Welcome to the latest investor update from Ava Group. This update should be viewed in conjunction with any announcements lodged via the ASX platform, which are the primary source of market-sensitive company information released to the market.
Growth in the USA
The FFT team has been busy securing new contracts in multiple verticals across North America. Here’s a snapshot of some of just some of the new opportunities:
- Atlas Energy Solutions has installed Aura Ai-X in a covert buried configuration to protect the perimeter of what’s believed to be the second largest conveyor belt in world. Known as the Dune Express, the massive conveyor belt starts ten miles northeast of the oil field outpost of Kermit in West Texas and extends west by northwest into New Mexico. Once operational, it will carry 13 million tons of sand along the entire length of the machine—42 miles—each year.
- Operators of San Diego Airport are installing Aura Ai-X to protect a new section of the airport perimeter comprising brick and chain link fencing. Measuring just over five miles in length, the FFT system is scheduled to be commissioned in Q1 FY2026.
- The US Federal Government is upgrading FFT Secure Fence and FFT Secure Point systems at several of its sites to enhance perimeter protection to include new applications including pit lid tampering.
- Aura Ai-X will be installed to protect the perimeter of a Police Department Training Facility in the US south-east. Key solution benefits from the customer perspective? “It’s more reliable than radar and easier to install because of the controller’s single power source.”
WA Gas Facility Deployment
Aura Ai-X was recently commissioned to protect one of the most advanced, integrated gas production facilities in the world. Located in Western Australia, our latest generation intrusion detection technology was installed to replace legacy FFT Secure Fence and FFT Secure Zone controllers. The long-term client requested the upgrade to optimise overall system architecture, simplify the fibre optic cable infrastructure, and address intermittent electromagnetic interference affecting some legacy systems.
ausbiz interview with Mal Maginnis
CEO Mal Maginnis was recently interviewed by ausbiz as part of its High Conviction 2025 series. High Conviction features a selection of the BEST ideas for this year across public and private markets. Watch the interview here.
GJD Partnership Agreement
GJD has entered into a partnership agreement with US-based SourceIT and received its first order for the D-TECT Laser and Illuminators. SourceIT specialises in the design, distribution, and support of physical security solutions, providing integrators with system design and technical troubleshooting services. This agreement supports the efficient delivery of GJD products to a growing integrator list, while positioning the D-TECT Laser alongside premier security component products represented by SourceIT.
New Aura Ai-X animation
Imagine if your security didn’t just guard your infrastructure but actively became part of it. This new animation shows how Aura Ai-X turns a simple fence into a 24/7 smart sensor system. Using fibre sensing technology, it detects even the slightest disturbances with pinpoint accuracy, everywhere, every time. No field power. No unnecessary maintenance. Just intelligent protection that evolves as threats do. Watch the animation here.
Detect feature in ISJ
Andrew Holysz, Director of North America, Critical Infrastructure, has been featured January edition of International Security Journal. In the article, Andrew delves into how deep learning is transforming PIDS, tackling the long-standing challenge of achieving high detection rates while minimising nuisance alarms. He highlights the combination of fibre-optic Distributed Acoustic Sensors and AI-driven deep learning, paving the way for smarter, more reliable security solutions. Read the full article here on pages 54 and 55.
Out and about
Our Europe Sales Manager Sandra Journot recently showcased Aura Ai-X at Expoprotection in Paris – an international exhibition for risk prevention and management. Attended by more than 17,000 decision makers, suppliers and end users from 100 countries, Sandra was based on the Hi-Tech Detection Systems stand, where she spoke with HTDS clients, professional buyers and specifiers about how Aura Ai-X leverages Deep Learning to deliver unmatched reliability.
While in Munich, BQT’s Global Head of Sales, Jonathan Wendt, partnered with dormakaba to showcase the innovative YD30 Series at BAU 2025, one of the largest and most influential events in the building and construction sector, attracting thousands of industry professionals from around the world. Orders have been secured off the back of BAU from the Middle East and Germany.
Next up…. ISC West 2025 in Las Vegas!! Our security experts will be on Stand 2097.
Ava Risk Group announces H1 FY25 results
Ava Group reported its H1 FY2025 results on Tuesday 25 February.
Highlights:
- Group revenue of 17.0 million, up 20% on the previous corresponding period (PCP)
- Strong sales order intake of $16.3 million, driven primarily by the Detect segment
- Expansion in strategically important industry verticals and key projects across sovereign border protection, airport perimeter detection, and transportation
- Group EBITDA of $1.7 million, $2.6 million higher than PCP
- Sales order backlog of $7.6 million, including $2.3 million in contacted annual recurring revenue
- Cash balance of $4.7 million at 31 December 2024
Ava has invested significantly in its commercial capability and technology in order to grow revenue and increase market share. The results for H1 FY2025 indicate that these investments are providing a platform for continued improved performance.
Ava CEO Mal Maginnis said: “We are pleased with the Group’s progress during H1, with a strong sales pipeline across key industry verticals. Our industry leading fibre sensing technology continues to underpin strong sales momentum in the Detect segment, with some notable contracts including the protection of a critical European border, as well as airport perimeter detection orders in Dubai and North America. We also saw an increase in recurring service contracts, a key marker of future performance, which was driven by increased system deployments.”
“We are also pleased to have achieved a positive EBITDA result, a reflection of the investments made into the technology and commercial capabilities of the business. We see significant growth catalysts across the segments and are focused on improving our performance further through our sales order intake, our sales backlog and by increasing recurring revenue. We are also focused on maintaining high gross margins and expect to benefit from strong operating leverage as we scale.”
Chairman David Cronin, CEO Mal Maginnis and CFO Neville Joyce hosted a Zoom webinar presenting the results. The recording can be found on the Investor page of the website and via the link below.
Watch 1H FY2025 Results Webinar Passcode t=1k*fUF
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ABOUT AVA GROUP
The Ava Group is a market leader of risk management technologies, trusted by some of the most security conscious commercial, industrial, military and government clients in the world.
The Group features a range of complementary solutions including intrusion detection and location for perimeters, pipelines and data networks, biometrics, card access control and locking. Through decades of innovation, the Ava Group continues to build upon a comprehensive portfolio of premium technologies for the most complex and demanding markets.
Our business truly serves a global market, with our knowledgeable team spread across six continents, providing market and industry expertise directly to customers. With thousands of sites protected, the Ava Group is proven to deliver first class technologies that surpass the expectations of our partners and end users.