NewMarket Technology, Inc. Releases CEO Shareholder Letter
Discussing Managed Services, Debt Reduction and Management Realignment
Thursday June 19, 8:37 pm ET
DALLAS, TX--(MARKET WIRE)--Jun 19, 2008 -- NewMarket Technology,
Inc. (OTC BB:NMKT.OB - News) today released a letter to shareholders
from Philip Verges, the Company CEO. The letter is included in its
entirety below:
Dear Fellow Shareholders -
The Company has recently made a number of announcements regarding
several topics. In response to some of the announcements, we have
received a number of shareholder questions. In hindsight, a few of the
announcements may not have adequately explained the relevant
shareholder value.
First off, I apologize. I am collaborative by nature and
NewMarket's communications reflect my collaborative nature. The
collaborative approach has resulted in providing NewMarket with a flow
of sales opportunities and acquisition targets that I contest as
unprecedented for a company of our size. We have also generated
invaluable feedback from shareholders that has substantially
contributed to the ongoing evolution of NewMarket's business model to
continuously introduce new technologies to market. We are working to
improve our collaborative approach to sustain its benefits, but at the
same time reduce unnecessary confusion.
In the meantime, let me clarify the topics on which we have
received questions. All four topics reflect important points that
specifically enhance shareholder value.
1. Managed Services Strategy
On Monday, NewMarket announced a $4 million three year contract
with Movistar, a division of Telefonica. This contract demonstrates
the Company's strategy to transition our revenue from recurring short
term contracts into recurring revenue from long-term managed services
contracts. The recurring revenue from managed service contracts
generally receives substantially higher price to sales and price to
earnings valuations than revenue from shorter term contracts. This is
because managed service revenue is in essence, a foundation of sales
that can be built upon, rather than a sale that has to be renewed more
frequently. We intend to announce further demonstrations of our move
to make managed services an increasing percentage of our sales.
2. Debt Pay Down Strategy
NewMarket has recently communicated the retirement of a $3 million
credit facility. The debt pay down was a conscious and proactive
choice by management. We did not have to pay off the debt, but we
decided it was in the best interest of the Company and its
shareholders. The terms of this particular credit facility were
contrary to our international strategy, and its ongoing documentation
requirements were consuming valuable management resources that would
be better used growing the Company.
NewMarket is internationally focused and U.S. lenders typically do
not place the same value on receivables or the other assets generated
from overseas operations as they do for those generated in the U.S.
Since credit facilities are typically secured by a company's assets,
NewMarket's existing debt is not serving the Company's strategic
priorities as well as it could, due to the bias of U.S. lenders. The
majority of NewMarket's growth is international and the terms of
NewMarket's credit facilities are not as advantageous towards
international expansion as they are towards domestic, U.S. expansion.
Reducing, replacing, or eliminating this existing debt is an
improvement for shareholders and the Company. We are working toward a
full payoff, substantial reduction, or looking for new lending
partners who understand and more fully value the nature of our
overseas assets.
3. Bruce Noller's Role as President
We have recently announced Bruce Noller as the President of our
Managed Services business. Our Managed Services business was explained
in detail in a PowerPoint Webcast that can still be viewed at http://biz.yahoo.com/cc/4/93884.html.
The objective of the Managed Services strategy is to improve the
Company's value by extending the average length of customer contracts
and improving the efficiency of our regional operations through the
consolidation of our back office functions. This is an important
initiative for the Company and its shareholders. As explained above,
by transitioning the current business that represents 70% of the
Company's existing revenue into managed services, we have the
opportunity to grow sales more rapidly from a strong foundation and
enjoy improved valuation in the market. Mr. Noller is a long-time
known resource who has been involved with NewMarket for years. His
understanding of the organization and his dedication to the Managed
Services business will free me to concentrate on the Company's
expansion into new markets and new technologies.
4. John Verges' Ongoing Role
Paul Danner was recently announced as the CEO of NewMarket's
Chinese subsidiary. Mr. Danner follows in the footsteps of John Verges
who served as the founding CEO of the Company's Chinese subsidiary.
The transition has not been a sudden change, but rather a planned
transition that has been in the works for over six months. Mr. Danner
and Mr. Verges have been working side by side in China since the
beginning of the year to not only introduce Mr. Danner to all of the
Company's key participants, but to make sure Mr. Danner has a full
working knowledge of the organization.
John Verges is one of the founders of NewMarket Technology, Inc.
The Company was founded by my family in 1997 and John Verges is my
brother. While he has transitioned out of the role as the CEO of the
Company's Chinese subsidiary, he has by no means left the Company.
After eleven years at NewMarket, he has acquired a broad base of
experience through his participation in the Company's expanding
operations. He participated in many company initiatives prior to the
launch of NewMarket's Chinese subsidiary, and he will participate in
future endeavors as well. John Verges will now serve as Managing
Director of Red River Advisors, a third party private entity
established a year ago to serve the needs of growing small businesses.
Small businesses, particularly publicly traded small businesses, have
a need for robust and dynamic business planning, financial planning
counsel, and clear corporate communication strategies. In his new
role, John Verges will now serve in a senior corporate communications
role for NewMarket that will not only encompass the Company's Chinese
operations, but the entire organization to include Southeast Asia,
Latin America and any new market the Company enters. The communication
of the Company's strategy and fundamental financial standing to Wall
Street and the global investment community is essential to the
Company's ongoing growth, its plans to expand well beyond $100 million
in annual revenue, and the long-term market value of the Company.
Thank you for your feedback. While our collaborative communication
style may have resulted in some inadvertent confusion, it nevertheless
has generated great feedback that has helped me to make NewMarket a
stronger Company. With the focused efforts of Paul Danner, Bruce
Noller, and John Verges, we will strive to improve the Company's
communications, reduce unnecessary confusion, grow the company and
increase its value in the marketplace.
Thank you for your consideration and best regards,
Philip Verges
CEO
NewMarket Technology, Inc.
Corporate E-mail Updates
To be added to NewMarket Technology's e-mail database to receive
company updates or to obtain more information on the Company, please
send an e-mail to
ir@newmarkettechnology.com or call 214-722-3065.
About NewMarket Technology, Inc. (www.newmarkettechnology.com)
NewMarket helps clients maintain the delicate balance between
maintaining legacy systems and gaining a competitive edge from the
latest technology innovations. NewMarket provides certified
integration and maintenance services to support the prevailing
industry standard solutions such as Microsoft, Cisco Systems, SAP,
Siebel and Sun Microsystems. Concurrently, NewMarket continuously
seeks to acquire emerging technology assets to incorporate into an
overall product portfolio carefully packaged to complement the
prevailing industry standard solutions.
NewMarket delivers its portfolio of products and services through
its network of Solution Integration subsidiaries in North America and
the leading emerging markets around the world to include, Latin
America, China and Singapore.
NewMarket ranked Number One in Texas, Number Three in the United
States and Number Five in North America on Deloitte's 2006 Technology
Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology, media,
telecommunications and life sciences companies in North America.
Rankings are based on percentage revenue growth over five years, from
2001-2005. The Company grew from less than $1 million in revenue in
2001 to over $50 million in profitable revenue in 2005. In 2006, the
company continued its rapid growth, reporting $77.6 million in revenue
with a net income of $5.8 million.
"SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT" UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION
REFORM ACT OF 1995
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve
risks and uncertainties. The statements in this release are
forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to safe harbor
provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Actual results, events and performance could vary materially from
those contemplated by these forward-looking statements. These
statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which
may cause NewMarket's actual results in future periods to differ
materially from results expressed or implied by forward-looking
statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things,
product demand and market competition. You should independently
investigate and fully understand all risks before making investment
decisions. |