7,427     $3,135
    EBITDA                               $10,641      $12,723     $8,411
    Capital Expenditures                  $3,686       $4,620     $4,408
    EBITDA less Capital Expenditures      $6,955       $8,103     $4,003
    Billed Calls                          34,003       34,061     34,126
    Domestic Revenue per Call              $2.63        $2.59      $2.65
    Percent Prepaid Revenue - Direct
     Provisioning                           48.6%        46.8%      39.2%
    Percent Bad Debt - Non-Syscon            8.0%         8.5%      12.9%
    Total Headcount                          654          652        709
    Quota Carrying Field Sales Associates     41           41         46


                                         For The Twelve Months
                                           Ended December 31,   Proforma
                                          2008           2007     2007 (1)

    Total Revenue                        $388,603     $391,850   $403,540
    Revenue - Direct Provisioning        $333,564     $338,703   $338,703
    Revenue - Syscon (1)                  $25,137       $7,933    $19,623
    EBITDA                                $41,768      $30,053    $30,440
    Capital Expenditures                  $17,046      $21,356    $21,389
    EBITDA less Capital Expenditures      $24,722       $8,697     $9,051
    Billed Calls                          137,903      144,494    144,494
    Domestic Revenue per Call              $$2.64        $2.66      $2.66
    Percent Prepaid Revenue - Direct
     Provisioning                            46.4%        35.2%      35.2%
    Percent Bad Debt - Non-Syscon             9.1%        13.6%      13.6%
    Total Headcount                           654          709        709
    Quota Carrying Field Sales Associates      41           46         46

    (1) Syscon Justice Systems, Ltd. was acquired on June 29, 2007.


Total revenues for the fourth quarter of 2008 were $95.4 million, a decrease $0.4 million from the third quarter of 2008 but $1.9 million higher than the fourth quarter of 2007. The small sequential decline in the fourth quarter is partly due to the attrition of our wholesale business, lower Syscon revenue due in part to seasonality, and the poor economic conditions that became more pronounced in the last two months of the quarter. The year-over-year quarterly revenue growth is due entirely to the 6.2% growth of our "core" business segments - Direct Provisioning and Syscon.

EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $10.6 million, $2.1 million lower than the third quarter but $2.2 million higher than Q4 2007. We recorded approximately $2.5 million of one-time benefits in Q3 2008, so if you were to normalize for this, Q4 EBITDA results would have been roughly $0.4 million higher sequentially. The growth in EBITDA from Q4 2007 is due primarily to the EBITDA improvement initiatives we implemented in 2008, improvement in our bad debt levels due in part to a higher proportion prepaid calling, as well as the improved financial performance at Syscon. EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. Below is a schedule reconciling reported GAAP net loss to EBITDA.



                            Securus Technologies, Inc.
                    Consolidated Net Loss to EBITDA Reconciliation
                                    (In Thousands)

                                                     For The Twelve Months
                          Q4         Q3        Q4      Ended December 31,
                         2008       2008      2007      2008      2007
    Net Loss           $(8,901)   $(6,638) $(11,172) $(34,019) $(40,404)
      Interest expense
       and other, net   12,303     10,137     8,956    41,896    31,487
      Income taxes
       (benefit)        (1,035)       351     1,074      (509)    1,922
      Depreciation and
       amortization      8,274      8,873     9,553    34,400    37,048
    EBITDA             $10,641    $12,723    $8,411   $41,768   $30,053


Capital expenditures in the fourth quarter were $3.7 million, $0.9 million and $0.7 million lower than Q3 2008 and Q4 2007, respectively. Our capital expenditures in 2008 were approximately 20% lower than 2007 due to better management of upfront customer acquisition capital in 2008 as well as incremental capital spent on 2007 deployment of our packet-based architecture.

Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $8.9 million, a reduction of $2.3 million from the third quarter of 2008 but $2.3M better than the fourth quarter of 2007. The sequential decline is due primarily to the net one-time favorable benefits we recorded in the third quarter of 2008. The improvement in net loss from 2007 was driven by the EBITDA initiatives we worked on in 2008, lower bad debt, higher prepaid calling penetration, and better performance at Syscon.

Cash and equivalents, excluding of restricted cash, at December 31, 2008 was $6.6 million and the total cash available to the Company at the end of 2008, including our revolver, was roughly $20 million. The company was in full compliance with all of its debt covenants for each quarter in 2008.

Investor Call

Management is holding an investor conference call on Monday, March 30, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. (CT) to discuss fourth quarter and year-end 2008 results. Investors are invited to participate by calling:

    US Dial in:             800-762-8779
    International Dial in:  1-480-248-5081
    Passcode:               4023484

    Replay details are as follows:

    Replay Dates:           March 30, 2009 - April 29, 2009
    Replay available at:    1:00 p.m. CDT
    US Replay Dial in:      800-406-7325
    International Dial in:  303-590-3030
    Replay Passcode:        4023484

About Securus Technologies, Inc.

Securus Technologies, Inc. is one of the largest suppliers of inmate communications and information management solutions, serving approximately 2,600 correctional facilities nationwide. A recognized leader in providing comprehensive, innovative technical solutions and responsive customer service, Securus' sole focus is the specialized needs of the corrections and law enforcement communities. Securus is headquartered in Dallas, TX, with regional offices in Bedford, MA; Raleigh, NC; Carrollton and Allen, TX; and Atlanta, GA. For more information please visit the Securus website at www.securustech.net

Syscon Holdings, Ltd., our wholly-owned subsidiary, is a world leader in innovative Offender and Case Management Software design and delivery. Syscon's Elite and Exact systems offer management functionality from booking and legal documentation through trust accounting, commissary, and medical records to the management of parole and other forms of community supervision. Syscon's systems have been implemented in many States and large Counties across North America, in Australia and in England. Syscon solutions help manage more than 300,000 inmates and former inmates every day. For more information about Syscon, please visit www.syscon.net.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The foregoing release contains statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are only predictions and are not guarantees of future performance. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are and will be, as the case may be, subject to many risks, uncertainties and factors relating to the operations and business environment of Securus Technologies, Inc. that may cause the actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Securus assumes no obligation to update the information contained in this press release.



                               SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
                        CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


                                       December 31,         December 31,
                                           2007                 2008
    ASSETS
    Cash and cash equivalents             $2,072              $6,576
    Restricted cash                        1,535               1,599
    Accounts receivable, net              50,788              45,316
    Prepaid expenses                       5,437               6,116
    Current deferred income taxes          3,034               1,973
    Total current assets                  62,866              61,580
    Property and equipment, net           40,797              35,364
    Intangibles and other assets, net    119,427              98,550
    Goodwill                              69,035              63,468
      Total assets                      $292,125            $258,962

    LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE
     PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
    Accounts payable                     $28,161             $14,743
    Due to related party                   1,000                   -
    Accrued liabilities                   40,188              44,371
    Deferred revenue and customer
     Advances                             16,674              15,069
    Current deferred income taxes          1,261                 817
      Total current liabilities           87,284              75,000
    Deferred income taxes                 15,352              10,893
    Due to related party, net              3,510                   -
    Long-term debt                       263,276             288,341
    Other long-term liabilities            1,593               2,238
      Total liabilities                  371,015             376,472
    Commitments and contingencies

    Series A redeemable convertible
     preferred stock, $2,000 stated value,
     total redemption value $10,200 and
     $11,489 at December 31, 2007 and
     December 31, 2008; 5,100 shares
     authorized and outstanding at
     December 31, 2007 and 2008.           9,971              11,321

    Stockholders' deficit:
    Common stock, $0.001 stated value;
     1,290,000 and 1,355,000 shares
     authorized at December 31, 2007 and
     2008; 677 and 161,037 shares issued
     and outstanding at December 31, 2007
     and 2008, respectively.                   7                   8
    Additional paid-in capital            35,620              34,304
    Accumulated other comprehensive
     income (loss)                         1,935              (2,701)
    Accumulated deficit                 (126,423)           (160,442)
      Total stockholders' deficit        (88,861)           (128,831)
        Total liabilities, redeemable
         convertible preferred stock
         and stockholders' deficit      $292,125            $258,962



                              SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                 For the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008
                               (Dollars in thousands)

                                  December 31,   December 31,  December 31,
                                      2006          2007          2008
    Revenue:
      Direct call provisioning     $341,237       $338,703      $333,564
      Offender management software        -          7,933        25,137
      Wholesale services             60,660         45,214        29,902
        Total revenue               401,897        391,850       388,603
    Cost of service (exclusive of
     depreciation and amortization
    shown separately below):
      Direct call provisioning,
       exclusive of bad debt
       expense                      227,375        229,680       229,456
      Direct call provisioning
       bad debt expense              40,830         37,776        25,889
      Offender management software
       expense                            -          6,110        13,540
      Wholesale services expense     41,894         29,197        18,219
        Total cost of service       310,099        302,763       287,104
    Selling, general and
     administrative expenses         52,387         58,420        59,507
    Restructuring costs                   -            614           224
    Depreciation and amortization    30,258         37,048        34,400
        Total operating costs and
         expenses                   392,744        398,845       381,235
        Operating income (loss)       9,153        (6,995)         7,368
    Interest and other expenses,
     net                             27,811         31,487        41,896
        Loss before income taxes    (18,658)       (38,482)      (34,528)
    Income tax expense (benefit)      1,461          1,922          (509)
        Net loss                    (20,119)       (40,404)      (34,019)
    Accrued dividends on redeemable
     convertible preferred stock          -              -        (1,351)
        Net loss available to
         common stockholders       $(20,119)      $(40,404)     $(35,370)


                             SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                 For the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2007, and 2008
                              (Dollars in thousands)

                                              For the Year Ended

                                       2006          2007          2008
    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING
     ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING
     OPERATIONS:
    Net loss from continuing
     operations                     $(20,119)     $(40,404)     $(34,019)
    Adjustments to reconcile net
     loss to net cash provided by
     operating activities from
     continuing operations:
      Depreciation and amortization   30,258        37,048        34,400
      Amortization of fair value of
       contracts acquired                  -         1,360         3,489
      Deferred income taxes            1,123           922       (2,365)
      Conversion of interest paid
       "in kind" to secured
       subordinated notes              9,011        10,678        12,650
      Amortization of deferred
       financing costs and debt
       discounts                       1,550         2,251         3,542
      Other operating activities, net   (241)          169           (25)
    Changes in operating assets and
     liabilities, net of effects of
     acquisitions:
      Restricted cash                    (65)          (74)          (68)
      Accounts receivable               (994)       20,459         3,813
      Prepaid expenses and other
       current assets                    596           191          (862)
      Other assets                      (727)          376           654
      Accounts payable                (6,630)      (11,251)       (9,057)
      Accrued liabilities              5,318        (1,266)        5,254
        Net cash provided by
         operating activities
         from continuing operations  $19,080       $20,459       $17,406

    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
      Purchase of property and
       equipment and intangible
       assets                       $(27,176)     $(21,356)     $(17,046)
      Cash consideration paid for
       acquired business                   -       (43,717)            -
      Dividends received from
       unconsolidated affiliate           50             -             -
      Proceeds from sale of
       unconsolidated affiliate            -           985             -
      Property insurance proceeds          -            88             -
    Net cash used in investing
     activities                     $(27,126)     $(64,000)     $(17,046)


                            SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
                 For the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008
                              (Dollars in thousands)

                                        For the Year Ended December 31,

                                        2006         2007          2008
    CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING
     ACTIVITIES:
      Proceeds from issuance of
       second-priority senior secured
       notes                              $-       $39,060            $-
      Cash overdraft                   2,856        (3,958)       (4,151)
      Net advances on revolving
       credit facility                 3,225         1,775        11,511
      Debt issuance costs                  -        (4,853)       (1,757)
      Proceeds (payments) related
       to loan payable to related
       party, net                          -         4,510        (4,510)
      Payments on other debt            (108)            -             -
      Proceeds from issuance of
       common stock                        1             1             1
      Proceeds from issuance of
       Series A preferred stock            -        10,200             -
      Series A preferred stock
       issuance costs                      -          (229)            -
      Net cash provided by
       financing activities           $5,974       $46,506        $1,094
      Effect of exchange rates on
       cash and cash equivalents           -        (1,451)        3,050
    Increase (decrease) in cash
     and equivalents                 $(2,072)       $1,514        $4,504
    Cash and cash equivalents at
     beginning of period               2,630           558         2,072
    Cash and cash equivalents at
     end of period                      $558        $2,072        $6,576

    SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:
    C

SOURCE Securus Technologies, Inc.

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