Exhibit
99.2
INVESTOR
CONFERENCE CALL SCRIPT - DECEMBER 15, 2008
[OPERATOR]
Good
afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for standing by. Welcome to the WPCS
International Incorporated fiscal year 2009 second quarter investor conference
call. Your host for today’s call is Andy Hidalgo, chairman and CEO of WPCS
International Incorporated. Before I turn the call over to Mr. Hidalgo, please
be advised that the participants on today’s call will be in a listen only mode
until Mr. Hidalgo has concluded his opening remarks. Upon conclusion of the
opening remarks, there will be a question and answer session.
In
addition, we would like to note that statements about the company’s future
expectations, including future revenue and earnings and all other statements
made during this investor conference call, other than historical facts, are
forward looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any
time. The company’s actual results could differ materially from expected
results. In reflecting subsequent events or circumstances, the company
undertakes no obligation to update forward looking statements. I will now turn
the call over to Mr. Hidalgo.
[ANDY
HIDALGO]
Good
afternoon ladies and gentlemen and welcome to our fiscal year 2009 second
quarter investor conference call. The agenda for today’s call will include a
discussion of our financial results as well as a review of our guidance
expectations for the current fiscal year. In addition, I will discuss the state
of the economy as it pertains to WPCS, the markets we are serving and I will
conclude with a review our strategic initiatives.
___________
First, we
will discuss our financial results. For the fiscal year 2009 second quarter
ended October 31, 2008, WPCS generated approximately $29 million in revenue
which represents a 2% increase compared to the same period a year ago. From an
earnings perspective, the company achieved $362,000 in net income or $0.05 per
diluted share. The consolidated second quarter gross margin was 26% and our
SG&A represented 21% of revenue. The specialty communication systems sector
generated 89% of our revenue with wireless infrastructure generating the other
11%.
The
company continues to maintain a strong balance sheet with $29 million in working
capital, $7.6 million in credit line borrowing and $13 million in cash. The
increase in cash has come primarily from improved receivables collection. In
addition, our credit line borrowing to working capital ratio remains favorably
low at 26%. This ratio is an important indication of our financial strength as
our company does not have a dependence on credit.
For the
six months of fiscal year 2009 ended October 31, 2008, WPCS generated $57
million in revenue which represents a 14% increase compared to the same period a
year ago. From an earnings perspective, the company has achieved $1.2 million in
net income or $0.17 per diluted share. The consolidated gross margin for the
first six months of fiscal year 2009 is 27% and our SG&A is 21%. As of
October 31, 2008, WPCS has a backlog of $48 million and a bid list of $137
million.
___________
Turning
our attention to guidance, the initial fiscal year 2009 guidance provided by
WPCS, which was announced in July 2008, outlined a revenue projection of $125
million, net income of $5.6 million and $0.74 in earnings per diluted share. Due
to these challenging times in our economy, we have revised our expectations for
fiscal year 2009. We are now projecting for the current fiscal year a range of
$112 million to $115 million in revenue, $2.7 million to $3.1 million in net
income and $0.38 to $0.44 in earnings per diluted share.
In our
domestic specialty communication systems segment, the consolidated gross margin
dropped for the second quarter. We expected higher margins on higher revenue and
achieved lower margins on lower revenue which explains the reduction in earnings
per diluted share. One of the key factors in gross margin reduction for the
second quarter was deflationary economic pressure. However, we believe that
margins can improve going forward based on our specific market focus and based
on an anticipated improving economic environment. Our SG&A will also improve
with better revenue production in the coming quarters.
Our new
earnings per diluted share range estimate of $0.38 to $0.44 takes into account a
conservative projection of shares to be repurchased and retired by WPCS for the
current fiscal year. The earnings per diluted share can increase if the company
is able to repurchase more shares than projected. Our projection is
approximately 500,000 shares repurchased and retired. So far, the company has
repurchased approximately 200,000 shares.
In
addition, our revised guidance is based on conservative revenue producing
estimates. These estimates do not take into account the new stimulus package
that is targeted in early 2009 by the new presidential administration for public
services infrastructure projects. It is possible that we can recognize more
revenue from the conversion of bids to backlog if the stimulus package passes
legislation. However, it will depend on how quickly we can begin some of these
projects.
___________
I would
now like to discuss economic conditions as it pertains to WPCS. Obviously, the
recessionary economy has adversely affected businesses in general and it has
caused WPCS to revise our expectations. From our perspective, the headlines,
news stories and indicators pertaining to the global economy have been troubling
these past few months. However, WPCS is seeing positive signs. As everyone is
aware, policy makers are pouring money into the economic system and although
these funds have not yet fully found its way into the economy, we believe it is
just a matter of time when banks will look to generate a higher rate of return.
We are seeing a thaw in the previously frozen credit market that is expected to
help our customers finance new projects going forward.
___________
Turning
our attention to the markets we serve, in the specialty communication systems
segment of our business, WPCS operates in five sectors. These sectors include
public services, healthcare, energy, corporate enterprise and gaming. We have
seen a significant slowdown in corporate enterprise and gaming. We have also
seen a slowdown in public services but not as significant. The slowdown has
caused us to miss our original revenue projections. We believe that the
corporate enterprise and gaming sectors will remain flat this fiscal year,
however, we feel very encouraged that our focus on public services, healthcare
and energy is not only the right focus but will continue to provide the
opportunities we need to build shareholder value.
In the
public services sector, although general spending is down at the state and local
government level due to a decrease in tax revenue and credit impediments, the
budgets for communications infrastructure, for the most part, remain intact.
This is due primarily to the emphasis on public safety and security. In
addition, as discussed, there has been a pledge by the new presidential
administration to federally fund public services for the development of
infrastructure for highways, bridges, roads and communications. It is planned
that this public services sector will be a source for new job creation here in
the U.S.
The
indication from our customers in public services is that spending for
communications infrastructure will continue going forward and will be bolstered
by the stimulus package once enacted. We believe that WPCS is in an excellent
position to take advantage of the potential market expansion in public services
due to our outstanding reputation in this sector.
In the
healthcare sector, the primary drivers continue to be the need to provide
healthcare infrastructure for our aging population and to cut costs through
healthcare reform. The implementation of technology not only improves
productivity but continues to be a labor cost cutting measure for hospitals. We
continue to receive bid requests for security systems, paging systems and
wireless networks that can support mobile devices to keep track of hospital
data.
In the
energy sector, oil, gas, water and electric utility companies continue to
upgrade their infrastructure and implement wireless technology solutions for
improving their operations and managing their assets. These energy companies are
well funded and continue to request bids.
In
alternative energy, the development of wind and solar energy has accelerated and
WPCS has successfully positioned itself as a competent provider of design-build
engineering services for this market. We see strong growth and bid activity in
this sector, particularly in wind energy as Congress recently approved a bill to
extend the renewable energy production tax credit through the end of
2009.
The
potential within these three sectors continues to be validated through an
analysis of our backlog and bids. The $48 million in approximate backlog ended
October 31, 2008 represents 65% of public service projects, which includes
education and federal government work. In addition 17% is represented by
healthcare projects and 6% is represented by energy projects.
In
regards to our bids, the $137 million in approximate bids ended October 31, 2008
represents 59% of public service projects, which includes education and federal
government work. In addition 14% is represented by healthcare projects and 12%
is represented by energy projects.
The
remaining percentage of backlog and bid list activity is focused on wireless
infrastructure, corporate enterprise and gaming projects. As you can see in the
percentage breakdown, the public services, healthcare and energy sectors are
displaying strong growth potential for WPCS. By focusing on these growth
sectors, we can improve our gross margins.
Internationally,
our two primary markets, China and Australia from an infrastructure perspective,
have not been as impacted by the global economic slowdown. Although our
international segment only represents 6% of the total revenue for WPCS, we see
the promise of growth and expansion in both China and Australia even through
these economic times.
China is
well funded for expansion and last month, approved a $600 billion stimulus
package targeted at improving the country’s transportation and energy
infrastructure. To measure the magnitude, this represents a stimulus package
equal to 25% of their gross domestic product. Through our China subsidiary, WPCS
is currently focused on the energy infrastructure sector only with key customers
such as Guangzhou Gas and China National Petroleum. Our goal is to continue
building our energy infrastructure business, however, we are also looking to
expand into China’s transportation infrastructure sector by training our China
subsidiary and preparing them to pursue the same type of opportunities we pursue
here in the U.S.
In
Australia, the Reserve Bank has recently reduced its policy interest rate 75
basis points to 5.25%, which has helped inject capital for continued
infrastructure expansion. Through our two Australian subsidiaries, WPCS is
primarily focused on the corporate enterprise sector. Although this sector
remains active, we want to diversify our engineering capability to include
energy infrastructure by providing the same type of wireless solutions that has
generated good returns for us here in the U.S. At the present time, there is
demand in Australia for wireless technology in the energy infrastructure sector.
This initiative is underway and includes technical training for our existing
subsidiaries while working with our global technology partners to pursue
specific opportunities in Australia.
As far as
China and Australia are concerned, most economists estimate that both countries
are expected to have positive GDP growth rates of 2% to 6% over the next four
quarters. WPCS remains on target with our international revenue expectations for
the fiscal year and, relative to our revenue expectations, we are maintaining a
solid backlog and bid list of activity.
___________
Lastly, I
would like to update everyone on strategic initiatives. WPCS continues to
develop and implement strategic initiatives that strengthen our company for the
future. At the present time, our focus is on organic growth through customer and
market development. Although we are considering smaller acquisitions that
enhance our engineering capability and will expand our customer base, we are not
looking to make any major acquisitions at this point.
We
believe there is significant earnings growth that can occur within our existing
operations. One important initiative that we have launched is a branding
strategy that will bring all the individual subsidiaries under the WPCS name.
The principal purpose of this initiative is to position the company so that we
can pursue national account contracts with our existing customers, which is
difficult to do today under so many brands. Also, we want to obtain national
purchasing power by combining all subsidiaries as one purchasing source. If we
are successful in achieving these two objectives, we will see an increase in
revenue, a reduction in cost of sales and a reduction in SG&A costs. The
branding initiative will be done cost effectively and should be completed in six
to eight months.
___________
To
summarize this investor conference call, we recognize that our shareholder value
has diminished these past several months and we know that the economic slowdown,
credit crisis and flight to safety have impacted the value. However, our
management team is dedicated and encouraged about our future. The five key
points that investors need to understand include:
1.) WPCS
has established itself as an organization with an outstanding reputation for
thehighest quality of design-build engineering services
2.) WPCS
has been consistently profitability even through challenging economic
times
3.) WPCS
has built a strong balance sheet that does not depend on credit
4.) WPCS
has a management team that understands its market opportunities
5.) WPCS
focuses on public services, healthcare and energy infrastructure which are
themarkets that are expected to yield significant growth in the years to
come
We will
continue to focus on building shareholder value for our investors and most
importantly, we are confident that we will deliver the results.
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