Xaar plc
Annual Report and
Financial Statements 2021
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Our vision
A world where you can print anything you can imagine.

Driven by our mission

We help companies and industries be more colourful, creative and productive through our world-class technology and printheads.

Building for the future

Our customers seek to work with partners who can help them get their products to market efficiently and effectively and who can support them throughout the product lifetime.

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New opportunities

During the course of 2021 we have seen a broadening of the range of applications using Xaar technology and a number of our OEMs launched new machines based on Xaar technology.

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Business responsibility

Our three main areas of focus during 2021 have been: sustainability, employee engagement and charity support.

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Chairman’s introduction

Leading the way with our strong partnerships

Our focus on customers and a product roadmap that reflects current and potential customer needs has increased the quality and responsiveness of the business, and means we are well placed for further performance improvement.
Andrew Herbert
Chairman
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Strategy update

Enhancing
our integrated product offering

We have made strategic acquisitions to the Group that enable us to strengthen our customer offering and we will continue to adopt this approach in the future as we look to continue increasing our capability and become a fully integrated inkjet product provider.
John Mills
Chief Executive Officer
Ian Tichias
Chief Financial Officer
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Financial highlights
Revenue – Continuing operations
In line with management expectations (2020: £48.0 million)

£59.3m

Gross margin – Continuing operations
Increased from 27% in 2020, benefiting from operational leverage in the business

34%

Gross R&D spend
By continuing operations of £5.7 million, up £1.2 million on 2020 with investment focused on the ImagineX platform and product roadmap

£5.7m

Net cash outflow
Net cash outflow from continuing operations before Xaar 3D disposal proceeds (2020: £7.1 million inflow)

2.3m)

Cash inflow on Xaar 3D disposal
Initial cash consideration received, with a further £10.9 million contingent consideration

£9.3m

Net cash
Strong closing balance sheet with net cash and treasury deposits (2020: £18.1 million excluding Xaar 3D)

£25.1m

Financial highlights
Revenue – Continuing operations
In line with management expectations (2020: £48.0 million)

£59.3m

Gross margin – Continuing operations
Increased from 27% in 2020, benefiting from operational leverage in the business

34%

Gross R&D spend
By continuing operations of £5.7 million, up £1.2 million on 2020 with investment focused on the ImagineX platform and product roadmap

£5.7m

Financial highlights
Net cash outflow
Net cash outflow from continuing operations before Xaar 3D disposal proceeds (2020: £7.1 million inflow)

2.3m)

Cash inflow on Xaar 3D disposal
Initial cash consideration received, with a further £10.9 million contingent consideration

£9.3m

Net cash
Strong closing balance sheet with net cash and treasury deposits (2020: £18.1 million excluding Xaar 3D)

£25.1m

Our business model

Xaar’s business is focused on inkjet technology, which together with our partners and customers, we have been transforming for over 30 years.

Xaar plc is structured into business units: Xaar Printhead, the largest BU, focuses on printhead technology; our other two business units concentrate on product print systems and digital imaging.

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Xaar designs
We have R&D facilities in Cambridge, Hemel Hempstead, Stockholm, and Vermont.

We invest a substantial proportion of our revenue in R&D to remain a world leader in inkjet technology (2021: approximately 10%).
Xaar manufactures
Xaar manufactures its printheads in Huntingdon, UK. Xaar’s manufacturing is capital intensive. EPS, our product printing business, manufactures customised and bespoke printing solutions in Vermont, USA. FFEI, our digital imaging business, manufactures imaging solutions in Hertfordshire, UK. Megnajet manufactures ink management and supply systems in Northamptonshire, UK.
Xaar markets
Xaar offers a wide range of industrial inkjet printheads, print engines, print systems and ink supply systems which are designed and produced to meet the customer-driven requirements for a range of manufacturing applications.
Xaar sells
Xaar’s printhead business sells direct to OEMs and UDIs around the world through its global sales team. Xaar company EPS also sells product printing equipment, services and consumables. The majority of sales are to US customers. FFEI sells via three routes to market: as a full system to one OEM, as a ready to integrate print engine via distribution, and as a Xaar branded print engine for our UDI customers. Megnajet sells its products directly to customers and via Xaar.

Six reasons to invest

Market opportunity

We focus on markets where we have a competitive advantage, where we can offer a number of benefits over incumbent technologies. For example, with Direct-to-Shape printing, Xaar technology offers unique value thanks to the capability of our printheads to print dynamically, in multiple orientations. This is particularly relevant in a number of areas from aerospace to bicycle manufacture.

In addition, Xaar continues to see a growing number of new opportunities within the 3D printing markets. Our technology is unique in its capability for managing high viscosity fluids and at the same time delivering industrial levels of reliability across a range of additive manufacturing applications and emerging technologies.

Proven technology and product roadmap with a strong value proposition

We have a product roadmap based on our new generation ImagineX technology platform that will develop our range to offer advantages over the competition and open new markets. Our unique technologies and products are the leading enabler for innovation and creativity, and for driving production efficiencies for many industries.

Experienced and focused management team

As the only leading independent printhead manufacturer we are able to have a flexible, collaborative approach. Our experienced management team is committed to remaining customer-centric with a focus on Xaar’s growth strategy of offering a more vertically integrated solution.

A clear strategic vision

We have a customer-centric business model that places the OEM and UDI at the heart of everything we do. We are executing on our plan to become more vertically integrated to drive printhead sales. Our ability to supply electronics, software, ink systems and print engines alongside application support, combined with a disruptive technology, sets us apart from our competition.

Roadmap to deliver
the opportunities

Our ImagineX printhead platform (launched September 2020) is driving our progress, enabling the business to increase its addressable markets whilst establishing market leading products across all our sectors. ImagineX has already delivered significant enhancements to the current portfolio; these include substantially improved speed and throughput as well as high throw distance and viscosities of over 100cp at jetting temperature. We have already launched two new printheads on this platform (Xaar Nitrox and Xaar Irix). Future product launches include aqueous compatibility, increased robustness to improve the life of the printhead and even higher resolutions. These features are helping to strengthen our position in markets where we are already well represented and will drive improved adoption in several markets where we are currently not, such as Wide Format Graphics, Labels, Packaging and Textiles.

Strong balance sheet position

We have the resources necessary to implement our strategy; a strong balance sheet with no debt and net cash of £25.1 million. This provides the platform for security and a great foundation for future growth.

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we are ready for the future

Our business units

Xaar plc has a number of business units within the Group, with the principal focus being on inkjet technology.

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Printhead
Our Printhead business unit focuses on the design, manufacture, marketing and sales of printheads and associated products which are used in a variety of applications such as Ceramic Tile Decoration, Graphics, Décor, Labels and Packaging as well as 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing.
Revenue segment
£40.1m
Industrial 53%
Packaging 30%
Graphic Arts 15%
Royalty 2%
Product Print Systems
Product Print involves printing all kinds of industrial and promotional objects such as medical equipment, automotive parts, tools, apparel, appliances, sports equipment and toys. Xaar company EPS manufactures and sells a range of highly customised print systems for these applications, including some using Xaar’s inkjet printheads.
Revenue segment
£13.9m
Digital 58%
Analogue 39%
Other 3%
Digital Imaging
Our digital imaging company, FFEI Ltd, focuses on high performance digital imaging solutions – from digital inkjet label presses to digital pathology scanners.

In March 2022 we acquired Megnajet, market leader in the design and manufacture of industrial ink management and supply systems for digital inkjet. The acquisition is part of our strategy to offer our customers a more integrated inkjet solution.
Revenue segment
£5.3m
Inkjet 60%
Life Sciences 40%
3D Printing
We have recently sold our remaining interest in Xaar 3D to Stratasys. Xaar 3D is developing, manufacturing and commercialising 3D printing machines with a unique 3D printing technology. The sale to Stratasys will enable Xaar 3D to succeed with their go-to-market plans. In addition, we have developed a close relationship with Stratasys for future collaboration and ongoing supply of printheads. We continue to work on other 3D printing projects which use Xaar printheads to deliver alternative 3D printing technology.
Printhead
Our Printhead business unit focuses on the design, manufacture, marketing and sales of printheads and associated products which are used in a variety of applications such as Ceramic Tile Decoration, Graphics, Décor, Labels and Packaging as well as 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing.
Revenue segment
£40.1m
Industrial 53%
Packaging 30%
Graphic Arts 15%
Royalty 2%
Product Print Systems
Product Print involves printing all kinds of industrial and promotional objects such as medical equipment, automotive parts, tools, apparel, appliances, sports equipment and toys. Xaar company EPS manufactures and sells a range of highly customised print systems for these applications, including some using Xaar’s inkjet printheads.
Revenue segment
£13.9m
Digital 58%
Analogue 39%
Other 3%
Digital Imaging
Our digital imaging company, FFEI Ltd, focuses on high performance digital imaging solutions – from digital inkjet label presses to digital pathology scanners.

In March 2022 we acquired Megnajet, market leader in the design and manufacture of industrial ink management and supply systems for digital inkjet. The acquisition is part of our strategy to offer our customers a more integrated inkjet solution.
Revenue segment
£5.3m
Inkjet 60%
Life Sciences 40%
3D Printing
We have recently sold our remaining interest in Xaar 3D to Stratasys. Xaar 3D is developing, manufacturing and commercialising 3D printing machines with a unique 3D printing technology. The sale to Stratasys will enable Xaar 3D to succeed with their go-to-market plans. In addition, we have developed a close relationship with Stratasys for future collaboration and ongoing supply of printheads. We continue to work on other 3D printing projects which use Xaar printheads to deliver alternative 3D printing technology.
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Sustainable and
responsible business

Working in responsible ways
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Our ESG Roadmap – founded on four pillars
Environment

Leading the way in environmental sustainability for the industrial inkjet technology sector.

People

An employer of choice by putting our people, their potential and wellbeing at the heart of all we do.

Innovation

Encouraging more sustainable approaches to design, manufacture, technology and collaboration across the whole product lifecycle.

Community

Actively engaging with our communities to provide practical, effective, lasting support that benefits society.

Our EPIICC values

Our values are the driving force of our culture and are at the heart of everything that we do.

We have a cross functional team that has been working on ways to further embed our values throughout the Company, and we have also rolled the values out across all the Group. The team put together a video which demonstrates the part that our values play in our lives, both at work and in our home lives.

Key performance indicators
Our progress in numbers

We monitor progress against the delivery of our strategic goals using financial key performance indicators (‘KPIs’).

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Revenue
Statutory

£59.3m

Continuing operations

2021
£59.3m
2020
£48.0m
Profit
Statutory

34%

Gross margin – Continuing operations

2021
34%
2020
27%

£1.0m

Profit (Loss) before tax £m – Continuing operations

2021
£1.0m
2020
(£4.3m)

20.9p

Basic earnings per share (Total)

2021
20.9p
2020
(15.2p)
APMs

£3.2m

Adjusted EBITDA
– Continuing operations

2021
£3.2m
2020
£0.1m

0.6m)

Adjusted loss before tax £m
– Continuing operations

2021
(£0.6m)
2020
(£3.9m)

(1.0p)

Adjusted basic earnings / (loss) per share – continuing operations

2021
(1.0p)
2020
(5.2p)
Net cash
Statutory

£25.1m

Cash & treasury deposits £m

2021
£25.1m
2020
£18.1m

£5.2m

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents £m

2021
£5.2m
2020
(£4.7m)
APMs

£5.7m

Gross R&D investment £m

2021
£5.7m
2020
£4.5m

2.3m)

Cash outflow from continuing operations £m

2021
(£2.3m)
2020
£7.1m
Profit
Statutory

34%

Gross margin – Continuing operations

2021
34%
2020
27%

£1.0m

Profit (Loss) before tax £m – Continuing operations

2021
£1.0m
2020
(£4.3m)

20.9p

Basic earnings per share (Total)

2021
20.9p
2020
(15.2p)
APMs

£3.2m

Adjusted EBITDA
– Continuing operations

2021
£3.2m
2020
£0.1m

0.6m)

Adjusted loss before tax £m
– Continuing operations

2021
(£0.6m)
2020
(£3.9m)

(1.0p)

Adjusted basic earnings / (loss) per share – continuing operations

2021
(1.0p)
2020
(5.2p)