Kudelski Group accelerates transformation
December 20, 2017
Digital security and end-to-end convergent media solutions specialist Kudelski Group has revealed a number of initiatives aimed at ensuring the Group’s growth and success over the long term, with the Digital TV division widely transformed.
The Group has continued its efforts to align its digital TV operations with the new market realities. The Group activities are increasingly expanding out of traditional pay-TV into cybersecurity and Internet of Things (IoT) security, addressing growing market demand.
Both domains, in which the Group is investing substantially, are developing well and expanding as planned, with stronger positioning in the United States and Europe and increasing market achievements. Concerning Intellectual Property licensing, the evolution of these initiatives continues to be marked by high volatility, which is to be expected for this type of business. In this context, the Group entered into a settlement agreement with Comcast Corporation and Comcast Cable Communications LLC pursuant to which all pending patent litigations between the companies have been dismissed. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
Over the past months, the Group has executed on the measures announced in August 2017, involving the streamlining of Digital TV core operations, the full integration of its Conax subsidiary and accelerated investments in the development of cybersecurity and IoT proprietary solutions.
Specifically, the Group has reviewed the geographic distribution of its activities with the goal of consolidating operations into core locations by having each of the Group’s activities focus on specific sites. New cybersecurity and IoT solutions were launched, including IoT chip-to-cloud security and White Noise (a secure mobile communication solution) and the cybersecurity CxO Performance Solution that aims to improve planning, management and reporting for Cyber Executives.
In a changing environment, Digital TV is continuing its own transformation to cloud-based solutions with new deployments planned for 2018.
The measures undertaken by the Group have involved changes in operations management responsibility, with the role of DTV Chief Operating Officer (COO) being split into two positions focusing on sales and marketing on the one hand and on operations on the other hand.
Pierre Roy is now focusing on digital TV marketing and sales as DTV CMO, in addition to his role of Group Executive Vice President, underscoring the strategic priority that the Group is placing on commercialisation of the digital TV product portfolio.
Morten Solbakken is now also heading the newly created operations team as DTV COO, including strategic portfolio management, customer developments and system integration, services and supply chain. Solbakken will be joining the Group’s Executive Board as Executive Vice President as of January 1st, 2018.
According to the company, these organisational changes are essential for the Group to adapt successfully to new market realities and seize new opportunities more effectively. An additional restructuring effort has been initiated in Q4 2017 and will continue into 2018. Costs incurred by this transformation will be accounted for partly in 2017 and, to a larger extent, in 2018. Material impact of restructuring is expected for 2017 and 2018 as well.
Operating income from recurring operations (i.e. ex restructuring costs) for 2017 is expected to remain in the $45 million (€38m) to $65 million guidance.