Annual General Meeting - CEO's Address Script
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
ASX Announcement
29 November 2024
CEO Address to Shareholders at Verbrec’s 2024 Annual General
Meeting
Verbrec Limited (ASX : VBC) (Verbrec or the Company) issues the following address
script delivered by Verbrec’s Chief Executive Officer, Mark Read at the Company’s
2024 Annual General Meeting.
CEO Address to Shareholders
I would like to start by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we are meeting
today and pay my respects to Elders past and present.
As the Chairman has noted in his address:
•
The Board and management of Verbrec has worked extremely hard over the past financial
year to set a new foundation for profitability and growth.
•
The outcome is self-evident with the highest profits since FY2015 and the highest profit
margins since the merger of OSD and LogiCamms in 2019.
•
We’ve repaired our balance sheet and have optimised our operations to produce revenues
at dramatically reduced cost of sales.
Verbrec Limited
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ACN: 127 897 689
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Ph: +61 3 9415 4000
Verbrec.com
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•
Our strategy is in place and active, and we are now able to grow our revenues and profits in
FY2025. A substantial proportion of revenues is reliable and recurring, fuelled through long
term contracts.
•
Our growth targeted business units, including asset management, operations & maintenance
and competency training are performing strongly, and we anticipate that trend to continue.
I’d like to spend some time today demonstrating why Verbrec is different from its peers, how we
create value and provide further insight into our long-term contracts and sustainable focus areas.
Verbrec’s Partnership Model
Verbrec’s strength is in its ability to form strong client relationships that continue through the entire life
cycle of an asset.
A one stop shop – a true partner.
We engage with our clients at the earliest stages of project development to select the optimum
solution.
Moving on to engineering, we can support our clients with multi-disciplinary engineering services,
adding value to reduce their capital investment costs and maximising their assets returns.
We provide our clients with Asset Management services to increase efficiency, reduce asset costs
and improve productivity.
Where it makes sense, we partner for construction, providing turn-key construction services or acting
as owners’ engineers to support our clients throughout the construction phase.
Verbrec often operates our client’s assets over the long term, providing uninterrupted and efficient
operations in line with legislative and regulatory requirements. We also provide a range of training
services for our client’s electrical trades.
When an asset comes to the end of its useful life, Verbrec is there to work with our clients to repurpose
the asset or support them in the decommissioning process.
Verbrec Limited
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ASX : VBC
ACN: 127 897 689
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Ph: +61 3 9415 4000
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How we Create Value
Through strong relationships built on trust Verbrec enables a sustainable future for our clients and their
customers.
By adding value across the entire life of our client’s assets, we forge strong long-lasting relationships
with our clients.
A substantial proportion of our revenues is generated through multi-year operations and
maintenance contracts and panel agreements.
Growth
In FY2025 we expect to grow our revenues and profits.
It is through a combination of organic growth, including geographic expansion, where we will
maximise the revenues, we achieve from our panel agreement and operations and maintenance
contracts.
The energy transition is the other major pillar of our growth strategy, I’ll get to this point a little later in
the presentation.
Verbrec Limited
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ASX : VBC
ACN: 127 897 689
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Ph: +61 3 9415 4000
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Add Value, Reduce Risk
Whilst we have a strong focus on growing our revenues, we’re not taking on additional risks in our
expansion efforts.
I’m pleased to report that in FY2024, we’ve significantly increased the proportion of our revenues
from Reimbursable, Operations & Maintenance and Training contracts. These contracts have a lower
risk profile.
Fixed and mixed contracts, contrastingly, are higher risk for us, hence we’re being more selective in
the contracts we take on and their economic attractiveness.
Our Valued Relationship Clients
This slide shows many of our blue-chip relationship clients all of whom are responding to the evolving
energy landscape.
It is by deeply understanding our clients' sustainability journeys and responding to their needs,
Verbrec will increase its share of the revenue generated with our relationship clients.
Verbrec Limited
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ACN: 127 897 689
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Ph: +61 3 9415 4000
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Revenue from Panel / O&M Agreements
From these graphs, you can see that we have increased the proportion of our revenues generated
from multi-year panel agreements and multi-year operations and maintenance contracts from 47% in
FY2023 to 54% in FY2024.
This is a good indicator that our ‘Relationship Client’ approach is working and gaining traction from
the market.
Verbrec Outlook
This outlook slide demonstrates our full forward pipeline and the pipeline for the remainder of FY2025.
We’ve placed great emphasis on improving our win rate, which averaged 36% in FY2024. Our
expectation is that we will equal or better this throughout this financial year.
Verbrec Limited
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ACN: 127 897 689
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Ph: +61 3 9415 4000
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Verbrec – Repeatable Revenues
Operations & Maintenance Agreements
Verbrec’s Operations and Maintenance business derives the bulk of its revenues from Multi-Year
Pipeline and Process Plan operations contracts. We operate over 1,800KM of gas pipelines across
Australia.
It’s a great business, which we added to in 2021 by acquiring Energy Infrastructure Management. The
business’ revenues in FY2024 are over 94% higher than in FY2021.
For each $1.00 in contracted services under these multi-year agreements, Verbrec in FY2024 secured
$1.14 in additional ad-hoc revenues.
We consider these additional services as ‘repeatable revenue’ as we have a clear correlation
between contracted services and additional services, and thus can reasonably estimate this
additional revenue.
Verbrec Panel Agreements
Verbrec also has 43 multi-year panel agreements in place with relationship clients.
In FY2024, 43% of Verbrec’s revenues were derived from these panel agreements.
The trend of revenues that come in from these agreements is well documented, thus, we take a view
based on historic norms to predict these repeatable revenues.
Sustainable Focus Areas
We have four sustainable focus areas at Verbrec. These are the areas where we see ourselves best
fitting into the evolving energy landscape and our client’s sustainability journeys. It’s the sweet spot
where our in-house capability is well suited to adapt to our client’s changing goals and assets.
Verbrec Limited
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ASX : VBC
ACN: 127 897 689
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Ph: +61 3 9415 4000
Verbrec.com
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Sustainable Focus Areas
Electrification & Energy Storage
The first of our four focus areas is Electrification & Energy Storage.
This is core business for Verbrec. We are already working in this space providing innovative solutions in
the areas of system modelling, battery technologies, geo-thermal energy and hydro-energy solutions,
and actively pursuing opportunities to more meaningfully contribute to the solar and wind energy
sectors.
Gas Market Transition
A particular area of focus for Verbrec is the Gas Market Transition. This fully aligns with Verbrec’s
current core capabilities and client base.
It is a critical area where Verbrec can maximise its offering as we transition from gas as a base load
fuel to a firming / peaking fuel.
Verbrec is already well established in this area, undertaking services for clients on their peaking gas
plants, along with biogas, hydrogen, carbon capture and storage and other emerging technologies.
Sustainable Mining
Along with providing engineering and asset management support to key mining clients throughout
Australia, Verbrec’s digital twin product, StacksOn, enables our mining clients to deliver on-spec
product, in challenging conditions, whilst increasing throughput and reducing downtime,
contributing to more profitable / sustainable stockyard management.
Water Security
Verbrec is also an important contributor to water security throughout Australia and New Zealand.
We provide our expertise to water authorities and other partners in this critical industry by designing,
constructing and maintaining water assets, including traditional water infrastructure, desalination
plants and water treatment facilities.
Verbrec Limited
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ASX : VBC
ACN: 127 897 689
Computershare Investor Services Pty Ltd
Ph: +61 3 9415 4000
Verbrec.com
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The Evolving Energy Landscape, Market Opportunity
Allow me to provide a little more context.
The graphs on this page, as detailed in AEMO’s 2024 Integrated System Plan, demonstrate the
magnitude of the additional capacity and investment required for the evolving energy landscape in
Australia.
•
Energy storage will need to increase more than 15-fold by 2050
•
Gas peaking plant capacity will need to significantly increase whilst much of the traditional
gas market assets will need to be decommissioned or retrofitted and repurposed
•
Electricity consumption is predicted to nearly double by 2050.
AEMO predicts that the optimal development path will require a net present value of $122 billion in
annualised capital costs, whereas, the Australian Industry Energy Transitions Initiative has placed the
investment closer to a staggering $625 billion.
It’s a similar story in New Zealand where we also have a strong presence.
The truth is, that nobody really knows exactly how the transition will play out, or what the overall
investment will be. But Verbrec is working with our clients and their advisers, developing the right
strategies to deal with it.
Verbrec is already Capturing the Opportunity
We are already well on our way. This chart shows that of our three main core markets, more than 33%
of our project portfolio comes from our Sustainable Focus Areas.
We expect this to grow over time as the industry continues its transition to a more sustainable future.
Verbrec Limited
Share Registry
ASX : VBC
ACN: 127 897 689
Computershare Investor Services Pty Ltd
Ph: +61 3 9415 4000
Verbrec.com
computershare.com
Verbrec Project Highlights
Now I’d like to talk to you about some of the really exciting projects that we’ve been delivering.
Broadlands Biogas Upgrade
On 6 November 2024, First Renewables announced that the First Renewables Biogas to Pipeline
Upgrade Facility at Ecogas’ Organics processing facility in Reporoa, New Zealand is now in
production. James Irvine (General Manager of Future Fuels at Clarus) hailed this as a historic
milestone for New Zealand’s gas pipeline infrastructure.
Verbrec provided the front-end and detailed design engineering services for this landmark project
which transforms kerbside waste into a valuable source of renewable gas, ultimately contributing to a
reduction in reliance on fossil fuels and providing cleaner energy for New Zealand homes and
businesses.
It is through a collaborative, relationship client approach that has enabled Verbrec to provide
innovative engineering services to Clarus for over 15 years. Verbrec is tremendously proud of the part
it has played in enabling the renewable gas flow at the First Renewables Biogas facility.
Verbrec Limited
Share Registry
ASX : VBC
ACN: 127 897 689
Computershare Investor Services Pty Ltd
Ph: +61 3 9415 4000
Verbrec.com
computershare.com
First major long-term Operations & Maintenance contract in WA
Verbrec operates over 1,800 KM of gas pipelines across Australia. Near the end of the financial year,
we secured our first multi-year pipeline operations and maintenance contract in Western Australia.
Pipeline operations is a core service offering of our Infrastructure Services team and provides a
predictable, multi-year baseline of revenues for the group.
Western Australia is served by relatively few competitors in this space, so breaking into this market is a
real achievement for Verbrec and gives us the opportunity to introduce our competitive offering into
this region and secure greater market-share.
Through this O&M contract, we will provide CITIC Pacific Mining with operational assurance and
ensure pipeline integrity through continuous performance monitoring and Right of Way surveillance.
Australia’s Largest Onshore Gas Pipeline FEED Project
Verbrec specialises in innovative engineering and project delivery solutions to clients – through our
technical specialities, including Automation & Control, Power, Process Plant and Pipelines.
Verbrec’s engineering team has been recently awarded the Front-End Engineering for one of
Australia’s largest pipeline development projects.
The pipeline is poised to be a crucial asset in enhancing energy security for New South Wales. By
improving the reliability of the gas supply, this pipeline will contribute to stabilising and reducing the
gas and electricity prices for households, manufacturers and businesses across the region.
Verbrec Limited
Share Registry
ASX : VBC
ACN: 127 897 689
Computershare Investor Services Pty Ltd
Ph: +61 3 9415 4000
Verbrec.com
computershare.com
Competency Training’s Growing International Presence
Our Competency Training group specialises in delivering courses and providing qualifications for
clients in areas such as hazardous operations, high voltage, electrical and renewable energy.
It is interesting to note that we are seeing growing demand from international customers looking for
better training and competency assessment to meet the stringent electrical standards required by
the Australian market.
It’s Competency Training’s impressive reputation in the market which has secured greater market
share, and it’s growing rapidly. And it’s not just internationally. Competency Training has increased its
domestic operating footprint from 6 to 11 locations in FY2024 as the demand for qualified electrical
trades continues to grow.
Efficiency for BHP with StacksOn
StacksOn is a digital twin software package for mine stockyards enabling on-spec product in
challenging conditions, whilst increasing throughput and reducing downtime.
Revenues are generated through a blend of software license fees, ongoing support and consulting
services.
Growth in the StacksOn business requires expansion into more of the iron ore market, both in Western
Australia and globally as well as maximising it’s utility and introducing new features to keep the
product sticky and increase annual license fees from each stockyard.
Expanding into other commodity markets and stockyards is another area of focus to achieve
revenue growth for StacksOn.
Verbrec Limited
Share Registry
ASX : VBC
ACN: 127 897 689
Computershare Investor Services Pty Ltd
Ph: +61 3 9415 4000
Verbrec.com
computershare.com
- ends –
Authorised for release by the Board of Directors of Verbrec Limited.
Company Enquiries
Investor Relations
Media Enquiries
Mark Read
Joel Voss
Joel Voss
Chief Executive Officer
Company Secretary
Company Secretary
Mark.Read@verbrec.com
Investors@verbrec.com
Investors@verbrec.com
About Verbrec Limited
Verbrec Limited (ASX : VBC) (Verbrec or the Company) a leading engineering, asset management, project delivery,
operations & maintenance, training and mining technology service provider that supports customers across Australia,
New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and beyond. The Company serves the energy, infrastructure, and mining
industries through their technical specialties; asset management, automation and control, pipelines, power, process
plant and training, with capabilities that span across the entire life cycle of an asset. Verbrec is an Australian
Securities Exchange listed company (ASX:VBC).
Verbrec Limited
Share Registry
ASX : VBC
ACN: 127 897 689
Computershare Investor Services Pty Ltd
Ph: +61 3 9415 4000
Verbrec.com
computershare.com
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